bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preschool Temperament as a Factor of Risk and Protection for Later Childhood Psychopathology
Authors: Paulus Frank W. , Möhler Eva , Festag Lisa , Joas Jens
Published: June 2022

Background

Temperament might be considered as a risk factor as well as a resilience factor for later externalizing and internalizing disorders. Therefore, this study examines different dimensions of temperament in preschool age with regard to their predictive value for psychopathology later in childhood.

Methods

A total of 76 patients (63.2% male) were assessed in a special psychiatric consultation for preschool age at measuring point time t1 (x = 4.2) and measuring point time t2 (x = 9.2). At t1, the Integrative Child Temperament Inventory (ICTI) was used for assessment. At t2, parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire SDQ. Multiple regression analyses were used to test if the temperament factors of the ICTI predicted clinical abnormalities in the SDQ subscales or total difficulties score.

Results

SDQ total difficulties score as an indicator of total psychiatric disturbance in childhood appears to be good predicted by the temperament factor frustration/anger. Sensory sensitivity in preschoolers serves as a risk factor for later emotional symptoms, whereas high activity levels appear to prevent later emotional symptoms. Behavioral inhibition appears to protect against hyperactivity/inattention.

Conclusion

Our data suggests that preschool temperament contributes differently to the development of externalizing and internalizing problems in childhood. The temperament factor frustration/anger in preschool children might be a strong predictor of the general mental condition in childhood at nine years of age and can therefore be used as a target for prevention of psychopathology in children. On one hand, high sensory sensitivity can be a predictor to identify preschool children at risk for later emotional symptoms, on the other hand, activity level acts as a protective factor against later emotional symptoms. An increased level of behavioral inhibition might be protective against the development of hyperactivity/inattention symptoms. Overall, this study illustrates the complexity and ambiguity of temperament in child development.
Tobacco Treatment Outcomes for Hospital Patients With and Without Mental Health Diagnoses
Authors: Sanford Brandon T. , Toll Benjamin A. , Palmer Amanda M. , Foster Madeline G. , Cummings K. Michael , Stansell Stephanie , Rojewski Alana M.
Published: June 2022

Background

The prevalence of mental health conditions is higher in cigarette smokers than nonsmokers. However, those with diagnosed mental health disorders are understudied within general inpatient hospital settings. This study seeks to evaluate how having a mental health diagnosis influences response to a brief opt-out inpatient tobacco treatment intervention.

Methods

Data included 4,153 admitted patients who completed a tobacco treatment visit. Post-discharge self-reported abstinence was obtained via response to an automated call 1-month after discharge. Mental health co-morbidities were assessed by reviewing electronic medical records. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between having a mental health diagnosis and patients' smoking history, interest in quitting smoking, and post-discharge abstinence.

Results

Overall 34.1% of patients were diagnosed with mental health disorders, most commonly depression or substance use disorders. Patients with a diagnosed mental health disorder were more likely to report a history of long-term heavy smoking and were less likely to express an interesting in remaining abstinent from smoking after hospitalization. An intent-to-treat analysis using logistic regression analysis found lower rates of self-reported smoking abstinence in those with a mental health disorder compared to those without (9 vs. 13.2%, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients with a history of mental health diagnoses, such as depression or substance use disorders, was associated with lower rates of smoking abstinence in patients after hospitalization. Hospital based opt-out smoking cessation programs have shown to be generally effective and efficient. However, certain subpopulations may require tailored intervention in order to improve treatment outcomes. Future research is needed to develop brief, effective tobacco treatment for hospital patients with comorbid mental health diagnoses.
Defense Mechanisms Reloaded in the Light of Impaired Personality Functioning: An Attempt of Clarification and Simplification Resulting in the DSQ-22-A for Adolescents
Authors: Sarrar Lea , Goth Kirstin
Published: June 2022

With the upcoming ICD-11, the diagnostic guidelines for personality disorders will change fundamentally to a dimensional severity concept, including the evaluation of several domains of personality functioning. Moreover, the lifetime perspective will allow this diagnosis even in early adolescence, providing the opportunity for early detection and intervention. In psychodynamic understanding, defense mechanisms are considered to be a part of the “personality structure”, which is one axis in the related diagnostic system (OPD) and showed great similarities to the concept of personality functioning. The most common inventory to assess defense mechanisms is the Defense Style Questionnaire, especially the DSQ-40, which has unfortunately not been specifically adapted to younger ages yet. Using an age-adapted version of the DSQ-40 with simplified formulations, a thorough empirical item analyses and selection was performed, including a face-validity check of the items by experienced therapists and assessments for item correlations, factor structure, reliability, construct and clinical validity in a german clinical and school sample containing 396 adolescents. Though several improvements, similar problems as reported for the adult DSQ versions concerning face-validity and coherence of the item pairs (2-item-method) to represent the single defense mechanisms were obtained. Thus, not all item pairs could be kept and a shortened version DSQ-22-A for adolescents with good psychometric properties was build. The three resulting defense categories adaptive, neurotic and maladaptive showed acceptable scale reliabilities (0.63, 0.56, 0.68), sound factor structure and convincing convergent and clinical validity in terms of highly significant correlations with impaired personality structure according to the OPD-CA2-SQ as well as with PHQ-D depression and somatic symptoms, especially for the maladaptive defense category (0.75, 0.44, 0.34). Likewise, the maladaptive defense category differed highly significant (p= 0.000) and with a large effect size ofd= 0.9 standard deviations between adolescents from the school and the clinical sample. TheDSQ-22-Acan be recommended for use in adolescents for research, diagnostics and therapy planning, especially with regard to personality functioning and structure. Possible fundamental changes concerning some basic operationalization's of the defense mechanisms and the 2-item-method were suggested for international discussion.
Assessment of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Reluctance Among Staff Working in Public Healthcare Settings of Saudi Arabia: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Maqsood Muhammad Bilal , Islam Md. Ashraful , Al Qarni Ali , Nisa Zeb-un- , Ishaqui Azfar Athar , Alharbi Naif Khalaf , Almukhamel Murtaja , Hossain Mohammad Akbar , Fatani Nayyra , Mahrous Ahmad Jamal , Arab Muhammad Al , Alfehaid Fahad Sami Abdulaziz , Akbar Zahida
Published: June 2022

Objective

The study aimed to evaluate the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination acceptance and reluctance among staff working in Saudi healthcare facilities.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted during April – May 2021, among healthcare workers in five public hospitals under the National Guards Health Association located in Alahsa, Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, and Riyadh. The study used a questionnaire in English language, which was distributed through official email communication among healthcare staff currently working at study venues. The data was analyzed using IBM SPSS v23. An ethical approval was obtained.

Results

A total of 1,031 responses were recorded. Most of the staff had both doses of COVID-19 vaccine (89%). The mean score for vaccine acceptance on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) was 3.55 ± 1.6. The mean score for vaccine reluctance on the same scale was 2.71 ± 1.05. Most participants mentioned safety (76.9%) and efficacy (56.3%) as vaccine concerns and believed that COVID-19 vaccine may not be effective because of changes in virus strain (55.5%). The variables of gender and nationality significantly affected vaccine acceptance, while age, gender, nationality, and profession significantly affected vaccine reluctance (p< 0.05).

Conclusion

Most healthcare staff were vaccinated, and a high acceptance for COVID-19 vaccination was reported. Several demographic factors affected the vaccine acceptance and reluctance.
Severe Symptoms of Mental Disorders Among Students Majoring in Foreign Languages in Vietnam: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Thang Nguyen Thi , Linh Dao Thi Dieu , Anh Ta Nhat , Phuong Nguyen Thị , Giang Nguyen Duc , Long Nguyen Xuan , Nhung Dao Thi Cam , Long Khuong Quynh
Published: June 2022

Mental health disorders among university students have been a serious issue in many countries and can negatively affect academic performance and all aspects of daily living, relationships, and physical health. In this study, we aim to estimate the prevalence of severe symptoms of mental disorders and examine associated factors among students majoring in foreign languages in Vietnam. We used the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21) to detect severe symptoms of mental disorders in 1,788 students, including severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. The Financial-Study-Family-Friend (FSFF) scale was utilized to assess how much students worried about finance, academic, and social support from family and friends. Multiple logistic regressions were carried out to evaluate the relationship between severe symptoms of mental disorders and FSFF factors. The prevalence of severe levels of depression, anxiety, and stress were 21.1, 35.0, and 16.3%, respectively. While varying somewhat due to students' demographic characteristics, all four aspects of the FSFF scale were related to the severe symptoms of mental disorders of students. Concerns about study had the largest effects (ORs ranging from 2.84 to 3.72) while difficulty in finance had the smallest effects (ORs ranging from 1.23 to 1.37) on students' depression, anxiety, and stress. The prevalence of severe symptoms of mental disorders in students was high in our study. Teachers and universities should focus more attention on students' mental health. Social support from family and friends also plays a crucial role in the mental health of students.
Non-rigid Multi-Modal Medical Image Registration Based on Improved Maximum Mutual Information PV Image Interpolation Method
Authors: He Liting
Published: June 2022

With the continuous improvement of medical imaging equipment, CT, MRI and PET images can obtain accurate anatomical information of the same patient site. However, due to the fuzziness of medical image physiological evaluation and the unhealthy understanding of objects, the registration effect of many methods is not ideal. Therefore, based on the medical image registration model of Partial Volume (PV) image interpolation method and rigid medical image registration method, this paper established the non-rigid registration model of maximum mutual information Novel Partial Volume (NPV) image interpolation method. The proposed NPV interpolation method uses the Davidon-Fletcher-Powell algorithm (DFP) algorithm optimization method to solve the transformation parameter matrix and realize the accurate transformation of the floating image. In addition, the cubic B-spline is used as the kernel function to improve the image interpolation, which effectively improves the accuracy of the registration image. Finally, the proposed NPV method is compared with the PV interpolation method through the human brain CT-MRI-PET image to obtain a clear CT-MRI-PET image. The results show that the proposed NPV method has higher accuracy, better robustness, and easier realization. The model should also have guiding significance in face recognition and fingerprint recognition.
The Impact of China's Paired Assistance Policy on the COVID-19 Crisis—An Empirical Case Study of Hubei Province
Authors: Huang Rui , Yao Xiantao , Chen Zhishan , Li Wan , Yan Haobo
Published: June 2022

To control the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), China implemented the Paired Assistance Policy (PAP). Local responders in 16 cities in Hubei Province were paired with expert teams from 19 provinces and municipalities. Fully supported by the country's top-down political system, PAP played a significant role in alleviating the COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei Province and China as a whole. In this study, we examined PAP using a two-way fixed effects model with the cumulative number of medical support personnel and cumulative duration as measurements. The results show personnel and material support played an active role in the nation's response to the COVID-19 public health crisis.
Application of Telemedicine in COVID-19: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Lan Xue , Yu Han , Cui Lei
Published: June 2022

Background

Telemedicine as a tool that can reduce potential disease spread and fill a gap in healthcare has been increasingly applied during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many studies have summarized telemedicine's technologies or the diseases' applications. However, these studies were reviewed separately. There is a lack of a comprehensive overview of the telemedicine technologies, application areas, and medical service types.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the research direction of telemedicine at COVID-19 and to clarify what kind of telemedicine technology is used in what diseases, and what medical services are provided by telemedicine.

Methods

Publications addressing telemedicine in COVID-19 were retrieved from the PubMed database. To extract bibliographic information and do a bi-clustering analysis, we used Bicomb and gCLUTO. The co-occurrence networks of diseases, technology, and healthcare services were then constructed and shown using R-studio and the Gephi tool.

Results

We retrieved 5,224 research papers on telemedicine at COVID-19 distributed among 1460 journals. Most articles were published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (166/5,224, 3.18%). The United States published the most articles on telemedicine. The research clusters comprised 6 clusters, which refer to mental health, mhealth, cross-infection control, and self-management of diseases. The network analysis revealed a triple relation with diseases, technologies, and health care services with 303 nodes and 5,664 edges. The entity “delivery of health care” was the node with the highest betweenness centrality at 6,787.79, followed by “remote consultation” (4,395.76) and “infection control” (3,700.50).

Conclusions

The results of this study highlight widely use of telemedicine during COVID-19. Most studies relate to the delivery of health care and mental health services. Technologies were primarily via mobile devices to deliver health care, remote consultation, control infection, and contact tracing. The study assists researchers in comprehending the knowledge structure in this sector, enabling them to discover critical topics and choose the best match for their survey work.
Application Research of Public Art in the Design of Old People's Rehabilitation Space Based on Virtual Information Interaction Platform From the Perspective of Developing Economies
Authors: Zhang Shaoqing
Published: June 2022

To solve the problem of the design of the old people's recuperation space, the virtual information interaction platform is used to study the public art application in the design of the old people's recuperation space. Firstly, the principles of interactive design are expounded, and secondly, the existing institutions for the old people are investigated. Under the premise of optimizing the functions of the facilities, the concepts of humanistic care, emotional care and humanization in public art are integrated into the design of the old people's rehabilitation space, to solve the long-term negative impression of the old people's repression and indifference to the old people's care institutions. The construction of the scene allows the old people to experience some operations with the help of the virtual information interaction platform. In the modern elderly rehabilitation space, the attention and application of public art design will inevitably bring spiritual and material help to the old people in their later years, and create a happy, peaceful, and comfortable elderly life for them. The survey results manifest that 65.3% of urban old people and 71.8% of rural old people feel that they cannot keep up with the pace of development. Through the analysis and discussion of the physiological and psychological characteristics of the old people, the whole survey denotes that the physiological functions of the old people are declining, which seriously affects their normal life. Therefore, the design of the rehabilitation space for the old people should not only meet the basic needs of life, but also analyze the space design from the perspective of humanization and emotion. An ecological, natural, and human settlement environment has been established. The recuperation space is designed for the needs of different old people, which helps the old people to eliminate loneliness, enhance their value of the old people, and make life full of joy and meaning for the old people.
A Physiotherapy Treatment Plan for Post-COVID-19 Patients That Improves the FEV1, FVC, and 6-Min Walk Values, and Reduces the Sequelae in 12 Sessions
Authors: Ponce-Campos Silvia Denise , Díaz Juan Manuel , Moreno-Agundis Daniela , González-Delgado Ana Laura , Andrade-Lozano Paulina , Avelar-González Francisco Javier , Hernández-Cuellar Eduardo , Torres-Flores Fernando
Published: June 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causal agent of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a pandemic disease declared in 2020. The clinical manifestations of this pathology are heterogeneous including fever, cough, dyspnea, anosmia, headache, fatigue, taste dysfunction, among others. Survivors of COVID-19 have demonstrated several persistent symptoms derived from its multisystemic physiopathology. These symptoms can be fatigue, dyspnea, chest pain, dry and productive cough, respiratory insufficiency, and psychoemotional disturbance. To reduce and recover from the post-COVID-19 sequelae is fundamental an early and multifactorial medical treatment. Integral post-COVID-19 physiotherapy is a tool to reduce dyspnea, improve lung capacity, decrease psychoemotional alterations, as well as increase the muscle strength affected by this disease. Thus, the aim of this study was to establish a novel physiotherapeutic plan for post-COVID-19 patients, evaluating the effect of this treatment in the reduction of the sequelae in terms of lung capacity, cardio-respiratory, and muscular strength improvements. This was a cross-sectional study in which a protocol of 12 sessions in 4 weeks of physiotherapy was implemented in the patients enrolled. We conducted a medical assessment, an interview, a DASS-21 test, a spirometry, a 6-min walk test, and a hand dynamometer test to evaluate the post-COVID condition of patients before and after the sessions. A total of 42 patients participated in the program. Results of this work showed a decrease of around 50% of post-COVID-19 sequelae and an improvement in the psychoemotional status of patients. Also, we observed an increase of 7.16% in the FEV1 value and 7.56% for FVC. In addition, the maximal functional capacity increased by 0.577 METs, the 6-min walk test performance increased by 13%, and the SpO2 improved by 1.40%. Finally, the handgrip strength test showed an improvement in the left hand and right hand of 2.90 and 2.24 Kg, respectively. We developed this study to propose a novel methodology to provide information for a better treatment and management of post-COVID-19 patients.
Contours of Urban Violence and Insecurity: Digital Media Technologies and Mitigation of Urban Violence Among Undocumented African Migrants in South Africa
Authors: Muswede Thabiso
Published: June 2022

This is a qualitative exploratory investigation into the use of digital media technologies in the mitigation of security concerns among undocumented migrants in the informal settlements within urban South Africa. The article acknowledges that adaptation of migrants in new environments is generally compounded by a myriad of challenges most of which are linked to lack of access to government systems and social capital or survival networks. This is particularly applicable to the urban settings where rampant violent crime and insecurity concerns are often laced with outbursts of xenophobia, which contribute to further uncertainties among migrants. Extensive literature review and social media theory are used to explore the potential for digital media tools to mitigate violence and insecurity among migrants. A piloted in-depth interview was used to collect data from undocumented immigrants based on a snowballed sample to saturation levels. Data were analyzed thematically to generate themes from which study findings were derived. Study findings show that, undocumented migrants suffer inexplicable barrages of social injustice due to violent crime and other insecurity concerns largely because they are scared to report cases to law enforcement agents, who in turn arrest them for being illegal in the country. Subsequently, the advent of digital and social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp helps them to create a survival network that provides a sense of security and to foster collaborations that deal with their safety concerns, uncertainty, and support for victims of violent crime.
Correlation Network Analysis for Amino Acid Identification in Soil Samples With the ORIGIN Space-Prototype Instrument
Authors: Schwander Loraine , Ligterink Niels F.W. , Kipfer Kristina A. , Lukmanov Rustam A. , Grimaudo Valentine , Tulej Marek , de Koning Coenraad P. , Keresztes Schmidt Peter , Gruchola Salome , Boeren Nikita J. , Ehrenfreund Pascale , Wurz Peter , Riedo Andreas
Published: June 2022

The detection of biomolecules on Solar System bodies can help us to understand how life emerged on Earth and how life may be distributed in our Solar System. However, the detection of chemical signatures of life on planets or their moons is challenging. A variety of parameters must be considered, such as a suited landing site location, geological and environmental processes favourable to life, life detection strategies, and the application of appropriate and sensitive instrumentation. In this contribution, recent results obtained using our novel laser desorption mass spectrometer ORganics INformation Gathering Instrument (ORIGIN), an instrument designed for in situ space exploration, are presented. We focus in this paper on the detection and identification of amino acid extracts from a natural permafrost sample, as well as in an analogue mixture of soils and amino acids. The resulting dataset was analysed using a correlation network analysis method. Based on mass spectrometric correlation, amino acid signatures were separated from soil signatures, identifying chemically different molecular components in complex samples. The presented analysis method represents an alternative to the typically applied spectra-by-spectra analysis for the evaluation of mass spectrometric data and, therefore, is of high interest for future application in space exploration missions.
Every Young Athlete Counts: Are Tailored Doping Prevention Programs Necessary in Young Elite Sports?
Authors: Pöppel Katharina , Büsch Dirk
Published: June 2022

Conclusions from doping prevention literature recommend tailored anti-doping education for athletes' specific needs. Newer approaches like the International Standard for Education of the World Anti-Doping Agency recommend a needs assessment before implementing measures. The International Standard for Education refers to the type of sports and its associated risk for doping. Following this idea, elite athletes from different types of sports should differ in their prerequisites for doping prevention. Consequently, the guiding research question focused on exploring the doping-prevention-related background of young athletes as a particular group for prevention efforts. Sixty young elite athletes (58.3% male) took part in a cross-sectional online survey, which was quantitatively analyzed. Participants included 26 athletes from a sport with low doping prevalence (sailing) and 34 athletes from a sport associated with high doping prevalence (wrestling). Sailors and wrestlers differed concerning the perceived resistance against doping temptations (p = 0.031, r = 0.31) and the estimated actual doping prevalence regarding sports in general (national frame: p < 0.001, r = 0.60; international frame: p = 0.013, r = 0.43). No differences between the two types of sports occurred, referring to doping attitudes, tendency to disengage morally, or topics athletes wish to learn about during doping prevention measures. All results indicated a good baseline for doping prevention with young elite athletes at the beginning of their careers. There is no sport-specific needs profile that could be used as a base for tailored measures. However, the data suggest that a differentiated consideration of gender could be helpful in the planning of doping prevention measures.
Women's Footprint in Anti-Doping Sciences: A Bibliometric Approach to Research Impact
Authors: Kiss Anna , Lakner Zoltán , Soós Sándor , Petróczi Andrea
Published: June 2022

Bibliometrics, via the exploitation of large-scale publication data, is a facile approach to explore gender-related trends, especially gender equality in academic publishing and authorship. For the first time, this study aims to investigate the gender-related trends in anti-doping sciences to (1) explore the relational structure of gender aspects of authorial, topical, and methodological features, (2) give recognition to women's contribution to anti-doping research, and (3) identify unique “gendered” potentials for advancing anti-doping research. To deliver on these aims, we employed bibliometric tools to publication records in anti-doping. After constructing a database containing academic publications on any aspect of anti-doping with at least one woman among the authors, we applied state-of-the-art methods from bibliometric science mapping and network analysis. The Lotka distribution model showed that the anti-doping research is a closed community with only 70 authors appearing more than once. Male authors being the majority (66.2%), women are under-represented in this field. The most important authorship position in the academic articles is mainly occupied by men, publications with male corresponding authors were in 774 out of 991 anti-doping related papers. The close connection of the top twenty most influential authors, men and women, to the World Anti-Doping Agency in some professional capacity suggest that the Agency have an influence on the anti-doping research beyond directly providing funding. In terms of geographical regions, publications with female authors were dominated anti-doping research in Italy, Romania, and Spain. In research networks to date, women have outperformed male authors in information centrality, which means that women in anti-doping research have had higher level of control over the information flow in the field than their male counterparts. The results of this study confirm the potential of bibliometric approach in the identification of emerging research topics and quantifying gender differentiation in the field of anti-doping. Due to their higher information centrality, women are better positioned for problem-focused multidisciplinary research both within anti-doping community, and with researchers in cognate fields. Bibliometric analyses have proved to be a powerful tool for monitoring and advancing anti-doping research impact via identifying new avenues for multidisciplinary work, better gender representation, and diversity.
Students' Perceptions of Learning Life Skills Through the Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility Model: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Jacobs Jennifer M. , Wright Paul M. , Richards K. Andrew R.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Physical education (PE) lags behind community-based sport and physical activity programs in the integration of positive youth development (PYD) principles and practices such as teaching transferable life skills. However, research and educational policy indicates this can and should be part of the PE curriculum. Therefore, there is a significant need to explore students' perceptions and experiences about learning life skills within the PE context. In the current study, an intervention based in a wellestablished PYD approach called Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR), was delivered to assess these issues.

Methods

The current study was conducted in the mid-western U.S. Participants were 122 adolescent students (m = 60, f = 62; M = 12.48 years, SD = 0.97 years) in intervention and control classes. For the intervention, a PE teacher received training on the TPSR approach to promote life skills, while the control teacher received no training and participated in usual practices. Pre- and post-surveys were distributed that examined student perceptions about learning life skills, and supplemental systematic observations were recorded to capture the intervention teacher's fidelity to the TPSR model.

Results

Results indicated that the intervention group students' perceptions of in-class experiences with life skills such as problem solving, emotional regulation, effort, goal setting, identity experiences, time management, and promoting social norms were enhanced overtime, compared to the control group.

Conclusion

PE is in a unique position to promote PYD in the school curriculum by teaching of life skills. In this case, participants in the intervention group demonstrated learning personally and socially responsible behaviors across the course of 15 PE lessons. Future research should examine if changed in-class perceptions about life skills can foster use of these skills outside of the PE setting.
Aligning Policy Design With Science to Achieve Food Security: The Contribution of Genome Editing to Sustainable Agriculture
Authors: Anyshchenko Artem
Published: June 2022

The need to meet the food demands of the world's growing population is the main challenge to global agricultural policy and economy. Issues in food security require innovative solutions. Modern biotechnology has a significant potential to contribute to food security, wealth, and sustainable development. Genetic engineering offers tools to improve nutrition, increase yield, and enhance crop resilience. New techniques of genome editing provide ample means to overcome limitations inherent in conventional plant breeding, but their industrial applicability depends on regulatory environment, decision making, and public perception. An alignment of goals between science and policy can help realise the potential of modern biotechnology to contribute to food security, wealth, and sustainable development.
The Preperitoneal Space in Hernia Repair
Authors: Lorenz A. , Augustin C. , Konschake M. , Gehwolf P. , Henninger B. , Augustin F. , Öfner D.
Published: June 2022

The preperitoneal spaces relevant for incisional hernia repair and minimally invasive groin hernia repair are described in terms of surgical anatomy. Emphasis is put on the transversalis fascia and the urogenital fascia and its extensions, the vesicoumbilical fascia, and the spermatic sheath of Stoppa procedure. Steps in hernia surgery where these structures are relevant are reviewed.
Industrial Processing Induces Pericardial Patch Degeneration
Authors: Peivandi Armin Darius , Martens Sven , Heitplatz Barbara , Guseva Alena , Mueller Klaus-Michael , Martens Sabrina
Published: June 2022

Background

Autologous pericardium is considered gold standard for various reconstructive surgical procedures in children. However, processed bovine, equine, and porcine pericardial tissue are also widely used. We investigated structural differences and analyzed alterations caused by industrial processing. Additionally human and equine pericardium explants, used during aortic valve reconstruction were analyzed.

Methods

Pericardial tissues (native, processed and explanted) were gathered and stained with HE and EvG to visualize collagen as well as elastic fibers. Fiber structures were visualized by light and polarization microscopy. Antibody staining against CD 3, CD 20, and CD 68 was performed to identify inflammation.

Results

Native pericardium of different species showed small differences in thickness, with bovine pericardium being the thickest [bovine: 390 μm (± 40.6 μm); porcine: 223 μm (± 30.1 μm); equine: 260 μm (± 28.4 μm)]. Juvenile pericardium was 277 μm (± 26.7 μm). Single collagen bundle diameter displayed variations (~3–20 μm). Parallel collagen fibers were densely packed with small inter-fibrillary space. After industrial tissue processing, loosening of collagen network with inter-fibrillary gapping was observed. Pericardium appeared thicker (mean values ranging from 257–670 μm). Processed tissue showed less birefringence under polarized light. All analyzed tissues showed a small number of elastic fibers. Fibrosis, calcification and inflammatory processes of autologous and equine pericardium were observed in patient explants.

Conclusion

None of the analyzed tissues resembled the exact structure of the autologous pericardial explant. Degeneration of pericardium starts during industrial processing, suggesting a potential harm on graft longevity in children. A careful surgical approach prior to the implantation of xenografts is therefore needed.
Establishment and Application of a Novel Difficulty Scoring System for da Vinci Robotic Pancreatoduodenectomy
Authors: Sun Hongfa , Sun Chuandong , Zhang Bingyuan , Ma Kai , Wu Zehua , Visser Brendan C. , Han Bing
Published: June 2022

Background

Robotic pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD) technology is developing rapidly, but there is still a lack of a specific and objective difficulty evaluation system in the field of application and training of RPD surgery.

Methods

The clinical data of patients who underwent RPD in our hospital from November 2014 to October 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the predictors of operation difficulty and convert into a scoring system.

Results

A total of 72 patients were enrolled in the group. According to the operation time (25%), intraoperative blood loss (25%), conversion to laparotomy, and major complications, the difficulty of operation was divided into low difficulty (0–2 points) and high difficulty (3–4 points). The multivariate logistic regression model included the thickness of mesenteric tissue (P1) (P = 0.035), the thickness of the abdominal wall (B1) (P = 0.017), and the preoperative albumin (P = 0.032), and the nomogram was established. AUC = 0.773 (0.645–0.901).

Conclusions

The RPD difficulty evaluation system based on the specific anatomical relationship between da Vinci’s laparoscopic robotic arm and tissues/organs in the operation area can be used as a predictive tool to evaluate the surgical difficulty of patients before operation and guide clinical practice.
Comparison of Four Lymph Node Staging Systems in Gastric Adenocarcinoma after Neoadjuvant Therapy – A Population-Based Study
Authors: Lai Hongkun , Zheng Jiabin , Li Yong
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Neoadjuvant treatment leads in a reduction in positive lymph nodes and examined lymph nodes (ELN), which may affect assessment of lymph node staging and postoperative treatment. We aimed to compare the staging systems of lymph node ratio (LNR), the positive logarithm ratio of lymph nodes (LODDS), negative lymph nodes (NLN), and the 8th AJCC ypN stage for patients with gastric adenocarcinoma after neoadjuvant therapy.

Materials and Methods

Data was collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database and 1,551 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent neoadjuvant therapy and radical surgery were enrolled. Harrell’s concordance index, the Receiver Operative Curve, the likelihood ratio test, and the Akaike information criterion were used to compare the predictive abilities of the different staging systems.

Results

Among the 1,551 patients, 689 (44.4%) had ELN < 16 and node-negative patients accounted for 395 (25.5%). When regarded as the categorical variable, LNR had better discrimination power, higher homogeneity, and better model fitness for CSS and OS compared to other stage systems, regardless of the status of ELN. When regarded as the continuos variable, LODDS outperformed others for CSS. Furthermore, the NLN staging system performed superior to others in node-negative patients.

Conclusions

LNR had a better predictive performance than ypN, LODDS and NLN staging systems regardless of the status of ELN when regarded as the categorical variable, whereas LOODS became the better predictive factor for CSS when regarded as the continuos variable. In node-negative patients, NLN might be a feasible option for evaluating prognosis. A combination of LNR and NLN should be considered as user-friendly method in the clinical prognostic assessment.
Protective Effects of Resveratrol and Apigenin Dietary Supplementation on Serum Antioxidative Parameters and mRNAs Expression in the Small Intestines of Diquat-Challenged Pullets
Authors: Zhou Ning , Tian Yong , Liu Wenchao , Tu Bingjiang , Xu Wenwu , Gu Tiantian , Zou Kang , Lu Lizhi
Published: June 2022

Poultry as a large-scale intensive farming is vulnerable to oxidative stress. Resveratrol and apigenin are recognized to have many beneficial bioactive functions. This study tested the hypothesis that dietary resveratrol and apigenin supplementation alleviates oxidative stress in the small intestine of diquat-challenged pullets. A total of 200 healthy pullets were randomly divided into four treatment groups: control group fed with a basal diet (CON), diquat group fed with a basal diet (DIQ), resveratrol group fed with a basal diet containing 500 mg/kg resveratrol (RES), and an apigenin group fed with a basal diet containing 500 mg/kg apigenin (API) and injected intraperitoneally with either 1 ml of saline (CON) or 8 mg/kg body weight of diquat (DIQ, RES, and API) to induce oxidative stress. The day of the injection was considered as day 0. The results indicated that resveratrol and apigenin were able to decrease the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and upregulate total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) levels in serum on day 1 and 10 after being diquat-challenged. In addition, resveratrol increased mRNA expression of NQO1 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1) and HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) in ileum and jejunum on day 10, while apigenin upregulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), NQO1, and HO-1 in ileum and jejunum on day 10. Both resveratrol and apigenin increased the mRNA expression of CLAUDIN-1 in ileum and jejunum on day 1 and that of ZO-1 (zonula occludens-1) in ileum on day 10 post-diquat-injection. These findings indicate that dietary supplementation with resveratrol and apigenin attenuates oxidative stress involving NRF2 signaling pathways in diquat-challenged pullets to some extent. These observations are valuable for the chicken industry and resveratrol and apigenin applications in animal husbandry.
Establishment of a Dual Real-Time PCR Assay for the Identification of African Swine Fever Virus Genotypes I and II in China
Authors: Gao Qi , Feng Yongzhi , Yang Yunlong , Luo Yizhuo , Gong Ting , Wang Heng , Gong Lang , Zhang Guihong , Zheng Zezhong
Published: June 2022

Since the first outbreak of ASFV genotype II in China in 2018, ASF has posed a significant threat to the swine industry. After the emergence of genotype I in China in 2020, the epidemic prevention and control have become more difficult. No effective commercial vaccine is currently available, and the disease is difficult to eradicate; therefore, the identification of the ASFV genotype is critical to establish biosafety control measures. In this study, a dual real-time PCR detection method based on B646L and E183L genes was developed to distinguish between ASFV genotypes I and II by specifically amplifying the genotype I E183L gene. The method is strongly specific, detects B646L and E183L genes simultaneously, and does not cross-react with PEDV, PCV, PRRSV, PRV, and CSFV. The double real-time PCR detection of ASFV genotypes I and II showed a B646L amplification curve, and only genotype I showed an E183L amplification curve, consistent with our expectations. The method has high sensitivity and the lowest copy numbers detected for recombinant plasmids B646L and E183L were 1.07 × 102 and 3.13 × 104 copies/μL, respectively. The method is reproducible, and the coefficient of variation for detecting the coefficient of variation (CV) values of the two recombinant plasmids was <2%. Seven samples were positive and 277 were negative, and the results of the two methods were consistent. The dual real-time PCR presented in this study provides a rapid detection method for the identification of ASFV genotypes I and II, which may lead to improving efficient prevention and control measures for ASF in China.
Distress and Well-Being Among Psychiatric Patients in the Aftermath of the First COVID-19 Lockdown in Israel: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Grossman-Giron Ariella , Tzur Bitan Dana , Mendlovic Shlomo , Shemesh Sharon , Bloch Yuval
Published: June 2022

Objectives: Studies assessing the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychiatric patients have mostly focused on cross-sectional evaluations of differences in levels of distress. In this study, we aimed to assess changes in distress and well-being following the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak as compared with pre-pandemic levels, as well as potential predictors of symptomatic deterioration, among psychiatric outpatients treated in a public mental health hospital in Israel.

Methods: Patients evaluated for distress and well-being before the pandemic (n = 55) were re-evaluated at the end of the first lockdown in Israel.

Results: Analyses revealed a significant decrease in the patients’ sense of personal growth. Increases in distress were significantly associated with fear of COVID-19 beyond patient characteristics.

Conclusion: These results suggest that the pandemic has a short-term effect on patients’ well-being, and that fear of the pandemic is associated with elevations in distress.
Donor Derived Cell Free DNA in Kidney Transplantation: The Circa 2020–2021 Update
Authors: Kant Sam , Brennan Daniel C.
Published: June 2022

The routine surveillance of kidney transplant allografts has relied on imperfect non-invasive biomarkers such as creatinine and urinary indices, while the gold standard allograft biopsy is associated with risk of bleeding, organ injury and sampling errors. Donor derived cell free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is being employed as a biomarker that addresses limitations of these surveillance methods, albeit has inherent drawbacks. This review provides an update on the enhanced understanding of dd-cfDNA and its expanded use beyond the conventional indication of detecting allograft rejection.
Use of Antibiotics against Bacterial Infections on Dairy Sheep and Goat Farms: Patterns of Usage and Associations with Health Management and Human Resources
Authors: Lianou Daphne T. , Fthenakis George C.
Published: June 2022

The objectives of the study were (a) to describe the patterns of antibiotic usage against four major clinical problems and (b) to evaluate factors that were associated with their use on small ruminant farms. Sheep and goat farmers mostly administered the antibiotics to animals at the dose prescribed (80.4%) and observed the necessary withdrawal period (98.7%), but fewer farmers (22.3%) weighed the animals to calculate their bodyweight before antibiotic administration. For the treatment of clinical mastitis, oxytetracycline, penicillin and streptomycin were the antibiotics used more frequently; 2.03 different antibiotics were used per sheep flock and 2.06 per goat herd, most frequently administered in injectable forms (88.8% of farms). In cases of abortion, oxytetracycline was administered more frequently; 1.12 different antibiotics were used per sheep flock and 1.03 per goat herd. In 94 farms (21.2%), routine administration of antibiotics was performed to newborns; oxytetracycline and ampicillin were administered more often. For the treatment of pneumonia in newborns, oxytetracycline, penicillin and tulathromycin were used more frequently; 1.33 antibiotics were used per sheep flock and 1.29 per goat herd. For the treatment of diarrhoea in lambs and kids, oxytetracycline, amoxicillin and penicillin were the antibiotics used more frequently; 1.34 antibiotics were used per sheep flock and 1.59 per goat herd. Results of multivariable analyses indicated 16 variables associated with the various outcomes for usage of antibiotics for the treatment of the above clinical problems. Of these, 11 variables were associated with the farmers: education of farmers was significant for three outcomes; the age, the experience, the professional involvement and farming family tradition of farmers and the daily period spent at the farm were each significant for one outcome.