bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of stigma on mental health and quality of life of infertile women: A systematic review
Authors: Xie Yue , Ren Yue , Niu Changmin , Zheng Ying , Yu Ping , Li Lin
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The stigma of not giving birth to children affects approximately 53. 08~64% of female infertility patients worldwide. This stigma not only causes harm to the mental health of these infertility patients, but also affects their quality of life, making them bear the adverse social consequences such as domestic violence, marriage breakdown, or even delay in receiving the treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of the patients' stigma and effective intervention in alleviating it.

Aims/Question

This study aims to discuss and summarize the stigma in infertile women and its impact on patients, and to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment and nursing intervention of disease stigma in infertile female patients.

Methods

The literature search used four English databases (Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PubMed) and two Chinese databases (CNKI and Wanfang). The search time of the literature ranges from the establishment of the library to 2022, with no language restriction.

Results

The review included 28 studies, with 20 cross-sectional studies and 8 qualitative studies. This study found that social support, living environment, education level, occupation, and fertility awareness were the major influencing factors of infertility stigma.

Conclusions

Infertility stigma can bring heavy mental pressure and psychological burden to female infertility patients and affect their quality of life. Therefore, effective and targeted psychological interventions should be developed to reduce the patients' stigma and improve their quality of life.

Implications for practice

Healthcare workers must develop targeted nursing interventions, provide professional counseling services to reduce the level of stigma in female infertility patients, alleviate fertility stress, and improve their quality of life.
Interaction in acting training and its different manifestations in novice and professional actors
Authors: Sun Jingyan , Okada Takeshi
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to identify the characteristics of interactions during acting training and the underlying intrapersonal changes evoked by a training process that emphasizes paying attention to a partner (the Meisner technique). This was operationalized by conducting a post-hoc analysis and categorizing the utterances made by novice and professional actors during acting training based on video and audio recordings. In Study 1, novice participants tended to change their way of communication as the course progressed, decreasing the number of utterances that simply described the partner’s behavior and increasing those that speculated about the partner’s inner state. We then used a different focus placed on the interaction, as implied by the different kinds of utterances used, to describe the divergences between novice and professional actors regarding their interaction characteristics. In Study 2, results showed that while professional actors devoted themselves more to the connection with their partner and demonstrated more balanced communication, novice actors relied on general inference to speculate about others’ affective states. By comparing the characteristics of the utterances between novice and professional actors as they played different roles or made switches (i.e., changing from passive to active utterance in communication), this study suggests that an important impact of acting training on social abilities relates to its potential to increase the levels of involvement in on-going interactions.
Effectiveness of a program for the development of socio-emotional competences in people admitted to a penitentiary center
Authors: Granados Lucía , Suriá Raquel , Perea Carles , Payá Claudio , Sánchez-Pujalte Laura , Aparisi David
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effectiveness of a program for the development of social and emotional competences and self-esteem among a group of inmates at a penitentiary center, as well as to determine the possible correlation between the variables of the program (social skills, emotional competences, and self-esteem). The objective was to equip inmates with social competences in emotional regulation strategies that would be useful to them in the penitentiary center and, at the same time, facilitate their future social inclusion. In order to measure the pre- and post- treatment variables, the Social Skills Scale, the Perceived Emotional Intelligence Scale (TMMS-24), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) were administered to a group of 51 inmates in a penitentiary center. The experimental group consisted of 29 inmates, with 21 forming the control group. The pretest-posttest ANOVAs showed that the program led to a significant (p < 0.01) increase in: (1) positive social behaviors; (2) emotional competences; (3) self-esteem. Positive correlations were also observed between the three variables. The results suggest the importance of implementing programs for the promotion of the socio-emotional development of people incarcerated in penitentiary centers.
Improving oral health of children in four Balkan countries: A qualitative study among health professionals
Authors: Karamehmedovic Enes , Petersen Poul Erik , Agdal Maren L. , Virtanen Jorma I.
Published: January 2023

Data from the WHO show that the oral health situation for children in the Balkan region of Europe is poor. This study aims to identify obstacles that prevent the implementation of an effective oral health program for children in the Balkan area. The study investigates the challenges that people encounter in increasing awareness, attending to dental care, and complying with examinations.

Methods

This qualitative study targeted experts in preventive dentistry and oral health promotion in four countries in the Balkan region. Purposive sampling was used to recruit the participants. Data were collected in 2021 using individual in-depth interviews with participants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia. The study applied the thematic analysis method.

Results

The experts reported four main challenges that hindered the implementation of a prevention program and regular patient attendance: (1) lack of knowledge, (2) the exclusion of oral health from overall health, (3) organization of services, and (4) skepticism of fluoride. The participants identified knowledge gaps among the general population, dental staff, and other health professionals regarding the prevention of oral diseases.

Conclusion

The findings of this study may be used to promote and improve oral health among children in the identified areas and to benefit people in the region and elsewhere. This study sheds light on the existing barriers in a region where people lack information.
MagnEtophoretic Slider Assay (MeSA): A simple platform for point-of-care diagnostics
Authors: Call Zachary D. , Dolence Alli , Boes Jason , Henry Charles S.
Published: January 2023

Infectious diseases account for millions of deaths each year. To reduce the number of infectious disease related deaths, diagnostic testing needs to be more accessible to patients in low-income countries as well as developed countries. Current diagnostic methods involve centralized laboratories, trained personnel, and are time-intensive, limiting translation to the point-of-care (POC). Microfluidic devices are a popular alternative for diagnostics due to reduced assay times, reduced sample volume, and lower cost. Microfluidic devices are small (<10 cm) and can perform complex assays. Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPADs) are a popular approach to help translate diagnostics to the POC but historically suffer from poor sensitivity when compared to established laboratory methods. Magnetically labeling analytes allows samples to be sorted resulting in improved sensitivity and specificity. Microfluidic magnetophoresis is the process of manipulating magnetic particles in a magnetic field and offers the ability to wash and concentrate a sample during flow. However, until recently, magnetophoresis has not been used in conjunction with µPADs because magnetophoresis requires complex and expensive instrumentation to control flow. Coupling magnetophoresis with µPADs enables pump-free flow control, simple operation, and low cost. Early magnetophoresis µPADs showed detection limits similar to traditional methods but higher than targets for clinical use. In this work, we demonstrate a novel, simple MagnEtophoretic Slider Assay (MeSA) that is free of any external instrumentation and offers a new platform for POC diagnostics. We demonstrate the assay’s capability through biotin competitive assays and a sandwich immunoassay for E. coli detection. The calculated limit of detection for E. coli was 1.62 × 103 Colony Forming Units per mL (CFU/ml). The work described is a novel and simple microfluidic platform that has potential for a wide range of future applications.
Èquipe, community, traditional values, and reproductive rights
Authors: Corvino Isabella , D'Andrea Fabio
Published: January 2023

Gender stereotypes still surround women's reproductive health for several reasons. Moreover, in the last 20 years, women's access to essential reproductive healthcare is becoming an issue contributing to inequality and exacerbating different kinds of violence (cultural and structural). The patriarchal system, intimate partner violence, and traditional cultural and conservative values have a huge impact on women's access to contraceptive information, services, and induced abortion. Gender-based human rights violation has a higher impact on those women who are part of a minority or suffer a marginalized social or economic condition. In the present article, the behavior of migrant women's networks is examined as a case study when they come into contact with the health and care sector with the aim to highlight how, in the context of childbirth, they can suffer discriminatory and violent treatment by the community and groups that defend conservative and traditional values due to the exercise of reproductive rights. The investigated context was the Careggi Hospital in Florence, Italy, but in further investigation, the research will take place in different medium-sized cities such as Terni and Perugia. The chosen methodology was that of second-level sources and qualitative interviews with the health personnel who usually deals with these women (two focus groups involving 11 persons of the hospital équipe). This article has two aims: (1) to present the conflict between community behavior and the right to reproductive health and (2) to discuss aspects of IPV as degrading or violent treatment due to the exercise of reproductive rights. The main finding underlined the importance of considering the link between rights, identity, culture, and relationships with the community.
Nitrogen fertilizer driven nitrous and nitric oxide production is decoupled from microbial genetic potential in low carbon, semi-arid soil
Authors: McDonald Mark D. , Lewis Katie L. , DeLaune Paul B. , Hux Brian A. , Boutton Thomas W. , Gentry Terry J.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emission from soil is a major concern due to its contribution to global climate change and its function as a loss mechanism of plant-available nitrogen (N) from the soil. This is especially true in intensive agricultural soils with high rates of N fertilizer application such as those on the semi-arid Southern High Plains, USA.

Methods

This study examined emissions of N2O, pore-space concentrations of N2O and nitric oxide (NO), soil chemical properties, water content, and the genetic potential for N cycling five years after conservation system and N management implementation.

Results

For these semi-arid soils with low N, carbon, and water contents, large soil N2O emissions (up to 8 mL N2O-N m-2 day-1) are directly related to the application of N fertilizer which overwhelms the N2O reducing capacity of the soil. When this fertilizer N is depleted, N2O flux is either low, non-existent, or net-negative and has been observed as early as mid-season for preplant applied N fertilizer (-0.1 mL N2O-N m-2 day-1). Soil pore-space gas concentrations (N2O and NO) remained relatively constant across the growing season (average N2O: 0.78 µL N2O L-1 soil air; NO: 3.3 µL NO L-1 soil air, indicating a base-level of N-cycle activity, but was not directly related to surface emissions of N2O which decreased across the growing season. In addition, genetic potential for N cycle activities increased across the growing season simultaneously with stagnant/reduced N cycle activity. This reflects the difficulty in relating genetic potential to in-situ activity in field research.

Conclusion

It is likely that in a nutrient and carbon-poor soil, such as the semi-arid agricultural soil in this study, the microbial processes associated with N cycling are mostly limited by inorganic-N and less directly related to genetic potential at the time of sampling.
Transformative learning to promote transformative evaluation of food system praxis
Authors: Otieno Dickson , Niewolny Kim , Archibald Thomas , Schenk Todd , Nunoo Nicole
Published: January 2023

Evaluation ideally plays an important role in determining the value and impact of community food system initiatives and movements, providing recommendations for informed decision-making, learning, and programmatic adjustments. Given that community food system work is characterized by critical praxis rooted in deconstructing dominant epistemologies and addressing social and systemic injustices—including discourses and practices from agroecology, food justice, and food sovereignty movements—simple, technical-rationalist approaches to evaluation are inadequate and inappropriate. In parallel with recent developments in critical food system work, the field of evaluation has evolved toward more critical and transformative approaches—including Culturally Responsive and Equitable Evaluation, indigenous evaluation, feminist evaluation, all generally regrouped within the framework of the transformative evaluation paradigm. At the nexus of these trends, to meet the rising demand for critical evaluative thinkers ready to grapple with the complex, dynamic, and contested questions of community food system praxis evaluation, there is a need to equip emerging evaluators with the requisite knowledge of evaluation approaches. To be ready to be critically reflective evaluators, in food system praxis and beyond, the next generation of emerging evaluators must engage fruitfully and in practically wise ways with the complex and contested aspects of critical food system work. Reflecting on the burgeoning literature on evaluator education and evaluation capacity building (ECB), and given the centrality of critical praxis and transformation in both food system work and evaluation alike, we posit that transformative learning theory has a potential role to play in preparing evaluators to meet these challenges. As such, the purpose of this conceptual paper is to highlight the intersections between critical evaluation approaches and critical food system praxis, and propose transformative learning theory as one way to help emerging evaluators prepare to meaningfully grasp and engage with the complexities manifest at this nexus of critical food evaluation praxis.
Integrative analysis of microRNA-320a-related genes in osteoarthritis cartilage
Authors: Peng Hao , Lin Haibin
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To investigate microRNA-320a-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and pathways in osteoarthritis (OA) by bioinformatic analysis.

Methods

The target genes of microRNA-320a were searched and collected from MiRTarBase microRNA Targets dataset, the TargetScan Predicted Nonconserved microRNA Targets dataset and the TargetScan Predicted Conserved microRNA Targets dataset. OA-related microRNAs and OA-related target genes were collected from GeneCards databases. The pathway enrichment analysis of miRNAs ware performed by Funrich analysis tool. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis was obtained from Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). GeneMANIA and STRING are used for protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Module analysis was performed by Cytoscape.

Results

A total of 176 OA related miRNAs were searched and collected for enrichment analysis, and microRNA-320a was one of OA related miRNAs. Enrichment pathway and analysis of 1721 miRNA-320a-related target genes from MiRTarBase and TargetScan were performed using the online tools Metascape. And results shown that the biological processes were remarkably enriched in chromatin organization, cellular response to DNA damage stimuli, mRNA metabolic process, protein ubiquitination, and regulation of cell adhesion. And then we analysed miRNA-320a-targeted OA genes via KEGG, GO enrichment and PPI Network. Our results showed that miRNA-320a played a role in OA through FoxO signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, focal adhesion, MAPK signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway and cellular senescence. And we speculate that MAPK signaling pathway plays a key role in the effect of miRNA-320a on OA.

Conclusion

This study implied microRNA-320a-related DEGs and dysregulated pathways in OA. The aim is to screen miRNA-320a-related genes and pathways in OA and, eventually, to improve the understanding of underlying mechanisms of miRNA-320a in OA.
Management of liver trauma by laparoscopy using infrahepatic inferior vena cava partial clamping: A case report
Authors: Zhang Dan , Tan Ming-Da , Zheng Ming-You , Wang Huai-Zhi , Xiao Lin-Kang
Published: January 2023

Liver trauma with hemodynamic instability is extremely dangerous. Exploratory surgery after fluid resuscitation is a potentially effective method to save lives. Although there have been great advances in laparoscopic techniques for hepatectomy, laparoscopy is rarely used for liver trauma. According to our previous experience, laparoscopic infrahepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) clamping was a safe and effective technique to reduce central venous pressure (CVP) and control bleeding during hepatectomy. In this article, we described a case of grade V liver trauma that had been managed by an entirely laparoscopic approach using infrahepatic IVC partial clamping, outlining the technique of laparoscopy for liver trauma and the postoperative outcomes.
Case report and literature review: Primary leiomyosarcoma of the bone in the trochanteric region of the femur
Authors: Wu Zhonghan , Cheng Li , Cao Qiliang , Ye Shuming , Yu Shuisheng , Sun Min , Jing Juehua
Published: January 2023

Background

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the bone (LMSB) is an extremely rare, invasive, and highly destructive primary osteosarcoma with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Only a few case reports of LMSB have been described because of its rarity. Therefore, clinicians have a limited understanding of its diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, and the final diagnosis depends on histopathological findings. In this report, we describe a rare case of primary LMSB in the trochanteric region of the femur. Reporting this case may increase the dissemination and understanding of information regarding LMSB and provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of similar cases.

Case presentation

A 63-year-old woman presented with pain and limited movement of the left hip, which had lasted for 3 months, with no history of trauma or illness. Plain radiography and computed tomography revealed a solitary osteolytic lesion in the trochanteric area of the left femur with focal cortical destruction. Magnetic resonance imaging findings suggested invasion of the lesion into the bone cortex, forming a soft tissue mass, although no distant positive findings were observed on a whole-body bone scan. A bone tumor puncture biopsy was performed to obtain a final diagnosis, and histopathological evaluation revealed left femoral intertrochanteric leiomyosarcoma, classified as G1T2M0 and staged as IB (extracompartmental low-grade malignant) according to the Enneking staging system. Thus, we performed extensive debridement and left hip arthroplasty. Postoperative chemotherapy was administered, and the patient was followed up for 4 years. Four years later, the patient's left hip pain had resolved, joint activity was good, and no signs of recurrence or distant metastasis of the bone tumor were noted.

Conclusion

For proximal femoral Enneking stage IB LMSB, extensive tumor resection combined with tumor prosthesis replacement may be an effective treatment method to prolong the patient's lifespan and to restore joint function.
Case Report: A report on the countermeasures after the rupture of the scalp venous indwelling needle catheter in 12 cases
Authors: Zhong Haiyan , Wang Mengze , Gui Yang , Yang Lei , Zhao Qianhao
Published: January 2023

As a substitute for a scalp needle, the intravenous indwelling needle is easy to operate and easy to use. it is not only conducive to the rescue of critically ill children, improves nursing efficiency, but also avoids pain caused by repeated venipuncture. However, cases of indwelling needle catheter breaking and remaining in scalp vessels are rarely reported. This study collected 12 cases of scalp vein indwelling needle rupture and retention in scalp vessels in our center from January 2012 to January 2022. It was found that there were 7 males and 5 females, with an average age of 19.17 ± 8.96 months. The average length of the severed end was 15.00 ± 1.54 mm. In 8 cases, the catheter was broken during the haircut, and in 2 cases, the wall structure was damaged and broken after repeated folding of the catheter. In 2 cases, the children did not cooperate during extubation, the head twisted violently and the catheter was broken.5 cases tried to extract it by manipulation and hemostatic forceps, of which 4 cases were successful, and 1 case was successfully removed after the completion of three-dimensional computerized tomography (3D-CT) imaging positioning. The remaining 7 cases were removed by operation, and the success rate of the first operation was 100% in 4 cases who chose 3D-CT. The other 3 cases chose ordinary CT plain scan positioning, the success rate of the first operation was 66.6%, and one child was successfully removed after the second operation after the failure of the operation plus 3D-CT scan positioning. All the children were in stable condition after the operation and were discharged smoothly. When the broken catheter is relatively shallow and the scalp is not completely closed, we could choose the preliminary positioning of B-ultrasound or ordinary CT, and then try to remove it by manual squeezing combined with hemostatic forceps. However B-ultrasound and ordinary CT could not meet the requirements of accurate location, 3D-CT has a very important localization value for surgery, which can improve the success rate and help successfully remove the ruptured catheter.
Age and metabolic syndrome are associated with unsatisfactory improvement in nocturia after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate
Authors: Lv Kaikai , Wu Yangyang , Huang Shuai , Luo Zhenjun , Lai Wenhui , Meng Qingyang , Xia Xinze , Lv Chao , Hao Xiaowei , Song Tao , Yuan Qing
Published: January 2023

Objective

To investigate the association between age, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and improvement in nocturia in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) receiving holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP).

Methods

The retrospective study was conducted on patients treated for BPH using HoLEP between January 2021 and May 2022. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were measured before surgery and at 3 months postoperatively using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). The criteria of the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) were adopted to diagnose the MetS. Unsatisfactory improvement in nocturia was defined as <50% reduction in nocturia from baseline on the IPSS.

Results

One hundred and seventy-five patients were eventually enrolled, with a median age of 69 years (IQR: 63/73). Unsatisfactory improvement in nocturia was reported in 95 patients (54%) after HoLEP. These patients were older (73; IQR: 67/79 vs. 66; IQR: 60/71, P < 0.001) and more likely to present with higher postoperative total (6; IQR: 4/9 vs. 3; IQR:2/5, P < 0.001), voiding (1; IQR: 0/3 vs. 1; IQR: 0/2, P = 0.017), and storage (4; IQR: 3/6 vs. 2; IQR: 1/4, P < 0.001) IPSS when compared to patients with satisfactory improvement in nocturia. Overall, 63 of 175 (36%) patients were diagnosed with MetS and of these, 44 (70%) reported unsatisfactory improvement in nocturia (P = 0.002) after HoLEP. Multivariate analysis revealed that age (OR = 1.117, 95% CI: 1.068–1.169, P < 0.001) and MetS (OR = 3.613, 95% CI: 1.727–7.562, P = 0.001) were independent risk factors for unsatisfactory improvement in nocturia after HoLEP.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that increased age and MetS were associated with unsatisfactory improvement in nocturia in patients with BPH after HoLEP. Lifestyle management, including weight loss, may be of great importance in the improvement of nocturia.
The application of three-dimensional printed patient-specific drilling templates for expansive open-door laminoplasty: A single-center, prospective randomized controlled study
Authors: Huang Kangkang , Pan Xuelin , Wen Yuting , Wang Beiyu , Ding Chen , Wu Tingkui , Rong Xin , Liu Hao
Published: January 2023

Background

The choice of trough position in Expansive open-door laminoplasty (EOLP) mostly relied on bony landmarks and surgeons’ experience. The present study was to validate the efficacy of the three-dimensional (3D) printed patient-specific drilling templates with the function of locating and depth control for EOLP.

Materials and Methods

A single-center, prospective randomized controlled study was conducted on the patients who underwent unilateral EOLP from August 2019 to December 2020. The 3D printed patient-specific drilling template was fabricated and used in the template group. All the EOLP were performed by a senior surgeon and a junior surgeon. The clinical outcomes and radiographic results were evaluated.

Results

A total of 37 patients who completed the 12-month follow-up were analyzed. The clinical outcomes were significantly improved after surgery in both groups (P < 0.05). The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were significantly lower in the template group at 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). The anteroposterior diameter, Pavlov's ratio and Open angle were all higher in the template group than those in the control group at 3 days and 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). The satisfaction of the trough position on both sides and incomplete fracture rate on the hinge side were higher in the template group based on the CT scans taken 3 days after surgery (P < 0.05). To the junior surgeon, the satisfaction and the incomplete fracture rate were significantly higher in the template group compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The application of 3D printed patient-specific drilling templates with the function of locating and depth control for EOLP could improve the outcome of neck pain relief and expand the decompression. It can also improve the satisfaction of the trough position on the open-door side and the hinge side and decrease the complete fracture rate on the hinge side, especially for the junior surgeon.
Natural history of Echinococcus granulosus microcyst development in long term in vitro culture and molecular and morphological changes induced by insulin and BMP-4
Authors: Derakhshani Ali , Mousavi Seyed Mohammad , Rezaei Masoud , Afgar Ali , Keyhani Ali Reza , Mohammadi Mohammad Ali , Dabiri Shahriar , Fasihi Harandi Majid
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by the cestode Echinococcus granulosus is a disease of worldwide public health and economic importance. The determinants and underlying cellular mechanisms of CE development and fate in intermediate hosts are largely unknown. Hormones and cytokines such as insulin and BMP-4 are the key players in the development, differentiation, and apoptosis. In this study, we evaluated the long term natural history of E. granulosus microcysts in an vitro setting and the molecular and morphological changes induced by the growth factors, insulin and BMP4 during the development of metacestode stage of E. granulosus.

Methods

E. granulosus protoscoleces were cultivated and the parasite development was followed in the long term mono-phasic culture for 105 days and the morphometric, molecular and immunohistochemical changes were evaluated, including the microcysts number and size, microcysts development and deformation rates as well as the markers of calcification (Alizarin Red staining) and apoptosis (BAX, BCL2, Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and TNF-α expression) in the microcysts. Also the biological, histological and molecular consequences of insulin and BMP-4 treatment on the parasite development were evaluated.

Results

Insulin and BMP-4 treatment of microcysts resulted in significant increase in microcyst formation, increased size, reduced apoptosis and deformation of the microcysts. Alizarin red staining of the microcysts treated with the insulin and BMP-4 confirmed that calcium deposition is significantly lower than the untreated microcysts. Also Alizarin Red staining and Immunohistochemistry of the microcysts indicates that calcium accumulation in deformed microcysts is higher than the normal ones on day 105. The microcysts began to wrinkle and the germinal layer was partially detached from the laminated layer on day 84.

Conclusion

Results of the present study suggest that the degenerative changes in hydatid cysts can be slowed down by insulin and BMP-4, indicating that cellular factors and host hormones could contribute to the longevity of hydatid cysts. Significant evidences are provided suggesting that the microcysts cultivated in vitro can undergo calcification and apoptotic processes similar to what have been observed in the natural hydatid infection in the intermediate hosts.
Beta-glucans induce cellular immune training and changes in intestinal morphology in poultry
Authors: Bar-Dagan Hadar , Gover Ofer , Cohen Natalie Avital , Vetvicka Vaclav , Rozenboim Israel , Schwartz Betty
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Beta-glucans are known as biological response modifiers due to their ability to activate the immune system. This research aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of feeding beta-glucans from various sources on the immune status and intestinal morphology of chickens.

Methods

To this end we used in vitro and in vivo set-ups. In the in vitro set-up the chicken macrophage cell line HD-11 was used to measure the response of the chicken immune cells to beta-glucans extracted from algae and mushrooms on immune-related gene expression and associated activities. Additionally, we conducted two in vivo experiments using either beta-glucans extracted from yeast or mix of yeast and mushrooms beta-glucans as part of the chicks feed in order to test their effects on the chick intestinal morphology.

Results

In the in vitro set-up exposure of HD-11 cells to a concentration of 1 mg/ml of algae and mushroom beta-glucans resulted in significantly higher expression of 6 genes (TNFα, IL4, IL6, IL8, IL10, and iNOS2) compared to control. The release of nitrite oxide (NO) to the medium after exposure of HD-11 cells to mushrooms or algae beta-glucans was significantly increased compared to control. Additionally, significantly increased phagocytosis activity was found after exposure of the cells to algae and mushroom beta-glucans. In the in vivo set-up we observed that the length of the villi and the number of goblet cells in the ileum and the jejunum in the beta-glucan fed chicks were significantly augmented compared to control, when the chicks were fed with either yeast or yeast and mushroom beta-glucans mix.

Discussion

In conclusion, dietary supplementation of poultry with beta-glucan exerts significant and positive effects on immune activity and the intestinal morphology in poultry.
Social Media Overload and Anxiety Among University Students During the COVID-19 Omicron Wave Lockdown: A Cross-Sectional Study in Shanghai, China, 2022
Authors: Wang Yangyang , Xu Jian , Xie Tian
Published: January 2023

Objectives: The increase in the intensity of social media use during the COVID-19 lockdown has affected mental health. Therefore, it is of practical implications to explore the association between social media overload and anxiety and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Using data from 644 university students during the COVID-19 blockade in Shanghai from March to April 2022, the chain mediation model of information strain and risk perception of omicron between social media overload and anxiety was then tested using the macro PROCESS4.0 tool.

Results: The findings showed that social media overload (including information overload and social overload) was positively associated with anxiety. This relationship was mediated by information strain and risk perception of Omicron. A chain mediating role of information strain and risk perception of Omicron has also been proved in this study.

Conclusion: Social media overload has a positive effect on anxiety by increasing information strain and risk perception of Omicron. This study provides some implications for future interventions on how to use social media properly for mental health during the pandemic and health management of urban governance.
The Effect of Stimuli Level on Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission in Normal Hearing Adults
Authors: Naghibolhosseini Maryam
Published: January 2023

The goal of this study is to compare three of the most commonly used primary-level relation paradigms (i.e., Scissors, Boys Town ‘Optimal’, and Equal-Level) in generation of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) in normal hearing adults. The generator and reflection components were extracted from DPOAEs in each paradigm. The generator and reflection component levels and input/output (I/O) functions were compared across paradigms and primary-tone levels. The results showed a different I/O function growth behavior across frequency and levels among paradigms. The Optimal paradigm showed a systematic change in the generator and reflection component levels and I/O slopes across primary levels among subjects. Moreover, the levels and slopes in the Optimal paradigm were more distinct across levels with less variations across frequency leading to a systematic change in the DPOAE fine structure across levels. The I/O functions were found to be more sensitive to the selected paradigm; especially the I/O function for the reflection component. The I/O functions of the reflection components showed large variability across frequencies due to different frequency shifts in their microstructure depending on the paradigm. The findings of this study suggested the Optimal paradigm as the proper primary-level relation to study cochlear amplification/compression. The findings of this study shows that care needs to be taken in comparing the findings of different studies that generated DPOAEs with a different level-relation paradigm.
Relationship between Perceived Physical Competence and Outdoor Play among Children Aged 9–12 Years-Focused Sex-Specific Differences
Authors: Goto Ryo , Kitagaki Kazufumi , Horibe Kana , Tamura Kazuya , Yamada Naoki , Ono Rei
Published: January 2023

Background: Outdoor play (OP), which is considered important for children’s development, is declining every year. Perceived physical competence (PPC) is a vital factor that promotes physical activity such as OP, sports clubs, etc., but the relationship between PPC and OP was unknown. The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between PPC and OP in children and consider whether there were any sex-specific changes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Japan with 288 children (134 girls, age: 10.6 ± 1.01 years). OP was assessed using an original self-report questionnaire. Each weekday, the children reported the time of OP and were classified as “high” if they played outside for at least an hour three times. PPC was evaluated with a self-report questionnaire developed by Okazawa et al. (1996). It has 12 questions and was assessed on a 5-point Likert scale. After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, screen time, sports club participation, and the number of friends, logistic regression analyses were carried out. Results: Children with better PPC were significantly more likely to be classified as “high” [crude odds ratio (OR): 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00–1.08; adjusted OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.00–1.08]. Only girls with better PPC were significantly more likely to be classified as “high” in a sex-based stratified analysis [crude OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.01–1.15, adjusted OR 1.09; 95% CI: 1.02–1.17]. Conclusions: Particularly among girls, OP could be promoted as a voluntary physical activity with improved PPC.
ImputeGAN: Generative Adversarial Network for Multivariate Time Series Imputation
Authors: Qin Rui , Wang Yong
Published: January 2023

Since missing values in multivariate time series data are inevitable, many researchers have come up with methods to deal with the missing data. These include case deletion methods, statistics-based imputation methods, and machine learning-based imputation methods. However, these methods cannot handle temporal information, or the complementation results are unstable. We propose a model based on generative adversarial networks (GANs) and an iterative strategy based on the gradient of the complementary results to solve these problems. This ensures the generalizability of the model and the reasonableness of the complementation results. We conducted experiments on three large-scale datasets and compare them with traditional complementation methods. The experimental results show that imputeGAN outperforms traditional complementation methods in terms of accuracy of complementation.
Comparative Analyses of 18 Complete Chloroplast Genomes from Eleven Mangifera Species (Anacardiaceae): Sequence Characteristics and Phylogenomics
Authors: Xin Yaxuan , Yu Wen-Bin , Eiadthong Wichan , Cao Zhengying , Li Qishao , Yang Zhenxin , Zhao Wenzhi , Xin Peiyao
Published: January 2023

Mangifera plants are tropical fruits that have high economic value and scientific utility. However, the chloroplast genome characteristics and phylogenetic relationships among Mangifera species remain unclear. In this work, we reconstructed maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) phylogenetic trees using 11 newly sequenced chloroplast genomes as well as six existing genomes obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. The chloroplast genomes all had a typical quadripartite structure, with lengths ranging from 157,368 to 158,942 bp. The GC-content in the genomes ranged from 37.8% to 37.9%. We found conserved boundaries comprised of two inverted repeats (IRs), large single-copy (LSC) regions, and small single-copy (SSC) regions. Nucleotide polymorphism analysis revealed three hypervariable regions (ycf4-cemA, rps18-rpl20, and rpl32-ndhF) in the LSC and SSC regions, which could potentially be used as DNA barcodes for Mangifera species. According to our phylogenetic analysis, Mangifera plants were clustered into three clades. Among them, all five samples of M. indica formed a monophyletic group in Clade Ⅰ. Clade Ⅱ included seven Mangifera species and could be further divided into five subclades with 100% branch support values. Clade Ⅲ included two M. persiciforma samples that formed a monophyletic group. Taken together, these results provide a theoretical basis for species determination, in addition to shedding light on the evolution of Mangifera.
Factors, Challenges and Strategies of Trust in BIM-Based Construction Projects: A Case Study in Malaysia
Authors: Farouk Abdelrahman M. , Zulhisham Ahmad Zhahiruddin , Lee Yong Siang , Rajabi Mohammad Sadra , Rahman Rahimi A.
Published: January 2023

Implementing building information modeling (BIM) in construction projects can provide team members with an effective collaboration process. Therefore, organizations are implementing BIM to acquire the benefits. However, project members still use traditional collaborative approaches due to the lack of trust. Therefore, this study aims to identify the factors, challenges, and strategies of trust in BIM-based construction projects. To achieve this aim, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty industry professionals, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data. The results suggest that the factors affecting trust in BIM-based construction projects are knowledge, skills, awareness, behavior, policy, system, cost, and management. Moreover, the challenges to creating trust in BIM-based construction projects are policy, cost, cooperation, system, service, behavior, expertise, and knowledge. Finally, the strategies used to create trust in BIM-based construction projects are management, preparation, capability, cooperation, awareness, individuals, education, and government. In summary, this study provides insights that can help industry practitioners to improve construction projects by reducing unnecessary distrust among team members.
Addition of Phosphogypsum to Fire-Resistant Plaster Panels: A Physic–Mechanical Investigation
Authors: Guedri Abdessalam , Abdallah Fatma , Mefteh Nourhen , Hamdi Noureddine , Baeza-Urrea Oscar , Wagner Jean-Frank , Zagrarni Mohamed Faouzi
Published: January 2023

Gypsum (GPS) has great potential for structural fire protection and is increasingly used in construction due to its high-water retention and purity. However, many researchers aim to improve its physical and mechanical properties by adding other organic or inorganic materials such as fibers, recycled GPS, and waste residues. This study used a novel method to add non-natural GPS from factory waste (phosphogypsum (PG)) as a secondary material for GPS. This paper proposes to mix these two materials to properly study the effect of PG on the physico-mechanical properties and fire performance of two Tunisian GPSs (GPS1 and GPS2). PG initially replaced GPS at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% weight percentage (mixing plan A). The PGs were then washed with distilled water several times. Two more mixing plans were run when the pH of the PG was equal to 2.4 (mixing plan B), and the pH was equal to 5 (mixing plan C). Finally, a comparative study was conducted on the compressive strength, flexural strength, density, water retention, and mass loss levels after 90 days of drying, before/after incineration of samples at 15, 30, 45, and 60 min. The results show that the mixture of GPS1 and 30% PG (mixing plan B) obtained the highest compressive strength (41.31%) and flexural strength (35.03%) compared to the reference sample. The addition of 10% PG to GPS1 (mixing plan A) improved fire resistance (33.33%) and the mass loss (17.10%) of the samples exposed to flame for 60 min compared to GPS2. Therefore, PG can be considered an excellent insulating material, which can increase physico-mechanical properties and fire resistance time of plaster under certain conditions.
Investigation of the Effect of Molybdenum Silicide Addition on the Oxidation Behavior of Hafnium Carbonitride
Authors: Suvorova Veronika , Nepapushev Andrey , Suvorov Dmitrii , Kuskov Kirill , Loginov Pavel , Moskovskikh Dmitry
Published: January 2023

In this study, the oxidation stability up to 1000 °C in air of the Hf(C,N)-MoSi2 composites was explored under non-isothermal and isothermal conditions. Composites with 1, 5, 10, and 20% volume fractions were produced by low-energy ball milling and subsequent spark plasma sintering. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TG) coupled with mass spectrometry were used to reveal the staging of the oxidation process depending on the additive content. It was found that samples containing 1 and 5 vol% MoSi2 had the lowest weight gain and the best oxidation behavior. The results of this study were supported by microstructural and phase analyses of the samples after isothermal treatment in a furnace. The samples with the lowest molybdenum disilicide content had a dense and thin protective oxide film on the surface, consisting of hafnium orthosilicate and monoclinic HfO2. The increase in the amount of MoSi2 contributed to the formation of a loose and porous oxide layer due to the increase in the concentration of volatile MoO3. However, all samples exhibited higher oxidation resistance compared to the pure Hf(C,N).
On the Risk Spillover from Bitcoin to Altcoins: The Fear of Missing Out and Pump-and-Dump Scheme Effects
Authors: Balcilar Mehmet , Ozdemir Huseyin
Published: January 2023

This article examines the asymmetric volatility spillover effects between Bitcoin and alternative coin markets at the disaggregate level. We apply a frequency connectedness approach to the daily data of 11 major cryptocurrencies for the period from 1 September 2017 to 2 March 2022. We try to uncover the existence of the “fear of missing out” psychological effect and “pump-and-dump schemes” in the crypto markets. To do that, we estimate the volatility spillovers from Bitcoin to altcoin and the cryptos’ own risk spillovers during bull and bear markets. The spillover results from Bitcoin to altcoin provide mixed results regarding the presence of this theory for major cryptocurrencies. However, the empirical findings carried out by the cryptos’ own spillover effects fully confirm the existence of a fear-of-missing-out effect and pump-and-dump schemes in all cryptocurrencies except for USDT.
A New Measure for Idiosyncratic Risk Based on Decomposition Method
Authors: Lee Meng-Horng , Hooy Chee-Wooi , Brooks Robert
Published: January 2023

This paper introduces an alternate measure of idiosyncratic risk leveraged from the decomposition method to further eliminate the residual systematic risk inherent in the factor asset pricing model. Combining both complementary techniques contributes to a more comprehensive firm-level idiosyncratic risk that is crucial in both portfolio diversification and alpha investing. We focus our result on the idiosyncratic risk estimations and their behaviour on 36 emerging markets covering 39 industries. We show that the new measure exhibits a declining trend across time, consistent with the fact that emerging markets are becoming more integrated with the increased level of common effect across time.