bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The causal relationship between sleep characteristics and multi-site pain perception: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Yin Yulai , Zhang Xiaoyu 
Published: August 2024

ObjectiveThis Mendelian Randomization (MR) study aims to explore the potential causal relationships between four sleep traits and pain in 10 different body sites.Materials and methodsThe study utilizes exposure and outcome data from the GWAS database, employing the Inverse Variance Weighting Method (IVW) for primary causal estimates. Cochran Q and Rücker Q heterogeneity tests are conducted using IVW and MR-Egger methods, with the Egger-intercept method for pleiotropy testing, leave-one-out sensitivity analysis, and calculation of F-statistics to assess the presence of weak instrument bias.ResultsThe study reveals that genetically predicted insomnia significantly increases the risk of unspecified pain, chest pain, gum pain, upper abdominal pain, and lower abdominal pain occurrence. Daytime napping is associated with a moderate reduction in the likelihood of joint pain but may concomitantly elevate the risk of chest pain, upper abdominal pain, and generalized abdominal pain. Neither sleep chronotype nor sleep duration demonstrated a definitive causal relationship with pain perception.ConclusionThis study elucidates the causal relationships between four sleep characteristics and pain across 10 different body regions. Overall, the contribution of insomnia and sleep deficiency to pain in multiple body regions is more pronounced. Conversely, the association between adequate sleep and the likelihood of somatic pain is relatively lower and less significant.
Lutein inhibits glutamate-induced apoptosis in HT22 cells via the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway
Authors: Li Zhenhua , Cao Zhuohua , Chen Fangmei , Li Bin , Jin Hanyong 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionExcessive glutamate levels induce oxidative stress, resulting in neuronal damage, and cell death. While natural antioxidants show promise for neuroprotection, their effectiveness in the central nervous system (CNS) is limited by the blood -brain barrier. Lutein, a neuroprotective carotenoid, has gained attention for its ability to traverse this barrier and accumulate in various brain regions. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of lutein against glutamateinduced cell death in HT22 cells.MethodsHT22 cells were treated with lutein (1.25-20 μM) for 24 hours. Cell viability, ROS levels, apoptosis, and mitochondrial membrane potential were assessed following lutein pretreatment and glutamate exposure. Protein expression of apoptotic markers was analyzed using Western blotting.ResultsLutein effectively attenuated glutamate-induced apoptosis due to its antioxidant properties. Additionally, lutein inhibited glutamate-induced mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. We observed that lutein modulated the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2 -related factor 2 (Nrf2) and upregulated the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Inhibition of HO-1 by tin protoporphyrin (SnPP), a synthetic inhibitor, weakened the protective effect of lutein. Furthermore, we demonstrated that lutein prevented the aberrant activation of MAPKs induced by glutamate, including ERK1/2, p38, and JNK, thereby conferring oxidative protection.DiscussionOur study highlights the potent antioxidant properties of lutein, which effectively safeguards against glutamate-induced mitochondrial apoptotic cell death through the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and inhibition of MAPK activation. These findings demonstrate that lutein exerts a neuroprotective effect against glutamate-induced neuronal cell damage.
Cardiometabolic traits mediating the effect of education on the risk of DKD and CKD: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Wang Yukai , Chen Mengmeng , Wang Lin , Wu Yonggui 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundBoth diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are more prevalent among individuals with lower levels of education in observational studies. To quantify the mediation effect of recognized cardiometabolic traits, we obtain causal estimates between education and DKD as well as CKD.Materials and methodsWe assessed the causal effect of education on DKD and CKD, separately estimated the causal effect of 26 cardiometabolic traits on DKD and CKD, and finally calculated the mediating effects and mediating proportions of each using two-step, two-sample multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR). Furthermore, the genetic association between exposure, mediators, and outcomes was investigated using linkage disequilibrium score (LDSC) regression analysis. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) were retrieved from the Genotype-Tissue Expression Project (GTEx) v8 to serve as genetic instrumental variables. Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS), Bayesian colocalization analysis, and Summary-data-based Mendelian Randomization (SMR) analysis were performed to explore underlying susceptibility genes between education, mediators, and kidney diseases.ResultsHigher education with a genetically predicted 1-SD (4.2 years) was linked to a 48.64% decreased risk of DKD and a 29.08% decreased risk of CKD. After extensive evaluation of 26 cardiometabolic traits, 7 and 6 causal mediators were identified as mediating the effects of education on DKD and CKD, respectively. The largest mediating factor between education and DKD was BMI, which was followed by WHR, T2D, fasting insulin, SBP, fasting glucose, and DBP. In contrast, candidate mediators in the education-to-CKD pathway included BMI, followed by cigarettes smoked per day, WHR, SBP, T2D, and DBP. MR analysis revealed that TP53INP1 was found to be a shared susceptibility gene for cardiometabolic traits and DKD, while L3MBTL3 was found to be a shared susceptibility gene for cardiometabolic traits and CKD.ConclusionOur findings provide solid evidence that education has a causally protective effect on the development of DKD and CKD. We additionally reveal significant directions for intervention on cardiometabolic traits that mitigate the negative effects of educational inequities on the onset of DKD and CKD. Our work demonstrates a shared genetic basis between education, cardiometabolic traits, and kidney diseases. Future research aiming at lowering kidney risk may benefit from these findings.
Time of day differences in the regulation of glutathione levels in the rat lens
Authors: Li Bo , Suzuki-Kerr Haruna , Martis Renita M. , Lim Christopher J. J. , Wang Zhou-ai , Nguyen Tai X. , Donaldson Paul J. , Poulsen Raewyn C. , Lim Julie C. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionEvidence in non-ocular tissues indicate that the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) may be regulated in a circadian manner leading to the idea that GSH levels in the lens may also be controlled in a circadian manner to anticipate periods of oxidative stress.MethodsMale rat Wistar lenses (6 weeks) were collected every 4 hours over a 24-hour period at 6am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm, 10pm and 2am and quantitative-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry performed to examine the expression of core clock genes and proteins (BMAL1, CLOCK, CRY1-2, PER 1-3) and their subcellular localisation over a 24-hour period. Western blotting of lenses was also performed to examine the expression of NRF2, a transcription factor involved in regulating genes involved in GSH homeostasis and GSH related enzymes (GCLC, GS and GR) over the 24-hour period. Finally, HLPC was used to measure GSH levels in the aqueous humour and lenses every 4 hours over a 24-hour period.ResultsThe rat lens contains the core molecular components of a circadian clock with the expression of core clock proteins, NRF2 and GSH related enzymes fluctuating over a 24-hour period. BMAL1 expression was highest during the day, with BMAL1 localised to the nuclei at 10am. NRF2 expression remained constant over the 24-hour period, although appeared to move in and out of the nuclei every 4 hours. GSH related enzyme expression tended to peak at the start of night which correlated with high levels of GSH in the lens and lower levels of GSH in the aqueous humour.ConclusionThe lens contains the key components of a circadian clock, and time-of-day differences exist in the expression of GSH and GSH related enzymes involved in maintaining GSH homeostasis. GSH levels in the rat lens were highest at the start of night which represents the active phase of the rat when high GSH levels may be required to counteract oxidative stress induced by cellular metabolism. Future work to directly link the clock to regulation of GSH levels in the lens will be important in determining whether the clock can be used to help restore GSH levels in the lens.
CPS1 augments hepatic glucagon response through CaMKII/FOXO1 pathway
Authors: Sun Xiao-Meng , Wu Xin , Wei Meng-Guang , Zhu Li-Zeng , Wu Wen-hui , Zhou Xin-Yue , Qi Lian-Wen , Liu Qun 
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Elevated glucagon levels are a characteristic feature of type 2 diabetes. This abnormal increase in glucagon can lead to an accelerated rate of gluconeogenesis. Glucagon also stimulates hepatic metabolism of amino acids, particularly promoting the formation of urea. The specific role of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1), a rate-limiting enzyme in the urea cycle, in the development versus the persistence of glucagon-induced hyperglycemia has not been previously established.Methods: The study employed both in vivo and in vitro approaches to assess the impact of CPS1 modulation on glucagon response. CPS1 was knockdown or overexpression to evaluate its influence on hepatic gluconeogenesis. In addition, an in-silico strategy was employed to identify a potential CPS1 inhibitor.Results: Knockdown of CPS1 significantly reduced the glucagon response both in vivo and in vitro. Conversely, overexpression of CPS1 resulted in an overactive hepatic gluconeogenic response. Mechanistically, CPS1 induced the release of calcium ions from the endoplasmic reticulum, which in turn triggered the phosphorylation of CaMKII. The activation of CaMKII then facilitated the dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation of FOXO1, culminating in the enhancement of hepatic gluconeogenesis. Furthermore, cynarin, a natural CPS1 inhibitor derived from the artichoke plant, had the capacity to attenuate the hepatic glucagon response in a CPS1-dependent manner.Discussion: CPS1 played a pivotal role in mediating glucagon-induced hepatic gluconeogenesis. The discovery of cynarin as a natural inhibitor of CPS1 suggested its potential as a therapeutic agent for diabetes treatment.
High-efficiency and wide-angle metasurface electromagnetic energy harvester
Authors: Cao Anjie , Xu Shuyin , Huang Yeping , Zhang Leiting , Liu Cuijun , Chen Zhansheng 
Published: August 2024

In today’s era of increasing energy constraints, harnessing the power of electromagnetic waves and converting them into directly usable energy has great potential in the field of renewable energy. This paper presents a highly efficient electromagnetic energy harvester with wide operation angles based on metasurface. The metasurface unit comprises four rotated copper rings plated on a Rogers RT5880 substrate. This unique design incorporates a 3.6 kΩ resistor within each of the four-cornered rotating metal rings, effectively emulating the input impedance circuit of a rectifier. Simulation results reveal that the metasurface achieves a remarkable electromagnetic wave harvesting efficiency of up to 92.3% at a frequency of 5.85 GHz. Additionally, it exhibits polarization insensitivity, enhancing its versatility and suitability for wide incident angles, which augments its practicality in various environments. The proposed metasurface energy harvester represents a significant advancement in electromagnetic energy collection technology, offering an efficient and reliable energy harvesting solution that contributes to addressing energy shortages and is applicable across multiple scenarios.
The mediating effect of life satisfaction between daily living abilities and depressive symptoms in the Chinese older people: evidence from CHARLS 2020
Authors: Liao Mingsheng , Zhang Xuesi , Xie Zhiquan , Li Limei , Zou Liqin 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundDepressive symptoms represent a significant public health challenge, impacting the mental well-being of older adults. Despite this, the understanding of how activities of daily living (ADL) abilities correlate with life satisfaction and depressive symptoms among older Chinese adults remains limited.AimsThis study aims to investigate the relationship between ADL and depressive symptoms in older people Chinese individuals, with a specific focus on examining the mediating role of life satisfaction within this context.MethodsThe study utilized data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) collected in 2020. A cohort of 8,343 individuals aged 60 years and above was included. The analysis was conducted using STATA 17.0 and SPSS 26.0, employing descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Pearson correlations, and mediation analysis using the percentile Bootstrap method with 5,000 resamples to explore the interrelations among ADL, life satisfaction, and depressive symptoms.ResultsADL is positively correlated with life satisfaction (r = 0.129, p &lt; 0.01) and negatively correlated with depressive symptoms (r = −0.313, p &lt; 0.01). Additionally, life satisfaction and depressive symptoms are negatively correlated with each other (r = −0.360, p &lt; 0.01). In the model of the mediating effect, ADL directly, significantly and negatively predicts depressive symptoms in the Chinese older people (β = −0.193, t = −17.827, p &lt; 0.001). After incorporating life satisfaction into the regression equation, the direct predictive effect of ADL on depressive symptoms remains significant (β = −0.177, t = −17.099, p &lt; 0.001); furthermore, ADL has a significant positive predictive effect on life satisfaction (β = 0.007, t = 4.959, p &lt; 0.001) and life satisfaction significantly negatively predicts depressive symptoms (β = −2.235, t = −27.799, p &lt; 0.001). Furthermore, the direct effect of ADL on depressive symptoms (−0.177) and its mediating effect (−0.016) account for 91.71% and 8.29% of the total effect (−0.193), respectively.ConclusionADL is inversely associated with the risk of depressive symptoms among older people Chinese individuals, with life satisfaction serving as a significant mediator in this relationship. Interventions aimed at improving life satisfaction in older people individuals with ADL impairments may effectively reduce or prevent the onset of depressive symptoms.
Analyzing activity and injury risk in elite curling athletes: seven workload monitoring metrics from session-RPE
Authors: Wu Junqi , Zhao Fan , Li Chunlei 
Published: August 2024

ObjectiveThe study aimed to compare the differences in the performance of seven session-rating of perceived exertion (RPE)-derived metrics (coupled and uncoupled acute: chronic workload ratio (ACWR), weekly ratio of workload change, monotony, standard deviation of weekly workload change, exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA), and robust exponential decreasing index (REDI)) in classifying the performance of an injury prediction model after taking into account the time series (no latency, 5-day latency, and 10-day latency).DesignThe study documented the RPE of eight curlers in their daily training routine for 211 days prior to the Olympic Games.MethodsSeven Session-RPE (sRPE)-derived metrics were used to build models at three time series nodes using logistic regression and multilayer perceptron. Receiver operating characteristic plots were plotted to evaluate the model’s performance.ResultsAmong the seven sRPE-derived metrics multilayer perceptron models, the model without time delay (same-day load corresponding to same-day injury) exhibited the highest average classification performance (86.5%, AUC = 0.773). EMWA and REDI demonstrated the best classification performance (84.4%, p &lt; 0.001). Notably, EMWA achieved the highest classifying accuracy in the no-delay time series (90.0%, AUC = 0.899), followed by the weekly load change rate under the 5-day delay time series (88.9%, AUC = 0.841).ConclusionEWMA without delay is a more sensitive indicator for detecting injury risk.
Radiographers’ workload and burnout on performance: an empirical study
Authors: Arif Wejdan M. 
Published: August 2024

Study purposeTo assess the prevalence of burnout among radiographers, and whether demographic variables and work-related factors had any influence on burnout and perceived stress among them.MethodsA cross-sectional quantitative survey design is adopted in this study. The participants included radiographers from Saudi Arabia. Both Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were used for data collection. Participation was voluntary, and the survey was conducted online, resulting in 322 final responses considered for the data analysis.ResultsThe mean emotional exhaustion (EE) score achieved was 26.01, representing medium burnout risk. However, the mean depersonalization (DP: μ = 25.25) and personal accomplishment (PA: μ = 23.65) represented high burnout risk among radiographers. Statistically significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) were observed among the participants grouped by genders, age groups, nature of work type, and work experience. The mean perceived stress score for radiographers was identified to be 27.8, indicating high.ConclusionThe findings underscore the critical need for targeted interventions and support mechanisms within the radiology profession, particularly focusing on younger radiographers and those with extensive work experience.
A study on the effect of school and family environments and self-efficacy on health literacy of college students
Authors: Wang Yan , Zhang Jiayu , Huang Kai 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundHealth literacy is an important means to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities. It plays an important role in promoting multiple health-related behaviors of individuals. Numerous studies have demonstrated a number of sociodemographic and school characteristics, and family related factors were related to health literacy among college students. However, these characteristics and factors were relatively unchangeable. Research on the relationship between factors, that can be intervened, and health literacy remains scarce. This study aims to explore the association between personal and changeable environmental factors, and the level of health literacy in college students.MethodsA cross-sectional study, which used a stratified random sampling method, was conducted at a university in Wuhan (N = 447). The survey questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics, the School Environment Questionnaire, the Family Environment Questionnaire, the General Self-Efficacy Scale Questionnaire, and the Health Literacy Questionnaire. We used Spearman correlation tests, and Student’s tests or analyses of variance to describe the relationship among continuous variables. In addition, we employed linear regression analysis to test the mediating effect based on the bias-corrected nonparametric percentile Bootstrap method.ResultsFactors related to socioeconomic status, such as living costs (p = 0.011), residential area (p = 0.003), annual household income (p = 0.001), and parents’ education level (fathers: p = 0.001; mothers: p = 0.01) and occupation type (fathers: p &lt; 0.001; mothers: p = 0.044), had close correlations with health literacy. School and family environments and self-efficacy had a positive impact on college students’ health literacy (β = 0.235, p &lt; 0.001; β = 0.323, p &lt; 0.001; β = 0.489, p &lt; 0.001). Self-efficacy had a mediating effect on the relationship between school and family environments, as well as health literacy. The total, direct, and indirect effects of the school environment on health literacy were 0.235, 0.157, and 0.078, respectively. The total, direct, and indirect effects of the family environment on health literacy were 0.323, 0.189, and 0.134, respectively.ConclusionThis study confirms that improving school and family environments could directly or indirectly increase college students’ health literacy through promoting their self-efficacy. Socioeconomic status has a significant impact on their health literacy. Moreover, other factors that affect students’ health literacy and relationships among self-efficacy, surrounding environments, and health literacy may need to be explored in the future.
Efficacy of outdoor interventions for myopia in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Mei Zhengyang , Zhang Yuanzhuo , Jiang Wenfeng , Lam Chifong , Luo Shulai , Cai Chenyi , Luo Shi 
Published: August 2024

ObjectivesThe objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the overall efficacy of outdoor interventions for myopia in children and adolescents, and to provide evidence for the prevention and control of myopia.MethodsRandomized controlled trials of outdoor interventions for myopia in children and adolescents were identified using electronic databases and manual searches. The Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) was used to assess risk of bias in randomized controlled trials. A mean difference (MD) and a risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to combine effect sizes. A sensitivity analysis was performed for each outcome using a stepwise elimination method to assess whether the pooled results were significantly affected by individual studies.ResultsThe analysis included seven randomized controlled trials involving a total of 9,437 subjects. The meta-analysis showed marked and statistically significant improvements in spherical equivalent refraction (MD = 0.19; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.25; p &lt; 0.01), axial length (MD = −0.09; 95% CI −0.13 to −0.05; p &lt; 0.01), and myopia incidence (RR = 0.84; 95% CI 0.78 to 0.91; p &lt; 0.01) following outdoor interventions.ConclusionOutdoor interventions effectively contributed to the prevention and control of myopia in children and adolescents, positively impacting spherical equivalent refraction, axial length, and myopia incidence. Outdoor interventions were characterized by low risk and high therapeutic benefits and could serve as alternative or adjuvant approaches to medication for the treatment of myopia. Considering the advantages in terms of safety and efficacy, outdoor interventions may be considered as a preferred intervention for the treatment of myopia in children and adolescents, while susceptibility to diseases associated with sunlight, particularly UV exposure, must be taken into account.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, Identifier CRD42024538695.