bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application and evaluation of transitory protective stoma in ovarian cancer surgery
Authors: He Jiaqi , Li Jinke , Fan Bao , Yan Liya , Ouyang Ling
Published: March 2023

Ovarian cancer is the most fatal of all female reproductive cancers. The fatality rate of OC is the highest among gynecological malignant tumors, and cytoreductive surgery is a common surgical procedure for patients with advanced ovarian cancer. To achieve satisfactory tumor reduction, intraoperative bowel surgery is often involved. Intestinal anastomosis is the traditional way to restore intestinal continuity, but the higher rate of postoperative complications still cannot be ignored. Transitory protective stoma can reduce the severity of postoperative complications and traumatic stress reaction and provide the opportunity for conservative treatment. But there are also many problems, such as stoma-related complications and the impact on social psychology. Therefore, it is essential to select appropriate patients according to the indications for the transitory protective stoma, and a customized postoperative care plan is needed specifically for the stoma population.
Use of phage display biopanning as a tool to design CAR-T cells against glioma stem cells
Authors: Potez Marine , Snedal Sebastian , She Chunhua , Kim Jongmyung , Thorner Konrad , Tran Timothy H. , Ramello Maria Cecilia , Abate-Daga Daniel , Liu James K. C.
Published: March 2023

Background

Glioblastoma (GBM) is both the most common and aggressive type of primary brain tumor, associated with high mortality rates and resistance to conventional therapy. Despite recent advancements in knowledge and molecular profiling, recurrence of GBM is nearly inevitable. This recurrence has been attributed to the presence of glioma stem cells (GSCs), a small fraction of cells resistant to standard-of-care treatments and capable of self-renewal and tumor initiation. Therefore, targeting these cancer stem cells will allow for the development of more effective therapeutic strategies against GBM. We have previously identified several 7-amino acid length peptides which specifically target GSCs through in vitro and in vivo phage display biopanning.

Methods and results

We have combined two of these peptides to create a dual peptide construct (EV), and demonstrated its ability to bind GSCs in vitro and target intracranial GBM in mouse models. A peptide pull-down performed with peptide EV followed by mass spectrometry determined N-cadherin as the binding partner of the peptide, which was validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and surface plasmon resonance. To develop cytotoxic cellular products aimed at specifically targeting GSCs, chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) were engineered containing the peptide EV in place of the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) as the antigen-binding domain. EV CAR-transduced T cells demonstrated specific reactivity towards GSCs by production of interferon-gamma when exposed to GSCs, in addition to the induction of GSC-specific apoptosis as illustrated by Annexin-V staining.

Conclusion

These results exemplify the use of phage display biopanning for the isolation of GSC-targeting peptides, and their potential application in the development of novel cytotoxic therapies for GBM.
Comprehensive investigating of MMR gene in hepatocellular carcinoma with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Han Chinese population
Authors: Ma Ning , Jin Ao , Sun Yitong , Jin Yiyao , Sun Yucheng , Xiao Qian , Sha XuanYi , Yu Fengxue , Yang Lei , Liu Wenxuan , Gao Xia , Zhang Xiaolin , Li Lu
Published: March 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma associated with chronic hepatitis B virus infection seriously affects human health. Present studies suggest that genetic susceptibility plays an important role in the mechanism of cancer development. Therefore, this study focused on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MMR genes associated with HBV-HCC. Five groups of participants were included in this study, which were healthy control group (HC), spontaneous clearance (SC), chronic hepatitis B group (CHB), HBV-related liver cirrhosis group (LC) and HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma group (HBV-HCC). A total of 3128 participants met the inclusion and exclusion criteria for this study. 20 polymorphic loci on MSH2, MSH3 and MSH6 were selected for genotyping. There were four case-control studies, which were HC vs. HCC, SC vs. HCC, CHB vs. HCC and LC vs. HCC. We used Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test, unconditional logistic regression, haplotype analysis, and gene-gene interaction for genetic analysis. Ultimately, after excluding confounding factors such as age, gender, smoking and drinking, 12 polymorphisms were found to be associated with genetic susceptibility to HCC. Haplotype analysis showed the risk haplotype GTTT (rs1805355_G, rs3776968_T, rs1428030_C, rs181747_C) was more frequent in the HCC group compared with the HC group. The GMDR analysis showed that the best interaction model was the three-factor model of MSH2-rs1981928, MSH3-rs26779 and MSH6-rs2348244 in SC vs. HCC group (P=0.001). In addition, we found multiplicative or additive interactions between genes in our selected SNPs. These findings provide new ideas to further explore the etiology and pathogenesis of HCC. We have attempted to explain the molecular mechanisms by which certain SNPs (MSH2-rs4952887, MSH3-rs26779, MSH3-rs181747 and MSH3-rs32950) affect genetic susceptibility to HCC from the perspectives of eQTL, TFBS, cell cycle and so on. We also explained the results of haplotypes and gene-gene interactions. These findings provide new ideas to further explore the etiology and pathogenesis of HCC.
Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma clonotypes are detectable prior to eMZL diagnosis in tissue biopsies and peripheral blood of Sjögren’s syndrome patients through immunogenetics
Authors: Kolijn P. Martijn , Huijser Erika , Wahadat M. Javad , van Helden-Meeuwsen Cornelia G. , van Daele Paul L. A. , Brkic Zana , Rijntjes Jos , Hebeda Konnie M. , Groenen Patricia J. T. A. , Versnel Marjan A. , Thurlings Rogier M. , Langerak Anton W.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Activated B cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) through the production of autoantibodies and the development of ectopic germinal centers in the salivary glands and other affected sites. Around 5-10% of pSS patients develop B-cell lymphoma, usually extranodal marginal zone lymphomas (eMZL) of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). The aim of the current study is to investigate if the eMZL clonotype is detectable in prediagnostic blood and tissue biopsies of pSS patients.

Methods/Results

We studied prediagnostic tissue biopsies of three pSS patients diagnosed with eMZL and four pSS controls through immunoglobulin (IG) gene repertoire sequencing. In all three cases, we observed the eMZL clonotype in prediagnostic tissue biopsies. Among controls, we observed transient elevation of clonotypes in two pSS patients. To evaluate if eMZL clonotypes may also be detected in the circulation, we sequenced a peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) sample drawn at eMZL diagnosis and two years prior to eMZL relapse in two pSS patients. The eMZL clonotype was detected in the peripheral blood prior to diagnosis in both cases. Next, we selected three pSS patients who developed eMZL lymphoma and five additional pSS patients who remained lymphoma-free. We sequenced the IG heavy chain (IGH) gene repertoire in PBMC samples taken a median of three years before eMZL diagnosis. In two out of three eMZL patients, the dominant clonotype in the prediagnostic PBMC samples matched the eMZL clonotype in the diagnostic biopsy. The eMZL clonotypes observed consisted of stereotypic IGHV gene combinations (IGHV1-69/IGHJ4 and IGHV4-59/IGHJ5) associated with rheumatoid factor activity, a previously reported feature of eMZL in pSS.

Discussion

In conclusion, our results indicate that eMZL clonotypes in pSS patients are detectable prior to overt eMZL diagnosis in both tissue biopsies and peripheral blood through immunogenetic sequencing, paving the way for the development of improved methods of early detection of eMZL.
Obesity-induced ocular changes in children and adolescents: A review
Authors: Dezor-Garus Julia , Niechciał Elżbieta , Kędzia Andrzej , Gotz-Więckowska Anna
Published: March 2023

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels worldwide. Overweight and obesity is associated with an increase in several inflammatory markers, leading to chronic low-grade inflammation responsible for macro- and microvascular dysfunction. While the impact of obesity on overall health is well-described, less is known about its ocular manifestations. Still, there are few studies in children and adolescents in this regard and they are inconsistent. However, some evidence suggests a significant role of overnutrition in the development of changes in retinal microvasculature parameters (wider venules, narrower arterioles, lower arteriovenous ratio). Higher values of intraocular pressure were found to be positively correlated with high body mass index (BMI) as well as obesity. In addition, the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) values seem to be lower in obese children, and there is a significant negative correlation between RNFL values and anthropometric and/or metabolic parameters. Changes also could be present in macular retinal thickness and choroidal thickness as well as in the retinal vessel density in children with obesity. However, these associations were not consistently documented. The purpose of this review is to present the most current issues on child obesity and the related potential ocular effects through an overview of international publications from the years 1992–2022.
Quantitative proteomics reveals Polygonum perfoliatum L. ameliorates hepatic steatosis by promoting PPARs/CPT1A/CPT2-mediated fatty acid β-oxidation
Authors: Liu Guanjie , Chang Ling , Qian Yihan , Lin Jiacheng , Shang Zhi , Xu Min , Wang Fang , Sun Xuehua , Jiang Yun , Gao Yueqiu , Kong Xiaoni
Published: March 2023

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a predominant contributor to end-stage liver disease in the forthcoming decades. Polygonum perfoliatum L. (PPL) is an herbal medicine with anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-inflammatory properties. However, detailed hepatoprotective effects of PPL against NAFLD and its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we found that PPL protects against high fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis, lipid peroxidation, and glucose-lipid metabolism dysfunction in NAFLD mice. We therefore performed a label-free quantitative proteomic profiling analysis to determine the effect of PPL treatment on liver tissue proteomics and identified that activated PPARs/CPT1A/CPT2-mediated hepatic fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) process was significantly altered. In vitro treatment of hepatocytes with PPL confirmed this altered process and FAO inhibitor etomoxir (ETO) attenuated the lipid-lowering activity of PPL in hepatocytes. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/Q Exactive-HFX (UPLC/QE-HFX) was used to determine the material basis of anti-NAFLD activity of PPL. Our results have demonstrated the efficacy and potential mechanisms of PPL as an effective pharmacological therapy of NAFLD.
Phytochemical-based nanodrugs going beyond the state-of-the-art in cancer management—Targeting cancer stem cells in the framework of predictive, preventive, personalized medicine
Authors: Koklesova Lenka , Jakubikova Jana , Cholujova Dana , Samec Marek , Mazurakova Alena , Šudomová Miroslava , Pec Martin , Hassan Sherif T. S. , Biringer Kamil , Büsselberg Dietrich , Hurtova Tatiana , Golubnitschaja Olga , Kubatka Peter
Published: March 2023

Cancer causes many deaths worldwide each year, especially due to tumor heterogeneity leading to disease progression and treatment failure. Targeted treatment of heterogeneous population of cells - cancer stem cells is still an issue in protecting affected individuals against associated multidrug resistance and disease progression. Nanotherapeutic agents have the potential to go beyond state-of-the-art approaches in overall cancer management. Specially assembled nanoparticles act as carriers for targeted drug delivery. Several nanodrugs have already been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating different cancer types. Phytochemicals isolated from plants demonstrate considerable potential for nanomedical applications in oncology thanks to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and other health benefits. Phytochemical-based NPs can enhance anticancer therapeutic effects, improve cellular uptake of therapeutic agents, and mitigate the side effects of toxic anticancer treatments. Per evidence, phytochemical-based NPs can specifically target CSCs decreasing risks of tumor relapse and metastatic disease manifestation. Therefore, this review focuses on current outlook of phytochemical-based NPs and their potential targeting CSCs in cancer research studies and their consideration in the framework of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (3PM).
Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides attenuates pressure-overload-induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: Zhen Changlin , Wu Xunxun , Zhang Jing , Liu Dan , Li Guoli , Yan Yongbo , He Xiuzhen , Miao Jiawei , Song Hongxia , Yan Yifan , Zhang Yonghui
Published: March 2023

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, drug therapies that can reverse the maladaptive process and restore heart function are limited. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLPs) are one of the main active components of G. lucidum (Ganoderma lucidum), and they have various pharmacological effects. GLPs have been used as Chinese medicine prescriptions for clinical treatment. In this study, cardiac hypertrophy was induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in mice. We found that GLPs ameliorate Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro and attenuate pressure overload–induced cardiac hypertrophy in vivo. Further research indicated that GLPs attenuated the mRNA levels of hypertrophic and fibrotic markers to inhibit cardiac hypertrophy through the PPARγ/PGC-1α pathway. Overall, these results indicate that GLPs inhibit cardiac hypertrophy through downregulating key genes for hypertrophy and fibrosis and attenuate pressure overload-induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy by activating PPARγ. This study provides important theoretical support for the potential of using GLPs to treat pathological myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure.
Understanding old herbal secrets: The renaissance of traditional medicinal plants beyond the twenty classic species?
Authors: Scherrer Marisa Milena , Zerbe Stefan , Petelka Joshua , Säumel Ina
Published: March 2023

The use of traditional medicinal plants plays an important role especially in remote rural and marginalized landscapes at different latitudes. In the development of nature conservation strategies based on local knowledge and sustainable resource management, medicinal herbs have been hypothesized to be cultural key stone species. Environmental education is a crucial driver for fostering environmental literacy and preserving local knowledge across generations. We conducted semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in the Autonomous Province of Bozen-South Tyrol (N Italy) to gain insights into, and reflections on, the cultural value of traditional medicinal plants and their interplay within the local landscape, nature conservation and their role in environmental education and knowledge transfer across generations. We also used a combination of purposive and snowball sampling to identify relevant actors. The different voices collected in the study clearly highlight the role of medicinal herbs in healthcare, for cultural identity of local communities and demonstrate a growing commercial market niche that maintains the local economy and services, including widespread offers related to environmental education, that have not, unfortunately, been used yet in the formal curricula of local schools. The latter is crucial for a holistic approach taking medicinal plants as an ideal vehicle to connect especially children with nature and history of South Tyrol, strengthening health education and overall environmental literacy, including species knowledge. However, the revival of herbal medicine and related knowledge do not prevent the continuous loss of local traditional knowledge regarding medicinal plants, recipes and use. More species and their uses are being forgotten due to superficialisation of knowledge and of mainstreaming and homogenization of the global market of herbal medicine. Safeguarding the natural and cultural treasures of South Tyrol for future generations is in the hands of the local communities.
Treatment discontinuation following low-dose TKIs in 248 chronic myeloid leukemia patients: Updated results from a campus CML real-life study
Authors: Iurlo A. , Cattaneo D. , Consonni D. , Castagnetti F. , Miggiano M. C. , Binotto G. , Bonifacio M. , Rege-Cambrin G. , Tiribelli M. , Lunghi F. , Gozzini A. , Pregno P. , Abruzzese E. , Capodanno I. , Bucelli C. , Pizzuti M. , Artuso S. , Iezza M. , Scalzulli E. , La Barba G. , Maggi A. , Russo S. , Elena C. , Scortechini A. R. , Tafuri A. , Latagliata R. , Caocci G. , Bocchia M. , Galimberti S. , Luciano L. , Fava C. , Foà R. , Saglio G. , Rosti G. , Breccia M.
Published: March 2023

TKIs long-term treatment in CML may lead to persistent adverse events (AEs) that can promote relevant morbidity and mortality. Consequently, TKIs dose reduction is often used to prevent AEs. However, data on its impact on successful treatment-free remission (TFR) are quite scarce. We conducted a retrospective study on the outcome of CML subjects who discontinued low-dose TKIs from 54 Italian hematology centers participating in the Campus CML network. Overall, 1.785 of 5.108 (35.0%) regularly followed CML patients were treated with low-dose TKIs, more frequently due to relevant comorbidities or AEs (1.288, 72.2%). TFR was attempted in 248 (13.9%) subjects, all but three while in deep molecular response (DMR). After a median follow-up of 24.9 months, 172 (69.4%) patients were still in TFR. TFR outcome was not influenced by gender, Sokal/ELTS risk scores, prior interferon, number and last type of TKI used prior to treatment cessation, DMR degree, reason for dose reduction or median TKIs duration. Conversely, TFR probability was significantly better in the absence of resistance to any prior TKI. In addition, patients with a longer DMR duration before TKI discontinuation (i.e., >6.8 years) and those with an e14a2 BCR::ABL1 transcript type showed a trend towards prolonged TFR. It should also be emphasized that only 30.6% of our cases suffered from molecular relapse, less than reported during full-dose TKI treatment. The use of low-dose TKIs does not appear to affect the likelihood of achieving a DMR and thus trying a treatment withdrawal, but might even promote the TFR rate.
Dose optimization of vancomycin in obese patients: A systematic review
Authors: Elrggal Mahmoud E. , Haseeb Abdul , AlGethamy Manal , Ahsan Umar , Saleem Zikria , Althaqafi Areej Sultan , Alshuail Sattam Saad , Alsiddiqi Zohair Ahmad , Iqbal Muhammad Shahid , Alzahrani Albaraa Faraj , AlQarni Abdullmoin , Radwan Rozan Mohammad , Qul Ameer Khalid Saab , Mahrous Ahmad Jamal , Alsharif Jumana Majdi , Alqurashi Mayyasah Khalid , Faidah Hani Saleh , Aldurdunji Mohammed
Published: March 2023

Background: Dose optimization of vancomycin plays a substantial role in drug pharmacokinetics because of the increased incidence of obesity worldwide. This systematic review was aimed to highlight the current dosing strategy of vancomycin among obese patients.

Methods: This systematic review was in concordance with Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The literature search was carried out on various databases such as Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect and EMBASE using Keywords and MeSH terms related to vancomycin dosing among obese patients. Google Scholar was also searched for additional articles. The English language articles published after January, 2000 were included in this study. The quality of the study was assessed using different assessment tools for cohort, and case reports.

Results: A total of 1,029 records were identified. After screening, 18 studies were included for the final review. Of total, twelve studies are retrospective and remaining six are case-control studies. A total of eight studies were conducted in pediatrics while remaining studies were conducted in adult population. Most of the studies reported the dosing interval every 6–8 h. Differences in target trough concentration exist with respect to target ranges. The administration of loading dose (20–25 mg/kg) followed by maintenance dose (15–25 mg/kg) of vancomycin is recommended in adult patients to target therapeutic outcomes. Moreover, a dose of 40–60 mg/kg/day appears appropriate for pediatric patients.

Conclusion: The initial dosing of vancomycin based on TBW could be better predictor of vancomycin trough concentration. However, the clinical significance is uncertain. Therefore, more studies are needed to evaluate the dosing strategy of vancomycin in overweight or obese patients.
Reclamation intensifies the positive effects of warming on N2O emission in an alpine meadow
Authors: Li Zheng , Li Yan , Hu Guozheng , Wu Hongbao , Liang Yan , Yan Jun , He Shicheng , Ganjurjav Hasbagan , Gao Qingzhu
Published: March 2023

Climatic warming can alter grassland nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions due to soil property alterations. However, how the reclamation affect grassland N2O flux under warming conditions remains unclear in alpine meadow ecosystems. We conducted a long-term manipulative warming experiment in a natural alpine meadow and a cultivated grassland on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau to explore the separate and interactive effects of warming and reclamation on the soil N2O emission flux. N2O fluxes were measured under four treatments including control (CK), warming (W), reclamation (R) and warming under reclamation (WR) from August 2018 to July 2019. We measured the content of soil C, N nutrients and 5 enzymatic activities in 2018 and 2019. Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling were used to clarify how soil N availability and soil enzyme activities affect N2O emission. Our results indicated that compared to the ambient conditions for the growing and non-growing seasons, soil N2O flux was significantly increased 59.1% and 152.0% by warming and 28.4% and 142.4% by reclamation, respectively. Compared with W, WR significantly increased N2O flux by 18.9% and 81.1% during the growing and non-growing seasons, respectively. Soil moisture was negatively correlated to enzymatic activity and N2O flux. Both warming and reclamation promoted soil nitrification by increasing related enzymatic activities that acted to increase the N2O flux. Reclamation resulted in a greater sensitivity of the activity of ammonia monooxygenase and hydroxylamine oxidoreductase to warming, thus enhancing the effects of warming on increasing the N2O flux. Our research indicated that reclamation can additionally increase the effects of warming on N2O emissions for alpine meadows. Therefore, excessive expansion of arable land should be avoided, and new reclamation sites should be planned scientifically, as warming is expected to intensify in the future.
A longitudinal mediation study of peer victimization and resting-state functional connectivity as predictors of development of adolescent psychopathology
Authors: Edalati Hanie , Afzali Mohammad H. , Spinney Sean , Bourque Josiane , Dagher Alain , Conrod Patricia J.
Published: March 2023

Background

Peer victimization (PV) is associated with alterations in neural responses in regions subserving emotional regulatory processes and with increased risk of psychopathology during adolescence. The present study examined the longitudinal mediating effects of resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) between adolescent PV and subsequent internalizing (depression and anxiety), and externalizing (conduct and hyperactivity/inattention) symptoms.

Methods

151 adolescents (baseline mean age 12–14; 54% males) were assessed and imaged three times during a five-year period. We focused on rsFC of a priori determined Regions-of-Interest (ROIs) guided by the literature (i.e., amygdala, anterior and posterior insula, anterior cingulate cortex, and medial prefrontal cortex). Multilevel mediation (MLM) analyses simultaneously examined the between-person, concurrent within-person, and lagged within-person associations between PV and internalizing/externalizing symptoms through changes in couplings of the amygdala with the other four ROIs. All models controlled for the effects of self-reported childhood maltreatment and sex differences.

Results

An increased rsFC of the amygdala-posterior insula significantly mediated the lagged within-person association of PV and internalizing symptoms (β = 0.144; 95% CI [0.018, 0.332]). This effect was significant regardless of childhood maltreatment, concurrent externalizing symptoms, and sex differences. The rsFC did not mediate the relationship between PV and externalizing symptoms.

Conclusions

Results of this study suggest that adolescent PV may lead to long-lasting maladaptive neural communication between emotional response and sensory perception of pain (i.e., bottom-up emotion regulation) and that these neural responses may serve as unique markers for increased internalizing symptoms that appear in later adolescence in peer-victimized youth. These findings have implications for interventions targeting internalizing symptoms in victimized adolescents.
The longitudinal predictive effect of self-reported frequency of premenstrual syndrome on depression: Findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health
Authors: Hou Lulu , Chen Lele , Zhang Wenpei
Published: March 2023

Background

Previous studies have revealed a high comorbidity between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and depression; however, whether PMS can longitudinally predict depression has not been examined in large sample studies.

Methods

This study surveyed 8,133 women from the 1973–78 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Participants completed seven repeated measurements at 3-year intervals starting in 2000 (aged 22–27 years). Binary logistic and multivariate ordered logistic regression models were used to examine the predictive role of self-reported frequency of PMS symptoms in 2000 on self-reported diagnosis of depression and frequency of depressive symptoms, respectively, for each follow-up survey.

Results

Self-reported frequency of PMS symptoms in the year 2000 predicted self-reported diagnosis of depression in most follow-up surveys. Specifically, compared to women who reported “never” had PMS symptoms in 2000, those who reported “often” had them were more likely to report a diagnosis of depression in 2006 (OR = 1.72), 2012 (OR = 1.88), 2015 (OR = 1.49), and 2018 (OR = 1.90); and those who reported “sometimes” had PMS symptoms in 2000 were more likely to report a diagnosis of depression in 2012 (OR =1.37) and 2018 (OR = 1.59). Furthermore, self-reported frequency of PMS symptoms in 2000 predicted self-reported frequency of depressive symptoms in each follow-up survey. Compared to women who reported “never” had PMS symptoms in 2000, those who reported “sometimes”, or “often”, had PMS symptoms reported depressive symptoms more frequently.

Conclusion

Self-reported frequency of PMS can predict the self-reported frequency of depressive symptoms and the subsequent diagnosis of depression.
Prevalence and risk factors of posttraumatic stress symptoms among Internally Displaced Christian couples in Erbil, Iraq
Authors: Rofo Sana , Gelyana Lina , Moramarco Stefania , Alhanabadi Luma H. H. , Basa Faiq B. , Dellagiulia Antonio , Emberti Gialloreti Leonardo
Published: March 2023

Background

Research about the impact of war and displacement experiences on the mental health of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) has recently grown. However, a limited number of studies focus on minorities. The objective of the present preliminary study was to estimate the prevalence of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) among IDPs who live outside camps and belong to the Christian minority in Iraq, and to identify possible predictors.

Methods

Overall, 108 internally displaced Christians (54 married couples) participated in the study. Traumatic events and PTSSs were assessed using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression models were used to investigate possible predictors of PTSSs. Multivariable logistic regression models have been developed to estimate the odds of presenting PTSSs.

Results

Results demonstrated high rates of trauma exposure, with all participants having experienced at least three traumatic events. The estimated prevalence of PTSSs was 20.3%. A low economic status, the number of traumatic events, and a second experience of displacement were associated with increased PTSSs. Five traumatic events were identified as the main predictors of PTSSs.

Conclusion

Findings from the current preliminary study indicated the impact of war-related traumatic events on IDPs' mental health and the negative effects of post-displacement experiences. These findings may have important implications for setting up psychosocial interventions, as well as for further promoting physical and mental health services among these populations.
Impacts of complex electromagnetic radiation and low-frequency noise exposure conditions on the cognitive function of operators
Authors: Liang Peng , Li Zenglei , Li Jiangjing , Wei Jing , Li Jing , Zhang Shenghao , Xu Shenglong , Liu Zhaohui , Wang Jin
Published: March 2023

Background

Both electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and low-frequency noise (LFN) are widespread and influential environmental factors, and operators are inevitably exposed to both EMR and LFN within a complex exposure environment. The potential adverse effects of such exposure on human health must be considered seriously. This study aimed to investigate the effects of EMR and LFN on cognitive function as well as their interaction effect, which remain unclear.

Methods

Sixty young male college students were randomly grouped and experiments were conducted with a 2 × 2 factorial design in a shielded chamber. Mental workload (MWL) levels of the study subjects were measured and assessed using the NASA-task load index (TLX) subjective scale, an n-back task paradigm, and the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) imaging technique.

Results

For the 3-back task, the NASA-TLX subjective scale revealed a statistically significant main effect of LFN intensity, which enhanced the subjects’ MWL level (F = 8.716, p < 0.01). Behavioral performance revealed that EMR intensity (430.1357 MHz, 10.75 W/m2) and LFN intensity (0–200 Hz, 72.9 dB) had a synergistic interaction effect, and the correct response time was statistically significantly prolonged by the combined exposure (F = 4.343, p < 0.05). The fNIRS imaging technique revealed a synergistic interaction effect between operational EMR intensity and operational LFN intensity, with statistically significant effects on the activation levels in the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). The mean β values of DLPFC were significantly increased (L-DLPFC F = 5.391, p < 0.05, R-DLPFC F = 4.222, p < 0.05), and the relative concentrations of oxyhemoglobin in the DLPFC were also significantly increased (L-DLPFC F = 4.925, p < 0.05, R-DLPFC F = 9.715, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

We found a statistically significant interaction effect between EMR (430.1357 MHz, 10.75 W/m2) and LFN (0–200 Hz, 72.9 dB) when simultaneously exposing subjects to both for 30 min. We conclude that exposure to this complex environment can cause a statistically significant increase in the MWL level of operators, and even alterations in their cognitive function.
Multi-robot cooperation for lunar In-Situ resource utilization
Authors: Martinez Rocamora Bernardo , Kilic Cagri , Tatsch Christopher , Pereira Guilherme A. S. , Gross Jason N.
Published: March 2023

This paper presents a cooperative, multi-robot solution for searching, excavating, and transporting mineral resources on the Moon. Our work was developed in the context of the Space Robotics Challenge Phase 2 (SRCP2), which was part of the NASA Centennial Challenges and was motivated by the current NASA Artemis program, a flagship initiative that intends to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon. In the SRCP2 a group of simulated mobile robots was tasked with reporting volatile locations within a realistic lunar simulation environment, and excavating and transporting these resources to target locations in such an environment. In this paper, we describe our solution to the SRCP2 competition that includes our strategies for rover mobility hazard estimation (e.g. slippage level, stuck status), immobility recovery, rover-to-rover, and rover-to-infrastructure docking, rover coordination and cooperation, and cooperative task planning and autonomy. Our solution was able to successfully complete all tasks required by the challenge, granting our team sixth place among all participants of the challenge. Our results demonstrate the potential of using autonomous robots for autonomous in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) on the Moon. Our results also highlight the effectiveness of realistic simulation environments for testing and validating robot autonomy and coordination algorithms. The successful completion of the SRCP2 challenge using our solution demonstrates the potential of cooperative, multi-robot systems for resource utilization on the Moon.
Current evidence shows no influence of women's menstrual cycle phase on acute strength performance or adaptations to resistance exercise training
Authors: Colenso-Semple Lauren M. , D'Souza Alysha C. , Elliott-Sale Kirsty J. , Phillips Stuart M.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The bias towards excluding women from exercise science research is often due to the assumption that cyclical fluctuations in reproductive hormones influence resistance exercise performance and exercise-induced adaptations.

Methods

Hence, the purpose of this umbrella review was to examine and critically evaluate the evidence from meta-analyses and systematic reviews on the influence of menstrual cycle phase on acute performance and chronic adaptations to resistance exercise training (RET).

Results

We observed highly variable findings among the published reviews on the ostensible effects of female sex hormones on relevant RET-induced outcomes, including strength, exercise performance, and hypertrophy.

Discussion

We highlight the importance of comprehensive menstrual cycle verification methods, as we noted a pattern of poor and inconsistent methodological practices in the literature. In our opinion, it is premature to conclude that short-term fluctuations in reproductive hormones appreciably influence acute exercise performance or longer-term strength or hypertrophic adaptations to RET.
Current concepts review. Management of proximal tibial fractures
Authors: Gahr Patrick , Kopf Sebastian , Pauly Stephan
Published: March 2023

The management of proximal tibial fractures has evolved significantly in recent years. While the main goals of treatment – stability, restoration of the mechanical axis, and smooth articular surfaces – remain the same, methods have advanced substantially. In diagnostics, technical progress in CT and MR imaging has led to a better three-dimensional understanding of the injury. Newly developed classification systems such as the three-column concept of Luo et al. and the 10-segment concept of Krause et al. take this into account. Accordingly, there is a trend towards tailored approaches for particular fracture localizations. Parallel to this development, there is increasing evidence of the advantages of arthroscopically assisted surgical procedures. This Current Concepts article reviews classifications, diagnostics, treatment options as well as complications in fractures of the proximal tibia.
Coping with Dark Leadership: Examination of the Impact of Psychological Capital on the Relationship between Dark Leaders and Employees’ Basic Need Satisfaction in the Workplace
Authors: Elbers Alina , Kolominski Stephan , Blesa Aledo Pablo Salvador
Published: March 2023

In leadership research, the Dark Triad of personality has become a topic of great interest. This construct includes the personality traits of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and subclinical psychopathy and is associated with several negative outcomes for organizations and followers’ satisfaction. In contrast, the construct of psychological capital, which includes hope, resilience, self-efficacy, and optimism, is positively related to extra-role organizational citizenship behaviors and employee performance. Therefore, the question arises whether people can benefit from psychological capital when confronted with a manager that exhibits dark personality traits. Subsequently, the purpose of this study is to examine the potential impact of psychological capital on the relationship between the Dark Triad traits of managers and the work-related basic need satisfaction of employees. Thus, a dataset of 469 employees was analyzed. Regression analyses demonstrated that the Dark Triad of personality and psychological capital both work as predictors of work-related basic need satisfaction. When controlling for mediating effects, psychological capital appeared as a partial mediator of the relationship between the managers’ dark traits and the employees’ basic need satisfaction in the workplace. The theoretical and practical implications of the results, as well as suggestions for future research, are discussed.
Influence of Long-Term Organic Fertilization on Changes in the Content of Various Forms of Sulfur in the Soil under Maize Monoculture
Authors: Suran Pavel , Balík Jiří , Kulhánek Martin , Sedlář Ondřej , Černý Jindřich
Published: March 2023

Sulfur nutrition is a crucial part of proper crop growth. In this study, we investigated the influence of organic fertilizers in a long-term field experiment (23 years) with continuous maize monoculture. We focused on: (a) changes in the soil sulfur fraction pools, (b) the balance of total sulfur inputs and outputs, and (c) sulfur uptake by maize. The following treatments were selected: unfertilized control (Control), urea and ammonium nitrate (UAN), UAN and wheat straw (UAN + St), sewage sludge (SS), farmyard manure (FYM), and slurry (Slurry). Using sequential extraction, we determined water-soluble (SW—in water), adsorbed (Sads—in 0.032 mol L−1 NaH2PO4), and available (Sav = SW + Sads) sulfur content. Microwave-assisted digestion in an Aqua regia solution was used to measure the pseudo-total sulfur content (Spt). Organic-bound sulfur (Sorg) was calculated as a difference between Spt and Sav. We found that average biomass yields responded to a uniform 120 kg N ha−1 year−1 dose, rather than the dose of S in fertilizers, with an increase over the Control by 34–49%. The effect of an additional 33.5 kg N ha−1 year−1 on UAN + St treatment was not significant. Average sulfur uptake responded to increased yields (69-121% higher than Control), rather than the sulfur application, with the exception of SS, where the dose of sulfur was high enough to cause an additional uptake. In the topsoil, we discovered a significant decrease over time (from 1997 to 2019) in water-soluble (SW), adsorbed (Sads), available (Sav), and pseudo-total (Spt) fractions on all treatments to 29, 59, 37, and 82% of their initial values, respectively. For all treatments, the proportion of Sorg in Spt increased over time, which was caused by the decrease in mineral fractions (SW, Sads, Sav). The absolute content of Sorg decreased over time for all treatments except SS and FYM to about 85% of the initial value. Using the simple balancing method, we calculated that UAN + St, SS, FYM, and Slurry treatments annually lost 8.04, 66.1, 21.4, and 26.8 kg of S ha−1, respectively. This loss was attributed to the decrease in atmospheric depositions, as well as the release of sulfur from soil organic matter (for UAN + St and Slurry treatments) and a high proportion of easily mineralizable and inorganic sulfur from the SS treatment. Generally, the FYM fertilizer provided the highest potential for maintaining soil Spt status.
Transcriptome-Based Comparative Analysis of Transcription Factors in Response to NaCl, NaOH, and Na2CO3 Stresses in Roots of Autotetraploid Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Wang Yingkai , Zhou Yiming , Liu Keyan , Wang Ningning , Wu Yujie , Zhang Chunying , Ma Jian
Published: March 2023

Soil salinity is a severe constraint on crop productivity that triggers plant salt stress response pathways. The salt stress responses are controlled by transcriptional regulatory networks that enhance plant stress tolerance by manipulating the expression of transcription factor (TFs)-encoding genes. Identifying TFs associated with salt tolerance contributes to salt-tolerant crop breeding. In this study, a comparative transcriptome analysis was performed to investigate the global gene expression of entire TFs in diploid and autotetraploid rice with different salt tolerance levels, considering NaCl stress, NaOH stress, and Na2CO3 stress. A total of 54, 54 and 55 TF families were co-expressed in diploid and tetraploid roots under three stresses, respectively. Furthermore, we investigated differentially expressed TFs (DE-TFs) based on different comparisons, and the statistical analysis indicated that the DE-TFs derived from the three types of stress were as follows: Na2CO3 (53 TF families, 1356 DE-TFs) > NaCl (19 TF families, 214 DE-TFs) > NaOH (18 TF families, 152 DE-TFs). These results imply that Na2CO3 stress induced a more obvious biological responses in the roots than the other two stresses. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of DE-TFs revealed the importance of plant hormone signal transduction and MAPK signaling pathways that may contribute to the saline–alkaline tolerance of tetraploid rice. This study provides gene resources that are valuable for exploring the regulatory mechanism of TFs involved in the saline–alkaline tolerance of polyploid rice.
Optimizing the Maize Irrigation Strategy and Yield Prediction under Future Climate Scenarios in the Yellow River Delta
Authors: Shan Yuyang , Li Ge , Tan Shuai , Su Lijun , Sun Yan , Mu Weiyi , Wang Quanjiu
Published: March 2023

The contradiction between water demand and water supply in the Yellow River Delta restricts the corn yield in the region. It is of great significance to formulate reasonable irrigation strategies to alleviate regional water use and improve corn yield. Based on typical hydrological years (wet year, normal year, and dry year), this study used the coupling model of AquaCrop, the multi-objective genetic algorithm (NSGA-III), and TOPSIS-Entropy established using the Python language to solve the problem, with the objectives of achieving the minimum irrigation water (IW), maximum yield (Y), maximum irrigation water production rate (IWP), and maximum water use efficiency (WUE). TOPSIS-Entropy was then used to make decisions on the Pareto fronts, seeking the best irrigation decision under the multiple objectives. The results show the following: (1) The AquaCrop-OSPy model accurately simulated the maize growth process in the experimental area. The R2 values for canopy coverage (CC) in 2019, 2020, and 2021 were 0.87, 0.90, and 0.92, respectively, and the R2 values for the aboveground biomass (BIO) were 0.97, 0.96, and 0.96. (2) Compared with other irrigation treatments, the rainfall in the test area can meet the water demand of the maize growth period in wet years, and net irrigation can significantly reduce IW and increase Y, IWP, and WUE in normal and dry years. (3) Using LARS-WG (a widely employed stochastic weather generator in agricultural climate impact assessment) to generate future climate scenarios externally resulted in a higher CO2 concentration with increased production and slightly reduced IW demand. (4) Optimizing irrigation strategies is important for allowing decision makers to promote the sustainable utilization of water resources in the study region and increase maize crop yields.
Phosphorus Fractionations and Availability in Areas under Different Management Systems in the Cerrado
Authors: Torres José Luiz Rodrigues , Costa Danyllo Denner de Almeida , Pereira Marcos Gervasio , Guardieiro Luiz Victorio França , Loss Arcângelo , Lourenzi Cledimar Rogério , Gonzalez Antônio Paz , Carvalho Mychelle , Vieira Dinamar Márcia da Silva
Published: March 2023

The input of organic matter in the soil by the no-tillage system (NTS) increases as the system becomes established, raising the levels of organic phosphorus (P) and reducing the P soil adsorption. This study evaluated the availability of organic and inorganic P in areas under different management systems and stages of adoption in the Cerrado. The data were analyzed as a completely randomized design, corresponding to: (1) an NTS after 5 years of its implantation (NTS5); (2) an NTS after 17 years of its implantation (NTS17); (3) a conventional tillage system more than 20 years old (CTS); (4) Native Cerrado (NC). There were five repetitions for all treatments. Depths of 0–5 and 5–10 cm were evaluated for the available P (P-avail), remaining P (P-rem), organic P (oP), and inorganic P (iP) forms extracted with Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) (P-avail), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) (moderately labile), and Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) (moderately resistant). The P from the sequential extractions accumulated at a depth of 0–5 cm, mostly in the organic form in the NTS17 and NC areas, demonstrating the contribution of the NTS to the conversion of the P reserve in the soil. The CTS treatment greatly accumulated P, especially in the inorganic form, indicating the non-conservationist characteristic of this system. The oP and iP contents in the soil were not affected by age of the NTS, which was similar to the NC. Our results show that the continuous input of organic matter deposited on the soil surface in the NTS17 increased the levels of organic and inorganic P, consequently providing greater availability of P in the soil for cultivated crops.