bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Papilloma Virus Infection and Vaccination: Pre-Post Intervention Analysis on Knowledge, Attitudes and Willingness to Vaccinate Among Preadolescents Attending Secondary Schools of Palermo, Sicily
Authors: Costantino Claudio , Amodio Emanuele , Vitale Francesco , Trucchi Cecilia , Maida Carmelo Massimo , Bono Stefania Enza , Caracci Francesca , Sannasardo Claudia Emilia , Scarpitta Francesco , Vella Carlotta , Ventura Gianmarco , Icardi Giancarlo , Casuccio Alessandra , Restivo Vincenzo
Published: July 2020

In recent years, vaccination coverage rates against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in Europe have shown a decreasing trend and remain below the required standard. The present study aims to assess knowledge and attitudes regarding HPV infection and vaccination among a representative sample of preadolescents of Palermo, Italy. A survey was carried out throughout two questionnaires, before and after carrying out an educational intervention scheduled during school hours. A total of 1702 students attending first-grade secondary schools of the province of Palermo were enrolled (response rate 68.9%). Students attending third classes (adj OR = 1.18; CI 95% 1.03–1.36), being of higher socioeconomic status (adj OR = 1.35; CI 95% 1.05–1.73), who had previously received information about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) at home (adj OR = 1.62; CI 95% 1.27–2.07) or at school (adj OR = 2.15; CI 95% 1.70–2.71) and who had ever heard in the past about HPV (adj OR = 1.80; CI 95% 1.42–2.29) showed a significantly higher baseline level of knowledge regarding HPV. Willingness to receive HPV vaccination, in a 10-point Likert scale, significantly increased between the pre- (8.51; SD ± 1.79) and post- (9.01 SD ± 1.52) intervention questionnaires (p < 0.001). A total of 188 out of 272 (69.1%) preadolescents attending five out eighteen schools involved in the project, who had not previously received the HPV vaccine, were vaccinated. During past years, education campaigns on HPV were mainly dedicated to adult women, excluding teenagers and omitting young males. It should therefore be of primary importance that school-based education and vaccination programmes be standardized.
Physical Literacy, Physical Activity, and Health Indicators in School-Age Children
Authors: Caldwell Hilary A.T. , Di Cristofaro Natascja A. , Cairney John , Bray Steven R. , MacDonald Maureen J. , Timmons Brian W.
Published: July 2020

It has been theorized that physical literacy is associated with physical activity and health. The purpose of this study is to investigate the associations between physical literacy and health, and if this relationship is mediated by moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Two hundred and twenty-two children (113 girls, 10.7 ± 1.0 years old) participated in this cross-sectional study. A physical literacy composite score was computed from measures of PLAYfun, PLAYparent, and PLAYself. Physical activity was measured over seven days with accelerometers, expressed as MVPA (min/day). Health indicators included: body composition (percent body fat), aerobic fitness (treadmill time and 60s heart rate recovery), resting systolic blood pressure, and quality of life. Physical literacy was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with percent body fat (R2 = 0.23), treadmill time (R2 = 0.21), 60 s heart rate recovery (R2 = 0.36), systolic blood pressure (R2 = 0.11), and quality of life (R2 = 0.11). The relationships between physical literacy and aerobic fitness, but not other health indicators, were directly mediated by MVPA. Higher physical literacy in children is associated with favorable health indicators, and the relationships between physical literacy and aerobic fitness were influenced by MVPA. Future work should examine these relationships longitudinally and determine if changes in physical literacy leads to changes in health.
Changes in Eating Habits among Displaced and Non-Displaced University Students
Authors: Bárbara Rita , Ferreira-Pêgo Cíntia
Published: July 2020

Nowadays the younger generations are moving their food habits from the traditional diet to a Western diet, which is low in fruits and vegetables and high in fat and sugary drinks. University students are a particularly vulnerable population once, with the entrance to university, they are subjected to new influences and responsibilities; in particular, those who live far from their parents’ houses are more predisposed to unhealthy eating habits. To assess the influence that admission to university has had on the frequency of intake of certain foods and meals as well as their adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), self-administered questionnaires were applied. The sample included 97 Portuguese students, with an average age of 21 years, a normal weight, according to body mass index, and an average MedDiet adherence. Most of the individuals did not smoke and the majority did not drink coffee. It was also observed that displaced students consume fast food more frequently compared to the period before they start university. Fish ingestion decreased and coffee consumption increased, in the same group, after starting their university studies.
Considering Alternate Pathways of Drinking-Water Contamination: Evidence of Risk Substitution from Arsenic Mitigation Programs in Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Goel Varun , Bell Griffin J. , Sridhar Sumati , Islam Md. Sirajul , Yunus Md. , Ali Md. Taslim , Khan Md. Alfazal , Alam Md. Nurul , Faruque ASG , Kabir Md. Masnoon , Babu Shahabuddin , Brandt Katerina , Shelus Victoria , Sobsey Mark D. , Emch Michael
Published: July 2020

Deep tubewells are a key component of arsenic mitigation programs in rural Bangladesh. Compared to widely prevalent shallow tubewells, deep tubewells reduce ground-water arsenic exposure and provide better microbial water quality at source. However, the benefits of clean drinking-water at these more distant sources may be abated by higher levels of microbial contamination at point-of-use. One such potential pathway is the use of contaminated surface water for washing drinking-water storage containers. The aim of this study is to compare the prevalence of surface water use for washing drinking-water storage containers among deep and shallow tubewell users in a cohort of 499 rural residents in Matlab, Bangladesh. We employ a multi-level logistic regression model to measure the effect of tubewell type and ownership status on the odds of washing storage containers with surface water. Results show that deep tubewell users who do not own their drinking-water tubewell, have 6.53 times the odds [95% CI: 3.56, 12.00] of using surface water for cleaning storage containers compared to shallow tubewell users, who own their drinking-water source. Even deep tubewell users who own a private well within walking distance have 2.53 [95% CI: 1.36, 4.71] times the odds of using surface water compared to their shallow tubewell counterparts. These results highlight the need for interventions to limit risk substitution, particularly the increased use of contaminated surface water when access to drinking water is reduced. Increasing ownership of and proximity to deep tubewells, although crucial, is insufficient to achieve equity in safe drinking-water access across rural Bangladesh.
In Pursuit of Work Performance: Testing the Contribution of Emotional Intelligence and Burnout
Authors: Sanchez-Gomez Martin , Breso Edgar
Published: July 2020

Previous research has highlighted the connection between emotional intelligence (EI) and work performance. However, the role of job burnout in this context remains relatively unexplored. This study aimed to examine the mediator role of burnout in the relationship between EI and work performance in a multioccupational sample of 1197 Spanish professionals (58.6% women). The participants completed the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the Individual Work Performance Questionnaire. As expected, the results demonstrated a positive relationship between EI and performance, and a negative relationship with burnout, which has a mediator effect in the relationship between EI and work performance. Professionals with high levels of IE and low burnout reported the highest performance. Multiple mediation analyses showed that employees’ EI was indirectly connected to work performance via professional efficacy and exhaustion, even when controlling the effects of sociodemographic variables. The same pattern was found when multiple mediations were conducted for each EI dimension. These findings demonstrate the importance of burnout in understanding work performance and emphasize the role of EI as a protective variable which can prevent the development or chronic progression of workers’ burnout.
The Dark Side of Motivational Practices in Exercise Professionals: Mediators of Controlling Strategies
Authors: Raposo Frederico Zarazaga , Sánchez-Oliva David , Veiga Carraça Eliana , Labisa Palmeira António , Nunes Silva Marlene
Published: July 2020

According to the Self-Determination Theory, perceived job pressures can coerce professionals to develop more controlled motivations towards their work, and consequently increase the probability of using controlling motivational strategies. This study sought to analyze work-related motivations as mediators between two types of perceived job pressures: organizational constraints and perceptions of clients’ controlled motivation and the use of controlling motivational strategies by exercise professionals. Using a cross-sectional design, involving 366 exercise professionals (172 women), mediation paths were assessed following Preacher and Hayes statistical procedures. Models were adjusted for gender, work experience (years), and the internal tendency to feel events as pressuring. Organizational constraints were associated with lower autonomous motivation for work and the use of controlling strategies. Perceptions of clients’ controlled motivation were associated with work-related amotivation and the use of controlling strategies. Amotivation mediated the association between organizational constraints and controlling strategies. Overall, results support theoretical predictions and previous research, extending it to the exercise domain, highlighting the interplay between job pressures, work-related motivations, and the use of controlling strategies. The understanding of what influences exercise professionals’ motivation, and consequently the motivational strategies they use, is of paramount importance for exercise promotion and the benefit of those who seek their expert guidance.
Levels of Airborne Soybean Allergen (Gly m 1) in a Brazilian Soybean Production City: A Pilot Study
Authors: Thom de Souza Cinthya Covessi , Rosário Filho Nelson Augusto , Camargo Juliana Francis de , Godoi Ricardo Henrique Moreton
Published: July 2020

Asthma epidemics have been shown to be related to where soybeans are loaded and handled, but data are scarce in the literature. This pilot study evaluated the levels of Gly m 1 in dust samples collected in Maringá, Brazil, a city with high soy production and processing. A dust impactor was used to collect seven isolated samples during 2015 and 2016. Samples were analyzed by an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) detection method. Gly m 1 was found in all samples, ranging from 0.82–24.38 ng/m3 (median 2.41), regardless of the month or year evaluated. The levels of Gly m 1 were considered low, but the concentrations required to cause sensitization and symptoms are uncertain.
Effects of an Unstructured Free Play and Mindfulness Intervention on Wellbeing in Kindergarten Students
Authors: Lee Regina , Lane Shelly , Tang Anson , Leung Cynthia , Kwok Stephen , Louie Lobo , Browne Graeme , Chan Sally
Published: July 2020

Play is known as the core occupation of young children as it lays a foundation for their early development and physical, emotional and social wellbeing. Literature suggests that unstructured free play and mindfulness interventions may independently promote wellbeing among preschoolers. However, there is no clear evidence of their combination in supporting wellness in early learning environments. We conducted a quasi-experimental study with 42 children aged four to six years, attending two kindergartens in Hong Kong. The intervention included unstructured play with non-directional loose parts (play materials), conducted outdoors for one hour daily followed by a mindfulness intervention for 10 min per day indoors. The intervention lasted for five consecutive days. We examined happiness and aspects of playfulness before and after the intervention, finding a significant increase in all areas. Given greater freedom in play choice, children showed more disruptive behaviors during unstructured play than the control group engaging in recess as usual. We conclude that unstructured play in addition to mindfulness intervention is effective in promoting students’ happiness and playfulness, both of which may help maintain mental health and wellbeing amid stressors such as transition and separation. The increased disruptive behavior requires additional investigation.
Effects of a Gluteal Muscles Specific Exercise Program on the Vertical Jump
Authors: Gallego-Izquierdo Tomás , Vidal-Aragón Gerardo , Calderón-Corrales Pedro , Acuña Álvaro , Achalandabaso-Ochoa Alexander , Aibar-Almazán Agustín , Martínez-Amat Antonio , Pecos-Martín Daniel
Published: July 2020

The vertical jump is a complex movement where many factors are involved in the final result. Currently, how a specific exercise program for gluteal muscles can affect the vertical jump is unknown. So, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of a specific exercise program for the gluteal muscles on a vertical jump. Forty-nine amateur athletes completed an 8-week program. The experimental group received a specific gluteal muscle training program in addition to their regular training routine, whereas the control group received their regular training routine. Jump height, flight time, speed and power were assessed (baseline, postintervention, and 4-week follow-up). Repeated-measures analyses of variance were conducted with ∝ ≤ 0.05. We calculated Eta squared effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals. Measurements at 8 weeks revealed significant increases in the experimental group compared to the control group for the values: jump height (p < 0.05) (experimental group = 17.15%; control group = 3.09%), flight time (p < 0.001) (experimental group = 7.98%; control group = 3.52%), speed (p < 0.01) (experimental group = 1.96%; control group = 1.83%) and power (p < 0.05) (experimental group = 4.43%; control group = 0.32%). However, at follow-up, these changes were not maintained. These data suggest that this specific training protocol for the gluteal muscles is effective in order to improve vertical jump performance in amateur athletes who use the vertical jump in their routine training habits.
Determinants of Full Breastfeeding at 6 Months and Any Breastfeeding at 12 and 24 Months among Women in Sydney: Findings from the HSHK Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Chimoriya Ritesh , Scott Jane Anne , John James Rufus , Bhole Sameer , Hayen Andrew , Kolt Gregory S. , Arora Amit
Published: July 2020

The aim of this study was to report on breastfeeding duration up to 24 months and determine the predictors of breastfeeding duration among women in South Western Sydney, one of the most culturally diverse and socioeconomically disadvantaged regions of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Mother–infant dyads (n = 1035) were recruited to the Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids birth cohort study. Study data were collected through telephone interviews at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 months postpartum. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine factors associated with the risk of stopping full breastfeeding at six months and any breastfeeding at 12 and 24 months. The majority of mothers (92.3%) had initiated breastfeeding. At six months, 13.5% of infants were fully breastfed, while 49.9% received some breast milk. Only 25.5% and 2.9% of infants received some breast milk at 12 and 24 months, respectively. Lower maternal education level, lower socioeconomic status, full-time employment, maternal smoking during pregnancy, and caesarean delivery were associated with increased risk of stopping full breastfeeding at six months and any breastfeeding at 12 and 24 months. Older maternal age and partner’s preference for breastfeeding were associated with an increased likelihood of continuing any breastfeeding at 12 and 24 months. These findings present a number of opportunities for prolonging breastfeeding duration in disadvantaged communities in NSW.
A Joinpoint Regression Analysis of Syphilis and Gonorrhea Incidence in 15–19-Year Old Adolescents between 2005 and 2017: A Regional Study
Authors: Molnar Anamaria , Iancu Mihaela , Radu Rodica , Borzan Cristina Maria
Published: July 2020

Background and Objectives: Surveillance of syphilis and gonorrhea in Romania is case-based and makes use of European case definitions. Adolescence is a period characterized by vulnerabilities and opportunities, a period when health decisions, including those related to sexually transmitted infections, may have a lifetime impact. The present study investigates the trends recorded in the incidence of syphilis and gonorrhea in 15–19 year-old adolescents in the central and northwestern regions of Romania. Materials and Methods: An observational study was conducted and this included surveillance data for syphilis and gonorrhea in the period 2005–2017 (n = 939). The distribution of demographic and epidemiological variables in adolescents with syphilis and gonorrhea was evaluated, as well as the tendency of the incidence of syphilis and gonorrhea in the studied population. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to characterize the incidence trend for syphilis and gonorrhea. Results: Between 2005 and 2017, 773 cases of syphilis and 166 cases of gonorrhea were reported. The incidence of syphilis and gonorrhea decreased. Most cases of syphilis have been found out by active detection. Most cases of gonorrhea have been found out by passive detection. The age distribution in the group diagnosed with syphilis was similar to that in the group diagnosed with gonorrhea. There was a higher frequency of syphilis in females and gonorrhea was more common in males. Syphilis was more common in rural areas. Gonorrhea was more common in urban areas. Conclusions: There was a decreasing tendency in the incidence of syphilis and gonorrhea in adolescents aged 15–19 during the studied period.
State-Level Income Inequality and County-Level Social Capital in Relation to Individual-Level Depression in Middle-Aged Adults: A Lagged Multilevel Study
Authors: Dev Saloni , Kim Daniel
Published: July 2020

In the US, the incidence of depression and suicide have followed escalating trends over the past several years. These trends call for greater efforts towards identifying their underlying drivers and finding effective prevention strategies and treatments. One social determinant of health that plausibly influences the risk of depression is income inequality, the gap between the rich and poor. However, research on this association is still sparse. We used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 and the US Census to investigate the multilevel lagged associations of state-level income inequality with the individual-level odds of depression in middle-aged adults, controlling for state- and individual-level factors. We also examined the independent associations of county-level social capital with depression and explored whether it mediated the income inequality relationship. Higher income inequality at the state level predicted higher odds of individual-level depression nearly 2 decades later [OR for middle vs. lowest tertile of income inequality = 1.35 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.76), OR for highest vs. lowest tertile = 1.34 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.78)]. This association was stronger among men than women. Furthermore, there was evidence that county-level social capital independently predicted depression and that it mediated the income inequality association. Overall, our findings suggest that policies attenuating levels of income inequality at the US state level and that leverage social capital may protect against one’s likelihood of developing depression.
The Association between Body Mass Index and Physical Fitness of Normal Weight/Overweight/Obese University Students
Authors: Kung Ya-Tzu , Chang Chia-Ming , Hwang Fang-Ming , Chi Shyh-Ching
Published: July 2020

This study aimed to apply longitudinal data (in four waves) to examine relationships between body mass index (BMI), flexibility, muscular endurance, and explosive power, and employed a random-intercept panel model (RIPM) to divide the variations of different waves into between- and within-person variations. Furthermore, a multi-group model test was conducted to explore whether an interaction effect existed between sex and these relationships. The data were collected from a university in Taiwan between August 2009 and July 2010, and 3863 freshman and junior students were recruited. Results showed that the between- and within-person relationships between BMI and explosive power, and between BMI and muscular endurance, were negative (independent of sex). The negative between- and within-person associations between BMI and muscular endurance were both invariant with respect to sex. The negative between-person associations between BMI and explosive power were not equivalent for both sexes, yet the within-person associations between BMI and explosive power were equivalent for both sexes. The between-person associations between BMI and flexibility were positive for both sexes, but the within-person associations of these two variables were negative for both sexes. The invariance test confirmed that the positive associations of between-person BMI and between-person flexibility were invariant for both sexes, yet the negative associations of within-person BMI and within-person flexibility were not equivalent for both sexes. Between-and within-person correlations among explosive power, muscular endurance, and flexibility were significantly positive. Only the auto-regressions of BMI and muscular endurance were significant and equivalent for both sexes.
The Role of Negative Emotions Pre- and Post-Implementation of Graphic Health Warnings: Longitudinal Evidence from South Korea
Authors: Lee Seon Min , Chun Seungwoo , Lee Jin Suk
Published: July 2020

This longitudinal study investigated the factors that determine the effectiveness of graphic health warnings (GHWs) by comparing 246 South Korean smoker’s responses before and after the introduction of the country’s new tobacco control policy wherein GHWs were placed on all cigarette packaging. Even though introducing GHWs did not cause immediate changes in smokers’ intention to quit smoking or perception of smoking’s health risk, GHWs eventually motivated smokers to quit smoking when they experienced negative emotional responses to the newly introduced graphic warnings on cigarette packaging. More importantly, this study found that positive changes in smokers’ perceived risk associated with smoking due to the introduction of GHWs mediated a positive relationship between changes in smokers’ negative emotions (NE) from text-only warnings to graphic warnings and changes in their intention to quit smoking during the same period. Based on these results, the authors suggest that, for GHW policy to be more effective in motivating smoking cessation, the warnings need to convey images sufficiently unpleasant to induce negative emotional responses among smokers.
Gut Microbiome Modulation for Preventing and Treating Pediatric Food Allergies
Authors: Di Costanzo Margherita , Carucci Laura , Berni Canani Roberto , Biasucci Giacomo
Published: July 2020

The increasing prevalence and severity of pediatric food allergies (FA) demands innovative preventive and therapeutic strategies. Emerging evidence suggests a pivotal role for the gut microbiome in modulating susceptibility to FA. Studies have demonstrated that alteration of gut microbiome could precede FA, and that particular microbial community structures early in life could influence also the disease course. The identification of gut microbiome features in pediatric FA patients is driving new prevention and treatment approaches. This review is focused on the potential role of the gut microbiome as a target for FA prevention and treatment.
Sickle Cell Disease: A Paradigm for Venous Thrombosis Pathophysiology
Authors: Lizarralde-Iragorri Maria A. , Shet Arun S.
Published: July 2020

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an important cause of vascular morbidity and mortality. Many risk factors have been identified for venous thrombosis that lead to alterations in blood flow, activate the vascular endothelium, and increase the propensity for blood coagulation. However, the precise molecular and cellular mechanisms that cause blood clots in the venous vasculature have not been fully elucidated. Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) demonstrate all the risk factors for venous stasis, activated endothelium, and blood hypercoagulability, making them particularly vulnerable to VTE. In this review, we will discuss how mouse models have elucidated the complex vascular pathobiology of SCD. We review the dysregulated pathways of inflammation and coagulation in SCD and how the resultant hypercoagulable state can potentiate thrombosis through down-regulation of vascular anticoagulants. Studies of VTE pathogenesis using SCD mouse models may provide insight into the intersection between the cellular and molecular processes involving inflammation and coagulation and help to identify novel mechanistic pathways.
Identification and Characterization of Glycoproteins and Their Responsive Patterns upon Ethylene Stimulation in the Rubber Latex
Authors: Yu Li , Yuan Boxuan , Wang Lingling , Sun Yong , Ding Guohua , Souleymane Ousmane Ahmat , Zhang Xueyan , Xie Quanliang , Wang Xuchu
Published: July 2020

Natural rubber is an important industrial material, which is obtained from the only commercially cultivated rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis. In rubber latex production, ethylene has been extensively used as a stimulant. Recent research showed that post-translational modifications (PTMs) of latex proteins, such as phosphorylation, glycosylation and ubiquitination, are crucial in natural rubber biosynthesis. In this study, comparative proteomics was performed to identify the glycosylated proteins in rubber latex treated with ethylene for different days. Combined with Pro-Q Glycoprotein gel staining and mass spectrometry techniques, we provided the first visual profiling of glycoproteomics of rubber latex and finally identified 144 glycosylated protein species, including 65 differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) after treating with ethylene for three and/or five days. Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation showed that these ethylene-responsive glycoproteins are mainly involved in cell parts, membrane components and metabolism. Pathway analysis demonstrated that these glycosylated rubber latex proteins are mainly involved in carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism, degradation function and cellular processes in rubber latex metabolism. Protein–protein interaction analysis revealed that these DAPs are mainly centered on acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase and hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA synthase (HMGS) in the mevalonate pathway for natural rubber biosynthesis. In our glycoproteomics, three protein isoforms of HMGS2 were identified from rubber latex, and only one HMGS2 isoform was sharply increased in rubber latex by ethylene treatment for five days. Furthermore, the HbHMGS2 gene was over-expressed in a model rubber-producing grass Taraxacum Kok-saghyz and rubber content in the roots of transgenic rubber grass was significantly increased over that in the wild type plant, indicating HMGS2 is the key component for natural rubber production.
HSP90 Inhibition and Modulation of the Proteome: Therapeutical Implications for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Authors: Colunga Biancatelli Ruben Manuel Luciano , Solopov Pavel , Gregory Betsy , Catravas John D.
Published: July 2020

Idiopathic Pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a catastrophic disease with poor outcomes and limited pharmacological approaches. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) has been recently involved in the wound-healing pathological response that leads to collagen deposition in patients with IPF and its inhibition represents an exciting drug target against the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Under physiological conditions, HSP90 guarantees proteostasis through the refolding of damaged proteins and the degradation of irreversibly damaged ones. Additionally, its inhibition, by specific HSP90 inhibitors (e.g., 17 AAG, 17 DAG, and AUY-922) has proven beneficial in different preclinical models of human disease. HSP90 inhibition modulates a complex subset of kinases and interferes with intracellular signaling pathways and proteome regulation. In this review, we evaluated the current evidence and rationale for the use of HSP90 inhibitors in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, discussed the intracellular pathways involved, described the limitations of the current understanding and provided insights for future research.
Role of Bacterial and Host DNases on Host-Pathogen Interaction during Streptococcus suis Meningitis
Authors: Meurer Marita , Öhlmann Sophie , Bonilla Marta C. , Valentin-Weigand Peter , Beineke Andreas , Hennig-Pauka Isabel , Schwerk Christian , Schroten Horst , Baums Christoph G. , Köckritz-Blickwede Maren von , de Buhr Nicole
Published: July 2020

Streptococcus suis is a zoonotic agent causing meningitis in pigs and humans. Neutrophils, as the first line of defense against S. suis infections, release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) to entrap pathogens. In this study, we investigated the role of the secreted nuclease A of S. suis (SsnA) as a NET-evasion factor in vivo and in vitro. Piglets were intranasally infected with S. suis strain 10 or an isogenic ssnA mutant. DNase and NET-formation were analyzed in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain tissue. Animals infected with S. suis strain 10 or S. suis 10ΔssnA showed the presence of NETs in CSF and developed similar clinical signs. Therefore, SsnA does not seem to be a crucial virulence factor that contributes to the development of meningitis in pigs. Importantly, DNase activity was detectable in the CSF of both infection groups, indicating that host nucleases, in contrast to bacterial nuclease SsnA, may play a major role during the onset of meningitis. The effect of DNase 1 on neutrophil functions was further analyzed in a 3D-cell culture model of the porcine blood–CSF barrier. We found that DNase 1 partially contributes to enhanced killing of S. suis by neutrophils, especially when plasma is present. In summary, host nucleases may partially contribute to efficient innate immune response in the CSF.
TETRALEC, Artificial Tetrameric Lectins: A Tool to Screen Ligand and Pathogen Interactions
Authors: Achilli Silvia , Monteiro João T. , Serna Sonia , Mayer-Lambertz Sabine , Thépaut Michel , Le Roy Aline , Ebel Christine , Reichardt Niels-Christian , Lepenies Bernd , Fieschi Franck , Vivès Corinne
Published: July 2020

C-type lectin receptor (CLR)/carbohydrate recognition occurs through low affinity interactions. Nature compensates that weakness by multivalent display of the lectin carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) at the cell surface. Mimicking these low affinity interactions in vitro is essential to better understand CLR/glycan interactions. Here, we present a strategy to create a generic construct with a tetrameric presentation of the CRD for any CLR, termed TETRALEC. We applied our strategy to a naturally occurring tetrameric CRD, DC-SIGNR, and compared the TETRALEC ligand binding capacity by synthetic N- and O-glycans microarray using three different DC-SIGNR constructs i) its natural tetrameric counterpart, ii) the monomeric CRD and iii) a dimeric Fc-CRD fusion. DC-SIGNR TETRALEC construct showed a similar binding profile to that of its natural tetrameric counterpart. However, differences observed in recognition of low affinity ligands underlined the importance of the CRD spatial arrangement. Moreover, we further extended the applications of DC-SIGNR TETRALEC to evaluate CLR/pathogens interactions. This construct was able to recognize heat-killed Candida albicans by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, a so far unreported specificity of DC-SIGNR. In summary, the newly developed DC-SIGNR TETRALEC tool proved to be useful to unravel novel CLR/glycan interactions, an approach which could be applied to other CLRs.
Arginase as a Potential Biomarker of Disease Progression: A Molecular Imaging Perspective
Authors: S. Clemente Gonçalo , van Waarde Aren , F. Antunes Inês , Dömling Alexander , H. Elsinga Philip
Published: July 2020

Arginase is a widely known enzyme of the urea cycle that catalyzes the hydrolysis of L-arginine to L-ornithine and urea. The action of arginase goes beyond the boundaries of hepatic ureogenic function, being widespread through most tissues. Two arginase isoforms coexist, the type I (Arg1) predominantly expressed in the liver and the type II (Arg2) expressed throughout extrahepatic tissues. By producing L-ornithine while competing with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) for the same substrate (L-arginine), arginase can influence the endogenous levels of polyamines, proline, and NO•. Several pathophysiological processes may deregulate arginase/NOS balance, disturbing the homeostasis and functionality of the organism. Upregulated arginase expression is associated with several pathological processes that can range from cardiovascular, immune-mediated, and tumorigenic conditions to neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, arginase is a potential biomarker of disease progression and severity and has recently been the subject of research studies regarding the therapeutic efficacy of arginase inhibitors. This review gives a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiological role of arginase and the current state of development of arginase inhibitors, discussing the potential of arginase as a molecular imaging biomarker and stimulating the development of novel specific and high-affinity arginase imaging probes.
An In Vitro Model of Mast Cell Recruitment and Activation by Breast Cancer Cells Supports Anti-Tumoral Responses
Authors: Aponte-López Angélica , Enciso Jennifer , Muñoz-Cruz Samira , Fuentes-Pananá Ezequiel M.
Published: July 2020

Breast cancer (BrC) affects millions of women yearly. Mast cells (MCs) are common components of breast tumors with documented agonistic and antagonistic roles in tumor progression. Understanding the participation of MCs in BrC may lead to new therapies to control tumor growth. In this study, we looked into mechanistic models of MC responses triggered by BrC cells (BrCC), assessing both early degranulation and late transcriptional activities. We used aggressive and non-aggressive BrCC to model the progressive staging of the disease over HMC1 and LAD-2 human MC lines. We found that both MC lines were chemoattracted by all BrCC, but their activation was preferentially induced by aggressive lines, finding differences in their active transcriptional programs, both at basal level and after stimulation. Among those genes with altered expression were down-regulated SPP1, PDCD1, IL17A and TGFB1 and up-regulated KITLG and IFNG. A low expression of SPP1 and a high expression of KITLG and IFNG were associated with increased overall survival of BrC patients from public databases. The set of altered genes is more often associated with tumor stromas enriched with anti-tumoral signals, suggesting that MCs may participate in tumor control.
Heat Shock Protein 70 as a Double Agent Acting Inside and Outside the Cell: Insights into Autoimmunity
Authors: Tukaj Stefan
Published: July 2020

Heat shock proteins (Hsp) are a diverse group of constitutive and/or stress-induced molecules that are categorized into several classes on the basis of their molecular weight. Mammalian Hsp have been mostly regarded as intracellular chaperones that mediate a range of essential cellular functions, including proper folding of newly synthesized polypeptides, refolding of denatured proteins, protein transport, and stabilization of native proteins’ structures. The well-characterized and highly evolutionarily conserved, stress-inducible 70-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70), is a key molecular chaperone that is overexpressed in the cell in response to stress of various origin. Hsp70 exhibits an immunosuppressive activity via, e.g., downregulation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation, and pharmacological induction of Hsp70 can ameliorate the autoimmune arthritis development in animal models. Moreover, Hsp70 might be passively or actively released from the necrotic or stressed cells, respectively. Highly immunogenic extracellular Hsp70 has been reported to impact both the innate and adaptive immune responses, and to be implicated in the autoimmune reaction. In addition, preclinical studies revealed that immunization with highly conserved Hsp70 peptides could be regarded as a potential treatment target for autoimmune arthritis, such as the rheumatoid arthritis, via induction of antigen-specific regulatory T helper cells (also called Treg). Here, a dual role of the intra- and extracellular Hsp70 is presented in the context of the autoimmune reaction.
Plant Defensins from a Structural Perspective
Authors: Kovaleva Valentina , Bukhteeva Irina , Kit Oleg Y. , Nesmelova Irina V.
Published: July 2020

Plant defensins form a family of proteins with a broad spectrum of protective activities against fungi, bacteria, and insects. Furthermore, some plant defensins have revealed anticancer activity. In general, plant defensins are non-toxic to plant and mammalian cells, and interest in using them for biotechnological and medicinal purposes is growing. Recent studies provided significant insights into the mechanisms of action of plant defensins. In this review, we focus on structural and dynamics aspects and discuss structure-dynamics-function relations of plant defensins.
Development of Novel Experimental Models to Study Flavoproteome Alterations in Human Neuromuscular Diseases: The Effect of Rf Therapy
Authors: Tolomeo Maria , Nisco Alessia , Leone Piero , Barile Maria
Published: July 2020

Inborn errors of Riboflavin (Rf) transport and metabolism have been recently related to severe human neuromuscular disorders, as resulting in profound alteration of human flavoproteome and, therefore, of cellular bioenergetics. This explains why the interest in studying the “flavin world”, a topic which has not been intensively investigated before, has increased much over the last few years. This also prompts basic questions concerning how Rf transporters and FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide) -forming enzymes work in humans, and how they can create a coordinated network ensuring the maintenance of intracellular flavoproteome. The concept of a coordinated cellular “flavin network”, introduced long ago studying humans suffering for Multiple Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MADD), has been, later on, addressed in model organisms and more recently in cell models. In the frame of the underlying relevance of a correct supply of Rf in humans and of a better understanding of the molecular rationale of Rf therapy in patients, this review wants to deal with theories and existing experimental models in the aim to potentiate possible therapeutic interventions in Rf-related neuromuscular diseases.
Automated Seeded Latent Dirichlet Allocation for Social Media Based Event Detection and Mapping
Authors: Ferner Cornelia , Havas Clemens , Birnbacher Elisabeth , Wegenkittl Stefan , Resch Bernd
Published: July 2020

In the event of a natural disaster, geo-tagged Tweets are an immediate source of information for locating casualties and damages, and for supporting disaster management. Topic modeling can help in detecting disaster-related Tweets in the noisy Twitter stream in an unsupervised manner. However, the results of topic models are difficult to interpret and require manual identification of one or more “disaster topics”. Immediate disaster response would benefit from a fully automated process for interpreting the modeled topics and extracting disaster relevant information. Initializing the topic model with a set of seed words already allows to directly identify the corresponding disaster topic. In order to enable an automated end-to-end process, we automatically generate seed words using older Tweets from the same geographic area. The results of two past events (Napa Valley earthquake 2014 and hurricane Harvey 2017) show that the geospatial distribution of Tweets identified as disaster related conforms with the officially released disaster footprints. The suggested approach is applicable when there is a single topic of interest and comparative data available.
The Gram-Positive Bacterium Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides Shows Insecticidal Activity against Drosophilid and Aphid Pests
Authors: Hiebert Nils , Kessel Tobias , Skaljac Marisa , Spohn Marius , Vilcinskas Andreas , Lee Kwang-Zin
Published: July 2020

Insect pests reduce global crop yields by up to 20%, but the most effective control measures are currently based on environmentally hazardous chemical pesticides. An alternative, ecologically beneficial pest-management strategy involves the use of microbial pathogens (or active compounds and extracts derived from them) that naturally target selected insect pests. A novel strain of the bacterium Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides showed promising activity in our preliminary tests. Here, we investigated its effects in more detail, focusing on drosophilid and aphid pests by testing the survival of two species representing the family Drosophilidae (Drosophila suzukii and D. melanogaster) and one representing the family Aphididae (Acyrthosiphon pisum). We used oral and septic infection models to administer living bacteria or cell-free extracts to adult flies and aphid nymphs. We found that infection with living bacteria significantly reduced the survival of our insect models, whereas the administration of cell-free extracts had a significant effect only in aphids. These results confirm that L. pseudomesenteroides has potential as a new biocontrol agent for sustainable pest management.
Insecticidal Activity of 28 Essential Oils and a Commercial Product Containing Cinnamomum cassia Bark Essential Oil against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky
Authors: Yang Yunho , Isman Murray B. , Tak Jun-Hyung
Published: July 2020

Maize weevils, Sitophilus zeamais, are stored product pests mostly found in warm and humid regions around the globe. In the present study, acute toxicity via contact and residual bioassay and fumigant bioassay of 28 essential oils as well as their attraction–inhibitory activity against the adults of S. zeamais were evaluated. Chemical composition of the essential oils was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and a compound elimination assay was conducted on the four most active oils (cinnamon, tea tree, ylang ylang, and marjoram oils) to identify major active constituents. Amongst the oils examined, cinnamon oil was the most active in both contact/residual and fumigant bioassays, and exhibited strong behavioral inhibitory activity. Based on the compound elimination assay and chemical analyses, trans-cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon oil, and terpinen-4-ol in tea tree and marjoram oils were identified as the major active components. Although cinnamon oil seemed promising in the lab-scale bioassay without rice grains, it failed to exhibit strong insecticidal activity when the container was filled with rice. When a cinnamon oil-based product was applied both in an empty glass jar and a rice-filled container, all weevils in the empty jar were killed, whereas fewer than 15% died in the rice-filled container.
Temperature-Dependent Demographic Characteristics and Control Potential of Aphelinus asychis Reared from Sitobion avenae as a Biological Control Agent for Myzus persicae on Chili Peppers
Authors: Wang Sheng Yin , Wang Bo Li , Yan Gai Lan , Liu Yan Hong , Zhang Da Yu , Liu Tong Xian
Published: July 2020

Aphelinus asychis, a polyphagous parasitoid, has been widely used as an efficient biological control agent against the aphid Myzus persicae. Aiming to evaluate the influence of temperature on the biological characteristics and control potential of A. asychis for M. persicae, we compared the life table parameters and control potential of A. asychis, which included the developmental time, longevity, fecundity, intrinsic rate of increase (r), and finite killing rate (θ). The results showed that increasing the temperature significantly decreased the developmental time and longevity of A. asychis. The r at 24 (0.2360 d−1) and 28 °C (0.2441 d−1) were significantly greater than those at 20 (0.1848 d−1) and 32 °C (0.1676 d−1). The θ at 24 (0.4495), 28 (0.5414), and 32 °C (0.4312) were also significantly greater than that at 20 °C (0.3140). The relationship between population fitness (r and θ) and temperature followed a unary quadratic function (R2 > 0.95). The temperatures for the expected maximum intrinsic rate of increase (rmax) and the maximum finite killing rate (θmax) were 25.7 and 27.4 °C, respectively. In conclusion, A. asychis could develop and produce progenies within the temperature range of 20–32 °C, and its control efficiency for M. persicae at 24, 28, and 32 °C was greater than that at 20 °C. The most suitable temperature range for controlling M. persicae with A. asychis in the field might be between 25.7 and 27.4 °C.
From Basic Science to Clinical Research to Develop New Solutions to Improve Diagnoses and Treatment of Bladder Cancer Patients
Authors: Moschini Marco
Published: July 2020

Bladder cancer (BCa) is the tenth most common form of cancer worldwide, with 549,000 new cases and 200,000 deaths estimated in 2018 [...]
Renal Survival in Children with Glomerulonephritis with Crescents: A Pediatric Nephrology Research Consortium Cohort Study
Authors: Maliakkal Joseph G. , Hicks M. John , Michael Mini , Selewski David T. , Twombley Katherine , Rheault Michelle N. , Seamon Meredith , Misurac Jason M. , Tran Cheryl L. , Reyes Loretta , Flynn Joseph T. , Onder Ali M. , Constantinescu Alexandru R. , Singh Vaishali , Pan Cynthia , Omoloja Abiodun , Wu Qiang , Smoyer William E. , Hidalgo Guillermo , Wenderfer Scott E.
Published: July 2020

There is no evidence-based definition for diagnosing crescentic glomerulonephritis. The prognostic implications of crescentic lesions on kidney biopsy have not been quantified. Our objective was to determine risk factors for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in patients with glomerulonephritis and crescents on kidney biopsy. A query of the Pediatric Nephrology Research Consortium’s Pediatric Glomerulonephritis with Crescents registry identified 305 patients from 15 centers. A retrospective cohort study was performed with ESKD as the primary outcome. Median age at biopsy was 11 years (range 1–21). The percentage of crescents was 3–100% (median 20%). Etiologies included IgA nephropathy (23%), lupus (21%), IgA vasculitis (19%) and ANCA-associated GN (13%), post-infectious GN (5%), and anti-glomerular basement membrane disease (3%). The prevalence of ESKD was 12% at one year and 16% at last follow-up (median = 3 years, range 1–11). Median time to ESKD was 100 days. Risk factors for ESKD included %crescents, presence of fibrous crescents, estimated GFR, and hypertension at biopsy. For each 1% increase in %crescents, there was a 3% decrease in log odds of 1-year renal survival (p = 0.003) and a 2% decrease in log odds of renal survival at last follow-up (p < 0.001). These findings provide an evidence base for enrollment criteria for crescentic glomerulonephritis in future clinical trials.