bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal serum iron status, hepcidin and interleukin-6 levels in women with preeclampsia
Authors: Ahmed Yasir I. B. , Yagoub Hind S. , Hassan Mohamed A. , Adam I. , Hamdan Hamdan Z.
Published: February 2023

Introduction:Preeclampsia can lead to a number of adverse maternal and perinatal effects. The association between iron status [serum iron, ferritin and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)], unsaturated iron-binding capacity, hepcidin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and preeclampsia is not fully understood.

Objective:To assess the levels of iron status, hepcidin and interleukin-6 in women with preeclampsia compared with healthy pregnant women.

Method:A case-control study (60 women were recruited in each group) was conducted at Saad Abuelela Maternity Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan. Sociodemographic and clinical data were gathered through a questionnaire. The levels of iron status, hepcidin and IL-6 were measured using applicable methods.

Results:There was no significant difference in the median [interquartile range (IQR)] of age, parity or body mass index between the two groups. Moreover, the median (IQR) of the iron status, hepcidin and interleukin-6 did not differ between women with preeclampsia and healthy controls. There were no significant correlations between haemoglobin, hepcidin and IL-6. There were also no significant correlations between serum iron, serum ferritin, hepcidin and IL-6. However, there was a significant positive correlation between hepcidin and IL-6 (r = 0.393,p= 0.002).

Conclusion:In this study, women with preeclampsia had levels of iron status, hepcidin and IL-6 similar to those observed in healthy pregnant women. There was no significant correlation between iron status, hepcidin and IL-6.
Transcriptome and metabolome analyses reveal molecular mechanisms of anthocyanin-related leaf color variation in poplar (Populus deltoides) cultivars
Authors: Peng Xu Qian , Ai Yu Jie , Pu Yu Ting , Wang Xiao Jing , Li Yu Hang , Wang Zhong , Zhuang Wei Bing , Yu Bing Jun , Zhu Zhi Qi
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Colored-leaf plants are increasingly popular for their aesthetic, ecological, and social value, which are important materials for research on the regulation of plant pigments. However, anthocyanin components and the molecular mechanisms of anthocyanin biosynthesis in colored-leaf poplar remain unclear. Consequently, an integrative analysis of transcriptome and metabolome is performed to identify the key metabolic pathways and key genes, which could contribute to the molecular mechanism of anthocyanin biosynthesis in the colored-leaf cultivars poplar.

Methods

In this study, integrated metabolite and transcriptome analysis was performed to explore the anthocyanin composition and the specific regulatory network of anthocyanin biosynthesis in the purple leaves of the cultivars ‘Quanhong’ (QHP) and ‘Zhongshanyuan’ (ZSY). Correlation analysis between RNA-seq data and metabolite profiles were also performed to explore the candidate genes associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis. R2R3-MYB and bHLH TFs with differential expression levels were used to perform a correlation analysis with differentially accumulated anthocyanins.

Results and discussion

A total of 39 anthocyanin compounds were detected by LC-MS/MS analysis. Twelve cyanidins, seven pelargonidins, five delphinidins, and five procyanidins were identified as the major anthocyanin compounds, which were differentially accumulated in purple leaves of QHP and ZSY. The major genes associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis, including structural genes and transcription factors, were differentially expressed in purple leaves of QHP and ZSY through RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data analysis, which was consistent with quantitative real-time PCR analysis results. Correlation analysis between RNA-seq data and metabolite profiles showed that the expression patterns of certain differentially expressed genes in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway were strongly correlated with the differential accumulation of anthocyanins. One R2R3-MYB subfamily member in the SG5 subgroup, Podel.04G021100, showed a similar expression pattern to some structural genes. This gene was strongly correlated with 16 anthocyanin compounds, indicating that Podel.04G021100 might be involved in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis. These results contribute to a systematic and comprehensive understanding of anthocyanin accumulation and to the molecular mechanisms of anthocyanin biosynthesis in QHP and ZSY.
Metabolomics analysis of the effect of acidification on rhizosphere soil microecosystem of tea tree
Authors: Ye Jianghua , Wang Yuhua , Lin Shaoxiong , Wang Yuchao , Chen Pengyuan , Hong Lei , Jia Xiaoli , Kang Jiaqian , Wu Zeyan , Wang Haibin
Published: February 2023

Acidification can seriously affect the growth of tea trees and the yield and quality of tea leaves. In this study, we analyzed the effects of acidification on the physicochemical properties, microorganisms and metabolites of tea rhizosphere soils with different pH values, and the results showed that with the increase of soil pH, the organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, microbial respiration intensity, bacterial number and actinomyces number in tea rhizosphere soil all showed an increasing trend, while the fungi number decreased. The results of soil metabolite analysis showed that 2376, 2377 and 2359 metabolites were detected in tea rhizosphere soil with pH values of 3.29, 4.74 and 5.32, respectively, and the number of similar compounds reached 2331, accounting for more than 98%. The results of soil metabolite content analysis showed that with the increase of soil pH, the total contents of metabolite of tea rhizosphere soil increased significantly. The results of correlation analysis between physicochemical indexes of soil and microorganisms and soil metabolites showed that physicochemical indexes of soil and microorganisms were significantly correlated with 221 soil metabolites, among which 55 were significantly positively correlated and 166 were significantly negatively correlated. Based on correlation interaction network analysis, 59 characteristic compounds were obtained and divided into 22 categories, among which 7 categories compounds showed a significant increasing trend with the increase of soil pH, while the other 15 categories compounds showed the opposite trend. Based on the functional analysis of characteristic metabolites, this study found that with the increase of soil pH in tea rhizosphere, the diversity and number of soil microorganisms increased, and the cyclic ability of C and N of tea rhizosphere soil was enhanced, which in turn might lead to the enhancement of resistance of tea tree and promote the growth of tea tree.
Ralstonia solanacearum – A soil borne hidden enemy of plants: Research development in management strategies, their action mechanism and challenges
Authors: Wang Zhaojun , Luo Wenbo , Cheng Shujia , Zhang Hongjie , Zong Jing , Zhang Zhe
Published: February 2023

Plant pathogens present in soil cause severe losses to plants every year. Among them,Ralstonia solanacearum, because of its destructive nature, is the world’s second most damaging bacterial phytopathogen. Over 310 species of plants belonging to 42 plant families are infected by this deadly pathogen. Around the world, the bacterial wilt (BW) disease causes yield losses that range from 20 to 100%. Control measures for managing this pathogen comprises several diverse approaches. Regardless of whether several control methods are developed to manage the BW disease, efficient management strategies with eco-friendly effects and the desired level of effective control is still awaited and there is need to developed effective management methods to eliminate this fetal disease in several crops under field conditions. An analysis of development in the management strategies will provide an effective way to search and develop control methods with desirable level of effectiveness. In this review, we discussed and analyzed the information reported on the development of various management strategies for the management ofR. solanacearumalong with the comprehensive presentation on action mechanism of these management strategies. We have also made an effort to summarize the challenges that make hurdle in the effective management of this deadly pathogen. The analysis of the information in this review article will assist in future implications of management strategies and help in developing effective control measures with more efficacy.
Genome-wide identification, evolution, and expression analysis of MLO gene family in melon (Cucumis melo L.)
Authors: Zhang Taifeng , Xu Nan , Amanullah Sikandar , Gao Peng
Published: February 2023

Powdery mildew (PM) is one of the main fungal diseases that appear during the cultivation of the melon fruit crop. Mildew Resistance Locus “O” (MLO) is known as a gene family and has seven conserved transmembrane domains. An induced functional loss of a specific MLO gene could mainly confer PM resistance to melons. However, the genomic structure of MLO genes and its main role in PM resistance still remain unclear in melon. In this study, bioinformatic analysis identified a total of 14 MLO gene family members in the melon genome sequence, and these genes were distributed in an uneven manner on eight chromosomes. The phylogenetic analysis divided the CmMLO genes into five different clades, and gene structural analysis showed that genes in the same clade had similar intron and exon distribution patterns. In addition, by cloning the CmMLO gene sequence in four melon lines, analyzing the CmMLO gene expression pattern after infection, and making microscopic observations of the infection pattern of PM, we concluded that the CmMLO5 (MELO3C012438) gene plays a negative role in regulating PM-resistance in the susceptible melon line (Topmark), and the critical time point for gene function was noticed at 24 and 72 hours after PM infection. The mutational analysis exhibited a single base mutation at 572 bp, which further results in loss of protein function, thus conferring PM resistance in melon. In summary, our research evidence provides a thorough understanding of the CmMLO gene family and demonstrates their potential role in disease resistance, as well as a theoretical foundation for melon disease resistance breeding.
Avoidant authority: The effect of organizational power on decision-making in high-uncertainty situations
Authors: Shortland Neil D. , McCusker Maureen E. , Alison Laurence , Blacksmith Nikki , Crayne Matthew P. , Thompson Lisa , Gonzales Joseph , McGarry Presley , Stevens Catherine
Published: February 2023

Individuals in positions of power are often required to make high-stakes decisions. The approach-inhibition theory of social power holds that elevated power activates approach-related tendencies, leading to decisiveness and action orientation. However, naturalistic decision-making research has often reported that increased power often has the opposite effect and causes more avoidant decision-making. To investigate the potential activation of avoidance-related tendencies in response to elevated power, this study employed an immersive scenario-based battery of least-worst decisions (the Least-Worst Uncertain Choice Inventory for Emergency Responses; LUCIFER) with members of the United States Armed Forces. In line with previous naturalistic decision-making research on the effect of power, this research found that in conditions of higher power, individuals found decisions more difficult and were more likely to make an avoidant choice. Furthermore, this effect was more pronounced in domain-specific decisions for which the individual had experience. These findings expand our understanding of when, and in what contexts, power leads to approach vs. avoidant tendencies, as well as demonstrate the benefits of bridging methodological divides that exist between “in the lab” and “in the field” when studying high-uncertainty decision-making.
Impact of marathon performance on muscles stiffness in runners over 50 years old
Authors: Mackala Krzysztof , Mroczek Dariusz , Chmura Paweł , Konefał Marek , Pawlik Damian , Ochman Bartosz , Chmura Jan , Paleczny Bartłomiej , Seredyński Rafał , Wyciszkiewicz Małgorzata , Nowicka-Czudak Adrianna , Łopusiewicz Wojciech , Adamiec Dorota , Wiecha Szczepan , Ponikowski Piotr , Ponikowska Beata
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The research examines the relationship between marathon performance and muscle stiffness changes from pre to marathon in recreational runners aged 50+ years.

Methods

Thirty-one male long-distance runners aged 50–73 years participated in the experiment. The muscle stiffness of quadriceps and calves was measured in two independent sessions: the day before the marathon and 30 min after the completed marathon run using a Myoton device.

Results and Discussion

The 42.195-km run was completed in 4.30,05 h ± 35.12 min, which indicates an intensity of 79.3% ± 7.1% of HRmax. The long-term, low-intensity running exercise (marathon) in older recreational runners and the low level of HRmax and VO2max showed no statistically significant changes in muscle stiffness (quadriceps and calves). There was reduced muscle stiffness (p= 0.016), but only in the triceps of the calf in the dominant (left) leg. Moreover, to optimally evaluate the marathon and adequately prepare for the performance training program, we need to consider the direct and indirect analyses of the running economy, running technique, and HRmax and VO2max variables. These variables significantly affect marathon exercise.
Cross-cultural study of kinship premium and social discounting of generosity
Authors: Liu Jiawei , Derrington Edmund , Bénistant Julien , Corgnet Brice , Van der Henst Jean-Baptiste , Tang Zixuan , Qu Chen , Dreher Jean-Claude
Published: February 2023

Social discounting predicts that one’s concern for others decreases with increasing social distance. Cultural dimensions may influence this social behavior. Here, we used a dictator game, in which the participants and real members of their social entourage profited from the partition of the endowments determined by the participant, to compare how Chinese and French university students shared endowments with people at different social distances. We tested two hypotheses based on the concepts of kinship premium and cultural collectivism. Stronger ties between close family members were expected among Chinese. This may predict a larger “kinship premium,” i.e., increased generosity to family members at close social distances, in Chinese relative to French participants. Similarly, because collectivism is thought to be stronger in Asian than western societies, greater generosity at larger social distances might also be expected among Chinese participants. The results showed that Chinese were more generous than French at close social distances but discounted more as social distance increased. This difference between French and Chinese was confined to family members and no significant difference in generosity was observed between French and Chinese for non-family members at any social distance. Our findings evidence a stronger kinship premium among Chinese than French students, and no significant effect of cultural collectivism.
The next hype in social media advertising: Examining virtual influencers’ brand endorsement effectiveness
Authors: Kim Eunjin (Anna) , Kim Donggyu , E Zihang , Shoenberger Heather
Published: February 2023

Virtual influencers are gaining prominence as a way of attracting people’s attention on social media, but limited research has been conducted on this subject. In this research, we explore the effects of human-like virtual influencers (HVIs) vs. anime-like virtual influencers (AVIs) and sponsorship disclosure on message credibility perception and message attitudes. Conducted with a 2 (virtual influencer type: HVI vs. AVI) x 2 (sponsorship disclosure: absent vs. present) between-subjects experiment, our findings suggest that HVI endorsements produce greater perception of message credibility and message attitudes than AVI endorsements, but the superior effect of HVIs (vs. AVIs) vanishes when sponsorship is disclosed. The results also show that message credibility plays a significant mediating role only when sponsorship is not disclosed. We believe our research offers interesting insights to both researchers and practitioners on the topic of virtual influencers.
New exploration of creativity: Cross-validation analysis of the factors influencing multiteam digital creativity in the transition phase
Authors: Chen Weilong , Wang Baohua , Chen Yi , Zhang Jing , Xiao Yuchun
Published: February 2023

Multiteam digital creativity (MTDC) is a new domain of creativity study that fits the new developments of the digital era, thus scholars have called for exploring MTDC in the fine-graining phase. This paper responds to this call, and adopts two studies and cross-validation analysis to explore the theoretical framework of the impact factors of MTDC in the transition phase. Study 1 adopts the qualitative analysis method of rooted theory to explore a more comprehensive impact factor and to maximize the new theory’s saturation. Study 2 adopts the CL-WG DEMATEL method, one analysis method of group decision-making and optimized concept lattice, which could cross-validation analyze the results of Study 1 and further determine the importance of the factors. The results of the studies indicate that the influencing factors of MTDC are multilevel, and the factors such as the organizational digital climate, team psychological empowerment, individual digital cognition and emotion, and leadership competence have greater impacts on MTDC. This indicates that the transition phase has a unique internal mechanism. This paper constructs a theoretical framework of factors influencing MTDC in the transition phase and provides new theoretical and practical references for how organizations could fully stimulate MTDC in the digital era. In addition, the cross-validated analytical method further enriches the study tools in the domain of organizational behavior.
A cross-linguistic, sound symbolic relationship between labial consonants, voiced plosives, and Pokémon friendship
Authors: Kilpatrick Alexander , Ćwiek Aleksandra , Lewis Eleanor , Kawahara Shigeto
Published: February 2023

Introduction

This paper presents a cross-linguistic study of sound symbolism, analysing a six-language corpus of all Pokémon names available as of January 2022. It tests the effects of labial consonants and voiced plosives on a Pokémon attribute known asfriendship. Friendship is a mechanic in the core series of Pokémon video games that arguably reflects how friendly each Pokémon is.

Method

Poisson regression is used to examine the relationship between the friendship mechanic and the number of times /p/, /b/, /d/, /m/, /g/, and /w/ occur in the names of English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, German, and French Pokémon.

Results

Bilabial plosives, /p/ and /b/, typically represent high friendship values in Pokémon names while /m/, /d/, and /g/ typically represent low friendship values. No association is found for /w/ in any language.

Discussion

Many of the previously known cases of cross-linguistic sound symbolic patterns can be explained by the relationship between how sounds in words are articulated and the physical qualities of the referents. This study, however, builds upon the underexplored relationship between sound symbolism and abstract qualities.
Long-term postoperative quality of life in childhood survivors with cerebellar mutism syndrome
Authors: Zhu Kaiyi , Yang Wei , Ying Zesheng , Cai Yingjie , Peng XiaoJiao , Zhang Nijia , Sun Hailang , Ji Yuanqi , Ge Ming
Published: February 2023

Background

To investigate the long-term quality of life (QoL) of children with cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS) and explore the risk factors for a low QoL.

Procedure

This cross-sectional study investigated children who underwent posterior fossa surgery using an online Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory questionnaire. CMS and non-CMS patients were included to identify QoL predictors.

Results

Sixty-nine patients were included (male, 62.3%), 22 of whom had CMS. The mean follow-up time was 45.2 months. Children with CMS had a significantly lower mean QoL score (65.3 vs. 83.7, p < 0.001) and subdomain mean scores (physical; 57.8 vs. 85.3, p < 0.001; social: 69.5 vs. 85.1, p = 0.001; academic: p = 0.001) than those without CMS, except for the emotional domain (78.0 vs. 83.7, p = 0.062). Multivariable analysis revealed that CMS (coefficient = −14.748.61, p = 0.043), chemotherapy (coefficient = −7.629.82, p = 0.013), ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement (coefficient = −10.14, p = 0.024), and older age at surgery (coefficient = −1.1830, p = 0.007) were independent predictors of low total QoL scores. Physical scores were independently associated with CMS (coefficient = −27.4815.31, p = 0.005), VP shunt placement (coefficient = −12.86, p = 0.025), and radiotherapy (coefficient = −13.62, p = 0.007). Emotional score was negatively associated with age at surgery (coefficient = −1.92, p = 0.0337) and chemotherapy (coefficient = −9.11, p = 0.003). Social scores were negatively associated with male sex (coefficient = −13.68, p = 0.001) and VP shunt placement (coefficient = −1.36, p = 0.005), whereas academic scores were negatively correlated with chemotherapy (coefficient = −17.45, p < 0.001) and age at surgery (coefficient = −1.92, p = 0.002). Extent of resection (coefficient = 13.16, p = 0.021) was a good predictor of higher academic scores.

Conclusion

CMS results in long-term neurological and neuropsychological deficits, negatively affecting QoL, and warranting early rehabilitation.
Amygdala's T1-weighted image radiomics outperforms volume for differentiation of anxiety disorder and its subtype
Authors: Li Qingfeng , Wang Wenzheng , Hu Zhishan
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Anxiety disorder is the most common psychiatric disorder among adolescents, with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) being a common subtype of anxiety disorder. Current studies have revealed abnormal amygdala function in patients with anxiety compared with healthy people. However, the diagnosis of anxiety disorder and its subtypes still lack specific features of amygdala from T1-weighted structural magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The purpose of our study was to investigate the feasibility of using radiomics approach to distinguish anxiety disorder and its subtype from healthy controls on T1-weighted images of the amygdala, and provide a basis for the clinical diagnosis of anxiety disorder.

Methods

T1-weighted MR images of 200 patients with anxiety disorder (including 103 GAD patients) as well as 138 healthy controls were obtained in the Healthy Brain Network (HBN) dataset. We extracted 107 radiomics features for the left and right amygdala, respectively, and then performed feature selection using the 10-fold LASSO regression algorithm. For the selected features, we performed group-wise comparisons, and use different machine learning algorithms, including linear kernel support vector machine (SVM), to achieve the classification between the patients and healthy controls.

Results

For the classification task of anxiety patients vs. healthy controls, 2 and 4 radiomics features were selected from left and right amygdala, respectively, and the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of linear kernel SVM in cross-validation experiments was 0.6739±0.0708 for the left amygdala features and 0.6403±0.0519 for the right amygdala features; for classification task for GAD patients vs. healthy controls, 7 and 3 features were selected from left and right amygdala, respectively, and the cross-validation AUCs were 0.6755±0.0615 for the left amygdala features and 0.6966±0.0854 for the right amygdala features. In both classification tasks, the selected amygdala radiomics features had higher discriminatory significance and effect sizes compared with the amygdala volume.

Discussion

Our study suggest that radiomics features of bilateral amygdala potentially could serve as a basis for the clinical diagnosis of anxiety disorder.
Online HIV prophylaxis delivery: Protocol for the ePrEP Kenya pilot study
Authors: Kiptinness Catherine , Naik Paulami , Thuo Nicholas , Malen Rachel C. , Dettinger Julia C. , Pintye Jillian , Rafferty Maeve , Jomo Edwin , Nyamasyo Nicky , Wood Tony , Isabelli Paul , Morris Sarah , Hattery David , Stergachis Andy , Were Daniel , Sharma Monisha , Ngure Kenneth , Mugambi Melissa Latigo , Ortblad Katrina F.
Published: February 2023

Background

Online pharmacies in Kenya provide sexual and reproductive health products (e.g., HIV self-testing, contraception) and could be leveraged to increase the reach of HIV pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP/PEP) to populations who do not frequently attend health facilities. To date, evidence is limited for operationalizing online PrEP/PEP delivery and the type of populations reached with this differential service delivery model.

Methods

The ePrEP Kenya Pilot will deliver daily oral PrEP and PEPviaMYDAWA, a private online pharmacy retailer, to clients in Nairobi for 18 months. Potential clients will obtain information about PrEP/PEP on MYDAWA's sexual wellness page and self-screen for HIV risk. Individuals ≥18 years, identified as at HIV risk, and willing to pay for a blood-based HIV self-test and PrEP/PEP delivery will be eligible for enrollment. To continue with online PrEP/PEP initiation, eligible clients will purchase a blood-based HIV self-test for 250 KES (~USD 2) [delivered to their setting of choice for 99 KES (~USD 1)], upload an image of their self-test result, and attend a telemedicine visit with a MYDAWA provider. During the telemedicine visit, providers will screen clients for PrEP/PEP eligibility, including clinical concerns (e.g., kidney disease), discuss self-test results, and complete counseling on PrEP/PEP use and safety. Providers will refer clients who self-test HIV positive or report any existing medical conditions to the appropriate services at healthcare facilities that meet their preferences. Eligible clients will be prescribed PrEP (30-day PrEP supply at initiation; 90-day PrEP supply at follow-up visits) or PEP (28-day supply) for free and have it delivered for 99 KES (~USD 1). We will measure PrEP and PEP initiation among eligible clients, PEP-to-PrEP transition, PrEP continuation, and implementation outcomes (e.g., feasibility, acceptability, and costs).

Discussion

Establishing pathways to increase PrEP and PEP access is crucial to help curb new HIV infections in settings with high HIV prevalence. The findings from this study will provide evidence on the implementation of online pharmacy PrEP and PEP service delivery that can help inform guidelines in Kenya and similar settings.
A cost-effectiveness analysis of risk-based intervention for prevention of cardiovascular diseases in IraPEN program: A modeling study
Authors: Jamshidi Amirparviz , Daroudi Rajabali , Aas Eline , Khalili Davood
Published: February 2023

Background

IraPEN, a program developed in Iran based on the World Health Organization (WHO) package of essential noncommunicable (PEN) disease interventions for primary healthcare, was launched in 2015. Preventive interventions for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are based on the level of risk calculated using the WHO CVD risk chart.

Objective

The main objective of this study was to measure the potential cost-effectiveness (CE) of IraPEN preventive actions for CVD in comparison with the status quo.

Methods

A CE analysis from a healthcare perspective was conducted. Markov models were employed for individuals with and without diabetes separately. Based on the WHO CVD risk chart, four index cohorts were constructed as low (<10%), moderate (10%−19%), high (20%−29%), and very high risk (≥30%). Life years (LY) gained and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) were used as the outcome measures.

Results

The intervention yields an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $804, $551, and –$44 per QALY for moderate, high, and very high CVD risk in groups without diabetes, respectively. These groups gained 0.69, 0.96, and 1.45 LY, respectively, from the intervention. The results demonstrated an ICER of $711, $630, –$42, and –$71 for low, moderate, high, and very high-risk groups with diabetes, respectively, while they gained 0.46, 1.2, 2.04, and 2.29 years from the intervention.

Conclusion

The IraPEN program was highly cost-effective for all CVD risk groups in the individuals without diabetes except the low-risk group. The intervention was cost-effective for all patients with diabetes regardless of their CVD risk. The results demonstrated that the IraPEN program can likely provide substantial health benefits to Iranian individuals and cost savings to the national healthcare provider.
The global, regional, and national burden of stomach cancer among adolescents and young adults in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: A population-based study
Authors: Zhang Ziqiang , Wang Jun , Song Ning , Shi Liubin , Du Jianjun
Published: February 2023

Background

Stomach cancer is a significant health problem in many countries. But healthcare needs of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) stomach cancer patients have been historically neglected. An accurate appraisal of the burden of AYA stomach cancer is crucial to formulating effective preventive strategies. In this study, we report the most recent estimates of AYA stomach cancer burden concerning socio-demographic index (SDI) in 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2019.

Methods

Estimates from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019 were used to analyze incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to AYA stomach cancer at global, regional, and national levels. Association between AYA stomach cancer burden and SDI were investigated. All estimates are reported as absolute numbers and age-standardized rates, which were standardized to the GBD world population and reported per 100,000 population.

Results

In 2019, there were 49,000 incident cases, 27,895 deaths, and 1.57 million DALYs due to AYA stomach cancer globally. The highest age-standardized incidence rate occurred in East Asia [2.42 (women) and 4.71 (men) per 100,000 person-years] and high-income Asia Pacific [3.16 (women) and 2.61 (men) per 100,000 person-years]. Age-standardized death [1.53 (women) and 2.65 (men) per 100,000 person-years] and DALY [150.96 (women) and 87.13 (men) per 100,000 person-years] rates were highest in Oceania. Compared with 1990, in 2019 more than 1,075 more incident cases of AYA stomach cancer were estimated with a decrease of 7,784 deaths. Despite the increase in absolute number of incident cases, the worldwide age-standardized rates of AYA stomach cancer (incidence, deaths, and DALYs) have declined since 1990. The drop in the disease burden was associated with an improved SDI. Globally, 24.41% of the age-standardized DALYs were attributable to a high-sodium diet in both sexes combined, and 0.57% of the age-standardized DALYs were attributable to smoking in men.

Conclusion

The global burden of AYA stomach cancer is substantial, especially in developing regions. Capacity-building activities for AYA stomach cancer will benefit the younger generation and population health worldwide.
Perspectives on the popularization of smart senior care to meet the demands of older adults living alone in communities of Southwest China: A qualitative study
Authors: Kong Dehui , Liu Siqi , Hong Yan , Chen Kun , Luo Yu
Published: February 2023

Background

Older adults who live alone face challenges in daily life and in maintaining their health status quo. Currently, however, their growing demands cannot be satisfied with high quality; therefore, these demands expressed by elders may be settled in the form of smart senior care. Hence, the improvement in smart senior care may produce more positive meanings in promoting the health and sense of happiness among this elderly population. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of demands and satisfaction with regard to the provision of senior care services to the community-dwelling older adults who live alone in Southwest China, thus providing a reference for the popularization of smart senior care.

Methods

This study adopted a qualitative descriptive approach on demands and the popularization of smart senior care. Semi-structured and in-depth individual interviews were conducted with 15 community-dwelling older adults who lived alone in Southwest China between March and May 2021. Thematic analysis was applied to analyze the data.

Results

Through data analysis, three major themes and subcategories were generated: “necessities” (contradiction: more meticulous daily life care and higher psychological needs vs. the current lower satisfaction status quo; conflict: higher demands for medical and emergency care against less access at present), “feasibility” (objectively feasible: the popularization of smart devices and applications; subjectively feasible: interests in obtaining health information), and “existing obstacles” (insufficient publicity; technophobia; patterned living habits; and concerns).

Conclusions

Smart senior care may resolve the contradiction that prevails between the shortage of medical resources and the increasing demands for eldercare. Despite several obstacles that stand in the way of the popularization of smart senior care, the necessities and feasibility lay the preliminary foundation for its development and popularization. Decision-makers, communities, developers, and providers should cooperate to make smart senior care more popular and available to seniors living alone, facilitating independence while realizing aging in place by promoting healthy aging.
Impact of work-family support on job burnout among primary health workers and the mediating role of career identity: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Yang Diling , Fang Guixia , Fu Danmin , Hong Mengyuan , Wang Haoyu , Chen Yuqing , Ma Qinglian , Yang Jinxia
Published: February 2023

Objective

In China, medical workers in the primary sector shoulder the task of providing people with the basic medical and public health services, and are the “gatekeepers” of the public health. This study aims to analyze the current situation of job burnout among primary health workers of China, and shed light on the effect of work-family support and career identity on job burnout among them and their relationships. This may provide a new perspective for primary health care institutions and health administrative departments so as to formulate policies to “attract, retain and stabilize” primary health workers.

Methods

A multi-stage sampling method was adopted to select 8,135 primary health workers from 320 primary health care institutions in a province of central China. A descriptive statistical analysis, univariate analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and mediation effect analysis were applied to analyze the effects of work-family support and career identity on job burnout among primary health workers as well as the mediating role of career identity.

Results

Among 8,135 primary health workers, 4,911 (60.4%) participants had mild to moderate levels of job burnout, 181 (2.2%) participants had severe job burnout, and the burnout detection rate is 62.6%. Work-family support was negatively correlated with job burnout (r = −0.46, p < 0.01) and positively correlated with career identity (r = 0.42, p < 0.01). Work-family support (β = −0.346, p < 0.01) and career identity (β = −0.574, p < 0.01) were negative predictors of job burnout respectively. In addition, career identity had a mediating effect between work-family support and job burnout, with the mediating effect contributing 33.7% to the overall effect.

Conclusions

The findings of this study demonstrate that work-family support is a protective factor against job burnout in primary health workers and reveal that career identity is a critical mediating mechanism linking work-family support to burnout. We propose to reduce job burnout by strengthening work-family support (especially work support), enhancing career identity, increasing the number of primary health workers and reducing the workload of existing incumbents, which can provide important practical implications for the future prevention and intervention programs.
Interaction effects of anxiety and outdoor activity spaces on frailty among nursing home residents in Jinan, China: Is there a gender difference?
Authors: Zhao Meng , Qu Tiange , Li Yang , Wang Yaqi , Li Ming , Wang Kefang
Published: February 2023

Background

Anxiety and the physical environment are critical factors influencing frailty among older adults; however, the interaction effect of anxiety and the physical environment, such as outdoor activity spaces, on frailty has not been examined. This study aimed to investigate the interaction effect of anxiety and outdoor activity spaces on frailty and to identify differences by gender.

Methods

A total of 353 nursing home residents (197 women; 156 men; age ≥ 60 years) from 27 Chinese nursing homes were included in the analysis. Anxiety and frailty were analyzed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale and the FRAIL-NH Scale, respectively. Outdoor activity spaces were assessed through on-site observations using self-designed items. Demographic and socioeconomic information and health-related covariates were also collected. Interaction effect analyses were conducted using multilevel mixed-effects linear models.

Results

Anxiety and outdoor activity spaces had an interaction effect on frailty among nursing home residents (β = −1.32, 95% CI: −2.44, −0.20). However, further analysis demonstrated that this interaction effect was only significant in older women (β = −1.60, 95% CI: −2.93, −0.27) but not in older men (β = −0.23, 95% CI: −2.29, 1.82).

Conclusions

This study highlighted that gender differences should be considered when preventing frailty in older adults with anxiety. Furthermore, it may be beneficial for nursing homes to provide outdoor activity spaces and create a supportive living environment to help delay or reverse frailty among female nursing home residents.
Projecting hydrologic change under land use and climate scenarios in an agricultural watershed using agent-based modeling
Authors: Dziubanski David , Franz Kristie J.
Published: February 2023

Watershed systems are changing due to human activities within the landscape and shifting precipitation patterns, and quantifying the coupled effects of these two factors is necessary for anticipating future hydrologic response. In this study, we use a model that combines an agent-based model (ABM) with a semi-distributed hydrologic model to assess how projected changes in precipitation and temperature affect streamflow when simultaneously considering how those variables impact the land use decisions that also influence watershed response. We use a flood-prone watershed which is characteristic of many agriculturally-dominated watersheds in the central Midwest US. In the ABM, farmer agents make decisions that affect land use based on factors related to profits, past land use, neighbor influence, and internal behavior. A city agent aims to reduce urban flooding by paying farmer agents a subsidy for allocating land to conservation practices that reduce runoff. We run the model for the 2018–2097 period using the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5 climate scenarios and different decision-making options. The model reveals that under future precipitation, which becomes increasingly intense leading to more in-field flooding, farmers increase conservation land by up to 60%. This land conversion results in a 4–7% decrease in mean 95th percentile discharge relative to scenarios where conservation land is held constant at the historical mean. If farmers are allowed to modify their internal behavior and preferences, the mean 95th percentile discharge decreases further (up to 16%). Using the assumption that land owners are willing to adapt their personal preferences to mitigate the negative effects of climate change on their land and external incentives exist to do so, upstream runoff mitigation practices could reduce downstream impacts from more frequent intense precipitation. However, farmer agents converted, on average, <10% of their land to conservation even when this variable was unrestricted. By the end of the century, precipitation has the dominant influence on discharge, given the significant changes in projected precipitation and the limited land conversion.
Sociological perspectives of social media, rumors, and attacks on minorities: Evidence from Bangladesh
Authors: Roy Sajal , Singh Ashish Kumar , Kamruzzaman
Published: February 2023

Social media platforms serve as essential modes of communication for billions of people around the world. They host a diverse range of content—from the personal and social to the political serving as an important channel for connecting people for spreading ideas. However, given their widespread penetration into everyday social and political life, they have become a tool for spreading rumors and disinformation that may often misrepresent or distort reality and have in many cases incited violence. In Bangladesh, perpetrators over the last decade have utilized social media platforms to spread rumors and to mobilize mobs to launch violent attacks on minority groups. Drawing from social movement theories on how the nexus between social media and political violence works, this paper examines a sample of five cases during the periods of 2011–2022. We exemplify minority attacks being instigated by social media rumors to understand their nature and causes thereof. The study finds that religious extremism, the absence of legal safeguards, and the culture of impunity are the primary triggers, to a varying degree, for the social media rumor-instigated attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.
Exploring the use of WeChat for qualitative social research: The case of Italian digital diaspora in Shanghai
Authors: Moffa Grazia , Di Gregorio Marco
Published: February 2023

The widespread use of digital communication technologies has created new opportunities for social research. In this paper, we explore the limits and potentials of using messaging and social media apps as tools for qualitative research. Building upon our research on Italian migration to Shanghai, we discuss in detail the methodological choice of using WeChat for teamwork, remote sampling strategies, and conducting interviews. The paper highlights the benefits that researchers may have from employing the same technology that the studied community uses in their daily life as a research tool, and advocates for a flexible approach to research that adapts its tools and methods to the specific requirements and characteristics of the fieldwork. In our case, this strategy allowed us to emphasize that WeChat represents a digital migratory space which played a crucial role in understanding and making of the Italian digital diaspora in China.
Modeling of the cold electron plasma density for radiation belt physics
Authors: Ripoll J.-F. , Pierrard V. , Cunningham G. S. , Chu X. , Sorathia K. A. , Hartley D. P. , Thaller S. A. , Merkin V. G. , Delzanno G. L. , De Pascuale S. , Ukhorskiy A. Y.
Published: February 2023

This review focusses strictly on existing plasma density models, including ionospheric source models, empirical density models, physics-based and machine-learning density models. This review is framed in the context of radiation belt physics and space weather codes. The review is limited to the most commonly used models or to models recently developed and promising. A great variety of conditions is considered such as the magnetic local time variation, geomagnetic conditions, ionospheric source regions, radial and latitudinal dependence, and collisional vs. collisionless conditions. These models can serve to complement satellite observations of the electron plasma density when data are lacking, are for most of them commonly used in radiation belt physics simulations, and can improve our understanding of the plasmasphere dynamics.
Repeated and long-term cryopreservation of primary bovine myogenic cells to maintain quality in biomimetic cultured meat
Authors: Kakehi Roka , Yoshida Azumi , Takahashi Hironobu , Shimizu Tatsuya
Published: February 2023

Cultured meat produced using cell culture technology can potentially alleviate many of the ethical, environmental, and public health concerns associated with conventional livestock meat production. The industrialization of cultured meat for wide-spread adoption requires new methods to efficiently collect high-quality cells and to preserve their cell quality. Cryopreservation is a widely used technique to enable the long-term storage of cells without causing severe damage. In this study, we focused on the feasibility of cryopreservation to maintain cell quality for storage of bovine myogenic cells harvested from bovine meat based on our unique primary culture method. Primary bovine cells were incubated in a culture dish and then cryopreserved at −80°C for 1 week or 1 year. After thawing, the cells were further cultured for several passages to evaluate the abilities of the cells to proliferate or differentiate into myotubes. Furthermore, the cells were repeatedly cryopreserved for 1 week each time to investigate the impact of the repeated freezing and thawing. Consequently, long-term (within 1 year) or repeated (up to 3 times for 1 week each) cryopreservation at −80°C caused no degradation in the abilities of the cells to proliferate or differentiate, which is important for cultured meat production. We also confirmed that the cryopreservation did not require any unique cell freezing media. Moreover, based on our tissue engineering technique, our cryopreserved bovine myogenic cells had the ability to form sarcomere structures and produce muscle contractions even after they were frozen for 1 year. Although the bovine muscle tissues described here require more mature structures and functions in order to closely mimic native muscle tissue, we believe that the functional maturation of myogenic cells is essential to produce a “tissue-engineered meat” that will have native-like nutrients, texture, and taste that consumers will expect in the future. These results reveal the potential of cryopreserving quality-controlled bovine myogenic cells to contribute to a stable supply of high-quality cells for cultured meat production.