bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Ray Tracing and Monte Carlo Calculation Algorithms for Spine Lesions Treated With CyberKnife
Authors: Li Jun , Zhang Xile , Pan Yuxi , Zhuang Hongqing , Yang Ruijie
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study attempts to evaluate Ray Tracing (RT) and Monte Carlo (MC) algorithms for CyberKnife treatments of spine lesions and determine whether the MC algorithm is necessary for all spine treatment and compare the RT algorithm and MC algorithm at various spine lesion sites.

Methods

The CyberKnife is used for stereotactic body radiotherapy for lesions in the cervical spine (30), thoracic spine (50), lumbar spine (30), and sacral spine (15). Dose was calculated using RT and MC algorithms for patients planned with the same beam angles and monitor units. Dose-volume histograms of the target and selected critical structures are evaluated.

Results

The average target coverage of prescribed dose with MC algorithms was 94.80%, 88.47%, 92.52%, and 93.41%, respectively, in cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine. For the thoracic spine, the RT algorithm significantly overestimates the percentage volume of the target covered by the prescribed dose, as well as overestimates doses to organs at risk in most cases, including lung, spinal cord, and esophagus. For cervical, lumbar, and sacral spine, the differences of the target coverage of prescription dose were generally less than 3% between the RT and MC algorithms. The differences of doses to organs at risk varied with lesion sites and surrounding organs.

Conclusions

In the thoracic spine lesions with beams through air cavities, RT algorithm should be limited and verified with MC algorithm, but the RT algorithm is adequate for treatment of cervical, lumbar, and sacral spine lesions without or with a small amount of beams passing through the lungs.
Clinical Impact of Hydroxyapatite on the Outcome of Skull Base Reconstruction for Intraoperative High-Flow CSF Leak: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis
Authors: Lee Shin Heon , Ha Chang-Min , Hong Sang Duk , Choi Jung Won , Seol Ho Jun , Nam Do-Hyun , Lee Jung-Il , Kong Doo-Sik
Published: May 2022

Background

Despite recent advances in skull base reconstructive techniques, including the multilayer technique during the last decade, complete reconstruction of grade 3 intraoperative high-flow cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak remains challenging. This study was designed to investigate the role of injectable hydroxyapatite (HXA) used in the multilayer technique on the clinical outcome of skull base reconstruction for intraoperative high-flow CSF leak.

Materials and Methods

This study enrolled 187 patients who experienced intraoperative high-flow CSF leak after endoscopic endonasal surgery for anterior skull base or suprasellar pathologies between January 2014 and July 2021. All skull base defects were reconstructed using the conventional multilayer technique including a vascularized naso-septal flap (NSF, n = 141) and the combined use of HXA with the conventional multilayer technique (HXA group, n = 46). We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of the HXA group by 1:2 propensity score matching analysis.

Results

Overall, 17 of 187 patients (9.1%) showed postoperative CSF leaks, resulting in second reconstruction surgery. There were no statistical differences in patient age, sex, body mass index, tumor location, tumor type, and degree of resection, except for the follow-up period between the two groups. The HXA group showed a significantly lower incidence of postoperative CSF leak than the control group (0% vs. 12.1%, p < 0.05). Postoperative lumbar drain (LD) was performed in 8.7% of the HXA group compared to 46.1% of the control group (p < 0.01). CSF leak-related infection rates showed a decreasing tendency in the HXA group compared to the control group (0 vs. 7.1%, p = 0.06). A total of 46 patients in the HXA group were well matched with the control group (92 patients) at a 1:2 ratio. In the propensity score-matched control group, there were higher rates of postoperative CSF leaks than in the HXA group.

Conclusion

The use of HXA combined with the conventional multilayer technique completely reduced postoperative CSF leaks in this study. This technique resulted in reduced CSF leakage, even without postoperative LD, and decreased infection rates. Further randomized comparative studies are required to confirm our findings.
Surgical Management of Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Mini Review
Authors: Ueno Takayuki
Published: May 2022

Breast cancer with distant metastases is a systemic disease. While systemic therapies are the main treatment strategy, locoregional therapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is generally palliative only. However, recent progress in systemic and local therapies has improved the prognosis of patients with MBC and some may expect long-term survival. More vigorous local therapies for MBC may, therefore, be clinically justified in selected patients. A number of clinical trials and studies have investigated the clinical significance of surgical therapy for primary tumors and distant metastases in patients with MBC. Four prospective randomized trials and multiple retrospective studies have investigated the benefit of surgical resection of primary lesions in patients with MBC, with conflicting results. There have been a number of case-control studies examining the impact of surgical resection of distant metastases, but the benefit of this approach in terms of survival is controversial because selection bias is unavoidable in retrospective studies. The present review discusses the state of the literature relating to local management of the primary breast cancer through surgical resection and surgical management of distant metastatic lesions including pulmonary and liver metastases with future perspectives.
Is Undernutrition Associated With Deterioration of Outcomes in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU): Systematic and Meta-Analysis Review
Authors: Albadi Maram S. , Bookari Khlood
Published: May 2022

Background and aim

Undernutrition (UN) may negatively impact clinical outcomes for hospitalized patients. The relationship between UN status at pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission and clinical outcomes is still not well-reported. This systematic meta-analysis review evaluated the impact of UN at admission to PICU on clinical outcomes, including mortality incidence, length of stay (LOS), and the need for and length of time on mechanical ventilation (MV).

Methods

A search was conducted using relevant and multi-medical databases from inception until January 2022. We considered studies that examined the link between UN at PICU admission and clinical outcomes in patients aged 18 years or younger. Pooled risk difference estimates for the PICU outcomes were calculated using a random-effects model.

Result

There were a total of 10,638 patients included in 17 observational studies; 8,044 (75.61%) and 2,594 (24.38%) patients, respectively, were normal-nourished (NN) and undernourished (UN). In comparison to NN patients, UN patients had a slightly higher risk of mortality (RD = 0.02, P = 0.05), MV usage (RD = 0.05, P = 0.02), and PICU LOS (RD = 0.07, P = 0.007). While the duration of MV was significantly longer in UN than in NN (RD = 0.13, P < 0.0001). Sensitivity analysis of UN classification cohorts with a z-score < -2 or in the 5%, patetints age up to 18 years, and mixed diagnose for PICU admission demonstrated a 6-fold increase in the probability of PICU LOS in UN patients compared to NN patients (RD = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.12). UN patients have a higher risk of MV usage RD = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.00, 0.14) in studies involving cohorts with a mixed primary diagnosis for PICU admission.

Conclusion

In PICU, UN is linked to mortality incidence, longer PICU stay, MV usage, and duration on MV. The primary diagnosis for PICU admission may also influence clinical outcomes. Determining the prevalence of UN in hospitalized patients, as well as the subgroups of patients diagnosed at the time of admission, requires more research. This may help explain the relationship between nutritional status and clinical outcomes in PICU patients.
The Global Prevalence of Amblyopia in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hu Budan , Liu Zongshun , Zhao Jiao , Zeng Li , Hao Gengsheng , Shui Dan , Mao Ke
Published: May 2022

Epidemiological data about the prevalence of amblyopia around the world vary widely among regions and periods. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the global prevalence of amblyopia in children. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for prevalence studies published up to 5 November 2021. The outcome was the prevalence of amblyopia, analyzed as pooled estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 97 studies were included, including 4,645,274 children and 7,706 patients with amblyopia. The overall worldwide pooled prevalence of amblyopia was 1.36% (95%CI: 1.27–1.46%). The prevalence of amblyopia was higher in males (1.40%, 95%CI: 1.10–1.70%) than in females (1.24%, 95%CI: 0.94–1.54%) (OR = 0.885, 95%CI: 0.795–0.985, P = 0.025). The results of the meta-regression analysis showed that there were no significant associations between the prevalence of amblyopia and geographical area, publication year, age, sample size, and whether it was carried out in a developed or developing country (all P > 0.05). Begg’s test (P = 0.065) and Egger’s test (P < 0.001) showed that there was a significant publication bias in the prevalence of amblyopia. In conclusion, amblyopia is a significant vision problem worldwide, and public health strategies of early screening, treatment, and management are important.
Prevalence, Predictive Factors, and Outcomes of Respiratory Failure in Children With Pneumonia Admitted in a Developing Country
Authors: Shaima Shamsun Nahar , Alam Tahmina , Bin Shahid Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayeem , Shahrin Lubaba , Sarmin Monira , Afroze Farzana , Parvin Irin , Nuzhat Sharika , Jahan Yasmin , Mamun Gazi Md. Salahuddin , Saha Haimanti , Ackhter Mst. Mahmuda , Islam Md. Zahidul , Shahunja K. M. , Islam Sufia , Ahmed Tahmeed , Chisti Mohammod Jobayer
Published: May 2022

Background

Pneumonia has been the leading infectious cause of morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years of age for the last several decades. Although most of these deaths occur due to respiratory failure, published data are limited regarding predicting factors and outcomes of respiratory failure in children hospitalized with pneumonia or severe pneumonia.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the prevalence, predicting factors, and outcomes of respiratory failure in children under-five with pneumonia or severe pneumonia.

Methods

In this retrospective chart analysis, we enrolled children under 5 years of age hospitalized with pneumonia or severe pneumonia in the Dhaka Hospital of International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) between August 2013 and December 2017. Comparisons were made between children with respiratory failure (n = 212) and those without respiratory failure (n = 4,412). Respiratory failure was defined when the oxygen saturation/fraction of inspired oxygen (SpO2/FiO2) was <315.

Results

A total of 4,625 children with pneumonia or severe pneumonia were admitted during this study period. Among them, 212 (4.6%) children developed respiratory failure and formed the case group. A total of 4,412 (95.3%) children did not develop respiratory failure and formed the comparison group. In logistic regression analysis, after adjusting with potential confounders, severe sepsis [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 12.68, 95% CI: 8.74–18.40], convulsion (aOR: 4.52, 95% CI: 3.06–6.68), anemia (aOR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.20–2.57), and severe underweight (aOR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.34–2.89) were found to be independently associated with respiratory failure. As expected, children with respiratory failure more often had fatal outcome than without respiratory failure (74, 1%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The results of our analyses revealed that prevalence of respiratory failure was 4.6% among under-five children hospitalized for pneumonia or severe pneumonia. Severe sepsis, convulsion, anemia, and severe underweight were the independent predictors for respiratory failure in such children and their case-fatality rate was significantly higher than those without respiratory failure. Early recognition of these predicting factors of respiratory failure may help clinicians imitating prompt treatment that may further help to reduce deaths in such children, especially in resource-limited settings.
Lactobacillus acidophilus and HKL Suspension Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis in Rats by Regulating Gut Microbiota, Suppressing TLR9, and Promoting Metabolism
Authors: Aximujiang Kasimujiang , Kaheman Kuerbannaimu , Wushouer Xilinguli , Wu Guixia , Ahemaiti Abulaiti , Yunusi Kurexi
Published: May 2022

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic non-specific inflammatory bowel disease with complex pathogenesis. The intestinal flora disturbance affects the homeostasis of the intestinal environment, leading to metabolic imbalance and immune abnormalities of the host, contributing to the perpetuation of intestinal inflammation. We suggest that the combination of anti-inflammatory therapy and the regulation of intestinal flora balance may help in the treatment process. Previously, we used a combination treatment consisting of Lactobacillus acidophilus (Lac) and Chinese medicine Huan Kui Le (HKL) suspension in a UC rat model, where the combined intervention was more effective than either treatment alone. Herein, the mechanism of action of this combined treatment has been investigated using 16S rRNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA methods in the colon, and untargeted metabolomics profiling in serum. Colon protein expression levels of IL-13 and TGF-β were upregulated, whereas those of TLR9 and TLR4 were downregulated, consistent with an anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, gut microbiota structure changed, shown by a decrease in opportunistic pathogens correlated with intestinal inflammation, such as Klebsiella and Escherichia-Shigella, and an increase in beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium. The latter correlated positively with IL-13 and TGF-β and negatively with IFN-γ. Finally, this treatment alleviated the disruption of the metabolic profile observed in UC rats by increasing short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)–producing bacteria in the colonic epithelium. This combination treatment also affected the metabolism of lactic acid, creatine, and glycine and inhibited the growth of Klebsiella. Overall, we suggest that treatment combining probiotics and traditional Chinese medicine is a novel strategy beneficial in UC that acts by modulating gut microbiota and its metabolites, TLR9, and cytokines in different pathways.
TCR Coexpression Signature Predicts Immunotherapy Resistance in NSCLC
Authors: Wang Yuntao , Liu Yi , Li Xiaohua , Li Weiming , Xue Zhihong , He Xiaoqian , Xiong Weijie , He Lang , Bai Yifeng
Published: May 2022

Background: Lung cancer has the highest morbidity and mortality rate among types of malignant tumors, and as such, research into prolonging the survival time of patients is vital. The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has greatly improved the survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), however, the lack of effective biomarkers to predict the prognosis of immunotherapy has made it difficult to maximize the benefits. T cell receptor (TCR) is one of the most important components for recognizing tumor cells, and with this study we aim to clarify the relationship between TCR coexpression and the prognosis of NSCLC patients receiving immunotherapy.

Methods: Univariate COX regression, logistics regression, and KM survival analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between TCR coexpression and the prognosis of immunotherapy. Additionally, CIBERSORT, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), and single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) algorithms were used to evaluate the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of NSCLC patients.

Results: Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that the TCR coexpression signature can be used as a clinical prognostic indicator for NSCLC patients receiving immunotherapy (p = 0.0205). In addition, those in the NSCLC group with a high TCR coexpression signature had significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.014). In the ICI treatment cohort (GSE35640). In addition, there was a high infiltration of CD8+T cells, activated memory CD4+T cells, and M1 macrophages in the TIME of those with a high TCR coexpression signature. The results of pathway enrichment analysis showed that patients with a high TCR coexpression signature had significantly activated signal pathways such as lymphocyte proliferation and activation, chemokine binding, and inflammatory cytokine production. Also, we found that patients with a high TCR coexpression signature had an elevated T cell inflammation gene expression profile (GEP).

Conclusion: We show that the TCR coexpression signature may be useful as a new biomarker for the prognosis of NSCLC patients undergoing immunotherapy, with high signatures indicating better treatment response. Additionally, we found that patients with a high TCR coexpression signature had tumor immune microenvironments with beneficial anti-tumor characteristics.
Promising Role of Emodin as Therapeutics to Against Viral Infections
Authors: Shao Qingqing , Liu Tong , Wang Wenjia , Liu Tianli , Jin Ximing , Chen Zhuo
Published: May 2022

Emodin is an anthraquinone derivative that is widely present in natural plants and has a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic and anticancer and so on. Through reviewing studies on antiviral effect of emodin in the past decades, we found that emodin exhibits ability of inhibiting the infection and replication of more than 10 viruses in vitro and in vivo, including herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), coxsackievirus B (CVB), hepatitis B virus (HBV), influenza A virus (IAV), SARS-CoV, viral haemorrhagic septicaemia rhabdovirus (VHSV), enterovirus 71 (EV71), dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) and Zika virus (ZIKV). Therefore, this review aims to summarize the antiviral effect of emodin, in order to provide reference and hopes to support the further investigations.
Multiobjective Optimization Problems on Jet Bundles
Authors: Pitea Ariana
Published: May 2022

The aim of this work is to study constrained optimization problems by means of (Φ, ρ)-convexity. We provide some sufficient conditions of optimality for a class of vectors of cuvilinear integrals by means of an adequate generalized convexity. Dual problems associated with this one are stated and developed, in terms of weak, strong, and converse duality results. The framework chosen here is one specific to the Riemannian geometry, namely that of first order jet bundles.
Mutations of the nACh Receptor M4 Helix Reveal Different Phenotypes in Different Expression Systems: Could Lipids be Responsible?
Authors: Mesoy Susanne M. , Bridgland-Taylor Matthew , Lummis Sarah C. R.
Published: May 2022

The role of the outermost helix (M4) in the pentameric ligand-gated ion channel (pLGIC) family is currently not fully understood. It is known that M4 is important for receptor assembly, possibly via interactions with neighboring M1 and M3 helices. M4 can also transmit information on the lipid content of the membrane to the gating mechanism, and it may form a link to the extracellular domain via the Cys-loop. Our previous study examining the α4β2 nACh receptor M4 helix using HEK cells indicated M4 here is more sensitive to change than those of other pLGIC. Many of these other studies, however, were performed in Xenopus oocytes. Here we examine the nine previously identified nonfunctional α4β2 nACh receptor M4 mutant receptors using this system. The data reveal that seven of these mutant receptors do function when expressed in oocytes, with only 2, the conserved Asp at the intracellular end of M4 and a Phe in the center, having a similar phenotype (nonfunctional) in both HEK cells and oocytes. The oocyte data are more consistent with studies in other pLGIC and demonstrate the importance of the expression system used. Of the many differences between these two expression systems, we suggest that the different lipid content of the plasma membrane is a possible candidate for explaining these discrepancies.
Early Warning Signals in Phase Space: Geometric Resilience Loss Indicators From Multiplex Cumulative Recurrence Networks
Authors: Hasselman Fred
Published: May 2022

The detection of Early Warning Signals (EWS) of imminent phase transitions, such as sudden changes in symptom severity could be an important innovation in the treatment or prevention of disease or psychopathology. Recurrence-based analyses are known for their ability to detect differences in behavioral modes and order transitions in extremely noisy data. As a proof of principle, the present paper provides an example of a recurrence network based analysis strategy which can be implemented in a clinical setting in which data from an individual is continuously monitored for the purpose of making decisions about diagnosis and intervention. Specifically, it is demonstrated that measures based on the geometry of the phase space can serve as Early Warning Signals of imminent phase transitions. A publicly available multivariate time series is analyzed using so-called cumulative Recurrence Networks (cRN), which are recurrence networks with edges weighted by recurrence time and directed towards previously observed data points. The results are compared to previous analyses of the same data set, benefits, limitations and future directions of the analysis approach are discussed.
Behavioral Training Related Neurotransmitter Receptor Expression Dynamics in the Nidopallium Caudolaterale and the Hippocampal Formation of Pigeons
Authors: Herold Christina , Ockermann Philipp N. , Amunts Katrin
Published: May 2022

Learning and memory are linked to dynamic changes at the level of synapses in brain areas that are involved in cognitive tasks. For example, changes in neurotransmitter receptors are prerequisite for tuning signals along local circuits and long-range networks. However, it is still unclear how a series of learning events promotes plasticity within the system of neurotransmitter receptors and their subunits to shape information processing at the neuronal level. Therefore, we investigated the expression of different glutamatergic NMDA (GRIN) and AMPA (GRIA) receptor subunits, the GABAergicGABARG2subunit, dopaminergicDRD1, serotonergic5HTR1Aand noradrenergicADRA1Areceptors in the pigeon’s brain. We studied the nidopallium caudolaterale, the avian analogue of the prefrontal cortex, and the hippocampal formation, after training the birds in a rewarded stimulus-response association (SR) task and in a simultaneous-matching-to-sample (SMTS) task. The results show that receptor expression changed differentially after behavioral training compared to an untrained control group. In the nidopallium caudolaterale,GRIN2B,GRIA3,GRIA4,DRD1D, andADRA1Areceptor expression was altered after SR training and remained constantly decreased after the SMTS training protocol, whileGRIA2andDRD1Adecreased only under the SR condition. In the hippocampal formation,GRIN2Bdecreased andGABARG2receptor expression increased after SR training. After SMTS sessions,GRIN2Bremained decreased,GABARG2remained increased if compared to the control group. None of the investigated receptors differed directly between both conditions, although differentially altered. The changes in both regions mostly occur in favor of the stimulus response task. Thus, the present data provide evidence that neurotransmitter receptor expression dynamics play a role in the avian prefrontal cortex and the hippocampal formation for behavioral training and is uniquely, regionally and functionally associated to cognitive processes including learning and memory.
Long-Term Hypercaloric Diet Consumption Exacerbates Age-Induced Dysmetabolism and Carotid Body Dysfunction: Beneficial Effects of CSN Denervation
Authors: Melo Bernardete F. , Sacramento Joana F. , Capucho Adriana M. , Sampaio-Pires Dinis , Prego Cláudia S. , Conde Silvia V.
Published: May 2022

Carotid bodies (CBs) are metabolic sensors whose dysfunction is involved in the genesis of dysmetabolic states. Ageing induces significant alterations in CB function also prompting to metabolic deregulation. On the other hand, metabolic disease can accelerate ageing processes. Taking these into account, we evaluated the effect of long-term hypercaloric diet intake and CSN resection on age-induced dysmetabolism and CB function. Experiments were performed in male Wistar rats subjected to 14 or 44 weeks of high-fat high-sucrose (HFHSu) or normal chow (NC) diet and subjected to either carotid sinus nerve (CSN) resection or a sham procedure. After surgery, the animals were kept on a diet for more than 9 weeks. Metabolic parameters, basal ventilation, and hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory responses were evaluated. CB type I and type II cells, HIF-1α and insulin receptor (IR), and GLP-1 receptor (GLP1-R)-positive staining were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Ageing decreased by 61% insulin sensitivity in NC animals, without altering glucose tolerance. Short-term and long-term HFHSu intake decreased insulin sensitivity by 55 and 62% and glucose tolerance by 8 and 29%, respectively. CSN resection restored insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. Ageing decreased spontaneous ventilation, but short-term or long-term intake of HFHSu diet and CSN resection did not modify basal ventilatory parameters. HFHSu diet increased hypoxic ventilatory responses in young and adult animals, effects attenuated by CSN resection. Ageing, hypercaloric diet, and CSN resection did not change hypercapnic ventilatory responses. Adult animals showed decreased type I cells and IR and GLP-1R staining without altering the number of type II cells and HIF-1α. HFHSu diet increased the number of type I and II cells and IR in young animals without significantly changing these values in adult animals. CSN resection restored the number of type I cells in HFHSu animals and decreased IR-positive staining in all the groups of animals, without altering type II cells, HIF-1α, or GLP-1R staining. In conclusion, long-term hypercaloric diet consumption exacerbates age-induced dysmetabolism, and both short- and long-term hypercaloric diet intakes promote significant alterations in CB function. CSN resection ameliorates these effects. We suggest that modulation of CB activity is beneficial in exacerbated stages of dysmetabolism.
Genetic Diversity in Nitrogen Fertiliser Responses and N Gas Emission in Modern Wheat
Authors: Oszvald Maria , Hassall Kirsty L. , Hughes David , Torres-Ballesteros Adriana , Clark Ian , Riche Andrew B. , Heuer Sigrid
Published: May 2022

Crops assimilate nitrogen (N) as ammonium via the glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase (GS/GOGAT) pathway which is of central importance for N uptake and potentially represents a bottle neck for N fertiliser-use efficiency. The aim of this study was to assess whether genetic diversity for N-assimilation capacity exists in wheat and could be exploited for breeding. Wheat plants rapidly, within 6 h, responded to N application with an increase in GS activity. This was not accompanied by an increase in GS gene transcript abundance and a comparison of GS1 and GS2 protein models revealed a high degree of sequence conservation. N responsiveness amongst ten wheat varieties was assessed by measuring GS enzyme activity, leaf tissue ammonium, and by a leaf-disc assay as a proxy for apoplastic ammonia. Based on these data, a high-GS group showing an overall positive response to N could be distinguished from an inefficient, low-GS group. Subsequent gas emission measurements confirmed plant ammonia emission in response to N application and also revealed emission of N2O when N was provided as nitrate, which is in agreement with our current understanding that N2O is a by-product of nitrate reduction. Taken together, the data suggest that there is scope for improving N assimilation capacity in wheat and that further investigations into the regulation and role of GS-GOGAT in NH3 emission is justified. Likewise, emission of the climate gas N2O needs to be reduced, and future research should focus on assessing the nitrate reductase pathway in wheat and explore fertiliser management options.
Acquisition of Freezing Tolerance in Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. Is a Multi-Factor Process Involving the Presence of an Ice Barrier at the Bud Base
Authors: Villouta Camilo , Workmaster Beth Ann , Livingston David P. , Atucha Amaya
Published: May 2022

Bud freezing survival strategies have in common the presence of an ice barrier that impedes the propagation of lethally damaging ice from the stem into the internal structures of buds. Despite ice barriers’ essential role in buds freezing stress survival, the nature of ice barriers in woody plants is not well understood. High-definition thermal recordings ofVaccinium macrocarponAit. buds explored the presence of an ice barrier at the bud base in September, January, and May. Light and confocal microscopy were used to evaluate the ice barrier region anatomy and cell wall composition related to their freezing tolerance. Buds had a temporal ice barrier at the bud base in September and January, although buds were only freezing tolerant in January. Lack of functionality of vascular tissues may contribute to the impedance of ice propagation. Pith tissue at the bud base had comparatively high levels of de-methyl-esterified homogalacturonan (HG), which may also block ice propagation. By May, the ice barrier was absent, xylogenesis had resumed, and de-methyl-esterified HG reached its lowest levels, translating into a loss of freezing tolerance. The structural components of the barrier had a constitutive nature, resulting in an asynchronous development of freezing tolerance between anatomical and metabolic adaptations.
Development of 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Derived Antifungal Agents and Their Application in Maize Diseases Control
Authors: Yao Lin , Zhang Guanghua , Yu Lili , Liu Shaojing , Wang Xiaoku , Fan Tao , Kang Hui , Feng Wenzhi
Published: May 2022

Maize is an important food crop and its fungal disease has become a limiting factor to improve the yield and quality of maize. In the control of plant pathogens, commercial fungicides have no obvious effect on corn diseases due to the emergence of drug resistance. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop new fungicides with novel structure, high efficiency, and low toxicity to control maize diseases. In this paper, a series of 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives were designed and synthesized from benzoyl hydrazine and aromatic aldehydes through condensation and oxidation cyclization reaction. The antifungal activity of oxadiazole derivatives against three maize disease pathogens, such as Rhizoctonia solani (R. solani), Gibberella zeae (G. zeae), and Exserohilum turcicum (E. turcicum), were evaluated by mycelium growth rate method in vitro. The results indicated that most of the synthesized derivatives exhibited positive antifungal activities. Especially against E. turcicum, several compounds demonstrated significant antifungal activities and their EC50 values were lower than positive control carbendazim. The EC50 values of compounds 4k, 5e, and 5k were 50.48, 47.56, 32.25 μg/ml, respectively, and the carbendazim was 102.83 μg/ml. The effects of active compounds on E. turcicum microstructure were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that compounds 4k, 5e, and 5k could induce the hyphae of E. turcicum to shrink and collapse obviously. In order to elucidate the preliminary mechanism of oxadiazole derivatives, the target compounds 5e and 5k were docked with the theoretical active site of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). Compounds 5e and 5k could bind to amino acid residues through hydrophobic contact and hydrogen bonds, which explained the possible mechanism of binding between the inhibitor and target protein. In addition, the compounds with antifungal activities had almost no cytotoxicity to MCF-7. This study showed that 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives were worthy for further attention as potential antifungal agents for the control of maize diseases.
Cultural Sensitivity in Preventive Infant Mental Health Care: An Example From the Developmental Guidance Project FIRST STEPS in Belgium
Authors: Meurs Patrick , Lebiger-Vogel Judith , Rickmeyer Constanze , Jullian Gül
Published: May 2022

Preventive developmental guidance programmes have been applied on a large scale for several decades now in many western countries. But how do we adapt these programs to families with very different ethnic backgrounds? How can we concretise the concept of cultural sensitivity into that context? The plea of von Klitzing, the former President of the World Association for Infant Mental Health, for further reflection on the concretization ofcultural sensitivityin the context of infant mental health care is the main source of inspiration to this article. von Klitzing speaks out against the point of view in which universal children’s rights or conditions that are seen as promoting a child’s development all around the globe, are criticized as being only western conceptions and thereby culturally biassed. Following this kind of reasoning, a culturally relativistic stance on what a facilitating environment is, should be adopted. Such a discussion in terms of universalism versus relativism, though, as argues von Klitzing, is an old antagonism that cannot inspire us for the adaptation of early health care practices or developmental guidance programs that are fitting in to the needs of families and their babies that are living in multicultural contexts. Although it could be interesting to think about how certain universal principles of good-enough child care can be formulated or embodied in an intercultural variety of ways, these variable expressions of the worldwide agreed upon principles of good early mental health care will only be culture-specific translations of these universal principles. They can’t in any way be seen as an argument against the universality of these principles, as argues von Klitzing, who is describing another way of solving the problem of the cultural relativist criticism on the universality of principles of good infant mental health:culture sensitive infant mental health services.But, to make the principle of cultural sensitivity work in practice, we need to fill it with content. This article is mainly on what it concretely means to work in a culture sensitive way in our preventive practice within the FIRST STEPS program, a Belgian project for immigrant and exiled mothers and their children from zero to three.
Reflections on Reflection: Clarifying and Promoting Use in Experienced Coaches
Authors: Nash Christine , MacPherson Alan C. , Collins Dave
Published: May 2022

Background

We draw on the work of established scholars in the field of reflective practice who highlight its importance as a key cognitive skill for professionals to hold. While the substantive effect of engaging in reflective practice is emphasised in the literature, apparently coaches only spend a limited time learning about and engaging with it.

Objectives

This study was conducted in two parts: Part 1 examined coaches’ knowledge of reflective practice and ascertained their perceived lack of value and use of reflective practice within their coaching. In response to the unexpected findings in Part 1, in Part 2, we instituted an educational intervention to further these participant coaches’ knowledge of Reflective Practice (RP) and facilitate its integration into their coaching practice.

Design

The present study utilised a mixed method design with semi-structured interviews being conducted in Part 1. A coach development reflective programme inspired by Stimulated Recall approach was implemented in Part 2.

Participants

Twelve high level coaches were interviewed about their reflective practices in Part 1. In Part 2, the same coaches agreed to participate in the educational intervention for the duration of the project.

Results

Findings from Part 1 revealed an interesting paradox: coaches demonstrated a lack of appreciation for reflective practice yet recounted the positive influence that specific events and individuals had on their practice. In Part 2, to fully develop RP with the present cohort, an educational intervention was conducted. While watching videos of their own practice, coaches initially required lots of prompts from the lead interviewer to facilitate a deep and meaningful discussion of their practice. During the latter stages of the intervention, however, participants were less dependent on questions and prompts.

Conclusion

In part 1, the coaches in this study did employ reflection, although they did not label it as such. The qualitative evidence we have gathered enables us to suggest that it is the combination of how to reflect, and against what criteria that makes RP a powerful tool to develop expertise which it has the potential to be. Importantly, however, additional coach education input is necessary for these benefits to be fully realised.
Serial Mediation Roles of Alexithymia and Loneliness in the Association Between Family Function and Internet Addiction Among Chinese College Students
Authors: Zhao Ying , Zhang Kuo , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: May 2022

A lot of previous research has highlighted the negative consequences of Internet addiction. However, relatively few is known about the underlying mechanism for Internet addiction among college students in relation to family function. The present study explored the relationship between family function and Internet addiction among college students, as well as the mediating effects of alexithymia and loneliness. A sample of 783 Chinese college students were administered a number of psychometric scales including the “General Function” subscale of the Chinese version of the Family Assessment Device, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and Revised Chinese Internet Addiction Scale. The results showed that family function was negatively associated with Internet addiction; the association was significantly mediated by alexithymia; the association was significantly mediated by loneliness; and alexithymia and loneliness sequentially mediated the association. The total mediating effect was 63.96%. The results of the present study are of great significance to the prevention and intervention of Internet addiction among college students.
Servant Leadership Behavior at Workplace and Knowledge Hoarding: A Moderation Mediation Examination
Authors: Zada Shagufta , Khan Jawad , Saeed Imran , Jun Zhang Yong , Vega-Muñoz Alejandro , Contreras-Barraza Nicolás
Published: May 2022

Servant leadership practice honesty, stewardship, and high moral standards while prioritizing the needs of subordinates. The moral concern of a servant leadership is to support others and put the needs of others first. We investigated the relationship between servant leadership, psychological safety, and knowledge hoarding in accordance with social learning theory in a survey of 347 workers across 56 teams. The results of this study illustrate that servant leadership is negatively associated with knowledge hoarding and positively associated with psychological safety. We also found that a mastery climate moderated the relationship between servant leadership and knowledge hoarding. This study highlights the theoretical and practical implications that contribute to the body of knowledge. It helps organizations that the presence of servant leadership may discourage knowledge hoarding by providing a psychologically safe mastery climate.
The Impact of Beliefs on Health Information Social Sharing for Users: The Perspectives of Social Psychology and Information Technology
Authors: Yao Ruiqi , Sheng Dongfang
Published: May 2022

With the integration and penetration of digitization into healthcare services, the comprehensive health industrial market is developing flourishingly. Users are fast-changing the way of health communication. This study investigates psychosocial and technological factors on health information sharing adoption through social sharing services. Based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, social influence theory, and innovation diffusion theory, we developed a hypothesized model for health information social sharing adoption (HISSA), and dimensions of attitude beliefs, control beliefs, and normative beliefs were created. We conducted an empirical study on the adoption intention using a survey for data collection. The results were obtained from 375 valid questionnaires, and their interactions were tested and analyzed using PLS-structural equation modeling. Results implied that (1) social identity of normative beliefs was the most critical variable affecting behavioral intention, which revealed the importance of psychosocial factors; (2) behavioral intention was also determined by user's performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, subjective norm; (3) personal innovativeness had a negative effect on behavioral intention and positive effect on effort expectancy; and (4) effort expectancy and social identity had a positive effect on performance expectancy. This study advances the understanding of social sharing for health and provides references for the development of both virtual health communities and social sharing services to upgrade their products from user's behavior and psychology. This empirical research model may also be useful for researchers who are interested in user's health information behavior.
Case Report: Cotard's Syndrome in Anti-N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) Receptor (Anti-NMDAR) Encephalitis
Authors: Taib Nur Iwana Abdul , Wahab Suzaily , Khoo Ching Soong , Tan Hui Jan , Kamaruzaman Lydia , Woon Luke Sy-Cherng , Gan Lydia Lay Yen
Published: May 2022

Cotard's syndrome is uncommon psychopathology among patients with psychotic illnesses. Limited cases had been reported regarding the occurrence of this syndrome in anti-NMDAR encephalitis which itself is a relatively new disease that often presents with florid psychotic symptoms. This poses difficulties in differentiating it from a primary psychiatric illness. Late recognition of anti-NMDAR encephalitis can lead to death as it can progress to autonomic instability in its natural course of illness. We report a patient who first presented with psychotic symptoms with initial negative findings from baseline investigations. Further investigation revealed anti NMDAR antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid. Prompt treatment was initiated and despite early poor response to the first-line treatment with the development of allergic reaction, our patient recovered completely after 1 month of hospitalization. This case report aims to highlight the importance of early detection of anti-NMDAR encephalitis and the possibility of uncommon psychopathology such as Cotard's syndrome occurring in this disease.
Social Media Support and Funding Assistance for Psychological Injuries in Social Work
Authors: Hu Xiaowu , Tang Caiyi , Wang Dongmei
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Psychological injuries in social work are on the rise in complex modern society. Some individuals are incurring both physical and psychological injuries. Often, psychological injuries are more miserable than physical injuries. To combat the psychological injury suffered by individuals involved in social work, authorities should mobilize support via social media and raise funds by this and other feasible means to cover the cost of care for these individuals. This study focuses on social media support and funding assistance that could play useful roles in helping to treat psychological injuries among social workers and their clients in China.

Methods

A scoping review of academic and gray literature was undertaken to identify the different injuries involved in social work. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 7 experts, including social workers, social media professionals, and social fund directors. Empirical studies on psychological injuries in social work provided examples in support of the policy advocacy reported in this paper.

Results

The scoping review found diverse literature on the subject of psychological injury in social work over the past decade in China. Semi-structured interviews with experts indicate that social media support can alleviate psychological suffering and that funding assistance has a positive influence on assisting individuals coping with psychological injuries. The empirical cases support the plan to encourage more support from social media and funding sources.

Conclusion

Psychological injury is greatly influenced by social bias and discrimination. According to cases and actions are taken to mitigate the harm done, supportive social media strategies could greatly diminish the psychological injuries to social workers and their clients and help them avoid much suffering. This study finds that funding organizations could provide a new treatment mechanism—social media marketing strategies and functional activities—to help a large number of individuals with psychological injuries out of the disease trap in China.
Anxiety Symptoms and Associated Factors Among Chronic Low Back Pain Patients in China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Hu Yueming , Yang Zechuan , Li Yong , Xu Yong , Zhou Xuan , Guo Ningfeng
Published: May 2022

Background

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety symptoms among patients with chronic low back pain and explore its related factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with chronic low back pain from two general hospitals in China. Anxiety symptoms were assessed by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the association between demographic characteristics, pain severity, pain self-efficacy, family functioning and anxiety symptoms.

Results

This study involved 1,172 chronic low back pain patients, with an effective rate of 94.67%. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms among patients with chronic low back pain in China was 23.89%. In the binary logistic regression, patients with more severe pain (OR = 1.15, 95%CI: 1.11–1.18) and pain duration between 1~5 years (1~3 years: OR = 2.45, 95%CI: 1.38–4.36; 3~5 years: OR = 2.99, 95%CI: 1.49–6.00) had a higher risk to anxiety symptoms. In contrast, patients with higher monthly income (OR = 0.62, 95%CI: 0.39–0.98), better family functioning (highly functional family: OR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.13–0.37; moderately dysfunctional family: OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.27–0.72) and higher pain self-efficacy (OR = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.94–0.96) had a lower risk to anxiety symptoms.

Conclusion

The prevalence of anxiety symptoms among chronic low back pain patients was high in China. Targeted intervention measures should be taken to reduce anxiety symptoms levels of chronic low back pain patients.