bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stepwise Interactive Situated Training Program for Young Nurses’ Safety Behavior and Interrupted Coping Behavior
Authors: Yan Jin , Li Lijun , Li Jie , Wang Sha , Wu Xiaoqi , Xiao Panpan , Zhong Zhuqing , Ding Siqing , Xie Jianfei , Cheng Andy S. K.
Published: June 2022

Young nurses’ safety behavior and interrupted coping behavior affect patient safety. A stepped, interactive and situated training program should be evaluated to assist young nurses in improving themselves. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the stepwise interactive situated training program on safety behavior and practice ability with respect to nursing interruptions for young nurses and its influencing factors. This was a quasi-experimental, one-group, self-control and pretest–post-test design study. Six hundred young nurses in two provinces were included. The participants underwent a stepwise interactive situated training program from March to August 2019. The program was delivered by designated head nurses and consisted of five themes: mobilization, theoretical training, operational training, specialized training and self-improvement. Five hundred and sixty-two young nurses completed this study. The safety behavior and the practice of nursing interruption were significantly higher after intervention than before. Professional titles, age and occupational time were the influence factors. The stepwise interactive situated training program was effective at improving young nurses’ safety behavior and interrupted coping behavior. Nurses with higher professional titles performed better with regard to the safety behavior and the practice of nursing interruption.
Magnetized Water and Proline to Boost the Growth, Productivity and Fruit Quality of ‘Taifi’ Pomegranate Subjected to Deficit Irrigation in Saline Clay Soils of Semi-Arid Egypt
Authors: Okba Sameh K. , Mazrou Yasser , Mikhael Gehad B. , Farag Mohamed E. H. , Alam-Eldein Shamel M.
Published: June 2022

Water scarcity is becoming a global problem. The shift from traditional irrigation systems to deficit irrigation increased soil salinity, particularly in clay soils. The use of magnetized water (MW) and biostimulants can induce plant resistance to drought and salinity stress. To assess the role of MW and proline (P) on ‘Taifi’ pomegranate shrubs’ growth, productivity, and fruit quality under such conditions, a split-plots experiment was conducted for two seasons using three irrigation levels (100%, 75%, and 50%), based on the crop water requirements (CWR), and four treatments including foliar spray of tap water (control) and P, irrigation with MW, and MW + P. The most pronounced effect was referred to MW + P at 75% CWR that improved shrubs’ chlorophyll content and nutritional status, reduced endogenous proline content, and enhanced vegetative growth with minimum consumptive water use (CWU), optimum water use efficiency (WUE), maximum water productivity (WP), utmost yield and average fruit weight, lowest percentage of fruit cracking, and fairly good total soluble solids (TSS), vitamin C and anthocyanin contents. Overall, MW + P at 75% CWR improved the resistance mechanism of pomegranate shrubs in saline clay soils, plus improving the growers’ net profit. MW generally reduced soil salinity, expressed as reduced pH, EC, Na+, and Ca2+ values.
An Integrated Analysis of Transcriptome and Metabolism Reveals an Inhibitory Effect of Low Light on Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Purple cai-tai (Brassicarapa L. var. purpurea)
Authors: Guo Juxian , Wu Tingquan , Fu Mei , Li Guihua , Luo Wenlong , Kang Yunyan , Wang Tingqin
Published: June 2022

Low light caused by industrial development and environment change has become a limitation in crop production. This condition inhibits the petiole anthocyanin synthesis and even its tastes in purple cai-tai (Brassicarapa L. var. purpurea); however, the molecular basis of the inhibitory effects by low light on anthocyanin synthesis in purple cai-tai petiole is less reported. In this study, we performed an integrated analysis of transcriptomes and metabolisms to decipher key genes and/or metabolites that responsible for low light acclimation in a purple cai-tai cultivar, XH1. Results shows that anthocyanin is obviously repressed by low light treatment, and consistently the structural genes related to the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway is significantly enriched in the list of differentially expressed genes according to both GO and KEGG analysis. Furthermore, the amounts of some metabolites related to anthocyanin are dramatically decreased under low light treatment, such as cyanindin 3-O-glucoside chloride, cyanindin O-syringic acid, and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside. In addition, we found that five transcription factors in TCP gene family especially BrTCP15 is substantially downregulated by low light treatments. The expression pattern of BrTCP15 in response to low light treatment was further confirmed by qPCR. This study reports the inhibitory effects of the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway and BrTCP15 by low light treatments, and extends our knowledge on regulatory mechanism of the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway in response to low light in B. rapa L.
How Do Family Court Judges Theorize about Parental Alienation? A Qualitative Exploration of the Territory
Authors: Marques Telma M. , Narciso Isabel , Ferreira Luana C.
Published: June 2022

Parental alienation (PA) and its conceptualization or understanding of the process underlying this dynamic has long been controversial, but it has also been frequently brought to courtrooms. This study provides an account of how legal professionals conceptualize “parental alienation” and how they describe the characteristics of the phenomenon. Using a qualitative design, 21 family court judges (range 33–60 years; 11 men and 10 women), working with child custody cases, participated in an individual in-depth interview. A qualitative analysis based on Grounded Theory basic procedures revealed a complex picture of alienation dynamics with five interconnected results. First, PA contexts and landscapes, which included the judges’ perceptions on the PA nurturing contexts, its strategic behavior patterns and functions, portraits of PA and clues for its identification; second, considerations on PA severity; third, the influential factors, including those related to the emergence of PA; fourth, individual and relational impact of being exposed to PA; and fifth, perceived signs of change. The results also allowed for the complexification of the judges’ theories, revealing six properties of the PA concept: elasticity, intentionality and camouflage, power asymmetries, multifactorial nature, and destructiveness. Directions for future research are expanded from these results and pragmatic contributions of knowledge on judges’ critical thinking on PA issues and its manifestations in legal practice are discussed.
Identifying Algicides of Enterobacter hormaechei F2 for Control of the Harmful Alga Microcystis aeruginosa
Authors: Zhang Bin , Yang Ying , Xie Wenjia , He Wei , Xie Jia , Liu Wei
Published: June 2022

Eutrophication has become an increasingly serious environmental issue and has contributed towards an explosion in harmful algal blooms (HABs) affecting local development. HABs can cause serious threats to ecosystems and human health. A newly isolated algicidal strain, Enterobacter hormaechei F2, showed high algicidal activity against the typical HAB species Microcystis aeruginosa. Potential algicides were detected through liquid chromatograph–mass spectrometer analysis, revealing that prodigiosin is an algicide and PQS is a quorum sensing molecule. RNA-seq was used to understand the algicidal mechanisms and the related pathways. We concluded that the metabolism of prodigiosin and PQS are active at the transcriptional level. The findings indicate that E. hormaechei F2 can be used as a potential biological agent to control harmful algal blooms to prevent the deterioration of the ecological and economic value of water bodies.
Socioeconomic Differences in Lifetime and Past 30-Day E-Cigarette, Cigarette, and Dual Use: A State-Level Analysis of Utah Youth
Authors: Cambron Christopher , Thackeray Kaitlyn J.
Published: June 2022

Socioeconomic disparities in combustible cigarette use are well established among youth in the United States and lead to substantial health effects. Given the noteworthy rise in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among youth in recent years, health professionals have expressed concern that e-cigarette use will follow similar socioeconomic patterns. The current study examined this question using a 2019 state-representative sample of youth in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 from Utah (N = 78,740). Logistic regression models estimated associations between neighborhood- and individual-level factors with lifetime and past 30-day e-cigarette, combustible cigarette, and dual use across 267 neighborhoods. After controlling for individual-level sociodemographic factors, results indicated that youth living in higher-poverty neighborhoods were at a significantly increased risk of lifetime e-cigarette, combustible cigarette, and dual use. Additionally, youth living in households with higher levels of education were at a significantly lower risk of lifetime and past 30-day e-cigarette, cigarette, and dual use. Results suggest that e-cigarettes may follow a similar pattern of socioeconomic disparities among youth as combustible cigarettes. Additionally, most youth using combustible cigarettes also used e-cigarettes, suggesting that any potential harms from e-cigarettes may exacerbate existing socioeconomic disparities in health effects from combustible cigarette use. Research should continue to examine individual- and neighborhood-level socioeconomic disparities in youth e-cigarette, combustible cigarette, and dual use.
The Impact of Housing Insecurity on Access to Care and Services among People Who Use Drugs in Washington, DC
Authors: Ruiz Monica S. , Williams Allison , O’Rourke Allison , MacIntosh Elizabeth , Moné Shareese , Clay Cyndee
Published: June 2022

People who use drugs are highly marginalized communities and are disproportionately affected by environmental changes—e.g., neighborhood gentrification—that affect housing availability and stability, particularly in urban locations. These changes could negatively affect individuals’ access to and utilization of health care and social services, resulting in poorer health outcomes. This study examined the impact of gentrification and housing instability on drug users’ access to harm reduction and other health services. Data were collected from 139 clients of a large harm reduction organization. Results showed that 67% of the participants were either unstably housed or homeless, and about one-third of participants indicated that their current housing situations negatively affected their access to primary care (33.9%), behavioral health services (36.7%) and basic services (38.3%). While homeless individuals were still able to access services generally, a greater percentage—compared to those unstably or stably housed—reported difficulty accessing care. As these data were collected prior to the COVID pandemic, it is likely that many of our participants faced greater struggles with housing insecurity and health care access issues due to shutdowns and increased need for social isolation and quarantine. More work is needed to address housing instability and homelessness among already marginalized populations.
Research-Driven Guidelines for Delivering Group Exercise Programs via Videoconferencing to Older Adults
Authors: Mitzner Tracy L. , Remillard Elena T. , Mumma Kara T.
Published: June 2022

Telehealth holds much potential for supporting older adults’ physical and social health. In particular, telewellness interventions to support the physical and social wellness of older adults are needed to overcome participation barriers with in-person programs. This paper presents guidelines for delivering telewellness interventions to older adults, which were informed by a human factors approach to developing a Tele Tai Chi intervention for older adults with mobility disabilities, including reviewing user needs literature and conducting user-centered needs assessment research. From these findings, we developed a protocol and support materials for delivering a telewellness intervention and conducted a feasibility study. We also established an adaptation committee to provide recommendations on the intervention. The outcome of our human factors approach was the establishment of research-driven design guidelines for delivering group exercise programs to older adults using videoconferencing. The guidelines provide direction for designing a telewellness protocol, supporting remote participation, and promoting socialization and engagement. These guidelines can be used to deliver interventions that increase access to socially-engaging, physical activity programs for older adults, which can ultimately help support their physical health, mental health, and quality of life.
Predictors of Suicide Re-Attempt in a Spanish Adolescent Population after 12 Months’ Follow-Up
Authors: Alvarez-Subiela Xavier , Castellano-Tejedor Carmina , Verge-Muñoz Mireia , Esnaola-Letemendia Kike , Palao-Vidal Diego , Villar-Cabeza Francisco
Published: June 2022

Background: This study aims to identify the main predictive factors that allow for the recognition of adolescents with a higher risk of re-attempting suicide. Method: A longitudinal 12-month follow-up design was carried out in a sample of 533 Spanish adolescents between 12 and 17 years old. The data collection period comprised September 2013 to November 2016, including a one-year follow-up after hospital discharge. Results: A statistically significant regression model was obtained to predict suicide re-attempt at 12-months’ follow-up (χ2 = 34.843; p < 0.001; Nagelkerke R2 = 0.105), including personal history of self-injury (OR = 2.721, p < 0.001, 95% CI [1.706, 4.340]) and age (OR = 0.541, p = 0.009, 95% CI [0.340, 0.860]), correctly classifying 82.6% of the sample. Our results show that having a personal history of self-injury and being younger than 14 years old were predictors of suicide re-attempt during the first year after an adolescent’s first admission to emergency services. Conclusions: Considering these factors could contribute to the design of more tailored and effective interventions to prevent suicidal behavior in adolescents at high risk of re-attempting suicide.
The Effect of Health Change on Long-Term Settlement Intentions of International Immigrants in New Destination Countries: Evidence from Yiwu City in China
Authors: Xu Tao
Published: June 2022

Objective: Previous studies on settlement intentions have mainly focused on the explanations of social and economic rationality, culture, and institution, but insufficient attention had been paid to the relationship between health and settlement intentions. This study explored the relationship between changes in the health status of immigrants and their settlement intentions. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted both in 2018 and 2019. Foreigners who visited the Yiwu Municipal Exit–Entry Administration Office to extend their visas were invited to participate in the study. Quantitative data, such as the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, job status, employment, immigration experience, key factors associated with the intention to settle down, medical insurance coverage, and changes in health status, were collected by questionnaire. Results: A change in health status significantly affected the intention to settle down: the more healthy that people became, the more likely they intended to settle down (β = 0.233; p < 0.001), and, simultaneously, changes in health status were also moderated by the length of stay in China (β = 0.320; p < 0.001) and medical insurance (β = 0.134; p < 0.001), which affected people’s willingness to settle down. Conclusions: Changes in health status, and not health status itself, affected immigrants’ willingness to settle down. In addition, social insurance, and the length of stay in the place receiving immigrants, affected immigrants’ willingness to settle down not only directly, but also indirectly by moderating the impact of the change in health status on the willingness to settle down.
Developing Village-Based Green Economy in an Endogenous Way: A Case Study from China
Authors: Li Lili , Zeng Yiwu , He Yanmei , Qin Qiuxia , Wang Jianhao , Fu Changluan
Published: June 2022

The idea of green economy is being taken seriously all over the world. For developing countries, the key to developing green economy is to strike a balance between environmental protection and economic development. As the largest developing country, China has been exploring scientific schemes to deal with the relationship between environmental protection and economic development. Developing rural tourism is an important way to transform ecological advantages into economic benefits. However, the role of rural tourism remains controversial. No scholars have yet provided solutions for village-level practices in developing countries from the perspective of endogenous development theory. Taking Yucun, a village in Zhejiang Province as an example, this paper reveals the endogenous way of green economy development at the village level through the method of case study. It is confirmed that the key to transforming rural ecological advantages into economic benefits is to cultivate the village’s endogenous development capacity, including activating local resources, cultivating local identity, stimulating local participation, and building a collaborative network. Only by implementing the endogenous development mode in rural areas cannot only stimulate the positive role of rural tourism and form a virtuous cycle, but also avoid the negative effects of rural tourism previously pointed out by scholars.
Research on the Policy Effect and Mechanism of Carbon Emission Trading on the Total Factor Productivity of Agricultural Enterprises
Authors: Hua Junguo , Zhu Di , Jia Yunfei
Published: June 2022

Given the rural revitalization strategy in the new era, agricultural development is faced with the dual constraints of resources and the environment. Promoting the green development of agriculture is one of the important missions to solve major social issues in the new era. The implementation goal of the carbon emission trading system is to achieve a win-win situation between carbon emission reduction and green development. To evaluate the effectiveness of the carbon emission trading system on agricultural enterprises, this paper uses a double-difference model to analyze the policy effect and mechanism research path of the impact of the carbon emission trading system on the total factor productivity of agricultural enterprises. The results based on the panel data of listed agricultural companies from 2010 to 2020 show that (1) carbon emission trading rights have significantly improved the total factor productivity of agricultural enterprises; (2) green innovation in carbon emission trading rights have an impact on the total factor productivity of agricultural enterprises; and (3) heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect of carbon emission trading rights on the total factor productivity of agricultural enterprises mainly exists in large-scale, nonstate-owned, high-debt enterprises, enterprises in the eastern region, and enterprises with government subsidies. Therefore, in the future, China should continue to implement the current carbon emission trading rights system in air pollution control, and at the same time, it needs to be supplemented by government intervention and other means for long-term governance. In conclusion, the study provides a reference value for promoting the realization of the long-term goal of “low carbon” and “high quality” green development of agricultural economy and for making reasonable and effective behavioral decisions for the survival and development of enterprises.
Perceptions of Smartphone App Use among Mothers Raising Young Children
Authors: Jang Keum-Hee , Lee Song-Yi
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this study was to categorize subjective perceptions of smartphone app use among mothers with young children, derive characteristics of each perception type, and interpret the findings to determine appropriate smartphone use for each perception type. We applied the Q methodology to classify and analyze the types of perceptions of mothers with young children. Ultimately, we selected 40 Q samples by comprehensively analyzing in-depth interviews with mothers of young children and conducting reviews of literature related to smartphone app use. The P samples in the study consisted of 31 mothers. We performed data analysis using the QUANL program. The analysis identified four types of smartphone users: (1) “multi-adapters” who actively utilize functions, (2) “chaos dilemma” users who understand the disadvantages of smartphones but cannot refrain from using smartphone apps, (3) “time-killer dependent” users who utilize apps to relieve temporary stress and anxiety, and (4) “self-development focused users” who pursue positive changes. Based on these findings, we suggest ways in which mothers of young children can utilize smartphone apps in a developmental and appropriate manner.
Elbow Joint Position and Force Senses in Young and Adult Untrained People and Gymnasts
Authors: Niespodziński Bartłomiej , Mieszkowski Jan , Sawczyn Stanisław , Kochanowicz Kazimierz , Szulc Adam , Zasada Mariusz , Kochanowicz Andrzej
Published: June 2022

Joint position (JPS) and force senses (FS) are the proprioception modalities. While the development of JPS was investigated both in children/adult and athlete/untrained conditions, there is a lack of insight into the development of FS. Overall, 28 gymnasts and 25 untrained controls underwent proprioception testing. They were divided into two groups: 9 to 11-year-old boys (13 gymnasts and 10 non-athletes) and 18 to 25-year-old adults (15 gymnasts and 15 non-athletes). The testing was performed at an isokinetic dynamometer and included elbow JPS and FS (20% and 50% maximal voluntary contraction) tasks. Children had two times higher error in JPS (p < 0.01) and 50% higher errors in FS of both flexor (p < 0.001) and extensor muscles (p < 0.05) in comparison with adults. Only in the 50% maximal voluntary contraction task, gymnasts showed 33% lower error than the controls (p < 0.01). Untrained boys presented 54%, 132%, and 169% higher error for elbow flexor performance than young gymnasts, untrained adults, and adult gymnasts, respectively (p < 0.01). The 9 to 11-year-old participants were characterized by a lower precision of JPS and FS performance in comparison with adults. Gymnastic training can possibly accelerate the development of FS when higher loads are considered.
The Effect of Non-Cognitive Ability on Farmer’s Ecological Protection of Farmland: Evidence from Major Tea Producing Areas in China
Authors: Wang Xiaohuan , Ma Yifei , Li Hua , Xue Caixia
Published: June 2022

Ecological protection of farmland is an important means to reduce agricultural non-point source pollution and improve the quality of agricultural products. As the main body of current agricultural production and operation, the aging labor force has insufficient cognitive ability and low ability to learn actively, which is not conducive to transforming the green output. However, non-cognitive abilities closely related to the acquired environment can promote the elderly farmers’ farmland ecological protection behavior by improving life satisfaction and social adaptability. Based on the above background, using the survey data of 964 farmers in China, the bivariate Probit model was used to empirically test the influence mechanism of non-cognitive ability on the ecological protection behavior of farmland. The study found that non-cognitive ability significantly promoted farmer’s ecological protection of farmland in China. Specifically, the variables of non-cognitive ability, social communication ability, active learning ability, self-efficacy, stress resistance, altruistic tendency and individual resilience were found to significantly promote ecological protection of farmland. Mechanism analysis showed that non-cognitive ability promoted the ecological protection behavior of farmland by expanding social capital, information channels and improving technical value perception. A heterogeneity analysis revealed that non-cognitive ability had a greater impact on ecological protection behavior of farmland in the elderly and low-income groups. Therefore, government should attach importance to improving farmers’ non-cognitive abilities, further increase technical publicity, and build a communication platform for farmers in order to promote the ecological protection of farmland.
Parental Burnout and Its Antecedents among Same-Sex and Different-Sex Families
Authors: Gato Jorge , Fontaine Anne Marie , César Filipa , Leal Daniela , Roskam Isabelle , Mikolajczak Moïra
Published: June 2022

Parental burnout (PB) results from a chronic imbalance between risks and resources and has severe and extended consequences on the wellbeing of parents and their children. Because same-sex (SS) and different-sex (DS) families face partially different stressors (e.g., SS parents are more stigmatized) but have also partially different resources (e.g., more egalitarian task sharing in SS couples), the current research aimed to investigate whether PB differs or not according to family type. Two studies were conducted. In study 1, family type differences in PB were explored among 114 demographically matched SS and DS families from 18 countries. Study 2 further explored the predictive value of family type, age, gender, and balance between risks and resources (BR2) in PB, using a sample of 222 matched SS and DS families. Parental burnout was not associated with family type in either study. Although differentially composed, the global BR2 score did not differ across family type and was a significant predictor of all PB dimensions, while controlling for the effect of family type, age, and gender. Thus, in accordance with reviewed studies, parental sexual identity was not associated with family functioning. Future studies should investigate the impact of specific risks and resources (e.g., social support from chosen social networks or legal climate) on PB levels among SS families.
Exploring the Role of Physical Activity in Mediating the Association between Educational Level and Health-Related Quality of Life in an Adult Lifespan Sample from Madeira Island
Authors: García-Mayor Jesús , Gouveia Élvio Rúbio , Marques Adilson , De la Cruz-Sánchez Ernesto , Moreno-Llamas Antonio , França Cíntia , Gouveia Bruna R. , Ihle Andreas
Published: June 2022

Background: People more socioeconomically vulnerable tend to have a poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Studies are trying to analyse the factors that may condition this relationship, including physical activity (PA), which may influence the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and HRQoL. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between SES and HRQoL through specific domains of PA. Methods: A total of 381 adults (≥18 years) from the Autonomous Region of Madeira completed the measurements. Mediation analyses using bootstrapping methods adjusted for confounding variables were performed to relate SES and HRQoL; the latter was evaluated using the physical component score (PCS) of the SF-12, the mental component score (MCS) of the SF-12, and the total score in the SF-12 questionnaire (SF-12 score), through physical activity. Results: Educational level was positively related to PCS and SF-12 score. Leisure-time PA (not including sports PA) and PA at work, as single mediating variables, did not mediate the relationship between SES and HRQoL. The total PA suppressed the socioeconomic gradient of HRQoL by 8–10%, 39–46%, and 15–16%, respectively, for the PCS, MCS, and the SF-12 score; sports PA mediated the relationship by 13–16%, 50%, and 15–21%, respectively. Conclusions: The results suggest that sports PA contributes to reducing the socioeconomic gradient of HRQoL.
Risk of Attacks by Blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) and Occurrence of Severe Skin Symptoms in Bitten Patients along the Eastern Border of the European Union
Authors: Sitarz Monika , Buczek Alicja M. , Buczek Weronika , Buczek Alicja , Bartosik Katarzyna
Published: June 2022

The components of blackfly (Diptera: Simuliidae) saliva secreted during feeding on humans and animals induce various pathological reactions manifested by skin lesions and systemic symptoms. In this study, we describe 43 cases of severe skin lesions induced by blackfly bites and analyze their potential causes. Based on the results of a survey of 418 patients, we identified periods with risk of blackfly attacks and their environmental determinants in the eastern part of the European Union. Especially strong inflammatory reactions after blackfly bites were reported in patients with concomitant cardiovascular diseases (mainly with venous insufficiency), metabolic diseases, and bacterial infections. Enhanced symptoms of simuliosis were also observed in other patients attacked by these insects only once or repeatedly. The greatest number of blackfly attacks in the study area is recorded from May to July, with a peak in June (38.73%) in the afternoon (37.10%) and evening (33.03%), when patients are in fields, forests, or their households. The case analysis indicates interactions of various factors in the development of severe inflammatory reactions in patients bitten by blackflies. Therefore, it is recommended that subjects exposed to the presence of blackflies during their work or rest should limit the length of their stay in a vulnerable environment during the highest seasonal and daily activity of these insects. It is also necessary to take measures to reduce the number of blackflies and popularize methods for prophylaxis of their attacks.
Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Dietary Consumption among Chinese Residents: Evidence from Provincial-Level Panel Data
Authors: Zheng Xiaodong , Wang Yinglin , Zhang Yue , Deng Tinghe , Yang Yuanzheng
Published: June 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected people’s daily lives, including their dietary behaviors. Using a panel data set of 31 provinces from 2015 to 2020, this study employed two-way fixed effects (FE) models to examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on dietary consumption among Chinese residents. The results showed that the COVID-19 pandemic positively affected residents’ consumption of grain, eggs, dairy, and white meat (poultry and aquatic products), while it had a negative effect on individuals’ red meat consumption in both urban and rural areas. These results were robust to different measures of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the number of confirmed cases, suspect cases, and dead cases. Comparatively, the changes in food consumption induced by the COVID-19 pandemic were more prominent for Chinese residents who lived in rural areas than urban areas. In addition, compared to their counterparts, the dietary consequences of the pandemic were more pronounced for residents living in the eastern region and regions with a high old-age dependency ratio and low illiteracy rate. Furthermore, the estimation results of the quantile regression model for panel data suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic had relatively larger impacts on the dietary consumption of Chinese residents at lower quantiles of food consumption compared with those at higher quantiles. Overall, the results of this study suggested that Chinese residents had a healthier diet after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. We discussed possible mechanisms, including health awareness, income, food supply and prices, and other behavioral changes during COVID-19 (e.g., physical activity and cooking). To further improve residents’ dietary behaviors and health, our study proposed relevant measures, such as increasing residents’ dietary knowledge, ensuring employment and income, and strengthening the food supply chain resilience during the pandemic.
D,L-Lysine-Acetylsalicylate + Glycine (LASAG) Reduces SARS-CoV-2 Replication and Shows an Additive Effect with Remdesivir
Authors: Jungwirth Johannes , Häring Clio , König Sarah , Giebeler Liane , Doshi Heena , Brandt Christian , Deinhardt-Emmer Stefanie , Löffler Bettina , Ehrhardt Christina
Published: June 2022

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is still challenging healthcare systems and societies worldwide. While vaccines are available, therapeutic strategies are developing and need to be adapted to each patient. Many clinical approaches focus on the repurposing of approved therapeutics against other diseases. However, the efficacy of these compounds on viral infection or even harmful secondary effects in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection are sparsely investigated. Similarly, adverse effects of commonly used therapeutics against lifestyle diseases have not been studied in detail. Using mono cell culture systems and a more complex chip model, we investigated the effects of the acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) salt D,L-lysine-acetylsalicylate + glycine (LASAG) on SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. ASA is commonly known as Aspirin® and is one of the most frequently used medications worldwide. Our data indicate an inhibitory effect of LASAG on SARS-CoV-2 replication and SARS-CoV-2-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and coagulation factors. Remarkably, our data point to an additive effect of the combination of LASAG and the antiviral acting drug remdesivir on SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro.
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and a Fresh View on Shiga Toxin-Binding Glycosphingolipids of Primary Human Kidney and Colon Epithelial Cells and Their Toxin Susceptibility
Authors: Detzner Johanna , Pohlentz Gottfried , Müthing Johannes
Published: June 2022

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are the human pathogenic subset of Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing E. coli (STEC). EHEC are responsible for severe colon infections associated with life-threatening extraintestinal complications such as the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) and neurological disturbances. Endothelial cells in various human organs are renowned targets of Stx, whereas the role of epithelial cells of colon and kidneys in the infection process has been and is still a matter of debate. This review shortly addresses the clinical impact of EHEC infections, novel aspects of vesicular package of Stx in the intestine and the blood stream as well as Stx-mediated extraintestinal complications and therapeutic options. Here follows a compilation of the Stx-binding glycosphingolipids (GSLs), globotriaosylceramide (Gb3Cer) and globotetraosylceramide (Gb4Cer) and their various lipoforms present in primary human kidney and colon epithelial cells and their distribution in lipid raft-analog membrane preparations. The last issues are the high and extremely low susceptibility of primary renal and colonic epithelial cells, respectively, suggesting a large resilience of the intestinal epithelium against the human-pathogenic Stx1a- and Stx2a-subtypes due to the low content of the high-affinity Stx-receptor Gb3Cer in colon epithelial cells. The review closes with a brief outlook on future challenges of Stx research.
The Regulatory Role of H19/miR-181a/ATG5 Signaling in Perinatal Nicotine Exposure-Induced Development of Neonatal Brain Hypoxic-Ischemic Sensitive Phenotype
Authors: Li Yong , Zhang Yanyan , Walayat Andrew , Fu Yingjie , Liu Bailin , Zhang Lubo , Xiao Daliao
Published: June 2022

Nicotine exposure either from maternal cigarette smoking or e-cigarette vaping is one of the most common risk factors for neurodevelopmental disease in offspring. Previous studies revealed that perinatal nicotine exposure programs a sensitive phenotype to neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in postnatal life, yet the underlying mechanisms remain undetermined. The goal of the present study was to determine the regulatory role of H19/miR-181a/ATG5 signaling in perinatal nicotine exposure-induced development of neonatal brain hypoxic-ischemic sensitive phenotype. Nicotine was administered to pregnant rats via subcutaneous osmotic minipumps. All experiments were conducted in offspring pups at postnatal day 9 (P9). Perinatal nicotine exposure significantly enhanced expression of miR-181a but attenuated autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5) mRNA and protein levels in neonatal brains. Of interest, miR-181a mimicking administration in the absence of nicotine exposure also produced dose-dependent increased hypoxia/ischemia (H/I)-induced brain injury associated with a decreased ATG5 expression, closely resembling perinatal nicotine exposure-mediated effects. Locked nucleic acid (LNA)-miR-181a antisense reversed perinatal nicotine-mediated increase in H/I-induced brain injury and normalized aberrant ATG5 expression. In addition, nicotine exposure attenuated a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 expression level. Knockdown of H19 via siRNA increased the miR-181a level and enhanced H/I-induced neonatal brain injury. In conclusion, the present findings provide a novel mechanism that aberrant alteration of the H19/miR-181a/AGT5 axis plays a vital role in perinatal nicotine exposure-mediated ischemia-sensitive phenotype in offspring and suggests promising molecular targets for intervention and rescuing nicotine-induced adverse programming effects in offspring.
Construction and Analysis of Disuse Atrophy Model of the Gastrocnemius Muscle in Chicken
Authors: Mo Jiawei , Wang Zhijun , Liu Qingchun , Li Zhenhui , Nie Qinghua
Published: June 2022

Disuse muscle atrophy is identified as the physiological, biochemical, morphological, and functional changes during restricted movement, immobilization, or weightlessness. Although its internal mechanism has been extensively studied in mammals and was thought to be mainly related to oxidative stress, it was unclear whether it behaved consistently in non-mammals such as chickens. In this study, we tried to construct a disuse atrophy model of the gastrocnemius muscle in chickens by limb immobilization, and collected the gastrocnemius muscles of the fixed group and the control group for RNA sequencing. Through analysis of muscle loss, HE staining, immunohistochemistry, and oxidative stress level, we found that limb immobilization could lead to loss of muscle mass, decrease in muscle fiber diameter, decrease in the proportion of slow muscle fibers, and increase in the proportion of fast muscle fibers, and also cause elevated levels of oxidative stress. In addition, a total of 565 different expression genes (DEGs) were obtained by RNA sequencing, which was significantly enriched in the biological processes such as cell proliferation and apoptosis, reactive oxygen species metabolism, and fast and slow muscle fiber transformation, and it showed that the FOXO signaling pathway, closely related to muscle atrophy, was activated. In brief, we initially confirmed that limb immobilization could induce disuse atrophy of skeletal muscle, and oxidative stress was involved in the process of disuse muscle atrophy.
A Fully-Human Antibody Specifically Targeting a Membrane-Bound Fragment of CADM1 Potentiates the T Cell-Mediated Death of Human Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Lee Ji Hyun , Kim Ji Woong , Yang Ha Rim , Song Seong-Won , Lee Song-Jae , Jeon Yeongha , Ju Anna , Lee Narim , Kim Min-Gu , Kim Minjoo , Hwang Kyusang , Yoon Jin Hwan , Shim Hyunbo , Lee Sukmook
Published: June 2022

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most aggressive form of lung cancer and the leading cause of global cancer-related mortality. Despite the earlier identification of membrane-proximal cleavage of cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) in cancers, the role of the membrane-bound fragment of CAMD1 (MF-CADM1) is yet to be clearly identified. In this study, we first isolated MF-CADM1-specific fully human single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) from the human synthetic scFv antibody library using the phage display technology. Following the selected scFv conversion to human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) scFv-Fc antibodies (K103.1–4), multiple characterization studies, including antibody cross-species reactivity, purity, production yield, and binding affinity, were verified. Finally, via intensive in vitro efficacy and toxicity evaluation studies, we identified K103.3 as a lead antibody that potently promotes the death of human SCLC cell lines, including NCI-H69, NCI-H146, and NCI-H187, by activated Jurkat T cells without severe endothelial toxicity. Taken together, these findings suggest that antibody-based targeting of MF-CADM1 may be an effective strategy to potentiate T cell-mediated SCLC death, and MF-CADM1 may be a novel potential therapeutic target in SCLC for antibody therapy.
Pituitary Tumor-Transforming Gene 1/Delta like Non-Canonical Notch Ligand 1 Signaling in Chronic Liver Diseases
Authors: Perramón Meritxell , Jiménez Wladimiro
Published: June 2022

The management of chronic liver diseases (CLDs) remains a challenge, and identifying effective treatments is a major unmet medical need. In the current review we focus on the pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG1)/delta like non-canonical notch ligand 1 (DLK1) axis as a potential therapeutic target to attenuate the progression of these pathological conditions. PTTG1 is a proto-oncogene involved in proliferation and metabolism. PTTG1 expression has been related to inflammation, angiogenesis, and fibrogenesis in cancer and experimental fibrosis. On the other hand, DLK1 has been identified as one of the most abundantly expressed PTTG1 targets in adipose tissue and has shown to contribute to hepatic fibrosis by promoting the activation of hepatic stellate cells. Here, we extensively analyze the increasing amount of information pointing to the PTTG1/DLK1 signaling pathway as an important player in the regulation of these disturbances. These data prompted us to hypothesize that activation of the PTTG1/DLK1 axis is a key factor upregulating the tissue remodeling mechanisms characteristic of CLDs. Therefore, disruption of this signaling pathway could be useful in the therapeutic management of CLDs.
The Transcriptional Landscape of BRAF Wild Type Metastatic Melanoma: A Pilot Study
Authors: Lastraioli Elena , Ruffinatti Federico Alessandro , Bagni Giacomo , Visentin Luca , di Costanzo Francesco , Munaron Luca , Arcangeli Annarosa
Published: June 2022

Melanoma is a relatively rare disease worldwide; nevertheless, it has a great relevance in some countries, such as in Europe. In order to shed some light upon the transcriptional profile of skin melanoma, we compared the gene expression of six independent tumours (all progressed towards metastatic disease and with wild type BRAF) to the expression profile of non-dysplastic melanocytes (considered as a healthy control) in a pilot study. Paraffin-embedded samples were manually micro-dissected to obtain enriched samples, and then, RNA was extracted and analysed through a microarray-based approach. An exhaustive bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed transcripts between the two groups, as well as enriched functional terms. Overall, 50 up- and 19 downregulated transcripts were found to be significantly changed in the tumour compared to the control tissue. Among the upregulated transcripts, the majority belonged to the immune response group and to the proteasome, while most of the downregulated genes were related to cytosolic ribosomes. A Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), along with the RNA-Seq data retrieved from the TCGA/GTEx databases, confirmed the general trend of downregulation affecting cytoribosome proteins. In contrast, transcripts coding for mitoribosome proteins showed the opposite trend.
RPpocket: An RNA–Protein Intuitive Database with RNA Pocket Topology Resources
Authors: Yang Rui , Liu Haoquan , Yang Liu , Zhou Ting , Li Xinyao , Zhao Yunjie
Published: June 2022

RNA–protein complexes regulate a variety of biological functions. Thus, it is essential to explore and visualize RNA–protein structural interaction features, especially pocket interactions. In this work, we develop an easy-to-use bioinformatics resource: RPpocket. This database provides RNA–protein complex interactions based on sequence, secondary structure, and pocket topology analysis. We extracted 793 pockets from 74 non-redundant RNA–protein structures. Then, we calculated the binding- and non-binding pocket topological properties and analyzed the binding mechanism of the RNA–protein complex. The results showed that the binding pockets were more extended than the non-binding pockets. We also found that long-range forces were the main interaction for RNA–protein recognition, while short-range forces strengthened and optimized the binding. RPpocket could facilitate RNA–protein engineering for biological or medical applications.
Identification of Candidate Genes Regulating Drought Tolerance in Pearl Millet
Authors: Chakraborty Animikha , Viswanath Aswini , Malipatil Renuka , Semalaiyappan Janani , Shah Priya , Ronanki Swarna , Rathore Abhishek , Singh Sumer Pal , Govindaraj Mahalingam , Tonapi Vilas A. , Thirunavukkarasu Nepolean
Published: June 2022

Pearl millet is an important crop of the arid and semi-arid ecologies to sustain food and fodder production. The greater tolerance to drought stress attracts us to examine its cellular and molecular mechanisms via functional genomics approaches to augment the grain yield. Here, we studied the drought response of 48 inbreds representing four different maturity groups at the flowering stage. A set of 74 drought-responsive genes were separated into five major phylogenic groups belonging to eight functional groups, namely ABA signaling, hormone signaling, ion and osmotic homeostasis, TF-mediated regulation, molecular adaptation, signal transduction, physiological adaptation, detoxification, which were comprehensively studied. Among the conserved motifs of the drought-responsive genes, the protein kinases and MYB domain proteins were the most conserved ones. Comparative in-silico analysis of the drought genes across millet crops showed foxtail millet had most orthologs with pearl millet. Of 698 haplotypes identified across millet crops, MyC2 and Myb4 had maximum haplotypes. The protein–protein interaction network identified ABI2, P5CS, CDPK, DREB, MYB, and CYP707A3 as major hub genes. The expression assay showed the presence of common as well as unique drought-responsive genes across maturity groups. Drought tolerant genotypes in respective maturity groups were identified from the expression pattern of genes. Among several gene families, ABA signaling, TFs, and signaling proteins were the prospective contributors to drought tolerance across maturity groups. The functionally validated genes could be used as promising candidates in backcross breeding, genomic selection, and gene-editing schemes in pearl millet and other millet crops to increase the yield in drought-prone arid and semi-arid ecologies.
Evaluating Enzymatic Productivity—The Missing Link to Enzyme Utility
Authors: Siddiqui Khawar Sohail , Ertan Haluk , Poljak Anne , Bridge Wallace J.
Published: June 2022

Kinetic productivity analysis is critical to the characterization of enzyme catalytic performance and capacity. However, productivity analysis has been largely overlooked in the published literature. Less than 0.01% of studies which report on enzyme characterization present productivity analysis, despite the fact that this is the only measurement method that provides a reliable indicator of potential commercial utility. Here, we argue that reporting productivity data involving native, modified, and immobilized enzymes under different reaction conditions will be of immense value in optimizing enzymatic processes, with a view to accelerating biotechnological applications. With the use of examples from wide-ranging studies, we demonstrate that productivity is a measure of critical importance to the translational and commercial use of enzymes and processes that employ them. We conclude the review by suggesting steps to maximize the productivity of enzyme catalyzed reactions.