bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gene Polymorphisms of Hormonal Regulators of Metabolism in Patients with Schizophrenia with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Boiko Anastasiia S. , Pozhidaev Ivan V. , Paderina Diana Z. , Mednova Irina A. , Goncharova Anastasya A. , Fedorenko Olga Yu. , Kornetova Elena G. , Semke Arkadiy V. , Bokhan Nikolay A. , Loonen Anton J. M. , Ivanova Svetlana A.
Published: May 2022

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common complication of long-term treatment of persons with schizophrenia taking (atypical) antipsychotics. In this study, we investigated the existence of an association with polymorphisms of genes for four hormones that regulate energy metabolism. Methods: We recruited 517 clinically admitted white patients (269M/248F) with a verified diagnosis of schizophrenia (ICD-10) and with a stable physical condition. Participants were classified for having or not having MetS and genotyped for 20 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes encoding insulin-induced gene 2 (INSIG2), ghrelin (GHRL), leptin (LEP), and leptin receptor (LEPR). Results: The 139 patients (26.9%) with MetS were significantly more likely to be women, older, and ill longer, and had a larger body mass index (BMI). Four polymorphisms (rs10490624, rs17587100, rs9308762, and rs10490816) did not meet the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) criterion and were excluded. Only genotypes and alleles of the rs3828942 of LEP gene (chi2 = 7.665, p = 0.022; chi2 = 5.136, p = 0.023) and the genotypes of the rs17047718 of INSIG2 gene (chi2 = 7.7, p = 0.021) had a significant association with MetS. Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that the LEP and INSIG2 genes play a certain causal role in the development of MetS in patients with schizophrenia.
Review of Petroleum and Hydrogeology Equations for Characterizing the Pressure Front Diffusion during Pumping Tests
Authors: Méité Daouda , Rafini Silvain , Chesnaux Romain , Ferroud Anouck
Published: May 2022

In hydrogeology, the pressure front diffusion equation is crucial for the interpretation of pumping tests. It describes the displacement around the pumping well of the pressure front generated by a hydraulic disturbance, such as pumping or injection. This equation serves to physically locate the hydraulic objects (the recharge boundary, impermeable boundary, fault and hydraulic connection) that are able to influence the hydrodynamic behaviour of aquifers during a transient hydraulic test. However, several authors who have attempted to characterize this equation have come up with different expressions because the pressure front has been defined according to different approaches. This paper first clarifies the origin of the divergence between authors before reviewing seven approaches used to characterize the diffusion equation. In addition, a new approach is proposed, which is more practical and which defines the pressure front using the logarithmic derivative of the drawdown. Finally, all these reviewed approaches, plus the new one, are unified into a single general approach that defines the pressure front according to a general criterion, which is the critical drawdown, noted as sc. To do this, the pressure front criteria of each existing approach, including the new one, were converted into equivalent critical drawdowns. The ultimate goal of this study is to enable hydrogeologists to use all these approaches correctly in order to improve the accuracy of the interpretation of pumping test data for the better characterization of the geometry of aquifers.
Wadenow: A Matlab Toolbox for Early Forecasting of the Velocity Trend of a Rainfall-Triggered Landslide by Means of Continuous Wavelet Transform and Deep Learning
Authors: Teza Giordano , Cola Simonetta , Brezzi Lorenzo , Galgaro Antonio
Published: May 2022

A procedure aimed at forecasting the velocity trend of a landslide for a period of some hours to one or two days is proposed here together with its MATLAB implementation. The method is based on continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and convolutional neural network (CNN) applied to rainfall and velocity time series provided by a real-time monitoring system. It is aimed at recognizing the conditions that induce a strong increase, or even a significant decrease, in the average velocity of the unstable slope. For each evaluation time, the rainfall and velocity scalograms related to the previous days (e.g., two weeks) are computed by means of CWT. A CNN recognizes the velocity trend defined in the training stage corresponds to these scalograms. In this way, forecasts about the start, persistence, and end of a critical event can be provided to the decision makers. An application of the toolbox to a landslide (Perarolo di Cadore landslide, Eastern Alps, Italy) is also briefly described to show how the parameters can be chosen in a real case and the corresponding performance.
Geomechanical Behaviour of Clay Stabilised with Fly-Ash-Based Geopolymer for Deep Mixing
Authors: Abdullah Hayder H. , Shahin Mohamed A.
Published: May 2022

Geopolymer has recently become an attractive alternative to traditional binders (e.g., cement and lime) used for chemical soil improvement, with several environmental benefits including lower toxic emissions and energy consumption. This paper presents an evaluation of the geomechanical behaviour of soft clay treated with fly-ash-based geopolymer incorporating slag for deep soil mixing (DSM) applications. The geomechanical properties of stabilised clay were evaluated using unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests and durability against wetting–drying. Thermal conductivity and pH tests along with microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were also performed to provide insights into the effect of geopolymer on treated clay. The results indicate that the inclusion of geopolymer with the increase in curing time and activator content considerably improves the geomechanical performance of geopolymer-treated soft clay in terms of stress–strain response and attainable peak compressive strength. Although it was found that a small percentage of geopolymer can enhance the initial compressive response, a larger dosage of geopolymer up to 30% was necessary to maintain stable durability performance over successive wetting–drying cycles. Such improved durability performance is related to the enhanced soil structure due to the cementation development and overall reduction in thermal conductivity. The reduction in thermal conductivity of treated clay was found to be activator-dependent and was suppressed steadily with the increase in activator concentration. Overall, geopolymer-treated clay showed promising potential for DSM applications due to its enhanced strength and durability responses.
The Prevalence of High-Risk Prescribing of Oral Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Primary Healthcare: A Single-Centre Retrospective Chart Review Study
Authors: Assiri Ghadah Asaad , Alanazi Bashayr Mohammed , AlRuthia Yazed
Published: May 2022

The quality and safety of prescribed drugs can be assessed using prescribing safety indicators (PSIs). This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of PSIs of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at primary care clinics of a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia and to identify the risk factors associated with positive PSIs for patients. In this retrospective chart review study, data from the medical records of 450 patients aged ≥18 years, who were prescribed oral NSAIDs, were reviewed and collected manually. Seven PSIs were chosen and defined as follows: prescription of an oral NSAID to any patient with a peptic ulcer; aged ≥75 years; aged ≥65 years with a glomerular filtration rate <60; heart failure; co-prescribed warfarin; co-prescribed aspirin or clopidogrel; or co-prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker and a diuretic. Patients with positive indicators are at risk of harm from high-risk prescribing. The overall period prevalence of PSIs is 153/450 (34%; 95% CI 29.60–38.39). The overall proportion of PSIs is 202/431 (46.9%; 95% CI 42.12–51.61). The most common safety indicators were for NSAIDs prescribed to patients with heart failure and patients aged ≥65 years with a glomerular filtration rate <60. The elderly and patients using polypharmacy are at increased risk of having at least one positive PSI (OR 5.22; 95% CI 3.32–8.21, p-value < 0.001 and OR 2.97; 95% CI 1.17–7.55, p-value 0.022, respectively). Patients at risk of harm from high-risk NSAID prescriptions are common in primary care. The elderly and patients on polypharmacy are at increased risk of having at least one positive PSI. Therefore, when NSAIDs are prescribed, it is recommended to weigh the benefits versus the risks for high-risk patients, such as the elderly and those with multiple-drug therapy.
Pathophysiological Behaviour of the Climber’s Foot versus the General Population: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Cobos-Moreno Paula , Astasio-Picado Álvaro , Gómez-Martín Beatriz
Published: May 2022

Sport climbing is becoming increasingly popular, with people of all types and ages practising it. The feet suffer a lot of pressure with the sport climbing gesture, which in the long run can produce alterations in the first metatarsophalangeal joint or in the first radius of the foot. Objective: To observe and quantify the behaviour of the foot in climbing subjects compared to a group of non-climbing subjects, comparing the pressures, first metatarsophalangeal joint and first radius of the foot. Method: This is a non-experimental and observational, cross-sectional, descriptive and prospective research. The study sample consisted of 105 subjects (42 males and 63 females). The control group consisted of 52 subjects and the climbing group consisted of 53 subjects. Different exploratory tests were carried out on all the subjects, such as: mobility of the metatarsophalangeal joint and first radius of the foot and the study of plantar pressures in different areas of the study. Results: No significant difference was found between left and right foot measurements (p > 0.05). The pressures of the same foot are significant, both at static and dynamic stages for both groups. The maximum pressure in the climbing group was under the first metatarsal head, while in the control group it was under the second metatarsal head. There were significant differences in the mobility of the first metatarsal joint and the first radius between the two groups. Conclusion: It can be seen that the group of climbers has less plantar pressure than the control group. They also have altered mobility of the first radius and the first metatarsophalangeal joint.
Reference Results for Blood Parameter Changes and Recovery after Pelvic Radiation without Chemotherapy
Authors: Swanson Gregory P. , Hammonds Kendall , Jhavar Sameer
Published: May 2022

Introduction: There are few reports on the effect of radiation alone on blood cells (without chemotherapy). We sought to develop a single source as a reference. Materials and Methods: For over 300 prostate cancer patients treated with radiation alone, we collected the baseline, end-of-treatment and three-month post-therapy complete blood counts (CBC). Results: The hemoglobin dropped by a mean of 1.00 g/dL (−7.1%), with an RBC count of 0.40 × 1012 (−8.6%) at the end of treatment and remained significantly (but <5%) below baseline at follow-up. Significant declines were seen in the levels of the granulocytes (−12.2%; −0.67 × 109), monocytes (−2.2%; −0.05 × 109) and platelets (−12.7%; −30.31 × 109) at the end of treatment, but all returned to baseline on follow-up. The neutrophils and basophils (the primary components of the granulocytes) suffered a significant decline but returned to baseline by the follow-up. The other granulocyte components, the eosinophils, did not decline significantly. The most dramatic decline was in the levels of lymphocytes −62.5% (−1.29 × 109), which were still significantly below baseline (−38%) after two years. Conclusion: The effect of radiation is mostly transitory, with some persistence in hemoglobin/erythrocyte levels (<5%). Lymphocytes are slower to recover, remaining significantly below baseline after two years. It is noteworthy that of the patients whose lymphocytes were in the normal range at the start of therapy, only 14% were below normal at follow-up. Radiation alone has negligible-to-modest long-term effects on blood counts.
Effects of Biodegradable Liquid Film on the Soil and Fruit Quality of Vitis Franco-american L. Hutai-8 Berries
Authors: Duan Xinyao , Yan Yasai , Han Xing , Wang Ying , Li Rihui , Gao Feifei , Zhang Liang , Wei Ruteng , Li Hua , Wang Hua
Published: May 2022

Biodegradable liquid mulch film (LF), which can be degraded naturally without harming the environment, is a new type of covering material that provides an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic mulch film (PF). In this study, the effects of LF and PF (ploughing (CK) used as a control) on the soil and fruit quality of Hutai-8 were evaluated through an experiment, and several soil physicochemical properties and indicators of fruit quality were measured. In-row mulching significantly increased the content of total potassium, available phosphorus, and available potassium in the topsoil (0–20 cm), the ripeness of the grape berries, and the content of phenolics in the skin. The effects were consistent between the two years. The effect of LF was more pronounced in the same year, indicating that LF is an effective alternative to PF. Therefore, LF can be used as an environmentally friendly substitute for PF to improve soil and fruit quality and incorporated into cultivation management plans. Correlation analysis revealed that the content of reducing sugars, flavonoids, total phenols, flavan-3-ols, and anthocyanins, as well as fruit ripeness, increased as the content of total potassium, available phosphorus, and available potassium in the soil increased.
Effect of Silver Nitrate (AgNO3) and Nano-Silver (Ag-NPs) on Physiological Characteristics of Grapes and Quality during Storage Period
Authors: Elatafi Essam , Fang Jinggui
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of silver nitrate (AgNO3) and nano-silver (Ag-NPs) on the physiological and biochemical characteristics, and quality of grape bunches during a cold storage period. For investigations, two varieties of grapes were used, Shine Muscat and Kyoho, with different concentrations of AgNO3 and Ag-NPs on post-harvest dipping. The data indicated that AgNO3 and Ag-NPs enhanced the fruits’ longevity and quality. Depending on the data analysis, it was found that the lowest weight loss value was obtained from Ag-NP treated grapes, followed by AgNO3 treated grapes, while the highest loss occurred in the control grapes. Immersion of grape bunches in Ag-NPs was the best application for maintenance of overall storage quality for both cultivars. In the same trend, treatment with Ag-NPs produced the best results for soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), pyrogallol peroxidase (POD), and pectin methylestraese activity (PME). It was concluded that Ag-NPs and AgNO3 were helpful in maintaining the quality of grape bunches up to 30 days, while grape bunches under control conditions were spoiled with 30 days of cold storage.
The Association between Laughter and Functional Dyspepsia in a Young Japanese Population
Authors: Yamamoto Yasunori , Furukawa Shinya , Kato Aki , Kusumoto Katsunori , Miyake Teruki , Takeshita Eiji , Ikeda Yoshio , Yamamoto Naofumi , Okada Katsutoshi , Saeki Yuka , Hiasa Yoichi
Published: May 2022

The potential health benefits of laughter are recognized in relation to several chronic diseases. However, no study has yet investigated the association between laughter and functional dyspepsia (FD). The purpose of this study was to investigate this issue in a young Japanese population. Methods: This study was conducted on 8923 Japanese university students. Information on the frequency of laughter and types of laughter-inducing situations, digestive symptoms (Rome III criteria) were obtained through a self-administered, web-based questionnaire. Results: The percentage of respondents who laughed out loud almost every day was 64.3%. On the other hand, 1.8% of the subjects reported that they rarely laughed. No association was found between the total frequency of laughter and FD. Laughing while talking with family and friends almost every day was significantly inversely associated with FD (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 0.47 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.28–0.81); p for trend was 0.003). On the other hand, laughing while watching TV or videos and laughing while looking at comics or magazines independently showed a positive correlation with FD (TV or videos: adjusted OR, 1–5 times a week: 1.74 (95% CI: 1.16–2.60); comics or magazines: adjusted OR, 1–5 times a week: 1.78 (95% CI: 1.08–2.81)). Conclusion: In this young Japanese population, no association between laughter frequency and FD was observed although laughing while talking with friends and family was independently and inversely associated with FD.
Cognitive Functions Associated with Brain Imaging Markers in Patients with Psoriasis
Authors: Marek-Jozefowicz Luiza , Lemanowicz Adam , Grochocka Małgorzata , Wróblewska Monika , Białczyk Katarzyna , Piec Katarzyna , Kozera Grzegorz M. , Serafin Zbigniew , Czajkowski Rafał , Borkowska Alina
Published: May 2022

Psoriasis is a severe inflammatory disease associated with a higher comorbidity of depression, cognitive dysfunction and brain atrophy. The association between psoriasis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers and cognitive impairment has rarely been investigated, and the existing results are conflicting. Methods. This study included 89 subjects (53 patients with psoriasis and 36 healthy controls). The severity of psoriasis was evaluated using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score; for depression, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scale was used. Neuropsychological tests were also applied, including a Trail Making Test (TMT) as well as Digit Span, Stroop, Verbal Fluency and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning tests. MRI scans were performed using a 1.5 T scanner. Brain volumetry, white matter lesions, grey matter and white matter were evaluated. The extent of these changes was assessed on the Fazekas scale. The differences between groups were evaluated using a Student’s t-test and a Mann-Whitney U test, and a Pearson correlation analysis was also performed. Results. Patients with psoriasis presented worse achievements on all the neuropsychological tests and showed more intense changes on MRI compared to healthy controls. The severity of psoriasis as determined by PASI scores was associated with depression, and a greater psychomotor slowness severity of changes in the brain was associated with poorer results on the neurological tests. Conclusions. Our results indicate the possibility of progressive brain atrophy related to cognitive decline in psoriasis.
Regional Differences and Convergence of Inter-Provincial Green Total Factor Productivity in China under Technological Heterogeneity
Authors: Huang Chong , Yin Kedong , Guo Hongbo , Yang Benshuo
Published: May 2022

Green development is an effective way to reconcile the main contradictions between resources, environment, and regional development. Green total factor productivity (GTFP) is an important index to measure green development; an undesirable output-oriented SBM-DEA model and GML model can be used to calculate GTFP. China’s 30 provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) are divided into three groups: eastern, central, and western. The common frontier function and group frontier function are established, respectively, to deeply explore the temporal and spatial evolution characteristics and center of gravity shift of inter-provincial green total factor productivity (GTFP) in China, and test the convergence under group frontier, to compare the convergence problems under different regions. This study aims to point out the differences in economic growth in different regions of China, foster regional coordination and orderly progress, promote China’s green development process, and improve the high-quality economic development level. According to the results, the efficiency of green development is more reasonable under the frontier groups. The average TGR in the eastern region was 0.993, indicating that it reached 99.3% of the meta-frontier green development efficiency technology. The inter-provincial GTFP in China gradually increased, with an average value of 1.043, which means China’s green development and ecological civilization construction have achieved remarkable results and the three regions showed significant differences. Judging from the shift path of the spatial center of gravity, the spatial distribution pattern of inter-provincial GTFP in China tends to be concentrated and stable as a whole. Moreover, σ convergence only exists in the western region, while absolute β convergence and conditional β convergence exist in eastern, central, and western regions, indicating that the GTFP of different regions will converge to their stable states over time. The results provide a basis for improving the efficiency of institutional allocation of environmental resources, implementing regional differentiated environmental regulation policies, and increasing the value creation of factor resources, which is of great significance for realizing the high-quality economic development in which resources, environment, and economy are coordinated in China.
Influence of Core-Stability Exercises Guided by a Telerehabilitation App on Trunk Performance, Balance and Gait Performance in Chronic Stroke Survivors: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Salgueiro Carina , Urrútia Gerard , Cabanas-Valdés Rosa
Published: May 2022

Stroke is one of the main causes of disability. Telerehabilitation could face the growing demand and a good strategy for post-stroke rehabilitation. The aim of this study is to examine the possible effects of therapeutic exercises performed by an App on trunk control, balance, and gait in stroke survivors. A preliminary 12-week randomized controlled trial was developed. Thirty chronic stroke survivors were randomly allocated into two groups. Both groups performed conventional physiotherapy, in addition to, the experimental group (EG) had access to a telerehabilitation App to guide home-based core-stability exercises (CSE). Trunk performance was measured with the Spanish-Trunk Impairment Scale (S-TIS 2.0) and Spanish-Function in Sitting Test. Balance and gait were measured with Spanish-Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke patient, Berg Balance Scale and an accelerometer system. In EG was observed an improvement of 2.76 points in S-TIS 2.0 (p = 0.001). Small differences were observed in balance and gait. Adherence to the use of the App was low. CSE guided by a telerehabilitation App, combined with conventional physiotherapy, seem to improve trunk function and sitting balance in chronic post-stroke. Active participation in the rehabilitation process should be increased among stroke survivors. Further confirmatory studies are necessary with a large sample size.
Counteractive Effects of IL-33 and IL-37 on Inflammation in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Rai Vikrant , Dilisio Matthew F. , Samadi Farial , Agrawal Devendra K.
Published: May 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic inflammatory disease where pro-inflammatory cytokines, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and macrophages play a crucial role. However, the interactive role of these mediators, the exact cause precipitating OA and definitive treatment for OA are not known yet. Moreover, the interactive role of interleukin (IL)-33 and IL-37 with other factors in the pathogenesis of OA has not been discussed elaborately. In this study, we analyzed the expression of IL-33 and IL-37 in human OA knee and hip joint cartilage tissues. The effect of increased DAMPs, IL-33, and IL-37 on IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, toll-like receptors (TLRs), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression was delineated using human normal and osteoarthritic chondrocytes. The effect of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-37 on various mediators of inflammation in the presence of IL-33, rHMGB-1, and LPS was investigated to delineate the effects of IL-37. Further, the effects of blocking IL-33 downstream signaling and the effects of IL-33 and IL-37 on macrophage polarization were assessed along with examining the macrophage phenotypes in human OA cartilage tissues. The results of this study revealed increased expression of IL-33 in OA cartilage and that IL-33 increases IL-6, TNF-α, TLRs, and MMPs expression and favors phenotypic conversion towards the M1 phenotype, while IL-37 and blocking IL-33 receptor ST2 have opposite effects. Overall, the results suggest that blocking IL-33 and increasing IL-37 act synergistically to attenuate inflammation and might serve as potential therapeutics in OA.
Multiple Medication Adherence and Related Outcomes in Community-Dwelling Older People on Chronic Polypharmacy: A Retrospective Cohort Study on Administrative Claims Data
Authors: Franchi Carlotta , Ludergnani Monica , Merlino Luca , Nobili Alessandro , Fortino Ida , Leoni Olivia , Ardoino Ilaria
Published: May 2022

Poor medication adherence compromises treatment efficacy and adversely affects patients’ clinical outcomes. This study aims to assess (1) multiple medication adherence to the most common drug classes chronically prescribed to older people, (2) the factors associated, and (3) the clinical outcomes. This retrospective cohort study included 122,655 community-dwelling patients aged 65–94 years old, newly exposed to chronic polypharmacy, and recorded in the Lombardy Region (northern Italy) administrative database from 2016 to 2018. Multiple medication adherence was assessed for drugs for diabetes, antithrombotics, antihypertensives, statins, and bisphosphonates, by calculating the daily polypharmacy possession ratio (DPPR). One-year mortality, nursing home, emergency department (ED), and hospital admission rates were calculated for 2019. The most prescribed drugs were antihypertensives (89.0%). The mean (std.dev) DPPR was 82.9% (15.6). Being female (OR = 0.85, 95%CI: 0.84–0.86), age ≥85 years (OR = 0.77, 95%CI: 0.76–0.79), and multimorbidity (≥4 diseases, OR = 0.88, 95%CI: 0.86–0.90) were associated with lower medication adherence. A higher DPPR was associated with clinical outcomes—in particular, improved survival (HR = 0.93 for 10/100-point increase, 95%CI: 0.92–0.94) and lower incidence in nursing home admissions (SDHR = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.93–0.97). Adherence to the most common chronic drugs co-prescribed to the older population was high. Better multiple medication adherence was associated with better clinical outcomes.
Stress Detection Using Experience Sampling: A Systematic Mapping Study
Authors: Dogan Gulin , Akbulut Fatma Patlar , Catal Cagatay , Mishra Alok
Published: May 2022

Stress has been designated the “Health Epidemic of the 21st Century” by the World Health Organization and negatively affects the quality of individuals’ lives by detracting most body systems. In today’s world, different methods are used to track and measure various types of stress. Among these techniques, experience sampling is a unique method for studying everyday stress, which can affect employees’ performance and even their health by threatening them emotionally and physically. The main advantage of experience sampling is that evaluating instantaneous experiences causes less memory bias than traditional retroactive measures. Further, it allows the exploration of temporal relationships in subjective experiences. The objective of this paper is to structure, analyze, and characterize the state of the art of available literature in the field of surveillance of work stress via the experience sampling method. We used the formal research methodology of systematic mapping to conduct a breadth-first review. We found 358 papers between 2010 and 2021 that are classified with respect to focus, research type, and contribution type. The resulting research landscape summarizes the opportunities and challenges of utilizing the experience sampling method on stress detection for practitioners and academics.
Internet Use among Patients with Schizophrenia and Depression
Authors: Žaja Nikola , Vukojević Jakša , Žarko Tvrtko , Marelić Marko , Vidović Domagoj , Vukušić Rukavina Tea
Published: May 2022

Background: The high and increasing prevalence of internet use in the general population and the significant burden of depression and schizophrenia urge us to investigate the patterns of internet use among patients with these illnesses. The aim of this study is to assess internet use and mental health-related internet use among patients suffering from schizophrenia and depression. Methods: A total of 104 patients with psychosis and 105 patients with depression were surveyed to assess their internet use and mental health-related internet use. Results: The majority of participants were internet users (87.6%), with 66.7% of internet users with psychosis and 71.4% of internet users with depression using it as a source of information on mental health. Participants with psychosis significantly more attributed the internet and mental health internet forums as helpful in coping with their mental illness and were more interested in the utilization of online mental health services than participants with depression. Conclusions: General internet use in patients with schizophrenia and depression corresponds with the internet use of the general population; however, they use it more often as a source of health information than the general population. Mental health service providers should offer more online interventions and treatment programs to patients with psychosis and depression, as our study suggests there is an unmet need for online mental health services for such patients.
Environmental Enrichment Enhances Cerebellar Compensation and Develops Cerebellar Reserve
Authors: Gelfo Francesca , Petrosini Laura
Published: May 2022

The brain is able to change its structure and function in response to environmental stimulations. Several human and animal studies have documented that enhanced stimulations provide individuals with strengthened brain structure and function that allow them to better cope with damage. In this framework, studies based on the exposure of animals to environmental enrichment (EE) have provided indications of the mechanisms involved in such a beneficial action. The cerebellum is a very plastic brain region that responds to every experience with deep structural and functional rearrangement. The present review specifically aims to collect and synthesize the evidence provided by animal models on EE exposure effects on cerebellar structure and function by considering the studies on healthy subjects and on animals exposed to EE both before and after damage involving cerebellar functionality. On the whole, the evidence supports the role of EE in enhancing cerebellar compensation and developing cerebellar reserve. However, since studies addressing this issue are still scarce, large areas of inconsistency and lack of clarity remain. Further studies are required to provide suggestions on possible mechanisms of enhancement of compensatory responses in human patients following cerebellar damage.
Perceived Exertion during Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity While Mask Wearing: A Quantitative and Qualitative Pilot Study
Authors: Scheid Jennifer L. , Edwards Corinne , Seils Michael , West Sarah L.
Published: May 2022

There is limited research examining the perception of exertion during exercise while wearing a facemask. The current study examined if mask usage during moderate or vigorous physical activity (MVPA) changed the self-reported perception of exertion. Seventy-two adults (18 years and older) who were physically active before the COVID-19 pandemic completed a questionnaire that assessed exercise habits and perceptions of mask wearing during MVPA. Participants reported their ratings of perceived exertion (RPE, on a scale of 1–10) while exercising. Wearing a mask resulted in higher RPE vs. no mask during both vigorous (8.4 ± 0.2 vs. 7.4 ± 0.1; p < 0.001) and moderate PA (6.6 ± 0.2 vs. 5.6 ± 0.2; p < 0.001). Qualitative analysis revealed mostly negative perceptions of exercising while wearing a mask, including respiratory issues, detriments to cardiovascular endurance, and general discomfort. A total of 40% of participants reported that they stopped exercising in an indoor/public setting because of a mask mandate in their region. Participants reported participating in less vigorous PA (4.7 ± 0.4 vs. 4.0 ± 0.4 h/week; p = 0.046), but not less moderate PA (3.3 ± 0.3 vs. 3.0 ± 0.3 h/week; p = 0.443) pre vs. during the pandemic. Our study suggests that facemask usage during MVPA causes an increase in RPE and may be one reason for a decrease in vigorous PA during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Heterogeneous Returns to Social Networks: Effects on Earnings and Job Satisfaction in the Chinese Labor Market
Authors: Guo Xiaoxian , Chen Qi
Published: May 2022

With the advancement of social network research over time, a research consensus has been reached that the use of social networks in job searching can provide positive returns. This study focused on the heterogeneity in the returns to social networks. Using Job Search and Social Networks (JSNET) survey data on urban residents of China, we examined the differences in the propensity to use social networks in job searching and the returns to social networks in terms of job seekers’ earnings and job satisfaction using propensity score stratification and the heterogeneous treatment effects model (HTE model). The use of social networks in job searching was found to be nonrandomly distributed, and the propensity to use such networks varied according to job seeker characteristics. For job seekers with different propensities, the returns to social networks were also different. Moreover, there was negative selection in the instrumental effect of social network use in the job search process but positive selection in the expressive effect: the higher the propensity to use one’s networks, the lower the income return to social networks and the higher the job satisfaction; the lower the propensity to use one’s networks, the higher the income return and the lower the job satisfaction.
Microbiological Testing of Probiotic Preparations
Authors: Zawistowska-Rojek Anna , Zaręba Tomasz , Tyski Stefan
Published: May 2022

Probiotic microorganisms that are potentially beneficial to the health of the host are commercially available in a great variety of products. Not all microorganism strains present in products have proven beneficial to the health properties. These products include not only foodstuffs but also dietary supplements, food for special medical purposes, medicinal products, as well as cosmetics and medical devices. These products contain from one to a dozen bacterial strains of the same or different species and sometimes also fungal strains. Since the pro-health effects of probiotics depend on a specific strain, the number of its cells in a dose, and the lack of pathogenic microorganisms, it is extremely important to control the quality of probiotics. Depending on the classification of a given product, its form, and its content of microorganisms, the correct determination of the number of microorganisms and their identification is crucial. This article describes the culture-dependent and culture-independent methods for testing the contents of probiotic microorganisms, in addition to biochemical and genetic methods of identification. The microbiological purity requirements for various product categories are also presented. Due to numerous reports on the low quality of probiotic products available on the market, it is important to standardise research methods for this group of products and to increase the frequency of inspections of these products.
Awareness of Tobacco-Related Diseases among Adults in Poland: A 2022 Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Szymański Jakub , Ostrowska Aurelia , Pinkas Jarosław , Giermaziak Wojciech , Krzych-Fałta Edyta , Jankowski Mateusz
Published: May 2022

Warning about the dangers of tobacco use is a key element of tobacco control policy. The COVID-19 pandemic may impact public perception of the health risks of tobacco use. The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of tobacco-related diseases among adults in Poland, as well as to identify sociodemographic factors associated with awareness of tobacco-related diseases. This cross-sectional survey was carried out in March 2022 on a representative nationwide sample of 1090 adults in Poland using the computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) technique. Lung cancer was the most recognized tobacco-related disease (92.7%), followed by COPD (89.7%) and myocardial infarction (84%). Three-quarters of the respondents (76.8%) were aware that smoking causes stroke and 51% were aware that smoking increases the risk for type 2 diabetes. Out of 9 factors analyzed in this study, female gender, an age of 50 years and over, and being a non-smoker were significantly associated with a higher awareness of tobacco-related diseases. This study showed an increase in public awareness of smoking-related diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. While awareness of lung cancer and COPD was very high, there are still significant gaps in the awareness of the non-respiratory effects of tobacco use.
Assessment of the Socioeconomic Status and Analysis of the Factors Motivating Patients to Apply for Prosthetic Treatment by Students of Dentistry at the Poznań University of Medical Sciences
Authors: Medyński Dominik , Gredes Tomasz , Glapiński Mariusz , Dudek Damian , Grabarek Beniamin Oskar , Niewiadomska Ewa , Czajka-Jakubowska Agata , Przystańska Agnieszka
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to determine the motives for undertaking prosthetic treatment at the Prosthetics Clinic of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), pursued by fifth- and sixth-year medicine and dentistry students. The survey consisted of 18 questions, of which 1 to 11 concerned general patient data, while questions 12 to 18 concerned prosthetic treatment. The only open question in the questionnaire was one regarding the motives for the decision to receive treatment. The study group consisted of 153 patients (102 women—66.67% and 51 men—33.33%) of the Prosthetic Clinic. After collecting a total of 200 questionnaires, rejecting 47 (23.50%) due to the lack of answers to all questions (other than question 18), a total of 153 completed (76.50%) questionnaires were obtained. The main motivating factors for patients to undertake prosthetic treatment are functional and aesthetic considerations. In addition, it turned out, that the authority of the university unit is of greater importance than financial issues. Additionally, some patients undergo treatment by students because they can see positive aspects in it, both for them and for students. Hence, the evaluation of the treatment provided by students, as well as their communication skills and their attitude, are rated very highly, although, again, the evaluation was influenced by the education level.
Analysis of the Effects of Lockdown on Staff and Students at Universities in Spain and Colombia Using Natural Language Processing Techniques
Authors: Jojoa Mario , Garcia-Zapirain Begonya , Gonzalez Marino J. , Perez-Villa Bernardo , Urizar Elena , Ponce Sara , Tobar-Blandon Maria Fernanda
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of lockdown using natural language processing techniques, particularly sentiment analysis methods applied at large scale. Further, our work searches to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the university community, jointly on staff and students, and with a multi-country perspective. The main findings of this work show that the most often related words were “family”, “anxiety”, “house”, and “life”. Besides this finding, we also have shown that staff have a slightly less negative perception of the consequences of COVID-19 in their daily life. We have used artificial intelligence models such as swivel embedding and a multilayer perceptron as classification algorithms. The performance that was reached in terms of accuracy metrics was 88.8% and 88.5% for students and staff, respectively. The main conclusion of our study is that higher education institutions and policymakers around the world may benefit from these findings while formulating policy recommendations and strategies to support students during this and any future pandemics.
The Economic Impact of Climate Change on Wheat and Maize Yields in the North China Plain
Authors: Song Chunxiao , Huang Xiao , Les Oxley , Ma Hengyun , Liu Ruifeng
Published: May 2022

Climate change has significantly affected agricultural production. As one of China’s most important agricultural production regions, the North China Plain (NCP) is subject to climate change. This paper examines the influence of climate change on the wheat and maize yields at household and village levels, using the multilevel model based on a large panel survey dataset in the NCP. The results show that: (i) Extreme weather events (drought and flood) would significantly reduce the wheat and maize yields. So, the governments should establish and improve the emergency service system of disaster warning and encourage farmers to mitigate the adverse effects of disasters. (ii) Over the past three decades, the NCP has experienced climate change that affects its grain production. Therefore, it is imperative to build the farmers’ adaptive capacity to climate change. (iii) Spatial variations in crop yield are significantly influenced by the household characteristics and the heterogeneity of village economic conditions. Therefore, in addition to promoting household production, it is necessary to strengthen and promote China’s development of the rural collective economy, especially the construction of rural irrigation and drainage infrastructures.
Modeling the Impact of Climatological Factors and Technological Revolution on Soybean Yield: Evidence from 13-Major Provinces of China
Authors: Zhang Huaquan , Chandio Abbas Ali , Yang Fan , Tang Yashuang , Ankrah Twumasi Martinson , Sargani Ghulam Raza
Published: May 2022

In recent years, the changing climate has become a major global concern, and it poses a higher threat to the agricultural sector around the world. Consequently, this study examines the impact of changing climate and technological progress on soybean yield in the 13 major provinces of China, and considers the role of agricultural credit, farming size, public investment, and power of agricultural machinery from 2000 to 2020. Fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) are applied to assess the long-run effect, while Dumitrescu and Hurlin’s (2012) causality test is used to explore the short-run causalities among the studied variables. The results revealed that an increase in the annual mean temperature negatively and significantly affects soybean yield, while precipitation expressively helps augment soybean yield. Furthermore, technological factors such as chemical fertilizers accelerate soybean yield significantly, whereas pesticides negatively influence soybean yield. In addition, farming size, public investment, and power of agricultural machinery contribute remarkably to soybean yield. The causality results endorse that chemical fertilizers, pesticides used, agricultural credit, public investment, and power of agricultural machinery have bidirectional causality links with soybean yield. This study suggests several fruitful policy implications for sustainable soybean production in China.
Mediterranean Style Dietary Pattern with High Intensity Interval Training in Men with Prostate Cancer Treated with Androgen Deprivation Therapy: A Pilot Randomised Control Trial
Authors: Baguley Brenton J. , Adlard Kirsten , Jenkins David , Wright Olivia R. L. , Skinner Tina L.
Published: May 2022

Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer has been shown to deteriorate body composition (reduced lean mass and increased body and fat mass) and increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity. The Mediterranean style dietary pattern (MED-diet) and high intensity interval training (HIIT) may synergistically alleviate these side effects and improve quality of life in men treated with ADT. Methods: Twenty-three men (65.9 ± 7.8 years; body mass index: 29.6 ± 2.7 kg/m2; ADT duration: 33.8 ± 35.6 months) receiving ADT for ≥3 months were randomly assigned (1:1) to 20 weeks of usual care or the MED-diet (10 nutrition consults) with HIIT (4 × 4 min 85–95% heart rate peak, 3× week, starting at 12 weeks). Results: The MED-diet with HIIT significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness (+4.9 mL·kg−1·min, p < 0.001), and body mass (−3.3 kg, p < 0.001) compared to the usual care group at 20 weeks. Clinically meaningful (≥3 points) improvements were seen in quality of life and cancer-related fatigue after 20 weeks. Conclusions: The MED-diet with HIIT increased cardiorespiratory fitness and reduced body weight in men with prostate cancer treated with ADT. Larger trials determining whether the MED-diet with HIIT translates to cardiovascular benefits are warranted.
Influence of Temperature on the Quantity of Bisphenol A in Bottled Drinking Water
Authors: Ginter-Kramarczyk Dobrochna , Zembrzuska Joanna , Kruszelnicka Izabela , Zając-Woźnialis Anna , Ciślak Marianna
Published: May 2022

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a component used in the production of polycarbonate plastics (PC) and epoxy resins, which are currently widely used in food and beverage packaging. Although BPA is not used in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) manufacturing, a recent study reported its presence in PET water bottles. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of storage conditions on the release of BPA from PET bottles as well as to assess health risks associated with the consumption of bottled water. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), we measured the content of BPA in local brands of plastic bottled water sold in the Polish market. It has been established that temperature is one of the main factors that influences the migration of bisphenol A to products, as was confirmed by determination of the amount of bisphenol A in water, which was carried out without exposing the bottles to different temperatures. Despite the fact that the individual concentrations of BPA in bottled water were low (ng/L) at 0.6 mg/kg (body weight), the cumulative daily dose in the body may be much higher than the quoted concentrations due to the number of products containing BPA. Thus, prolonged usage of bottled water and beverages should be avoided to reduce the risk of human exposure to BPA through leaching. Additionally, it was found that high temperatures resulted in increased BPA leaching.
Effects of Changes in Environmental Color Chroma on Heart Rate Variability and Stress by Gender
Authors: Oh Jiyoung , Park Heykyung
Published: May 2022

With increasing time spent indoors during the coronavirus disease pandemic, occupants are increasingly affected by indoor space environmental factors. Environmental color stimulates human vision and affects stress levels. This study investigated how changing environmental color chroma affected heart rate variability (HRV) and stress. The HRV of nine males and fifteen females was measured during exposure to 12 color stimuli with changes in chroma under green/blue hues and high/low-value conditions, and a stress assessment was performed. The effect of chroma on the HRV of males and females was verified, but the interaction effect between chroma and gender was not. ln(LF) and RMSSD were valid parameters. ln(LF) of males and females decreased as chroma increased under the green hue and low-value conditions; RMSSD was reduced as chroma increased in the blue hue and low-value conditions. ln(LF) decreased as chroma increased under blue hue and high-value conditions in males. Color–stress evaluation revealed that the higher chroma under high-value conditions, the more positive the stress emotion, and the lower the chroma under low-value conditions, the more negative the stress emotion. As chroma increased under low-value conditions, color is a stress factor; for men, this effect was more evident in the blue hue.