bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrospun Biomimetic Nanofibrous Scaffolds: A Promising Prospect for Bone Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Anjum Shabnam , Rahman Farheen , Pandey Prashant , Arya Dilip Kumar , Alam Mahmood , Rajinikanth Paruvathanahalli Siddalingam , Ao Qiang
Published: August 2022

Skeletal-related disorders such as arthritis, bone cancer, osteosarcoma, and osteoarthritis are among the most common reasons for mortality in humans at present. Nanostructured scaffolds have been discovered to be more efficient for bone regeneration than macro/micro-sized scaffolds because they sufficiently permit cell adhesion, proliferation, and chemical transformation. Nanofibrous scaffolds mimicking artificial extracellular matrices provide a natural environment for tissue regeneration owing to their large surface area, high porosity, and appreciable drug loading capacity. Here, we review recent progress and possible future prospective electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds have demonstrated promising potential in bone tissue regeneration using a variety of nanomaterials. This review focused on the crucial role of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds in biological applications, including drug/growth factor delivery to bone tissue regeneration. Natural and synthetic polymeric nanofibrous scaffolds are extensively inspected to regenerate bone tissue. We focused mainly on the significant impact of nanofibrous composite scaffolds on cell adhesion and function, and different composites of organic/inorganic nanoparticles with nanofiber scaffolds. This analysis provides an overview of nanofibrous scaffold-based bone regeneration strategies; however, the same concepts can be applied to other organ and tissue regeneration tactics.
Structure-Dependent Toxicokinetics of Selected Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids In Vitro
Authors: Buchmueller Julia , Kaltner Florian , Gottschalk Christoph , Maares Maria , Braeuning Albert , Hessel-Pras Stefanie
Published: August 2022

Phytochemicals like pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) can affect the health of humans and animals. PAs can occur for example in tea, honey or herbs. Some PAs are known to be cytotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic. Upon intake of high amounts, hepatotoxic and pneumotoxic effects were observed in humans. This study aims to elucidate different toxicokinetic parameters like the uptake of PAs and their metabolism with in vitro models. We examined the transport rates of differently structured PAs (monoester, open-chained diester, cyclic diester) over a model of the intestinal barrier. After passing the intestinal barrier, PAs reach the liver, where they are metabolized into partially instable electrophilic metabolites interacting with nucleophilic centers. We investigated this process by the usage of human liver, intestinal, and lung microsomal preparations for incubation with different PAs. These results are completed with the detection of apoptosis as indicator for bioactivation of the PAs. Our results show a structure-dependent passage of PAs over the intestinal barrier. PAs are structure-dependently metabolized by liver microsomes and, to a smaller extent, by lung microsomes. The detection of apoptosis of A549 cells treated with lasiocarpine and monocrotaline following bioactivation by human liver or lung microsomes underlines this result. Conclusively, our results help to shape the picture of PA toxicokinetics which could further improve the knowledge of molecular processes leading to observed effects of PAs in vivo.
Functional Characterization of the Venus Flytrap Domain of the Human TAS1R2 Sweet Taste Receptor
Authors: Laffitte Anni , Belloir Christine , Neiers Fabrice , Briand Loïc
Published: August 2022

The human sweet taste receptor is a heterodimeric receptor composed of two distinct G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), TAS1R2 and TAS1R3. The TAS1R2 and TAS1R3 subunits are members of a small family of class C GPCRs whose members share the same architecture, comprising a Venus Flytrap (VFT) module linked to the seven transmembrane domains (TMDs) by a short cysteine-rich region (CRR). The VFT module of TAS1R2 contains the primary binding site for most of the sweet-tasting compounds, including natural sugars and artificial and natural sweeteners. However, cellular assays, molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis studies have revealed that the VFT, CRR and TMD of TAS1R3 interact with some sweeteners, including the sweet-tasting protein brazzein. The aim of this study was to better understand the contribution of TAS1R2-VFT in the binding of sweet stimuli. To achieve this, we heterologously expressed human TAS1R2-VFT (hTAS1R2-VFT) in Escherichia coli. Circular dichroism spectroscopic studies revealed that hTAS1R2-VFT was properly folded with evidence of secondary structures. Using size-exclusion chromatography coupled with light scattering, we found that hTAS1R2-VFT behaves as a monomer. Ligand binding quantified by intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence showed that hTAS1R2-VFT is capable of binding sweet stimuli with Kd values, in agreement with physiological detection. Furthermore, we investigated whether the impact of point mutations, already shown to have deleterious effects on cellular assays, could impact the ability of hTAS1R2-VFT to bind sweet ligands. As expected, the ligand affinities of hTAS1R2-VFT were drastically reduced through the introduction of single amino acid substitutions (D278A and E382A) known to abolish the response of the full-length TAS1R2/TAS1R3 receptor. This study demonstrates the feasibility of producing milligram quantities of hTAS1R2-VFT to further characterize the mechanism of binding interaction and perform structural studies.
Intestinal Bacterial Diversity and Functional Analysis of Three Lepidopteran Corn Ear Worm Larvae
Authors: Zhang Jiqiang , Gao Shanshan , Zheng Fangqiang , Wang Ningxin
Published: August 2022

Insects, as the most abundant animal group on earth, and their symbionts help their hosts to adapt to various environments. Conogethes punctiferalis, Ostrinia furnacalis and Helicoverpa armigera are three main pests co-occurring in the ear stage of corn, which significantly affect the yield and quality of corn. The purpose of this study was to compare the diversity and function of the intestinal bacteria of the three co-occurring lepidopteran pests, C. punctiferalis, O. furnacalis and H. armigera, and to explore the reason of their prevalence from the microbiota’s view. Our results showed the difference of diversity and abundance of the gut bacteria of three co-occurring lepidopteran pests at the ear stage. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla, and the Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcaceae were the dominant families in the three pests. Compared with the other two pests, Bacteroidetes was found much more in C. punctiferalis. In addition, C. punctiferalis showed more correlation and similarity in bacteria composition with corn endophytic bacteria, as well as had obvious advantages in metabolic, environmental information processing, cellular processes and organic systems function pathways. Our findings may provide insight into the prevalence of corn earworm larvae from the perspective of gut microbiota and function prediction.
Establishment and Expansion of Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Urban Green Areas in the Iberian Peninsula: From 2015 to 2021
Authors: Meseguer Roberto , Lumbierres Belén , Pons Xavier
Published: August 2022

In the Western Palearctic region, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is mainly established in urban areas. In this study, we update its occurrence in urban areas of the Iberian Peninsula and determine its expansion after 2014. Changes in the ladybird species assemblage are also evaluated. We compile information about the records of H. axyridis in Spain from 2015 to 2021. In addition, we sample different locations to determine the relative abundances of the species composing the aphidophagous ladybird complex. The expansion of H. axyridis mainly occurred in Catalonia (Iberian Peninsula), where it is possible to identify two clear areas: one that has already been invaded and another that has not yet been invaded. Harmonia axyridis became the dominant species in the invaded area two years after it was first identified. This dominance is clearly shown on Liriodendron tulipifera and Tilia platyphyllos, where it accounted for more than 75% of the total collected individuals in the last year of the study. In the not-yet invaded area, Adalia bipunctata overcame Oenopia conglobata and became the prevalent species from 2020 onwards, likely due to its regular releases for aphid biocontrol. This study reveals that changes in ladybird species assemblages may not only be caused by invasive species, but also by biological control practices.
Association of the Heart Rate Variability Response to Active Standing with the Severity of Calcific Aortic Valve Disease: Novel Insights of a Neurocardiovascular Pathology
Authors: Rodríguez-Carbó Jimena , Torres-Arellano José M. , Ávila-Vanzzini Nydia , Springall Rashidi , Bojalil Rafael , Infante Oscar , Lerma Claudia , Echeverría Juan Carlos
Published: August 2022

The aim of this work was to obtain insights of the participation of the autonomic nervous system in different stages of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) by heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Studying subjects with no valve impairments and CAVD patients, we also sought to quantify the independent contribution or explanatory capacity of the aortic valve echocardiographic parameters involved in the HRV changes caused by active standing using hierarchical partitioning models to consider other variables or potential confounders. We detected smaller adjustments of the cardiac autonomic response at active standing caused specifically by the aortic valve deterioration. The highest association (i.e., the highest percentage of independent exploratory capacity) was found between the aortic valve area and the active standing changes in the short-term HRV scaling exponent α1 (4.591%). The valve’s maximum pressure gradient echocardiographic parameter was present in most models assessed (in six out of eight models of HRV indices that included a valve parameter as an independent variable). Overall, our study provides insights with a wider perspective to explore and consider CAVD as a neurocardiovascular pathology. This pathology involves autonomic-driven compensatory mechanisms that seem generated by the aortic valve deterioration.
Birdshot Chorioretinopathy: A Review
Authors: Bousquet Elodie , Duraffour Pierre , Debillon Louis , Somisetty Swathi , Monnet Dominique , Brézin Antoine P.
Published: August 2022

Birdshot chorioretinopathy (BSCR) is a bilateral chronic inflammation of the eye with no extraocular manifestations. BSCR affects middle-aged individuals from European descent and is strongly associated with the human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A29 allele. The immune mechanisms involved are not fully understood, but recent advances have shown the role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Aminopeptidase 2 (ERAP2) in disease pathogenesis. Multimodal imaging, including fluorescein angiography, indocyanine angiography, fundus autofluorescence, and optical coherence tomography, are useful in confirming the diagnosis and monitoring disease activity. Visual field testing is also important to assess the disease progression. To date, there is no consensus for optimal treatment regimen and duration. Local and systemic corticosteroids can be used for short periods, but immunosuppressive or biological therapies are usually needed for the long-term management of the disease. Here, we will review publications focused on birdshot chorioretinopathy to give an update on the pathophysiology, the multimodal imaging, and the treatment of the disease.
Debating the Future of Sickle Cell Disease Curative Therapy: Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation vs. Gene Therapy
Authors: Kassim Adetola A. , Leonard Alexis
Published: August 2022

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a well-established curative therapy for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) when using a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling donor. Most patients with SCD do not have a matched sibling donor, thereby significantly limiting the accessibility of this curative option to most patients. HLA-haploidentical HSCT with post-transplant cyclophosphamide expands the donor pool, with current approaches now demonstrating high overall survival, reduced toxicity, and an effective reduction in acute and chronic graft-vs.-host disease (GvHD). Alternatively, autologous genetic therapies appear promising and have the potential to overcome significant barriers associated with allogeneic HSCT, such as donor availability and GvHD. Here the authors each take a viewpoint and discuss what will be the future of curative options for patients with SCD outside of a matched sibling transplantation, specifically haploidentical HSCT vs. gene therapy.
Reducing CIED-Related Morbidity: “LESS Is More”
Authors: Regoli François D.
Published: August 2022

In recent years, the rate of pacemaker implantations has continued to rise throughout Europe [...]
Second- and Third-Tier Therapies for Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Vrettou Charikleia S. , Mentzelopoulos Spyros D.
Published: August 2022

Intracranial hypertension is a common finding in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. These patients need treatment in the intensive care unit, where intracranial pressure monitoring and, whenever possible, multimodal neuromonitoring can be applied. A three-tier approach is suggested in current recommendations, in which higher-tier therapies have more significant side effects. In this review, we explain the rationale for this approach, and analyze the benefits and risks of each therapeutic modality. Finally, we discuss, based on the most recent recommendations, how this approach can be adapted in low- and middle-income countries, where available resources are limited.
Associations between Psychological Variables, Knowledge, Attitudes, Risk Perceptions and Health Behaviours towards COVID-19 among Adolescents
Authors: Asensio-Martínez Ángela , Aguilar-Latorre Alejandra , García-Sanz Olga , Oliván-Blázquez Bárbara , López-del-Hoyo Yolanda , Magallón-Botaya Rosa
Published: August 2022

There is currently little scientific evidence available that allows us to understand patterns of knowledge, risk perception, attitudes, and behaviours among adolescents in relation to COVID-19. This study aims to analyse the relationship between knowledge about COVID-19, risk perception, and psychological variables and the adherence to preventive measures among the adolescent population. It is a descriptive cross-sectional study, which included adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 (n = 354). The questionnaire was sent to several secondary schools chosen by convenience sampling and following a non-probabilistic snowball sampling. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate analyses were carried out in order to determine whether knowledge about COVID-19, risk perception, tolerance of frustration, planning and decision-making, family functionality, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and social skills are related to preventive measures. The adoption among adolescents of behaviours which protect them against COVID-19 depends on knowledge about the disease, the perception of the risk it poses to them, as well as their tolerance of frustration and planning and decision-making abilities. The relationship between the individual variables among adolescents with the adoption of behaviours which protect them against COVID-19 has been confirmed. The development of intervention and communication strategies that take the psychosocial situation of adolescents into account will help to increase the adoption of protective health behaviours in the context of a pandemic.
Association between Metformin Use and Risk of Total Knee Arthroplasty and Degree of Knee Pain in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients with Diabetes and/or Obesity: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Chen Shibo , Ruan Guangfeng , Zeng Muhui , Chen Tianyu , Cao Peihua , Zhang Yan , Li Jia , Wang Xiaoshuai , Li Shengfa , Tang Su’an , Lu Shilong , Fan Tianxiang , Li Yang , Han Weiyu , Tan Jianye , Ding Changhai , Zhu Zhaohua
Published: August 2022

Objectives: We aimed to examine whether metformin (MET) use is associated with a reduced risk of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and low severity of knee pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and diabetes and/or obesity. Methods: Participants diagnosed with knee OA and diabetes and/or obesity from June 2000 to July 2019 were selected from the information system of a local hospital. Regular MET users were defined as those with recorded prescriptions of MET or self-reported regular MET use for at least 6 months. TKA information was extracted from patients’ surgical records. Knee pain was assessed using the numeric rating scale. Log-binomial regression, linear regression, and propensity score weighting (PSW) were performed for statistical analyses. Results: A total of 862 participants were included in the analyses. After excluding missing data, there were 346 MET non-users and 362 MET users. MET use was significantly associated with a reduced risk of TKA (prevalence ratio: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.45, p < 0.001), after adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, various analgesics, and insurance status. MET use was significantly associated with a reduced degree of knee pain after being adjusted for the above covariates (β: −0.48, 95% CI: −0.91 to −0.05, p = 0.029). There was a significantly accumulative effect of MET use on the reduced risk of TKA. Conclusion: MET can be a potential therapeutic option for OA. Further clinical trials are needed to determine if MET can reduce the risk of TKA and the severity of knee pain in metabolic-associated OA patients.
Characteristics and Risk Factors of Myocardial Injury after Traumatic Hemorrhagic Shock
Authors: Zhao Xiujuan , Guo Fuzheng , Wang Chu , Wang Zhenzhou , Chang Panpan , Xue Haiyan , Wang Tianbing , Zhu Fengxue
Published: August 2022

Myocardial injury increases major adverse cardiovascular events and mortality in patients with traumatic hemorrhagic shock, but its prevalence and risk factors remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of myocardial injury after traumatic hemorrhagic shock. This was an observational, retrospective cohort study of patients with traumatic hemorrhagic shock at a tertiary university hospital from November 2012 to July 2021. Patient characteristics and clinical variables were recorded in 314 patients. The outcome was the occurrence of myocardial injury after traumatic hemorrhagic shock. Risk factors for myocardial injury were identified using logistic regression. The incidence of myocardial injury after the traumatic hemorrhagic shock was 42.4%, and 95.5% of myocardial injuries occurred within the first three days after trauma. In the multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors for myocardial injury after traumatic hemorrhagic shock included heart rate of >100 beats/min (OR [odds ratio], 3.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56–7.09; p = 0.002), hemoglobin level of <70 g/L (OR, 3.50; 95% CI, 1.15–10.60; p = 0.027), prothrombin time of >15 s (OR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.12–5.10; p = 0.024), acute kidney injury (OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.27–5.93; p = 0.01), and a higher APACHE II score (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01–1.15; p = 0.018). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the prediction of myocardial injury after a traumatic hemorrhagic shock was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.68–0.79) for a heart rate of >100 beats/min, 0.67 (95% CI, 0.61–0.73) for hemoglobin level of <70 g/L, 0.66 (95% CI, 0.60–0.73) for prothrombin time of >15 s, 0.70 (95% CI, 0.64–0.76) for acute kidney injury, and 0.78 (95% CI, 0.73–0.83) for APACHE II scores. The incidence rate of myocardial injury in traumatic hemorrhagic shock is high, and heart rates of >100 beats/min, hemoglobin levels of <70 g/L, prothrombin times of >15 s, AKI and higher APACHE II scores are independent risk factors for myocardial injury after traumatic hemorrhagic shock. These findings may help clinicians to identify myocardial injury after traumatic hemorrhagic shock early and initiate appropriate treatment.
An Update on the Management of Acute High-Risk Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Chopard Romain , Behr Julien , Vidoni Charles , Ecarnot Fiona , Meneveau Nicolas
Published: August 2022

Hemodynamic instability and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction are the key determinants of short-term prognosis in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). High-risk PE encompasses a wide spectrum of clinical situations from sustained hypotension to cardiac arrest. Early recognition and treatment tailored to each individual are crucial. Systemic fibrinolysis is the first-line pulmonary reperfusion therapy to rapidly reverse RV overload and hemodynamic collapse, at the cost of a significant rate of bleeding. Catheter-directed pharmacological and mechanical techniques ensure swift recovery of echocardiographic parameters and may possess a better safety profile than systemic thrombolysis. Further clinical studies are mandatory to clarify which pulmonary reperfusion strategy may improve early clinical outcomes and fill existing gaps in the evidence.
Current Epidemiology of the General Anesthesia Practice for Cesarean Delivery Using a Nationwide Claims Database in Japan: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Yonekura Hiroshi , Mazda Yusuke , Noguchi Shohei , Tsunobuchi Hironaka , Shimaoka Motomu
Published: August 2022

The current status of general anesthesia practice for cesarean delivery in Japan remains unknown. Therefore, using a nationwide claims database, we aimed to investigate general anesthesia use for cesarean delivery over a period of 15 years, and to analyze the general anesthesia practice in Japan. Patients who claimed the Japanese general anesthesia claim code (L008) for cesarean delivery between 1 January 2005, and 31 March 2020, were analyzed. Primary endpoint was the prevalence of general anesthesia use. We used two definitions of general anesthesia: L008 code only (insurance definition) and combination of the L008 code with muscle relaxant use (clinical definition). The general anesthesia claim cohort (L008) included 10,972 cesarean deliveries at 1111 institutions from 2005 to 2020. Muscle relaxants were used in 27.3% of L008 claims cases. The rate of general anesthesia use for cesarean delivery ranged from 3.9% in clinical definition to 14.4% in insurance definition of all cesarean deliveries. We observed a temporal trend of gradual decrease in general anesthesia use, regardless of its definition (p for trend < 0.001). We recommend the clinical definition of general anesthesia as the combination of L008 code and muscle relaxant use in a claims-based approach.
Peri-Implant Bone Loss and Overload: A Systematic Review Focusing on Occlusal Analysis through Digital and Analogic Methods
Authors: Di Fiore Adolfo , Montagner Mattia , Sivolella Stefano , Stellini Edoardo , Yilmaz Burak , Brunello Giulia
Published: August 2022

The present review aimed to assess the possible relationship between occlusal overload and peri-implant bone loss. In accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, the MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched from January 1985 up to and including December 2021. The search strategy applied was: (dental OR oral) AND implants AND (overload OR excessive load OR occlusal wear) AND (bone loss OR peri-implantitis OR failure). Clinical studies that reported quantitative analysis of occlusal loads through digital contacts and/or occlusal wear were included. The studies were screened for eligibility by two independent reviewers. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. In total, 492 studies were identified in the search during the initial screening. Of those, 84 were subjected to full-text evaluation, and 7 fulfilled the inclusion criteria (4 cohort studies, 2 cross-sectional, and 1 case-control). Only one study used a digital device to assess excessive occlusal forces. Four out of seven studies reported a positive correlation between the overload and the crestal bone loss. All of the included studies had moderate to serious overall risk of bias, according to the ROBINS-I tool. In conclusion, the reported data relating the occlusal analysis to the peri-implant bone level seem to reveal an association, which must be further investigated using new digital tools that can help to standardize the methodology.
Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Bloodstream Infections in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Decadal Observational Study
Authors: Kitaya Shiori , Kakuta Risako , Kanamori Hajime , Ohkoshi Akira , Ishii Ryo , Nomura Kazuhiro , Tokuda Koichi , Katori Yukio
Published: August 2022

This retrospective study aims to describe the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of bloodstream infections (BSIs) and the risk factors in patients with head and neck cancer (n = 227) treated at the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tohoku University Hospital between April 2011 and March 2021. Overall, 23.3% of blood cultures were positive. In the culture-positive group, catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) were the most common (38.8%), followed by respiratory tract infections (19.4%), and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (6.0%). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (26.9%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (17.9%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.4%) infections were common. The most frequent treatment for head and neck cancer was surgery (23.9%), followed by treatment interval or palliative care (19.4%), and single radiotherapy (13.4%). The 30-day mortality rate was significantly higher in the BSI than in the non-BSI group (10.4% vs. 1.8%, respectively). CRBSIs are the most frequent source of BSIs in patients with head and neck cancer. In conclusion, central venous catheters or port insertion should be used for a short period to prevent CRBSIs. The risk of developing BSI should be considered in patients with pneumonia. Understanding the epidemiology of BSIs is crucial for diagnosing, preventing, and controlling infections in patients with head and neck cancer.
Scattering and Directionality Effects of Noise Generation from Flapping Thrusters Used for Propulsion of Small Ocean Vehicles
Authors: Belibassakis Kostas , Prospathopoulos John , Malefaki Iro
Published: August 2022

Flapping-foil thrusters are systems that operate at a substantially lower frequency compared with marine propellers and are characterized by a much smaller power concentration. These biomimetic devices are able to operate very efficiently, offering desirable levels of thrust required for the propulsion of small vessels or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and can be used for the standalone propulsion of small vessels or for augmenting ship propulsion in waves, alleviating the generation of noise and its adverse effects on sea life, particularly on marine mammals. In this work, we consider the generation of noise by flapping foils arranged in the neighborhood of the above vessels including the scattering effects by the hull, which, in addition to free-surface and seabed effects, significantly contribute to the modification of the characteristics of the acoustic field. A Boundary Element Method (BEM) is developed to treat the 3D scattering problem in the frequency domain forced by monopole and dipole source terms associated with the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings (FW-H) equation. Numerical results are presented in selected cases illustrating that the hull geometry and acoustic properties, as well as the sea surface and seabed effects, are important for the determination of the directionality of the generated noise and significantly affect the propagation in the underwater ocean environment.
Develop a Comprehensive Method to Evaluate the Mental Workload of Ship Operators
Authors: Yan Shengyuan , Wei Yingying , Li Fengjiao , Tran Cong Chi
Published: August 2022

Mental workload has become an important factor affecting the human error of ship operators. Controlling the mental workload of operators within a reasonable range can reduce human errors. The purpose of this study is to develop an evaluation method to evaluate the ship operator’s mental workload. First, the evaluation indices system was constructed according to three types of mental workload measurements. Second, the criteria importance though intercrieria correlation (CRITIC) method and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method were used to determine the relative weight of each index. Finally, the fuzzy theory was used to calculate ship operator’s mental workload. The experiment results indicated that subjective workload assessment technique, physiological measurement (eye response), and error rate can be integrated into the comprehensive evaluation method to assess the mental workload of ship operators. Thus, this method can be used to comprehensively evaluate the mental workload level and improve the reliability of the assessment results.
Fetal Growth and Neonatal Outcomes in Pregestational Diabetes Mellitus in a Population with a High Prevalence of Diabetes
Authors: Capobianco Giampiero , Gulotta Alessandra , Tupponi Giulio , Dessole Francesco , Virdis Giuseppe , Cherchi Claudio , De Vita Davide , Petrillo Marco , Olzai Giorgio , Antonucci Roberto , Saderi Laura , Cherchi Pier Luigi , Dessole Salvatore , Sotgiu Giovanni
Published: August 2022

The aim of this retrospective study, conducted in an Italian tertiary care hospital, was to evaluate maternal-fetal and neonatal clinical outcomes in a group of patients with pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM), such as diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1), diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2), and maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY). Overall, 174 pregnant women, nulliparous and multiparous, with a single pregnancy were enrolled. Data on pregnancy, childbirth, and newborns were collected from medical records. The selected patients were divided into two groups: the PGDM group (42 with DM1, 14 with DM2, and 2 with MODY), and the control group (116 patients with a negative pathological history of diabetes mellitus). We reported an incidence of preterm delivery of 55.2% in the PGDM group, including 59.5% of those with DM1 and 42.9% of those with DM2, vs. 6% in the controls. Fetal growth disorders, such as intrauterine growth retardation, small for gestational age, and fetal macrosomia were found in 19% and 3.6% in the case and control groups, respectively. A relationship between DM2 and gestational hypertension was found.
Bubble in Carbon Credits during COVID-19: Financial Instability or Positive Impact (“Minsky” or “Social”)?
Authors: Ghosh Bikramaditya , Papathanasiou Spyros , Dar Vandita , Gravas Konstantinos
Published: August 2022

Incentivizing businesses to lower carbon emissions and trade back excess carbon allowances paved the way for rapid growth in carbon credit ETFs. The use of carbon allowances as a hedging alternative fueled this rally further, causing a shift to speculation and forming repetitive bubbles. Speculative bubbles are born from euphoria, yet, they are relatively predictable, provided their pattern matches the log periodic power law (LPPL) with specific stylized facts. A “Minsky moment” identifies a clear speculative bubble as a signal of financial system instability, while a “Social bubble” is regarded as relatively positive, increasing in the long run, infrastructure spending and development. The aim of this paper is to investigate whether various carbon credit bubbles during the pandemic period caused financial instability or had a positive impact (“Minsky” or “Social”). Particularly, we investigate the carbon credit bubble behavior in the ETF prices of KRBN, GRN (Global Carbon Credit tracking ETFs), and the SOLCARBT index during the COVID-19 pandemic period by adopting the log-periodic power law model (LPPL) methodology, which has been widely used, over the past decade, for detecting bubbles and crashes in various markets. In conclusion, these bubbles are social and propelled by the newfound interest in carbon credit trading, for obvious reasons.
Urban Geotourism in La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain
Authors: Hernández William , Dóniz-Páez Javier , Pérez Nemesio M.
Published: August 2022

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) stated that “sun and beach” tourist destinations needed to direct more resources towards innovation, sustainability and accessibility. This is related to the crisis that many sun and beach tourist destinations are experiencing. In the Canary Islands, changes to legislation together with urban and tourist products have been made in accordance with UNWTO proposals. For many years the island of La Palma has been offering tourists hiking, stargazing and volcano tourism besides “sun and beach holidays”. However, the 2021 eruption of Tajogaite, Cumbre Vieja aggravated the island’s tourism crisis and caused very negative effects on the economy. This work identifies, selects and characterizes places of interest for geotourism development in the two largest population centers (Santa Cruz de La Palma and Los Llanos de Aridane). Santa Cruz de La Palma has 20 points of interest; Los Llanos de Aridane has 14. All sites contribute to showcasing the diversity of the natural and cultural volcanic and non-volcanic heritage of the regions. The geotourism product in La Palma is relatively new and exploits the topography present, including natural outcrops (cinder cones, lava fields, ravines, cliffs, sedimentary deposits or beaches), and also the cultural heritage (religious and civil architecture, streets or town planning, planes). These proposals for urban geotourism take advantage of the volcanic geoheritage of La Palma and increase the breadth and quality of tourism on offer.
Governing Cross-Border Data Flows: International Trade Agreements and Their Limits
Authors: Chin Yik-Chan , Zhao Jingwu
Published: August 2022

In modern international competition and cooperation, digital trade rules centered on the cross-border flow of data have become a competitive advantage for countries. Under the guidance of commercial freedom, the United States chooses to actively promote the free flow of data across borders. The European Union has placed the protection of personal data rights before the cross-border flow of data through the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and developing countries generally reserve space for industry policy interpretation. As one of the world’s largest economies, facing the needs of domestic industrial development and the pressure of international systems, China’s cross-border data flows’ policy is to ensure data flows under the premise of security, protection of personal information, seek international coordination of rules, and the freedom of transmission. The key question, therefore, is how to facilitate interoperability or find a middle ground among the divergent approaches in order to avoid the fragmentation of the digital trade system. The article suggests that a thin and narrowly scoped WTO agreement on e-commerce rules on cross-border data flows with sufficient policy space to accommodate different needs, policy preferences and priorities, and local contexts via legitimate exception provisions would be a welcome movement.
Structural and Phylogenetic Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein from the Most Widespread Variants
Authors: Caputo Emilia , Mandrich Luigi
Published: August 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, reported for the first time at the end of 2019 in the city of Wuhan (China), has spread worldwide in three years; it lead to the infection of more than 500 million people and about six million dead. SARS-CoV-2 has proved to be very dangerous for human health. Therefore, several efforts have been made in studying this virus. In a short time, about one year, the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection and duplication and its physiological effect on human have been pointed out. Moreover, different vaccines against it have been developed and commercialized. To date, more than 11 billion doses have been inoculated all over the world. Since the beginning of the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved; it has done so by accumulating mutations in the genome, generating new virus versions showing different characteristics, and which have replaced the pre-existing variants. In general, it has been observed that the new variants show an increased infectivity and cause milder symptoms. The latest isolated Omicron variants contain more than 50 mutations in the whole genome and show an infectivity 10-folds higher compared to the wild-type strain. Here, we analyse the SARS-CoV-2 variants from a phylogenetic point of view and hypothesize a future scenario for SARS-CoV-2, by following its evolution to date.
Unmasking the ‘Asymptomatic’ COVID-19: A Nose Question
Authors: Mazzatenta Andrea , Berardi Anna , Novarria Gabriele Alessandro , Neri Giampiero
Published: August 2022

The new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has high infectivity, often masked by asymptomatic carriers, which allows it to spread rapidly and become a pandemic. Attempts to slow the pandemic at this stage depend on the ability to unmask asymptomatic carriers. The rapid diagnosis of active coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is one of the cornerstones of pandemic control, as the nasal cavity is the main gateway for SARS-CoV-2 entry and altered sense of smell is a feature of the current virus. In the present study, we therefore tested the olfactory threshold coupled with heart–lung parameters in subjects undergoing traditional molecular testing, resulting in a significantly different score between asymptomatic subjects and healthy controls. In total, 82% of asymptomatic positives showed olfactory impairment; of these, 46% had severe hyposmia and 7% had anosmia, while in the control 9% had severe hyposmia and 0% had anosmia, respectively, which agrees with heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure parameter variations. The olfactory test coupled with physiological parameters may help to identify asymptomatic people. In conclusion, our results suggest that most asymptomatic individuals could be unmasked by mass olfactory rapid threshold screening and then referred to traditional slower diagnostic tests.
Astragalus membranaceus Extract Prevents Calcium Oxalate Crystallization and Extends Lifespan in a Drosophila Urolithiasis Model
Authors: Chen Szu-Ju , Dalanbaatar Sunderiya , Chen Huey-Yi , Wang Shih-Jing , Lin Wei-Yong , Liu Po-Len , Tsai Ming-Yen , Chen Der-Cherng , Chen Yung-Hsiang , Chen Wen-Chi
Published: August 2022

Approximately 1 in 20 people develops kidney stones at some point in their life. Although the surgical removal of stones is common, the recurrence rate remains high and it is therefore important to prevent the occurrence of kidney stones. We chose Astragalus membranaceus (AM), which is a traditional Chinese medicine, to study the prevention of urolithiasis using a Drosophila model based on our previous screening of traditional Chinese herbs. Wild-type Drosophila melanogaster Canton-S adult fruit flies were used in this study. Ethylene glycol (EG, 0.5%) was added to food as a lithogenic agent. The positive control agent (2% potassium citrate (K-citrate)) was then compared with AM (2, 8, and 16 mg/mL). After 21 days, the fruit flies were sacrificed under carbon dioxide narcotization, and the Malpighian tubules were dissected, removed, and processed for polarized light microscopy examination to observe calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystallization. Then, the ex vivo dissolution of crystals in the Malpighian tubules was compared between K-citrate and AM. Survival analysis of the EG, K-citrate, and AM groups was also performed. Both 2% K-citrate and AM (16 mg/mL) significantly inhibited EG-induced CaOx crystal formation. Mean lifespan was significantly reduced by the administration of EG, and the results were significantly reversed in the AM (8 and 16 mg/mL) groups. However, AM extract did not directly dissolve CaOx crystals in Drosophila Malpighian tubules ex vivo. In conclusion, AM extract decreased the ratio of CaOx crystallization in the Malpighian tubules and significantly ameliorated EG-induced reduction of lifespan. AM prevented CaOx crystal formation in the Drosophila model.
Improvements in Plasma Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Levels after a Weight-Loss Lifestyle Intervention in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Georgoulis Michael , Yiannakouris Nikos , Tenta Roxane , Kechribari Ioanna , Lamprou Kallirroi , Vagiakis Emmanouil , Kontogianni Meropi D.
Published: August 2022

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and systemic inflammation typically coexist within a vicious cycle. This study aimed at exploring the effectiveness of a weight-loss lifestyle intervention in reducing plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), a well-established modulator of systematic inflammation in OSA. Eighty-four adult, overweight patients with a diagnosis of moderate-to-severe OSA were randomized to a standard care (SCG, n = 42) or a Mediterranean lifestyle group (MLG, n = 42). Both groups were prescribed continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), while the MLG additionally participated in a 6-month behavioral intervention aiming at healthier weight and lifestyle habits according to the Mediterranean pattern. Plasma TNF-a was measured by an immunoenzymatic method both pre- and post-intervention. Drop-out rates were 33% (n = 14) for the SCG and 24% (n = 10) for the MLG. Intention-to-treat analysis (n = 84) revealed a significant decrease in median TNF-a only in the MLG (from 2.92 to 2.00 pg/mL, p = 0.001). Compared to the SCG, the MLG exhibited lower follow-up TNF-a levels (mean difference adjusted for age, sex, baseline TNF-a and CPAP use: −0.97 pg/mL, p = 0.014), and further controlling for weight loss did not attenuate this difference (p = 0.020). Per protocol analyses (n = 60) revealed similar results. In conclusion, a healthy lifestyle intervention can lower plasma TNF-a levels in patients with OSA.
The Impact of eHealth Interventions on the Improvement of Self-Care in Chronic Patients: An Overview of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Renzi Erika , Baccolini Valentina , Migliara Giuseppe , De Vito Corrado , Gasperini Giulia , Cianciulli Angelo , Marzuillo Carolina , Villari Paolo , Massimi Azzurra
Published: August 2022

Promoting self-care is one of the most promising strategies for managing chronic conditions. This overview aimed to investigate the effectiveness of eHealth interventions at improving self-care in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease when compared to standard care. We carried out a review of systematic reviews on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, PsychInfo, and CINAHL. AMSTAR-2 was used for quality appraisal. Eight systematic reviews (six with meta-analysis) were included, involving a total of 41,579 participants. eHealth interventions were categorized into three subgroups: (i) reminders via messaging apps, emails, and apps; (ii) telemonitoring and online operator support; (iii) internet and web-based educational programs. Six systematic reviews showed an improvement in self-care measurements through eHealth interventions, which also led to a better quality of life and clinical outcomes (HbA1C, blood pressure, hospitalization, cholesterol, body weight). This overview provided some implications for practice and research: eHealth is effective in increasing self-care in chronic patients; however, it is required to designate the type of eHealth intervention based on the needed outcome (e.g., implementing telemonitoring to increase self-monitoring of blood pressure). In addition, there is a need to standardize self-care measures through increased use of validated assessment tools.
Analysis of Prevalence and Predictive Factors of Long-Lasting Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunction in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Callejón-Leblic María A. , Martín-Jiménez Daniel I. , Moreno-Luna Ramón , Palacios-Garcia Jose M. , Alvarez-Cendrero Marta , Vizcarra-Melgar Julissa A. , Fernandez-Velez Carlos , Reyes-Tejero Isabel M. , Maza-Solano Juan , Gonzalez-Garcia Jaime , Tena-García Beatriz , Acosta-Mosquera María E. , Del Cuvillo Alfonso , Sánchez-Gómez Serafín
Published: August 2022

Background: Although smell and taste disorders are highly prevalent symptoms of COVID-19 infection, the predictive factors leading to long-lasting chemosensory dysfunction are still poorly understood. Methods: 102 out of 421 (24.2%) mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients completed a second questionnaire about the evolution of their symptoms one year after the infection using visual analog scales (VAS). A subgroup of 69 patients also underwent psychophysical evaluation of olfactory function through UPSIT. Results: The prevalence of chemosensory dysfunction decreased from 82.4% to 45.1% after 12 months, with 46.1% of patients reporting a complete recovery. Patients older than 40 years (OR = 0.20; 95% CI: [0.07, 0.56]) and with a duration of loss of smell longer than four weeks saw a lower odds ratio for recovery (OR = 0.27; 95% CI: [0.10, 0.76]). In addition, 28 patients (35.9%) reported suffering from parosmia, which was associated with moderate to severe taste dysfunction at the baseline (OR = 7.80; 95% CI: [1.70, 35.8]). Among the 69 subjects who underwent the UPSIT, 57 (82.6%) presented some degree of smell dysfunction, showing a moderate correlation with self-reported VAS (r = −0.36, p = 0.0027). Conclusion: A clinically relevant number of subjects reported persistent chemosensory dysfunction and parosmia one year after COVID-19 infection, with a moderate correlation with psychophysical olfactory tests.
Plant Volatile Compounds of the Invasive Alligatorweed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb, Infested by Agasicles hygrophila Selman and Vogt (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Shi Meng-Zhu , Li Jian-Yu , Chen Yan-Ting , Fang Ling , Wei Hang , Fu Jian-Wei
Published: August 2022

Plants release a variety of volatiles and herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) after being damaged by herbivorous insects, which play multiple roles in the interactions with other plants and insects. Agasicles hygrophila Selman and Vogt (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a monophagous natural enemy and an effective biocontrol agent for Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. Here, we reported differences among the volatiles of A. philoxeroides by solid phase microextraction (SPME) using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). We compared the volatile emission of: (1) clean plants (CK); (2) A. philoxeroides plants with mechanical damage treatment (MD); and (3) A. philoxeroides plants infested with A. hygrophila 1st, 2nd, and 3rd larvae and female and male adults. A total of 97 volatiles were recorded, of which 5 occurred consistently in all treatments, while 61 volatiles were only observed in A. philoxeroides infested by A. hygrophila, such as trans-nerolidol, (E)-β-farnesene, and (3E,7E)-4,8,12-trimethyltrideca-1,3,7,11-tetraene (E, E-TMTT), etc. Among the 97 volatile compounds, 37 compounds belong to alkenes, 29 compounds belong to alkanes, and there were 8 esters, 8 alcohols and 6 ketones. Orthogonal partial least squares-discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) showed that the different treatments were separated from each other, especially insect feeding from CK and MD treatments, and 19 volatiles contributed most to the separation among the treatments, with variable importance for the projection (VIP) values > 1. Our findings indicated that the alligatorweed plants could be induced to release volatiles by different stages of A. hygrophila, and the volatile compounds released differ quantitatively and qualitatively. The results from this study laid an important foundation for using volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and HIPVs of alligatorweed to improve the control effect of A. hygrophila on A. philoxeroides.