bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review of botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and applications of the herb with the homology of medicine and food: Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton
Authors: Chen Liping , Huang Dong , Jiang Lin , Yang Jihong , Shi Xiaoyu , Wang Rong , Li Wenbin
Published: June 2024

Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton is an outstanding herb with the homology of medicine and food. Its ripe fruits are traditionally used as an important tonic for kidneys and liver in China. Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton is rich in nutritional components and a variety of bioactive ingredients. A total of 206 compounds have been isolated and identified, they mainly include flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, iridoid glycosides, and triterpenoids. These compounds exert anti-osteoporosis, anti-tumor, liver protective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton has been traditionally used to treat many complex diseases, including osteoporotic bone pain, rheumatic bone, cancer, related aging symptoms, and so on. In the 2020 Edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, there are more than 100 prescriptions containing L. lucidum W.T. Aiton. Among them, some classical preparations including Er Zhi Wan and Zhenqi fuzheng formula, are used in the treatment of various cancers with good therapeutic effects. Additionally, L. lucidum W.T. Aiton has also many excellent applications for functional food, ornamental plants, bioindicator of air pollution, algicidal agents, and feed additives. Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton has rich plant resources. However, the application potential of it has not been fully exploited. We hope that this paper provides a theoretical basis for the high-value and high-connotation development of L. lucidum W.T. Aiton in the future.
SGLT2i treatment during AKI and its association with major adverse kidney events
Authors: Alcantar-Vallin Luz , Zaragoza Jose J. , Díaz-Villavicencio Bladimir , Hernandez-Morales Karla , Camacho-Guerrero Jahir R. , Perez-Venegas Miguel A. , Carmona-Morales Edgar J. , Oseguera-Gonzalez Alexa N. , Murguia-Soto Cesar , Chávez-Alonso Gael , Arredondo-Dubois José M. , Orozco-Chan Carlos E. , Gómez-Fregoso Juan A. , Rodríguez-García Francisco G. , Navarro-Blackaller Guillermo , Medina-González Ramón , Martínez Gallardo-González Alejandro , Abundis-Mora Gabriela J. , Vega-Vega Olynka , García-García Guillermo , Chávez-Iñiguez Jonathan S.
Published: June 2024

Background

The association between the administration of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) during acute kidney injury (AKI) and the incidence of major adverse kidney events (MAKEs) is not known.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients with AKI and compared the outcomes for those who were treated with SGLT2is during hospitalization and those without SGLT2i treatment. The associations of SGLT2i use with MAKEs at 10 and 30–90 days, each individual MAKE component, and the pre-specified patient subgroups were analyzed.

Results

From 2021 to 2023, 374 patients were included in the study—316 without SGLT2i use and 58 with SGLT2i use. Patients who were treated with SGLT2is were older; had a greater prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, chronic heart failure, and chronic kidney disease; required hemodialysis less often; and presented stage 3 AKI less frequently than those who were not treated with SGLT2is. Logistic regression analysis with nearest-neighbor matching revealed that SGLT2i use was not associated with the risk of MAKE10 (OR 1.08 [0.45–2.56]) or with MAKE30–90 (OR 0.76 [0.42–1.36]). For death, the stepwise approach demonstrated that SGLT2i use was associated with a reduced risk (OR 0.08; 0.01–0.64), and no effect was found for kidney replacement therapy (KRT). The subgroups of patients who experienced a reduction in the risk of MAKEs in patients with AKI treated with SGLT2is were those older than 61 years, those with an eGFR >81, and those without a history of hypertension or DM (p ≤ 0.05 for all).

Conclusion

The use of SGLT2is during AKI had no effect on short- or medium-term MAKEs, but some subgroups of patients may have experienced benefits from SGLT2i treatment.
The morphology of cell spheroids in simple shear flow
Authors: Ferraro Rosalia , Di Franco Jasmin , Caserta Sergio , Guido Stefano
Published: June 2024

Cell spheroids are a widely used model to investigate cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in a 3D microenvironment in vitro. Most research on cell spheroids has been focused on their response to various stimuli under static conditions. Recently, the effect of flow on cell spheroids has been investigated in the context of tumor invasion in interstitial space. In particular, microfluidic perfusion of cell spheroids embedded in a collagen matrix has been shown to modulate cell-cell adhesion and to represent a possible mechanism promoting tumor invasion by interstitial flow. However, studies on the effects of well-defined flow fields on cell spheroids are lacking in the literature. Here, we apply simple shear flow to cell spheroids in a parallel plate apparatus while observing their morphology by optical microscopy. By using image analysis techniques, we show that cell spheroids rotate under flow as rigid prolate ellipsoids. As time goes on, cells from the outer layer detach from the sheared cell spheroids and are carried away by the flow. Hence, the size of cell spheroids declines with time at a rate increasing with the external shear stress, which can be used to estimate cell-cell adhesion. The technique proposed in this work allows one to correlate flow-induced effects with microscopy imaging of cell spheroids in a well-established shear flow field, thus providing a method to obtain quantitative results which are relevant in the general field of mechanobiology.
Exploring the evocative qualities of masks’ visual imagery and their associations with adversity and trauma
Authors: Arslanbek Asli , Malhotra Bani , Stickley Kristyn S. , Herres Joanna , Spooner Heather , Lamb Damon G. , Levy Charles E. , Williamson John B. , Kaimal Girija
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Studies suggest a relationship between the emotional evocativeness of visual imagery and viewer responses, however, there is limited understanding of these associations, especially as they relate to viewers’ personal experiences of adversities.

Methods

In this exploratory study, we examined the relationship between the visual content of mask images and viewers’ responses. In an online survey 699 participants (of n = 1,010 total initial participants) rated 98 masks based on valence, arousal, and personal relevance and completed the Life Events Checklist. The masks included those created by service members (SMs) with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depicting physical, psychological, and moral injuries and matched neutral masks created by creative arts therapists and arts in health scholars.

Findings

The findings indicated that responses to mask image content (traumatic versus neutral) were associated with viewers’ personal history of adversity and trauma. Specifically, images representing injury/trauma provoked stronger reactions on valence and arousal than neutral images. Moreover, participants with personal histories of trauma had heightened emotional responses to distressing imagery.

Discussion

These findings have implications for art therapists as well as for clinical and general populations in that these results highlight the potential impact of distressing imagery particularly for individuals with personal histories of experiencing or witnessing traumatic events.
What do physicians think about the white coat, about patients' view of the white coat, and how empathetic are physicians toward patients in hospital gowns? An enclothed cognition view
Authors: Gabay Gillie , Ornoy Hana , Deeb Dana O.
Published: June 2024

The receipt of the white coat by medical students is a significant milestone. Extensive research has focused on the white coat, its purity, representation of authority and professionalism, its role in consolidating a medical hierarchy, and the professional status attributed to physicians wearing it. Studies suggest that the white coat is a symbol of medical competence, and patients expect physicians to wear it. Research, however, has paid little attention to what physicians think about their white coat, how they perceive the patient's view of the white coat and the hospital gown, within the patient–physician power asymmetry, which is the focus of the current study. In total, 85 physicians from three Israeli medical centers completed a questionnaire (62% Muslims, 33% Jewish, and 5% Christians; 68% men, ages ranging from 21 to 73 years). Employing the enclothed cognition theory and adopting a within-person approach, we found that the more physicians perceived the white coat as important, the more they attributed a positive view of the white coat to patients and the more they perceived the patient's view of the hospital gown as positive. In addition, the higher the perceived importance of the white coat, the higher the reported empathy of physicians toward inpatients, which is consistent with the hospital's values of care. Interestingly, although medicine is a symbol of protection and care for others, the symbolic meaning of the white coat was potent enough to elicit empathy only when physicians perceived it as important. This study extends the theoretical knowledge on the theory of enclothed cognition in healthcare regarding self-perceptions and professional conduct.
The impact of environmental stimuli on the psychological and behavioral compliance of international construction employees
Authors: Chang Tengyuan , Wu Yi , Deng Xiaopeng , Wang Xianru , Yan Yangzhi
Published: June 2024

Introduction

This study explores the overlooked psychological and behavioral dynamics of employees in compliance management, applying the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) framework to assess environmental stimuli’s impact on employees in international construction projects.

Methods

A scenario-based survey involving 270 international construction employees was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA), focusing on the relationship between environmental stimuli and compliance intentions.

Results

Findings categorize environmental influences on compliance into internal and external organizational dimensions, highlighting the significant impact of internal factors on compliance intentions. Key determinants identified for high compliance intention include individual traits and organizational climate, while project pressures, rules and regulations, and cultural differences show variable influence.

Conclusion

This study enhances the understanding of the psychological factors driving non-compliant behaviors and introduces a binary micro-ecological approach to compliance management, effectively integrating individual and project organizational elements. In contrast to traditional corporate governance approaches, this strategy emphasizes the role of project organizational micro-ecology in the management of international construction projects. The strategy aims to improve compliance management among international contractors by influencing the psychological and behavioral compliance of frontline employees.
Perinatal mental disorders and suicidal risk among adolescent mothers living in urban areas of Cameroon
Authors: Miafo Joël Djatche , Nzebou Daniel , Stoll Beat , Yimga Ngambia Joris Cathel , von Overbeck Ottino Saskia , Moayedoddin Amir
Published: June 2024

Background

In sub-Saharan Africa the birth rate among teenage mothers is the highest in the world. In 2021, there would be 6,114,000 births for 15–19-year-olds in this part of the world. In Cameroon, the fertility rate among adolescents aged 15–19 is 24%. However, there is a significant lack of data on the mental health of teenage mothers. Given the biopsychosocial conditions of the perinatal period and adolescence, we hypothesise that the prevalence of mental disorders and the risk of suicide is very high in Cameroon. The aim is therefore to determine the prevalence of perinatal mental disorders and suicide risk among adolescent mothers in urban areas of Cameroon.

Methods

Following ethical approval of the submitted protocol, we recruited adolescent mothers and data were collected using diagnostic interviews based on the DSM-5, PDM-2 and MINI guidelines. The types of sampling used were typical and incidental. Data were tabulated with Epidata 3.1 and processed with SPSS 25.

Results

66.4% of adolescent mothers were diagnosed with a mental disorder and 27.4% with suicidal risk. It was found that there was a link between mental disorders and suicidal risk (p<0.001), with mothers at suicidal risk having an 8.4 times greater risk of having a mental disorder (OR=8.423). Linear regression confirmed the statistically significant relationship between perinatal mental disorders and suicidal risk. 31.1% of the total variance in suicidal risk was explained by mental disorders. The regression coefficients for mental disorders with a p<0.05 value is: perinatal depression (-0.279), post-partum psychosis (-0.133), trauma disorder (-0.034), generalised anxiety disorder (-0.008) and conduct disorder (-0.020).

Conclusions

Our hypothesis is confirmed, because the prevalence of 66.4% of mental disorders and 27.4% of suicidal risk are significantly high in Cameroon. In some way, the disorders predict suicidal risk, because the less an adolescent mother has one of these pathologies during the perinatal period, the less she will be at risk of suicide. More research of this kind is needed to contribute in providing more data, including solutions to address the morbidity and mortality problems associated with the mental health of teenage mothers.
Assessing and managing patients with borderline personality disorder requesting medical assistance in dying
Authors: Links Paul S. , Aslam Hira , Brodeur Jonah
Published: June 2024

Background

When physician assisted dying (referred to as Medical Assistance in Dying or MAiD in this article) is available for individuals with mental disorders as the sole underlying medical condition (MD-SUMC), patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) frequently request MAiD. Psychiatrists and other clinicians must be prepared to evaluate and manage these requests.

Objectives

The purposes of this paper are to define when patients with BPD should be considered to have an irremediable, treatment resistant disorder and provide clinicians with an approach to assess and manage their patients with BPD making requests for MAiD.

Methods

This perspective paper developed the authors’ viewpoint by using a published, authoritative definition of irremediability and including noteworthy systematic and/or meta-analytic reviews related to the assessment of irremediability.

Results

The clinician must be aware of the eligibility requirements for granting MAiD in their jurisdiction so that they can appropriately prepare themselves and their patients for the assessment process. The appraisal of the intolerability of the specific person’s suffering comes from having an extensive dialogue with the patient; however, the assessment of whether the patient has irremediable BPD should be more objectively and reliably determined. A systematic approach to the assessment of irremediability of BPD is reviewed in the context of the disorder’s severity, treatment resistance and irreversibility.

Conclusion

In addition to characterizing irremediability, this paper also addresses the evaluation and management of suicide risk for patients with BPD undergoing the MAiD assessment process.
Age-specific risk factors of depression among the oldest-old - evidence from the multicenter AgeCoDe-AgeQualiDe study
Authors: Luppa Melanie , Pabst Alexander , Löbner Margrit , Mallon Tina , Brettschneider Christian , Hajek André , Heser Kathrin , Kleineidam Luca , Weyerer Siegfried , Werle Jochen , Pentzek Michael , Weeg Dagmar , Mösch Edelgard , Wiese Birgitt , Oey Anke , Wagner Michael , Maier Wolfgang , Scherer Martin , König Hans-Helmut , Riedel-Heller Steffi G.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The present study aimed to investigate age-group-specific incidence rates and risk factors for depressive symptoms in the highest age groups.

Methods

Data were derived from a prospective multicenter cohort study conducted in primary care – the AgeCoDe/AgeQualiDe study. In total, 2,436 patients 75 years and older were followed from baseline to ninth follow-up. To assess depressive symptoms, the short version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15, cutoff score 6) was used. Age-specific competing risk regressions were performed to analyze risk factors for incident depressive symptoms in different age groups (75 to 79, 80 to 84, 85+ years), taking into account the accumulated mortality.

Results

The age-specific incidence rate of depression was 33 (95% CI 29-38), 46 (95% CI 40-52) and 63 (95% CI 45-87) per 1,000 person years for the initial age groups 75 to 79, 80 to 84 and 85+ years, respectively. In competing risk regression models, female sex, mobility as well as vision impairment, and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) were found to be risk factors for incident depression for age group 75 to 79, female sex, single/separated marital status, mobility as well as hearing impairment, and SCD for age group 80 to 84, and mobility impairment for age group 85+.

Conclusion

Depressive symptoms in latest life are common and the incidence increases with increasing age. Modifiable and differing risk factors across the highest age groups open up the possibility of specifically tailored prevention concepts.
Association of four metalloids in the serum and urine of individuals with major depressive disorders: a case–control study
Authors: He Lei , Li Shilong , Huang Yan , Zhu Yuxing , Fan Lingzi , Zhang Hongwei , Hou Xiaofang , Li Xiaoxin , Deng Hongxin , Guo Xueli , Liu Chunxiao , Hu Chen , Cao Bing
Published: June 2024

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) pathogenesis may involve metalloids in a significant way. The aim of our study was to identify potential links between MDD and metalloid elements [boron (B), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb)].

Methods

A total of 72 MDD cases and 75 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited from Zhumadian Second People’s Hospital in Henan Province, China. The levels of four metallic elements (B, Ge, As, and Sb) in the serum and urine were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Results

In comparison to the HCs, the B, As, and Sb levels were considerably lower in the MDD group (p < 0.05) in the serum; the MDD group had significantly higher (p < 0.05) and significantly lower (p < 0.001) B and Sb levels in the urine. After adjusting for potential confounders, serum B (OR = 0.120; 95% CI, 0.048, 0.300; p < 0.001) and Sb (OR = 0.133; 95% CI, 0.055, 0.322; p < 0.001) showed a negative correlation with MDD. Urine B had a negative correlation (OR = 0.393; 95% CI, 0.193, 0.801; p = 0.01) with MDD, while urine Sb had a positive correlation (OR = 3.335; 95% CI, 1.654, 6.726; p = 0.001) with MDD.

Conclusion

Our current research offers insightful hints for future investigation into the function of metalloids in connection to MDD processes.
Self-perceived relations between artistic creativity and mental illness: a study into lived experiences
Authors: Boumans Jenny , Oderwald Arko , Kroon Hans
Published: June 2024

Aim

To explore the self-perceived relationships between experiences of creativity and mental illness and to understand the meanings behind these relationships.

Background

The idea that mental illness and artistic creativity are somehow related dates back to ancient times. There is some evidence for an actual correlation, but many questions remain unanswered on the nature and direction of the relationship. Qualitative contributions to the debate are scarce, and mainly focus on the potential benefits of participation in the arts for people with mental illness.

Design

An explorative, interpretive study.

Methods

Twenty-four professional and semi-professional artists with self-reported experience with mental illness, were recruited purposively. Unstructured in-depth interviews were conducted and transcripts were subjected to interpretive analysis, guided by a hermeneutic phenomenological frame.

Results

Participants experience a range of interactions between artistic creativity and mental illness. Three constitutive patterns describe what these interactions look like: “flow as a powerful force”; “ambiguous self-manifestation”; and “narrating experiences of suffering.”

Conclusion

The findings show that both the concept of creativity and the concept of mental illness, as well as their interrelationships, are layered and complex phenomena that can take on different meanings in people’s lives. The findings provide starting points for further research that goes beyond the polarized academic debate. Understanding the experiences of artists with mental illness can help shape the role of art in public mental health and mental health care.
Exploring the relationship between older adults’ online health information seeking, negative emotions and prevention behaviors in the pandemic context: a two-wave longitudinal study
Authors: Liu Tianchang , Song Xiaokang , Zhu Qinghua
Published: June 2024

Introduction

During the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults were facing more mental health issues that may cause complex impacts on pandemic prevention, and turning to the internet for health information is a double-edged sword for them. This study aimed to investigate the reciprocal relationship between negative emotions and prevention behaviors in older adults, as well as the direct and moderating effects of online health information seeking (OHIS) on negative emotions and prevention behaviors.

Methods

Based on the common-sense model of self-regulation (CSM) and a sample of more than 20,000 participants from the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), this study first used an autoregressive cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) to analyze the longitudinal effect of negative emotions on prevention behaviors. Second, the study used ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to explore the influence of OHIS usage frequency changes on negative emotions and prevention behaviors. Third, the study used multigroup analysis to examine the moderating effect of OHIS usage frequency changes on the CLPM.

Results

The findings indicate a significant longitudinal association where initial negative emotions predicted later prevention behaviors (β = 0.038, p < 0.001), and increased OHIS frequency was linked to positive changes in prevention behavior (β = 0.109, p < 0.001). Multigroup analysis revealed that the connection between negative emotions or increased negative emotions and prevention behaviors remained significant for those with no change or an increase in OHIS frequency but not for those with a decrease.

Conclusion

This study suggested that negative emotions may drive older adults to engage more in prevention behaviors and that OHIS can augment this effect. These results underscore the importance of addressing mental health and providing reliable online health information to support older adults in managing infectious disease risks.
Injection preparation filtration and health concerns among indigenous people who inject methamphetamine
Authors: Anastario Michael , Suarez Andrea , Williamson Olivia , Firemoon Paula , Roberts Elizabeth F. S. , Barber Jarrett
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Injecting methamphetamine poses significant health risks, but little is known about how methamphetamine injectors filter their injection preparations and experience related health concerns.

Methods

A chain-referral sample of Indigenous people who inject methamphetamine (n = 30) was recruited and semistructured interviews were conducted to collect information on filtration practices and health concerns.

Results

Filtration of the injection preparation was described by 53% of injectors. Elevated levels of concern for kidney disease, cancer and heart disease were observed among those who filtered their preparations (ranging from 50 to 56.3%). Concern about liver disease was the most frequent concern among those who filtered their preparations (62.5%) and was elevated in comparison to those who did not use filters (7.1%). Grouped logistic regression revealed a positive association between filtration of the injection preparation and overall health concerns expressed by injectors, after adjusting for gender and age. The marginal posterior distribution of the adjusted odds ratio for filtration of the injection preparation had a posterior median = 35.7, and 95% HPD interval = (5.1, 512.4).

Discussion

Results illustrate a positive relationship between filtration of the injection preparation and health concerns among Indigenous people who inject methamphetamine. This likely reflects the use of filtration to reduce harms, and further research is needed to understand the full scope of prevention that may be associated with filtration of methamphetamine injection preparations.
Correlations between empathy fatigue, occupational identity, and sleep quality in nursing staff: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhao Yingying , Wang Xin , Liu Tao
Published: June 2024

Objective

To investigate the status quo of empathic fatigue, professional identity, and sleep quality of nursing staff in nursing institutions. To analyze the correlation between empathic fatigue, professional identity and sleep quality of nursing staff.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study. The method of convenient sampling was used to select 224 nursing workers from the older adult's institutions in the Panjin area as the investigation objects. The nurses' general data questionnaire, the Chinese version of the compassion fatigue short scale, the nurses' professional identity Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used as evaluation tools. SPSS26.0 statistical software was used to sort out and analyze the data.

Results

There was a positive correlation between empathic fatigue and sleep quality; there was a negative correlation between empathy fatigue and professional identity. Occupational identity and sleep quality were negatively correlated.

Conclusion

There is a correlation between empathic fatigue, professional identity, and sleep quality of nursing workers. Empathy fatigue is positively correlated with sleep quality. Empathy fatigue was negatively correlated with professional identity. Occupational identity was negatively correlated with sleep quality. To provide a theoretical basis for the management of older adult's nursing staff and the formulation of corresponding management systems and policies, promote the mental health of older adult's nursing staff, improve sleep quality, and provide a theoretical basis and reference for future intervention research.
Vigorous physical activity and weight status in school-aged children: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Yu Weijun , Xu Shuanglu , Dai Xiaojie , Fan Huiying
Published: June 2024

Aim

To explore the association between VPA and weight status in adolescents.

Methods

The 2017/2018 Health Behavior in School-aged Children survey (HBSC) targeted children and adolescents aged 11, 13 and 15. A systematic multistage stratified cluster randomized sampling method was used in each participating country. The 2017/2018 survey enrolled over 240,951 adolescents across 45 countries and regions. Frequency of VPA, weight status and confounding factors were collected using a self-reported questionnaire.

Results

Compared to daily VPA, less frequent VPA was linked to higher odds of obesity. For example, those who participating in VPA for 4–6 times a week (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.06–1.13), 2–3 times a week (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.17–1.25), or once a week (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.16–1.25) all have higher odds of abnormal weight status. For boys, the frequency of 4–6 times a week (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.04–1.13), 2–3 times a week (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.17–1.27), or once a week (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.19–1.32) were associated with higher odds of abnormal weight status. For girls, those who participating in VPA 4–6 times a week (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.06–1.16), 2–3 times a week (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.14–1.25), or once a week (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.11–1.23) all have higher odds of abnormal weight status (i.e., overweight or obesity).

Conclusion

This population-based study suggests that infrequent VPA participation is associated with unhealthy weight status in adolescents compared to their physically active counterparts. Additionally, this association remains consistent in both boys and girls.
SoCap YMH – youth mental health, social capital and help-seeking: a study protocol
Authors: Ahlborg Mikael G. , Morgan Antony , Svedberg Petra , Nygren Jens M. , Eriksson Malin , Westberg Katrin Häggström
Published: June 2024

Background

The increase in adolescents reporting mental health problems presents a major public health challenge. The complex association between mental health and social capital motivates further investigation of social capital as a crucial aspect in shaping adolescents’ help-seeking knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours.

Aim

This protocol presents a project that aims to investigate social capital in relation to help-seeking and mental health in close collaboration with adolescents and key stakeholders in the school setting, in the southern part of Sweden.

Methods

A mixed-method design with three interconnected work packages (WP) will be undertaken with an emphasis on co-production where adolescents are involved throughout the process. WP1 is a development and validation of two questionnaire instruments for assessing social capital and help-seeking in adolescence. WP2 is a longitudinal quantitative study involving 1,500 adolescents from two regions representing rural and suburban/urban settings. Adolescents aged 15 will be asked to complete questionnaires concerning social capital, mental health, and help-seeking in a baseline and one-year follow-up, allowing for investigation of the role of social capital for help-seeking. WP3 is designed to elucidate experiences and knowledge of adolescents and key stakeholders via collaborative World Café workshops. These will be held along the project to evolve the generated knowledge and maximize it’s applicability during and after the project is finalized.

Conclusion

The results are expected to further the understanding of the relationship between adolescents’ social capital, mental health, and help-seeking, to contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind the paradoxical help-seeking patterns among adolescents today and to narrow the gap between research and practice to produce sustainable and efficient strategies, which may facilitate help-seeking and improve the mental health of adolescents within existing organizational structures.
Implementing neuropsychological rehabilitation following severe traumatic brain injury in a low-to-middle income country: a case report
Authors: Soule Alexa Caitlin , Fish Taryn Jane , Winegardner Jill , Schrieff-Brown Leigh
Published: June 2024

Introduction

TBI incidence and distribution are largely overrepresented in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs), such as South Africa (SA), with substantial associated human and financial costs. However, access to rehabilitation for the public is severely limited and not standard practice in SA. Given this background, studies demonstrating the successful implementation of neuropsychological rehabilitation in a LMIC setting are important. Published studies of this nature are generally lacking in this context. Further, there is a need to evaluate interventions that can be implemented at a low cost. To this end, we report on a neuropsychological rehabilitation program for an individual with severe TBI in a LMIC context, aimed at improving his capacity for activities of daily living.

Method

A 33-year-old, South African male who sustained a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) partook in a neuropsychological intervention aimed at remediating functional deficits and enhancing independent functioning. The intervention utilised principles of Goal Management Training and external memory aids, with reliance on procedural memory and errorless learning, to target the participant's impairments in executive functioning and memory through the use of assistive technology—namely smart device applications.

Results

Data collected pre- and post-intervention on formal neuropsychological measures demonstrated no significant change in cognition. However, observational data and qualitative feedback from the participant's family indicated notable improvement in performance on everyday tasks with reduced number of errors and reduced need for external prompting whilst completing intervention tasks across sessions.

Discussion

In the context of severe TBI, neuropsychological rehabilitation can facilitate gains in independent functioning. This study provides support for the value of neurorehabilitation especially for interventions that can be rolled out at low cost and should serve as impetus for further such research in South Africa, where neuropsychological rehabilitation infrastructure and services are lacking.
Hypotussic cough in persons with dysphagia: biobehavioral interventions and pathways to clinical implementation
Authors: Dallal-York Justine , Troche Michelle S.
Published: June 2024

Cough is a powerful, protective expulsive behavior that assists in maintaining respiratory health by clearing foreign material, pathogens, and mucus from the airways. Therefore, cough is critical to survival in both health and disease. Importantly, cough protects the airways and lungs from both antegrade (e.g., food, liquid, saliva) and retrograde (e.g., bile, gastric acid) aspirate contents. Aspiration is often the result of impaired swallowing (dysphagia), which allows oral and/or gastric contents to enter the lung, especially in individuals who also have cough dysfunction (dystussia). Cough hyposensitivity, downregulation, or desensitization- collectively referred to as hypotussia- is common in individuals with dysphagia, and increases the likelihood that aspirated material will reach the lung. The consequence of hypotussia with reduced airway clearance can include respiratory tract infection, chronic inflammation, and long-term damage to the lung parenchyma. Despite the clear implications for health, the problem of managing hypotussia in individuals with dysphagia is frequently overlooked. Here, we provide an overview of the current interventions and treatment approaches for hypotussic cough. We synthesize the available literature to summarize research findings that advance our understanding of these interventions, as well as current gaps in knowledge. Further, we highlight pragmatic resources to increase awareness of hypotussic cough interventions and provide support for the clinical implementation of evidence-based treatments. In culmination, we discuss potential innovations and future directions for hypotussic cough research.
Interactions of TTV with BKV, CMV, EBV, and HHV-6A and their impact on post-transplant graft function in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Rosiewicz Kamil S. , Blazquez-Navarro Arturo , Kaliszczyk Sviatlana , Bauer Chris , Or-Guil Michal , Viebahn Richard , Zgoura Panagiota , Reinke Petra , Roch Toralf , Hugo Christian , Westhoff Timm , Thieme Constantin , Stervbo Ulrik , Babel Nina
Published: June 2024

Background

Mono and combined reactivation of latent viruses occurs frequently under immunosuppressive therapy in kidney transplant patients. Recently, monitoring torque teno virus (TTV) reactivation came more into focus as a potential biomarker for immune status. The surrogate characteristics of TTV reactivation on acute rejection, and the combined reactivation with other latent viruses such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), human BK virus (BKV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), and human herpes virus-6A (HHV-6A) on allograft function, are unknown so far.

Methods

Blood samples from 93 kidney transplant recipients obtained during the first post-transplant year were analyzed for TTV/BKV/CMV/EBV/HHV-6A load. Clinical characteristics, including graft function [glomerular filtration rate (GFR)], were collected in parallel.

Results

TTV had the highest prevalence and viral loads at 100% and a mean of 5.72 copies/ml (cp/ml) (log10). We found 28.0%, 26.9%, 7.5%, and 51.6% of simultaneous reactivation of TTV with BKV, CMV, EBV, and HHV-6, respectively. These combined reactivations were not associated with a significantly reduced estimated GFR at month 12. Of interest, patients with lower TTV loads <5.0 cp/ml (log10) demonstrated not only a higher incidence of acute rejection, but also an unexpected significantly earlier occurrence and higher incidence of BKV and HHV-6A reactivation. Correlations between TTV loads, other latent viruses, and immunosuppressive medication were only significant from 6 months after transplant.

Conclusion

We were able to observe and support previously introduced TTV load thresholds predicting kidney allograft rejection. However, due to a possible delayed relation between immunosuppressive medication and TTV viral load adaptation, the right time points to start using TTV as a biomarker might need to be further clarified by other and better designed studies.
Evaluating the impact of commercial radio occultation data using the observation system simulation experiment tool for ionospheric electron density specification
Authors: Hughes Joseph , Collett Ian , Crowley Geoff , Reynolds Adam , Azeem Irfan
Published: June 2024

Decision makers must often choose how many sensors to deploy, of what types, and in what locations to meet a given operational or scientific outcome. An observation system simulation experiment (OSSE) is a numerical experiment that can provide critical decision support to these complex and expensive choices. An OSSE uses a “truth model” or “nature run” to simulate what an observation system would measure and then passes these measurements to an assimilation model. Then, the output of the assimilation model is compared to that of the truth model to assess improvement and the impact of the observation system. Orion Space Solutions has developed the OSSE tool (OSSET) to perform OSSEs for ionospheric electron density specification quickly and accurately. In this study, we use OSSET to predict the impact of adding commercial radio occultation total electron content (TEC) data to an assimilation model. We compare the OSSE’s predictions to the real performance at a group of validation ionosondes and find good agreement. We also demonstrate the global assessments that are possible with the OSSET using the improvement in critical frequency specification as an example. From this, we find that commercial radio occultation data can improve the critical frequency specification by nearly 20% at high latitudes, which are not covered by COSMIC-2. The commercial satellites are in sun-synchronous orbits with constant local times, and this improvement is concentrated at these local times.
Role of biofilms in antimicrobial resistance of the bacterial bovine respiratory disease complex
Authors: Andrés-Lasheras Sara , Zaheer Rahat , Jelinski Murray , McAllister Tim A.
Published: June 2024

An increase in chronic, non-responsive bovine respiratory disease (BRD) infections in North American feedlot cattle is observed each fall, a time when cattle are administered multiple antimicrobial treatments for BRD. A number of factors are responsible for BRD antimicrobial treatment failure, with formation of biofilms possibly being one. It is widely accepted that biofilms play a role in chronic infections in humans and it has been hypothesized that they are the default lifestyle of most bacteria. However, research on bacterial biofilms associated with livestock is scarce and significant knowledge gaps exist in our understanding of their role in AMR of the bacterial BRD complex. The four main bacterial species of the BRD complex, Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, and Mycoplasma bovis are able to form biofilms in vitro and there is evidence that at least H. somni retains this ability in vivo. However, there is a need to elucidate whether their biofilm-forming ability contributes to pathogenicity and antimicrobial treatment failure of BRD. Overall, a better understanding of the possible role of BRD bacterial biofilms in clinical disease and AMR could assist in the prevention and management of respiratory infections in feedlot cattle. We review and discuss the current knowledge of BRD bacteria biofilm biology, study methodologies, and their possible relationship to AMR.
Effect of acute exposure of Hg on physiological parameters and transcriptome expression in silkworms (Bombyx mori)
Authors: Wen Huanhuan , Wang Yanan , Ji Yongqiang , Chen Jing , Xiao Yao , Lu Qixiang , Jiang Caiying , Sheng Qing , Nie Zuoming , You Zhengying
Published: June 2024

Mercury (Hg) contamination poses a global threat to the environment, given its elevated ecotoxicity. Herein, we employed the lepidopteran model insect, silkworm (Bombyx mori), to systematically investigate the toxic effects of Hg-stress across its growth and development, histomorphology, antioxidant enzyme activities, and transcriptome responses. High doses of Hg exposure induced evident poisoning symptoms, markedly impeding the growth of silkworm larvae and escalating mortality in a dose-dependent manner. Under Hg exposure, the histomorphology of both the midgut and fat body exhibited impairments. Carboxylesterase (CarE) activity was increased in both midgut and fat body tissues responding to Hg treatment. Conversely, glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels increased in the fat body but decreased in the midgut. The transcriptomic analysis revealed that the response induced by Hg stress involved multiple metabolism processes. Significantly differently expressed genes (DEGs) exhibited strong associations with oxidative phosphorylation, nutrient metabolisms, insect hormone biosynthesis, lysosome, ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes, and ribosome pathways in the midgut or the fat body. The findings implied that exposure to Hg might induce the oxidative stress response, attempting to compensate for impaired metabolism. Concurrently, disruptions in nutrient metabolism and insect hormone activity might hinder growth and development, leading to immune dysfunction in silkworms. These insights significantly advance our theoretical understanding of the potential mechanisms underlying Hg toxicity in invertebrate organisms.
Impedance Learning-Based Hybrid Adaptive Control of Upper Limb Rehabilitation Robots
Authors: Jiang Zhenhua , Wang Zekai , Lv Qipeng , Yang Jiantao
Published: June 2024

This paper presents a hybrid adaptive control strategy for upper limb rehabilitation robots using impedance learning. The hybrid adaptation consists of a differential updating mechanism for the estimation of robotic modeling uncertainties and periodic adaptations for the online learning of time-varying impedance. The proposed hybrid adaptive controller guarantees asymptotical control stability and achieves variable impedance regulation for robots without interaction force measurements. According to Lyapunov’s theory, we proved that the proposed impedance learning controller guarantees the convergence of tracking errors and ensures the boundedness of the estimation errors of robotic uncertainties and impedance profiles. Simulations and experiments conducted on a parallel robot validated the effectiveness and the superiority of the proposed impedance learning controller in robot-assisted rehabilitation. The proposed hybrid adaptive control has potential applications in rehabilitation, exoskeletons, and some other repetitive interactive tasks.
Horticultural Irrigation Systems and Aquacultural Water Usage: A Perspective for the Use of Aquaponics to Generate a Sustainable Water Footprint
Authors: Schoor Mark , Arenas-Salazar Ana Patricia , Parra-Pacheco Benito , García-Trejo Juan Fernando , Torres-Pacheco Irineo , Guevara-González Ramón Gerardo , Rico-García Enrique
Published: June 2024

The expansion of food production is becoming more important due to a rising world population, which is relying on food security on regional and local scales. Intensive food production systems exert a negative impact on the regional ecosystem because of agrochemical pollution and nutrient-rich water discharging into nearby rivers. Furthermore, these systems highly depend on regional water resources, causing water scarcity and soil erosion due to the overexploitation of natural resources in general. The objective of this article is to review the water usage in the two most water-intensive food production systems, agriculture and aquaculture, showing lacking areas like system management and climate change, which must be considered in the implementation of a sustainable water footprint. In addition, the review includes an analysis of the combination of both production systems in aquaponic food production and the possibilities of water saving. There are a variety of analyses related to water usage for crop and aquatic animal production, but in these analyses, there is a lack of information about system management in general, which includes cleaning processes, water substitution, pond removal, water evaporation, and, especially in aquaculture, the water usage required for industrially elaborated fish feed.
Straw Return Substituting Potassium Fertilizer Increases Crop Yield, Efficiency, and Quality in Maize-Wheat Rotation System
Authors: Guo Jinhua , Jiang Peipei , Zhang Jun , Dong Shiyan , Tian Wenzhong , Li Junhong , Li Fang , Lv Junjie , Yao Yuqing , Hou Yuanquan , Wu Shanwei , Shaaban Muhammad , Huang Ming , Li Youjun
Published: June 2024

The application of potassium fertilizer application and straw return are effective agronomic measures for increasing crop productivity; however, information on how straw return—when substituting potassium fertilizer—affects crop yield, efficiency, and quality in dryland remains limited. In this study, an experiment on a dryland summer maize and winter wheat rotation system was initiated in 2007. This study included four treatments: CK (no fertilizer and no straw return), NP (nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application without straw return), NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer application without straw return), and NPS (NP treatment with straw return, substituting potassium fertilizer as used in the NPK treatment). These treatments were employed to assess grain yield and fertilizer agronomic efficiency in 2015–2020. Additionally, we evaluated the content of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), as well as the protein content and protein yield in maize and wheat grains and the protein components in wheat grains in 2019–2020. The results showed that compared to the CK treatment, NP, NPK, and NPS treatments not only significantly increased the yield, protein yield, and fertilizer agronomic efficiency in both maize and wheat but also increased the content of protein and protein components in wheat grains. Compared to the NP treatment, the NPK treatment significantly increased the contents of N, K, globulin, and gluten in wheat grains by 5.11%, 21.59%, 10.06%, and 15.14%. Compared to NPK treatment, NPS treatment significantly increased the average yield of summer maize by 21.33% and 20.91%, respectively, as well as the annual yield by 9.99% and 13.59%, the N fertilizer agronomic efficiency of summer maize by 132.47%, and the annual N and P fertilizer agronomic efficiency by 42.83% and 64.36%, over the five-year period. The NPS treatment also significantly increased the summer maize protein yield and annual protein yield by 10.43% and 23.08%, as well as the content of protein components, the protein content, and P content in wheat grains by 4.93–13.58%, 7.81%, and 28.89%, respectively. In conclusion, NPS treatment can not only enhance crop yield, protein yield, and fertilizer agronomic efficiency in summer maize annually but also has the advantage of promoting wheat quality. NPS is an efficient strategy to improve crop yield, efficiency, and quality in a dryland maize–wheat rotation system.