bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Downregulation of hnRNPA1 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell progression by modulating alternative splicing of ZNF207 exon 9
Authors: Ouyang Qi , He Wenhui , Guo Yiping , Li Lin , Mao Ying , Li Xiang , Xiang Shuanglin , Hu Xiang , He Jun
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent liver cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNPA1) plays a critical role in RNA metabolism, including alternative splicing, which is linked to cancer progression. Our study investigated the role of hnRNPA1 in HCC and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Methods

We analyzed hnRNPA1 expression in HCC tissues compared to non-tumor tissues using RNA-seq and immunohistochemistry. hnRNPA1 was knocked down in Hep G2 cells to assess its impact on cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis using scratch assays, flow cytometry, qPCR, and Western blot. We also explored the interaction between hnRNPA1 and ZNF207, as well as its splicing effects and downstream signaling pathways by RIP assay, bioinformatics, qPCR and Western blot.

Results

hnRNPA1 was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues compared to normal tissues, correlating with poor patient survival. hnRNPA1 knockdown reduced Hep G2 cell proliferation and migration while increasing apoptosis. We identified that hnRNPA1 bound to ZNF207 and regulated its exon 9 skipping, influencing ZNF207 splicing and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, key regulators of cell growth and survival.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that hnRNPA1 promotes HCC progression by regulating ZNF207 splicing and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. hnRNPA1-ZNF207 interaction represents a potential therapeutic target for HCC, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying HCC progression.
Integrating team and organizational identity: a systematic literature analysis
Authors: Rovetta Alessandro , Bortolotti Alessandro , Palumbo Riccardo
Published: January 2025

This systematic literature review explores the impact of team and organizational identification on various factors such as wellbeing, behaviors, trust level, Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) and goal achievement. We use Social Identity Theory (SIT) to understand these dynamics. While strong organizational identification is generally linked to positive employee wellbeing, the presence of multiple groups within an organization (Nested Identifications or NID) can complicate matters. Over-identification with a specific team, as opposed to the organization as a whole, can lead to dysfunctional dynamics and reduce organizational effectiveness. The research provides insights into the factors that influence the alignment between team and organizational identification and its effects on employee behaviors. It calls for a more integrated understanding of the phenomenon, including which group categories to observe and which outcomes are most affected by different levels of identification. The primary focus of this work is the interaction between workgroups and the organization as a whole. The aim is to fill existing knowledge gaps, providing theoretical and practical insights to enhance wellbeing and effectiveness through targeted identification strategies at individual, team, and organizational levels. This systematic review seeks to guide future research toward a deeper understanding of identification dynamics within organizations, emphasizing a comprehensive approach that considers the impact of the most important levels of identification.
The accuracy of forecasted hospital admission for respiratory tract infections in children aged 0–5 years for 2017/2023
Authors: Methi Fredrik , Magnusson Karin
Published: January 2025

Aim

Healthcare services are in need of tools that can help to ensure a sufficient capacity in periods with high prevalence of respiratory tract infections (RTIs). During the COVID-19 pandemic, we forecasted the number of hospital admissions for RTIs among children aged 0–5 years. Now, in 2024, we aim to examine the accuracy and usefulness of our forecast models.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis using data from 753,070 children aged 0–5 years, plotting the observed monthly number of RTI admissions, including influenza coded RTI, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) coded RTI, COVID-19 coded RTI, and other upper and lower RTI, from January 1st, 2017, until May 31st, 2023. We determined the accuracy of four different forecast models, all based on monthly hospital admissions and different assumptions regarding the pattern of virus transmission, computed with ordinary least squares regression adjusting for seasonal trends. We compared the observed vs. forecasted numbers of RTIs between October 31st, 2021, and May 31st, 2023, using metrics such as mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and dynamic time warping (DTW).

Results

In our most accurate prediction, we assumed that the proportion of children who remained uninfected and non-hospitalized during the lockdown would be prone to hospitalization in the subsequent season, resulting in increased numbers when lockdown measures were eased. In this prediction, the difference between observed and forecasted numbers at the peak of hospitalizations requiring vs. not requiring respiratory support in November 2021 to January 2022 was 26 (394 vs. 420) vs. 48 (1810 vs. 1762).

Conclusion

In scenarios similar to the COVID-19 pandemic, when the transmission of respiratory viruses is suppressed for an extended period, a simple regression model, assuming that non-hospitalized children would be hospitalized the following season, most accurately forecasted hospital admission numbers. These simple forecasts may be useful for capacity planning activities in hospitals.
The efficacy of Tripterygium Glycosides in the treatment of Chinese patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Mingzhe , Wei Bingchen , Gao Tianshu , Gao Chenghan
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study aims to conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness and safety of Tripterygium Glycosides interventions in the treatment of Chinese patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO).

Methods

A literature search was conducted using PubMed for English sources, and the CNKI, Chinese Biomedical Database, Wanfang Database, and VIP Database for Chinese sources. The search period extended from the beginning of the databases’ creation to Dec. 2023. The keywords used in the search were hyperthyroidism, thyroid-related immune orbitopathy (TRIO), ophthalmopathy, and Tripterygium Glycosides. Various combinations of search terms were used, depending on the database being queried. All the trials included in the study were clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Results

33 RCTs or quasi-RCTs that met the inclusion criteria were included. The meta-analysis included 27 RCTs. 6 RCTs were excluded from the analysis due to the absence of a control group, but they were still included in the systematic review. 27 RCTs or quasi-RCTs involving 2,134 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The TRIO patients in the treatment group received Tripterygium Glycosides in combination with Thiamazole, Prednisone, Levothyroxine sodium, or a combination of these medications. While the TRIO patients in the control group were treated with Thiamazole, Prednisone, Levothyroxine sodium, or a combination of these treatments, the meta-analysis results show that the overall effectiveness rate of the treatment group and the control group was P = 0.05, I2 = 0.33 < 0.5 [MD = 4.45, 95% CI (3.31, 5.99), P < 0.00001]. The former was significantly superior to the latter. At the same time, a risk assessment was conducted for the study of the 2 groups. The former was significantly superior to the latter. Furthermore, the clinical effectiveness rate of eyeball prominence was P < 0.00001, I2 = 0.98 > 0.5 [MD = 2.40, 95% CI (2.28, 2.51), P < 0.00001]. The clinical effectiveness rate of CAS score was P < 0.00001, I2 = 0.89 > 0.5 [MD = 1.68, 95% CI (1.50, 1.85), P < 0.00001]. The clinical effectiveness rate of FT3 was P < 0.00001, I2 = 0.98 > 0.5 [MD = 0.95, 95% CI (0.81, 1.08), P < 0.00001], the clinical effectiveness rate of FT4 was P < 0.00001, I2 = 0.95 > 0.5 [MD = 2.12, 95% CI (1.99, 2.25), P < 0.00001], and the clinical effectiveness rate of TSH was P < 0.00001, I2 = 0.89 > 0.5 [MD = −0.19, 95% CI (−0.21, −0.17), P < 0.00001].

Conclusion

The experience with the treatment of TAO using Tripterygium Glycosides was promising. The existing evidence suggests that treatment with Tripterygium Glycosides may be more effective in enhancing the response rate, quality of life, and FT3 levels compared to treatment with Prednisone, Levothyroxine sodium, and/or Thiamazole alone.
Survival analysis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma based on the ratio of platelet count to spleen diameter
Authors: Yan Huiwen , Zhou Dongdong , Liu Xiaoli , Wang Peng , Jiang Tingting , Yang Zhiyun
Published: January 2025

Background

In China, 80% of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is associated with cirrhosis. Portal hypertension, the most common outcome of cirrhosis progression, has a high incidence. Platelet count/spleen diameter ratio (PSL) with a cut-off value of 909 can predict the presence of esophagogastric varices and thus portal hypertension, which is also an independent risk factor for early recurrence and late recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after resection. Therefore, the effect of PSL on the overall survival (OS) of patients with HCC is necessary. The aim of this study was to apply a new method to establish and validate a model for predicting the prognosis of patients based on PSL with HCC.

Methods

A total of 1,104 patients with clinical diagnosed with HCC following non-surgical therapy randomly divided the patients into a primary cohort and a validation cohort in a ratio of 7:3, in which 772 HCC patients were in the primary cohort and a total of 332 HCC patients were in the validation cohort. Through Lasso-Cox analysis, the independent predictors of OS of training cohort were included in nomogram1, and the independent predictors of Cox regression analysis were included in nomogram2. Nomogram1 and nomogram2 used consistency index (C-index), AUC and time-dependent ROC curves in the training cohort, respectively, and the calibration curves were plotted. All suggest that nomogram1 is better than nomogram2. We get similar results in the validation cohort.

Results

The C-index of nomogram1was 0.792 (95%CI: 0.772–0.812), which was superior to nomogram2 (0.788) and traditional modes (0.631–0.712). The AUC of nomogram1 was 0.866 (95%CI: 0.840–0.889). In the validation cohort, the nomogram1 still gave good discrimination (C-index: 0.769, 95%CI: 0.740–0.798; AUC: 0.867, 95%CI: 0.826–0.902). Calibration plots for 3-year OS probabilities showed the good agreement between nomogram1 predictions and actual observations. In addition, we found that the decision curve analysis of nomogram1 and nomogram2 was also meaningful.

Conclusion

Novel nomogram containing PSL, based on LASSO Cox regression, had higher predictive efficacy for 3-year overall survival in patients with HCC.
Restraint stress effects on glutamate signaling protein levels in the rats’ frontal cortex: Does β1 adrenoceptor activity matter?
Authors: Zelek-Molik Agnieszka , Gądek-Michalska Anna , Wilczkowski Michał , Bielawski Adam , Maziarz Katarzyna , Kreiner Grzegorz , Nalepa Irena
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Stress-evoked dysfunctions of the frontal cortex (FC) are correlated with changes in the functioning of the glutamatergic system, and evidence demonstrates that noradrenergic transmission is an important regulator of this process. In the current study, we adopted a restraint stress (RS) model in male Wistar rats to investigate whether the blockade of β1 adrenergic receptors (β1AR) with betaxolol (BET) in stressed animals influences the body’s stress response and the expression of selected signaling proteins in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).

Methods

The study was divided into two parts. In the first part, rats were exposed to RS for 3, 7, or 14 days, and the expression of glutamate signaling proteins (p(S845)/t GluA1, p(Y1472)/t GluN2B, VGLUT1, and VGLUT2) in the FC was analyzed to determine the optimal RS duration for studying the mechanisms of hypofrontality. In the second part, rats were exposed to RS for 14 days, and BET (5 mg/kg, p. o.) was administered during the last 8 days immediately after RS. The body’s stress reaction was assessed by analyzing body weight and blood levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT). Behavioral responses were evaluated using the novel object recognition (NOR) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests. The impact of RS and BET on the expression of p(Y530)/t Fyn and p (S133)/t CREB in the mPFC was measured via Western blotting.

Results and Discussion

The first part of the study demonstrated a decreased level of glutamate receptors in rats exposed to 14 days of RS, following an initial increase observed after 7 days of RS. Results from the second part revealed that chronic RS reduced body weight, impaired recognition memory in the NOR test, augmented blood levels of ACTH, and increased the expression of p(Y530) Fyn in the mPFC. However, β1AR blockade did not alter the effects of RS on weight gain, cognitive function, or the expression of p(Y530) Fyn. β1AR blockade normalized only the blood concentration of ACTH. These results suggest that decreased Fyn kinase activity, indicated by phosphorylation at Y530, underlies the stress-evoked downregulation of GluN2B in the FC in a manner independent of β1AR activity.
Plant and marine-derived natural products: sustainable pathways for future drug discovery and therapeutic development
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad , Tahir Maleha , Hong Zibin , Zia Muhammad Anjum , Rafeeq Hamza , Ahmad Muhammad Shaheez , Rehman Saif ur , Sun Junming
Published: January 2025

Plant- and marine-derived natural products are rich sources of bioactive compounds essential for drug discovery. These compounds contain complex mixtures of metabolites, which collectively contribute to their pharmacological properties. However, challenges arise in the isolation of individual bioactive compounds, owing to their intricate chemistry and low abundance in natural extracts. Despite these limitations, numerous plant and marine-derived compounds have achieved regulatory approval, particularly for treating cancer and infectious diseases. This review explores the therapeutic potential of plant and marine sources along with innovative extraction and isolation methods that support sustainable drug development. Future perspectives will highlight the role of responsible innovation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning in advancing drug discovery, underscoring the importance of continued research to meet global health needs.
Elucidation of the mechanism of berberine against gastric mucosa injury in a rat model with chronic atrophic gastritis based on a combined strategy of multi-omics and molecular biology
Authors: Chen Lisheng , Wang Xin , Li Jianyu , Zhang Lijuan , Wu Wenbin , Wei Shizhang , Zou Wenjun , Zhao Yanling
Published: January 2025

Background

Berberine (BBR) is widely used to treat gastrointestinal diseases. However, the pharmacological mechanism of action of BBR in anti-chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of BBR in CAG by integration of molecular biology and multi-omics studies strategy.

Methods

The CAG model was established by alternating drinking water of 0.1% ammonia and 20 mmol/L sodium deoxycholate, accompanied by an irregular diet. Serum biochemical indices including PGI, PGII, GAS-17, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were analyzed. HE and AB-PAS staining were employed to assess pathological damage in gastric tissue. The underlying molecular mechanism of BBR in CAG treatment was explored via the integration of network pharmacology, transcriptomics, widely targeted metabolomics and intestinal flora analysis. Finally, relevant key targets and pathway were verified.

Results

The results showed that BBR exerted therapeutic effects in improving CAG via alleviating inflammation response, maintaining the gastric mucosal barrier’s integrity and repairing gastric mucosal tissues. Network pharmacology showed that the treatment of CAG by BBR mainly involved in inflammatory response, apoptosis, angiogenesis and metabolic processes. Furthermore, 234 different expression genes were identified in the gastric tissue transcriptome, which were mainly involved in biological processes such as cell adhesion, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell migration and lipids metabolism by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway. Metabolomics results showed that 125 differential metabolites were also identified, while the pathways were mainly involved in D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, and tyrosine metabolism, etc. Integrating transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses indicated that BBR directly regulated Carnitine C3:0, LPC (0:0/20:3), L-Glutamic Acid and FFA (15:0) by acting on SLC25A20, PNLIPRP1, PLA2G4C, GSR, GFPT2, GCLM, CTPS1, ACSL1, ACOT4 and ACOT2. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that BBR could restore the balance of gut microbiota dysbiosis by significantly regulating the relative abundance of unclassified_Muribaculaceae and Lactobacillus_johnsonii.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that BBR alleviates CAG through the regulation of the MAPK signaling pathway, metabolic disorders and gut microbiota dysbiosis, thereby revealing the complex mechanism of BBR in relation to alleviating CAG from multiple levels and perspectives.
Efficacy of the Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Formula on Beclin-1/Bcl-2-mediated autophagy and apoptosis in osteoblasts
Authors: Lin Yanping , Zhao Rui , Huang Jiachun , Chen Tongying , Yang Haolin , Guo Haiwei , Wan Lei , Zhang Zhihai , Li Ying , Zhu Genfu , Huang Hongxing
Published: January 2025

Background

The Beclin-1/Bcl-2 complex plays a pivotal role in regulating both autophagy and apoptosis in osteoblasts affected by osteoporosis. This study first investigates whether the Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Formula can enhance the cellular function of osteoblasts. Additionally, it initially explores the functional mechanism of Beclin-1/Bcl-2-related apoptosis.

Methods

Osteoblasts were isolated from the calvaria of three-day-old Sprague-Dawley female rats. The lyophilized power of the Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Formula was prepared from the following ingredients: Fructus Psoraleae, Epimedii Folium, Desertliving Cistanche, Prepared Rehmannia Radix, Radix paeoniae alba, Astragali Radix, Semen Cuscuta, Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae, Angelica sinensis, and Jujube. The primary components were detected by HPLC-MS. Beclin-1 overexpressed osteoblasts were constructed by transfection. Gene expression and protein level were examined by qRT-PCR and immunoblotting assay. Cell viability, apoptosis, and autophagy were assayed with CCK-8, flow cytometer, MDC staining, and Lyso-Tracker staining, respectively. Osteogenic differentiation was assayed by ALP staining, and mineralization by ARS staining. The complex of Beclin-1/Bcl-2 was detected by immunoprecipitation.

Results

The results of this study indicated that the Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Formula could enhance both the proliferative activity, differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts induced by Beclin-1 overexpression. This may be related to its role in activation of the WNT/β-CATENIN by increasing protein expression of WNT1 and β-CATENIN more than 1-fold. The formula effectively inhibited autophagy rate and apoptosis rate of osteoblasts by 50%. Furthermore, the formula was effective in attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress by decreasing protein expression of AFT4, CHOP, eIF2α, and GRP78 more than 50%, which may play functions by suppressing the PERK signaling pathway. However, Mif treatment significantly weakened the effects of the formula.

Conclusion

Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Formula effectively enhanced the osteogenic activity by inhibiting Beclin-1-induced autophagy instead of the binding of Beclin-1 and Bcl-2. This underscores the formula’s multifaceted role in promoting bone health and managing cellular stress, and offers novel insights into its therapeutic potential against osteoporosis.
Personalized auricular vagus nerve stimulation: beat-to-beat deceleration dominates in systole-gated stimulation during inspiration - a pilot study
Authors: Tischer Johannes , Szeles Jozsef Constantin , Kaniusas Eugenijus
Published: January 2025

Neuromodulation comes into focus as a non-pharmacological therapy with the vagus nerve as modulation target. The auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS) has emerged to treat chronic diseases while re-establishing the sympathovagal balance and activating parasympathetic anti-inflammatory pathways. aVNS leads still to over and under-stimulation and is limited in therapeutic efficiency. A potential avenue is personalization of aVNS based on time-varying cardiorespiratory rhythms of the human body. In the pilot study, we propose personalized cardiac-gated aVNS and evaluate its effects on the instantaneous beat-to-beat intervals (RR intervals). Modulation of RR is expected to reveal the aVNS efficiency since the efferent cardiac branch of the stimulated afferent vagus nerve governs the instantaneous RR. Five healthy subjects were subjected to aVNS. Each subject underwent two 25-min sessions. The first session started with the non-gated open-loop aVNS, followed by the systole-gated closed-loop aVNS, then the non-gated, diastole-gated, and non-gated aVNS, each for 5min. In the second session, systole and diastole gated aVNS were interchanged. Changes in RR are analysed by comparing the prolongation of RR intervals with respect to the proceeding RR interval where aVNS took place. These RR changes are considered as a function of the personalized stimulation onset, the stimulation angle starting with R peak. The influence of the respiration phases is considered on the cardiovagal modulation. The results show that the systole-gated aVNS tends to prolong and shorten RR when stimulated after and before the R peak, respectively. The later in time is the stimulation onset within the diastole-gated aVNS, the longer tends to be the subsequent RR interval. The tendency of the RR prolongation raises with increasing stimulation angle and then gradually levels off with increasing delay of the considered RR interval from the one where aVNS took place. The slope of this rise is larger for the systole-gated than diastole-gated aVNS. When considering individual respiration phases, the inspiratory systole-gated aVNS seems to show the largest slope values and thus the largest cardiovagal modulatory capacity of the personalized time-gated aVNS. This pilot study indicates aVNS capacity to modulate the heartbeat and thus the parasympathetic activity which is attenuated in chronic diseases. The modulation is highest for the systole-gated aVNS during inspiration.
Altered lumbo-pelvic-hip complex muscle morphometry and contraction change in postpartum pelvic girdle pain and asymptomatic subjects: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lin Ziling , Hou Yanjun , Chen Xueling , Liu Yanping , Wang Xiangbin
Published: January 2025

Objective

Lumbo-pelvic-hip complex muscle training is considered a crucial component of exercise rehabilitation for postpartum women with pelvic girdle pain (PGP). However, there is a paucity of research evidence regarding the morphological changes and contraction function of these muscles in postpartum women with PGP. Understanding the alterations in lumbo-pelvic-hip complex muscles function associated with PGP, is crucial for tailoring effective rehabilitation strategies and promoting optimal postpartum recovery. Therefore, this study aims to compare the differences in muscle thickness and contraction function of lumbo-pelvic-hip complex muscle between postpartum women with PGP and asymptomatic controls using ultrasound imaging.

Methods

One hundred and fifty postpartum women with PGP and fifty age-matched asymptomatic postpartum women were recruited in this study. Real-time musculoskeletal ultrasound was utilized to measure the resting muscle thickness of nine lumbo-pelvic-hip complex muscles, including the erector spinalis (ES), latissimus dorsi (LD), quadratus lumbalis (QL), gluteus maximus (GMax), gluteus medius (GMed), piriformis (PF), iliacus muscle (IM), rectus femoris (RF), and biceps femoris (BF). The thickness of the GMax, GMed, RF, and BF muscles were measured at maximum contraction to calculate a contraction: rest ratio.

Results

Compared to the asymptomatic women, those with PGP exhibited reduced resting thickness of the ES and GMax muscles bilaterally, as well as increased resting thickness of the right LD and IM muscles. Furthermore, the PGP group demonstrated decreased thickness of the left GMed and right RF muscles at maximum contraction. The contraction ratio was also diminished for the GMax muscles bilaterally, left GMed, and right RF in women with postpartum PGP. Conclusion: Postpartum women with PGP demonstrated reduced thickness, asymmetry, and diminished contractility of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex muscles. Exercise prescriptions for postpartum women with PGP should incorporate targeted strengthening of the ES, GMax, GMed, and RF muscles.

Conclusion

Postpartum women with PGP demonstrated reduced thickness, asymmetry, and diminished contractility of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex muscle. Exercise prescriptions for postpartum women with PGP should incorporate targeted strengthening of the ES, GMax, GMed, and RF muscles.
Detection of respiratory frequency rhythm in human alpha phase shifts: topographic distributions in wake and drowsy states
Authors: Kalauzi Aleksandar , Matić Zoran , Suljovrujić Edin , Bojić Tijana
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The relationship between brain activity and respiration is recently attracting increasing attention, despite being studied for a long time. Respiratory modulation was evidenced in both single-cell activity and field potentials. Among EEG and intracranial measurements, the effect of respiration was prevailingly studied on amplitude/power in all frequency bands.

Methods

Since phases of EEG oscillations received less attention, we applied our previously published carrier frequency (CF) mathematical model of human alpha oscillations on a group of 10 young healthy participants in wake and drowsy states, using a 14-channel average reference montage. Since our approach allows for a more precise calculation of CF phase shifts (CFPS) than any individual Fourier component, by using a 2-s moving Fourier window, we validated the new method and studied, for the first time, temporal waveforms CFPS(t) and their oscillatory content through FFT (CFPS(t)).

Results

Although not appearing equally in all channel pairs and every subject, a clear peak in the respiratory frequency region, 0.21–0.26 Hz, was observed (max at 0.22 Hz). When five channel pairs with the most prominent group averaged amplitudes at 0.22 Hz were plotted in both states, topographic distributions changed significantly—from longitudinal, connecting frontal and posterior channels in the wake state to topographically split two separate regions—frontal and posterior in the drowsy state. In addition, in the drowsy state, 0.22-Hz amplitudes decreased for all pairs, while statistically significant reduction was obtained for 20/91 (22%) pairs.

Discussion

These results potentially evidence, for the first time, the respiratory frequency modulation of alpha phase shifts, as well as the significant impact of wakeful consciousness on the observed oscillations.
Variance and covariance components of agronomic and quality traits assessed in tetraploid potato and their implications on practical breeding
Authors: Thelen Kathrin , Prigge Vanessa , Kohlmorgen Anja , Muders Katja , Truberg Bernd , Hartje Stefanie , Renner Juliane , Stich Benjamin
Published: January 2025

Potato is a versatile food crop and major component of human nutrition worldwide. Model calculations and computer simulations can be used to optimize the resource allocation in potato breeding programs but require quantitative genetic parameters. The objectives of our study are to (i) estimate quantitative genetic parameters of the most important phenotypic traits in potato breeding programs, (ii) compare the importance of inter- vs. intra-population variance, (iii) quantify genotypic and phenotypic covariances among phenotypic traits, and (iv) examine the effect of a preselection in the single hills stage on variance and covariance components in later stages of the breeding program. Our study was based on a total of 1066 clones from three breeding programs which were evaluated in a non-orthogonal way in 15 environments for a total of 26 phenotypic traits. The examined traits showed an overall high to medium heritability, and variance analysis revealed trait-specific differences in the influence of the genotypic, environmental, and genotype-environment interaction effect. Accounting for heterogeneity in the residual variances between the 15 environments led to a significant improvement of the variance parameter estimation. The result of our study suggested that the first selection step at the single hills stage did not negatively impact the genetic variability of the target traits implying that the traits assessed in the earlier stages were not correlated with the traits influencing market success. Our results can be used as base for further simulation studies and, thus, help to optimize the resource allocation in breeding programs.
Human and digital ecosystems in the modern household
Authors: Briggs Pam , Nicholson James , Lukins Rhian
Published: January 2025

Despite a growing number of studies describing the digital ecosystems of the home, few have explored the human component of this ecosystem and fewer have accounted for household and relationship diversity. We asked the inhabitants of nine households to share images of their digital devices and then interviewed them about how the technology was distributed and used, what roles they adopted in relation to the different devices and what boundaries or rules they set up to manage joint use. Following a thematic analysis, we describe (i) the digital components of the ecosystem and their use; (ii) the humans in the ecosystem and their relationships with technology and with each other, and (iii) interconnectedness in terms of joint use and self- or other-imposed restrictions. We use this data to describe dimensions against which households will meaningfully differ and suggest how these dimensions might be used to explore the implications of household and relationship diversity for future smarthome technologies.
The mediating effect of social support on the relationship between intimacy and perceived partner responsiveness in endometriosis women of childbearing age
Authors: Chen Jia , Ge Yuanjing , Jin Xiaohong , Huang Haiyan , Shan Xiao , Xu Xujuan
Published: January 2025

Purposes

The mediating effect of social support on the relationship between intimacy and perceived partner responsiveness (PPR) was examined among the endometriosis women of childbearing age.

Method

201 endometriosis (EM) women of childbearing age were investigated in the gynecology outpatient clinic and ward of a tertiary general hospital in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province. Intimacy, PPR, and social support were measured by using the scales of Quality of Relationship Index (QRI), PPR Scale (PPRS), and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). A four-step hierarchical regression analysis was conducted.

Results

Positive correlations were found among intimacy and subjective support, support utilization, and PPR. Mediation analysis indicated a partial mediating effect of support utilization on the relationship between intimacy and PPR.

Conclusion

There is a positive correlation between intimacy and PPR in EM patients of childbearing age, and the support utilization plays a partial mediating role.
Role playing in human evolution: from life to art, and everything in between
Authors: Brown Steven
Published: January 2025

Role playing is a central, but underappreciated, process in human evolution. It is a feature not only of the theatrical arts, but of everyday social interactions. While some role playing is limited to enacting various personas of the self (e.g., wife, accountant, mother), others involve an impersonation of people. The most basic form of impersonation is proto-acting, which refers to a transient engagement in character portrayal, such as when we quote a friend during a conversation. During proto-acting, we “act as” some other person. However, there are other means of acting in a similar manner to another person in which we do not impersonate them, but merely emulate their behavior. This might happen when we learn a motor skill from a teacher or conform to the consumer choices of the masses. This follower-based process of “acting like” is a critically important mechanism in cultural evolution since it leads to social conformity and the homogenization of group behavior. I argue that the evolutionary transition from “acting like” (emulation) to “acting as” (impersonation) occurred via the emergence of pantomime and its narrative depiction of the actions of other people. This was probably the first step toward impersonating someone, leading initially to proto-acting and later to theatrical performance in human cultures. Overall, the study of human evolution needs to give greater consideration to role playing and its diverse manifestations in life and art.
Psychometric proprieties analyses of psychological vulnerability scale for secondary school students
Authors: Araújo Odete , Freitas Otília , Sousa Gilberta , Ribeiro Isilda , Carvalho José Carlos , Martins Silvana
Published: January 2025

Background

The concept of psychological vulnerability is associated with the individual’s maladaptive cognitive beliefs, such as self-criticism, perfectionism, and the need for external validation and approval, reducing the individual’s ability to cope with negative life experiences. This study aimed to explore psychometric proprieties of the Psychological Vulnerability Scale in secondary school students.

Methods

A psychometric study was conducted with a non-probabilistic sample of 1,875 secondary school students (55.5% female) aged 15 to over 18 years. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire that included demographic information, the Psychological Vulnerability Scale, and a Positive Mental Health questionnaire.

Results

Analysis revealed acceptable skewness values (between −0.557 and 0.6385) and kurtosis (ranging from −1.29 to −0.704). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated excellent global fit indices, confirming the original structure. Invariance testing between genders demonstrated that the Psychological Vulnerability Scale was consistent for boys and girls (configural invariance) and that each item contributed similarly to the construct (metric invariance). The Psychological Vulnerability Scale showed good internal consistency, with an ordinal Cronbach’s alfa above 0.70. Reliability estimates, including inter-item reliability or MacDonald’s Omega, indicated mean item-inter correlations falling within the recommended range of 0.15–0.50.

Conclusion

The Psychological Vulnerability Scale is a reliable tool that allows health professionals to assess the psychological vulnerability of individuals in both clinical (e.g., hospitals, health centers) and non-clinical (e.g., schools, universities) contexts throughout the life cycle (e.g., young people, adults, and older adults).
The influence of social interactions in mitigating psychological distress during the COVID−19 pandemic: a study in Sri Lanka
Authors: Thilakasiri Isuru , Fonseka Tharaka , Mapa Isuri , Godaliyadda Roshan , Herath Vijitha , Thowfeek Ramila , Rathnayake Anuruddhika , Ekanayake Parakrama , Ekanayake Janaka
Published: January 2025

Massive changes in many aspects related to social groups of different socioeconomic backgrounds were caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and as a result, the overall state of mental health was severely affected globally. This study examined how the pandemic affected Sri Lankan citizens representing a range of socioeconomic backgrounds in terms of their mental health. The data used in this research was gathered from 3,020 households using a nationwide face-to-face survey, from which a processed dataset of 921 responses was considered for the final analysis. Four distinct factors were identified by factor analysis (FA) that was conducted and subsequently, the population was clustered using unsupervised clustering to determine which population subgroups were affected similarly. Two such subgroups were identified where the respective relationships to the retrieved principal factors and their demographics were thoroughly examined and interpreted. This resulted in the identification of contrasting perspectives between the two groups toward the maintenance and the state of social relationships during the pandemic, which revealed that one group was more “socially connected” in nature resulting in their mental state being comparatively better in coping with the pandemic. The other group was seen to be more “socially reserved” showing an opposite reaction toward social connections while their mental well-being declined showing symptoms such as loneliness, and emptiness in response to the pandemic. The study examined the role of social media, and it was observed that social media was perceived as a substitute for the lack of social connections or primarily used as a coping mechanism in response to the challenges of the pandemic and results show that maintaining social connections physically or via online rather than the use of social media has helped one group over the other in decreasing their symptoms such as emptiness, loneliness and fear of death.
Knowledge hiding and social exchange theory: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Zijun , Takahashi Yoshi , Rezwan Roksana Binte
Published: January 2025

The literature on the antecedents and consequences of knowledge hiding remains fragmented, limiting its practical applications. Social exchange theory (SET), one of the most widely adopted sociological frameworks, offers unique insights into the dynamics of knowledge hiding. This study synthesizes the application of SET in analyzing the nomological framework of knowledge hiding through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. A meta-analysis was conducted based on the random-effects model and the meta-analytic structural equation modeling method, incorporating 66 primary studies with a total of 20,603 participants. Additionally, we examined the mediating role of knowledge hiding by linking key antecedents and consequences. Moreover, an exploratory analysis was conducted to investigate the moderating effects of national culture and research methodology, providing evidence to justify the true heterogeneity in the pairwise relationships between knowledge hiding and its antecedents. The research results generally support most pairwise relationships between knowledge hiding and its correlates, which were theoretically developed based on SET. This study is the first attempt to explore the explanatory power of SET in analyzing the knowledge-hiding phenomenon, and whether the establishment of a knowledge exchange loop contributes to a deeper understanding of this dyadic construct.
Art therapy’s engagement of brain networks for enduring recovery from addiction
Authors: Quinn Patricia
Published: January 2025

The field of addiction in its priority to save lives has emphasized harm reduction and medication therapies that have taken precedence over counseling and psychotherapy. The extensive mental health needs, traumatic histories and cognitive challenges of this population call for more availability of all treatments, but also in-depth treatment for the causes of the addiction. The prevalence of trauma is examined with regard to the challenge it presents in treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), and other comorbidities. Two case examples are offered that exemplify how art therapy expedites key information about underlying trauma. Art therapy is proposed as a treatment approach for SUD for its apparent activation of key neural networks that are also impacted by trauma, and its usefulness in engaging those who have cognitive challenges experientially. Quantitative research is cited that suggests art therapy’s activation of the reward system, which may make art therapy useful in treating the stress and inhibition coefficients of addiction that map to neural networks of addiction. The need for additional empirical research is cited that may improve the efficiency and effectiveness of art therapy and mental health treatment.
Preventable hospitalizations through ED: does the number of hospital beds matter under the global budget in a single-payer system in Taiwan?
Authors: Chen Hsueh-Fen , Hsieh Hui-Min , Chang Wei-Shan
Published: January 2025

Background

Taiwan implemented global hospital budgeting with a floating-point value, which created a prisoner's dilemma. As a result, hospitals increased service volume, which caused the floating-point value to drop to less than one New Taiwan Dollar (NTD). The recent increase in the number of hospital beds and the call to enhance the floating-point value to one NTD raise concerns about the potential for increased financial burden without adding value to patient care if hospitals expand their bed capacity for volume-based competition. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between the supply of hospital beds and hospitalizations following an emergency department (ED) visit (called ED hospitalizations) by using diabetes-related ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) that are preventable and discretionary as an example.

Methods

The study was a pooled cross-sectional design analyzing 2011–2015 population-based claims data in Taiwan. The dependent variable was a dummy variable representing an ED hospitalization, with a treat-and-leave ED visit as the reference group. The key independent variable is the number of hospital beds per 1,000 populations. Multivariate logistic regression models with and without a clustering function were used for the analyses.

Results

Approximately 59.26% of diabetes-related ACSCs ED visits resulted in ED hospitalizations. The relationship between the supply of hospital beds and ED hospitalizations was statistically significant (OR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.09–1.14; P < 0.001) in the model without clustering but was statistically insignificant in the model with clustering (OR = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.94–1.12; P > 0.05). Several social risk factors were positively associated with the likelihood of ED hospitalizations, such as low income and the percentage of the population without a high school diploma. In contrast, other factors, such as female patients and the Charlson comorbidity index, were negatively associated with the likelihood of ED hospitalizations.

Conclusion

Under hospital global budgeting with a floating-point value mechanism, increases in hospital beds likely motivate hospitals to admit ED patients with preventable and discretionary conditions. Our study emphasizes the urgent need to add value-based incentive mechanisms to the current global budget payment. The value-based incentive mechanisms may encourage providers to focus on quality of patient care by addressing social risk factors rather than engage in volume-based competition, which would improve population health while reducing preventable ED visits and hospitalizations.
Lifestyle changes among older adults during and after COVID-19 pandemic in Lithuania
Authors: Sauliune Skirmante , Kalediene Ramune , Kalibatas Vytenis , Kaseliene Snieguole , Mesceriakova Olga
Published: January 2025

The aim of this study

to analyze lifestyle changes among older adults during and after COVID-19 pandemic in Lithuania, with a particular focus on eating habits, physical activity, social engagement and harmful habits.

Methods

The representative sample of Lithuanian population over 65 years old (1,503 individuals) was involved in the questionnaire survey, performed in January 2024.

Results

Most of the eating habits and the body weight of the older adults did not change during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lithuania. Respondents noted that their physical activity decreased, face-to-face communication became rarer, while remote communication increased. During pandemic, the increased frequency of snacking was more often indicated by persons with lower than secondary education, working, receiving higher incomes, as well as increased snacking and body weight were more prevalent among younger, single or overweight persons; increased body weight during the pandemic was more often mentioned by the persons who assessed their health poorly. Physical activity decreased more often among rural residents and groups with higher or college education; face-to-face communication has become rarer among younger people, rural residents, pensioners, disabled, people with higher income and those with overweight, while remote communication has increased among women, respondents with a university education and those with an average income (p < 0.05). Nearly half of the respondents indicated that the changes in food consumption and smoking frequency that occurred during the pandemic remained after it. After the pandemic, the habits of consuming fast food, confectionery or other sweets and changes in body weight mostly remained, while the patterns of communication returned to the pre-pandemic level. Most of the healthy lifestyle habits formed during the pandemic persisted after the pandemic. The lifestyle habits formed during the pandemic remained more stable in the groups of older persons, residents of smaller towns, respondents with lower than secondary education, higher income, singles, disabled, obese, and those who assessed their health poorly (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Lithuania, there were various changes in eating habits, physical activity, communication patterns, and harmful habits. Certain habits formed during the pandemic continued afterward, particularly among specific groups of the older Lithuanian adults.
How can data contribute to Smart City innovation: a study from Thailand’s Smart City initiatives
Authors: Hansen Michael Motet , Koonsanit Kitti , Kulmala Ville
Published: January 2025

Integrating data-driven technologies is increasingly crucial for developing Smart Cities, particularly in enhancing urban operations and ensuring inclusivity. As cities worldwide adopt Smart City initiatives, understanding the role of data in optimising urban infrastructure and services becomes paramount. This research addresses the challenge of effectively utilising data to support inclusive Smart City operations in Thailand. It focuses on real-time monitoring, resource optimisation, and community engagement to improve urban management and sustainability. The study employs a comprehensive review of Thailand’s Smart City initiatives, including using applications like Traffy Fondue. It analyses data from environmental sensors, community engagement tools, and governance platforms to assess their impact on city operations. The research also explores future directions by synthesising current practices and potential data infrastructure and analytics advancements. The findings reveal that data-driven strategies significantly enhance city operations by facilitating real-time issue resolution, informed decision-making, and efficient resource allocation. Integrating environmental monitoring systems and community engagement platforms further promotes sustainability and inclusivity. The study concludes that continued investment in data infrastructure, advanced analytics, and comprehensive data governance is essential. Future research should focus on developing scalable solutions, fostering global collaboration, and implementing supportive policies to maximise the benefits of Smart City technologies. This research provides a model for cities worldwide striving to improve urban environments through data-driven innovations.