bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and characterization of three cell culture systems to investigate the relationship between primary bone marrow adipocytes and myeloma cells
Authors: Fairfield Heather , Condruti Rebecca , Farrell Mariah , Di Iorio Reagan , Gartner Carlos A. , Vary Calvin , Reagan Michaela R.
Published: January 2023

The unique properties of the bone marrow (BM) allow for migration and proliferation of multiple myeloma (MM) cells while also providing the perfect environment for development of quiescent, drug-resistant MM cell clones. BM adipocytes (BMAds) have recently been identified as important contributors to systemic adipokine levels, bone strength, hematopoiesis, and progression of metastatic and primary BM cancers, such as MM. Recent studies in myeloma suggest that BMAds can be reprogrammed by tumor cells to contribute to myeloma-induced bone disease, and, reciprocally, BMAds support MM cells in vitro. Importantly, most data investigating BMAds have been generated using adipocytes generated by differentiating BM-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) into adipocytes in vitro using adipogenic media, due to the extreme technical challenges associated with isolating and culturing primary adipocytes. However, if studies could be performed with primary adipocytes, then they likely will recapitulate in vivo biology better than BMSC-derived adipocytes, as the differentiation process is artificial and differs from in vivo differentiation, and progenitor cell(s) of the primary BMAd (pBMAds) may not be the same as the BMSCs precursors used for adipogenic differentiation in vitro. Therefore, we developed and refined three methods for culturing pBMAds: two-dimensional (2D) coverslips, 2D transwells, and three-dimensional (3D) silk scaffolds, all of which can be cultured alone or with MM cells to investigate bidirectional tumor-host signaling. To develop an in vitro model with a tissue-like structure to mimic the BM microenvironment, we developed the first 3D, tissue engineered model utilizing pBMAds derived from human BM. We found that pBMAds, which are extremely fragile, can be isolated and stably cultured in 2D for 10 days and in 3D for up to 4 week in vitro. To investigate the relationship between pBMAds and myeloma, MM cells can be added to investigate physical relationships through confocal imaging and soluble signaling molecules via mass spectrometry. In summary, we developed three in vitro cell culture systems to study pBMAds and myeloma cells, which could be adapted to investigate many diseases and biological processes involving the BM, including other bone-homing tumor types.
Case report: Pharmacokinetics of pembrolizumab in a patient with stage IV non–small cell lung cancer after a single 200 mg administration
Authors: de Vries Fenna , Smit Adrianus A. J. , Wolbink Gertjan , de Vries Annick , Loeff Floris C. , Franssen Eric J. F.
Published: January 2023

Background

Pembrolizumab is a well-tolerated biologic agent with a potentially stable and durable anti-tumor response. Unfortunately, discontinuation of therapy can occur as a consequence of immune-related adverse effects (irAEs). These irAEs appear independent of dose and exposure. However, such irAEs might also result from pembrolizumab’s highly specific mechanism of action and current dosing regimens. However, the currently available pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) data to reassess dosing strategies are insufficient.

To highlight the importance of additional PK/PD studies, we present a case describing the complexity of pembrolizumab’s PK/PD after a single 200 mg pembrolizumab dose in a treatment-naive patient with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Case description

A 72-year-old man with stage IV NSCLC presented hepatotoxic symptoms 19 days after receiving the first 200 mg pembrolizumab dose. Hence, pembrolizumab therapy was paused, and prednisolone therapy was initiated, which successfully inhibited the toxic effect of pembrolizumab. However, repeated flare-ups due to prednisolone tapering suggest that the toxic effect of pembrolizumab outlasts the presence of pembrolizumab in the bloodstream. This further suggests that the T-cell–mediated immune response outlasts the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor occupancy by pembrolizumab, which challenges the need for the current fixed-interval strategies and their stop criteria.

Furthermore, a validated ELISA quantified pembrolizumab levels in 15 samples within 123 days after administration. A shift in the pembrolizumab clearance rate was evident ensuing day 77 (0.6 µg/mL) after administration. Pembrolizumab levels up to day 77 (9.1–0.6 µg/mL) strongly exhibited a linear, first-order clearance (R2 = 0.991), whereas after day 77, an accelerated non-linear clearance was observed. This transition from a linear to non-linear clearance was most likely a result of full target receptor saturation to non-full target receptor saturation, in which the added effect of target-mediated drug disposition occurs. This suggests that pembrolizumab’s targets were fully saturated at levels above 0.6 µg/mL, which is 43 to 61 times lower than the steady-state trough levels (Ctrough,ss) of the currently registered fixed-dosing regimens (3–5).
Clinical and molecular characterization of a patient with MBTPS1 related spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia: Evidence of pathogenicity for a synonymous variant
Authors: Yuan Yeqing , Zhou Qiaoli , Wang Chunli , Zhou Wei , Gu Wei , Zheng Bixia
Published: January 2023

Background

A novel autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia resulting from pathogenic variants in membrane-bound transcription factor peptidase, site 1 (MBTPS1) has been recently delineated. To date, only three patients have been reported.

Methods

In this study, we reported the clinical and molecular features of a Chinese boy who was diagnosed with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia. The effects of variants on mRNA splicing were analyzed through transcript analysis in vivo and minigene splice assay in vitro.

Results

The proband mainly showed short stature, special facial features, cataract, hernias, and serious sleep apnea syndrome. Growth hormone stimulation tests suggested the boy had growth hormone deficiency. Imaging examinations suggested abnormal thoracolumbar vertebrae and severely decreased bone mineral density. Genetic analysis of MBTPS1 gene revealed two novel heterozygous variants, a nonsense mutation c.2656C > T (p.Q886*, 167) in exon 20 and a synonymous variant c.774C > T (p.A258=) in exon 6. The transcript analysis in vivo exhibited that the synonymous variant c.774C > T caused exon 6 skipping. The minigene splice assay in vitro confirmed the alteration of MBTPS1 mRNA splicing and the exon skipping was partially restored by an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) treatment.

Conclusion

Notably, we report a Chinese rare case of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia and validate its pathogenic synonymous variant in the MBTPS1 gene.
Use of NHFOV vs. NIPPV for the respiratory support of preterm newborns after extubation: A meta-analysis
Authors: Mei Zhaojun , Ming Li , Wu Zhifeng , Zhu Yong
Published: January 2023

Objectives

This meta-analysis evaluated and compared the efficacy and safety of noninvasive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (NHFOV) and nasal intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) for preterm newborns after extubation.

Methods

We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP databases from inception to August 28, 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated and compared the efficacy and safety of NHFOV and NIPPV in newborns were included in the review and meta-analysis, which followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines.

Results

Eight studies involving 1,603 patients were included. Compared with NIPPV, NHFOV could reduce the reintubation rates (RR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.53, 0.86, P = 0.002). Subgroup analysis showed that the significant difference was found in reintubation rates within 72 h (RR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.32, 0.73, P = 0.0005). NHFOV also could decrease the duration of non-invasive ventilation (standard mean difference (SMD) = −1.52, 95% CI −2.58, −0.45, P = 0.005). However, all included studies had a high risk of bias, and the overall quality of the evidence of the outcomes was low or very low.

Conclusion

In our study, compared with NIPPV, NHFOV seems to reduce the reintubation rates without increasing adverse outcomes. Nevertheless, definite recommendations cannot be made based on the quality of the published evidence.
Case report: Primary ovarian Burkitt's lymphoma: A puzzling scenario in pediatric population
Authors: Persano Giorgio , Crocoli Alessandro , Martucci Cristina , Vinti Luciana , Cassanelli Giulia , Stracuzzi Alessandra , Cardoni Antonello , Inserra Alessandro
Published: January 2023

Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) is defined as a highly invasive B-cell lymphoma, usually characterized by an excellent prognosis, more than 90% of children and adolescents being cured with highly dose-intensive multiagent chemotherapy. Primary ovarian localization without involvement of other organs is a rare manifestation of BL, especially in pediatric population. Symptoms at diagnosis are similar to other ovarian lesions and differential diagnosis may be challenging for clinicians. A 12-year-old girl was referred to our institution for abdominal pain and palpable mass observed by the pediatrician. Diagnostic work-up demonstrated a large mass arising from the right ovary, causing compression on abdominal aorta, inferior vena cava, ureters and bowel, with a second smaller lesion on the left ovary. At surgery, a 15 cm-large, ruptured mass arising from the right ovary was found, associated with a second lesion originating from the left ovary (8 cm) and multiple nodules of the greater omentum. Right salpingo-oophorectomy was performed, incisional biopsies were taken from the left ovary and omental nodules and peritoneal fluid samples were collected for cytology. Pathology revealed a Burkitt lymphoma and the patient underwent chemotherapy according to AIEOP LNH-97 Protocol, group R3 with Rituximab. Preoperative diagnosis of primary ovarian lymphoma is extremely difficult. Surgical exploration is often necessary in patients presenting with acute abdominal or pelvic pain; when the suspicion of primary ovarian lymphoma arises intraoperatively, every effort should be made to minimize invasive procedure in order to enhance post-operative recovery.
The influence of sociodemographic factors and response style on caregiver report of infant developmental status
Authors: Connery Amy K. , Raghunathan Radhika S. , Colbert Alison M. , Erdodi Laszlo , Warschausky Seth , Huth-Bocks Alissa , Gerry Taylor H. , Raghunathan Trivellore , Berglund Patricia , Staples Angela D. , Lukomski Angela , Kirkland Jazmine , Cano Jennifer , Lajiness-O’Neill Renee ,   the PediaTrac Project Consortium**
Published: January 2023

Caregiver report is the most feasible way to assess early childhood development but is susceptible to the influences of response style and sociodemographic factors. In a sample of 571 caregiver-infant dyads (47.8% female; 48% White), we compared caregiver reports on the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-Third Edition (ASQ-3) with reports on a novel, web-based assessment, PediaTrac™. Ratings on PediaTrac correlated with ratings on the ASQ-3 at all time points (2, 4, 6, and 9 months). Caregiver age, response style, and sociodemographic factors accounted for significant variance on both measures. Developmental reporting of early childhood skills is influenced by caregiver response style and sociodemographic factors. These influences must be considered in order to ensure the accurate identification of infant developmental status.
Morphophysiological and transcriptome analysis reveal that reprogramming of metabolism, phytohormones and root development pathways governs the potassium (K+) deficiency response in two contrasting chickpea cultivars
Authors: Ankit Ankit , Singh Ajeet , Kumar Shailesh , Singh Amarjeet
Published: January 2023

Potassium (K+) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and development. K+ deficiency hampers important plant processes, such as enzyme activation, protein synthesis, photosynthesis and stomata movement. Molecular mechanism of K+ deficiency tolerance has been partly understood in model plants Arabidopsis, but its knowledge in legume crop chickpea is missing. Here, morphophysiological analysis revealed that among five high yielding desi chickpea cultivars, PUSA362 shows stunted plant growth, reduced primary root growth and low K+ content under K+ deficiency. In contrast, PUSA372 had negligible effect on these parameters suggesting that PUSA362 is K+ deficiency sensitive and PUSA372 is a K+ deficiency tolerant chickpea cultivar. RNA-seq based transcriptome analysis under K+ deficiency revealed a total of 820 differential expressed genes (DEG’s) in PUSA362 and 682 DEGs in PUSA372. These DEGs belongs to different functional categories, such as plant metabolism, signal transduction components, transcription factors, ion/nutrient transporters, phytohormone biosynthesis and signalling, and root growth and development. RNA-seq expression of randomly selected 16 DEGs was validated by RT-qPCR. Out of 16 genes, 13 showed expression pattern similar to RNA-seq expression, that verified the RNA-seq expression data. Total 258 and 159 genes were exclusively up-regulated, and 386 and 347 genes were down-regulated, respectively in PUSA362 and PUSA372. 14 DEGs showed contrasting expression pattern as they were up-regulated in PUSA362 and down-regulated in PUSA372. These include somatic embryogenesis receptor-like kinase 1, thaumatin-like protein, ferric reduction oxidase 2 and transcription factor bHLH93. Nine genes which were down-regulated in PUSA362 found to be up-regulated in PUSA372, including glutathione S-transferase like, putative calmodulin-like 19, high affinity nitrate transporter 2.4 and ERF17-like protein. Some important carbohydrate metabolism related genes, like fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and sucrose synthase, and root growth related Expansin gene were exclusively down-regulated, while an ethylene biosynthesis gene 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase 1 (ACO1) was up-regulated in PUSA362. Interplay of these and several other genes related to hormones (auxin, cytokinin, GA etc.), signal transduction components (like CBLs and CIPKs), ion transporters and transcription factors might underlie the contrasting response of two chickpea cultivars to K+ deficiency. In future, some of these key genes will be utilized in genetic engineering and breeding programs for developing chickpea cultivars with improved K+ use efficiency (KUE) and K+ deficiency tolerance traits.
Alternative scoring methods of fusarium head blight resistance for genomic assisted breeding
Authors: Garcia-Abadillo J. , Morales L. , Buerstmayr H. , Michel S. , Lillemo M. , Holzapfel J. , Hartl L. , Akdemir D. , Carvalho H. F. , Isidro-Sánchez J.
Published: January 2023

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a fungal disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum.L) that causes yield losses and produces mycotoxins which could easily exceed the limits of the EU regulations. Resistance to FHB has a complex genetic architecture and accurate evaluation in breeding programs is key to selecting resistant varieties. The Area Under the Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) is one of the commonly metric used as a standard methodology to score FHB. Although efficient, AUDPC requires significant costs in phenotyping to cover the entire disease development pattern. Here, we show that there are more efficient alternatives to AUDPC (angle, growing degree days to reach 50% FHB severity, and FHB maximum variance) that reduce the number of field assessments required and allow for fair comparisons between unbalanced evaluations across trials. Furthermore, we found that the evaluation method that captures the maximum variance in FHB severity across plots is the most optimal approach for scoring FHB. In addition, results obtained on experimental data were validated on a simulated experiment where the disease progress curve was modeled as a sigmoid curve with known parameters and assessment protocols were fully controlled. Results show that alternative metrics tested in this study captured key components of quantitative plant resistance. Moreover, the new metrics could be a starting point for more accurate methods for measuring FHB in the field. For example, the optimal interval for FHB evaluation could be predicted using prior knowledge from historical weather data and FHB scores from previous trials. Finally, the evaluation methods presented in this study can reduce the FHB phenotyping burden in plant breeding with minimal losses on signal detection, resulting in a response variable available to use in data-driven analysis such as genome-wide association studies or genomic selection.
Research on a nondestructive model for the detection of the nitrogen content of tomato
Authors: Zhang Xiaodong , Duan Chaohui , Wang Yafei , Gao Hongyan , Hu Lian , Wang Xinzhong
Published: January 2023

The timely detection of information on crop nutrition is of great significance for improving the production efficiency of facility crops. In this study, the terahertz (THz) spectral information of tomato plant leaves with different nitrogen levels was obtained. The noise reduction of the THz spectral data was then carried out by using the Savitzky-Golay (S-G) smoothing algorithm. The sample sets were then analyzed by using Kennard-Stone (KS) and random sampling (RS) methods, respectively. The KS algorithm was optimized to divide the sample sets. The stability competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (SCARS), uninformative variable elimination (UVE), and interval partial least-squares (iPLS) algorithms were then used to screen the pre-processed THz spectral data. Based on the selected characteristic frequency bands, a model for the detection of the nitrogen content of tomato based on the THz spectrum was established by the radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) and backpropagation neural network (BPNN) algorithms, respectively. The results show that the root-mean-square error of correction (RMSEC) and root-mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP) of the BPNN model were respectively 0.1722% and 0.1843%, and the determination coefficients of the correction set (Rc2) and prediction set (Rp2) were respectively 0.8447 and 0.8375. The RMSEC and RMSEP values of the RBFNN model were respectively 0.1322% and 0.1855%, and the Rc2 and Rp2 values were respectively 0.8714 and 0.8463. Thus, the accuracy of the model established by the RBFNN algorithm was slightly higher. Therefore, the nitrogen content of tomato leaves can be detected by THz spectroscopy. The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for the research and development of equipment for the detection of the nitrogen content of tomato leaves.
Greater willingness to reduce microplastics consumption in Mexico than in Spain supports the importance of legislation on the use of plastics
Authors: Garcia-Vazquez Eva , Garcia-Ael Cristina , Mesa Maritza Librada Caceres , Rodriguez Noemi , Dopico Eduardo
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Microplastics (MP) threaten all organisms worldwide. MP are produced directly as microbeads in cosmetics and hygiene products, or indirectly from breakage of larger plastics. The control of MP requires consumers' engagement to refuse products containing microbeads.

Methods

We conducted a survey on 572 university students from Mexico and Spain, two countries where microbeads are not banned yet. More strict laws for plastic control areenforced in Mexico than in Spain.

Results

Controlling for age and education, despite knowing less about MP, Mexicans checked for microbeads on product labels more frequently than Spaniards, and desired to reduce MP consumption more. A stronger correlation between individual awareness and willingness of MP control was found for Mexican than for Spanish students.

Discussion

Perhaps more strict legislation against plastics creates an environment favorable to MP control. Unclear statement of microbeads on labels was the main reason for not checking microbead contents; environmental education and a stricter control of plastics and MP were identified as necessary policy changes in the two countries. Corporation engagement on clearer product labeling is also suggested.
Trends and hot topics in linguistics studies from 2011 to 2021: A bibliometric analysis of highly cited papers
Authors: Yan Sheng , Zhang Le
Published: January 2023

High citations most often characterize quality research that reflects the foci of the discipline. This study aims to spotlight the most recent hot topics and the trends looming from the highly cited papers (HCPs) in Web of Science category of linguistics and language & linguistics with bibliometric analysis. The bibliometric information of the 143 HCPs based on Essential Citation Indicators was retrieved and used to identify and analyze influential contributors at the levels of journals, authors, and countries. The most frequently explored topics were identified by corpus analysis and manual checking. The retrieved topics can be grouped into five general categories: multilingual-related, language teaching, and learning related, psycho/pathological/cognitive linguistics-related, methods and tools-related, and others. Topics such as bi/multilingual(ism), translanguaging, language/writing development, models, emotions, foreign language enjoyment (FLE), cognition, anxiety are among the most frequently explored. Multilingual and positive trends are discerned from the investigated HCPs. The findings inform linguistic researchers of the publication characteristics of the HCPs in the linguistics field and help them pinpoint the research trends and directions to exert their efforts in future studies.
Intergroup contact in multiple adolescents’ contexts: The Intergroup Contact Interactions Scale (ICIS)
Authors: Karataş Savaş , Rubini Monica , Prati Francesca , Schwartz Seth J. , Crocetti Elisabetta
Published: January 2023

In the present contribution, we aimed to test the psychometric properties of the Intergroup Contact Interactions Scale (ICIS). The ICIS is a tool that can easily be administered to assess ethnic minority and majority adolescents’ positive and negative intergroup contact in both school and out-of-school contexts. Study I included 169 adolescents in Italy (40.2% ethnic minority adolescents; 51.5% female; Mage = 14.41) and provided initial support for the two-factor structure (i.e., positive and negative contact) of the ICIS in both school and out-of-school contexts. Study II, conducted with a sample of 1,037 adolescents in Italy (26.5% ethnic minority adolescents; 59.7% female; Mage = 14.58), indicated that the fit of the two-factor ICIS structure was excellent for both school and out-of-school contexts. Measurement invariance across ethnic minority and majority adolescents was also established. Convergent validity was also ascertained by highlighting meaningful associations of adolescents’ positive and negative contact with the quantity of contact as well as with their perceptions regarding parents’ positive and negative contact with outgroup members. Study III, involving a sample of 641 adolescents in Turkey (32.9% ethnic minority adolescents; 69.6% female; Mage = 15.51), supported the two-factor structure, as well as convergent validity, of the ICIS in both contexts. Measurement invariance across ethnic groups was also established. Overall, these studies suggest that the ICIS is a reliable measure for studying positive and negative intergroup contact among ethnic minority and majority adolescents across school and out-of-school contexts.
The impact of environmentally-specific servant leadership on organizational green performance: The mediating role of green creativity
Authors: Hou Hong , Gai Ruizhi , An Li
Published: January 2023

Due to the increasingly prominent environmental problems caused by excessive carbon dioxide emissions, many countries have put forward higher requirements for the green development of enterprises. Therefore, how to improve the green performance of enterprises has become a hot issue. Based on the social learning perspective, we examine the impact of environmentally-specific servant leadership on organizational green performance and test the mediating role of green creativity and the moderating role of power distance orientation. We test the theoretical framework by means of a questionnaire survey with a research sample of employees and their leaders working in the eastern coastal region of China. The results of the study suggest that: environmentally-specific servant leadership has a positive influence on organizational green performance; green creativity plays a mediating role between environmentally-specific servant leadership and organizational green performance; power distance orientation plays a moderating role between environmentally-specific servant leadership and green creativity; specifically, the higher the power distance orientation, the more significant the influence of environmentally-specific servant leadership on employees’ green creativity. This study enriches the research on environmentally-specific servant leadership and proposes a new perspective on how to improve green performance in organizations.
Does perceived organizational support matter? The effect of high-commitment performance management on supervisors’ performance
Authors: Rubel Mohammad Rabiul Basher , Kee Daisy Mui Hung , Daghriri Yahya Qasim , Rimi Nadia Newaz
Published: January 2023

The current research aims to investigate the connection between supervisors’ perceived high-commitment performance management (HCPM) and their performances (in-role, extra-role, and deviant work behavior). In addition, this paper aims to examine how perceived organizational support (POS) mediates the above relationship. The paper employs the social exchange theory as the theoretical lens to develop and suggest a positive motivational work environmental model. Our model is tested on a sample of 430 supervisors from ready-made garment (RMG) organizations, Bangladesh. Using the PLS-SEM, our model examines the direct and indirect effects of HCPM and POS on job performances. We find supports for the existence of a positive relationship from HCPM to job performance through POS mediating such a relationship. Future studies may investigate the prospective of HCPM and POS to create ideal work environments that boost employee productivity and benefit enterprises.
The emergence of entrepreneurial ecosystems by capital, habitus, and practice: A two-phase model based on Bourdieu’s approach
Authors: Hong Meiling , Ge Zhenfeng , Wu Chanti
Published: January 2023

Entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) are identified as regions with intensive and coordinated entrepreneurship practices. However, there is less focus on the longitudinal perspective to track how an EE has taken form. In this research, to understand the emergence of an EE, we developed a two-phase model with Bourdieu’s approach and identified the contents and interaction of entrepreneurship capitals, habitus, and practices in each phase. By analysing 34 interviews of technology entrepreneurs from Shenzhen, China, we found that in the heteronomous phase, pursuing economic capital and the habitus of making quick profit results in entrepreneurship practices of copycat business; and in the autonomous phase, valuing cultural capital and the habitus of altruism result in entrepreneurship practices of innovation activity. This study offers the following implications for practitioners. First, public sectors should invest in industries with high technology affordance that can create entrepreneurship opportunities. Second, social events can transform entrepreneurship practices from distributed individual level to coordinated social construction.
Who is afraid of Christmas? The effect of Christmas and Easter holidays on psychiatric hospitalizations and emergencies—Systematic review and single center experience from 2012 to 2021
Authors: Schneider Else , Liwinski Timur , Imfeld Lukas , Lang Undine E. , Brühl Annette B.
Published: January 2023

Background

Major holidays such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve are regular occasions for get-togethers in families and other social groups. Socially, these days are often loaded with memories and expectations but also involve the potential for interpersonal tension and conflicts and disappointments. In addition, loneliness might also be most intense during these days. All these factors might lead to the expectation of increased mental distress and subsequently increased help-seeking in psychiatric contexts resulting in emergency psychiatric contacts, psychiatric hospitalizations, and even suicidal behavior. But is there evidence for increased psychiatric emergencies and hospitalizations around the days of Christmas?

Methods

The existing evidence is systematically reviewed here (studies in PubMed in English investigating annual and Christmas-related variations in suicide (attempts), psychiatric emergencies and hospitalizations, last search date (13.07.2022) and complemented by an analysis of acute admissions at the University Psychiatry Clinics Basel, Switzerland, around Christmas and Easter holidays compared to the other days of the year. Easter was chosen as a comparison holiday.

Results

In 25 reviewed studies, Christmas holidays were not associated with increased utilization of emergency psychiatric services. In contrast, hospitalizations were lower on Christmas and other holidays than the rest of the year. Analyzing the annual variation of 26,088 hospitalizations in our center between 2012 and 2021 revealed the same pattern.

Conclusion

The assumption of increased utilization of psychiatric emergency services on Christmas and other major holidays is not confirmed by multiple studies around the globe in various socio-cultural and medical settings. The study is registered in the international prospective register for systematic reviews (PROSPERO; 351057).

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier 351057.
Discrepancy between desired time in bed and desired total sleep time in patients with cancer: The DBST index and its relationship with insomnia severity and sleep onset latency
Authors: Cho Eulah , Song Jaeeun , Lee Joohee , Cho Inn-Kyu , Lee Dongin , Choi Hayun , Kim Harin , Chung Seockhoon
Published: January 2023

Patients with cancer can often experience insomnia or sleep disturbances. This study aimed to explore whether the discrepancy between a patient’s desired time in bed and desired total sleep time (DBST index) can be used as a measurement tool for insomnia severity or sleep onset latency [SOL] in patients with cancer. This retrospective medical records review study gathered clinical information and scores from scales and indices such as the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Cancer-related Dysfunctional Beliefs about Sleep (C-DBS) scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items (PHQ-9), State subcategory of State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the short form of the Fear of Progression Questionnaire. Sleep indices of time variables (bedtime, sleep onset time, and wake-up time), duration variables [SOL, time in bed (TIB), time in bed over 24 hours (TIB/d), and duration from wake-up time to bedtime (WTB)], and DBST index were calculated. ISI scores were predicted by the PHQ-9 (β = 0.34,P< 0.001), C-DBS scale (β = 0.17,P= 0.034), and DBST indices (β = 0.22,P= 0.004). Long SOL value was predicted by early bedtimes (β = −0.18,P= 0.045), short WTB durations (β = -0.26,P= 0.004), and high DBST index values (β = 0.19,P= 0.013). The DBST index was significantly correlated with both insomnia severity and SOL in patients with cancer.
The relationship between schizotypal personality features and mind wandering among college students during COVID-19 pandemic: A moderator of depression
Authors: Zhao Guojun , Li Shuangchen , Zhang Qi , Guo Xiaoxiao , Xie Fusen , Yan Shuhong , Liu Haijian , Chong Yuan , Ding Yuee , Li Xu
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Although the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s mental health has been well documented in many studies, the schizotypal personality features in the general population have not received sufficient attention.

Methods

Study 1 is a longitudinal study tracking changes in schizotypal personality features among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 153 Chinese college students were assessed using the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. Study 2 explored the relationship between schizotypal personality features, mind wandering, and depression. A total of 557 college students completed the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Mind-Wandering Questionnaire during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

Study 1 results showed that the scores from later stages in the pandemic were significantly higher than those from the initial stages on each dimension of schizotypal personality, which means that the schizotypal personality features became more obvious during the COVID-19 pandemic. Study 2 results showed that there was a positive correlation between schizotypal personality features, depression, and mind wandering.

Discussion

Depression played a moderating role in the relationship between schizotypal personality features and mind wandering. The schizotypal personality features of college students increase during COVID-19; it has a positive relationship with mind wandering; depression moderates the relationship. We discussed these findings and provided some suggestions about future research.
Vulnerabilities and life stressors of people presented to emergency departments with deliberate self-harm; consolidating the experiences to develop a continuum of care using a mixed-method framework
Authors: Devassy Saju Madavanakadu , Scaria Lorane , Varghese Jaicob , Benny Anuja Maria , Hill Nicole , Joubert Lynette
Published: January 2023

Objective

Suicide is a crucial public health concern. However, the interactions between bio psychosocial vulnerabilities and stressors leading to deliberate self-harm behavior remain unexplored, especially in the Indian context. This study examined the experiences leading to self-harm behavior among people who presented to emergency departments with suicidal attempts.

Methods

In this mixed-methods study, we enrolled 44 patients who presented with self-harm behavior at three tertiary health care facilities between October and December 2019. To collect quantitative data, we employed standardized tools: General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), General Help-Seeking Questionnaire, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and the Brief Resilience Scale. Further, we conducted semi-structured interviews to qualitatively explore participants' life experiences and other risk factors. Qualitative analyses were performed using thematic analysis and quantitative descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using STATA software.

Results

The mean age of subjects were 29.8 years. The mean suicidality score for the patients was 26 (±8.7). In univariate analysis, depression and anxiety were positively associated with suicidality. While help-seeking behavior and resilience were negatively associated with suicidality. Qualitative results were centered on three major themes; life stressors, family related stressors, and social support-related vulnerabilities. The subjects' lived experiences were introduced in the backdrop of the interplay of vulnerabilities and stressors.

Conclusion

The biopsychosocial vulnerabilities remain dormant until it is activated by life stressors resulting in severe self-harm behaviors. Mental health team-driven assertive engagement, positive coping, and social support interventions would help prevent reattempts in people with self-harm behaviors.
Health and social needs of asylum seekers and Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania: A mixed-method protocol
Authors: El Arab Rabie Adel , Urbanavice Rita , Jakavonyte-Akstiniene Agne , Skvarcevskaja Marija , Austys Donatas , Mateos Jose Tomas , Briones-Vozmediano Erica , Rubinat-Arnaldo Esther , Istomina Natalja
Published: January 2023

Refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants often do not end up in the places they expected. Because of the pandemic impacts, their exposure to COVID-19 may be increased as a result of crowded camps and detention centers. A total of 4,537 undocumented migrants entered Lithuania via Belarus from June 2021 to November 30, 2022. In the period 24 February 2022 to 30 November 2022, Lithuania's Immigration Department registered 71,386 Ukrainian refugees. This study investigates the healthcare and social needs of recent asylum seekers who have crossed the Belarusian border and Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania. This is a study protocol for a mixed-methods study which will involve qualitative interviews with asylum seekers who crossed from Belarus in June 2021 and Ukrainian refugees. During a quantitative phase, refugees and asylum seekers will be asked to complete questionnaires. In this study, validated questionnaires will be used, including the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-25), the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ), and the Short Form 36 (SF-36). Participants will also be asked to self-report sociodemographic information. As a result of the findings of this study, it is possible to provide guidelines for improving access to health care services, including prevention (i.e., vaccination programs) and treatment of chronic and acute illnesses, through primary and secondary healthcare delivery, thereby reducing negative health outcomes. This study may shed light on the social needs of asylum seekers and refugees in Lithuania. In addition, this may provide insight into how they are integrating into the community, such as what their employment and educational prospects are.
Perceived participation and autonomy structural relationships among related factors in patients with stroke and hypertension in China: A ISM model approach
Authors: Wan Le-ping , Yang Guang-mei , Dong Hai-ying , Liang Xiao-xiao , He Yan
Published: January 2023

Aims

To explore the structural relationship between perceived participation and autonomy among older adults with stroke and hypertension in home and community-based services (HCBSs) in the eastern coastal region of China.

Design

An explorative cross-sectional study.

Methods

From July to September 2021, a total of 714 respondents were reported to have stroke and hypertension, and their information was used in the analysis of this study. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the factors influencing factors older adults' perceived participation and autonomy. Using the ISM model, we analyzed the factors affecting social participation in patients with stroke and hypertension and explained the logical relationships and hierarchy among the factors.

Results

The mean score of perceived participation was 58.34 ± 27.57. Age, marital status, health insurance, living status, number of children, chronic diseases, sleep time, frequency of outings, and health utility value were significant factors affecting perceived participation and autonomy with stroke and hypertension patients. Among them, health insurance is the direct factor on the surface, age, number of children, chronic diseases, sleep time, frequency of outings, and health utility value are the intermediate indirect factors, and marital status and living status are the deep-rooted factors.

Conclusion

By the study that the hierarchical structure provides a visualization of interrelationships and interdependences among the influencing factors of perceived participation and autonomy. It also may be a significant complement to traditional variable-entered approaches and construct an optimized multidimensional perspective of participation and autonomy. Future research should focus on optimizing the living environment of older adults with stroke and hypertension to explore the model of rehabilitative intervention and help patients successfully reintegrate into their families/societies.
Association between air pollution exposure and coronary heart disease hospitalization in a humid sub-tropical region of China: A time-series study
Authors: Feng Ya-Ting , Lang Cui-Feng , Chen Cong , Harry Asena Musonye , Fang Yang , Zhang Ruo-Di , Jiang Ling-Qiong , Fang Xi , Chen Yue , He Yi-Sheng , Wang Peng , Pan Hai-Feng
Published: January 2023

Objective

Emerging evidence has highlighted the possible links of environmental pollution with several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The current study aimed to explore the impact of short-term air pollution exposure on CHD hospitalization in Hefei.

Methods

Data about the daily number of CHD admissions (from 2014 to 2021) were retrieved from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. Air pollutants and meteorological data were obtained from the China Environmental Monitoring Station and the China Meteorological Data Service Center, respectively. The correlation between air pollution and CHD hospitalization was assessed using distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) and Poisson generalized linear regression.

Results

In the single-pollutant model, NO2, O3, and CO strongly correlated with CHD hospitalization rate. Specifically, exposure to NO2 (lag0, relative risk [RR]: 1.013, 95%CI: 1.002–1.024, per 10 μg/m3 increase) and CO (lag13, RR: 1.035, 95%CI: 1.001–1.071, per 1 μg/m3 increase) revealed a positive correlation with an increased rate of CHD hospitalization. Interestingly, O3 had a protective association with hospitalization of CHD (lag0, RR: 0.993, 95%CI: 0.988–0.999, per 10 μg/m3 increase). Similar results, to those of the single-pollutant model, were revealed following verification using two-pollutant models. Subgroup analyses indicated that young people, women, and people in hot seasons were more susceptible to NO2 exposure, while the elderly, women, and people in cold seasons were more susceptible to O3. Furthermore, the elderly were more susceptible to CO exposure.

Conclusion

Overall, exposure to NO2 and CO increases the rate of CHD hospitalization, but exposure to O3 shows a protective association with the rate of CHD hospitalization. Therefore, early preventive measures against air pollutants should be applied to protect vulnerable patients with CHD.
Establishment of the emergency material reserve mechanism for public health emergencies and optimization of the management of various functional departments
Authors: Sun Yumeng
Published: January 2023

Public health emergencies refer to emergencies caused by various factors that may cause serious harm to society. This paper mainly discusses how to establish an emergency reserve mechanism for public health emergencies. This paper proposes a comprehensive evaluation system for emergency response capabilities based on analytical methods, and analyzes the emergency response to public health emergencies and various functional management departments. The experimental results show that the implementation rate of disease prevention and control projects in the city center is 59.3%, and the average completion rate of inspection projects by district and county health supervision agencies is 45.8%. However, these achievements are far from enough. Therefore, the training of relevant personnel should be strengthened and run through the material reserve work from beginning to end. At the same time, an emergency material reserve system should be established. According to actual needs, timely provide emergency disposal materials to ensure normal supply. In response to the current public health emergencies, multiple departments and units should further strengthen management personnel allocation and optimize work processes to promote the development of public health.
Comparison of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and office blood pressure in primary health care of populations at a high risk of hypertension
Authors: Gao Wei , Jin Yanwen , Bao Ting , Huang Yan
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Current studies have found that the incidence of masked hypertension is high in Asian countries, but the use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in Asian countries is very limited, especially in primary health care. We compared the ABPM and office blood pressure (OBP) in primary health care of a high-risk population of hypertension.

Methods

The study included participants with at least one risk factor for hypertension who received primary health care. Demographic data, present medical history, personal history, and family history were collected by questionnaire.

Results

A total of 823 subjects were included in the study. There were 531 (64.5%) subjects with hypertension by ABPM and 316 patients (38.4%) by OBP. A paired chi-square test showed that the positive rate of ABPM in the diagnosis of hypertension was significantly higher than that of OBP (chi-square value 174.129, P < 0.0001). There were 24 (2.9%) patients with white coat hypertension, 239 (29.0%) with masked hypertension, 504 (52.9%) with a non-dipping pattern, 135 (16.9%) with nocturnal hypertension and 18 (2.2%) with high ambulatory BP variability. Concordance correlation coefficient showed there was a poor correlation between OBP and awake average BP. Scatter plot displayed there was a positive correlation between OBP and awake average BP, but the degree of fitting was not high. The Bland Altman plot showed that OBP and awake average BP were consistent.

Conclusions

Although OBP and ABPM have some consistency, ABPM can screen for masked hypertension and nocturnal hypertension in primary care of populations at high risk of hypertension. Therefore, ABPM is necessary in the primary health care of populations at high risk of hypertension and can be used as a routine screening.
Isolated single sound lip-reading using a frame-based camera and event-based camera
Authors: Kanamaru Tatsuya , Arakane Taiki , Saitoh Takeshi
Published: January 2023

Unlike the conventional frame-based camera, the event-based camera detects changes in the brightness value for each pixel over time. This research work on lip-reading as a new application by the event-based camera. This paper proposes an event camera-based lip-reading for isolated single sound recognition. The proposed method consists of imaging from event data, face and facial feature points detection, and recognition using a Temporal Convolutional Network. Furthermore, this paper proposes a method that combines the two modalities of the frame-based camera and an event-based camera. In order to evaluate the proposed method, the utterance scenes of 15 Japanese consonants from 20 speakers were collected using an event-based camera and a video camera and constructed an original dataset. Several experiments were conducted by generating images at multiple frame rates from an event-based camera. As a result, the highest recognition accuracy was obtained in the image of the event-based camera at 60 fps. Moreover, it was confirmed that combining two modalities yields higher recognition accuracy than a single modality.
Organoids—Mini Guts Help Answer Big Questions About Intestinal Nutrient Transport
Authors: Zietek Tamara , Rath Eva
Published: January 2023

Eating healthy foods supplies your body with nutrients to stay strong. But did you ever wonder how nutrients enter your body? After chewing and swallowing, your food is digested, and enters the gut as mush. If you picture your intestine as a tube, the food is on the inside and your body is around the tube. The inner layer of the tube that touches the food is formed by special cells that can transport nutrients like sugar and protein. Some people cannot properly absorb nutrients. The molecules that transport nutrients also transport certain drugs. Thus, investigating intestinal transport is very important to help people with absorption issues and to design better drugs. We used a new scientific model called organoids to study intestinal transport processes. Organoids are tiny “mini-guts” grown in the lab from human cells. Organoids have many advantages over other models used by scientists to study the gut.