bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between the ratio of serum creatinine to cystatin C and bone mineral density in Chinese older adults patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Gao Ting , Liu Fupeng , Ban Bo , Hou Yue , Li Guangxin , Jiang Mingming , Yang Qing , Zhang Mei
Published: October 2022

Background

The ratio of creatinine to cystatin C (Cre/CysC), a marker of muscle function and muscle mass, can be used to predict sarcopenia in different populations. Since sarcopenia is closely associated with osteoporosis, this study investigated the association between Cre/CysC and bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Method

This cross-sectional study included 391 Chinese patients with T2DM. General information, biochemical indicators, and the BMD of lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), and total hip (TH) were measured.

Results

Pearson correlation analysis showed that Cre/CysC was significantly positively correlated with the BMD of LS (r = 0.170, p = 0.001), FN (r = 0.178, p < 0.001), and TH (r = 0.205, p < 0.001). The results of stepwise linear regression suggested that Cre/CysC was the only biochemical predictor of the BMD at three sites (LS: β = 0.137, p = 0.01; FN: β = 0.097, p = 0.038; TH: β = 0.145, p = 0.002).

Conclusion

In older patients with T2DM, high Cre/CysC value is independently positively associated with BMD and hence, Cre/CysC may serve as a valuable marker of osteoporosis.
Effect of preoperative predigested formula vs. polymeric formula on bowel function recovery after definitive surgery for small intestinal entero-atmospheric fistula in patients with chyme reinfusion
Authors: Tian Weiliang , Yao Zheng , Xu Xin , Luo Shikun , Zhao Risheng
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of preoperative predigested formula vs. polymeric formula on bowel function recovery following definitive surgery (DS) for small intestinal enteroatmospheric fistula (EAF).

Methods

In this retrospective study, from January 2005 to December 2019, the patients with small intestinal EAF and receiving a DS were enrolled. During the preoperative treatment, each patient received enteral nutrition via nasojejunal feeding and chyme reinfusion. The enrolled subjects were classified into two groups, based on their formula type: polymeric formula and predigested formula. Then, propensity scores matching (PSM) was used to further divide these patients into PSM polymeric formula group or PSM predigested formula group. The clinical characteristics of the groups were analyzed.

Result

A total of 137 patients were finally enrolled, with 72 patients in the polymeric formula group and 65 patients in predigested formula group. The postoperative ileus was manifested in a total of 61 (44.5%) cases, with 27 (37.5%) in the polymeric formula group and 34 (52.3%) in the predigested formula group (P = 0.04). It was predicted that the polymeric formula could result in a reduction in postoperative ileus (OR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.21–0.95; P = 0.04). After 1:1 PSM, there were 110 patients included. The postoperative ileus was observed in 47 patients, with 18 (32.7%) in the polymeric formula group and 29 (52.7%) in the predigested formula group (P = 0.03). After PSM, the polymeric formula demonstrated a reduction in the incidence of postoperative ileus (OR = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.19–0.92; P = 0.03).

Conclusion

Compared with predigested formula, the preoperative polymeric formula appears to be associated with earlier recovery of bowel function after DS for EAF.
Increased expression of the RNA-binding protein Musashi-2 is associated with immune infiltration and predicts better outcomes in ccRCC patients
Authors: Li Hui , Meng Xiaole , You Xuting , Zhou Wenting , Ouyang Wanxin , Pu Xin , Zhao Runan , Tang Huamei
Published: October 2022

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) mainly contribute to abnormalities in posttranscriptional gene regulation. The RBP Musashi-2, an evolutionarily conserved protein, has been characterized as an oncoprotein in various tumors. However, the prognostic value and potential roles of Musashi-2 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we found that Musashi-2 was mainly expressed in the normal distal tubular cells and collecting duct cells of the kidneys, while its expression was significantly decreased in ccRCC. And higher expression levels of Musashi-2 indicated better overall survival (OS) in ccRCC. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry demonstrated that PD-L1 expression was negatively correlated with Musashi-2 expression, and Musashi-2 was found to be remarkably correlated with multiple immune cells and immune inhibitors, including CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, regulatory T (Treg) cells, PDCD1, CTLA4, Foxp3, and LAG3. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that Musashi-2 might be involved in ccRCC metabolic reprogramming and immune infiltration and further predicted the therapeutic sensitivity of ccRCC. Taken together, Musashi-2 is a prognostic biomarker for ccRCC patients that may provide novel insights into individualized treatment strategies and guide effective immunotherapy.
Extravesical vs. intravesical ureteric reimplantation for primary vesicoureteral reflux: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Law Zhi Wei , Ong Caroline C. P. , Yap Te-Lu , Loh Amos H. P. , Joseph Udayan , Sim Siam Wee , Ong Lin Yin , Low Yee , Jacobsen Anette S. , Chen Yong
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to compare the outcomes of extravesical (EVUR) and intravesical (IVUR) ureteric reimplantation for primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) via systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

Literature review from Medline, Embase, and Cochrane since inception to March 2022 was performed. Meta-analysis was conducted on eligible randomized controlled trials (RCT) and observational cohort studies (OCS) comparing outcomes between EVUR and IVUR.

Results

Twelve studies were included, comprising 577 patients (778 ureters) operated by EVUR and 395 patients (635 ureters) by IVUR. Pre-operative VUR grade, postoperative VUR persistence and hydronephrosis was not statistically significant. EVUR had shorter operative time [mean differences (MD) −22.91 min; 95% confidence interval (CI), −44.53 to −1.30, P = 0.04] and hospital stay (MD −2.09 days; 95% CI, −2.82 to −1.36, P < 0.00001) compared to IVUR. Bilateral EVUR had higher risk of postoperative acute urinary retention (ARU) (8.1%) compared to bilateral IVUR (1.7%) (OR = 4.40; 95% CI, 1.33–14.58, P = 0.02). No patient undergoing unilateral EVUR or IVUR experienced ARU.

Conclusion

Both EVUR and IVUR are equally effective in correcting primary VUR. Operative time and hospital stay are shorter after EVUR compared to IVUR. However, bilateral EVUR is associated with higher risk of postoperative ARU.
The safety and efficacy of alfentanil combined with midazolam in fiberoptic bronchoscopy sedation: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial
Authors: Wang Longfei , Wu Qiuyue , Wang Ming , Ming Wanquan , Sheng Cheng , Zhang Yonghua , Chen Yongbin , Cao Yunfei
Published: October 2022

Sedation is recommended by most guidelines to be offered to all patients undergoing diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy (DFB) without contraindications, and the most commonly reported regimen is midazolam in combination with a short-acting opioid (fentanyl or alfentanil) to provide both sedative and antitussive effects. However, the optimal dose or ideal regimen of the combination therapy with midazolam and opioids has not yet been found. So this randomized, double-blinded clinical trial was designed and registered (ChiCTR2100049052) to assess the safety and efficacy of midazolam combined with different doses of alfentanil in DFB sedation. Our study showed that relative high doses of alfentanil (10–25 μg/kg) combined with a fixed low dose of midazolam can markedly reduce hemodynamic fluctuations, cough reactions, patients’ discomforts, and improve their satisfaction in a dose-dependent manner during DFB, with no significant increase in the desaturation risks.
Ferritinophagy, a form of autophagic ferroptosis: New insights into cancer treatment
Authors: Sun Kai , Li Chenyuan , Liao Shichong , Yao Xinrui , Ouyang Yang , Liu Yi , Wang Zhong , Li Zhiyu , Yao Feng
Published: October 2022

Ferritinophagy, a form of autophagy, is also an important part of ferroptosis, a type of regulated cell death resulting from abnormal iron metabolism involving the production of reactive oxygen species. As ferroptosis, autophagy and cancer have been revealed, ferritinophagy has attracted increasing attention in cancer development. In this review, we discuss the latest research progress on ferroptosis, autophagy-associated ferroptosis led by ferritinophagy, the regulators of ferritinophagy and promising cancer treatments that target ferritinophagy. Ferritinophagy is at the intersection of ferroptosis and autophagy and plays a significant role in cancer development. The discussed studies provide new insights into the mechanisms of ferritinophagy and promising related treatments for cancer.
Drug repurposing in cardiovascular inflammation: Successes, failures, and future opportunities
Authors: Chaffey Laura , Roberti Annabell , Greaves David R.
Published: October 2022

Drug repurposing is an attractive, pragmatic approach to drug discovery that has yielded success across medical fields over the years. The use of existing medicines for novel indications enables dramatically reduced development costs and timescales compared with de novo drug discovery and is therefore a promising strategy in cardiovascular disease, where new drug approvals lag significantly behind that of other fields. Extensive evidence from pre-clinical and clinical studies show that chronic inflammation is a driver of pathology in cardiovascular disease, and many efforts have been made to target cardiovascular inflammation therapeutically. This approach has been met with significant challenges however, namely off-target effects associated with broad-spectrum immunosuppression, particularly in long-term conditions such as cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, multiple anti-inflammatory medicines have been assessed for efficacy in cardiovascular clinical trials, with most of these being repurposed from their original indications in autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. In this review, we discuss the mixed successes of clinical trials investigating anti-inflammatory drugs in cardiovascular disease, with examples such as anti-cytokine monoclonal antibodies, colchicine, and methotrexate. Looking to the future, we highlight potential new directions for drug repurposing in cardiovascular inflammation, including the emerging concepts of drug re-engineering and chrono-pharmacology.
Therapeutic effect and metabolomics mechanism of Patrinia Villosa (Thunb.) juss on liver injury in rats
Authors: Qiao Li-Man , Zhang Hui , Liu Wei , Lou Dan
Published: October 2022

Patrinia villosa (Thunb.) Juss (P.V) is widely used in the treatment of chronic diseases, such as appendicitis, enteritis and gynecological inflammation. Modern research indicated that the herb has pharmacological effect on liver injury caused by inflammation, but the metabolomics mechanism is not clear. For the purpose of discovering the therapeutic effect and metabolomic mechanism of P.V on liver injury, 40 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into normal group, model group, and P.V groups (0.98, 1.97, and 2.96 g/kg). The model group and P.V groups were injected intraperitoneally with 40% CCl4 (v/v, olive oil) to establish liver injury model. After administration of P.V for seven consecutive days. Therapeutic effect of P.V on liver injury rats were analyzed. P.V could decrease serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels of liver injury rats as a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the model group, the pathological analysis of liver tissue of P.V groups exhibit significant decrease tendency of hepatic tissue structure destruction, cytoplasmic vacuolation, cellular swelling, and inflammatory cell infiltration as a dose-dependent manner. 82 endogenous metabolites in rat serum and liver were analyzed by Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). 14 metabolites in serum and 26 metabolites in liver were significantly different between the P.V group (2.96 g/kg) and the model group. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed that the main pathway including alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, and TCA cycle were significantly altered. It is suggested that P.V can alleviate CCl4 induced liver injury, and its effect on metabolites may be an important mechanism of action.
hnRNP A1 in RNA metabolism regulation and as a potential therapeutic target
Authors: Feng Jianguo , Zhou Jianlong , Lin Yunxiao , Huang Wenhua
Published: October 2022

Abnormal RNA metabolism, regulated by various RNA binding proteins, can have functional consequences for multiple diseases. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) is an important RNA binding protein, that regulates various RNA metabolic processes, including transcription, alternative splicing of pre-mRNA, translation, miRNA processing and mRNA stability. As a potent splicing factor, hnRNP A1 can regulate multiple splicing events, including itself, collaborating with other cooperative or antagonistical splicing factors by binding to splicing sites and regulatory elements in exons or introns. hnRNP A1 can modulate gene transcription by directly interacting with promoters or indirectly impacting Pol II activities. Moreover, by interacting with the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) or 3′-UTR of mRNAs, hnRNP A1 can affect mRNA translation. hnRNP A1 can alter the stability of mRNAs by binding to specific locations of 3′-UTR, miRNAs biogenesis and Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway. In this review, we conclude the selective sites where hnRNP A1 binds to RNA and DNA, and the co-regulatory factors that interact with hnRNP A1. Given the dysregulation of hnRNP A1 in diverse diseases, especially in cancers and neurodegeneration diseases, targeting hnRNP A1 for therapeutic treatment is extremely promising. Therefore, this review also provides the small-molecule drugs, biomedicines and novel strategies targeting hnRNP A1 for therapeutic purposes.
Correction of the post-irradiation T1 relaxation effect for chemical exchange-sensitive MRI: A phantom study
Authors: Chung Julius Juhyun , Jin Tao
Published: October 2022

Purpose: In many pulse sequences of chemical exchange-sensitive MRI including multi-slice chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) or chemical exchange sensitive spin-lock (CESL), there is a finite time delay between the irradiation preparation and the imaging acquisition, during which the T1-relaxation reduces the chemical exchange contrast and affects the accuracy for volumetric imaging. We propose a simple post-acquisition method to correct this contamination.

Methods: A simple formula was derived to evaluate the cross-slice T1-relaxation contamination in multi-slice echo-planar imaging (EPI) after the irradiation preparation. CEST and CESL experiments were performed on phantoms to examine the accuracy of this approach.

Results: Theoretical derivation showed that the cross-slice T1-relaxation contamination in multi-slice EPI imaging can be corrected by the signals of each slice at a parameter that suppresses the signal, e.g., at the water frequency for CEST, or with very long spin-lock pulse for CESL. This formula was confirmed by the results of phantom experiments, for both long and short irradiation durations with and without a steady-state, respectively. To minimize the effect of B0 inhomogeneity in the CEST experiment, a more accurate measurement of the signal at water frequency can be achieved with a higher pulse power and shorter duration.

Conclusion: We proposed and validated a simple approach to correct the cross-slice T1-relaxation effect, which can be applied to volumetric CEST and CESL studies acquired by multi-slice EPI, or other imaging modalities with similar T1-relaxation contamination.
Role of Sostdc1 in skeletal biology and cancer
Authors: Tong Xiaoyang , Zhu Chenyu , Liu Lifei , Huang Mei , Xu Jiake , Chen Xi , Zou Jun
Published: October 2022

Sclerostin domain-containing protein-1 (Sostdc1) is a member of the sclerostin family and encodes a secreted 28–32 kDa protein with a cystine knot-like domain and two N-linked glycosylation sites. Sostdc1 functions as an antagonist to bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), mediating BMP signaling. It also interacts with LRP6, mediating LRP6 and Wnt signaling, thus regulating cellular proliferation, differentiation, and programmed cell death. Sostdc1 plays various roles in the skin, intestines, brain, lungs, kidneys, and vasculature. Deletion of Sostdc1 gene in mice resulted in supernumerary teeth and improved the loss of renal function in Alport syndrome. In the skeletal system, Sostdc1 is essential for bone metabolism, bone density maintenance, and fracture healing. Recently, Sostdc1 has been found to be closely related to the development and progression of multiple cancer types, including breast, renal, gastric, and thyroid cancers. This article summarises the role of Sostdc1 in skeletal biology and related cancers to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of related diseases.
Myokines derived from contracting skeletal muscle suppress anabolism in MCF7 breast cancer cells by inhibiting mTOR
Authors: Davis Amanda R. , Goodenough Chelsea G. , Westerlind Kim C. , Strange Robert , Deaver John W. , Ryan Patrick J. , Riechman Steven E. , Fluckey James D.
Published: October 2022

Summary: There is strong evidence that physical activity has a profound protective effect against multiple types of cancer. Here, we show that this effect may be mediated by factors released from skeletal muscle during simulated exercise, in situ, which suppress canonical anabolic signaling in breast cancer. We report attenuated growth of MCF7 breast cancer cells in the presence of a rodent-derived exercise conditioned perfusate, independent of prior exercise training. This reduction was concomitant with increased levels of DEPTOR protein and reduced mTOR activity.
Mechanosensitive Piezo1 and Piezo2 ion channels in craniofacial development and dentistry: Recent advances and prospects
Authors: Lin Yifan , Ren Jianhan , McGrath Colman
Published: October 2022

Mechanical forces play important roles in many biological processes and there is increasing interest and understanding of these roles. Mechanotransduction is the process by which mechanical stimuli are converted to biochemical signals through specific mechanisms, and this results in the activation of downstream signaling pathways with specific effects on cell behaviors. This review systematically summarizes the current understanding of the mechanosensitive Piezo1 and Piezo2 ion channels in craniofacial bone, tooth, and periodontal tissue, presenting the latest relevant evidence with implications for potential treatments and managements of dental and orofacial diseases and deformities. The mechanosensitive ion channels Piezo1 and Piezo2 are widely expressed in various cells and tissues and have essential functions in mechanosensation and mechanotransduction. These channels play an active role in many physiological and pathological processes, such as growth and development, mechano-stimulated bone homeostasis and the mediation of inflammatory responses. Emerging evidence indicates the expression of Piezo1 and Piezo2 in bone, dental tissues and dental tissue-derived stem cells and suggests that they function in dental sensation transduction, dentin mineralization and periodontal bone remodeling and modulate orthodontic tooth movement.
The role of muscle-specific MicroRNAs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and skeletal muscle dysfunction
Authors: Zhao Hui , Li Peijun , Wang Jihong
Published: October 2022

Skeletal muscle dysfunction is a systematic manifestation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is manifested through the changes in the respiratory and peripheral muscle fiber types, reducing muscle strength and endurance, and muscle atrophy. Muscle dysfunction limits the daily mobility, negatively affects the quality of life, and may increase the patient’s risk of mortality. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as the regulators of gene expression, plays an important role in modulating skeletal muscle dysfunction in COPD by regulating skeletal muscle development (proliferation, differentiation), protein synthesis and degradation, inflammatory response, and metabolism. In particular, muscle-specific miRNAs (myomiRs) may play an important role in this process, although the different expression levels of myomiRs in COPD and skeletal muscle dysfunction and the mechanisms underlying their role remain unclear. In this paper, we review the differential expression of the myomiRs in COPD to identify myomiRs that play a role in skeletal muscle dysfunction in COPD. We further explore their possible mechanisms and action in order to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of the skeletal muscle dysfunction in COPD.
Physiological responses and variation in secondary metabolite content among Thai holy basil cultivars (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) grown under controlled environmental conditions in a plant factory
Authors: Chutimanukul Panita , Jindamol Hathairut , Thongtip Akira , Korinsak Siripar , Romyanon Kanokwan , Toojinda Theerayut , Darwell Clive Terence , Wanichananan Praderm , Panya Atikorn , Kaewsri Wilailak , Auvuchanon Anyamanee , Mosaleeyanon Kriengkrai , Chutimanukul Preuk
Published: October 2022

Holy basil (Ocimum Tenuiflorum L.) is a widely used herb containing several bioactive compounds of interest for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Plant factories using artificial lighting (PFAL) is a modern agricultural system that offers opportunity to improve crop production and stabilizes productivity in many herbal plants. However, little is known about the variation among holy basil varieties that can be cultivated and provide reasonable biomass and bioactive compounds in PFAL. We therefore evaluated 10 Thai accessions and two commercial cultivars in a PFAL (with hydroponic cultivation) to categorize cultivar characteristics by investigating physiological responses and secondary metabolite variation at plant flowering stage. Among Thai varieties, net photosynthetic rate (Pn) was significantly highest in varieties OC059 and OC081. The greatest growth and biomass measures were observed in OC064. Antioxidant capacity also varied, with the greatest accumulation of total phenolic compounds (TPC), flavonoids, and antioxidant activity by DPPH assay in OC064, and highest terpenoid content in OC194. The accumulation of major compounds confirmed by showing the highest levels of eugenol in OC057, OC063, OC194, and OC195 and methyl eugenol in OC072 and OC081. The highest α-humulene content was found in OC059. PCA based on physiological responses and secondary metabolites indicate that OC064 was clearly distinguished from other cultivars/accessions. These findings demonstrate variation across holy basil accessions for physiologic responses, antioxidant capacity, and secondary compounds in PFAL. These insights lead to identification of suitable varieties which is the most important step of developing an efficient method for producing high quality raw materials of Thai holy basil for supplying the foods and pharmaceutical industries.
Two-component system ArcBA modulates cell motility and biofilm formation in Dickeya oryzae
Authors: Lv Mingfa , Ye Sixuan , Hu Ming , Xue Yang , Liang Zhibin , Zhou Xiaofan , Zhang Lianhui , Zhou Jianuan
Published: October 2022

Phytopathogen Dickeya oryzae is a causal agent of rice foot rot disease and the pathogen has an array of virulence factors, such as phytotoxin zeamines, plant cell wall degrading enzymes, cell motility, and biofilms, collectively contributing to the bacterial pathogenesis. In this study, through deletion analysis of predicted regulatory genes in D. oryzae EC1, we identified a two-component system associated with the regulation of bacterial virulence. The two-component system contains a histidine kinase ArcB and a response regulator ArcA, and deletion of their coding genes resulted in changed phenotypes in cell motility, biofilm formation, and bacterial virulence. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that ArcA bound to the promoters of the bcs operon and bssS, which respectively encode enzymes for the synthesis of celluloses and a biofilm formation regulatory protein. ArcA could also bind to the promoters of three virulence associated transcriptional regulatory genes, i.e., fis, slyA and ohrR. Surprisingly, although these three regulators were shown to modulate the production of cell wall degrading enzymes and zeamines, deletion of arcB and arcA did not seem to affect these phenotypes. Taken together, the findings from this study unveiled a new two-component system associated with the bacterial pathogenesis, which contributes to the virulence of D. oryzae mainly through its action on bacterial motility and biofilm formation.
Production of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and its Receptor Binding Domain in plant cell suspension cultures
Authors: Rebelo Bárbara A. , Folgado André , Ferreira Ana Clara , Abranches Rita
Published: October 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the worldwide spread of SARS-CoV-2, has prompted the scientific community to rapidly develop efficient and specific diagnostics and therapeutics. A number of avenues have been explored, including the manufacture of COVID-related proteins to be used as reagents for diagnostics or treatment. The production of RBD and Spike proteins was previously achieved in eukaryotic cells, mainly mammalian cell cultures, while the production in microbial systems has been unsuccessful until now. Here we report the effective production of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in two plant model systems. We established transgenic tobacco BY-2 and Medicago truncatula A17 cell suspension cultures stably producing the full-length Spike and RBD recombinant proteins. For both proteins, various glycoforms were obtained, with higher yields in Medicago cultures than BY-2. This work highlights that RBD and Spike can be secreted into the culture medium, which will impact subsequent purification and downstream processing costs. Analysis of the culture media indicated the presence of the high molecular weight Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Although the production yields still need improvement to compete with mammalian systems, this is the first report showing that plant cell suspension cultures are able to produce the high molecular weight Spike protein. This finding strengthens the potential of plant cell cultures as production platforms for large complex proteins.
The effect of exercise on academic fatigue and sleep quality among university students
Authors: Li Wenjing , Chen Jianing , Li Mingping , Smith Andrew P. , Fan Jialin
Published: October 2022

Background

Routine academic events may cause fatigue and impair sleep quality. This research aimed to examine the prevalence and risk factors for academic fatigue among college students and its adverse effects on well-being and sleep. A brief exercise intervention was also evaluated.

Methods

A total of 864 college students (33.5% female) filled out self-reported questionnaires with few open-ended questions. Fatigue and sleep quality were assessed using the translated version of the Smith Well-being Questionnaire and the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Spearman correlations, logistic regression analysis, and t-tests were used to test the hypotheses. In a second study, 29 female participants took part in an exercise intervention aimed at reducing fatigue and improving sleep.

Results

Among the effective respondents, nearly 40% reported higher academic-related fatigue, and a few reported high-quality sleep. Negative coping styles, workload, stress, and disturbed surroundings had a significant positive predictive effect on academic fatigue. In addition, adverse consequences of fatigue were found for physical health and academic-life balance, and a significant, positive relationship was observed between the degree of fatigue and PSQI score (p < 0.01). The exercise study showed some beneficial effects of the intervention for both sleep and fatigue outcomes.

Conclusion

Fatigue is common and widely reported among Chinese college students, and it may have a major negative impact on their health. Increased awareness of daily academic fatigue and its impact on college students is important for individuals, schools, and society. Exercise may be a simple way to improve sleep and reduce fatigue.
What drives people’s protective behaviors during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in China
Authors: Pang Zhenjing , Zhao Ce , Xue Lan
Published: October 2022

This study systematically examined people’s protective behaviors against COVID-19 in China, and particular attention was given to people’s perceived threat and information-processing strategies. This study constructed a conceptual model and used structural equation modeling to explore this issue, and a questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data involving 4,605 participants during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in China. The results showed that people’s initial information acquisition played an essential role in their behavioral responses; acquiring more initial information about COVID-19 would make them perceive a higher threat and present a higher demand for information, then making them more likely to seek and process information, and subsequently motivating their protective behaviors. In addition to increasing people’s information needs, the perceived threat could also strengthen the analytical assessment and affect protective behavior positively but failed to predict the experiential assessment. Driven by information need, information seeking significantly influenced protective behavior; it also facilitated analytical assessment and decreased experiential assessment, thus predicting people’s protective behaviors. Protective behaviors were spurred by analytical assessment but negatively influenced by the experiential assessment.
Drivers of Farmers’ Intention to Use the Digital Agricultural Management System: Integrating Theory of Planned Behavior and Behavioral Economics
Authors: Sun Sangluo , Wen Xiaowei , Jie Siqiong , Gao Qihua , Zhu Ying , Wen Simei
Published: October 2022

China’s fishery industry has national and international relevance whose aquaculture production accounts for more than 60 percent of the world’s total aquaculture production. But the average amount of pesticides used per hectare in China is roughly five times of the world average. The abuse of chemical fertilizers and drugs has brought chronic, long-term, and cumulative harm to both human beings and environment. The digital agricultural management system should be adopted to reduce non-negligible environment pollution and the quality and safety risks of aquatic products. So, it is essential to understand the factors that may influence the adopting intention of this digital management approaches. The present study aimed to examine the adopting intention of farmers toward the digital agricultural management system using two theories–the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the behavioral economics–as the research framework. The population was composed of farmers in the provinces of Guangdong province in south China of whom 219 farmers were sampled with stratified random sampling technique. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data, and it was revealed that this research framework could potentially predict intention. And we observed that the two biased belief of availability bias and loss aversion bias can be the main predictive influence factors of responsible behaviors in adopting the digital agriculture management system, which highlights the importance of framing recommendations in terms of losses rather than gain may be more effective to increase farmers’ intention to adopt the digital system on their farms.
Late mismatch negativity of lexical tone at age 8 predicts Chinese children’s reading ability at age 10
Authors: Wu Han , Zhang Yixiao
Published: October 2022

Background

Deficits in phonological processing are commonly reported in dyslexia but longitudinal evidence that poor speech perception compromises reading is scant. This 2-year longitudinal ERP study investigates changes in pre-attentive auditory processing that underlies categorical perception of mandarin lexical tones during the years children learn to read fluently. The main purpose of the present study was to explore the development of lexical tone categorical perception to see if it can predict children’s reading ability.

Methods

Both behavioral and electrophysiological measures were taken in this study. Auditory event-related potentials were collected with a passive listening oddball paradigm. Using a stimulus continuum spanning from one lexical tone category exemplar to another, we identified a between-category and a within-category tone deviant that were acoustically equidistant from a standard stimulus. The standard stimulus occurred on 80% of trials, and one of two deviants (between-category or within-category) equiprobably on the remaining trials. 8-year-old Mandarin speakers participated in both an initial ERP oddball paradigm and returned for a 2-year follow-up.

Results

The between-category MMN and within-category MMN significantly correlate with each other at age 8 (p = 0.001) but not at age 10. The between-category MMN at age 8 can predict children’s ability at age 10 (p = 0.03) but the within-category cannot.

Conclusion

The categorical perception of lexical tone is still developing from age 8 to age 10. The behavioral and electrophysiological results demonstrate that categorical perception of lexical tone at age 8 predicts children’s reading ability at age 10.
Trajectories and predictors of vicarious traumatization in Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study
Authors: Luo Hong , Yu Zhen , Li Ju , Wang Yujie , Shi Xiaopan , Luo Dan , Chen Jie , Yang Bing Xiang
Published: October 2022

Objectives

This longitudinal study aimed to identify the trajectories and the predictors among sociodemographic and psychosocial variables at baseline of vicarious traumatization (VT) in Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods

A total of 544 Chinese college students enrolled in a public University in central China, majored in Clinical Medicine, Nursing, Musicology, Physics, etc., participated in this longitudinal study lasting 19 months. Three-wave (wave 1: February 2020; wave 2: November 2020; wave 3: September 2021) of data were collected. Resourcefulness Scale and the 10-item Kessler scale (K10) were only assessed in the first-wave survey, and the Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) was repeatedly measured in all three-wave surveys. A link to an online survey created by Questionnaire Star (https://www.wjx.cn/) was sent to the students to collect data. The Growth mixture modeling (GMM) and multiple logistic regression were used to identify the trajectories of VT and predictors for the distinct trajectories.

Results

The incidence of VT at each wave varied from 9.9% at wave 1, 4.0% at wave 2, to 2.6% at wave 3. Three trajectories of VT were the medium-level escalating group (3.0%), medium-level maintaining group (32.3%), and the low-level descending group (64.7%). Seniors (OR = 1.575, 95% CI: 1.059–2.341; OR = 1.161, 95% CI: 1.043–1.293) and those with poor mental health status (OR = 1.101, 95% CI: 1.030–1.177; OR = 1.083, 95% CI: 1.060–1.106) at baseline were more likely to be classified into the medium-level escalating group and medium-level maintaining group, respectively. Additionally, females (OR = 3.601, 95% CI: 1.311–9.887) were more likely to be included in the medium-level escalating group.

Conclusion

Targeted psychological interventions are urgently needed for students vulnerable to VT. Further studies with more representative samples, longer period of follow-up, and predictors based on scientific theoretical framework, are needed to update the findings.
Epidemiological characteristics of Omicron and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant infection in Santiago, Chile
Authors: Mella-Torres Andrea , Escobar Alejandro , Barrera-Avalos Carlos , Vargas-Salas Sergio , Pirazzoli Michelle , Gonzalez Ulises , Valdes Daniel , Rojas Patricio , Luraschi Roberto , Vallejos-Vidal Eva , Imarai Mónica , Sandino Ana María , Reyes-López Felipe E. , Vera Rodrigo , Acuña-Castillo Claudio
Published: October 2022

The variant of concern (VOC) SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1529) has been described as a highly contagious variant but less virulent than the current variant being monitored (VBM) Delta (B.1.617.2), causing fewer cases of hospitalizations, symptomatology, and deaths associated with COVID-19 disease. Although the epidemiological comparison of both variants has been previously reported in other countries, no report indicates their behavior and severity of infection in Chile. In this work, we report for the first time the effect of the Omicron and Delta variants in a cohort of 588 patients from the Hospital de Urgencia Asistencia pública (HUAP), a high-complexity health center in Santiago, Chile. This report is framed at the beginning of Chile's third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a marked increase in the Omicron variant and a decrease in the circulating Delta variant. Our results indicated a similar proportion of patients with a complete vaccination schedule for both variants. However, the Delta variant was associated with a higher prevalence of hospitalization and more significant symptomatology associated with respiratory distress. On the other hand, our data suggest that vaccination is less effective in preventing infection by the Omicron variant. This antecedent, with a low severity but high contagiousness, suggests that the Omicron variant could even collapse the primary health care service due to the high demand for health care.
Combining elements of the CO-OP Approach™ with education to promote healthy eating among older adults: A pilot study
Authors: Dawson Deirdre R. , Bar Yael , Ajwani Fatim , Rotenberg Shlomit , Atlas Barbara , Ricupero Maria , Greewood Carol , Parrott Matthew D.
Published: October 2022

This paper describes an exploratory study developing the Baycrest Brain-healthy Eating Approach (BBEA). Poor diet is a modifiable risk factor for many health problems including dementia. Mediterranean type diets, high in plant-based foods, rich in poly- and mono- unsaturated fatty acids with minimal consumption of saturated fat, red meat, and processed foods, are considered brain healthful. While several dementia prevention trials randomized controlled trials have included nutritional counselling in favor of these diets as one component of their interventions, the extent to which dietary change occurred is not known. Based on observations that a strategy training approach, the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) Approach, was beneficial for promoting lifestyle changes in older adults with complaints of cognitive changes, we undertook to develop the BBEA combining elements of CO-OP with didactic nutrition education. This exploratory, descriptive study assesses the feasibility and acceptability of the BBEA. Healthy community dwelling older adults (n = 5) were recruited using convenience sampling. Participants received five, 2 h, group sessions. During these sessions participants were supported in adopting dietary practices consistent with brain healthy eating. Each participant set specific dietary goals important to them. Feasibility of the intervention was demonstrated through high levels of attendance and by the findings that at each session, all participants set personally meaningful goals and received education on selected brain healthy eating topics. Acceptability was demonstrated through participants' positive reports of their experiences and perspectives obtained via semi-structured interviews. Thus, the BBEA appears to be feasible and acceptable.
Estimating indoor crowd density and movement behavior using WiFi sensing
Authors: Alam Syed Salman , Al-Qurishi Muhammad , Souissi Riad
Published: October 2022

The fact that almost every person owns a smartphone device that can be precisely located is both empowering and worrying. If methods for accurate tracking of devices (and their owners) via WiFi probing are developed in a responsible way, they could be applied in many different fields, from data security to urban planning. Numerous approaches to data collection and analysis have been covered, some of which use active sensing equipment, while others rely on passive probing, which takes advantage of nearly universal smartphone usage and WiFi network coverage. In this study, we introduce a system that uses WiFi probing technologies aimed at tracking user locations and understanding individual behavior. We built our own devices to passively capture WiFi request probe packets from smartphones, without the phones being connected to the network. The devices were tested at the headquarters of the research sector of the Elm Company. The results of the analyses carried out to estimate the crowd density in offices and the flows of the crowd from one place to another are promising and illustrate the importance of such solutions in indoor and closed spaces.
The future of lidar in planetary science
Authors: Cremons Daniel R.
Published: October 2022

Lidar has enabled advances in the knowledge of the Solar System through geophysical and atmospheric studies of the Moon, Mercury, Mars, and several asteroids. The technique will continue to be used to obtain high-precision topographic data from orbit, but new techniques on the horizon are suited to uniquely address fundamental planetary science questions related to the evolution of airless bodies, volatile delivery and sequestration, atmospheric transport, and small body formation and evolution. This perspective highlights the history of lidar in planetary science and identifies several measurement approaches that may be adopted in the coming years.
Breaking the limits of experimental pancreas transplantation: Working toward the clinical ideal graft
Authors: Ferrer-Fàbrega Joana , Folch-Puy Emma , Llaves-López Andrea , García-Pérez Rocío , Fuster Josep
Published: October 2022

Pancreas transplantation is, at present, the only curative treatment for type-1 diabetes that maintains normoglycemia thus avoiding complications arising from poor glycemic control. Despite its great benefits, the number of pancreas transplants has decreased significantly since its inception in the late 1960s, largely due to demographic changes and the consequent suboptimal quality of donors. The selection criteria for pancreas donors mainly depend on morphological variables such as fatty infiltration, fibrosis, or edema, as well as both functional (amylase and lipase) and clinical variables of the donor. However, the final criterion in the decision-making process is the somewhat subjective assessment of a trained surgeon. That being said, the recent incorporation of graft perfusion machines into clinical practice seems to be changing the work dynamics of the donor organ retrieval team, facilitating decision-making based on objective morphological and functional criteria. Normothermic perfusion using perfusate with supplemental oxygen replicates near physiological parameters thus being a promising strategy for organ preservation. Nevertheless, optimum perfusion parameters are difficult to establish in pancreas transplantation given its complex vascular anatomy combined with an intrinsically low blood flow. The objective of this work is to analyze the results published in the recent literature relating to the considerations of ex-vivo normothermic graft perfusion machines and their usefulness in the field of pancreas transplantation.
Adaptation of water resources management under climate change
Authors: Zhao Mengqi , Boll Jan
Published: October 2022

The rapid growth of demand in agricultural production has created water scarcity issues worldwide. Simultaneously, climate change scenarios have projected that more frequent and severe droughts are likely to occur. Adaptive water resources management has been suggested as one strategy to better coordinate surface water and groundwater resources (i.e., conjunctive water use) to address droughts. In this study, we enhanced an aggregated water resource management tool that represents integrated agriculture, water, energy, and social systems. We applied this tool to the Yakima River Basin (YRB) in Washington State, USA. We selected four indicators of system resilience and sustainability to evaluate four adaptation methods associated with adoption behaviors in alleviating drought impacts on agriculture under RCP4.5 and RCP 8.5 climate change scenarios. We analyzed the characteristics of four adaptation methods, including greenhouses, crop planting time, irrigation technology, and managed aquifer recharge as well as alternating supply and demand dynamics to overcome drought impact. The results show that climate conditions with severe and consecutive droughts require more financial and natural resources to achieve well-implemented adaptation strategies. For long-term impact analysis, managed aquifer recharge appeared to be a cost-effective and easy-to-adopt option, whereas water entitlements are likely to get exhausted during multiple consecutive drought events. Greenhouses and water-efficient technologies are more effective in improving irrigation reliability under RCP 8.5 when widely adopted. However, implementing all adaptation methods together is the only way to alleviate most of the drought impacts projected in the future. The water resources management tool helps stakeholders and researchers gain insights in the roles of modern inventions in agricultural water cycle dynamics in the context of interactive multi-sector systems.