bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and application of a novel cervical lymph collection method to assess lymphatic transport in rats
Authors: Hoang Thu A. , Cao Enyuan , Gracia Gracia , Nicolazzo Joseph A. , Trevaskis Natalie L.
Published: January 2023

Background: Fluids, solutes and immune cells have been demonstrated to drain from the brain and surrounding structures to the cervical lymph vessels and nodes in the neck via meningeal lymphatics, nasal lymphatics and/or lymphatic vessels associated with cranial nerves. A method to cannulate the efferent cervical lymph duct for continuous cervical lymph fluid collection in rodents has not been described previously and would assist in evaluating the transport of molecules and immune cells from the head and brain via the lymphatics, as well as changes in lymphatic transport and lymph composition with different physiological challenges or diseases.

Aim: To develop a novel method to cannulate and continuously collect lymph fluid from the cervical lymph duct in rats and to analyze the protein, lipid and immune cell composition of the collected cervical lymph fluid.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were cannulated at the carotid artery with or without cannulation or ligation at the cervical lymph duct. Samples of blood, whole lymph and isolated lipoprotein fractions of lymph were collected and analyzed for lipid and protein composition using commercial kits. Whole lymph samples were centrifuged and isolated pellets were stained and processed for flow cytometry analysis of CD3+, CD4+, CD8a+, CD45R+ (B220) and viable cell populations.

Results: Flow rate, phospholipid, triglyceride, cholesterol ester, free cholesterol and protein concentrations in cervical lymph were 0.094 ± 0.014 mL/h, 0.34 ± 0.10, 0.30 ± 0.04, 0.07 ± 0.02, 0.02 ± 0.01 and 16.78 ± 2.06 mg/mL, respectively. Protein was mostly contained within the non-lipoprotein fraction but all lipoprotein types were also present. Flow cytometry analysis of cervical lymph showed that 67.1 ± 7.4% of cells were CD3+/CD4+ T lymphocytes, 5.8 ± 1.6% of cells were CD3+/CD8+ T lymphocytes, and 10.8 ± 4.6% of cells were CD3-/CD45R+ B lymphocytes. The remaining 16.3 ± 4.6% cells were CD3-/CD45- and identified as non-lymphocytes.

Conclusion: Our novel cervical lymph cannulation method enables quantitative analysis of the lymphatic transport of immune cells and molecules in the cervical lymph of rats for the first time. This valuable tool will enable more detailed quantitative analysis of changes to cervical lymph composition and transport in health and disease, and could be a valuable resource for discovery of biomarkers or therapeutic targets in future studies.
Effects of dietary pretreated Chinese herbal medicine supplementation on production performance, egg quality, uterine histopathological changes, and antioxidant capacity in late-phase laying hens
Authors: Yu Ao-Chuan , Wang Min-An , Chen Li , Long Cheng , Guo Yong , Sheng Xi-Hui , Wang Xiang-Guo , Xing Kai , Xiao Long-Fei , Ni He-Min , Li Jian-Tao , Qi Xiao-Long
Published: January 2023

Aims: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of pretreated Chinese herbal medicine (PCHM) on egg quality, production performance, histopathological changes in the uterus, antiox idant capacity, and antioxidant gene expression in late-phase layers.

Methods: Jinghong No.1 layers (n = 360, 68 weeks old) were assigned randomly to one of f our dietary interventions. Each treatment was replicated six times. Repeat 15 chickens per g roup. All birds were fed a diet composed of a corn-soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 0, 0.2, 0.4, or 0.8% PCHM for 6 weeks.

Results: Dietary PCHM supplementation had no significant effects on laying rate, feed con sumption, yolk color, and shape index. With increasing PCHM level the Haugh unit linearly increased (P < 0.05). Supplementation of 0.8% PCHM increased egg weight, compared with the control (P < 0.05). PCHM can effectively alleviated the pathological changes caused by aging in the uterus including hemorrhage, and many inflammatory cell infiltrations. Supplementation of 0.4% PCHM increased glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) in liver, magnum, and plasm considerably, compared with the control (P < 0.05). Supplementation of PCHM decr ease in the liver, magnum, and uterus on malondialdehyde (MDA) content, compared with the control (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, mRNA expressions of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), peroxidase 4 (GPX4), catalase (CAT), and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the magnum, liver, and uterus were dramatically rose in the 0.4% PCHM supplementation group (P < 0.05). In summary, dietary supplementation after PCHM increased egg weight and quality in late-phase laying hens.

Conclusion: Dietary PCHM increased the antioxidative capacity of late-phase laying hens, which could be associated with increased mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes and Nrf2. These findings provide potential for using PCHM to increase the production performance in late-phase laying hens.
New insights into the cortex-to-stele ratio show it to effectively indicate inter- and intraspecific function in the absorptive roots of temperate trees
Authors: Liu Xiangjuan , Du Yanjun , Ren Yin , Wang Siyuan , Wang Yan , Li Zhongyue , Wang Wenna
Published: January 2023

The cortex-to-stele ratio (CSR), as it increases from thin- to thick-root species in angiosperms, is theorised to effectively reflect a compensation for the ‘lag’ of absorption behind transportation. But it is still not known if this compensatory effect exists in gymnosperm species or governs root structure and function within species. Here, anatomical, morphological, and tissue chemical traits of absorptive roots were measured in three temperate angiosperm and three gymnosperm species. Differences in the CSR and the above functional traits, as well as their intraspecific associations, were analyzed and then compared between angiosperms and gymnosperms. At the intraspecific level, the CSR decreased with increasing root order for all species. The expected functional indication of the CSR was consistent with decreases in specific root length (SRL) and N concentration and increases in the C to N ratio (C:N ratio) and the number of and total cross-sectional area of conduits with increasing root order, demonstrating that the CSR indicates the strength of absorption and transportation at the intraspecific level, but intraspecific changes are due to root development rather than the compensatory effect. These trends resulted in significant intraspecific associations between the CSR and SRL (R2 = 0.36 ~ 0.80), N concentration (R2 = 0.48 ~ 0.93), the C:N ratio (R2 = 0.47 ~ 0.91), and the number of (R2 = 0.21 ~ 0.78) and total cross-sectional area (R2 = 0.29 ~ 0.72) of conduits in each species (p< 0.05). The overall mean CSR of absorptive roots in angiosperms was four times greater than in gymnosperms, and in angiosperms, the CSR was significantly higher in thick- than in thin-rooted species, whereas in gymnosperms, the interspecific differences were not significant (p > 0.05). This suggests that the compensation for the lag of absorption via cortex thickness regulation was stronger in three angiosperm species than in three gymnosperm species. In addition, there was poor concordance between angiosperms and gymnosperms in the relationships between CSRs and anatomical, morphological, and tissue chemical traits. However, these gymnosperm species show a more stable intraspecific functional association compared to three angiosperm species. In general, absorptive root CSRs could manifest complex strategies in resource acquisition for trees at both intra- and interspecific levels.
Biochar amendment alters root morphology of maize plant: Its implications in enhancing nutrient uptake and shoot growth under reduced irrigation regimes
Authors: Wan Heng , Liu Xuezhi , Shi Qimiao , Chen Yiting , Jiang Miao , Zhang Jiarui , Cui Bingjing , Hou Jingxiang , Wei Zhenhua , Hossain Mohammad Anwar , Liu Fulai
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Biochar amendment provides multiple benefits in enhancing crop productivity and soil nutrient availability. However, whether biochar addition affects root morphology and alters plant nutrient uptake and shoot growth under different irrigation regimes remain largely unknown.

Methods

A split-root pot experiment with maize (Zea mays L.) was conducted on clay loam soil mixed with 2% (w/w) of wheat-straw (WSP) and softwood (SWP) biochar. The plants were subjected to full (FI), deficit (DI), and alternate partial root-zone drying (PRD) irrigation from the fourth leaf to the grain-filling stage.

Results and discussion

The results showed that, compared to plants grown in unamended soils, plants grown in the biochar-amended soils possessed greater total root length, area, diameter, volume, tips, forks, crossings, and root length density, which were further amplified by PRD. Despite a negative effect on soil available phosphorus (P) pool, WSP addition improved soil available nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) pool and cation exchange capacity under reduced irrigation. Even though biochar negatively affected nutrient concentrations in shoots as exemplified by lowered N, P, K (except leaf), and Ca concentration, it dramatically enhanced plant total N, P, K, Ca uptake, and biomass. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the modified root morphology and increased soil available nutrient pools, and consequently, the higher plant total nutrient uptake might have facilitated the enhanced shoot growth and yield of maize plants in biochar-added soils. Biochar amendment further lowered specific leaf area but increased leaf N concentration per area-to-root N concentration per length ratio. All these effects were evident upon WSP amendment. Moreover, PRD outperformed DI in increasing root area-to-leaf area ratio. Overall, these findings suggest that WSP combined with PRD could be a promising strategy to improve the growth and nutrient uptake of maize plants.
Island-sensitivity of two different interpretations of why in Chinese
Authors: Kim Nayoun , Li Ziying , Lu Jiayi
Published: January 2023

It has been assumed that thewh-elementweishenme“why” in Chinese has two distinct interpretations: a reason reading, which typically yieldsyinwei“because”-answers, and a purpose reading, which typically triggersweile“in order to”-answers. It is claimed that the two interpretations differ in island sensitivity: the reasonweishenmeis sensitive to islands while the purposeweishenmeis not. Assuming that the reasonweishenmeis awh-adverb without finer internal structure, while the purposeweishenmeis awh-PP consisting of the prepositionwei“for” and awh-DPshenme“what,” this contrast in island sensitivity can be considered as an instance of a broader generalization: the so-called argument-adjunct asymmetry (or the DP-adverb asymmetry) ofwh-in-situisland sensitivity. However, recent experimental studies provided mixed findings on whether the argument-adjunct asymmetry ofwh-in-situisland sensitivity actually holds. The current study focuses on the two interpretations ofweishenme“why/for what” in Chinese, and provides evidence using a formal acceptability judgment experiment that the twoweishenmes are both sensitive to islands, contrary to previous generalizations. Our results provide further empirical challenge to the so-called argument-adjunct asymmetry ofwh-in-situisland sensitivity.
Self-leadership as an attribute of service leadership: Its relationship to well-being among university students in Hong Kong
Authors: Shek Daniel T. L. , Zhu Xiaoqin , Dou Diya , Tan Lindan
Published: January 2023

Introduction

In the scientific literature, although conceptual models and empirical evidence have shown that leadership attributes are intimately linked to the well-being of followers, there is a lack of studies focusing on leadership in the service economy. According to the Service Leadership Theory, service leadership is a process that satisfies the needs of self, others, and systems (teams, organizations, communities, and societies) in ethical ways that is characterized by leadership competence, character, and care. With specific reference to self-leadership emphasized in service leadership, higher levels of service leadership attributes should promote personal well-being. However, the relationships between “service leadership attributes” and “well-being” in leaders at the intrapersonal level in leadership education among Chinese university students are rarely examined.

Methods

In this study, we collected data from 198 students to understand the linkages between “service leadership attributes” and “well-being” in university students taking a course on service leadership. For tracking changes in students, we collected both pretest and posttest data on validated measures of “service leadership attributes” (i.e., “knowledge,” “attitude,” and “behavior”) and “well-being” (i.e., “positive youth development attributes” and “life satisfaction”).

Results

Results showed that the posttest scores on all three domains of “service leadership attributes” as well as two dimensions of “well-being” encompassing life satisfaction and positive youth development attributes were higher than the respective pretest scores, suggesting that students experienced a shift in a positive direction after taking the course. Cross-lagged analyses showed that pretest service leadership attitude and behavior predicted posttest positive youth development attributes; pretest service leadership behavior predicted posttest life satisfaction. Pretest life satisfaction also predicted posttest service leadership behavior.

Discussion

Findings suggest that there is an intimate relationship between “service leadership attributes” and “well-being” in the “pre-work” context among university students.
Ataque de nervios: The impact of sociodemographic, health history, and psychological dimensions on Puerto Rican adults
Authors: Roche-Miranda Marcos I. , Subervi-Vázquez Alisha M. , Martinez Karen G.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Ataque de nervios (ADN) is a cultural syndrome prevalent in Puerto Ricans characterized as an episode of intense emotional upset due to overwhelming stress.

Methods

The Ataque de Nervios Questionnaire, developed at the Center for the Study and Treatment for Fear and Anxiety (CETMA), served as the diagnostic tool for this retrospective secondary data analysis. We evaluated three models regarding ADN’s function as a marker of (1) sociodemographic vulnerability, (2) health history risk, and (3) psychological vulnerability. This last model was subdivided to assess the scores of screening tests regarding anxiety (Anxiety Sensitivity Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), affect (Beck Depression Inventory, Emotional Dysregulation Scale, Positive and Negative Affective Schedule), personality (NEO Five-Factor Inventory), and trauma (considering the responses to the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Life Event Checklist).

Results

Our study sample had a total of 121 Puerto Rican adult patients from CETMA out of which 75% had ADN. We differentiated subjects according to their ADN status with t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests and evaluated our models using logistic regressions. People with ADN showed more anxiety, depressive symptoms, emotional dysregulation, and negative affect than those without ADN. They also revealed lower positive affect and agreeableness. Highly extraverted but minimally agreeable personalities related to ADN. Living with a partner and being employed were risk factors for ADN. Having higher educational levels showed the strongest effect size: it greatly reduced the odds of an ataque.

Discussion

These characteristics suggest a distinct profile of ADN seen in employed, educated, adult Puerto Ricans living on the Island experiencing anxiety. Our study provides clinical tools to comprehend our patients’ ADN experience, enriching our practice as culturally competent health providers.
Classic psychedelics do not affect T cell and monocyte immune responses
Authors: Rudin Deborah , Areesanan Alexander , Liechti Matthias E. , Gründemann Carsten
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Classic psychedelics have been shown to exert therapeutic potential for the treatment of various psychiatric disorders, neuropsychiatric diseases, and neuronal damage. Besides their psychopharmacological activity, psychedelics have been reported to modulate immune functions. There has thus far been a sparse exploration of the direct immune-modulating effect of psychedelics on human immune cells in vitro. Since T cells are key mediators of several immune functions, inhibition of their function would increase the risk of infections.

Methods

We investigated the effect of the classic psychedelics lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocin, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and mescaline on the proliferation and stimulated cytokine release of primary human T lymphocytes and on the stimulated NF-κB induction of monocytes.

Results

We did not observe any relevant direct immune-modulatory effects of the tested classic psychedelics in either cell line.

Discussion

We concluded that LSD, psilocin, DMT, or mescaline did not directly stimulate the proliferation or cytokine secretion of primary human T lymphocytes or stimulate NF-κB induction of monocytes. Our findings support the future safe use of classic psychedelics in assisted psychotherapy in patients with life-threatening diseases where immune suppression and diminished immune function would be detrimental.
Effect of childhood maltreatment on cognitive function and its relationship with personality development and social coping style in major depression disorder patients: A latent class model and network analysis
Authors: Wang Xiao , Li Xinrong , Zhao Juan , Du Xinzhe , Li Junxia , Zhao Wentao , Li Jing , Liu Sha , Xu Yong
Published: January 2023

Study objectives

The study aimed to (1) analyze the interrelationships among different types of childhood adversity, diverse personality dimensions, and individual coping style integratively among major depressive disorder (MDD) patients and healthy participants using a network approach; (2) explore the latent class of child maltreatment (CM) and its relationship with cognitive function.

Methods

Data were collected from the Objective Diagnostic Markers and Personalized Intervention in MDD Patients (ODMPIM) study, including 1,629 Chinese participants. Using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire to assess CM, the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire to measure individual coping style, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised-Short Form for personality characters, and a series of neurocognitive tests, including seven tests with 18 subtests for cognitive assessments. We used the “Network Module” in Jeffreys’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP) and R package for network analysis. A latent class analysis was performed with SAS9.4.

Results

Child maltreatment was more common in MDD patients than in healthy controls, except for emotional abuse. Network analysis showed that emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical abuse, and physical neglect formed quadrangle connections. Personality dimensions were associated with physical neglect and emotional abuse. All types of CM (excluding sex abuse) showed an association with coping style. Emotional neglect showed the highest centrality measures. Physical neglect had a high level of closeness. To a concerning strength, emotional and physical neglect showed the highest levels. The structure of the networks is variant between groups (M = 0.28, P = 0.04). Latent class analysis (LCA) revealed that three classes provided the best fit statistics. Neglect and abuse classes tended to perform more poorly on the five cognitive domains.

Conclusion

This study provided insights on multi-type of CM. Neglect played an important role in different routes through the relation between CM with personality traits and social coping style. However, neglect has often been ignored in previous studies and should receive more public attention.
The impact of climate change and biodiversity loss on the health of children: An ethical perspective
Authors: Williams Phoebe C. M. , Beardsley Justin , Isaacs David , Preisz Anne , Marais Ben J.
Published: January 2023

The reality of human induced climate change is no longer in doubt, but the concerted global action required to address this existential crisis remains inexcusably inert. Together with climate change, biodiversity collapse is increasingly driving the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, the consequences of which are inequitable globally. Climate change is regressive in its nature, with those least responsible for destroying planetary health at greatest risk of suffering the direct and indirect health consequences. Over half a billion of the world's children live in areas vulnerable to extreme weather events. Without immediate action, the health of today's children and future generations will be compromised. We consider the impact of biodiversity collapse on the spread of infectious diseases and outline a duty of care along a continuum of three dimensions of medical ethics. From a medical perspective, the first dimension requires doctors to serve the best interests of their individual patients. The second dimension considers the public health dimension with a focus on disease control and cost-effectiveness. The neglected third dimension considers our mutual obligation to the future health and wellbeing of children and generations to come. Given the adverse impact of our ecological footprint on current and future human health, we have a collective moral obligation to act.
Should more attention be paid to polio sequela cases in China?
Authors: Zang Jiancheng , Feng Longfei , Wang Jichao , Wang Xiaonan , Li Kun , Zhai Xiaomei
Published: January 2023

Since “Global Polio Eradication Initiative” was launched by World Health Assembly in 1988, the incidence rate of polio has been reduced by more than 99%, and the whole world has entered a post polio era nowadays. China has been a polio free status recognized by World Health Organization for 22 years and most people believe that no more public health concerns need to be given. How is the population of polio survivors in China? What strategies of health economics and actions of public health for those with polio are ethically appropriate? This article, first of all, deeply summarizes and analyzes the history, current situation and unmet needs of population with polio sequelae and post-polio syndrome in China, and then, puts forward important issues faced by polio survivors who natural infected and who due to vaccine associated paralytic polio and vaccine derived poliovirus. The management of polio survivor is not only a medical and rehabilitation problem involving accessibility, accommodations, but also a public health issue, and most importantly, an ethical concern. Furthermore, from the perspective of ethics such as Justice and Cooperation, the author demonstrates the rationality and necessity of continuing to pay more attention to polio sequela cases at this stage in China. Finally, many valuable suggestions and practical recommendations are given.
Prevalence and correlates of sexual harassment in professional service firms
Authors: Hardies Kris
Published: January 2023

Background

Despite their significance, limited research has been conducted on sexual harassment in professional service firms (PSFs).

Methods

Survey data were gathered from 321 Belgian employees (155 women, 166 men) of global accounting and law firms. The prevalence of sexual harassment in PSFs based on traditional sexual harassment items and not-man-enough harassment items was reported. Correlations of respondents' experiences with workplace sexual harassment with perceived acceptance of sexual harassment by one's peers (social norms), personality traits, and demographic and job-related factors were examined.

Results

Experiences of workplace sexual harassment were widespread in the current sample: 88.5% of women and 83.3% of men experienced at least once or twice some form of sexual harassment at work during the past 24 months. The most frequent types of sexual harassment reported are examples of (verbal) forms of gender harassment. Instances of traditional harassment were experienced equally often by men and women, while not-man-enough harassment was much more frequently experienced by women. Severe physical sexual harassment was less frequent. Workplace sexual harassment is positively correlated with perceived acceptance of sexual harassment by one's peers and negatively with job level.

Conclusions

Results of the current study align with research that links workplace sexual harassment with workplace culture and suggest that both men and women in PSFs experience enforcement of gender roles. It seems quintessential for firms to create working environments and cultures in which sexual harassment is clearly and unambiguously condemned and sanctioned.
Investigating the spatio-temporal variation of hepatitis A in Korea using a Bayesian model
Authors: Jeong Jaehong , Kim Mijeong , Choi Jungsoon
Published: January 2023

Hepatitis A is a water-borne infectious disease that frequently occurs in unsanitary environments. However, paradoxically, those who have spent their infancy in a sanitary environment are more susceptible to hepatitis A because they do not have the opportunity to acquire natural immunity. In Korea, hepatitis A is prevalent because of the distribution of uncooked seafood, especially during hot and humid summers. In general, the transmission of hepatitis A is known to be dynamically affected by socioeconomic, environmental, and weather-related factors and is heterogeneous in time and space. In this study, we aimed to investigate the spatio-temporal variation of hepatitis A and the effects of socioeconomic and weather-related factors in Korea using a flexible spatio-temporal model. We propose a Bayesian Poisson regression model coupled with spatio-temporal variability to estimate the effects of risk factors. We used weekly hepatitis A incidence data across 250 districts in Korea from 2016 to 2019. We found spatial and temporal autocorrelations of hepatitis A indicating that the spatial distribution of hepatitis A varied dynamically over time. From the estimation results, we noticed that the districts with large proportions of males and foreigners correspond to higher incidences. The average temperature was positively correlated with the incidence, which is in agreement with other studies showing that the incidences in Korea are noticeable in spring and summer due to the increased outdoor activity and intake of stale seafood. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to suggest a spatio-temporal model for hepatitis A across the entirety of Korean. The proposed model could be useful for predicting, preventing, and controlling the spread of hepatitis A.
Towards applying the essential public health functions for building health systems resilience: A renewed list and key enablers for operationalization
Authors: Zhang Yu , McDarby Geraldine , Seifeldin Redda , Mustafa Saqif , Dalil Suraya , Schmets Gerard , Azzopardi-Muscat Natasha , Fitzgerald James , Mataria Awad , Bascolo Ernesto , Saikat Sohel
Published: January 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change-related events, protracted conflicts, economic stressors and other health challenges, call for strong public health orientation and leadership in health system strengthening and policies. Applying the essential public health functions (EPHFs) represents a holistic operational approach to public health, which is considered to be an integrated, sustainable, and cost-effective means for supporting universal health coverage, health security and improved population health and wellbeing. As a core component of the Primary Health Care (PHC) Operational Framework, EPHFs also support the continuum of health services from health promotion and protection, disease prevention to treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative services. Comprehensive delivery of EPHFs through PHC-oriented health systems with multisectoral participation is therefore vital to meet population health needs, tackle public health threats and build resilience. In this perspective, we present a renewed EPHF list consisting of twelve functions as a reference to foster country-level operationalisation, based on available authoritative lists and global practices. EPHFs are presented as a conceptual bridge between prevailing siloed efforts in health systems and allied sectors. We also highlight key enablers to support effective implementation of EPHFs, including high-level political commitment, clear national structures for institutional stewardship on EPHFs, multisectoral accountability and systematic assessment. As countries seek to transform health systems in the context of recovery from COVID-19 and other public health emergencies, the renewed EPHF list and enablers can inform public health reform, PHC strengthening, and more integrated recovery efforts to build resilient health systems capable of managing complex health challenges for all people.
Sex difference in the associations among obesity-related indices with incidence of diabetes mellitus in a large Taiwanese population follow-up study
Authors: Chung Tung-Ling , Liu Yi-Hsueh , Wu Pei-Yu , Huang Jiun-Chi , Chen Szu-Chia
Published: January 2023

Background

Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes mellitus (DM), which is in turn a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and stroke. As few studies have investigated sex differences in the association between obesity and incidence of DM, the aim of this longitudinal study was to explore this issue in a large group of Taiwanese participants.

Methods

A total of 24,346 participants were enrolled in this study, of whom 8,334 (mean age, 50.6 ± 11.0 years) were male and 16,012 (mean age, 50.5 ± 10.1 years) were female. The following obesity-related indices were studied: body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body roundness index, conicity index (CI), body adiposity index, abdominal volume index, lipid accumulation product (LAP), and visceral adiposity index (VAI).

Results

The analysis showed significant associations between all of these indices with incidence of DM (all p < 0.001). In the male participants, the strongest predictors for incidence of DM were LAP (AUC = 0.692), WHtR (AUC = 0.684), and WHR (AUC = 0.683). In the female participants, the strongest predictors were LAP (AUC = 0.744), WHtR (AUC = 0.710) and VAI (AUC = 0.710), followed by BRI (AUC = 0.708).

Conclusion

Strong associations were found between the studied obesity-related indices and incidence of DM, and sex differences were found. Hence, to better control DM, reducing body weight may be beneficial in addition to lifestyle modifications, diet control, and pharmacological interventions.
Are female scientists underrepresented in self-retractions for honest error?
Authors: Ribeiro Mariana D. , Mena-Chalco Jesus , Rocha Karina de Albuquerque , Pedrotti Marlise , Menezes Patrick , Vasconcelos Sonia M. R.
Published: January 2023

Retractions are among the effective measures to strengthen the self-correction of science and the quality of the literature. When it comes to self-retractions for honest errors, exposing one's own failures is not a trivial matter for researchers. However, self-correcting data, results and/or conclusions has increasingly been perceived as a good research practice, although rewarding such practice challenges traditional models of research assessment. In this context, it is timely to investigate who have self-retracted for honest error in terms of country, field, and gender. We show results on these three factors, focusing on gender, as data are scarce on the representation of female scientists in efforts to set the research record straight. We collected 3,822 retraction records, including research articles, review papers, meta-analyses, and letters under the category “error” from the Retraction Watch Database for the 2010–2021 period. We screened the dataset collected for research articles (2,906) and then excluded retractions by publishers, editors, or third parties, and those mentioning any investigation issues. We analyzed the content of each retraction manually to include only those indicating that they were requested by authors and attributed solely to unintended mistakes. We categorized the records according to country, field, and gender, after selecting research articles with a sole corresponding author. Gender was predicted using Genderize, at a 90% probability threshold for the final sample (n = 281). Our results show that female scientists account for 25% of self-retractions for honest error, with the highest share for women affiliated with US institutions.
Semen parameters and male reproductive potential are not adversely affected after three or more months of recovery from COVID-19 disease
Authors: Stigliani Sara , Massarotti Claudia , Bovis Francesca , Maccarini Elena , Anserini Paola , Scaruffi Paola
Published: January 2023

Background

The male reproductive system may be a potential target for SARS-CoV-2 since the presence of ACE and TMPRS2 receptors. After a first report of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen of COVID-19 patients, several papers reported that SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in the semen. However, some evidences indicated that COVID-19 disease could impair semen parameters. During the infection, or in a short period after, a reduction in sperm concentration and motility and an increase in DNA fragmentation were observed, even in asymptomatic patients. There is no conclusive data exploring whether this damage changes with time. We investigated whether COVID-19 disease has a negative impact on semen parameters and male reproductive potential after recovery.

Methods

In this longitudinal retrospective study, we enrolled 20 men who had COVID-19 disease. We compared sperm parameters in samples collected before COVID-19 and after infection (8.3 ± 4.8 months). We also evaluated the reproductive potential in pre- and post-COVID-19 infertility treatments of 8 self-controlled couples as well as in 40 cycles after COVID-19 infection of the male partner.

Results

For most patients, we obtained results of more than one semen analysis before and after COVID-19. After adjusting for age, days of sexual abstinence, frequency of ejaculations and presence of fever, we found no significant difference over time in any semen parameter. The interval between COVID-19 infection and subsequent infertility treatments was 10.7 ± 7.5 months. There were no differences in the embryological and clinical outcomes of infertility treatments performed before and after male infection. One couple obtained a single pregnancy in the post COVID-19 IUI. Normal fertilization (65%), cleavage (99%) and blastocyst development (40%) rates in treatments performed after male infection were within the expected range of competencies. A total of 5 singleton and 1 twin clinical pregnancies were obtained, and 6 healthy children were born. A total of 10 blastocysts have been cryopreserved.

Conclusion

Our data are reassuring that COVID-19 disease has no negative effect on semen quality and male reproductive potential when semen samples are collected three months or more after infection.
The 3Ps: A tool for coach observation
Authors: Taylor Jamie , MacNamara Áine , Collins Dave
Published: January 2023

There is growing recognition of the value of “in situ” coach development practice across a variety sporting contexts. Unfortunately, however, there remains a limited number of tools available with which to observe coaching practice. In this study, we pilot and test a quasi-systematic tool for observation in the form of the 3Ps. Drawing on a range of representational perspectives, the theoretically neutral labels of “procedure”, “planning”, and “process” were developed for the purpose of holistic observation. In order to test the tool, a group of experienced coach development practitioners (n = 10) integrated the tool into their practice over a 12-month programme of professional development. Those participants subsequently took part in semi-structured interviews, in which they expressed a strong sense of acceptability, perceiving effectiveness and positive opportunity cost. We propose that the 3Ps tool presents a holistic and practically useful means of observing coaches’ professional judgment and decision making. We also suggest future directions for the researcher who seeks to generate evidence in a naturalistic coaching context.
Functional outcomes of tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using a hindfoot arthrodesis nail in treating Charcot's arthropathy deformity
Authors: Bajuri Mohd Yazid , Manas Ammar Muizuddin , Zamri Kamarul Syarazi
Published: January 2023

Background

Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis or hindfoot fusion is a salvage surgical option used to treat symptomatic or severe deformity as a result of Charcot’s arthropathy. It is an internal fixation that utilizes nails to stabilize the hindfoot after surgical correction of the deformity. This study intends to measure the change in functional outcomes of patients with Charcot's arthropathy using this technique and the time taken to achieve fusion.

Method

This study presents a series of 40 cases of Charcot's arthropathy where hindfoot fusion was done using a hindfoot arthrodesis nail. A retrospective analysis was done where these patients’ functional scores had been evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively (serially) with the Short-Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), and Foot Function Index (FFI). Along with its complication, the length of time required for the fusion is also reported.

Results

This study consists of 40 patients (13 men, 27 women; mean age 60.5 years; age range 52–68 years) with a mean follow-up of 64 months (range 24–108 months). The mean time taken for fusion was 5.1 months. All patients showed improvement in functional scoring (SF-36, AOFAS, FFI, and FAOS) postoperatively. We establish that the improvements were gradual over 2 years. Approximately 37.5% of patients had a minor complication and 2.5% had a major complication.

Conclusion

Hindfoot fusion using a hindfoot arthrodesis nail results in improved functional outcome with an acceptable fusion time and acceptable complication rate.

Level of evidence

Level III.
Mechanism Affecting the Performance and Stability of a Centrifugal Impeller by Changing Bleeding Positions of Self-Recirculating Casing Treatment
Authors: Zhang Haoguang , Jing Fengyu , Li Qi , Wang Hao , Chu Wuli
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to investigate the influence of the bleeding position of a self-circulating casing on the aerodynamic performance of a transonic centrifugal compressor. Three types of self-circulating structures with the bleeding positions of 11% Ca (the axial chord length of the blade tip), 14% Ca and 20% Ca from the leading edge of the blade were studied by using the numerical simulation method, with the Krain impeller taken as the research object. It was found that all three types of self-recirculating casing treatments can expand the stable operating range of the impeller, and that at medium and small flow rates, the total pressure ratio and efficiency of the impeller increase gradually with the backward movement of the bleeding position. The self-circulating casing treatment can restrain the development of tip leakage vortex, reduce the blockage area, and improve the stability of the impeller by sucking low-energy fluid. The farther back the bleeding position is, the greater the bleeding mass flow rate of the self-circulating casing for the low-energy fluid in the blade-tip passage becomes. Additionally, a greater inhibition effect on the tip leakage vortex, and a better effect of improving the performance and stability of the impeller, can be obtained. The best air bleeding position is 20% Ca, but it is not directly above the blade-tip blockage center of the solid wall casing passage. Instead, it is downstream of the blockage area.
Synthesis and Development of N-2,5-Dimethylphenylthioureido Acid Derivatives as Scaffolds for New Antimicrobial Candidates Targeting Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Positive Pathogens
Authors: Kavaliauskas Povilas , Grybaitė Birutė , Vaickelionienė Rita , Sapijanskaitė-Banevič Birutė , Anusevičius Kazimieras , Kriaučiūnaitė Agnė , Smailienė Gabrielė , Petraitis Vidmantas , Petraitienė Rūta , Naing Ethan , Garcia Andrew , Mickevičius Vytautas
Published: January 2023

The growing antimicrobial resistance to last-line antimicrobials among Gram-positive pathogens remains a major healthcare emergency worldwide. Therefore, the search for new small molecules targeting multidrug-resistant pathogens remains of great importance. In this paper, we report the synthesis and in vitro antimicrobial activity characterisation of novel thiazole derivatives using representative Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains, including tedizolid/linezolid-resistant S. aureus, as well as emerging fungal pathogens. The 4-substituted thiazoles 3h, and 3j with naphthoquinone-fused thiazole derivative 7 with excellent activity against methicillin and tedizolid/linezolid-resistant S. aureus. Moreover, compounds 3h, 3j and 7 showed favourable activity against vancomycin-resistant E. faecium. Compounds 9f and 14f showed broad-spectrum antifungal activity against drug-resistant Candida strains, while ester 8f showed good activity against Candida auris which was greater than fluconazole. Collectively, these data demonstrate that N-2,5-dimethylphenylthioureido acid derivatives could be further explored as novel scaffolds for the development of antimicrobial candidates targeting Gram-positive bacteria and drug-resistant pathogenic fungi.
The Distribution and Impact Characteristics of Small-Scale Carbon Emissions in the Chengdu–Chongqing Region
Authors: Chen Xin , Qin Jialing , Yao Jian , Yang Zhishan , Li Xuedong
Published: January 2023

In order to realize low-carbon and high-quality development, this study took the carbon emissions of each district and county in the Chengdu–Chongqing region from 2005 to 2017 as the research object and used the spatial autocorrelation model to analyze the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of carbon emissions in the counties of the Chengdu–Chongqing region, so as to fill in the research blank of carbon emissions in the counties of the Chengdu–Chongqing region. Then, the geographical detector model is used to explore the interaction among influencing factors of carbon emissions and reveal the time changes and regional differences of influencing factors, so as to improve the lack of spatial and temporal heterogeneity of influencing factors of carbon emissions by geographical detector. The results show the following: (i) The overall carbon emissions of counties show a year-on-year growth trend with the main urban areas of Chengdu and Chongqing as the core, but the growth rate slows down after 2010. (ii) The carbon emissions showed a significant positive spatial autocorrelation, and the neighboring counties showed a spatial clustering characteristic of “high-high” or “low-low”, and the clustering status tended to be enhanced. (iii) The carbon emissions are strongly influenced by industrial structure, economic development, investment level, financial situation, urbanization rate and social consumption, and their interactions are all enhanced, but the influence mostly tends to rise first and then fall. (iv) County carbon emissions can be divided into four types of geographical types, such as population size influencing type, urbanization rate influencing type, economic development influencing type and industrial structure influencing type. Therefore, a variety of factors need to be considered comprehensively, a multi-pronged approach, and a comprehensive policy to realize low-carbon transformation in the Chengdu–Chongqing region.
Deep Learning-Based Medical Images Segmentation of Musculoskeletal Anatomical Structures: A Survey of Bottlenecks and Strategies
Authors: Bonaldi Lorenza , Pretto Andrea , Pirri Carmelo , Uccheddu Francesca , Fontanella Chiara Giulia , Stecco Carla
Published: January 2023

By leveraging the recent development of artificial intelligence algorithms, several medical sectors have benefited from using automatic segmentation tools from bioimaging to segment anatomical structures. Segmentation of the musculoskeletal system is key for studying alterations in anatomical tissue and supporting medical interventions. The clinical use of such tools requires an understanding of the proper method for interpreting data and evaluating their performance. The current systematic review aims to present the common bottlenecks for musculoskeletal structures analysis (e.g., small sample size, data inhomogeneity) and the related strategies utilized by different authors. A search was performed using the PUBMED database with the following keywords: deep learning, musculoskeletal system, segmentation. A total of 140 articles published up until February 2022 were obtained and analyzed according to the PRISMA framework in terms of anatomical structures, bioimaging techniques, pre/post-processing operations, training/validation/testing subset creation, network architecture, loss functions, performance indicators and so on. Several common trends emerged from this survey; however, the different methods need to be compared and discussed based on each specific case study (anatomical region, medical imaging acquisition setting, study population, etc.). These findings can be used to guide clinicians (as end users) to better understand the potential benefits and limitations of these tools.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of BioMed in 2022
Authors:   BioMed Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
On Approximating the pIC50 Value of COVID-19 Medicines In Silico with Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Baressi Šegota Sandi , Lorencin Ivan , Kovač Zoran , Car Zlatan
Published: January 2023

In the case of pandemics such as COVID-19, the rapid development of medicines addressing the symptoms is necessary to alleviate the pressure on the medical system. One of the key steps in medicine evaluation is the determination of pIC50 factor, which is a negative logarithmic expression of the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). Determining this value can be a lengthy and complicated process. A tool allowing for a quick approximation of pIC50 based on the molecular makeup of medicine could be valuable. In this paper, the creation of the artificial intelligence (AI)-based model is performed using a publicly available dataset of molecules and their pIC50 values. The modeling algorithms used are artificial and convolutional neural networks (ANN and CNN). Three approaches are tested—modeling using just molecular properties (MP), encoded SMILES representation of the molecule, and the combination of both input types. Models are evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R2) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) in a five-fold cross-validation scheme to assure the validity of the results. The obtained models show that the highest quality regression (R2¯=0.99, σR2¯=0.001; MAPE¯=0.009%, σMAPE¯=0.009), by a large margin, is obtained when using a hybrid neural network trained with both MP and SMILES.