bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abdominal pain in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in remission: A prospective study on contributing factors
Authors: Janssen L. M. , Rezazadeh Ardabili A. , Romberg‐Camps M. J. L. , Winkens B. , van den Broek R. J. , Hulst J. , Verwijs H. J. A. , Keszthelyi D. , Jonkers D. M. A. E. , van Bodegraven A. A. , Pierik M. J. , Mujagic Z.
Published: September 2023

Background

Abdominal pain is highly prevalent in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in remission, but the aetiology is incompletely understood.

Aim

To investigate the association of clinical, lifestyle and psychosocial factors with abdominal pain in patients with IBD in remission.

Methods

We performed a prospective multicentre study enrolling consecutive patients with IBD. Data were collected between 1 January 2020 and 1 July 2021, using myIBDcoach, an established remote monitoring platform for IBD. Chronic abdominal pain in IBD in remission (IBDremissionPain+) was defined as abdominal pain score ≥3 (0–10 NRS) on ≥1/3 of all assessments, combined with faecal calprotectin <150 μg/g in 90 days around periodic assessments. Disease activity, lifestyle and psychosocial factors were assessed every 1–3 months during 18 months. Using linear mixed models, the association of these factors with abdominal pain over time was analysed.

Results

We included 559 patients, of whom 429 (76.7%) remained in biochemical remission. Of these, 198 (46.2%) fulfilled the criteria for chronic abdominal pain. IBDremissionPain+ patients were characterised by female sex, younger age, higher BMI, and shorter disease duration. They reported more often or higher levels of stress, fatigue, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and life events (all p < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, sex, disease entity, fatigue, depressive symptoms and life events were associated with abdominal pain over time (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In this cohort of patients with IBD in remission, abdominal pain was common and associated with psychosocial factors. A more holistic treatment approach for patients with IBD suffering from abdominal pain may improve quality of care and subjective wellbeing.
Are we what parties we support? Personality traits and party support in a multi‐party system
Authors: Björkstedt Hanna E. , Herne Kaisa M.
Published: September 2023

There is relatively little evidence about the association of personality to political behavior in multi‐party systems. We analyze the association of two personality traits to party support in a multi‐party system, where parties are differently aligned along the economic left‐right axis and the GAL‐TAN axis, that extends from green, alternative and libertarian to traditional, authoritarian and nationalist values. Machiavellianism refers to a manipulative and cynical personality, whereas Perspective‐Taking is a tendency to see things from others’ perspective. We ask whether the left‐right or the GAL‐TAN axis is more relevant to the association between the personality traits and party support. We observed that the nationalist and conservative Finns party supporters score higher on Machiavellianism and lower on Perspective‐Taking in comparison to the environmental and liberal Greens party supporters. These two parties are located at the opposite ends of the GAL‐TAN axis. We do not see corresponding results on parties at the opposite ends of the left‐right axis. The result suggests that personality traits may be more relevant for supporting parties that are best characterized by their location on the GAL‐TAN axis.
Social protest action, stakeholder management, and risk: Managing the impact of service delivery protests in South Africa
Authors: Wöcke Albert , Grosse Robert , Mthombeni Morris , Pfeffer Stefan
Published: September 2023

Stakeholder management is an important method for reducing business risk. Recent decades have seen the growth of a new type of stakeholder: social protest stakeholders, individuals engaging in protest action which is directed at other unrelated parties, often the government. However, the actions of social protest stakeholders may negatively affect companies located nearby. This stakeholder category has not received any formal attention in the literature, and this article addresses the knowledge gap by exploring the effects of community‐driven protest action in South Africa and the strategies that firms adopt to mitigate the negative consequences of such protests. A multiple case study analysis was used to describe this type of stakeholder group and the management of the consequences of social protest action. Eight manufacturing companies in the Gauteng province participated in the study, the companies varied in size and industry. Among the key findings are that companies need to be highly adaptable if they are to mitigate the impact of protest action. We make practical suggestions about how companies may manage these risks, including the recommendation that companies engage more directly with social protestors to manage risks. The study makes an important contribution to the literature by identifying an additional key category of stakeholder and proposing a risk management approach to avert or minimize loss and damage.
Revisiting the academic self‐concept transcultural measurement model: The case of Spain and China
Authors: Esnaola Igor , Sesé Albert , Azpiazu Lorea , Wang Yina
Published: September 2023

Background

Modelling academic self‐concept through second‐order factors or bifactor structures is an important issue with substantive and practical implications; besides, the bifactor model has not been analysed with a Chinese sample and cross‐cultural studies in the academic self‐concept are scarce. Likewise, latent structure validity evidence using network psychometrics has not been carried out.

Aims

The aim of this study is twofold: to analyse (1) the internal structure of ASC through the Self‐Description Questionnaire II‐Short (SDQII‐S) in Chinese and Spanish samples using two approaches, structural equation modelling and network psychometrics conducting an exploratory graph analysis; and (2) the measurement invariance of the best model across countries and investigate the cross‐cultural differences in ASC.

Sample

The sample was composed by 651 adolescents. Seven models of ASC were tested.

Results

Results supported the multi‐dimensional nature of the data as well as the reliability. The best‐fitted model for the two subsamples was the three‐factor ESEM model, but only the configural invariance of this model was supported across countries. The graph function shows that the school dimension appears more related to the verbal factor in the Spanish subsample and to the math dimension in the Chinese subsample. Likewise, the relationship between verbal and math factors in Spanish students is non‐existent, but this connection is more relevant for Chinese students.

Conclusion

These two differences may be behind the difficulty in finding invariance using SEM models. It is a question of the construct's nature, less related to analytical phenomena, and deserves deeper discussion.
The importance of omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as high‐quality food in freshwater ecosystems with implications of global change
Authors: Yan Keheng , Guo Fen , Kainz Martin J. , Li Feilong , Gao Wei , Bunn Stuart E. , Zhang Yuan
Published: September 2023

Traditionally, trophic ecology research on aquatic ecosystems has focused more on the quantity of dietary energy flow within food webs rather than food quality and its effects on organisms at various trophic levels. Recent studies emphasize that food quality is central to consumer growth and reproduction, and the importance of food quality for aquatic ecosystems has become increasingly well recognized. It is timely to synthesise these findings and identify potential future research directions. We conducted a systematic review of omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3‐PUFAs) as a crucial component of high‐quality food sources in freshwater ecosystems to evaluate their impact on a variety of consumers, and explore the effects of global change on these high‐quality food sources and their transfer to higher trophic consumers within and across ecosystems. In freshwater ecosystems, algae rich in ω3 long‐chain PUFAs, such as diatoms, dinoflagellates and cryptophytes, represent important high‐quality food sources for consumers, whereas cyanobacteria, green algae, terrestrial vascular plants and macrophytes low in ω3 long‐chain PUFAs are low‐quality food sources. High‐quality ω3‐PUFA‐containing food sources usually lead to increased growth and reproduction of aquatic consumers, e.g. benthic invertebrates, zooplankton and fish, and also provide ω3 long‐chain PUFAs to riparian terrestrial consumers via emergent aquatic insects. Consumers feeding on high‐quality ω3‐PUFA‐containing foods in turn represent high‐quality food for their own predators. However, the ω3‐PUFA content of food sources is sensitive to global environmental changes. Warming, eutrophication, increased light intensity (e.g. from loss of riparian shading), and pollutants potentially inhibit the synthesis of algal ω3‐PUFAs while at the same time promoting the growth of lower‐quality foods, such as cyanobacteria and green algae. These factors combined could lead to a significant reduction in the availability of ω3‐PUFAs for consumers and constrain their overall fitness. Although the effect of individual environmental factors on high‐quality ω3‐PUFA‐containing food sources has been investigated, multiple environmental factors (e.g. climate change, human activities, pollution) will act in combination and any synergistic effects on aquatic food webs remain unclear. Identifying the sources and fate of ω3‐PUFAs within and across ecosystems could represent an important approach to understand the impact of multiple environmental factors on trophic relationships and the implications for populations of freshwater and riparian consumers. Maintaining the availability of high‐quality ω3‐PUFA‐containing food sources may also be key to mitigating freshwater biodiversity loss due to global change.
Branched‐chain keto‐acid dehydrogenase kinase regulates vascular permeability and angiogenesis to facilitate tumor metastasis in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Yang Kunao , Xu Chunlan , Sun Huimin , Xuan Zuodong , Liu Yankuo , Li Jinxin , Bai Yang , Zheng Zeyuan , Zhao Yue , Shi Zhiyuan , Zheng Jianzhong , Shao Chen
Published: September 2023

Branched‐chain keto‐acid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK) is the rate‐limiting enzyme of branched‐chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism. In the last six years, BCKDK has been used as a kinase to promote tumor proliferation and metastasis. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a highly vascularized tumor. A high degree of vascularization promotes tumor metastasis. Our objective is to explore the relationship between BCKDK and RCC metastasis and its specific mechanism. In our study, BCKDK is highly expressed in renal clear cell carcinoma and promotes the migration of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Exosomes from ccRCC cells can promote vascular permeability and angiogenesis, especially when BCKDK is overexpressed in ccRCC cells. BCKDK can also augment the miR‐125a‐5p expression in ccRCC cells and derived exosomes, thereby decreasing the downstream target protein VE‐cadherin level, weakening adhesion junction expression, increasing vascular permeability, and promoting angiogenesis in HUVECs. The novel BCKDK/Exosome‐miR‐125a‐5p/VE‐cadherin axis regulates intercellular communication between ccRCC cells and HUVECs. BCKDK plays a critical role in renal cancer metastasis, may be used as a molecular marker of metastatic ccRCC, and even may become a potential target of clinical anti‐vascular therapy for ccRCC.
Neuroprotective potential of formononetin, a naturally occurring isoflavone phytoestrogen
Authors: Singh Lovedeep , Kaur Harpreet , Chandra Arya Girish , Bhatti Rajbir
Published: September 2023

The increased prevalence of neurological illnesses is a burgeoning challenge to the public healthcare system and presents greater financial pressure. Formononetin, an O‐methylated isoflavone, has gained a lot of attention due to its neuroprotective potential explored in several investigations. Formononetin is widely found in legumes and several types of clovers including Trifolium pratense L., Astragalus membranaceus, Sophora tomentosa, etc. Formononetin modulates various endogenous mediators to confer neuroprotection. It prevents RAGE activation that results in the inhibition of neuronal damage via downregulating the level of ROS and proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, formononetin also increases the expression of ADAM‐10, which affects the pathology of neurodegenerative disease by lowering tau phosphorylation, maintaining synaptic plasticity, and boosting hippocampus neurogenesis. Besides these, formononetin also increases the expression of antioxidants, Nrf‐2, PI3K, ApoJ, and LRP1. Whereas, reduces the expression of p65‐NF‐κB and proinflammatory cytokines. It also inhibits the deposition of Aβ and MAO‐B activity. An inhibition of Aβ/RAGE‐induced activation of MAPK and NOX governs the protection elicited by formononetin against inflammatory and oxidative stress‐induced neuronal damage. Besides this, PI3K/Akt and ER‐α‐mediated activation of ADAM10, ApoJ/LRP1‐mediated clearance of Aβ, and MAO‐B inhibition‐mediated preservation of dopaminergic neurons integrity are the major modulations produced by formononetin. This review covers the biosynthesis of formononetin and key molecular pathways modulated by formononetin to confer neuroprotection.
Theta power relates to infant object encoding in naturalistic mother‐infant interactions
Authors: Michel Christine , Matthes Daniel , Hoehl Stefanie
Published: September 2023

This study investigates infants' neural and behavioral responses to maternal ostensive signals during naturalistic mother‐infant interactions and their effects on object encoding. Mothers familiarized their 9‐ to 10‐month‐olds (N = 35, 17 females, mainly White, data collection: 2018–2019) with objects with or without mutual gaze, infant‐directed speech, and calling the infant's name. Ostensive signals focused infants' attention on objects and their mothers. Infant theta activity synchronized and alpha activity desynchronized during interactions compared to a nonsocial resting phase (Cohen' d: 0.49–0.75). Yet, their amplitudes were unrelated to maternal ostensive signals. Ostensive signals did not facilitate object encoding. However, higher infant theta power during encoding predicted better subsequent object recognition. Results strengthen the role of theta‐band power for early learning processes.
Positive development of orphans in kinship care: The role of family stability
Authors: Tian Yihao , Ma Ziye , Peng Feng
Published: September 2023

Family stability is considered the cornerstone of children's happiness and health. The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between family stability and the positive development of orphans in kinship care in China. Based on cross‐sectional data related to orphans from LZ City, Sichuan Province, in 2020, the study conducted multiple linear regression model to analyse the relationship between family stability and other family variables and the positive development of orphans in kinship care. The results indicate that family stability is significantly related to the positive development of orphans. Orphans raised in families with married guardians and stable income tend to develop better. Further analysis, grouped by sex and age, revealed that boys are more prone to behaviour problems, while girls are more susceptible to family stability. The growth of younger orphans is associated with family economic stability, while older orphans are more influenced by the guardian's marriage. These findings provide evidence for differences in orphan development from the perspective of family stability. The evidence suggests that policymakers and stakeholders need to pay closer attention to the overall situation of kinship care families. It also provides useful enlightenment for the formulation of precise assistance policies.
Identification of nonfunctional PABPC1L causing oocyte maturation abnormalities and early embryonic arrest in female primary infertility
Authors: Wang Xiang , Zhou Ruixi , Lu Xiaowei , Dai Siyu , Liu Mohan , Jiang Chuan , Yang Yanting , Shen Ying , Wang Yan , Liu Hanmin
Published: September 2023

Oocyte maturation arrest, fertilization failure, and early embryonic arrest are important causes of female infertility, whereas the genetic events that contribute to these processes are largely unknown. Loss‐of‐function of PABPC1L in mice has been suggested to cause female infertility involved in the absence of mature oocytes or embryos in vivo or in vitro. However, the role of PABPC1L in human female reproduction remains largely elusive. In this study, we identified a homozygous missense mutation (c.536G>A, p.R179Q) and a compound heterozygous mutation (c.793C>T, p.R265W; c.1201C>T, p.Q401*) in PABPC1L in two unrelated infertile females characterized by recurrent oocyte maturation abnormalities and early embryonic arrest. These variants resulted in nonfunctional PABPC1L protein and were associated with impaired chromatin configuration and transcriptional silencing in GV oocytes. Moreover, the binding capacity of mutant PABPC1L to mRNAs related to oocyte maturation and early embryonic development was decreased significantly. Our findings revealed novel PABPC1L mutations causing oocyte maturation abnormalities and early embryonic arrest, confirming the essential role of PABPC1L in human female fertility.
Of cebras and citizens: Kinesthetic politics in Bolivia’s transport cities
Authors: Ellison Susan Helen
Published: September 2023

Urban planners and foreign donors have long agonized over how politics, movement, and transportation infrastructure collide in the conjoined cities of El Alto and La Paz, Bolivia. As displaced tin and silver miners migrated to El Alto in droves during the 1980s and 1990s, they banked on that transportation sector to remake their lives, investing their severance packages in the lumbering “Micro” buses and minibuses that now choke both cities’ streets. La Paz’s patchwork of neighborhoods reflects its own history—and present—of racialized class mobility. This article examines the governance politics of municipal efforts to reform pedestrian and driver behavior in cities—mundane habits of movement that are freighted with political significance. In these urban education campaigns, the ways that residents move through transportation infrastructure comprises an important dimension of what it means to be a good citizen. As youth dressed as Cebras (zebras) playfully instruct residents on responsible urban behavior, they expose the somatic and especially kinesthetic dimensions of urban governance and belonging in the city. This article argues for greater attention to the forms of bodily attunement promoted by urban education campaigns and mobilized by city residents during daily encounters with transportation infrastructure.
Food allergy ‐ New risks through vegan diet? Overview of new allergen sources and current data on the potential risk of anaphylaxis
Authors: Präger Lea , Simon Jan Christoph , Treudler Regina
Published: September 2023

A vegan diet is increasingly en vogue, i.e., a diet based on plants, in which animal products are completely avoided, often for health and environmental reasons. The menu is supplemented with pulses (e.g., soy, lentils, peas), nuts (e.g., cashew, macadamia, almond, pecan, para, walnut) and seeds (e.g., chia, flaxseed) or pseudo‐grains (quinoa, buckwheat). Indeed, the product range is expanding to include vegan foods such as milk alternatives (e.g., oat, almond, soy drinks) and cheese or meat substitutes (e.g., soy‐based). Food allergies are also on the rise, with an increasing prevalence worldwide. It is worthy of note that the main allergens of anaphylactic reactions to food in adults are predominantly of plant origin, mainly pulses and nuts ‐ the very foods that form the main source of protein in the vegan diet. In this context, allergies to storage proteins (e.g., Gly m 5 and Gly m 6 from soya beans) can lead to severe anaphylactic reactions, while highly processed substitute products containing plant protein isolates (e.g., pea flour) in concentrated form continue to be of particular concern and may therefore be allergologically problematic. In this article, we aim to provide an overview of allergens and emerging allergen sources in vegan foods and highlight the anaphylaxis risk of the vegan diet.
DMI's FuturEd Program: Global Survey Timeline and Trends
Authors: Aitchison Iain
Published: September 2023

DMI's FuturEd survey (found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/FuturED), begun in spring 2016, strives to answer some big questions. We hope you'll join the conversation.
Is the cryptocurrency market a hedge against stock market risk? A Wavelet and GARCH approach
Authors: Jana Susovon , Sahu Tarak N.
Published: September 2023

This study analyses six major cryptocurrencies and four global stock markets to explore the role of cryptocurrencies as a hedge, safe haven, and diversifier in stock markets. The study employs ADCC‐GARCH and Wavelet Coherence Technique, using daily data from 4 January 2017 to 28 February 2023. The study has found that stock returns and unstable cryptocurrency returns have high volatility persistence in the long run. Besides, while unstable digital currencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance Coin, and Dogecoin) serve as a hedge during stable economic periods, they have not been a hedge during economic turmoil in the stock markets. Conversely, stablecoins (Tether and USD Coin) have been shown to have acted as a hedge during normal economic times and have offered a safe haven during economic downturns. Except for Tether, all cryptocurrencies' diversification capacity is time‐varying. In stable economic conditions, they serve as diversifiers, but during turmoil, they do not. However, Tether serves as a diversifier regardless of the financial situation. Finally, the present investigation is expected to offer crucial information on hedge, safe haven and diversification for quasi‐investors.
Genetic diversity of the polyphagous pest Rachiplusia nu across crops and locations in the Argentine Pampas
Authors: Decker‐Franco Cecilia , San Blas Germán , Balbi Emilia Inés , Fichetti Patricia , Puebla Andrea Fabiana , Toledo Andrea Vanesa , Arneodo Joel Demián
Published: September 2023

Rachiplusia nu (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae, Plusiinae) is a defoliator of soybean (Glycine max L., Fabaceae), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L., Asteraceae), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L., Fabaceae), and horticultural crops in temperate southern South America; however, there is little genetic information available about this pest insect. Recently, concerns about this insect have increased because of its suspected resistance to Bt soybean and its spread to tropical regions. To better understand pest dynamics, and therefore implement suitable management strategies, a thorough knowledge of the genetic variability and spatial structuring of populations is required. In this paper, R. nu larvae were sampled from various crops and locations in central Argentina (where the pest is endemic) to assess diversity and population structure through mtDNA sequence analysis. In addition to the analysis of the standard cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) ‘barcode’ fragment, a new set of primers was developed to explore genetic variation in the cytochrome b (Cytb) gene. COI and Cytb concatenated sequences revealed an overall high haplotype diversity (mean ± SD = 0.798 ± 0.037) and low nucleotide diversity (0.00137 ± 0.00013). The haplotype network showed a total of 19 haplotypes, separated by at most five mutational steps. A main central haplotype and four additional frequent haplotypes (accounting for 80% of the specimens examined) were distributed across populations with no obvious pattern related to host plant or geographic origin. Analysis of molecular variance further supported a weak population structure, where genetic variation within populations was the main source of total variation (ca. 96%). Pairwise comparisons showed only minor genetic differentiation among some of the populations studied. Implications of these findings in the context of R. nu control are discussed.
Endodontic microsurgery virtual reality simulation and digital workflow process in a teaching environment
Authors: Carpegna Giorgia , Scotti Nicola , Alovisi Mario , Comba Allegra , Berutti Elio , Pasqualini Damiano
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Computer simulations are stimulating increased attention in dentistry. Augmented reality superimposes a virtual scenario over an existing reality and allows interaction with it. Virtual reality (VR) simulates a fully immersive situation permitting the user to experience the full environment in real time. Haptic technology provides tactile and realistic force feedback for the user to experience the immersive situation as if they were really there. Preclinical training is important to gain familiarity with difficult surgical techniques and to implement interpersonal skills. Developing a valid assessment of surgical simulation is challenging.

This paper wants to present a newly realized VR simulation in endodontic microsurgery through the developmental digital workflow, the demonstration of a haptic VR scenario and student self‐assessment and self‐reflection feedback.

Methods

The volumes were exported in a stereolithography format to prepare and optimize in terms of shape and shade for the VR simulation. The graphics and touchable haptic solid were created using Virteasy Editor, which allows the transformation of 3D surfaces into graphical and volumetric haptic solids depending on their material (enamel, dentine, pulp and bone).

Users were asked to execute the osteotomy and root‐resection preparation. The assessment criteria were determined, and the feedback statements were created by a questionnaire with fixed answers. Objective and qualitative criteria for assessing the preparation were obtained from the literature.

Results

This study provides proof that it is possible to provide reliable and clinically relevant qualitative feedback with a VR simulator.

Conclusion

VR simulation offers an innovative approach with all the benefits of clinical experience. It permits you to save your own progress and review the assessment at any time.
Dopamine dysregulation in Parkinson's disease flattens the pleasurable urge to move to musical rhythms
Authors: Pando‐Naude Victor , Matthews Tomas Edward , Højlund Andreas , Jakobsen Sebastian , Østergaard Karen , Johnsen Erik , Garza‐Villarreal Eduardo A. , Witek Maria A. G. , Penhune Virginia , Vuust Peter
Published: September 2023

The pleasurable urge to move to music (PLUMM) activates motor and reward areas of the brain and is thought to be driven by predictive processes. Dopamine in motor and limbic networks is implicated in beat‐based timing and music‐induced pleasure, suggesting a central role of basal ganglia (BG) dopaminergic systems in PLUMM. This study tested this hypothesis by comparing PLUMM in participants with Parkinson's disease (PD), age‐matched controls, and young controls. Participants listened to musical sequences with varying rhythmic and harmonic complexity (low, medium and high), and rated their experienced pleasure and urge to move to the rhythm. In line with previous results, healthy younger participants showed an inverted U‐shaped relationship between rhythmic complexity and ratings, with preference for medium complexity rhythms, while age‐matched controls showed a similar, but weaker, inverted U‐shaped response. Conversely, PD showed a significantly flattened response for both the urge to move and pleasure. Crucially, this flattened response could not be attributed to differences in rhythm discrimination and did not reflect an overall decrease in ratings. For harmonic complexity, PD showed a negative linear pattern for both the urge to move and pleasure while healthy age‐matched controls showed the same pattern for pleasure and an inverted U for the urge to move. This contrasts with the pattern observed in young healthy controls in previous studies, suggesting that both healthy aging and PD also influence affective responses to harmonic complexity. Together, these results support the role of dopamine within cortico‐striatal circuits in the predictive processes that form the link between the perceptual processing of rhythmic patterns and the affective and motor responses to rhythmic music.
Bed nucleus of the stria terminalis GABA neurons are necessary for changes in foraging behaviour following an innate threat
Authors: Ly Annie , Barker Alexandra , Hotchkiss Hayden , Prévost Emily D. , McGovern Dillon J. , Kilpatrick Zachary , Root David H.
Published: September 2023

Foraging is a universal behaviour that has co‐evolved with predation pressure. We investigated the role of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) GABA neurons in robotic and live predator threat processing and their consequences in post‐threat encounter foraging. Both robotic and live predator interactions increased BNST GABA neuron activity. Mice were trained to procure food in a laboratory‐based foraging apparatus in which food pellets were placed at incrementally greater distances from a nest zone. After mice learned to forage, they were exposed to a robotic or live predator threat, while BNST GABA neurons were chemogenetically inhibited. Post‐robotic threat encounter, mice spent more time in the nest zone, but other foraging parameters were unchanged compared with pre‐encounter behaviour. Inhibition of BNST GABA neurons had no effect on foraging behaviour post‐robotic threat encounter. Following live predator exposure, control mice spent significantly more time in the nest zone, increased their latency to successfully forage, and significantly altered their overall foraging performance. Inhibition of BNST GABA neurons during live predator exposure prevented changes in foraging behaviour from developing after a live predator threat. BNST GABA neuron inhibition did not alter foraging behaviour during robotic or live predator threats. We conclude that these results demonstrate that while both robotic and live predator encounters effectively intrude on foraging behaviour, the perceived risk and behavioural consequences of the threat are distinguishable. Additionally, BNST GABA neurons may play a role in the integration of prior innate predator threat experience that results in hypervigilance during post‐encounter foraging behaviour.
Taming the nafs: Unbounded spirits and mental illness in militarized Pakistan
Authors: Khan Sanaullah
Published: September 2023

In Pakistan, jinn afflictions reveal the maddening effects of displacement, economic inequality, and household conflicts. In this article, I consider how healers treat conditions of the nafs (soul), specifically its impurity and corruption through material desires, as enhancing the susceptibility of clients to jinn affliction where healers prescribe engagement in pietistic activities and active remembrance of God (ẕikr) as a means of keeping the effects of spirits and the symptoms caused by them at bay. Healing also involves domesticating spirits and making them habitable with their human counterparts, as antagonistic relations between the two are seen as causes of acute symptoms (dauray). This process requires a range of negotiations with jinns, including efforts to convert them to Islam. The condition of the nafs and its continual purification are seen as necessary to ensure a peaceful relation between the jinn and the client, which is possible mainly by drawing upon the authority of Sufi lineages. Nafs and its relationship with spirits provide an opportunity to think about illness through relations between mind and the heart as well as the self and the other.
Changes in cognitive appraisal in a randomized controlled trial of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for patients with migraine
Authors: Kruse Jessica A. , Seng Elizabeth K.
Published: September 2023

Objective

This study is a secondary analysis evaluating changes in cognitive fusion and pain catastrophizing over 8 weeks of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for migraine (MBCT‐M) intervention versus waitlist/treatment as usual.

Background

Migraine is a common disabling neurological condition. MBCT‐M combines elements of cognitive behavioral therapy with mindfulness‐based approaches and has demonstrated efficacy in reducing migraine‐related disability.

Methods

A total of 60 adults with migraine completed a 30‐day run‐in before randomization into a parallel design of either eight weekly individual MBCT‐M sessions (n = 31) or waitlist/treatment as usual (n = 29): participants were followed for 1 month after. Participants completed the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ) at Months 0, 1, 2, and 4.

Results

The PCS scores decreased more in the MBCT‐M group (mean [SD] at baseline = 22.5 [9.6]; at Month 4 = 15.1 [8.8]) than in the waitlist/treatment as usual group (mean [SD] at baseline = 24.9 [9.0]; at Month 4 = 22.5 [10.4]) from Month 0 to 4 (β = −7.24, p = 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] −11.39 to −3.09). The CFQ (mean [SD] baseline = 27.6 [8.0]; at Month 4 = 25.0 [8.0]) did not change significantly from Month 0 to 4 (β = −1.2, p = 0.482, 95% CI −4.5 to 2.1). Parallel mediation analyses indicated that decreases in the PCS and CFQ together (β = −6.1, SE = 2.5, 95% CI −11.6 to −1.8), and the PCS alone (β = −4.8, SE = 2.04, 95% CI −9.1 to −1.1), mediated changes in headache disability in the MBCT‐M treatment completer group (n = 19).

Conclusion

In this study, pain catastrophizing showed strong promise as a potential mechanism of MBCT‐M. Future research should continue to explore cognitive appraisal changes in mindfulness‐based interventions.
Autologous cell transplant as a treatment for stable segmental vitiligo: a systematic review
Authors: Souroujon Ariela A. , Guttman Ilana , Levin Nathalie , Capuano Galia , Reyes Salcedo Cesar Alejandro , García Paulina
Published: September 2023

Objective

This systematic review provides a comprehensive analysis of the efficacy of autologous cell transplant as a therapeutic approach for stable segmental vitiligo. Vitiligo poses significant challenges for healthcare professionals in terms of treatment selection. Autologous cell transplant has emerged as a promising modality for managing vitiligo, with cultured and noncultured transplants being considered when determining the patient's treatment approach. There is little knowledge and literature on the subject, so we analyze the different studies.

Method

Using online medical literature databases and the PRISMA guidelines, six out of 60 articles met the acceptance criteria to be analyzed, emphasizing the lack of current literature on this subject.

Results

Autologous cell transplant achieves excellent pigmentation rates for many body parts. We found that cultivated cells had better results than noncultivated ones. Both types of treatments could pigment 80% or more where needed.

Conclusion

This review highlights the importance of autologous cell transplant as a new and reliable tool for the treatment of stable segmental vitiligo, cultured transplants being the most effective. By employing autologous cell transplant, the repigmentation rate is notably high and consistently achievable. Although its cost and logistical complexities hinder the current accessibility to this therapy, efforts are being made to enhance its availability, and its scope is expected to expand further. More studies are needed to understand this therapy method in other kinds of vitiligo.
Transforming growth factor‐β, Interleukin‐23 and interleukin‐1β modulate TH22 response during active multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis
Authors: Imperiale Belén R. , Gamberale Ana , Yokobori Noemí , García Ana , Bartoletti Bruno , Aidar Omar , López Beatriz , Cruz Victor , González Montaner Pablo , Palmero Domingo J. , de la Barrera Silvia
Published: September 2023

We previously reported that patients with multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis (MDR‐TB) showed low systemic and Mtb‐induced Th22 responses associated to high sputum bacillary load and severe lung lesions suggesting that Th22 response could influence the ability of these patients to control bacillary growth and tissue damage. In MDR‐TB patients, the percentage of IL‐22+ cells inversely correlates with the proportion of senescent PD‐1+ T cells. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the pathways involved on the regulation of systemic and Mtb‐induced Th22 response in MDR‐TB and fully drug‐susceptible TB patients (S‐TB) and healthy donors. Our results show that while IL‐1β and IL‐23 promote Mtb‐induced IL‐22 secretion and expansion of IL‐22+ cells, TGF‐β inhibits this response. Systemic and in vitro Mtb‐induced Th22 response inversely correlates with TGF‐β amounts in plasma and in PBMC cultures respectively. The number of circulating PD‐1+ T cells directly correlates with plasmatic TGF‐β levels and blockade of PD‐1/PD‐L1 signalling enhances in vitro Mtb‐induced expansion of IL‐22+ cells. Thus, TGF‐β could also inhibit Th22 response through upregulation of PD‐1 expression in T cells. Higher percentage of IL‐23+ monocytes was observed in TB patients. In contrast, the proportion of IL‐1β+ monocytes was lower in TB patients with bilateral lung cavities (BCC) compared to those patients with unilateral cavities (UCC). Interestingly, TB patients with BCC showed higher plasmatic and Mtb‐induced TGF‐β secretion than patients with UCC. Thus, high TGF‐β secretion and subtle differences in IL‐23 and IL‐1β expression could diminish systemic and in vitro Mtb‐induced Th22 response along disease progression in TB patients.
RETRACTED: Effect of closed incision negative pressure wound treatment in vascular surgery: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Meng Xiaohu , Xie Xupin , Liu Yongchang , Huang Changpin , Wang Linjun , Fang Xin , Chen Xumei
Published: September 2023

The meta‐analysis aimed to assess and compare the effect of closed‐incision negative pressure wound (NPW) treatment in vascular surgery. Using dichotomous or contentious random or fixed effect models, the outcomes of this meta‐analysis were examined, and the odds Ratio (OR) and the mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed. Ten examinations from 2017 to 2022 were enrolled for the present meta‐analysis, including 2082 personals with vascular surgery. Closed‐incision NPW treatment had significantly lower infection rates (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.30–0.51, p < 0.001), grade I infection rates (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.20–0.52, p < 0.001), grade II infection rates (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.21–0.71, p = 0.002), and grade III infection rates (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.13–0.73, p = 0.007), and surgical re‐intervention (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.25–0.97, p = 0.04) compared to control in personal with vascular surgery. However, no significant differences were found between closed‐incision NPW treatment and control in the 30‐day mortality (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.29–1.00, p = 0.05), antibiotic treatment (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.24–1.19, p = 0.12), and length of hospital stay (MD, −0.02; 95% CI, −0.24‐0.19, p = 0.83) in personnel with vascular surgery. The examined data revealed that closed‐incision NPW treatment had significantly lower infection rates, grade I infection rates, grade II infection rates, and grade III infection rates, surgical re‐intervention, however, there were no significant differences in 30‐day mortality, antibiotic treatment, or length of hospital stay compared to control group with vascular surgery. Yet, attention should be paid to its values since some comparisons had a low number of selected studies.
New factors affecting wound healing and recurrence after pilonidal sinus surgery in adolescents; seborrheic dermatitis and psychiatric co‐occurring conditions
Authors: Kaba Meltem
Published: September 2023

Postoperative wound healing problems and recurrence remain common for pilonidal sinus disease (PSD). Our study aimed to examine the effect of comorbidities in addition to the classic known factors that may affect wound complications and recurrence after PSD surgery. We retrospectively analysed 282 adolescent patients operated on in our clinic between 2014 and 2021. We gathered the postoperative wound healing patterns of the patients under four groups. With a mean age of 15.49 ± 1.45, 59.9% (n = 169) were male, 40.1% (n = 113) were female and 23.8% (n = 67) had recurrence. When examined according to the wound healing groups, 53.5% (n = 151) had an uneventful wound, 22.6% (n = 64) had prolonged wound care, 17.7% (n = 50) of the postoperative wounds did not close and had a recurrence and 6% (n = 17) had recurrence after the wound was healed. The number of sinuses, abscess presentation and the incidence of comorbid disease in group 1 were found to be statistically significantly lower than all other groups. Seborrheic dermatitis, obesity and psychiatric diagnoses showed high statistical association with group 3 and acne with group 4. In patients with seborrheic dermatitis or psychiatric diagnosis, a significant correlation was found between wound healing according to the type of surgery (p < 0.05). The wound healing patterns of these patients after total excision and primary closure surgeries were included in Group 3 with a statistically significant high rate. As two new factors, the significance of the presence of seborrheic dermatitis and psychiatric comorbidities should be evaluated in these patients whose wounds remain open postoperatively and do not respond to primary wound care and eventually relapse. Further histologic and pathologic investigations are needed for seborrheic dermatitis and PSD relation. Awareness of these diseases may change the decision of the type of surgery, and their treatment within the same time may support wound healing and ultimately reduce recurrence.
Co‐optimizing compressive and heat‐insulation properties of rigid fibrous ceramics by compositing with phenolic aerogel
Authors: Niu Bo , Cai Hongxiang , Liu Jie , Jiang Zhen , Zhang Xuanfeng , Zhu Xiaofei , Cao Yu , Zhang Yayun , Long Donghui
Published: September 2023

Low compressive strength of rigid fibrous ceramics (RFC) greatly restricts their application as thermal protection materials. Traditional reinforcing method using ceramic aerogels shows low efficiency and impairs high‐temperature thermal‐insulation properties. Herein, a novel strategy is proposed to optimize compressive and high‐temperature thermal‐insulation performances of RFC enormously and synergistically using nanoporous phenolic aerogel as reinforcement and high‐temperature evaporative refrigerant. In‐situ X‐ray micro‐CT results reveal that phenolic aerogel can protect bonding areas and handle compressive deformation, thereby increasing compressive strength of RFC. What's more, the strengthening effect along practical application (through‐thickness) direction is more obvious than that along in‐plane direction. Ablation test results indicate that pyrolysis gas of phenolic will carry away surface heat, thus improving high‐temperature thermal‐insulation and antiablation performances. The resulting mullite RFC with 45 wt.% of phenolic aerogel exhibits a high compressive strength of 44.8 ± 1.1 MPa along through‐thickness direction, low backside temperature of 38.4°C under ablation temperature of 1500°C for 30 s. The idea and results will further advance the application of RFC in more extreme environments.
The Influence of Humanities on Art and Design Learning Performance: An Empirical Study
Authors: Sun Qizhang , Lu Zhaolin , Ren Xipei
Published: September 2023

Theoretical studies and perspectives have argued that humanities positively influence art and design learning performance, yet little study has tested this argument empirically. Further than testing the impact of humanities on art and design learning performance, the present study explores how humanities influence art and design learning performance. The present study investigates the influence of humanistic knowledge (e.g., history and literature) and skills, capabilities (e.g., innovation and narrative) and spirits on art and design learning performance (e.g., professional course marks) empirically via a survey. The moderations of age and gender are also tested. The results showed that humanistic knowledge and skills and humanistic spirits increase the art and design learning performance of visual communication and industrial design students, respectively. Humanistic capabilities increase art and design learning performance for all subjects. Besides, we found the individual difference that the effects of humanistic capabilities and humanistic spirits are stronger in male visual communication students than in female visual communication students. The pedagogical strategy of humanistic education for improving art and design learning is discussed based on the results.
Histological structure of the digestive tract, liver, and pancreas of Ambassis nalua (Hamilton, 1822) with ultrastructural details of the gastric gland
Authors: Sukkhee Nutchar , Senarat Sinlapachai , Charoenphon Natthawut , Kaneko Gen , Kettratad Jes , Angsujinda Kitipong , Kongtueng Piyamat , Mitparian Tappadit , Kanjanarakha Tassaporn , Ampawong Sumate
Published: September 2023

The scalloped perchlet Ambassis nalua is one of the dominant fishes in the Estuarine Pranburi River, Thailand. It is suggested that this fish is in the secondary trophic level with a carnivorous nature. Studies on digestive system will help us further identify the niche of this species in the food web/food chain. The present study therefore aimed to report the detailed structure and ultrastructure of A. nalua digestive system. Fish samples (n = 30) with a total length of 5.7 ± 0.5 cm were obtained using beach seines from the Estuarine Pranburi River. Their digestive tract length and intestine coeficient were 3.6 ± 0.07 cm and 0.91, respectively. Light microscopic observation showed that the digestive wall comprised four layers, namely mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa. The prominent mucous‐secreting cells were found in the mucosal oesophagus. The stomach had many gastric folds, with height and width being 649.76 ± 85.15 and 370.30 ± 68.56 μm, respectively. Gastric glands were found in the anterior stomach but not in the posterior stomach. Each gastric gland was made up of a single type of columnar cells. The gastric cells were ultrastructurally characterized by numerous mitochondria and well‐developed secretory granules of varying sizes. A few small vacuoles were also identified in the apical area of the gastric cells. The intestine had two regions (anterior and posterior intestines), and pyloric caecum was absent. The density of the goblet cell was significantly higher in the posterior intestine. These results provide basic knowledge of the digestive system of A. nalua, and the low intestine coefficient and the absence of pyloric caecum suggest the carnivorous feeding habit of this species.
Interstitial and angular pregnancies: Case reports and differential diagnosis
Authors: Cordeiro Denise E. F. , Alves Júlio A. G. , Feitosa Francisco E. L.
Published: September 2023

Interstitial and angular pregnancies are rare and have high rates of morbidity and mortality. These terms continue to create confusion and are frequently misused. The standardization of terminology and differentiation of cases is necessary to distinguish between different outcomes. This article aims to report one case of angular and another case of interstitial pregnancies and to discuss clinical and radiological characteristics, prognosis and treatment. These pathologies continue to be confused with each other and with ectopic pregnancy tubal. Therefore, correct diagnosis facilitates appropriate management.