bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Muscular kevlar aerogel tapes attractive to thermal insulation fabrics
Authors: Jin YueYang , Tang YaTing , Cao WenHao , Yan YangYang , Sun Yueyan , Chen Weiwang
Published: January 2023

Kevlar aerogel is a kind of easy-casting nano-porous material with the characteristics of low density, high porosity, low thermal conductivity, high specific surface area, etc. It can serve as functional fibers and has a bright future in the field of thermal insulation after being processed into fabrics. To improve the tensile power of aerogel fibers to bear more loads while maintaining their flexibility for further braiding, a series of Kevlar aerogel tapes were fabricated in this study by using flattened needles. It is observed that the resultant aerogel tapes show a spindle-like cross section, and have greatly improved load-bearing capability with muscular tensile strength up to 2.07 MPa. The use of a larger needle is conductive to preparing aerogel tapes that are more attractive in load-bearing, and increasing Kevlar concentration tends to result in more muscular tapes with improved breaking stress but reduced elasticity. Besides, these tapes also inherit the excellent thermal stability and char-forming ability of Kevlar, starting to decompose at around 500°C and producing carbon residue more than 40% of their initial weight at 700°C. In addition, these Kevlar aerogel tapes also perform well in terms of thermal insulation. When exposed to a hot plate of 300 °C, the fabric braided from these aerogel tapes show a considerable temperature drop per unit thickness as high as 120°C mm−1. It can be envisaged that the developed aerogel tapes with muscular tensile strength and their fabric products will be promising for high-temperature thermal insulation applications, such as being used as the insulation layer for thermal protective clothing.
Trend of myopia through different interventions from 2010 to 2050: Findings from Eastern Chinese student surveillance study
Authors: Zhang Xiyan , Zhou Yonlin , Wang Yan , Du Wei , Yang Jie
Published: January 2023

Purpose

First, to investigate the utilization rate and effect of proven myopic interventions. Second, to predict the prevalence of myopia and high myopia, as well as Years Lived with Disability (YLD) caused by an uncorrected refractive error in children and teens in Eastern China from 2010 to 2050 under different interventions.

Methods

(1) The surveillance of common diseases among children and adolescents in Jiangsu Province from 2010 to 2021 provides the database for myopia screening and intervention utilization surveys. (2) The National Bureau of Statistics and the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 (GBD2016) are the foundation for the estimated myopes and YLD. (3) A systematic review provides the strong or weak impact of intervention in the prediction model. (4) The trend of screening myopia from 2010 to 2050 under various treatments is predicted using a GM (1,1) model.

Results

By the year 2050, myopia is expected to affect 8,568,305 (7–12 years old) and 15,766,863 (13–18 years old) children and adolescents, respectively (95% CI: 8,398,977–8,737,633). The utilization prevalence of myopia-proven interventions for myopic children included outdoor activities, orthokeratology lenses, atropine treatment, contact lenses, frame glasses, and eye exercises, with respective rates of 31.9–33.1, 2.1–2.3, 6.0–7.5, 2.2–2.7, 60.4–62.2, and 64.7–72.5%. All interventions have substantial effects on myopia after parental myopia and behavior pattern adjustment, including physical activity, near work, dietary pattern, and sleep. Under strong intervention, the estimated reduced myopia prevalence by the year 2050 is 1,259,086 (95% CI: 1,089,758–1,428,414) for children aged 7–12, and 584,785 (95% CI: 562,748–606,823) for children aged 13–18, respectively.

Conclusion

Among myopic Chinese children and adolescents, the use rates and effects of proven myopia interventions vary. Under the present intervention strategy, the prevalence of myopia and high myopia will increase from 2010 to 2050. The overall number of myopic people can be greatly decreased by implementing timely, steady, comprehensive interventions.
Cancer-associated fibroblast related gene signature in Helicobacter pylori-based subtypes of gastric carcinoma for prognosis and tumor microenvironment estimation in silico analysis
Authors: Xu Ruofan , Yang Le , Zhang Zhewen , Liao Yuxuan , Yu Yao , Zhou Dawei , Li Jiahao , Guan Haoyu , Xiao Wei
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Gastric cancer (GC) remains the major constituent of cancer-related deaths and a global public health challenge with a high incidence rate. Helicobacter pylori (HP) plays an essential role in promoting the occurrence and progression of GC. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are regarded as a significant component in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which is related to the metastasis of GC. However, the regulation mechanisms of CAFs in HP-related GC are not elucidated thoroughly.

Methods

HP-related genes (HRGs) were downloaded from the GSE84437 and TCGA-GC databases. The two databases were combined into one cohort for training. Furthermore, the consensus unsupervised clustering analysis was obtained to sort the training cohort into different groups for the identification of differential expression genes (DEGs). Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to verify the correlation between the DEGs and cancer-associated fibroblasts which were key components in the tumor microenvironment. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was executed to find cancer-associated fibroblast-related differential expression genes (CDEGs) for the further establishment of a prognostic model.

Results and discussion

In this study, 52 HP-related genes (HRGs) were screened out based on the GSE84437 and TCGA-GC databases. A total of 804 GC samples were analyzed, respectively, and clustered into two HP-related subtypes. The DEGs identified from the two subtypes were proved to have a relationship with TME. After WGCNA and LASSO, the CAFs-related module was identified, from which 21 gene signatures were confirmed. Then, a CDEGs-Score was constructed and its prediction efficiency in GC patients was conducted for validation. Overall, a highly precise nomogram was established for enhancing the adaptability of the CDEGs-Score. Furthermore, our findings revealed the applicability of CDEGs-Score in the sensitivity of chemotherapeutic drugs. In general, our research provided brand-new possibilities for comprehending HP-related GC, evaluating survival, and more efficient therapeutic strategies.
Application of microbial organic fertilizers promotes the utilization of nutrients and restoration of microbial community structure and function in rhizosphere soils after dazomet fumigation
Authors: Huang Bin , Chen Yuxuan , Pei Zhouyang , Jiang Lianqiang , Zhang Yu , Wang Jing , Wang Jie
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Soil fumigant dazomet is a broad-spectrum nematicide and fungicide that can kill non-target microbes. Fungicides or organic fertilizers are often added after fumigation to improve the recovery of soil microbes. However, the effect of adding microbial organic fertilizers (MOF) after fumigation on the structure and function of rhizosphere soil microbial communities of crops is unclear.

Methods

Therefore, we investigated the effects of adding Junweinong and Junlisu MOFs after dazomet fumigation on the structure and function of rhizosphere microbial communities and its relationship with soil properties and enzyme activities.

Results and discussion

The results showed that the addition of these two MOFs after dazomet fumigation significantly reduced the rhizosphere soil available phosphorus, available potassium, organic matter content, and urease, alkaline phosphatase, and catalase activities, but increased the soil pH compared with the fumigation treatment. The application of MOFs after fumigation resulted in significant enrichment of bacteria such as Gaiella, norank_f_Vicinamibacteraceae, and Flavisolibacter and fungi such as Peroneutypa, Olpidium, and Microascus in the rhizosphere soil of the crop and increased the relative abundance of functional genes of 13 kinds of amino acids metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, TCA cycle, and pentose phosphate pathway as well as endophytic and epiphytic functional groups in the rhizosphere soil. In particular, NH4+-N, pH, and AK had the greatest effect on rhizosphere microorganisms. Overall, the addition of MOFs after fumigation promoted crop root nutrient uptake, enhanced rhizosphere soil microbial metabolism, allowed more beneficial communities to colonize the roots, and promoted soil microbiological health.
Transcranial direct current stimulation for the treatment of post-stroke depression: A systematic review
Authors: Hao Wenjian , Liu Yong , Gao Yuling , Gong Xiaoyang , Ning Yi
Published: January 2023

Background

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is not only a frequent neuropsychiatric manifestation secondary to stroke but is also associated with disability, poor rehabilitation outcomes, sleep disorders, cognitive impairment, and increased mortality. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a primary modality of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), has shown promising clinical results in the rehabilitation of patients with PSD recently. The primary aim of this systematic review is to assess the effects of tDCS on PSD.

Methods

PubMed and Cochrane databases were used for paper identification up to May 2022. Only English language studies and published data were taken into consideration. The methodological quality of selected studies was assessed according to the modified Sackett Scale, based on Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scores.

Results

Six experimental studies were included for the PSD treatment of tDCS and all of them reported that, following the intervention of tDCS, the experimental group shows a statistically significant decrease in the depression level in accordance with different assessment scales.

Conclusion

This article simply aims at providing a comprehensive overview of the raw data reported in this field to date. Based on the current evidence, tDCS presents promising results for the treatment of PSD. Moreover, tDCS is also effective in PSD patients with aphasia or CPSP. However, an optimal stimulation protocol is needed to formulate. Thus, the development of robustly controlled, randomized, and high-quality clinical trials to further assess the utility of tDCS as a therapeutic tool for the treatment of PSD survivors is encouraged.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023322076, identifier: CRD42023322076.
Toward attention-based learning to predict the risk of brain degeneration with multimodal medical data
Authors: Sun Xiaofei , Guo Weiwei , Shen Jing
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Brain degeneration is commonly caused by some chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and diabetes mellitus (DM). The risk prediction of brain degeneration aims to forecast the situation of disease progression of patients in the near future based on their historical health records. It is beneficial for patients to make an accurate clinical diagnosis and early prevention of disease. Current risk predictions of brain degeneration mainly rely on single-modality medical data, such as Electronic Health Records (EHR) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, only leveraging EHR or MRI data for the pertinent and accurate prediction is insufficient because of single-modality information (e.g., pixel or volume information of image data or clinical context information of non-image data).

Methods

Several deep learning-based methods have used multimodal data to predict the risks of specified diseases. However, most of them simply integrate different modalities in an early, intermediate, or late fusion structure and do not care about the intra-modal and intermodal dependencies. A lack of these dependencies would lead to sub-optimal prediction performance. Thus, we propose an encoder-decoder framework for better risk prediction of brain degeneration by using MRI and EHR. An encoder module is one of the key components and mainly focuses on feature extraction of input data. Specifically, we introduce an encoder module, which integrates intra-modal and inter-modal dependencies with the spatial-temporal attention and cross-attention mechanism. The corresponding decoder module is another key component and mainly parses the features from the encoder. In the decoder module, a disease-oriented module is used to extract the most relevant disease representation features. We take advantage of a multi-head attention module followed by a fully connected layer to produce the predicted results.

Results

As different types of AD and DM influence the nature and severity of brain degeneration, we evaluate the proposed method for three-class prediction of AD and three-class prediction of DM. Our results show that the proposed method with integrated MRI and EHR data achieves an accuracy of 0.859 and 0.899 for the risk prediction of AD and DM, respectively.

Discussion

The prediction performance is significantly better than the benchmarks, including MRI-only, EHR-only, and state-of-the-art multimodal fusion methods.
Functional differences in cerebral activation between slow wave-coupled and uncoupled sleep spindles
Authors: Baena Daniel , Fang Zhuo , Gibbings Aaron , Smith Dylan , Ray Laura B. , Doyon Julien , Owen Adrian M. , Fogel Stuart M.
Published: January 2023

Spindles are often temporally coupled to slow waves (SW). These SW-spindle complexes have been implicated in memory consolidation that involves transfer of information from the hippocampus to the neocortex. However, spindles and SW, which are characteristic of NREM sleep, can occur as part of this complex, or in isolation. It is not clear whether dissociable parts of the brain are recruited when coupled to SW vs. when spindles or SW occur in isolation. Here, we tested differences in cerebral activation time-locked to uncoupled spindles, uncoupled SW and coupled SW-spindle complexes using simultaneous EEG-fMRI. Consistent with the “active system model,” we hypothesized that brain activations time-locked to coupled SW-spindles would preferentially occur in brain areas known to be critical for sleep-dependent memory consolidation. Our results show that coupled spindles and uncoupled spindles recruit distinct parts of the brain. Specifically, we found that hippocampal activation during sleep is not uniquely related to spindles. Rather, this process is primarily driven by SWs and SW-spindle coupling. In addition, we show that SW-spindle coupling is critical in the activation of the putamen. Importantly, SW-spindle coupling specifically recruited frontal areas in comparison to uncoupled spindles, which may be critical for the hippocampal-neocortical dialogue that preferentially occurs during sleep.
Resveratrol regulates insulin resistance to improve the glycolytic pathway by activating SIRT2 in PCOS granulosa cells
Authors: Liang Aihong , Zhang Wenmao , Wang Qian , Huang Lan'e , Zhang Jiaming , Ma Duo , Liu Ke , Li Shiyu , Chen Xi , Li Shan , Lei Xiaocan
Published: January 2023

Scope

Insulin resistance (IR) has a close relationship with the main clinical manifestations of patients with PCOS; hence, the research and development of new drugs to treat PCOS by improving IR is a desiderate task at present. Resveratrol (RES) possesses a variety of beneficial pharmacological functions, such as antioxidation, anti-inflammatory, regulating glucose, and lipid metabolism. However, whether RES could improve IR and the underlying mechanisms remained unclear in PCOS.

Methods and results

SD rats received a high-fat diet and letrozole for 30 days to establish the PCOS model and then intervened with RES for 30 days. The results demonstrated that RES played a protective role on the IR in PCOS rats, which significantly decreased the levels of blood glucose and serum insulin, up regulated the expression of IGF1R, and down regulated the expression of IGF1. In vitro, KGN cells were treated with insulin, RES, and AGK2, respectively. We found that a high dose of insulin (4μg/mL) significantly inhibited KGN cell viability, decreased the level of lactic acid, and increased the level of pyruvate, while RES (25μM) attenuated the growth-inhibitory effect, as well as increased the level of lactic acid and decreased the level of pyruvate after high levels of insulin treatment. Simultaneously, RES up regulated the expression level of the crucial rate-limiting enzymes relating to glycolytic pathways, such as LDHA, HK2, and PKM2. Furthermore, AGK2 remarkably inhibited the expression level of SIRT2, which was similar to the same negative effects processed by insulin. Meanwhile, RES overtly repaired the glycolysis process by reversing the levels of lactic acid and pyruvate, together with up regulating the expression level of LDHA, HK2, and PKM2, after AGK2 treatment.

Conclusion

RES could effectively improve insulin resistance and restore the glycolysis pathway by regulating SIRT2, which may contribute to attenuating the ovarian damage of PCOS rats and provide a potential treatment for patients with PCOS.
Maternal gestational diabetes in singleton pregnancies conceived by ART may be modified by periconceptional B vitamins
Authors: Li Minyu , Chen Yanping , Wang Yongxiang , Wang Hong , Ding Xueteng , Li Guoju
Published: January 2023

Background

The risk of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may be influenced by pregnancies conceived through assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, the influence of the dosage of B vitamins (folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12) on GDM weren’t considered. Thus, we hypothesized that periconceptional B vitamins could modify maternal GDM in singleton pregnancies conceived by ART.

Methods

This study is a prospective cohort study using data from 3,252 women with singleton pregnancies and received a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 24–28 weeks of gestation. We included an interaction term in the multivariable logistic and linear regression models, respectively, to test our hypothesis.

Results

Women who underwent ART were significantly associated with the incidence of GDM compared with spontaneous pregnancy women. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was 1.59, and the 95% confidence interval (CI) was 1.08–2.34. ART pregnancies also elevated OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) 1-h blood glucose levels and OGTT 2-h blood glucose levels (P < 0.05). A positive association between dietary vitamin B6 (aOR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.13–2.27), dietary vitamin B12 (aOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.34–2.64) and dietary folate (aOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.19–2.32) with GDM risk comparing the highest to the lowest quartile (all Ptrend < 0.001). The aORs of GDM for inadequate (< 400 μg/day), adequate (400–800 μg/day), and excessive (> 800 μg/day) supplemental folate intake were 1.00, 0.93, and 1.30, respectively (Ptrend = 0.033). Since only the supplemental folate illustrates a statistically significant interaction with ART (P for interaction < 0.05), the association between ART and GDM and OGTT blood glucose levels stratifying by supplemental folate were further evaluated. These increased risks of GDM (aOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.39–3.39) and the regression coefficients (β) of 1-h blood glucose (β = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.39–1.13) and 2-h blood glucose (β = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.29–0.92) in the multiple linear regression model were significant only in the ART group with excessive supplemental folate (> 800 μg/day).

Conclusion

The risk of GDM is significantly elevated, particularly among those women who conceived ART with the intake of excessive supplemental folate (> 800 μg/day).
Foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.] grown under nitrogen deficiency exhibits a lower folate contents
Authors: Wang Yuan , Wang Jin-song , Dong Er-wei , Liu Qiu-xia , Wang Li-ge , Chen Er-ying , Jiao Xiao-yan , Diao Xian-min
Published: January 2023

Foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.], as a rich source of folates, has been cultivated on arid infertile lands, for which N deficiency is one of the major issues. Growing environments might have a significant influence on cereal folate levels. However, little is known whether N deficiency modulates cereal folate levels. In order to obtain enriched folate foxtail millet production in nutrient-poor soil, we conducted a study investigating the content of folate derivatives of 29 diverse foxtail millet cultivars under two N regimes (0 and 150 kg N ha−1) for 2 years to explore folate potential grown under low N. The contents of total folate and most derivatives were reduced by N deficiency. The effect on total folate content caused by N was stronger than cultivar genotype did. Folate content of enriched folate cultivars was prone to be reduced by N deficiency. Structural equation models (SEMs) revealed that N fertilization had a positive indirect effect on grain folate content through influencing plant N and K accumulation. Collectively, the results indicate much more attention should be paid to N management when foxtail millet is cultivated in infertile soil, to improve foxtail millet folate contents.
The efficacy of preoperative MRI features in the diagnosis of meningioma WHO grade and brain invasion
Authors: Jiang Jun , Yu Juan , Liu Xiajing , Deng Kan , Zhuang Kaichao , Lin Fan , Luo Liangping
Published: January 2023

Objective

The preoperative MRI scans of meningiomas were analyzed based on the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) Central Nervous System (CNS) Guidelines, and the efficacy of MRI features in diagnosing WHO grades and brain invasion was analyzed.

Materials and methods

The data of 675 patients with meningioma who underwent MRI in our hospital from 2006 to 2022, including 108 with brain invasion, were retrospectively analyzed. Referring to the WHO Guidelines for the Classification of Central Nervous System Tumors (Fifth Edition 2021), 17 features were analyzed, with age, sex and meningioma MRI features as risk factors for evaluating WHO grade and brain invasion. The risk factors were identified through multivariable logistic regression analysis, and their receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for predicting WHO grades and brain invasion were generated, and the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity were calculated.

Results

Univariate analysis showed that sex, tumor size, lobulated sign, peritumoral edema, vascular flow void, bone invasion, tumor-brain interface, finger-like protrusion and mushroom sign were significant for diagnosing meningioma WHO grades, while these features and ADC value were significant for predicting brain invasion (P < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the lobulated sign, tumor-brain interface, finger-like protrusion, mushroom sign and bone invasion were independent risk factors for diagnosing meningioma WHO grades, while the above features, tumor size and ADC value were independent risk factors for diagnosing brain invasion (P < 0.05). The tumor-brain interface had the highest efficacy in evaluating WHO grade and brain invasion, with AUCs of 0.779 and 0.860, respectively. Combined, the variables had AUCs of 0.834 and 0.935 for determining WHO grade and brain invasion, respectively.

Conclusion

Preoperative MRI has excellent performance in diagnosing meningioma WHO grade and brain invasion, while the tumor-brain interface serves as a key factor. The preoperative MRI characteristics of meningioma can help predict WHO grade and brain invasion, thus facilitating complete lesion resection and improving patient prognosis.
The BET inhibitor/degrader ARV-825 prolongs the growth arrest response to Fulvestrant + Palbociclib and suppresses proliferative recovery in ER-positive breast cancer
Authors: Finnegan Ryan M. , Elshazly Ahmed M. , Patel Nipa H. , Tyutyunyk-Massey Liliya , Tran Tammy H. , Kumarasamy Vishnu , Knudsen Erik S. , Gewirtz David A.
Published: January 2023

Anti-estrogens or aromatase inhibitors in combination with cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors are the current standard of care for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) Her-2 negative metastatic breast cancer. Although these combination therapies prolong progression-free survival compared to endocrine therapy alone, the growth-arrested state of residual tumor cells is clearly transient. Tumor cells that escape what might be considered a dormant or quiescent state and regain proliferative capacity often acquire resistance to further therapies. Our studies are based upon the observation that breast tumor cells arrested by Fulvestrant + Palbociclib enter into states of both autophagy and senescence from which a subpopulation ultimately escapes, potentially contributing to recurrent disease. Autophagy inhibition utilizing pharmacologic or genetic approaches only moderately enhanced the response to Fulvestrant + Palbociclib in ER+ MCF-7 breast tumor cells, slightly delaying proliferative recovery. In contrast, the BET inhibitor/degrader, ARV-825, prolonged the growth arrested state in both p53 wild type MCF-7 cells and p53 mutant T-47D cells and significantly delayed proliferative recovery. In addition, ARV-825 added after the Fulvestrant + Palbociclib combination promoted apoptosis and demonstrated efficacy in resistant RB deficient cell lines. These studies indicate that administration of BET inhibitors/degraders, which are currently being investigated in multiple clinical trials, may potentially improve standard of care therapy in metastatic ER+ breast cancer patients and may further prolong progression-free survival.
Deep learning-based prediction of deliverable adaptive plans for MR-guided adaptive radiotherapy: A feasibility study
Authors: Buchanan Laura , Hamdan Saleh , Zhang Ying , Chen Xinfeng , Li X. Allen
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Fast and automated plan generation is desirable in radiation therapy (RT), in particular, for MR-guided online adaptive RT (MRgOART) or real-time (intrafractional) adaptive RT (MRgRART), to reduce replanning time. The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of using deep learning to quickly predict deliverable adaptive plans based on a target dose distribution for MRgOART/MRgRART.

Methods

A conditional generative adversarial network (cGAN) was trained to predict the MLC leaf sequence corresponding to a target dose distribution based on reference plan created prior to MRgOART using a 1.5T MR-Linac. The training dataset included 50 ground truth dose distributions and corresponding beam parameters (aperture shapes and weights) created during MRgOART for 10 pancreatic cancer patients (each with five fractions). The model input was the dose distribution from each individual beam and the output was the predicted corresponding field segments with specific shape and weight. Patient-based leave-one-out-cross-validation was employed and for each model trained, four (44 training beams) out of five fractionated plans of the left-out patient were set aside for testing purposes. We deliberately kept a single fractionated plan in the training dataset so that the model could learn to replan the patient based on a prior plan. The model performance was evaluated by calculating the gamma passing rate of the ground truth dose vs. the dose from the predicted adaptive plan and calculating max and mean dose metrics.

Results

The average gamma passing rate (95%, 3mm/3%) among 10 test cases was 88%. In general, we observed 95% of the prescription dose to PTV achieved with an average 7.6% increase of max and mean dose, respectively, to OARs for predicted replans. Complete adaptive plans were predicted in ≤20 s using a GTX 1660TI GPU.

Conclusion

We have proposed and demonstrated a deep learning method to generate adaptive plans automatically and rapidly for MRgOART. With further developments using large datasets and the inclusion of patient contours, the method may be implemented to accelerate MRgOART process or even to facilitate MRgRART.
Personalized antiplatelet therapy guided by clopidogrel pharmacogenomics in acute ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack: A prospective, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Xiaoguang , Jiang Shanshan , Xue Jie , Ding Ying , Gu Jingyu , Hu Liang , Xu Xushen , Li Zhizhang , Kong Yuming , Li Youmei , Zhu Xiaoqiong , Yue Yunhua
Published: January 2023

Background: Clopidogrel is frequently used in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), but its efficacy is hampered by inter-individual variability, due to genetic differences associated with clopidogrel metabolism. We conducted this randomized controlled trial to validate whether the personalized antiplatelet therapy based on clopidogrel pharmacogenomics and clinical characteristics leads to better clinical outcomes compared with standard treatment.

Methods: Patients were randomly divided into the standard group or pharmacogenetic group, in which the pharmacogenetic group required the detection of the genotyping of CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*3, and CYP2C19*17. Patients were followed up for 90 days for the primary efficacy endpoint of new stroke events, secondary efficacy endpoint of individual or composite outcomes of the new clinical vascular events, and the incidence of disability. The primary safety outcome was major bleeding.

Results: A total of 650 patients underwent randomization, among which 325 were in the pharmacogenomics group while 325 were in the standard group. Our study found after a 90-day follow-up, the risk of stroke and composite vascular events in the pharmacogenomics group was lower than that in the standard group. The incidence of disability significantly decreased in the pharmacogenomics group. In addition, no statistically significant differences were observed in bleeding events between the two groups.

Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that personalized antiplatelet therapy guided by clopidogrel pharmacogenomics and clinical characteristics can significantly improve the net clinical benefit of ischemic stroke or TIA patients during the 90-day treatment period without increasing bleeding risk.
Single and composite damage mechanisms of soil polyethylene/polyvinyl chloride microplastics to the photosynthetic performance of soybean (Glycine max [L.] merr.)
Authors: Li Haibin , Song Fupeng , Song Xiliang , Zhu Kongming , Lin Qun , Zhang Jinliang , Ning Guoqiang
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Adverse impacts of soil microplastics (MPs, diameter<5 mm) on vegetative growth and crop production have been widely reported, however, the single and composite damage mechanisms of polyethylene (PE) /polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics (MPs) induced photosynthesis inhibition are still rarely known.

Methods

In this study, two widely distributed MPs, PE and PVC, were added to soils at a dose of 7% (dry soil) to examine the single and composite effects of PE-MPs and PVC-MPs on the photosynthetic performance of soybean.

Results

Results showed PE-MPs, PVC-MPs and the combination of these two contaminants increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content by 21.8-97.9%, while decreased net photosynthesis rate (Pn) by 11.5-22.4% compared to those in non-stressed plants, PVC MPs caused the most severe oxidative stress, while MPs stress resulted in Pn reduction caused by non-stomatal restriction. The reason for this is the single and composite MPs stress resulted in a 6% to 23% reduction in soybean PSII activity RCs reaction centers, along with negative effects on soybean PSII energy uptake, capture, transport, and dissipation. The presence of K-band and L-band also represents an imbalance in the number of electrons on the donor and acceptor side of PSII and a decrease in PSII energy transfer. Similarly, PVC single stress caused greater effects on soybean chloroplast PSII than PE single stress and combined stresses.

Discussion

PE and PVC microplastic stress led to oxidative stress in soybean, which affected the structure and function of photosynthetic PSII in soybean, ultimately leading to a decrease in net photosynthetic rate in soybean.
RNA-Seq reveals the key pathways and genes involved in the light-regulated flavonoids biosynthesis in mango (Mangifera indica L.) peel
Authors: Qian Minjie , Wu Hongxia , Yang Chengkun , Zhu Wencan , Shi Bin , Zheng Bin , Wang Songbiao , Zhou Kaibing , Gao Aiping
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Flavonoids are important water soluble secondary metabolites in plants, and light is one of the most essential environmental factors regulating flavonoids biosynthesis. In the previous study, we found bagging treatment significantly inhibited the accumulation of flavonols and anthocyanins but promoted the proanthocyanidins accumulation in the fruit peel of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivar ‘Sensation’, while the relevant molecular mechanism is still unknown.

Methods

In this study, RNA-seq was conducted to identify the key pathways and genes involved in the light-regulated flavonoids biosynthesis in mango peel.

Results

By weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), 16 flavonoids biosynthetic genes were crucial for different flavonoids compositions biosynthesis under bagging treatment in mango. The higher expression level of LAR (mango026327) in bagged samples might be the reason why light inhibits proanthocyanidins accumulation in mango peel. The reported MYB positively regulating anthocyanins biosynthesis in mango, MiMYB1, has also been identified by WGCNA in this study. Apart from MYB and bHLH, ERF, WRKY and bZIP were the three most important transcription factors (TFs) involved in the light-regulated flavonoids biosynthesis in mango, with both activators and repressors. Surprisingly, two HY5 transcripts, which are usually induced by light, showed higher expression level in bagged samples.

Discussion

Our results provide new insights of the regulatory effect of light on the flavonoids biosynthesis in mango fruit peel.
The influence mechanism of the relationship between entrepreneurial learning and entrepreneurial intention
Authors: Lin Cong , Pan Yan , Yu Yanli , Feng Libo , Chen Zhiyong
Published: January 2023

Based on relevant literature, this study adopted entrepreneurial learning theory to construct a relationship model between entrepreneurial learning and entrepreneurial intention. In this framework, entrepreneurial learning was divided into three dimensions: entrepreneurial education learning, experiential learning, and social network learning. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 1,399 undergraduate students in Zhejiang Province to investigate how entrepreneurial learning influenced entrepreneurial intention, while considering the mediating effect of entrepreneurial self-efficacy. This empirical research found that: (1) experiential learning and social network learning had significant positive impacts on entrepreneurial intention, but there was no significant relationship between entrepreneurial education learning and entrepreneurial intention; (2) entrepreneurship education learning and social network learning had significant positive relationships with entrepreneurial self-efficacy, but experiential learning had a significant negative relationship with entrepreneurial self-efficacy; and (3) entrepreneurial self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between experiential learning, social network learning, and entrepreneurial intention, and fully mediated the relationship between entrepreneurial education learning and entrepreneurial intention. These findings suggest that colleges and universities in China could broaden entrepreneurial learning and strengthen social network learning.
Validation of the Japanese version of the revised version of the compound psychological capital scale (CPC-12R)
Authors: Ikeda Megumi , Hatano Kai , Tanaka Satoshi , Nakahara Jun
Published: January 2023

This study developed a Japanese version of the Revised Version of the Compound Psychological Capital Scale (CPC-12R) and tested its reliability and construct validity. The participants were 1,000 young adults (500 university students and 500 employees) recruited through an internet survey. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the four first-order factors (hope, optimism, resilience, and self-efficacy) and one second-order factor (PsyCap) model of the previous study is appropriate for the Japanese context. In addition, Cronbach’s α and omega-higher-order of CPC-12R were sufficient. The measurement invariance analysis suggested sufficient scalar invariances for the employees and university students and across genders. The Japanese version of the CPC-12R had moderate positive correlations with job satisfaction, work engagement, conscientiousness, and extraversion, as well as a moderate negative correlation with negative emotionality. These findings provide evidence for sufficient reliability and construct validity of the Japanese version of the CPC-12R.
Prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in a sample of outpatients with ATTR cardiac amyloidosis
Authors: Smorti Martina , Ponti Lucia , Soffio Francesco , Argirò Alessia , Perfetto Federico , Zampieri Mattia , Mazzoni Carlotta , Tomberli Alessia , Allinovi Marco , Di Mario Carlo , Olivotto Iacopo , Cappelli Francesco
Published: January 2023

Patients with ATTR cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) face rare disease that could negatively influence psychological well-being with consequences on the course of the disease and quality of life. However, to date, no study analyzed the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with ATTR-CA and which clinical and sociodemographic characteristics are linked with these psychopathological conditions. A total of 109 consecutive patients (83% males) aged 62–90 years with ATTR-CA were recruited. In order to better understand the prevalence of anxiety and depression in ATTR-CA, a control group composed by 33 individuals equaling gender, education, and age were recruited. The level of anxiety and depression was measured using the Italian version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Sociodemographic and clinic characteristics were registered. Almost half of patients (49%) reported a clinical level of depression or anxiety, or both. ATTR-CA patients reported higher levels of anxiety and depression than control group. Results showed that older patients with ATTR-CA, especially females, with more advanced disease could be more at risk to develop an anxious disorder. Furthermore, being a woman, and presenting with a greater severity of symptoms, would appear to be a risk factor for developing a depressive disorder. Overall, these results highlighted the high presence of anxiety and depression in ATTR-CA patients, suggesting to physicians to pay attention to the psychological well-being of ATTR-CA patients. In fact, a psychological support for patients with high level of psychopathological disease could reduce disease burden and improve quality of life in ATTR-CA population.
Green transformational leadership and employee organizational citizenship behavior for the environment in the manufacturing industry: A social information processing perspective
Authors: Liu Xuhong , Yu Xuan
Published: January 2023

The employee organizational citizenship behavior for the environment (OCBE) contributes to the improvement of the organization’s environment, its study is increasing in number. However, the psychological mechanism of promoting employee OCBE is still a missing link. Drawing on the theory of social information processing, this study seeks to establish the impact of green transformational leadership on employee OCBE and the mediating role of green organizational climate in this nexus. In addition, we have integrated environmental concerns to better explain the impact of this differentiation. The results show that: green transformational leadership has a significant positive impact on employee OCBE, and green organizational climate has a mediating effect on the impact of green transformational leadership on employee OCBE. Furthermore, environmental concern not only has a positive moderating effect on the influence of green transformational leadership on green organizational climate, but also positively moderates the impact of the influence of green transformational leadership on employee OCBE. This paper reveals the internal psychological mechanism of improving employee OCBE and provides ideas for promoting the sustainable development of enterprises.
Game based assessments of cognitive ability in recruitment: Validity, fairness and test-taking experience
Authors: Leutner Franziska , Codreanu Sonia-Cristina , Brink Suzanne , Bitsakis Theodoros
Published: January 2023

Gamification and machine learning are emergent technologies in recruitment, promising to improve the user experience and fairness of assessments. We test this by validating a game based assessment of cognitive ability with a machine learning based scoring algorithm optimised for validity and fairness. We use applied data from 11,574 assessment completions. The assessment has convergent validity (r = 0.5) and test–retest reliability (r = 0.68). It maintains fairness in a separate sample of 3,107 job applicants, showing that fairness-optimised machine learning can improve outcome parity issues with cognitive ability tests in recruitment settings. We show that there are no significant gender differences in test taking anxiety resulting from the games, and that anxiety does not directly predict game performance, supporting the notion that game based assessments help with test taking anxiety. Interactions between anxiety, gender and performance are explored. Feedback from 4,778 job applicants reveals a Net Promoter score of 58, indicating more applicants support than dislike the assessment, and that games deliver a positive applicant experience in practise. Satisfaction with the format is high, but applicants raise face validity concerns over the abstract games. We encourage the use of gamification and machine learning to improve the fairness and user experience of psychometric tests.
Predictors of everyday functional impairment in older patients with schizophrenia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Wu Chenxin , Ye Junrong , Li Shaohua , Wu Jialan , Wang Chen , Yuan Lexin , Wang Haoyun , Pan Yuanxin , Huang Xingxiao , Zhong Xiaomei , Huang Meilian , Guo Jianxiong , Ning Yuping , Xiao Aixiang
Published: January 2023

Objective

This study investigates the prevalence of everyday functional impairment among older adults with schizophrenia and builds a predictive model of functional decline.

Methods

A total of 113 hospitalized older patients enrolled in this study. Functional impairment is defined according to the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ). Patients who scored <9 could function independently daily, while those who scored ≥9 had problems in everyday functional activities. Data collected include sociodemographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, social support, and physical comorbidities, which were classified according to the eight anatomical systems of the human body.

Results

The sample comprised 75% female participants with a mean age of 63.74 ± 7.42 years old. A total of 33.6% had a functional impairment, while cognitive impairment was present in 63.7%. Independent participants had better urinary system and respiratory system health (P < 0.05). After adjusting for the potential confounders of age, disease course, physical comorbidities, psychiatric symptoms, the ability to independently carry out daily activities, and cognitive function, we found that impaired everyday function is associated with poor cognition, depressive symptoms, first admission, psychiatric symptoms (especially positive symptoms), ADL, and respiratory and urinary system diseases.

Conclusion

Everyday functional capacity is predicted by disease course, admission time, cognition, depressive symptoms, severity of psychosis, ability to carry out daily activities, and respiratory and urinary system health status. Urinary system diseases contribute significantly to the prediction of impaired function. Future studies should focus on health status, drug use, and everyday functional recovery in older patients with schizophrenia.
Improving the capacity and diversity of local public health workforce to address climate impacts to health through community partnerships and problem-based learning
Authors: Schmeltz Michael T. , Ganesh Chandrakala
Published: January 2023

All aspects of society are affected by our changing climate. Individuals and communities experience the health impacts associated with climate change most every day, whether or not they realize it. Increasing both the knowledge and capacity to respond to the health impacts of climate change will be imperative for future public health leaders. This manuscript will highlight three case studies in how problem-based learning was used by California State University, East Bay's Department of Public Health undergraduate students to address climate change issues for local community and government organizations. The results from problem-based learning collaborations between undergraduate students and community and government organizations have been mutually beneficial and increased the knowledge and workforce capacity of climate and health in the San Francisco Bay Area. The authors believe the use of problem-based learning is an effective model to achieve these goals. Both the students and the community benefit from these experiences and results of projects that enhance an organization's ability to prepare for and respond to climate change in their communities.
A perspective on mental health literacy and mental health issues among Australian youth: Cultural, social, and environmental evidence!
Authors: Bennett Hirukshi , Allitt Ben , Hanna Fahad
Published: January 2023

Mental health literacy (MHL) helps improve mental health outcomes and reduce the impacts of mental illness. This study aims to reflect on scientific evidence on MHL levels, barriers to MHL, their impacts on mental health among Australian youth and interventions to overcome these barriers. The factors explored in the Perspective included; influence of social determinants, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, help-seeking attitudes and behaviors. MHL intervention programs and MHL for improving mental health outcomes due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic were also explored. Adequate levels of youth MHL significantly improved one's ability to recognize own mental health status as well as provide peer support. Practical considerations such as designing more gender and culturally specific youth MHL programs are proposed.