Tag: pubmed

J Environ Qual. 2022 Jan 8. doi: 10.1002/jeq2.20324. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Soilborne pests are a major obstacle that must be overcome for the production of horticultural crops. Methyl bromide was an effective pre-planting soil broad-spectrum biocide, but its use has been banned due to its role in depleting the ozone layer. As a result, sustainable alternative methods for controlling soilborne pathogens and pests are needed. Nitrous oxide emissions are of concern in crop production due to its role as a greenhouse gas. Agricultural lands are known sources for emission of this greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. Emissions are related to many environmental factors as well as fertilization and fumigation practices. This study evaluated the influence of different alternatives to methyl bromide on emissions of nitrous oxide throughout a tomato production season in two locations representative of southern and northern Florida. We evaluated eight soil management practices, including: 1) untreated controls; 2) chemical soil fumigation (CSF); 3) anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) using molasses (M) + composted poultry litter (CPL) and 4-5) M + composted yard waste (CYW, at two rates); 6) Soil Symphony Amendment (SSA), a commercially available mix of microbes and nutrients; 7) CYW alone; and 8) CYW + SSA. Nitrous oxide emissions were measured throughout the entire cropping season. Emissions were highest on the day of planting (day 21), ranging from 213 to 1878 μg·m^-2 ·h^-1 , likely due to the release of N₂ O that had accumulated under the totally impermeable film (TIF) when it was punctured for planting. However, statistical significance varied between sites. Estimated cumulative emissions of N₂ O throughout the production season ranged from 1.3 to 4.8 kg N₂ O-N ha^-1 . This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:34997770 | DOI:10.1002/jeq2.20324

Biometrics. 2022 Jan 8. doi: 10.1111/biom.13621. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Stationary points embedded in the derivatives are often critical for a model to be interpretable and may be considered as key features of interest in many applications. We propose a semiparametric Bayesian model to efficiently infer the locations of stationary points of a nonparametric function, which also produces an estimate of the function. We use Gaussian processes as a flexible prior for the underlying function and impose derivative constraints to control the function’s shape via conditioning. We develop an inferential strategy that intentionally restricts estimation to the case of at least one stationary point, bypassing possible mis-specifications in the number of stationary points and avoiding the varying dimension problem that often brings in computational complexity. We illustrate the proposed methods using simulations and then apply the method to the estimation of event-related potentials (ERP) derived from electroencephalography (EEG) signals. We show how the proposed method automatically identifies characteristic components and their latencies at the individual level, which avoids the excessive averaging across subjects which is routinely done in the field to obtain smooth curves. By applying this approach to EEG data collected from younger and older adults during a speech perception task, we are able to demonstrate how the time course of speech perception processes changes with age. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:34997758 | DOI:10.1111/biom.13621

Psychiatr Pol. 2021 Oct 31;55(5):1121-1137. doi: 10.12740/PP/118006. Epub 2021 Oct 31.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The Indirect Self-Destructiveness Scale (ISDS) was developed as a measure of individual tendency for self-destructive behavior. The aim of the article is to propose its abbreviated version (ISDS-25) and to present the psychometric properties of this instrument.

METHODS: The analyses were carried out on aggregated data (N = 670) obtained from adult individuals. The procedure of shortening the ISDS scale took into account both statistical criteria (values of discriminatory power coefficients and factor loadings of items) and content criteria (degree of item representativeness and comprehensibility). The psychometric properties of the shortened scale were determined by analyzing its reliability and validity (factorial, convergent and differential).

RESULTS: The short version of the ISDS scale consists of 25 items and is characterized by satisfactory internal consistency (α = 0.81; ω = 0.88). The obtained factorial structure (bifactor model), gender differences, and correlations with the scores of other scales confirm the tool’s theoretical validity.

CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results justify the conclusion that the short version of the Indirect Self-Destructiveness Scale (ISDS-25) faithfully reflects the original construct and can be successfully employed in empirical research on the phenomenon of chronic self-destructiveness.

PMID:34997747 | DOI:10.12740/PP/118006

Psychiatr Pol. 2021 Oct 31;55(5):1139-1155. doi: 10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/119778. Epub 2021 Oct 31.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of criterion validity and temporal stability of personality disorder diagnosis in adolescents and relationships between attachment styles and personality disorder diagnosis.

METHODS: 50 adolescents (46 girls and 4 boys, aged 15-17) hospitalized at the department of child and adolescent psychiatry were assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Personality Disorders (SCID-II) and the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA). After one year, adolescents meeting the criteria for apersonality disorder (PD) diagnosis were reassessed with the SCID-II.

RESULTS: In the first stage of assessment, diagnostic criteriafor different types of personality disorders were met by 41 adolescents (82%) (mean number of criteria = 5.9). Criteria were met most often for borderline personality disorder (BPD) (n = 26; mean number of criteria = 7.9). In the second stage of assessment, the interview was re-administered to 21 (51%) adolescents; the mean number of criteria was = 6.6. A statistically significant relationship between the number of PD diagnostic criteria in assessment one and the number of criteria in assessment two was obtained (r = 0.58; p < 0.01). 82% of the participants with PD were insecurely attached to their mothers. In the borderline group, 83% of the participants reported anxious-avoidant attachment style.

CONCLUSIONS: PD traits in adolescence, specifically BPD, are stable across one year.

PMID:34997748 | DOI:10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/119778

Psychiatr Pol. 2021 Oct 31;55(5):1101-1119. doi: 10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/115170. Epub 2021 Oct 31.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study wasto determine the impact of synthetic cathinonesusage on depressive symptoms and oral behaviors among recreational users.

METHODS: Users of online drugs-related forums were asked to fill in a questionnaire via Google Forms Platform. The questionnaire contained questions about patterns of drugs use, the Beck Depression Inventory II, the Oral Behaviors Checklist (OBC), and questions about basic demographic data (age, gender).

RESULTS: 150 participants (75 in the study group, 75 in the control group) took part in the study. In the study group (aged 15-28), all participants used cathinones and other psychoactive substances. 42 participants used cathinones during last month. Statistical analysis showed a correlation between amount of drugs types used and level of depressive symptoms for both groups (study group and control group), as well as a statistically significantly higher mean value of the OBC scores in a group of cathinones users than in controls. Correlation between the BDI-II and OBC results was statistically significant for both the study and control groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Considering easy access to synthetic cathinones, widely spread intoxications and young age of participants of this survey the subject needs to be widely researched. Psychoactive substances can predispose to development of depression and various forms of parafunctional oral behaviors.

PMID:34997746 | DOI:10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/115170

J Integr Neurosci. 2021 Dec 30;20(4):993-999. doi: 10.31083/j.jin2004100.

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have revealed significant changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) microstates in neuropsychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia, depression, and dementia. To explore the resting-state EEG microstate with amputation, we collected the EEG datasets from 15 patients with lower limb amputation and 20 healthy controls. Then, we analyzed the parameters of four classical EEG microstates (A-D) between the two groups. Specifically, the parameters were statistically analyzed, including duration, occurrence rate, time coverage, and transition rate. According to the results, the duration of microstate C (t = 2.95, p = 0.005) in the lower limb amputation group was significantly smaller compared with the control group, while the occurrence rate of microstate B (t = -2.22, p = 0.03) and D (t = -3.35, p = 0.002) were significantly larger in the lower limb amputation group. In addition, the transition rate of microstate differed significantly in AC, CA, DB between the two groups. Our results implied: (1) amputation has changed the resting-state EEG microstate; (2) EEG microstate analysis can be an approach to explore the alteration of cortical function.

PMID:34997722 | DOI:10.31083/j.jin2004100

J Integr Neurosci. 2021 Dec 30;20(4):1011-1017. doi: 10.31083/j.jin2004102.

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates whether diffusion tensor imaging performed within 2 weeks of intracerebral hemorrhage onset could predict the motor outcome by categorizing previous diffusion tensor imaging studies based on the time-point of performing diffusion tensor imaging (<2 weeks and ≥2 weeks after intracerebral hemorrhage onset). A comprehensive database search on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS was conducted. The pooled estimate was acquired using correlation analysis between the diffusion tensor imaging parameters of fractional anisotropy and motor recovery based on the period of stroke onset. In the results, out of 511 retrieved articles, eight were finally included in the meta-analysis. In patients who underwent diffusion tensor imaging within 2 weeks of intracerebral hemorrhage onset, a random-effects model revealed that the ratio of fractional anisotropy is a significant predictor of motor recovery of the hemi-side extremity after intracerebral hemorrhage (p = 0.0015). In patients who underwent diffusion tensor imaging after 2 weeks of intracerebral hemorrhage onset, a fixed-effects model revealed that the ratio of fractional anisotropy was also a significant predictor of motor recovery of the hemi-side extremity after intracerebral hemorrhage (p < 0.0001). Our meta-analysis revealed that ratio of fractional anisotropy (rFa) calculated from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) performed ≥2 weeks of intracerebral hemorrhage onset had a positive correlation with the motor outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Also, although diffusion tensor imaging was performed <2 weeks after intracerebral hemorrhage onset, the ratio of fractional anisotropy calculated from diffusion tensor imaging helped predict the motor outcome. Further analyses, including a more significant number of studies focused on this topic, are warranted.

PMID:34997724 | DOI:10.31083/j.jin2004102

J Integr Neurosci. 2021 Dec 30;20(4):861-870. doi: 10.31083/j.jin2004088.

ABSTRACT

Cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light and plasma neurofilament light concentrations are elevated in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. We investigated the clinical relevance of increased neurofilament light concentrations in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease patients. In this study, 244 subjects were divided into cognitively normal control (n = 67), stable mild cognitive impairment (n = 52), progressive mild cognitive impairment (n = 68), and Alzheimer’s disease (n = 57). Linear regression examined the relationships between neurofilament light levels in cerebrospinal fluid or plasma and the diagnostic group. The relationships between neurofilament light and other biomarkers were assessed by Spearman correlation. Linear mixed-effects models were used to test cerebrospinal fluid and plasma neurofilament light as predictors of Alzheimer’s disease characteristics, including cognition, cortical glucose metabolism, and brain structure. Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma neurofilament light levels were significantly elevated in Alzheimer’s disease. Still, the correlations between neurofilament light and other cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers within the diagnostic groups were often not statistically significant. In addition, the diagnostic accuracy of cerebrospinal fluid and plasma neurofilament light for progressive mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease was almost the same as that of cerebrospinal fluid total tau (T-tau). It is phosphorylated tau (P-tau) and high cerebrospinal fluid. Neurofilament light predicted conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease. A high neurofilament light is related to poor cognition, low cerebral metabolism, hippocampal atrophy, and ventricular enlargement caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Our work further identifies cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light and plasma neurofilament light as biomarkers of axonal degeneration in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.

PMID:34997710 | DOI:10.31083/j.jin2004088

Rev Med Virol. 2022 Jan;32(1):e2238. doi: 10.1002/rmv.2238. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

ABSTRACT

Salivirus (SaV) is a newly described member of the family Picornaviridae that has been associated with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, particularly in children. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of SaV in symptomatic children and its potential association with GI complications. A systematic search was conducted from 01 December 2009 to 10 December 2020, in three major English databases, including Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science as well as Google scholar search engine. Random effect model-based overall prevalence and odds ratio (OR) were assessed in cross-sectional and case-control studies by STATA 14.1. The random effect model-based pooled prevalence of SaV was 1.6% (95% CI, 0.010-0.022%) and overall OR for all eight case-control studies indicated an association (3.19 with 95% confidence interval 1.35-7.57) that was not statistically significant, due to the small number of studies available. More comprehensive case-control studies in multiple geographies should be conducted on the prevalence of SaV in children.

PMID:34997675 | DOI:10.1002/rmv.2238

J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2022 Jan 8. doi: 10.1002/jcsm.12908. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Depression may be the most common cause of emotional distress later in life and can significantly reduce the quality of life in elderly individuals. Sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by the continuous loss of skeletal muscle mass and decreased strength and function. In recent years, many studies have shown a correlation between sarcopenia and depression. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression among individuals with sarcopenia and to ascertain whether sarcopenia is independently associated with depression.

METHODS: We systematically searched the PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar databases for papers on sarcopenia published up to 31 August 2021. We reviewed the literature on the number of individuals with sarcopenia, the number of individuals with both sarcopenia and depression, and the odds ratio (OR) of sarcopenia to depression. Statistical analyses were performed using Meta-DiSc 1.4 software and Stata version 12.0.

RESULTS: Nineteen articles met the inclusion criteria for review: nine reported both prevalence and ORs, four described prevalence only, and six detailed the ORs only. Regarding prevalence, there were 1476 cases of sarcopenia and 364 of depression in the selected studies; the mean age of the patients was 75.5 years, and the overall prevalence of depression was 0.28 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21-0.36]. Significant heterogeneity was noted (P < 0.001; I² = 92.2%). In the case of ORs, there were 16 869 subjects with a mean age of 73 years; the overall adjusted OR between sarcopenia and depression was 1.57 (95% CI: 1.32-1.86). Significant heterogeneity was noted in the adjusted ORs (P < 0.001; I² = 75.1%).

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of depression in patients with sarcopenia was high relatively, and there was a correlation between sarcopenia and depression.

PMID:34997702 | DOI:10.1002/jcsm.12908