bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Racial disparities in diabetes prevalence among cancer patients
Authors: Ashing Kimlin Tam , Song Gaole , Jones Veronica , Brenner Charles , Samoa Raynald
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Cancer inequity is one of the most critical public health issues faced by ethnic minorities and people of lower socioeconomic status. The disparate burden of cancer is caused by poor access to care and inadequate delivery of cancer treatment, as well as comorbid and co-occurring conditions. Diabetes is a common and serious comorbid condition of cancer.

Methods

To better understand diabetes prevalence among diverse cancer patients, this study analyzed and described characteristics of cancer patients with diabetes from local-level Service Planning Area (SPA) data using City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center data, and United States national-level data from The National Health Interview Survey.

Results

Findings from national level data showed that patients in racial/ethnic minority groups had a higher occurrence of being diagnosed with diabetes, especially for non-Hispanic Blacks (OR=1.76, 95% CI=1.51, 2.03) and Hispanic/Latino individuals (OR=1.34, 95% CI=1.18, 1.52). Cancer patients who are older, ethnic minority, overweight/obese and with lower educational levels were more likely to have co-occurring diabetes. SPA-level patient data found similar results.

Discussion

In response to our findings and other reports, clinicians and health system including health coverage organizations should routinely assess cancer patients for cooccurring chronic illnesses, in particular diabetes. Interventions improving coordinated care that integrates oncology, endocrinology and primary care, targeting cancer patients --especially racial/ethnic minorities, overweight/obese, and older patients who are at increased risk for diabetes -- ought to be considered as best practice Whole Person care. With coordinated care management, ethnic disparities in cancer may be better addressed and reduced. Additionally, policymakers can contribute by enacting policies improving access to and coverage of integrated oncology, chronic disease prevention, and associated specialty care i.e., endocrinology to equalize quality care for ethnic minority, lower educated, overweight/obese and older cancer patients who are more likely to suffer greater comorbidity, and inadequate oncology and coordinated care to reduce disparities.
Efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization plus sorafenib in patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation
Authors: Zhang Xia , Cai Lirong , Fang Jian , Chen Fengsui , Pan Fan , Zhang Kun , Huang Qian , Huang Yuju , Li Dongliang , Lv Lizhi , Chen Man , Yan Ruiying , Lai Yanhua , Peng Yonghai , Wu Zhixian
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To explore the benefit and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in combination with sorafenib in patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

Methods

In this multi-center retrospective study, 106 patients with recurrent HCC after OLT were included. Fifty-two patients were treated with TACE plus sorafenib (TS group) and 54 were treated with TACE alone (TC group). Primary and secondary endpoints including overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and safety were assessed.

Results

The median OS (17 vs 10 months, P=0.035) and PFS (12 vs 6 months, P=0.004) in the TS group were longer than those in the TC group. On multivariate analysis, BCLC stage (HR [hazard ratio]=0.73 [95% CI, 0.27–0.99], P=0.036) and sorafenib medication (HR=2.26 [95% CI, 1.35–3.69], P=0.01) were identified as independent prognostic risk factors for OS. No severe adverse events related to sorafenib were noted in the TS group. Four patients discontinued sorafenib due to intolerance.

Conclusion

TACE in combination with sorafenib is a feasible regimen to improve the survival with mild toxicity in patients with recurrent HCC after OLT.
Clinical feasibility of miniaturized Lissajous scanning confocal laser endomicroscopy for indocyanine green-enhanced brain tumor diagnosis
Authors: Hong Duk Hyun , Kim Jang Hun , Won Jae-Kyung , Kim Hyungsin , Kim Chayeon , Park Kyung-Jae , Hwang Kyungmin , Jeong Ki-Hun , Kang Shin-Hyuk
Published: January 2023

Background

Intraoperative real-time confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is an alternative modality for frozen tissue histology that enables visualization of the cytoarchitecture of living tissues with spatial resolution at the cellular level. We developed a new CLE with a “Lissajous scanning pattern” and conducted a study to identify its feasibility for fluorescence-guided brain tumor diagnosis.

Materials and methods

Conventional hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) histological images were compared with indocyanine green (ICG)-enhanced CLE images in two settings (1): experimental study with in vitro tumor cells and ex vivo glial tumors of mice, and (2) clinical evaluation with surgically resected human brain tumors. First, CLE images were obtained from cultured U87 and GL261 glioma cells. Then, U87 and GL261 tumor cells were implanted into the mouse brain, and H&E staining was compared with CLE images of normal and tumor tissues ex vivo. To determine the invasion of the normal brain, two types of patient-derived glioma cells (CSC2 and X01) were used for orthotopic intracranial tumor formation and compared using two methods (CLE vs. H&E staining). Second, in human brain tumors, tissue specimens from 69 patients were prospectively obtained after elective surgical resection and were also compared using two methods, namely, CLE and H&E staining. The comparison was performed by an experienced neuropathologist.

Results

When ICG was incubated in vitro, U87 and GL261 cell morphologies were well-defined in the CLE images and depended on dimethyl sulfoxide. Ex vivo examination of xenograft glioma tissues revealed dense and heterogeneous glioma cell cores and peritumoral necrosis using both methods. CLE images also detected invasive tumor cell clusters in the normal brain of the patient-derived glioma xenograft model, which corresponded to H&E staining. In human tissue specimens, CLE images effectively visualized the cytoarchitecture of the normal brain and tumors. In addition, pathognomonic microstructures according to tumor subtype were also clearly observed. Interestingly, in gliomas, the cellularity of the tumor and the density of streak-like patterns were significantly associated with tumor grade in the CLE images. Finally, panoramic view reconstruction was successfully conducted for visualizing a gross tissue morphology.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the newly developed CLE with Lissajous laser scanning can be a helpful intraoperative device for the diagnosis, detection of tumor-free margins, and maximal safe resection of brain tumors.
Association of screen exposure with psychosocial problems in primary school students
Authors: Hu Zedan , Bi Sitong , Wang Wei , Liu Chunjing , Li Lihua
Published: January 2023

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the current status of screen exposure and the factors related to screen exposure in primary school students and explore the relationship between screen exposure and psychosocial problems, which may provide evidence for the scientific use of electronic products and psychological interventions used in these children.

Methods

The parents of 811 primary school students aged 6–12 years received a questionnaire survey in Beijing between January 13 and January 16, 2022. The demographic data and daily screen exposure time were collected, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) about their children was administered online.

Results

In 793 students, the average daily screen exposure of <2 h and ≥2 h was noted in 75.0% and 25% of patients, respectively. The mobile phone was the main medium for screen exposure (40.9%). The family’s economic level, parental relationship, and main supervisor were related to screen exposure time (χ2 = 44.8,14.5 and 12.4, P < 0.05). A low family economic level with a monthly income not meeting the basic living needs, poor parental relationship, and an elderly person responsible for supervision were related to increased screen exposure time. The abnormal emotional and behavioral symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity inattention, peer communication, prosocial behaviors, and a total difficulties score were found in 11.6%, 9.8%, 15.3%, 22.1%, 6.8%, and 13.4% of children, respectively. Excessive screen exposure was related to peer interaction and prosocial behaviors (χ2 = 12.18 and 7.76, P < 0.05). The children with excessive screen exposure were more likely to have abnormal peer interaction (χ2 = 12.09, P = 0.001) and prosocial behaviors (χ2 = 7.76, P = 0.005). Excessive screen exposure was a risk factor for peer interaction problems (P < 0.05).

Discussion

In conclusion, the detection rate of excessive screen exposure is higher in primary school students, which is related to the family’s economic level, parental relationship, and main supervisor. Excessive screen exposure is harmful to the psychosocial health of these children, which is characterized by abnormal peer intercommunion and prosocial behaviors. More attention should be paid to screen exposure time in primary school students.
Ferroptosis as a therapeutic target for inflammation-related intestinal diseases
Authors: Zhang Xiaoli , Ma Yiming , Lv Guoqing , Wang Hongying
Published: January 2023

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent programmed cell death characterized by reactive oxygen species-induced lipid peroxidation and resultant membrane damage. Recent research has elucidated the mechanism of ferroptosis and investigated the relationship between ferroptosis and various diseases, including degenerative diseases, cancer, and inflammation. Ferroptosis is associated with inflammation-related intestinal diseases such as colitis and colitis-associated cancer. New insights into the role of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of inflammation-related gut diseases have suggested novel therapeutic targets. In this review, we summarize current information on the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and describe its emerging role and therapeutic potential in inflammation-related intestinal diseases.
Simulation of quantum shortcuts to adiabaticity by classical oscillators
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhang Y. N. , Liu H. D. , Sun H. Y.
Published: January 2023

It is known that the dynamics and geometric phase of a quantum system can be simulated by classical coupled oscillators using the quantum−classical mapping method without loss of physics. In this work, we show that this method can also be used to simulate the schemes of quantum shortcuts to adiabaticity, which can quickly achieve the adiabatic effect through a non-adiabatic process. By mapping quantum systems by classical oscillators, two schemes, Berry’s “transitionless quantum driving” and the Lewis−Riesenfeld invariant method, are simulated by a corresponding transitionless classical driving method, which keeps adiabatic phase trajectories and acquires Hannay’s angle and the classical Lewis−Riesenfeld invariant method by manipulating the configurations of classical coupled oscillators. The classical shortcuts to adiabaticity for the two coupled classical oscillators, which is the classical version of a spin-1/2 in a magnetic field, is employed to illustrate our results and compared with quantum shortcuts-to-adiabaticity methods.
“iPSC-derived liver organoids and inherited bleeding disorders: Potential and future perspectives”
Authors: Roman Giacomo , Stavik Benedicte , Lauritzen Knut H. , Sandset Per Morten , Harrison Sean P. , Sullivan Gareth J. , Chollet Maria Eugenia
Published: January 2023

The bleeding phenotype of hereditary coagulation disorders is caused by the low or undetectable activity of the proteins involved in hemostasis, due to a broad spectrum of genetic alterations. Most of the affected coagulation factors are produced in the liver. Therefore, two-dimensional (2D) cultures of primary human hepatocytes and recombinant overexpression of the factors in non-human cell lines have been primarily used to mimic disease pathogenesis and as a model for innovative therapeutic strategies. However, neither human nor animal cells fully represent the hepatocellular biology and do not harbor the exact genetic background of the patient. As a result, the inability of the current in vitro models in recapitulating the in vivo situation has limited the studies of these inherited coagulation disorders. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) technology offers a possible solution to overcome these limitations by reprogramming patient somatic cells into an embryonic-like pluripotent state, thus giving the possibility of generating an unlimited number of liver cells needed for modeling or therapeutic purposes. By combining this potential and the recent advances in the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 technology, it allows for the generation of autologous and gene corrected liver cells in the form of three-dimensional (3D) liver organoids. The organoids recapitulate cellular composition and organization of the liver, providing a more physiological model to study the biology of coagulation proteins and modeling hereditary coagulation disorders. This advanced methodology can pave the way for the development of cell-based therapeutic approaches to treat inherited coagulation disorders. In this review we will explore the use of liver organoids as a state-of-the-art methodology for modeling coagulation factors disorders and the possibilities of using organoid technology to treat the disease.
The potential of lactic acid bacteria in mediating the control of plant diseases and plant growth stimulation in crop production - A mini review
Authors: Jaffar Nur Sulastri , Jawan Roslina , Chong Khim Phin
Published: January 2023

The microbial diseases cause significant damage in agriculture, resulting in major yield and quality losses. To control microbiological damage and promote plant growth, a number of chemical control agents such as pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides are available. However, the rising prevalence of chemical control agents has led to unintended consequences for agricultural quality, environmental devastation, and human health. Chemical agents are not naturally broken down by microbes and can be found in the soil and environment long after natural decomposition has occurred. As an alternative to chemical agents, biocontrol agents are employed to manage phytopathogens. Interest in lactic acid bacteria (LAB) research as another class of potentially useful bacteria against phytopathogens has increased in recent years. Due to the high level of biosafety, they possess and the processes they employ to stimulate plant growth, LAB is increasingly being recognized as a viable option. This paper will review the available information on the antagonistic and plant-promoting capabilities of LAB and its mechanisms of action as well as its limitation as BCA. This review aimed at underlining the benefits and inputs from LAB as potential alternatives to chemical usage in sustaining crop productivity.
Does integument arise de novo or from pre-existing structures? ── Insights from the key regulatory genes controlling integument development
Authors: Jiang Min , Jian Jinjing , Zhou Chengchuan , Li Linfeng , Wang Yuguo , Zhang Wenju , Song Zhiping , Yang Ji
Published: January 2023

The origin of seeds is one of the key innovations in land plant evolution. Ovules are the developmental precursors of seeds. The integument is the envelope structure surrounding the nucellus within the ovule and developing into the seed coat when ovules mature upon fertilization. The question of whether the integument arise de novo or evolve from elaboration of pre-existing structures has caused much debate. By exploring the origin and evolution of the key regulatory genes controlling integument development and their functions during both individual and historical developmental processes, we showed the widespread presence of the homologs of ANT, CUC, BEL1, SPL, C3HDZ, INO, ATS, and ETT in seedless plant genomes. All of these genes have undergone duplication-divergence events in their evolutionary history, with most of the descendant paralogous suffering motif gain and/or loss in the coding regions. Expression and functional characterization have shown that these genes are key components of the genetic program that patterns leaf-like lateral organs. Serial homology can thus be postulated between integuments and other lateral organs in terms of the shared master regulatory genes. Given that the genetic program patterning leaf-like lateral organs formed in seedless plants, and was reused during seed origin, the integument is unlikely to arise de novo but evolved from the stem segment-specific modification of pre-existing serially homologous structures. The master ‘switches’ trigging the modification to specify the integument identity remain unclear. We propose a successive transformation model of integument origin.
Heat-induced proteomic changes in anthers of contrasting rice genotypes under variable stress regimes
Authors: Kumar Ritesh , Ghatak Arindam , Goyal Isha , Sarkar Neelam K. , Weckwerth Wolfram , Grover Anil , Chaturvedi Palak
Published: January 2023

Heat stress drastically affects anther tissues resulting in poor plant fertility, necessitating an urgent need to determine the key proteome regulation associated with mature anther in response to heat stress. We identified several genotype - specific protein alterations in rice anthers of Moroberekan (Japonica, heat sensitive), IR64 (Indica, moderately heat tolerant), and Nagina22 (Aus, heat tolerant) in the short-term (ST_HS; one cycle of 42°C, 4 hours before anthesis) and long-term (LT_HS; 6 cycles of 38°C, 6 hours before anthesis) heat stress. The proteins upregulated in long-term heat stress in Nagina22 were enriched in biological processes related to unfolded protein binding and carboxylic acid metabolism, including amino acid metabolism. In short-term heat stress, Nagina22 anthers were enriched in proteins associated with vitamin E biosynthesis and GTPase activator activity. In contrast, downregulated proteins were related to ribosomal proteins. The expression of different Hsp20 and DnaJ was genotype specific. Overall, the heat response in Nagina22 was associated with its capacity for adequate metabolic control and cellular homeostasis, which may be critical for its higher reproductive thermotolerance. This study improves our understanding of thermotolerance mechanisms in rice anthers during anthesis and lays a foundation for breeding thermotolerant varieties via molecular breeding.
Senescence in dahlia flowers is regulated by a complex interplay between flower age and floret position
Authors: Casey Matthew , Marchioni Ilaria , Lear Bianca , Cort Alex P. , Baldwin Ashley , Rogers Hilary J. , Stead Anthony D.
Published: January 2023

Mechanisms regulating flower senescence are not fully understood in any species and are particularly complex in composite flowers. Dahlia (Dahlia pinnata Cav.) florets develop sequentially, hence each composite flower head includes florets of different developmental stages as the whole flower head ages. Moreover, the wide range of available cultivars enables assessment of intraspecific variation. Transcriptomes were compared amongst inner (younger) and outer (older) florets of two flower head ages to assess the effect of floret vs. flower head ageing. More gene expression, including ethylene and cytokinin pathway expression changed between inner and outer florets of older flower heads than between inner florets of younger and older flower heads. Additionally, based on Arabidopsis network analysis, different patterns of co-expressed ethylene response genes were elicited. This suggests that changes occur in young inner florets as the whole flower head ages that are different to ageing florets within a flower head. In some species floral senescence is orchestrated by the plant growth regulator ethylene. However, there is both inter and intra-species variation in its importance. There is a lack of conclusive data regarding ethylene sensitivity in dahlia. Speed of senescence progression, effects of ethylene signalling perturbation, and patterns of ethylene biosynthesis gene expression differed across three dahlia cultivars (‘Sylvia’, ‘Karma Prospero’ and ‘Onesta’) suggesting differences in the role of ethylene in their floral senescence, while effects of exogenous cytokinin were less cultivar-specific.
Twigs of dove tree in high-latitude region tend to increase biomass accumulation in vegetative organs but decrease it in reproductive organs
Authors: Liang Zhengchuan , Liu Tingting , Chen Xiaoyan , Xu Wenjuan , Dong Tingfa , Liu Qinsong , Xu Xiao
Published: January 2023

Adaptive traits are an important dimension for studying the interactions between rare plants and environment. Although the endangered mechanism of rare plants has been reported in many studies, how their twigs adapt to heterogeneous environments associated with latitude is still poorly known. Dove tree (Davidia involucrataBaill.), a monotypic rare species in China, was employed as a model species in our study, and the differences in functional traits, growth relationships and resource allocation among components of annual twig were investigated in three latitudinal regions (32°19′ N, 30°08′ and 27°55′) in the Sichuan, Southwest China. Compared with low- and middle-latitude regions, the twig diameter in high-latitude region decreased by 36% and 26%, and dry mass decreased by 32% and 35%, respectively. Moreover, there existed an allometric growth between flower mass and stem mass or leaf mass in high-latitude region but an isometric growth in low- and middle-latitude regions. At the flower level, an isometric growth between bract area and flower stalk mass was detected among in three latitudinal regions, and the flower stalk mass in the low-latitude region was higher than in the middle- and high-latitude regions for a given bract area and flower mass. At the leaf level, the growth rate of petiole mass was significantly higher than those of leaf area, lamina mass and leaf mass among three latitudinal regions, and the petiole mass in the low-latitude region was higher than in the other two regions for a given leaf mass. Our research demonstrated that the twigs of dove tree in high-latitude region tend to become smaller, and resource input increase in stems and leaves but decrease in flowers, which reflects that dove tree can adapt to the environmental changes across different latitudes by adjusting phenotypic traits growth and biomass allocation of twigs.
Application of direct PCR for phylogenetic analysis of Fusarium fujikuroi species complex isolated from rice seeds
Authors: Jeon Hosung , Kim Jung-Eun , Yang Jung-Wook , Son Hokyoung , Min Kyunghun
Published: January 2023

Plant pathogenic fungi cause severe yield losses and mycotoxin contamination in crops. The precise and rapid detection of fungal pathogens is essential for effective disease management. Sequencing universal DNA barcodes has become the standard method for the diagnosis of fungal diseases, as well as for identification and phylogenetic analysis. A major bottleneck in obtaining DNA sequence data from many samples was the laborious and time-consuming process of sample preparation for genomic DNA. Here, we describe a direct PCR approach that bypasses the DNA extraction steps to streamline the molecular identification of fungal species. Using a direct PCR approach, we successfully sequenced the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region for the representatives of major fungal lineages. To demonstrate the usefulness of this approach, we performed a phylogenetic analysis of theFusarium fujikuroispecies complex, which causes bakanae (“foolish seedling”) disease of rice and mycotoxin contamination. A total of 28 candidate strains were isolated from rice seeds in the Republic of Korea, and the identity of the isolates was determined using the DNA sequence of both ITS and translation elongation factor 1-α regions. In addition, 17 F. fujikuroiisolates were examined for fumonisin (FB) production in rice medium using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Phylogenetic and toxigenic analyses showed that theF. fujikuroistrains could be distinguished into two groups: FB producers (B14-type) and non-producers (B20-type). These results will accelerate the molecular identification of fungal pathogens and facilitate the effective management of fungal diseases.
Genome-wide association and RNA-seq analyses identify loci for pod orientation in rapeseed (Brassica napus)
Authors: Yang Yuting , Wang Wenxiang , Hu Qiong , Raman Harsh , Liu Jia
Published: January 2023

Spatial distribution and orientation of pods on the main raceme (stem) and branches could affect rapeseed yield. However, genomic regions underlying the pod orientation were not described in Brassica species. Here, we determined the extent of genetic variation in pod orientation, described as the angles of pedicel on raceme (APR) and angles of the pod on pedicel (APP) among 136 rapeseed accessions grown across three environments of the upper, middle and lower Yangtze River in China. The APR ranged from 59° to 109°, while the APP varied from 142° to 178°. Statistical analysis showed that phenotypic variation was due to genotypic (G) and environmental (E) effects. Using the genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) approach, two QTLs for APR (qBnAPR.A02 and qBnAPR.C02) and two for APP (qBnAPP.A05 and qBnAPP.C05), having minor to moderate allelic effects (4.30% to 19.47%) were identified. RNA-seq analysis revealed 606 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in two rapeseed accessions representing the extreme phenotypes for pod orientation and different alleles at the QTLs of APR. Three DEGs (BnLAZY4.A02, BnSAUR32.A02, and BnSAUR32.C02) were identified as the most likely candidates responsible for variation in pod orientation (APR). This study elucidates the genomic regions and putative candidate genes underlying pod orientation in B. napus.
Physiological and molecular insights into the resilience of biological nitrogen fixation to applied nitrogen in Saccharum spontaneum, wild progenitor of sugarcane
Authors: Luo Ting , Li Chang-Ning , Yan Rui , Huang Kejun , Li Yang-Rui , Liu Xiao-Yan , Lakshmanan Prakash
Published: January 2023

Excessive use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer for sugarcane cultivation is a significant cause of greenhouse gas emission. N use-efficiency (NUE) of sugarcane is relatively low, and considerable effort is now directed to exploit biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in sugarcane. We hypothesize that genetic base-broadening of sugarcane using high-BNF Saccharum spontaneum, a wild progenitor of sugarcane, will help develop N-efficient varieties. We found remarkable genetic variation for BNF and growth in S. spontaneum accessions, and BNF in some accessions remained highly resilient to inorganic N application. Physiological and molecular analyses of two S. spontaneum accessions with high-BNF capacity and growth, namely G152 and G3, grown under N replete and low N conditions showed considerable similarity for total N, NH4-N, soluble sugar, indoleacetic acid, gibberellic acid, zeatin and abscisic acid content; yet, they were strikingly different at molecular level. Global gene expression analysis of G152 and G3 grown under contrasting N supply showed genotype effect explaining much of the gene expression variation observed. Differential gene expression analysis found an over-representation of carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism and transmembrane transport genes in G152 and an enrichment of lipid metabolism and single-organism processes genes in G3, suggesting that distinctly divergent metabolic strategies are driving N-related processes in these accessions. This was attested by the remarkable variation in carbon, N, amino acid and hormone metabolism-related gene expression in G152 and G3 under high- and low-N supply. We conclude that both accessions may be achieving similar BNF and growth phenotypes through overlapping but distinctly different biochemical and molecular mechanisms.
Deep mowing rather than fire restrains grassland Miscanthus growth via affecting soil nutrient loss and microbial community redistribution
Authors: Mao Zhuxin , Wang Yuchao , Li Qian , Li Weimin , Wang Hong , Li Yang , Yue Ming
Published: January 2023

Fire and mowing are crucial drivers of grass growth. However, their effects on soil properties, microbial communities, and plant productivity in dry-alkaline grasslands have not been well investigated. This study evaluated the effects of mowing (slightly and deeply) and fire on vegetation traits (Tiller number per cluster and plant height) and biomass (plant dry weight), and soil availability of N, P, and K, as well as soil microorganism abundance in a Miscanthus system. We designed one control and three experimental grass plots (slightly and deeply mowed, and burned) in 2020–2021 in the Xi’an Botanical Garden of Shaanxi Province, Xi’an, China. Tiller number, plant height per cluster, and soil N, P, and K availability during Miscanthus growth decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in all treatments compared to the control. However, this effect was much greater in the deep-mowing plot than in the other plots. After harvest, deep mowing induced the greatest effect on biomass among all treatments, as it induced a 5.2-fold decrease in dry biomass relative to the control. In addition, both fire and mowing slightly redistributed the community and diversity of the soil bacteria and fungi. This redistribution was significantly greater in the deep-mowing plot than in other plots. In particular, relative to the control, deep mowing increased the abundance of Firmicutes and especially Proteobacteria among soil bacterial communities, but significantly (p < 0.05) decreased Basidiomycota and increased Ascomycota abundance among soil fungal communities. We conclude that nutrient limitation (N, P, and K) is crucial for Miscanthus growth in both mowing and fire grasslands, whereas deep mowing can induce soil nutrient loss and microorganism redistribution, further restraining grass sustainability in dry-alkaline grasslands.
A configurational approach to leadership behavior through archetypal analysis
Authors: Stoker Janka I. , Garretsen Harry , Soudis Dimitrios , Vriend Tim
Published: January 2023

The behavioral approach to leadership, which has introduced leadership styles, has been of great importance to the leadership field. Despite its importance, scholars have recently argued and demonstrated that these styles have various conceptual, methodological, and empirical limitations that could hamper further development of the leadership field. Consequently, they have called for alternative approaches to study leadership. We argue that taking a configurational or person-oriented approach to leadership behavior, which focuses on ideal-type configurations of leadership behaviors to identify leadership archetypes, offers such an alternative. We demonstrate the potential of such an approach via the use of archetypal analysis, for a dataset of 46 behaviors across 6 leadership styles, including more than 150,000 respondents. Our results offer a clear indication for the existence of archetypes of leadership. We also suggest how the resulting archetypes can get a meaningful interpretation, and discuss implications for future research.
Professional literacy that Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry talents should possess: Analyzing from a practical perspective
Authors: Fan Jing-Yun
Published: January 2023

Aim

This research aimed to explore the professional literacies that should be possessed by Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry talents. This understanding will also help the technical and vocational education system to cultivate talents in Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry.

Methods

A qualitative research design was adopted. The outline of the interview on the professional literacy of Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry talents was compiled, and seven interviewees were selected by purposive sampling from those who had worked (including supervisors) in Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry for 21 to 42 years. One-on-one in-depth interviews with semi-structured interview questions were conducted. Using grounded theory, the content of the in-depth interviews was analyzed and discussed.

Results and discussion

This study discusses what professional literacy of Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry talents should possess from the practical perspective of Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry leaders or senior managers. This study shows that bag manufacturing industry talents should possess knowledge, skills, and attitudes and values of common professional literacies. Moreover, bag designers, manufacturing technicians, patternmakers, hand stitchers, and production supervisors should acquire these professional literacies. The results of this study will help Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry leaders or senior managers to highlight the importance of professional literacy that Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry talents should possess.

Conclusion

This study summarized the professional literacy of bag manufacturing industry talents into three major aspects: knowledge, skills, and attitudes and values. Based on this, suggestions are made as a reference for the implementation of curriculum development for talent cultivation in higher education institutions, and a reference for the learning and on-the-job training of bag manufacturing industry practitioners in the workplace.
The positive psychology of challenge: Towards interdisciplinary studies of activities and processes involving challenges
Authors: Horikoshi Keisuke
Published: January 2023

Activities and processes involving challenges are a natural part of life for most people and are highlighted in times of rapid change and global issues. This article argues that more studies around activities and processes involving challenges should be conducted with a focus on the concept of challenge in the context of well-being and optimal functioning. The concept of challenge is important because it is explicitly embedded in many major themes of positive psychology and can be a key concept in creating perspectives and frameworks to connect and integrate multiple elements in positive psychology to promote advancements in the field. Studying activities and processes involving challenges is also important from the perspective of dialectically integrating the positive and negative elements encompassed in the concept of challenge. The article also proposes to label activities and processes involving challenges as “challengership” and that an interdisciplinary area to study “challengership” (named “challengership studies”) should be created, which can collaborate with positive psychology for mutual development. The positive psychology of challenge/challengership is likely to provide opportunities for further advancement of positive psychology by creating more integrated knowledge of how to flourish when faced with challenges individually and collectively. The knowledge created in these areas can also be applied to education, coaching, and training at schools and organizations to meet the needs of the times, where skills of challengership should be considered trainable.
Family functioning and personal growth in Italian caregivers living with a family member affected by schizophrenia: Results of an add-on study of the Italian network for research on psychoses
Authors: Roncone Rita , Giusti Laura , Bianchini Valeria , Casacchia Massimo , Carpiniello Bernardo , Aguglia Eugenio , Altamura Mario , Barlati Stefano , Bellomo Antonello , Bucci Paola , Cascino Giammarco , Concerto Carmen , Fagiolini Andrea , Marchesi Carlo , Monteleone Alessio Maria , Pinna Federica , Siracusano Alberto , Galderisi Silvana
Published: January 2023

To date, the role of family members in caring for relatives affected by schizophrenia has focused largely on the negative aspects of impact of the illness. The present study aimed to: (1) assess family functioning and burden of care in caregivers living in Northern, Central, and Southern Italy who looked after subjects affected by chronic schizophrenia; (2) evaluate the relationship between aspects of family functioning and burden of care, in particular personal growth (PG) of caregivers; and (3) identify variables capable of affecting PG of caregivers. A total of 136 caregivers (mean length of illness of family member more than 20 years) were recruited from 9 Italian research sites and evaluated in terms of “positive” family functioning–problem-solving, communication skills and personal goals Family Functioning Questionnaire (FFQ), burden of care, and PG Family Problems Questionnaire (FPQ). Caregivers reported an overall good family functioning with a relatively low objective and subjective burden of care. The latter was positively correlated with length of illness, with women showing a higher subjective burden than men. Reduced problem-solving skills and ability of each family member to pursue personal goals were both associated with reduced objective and subjective burden which, conversely, were both increased by inadequate support and scarce positive comments from relatives and friends. Approximately 50% of caregivers stated that “they had learned something positive from the situation,” highlighting a statistically higher proportion of caregivers in southern Italy than in northern and central Italy. Caregivers’ PG was associated with good family functioning, adequate professional support, and positive comments. PG also seemed to be positively influenced by support from relatives and friends (O.R. 14.306). The numerous challenges and positive aspects associated with caregiving should be duly acknowledged by mental health services and integrated into routine clinical assessment and intervention framework.
How sleep duration mediated childhood trauma and Internet addiction of the vocational college population in urban areas of south China
Authors: Wang He , Luo Weijun , Huang Weikang , Xiang Haishan , Chen Siqi , Lin Wei , Chen Caiyun , Zhang Yingjie , Huang Shengbing , Wang Yueyun , Liu Peiyi
Published: January 2023

Background

Internet Addiction is positively associated with a range of psychological risk factors such as childhood trauma and sleep disorders. However, it remains unclear if sleep duration mediates the association between childhood trauma and Internet addiction.

Methods

We enrolled 14,263 students from Shenzhen Polytechnic College, China. Sleep duration, Internet addiction and childhood maltreatment were assessed in these students by self-report measures, Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), respectively. With bootstrap approach and path analysis, the mediating role of sleep duration in the association between childhood trauma and Internet addiction was analysed.

Results

The Internet-addicted group exhibited a higher level of the emotional abuse (EA) score, physical abuse (PA) score, sexual abuse (SA) score, a lower level of emotional neglect (EN) score and sleep duration compared with the control group (all p < 0.001). The CTQ total score and subscores showed a positive correlation with IAT scores both for males (r = 0.199, p < 0.001 for the total score, r = 0.356, p < 0.001 for EA, r = 0.270, p < 0.001 for PA, r = 0.249, p < 0.001 for SA, and r = 0.132, p < 0.001 for PN) and females (r = 0.127, p < 0.001 for the total score, r = 0.335, p < 0.001 for EA, r = 0.187, p < 0.001 for PA, r = 0.189, p < 0.001 for SA, and r = 0.065, p < 0.001 for PN). The CTQ subcores were negatively related to sleep duration both for males (r = −0.177, p < 0.001 for EA, r = −0.180, p < 0.001 for PA and r = 0.182, p < 0.001 for SA) and females (r = −0.137, p < 0.001 for EA, r = −0.105, p < 0.001 for PA, and r = −0.182, p < 0.001 for SA) and sleep duration was negatively correlated with IAT scores both in males (r = −0.120, p < 0.001) and females (r = −0.108, p < 0.001). Further, the path analysis suggested that EA and SA mediated significantly to the Internet addiction when all types of childhood trauma were examined in one model (both p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In the current study, a great proportion of students met criteria for Internet addiction. Sleep duration mediated a significant proportion of the indirect effect between EA/SA and Internet addiction. The findings may help with prevention and intervention of Internet addiction in the future. The limitation of this study was that it was a cross-sectional study and not controlling for other mental disorders. Future large-scale longitudinal studies will be needed to further clarify the relationship between childhood abuse and Internet addiction and the mediation role of sleep duration.
Does community-based health insurance reduce disparities in modern health service utilization among households in Ethiopia? A community-based comparative cross-sectional study
Authors: Geta Edosa Tesfaye , Wakjira Bidika Abebe , Etana Belachew
Published: January 2023

Background

Community-based health insurance (CBHI) is an emerging and promising concept to access affordable and effective healthcare by substantially pooling risks to improve health service utilization (HSU) and equity. While there have been improvements in healthcare coverage in Ethiopia, disparities in healthcare remain a challenge in the healthcare system. Hence, the study aimed to assess the effects of CBHI on the reduction of disparities in modern health service (MHS) utilization among households.

Methods

A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted between 1 February and 30 April 2022 among households in the Gida Ayana district, Ethiopia. The sample size of 356 was determined using the double population proportion formula, and participants were selected using multistage sampling. Data were entered into EpiData 4.6 and exported to SPSS 25 for analysis.

Results

Among 356 households, 321 (90.2%) reported that at least one member of their family fell ill in the previous 6 months; 153 (47.7%) and 168 (52.3%) households were among the insured and uninsured, respectively. Only 207 [64.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 59.0–69.7%] of them utilized health services. The level of MHS was 122 (79.7, 95% CI = 75.5–85.8%) and 85 (50.6, 95% CI = 42.8–58.4%) among insured and uninsured, respectively. Insured households were four times more likely to utilize MHS compared to uninsured households [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.27, 95% CI = 2.36–7.71]. Despite the households being insured, significant disparities in MHS utilization were observed across the place of residence (AOR = 14.98, 95% CI = 5.12–43.82) and education level (AOR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.05–0.83).

Conclusion

Overall, the CBHI scheme significantly improved the level of MHS and reduced disparities in utilization across wealth status and family size differences. However, despite households being insured, significant disparities in the odds of MHS utilization were observed across the place of residence and education level. Hence, strengthening the CBHI scheme and focusing on the place of residence and the education level of households are recommended to improve MHS utilization and reduce its disparities.
Research on the relationship between architectural features in northeast China and vertical aerosol transmission of COVID-19
Authors: Li Xia , Sun Bingxin , Lyu Keyang , Chen Jiayu , Zhang Yunjian , Sun Yu , Li Chenguang , Sui Tianzhuo , Wang Xinxin , Hu Yu , Wang Qin , Xu Dongqun
Published: January 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many buildings in northeast China have had clusters of infected cases in the vertical layout. There is speculation that vertical aerosol transmission occurs. The houses in northeast China are airtight, and range hoods may be used for a long period of time when cooking. The pathway and factors influencing vertical aerosol transmission are worth studying. To elucidate a viral aerosol transmission pathway, we selected a multistory apartment and a high-rise building in Changchun city, Jilin province, China, to conduct an in-depth investigation and on-site simulation experiments. According to epidemiological investigation information on infected cases, building structures, drainage, ventilation, etc., we used fluorescent microspheres to simulate the behaviors of infected people, such as breathing and flushing the toilet after defecation, to discharge simulated viruses and track and monitor them. The field simulation experiment confirmed the transmission of fluorescent microsphere aerosols to other rooms in two types of buildings using a vertical aerosol transmission pathway of toilet flush-sewage pipe-floor drain without a water seal. Our study showed that, in the absence of a U-shaped trap or floor drain water seal whether in a multistory apartment or high-rise residential building, there is a transmission pathway of “excretion of virus through feces-toilet flushing-sewage pipe-floor drain without water seal,” which will cause the vertical transmission of viral aerosol across floors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the negative pressure generated by turning on the range hood when closing doors and windows increase aerosol transmission. Based on this negative pressure, prevention and control measures for residential buildings in northeast China during the COVID-19 pandemic were proposed.
Perception and determinants leading to antimicrobial (mis)use: A knowledge, attitude, and practices study in the rural communities of Odisha, India
Authors: Pattnaik Matrujyoti , Nayak Ashish Kumar , Karna Sonam , Sahoo Subrat Kumar , Palo Subrata Kumar , Kanungo Srikanta , Kshatri Jaya Singh , Parai Debaprasad , Walia Kamini , Singh Taru , Choudhary Hari Ram , Pati Sanghamitra , Bhattacharya Debdutta
Published: January 2023

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as one of the major public health issues globally. This cross-sectional study determined knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding antimicrobial use and AMR among rural communities of Tigiria (Odisha), India.

Methods

A semi-structured questionnaire based on socio-demographic characteristics, antibiotics usage, awareness of antimicrobial resistance, healthcare utilization and quality of life were asked to the participants using an electronic device with Open Data Kit. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test and ANOVA were performed to analyze the variables.

Results

A total of 1,003 participants were surveyed in the study from 25 villages of Tigiria. About 44.47% (95% CI: 41.36–47.60) of study participants have heard about antimicrobial medicines and 14.75% (95% CI: 12.65–17.13) of participants were involved in buying antibiotics without prescription over the counter. Around 20.14% (95% CI: 17.72–22.78) of participants, stopped taking antibiotics before completing the full course. The physical domain was the most affected with low scores compared to other domains of quality of life (QOL). The QOL scores were found significant (p < 0.05) across age, gender, education and ethnicity.

Conclusion

The study documented a significant level of KAP regarding antimicrobial (mis)use in the study. It is essential that antimicrobial stewardship programs for various stakeholders and educational programmes must be initiated to increase awareness of people on antimicrobial resistance.