bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clustering Gene Expressions Using the Table Invitation Prior
Authors: Harrison Charles W. , He Qing , Huang Hsin-Hsiung
Published: November 2022

A prior for Bayesian nonparametric clustering called the Table Invitation Prior (TIP) is used to cluster gene expression data. TIP uses information concerning the pairwise distances between subjects (e.g., gene expression samples) and automatically estimates the number of clusters. TIP’s hyperparameters are estimated using a univariate multiple change point detection algorithm with respect to the subject distances, and thus TIP does not require an analyst’s intervention for estimating hyperparameters. A Gibbs sampling algorithm is provided, and TIP is used in conjunction with a Normal-Inverse-Wishart likelihood to cluster 801 gene expression samples, each of which belongs to one of five different types of cancer.
Copy Number Variation among Resistance Genes Analogues in Brassica napus
Authors: Dolatabadian Aria , Yuan Yuxuan , Bayer Philipp Emanuel , Petereit Jakob , Severn-Ellis Anita , Tirnaz Soodeh , Patel Dhwani , Edwards David , Batley Jacqueline
Published: November 2022

Copy number variations (CNVs) are defined as deletions, duplications and insertions among individuals of a species. There is growing evidence that CNV is a major factor underlining various autoimmune disorders and diseases in humans; however, in plants, especially oilseed crops, the role of CNVs in disease resistance is not well studied. Here, we investigate the genome-wide diversity and genetic properties of CNVs in resistance gene analogues (RGAs) across eight Brassica napus lines. A total of 1137 CNV events (704 deletions and 433 duplications) were detected across 563 RGAs. The results show CNVs are more likely to occur across clustered RGAs compared to singletons. In addition, 112 RGAs were linked to a blackleg resistance QTL, of which 25 were affected by CNV. Overall, we show that the presence and abundance of CNVs differ between lines, suggesting that in B. napus, the distribution of CNVs depends on genetic background. Our findings advance the understanding of CNV as an important type of genomic structural variation in B. napus and provide a resource to support breeding of advanced canola lines.
Molecular Characterization of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers Using Novel g-SSR Markers and Their Comparison with EST-SSR and SCoT Markers for Genetic Diversity Study
Authors: Paliwal Ritu , Singh Rakesh , Choudhury Debjani Roy , Tiwari Gunjan , Kumar Ashok , Bhat K. C. , Singh Rita
Published: November 2022

In the present study, novel genomic-SSR (g-SSR) markers generated in our laboratory were used to characterize Tinospora cordifolia and related species. The g-SSR marker was also compared with EST-SSR and SCoT markers used earlier in our laboratory to assess the genetic diversity of T. cordifolia. A total of 26 accessions of T. cordifolia and 1 accession each of Tinospora rumphii and Tinospora sinensis were characterized using 65 novel g-SSR markers. A total of 125 alleles were detected with 49 polymorphic g-SSR markers. The number of alleles per locus varied from 1–4 with a mean value of 2.55 alleles per locus. Mean PIC, gene diversity, and heterozygosity were estimated to be 0.33, 0.41, and 0.65, respectively. The two species, namely T. rumphii and T. sinensis, showed cross-species transferability of g-SSRs developed in T. cordifolia. The success rate of cross-species transferability in T. rumphii was 95.3% and 93.8% in T. sinensis, proving the usefulness of this marker in genetic diversity studies of related species. The Tinospora accessions were also used for molecular characterization using SCoT and EST-SSR markers and compared for genetic diversity and cross-species transferability. The PIC, gene diversity, heterozygosity, and principal coordinate analysis showed that g-SSR is the better maker for a genetic diversity study of T. cordifolia. Additionally, high cross-species transferability of g-SSRs was found (95.3% and 93.8%) compared to EST-SSRs (68.8% and 67.7%) in T. rumphii and T. sinensis, respectively.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals That SREBP Modulates a Large Repertoire of Genes Involved in Key Cellular Functions in Penaeus vannamei, although the Majority of the Dysregulated Genes Are Unannotated
Authors: Zheng Xiaoyu , Huang Zishu , Liu Zhuoyan , Zheng Zhihong , Zhang Yueling , Aweya Jude
Published: November 2022

Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) play vital roles in fatty acid metabolism and other metabolic processes in mammals. However, in penaeid shrimp, the repertoire of genes modulated by SREBP is unknown. Here, RNA interference-mediated knockdown followed by transcriptome sequencing on the Illumina Novaseq 6000 platform was used to explore the genes modulated by SREBP in Penaeus vannamei hepatopancreas. A total of 706 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, out of which 282 were upregulated and 424 downregulated. Although gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed that most of the downregulated DEGs were involved in physiological processes related to immunity, metabolism, and cellular signaling pathways, many of the dysregulated genes have uncharacterized functions. While most of the dysregulated genes were annotated in metabolic processes, such as carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, signal transduction, and immune system, a large number (42.21%) are uncharacterized. Collectively, our current data revealed that SREBP modulates many genes involved in crucial physiological processes, such as energy metabolism, immune response, and cellular signaling pathways, as well as numerous genes with unannotated functions, in penaeid shrimp. These findings indicated that our knowledge of the repertoire of genes modulated by SREBP in shrimp lags behind that of mammals, probably due to limited research or because the complete genome of P. vannamei has just been sequenced.
Identifying Prognostic Biomarkers Related to m6A Modification and Immune Infiltration in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ye Junjie , Li Peng , Zhang Huijiang , Wu Qi , Yang Dongrong
Published: November 2022

Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the largest category of kidney tumors and usually does not have a good prognosis. N6-methyladenosine(m6A) and immune infiltration have received increased attention because of their great influence on the clinical outcome and prognosis of cancer patients. Methods: We identified hub genes through multi-dimensional screening, including DEGs, PPI analysis, LASSO regression, and random forest. Meanwhile, GO/KEGG enrichment, cMAP analysis, prognostic analysis, m6A prediction, and immune infiltration analysis were performed to understand the potential mechanism and screen therapeutic drugs. Results: We screened 275 downregulated and 185 upregulated genes using three GEO datasets and the TCGA dataset. In total, 82 candidate hub genes were selected using STRING and Cytoscape. Enrichment analysis illustrated that the top 3 biological process terms and top 1 KEGG term were related to immunity. cMAP analysis showed some antagonistic molecules can be candidate drugs for the treatment of RCC. Then, six hub genes (ERBB2, CASR, P2RY8, CAT, PLAUR, and TIMP1) with strong predictive values for prognosis and clinicopathological features were selected. Meanwhile, P2RY8, ERBB2, CAT, and TIMP1 may obtain m6A modification by binding METTL3 or METTL14. On the other hand, differential expression of CAT, ERBB2, P2RY8, PLAUR, and TIMP1 affects the infiltration of the majority of immune cells. Conclusions: We identified six hub genes through multi-dimensional screening. They all possess strong predictive value for prognosis and clinicopathological features. Meanwhile, hub genes may regulate the progression of RCC via an m6A- and immunity-dependent mechanism.
The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Entemnotrochus rumphii, a Living Fossil for Vetigastropoda (Mollusca: Gastropoda)
Authors: Wang Yunan , Ma Peizhen , Zhang Zhen , Li Cui , Liu Yumeng , Chen Ya , Wang Jiahui , Wang Haiyan , Song Hao
Published: November 2022

Pleurotomarioidea represents a truly isolated and basally diverging lineage in Vetigastropoda (Mollusca: Gastropoda) whose fossil record can date back to the late Cambrian, thus providing rare insights into the evolutionary history of molluscs. Here, we sequenced and assembled the complete mitochondrial genome of one representative species from Pleurotomarioidea—Entemnotrochus rumphii (Schepman, 1879)—of which the mitogenome is 15,795 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes. The nucleotide composition was biased toward AT, and A + T content reached 65.2%. E. rumphii was recovered as sister to all other living vetigastropods according to mitogenome-based phylogenetic analysis. The mitochondrial gene order was consistent with major vetigastropods and the hypothetical ancestral gastropoda, suggesting the deep conservation of mitogenome arrangement in Vetigastropoda.
Clinical and Genetic Analysis of Multiple Osteochondromas in a Cohort of Argentine Patients
Authors: Caino Silvia , Cubilla Marisa Angelica , Alba Romina , Obregón María Gabriela , Fano Virginia , Gómez Abel , Zecchini Lorena , Lapunzina Pablo , Aza-Carmona Miriam , Heath Karen E. , Asteggiano Carla Gabriela
Published: November 2022

Multiple Osteochondromatosis (MO, MIM 133700 & 133701), an autosomal dominant O-glycosylation disorder (EXT1/EXT2-CDG), can be associated with a reduction in skeletal growth, bony deformity, restricted joint motion, shortened stature and pathogenic variants in two tumor suppressor genes, EXT1 and EXT2. In this work, we report a cross-sectional study including 35 index patients and 20 affected family members. Clinical phenotyping of all 55 affected cases was obtained, but genetic studies were performed only in 35 indexes. Of these, a total of 40% (n = 14) had a family history of MO. Clinical severity scores were class I in 34% (n:18), class II in 24.5% (n:13) and class III in 41.5% (n:22). Pathogenic variants were identified in 83% (29/35) probands. We detected 18 (62%) in EXT1 and 11 (38%) in EXT2. Patients with EXT1 variants showed a height z-score of 1.03 SD lower than those with EXT2 variants and greater clinical severity (II–III vs. I). Interestingly, three patients showed intellectual impairment, two patients showed a dual diagnosis, one Turner Syndrome and one hypochondroplasia. This study improves knowledge of MO, reporting new pathogenic variants and forwarding the worldwide collaboration necessary to promote the inclusion of patients into future biologically based therapeutics.
PhMYB37 Promotes Shoot Branching in Petunia
Authors: Dong Lili , Yang Tianyin , Gao Di , Wang Tian , Deng Xinyi
Published: November 2022

Petunia is one of the world’s most important flowers, and its branch development has long been a source of discussion. MYB transcription factors have been identified as important plant branching regulators. In this study, 113 R2R3-MYB genes were identified from the petunia genome. PhMYB genes, closely related to RAXs, were expressed at greater levels in axillary buds and roots. Decapitation and 6-BA did not regulate the expression of PhMYB37. PhMYB37 was localized in the nucleus. Heterologous overexpression of PhMYB37 promoted shoot branching in transgenic Arabidopsis while silencing of PhMYB37 inhibited shoot branching. These results suggest that PhMYB37 plays a critical and positive role in petunia shoot branching.
Caring for Everything Inside: Migrant Trauma and Danticat’s Narrative Bigidi
Authors: Rajiva Jay
Published: November 2022

In this essay, I argue that Haitian-American writer Edwidge Danticat, in short stories from her most recent collection, Everything Inside (2019), challenges toxic forms of representation by attending to the imaginative potential of Haitian migrant experience within moments of collective trauma. This challenge, I suggest, is based on bigidi, a Creole expression denoting permanent imbalance that is once philosophy, dance practice, musical aesthetic, and cultural tradition. The principle of being off-balance without falling, central to how bigidi finds expression in Guadeloupean swaré-lé-woz and other forms of Caribbean dance, interweaves rhythm, music, and bodily movement with a community-oriented site of cultural expression. By saturating the narrative and readerly spaces of Everything Inside with uniquely Caribbean elements of improvisation, audience interaction, and performance, Danticat foregrounds moments of shared intimacy and vulnerability between Haitians, disrupting the representational trauma circuit of migrant death.
Promoting Health Education through Mobile Apps: A Quantitative Analysis of American Hospitals
Authors: Medina Aguerrebere Pablo , Medina Eva , Gonzalez Pacanowski Toni
Published: November 2022

Using mobile apps as a corporate communication tool helps hospitals to improve their health education initiatives. This paper aims to analyze how these organizations can use mobile apps to implement health education initiatives addressed to patients. To achieve this, we conducted a literature review (health education, mobile apps, role of doctors and patients), and we resorted to using 38 quantitative indicators to evaluate how the 100 best hospitals in the United States manage mobile apps for implementing health education initiatives addressed to patients. Our results prove that 95% of hospitals displayed general mobile apps for patients, but just some of these organizations proposed mobile apps for patients suffering from non-communicable diseases, including: heart diseases (9.47%), cancer (7.37%), chronic respiratory diseases (3.26%), and diabetes (3.16%). We concluded that hospitals should create a department specializing in designing mobile apps that are adapted to patients’ medical and social needs, and that are also consistent with public health priorities.
A Study on Emotions to Improve the Quality of Life of South Korean Senior Patients Residing in Convalescent Hospitals
Authors: Kim Aeju , Kim Yucheon , Rhee Jongtae , Lee Songyi , Jeong Youngil , Lee Jeongeun , Yoo Youngeun , Kim Haechan , So Hyeonji , Park Junhyeong
Published: November 2022

This study examined the occurrence of emotion types and the contents and meanings of individual emotion types to improve the quality of life of South Korean senior patients in convalescent hospitals. This research is a sequential mixed study in which we conducted emotion frequency and content analyses with 20 elderly resident patients in a convalescent hospital. In the emotion frequency analysis, we performed emotion occurrence frequency analysis and clustering to create groups of subjects that showed similar distributions of emotions. The study results found that South Korean senior patients displayed six major emotions: joy, sorrow, anger, surprise, fear, and tranquility, including mixed emotional states. In the emotion content analysis, we used NVivo to categorize and analyze the interview contents based on emotion types. The study results show the characteristics of emotions according to patients’ treatment and recovery, life within narrow boundaries, relationships with new people and family, and the appearances of themselves that they could not easily but must accept. In addition, these characteristics appeared in health, environment, relationships, and psychological structures. Ultimately, the study results suggest that improving the quality of life of South Korean senior patients requires understanding of their emotions and examining diverse emotions in multiple dimensions.
Experimental Research on the Treatment of Stormwater Contaminated by Disinfectants Using Recycled Materials—Hemp Fiber and Ceramzite
Authors: Valentukeviciene Marina , Andriulaityte Ieva , Zurauskiene Ramune
Published: November 2022

Pollution caused by the use of disinfectants in public spaces is a relatively new form of environmental contamination. During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2021, early research showed a sevenfold increase in the use of disinfectants to clean outdoor spaces and a corresponding increase in environmental pollution. Typically, after entering stormwater systems, disinfectants are carried to surface waters (e.g., rivers, seas and lakes) where they react with various elements to form harmful compounds. In the absence of data, it is not possible to determine accurate levels of pollution according to the latest scientific information. Our enquiry demonstrates that stormwater pollution indicators (pH, conductivity, turbidity and color intensity) change depending on the amounts of disinfectants present. Laboratory tests were conducted using hemp fiber and ceramzite, in which filtered stormwater samples contaminated with different amounts of disinfectants showed decreases in the amounts of active chlorine from 2.93 ppm to 1.0 ppm. Changes in pH levels, conductivity, turbidity and color intensity were monitored before and after filtration; pH indicators changed slightly (from 7.81 to 7.85), turbidity changes varied in the range of 0.070–0.145 NTU and the highest value of color intensity (1.932 AV) was obtained when 50 mL of disinfectant was added to the investigated sample water. This article presents the results of our research into the impact of disinfectants on stormwater. Further investigation is needed in order to determine the impacts of chemical substances on our water ecosystem.
Nitrate Quantification in Fresh Vegetables in Shanghai: Its Dietary Risks and Preventive Measures
Authors: Luo Fan , Yan Xiao-Juan , Hu Xue-Feng , Yan Li-Jun , Cao Ming-Yang , Zhang Wei-Jie
Published: November 2022

To investigate nitrate and nitrite content in fresh vegetables, 264 samples were randomly collected in the farmers’ markets in Shanghai, Southeast China. The results indicate that 25.0% of the fresh vegetables were critically or more contaminated by nitrate [>1440 mg/kg FW (Fresh weight)]. Generally, leafy vegetables were more highly enriched in nitrate than root-tuber and fruit vegetables. About 22.6% of the leafy vegetables had a nitrate content exceeding the limit for edible permission (>3000 mg/kg FW). Nitrite content in the fresh vegetables was all within the safe level (<1 mg/kg FW). It was estimated that the daily nitrate intake through eating vegetables in Shanghai exceeded the WHO/FAO allowable limit. The field experiment indicated that the hyper-accumulation of nitrate and nitrite in the vegetables was mainly attributed to the excessive application of chemical fertilizers. The maxima of nitrate and nitrite in the vegetables were attained one week after applying chemical fertilizer, and thus they cannot be picked for dietary use. Applying organic manure can effectively lower the risk of nitrate and nitrite contamination in vegetables. The old leaves and leaf petioles were more easily enriched in nitrate due to their weaker metabolic activity. Vegetables with high nitrate content had a high risk of nitrite toxicity during storage due to the biological conversion of nitrate into nitrite, which is easily triggered by suitable temperature and mechanical damage processing. Therefore, fresh vegetables should be stored by rapid cooling and in undamaged forms to prevent nitrite accumulation.
The Relationship between Depressive Symptoms, Rumination, and Suicide Ideation in Patients with Depression
Authors: Chiang Yi-Hsuan , Ma Yu-Chin , Lin Yu-Chuan , Jiang Jin-Ling , Wu Mei-Hui , Chiang Kuo-Cheng
Published: November 2022

The relationship between suicide and rumination in depression is a recent topic of attention in mental health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between demographic variables, depressive symptoms, rumination, and suicide ideation in patients with depression, as well as the predictors of suicide ideation. Research design: A cross-sectional study of 95 subjects with depression recruited intentionally from the psychiatric ward of Tzu Chi Hospital. The questionnaire included demographic data, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Ruminative Response Scale, and the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation. Independent sample t-test, Pearson product difference correlation, and the stepwise regression test were adopted for data analysis. Results: Age (r = −0.41, p < 0.01), age at diagnosis (r = −0.34, p < 0.01), and sleep duration (r = −0.25, p < 0.05) were negatively correlated with rumination–reflection. The depressive symptoms (r = 0.72, p < 0.01) were positively correlated with rumination, whereas rumination (r = 0.57, p < 0.01) and suicide ideation were positively correlated. Depressive symptoms and rumination could predict suicide ideation, and the effective explanatory power reached 60%. Conclusions: If the patient with depression was younger or the patient was diagnosed at a younger age, the depressive symptoms of the reflection subscale of rumination thinking and suicide ideation were more serious. Our results indicate that clinicians who care for patients with depression should be aware of rumination and its impact on suicide ideation, specifically in younger patients.
Metastatic Endometrioid Carcinoma Mimicking a Subungual Melanoma
Authors: Glavy Jena C. , Peterson Shian L. , Strain Jonathan , Byrd Kevin , Flint James H.
Published: November 2022

Case: We report a case of a 76-year-old female with a stage IB, grade I endometrioid endometrial carcinoma who presented with right-hip pain and an enlarging black, exophytic, subungual lesion on her right-small-finger distal phalanx. Clinically, the distal phalanx lesion was suspicious for a subungual melanoma; however, advanced imaging suggested metastatic disease, with lesions in the acetabulum, lungs, brain, vulva, and vagina. Conclusion: Partial amputation of the right, small finger and vulvar biopsies confirmed an endometrial carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first described case of endometrial adenocarcinoma metastasis to the phalanx of an upper extremity, mimicking a subungual melanoma.
Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2,-7,-9 in Serum during Pregnancy in Patients with Pre-Eclampsia: A Prospective Study
Authors: Bahabayi Ayibaota , Yang Nan , Xu Tong , Xue Yuting , Ma Lijuan , Gu Xunke , Wang Yongqing , Jia Keke
Published: November 2022

Background: Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been found to have important roles in vascular pathology and may be involved in the occurrence of pre-eclampsia. In this study, the serum levels of MMP-2, -7, -9 in normal pregnant women and pre-eclampsia patients were analyzed to assess their predictive value. Methods: A total of 1563 pregnant women from Peking University Third Hospital, from February 2021 to October 2021, were enrolled. Serum samples were collected from patients one to three times, during the different trimesters. Among the 102 singleton pre-eclampsia patients, we collected samples from 33 patients in the first trimester (6–13 GW), 33 in the second trimester (14–28 GW), 41 in the third trimester (29–41 GW) and 28 after onset of pre-eclampsia. Samples from each trimester were collected before the onset of pre-eclampsia. Then we selected 35, 37, 43 and 25 samples from 124 healthy pregnant women by matching their age, BMI and gestational weeks, using these as the control groups. Serum levels of MMP-2, -7, -9 were detected by ELISA. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate their predictive value. Results: Except for the first trimester, MMP-2 and MMP-7 were significantly higher in the pre-eclampsia group (p < 0.5). Additionally, in the pre-eclampsia group, MMP-9 increased significantly in the first trimester and after the onset of pre-eclampsia but decreased significantly in the second and third trimesters (p < 0.5). The ROC curve indicated that MMP-9, MMP-2 and MMP-7 were the best indicators for predicting pre-eclampsia in the first, second and third trimesters, respectively. Conclusion: Increased MMP-2 and MMP-7 levels and a decreased MMP-9 level seem to be related to the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia and are expected to be potential predictors of pre-eclampsia.
Building Resilience from the Grassroots: The Cyclone Preparedness Programme at 50
Authors: Haque Ahmadul , Haider Dilruba , Rahman Muhammad Saidur , Kabir Laila , Lejano Raul Perez
Published: November 2022

As Bangladesh’s Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) celebrates its 50th anniversary, we reflect on its legacy, the gains made, and progress that still lies ahead. The CPP is unique among disaster risk-management agencies, as more than 90% of its staff consists of community volunteers. This unique institutional design influences its functioning. An important part of its growth has included the expansion of the involvement and leadership of women in the CPP, so that today, women constitute about 50% of the volunteer corps. We reflect on the improvements made, since Cyclone Bhola of 1970 (the deadliest natural tragedy on record) and analyze institutional features of the CPP that other countries can learn from. Lastly, we reflect on remaining challenges for the years ahead.
Personal, Academic Stressors and Environmental Factors Contributing to Musculoskeletal Pain among Undergraduates Due to Online Learning: A Mixed Method Study with Data Integration
Authors: Harithasan Deepashini , Singh Devinder Kaur Ajit , Abd Razak Nur Aqilah Binti , Baharom Nadirah Binti
Published: November 2022

Aim: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to adaptation in teaching and learning methods. There is a possibility that this shift from the classroom to online learning will persist post-pandemic with implications to all involved. We explored the contribution of personal, academic stressors and environmental factors contributing to musculoskeletal pain among undergraduates due to online learning by integrating data from an online survey and one-to-one in-depth interviews. The association between musculoskeletal pain, personal, academic stressors and environmental factors among undergraduates due to online learning was also investigated. Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. A questionnaire was completed by 179 undergraduates (34 males and 145 females) aged between 18 to 25 years old. This was followed by an online, in-depth, one-to-one interview among 10 female undergraduates who reported severe musculoskeletal pain. The two sets of findings were integrated using a triangulation protocol. Result: The three most common musculoskeletal pains experienced by undergraduates due to online learning were low back (73.2%), followed by neck (68.7%) and shoulder (58.7%) pain. The six main themes identified from the interviews were: (1) Musculoskeletal pain characteristics; (2) academic issues; (3) difficulties faced by undergraduates due to teaching and learning; (4) emotions towards work/study; (5) work environment; and (6) time spent working at a workstation. Upper back pain was identified to be associated with personal (p < 0.05) and most environmental factors (p < 0.05). From the triangulation model, it was shown that personal, academic stressors and environmental factors were mainly from the workstation, uncomfortable environment, working posture and time spent at the workstation, which all contributed to musculoskeletal pain. Conclusions: This study showed that exercise, academic stressors, and environmental factors were associated with musculoskeletal pain among undergraduates due to online teaching and learning sessions. There may be a need to integrate an online prevention of musculoskeletal pain education package based on a biopsychosocial model with online teaching and learning for undergraduates.
Administration of Different Doses of Acrylamide Changed the Chemical Coding of Enteric Neurons in the Jejunum in Gilts
Authors: Bulc Michał , Całka Jarosław , Palus Katarzyna
Published: November 2022

Excessive consumption of highly processed foods, such as chips, crisps, biscuits and coffee, exposes the human to different doses of acrylamide. This chemical compound has a multidirectional, adverse effect on human and animal health, including the central and peripheral nervous systems. In this study, we examined the effect of different doses of acrylamide on the enteric nervous system (ENS) of the porcine jejunum. Namely, we took into account the quantitative changes of neurons located in the jejunum wall expressing substance P (SP), galanin (GAL), a neuronal form of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART). The obtained results indicate that acrylamide causes a statistically significant increase in the number of neurons immunoreactive to SP, GAL, VAChT and CART in all types of examined enteric plexuses and a significant drop in the population of nNOS-positive enteric neurons. Changes were significantly greater in the case of a high dose of acrylamide intoxication. Our results indicate that acrylamide is not indifferent to ENS neurons. A 28-day intoxication with this substance caused marked changes in the chemical coding of ENS neurons in the porcine jejunum.
The Impact Mechanism of Green Credit Policy on the Sustainability Performance of Heavily Polluting Enterprises—Based on the Perspectives of Technological Innovation Level and Credit Resource Allocation
Authors: Ding Xiaowei , Jing Ruxu , Wu Kaikun , Petrovskaya Maria , Li Zhikun , Steblyanskaya Alina , Ye Lyu , Wang Xiaotong , Makarov Vasiliy
Published: November 2022

Green credit policy (GCP), as one of the key financial instruments to achieve ’carbon peaking’ and ‘carbon neutrality’ targets, provides capital support for the green development of enterprises. This paper explores the impact mechanism of GCP on the sustainability performance of heavily polluting enterprises (HPEs) from the perspectives of technological innovation level (TIL) and credit resource allocation (CRA), using panel data for Chinese A-share listed manufacturing companies from 2010 to 2015 to construct a propensity score matching and differences-in-differences (PSM-DID) model. We find that GCP has a causal effect on corporate sustainability performance (CSP). Although GCP significantly improves CSP, there is no long-term effect. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the relationship between GCP and CSP is only significant in non-state-owned enterprises and in eastern and low-market-concentration enterprises. Mechanism tests indicate that GCP stimulates HPEs to invest more in technological innovation and thereby improves CSP through the innovation compensation effect; the credit constraint and information transfer effects caused by GCP reduce the credit resources available to HPEs but have a significant forced effect on CSP. This paper enriches the study of the economic consequences of GCP and provides implications for stakeholders to improve the green financial system and achieve green transformation of HPEs.
Association between Campus Walkability and Affective Walking Experience, and the Mediating Role of Walking Attitude
Authors: Liao Bojing , Xu Yifan , Li Xiang , Li Ji
Published: November 2022

The walkability of a neighborhood is important for alleviating transport problems and improving the social and physical wellbeing of residents. However, it is unclear to what extent high walkability contributes to positive attitudes about walking and walking experiences on university campuses. In addition, little is known about the extent and mechanism by which walking attitude influences the affective walking experiences of students. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between campus walkability and students’ affective walking experience, as well as to explain the role of walking attitude as a mediator of this relationship. To address these issues, data were collected via questionnaires at a Chinese university and analyzed by using the structural equation model. After controlling for personal characteristics, the results indicated that campus walkability had a positive direct and indirect (through walking attitude) association with affective walking experiences. Our findings have proved that walkable campuses are important because they promote positive walking attitudes and walking emotions, which are beneficial to students’ mental health and subjective wellbeing.
The First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic Strengthened the “Strong” and Weakened the “Weak” Ones
Authors: Skurvydas Albertas , Lisinskiene Ausra , Majauskiene Daiva , Valanciene Dovile , Dadeliene Ruta , Istomina Natalja , Jamontaite Ieva Egle , Sarkauskiene Asta
Published: November 2022

The aim of this study was to explore how the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which contact communication was severely restricted, changed psychological health indicators, such as subjective assessment of health and depression, impulsivity, stress and emotional intelligence (EI) and how that depended on age, gender, physical activity (PA), sports specificity and body mass index (BMI).We surveyed 6369 before and 2392 people during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were aged 18–74 years. Participants completed the Danish Physical Activity Questionnaire (DPAQ), the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSREIT), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS-11), subjective depression and health self-assessments. One-way and two-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) were performed to assess the effect of independent variables on the dependent variables of MVPA (METs). Statistical analysis showed that restrictions during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic did not alter moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), except for a significant decrease in MVPA in women aged 18–25 years, or body mass index in women and men of different ages. An increase in depression and impulsivity was observed, especially an increase in unplanned or spontaneous activity. The restrictions during the first wave increased stress in women of all ages and, rather unexpectedly, improved health self-assessment in men.The study showed that the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic affected people’s subjective assessment of health, depression, stress and impulsivity in two ways: it “weakened the weak ones” and “strengthened the strong ones”.
Medical Devices, Invisible Women, Harmful Consequences
Authors: Phillips Susan P. , Gee Katrina , Wells Laura
Published: November 2022

In this commentary, we explore the disproportionate risk women experience with the insertion of various medical devices. Although pre-market device testing and complication tracking could be improved for all, a failure to consider sex differences in hormones, anatomy, inflammatory responses, and physical function puts women at particular risk. This invisibility of women is an example of gender bias in medical science and practice, a bias that could be corrected in the ways we suggest.
Moderating Effect of Community and Individual Resilience on Structural Stigma and Suicidal Ideation among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults in the United States
Authors: Pharr Jennifer R. , Chien Lung-Chang , Gakh Maxim , Flatt Jason D. , Kittle Krystal , Terry Emylia
Published: November 2022

Background: Structural stigma in the form of discriminatory laws and policies impacts the mental health of sexual and gender minorities, especially with regard to suicidality. However, this relationship could be moderated by resilience. The past two years has brought anti-SGM legislation, particularly transgender sports bans, at the state level in the United States into focus. This study aims to understand if the relationship between familiarity with transgender sports bans (proposed or enacted) and suicidality was moderated by individual or community resilience. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of survey data collected from a national sample of 1033 SGM adults in the United States between 28 January and 7 February 2022. Univariate and multivariate moderation analyses were used. Results: In the univariate analyses and the final model, community resilience moderated the relationship between structural stigma and suicidality (p = 0.0002); however, individual resilience did not (p = 0.0664). Conclusion: Interventions to bolster community resilience may attenuate the negative mental health impacts of structural stigma and are warranted, along with concerted efforts to minimize structural stigma in the form of discriminatory laws and policies targeting people who are SGM.
Spatial and Temporal Evolution and Prediction of the Coordination Level of “Production-Living-Ecological” Function Coupling in the Yellow River Basin, China
Authors: Zhang Yunhui , Wang Zhong , Hu Shougeng , Song Ziying , Cui Xiaoguang , Afriyie Dennis
Published: November 2022

To clarify the evolution of “production-living-ecological” function coupling in the Yellow River Basin, coordinating the spatial allocation of resources, development management and layout optimization, is an important means for achieving ecological protection and high-quality development in the region. In this paper, we conducted an empirical analysis and ARIMA prediction of the coupled production-living-ecological function coordination level in the Yellow River Basin of China from 2008 to 2018, and found that: (1) In terms of temporal evolution, the production-living-ecological function and coupling coordination level of each province and region in the Yellow River Basin generally shows a sharp and then slow upward trend, with the living functions changing more than the production and ecological functions; (2) in terms of spatial pattern, the production and living functions of each province and region show the trend of functional level increasing from east to west over time; the ecological functions, contrary to production and living functions, show a “high-low” aggregation, midstream shows “low-low” aggregation, and downstream shows “low-high” aggregation; (3) According to the regression results of the spatial Dubin model, the environmental governance level, technological research and development level, and social security level and resource dependence degree have positive promoting and spillover effects on the coupling coordination level of the “production-living-ecological” function in the region. However, population density and carbon emission intensity will hinder the development of regional coupling coordination level; (4) from the ARIMA prediction, the coupling coordination level of “production-living-ecological” in the Yellow River Basin continues the development trend of 2008–2018 in the short term, the overall coordination level is at a high level, and the variability of coupling coordination level among provinces and regions is further reduced. Finally, corresponding development countermeasures and suggestions are given to different provinces and regions based on the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics, influencing factors and development trend of the “production-living-ecological” function in the Yellow River basin.
Basic Motor Competencies of (Pre)School Children: The Role of Social Integration and Health-Related Quality of Life
Authors: Bretz Kathrin , Seelig Harald , Ferrari Ilaria , Keller Roger , Kühnis Jürgen , Storni Simone , Herrmann Christian
Published: November 2022

In (pre)school, children acquire and deepen their basic motor competencies (BMCs) and interact with peers and friends. BMCs are a central developmental goal in childhood and the prerequisite for participation in sportive aspects of social life. Both motor competencies and social integration are linked to children’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of the present study was to describe the connection between BMCs, social relationships, and aspects of HRQoL in (pre)school children. In this study, the BMCs of N = 1163 preschool children (M = 5.7 years, SD = 0.57, 52% boys) and N = 880 first and second graders (M = 7.5 years, SD = 0.58, 51% boys) were tested. The children’s social integration was assessed by the teachers; the HRQoL was recorded from the parents’ perspective. In both preschool and primary school, children with better BMCs also showed higher values in their social integration. Moreover, the results indicated a connection between BMCs and general HRQoL in primary school and BMCs and physical well-being in preschool. As BMCs, social integration, and HRQoL seem to be connected in (pre)school, this should be considered both from developmental and health-oriented perspectives, as well as for physical education (PE) lessons.
The Influence of Guozhuang Dance on the Subjective Well-Being of Older Adults: The Chain Mediating Effect of Group Identity and Self-Efficacy
Authors: Lin Yuanzheng , Zhao Bin , Ma Xiujie
Published: November 2022

Background: In the context of the gradually accelerating aging of the population, the subjective well-being of older adults has received extensive research attention. Guozhuang Dance is a collective aerobic exercise that plays an important role in the physical activity of older Chinese adults. Studying the intrinsic relationship between Guozhuang Dance and the subjective well-being can help improve the quality of life and well-being of older adults in their later years. This study was conducted in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, China, where many older adults practice Guozhuang Dance. Previous studies pointed out that group identity and self-efficacy can influence well-being in a collective exercise. Methods: For this study, we recruited 520 adults (male = 228, female = 292) aged 65 years or older from Chengdu who participated in Guozhuang Dance, to conduct a survey to understand the effect of this exercise on their subjective well-being. The Guozhuang Dance exercise scale, the group identity scale, the self-efficacy scale, and the subjective well-being scale were used in the study. We used SPSS for the descriptive statistical analysis, and AMOS for the structural equation modeling. Results: The results of the study show that Guozhuang Dance has a positive effect on enhancing the subjective well-being of older adults and can increase the subjective well-being through the chain mediating effect of group identity and self-efficacy. Conclusions: We suggest that effective measures should be taken to encourage older adults to participate in Guozhuang Dance, in order to enhance their subjective well-being.
The Impact of a Woodland Walk on Body Image: A Field Experiment and an Assessment of Dispositional and Environmental Determinants
Authors: Czepczor-Bernat Kamila , Modrzejewska Justyna , Modrzejewska Adriana , Swami Viren
Published: November 2022

Studies have shown that nature exposure is associated with a more positive body image, but field studies remain relatively infrequent. Here, we examine the impact of a woodland walk on an index of state positive body image (i.e., state body appreciation), as well as dispositional and environmental determinants of body image improvements. Eighty-seven Polish women went for a walk in Cygański Las, an ancient woodland, and completed a measure of state body appreciation before and after the walk. As hypothesised, state body appreciation was significantly higher post-walk compared to pre-walk (d = 0.56). Additionally, we found that the trait of self-compassion—but not the traits of connectedness to nature, perceived aesthetic qualities of the woodland, or subjective restoration—was significantly associated with larger improvements in state body appreciation. These results suggest that even relatively brief exposure to nature results in elevated state body appreciation, with the dispositional trait of self-compassion being associated with larger effects.
The Quality of Life and Medication Adherence in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis—Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Kołtuniuk Aleksandra , Pytel Aleksandra , Krówczyńska Dorota , Chojdak-Łukasiewicz Justyna
Published: November 2022

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, degenerative autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. MS is characterized by a wide range of symptoms and unpredictable prognosis, which can severely affect patient quality of life (QOL). The treatment strategy includes acute relapse treatment, disease-modifying treatment (DMT), and symptomatic therapy. Adherence to long-term DMTs is essential in order to maximize the therapeutic effects for MS and is crucial to health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between QOL and adherence to DMTs in MS patients. A group of 344 patients (73% females) aged 39.1 years with relapsing-reemitting MS were included. The Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life (MusiQOL) and the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Adherence Questionnaire (MS-TAQ) were used. An injection of interferon (IFN)-β1b was used in 107 patients, IFN-β1a in 94 patients, and glatiramer acetate in 34 patients. The oral treatment includes teriflunomide in 14 patients, dimethyl fumarate in 86 patients, and fingolimod in nine patients. No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in adherent (ADH) vs. non-adherent patients (non-ADH) in MusiQOL. The total adherence rate was 72% (MS-TAQ). An analysis of the univariate logistic regression model showed an effect of only the activities of daily living (ADL) and relationship with the healthcare system (RHCS) domains on the level of adherence to treatment recommendations. The other variables studied do not affect the level of adherence. Higher QOL levels in the ADL and RHCS domains affect medication adherence in MS patients. Our findings could help manage MS patients, promoting interventions on ADLs and good relationships with healthcare providers to improve their adherence to therapy and result in better QOL.
Laser Er:YAG-Assisted Debonding May Be a Viable Alternative to the Conventional Method for Monocrystalline Ceramic Brackets
Authors: Mocuta Daliana-Emanuela , Miron Mariana I. , Lungeanu Diana , Mateas Marius , Ogodescu Emilia , Todea Carmen D.
Published: November 2022

In orthodontic practice, due to the increased interest among patients in smile aesthetics, different types of brackets are now being used, with those most frequently applied being ones made of polycrystalline and monocrystalline ceramic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the laser Er:YAG-assisted debonding technique compared to conventional methods for removing monocrystalline ceramic brackets from human teeth. The study sample included 60 vital teeth (frontals of the upper jaw) from 10 patients who had monocrystalline ceramic brackets and were in the final phase of orthodontic treatment. The debonding procedure was carried out following a split-mouth study design, using either the conventional technique or laser Er:YAG 2940 nm radiation. For each tooth, three variables were evaluated: the patient’s sujective tooth sensitivity associated with the debonding, the time required for debonding, and pulp blood flow microdynamics after the debonding. Three evaluation instruments were used to assess and quantify the treatment effects: (i) the Wong–Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale for pain assessment; (ii) a digital stopwatch/timer to measure the time required to remove the bracket; and (iii) laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) for recording the pulp blood flow evolution. The statistical analysis of the recorded data showed a statistically significant difference between the two debonding methods regarding the tooth sensitivity during the debonding and the time required for the procedure. The subjective tooth sensitivity was reduced from a mean ± standard deviation of 3.07 ± 1.46 to 0.47 ± 0.86 on the Wong–Baker FACES scale (Wilcoxon signed rank, p < 0.001). The necessary time for debonding was reduced by 0.697 ± 0.703 s per tooth (paired t-test, p < 0.001). There was no difference in the blood microdynamics between the two debonding techniques. According to the results of this study, the laser Er:YAG-assisted debonding technique may be a viable alternative to the conventional method for monocrystalline ceramic brackets.