bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New-Materialist Reading of Disability, Senescence, and the Life-Course
Authors: Flynn Susan , Feely Michael
Published: December 2023

The purpose of this article is to provide a new-materialist theoretical commentary on disability, senescence, and the life-course. A critical literature review with deductive thematic analysis was undertaken using an electronic database search strategy. For analysis, theoretical conventions of new-materialism were deductively applied to literature. New-materialism offers an approach taken by disability studies scholars within critical disability studies and elsewhere. A hallmark of the approach is attempting to return to the focus traditionally given in disability theory to physical and material aspects of disability. This would include complex issues such as exploring the corporeality of impairment and what embodied selfhood means. The central argument is that new-materialism and critical disability studies can effectively illuminate the relationship between disability, senescence and the life-course. To substantiate this claim, we apply new-materialist theory to discuss various dimensions of disability, such as impairment and social justice, relevant to the end phase of the life-course.
“Just Us”: On the Haunting Pronouns of Partition
Authors: Sharma Ishanika
Published: December 2023

Abstract: This essay contributes to the ongoing dialogue concerning the traumatic breach and reach of the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan. It dwells on the compromised construction of communities before and after the constitution of India and Pakistan by deliberating on the fundamental rhetorical ambiguity that haunts Partition literature and scholarship. The article examines an under- discussed aspect of Aijaz Ahmad’s famous riposte to Fredric Jameson’s “Third-World Literature in the Era of Multinational Capitalism”—specifically, the use of first-person plural pronouns in Ahmad’s exploration of Urdu literature—to argue that his rhetoric elides the division of Hindu and Muslim communities after independence. Insisting on the ambiguity that inflects Ahmad’s argument allows this essay to underscore the stakes of understanding Partition as an unsettling and disorienting event that defies closure. The article deploys the spectral concept of “haunting” to suggest the ways in which postcolonial scholars and literature mourn the loss of more composite communities before the fissures produced by Partition.
An Adlerian Approach to Preventing Vicarious Trauma From Prolonged Exposure to Social Media
Authors: Shienko Lilya
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT: There is evidence to suggest that social media can have traumatizing effects on its viewers, particularly in areas of documented warfare, with direct effects on the average citizen in a country at war. Given social media’s ability to connect any place in the world today to any other, users can become immersed in global issues, including the reporting of news related to war. As social beings, individuals play different roles during times of warfare—they can create media to spread political messages, consume the media, or share the media—all of which essentially contribute to the consumption of a significant amount of war-related media. Any individual continuously exposed to such media has the potential to undergo psychological distress, such as vicarious trauma. This article outlines how media play a role in the impact of the invasion of Ukraine on its viewers’ mental health. Using an Adlerian lens, it also addresses methods for preventing vicarious trauma for social media users and leaders of social-media- oriented businesses through an exploration of values such as community feeling, Social Interest, goal-directedness, social justice, and alleviation of a sense of inferiority.
Workflow for modeling of generalized mid-spatial frequency errors in optical systems
Authors: DeMars Luke A. , Bauer Aaron , Stone Bryan D. , Rolland Jannick P. , Suleski Thomas J.
Published: December 2023

We propose a workflow for modeling generalized mid-spatial frequency (MSF) errors in optical imaging systems. This workflow enables the classification of MSF distributions, filtering of bandlimited signatures, propagation of MSF errors to the exit pupil, and performance predictions that differentiate performance impacts due to the MSF distributions. We demonstrate the workflow by modeling the performance impacts of MSF errors for both transmissive and reflective imaging systems with near-diffraction-limited performance.
Quantitative real-time phase microscopy for extended depth-of-field imaging based on the 3D single-shot differential phase contrast (ssDPC) imaging method
Authors: Wang Jingfan , Zhao Xing , Wang Yan , Li Da
Published: December 2023

Optical diffraction tomography (ODT) is a promising label-free imaging method capable of quantitatively measuring the three-dimensional (3D) refractive index distribution of transparent samples. In recent years, partially coherent ODT (PC-ODT) has attracted increasing attention due to its system simplicity and absence of laser speckle noise. Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) technologies represented by Fourier ptychographic microscopy (FPM), differential phase contrast (DPC) imaging and intensity diffraction tomography (IDT) need to collect several or hundreds of intensity images, which usually introduce motion artifacts when shooting fast-moving targets, leading to a decrease in image quality. Hence, a quantitative real-time phase microscopy (qRPM) for extended depth of field (DOF) imaging based on 3D single-shot differential phase contrast (ssDPC) imaging method is proposed in this research study. qRPM incorporates a microlens array (MLA) to simultaneously collect spatial information and angular information. In subsequent optical information processing, a deconvolution method is used to obtain intensity stacks under different illumination angles in a raw light field image. Importing the obtained intensity stack into the 3D DPC imaging model is able to finally obtain the 3D refractive index distribution. The captured four-dimensional light field information enables the reconstruction of 3D information in a single snapshot and extending the DOF of qRPM. The imaging capability of the proposed qRPM system is experimental verified on different samples, achieve single-exposure 3D label-free imaging with an extended DOF for 160 µm which is nearly 30 times higher than the traditional microscope system.
Demonstration of a terahertz integrated planar network synthesis filter
Authors: Dehghanian Ali , Haghighat Mohsen , Darcie Thomas , Smith Levi
Published: December 2023

At terahertz (THz) frequencies, there are few experimental works that demonstrate the viability of all-pole network synthesis filters to obtain desired frequency characteristics (i.e., Chebyshev, Butterworth, Bessel, etc.) using planar waveguides. This capability has been proven with non-planar waveguides, but has yet to be demonstrated using planar waveguides, which are desirable due to their integration capabilities similar to printed circuit board or monolithic microwave integrated circuit structures. In this paper, we use network synthesis methods from microwave engineering to fabricate three integrated planar low-pass filters for THz applications that have the same cut-off frequency (f
c
= 0.8 THz) but different orders (N = 3, 4, 5). We measure their response to a THz-bandwidth excitation pulse and find that the experimental results exhibit increasing roll-off rates with increasing filter order without incurring significant pulse distortion, which is aligned with theory.
The angular spectrum decomposition of vector laser beams: polarization control of the electromagnetic field vectors
Authors: Muys Peter
Published: December 2023

The angular spectrum representation as method to solve the electric vector Helmholtz equation in 3D is well known, in particular for beam propagation studies, where the field is predominantly directed along the optical axis. The inversion formulas then transform the electric field into its angular spectrum ( and vice versa). By using an intrinsic coordinate system instead of the usual 3D Cartesian system, we arrive at compact 2D inversion formulas as solutions.
Furthermore, next to the 2D intrinsic version, a 2D Cartesian version of the 3D field vectors is derived, by considering the fields in the 2D sections transverse to the optical axis. It is shown that this polarization representation is rigorously correct and simultaneously describes 3D fields without paraxial approximation .
The ability to switch between the field and its spectrum shows that studying polarization in the Fourier domain can be advantageous to studying it in the more familiar spatial domain.
The effects of weather and mobility on respiratory viruses dynamics before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA and Canada
Authors: Varela-Lasheras Irma , Perfeito Lilia , Mesquita Sara , Gonçalves-Sá Joana
Published: December 2023

The flu season is caused by a combination of different pathogens, including influenza viruses (IVS), that cause the flu, and non-influenza respiratory viruses (NIRVs), that cause common colds or influenza-like illness. These viruses exhibit similar dynamics and meteorological conditions have historically been regarded as a principal modulator of their epidemiology, with outbreaks in the winter and almost no circulation during the summer, in temperate regions. However, after the emergence of SARS-CoV2, in late 2019, the dynamics of these respiratory viruses were strongly perturbed worldwide: some infections displayed near-eradication, while others experienced temporal shifts or occurred “off-season”. This disruption raised questions regarding the dominant role of weather while also providing an unique opportunity to investigate the roles of different determinants on the epidemiological dynamics of IVs and NIRVs. Here, we employ statistical analysis and modelling to test the effects of weather and mobility in viral dynamics, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leveraging epidemiological surveillance data on several respiratory viruses, from Canada and the USA, from 2016 to 2023, we found that whereas in the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period, weather had a strong effect, in the pandemic period the effect of weather was strongly reduced and mobility played a more relevant role. These results, together with previous studies, indicate that behavioral changes resulting from the non-pharmacological interventions implemented to control SARS-CoV2, interfered with the dynamics of other respiratory viruses, and that the past dynamical equilibrium was disturbed, and perhaps permanently altered, by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Evaluation of sustainability of mycorrhizal industry development in Fujian Province-based on a combination of CRITIC empowerment method and cloud model
Authors: Li Xue-Yuan , Huang Sen-wei , Cai Zu-Mei , Hong Yue-Wei , Lin Qian
Published: December 2023

The sustainable development of mycorrhizal industry is the key to solve the problem of "mycorrhizal forestry contradiction". As a major province of edible mushroom production and forestry resources in China, Fujian Province is also an important origin of mycorrhizal technology research and development, so it is more typical and practical to establish an index system to evaluate the sustainability of mycorrhizal industry development in Fujian Province. Through research interviews and data collection, a sustainable capacity evaluation system of mycorrhizal industry was established with 21 indicators in six dimensions: economic, ecological, social, cultural, political, and technological. A combination of CRITIC empowerment method and cloud model was used to evaluate the sustainability of mycorrhizal industry development in Fujian Province. The results show that although the economic sustainability of the mycorrhizal industry in Fujian Province is average, the overall development trend is good and there are not too many problems. The sustainability of ecological, social and technological levels all have large differences in the development of indicators and the overall development status is average, but overall, the ecological, social and technological levels show a steady forward development from 2017 to 2020. The cultural and political dimensions of sustainability not only have large differences in the development of indicators and an average overall development status, but also have a small development span from 2017 to 2020 and a slow overall development.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rate of primary care visits for substance use among patients in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Siu Colin , Stephenson Ellen , Christie Chelsea D. , Selby Peter , Tu Karen
Published: December 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the prevalence of substance use presentations. This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rate of primary care visits for substance use including tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use among primary care patients in Ontario, Canada. Diagnostic and service fee code data were collected from a longitudinal cohort of family medicine patients during pre-pandemic (March 14, 2019-March 13, 2020) and pandemic periods (March 14, 2020-March 13, 2021). Generalized linear models were used to compare the rate of substance-use related visits pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. The effects of demographic characteristics including age, sex, and income quintile were also assessed. Relative to the pre-pandemic period, patients were less likely to have a primary care visit during the pandemic for tobacco-use related reasons (OR = 0.288, 95% CI [0.270–0.308]), and for alcohol-use related reasons (OR = 0.851, 95% CI [0.780–0.929]). In contrast, patients were more likely to have a primary care visit for other drug-use related reasons (OR = 1.150, 95% CI [1.080–1.225]). In the face of a known increase in substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease in substance use-related primary care visits likely represents an unmet need for this patient population. This study highlights the importance of continued research in the field of substance use, especially in periods of heightened vulnerability such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prevalence of overactive bladder in Chinese women: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Shaoming , Guo Chuan , Tai Shengcheng , Ding Hongxiang , Mao Dikai , Huang Jiaguo , Qian Biao
Published: December 2023

Background

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a significant public health issue that adversely affects the quality of life of patients and imposes a significant socioeconomic burden, with varying prevalence rates across study populations in Chinese women. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to estimate the prevalence of OAB in Chinese women.

Methods

Relevant published articles on the prevalence of OAB in Chinese women were searched through July 21, 2022, using PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, China Biology Medicine (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Data, and VIP databases. After the independent screening of articles, data extraction, and quality assessment of included studies by two investigators, a meta-analysis was performed using Stata 16.0 software, and the prevalence was determined using a random-effects model. To identify potential sources of heterogeneity, subgroup analyses were conducted with subgroup categories including age, Body Mass Index (BMI), region, and survey year. Publication bias was assessed by visually examining the funnel plot and Egger’s test.

Results

Twenty studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results of the random-effects model indicated that the prevalence of OAB in Chinese women was 14% (95% Confidence Interval: 9%–18%). The prevalence increased significantly in the past decade (from 8% in pre-2006 to 18% in 2016–2021). A prevalence (18%) was observed among women aged 31–40 compared with other age groups. The BMI range of 24–27.9 (18%) was higher than the other groups. Additionally, the prevalence of this BMI range was comparatively higher in North China and Southwest China (21%) than in Central China and East China. In addition, publication bias was observed.

Conclusions

OAB incidence has increased in Chinese women over the last two decades, affecting more than 20% of women aged 31–40 years and above. With the increasing prevalence of OAB, greater emphasis has been placed on implementing preventative and control measures.
Impact of azithromycin and nitazoxanide on the enteric infections and child growth: Findings from the Early Life Interventions for Childhood Growth and Development in Tanzania (ELICIT) trial
Authors: Guga Godfrey , Houpt Eric R. , Elwood Sarah , Liu Jie , Kimathi Caroline , Mosha Restituta , Temu Mariam , Maro Athanasia , Mujaga Buliga , Swai Ndealilia , Pholwat Suporn , McQuade Elizabeth T. R. , Mduma Esto R. , DeBoer Mark D. , Platts-Mills James
Published: December 2023

Background

Early childhood enteric infection with Shigella/EIEC, enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), Campylobacter, and Giardia has been associated with reduced child growth, yet a recent randomized trial of antimicrobial therapy to reduce these infections did not improve growth outcomes. To interrogate this discrepancy, we measured the enteric infections from this study.

Methods

We leveraged the Early Life Interventions for Childhood Growth and Development in Tanzania (ELICIT) trial, a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of antimicrobial therapy with azithromycin and nitazoxanide provided quarterly to infants from 6 to 15 months of age. We tested 5,479 stool samples at time points across the study for 34 enteropathogens using quantitative PCR.

Results

There was substantial carriage of enteropathogens in stool. Azithromycin administration led to reductions in Campylobacter jejuni/coli, enteroaggregative E. coli, and Shigella/EIEC (absolute risk difference ranged from -0.06 to 0.24) 2 weeks after treatment however there was no effect after 3 months. There was no difference in Giardia after nitazoxanide administration (ARR 0.03 at the 12 month administration). When examining the effect of azithromycin versus placebo on the subset of children infected with specific pathogens at the time of treatment, a small increase in weight-for-age Z score was seen only in those infected with Campylobacter jejuni/coli (0.10 Z score, 95% CI -0.01–0.20; length-for-age Z score 0.07, 95% CI -0.06–0.20).

Conclusion

The antimicrobial intervention of quarterly azithromycin plus or minus nitazoxanide led to only transient decreases in enteric infections with Shigella/EIEC, enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), Campylobacter, and Giardia. There was a trend towards improved growth in children infected with Campylobacter that received quarterly azithromycin.
The role of pulmonary rehabilitation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: An overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Song Shangyue , Feng Zhenzhen , Liu Wenrui , Li Jiansheng
Published: December 2023

Background

The role of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has been studied in several systematic reviews (SRs), but no definitive conclusions have been drawn due to the wide variation in the quality and outcomes of the studies. And there are no studies to assess the quality of relevant published SRs. This overview aims to determine the effectiveness of PR in patients with IPF and to summarize and critically evaluate the risk of bias, methodological, and evidence quality of SRs on this related topic.

Methods

With no language restrictions, eight databases were searched from inception to March 10, 2023. The literature search, screening, and data extraction were carried out separately by two reviewers. We assessed the risk of bias using the ROBIS tool, the reporting quality using PRISMA statements, the methodological quality using AMSTAR-2, and the evidence quality using Grades of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).

Results

Seven SRs from 2018–2023 (including 1836 participants) on PR for the treatment of IPF were selected, all of which included patients with a definitive diagnosis of IPF. After strict evaluation by the ROBIS tool and AMSTAR-2 tool, 42.86% of the SRs had a high risk of bias and 85.71% of the SRs had critically low methodological quality in this overview. PR might be effective for patients with IPF on exercise capacity, quality of life, and pulmonary function-related outcomes, but we did not find high quality evidence to confirm the effectiveness.

Conclusion

PR may appear to be an effective and safe treatment for patients with IPF, but the results of this overview should be interpreted dialectically and with caution. Further high-quality, rigorous studies are urgently needed to draw definitive conclusions and provide scientific evidence.
Study of molecular patterns associated with ferroptosis in Parkinson’s disease and its immune signature
Authors: Chen Lixia , Xin Guanghao , He Yijie , Tian Qinghua , Kong Xiaotong , Fu Yanchi , Wang Jianjian , Zhang Huixue , Wang Lihua
Published: December 2023

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the world. We downloaded data on Parkinson’s disease and Ferroptosis-related genes from the GEO and FerrDb databases. We used WCGAN and Random Forest algorithm to screen out five Parkinson’s disease ferroptosis-related hub genes. Two genes were identified for the first time as possibly playing a role in Braak staging progression. Unsupervised clustering analysis based on hub genes yielded ferroptosis isoforms, and immune infiltration analysis indicated that these isoforms are associated with immune cells and may represent different immune patterns. FRHGs scores were obtained to quantify the level of ferroptosis modifications in each individual. In addition, differences in interleukin expression were found between the two ferroptosis subtypes. The biological functions involved in the hub gene are analyzed. The ceRNA regulatory network of hub genes was mapped. The disease classification diagnosis model and risk prediction model were also constructed by applying hub genes based on logistic regression. Multiple external datasets validated the hub gene and classification diagnostic model with some accuracy. This study explored hub genes associated with ferroptosis in Parkinson’s disease and their molecular patterns and immune signatures to provide new ideas for finding new targets for intervention and predictive biomarkers.
Efficacy and safety profile of combining antiangiogenic agents with chemotherapy in patients with advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Tian Wei , Guo Qian , Fu Daidi , Ma Xiao , Wang Rui
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Several prospective trials had been reported on chemotherapy with or without antiangiogenic agents in patients with advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), with diverse results. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination regimen.

Methods

We systematically identified trials in several databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ASCO Abstracts and ESMO Abstracts. All the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about chemotherapy combined with antiangiogenic agents in advanced MPM were identified. Overall survival (OS) was the primary outcome, while progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR) and serious toxicities were the secondary outcomes. Review Manager 5.3 was used to perform the statistical analyses. Stata 12.0 was used to assess the publication bias of egger’s test.

Results

5 randomized controlled trials containing 1250 patients were finally included in this analysis. Statistical analyses showed that the addition of antiangiogenic agents to chemotherapy could prolong OS [HR 0.79 (0.71–0.89), p<0.0001] and PFS [HR 0.75 (0.68–0.84), p<0.00001] in advanced MPM, especially in the epithelioid subgroup, with a tolerable toxicity profile. No significant difference was found in the analysis of ORR [HR 1.13 (0.95–1.35), p = 0.18]. Heterogeneity was found in the analyses of PFS and ORR, which might be caused by the limitation in uniform evaluation of tumor response.

Conclusions

The combination of antiangiogenic agents with chemotherapy showed superior over chemotherapy alone in patients with advanced MPM. More prospective trials should be warranted to identify patients who would most likely benefit from the combination regimen.
Circulatory bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 8B is a non-invasive predictive biomarker for the diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Authors: Mounika Nadella , Yadav Angeera , Kamboj Parul , Banerjee Sanjay K. , Deka Utpal Jyoti , Kaur Savneet , Adela Ramu
Published: December 2023

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex disease which is characterized by the deposition of fats in the hepatocytes. Further, it progresses to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The increasing prevalence of NAFLD urges to find the non-invasive predictive biomarkers. In this study, we sought to determine increased BMP8B levels as predictors for the progression of NAFLD.

Methods

In the present cross-sectional study, circulatory BMP8B levels were measured in healthy controls (n = 56), NAFL patients (n = 72) and NASH patients (n = 77) by using an ELISA kit. Human hepatic BMP8B mRNA expression was measured in the liver tissue of control and NASH patients. In addition, BMP8B expression was confirmed by immunohistochemistry analysis. Furthermore, hepatic BMP8B mRNA expression was measured in wild type (WT) mice, WT mice fed with choline deficient high fat diet (WT+CDHF), iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) knockout (iNOS-/-) mice, iNOS-/- fed with CDHF diet (iNOS-/-+CDHF).

Results

Increased circulatory BMP8B levels and BMP8B mRNA expression in hepatic tissue were significantly higher in NASH patients as compared with the control subjects. BMP8B expression was increased parallel to the fibrosis score in the hepatic tissues of NASH patients. It was observed that increased BMP8B levels have shown a significant positive correlation between aspartate aminotransferase (r = 0.31, p = 0.005), alanine aminotransferase (r = 0.23, p = 0.045), APRI (r = 0.30, p = 0.009), and Fib-4 score (r = 0.25, p = 0.036) in NASH patients. BMP8B has maintained a significant association with NASH and shown high sensitivity (92.91%) and specificity (92.73%) in NASH patients. Furthermore, increased BMP8B mRNA expression levels were observed in iNOS-/-+CDHF mice.

Conclusion

Our study findings confirmed that BMP8B increases with the severity of the disease and BMP8B shows potential as a non-invasive predictive biomarker to identify NAFLD progression. However, future studies should investigate circulatory BMP8B levels in a large number of patients and also its impact on liver during NAFLD progression.
Social isolation-induced transcriptomic changes in mouse hippocampus impact the synapse and show convergence with human genetic risk for neurodevelopmental phenotypes
Authors: Laighneach Aodán , Kelly John P. , Desbonnet Lieve , Holleran Laurena , Kerr Daniel M. , McKernan Declan , Donohoe Gary , Morris Derek W.
Published: December 2023

Early life stress (ELS) can impact brain development and is a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia. Post-weaning social isolation (SI) is used to model ELS in animals, using isolation stress to disrupt a normal developmental trajectory. We aimed to investigate how SI affects the expression of genes in mouse hippocampus and to investigate how these changes related to the genetic basis of neurodevelopmental phenotypes. BL/6J mice were exposed to post-weaning SI (PD21-25) or treated as group-housed controls (n = 7–8 per group). RNA sequencing was performed on tissue samples from the hippocampus of adult male and female mice. Four hundred and 1,215 differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) at a false discovery rate of < 0.05 were detected between SI and control samples for males and females respectively. DEGS for both males and females were significantly overrepresented in gene ontologies related to synaptic structure and function, especially the post-synapse. DEGs were enriched for common variant (SNP) heritability in humans that contributes to risk of neuropsychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) and to cognitive function. DEGs were also enriched for genes harbouring rare de novo variants that contribute to autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disorders. Finally, cell type analysis revealed populations of hippocampal astrocytes that were enriched for DEGs, indicating effects in these cell types as well as neurons. Overall, these data suggest a convergence between genes dysregulated by the SI stressor in the mouse and genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and cognitive phenotypes in humans.
Perspectives on healthy eating practices and acceptance of WIC-approved foods among parents of young children enrolled in WIC
Authors: Hammad Nour M. , Kay Melissa C.
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The prevalence of childhood obesity remains high in the United States, particularly among children living in low-income households. Diet quality plays an important role in obesity prevention, particularly among mothers as they serve as role models. Those served by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) receive nutrient-rich foods aimed at increasing diet quality, yet redemption is low. Digital interventions targeting WIC parents show potential for behavior change and could be used for childhood obesity prevention.

Methods

This study describes the formative research conducted to understand perspectives on healthy eating practices, acceptance of WIC-approved foods, and preferences for the use of digital tools to improve the purchasing and consumption of WIC-approved foods to improve diet quality. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 WIC parents and caregivers.

Results

A variety of definitions for and misconceptions about healthy eating exist among WIC caregivers. Most purchased foods were fruits, vegetables, milk, cheese, and eggs and the least purchased foods were yogurt and peanut butter. The biggest facilitator for purchasing WIC-approved foods was the preference of children and caregivers, whereas the biggest barrier was children’s picky eating behaviors. Most caregivers reported using their phone to get nutrition information. Most caregivers reported their interest in receiving weekly text messages and indicated preferences about receiving recipes.

Conclusion

A text messaging program that includes sending weekly messages, recipes, and nutrition tips is hypothesized to improve diet quality and increase redemption of WIC-approved foods.
The p53 protein is a suppressor of Atox1 copper chaperon in tumor cells under genotoxic effects
Authors: Tsymbal Sergey , Refeld Aleksandr , Zatsepin Viktor , Kuchur Oleg
Published: December 2023

The p53 protein is crucial for regulating cell survival and apoptosis in response to DNA damage. However, its influence on therapy effectiveness is controversial: when DNA damage is high p53 directs cells toward apoptosis, while under moderate genotoxic stress it saves the cells from death and promote DNA repair. Furthermore, these processes are influenced by the metabolism of transition metals, particularly copper since they serve as cofactors for critical enzymes. The metallochaperone Atox1 is under intensive study in this context because it serves as transcription factor allegedly mediating described effects of copper. Investigating the interaction between p53 and Atox1 could provide insights into tumor cell survival and potential therapeutic applications in oncology. This study explores the relationship between p53 and Atox1 in HCT116 and A549 cell lines with wild type and knockout TP53. The study found an inverse correlation between Atox1 and p53 at the transcriptional and translational levels in response to genotoxic stress. Atox1 expression decreased with increased p53 activity, while cells with inactive p53 had significantly higher levels of Atox1. Suppression of both genes increased apoptosis, while suppression of the ATOX1 gene prevented apoptosis even under the treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs. The findings suggest that Atox1 may act as one of key elements in promotion of cell cycle under DNA-damaging conditions, while p53 works as an antagonist by inhibiting Atox1. Understanding of this relationship could help identify potential targets in cell signaling pathways to enhance the effectiveness of combined antitumor therapy, especially in tumors with mutant or inactive p53.
The nematicide emamectin benzoate increases ROS accumulation in Pinus massoniana and poison Monochamus alternatus
Authors: Liu Fengzhu , Su Shunde , Chen Jie , Xu Qinghua , Song Gaofei , Dong Yuguang , Jiang Xiangqing , Chen Daoshun , Fang Yu , Li Jian , Lin Chentao , Su Jun , Cai Shouping
Published: December 2023

Pine wilt disease (PWD) is caused by the pine wood nematode (PWN, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) and transmitted by a vector insect, the Monochamus alternatus. The PWN has caused much extensive damage to pine-dominated forest ecosystems. Trunk injection of emamectin benzoate (EB) has been found to be the most useful protective measure against the PWN, due to its low effective dose and long residence time in the field. However, the interactions between EB and the host or the environment remain largely unknown, which limits the efficacy and stability of EB in practical field settings. In this study, we investigated the impact on PWN from EB injection for both adult and young host plants (Pinus massoniana) by taking a multi-omics (phenomics, transcriptomics, microbiome, and metabolomics) approach. We found that EB injection can significantly reduce the amount of PWN in both living adult and young pine trees. Additionally, EB was able to activate the genetic response of P. massoniana against PWN, promotes P. massoniana growth and development and resistance to Pine wilt disease, which requires the presence of PWN. Further, the presence of EB greatly increased the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the host plant in a PWN-dependent manner, possibly by affecting ROS-related microbes and metabolites. Moreover, we uncovered the function of EB limiting the consumption of P. massoniana by the JPS. Based on biochemical and gut microbial data, we found that EB can significantly reduces cellulase activity in JPS, whose transcription factors, sugar metabolism, and the phosphotransferase system are also affected. These results document the impact of EB on the entire PWD transmission chain through multi-omics regarding the dominant pine (P. massoniana) in China and provide a novel perspective for controlling PWD outbreaks in the field.
OssaNMA: An R package for using information from network meta-analyses to optimize the power and sample allocation of a new two-arm trial
Authors: Ye Fangshu , Wang Chong , O’Connor Annette M.
Published: December 2023

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are designed for measuring the effectiveness of the treatments and testing a hypothesis regarding the relative effect between two or more treatments. Trial designers are often interested in maximizing power when the total sample size is fixed or minimizing the required total sample size to reach a pre-specified power. One approach to maximizing power proposed by previous researchers is to leverage prior evidence using meta-analysis (NMA) to inform the sample size determination of a new trial. For example, researchers may be interested in designing a two-arm trial comparing treatments A and B which are already in the existing trial network but do not have any direct comparison. The researchers’ intention is to incorporate the result into an existing network for meta-analysis. Here we develop formulas to address these options and use simulations to validate our formula and evaluate the performance of different analysis methods in terms of power. We also implement our proposed method into the R package OssaNMA and publish an R Shiny app for the convenience of the application. The goal of the package is to enable researchers to readily adopt the proposed approach which can improve the power of an RCT and is therefore resource-saving. In the R Shiny app, We also provide the option to include the cost of each treatment which would enable researchers to compare the total treatment cost associated with each design and analysis approach. Further, we explore the effect of allocation to treatment group on study power when the a priori plan is to incorporate the new trial result into an existing network for meta-analysis.
Potential diagnostic markers and biological mechanism for osteoarthritis with obesity based on bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Li Qiu , Tang Xijie , Li Weihua
Published: December 2023

Numerous observational studies have shown that obesity (OB) is a significant risk factor in the occurrence and progression of osteoarthritis (OA), but the underlying molecular mechanism between them remains unclear. The study aimed to identify the key genes and pathogeneses for OA with OB. We obtained two OA and two OB datasets from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. First, the identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and machine learning algorithms were used to identify key genes for diagnosing OA with OB, and then the nomogram and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were conducted to assess the diagnostic value of key genes. Second, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed to explore the pathogenesis of OA with OB. Third, CIBERSORT was created to investigate immunocyte dysregulation in OA and OB. In this study, two genes (SOD2, ZNF24) were finally identified as key genes for OA with OB. These two key genes had high diagnostic values via nomogram and ROC curve calculation. Additionally, functional analysis emphasized that oxidative stress and inflammation response were shared pathogenesis of OB and AD. Finally, in OA and OB, immune infiltration analysis showed that SOD2 closely correlated to M2 macrophages, regulatory T cells, and CD8 T cells, and ZNF24 correlated to regulatory T cells. Overall, our findings might be new biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets for OA and OB comorbidity.
A simple dissection method for the isolation of mouse trabecular meshwork cells
Authors: Binter Maximilian , Langer Fridolin , Hu Xiaonan , Lindziute Migle , Framme Carsten , Tode Jan , Fuchs Heiko
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The outflow pathway, especially trabecular meshwork (TM), plays an essential role in glaucoma, and the availability of TM cells is crucial for in vitro research. So far, the isolation of TM cells from mice has been anything but manageable due to the small size of the eye. Direct isolation using a stereomicroscope and forceps requires a high grade of dexterity. Indirect isolation is based on the phagocytic properties of TM cells and involves injecting magnetic microspheres into the anterior chamber of live mice followed by isolation. Therefore, a simpler, less expensive, and nonexperimental strategy for isolating mouse TM cells would be desirable.

Methods

After enucleation, the eyes were cut in half anterior-to-posteriorly. The lens and posterior segment were removed. Iris and the attached ciliary body were gently pulled backward and disconnected from the remaining tissue to expose the TM. By incising through the cornea anteriorly and posteriorly of the TM, the cornea/TM stripe could be isolated. The cornea/TM stripe was cultured with the pigmented side down in a 6-well. The outgrowing pigmented cells were analyzed by immunocytochemistry and mRNA expression for previously described TM cell markers. The phagocytic properties of the cells were additionally confirmed using fluorescent microspheres.

Results

Pigmented phagocytic cells were the first to grow out of the cornea/TM strips after approximately 4–7 days. Cells were positive for Collagen IV, Fibronectin1, Vimentin, and Actin alpha 2 and could phagocytize fluorescent microbeads. Cross-linked actin networks were visible after 9 days of exposure to TGFB2 (transforming growth factor-beta 2). Additionally, treatment with 500 nM Dexamethasone for one week increased myocilin expression, as previously reported for TM cells. In addition, we proved that this method can also be used in albino mice, which lack pigmentation of the trabecular meshwork.

Conclusions

The isolated cells show phagocytic properties and specific expression of markers reported in TM cells. Therefore, our dissection-based method is inexpensive and reproducible for isolating TM cells in mice.
The immune response of the whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) when parasitized by Eretmocerus eremicus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)
Authors: Contreras-Garduño Jorge , Torres-Enciso Pedro , Ramirez-Romero Ricardo
Published: December 2023

In insects, the innate immune system is subdivided into cellular and humoral defenses. When parasitoids attack insects, both reactions can be activated and notably, the phenoloxidase (PO) cascade and lytic activity are part of both cellular and humoral defenses. However, to our knowledge, no study has characterized any immune response of the whiteflyTrialeurodes vaporariorum(Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) to the attack ofEretmocerus eremicus(Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). Therefore, the first objective of the present study was to determine whether whitefly nymphs recently parasitized byE.eremicusexhibit any immune response. For this, we estimate the level of prophenoloxidase (proPO), phenoloxidase (PO), and lytic activity by colorimetric assays. A second objective was to assess whether the observed whitefly immune response could be related to a previously reported preference of the predatorGeocoris punctipes(Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) for non-parasitized nymphs. We therefore offered non-parasitized and recently parasitized nymphs to the predator. Our results show that parasitism of whitefly nymphs byE.eremicusinduced a highly estimated level of proPO and PO, and a lower level of lytic activity. In addition, we found thatG.punctipesdid not show a preference for non-parasitized over recently parasitized nymphs. The nymphs ofT.vaporariorumactivated the PO pathway againstE.eremicus; however, the increase in proPO and PO levels was traded-off with decreased lytic activity. In addition, the previously reported preference for non-parasitized nymphs was not seen in our experiments, indicating that the induced immune response did not affect predator behavior byG.punctipes.
Monitoring mobility in older adults using a Global Positioning System (GPS) smartwatch and accelerometer: A validation study
Authors: Beauchamp Marla , Kirkwood Renata , Cooper Cody , Brown Matthew , Newbold K. Bruce , Scott Darren ,   on behalf of the MacM3 team
Published: December 2023

There is growing interest in identifying valid and reliable methods for detecting early mobility limitations in aging populations. A multi-sensor approach that combines accelerometry with Global Positioning System (GPS) devices could provide valuable insights into late-life mobility decline; however, this innovative approach requires more investigation. We conducted a series of two experiments with 25 older participants (66.2±8.5 years) to determine the validity of a GPS enabled smartwatch (TicWatch S2 and Pro 3 Ultra GPS) and separate accelerometer (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT) to collect movement, navigation and body posture data relevant to mobility. In experiment 1, participants wore the TicWatchS2 and ActiGraph simultaneously on the wrist for 3 days. In experiment 2, participants wore the TicWatch Pro 2 Ultra GPS on the wrist and ActiGraph on the thigh for 3 days. In both experiments participants also carried a Qstarz data logger for trips outside the home. The TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS performed better than the S2 model and was similar to the Qstarz in all tested trip-related measures, and it was able to estimate both passive and active trip modes. Both models showed similar results to the gold standard Qstarz in life-space-related measures. The TicWatch S2 demonstrated good to excellent overall agreement with the ActiGraph algorithms for the time spent in sedentary and non-sedentary activities, with 84% and 87% agreement rates, respectively. Under controlled conditions, the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS consistently measured step count in line with the participants’ self-reported data, with a bias of 0.4 steps. The thigh-worn ActiGraph algorithm accurately classified sitting and lying postures (97%) and standing postures (90%). Our multi-sensor approach to monitoring mobility has the potential to capture both accelerometer-derived movement data and trip/life-space data only available through GPS. In this study, we found that the TicWatch models were valid devices for capturing GPS and raw accelerometer data, making them useful tools for assessing real-life mobility in older adults.
Disparities of health expenditure associated with the experience of admission in long-term care hospital among patients with colorectal cancer in South Korea: A generalized estimating equation
Authors: Lee Woo-Ri , Son Noorhee , Yoo Ki-Bong , Han Kyu-Tae
Published: December 2023

With rising concerns about the functional role of long-term care hospitals in the Korean medical system, this study aimed to observe the experience of admission in the long-term care hospitals and their association with medical expenditures among patients with colorectal cancer, and to investigate disparities among vulnerable populations. Data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Senior Cohort Database in South Korea for the period 2008–2019. With 6,305 patients newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer between 2008 and 2015, we conducted a regression analysis using the Generalized Estimating Equation model with gamma distribution to investigate the association between health expenditure and the experience of long-term care hospitals. We also explored the interaction effect of disability or income, followed by subgroup analysis. Among patients who received care at long-term care hospitals, the health expenditure within one year and five years after the incidence of colorectal cancer was found to be higher than in those who did not receive such care. It was observed that the low-income and disabled groups experienced higher disparities in health expenditure. The rise in health expenditure highlights importance for functional improvement, aligning with these initial purpose of long-term care hospitals to address the growing healthcare needs of the elderly population and ensure efficient healthcare spending, of long-term care hospitals. To achieve this original intent, it is imperative for government initiatives to focus on reducing quality gaps in long-term care hospital services and addressing cost disparities among individuals with cancer, including those with disabilities or low-income.
Mechanisms of pathogenicity for the emerging fungus Candida auris
Authors: Horton Mark V. , Holt Ashley M. , Nett Jeniel E.
Published: December 2023

Candida auris recently emerged as an urgent public health threat, causing outbreaks of invasive infections in healthcare settings throughout the world. This fungal pathogen persists on the skin of patients and on abiotic surfaces despite antiseptic and decolonization attempts. The heightened capacity for skin colonization and environmental persistence promotes rapid nosocomial spread. Following skin colonization, C. auris can gain entrance to the bloodstream and deeper tissues, often through a wound or an inserted medical device, such as a catheter. C. auris possesses a variety of virulence traits, including the capacity for biofilm formation, production of adhesins and proteases, and evasion of innate immune responses. In this review, we highlight the interactions of C. auris with the host, emphasizing the intersection of laboratory studies and clinical observations.