bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Black Women Faculty and Administrators Navigating COVID-19, Social Unrest, and Academia: Challenges and Strategies
Authors: Njoku Anuli , Evans Marian
Published: February 2022

Black women faculty and administrators in the United States are tackling a force of socioeconomic and racial disparities, emotional tolls and invisible burdens within academia, political turmoil, social unrest, and public health crises. COVID-19 has added an additional layer related to work responsibilities, the overall well-being of Black women faculty and administrators and the diverse students they encounter, and management of work and home responsibilities. This paper discusses perspectives and evidence-based strategies regarding Black women faculty and administrators who navigate academia and teach during times of COVID-19 and social unrest. We also outline strategies for university leaders to mitigate cultural and racial gaps in the classroom or workplace and foster diversity and inclusion in academia.
Screening for Perinatal Anxiety Using the Childbirth Fear Questionnaire: A New Measure of Fear of Childbirth
Authors: Fairbrother Nichole , Collardeau Fanie , Albert Arianne , Stoll Kathrin
Published: February 2022

Fear of childbirth affects as many as 20% of pregnant people, and has been associated with pregnancy termination, prolonged labour, increased risk of emergency and elective caesarean delivery, poor maternal mental health, and poor maternal-infant bonding. Currently available measures of fear of childbirth fail to fully capture pregnant people’s childbirth-related fears. The purpose of this research was to develop a new measure of fear of childbirth (the Childbirth Fear Questionnaire; CFQ) that would address the limitations of existing measures. The CFQ’s psychometric properties were evaluated through two studies. Participants for Study 1 were 643 pregnant people residing in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, with a mean age of 29.0 (SD = 5.1) years, and 881 pregnant people residing in Canada, with a mean age of 32.9 (SD = 4.3) years for Study 2. In both studies, participants completed a set of questionnaires, including the CFQ, via an online survey. Exploratory factor analysis in Study 1 resulted in a 40-item, 9-factor scale, which was well supported in Study 2. Both studies provided evidence of high internal consistency and convergent and discriminant validity. Study 1 also provided evidence that the CFQ detects group differences between pregnant people across mode of delivery preference and parity. Study 2 added to findings from Study 1 by providing evidence for the dimensional structure of the construct of fear of childbirth, and measurement invariance across parity groups (i.e., the measurement model of the CFQ was generalizable across parity groups). Estimates of the psychometric properties of the CFQ across the two studies provided evidence that the CFQ is psychometrically sound, and currently the most comprehensive measure of fear of childbirth available. The CFQ covers a broad range of domains of fear of childbirth and can serve to identify specific fear domains to be targeted in treatment.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Drug Use Behaviors, Fentanyl Exposure, and Harm Reduction Service Support among People Who Use Drugs in Rural Settings
Authors: Bolinski Rebecca S. , Walters Suzan , Salisbury-Afshar Elizabeth , Ouellet Lawrence J. , Jenkins Wiley D. , Almirol Ellen , Van Ham Brent , Fletcher Scott , Johnson Christian , Schneider John A. , Ompad Danielle , Pho Mai T.
Published: February 2022

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the opioid overdose crisis in the US. Rural communities have been disproportionately affected by opioid use and people who use drugs in these settings may be acutely vulnerable to pandemic-related disruptions due to high rates of poverty, social isolation, and pervasive resource limitations. Methods: We performed a mixed-methods study to assess the impact of the pandemic in a convenience sample of people who use drugs in rural Illinois. We conducted 50 surveys capturing demographics, drug availability, drug use, sharing practices, and mental health symptoms. In total, 19 qualitative interviews were performed to further explore COVID-19 knowledge, impact on personal and community life, drug acquisition and use, overdose, and protective substance use adaptations. Results: Drug use increased during the pandemic, including the use of fentanyl products such as gel encapsulated “beans” and “buttons”. Disruptions in supply, including the decreased availability of heroin, increased methamphetamine costs and a concomitant rise in local methamphetamine production, and possible fentanyl contamination of methamphetamine was reported. Participants reported increased drug use alone, experience and/or witness of overdose, depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Consistent access to harm reduction services, including naloxone and fentanyl test strips, was highlighted as a source of hope and community resiliency. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic period was characterized by changing drug availability, increased overdose risk, and other drug-related harms faced by people who use drugs in rural areas. Our findings emphasize the importance of ensuring access to harm reduction services, including overdose prevention and drug checking for this vulnerable population.
COVID-19: Physical Activity and Quality of Life in a Sample of Swiss School Children during and after the First Stay-at-Home
Authors: Benzing Valentin , Gaillard Patrice , Scheidegger David , Dössegger Alain , Nigg Claudio R. , Schmidt Mirko
Published: February 2022

COVID-19 restrictions and the instructions to stay at home (SaH) may have had an impact on child behavior including physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Switzerland. Therefore, we investigated PA and HRQoL during and after the SaH in 57 Swiss school children aged 7 to 12 years (M = 10.44; SD = 1.34). PA was measured using accelerometry (Actigraph GT3X) and HRQoL using the Kid-KINDLR questionnaire. During and post data was compared using paired sample t-tests. Independent t-tests were used to compare the HRQoL of physically active children with non-physically active children. PA in light (d = −0.56), moderate (d = −0.44), moderate-to-vigorous (d = −0.28) as well as overall HRQoL (d = −0.66), psychological well-being (d = −0.48), self-esteem (d = −0.39), friends (d = −0.70) and everyday functioning (d = −0.44), were significantly lower during SaH than afterwards. Children who adhered to PA recommendations (+60 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA) during SaH had a better overall HRQoL (d = 0.61) and psychological well-being (d = 0.56) than those who did not. Since PA levels and HRQoL were lower during SaH compared to afterwards, it seems that the restrictions negatively impacted children’s PA and HRQoL. During future SaHs, promoting children’s PA and HRQoL seems important.
Oxygen Consumption (VO2) and Surface Electromyography (sEMG) during Moderate-Strength Training Exercises
Authors: Adeel Muhammad , Chen Hung-Chou , Lin Bor-Shing , Lai Chien-Hung , Wu Chun-Wei , Kang Jiunn-Horng , Liou Jian-Chiun , Peng Chih-Wei
Published: February 2022

Oxygen consumption (VO2) during strength training can be predicted through surface electromyography (sEMG) of local muscles. This research aimed to determine relations between VO2 and sEMG of upper and lower body muscles to predict VO2 from sEMG during moderate-intensity strength training exercises. Of the 12 participants recruited, 11 were divided into two groups: untrained (n = 5; with no training experience) and trained (n = 6; with 2 months of training experience). On different days, each individual completed six training sessions. Each participant performed training sessions consisting of three types of dumbbell exercises: shoulder press, deadlift, and squat, while wearing a mask for indirect calorimetric measurements of VO2 using the Cortex Metalyzer 3B. sEMG measurements of the bilateral middle deltoid, lumbar erector spinae, quadriceps (rectus femoris), and hamstring (biceps femoris) muscles were recorded. The VO2 was predicted from sEMG root mean square (RMS) values of the investigated muscles during the exercise period using generalized estimating equation (GEE) modeling. The predicted models for the three types of exercises for the untrained vs. trained groups were shoulder press [QIC = 102, * p = 0.000 vs. QIC = 82, * p = 0.000], deadlift [QIC = 172, * p = 0.000 vs. QIC = 320, * p = 0.026], and squat [QIC = 76, * p = 0.000 vs. QIC = 348, * p = 0.001], respectively. It was observed that untrained vs. trained groups predicted GEE models [quasi-likelihood under an independence model criterion (QIC) = 368, p = 0.330 vs. QIC = 837, p = 0.058], respectively. The study obtained significant VO2 prediction models during shoulder press, deadlift, and squat exercises using the right and left middle deltoid, right and left lumbar erector spinae, left rectus femoris, and right and left biceps femoris sEMG RMS for the untrained and trained groups during moderate-intensity strength training exercises.
Analysis of Spatial Heterogeneity and Influencing Factors of Ecological Environment Quality in China’s North-South Transitional Zone
Authors: Yin Haoran , Chen Chaonan , Dong Qingdong , Zhang Pingping , Chen Quantong , Zhu Lianqi
Published: February 2022

The ecological environment is important for the natural disaster prevention of human society. The monitoring of ecological environment quality has far-reaching practical significance for the functional construction of ecosystem services and policy coordination. Based on Landsat 8 operational land image (OLI)/thermal infrared sensor (TIRS) remote sensing image data, this study selected the normalized vegetation (NDVI), tasseled cap transformation humidity (WI), bare soil (SI), construction index (NDSI), and land surface temperature (LST) indexes from the aspects of greenness, humidity, dryness, and heat. Using spatial principal component analysis (SPCA) and the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) analyzed the spatial differentiation characteristics and influencing factors of the original remote sensing ecological index (RSEI0). The results showed that: (1) the overall RSEI average value of the Qinling-Daba Mountains in 2017 was 0.61, and the ecological environment quality was at a “Good” level. Greenness contributed the most to the comprehensive index of the area, and vegetation distribution had a significant impact on the ecological environment quality of the study area. Heat is a secondary impact, and it has an inhibitory effect on habitat quality; (2) the overall distribution of regional ecological environment quality was quite different, with the ecological environment quality level showing a decreasing trend from low to high altitude; RSEI0 spatial heterogeneity at the optimal scale of 2 km was the largest, and the nugget effect was 88% which indicated a high degree of spatial variability, mainly affected by structural factors; (3) Slope, relief amplitude, elevation, the proportion of high-vegetation area, proportion of construction land area, and average population density significantly impact the spatial differentiation of RSEI0. The explanatory powers of slope and relief amplitude were 56.1% and 65.3%, respectively, which were the main factors affecting the spatial differentiation of the ecological environment quality in high undulation. The results can provide important scientific support for ecological environment construction and ecological restoration in the study area.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis and Patient Safety Culture: A Mixed-Method Study
Authors: Brborović Ognjen , Brborović Hana , Hrain Leonarda
Published: February 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has put inordinate pressure on frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) and hospitals. HCWs are under chronic emotional stress, affected by burnout, moral distress and interpersonal issues with peers or supervisors during the pandemic. All of these can lead to lower levels of patient safety. The goal of this study was to examine patient safety culture values in a COVID-19 frontline hospital. Patient safety represents action, while patient safety culture represents the beliefs, values and norms of an organization that support and promote patient safety. Patient safety culture is a prerequisite for patient safety. A cross-sectional study on healthcare workers (228, response rate of 81.43%) at a COVID-19 frontline hospital was conducted using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HOSPSC), which had PSC dimensions, single question dimensions and comments. Our research revealed that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of patient safety issues have been identified: low communication openness and current punitive response to errors, which might have incapacitated HCWs in the reporting of adverse events. Although participants expressed high supervisor/management expectations, actual support from the supervisor/management tier was low. Poor teamwork across units was identified as another issue, as well as low staffing. The infrastructure was identified as a potential new PSC dimension. There was a lack of support from supervisors/managers, while HCWs need their supervisors to be available; to be visible on the front line and to create an environment of trust, psychological safety and empowerment.
How Do Government Policies Promote Green Housing Diffusion in China? A Complex Network Game Context
Authors: Cao Xia , Zhao Tianjiao , Xing Zeyu
Published: February 2022

To reduce energy consumption and environmental pollution in the construction industry, many countries have focused on the development of green housing (GH), which is a type of green building for residential use. In China, the local governments have introduced various incentive policies to encourage the development of GH; however, its scale is still small and unevenly distributed. This implies a necessity to optimize the policies that apply to the GH incentive. To promote GH diffusion, we built an evolutionary game model on a complex network to analyze the impacts of government policies on GH pricing and demand and the profits of real estate enterprises developing GH. By implementing simulations, we further explored the incentive effect and operational mechanism of the government policies. The results show that the subsidy policy, the preferential policy for GH, and the restriction policy for ordinary housing can effectively promote the diffusion of GH to 0.6752, 0.506, and 0.5137 respectively. Meanwhile, the incentive effect of the enterprise subsidy policy and GH preferential policy gradually decreases with the increase in policy strength. In terms of the demand side, the consumer subsidy policy could promote GH diffusion to 0.7097. If the subsidy is below 120 CNY/m2, the effect of the consumer subsidy policy is less powerful than that of the enterprises subsidy policy; conversely, the former is slightly more effective than the latter. The outcome of the study has managerial implications on governmental decision-making, especially on the strategy design of incentive policies for GH.
Gender-Based Violence in the Asia-Pacific Region during COVID-19: A Hidden Pandemic behind Closed Doors
Authors: Nagashima-Hayashi Michiko , Durrance-Bagale Anna , Marzouk Manar , Ung Mengieng , Lam Sze Tung , Neo Pearlyn , Howard Natasha
Published: February 2022

Since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been reports of increased violence against women globally. We aimed to explore factors associated with reported increases in gender-based violence (GBV) during the pandemic in the Asia-Pacific region. We conducted 47 semi-structured interviews with experts working in sexual and reproductive health in 12 countries in the region. We analysed data thematically, using the socio-ecological framework of violence. Risks associated with increased GBV included economic strain, alcohol use and school closures, together with reduced access to health and social services. We highlight the need to address heightened risk factors, the importance of proactively identifying instances of GBV and protecting women and girls through establishing open and innovative communication channels, along with addressing underlying issues of gender inequality and social norms. Violence is exacerbated during public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Identifying and supporting women at risk, as well as preventing domestic violence during lockdowns and movement restrictions is an emerging challenge. Our findings can help inform the adoption of improved surveillance and research, as well as innovative interventions to prevent violence and detect and protect victims.
Examination of Factors Influencing SCBA Washing Behavior among Firefighters in Metropolitan
Authors: Park Hyun Sup , Ham Seunghon , Jeong Jin Hyeok , Kim Soo Jin , Woo Hyekyung
Published: February 2022

Field-washing decontamination of equipment is an effective way for firefighters to reduce their risk of secondary contamination. No study has yet clarified the factors influencing effective field decontamination of equipment such as self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs). This study sought to examine factors that influence the SCBA washing and decontamination behavior of firefighters. We conducted a questionnaire using the web-based Seoul Metropolitan Electronic Questionnaire System. As of May 2021, the survey had been sent to 3626 of 7198 Seoul career firefighters, and 1940 subjects were selected to participate in the study. Binomial logistic regression and χ2-test analyses were performed. We confirmed that previous training in SCBA washing was an important factor in effective field decontamination of SCBAs. Firefighters should be trained to perform field decontamination procedures systematically and regulations to perform field decontamination before leaving the scene of a fire should be introduced.
Public Perceptions of Climate Change and Its Health Impacts: Taking Account of People’s Exposure to Floods and Air Pollution
Authors: Graham Hilary , Harrison Alexander , Lampard Pete
Published: February 2022

Climate change-related exposures such as flooding and ambient air pollution place people’s health at risk. A representative UK survey of adults investigated associations between reported flooding and air pollution (in the participants’ local area, by the participant personally, and/or by family and close friends) and climate change concerns (CCC) and perceptions of its health impacts (PIH). In regression analyses controlling for socio-demographic factors and health status, exposure was associated with greater CCC and more negative PIH. Compared to those with low CCC, participants who reported local-area exposure were significantly more likely to be fairly (OR 2.07, 95%CI 1.26, 3.40) or very concerned (OR 3.40, 95%CI 2.02, 5.71). Odds of greater CCC were higher for those reporting personal and/or family exposure (‘fairly concerned’: OR 2.83, 95%CI 1.20, 6.66; ‘very concerned’: OR 4.11, 95%CI 1.69, 10.05) and for those reporting both local and personal/family exposure (‘fairly concerned’: OR 3.35, 95%CI 1.99, 5.63; ‘very concerned’: OR 6.17, 95%CI 3.61, 10.55). For PIH, local exposure significantly increased the odds of perceiving impacts as ‘more bad than good’ (1.86, 95%CI 1.22, 2.82) or ‘entirely bad’ (OR 1.88; 95%CI 1.13, 3.13). Our study suggests that public awareness of climate-related exposures in their local area, together with personal exposures and those of significant others, are associated with heightened concern about climate change and its health impacts.
Negative Parenting, Adolescents’ Emotion Regulation, Self-Efficacy in Emotion Regulation, and Psychological Adjustment
Authors: Di Giunta Laura , Lunetti Carolina , Gliozzo Giulia , Rothenberg W. Andrew , Lansford Jennifer E. , Eisenberg Nancy , Pastorelli Concetta , Basili Emanuele , Fiasconaro Irene , Thartori Eriona , Favini Ainzara , Virzì Alessia Teresa
Published: February 2022

This study examines associations between parents’ rejection and control, adolescents’ self-efficacy in their regulation of negative emotions, and maladjustment. Path analyses were employed to test (a) whether adolescents’ dysregulation and self-efficacy regarding anger/sadness regulation mediate the relationship between parental rejection/control and adolescent maladjustment; (b) whether adolescent adjustment mediates the association between parental rejection/control and dysregulation and self-efficacy regarding anger/sadness regulation. Participants included 103 Italian adolescents (Time 1: M age = 15.57; 53% male), their mothers (n = 103), and their fathers (n = 79). Follow up data were assessed one year later (Time 2). At Time 1, adolescent reports of the frequency of mothers’ and fathers’ rejection and control were examined. At Time 2, adolescent-reports of their beliefs about self-efficacy in regulating anger and sadness, as well as anger and sadness dysregulation, were assessed by two methods: questionnaire and mobile ecological momentary assessment. At Time 2, mothers’, fathers’, and adolescents’ reports of adolescents’ aggressive behaviors and depressive problems were also assessed. Maternal rejection was associated with higher one year later aggressive problems, which in turn were associated with higher dysregulation of sadness, and lower self-efficacy in dealing with both anger and sadness. In addition, maternal rejection was associated with higher depressive symptoms one year later, which in turn were associated with lower self-efficacy in dealing with sadness and higher dysregulation of both anger and sadness. Finally, maternal control was associated with higher depressive symptoms, whereas paternal control was associated with lower depressive symptoms.
In the Eye of the Storm: A Quantitative and Qualitative Account of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dutch Home Healthcare
Authors: van den Bulck Anne O. E. , de Korte Maud H. , Metzelthin Silke F. , Elissen Arianne M. J. , Everink Irma H. J. , Ruwaard Dirk , Mikkers Misja C.
Published: February 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected healthcare delivery across the world. However, little is known about COVID-19’s impact on home healthcare (HHC) services. Our study aimed to: (1) describe the changes in volume and intensity of HHC services and the crisis management policies implemented; (2) understand the responses and the experiences of HHC staff and clients. We conducted an explanatory sequential mixed methods study. First, retrospective client data (N = 43,495) from four Dutch HHC organizations was analyzed. Second, four focus group interviews were conducted for the strategic, tactical, operational, and client levels of the four HHC organizations. Our results showed that both the supply of and demand for Dutch HHC decreased considerably, especially during the first wave (March–June 2020). This was due to factors such as fear of infection, anticipation of a high demand for COVID-19-related care from the hospital sector, and lack of personal protective equipment. The top-down management style initially applied made way for a more bottom-up approach in the second wave (July 2020–January 2021). Experiences vary between levels and waves. HHC organizations need more responsive protocols to prevent such radical scaling-back of HHC in future crises, and interventions to help HHC professionals cope with crisis situations.
Flourishing in Healthcare Trainees: Psychological Well-Being and the Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity
Authors: Mascaro Jennifer S. , Wallace Amanda , Hyman Brooke , Haack Carla , Hill Cherie C. , Moore Miranda A. , Lund Maha B. , Nehl Eric J. , Bergquist Sharon H. , Cole Steve W.
Published: February 2022

While much attention has been paid to healthcare provider and trainee burnout, less is known about provider well-being (i.e., flourishing) or about the effects of well-being on immune function. This study examined the demographic and psycho-social correlates of well-being among healthcare trainees (resident physicians and physician assistant (PA) trainees) and evaluated the association of well-being with the “conserved transcriptional response to adversity” (CTRA) characterized by up-regulated expression of pro-inflammatory genes and down-regulated expression of innate antiviral genes. Participants (n = 58) completed self-reported assessments of sleep disturbance, loneliness, depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, and well-being (flourishing). Blood sample RNA profiles were analyzed by RNA sequencing to assess the CTRA. Slightly over half (n = 32; 55.2%) of healthcare trainees were categorized as flourishing. Flourishing was less prevalent among primary caregivers, and more prevalent among trainees who exercised more frequently and those with fewest days sick. Loneliness (AOR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.61, 0.91; p = 0.003) and stress (AOR = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.45, 0.94; p = 0.02) were associated with decreased odds of flourishing when controlling for other variables. Flourishing was associated with down-regulated CTRA gene expression, whereas loneliness was associated with up-regulated CTRA gene expression (both p < 0.05). Assessing these relationships in a larger, multi-site study is of critical importance to inform policy, curricula, and interventions to bolster sustainable trainee well-being.
Effects of Environmental Exposure to Cadmium and Lead on the Risks of Diabetes and Kidney Dysfunction
Authors: Yimthiang Supabhorn , Pouyfung Phisit , Khamphaya Tanaporn , Kuraeiad Saruda , Wongrith Paleeratana , Vesey David A. , Gobe Glenda C. , Satarug Soisungwan
Published: February 2022

Environmental exposure to cadmium (Cd) or lead (Pb) is independently associated with increased risks of type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of concurrent exposure to these toxic metals on the risks of diabetes and kidney functional impairment. The Cd and Pb exposure levels among study subjects were low to moderate, evident from the means for blood concentrations of Cd and Pb ([Cd]b and [Pb]b) of 0.59 µg/L and 4.67 µg/dL, respectively. Of 176 study subjects (mean age 60), 71 (40.3%) had abnormally high fasting plasma glucose levels. Based on their [Cd]b and [Pb]b, 53, 71, and 52 subjects were assigned to Cd and Pb exposure profiles 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The diagnosis of diabetes was increased by 4.2-fold in those with an exposure profile 3 (p = 0.002), and by 2.9-fold in those with the estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) ≤ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.029). The prevalence odds ratio (POR) for albuminuria was increased by 5-fold in those with plasma glucose levels above kidney threshold of 180 mg/dL (p = 0.014), and by 3.1-fold in those with low eGFR) (p = 0.050). Collectively, these findings suggest that the Cd and Pb exposure profiles equally impact kidney function and diabetes risk.
Intraday Patterns of Liquidity on the Warsaw Stock Exchange before and after the Outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kubiczek Jakub , Tuszkiewicz Marcin
Published: February 2022

A highly significant feature of the stock market is its efficiency, which is associated with information efficiency. However, the liquidity of stock on the market is its essential characteristic. The inflow of information in highly liquid markets allows for the maintenance of high information efficiency. The COVID-19 pandemic affected many aspects related to stock markets, including their liquidity. The impact of the pandemic is so multidimensional that there are still areas that need to be investigated. One of them is the intraday liquidity patterns on the stock markets. Therefore, the present paper aims to verify the existence of intraday liquidity patterns on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in three periods: before, during and after the panic caused by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results confirmed the existence of a U-shaped intraday distribution of the number of transactions and their trading. This outcome highlights the importance of the first and last minutes of a trading session. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the domination of WSE transactions of small individual investors who feared the loss of value of their assets, selling them on the stock exchange. In the pandemic, the average percentage change between transactions increased.
Evaluation of Drifting Snow Susceptibility Based on GIS and GA-BP Algorithms
Authors: He Bohu , Bai Mingzhou , Liu Binglong , Li Pengxiang , Qiu Shumao , Li Xin , Ding Lusheng
Published: February 2022

Drifting snow, the flow of dispersed snow particles near ground level under the action of wind, is a major form of snow damage. When drifting snow occurs on railways, highways, and other transportation lines, it seriously affects their operational safety and results in drifting snow disasters. Drifting snow disasters frequently occur in the high latitudes of northwest China. At present, most scholars are committed to studying the prevention and control measures of drifting snow, but the prerequisite for prevention is to effectively evaluate the susceptibility of drifting snow along railways and highways to identify areas with a high risk of occurrence. Taking the Xinjiang Afukuzhun Railway as an example, this study uses a geographic information system (GIS) combined with on-site monitoring and surveys to establish a drifting snow susceptibility evaluation index system. The drifting snow susceptibility index (DSSI) is calculated through the weight of an evidence (WOE) model, and a genetic algorithm backpropagation (GA-BP) algorithm is used to obtain optimised evaluation index weights to improve the accuracy of model evaluation. The results show that the accuracies of the WOE model, WOE backpropagation (WOE-BP) model, and weight of evidence genetic algorithm backpropagation (WOE-GA-BP) model are 0.747, 0.748, and 0.785, respectively, indicating that the method can be effectively applied to evaluate drifting snow susceptibility.
CXCR2 Receptor: Regulation of Expression, Signal Transduction, and Involvement in Cancer
Authors: Korbecki Jan , Kupnicka Patrycja , Chlubek Mikołaj , Gorący Jarosław , Gutowska Izabela , Baranowska-Bosiacka Irena
Published: February 2022

Chemokines are a group of about 50 chemotactic cytokines crucial for the migration of immune system cells and tumor cells, as well as for metastasis. One of the 20 chemokine receptors identified to date is CXCR2, a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) whose most known ligands are CXCL8 (IL-8) and CXCL1 (GRO-α). In this article we present a comprehensive review of literature concerning the role of CXCR2 in cancer. We start with regulation of its expression at the transcriptional level and how this regulation involves microRNAs. We show the mechanism of CXCR2 signal transduction, in particular the action of heterotrimeric G proteins, phosphorylation, internalization, intracellular trafficking, sequestration, recycling, and degradation of CXCR2. We discuss in detail the mechanism of the effects of activated CXCR2 on the actin cytoskeleton. Finally, we describe the involvement of CXCR2 in cancer. We focused on the importance of CXCR2 in tumor processes such as proliferation, migration, and invasion of tumor cells as well as the effects of CXCR2 activation on angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and cellular senescence. We also discuss the importance of CXCR2 in cell recruitment to the tumor niche including tumor-associated neutrophils (TAN), tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), and regulatory T (Treg) cells.
Micro-RNA and Proteomic Profiles of Plasma-Derived Exosomes from Irradiated Mice Reveal Molecular Changes Preventing Apoptosis in Neonatal Cerebellum
Authors: Pazzaglia Simonetta , Tanno Barbara , De Stefano Ilaria , Giardullo Paola , Leonardi Simona , Merla Caterina , Babini Gabriele , Tuncay Cagatay Seda , Mayah Ammar , Kadhim Munira , Lyng Fiona M. , von Toerne Christine , Khan Zohaib N. , Subedi Prabal , Tapio Soile , Saran Anna , Mancuso Mariateresa
Published: February 2022

Cell communication via exosomes is capable of influencing cell fate in stress situations such as exposure to ionizing radiation. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that exosomes might play a role in out-of-target radiation effects by carrying molecular signaling mediators of radiation damage, as well as opposite protective functions resulting in resistance to radiotherapy. However, a global understanding of exosomes and their radiation-induced regulation, especially within the context of an intact mammalian organism, has been lacking. In this in vivo study, we demonstrate that, compared to sham-irradiated (SI) mice, a distinct pattern of proteins and miRNAs is found packaged into circulating plasma exosomes after whole-body and partial-body irradiation (WBI and PBI) with 2 Gy X-rays. A high number of deregulated proteins (59% of WBI and 67% of PBI) was found in the exosomes of irradiated mice. In total, 57 and 13 miRNAs were deregulated in WBI and PBI groups, respectively, suggesting that the miRNA cargo is influenced by the tissue volume exposed to radiation. In addition, five miRNAs (miR-99b-3p, miR-200a-3p, miR-200a, miR-182-5p, miR-182) were commonly overexpressed in the exosomes from the WBI and PBI groups. In this study, particular emphasis was also given to the determination of the in vivo effect of exosome transfer by intracranial injection in the highly radiosensitive neonatal cerebellum at postnatal day 3. In accordance with a major overall anti-apoptotic function of the commonly deregulated miRNAs, here, we report that exosomes from the plasma of irradiated mice, especially in the case of WBI, prevent radiation-induced apoptosis, thus holding promise for exosome-based future therapeutic applications against radiation injury.
Implication of COVID-19 on Erythrocytes Functionality: Red Blood Cell Biochemical Implications and Morpho-Functional Aspects
Authors: Russo Annamaria , Tellone Ester , Barreca Davide , Ficarra Silvana , Laganà Giuseppina
Published: February 2022

Several diseases (such as diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders) affect the morpho-functional aspects of red blood cells, sometimes altering their normal metabolism. In this review, the hematological changes are evaluated, with particular focus on the morphology and metabolic aspects of erythrocytes. Changes in the functionality of such cells may, in fact, help provide important information about disease severity and progression. The viral infection causes significant damage to the blood cells that are altered in size, rigidity, and distribution width. Lower levels of hemoglobin and anemia have been reported in several studies, and an alteration in the concentration of antioxidant enzymes has been shown to promote a dangerous state of oxidative stress in red blood cells. Patients with severe COVID-19 showed an increase in hematological changes, indicating a progressive worsening as COVID-19 severity progressed. Therefore, monitored hematological alterations in patients with COVID-19 may play an important role in the management of the disease and prevent the risk of a severe course of the disease. Finally, monitored changes in erythrocytes and blood, in general, may be one of the causes of the condition known as Long COVID.
Bacterial Transcriptional Regulators: A Road Map for Functional, Structural, and Biophysical Characterization
Authors: Pis Diez Cristian M. , Juncos Maria Juliana , Villarruel Dujovne Matias , Capdevila Daiana A.
Published: February 2022

The different niches through which bacteria move during their life cycle require a fast response to the many environmental queues they encounter. The sensing of these stimuli and their correct response is driven primarily by transcriptional regulators. This kind of protein is involved in sensing a wide array of chemical species, a process that ultimately leads to the regulation of gene transcription. The allosteric-coupling mechanism of sensing and regulation is a central aspect of biological systems and has become an important field of research during the last decades. In this review, we summarize the state-of-the-art techniques applied to unravel these complex mechanisms. We introduce a roadmap that may serve for experimental design, depending on the answers we seek and the initial information we have about the system of study. We also provide information on databases containing available structural information on each family of transcriptional regulators. Finally, we discuss the recent results of research about the allosteric mechanisms of sensing and regulation involving many transcriptional regulators of interest, highlighting multipronged strategies and novel experimental techniques. The aim of the experiments discussed here was to provide a better understanding at a molecular level of how bacteria adapt to the different environmental threats they face.
Gamma-Aminobutyrate Transaminase Protects against Lipid Overload-Triggered Cardiac Injury in Mice
Authors: Zhang Mengxiao , Zhong Huiting , Cao Ting , Huang Yifan , Ji Xiaoyun , Fan Guo-Chang , Peng Tianqing
Published: February 2022

Lipid overload contributes to cardiac complications of diabetes and obesity. However, the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. This study investigates the role of gamma-aminobutyrate transaminase (ABAT), the key enzyme involved in the catabolism of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), in lipid overload-induced cardiac injury. Microarray revealed a down-regulation of ABAT mRNA expression in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mouse hearts, which correlated with a reduction in ABAT protein level and its GABA catabolic activity. Transgenic mice with cardiomyocyte-specific ABAT over-expression (Tg-ABAT/tTA) were generated to determine the role of ABAT in lipid overload-induced cardiac injury. Feeding with a HFD to control mice for 4 months reduced ATP production and the mitochondrial DNA copy number, and induced myocardial oxidative stress, hypertrophy, fibrosis and dysfunction. Such pathological effects of HFD were mitigated by ABAT over-expression in Tg-ABAT/tTA mice. In cultured cardiomyocytes, palmitate increased mitochondrial ROS production, depleted ATP production and promoted apoptosis, all of which were attenuated by ABAT over-expression. With the inhibition of ABAT’s GABA catabolic activity, the protective effects of ABAT remained unchanged in palmitate-induced cardiomyocytes. Thus, ABAT protects the mitochondrial function in defending the heart against lipid overload-induced injury through mechanisms independent of its GABA catabolic activity, and may represent a new therapeutic target for lipid overload-induced cardiac injury.
The Involvement of RAGE and Its Ligands during Progression of ALS in SOD1 G93A Transgenic Mice
Authors: Nowicka Natalia , Szymańska Kamila , Juranek Judyta , Zglejc-Waszak Kamila , Korytko Agnieszka , Załęcki Michał , Chmielewska-Krzesińska Małgorzata , Wąsowicz Krzysztof , Wojtkiewicz Joanna
Published: February 2022

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons that causes paralysis and muscle atrophy. The pathogenesis of the disease is still not elucidated. Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Product (RAGE) is a major component of the innate immune system and has implications in ALS pathogenesis. Multiple studies suggest the role of RAGE and its ligands in ALS. RAGE and its ligands are overexpressed in human and murine ALS motor neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. Here, we demonstrated the expression of RAGE and its ligands during the progression of the disease in the transgenic SOD1 G93A mouse lumbar spinal cord. We observed the highest expression of HMGB1 and S100b proteins at ALS onset. Our results highlight the potential role of RAGE and its ligands in ALS pathogenesis and suggest that some of the RAGE ligands might be used as biomarkers in early ALS diagnosis and potentially be useful in targeted therapeutic interventions at the early stage of this devastating disease.
Self-Assembled Particles Combining SARS-CoV-2 RBD Protein and RBD DNA Vaccine Induce Synergistic Enhancement of the Humoral Response in Mice
Authors: Borgoyakova Mariya B. , Karpenko Larisa I. , Rudometov Andrey P. , Volosnikova Ekaterina A. , Merkuleva Iuliia A. , Starostina Ekaterina V. , Zadorozhny Alexey M. , Isaeva Anastasiya A. , Nesmeyanova Valentina S. , Shanshin Daniil V. , Baranov Konstantin O. , Volkova Natalya V. , Zaitsev Boris N. , Orlova Lyubov A. , Zaykovskaya Anna V. , Pyankov Oleg V. , Danilenko Elena D. , Bazhan Sergei I. , Shcherbakov Dmitry N. , Taranin Alexander V. , Ilyichev Alexander A.
Published: February 2022

Despite the fact that a range of vaccines against COVID-19 have already been created and are used for mass vaccination, the development of effective, safe, technological, and affordable vaccines continues. We have designed a vaccine that combines the recombinant protein and DNA vaccine approaches in a self-assembled particle. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 was conjugated to polyglucin:spermidine and mixed with DNA vaccine (pVAXrbd), which led to the formation of particles of combined coronavirus vaccine (CCV-RBD) that contain the DNA vaccine inside and RBD protein on the surface. CCV-RBD particles were characterized with gel filtration, electron microscopy, and biolayer interferometry. To investigate the immunogenicity of the combined vaccine and its components, mice were immunized with the DNA vaccine pVAXrbd or RBD protein as well as CCV-RBD particles. The highest antigen-specific IgG and neutralizing activity were induced by CCV-RBD, and the level of antibodies induced by DNA or RBD alone was significantly lower. The cellular immune response was detected only in the case of DNA or CCV-RBD vaccination. These results demonstrate that a combination of DNA vaccine and RBD protein in one construct synergistically increases the humoral response to RBD protein in mice.
Integrative Genomic and Transcriptomic Profiling Reveals a Differential Molecular Signature in Uterine Leiomyoma versus Leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Machado-Lopez Alba , Alonso Roberto , Lago Victor , Jimenez-Almazan Jorge , Garcia Marta , Monleon Javier , Lopez Susana , Barcelo Francisco , Torroba Amparo , Ortiz Sebastian , Domingo Santiago , Simon Carlos , Mas Aymara
Published: February 2022

The absence of standardized molecular profiling to differentiate uterine leiomyosarcomas versus leiomyomas represents a current diagnostic challenge. In this study, we aimed to search for a differential molecular signature for these myometrial tumors based on artificial intelligence. For this purpose, differential exome and transcriptome-wide research was performed on histologically confirmed leiomyomas (n = 52) and leiomyosarcomas (n = 44) to elucidate differences between and within these two entities. We identified a significantly higher tumor mutation burden in leiomyosarcomas vs. leiomyomas in terms of somatic single-nucleotide variants (171,863 vs. 81,152), indels (9491 vs. 4098), and copy number variants (8390 vs. 5376). Further, we discovered alterations in specific copy number variant regions that affect the expression of some tumor suppressor genes. A transcriptomic analysis revealed 489 differentially expressed genes between these two conditions, as well as structural rearrangements targeting ATRX and RAD51B. These results allowed us to develop a machine learning approach based on 19 differentially expressed genes that differentiate both tumor types with high sensitivity and specificity. Our findings provide a novel molecular signature for the diagnosis of leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma, which could be helpful to complement the current morphological and immunohistochemical diagnosis and may lay the foundation for the future evaluation of malignancy risk.
Development of Bactericidal Peptides against Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii with Enhanced Stability and Low Toxicity
Authors: Hazam Prakash Kishore , Cheng Chin-Cheng , Hsieh Chu-Yi , Lin Wen-Chun , Hsu Po-Hsien , Chen Te-Li , Lee Yi-Tzu , Chen Jyh-Yih
Published: February 2022

Pathogenic superbugs are the root cause of untreatable complex infections with limited or no treatment options. These infections are becoming more common as clinical antibiotics have lost their effectiveness over time. Therefore, the development of novel antibacterial agents is urgently needed to counter these microbes. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a viable treatment option due to their bactericidal potency against multiple microbial classes. AMPs are naturally selected physiological microbicidal agents that are found in all forms of organisms. In the present study, we developed two tilapia piscidin 2 (TP2)-based AMPs for antimicrobial application. Unlike the parent peptide, the redesigned peptides showed significant antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant bacterial species. These peptides also showed minimal cytotoxicity. In addition, they were significantly active in the presence of physiological salts, 50% human serum and elevated temperature. The designed peptides also showed synergistic activity when combined with clinical antibiotics. The current approach demonstrates a fruitful strategy for developing potential AMPs for antimicrobial application. Such AMPs have potential for progression to further trials and drug development investigations.
Roles and Regulation of BCL-xL in Hematological Malignancies
Authors: Morales-Martínez Mario , Vega Mario I.
Published: February 2022

Members of the Bcl-2 family are proteins that play an essential role in the regulation of apoptosis, a crucial process in development and normal physiology in multicellular organisms. The essential mechanism of this family of proteins is given by the role of pro-survival proteins, which inhibit apoptosis by their direct binding with their counterpart, the effector proteins of apoptosis. This family of proteins was named after the typical member Bcl-2, which was named for its discovery and abnormal expression in B-cell lymphomas. Subsequently, the structure of one of its members BCL-xL was described, which allowed one to understand much of the molecular mechanism of this family. Due to its role of BCL-xL in the regulation of cell survival and proliferation, it has been of great interest in its study. Due to this, it is important to research its role regarding the development and progression of human malignancies, especially in hematologic malignancies. Due to its variation in expression in cancer, it has been suggested that BCL-xL can or cannot play a role in cancer depending on the cellular or tissue context. This review discusses recent advances in its transcriptional regulation of BCL-xL, as well as the advances regarding the activities of BCL-xL in hematological malignancies, its possible role as a biomarker, and its possible clinical relevance in these malignancies.