bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Myosteatosis Significantly Predicts Persistent Dyspnea and Mobility Problems in COVID-19 Survivors
Authors: De Lorenzo Rebecca , Palmisano Anna , Esposito Antonio , Gnasso Chiara , Nicoletti Valeria , Leone Riccardo , Vignale Davide , Falbo Elisabetta , Ferrante Marica , Cilla Marta , Magnaghi Cristiano , Martinenghi Sabina , Vitali Giordano , Molfino Alessio , Rovere-Querini Patrizia , Muscaritoli Maurizio , Conte Caterina
Published: April 2022

Background

Persistent symptoms including dyspnea and functional impairment are common in COVID-19 survivors. Poor muscle quality (myosteatosis) associates with poor short-term outcomes in COVID-19 patients. The aim of this observational study was to assess the relationship between myosteatosis diagnosed during acute COVID-19 and patient-reported outcomes at 6 months after discharge.

Methods

Myosteatosis was diagnosed based on CT-derived skeletal muscle radiation attenuation (SM-RA) measured during hospitalization in 97 COVID-19 survivors who had available anthropometric and clinical data upon admission and at the 6-month follow-up after discharge. Dyspnea in daily activities was assessed using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale for dyspnea. Health-related quality of life was measured using the European quality of life questionnaire three-level version (EQ-5D-3L).

Results

Characteristics of patients with (lowest sex- and age-specific tertile of SM-RA) or without myosteatosis during acute COVID-19 were similar. At 6 months, patients with myosteatosis had greater rates of obesity (48.4 vs. 27.7%, p = 0.046), abdominal obesity (80.0 vs. 47.6%, p = 0.003), dyspnea (32.3 vs. 12.5%, p = 0.021) and mobility problems (32.3 vs. 12.5%, p = 0.004). Myosteatosis diagnosed during acute COVID-19 was the only significant predictor of persistent dyspnea (OR 3.19 [95% C.I. 1.04; 9.87], p = 0.043) and mobility problems (OR 3.70 [95% C.I. 1.25; 10.95], p = 0.018) at 6 months at logistic regression adjusted for sex, age, and BMI.

Conclusion

Myosteatosis diagnosed during acute COVID-19 significantly predicts persistent dyspnea and mobility problems at 6 months after hospital discharge independent of age, sex, and body mass.

Clinical Trial Registration

[www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT04318366].
The Influence of Water-Unextractable Arabinoxylan and Its Hydrolysates on the Aggregation and Structure of Gluten Proteins
Authors: Sun Juan , Si Xiaojing , Li Tingting , Zhao Jiajia , Qian Haifeng , Li Yan , Zhang Hui , Qi Xiguang , Wang Li
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to investigate the influence of water-unextractable arabinoxylan (WUAX) and its hydrolysates on the aggregation and structure of gluten proteins and reveal the underlying mechanism. In this work, the WUAX was treated with enzymatic hydrolysis and the changes of their molecular weights and structures were analyzed. Meanwhile, the conformation and aggregation of gluten were determined by reversed-phase HPLC, FT-Raman spectroscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results showed that the extra WUAX could impair the formation of high Mw glutenin subunits, and the enzymatic hydrolysis arabinoxylan (EAX) could induce the aggregation of gluten subunits. And, the gluten microstructure was destroyed by WUAX and improved by EAX. Besides, the interactions of WUAX and EAX with gluten molecules were different. In summary, these results indicated that enzymatic hydrolysis changed the physicochemical properties of arabinoxylan and affected the interaction between arabinoxylan and gluten proteins.
Sarcopenia and Systemic Inflammation Response Index Predict Response to Systemic Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Are Associated With Immune Cells
Authors: Zhao Man , Duan Xiaoling , Han Xin , Wang Jinfeng , Han Guangjie , Mi Lili , Shi Jianfei , Li Ning , Yin Xiaolei , Hou Jiaojiao , Yin Fei
Published: April 2022

Background

Systemic therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), have challenged the use of conventional therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is crucial to determine which patients could benefit most from combination therapy. This study aims to examine the associations of sarcopenia and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) with the treatment responses and efficacies in patients with HCC treated with ICIs and tyrosine kinase inhibitors TKIs, as well as investigate the correlation between sarcopenia and inflammatory or immune states.

Methods

We reviewed 160 patients with HCC treated with TKIs and ICIs. The patients’ psoas muscle size was measured on axial computed tomography scans and normalized for the patients’ height squared. This value was referred to as the psoas muscle index (PMI). Sarcopenia was determined from PMI and their relationships with patients’ clinicopathological characteristics, inflammation indexes, peripheral blood T-cell subsets and survival were evaluated.

Results

Sarcopenia and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) were independent predictors for overall survival and progression-free survival. Patients with high PMI and low SIRI demonstrated significantly better median overall survival and progression-free survival (36.0 months and 9.6 months, respectively) than those with either low PMI or high SIRI (20.8 months and 6.0 months, respectively) and those with both high SIRI and low PMI (18.6 months and 3.0 months, respectively). Portal vein tumor thrombus (P=0.003), eastern cooperative oncology group performance status score of 1 (P=0.048), high alkaline phosphatase (P=0.037), high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (P=0.012), low lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) (P=0.031), high platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (P=0.022) and high SIRI (P=0.012) were closely associated with an increased incidence of sarcopenia. PMI was negatively correlated with SIRI (r = -0.175, P=0.003), NLR (r = -0.169, P=0.036), and PLR (r = -0.328, P=0.000) and was significantly positively correlated with LMR (r = 0.232, P=0.004). The CD3+ and CD4+ T-cell counts of the high PMI group were significantly higher than those of the low PMI group.

Conclusion

Sarcopenia and high SIRI were associated with reduced survival in patients with HCC treated with ICIs and TKIs. Sarcopenia could affect inflammatory states and the immune microenvironment.
Bruceine H Mediates EGFR-TKI Drug Persistence in NSCLC by Notch3-Dependent β-Catenin Activating FOXO3a Signaling
Authors: Wu Jiahui , He Xiao , Xiong Ziwei , Shi Lingyu , Chen Daofeng , Feng Yulin , Wen Quan
Published: April 2022

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein serve as a critical pillar in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but resistance is universal. Identifying the potential key factors of drug resistance to EGFR-TKIs is essential to treat patients with EGFR mutant lung cancer. Our research here shows that bruceine H suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells; inhibited the growth of human NSCLC cell xenografts; and enhanced the therapeutic effects of gefitinib in the PC-9/GR xenograft models, possibly by inhibiting Notch3. In order to analyze the potential targets of the combination of Notch3 and EGFR-TKIs on resistance to EGFR, we analyzed the differences of gene expression between NSCLC tissues and EGFR-driven gefitinib-resistant tumoral groups and then identify through the WGCNA key genes that may provide therapeutic targets for TKI-resistant lung cancer xenograft models. We confirmed that EGFR-TKI in combination with Notch3 inhibitor can inhibit the expression of β-catenin and enhance the level of FOXO3a, leading to improved recurrence-free survival and overall survival of the xenotransplantation model. These results support that the combination of gefitinib and bruceine H may provide a promising alternative strategy for treating acquired EGFR-TKI resistance in patients with NSCLC.
Case Report and Literature Review: Bacterial Meningoencephalitis or Not? Naegleria fowleri Related Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis in China
Authors: Zhou Wenjuan , Ouyang Yuzhen , Zhang Di , Liao Sheng , Liang Hui , Zhao Lingling , Chen Chunyuan
Published: April 2022

In China, a 9-year-old boy was transferred to the hospital with fever, vomiting, and headache. The disease rapidly deteriorated into vague consciousness. Applying conventional clinical examinations such as blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests, the diagnosis of bacterial meningoencephalitis was first drawn, and expectant treatments were adopted immediately. However, the symptoms did not alleviate, adversely, this boy died 3 days after admission. Considering the skeptical points of the duration, such as the unknown infectious bacteria and the pathogen invasion path, blood and CSF samples were then sent for metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) to ascertain the cause of death. The 42,899 and 1,337 specific sequences of N. fowleri were detected by mNGS in the CSF sample and the blood sample, respectively. PCR results and pathological smear subsequently confirmed the mNGS detection. The patient was finally diagnosed as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Besides, in this article, 15 similar child infection cases in the past 10 years are summarized and analyzed to promote the early diagnosis of this rare disease.
Case Report: A Rare Cause of Stridor and Hoarseness in Infants—Congenital Laryngeal Web
Authors: Wang Yanyan
Published: April 2022

Background

Congenital laryngeal web is a rare disease that can cause stridor, dyspnea, hoarseness, and other symptoms. Children with this disease generally have stridor, weak crying, and hoarseness at birth, but these symptoms can also occur during the days, weeks, months, and even years after birth. Respiratory tract infection will obviously aggravate these manifestations, and recovery is slow after symptomatic treatment. Neck CT and laryngoscopy can detect and diagnose this disease. It is important that the disease can be considered and examined in infants with recurrent stridor and persistent hoarseness after birth.

Case Summary

We report a 23-month-old boy who was admitted to hospital due to stridor and hoarseness after birth. Combined with the results of laryngoscopy, he was diagnosed with congenital laryngeal web, and was treated with carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and cryotherapy by bronchoscope. The prognosis was good.

Conclusion

Congenital laryngeal web is a rare but challenging laryngeal lesion. It is very important that the disease can be considered and examined for infants with recurrent stridor and persistent hoarseness after birth. The treatment strategy after diagnosis should be determined according to the classification of laryngeal web and the severity of children’s symptoms.
Psoralen Promotes Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Human Extravillous Trophoblast Derived HTR-8/Svneo Cells in vitro by NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Qi Dan , Lu Jingyuan , Fu Ziyi , Lv Shanshan , Hou Lili
Published: April 2022

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a kind of pathological pregnancy, and abnormal function of trophoblast cells may be related to a variety of pregnancy complications including RSA. Psoralen is an effective ingredient extracted from Cullen corylifolium (L.) Medik. with multiple bioactivities mainly including anti-osteoporotic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and estrogen-like effects. However, the exact role of psoralen on trophoblast invasiveness has not been investigated thus far. In the present study, the effects of psoralen on the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of HTR-8/SVneo cells were evaluated by the CCK-8 and Transwell assays. The expression patterns of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)/p65 and metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 were characterized by further experiments including real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Indirect immunofluorescence was applied to track the NF-κB p65 translocation. Herein, we found that cell viability and invasive ability were promoted by psoralen in a concentration-dependent manner. Psoralen concentration-dependently enhanced both MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and their activity of HTR-8/SVneo cells. Additionally, we observed accelerated nuclear accumulation and enhanced nuclear translocation of p65 in the presence of psoralen. Furthermore, invasiveness enhancement of psoralen on HTR-8/SVneo cells was partly eliminated by a NF-κB pathway inhibitor. Thus, our findings suggest that psoralen may serve as a potential repurpose drug candidate that can be used to induce migration and invasion of trophoblast cells through strengthening the NF-κB pathway.
Regulation of Arabidopsis Matrix Metalloproteinases by Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases and Their Function in Leaf Senescence
Authors: Wu Hongjiao , Si Qi , Liu Jianmin , Yang Liuyi , Zhang Shuqun , Xu Juan
Published: April 2022

Leaf senescence is a developmentally programmed cell death process that is influenced by a variety of endogenous signals and environmental factors. Here, we report that MPK3 and MPK6, two Arabidopsis mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs or MPKs), and their two upstream MAPK kinases (MAPKKs or MKKs), MKK4 and MKK5, are key regulators of leaf senescence. Weak induction of constitutively active MAPKKs driven by steroid-inducible promoter, which activates endogenous MPK3 and MPK6, induces leaf senescence. This gain-of-function phenotype requires functional endogenous MPK3 and MPK6. Furthermore, loss of function of both MKK4 and MKK5 delays leaf senescence. Expression profiling leads to the identification of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of zinc- and calcium-dependent endopeptidases, as the downstream target genes of MPK3/MPK6 cascade. MPK3/MPK6 activation-triggered leaf senescence is associated with rapid and strong induction of At3-MMP and At2-MMP. Expression of Arabidopsis MMP genes is strongly induced during leaf senescence, qualifying them as senescence-associated genes (SAGs). In addition, either constitutive or inducible overexpression of At3-MMP is sufficient to trigger leaf senescence. Based on these findings, we conclude that MPK3/MPK6 MAPK cascade and MMP target genes further downstream are involved in regulating leaf senescence in Arabidopsis.
Advances in Citrus Flowering: A Review
Authors: Agustí M. , Reig C. , Martínez-Fuentes A. , Mesejo C.
Published: April 2022

Citrusare polycarpic and evergreen species that flower once in spring or several times a year depending on the genotype and the climatic conditions. Floral induction is triggered by low temperature and water-deficit stress and occurs 2–3 months before bud sprouting, whereas differentiation takes place at the same time as sprouting. The induced buds develop single flowers or determinate inflorescences, so that vegetative growth is required at the axillary buds to renew the polycarpic habit. The presence of fruits inhibits sprouting and flower induction from nearby axillary buds in the current season. In some species and cultivars, this results in low flowering intensity the following spring, thus giving rise to alternate bearing. A number of key flowering genes act in the leaf (CiFT3,CcMADS19, etc.) or in the bud (CsLFY,CsTFL1, etc.) to promote or inhibit both flowering time and reproductive meristem identity in response to these climatic factors, the fruit dominance, or the age of the plant (juvenility). The expression of some of these genes can be modified by gibberellin treatments, which reduce bud sprouting and flowering in adult trees, and constitute the main horticultural technique to control flowering in citrus. This review presents a comprehensive view of all aspects of the flowering process in citrus, converging the research published during the past half century, which focused on plant growth regulators and the nutritional source-sink relationships and guided research toward the study of gene transcription and plant transformation, and the advances made with the development of the tools of molecular biology published during the current century.
Relationships Between Wood-Anatomical Features and Resistance Drilling Density in Norway Spruce and European Beech
Authors: Arnič Domen , Krajnc Luka , Gričar Jožica , Prislan Peter
Published: April 2022

Environmental conditions affect tree-ring width (TRW), wood structure, and, consequently, wood density, which is one of the main wood quality indicators. Although studies on inter- and intra-annual variability in tree-ring features or density exist, studies demonstrating a clear link between wood structure on a cellular level and its effect on wood density on a macroscopic level are rare. Norway spruce with its simple coniferous structure and European beech, a diffuse-porous angiosperm species were selected to analyze these relationships. Increment cores were collected from both species at four sites in Slovenia. In total, 24 European beech and 17 Norway spruce trees were sampled. In addition, resistance drilling measurements were performed just a few centimeters above the increment core sampling. TRW and quantitative wood anatomy measurements were performed on the collected cores. Resistance drilling density values, tree-ring (TRW, earlywood width–EWW, transition-TWW, and latewood width–LWW) and wood-anatomical features (vessel/tracheid area and diameter, cell density, relative conductive area, and cell wall thickness) were then averaged for the first 7 cm of measurements. We observed significant relationships between tree-ring and wood-anatomical features in both spruce and beech. In spruce, the highest correlation values were found between TRW and LWW. In beech, the highest correlations were observed between TRW and cell density. There were no significant relationships between wood-anatomical features and resistance drilling density in beech. However, in spruce, a significant negative correlation was found between resistance drilling density and tangential tracheid diameter, and a positive correlation between resistance drilling density and both TWW + LWW and LWW. Our findings suggest that resistance drilling measurements can be used to evaluate differences in density within and between species, but they should be improved in resolution to be able to detect changes in wood anatomy.
The Efficient Heritage of the Craftsmanship Spirit in China: A Configuration Effect of Family Motivation and Organizational Learning
Authors: Chen Guodong , Du Jingqing , Shan Ri , Lu Liwei , Mao Xiaoyan
Published: April 2022

In China, cultivation of the craftsmanship spirit is strongly advocated, but little attention is devoted to whether and how “working for the family” promotes heritage of this spirit. A configuration model of family motivation and organizational learning is proposed and expounded. Fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was used to further explore the conditional configuration. The results show that the fitting family motivation to organizational learning is important for promoting heritage of the craftsmanship spirit. There are two paths that promote efficient heritage of this spirit: the institution-led path and the motivation-driven interpretation-led path. For the institution-led path, when apprentices have strong institution learning ability, the anterior-cause condition involves low family motivation, but this factor plays a weak role in promoting efficient heritage of the craftsmanship spirit. In a configuration consisting of intuition, interpretation, integration and institution, family motivation becomes irrelevant, which explains the phenomenon that organizational learning behavior reinforcement leads to a lack of family motivation. For the motivation-driven interpretation-led path, even without regular and institutionalized learning behaviors in the organization, the core conditions of high family motivation and high explanation learning, together with low intuition learning and low integration learning, will promote efficient heritage of the craftsmanship spirit.
Feasibility of a Machine Learning-Based Smartphone Application in Detecting Depression and Anxiety in a Generally Senior Population
Authors: Lin David , Nazreen Tahmida , Rutowski Tomasz , Lu Yang , Harati Amir , Shriberg Elizabeth , Chlebek Piotr , Aratow Michael
Published: April 2022

Background

Depression and anxiety create a large health burden and increase the risk of premature mortality. Mental health screening is vital, but more sophisticated screening and monitoring methods are needed. The Ellipsis Health App addresses this need by using semantic information from recorded speech to screen for depression and anxiety.

Objectives

The primary aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of collecting weekly voice samples for mental health screening. Additionally, we aim to demonstrate portability and improved performance of Ellipsis’ machine learning models for patients of various ages.

Methods

Study participants were current patients at Desert Oasis Healthcare, mean age 63 years (SD = 10.3). Two non-randomized cohorts participated: one with a documented history of depression within 24 months prior to the study (Group Positive), and the other without depression (Group Negative). Participants recorded 5-min voice samples weekly for 6 weeks via the Ellipsis Health App. They also completed PHQ-8 and GAD-7 questionnaires to assess for depression and anxiety, respectively.

Results

Protocol completion rate was 61% for both groups. Use beyond protocol was 27% for Group Positive and 9% for Group Negative. The Ellipsis Health App showed an AUC of 0.82 for the combined groups when compared to the PHQ-8 and GAD-7 with a threshold score of 10. Performance was high for senior participants as well as younger age ranges. Additionally, many participants spoke longer than the required 5 min.

Conclusion

The Ellipsis Health App demonstrated feasibility in using voice recordings to screen for depression and anxiety among various age groups and the machine learning models using Transformer methodology maintain performance and improve over LSTM methodology when applied to the study population.
Mind Maps: Processed as Intuitively as Thought? Investigating Late Elementary Students’ Eye-Tracked Visual Behavior Patterns In-Depth
Authors: Merchie Emmelien , Heirweg Sofie , Van Keer Hilde
Published: April 2022

In this study, 44 late elementary students’ visual behavior patterns when reading mind maps were investigated, more particularly, the intuitive processing nature of their visual characteristics, reading sequence and presentation mode (i.e., mind map before or after text). Eye-tracked data were investigated by means of static early attention and dynamic educational process mining (EPM) analysis and combined with learning performance and retrospective interview data. All students seem to struggle with the map’s radial structure during initial reading. Also, the picture’s position in the map diverts students from consecutively reading interconnected branches. EPM analyses revealed different reading patterns in proceeding reading behavior. Students receiving a text first, seem to grasp the radial structure slightly more and show higher information integration attempts. They also attained higher free recall and coherence scores. The study concludes with instructional design principles for urgently needed explicit visual literacy instruction in elementary grades.
Social Media Influencer Viewing and Intentions to Change Appearance: A Large Scale Cross-Sectional Survey on Female Social Media Users in China
Authors: Pan Wenjing , Mu Zhe , Tang Zheng
Published: April 2022

Previous studies have reported that general or photo-specific social media use was associated with women’s body dissatisfaction and body image disturbance. The current study replicated and expanded upon these findings by identifying the positive association between social media influencer viewing and intentions to change appearance. This study surveyed a sample of 7,015 adult female TikTok users in China regarding their social media influencer viewing frequency, self-objectification, social comparison tendencies when watching short videos, intentions to change appearance, and demographics. The results showed that female TikTok users’ self-objectification mediated the association between their influencer viewing frequency and their intentions to change appearance. Furthermore, social comparison tendencies moderated the association between influencer viewing and intentions to change appearance in that the proposed association was stronger for female TikTok users who had lower social comparison tendencies when watching short videos, compared to female TikTok users who had higher social comparison tendencies. The counter-intuitive finding on social comparison tendencies indicated that women who have higher social comparison tendencies may be more aware of the negative influences and adjust their expectations. The observed association between social media influencer viewing and intentions to change appearance was statistically significant but trivial in terms of effect size. Although the result could warn policymakers and practitioners to design media and health literacy campaigns to cultivate body positivity, caution should be exercised when evaluating the practical implications.
Predicting the Intention and Adoption of Near Field Communication Mobile Payment
Authors: Malarvizhi Chinnasamy Agamudainambi , Al Mamun Abdullah , Jayashree Sreenivasan , Naznen Farzana , Abir Tanvir
Published: April 2022

With the increasing use of mobile devices and new technologies, electronic payments, such as near field communication (NFC) mobile payments, are gaining traction and gradually replacing the currency-based cash payment methods. Despite multiple initiatives by various parties to encourage mobile payments, adoption rates in developing countries have remained low. The purpose of this research is to explore the prime determinants of NFC mobile-payment adoption intention and to develop a model of mobile payment adoption that includes perceived risk (PR) as one of the major elements by extending the UTAUT2 theory components. An online survey was used to acquire data from 370 NFC mobile payments users for the current study. To validate the components and their correlations, structural equation modelling (SEM) was implemented. According to the findings, performance expectancy (PE), hedonic motivation (HM), social influence (SI), and facilitating conditions (FC) have substantial impacts on the consumers’ intentions to adopt NFC mobile payments (INFC). Effort expectancy (EE) and PR were reported to have no considerable effects on the adoption intention. In addition, INFC is revealed to be a major mediator between the associations of the actual adoption of NFC mobile payment (ANFC) with PE, HM, and SI. The findings of the study would assist providers and marketers in better understanding of the consumers’ behavior, designing effective marketing strategies to enhance the consumers’ positive intentions, and achieving the mass adoption of NFC mobile payments in different environmental contexts.
Joint Hypermobility and Clinical Correlates in a Group of Patients With Eating Disorders
Authors: Baeza-Velasco Carolina , Seneque Maude , Courtet Philippe , Olié Émilie , Chatenet Charles , Espinoza Paola , Dorard Géraldine , Guillaume Sébastien
Published: April 2022

Background: The ability to move joints beyond the normal range of motion is called Joint Hypermobility (JHM). JHM has been associated with a plethora of physical problems and is a frequent sign of hereditary disorders of connective tissue. Neuropsychiatric conditions such as eating disorders (ED) have also been related to JHM. However, little is known about the clinical profile of people with ED and JHM. The aim of this study was to explore JHM in patients with ED and to compare the clinical characteristics of hypermobile ED patients with non-hypermobile ED patients.

Method: Fifty-three outpatients diagnosed with ED were assessed using the Beighton score for JHM, the Eating Disorders Inventory 2, the Eating Disorder Examination, and the Detail and Flexibility Questionnaire. Information relating to patients' psychiatric and somatic comorbidities/symptoms was also collected.

Results: Using the traditional Beighton score's cutoff of ≥4, 41.5% of the sample presented with JHM. Our results indicate that compared with non-hypermobile ED patients, those with JHM are significantly younger, suffer at a greater extent from joint pain and easy bruising, have a shorter duration of the ED, and have lower scores for cognitive rigidity. In addition, for those with anorexia nervosa, the restricting subtype represents a significantly lower proportion of hypermobile ED patients compared to non-hypermobile ED patients. Multivariate analyses showed that cognitive rigidity, age, and duration of the ED could predict the JHM status in this sample.

Conclusion: These results suggest that JHM is frequent in patients with ED and is accompanied by signs of tissue fragility. Patients with ED and JHM seem to present a specific profile characterized by less cognitive rigidity and restricting behavior in the case of anorexia nervosa. Further research is needed in order to confirm these results.
Training Peer Support Workers in Mental Health Care: A Mixed Methods Study in Central Catalonia
Authors: Prat Vigué Gemma , Cano Prieto Ivan , del Río Sáez Ruben , Vilanova Masana Rut , Simó Algado Salvador
Published: April 2022

Introduction

A mental health peer support program was implemented at two reference institutions in Central Catalonia. The program culturally and contextually adapted successful international projects by training people with experience of mental health problems and ensuring their employment in multidisciplinary health care teams. This study explores the influence of peer interventions in mental health on the three groups of participants: peer support workers, service users, and mental health professionals.

Methods

A mixed observational method design included pre-, inter-, and post-experimental components and a qualitative description of the impact. The triangulation of the qualitative and quantitative findings showed its coherence and facilitated the understanding of the results. Outcomes and measures were as follows: self-stigma (Self-Stigma Questionnaire); life satisfaction (Scale of Satisfaction with Life); participation in relevant activities (Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey); personal recovery (Scale-revised Recovery Assessment); occupational performance (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure); and attitudes toward mental illness (Community Attitudes toward Mental Illness).

Results

The program showed beneficial effects on peer support workers' (PSW) perceptions of occupational performance, specifically on the ability to find work (p = 0.038), work as a peer support worker (p = 0.016), give to the community (p = 0.011), and satisfaction in the ability to find work (p = 0.031). The assessment made by the three groups of participants was very positive: the PSWs showed an increase in self-esteem and a feeling of usefulness; users of the service described the experience as a source of hope and optimism in their recovery process; and professionals described the program as a positive step in their professional growth.

Discussion

The peer-to-peer strategy is a source of hope in the personal recovery process, providing meaning to life for the PSWs while providing an extra source of support to service users in their process of personal recovery. The results offer us lines of improvement for future implementations. PSW's final emphasis has us reflecting on improvements to enhance their own wellness in mental health care services. The findings show the importance of working on life projects and their impact on the recovery process.
Children of Parents With a Mental Illness—Stigma Questionnaire: Development and Piloting
Authors: Dobener Lisa-Marie , Stracke Markus , Viehl Kathrin , Christiansen Hanna
Published: April 2022

Children of parents with a mental illness are a particularly vulnerable group as they have a high risk to develop a mental disorder themselves and those are associated with high stigma. Moreover, just like primary recipients of stigma, they are affected by the social taboo surrounding mental illness: they do not receive enough information, are often left alone with their problems, and are thus considered “invisible children”. In previous research, family stigma has only been assessed through general questionnaires for all family members. What has not yet been adequately investigated is how stigma difficulties affect the children of parents with mental illness in particular. To address these limitations, we developed the Children of Parents with Mental Illness-Stigma-Questionnaire (COPMI-SQ), a self-report instrument for young people aged 12–19 years, designed to assess young people's stigma experiences in daily life. Based on a systematic review preceding the questionnaire, we identified relevant stigma dimensions for children of parents with a mental illness that resulted in 93 items that according to theory were assumed to load on four different scales: experienced stigma, anticipated stigma, self-stigma, and structural discrimination. An expert discussion, and a comprehensibility analysis with the target group followed. In this paper, we report on the development process and initial pilot data (N= 32) on the psychometric properties of the COPMI-SQ. Item analyses via an item difficulty index, discriminatory power, as well as internal consistency analysis resulted in a revised instrument reduced to 67 items. We observed very high internal consistencies (between α = 0.868 and α = 0.975) for the subscales. The approach taken to develop the COPMI-SQ followed scientifically accepted principles by ensuring different construction phases and is considered a solid basis for further reliability and validity studies. The study is ongoing and undergoing a further validation investigation; dimensionality and factor structure will also be examined.
Omega-3 for the Prevention of Alcohol Use Disorder Relapse: A Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Pauluci Renata , Noto Ana Regina , Curado Daniela Fernandez , Siqueira-Campos Miguel , Bezerra Andréia Gomes , Galduróz José Carlos Fernandes
Published: April 2022

Background

Recent studies have sought to identify the possible benefits of the intake of omega-3, an important component of neuronal membranes, for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.

Aim

The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether omega-3 supplementation is protective against alcohol use disorder relapse after hospital discharge.

Methods

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out with severe alcohol dependence. Male inpatients were randomized to treatment with omega-3 (n = 59) or placebo (n = 52) for 3 months, participants were assessed after discharge at 1 month (T1), 2 months (T2), 3 months (T3), and 6 months (T4) with assessments made using self-report instruments. The primary outcomes were the possible reduction with assessments made using self-report instruments. The primary outcomes were the possible reduction in the number, intensity of relapses, amount of consumption in each relapse and number of days of consumption during relapses; as secondary outcomes were assessed symptoms of anxiety, depression, degree of dependence, compulsion, and craving.

Results

The groups were similar regarding consumption amount parameters and propensity to relapse; however, an effect of treatment with omega-3 was found on the number of days of drinking at 2 months [B = 0.65 (0.09; 1, 21), p = 0.01] and 3 months [B = 2.6 (1.61; 3.58), p < 0.001] after discharge, favoring the intervention group. The effect was not maintained at follow up of 6 months. No differences were found in psychiatric symptoms and severity of addiction.

Conclusion

Despite the major limitations of the present study, the group that received omega-3 had a lower number of days of consumption of standard doses of alcohol in the evaluations of 60 and 90 days after discharge. More robust studies are needed to confirm or refute these findings. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: n° RBR-48mkgz7 (URL: https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-48mkgz7).
Early Attachment and the Development of Social Communication: A Neuropsychological Approach
Authors: Jethava Vibhuti , Kadish Jocelyn , Kakonge Lisa , Wiseman-Hakes Catherine
Published: April 2022

Social communication forms the foundation of human relationships. Social communication, i.e., the appropriate understanding and use of verbal and non-verbal communication within a social context, profoundly impacts mental health across the lifespan and is also highly vulnerable to neurodevelopmental threats and social adversities. There exists a strong interconnection between the development of language and other higher cognitive skills, mediated, in part, through the early attachment relationship. Consideration of how attachment links to brain development can help us understand individuals with social communication difficulties across the lifespan. The early attachment relationship supports the development of the foundational constructs of social communication. In this paper, a neuropsychological perspective was applied to social communication, which integrated evidence from early attachment theory, examining the underpinnings of social communication components identified by the SoCom model, namely socio-cognitive, socio-emotional, and socio-linguistic constructs. A neuropsychological perspective underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. This should also inform approaches to prevention, policy, intervention, and advocacy for individuals with or at risk for social communication impairments, as well as their families.
Mental Health of COVID-19 Survivors at 6 and 12 Months Postdiagnosis: A Cohort Study
Authors: Huang Xin , Liu Lin , Eli Buzohre , Wang Jingyi , Chen Yaru , Liu Zhengkui
Published: April 2022

Objective

As COVID-19 persists around the world, it is necessary to explore the long-term mental health effects in COVID-19 survivors. In this study, we investigated the mental health outcomes of survivors of COVID-19 at 6 and 12 months postdiagnosis.

Methods

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD checklist for the DSM-5, PCL-5), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, GAD-7), resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, CD-RISC-10), perceived social support (PSSS), personality traits (Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory-15, CBF-PI-15), and sociodemographic information were examined among 511 survivors of COVID-19 (48.1%, females; Mage = 56.23 years at first assessment) at 6 and 12 months postdiagnosis. The data were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed rank tests and multivariable logistic regression models.

Results

The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at 6 and 12 months after diagnosis was 13.31% and 6.26%; 20.35% and 11.94%; and 13.11% and 6.07%, respectively. The risk factors for all symptoms were as follows: higher neuroticism; lower openness, extraversion, agreeableness, and resilience; greater life disruptions due to COVID-19; poorer living standards; and increased symptoms of PTSD or depression at 6 months postdiagnosis.

Conclusion

The mental health of COVID-19 survivors improved between 6 and 12 months postdiagnosis. Mental health workers should pay long-term attention to this group, especially to survivors with risk factors.
Precision Public Health for Non-communicable Diseases: An Emerging Strategic Roadmap and Multinational Use Cases
Authors: Canfell Oliver J. , Davidson Kamila , Woods Leanna , Sullivan Clair , Cocoros Noelle M. , Klompas Michael , Zambarano Bob , Eakin Elizabeth , Littlewood Robyn , Burton-Jones Andrew
Published: April 2022

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain the largest global public health threat. The emerging field of precision public health (PPH) offers a transformative opportunity to capitalize on digital health data to create an agile, responsive and data-driven public health system to actively prevent NCDs. Using learnings from digital health, our aim is to propose a vision toward PPH for NCDs across three horizons of digital health transformation: Horizon 1—digital public health workflows; Horizon 2—population health data and analytics; Horizon 3—precision public health. This perspective provides a high-level strategic roadmap for public health practitioners and policymakers, health system stakeholders and researchers to achieving PPH for NCDs. Two multinational use cases are presented to contextualize our roadmap in pragmatic action: ESP and RiskScape (USA), a mature PPH platform for multiple NCDs, and PopHQ (Australia), a proof-of-concept population health informatics tool to monitor and prevent obesity. Our intent is to provide a strategic foundation to guide new health policy, investment and research in the rapidly emerging but nascent area of PPH to reduce the public health burden of NCDs.
Reciprocal Relationships Between Problematic Social Media Use, Problematic Gaming, and Psychological Distress Among University Students: A 9-Month Longitudinal Study
Authors: Chang Ching-Wen , Huang Ru-Yi , Strong Carol , Lin Yi-Ching , Tsai Meng-Che , Chen I-Hua , Lin Chung-Ying , Pakpour Amir H. , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: April 2022

Background

The causal relationships between two specific types of problematic use in internet-related activities [i.e., problematic social media use (PSMU) and problematic gaming (PG)] and psychological distress remain controversial. The present study investigated the temporal relationships between PSMU, PG, and psychological distress (i.e., anxiety, depression) in university students.

Methods

Hong Kong and Taiwan university students [N = 645; nmale = 266; mean = 20.95 years (SD = 5.63)] were recruited for a survey study, with follow-ups at 3, 6, and 9 months after baseline assessment. The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used to assess studied variables. Demographics including age, physical characteristics (i.e., height, weight, and body mass index), and cigarette use were compared between participants who completed all the follow-ups and those who dropped out. Random intercept cross-lagged models were constructed to understand the reciprocal relationships between PSMU, PG, and psychological distress.

Results

No significant differences were found in age, physical characteristics, and cigarette use between participants who completed all the follow-ups and those who dropped out. Findings indicated that a high level of PSMU significantly increased the level of anxiety and a high level of anxiety significantly increased the level of PSMU. A high level of PSMU significantly increased the level of depression but the level of depression did not significantly affect the level of PSMU. A high level of PG significantly increased the level of anxiety, but the level of anxiety did not significantly affect the level of PG. A high level of depression significantly increased the level of PG, but the level of depression did not significantly affect the level of PG.

Conclusion

The patterns of the causal relationship between PIU and psychological distress variables differ. A reciprocal relationship was only found between the level of PSMU and the level of anxiety. Moreover, the longitudinal design found no differences in the waves in terms of gaming by the participants.
Lessons Learned From Implementing Digital Health Tools to Address COVID-19 in LMICs
Authors: Mason Caitlyn , Lazenby Siobhan , Stuhldreher Rachel , Kimball Meredith , Bartlein Rebecca
Published: April 2022

As COVID-19 strained health systems around the world, many countries developed or adapted digital health tools to detect and respond to the novel coronavirus. We identified transferable lessons from an assessment of implementation factors that led to the rapid launch and scale-up of eight digital tools in low- and middle-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. These lessons should inform the development of digital health tools to support public health objectives such as the Sustainable Development Goals. Using the mHealth Assessment and Planning for Scale Toolkit, we assessed the implementation of eight digital tools through desk research and stakeholder interviews. Three core lessons emerged from our findings: (1) user-centered design is key to the widespread adoption of digital tools; (2) strong, country-led partnerships are essential for scaling up and sustaining digital tools; and (3) using adaptable digital tools enables implementers to focus on the content of the solution rather than the technology. Lessons learned from implementing and adapting digital tools quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic can inform the use of digital tools for additional health applications, such as bolstering primary health care, reaching vulnerable and marginalized populations, and empowering health workers with the real-time information necessary to optimize their work and improve the health of their target populations. Future efforts should focus on robust monitoring and evaluation of digital tools and sustainable financing models.
How Inhibitory Control Relates to Positive and Negative Affective States in Red Junglefowl
Authors: Garnham Laura Clare , Clarke Charlie , Løvlie Hanne
Published: April 2022

Individual differences in inhibitory control, an aspect of cognition, are found in many species. How this variation links to affective states is not much explored, and could be relevant for welfare. As less fearful, more optimistic, individuals may act more impulsively, inhibitory control could link to less negative, more positive, affective states. Alternatively, poorer inhibitory control could associate with more negative, less positive, affective states, as poorer inhibitory control can result in individuals being less able to adapt to changing environments and more likely to show stereotypies. We here explored in three cohorts (N= 209) of captive red junglefowl, the ancestor of domestic chickens, how inhibitory control associated with affective states. Specifically, we measured inhibitory control with a detour task, and negative and positive affective states with a tonic immobility test and a cognitive judgement bias test, respectively. Cognition and behaviour can differ between ages and sexes. Therefore, we investigated how inhibitory control related to affective states in younger chicks (≈2.5 weeks old), older chicks (≈5 weeks old) and sexually mature adults (≈28 weeks old) of both sexes. In younger chicks, poorer inhibitory control associated with less negative, more positive, affective states. We found no relationship between inhibitory control and affective states in older chicks or adults, nor sex differences regarding how inhibitory control related to affective states. Overall, our results suggest that inhibitory control can link to affective states and that the nature of these links can change over ontogeny.
A Novel Application of 3D Printing Technology Facilitating Shell Wound Healing of Freshwater Turtle
Authors: Hung Tsung-Fu , Kuo Po-Jan , Tsai Fung-Shi , Yu Pin-Huan , Nai Yu-Shin
Published: April 2022

Numerous cases and a shortage of resources usually limit wild animal rescue. New technology might save these severely injured wild animals from euthanasia by easing the requirement of intensive medication. Three-dimensional (3D) technologies provide precise and accurate results that improve the quality of medical applications. These 3D tools have become relatively low-cost and accessible in recent years. In the medical field of exotic animals, turtle shell defects are highly challenging because of inevitable water immersion. This report is the first attempt to apply the combination of 3D scanning, computer-aided design (CAD), and 3D printing to make a device that protects the wound from exposure to water or infection sources. The presented techniques successfully extricate a wild freshwater turtle from an extensive shell defect within a short period. Integration of multiple sciences to 3D technology can provide a facile model for veterinary medical applications.