bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of food and nutrient components as predictors of Lactobacillus colonization
Authors: Thompson Sharon C. , Ford Amanda L. , Moothedan Elijah J. , Stafford Lauren S. , Garrett Timothy J. , Dahl Wendy J. , Conesa Ana , Gonzalez Claudio F. , Lorca Graciela L.
Published: April 2023

A previous double-blind, randomized clinical trial of 42 healthy individuals conducted with Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2 found that the probiotic’s mechanistic tryptophan pathway was significantly modified when the data was stratified based on the individuals’ lactic acid bacteria (LAB) stool content. These results suggest that confounding factors such as dietary intake which impact stool LAB content may affect the response to the probiotic treatment. Using dietary intake, serum metabolite, and stool LAB colony forming unit (CFU) data from a previous clinical trial, the relationships between diet, metabolic response, and fecal LAB were assessed. The diets of subject groups with high vs. low CFUs of LAB/g of wet stool differed in their intakes of monounsaturated fatty acids, vegetables, proteins, and dairy. Individuals with high LAB consumed greater amounts of cheese, fermented meats, soy, nuts and seeds, alcoholic beverages, and oils whereas individuals with low LAB consumed higher amounts of tomatoes, starchy vegetables, and poultry. Several dietary variables correlated with LAB counts; positive correlations were determined for nuts and seeds, fish high in N-3 fatty acids, soy, and processed meats, and negative correlations to consumption of vegetables including tomatoes. Using machine learning, predictors of LAB count included cheese, nuts and seeds, fish high in N-3 fatty acids, and erucic acid. Erucic acid alone accurately predicted LAB categorization, and was shown to be utilized as a sole fatty acid source by several Lactobacillus species regardless of their mode of fermentation. Several metabolites were significantly upregulated in each group based on LAB titers, notably polypropylene glycol, caproic acid, pyrazine, and chondroitin sulfate; however, none were correlated with the dietary intake variables. These findings suggest that dietary variables may drive the presence of LAB in the human gastrointestinal tract and potentially impact response to probiotic interventions.
Impact of novel agent therapies on immune cell subsets and infectious complications in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma
Authors: John Lukas , Miah Kaya , Benner Axel , Mai Elias K. , Kriegsmann Katharina , Hundemer Michael , Kaudewitz Dorothee , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Jordan Karin , Goldschmidt Hartmut , Raab Marc S. , Giesen Nicola
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods

To examine the effects of modern second-generation novel agent therapy on immune cell subsets, in particular CD4+-T-cells, and infectious complications in patients with relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM), we conducted a prospective cohort study in 112 RRMM patients.

Results

Substantially decreased CD4+-T-cells <200/µl before initiation of relapse therapy were detected in 27.7% of patients and were associated with a higher number of previous lines of therapy. Relapse therapy with carfilzomib or pomalidomide showed a significant further decrease of CD4+-T-cells. All novel agents led to a significant decrease of B-cell counts. Overall, infections were frequent with 21.3% of patients requiring antibacterial therapy within the first 3 months of relapse therapy, 5.6% requiring hospitalization. However, in the setting of standard antimicrobial prophylaxis in RRMM patients with very low CD4+-T-cells, no significant association of CD4+T-cell count and an increased risk of infection could be detected.

Discussion

Our findings imply that reduced CD4+-T-cell numbers and infections are common in patients with RRMM. We also demonstrate an association with the number of previous therapies and certain substances suggesting an increased need for personalized prophylaxis strategies for opportunistic infections in this patient cohort.
Dacarbazine-encapsulated solid lipid nanoparticles for skin cancer: physical characterization, stability, in-vivo activity, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry
Authors: Bhattacharya Sankha , Sharma Satyam
Published: April 2023

Background

This study examined the use of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) to administer Dacarbazine (DTIC) to skin melanoma cells with minimal adverse effects. Melanoma is a tricky skin cancer to cure, and standard chemotherapy has many negative effects. Encapsulating DTIC in SLNs may allow the drug to target melanoma cells without harming healthy cells. The study developed and tested DTIC-loaded SLNs for skin melanoma treatment.

Methods

This study encapsulated Dacarbazine (DTIC) in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). SLNs with reversed micelles were produced utilizing specified ratios of the surfactant Kolliphor® P188 and phosphatidylcholine. To track SLN drug localisation, gold nanoparticles were conjugated to the DTIC. Nanoparticle size and form were examined using DLS and TEM. These approaches ensured SLNs had the correct size and shape for drug delivery.

Significant findings

In the study, various parameters of the developed solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were evaluated, including particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), entrapment efficacy, and cumulative drug permeation. The values for these parameters varied across the different formulations, with particle size ranging from 146 ± 4.71 nm to 715 ± 7.36 nm, zeta potential from -12.45 ± 2.78 mV to -30.78 ± 2.83 mV, PDI from 0.17 ± 0.013 to 0.51 ± 0.023, entrapment efficacy from 37.78 ± 2.78% to 87.45 ± 4.78%, and cumulative drug permeation from 117 ± 4.77 μg/cm2 to 275 ± 5.67 μg/cm2. To determine the optimal anti-cancer formulation, the DTIC-SLNs-8 nanoparticles were mixed with an optimized concentration of Gellan gum (0.01% w/v) and applied to DMBA-induced skin tumors in rats for six weeks, twice daily. Histopathology demonstrated that DTIC-SLNs-8-treated rats had less keratosis, inflammatory responses, and angiogenesis than free DTIC-treated rats. The development of SLNs may be a promising approach for melanoma treatment due to their improved drug retention over the skin. The optimised anti-cancer formulation DTIC-SLNs-8 showed improved efficacy with minimal side effects as compared to free DTIC.
Dexmedetomidine ameliorates liver injury and maintains liver function in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy: a retrospective cohort study with propensity score matching
Authors: Wang Xiaoqiang , Li Yi-ran , Shi Yumiao , Li Xiaoying , Luo Jiamei , Zhang Yiqi , Qi Bo , Wu Feixiang , Sun Yuming , Pan Zhiying , Tian Jie
Published: April 2023

Background

Although dexmedetomidine (DEX) is widely used during the perioperative period in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), its clinical effects on liver function and postoperative inflammation are unclear. This study aimed to explore effects of DEX on postoperative liver function and inflammation in patients with HCC after hepatectomy.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study with propensity score matching was performed. A total of 494 patients who underwent hepatectomy from June 2019 to July 2020 and fulfilled the eligibility criteria were included in this study. Baseline data, liver function indexes and inflammation-related biomarkers were collected and compared between the two groups. Survival analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of DEX on the overall survival (OS) of patients. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize bias between the two groups.

Results

The study cohort comprised 189 patients in the DEX-free group and 305 patients in the DEX group. Patients in the DEX group had lower levels of alanine transaminase (ALT, P = 0.018) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, P = 0.046) and higher level of serum albumin (ALB, P < 0.001) than patients in the DEX-free group before discharge. A total of 107 pairs of patients were successfully matched by PSM. Results consistently suggested that ALT and LDH levels were significantly lower (P = 0.044 and P = 0.046, respectively) and ALB levels were significantly higher (P = 0.002) in the DEX group than in the DEX-free group in the early postoperative period. No significant differences of inflammation-related biomarkers were observed between two groups after PSM. Neither the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis nor the multiple Cox regression survival analysis identified DEX as a contributing factor that would affect the OS of patients after PSM.

Conclusion

DEX exerts protective effects on liver function while has little effects on inflammation-related biomarkers in the early postoperative period in patients undergoing hepatectomy due to HCC.
Baseline neutrophil-to- ratio combined with the change during treatment provides risk stratification for metastatic malignant melanoma patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors in a Chinese population
Authors: Wang Chen , Liu Shengyan , Li Xin , Cui Kang , Zhang Weijie , Du Yabing
Published: April 2023

Background

Previous studies have suggested that an elevated baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (BLNLR) and elevated relative change of NLR (ΔNLR%) is associated with worse outcomes in patients with a variety of cancers. This study aims to investigate the value of BLNLR and ΔNLR% before the third cycle of treatment on the prognosis of patients with metastatic malignant melanoma treated with PD-1 inhibitors.

Methods

A total of 63 patients with metastatic malignant melanoma treated with PD-1 inhibitors in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2017 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. BLNLR and ΔNLR% before the third cycle of treatment were collected. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves and Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between BLNLR, ΔNLR% and clinical characteristics with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

Univariate analysis showed that PFS and OS were associated with BLNLR, ΔNLR%, BMI and number of metastatic organs (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that BLNLR, ΔNLR%, BMI and number of metastatic organs were independent predictors of OS and BLNLR and ΔNLR% were independent predictors of PFS. Patients were divided into four groups according to BLNLR (<3, ≥3) and ΔNLR% (< 30%, ≥30%): low-BLNLR + low-ΔNLR% group, low-BLNLR + high-ΔNLR% group, high-BLNLR + low-ΔNLR% group, high-BLNLR + high-ΔNLR% group. The median OS was 20 months, 8 months, 9 months, 5 months and the median PFS was 8 months, 3 months, 2 months, 2 months, respectively.

Conclusion

BLNLR combined with ΔNLR% can be used to predict the prognosis of PD-1 inhibitors in patients with metastatic malignant melanoma.
De novo 11q13.3q13.4 deletion in a patient with Fanconi renotubular syndrome and intellectual disability: Case report and review of literature
Authors: Shen Yingxiao , Xu Xiaoqin , Chen Jiansong , Wang Jingjing , Dong Guanping , Huang Ke , Fu Junfen , Wu Dingwen , Wu Wei
Published: April 2023

Objective

To explore the genetic etiology of a child with facial dysmorphia, developmental delay, intellectual disability, Fanconi renotubular syndrome, and Chiari malformations.

Materials and methods

Whole exome sequencing (WES), Copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq), and mitochondrial gene detection (Long-PCR + NGS) were applied to detect possible pathogenic mutations and chromosomal copy number variations (CNVs), together with databases and literature reviews to clarify the pathological significance of the candidate mutations.

Results

The WES revealed a 2.10 Mb interstitial deletion from 11q13.3 to 11q13.4, which was later confirmed by CNV-seq involving 11 OMIM genes, among which SHANK2, DHCR7, NADSYN1, FADD, NUMA1, IL18BP, ANO1, and FGF3 are disease-causing. The mitochondrial gene shows no variations.

Conclusion

The child has carried a de novo 11q13.3q13.4 microdeletion, in which SHANK2 genes may be the key gene responsible for the phenotype of intellectual disability. The renal manifestation of the child, which can be diagnosed as Fanconi renotubular syndrome, has an unknown cause but may result from the effect of the ANO1 gene. This case adds a new phenotype to the deletion of this region.
The role of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in ischemic stroke and the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine
Authors: Long Jia-Xin , Tian Meng-Zhi , Chen Xiao-Yi , Yu Huang-He , Ding Huang , Liu Fang , Du Ke
Published: April 2023

Ischemic stroke (IS) is the second leading cause of death and disability in the world. Pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death initiated by caspases, participates in the occurrence and development of IS. Because it can increase cell membrane permeability, mediate the release of inflammatory factors, and aggravate inflammation, inhibiting this process can significantly reduce the pathological injury of IS. The nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain protein 3 (NLRP3) is a multiprotein complex whose activation is the core link of pyroptosis. In recent years, studies have reported that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) could regulate pyroptosis mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome through multi-channel and multi-target networks and thus exert the effect against IS. This article reviews 107 papers published in recent years in PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and WanFang Data in recent years. It has found that the activation factors of NLRP3 inflammasome include ROS, mitochondrial dysfunction, K+, Ca2+, lysosome rupture, and trans-Golgi breakdown. TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3, ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3, AMPK/Nrf2/NLRP3, DRP1/NLRP3, TAK1/JNK/NLRP3 signaling pathways regulate the initiation and assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome, subsequently induce pyroptosis, affecting the occurrence and development of IS. TCM can affect the above signaling pathways and regulate the pyroptosis mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome, so as to play a protective role against IS, which provides a new entry point for discussing the pathological mechanism of IS and a theoretical basis for developing TCM treasure house.
Microfiber optomechanical torsion sensor
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Zhang Jie , Yang Shiwei , Zhai Ruili , Xie Yuyang , Li Yongmin
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we propose and demonstrate experimentally an optomechanical torsion sensor using a microfiber mechanical resonator. The torsion angle could be obtained by monitoring the resonant frequency shifts of the microfiber resonator. Theoretical and experimental results show that the shift of resonant frequency is non-linear to the torsion angle, and the fundamental mode is more sensitive than other higher modes. The highest sensitivity of the sensor tested in our experiments is 1,687 Hz/degree, and the corresponding resolution of torsion angle is up to 0.0006°, which is 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of the reported fiber-optic torsion sensors. The proposed sensor is a promising candidate for the practical engineering applications.
Methodological considerations for determining the volume and intensity of drop jump training. A systematic, critical and prepositive review
Authors: Montoro-Bombú Raynier , Sarmento Hugo , Buzzichelli Carlo , Moura Nelio Alfano , Gonzáles Badillo Juan José , Santos Amândio , Rama Luís
Published: April 2023

This systematic review provides critical and propositional information on criteria for determining the volume and intensity of drop jumps during plyometric training programs. Eligibility criteria were defined according to PICOS: Participants: male or female athletes, trained or recreationally active (16–40 years). Intervention duration: more than 4 weeks. Comparators: passive or active control group during a plyometric training program. Outcomes: information on improvement with Drop Jump or Depth Jump, with other jumps, acceleration, sprint, strength, and power output. Design: randomized controlled trials. We searched articles published in PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Scopus. The search was conducted until 10 September 2022 for English-language articles only. The risk of bias was assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) for randomized controlled studies. We identified 31495 studies, of which only 22 were included. We found that six groups presented results with women, 15 presented results with men, and the remaining four presented mixed studies. Of the 686 people recruited, 329 participants aged 25.79 ± 4.76 years were involved in training. Methodological problems in training intensity, volume distribution, and individualization were noted, but methodological recommendations for their solution are also provided. It is concluded that the drop height should not be understood as the intensity determinant of plyometric training. Intensity is determined by ground reaction forces, power output, and jump height, among other factors. Furthermore, the athletes’ experience level selection should be based on the formulas recommended within this research. These results could be helpful for those who intend to conduct new plyometric training programs and research.
Identification of cucumber S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase genes and functional analysis of CsSAMDC3 in salt tolerance
Authors: Zhu Mengliang , Chen Guangling , Wu Jianqing , Wang Jian , Wang Yu , Guo Shirong , Shu Sheng
Published: April 2023

As one of the key enzymes in the biosynthesis of polyamines, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) plays an important role in plant stress resistance. In this study, four SAMDC genes (CsSAMDC1-4) were identified in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and divided into three groups (I, II, and III) by phylogenetic analysis. Motif analysis suggested the existence of many conserved motifs, which is compatible with SAMDC protein classification. Gene structure analysis revealed that CsSAMDC2 and CsSAMDC3 in group I have no intron, which showed a similar response to salt stress by gene expression analysis. CsSAMDC3 responded differently to hormone and stress treatments, and was more susceptible to salt stress. Compared with wild-type (WT) tobacco, the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase were increased in CsSAMDC3-overexpressing tobacco under salt stress, but the content of electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide were decreased, which alleviated the inhibition of growth induced by salt stress. Under salt stress, overexpression of CsSAMDC3 in transgenic tobacco plants exhibited salt tolerance, mainly in the form of a significant increase in dry and fresh weight, the maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, the net photosynthetic rate and the content of spermidine and spermine, while the content of putrescine was reduced. In addition, the expression levels of antioxidase-related coding genes (NtSOD, NtPOD, NtCAT) and PAs metabolism-related coding genes (NtSAMS, NtSPDS, NtSPMS, NtPAO) in transgentic plants was lower than WT under salt stress, which suggested that overexpression of CsSAMDC3 affected the expression of these genes. In summary, our results showed that CsSAMDC3 could be used as a potential candidate gene to improve salt tolerance of cucumber by regulating polyamine and antioxidant metabolism.
Asymmetric auxin distribution establishes a contrasting pattern of aerenchyma formation in the nodal roots of Zea nicaraguensis during gravistimulation
Authors: Ning Jiayang , Yamauchi Takaki , Takahashi Hirokazu , Omori Fumie , Mano Yoshiro , Nakazono Mikio
Published: April 2023

Auxin distribution is essential for determining root developmental patterns. The formation of lateral roots and constitutive aerenchyma, which is a gas space developed through cell death, is regulated by auxin in rice (Oryza sativa). However, it is unclear whether the involvement of auxin in constitutive aerenchyma formation is conserved in other species. In this study, we found that constitutive aerenchyma formation was regulated by auxin in the nodal roots of Zea nicaraguensis, a wild relative of maize (Zea mays ssp. mays) grown naturally on frequently flooded coastal plains. Subsequent gravistimulation (root rotation) experiments showed opposite patterns of aerenchyma and lateral root formation. Lateral root formation on the convex side of rotated roots is known to be stimulated by a transient increase in auxin level in the pericycle. We found that aerenchyma formation was accelerated in the cortex on the concave side of the rotated nodal roots of Z. nicaraguensis. A cortex-specific expression analysis of auxin-responsive genes suggested that the auxin level was higher on the concave side than on the convex side. These results suggest that asymmetric auxin distribution underlies the regulation of aerenchyma and lateral root formation in the nodal roots of Z. nicaraguensis. As aerenchyma reduces the respiratory cost of the roots, constitutive aerenchyma on the concave side of the nodal root may balance resource allocation, thereby contributing to the uptake of water and nutrients by newly formed lateral roots. Our study provides insights into auxin-dependent asymmetric root patterning such as that of gravistimulation and hydropatterning response.
Soybean balanced the growth and defense in response to SMV infection under different light intensities
Authors: Shang Jing , Zhao Lu-Ping , Yang Xin-Miao , Qi Xiao-Li , Yu Jin-Feng , Du Jun-Bo , Li Kai , He Cheng-Shan , Wang Wen-Ming , Yang Wen-Yu
Published: April 2023

Light is essential for the growth and defense of soybean. It is not clear how soybeans adjust their defenses to different light environments with different cropping patterns. The mechanism of soybean response to Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) infection under different light intensities was analyzed by RNA-seq sequencing method. Enrichment analysis illustrated that most defense-related genes were down-regulated in the dark and the shade, and up-regulated under hard light and normal light. Soybean can resist SMV infection mainly by activating salicylic acid signaling pathway. Light is essential for activating salicylic acid defense signaling pathways. With the increase of light intensity, the oxidative damage of soybean leaves was aggravated, which promoted the infection of virus. When light was insufficient, the growth of soybean was weak, and the plant-pathogen interaction pathway, MAPK pathway and hormone defense pathway in infected soybean was inhibited. Under hard light, some defense genes in infected soybean were down-regulated to reduce the degree of oxidative damage. The expression of differentially expressed genes was verified by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR. In order to adapt to the change of light intensity, soybean balanced allocation of resources between growth and defense through a series regulation of gene expression. The results of this study will provide a theoretical basis for the research of SMV resistance in intercropping soybean.
More management is needed to improve the effectiveness of artificial grassland in vegetation and soil restoration on the three-river headwaters region of China
Authors: Wang Nengyu , Wan Jiayi , Ding Mingjun , Zhang Hua , Li Shicheng , Liu Linshan , Zhang Yili
Published: April 2023

Establishing an artificial grassland is a common measure employed to restore heavily degraded alpine grasslands for regional sustainability. The Three-River Headwaters Region in China has significant areas of black-soil-type grassland which is typified by heavy degradation; nearly 35% of the grassland regions in the Three-River Headwaters Region has degraded into this type. There are different plant community types of black-soil-type grasslands, however, it is not clear which restoration measures should be adopted for different kinds of black-soil-type grasslands. Here, we investigate the plant community characteristics and soil physicochemical properties of artificial grasslands, two types of black-soil-type grasslands, and native undegraded grassland in the Three-River Headwaters Region, then analyzed the direct and indirect interactions between the plant and soil properties by partial least squares path models (PLS-PM). Our results revealed that establishing artificial grassland significantly increased aboveground biomass and plant community coverage, and also decreased plant species richness and diversity and soil water content, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen in the 0-10 cm soil layer as compared with black-soil-type grasslands. Plant community diversity had a positive effect on plant community productivity, soil nutrient, and soil water content in native undegraded grassland. These results suggest that more management interventions are needed after establishing an artificial grassland, such as reducing dominant species in two types of black-soil-type grasslands, water regulation in the A. frigida-dominated meadow, diversifying plant species (i.e., Gramineae and sedges), and fertilizer addition.
Mandarin Chinese L1 and L2 complex sentence reading reveals a consistent electrophysiological pattern of highly interactive syntactic and semantic processing: An ERP study
Authors: Chen Luyao , Yang Mingchuan , Gao Fei , Fang Zhengyuan , Wang Peng , Feng Liping
Published: April 2023

Introduction

A hallmark of the human language faculty is processing complex hierarchical syntactic structures across languages. However, for Mandarin Chinese, a language typically dependent on semantic combinations and free of morphosyntactic information, the relationship between syntactic and semantic processing during Chinese complex sentence reading is unclear. From the neuropsychological perspective of bilingual studies, whether second language (L2) learners can develop a consistent pattern of target language (i.e., L2) comprehension regarding the interplay of syntactic and semantic processing, especially when their first language (L1) and L2 are typologically distinct, remains to be determined. In this study, Chinese complex sentences with center-embedded relative clauses were generated. By utilizing the high-time-resolution technique of event-related potentials (ERPs), this study aimed to investigate the processing relationships between syntactic and semantic information during Chinese complex sentence reading in both Chinese L1 speakers and highly proficient L2 learners from South Korea.

Methods

Normal, semantically violated (SEM), and double-violated (containing both semantic and syntactic violations, SEM + SYN) conditions were set with regard to the nonadjacent dependencies of the Chinese complex sentence, and participants were required to judge whether the sentences they read were acceptable.

Results

The ERP results showed that sentences with “SEM + SYN” did not elicit early left anterior negativity (ELAN), a component assumed to signal initial syntactic processing, but evoked larger components in the N400 and P600 windows than those of the “SEM” condition, thus exhibiting a biphasic waveform pattern consistent for both groups and in line with previous studies using simpler Chinese syntactic structures. The only difference between the L1 and L2 groups was that L2 learners presented later latencies of the corresponding ERP components.

Discussion

Taken together, these results do not support the temporal and functional priorities of syntactic processing as identified in morphologically rich languages (e.g., German) and converge on the notion that even for Chinese complex sentence reading, syntactic and semantic processing are highly interactive. This is consistent across L1 speakers and high-proficiency L2 learners with typologically different language backgrounds.
Online group music therapy: proactive management of undergraduate students’ stress and anxiety
Authors: Finnerty Rachael , McWeeny Sean , Trainor Laurel
Published: April 2023

Introduction

In alignment with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goal to provide comprehensive and integrated mental health services in community-based settings, this randomized control trial explored the efficacy of online group music therapy as a proactive intervention for reducing stress and anxiety in university students who do not necessarily have a diagnosis.

Methods

The study took place during COVID-19 restrictions. Students who volunteered were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of weekly (1) online active group music therapy, (2) online receptive group music therapy, (3) online group verbal therapy (standard of care), or (4) no-intervention (control group). Students rated their stress (Likert scale) and anxiety [State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, State version (STAI-S)], and provided heart rate variability (HRV) using a phone app, pre and post each therapy session.

Results

STAI-S and Likert stress scores significantly reduced from pre to post 45-min online music therapy sessions, with moderate evidence that these changes did not differ from the standard of care (verbal therapy). HRV results were not analyzed statistically as HRV collection was likely compromised due to challenges of remote collection. Students completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and provided a hair sample for cortisol analysis before and after the 6-week intervention. Changes in stress from week 1 to week 6 were not observed in the PSS measure; however, cortisol increased significantly in the control group as the term progressed, while it remained relatively stable in the therapy groups, suggesting therapy may lead to greater control of stress. Of participants’ demographic characteristics, music sophistication, personality, and changes in quality of life, only the personality trait of conscientiousness correlated significantly with PSS, suggesting online group therapy may be beneficial for a wide range of university students.

Discussion

The results suggest group music therapy can be as effective as group verbal therapy. Further, the study indicates that online delivery can be achieved effectively, supporting the idea that remote therapy may be a viable option for other populations. While the study should be replicated with a larger multi-site sample, it provides one example toward achieving a health-promoting culture on university campuses, consistent with the mental health goals of the Okanagan Charter.
Therapeutic hypothermia as a neuroprotective strategy in newborns with perinatal asphyxia—case report
Authors: Oliveira Nayara Rodrigues Gomes de , Teixeira Gustavo Gonçalves , Fernandes Kathlen Terezinha Montes Soares , Avelar Marla Moreira , Medeiros Maja , Formiga Cibelle Kayenne Martins Roberto
Published: April 2023

Background

Perinatal asphyxia is a public health problem and the third major cause of death among children under 5 years.

Objective

Two clinical cases of newborns with perinatal asphyxia submitted to therapeutic hypothermia and the follow-up of their motor development after hospital discharge have been reported.

Methods

This retrospective case report study included two newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy due to perinatal asphyxia who received a hypothermia protocol at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The two newborns and their families were followed up at the outpatient clinic and assessed using the Hammersmith Child Neurological Examination, Alberta Child Motor Scale, and Denver Developmental Screening Test-II.

Results

The newborns were submitted to a 72-hour hypothermia protocol. One newborn remained for 13 days in the NICU, while the other remained for 22 days. According to the multidisciplinary team, both cases presented with typical motor development with no cerebral palsy during the follow-up.

Conclusion

Both cases showed positive results and a good prognostic for motor development. Therapeutic hypothermia may be a strategy to prevent neurologic sequelae in newborns with perinatal asphyxia, including cerebral palsy.
Feeding with resistant maltodextrin suppresses excessive calorie intake in a high-fat diet, mediated by changes in mouse gut microbiota composition, appetite-related gut hormone secretion, and neuropeptide transcriptional levels
Authors: Ito Kaede , Haraguchi Atsushi , Sato Shuhei , Sekiguchi Masataka , Sasaki Hiroyuki , Ryan Conn , Lyu Yijin , Shibata Shigenobu
Published: April 2023

Consuming resistant maltodextrin (RMD) decreases food intake and increase appetite-related gut hormones, but the underlying mechanisms have remained unknown. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of RMD feeding on food intake (appetite) using Institute of Cancer Research male mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD-cellulose group) or HFD in which cellulose was replaced with RMD (HFD-RMD group). Feeding mice with an HFD-RMD for approximately 8 weeks inhibited excessive calorie intake and altered the gut microbiota composition. Excessive calorie intake was inhibited for several days in mice fed only with an HFD-cellulose and transplanted with fecal microbiota from the HFD-RMD group (FMT-HFD-RMD group). Moreover, in the HFD-RMD and FMT-HFD-RMD groups, serum active glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) levels were significantly higher, and appetite-related neuropeptide gene transcription in the hypothalamus were significantly altered, compared with the HFD-cellulose and FMT-HFD-cellulose groups. These results suggested that the long-term RMD intake changed the gut microbiota composition, increased the GLP-1 and PYY secretion, and altered the appetite-related neuropeptide gene transcription in the hypothalamus, leading to suppressed excessive calorie intake in an HFD.
Public preferences for the improvement of existing piped water provision: a choice experiment in Sri Lanka
Authors: Rajapakshe Prasanna Sisira Kumara , Termansen Mette , Paavola Jouni
Published: April 2023

In many developing countries, lack of access to water and its unsustainable use and adverse health impacts are important policy issues. The challenge of improving water services in developing countries is not only limited to the provision of new connections for non-piped-source-dependent households but also to improving the service level for the already connected households to meet peoples' needs. We conducted an empirical study in Sri Lanka on 307 households with piped water supply. A choice experiment was used to assess the potential welfare gains from alternative water supply schemes in terms of water quality, reliability, and pressure, and how the schemes are managed. Currently, over 20 different water supply systems managed by either governmental organizations or community-based organizations (CBOs) provide piped water supply. We found that households are willing to pay a substantial amount for improved water service, particularly for water quality improvements. Using the latent class and random parameter logit models, we found evidence of heterogeneity in the preferences for water service improvements. We suggest that the heterogeneous preferences of the household groups should be considered in the cost–benefit analysis to pave a way for rational policy-making on water service improvements.
Uncertainty quantification of machine learning models to improve streamflow prediction under changing climate and environmental conditions
Authors: Liu Siyan , Lu Dan , Painter Scott L. , Griffiths Natalie A. , Pierce Eric M.
Published: April 2023

Machine learning (ML) models, and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks in particular, have demonstrated remarkable performance in streamflow prediction and are increasingly being used by the hydrological research community. However, most of these applications do not include uncertainty quantification (UQ). ML models are data driven and can suffer from large extrapolation errors when applied to changing climate/environmental conditions. UQ is required to quantify the influence of data noises on model predictions and avoid overconfident projections in extrapolation. In this work, we integrate a novel UQ method, called PI3NN, with LSTM networks for streamflow prediction. PI3NN calculates Prediction Intervals by training 3 Neural Networks. It can precisely quantify the predictive uncertainty caused by the data noise and identify out-of-distribution (OOD) data in a non-stationary condition to avoid overconfident predictions. We apply the PI3NN-LSTM method in the snow-dominant East River Watershed in the western US and in the rain-driven Walker Branch Watershed in the southeastern US. Results indicate that for the prediction data which have similar features as the training data, PI3NN precisely quantifies the predictive uncertainty with the desired confidence level; and for the OOD data where the LSTM network fails to make accurate predictions, PI3NN produces a reasonably large uncertainty indicating that the results are not trustworthy and should avoid overconfidence. PI3NN is computationally efficient, robust in performance, and generalizable to various network structures and data with no distributional assumptions. It can be broadly applied in ML-based hydrological simulations for credible prediction.
Canadian women's experiences in mixed-sex sport: Wheelchair rugby
Authors: Corrigan Bronwyn , Misener Laura
Published: April 2023

Wheelchair rugby was developed in Canada in the 1970s and named an official Paralympic sport in 2000. Wheelchair rugby is one of the few Paralympic or Olympic sports that includes mixed-sex participation. Where historically women with disabilities
1 have had limited access to elite sporting competition, wheelchair rugby provides the opportunity for women to represent themselves as competitive and physical beings, capable of the physicality and aggressive nature of the sport alongside men. This project looks to fill the gap in research considering women's experiences in these potentially highly gendered sport settings. This study uses a thematic analysis approach to explore female athletes' lived experiences of participation in wheelchair rugby. Five provincial athletes were interviewed and shared their complex experiences competing in wheelchair rugby.
State of the art in subtotal cholecystectomy: An overview
Authors: Ramírez-Giraldo Camilo , Torres-Cuellar Andrés , Van-Londoño Isabella
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Subtotal cholecystectomy is a type of surgical bail-out procedure indicated when facing difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to not reaching the critical view of safety, inadequate identification of the anatomical structures involved and/or risk of injury.

Materials and methods

A comprehensive search on PubMed were performed using the following Mesh terms: Subtotal cholecystectomy and Partial cholecystectomy. The PubMed databases were used to search for English-language reports related to Subtotal cholecystectomy between January 1, 1987, the date of the first published laparoscopic cholecystectomy, through January 2023. 41 studies were included.

Results

Subtotal cholecystectomy's incidence oscillates between 4.00% and 9.38%. Strasberg et al., divided subtotal cholecystectomies in “fenestrating” and “reconstituting” types based on if the remaining portion of the gallbladder was left open or closed. Subtotal cholecystectomy can sometimes be a challenging procedure and is associated to a high rate of complications such as biliary fistula, retained gallstones, subhepatic or subphrenic collections, among others.

Conslusion

Subtotal cholecystectomy is a safe alternative when facing difficult cholecystectomy in which the critical view of safety is not reached in order to avoid complications. A classification system should be implemented in surgical descriptions to compare the different surgical techniques employed. In order to avoid bile leakage and cholecystitis of the remnant gallbladder, the surgical technique must be performed skillfully. There is still a current lack of information on alternative techniques such as omental plugging or falciform patch in order to judge their utility. There needs to be further research on long-term complications such as malignancy of the remnant gallbladder.
Evaluation of surgical outcomes in elderly patients with rib fractures: A single-centre propensity score matching study
Authors: Zhang Dong , Jiao Chenbo , Xi Siqi , Wang Langran , Li Run , Zhang Qiang
Published: April 2023

Background

Rib fractures are the most common injuries in chest trauma. Compared with younger patients, elderly patients with rib fracture have a higher incidence of complications and mortality. A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the effect of internal fixation compared with conservative treatment on the outcome of rib fracture in elderly patients.

Material and methods

We used a 1:1 propensity score matching method to perform a retrospective analysis of 703 elderly patients with rib fractures treated in the Thoracic Surgery Department of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital between 2013 and 2020. After matching, the length of hospital stay, death, symptom relief and rib fracture healing were compared between the surgery and the control group.

Results

The study included 121 patients receiving SSRF in the surgery group and 121 patients receiving conservative treatment in the control group. The length of hospital stay in the surgery group was significantly longer than that in the conservative group (11.39d vs. 9.48d, p = 0.000). After 9 months of follow-up, the fracture healing rate in the surgery group was significantly higher than that in the control group (96.67% vs. 88.89%, p = 0.020). The fracture healing time (p = 0.000), improvement in pain score (p = 0.000) and duration of pain medication use (p = 0.000) were also significantly better in the surgery group than in the control group.

Conclusion

Compared with conservative treatment, surgical treatment can prolong hospital stay to some extent. However, it has the advantages of more rapid healing and lessened pain. For rib fractures in elderly individuals, surgical treatment is a safe and effective option under strict surgical indications and is recommended.
Single-cell technologies for multimodal omics measurements
Authors: Bai Dongsheng , Zhu Chenxu
Published: April 2023

The recent surge in single-cell genomics, including the development of a wide range of experimental and computational approaches, has provided insights into the complex molecular networks of cells during development and in human diseases at unprecedented resolution. Single-cell transcriptome analysis has enabled high-resolution investigation of cellular heterogeneity in a wide range of cell populations ranging from early embryos to complex tissues—while posing the risk of only capturing a partial picture of the cells’ complex molecular networks. Single-cell multiomics technologies aim to bridge this gap by providing a more holistic view of the cell by simultaneously measuring multiple molecular types from the same cell and providing a more complete view of the interactions and combined functions of multiple regulatory layers at cell-type resolution. In this review, we briefly summarized the recent advances in multimodal single-cell technologies and discussed the challenges and opportunities of the field.
Correlation between fibroblast growth factor receptor mutation, programmed death ligand-1 expression and survival in urinary bladder cancer based on real-world data
Authors: Revesz Janos , Posfai Boglarka , Pajor Laszlo , Papdan Timea , Varga Linda , Paczona Viktor R. , Varga Zoltan , Sukosd Farkas , Maraz Aniko
Published: April 2023

Background: Programmed cell death (PD)-1/PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors have made a breakthrough in the therapy of advanced urothelial bladder cancer (UBC). The impact of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 (FGFR3) mutation on the effectiveness of PD-L1 treatment remains still unclear. Objective: Our study aimed to investigate the frequency of FGFR mutations at different tumor stages, and their relation to PD-L1 status and survival.

Methods: 310 patients with urothelial bladder cancer and subsequent radical cystectomy were included in a retrospective study over a 10-year study period at the University of Szeged, Hungary. FGFR3 mutations from the most infiltrative areas of the tumor were analyzed by targeted next-generation sequencing and PD-L1 (28-8 DAKO) tests (tumor positive score -TPS and combined positives score–CPS). In T0 cases FGFR3 mutations were analyzed from the earlier resection samples. Survival and oncological treatment data were collected from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). Neoadjuvant, adjuvant and palliative conventional chemotherapies were allowed; immunotherapies were not. The relationship between the covariates was tested using chi-square tests, and survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier model and Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results: PD-L1 and FGFR could be tested successfully in 215 of the 310 UBC samples [pT0cyst 19 (8.8%); St.0-I 43 (20%); St.II 41 (19%); St.III-IV 112 (52%)]. Significant pairwise dependency was found between tumor stage, FGFR3 mutation status and PD-L1 expression (p < 0.01). Samples with FGFR mutation were more common in less advanced stages and were also less likely to demonstrate PD-L1 expression. The effect of all investigated factors on survival was found to correlate with tumor stage.

Conclusion: FGFR alteration frequency varied between the different stages of cancer. Higher positivity rates were observed at early stages, but lower levels of PD-L1 expression were detected in patients with FGFR mutations across at all stages of the disease.
Cost–Benefit Analysis of Investments in Air Traffic Management Infrastructures: A Behavioral Economics Approach
Authors: Rodríguez-Sanz Álvaro , Rubio Andrada Luis
Published: April 2023

An important and challenging question for airport operators is the management of airport capacity and demand. Airport capacity depends on the available infrastructure, external factors, and operating procedures. Investments in Air Traffic Management (ATM) infrastructures mainly affect airside operations and include operational enhancements to improve the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of airport operations. Therefore, they help increase capacity while limiting the impact on the airport infrastructure itself. By reviewing the neoclassical valuation principles for Cost–Benefit Analysis (CBA), we find that it does not consider relevant behavioral economic challenges to conventional analysis, particularly: failure of the expected utility hypotheses, dependence of valuations on reference points, and time inconsistency. These challenges are then incorporated through practical guidelines into the traditional welfare model to achieve a new methodology. We propose a novel CBA behavioral framework for investments in ATM infrastructures to help policy makers and airport operators when faced with a capacity development decision. This is complemented with a practical example to illustrate and test the applicability of the proposed model. The case study evaluates the deployment of Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS–B) as an investment aimed at improving ATM operational procedures in the airport environment by providing advanced ground surveillance data. This allows airport operators to discover the causes of taxi congestion and safety hotspots on the airport airside. The benefits of ADS–B are related to enhanced flight efficiency, reduced environmental impact, increased airport throughput, and improved operational predictability and flexibility, thus reducing waiting times. At the airport level, reducing the waiting times of aircraft on the ground would lead to a capacity release and a reduction in delays. The results show that, following a traditional CBA, the investment is clearly viable, with a strong economic return. Including behavioral notions allows us to propose a new evaluation framework that complements this conclusion with a model that also considers inconsistencies in time and risk perception. A positive Net Present Value can turn into a negative prospect valuation, if diminishing sensitivity and loss aversion are considered. This explains the reticent behavior of decision makers toward projects that require robust investments in the short-term, yet are slow to generate positive cash flows. Finally, we draw conclusions to inform policy makers about the effects of adopting a behavioral approach when evaluating ATM investments.