bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementing a revised online screening tool in a routine care online clinic treating anxiety and depression
Authors: Mathiasen Kim , Holmberg Sainte-Marie Trine Theresa , Skaarnes Helene , Jensen Esben Kjems , Vis Christiaan , Tarp Kristine
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The ItFits implementation toolkit was developed as part of the ImpleMentAll EU Project, to help guide implementation processes. The ItFits toolkit was tested in the online clinic, Internetpsykiatrien, in the Region of Southern Denmark, where it was employed to optimize screening and intake procedures. We hypothesized that a larger proportion of assessed patients would be referred to treatment. Further, we hypothesized the completion rate and effectiveness would increase, as a result of including a more relevant sample.

Method

Using the ItFits-toolkit, Internetpsykiatrien developed a revised online screening tool. Data on patient flow and symptom questionnaires was extracted from Internetpsykiatrien six months prior to- and six months after implementation of the revised online screening tool.

Results

A total of 1,830 applicants self-referred for treatment during the study period. A significantly lower proportion of patients were referred to treatment after implementation of the revised screening tool (pre-implementation, n = 1,009; post-implementation, n = 821; odds ratio 0.67, 95% CI: 0.51; 0.87). The number of patients that completed treatment increased significantly (pre-implementation: 136/275 [49.45%], post-implementation, n = 102/162 [62.96%]; odds ratio 1.79, 95% CI 1.20; 2.70). The treatment effect was unchanged (B = 0.01, p = .996). Worth noting, the number of patients that canceled their appointment for the video assessment interview decreased drastically.

Conclusion

By using the ItFits toolkit for a focused and structured implementation effort, the clinic was able to improve the completion rate, which is an important effect in iCBT. However, contrary to our hypotheses, we did not find an increase in clinical effect, nor a larger ratio being referred to treatment after assessment. The decreased number of referrals for treatment could be a result of increased awareness of inclusion criteria among the clinicians.
11-year solar cycle influences on the late-wintertime South Asian jet variability
Authors: Ma Hedi , Wang Ruili , Li Xing , Lai Anwei , Li Xiao
Published: July 2023

The South Asian jet leading wave train (SAJLWT) is a zonally elongated and equivalently barotropic stationary Rossby wave train along the wintertime South Asian subtropical jet, which stands out as the leading empirical orthogonal function mode of monthly meridional winds at the upper troposphere over southern Eurasia. The SAJLWT is closely related to weather and climate extremes over southern Eurasia, but up to now, the mechanisms of SAJLWT variability are still not fully understood. The present study reveals a significant 11-year solar cycle (SC) influence on the SAJLWT variability in late winter (January–March). The in-phase correlation between the SC and the SAJLWT is not only statistically significant but also consistent over time. Associated with the solar-induced SAJLWT anomalies, significant surface cooling exists over northeastern Africa and Middle East, while significant positive precipitation anomalies appear over southern China. Two routes of mechanisms are presented to clarify the SC–SAJLWT linkage. One is due to the solar-induced northwest–southeast tilted North Atlantic Oscillation (TNAO) pattern, which may reflect a “top–down” solar forcing and the ocean–atmosphere couplings in the North Atlantic Ocean. This TNAO pattern would trigger southeastward wave activity fluxes toward the SAJ, thus significantly impacting the upstream portions of the SAJLWT pattern. The other mechanism involves weakened convection over the Maritime Continent (MC) region, reflecting solar-induced weakening of Pacific Walker Circulation via “bottom–up” processes. The MC convection anomaly would also excite a SAJLWT-like circulation pattern. Our analysis highlights that the solar “top–down” and “bottom–up” mechanisms may act in concert to exert a significant impact on the SAJLWT and indicates that the SC forcing is an appreciable source of decadal predictability in southern Eurasia.
Burnout and technostress during the COVID-19 pandemic: the perception of higher education teachers and researchers
Authors: Marrinhas Daniel , Santos Vanda , Salvado Catarina , Pedrosa Daniela , Pereira Anabela
Published: July 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impacts on working conditions of teachers and researchers, jeopardizing their mental health and increasing the risk of burnout and technostress. The purpose of this study was to assess the experiences of burnout and technostress among higher education teachers and researchers during the pandemic. A total of 333 participants responded to an assessment protocol which included the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) and the Computer-Induced Distress scale (CID). The protocol was disclosed via email during a 2-month period and data was collected using Microsoft Forms. The results verified the prevalence of burnout and technostress, confirmed the existence of significant differences between sociodemographic groups and found correlations between the BAT and the CID. The findings indicate moderate levels of burnout and technostress, suggest several influence factors to their development, and show a relationship between burnout and technostress. Implications of this study are discussed, reenforcing education, training, decent work, and wellbeing as the main challenges for human being to support a sustainable development. As there are few studies in this area, there is a need to pay more attention to mental health issues and needs among teachers and researchers, such the ones related to burnout and technostress, to promote their well-being, as well as to education for sustainable development.
Metal accumulation patterns in Pittsburgh, PA (United States) green infrastructure soils: road connections and legacy soil inputs
Authors: Brewster Brandon M. , Bain Daniel J.
Published: July 2023

Aging water infrastructure renewal in urban areas creates opportunities to systematically implement green infrastructure (GI) systems. However, historical soil contamination from gasoline lead additives, steel manufacturing by-products, and other historical industry raise the potential that novel GI drainage patterns and geochemical environments may mobilize these legacy pollutants to green infrastructure sites previously isolated from most hydrologic flows. Characterization of GI soil chemistries across GI type to build on previous observations in other cites/regions is fundamental to accurate assessments of these emerging management scenarios and the resultant risk of increased metal exposures in downstream environments. In particular, clarification of ecosystem services this metal sequestration may provide are vital to comprehensive assessment of green infrastructure function. During 2021, soil metal chemistry, specifically, As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn was measured at a high spatial resolution in six Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania, United States) GI installations using a portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer. Patterns of trace metal accumulation were identified in these installations and evaluated as a function of site age and GI connection to road systems. Trace metals including chromium, copper, manganese, and zinc all seem to be accumulating at roadside edges. Remobilization of historically contaminated soils also seems to be a potential mechanism for transporting legacy trace metal contamination, particularly lead, into GI systems. However, metals were not clearly accumulating in installations less connected to road inputs. These findings are consistent with literature reports of trace metal transport to GI systems and reconfirm that clarification of these processes is fundamental to effective stormwater planning and management.
Exploring the key genetic association between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma through integrated bioinformatics
Authors: Guo Kai , Zhao Yatong , Cao Yingying , Li Yuan , Yang Meng , Tian Ying , Dai Jianmeng , Song Lina , Ren Shuai , Wang Zhongqiu
Published: July 2023

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) develops rapidly and has a poor prognosis. It has been demonstrated that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and chronic pancreatitis (CP) have a close connection. However, the underlying mechanisms for chronic pancreatitis transforming into pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify real hub genes in the development of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Methods: RNA-seq data of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to construct a gene co-expression network between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. GEO2R and a Venn diagram were used to identify differentially expressed genes. Then visualized networks were constructed with ClueGO, and modules of PPI network were calculated by MCODE plugin. Further validation of the results was carried out in two additional cohorts. Analyses of CEL-coexpressed genes and regulators including miRNAs and transcription factors were performed by using the corresponding online web tool. Finally, the influence of CEL in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) was assessed by immune contextual analysis.

Results: With the help of WGCNA and GEO2R, four co-expression modules and six hub genes were identified, respectively. ClueGO enrichment analysis and MCODE cluster analysis revealed that the dysfunctional transport of nutrients and trace elements might contribute to chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma development. The real hub gene CEL was identified with a markedly low expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in external validation sets. According to the miRNA-gene network construction, hsa-miR-198 may be the key miRNA. A strong correlation exists between CEL and TIME after an evaluation of the influence of CEL in TIME.

Conclusion: Our study revealed the dysfunctional transport of nutrients and trace elements may be common pathogenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and chronic pancreatitis. Examination on these common pathways and real hub genes may shed light on the underlying mechanism.
A novel IBA57 variant is associated with mitochondrial iron–sulfur protein deficiency and necrotizing myelopathy in dogs
Authors: Mandigers Paul J. J. , Stehling Oliver , Vos-Loohuis Manon , Van Steenbeek Frank G. , Lill Roland , Leegwater Peter A.
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Hereditary necrotizing myelopathy (HNM) in young Kooiker dogs is characterized by progressive ataxia and paralysis with autosomal recessive inheritance. The basic genetic defect is unknown. We investigated the possible cause by a genome-wide analysis using six affected and 17 unrelated unaffected Kooiker dogs and by functional follow-up studies.

Method: The HNM locus was mapped by a case–control study using a dense SNP array and confirmed by linkage analysis of two pedigrees. The gene exons in the critical region were analyzed by next-generation sequencing. The functional effect of the candidate canine IBA57 pathogenic variant was biochemically examined in an established HeLa cell culture model in which the endogenous IBA75 gene product was depleted by RNAi.

Results: The basic defect was localized in the centromeric 5 Mb region of canine chromosome 14. The most associated SNP co-segregated fully with HNM and reached an LOD score of 6.1. A candidate pathogenic mutation was found in the iron–sulfur cluster assembly gene IBA57 and led to the amino acid substitution R147W. The expression of human IBA57 harboring the canine R147W exchange could only partially restore the biochemical defects of several mitochondrial [4Fe-4S] proteins upon IBA57 depletion, showing that the mutant protein is functionally impaired.

Discussion: Pathogenic variants in human IBA57 cause multiple mitochondrial dysfunction syndrome 3 (MMDS3), a neurodegenerative disorder with distant similarities to HNM. The incomplete functional complementation of IBA57-depleted human cells by IBA57-R147W identifies the DNA mutation in affected Kooiker dogs as the genetic cause of HNM. Our findings further expand the phenotypic spectrum of pathogenic IBA57 variants.
Research hotspots and trends on neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: insights from bibliometric analysis
Authors: Chen Xin , Xiao Jun , Zhou Luo-Qi , Yu Wen-Xiang , Chen Man , Chu Yun-Hui , Shang Ke , Deng Gang , Song Wen-Hui , Qin Chuan , Pan Deng-Ji , Tian Dai-Shi
Published: July 2023

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, have drawn the attention of many researchers due to the relapsing courses and cumulative disability. A first bibliometric analysis of NMOSD was conducted to identify the research hotspots and emerging trends. Articles relevant to NMOSD published in the core collection of Web of Science were retrieved and analyzed through visualized analysis using CiteSpace and VOSviewer, focusing on annual publication trends, countries, institutions, authors, journals, and keywords. The analysis showed that over the past 30 years, publications related to NMOSD had shown steady growth with slight fluctuations. The United States played an important part in this field, with the highest outputs and the greatest number of citations. Research hotspots of NMOSD had gradually shifted from the definition, biomarkers, and diagnostic criteria to diagnosis and treatment, particularly immunotherapy. This bibliometric analysis provides researchers with a theoretical basis for studying NMOSD and offers guidance for future research directions.
Serotonin transporter-deficient mice display enhanced adipose tissue inflammation after chronic high-fat diet feeding
Authors: Hoch Johannes , Burkhard Niklas , Zhang Shanshan , Rieder Marina , Marchini Timoteo , Geest Vincent , Krauel Krystin , Zahn Timm , Schommer Nicolas , Hamad Muataz Ali , Bauer Carolina , Gauchel Nadine , Stallmann Daniela , Normann Claus , Wolf Dennis , Scharf Rüdiger Eberhard , Duerschmied Daniel , Schanze Nancy
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Serotonin is involved in leukocyte recruitment during inflammation. Deficiency of the serotonin transporter (SERT) is associated with metabolic changes in humans and mice. A possible link and interaction between the inflammatory effects of serotonin and metabolic derangements in SERT-deficient mice has not been investigated so far.

Methods

SERT-deficient (Sert-/-) and wild type (WT) mice were fed a high-fat diet, starting at 8 weeks of age. Metabolic phenotyping (metabolic caging, glucose and insulin tolerance testing, body and organ weight measurements, qPCR, histology) and assessment of adipose tissue inflammation (flow cytometry, histology, qPCR) were carried out at the end of the 19-week high-fat diet feeding period. In parallel, Sert-/- and WT mice received a control diet and were analyzed either at the time point equivalent to high-fat diet feeding or as early as 8-11 weeks of age for baseline characterization.

Results

After 19 weeks of high-fat diet, Sert-/- and WT mice displayed similar whole-body and fat pad weights despite increased relative weight gain due to lower starting body weight in Sert-/-. In obese Sert-/- animals insulin resistance and liver steatosis were enhanced as compared to WT animals. Leukocyte accumulation and mRNA expression of cytokine signaling mediators were increased in epididymal adipose tissue of obese Sert-/- mice. These effects were associated with higher adipose tissue mRNA expression of the chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and presence of monocytosis in blood with an increased proportion of pro-inflammatory Ly6C+ monocytes. By contrast, Sert-/- mice fed a control diet did not display adipose tissue inflammation.

Discussion

Our observations suggest that SERT deficiency in mice is associated with inflammatory processes that manifest as increased adipose tissue inflammation upon chronic high-fat diet feeding due to enhanced leukocyte recruitment.
Growth, biochemical indices and transcriptomic profile of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) respond to different ratios of dietary carbohydrates to lipids
Authors: Zuo Rantao , Wen Bin , Jiang Yusheng , Huang Shu , Yi Qilin
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Although carbohydrates and lipids are important energy substances for Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), little is known about their synergistic effect on the growth, energy utilization characteristics and mechanisms involved in this process.

Methods

A 58-d feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary carbohydrate to lipid ratio (C/L) on the growth performance, biochemical indices, and metabolism-related differential gene expression of juvenile E. sinensis in both intermolt (InM) and premolt (PrM) stages. Five experimental diets were formulated with increasing dietary C/L (1.34, 2.39, 3.59, 5.52 and 9.42).

Results

The results showed that the weight growth rate of juvenile E. sinensis was highest in dietary C/L3.59 group, which was significantly higher than that in the other groups. As dietary C/L increased, the hepatic glycogen contents increased, but triglyceride contents decreased in the hepatopancreas of E. sinensis in the InM. In both two molting stages, the activities of glycogen synthase and fatty acid synthase paralleled with their contents, respectively. Crabs in the InM showed higher contents of triglyceride and the activities of glycolytic rate-limiting enzymes but lower contents of hepatic glycogen than those in the PrM, especially in the C/L 1.34 and C/L 3.59 groups. In all dietary groups, the activities and transcription of gluconeogenesis and fatty acid synthesis related enzymes were significantly higher in the InM than those in the PrM. KEGG analysis showed that differential genes were enriched in fatty acid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation pathway, pentose phosphate pathway, pyruvate metabolism and steroid biosynthesis between different dietary groups and molting stages.

Discussion

To conclude, the optimal dietary C/L was estimated to be 3.59 for juvenile E. sinensis based on the survival and growth performance. Compared to PrM, E. sinensis in the InM was more active in the carbohydrate metabolism (glycolysis and gluconeogenesis) and fatty acid synthesis, with more triglyceride and less glycogen accumulated in the hepatopancreas.This study could contribute to better understanding the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism between different molting stages, and optimizing the precise feed formulation for juvenile E. sinensis.
Elbow-sideWINDER (Elbow-side Wearable INDustrial Ergonomic Robot): design, control, and validation of a novel elbow exoskeleton
Authors: Park Daegeun , Di Natali Christian , Sposito Matteo , Caldwell Darwin G. , Ortiz Jesus
Published: July 2023

Musculoskeletal Disorders associated with the elbow are one of the most common forms of work-related injuries. Exoskeletons have been proposed as an approach to reduce and ideally eliminate these injuries; however, exoskeletons introduce their own problems, especially discomfort due to joint misalignment. The Elbow-sideWINDER with its associated control strategy is a novel elbow exoskeleton to assist elbow flexion/extension during occupational tasks. This study describes the exoskeleton showing how this can minimize discomfort caused by joint misalignment, maximize assistive performance, and provide increased robustness and reliability in real worksites. The proposed medium-level control strategy can provide effective assistive torque using three control units as follows: an arm kinematics estimator, a load estimator, and a friction compensator. The combined hardware/software system of the Elbow-sideWINDER is tested in load-lifting tasks (2 and 7 kg). This experiment focuses on the reduction in the activation level of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii in both arms and the change in the range of motion of the elbow during the task. It is shown that using the Elbow-sideWINDER, the biceps brachii, responsible for the elbow flexion, was significantly less activated (up to 38.8% at 2 kg and 25.7% at 7 kg, on average for both arms). For the triceps brachii, the muscle activation was reduced by up to 37.0% at 2 kg and 35.1% at 7 kg, on average for both arms. When wearing the exoskeleton, the range of motion of the elbow was reduced by up to 13.0° during the task, but it was within a safe range and could be compensated for by other joints such as the waist or knees. There are extremely encouraging results that provide good indicators and important clues for future improvement of the Elbow-sideWINDER and its control strategy.
Large-scale brain networks and intra-axial tumor surgery: a narrative review of functional mapping techniques, critical needs, and scientific opportunities
Authors: Boerger Timothy F. , Pahapill Peter , Butts Alissa M. , Arocho-Quinones Elsa , Raghavan Manoj , Krucoff Max O.
Published: July 2023

In recent years, a paradigm shift in neuroscience has been occurring from “localizationism,” or the idea that the brain is organized into separately functioning modules, toward “connectomics,” or the idea that interconnected nodes form networks as the underlying substrates of behavior and thought. Accordingly, our understanding of mechanisms of neurological function, dysfunction, and recovery has evolved to include connections, disconnections, and reconnections. Brain tumors provide a unique opportunity to probe large-scale neural networks with focal and sometimes reversible lesions, allowing neuroscientists the unique opportunity to directly test newly formed hypotheses about underlying brain structural-functional relationships and network properties. Moreover, if a more complete model of neurological dysfunction is to be defined as a “disconnectome,” potential avenues for recovery might be mapped through a “reconnectome.” Such insight may open the door to novel therapeutic approaches where previous attempts have failed. In this review, we briefly delve into the most clinically relevant neural networks and brain mapping techniques, and we examine how they are being applied to modern neurosurgical brain tumor practices. We then explore how brain tumors might teach us more about mechanisms of global brain dysfunction and recovery through pre- and postoperative longitudinal connectomic and behavioral analyses.
Trait representation of embodied cognition in dancers pivoting on the extended mirror neuron system: a resting-state fMRI study
Authors: Yang Ching-Ju , Yu Hsin-Yen , Hong Tzu-Yi , Shih Chung-Heng , Yeh Tzu-Chen , Chen Li-Fen , Hsieh Jen-Chuen
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Dance is an art form that integrates the body and mind through movement. Dancers develop exceptional physical and mental abilities that involve various neurocognitive processes linked to embodied cognition. We propose that dancers’ primary trait representation is movement-actuated and relies on the extended mirror neuron system (eMNS).

Methods

A total of 29 dancers and 28 non-dancer controls were recruited. A hierarchical approach of intra-regional and inter-regional functional connectivity (FC) analysis was adopted to probe trait-like neurodynamics within and between regions in the eMNS during rest. Correlation analyses were employed to examine the associations between dance training, creativity, and the FC within and between different brain regions.

Results

Within the eMNS, dancers exhibited increased intra-regional FC in various brain regions compared to non-dancers. These regions include the left inferior frontal gyrus, left ventral premotor cortex, left anterior insula, left posterior cerebellum (crus II), and bilateral basal ganglia (putamen and globus pallidus). Dancers also exhibited greater intrinsic inter-regional FC between the cerebellum and the core/limbic mirror areas within the eMNS. In dancers, there was a negative correlation observed between practice intensity and the intrinsic FC within the eMNS involving the cerebellum and basal ganglia. Additionally, FCs from the basal ganglia to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were found to be negatively correlated with originality in dancers.

Discussion

Our results highlight the proficient communication within the cortical-subcortical hierarchy of the eMNS in dancers, linked to the automaticity and cognitive-motor interactions acquired through training. Altered functional couplings in the eMNS can be regarded as a unique neural signature specific to virtuoso dancers, which might predispose them for skilled dancing performance, perception, and creation.
Attentional bias for high-calorie food cues by the level of hunger and satiety in individuals with binge eating behaviors
Authors: Woo Ji-Min , Lee Gi-Eun , Lee Jang-Han
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The abnormal hyperreactivity to food cues in individuals with binge eating behaviors could be regulated by hedonic or reward-based system, overriding the homeostatic system. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether attentional bias for food cues is affected by the level of hunger, maintaining the normal homeostatic system in individuals with binge eating behaviors.

Methods

A total of 116 female participants were recruited and divided into four groups: hungry-binge eating group (BE) (n = 29), satiated BE (n = 29), hungry-control (n = 29), satiated control (n = 29). While participants completed a free-viewing task on high or low-calorie food cues, visual attentional processes were recorded using an eye tracker.

Results

The results revealed that BE group showed longer initial fixation duration toward high-calorie food cues in both hunger and satiety condition in the early stage, whereas the control group showed longer initial fixation duration toward high-calorie food cues only in hunger conditions. Moreover, in the late stage, the BE group stared more at the high-calorie food cue, compared to control group regardless of hunger and satiety.

Discussion

The findings suggest that automatic attentional bias for food cues in individuals with binge eating behaviors occurred without purpose or awareness is not affected by the homeostatic system, while strategic attention is focused on high-calorie food. Therefore, the attentional processing of food cues in binge eating group is regulated by hedonic system rather than homeostatic system, leading to vulnerability to binge eating.
Medical prediction from missing data with max-minus negative regularized dropout
Authors: Hu Lvhui , Cheng Xiaoen , Wen Chuanbiao , Ren Yulan
Published: July 2023

Missing data is a naturally common problem faced in medical research. Imputation is a widely used technique to alleviate this problem. Unfortunately, the inherent uncertainty of imputation would make the model overfit the observed data distribution, which has a negative impact on the model generalization performance. R-Drop is a powerful technique to regularize the training of deep neural networks. However, it fails to differentiate the positive and negative samples, which prevents the model from learning robust representations. To handle this problem, we propose a novel negative regularization enhanced R-Drop scheme to boost performance and generalization ability, particularly in the context of missing data. The negative regularization enhanced R-Drop additionally forces the output distributions of positive and negative samples to be inconsistent with each other. Especially, we design a new max-minus negative sampling technique that uses the maximum in-batch values to minus the mini-batch to yield the negative samples to provide sufficient diversity for the model. We test the resulting max-minus negative regularized dropout method on three real-world medical prediction datasets, including both missing and complete cases, to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Mediation of lateral hypothalamus orexin input to lateral habenula in the inhibitory effects of mechanical stimulation on psychomotor responses induced by cocaine
Authors: Jang Han Byeol , Ahn DanBi , Kim Hyung Kyu , Guan Xiaowei , Fan Yu , Lee Bae Hwan , Kim Hee Young
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The lateral hypothalamus (LH) plays an important physiological role in brain function and also plays an important role in substance abuse. The neuropeptides called orexin (or hypocretins) have been identified as being located exclusively in the cell bodies of the LH. Our previous studies have demonstrated that mechanical stimulation (MS) of the ulnar nerve produces strong inhibitory effects on cocaine addiction–like behaviors through activation of LH projection to the lateral habenula (LHb).

Methods

Therefore, the present study hypothesized that ulnar MS would suppress the psychomotor responses induced by cocaine through the orexinergic LH-to-LHb pathway.

Results

Ulnar MS attenuated cocaine enhancement of locomotor activity and 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations, which was prevented by antagonism of orexin-receptor type 2 (OX2R) in the LHb. Injection of orexin-A into the LHb reduced the cocaine-induced psychomotor responses. MS of the ulnar nerve excited LH orexinergic neurons. In addition, the excitation of LHb neurons by MS was blocked by the systemic administration of an OX2R antagonist.

Discussion

These findings suggest that MS applied to the ulnar nerve recruits an orexinergic LH-to-LHb pathway to suppress the psychomotor responses induced by cocaine.
Extensive multiregional urea elevations in a case-control study of vascular dementia point toward a novel shared mechanism of disease amongst the age-related dementias
Authors: Philbert Sasha A. , Xu Jingshu , Scholefield Melissa , Patassini Stefano , Church Stephanie J. , Unwin Richard D. , Roncaroli Federico , Cooper Garth J. S.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Vascular dementia (VaD) is one of the most common causes of dementia among the elderly. Despite this, the molecular basis of VaD remains poorly characterized when compared to other age-related dementias. Pervasive cerebral elevations of urea have recently been reported in several dementias; however, a similar analysis was not yet available for VaD.

Methods

Here, we utilized ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) to measure urea levels from seven brain regions in post-mortem tissue from cases of VaD (n = 10) and controls (n = 8/9). Brain-urea measurements from our previous investigations of several dementias were also used to generate comparisons with VaD.

Results

Elevated urea levels ranging from 2.2- to 2.4-fold-change in VaD cases were identified in six out of the seven regions analysed, which are similar in magnitude to those observed in uremic encephalopathy. Fold-elevation of urea was highest in the basal ganglia and hippocampus (2.4-fold-change), consistent with the observation that these regions are severely affected in VaD.

Discussion

Taken together, these data not only describe a multiregional elevation of brain-urea levels in VaD but also imply the existence of a common urea-mediated disease mechanism that is now known to be present in at least four of the main age-related dementias.
Reducing the margin in prostate radiotherapy: optimizing radiotherapy with a general-purpose linear accelerator using an in-house position monitoring system
Authors: Arumugam Sankar , Wong Karen , Do Viet , Sidhom Mark
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To study the feasibility of optimizing the Clinical Target Volume to Planning Target Volume (CTV-PTV) margin in prostate radiotherapy(RT) with a general-purpose linear accelerator using an in-house developed position monitoring system, SeedTracker.

Methods

A cohort of 30 patients having definitive prostate radiotherapy treated within an ethics-approved prospective trial was considered for this study. The intrafraction prostate motion and the position deviations were measured using SeedTracker system during each treatment fraction. Using this data the CTV-PTV margin required to cover 90% of the patients with a minimum of 95% of the prescription dose to CTV was calculated using van Herk’s formula. The margin calculations were performed for treatment scenarios both with and without applying the position corrections for observed position deviations. The feasibility of margin reduction with real-time monitoring was studied by assessing the delivered dose that incorporates the actual target position during treatment delivery and comparing it with the planned dose. This assessment was performed for plans generated with reduced CTV-PTV margin in the range of 7mm-3mm.

Results

With real-time monitoring and position corrections applied the margin of 2.0mm, 2.1mm and 2.1mm in LR, AP and SI directions were required to meet the criteria of 90% population to receive 95% of the dose prescription to CTV. Without position corrections applied for observed position deviations a margin of 3.1mm, 4.0mm and 3.0mm was required in LR, AP and SI directions to meet the same criteria. A mean ± SD reduction of 0.5 ± 1.8% and 3 ± 7% of V60 for the rectum and bladder can be achieved for every 1mm reduction of PTV margin. With position corrections applied, the CTV D99 can be delivered within -0.2 ± 0.3 Gy of the planned dose for plans with a 3mm margin. Without applying corrections for position deviations the CTV D99 was reduced by a maximum of 1.1 ± 1.1 Gy for the 3mm margin plan and there was a statistically significant difference between planned and delivered dose for 3mm and 4mm margin plans.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the feasibility of reducing the margin in prostate radiotherapy with SeedTracker system without compromising the dose delivery accuracy to CTV while reducing dose to critical structures.
Concurrent chemotherapy with partial breast irradiation in triple negative breast cancer patients may improve disease control compared with sequential therapy
Authors: Rhome Ryan , Wright Jean , De Souza Lawrence Lana , Stearns Vered , Wolff Antonio , Zellars Richard
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To report outcomes on a subset of patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) treated on prospective trials with post-lumpectomy partial breast irradiation and concurrent chemotherapy (PBICC) and compare them to a retrospectively assessed similar cohort treated with whole breast irradiation after adjuvant chemotherapy (WBIaC).

Methods and materials

Women with T1-2, N0-1 invasive breast cancer with ≥ 2mm lumpectomy margins were offered therapy on one of two PBICC trials. PBI consisted of 40.5 Gy in 15 daily 2.7 Gy fractions delivered concurrently with the first 2 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. The comparison cohort received WBI to a median dose of 60.7 Gy, (including boost, range 42.5 – 66 Gy), after completion of non-concurrent, adjuvant chemotherapy. We evaluated disease-free survival (DFS), and local/loco-regional/distant recurrence-free survival (RFS). We compared survival rates using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test of statistical significance.

Results

Nineteen patients with TNBC were treated with PBICC on prospective protocol, and 49 received WBIaC. At a median follow-up of 35.5 months (range 4.8-71.9), we observed no deaths in the PBICC cohort and 2 deaths in the WBIaC cohort (one from disease recurrence). With a median time of 23.4 (range 4.8 to 47) months, there were 7 recurrences (1 nodal, 4 local, 4 distant), all in the WBIaC group. At 5 years, there was a trend towards increased local RFS (100% vs. 85.4%, p=0.17) and loco-regional RFS (100% vs. 83.5, p=0.13) favoring the PBICC cohort. There was no significant difference in distant RFS between the two groups (100% vs. 94.4%, p=0.36). Five-year DFS was 100% with PBICC vs.78.9% (95% CI: 63.2 to 94.6%, p=0.08) with WBIaC.

Conclusion

This study suggests that PBICC may offer similar and possibly better outcomes in patients with TNBC compared to a retrospective cohort treated with WBIaC. This observation is hypothesis-generating for prospective trials.
A retrospective analysis of the clinical characteristics of 207 hospitalized children with adrenal masses
Authors: Zhang Kaiping , Zhang Ye , Zhang Yin , Chao Min
Published: July 2023

Objective

The detection rates of adrenal masses (AMs) have recently increased. The present study aimed to examine the clinical characteristics of these adrenal masses for guiding the clinical diagnosis and treatment among hospitalized children.

Methods

The clinical data of AM cases admitted to our hospital from January 2014 to March 2023 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The data included composition, sex, age, initial presentation, size and site of mass, functional tumor, intervention or surgery, pathological or clinical diagnosis, and imaging data.

Results

A total of 207 hospitalized children were included. Among them, adrenal hematoma was the most common finding (53.6%), followed by adrenal neuroblastoma (36.2%). Most masses were larger-sized (51.2%) and non-functional (94.7%). We found that adrenal hematoma commonly occurred in a neonate or child with abdominal trauma. Most adrenal hematoma cases were found in male patients (63.1%), on the right side (71.2%), and with sizes <4 cm (73.9%). Adrenal neuroblastoma was commonly detected in male patients (56.0%), on the right side (66.7%), and with sizes ≥4 cm (85.3%). Moreover, the metastases were frequently explored at the time of diagnosis. In addition, there was no significant difference between ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scans under suspicion of hematoma (P > 0.05). However, CT showed a priority over ultrasound in the diagnosis of neuroblastoma (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Most masses were non-functional and benign. Of these, adrenal hematoma was the most common type of pediatric AM, followed by adrenal neuroblastoma. They were both commonly found in male patients and on the right side. Neuroblastoma revealed a larger tumor size. Compared to cases of adrenal hematoma, cases of adrenal neuroblastoma required CT scans for further assessment.
Effects of conditioning activity mode, rest interval and effort to pause ratio on post-activation performance enhancement in taekwondo: a randomized study
Authors: Ouergui Ibrahim , Delleli Slaheddine , Messaoudi Hamdi , Bridge Craig Alan , Chtourou Hamdi , Franchini Emerson , Ardigò Luca Paolo
Published: July 2023

Introduction: The present study assessed the effects of conditioning activities, using different effort-to-pause ratios and rest intervals, on taekwondo physical performance.

Methods: Twenty-one athletes (13 males and 8 females) (Mean ± SD; age = 20.4 ± 1.4 years) performed a control (CC) and twelve experimental conditions. Each condition contained a standard warm-up (i.e., CC: running at 9 km/h for 10 min) and conditioning activities comprising plyometrics P) or repeated high-intensity techniques (RT) using 1:6, 1:9 and self-selected rest (SSR) ratios, and two rest intervals (3 and 7 min). Athletes then performed a battery of fitness tests: countermovement jump (CMJ), taekwondo specific agility (TSAT), 10s and multiple frequency speed kick test (FSKT-10s and FSKT-mult, respectively).

Results: All of the preloads provided higher performance outputs compared to the control trial (all p < 0.05). For CMJ, 1:6 ratio with 3 min induced lower values with RT compared to P (p = 0.037) and 1:9 ratio using 3 min induced higher values with RT compared to P (p = 0.027). Additionally, 1:6 ratio using 7 min induced higher values with RT compared to P (p = 0.016). For FSKT-10, 3 min using 1:6 induced higher values with P compared to RT, while RT induced higher values with 7 min using 1:6 ratio compared to P (both p < 0.001). Moreover, 3 min using 1:9 ratio induced higher values with P compared to RT (p = 0.034), while RT induced higher values with 1:9 ratio using 7 min compared to P (p < 0.001). Finally, 3 min using SSR ratio induced higher values with RT compared to P (p = 0.034).

Conclusion: Plyometrics and RT activities improved performance with plyometrics requiring shorter rest interval to induce potentiation effects compared to RT, which required longer interval.
Effects of olanzapine on anhedonia in schizophrenia: mediated by complement factor H
Authors: Zhang Yi , Tang Wei , Wang Weiping , Xu Feikang , Lu Weihong , Zhang Chen
Published: July 2023

Background

Anhedonia is a trans-diagnostic symptom in schizophrenia and MDD. Our recent work indicated that increased plasma level of complement factor H (CFH) is associated with anhedonia in major depressive disorder. This study hypothesized that CFH is likely to be a biomarker of anhedonia in schizophrenia.

Methods

A 12-week prospective study is performed to observe the effects of olanzapine on anhedonia and CFH. We used the Chinese version of Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) to evaluate anhedonic phenotype in patients with schizophrenia. Plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), C3, C4 and CFH were measured.

Results

Of the recruited 152 samples, patients with anhedonia were found in 99/152 (65.13%). Patients with anhedonia had notably higher PANSS negative subscores, SHAPS total score and higher level of plasma CFH than those without anhedonia (Ps<0.05). Stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis showed that increasing level of plasma CFH was a risk factor for SHAPS total score (β = 0.18, p = 0.03). Of the 99 patients with anhedonia, 74 completed the 12-week follow-up. We observed significantly reduced scores of PANSS, SHAPS and decreased plasma CFH level, when the patients completed this study. The change of SHAPS total score is positively correlated with the level of CFH decrease (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Our results implied that plasma CFH levels may be a biomarker for anhedonia in schizophrenia, and the effect of olanzapine on treating anhedonia is through decreasing plasma CFH levels.
Alcohol drinking in male patients with chronic schizophrenia: prevalence and its relationship to clinical symptoms
Authors: Lv Menghan , Wang Xuan , Wang Zhiren , Li Xiaohong , Wang Li , Tan Yunlong , Zhang Xiang Yang
Published: July 2023

Background

It is common practice to associate schizophrenia (SCZ) patients with substance use. The most commonly used substances in China are tobacco and alcohol. However, few studies have focused on alcohol consumption itself in patients with SCZ. Thus the purpose of this study was to detect the prevalence of alcohol use and associated clinical factors in Chinese patients with SCZ.

Methods

A total of 616 male inpatients who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria for SCZ participated in this study. A detailed questionnaire, including data on alcohol consumption was used to collect demographic and clinical information on all patients. The five-factor model of the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) was adopted to assess psychiatric symptoms.

Results

In this study, 31.49% of SCZ inpatients had a history of alcohol use, and 82.9% of these patients abstained from alcohol use after the onset of SCZ. Compared to nondrinkers, patients who drank were more likely to smoke (p = 0.004), more likely to have suicide attempts (p = 0.002) and suicidal ideation (p = 0.001), more severe positive (p < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (p = 0.034), but less severe negative symptoms (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that alcohol use is common during the lifetime of SCZ patients and that alcohol use may be associated with clinical symptoms in SCZ patients.
Fermentative microbiota and chemical characterization of traditional date vinegar with promising biotechnological applications
Authors: Al-Malki Fatma A. , Al-Kharousi Zahra S. , Guizani Nejib , Al-Bulushi Ismail M. , Al-Sadi Abdullah M.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The indigenous microbiota of traditional date vinegar is inadequately reported in the literature, yet its understanding is necessary for the industrial development of this product. This study aimed to perform microbiological and chemical analyses of traditional date vinegar.

Methods

Forty home-made samples (HMS) and laboratory-made samples (LMS) of date vinegar were analyzed. Escherichia coli, coliforms, and Enterobacteriaceae were enumerated using conventional plate methods to evaluate the hygienic quality. Bacteria and yeasts were identified by polymerase chain reaction. Acetic acid, ethanol, and methanol contents were analyzed by headspace gas chromatography.

Results and Discussion

Escherichia coli was not detected in any sample. Coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae occurred in 75 and 67% of HMS, respectively, and in 3.6% (both groups) of LMS. The LMS had better hygienic quality and supported better growth of yeasts and AAB than the HMS. Thirty-five yeasts belonged to 6 genera and 55 acetic acid bacteria (AAB) to 5 Gluconobacter species. The highest content of ethanol correlated with the presence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Gluconobacter japonicus and Gluconobacter oxydans tolerated 7.5% ethanol. Gluconobacter frateurii survived at pH 2.59. The percentage of acetic acid was less than the international recommended standard levels and ranged from 0.09% to 3.38%, and 0.03% to 3.46% in HMS, and LMS, respectively. The content of ethanol ranged from 0.14% to 2.17%, and 0.07% to 7.81% in HMS, and LMS, respectively. Methanol was less in LMS (≤ 0.06%) than in HMS (≤ 0.17%). Utilizing the traditional method for producing date vinegar does not assure the production of true and safe vinegar that contains the specified levels of acetic acid and ethanol. It may also contain unacceptable levels of the toxic chemical methanol. However, a high microbial diversity of yeasts and Gluconobacter spp. was identified which indicates the potential of producing a high-quality and safe product by modifying the production process possibly by using the isolated yeasts and AAB as starter cultures.
Blood product usage and factors associated with transfusions in cats with hemoperitoneum: 33 cases (2018–2022)
Authors: Bunnell Nicole , Blong April , Kundu Debosmita , Mochel Jonathan Paul , Walton Rebecca
Published: July 2023

Objective

To evaluate blood product usage in cats with hemoperitoneum. To secondarily evaluate factors associated with transfusion administration and the outcome of cats with hemoperitoneum.

Design

Retrospective study between the years 2018–2022.

Setting

University veterinary teaching hospital and private practice hospital.

Animals

33 cats admitted to the hospital diagnosed with hemoperitoneum from January 2018 to September 2022.

Measurements and main results

Medical records were retrospectively reviewed; signalment, point-of-care diagnostics, effusion characteristics, and transfusion administration information was recorded. The most common etiology associated with hemoperitoneum was neoplasia (51.5%). Fifty-one percent (51.5%) of cats received a blood transfusion during hospitalization with the majority of cats receiving multiple transfusion types (69%). The etiology of hemoperitoneum was not associated with receiving a transfusion (p = 0.28) Point-of-care diagnostics including packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS) and platelet count were not significantly associated with receiving a transfusion (p = 0.317, p = 0.11 and p = 0.82, respectively). The PCV and TS of the effusion was also not significantly associated with transfusions (p = 0.91 and p = 0.63, respectively). Sixteen cats (48%) survived to discharge. Transfusions were significantly associated with outcome and cats that received a transfusion were more likely to survive to discharge (p = 0.008).

Conclusion

In conclusion, hemoperitoneum from a variety of etiologies in cats is associated with a high proportion of transfusions. None of the evaluated point-of-care diagnostics were associated with transfusion administration in this study. Cats that received a transfusion were more likely to survive to discharge.