bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automated Measurement of Net Water Uptake From Baseline and Follow-Up CTs in Patients With Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke
Authors: Kumar Atul , Chen Yasheng , Corbin Aaron , Hamzehloo Ali , Abedini Amin , Vardar Zeynep , Carey Grace , Bhatia Kunal , Heitsch Laura , Derakhshan Jamal J. , Lee Jin-Moo , Dhar Rajat
Published: June 2022

Quantifying the extent and evolution of cerebral edema developing after stroke is an important but challenging goal. Lesional net water uptake (NWU) is a promising CT-based biomarker of edema, but its measurement requires manually delineating infarcted tissue and mirrored regions in the contralateral hemisphere. We implement an imaging pipeline capable of automatically segmenting the infarct region and calculating NWU from both baseline and follow-up CTs of large-vessel occlusion (LVO) patients. Infarct core is extracted from CT perfusion images using a deconvolution algorithm while infarcts on follow-up CTs were segmented from non-contrast CT (NCCT) using a deep-learning algorithm. These infarct masks were flipped along the brain midline to generate mirrored regions in the contralateral hemisphere of NCCT; NWU was calculated as one minus the ratio of densities between regions, removing voxels segmented as CSF and with HU outside thresholds of 20–80 (normal hemisphere and baseline CT) and 0–40 (infarct region on follow-up). Automated results were compared with those obtained using manually-drawn infarcts and an ASPECTS region-of-interest based method that samples densities within the infarct and normal hemisphere, using intraclass correlation coefficient (ρ). This was tested on serial CTs from 55 patients with anterior circulation LVO (including 66 follow-up CTs). Baseline NWU using automated core was 4.3% (IQR 2.6–7.3) and correlated with manual measurement (ρ = 0.80, p < 0.0001) and ASPECTS (r = −0.60, p = 0.0001). Automatically segmented infarct volumes (median 110-ml) correlated to manually-drawn volumes (ρ = 0.96, p < 0.0001) with median Dice similarity coefficient of 0.83 (IQR 0.72–0.90). Automated NWU was 24.6% (IQR 20–27) and highly correlated to NWU from manually-drawn infarcts (ρ = 0.98) and the sampling-based method (ρ = 0.68, both p < 0.0001). We conclude that this automated imaging pipeline is able to accurately quantify region of infarction and NWU from serial CTs and could be leveraged to study the evolution and impact of edema in large cohorts of stroke patients.
Morphological Changes of Frontal Areas in Male Individuals With HIV: A Deformation-Based Morphometry Analysis
Authors: Chen Guochao , Cai Dan-Chao , Song Fengxiang , Zhan Yi , Wei Lei , Shi Chunzi , Wang He , Shi Yuxin
Published: June 2022

Objective

Previous studies on HIV-infected (HIV+) individuals have revealed brain structural alterations underlying HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. Most studies have adopted the widely used voxel-based morphological analysis of T1-weighted images or tracked-based analysis of diffusion tensor images. In this study, we investigated the HIV-related morphological changes using the deformation-based morphometry (DBM) analysis of T1-weighted images, which is another useful tool with high regional sensitivity.

Materials and Methods

A total of 157 HIV+ (34.7 ± 8.5 years old) and 110 age-matched HIV-uninfected (HIV-) (33.7 ± 10.1 years old) men were recruited. All participants underwent neurocognitive assessments and brain scans, including high-resolution structural imaging and resting-state functional imaging. Structural alterations in HIV+ individuals were analyzed using DBM. Functional brain networks connected to the deformed regions were further investigated in a seed-based connectivity analysis. The correlations between imaging and cognitive or clinical measures were examined.

Results

The DBM analysis revealed decreased values (i.e., tissue atrophy) in the bilateral frontal regions in the HIV+ group, including bilateral superior frontal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, and their neighboring white matter tract, superior corona radiata. The functional connectivity between the right superior frontal gyrus and the right inferior temporal region was enhanced in the HIV+ group, the connectivity strength of which was significantly correlated with the global deficit scores (r = 0.214, P = 0.034), and deficits in learning (r = 0.246, P = 0.014) and recall (r = 0.218, P = 0.031). Increased DBM indexes (i.e., tissue enlargement) of the right cerebellum were also observed in the HIV+ group.

Conclusion

The current study revealed both gray and white matter volume changes in frontal regions and cerebellum in HIV+ individuals using DBM, complementing previous voxel-based morphological studies. Structural alterations were not limited to the local regions but were accompanied by disrupted functional connectivity between them and other relevant regions. Disruptions in neural networks were associated with cognitive performance, which may be related to HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.
The Composition and Cellular Sources of CSPGs in the Glial Scar After Spinal Cord Injury in the Lamprey
Authors: Zhang Guixin , Jin Li-Qing , Rodemer William , Hu Jianli , Root Zachary D. , Medeiros Daniel M. , Selzer Michael E.
Published: June 2022

Axon regrowth after spinal cord injury (SCI) is inhibited by several types of inhibitory extracellular molecules in the central nervous system (CNS), including chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), which also are components of perineuronal nets (PNNs). The axons of lampreys regenerate following SCI, even though their spinal cords contain CSPGs, and their neurons are enwrapped by PNNs. Previously, we showed that by 2 weeks after spinal cord transection in the lamprey, expression of CSPGs increased in the lesion site, and thereafter, decreased to pre-injury levels by 10 weeks. Enzymatic digestion of CSPGs in the lesion site with chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) enhanced axonal regeneration after SCI and reduced retrograde neuronal death. Lecticans (aggrecan, versican, neurocan, and brevican) are the major CSPG family in the CNS. Previously, we cloned a cDNA fragment that lies in the most conserved link-domain of the lamprey lecticans and found that lectican mRNAs are expressed widely in lamprey glia and neurons. Because of the lack of strict one-to-one orthology with the jawed vertebrate lecticans, the four lamprey lecticans were named simply A, B, C, and D. Using probes that distinguish these four lecticans, we now show that they all are expressed in glia and neurons but at different levels. Expression levels are relatively high in embryonic and early larval stages, gradually decrease, and are upregulated again in adults. Reductions of lecticans B and D are greater than those of A and C. Levels of mRNAs for lecticans B and D increased dramatically after SCI. Lectican D remained upregulated for at least 10 weeks. Multiple cells, including glia, neurons, ependymal cells and microglia/macrophages, expressed lectican mRNAs in the peripheral zone and lesion center after SCI. Thus, as in mammals, lamprey lecticans may be involved in axon guidance and neuroplasticity early in development. Moreover, neurons, glia, ependymal cells, and microglia/macrophages, are responsible for the increase in CSPGs during the formation of the glial scar after SCI.
Inhibition of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β Activity in the Basolateral Amygdala Disrupts Reconsolidation and Attenuates Heroin Relapse
Authors: Xie Yuanyang , Zhang Yingfan , Hu Ting , Zhao Zijin , Liu Qing , Li Haoyu
Published: June 2022

Exposure to a heroin-associated conditioned stimulus can reactivate drug reward memory, trigger drug cravings, and induce relapse in heroin addicts. The amygdala, a brain region related to emotions and motivation, is involved in processing rewarding stimulus. Recent evidence demonstrated that disrupting the reconsolidation of the heroin drug memories attenuated heroin seeking which was associated with the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Meanwhile, neural functions associated with learning and memory, like synaptic plasticity, are regulated by glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β). In addition, GSK-3β regulated memory processes, like retrieval and reconsolidation of cocaine-induced memory. Here, we used a heroin intravenous self-administration (SA) paradigm to illustrate the potential role of GSK-3β in the reconsolidation of drug memory. Therefore, we used SB216763 as a selective inhibitor of GSK-3β. We found that injecting the selective inhibitor SB216763 into the BLA, but not the central amygdala (CeA), immediately after heroin-induced memory retrieval disrupted reconsolidation of heroin drug memory and significantly attenuated heroin-seeking behavior in subsequent drug-primed reinstatement, suggesting that GSK-3β is critical for reconsolidation of heroin drug memories and inhibiting the activity of GSK-3β in BLA disrupted heroin drug memory and reduced relapse. However, no retrieval or 6 h after retrieval, administration of SB216763 into the BLA did not alter heroin-seeking behavior in subsequent heroin-primed reinstatement, suggesting that GSK-3β activity is retrieval-dependent and time-specific. More importantly, a long-term effect of SB216763 treatment was observed in a detectable decrease in heroin-seeking behavior, which lasted at least 28 days. All in all, this present study demonstrates that the activity of GSK-3β in BLA is required for reconsolidation of heroin drug memory, and inhibiting GSK-3β activity of BLA disrupts reconsolidation and attenuates heroin relapse.
Quantification of Isomaltulose in Food Products by Using Heteronuclear Single Quantum Coherence NMR-Experiments
Authors: Fels Lea , Ruf Franziska , Bunzel Mirko
Published: June 2022

Isomaltulose is a commonly used sweetener in sports nutrition and in products intended for consumption by diabetics. Because previously established chromatographic methods for quantification of isomaltulose suffer from long analysis times (60–210 min), faster quantitative approaches are required. Here, an HSQC (heteronuclear single quantum coherence) experiment with reduced interscan delay was established in order to quantify isomaltulose next to potential additional sugars such as d-glucose, d-fructose, d-galactose, sucrose, lactose, and maltose in 53 min. By using HSQC coupled to non-uniform sampling (NUS) as well as ASAP-HSQC (acceleration by sharing adjacent polarization), analysis times were reduced to a few minutes. Application of NUS-HSQC with reduced interscan delay takes 27 min, resulting in accurate and precise data. In principle, application of ASAP-HSQC approaches (with analysis times as low as 6 min) can be used; however, precision data may not suffice all applications.
Association Between Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption and Executive Function Among Chinese Tibetan Adolescents at High Altitude
Authors: Zhang Feng , Yin Xiaojian , Liu Yuan , Li Ming , Gui Xiaoying , Bi Cunjian
Published: June 2022

Objective

To estimate the association between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and executive function (EF) among Chinese Tibetan adolescents.

Method

Using three stages by stratified cluster sampling, 1,427 Chinese Tibetan adolescents were recruited from Tibet, China. SSB consumption status was obtained by questionnaires and the three core EFs (inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility) were tested by a modified Eriksen flanker task, N-back shift, and a more-odd shifting task. One-way ANOVA or Chi-square test was used to compare SSB consumption in different categories. Taking the SSB consumption 0 time/week group as the reference, general linear regression (for continuous variable) or Logical regression (classified variable) in three Models was conducted to analyze the relationship between SSB consumption and EF for Chinese Tibetan children and adolescents.

Result

After adjustment of all the covariant in Model 2, all the EF indexes were higher in Chinese Tibetan adolescents with SSB consumption ≥2 times/week than that with SSB consumption of 0 times/week by 21.33 ms (95%CI: 6.72, 35.93), 8.21 ms (95%CI: 7.06, 9.35), 90.46 ms (95%CI: 28.69, 152.23), 147.61 ms (95%CI: 81.42, 213.80), 116.18 ms (95%CI: 74.48, 157.87), 112.41 ms (95%CI: 71.30, 153.52) for incongruent RT, RT difference in incongruent and congruent, 1-back RT, 2-back RT, Heterogeneous RT, RT difference in Heterogeneous and Homogeneous respectively.

Conclusions

The results suggested that SSB consumption was associated with poorer EF in Chinese Tibetan adolescents. SSB consumption should be controlled for healthy brain development of Chinese Tibetan adolescents.
Clinicopathological Characteristics and Molecular Phenotypes of Primary Hepatic Lymphoma
Authors: Xing Ai-Yan , Dong Xin-Zhe , Zhu Liu-Qing , Liu Long , Sun Dong , Guo Sen
Published: June 2022

Primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL) is a rare malignant tumor, occurring in 0.016% of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). The common histological subtype is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Due to the rarity of tumor, clinicopathological characteristics and molecular phenotypes of PHL are limited. Seven patients with PHL (primary liver DLBCL) and 13 cases of liver involvement by DLBCL diagnosed between 2014 and 2021 in our hospital were included. The genetic features were also compared between the two groups by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Differential gene expression and pathway enrichment analysis were also performed. There were some discrepancies on presenting symptoms, pathological characteristics, laboratory data, and prognosis between PHL and DLBCL-liver groups. No same mutation was found between PHL and DLBCL-liver groups by NGS. Differential gene expression analysis discovered some up- and downregulated genes in PHL compared with the DLBCL-liver group. Upregulated genes were enriched in metabolic pathways, and downregulated genes were enriched in the HTLV-1 infection pathway. PHL is a distinct entity, with unique molecular features compared to liver involvement of systemic lymphoma. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the prognosis of the PHL group was better than that of the DLBCL-liver group. Understanding the clinicopathological and molecular features of PHL would help to direct clinical treatment.
The Exocrine Pancreas in Cystic Fibrosis in the Era of CFTR Modulation: A Mini Review
Authors: McKay Isabelle R. , Ooi Chee Y.
Published: June 2022

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common disorder of autosomal recessive inheritance, that once conferred a life expectancy of only a few months. Over recent years, significant advances have been made to CF therapeutic approaches, changing the face of the disease, and facilitating the partial restoration of pancreatic function. This mini review summarizes the current landscape of exocrine pancreatic management in CF and explores areas for future direction and development.
Comparative Transcriptomic, Anatomical and Phytohormone Analyses Provide New Insights Into Hormone-Mediated Tetraploid Dwarfing in Hybrid Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua × L. formosana)
Authors: Chen Siyuan , Zhang Yan , Zhang Ting , Zhan Dingju , Pang Zhenwu , Zhao Jian , Zhang Jinfeng
Published: June 2022

Polyploid breeding is an effective approach to improve plant biomass and quality. Both fast growth and dwarf types of in vitro or ex vitro plants are produced after polyploidization. However, little is known regarding the dwarf type mechanism in polyploids grown in vitro. In this study, the morphological and cytological characteristics were measured in tetraploid and diploid hybrid sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua × L. formosana) with the same genetic background. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was used to analyse shoot and root variations between tetraploid and diploid plants; important metabolites were validated. The results showed that the shoot and root lengths were significantly shorter in tetraploids than in diploids after 25 d of culture. Most tetraploid root cells were wider and more irregular, and the length of the meristematic zone was shorter, while tetraploid cells were significantly larger than diploid cells. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in the plant growth and organ elongation pathways, such as plant hormone biosynthesis and signal transduction, sugar and starch metabolism, and cell cycles. Hormone biosynthesis and signal transduction genes, such as YUCCA, TAA1, GH3, SAUR, CPS, KO, KAO, GA20ox, GA3ox, BAS1 and CYCD3, which help to regulate organ elongation, were generally downregulated. The auxin, gibberellin, and brassinolide (BL) contents in roots and stems were significantly lower in tetraploids than in diploids, which may greatly contribute to slow growth in the roots and stems of tetraploid regenerated plants. Exogenous gibberellic acid (GA3) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), which induced plant cell elongation, could significantly promote growth in the stems and roots of tetraploids. In summary, comparative transcriptomics and metabolite analysis showed that the slow growth of regenerated tetraploid hybrid sweetgum was strongly related to auxin and gibberellin deficiency. Our findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie dwarfism in allopolyploid hybrid sweetgum.
Metabolomics for Agricultural Waste Valorization: Shifting Toward a Sustainable Bioeconomy
Authors: Khaksar Gholamreza , Sirijan Mongkon , Suntichaikamolkul Nithiwat , Sirikantaramas Supaart
Published: June 2022

Agriculture has been considered as a fundamental industry for human survival since ancient times. Local and traditional agriculture are based on circular sustainability models, which produce practically no waste. However, owing to population growth and current market demands, modern agriculture is based on linear and large-scale production systems, generating tons of organic agricultural waste (OAW), such as rejected or inedible plant tissues (shells, peels, stalks, etc.). Generally, this waste accumulates in landfills and creates negative environmental impacts. The plant kingdom is rich in metabolic diversity, harboring over 200,000 structurally distinct metabolites that are naturally present in plants. Hence, OAW is considered to be a rich source of bioactive compounds, including phenolic compounds and secondary metabolites that exert a wide range of health benefits. Accordingly, OAW can be used as extraction material for the discovery and recovery of novel functional compounds that can be reinserted into the production system. This approach would alleviate the undesired environmental impacts of OAW accumulation in landfills, while providing added value to food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and nutraceutical products and introducing a circular economic model in the modern agricultural industry. In this regard, metabolomics-based approaches have gained increasing interest in the agri-food sector for a variety of applications, including the rediscovery of bioactive compounds, owing to advances in analytical instrumentation and data analytics platforms. This mini review summarizes the major aspects regarding the identification of novel bioactive compounds from agricultural waste, focusing on metabolomics as the main tool.
Bringing Light Into the Dark: Associations of Fire Interest and Fire Setting With the Dark Tetrad
Authors: Wehner Caroline , Ziegler Matthias , Kirchhof Simon , Lämmle Lena
Published: June 2022

Fire setting is a significant problem for society, costing many human lives and causing great property damage. One important risk factor of fire setting observed in forensic samples is fire interest. However, less is known about the relationship of fire interest and fire setting to other variables such as personality traits in subclinical samples. In this study, we observed the relationship of potentially important personality traits with fire interest and fire setting in a sample of N = 222 students. In addition to zero-order correlations, we calculated path models and a logistic regression including all predictor variables. From the Dark Tetrad, consisting of psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism, and three facets of sadism, psychopathy, and physical sadism were found to be associated with fire interest and fire setting. Furthermore, vicarious sadism was associated with fire interest. The other Dark Tetrad traits and four sensation seeking facets did not substantially add to the predictions. This confirms the results of previous studies with clinical and forensic samples with psychopathy and sadism as relevant predictors for fire interest and fire setting. Our results also provide evidence for viewing sadism as the multidimensional construct discriminating between vicarious and other forms of sadism, for the distinction of psychopathy and Machiavellianism, and for the Dark Tetrad being linked to object related violence.
Praying for a Miracle Part II: Idiosyncrasies of Spirituality and Its Relations With Religious Expressions in Health
Authors: de Freitas Marta Helena , Leal Miriam Martins , Nwora Emmanuel Ifeka
Published: June 2022

As a continuation of the previous paper,Praying for a Miracle – Negative or Positive Impacts on Health Care, published in this research topic, this second paper aims at delving deeper into the same theme, but now from a simultaneously practical and conceptual approach. With that in mind, we revisit three theoretical models based on evidence, through which we can understand the role of a miracle in hospital settings and assess its impact in health contexts. For each of the models described, we seek to illustrate the possible outcomes of belief in miracles as a modality of religious coping in situations of stress and suffering experienced by patients and caregivers in the face of gloomy diagnoses on coming across the limits of medicine to revert certain illnesses (e.g., child cancer) or biological conditions (e.g., fetal malformation). We posit that the judgment about how such a mechanism is healthy or not for each of the people involved (patient, caregiver, and/or health professional) depends on the modulation between the conception of the miracle adopted by the patient and/or caregiver and the concrete outcomes of the way of responding to the situations that accompany the gravity of the illness or condition. To better understand this process of psychological modulation that accompanies belief in miracles, we revisit the concepts of spirituality, religiosity, and religion, pointing out the connections and distinctions between them from a phenomenological perspective. We then present a conceptual model that takes these connections and distinctions into consideration to foster an understanding of miracles, their relations with the diversity of experiences of people who meet in hospital settings (patients, caregivers, and health professionals), and their respective impacts on healthcare.
Effects of Cell Phone Dependence on Mental Health Among College Students During the Pandemic of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Survey of a Medical University in Shanghai
Authors: Xu Ting , Sun Xiaoting , Jiang Ping , Chen Minjie , Yue Yan , Dong Enhong
Published: June 2022

Objective

To investigate the effects of cell phone dependence (CPD) on mental health among undergraduates during the COVID-19 pandemic and further identify the determinants that may affect their mental health in China.

Methods

The data were collected from 602 students at a medical school in Shanghai via an online survey conducted from December 2021 to February 2022. The Mobile Phone Addiction Index (MPAI) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) were applied to evaluate CPD and mental health, respectively. Independent sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to compare the means of continuous variables among categorical groups. Correlations between continuous variables were detected using Pearson's correlation analysis. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were employed to identify the determinants of mental health.

Results

Among the 402 eligible students, 73.88% were women with an average age of 20.19 ± 2.36 years. On average, the DASS score was 32.20 ± 11.07, the CPD score was 36.23 ± 11.89, and the cell phone use duration was 7.67 ± 3.61 h/day. CPD was found to have a negative effect on mental health among college students in Shanghai. Additionally, cell phone use duration, age, being senior students, faculty-student relationship, insomnia, tobacco use, obesity, and life satisfaction were clarified as contributing factors to mental health among college students.

Conclusion

High degree of CPD could have a negative effect on college students' mental health, which might lead to some psychological problems. Appropriate actions and effective interventions are highly needed to prevent severe psychological injuries among college students in China.
On the Design and Validation of Assessing Tools for Measuring the Impact of Programs Promoting STEM Vocations
Authors: Herce-Palomares María Pilar , Botella-Mascarell Carmen , de Ves Esther , López-Iñesta Emilia , Forte Anabel , Benavent Xaro , Rueda Silvia
Published: June 2022

This paper presents the design and validation process of a set of instruments to evaluate the impact of an informal learning initiative to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) vocations in students, their families (parents), and teachers. The proposed set of instruments, beyond assessing the satisfaction of the public involved, allow collecting data to evaluate the impact in terms of changes in the consideration of the role of women in STEM areas and STEM vocations. The procedure followed to develop the set of instruments consisted of two phases. In the first phase, a preliminary version (v1) of the questionnaires was designed based on the objectives of the Girls4STEM initiative, an inclusive project promoting STEM vocations between 6 and 18 years old boys and girls. Five specific questionnaires were designed, one for the families (post activity), two for the students (pre and post activity) and two for the teachers (pre and post avitivity). A refined version (v2) of each questionnaire was obtained with evidence of content validity after undergoing an expert judgment process. The second phase was the refinement of the (v2) instruments, to ascertain the evidence of reliability and validity so that a final version (v3) was derived. In the paper, a high-quality set of good practices focused on promoting diversity and gender equality in the STEM sector are presented from a Higher Education Institution perspective, the University of Valencia. The main contribution of this work is the achievement of a set of instruments, rigorously designed for the evaluation of the implementation and effectiveness of a STEM promoting program, with sufficient validity evidence. Moreover, the proposed instruments can be a reference for the evaluation of other projects aimed at diversifying the STEM sector.
Participatory Approach to Develop Evidence-Based Clinical Ethics Guidelines for the Care of COVID-19 Patients: A Mixed Method Study From Nepal
Authors: Bhattarai Suraj , Adhikari Anurag , Rayamajhee Binod , Dhungana Jaya , Singh Minu , Koirala Sarun , Shakya Dhana Ratna
Published: June 2022

During health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers face numerous ethical challenges while catering to the needs of patients in healthcare settings. Although the data recapitulating high-income countries ethics frameworks are available, the challenges faced by clinicians in resource-limited settings of low- and middle-income countries are not discussed widely due to a lack of baseline data or evidence. The Nepali healthcare system, which is chronically understaffed and underequipped, was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in its capacity to manage health services and resources for needy patients, leading to ethical dilemmas and challenges during clinical practice. This study aimed to develop a standard guideline that would address syndemic ethical dilemmas during clinical care of COVID-19 patients who are unable to afford standard-of-care. A mixed method study was conducted between February and June of 2021 in 12 government designated COVID-19 treatment hospitals in central Nepal. The draft guideline was discussed among the key stakeholders in the pandemic response in Nepal. The major ethical dilemmas confronted by the study participants (50 healthcare professionals providing patient care at COVID-19 treatment hospitals) could be grouped into five major pillars of ethical clinical practice: rational allocation of medical resources, updated treatment protocols that guide clinical decisions, standard-of-care regardless of patient's economic status, effective communication among stakeholders for prompt patient care, and external factors such as political and bureaucratic interference affecting ethical practice. This living clinical ethics guideline, which has been developed based on the local evidence and case stories of frontline responders, is expected to inform the policymakers as well as the decision-makers positioned at the concerned government units. These ethics guidelines could be endorsed with revisions by the concerned regulatory authorities for the use during consequent waves of COVID-19 and other epidemics that may occur in the future. Other countries affected by the pandemic could conduct similar studies to explore ethical practices in the local clinical and public health context.
Marital Status and Gender Differences as Key Determinants of COVID-19 Impact on Wellbeing, Job Satisfaction and Resilience in Health Care Workers and Staff Working in Academia in the UK During the First Wave of the Pandemic
Authors: Peng Junjie , Wu Wing Han , Doolan Georgia , Choudhury Naila , Mehta Puja , Khatun Ayesha , Hennelly Laura , Henty Julian , Jury Elizabeth C. , Liao Lih-Mei , Ciurtin Coziana
Published: June 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global public health crisis that continues to exert immense pressure on healthcare and related professional staff and services. The impact on staff wellbeing is likely to be influenced by a combination of modifiable and non-modifiable factors.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the self-reported wellbeing, resilience, and job satisfaction of National Health Service (NHS) and university staff working in the field of healthcare and medical research.

Methods

We conducted a cross sectional survey of NHS and UK university staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic between May-November 2020. The anonymous and voluntary survey was disseminated through social media platforms, and via e-mail to members of professional and medical bodies. The data was analyzed using descriptive and regression (R) statistics.

Results

The enjoyment of work and satisfaction outside of work was significantly negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic for all of staff groups independent of other variables. Furthermore, married women reporting significantly lower wellbeing than married men (P = 0.028). Additionally, the wellbeing of single females was significantly lower than both married women and men (P = 0.017 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Gender differences were also found in satisfaction outside of work, with women reporting higher satisfaction than men before the COVID-19 pandemic (P = 0.0002).

Conclusion

Our study confirms that the enjoyment of work and general satisfaction of staff members has been significantly affected by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, being married appears to be a protective factor for wellbeing and resilience but the effect may be reversed for life satisfaction outside work. Our survey highlights the critical need for further research to examine gender differences using a wider range of methods.
The Impact of Unimplemented Large-Scale Land Development Deals
Authors: Broegaard Rikke Brandt , Vongvisouk Thoumthone , Mertz Ole
Published: June 2022

Although many land deals are never implemented to production stage, little is known about how abandoned projects affect local communities and the government agencies that promote them. This article analyses the effects on local actors, their land access, land use and tenure security of a large-scale bio-fuel land deal in northern Laos that a Chinese company initiated but subsequently abandoned before reaching the planting and production stage. The project left local people bound by contracts without cancellation clauses and with livelihood losses, until the investment contract eventually was annulled by Lao state actors. The deal has prepared the provincial government to receive new investors to further the modernization of agriculture and a land-based economic growth, both in terms of identifying land for development, and experiences gained of how to handle international investors. However, it seems unlikely that local actors can decline future projects when interests of investors and government actors overlap–interests that may not be limited to those officially stated as the objectives of the land deal. A more accurate terminology and additional research is needed to shed light on the outcomes of land deals that for some reason never reach a production stage, whether as a “virtual,” or “failed” land deal.
The Diversity, Distribution and Status of Phytoplasma Diseases in China
Authors: Wang Xiao-Yan , Zhang Rong-Yue , Li Jie , Li Yin-Hu , Shan Hong-Li , Li Wen-Feng , Huang Ying-Kun
Published: June 2022

Phytoplasmas are important prokaryotic pathogenic bacteria without cell walls, which were formerly known as mycoplasma-like organisms, and belong to the Mollicutes class, Candidatus Phytoplasma genus. They are widely distributed in plants and insects, and can cause serious diseases in important food crops, vegetables, fruit trees, ornamental plants and trees, resulting in huge economic losses. To date, more than 100 phytoplasma diseases have been reported in China, which are distributed throughout the country. Jujube witches'-broom, paulownia witches'-broom, wheat blue dwarf, banana bunchy top, sugarcane white leaf, rice orange leaf and mulberry dwarf represent the phytoplasma diseases causing the most serious damage in China. New phytoplasma diseases and their strains are being reported continuously, indicating that phytoplasmas are more diverse than previously thought. Phytoplasmas are mainly transmitted by insect vectors, such as leafhopper and planthopper, and can also be spread by grafting or Cuscuta australis (known as dodder). Mixed infections of phytoplasmas and viruses, bacteria, and spiroplasmas have also become a serious problem in several crops and are responsible for more synergistic losses. With the continuous development and improvement of technology, molecular biological detection has become the main technique for phytoplasma detection and identification. Currently, research on phytoplasma diseases in China mainly focuses on pathogen identification and classification, and insect vector and host diversity; however, there is less focus on pathogenicity, comparative genomics, and effect factors. More research attention has been paid to wheat blue dwarf phytoplasma, paulownia witches'-broom phytoplasma, jujube witches'-broom phytoplasma, and sugarcane white leaf phytoplasma. Other phytoplasma diseases have been reported; however, there have been no in-depth studies. In this paper, the history and present situation of phytoplasma research, and the status, distribution, and diversity of phytoplasma diseases are summarized, and some possible research directions of phytoplasma in the future in China are proposed.
Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia With no Tourniquet Versus General Anesthesia for the Plating of Distal Radius Fracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tu Ting-Yu , Hsu Chih-Yang , Lin Pei-Chin , Chen Chun-Yu
Published: June 2022

Background

Distal radius fractures are treated using open reduction and internal fixation and using general anesthesia (GA) or regional blocks. A new technique, wide-awake local anesthesia with no tourniquet (WALANT), allows this operation to be conducted in nonsedated patients without the use of tourniquets.

Objective

We analyzed whether WALANT yields better outcomes than GA in the treatment of patients with distal radius fractures.

Evidence Review

We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus databases for cases of distal radius fractures treated using WALANT or GA. The outcomes of interest were duration of preparation for surgery, duration of surgery, blood loss, and length of postoperative hospitalization; visual analog scale (VAS), Mayo wrist score, and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire score on postoperative day 1; range of motion (ROM); time until bone union; and complication rate.

Findings

We systematically reviewed 4 studies with a total of 263 patients (128 with WALANT and 135 with GA). In comparison with GA, WALANT required less time for preparation for surgery, shorter postoperative hospitalization, and lower postoperative day 1 VAS scores; however, blood loss was greater. Functional outcomes (ROM, QuickDASH score, and Mayo wrist score), complication rates, and times until union did not differ considerably between the two methods.

Conclusion

The included studies demonstrated that durations of preparation for surgery and postoperative hospitalization were shorter and pain on postoperative day 1 was less severe with WALANT than with GA. Although blood loss in surgery was greater with WALANT, this technique is a novel and promising alternative to GA.
Association of a Modified Blumgart Anastomosis With the Incidence of Pancreatic Fistula and Operation Time After Laparoscopic Pancreatoduodenectomy: A Cohort Study
Authors: He Yong-Gang , Yang Xiao-Min , Peng Xue-Hui , Li Jing , Huang Wen , Jian Gui-Cang , Wu Jing , Tang Yi-Chen , Wang Liang , Huang Xiao-Bing
Published: June 2022

Objective

To explore the association between a modified Blumgart anastomosis technique and the operative time and surgical complications.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study that analyzed the data of patients who underwent laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy from January 2015 to March 2021. The primary outcome was to explore the association between the modified Blumgart anastomosis technique and operative time.

Results

A total of 282 patients were enrolled. There were 177 cases of pancreatic duct-to-mucosa anastomosis in the traditional surgery group, and 105 cases of the modified three-step Blumgart anastomosis in the modified group. There were no statistically significant differences in the general and intraoperative characteristics found between the two groups (P > 0.05). The surgical method was an independent predictor of operative time. Overall complications postsurgery were less common in the modified group than in the traditional group. The incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula was higher in the traditional group than in the modified group (45 cases (25.4%) and 11 cases (10.5%), respectively). Fourteen cases (7.9%) in the traditional group and four case (3.8%) in the modified group had postoperative pancreatic fistula of grades B + C. The two groups had statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The results of the linear regression showed that the type of surgical method was associated with operation time (95% CI, −73.074 to −23.941, β: −0.438, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

This modified three-step Blumgart pancreaticojejunostomy was associated with the operation time.
Evaluation of Transcriptomic Responses in Livers of Mice Exposed to the Short-Chain PFAS Compound HFPO-DA
Authors: Heintz Melissa M. , Chappell Grace A. , Thompson Chad M. , Haws Laurie C.
Published: June 2022

HFPO-DA (ammonium 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)-propanoate; CASRN 62037-80-3) is a component of the GenX technology platform used as a polymerization aid in the manufacture of some types of fluoropolymers. The liver is the primary target of toxicity for HFPO-DA in rodents and previous examination of hepatic transcriptomic responses in mice following oral exposure to HFPO-DA for 90 days showed induction of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathways, predominantly by PPARα, as well as increased gene expression of both peroxisomal and mitochondrial fatty acid metabolism. To further investigate the mechanism of liver toxicity, transcriptomic analysis was conducted on liver tissue from mice orally exposed to 0, 0.1, 0.5 or 5 mg/kg-bw/day HFPO-DA in a reproduction/developmental toxicity study. Hepatic gene expression changes demonstrated activation of the PPARα signaling pathway. Peroxisomal and mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation gene sets were enriched at lower HFPO-DA concentrations, and complement cascade, cell cycle and apoptosis related gene sets were enriched at higher HFPO-DA concentrations. These results support the reported histopathological findings in livers of mice from this study and indicate that the effects of HFPO-DA are mediated through rodent-specific PPARα signaling mechanisms regardless of reproductive status in mice.
Zero-Valent Copper-Mediated Peroxymonosulfate Activation for Efficient Degradation of Azo Dye Orange G
Authors: Yu Bowen , Li Zhijun , Zhang Silu
Published: June 2022

Zero-valent metal (ZVMs)-based persulfate activation systems are extensively applied for the elimination of organic pollutants in aqueous environments. In this study, for the first time, zero-valent copper (ZVC) was employed as the peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activator for the efficient degradation of Orange G (OG). The physicochemical properties of ZVC were systematically characterized by FESEM, EDX, TEM, XRD and XPS measurements. Furthermore, the effects of catalyst loading, PMS dosage, OG concentration and inorganic anions on the ZVC/PMS system were, respectively, investigated and explicated. The formation of •OH and SO4•− in the system was verified by quenching experiments and then the possible reaction mechanism was proposed. This work can provide insight into water treatment technology based on ZVMs.
Emerging Approach for Fish Freshness Evaluation: Principle, Application and Challenges
Authors: Zhang Zhepeng , Sun Ying , Sang Shangyuan , Jia Lingling , Ou Changrong
Published: June 2022

Affected by micro-organisms and endogenous enzymes, fish are highly perishable during storage, processing and transportation. Efficient evaluation of fish freshness to ensure consumer safety and reduce raw material losses has received an increasing amount of attention. Several of the conventional freshness assessment techniques have plenty of shortcomings, such as being destructive, time-consuming and laborious. Recently, various sensors and spectroscopic techniques have shown great potential due to rapid analysis, low sample preparation and cost-effectiveness, and some methods are especially non-destructive and suitable for online or large-scale operations. Non-destructive techniques typically respond to characteristic substances produced by fish during spoilage without destroying the sample. In this review, we summarize, in detail, the principles and applications of emerging approaches for assessing fish freshness including visual indicators derived from intelligent packaging, active sensors, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and optical spectroscopic techniques. Recent developments in emerging technologies have demonstrated their advantages in detecting fish freshness, but some challenges remain in popularization, optimizing sensor selectivity and sensitivity, and the development of algorithms and chemometrics in spectroscopic techniques.
Chaos Suppression of a Fractional-Order Modificatory Hybrid Optical Model via Two Different Control Techniques
Authors: Li Peiluan , Gao Rong , Xu Changjin , Li Ying
Published: June 2022

In this current manuscript, we study a fractional-order modificatory hybrid optical model (FOMHO model). Experiments manifest that under appropriate parameter conditions, the fractional-order modificatory hybrid optical model will generate chaotic behavior. In order to eliminate the chaotic phenomenon of the (FOMHO model), we devise two different control techniques. First of all, a suitable delayed feedback controller is designed to control chaos in the (FOMHO model). A sufficient condition ensuring the stability and the occurrence of Hopf bifurcation of the fractional-order controlled modificatory hybrid optical model is set up. Next, a suitable delayed mixed controller which includes state feedback and parameter perturbation is designed to suppress chaos in the (FOMHO model). A sufficient criterion guaranteeing the stability and the onset of Hopf bifurcation of the fractional-order controlled modificatory hybrid optical model is derived. In the end, software simulations are implemented to verify the accuracy of the devised controllers. The acquired results of this manuscript are completely new and have extremely vital significance in suppressing chaos in physics. Furthermore, the exploration idea can also be utilized to control chaos in many other differential chaotic dynamical models.
Simulating Facebook Advertisements to Establish Cost per New HIV Diagnosis Using Routine and Targeted Models in a Local Population
Authors: Hanna John J. , Nijhawan Ank E. , Lehmann Christoph U. , Medford Richard J.
Published: June 2022

Background: Undiagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains a public health challenge. We explore Facebook (FB) advertisement (Ads) cost per new HIV diagnosis using non-targeted Ads, a routine testing model against targeted Ads, and a focused testing model in Texas. Methods: On 14 October 2021, we created (without launching) Texas-based, USD 10 targeted (using criteria matching HIV populations at risk) and non-targeted FB Ads for 10 days. In the process of creating the Ads, we collected estimated audience size, daily reach, and daily clicks. We estimated Ad cost for each new HIV diagnosis for targeted and non-targeted Ads using new HIV diagnosis rates from focused and routine testing campaigns. Results: The Ad costs per new HIV diagnosis from the targeted model were 4.74, 2.86, 5.28, and 2.88 times lower for men, Black, Hispanic, and all age groups, respectively, when compared to the non-targeted model. The wider the gap was between new HIV diagnosis rates in a population for focused and routine testing, the more cost-effective targeted Ads became. Conclusions: Among HIV populations at risk, targeted FB Ads are more cost-effective for detecting new HIV infections than non-targeted Ads. This cost-effectiveness increases in locations where focused testing increases new HIV diagnosis rates, compared to routine testing.
The Role of Village Doctors in Residents’ Uptake of Eye Screening: Evidence from Ageing Residents in Rural China
Authors: Huang Juerong , Du Kang , Guan Hongyu , Ding Yuxiu , Zhang Yunyun , Wang Decai , Wang Huan
Published: June 2022

The lack of formal eye screening is the main reason for insufficient eye care utilization in rural China. Cataract, in particular, is increasingly prevalent with the aging population, but the treatment rate is relatively low. Village doctors are the most accessible health care resource for rural residents, receiving few empirical investigations into their role in eye care. This study aims to assess the role of village doctors in residents’ uptake of eye screening (vision and cataract screening), the first step of cataract treatment. Data come from a community-based, cross-sectional survey conducted in 35 villages of a county of the Gansu Province, Northwestern China, in 2020. Among 1010 residents aged ≥ 50 and 35 village doctors, the multivariate logistic regression shows that village doctors’ age, time spent on public health service, and service population were positively associated with residents’ uptake of vision and cataract screening. Village doctors were capable of playing an active role in primary eye health services due to their richer knowledge about cataracts than residents (accuracy rate 86.75% vs. 63.50%, p < 0.001), but less than half of them were willing to undertake eye screening. This study highlights the positive role of village doctors in aging residents’ eye screening and the potential role in improving the uptake of eye screening by offering health education.