bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chordoma cancer stem cell subpopulation characterization may guide targeted immunotherapy approaches to reduce disease recurrence
Authors: Lopez Diana C. , Fabian Kellsye P. , Padget Michelle R. , Robbins Yvette L. , Kowalczyk Joshua T. , Lassoued Wiem , Pastor Danielle M. , Allen Clint T. , Gallia Gary L. , Gulley James L. , Hodge James W. , London Nyall R. 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionCancer stem cells (CSCs), a group of tumor-initiating and tumor-maintaining cells, may be major players in the treatment resistance and recurrence distinctive of chordoma. Characterizing CSCs is crucial to better targeting this subpopulation.MethodsUsing flow cytometry, six chordoma cell lines were evaluated for CSC composition. In vitro, cell lines were stained for B7H6, HER2, MICA-B, ULBP1, EGFR, and PD-L1 surface markers. Eighteen resected chordomas were stained using a multispectral immunofluorescence (mIF) antibody panel to identify CSCs in vivo. HALO software was used for quantitative CSC density and spatial analysis.ResultsIn vitro, chordoma CSCs express more B7H6, MICA-B, and ULBP1, assessed by percent positivity and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), as compared to non-CSCs in all cell lines. PD- L1 percent positivity is increased by &gt;20% in CSCs compared to non-CSCs in all cell lines except CH22. In vivo, CSCs comprise 1.39% of chordoma cells and most are PD-L1+ (75.18%). A spatial analysis suggests that chordoma CSCs cluster at an average distance of 71.51 mm (SD 73.40 mm) from stroma.DiscussionTo our knowledge, this study is the first to identify individual chordoma CSCs and describe their surface phenotypes using in vitro and in vivo methods. PD-L1 is overexpressed on CSCs in chordoma human cell lines and operative tumor samples. Similarly, potential immunotherapeutic targets on CSCs, including B7H6, MICA-B, ULBP1, EGFR, and HER2 are overexpressed across cell lines. Targeting these markers may have a preferential role in combating CSCs, an aggressive subpopulation likely consequential to chordoma’s high recurrence rate.
Erjingwan and Alzheimer’s disease: research based on network pharmacology and experimental confirmation
Authors: Xu Yuya , Zhang Jian , Li Xuling 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD), a challenging neurodegenerative condition, has emerged as a significant global public health concern. The Chinese medicine decoction Erjingwan (EJW) has shown promising efficacy in AD treatment, though its mechanism remains unclear.ObjectiveThis study aims to elucidate the mechanism by which EJW treats AD through network pharmacology analysis and in vivo experiments.MethodsWe identified EJW’s components using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database and determined AD-related targets from various databases. A network comprising herbs-compounds-targets was established, and EJW’s core targets were ascertained through protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. This study assessed the cognitive abilities of APP/PS1 mice using Morris water mazes and Y mazes, in addition to analyzing blood samples for triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Brain tissues were examined histologically with HE staining, Nissl staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for amyloid β-protein (Aβ) detection. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), reactive oxygen species (ROS), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in the hippocampal region were measured by ELISA. mRNA expression of apolipoprotein A-I (APOA-I), apolipoprotein B (APOB), apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), advanced glycation end products (AGE), the receptor for AGE (RAGE), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was evaluated by quantitative PCR (q-PCR). Western blotting was used to detect the expression of AGE, RAGE, NF-κB, and Tau protein.ResultsScreening identified 57 chemical components and 222 potential targets of EJW. Ten core targets for AD treatment were identified, with enrichment analysis suggesting EJW’s effects are related to lipid metabolism and AGEs/RAGE pathways. EJW enhanced learning and memory in APP/PS1 mice, protected neuronal structure in the hippocampal region, reduced Aβ deposition, and altered levels of TG, TC, LDL, IL-1β, and IL-6, and the expression of APOE4, AGEs, RAGE, NF-κB, and Tau protein, while increasing SOD, APOA-I, and APOB mRNA expression.ConclusionThe study identified four core components of EJW—iosgenin, baicalein, beta-sitosterol, quercetin—and ten core targets including AKT1, IL6, VEGFA, TP53, CASP3, for treating AD. Experimental results demonstrate EJW’s capacity to modulate lipid profiles, reduce pathological markers such as Aβ1-42, Tau, IL-6, IL-1β, reactive oxygen species, SOD, and enhance cognitive functions in APP/PS1 mice, potentially through inhibiting the AGEs/RAGE/NF-κB pathway.
Blended controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer increases rice post-anthesis nitrogen accumulation, translocation and nitrogen-use efficiency
Authors: Yuan Manman , Wu Gang , Wang Jiabao , Liu Chuang , Hu Yegong , Hu Run , Zhou Yan , Zhang Xiangming , Wang Wenjun , Sun Yixiang 
Published: April 2024

One-time application of blended controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer (CRN) has the potential to solve the difficulty of top-dressing fertilizer in the cultivation of rice and reduce the cost of CRN fertilizer application. However, its effects on rice dry matter and nitrogen (N) accumulation and translocation, yield and N-use efficiency (NUE) remain uncertain. Field experiments were carried out at three sites (Mingguang, Chaohu, and Guichi) in the Yangtze River Delta in China to compare the effects of the conventional split applications of urea and the blended CRN and on post-anthesis dry matter and N accumulation and translocation, yield, and NUE in rice at 0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg N ha-1. The results showed that at the equal N application rates, compared under the conventional N fertilizer treatment, the blended CRN application significantly increased the rice yield by an average of 0.9-6.9%, mainly due to increase the number of spikelets per panicle. The highest yield achieved with blended CRN treatment occurred at 200 kg N ha-1, with an NUE of 45.9%. Moreover, in comparison to the conventional N fertilizer, the blended CRN treatment increased pre-anthesis N translocation (Pre-NT) by 1.0-19.8%, and the contribution of pre-NT to grain N by 0.2-8.7%, and NUE by 3.2-28.4%. Meanwhile, the blended CRN treatment reduced labor costs by 1800 Yuan ha-1 and enhanced the economic gains by 21.5-68.8%. Therefore, one-time application of blended CRN ≤ 200 kg N ha-1 application rate improved rice yield, NUE, and economic profit compared to equivalent rates of split applied conventional N fertilizers.
Imagining a better world: assessing the immediate and delayed effects of imagined contact on attitudes toward refugees in elementary school
Authors: Vrdoljak Antonija , Čorkalo Biruški Dinka , Stanković Nikolina , Fasel Rachel , Butera Fabrizio , Jelić Margareta 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionPreparing host-society children for contact with refugees coming into their classes poses a new and important challenge for countries with little prior experience in integration. Imagined contact is a prejudice-reduction intervention that can be particularly useful in this context. However, its long-term effects and potential age-related variations in its efficacy among primary school children remain understudied.MethodsThis study investigated the short-term and long-term effects of an imagined contact school intervention on the change in attitudes and contact intentions of 1,544 children aged 7–15. Of these, 827 participated in a four-session-long intervention delivered by their teachers within their regular classes, while 717 served as a comparison group. Short-term effects were assessed approximately one week after the last intervention session, with long-term effects evaluated around two and a half months later.ResultsOur findings indicate that the imagined contact intervention instigates positive changes in intergroup attitudes and contact intentions in both the short term and long term, but only for the children in the lower grades of primary school.DiscussionWhile the durability of these effects among younger participants holds promise for future use of imagined contact in schools, we also scrutinize potential developmental and methodological explanations of the absence of expected intervention effects among older children.
Investigating the shared genetic basis and causal relationships between mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue inflammation and psychiatric disorders
Authors: Georgiou Andrea N. , Voskarides Konstantinos , Zanos Panos , Chatzittofis Andreas 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundChronic and acute inflammation of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue have been positively linked to the development of psychiatric disorders in observational studies. However, it remains unclear whether this association is causal. In the present study, we investigated this association, using as proxies genetically predicted tonsillectomy, appendectomy and appendicitis on psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia (SCZ), bipolar depression (BD) and anxiety (ANX) via a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.MethodsGenetic association summary statistics for tonsillectomy, appendectomy and appendicitis were sourced from FinnGen Consortium, comprising data from 342,000 participants. Genetic correlations between all exposures and outcome were calculated with Linkage Disequilibrium Score (LDSC) Regression analysis. MR estimates were then calculated to assess their impact on the risk of developing psychiatric disorders. Sensitivity analysis was employed to test for any directional pleiotropy.ResultsOur results suggest that there is no direct causal association between tonsillectomy, appendectomy or appendicitis with a heightened risk for development of psychiatric disorders. The robustness of the results of the main MR analysis was further confirmed with additional sensitivity analyses. However, a moderate inverse genetic correlation was observed between tonsillectomy and MDD traits (rg=-0.39, p-value (P)=7.5x10-5).ConclusionOur findings provide, for the first time, evidence that there is no causal association between tonsillectomy or appendectomy on subsequent vulnerability of developing psychiatric disorders. Future studies using larger sample size GWAS should focus on unraveling the confounding factors and mediators to investigate this relationship further.
Exploring workability in an older working population: associations with cognitive functioning, sleep quality, and technostress
Authors: Fattori Alice , Comotti Anna , Barnini Teresa , Di Tecco Cristina , Laurino Marco , Bufano Pasquale , Ciocan Catalina , Serra Daniele , Ferrari Luca , Bonzini Matteo 
Published: April 2024

ObjectiveThis observational study investigates workability and its associations with cognitive functioning, sleep quality and technostress among an older working population, also shedding light on potential differences between two occupational categories with different work schedules.MethodsWorkers aged over 50, employed in different working sectors (banking/finance, chemical and metal-mechanic industry) were administered a self- report questionnaire including Work Ability Index (WAI), cognitive tests (Stroop Color Task, Corsi Blocks, Digit Span), sleep quality questionnaires (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-PSQI; Insomnia Severity Index-ISI; Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test-FIRST) and technostress scale. Linear regression models evaluated associations among variables, interaction effects investigated potential moderators.ResultsA total of 468 aged workers categorized as white (WCWs; N = 289, 62%) or blue collars (BCWs; N = 179, 38%) were enrolled; most BCWs (N = 104; 58%) were night shift workers. WCWs reported higher workability, cognitive functioning, sleep quality and lower technostress (except for invasion and privacy subscales) than BCWs. Associations between cognitive functioning and workability were statistically significant only for BCWs [slopes equal to 0.2 (0.33), 0.8 (0.34), −0.02 (0.001) for Memory Span Corsi, Block Span Digit and Interference Speed respectively]; additionally, sleep quality significantly moderated this association (p = 0.007). Higher levels of technostress were associated with lower workability, and this relationship was stronger for BCWs.ConclusionThe aging of the workforce has important implications for occupational health and safety. Our findings suggest potential interventions and protective measures to promote older workers’ wellbeing; blue-collar workers particularly should benefit from tailored intervention to sustain workability and prevent technostress, considering the role of healthy sleep habits promotion.
Quality of life and its association with predictors in lung transplant recipients: a latent profile analysis
Authors: Song Liqin , Luo Qing , Liu Chunqin , Zhou Ying , Huang Danxia , Ju Chunrong , Chen Huifang , Wong Thomas Kwok Shing , Chen Jiani , Tan Wenying , Miao Chuyuan , Ma Yu , Chen JingWen 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundsImproving quality of life (QOL) is one of the main aims of lung transplantation (LTx). There is a need to identify those who have poor quality of life early. However, research addressing inter individual quality of life variability among them is lacking. This study aims to identify group patterns in quality of life among lung transplant recipients and examine the predictors associated with quality of life subgroups.MethodsIn total, 173 lung transplant recipients were recruited from one hospital in Guangdong Province between September 2022 and August 2023. They were assessed using the Lung Transplant Quality of Life scale (LT-QOL), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Life Orientation Test-Revised scale (LOT-R), and Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). Latent profile analysis was used to identify QOL subtypes, and logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations between latent profiles and sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics.ResultsTwo distinct QOL profiles were identified: “low HRQOL” profile [N = 53 (30.94%)] and “high HRQOL” profile [N = 120 (69.06%)]. Single lung transplant recipients, and patients who reported post-transplant infection, high levels of negative emotion or low levels of mindfulness and optimism were significantly correlated with the low QOL subgroup.ConclusionUsing the domains of the LT-QOL scale, two profiles were identified among the lung transplant recipients. Our findings highlighted that targeted intervention should be developed based on the characteristics of each latent class, and timely attention must be paid to patients who have undergone single lung transplantation, have had a hospital readmission due to infection, exhibit low levels of optimism, low levels of mindfulness or high negative emotions.
Does the level of burnout differ between occupational groups in Lithuania?
Authors: Kalinienė Gintarė , Ustinavičienė Rūta , Lukšienė Dalia , Žutautienė Rasa , Kirvaitienė Jolita , Vaičiulis Vidmantas 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundThe strain on workers of the healthcare system and education sector increased psychological distress and burnout. This study aimed to distinguish the occupational group that is the most affected by occupational burnout and to reveal the scope of psychosocial risk factors among each occupational group.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study that analyzed burnout syndrome among 1,046 participants of different occupational groups in association with psychosocial work environment factors in Lithuania. The anonymous questionnaire was composed of the standardized Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). To find out associations between psychosocial work environment factors and burnout dimensions, a multiple logistic regression model using the stepwise method was applied.ResultsThe burnout levels in all three dimensions (personal, work-related, and client-related burnout) were significantly higher in physicians’ and nurses’ groups compared with public health professionals, teachers, and managers (p &lt; 0.05). The job demands were associated with the personal burnout subscale for all occupations, except public health specialists - each one-unit increase of this variable significantly increased the probability of personal burnout from 10 to 16%, respectively by the occupation. Co-worker support was found to have a buffering effect for all occupational groups, except managers - and significantly reduced personal burnout for physicians (OR = 0.80), nurses (OR = 0.75), public health specialists (OR = 0.75), and teachers (OR = 0.79).ConclusionThe burnout levels in all three dimensions differed between occupational groups: there were significantly higher in physicians’ and nurses’ groups compared with public health professionals, teachers, and managers. Considering the occupational preventive measures in the healthcare sector attention should be paid to the reduction of workload and ensuring good relations between co-workers.
Coal mining environment causes adverse effects on workers
Authors: Chen Huihui , Ding Xinping , Zhang Wenzhong , Dong Xichen 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundThe objective of this study is to study the adverse effects of coal mining environment on workers to discover early effective biomarkers.MethodsThe molecular epidemiological study was conducted with 502 in-service workers, who were divided into miner and auxiliary. We measured the individual levels of dust exposure for participants. Clinical examinations were conducted by qualified doctors. Peripheral blood was collected to measure biochemistry, hemogram, and karyocyte apoptosis.ResultsAll workers were healthy who have not found with any diseases that can be diagnosed medically in the physical examination and showed no difference in dust exposure level, age, height, weight, and body mass index between groups. The working years of miners were lower than that of auxiliaries (p &lt; 0.001). Compared with auxiliaries, the concentration and percentage of lymphocytes (p = 0.040, p = 0.012), basophils (p = 0.027, p = 0.034), and red blood cells (p &lt; 0.001) and the concentration of hemoglobin of miners were lower (p &lt; 0.001). The percentage of neutrophils (p = 0.003), the concentration of mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (p = 0.002), and the proportion of karyocyte apoptosis in miners were higher (p &lt; 0.001). Miners presented higher blood urea nitrogen (p &lt; 0.001), ratio of blood urea nitrogen to creatinine (p &lt; 0.001), the high density lipoprotein cholesterol (p &lt; 0.001), lower creatinine (p &lt; 0.05), and cholesterol (p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionThe coal mining environment impacted mining workers’ immune function, renal function, and the hematopoietic system, including BUN/CRE, HGB, RBC, and LYMPH, which could be used as early biomarkers to screen the health of coal miners.
Preschool mother-child emotional preparation program leads to significant improvement in autonomic regulation: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Welch Martha G. , Ludwig Robert J. , Kong Justin , Rauh Virginia , Hane Amie A. , Jaffe Marc , Witkowski Anna , Myers Michael M. 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionMany studies have documented the profound impact that the mother-child relationship has on child sociality and behavior. However, the biological mechanisms that govern the relationship are poorly understood. We developed a mother-child emotional preparation program (MCEP), based on a novel autonomic nervous system learning mechanism. MCEP is hypothesized to condition the child's autonomic nervous system to better meet the preschool socioemotional classroom challenges.MethodsWe conducted a randomized controlled trial of MCEP, comparing a group of children receiving standard curriculum with children receiving standard curriculum plus MCEP. Previously, we reported that the MCEP mother-child dyads (vs controls) were more emotionally connected at six months post intervention and MCEP children (vs controls) displayed better socioemotional behavior at home and in the classroom. At six months post intervention, mothers and children underwent a stressful interaction-interruption paradigm, during which we acquired child ECG. We analyzed heart rate and several measures of child heart rate variability obtained during the 10-minute post-stress recovery period.ResultsWe found that MCEP children showed better autonomic regulation following the stressor, as measured by lower heart rate (p = 0.017) and increased high frequency respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) or vagal tone (p = 0.043). Surprisingly, despite a sample size limited by COVID (n = 12 and 12), the effect sizes were large (g's ranging from 0.89 to 1.09). In addition, we found significant correlations with large effect sizes between autonomic measures and scores on the Welch Emotional Connection Screen (WECS).DiscussionThese findings support the conclusion that MCEP had a significant positive impact on child autonomic regulation in response to stress, which correlates with behavioral assessments of emotional connection. We discuss theoretical considerations and the implications of our findings for preschool education programs in general. This trial was retrospectively registered (clinicaltrial.gov registry NCT02970565) three months after the start of the first recruitment on April 9, 2019.
Impact of cash transfer programs on healthcare utilization and catastrophic health expenditures in rural Zambia: a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mori Amani Thomas , Mudenda Mweetwa , Robberstad Bjarne , Johansson Kjell Arne , Kampata Linda , Musonda Patrick , Sandoy Ingvild 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundNearly 100 million people are pushed into poverty every year due to catastrophic health expenditures (CHE). We evaluated the impact of cash support programs on healthcare utilization and CHE among households participating in a cluster-randomized controlled trial focusing on adolescent childbearing in rural Zambia.Methods and findingsThe trial recruited adolescent girls from 157 rural schools in 12 districts enrolled in grade 7 in 2016 and consisted of control, economic support, and economic support plus community dialogue arms. Economic support included 3 USD/month for the girls, 35 USD/year for their guardians, and up to 150 USD/year for school fees. Interviews were conducted with 3,870 guardians representing 4,110 girls, 1.5–2 years after the intervention period started. Utilization was defined as visits to formal health facilities, and CHE was health payments exceeding 10% of total household expenditures. The degree of inequality was measured using the Concentration Index. In the control arm, 26.1% of the households utilized inpatient care in the previous year compared to 26.7% in the economic arm (RR = 1.0; 95% CI: 0.9–1.2, p = 0.815) and 27.7% in the combined arm (RR = 1.1; 95% CI: 0.9–1.3, p = 0.586). Utilization of outpatient care in the previous 4 weeks was 40.7% in the control arm, 41.3% in the economic support (RR = 1.0; 95% CI: 0.8–1.3, p = 0.805), and 42.9% in the combined arm (RR = 1.1; 95% CI: 0.8–1.3, p = 0.378). About 10.4% of the households in the control arm experienced CHE compared to 11.6% in the economic (RR = 1.1; 95% CI: 0.8–1.5, p = 0.468) and 12.1% in the combined arm (RR = 1.1; 95% CI: 0.8–1.5, p = 0.468). Utilization of outpatient care and the risk of CHE was relatively higher among the least poor than the poorest households, however, the degree of inequality was relatively smaller in the intervention arms than in the control arm.ConclusionsEconomic support alone and in combination with community dialogue aiming to reduce early childbearing did not appear to have a substantial impact on healthcare utilization and CHE in rural Zambia. However, although cash transfer did not significantly improve healthcare utilization, it reduced the degree of inequality in outpatient healthcare utilization and CHE across wealth groups.Trial Registrationhttps://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02709967, ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier (NCT02709967).