bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Body Composition, Energy Expenditure, and Energy Intake during Four Years of University—A Follow-Up Study
Authors: Olansky Shai , Beaudry Kayleigh M. , Woods Stacey , Barbour-Tuck Erin , Gammage Kimberley L. , Klentrou Panagiota , Josse Andrea R.
Published: April 2021

Purpose: The transition to university is often accompanied by the adoption of negative lifestyle habits, which may result in weight and fat gain. While this has been demonstrated during 1st year, little is known about subsequent years. We investigated changes in body composition, energy expenditure, and dietary/energy intake from 1st to 4th year university. Methods: Thirty-eight students (14 males, 24 females) completed a lifestyle questionnaire and had their body mass, fat mass, lean body mass (LBM), and body fat percentage (%BF) measured three times: at the beginning and end of 1st year, and end of 4th year. Results: During 1st year, body mass, fat mass, LBM, and %BF increased (+3.2 ± 3.8 kg, +2.5 ± 3.0 kg, +0.7 ± 2.1 kg, +2.3 ± 4.9%, respectively; p < 0.01), while daily energy intake and expenditure decreased (−359 ± 1019 kcal·d−1 and −434 ± 786 kcal·d−1, respectively; p < 0.01). Between the end of 1st year and end of 4th year, body mass, LBM, and energy expenditure increased (+3.2 ± 3.8 kg, +1.3 ± 2.9 kg, +209 ± 703 kcal·d−1, respectively; p ≤ 0.05), while %BF, fat mass, and energy intake did not change. Conclusions: Although %BF and fat mass remained stable from the end of 1st year to the end of 4th year in this group of university students, the positive increase in energy expenditure was not enough to reverse the weight and fat gained during 1st year.
‘This Adds Another Perspective’: Qualitative Descriptive Study Evaluating Simulation-Based Training for Health Care Assistants, to Enhance the Quality of Care in Nursing Homes
Authors: Aicken Catherine , Hodgson Lisa , de Vries Kay , Wilkinson Iain , Aldridge Zena , Galvin Kathleen
Published: April 2021

Much of the UK’s ageing population lives in care homes, often with complex care needs including dementia. Optimal care requires strong clinical leadership, but opportunities for staff development in these settings are limited. Training using simulation can enable experiential learning in situ. In two nursing homes, Health Care Assistants (HCAs) received training in clinical communication skills (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation Education through Technology and Simulation, SETS: group training with an actor simulating scenarios); and dementia (A Walk Through Dementia, AWTD: digital simulation, delivered one-to-one). In this qualitative descriptive study, we evaluated the potential of this training to enhance HCAs’ clinical leadership skills, through thematic analysis of 24 semi-structured interviews with HCAs (before/after training) and their managers and mentors. Themes were checked by both interviewers. HCAs benefitted from watching colleagues respond to SETS scenarios and reported greater confidence in communicating with registered healthcare professionals. Some found role-play participation challenging. AWTD sensitised HCAs to the experiences of residents with dementia, and those with limited dementia experience gained a fuller understanding of the disease’s effects. Staffing constraints affected participation in group training. Training using simulation is valuable in this setting, particularly when delivered flexibly. Further work is needed to explore its potential on a larger scale.
Assessments of Ground Reaction Force and Range of Motion in Terms of Fatigue during the Body Weight Squat
Authors: Erman Berkant , Ozkol Mehmet Zeki , Ivanović Jelena , Arslan Hakan , Ćosić Marko , Yuzbasioglu Yasin , Dopsaj Milivoj , Aksit Tolga
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to analyse in detail body weight squat (BWS)’ fatigue effect on the range of motions (ROM) of the hip, knee, ankle and ground reaction forces (GRF). Twenty male recreational athletes (24.0 ± 3.1 years, 178.85 ± 7.12 cm and 78.7 ± 11.45 kg) participated in this study. BWS were performed on four load cell platforms until the participants failed to continue. Participants performed 73 ± 27 repetitions and the duration to complete of the repetitions was 140.72 ± 62.28 s during the BWS exercise. The forefoot and hindfoot of the feet were on two load cells, thus, there were two under each foot. All of the data collected was divided into three sections for analysis (24 ± 9 repetitions for each). In terms of GRF of the fore feet and hind feet, significant differences and medium to large effect size were found between each section (p = 0.006~0.040, ES = 0.693~0.492). No significant differences were found between right and left leg in all sections. Significant differences were found in the ROM of the hip between the sections of first-third (p = 0.044, ES = 0.482) and second-third (p = 0.034, ES = 0.510), the ROM of the knee first-third (p = 0.014, ES = 0.602) and second-third (p = 0.005, ES = 0.701) and for the ROM of the ankle first-second (p = 0.045, ES = 0.479). As a result, end-of-exercise fatigue caused an increase in the ROM of the hip, knee and ankle. Thus, it is observed that fatigue induced increased ROM, also increases the GRF towards the forefeet.
LEAP Motion Technology and Psychology: A Mini-Review on Hand Movements Sensing for Neurodevelopmental and Neurocognitive Disorders
Authors: Colombini Giulia , Duradoni Mirko , Carpi Federico , Vagnoli Laura , Guazzini Andrea
Published: April 2021

Technological advancement is constantly evolving, and it is also developing in the mental health field. Various applications, often based on virtual reality, have been implemented to carry out psychological assessments and interventions, using innovative human–machine interaction systems. In this context, the LEAP Motion sensing technology has raised interest, since it allows for more natural interactions with digital contents, via an optical tracking of hand and finger movements. Recent research has considered LEAP Motion features in virtual-reality-based systems, to meet specific needs of different clinical populations, varying in age and type of disorder. The present paper carried out a systematic mini-review of the available literature using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The inclusion criteria were (i) publication date between 2013 and 2020, (ii) being an empirical study or project report, (iii) written in English or Italian languages, (iv) published in a scholarly peer-reviewed journal and/or conference proceedings, and (v) assessing LEAP Motion intervention for four specific psychological domains (i.e., autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment), objectively. Nineteen eligible empirical studies were included. Overall, results show that protocols for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder can promote psychomotor and psychosocial rehabilitation in contexts that stimulate learning. Moreover, virtual reality and LEAP Motion seem promising for the assessment and screening of functional abilities in dementia and mild cognitive impairment. As evidence is, however, still limited, deeper investigations are needed to assess the full potential of the LEAP Motion technology, possibly extending its applications. This is relevant, considering the role that virtual reality could have in overcoming barriers to access assessment, therapies, and smart monitoring.
New Biomarkers of Hymenoptera Venom Allergy in a Group of Inflammation Factors
Authors: Packi Kacper , Matysiak Joanna , Matuszewska Eliza , Bręborowicz Anna , Kycler Zdzisława , Matysiak Jan
Published: April 2021

Hymenoptera venom allergy significantly affects the quality of life. Due to the divergences in the results of the available test and clinical symptoms of patients, the current widely applied diagnostic methods are often insufficient to classify patients for venom immunotherapy (VIT). Therefore it is still needed to search for new, more precise, and accurate diagnostic methods. Hence, this research aimed to discover new biomarkers of Hymenoptera venom allergy in a group of inflammation factors using set of multi-marker Bioplex panel. The adoption of a novel methodology based on Luminex/xMAP enabled simultaneous determination of serum levels of 37 different inflammatory proteins in one experiment. The study involved 21 patients allergic to wasp and/or honey bee venom and 42 healthy participants. According to univariate and multivariate statistics, soluble CD30/tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 8 (sCD30/TNFRSF8), and the soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNF-R1) may be considered as effective prognostic factors, their circulating levels were significantly decreased in the allergy group (p-value < 0.05; the Area Under the Curve (AUC) ~0.7; Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) scores >1.2). The obtained results shed new light on the allergic inflammatory response and may contribute to modification and improvement of the diagnostic and monitoring methods. Further, large-scale studies are still needed to explain mechanisms of action of studied compounds and to definitively prove their usefulness in clinical practice.
Psychosocial Factors, Smoke-Free Restrictions, and Media Exposure in Relation to Smoking-Related Attitudes and Behaviors among Adults in Armenia and Georgia
Authors: Wysota Christina N. , Topuridze Marina , Sargsyan Zhanna , Dekanosidze Ana , Sturua Lela , Kegler Michelle C. , Petrosyan Varduhi , Harutyunyan Arusyak , Hayrumyan Varduhi , Berg Carla J.
Published: April 2021

Background: Perceived harm, social influences, smoke-free policies, and media exposure have been understudied in relation to tobacco-related attitudes/behaviors in aggregate or in low and middle-income countries; thus, this study examined these factors collectively in relation to smoking-related outcomes among Armenian and Georgian adults. Methods: Using 2018 cross-sectional survey data (n = 1456), multivariable regression analyses examined these factors in relation to smoking status, perceived harm among nonsmokers, and readiness to quit and past-year quit attempts among smokers. Results: Significant predictors (p < 0.05) of current smoking (27.3%) included lower perceived harm, more smoking friends, and fewer home and vehicle restrictions. Among nonsmokers, more home and restaurant/bar restrictions, fewer vehicle restrictions, greater anti-tobacco media exposure, and less pro-tobacco media exposure predicted greater perceived harm. Among smokers, greater perceived social acceptability of smoking, less anti-tobacco media exposure, and greater pro-tobacco media exposure predicted readiness to quit (12.7% of smokers). More smoking friends, more home restrictions, less anti-tobacco media exposure, and greater pro-tobacco media exposure predicted past-year quit attempts (19.2%). Conclusions: Findings support the importance of smoke-free policies but were counterintuitive regarding the roles of social and media influences, underscoring the need to better understand how to address these influences, particularly in countries with high smoking rates.
Impact of Hospital Nurses’ Perception on Clinical Alarms and Patient Safety Culture on Alarm Management Practice
Authors: Lee Soo-Joung , Lee Yun-Mi , Seo Eun Ji , Son Youn-Jung
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to identify the impact of nurses’ perception of clinical alarms and patient safety culture on alarm management. Additionally, we aimed to describe the importance of clinical alarm issues. The data were collected from 21 August to 10 September 2020. The study participants were 116 nurses working in a tertiary acute care hospital in Korea. The self-report questionnaire included general characteristics, clinical alarm issues, nurses’ alarm perception, patient safety culture, and alarm management practice. The mean age of nurses was 28.04 ± 4.06 years, with 5.71 ± 4.35 years of total clinical experience. For the importance of alarm issues, frequent false alarms leading to reduced attention or response was the most important issue. Hierarchical linear regression analysis revealed that a higher level of nurses’ perceived patient safety culture was the strongest predictor of better alarm management practice (p < 0.001), followed by their perception of clinical alarms (p = 0.034). In addition, female nurses (p = 0.004), charge nurses (p = 0.013), and nurses who work less than 40 h per week (p = 0.008) were more likely to work better in alarm management practice. Future studies are needed to develop standardized alarm management guidelines by improving nurses’ positive perceptions of clinical alarms and patient safety culture.
An IoT Framework for Screening of COVID-19 Using Real-Time Data from Wearable Sensors
Authors: Mukhtar Hamid , Rubaiee Saeed , Krichen Moez , Alroobaea Roobaea
Published: April 2021

Experts have predicted that COVID-19 may prevail for many months or even years before it can be completely eliminated. A major problem in its cure is its early screening and detection, which will decide on its treatment. Due to the fast contactless spreading of the virus, its screening is unusually difficult. Moreover, the results of COVID-19 tests may take up to 48 h. That is enough time for the virus to worsen the health of the affected person. The health community needs effective means for identification of the virus in the shortest possible time. In this study, we invent a medical device utilized consisting of composable sensors to monitor remotely and in real-time the health status of those who have symptoms of the coronavirus or those infected with it. The device comprises wearable medical sensors integrated using the Arduino hardware interfacing and a smartphone application. An IoT framework is deployed at the backend through which various devices can communicate in real-time. The medical device is applied to determine the patient’s critical status of the effects of the coronavirus or its symptoms using heartbeat, cough, temperature and Oxygen concentration (SpO2) that are evaluated using our custom algorithm. Until now, it has been found that many coronavirus patients remain asymptomatic, but in case of known symptoms, a person can be quickly identified with our device. It also allows doctors to examine their patients without the need for physical direct contact with them to reduce the possibility of infection. Our solution uses rule-based decision-making based on the physiological data of a person obtained through sensors. These rules allow to classify a person as healthy or having a possibility of infection by the coronavirus. The advantage of using rules for patient’s classification is that the rules can be updated as new findings emerge from time to time. In this article, we explain the details of the sensors, the smartphone application, and the associated IoT framework for real-time, remote screening of COVID-19.
How Refugees Experience the Australian Workplace: A Comparative Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Cain Patricia , Daly Alison , Reid Alison
Published: April 2021

There is a growing body of evidence indicating poorer working conditions for migrant workers, particularly refugees, compared with native-born workers. Our objectives were to compare exposure to workplace psychosocial stressors in working refugees with other migrant groups and Australian-born workers of Caucasian ancestry and to describe the working experience of refugees. Cross-sectional surveys collected information on the workplace stressors of job complexity, control, security, bullying, and racial discrimination from six migrant groups (n = 1062) and Caucasian Australians (n = 1051); semi-structured face-to-face interviews were used with currently employed refugees (n = 30). Content analysis examined the qualitative data. Compared to all other groups, working refugees were more likely to report experiencing racial discrimination in the workplace and to report exposure to more than three hazards. Content analysis indicated that working refugees are working below their capacity, in terms of hours and qualifications, and in jobs that were low status and lacked security. Despite challenging work conditions, participants reported adequate health and safety training and feeling a sense of pride in their work. These findings highlight the need for better support for refugees in negotiating the workplace once they find employment and the importance of employers providing an inclusive and equitable workplace.
Effects of a Mixture of Ivy Leaf Extract and Coptidis rhizome on Patients with Chronic Bronchitis and Bronchiectasis
Authors: Hong Goohyeon , Kim Yu-Il , Park Seoung Ju , Lee Sung Yong , Kim Jin Woo , Yoon Seong Hoon , Lee Keu Sung , Byun Min Kwang , Kim Hak-Ryul , Chung Jaeho
Published: April 2021

Background: Hederacoside C from ivy leaf dry extracts (HH) and berberine from Coptidis rhizome dry extracts (CR) can be combined (HHCR) as a herbal product. Previous studies have demonstrated that HHCR has antitussive and expectorant effects in animal models of respiratory disease. However, the therapeutic effects of HHCR on respiratory diseases in humans have not been well-studied. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the effectiveness of HHCR in patients with chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis. Methods: This was a multicenter (10 university teaching hospitals), open-label, prospective, single-arm, observational study. Consecutive patients with chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis were included. Patients were orally treated with HHCR daily for 12 weeks. St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores and bronchitis severity scores (BSS) were measured at baseline and at the end of the 12-week study. Results: In total, 376 patients were enrolled, of which 304 were finally included in the study, including 236 males and 68 females with a median age of 69 years (range: 37–88 years). After 12 weeks of HHCR treatment, there was a significant improvement in SGRQ score (baseline, 32.52 ± 16.93 vs. end of study, 29.08 ± 15.16; p < 0.0001) and a significant reduction in BSS (baseline, 7.16 ± 2.63 vs. end of study, 4.72 ± 2.45; p < 0.0001). During the study, 14 patients concomitantly used an inhaled corticosteroid and 83 patients used an inhaled bronchodilator. HHCR also had significant positive effects on these patients in terms of SGRQ score and BSS. No serious adverse drug reactions occurred during HHCR treatment. Conclusions: treatment with HHCR improved the SGRQ score and BSS in patients with chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis. HHCR may be a new therapeutic option for chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis. Large-scale, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials are warranted.
A Study on Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donation Volunteer Retention between Swab Sampling Approach and Blood Sampling Approach: Evidence from Shanghai, China
Authors: Yan Ke , Zhang Gang , Zhao Guoqiang , Liu Baosong , Lu Jun
Published: April 2021

The loss of hematopoietic stem cell donation (HSCD) volunteers is widespread worldwide. This study analyzed the distribution characteristics of volunteer retention between the swab sampling approach and blood sampling approach. The Shanghai branch of the China Bone Marrow Donation Program conducted a telephone follow-up with 18,963 volunteers to understand volunteer retention. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the distribution characteristics of volunteer retention between two different sampling approaches, and a forest plot was used to observe the distribution trend. Only 32.37% of the volunteers could be contacted, and the loss of volunteers was severe. The volunteer retention is influenced by sampling approaches and demographic characteristics, and Shanghai natives, the highly educated, and students had better retention. The volunteer retention of the swab group was better among young people and technicians, while the volunteer retention of the blood sample group was lower among public officials and workers, and the volunteer retention in the blood sample group was more significantly affected by changes in population characteristics. To enhance the stability of volunteers, managers should improve the contact channels and frequency, expand the ratio of stable volunteers, strengthen volunteer education in the process of collecting blood samples, and respect individuals’ willingness.
Decision-Making Is in the Making! Aspects of Decision-Making in the Area of Assistive and Welfare Technology—A Qualitative Study
Authors: Baudin Katarina , Sundström Angelina , Borg Johan , Gustafsson Christine
Published: April 2021

Assistive and welfare technology (AT/WT) has been introduced as a way of facing an ageing population and providing support for older adults in their daily lives. There is much research concerning the assessment and recommendation of AT/WT to individual end-users. However, few studies have explored AT/WT decision-making from a managerial perspective. This study explores what aspects influence decision-making in assistive technology organizations concerning new technology procurements. The study is based on interviews with 24 managers engaged in assistive technology organizations, representing 13 of 21 regions in Sweden. The interview data consisted of the participants’ experiences deciding on AT/WT procurement. A reflexive inductive thematic analysis was used to identify aspects that influenced decision-making. The main findings show that decision-making is in the making, meaning that decision-making is a constant on-going managerial process. Furthermore, the findings show that managers experience uncertainty in the decision-making, sometimes make ad hoc decisions and request an evidence-based, person-centred approach to improve decision-making. The study concludes that supportive, technology, patient, and knowledge aspects influence managers’ decisions.
Occurrence of Delirium during ECMO Therapy in a Critical Care Unit in Poland—A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study
Authors: Krupa Sabina , Friganovic Adriano , Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska Wioletta
Published: April 2021

Background: The problem of delirium during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy, which has rarely been studied, is an important issue since it is necessary to ensure patient safety during therapy. This study aimed to show the incidence of delirium in patients after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy and factors affecting the occurrence of delirium in this group of patients. Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Method: The study involved a group of patients from an intensive cardiac care unit who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy. The study lasted for more than two years, in the period from 2018 until 2020. The Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (NuDESC) and the Delirium Observation Screening Scale (DOSS) were applied. Additionally, the patients were examined using Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS), the Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS), and a thirst intensity scale; ultimately, relationships between these factors and delirium were examined. Results: In patients who underwent ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) therapy, delirium was confirmed by the NuDESC in 68.75% of patients in the evening hours, while it was measured by the DOSS scale in 84.38% of patients in the morning. The study found that ECMO delirium was not associated with hyperactivity, sleep disturbance, sedation, pain, or thirst. Conclusion: Delirium in patients undergoing ECMO therapy was confirmed by both the NuDESC and DOSS. Factors such as thirst and sleep disturbance after ECMO therapy were shown to influence the occurrence of delirium. The diagnosis of delirium using standardized scales is possible provided that more tests are carried out. Research should be conducted to determine whether the NuDESC is equivalent to the DOSS.
De-Sexualizing Partner Notification: A Qualitative Study on Chinese Young Adults with Chlamydia
Authors: Lau Bobo H. P. , Liu Lucia , Chan Celia H. Y. , Chan Cecilia L. W. , Ong Jason J. , Holroyd Eleanor , Wong William C. W.
Published: April 2021

Background: Chlamydia is common amongst the sexually active population in Hong Kong. As most cases are asymptomatic, partner notification may be helpful in controlling chlamydia. This study examined attitudes towards partner notification for chlamydia among Hong Kong Chinese youths in order to inform a culturally appropriate, patient-empowering sexual health service. Methods: Sixteen individuals (aged 20 to 31) who received a confirmed diagnosis of chlamydia within the previous twelve months of data collection were recruited from two community-based organizations between June and December 2017. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted by a health psychologist. Results: Nine participants notified a total of eleven current and ex-partners. Seven participants did not notify their sexual partner(s). Our findings revealed how participants struggled with the discrediting sexual aspect of their infection, and how de-sexualizing the infection and selected disclosure facilitated partner notification and social acceptance. Perceived stigma regarding chlamydia however did not dissipate with their disclosure. Participants did not perceive lasting impact of chlamydia on their well-being as they thought they have much control over whether and how to disclose to their (future) partners. All participants agreed there was a pressing need to raise public awareness on this silent but highly prevalent sexually transmitted infection. Conclusions: Our findings illustrate the complex struggle behind communicating about chlamydia to one’s sexual partner and how strategizing the disclosure process served to circumvent embarrassment and foster testing of sexual partners.
How Do Disadvantaged Children Perceive, Understand and Experience Household Food Insecurity?
Authors: Velardo Stefania , Pollard Christina M. , Shipman Jessica , Booth Sue
Published: April 2021

Food insecurity is associated with reduced physical, social, and psychological functioning in children. There has been sparse research into child food insecurity that incorporates children’s own perspectives, as adults are often interviewed as child proxies. While a nuanced, child-centred understanding of food insecurity is needed to inform effective policy and program responses, little is known about Australian children’s firsthand understanding or experience of household food insecurity. This study aimed to fill this gap by inviting preadolescent children’s perspectives. Eleven participants aged 10–13 years (seven girls and four boys) took part in the study and were recruited from an Australian charity school holiday camp that targets severely disadvantaged youth. Children took part in individual semi-structured interviews that incorporated drawings and emoji scales. Qualitative interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic techniques. Four themes emerged from the data analysis, children had: (i) financial understanding; (ii) awareness of food insecurity and coping mechanisms; (iii) sharing, empathy, and compassion for food insecure families; and (iv) described the nature of ‘food’ preparation. This study provides a child-centric analysis, demonstrating how children’s agency is enacted and constrained in food insecure contexts. This child-derived understanding of food insecurity provides a critical basis from which to build effective approaches to assess and respond to this significant social issue.
Exploring Fear of Falling Related Activity Avoidance among Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Ahn Sukhee , Song Rhayun
Published: April 2021

Fear of falling was associated with activity avoidance and subsequent reduction of functioning capacity in postmenopausal women. This study aimed to determine the influencing factors for fear-of-falling related activity avoidance in Korean postmenopausal women. The sample of 687 postmenopausal women living in six urban areas was recruited using stratified convenience sampling for the original survey. A secondary analysis was applied to survey data from 541 postmenopausal women aged 50–64 years who experienced some degree of fear of falling. A structured questionnaire was administered to measure fear of falling, fall efficacy, and activity avoidance. Among 541 postmenopausal women with a mean age of 56 years who perceived at least some fear of falling, 15% (n = 81) reported they avoided performing some, not all, activities of daily living due to fear of falling. Fear of falling was significantly associated with the level of activity avoidance (χ2 = 16.94, p < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, fear of falling and fall efficacy were significant predictors of activity avoidance in postmenopausal women after adjusting for age, education level, and chronic disease. Fear of falling and fall efficacy contributed independently to explain activity avoidance in postmenopausal women. It is important to identify fear of falling and activity avoidance as the focus of public health in order to prevent the vicious cycle of future falls.
The Impact of Environmental Regulation on the Location of Pollution-Intensive Industries in China under Agglomeration Effect
Authors: Wu Yinhao , Yu Shumin , Duan Xiangdong
Published: April 2021

Pollution-intensive industries (PIIs) have both scale effect and environmental sensitivity. Therefore, this paper studies how environmental regulation (ER) affects the location dynamics of PIIs under the agglomeration effect. Our results show that, ER can increase the production costs of pollution-intensive firms (PIFs) by internalizing the negative impact of pollutant discharge in a region, and thus, directly reduces the region’s attractiveness to PIFs. Meanwhile, ER can indirectly reduce the attractiveness of a region to PIFs by reducing the externality of the regional agglomeration effect. Moreover, these influences are regulated by the level of local economic development. Based on the moderated mediating effect model, we find evidence from the site selection activities of newly built chemical firms in cities across China. The empirical test shows that compared with 2014, the proportion of the direct effect of ER to the total effects significantly decreased in 2018, while the proportion of indirect effects under the agglomeration effect increased significantly. Our findings provide reference for the government to design effective environmental policies to guide the location choice of new PIFs.
The Impact of Temperature on the Risk of COVID-19: A Multinational Study
Authors: Yang Hsiao-Yu , Lee Jason Kai Wei
Published: April 2021

The current understanding of ambient temperature and its link to the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is unclear. The objective of this study was to explore the environmental and climatic risk factors for SARS-CoV-2. For this study, we analyzed the data at the beginning of the outbreak (from 20 January to 31 March 2020) to avoid the influence of preventive or control measures. We obtained the number of cases and deaths due to SARS-CoV-2, international tourism, population age, universal health coverage, regional factors, the SARS-CoV-2 testing rate, and population density of a country. A total of 154 countries were included in this study. There were high incidence rates and mortality risks in the countries that had an average ambient temperature between 0 and 10 °C. The adjusted incidence rate for temperatures between 0 and 10 °C was 2.91 (95% CI 2.87–2.95). We randomly divided the data into a training set (80% of data) for model derivation and a test set (20% of data) for validation. Using a random forest statistical model, the model had high accuracy for predicting the high epidemic status of a country (ROC = 95.5%, 95% CI 87.9–100.0%) in the test set. Population age, temperature, and international tourism were the most important factors affecting the risk of SARS-CoV-2 in a country. An understanding the determinants of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak can help to design better strategies for disease control. This study highlights the need to consider thermal effect in the prevention of emerging infectious diseases.
First Insight into Nutraceutical Properties of Local Salento Cichorium intybus Varieties: NMR-Based Metabolomic Approach
Authors: Girelli Chiara Roberta , Serio Francesca , Accogli Rita , Angilè Federica , De Donno Antonella , Fanizzi Francesco Paolo
Published: April 2021

Background: Plants of genus Cichorium are known for their therapeutic and nutraceutical properties determined by a wealth of phytochemical substances contained in the whole plant. The aim of this paper was to characterize the metabolic profiles of local Salento chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) varieties (“Bianca”, “Galatina”, “Leccese”, and “Otranto”) in order to describe their metabolites composition together with possible bioactivity and health beneficial properties. Methods: The investigation was performed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy and Multivariate Analysis (MVA), by which the metabolic profiles of the samples were easily obtained and compared. Results: The supervised Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) analysis showed as “Bianca” and “Galatina” samples grouped together separated by “Leccese” and “Otranto” varieties. A different content of free amino acids and organic acids was observed among the varieties. In particular a high content of cichoric and monocaffeoyl tartaric acid was observed for the “Leccese” variety. The presence of secondary metabolites adds significant interest in the investigation of Cichorium inthybus, as this vegetable may benefit human health when incorporated into the diet. Conclusions: The 1H-NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy) based characterization of Salento chicory varieties allowed us to determine the potential usefulness and nutraceutical properties of the product, also providing a method to guarantee its authenticity on a molecular scale.
Thallium Contamination of Drinking Water: Health Implications in a Residential Cohort Study in Tuscany (Italy)
Authors: Nuvolone Daniela , Petri Davide , Aprea Maria Cristina , Bertelloni Silvano , Voller Fabio , Aragona Ida
Published: April 2021

In 2014–2015, concentrations of thallium above the recommended reference value (EPA: 2 µg/L) were measured in some parts of the drinking water distribution system in the municipality of Pietrasanta (Tuscany, Italy). An extensive campaign of water samples and human biomonitoring surveys were implemented to quantify the exposure of population. A residential cohort epidemiological study was carried out on the population of the municipality of Pietrasanta, aimed at comparing the health status of residents in the areas affected by thallium contamination with residents living in the rest of the municipality. Cohort included people residing in the municipality of Pietrasanta from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2015. Residence addresses were georeferenced and each subject living in one of the three contaminated areas were defined as exposed. Mortality, hospital discharge data and adverse pregnancy outcomes were taken from administrative health databases. Cox proportional hazard models and logistic models were used to test the association between thallium exposure and health outcome. This study did not show any excess of risk in terms of mortality and hospitalization in the population residing in the areas served by thallium-contaminated aqueduct branches, compared to the rest of the not contaminated area. Increased risks for low birth weight (OR = 1.43 95% CI 0.91–2.25) and pre-term birth (OR = 1.40 95% CI 0.82–2.37) were observed. In view of the paucity of epidemiological studies on thallium, this study is an important contribution to the state of knowledge of the health effects of chronic exposures to low concentrations of thallium.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Volleyball Athletes Following a COVID-19 Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Milovancev Aleksandra , Avakumovic Jovana , Lakicevic Nemanja , Stajer Valdemar , Korovljev Darinka , Todorovic Nikola , Bianco Antonino , Maksimovic Nebojsa , Ostojic Sergej , Drid Patrik
Published: April 2021

Athletes’ lifestyles have been dramatically affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Since COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system and to a lesser degree the cardiovascular system, the goal of this study was to examine the effects of COVID-19-caused detraining on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) of recently recovered volleyball athletes. Sixteen experienced volleyball athletes (age 24 ± 4.5 years) who were recently diagnosed and recovered from a COVID-19 infection volunteered to participate in this study and were tested for CRF and spirometry. Given that participants had only mild symptoms of infection, the primary focus of this study was on the effects of detraining on CRF. On average, the time to exhaustion was 9.4 ± 1.4 min. VE, VCO2, RER and oxygen pulse increased, heart rate exceeded 90% of predicted values, and peak VO2 values were typical for this level of athlete (44.1 ± 3.4 mL/kg). Pulmonary function reflected in FVC, FEV1/FVC and MVV values were well above 80% of predicted values for each of the participants while electrocardiography revealed no ischemia, arrythmias or conduction and repolarization abnormalities were found in the tested subjects. Therefore, it can be concluded that participants experienced typical consequences of detraining. Due to a lack of CRF data prior to COVID-19 infection, we were unable to estimate the magnitude detraining had on CRF. Complete CRF assessment after COVID-19 infection in athletes can be useful for screening of residual myocardial and/or respiratory system damage for safe return-to-play decisions.
Spatial Allocation Based on Physiological Needs and Land Suitability Using the Combination of Ecological Footprint and SVM (Case Study: Java Island, Indonesia)
Authors: Safitri Sitarani , Wikantika Ketut , Riqqi Akhmad , Deliar Albertus , Sumarto Irawan
Published: April 2021

Indonesia currently has 269 million people or 3.49% of the world’s total population and is ranked as the fourth most populous country in the world. Analysis by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing of Indonesia in 2010 shows that Java’s biocapacity is already experiencing a deficit. Therefore, optimization needs to be done to reduce deficits. This study aims to optimize and assess spatial allocation accuracy based on land-use/land cover suitability. In this study, the ecological footprint (EF) is utilized as a spatial allocation assessment based on physiological needs. The concept of land suitability aims for optimal and sustainable land use. Moreover, the land suitability model was conducted using the support vector machine (SVM). SVM is used to find the best hyperplane by maximizing the distance between classes. A hyperplane is a function that can be used to separate land-use/land cover types. The land suitability model’s overall-accuracy model was 86.46%, with a kappa coefficient value of 0.812. The final results show that agricultural land, plantations, and pastureland are still experiencing deficits, but there is some reduction. The deficit reduction for agricultural land reached 510,588.49 ha, 18,986.14 ha for plantations, and 1015.94 ha for pastures. The results indicate that the SVM algorithm is efficient in mapping the land-use suitability and optimizing spatial allocation.
BCOR Internal Tandem Duplication Expression in Neural Stem Cells Promotes Growth, Invasion, and Expression of PRC2 Targets
Authors: Nakata Satoshi , Yuan Ming , Rubens Jeffrey A. , Kahlert Ulf D. , Maciaczyk Jarek , Raabe Eric H. , Eberhart Charles G.
Published: April 2021

Central nervous system tumor with BCL6-corepressor internal tandem duplication (CNS-BCOR ITD) is a malignant entity characterized by recurrent alterations in exon 15 encoding the essential binding domain for the polycomb repressive complex (PRC). In contrast to deletion or truncating mutations seen in other tumors, BCOR expression is upregulated in CNS-BCOR ITD, and a distinct oncogenic mechanism has been suggested. However, the effects of this change on the biology of neuroepithelial cells is poorly understood. In this study, we introduced either wildtype BCOR or BCOR-ITD into human and murine neural stem cells and analyzed them with quantitative RT-PCR and RNA-sequencing, as well as growth, clonogenicity, and invasion assays. In human cells, BCOR-ITD promoted derepression of PRC2-target genes compared to wildtype BCOR. A similar effect was found in clinical specimens from previous studies. However, no growth advantage was seen in the human neural stem cells expressing BCOR-ITD, and long-term models could not be established. In the murine cells, both wildtype BCOR and BCOR-ITD overexpression affected cellular differentiation and histone methylation, but only BCOR-ITD increased cellular growth, invasion, and migration. BCOR-ITD overexpression drives transcriptional changes, possibly due to altered PRC function, and contributes to the oncogenic transformation of neural precursors.
Fish-Ing for Enhancers in the Heart
Authors: Parisi Costantino , Vashisht Shikha , Winata Cecilia Lanny
Published: April 2021

Precise control of gene expression is crucial to ensure proper development and biological functioning of an organism. Enhancers are non-coding DNA elements which play an essential role in regulating gene expression. They contain specific sequence motifs serving as binding sites for transcription factors which interact with the basal transcription machinery at their target genes. Heart development is regulated by intricate gene regulatory network ensuring precise spatiotemporal gene expression program. Mutations affecting enhancers have been shown to result in devastating forms of congenital heart defect. Therefore, identifying enhancers implicated in heart biology and understanding their mechanism is key to improve diagnosis and therapeutic options. Despite their crucial role, enhancers are poorly studied, mainly due to a lack of reliable way to identify them and determine their function. Nevertheless, recent technological advances have allowed rapid progress in enhancer discovery. Model organisms such as the zebrafish have contributed significant insights into the genetics of heart development through enabling functional analyses of genes and their regulatory elements in vivo. Here, we summarize the current state of knowledge on heart enhancers gained through studies in model organisms, discuss various approaches to discover and study their function, and finally suggest methods that could further advance research in this field.
Key Disease Mechanisms Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease in the Entorhinal Cortex
Authors: Bottero Virginie , Powers Dallen , Yalamanchi Ashna , Quinn James P. , Potashkin Judith A.
Published: April 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic, neurodegenerative brain disorder affecting millions of Americans that is expected to increase in incidence with the expanding aging population. Symptomatic AD patients show cognitive decline and often develop neuropsychiatric symptoms due to the accumulation of insoluble proteins that produce plaques and tangles seen in the brain at autopsy. Unexpectedly, some clinically normal individuals also show AD pathology in the brain at autopsy (asymptomatic AD, AsymAD). In this study, SWItchMiner software was used to identify key switch genes in the brain’s entorhinal cortex that lead to the development of AD or disease resilience. Seventy-two switch genes were identified that are differentially expressed in AD patients compared to healthy controls. These genes are involved in inflammation, platelet activation, and phospholipase D and estrogen signaling. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARG), zinc-finger transcription factor (YY1), sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 2 (SREBF2), and early growth response 1 (EGR1) were identified as transcription factors that potentially regulate switch genes in AD. Comparing AD patients to AsymAD individuals revealed 51 switch genes; PPARG as a potential regulator of these genes, and platelet activation and phospholipase D as critical signaling pathways. Chemical–protein interaction analysis revealed that valproic acid is a therapeutic agent that could prevent AD from progressing.
Effects of Antifreeze Protein III on Sperm Cryopreservation of Pacific Abalone, Haliotis discus hannai
Authors: Hossen Shaharior , Sharker Md. Rajib , Cho Yusin , Sukhan Zahid Parvez , Kho Kang Hee
Published: April 2021

Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) is a highly commercial seafood in Southeast Asia. The aim of the present study was to improve the sperm cryopreservation technique for this valuable species using an antifreeze protein III (AFPIII). Post-thaw sperm quality parameters including motility, acrosome integrity (AI), plasma membrane integrity (PMI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA integrity, fertility, hatchability, and mRNA abundance level of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) were determined to ensure improvement of the cryopreservation technique. Post-thaw motility of sperm cryopreserved with AFPIII at 10 µg/mL combined with 8% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (61.3 ± 2.7%), 8% ethylene glycol (EG) (54.3 ± 3.3%), 6% propylene glycol (PG) (36.6 ± 2.6%), or 2% glycerol (GLY) (51.7 ± 3.0%) was significantly improved than that of sperm cryopreserved without AFPIII. Post-thaw motility of sperm cryopreserved with 2% MeOH and 1 µg/mL of AFPIII was also improved than that of sperm cryopreserved without AFPIII. A combination of 10 µg/mL AFPIII with 8% DMSO resulted in the highest post-thaw motility, showing AI of 60.1 ± 3.9%, PMI of 67.2 ± 4.0%, and MMP of 59.1 ± 4.3%. DNA integrity of sperm cryopreserved using 10 µg/mL AFPIII combined with 8% DMSO was not significantly (p > 0.05) different from that of fresh sperm. Cryopreservation using a combination of AFPIII with 8% DMSO improved fertilization and hatching rates of sperm compared to that of cryopreservation without supplementation of 10 µg/mL AFPIII. Sperm cryopreserved using AFPIII showed higher mRNA abundance levels of HSP90 than those cryopreserved without AFPIII. Results of the present study suggest that 10 µg/mL AFPIII combined with 8% DMSO can be used for large scale cryopreservation of Pacific abalone sperm and for hatchery production.
Chronic Ouabain Prevents Na,K-ATPase Dysfunction and Targets AMPK and IL-6 in Disused Rat Soleus Muscle
Authors: Kravtsova Violetta V. , Paramonova Inna I. , Vilchinskaya Natalia A. , Tishkova Maria V. , Matchkov Vladimir V. , Shenkman Boris S. , Krivoi Igor I.
Published: April 2021

Sustained sarcolemma depolarization due to loss of the Na,K-ATPase function is characteristic for skeletal muscle motor dysfunction. Ouabain, a specific ligand of the Na,K-ATPase, has a circulating endogenous analogue. We hypothesized that the Na,K-ATPase targeted by the elevated level of circulating ouabain modulates skeletal muscle electrogenesis and prevents its disuse-induced disturbances. Isolated soleus muscles from rats intraperitoneally injected with ouabain alone or subsequently exposed to muscle disuse by 6-h hindlimb suspension (HS) were studied. Conventional electrophysiology, Western blotting, and confocal microscopy with cytochemistry were used. Acutely applied 10 nM ouabain hyperpolarized the membrane. However, a single injection of ouabain (1 µg/kg) prior HS was unable to prevent the HS-induced membrane depolarization. Chronic administration of ouabain for four days did not change the α1 and α2 Na,K-ATPase protein content, however it partially prevented the HS-induced loss of the Na,K-ATPase electrogenic activity and sarcolemma depolarization. These changes were associated with increased phosphorylation levels of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), its substrate acetyl-CoA carboxylase and p70 protein, accompanied with increased mRNA expression of interleikin-6 (IL-6) and IL-6 receptor. Considering the role of AMPK in regulation of the Na,K-ATPase, we suggest an IL-6/AMPK contribution to prevent the effects of chronic ouabain under skeletal muscle disuse.