bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hedges, mottes, and baileys: Causally ambiguous statistical language can increase perceived study quality and policy relevance
Authors: Alvarez-Vargas Daniela , Braithwaite David , Lortie-Forgues Hugues , Moore Melody , Wan Sirui , Martin Elizabeth , Bailey Drew Hal
Published: October 2023

There is a norm in psychology to use causally ambiguous statistical language, rather than straightforward causal language, when describing methods and results of nonexperimental studies. However, causally ambiguous language may inhibit a critical examination of the study’s causal assumptions and lead to a greater acceptance of policy recommendations that rely on causal interpretations of nonexperimental findings. In a preregistered experiment, 142 psychology faculty, postdocs, and doctoral students (54% female), ages 22–67 (M = 33.20, SD = 8.96), rated the design and analysis from hypothetical studies with causally ambiguous statistical language as of higher quality (by .34-.80 SD) and as similarly or more supportive (by .16-.27 SD) of policy recommendations than studies described in straightforward causal language. Thus, using statistical rather than causal language to describe nonexperimental findings did not decrease, and may have increased, perceived support for implicitly causal conclusions.
A contextual ICT model to explain adoption of mobile applications in developing countries: A case study of Tunisia
Authors: Dhehibi Boubaker , Dhraief Mohamed Zied , Frija Aymen , Ouerghemmi Hassen , Rischkowsky Barbara , Ruediger Udo
Published: October 2023

In Tunisia, agriculture is the main source of livelihood for more than 75% of small and subsistence farmers with minimal use of technology. The use of information and communication technology (ICT),such as mobile applications, represents a pertinent opportunity for these smallholders to access agricultural innovation and market information and improve their farming technologies and farm management. Thus, ICT can act as a replacement to foster access to innovation for this category of farmers. Unfortunately, the underuse of mobile applications has contributed to low and slow adoption of agricultural innovation and consequently the benefits of this technology have not been attained. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting the adoption of Short Message Service (SMS) through a contextual ICT model for livestock, olive crop, and beekeeping. Data were collected from 200 small-scale beekeepers, 225 olive growers, and 140 livestock breeders selected in Jendouba, Kairouan, and Zaghouan in Tunisia. The objective of this paper is to examine the factors that influence mobile applications using the partial least squares structural equation modelling technique, for livestock, olive crop, and beekeeping agricultural activities. The results showed that the final ICT-induced structural models were highly predictive of the use of SMS and its increased adoption. Factors affecting the use of SMS differed according to the farming system. The major perceived factor affecting the use of SMS was ‘observability’ for livestock farmers, ‘compatibility’ for olive growers, and ‘information quality’ for beekeepers. Understanding these factors by taking into account the specificity of the agricultural activity leads to a better understanding of the adoption of ICT tools by smallholder farmers in Tunisia.
Network-level pavement maintenance and rehabilitation decision-making with the optimized annual budget
Authors: Chen Lin
Published: October 2023

Maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) is necessary to keep pavement networks in good condition. Due to the capital intensity, M&R funding is always insufficient. The annual budget, determining the available funding, is a critical criterion when planning M&R treatments. However, its values are often given, and the determination of the values is seldom discussed. To fill the gap, this paper focuses on both the determination of annual budgets and the budget allocations, and therefore enhances the network-level decision-making on M&R by developing a Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) method. This method does not only optimize and trade off the annual budgets and their consequences, but also allocates the funding across the entire network through generating the optimized M&R decisions. According to a case study with 50 segments, the developed method successfully and effectively identified non-linear discrete relationship between the minimized annual budgets and the maximized M&R benefits subject to all the constraints, and generated the optimized annual budget allocation for each M&R decision. The achievements of this paper can be used to enhance the efficiency of M&R decisions and contribute to informed pavement management.
A randomized controlled trial of teprenone in terms of preventing worsening of COVID-19 infection
Authors: Ichihara Eiki , Hasegawa Kou , Kudo Kenichiro , Tanimoto Yasushi , Nouso Kazuhiro , Oda Naohiro , Mitsumune Sho , Yamada Haruto , Takata Ichiro , Hagiya Hideharu , Mitsuhashi Toshiharu , Taniguchi Akihiko , Toyooka Shinichi , Tsukahara Kohei , Aokage Toshiyuki , Tsukahara Hirokazu , Kiura Katsuyuki , Maeda Yoshinobu
Published: October 2023

Background

Some COVID-19 patients develop life-threatening disease accompanied by severe pneumonitis. Teprenone induces expression of heat-shock proteins (HSPs) that protect against interstitial pneumonia in preclinical models. We explored whether teprenone prevented worsening of COVID-19 infections.

Methods

This open-label, randomized, pilot phase 2 clinical trial was conducted at five institutions in Japan. We randomized patients hospitalized for COVID-19 with fever to teprenone or no-teprenone groups in a 1:1 ratio. We stratified patients by sex, age < and ≥ 70 years and the existence (or not) of complications (hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, chronic pulmonary disease and active cancer). No limitation was imposed on other COVID-19 treatments. The primary endpoint was the intubation rate.

Results

One hundred patients were included, 51 in the teprenone and 49 in the no- teprenone groups. The intubation rate did not differ significantly between the two groups: 9.8% (5/51) vs. 2.0% (1/49) (sub-hazard ratio [SHR] 4.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59–42.1; p = 0.140). The rates of intra-hospital mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission did not differ significantly between the two groups: intra-hospital mortality 3.9% (2/51) vs. 4.1% (2/49) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.78, 95%CI: 0.11–5.62; p = 0.809); ICU admission 11.8% (6/51) vs. 6.1% (3/49) (SHR 1.99, 95%CI: 0.51–7.80; p = 0.325).

Conclusion

Teprenone afforded no clinical benefit.

Trial registration

Japan Registry of Clinical Trials jRCTs061200002 (registered on 20/May/2020).
Digital inclusive finance, agricultural green technology innovation and agricultural carbon emissions: Impact mechanism and empirical test
Authors: Li Hui
Published: October 2023

The impact of digital financial inclusion (If) and agricultural technology innovation (Gi) on agricultural carbon emissions has attracted wide attention from the academic community, but the inconsistent conclusions of existing studies and the reality that few studies have gathered them into a framework require more evidence to fill this gap, which can contribute more insights to promoting economic development and controlling carbon emissions. Taking the provincial-level relevant data of China’s agriculture from 2011 to 2020 as a sample, the GMM method is used to integrally test the relationship between the three factors. The results show that (1) from 2011 to 2020, China’s overall agricultural carbon emissions experienced two stages of fluctuating rise (2011–2015) and continuous decline (2015–2020). In 2015, China’s agricultural carbon emissions peaked at 1,040 million tons; Overall, Hunan, Hubei, and Henan were the provinces with the largest agricultural carbon emissions; Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai are provinces with relatively low agricultural carbon emissions. (2) Although the impact of digital financial inclusion on agricultural carbon emissions is negative, it is not significant. (3) Agricultural technology innovation promoted the reduction of agricultural carbon emissions. If the level of agricultural technology innovation increased by 1 percentage point, agricultural carbon emissions would decrease by 0.09 percentage points. (4) Mechanism analysis showed that agricultural technology innovation could reduce carbon emissions through the efficiency of agricultural resource allocation, and its effect reached 56%. The results can provide a scientific basis for the government to formulate targeted policies, and the methods can be extended to other places.
Beyond scores: A machine learning approach to comparing educational system effectiveness
Authors: Cardoso Silva Filho Rogério Luiz , Garg Anvit , Brito Kellyton , Adeodato Paulo Jorge Leitão , Carnoy Martin
Published: October 2023

Studies comparing large-scale assessment data among educational systems have been an important tool for understanding the differences in how education is delivered worldwide. Many of these studies do not go beyond reporting average student scores in a particular educational system. A more unbiased analysis would avoid the simple use of gross performance and consider educational system contexts. A common approach is to estimate effectiveness by the residuals of parametric linear models. These models rely upon strong assumptions regarding the data-generating process, and are limited to handling extensive datasets. To address this issue, our paper provides a new approach based on machine learning models. The new approach is flexible, allows paired comparison, and is model-independent. An analysis conducted in Brazil verifies the suitability of the method to explore differences in effectiveness between Brazilian educational administrative units at the regional and state levels from 2009 to 2019. Our results are consistent with the existing literature, but the methodology produced a number of new findings that were not observed in studies using more traditional approaches.
Voluntary sports programs for individuals with mental health disorders: The trainer’s view
Authors: Epiney Florence , Wieber Frank , Loosli Daniela , Znoj Hansjörg , Kiselev Nikolai
Published: October 2023

There is strong evidence that physical activities (PAs) are an important factor in increasing and maintaining mental health as well as in preventing relapse after mental health disorders. Physical activity is an important part of the treatment program in psychiatric hospitals. However, when individuals with mental health disorders (IMHD) leave the hospitals in Switzerland (CH), there are few possibilities to do physical activity in a given setting. One of them are voluntary sports groups for individuals with mental health disorders (SGPSY), which have been growing continuously in CH since 2016. Yet, little is known about these groups and their training settings. Therefore, the present study explores challenges, barriers, and enablers for participation in SGPSY from the point of view of the trainers of these groups. Additionally, as the sustainable implementation of SGPSY relies on the trainer, the study aims to identify reasons/motivations as well as the personality characteristics of the SGPSY trainers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 trainers of SGPSY in CH during spring 2022. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis in nVivo. Participants identified several intrapersonal (lack of motivation and fitness, mood problems, etc.), interpersonal (conflicts between participants), and structural barriers (time/location) that hinder IMHD from participating in SGPSY. The participating trainer reported that trainer might be helpful in overcoming the barriers by supporting IMHD as enablers. They rate social skills to be essential for the successful management and organization of SGPSY, as well as the ability to set boundaries to protect one’s private life and sports skills expertise. The reasons for their engagement as trainers of SGPSY were the satisfaction of doing sports with IMHD and to improve the physical activities habits of IMHD. The findings of the study highlight the need to upskill the trainers of SGPSY in order to improve recruitment of the future trainers of SGPSY by focusing on the assessment of appropriate personality characteristics of trainers and their motives. Additionally, these findings should be integrated in the educational materials of Swiss disabled sports systems. Further research should validate the results from SGPSY participants’ point of view.
A research on urban disaster resilience assessment system for rainstorm and flood disasters: A case study of Beijing
Authors: Yu Shuangrui , Li Ruiqi , Zhang Yuxi , Wang Mingfei , Zhang Peng , Wu Aizhi , Yu Fucai , Zhang Xiaofeng , Yang Lin , Cui Yong’an
Published: October 2023

Under the background of global climate change, rainstorm and flood disasters have become the most serious cataclysm. Under the circumstances of an increasingly severe risk situation, it is necessary to enhance urban disaster resilience. Based on the disaster resilience process of prevention, absorption, and enhancement, and considering the safety factors such as personnel, facility, environment and management, this paper forms a dual dimension of the urban disaster resilience assessment model covering the key elements of urban disaster response and the core capacity of urban disaster recovery. Furthermore, if taking into account the characteristics of rainstorm and flood disasters, the paper screens the key indicators to build up an assessment index system of an urban rainstorm and flood disaster. The practical application was implemented in Beijing to have an assessment of the ability to recover from rainstorm and flood disasters in all districts of Beijing. And then, some pertinent suggestions for enhancing the resilience of Beijing to rainstorm and flood disasters were proposed.
Apical-basal distribution of different subtypes of spiral ganglion neurons in the cochlea and the changes during aging
Authors: Wang Meijian , Lin Shengyin , Xie Ruili
Published: October 2023

Sound information is transmitted from the cochlea to the brain mainly by type I spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), which consist of different subtypes with distinct physiological properties and selective expression of molecular markers. It remains unclear how these SGN subtypes distribute along the tonotopic axis, and whether the distribution pattern changes during aging that might underlie age-related hearing loss (ARHL). We investigated these questions using immunohistochemistry in three age groups of CBA/CaJ mice of either sex, including 2–5 months (young), 17–19 months (middle-age), and 28–32 months (old). Mouse cochleae were cryo-sectioned and triple-stained using antibodies against Tuj1, calretinin (CR) and calbindin (CB), which are reportedly expressed in all type I, subtype Ia, and subtype Ib SGNs, respectively. Labeled SGNs were classified into four groups based on the expression pattern of stained markers, including CR+ (subtype Ia), CB+ (subtype Ib), CR+CB+ (dual-labeled Ia/Ib), and CR-CB- (subtype Ic) neurons. The distribution of these SGN groups was analyzed in the apex, middle, and base regions of the cochleae. It showed that the prevalence of subtype Ia, Ib and dual-labeled Ia/Ib SGNs are high in the apex and low in the base. In contrast, the distribution pattern is reversed in Ic SGNs. Such frequency-dependent distribution is largely maintained during aging except for a preferential reduction of Ic SGNs, especially in the base. These findings corroborate the prior study based on RNAscope that SGN subtypes show differential vulnerability during aging. It suggests that sound processing of different frequencies involves distinct combinations of SGN subtypes, and the age-dependent loss of Ic SGNs in the base may especially impact high-frequency hearing during ARHL.
Magnesium prophylaxis of new-onset atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Curran Jeffrey , Ross-White Amanda , Sibley Stephanie
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in intensive care units (ICU) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Magnesium prophylaxis has been shown to reduce incidence of AF in cardiac surgery patients, however, evidence outside this population is limited. The objective of this study is to summarize studies examining magnesium versus placebo in the prevention of NOAF outside the setting of cardiac surgery.

Source

We performed a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) from inception until January 3rd, 2023. We included all interventional research studies that compared magnesium to placebo and excluded case reports and post cardiac surgery patients. We conducted meta-analysis using the inverse variance method with random effects modelling.

Principal findings

Of the 1493 studies imported for screening, 87 full texts were assessed for eligibility and six citations, representing five randomized controlled trials (n = 4713), were included in the review, with four studies (n = 4654) included in the pooled analysis. Administration of magnesium did not significantly reduce the incidence of NOAF compared to placebo (OR 0.72, [95% CI 0.48 to 1.09]).

Conclusion

Use of magnesium did not reduce the incidence of NOAF, however these studies represent diverse groups and are hindered by significant bias. Further studies are necessary to determine if there is benefit to magnesium prophylaxis for NOAF in non-cardiac surgery patients.
Understanding the connection between hospital goals and patient and family engagement: A scoping review
Authors: Majid Umair , Steele Gray Carolyn , Saragosa Marianne , Kontos Pia , Kuluski Kerry
Published: October 2023

The person-centered care movement has influenced hospitals to make patient and family engagement (PE) an explicit commitment in their strategic plans. This is often reflected in mission, vision, and value (MVV) statements, which are organizational artifacts intended to influence the attitudes, beliefs, and actions of hospital teams and employees because of their saliency in organizational documents and communications. Previous research has found that organizational goals for PE, like those articulated in MVV statements, can lead to effective and meaningful PE. However, a deeper understanding of how and under which circumstances MVV statements encourage and promote PE practices is needed. A scoping review was conducted to understand the connection between hospital PE goals (such as MVV statements) and PE processes and practices. The research question was: what is known about how hospital MVV statements relate to PE processes and activities? Following Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review approach, 27 articles were identified as relevant to the research question. These articles revealed five strategies that help realize hospital PE goals: communicating organizational goals; aligning documents that convey organizational goals; aligning organizational processes to support PE; providing employees with resources and support; and motivating and empowering employees to integrate PE into their work. We discuss the implications of misalignment between hospital goals and practices, which reduce team and individual motivation toward hospital PE goals.
Relationships between body fat distribution and metabolic syndrome traits and outcomes: A mendelian randomization study
Authors: Huang Brian , DePaolo John , Judy Renae L. , Shakt Gabrielle , Witschey Walter R. , Levin Michael G. , Gershuni Victoria M.
Published: October 2023

Background

Obesity is a complex, multifactorial disease associated with substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although it is frequently assessed using BMI, many epidemiological studies have shown links between body fat distribution and obesity-related outcomes. This study examined the relationships between body fat distribution and metabolic syndrome traits using Mendelian Randomization (MR).

Methods/findings

Genetic variants associated with visceral adipose tissue (VAT), abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT), and gluteofemoral adipose tissue (GFAT), as well as their relative ratios, were identified from a genome wide association study (GWAS) performed with the United Kingdom BioBank. GWAS summary statistics for traits and outcomes related to metabolic syndrome were obtained from the IEU Open GWAS Project. Two-sample MR and BMI-controlled multivariable MR (MVMR) were performed to examine relationships between each body fat measure and ratio with the outcomes. Increases in absolute GFAT were associated with a protective cardiometabolic profile, including lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol (β: -0.19, [95% CI: -0.28, -0.10], p < 0.001), higher high density lipoprotein cholesterol (β: 0.23, [95% CI: 0.03, 0.43], p = 0.025), lower triglycerides (β: -0.28, [95% CI: -0.45, -0.10], p = 0.0021), and decreased systolic (β: -1.65, [95% CI: -2.69, -0.61], p = 0.0019) and diastolic blood pressures (β: -0.95, [95% CI: -1.65, -0.25], p = 0.0075). These relationships were largely maintained in BMI-controlled MVMR analyses. Decreases in relative GFAT were linked with a worse cardiometabolic profile, with higher levels of detrimental lipids and increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures.

Conclusion

A MR analysis of ASAT, GFAT, and VAT depots and their relative ratios with metabolic syndrome related traits and outcomes revealed that increased absolute and relative GFAT were associated with a favorable cardiometabolic profile independently of BMI. These associations highlight the importance of body fat distribution in obesity and more precise means to categorize obesity beyond BMI.
Combined thermal ablation and liposomal granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulation factor increases immune cell trafficking in a small animal tumor model
Authors: Moussa Marwan , Chowdhury Md. Raihan , Mwin David , Fatih Mohamed , Selveraj Gokul , Abdelmonem Ahmed , Farghaly Mohamed , Dou Qianhui , Filipczak Nina , Levchenko Tatyana , Torchilin Vladimir P. , Boussiotis Vassiliki , Goldberg S. Nahum , Ahmed Muneeb
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To characterize intratumoral immune cell trafficking in ablated and synchronous tumors following combined radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and systemic liposomal granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulation factor (lip-GM-CSF).

Methods

Phase I, 72 rats with single subcutaneous R3230 adenocarcinoma were randomized to 6 groups: a) sham; b&c) free or liposomal GM-CSF alone; d) RFA alone; or e&f) combined with blank liposomes or lip-GM-CSF. Animals were sacrificed 3 and 7 days post-RFA. Outcomes included immunohistochemistry of dendritic cells (DCs), M1 and M2 macrophages, T-helper cells (Th1) (CD4+), cytotoxic T- lymphocytes (CTL) (CD8+), T-regulator cells (T-reg) (FoxP3+) and Fas Ligand activated CTLs (Fas-L+) in the periablational rim and untreated index tumor. M1/M2, CD4+/CD8+ and CD8+/FoxP3+ ratios were calculated. Phase II, 40 rats with double tumors were randomized to 4 groups: a) sham, b) RFA, c) RFA-BL and d) RFA-lip-GM-CSF. Synchronous untreated tumors collected at 7d were analyzed similarly.

Results

RFA-lip-GMCSF increased periablational M1, CTL and CD8+/FoxP3+ ratio at 3 and 7d, and activated CTLs 7d post-RFA (p<0.05). RFA-lip-GMSCF also increased M2, T-reg, and reduced CD4+/CD8+ 3 and 7d post-RFA respectively (p<0.05). In untreated index tumor, RFA-lip-GMCSF improved DCs, M1, CTLs and activated CTL 7d post-RFA (p<0.05). Furthermore, RFA-lip-GMSCF increased M2 at 3 and 7d, and T-reg 7d post-RFA (p<0.05). In synchronous tumors, RFA-BL and RFA-lip-GM-CSF improved DC, Th1 and CTL infiltration 7d post-RFA.

Conclusion

Systemic liposomal GM-CSF combined with RFA improves intratumoral immune cell trafficking, specifically populations initiating (DC, M1) and executing (CTL, FasL+) anti-tumor immunity. Moreover, liposomes influence synchronous untreated metastases increasing Th1, CTL and DCs infiltration.
RNA-seq RNAaccess identified as the preferred method for gene expression analysis of low quality FFPE samples
Authors: Song Kai , Elboudwarej Emon , Zhao Xi , Zhuo Luting , Pan David , Liu Jinfeng , Brachmann Carrie , Patterson Scott D. , Yoon Oh Kyu , Zavodovskaya Marianna
Published: October 2023

Clinical tumor tissues that are preserved as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples result in extensive cross-linking, fragmentation, and chemical modification of RNA, posing significant challenges for RNA-seq-based gene expression profiling. This study sought to define an optimal RNA-seq protocol for FFPE samples. We employed a common RNA extraction method and then compared RNA-seq library preparation protocols including RNAaccess, RiboZero and PolyA in terms of sequencing quality and concordance of gene expression using FFPE and case-matched fresh-frozen (FF) triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tissues. We found that RNAaccess, a method based on exome capture, produced the most concordant results. Applying RNAaccess to FFPE gastric cancer tissues, we established a minimum RNA DV200 requirement of 10% and a RNA input amount of 10ng that generated highly reproducible gene expression data. Lastly, we demonstrated that RNAaccess and NanoString platforms produced highly concordant expression profiles from FFPE samples for shared genes; however, RNA-seq may be preferred for clinical biomarker discovery work because of the broader coverage of the transcriptome. Taken together, these results support the selection of RNA-seq RNAaccess method for gene expression profiling of FFPE samples. The minimum requirements for RNA quality and input established here may allow for inclusion of clinical FFPE samples of sub-optimal quality in gene expression analyses and ultimately increasing the statistical power of such analyses.
Music listening evokes story-like visual imagery with both idiosyncratic and shared content
Authors: Hashim Sarah , Stewart Lauren , Küssner Mats B. , Omigie Diana
Published: October 2023

There is growing evidence that music can induce a wide range of visual imagery. To date, however, there have been few thorough investigations into the specific content of music-induced visual imagery, and whether listeners exhibit consistency within themselves and with one another regarding their visual imagery content. We recruited an online sample (N = 353) who listened to three orchestral film music excerpts representing happy, tender, and fearful emotions. For each excerpt, listeners rated how much visual imagery they were experiencing and how vivid it was, their liking of and felt emotional intensity in response to the excerpt, and, finally, described the content of any visual imagery they may have been experiencing. Further, they completed items assessing a number of individual differences including musical training and general visual imagery ability. Of the initial sample, 254 respondents completed the survey again three weeks later. A thematic analysis of the content descriptions revealed three higher-order themes of prominent visual imagery experiences: Storytelling (imagined locations, characters, actions, etc.), Associations (emotional experiences, abstract thoughts, and memories), and References (origins of the visual imagery, e.g., film and TV). Although listeners demonstrated relatively low visual imagery consistency with each other, levels were higher when considering visual imagery content within individuals across timepoints. Our findings corroborate past literature regarding music’s capacity to encourage narrative engagement. It, however, extends it (a) to show that such engagement is highly visual and contains other types of imagery to a lesser extent, (b) to indicate the idiosyncratic tendencies of listeners’ imagery consistency, and (c) to reveal key factors influencing consistency levels (e.g., vividness of visual imagery and emotional intensity ratings in response to music). Further implications are discussed in relation to visual imagery’s purported involvement in music-induced emotions and aesthetic appeal.
Screening of potential biomarkers for polycystic ovary syndrome and identification of expression and immune characteristics
Authors: Liu Shuang , Zhao Xuanpeng , Meng Qingyan , Li Baoshan
Published: October 2023

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) seriously affects the fertility and health of women of childbearing age. We look forward to finding potential biomarkers for PCOS that can aid clinical diagnosis.

Methods

We acquired PCOS and normal granulosa cell (GC) expression profiles from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. After data preprocessing, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened by limma package, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were performed. Recursive feature elimination (RFE) algorithm and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis were used to acquire feature genes as potential biomarkers. Time-dependent receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) and Confusion matrix were used to verify the classification performance of biomarkers. Then, the expression characteristics of biomarkers in PCOS and normal cells were analyzed, and the insulin resistance (IR) score of samples was computed by ssGSEA. Immune characterization of biomarkers was evaluated using MCP counter and single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). Finally, the correlation between biomarkers and the scores of each pathway was assessed.

Results

We acquired 93 DEGs, and the enrichment results indicated that most of DEGs in PCOS group were significantly enriched in immune-related biological pathways. Further screening results indicated that JDP2 and HMOX1 were potential biomarkers. The area under ROC curve (AUC) value and Confusion matrix of the two biomarkers were ideal when separated and combined. In the combination, the training set AUC = 0.929 and the test set AUC = 0.917 indicated good diagnostic performance of the two biomarkers. Both biomarkers were highly expressed in the PCOS group, and both biomarkers, which should be suppressed in the preovulation phase, were elevated in PCOS tissues. The IR score of PCOS group was higher, and the expression of JDP2 and HMOX1 showed a significant positive correlation with IR score. Most immune cell scores and immune infiltration results were significantly higher in PCOS. Comprehensive analysis indicated that the two biomarkers had strong correlation with immune-related pathways.

Conclusion

We acquired two potential biomarkers, JDP2 and HMOX1. We found that they were highly expressed in the PCOS and had a strong positive correlation with immune-related pathways.
Route of Francisella tularensis infection informs spatiotemporal metabolic reprogramming and inflammation in mice
Authors: Jessop Forrest , Schwarz Benjamin , Bohrnsen Eric , Bosio Catharine M.
Published: October 2023

Route of exposure to pathogens can inform divergent disease pathogenesis and mortality rates. However, the features that contribute to these differences are not well established. Host metabolism has emerged as a critical element governing susceptibility and the metabolism of tissue exposure sites are unique. Therefore, specific metabolic niches may contribute to the course and outcome of infection depending on route of infection. In the current study, we utilized a combination of imaging and systems metabolomics to map the spatiotemporal dynamics of the host response to intranasal (i.n.) or intradermal (i.d.) infection of mice using the bacterium Francisella tularensis subsp tularensis (FTT). FTT causes lethal disease through these infection routes with similar inoculation doses and replication kinetics, which allowed for isolation of host outcomes independent of bacterial burden. We observed metabolic modifications that were both route dependent and independent. Specifically, i.d. infection resulted in early metabolic reprogramming at the site of infection and draining lymph nodes, whereas the lungs and associated draining lymph nodes were refractory to metabolic reprogramming following i.n. infection. Irrespective of exposure route, FTT promoted metabolic changes in systemic organs prior to colonization, and caused massive dysregulation of host metabolism in these tissues prior to onset of morbidity. Preconditioning infection sites towards a more glycolytic and pro-inflammatory state prior to infection exacerbated FTT replication within the lungs but not intradermal tissue. This enhancement of replication in the lungs was associated with the ability of FTT to limit redox imbalance and alter the pentose phosphate pathway. Together, these studies identify central metabolic features of the lung and dermal compartments that contribute to disease progression and identify potential tissue specific targets that may be exploited for novel therapeutic approaches.
Concurrent changes in physical activity and physical functioning during retirement transition–a multi-trajectory analysis
Authors: Lintuaho Roosa , Saltychev Mikhail , Pentti Jaana , Vahtera Jussi , Stenholm Sari
Published: October 2023

Background

Physical activity and physical functioning have been reported to change over retirement transition, but the results have been inconsistent, and the two constructs have not been studied concurrently. The objective of this study was to examine concurrent changes in physical activity and physical functioning during transition to retirement among public sector employees, and to examine if occupation, sex, marital status, body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption and smoking status are associated with observed different multi-trajectory paths.

Methods

3,550 participants of the Finnish Retirement and Aging study responded to an annual survey on physical activity and physical functioning (SF-36) before and after retirement. Group-based multi-trajectory analysis was used to identify clusters with dissimilar concurrent changes in physical activity and physical functioning. Multinomial regression analysis was used to describe the associations between covariates and the probability of being classified to a certain cluster.

Results

Participants were 63.4 (SD 1.4) years old, 83% women, 65% professional workers. Four trajectories of concurrent changes in physical activity and physical functioning were identified, one with decreasing physical functioning and low activity, one with increasing high activity and stable high functioning and two with fluctuating moderate physical activity and stable high functioning. Single, women, obese participants and risk-users of alcohol were more likely to be classified into group with low physical activity and declining physical functioning.

Conclusions

Low physical activity below the level usually recommended was associated with lower physical functioning during retirement transition. These findings could be useful when planning interventions for retirees to maintain their physical functioning level.
Associations between physical activity, physical fitness, and body composition in adults living in Germany: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Schilling Raphael , Schmidt Steffen C. E. , Fiedler Janis , Woll Alexander
Published: October 2023

Background & aims

Body composition (BC) changes with age and is associated with morbidity and mortality. A physically active lifestyle influences BC and represents an important predictor of successful aging. To emphasize this, the World Health Organization established activity recommendations for all age groups. We describe BC during adulthood using a cross-sectional sample from a German community and investigate the associations between physical activity (PA), physical fitness (PF), and BC.

Methods

Data from 329 men and women aged 35 to 86 years were analyzed. PA was measured by questionnaire and classified into sport activity and habitual activity. PF was measured through physical performance tests and BC by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) were calculated to represent height-adjusted BC. Associations between PA, PF, and BC were analyzed using linear regression models.

Results

For both sexes, strength was positively associated with FFMI (♂: ß = 0.313; ♀: ß = 0.213) and phase angle (♂: ß = 0.357; ♀: ß = 0.409). For FMI, a significant negative association with strength was found only in women (ß = -0.189). Cardiorespiratory fitness showed a negative association with FMI (ß = -0.312) and FFMI (ß = -0.201) for men, while in women a positive association was found for FFMI (ß = 0.186). For coordination, a significant association with FMI was observed only in women (ß = -0.190). Regarding PA only one significant relationship between sport activity and FMI among women (ß = -0.170) was found.

Conclusions

In our sample, PF was closer related to BC than PA. Strength and cardiorespiratory fitness were the strongest predictors for BC. This supports the World Health Organization’s activity recommendations to include both resistance and endurance training in the weekly sports program to maintain a healthy BC.
Sugarcane streak mosaic virus P1 protein inhibits unfolded protein response through direct suppression of bZIP60U splicing
Authors: Zhang Kun , Gu Tianxiao , Xu Xiaowei , Gan Haifeng , Qin Lang , Feng Chenwei , He Zhen
Published: October 2023

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a cell-designated strategy that maintains the balance of protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). UPR features a network of signal transduction pathways that reprogram the transcription, mRNA translation, and protein post-translational modification to relieve the ER stresses from unfolded/misfolded proteins. Infection with plant viruses can induce the UPR, and activated UPR often promotes plant viral infections in turn. However, the mechanism used by plant viruses to balance UPR and achieve robust infection remain largely unknown. In this study, P1SCSMV was identified as a virus-encoded RNA silencing suppressor (VSR). Heterologous overexpression of P1SCSMV via potato virus X (PVX) was found lead to programmed cell death (PCD) in Nicotiana benthamiana. Furthermore, P1SCSMV was also found to inhibit the PVX infection-triggered UPR by downregulating UPR-related genes and directly induced the distortion and collapse of the ER polygonal meshes on PVX-P1SCSMV infected N. benthamiana. Moreover, self-interaction, VSR activity, UPR inhibition, and cell death phenotype of P1SCSMV were also found to be dependent on its bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) (251RKRKLFPRIPLK262). P1SCSMV was found to directly bind to the stem-loop region of NbbZIP60U via its NLS and inhibit the UPR pathways, ultimately resulting in a PCD phenotype in PVX-P1SCSMV infected N. benthamiana leaves. This study also revealed the balancing role of potyviruses encoded P1SCSMV in the UPR pathway to achieve robust viral infection. This may represent a novel virulence strategy for plant viruses.
Présentation. Thèmes classiques chez Ricoeur: Herméneutique, religion, reconnaissance
Authors: Beato José , Portocarrero Maria Luísa , Marcelo Gonçalo
Published: October 2023

Este texto apresenta o dossier temático “Temas clássicos em Ricoeur: hermenêutica, religião, reconhecimento”. A apresentação explica a origem dos artigos, procedentes do VII Congresso Ibero‑Americano sobre o Pensamento de Paul Ricoeur, “Ricoeur e os Clássicos”, expõe de forma sucinta a importância da reflexão sobre os clássicos no contexto da hermenêutica ricoeuriana, e introduz cada um dos artigos do dossier. A hermenêutica bíblica e a relação entre filosofia e religião, a própria noção de “clássico”, bem como a investigação da questão do reconhecimento são exemplos de temas clássicos explorados aqui, no contexto do pensamento de Ricoeur.
Optimizing the Management Algorithm for Esophageal Dysphagia After Index Endoscopy: Cost-Effectiveness and Cost-Minimization Analysis
Authors: Shah Eric D. , Yadlapati Rena , Chan Walter W.
Published: October 2023

INTRODUCTION:

Guidelines advise esophageal motility testing for dysphagia when structural disorders are ruled out, but cost concerns impede adoption. We evaluated cost-effective positioning of esophageal motility testing in the algorithm to evaluate esophageal dysphagia.

METHODS:

We developed a decision analytic model comparing 3 strategies: (i) esophageal manometry, (ii) screening impedance planimetry followed by esophageal manometry if needed, or (iii) nonalgorithmic usual care. Diagnostic test accuracy was adapted to expected rates of esophageal motility disorders in general gastroenterology populations. We modeled routine testing for all patients with nonstructural/mechanical dysphagia compared with selective testing with strong suspicion for achalasia. Cost outcomes were defined on national commercial and Medicare datasets stratified on age and sex. Health outcomes were modeled on populations with achalasia. The time horizon was 1 year.

RESULTS:

Motility testing was preferred over nonalgorithmic usual care due to cost savings rather than health gains. To commercial insurers, routine esophageal manometry for nonstructural/mechanical dysphagia would be cost-saving below a reimbursed cost of $2,415. Screening impedance planimetry would be cost saving below a reimbursed cost of $1,130. The limit for reimbursed costs would be lower for patients older than 65 years to achieve cost savings mainly due to insurance. Sex did not significantly influence cost-effectiveness. Patients and insurers preferred routine screening impedance planimetry before manometry when the index of suspicion for achalasia was below 6%.

DISCUSSION:

Aligning with practice guidelines, routine esophageal motility testing seems cost saving to patients and insurers compared with nonalgorithmic usual care to evaluate nonstructural/mechanical dysphagia. Choice of testing should be guided by index of suspicion.
Editorial
Authors: Papier Joy
Published: October 2023

It gives me great pleasure to present this brief introduction to our 2023 issue of JOVACET, now in its sixth year of publication and seeking to increase its footprint with each passing year. To illustrate these endeavours, this year saw JOVACET being accepted on two more platforms: the first is the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and, more recently, our journal has joined the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), an open-access searchable database that is managed in South Africa by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf ), is funded by the South African Department of Science and Technology (DST), and has the endorsement of the South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET; see https://www.scielo.org.za for more information about the broader SciELO initiative). As part of the conditions of the SciELO listing, journals are required to publish individual articles on the platform for online access in advance of the completed journal being published. This was a new challenge for JOVACET, as we had not experimented with this requirement previously, and it meant putting some pressure on our time frames for reviewing and editing (so ably managed by Dr Catherine Robertson) so that at least one article could be published as a stand-alone that would also be included in the full journal for this year. 
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Las posibilidades disruptivas del libro-álbum: una aproximación literaria desde la teoría queer
Authors: Suárez Rico Andrés
Published: October 2023

Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar los nuevos derroteros de la literatura infantil que, en contraposición a los títulos, obras y lecturas de carácter didáctico, ejemplarizante y aleccionador que redundan tanto en la escuela como en los espacios académicos, se asientan sobre la diversidad, la pluralidad y la diferencia. Dentro de las emergencias temáticas y estéticas del siglo XXI, aquí se analizan las propuestas narrativas y estéticas con temática queer a través del libro-álbum. Esta tipología literaria, en la que palabra e imagen funcionan simbióticamente, sirve como mediador para no solo romper con el tabú y la censura presupuestos en el mundo del adulto, sino para incorporar una mirada reflexiva en torno a la diversidad sexual en la construcción subjetiva e identitaria. Dado su enfoque cualitativo, se adelanta un análisis documental de los libros-álbum y la crítica literaria, y se implementa la triangulación de datos y teórica a partir de los postulados de Judith Butler, Eve Sedgwick y Paul Preciado, en torno a la performatividad, la crisis del binarismo y la visibilidad de sexualidades periféricas que, dentro de un acto político, procuran el derecho tanto a la igualdad como a la diferencia. Para ello, los argumentos, tesis y la conclusión pretenden comprobar que, más allá de estas incorporaciones y adscripciones a los temas del LGTBIQ+, estas nuevas propuestas estéticas están encaminadas hacia la construcción y la apertura de una sociedad incluyente que sobrepase el límite genérico y posibilite la asunción de la diferencia en todas sus dimensiones.
Las historias mínimas del anónimo transeúnte: Las sonoridades a viva voz
Authors: Vélez Gabriel Mario , Borges Cândida
Published: October 2023

La creación artística ha desarrollado un diálogo entre medios y con otros campos, configurando los espacios de la transmedialidad. Las tecnologías emergentes han propiciado la aparición de más herramientas para este diálogo, proponiendo nuevas formas de creación que expanden el entender de las artes visuales, musicales, escénicas, así como también el diálogo entre las artes y las ciencias. En este artículo, presentamos la propuesta artística creada para el proyecto “Transeúntes Medellín”. Un proyecto que se sustenta en el encuentro gracias al azar de un archivo fotográfico que se compone de un número aproximado de 1.500.000 fotografías (encontrados en formato de negativos fotográficos), resultando de la práctica de la Fotocinería de los años 70 y 80 en la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia. Para dar vida y sonido a este trabajo, el proyecto de investigación y composición “Las sonoridades del anónimo transeúnte” propone la creación de una obra de valor artístico e histórico. El cruce de medios y la performatividad son las instacias por las que se desarrolla la propuesta y que por apropiación desembocó en el uso de la realidad virtual, sumando fotografías, narrativas, interactividad, inmersión, y el uso de tecnologías 3D ambisonicas.