bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plastome phylogenomics reveals an early Pliocene North- and Central America colonization by long-distance dispersal from South America of a highly diverse bromeliad lineage
Authors: Vera-Paz Sandra I. , Granados Mendoza Carolina , Díaz Contreras Díaz Daniel D. , Jost Matthias , Salazar Gerardo A. , Rossado Andrés J. , Montes-Azcué Claudia A. , Hernández-Gutiérrez Rebeca , Magallón Susana , Sánchez-González Luis A. , Gouda Eric J. , Cabrera Lidia I. , Ramírez-Morillo Ivón M. , Flores-Cruz María , Granados-Aguilar Xochitl , Martínez-García Ana L. , Hornung-Leoni Claudia T. , Barfuss Michael H.J. , Wanke Stefan
Published: June 2023

Understanding the spatial and temporal frameworks of species diversification is fundamental in evolutionary biology. Assessing the geographic origin and dispersal history of highly diverse lineages of rapid diversification can be hindered by the lack of appropriately sampled, resolved, and strongly supported phylogenetic contexts. The use of currently available cost-efficient sequencing strategies allows for the generation of a substantial amount of sequence data for dense taxonomic samplings, which together with well-curated geographic information and biogeographic models allow us to formally test the mode and tempo of dispersal events occurring in quick succession. Here, we assess the spatial and temporal frameworks for the origin and dispersal history of the expanded clade K, a highly diverse Tillandsia subgenus Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae, Poales) lineage hypothesized to have undergone a rapid radiation across the Neotropics. We assembled full plastomes from Hyb-Seq data for a dense taxon sampling of the expanded clade K plus a careful selection of outgroup species and used them to estimate a time- calibrated phylogenetic framework. This dated phylogenetic hypothesis was then used to perform biogeographic model tests and ancestral area reconstructions based on a comprehensive compilation of geographic information. The expanded clade K colonized North and Central America, specifically the Mexican transition zone and the Mesoamerican dominion, by long-distance dispersal from South America at least 4.86 Mya, when most of the Mexican highlands were already formed. Several dispersal events occurred subsequently northward to the southern Nearctic region, eastward to the Caribbean, and southward to the Pacific dominion during the last 2.8 Mya, a period characterized by pronounced climate fluctuations, derived from glacial–interglacial climate oscillations, and substantial volcanic activity, mainly in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Our taxon sampling design allowed us to calibrate for the first time several nodes, not only within the expanded clade K focal group but also in other Tillandsioideae lineages. We expect that this dated phylogenetic framework will facilitate future macroevolutionary studies and provide reference age estimates to perform secondary calibrations for other Tillandsioideae lineages.
Integrated lipidomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal the mechanism of lipid biosynthesis and accumulation during seed development in sesame
Authors: Zhang Yujuan , Gong Huihui , Cui Xinxiao , Gao Chunhua , Li Nana , Pu Yanyan , Zhang Xiurong , Zhao Junsheng
Published: June 2023

Sesame is one of the most important oilseed crops and attracts significant attention because of its huge nutritional capacity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying oil accumulation in sesame remains poorly understood. In this study, lipidomic and transcriptomic analyses in different stages of sesame seed (Luzhi No.1, seed oil content 56%) development were performed to gain insight into the regulatory mechanisms that govern differences in lipid composition, content, biosynthesis, and transport. In total, 481 lipids, including fatty acids (FAs, 38 species), triacylglycerol (TAG, 127 species), ceramide (33 species), phosphatidic acid (20 species), and diacylglycerol (17 species), were detected in developing sesame seed using gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Most FAs and other lipids accumulated 21–33 days after flowering. RNA-sequence profiling in developing seed highlighted the enhanced expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis and transport of FAs, TAGs, and membrane lipids, which was similar to that seen during lipid accumulation. Through the differential expression analysis of genes involved in lipid biosynthesis and metabolism during seed development, several candidate genes were found to affect the oil content and FA composition of sesame seed, including ACCase, FAD2, DGAT, G3PDH, PEPCase, WRI1 and WRI1-like genes. Our study reveals the patterns of lipid accumulation and biosynthesis-related gene expression and lays an important foundation for the further exploration of sesame seed lipid biosynthesis and accumulation.
Transcriptomic and co-expression network analyses on diverse wheat landraces identifies candidate master regulators of the response to early drought
Authors: Barratt Liam J. , Reynolds Isaac J. , Franco Ortega Sara , Harper Andrea L.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Over four billion people around the world rely on bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as a major constituent of their diet. The changing climate, however, threatens the food security of these people, with periods of intense drought stress already causing widespread wheat yield losses. Much of the research into the wheat drought response has centred on the response to drought events later in development, during anthesis or grain filling. But as the timing of periods of drought stress become increasingly unpredictable, a more complete understanding of the response to drought during early development is also needed.

Methods

Here, we utilized the YoGI landrace panel to identify 10,199 genes which were differentially expressed under early drought stress, before weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct a co-expression network and identify hub genes in modules particularly associated with the early drought response.

Results

Of these hub genes, two stood out as novel candidate master regulators of the early drought response – one as an activator (TaDHN4-D1; TraesCS5D02G379200) and the other as a repressor (uncharacterised gene; TraesCS3D02G361500).

Discussion

As well as appearing to coordinate the transcriptional early drought response, we propose that these hub genes may be able to regulate the physiological early drought response due to potential control over the expression of members of gene families well-known for their involvement in the drought response in many plant species, namely dehydrins and aquaporins, as well as other genes seemingly involved in key processes such as, stomatal opening, stomatal closing, stomatal morphogenesis and stress hormone signalling.
Children’s bond with companion animals and associations with psychosocial health: A systematic review
Authors: Groenewoud Daniëlle , Enders-Slegers Marie-Jose , Leontjevas Roeslan , van Dijke Annemiek , de Winkel Tynke , Hediger Karin
Published: June 2023

Background

Companion animals can fulfill children’s attachment needs. A secure attachment to humans is positively associated with psychosocial health, therefore, the extent to which this applies to a strong child-companion animal bond is worth examining.

Aims

We aimed to gain insight into the current literature regarding the bond between children and companion animals and psychosocial health. Secondary, we also synthesized evidence about the (1) characteristics of children and companion animals and the strength of their bond; (2) the correlations between attachment to humans and the child-companion animal bond; and (3) the instruments used to measure the child-companion animal bond.

Method

According to PRISMA guidelines, we searched three major electronic databases (PubMed, EBSCOhost, and Web of Science) in September 2021 and included records with the following criteria: peer reviewed English articles with quantitative and qualitative data on child-companion animal bonds and children’s psychosocial health. Reports with participants younger than 18 years of age with a family owned companion animal were included. Two authors performed the screening and determined eligibility according to a predefined coding protocol.

Results

The search revealed 1,025 unique records, of which we included 29 studies. Some positive associations were reported between the strength of the child-companion animal bond and children’s psychosocial health outcomes like empathy, social support, and quality of life, although some results were contradictory. We found differences in associations between a child’s gender, companion animal species and the strength of the child-companion animal bond. A secure attachment style to parents was positively associated with a stronger child–companion animal bond. Most of the instruments currently used, measure the strength of the bond.

Discussion

This review suggests that the child-companion animal bond could be beneficial for children’s psychosocial health, but some results were inconclusive. Also, not every relationship develops into an attachment. Since a strong bond with animals might not be the same as a secure attachment, we advise to modify human attachment instruments, in order to effectively study children’s attachment to companion animals. Lastly, research designs that are able to investigate the causality of the relationship between the child-companion animal bond and psychosocial health are required.
The role of emotions in educational processes: the conceptions of teacher educators
Authors: Bachler Rodolfo , Segovia-Lagos Pablo , Porras Camila
Published: June 2023

The research shows that a very important part of initial teacher education is to reformulate the beliefs that student teachers bring with them from their school experience. These beliefs, which are intuitive in nature, deal with different educational topics and one area that is currently of great importance, due to the emotional turn that the educational system is experiencing, are the beliefs that student teachers hold about the role of emotions in educational processes. In a world full of views that portray emotions as discrete states that are separate from cognitive processes, it is a priority for initial teacher development to train future teachers to hold conceptions that consider the deep emotional-cognitive integration that exists in the human brain. At the same time, this process requires teacher educators (hereafter referred to as TEs) who hold conceptions on this topic that are aligned with the most current scientific knowledge on the subject. However, we do not know how the conceptions that TEs maintain on this topic are, since, until now, research on conceptions has focused on other types of educational topics. Considering the foregoing, this study aimed to evaluate the conceptions that TEs have on this topic, using a questionnaire of dilemmas that was applied to 68 TEs from different universities. The results obtained show that the TEs maintain perspectives on the role of emotions in the teaching and learning processes that oscillate between dualism and emotional-cognitive integration. In addition, it was found that TEs’ perspectives tend to be more integrative when considering attitudinal learning than when considering verbal learning. Finally, the study shows that maintaining integrative perspectives is more difficult when educational situations involve emotions of positive valence that may constitute an obstacle for teaching and learning. The results are discussed, and a series of reflections are elaborated in order to analyze to what extent the beliefs held by TEs are adequate as a cognitive basis for reformulating the conceptions held by student teachers on this issue.
What happens when a whole-school health promotion research trial ends? a case study of the SEHER program in India
Authors: Shinde Sachin , Raniti Monika , Sharma Amit , Sawyer Susan M.
Published: June 2023

Background

Health promotion interventions that are developed and evaluated by researchers and other external providers are at risk of not being sustained beyond the initial implementation period. When delivered by a lay school health worker, the SEHER study of a whole-school health promotion intervention in Bihar, India was found to be feasible, acceptable and effective in improving school climate and student health behaviors. The objective of this case study is to describe the decision-making processes, barriers, and enablers to continuing the SEHER intervention following its official closure.

Methods

For this exploratory qualitative case study, data were collected from four government-run secondary schools, two of which continued SEHER and two of which discontinued it after official closure. Thirteen school staff were interviewed, and 100 girls and boys (aged 15–18  years old) participated in eight focus groups discussing their experiences of the process of continuing the intervention (or discontinuing) following its official closure. Thematic analysis was conducted in NVivo 12 using grounded theory.

Results

No school sustained the intervention as originally delivered in the research trial. In two schools, the intervention was adapted by selecting sustainable components, whereas in two others it was discontinued altogether. We identified four interrelated themes that explained the complex decision-making process, barriers, and enablers related to program continuation: (1) understanding of the intervention philosophy among school staff; (2) school capabilities to continue with intervention activities; (3) school attitudes and motivation about implementing the intervention, and; (4) the education policy environment and governance structures. Suggestions for overcoming barriers included adequate resource allocation; training, supervision, and support from external providers and the Ministry of Education; and formal government approval to continue the intervention.

Conclusion

Sustaining this whole-school health promotion intervention in low-resource school settings in India depended on individual, school and government factors as well as external support. These findings suggest that health interventions will not necessarily become embedded in a school’s operations merely because they are designed as a whole-school approach or because they are effective. Research should identify the resources and processes required to balance planning for future sustainability while awaiting trial results about an intervention’s effectiveness.
Shared genetics and causal relationships between major depressive disorder and COVID-19 related traits: a large-scale genome-wide cross-trait meta-analysis
Authors: Li Ziqi , Dang Weijia , Hao Tianqi , Zhang Hualin , Yao Ziwei , Zhou Wenchao , Deng Liufei , Yu Hongmei , Wen Yalu , Liu Long
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The comorbidity between major depressive disorder (MDD) and coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) related traits have long been identified in clinical settings, but their shared genetic foundation and causal relationships are unknown. Here, we investigated the genetic mechanisms behind COVID-19 related traits and MDD using the cross-trait meta-analysis, and evaluated the underlying causal relationships between MDD and 3 different COVID-19 outcomes (severe COVID-19, hospitalized COVID-19, and COVID-19 infection).

Methods

In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis using the most up-to-date and publicly available GWAS summary statistics to explore shared genetic etiology and the causality between MDD and COVID-19 outcomes. We first used genome-wide cross-trait meta-analysis to identify the pleiotropic genomic SNPs and the genes shared by MDD and COVID-19 outcomes, and then explore the potential bidirectional causal relationships between MDD and COVID-19 outcomes by implementing a bidirectional MR study design. We further conducted functional annotations analyses to obtain biological insight for shared genes from the results of cross-trait meta-analysis.

Results

We have identified 71 SNPs located on 25 different genes are shared between MDD and COVID-19 outcomes. We have also found that genetic liability to MDD is a causal factor for COVID-19 outcomes. In particular, we found that MDD has causal effect on severe COVID-19 (OR = 1.832, 95% CI = 1.037–3.236) and hospitalized COVID-19 (OR = 1.412, 95% CI = 1.021–1.953). Functional analysis suggested that the shared genes are enriched in Cushing syndrome, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction.

Discussion

Our findings provide convincing evidence on shared genetic etiology and causal relationships between MDD and COVID-19 outcomes, which is crucial to prevention, and therapeutic treatment of MDD and COVID-19.
Treatment-associated mRNA co-expression changes in monocytes of patients with posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Kumsta Robert , Zang Johannes C. S. , Hummel Elisabeth M. , Müller Svenja , Moser Dirk A. , Herpertz Stephan , Kessler Henrik
Published: June 2023

PTSD is a prevalent mental disorder that results from exposure to extreme and stressful life events and comes at high costs for both the individual and society. Therapeutic treatment presents the best way to deal with PTSD-the mechanisms underlying change after treatment, however, remain poorly understood. While stress and immune associated gene expression changes have been associated with PTSD development, studies investigating treatment effects at the molecular level so far tended to focus on DNA methylation. Here we use gene-network analysis on whole-transcriptome RNA-Seq data isolated from CD14+ monocytes of female PTSD patients (N = 51) to study pre-treatment signatures of therapy response and therapy-related changes at the level of gene expression. Patients who exhibited significant symptom improvement after therapy showed higher baseline expression in two modules involved in inflammatory processes (including notable examples IL1R2 and FKBP5) and blood coagulation. After therapy, expression of an inflammatory module was increased, and expression of a wound healing module was decreased. This supports findings reporting an association between PTSD and dysregulations of the inflammatory and the hemostatic system and mark both as potentially treatment sensitive.
A pilot study on improvements in attention function in major depressive disorder after 12 weeks of escitalopram monotherapy or combined treatment with agomelatine
Authors: Li Zhe , Wu Ting-Ting , Xiong Yi-Ting , Zhang Xin-Yang , Bao Yan-Ping , Guo Li-Bo , Han Bao-Jie , Li Su-Xia , Wang Yu-Feng , Lu Lin , Wang Xue-Qin
Published: June 2023

Objective

This study aimed to explore both impairments in attention function in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and the efficacy of escitalopram monotherapy or combination therapy with agomelatine.

Methods

A total of 54 patients with MDD and 46 healthy controls (HCs) were included. Patients were treated with escitalopram for 12 weeks; those who presented with severe sleep impairments were also given agomelatine. Participants were evaluated using the Attention Network Test (ANT), which included tests of alerting, orienting, and executive control networks. Concentration, instantaneous memory, and resistance to information interference were tested using the digit span test, and the logical memory test (LMT) was used to evaluate abstract logical thinking. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale−17 items, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to assess depression, anxiety, and sleep quality, respectively. Patients with MDD were assessed at the end of weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12. HCs were assessed once at baseline.

Results

Compared with HCs, patients with MDD showed significantly different alerting, orienting, and executive control functions of attention networks. Treatment with escitalopram alone or combined with agomelatine significantly improved LMT scores at the end of weeks 4, 8, and 12 and restored scores to the level of HCs at the end of week 8. Total Toronto Hospital Test of Alertness scores in patients with MDD increased significantly after 4 weeks of treatment. The ANT executive control reaction time in patients with MDD decreased significantly after 4 weeks of treatment, with this decrease lasting until the end of week 12, but scores did not return to the levels of HCs. Combined treatment with escitalopram and agomelatine led to more improvement in ANT orienting reaction time and was accompanied by a greater reduction of total scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale−17 items and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale compared with escitalopram monotherapy.

Conclusions

Patients with MDD showed overall impairments in three domains of attention networks as well as the LMT and a test of subjective alertness. Escitalopram monotherapy significantly improved the LMT scores and the executive control function scores in the ANT at the end of the fourth week of treatment, and the improvement was more extensive with combined escitalopram and agomelatine treatment.
Dog-assisted interventions for adults diagnosed with schizophrenia and related disorders: a systematic review
Authors: Tyssedal Malene Kalsnes , Johnsen Erik , Brønstad Aurora , Skrede Silje
Published: June 2023

Background

Many individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and related disorders experience insufficient symptom relief from currently available treatment options. Researching additional venues should be prioritized. This systematic review, designed in accordance with PRISMA, examined the effect of targeted and structured dog-assisted interventions as a supplementary treatment.

Methods

Randomized as well as non-randomized studies were included. Systematic searches were conducted in APA PsycInfo, AMED, CENTRAL, Cinahl, Embase, Medline, Web of Science, and in several sources covering “gray” (unpublished) literature. In addition, forward and backward citation searches were performed. A narrative synthesis was conducted. Quality of evidence and risk of bias were assessed in accordance with GRADE and RoB2/ROBINS-I criteria.

Results

12 publications from 11 different studies met eligibility criteria. Overall, studies showed diverging results. General psychopathology, positive and negative symptoms of psychosis, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, self-determination, lower body strength, social function, and quality of life were among the outcome measures with significant improvement. Most documentation for significant improvement was found for positive symptoms. One study indicated significant deterioration of non-personal social behavior. The risk of bias was high or serious for most of the outcome measures. Three outcome measures were associated with some concerns regarding risk of bias, and three with low risk of bias. Quality of evidence was graded low or very low for all outcome measures.

Conclusions

The included studies indicate potential effects of dog-assisted interventions for adults diagnosed with schizophrenia and related disorders, mostly beneficial. Nevertheless, low number of participants, heterogeneity, and risk of bias complicate the interpretation of results. Carefully designed randomized controlled trials are needed to determine causality between interventions and treatment effects.
Development and evaluation of a COVID tracking system to support provision of social service in Wyandotte County, Kansas
Authors: Wexler Catherine , Dixon Katelyn Sanner , Oyowe Kevin , Lapke Brooke , Conner Hannah , Shoemaker Hailey , Corriveau Erin , Greiner Allen , Finocchario-Kessler Sarah
Published: June 2023

Background

In addition to the state-mandated case investigation and contact tracing, the Unified Government Public Health Department of Wyandotte County, Kansas implemented social support services for COVID-19 cases and contacts; however, did not have the systems in place to document the provision of these services. Our team worked with the health department to develop and implement the COVID Tracking System (CTS), an eHealth system that linked multiple involved teams. Here, we describe the development and evaluation of the CTS. The objective of this manuscript is to describe and evaluate the development and implementation process of the Covid Tracking System.

Methods

Drawing from concepts of user-centered design, we took a 4-phase approach to development: understanding context, specifying needs, designing solutions, and evaluating. A mixed-methods evaluation of the development and implementation process using RE-AIM was conducted. Quantitative CTS data captured between February 1, 2021, and September 30, 2021 were exported. Descriptive statistics were calculated for categorical variables and means (SD, range) or median (IQR) for continuous variables. Qualitative discussions with key users supplemented the quantitative data.

Results

There were 1,152 cases entered into the CTS, of whom 307 (26.6%) requested a letter be sent to their workplace to excuse them during their quarantine period, 817 (70.9%) requested and had food and cleaning supplies delivered, 21 (1.8%) requested guidance on applying for federal assistance, and 496 (43.1%) requested to be contacted by a community health worker. While a few technical glitches slowed down early implementation, these were quickly resolved and key users felt that the CTS streamlined client referral and simplified their workflow, allowing them to spend more time on patient care and follow up, rather than documentation. After study implementation ended, the Unified Government Public Health Department of Wyandotte County continued using the CTS for client tracing and follow up.

Discussion

This project provides a roadmap of how user centered design can be applied to the development and evaluation of eHealth software to support program intervention implementation, even in situations where urgent action is needed.
Latent classes and related predictors of demand for home-and community-based integrated care for older Chinese adults
Authors: Wang Zhenyu , Liu Zhihan
Published: June 2023

Background

Home-and community-based integrated care has been developing rapidly in China in recent years. However, empirical research on the demand from older people is insufficient. Most studies have failed to identify or differentiate the heterogeneity of older people, resulting in poor understanding of their needs and fragmentation of services. This study seeks to identify latent classes of demand for home-and community-based integrated care among older Chinese adults and the predictors that differentiate these demands.

Methods

From January to March 2021, a questionnaire was administered to older people (aged ≥60 years) in community-based service centers for older people in six districts of Changsha City, Hunan Province. Participants were selected through purposive and incidental sampling. Latent profile analysis was used to categorize older people’s demand for home-and community-based integrated care. By extending Andersen’s behavioral model of health service use, and running multinomial logistic regression analyses, we explored which factors influenced the latent classes of demand.

Results

A total of 382 older people were included in the analyses: 64.4% were women and 33.5% were aged 80–89. The demand from older people for home-and community-based integrated care was classified into four latent classes: high health and social interaction demand (30% – 115/382); high comprehensive demand (23% – 88/382); high care service demand (26% – 100/382), and high social participation and low care demand (21% – 79/382). Taking this last class as the reference group, the other three latent classes differed significantly in the factors of predisposition, enabling, need, and perception of aging.

Conclusion

The demand from older people for home-and community-based integrated care is multifaceted and heterogeneous. Services for older people should be designed with different sub-models of integrated care.
Identifying risk factors affecting exercise behavior among overweight or obese individuals in China
Authors: Shengyu Guo , Liu Feiyue , Wu Qinghua
Published: June 2023

Background

The disease burden caused by obesity has increased significantly in China. Less than 30% of those who are obese meet the weekly physical activity standards recommended by the WHO. Risk factors that influence exercise behavior in people with obesity remain unclear.

Methods

Based on the survey from the Chinese General Social Survey program (CGSS) in 2017, 3,331 subjects were identified and enrolled in the univariate and multiple probit regression models. We aimed to identify the association between SRH and the exercise behavior of obese people and further explore the influencing factors of active physical activity in this group of people.

Results

The proportion of active physical activity in obese people was 25%. Groups with better SRH, higher education and income were more likely to participate in sports. Obese people who lived in rural areas, were unmarried or divorced, or fell within the age range of 35–40 had a significantly lower percentage of engagement in active physical activity.

Conclusions

The proportion of people with obesity who meet the WHO recommendation for physical activity in China is not ideal. Health promotion programs for those who are obese need to be further strengthened and targeted, especially for rural areas, low-income families, and middle-aged obese people.
The spatial effects of rural toilet retrofitting investment on farmers' medical and health expenditure in China
Authors: Zheng Xin , Yang Fu-Xia , Fan Dong-Shou , Yang Zao-Ning
Published: June 2023

Background

China stretches across a vast area, and different geographical environments and economic and social development conditions, along with learning imitation and factor flow among participants can lead to two major spatial characteristics of toilet retrofitting investment: spatial heterogeneity and spatial correlation.

Methods

This study contributes to explore this topic by assessing the spatial heterogeneity and spatial correlation of toilet retrofitting investment on farmers' medical and health expenditure based on the spatial econometric model.

Results

(1) There are significant spatial agglomeration characteristics of both the toilet retrofitting investment and farmers' medical and health expenditure in China. (2) At the national level, the rural toilet retrofitting investment will influence the farmers' medical and health expenditure, and the effect on the local area is greater than on the surrounding areas. (3) After taking into account the differences in natural geographical environment and social and economic development, China is divided into four regions: east, central, west and northeast. In terms of spatial effects within different regions, the intensity of the impact of toilet retrofitting investment on local farmers' medical and health expenditure is in the order of central > eastern > western > northeast. The improvement of people's livelihood in the eastern and central regions by toilet retrofitting investment would lead to imitation by surrounding regions, thus reflecting spillover effects, while in the western region, toilet retrofitting investment would trigger fierce competition in related industries and factor markets, manifesting the competition effect. (4) As for the spatial effects across different regions, the toilet retrofitting investment produces spillover effects in all four regions, among which the intensity of the influence effect is the greatest in the central-western region, followed by the west-northeast, and the influence effect in the east-west is not significant.

Discussion

The comprehensive promotion of rural toilet retrofitting should not only focus on investment in the western and northeastern regions, but also strengthen regional communication and cooperation to improve rural residents' health and quality of life.
The outbreak of the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian war: mental health of poles and their attitude to refugees
Authors: Babicki Mateusz , Kowalski Krzysztof , Mastalerz-Migas Agnieszka
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian war on 24 February 2022 has sparked a migration crisis in Europe. As a result, Poland has emerged as the country with the highest number of refugees. Due to differing social and political sentiments, this has been a significant challenge for the hitherto mono-ethnic Polish society.

Methods

Computer-assisted web interviews (CAWIs) were conducted with 505 Poles, mainly women with higher education from large urban centers, involved in helping refugees. Their attitudes toward refugees were assessed using an original questionnaire, while their mental health was also evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28).

Results

The vast majority of respondents reported favorable attitudes toward refugees from Ukraine. In addition, 79.2% believed refugees should be given free access to medical care, and 85% supported free access to education for migrants. Nearly 60% of respondents were not worried about their financial status due to the crisis; moreover, 40% believed that immigrants could boost the Polish economy. And 64% believed it would enrich Poland culturally. However, the majority of respondents feared infectious diseases and believed migrants should be vaccinated according to the vaccination schedule applicable in the country. Fear of war correlated positively with fear of refugees. On the GHQ-28, almost half of the respondents scored above clinical significance. Higher scores were typical for women and those fearing war and refugees.

Conclusion

Polish society has shown a tolerant attitude in the face of the migration crisis. The vast majority of respondents showed positive attitudes toward refugees from Ukraine. The ongoing war in Ukraine has a negative impact on the mental health of Poles, which correlates with their attitude toward refugees.
COVID-19 burden differed by city districts and ethnicities during the pre-vaccination era in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Authors: Bachour Yara , Wynberg Elke , Coyer Liza , Buster Marcel , Schreijer Anja , van Duijnhoven Yvonne T. H. P. , van Dam Alje P. , Prins Maria , Leenstra Tjalling
Published: June 2023

Background

During the first wave of COVID-19 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, a disproportional number of COVID-19 hospitalizations occurred in individuals with an ethnic minority background and in individuals living in city districts with a lower socioeconomic status (SES). In this study, we assessed whether these disparities continued throughout the second wave, when SARS-CoV-2 testing was available to anyone with symptoms but prior to the availability of COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods

Surveillance data on all notified SARS-CoV-2 cases in Amsterdam between 15 June 2020 and 20 January 2021 were matched to municipal registration data to obtain the migration background of cases. Crude and directly age- and sex-standardized rates (DSR) of confirmed cases, hospitalizations, and deaths per 100,000 population were calculated overall, and by city districts, and migration backgrounds. Rate differences (RD) and rate ratios (RR) were calculated to compare DSR between city districts and migration backgrounds. We used multivariable Poisson regression to assess the association of city districts, migration backgrounds, age, and sex with rates of hospitalization.

Results

A total of 53,584 SARS-CoV-2 cases (median age 35 years [IQR = 25–74]) were notified, of whom 1,113 (2.1%) were hospitalized and 297 (0.6%) deceased. DSR of notified infections, hospitalization, and deaths per 100,000 population were higher in lower SES peripheral city districts (South-East/North/New-West) than higher SES central districts (Central/West/South/East), with almost a 2-fold higher hospitalization DSR in peripheral compared to central districts (RR = 1.86, 95%CI = 1.74–1.97). Individuals with a non-European migration background also had a higher COVID-19 burden, particularly with respect to hospitalization rates, with a 4.5-fold higher DSR for individuals with a non-European background compared to ethnic-Dutch (RR 4.51, 95%CI = 4.37–4.65). City districts, migration backgrounds, male gender, and older age were independently associated with COVID-19 hospitalization rates.

Discussion

Individuals with a non-European background and individuals living in city districts with lower SES continued to independently have the highest COVID-19 burden in the second wave of COVID-19 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
New Orleans’ school meals distribution in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: operational details and geographic coverage
Authors: Chaparro M. Pia , French Jacob , Creveling Kristine , Ennin Naana , Numa Tiffany , Knapp Megan
Published: June 2023

Introduction

To facilitate continuation of school feeding during COVID-19 school lockdowns, U.S. Congress authorized waivers to allow for school meals to be picked up by parents/guardians in non-school settings. We summarized school meals distribution and characterized reach in socially vulnerable neighborhoods in New Orleans, a city prone to environmental disasters, with a city-wide charter school system, and historically high levels of child poverty and food insecurity.

Methods

School meals operations data were obtained from New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA) Public Schools for 3/16/2020–5/31/2020. For each pick-up location, we estimated: average meals available (weekly), average meals served (weekly), number of weeks of operation, and rate of meal pick-up ([meals served/meals available]*100). These characteristics were mapped in QGIS v3.28.3, along with neighborhoods’ Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). Pearson correlation and ANOVA were run to assess differences between operations characteristics and neighborhood SVI.

Results

From 38 meal sites, 884,929 meals were available for pick-up; 74% of pick-up sites were in moderately/highly socially vulnerable areas. Correlations between average meals available and served, weeks of operation, rate of meal pick-up, and SVI were weak and not statistically significant. SVI was associated with average rate of meal pick-up but not other operations characteristics.

Discussion

Despite the disaggregated nature of the charter school system, NOLA Public Schools successfully pivoted to providing children with pick-up meals due to COVID-19 lockdowns, with 74% of sites located in socially vulnerable neighborhoods. Future studies should describe the types of meals provided to students during COVID-19, in terms of diet quality and nutrient adequacy.
The mental health of rural older adults: the role of the built environment in Jintang County
Authors: Liang Ping , Wang Yan , Wang Tong
Published: June 2023

The mental health of older adults has become one of the major health challenges facing society today, which has attracted wide concerns from scholars in urban areas, but research in rural areas has been neglected. Therefore, this paper took rural older adult residents of 11 sample villages in Jintang County, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, as the research object. After controlling the demographic characteristics of older adults in rural areas, this paper attempted to explore the effects of the rural built Environment on the mental health of older adults. Through field investigation in the sample villages, 515 valid questionnaires were obtained. The results from the Binary Logistic Regression Model show that good marital status, physical health, education level, well-constructed roads, and safe neighborhoods had significant positive effects on the mental health of rural older adults. Rural older adults who prefer to walk, cycle, and use public transport have better mental health, and accessibility to the periodic market, health station, bus station, village committee, supermarket, and the main road is positively correlated with the mental health of rural older adults, while the distance from home to the town center and coach terminal has a significant negative impact on the mental health of rural older adults. The research results provide a theoretical reference for further construction of rural aging environments.
Development of gambling disorder after bariatric surgery: a call for research
Authors: Abdul Rahim Yassir , Fernandez-Aranda Fernando , Jimenez-Murcia Susana , Håkansson Anders
Published: June 2023

The relationship between bariatric surgery and alcohol use disorder (AUD) suggests that there may be a parallel connection between bariatric surgery and gambling disorder (GD), although this has never been researched before. Here, we describe observations suggesting that patients undergoing bariatric surgery may develop gambling disorders after surgery. Obese, older adults, and women may be at particular risk of developing GD because of their higher susceptibility to somatic comorbidities. We call for research addressing factors affecting the development of GD in patients undergoing bariatric surgery and how this could be prevented.
Identifying stakeholder priorities in use of wearable cameras for researching parent-child interactions
Authors: Skinner Andy , Costantini Ilaria , Stone Chris , Darios James , Gray Mike , Culpin Iryna , Pearson Rebecca M.
Published: June 2023

Wearable Cameras (WCs) enable researchers to capture objective descriptions of what participants see and experience as they go about their normal lives. When studying interactions between individuals (e.g. between a parent and child), using multiple WCs can provide highly detailed descriptions of interactions with levels of ecological validity not possible with other methods. However, the use of WCs brings challenges too, and understanding these is key to developing and optimising these methods. We captured the challenges experienced by a variety of stakeholders, namely parents and a range of different researcher roles (academics, field-workers and data processors) involved in a large UK study exploring parent-child interactions using low-cost, off-the-shelf WCs. High among the challenges identified were difficulties caused when subjects are temporarily not in view in the video footage captured. This and other factors identified were used as criteria to select a new, improved WC. The new WCs reduced the time faces were not in view by 75%. We report this and the other challenges identified, and suggest how these can be used to guide and help optimise future studies of this kind.
Six domains of health: a practical approach to identifying priorities in dementia care
Authors: Sadak Tatiana , Borson Soo
Published: June 2023

Background

High-quality healthcare for people living with dementia encompasses both patients and care partners (CPs). A framework populated with simple assessment tools is needed to deconstruct this complexity into actionable domains that inform assessment and care planning for individuals and dyads, help differentiate care team roles, and can more fully estimate true population burden in health and social care systems.

Design

Researchers used a cross-sectional mixed-methods descriptive study to illustrate the use of an inductive Six Domain framework and simple assessment tools in a sample of dyads selected for complexity.

Setting

Data was collected from three university-affiliated hospitals with a shared electronic medical record (EMR).

Participants

Eighty-eight CPs for people living with dementia (care recipients) newly discharged home after an acute medical hospitalization participated.

Measures

Care recipients' outpatient and inpatient diagnoses, medications, and care were extracted from the EMR. CPs completed an in-home semi-structured interview and study measures. Data were sorted into six domains: three care recipient-focused domains (cognition, emotion/behavior, general and functional health); a single CP-focused domain (mood, cognition, stress, and self-rated health); a health-related social needs domain (enrollment of persons with dementia in low-income insurance, CP-reported financial strain); and a care delivery domain (CP-reported engagement with clinicians in care recipients' care planning, and match between CP-reported knowledge of care recipients' medical care needs and medical records).

Results

As expected, all people living with dementia had significant cognitive, neurobehavioral, and medical complexity requiring extensive oversight and management at home. Over a third of CPs reported high stress, depression, or anxiety. A fifth screened positive for one or more indicators of poor health, cognitive impairment, and/or health-related social needs. CP reports and care recipients' medical records were discordant for chronic conditions in 68% of cases and for prescribed medications in 44%. In 85% of cases, there were gaps in indicators of CP-clinician collaboration in care management.

Conclusion and relevance

The Six Domains of Health framework captures a broad array of challenges that are relevant to providing comprehensive dyadic care and setting individualized health and social care priorities. With further study, it could provide conceptual scaffolding for comparative population research and more equitable, fully integrated pathways for care.
Barriers and facilitators to implementation of developmental screening and early intervention in Canadian organizations following completion of a training and coaching model: a thematic analysis
Authors: Peterson-Katz Karys , Piccone Caitlin , Tuzi Nicole , Kulkarni Chaya , Reynolds James N.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Developmental delay affects approximately 1 in 4 children under 6 years old. Developmental delay can be detected using validated developmental screening tools, such as the Ages and Stages Questionnaires. Following developmental screening, early intervention can occur to address and support any developmental areas of concern. Frontline practitioners and supervisors must be trained and coached to organizationally implement developmental screening tools and early intervention practice. No prior work has qualitatively investigated the barriers and facilitators to implementing developmental screening and early intervention in Canadian organizations from the perspectives of practitioners and supervisors who have completed a specialized training and coaching model.

Methods and Results

Following semi-structured interviews with frontline practitioners and supervisors, thematic analysis identified four themes: cohesive networks support implementation efforts, implementation success is dependent on shared perspectives, established organizational policies increase implementation opportunities, and COVID-19 guidelines create organizational challenges. Each theme encompasses sub-themes that describe implementation facilitators: strong implementation context, multi-level multi-sectoral collaborative partnerships, adequate and collective awareness, knowledge, and confidence, consistent and critical conversations, clear protocols and procedures, and accessibility to information, tools, and best practice guidelines.

Discussion

The outlined barriers and facilitators fill a gap in implementation literature by informing a framework for organization-level implementation of developmental screening and early intervention following training and coaching.
Does a robot’s gaze aversion affect human gaze aversion?
Authors: Mishra Chinmaya , Offrede Tom , Fuchs Susanne , Mooshammer Christine , Skantze Gabriel
Published: June 2023

Gaze cues serve an important role in facilitating human conversations and are generally considered to be one of the most important non-verbal cues. Gaze cues are used to manage turn-taking, coordinate joint attention, regulate intimacy, and signal cognitive effort. In particular, it is well established that gaze aversion is used in conversations to avoid prolonged periods of mutual gaze. Given the numerous functions of gaze cues, there has been extensive work on modelling these cues in social robots. Researchers have also tried to identify the impact of robot gaze on human participants. However, the influence of robot gaze behavior on human gaze behavior has been less explored. We conducted a within-subjects user study (N = 33) to verify if a robot’s gaze aversion influenced human gaze aversion behavior. Our results show that participants tend to avert their gaze more when the robot keeps staring at them as compared to when the robot exhibits well-timed gaze aversions. We interpret our findings in terms of intimacy regulation: humans try to compensate for the robot’s lack of gaze aversion.