bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Team Cohesion in Individual/Team Sports Athletes: Transformational Leadership and the Role of Social norms
Authors: Oh Youngtaek , Yoo Jung-In
Published: March 2023

Team cohesion is a critical factor in sports, yet few studies have comparatively analyzed individual and team sport athletes in sporting situations. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between transformational leadership, social norms, and team cohesion, and to analyze the moderating effects of individual/team sports athletes. In 2022, a total of 196 baseball, judo, soccer, taekwondo, and hockey players registered with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee completed a questionnaire using transformational leadership, social norms, and team cohesion scales. Transformational leadership had a significant positive effect on social norms and team cohesion. Social norms had a significant positive effect on team cohesion. Transformational leadership and the interaction of individual/team sports athletes had a significant effect on team cohesion. At this time, individual sports athletes appeared to have somewhat higher team cohesion. This study sheds light on the social norms and team cohesion of athletes from a social moral perspective based on transformational leadership theory. It can also help young athletes who are just starting out to learn the culture and sociology of sports.
Refeeding Syndrome Awareness among Physicians of King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bahashwan Sara M. , Sindy Amjad A. , Azzeh Firas , Alkholy Sarah O. , Abusudah Wafaa F. , Bukhari Hassan M. , Bakr Elsayed H. , Alhassani Walaa E. , Tashkandi Bayan , Alharbi Nouf Abdullah , Azhar Wedad , Qadhi Alaa , Ghafouri Khloud
Published: March 2023

Background: Refeeding syndrome (RFS) is a lethal condition of metabolic disturbances that arise from the sudden switch of metabolism from a state of starvation to one of nourishment. Quick recognition would reduce health complications. Physicians who are unaware of the syndrome will not identify and treat it. As nutritional risk is associated with the risk of RFS, physicians should be aware of it. Aim: To determine whether the physicians of King Abdullah Medical City (KAMC) in Makkah know of RFS and, if so, have skills in diagnosis and managing the syndrome. Methods: One hundred and fifty-nine physicians of KAMC were recruited in a cross-sectional study. They were asked to complete a questionnaire by face-to-face interview. The questionnaire was designed to capture physicians’ knowledge and ability to manage RFS based on the awarding of certain scoring points. Results: The level of knowledge among physicians had a significant association between knowledge and age (p = 0.021) and medical specialty (p = 0.010). Additionally, the most knowledgeable physicians were those who work in critical care (21.4%). Around 18% of physicians were not able to manage RFS. Conclusions: Lacking knowledge of RFS and how to manage it leads to critical life-threatening complications. Physicians need nutritional education to help them diagnose RFS and consult dietitians to avoid its complications.
Pornography Use among Lebanese Adults: Association with Loneliness and Fear of Commitment
Authors: Malaeb Diana , Hallit Souheil , Obeid Sahar
Published: March 2023

(1) Background: Sexuality is a prohibited topic about which knowledge is highly lacking among Arabs compared to Westerners, due to religious restrictions. A majority of people believes that any use of pornography is a toxic conduct that will have negative repercussions; these beliefs only shame those who engage in this behavior. Consumption of pornography can be attributed to self-reported reasons such as loneliness and fear of commitment. To date, there has been a dearth of research in Lebanon concerning pornography use. Hence, this study aims to assess the correlation between loneliness, fear of commitment, and internet pornography use among Lebanese adults. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted between October and November 2020 assessed pornography use through the Cyber-Pornography Use Inventory, Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, and Fear of commitment scale. It enrolled 653 adults from all Lebanese geographic areas. (3) Results: Women compared to men and Muslims compared to Christians were significantly associated with lower pornography addictive patterns scores, whereas more fear of commitment was significantly associated with higher pornography addictive patterns scores. More fear of commitment and more loneliness were significantly associated with higher having guilt regarding online porn use scores. Muslims compared to Christians had significantly lower online sexual behaviors scores. (4) Conclusions: Further research is recommended to properly assess internet pornography use and develop appropriate treatment options.
Ancient Deep Sea Bottom in Modern Mountains: New Aspects of Geoheritage from Guzeripl in Southwestern Russia
Authors: Mikhailenko Anna V. , Ruban Dmitry A.
Published: March 2023

Geoheritage studies have different perspectives, among which treatment of geological features in relation to particular areas and settlements seems to be promising for better local planning and tourism organization. The small town of Guzeripl in the Western Caucasus (southwestern Russia) experiences tourism-triggered development. Five localities, which are parts of two earlier established geosites, are found directly in this settlement and in its vicinity. They show representative siliciclastic deposits dominated by shales, which accumulated on the deep bottom of the Caucasian Sea in the Early Middle Jurassic. New field investigations allowed for the collection of information regarding the improvement of the geological knowledge of this study area and the reconsideration of its geoheritage in relation to the settlement’s needs. Particularly, the tentative approach for the functional assessment of the localities was proposed and applied. It is established that the localities represent not only deep-marine siliciclastic deposits, trace fossils, and specific palaeoenvironment, but also the structural elements (anticline, syncline, and fault) of the complex deformed domain. They differ by functional value, with two of the most valuable localities directly in Guzeripl, and all of them can be employed for the settlements’ needs. Geoscientists, guided student groups, and geotourists can choose Guzeripl to collect new data, train, and for new impressions. Importantly, geotourism based on the considered localities can diversify the experience of visitors, and it can be combined with and facilitated by ecotourist activities already offered by the Caucasus State Nature Biosphere Reserve, which is famous for its natural heritage. The study area focuses on the spatial distribution of geoheritage relatively to the touristic patterns.
3D Multispectral Imaging for Cultural Heritage Preservation: The Case Study of a Wooden Sculpture of the Museo Egizio di Torino
Authors: Es Sebar Leila , Lombardo Luca , Buscaglia Paola , Cavaleri Tiziana , Lo Giudice Alessandro , Re Alessandro , Borla Matilde , Aicardi Sara , Grassini Sabrina
Published: March 2023

Digitalization techniques, such as photogrammetry (PG), are attracting the interest of experts in the cultural heritage field, as they enable the creation of three-dimensional virtual replicas of historical artifacts with 2D digital images. Indeed, PG allows for acquiring data regarding the overall appearance of an artifact, its geometry, and its texture. Furthermore, among several image-based techniques exploited for the conservation of works of art, multispectral imaging (MSI) finds great application in the study of the materials of historical items, taking advantage of the different responses of materials when exposed to specific wavelengths. Despite their great usefulness, PG and MSI are often used as separate tools. Integrating radiometric and geometrical data can notably expand the information carried by a 3D model. Therefore, this paper presents a novel research methodology that enables the acquisition of multispectral 3D models, combining the outcomes of PG and MSI (Visible (VIS), Ultraviolet-induced Visible Luminescence (UVL), Ultraviolet-Reflected (UVR), and Ultraviolet-Reflected False Color (UVR-FC) imaging) in a single coordinate system, using an affordable tunable set-up and open-source software. The approach has been employed for the study of two wooden artifacts from the Museo Egizio di Torino to investigate the materials present on the surface and provide information that could support the design of suitable conservation treatments.
Biocomposite Coatings Delay Senescence in Stored Diospyros kaki Fruits by Regulating Antioxidant Defence Mechanism and Delaying Cell Wall Degradation
Authors: Saleem Muhammad Shahzad , Ejaz Shaghef , Mosa Walid F. A. , Ali Sajid , Sardar Hasan , Ali Muhammad Moaaz , Ullah Sami , Ali Hayssam M. , Lisek Anna , Anjum Muhammad Akbar
Published: March 2023

Climacteric rise in the rate of respiration and ethylene production in harvested persimmon (Diospyros kaki) fruits leads to early onset of fruit tissue senescence. Therefore, this study was carried out to maintain the quality of stored persimmons by using edible coatings. For this purpose, Aloe vera gel was combined with food hydrocolloids, gum arabic or tragacanth gum, and applied on persimmon fruits that were stored for 20 days at 20 ± 1 °C and 80–85% RH. Biocomposite coatings, compared to control, remarkably reduced weight loss, decay incidence, respiration rate, ethylene production, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, H2O2 and superoxide anion content in stored fruits. The use of composite coatings inhibited colour change by reducing the accumulation of total carotenoids, maintained higher antioxidative enzymes activity and suppressed the activity of cell wall degrading enzymes, resultantly preserving cell wall components. Composite coated fruits exhibited the least change in biochemical attributes and higher sensory scores in comparison with non-coated fruits at the end of the storage period. In conclusion, Aloe vera gel/gum arabic was the most effective coating treatment before storing persimmons.
Impact of Sodium Hypochlorite Applied as Nutrient Solution Disinfectant on Growth, Nutritional Status, Yield, and Consumer Safety of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Fruit Produced in a Soilless Cultivation
Authors: Lykogianni Maira , Bempelou Eleftheria , Karavidas Ioannis , Anagnostopoulos Christos , Aliferis Konstantinos A. , Savvas Dimitrios
Published: March 2023

Soilless crop production is spread worldwide. It is a cultivating technique that enhances yield quality and quantity, thus contributing to both food safety and food security. However, in closed-loop soilless crops, the risk of spreading soil-borne pathogens through the recycled nutrient solution makes the establishment of a disinfection strategy necessary. In the current study, sodium hypochlorite was applied to the recycled nutrient solution as a chemical disinfectant to assess its impact on plant growth, leaf gas exchange, fruit yield, tissue mineral composition, and possible accumulation of chlorate and perchlorate residues in tomato fruits. The application of 2.5, 5, and 7.5 mg L−1 of chlorine three times at fortnightly intervals during the cropping period had no impact on plant growth or gas exchange parameters. Furthermore, the application of 2.5 mg L−1 of chlorine led to a significant increase in the total production of marketable fruits (total fruit weight per plant). No consistent differences in nutrient concentrations were recorded between the treatments. Moreover, neither chlorate nor perchlorate residues were detected in tomato fruits, even though chlorate residues were present in the nutrient solution. Therefore, the obtained tomatoes were safe for consumption. Further research is needed to test the application of chlorine in combination with crop inoculation with pathogens to test the efficiency of chlorine as a disinfectant in soilless nutrient solutions.
Exogenous β-Aminobutyric Acid (BABA) Improves the Growth, Essential Oil Content, and Composition of Grapefruit Mint (Mentha suaveolens × piperita) under Water Deficit Stress Conditions
Authors: Akbarzadeh Soghra , Morshedloo Mohammad Reza , Behtash Farhad , Mumivand Hasan , Maggi Filippo
Published: March 2023

Grapefruit mint, Mentha suaveolens × M. piperita, belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is an important medicinal plant with applications in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food, and nutraceutical industries. Environmental factors such as cold, salinity, and water deficit significantly impact the quantity and quality of the active compounds of medicinal plants. To examine the effects of drought stress and β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) as an elicitor on the biochemical characteristics and essential oil (EO) profile of grapefruit mint, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) with two factor and three replications under greenhouse conditions. The first factor included field moisture capacity (FC) as the control (100% FC), mild (75% FC), moderate (55% FC), and severe water deficit stress (35% FC), while the second factor consisted of 0 (control plants without BABA), 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4 mM of BABA foliar application. Water stress and BABA application significantly affected the EO content and composition of grapefruit mint. The highest content of EO was observed in mild drought stress and BABA spraying at 1.6 to 2.4 mM, which increased by about 140% compared with the control condition. The EO components were identified using GC-FID and GC-MS analysis. Linalool (33.7–47.3%) and linalool acetate (31.2–52%) were the most abundant compounds. The highest content of linalool acetate was observed in severe drought stress (35% FC) with foliar application of BABA (1.6 mM), which increased by 33.86% compared with the control condition. However, the highest content of linalool was observed under normal irrigation with foliar application of 0.8 to 1.6 mM BABA. Based on the results, severe drought stress reduced the total chlorophyll and carotenoids by 81.76 and 64.6% compared with the control condition, respectively. Water stress and the foliar application of BABA significantly affected the activity of antioxidant enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase, APX; guaiacol peroxides, GPX; and superoxide dismutase, SOD). The application of 1.6 mM BABA significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes under water stress conditions. Finally, our results showed that the application of BABA (mainly at 1.6 mM) can improve the grapefruit mint yield and EO profile under water stress conditions.
Environmental Effects of China’s Export Trade to the Countries along Belt and Road: An Empirical Evidence Based on Inter-Provincial Panel Data
Authors: Huang Juan , Zhang Kai , Zhao Hui , Fu Rong , Li Zhiguo
Published: March 2023

There is a close inherent connection between manufacturing exports and environmental pollution. With the continuous growth of China’s export trade to the countries along Belt and Road, the resulting environmental problems have also received much attention. This paper first analyzes the environmental impact mechanism of China’s export trade to the countries along Belt and Road. Then based on the dynamic panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2013 to 2019, we use the SYS-GMM method to make an empirical test from national and regional perspectives and analyze the environmental effects of China’s export trade to the countries along Belt and Road. The results show that the environmental effects of export trade are significantly heterogeneous in different regions. In general, export trade has a significant positive scale effect on CO2 emissions; the negative effect of environmental regulation on CO2 emissions can effectively offset the positive effect caused by the growth of output in the capital-intensive sector, and the composition effect is generally negative; the technical effect of China’s export trade to the countries along Belt and Road mainly depends on the technological-independent innovation, which is caused by the domestic investment in science and technology, so the overall technical effects are negative. Therefore, China should optimize the structure of export trade, promote technological innovation, and cultivate green advantage industries by increasing investment in scientific research and development; implement a gradient environmental regulation policy; and improve the quality and level of foreign direct investment.
Association between Periodontal Disease and Cognitive Impairment in Adults
Authors: Said-Sadier Najwane , Sayegh Batoul , Farah Raymond , Abbas Linda Abou , Dweik Rania , Tang Norina , Ojcius David M.
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Periodontitis is a severe oral infection that can contribute to systemic inflammation. A large body of evidence suggests a role for systemic inflammation in the initiation of neurodegenerative disease. This systematic review synthesized data from observational studies to investigate the association between periodontitis and neuroinflammation in adults. Methods and materials: A systematic literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) was performed for studies published from the date of inception up to September 2021. Search terms for the exposure “oral disease” and outcome “dementia”, “neuroinflammation” and “cognitive decline” were used. Study selection and data extraction were independently undertaken by two reviewers. The final eligible articles were included only if the exposure is periodontitis and the outcome is cognitive impairment or dementia or a topic related to this condition, and if the study was conducted in an adult population. The quality and risk of bias were assessed by Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS). Qualitative synthesis was used to narratively synthesize the results. Six cohort studies, three cross-sectional studies, and two case-control studies met the inclusion criteria. These eleven studies were only narratively synthesized. Meta-analysis was not performed due to the methodological heterogeneity of the studies. Results: The results of included studies show that chronic periodontitis patients with at least eight years of exposure are at higher risk of developing cognitive decline and dementia. Oral health measures such as gingival inflammation, attachment loss, probing depth, bleeding on probing, and alveolar bone loss are associated with cognitive impairment. The reduction of epidermal growth factor (EGF), interleukin 8 (IL-8), interferon γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in addition to over expression of interleukin 1-β (IL-1β) are significant in patients suffering from cognitive decline with pre-existing severe periodontitis. Conclusions: All the included studies show evidence of an association between periodontitis and cognitive impairment or dementia and Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Nonetheless, the mechanisms responsible for the association between periodontitis and dementia are still unclear and warrant further investigation.
Psychometric Characteristics of the Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory in Older Adults Living in a Middle-Income Country
Authors: Arapi Alta , Vellone Ercole , Ivziku Dhurata , Duka Blerina , Taci Dasilva , Notarnicola Ippolito , Stievano Alessandro , Prendi Emanuela , Rocco Gennaro , De Maria Maddalena
Published: March 2023

Chronic illness requires numerous treatments and self-care is essential in the care process. Evaluation of self-care behaviors facilitates the identification of patients’ needs and optimizes education and care processes. This study aimed to test the psychometric characteristics (validity, reliability, and measurement error) of the Albanian version of the Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory (SC-CII). Patients with multiple chronic conditions and caregivers were recruited in outpatient clinics in Albania. The patients completed the SC-CII, which includes three scales: self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring, and self-care management. Factorial validity was tested for each scale, with confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was evaluated with the composite coefficient, Cronbach’s alpha, and the global reliability index for multidimensional scales. The construct validity was tested using hypothesis testing and known differences between groups. The measurement error was tested to assess responsiveness to changes. The self-care maintenance and self-care monitoring scales showed a unidimensional factorial structure, while the self-care management scale showed a bidimensional structure. Reliability estimates were adequate for all reliability coefficients. Construct validity was supported. The measurement error was adequate. The Albanian version of the SC-CII shows good psychometric properties in the Albanian sample.
Impact of Fulvic Acid and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidan Inoculum Amount on the Formation of Secondary Iron Minerals
Authors: Huang Haitao , Geng Kanghui , Wang Chong , Wu Xianhui , Wei Caichun
Published: March 2023

The catalytic oxidation of Fe2+ by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidan (A. ferrooxidans) and the synthesis of iron sulfate-based secondary minerals is considered to be of great significance to the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD). Along these lines, in this work, the shaker experiment was carried out to study the underlying mechanism of the inoculation amount of fulvic acid (FA) and A. ferrooxidans on the synthesis process of secondary minerals. From the acquired results, it was demonstrated that the oxidation rate of Fe2+ increased with the increase in the concentration of fulvic acid in the range of 0.1–0.2 g/L. On top of that, the concentration of fulvic acid in the range of 0.3–0.5 g/L inhibited the activity of A. ferrooxidans. However, A. ferrooxidans retained its activity, and the complete oxidation time of Fe2+ was delayed. When the concentration of fulvic acid was 0.3 g/L, the TFe (total iron) precipitation efficiency was 30.2%. Interestingly, when 0.2 g/L fulvic acid was added to different inoculum systems, the incorporation of a higher inoculum amount of A. ferrooxidans led to an increased oxidation rate. On the contrary, the lower inoculum amount yielded a more obvious effect of the fulvic acid. From the mineralogical characteristics, it was also revealed that a fulvic acid concentration of 0.2 g/L and different inoculation amounts of A. ferrooxidans did not change the mineral facies, whereas pure schwertmannite was obtained.
Management of Locally Advanced Laryngeal Cancer—From Risk Factors to Treatment, the Experience of a Tertiary Hospital from Eastern Europe
Authors: Cîrstea Anca-Ionela , Berteșteanu Șerban Vifor Gabriel , Scăunașu Răzvan-Valentin , Popescu Bogdan , Bejenaru Paula Luiza , Simion-Antonie Catrinel Beatrice , Berteșteanu Gloria Simona , Diaconu Teodora Elena , Taher Petra Bianca , Rujan Simona-Andreea , Oașă Irina-Doinița , Grigore Raluca
Published: March 2023

Laryngeal cancer is an important oncological entity in which prognosis depends on the establishment of appropriate preventive and diagnostic measures, especially in high-risk populations. We present a retrospective two-year study (January 2021 to December 2022) with 152 patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer from a tertiary hospital in Romania. The average age of the patients was 62 years old for both sexes, with a range from 44 to 83 years. The most frequent symptom was dysphonia with or without dyspnea in 142 cases (93.42%), followed by dyspnea alone in nine patients (5.92%) and dysphagia in one case (0.66%). Surgical treatment in this study consisted of partial laryngectomy (CO2 laser transoral tumor ablation, supraglottic horizontal laryngectomy or hemilaryngectomy), or total laryngectomy. The main treatment was total laryngectomy (63%). For the eight patients with initial organ preservation treatment, the average time of recurrence was about two-and-a-half years. For the four patients who underwent a total circular pharyngo-laryngectomy, the upper digestive tract needed to be rebuilt with a salivary bypass tube or with a tubed myocutaneous flap from the major pectoralis muscle. One strong point is characteristic of the study group in gathering patients with advanced stages of laryngeal carcinoma candidates for salvage surgery and extended reconstruction methods. The development of new prevention protocols is mandatory in Eastern European countries.
COVID-19 Patterns in Araraquara, Brazil: A Multimodal Analysis
Authors: Aragão Dunfrey Pires , Junior Andouglas Gonçalves da Silva , Mondini Adriano , Distante Cosimo , Gonçalves Luiz Marcos Garcia
Published: March 2023

The epidemiology of COVID-19 presented major shifts during the pandemic period. Factors such as the most common symptoms and severity of infection, the circulation of different variants, the preparedness of health services, and control efforts based on pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions played important roles in the disease incidence. The constant evolution and changes require the continuous mapping and assessing of epidemiological features based on time-series forecasting. Nonetheless, it is necessary to identify the events, patterns, and actions that were potential factors that affected daily COVID-19 cases. In this work, we analyzed several databases, including information on social mobility, epidemiological reports, and mass population testing, to identify patterns of reported cases and events that may indicate changes in COVID-19 behavior in the city of Araraquara, Brazil. In our analysis, we used a mathematical approach with the fast Fourier transform (FFT) to map possible events and machine learning model approaches such as Seasonal Auto-regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and neural networks (NNs) for data interpretation and temporal prospecting. Our results showed a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of about 5 (more precisely, a 4.55 error over 71 cases for 20 March 2021 and a 5.57 error over 106 cases for 3 June 2021). These results demonstrated that FFT is a useful tool for supporting the development of the best prevention and control measures for COVID-19.
Emotional Intelligence and School Bullying Victimization in Children and Youth Students: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Yijing , Chen Ji-Kang
Published: March 2023

School victimization among children and youth is a global public health issue that has long-term adverse effects on the victims’ mental health and behavioral development. Theories and research suggest that emotional intelligence may operate as a buffer against school bullying victimization. However, the strength of the association between emotional intelligence and bullying victimization is controversial. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the exact association between Emotional intelligence and school bullying victimization. We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertations, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) from inception to March 2022 for relevant studies that examine the association between emotional intelligence and school bullying victimization without a language limit. Twenty-four articles were included in our meta-analysis (n = 27,438). There was a small, negative, and significant association between emotional intelligence and school victimization among children and youth students. Sex and emotional intelligence measurement tools were variables that significantly moderated the link between emotional intelligence and bullying victimization. The findings indicated that improving students’ emotional intelligence could be a crucial strategy to lower the students’ risk of being bullied in school and online. It would be more effective among male students.
Reasons behind the Delayed Diagnosis of Testicular Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Cieślikowski Wojciech A. , Kasperczak Michał , Milecki Tomasz , Antczak Andrzej
Published: March 2023

The aim of the present study was to identify the reasons behind the delayed diagnosis of testicular cancer in a group of Polish males diagnosed with this malignancy in 2015–2016. The study included data from 72 patients aged between 18 and 69 years. Based on the median time elapsed to the testicular cancer diagnosis, the study patients were divided into the timely diagnosis group (diagnosis within 10 weeks from initial manifestation, n = 40) and the delayed diagnosis group (diagnosis > 10 weeks from initial manifestation, n = 32). Diagnosis of testicular cancer > 10 weeks after its initial manifestation was associated with less favorable survival (5-year overall survival: 78.1% [95% CI: 59.5–88.9%] vs. 92.5% [95% CI: 78.5–97.5%], p = 0.087). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified two independent predictors of the delayed diagnosis, age > 33 years (OR = 6.65, p = 0.020) and residence in the countryside (OR = 7.21, p = 0.012), with another two parameters, the lack of a regular intimate partner (OR = 3.32, p = 0.098) and the feeling of shame (OR = 8.13, p = 0.056), being at the verge of statistical significance. All the factors mentioned above should be considered during planning social campaigns aimed at the early detection of testicular malignancies, along with improving the quality and trustfulness of Internet-based information resources.
Changes in Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Probability of Developing Abdominal Obesity at One and Two Years
Authors: Ortega Ricardo , Grandes Gonzalo , Agulló-Ortuño María Teresa , Gómez-Cantarino Sagrario
Published: March 2023

Low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with an increased risk of developing abdominal obesity (AO), but it is not known if and/or how changes in CRF affect AO. We examined the relationship between changes in CRF and the risk of developing AO. This is a retrospective observational study of a cohort of 1883 sedentary patients, who had participated in a clinical trial of physical activity promotion carried out in Spain (2003–2007). These data were not used in the clinical trial. At baseline, they were free of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and/or AO; with an indirect VO2max measurement; 19–80 years old; and 62% were women. All the measures were repeated at 6, 12, and 24 months. The exposure factor was the change in CRF at 6 or 12 months, categorized in these groups: unfit-unfit, unfit-fit, fit-unfit, and fit-fit. We considered fit and unfit participants as those with VO2max values in the high tertile, and in the moderate or low tertiles, respectively. The main outcome measure was the risk of developing AO at one and two years, as defined by waist circumference >102 (men) and >88 (women) cm. At two years, 10.5% of the participants had developed AO: 13.5% in the unfit-unfit group of change at 6 months; 10.3% in the unfit-fit group (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.86; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49–1.52); 2.6% in the fit-unfit group (AOR 0.13; 95%CI 0.03–0.61); and 6.0% in the fit-fit group (AOR 0.47; 95%CI 0.26–0.84). Those who stayed fit at 6 months decreased the probability of developing abdominal obesity at two years.
Information Technology Governance and Bank Performance: A Situational Approach
Authors: Khamees Basheer Ahmad
Published: March 2023

The aim of this paper is to provide empirical evidence about the effect of organizational competition (OC) as a contextual factor on the relationship between the effectiveness of information technology governance (ITG), which informs accounting information systems, and the financial performance of banks. Financial performance is identified by return on investment (ROI), return on equity (ROE), and Tobin’s Q. Averages of these variables were calculated for five years from 2015 to 2019. In fact, there is evidence for the general argument that banks will improve their performance by implementing ITG. Specifically speaking, the basic idea presented in this study is that the relation between ITG and bank performance depends on the appropriate interaction and matching between ITG and the OC. The study population includes the senior managers of banks in Jordan. Accordingly, a questionnaire consisting of 16 paragraphs was developed and distributed to senior managers in 23 banks during January to May 2021. As a result, 142 valid questionnaires were collected, which represented 61.7% of the questionnaires expected to be collected. Data are analyzed and processed by using descriptive statistical measures, t-test, exploratory factor analysis, along with multiple regression. The results show that despite the significant effect of OC on ITG, no relation exists between the interaction of ITG and OC, and bank performance in the three proxies of performance. The results of the study suggest that either banks do not benefit from ITG to improve their performance or that the chief executive officers’ perceptions about ITG in their banks is erroneous. However, it should be clarified that the respondents could have been affected by their values and beliefs when evaluating effective ITG use in their banks.
Relationship between Capital Structure and Firm Profitability: Evidence from Vietnamese Listed Companies
Authors: Nguyen Soa La , Pham Cuong Duc , Truong Tu Van , Phi Trong Van , Le Linh Thuy , Vu Trang Thu Thi
Published: March 2023

This research focused on exploring capital structure that would have an impact on the Vietnamese company’s profitability. Theoretically, we apply agency theory which mentions the separation of ownership and management, which leads to the problem when the managers act in their own interests rather than the owner’s interest. We built a research model, and the quantitative data was clarified thanks to the regression model with the data given by 300 Vietnamese firms for the period from 2012 to 2018. The findings indicated that firm profitability, represented by Return on Equity (ROE) and Return on Assets (ROA), was associated with liquidity and debt. In detail, it was indicated that there would be a positive relationship between liquidity and profitability of Vietnamese entrepreneurs, while there was a negative relationship between long-term debt and profit maximization. Moreover, the short-term loan also has a positive impact on the firm’s profitability in the context of Vietnam. These preliminary outcomes negated some previous research, confirming that the higher the leverage, the better the firm’s profitability. The difference in findings may provide information about a dynamic Vietnam market as well as the financial environment that require changes in the capital structure to gain the optimal profit.
Clinical Value of Circulating miRNA in Diagnosis, Prognosis, Screening and Monitoring Therapy of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma–A Review of the Literature
Authors: Wnuk Jakub , Strzelczyk Joanna Katarzyna , Gisterek Iwona
Published: March 2023

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is considered to be the seventh most common cause of cancer-related deaths. The number of deaths caused by PC is estimated to increase in the future. An early diagnosis of PC is crucial for improving treatment outcomes. The most common histopathological subtype of PC is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs)—which are endogenous non-coding RNAs involved in the posttranscriptional regulation of multiple gene expression—constitute useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in various neoplasms, including PDAC. Circulating miRNAs detected in a patient’s serum or plasma are drawing more and more attention. Hence, this review aims at evaluating the clinical value of circulating miRNA in the screening, diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma therapy.
The Tissue Response to Hypoxia: How Therapeutic Carbon Dioxide Moves the Response toward Homeostasis and Away from Instability
Authors: Rivers Richard J. , Meininger Cynthia J.
Published: March 2023

Sustained tissue hypoxia is associated with many pathophysiological conditions, including chronic inflammation, chronic wounds, slow-healing fractures, microvascular complications of diabetes, and metastatic spread of tumors. This extended deficiency of oxygen (O2) in the tissue sets creates a microenvironment that supports inflammation and initiates cell survival paradigms. Elevating tissue carbon dioxide levels (CO2) pushes the tissue environment toward “thrive mode,” bringing increased blood flow, added O2, reduced inflammation, and enhanced angiogenesis. This review presents the science supporting the clinical benefits observed with the administration of therapeutic CO2. It also presents the current knowledge regarding the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the biological effects of CO2 therapy. The most notable findings of the review include (a) CO2 activates angiogenesis not mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1a, (b) CO2 is strongly anti-inflammatory, (c) CO2 inhibits tumor growth and metastasis, and (d) CO2 can stimulate the same pathways as exercise and thereby, acts as a critical mediator in the biological response of skeletal muscle to tissue hypoxia.
Tomato Potato Psyllid Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) in Australia: Incursion, Potential Impact and Opportunities for Biological Control
Authors: Sarkar Shovon Chandra , Hatt Séverin , Philips Andrew , Akter Mahjuba , Milroy Stephen Paul , Xu Wei
Published: March 2023

Incursion and establishment of an exotic pest may threaten natural habitats and disrupt ecosystems. On the other hand, resident natural enemies may play an important role in invasive pest control. Bactericera cockerelli, commonly known as the tomato-potato psyllid, is an exotic pest, first detected on mainland Australia in Perth, Western Australia, in early 2017. B. cockerelli causes direct damage to crops by feeding and indirectly by acting as the vector of the pathogen that causes zebra chip disease in potatoes, although the latter is not present in mainland Australia. At present, Australian growers rely on the frequent use of insecticides to control B. cockerelli, which may lead to a series of negative economic and environmental consequences. The incursion of B. cockerelli also provides a unique opportunity to develop a conservation biological control strategy through strategically targeting existing natural enemy communities. In this review, we consider opportunities to develop biological control strategies for B. cockerelli to alleviate the dependence on synthetic insecticides. We highlight the potential of existing natural enemies to contribute toward regulating populations of B. cockerelli in the field and discuss the challenges ahead to strengthen the key role they can play through conservation biological control.
Molecular Phylogeny of Cimicoidea (Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha) Revisited: Increased Taxon Sampling Reveals Evolution of Traumatic Insemination and Paragenitalia
Authors: Jung Sunghoon , Kim Junggon , Balvín Ondřej , Yamada Kazutaka
Published: March 2023

The molecular phylogeny of the Cimicoidea was reconstructed from an expanded sampling based on mitochondrial (16S, COI) and nuclear (18S, 28SD3) genes. The data were analyzed using maximum likelihood (ML), maximum parsimony (MP), and Bayesian inference (BI) phylogenetic frameworks. The phylogenetic relationships inferred by the model-based analyses (ML and BI) were largely congruent with those inferred by the MP analysis in terms of the monophyly of most of the higher taxonomic groups and the species-level relationships. The following clades were recovered in all analyses: Cimiciformes; Nabidae: Prostemmatinae; Nabidae: Nabinae; Plokiophilidae; Microphysidae; Lasiochilidae; Cimicidae: Cacodminae; Cimicidae; Lyctocoridae; Anthocoridae s. str.; Cardiastethini excluding Amphiareus; Almeidini; Scolopini; Anthocorini; Oriini; Curaliidae + Lasiochilidae; Almeidini + Xylocorini; Oriini + Cardiastethini; and Anthocorini + Amphiareus. Reconstructions of ancestral copulation states based on Bayesian and parsimony inference indicated that at least one shift from standard insemination (SI) to traumatic insemination (TI) occurred within Cimicoidea, and an investigation of the evolutionary correlation between TI and paragenitalia (PG) revealed that the acquisition of PG in cimicoid females was correlated with the TI habit. Additionally, our morphological examination of various types of PG suggested that even the same PG type may not constitute a homologous feature at various taxonomic levels, indicating the convergent evolution of female morphology to adapt to TI.
Native and Non-Native Bemisia tabaci NAFME Haplotypes Can Be Implicated in Dispersal of Endemic and Introduced Begomoviruses in Oman
Authors: Shahid Muhammad Shafiq , Paredes-Montero Jorge R. , Ashfaq Muhammad , Al-Sadi Abdullah M. , Brown Judith K.
Published: March 2023

Irrigated agriculture and global trade expansion have facilitated diversification and spread of begomoviruses (Geminiviridae), transmitted by the Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) cryptic species. Oman is situated on major crossroads between Africa and South Asia, where endemic/native and introduced/exotic begomoviruses occur in agroecosystems. The B. tabaci ‘B mitotype’ belongs to the North Africa–Middle East (NAFME) cryptic species, comprising at least eight endemic haplotypes, of which haplotypes 6 and/or 8 are recognized invasives. Prevalence and associations among native and exotic begomoviruses and NAFME haplotypes in Oman were investigated. Nine begomoviral species were identified from B. tabaci infesting crop or wild plant species, with 67% and 33% representing native and exotic species, respectively. Haplotypes 2, 3, and 5 represented 31%, 3%, and 66% of the B. tabaci population, respectively. Logistic regression and correspondence analyses predicted ‘strong’- and ‘close’ virus–vector associations involving haplotypes 5 and 2 and the exotic chili leaf curl virus (ChiLCV) and endemic tomato yellow leaf curl virus-OM, respectively. Patterns favor a hypothesis of relaxed virus–vector specificity between an endemic haplotype and the introduced ChiLCV, whereas the endemic co-evolved TYLCV-OM and haplotype 2 virus–vector relationship was reinforced. Thus, in Oman, at least one native haplotype can facilitate the spread of endemic and introduced begomoviruses.
Role of Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients with Severe Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Coronary Artery Endarterectomy within Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Authors: Balaj Ilir , Jakob Heinz , Haddad Ali , Mourad Fanar , Haneya Assad , Ali Ebrahim , Ryadi Noura , Thielmann Matthias , Ruhparwar Arjang , Shehada Sharaf-Eldin
Published: March 2023

Background—Coronary endarterectomy (CEA) has been introduced to allow revascularization in end-stage coronary artery disease (CAD). After CEA, the injured remnants of the vessel’s media could result in fast neo intimal tissue ingrowth, which require an anti-proliferation agent (antiplatelet therapy (APT). We aimed to review outcomes of patients undergoing CEA within bypass surgery who received either single-APT (SAPT) or dual-APT (DAPT). Methods—We retrospectively evaluated 353 consecutive patients undergoing CEA within isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the period 01/2000–07/2019. After surgery, patients received either SAPT (n = 153), or DAPT (n = 200) for six months then lifelong SAPT. Endpoints included early, late survival, and freedom from major-adverse-cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), which were defined as incidence of stroke, myocardial infarction, need for coronary intervention (PCI or CABG) or death for any cause. Results—Patients’ mean age was 67 ± 9.3 years; they were predominantly male 88.1%. Both DAPT- and SAPT-groups had the same extent of CAD (mean SYNTAX-Score-II: 34.1 ± 11.6 vs. 34.4 ± 17.2, p = 0.91). Postoperatively, no difference between DAPT- and SAPT-groups was reported in the incidence of low-cardiac-output syndrome (5% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.16), revision for bleeding (5% vs. 6.5% p = 0.64), 30-day mortality (4.5% vs. 5.2%, p = 0.8) or MACCE (7.5% vs. 11.8%, p = 0.19). Imaging follow-up reported significantly higher CEA and total grafts patency (90% vs. 81.5% and 95% vs. 81%, p = 0.017) in DAPT patients. Late outcomes within 97.4 ± 67.4 months show lower incidence of overall mortality (19 vs. 51%, p < 0.001) and MACCE (24.5 vs. 58.2%, p < 0.001) in the DAPT patients when compared with SAPT patients. Conclusions—Coronary endarterectomy allows revascularization in end-stage CAD when the myocardium is still viable. The use of dual APT after CEA for at least six months seems to improve mid-to-long-term patency rates and survival, and reduced the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events.
Prediction of the Postoperative Outcome in Liver Resection Using Perioperative Serum Lactate Levels
Authors: Recknagel Sebastian , Rademacher Sebastian , Höhne Claudia , Lederer Andri A. , Lange Undine G. , Herta Toni , Seehofer Daniel , Sucher Robert , Scheuermann Uwe
Published: March 2023

Background: The aim of our study was to analyze perioperative lactate levels and their predictive value for postoperative mortality and morbidity after liver resection. Methods: The clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of 152 patients who underwent liver resection for benign and malign diagnoses were analyzed retrospectively. Lactate concentrations at three different time points, (1) before liver resection (LAC-PRE), (2) after liver resection on day 0 (LAC-POST), and (3) on day one after the operation (LAC-POD1) were assessed regarding the prognostic value in predicting postoperative complications and mortality according to the Clavien–Dindo (CD) classification. Results: The rates of postoperative complications (CD ≥ IIIb) and mortality rates were 19.7% (N = 30) and 4.6% (N = 7), respectively. The LAC-PRE levels showed no correlation with the postoperative outcome. The ROC curve analysis showed that LCT-POST and LCT-POD1 values were moderately strong in predicting postoperative morbidity (0.681 and 0.768, respectively) and had strong predictive accuracies regarding postoperative mortality (0.800 and 0.838, respectively). The multivariate analysis revealed LAC-POST as a significant predictor of postoperative complications (CD ≥ IIIb: OR 9.28; 95% CI: 2.88–29.9; p < 0.001) and mortality (OR 11.69; 95% CI: 1.76–77.7; p = 0.011). Conclusion: Early postoperative lactate levels are a useful and easily practicable predictor of postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients after liver resection.