bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and Gene Features of SARS-CoV-2-Positive Recurrence in Patients Recovered From COVID-19
Authors: Peng Yuying , Wang Shaoqi , Chai Ruihuan , Chen Yong , Li Nan , Zeng Boning , Tang Qian , Zheng Kai , Liang Youfang , Xie Shouxia , Huang Wei , Wang Shaoxiang , Wang Xiao
Published: June 2022

There are still frequent reports that a number of recovered coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients following discharge have re-detectable positive (RP) results by RT-PCR. Understanding the clinical and molecular characteristics of RP patients may have implications for curbing the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, 318 COVID-19 convalescent patients, including 59 RP patients and 259 non-RP (NRP) patients, were enrolled. Among RP patients, women accounted for a significantly high proportion (67.8%), and the titers of IgG and IgM antibodies in this group were also significantly high. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 692 upregulated and 383 downregulated genes, overlapped in two public GEO datasets containing RP and NRP blood cell samples. Enrichment analysis indicated that these DEGs were related to several key signaling pathways, such as viral infection, immune activation, and inflammatory responses. Importantly, 59 indicator genes constituting the core network exhibited high diagnostic values and were correlated with markers of different immune cells. Among these, 12 drug-related genes were associated with the RP results. Our work suggests that, in addition to clinically available features, blood cell transcriptome sequencing can be performed to obtain gene signatures for diagnosis of RP patients.
MicroRNAs in the Regulation of Solute Carrier Proteins Behind Xenobiotic and Nutrient Transport in Cells
Authors: Yi Colleen , Yu Ai-Ming
Published: June 2022

Altered metabolism, such as aerobic glycolysis or the Warburg effect, has been recognized as characteristics of tumor cells for almost a century. Since then, there is accumulating evidence to demonstrate the metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells, addiction to excessive uptake and metabolism of key nutrients, to support rapid proliferation and invasion under tumor microenvironment. The solute carrier (SLC) superfamily transporters are responsible for influx or efflux of a wide variety of xenobiotic and metabolites that are needed for the cells to function, as well as some medications. To meet the increased demand for nutrients and energy, SLC transporters are frequently dysregulated in cancer cells. The SLCs responsible for the transport of key nutrients for cancer metabolism and energetics, such as glucose and amino acids, are of particular interest for their roles in tumor progression and metastasis. Meanwhile, rewired metabolism is accompanied by the dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) that are small, noncoding RNAs governing posttranscriptional gene regulation. Studies have shown that many miRNAs directly regulate the expression of specific SLC transporters in normal or diseased cells. Changes of SLC transporter expression and function can subsequently alter the uptake of nutrients or therapeutics. Given the important role for miRNAs in regulating disease progression, there is growing interest in developing miRNA-based therapies, beyond serving as potential diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers. In this article, we discuss how miRNAs regulate the expression of SLC transporters and highlight potential influence on the supply of essential nutrients for cell metabolism and drug exposure toward desired efficacy.
Using Remotely Supervised At-Home TES for Enhancing Mental Resilience
Authors: Paneva Jasmina , Leunissen Inge , Schuhmann Teresa , de Graaf Tom A. , Jønsson Morten Gørtz , Onarheim Balder , Sack Alexander T.
Published: June 2022

We are in the midst of a mental health crisis with major depressive disorder being the most prevalent among mental health disorders and up to 30% of patients not responding to first-line treatments. Noninvasive Brain Stimulation (NIBS) techniques have proven to be effective in treating depression. However, there is a fundamental problem of scale. Currently, any type of NIBS treatment requires patients to repeatedly visit a clinic to receive brain stimulation by trained personnel. This is an often-insurmountable barrier to both patients and healthcare providers in terms of time and cost. In this perspective, we assess to what extent Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (TES) might be administered with remote supervision in order to address this scaling problem and enable neuroenhancement of mental resilience at home. Social, ethical, and technical challenges relating to hardware- and software-based solutions are discussed alongside the risks of stimulation under- or over-use. Solutions to provide users with a safe and transparent ongoing assessment of aptitude, tolerability, compliance, and/or misuse are proposed, including standardized training, eligibility screening, as well as compliance and side effects monitoring. Looking into the future, such neuroenhancement could be linked to prevention systems which combine home-use TES with digital sensor and mental monitoring technology to index decline in mental wellbeing and avoid relapse. Despite the described social, ethical legal, and technical challenges, the combination of remotely supervised, at-home TES setups with dedicated artificial intelligence systems could be a powerful weapon to combat the mental health crisis by bringing personalized medicine into people’s homes.
Half-UNet: A Simplified U-Net Architecture for Medical Image Segmentation
Authors: Lu Haoran , She Yifei , Tie Jun , Xu Shengzhou
Published: June 2022

Medical image segmentation plays a vital role in computer-aided diagnosis procedures. Recently, U-Net is widely used in medical image segmentation. Many variants of U-Net have been proposed, which attempt to improve the network performance while keeping the U-shaped structure unchanged. However, this U-shaped structure is not necessarily optimal. In this article, the effects of different parts of the U-Net on the segmentation ability are experimentally analyzed. Then a more efficient architecture, Half-UNet, is proposed. The proposed architecture is essentially an encoder-decoder network based on the U-Net structure, in which both the encoder and decoder are simplified. The re-designed architecture takes advantage of the unification of channel numbers, full-scale feature fusion, and Ghost modules. We compared Half-UNet with U-Net and its variants across multiple medical image segmentation tasks: mammography segmentation, lung nodule segmentation in the CT images, and left ventricular MRI image segmentation. Experiments demonstrate that Half-UNet has similar segmentation accuracy compared U-Net and its variants, while the parameters and floating-point operations are reduced by 98.6 and 81.8%, respectively, compared with U-Net.
Cell Non-autonomous Proteostasis Regulation in Aging and Disease
Authors: Ferreira Joao Vasco , da Rosa Soares Ana , Pereira Paulo
Published: June 2022

Aging is a risk factor for a number of diseases, being the more notorious ones perhaps neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. These and other age-related pathologies are often associated with accumulation of proteotoxic material inside cells, as well as with the accumulation of protein deposits extracellularly. It is widely accepted that this accumulation of toxic proteins trails a progressive decline in the mechanisms that regulate protein homeostasis, or proteostasis, during aging. However, despite significant efforts, the progress in terms of novel or improved therapies targeting accumulation of proteotoxic material has been rather limited. For example, clinical trials for new drugs aimed at treating Alzheimer’s disease, by preventing accumulation of toxic proteins, have notoriously failed. On the other hand, it is becoming increasingly apparent that regulation of proteostasis is not a cell autonomous process. In fact, cells rely on complex transcellular networks to maintain tissue and organ homeostasis involving endocrine and paracrine signaling pathways. In this review we will discuss the impact of cell non-autonomous proteostasis mechanisms and their impact in aging and disease. We will focus on how transcellular proteostasis networks can shed new light into stablished paradigms about the aging of organisms.
Methodology for the Review and Update of Nutrient Criteria Underpinning Front-of-Pack Labeling: Application to the Glycemic Index Symbol
Authors: Starck Carlene , Blumfield Michelle , Abbott Kylie , Cassettari Tim , Wright Jutta , Duve Emily , Barclay Alan W. , Fayet-Moore Flavia
Published: June 2022

Background:

Nutrient criteria underlying front-of-pack food labeling programs can play an important role in improving dietary intakes. Currently, no methodology for the development or update of nutrient criteria has been published, nor the methods used by food regulatory bodies. The scientific publication of methodology outlining the development and update of nutrient criteria underpinning front-of-pack food labeling programs highlighting healthier food choices is needed.

Objective

To develop and provide a globally applicable and transparent methodology for researchers to follow when reviewing existing or developing new nutrient criteria for front-of-pack labeling.

Methods

The Nutrient Criteria Methodology involved five phases: Phase I, the development of guiding principles; Phase II, collection of information for subsequent phases, including a pre-scope of the literature and selection of food composition database(s) for modeling; Phase III, literature review of all possible nutrients relevant to the nutrient criteria; Phase IV, database modeling to set quantitative limits for each selected nutrient; Phase V, assessment of the criteria against an established nutritional quality assessment tool. As an example, the methodology was applied to the update of the GI Symbol Product Eligibility and Nutrient Criteria (PENC).

Results

A comprehensive and replicable methodology, based on best practice protocols and ensuring both scientific credibility and practicality of use by industry, was developed. Application of the five phases of the methodology to the GI Symbol PENC highlighted the ability of the methodology to uncover nutritional measures currently missing in many nutrient criteria for front-of-pack food labeling programs and other national food labeling systems, such as glycemic load and the unsaturated to saturated fat ratio. Foods achieving the PENC had a higher Health Star Rating than foods not achieving the PENC.

Conclusion

Our Nutrient Criteria Methodology can be applied to the development and update of global nutrient criteria underpinning front-of-pack food labeling programs. Further research into the implementation of additional nutritional measures found to be important for human health is recommended, with the goal of the prevention of diet-related disease.
Anthropometric Indicators of Body Composition Associated With Lipid and Glycemic Profiles in Overweight Brazilian Children and Adolescents From 2008 to 2020
Authors: Nogueira-de-Almeida Carlos Alberto , Ued Fábio da Veiga , Contini Andrea Aparecida , Martinez Edson Zangiacomi , Del Ciampo Luiz Antonio , Nogueira-de-Almeida Maria Eduarda , Ferraz Ivan Savioli , Silva Raquel Farias Barreto , de Mello Elza Daniel , Fisberg Mauro
Published: June 2022

Background

Anthropometric indicators have been used to predict health problems. The objective was to determine which indicators present better correlation with dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and peripheral insulin resistance, as well as the cutoff points capable of predicting lipid and glycemic alterations in Brazilian children and adolescents.

Methods

A cross-sectional study conducted with 568 overweight individuals, aged between 5 and 18 years, living in Southeast and South Brazilian regions, submitted to anthropometric and body composition evaluation by bioimpedance, in addition to fasting laboratory tests [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), fasting glycemia, and homeostasis model assessment–insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)]. Pearson's correlation was used to evaluate the association between anthropometric indicators and serum biomarkers. The ROC curve with Youden's J index was used to suggest anthropometric cutoff points with better ability to predict or rule out lipid and glycemic changes.

Results

Cutoff points obtained for the z-score of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist circumference for height (WC/H) showed high specificity (52 to 87%) and low sensitivity (23 to 59%), indicating greater ability to exclude changes in HDL-c, TG, and HOMA-IR levels. Cutoff points suggested for BMI ranged from +1.86 to +2.20 z-score. WC cutoff points ranged from +1.29 to +1.72, and, for the WC/H index, from +1.21 to +1.25. It was suggested the use of the following cutoff points to rule out changes in HDL-c, TG, and HOMA-IR values in clinical practice: BMI < z-score +2 and WC/H < z-score +1.29. In body fat percentage (BFP) analyses, the cutoff point < of 34% may be able to rule out changes in HDL-c (specificity of 70%), while the cutoff point > 36.6% may be able to predict changes in the HOMA-IR index (sensitivity of 76%).

Conclusion

It is not yet possible to state which anthropometric parameter has the best correlation with lipid and glycemic alterations in overweight children and adolescents. We suggest considering BMI, WC, and WC/H cutoff points together to rule out changes in HDL-c, TG, and HOMA-IR, and use the BFP cutoff point to predict changes in HOMA-IR.
When Differential Descending Control of Speed Matters: Descending Modulation of A- versus C-Fiber Evoked Spinal Nociception
Authors: Lumb Bridget M. , Donaldson Lucy F.
Published: June 2022

Descending pain modulatory systems (DPMS) that originate within the brain and act to modulate spinal nociceptive transmission are a major determinant of the acute and chronic pain experience. Investigations of these systems in basic scientific research is critical to the development of therapeutic strategies for the relief of pain. Despite our best efforts, something is lost in translation. This article will explore whether this is due in part to a primary focus on sensory modality leading to a failure to differentiate between descending control of A- vs. C-fiber mediated spinal nociception.
Practical Workflow for Cardiovascular Assessment and Follow-Up in Kawasaki Disease Based on Expert Opinion
Authors: van Stijn Diana , Planken R. Nils , Groenink Maarten , Blom Nico , de Winter Robbert J. , Kuijpers Taco , Kuipers Irene
Published: June 2022

Background

Approximately 25% of the patients with a history of Kawasaki disease (KD) develop coronary artery pathology if left untreated, with coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) as an early hallmark. Depending on the severity of CAAs, these patients are at risk of myocardial ischemia, infarction and sudden death. In order to reduce cardiac complications it is crucial to accurately identify patients with coronary artery pathology by an integrated cardiovascular program, tailored to the severity of the existing coronary artery pathology.

Methods

The development of this practical workflow for the cardiovascular assessment of KD patients involve expert opinions of pediatric cardiologists, infectious disease specialists and radiology experts with clinical experience in a tertiary KD reference center of more than 1000 KD patients. Literature was analyzed and an overview of the currently most used guidelines is given.

Conclusions

We present a patient-specific step-by-step, integrated cardiovascular follow-up approach based on expert opinion of a multidisciplinary panel with expertise in KD.
Hypocomplementemic Atypical IgA Vasculitis: A Case Report
Authors: Chan Melvin , Hanna Melisha Gayle , Willard Nicholas , Treece Amy , Dixon Bradley Patton
Published: June 2022

IgA vasculitis (IgAV, also known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura or HSP) is a vasculitis of small vessels involving multiple organs, particularly of the joints, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and kidneys. Growing laboratory evidence has shown that complement plays a key role in the pathogenesis of IgAV, although direct evidence of this association in patients is lacking. We report a child with IgAV associated with clinical features of hypertension, nephrotic range proteinuria, acute kidney injury, and low serum C3, with histopathologic findings on renal biopsy of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with C3 and IgA co-dominance, and extensive complement derangements. This case report suggests that complement modifies the pathogenesis of IgAV, and further investigation into complement-targeted therapy in cases of refractory IgAV may be beneficial.
Pediatric Urolithiasis: Current Surgical Strategies and Future Perspectives
Authors: Paraboschi Irene , Gnech Michele , De Marco Erika Adalgisa , Minoli Dario Guido , Bebi Carolina , Zanetti Stefano Paolo , Manzoni Gianantonio , Montanari Emanuele , Berrettini Alfredo
Published: June 2022

New technological innovations and cutting-edge techniques have led to important changes in the surgical management of pediatric urolithiasis. Miniaturized technologies and minimally invasive approaches have been increasingly used in children with urinary stones to minimize surgical complications and improve patient outcomes. Moreover, the new computer technologies of the digital era have been opening new horizons for the preoperative planning and surgical treatment of children with urinary calculi. Three-dimensional modeling reconstructions, virtual, augmented, and mixed reality are rapidly approaching the surgical practice, equipping surgeons with powerful instruments to enhance the real-time intraoperative visualization of normal and pathological structures. The broad range of possibilities offered by these technological innovations in the adult population finds increasing applications in pediatrics, offering a more detailed visualization of small anatomical structures. This review illustrates the most promising techniques and devices to enhance the surgical treatment of pediatric urolithiasis in children, aiming to favor an early adoption and to stimulate more research on this topic.
Specifically Increased Rate of Infections in Children Post Measles in a High Resource Setting
Authors: Bühl Daniel , Staudacher Olga , Santibanez Sabine , Rossi Rainer , Girschick Hermann , Stephan Volker , Schmidt Beatrix , Hundsdoerfer Patrick , von Moers Arpad , Lange Michael , Barker Michael , Mall Marcus A. , Heininger Ulrich , Matysiak-Klose Dorothea , Mankertz Annette , von Bernuth Horst
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Post-measles increased susceptibility to subsequent infections seems particularly relevant in low-resource settings. We tested the hypothesis that measles causes a specifically increased rate of infections in children, also in a high-resource setting.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study on a large measles outbreak in Berlin, Germany. All children with measles who presented to hospitals in Berlin were included as cases, children with non-infectious and children with non-measles infectious diseases as controls. Repeat visits within 3 years after the outbreak were recorded.

Results

We included 250 cases, 502 non-infectious, and 498 infectious disease controls. The relative risk for cases for the diagnosis of an infectious disease upon a repeat visit was 1.6 (95% CI 1.4–2.0, p < 0.001) vs. non-infectious and 1.3 (95% CI 1.1–1.6, p = 0.002) vs. infectious disease controls. 33 cases (27%), 35 non-infectious (12%) and 57 (18%) infectious disease controls presented more than three times due to an infectious disease (p = 0.01, and p = 0.02, respectively). This results in a relative risk of more than three repeat visits due to an infection for measles cases of 1.8 (95% CI 1.3–2.4, p = 0.01), and 1.4 (95% CI 1.0–1.9, p = 0.04), respectively.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates for the first time in a high-resource setting, that increased post-measles susceptibility to subsequent infections in children is measles-specific—even compared to controls with previous non-measles infections.
Clinical Characteristics of Children With SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Hospital in Latin America
Authors: Niño-Serna Laura F. , López-Barón Eliana , Maya Ángel Isabel Cristina , Tamayo-Múnera Carolina
Published: June 2022

Objective:

COVID-19 infections have shown a different behavior in children than in adults. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pediatric patients seen at a reference hospital in Colombia.

Method

A descriptive, observational study in patients under the age of 18 years with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 infection (RT-PCR or antigen) between April 2020 and March 2021. Multiple variables were studied, including demographic data, clinical characteristics, lab measurements, treatments administered, intensive care unit admission, and mortality.

Results

A total of 361 patients were included of whom 196 (54%) were males. The median age was 3 years. Of all the patients, 65 (18%) were asymptomatic. The majority of patients had no comorbidities (n = 225, 76%). In those who were symptomatic (n = 296, 82%), the most frequent complaints were fever (n = 178, 60%), nasal congestion (n = 164, 55%) and cough (n = 149, 50%). Chest x-rays were normal in 73 patients (50%). When abnormalities were found, interstitial (29%) and alveolar (12%) patterns were the most prevalent. One hundred and fifty-seven children (53%) required general ward hospitalization, and 24 patients (8%) required pediatric intensive care admission. The global mortality was 0.8% (3 patients).

Conclusions

The majority of cases were asymptomatic or mild. However, a significant percentage of patients required general ward admission, and some even required intensive care. The main symptom of COVID-19 infections in newborns was apnea. A second COVID-19 RT-PCR may be necessary to detect infections in critically ill patients with a high clinical suspicion of the disease if an initial test was negative.
The Current Progresses in the Genes and Networks Regulating Cotton Plant Architecture
Authors: Huang Xianzhong , Liu Hui , Ma Bin
Published: June 2022

Cotton is the most important source of natural fiber in the world as well as a key source of edible oil. The plant architecture and flowering time in cotton are crucial factors affecting cotton yield and the efficiency of mechanized harvest. In the model plant arabidopsis, the functions of genes related to plant height, inflorescence structure, and flowering time have been well studied. In the model crops, such as tomato and rice, the similar genetic explorations have greatly strengthened the economic benefits of these crops. Plants of the Gossypium genus have the characteristics of perennials with indeterminate growth and the cultivated allotetraploid cottons, G. hirsutum (Upland cotton), and G. barbadense (Sea-island cotton), have complex branching patterns. In this paper, we review the current progresses in the identification of genes affecting cotton architecture and flowering time in the cotton genome and the elucidation of their functional mechanisms associated with branching patterns, branching angle, fruit branch length, and plant height. This review focuses on the following aspects: (i) plant hormone signal transduction pathway; (ii) identification of cotton plant architecture QTLs and PEBP gene family members; (iii) functions of FT/SFT and SP genes; (iv) florigen and anti-florigen systems. We highlight areas that require further research, and should lay the groundwork for the targeted bioengineering of improved cotton cultivars with flowering times, plant architecture, growth habits and yields better suited for modern, mechanized cultivation.
Re-evaluating the Systematics of Dendrolycopodium Using Restriction-Site Associated DNA-Sequencing
Authors: Petlewski Alaina R. , Hauser Duncan A. , Kim Min , Schmutz Jeremy , Grimwood Jane , Li Fay-Wei
Published: June 2022

The genus Dendrolycopodium (Lycopodiaceae) includes four to five species across North America and East Asia. Species identification in Dendrolycopodium is difficult due to limited or inconsistent characters. In addition, plants with intermediate morphologies regularly occur, potentially indicative of interspecific hybridization. To determine the species relationships in Dendrolycopodium and investigate the existence of hybrids, we generated a draft genome assembly for D. obscurum and carried out double-digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RADSeq) on 86 Dendrolycopodium specimens. Our sampling includes all the described species and 11 individuals with intermediate morphology. We find that the genus can be divided into four clades that largely correspond to the described taxa, as well as evidence of interspecific hybridization. Within these clades, our STRUCTURE analysis suggests that there are multiple finer subgroups, with evidence of hybridization and introgression between these subgroups. Given the limited availability of specimens collected from Asia, the status of the various Asian species remains uncertain and will require further study. In summary, our study confirms several hybrid relationships in Dendrolycopodium and provides a clear phylogenetic framework for future taxonomic revision.
Exploration of the Educational Utility of National Film Using Deep Learning From the Positive Psychology Perspective
Authors: Zhaxi Yangzhen , Xiang Yueting , Zou Jilin , Zhang Fengrui
Published: June 2022

The research focuses on the application of positive psychology theory, and studies the educational utility of national films by using deep learning (DL) algorithm. As an art form leading China's film and TV industry, national films have attracted the interest of many domestic scholars. Meanwhile, researchers have employed various science and technologies to conduct in-depth research on national films to improve film artistic levels and EDU-UTL. Accordingly, this paper comprehensively studies the EDU-UTL of national films using quality learning (Q-Learning) combined with DL algorithms and educational psychology. Then, a deep Q-Learning psychological model is proposed based on the convolutional neural network (CNN). Specifically, the CNN uses the H-hop matrix to represent each node, and each hop indicates the neighborhood information. The experiment demonstrates that CNN has a good effect on local feature acquisition, and the representation ability of the obtained nodes is also powerful. When K = 300, the psychological factor Recall of Probability Matrix Decomposition Factorization, Collaborative DL, Stack Denoising Automatic Encoder, and CNN-based deep Q-Learning algorithm is 0.35, 0.71, 0.76, and 0.78, respectively. The results suggest that CNN-based deep Q-Learning psychological model can enhance the EDU-UTL of national films and improve the efficiency of film education from the Positive Psychology perspective.
Impact of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Gaming Elements on Online Purchase Intention
Authors: Wu Xiaomei , Santana Silvia
Published: June 2022

Gamification is a developing trend that can work on customers' motivation and performance in online business areas. Notwithstanding, it is still vigorously debated as there is a continuous conversation inside the gamification community about whether individual gamification elements may really weaken or improve on customers' intrinsic and extrinsic motivations as well as the effect on the consumer's perceived enjoyment and purchase intention. The study uses a questionnaire survey as the research method. A total of 310 questionnaires were distributed, and after the data screening, 302 sets were valid data. The data analysis for this study was analyzed by using SPSS and Smart-PLS. The findings of this study show that intrinsic and extrinsic gaming elements affect consumers' purchase intention in gamification. This study shows how extrinsic gaming elements such as points, badges, feedback and challenges are affecting customers' perceived enjoyment. Furthermore, intrinsic gaming elements such as leaderboards, levels, avatars, and privacy control are affecting customers' perceived enjoyment. It also shows that perceived enjoyment positively affects purchase intention and mediates the relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic gaming elements and purchase intention. Additionally, it shows that promotion focus negatively moderates the relationship between intrinsic elements and perceived enjoyment. This study presents a new research model to explore the effect of extrinsic and intrinsic elements in gamification on purchase intention. The results of this research may help game designers to identify the right design features for the right customers, which has important practical implications for online business development.
Impact of COVID 19 Pandemic and Big Data on China's International Trade: Challenges and Countermeasures
Authors: Zhao Shuang
Published: June 2022

Early 2020 witnessed the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic followed by a nationwide lockdown in the whole history for the first time. In this raising dilemma, multiple countries had a serious impact on their international trade, especially during the lockdown. It is also widely accepted that the lives of individuals had been changing ever since the spread of COVID-19. Several other sectors were badly affected during the pandemic. For the above reasons, service industries had a significant impact before and after the pandemic. Based on the data collected, it was identified that the pandemic affected the service industries, enterprises, and other organizations that contribute to the economic growth of the nation. It was also found that the pandemic has adversely impacted private and public enterprises. In addition, the study examined the impact of COVID-19 on China's international trade using artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. Another objective of the article is to examine the impact of big data on China's international trade. The study suggests upgrading the trading policies of China to deal with the challenges being faced in the trading industry.
A Study on Perception and Exposure to Occupational Risks at Public School Food Services in Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Ferreira Jeane dos Santos , Araújo Maria da Purificação Nazaré , Botelho Raquel Braz Assunção , Zandonadi Renata Puppin , Nakano Eduardo Yoshio , Raposo António , Han Heesup , Muñoz Marcelo Arraño , Ariza-Montes Antonio , Akutsu Rita de Cássia Coelho de Almeida
Published: June 2022

Food service work is hazardous due to the intense rhythm of food production, and the working conditions can cause discomfort, fatigue, and occupational accidents and illnesses. For the perception of exposure to occupational hazards, workers must participate in continuing education programs. This study aimed to verify the perception and exposure to occupational risks at school food services (SFS) in Bahia, Brazil. This cross-sectional study was conducted in SFS from public schools in Bahia/Brazil. Researchers identified sociodemographic variables, occupational characteristics, and the Perception of Exposure to Occupational Risks by SFS food handlers. Also, anthropometric assessment (weight, height, and waist circumference), the presence of comorbidities, and the identification of exposure to occupational risks and measures of environmental comfort were evaluated. Most workers were female (98.6%;n= 140), mean age of 46.85 y/o, working as SFS food handlers between 1 and 5 years (50.7%;n= 72) but with no training on occupational risks (52.8%;n= 75). This lack of training is not associated with demographic or other occupational variables. The majority of the food handlers present a fair or good perception of exposure to occupational risk. These food handlers are also mostly overweight, and higher BMI was associated with hypertension and edema. The SFS were classified as of high occupational risk (mean of 31.24% of adequacy) environments. Ergonomic Risks had the lowest percentage of adequacy (7.69%, very high risk) regarding occupational risks, followed by chemical risks (31.5% of adequacy, high risk), accident risk (32.19%, high risk), and physical risk (36.89%, high risk). The excess of activities associated with precarious physical structure, insufficient number of equipment and utensils (in inadequate conservation) favors the exposure to occupational risk in SFS.
An Exploratory Study of the Social Contract of Research and Innovation in Africa
Authors: Kahn Michael Jeffrey
Published: June 2022

This exploratory study adds to the under-developed literature on a Research Topic that laden with epistemological, philosophical, and ideological overtones, and that begs many questions. The literature on political economy generally, and that for Africa, enjoys full disciplinary status. In contrast the political economy of research and innovation remains an emerging interdisciplinary field that examines the overlap between innovation studies and political economy. The pursuit of “science and technology” was expected to play its part in the imperialist and colonial agendas, and in the post-colonial project, when science and technology policy was a strong element in advocacy for Africa's post-independence development. What have the policies achieved, and what explains the shortfalls? What indeed is the relationship between industrial policy and research and innovation policy? What is the social contract with research and innovation? The study commences with a general overview of the social contract for science before turning to Africa's post-independence modernizing agenda, and the roles ascribed to industrial policy and research and innovation policy. An eclectic methodology drawing on Cloutier (2021) is deployed to characterize and measure the social contract between research and innovation. The methodology adapts Cloutier (2021) to the functionality of national innovation systems. The responsiveness of STI policy is further probed using Martin,2015categorization of innovation policy informed by Theory of Change. Where possible reference is made to conventional STI indicators. Research and innovation policy is then assessed at continental and national levels, with attention given to the extent of linkages in national innovation systems. Further to tease out the various forms of social contract, five country-level STI policies are analyzed using the Martin categorization and Theory of Change methodology. It will be argued that a binding, social contract for inclusive research and innovation policy is largely absent, so that the prospects for attaining the SDGs remain elusive. Post Glasgow COP-26, donor pressure might be re-oriented to promote engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals, though the upholding research sovereignty could mitigate against this. Africa might rightly chide against such pressure, given her experience of what has been labeled as “vaccine apartheid.”
Salivary Gland Dysfunction Secondary to Cancer Treatment
Authors: Vistoso Monreal Anette , Polonsky Gregory , Shiboski Caroline , Sankar Vidya , Villa Alessandro
Published: June 2022

The number of cancer survivors are increasing and so are the oral toxicities from cancer therapy. Most patients receiving treatment for cancer develop some form of oral adverse events including, but not limited to, mucositis, opportunistic infections, dry mouth, and/or osteonecrosis of the jaw. One of the most common complications from head and neck cancer radiation therapy is salivary gland dysfunction (SGD). SGD is an umbrella term that includes the subjective sensation of dry mouth (xerostomia) and hyposalivation (objective reduction of the salivary flow rate). Dry mouth in cancer patients may lead to functional defects (e.g., eating, speaking, and swallowing), increase the risk of dental caries and oral candidiasis, and can have a negative effect on the nutritional and psychological status of the patients. The aim of this mini review was to summarize the current criteria for diagnosis and management of SGD associated with cancer treatment.
Using Crisis Theory in Dealing With Severe Mental Illness–A Step Toward Normalization?
Authors: Baumgardt Johanna , Weinmann Stefan
Published: June 2022

The perception of mental distress varies with time and culture, e.g., concerning its origin as either social or medical. This may be one reason for the moderate reliability of descriptive psychiatric diagnoses. Additionally, the mechanisms of action of most psychiatric treatments and psychotherapeutic interventions are generally unknown. Thus, these treatments have to be labeled as mostly unspecific even if they help in coping with mental distress. The psychiatric concept of mental disorders therefore has inherent limitations of precision and comprises rather fuzzy boundaries. Against this background, many people question the current process of diagnosing and categorizing mental illnesses. However, many scholars reject new approaches discussed in this context. They rather hold on to traditional diagnostic categories which therefore still play a central role in mental health practice and research and. In order to better understand the adherence to traditional psychiatric concepts, we take a closer look at one of the most widely adopted traditional concepts – the Stress-Vulnerability Model. This model has originally been introduced to tackle some problems of biological psychiatry. However, it has been misapplied with the result of drawing attention preferentially to biological vulnerability instead of a wider array of vulnerability factors including social adversity. Thus, in its current use, the Stress-Vulnerability Model provides only a vague theory for understanding mental phenomena. Therefore, we discuss the advantages and allegedly limited applicability of Crisis Theory as an alternative heuristic model for understanding the nature and development of mental distress. We outline the problems of this theory especially in applying it to severe mental disorders. We finally argue that an understanding of Crisis Theory supported by a systemic approach can be applied to most types of severe psychological disturbances implying that such an understanding may prevent or manage some negative aspects of the psychiatrization of psychosocial problems.
Efficient and Reliable Geocoding of German Twitter Data to Enable Spatial Data Linkage to Official Statistics and Other Data Sources
Authors: Nguyen H. Long , Tsolak Dorian , Karmann Anna , Knauff Stefan , Kühne Simon
Published: June 2022

More and more, social scientists are using (big) digital behavioral data for their research. In this context, the social network and microblogging platform Twitter is one of the most widely used data sources. In particular, geospatial analyses of Twitter data are proving to be fruitful for examining regional differences in user behavior and attitudes. However, ready-to-use spatial information in the form of GPS coordinates is only available for a tiny fraction of Twitter data, limiting research potential and making it difficult to link with data from other sources (e.g., official statistics and survey data) for regional analyses. We address this problem by using the free text locations provided by Twitter users in their profiles to determine the corresponding real-world locations. Since users can enter any text as a profile location, automated identification of geographic locations based on this information is highly complicated. With our method, we are able to assign over a quarter of the more than 866 million German tweets collected to real locations in Germany. This represents a vast improvement over the 0.18% of tweets in our corpus to which Twitter assigns geographic coordinates. Based on the geocoding results, we are not only able to determine a corresponding place for users with valid profile locations, but also the administrative level to which the place belongs. Enriching Twitter data with this information ensures that they can be directly linked to external data sources at different levels of aggregation. We show possible use cases for the fine-grained spatial data generated by our method and how it can be used to answer previously inaccessible research questions in the social sciences. We also provide a companion R package, nutscoder, to facilitate reuse of the geocoding method in this paper.
Regionalization of Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in Colombia
Authors: González-Orozco Carlos E. , Pesca Allende
Published: June 2022

A detailed description and up to date biogeographic regionalization of cultivated cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) are lacking in Colombia. Here we propose a new biogeographical regionalization of cultivated cacao for Colombia. We used spatial partitioning, geospatial mapping of macro/microclimate variables and a hierarchical area taxonomy classification to describe, define and propose the biogeographical regions of cultivated cacao. The cacao regions were identified from distributions of 4,974 cocoa producing farms across Colombia. Our proposed regionalization comprises four regions (north-eastern, north-western, south-western, east), 31 sub-regions and 54 provinces. Solar radiation, precipitation, and soil temperature seasonality best explained the biogeographical regions. Rivers networks helped explain the differences at the sub-regional and provinces level. Our results indicate that biogeography is a strong indicator of cacao's agricultural expansion across the different growing regions in Colombia. This up-to-date biogeographical classification could be a useful tool for agricultural planning of cacao in Colombia. Particularly, the baseline information provided might be of use on the development of denominations of origin for cacao.
Is it Necessary to Stabilize Every Fracture in Patients with Serial Rib Fractures in Blunt Force Trauma?
Authors: Reindl Sebastian , Jawny Philipp , Girdauskas Evaldas , Raab Stephan
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Management of traumatic rib fractures is subject of controversial discussions. Rib fractures are common, especially after traffic accidents and falls. There is no consensus on whether and how many rib fractures need reconstruction. Not every rib fracture needs to be stabilized, but conservative treatment by internal splinting and analgesia is not effective for all patients. Deformities of the chest wall with reduced thoracic volume and restrictive ventilation disorders must be avoided. Intraoperative assessment of fractures and chest stability plays a central role.

Material and methods

From 07/2016 to 07/2021, a total of 121 chest wall stabilizations were performed (m:f = 2:1, age 65 ± 14.5 a). Indications for surgery were the following criteria: (1) palpatory instability of the chest wall, (2) dislocated fracture endings, (3) concomitant injuries, (4) uncontrollable pain symptoms. In all patients, a computed tomography scan of the thorax was performed before the osteosynthetic treatment to assess dislocation of the fracture endings and possible concomitant injuries of intrathoracic organs.

Results

Video-assisted thoracoscopy was performed in all patients. Hemothorax and concomitant injuries of the lung, diaphragm and mediastinum could be assessed. This was followed by an intraoperative assessment of the rib fractures, in particular penetration of fracture endings and resulting instability and deformity. Relevant fractures could be identified and subsequent incisions for rib osteosynthesis precisely defined. 6.3 (±2.7) rib fractures were detected, but 2.4 (±1.2) ribs treated osteosynthetically. Bilateral rib fractures were present in 26 patients (21.5%). Post-operative bleeding occurred in seven patients (5.8%), a breakage of the osteosynthetic material in two patients (1.7%).

Discussion

Intraoperative assessment of relevant fractures and dislocation is the decisive criterium for osteosynthesis. Thoracoscopy is mandatory for this purpose – also to identify accompanying injuries. Not every fracture has to be approached osteosynthetically. Even with serial rib fractures or multiple fractures in a single rib, the thoracic contour can be restored by stabilizing only relevant fractures. Intraoperative palpation can adequately assess the stability and thus the result of the osteosynthesis. Even after surgical treatment of thoracic trauma, adequate analgesia and respiratory therapy are important to the healing process.
Application Value of Gastroenterography Combined With CT in the Evaluation of Short-Term Efficacy and Prognosis in Patients With Esophageal Cancer Radiotherapy
Authors: Xue Liangliang , E Linning , Wu Zhifeng , Guo Dongqiang
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To observe the application value of gastroenterography combined with CT in the evaluation of short-term efficacy and prognosis in patients with esophageal cancer radiotherapy.

Methods

From January 2013 to December 2020, the clinical data of 207 patients with esophageal cancer treated by radiotherapy in our hospital were collected retrospectively. All patients received gastroenterography and CT examination before and after radiotherapy, and the patients were followed-up for 1 year, and the evaluation value of their short-term efficacy and prognosis was observed.

Results

After radiotherapy, the length diameter, short diameter, and volume of the lymph node were lower than those before radiotherapy (p < 0.05), but the maximum tube wall thickness had no significant difference (p > 0.05). The length diameter, short diameter, and volume of the lymph node, and the maximum tube wall thickness in the good efficacy group and the good prognosis group were lower, and the objective response rate in the good prognosis group was higher (p < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of the length diameter, short diameter, and volume of the lymph node to evaluate the short-term efficacy of patients with esophageal cancer was 0.738, 0.705, and 0.748, respectively, and the AUC to evaluate the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer was 0.751, 0.776, and 0.791, respectively.

Conclusion

Gastroenterography combined with CT has a good application value in the evaluation of short-term efficacy and prognosis in patients with esophageal cancer radiotherapy.
Immunosuppressive Effects of Thallium Toxicity in Nile Tilapia Fingerlings: Elucidating the Rescue Role of Astragalus membranaceus Polysaccharides
Authors: Farag Mayada R. , Alagawany Mahmoud , Khalil Samah R. , El-Hady Eman W. , Elhady Walaa M. , Ismail Tamer Ahmed , Marini Carlotta , Di Cerbo Alessandro , Abdel-Latif Hany M. R.
Published: June 2022

This study evaluated the immunotoxic effects of thallium (Tl) in Nile tilapia fingerlings and the recovery role of dietary Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharides (ASs). An 8-week experiment was designed where 180 fishes were randomly and equally assigned in triplicates into the six groups: the control group (CNT) was reared in unpolluted water and fed a commercial diet, two groups were fed a well-balanced commercial diet plus 1.5 and 3.0 g AS/kg diet (AS0.15 and AS0.30), respectively, the fourth group was exposed to a sublethal dose of Tl (41.9 μg l−1) [equal to 1/10 of 96-h lethal concentration 50 (LC50)], and the last two groups were fed 0.15 and 0.3% AS, respectively, and concurrently exposed to Tl (41.9 μg l−1) (AS0.15+Tl and AS0.30+Tl). Fish hematobiochemical parameters, serum immunity [nitric oxide, total immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels, and lysozyme activity], transcription of hepatic interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) were assessed. Hematobiochemical parameters and serum immune indices were significantly decreased in the fish group exposed to sublethal Tl concentration compared to the CNT group. Furthermore, Tl exposure significantly induced overexpression of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ genes (4.22-, 5.45-, and 4.57-fold higher, respectively) compared to CNT values. Tl exposure also increased the cumulative mortality (%) in Nile tilapia challenged with A. hydrophila. Remarkably, the groups fed AS0.15+Tl and AS0.30+Tl significantly ameliorated all the aforementioned parameters, but did not reach CNT values. Our findings suggest the possible immunomodulating roles of dietary AS in recovering the immunotoxic effects of Tl in Nile tilapia. We can conclude that dietary AS would be useful for maintaining the immunity of Nile tilapia fingerlings.