bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RNA Editing and Modifications in Mood Disorders
Authors: Barbon Alessandro , Magri Chiara
Published: August 2020

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a major health problem with significant limitations in functioning and well-being. The World Health Organization (WHO) evaluates MDD as one of the most disabling disorders in the world and with very high social cost. Great attention has been given to the study of the molecular mechanism underpinning MDD at the genetic, epigenetic and proteomic level. However, the importance of RNA modifications has attracted little attention until now in this field. RNA molecules are extensively and dynamically altered by a variety of mechanisms. Similar to “epigenomic” changes, which modify DNA structure or histones, RNA alterations are now termed “epitranscriptomic” changes and have been predicted to have profound consequences for gene expression and cellular functionality. Two of these modifications, adenosine to inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing and m6A methylations, have fascinated researchers over the last years, showing a new level of complexity in gene expression. In this review, we will summary the studies that focus on the role of RNA editing and m6A methylation in MDD, trying to underline their potential breakthroughs and pitfalls.
Biodiversity and Habitats of Polar Region Polyhydroxyalkanoic Acid-Producing Bacteria: Bioprospection by Popular Screening Methods
Authors: Rogala Małgorzata Marta , Gawor Jan , Gromadka Robert , Kowalczyk Magdalena , Grzesiak Jakub
Published: August 2020

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), the intracellular polymers produced by various microorganisms as carbon and energy storage, are of great technological potential as biodegradable versions of common plastics. PHA-producing microbes are therefore in great demand and a plethora of different environments, especially extreme habitats, have been probed for the presence of PHA-accumulators. However, the polar region has been neglected in this regard, probably due to the low accessibility of the sampling material and unusual cultivation regime. Here, we present the results of a screening procedure involving 200 bacterial strains isolated from 25 habitats of both polar regions. Agar-based tests, microscopy, and genetic methods were conducted to elucidate the biodiversity and potential of polar-region PHA-accumulators. Microscopic observation of Nile Red stained cells proved to be the most reliable screening method as it allowed to confirm the characteristic bright orange glow of the Nile Red–PHA complex as well as the typical morphology of the PHA inclusions. Psychrophilic PHA-producers belonged mostly to the Comamonadaceae family (Betaproteobacteria) although actinobacterial PHA synthesizers of the families, Microbacteriaceae and Micrococcaceae also featured prominently. Glacial and postglacial habitats as well as developed polar region soils, were evaluated as promising for PHA-producer bioprospection. This study highlights the importance of psychrophiles as biodiverse and potent polyhydroxyalkanoate sources for scientific and application-aimed research.
Assessment of Depressional Wetland Degradation, Spatial Distribution, and Geological Aspects in Southern Brazil
Authors: Zuquette Lázaro , Failache Moisés , Barbassa Ademir
Published: August 2020

This paper presents a procedure to study depressional wetlands in southern Brazil and focuses on the mechanisms controlling water dynamics and environmental degradation due to anthropogenic interference. The study is based on an inventory of wetlands, a digital elevation model, the geological and geotechnical characteristics of geological materials, a multitemporal analysis of satellite images, the distribution of land use types, and onsite monitoring of water level and rainfall data. One hundred and twelve depressional wetlands were identified with a total area of 902 ha and a catchment area of 5456.8 ha. These wetlands were grouped into two classes with different hydrological control mechanisms. From the water level monitoring, the wetlands were found to present different hydrological conditions. Before rainy periods, the wetlands were almost dry or had little water; after rainy periods, over half of the wetlands were still dry or had groundwater levels below the surface, and the water levels of the other wetlands increased. The multitemporal analysis showed a reduction in the wetland water surface area from 270 ha in 1991 to 60 ha in 2019, which confirms the monitoring result that the amount of stored water is decreasing because of anthropogenic activities. Anthropogenic activities affect wetland water dynamics because of changes in the landscape and soil characteristics of the catchment area, and drainage of wetland areas by ditches for agricultural water supply; more than 50% of wetlands showed a high degree of change (environmental degradation), with conditions that make restoration or remediation very difficult.
Reinterpreting Models of Slope-Front Recharge in a Desert Basin
Authors: Hibbs Barry J. , Merino Mercedes
Published: August 2020

Identification of recharge areas in arid basins is challenging due to spatial and temporal variability and complexity of the hydrogeology. This study re-evaluates recharge mechanism in a desert basin where isotopic and geologic data indicated that published conceptual models of recharge are not accurate. A new model of recharge is formulated that is consistent with the unique geologic framework in the basin. In the area of study, the Rio Grande flows across a broad alluvial floodplain, the “El Paso-Juarez Valley”, where the river has incised the surface of the Hueco Bolson. The modern Rio Grande floodplain overlies the older basin fill, or “Hueco Bolson deposits”, in the valley portion of the area. The lateral contact between the older bolson deposits and the recent alluvial floodplain deposits defines the “slope front”. The valley wall along the slope front is penetrated by many arroyos that incise the Hueco Bolson deposits and modern floodplain surface. The presence of a large lens of freshwater at the boundary between the older bolson fill and recent Rio Grande alluvium seemed to suggest to previous researchers that dilute water developed due to runoff drawn in by San Felipe Arroyo, a prominent arroyo at the slope front between the older Hueco Bolson deposits and the recent Rio Grande alluvium. Our follow-up verification work illustrates that this is demonstrably not the case. The testing of groundwater samples for stable water isotopes and radioisotopes showed that the deeper and more dilute waters near San Felipe Arroyo are actually pre-dam waters recharged from the shifting Rio Grande channel.
Expanding Pharmacotherapy Data Collection, Analysis, and Implementation in ERAS® Programs—The Methodology of an Exploratory Feasibility Study
Authors: Johnson Eric , Parrish II Richard , Nelson Gregg , Elias Kevin , Kramer Brian , Gaviola Marian
Published: August 2020

Surgical organizations dedicated to the improvement of patient outcomes have led to a worldwide paradigm shift in perioperative patient care. Since 2012, the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Society has published guidelines pertaining to perioperative care in numerous disciplines including elective colorectal and gynecologic/oncology surgery patients. The ERAS® and ERAS-USA® Societies use standardized methodology for collecting and assessing various surgical parameters in real-time during the operative process. These multi-disciplinary groups have constructed a bundled framework of perioperative care that entails 22 specific components of clinical interventions, which are logged in a central database, allowing a system of audit and feedback. Of these 22 recommendations, nine of them specifically involve the use of medications or pharmacotherapy. This retrospective comparative pharmacotherapy project will address the potential need to (1) collect more specific pharmacotherapy data within the existing ERAS Interactive Audit System® (EIAS) program, (2) understand the relationship between medication regimen and patient outcomes, and (3) minimize variability in pharmacotherapy use in the elective colorectal and gynecologic/oncology surgical cohort. Primary outcomes measures include data related to surgical site infections, venous thromboembolism, and post-operative nausea and vomiting as well as patient satisfaction, the frequency and severity of post-operative complications, length of stay, and hospital re-admission at 7 and 30 days, respectively. The methodology of this collaborative research project is described.
Hydrogeological Characterization of the Thyspunt Area, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Authors: Mohuba Seeke C. , Abiye Tamiru A. , Demlie Molla B. , Modiba Moneri. J.
Published: August 2020

This paper presents a comprehensive hydrogeological investigation that involves field work, aquifer test, hydrogeochemical analysis, environmental isotope analysis, and interpretations around a proposed nuclear power facility in South Africa. The study was undertaken to test the complementarity of the various methods in the coastal aquifer and to verify the hydrogeological conditions within and around the site. The study revealed the presence of two types of aquifers: an upper primary aquifer made up of the Cenozoic deposits of the Algoa Group, and a deeper fractured aquifer made of the Palaezoic Table Mountain Group (TMG) metasedimentary rocks. Owing to ductile deformation in the form of folding, the fractured quartzite and shale aquifers resulted in an artesian condition, often characterized by slightly acidic (pH ≤ 6) and iron-rich groundwater. The most important hydrogeochemical processes responsible for the observed changes in the hydrochemical composition and facies are mineral dissolution, ion exchange and mixing. The environmental isotope results suggest that all groundwater samples are characterized by a depleted δ18O and δ2H signal, indicating high latitude moisture source (southern polar region) and recharge from rainfall, with no or minimal evaporation before and during infiltration. Similarities in the stable isotope signatures between the deeper and shallow aquifer confirm the presence of a strong hydraulic link. The residence time of groundwater in the aquifers underlying the proposed nuclear power plant is estimated using tritium (3H) and 14C, and the results indicate that in the shallow aquifer it ranges from recent recharge to 50 years, and in the deeper aquifer, it ranges from 430 ± 5 years to 1000 ± 10 years, which exists in a quasi-pristine condition.
Gender-Based Violence Perpetration by Male High School Students in Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Beyene Addisu Shunu , Chojenta Catherine , Loxton Deborah J.
Published: August 2020

Gender-based violence (GBV) perpetration is a global public health problem due to its detrimental effect on health and education. This study aims to determine the prevalence of gender-based violence perpetration by male students in eastern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in eastern Ethiopia in December 2018. A total of 1064 male students were involved in the study. Data were collected using an adaptation of the WHO Multi-Country Study self-administered questionnaire on the Women Health and Life Event. Descriptive statistics were calculated using STATA version 14. The prevalence of gender-based violence committed by a male in the last 12 months was 55.83% (95% CI: 52.84–58.82%). The prevalence of emotional abuse against an intimate or non-partner was 45.86% (95% CI: 42.87–48.86%), physical abuse was 45.77% (95% CI: 42.77–48.77%), and sexual abuse was 31.11% (95% CI: 28.32–33.90%). The perpetration of multiple types of gender-based violence (emotional, physical, and sexual) was 47.15% (95% CI: 43.15–51.25%), with 17.72% (95% CI: 14.75–21.03%) reporting emotionally and physically violent acts, 14.21% (95% CI: 11.51–17.27%) reporting emotionally violent acts only, and 12.88% (95% CI: 10.29–15.82%) reporting physically violent acts only. There were statistically significant differences between the age of participants who committed acts of all forms of GBV in the “ever” timeframe and the past 12 months (p < 0.001). Effective prevention and intervention strategies should be developed at the school level to reduce gender-based violence perpetration.
Determination of Urinary Cotinine Cut-Off Concentrations for Pregnant Women in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS)
Authors: Nishihama Yukiko , Nakayama Shoji , Tabuchi Takahiro , Isobe Tomohiko , Jung Chau-Ren , Iwai-Shimada Miyuki , Kobayashi Yayoi , Michikawa Takehiro , Sekiyama Makiko , Taniguchi Yu , Nitta Hiroshi , Yamazaki Shin ,   on behalf of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study Group
Published: August 2020

Few studies have assessed the accuracy of self-reported questionnaires to determine smoking habits relative to urinary biomarkers. This study investigated urinary cotinine cut-off concentrations distinguishing active, passive and non-smokers among pregnant women who participated in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, a nationwide birth cohort study. Pregnant participants with measured urinary cotinine concentrations (UCCs) and who completed self-reported questionnaires on smoking status were included (n = 89,895). The cut-off values (COVs) for active and passive smokers were calculated by fitting mixed normal distribution functions to UCCs. The sensitivity and specificity of the questionnaires were subsequently evaluated. The median (interquartile range) UCC was 0.24 (0.083–0.96) µg/g-creatinine, with the detection rate of 89%. The COV for distinguishing active smokers from passive and non-smokers was 36.8 µg/g-creatinine. When this COV was considered to represent the true condition, the questionnaire had a sensitivity of 0.523, a specificity of 0.998, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.967 and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.957. The COV for distinguishing passive smokers from non-smokers was 0.31 µg/g-creatinine, with the questionnaire having a sensitivity of 0.222, a specificity of 0.977, a PPV of 0.868 and an NPV of 0.644. As many as 78% of passive smokers might be misclassified as non-smokers.
Physician Behavior under Prospective Payment Schemes—Evidence from Artefactual Field and Lab Experiments
Authors: Reif Simon , Hafner Lucas , Seebauer Michael
Published: August 2020

Recent experimental studies analyze the behavior of physicians towards patients and find that physicians care for their own profit as well as patient benefit. In this paper, we extend the experimental analysis of the physician decision problem by adding a third party which represents the health insurance that finances medical service provision under a prospective payment scheme. Our results show that physicians take into account the payoffs of the third party, which can lead to underprovision of medical care. We conduct a laboratory experiment in neutral as well as in medical framing using students and medical doctors as subjects. Subjects in the medically framed experiments behave weakly and are more patient orientated in contrast to neutral framing. A sample of medical doctors exhibits comparable behavior to students with medical framing.
Sentiment Analysis and Emotion Understanding during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain and Its Impact on Digital Ecosystems
Authors: de las Heras-Pedrosa Carlos , Sánchez-Núñez Pablo , Peláez José Ignacio
Published: August 2020

COVID-19 has changed our lives forever. The world we knew until now has been transformed and nowadays we live in a completely new scenario in a perpetual restructuring transition, in which the way we live, relate, and communicate with others has been altered permanently. Within this context, risk communication is playing a decisive role when informing, transmitting, and channeling the flow of information in society. COVID-19 has posed a real pandemic risk management challenge in terms of impact, preparedness, response, and mitigation by governments, health organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), mass media, and stakeholders. In this study, we monitored the digital ecosystems during March and April 2020, and we obtained a sample of 106,261 communications through the analysis of APIs and Web Scraping techniques. This study examines how social media has affected risk communication in uncertain contexts and its impact on the emotions and sentiments derived from the semantic analysis in Spanish society during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Implications of Professional Occupation Related to Obesity in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Jiménez José-María , García Sara , Carbajo Miguel-Ángel , López María , Cao María-José , Ruiz-Tovar Jaime , Castro María-José
Published: August 2020

Obesity is an epidemic with severe consequences on the professional development of patients. Bariatric surgery has proven to be a safe treatment with effective results in weight control. The aim of this study is to assess the implications of professional occupation in relation to the development of obesity and weight changes after bariatric surgery. We analyzed 500 obese patients (77.8% women, 22.2% men) who underwent one anastomosis gastric bypass surgery at the Centre of Excellence for the Study and Treatment of Obesity and Diabetes (2014–2019), assessing the influence of professional occupation on body composition and evolution of weight loss up to two years after surgery. Preoperative obesity type III and IV was higher in men than in women (45.9–19.8% vs. 43.7–9.5%; respectively). Prevalent clinical history in women was depression (46.7%), varicose veins (35.6%), and thyroid disease (9.7%), while in men it was respiratory failure (98.2%), high blood pressure (56.8%), hepatic steatosis (82%). Postoperative weight loss was effective in every professional field, reaching normal weight values from 12 months after surgery.
Health Promoting School Interventions in Latin America: A Systematic Review Protocol on the Dimensions of the RE-AIM Framework
Authors: Bastos Patrícia de Oliveira , Cavalcante Ana Suelen Pedroza , Pereira Wallingson Michael Gonçalves , de Castro Victor Hugo Santos , Ferreira Júnior Antonio Rodrigues , Guerra Paulo Henrique , da Silva Kelly Samara , da Silva Maria Rocineide Ferreira , Barbosa Filho Valter Cordeiro
Published: August 2020

Understanding the dimensions of internal and external validities (e.g., using the RE-AIM model: Reach, Effectiveness/Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) of school interventions is important to guide research and practice in this context. The aim of this systematic review protocol is to synthesize evidence on the RE-AIM dimensions in interventions based on the Health Promoting School (HPS) approach from the World Health Organization (WHO) in Latin America. Studies of interventions based on HPS-WHO that were carried out in Latin America involving the population of 5 to 18-year-olds will be eligible. Searches in nine electronic databases, a study repository, the gray literature, and the retrieved articles’ reference lists will be performed, without year or publication language limits. Study selection and data extraction will be conducted by independent researchers. Data on intervention implementation will be summarized in categories of HPS-WHO actions: (1) school curriculum, (2) changes in the social and/or physical environment of schools, and (3) actions with families and the community. A previously validated tool will be used to summarize the information on the dimensions of the RE-AIM model. The strengths and limitations of the included studies will be evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) tool, and the confidence level of evidence will be assessed according to the GRADE CERQual tool.
Impact of Perception of Green Space for Health Promotion on Willingness to Use Parks and Actual Use among Young Urban Residents
Authors: Chen Chongxian , Luo Weijing , Li Haiwei , Zhang Danting , Kang Ning , Yang Xiaohao , Xia Yu
Published: August 2020

Promoting the use of green space is a fundamental way to improve physical and mental health and to enhance the quality of life of urban residents. In response to increasing demand for green space in cities, the impact of perception of green space for health promotion on willingness to use parks and actual use among young urban residents was investigated in this study. A total of 1135 young residents (ages 18–35) in three cities in China were surveyed by online questionnaire. A group of multiple regression models was constructed to investigate the influencing perception factors of participants’ willingness to use parks and actual use. The results revealed that the young residents’ perception of green space components for health promotion (green space access, types, sizes, plants, water, sensory features, microclimate environments and amenity facilities) had a greater effect on their willingness to use parks and to promote health, while it was less influential with respect to their actual park use behavior (frequency and duration). Among these variables, green space access is a critical concern for willingness to use toward parks. The disparities of perception of green space for health promotion effect on willingness to use a park and actual use provide a better understanding of the psychological factors affecting park use among young residents. The findings also provided some implications for public health policymakers, urban planners and landscape architects in designing parks to encourage visitation by young people.
Bidirectional Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns on Health Behaviors and Quality of Life among Chinese Adults
Authors: Wang Xiuqiang , Lei Si Man , Le Shenglong , Yang Yanxiang , Zhang Boyi , Yao Wu , Gao Zan , Cheng Sulin
Published: August 2020

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created challenges that have caused profound changes in health behaviors. This study aimed to explore how COVID-19 is affecting the health-related quality of life (QoL) among Chinese adults. Methods: The data of health-related behaviors and QoL were collected via online surveys from 2289 adults (mean age = 27.8 ± 12 years) who had been isolated at home for an average of 77 days. Results: More than 50% of the respondents reported that their time engaged in daily physical activity (PA) decreased, while sedentary behavior (SB) time increased compared with that before the lockdown. Only 20% of the respondents reported engaging in moderate-to-vigorous PA, 23% of adults reported changed their diets to be healthier, and 30% reported consuming more vegetables, fruits, and milk products than before home-isolation. During home-isolation, 75.2% of the adults rated their sleep quality as very good, and 65% reported that they were satisfied with their QoL. Sleep quality mediated the relationship between PA and QoL. Conclusion: The two-to-three-month home-isolation has had mixed effects on adult health behaviors in China. The participants were found to have focused more on their eating quality and patterns, which had a positive influence on their QoL. However, people should be encouraged to exercise at home with limited space to maintain a generally healthy lifestyle during a prolonged quarantine.
What Happened to People with Non-Communicable Diseases during COVID-19: Implications of H-EDRM Policies
Authors: Chan Emily Ying Yang , Kim Jean Hee , Lo Eugene Siu Kai , Huang Zhe , Hung Heidi , Hung Kevin Kei Ching , Wong Eliza Lai Yi , Lee Eric Kam Pui , Wong Martin Chi Sang , Wong Samuel Yeung Shan
Published: August 2020

People with existing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are particularly vulnerable to health risks brought upon by emergencies and disasters, yet limited research has been conducted on disease management and the implications of Health-EDRM policies that address health vulnerabilities of people with NCDs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper reports the baseline findings of an anonymous, random, population-based, 6-month cohort study that aimed to examine the experiences of people with NCDs and their relevant self-care patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 765 telephone interviews were completed from 22nd March to 1st April 2020 in Hong Kong, China. The dataset was representative of the population, with 18.4% of subjects reporting at least one NCD. Results showed that low household income and residence in government-subsidized housing were significant predictors for the subjects who experienced difficulty in managing during first 2 months of the pandemic (11% of the NCD patients). Of those on long-term NCD medication, 10% reported having less than one week’s supply of medication. Targeted services for vulnerable groups during a pandemic should be explored to support NCD self-care.
BCG Vaccination and Mortality of COVID-19 across 173 Countries: An Ecological Study
Authors: Urashima Mitsuyoshi , Otani Katharina , Hasegawa Yasutaka , Akutsu Taisuke
Published: August 2020

Ecological studies have suggested fewer COVID-19 morbidities and mortalities in Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG)-vaccinated countries than BCG-non-vaccinated countries. However, these studies obtained data during the early phase of the pandemic and did not adjust for potential confounders, including PCR-test numbers per population (PCR-tests). Currently—more than four months after declaration of the pandemic—the BCG-hypothesis needs reexamining. An ecological study was conducted by obtaining data of 61 factors in 173 countries, including BCG vaccine coverage (%), using morbidity and mortality as outcomes, obtained from open resources. ‘Urban population (%)’ and ‘insufficient physical activity (%)’ in each country was positively associated with morbidity, but not mortality, after adjustment for PCR-tests. On the other hand, recent BCG vaccine coverage (%) was negatively associated with mortality, but not morbidity, even with adjustment for percentage of the population ≥ 60 years of age, morbidity, PCR-tests and other factors. The results of this study generated a hypothesis that a national BCG vaccination program seems to be associated with reduced mortality of COVID-19, although this needs to be further examined and proved by randomized clinical trials.
A Performance Management System in Healthcare for All Seasons?
Authors: Vainieri Milena , Noto Guido , Ferre Francesca , Rosella Laura C.
Published: August 2020

Health systems face challenges which are inherent to care demand and supply evolution (i.e., demographic change, new technologies) or are the results of unexpected occurrence originating outside the health system, such as economic shocks or epidemic outbreaks. Both challenges often require a paradigm shift in governance and organization, financing and resource allocation, accountability frameworks, as well as public health system responses. Based on key reviews and seminal papers of performance management, public health, sustainability and resilience, the article presents three emerging challenges for performance management systems in healthcare: i) the inclusion of the population approach; ii) the measurement and consideration of the multi-facets concepts of value; iii) the importance of resilience and sustainability. Performance management systems need to evolve to cope with this changing scenario. The article sheds light on uncovered areas by performance management, and it proposes a research agenda for scholars of both performance management and health service research.
Women with Schizophrenia over the Life Span: Health Promotion, Treatment and Outcomes
Authors: González-Rodríguez Alexandre , Guàrdia Armand , Álvarez Pedrero Aida , Betriu Maria , Cobo Jesús , Acebillo Sidharta , Monreal José Antonio , Seeman Mary V. , Palao Diego , Labad Javier
Published: August 2020

Women with schizophrenia show sex-specific health needs that differ according to stage of life. The aim of this narrative review is to resolve important questions concerning the treatment of women with schizophrenia at different periods of their life—paying special attention to reproductive and post-reproductive stages. Review results suggest that menstrual cycle-dependent treatments may be a useful option for many women and that recommendations re contraceptive options need always to be part of care provision. The pregnancy and the postpartum periods—while constituting vulnerable time periods for the mother—require special attention to antipsychotic effects on the fetus and neonate. Menopause and aging are further vulnerable times, with extra challenges posed by associated health risks. Pregnancy complications, neurodevelopmental difficulties of offspring, cancer risk and cognitive defects are indirect results of the interplay of hormones and antipsychotic treatment of women over the course of the lifespan. The literature recommends that health promotion strategies need to be directed at lifestyle modifications, prevention of medical comorbidities and increased psychosocial support. Careful monitoring of pharmacological treatment has been shown to be critical during periods of hormonal transition. Not only does treatment of women with schizophrenia often need to be different than that of their male peers, but it also needs to vary over the course of life.
An Anti-Stigma Course for Occupational Therapy Students in Taiwan: Development and Pilot Testing
Authors: Ma Hui-Ing , Hsieh Chu-En
Published: August 2020

Attitudes of healthcare professionals towards people with disorders/disabilities are important for the development of therapeutic relationships, as well as to the evaluation and intervention processes. Therefore, it is critical to be aware and reduce stigmatizing attitudes in future healthcare professionals. An 18-week anti-stigma course was developed for occupational therapy students based on literature review and focus group interview. The course consisted of three components, including social contact, roleplaying, and critical reflection strategies. A quasi-experimental design was implemented to evaluate participants at three time points (i.e., pre-test, post-test, and one year after completion) using the Social Distance Scale and several questionnaires (i.e., stigmatising attitudes towards mental illness, physical disabilities, and children with emotional behavioural disorders). A total of 16 students completed the course and had significantly decreased social distance and stigmatising attitudes towards mental illness and emotional behavioural disorders in the post-test. These decreases remained one year later. The results support the provision of an anti-stigma course for occupational therapy students to reduce stigmatising attitudes. Future research should extend the anti-stigma course to occupational therapy students at other universities to increase both the sample size and overall generalisability.
Assessment of Deoxynivalenol in Wheat, Corn and Its Products and Estimation of Dietary Intake
Authors: Iqbal Shahzad Zafar , Usman Sunusi , Razis Ahmad Faizal Abdull , Basheir Ali Nada , Saif Tahmina , Asi Muhammad Rafique
Published: August 2020

The main goal of the present research was to explore the seasonal variation of deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat, corn, and their products, collected during 2018–2019. Samples of 449 of wheat and products and 270 samples of corn and their products were examined using reverse-phase liquid chromatography with a UV detector. The findings of the present work showed that 104 (44.8%) samples of wheat and products from the summer season, and 91 (41.9%) samples from winter season were contaminated with DON (concentration limit of detections (LOD) to 2145 µg/kg and LOD to 2050 µg/kg), from summer and winter seasons, respectively. In corn and products, 87 (61.2%) samples from summer and 57 (44.5%) samples from winter season were polluted with DON with levels ranging from LOD to 2967 µg/kg and LOD to 2490 µg/kg, from the summer and winter season, respectively. The highest dietary intake of DON was determined in wheat flour 8.84 µg/kg body weight/day from the summer season, and 7.21 µg/kg body weight/day from the winter season. The findings of the work argued the need to implement stringent guidelines and create awareness among farmers, stakeholders, and traders of the harmful effect of DON. It is mostly observed that cereal crops are transported and stockpiled in jute bags, which may absorb moisture from the environment and produce favorable conditions for fungal growth. Therefore, these crops must store in polyethylene bags during transportation and storage, and moisture should be controlled. It is highly desirable to use those varieties that are more resistant to fungi attack. Humidity and moisture levels need to be controlled during storage and transportation.
Chemical Screening of Nuclear Receptor Modulators
Authors: Ishigami-Yuasa Mari , Kagechika Hiroyuki
Published: August 2020

Nuclear receptors are ligand-inducible transcriptional factors that control multiple biological phenomena, including proliferation, differentiation, reproduction, metabolism, and the maintenance of homeostasis. Members of the nuclear receptor superfamily have marked structural and functional similarities, and their domain functionalities and regulatory mechanisms have been well studied. Various modulators of nuclear receptors, including agonists and antagonists, have been developed as tools for elucidating nuclear receptor functions and also as drug candidates or lead compounds. Many assay systems are currently available to evaluate the modulation of nuclear receptor functions, and are useful as screening tools in the discovery and development of new modulators. In this review, we cover the chemical screening methods for nuclear receptor modulators, focusing on assay methods and chemical libraries for screening. We include some recent examples of the discovery of nuclear receptor modulators.
Mobile Money Fraud Prediction—A Cross-Case Analysis on the Efficiency of Support Vector Machines, Gradient Boosted Decision Trees, and Naïve Bayes Algorithms
Authors: Botchey Francis Effirim , Qin Zhen , Hughes-Lartey Kwesi
Published: August 2020

The onset of COVID-19 has re-emphasized the importance of FinTech especially in developing countries as the major powers of the world are already enjoying the advantages that come with the adoption of FinTech. Handling of physical cash has been established as a means of transmitting the novel corona virus. Again, research has established that, been unbanked raises the potential of sinking one into abject poverty. Over the years, developing countries have been piloting the various forms of FinTech, but the very one that has come to stay is the Mobile Money Transactions (MMT). As mobile money transactions attempt to gain a foothold, it faces several problems, the most important of them is mobile money fraud. This paper seeks to provide a solution to this problem by looking at machine learning algorithms based on support vector machines (kernel-based), gradient boosted decision tree (tree-based) and Naïve Bayes (probabilistic based) algorithms, taking into consideration the imbalanced nature of the dataset. Our experiments showed that the use of gradient boosted decision tree holds a great potential in combating the problem of mobile money fraud as it was able to produce near perfect results.
Ground Loss and Static Soil–Structure Interaction during Urban Tunnel Excavation: Evidence from the Excavation of the Athens Metro
Authors: Kontogianni Villy , Stiros Stathis C.
Published: August 2020

Ground settlement above urban tunnels is a threat for nearby buildings, because it may lead to their differential settlement, tilting, and damage, depending on their structural characteristics, on ground conditions, and on the excavation procedure. Still, for few cases only details on ground settlement are known. In this article we analyze ground subsidence data during the excavation of Lines 2 and 3 of the Athens Metro. Based on this evidence, and in comparison with previous studies, we show that observations of elevation changes and of tilting of buildings may underestimate the amount of ground loss; this is because part of the ground deformation may be compensated by the stiffness of buildings or accommodated by internal deformation of sizeable buildings hosting measuring benchmarks. This effect can be described as static soil–structure interaction (sSSI), in analogy to the dynamic SSI produced during earthquakes. sSSI can produce bias in monitoring data above an advancing tunnel front, leading to skew and not to symmetric subsidence curves if observations are made on one side on buildings and on the other side in open spaces (‘greenfields’). Furthermore, we show that ‘bowls’ of increased subsidence are observed along subsidence troughs during excavation; such ‘bowls’, not infrequently underestimated because of sSSI, may conceal a potential for sinkholes and other types of failure. Isolated towers on the contrary describe well ground subsidence and tilting.
A Native Bee, Melissodes tepaneca (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Benefits Cotton Production
Authors: Esquivel Isaac L. , Coulson Robert N. , Brewer Michael J.
Published: August 2020

The cotton agroecosystem is one of the most intensely managed, economically and culturally important cropping systems worldwide. Native pollinators are essential in providing pollination services to a diverse array of crops, including those which have the ability to self-pollinate. Cotton, which is autogamous, can potentially benefit from insect-mediated pollination services provided by native bees within the agroecosystem. Examined through two replicated experiments over two years, we hypothesized that native bees facilitated cross-pollination, which resulted in increased lint of harvested bolls produced by flowers exposed to bees and overall lint weight yield of the plant. Cotton bolls from flowers that were caged and exposed to bees, flowers that were hand-crossed, and bolls from flowers on uncaged plants exposed to pollinators had higher pre-gin weights and post-gin weights than bolls from flowers of caged plants excluded from pollinators. When cotton plants were caged with the local native bee Melissodes tepaneca, seed cotton weight was 0.8 g higher on average in 2018 and 1.18 g higher on average in 2019 than when cotton plants were excluded from bees. Cotton production gains from flowers exposed to M. tepaneca were similar when measuring lint and seed separately. Cotton flowers exposed over two weeks around the middle of the blooming period resulted in an overall yield gain of 12% to 15% on a whole plant basis and up to 24% from bolls produced from flowers exposed directly to M. tepaneca. This information complements cotton-mediated conservation benefits provided to native pollinators by substantiating native bee-mediated pollination services provided to the cotton agroecosystem.
The Mayan Tropical Rainforest: An Uncharted Reservoir of Tritrophic Host-Fruit Fly-Parasitoid Interactions
Authors: López-Ortega Maurilio , Díaz-Fleischer Francisco , Piñero Jaime C. , Valdez-Lazalde José René , Hernández-Ortiz Manuel , Hernández-Ortiz Vicente
Published: August 2020

Over a two–year period, we surveyed natural areas of the Mayan rainforest in Quintana Roo, Mexico. We found 11 species of Anastrepha Schiner (Diptera: Tephritidae) infesting 25 species of fruits belonging to ten plant families. We report the first records of 10 host plant species of the genus Anastrepha, which include the first report of a plant family (Putranjivaceae) serving as host of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) infesting Drypetes lateriflora (Sw.) Krug and Urb. (Putranjivaceae). Pouteria reticulata (Engl.) Eyma (Sapotaceae) was found, for the first time, to be infested by Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann) and by a new undescribed species of Anastrepha. We also report Casimiroa microcarpa Lundell (Rutaceae) as a possible ancestral host for the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew), in Central America. The family Sapotaceae was the best-represented host group with three fruit fly species recovered: A. serpentina, an economically-important species, found in eight host plants, and A. hamata and A. sp. (new species). We recorded six species of koinobiont parasitoids: Doryctobracon areolatus Szepligeti, Utetes (Bracanastrepha) anastrephae Viereck, Opius hirtus Fisher, and Doryctobracon zeteki Musebeck, (all Braconidae), and Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brethés) and Odontosema anastrephae Borgmeier, (both Figitidae). All these parasitoid species represent at least a new report for their host plants. Of the whole parasitoid community, D. areolatus was the most important parasitoid species with 52.7% of presence in 12 host plant species, parasitizing six fruit fly species. The interaction between fruit flies and their parasitoids with host plants depends on fruit availability, which is crucial for the survival of each of these species. Conserving the landscape of the Mayan rainforest is important not only for species conservation, but also for the maintenance of fruit fly host plants in orchard agroecosystems in southeastern Mexico.
Long-Term Outcomes of T1 Colorectal Cancer after Endoscopic Resection
Authors: Park Eun Young , Baek Dong Hoon , Lee Moon Won , Kim Gwang Ha , Park Do Youn , Song Geun Am
Published: August 2020

Background and Aims: Endoscopic resection (ER) for submucosal invasive colorectal cancer (T1 CRC) can be grouped as curative ER (C-ER) and non-curative ER (NC-ER). Little is known about the long-term outcomes of patients in these two groups. Therefore, we have evaluated the long-term outcomes in endoscopically resected T1 CRC patients in C-ER and NC-ER groups. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on 220 patients with T1 CRC treated with ER from January 2007 to December 2017. First, we investigated the long-term outcomes (5-year overall survival [OS] and recurrence-free survival [RFS]) in the C-ER group (n = 49). In the NC-ER group (n = 171), we compared long-term outcomes between patients who underwent additional surgical resection (ASR) (n = 117) and those who did not (surveillance-only, n = 54). Results: T1 CRC patients in the C-ER and NC-ER groups had a median follow-up of 44 (interquartile range 32–69) months. There was no risk of tumor recurrence and cancer-related deaths in patients with C-ER. In the NC-ER group, the 5-year OS rates were 75.3% and 92.6% in the surveillance-only and ASR subgroups, respectively. The hazard ratio (HR) for ASR in NC-ER vs. surveillance-only in NC-ER was statistically insignificant. However, RFS rates were significantly different between the ASR (97.2%) and surveillance-only (84.0%) subgroups. Multivariate analysis indicated a submucosal invasion depth (SID) of >2500 µm and margin positivity to be associated with recurrence. Conclusions: The surveillance-only approach can be considered as an alternative surgical option for T1 CRCs in selected patients undergoing NC-ER.
Reliability, Factor Structure and Predictive Validity of the Widespread Pain Index and Symptom Severity Scales of the 2010 American College of Rheumatology Criteria of Fibromyalgia
Authors: Galvez-Sánchez Carmen M. , de la Coba Pablo , Duschek Stefan , Reyes del Paso Gustavo A.
Published: August 2020

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic condition of widespread pain. In 2010, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) proposed new diagnostic criteria for FMS based on two scales: the Widespread Pain Index (WPI) and Symptoms Severity (SS) scale. This study evaluated the reliability, factor structure and predictive validity of WPI and SS. In total, 102 women with FMS and 68 women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) completed the WPI, SS, McGill Pain Questionnaire, Trait Anxiety Inventory, Fatigue Severity Scale, Oviedo Quality of Sleep Questionnaire, and Beck Depression Inventory. Pain threshold and tolerance and a measure of central sensitization to pain were obtained by pressure algometry. Values on WPI and SS showed negative-skewed frequency distributions in FMS patients, with most of the observations concentrated at the upper end of the scale. Factor analysis did not reveal single-factor models for either scale; instead, the WPI was composed of nine pain-localization factors and the SS of four factors. The Cronbach’s α (i.e., Internal consistency) was 0.34 for the WPI,0.83 for the SS and 0.82 for the combination of WPI and SS. Scores on both scales correlated positively with measures of clinical pain, fatigue, insomnia, depression, and anxiety but were unrelated to pain threshold and tolerance or central pain sensitization. The 2010 ACR criteria showed 100% sensitivity and 81% specificity in the discrimination between FMS and RA patients, where discrimination was better for WPI than SS. In conclusion, despite their limited reliability, both scales allow for highly accurate identification and differentiation of FMS patients. The inclusion of more painful areas in the WPI and of additional symptoms in the SS may reduce ceiling effects and improve the discrimination between patients differing in disease severity. In addition, the use of higher cut-off values on both scales may increase the diagnostic specificity in Spanish samples.
The Role of Health Literacy in Postpartum Weight, Diet, and Physical Activity
Authors: Garad Rhonda , McPhee Crystal , Chai Tze Lin , Moran Lisa , O’Reilly Sharleen , Lim Siew
Published: August 2020

Background: Postpartum weight retention is a significant contributor to obesity in women, adverse perinatal events in subsequent pregnancies, and chronic disease risk. Health literacy is known to impact health behaviors. The study aimed to identify the health literacy domains utilized in postpartum weight management interventions and to determine their impact on weight, diet and physical activity in postpartum women. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PSYCINFO, and EBM databases. We included random control trials of lifestyle intervention in postpartum women (within two years post-delivery) published up to 3 May 2019. Subgroup analyses were performed to determine the effect of health literacy domains on outcomes. Results: Out of 5000 studies, 33 studies (n = 3905) were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The health literacy domain self-care (skills and knowledge) was associated with a significant reduction in body weight (mean difference (MD) −2.46 kg; 95% confidence interval (CI) from −3.65 to −1.27) and increase in physical activity (standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.61; 95% CI 0.20 to 1.02). No other health literacy domain was associated with significant outcomes in weight, energy intake, or physical activity. Conclusions: Health literacy skills such as knowledge of self-care are effective in improving weight and in increasing physical activity in postpartum women. The efficacy of other health domains was not supported.
Impact of Intensive Glucose Control in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: 3-Year Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Park Jiesuck , Han Jung-Kyu , Chang Mineok , Ki You-Jeong , Kang Jeehoon , Yang Han-Mo , Cho Hyun-Jai , Park Kyung Woo , Kang Hyun-Jae , Koo Bon-Kwon , Kim Hyo-Soo
Published: August 2020

We investigated whether intensive glucose control after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) improves clinical outcomes in diabetic patients. From the Grand-DES registry, we analyzed 2576 diabetic patients (median age 66 years, male 65.6%) who underwent PCI and had at least 2 records of HbA1c during the follow-up. Patients were categorized according to the mean HbA1c (≥7% or <7%). Primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), a composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and any revascularization. During a median follow-up of 33.6 months, MACE occurred in 335 (13.0%) patients. Intensive glucose control with follow-up mean HbA1c < 7.0% (42.2%; n = 1087) was not associated with lower risk of MACE, compared to control with mean HbA1c ≥ 7.0% (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] [95% confidence interval] 1.06 [0.82–1.37], p = 0.672). In subgroup analysis, patients with sustained HbA1c of <7.0% throughout the follow-up were not associated with a lower risk of MACE compared to those with sustained HbA1c of ≥7.0% (aHR 1.15 [0.71–1.89], p = 0.566). More intensive glucose control with mean HbA1c ≤ 6.5% was not associated with lower risk of MACE, compared to loose control with a mean HbA1c ≥ 8.0% (aHR 1.15 [0.71–1.86], p = 0.583). Intensive glucose control after PCI was not associated with better clinical outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing PCI than lenient control.