Previous Research Research Articles

Triglyceride-glucose index in early pregnancy predicts the risk of gestational diabetes: a prospective cohort study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index in early pregnancy and the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the second trimester. The primary objectives were to evaluate the predictive potential of the TyG index for GDM, determine the optimal threshold value of the TyG index for GDM assessment, and compare the predictive performance of the TyG index alone versus its combination with maternal age and pre-pregnancy body mass index on GDM. Moreover, the study explored the association between the TyG index in early pregnancy and the risk of other pregnancy-related complications (PRCs), such as placental abruption and gestational hypertension.Patients and methodsThis prospective cohort study recruited 1,624 pregnant women who underwent early pregnancy antenatal counseling and comprehensive assessments with continuous monitoring until delivery. To calculate the TyG index, health indicators, including maternal triglycerides and fasting plasma glucose, were measured in early pregnancy (< 14 weeks of gestation). The predictive power of the TyG index for evaluating GDM in Chinese pregnant women was determined using multifactorial logistic regression to derive the odds ratios and 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analyses were conducted, and the efficacy of the TyG index in predicting PRCs was assessed via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and restricted cubic spline, with the optimal cutoff value calculated.ResultsLogistic regression analyses revealed a 2.10-fold increase in the GDM risk for every 1-unit increase in the TyG index, after adjusting for covariates. The highest GDM risk was observed in the group with the highest TyG index compared with the lowest quintile group (odds ratios: 3.25; 95% CI: 2.23–4.75). Subgroup analyses indicated that exceeding the recommended range of gestational weight gain and an increased GDM risk were significantly associated (P = 0.001). Regarding predictive performance, the TyG index exhibited the highest area under the curve (AUC) value in the ROC curve for GDM (AUC: 0.641, 95% CI: 0.61–0.671). The optimal cutoff value was 8.890, with both sensitivity and specificity of 0.617.The combination of the TyG index, maternal age, and pre-pregnancy body mass index proved to be a superior predictor of GDM than the TyG index alone (AUC: 0.672 vs. 0.641, P < 0.01). After adjusting for multiple factors, the analyses indicated that the TyG index was associated with an increased risk of gestational hypertension. However, no significant association was noted between the TyG index and the risk of preeclampsia, placental abruption, intrauterine distress, or premature rupture of membranes.ConclusionThe TyG index can effectively identify the occurrence of GDM in the second trimester, aligning with previous research. Incorporating the TyG index into routine clinical assessments of maternal health holds significant practical implications. Early identification of high-risk groups enables healthcare providers to implement timely interventions, such as increased monitoring frequency for high-risk pregnant women and personalized nutritional counseling and health education. These measures can help prevent or alleviate potential maternal and infant complications, thereby enhancing the overall health outcomes for both mothers and babies.

Inversion of Boreal Forest Height Using the CRITIC Weighted Least Squares Three-Stage Temporal Decorrelation Iterative Algorithm

The inversion of forest height using the RVoG (Random Volume over Ground) model is susceptible to overestimation or underestimation due to three error sources, propagating inaccuracies to the estimated forest height. Furthermore, variations in the height and density of the scenario could impact how well the RVoG three-stage inversion performs. This work utilizes the L-band single-baseline full polarization interferometric dataset as its basis. It optimally applies the CRITIC (Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation) method to the first stage of a three-stage process. This approach aims to overcome the issues mentioned above and enhance the accuracy of forest parameter estimation. A CRITIC weighted least squares temporal decoherence iterative algorithm is also proposed for the characteristics of the spaceborne data, in combination with the temporal decoherence algorithm of previous research. The proposed approach is tested and applied to both simulated and actual data. The optimization approach is first assessed using four simulated datasets that simulate coniferous forests with different densities and heights. The preliminary findings suggest that optimizing the complex coherence fitting process through the weighted least squares method enhances the accuracy of ground phase estimation and, consequently, improves the accuracy of the three-stage approach for inverting forest height. The ground phase estimation results for low forest height consistently remained within 0.02 rad, with a root mean square error (RMSE) below 0.05 rad, and no saturation occurred with increasing forest density. The enhanced algorithm outperforms the traditional technique in terms of accuracy in ground phase estimation. Subsequently, the optimized approach is applied to ALOS-2 spaceborne data, proving more successful than the conventional algorithm in reducing the RMSE of forest height. The findings illustrate the method’s superior inversion performance, obtaining an accuracy exceeding 80% in both the test and validation sets. The validation set’s RMSE is approximately 2.5 m, and the mean absolute error (MAE) is within 2 m. Moreover, it is observed that to counteract the uncertainty in temporal decoherence induced by climate change, a larger temporal baseline necessitates a larger random motion compensation term and phase offset term.

FP‐JSC: Job failure prediction on supercomputers through job application sequence correlation

SummarySupercomputers are advanced computing systems interconnected through high‐speed communication networks, consisting of independent computational nodes. During the unfolding of the big data era, the potent computational capabilities of these supercomputers play a pivotal role in scientific computing. Despite executing numerous advanced computational science and engineering tasks on supercomputers, many submitted jobs fail due to various factors, resulting in user inefficiencies. These failures not only consume system resources but also reduce the overall efficiency of the system. Previous research often couples job performance features with a single machine learning method for predicting job failure. However, a primary hurdle emerges from the high cost of gathering these features, complicating their real‐world applicability. To address this challenge, our study establishes correlations among job applications through extensive job log analysis. Leveraging correlations, we propose a predictive framework based on job application sequence correlation (called FP‐JSC). This innovative framework employs multiple machine learning models to offer holistic predictions, selecting the most suitable model based on its learning effectiveness. Moreover, the framework optimizes feature collection expenses without adversely affecting job execution. We determine job applications using both job paths and job names, with the former emerging as a novel feature derived from supplementary monitoring data. Empirical results underscore FP‐JSC's effectiveness, accurately identifying over 89% of jobs with 95% specificity and 89% sensitivity—outperforming single prediction methods employed in related works.

Unpacking the mediating role of classroom interaction between student satisfaction and perceived online learning among Chinese EFL tertiary learners in the new normal of post-COVID-19

Online learning has become increasingly prevalent in the era of digitalization, impacted by both internet penetration and the COVID-19 pandemic. Classroom interaction, as a key factor in evaluating students' learning experience in online settings, has been identified to be associated with their academic achievement. While previous research has underscored the significance of classroom interaction in language learning settings, there is relatively limited research on its relationships with student satisfaction and learning. This research intends to explore classroom interaction and its mediating role in the correlation between student satisfaction and perceived online learning in online contexts. Given this, the paper reports a quantitative-method study that examined how Chinese EFL tertiary students perceived three types of classroom interaction (i.e., learner-learner, learner-instructor, and learner-content), their satisfaction, and its influences on their perceived online learning. Data was collected from 319 Chinese university students through convenience sampling and a self-designed questionnaire, and then analyzed with the help of SPSS. The results showed that: 1) the students had moderately positive perceptions of classroom interaction and online learning, but were neutral about their satisfaction; 2) positive correlations were observed between classroom interaction, student satisfaction, and online learning; and 3) student satisfaction predicted perceived online learning, with classroom interaction partially mediating this relationship. The findings of this research have implications for strengthening the effectiveness of online language teaching in the post-COVID-19 era.

Diversity of Trichinella species in carnivores from Bosnia and Herzegovina

BackgroundIn Bosnia and Herzegovina, domestic and wild carnivores represent a significant driver for the transmission and ecology of zoonotic pathogens, especially those of parasitic aetiology. Nevertheless, there is no systematic research of Trichinella species in animals that have been conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, even though trichinellosis is considered the most important parasitic zoonosis. The available results of the few studies carried out in Bosnia and Herzegovina are mainly related to the confirmation of parasitic larvae in the musculature of domestic pigs and wild boars or data related to trichinellosis in humans. The objective of our study was to present the findings of a comprehensive investigation into the species composition of Trichinella among 11 carnivorous species within the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as follows: red fox (Vulpes vulpes), grey wolf (Canis lupus), brown bear (Ursus arctos), wildcat (Felis silvestris), pine marten (Martes martes), European badger (Meles meles), weasel (Mustela nivalis), European polecat (Mustela putorius), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), but also dog (Canis lupus familiaris) and cat (Felis catus).ResultsIn the period 2013–2023, carnivore musculature samples (n = 629), each consisting of 10 g of muscle tissue, were taken post-mortem and individually examined using the artificial digestion method. In the positive samples (n = 128), molecular genotyping and identification of parasitic larvae of Trichinella spp. were performed using a PCR-based technique up to the species/genotype level. Positive samples were used for basic PCR detection of the genus Trichinella (rrnS rt-PCR technique) and genotyping (rrnl-EVS rt-PCR technique). The Trichinella infection was documented for the first time in Bosnia and Herzegovina among red foxes, grey wolves, brown bears, dogs, badgers and Eurasian lynx, with a frequency rate of 20.3%. Additionally, the presence of T. britovi infection was newly confirmed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking the initial documented cases. Furthermore, both T. britovi and T. pseudospiralis infections were observed in the wildcat population, whereas T. britovi and T. spiralis infections were detected in pine martens. Consistent with previous research, our findings align particularly regarding carnivores, with data from other countries such as Germany, Finland, Romania, Poland and Spain, where T. britovi exhibits a wider distribution (62.5–100%) compared to T. spiralis (0.0–37.5%). T. britovi is more common among sylvatic carnivores (89.0%), while T. spiralis prevails in wild boars (62.0%), domestic swine (82.0%) and rodents (75.0%).ConclusionThe results of our study represent the first molecular identification of species of the genus Trichinella in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally, our findings underscore the necessity for targeted epidemiological studies to thoroughly assess trichinellosis prevalence across diverse animal populations. Considering the relatively high frequency of trichinellosis infection in investigated animal species and its public health implications, there is an evident need for establishing an effective trichinellosis surveillance system in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Abstract 5754: Targeting miR-92b with peptide-modified liposomes for glioblastoma treatment

Abstract Focusing on enhancing drug delivery to the brain, we aim to optimize a nanocarrier system with a specific focus on glioblastoma (GBM). This involves the utilization of spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) enclosed in peptide-modified liposomes, a configuration previously proven to effectively penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in a GBM mouse model. Our objective is to enhance the nanocarrier's treatment load by optimizing the attachment of oligonucleotide-modified gold nanoparticles (OMI) to the SNAs. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in GBM pathogenesis, with miR-92b identified as overexpressed in various cancers, including GBM. Previous research from our lab implicated miR-92b in targeting proteins (FBXW7 &amp; SKP2) in the ubiquitination pathway. RNA sequencing confirmed the significance of these pathways. RNA sequencing of miR-92b inhibition in the U87 GBM cell line revealed impacts on cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA repair, and multiple cancer-related pathways. We successfully modified the gold nanoparticle size from 15 nm to 5 nm, increasing the surface area and improving OMI attachment efficiency from less than 5% to 50%. This alteration significantly enhances drug loading in the nanocarrier, providing a promising platform for clinical applications. Characterization of the optimized peptide-modified liposomes reassured the retention and potential improvement of original features related to nanoparticle size and internalization in cell cultures. Future in vivo experiments, utilizing a GBM mouse model, will assess the therapeutic effect of inhibiting miR-92b using peptide-modified liposomes as a drug delivery system. Our multifaceted approach, involving nanocarrier optimization and miR-92b inhibition, holds promise for developing an effective treatment strategy against GBM. The presented results highlight the potential translational impact of our research in addressing the challenges associated with GBM therapy. Citation Format: Annelis Odette Sánchez-Álvarez, Fatima Valiyeva, Pablo E. Vivas-Mejia. Targeting miR-92b with peptide-modified liposomes for glioblastoma treatment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 5754.

Abstract 4309: Establishment of intratumor heterogeneity using patient derived lung cancer cells

Abstract Overcoming cancer treatment resistance is a problem that must be solved to improve the prognosis of cancer patients. In recent years, genome analysis has revealed the existence of multiple subgroups with different properties within a single tumor, and intratumor heterogeneity is a cause of treatment resistance. It has also been reported that. However, the mechanism of intratumor heterogeneity remains unclear. Previous research on intratumor heterogeneity has mainly focused on analyzing patient cancer cells, classifying subgroups, and estimating characteristic factors. This method has two drawbacks. One is limitations in including all subgroups as research subjects, and other is lack of verification of whether characteristic factors are actually involved in intratumor heterogeneity in patients. Therefore, it is necessary to use a model of "early intratumor heterogeneity" in which monoclonal cells are divided into subgroups with different properties, and to verify the discovered factors using patient-derived cancer cell lines. In alectinib-resistant cell line (H2228-AR1S) created from monoclonal ALK-positive lung cancer cell line (H2228) by exposing to alectinib in vitro, existence of two fractions with different appearances. Using flow cytometry, it was revealed that H2228-AR1S bimodally expresses EpCAM, and the EpCAM-low fraction has high migration ability. In EpCAM-low fraction, epithelial markers were decreased, and mesenchymal markers were increased using immunoblotting. It suggests that EpCAM low subpopulation has undergone epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Additionally, we established a BRAF-positive lung cancer cell line (KTOR83) collected with consent from patients attending Kyoto University Hospital. Cells after in vitro dabrafenib exposure to KTOR83 showed bimodal EpCAM expression, and the EpCAM-low fraction has high migration ability. We established an intratumor heterogeneous model using commercially available cells and a patient-derived lung cancer cell line. Furthermore, we will explore factors common to the two models and examine factors involved in intratumor heterogeneity. Citation Format: Tomoko Funazo, Hiroaki Ozasa, Takahiro Tsuji, Yusuke Shima, Keiichiro Suminaga, Kentaro Hashimoto, Hiroshi Yoshida, Tatsuya Ogimoto, Kazutaka Hosoya, Hitomi Ajimizu, Takashi Nomizo, Hironori Yoshida, Toyohiro Hirai. Establishment of intratumor heterogeneity using patient derived lung cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 4309.

Abstract 1506: Diminished migration potential of MDA-MB-231Br (brain-seeking) breast cancer cell line with integration of keratin 18 gene

Abstract Triple-negative breast cancer is considered to have one of the poorest prognostic outcomes of the breast cancer subtypes, with brain metastasis resulting in a survival rate of less than a year. Determining and eventually targeting the cause of the triple-negative breast cancer cells that seek the brain would improve life expectancy and quality of life by preventing the ramifications of brain pathology. Through a novel mouse model, previous research has demonstrated that one sub-line of the MDA-MB-231 (triple-negative breast cancer cell line) cells, MDA-MB-231Br, preferentially metastasizes to the brain. Additionally, lower levels of expression of the keratin 18 gene were observed in the MDA-MB-231Br cells, which prompted the analysis of the transcriptional control of the keratin 18 gene. In our previous study, we analyzed the pattern of chromatin occupation of transcription factors FLI1 and ETS1 to understand the transcriptional control of keratin 18 within the parental MDA-MB-231 cell line and MDA-MB-231Br brain-seeking counterpart. Notably, the ETS1 transcription factor was enriched in the MDA-MB-231Br cells, and the FLI1 transcription factor was enriched in the MDA-MB-231 cells. In this study, using transient and stable transfection, we incorporated keratin 18 cDNA into the MDA-MB-231Br cells and examined the effect on their migration capabilities. We hypothesized that with the introduction of keratin 18 cDNA into the MDA-MB-231Br cells, their migration capabilities would match that of their parental counterpart. The MDA-MB-231Br cells were cultured in the Burrell research laboratory, and transfections were performed using Lipofectamine™ 3000 Transfection Reagent by Thermo Scientific with GFP as a control. Migration assays were performed using a transwell migration assay (Millipore) and with a wound healing assay. Ultimately, our results from both migration and wound healing assays demonstrated a diminished migration capability after keratin 18 was re-introduced into the MDA-MB-231Br cells through transfection. In the wound healing assay, the MDA-MB-231Br cells transfected with keratin 18 closely resembled the pattern of migration demonstrated by the parental MDA-MB-231 cells, while the MDA-MB-231Br cells transfected with GFP followed the pattern of the untouched MDA-MB-231Br cells. Additionally, the migration assay showed significantly less migratory capability of the MDA-MB-231Br cells expressing keratin 18 compared to the MDA-MB-231Br cells expressing GFP as a control (p &amp;lt;0.05). The invasion capabilities of these cells with and without the presence of keratin 18 will be evaluated next to further elucidate the effects of re-expressing keratin 18. Citation Format: Anissa Johnson, Tuoen Liu, Paul Lockman, Gabor Szalai. Diminished migration potential of MDA-MB-231Br (brain-seeking) breast cancer cell line with integration of keratin 18 gene [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1506.

Abstract 6837: Prolonged effects of hypoxia in luminal breast cancer cells

Abstract Metastasis is the main cause of tumor-related mortality in breast cancer patients. Improving our understanding of the metastatic cascade is imperative to improve patient outcomes. Prior research indicates cancer cells with increased metastatic potential have acquired adaptive properties induced by factors in the tumor microenvironment (TME), including hypoxia. However, previous hypoxia research has primarily focused on signaling changes that occur when cancer cells are in the hypoxic TME and does not account for long-term changes that may occur once cancer cells re-enter normoxia, such as when they metastasize. Our research in patient-derived circulating tumor cell (CTCs) lines and breast cancer cell lines indicates that certain transcriptional changes are maintained after cells leave hypoxia, and that these post-hypoxic cells maintain a higher metastatic potential compared to cells not exposed to hypoxia. Taking an un-biased approach to define changes in hypoxia-exposed breast cancer cells upon reoxygenation, we performed bulk RNA-Seq on post-hypoxic luminal breast cancer cell lines compared to normoxic controls cultured either in adherent or suspension conditions, the latter to mimic the physiological context of CTCs. We found that a subset of genes that were differentially expressed in hypoxic conditions were maintained as up- or down-regulated after cells were reoxygenated, indicating a “hypoxic memory”. Additionally, a subset of differentially expressed genes were unique to the post-hypoxic cells, demonstrating both prolonged and novel gene expression changes induced by hypoxia exposure. We also performed functional assays and observed that this post-hypoxic state is associated with a more aggressive phenotype. Current research in our lab is on-going to understand the epigenetic changes that may be responsible for this hypoxic memory. Overall, this research will improve our understanding of the prolonged consequences of hypoxia on CTC biology and metastasis. Citation Format: Aidan Moriarty, Oihana Iriondo, Yonatan Amzaleg, Remi Klotz, Min Yu. Prolonged effects of hypoxia in luminal breast cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 6837.

The burden of Cardiovascular diseases in Jordan: a longitudinal analysis from the global burden of disease study, 1990–2019

BackgroundCardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. While countries in the Arab world continue to lack public health data and be severely understudied in health research, previous research has shown that compared to 1990, CVDs had a higher burden of disease in the Arab World in 2010. Jordan, a middle-income Arab country, is profiled with unique attributes such as a dual-sector healthcare system, political stability, and its role as a haven for refugees and migrants. These distinctive factors emphasize Jordan’s suitability as a case study. This investigation aims to quantify CVD burden in Jordan and identify risk factors, contributing to a broader understanding of health challenges in the Arab region and beyond.MethodsThe Global Burden of Disease (GBD) dataset was used to estimate prevalence, death, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) as age-standardized rates from 1990 to 2019. We calculated percentage change for nine specific CVDs and reported trends by gender and age groups. Additionally, data on twelve a priori selected behavioral, clinical, and environmental risk factors attributing to overall age-standardized CVDs DALY were reported per 100,00 population.ResultsIn 2019, the age-standardized CVD prevalence, death, and DALYs rates in Jordan were 7980 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 7629, 8360), 248 (95% UI 211, 288), and 4647 (95% UI 4028, 5388), respectively. Despite an increase in the absolute number of mortality and prevalence, between 1990 and 2019, the age-standardized prevalence, death, and DALYs rates all decreased by 5.5%, 45.1%, and 46.7%, respectively. In 2019, the leading risk factors contributing to overall age-standardized CVDs DALY per 100,000 population were high systolic blood pressure, high BMI, dietary risks, and high LDL cholesterol.ConclusionDespite decreasing burden rate of CVDs in Jordan between 1990 and 2019, CVDs remain the leading cause of mortality in Jordan, with an increase in the total number of prevalence and mortality. Overall, this contributes to increased healthcare costs. Further research is required to quantify the burden of CVDs and understand it better. Intervention measures and policies tailored to specific CVDs should be designed to reduce the burden of CVDs in Jordan.

Triggers and conducive factors for reflection in university students: a focus group study

ABSTRACT Although previous research highlights the importance of reflection in higher education, little is known about the type of triggers and contexts that promote authentic reflection in university students who are in academic classroom environments. This qualitative study addresses this question based on content analysis done on eight focus groups consisting of a total of 45 university students. Results revealed that authentic reflection was triggered by adverse and positive situations, challenging interpersonal interactions, emotional responses to events, performance data and proactive enquiry. Furthermore, findings highlighted the relevance of Self-Determination Theory as a guiding framework for describing contextual factors conducive to reflection: student reflection benefited from a positive interactive context, autonomy for reflection, a variety of opportunities to reflect and guidance in the form of mentors or workshops. Conversely, exam pressure and effortful periods reduced the likelihood of student reflection. Finally, results indicated that students engaged in reflection to raise personal awareness, improve academic and personal performance, and change their beliefs, attitudes, feelings, and behaviours. Implications for practice are given.

Mathematics and Language: A One-to-One Correspondence in Bilingual Environments

Previous research has shown that language is an essential part of the development of mathematical skills and, specifically, in solving verbal problems. We know that using a different language from one’s mother tongue is highly beneficial for students, and that language plurality and bilingualism is more and more habitual and present in current educational environments. However, what is still not clear is how it influences certain tasks, especially the most naturalistic ones, such as the formation of the concept of numbers and in tasks with a greater verbal component, such as solving problems in the early ages. The present research examined the problem-solving performance of first- and second-grade elementary education students in bilingual environments, comparing the problem solving of students whose language of instruction (LI) is the same as their mother tongue (MT) and those whose MT differs from the LI. Through an analysis of variance, the results showed that there exist differences in change and combination problems. Discrepancies in performance were also found, depending on the evolutionary moment. These results suggest that it is necessary to study how the LI can shape mathematical skills in the early years.

Trajectories of relationship and sexual satisfaction over 2 years in the Covid-19 pandemic: A latent class analysis.

Previous research on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on romantic relationships has mainly concentrated on short-term effects and average trends of change. This study aimed to explore different trajectories of relationship and sexual satisfaction from April 2020 to March 2022. Including a cross-national sample of 2859 individuals, a latent class approach was applied to identify subgroups of sexual and relationship satisfaction trajectories. Participants' satisfaction levels, attachment style, psychological symptoms, life satisfaction, and living arrangements were taken into account. Three latent classes were identified for both relationship and sexual satisfaction: (1) a group with high satisfaction levels but a slightly declining trajectory, (2) a group with low satisfaction levels but an ascending trajectory, and (3) a fluctuating group. Living apart, having children, psychological symptoms, low life satisfaction, and avoidant attachment characterized the two groups with low or fluctuating trajectories. The findings suggest that there were different trajectories of relationship and sexual satisfaction during the pandemic, which can be predicted by individual dispositions. Even 2 years after the pandemic, its effects had not disappeared.

Comprehensive elucidation of resting-state functional connectivity in anorexia nervosa by a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Previous research on the changes in resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in anorexia nervosa (AN) has been limited by an insufficient sample size, which reduced the reliability of the results and made it difficult to set the whole brain as regions of interest (ROIs). We analyzed functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 114 female AN patients and 135 healthy controls (HC) and obtained self-reported psychological scales, including eating disorder examination questionnaire 6.0. One hundred sixty-four cortical, subcortical, cerebellar, and network parcellation regions were considered as ROIs. We calculated the ROI-to-ROI rsFCs and performed group comparisons. Compared to HC, AN patients showed 12 stronger rsFCs mainly in regions containing dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and 33 weaker rsFCs primarily in regions containing cerebellum, within temporal lobe, between posterior fusiform cortex and lateral part of visual network, and between anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and thalamus (p < 0.01, false discovery rate [FDR] correction). Comparisons between AN subtypes showed that there were stronger rsFCs between right lingual gyrus and right supracalcarine cortex and between left temporal occipital fusiform cortex and medial part of visual network in the restricting type compared to the binge/purging type (p < 0.01, FDR correction). Stronger rsFCs in regions containing mainly DLPFC, and weaker rsFCs in regions containing primarily cerebellum, within temporal lobe, between posterior fusiform cortex and lateral part of visual network, and between ACC and thalamus, may represent categorical diagnostic markers discriminating AN patients from HC.

The revised Psychosis Attachment Measure: further psychometric evidence.

Disorganised attachment is a key concept in understanding the development of psychosis. However, existing questionnaires of adult attachment do not adequately measure this construct hindering future research into the psychosocial causes of psychosis. The most widely measure of adult attachment in people experiencing psychosis is the Psychosis Attachment Measure (PAM). The measure has recently been revised to include disorganised attachment items. This study develops previous research by providing a rigorous examination the psychometric properties of the revised questionnaire (PAM-R). A total of 407 participants with self-reported experiences of psychosis completed a battery of questionnaires which included the PAM-R and other measures which were conceptually related to the concept of disorganised attachment. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated a three-factor solution with factors corresponding to anxious, avoidant, and disorganised attachment. The majority of the fit statistics were acceptable with the exception of the RMSEA statistic. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were good for all subscales. The disorganised subscale correlated in expected directions with other measures of attachment, dissociation, trauma, and psychotic experiences. The PAM-R is a valid and reliable measure of adult attachment. It is a practical assessment tool for clinicians and researchers to measure insecure and disorganised attachment patterns that is acceptable to people experiencing psychosis.

Network analysis of maternal parenting practices and adolescent mental health problems: a longitudinal study

BackgroundAn extensive literature has shown a strong connection between maternal parenting practices and adolescent mental health problems. However, it has been difficult for previous research to map a dynamic concurrent and prospective relationships within and between types of parenting practices and adolescent mental health problems. The present study addressed these issues using a network analysis approach and a longitudinal design.MethodsThis study involved 591 Chinese adolescents (249 males; mean age at T1 = 13.53) and their mothers (mean age at T1 = 39.71) at two time points (T1 and T2) with eighteen months apart. Mothers reported their parenting practices including warmth, monitoring, inductive reasoning, hostility, and harshness, while adolescents reported their mental health problems including anxiety, depression, aggression, and conduct problems. Network analysis was conducted for contemporaneous networks at T1 and T2 and temporal networks from T1 to T2.ResultsThe contemporaneous networks revealed the negative association between monitoring and conduct problems served as the main pathway through which parenting practices and adolescent mental health mutually influenced each other, and further, warmth was the most influential parenting practice on adolescent mental health. The temporal network revealed that maternal hostility exerted the most influence on adolescent mental health problems, whereas adolescents’ depression was most influenced by maternal parenting practices. Moreover, maternal hostility was most predicted by maternal harshness.ConclusionsThis study presents a novel perspective to gain a better understanding of the dynamics between and within maternal parenting practices and adolescent mental health problems. Findings highlight maternal harshness and warmth as potential prevention and intervention targets for adolescent mental health problems.

Can the Interfacial Solar Vapor Generation Performance Be Really “Beyond” Theoretical Limit?

AbstractThe interfacial solar vapor generation (ISVG) process is an environmentally friendly approach that utilizes solar to produce steam, which can solve the water shortage. Despite many previous research studies, claims beyond the theoretical limit have risen due to limitations in the efficiency of converting solar to vapor and the rate of solar evaporation, which are still being debated. Energy losses remain even under ideal conditions, which means that the efficiency of the system will never be ≥100%. This review primarily analyzes the theoretical values of evaporation rate and energy efficiency in the ISVG process. Utilizing a theoretical formula for energy distribution, the factors contributing to the current exceedance of conversion efficiency and evaporation rate are scrutinized. By examining various strategies, such as the reduction of vaporization enthalpy for photothermal materials and the utilization of environmental energy for evaporation, these studies seek to enhance evaporation efficiencies, but they ignore the problem of the theoretical limit of evaporation. Therefore, this review emphasizes misconceptions about efficiencies beyond theoretical limits and aims to guide researchers to provide plausible explanations for such breakthroughs under specific conditions, alongside established reference conditions. Ultimately, this study lays a solid theoretical foundation for practical solar water purification.

Understanding rural pharmacists' perspectives: lived experiences and insights associated with rural recruitment and retention.

Pharmacists serve an important role in rural communities, and in some cases they may be the only health professional available. Their recruitment and retention is a major concern for rural communities and health services; however, a deeper understanding regarding the advantages and challenges of sustaining a rural pharmacy workforce is somewhat limited. The aim of this study was to develop a deeper understanding of pharmacists' perspectives about factors influencing pharmacist recruitment and retention to rural and remote communities. The exploratory study, carried out in rural Tasmania and rural Western Victoria, used a qualitative descriptive design. Structured interviews, lasting between 30-60 minutes, were conducted by a single researcher using the Pharmacist Community Apgar Questionnaire via face-to-face, telephone or videoconferencing technology. Data were analysed thematically using verbatim transcription, extraction of significant statements and identification of similarities in formulated meanings, grouping the similar meanings and significant statements that pertained to the phenomena of interest. Specifically, qualitative data were used to provide a deeper understanding of factors identified as key assets, capabilities, or those most challenging for pharmacist recruitment and retention. The advantages and disadvantages rural communities face in recruiting and retaining pharmacists are presented. These insights are linked to the advantages of financial income, incentives and moving allowance. Further advantages include the degree of practice autonomy, breadth of tasks, the perception of the community, loyalty to the pharmacy and its pharmacists, along with community recognition. Challenges associated with the recruitment and retention of pharmacists centred on the need for spousal or partner employment opportunities, having greater proximity to schools, access to social or cultural opportunities, along with good transport connections. Further challenges included housing, the cost of schooling for children, having adequate locum or peer coverage and opportunities to host interns. The study provides a deeper exploration of the meaning and experiences of factors that previous research has shown are considered advantageous or challenging to the recruitment and retention of pharmacists in rural areas. Through the voices of pharmacists living and working in a rural area, the findings further enlighten our understanding regarding how the multifaceted and complex nature of health workforce planning may be addressed. As such, greater pharmacist recruitment and retention is enabled through adequate financial compensation and incentives, along with additional tax incentives for business and health services. Further, innovation is required to enhance economic sustainability. Locum coverage and intern opportunities also require innovative approaches to address concerns among potential candidates. Lastly, efforts to enable and support social connections such as schooling and spousal employment, while building community connection and a sense of rural community belonging, remain essential to recruit and retain pharmacists. Rural pharmacist recruitment and retention is complex, requiring a multi-pronged approach to implement practical solutions. Given this complexity and the unique features of each rural community, solutions require whole-of-community ownership to create innovative solutions. Recognition of specific advantages and challenges can address key driving factors for pharmacist recruitment and retention in rural communities.

Enhancing value creation of operational management for small to medium manufacturer: A conceptual data-driven analytical system

This paper aims to explore the challenges and opportunities for Small and Medium-sized Manufacturing Enterprises (SMMEs) in implementing data-driven techniques in their operations. SMMEs are often considered to be low and medium–low tech companies, even if they have machinery, as they still rely on traditional processes and manpower and lack any digital technology. Previous research has shown that medium–high and high-tech companies perform better, with higher rates of growth, than low and medium–low ones by a sustainable and significant margin. Therefore, there is a need for further research on the implementation of data-driven analytical methods and technologies in SMMEs that are both cost-effective and easy to use. This study proposes a conceptual analytical system that combines Integration Definition for Function Modeling 0 (IDEF0) and the Cross Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM) business analytics method to develop a practical and widely applicable framework for data-driven techniques in manufacturing. We then developed a case study of an Indonesian company, where we collected real and direct information about specific objects, events, and activities related to particular aspects, including showing their key performance indicators (KPIs) through data dashboards, to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed conceptual analytical system in improving operational management in SMMEs. The findings of this study provide valuable insights that can be used to develop effective solutions for SMMEs to leverage data-driven techniques and improve their operations. We also highlight implications of the findings for future research and practical applications. The final framework can be converted into a system that can be continuously and flexibly updated and customized, based on specific needs.

Glaucocalyxin A delays the progression of OA by inhibiting NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways

BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint condition marked by inflammation and cartilage breakdown. Currently, there is a dearth of treatment medications that can clearly slow the course of OA. Glaucocalyxin A (GLA) is a diterpene chemical identified and extracted from Rabdosia japonica with antithrombotic, anticoagulant, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and other pharmacological properties. Previous research has linked inflammation to abnormalities in the homeostasis of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Although GLA has been shown to have anti-inflammatory qualities, its effects on the progression of OA are unknown. As a result, the goal of this study was to see if GLA could slow the course of OA.MethodsATDC5 cells were stimulated by IL-1β to create an inflammatory chondrocyte damage model. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western Blot, high-density culture, and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression levels of associated gene phenotypes. We also created a mouse model of OA induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) instability, and GLA was administered intraperitoneally once every two days for eight weeks. Mice knee specimens were stained with hematoxylin–eosin, Safranin O/fast green, and immunohistochemical, and the Osteoarthritis Research Society International grade system and Mankin’s score were used to assess the protective effect of GLA on cartilage.ResultsIn vitro and in vivo, we explored the effects and molecular processes of GLA as a therapy for OA. The findings demonstrated that GLA might reduce the expression of associated inflammatory mediators and protect the ECM by inhibiting the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Animal research revealed that GLA could protect against the DMM-induced OA model mice by stabilizing ECM.ConclusionTaken together, our findings show that GLA has a protective impact on cartilage throughout OA progression, implying that GLA could be employed as a possible therapeutic agent for OA, thus giving a new therapeutic method for the treatment of OA.