bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parent, child, and environmental predictors of vegetable consumption in Italian, Polish, and British preschoolers
Authors: Masento Natalie A. , Dulay Katrina May , Harvey Kate , Bulgarelli Daniela , Caputi Marcella , Cerrato Giuseppina , Molina Paola , Wojtkowska Katarzyna , Pruszczak Dominika , Barlińska Julia , Messer David , Houston-Price Carmel
Published: October 2022

This study compared the vegetable intake of preschool children from three European countries [Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom (UK)] and explored the parent, child, and environmental factors that predicted intake in each country. A total of 408 parents of preschoolers (Italy: N = 61, Poland: N = 124, and UK: N = 225; child mean age = 32.2 months, SD = 9.47) completed an online survey comprising a set of standardised questionnaires. For all three countries, the questionnaires included measures of children’s vegetable intake (VegFFQ), child eating behaviour (CEBQ-FF), parents’ mealtime goals (FMGs), and sociodemographic questions about family background and environment. In the UK and Italy, additional questionnaires were used to assess child temperament (EAS-T) and parents’ feeding practices (CFPQ). The results showed that the number of child-sized portions of vegetables consumed per day varied significantly across countries; Polish children consumed the most (∼3 portions) and Italian children the least (∼1.5 portions). Between-country differences were seen in parents’ goals for family mealtimes; compared to Italian parents, Polish and UK parents were more motivated to minimise mealtime stress, increase family involvement in meal preparation, and share the same foods with family members. British and Italian parents also adopted different feeding practices; parents in the UK reported more use of healthy modelling behaviours and more use of foods to support their child’s emotion regulation. In terms of child factors, Italian children were reported to be more emotional and more sociable than British children. Analyses of the relationships between the parent, child, and environmental factors and children’s vegetable intake revealed both similarities and differences between countries. Negative predictors of vegetable intake included child food fussiness in the UK and Poland, child temperament (especially, shyness) in Italy, and the use of food as a reward and child emotionality in the UK. Positive predictors included the parental mealtime goal of ‘family involvement’ in the UK. These results highlight differences in the extent to which European preschoolers achieve recommended levels of vegetable intake, and in the factors that influence whether they do. The results suggest a need to develop healthy eating interventions that are adopted to meet the specific needs of the countries in which they are implemented.
Additive effects of obesity and vitamin D insufficiency on all-cause and cause-specific mortality
Authors: Song Shuaihua , Yuan Yuan , Wu Xiaolong , Zhang Di , Qi Qianjin , Wang Haoran , Feng Li
Published: October 2022

Obesity and vitamin D deficiency are both considered risk factors for mortality, but the potential additive effects of vitamin D status and obesity on mortality has not been well-studied. We aimed to examine the possible additive effects of obesity and vitamin D status on all-cause and cause-specific mortality. The data from the NHANES III (1988–1994) and NHANES 2001–2014 surveys were used, and multivariate Cox regression models were performed to assess the additive effects of vitamin D status and overweight/obesity/abdominal obesity on the all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality, by stratifying Cox Hazard Ratios (HRs) across different categories of vitamin D status and body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) categories. The models were adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, gender, educational level, family income to poverty ratio, leisure-time physical activity, smoking, and drinking. Across all BMI/WC categories, there was an additive effect of the vitamin D both insufficiency and deficiency on all mortality rates, with deficiency having much stronger effect than insufficiency. Interestingly, the effect of vitamin D deficiency overcame the effect of obesity on all mortality rates. The highest HRs for overall and cardiovascular mortality were observed among vitamin D deficient obese/abdominally obese subjects, while for cancer mortality among vitamin D deficient normal weight/non-abdominally obese subjects. In stratified analyses, regarding all-cause mortality, there was an additive effect of the vitamin D both insufficiency and deficiency in all BMI/WC categories. Regarding cardiovascular mortality, there was an additive effect of vitamin D deficiency in all BMI/WC categories, but the additive effect of vitamin D insufficiency reached significance only in normal weight subjects. Regarding cancer mortality, the effect did not reach significance among obese subjects for vitamin D deficiency, while for insufficiency, significance was reached only among non-abdominally obese subjects. Interestingly, vitamin D surplus was associated with increased risk for cancer mortality in obese subjects, but there was an inadequate number of subjects in this category to make proper judgment. In conclusion, vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency gradually increase risk for mortality across all BMI/WC categories. In our analyses, vitamin D deficiency overcame the effect of obesity on mortality rates.
A nomogram to identify appropriate candidates for breast-conserving surgery among young women with breast cancer: A large cohort study
Authors: Pu Shengyu , Song Shaoran , Chen Heyan , Zhou Can , Zhang Huimin , Wang Ke , He Jianjun , Zhang Jian
Published: October 2022

Background

There is a gradual increase of female breast cancer under 35 years old, who was characterized as poor prognosis. Whether young patients could obtain greater survival benefits from breast-conserving surgery (BCS) than mastectomy remains controversial.

Methods

Breast cancer patients (≤35 years old) were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and divided into BCS and mastectomy group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to eliminate the distributional imbalance of variables among two groups. The influence of BCS on overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) was evaluated by Cox regression. Logistic regression was used to identify factors related to the benefit of BCS and to construct a nomogram. The nomogram was validated by the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University cohort.

Results

Totally, 15,317 cases in the SEER database and 149 cases of external validation cohort were included. BCS was an independent protective factor for OS (P = 0.028) and BCSS (P = 0.042). A nomogram was established, and the AUC values both in the internal and external validation set were 0.780. The applicability of the model was verified in the PSM cohort and indicated that the survival advantage in the BCS-Benefit group was higher than that in the BCS-Nonbenefit and mastectomy group (P <0.001).

Conclusions

For young breast cancer patients, BCS may bring better OS and BCSS than mastectomy, but not all benefit from it. We constructed a model for young patients (≤35 years old) that could identify appropriate candidates who benefit from BCS.
Integrative genomic analysis of drug resistance in MET exon 14 skipping lung cancer using patient-derived xenograft models
Authors: Xu Yunhua , Gu Linping , Li Yingqi , Zhao Ruiying , Jian Hong , Xie Wenhui , Liu Liu , Wu Huiwen , Ren Fang , Han Yuchen , Lu Shun
Published: October 2022

Background

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) driven by MET exon 14 skipping (METex14) occurs in 3-4% of NSCLC cases and defines a subset of patients with distinct characteristics. While MET targeted therapy has led to strong clinical results in METex14 patients, acquired drug resistance seemed to be unavoidable during treatment. Limited information is available regarding acquired resistance during MET targeted therapy, nor has there been any report on such patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) model facilitating the research.

Methods

We describe a patient case harboring METex14 who exhibited drug resistance after treatment with crizotinib. Subcutaneous xenografts were generated from pretreatment and post-resistance patient specimens. PDX mice were then treated with MET inhibitors (crizotinib and tepotinib) and EGFR-MET bispecific antibodies (EMB-01 and amivantamab) to evaluate their drug response in vivo. DNA and RNA sequencing analysis was performed on patient tumor specimens and matching xenografts.

Results

PDXs preserved most of the histological and molecular profiles of the parental tumors. Drug resistance to MET targeted therapy was confirmed in PDX models through in vivo drug analysis. Newly acquired MET D1228H mutations and EGFR amplificated were detected in patient-resistant tumor specimens. Although the mutations were not detected in the PDX, EGFR overexpression was observed in RNA sequencing analysis indicating possible off-target resistance through the EGFR bypass signaling pathway. As expected, EGFR-MET bispecific antibodies overcome drug resistant in the PDX model.

Conclusions

We detected a novel MET splice site deletion mutation that could lead to METex14. We also established and characterized a pair of METex14 NSCLC PDXs, including the first crizotinib resistant METex14 PDX. And dual inhibition of MET and EGFR might be a therapeutic strategy for EGFR-driven drug resistance METex14 lung cancer.
RETRACTED: Identification of hub genes and construction of prognostic nomogram for patients with Wilms tumors
Authors: Lou Lei , Chen Luping , Wu Yaohao , Zhang Gang , Qiu Ronglin , Su Jianhang , Zhao Zhuangjie , Lu Zijie , Liao Minyi , Deng Xiaogeng
Published: October 2022

Background

In children, Wilms’ tumors are the most common urological cancer with unsatisfactory prognosis, but few molecular prognostic markers have been discovered for it. With the rapid development of high-throughput quantitative proteomic and transcriptomic approaches, the molecular mechanisms of various cancers have been comprehensively explored. This study aimed to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying Wilms tumor and build predictive models by use of microarray and RNA-seq data.

Methods

Gene expression datasets were downloaded from Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Bioinformatics methods wereutilized to identified hub genes, and these hub genes were validated by experiment. Nomogram predicting OS was developed using genetic risk score model and clinicopathological variables.

Results

CDC20, BUB1 and CCNB2 were highly expressed in tumor tissues and able to affect cell proliferation and the cell cycle of SK-NEP-1 cells. This may reveal molecular biology features and a new therapeutic target of Wilms tumour.7 genes were selected as prognostic genes after univariate, Lasso, and multivariate Cox regression analyses and had good accuracy, a prognostic nomogram combined gene model with clinical factors was completed with high accuracy.

Conclusions

The current study discovered CDC20,BUB1 and CCNB2 as hub-genes associated with Wilms tumor, providing references to understand the pathogenesis and be considered a novel candidate to target therapy and construct novel nomogram, incorporating both clinical risk factors and gene model, could be appropriately applied in preoperative individualized prediction of malignancy in patients with Wilms tumor.
Risk factors of early death in pediatric hemophagocytic lymphohistocytosis: Retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Lijun , Dai Lei , Li Deyuan
Published: October 2022

Background

Hemophagocytic lymphocytosis (HLH) is a rare life-threatening hyperinflammatory syndrome in which early mortality remains high in patients with HLH.

Methods

We retrospectively collected the medical records of all pediatric patients diagnosed with HLH at the West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University between January 2014 and December 2020. Collect demographic, laboratory, clinical, genetic profiles, treatment information and perform statistical analysis from records. Risk factors for death 30 days after admission were evaluated using a multivariable logistic regression model.

Results

A total of 110 pediatric HLH patients were enrolled. The median age of patients was 44 months (IQR 23-100.5) and 62 (56.4%) in males. The 30-day mortality rate for admission to this cohort was 34 (30.9%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that heart failure (OR = 13.389, 95% CI, 1.671–107.256, p = 0.015) and hypoproteinemia (OR = 4.841, 95% CI, 1.282–18.288, p = 0.020) were associated with increased early mortality in children with HLH.

Conclusions

These identified risk factors may help clinicians stratify patients with HLH and develop targeted treatment strategies. More research is needed to explore the best treatment strategies for patients with HLH to reduce early mortality in patients with HLH.
Exploring correlation between social determinants and overweight/obesity in children and youths with epilepsy
Authors: Yang Jie , Chen Fang
Published: October 2022

Aim

This study aimed to explore the correlation between social determinants and overweight and obesity in children and youths with epilepsy.

Methods

The study data were derived from the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) 2016–2017 and 2018–2019, a cross-sectional sample of young people aged 10–17. Three groups participated by weight: 423 in body mass index (BMI) 5th–84th group (normal weight), 108 in BMI 85th–94th group (overweight), and 124 in BMI ≥ 95th group (obesity). Multivariate ordinal logistic regression analyses were conducted. The three subgroups were divided to explore the correlation between social determinants and overweight and obesity.

Results

A total of 655 children were included. After adjusting for sex, age, race, use of cigarets, cigars, or pipe tobacco inside, afterschool activity, and physical activity, children in poor physical condition reported by their parents [OR = 1.573 (95% CI, 1.164–2.125)] were associated with overweight/obesity. There were negative correlations between parents with higher education and overweight/obesity, especially in children and youths with previous or current epilepsy groups. Also, overweight/obesity was correlated with the 200%–400% family poverty level (FPL) [the adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.156 (95% CI, 0.028–0.876)] and above 400% FPL [the adjusted OR = 0.121 (95% CI, 0.023–0.641)] in children and youths with mild symptoms of epilepsy, and above 400% FPL [the adjusted OR = 0.103 (95% CI, 0.023–0.460)] in children with moderate to severe epilepsy.

Conclusion

Poor physical conditions were correlated with obesity in childhood epilepsy. Parents with higher education and FPLs were negatively correlated to childhood obesity. Therefore, this study was intended to advocate for a greater emphasis on BMI for children and youths with epilepsy in families with lower-educated and low-income groups.
Modified conjoint fascial sheath suspension for the correction of severe congenital blepharoptosis in pediatric patients at different ages
Authors: Wang Huixing , Liu Zhaochuan , Li Yadi , Song Lihua , Pang Runhui , Yang Jianwei , Bai Ping
Published: October 2022

Objective

To evaluate the surgical outcomes of modified combined fascia sheath (CFS) and levator muscle (LM) complex suspension for the correction of severe congenital blepharoptosis in pediatric patients.

Methods

Pediatric patients with severe congenital blepharoptosis were enrolled form July 2017 to July 2021. All patients were divided into two groups according to their age (group A ≤ 7 years; group B > 7 years) and received CFS + LM suspension surgery. Main surgical outcome indexes include margin reflex distance 1 (MRD1) and MRD1 regression. Postoperative complications such as lagophthalmos (LAG), conjunctival prolapse, exposure keratopathy and trichiasis were documented.

Results

Fifty patients (60 eyes) were enrolled, including 17 patients (18 eyes) in group A and 33 patients (42 eyes) in group B. The MRD1 in group A was 3.06 ± 0.64 mm at 6 months after the operation, and the MRD1 in group B was 2.64 ± 0.69 mm 6 months postoperatively which is significantly lower than that of group A (P = 0. 044). At the last visit, however, the MRD1 in group A was 3.00 ± 0.69 mm and the MRD1 in group B was 2.64 ± 0.70 mm. There was no significant difference in MRD1 between two groups in long term (P = 0.255). Additionally, there were a variety of degrees of MRD1 regression, especially in the first month after the operation in both groups (both P < 0.001). Moreover, there were 9 cases of postoperative complications in group A and 13 cases in group B. The overall occurrence of postoperative complications in group A was significantly lower than that in groups B (χ2 = 4.413, P = 0.036).

Conclusions

CFS + LM suspension, a modified CFS-based surgery, is an effective treatment for severe congenital blepharoptosis in pediatric patients. Moreover, CFS + LM suspension demonstrate excellent long-term outcomes, including good movement of the eyelid, satisfied eyelid closure and fewer postoperative complications.
Robot-assisted pyeloplasty and laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children: A comparison of single-port-plus-one and multiport surgery
Authors: Chen Jianglong , Xu Huihuang , Lin Shan , He Shaohua , Tang Kunbin , Xiao Zhixiang , Xu Di
Published: October 2022

Objective

This study aimed to compare the effects of various trocar placements in robot-assisted and laparoscopic pyeloplasty involving children diagnosed with obstruction of the ureteropelvic junction (OUPJ).

Methods

We retrospectively collected the data on 74 patients under 14 years of age who had been diagnosed with OUPJ; these patients underwent either robot-assisted or laparoscopic pyeloplasty in our hospital between January 2015 and November 2021. There were four groups, as follows:

•

Laparoscopic multiport pyeloplasty (LMPY),

•

Laparoscopic single-port pyeloplasty (LSPY),

•

Robotic-assisted multiport pyeloplasty (RMPY),

•

Robotic-assisted single-port-plus-one pyeloplasty (RSPY).

Patients' characteristics as well as their perioperative and follow-up data were collected and evaluated.

Results

There was no significant difference in the data regarding patients' characteristics. These data included the grade of hydronephrosis according to the Society of Fetal Urology (SFU grade), anterior and posterior diameter of the renal pelvis and ureter (APDRPU), and the differential degree of renal function (DRF) at following time points: preoperative, postoperative, and comparison of preoperative and postoperative. There was no difference among these groups. During surgery, the time of trocar placement, urethroplasty time, and total operative time in the robotic groups (RMPY and RSPY) were longer than those in the laparoscopic groups (LMPY and LSPY). However, the ratio of the urethroplasty time and full operative time (UT/WT) in the robotic groups (RMPY and RSPY) was lower than that in the laparoscopic groups (LMPY and LSPY) (P = 0.0075). Also, the volume of blood loss was lower in the robotic groups (RMPY and RSPY) than that in the laparoscopic groups (LMPY and LSPY), although there was no statistical difference (P = 0.11). There were, however, significant differences in hospitalization days (P < 0.0001) and parents' cosmetic satisfaction scores (P < 0.001). There were no differences in fasting time, the length of time that a ureteral catheter remained in place, or the number of postoperative complications.

Conclusion

Our study shows that both robotic multiple-port and single-port-plus-one approaches are comparable, with laparoscopic multiple-port and single-port approaches equally effective in resolving OUPJ in children. Robotic and single-port-plus-one approaches may be associated with some advantages in hospitalization time and cosmetic outcomes; therefore, these approaches may be useful in urologic surgery that requires precise suturing, especially in pediatric patients.
Association of the clinicopathological characteristics and proteinuria remission of pediatric IgAV with nephrotic-range proteinuria: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kang Zhijuan , Xun Mai , Li Zhihui , Yang Zuocheng
Published: October 2022

Background

IgA vasculitis (IgAV) combined with nephrotic-range proteinuria is uncommon, and nephrotic-range proteinuria is considered a risk factor for poor prognosis in children with IgAV. There are few clinical studies with large samples.

Methods

Children with IgAV and nephrotic-range proteinuria who were hospitalized at the Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology and Immunology, Hunan Children's Hospital, from March 2008 to January 2020 were retrospectively studied; the patients were aged ≤18 years and were followed up for ≥12 months. We analyzed clinical characteristics, pathological changes, treatment responses, and their relationships in patients with IgAV combined with nephrotic-range proteinuria.

Results

Two hundred seventy-seven children with an average age at onset of IgAV with nephritis (IgAVN) of 8.0 years (interquartile range (IQR), 6.0–10.0) were enrolled; 65.7% were aged 6–10 years. The male-to-female ratio was 1.35:1. All children had both nephrotic-range proteinuria and hematuria, 49 (17.7%) had hypoalbuminemia, and 9 (3.2%) had estimated glomerular filtration rate  < 90 (mL/min/1.73 m2). All included children were followed up for at least 1 year. At 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up, the remission rates of proteinuria in children with IgAV combined with nephrotic-range proteinuria were 27.8%, 62.1%, and 83.0%, respectively, and the remission rates of hematuria were 1.4%, 8.7%, and 35.7%, respectively. In addition, children with age at onset of IgAV with nephrotic-range proteinuria ≥10 years, who were female, who had proteinuria ≥100 mg/kg/24 h, and who had a pathological grade III or above had lower remission rates of hematuria and proteinuria (P < 0.05). Multivariate factor analysis was performed by logistic regression and showed age at onset of IgAVN ≥ 10 years and crescents to be risk factors for nonremission of proteinuria at 12 months of follow-up (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Age at onset of IgAVN, sex, proteinuria level, pathological grade, and crescents significantly affect proteinuria remission in children with IgAV combined with nephrotic-range proteinuria.
Case report: Hysteroscopy combined with a vaginal mold for severe recurrent vaginal adhesion and stenosis with pyocolpos after pelvic fracture in a 13-year-old female
Authors: Wang Jiao , Zheng Fei , Wang Dandan , Yang Qing
Published: October 2022

Vaginal adhesions and stenosis are infrequent long-term sequelae following pediatric pelvic fractures. Patients may not present with signs and symptoms before menarche, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. We report an adolescent girl who presented with a post-abdominal trauma pelvic fracture and urethrovaginal fistula and subsequent severe vaginal adhesion, which resulted in infection and obstructive symptoms after menarche. Hysteroscopy-guided vaginal adhesion release using an epidural catheter and ultrasonography was performed, followed by vaginal dilation, to resolve obstructive symptoms. For girls with pelvic fractures, education on possible long-term sequelae is required, as is regular follow-up. Timely diagnosis and treatment are important, and hysteroscopic release of vaginal adhesion and postoperative regular vaginal dilation may be an effective treatment.
The correlation between OSA-related quality of life and two mental statuses in adolescent Chinese patients with cleft palate: A comprehensive study
Authors: Zong Yuan , Cheng Xu , Xia Weiyao , Xie Zhuojun , Yang Yichun , Shi Bing , Gong Caixia , Huang Hanyao
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To analyze obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-related quality of life (QoL), the statuses of depression and anxiety, and to reveal the correlation between OSA-related QoL and two mental statuses in Chinese adolescent patients with cleft palate (CP).

Methods

The Obstructive Sleep Apnea Questionaire-18 (OSA-18), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were applied to assess OSA-related QoL and the statuses of anxiety and depression in Chinese adolescent patients with CP, respectively. Non-CP adolescents were also included in the control group. OSA-related QoL and the two mental statuses were compared between the study and control groups. The correlation between the OSA-related QoL and two mental statuses was estimated in Chinese adolescent patients with CP.

Results

A total of 8.7% patients showed a moderate or high impact of OSA on QoL, while all the adolescents from the control group showed little impact. The mean total OSA-18 score of the study group (36.261 ± 13.500) was significantly higher than the control (28.435 ± 8.934). The mean PHQ-9 scores of the study group and the control group were statistically different (3.957 vs. 2.113). The GAD-7 score in the study group was slightly higher than the control group (3.043 vs. 2.194), while the proportion of moderate-severe anxiety in the study group was relatively larger than that in the control group (6.5% vs. 1.6%). Moreover, there was a positive correlation between the OSA-related QoL and the statuses of anxiety and depression respectively, and the differences in GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores between the moderate or high impact group and the little impact group were statistically significant.

Conclusion

Chinese adolescents with CP reported a rate of moderate or high impact of OSA on QoL of 8.7%, which was significantly higher than adolescents without CP. The OSA-related QoL was worse and depression was severer in Chinese CP adolescents than in the control, while anxiety and depression in Chinese CP adolescents were associated with OSA-related QoL.
Alpha emitter radium-223 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: A cost-utility analysis
Authors: Zeng Xiaohui , Liu Qiao , Tan Chongqing , Wan Xiaomin , Wang Yunhua , Ma Xiaowei
Published: October 2022

Objective: To assess the cost effectiveness of radium-223 dichloride for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in China.

Materials and methods: A Markov model was developed to estimate the long-term health and economic outcomes of radium-223 plus best standard care (BSC) treatment and BSC only for bone mCRPC patients over a lifetime horizon. The patients and interventions were modeled according to the ALSYMPCA trial. Costs were collected from a Chinese health system perspective. Utility values were derived from the published literature. The base-case model results were quality-adjusted life year (QALY), total cost, and incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR). Uncertainty analyses were performed to assess the robustness of our conclusions.

Results: Compared with the BSC arm, radium-223 achieved an excess 0.344 QALYs with an incremental cost of $29,459, resulting in an ICUR of $85,647 per QALY. The probability of Ra-223 being cost effective for the patients with bone mCRPC was sharply low (<0.5%) at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $38,136/QALY. Uncertainty analyses revealed that the model is robust to all the input parameters.

Conclusion: Radium-223 is unlikely to be cost effective in patients with bone mCRPC at the current WTP threshold, from a Chinese health system perspective. In affluent areas with a high per-capita GDP, radium-223 therapy may be cost effective.
Targeting fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-inducible 14 (Fn14) for tumor therapy
Authors: Zaitseva Olena , Hoffmann Annett , Otto Christoph , Wajant Harald
Published: October 2022

Fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) and is activated by its ligand TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK). The latter occurs as a homotrimeric molecule in a soluble and a membrane-bound form. Soluble TWEAK (sTWEAK) activates the weakly inflammatory alternative NF-κB pathway and sensitizes for TNF-induced cell death while membrane TWEAK (memTWEAK) triggers additionally robust activation of the classical NF-κB pathway and various MAP kinase cascades. Fn14 expression is limited in adult organisms but becomes strongly induced in non-hematopoietic cells by a variety of growth factors, cytokines and physical stressors (e.g., hypoxia, irradiation). Since all these Fn14-inducing factors are frequently also present in the tumor microenvironment, Fn14 is regularly found to be expressed by non-hematopoietic cells of the tumor microenvironment and most solid tumor cells. In general, there are three possibilities how the tumor-Fn14 linkage could be taken into consideration for tumor therapy. First, by exploitation of the cancer associated expression of Fn14 to direct cytotoxic activities (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), cytotoxic payloads, CAR T-cells) to the tumor, second by blockade of potential protumoral activities of the TWEAK/Fn14 system, and third, by stimulation of Fn14 which not only triggers proinflammtory activities but also sensitizes cells for apoptotic and necroptotic cell death. Based on a brief description of the biology of the TWEAK/Fn14 system and Fn14 signaling, we discuss the features of the most relevant Fn14-targeting biologicals and review the preclinical data obtained with these reagents. In particular, we address problems and limitations which became evident in the preclinical studies with Fn14-targeting biologicals and debate possibilities how they could be overcome.
Broadband low-frequency sound absorption in open tunnels with deep sub-wavelength Mie resonators
Authors: Xia Jianping , Sun Ye-Yang , Guan Yi-Jun , Wang Yin , Lu Yu-Jing , Hu Hui-Gang , Ge Yong , Sun Hong-Xiang , Yuan Shou-Qi , Lai Yun , Liu Xiao-Jun
Published: October 2022

We report both experimentally and numerically that near-perfect absorption of low-frequency sound is realized in an open tunnel embedded with two deep sub-wavelength (0.085 λ) Mie resonators. The resonators are composed of a multiple-cavity structure and an outer frame on three sides. In the eigenmode analysis, we obtain two types of monopolar Mie resonance modes (MMR I&II) in a single resonator around 250 Hz. The eigenfrequency of MMR I is mainly determined by the Helmholtz resonance of each cavity in the multiple-cavity structure, while that of MMR II is closely related to the coupling between the multiple-cavity structure and its outer frame, showing high performances of coupling and sound absorption. Based on the thermal viscous loss of sound energy in the channels created by the mutual coupling of MMR II of both Mie resonators with different diameters, the near-perfect sound absorption through the open tunnel is realized around 283 Hz. More interestingly, by increasing the number of Mie resonators in the tunnel, a broadband near-perfect sound absorption is observed, and the fractional bandwidth can reach about 0.25 and 0.46 for the tunnels with 6 and 13 resonators, The proposed deep sub-wavelength Mie resonator and its associated near-perfect sound absorptions have great potential applications in architectural acoustics and mechanical engineering.
Methods in econophysics: Estimating the probability density and volatility
Authors: Alghalith Moawia
Published: October 2022

We discuss and analyze some recent literature that introduced pioneering methods in econophysics. In doing so, we review recent methods of estimating the volatility, volatility of volatility, and probability densities. These methods will have useful applications in econophysics and finance.
A review of non-invasive sensors and artificial intelligence models for diabetic foot monitoring
Authors: Kaselimi Maria , Protopapadakis Eftychios , Doulamis Anastasios , Doulamis Nikolaos
Published: October 2022

Diabetic foot complications have multiple adverse effects in a person’s quality of life. Yet, efficient monitoring schemes can mitigate or postpone any disorders, mainly by early detecting regions of interest. Nowadays, optical sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) tools can contribute efficiently to such monitoring processes. In this work, we provide information on the adopted imaging schemes and related optical sensors on this topic. The analysis considers both the physiology of the patients and the characteristics of the sensors. Currently, there are multiple approaches considering both visible and infrared bands (multiple ranges), most of them coupled with various AI tools. The source of the data (sensor type) can support different monitoring strategies and imposes restrictions on the AI tools that should be used with. This review provides a comprehensive literature review of AI-assisted DFU monitoring methods. The paper presents the outcomes of a large number of recently published scholarly articles. Furthermore, the paper discusses the highlights of these methods and the challenges for transferring these methods into a practical and trustworthy framework for sufficient remote management of the patients.
BcGRP23: A novel gene involved in the chlorophyll metabolic pathway that is activated by BES1 in flowering Chinese cabbage
Authors: Zhang Shuaiwei , Chen Kemin , Anwar Ali , Wang Yudan , Yao Shengyi , Chen Riyuan , Song Shiwei , Su Wei
Published: October 2022

Glycine-rich proteins (GRPs) are a large family of proteins that play vital roles in cell wall remodeling, metabolism and development, and abiotic stress response. Although the functions of GRPs in cell wall remodeling have been extensively characterized, only a few studies have explored their effects on chlorophyll metabolism and hormone response. Accordingly, we aimed to determine the molecular mechanism of BcGRP23 and its role in chlorophyll metabolism and the BRI1-EMS-SUPPRESSOR 1 (BES1) signaling pathway in flowering Chinese cabbage. The expression levels of BcGRP23 in the leaves and stems gradually decreased with increasing growth and development of flowering Chinese cabbage, while BcGRP23 was barely expressed after flowering. As plant growth continued, the GUS (β-glucuronidase) stain gradually became lighter in hypocotyls and was largely free of growth points. The petioles and stems of BcGRP23-silenced plants lost their green color, and the contents of chlorophyll a (Chl a) and Chl b were significantly reduced. Further research revealed that the expression levels of chlorophyll degradation-related genes were significantly increased in silenced plants compared with the control; however, the opposite was noted for the BcGRP23-overexpressing lines. The BcGRP23 promoter sequence contains numerous hormone-responsive elements. In fact, the expression of BcGRP23 was upregulated in flowering Chinese cabbage following treatment with the hormones indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellin (GA), 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and brassinosteroid (BR). Treatment with BR led to the most significant upregulation. BES1, in response to BRs, directly activated the BcGRP23 promoter. Overall, BcGRP23 regulated the expression of chlorophyll degradation-related genes, thereby affecting the chlorophyll content. Furthermore, the expression of BcGRP23 was significantly regulated by exogenous BR application and was directly activated by BES1. These findings preliminarily suggest the molecular mechanism and regulatory pathway of BcGRP23 in the growth and development of flowering Chinese cabbage plants and their response to environmental stress.
Transcriptomics–metabolomics joint analysis: New highlight into the triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)
Authors: Zhao Yulu , Ma Yucong , Li Jiawei , Liu Bin , Liu Xiaoqing , Zhang Jianheng , Zhang Min , Wang Chunmei , Zhang Liping , Lv Wei , Mu Guojun
Published: October 2022

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) contains various physiologically active substances, including vitamins, polyphenols, flavonoids, phytosterols, and saponins. Research showed that saponins were the protective substances in the outer layer of quinoa seeds to defend against microbes, herbivores, and insects. Because the aglycones of quinoa saponins are triterpenoids, they are called triterpenoid saponins (TSs). In addition, the presence of TS imparted bitterness in quinoa and resulted in anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the seeds of low-saponin quinoa, NT376-2 (N), and high-saponin quinoa, B-12071(B), at 30 and 60 days after flowering (DAF) were used to measure the TS content and evaluated for their transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles. The amounts of TS were found to significantly differ between all possible comparisons: N and B at 30 DAF (N1_vs_B1), N and B at 60 DAF (N2_vs_B2), N at 30 DAF and 60 DAF (N1_vs_N2), and B at 30 DAF and 60 DAF (B1_vs_B2). RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and revealed 14,703 upregulated DEGs and 26,267 downregulated DEGs in the four comparison groups. The 311 overlapping DEGs found in the four comparisons were used for Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses to screen for DEGs related to TS biosynthesis in quinoa. Metabolomics analysis identified acetyl-CoA, 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-butenyl-4-diphosphate, farnesal, and (S)-2,3-epoxysqualene as the key differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs). Transcriptomics–metabolomics joint analysis showed that triterpenoid biosynthesis and terpenoid backbone biosynthesis were the enriched pathways of TS biosynthesis; farnesal were the key DAMs shared in the four comparison groups and associated with 10 key candidate DEGs related to TS biosynthesis in quinoa. These results provided important references for in-depth research on the metabolic mechanism of TS in quinoa.
Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) integrated phytotechnology: A sustainable approach for remediation of marginal lands
Authors: Poria Vikram , Dębiec-Andrzejewska Klaudia , Fiodor Angelika , Lyzohub Marharyta , Ajijah Nur , Singh Surender , Pranaw Kumar
Published: October 2022

Land that has little to no utility for agriculture or industry is considered marginal land. This kind of terrain is frequently found on the edge of deserts or other arid regions. The amount of land that can be used for agriculture continues to be constrained by increasing desertification, which is being caused by climate change and the deterioration of agriculturally marginal areas. Plants and associated microorganisms are used to remediate and enhance the soil quality of marginal land. They represent a low-cost and usually long-term solution for restoring soil fertility. Among various phytoremediation processes (viz., phytodegradation, phytoextraction, phytostabilization, phytovolatilization, phytofiltration, phytostimulation, and phytodesalination), the employment of a specific mechanism is determined by the state of the soil, the presence and concentration of contaminants, and the plant species involved. This review focuses on the key economically important plants used for phytoremediation, as well as the challenges to plant growth and phytoremediation capability with emphasis on the advantages and limits of plant growth in marginal land soil. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) boost plant development and promote soil bioremediation by secreting a variety of metabolites and hormones, through nitrogen fixation, and by increasing other nutrients’ bioavailability through mineral solubilization. This review also emphasizes the role of PGPB under different abiotic stresses, including heavy-metal-contaminated land, high salinity environments, and organic contaminants. In our opinion, the improved soil fertility of marginal lands using PGPB with economically significant plants (e.g., Miscanthus) in dual precession technology will result in the reclamation of general agriculture as well as the restoration of native vegetation.
The impacts of non-farming income on rural household energy choices: Empirical evidence from China
Authors: Peng Gang , Zhang Jie , Tang Menghang , Duan Zhimin
Published: October 2022

This study uses data from the China Family Panel Studies to analyze the possible impact of non-farming income on household energy choices. We use ordinary least squares and instrumental variable estimation methods to investigate the causal effect of non-farming income on household energy choices. We find that an increase in non-farming income assisted farmers in reducing their use of solid fuels in favor of clean energy. Our heterogeneity analysis, based on the average rural household income and geographical location of the village, shows that the energy upgrade effect of non-farming income is more obvious in high-income areas and suburbs closer to the county seat center. Further, we find that non-farming income has an impact on rural household energy choice mainly through the optimization of household energy-saving appliances and the enhancement of environmental awareness.
Longitudinal changes in infants' rhythmic arm movements during rattle-shaking play with mothers
Authors: Laudanska Zuzanna , López Pérez David , Kozioł Agata , Radkowska Alicja , Babis Karolina , Malinowska-Korczak Anna , Tomalski Przemysław
Published: October 2022

From early on, infants produce a variety of rhythmic behaviors—an ability that likely supports later social communication. However, it is unclear, how this rhythmic motor production changes with age. Here, we investigated the coupling between infants' arm movements across the first year of life in a social context of a rattle-shaking play with their mothers. Through longitudinal measurements at 4, 6, 9, and 12 months of age using wearable motion trackers placed on infants' arms, we show that infants (N= 40) are similarly motivated to attempt rattle-shaking across the first year of life. However, with age, they make more rattling movements with an increased frequency. Their left and right arm movements become more coupled during rattle-shaking, as shown by an increase in wavelet coherence. Infants produced more rattling movements when they were rattling alone than when their mothers were rattling or singing simultaneously. There were no differences between infants' individual and social rattling in between-arms coherence. Our results may help to understand rhythmic arm movements as precursors of motor social coordination.
Putting down the revolt: Enactivism as a philosophy of nature
Authors: Meyer Russell , Brancazio Nick
Published: October 2022

Enactivists frequently argue their account heralds a revolution in cognitive science: enactivism will unseat cognitivism as the dominant paradigm. We examine the lines of reasoning enactivists employ in stirring revolt, but show that none of these prove compelling reasons for cognitivism to be replaced by enactivism. First, we examine thehard sellof enactivism: enactivism reveals a critical explanatory gap at the heart of cognitivism. We show that enactivism does not meet the requirements to incite a paradigm shift in the Kuhnian sense—there is no internal crisis in cognitivism. Nor does it provide inherently better explanations of cognition as some have claimed. Second, we consider thesoft sellof enactivism: enactivism provides a more attractive, parsimonious, or clear-eyed lens on cognition. This move proves to boil down to a misunderstanding of how theories are selected in science. Instead we lend support to a broader and more desirable way to conceive of enactivism, the recent proposal that enactivism is aphilosophy of nature. We explain how a philosophy of nature does more than support a single research paradigm by integrating scientific questions into a cohesive picture.
Community perspectives on the implementation of a group psychological intervention for adolescents with depression: A qualitative study in rural Nepal
Authors: Hassan Eliz , BK Prakash , Magar Jananee , Luitel Nagendra , Kohrt Brandon A. , Jordans Mark , Rose-Clarke Kelly
Published: October 2022

Group-based psychological interventions could help to close the treatment gap for depression in low-resource settings, but implementation barriers exist. In Nepal we sought community members' perspectives on how to implement group interpersonal therapy for adolescents. We conducted qualitative interviews with 25 adolescents with depression (aged 13–18) and seven health and non-governmental organization workers, and four focus groups with non-depressed adolescents, four with parents/guardians, and two with teachers (126 participants total). Data were analyzed using the Framework Method. Participants recommended same-sex groups. School was the preferred location because it is accessible for adolescents and acceptable to parents. Adolescents wanted facilitators from their own community with good communication skills. They did not want parents or teachers to participate in groups but emphasized the need to inform parents and obtain their permission. Community members supported group psychological intervention. School-based psychological interventions facilitated by local people could be an acceptable option in rural Nepal.
Network analysis of 18 attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms suggests the importance of “Distracted” and “Fidget” as central symptoms: Invariance across age, gender, and subtype presentations
Authors: Liu Lu , Wang Yi , Chen Wai , Gao Yuan , Li Haimei , Wang Yufeng , Chan Raymond C. K. , Qian Qiujin
Published: October 2022

The network theory of mental disorders conceptualizes psychiatric symptoms as networks of symptoms that causally interact with each other. Our present study aimed to explore the symptomatic structure in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using network analyses. Symptom network based on 18 items of ADHD Rating Scale-IV was evaluated in 4,033 children and adolescents with ADHD. The importance of nodes was evaluated quantitatively by examining centrality indices, including Strength, Betweenness and Closeness, as well as Predictability and Expected Influence (EI). In addition, we compared the network structure across different subgroups, as characterized by ADHD subtypes, gender and age groups to evaluate its invariance. A three-factor-community structure was identified including inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive clusters. For the centrality indices, the nodes of “Distracted” and “Fidget” showed high closeness and betweenness, and represented a bridge linking the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive domains. “Details” and “Fidget” were the most common endorsed symptoms in inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive domains respectively. On the contrary, the “Listen” item formed a peripheral node showing weak links with all other items within the inattentive cluster, and the “Loss” item as the least central node by all measures of centrality and with low predictability value. The network structure was relatively invariant across gender, age and ADHD subtypes/presentations. The 18 items of ADHD core symptoms appear not equivalent and interchangeable. “Distracted” and “Fidget” should be considered as central, or core, symptoms for further evaluation and intervention. The network-informed differentiation of these symptoms has the potentials to refine the phenotype and reduce heterogeneity.