bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shenling Baizhu San ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice by modulating gut microbiota and metabolites
Authors: Chen Dongliang , Wang Yuanfei , Yang Jianmei , Ou Wanyi , Lin Guiru , Zeng Ze , Lu Xiaomin , Chen Zumin , Zou Lili , Tian Yaling , Wu Aiping , Keating Shelley E. , Yang Qinhe , Lin Chenli , Liang Yinji 
Published: April 2024

Purpose: The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its related mortality is increasing at an unprecedented rate. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been shown to offer potential for early prevention and treatment of NAFLD. The new mechanism of “Shenling Baizhu San” (SLBZS) is examined in this study for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD at the preclinical level.Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into three groups: normal diet (ND), western diet + CCl4 injection (WDC), and SLBZS intervention (WDC + SLBZS). Body weights, energy intake, liver enzymes, pro-inflammatory factors, and steatosis were recorded in detail. Meanwhile, TPH1, 5-HT, HTR2A, and HTR2B were tested using qRT-PCR or ELISA. Dynamic changes in the gut microbiota and metabolites were further detected through the 16S rRNA gene and untargeted metabolomics.Results: SLBZS intervention for 6 weeks could reduce the serum and liver lipid profiles, glucose, and pro-inflammatory factors while improving insulin resistance and liver function indexes in the mice, thus alleviating NAFLD in mice. More importantly, significant changes were found in the intestinal TPH-1, 5-HT, liver 5-HT, and related receptors HTR2A and HTR2B. The 16S rRNA gene analysis suggested that SLBZS was able to modulate the disturbance of gut microbiota, remarkably increasing the relative abundance of probiotics (Bifidobacterium and Parvibacter) and inhibiting the growth of pro-inflammatory bacteria (Erysipelatoclostridium and Lachnoclostridium) in mice with NAFLD. Combined with metabolomics in positive- and negative-ion-mode analyses, approximately 50 common differential metabolites were selected via non-targeted metabolomics detection, which indicated that the targeting effect of SLBZS included lipid metabolites, bile acids (BAs), amino acids (AAs), and tryptophan metabolites. In particular, the lipid metabolites 15-OxEDE, vitamin D3, desoxycortone, and oleoyl ethanol amide were restored by SLBZS.Conclusion: Integrating the above results of multiple omics suggests that SLBZS ameliorates NAFLD via specific gut microbiota, gut-derived 5-HT, and related metabolites to decrease fat accumulation in the liver and inflammatory responses.
Influence of Chrysanthemum morifolium-maize intercropping pattern on yield, quality, soil condition, and rhizosphere soil microbial communities of C. morifolium
Authors: Liao Zhiyuan , Chen Qiaohuan , Li Jinxin , Wei Lu , Wu Jialiang , Wang Xiao , Liu Qi , Miao Yuhuan , Liu Dahui 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionChrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. is a perennial herb in the Compositae family, often employed in traditional Chinese medicine due to its medicinal value. The planting of C. morifolium faces the challenges of continuous cropping, and intercropping is able to somewhat overcome the obstacles of continuous cropping.MethodsIn our study, we designed two different C. morifolium-maize intercropping patterns, including C. morifolium-maize narrow-wide row planting (IS) and C. morifolium-maize middle row planting (IM). Compared with monoculture, the agronomic traits, yield, active ingredients, soil physicochemical properties, soil enzyme activities, and rhizosphere soil microbial communities of C. morifolium and maize were measured under the two C. morifolium-maize intercropping patterns.ResultsThe findings indicated that (1) Intercropping elevated the agronomic traits, yield, and active ingredients of C. morifolium, especially in C. morifolium-maize narrow-wide row planting pattern, which indicating that interspecific distance played an important role in intercropping system; (2) Intercropping enhanced soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities of C. morifolium and maize; (3) Intercropping altered rhizosphere soil microbial communities of C. morifolium and maize, making microbial interrelationships more complex. (4) Intercropping could recruit a large number of beneficial microorganisms enrich in the soil, including Bacillus, Sphingomonas, Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia, Chaetomium, and Ceratorhiza, which may increase the content of AN, NN, AvK, ExCa, AvCu, AvZn and other nutrients in soil and promoted the growth and quality of C. morifolium.DiscussionIn summary, intercropping with maize could promote the accumulation of beneficial microorganisms in the soil, thus improving the overall growing environment, and finally realizing the growth and improvement of C. morifolium.
Social media features, perceived group norms, and adolescents’ active social media use matter for perceived friendship quality
Authors: Angelini Federica , Gini Gianluca , Marino Claudia , Van Den Eijnden Regina 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionDevelopmental researchers are becoming increasingly interested in the role of social media in adolescents’ experiences with their peers; however, to date, few studies have investigated the association between youngsters’ interactions with friends online and the perceived quality of their friendship relationships.MethodsThus, the current study aims to test the associations between three social media features, as perceived by adolescents, (i.e., availability, quantifiability, visualness) and the quality of adolescents’ friendships (in terms of perceived validation, intimacy, companionship), considering participants’ frequency of active social media use (i.e., self-oriented and other-oriented social media use), and the role of perceived group norms about social media use. Moreover, we tested potential differences across gender groups. Participants were 751 adolescents (Mage = 16.2, SD = 1.5).ResultsA SEM analysis showed that, among the perceived social media features, availability was positively associated with perceived friendship quality–both directly and indirectly. Furthermore, friends who participated more in other-oriented social media use reported being more satisfied with their friendship relationships and the results showed that peer influence processes were also active on social media.DiscussionTaken together, these results emphasize the study of social media as a social context for a better understanding of contemporary peer experiences during adolescence. Specifically, novel behaviors (e.g., liking or commenting on posts or content of peers), which characterize interactions between friends, may support relational functioning and well-being purposes in both the offline and online context.
The study of constructing evaluation indicators for the implementation of employee assistance programs in public sectors
Authors: Chen Yin-Che , Chung Su-Ching , Chu Hui-Chuang 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionEmployee assistance programs require resources and manpower of various natures across different types of public sector organization.MethodsThis study began by outlining elements for comparing employee assistance programs’ evaluation criteria in four types of public sector organization on the basis of 22 service measures for such programs implemented by the Ministry of Labor in relation to three major aspects: work, life, and health. Elements of the evaluation criteria for public sector employee assistance programs were determined by surveying a panel of experts using the modified Delphi method. Last, the weight associated with the elements of evaluation criteria were calculated using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, and the criteria of four types of public sector organization were explored.ResultsData analysis indicated that the weight and priorities associated with elements of evaluation criteria for EAPs implemented by four types of public sector organization were not fully identical.DiscussionThe results of this study suggest that, in terms of EAPs, the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration of the Executive Yuan should be pursuant to appropriate employee assistance programs provided by various public sector organizations according to the needs of their employees as well as the diverse objective conditions in which these organizations operate.
The influence of athletes’ gratitude on burnout: the sequential mediating roles of the coach–athlete relationship and hope
Authors: Dong Liangshan , Zou Shisi , Fan Rong , Wang Bin , Ye Lv 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundAthlete burnout is a widespread psychological syndrome in competitive sports, negatively impacts athletes’ competitive state and hampers the healthy development of sports organizations. With the rise of positive psychology, exploring the mechanisms of athlete psychological fatigue through the lens of psychological capital has become a focal point of recent research. This study introduces gratitude, a key element of psychological capital in positive psychology, to examine its effect on athlete burnout and its mechanism of action, with a particular focus on the sequential mediating roles of the coach-athlete relationship (CAR) and hope.MethodA cross-sectional study design was utilized, involving 483 active Chinese athletes from national training teams and professional sports teams. The sample comprised both male (n=251) and female (n=232) athletes, with an average age of 19.24 ± 3.99 years. Participants were asked to complete self-administered questionnaires, including the Gratitude Questionnaire, CAR Questionnaire, Hope Questionnaire, and Athlete Burnout Questionnaire. Structural equation modeling in AMOS 24.0 and descriptive statistics and correlation analyses in SPSS 20.0 were employed for data analysis.ResultsThe study revealed significant associations between athlete gratitude, CAR, hope, and athlete burnout. Notably, gratitude was found to both directly and indirectly (via CAR and hope) influence burnout levels among athletes, suggesting a sequential mediation effect.ConclusionThe findings highlight the importance of positive psychological constructs in buffering against athlete burnout. Specifically, gratitude, alongside a supportive CAR and elevated levels of hope, may play crucial roles in mitigating burnout symptoms. These insights offer promising directions for the development of targeted intervention strategies aimed at fostering athlete well-being and performance, advocating for the integration of positive psychology principles in the management and prevention of athlete burnout.
The effects of BDNF rs6265 and FGF21 rs11665896 polymorphisms on alcohol use disorder-related impulsivity in Han Chinese adults
Authors: Yang Shizhuo , Wang Fan , Sun Lanrong , Liu Xinqian , Li Siyuan , Chen Yingjie , Chen Lingling , Pan Zeheng , Kang Yimin , Chen Yu-Hsin , Wang Wei , Chen Li , Li Xiaokun , Tang Chonghui , Liu Yanlong 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionPatients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) often experience repeated withdrawal. Impulsivity is the most relevant factor influencing successful withdrawal. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) are associated with impulsivity. Previous studies on the differential effects of BDNF or FGF21 on impulsivity have focused on single-gene effects and have inconsistent results. We aim to investigate the effects of BDNF rs6265 and FGF21 rs11665896, individually and together, on impulsivity during alcohol withdrawal in patients with AUD.MethodsWe recruited 482 adult Han Chinese males with AUD and assessed their impulsivity using the Barratt Impulsivity Scale. Genomic DNA was extracted and genotyped from peripheral blood samples. Statistical analysis was conducted on the data.ResultsThe T-test and 2 × 2 analysis of variance were used to investigate the effects of the genes on impulsivity. There was a significant BDNF × FGF21 interaction on no-planning impulsiveness (F = 9.15, p = 0.003, η2p = 0.03). Simple main effects analyses and planned comparisons showed that BDNF rs6265 A allele × FGF21 rs11665896 T allele was associated with higher no-planning impulsiveness. Finally, hierarchical regression analyses revealed that only the interaction of BDNF and FGF21 accounted for a significant portion of the variance in no-planning impulsiveness.Conclusion and significanceThe combination of BDNF rs6265 A allele and FGF21 rs11665896 T allele may increase impulsivity and discourage alcohol withdrawal. Our study provides a possible genetic explanation for the effects of associated impulsivity in patients with AUD from the perspective of gene-gene interactions.
Assessing the patient’s affective perception of their psychotherapist: validation of the in-Session Patient Affective Reactions Questionnaire
Authors: Stefana Alberto , Fusar-Poli Paolo , Vieta Eduard , Youngstrom Eric A. 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundPsychotherapists need effective tools to monitor changes in the patient’s affective perception of the therapist and the therapeutic relationship during sessions to tailor therapeutic interventions and improve treatment outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the in-Session Patient Affective Reactions Questionnaire (SPARQ), a concise self-report measure designed for practical application in real-world psychotherapy settings.MethodsValidation data was gathered from (N = 700) adult patients in individual psychotherapy. These patients completed the SPARQ in conjunction with additional measures capturing sociodemographic details, characteristics of therapeutic interventions, individual personality traits, mental health symptom severity, elements of the therapeutic relationship, and session outcomes. This comprehensive approach was employed to assess the construct and criterion-related validity of the SPARQ.ResultsThe SPARQ has a two-factor structure: Positive Affect (k = 4, ω total = .87) and Negative Affect (k = 4, ω total = .75). Bifactor confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) yielded the following fit indices: X2[df] = 2.53, CFI = .99; TLI = .98; RMSEA = .05; and SRMR = .02. Multi-group CFAs demonstrated measurement invariance (i) across patients who attended psychotherapy sessions in person versus in remote mode, and (ii) across patients with and without psychiatric diagnoses confirmed metric invariance. Furthermore, the SPARQ showed meaningful correlations with concurrently administered measures.DiscussionThe SPARQ proves to be a valuable instrument in clinical, training, and research contexts, adept at capturing patients’ session-level affective responses towards their therapist and perceptions of the therapeutic alliance. Comprehensive descriptive statistics and a range of score precision indices have been reported, intended to serve as benchmarks for future research.
Association of easy albumin-bilirubin score with increased mortality in adult trauma patients
Authors: Hsu Shiun-Yuan , Rau Cheng-Shyuan , Tsai Ching-Hua , Chou Sheng-En , Su Wei-Ti , Hsieh Ching-Hua 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionThe easy albumin-bilirubin (EZ-ALBI) score is calculated using the equation: total bilirubin (mg/dl) − 9 × albumin (g/dl), and is used to evaluate liver functional reserve. This study was designed to investigate whether the EZ-ALBI score serves as an independent risk factor for mortality and is useful for stratifying the mortality risk in adult trauma patients.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed data from the registered trauma database of the hospital and included 3,637 adult trauma patients (1,241 deaths and 2,396 survivors) due to all trauma caused between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2021. The patients were allocated to the two study groups based on the best EZ-ALBI cutoff point (EZ-ALBI = −28.5), which was determined based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.ResultsResults revealed that the non-survivors had a significantly higher EZ-ALBI score than the survivors (−26.4 ± 6.5 vs. −31.5 ± 6.2, p &lt; 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that EZ-ALBI ≥ −28.5was an independent risk factor for mortality (odds ratio, 2.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.63–3.28; p &lt; 0.001). Patients with an EZ-ALBI score ≥ −28.5 presented with 2.47-fold higher adjusted mortality rates than patients with an EZ-ALBI score &lt; −28.5. A propensity score-matched pair cohort of 1,236 patients was developed to reduce baseline disparities in trauma mechanisms. The analysis showed that patients with an EZ-ALBI score ≥ −28.5 had a 4.12 times higher mortality rate compared to patients with an EZ-ALBI score &lt; −28.5.ConclusionThe EZ-ALBI score was a significant independent risk factor for mortality and can serve as a valuable tool for stratifying mortality risk in adult trauma patients by all trauma causes.
Quantitative assessment and objective improvement of the accuracy of neurosurgical planning through digital patient-specific 3D models
Authors: Hanalioglu Sahin , Gurses Muhammet Enes , Baylarov Baylar , Tunc Osman , Isikay Ilkay , Cagiltay Nergiz Ercil , Tatar Ilkan , Berker Mustafa 
Published: April 2024

ObjectiveNeurosurgical patient-specific 3D models have been shown to facilitate learning, enhance planning skills and improve surgical results. However, there is limited data on the objective validation of these models. Here, we aim to investigate their potential for improving the accuracy of surgical planning process of the neurosurgery residents and their usage as a surgical planning skill assessment tool.MethodsA patient-specific 3D digital model of parasagittal meningioma case was constructed. Participants were invited to plan the incision and craniotomy first after the conventional planning session with MRI, and then with 3D model. A feedback survey was performed at the end of the session. Quantitative metrics were used to assess the performance of the participants in a double-blind fashion.ResultsA total of 38 neurosurgical residents and interns participated in this study. For estimated tumor projection on scalp, percent tumor coverage increased (66.4 ± 26.2%–77.2 ± 17.4%, p = 0.026), excess coverage decreased (2,232 ± 1,322 mm2–1,662 ± 956 mm2, p = 0.019); and craniotomy margin deviation from acceptable the standard was reduced (57.3 ± 24.0 mm–47.2 ± 19.8 mm, p = 0.024) after training with 3D model. For linear skin incision, deviation from tumor epicenter significantly reduced from 16.3 ± 9.6 mm–8.3 ± 7.9 mm after training with 3D model only in residents (p = 0.02). The participants scored realism, performance, usefulness, and practicality of the digital 3D models very highly.ConclusionThis study provides evidence that patient-specific digital 3D models can be used as educational materials to objectively improve the surgical planning accuracy of neurosurgical residents and to quantitatively assess their surgical planning skills through various surgical scenarios.
Optimizing the kidney donor pool: transplanting donor kidneys after partial nephrectomy of masses or cysts
Authors: Tabbara Marina M. , Riella Juliano , Gonzalez Javier , Gaynor Jeffrey J. , Guerra Giselle , Alvarez Angel , Ciancio Gaetano 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundA limiting factor in expanding the kidney donor pool is donor kidneys with renal tumors or cysts. Partial nephrectomy (PN) to remove these lesions prior to transplantation may help optimize organ usage without recurrence of malignancy or increased risk of complications.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed all recipients of a living or deceased donor graft between February 2009 and October 2022 in which a PN was performed prior to transplant due to the presence of one or more concerning growths. Donor and recipient demographics, perioperative data, donor allograft pathology, and recipient outcomes were obtained.ResultsThirty-six recipients received a graft in which a PN was performed to remove suspicious masses or cysts prior to transplant. Majority of pathologies turned out to be a simple renal cyst (65%), followed by renal cell carcinoma (15%), benign multilocular cystic renal neoplasm (7.5%), angiomyolipoma (5%), benign renal tissue (5%), and papillary adenoma (2.5%). No renal malignancy recurrences were observed during the study period (median follow-up: 67.2 months). Fourteen complications occurred among 11 patients (30.6% overall) during the first 6mo post-transplant. Mean eGFR (± standard error) at 36 months post-transplant was 51.9 ± 4.2 ml/min/1.73 m2 (N = 23). Three death-censored graft losses and four deaths with a functioning graft and were observed.ConclusionPN of renal grafts with suspicious looking masses or cysts is a safe option to optimize organ usage and decrease the kidney non-use rate, with no observed recurrence of malignancy or increased risk of complications.
Diphtheria in a Swiss Asylum Seeker Reception Centre: Outbreak Investigation and Evaluation of Testing and Vaccination Strategies
Authors: Brockhaus Lisa , Urwyler Pascal , Leutwyler Ulrike , Würfel Eva , Kohns Vasconcelos Malte , Goldenberger Daniel , Keller Peter Michael , Tschudin Sutter Sarah , Labhardt Niklaus Daniel 
Published: April 2024

Objectives: To describe a suspected diphtheria outbreak in a Swiss asylum seeker reception centre, and to analyse its management response regarding testing and vaccination.Methods: We retrospectively analysed clinical, microbiology, and case management data of all asylum seekers tested for C. diphtheriae between 28th August and 31st December 2022 while residing at the centre. Results are reported descriptively.Results: Among 265 individuals tested, ten cases of cutaneous diphtheria, one simultaneous respiratory and cutaneous case, and nine respiratory carriers were identified. Mass throat screening, targeted throat testing and targeted wound testing yielded 4.8%, 4.3%, and 17.4% positive results, respectively. No respiratory carrier was identified among cutaneous cases undergoing a throat swab, and no symptomatic case was identified among individuals with unspecific throat symptoms. Rates of vaccination implementation of newly arriving asylum seekers before and after the outbreak were low (17.5% and 15.5%, respectively), as were rates of targeted vaccination among cases and close contacts.Conclusion: We provide evidence for transmission both prior to arrival and within the setting, suboptimal practices and timeliness of testing, and implementation gaps in vaccination.
Population Genomics of Commercial Fish Sebastes schlegelii of the Bohai and Yellow Seas (China) Using a Large SNP Panel from GBS
Authors: Zhu Beiyan , Gao Tianxiang , He Yan , Qu Yinquan , Zhang Xiumei 
Published: April 2024

Sebastes schlegelii is one of the most commercially important marine fish in the northwestern Pacific. However, little information about the genome-wide genetic characteristics is available for S. schlegelii individuals from the Bohai and Yellow Seas. In this study, a total of 157,778, 174,480, and 188,756 single-nucleotide polymorphisms from Dalian (DL), Yantai (YT), and Qingdao (QD) coastal waters of China were, respectively, identified. Sixty samples (twenty samples per population) were clustered together, indicating shallow structures and close relationships with each other. The observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity, polymorphism information content, and nucleotide diversity ranged from 0.14316 to 0.17684, from 0.14035 to 0.17145, from 0.20672 to 0.24678, and from 7.63 × 10−6 to 8.77 × 10−6, respectively, indicating the slight difference in genetic diversity among S. schlegelii populations, and their general genetic diversity was lower compared to other marine fishes. The population divergence showed relatively low levels (from 0.01356 to 0.01678) between S. schlegelii populations. Dispersing along drifting seaweeds, as well as the ocean current that flows along the western and northern coasts of the Yellow Sea and southward along the eastern coast of China might be the major reasons for the weak genetic differentiation. These results form the basis of the population genetic characteristics of S. schlegelii based on GBS (Genotyping by Sequencing). In addition to basic population genetic information, our results provid a theoretical basis for further studies aimed at protecting and utilizing S. schlegelii resources.