bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral anticoagulant decreases stroke recurrence in patients with atrial fibrillation detected after stroke
Authors: Hsu Jin-Yi , Liu Peter Pin-Sung , Sposato Luciano A. , Huang Huei-Kai , Liu An-Bang , Lai Edward Chia-Cheng , Lin Swu-Jane , Hsieh Cheng-Yang , Loh Ching-Hui
Published: July 2022

Background

Atrial fibrillation detected after stroke (AFDAS) has a lower risk of ischemic stroke recurrence than known atrial fibrillation (KAF). While the benefit of oral anticoagulants (OAC) for preventing ischemic stroke recurrence in KAF is well established, their role in patients with AFDAS is more controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the association between OAC use and the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke in patients with AFDAS in a real-world setting.

Methods

This nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients hospitalized with a first-ever ischemic stroke and AFDAS confirmed within 30 days after hospitalization were assigned to OAC and non-OAC cohorts. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was applied to balance the baseline characteristics of the cohorts. The primary outcome was ischemic stroke recurrence. Secondary outcomes were intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), death, and the composite outcome of “ischemic stroke recurrence, ICH, or death.” Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

A total of 4,508 hospitalized patients with stroke and AFDAS were identified. Based on OAC use, 2,856 and 1,652 patients were assigned to the OAC and non-OAC groups, respectively. During the follow-up period (median duration, 2.76 years), the OAC cohort exhibited a lower risk of ischemic stroke recurrence (aHR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.70–0.99), death (aHR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.58–0.73), and composite outcome (aHR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.63–0.78) than did the non-OAC cohort. The risk of ICH (aHR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.62–1.50) was not significantly different between the two cohorts.

Conclusion

OAC use in patients with AFDAS was associated with reduced risk of ischemic stroke recurrence, without an increased risk of ICH. This supports current guidelines recommending OACs for secondary stroke prevention in patients with AF, regardless of the time of diagnosis.
Case report: Infective endocarditis caused by Streptococcus sinensis: The first case in mainland China and literature review
Authors: Zhang Yingmiao , Wang Jing , Zhan Yu , Tang Ruizhi , Wang Hui , Qin Tian , Lu Zhongxin
Published: July 2022

Streptococcus sinensis was originally described as a causative agent for infective endocarditis in three Chinese patients from Hong Kong in 2002. Subsequently, several cases were reported outside Hong Kong, indicating that it is an emerging pathogen worldwide. We isolated a closely related strain in a young patient diagnosed with infective endocarditis in mainland China. In this paper, we reviewed the course of infection and provided a comprehensive comparison of its clinical characteristics with the reported cases.
Automated analysis of limited echocardiograms: Feasibility and relationship to outcomes in COVID-19
Authors: Pellikka Patricia A. , Strom Jordan B. , Pajares-Hurtado Gabriel M. , Keane Martin G. , Khazan Benjamin , Qamruddin Salima , Tutor Austin , Gul Fahad , Peterson Eric , Thamman Ritu , Watson Shivani , Mandale Deepa , Scott Christopher G. , Naqvi Tasneem , Woodward Gary M. , Hawkes William
Published: July 2022

Background

As automated echocardiographic analysis is increasingly utilized, continued evaluation within hospital settings is important to further understand its potential value. The importance of cardiac involvement in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 provides an opportunity to evaluate the feasibility and clinical relevance of automated analysis applied to limited echocardiograms.

Methods

In this multisite US cohort, the feasibility of automated AI analysis was evaluated on 558 limited echocardiograms in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Reliability of automated assessment of left ventricular (LV) volumes, ejection fraction (EF), and LV longitudinal strain (LS) was assessed against clinically obtained measures and echocardiographic findings. Automated measures were evaluated against patient outcomes using ROC analysis, survival modeling, and logistic regression for the outcomes of 30-day mortality and in-hospital sequelae.

Results

Feasibility of automated analysis for both LVEF and LS was 87.5% (488/558 patients). AI analysis was performed with biplane method in 300 (61.5%) and single plane apical 4- or 2-chamber analysis in 136 (27.9%) and 52 (10.7%) studies, respectively. Clinical LVEF was assessed using visual estimation in 192 (39.3%), biplane in 163 (33.4%), and single plane or linear methods in 104 (21.2%) of the 488 studies; 29 (5.9%) studies did not have clinically reported LVEF. LV LS was clinically reported in 80 (16.4%). Consistency between automated and clinical values demonstrated Pearson's R, root mean square error (RMSE) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.61, 11.3% and 0.72, respectively, for LVEF; 0.73, 3.9% and 0.74, respectively for LS; 0.76, 24.4ml and 0.87, respectively, for end-diastolic volume; and 0.82, 12.8 ml, and 0.91, respectively, for end-systolic volume. Abnormal automated measures of LVEF and LS were associated with LV wall motion abnormalities, left atrial enlargement, and right ventricular dysfunction. Automated analysis was associated with outcomes, including survival.

Conclusion

Automated analysis was highly feasible on limited echocardiograms using abbreviated protocols, consistent with equivalent clinically obtained metrics, and associated with echocardiographic abnormalities and patient outcomes.
Sex-dependent transcription of cardiac electrophysiology and links to acetylation modifiers based on the GTEx database
Authors: Pressler Michael P. , Horvath Anelia , Entcheva Emilia
Published: July 2022

Development of safer drugs based on epigenetic modifiers, e.g., histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), requires better understanding of their effects on cardiac electrophysiology. Using RNAseq data from the genotype-tissue-expression database (GTEx), we created models that link the abundance of acetylation enzymes (HDAC/SIRT/HATs), and the gene expression of ion channels (IC)viaselect cardiac transcription factors (TFs) in male and female adult human hearts (left ventricle, LV). Gene expression data (transcripts per million, TPM) from GTEx donors (21–70 y.o.) were filtered, normalized and transformed to Euclidian space to allow quantitative comparisons in 84 female and 158 male LVs. Sex-specific partial least-square (PLS) regression models, linking gene expression data for HDAC/SIRT/HATs to TFs and to ICs gene expression, revealed tight co-regulation of cardiac ion channels by HDAC/SIRT/HATs, with stronger clustering in the male LV. Co-regulation of genes encoding excitatory and inhibitory processes in cardiac tissue by the acetylation modifiers may help explain their predominantly net-neutral effects on cardiac electrophysiology.ATP1A1, encoding for the Na/K pump, represented an outlier—with orthogonal regulation by the acetylation modifiers to most of the ICs. The HDAC/SIRT/HAT effects were mediated by strong (+) TF regulators of ICs, e.g.,MEF2AandTBX5, in both sexes. Furthermore, for male hearts, PLS models revealed a stronger (+/-) mediatory role on ICs forNKX25andTGF1B/KLF4, respectively, whileRUNX1exhibited larger (-) TF effects on ICs in females. Male-trained PLS models of HDAC/SIRT/HAT effects on ICs underestimated the effects on some ICs in females. Insights from the GTEx dataset about the co-expression and transcriptional co-regulation of acetylation-modifying enzymes, transcription factors and key cardiac ion channels in a sex-specific manner can help inform safer drug design.
Effect of switching from cigarette smoking to the use of the tobacco heating system on periodontitis treatment outcome: Periodontal parameter results from a multicenter Japanese study
Authors: Pouly Sandrine , Ng Wee Teck , Blanc Nicolas , Hession Paul , Zanetti Filippo , Battey James N. D. , de La Bourdonnaye Guillaume , Heremans Annie , Haziza Christelle
Published: July 2022

Objectives

We conducted a 6-month randomized clinical study to evaluate the impact of exposure to the aerosol of the Tobacco Heating System (THS), a smoke-free alternative to cigarettes, on changes in periodontal parameters after scaling and root planing (SRP) for periodontitis in subjects who were either continuing to smoke cigarettes or had switched to THS.

Material and methods

Smokers with generalized periodontitis were randomized to continue smoking cigarettes or switch to THS use. They underwent SRP for up to 8 weeks, with dental assessments conducted at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after the first treatment.

Results

After SRP treatment, all groups showed improvements in the mean full-mouth probing depth (PD), full-mouth clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival inflammation score, plaque control record (PCR), and bleeding on probing (BoP). There were no statistically significant intergroup differences. However, as compared to smokers, THS users showed a trend toward more favorable outcomes in BoP, PCR, and PD improvement at sites with higher initial PD (≥7 mm).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that SRP improves the course of periodontitis similarly in cigarette smokers and THS users. The beneficial effects of this treatment might mask the favorable changes that may occur upon modifying one of the several periodontitis risk factors, such as cigarette smoking.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifer: NCT03364751.
Lithium Isotope Geochemistry in the Barton Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica
Authors: Ryu Jong-Sik , Lim Hyoun Soo , Choi Hye-Bin , Kim Ji-Hoon , Kim Ok-Sun , Vigier Nathalie
Published: July 2022

Lithium (Li) has two stable isotopes, 6Li and 7Li, whose large relative mass difference is responsible for significant isotopic fractionation during physico-chemical processes, allowing Li isotopes to be a good tracer of continental chemical weathering. Although physical erosion is dominant in the Polar regions due to glaciers, increasing global surface temperature may enhance chemical weathering, with possible consequences on carbon biogeochemical cycle and nutriment flux to the ocean. Here, we examined elemental and Li isotope geochemistry of meltwaters, suspended sediments, soils, and bedrocks in the Barton Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica. Li concentrations range from 8.7 nM to 23.3 μM in waters, from 0.01 to 1.43 ppm in suspended sediments, from 9.56 to 36.9 ppm in soils, and from 0.42 to 28.3 ppm in bedrocks. δ7Li values are also variable, ranging from +16.4 to +41.1‰ in waters, from −0.4 to +13.4‰ in suspended sediments, from −2.5 to +6.9‰ in soils, and from −1.8 to +11.7‰ in bedrocks. Elemental and Li isotope geochemistry reveals that secondary phase formation during chemical weathering mainly control dissolved δ7Li values, rather than a mixing with sea salt inputs from atmosphere or ice melting. Likewise, δ7Li values of suspended sediments and soils lower than those of bedrocks indicate modern chemical weathering with mineral neoformation. This study suggests that increasing global surface temperature enhances modern chemical weathering in Antarctica, continuing to lower δ7Li values in meltwater with intense water-rock interactions.
Establishment of Wind Gust Estimation Equation in Bohai Sea
Authors: Hu Haichuan , Huang Bin , Dai Kan , Qu Hongyu
Published: July 2022

Wind gusts over the ocean can have a great influence on maritime transport and production operations. However, owing to the scarcity of marine observation data and the complex causes of wind gusts, the estimation and forecasting of gusts at sea are even more difficult. In this study, a gust estimation equation applicable to the Bohai Sea is established based on observation and reanalysis data, with representative observation stations on the coast and offshore in the Bohai Sea. During the process, partial correlation analysis and a significance test of correlation coefficient differences were used to further clarify the influence of average wind speed and vertical wind shear at different heights on wind gusts. The final gust estimation equation includes a mean wind speed term, a turbulence term, and a convection term, which are statistically significant contributors; in addition, there are clear physical meanings. Comparing two gust factor methods in this study, the average errors and fitting errors of the least squares gust estimation equation are the smallest. For wind gusts between 10 and 26 m/s, the fitting error in the gust estimation equation is 7.68–12.25% and 21.10–30.08% lower than those of the two gust factor methods in this study. The gust estimation equation better reflects the difference of wind gusts typical under different average wind speeds and vertical wind shear conditions, so a better prediction for wind gusts can be achieved.
Experimental research on damage identification of topping dangerous rock structural surface based on dynamic characteristic parameters
Authors: Jia Yanchang , Jiang Tong , Yin Yanli , Yu Guo , Wang Lijin
Published: July 2022

Rock block tilting is one of the most common types of dangerous rock block failures with no clear indicator of displacement prior to failure. Existing stability evaluation methods remain limited in their ability to constrain the non-penetrating section area, which is closely related to rock stability, and stability evaluations are therefore associated with large uncertainties. The dynamic characteristic parameters of toppling dangerous rock are closely related to structural plane strength. Under vibration loading, rainfall, and/or excavation unloading conditions, the structural plane becomes damaged and the dynamic characteristic parameters change. In this study, we present a dynamic characteristic model of rock tilting and identify the quantitative and qualitative relationship between dynamic characteristic parameters and the bonded area of the structural plane. The model accuracy is verified by experiments. The experimental results show that the damping ratio decreases linearly with structural plane damage, whereas the maximum vibration speed and particle trajectory increases nonlinearly and the natural vibration frequency decreases nonlinearly. The dynamic characteristic model and experimental results can be used to evaluate the degree of structural surface damage of toppling dangerous rock.
Projected changes of ecosystem productivity and their responses to extreme heat events in northern asia
Authors: Yan Minchu , Yue Xu , Zhou Botao , Sun Xiaoling , Xin Ning
Published: July 2022

Change of ecosystem productivity and its response to climate extremes in the context of global warming are of great interest and particular concern for ecosystem management and adaptation. Using the simulations with and without the CO2 fertilization effect from the Yale Interactive Biosphere (YIBs) model driven by seven CMIP5 climate models, this article investigates the future change in the gross primary productivity (GPP) of the Northern Asian ecosystem as well as the impacts from extreme heat events under the RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively. The results show an overall increase of GPP in Northern Asia during the growing season (May-September) under both scenarios, in which the CO2 fertilization effect plays a dominant role. The increases in GPP under RCP8.5 are larger than that under RCP2.6, and the greatest projected increases occur in western Siberia and Northeast China. The extreme heat events are also projected to increase generally and their influences on the Northern Asian ecosystem GPP exhibit spatiotemporal heterogeneity. Under the RCP2.6 scenario, the positive and adverse effects from the extreme heat events coexist in Northern Asia during the middle of the 21st century. During the end of the 21st century, the areas dominated by positive effects are expected to expand particularly in Northeast China and central-western Siberia. For the RCP8.5 scenario, the facilitation effects of the extreme heat events are widely distributed in Northern Asia during the middle of the 21st century, which tends to decline in both intensity and extent during the end of the 21st century. The case is similar after the CO2 fertilization effect is excluded.
Effectiveness of online social science undergraduate research experiences: Exploratory evidence
Authors: Ruth Alissa , Brewis Alexandra , SturtzSreetharan Cindi , Wutich Amber , Stojanowski Christopher M.
Published: July 2022

Undergraduate research experience (UREs) benefit students, but are typically conducted in person. In 2020–2021, many research and teaching activities unexpectedly moved into virtual spaces. We identify key benefits and challenges experienced by virtual URE participants in the social sciences, based on systematic coding of aligned surveys with both faculty and students. Perceived benefits included access and flexibility. Both mentors and students who had switched from in-person modalities, however, expressed a perceived loss of community, undermining the perceived effectiveness and value of the URE. They also perceived the lack of “hands-on work” as a negative. In contrast, existing online students identified UREs as creating a much needed and valued connection, enhancing their experiences. We suggest the experience of all participants in virtual UREs can benefit from centralizing community-building strategies, and give some possible examples.
Science Identity and Its “Identity Crisis”: On Science Identity and Strategies to Foster Self-Efficacy and Sense of Belonging in STEM
Authors: Sandrone Stefano
Published: July 2022

The word identity etymologically derives from the Latin expression identitas, from idem, which means same. But the identities each of us has in the same moment and across life stages can be multiple and continuously changing, and are influenced by internal (i.e., personal) and external (i.e., environmental) factors. In this manuscript, I reviewed the existing literature on the theoretical and practical aspects of science identity across school levels. I explored how it can be measured and shed light on the links between science identity, professional identity, mentoring and sense of belonging. Then, I analysed strategies to foster self-efficacy and sense of belonging in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), with the aim of creating a scientific community that is genuinely inclusive and diverse. A set of recommendations to build a community with shared goals and enhanced diversity, with beneficial effects at several societal levels, has been included.
Sustainable open textbook models for social justice
Authors: Cox Glenda , Willmers Michelle , Masuku Bianca
Published: July 2022

Growing inequity continues to manifest within and between higher education institutions, highlighting the plight of the disadvantaged versus the advantaged. Against this backdrop, students’ ability to access quality textbooks and educational resources with locally relevant content presents a critical equity issue. Open textbooks provide opportunities to address social justice in the classroom. Highlighting the injustices which motivated authors in the Digital Open Textbooks for Development (DOT4D) initiative at the University of Cape Town (UCT), this study uses Catherine Bovill’s framework of inclusion to examine the processes of 11 open textbook initiatives at UCT in terms of their degrees of inclusivity, with a focus on student participation. The authors draw on the work of political philosopher Nancy Fraser and her central norm of “parity of participation” in order to analyze the cases in terms of their ability to provide affirmative or transformative remedies to injustice. The data presented in this study were derived from a mixed-methods research and implementation approach, in which a survey was administered to the lead authors of the 11 open textbook initiatives. The proposals submitted by ten of these initiatives in their application for a DOT4D grant and their grant reports were also an important data source. These data, combined with insights from two rounds of in-depth interviews with five authors from the study sample provides insight into the injustices academics were grappling with and the ways in which they endeavored to address them. This article articulates four open textbook models with varying degrees of colleague and student inclusion. Examining authorship, quality assurance and publishing activities as nodes of inclusivity, the article provides insight into the strategies open textbook authors at UCT adopt in order to address social injustice in the classroom related to access and representation. It also considers ways in which higher education institutions can address sustainability in order to support the endeavor.
Self-efficacy beliefs as a predictor of quality of life and burnout among university lecturers
Authors: Matos Mayara da Mota , Sharp John G. , Iaochite Roberto Tadeu
Published: July 2022

In this article, we explore Brazilian lecturers’ self-efficacy beliefs as a predictor of quality of life and burnout drawing on the concept and theoretical framework of self-efficacy presented by Albert Bandura, the originator of Social Cognitive Theory. The questionnaires adopted for the research included the Brazilian Lecturer Self-Efficacy Scale (BLSES), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-ES) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-Bref). The participants were 1,709 lecturers from 78 universities in Brazil, most of whom had a doctoral degree. We analyzed the data using descriptive and inferential statistics, performing structural equation modeling (SEM) and cluster analysis using IBM SPSS and Amos. We hypothesized that lecturer self-efficacy would be a positive predictor of quality of life and this, in turn, would be a negative predictor of burnout itself. SEM model fit indices fell within acceptable levels, with the overall model lending support to the stated hypothesis. In addition, lecturer self-efficacy was also a predictor of personal accomplishment in the MBI-ES. Regarding the cluster analysis, participants fell into five groups based on self-efficacy, quality of life and burnout questionnaire scores, each with associated personal, professional and academic characteristics. By way of discussion, we address reflections arising from findings to university life and working conditions, training needs and the need to establish career planning supported by studies that investigate the phenomenon of teaching in higher education in an integrated manner.
Examination of children’s visuospatial thinking skills in domain-general learning and interpretation of scientific diagrams
Authors: Uchinokura Shingo , Koba Kengo
Published: July 2022

Visuospatial thinking in science education is an important form of thinking that involves the purposeful use of the human eyes to develop an internal representation. This study examined the visuospatial thinking skills of primary school students with two aims (1) identifying students’ cognitive levels of these skills in domain-general learning, and (2) discovering how primary school students respond to visuospatial tasks that require interpretation of a diagrammatic representation. The study also investigated whether there are differences in how male and female students answer visuospatial thinking tasks. The participants included 93 fourth-grade students (8–9 years old), including 51 male and 42 female students, from a public primary school in Japan. The participants completed two types of paper-pencil tests. The first test required participants to complete the Wide-range Assessment of Vision-related Essential Skills (WAVES), a domain-general test that measures visual perception and eye-hand coordination skills. In the second test, students answered questions about the relationship between the movement of the sun and the behaviors of solar cells located in different places by interpreting a diagrammatic representation. Female students outperformed male students in one of the four WAVES index scores; otherwise, no other statistically significant differences were found. A small number of students had low visuospatial perception scores. When students were asked to explain their reasoning regarding how the solar cells worked based on their interpterion of the diagram, only a few answered correctly using perspective-taking and/or visualizing. Other students struggled to provide their reasoning, even if they had factual knowledge. Some students held an alternative conception of sunlight intensity and the sun’s path in the sky. They worked through the problem from their alternative conceptions without reference to visuospatial information or taking different perspectives from the diagram. No statistically significant differences were found in the relationship between achievement in the domain-general test and the number of correct answers in the domain-specific test. The study’s findings imply that students should be encouraged to practice visuospatial thinking to overcome previously held alternative conceptions. Furthermore, science education should emphasize the concept of space and teach conventional knowledge on different representation types. Further research on students’ learning progress in visuospatial thinking that includes alternative conceptions such as the students’ domain-specific knowledge is recommended.
In Life as in Sport: Implications of a Program to Educate Spanish Youth on Values
Authors: Smith-Palacio Eulisis , Alcalá-Recuero Jesús , Lamoneda-Prieto Javier
Published: July 2022

This research examines the effect of the Delphi Program on student self-control and self-perception. Some 305 young people (55% girls) with an average age of 11.6 years (± 0.69) enrolled in public schools in central Spain took part in the project. A quasi-experimental single-group design was used with pre-test and post-test measures following a mixed quantitative-qualitative approach. The CACIA questionnaire was used to assess students’ self-perception. A single level of treatment was conducted with groups of students in twenty didactic sessions of indoor football. The quantitative results showed an improvement in personal feedback, deferring reward, criterion self-control and process self-control. The qualitative analysis of student responses yielded four topics: conflict resolution, respect, honesty and pro-social behavior in two areas: sports and physical activity and in personal life.
Development and Initial Validation of an Admission Test for Bachelor Psychology Studies
Authors: Watrin Luc , Geiger Mattis , Levacher Julie , Spinath Birgit , Wilhelm Oliver
Published: July 2022

Extensive evidence clearly endorses the use of standardized reasoning ability tests and subject-specific knowledge tests as valid and useful tools for admission-restricted study programs. Yet, tests are still rarely applied for university admission in Germany. Instead, current admission practices are predominantly based on grade point average (GPA) achieved in high school. In the present study, we report the development and validation of a test battery for admission into bachelor’s degree programs in psychology for German universities. Its compilation is driven by evidence from international validity generalization, consensual models of cognitive abilities, and a taxonomy of the B.Sc. psychology degree in Germany. It consists of three subtests for reasoning ability, two tests that tap relevant declarative knowledge, and two psychology-specific text comprehension tests. N = 371 freshmen from five German universities completed the tests and university GPA was retrieved 2.5 years later. We use confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling to investigate the construct and criterion validity of the test battery. The results indicate that individual tests, as well as the test battery, meet psychometric requirements. As expected, the test battery predicts university GPA substantially and incrementally beyond high school GPA. The results illustrate the substantial added value that standardized achievement tests provide in university admissions.
Reading comprehension precursors: Evidence of the simple view of reading in a transparent orthography
Authors: Sánchez-Vincitore Laura V. , Veras Cledenin , Mencía-Ripley Aída , Ruiz-Matuk Carlos B. , Cubilla-Bonnetier Daniel
Published: July 2022

The Simple View of Reading (SVR) proposes that reading comprehension depends on two general processes –language comprehension and word recognition– and that the contribution of these known processes to reading comprehension varies in time. Specifically, the contribution of word recognition decreases, and the contribution of language comprehension increases with student progress. The purpose of this study was to test the SVR in a large sample of 4,750 Dominican public-school students from second (n = 2,399) and fourth grade (2,351) and determine the contribution of phonological awareness within the SVR. The study found that word recognition and language comprehension explained 80% of the variance in reading comprehension regardless of grade. A quantile regression showed that, as reading comprehension progresses, language comprehension’s predictive power increases, and word recognition’s predictive power decreases. A structural equation model conducted on each grade separately showed that the contribution of word recognition toward reading comprehension remained stable between second and fourth grade. This means that, although the dynamism of the SVR components follows the same pattern reported in the literature, the students evaluated here might reach reading automaticity later than expected. Therefore, more attentional resources need to be allocated toward decoding. The study found that the contribution of phonological awareness toward word recognition increases from second to fourth grade, confirming that students are taking longer than expected to obtain reading automaticity and still going through an overt effortful decoding stage rather than a covert phonological recoding stage, making reading more effortful.
Visual images of the biological microcosmos: Viewers’ perception of realism, preference, and desire to explore
Authors: Höst Gunnar , Schönborn Konrad J. , Tibell Lena
Published: July 2022

Visual images are crucial for communicating science in educational contexts and amongst practitioners. Reading images contributes to meaning-making in society at large, and images are fundamental communicative tools in public spaces such as science centers. Here, visitors are exposed to a range of static, dynamic, and digital visual representations accessible through various multimodal and interactive possibilities. Images conveying scientific phenomena differ to what extent they represent real objects, and include photographs, schematic illustrations, and measurement-based models. Depicting realism in biological objects, structures and processes through images differs with respect to, inter alia, shading, color, and surface texture. Although research has shown that aspects of these properties can both potentially benefit and impair interpretation, little is known about their impact on viewers’ visual preference and inclination for further exploration. Therefore the aim of this study is to investigate what effect visual properties have on visitors’ perception of biological images integrated in an interactive science center exhibit. Visitors responded to a questionnaire designed to assess the impact of three indicators of realism (shading, color, and surface texture) and biological content (e.g., cells and viruses) on participants’ preferences, perceptions of whether biological images depicted real objects, and their desire to further explore images. Inspired by discrete choice experiments, image pairs were systematically varied to allow participants to make direct choices between images with different properties. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the three indicators of realism were all significant predictors of participants’ assessments that images depict real objects. Shadows emerged as a significant predictor of preference for further exploration together with the presence of cells in the image. Correlation analysis indicated that images that were more often selected as depicting real objects were also more often selected for further exploration. We interpret the results in terms of construal level theory in that a biological image perceived as a realistic portrayal would induce a desire for further exploration. The findings have implications for considering the role of realism and preference in the design of images for communicating science in public spaces.
Alpha-Adrenergic Mechanisms in the Cardiovascular Hyperreactivity to Norepinephrine-Infusion in Essential Hypertension
Authors: Walther Lisa-Marie , von Känel Roland , Heimgartner Nadja , Zuccarella-Hackl Claudia , Stirnimann Guido , Wirtz Petra H.
Published: July 2022

Aims

Essential hypertension (EHT) is characterized by cardiovascular hyperreactivity to stress but underlying mechanism are not fully understood. Here, we investigated the role of α-adrenergic receptors (α-AR) in the cardiovascular reactivity to a norepinephrine (NE)-stress reactivity-mimicking NE-infusion in essential hypertensive individuals (HT) as compared to normotensive individuals (NT).

Methods

24 male HT and 24 male NT participated in three experimental trials on three separate days with a 1-min infusion followed by a 15-min infusion. Trials varied in infusion-substances: placebo saline (Sal)-infusions (trial-1:Sal+Sal), NE-infusion without (trial-2:Sal+NE) or with non-selective α-AR blockade by phentolamine (PHE) (trial-3:PHE+NE). NE-infusion dosage (5µg/ml/min) and duration were chosen to mimic duration and physiological effects of NE-release in reaction to established stress induction protocols. We repeatedly measured systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) as well as heart rate before, during, and after infusions.

Results

SBP and DBP reactivity to the three infusion-trials differed between HT and NT (p’s≤.014). HT exhibited greater BP reactivity to NE-infusion alone compared to NT (trial-2-vs-trial-1: p’s≤.033). Group differences in DBP reactivity to NE disappeared with prior PHE blockade (trial-3: p=.26), while SBP reactivity differences remained (trial-3: p=.016). Heart rate reactivity to infusion-trials did not differ between HT and NT (p=.73).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest a mediating role of α-AR in DBP hyperreactivity to NE-infusion in EHT. However, in SBP hyperreactivity to NE-infusion in EHT, the functioning of α-AR seems impaired suggesting that the SBP hyperreactivity in hypertension is not mediated by α-AR.
Osteoporosis and Related Health Status Among the Elderly Urban Residents in Elderly-Care Inns in Beijing, a Multicenter DXA Survey
Authors: Lin XinChao , Guo HongTao , Lian YiGang , Kou Jiajing , Wang GuangLei , Chen YiYun , Wang Juan , Han Xu , Jiang Miao , Yang QiaoHui
Published: July 2022

Background

Identification of the high risk population for osteoporosis and timely prevention are the best strategies at present. Detailed epidemiological investigation in a well-defined population is necessary to explore the population-based characteristics and risk factors of osteoporosis, thus to facilitate better prevention programs.

Method

In this prospective cross-sectional study, 1423 questionnaires were given out to the urban residents (female ≥ 40 years of age, male ≥50 years) who lived in the 27 Elderly-Care Inns interspersed among the seven central urban areas of Beijing. All participants were voluntary and underwent routine physical examination and spine and hip BMD measurements using the DXA instrument. The study protocols were approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (JDZX2015079).

Results

Altogether 1407 participants fulfilled the survey. Among 359 men, the prevalence of osteoporosis, osteopenia, and normal BMD were 18.1%, 56.6%, and 25.3%, respectively; among 1048 women, the corresponding figures were 40.3%, 42.8%, and 16.9%, respectively. After adjustment of age and BMI, both hands grip strength, height loss over 3 cm, serum levels of β-CTx, PINP, and OST were the independent risk factors for osteoporosis in both men and women; besides, familial Alzheimer’s disease history in men; and history of steatohepatitis and fracture, serum levels of PTH and ALT, age of menarche, age of menopause, and duration of menstruation in women were also risk factors of osteoporosis. In both genders, the cost-effective method, which adopted both hands grip strength, height loss over 3 cm, and medical history, indicated a good predictive ability to evaluate the risk of osteoporosis (in men AUC=0.730, 95%CI=0.642~0.817; in women AUC=0.769, 95%CI=0.724~0.813).

Conclusions

In the population of elderly Beijing urban residents in Elderly-Care Inns, the prevalence of osteoporosis in women is higher than that in men and increases with aging more rapidly; the prevalence of osteopenia in men is higher than in women. The cost-effective method, including both hands grip strength, height loss over 3 cm, and familial Alzheimer’s disease history in men; fracture and steatohepatitis history as well as menstrual history in women is recommended in identifying the high-risk subjects for osteoporosis.
Gynostemma pentaphyllum polysaccharides ameliorate non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice associated with gut microbiota and the TLR2/NLRP3 pathway
Authors: Yue Si-Ran , Tan Yi-Yun , Zhang Lei , Zhang Bao-Jun , Jiang Feng-Yan , Ji Guang , Liu Bao-Cheng , Wang Rui-Rui
Published: July 2022

Recent studies have revealed the pivotal role of gut microbiota in the progress of liver diseases including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Many natural herbs, such as Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP), have been extensively applied in the prevention of NASH, while the bioactive components and underlying mechanism remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the polysaccharides of GP (GPP) have a protective effect on NASH and to explore the potential mechanism underlying these effects. C57BL/6 male mice were fed with a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet for 4 weeks to induce NASH and administered daily oral gavage of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-Na), low dose of GPP (LGPP), high dose of GPP (HGPP), and polyene phosphatidylcholine capsules (PPC), compared with the methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS) group. Our results showed that the symptoms of hepatic steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, liver fibrosis, and oxidative stress could be partially recovered through the intervention of GPP with a dose-dependent effect. Furthermore, gut microbiome sequencing revealed that HGPP altered the composition of gut microbiota, mainly characterized by the enrichment of genera including Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, and A2. Moreover, hepatic transcriptome analysis indicated that the anti-inflammatory effect of HGPP might be associated with toll-like receptor (TLR) and nod-like receptor (NLR) signaling pathways. HGPP could inhibit the expression of TLR2 and downregulate the expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome, as well as the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β. In summary, GPP could ameliorate NASH possibly mediated via the modulation of gut microbiota and the TLR2/NLRP3 signaling pathway, indicating that GPP could be tested as a prebiotic agent in the prevention of NASH.
Alterations in Spontaneous Neuronal Activity and Microvascular Density of the Optic Nerve Head in Active Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy
Authors: Zhu Pingyi , Liu Zihui , Lu Yi , Wang Yu , Zhang Danbin , Zhao Pinghui , Lin Lulu , Hussein Nimo Mohamed , Liu Xiaozheng , Yan Zhihan , Bai Guanghui , Tu Yunhai
Published: July 2022

Purpose

To investigate changes in local spontaneous brain activity in patients with active thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and explore the relationship between such alterations and microvascular indices.

Methods

Thirty-six active TAO patients with active phase and 39 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this study. All participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), neuropsychological tests, and ophthalmological examinations. The rs-fMRI-based fractional low-frequency fluctuation amplitude (fALFF) analysis methods were used to assess spontaneous brain activity in both groups. The structure (peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, pRNFL) and microvascular indices (the optic nerve head (ONH) whole image vessel density, ONH-wiVD, and peripapillary vessel density) were analyzed through optical coherence tomographic angiography imaging. The relationship between abnormal spontaneous brain activity and ophthalmological indices was analyzed using the Spearman’s rank correlation analysis.

Results

Compared with HCs, active TAO patients had increased fALFF in the right inferior temporal gyrus (R.ITG) and left posterior cingulate gyrus (L.PCC), but decreased fALFF in the right calcarine (R.CAL). The fALFF values in L.PCC were positively correlated with peripapillary vessel density, whereas fALFF values in R.CAL were negatively related to peripapillary vessel density.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that changes in spontaneous brain activity of active TAO are accompanied by peripapillary microvascular variations. These results provide insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of active TAO. In addition, the combination of fALFF values and peripapillary vessel density may be served as important references for better clinical decision making.
Plasma Apolipoproteins Predicting the Occurrence and Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Zhang Xinyuan , Nie Yao , Gong Zhizhong , Zhu Meidong , Qiu Bingjie , Wang Qiyun
Published: July 2022

Objective

Apolipoproteins are amphipathic molecules and the major components of plasma lipoproteins. This study aims to investigate the effects of dysregulated apolipoprotein (apo) profiles and their ratios on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) further to test the hypothesis that altered serum level of apolipoproteins is strong biomarkers for DR.

Research Design and Methods

This case-control study consists of 157 patients with T2DM including DM without DR, non-proliferative DR (NPDR), and proliferative DR (PDR). Fifty-eight age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were enrolled as normal controls. Blood biochemistry profile including serum levels of glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile [total cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), high and low-density lipoprotein (HDL-C and LDL-C)] was estimated. Apolipoproteins (apos, A-I, A-II, B, C-II, C-III, and E) was evaluated by protein chips (Luminex technology). Apolipoprotein ratios and arteriosclerosis-associated plasma indices were calculated. The Kruskal–Wallis test, independent sample t-test or Mann–Whitney U test, and multivariate regression analysis were performed to investigate the association of serum lipid biomarkers and the DR severity.

Results

Serum level of apoA-I was negatively correlated with TC-(HDL-C)/HDL-C (p < 0.001), fasting glucose (p < 0.001), HbA1c (p < 0.001), and (p<0.001), while apoE, apoC-II/apoC-III, apoA-II/apoA-I were positively correlated with above traditional biomarkers (p < 0.001). Single variable logistic analysis results showed that body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.023), DM duration (p < 0.001), apoE (p < 0.001), apoC-II/apo C-III (p < 0.001), apoE/apoC-II (p < 0.001), atherogenic index (p = 0.013), fasting glucose (p < 0.001), HbA1c (p < 0.001), LPA (p = 0.001), and LDL-C/HDL-C (p = 0.031) were risk factors for the occurrence and severity of DR. Multivariate logistic regression mode showed that apoC-II/apoC-III and apoB/non–HDL-C (p < 0.001) as well as apoE/apoC-II (p = 0.001) were the independent risk factors for the occurrence and severity of DR—apopA-I and apoA-II are protective factors for DR—after controlling for the duration of DM, HbA1c, fasting glucose, and LPA.

Conclusions

apoE, apoC-II/apoC-III, apoE/apoC-II, and apoB/non–HDL-C could be used as novel biomarkers for occurrence and severity of DR, whereas apoA-I and apoA-II resulted as protective factors for DR.
Clinical advantages and neuroprotective effects of monitor guided fang’s capillary fascia preservation right RLN dissection technique
Authors: Shi Qian , Xu Jiaqi , Fang Jugao , Zhong Qi , Chen Xiao , Hou Lizhen , Ma Hongzhi , Feng Lin , He Shizhi , Lian Meng , Wang Ru
Published: July 2022

Objective

To investigate the feasibility and advantages of Fang’s capillary fascia preservation right recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) dissection technique (F-R-RLN dissection) with preservation of the capillary network and fascia between the RLN and common carotid artery for greater neuroprotective efficiency compared with traditional techniques.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 102 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma undergoing right level VI lymph node dissection in our department from March 2021 to January 2022. Sixty patients underwent F-R-RLN dissection (the experimental group) and 42 patients underwent standard dissection (the control group). The intraoperative electrical signal amplitude ratios of the RLN, the number of dissected lymph nodes, and the preservation rates of the parathyroid glands were recorded and compared between the two groups.

Results

The electrical signal amplitude ratio of the lower neck part point of the RLN to the upper laryngeal inlet point in the experimental group was significantly lower than the ratio in the control group (p = 0.006, Z-score = -2.726). One patient suffered transient RLN paralysis in both groups, but this resolved within 1 month after operation. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the number of level VIa or level VIb lymph nodes dissected, nor in the rate of preservation of the parathyroid glands.

Conclusions

F-R-RLN dissection is a thorough dissection technique that is effective at preventing an electrical signal amplitude decrease in the RLN, and at preventing RLN paralysis by preserving its blood supply.