bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case report: Short-term efficacy and changes in 18F-FDG-PET with acute multi-target stimulation in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3/MJD)
Authors: Cui Zhiqiang , Lan Yina , Chang Yan , Liu Xinyun , Wang Jian , Lou Xin , Wang Ruimin
Published: September 2023

Objective

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), also known as Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), is a rare neurodegenerative disease for which there is no specific treatment. Very few cases have been treated with single-target deep brain stimulation (DBS), and the results were not satisfactory. We applied multi-target DBS to an SCA3/MJD patient and performed positron emission computed tomography (PET) before and after DBS to explore the short-term clinical therapeutic effect.

Materials and methods

A 26-year-old right-hand-dominant female with a family history of SCA3/MJD suffered from cerebellar ataxia and dystonia. Genetic testing indicated an expanded CAG trinucleotide repeat in the ATXN3 gene and a diagnosis of SCA3/MJD. Conservative treatment had no obvious effect; therefore, leads were implanted in the bilateral dentate nucleus (DN) and the globus pallidus internus (GPi) and connected to an external stimulation device. The treatment effect was evaluated in a double-blind, randomized protocol in five phases (over a total of 15 days): no stimulation, GPi, DN, or sham stimulation, and combined GPi and DN stimulation. 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose and dopamine transporter PET, Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia, Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor (FTM), Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS), and SF-36 quality of life scores were compared before and after DBS.

Results

The Total Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia scores improved by ~42% (from 24 to 14). The BFMDRS movement scores improved by ~30% (from 40.5 to 28.5). The BFMDRS disability scores improved by ~12.5% (from 16 to 14). Daily living activities were not noticeably improved. Compared with the findings in pre-DBS imaging, 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose uptake increased in the cerebellum, while according to dopamine transporter imaging, there were no significant differences in the bilateral caudate nucleus and putamen.

Conclusion

Multi-target acute stimulation (DN DBS and GPi DBS) in SCA3/MJD can mildly improve cerebellar ataxia and dystonia and increase cerebellar metabolism.
Multi-modal cross-linguistic perception of Mandarin tones in clear speech
Authors: Zeng Yuyu , Leung Keith K. W. , Jongman Allard , Sereno Joan A. , Wang Yue
Published: September 2023

Clearly enunciated speech (relative to conversational, plain speech) involves articulatory and acoustic modifications that enhance auditory–visual (AV) segmental intelligibility. However, little research has explored clear-speech effects on the perception of suprasegmental properties such as lexical tone, particularly involving visual (facial) perception. Since tone production does not primarily rely on vocal tract configurations, tones may be less visually distinctive. Questions thus arise as to whether clear speech can enhance visual tone intelligibility, and if so, whether any intelligibility gain can be attributable to tone-specific category-enhancing (code-based) clear-speech cues or tone-general saliency-enhancing (signal-based) cues. The present study addresses these questions by examining the identification of clear and plain Mandarin tones with visual-only, auditory-only, and AV input modalities by native (Mandarin) and nonnative (English) perceivers. Results show that code-based visual and acoustic clear tone modifications, although limited, affect both native and nonnative intelligibility, with category-enhancing cues increasing intelligibility and category-blurring cues decreasing intelligibility. In contrast, signal-based cues, which are extensively available, do not benefit native intelligibility, although they contribute to nonnative intelligibility gain. These findings demonstrate that linguistically relevant visual tonal cues are existent. In clear speech, such tone category-enhancing cues are incorporated with saliency-enhancing cues across AV modalities for intelligibility improvements.
Metabolomic analysis for disclosing nutritional and therapeutic prospective of traditional rice cultivars of Cauvery deltaic region, India
Authors: Udhaya Nandhini Dhandayuthapani , Venkatesan Subramanian , Senthilraja Kandasamy , Janaki Ponnusamy , Prabha Balasubramaniam , Sangamithra Sadasivam , Vaishnavi Sivaprakasam Jidhu , Meena Sadasivam , Balakrishnan Natarajan , Raveendran Muthurajan , Geethalakshmi Vellingiri , Somasundaram Eagan
Published: September 2023

Traditional rice is gaining popularity worldwide due to its high nutritional and pharmaceutical value, as well as its high resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. This has attracted significant attention from breeders, nutritionists, and plant protection scientists in recent years. Hence, it is critical to investigate the grain metabolome to reveal germination and nutritional importance. This research aimed to explore non-targeted metabolites of five traditional rice varieties,viz., Chinnar, Chithiraikar, Karunguruvai, Kichili samba, and Thooyamalli, for their nutritional and therapeutic properties. Approximately 149 metabolites were identified using the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library and Human Metabolome Database (HMDB) and were grouped into 34 chemical classes. Major classes include fatty acids (31.1–56.3%), steroids and their derivatives (1.80–22.4%), dihydrofurans (8.98–11.6%), prenol lipids (0.66–4.44%), organooxygen compounds (0.12–6.45%), benzene and substituted derivatives (0.53–3.73%), glycerolipids (0.36–2.28%), and hydroxy acids and derivatives (0.03–2.70%). Significant variations in metabolite composition among the rice varieties were also observed through the combination of univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. Principal component analysis (PCA) reduced the dimensionality of 149 metabolites into five principle components (PCs), which explained 96% of the total variance. Two clusters were revealed by hierarchical cluster analysis, indicating the distinctiveness of the traditional varieties. Additionally, a partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) found 17 variables important in the projection (VIP) scores of metabolites. The findings of this study reveal the biochemical intricate and distinctive metabolomes of the traditional therapeutic rice varieties. This will serve as the foundation for future research on developing new rice varieties with traditional rice grain metabolisms to increase grain quality and production with various nutritional and therapeutic benefits.
Case Report: A 13-year-old adolescent diagnosed as malignant phyllodes tumor combined with rhabdomyosarcoma differentiation
Authors: Lian Jie , Gao Lu , Yao Ru , Zhou Yidong , Sun Qiang
Published: September 2023

Phyllodes tumor (PT) is an infrequent type of breast neoplasm, constituting a mere 0.5%–1.5% of the entirety of breast tumors. The malignant phyllodes tumor (MPT) comprises only 15% of all phyllodes tumors, and its transformation into rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is exceedingly rare in clinical practice. Given its insensitivity to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, treatment options for MPT patients are limited, leaving complete surgical resection as the only option. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate the effective utilization of the heterogeneous differentiation characteristics of MPT to expand treatment alternatives for these patients. In this case report, we represent a 13-year-old adolescent diagnosed with giant breast MPT with RMS differentiation and pulmonary metastasis. The initial step in the treatment process involved radical surgical resection, followed by the administration of four cycles of VDC/IC chemotherapy, which is widely recognized as the standard chemotherapy for RMS. Regrettably, the delay in initiating chemotherapy resulted in minimal observable changes in the size of the pulmonary metastatic nodule. Additionally, a comprehensive literature review on the characterization of MPT with heterogeneous differentiation was conducted to enhance comprehension of the diagnosis and treatment of this uncommon disease in clinical practice. Meanwhile, this case also reminds the doctors that when we diagnose a patient as MPT, it is crucial to consider its heterogenous nature and promptly initiate adjuvant treatment. By targeting the differentiation element of MPT, it becomes feasible to overcome the previously perceived limitation of surgical intervention as the sole treatment option.
Treatment landscape and burden of disease in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: systematic and structured literature reviews
Authors: Leaning Darren , Kaur Gagandeep , Morgans Alicia K. , Ghouse Ray , Mirante Osvaldo , Chowdhury Simon
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is a lethal disease that imposes a major burden on patients and healthcare systems. Three structured literature reviews (treatment guidelines, treatment landscape, and human/clinical/patient burden) and one systematic literature review (economic burden) were conducted to better understand the disease burden and unmet needs for patients with late-stage mCRPC, for whom optimal treatment options are unclear.

Methods

Embase®, MEDLINE®, MEDLINE® In-Process, the CENTRAL database (structured and systematic reviews), and the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination database (systematic review only) were searched for English-language records from 2009 to 2021 to identify mCRPC treatment guidelines and studies related to the treatment landscape and the humanistic/economic burden of mCRPC in adult men (aged ≥18 years) of any ethnicity.

Results

In total, six records were included for the treatment patterns review, 14 records for humanistic burden, nine records for economic burden, three records (two studies) for efficacy, and eight records for safety. Real-world treatment patterns were broadly aligned with treatment guidelines and provided no optimal treatment sequencing beyond second line other than palliative care. Current post-docetaxel treatments in mCRPC are associated with adverse events that cause relatively high rates of treatment discontinuation or disruption. The humanistic and economic burdens associated with mCRPC are high.

Conclusion

The findings highlight a lack of treatment options with novel mechanisms of action and more tolerable safety profiles that satisfy a risk-to-benefit ratio aligned with patient needs and preferences for patients with late-stage mCRPC. Treatment approaches that improve survival and health-related quality of life are needed, ideally while simultaneously reducing costs and healthcare resource utilization.
An unusual presentation of ossified spinal meningioma: case report and literature review
Authors: Xu Wen-Bin , Sun Nai-Kun , Cai Di-Xin , Chen Ding-Qiang , Niu Yuan , Jia Fang , Lin Guang-Xun , Rui Gang
Published: September 2023

Background

Spinal meningioma is a common intraspinal tumor, which mainly occurs in the thoracic spine. Ossified meningioma (OSM) is an extremely rare histological variant. Our article reports a rare patient with dorsal complete OSM and reviews this subject.

Case presentation

A 68-year-old woman presented with a one-year history of progressive weakness in both lower limbs with gait disturbance. Physical examination revealed hypoesthesia with a sensory level below T10. Babinski and pathological signs on both sides were weakly positive. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a mass at the T10 to T11 level causing severe compression of the spinal cord. Computed tomography (CT) showed complete ossification of the mass. 18F-Fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography CT (18F-FDG PET/CT) scan combined with MRI revealed that the mass was an intradural extramedullary high-density ossified nodule. The patient underwent a gross total resection of the mass and pathologic examination indicated that the mass was a meningioma with diffused psammomatous bodies.

Conclusion

We identified a rare case of dorsal complete OSM occurring in a 68-year-old woman. After complete surgical resection, although there were complications such as cerebral fluid leakage and fever, the patient finally recovered with a satisfactory result.
Optimization of the dosage regimen of zoledronic acid with a kinetic-pharmacodynamic model and exposure-response analysis
Authors: Wang Huan , Liu Qi , Jiang Muhan , Song Chunli , Liu Dongyang
Published: September 2023

Purpose: In order to support the dose optimization of zoledronic acid, the kinetic-pharmacodynamic model and exposure-response analysis were used to describe the changes in bone mineral density in different doses of zoledronic acid and establish the relationship between dose and acute phase reaction.

Methods: Data were extracted from literature in accessible public databases. The kinetic-pharmacodynamic model was developed based on the above data using the NONMEM package to estimate parameters describing the relationship between the dose of zoledronic acid and bone mineral density. Exposure-response analysis was developed to establish the relationship between dose and acute phase reaction. Model evaluation was performed using goodness-of-fit, coefficient of variation (CV%). And sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the necessity of related parameters. Then the established model was used to simulate the changes of bone mineral density under different administration regimens, and the literature data was verified.

Results: The kinetic-pharmacodynamic model successfully described zoledronic acid dose and change of bone mineral density in osteoporosis patients, with coefficient of variation of most less than 71.5%. The exposure-response analysis showed the incidence of acute phase reaction is dose-dependent. The bone mineral density was simulated based on the developed kinetic-pharmacodynamic model. And the simulated change of bone mineral density and the incidence of acute phase reaction could be helpful to propose a dosage regimen.

Conclusion: Overall, the kinetic-pharmacodynamic model described changes of bone mineral density in different doses of zoledronic acid in vivo. And, the model and the exposure-response analysis also showed to provide the assessment of dose-response relationship for zoledronic acid.
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Streblus indicus
Authors: Xie Yan-Qing , Huang Jing-Yao , Chen Yun-Xiu , Zhou Qian , Zhou Qi-Xiu , Yang Zhu-Ya , Xu Shi-Kui , Tan Wen-Hong , Liu Lu
Published: September 2023

The bark of Streblus indicus, a Dai medicine in China, has been listed in the Chinese Materia Medica as possessing hemostatic and analgesic properties. Ethnic medicine books record that its bark or leaves for the treatment of mumps and lymphoma. However, according to the literature survey, anti-inflammatory and analgesic studies available for leaves and branches of S. indicus have been seldom reported so far. The current study focuses on the metabolites of S. indicus bark and leaves responsible for anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on the basis of bioactive-included acetic acid writhing, hot-plate, and xylene-induced ear swelling. The secretion of inflammatory mediators, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-10, were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory by xylene-induced in mouse ear cells. Histological examination was used to assess the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the branches and leaves of S. indicus, and Western blot analysis determined the mechanism of the methanolic extract of branches and leaves. Different metabolites of S. indicus significantly alleviated analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, with no discernable differences among them. All metabolites decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 and increased the levels of IL-4 and IL-10. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory mechanism of the methanolic extract was related to the NF-kB signaling pathway. These results not only would account for scientific knowledge for the traditional application of S. indicus, but also provide a credible theoretical foundation for the further development of anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents.
A novel non-linear approach for establishing a QSAR model of a class of 2-Phenyl-3-(pyridin-2-yl) thiazolidin-4-one derivatives
Authors: Wu Leilei , Chen Yonglin , Duan Kangying
Published: September 2023

In this investigation, we aimed to address the pressing challenge of treating osteosarcoma, a prevalent and difficult-to-treat form of cancer. To achieve this, we developed a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model focused on a specific class of compounds called 2-Phenyl-3-(pyridin-2-yl) thiazolidin-4-one derivatives. A set of 39 compounds was thoroughly examined, with 31 compounds assigned to the training set and 8 compounds allocated to the test set randomly. The goal was to predict the IC50 value of these compounds accurately. To optimize the compounds and construct predictive models, we employed a heuristic method of the CODESSA program. In addition to a linear model using four carefully selected descriptors, we also developed a nonlinear model using the gene expression programming method. The heuristic method resulted in correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.603, 0.482, and 0.107 for R2cv and S2, respectively. On the other hand, the gene expression programming method achieved higher R2 and S2 values of 0.839 and 0.037 in the training set, and 0.760 and 0.157 in the test set, respectively. Both methods demonstrated excellent predictive performance, but the gene expression programming method exhibited greater consistency with experimental values. The successful nonlinear model generated through gene expression programming shows promising potential for designing targeted drugs to combat osteosarcoma effectively. This approach offers a valuable tool for optimizing compound selection and guiding future drug discovery efforts in the battle against osteosarcoma.
Methylene blue in anticancer photodynamic therapy: systematic review of preclinical studies
Authors: Taldaev Amir , Terekhov Roman , Nikitin Ilya , Melnik Elizaveta , Kuzina Vera , Klochko Mikhail , Reshetov Igor , Shiryaev Artem , Loschenov Victor , Ramenskaya Galina
Published: September 2023

Background: Methylene blue has a long history of clinical application. Thanks to phenothiazine chromophore, it has potential in photodynamic anticancer therapy. In spite of the growing body of literature that has evaluated the action of this dye on different types of cancer, the systematic understanding of this problem is still lacking. Therefore, this systematic review was performed to study the efficacy of methylene blue in photodynamic anticancer therapy.

Methods: This systematic review was carried out in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, and the study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022368738). Articles for the systematic review were identified through the PubMed database. SYRCLE’s risk of bias tool was used to assess the studies. The results of systematic analysis are presented as narrative synthesis.

Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria and these full texts were reviewed. In the selected articles, the dosage of dye infusion ranged from 0.04 to 24.12 mg/kg. The effectiveness of photodynamic therapy with methylene blue against different types of cancer was confirmed by a decrease in tumor sizes in seven articles.

Conclusion: The results of the systematic review support the suggestions that photodynamic therapy with methylene blue helps against different types of cancer, including colorectal tumor, carcinoma, and melanoma. In cases of nanopharmaceutics use, a considerable increase of anticancer therapy effectiveness was observed. The further research into methylene blue in photodynamic anticancer therapy is needed.

Systematic Review Registration: (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=368738), identifier (CRD42022368738).
Effects of high-intensity interval training on lean mass, strength, and power of the lower limbs in healthy old and young people
Authors: Caparrós-Manosalva Cristian , Garrido-Muñoz Nicolás , Alvear-Constanzo Bastián , Sanzana-Laurié Sofía , Artigas-Arias Macarena , Alegría-Molina Andrea , Vidal-Seguel Nicolás , Espinoza-Araneda Jessica , Huard Nolberto , Pagnussat Aline Souza , Sapunar Jorge , Salazar Luis A. , Marzuca-Nassr Gabriel Nasri
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can improve lean mass, strength, and power of the lower limbs in young and older people is still under discussion. This study aimed to determine the effect of HIIT on lean mass, maximal strength, rate of force development (RFD), and muscle power of both lower limbs in healthy young and older adults. Secondarily, to compare the effects of HIIT between dominant vs. non-dominant lower limbs of each group.

Materials and methods: Healthy older (n = 9; 66 ± 6 years; BMI 27.1 ± 3.1 kg m−2) and young (n = 9; 21 ± 1 years; BMI 26.2 ± 2.8 kg m−2) men underwent 12 weeks of HIIT (3x/week) on a stationary bicycle. The evaluations were made before and after the HIIT program by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), anthropometry, force transducer and, Sit-to-Stand test. The outcomes analyzed were limb lean mass, thigh circumference, maximal voluntary isometric strength, RFD (Time intervals: 0–50, 50–100, 100–200, and 0–200 ms), and muscle power in both lower limbs.

Results: After 12 weeks of HIIT, non-dominant limb (NDL) showed increase in limb lean mass (p < 0.05) but without interaction (time*group). HIIT showed a gain in absolute maximal strength and also when adjusted for thigh circumference in the dominant lower limb (DL) in both groups. The RFD0–200 ms showed differences between groups but without interaction. The RFD0–50 ms of the NDL showed post-training improvements (p < 0.05) in both groups. Only the older group showed differences between DL vs. NDL in most of the RFD obtained post-intervention. In addition, post-HIIT muscle power gain was observed in both groups (p < 0.05), but mainly in older adults.

Conclusion: HIIT promotes increases in lean mass, maximal strength, early RFD, and lower limb muscle power in healthy older and young individuals. The differences shown between the DL and the NDL must be analyzed in future studies.
Exogenous phthalanilic acid induces resistance to drought stress in pepper seedlings (Capsicum annuum L.)
Authors: Lu Xiaopeng , Wu Qiong , Nie Keyi , Wu Hua , Chen Guangyou , Wang Jun , Ma Zhiqing
Published: September 2023

Drought stress (DS) is one of the main abiotic negative factors for plants. Phthalanilic acid (PPA), as a plant growth regulator, can promote the growth and development of crops. In order to evaluate the ideal application concentration and frequency of PPA-induced drought resistance in pepper (Capsicum annuum) seedlings, the concentration of PPA was 133.3 mg·L−1; 200.0 mg·L−1; 266.7 mg·L−1, and some key indicators were investigated, including leaf wilting index (LWI), relative water content (RWC), and malondialdehyde (MDA). We found that the LWI and RWC in the PPA-applied pepper leaves under light drought stress (LDS) and moderate drought stress (MDS) were all elevated, while MDA contents were decreased. To better understand how PPA makes pepper drought resistant, we examined the photosynthetic characteristics, growth parameters, antioxidant activities, and osmotic substances in pepper seedlings treated twice with PPA at a concentration of 133.3 mg·L−1 under LDS, MDS, and severe drought stress (SDS). Results showed that PPA increased the chlorophyll, plant height, stem diameter, root-shoot ratio, and seedling index of pepper leaves under LDS, MDS, and SDS. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), transpiration rates (Tr), and water-use efficiency (WUE) in the PPA-treated pepper leaves under LDS and MDS were improved, while their stomatal limitation (Ls) were reduced. PPA also boosted the activities of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase), as well as enhanced the accumulation of osmotic substances such as soluble sugar, soluble protein, and free proline in pepper leaves under LDS, MDS, and SDS. Thus, PPA can alleviate the growth inhibition and damage to pepper seedlings caused by DS, and the PPA-mediated efficacy may be associated with the improvement in PPA-mediated antioxidant activities, Pn, and accumulation of osmotic substances.
Research advance on cold tolerance in chrysanthemum
Authors: Chen Qingbing , Gao Kang , Xu YuRan , Sun YaHui , Pan Bo , Chen Dongliang , Luo Chang , Cheng Xi , Liu Hua , Huang Conglin
Published: September 2023

Chrysanthemums are one of the top ten most well-known traditional famous flowers in China and one of the top four cut flowers worldwide, holding a significant position in landscape gardening. The cold temperatures of winter restrict the cultivation, introduction, and application of chrysanthemum, resulting in high costs for year-round production. This severely impacts the ornamental and economic value of chrysanthemum. Therefore, research on cold tolerance is of vital importance for guiding chrysanthemum production and application. With the development of genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and other omics approaches, along with high-throughput molecular marker technologies, research on chrysanthemum cold tolerance has been continuously advancing. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the progress in cold tolerance research from various aspects, including chrysanthemum phenotype, physiological mechanisms, the forward genetics, molecular mechanisms, and breeding. The aim is to offer insights into the mechanisms of cold tolerance in chrysanthemum and provide reference for in-depth research and the development of new cold tolerance chrysanthemum varieties.
Ageing, the digital and everyday life during and since the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Martin Wendy , Collett George , Bell Chris , Prescott Amy
Published: September 2023

Introduction

During and since the Covid-19 pandemic there has been an intensified integration of digital technologies into the everyday lives of older people. We do, however, know little about the ways in which older people incorporate digital technologies and communications into their daily lives and their own meanings, embodiment and experiences of the digital during and since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Method

The aim of our research was to explore the use of digital devices during and since the Covid-19 pandemic and to identify facilitators and barriers to incorporating digital devices into everyday life. The research involved a series of online focus groups with people aged between 63 and 86 years living in the United Kingdom and were conducted in 2022. Each focus group lasted around 90 min and data was audio-recorded and transcribed. The data was analysed thematically.

Results

From the analysis, three interconnecting whilst analytically distinct themes around the meaning and experiences of using digital devices in everyday life during and since the pandemic, are thematically presented as: (1) Incorporating the digital into everyday life; (2) Social and digital connectivity; and (3) Challenges and limitations of the digital in everyday life.

Discussion

The research has provided insights into the way digital devices were used by older people during and since the Covid-19 pandemic. In particular, we highlight the increasing importance of digital connectivity and the ways in which older people actively engage (and resist) technologies of communication in their daily lives; and the significance of embodied co-presence and the immediacy of shared space and/or time is highlighted.
Future-oriented cognition: links to mental health problems and mental wellbeing in preschool-aged and primary-school-aged children
Authors: Marks Jessica , Schneider Silvia , Voigt Babett
Published: September 2023

Future-oriented cognition plays a manifold role for adults’ mental health. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between future-oriented cognition and mental health in N = 191 children aged between 3 and 7 years. Parents completed an online-questionnaire including children’s future-oriented cognition (e.g., episodic foresight; Children Future Thinking Questionnaire; CFTQ), children’s mental health problems (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; SDQ), and wellbeing (Parent-rated Life Orientation Test of children; PLOT and Positive-Mental-Health Scale; PMH). More externalizing problems (especially hyperactivity) related to lower future-oriented cognition. For mental wellbeing, higher levels of optimism were associated with higher episodic foresight. Future-oriented cognition increased with age cross-sectionally. This increase was flatter at higher levels of wellbeing (indicated by lower pessimism). Results are discussed considering findings on the role of future-oriented cognition for mental health in adults and adolescents. Suggestions for future work are presented regarding the direction of the observed links and underlying mechanisms.
Thinking eyes: visual thinking strategies and the social brain
Authors: van Leeuwen Janneke E. P. , Crutch Sebastian J. , Warren Jason D.
Published: September 2023

The foundation of art processes in the social brain can guide the scientific study of how human beings perceive and interact with their environment. Here, we applied the theoretical frameworks of the social and artistic brain connectomes to an eye-tracking paradigm with the aim to elucidate how different viewing conditions and social cues influence gaze patterns and personal resonance with artworks and complex imagery in healthy adults. We compared two viewing conditions that encourage personal or social perspective taking—modeled on the well-known Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) method—to a viewing condition during which only contextual information about the image was provided. Our findings showed that the viewing conditions that used VTS techniques directed the gaze more toward highly salient social cues (Animate elements) in artworks and complex imagery, compared to when only contextual information was provided. We furthermore found that audio cues also directed visual attention, whereby listening to a personal reflection by another person (VTS) had a stronger effect than contextual information. However, we found no effect of viewing condition on the personal resonance with the artworks and complex images when taking the random effects of the image selection into account. Our study provides a neurobiological grounding of the VTS method in the social brain, revealing that this pedagogical method of engaging viewers with artworks measurably shapes people's visual exploration patterns. This is not only of relevance to (art) education but also has implications for art-based diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Purpose in life as an asset for well-being and a protective factor against depression in adolescents
Authors: Barcaccia Barbara , Couyoumdjian Alessandro , Di Consiglio Micaela , Papa Carolina , Cancellieri Uberta Ganucci , Cervin Matti
Published: September 2023

Purpose in life, which is a central component of the eudaimonic paradigm of well-being, has been sparsely examined in adolescence. This is unfortunate as adolescence is characterised by identity development and is a key period for the onset of mental disorders. To inform future research on well-being and purpose in life in adolescents, we drew factors from several fields of research, including mental health and psychological factors, and explored which factors were most strongly associated with purpose in life. Data were collected in a sample of 444 Italian adolescents (Mage = 16.30 [SD = 1.50], range: 14 to 20 years; 58% girls) and associations with mental health (stress, anxiety, depression, anger), psychological traits (mindfulness, self-hate, self-inadequacy, self-reassurance, isolation), and sociodemographic variables (age, sex, place of birth) were examined. Regression, dominance, and network analyses indicated that a stronger sense of purpose in life was associated with lower depressive symptoms, higher levels of self-reassurance, and being born in Italy. Our findings suggest that purpose in life is an important asset for well-being in adolescents and may protect against depression. Future longitudinal and/or experimental research should examine the potential protective role of purpose in life in relation to adolescent depression and how self-reassurance and sociodemographic factors (e.g., immigrant background) are involved.
Prevalence of mental disorders and psychological trauma among conflict- affected population in Somalia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Salad Abdulwahab M , Malik SK Md Mamunur Rahman , Ndithia James Mwangi , Noor Zeynab , Madeo Marina , Ibrahim Mohamed
Published: September 2023

Background

Despite the longstanding psychosocial impact of the interactable conflict in Somalia for the last 30 years, there is lack of epidemiological studies of mental health conditions, especially at the population level.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to fill the epidemiological gap and provide population based data on mental health conditions in the South-Central region of Somalia. The specific objectives were: (1) To determine the epidemiological patterns of mental disorders in three sites; Baidoa, Dolow and Kismayo, (2) Understand the socio-demographic characteristics associated with mental health conditions in the study sites, and (3) To assess the correlates between psychological trauma and the mental wellbeing of the population.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of 713 respondents recruited from the three sites namely Dolow, Baidoa and Kismayo. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and mental disorders were collected using the MINI and sociodemographic questionnaire. Basic descriptive statistics were used to summarize sociodemographic characteristics. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine factors associated with common mental disorders. Statistical significance was considered at a value of p <0.05.

Results

Participants’ mean age was 32.6 (±10.7) years. More than half (58.5%) of the respondents were male. The overall prevalence of common mental disorders was 557 (78.1%) with panic disorder (39.3%), generalized anxiety disorders (34.9%), major depressive episode current (32.1) and PTSD (29.9%). According to the multivariable logistic regression analysis, being male AOR = 1.74 (95%CI = 1.25, 2.42), having a family size of more than 10 members AOR =1.37 (95% CI = 1.00, 1.89), being unemployed AOR = 1.90 (95%CI = 1.18, 3.06), experienced starvation AOR =3.46 (95%CI = 2.23, 5.37), khat use AOR = 5.87 (955 CI, 1.75–19.65), were identified as predicting factors for the common mental disorders among the study participants.

Conclusion

There is a high prevalence of mental disorders with anxiety disorders being the commonest. Findings reflect earlier studies that showed higher rates in conflict and post-conflict settings. It also aligns with past studies in Somalia. As such, there is an urgent need to integrate mental health and psychosocial support within the primary healthcare and other service sectors such as education considering the vast majority of the population are young.
Predicting osteoporosis preventive behaviors in middle-aged and older urban Shanghai residents: a health belief model-based path analysis in a multi-center population study
Authors: Wang Yichen , Li Chenrui , Chang Ruijie , Qiao Yongxia , Cai Yong , Shen Tian
Published: September 2023

Background

Osteoporosis represents a significant health concern as a widespread metabolic bone condition. In this study, we aim to utilize path analysis to examine the intricate relationships among demographic information, Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs and osteoporosis preventive behavior among Shanghai residents over 40 years of age.

Methods

A multi-center population study was conducted in 20 volunteer communities in Shanghai, China. Out of the 2,000 participants who volunteered, 1,903 completed the field survey.

Results

56.0% of participants were females. Their mean age was 63.64 ± 10.30 years. The self-efficacy score among females (42.27 ± 15.82) was also significantly higher than that among males (40.68 ± 15.20). in the pathway analysis. In the path analysis preventive behaviors were significantly predicted by education (β = 0.082, p < 0.001), knowledge (β = 0.132, p < 0.001) and self-efficacy (β = 0.392, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of gender, education, knowledge and self-efficacy in promoting OP preventive behaviors using the Health Belief Model. The findings emphasize the need for tailored interventions to address the specific needs of different demographic groups.
Taxonomic composition and carbohydrate-active enzyme content in microbial enrichments from pulp mill anaerobic granules after cultivation on lignocellulosic substrates
Authors: Wong Mabel T. , Nesbø Camilla L. , Wang Weijun , Couturier Marie , Lombard Vincent , Lapebie Pascal , Terrapon Nicolas , Henrissat Bernard , Edwards Elizabeth A. , Master Emma R.
Published: September 2023

Metagenomes of lignocellulose-degrading microbial communities are reservoirs of carbohydrate-active enzymes relevant to biomass processing. Whereas several metagenomes of natural digestive systems have been sequenced, the current study analyses metagenomes originating from an industrial anaerobic digester that processes effluent from a cellulose pulp mill. Both 16S ribosomal DNA and metagenome sequences were obtained following anaerobic cultivation of the digester inoculum on cellulose and pretreated (steam exploded) poplar wood chips. The community composition and profile of predicted carbohydrate-active enzymes were then analyzed in detail. Recognized lignocellulose degraders were abundant in the resulting cultures, including populations belonging to Clostridiales and Bacteroidales orders. Poorly defined taxonomic lineages previously identified in other lignocellulose-degrading communities were also detected, including the uncultivated Firmicutes lineage OPB54 which represented nearly 10% of the cellulose-fed enrichment even though it was not detected in the bioreactor inoculum. In total, 3580 genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes were identified through metagenome sequencing. Similar to earlier enrichments of animal digestive systems, the profile encoded by the bioreactor inoculum following enrichment on pretreated wood was distinguished from the cellulose counterpart by a higher occurrence of enzymes predicted to act on pectin. The majority (> 93%) of carbohydrate-active enzymes predicted to act on plant polysaccharides were identified in the metagenome assembled genomes, permitting taxonomic assignment. The taxonomic assignment revealed that only a small selection of organisms directly participates in plant polysaccharide deconstruction and supports the rest of the community.
Evaluation of finger cartilage composition in recreational climbers with 7 Tesla T2 mapping magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Bayer Thomas , Brockhoff Marie-Jo , Nagel Armin M. , Adler Werner , Lutter Christoph , Janka Rolf , Heiss Rafael , Uder Michael , Roemer Frank W.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Sport climbing may lead to tissue adaptation including finger cartilage before apparent surface damage is detectable. The main aim was to assess finger cartilage composition with T2 mapping in young, active climbers and to compare the results to a non-climbers' collective. A secondary aim was to compare whether differences in cartilage T2 times are observed between older vs. younger volunteers.

Methods and materials

7 Tesla MRI of the fingers Dig.2–4 was performed using a multi-echo spin echo sequence. Manual segmentation of 3 ROIs at the metacarpal heads, 1 ROI at the base phalanx and 1 ROI at the proximal interphalangeal joint was performed. Included were 13 volunteers without history of trauma who are regularly performing climbing activities as a recreational sport (>20 h/month). These were age-matched with 10 control subjects not performing climbing activities.

Results

Mean age was 32.4 years for the climbing group and 25.8 years for the controls. Mean T2 values for the 5 different ROIs were 42.2 ± 7.8 msec for climbers and 41.4 ± 6.8 msec for non-climbers. No significant differences were observed for T2 values between both groups. However, higher age had a significant impact on T2 values for all assessed ROIs (higher age 44.2 ± 9.5, younger age 32.9 ± 5.7, p = 0.001).

Discussion

This study evaluated the cartilage composition of young, engaged climbers with a T2 mapping MRI technique with the purpose to depict early onset joint changes. No negative impact on cartilage composition due to the sport activity was found, whereas age-related effects on the cartilage seemed to be more prominent.
Evaluating factors influencing Tennessee and Kentucky farmers’ willingness to sell produce through fresh stop markets
Authors: Denton Riley , Velandia Margarita , Yenerall Jackie , DeLong Karen , Trejo-Pech Carlos , Chen Xuqi , Tanaka Keiko , Rignall Karen , Schexnayder Susan
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The food justice movement focuses on resolving food system inequalities, including, but not limited to, income, ethnicity, and race differences related to household access to food, farmer access to markets, and the fair treatment of farmworkers. Previous studies have focused on food system inequalities from the consumer demand side, but only a few studies have focused on the role farmers play in creating more equitable food systems. An example of a market model aiming to fulfill various missions of the food justice movement is Fresh Stop Markets (FSMs). FSMs aggregate food from local farmers and sell shares on a sliding scale based on consumers’ income. Lower income households pay less than higher-income households for the same food. A vital component of this market concept is farmers’ willingness to sell produce through FSMs.

Methods

We used data from a 2020 survey of Tennessee and Kentucky fruit and vegetable farmers and the double-bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation approach to assess farmers’ willingness to sell produce through FSMs when faced with a price discount scenario. A probit regression was used to investigate the factors correlated with farmers’ willingness to sell produce through FSMs.

Results and discussion

Results suggest gross farm revenue, farmer age, education, experience selling produce through farmers markets, and running programs on the farm to educate communities about sustainable agriculture and food systems are associated with farmers’ willingness to sell produce through FSMs.

Conclusion

Farmer and farm business characteristics, as well as prior experience running education programs on the farm related to sustainable agriculture and food systems are important factors to consider when trying to engage farmers willing to sell produce through FSMs.
Comparison of standard T2-weighted turbo spin echo and volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination magnetic resonance imaging sequences in the assessment of articular process dysplasia in Pug dogs with thoracolumbar myelopathy
Authors: Gilbert Emma , Rose Jeremy , Arrol Lorna , Driver Colin J.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

A retrospective study to compare the classification, as normal, hypoplastic or aplastic, of thoracic (T10-T13) caudal articular process (CAP) morphology in Pug dogs with a thoracolumbar myelopathy as normal, hypoplastic or aplastic, between T2 weighted Turbo Spin Echo (T2W-TSE), in sagittal and transverse planes, and Volumetric Interpolated Breath-hold Examination (VIBE) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sequences, in comparison to Computed Tomography (CT). We hypothesized a stronger agreement for VIBE in comparison to T2W-TSE.

Results

Diagnostic accuracy of T2W-TSE was inferior to VIBE for aplastic (60%, 95% CI 0.561–0.639 vs. 78%, 95%CI 0.744–0.815) hypoplastic (44%, 95%CI 0.427–0.452 vs. 62.5%, 95%CI 0.595–0.655) and normal CAP (70%, 95%CI 0.655–0.744 vs. 87%, 95%CI 0.848–0.892). Superior accuracy of classification using VIBE vs. T2W-TSE sequences using the McNemar Chi squared test was significant for aplastic (p = 0.0002) and normal CAP (p = 0.004). VIBE sequences had a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 75% to detect CAP abnormality and with T2W-TSE imaging sensitivity 81% and specificity of 75%.

Discussion

Three-dimensionally reconstructable VIBE sequences were significantly more accurate than traditional T2W-TSE MRI sequences in classifying CAP morphology, which should reduce the need for CT for pre-operative assessment.
An Empirical Analysis of the Predictive Power of European Yield Curves
Authors: Granát Marcell Péter , Neszveda Gábor , Szabó Dorottya
Published: September 2023

For various reasons, the yield curve of government bonds serves as a reliable predictor of recessions in the US. This study provides an empirical analysis of whether there is such a relationship in European countries. The methodological framework employed in this study encompasses the utilisation of the Hodrick– Prescott filter in conjunction with a probit model. The modelling procedure in the literature is extended by optimally combining government bond maturity spreads and examining whether the results are also robust for European yield curves. The main finding of the paper is that in the US the spreads calculated from the yield of 7-year and 1-year government bonds are the best predictors, and they are similarly suitable for predicting economic crises in half of the European countries as well.
Comparison of Different Radial Basis Function Networks for the Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) Inverse Problem
Authors: Faiyaz Chowdhury Abrar , Shahrear Pabel , Shamim Rakibul Alam , Strauss Thilo , Khan Taufiquar
Published: September 2023

This paper aims to determine whether regularization improves image reconstruction in electrical impedance tomography (EIT) using a radial basis network. The primary purpose is to investigate the effect of regularization to estimate the network parameters of the radial basis function network to solve the inverse problem in EIT. Our approach to studying the efficacy of the radial basis network with regularization is to compare the performance among several different regularizations, mainly Tikhonov, Lasso, and Elastic Net regularization. We vary the network parameters, including the fixed and variable widths for the Gaussian used for the network. We also perform a robustness study for comparison of the different regularizations used. Our results include (1) determining the optimal number of radial basis functions in the network to avoid overfitting; (2) comparison of fixed versus variable Gaussian width with or without regularization; (3) comparison of image reconstruction with or without regularization, in particular, no regularization, Tikhonov, Lasso, and Elastic Net; (4) comparison of both mean square and mean absolute error and the corresponding variance; and (5) comparison of robustness, in particular, the performance of the different methods concerning noise level. We conclude that by looking at the R2 score, one can determine the optimal number of radial basis functions. The fixed-width radial basis function network with regularization results in improved performance. The fixed-width Gaussian with Tikhonov regularization performs very well. The regularization helps reconstruct the images outside of the training data set. The regularization may cause the quality of the reconstruction to deteriorate; however, the stability is much improved. In terms of robustness, the RBF with Lasso and Elastic Net seem very robust compared to Tikhonov.