bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
mRNA-1273 vaccination induces polyfunctional memory CD4 and CD8 T cell responses in patients with solid cancers undergoing immunotherapy or/and chemotherapy
Authors: Gangaev Anastasia , van Sleen Yannick , Brandhorst Nicole , Hoefakker Kelly , Prajapati Bimal , Singh Amrita , Boerma Annemarie , van der Heiden Marieke , Oosting Sjoukje F. , van der Veldt Astrid A. M. , Hiltermann T. Jeroen N. , GeurtsvanKessel Corine H. , Dingemans Anne-Marie C. , Smit Egbert F. , de Vries Elisabeth G. E. , Haanen John B. A. G. , Kvistborg Pia , van Baarle Debbie 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionResearch has confirmed the safety and comparable seroconversion rates following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with solid cancers. However, the impact of cancer treatment on vaccine-induced T cell responses remains poorly understood.MethodsIn this study, we expand on previous findings within the VOICE trial by evaluating the functional and phenotypic composition of mRNA-1273-induced T cell responses in patients with solid tumors undergoing immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or both, compared to individuals without cancer. We conducted an ELISpot analysis on 386 participants to assess spike-specific T cell responses 28 days after full vaccination. Further in-depth characterization of using flow cytometry was performed on a subset of 63 participants to analyze the functional phenotype and differentiation state of spike-specific T cell responses.ResultsELISpot analysis showed robust induction of spike-specific T cell responses across all treatment groups, with response rates ranging from 75% to 80%. Flow cytometry analysis revealed a distinctive cytokine production pattern across cohorts, with CD4 T cells producing IFNγ, TNF, and IL-2, and CD8 T cells producing IFNγ, TNF, and CCL4. Variations were observed in the proportion of monofunctional CD4 T cells producing TNF, particularly higher in individuals without cancer and patients treated with chemotherapy alone, while those treated with immunotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy predominantly produced IFNγ. Despite these differences, polyfunctional spike-specific memory CD4 and CD8 T cell responses were comparable across cohorts. Notably, immunotherapy-treated patients exhibited an expansion of spike-specific CD4 T cells with a terminally differentiated effector memory phenotype.DiscussionThese findings demonstrate that systemic treatment in patients with solid tumors does not compromise the quality of polyfunctional mRNA-1273-induced T cell responses. This underscores the importance of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with solid cancers undergoing systemic treatment.
Contribution of kelp dashi liquid to sustainable maintenance of taste sensation and promotion of healthy eating in older adults throughout the umami-taste salivary reflex
Authors: Satoh-Kuriwada Shizuko , Gotoh Satoshi , Shoji Noriaki , Uneyama Hisayuki , Komai Michio 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionTaste decline, including taste loss in older adults, leads to malnutrition and frailty. In a super-aging society, improving taste decline and maintaining taste sensation are crucial for the wellbeing of older adults. Hyposalivation frequently affects older individuals and is the leading cause of taste decline in older adults. Treating taste decline, including taste loss, in older adults presents challenges due to the limited sustainable methods for increasing saliva production, except for drug therapy, which may lead to adverse effects. Umami-taste stimulation results in a prolonged increase in both the whole salivary flow rate (WF), more than 90% of which is secreted from the major salivary glands, and the minor salivary gland flow rate (MF) in healthy volunteers through the umami-taste salivary reflex. We hypothesized that umami-rich kelp dashi liquid (KDL), commonly used in Japanese cuisine, may alleviate taste decline and sustain normal taste sensation in older adults with hyposalivation. This study investigated whether KDL stimulation could improve taste decline.Materials and methodsA non-randomized controlled trial was conducted at the dental department of a university hospital, involving those who presented with dry mouth between May 2017 and December 2021. Before and after repeated KDL stimulation, characteristics like changes in WF and MF, the recognition thresholds (RTs) for five basic tastes, and subjective eating and swallowing difficulties were assessed. Statistical comparisons were performed between the values measured before and after KDL stimulation.ResultA total of 35 older patients were included. Patients with reduced MF and with or without reduced WF exhibited umami-taste loss. Repeated stimulation with KDL increased MF and WF and improved taste loss, including umami, decreased RTs, and normalized each taste. Furthermore, subjective taste impairment, subjective eating and swallowing difficulties, and burning sensations in the oral mucosa were alleviated.ConclusionThese findings indicate that KDL stimulation improved umami-taste loss and normalized each taste sensation, further alleviating eating difficulties via the umami-taste salivary reflex. Importantly, umami-taste loss was also observed in patients with normal WF but decreased MF, who are typically not diagnosed with hyposalivation. Therefore, KDL has the potential to sustain taste sensations and promote healthy eating habits in older individuals.
Cognitive frailty in relation to vitamin B12 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in an elderly population: a cross-sectional study from NHANES
Authors: Pan Yu , Tang Xue Yin , Yang Juan , Feng Zhu Qing , Yuan Yan , Jiang Yi , Hu Gui Ming , Dong Jiang Chuan 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundNutritional support has been identified as a potential intervention for cognitive frailty; however, the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D], vitamin B12, and cognitive frailty remains ambiguous.MethodsThis study utilized data from two cycles (2011–2012, 2013–2014) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to investigate this relationship. The researchers constructed a 41-item frailty index encompassing diverse aspects of physical functioning, psychological evaluation, and medical conditions, and evaluated each participant individually. The study utilized Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and univariate ordered logistic regression to assess the relationships between variables and cognitive frailty. Recursive feature elimination and cross-validation methods were employed to identify the most influential variables for building and optimizing multivariate ordered logistic regression models. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were further conducted to validate the identified correlations.ResultsThe findings of this study confirm a negative linear correlation between 25-(OH)D levels and cognitive frailty in older adults. Specifically, a one-unit increase in 25-(OH)D levels was associated with a 12% reduction in the risk of cognitive frailty. The result was further supported by subgroup analyses and interaction tests.ConclusionThe existence of a negatively correlated linear association between 25-(OH)D levels and cognitive frailty in older adults is plausible, but further rigorously designed longitudinal studies are necessary to validate this relationship.
Transition of patients with Gaucher disease type 1 from pediatric to adult care: results from two international surveys of patients and health care professionals
Authors: Stepien Karolina M. , Žnidar Irena , Kieć-Wilk Beata , Jones Angel , Castillo-García Daniela , Abdelwahab Magy , Revel-Vilk Shoshana , Lineham Ella , Hughes Derralynn , Ramaswami Uma , Collin-Histed Tanya 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionGaucher disease (GD) is a rare, autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency in the enzyme glucocerebrosidase. The most common subtype in Europe and the USA, type 1 (GD1), is characterized by fatigue, cytopenia, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, bone disease, and rarely pulmonary disease. Increased life expectancy brought about by improved treatments has led to new challenges for adolescents and their transition to adult care. Efficient healthcare transition to adult care is essential to manage the long-term age-related complications of the disease.MethodsThis international study consisted of two online surveys: one survey for patients with GD1 and one survey for healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in treatment of patients with GD1. The aims of this international, multi-center project were to evaluate the current transition process in various countries and to understand the challenges that both HCPs and patients experience.ResultsA total of 45 patients and 26 HCPs took part in the survey, representing 26 countries. Our data showed that a third (11/33) of patients were aware of transition clinics and most stated that the clinic involved patients with metabolic diseases or with GD. Seven patients attended a transition clinic, where most patients (5/7) received an explanation of the transition process. Approximately half of HCPs (46%; 12/26) had a transition clinic coordinator in their healthcare center, and 10 of HCPs had a transition clinic for patients with metabolic diseases in their healthcare center. HCPs reported that transition clinics were comprised of multi-disciplinary teams, with most patients over the age of 18 years old managed by hematology specialists. The main challenges of the transition process reported by HCPs included limited funding, lack of expertise and difficulty coordinating care amongst different specialties.DiscussionOur study demonstrates the lack of a standardized process, the need to raise awareness of transition clinics amongst patients and the differences between the transition process in different countries. Both patients and HCPs expressed the need for a specialist individual responsible for transition, efficient coordination between pediatricians and adult specialists and for patient visits to the adult center prior to final transition of care.
Nitrogen and phosphorus additions alter soil N transformations in a Metasequoia glyptostroboides plantation
Authors: Zhang Youzheng , Jiang Pengcheng , Guo Yaolin , Wu Ming , Shao Xuexin , Xu Hengtao , Wu Tonggui , Yuan Wenwen , Li Niu 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionNitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) enrichment due to anthropogenic activities can significantly affect soil N transformations in forest ecosystems. However, the effects of N and P additions on nitrification and denitrification processes in Metasequoia glyptostroboides plantations, and economically important forest type in China, remain poorly understood.MethodsThis study investigated the responses of soil nitrification and denitrification rates, as well as the abundances of nitrifiers and denitrifiers, to different levels of N and P additions in a 6-year nutrient addition experiment in a M. glyptostroboides plantation.ResultsStepwise multiple regression analysis was used to identify the main predictors of nitrification and denitrification rates. The results showed that moderate N addition (N2 treatment, 2.4 mol·m-2) stimulated nitrification rates and abundances of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB), while excessive N and P additions inhibited denitrification rates and reduced the abundance of nirS-type denitrifiers. AOB abundance was the main predictor of nitrification rates under N additions, whereas microbial biomass carbon and nirS gene abundance were the key factors controlling denitrification rates. Under P additions, tree growth parameters (diameter at breast height and crown base height) and AOB abundance were the primary predictors of nitrification and denitrification rates.DiscussionOur study reveals complex interactions among nutrient inputs, plant growth, soil properties, and microbial communities in regulating soil N transformations in plantation forests. This study also offers valuable insights for formulating effective nutrient management strategies to enhance the growth and health of M. glyptostroboides plantations under scenarios of increasing elevated nutrient deposition.
Can sensory and semantic priming enhance the effects of guided self-compassion meditation? A proof-of-concept study
Authors: Buric Ivana , Wrzesien Maja , Milojičić Jelica , Ridderinkhof Anna , De Bruin Esther , Bögels Susan 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionSelf-compassion is a fundamental aspect of psychological health and well-being that can be cultivated through self-compassion meditations, but it remains unclear how to facilitate this most effectively. This study is the first to explore whether sensory and semantic priming introduced prior to a guided self-compassion meditation could enhance the effects of meditation in comparison with a control condition.MethodsThe study was conducted with 3 × 3 repeated measures between-group design, including three groups (sensory priming, semantic priming and control group), and three assessment time points of state self-compassion, self-criticism, and positive and negative affect (at baseline, after priming, and after guided meditation). Additionally, a meditation appeal questionnaire was used. The total sample size included 71 students who underwent a 3-min priming intervention followed by a 15-min self-compassion guided meditation session.ResultsFirst, prior to guided meditation, sensory priming significantly decreased state self-criticism more than the control condition or semantic priming, although some reliability issues of the applied self-criticism scale must be taken into consideration. Second, neither sensory nor semantic priming changed state self-compassion, positive affect or negative affect. Third, neither semantic nor sensory priming significantly enhanced the effects of guided self-compassion meditation either in positive and negative affect, self-compassion states, self-criticism states, or in the appeal of the meditation experience.DiscussionAlthough this study is underpowered (estimated post hoc power ranges from 0.20 to 0.42), the findings provide preliminary insights into the potential priming has as a tool to enhance meditation effects and provide guidelines for future studies.
The role of attentional control in moderating attentional bias towards game-related stimuli in individuals with a high tendency for internet gaming addiction
Authors: Heo Yea-Ji , Lee Gi-Eun , Lee Jang-Han 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to elucidate individual difference factors that modulate the attentional processing of game stimuli to explain the heterogeneity of extant findings. The current study examined whether individual differences in components of attentional control (AC-shifting and AC-focusing) moderated the link between internet gaming addiction symptom and attentional engagement to and disengagement biases from game-relevant cues.MethodsA total of 75 male undergraduate students who have played League of Legend (LOL) for more than 2 years completed well-established self-report questionnaires of internet gaming disorder symptoms and attentional control. The attentional bias toward game stimuli was measured for attentional engagement and disengagement using the attentional response to the distal vs. proximal emotional information (ARDPEI) task.ResultsThe results revealed that attentional control was a significant moderator of the relationship between internet game addiction symptoms and attentional disengagement bias. Further analyses revealed a positive relationship between internet game addiction symptoms and attentional disengagement bias only among those with low levels of AC-shifting ability. Contrary to our expectations, AC-shifting also moderated the relationship between internet gaming disorder and attentional engagement bias. The positive relationship between internet game addiction symptoms and attentional engagement bias only appeared among those with low levels of AC-shifting ability. Individual differences in AC-focusing did not moderate the relationship between internet gaming disorder and any attentional bias.ConclusionThis study confirmed that the greater the symptoms of game addiction, the stronger the attentional bias, especially in individuals with low AC-shifting ability. Therefore, it is necessary to examine sub-factors of AC in understanding the nature of attentional bias mechanisms in the development of internet game addiction and consider it as a psychological intervention to improve attentional bias.
Future scenarios of palliative care in health system of Iran: a multi-method study
Authors: Barasteh Salman , Parandeh Akram , Rassouli Maryam , Zaboli Rohallah , Vahedian Azimi Amir , Khaghanizadeh Morteza 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundPaying attention to palliative care has accelerated in Iran in the last 10 years. Considering the trend of aging, increasing burden of chronic diseases and increasing health costs, planning and development of palliative care is necessary in the future. This study was conducted with the aim of explaining the alternative scenarios of palliative care in the health system of Iran until the horizon of 2030.MethodsThis study was a multi-method scenario planning with a qualitative using multiple methods design, which was conducted in 3 phases in 2018–2020. In the first phase, a list of driving forces was extracted using qualitative interviews and literature review. In the second phase, all factors identified in the previous phase were examined in terms of degree of uncertainty and cross-impact analysis, and two key uncertainties were extracted. In the third phase, based on two key uncertainties, four future scenarios of palliative care were formulated, validated and scenario strategies were presented.ResultsThe results indicate two uncertainties, including “governance of palliative care in the health system” and “acceptance of palliative care by society,” based on which, four scenarios with the names “climbing to the top,” “excruciating climb,” “edge of the abyss” and “The bottom of the valley” were compiled.ConclusionThe development of palliative care in health system of Iran is faced with serious uncertainties that it is necessary to focus the developmental activities of palliative care on the two axes of acceptance by society and need for coherent governance by considering all the dimensions and influential components by ministry of health. The application of the results of this research can provide reasonable options for effective interventions and implementation of this category of services to the beneficiaries of palliative care.
Determinants of Mental Health Inequalities Among People With Selected Citizenships in Germany
Authors: Blume Miriam , Bartig Susanne , Wollgast Lina , Koschollek Carmen , Kajikhina Katja , Bug Marleen , Hapke Ulfert , Hövener Claudia 
Published: August 2024

ObjectivesMental health is essential for overall health and is influenced by different social determinants. The aim of this paper was to examine which determinants are associated with mental health inequalities among people with selected citizenships in Germany.MethodsData were derived from the multilingual interview survey “German Health Update: Fokus (GEDA Fokus)” among adults with Croatian, Italian, Polish, Syrian, or Turkish citizenship (11/2021–05/2022). Poisson regressions were used to calculate prevalence ratios for symptoms of depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety disorder (GAD-7).ResultsSociodemographic (sex, income, age, household size) and psychosocial (social support and self-reported discrimination) determinants were associated with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety disorder. The prevalence of mental disorders varied most by self-reported discrimination.ConclusionOur findings suggest mental health inequalities among people with selected citizenships living in Germany. To reduce these, social inequities and everyday discrimination need to be addressed in structural prevention measures as well as in interventions on the communal level. Protective factors (e.g., social support) are also important to reduce mental health inequalities on the individual and community level.
Habitat Loss in the IUCN Extent: Climate Change-Induced Threat on the Red Goral (Naemorhedus baileyi) in the Temperate Mountains of South Asia
Authors: Abedin Imon , Mukherjee Tanoy , Abedin Joynal , Kim Hyun-Woo , Kundu Shantanu 
Published: August 2024

Climate change has severely impacted many species, causing rapid declines or extinctions within their essential ecological niches. This deterioration is expected to worsen, particularly in remote high-altitude regions like the Himalayas, which are home to diverse flora and fauna, including many mountainous ungulates. Unfortunately, many of these species lack adaptive strategies to cope with novel climatic conditions. The Red Goral (Naemorhedus baileyi) is a cliff-dwelling species classified as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN due to its small population and restricted range extent. This species has the most restricted range of all goral species, residing in the temperate mountains of northeastern India, northern Myanmar, and China. Given its restricted range and small population, this species is highly threatened by climate change and habitat disruptions, making habitat mapping and modeling crucial for effective conservation. This study employs an ensemble approach (BRT, GLM, MARS, and MaxEnt) in species distribution modeling to assess the distribution, habitat suitability, and connectivity of this species, addressing critical gaps in its understanding. The findings reveal deeply concerning trends, as the model identified only 21,363 km2 (13.01%) of the total IUCN extent as suitable habitat under current conditions. This limited extent is alarming, as it leaves the species with very little refuge to thrive. Furthermore, this situation is compounded by the fact that only around 22.29% of this identified suitable habitat falls within protected areas (PAs), further constraining the species’ ability to survive in a protected landscape. The future projections paint even degraded scenarios, with a predicted decline of over 34% and excessive fragmentation in suitable habitat extent. In addition, the present study identifies precipitation seasonality and elevation as the primary contributing predictors to the distribution of this species. Furthermore, the study identifies nine designated transboundary PAs within the IUCN extent of the Red Goral and the connectivity among them to highlight the crucial role in supporting the species’ survival over time. Moreover, the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary (DWLS) and Hkakaborazi National Park are revealed as the PAs with the largest extent of suitable habitat in the present scenario. Furthermore, the highest mean connectivity was found between DWLS and Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary (0.0583), while the lowest connectivity was observed between Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary and Namdapha National Park (0.0172). The study also suggests strategic management planning that is a vital foundation for future research and conservation initiatives, aiming to ensure the long-term survival of the species in its natural habitat.