bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic discrimination of the repetitive genome in proximity of ferroptosis genes and a novel prognostic signature correlating with the oncogenic lncRNA CRNDE in multiple myeloma
Authors: Qin Jiading , Sharma Amit , Wang Yulu , Tobar-Tosse Fabian , Dakal Tikam Chand , Liu Hongde , Liu Hongjia , Ke Bo , Kong Chunfang , Liu Tingting , Zhao Chunxia , Schmidt-Wolf Ingo G. H. , Jin Chenghao
Published: December 2022

Emerging insights into iron-dependent form of regulated cell death ferroptosis in cancer have opened a perspective for its use in cancer therapy. Of interest, a systematic profiling of ferroptosis gene signatures as prognostic factors has gained special attention in several cancers. Herein, we sought to investigate the presence of repetitive genomes in the vicinity of ferroptosis genes that may influence their expression and to establish a prognostic gene signature associated with multiple myeloma (MM). Our analysis showed that genes associated with ferroptosis were enriched with the repetitive genome in their vicinity, with a strong predominance of the SINE family, followed by LINE, of which the most significant discriminant values were SINE/Alu and LINE/L1, respectively. In addition, we examined in detail the performance of these genes as a cancer risk prediction model and specified fourteen ferroptosis-related gene signatures, which identified MM high-risk patients with lower immune/stromal scores with higher tumor purity in their immune microenvironment. Of interest, we also found that lncRNA CRNDE correlated with a risk score and was highly associated with the majority of genes comprising the signature. Taken together, we propose to investigate the molecular impact of the repetitive genome we have highlighted on the local transcriptome of ferroptosis genes in cancer. Furthermore, we revealed a genomic signature/biomarker related to ferroptosis that can be used to predict the risk of survival in MM patients.
Survival analysis of women breast cancer patients in Northwest Amhara, Ethiopia
Authors: Feleke Bereket , Tesfaw Lijalem Melie , Mitku Aweke A.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Breast cancer, the most common cause of cancer death and the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide, ranks as the second cause of death next to lung cancer. Thus, the main objective was to assess the factors that affect the survival time of breast cancer patients using the shared frailty model.

Methods

A retrospective study design was used to collect relevant data on the survival time of breast cancer patients from the medical charts of 322 breast cancer patients under follow-up at the Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (FHCSH). The data were explored using the Cox proportional hazard model, the accelerated failure time model, and shared frailty models. The model comparison was done using AIC and BIC. As a result, the Weibull gamma shared frailty model had a minimum AIC and BIC value.

Result

From a total of 322 patients, about 95 (29.5%) died and 227 (70.5%) were censored. The overall mean and median estimated survival times of breast cancer patients under study were 43.7 and 45 months, respectively. The unobserved heterogeneity in the population of clusters (residence) as estimated by the Weibull-gamma shared frailty model was 0.002 (p-value = 0.000), indicating the presence of residential variation in the survival time of breast cancer patients. The estimated hazard rate of patients who had not had recurrent breast cancer was 0.724 (95% CI: 0.571, 0.917) times the estimated hazard rate of patients who had had recurrent breast cancer.

Conclusion

The prevalence of breast cancer was considerably high. Under this investigation, older patients, patients in stages III and IV, anemic and diabetes patients, patients who took only chemotherapy treatment, metastasized patients, patients with an AB blood type, patients with a positive breast cancer family history, and patients whose cancer was recurrent had high death rates. Patient characteristics such as age, stage, complications, treatment, metastasis, blood type, family history, and recurrence were significant factors associated with the survival time of women with breast cancer.
Stem-cell therapy via gastroscopy improves the outcome of esophageal anastomotic leakage
Authors: Hu Yannan , Chu Heng , Xue Xiang , Yan Yan , Chen Wenbang , Lang Xilong , Zhang Hao
Published: December 2022

Background

Esophageal anastomotic leakage (EAL) is a severe complication usually occurring after esophagectomy. Although there are various therapeutic methods for EAL treatment, they have not achieved satisfactory results. A previous study showed that the combination of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and fibrin scaffold (FS) can treat EAL. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the injection of MSCs and FS through a new engraftment gastroscope for EAL treatment.

Methods

Twelve adult pigs were randomly divided into the MSCs group (n = 6) and control group (n = 6). A stomach tube was then inserted through the leakage to construct the EAL model, which was removed after one week. The combination of MSCs and FS was autografted at the EAL site for pigs in the MSCs group using the tailor-made gastroscope while only FS was autografted for the pigs in the control group. Local status of EAL was evaluated using gastroscopy. Histological analyses and western blot (WB) were used to assess the gross specimens of esophagi around EALs.

Results

Gastroscopy showed a higher closure rate and a lower infection rate in the MSCs group than in the control group. However, the mortality was not significantly different between the two groups. HE staining showed a severe inflammatory response with dispersive infiltration of inflammatory cells and unhealed leakage in the control group. However, the infiltration of inflammatory cells was not altered in the MSCs group, and the leakage was completely healed. WB analyses showed that Myogenin and α-SMA expressions were significantly higher in the MSCs group than in the control group.

Conclusion

A porcine model of EAL was successfully developed by accessing the transplantation site through the esophagus. Further data revealed that the implantation of MSCs in FS via the novel engraftment gastroscope can promote the repair and occlusion of EAL. Therefore, the proposed method is a promising strategy for EAL treatment.
Translational analysis and final efficacy of the AVETUX trial – Avelumab, cetuximab and FOLFOX in metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Tintelnot Joseph , Ristow Inka , Sauer Markus , Simnica Donjete , Schultheiß Christoph , Scholz Rebekka , Goekkurt Eray , von Wenserski Lisa , Willscher Edith , Paschold Lisa , Lorenzen Sylvie , Riera-Knorrenschild Jorge , Depenbusch Reinhard , Ettrich Thomas J. , Dörfel Steffen , Al-Batran Salah-Eddin , Karthaus Meinolf , Pelzer Uwe , Hinke Axel , Bauer Marcus , Massa Chiara , Seliger Barbara , Wickenhauser Claudia , Bokemeyer Carsten , Hegewisch-Becker Susanna , Binder Mascha , Stein Alexander
Published: December 2022

Introduction

In metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has so far been limited to patients with microsatellite instability high tumors (MSI-H). Unfortunately, most mCRC patients suffer from non-immunogenic microsatellite stable (MSS) tumors. Therefore, new combinatorial strategies are urgently needed to enhance the immunogenicity of MSS tumors to finally increase the number of patients benefiting from ICB.

Methods

The AVETUX trial aimed to combine the PD-L1 antibody avelumab with the standard of care chemotherapy combination FOLFOX and the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab. Furthermore, we performed a central radiological review of the pre- and on-treatment computed tomography scans to better define the individual response to treatment.

Results and Discussion

In total, 43 patients were treated of which 39 patients were confirmed as RAS/BRAF wildtype in central tissue review and finally response evaluated. A final progression-free survival (PFS) of 11.1 (range: 0.8 to 22.3 months) and a herein updated final overall survival (OS) of 32.9 months (range: 0.8 to 47.1 months) was reached. We observed a strong median depth of response of 67.5% tumor shrinkage and deepness of response correlated significantly with survival. On the other hand, early tumor shrinkage was not an indicator of better outcome at a cut-off of 20% (median values). In a next step, we correlated the individual best radiological response with potential ICB response biomarkers and found that the clonality and diversity, but not frequency of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TiLs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), strongly correlated with response. In summary, we report the final overall survival of the AVETUX trial and propose T cell clonality and diversity as a potential marker to predict response to chemo-immunotherapy combinations in MSS mCRC by performing a central radiological review.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier (NCT03174405).
Body movement as a biomarker for use in chronic pain rehabilitation: An embedded analysis of an RCT of a virtual reality solution for adults with chronic pain
Authors: Liikkanen Sammeli , Mäkinen Mika , Huttunen Teppo , Sarapohja Toni , Stenfors Carina , Eccleston Christopher
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a major public health problem. Reliably measuring the effects of chronic pain on movement and activity, and any changes due to treatment, is a healthcare challenge. A recently published paper demonstrated that a novel digital therapeutic (DTxP) was efficacious in reducing fear of movement and increasing the quality of life of adult patients with moderate to severe CLBP. In this paper, we report a study of how data from wearable devices collected in this study could be used as a digital measure for use in studies of chronic low back pain.

Methods

Movement, electrodermal recording, general activity and clinical assessment data were collected in a clinical trial of a novel digital therapeutic intervention (DTxP) by using the sensors in commercial Garmin Vivosmart 4, Empatica Embrace2 and Oculus Quest wearables. Wearable data were collected during and between the study interventions (frequent treatment sessions of DTxP). Data were analyzed using exploratory statistical analysis.

Results

A pattern of increased longitudinal velocity in the movement data collected with right-hand, left-hand, and head sensors was observed in the study population. Correlations were observed with the changes in clinical scales (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, EQ5D Overall health VAS, and EQ5D QoL score). The strongest correlation was observed with the increased velocity of head and right-hand sensors (Spearman correlation with increasing head sensor velocity and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia −0.45, Overall health VAS +0.67 and EQ5D QoL score −0.66). The sample size limited interpretation of electrodermal and general activity data.

Discussion/Conclusion

We found a novel digital signal for use in monitoring the efficacy of a digital therapeutics (DTxP) in adults with CLBP. We discuss the potential use of such movement based digital markers as surrogate or additional endpoints in studies of chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04225884?cond=NCT04225884&draw=2&rank=1, identifier: NCT04225884.
Respiratory tract infection of fatal severe human bocavirus 1 in a 13-month-old child: A case report and literature review
Authors: Liao Jing , Yang Zhongying , He Yu , Wei Jianhua , Ren Luo , Liu Enmei , Zang Na
Published: December 2022

Human bocavirus 1 (HBoV1) belongs to the family Parvoviridae and it is acknowledged that HBoV1 is a respiratory pathogen. We report the case of a 13-month-old boy who presented with a cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing, and who eventually died of severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS) showed that HBoV1 was the only detected pathogen. The nasopharyngeal aspirate viral load was 2.08 × 1010 copies/ml and the serum viral load was 2.37 × 105 copies/ml. The child was still oxygen deficient under mechanical ventilation. Chest imaging suggested diffuse lesions in both lungs, an injury caused by ARDS. In this case, the clinical symptoms and signs of the child, the high viral load, viremia, and the detection of mNGS in the tracheal aspirate all supported that HBoV1 could cause severe acute respiratory tract infection in children without other pathogen infections.
Diversity, distribution, and sustainability of traditional medicinal plants in Kaski district, western Nepal
Authors: Khakurel Dhruba , Uprety Yadav , Ahn Gyeongik , Cha Joon-Yung , Kim Woe-Yeon , Lee Sung-Ho , Rajbhandary Sangeeta
Published: December 2022

Medicinal plants are the primary source of traditional healthcare systems in many rural areas mostly in developing countries. This study aimed to document and analyze the diversity, distribution, and sustainability of the traditional medicinal plants used by the Gurung people of the Sikles region in western Nepal. Ethnobotanical data were collected through focus group discussions and individual interviews, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Prior informed consent was obtained before each interview. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices such as informant consensus factor, relative frequency of citation, and use values were also calculated. A possible association among these indices was tested using correlation analysis. A total of 115 wild medicinal plant species belonging to 106 genera and 71 families were documented. Asteraceae and Rosaceae were the dominant families whereas herbs were the most dominant life form. Roots were the most used plant part, paste was the most common method of preparation, and most of the medical formulations were taken orally. The highest number of medicinal plants were used to treat stomach disorders. The average informant consensus value of 0.79 indicates a high consensus among respondents in selecting medicinal plants. Lindera neesiana, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, Paris polyphylla, and Bergenia ciliata were found to be high-ranking medicinal plants based on the relative frequency of citation and use value. The genders did not affect medicinal plants’ knowledge but age had a significant correlation. Most of the informants agreed that medicinal plants are under pressure due to overharvesting and a lack of proper forest management practices. The number of medicinal plants reported from the study area indicates that the Gurung people possess rich traditional knowledge, and the vegetation of the Sikles region constitutes rich diversity of medicinal plants.
A GaN–Si hybrid integrated driver for narrow-pulse and high-current LiDAR applications
Authors: Chang Yukuan , Yuan Fang , Kou Yuxia , Zhang Xu
Published: December 2022

Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) is the most important active remote sensing tool and is widely used in civilian and military fields. There are a number of methods to drive laser diodes; the most common circuit topologies are capacitor-discharge resonant circuits. However, the performance of the silicon (Si)-based switching device limits the development of Light detection and ranging, such as the large figure of merit (FOM) and the stray inductance. Although different methods have been reported to resolve these problems, there are still great challenges in reducing the pressure on Light detection and ranging driver design. Hence, this work presents a gallium nitride (GaN)–Si hybrid integrated driver for a Light detection and ranging system. In the circuit, the switching power device uses GaN instead of a Si-based device, because GaN enables much better performance for pulsed-laser operation due to its near-ideal switching performance. Furthermore, a GaN push–pull driver stage between the GaN power device and the Si-based driver integrated circuit (IC) was innovatively introduced, which is integrated in the same chip with the GaN power device, thereby effectively reducing the parasitic parameters of the signal chain and enhancing the system reliability. The design and implementation of the Si-based IC and GaN IC are based on 0.18 µm 80–120 V Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS (BCD) technology and 0.5 µm p-GaN technology, respectively. The experimental results suggest that the proposed driver circuit output pulse width is 12.6 ns, and it can normally operate at 10 MHz with turn-on/turn-off delay is 11.94 ns. In addition, the driver was capable of generating approximately 8.25 A current pulses through a low ohmic load with a pulse width of approximately 12.4 ns. This work plays a vital role in promoting the development of information equipment and aerospace equipment such as precise ranging, high-efficiency power supplies, and high-speed motors.
Effects of contact tracing and non-Markovian awareness process on the spread of air-borne diseases
Authors: Sun Wei , Ren Jing , Xue Ling , Sun Xiangdong
Published: December 2022

Contact tracing is an important tool to contain the spread of many airborne diseases. We develop an approximated pairwise model to investigate the impact of non-Markovian awareness process among infectious individuals represented by pairwise endemic models. We derive the basic reproduction number and the final epidemic size, which are dependent on the tracing rate and the distribution of awareness process. The model analysis provides the threshold of contact tracing rate. When the contact tracing rate is greater than the threshold, the basic reproduction number will be less than one, then the epidemic will eventually die out. The analysis further shows that, higher variance in the awareness process generates smaller basic reproduction number, lower tracing threshold, and larger final epidemic size, when the mean awareness period is fixed. Extensive numerical analysis show the comprehensive effects of tracing rates and non-Markovian awareness processes on human behavior and the transmissibility ability of epidemic. It turns out that large tracing rates and high variances in awareness process lead to obvious reductions in contacts between susceptible and infectious individuals, so as to curb the transmission of infectious diseases. Moreover, contact tracing is more effective in reducing the number of infected individuals and the contacts between susceptible and infected individuals when the awareness process has a larger variance.
Review of acousto-optic spectral systems and applications
Authors: Pang Yajun , Zhang Kai , Lang Liying
Published: December 2022

Acousto-optic devices represented by acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTFs), have the advantages of wide wavelength range from the ultraviolet to the long-wave infrared and fast wavelength switching speed. Nowadays, acousto-optic spectral systems have become very important scientific instruments in laboratory. There are many factors to be considered when we choose different solutions for acousto-optic spectral systems, but there is no comprehensive analysis and summary of them. This paper explains the working principle of the acousto-optic devices and summarizes the most common optical schemes for acousto-optic spectral systems. We also analyzed their characteristics of application conditions. In addition, specific applications of acousto-optic spectral systems in some common fields are presented.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in vascular endothelial cells and its role in atherosclerosis
Authors: Qu Kai , Yan Fang , Qin Xian , Zhang Kun , He Wen , Dong Mingqing , Wu Guicheng
Published: December 2022

The mitochondria are essential organelles that generate large amounts of ATP via the electron transport chain (ECT). Mitochondrial dysfunction causes reactive oxygen species accumulation, energy stress, and cell death. Endothelial mitochondrial dysfunction is an important factor causing abnormal function of the endothelium, which plays a central role during atherosclerosis development. Atherosclerosis-related risk factors, including high glucose levels, hypertension, ischemia, hypoxia, and diabetes, promote mitochondrial dysfunction in endothelial cells. This review summarizes the physiological and pathophysiological roles of endothelial mitochondria in endothelial function and atherosclerosis.
The regulation of circadian entrainment in mice by the adenosine the A2A/A1 receptor antagonist CT1500
Authors: Jagannath Aarti , Pretoro Simona Di , Ebrahimjee Farid , Ftouni Suzanne , Taylor Lewis , Foster Russell G. , Vasudevan Sridhar
Published: December 2022

Circadian entrainment in mice relies primarily on photic cues that trigger the transcription of the core clock genes Period1/2 in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), thus aligning the phase of the clock with the dawn/dusk cycle. It has been shown previously that this pathway is directly regulated by adenosine signalling and that adenosine A2A/A1 receptor antagonists can both enhance photic entrainment and phase shift circadian rhythms of wheel-running behaviour in mice. In this study, we tested the ability of CT1500, a clinically safe adenosine A2A/A1 receptor antagonist to effect circadian entrainment. We show that CT1500 lengthens circadian period in SCN ex vivo preparations. Furthermore, we show in vivo that a single dose of CT1500 enhances re-entrainment to a shifted light dark cycle in a dose-dependent manner in mice and also phase shifts the circadian clock under constant dark with a clear time-of-day related pattern. The phase response curve shows CT1500 causes phase advances during the day and phase delays at dusk. Finally, we show that daily timed administration of CT1500 can entrain the circadian clock to a 24 h rhythm in free-running mice. Collectively, these data support the use of CT1500 in the treatment of disorders of circadian entrainment.
The ecological adaptation of the unparalleled plastome character evolution in slipper orchids
Authors: Hu Chao , Jiao Zhenbin , Deng Xinyan , Tu Xiongde , Lu Aixian , Xie Chengzhi , Jiang Kai , Zeng Xinhua , Liu Zhong-Jian , Huang Weichang , Luo Yibo
Published: December 2022

Plastomes may have undergone adaptive evolution in the process of plant adaptation to diverse environments, whereby species may differ in plastome characters. Cypripedioideae successfully colonized distinct environments and could be an ideal group for studying the interspecific variation and adaptive evolution of plastomes. Comparative study of plastomes, ancestral state reconstruction, phylogenetic-based analysis, ecological niche modelling, and selective pressure analysis were conducted to reveal the evolutionary patterns of plastomes in Cypripedioideae and their relationship with environmental factors. The plastomes of the three evolved genera had reduced plastome size, increased GC content, and compacted gene content compared to the basal group. Variations in plastome size and GC content are proved to have clear relationships with climate regions. Furthermore, ecological niche modelling revealed that temperature and water factors are important climatic factors contributing to the distributional difference which is directly correlated with the climate regions. The temperature-sensitive genesndhgenes,infA, andrpl20were found to be either lost/pseudogenized or under positive selection in the evolved groups. Unparalleled plastome character variations were discovered in slipper orchids. Our study indicates that variations in plastome characters have adaptive consequences and that temperature and water factors are important climatic factors that affect plastome evolution. This research highlights the expectation that plants can facilitate adaptation to different environmental conditions with the changes in plastome and has added critical insight for understanding the process of plastome evolution in plants.
Visible and near-infrared spectroscopy and deep learning application for the qualitative and quantitative investigation of nitrogen status in cotton leaves
Authors: Xiao Qinlin , Wu Na , Tang Wentan , Zhang Chu , Feng Lei , Zhou Lei , Shen Jianxun , Zhang Ze , Gao Pan , He Yong
Published: December 2022

Leaf nitrogen concentration (LNC) is a critical indicator of crop nutrient status. In this study, the feasibility of using visible and near-infrared spectroscopy combined with deep learning to estimate LNC in cotton leaves was explored. The samples were collected from cotton’s whole growth cycle, and the spectra were from different measurement environments. The random frog (RF), weighted partial least squares regression (WPLS), and saliency map were used for characteristic wavelength selection. Qualitative models (partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), support vector machine for classification (SVC), convolutional neural network classification (CNNC) and quantitative models (partial least squares regression (PLSR), support vector machine for regression (SVR), convolutional neural network regression (CNNR)) were established based on the full spectra and characteristic wavelengths. Satisfactory results were obtained by models based on CNN. The classification accuracy of leaves in three different LNC ranges was up to 83.34%, and the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of quantitative prediction models of cotton leaves was as low as 3.36. In addition, the identification of cotton leaves based on the predicted LNC also achieved good results. These results indicated that the nitrogen content of cotton leaves could be effectively detected by deep learning and visible and near-infrared spectroscopy, which has great potential for real-world application.
Quantitative trait locus mapping for important yield traits of a sorghum-sudangrass hybrid using a high-density single nucleotide polymorphism map
Authors: Lu Qianqian , Yu Xiaoxia , Wang Huiting , Yu Zhuo , Zhang Xia , Zhao Yaqi
Published: December 2022

The sorghum-sudangrass hybrid is a vital gramineous herbage.The F2 population was obtained to clarify genetic regularities among the traits of sorghum-sudangrass hybrids by bagging and selfing in the F1 generation using ‘scattered ear sorghum’ and ‘red hull sudangrass.’ This hybrid combines the characteristics of the strong resistance of parents, high yield, and good palatability and has clear heterosis. A thorough understanding of the genetic mechanisms of yield traits in sorghum-sudangrass hybrids is essential in improving their yield. Therefore, we conducted quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for plant height, stem diameter, tiller number, leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, and fresh weight of each plant in three different environments, using a high-density genetic linkage map based on single nucleotide polymorphism markers previously constructed by our team. A total of 55 QTLs were detected, uniformly distributed over the 10 linkage groups (LGs), with logarithm of odds values ranging between 2.5 and 7.1, which could explain the 4.9–52.44% phenotypic variation. Furthermore, 17 yield-related relatively high-frequency QTL (RHF-QTL) loci were repeatedly detected in at least two environments, with an explanatory phenotypic variation of 4.9–30.97%. No RHF-QTLs were associated with the tiller number. The genes within the confidence interval of RHF-QTL were annotated, and seven candidate genes related to yield traits were screened. Three QTL sites overlapping or adjacent to previous studies were detected by comparative analysis. We also found that QTL was enriched and that qLL-10-1 and qFW-10-4 were located at the same location of 25.81 cM on LG10. The results of this study provide a foundation for QTL fine mapping, candidate gene cloning, and molecular marker-assisted breeding of sorghum-sudangrass hybrids.
“Collateral damage” of occupation? Social and political responses to nonmarital children of Allied soldiers and Austrian women after the Second World War
Authors: Schretter Lukas , Stelzl-Marx Barbara
Published: December 2022

Thousands of so-calledoccupation childrenwere born to Allied soldiers and Austrian women in sexual relations after the end of the Second World War. Their experiences correspond to the experiences ofoccupation childrenin Germany and, more general, to the experiences of Children Born of War, i.e., children born after sexual contact between local women and foreign/enemy soldiers in conflict and post-conflict situations, regardless of the time of birth and the geopolitical context. Now, more than 75 years after the end of the war, we have studied the changes in the social and political handling ofoccupation childrenin Austria over the past decades, using official sources such as newspaper reports, and including biographical interviews conducted with Britishoccupation childrenin the 2010s. Three phases were identified into which the handling ofoccupation childrencan be divided: The post-war years, in which these children were perceived as an (economic) burden; the phase ofoccupation childrengrowing up and becoming adults, in which they were hardly addressed in public; and the period since the 1990s, in which they have experienced increased media, family, and public interest, which can be attributed to their efforts to make their life stories heard, to the academic research into their living and socialization conditions, and to the formation of networks. The study complements other research onoccupation childrenin Germany and Austria, highlighting the significant differences in the discourse on U.S. American, British, Soviet, and Frenchoccupation children, especially betweenwhiteand Blackoccupation children, and addressing the differences in Austria compared to Germany. The article argues that challenges and opportunities in the integration of these children have been tied to changes in social values and morals as well as to collective processes of coming to terms with the war and post-war period.
A mindfulness-based intervention adapted to dementia caregivers: A study protocol for a randomized clinical control trial
Authors: Antoniou Rea , Toli Despoina Georgakopoulou , Lerner Hannah , Callahan Patrick , Coble Roger , Ortiz Bailey , Sideman Alissa Bernstein , Shdo Suzanne M. , Levenson Robert W. , Ferreira Nuno , Moskowitz Judith T , Rankin Katherine P.
Published: December 2022

Dementia caregiving, besides encompassing various challenges in tandem to the diagnosis of the care recipient, is associated with decreased psychological well-being and mental health. Accordingly, caregivers’ wellbeing has an impact on the quality of care they provide and on the relationship quality with the person in their care. The aim of the present study is to examine the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention on relational and psychological wellbeing, tailored to the needs of dementia caregivers. This clinical trial (NCT04977245) will apply a randomized controlled mixed method design. Caregivers will be randomly allocated to either the mindfulness intervention or the active control group. The intervention arm is based on experiential learning and is targeted to promote caregivers’ well-being and empowerment. Assessments will include, standardized self-report questionnaires, task performance measures, and qualitative measures. All assessments will be held at three time points (baseline; t0, 0 months, post-intervention; t1, 2 months, and after maintenance; t2, 3 months) focused on three core domains (1. relational well-being, 2. psychological well-being, and 3. dementia patient’s lifestyle/activities). The primary outcome will be relational well-being, and data will be analyzed using linear mixed modelling.
The impact of environment on college students' entrepreneurial intention based on the mediating effect of personality traits
Authors: Jiang Jiping , Xu Jiapan , Yin Xiaocui , Hu Jinyan
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The entrepreneurship rate of Chinese college students is relatively low. This study investigates the environment factors that influence college students' entrepreneurial intention as mediated by personality traits.

Methods

According to the entrepreneurial ecosystem theory, a hierarchical model of the environment factors was established which included three layers: personality traits as the micro system, family and education as the meso system, and social and policy support as the macro system. The structural equation model of the environment factors was constructed to reveal the significant influence path of various factors and the mediating role of personality traits. Data were collected from 436 undergraduate students in Henan Province, China.

Results

Findings indicate that family, education, social, and policy factors have no significant direct influence on entrepreneurial intention. However, personality traits significantly influence entrepreneurial intention and mediate the effects of various factors on entrepreneurial intention.

Discussion

Suggestions such as improving college students' entrepreneurial practice and promoting college students' proactive personalities are also put forward.
How collaborative mental health care for competitive and high-performance athletes is implemented: A novel interdisciplinary case study
Authors: Van Slingerland Krista J. , DesClouds Poppy , Durand-Bush Natalie , Boudreault Véronique , Abraham Anna
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Collaborative care is considered a best practice in mental health care delivery and has recently been applied in high-performance sport to address athletes’ mental health needs. However, how the collaborative process unfolds in practice in the sport setting has not yet been well documented. The purpose of this illustrative case study was to investigate a novel interdisciplinary approach used within the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport (CCMHS) to provide mental health care to clients. Focusing on ‘how’ the approach was implemented, the aim of the study was to provide insight into the collaboration that occurred between mental performance and mental health practitioners to provide care to a high-performance athlete over an 11-month period, as well as factors facilitating and impeding the team’s collaboration. The case involved three practitioners and a 16-year-old female athlete experiencing chronic pain, low mood, and elevated anxiety.

Methods

In the first phase of the data collection process, each practitioner engaged in guided reflective journaling to describe the case and reflect on their practice and outcomes. During the second phase, practitioners co-created a case timeline to describe the collaborative process using clinical documents. Lastly, practitioners participated in collaborative reflection to collectively reflect more broadly on collaboration practice occurring within the CCMHS and Canadian sport system.

Results

The data depict a complex care process in which the necessity and intensity of collaboration was primarily driven by the client’s symptoms and needs. A content analysis showed that collaboration was facilitated by the CCMHS’ secure online platform and tools, as well as individual practitioner and team characteristics. Collaboration was, however, hindered by logistical challenges, overlapping scopes of practice, and client characteristics.

Discussion

Overall, there were more perceived benefits than drawbacks to providing collaborative care. While flexibility was required during the process, deliberate and systematic planning helped to ensure success. Factors such as interdependence of collaborative practice, complementarity of practice within care teams, compensation for collaboration, in-person versus virtual delivery, and intricacies of care coordination should be further examined in the future to optimize collaborative mental health care in sport.
Physical activity, sleep quality and life satisfaction in adolescents: A cross-sectional survey study
Authors: Cao Yunhua , Yang Zhen , Yu Yongbo , Huang Xin
Published: December 2022

Background

Physical activity, sleep is an important component of adolescents' 24-h movement behavior, and life satisfaction predicts adolescent physical and mental health. However, few studies have explored the relationship between the two variables among Chinese high school students. Consequently, this study aimed to explore the relationship between sleep quality and life satisfaction among Chinese high school students.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2020 in five high schools in Xuchang City, China. High school students from senior 1 to senior 3 were asked to fill up a questionnaire of demographic characteristics and validated screen instructions for sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale). The multivariate regression model was applied to explore the association between sleep quality and life satisfaction.

Results

A total of 1127 individuals (51.1% males) participated in this survey, and the prevalence of poor sleep quality was 42.3%. The mean score on the Satisfaction with Life Scale was 16.72 ± 5.67, according to the corresponding scoring criteria, with 15–19 being generally dissatisfied. After controlling for demographic variables, the contribution of subjective sleep quality (β = – 0.181, p < 0.01), sleep duration (β = – 0.080, p < 0.01) and daytime dysfunction (β = – 0.311, p < 0.01) to life satisfaction of high school students increased to 23.2%, indicating that subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, and daytime dysfunction were 22.9% predictive of life satisfaction among high school students. And also, physical activity on schooldays and weekend days were associated with better sleep quality and higher life satisfaction (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Among Chinese high school students, the prevalence of sleep problems was high, and the majority of students held moderate life satisfaction. Sleep quality was positively correlated with life satisfaction among Chinese high school students, with better sleep quality resulting in higher life satisfaction among students.
Gov➔Value: How to combine reported quality experiences and patient-reported outcome measures. First results on vulvar cancer patients in an Italian Research Hospital
Authors: de Mattia Egidio , Angioletti Carmen , Perilli Alessio , Guajardo Rios Linda Stella , Garganese Giorgia , Tagliaferri Luca , Scambia Giovanni , Fragomeni Simona Maria , de Belvis Antonio Giulio
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Vulvar cancer (VC) accounts for <1% of cancers affecting the female gender. Clinical Pathways (CP) and Clinical Outcomes Monitoring are useful for providing high-quality care to these patients. However, it is essential to integrate them with the patient's perspective according to Value-Based Healthcare paradigms. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) are tools for assessing outcomes and experiences with health care from the patient's perspective. The aim of this paper is to collect and synthesize PROMs and main stakeholders' experience on the VC CP, according to a value-based approach.

Materials and methods

To select the most appropriate instrument, a review was conducted on the main databases and official websites of specific institutions and organizations. In the second phase, a 2-round Delphi survey was conducted to assess the Reported Experience Measures (REMs) tool. Questions were evaluated according to four criteria (general relevance, evidence-based, measurability, actionability) and included if strong agreement was reached. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was executed. Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega were computed. Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to compare ratings between groups. Descriptive statistics were performed for both PROMs and REMs instruments.

Results

For PROMs assessment, EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire was selected and administered to 28 patients. Global Health Status/Quality of Life and Functional Scales Scores were high or very high, while symptoms scale reported low or medium scores. The final REMs consists of 22 questions for professionals and 16 for patients and caregivers. It was administered to 22 patients, 11 caregivers, 5 physicians, 2 nurses and 1 clinical senior manager. PCA identified 4 components. Scale reliability was acceptable (α = 0.75 95% CI: 0.61–0.85; ω = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.54, 0.82). A statistically significant difference between the patient/caregiver group and the professionals was found for items 8 (follow-up), 10 (perceived quality), 12 (safety), and 16 (climate) (p= 0.02;p= 0.03;p< 0.001;p< 0.001, respectively).

Discussion

PROMs could provide new ways of intercepting patients' needs and feedback, thus acting on them. The proposed REMs tool would allow to detect information not available elsewhere, which, through Audit and feedback strategies, could lead to enhancement of healthcare experience, according to a value-based approach.
Deciphering the birth region, formation, and evolution of ambient and transient solar wind using heavy ion observations
Authors: Rivera Yeimy. J. , Higginson Aleida , Lepri Susan T. , Viall Nicholeen M. , Alterman B. L. , Landi Enrico , Spitzer Sarah A. , Raines Jim M. , Cranmer Steven R. , Laming John M. , Mason Emily I. , Wallace Samantha , Raymond John C. , Lynch Benjamin J. , Gilly Chris R. , Chen Thomas Y. , Dewey Ryan M.
Published: December 2022

This paper outlines key scientific topics that are important for the development of solar system physics and how observations of heavy ion composition can address them. The key objectives include, 1) understanding the Sun’s chemical composition by identifying specific mechanisms driving elemental variation in the corona. 2) Disentangling the solar wind birthplace and drivers of release by determining the relative contributions of active regions (ARs), quiet Sun, and coronal hole plasma to the solar wind. 3) Determining the principal mechanisms driving solar wind evolution from the Sun by identifying the importance and interplay of reconnection, waves, and/or turbulence in driving the extended acceleration and heating of solar wind and transient plasma. The paper recommends complementary heavy ion measurements that can be traced from the Sun to the heliosphere to properly connect and study these regions to address these topics. The careful determination of heavy ion and elemental composition of several particle populations, matched at the Sun and in the heliosphere, will permit for a comprehensive examination of fractionation processes, wave-particle interactions, coronal heating, and solar wind release and energization that are key to understanding how the Sun forms and influences the heliosphere.
The relationship between autophagy and apoptosis during pseudorabies virus infection
Authors: Sun Mingxia , Hou Linlin , Song Huan , Lyu Chuang , Tang Yan-dong , Qin Lei , Liu Yonggang , Wang Shujie , Meng Fandan , Cai Xuehui
Published: December 2022

Both autophagy and apoptosis are mechanisms that maintain homeostasis in cells and that play essential roles in viral infections. Previous studies have demonstrated that autophagy and apoptosis pathways occurred with complex relationships in virus-infected cells. However, the regulation between these two processes in Pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection remains unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that activated autophagy was induced at the early stage of PRV infection and that apoptosis was induced at the late stage of infection. Autophagy induction inhibited apoptosis and decreased viral replication, and autophagy inhibition promoted apoptosis and increased viral replication. We also found that viral infection resulted in an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of apoptosis in autophagy-impaired cells, suggesting that ROS may participate in the cross-talk between autophagy and apoptosis in PRV-infected cells. Our studies provide possible molecular mechanisms for the cross-talk between apoptosis and autophagy induced by PRV infection in porcine cells. This suggests that these two cell death processes should be considered as the same continuum rather than as completely separate processes.
Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in veterinary medicine in the United States: Current efforts, challenges, and opportunities
Authors: Ruzante Juliana M. , Harris Beth , Plummer Paul , Raineri Raissa R. , Loy John Dustin , Jacob Megan , Sahin Orhan , Kreuder Amanda J.
Published: December 2022

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem facing human, animal, plant, and environmental health by threatening our ability to effectively treat bacterial infections with antimicrobials. In the United States, robust surveillance efforts exist to collect, analyze, and disseminate AMR data in human health care settings. These tools enable the development of effective infection control methods, the detection of trends, and provide the evidence needed to guide stewardship efforts to reduce the potential for emergence and further spread of AMR. However, in veterinary medicine, there are currently no known equivalent tools. This paper reviews efforts in the United States related to surveillance of AMR in veterinary medicine and discusses the challenges and opportunities of using data from veterinary diagnostic laboratories to build a comprehensive AMR surveillance program that will support stewardship efforts and help control AMR in both humans and animals.
Dose–Response Curves of Pelargonic Acid against Summer and Winter Weeds in Central Italy
Authors: Pannacci Euro , Ottavini Daniele , Onofri Andrea , Tei Francesco
Published: December 2022

Pelargonic acid is a non-selective post-emergence contact bio-herbicide which is registered both for cropping and non-cropping uses in several countries. Dose–response curves on the efficacy of pelargonic acid against common weeds in Mediterranean areas are not available. Dose–response curves of pelargonic acid efficacy against summer and winter annual weeds were evaluated in two field experiments (winter exp. in 2019 and summer exp. in 2020) in central Italy. Pelargonic acid was applied at five doses (1.4, 2.7, 5.4, 10.9 and 21.8 kg a.i. ha−1). Data on weed density, weed dry weight, and weed ground cover were used to calculate the efficacy of pelargonic acid against winter and summer weeds. Data were subjected to a non-linear regression analysis using the logistic dose–response model. Dose of pelargonic acid required to obtain 50%, 70%, 90% and 95% weed control against each weed species (ED50, ED70, ED90 and ED95) were estimated. ED values allowed us to classify winter and summer weeds with respect to their susceptibility to pelargonic acid (ED50 values in kg ha−1 are reported in parenthesis): Kickxia spuria (2.6) (more susceptible) > Heliotropium europaeum (3.0) > Echinochloa crus-galli (3.4) > Solanum nigrum (3.6) > Stachys annua (5.3) > Papaver rhoeas (6.5) > Veronica hederifolia (10.3) > Amaranthus retroflexus (11.4) > Matricaria chamomilla (11.6) > Portulaca oleracea (18.7) > Lolium multiflorum (>21.8) (less susceptible). These findings will allow for the optimization of weed control by pelargonic acid and its use in weed management strategies, both in organic and sustainable cropping systems, under different environmental conditions.