bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the correlation between depression and physical activity among older persons with osteoporosis: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Shi Linjun , Zhou Xiaoping , Gao Yueshan , Li Xia , Fang Ronghua , Deng Xuexue 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundOsteoporosis is a common chronic disease in older persons. Physical activity can prevent chronic diseases as well as many diseases associated with aging. Older persons often suffer from depression and other psychological problems. However, there are few studies on the correlation between depression and physical activity in older persons with osteoporosis in China.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1 to December 28, 2021. A total of 207 subjects who met the inclusion and were exclusion criteria were selected from the outpatient department of West China Hospital and evaluated using a self-designed demographic data questionnaire, the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). Multivariate linear regression was performed to analyze the factors affecting physical activity, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors affecting depression. Spearman’s correlation coefficients were calculated to analyze the correlation between depression and physical activity in older persons with osteoporosis.ResultsA total of 173 valid questionnaires were statistically analyzed. A total of 122 (70.5%) participants were identified as having depression (SDS ≥ 50 points). The median depression score was 62.5 (24.38), and the median PASE score was 69.29 (116.64). Multivariate logistic regression model results showed that physical activity and pain were the main risk factors for depression in older persons with osteoporosis (p &lt; 0.05). Multivariate linear regression model results showed that gender, participation in social activities, activities of daily living status (ADLs), and depression status were the main risk factors associated with physical activity in older persons with osteoporosis (p &lt; 0.05). The results of the correlation analysis showed that physical activity was negatively correlated with depression (R = −0.510, p = 0.000).ConclusionWe found that depression was negatively correlated with physical activity in older persons with osteoporosis in China. This means that the less physical activity there is, the more serious the depression status and having depression may result in reduced physical activity in older persons with osteoporosis. To better help older persons with osteoporosis, medical staff should give more attention to influencing factors of depression and physical activity.
Executive function deficits and medial temporal lobe atrophy in late-life depression and Alzheimer’s disease: a comparative study
Authors: Chu Changbiao , Pan Weigang , Ren Yanping , Mao Peixian , Yang Chunlin , Liu Chaomeng , Tang Yi-lang 
Published: August 2023

ObjectivesAlzheimer’s disease (AD) and late-life depression (LLD) frequently exhibit executive function deficits (EFD) and medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) as shared characteristics. The objective of this research was to examine the utility of the Trail Making Test (TMT) and the MTA scale in distinguishing between LLD and AD.MethodsA study of 100 patients, 50 with AD and 50 with LLD, was conducted using a cross-sectional design. The individuals were subjected to clinical evaluations to assess their level of depression and overall cognitive abilities, which included the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). We evaluated executive function deficits (EFD) through the use of the TMT, which includes both TMT-A and TMT-B. MTA was measured using magnetic resonance imaging. To evaluate the ability of TMT and MTA scale to distinguish between the two groups, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized. To investigate the connections between MTA and neuropsychological measures, a correlation analysis was performed.ResultsAD patients exhibited notably reduced MMSE, MoCA, and GDS scores, as well as an increased MTA total scores, time spent on TMT-A, and TMT-B compared to LLD patients (p &lt; 0.05). TMT-A and TMT-B both exhibited excellent discriminatory power between AD and LLD, achieving area under curve (AUC) values of 92.2 and 94.2%, respectively. In AD patients, there was a negative correlation between MMSE and MoCA scores and MTA scores, while in LLD patients, there was a positive correlation between time spent on TMT-A and GDS scores and MTA scores.ConclusionAD patients experience more severe EFD and MTA than LLD patients. The differential diagnosis of AD and LLD can be aided by the useful tool known as TMT. It is important to acknowledge that TMT is capable of capturing only a fraction of the executive function, thus necessitating a cautious interpretation of research findings.
Depression and death anxiety among patients undergoing hemodialysis during the COVID-19 pandemic in Palestine: a cross sectional study
Authors: Ibrahim Mohammed , Saeed Elias , Hamarsheh Islam , Al Zabadi Hamzeh , Ahmead Muna 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundHemodialysis patients are vulnerable to serious complications such as prolonged hospital stay and psychosocial issues like depression and death anxiety. Studies on psychosocial factors on end-stage renal disease patients’ outcomes during COVID-19 pandemic are limited. We aimed to determine the prevalence of depression and death anxiety among Palestinian hemodialysis patients and the evaluate the relationship between their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics during COVID-19 Pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sampling technique. We recruited 308 hemodialysis patients from five hemodialysis units located in government hospitals in Palestine. Beck Depression Inventory and the Templers Death Anxiety Scale were used to collect data, which were then analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and means), t-test, ANOVA and multiple linear regression models were used for data analysis.ResultsNearly 66.2% of the sample had depression symptoms, 61.4% met the diagnostic threshold for depression, and 69.8% had death anxiety. Furthermore, the multivariate analysis revealed that having a female identity, residing in a city or refugee camp, and patients who reported not experiencing depression had a significant relationship with death anxiety, while having a higher educational level than 12 years, having one or more chronic co-morbidities, and patients who reported experiencing death anxiety had a significant correlation with depression.ConclusionPatients receiving hemodialysis frequently experience depression and death anxiety. These patients should receive a psychiatric evaluation in the early stages of their illness so that timely and appropriate psychological interventions can be given in hemodialysis facilities in Palestine during and after future pandemics.
Occupational survey-based evidence of health status and welfare problems of workers with pneumoconiosis in China
Authors: Hu Wenxiu , Wu Wei-Ning , Qiao Qingmei 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundPneumoconiosis is the most dangerous occupational disease in China. According to unofficial records, nearly million migrant workers were affected by pneumoconiosis in 2011, with the number increasing annually. Among them, a large number of migrant workers suffering from pneumoconiosis were not medically diagnosed. Therefore, fundamental questions remain unanswered: what is the background of workers who receive a diagnosis of pneumoconiosis, and how does pneumoconiosis affect their future and well-being?MethodsIn this study, we identified and surveyed 1,134 workers with pneumoconiosis in seven selected regions in China with substantially high incidences of pneumoconiosis by using a combination of cluster sampling, convenience sampling, and snowball sampling. We used demographic, medical, and rehabilitation conditions and welfare questionnaires to collect the data.ResultsThe findings highlighted the socioeconomic status of patients with pneumoconiosis. The majority of workers with pneumoconiosis were adult men who had received no higher education, who lived in rural households, and who were employed in mining or manufacturing industries. Among these workers, 52.8% had been exposed to dust at work for more than 10 years, and 53.1% received a diagnosis of stage II or III pneumoconiosis. More than half of the workers (569 workers, 50.2%) did not receive comprehensive, routine treatment; 33.4% (379 workers) visited a doctor when they experienced physical discomfort, and 6.6% (75 workers) never received treatment. Only 156 workers (13.8%) received rehabilitation services, whereas 978 workers (86.2%) never did. The study results also revealed the severe financial difficulties faced by patients with pneumoconiosis. Only 208 workers (18.3%) had access to work-related injury insurance, with the cost of pneumoconiosis treatment being a substantial burden for 668 workers (60.6%).ConclusionIn this study, we explored the existing health and welfare problems faced by workers with pneumoconiosis in China and identified the social injustice and health disparities that these workers experience. We also clarified the primary challenges in implementing safety, health, and welfare policies for these workers and those who are exposed to high-risk environments, such as those working in mining.
International practices in health technology assessment and public financing of digital health technologies: recommendations for Hungary
Authors: Mezei Fruzsina , Horváth Krisztián , Pálfi Máté , Lovas Kornélia , Ádám Ildikó , Túri Gergő 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundEvaluating and integrating digital health technologies is a critical component of a national healthcare ecosystem in the 2020s and is expected to even increase in significance.DesignThe paper gives an overview of international practices on public financing and health technology assessment of digital health technologies (DHTs) in five European Union (EU) countries and outlines recommendations for country-level action that relevant stakeholders can consider in order to support uptake of digital health solutions in Hungary. A scoping review was carried out to identify and gather country-specific classifications and international practices on the financing DHTs in five pioneering EU countries: Germany, France, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Finland.ResultsSeveral frameworks have been developed for DHTs, however there is no single, unified framework or method for classification, evaluation, and financing of digital health technologies in European context. European countries apply different taxonomy, use different assessment domains and regulations for the reimbursement of DHTs. The Working Group of the Hungarian Health Economic Society recommends eight specific points for stakeholders, importantly taking active role in shaping common clinical evidence standards and technical quality criteria across in order for common standards to be developed in the European Union single market.ConclusionSpecificities of national healthcare contexts must be taken into account in decisions to allocate public funds to certain therapies rather than others.
Molecular markers associated with drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum parasites in central Africa between 2016 and 2021
Authors: Xu Wenjie , Zhang Xuan , Chen Hualiang , Zhang Jiaqi , Lu Qiaoyi , Ruan Wei , Wang Xiaoxiao 
Published: August 2023

ObjectivesThe widespread occurrence of anti-malarial drug resistance threatens the current efforts to control malaria in African regions. Molecular marker surveillance helps to track the emergence and spread of drug-resistant malaria cases.MethodsA total of 237 Plasmodium falciparum infections imported from central Africa to Zhejiang Province, China, between 2016 and 2021, were investigated. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of each patient and nested PCRs was used to detect molecular markers in k13, Pfcrt, and Pfmdr1 genes. The spatial and temporal distributions of the molecular markers were analyzed.ResultsA limited polymorphism of k13 was observed, including two nonsynonymous (D464E and K503E) and five synonymous mutations. Wild-type CVMNK of Pfcrt predominated (78.5%), whereas 19.5% of the samples harbored the mutant haplotype, CVIET. The point mutation Y184F and the single mutant haplotype NF of Pfmdr1 were the most frequently observed. The geographical distributions of the Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 haplotypes displayed distinct patterns, with the mutant haplotype of Pfcrt more common in Gabon (53.9%) and Congo (50.0%), and wild haplotypes of Pfmdr1 more frequently found in Cameroon, Angola, and Congo. The prevalence of wild-type CVMNK of Pfcrt increased from 68.5–74.6% in 2016–2017 to 81.8–87.5% in 2018–2021. The proportion of wild-type Pfmdr1 also increased from 27.1% in 2016 to 38.5% in 2019.ConclusionThe geographical and temporal distribution of k13, Pfcrt, and Pfmdr1 polymorphisms in P. falciparum parasites imported from central Africa between 2016 and 2021 are demonstrated. Our data provide updated evidence that can be used to adjust anti-malarial drug policies in central Africa and China.
Autistic individuals show less grouping-induced bias in numerosity judgments
Authors: Pomè Antonella , Karaminis Themis , Burr David C. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionWhen items are connected together, they tend to be perceived as an integrated whole rather than as individual dots, causing a strong underestimation of the numerosity of the ensemble. Previous evidence on grouping-induced biases of numerosity has shown a dependency on autistic-like personality traits in neurotypical adults, with a weaker tendency for grouping into meaningful segmented objects in individuals with strong autistic traits. Here we asked whether this result would generalize to the autistic population.MethodsTwenty-two adults with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and 22 matched neurotypical controls judged the numerosity of clouds of dot-pairs connected by thin lines.ResultsResults showed no significant group difference in discrimination precision, suggesting that both groups were equally capable performing the task. However, while connecting pairs of dots at moderate numerosities caused large changes in apparent numerosity in the neurotypical controls, particularly those with low autistic-like traits, it had little effect in the group of autistic participants, suggesting significant differences in numerosity estimation between autistic and neurotypical perception. Consistent with earlier studies, the magnitude of the effect covaried strongly with AQ-defined autistic traits in the neurotypical range, reinforcing the idea that autistic traits predict the strength of grouping.DiscussionThese results provide strong support for the theories of autistic perception that highlight dissimilarities in global vs. local processing, and open the door to study grouping mechanisms indirectly, by asking participants to report on the apparent numerosity rather than on the grouping organization per se.
Dimensions of cognitive reserve and their predictive power of cognitive performance and decline in the elderly
Authors: del Ser Teodoro , Valeriano-Lorenzo Elizabeth , Jáñez-Escalada Luis , Ávila-Villanueva Marina , Frades Belén , Zea María-Ascensión , Valentí Meritxell , Zhang Linda , Fernández-Blázquez Miguel A. 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundThe relative importance of different components of cognitive reserve (CR), as well as their differences by gender, are poorly established.ObjectiveTo explore several dimensions of CR, their differences by gender, and their effects on cognitive performance and trajectory in a cohort of older people without relevant psychiatric, neurologic, or systemic conditions.MethodsTwenty-one variables related to the education, occupation, social activities, and life habits of 1,093 home-dwelling and cognitively healthy individuals, between 68 and 86 years old, were explored using factorial analyses to delineate several dimensions of CR. These dimensions were contrasted with baseline cognitive performance, follow-up over 5 years of participants' cognitive trajectory, conversion to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and brain volumes using regression and growth curve models, controlling for gender, age, marital status, number of medications, trait anxiety, depression, and ApoE genotype.ResultsFive highly intercorrelated dimensions of CR were identified, with some differences in their structure and effects based on gender. Three of them, education/occupation, midlife cognitive activities, and leisure activities, were significantly associated with late-life cognitive performance, accounting for more than 20% of its variance. The education/occupation had positive effect on the rate of cognitive decline during the 5-year follow up in individuals with final diagnosis of MCI but showed a reduced risk for MCI in men. None of these dimensions showed significant relationships with gray or white matter volumes.ConclusionProxy markers of CR can be represented by five interrelated dimensions. Education/occupation, midlife cognitive activities, and leisure activities are associated with better cognitive performance in old age and provide a buffer against cognitive impairment. Education/occupation may delay the clinical onset of MCI and is also associated with the rate of change in cognitive performance.
Oral microbiome as a co-mediator of halitosis and periodontitis: a narrative review
Authors: Lee Yeon-Hee , Hong Ji-Youn 
Published: August 2023

ObjectiveHalitosis or oral malodor is an unpleasant odor from the oral cavity. However, although patients with periodontitis often complain of halitosis, their relationship has not been fully elucidated. We reviewed previous literature based on the hypothesis that the relationship between halitosis and periodontitis is mediated by the oral microbiome.Materials and methodsThis narrative review sought to provide insight into the causative role of the oral microbiome in influencing halitosis and periodontitis. In addition, we tried to deepen knowledge related to the relationship between halitosis and periodontitis generated by the oral microbiome accumulated over the past 40 years.ResultsFrom 1984 to 2023, a total of 106 papers that carefully and scientifically dealt with halitosis and periodontitis were included in this narrative review. Based on previous results, halitosis and periodontitis were closely related. For decades, researchers have taken an intriguing approach to the question of whether there is a relationship between halitosis and periodontitis. Central factors in the relationship between halitosis and periodontitis include volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), the oral microbiota that produce VSCs, and the inflammatory response.ConclusionsTaken together, the more severe periodontitis, the higher the level of VSC in halitosis, which may be mediated by oral microbiome. However, the relationship between the occurrence, maintenance, and exacerbation of periodontitis and halitosis is not a necessary and sufficient condition for each other because they are complex interplay even in one individual.
Comparative protein profiling of two soybean genotypes with different stress tolerance reveals major components in drought tolerance
Authors: Dong Shoukun , Zhou Qi , Yan Chao , Song Shuang , Wang Xin , Wu Zihao , Wang Xiyue , Ma Chunmei 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionDrought stress has gradually become a limiting factor for plant growth. Soybean, a crop with a higher water demand than other plants, is particularly sensitive to water deficits.MethodTo explore the effect of drought stress on soybean protein expression, we used drought-tolerant soybean genotype HeiNong44 (HN44) and sensitive soybean genotype HeiNong65 (HN65) as experimental materials, PEG-6000 as an osmotic regulator, and tandem mass tag (TMT) technology to identify the differential expression of soybean proteins.ResultsWe identified that 48 upregulated and 38 downregulated proteins in HN44 and 55 upregulated and 13 downregulated proteins in HN65.DiscussionKEGG analysis showed that these differentially expressed proteins were involved in carbohydrate metabolism, signal transduction, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and programmed cell death. Drought stress usually caused an increase in the activity of plant antioxidant enzymes, the obstruction of photosynthetic synthesis, and a significant change in the content of plant hormones. We found that HN44 responds to drought stress mainly through sugar decomposition, increased antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid metabolism. HN65 responds to drought stress mainly through ABA synthesis, increased antioxidant enzyme activity and amino acid metabolism. Our study also found that differential proteins in the starch and sucrose metabolic pathway play a key role in supplying energy and regulating osmotic potential.
Feasibility study of computed tomography texture analysis for evaluation of canine primary adrenal gland tumors
Authors: Lee Kyungsoo , Goh Jinhyong , Jang Jaeyoung , Hwang Jeongyeon , Kwak Jungmin , Kim Jaehwan , Eom Kidong 
Published: August 2023

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the feasibility of computed tomography (CT) texture analysis for distinguishing canine adrenal gland tumors and its usefulness in clinical decision-making.Materials and methodsThe medical records of 25 dogs with primary adrenal masses who underwent contrast CT and a histopathological examination were retrospectively reviewed, of which 12 had adenomas (AAs), 7 had adenocarcinomas (ACCs), and 6 had pheochromocytomas (PHEOs). Conventional CT evaluation of each adrenal gland tumor included the mean, maximum, and minimum attenuation values in Hounsfield units (HU), heterogeneity of the tumor parenchyma, and contrast enhancement (type, pattern, and degree), respectively, in each phase. In CT texture analysis, precontrast and delayed-phase images of 18 adrenal gland tumors, which could be applied for ComBat harmonization were used, and 93 radiomic features (18 first-order and 75 second-order statistics) were extracted. Then, ComBat harmonization was applied to compensate for the batch effect created by the different CT protocols. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for each significant feature was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of CT texture analysis.ResultsAmong the conventional features, PHEO showed significantly higher mean and maximum precontrast HU values than ACC (p &lt; 0.05). Eight second-order features on the precontrast images showed significant differences between the adrenal gland tumors (p &lt; 0.05). However, none of them were significantly different between AA and PHEO, or between precontrast images and delayed-phase images. This result indicates that ACC exhibited more heterogeneous and complex textures and more variable intensities with lower gray-level values than AA and PHEO. The correlation, maximal correlation coefficient, and gray level non-uniformity normalized were significantly different between AA and ACC, and between ACC and PHEO. These features showed high AUCs in discriminating ACC and PHEO, which were comparable or higher than the precontrast mean and maximum HU (AUC = 0.865 and 0.860, respectively).ConclusionCanine primary adrenal gland tumor differentiation can be achieved with CT texture analysis on precontrast images and may have a potential role in clinical decision-making. Further prospective studies with larger populations and cross-validation are warranted.