bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eugenol improves high-fat diet/streptomycin-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice muscle dysfunction by alleviating inflammation and increasing muscle glucose uptake
Authors: Jiang Yuge , Feng Chuanxing , Shi Yonghui , Kou Xingran , Le Guowei
Published: November 2022

Eugenol has been used in dietary interventions for metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. However, the protective effect of eugenol on muscle function in diabetes is unclear. In this study, a high-fat diet (HFD) with a streptozocin (STZ) injection induced type II diabetes mellitus in a mouse model. Oral eugenol lowered blood glucose and insulin resistance of HFD/STZ-treated mice. Eugenol reduced HFD/STZ-induced muscle inflammation and prevented muscle weakness and atrophy. Eugenol administration significantly increased GLUT4 translocation and AMPK phosphorylation in skeletal muscle, thereby enhancing glucose uptake. By silencing the transient receptor potential vanilloid channel 1 (TRPV1) gene in C2C12 myotube cells, eugenol was found to increase intracellular Ca2+ levels through TRPV1, which then activated calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-2 (CaMKK2) and affected AMPK protein phosphorylation. In conclusion, eugenol is a potential nutraceutical for preventing high-glucose-induced muscle impairments, which could be explained by its mediating effects on glucose absorption and inflammatory responses in the muscle.
Differential effects of intermittent energy restriction vs. continuous energy restriction combined high-intensity interval training on overweight/obese adults: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Xu Rui , Cao You-Xiang , Chen Yu-Ting , Jia Yu-Qi
Published: November 2022

Background

Intermittent energy restriction (IER) and continuous energy restriction (CER) are increasingly popular dietary approaches used for weight loss and overall health. These energy restriction protocols combined with exercise on weight loss and other health outcomes could achieve additional effects in a short-term intervention.

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of a 4-week IER or CER program on weight, blood lipids, and CRF in overweight/obese adults when combined with high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

Methods

Forty-eight overweight/obese adults [age: 21.3 ± 2.24 years, body mass index (BMI): 25.86 ± 2.64 kg⋅m–2] were randomly assigned to iER, cER, and normal diet (ND) groups (n= 16 per group), each consisting of a 4-week intervention. All of the groups completed HIIT intervention (3 min at 80% of V̇O2maxfollowed by 3 min at 50% of V̇O2max), 30 min/training sessions, five sessions per week. iER subjects consumed 30% of energy needs on 2 non-consecutive days/week, and 100% of energy needs on another 5 days; cER subjects consumed 70% of energy needs; and ND subjects consumed 100% of energy needs. Body composition, waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c), and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) were measured before and after the intervention.

Results

Of the total 57 participants who underwent randomization, 48 (84.2%) completed the 4-week intervention. After intervention body composition and body circumference decreased in three groups, but no significant differences between groups. The iER tends to be superior to cER in the reduction of body composition and body circumference. The mean body weight loss was 4.57 kg (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.1–5.0,p< 0.001) in iER and 2.46 kg (95% CI, 4.1–5.0,p< 0.001) in iER. The analyses of BMI, BF%, WC, and HC were consistent with the primary outcome results. In addition, TG, TC, HDL-c, and CRF improved after intervention but without significant changes (p> 0.05).

Conclusion

Both IER and CER could be effective in weight loss and increased CRF when combined with HIIT. However, iER showed greater benefits for body weight, BF%, WC, and HC compared with cER.
Low-dose sclerotherapy with lauromacrogol in the treatment of infantile hemangiomas: A retrospective analysis of 368 cases
Authors: Wang Changfeng , Sun Jiali , Guo Lei , Song Dan , Zhang Xin , Liu Zhuang , Wang Liang
Published: November 2022

Background

Intralesional injection of lauromacrogol has proven to be an efficient treatment method for infantile hemangioma. This study aims to explore a novel injection therapy and evaluate its efficacy and complications.

Methods

The medical records of 368 children with infantile hemangioma who received a lauromacrogol injection from January 2021 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were reviewed every 4 weeks, and their condition was assessed according to symptoms and medical records. The patient’s age, lesion type, location, size and thickness, lesion photographs, ultrasound, and complications were recorded.

Results

Among the 368 infants who accept sclerotherapy with lauromacrogol, 226(61.4%)achieved excellent regression. In total, 108(29.4%)cases achieved good regression. 24(6.5%)achieved complete moderate regression. 10(2.7%)achieved poor regression. The reported incidence of adverse events was 4.9% and severe complications were not observed. Before and after three courses of treatment, the median vascular endothelial growth factor levels were 104.12 pg/ml and 28.982 pg/ml. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.0043).

Conclusions

The results showed that this novel injection therapy a safe and effective treatment method. The therapy accelerated the regression of infantile hemangiomas without serious complications.
Whole-genome sequencing of extrachromosomal circular DNA of cerebrospinal fluid of medulloblastoma
Authors: Zhu Yi , Liu Zhihui , Guo Yuduo , Li Shenglun , Qu Yanming , Dai Lin , Chen Yujia , Ning Weihai , Zhang Hongwei , Ma Lixin
Published: November 2022

Background

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a malignant tumor associated with a poor prognosis in part due to a lack of effective detection methods. Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) has been associated with multiple tumors. Nonetheless, little is currently known on eccDNA in MB.

Methods

Genomic features of eccDNAs were identified in MB tissues and matched cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and compared with corresponding normal samples using Circle map. The nucleotides on both sides of the eccDNAs’ breakpoint were analyzed to understand the mechanisms of eccDNA formation. Bioinformatics analysis combined with the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database identified features of eccDNA-related genes in MB. Lasso Cox regression model, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis, time-dependent ROC, and Kaplan–Meier curve were used to assess the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of the hub genes.

Results

EccDNA was profiled in matched tumor and CSF samples from MB patients, and control, eccDNA-related genes enriched in MB were identified. The distribution of eccDNAs in the genome was closely related to gene density and the mechanism of eccDNA formation was evaluated. EccDNAs in CSF exhibited similar distribution with matched MB tissues but were differentially expressed between tumor and normal. Ten hub genes prominent in both the eccDNA dataset and the GEO database were selected to classify MB patients to either high- or low-risk groups, and a prognostic nomogram was thus established.

Conclusions

This study provides preliminary evidence of the characteristics and formation mechanism of eccDNAs in MB and CSF. Importantly, eccDNA-associated hub genes in CSF could be used as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for MB.
Management of circulatory failure after Fontan surgery
Authors: Kamsheh Alicia M. , O’Connor Matthew J. , Rossano Joseph W.
Published: November 2022

With improvement in survival after Fontan surgery resulting in an increasing number of older survivors, there are more patients with a Fontan circulation experiencing circulatory failure each year. Fontan circulatory failure may have a number of underlying etiologies. Once Fontan failure manifests, prognosis is poor, with patient freedom from death or transplant at 10 years of only about 40%. Medical treatments used include traditional heart failure medications such as renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers and beta-blockers, diuretics for symptomatic management, antiarrhythmics for rhythm control, and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors to decrease PVR and improve preload. These oral medical therapies are typically not very effective and have little data demonstrating benefit; if there are no surgical or catheter-based interventions to improve the Fontan circulation, patients with severe symptoms often require inotropic medications or mechanical circulatory support. Mechanical circulatory support benefits patients with ventricular dysfunction but may not be as useful in patients with other forms of Fontan failure. Transplant remains the definitive treatment for circulatory failure after Fontan, but patients with a Fontan circulation face many challenges both before and after transplant. There remains significant room and urgent need for improvement in the management and outcomes of patients with circulatory failure after Fontan surgery.
Nanodelivery of antiretroviral drugs to nervous tissues
Authors: Lawal Sodiq Kolawole , Olojede Samuel Oluwaseun , Faborode Oluwaseun Samuel , Aladeyelu Okikioluwa Stephen , Matshipi Matome Nadab , Sulaiman Sheu Oluwadare , Naidu Edwin Coleridge Stephen , Rennie Carmen Olivia , Azu Onyemaechi Okpara
Published: November 2022

Despite the development of effective combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), the neurocognitive impairments associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remain challenging. The presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCFB) impedes the adequate penetration of certain antiretroviral drugs into the brain. In addition, reports have shown that some antiretroviral drugs cause neurotoxicity resulting from their interaction with nervous tissues due to long-term systemic exposure. Therefore, the research into the effective therapeutic modality that would cater for the HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and ART toxicity is now receiving broad research attention. Thus, this review explores the latest information in managing HAND using a nanoparticle drug delivery system (NDDS). We discussed the neurotoxicity profile of various approved ART. Also, we explained the applications of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in medicine, their different synthesis methods and their interaction with nervous tissues. Lastly, while proposing AgNPs as useful nanoparticles in properly delivering ART to enhance effectiveness and minimize neurocognitive disorders, we hypothesize that the perceived toxicity of AgNPs could be minimized by taking appropriate precautions. One such precaution is using appropriate reducing and stabilizing agents such as trisodium citrate to reduce silver ion Ag + to ground state Ag0during the synthesis. Also, the usage of medium-sized, spherical-shaped AgNPs is encouraged in AgNPs-based drug delivery to the brain due to their ability to deliver therapeutic agents across BBB. In addition, characterization and functionalization of the synthesized AgNPs are required during the drug delivery approach. Putting all these factors in place would minimize toxicity and enhance the usage of AgNPs in delivering therapeutic agents across the BBB to the targeted brain tissue and could cater for the HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders and neurotoxic effects of antiretroviral drugs (ARDs).
An LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of 18 antibacterial drugs in human plasma and its application in therapeutic drug monitoring
Authors: Lu Wei , Pan Meng , Ke Hongqin , Liang Jun , Liang Wenbin , Yu Ping , Zhang Penghua , Wang Qibin
Published: November 2022

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to global health due to the wide use of antibacterial drugs. Multiple studies show that the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies of antibiotics are an approach to prevent/delay AMR. The pharmacokinetic parameters of antibiotics are the basis of PK/PD studies, and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is the key method to obtain pharmacokinetic information. We developed an ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry to determine 18 antibacterial drugs (piperacillin, cefazolin, cefuroxime, cefoperazone, ceftriaxone, cefepime, aztreonam, meropenem, imipenem, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, azithromycin, clindamycin, tigecycline, linezolid, vancomycin, voriconazole and caspofungin) in human plasma for practical clinical usage. Samples were prepared using protein precipitation with methanol. Chromatographic separation was accomplished in 6 min on a BEH C18 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.7 µm) using a gradient elution of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water at a flow rate of 0.3 ml/min. The electrospray ionization source interface was operated in the positive and negative ionization modes. Inter- and intra-day precision, accuracy, recovery, matrix effect, and stability were validated according to the Food and Drug Administration guidance. The correlation coefficients of calibration curves were all greater than 0.99. The accuracies of the 18 antibacterial drugs ranged from 89.1% to 112.4%. The intra-day precision of the analytes ranged from 1.4% to 9.3% and the inter-day precision from 2.1% to 7.2%. The matrix effects ranged from 93.1% to 105.8% and the extraction recoveries ranged between 90.1% and 109.2%. The stabilities of the 18 antibacterial drugs in plasma were evaluated by analyzing three different concentrations following storage at three storage conditions. All samples displayed variations less than 15.0%. The validated method was successfully applied to routine clinical TDM for 231 samples.
Genetically engineered crops for sustainably enhanced food production systems
Authors: Abdul Aziz Mughair , Brini Faical , Rouached Hatem , Masmoudi Khaled
Published: November 2022

Genetic modification of crops has substantially focused on improving traits for desirable outcomes. It has resulted in the development of crops with enhanced yields, quality, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. With the advent of introducing favorable traits into crops, biotechnology has created a path for the involvement of genetically modified (GM) crops into sustainable food production systems. Although these plants heralded a new era of crop production, their widespread adoption faces diverse challenges due to concerns about the environment, human health, and moral issues. Mitigating these concerns with scientific investigations is vital. Hence, the purpose of the present review is to discuss the deployment of GM crops and their effects on sustainable food production systems. It provides a comprehensive overview of the cultivation of GM crops and the issues preventing their widespread adoption, with appropriate strategies to overcome them. This review also presents recent tools for genome editing, with a special focus on the CRISPR/Cas9 platform. An outline of the role of crops developed through CRSIPR/Cas9 in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030 is discussed in detail. Some perspectives on the approval of GM crops are also laid out for the new age of sustainability. The advancement in molecular tools through plant genome editing addresses many of the GM crop issues and facilitates their development without incorporating transgenic modifications. It will allow for a higher acceptance rate of GM crops in sustainable agriculture with rapid approval for commercialization. The current genetic modification of crops forecasts to increase productivity and prosperity in sustainable agricultural practices. The right use of GM crops has the potential to offer more benefit than harm, with its ability to alleviate food crises around the world.
WRKY transcription factors (TFs): Molecular switches to regulate drought, temperature, and salinity stresses in plants
Authors: Khoso Muneer Ahmed , Hussain Amjad , Ritonga Faujiah Nurhasanah , Ali Qurban , Channa Muhammed Malook , Alshegaihi Rana M. , Meng Qinglin , Ali Musrat , Zaman Wajid , Brohi Rahim Dad , Liu Fen , Manghwar Hakim
Published: November 2022

The WRKY transcription factor (TF) belongs to one of the major plant protein superfamilies. The WRKY TF gene family plays an important role in the regulation of transcriptional reprogramming associated with plant stress responses. Change in the expression patterns of WRKY genes or the modifications in their action; participate in the elaboration of numerous signaling pathways and regulatory networks. WRKY proteins contribute to plant growth, for example, gamete formation, seed germination, post-germination growth, stem elongation, root hair growth, leaf senescence, flowering time, and plant height. Moreover, they play a key role in many types of environmental signals, including drought, temperature, salinity, cold, and biotic stresses. This review summarizes the current progress made in unraveling the functions of numerous WRKY TFs under drought, salinity, temperature, and cold stresses as well as their role in plant growth and development.
Multiomics analysis elucidated molecular mechanism of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis in Akebia trifoliata fruit
Authors: Zhong Shengfu , Guan Ju , Chen Chen , Tan Feiquan , Luo Peigao
Published: November 2022

Akebia trifoliata is a novel edible and healthy fruit. Here, we found that this fruit had the highest content of total free amino acids and three aromatic amino acids (AAAs) compared with the other popular fruits, and there was an obvious inverse relationship between AAA and flavonoid levels in various fruit tissues. Multiomics analysis revealed that the evolutionarily strengthened synthetic pathway of all three AAAs, the largely regulating ability conferred by ASP5 in the arogenate pathway and the complementary phenylpyruvate pathway endorsed by ADT of both Phe and Tyr biosynthesis provided reasonable explanations for the high AAA content in the flesh of A. trifoliata fruit. Gene-specific expression could be the main reason for the inverse relationship between AAAs and flavonoids. This study will help us understand the metabolic mechanism of AAAs and to develop A. trifoliata as a fresh fruit crop and medicinal plant by molecular breeding strategies.
Plant-based expression platforms to produce high-value metabolites and proteins
Authors: Kulshreshtha Aditya , Sharma Shweta , Padilla Carmen S. , Mandadi Kranthi K.
Published: November 2022

Plant-based heterologous expression systems can be leveraged to produce high-value therapeutics, industrially important proteins, metabolites, and bioproducts. The production can be scaled up, free from pathogen contamination, and offer post-translational modifications to synthesize complex proteins. With advancements in molecular techniques, transgenics, CRISPR/Cas9 system, plant cell, tissue, and organ culture, significant progress has been made to increase the expression of recombinant proteins and important metabolites in plants. Methods are also available to stabilize RNA transcripts, optimize protein translation, engineer proteins for their stability, and target proteins to subcellular locations best suited for their accumulation. This mini-review focuses on recent advancements to enhance the production of high-value metabolites and proteins necessary for therapeutic applications using plants as bio-factories.
Exon skipping in IspE Gene is associated with abnormal chloroplast development in rice albino leaf 4 mutant
Authors: Xu Tingting , Zhang Jingjing , Liu Yiran , Zhang Qiuxin , Li Weiyan , Zhang Yueling , Wu Meifeng , Chen Tong , Ding Daochun , Wang Wenyi , Zhang Zemin
Published: November 2022

The formation of leaf color largely depends on the components of pigment accumulation in plastids, which are involved in chloroplast development and division. Here, we isolated and characterized the rice albino leaf 4 (al4) mutant, which exhibited an albino phenotype and eventually died at the three-leaf stage. The chloroplasts in al4 mutant were severely damaged and unable to form intact thylakoid structure. Further analysis revealed that the candidate gene encodes 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol kinase (IspE), which participates in the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis. We further demonstrated that the mutation at the exon-intron junction site cause alternative splicing factors fail to distinguish the origin of the GT-AG intron, leading to exon skipping and producing a truncated OsIspE in the al4 mutant. Notably, disruption of OsIspE led to the reduced expression of chloroplast-associated genes, including chloroplast biosynthetic and translation related genes and photosynthetic associated nuclear genes (PhANGs). In summary, these findings reveal that OsIspE plays a crucial role in chloroplast biogenesis and provides novel insights into the function of CMK during chloroplast development in rice.
The relationship between exercise intention and behavior of Chinese college students: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Zhu Lianghao , Hou Junli , Zhou Bojun , Xiao Xi , Wang Jingqiang
Published: November 2022

Inconsistency between intention and behavior is very common in daily life. This study explored the intention-behavior relationship in exercise, focusing on the mediating effect of action planning and the moderating effects of habit strength and gender. For the purpose of providing theoretical reference for the implementation of intervention strategies in the volitional phase, a total of 489 college students (M-age = 20.61, 57.46% female) from Hubei Province, China, were recruited to complete the questionnaire at two time points. The findings showed that exercise intention could positively predict exercise behavior via the mediating effect of action planning, with the mediating effect accounting for 48.52% of the total effect. The predictive effect of action planning × habit strength interaction on exercise behavior was statistically significant. As individuals’ levels of habitual strength increased, so did the relationship between action plans and exercise behavior. The action planning-exercise behavior relationship was stronger in males than in females. In summary, action planning is a very important predictor of the post-intentional phase and has many advantages. For individuals whose exercise has become habitualized, forming a plan is not counterproductive and can still promote more exercise rather than in a mutually compensating manner.
Work stress, mental health, and employee performance
Authors: Chen Biao , Wang Lu , Li Biao , Liu Weixing
Published: November 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak—as a typical emergency event—significantly has impacted employees' psychological status and thus has negatively affected their performance. Hence, along with focusing on the mechanisms and solutions to alleviate the impact of work stress on employee performance, we also examine the relationship between work stress, mental health, and employee performance. Furthermore, we analyzed the moderating role of servant leadership in the relationship between work stress and mental health, but the result was not significant. The results contribute to providing practical guidance for enterprises to improve employee performance in the context of major emergencies.
Latent profile analysis of university students’ self-management and self-monitoring in the links among motivation, engagement, and wellbeing
Authors: Zhao Rui , Ling Tianye
Published: November 2022

This study drew on Garrison’s self-directed learning model for university students in a self-determination theory framework. We adopted a person-centered approach to explore the different combinations of self-management and self-monitoring. Using a sample of Chinese university students (N = 142), we obtained the following data via a self-report survey: autonomous motivation, controlled motivation, self-management, self-monitoring, academic engagement, and wellbeing. Latent profile analysis (LPA) distinguished three self-management and self-monitoring profiles, which are “very low/low,” “high/high,” and “low/very low.” Profiles with a high level of self-management and self-monitoring were positively connected with adaptive outcomes and linked to autonomous motivation. Implications are outlined for theory and practice.
Structural model and characteristics of kindergarten teachers’ occupational beliefs in China: A grounded theory approach
Authors: Zhang Lei , Guo Qiang , Zhu Jie , Wang Tingzhao , Hu Bisheng
Published: November 2022

To explore the characteristics of kindergarten teachers’ occupational beliefs in China, 24 public and private kindergarten teachers were interviewed, their teaching was observed, and teaching reflection notes and educational essays were collected. A structural model was subsequently developed. Based on grounded theory, the information was coded at three levels and tested for theoretical saturation. The results demonstrated that the occupational beliefs of kindergarten teachers consisted of occupational cognition, occupational endurance, occupational expectation, and occupational intention, and these four core elements were not independent. Although there were characteristics common to public and private kindergarten teachers’ occupational beliefs, they also had distinct characteristics. The occupational beliefs of public kindergarten teachers were relatively stable, yet those of private kindergarten teachers were not. Moreover, most public kindergarten teachers were willing to stay in their teaching jobs. These findings reveal the composition and characteristics of Chinese kindergarten teachers’ occupational beliefs and the relationship between kindergarten teachers’ turnover and occupational beliefs.
A content analysis of e-cigarette marketing on social media: Findings from the Tobacco Enforcement and Reporting Movement (TERM) in India, Indonesia and Mexico
Authors: Murukutla Nandita , Magsumbol Melina S. , Raskin Hana , Kuganesan Sharan , Dini Silvia , Martinez-Mejia Carlos , Rachfiansyah  , Aguilar Benjamin Gonzalez Rubio
Published: November 2022

Background

The use of e-cigarettes is proliferating globally, especially among youth and even children. Marketing is a known risk factor for e-cigarette initiation, yet little is known of e-cigarette marketing on social media in low- and middle-income countries. This study compares e-cigarette social media marketing in India, Indonesia, and Mexico, three such countries with different regulatory environments.

Methods

Instances of e-cigarette marketing on social media platforms were identified via the Tobacco Enforcement and Reporting Movement (TERM), a digital tobacco marketing monitoring system. Through systematic keyword-based searches, all tobacco marketing posts observed between 15 December 2021 and 16 March 2022 were included in the analysis. The final sample included 1,437 e-cigarette-related posts on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok, which were systematically content analyzed by independent coders after inter-reliability (Cohen's Kappa K > 0.79) was established using a theory-derived codebook. The final data is represented in percentages and frequencies for ease of presentation.

Results

We observed e-cigarette marketing online in all countries studied, yet there was variation in the volume of marketing and types of accounts identified. In India, where e-cigarettes were comprehensively banned, we identified 90 (6%) posts; in Mexico, where e-cigarettes were partially restricted, 318 (22%) posts were observed; and in Indonesia, where there were no restrictions, 1,029 (72%) posts were observed. In both India and Mexico, marketing originated from retailer accounts (100%), whereas in Indonesia, it was primarily product brand accounts (86%). Across countries, e-cigarettes were mostly marketed directly to sell products (India: 99%, Indonesia: 69% and Mexico: 93%), though the sales channels varied. Product features, including e-liquid flavors, device colors and technical specifications, was the most prominent message framing (India: 86%; Mexico: 73%; Indonesia: 58%). Harm reduction messaging was most popular in Mexico (8%) and was not common in Indonesia (0.3%) or India (0%).

Conclusion

Our study provides important insights for tobacco control stakeholders on the evolving nature of e-cigarette marketing in low- and middle-income countries. It underscores the presence of e-cigarette marketing, including in countries where comprehensive regulations exist, and suggests the importance of continuous monitoring to keep up with industry practices and strengthen tobacco control stakeholder efforts to counter them.
Hospital indoor air quality and its relationships with building design, building operation, and occupant-related factors: A mini-review
Authors: Ibrahim Farha , Samsudin Ely Zarina , Ishak Ahmad Razali , Sathasivam Jeyanthini
Published: November 2022

Indoor air quality (IAQ) has recently gained substantial traction as the airborne transmission of infectious respiratory disease becomes an increasing public health concern. Hospital indoor environments are complex ecosystems and strategies to improve hospital IAQ require greater appreciation of its potentially modifiable determinants, evidence of which are currently limited. This mini-review updates and integrates findings of previous literature to outline the current scientific evidence on the relationship between hospital IAQ and building design, building operation, and occupant-related factors. Emerging evidence has linked aspects of building design (dimensional, ventilation, and building envelope designs, construction and finishing materials, furnishing), building operation (ventilation operation and maintenance, hygiene maintenance, access control for hospital users), and occupants' characteristics (occupant activities, medical activities, adaptive behavior) to hospital IAQ. Despite the growing pool of IAQ literature, some important areas within hospitals (outpatient departments) and several key IAQ elements (dimensional aspects, room configurations, building materials, ventilation practices, adaptive behavior) remain understudied. Ventilation for hospitals continues to be challenging, as elevated levels of carbon monoxide, bioaerosols, and chemical compounds persist in indoor air despite having mechanical ventilation systems in place. To curb this public health issue, policy makers should champion implementing hospital IAQ surveillance system for all areas of the hospital building, applying interdisciplinary knowledge during the hospital design, construction and operation phase, and training of hospital staff with regards to operation, maintenance, and building control manipulation. Multipronged strategies targeting these important determinants are believed to be a viable strategy for the future control and improvement of hospital IAQ.
Association between trajectories of fasting plasma glucose and risk of osteoporosis in non-diabetic and diabetic populations
Authors: Wang Ping , Zhang Yuanfeng , Shan Ruiqi , Wu Jing , Man Sailimai , Deng Yuhan , Lv Jun , Wang Xiaona , Yin Jianchun , Ning Yi , Wang Bo , Li Liming
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Previous studies based on a single measure of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) showed an inconsistent conclusion about the association between FPG and osteoporosis risk. Not accounting for time-varying and cumulative average of FPG over time could bias the true relation between FPG and osteoporosis. Our study aims to investigate the association between the trajectories of FPG and osteoporosis risk for non-diabetic and diabetic populations.

Methods

A total of 18,313 participants who attended physical examinations during 2008–2018 were included. They were free of osteoporosis at their first physical examination and followed until their last physical examination before December 31, 2018. We recorded their incidence of osteoporosis and at least three FPG values during follow-up. Their longitudinal FPG trajectories were identified by the latent class growth analysis model based on the changes in FPG. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between the trajectories of FPG and osteoporosis diagnosed in the follow-up physical examination in both non-diabetics and diabetics.

Results

There were 752 incident osteoporosis among 16,966 non-diabetic participants, and 57 incident osteoporosis among 1,347 diabetic participants. Among non-diabetics, the elevated-increasing FPG trajectory was negatively associated with osteoporosis risk in women (odds ratio (OR), 0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.43–0.88). Premenopausal women with elevated-increasing FPG trajectory had lower osteoporosis risk than those women with normal-stable FPG trajectory (OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.20–0.88), while this association was insignificant in postmenopausal women. Among diabetics, those whose longitudinal FPG is kept at a very high level had the highest risk of osteoporosis (OR, 3.09; 95% CI, 1.16–8.22), whereas those whose FPG starts with the high level and keeps on increasing did not exhibit a significantly increased risk (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 0.81–3.76) compared with those who keep stable moderate-high level of FPG, except in men (OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.02–6.12).

Conclusion

Distinct trajectories of FPG are associated with differential risk of osteoporosis in non-diabetic and diabetic populations. Controlling a proper FPG level in different populations is necessary for osteoporosis prevention.
Impact of socioeconomic status on cancer staging, survival in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yang Xianghui , Deng Liyong , Li Min , Zhou Yongjie , Wang Guihua
Published: November 2022

Purpose

We performed this study to evaluate the association of socioeconomic status (SES) factors with cancer-specific survival (CSS) of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We further assessed the predictive value of a novel Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM)-SES staging system, combining the TNM stage with the SES stage.

Methods

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we selected 40,378 patients diagnosed with NSCLC from 2012 to 2016. Cox regression method and Harrell's concordance index (C-index) were performed to select the SES factors related to CSS and evaluate the predictive ability of the novel TNM-SES stage. We used Kaplan–Meier curves and a log-rank test to conduct a survival analysis.

Results

We identified four SES factors (marriage, insurance, education, and household income) associated with CSS and constructed the SES stage (SES-1 and SES-2). NSCLC patients with SES-2 stage (low SES) was associated with young adult, black race, male, squamous carcinoma, upper lobe site, and advanced stage. SES-2 stage patients were significantly associated with a dismal prognosis of patients with NSCLC, with a 21.0% increased risk (HR = 1.21, 95%CI (1.18–1.24), p < 0.001). The C-index of our novel TNM-SES stage was 0.732 [95% CI (0.728–0.736)], higher than the traditional TNM stage [0.717, 95% CI (0.715–0.719)], indicating superior predictive value.

Conclusion

Our population-based study indicated that SES was significantly associated with cancer staging and SCC in patients with NSCLC. Our novel TNM-SES staging system showed a superior predictive value to the traditional TNM stage. The impact of SES on patients with NSCLC should receive more concern in clinical management.
Sanitation work: Realizing equity and inclusion in WASH
Authors: Bhakta Amita , Cawood Sally , Zaqout Mariam , Evans Barbara
Published: November 2022

Recognition of the human right to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and equity and inclusion concerns around gender, disability and age have led to crucial change in WASH programmes and policy, responding to commonly hidden issues such as menstrual hygiene, inclusive facilities for people with disabilities, and affordable services for residents of informal settlements. Despite progress toward realizing the rights of end users “to” sanitation, this crucial body of work has overlooked the rights of an unseen, diverse population working “in” these services, including those who handle human waste. There are increasing calls within and beyond WASH for sanitation workers - marginalized by their informal and hazardous roles, and intersections of caste, religion and gender - to realize their rights to safe working conditions and social security. Yet, sanitation work has received little attention from equity and inclusion WASH scholars, despite the pressing need to challenge dominant technical, health-centric framings of sanitation that can overlook workers' lived realities. We argue for an intersectional, interdisciplinary approach to support sanitation workers to realize rights to fair living and working conditions, including inclusive WASH infrastructure at work. We draw on the limited literature available to highlight gaps in, and show the importance of the sub-sector of equity and inclusion to engage further with the lived realities of sanitation workers. Increased collaboration between sanitation workers, activists, and allies working on inclusion, labor rights, fecal sludge and solid waste management is paramount to realize sanitation workers' rights and to truly provide “inclusive” sanitation for all by 2030.
Surgical amputation for patients with diabetic foot ulcers: A Chinese expert panel consensus treatment guide
Authors: Liao Xuan , Li Sheng-Hong , El Akkawi Mariya Mohamad , Fu Xiao-bing , Liu Hong-wei , Huang Yue-sheng
Published: November 2022

Background

Diabetic foot disease is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus. Patients with diabetes mellitus have a 25% lifetime risk for developing a foot ulcer, and between 14% and 24% of patients require a major or minor lower limb amputation due to severe gangrene. However, decisions concerning whether to amputate or whether to perform a major or minor lower limb amputation, and how best to determine the amputation plane remain unclear.

Methods

To consolidate the current literature with expert opinion to make recommendations that will guide surgical amputation for patients with diabetic foot ulcers. A total of 23 experts experienced in surgical treatment of patients with diabetic foot ulcers formed an expert consensus panel, and presented the relevant evidence, discussed clinical experiences, and derived consensus statements on surgical amputation for patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Each statement was discussed and revised until a unanimous consensus was achieved.

Results

A total of 16 recommendations for surgical amputation for patients with diabetic foot ulcers were formulated. The experts believe that determination of the amputation plane should be comprehensively evaluated according to a patient's general health status, the degree of injury, and the severity of lower limb vasculopathy. The Wagner grading system and the severity of diabetic lower extremity artery disease are important criteria when determining the degree of amputation. The severity of both diabetic foot infection and systemic underlying diseases are important factors when considering appropriate treatment. Moreover, consideration should also be given to a patient's socioeconomic status. Given the complexities of treating the diabetic foot, relevant issues in which consensus could not be reached will be discussed and revised in future.

Conclusion

This expert consensus could be used to guide doctors in clinical practice, and help patients with diabetic foot ulcers gain access to appropriate amputation treatment.
Fractional Vegetation Cover and Spatiotemporal Variations of PM2.5 Concentrations in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region of China
Authors: Jin Jiannan , Liu Shuang , Wang Lili , Wu Shuqi , Zhao Wenji
Published: November 2022

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region (BTH) of China maintains high-pollution levels of particulate matter ≥2.5 μm (PM2.5). Accordingly, understanding the spatiotemporal distributions of PM2.5 and their relationship with fractional vegetation cover in this region is of great significance for effective air pollution treatment. In the present study, ground-based PM2.5 monitoring, MODIS-NDVI satellite data, spatial interpolation, dimidiate pixel model, and Spearman’s rank correlation analyses were used to explore this relationship in the years 2018 and 2019. The results indicated the following: (1) In the BTH, the average annual PM2.5 mass concentration was 50 μg·m−3 in 2019, a 9.2% decrease from 2018, but still in excess of China’s second-level environmental air quality standards (35 µg·m−3). (2) PM2.5 concentrations in the BTH were temporally distributed, exhibiting a roughly U-shaped pattern within a year, peaking in the winter, followed by the spring and autumn, and reaching its minimum in the summer. (3) Spatially, distributions of PM2.5 mass concentrations in the BTH were significantly lower in the north and higher in the south. PM2.5 in the central and southern areas displayed concentrated and continuous distribution trends. (4) PM2.5 concentrations were negatively correlated with fractional vegetation cover in the BTH, and the effect of fractional vegetation cover on PM2.5 mass concentration was more significant in the winter than in other seasons. According to the results of this study, improving vegetation cover and increasing vegetation area have a positive effect on PM2.5 deposition in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Therefore, the author suggests that the ability of urban green spaces to mitigate PM2.5 pollution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region can be improved in the future by controlling the vegetation coverage of urban green spaces to a suitable extent, especially in winter. This study provides an important scientific basis for the quantitative analysis of the effect of vegetation cover on PM2.5 concentration distribution and air pollution control and environmental protection in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
Summer Outdoor Thermal Perception for the Elderly in a Comprehensive Park of Changsha, China
Authors: Li Xinyi , Li Xiaoma , Tang Na , Chen Simin , Deng Yuwan , Gan Dexin
Published: November 2022

Thermal perception is an important factor affecting the usage of outdoor spaces (e.g., urban parks). The elderly are the main visitors of urban parks; however, few studies investigated the thermal perception of the elderly in urban parks in summer. Taking a comprehensive urban park in Changsha, China, as an example, this study examined the thermal perception of the elderly and investigated the impacts of age, gender, and health status on the thermal perception through field observation, questionnaires, and field measurement of meteorological variables. The results showed that: (1) The neutral physiological equivalent temperature (PET) was 24.48 °C, with a range of 21.99−26.97 °C. The comfortable PET was 25.41 °C, and the 90% acceptable PET was 25.84−33.19 °C. (2) The neutral PET increased with the elderly’s age (e.g., 23.19 °C, 25.33 °C, and 25.36 °C, respectively, for people aged 60–69, 70–79, and ≥80 years old). The thermal sensitivity of the elderly increased with the increase in age. (3) Moving to the shade provided by trees or buildings is the main thermal adaptation behavior of the elderly in the park in summer. This study extended the understanding of the outdoor thermal perception of the elderly in summer and can help better urban park planning and design to improve the thermal perception of elderly visitors in summer in Changsha (China).
Distantly Related Homologue of UhpT in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Orioli Tommaso , Dolce Daniela
Published: November 2022

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is an opportunistic Gram-negative bacteria that affects patients in intensive care units and chronic respiratory disease patients. Compared to other bacteria, it has a wide genome (around 6.3-Mb) that supports its metabolic versatility and antimicrobial resistance. Fosfomycin (FF) is primarily used as an oral treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs). FF diffuses inside the cell via glycerol-3-phosphate transporter (GlpT) PA, as well as in other bacteria. In other bacteria, such as E. coli, glucose-6-phosphate transporter (UhpT) functions as FF transporter. Since mutant GlpT leads to FF resistant PA, it is assumed that GlpT is the only FF transporter. However, it is also assumed that PA uses glucose-6-phosphate and, thus, homologous proteins of UhpT may be present in its genome. Here, we present an attempt to find a distant related homologue of UhpT in PA. A Hidden Markov Model (HMM) was created to seek for Major facilitator family (MFS) domain in 21 PA genomes of 14 CF patients annotated with prokka and the statistical analysis was performed (MCC: 0.84, ACC: 0.99). Then, the HMM was applied to PA genomes. Besides the actual GlpT, annotated as glpt_1, one more GlpT protein was found in 21 out of 21 genomes, annotated as glpt_2. Since glpt_2 clusters closer to UhpT than GlpT, glpt_2 was selected to build a model. Computing a structural superimposition, the model and the template of UhpT have 0.6 Å of RMSD. The model of glpt_2 has some characteristics that are fundamental to UhpT functions. The binding site, consisting of 2 arginines (Arg46 and Arg275) and Lys45, is totally conserved, as well as the topology of the structure. Asp90 is also conserved in glpt_2 model. No studies aimed at searching for distant related homologous of UhpT. Since the high genetic exchange and high mutational rate in bacteria, it is likely that PA has a UhpT-like protein in the PA genome. The binding site is superimposable to UhpT protein as well as the overall topology. In fact, the 12 TMs are completely comparable, suggesting a well-defined folding of the protein across the bilayer lipid membrane. To enforce our hypothesis, in all 21 PA genomes, we also found a protein annotated as membrane sensor protein UhpC, important for expression and function of UhpT in E. coli. Since PA strains are wild-type, we can assume that most of the PA have proteins like this. The presence of a homologue of UhpT suggests that this protein is conserved in PA genome.
Porous Electrode Materials for Zn-Ion Batteries: From Fabrication and Electrochemical Application
Authors: Yang Qixin , Liu Qingjiang , Ling Wei , Dai Haojiang , Chen Huanhui , Liu Jianghe , Qiu Yejun , Zhong Liubiao
Published: November 2022

Porous materials as electrode materials have demonstrated numerous benefits for high-performance Zn-ion batteries in recent years. In brief, porous materials as positive electrodes provide distinctive features such as faster electron transport, shorter ion diffusion distance, and richer electroactive reaction sites, which improve the kinetics of positive electrode reactions and achieve higher rate capacity. On the other hand, the porous structures as negative electrodes also exhibit electrochemical properties possessing higher surface area and reducing local current density, which favors the uniform Zn deposition and restrains the dendrite formation. In view of their advantages, porous electrode materials for ZIB are expected to be extensively applied in electric and hybrid electric vehicles and portable electronic devices. In this review, we highlight the methods of synthesizing porous electrode materials and discuss the mechanism of action of porous structures as electrodes on their electrochemical properties. At the end of this review, the perspectives on the future development of porous materials in the field of electrochemical energy storage are also discussed.