bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Eating Behaviour during SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic among the Inhabitants of Five European Countries
Authors: Górska Paulina , Górna Ilona , Miechowicz Izabela , Przysławski Juliusz
Published: July 2021

Psychological factors and restrictions imposed due to the pandemic may influence eating behaviours and physical activity. With the above thesis in mind, questionnaire-based surveys were conducted amongst residents of five European countries: Poland, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Great Britain (England and Scotland). A specially devised, structured questionnaire was used to conduct anonymous internet surveys between 28 April and 16 July 2020. It contained questions pertaining to sociodemographic data, eating behaviours, the impact of the pandemic on the diet and physical activity. The questionnaire was made available to internet users in Poland, Italy, Spain, Great Britain (England and Scotland), and Portugal. The questionnaire was translated by native speakers into five languages: Polish, English, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. Survey results were then analysed using StatSoft’s Statistica v. 13 software and Cytel’s StatXact v. 9.0.0. Age was the parameter that impacted changing eating behaviours to the largest extent during the pandemic. It was also found that during the pandemic, regular consumption of meals was most dependent on various factors. The negative impact of the pandemic within this scope was most profound amongst women, city residents regardless of gender and people over 35 years of age. A change in the frequency of consumption of selected product groups during the pandemic was also observed. Reduced consumption of meat and fish was identified. Especially among people under 35 living in Portugal, almost half—45.5% (p = 0.0210) declared lower consumption of meat, and more than half—54.5% (p = 0.011) reported lower consumption of fish. An analysis of the obtained results also showed an increase in the consumption of products with lower nutritional values, particularly amongst people under 35 years of age and also amongst residents of Great Britain (regardless of age). Moreover, the results showed that the pandemic may have had an impact on the weight reduction diet. A negative impact was declared by 16.5% of people, compared to 9.7% who said that the pandemic facilitated the use of the weight reduction diet (p = 0.006). The results of our survey also showed a decrease in the level of physical activity among people over 35 living in Poland (69.6%, p = 0.0497) and people living in Portuguese cities (72.73%, p = 0.0245). Our survey results showed that the impact of the pandemic on eating behaviours was particularly profound when it came to meal consumption regularity. Changes to the consumption of products with lower nutritional values, which may decrease immunity, have also been found during the pandemic. Our results showed that the problem associated with consuming products with lower nutritional values was particularly evident amongst people under 35. Considering the global character of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, further research is necessary to determine its impact on the diet, nutritional status and physical activity.
Food Ingredients and Nutraceuticals from Microalgae: Main Product Classes and Biotechnological Production
Authors: Kratzer Regina , Murkovic Michael
Published: July 2021

Microalgal products are an emerging class of food, feed, and nutraceuticals. They include dewatered or dried biomass, isolated pigments, and extracted fat. The oil, protein, and antioxidant-rich microalgal biomass is used as a feed and food supplement formulated as pastes, powders, tablets, capsules, or flakes designed for daily use. Pigments such as astaxanthin (red), lutein (yellow), chlorophyll (green), or phycocyanin (bright blue) are natural food dyes used as isolated pigments or pigment-rich biomass. Algal fat extracted from certain marine microalgae represents a vegetarian source of n-3-fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), γ-linolenic acid (GLA)). Gaining an overview of the production of microalgal products is a time-consuming task. Here, requirements and options of microalgae cultivation are summarized in a concise manner, including light and nutrient requirements, growth conditions, and cultivation systems. The rentability of microalgal products remains the major obstacle in industrial application. Key challenges are the high costs of commercial-scale cultivation, harvesting (and dewatering), and product quality assurance (toxin analysis). High-value food ingredients are commonly regarded as profitable despite significant capital expenditures and energy inputs. Improvements in capital and operational costs shall enable economic production of low-value food products going down to fishmeal replacement in the future economy.
Recent Developments in Identification of Genuine Odor- and Taste-Active Compounds in Foods
Authors: Durán-Guerrero Enrique , Castro Mejías Remedios
Published: July 2021

Both aroma and taste are crucial quality criteria for food products, having a great influence on our consumption behaviour [...]
Phytochemical and Antioxidant Profile of Pardina Lentil Cultivars from Different Regions of Spain
Authors: Liberal Ângela , Fernandes Ângela , Dias Maria Inês , Pinela José , Vivar-Quintana Ana María , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R. , Barros Lillian
Published: July 2021

Lentils (Lens culinaris spp.) are an important food consumed worldwide given their high protein, fiber, mineral, and phytochemical contents, and can be used as a potential source of good nutrition for many people. With the purpose of valuing the Pardina variety, the quality brand from a protected geographical indication “Lenteja de Tierra de Campos”, a full assessment of the nutritional, chemical, and antioxidant properties of 34 samples from this variety was carried out. Besides its actual rich nutritional profile, three phenolic compounds by high performance liquid chromatography equipped with photodiode array detection-mass (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS) were identified (kaempferol derivatives) with slight differences between them in all extracts. Sucrose by high-performance liquid chromatography with a refraction index detector (HPLC-RI) and citric acid by ultra-fast liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector (UFLC-PDA) were the major identified sugar and organic acid components, respectively, as well as α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol isoforms (HPLC-fluorescence). Additionally, all the extracts presented excellent antioxidant activity by the oxidative hemolysis inhibition assay (OxHLIA/TBARS). Briefly, Pardina lentils from this quality brand are a good source of nutritional and chemical components and should therefore be included in a balanced diet.
Transcriptional Changes after Enniatins A, A1, B and B1 Ingestion in Rat Stomach, Liver, Kidney and Lower Intestine
Authors: Cimbalo Alessandra , Alonso-Garrido Manuel , Font Guillermina , Frangiamone Massimo , Manyes Lara
Published: July 2021

Enniatins (ENs) are depsipeptide mycotoxins produced by Fusarium fungi. They are known for their capacity to modulate cell membrane permeability and disruption of ionic gradients, affecting cell homeostasis and initiating oxidative stress mechanisms. The effect of the acute toxicity of ENs A, A1, B and B1 at two different concentrations after 8 h of exposure was analysed in Wistar rats by a transcriptional approach. The following key mitochondrial and nuclear codified genes related to the electron transport chain were considered for gene expression analysis in stomach, liver, kidney and lower intestine by quantitative Real-Time PCR: mitochondrially encoded NADH dehydrogenase 1 (MT-ND1), mitochondrially encoded cytochrome c oxidase 1 (MT-COX1), succinate dehydrogenase flavoprotein subunit A and ATP synthase F1 subunit alpha, respectively. Moreover, the expression of markers involved in oxidative stresssuperoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1), heme oxygenase 1, apoptosis B-cell lymphoma 2, Bcl2 Associated protein X (Bax), tumor suppressor protein (p53), inhibition of apoptosis nuclear factor kappa of activated B cells, immune system interleukin 1β and intestinal tight junction Occludin merely in lower intestine tissues have been investigated. For mitochondrial genes, the main differences were observed for MT-ND1 and MT-COX1, showing its deficiency in all selected organs. With regard to the intestinal barrier’s cellular response to oxidative stress, the activity of the antioxidant gene SOD1 was decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, the catalytic enzyme GPx1 was also downregulated though merely at medium dose employed. On the contrary, the pro-apoptotic Bax and p53 regulators were activated after ENs exposure, reporting a significant increase in their expression. Furthermore, the alteration of intestinal permeability was assessed by the abnormal activity of the tight junction protein occludin. In summary, ENs may generate mitochondrial disorders and induce oxidative stress in intestinal barrier function.
Applications of Lactobacillus acidophilus-Fermented Mango Protected Clostridioides difficile Infection and Developed as an Innovative Probiotic Jam
Authors: Lee Bao-Hong , Hsu Wei-Hsuan , Chien Hao-Yuan , Hou Chih-Yao , Hsu Ya-Ting , Chen You-Zuo , Wu She-Ching
Published: July 2021

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a large intestine disease caused by toxins produced by the spore-forming bacterium C. difficile, which belongs to Gram-positive bacillus. Using antibiotics treatment disturbances in the gut microbiota and toxins produced by C. difficile disrupt the intestinal barrier. Some evidence indicates fecal microbiota transplantation and probiotics may decrease the risk of CDI recurrence. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of fermented mango by using the lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus and develop innovative products in the form of fermented mango jam. L. acidophilus-fermented mango products inhibited the growth of C. difficile while promoting the growth of next-generation probiotic Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Both supernatant and precipitate of mango-fermented products prevented cell death in gut enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells against C. difficile infection. Mango-fermented products also protected gut barrier function by elevating the expression of tight junction proteins. Moreover, L. acidophilus-fermented mango jam with high hydrostatic pressure treatment had favorable textural characteristics and sensory quality.
Some New Results on Hermite–Hadamard–Mercer-Type Inequalities Using a General Family of Fractional Integral Operators
Authors: Set Erhan , Çelik Barış , Özdemir M. Emin , Aslan Mücahit
Published: July 2021

The aim of this article is to obtain new Hermite–Hadamard–Mercer-type inequalities using Raina’s fractional integral operators. We present some distinct and novel fractional Hermite–Hadamard–Mercer-type inequalities for the functions whose absolute value of derivatives are convex. Our main findings are generalizations and extensions of some results that existed in the literature.
Pussy Power: A Contemporaneous View of Indigenous Women and Their Role in Sex Work
Authors: Sullivan Corrinne T.
Published: July 2021

Sex work is the trade of sexual services in exchange for money or other goods of value. In the context of Indigenous Australia, sex work often produces narratives of victimisation and oppression reinforcing the patriarchal power and colonial dominance that is rife in Australia over Indigenous women’s bodies and behaviours. Drawing from interviews with Indigenous women who are engaged with sex work, this paper challenges these narratives by examining the motivation and meanings that shape Indigenous women’s decisions to undertake sex work, offering a compelling counter-narrative that discusses how Indigenous women seek and enact agency, sexuality, and sovereignty through the pussy power of sex work.
Posttranscriptional Regulation of the Human ABCG2 Multidrug Transporter Protein by Artificial Mirtrons
Authors: Schamberger Anita , Várady György , Fóthi Ábel , Orbán Tamás I.
Published: July 2021

ABCG2 is a membrane transporter protein that has been associated with multidrug resistance phenotype and tumor development. Additionally, it is expressed in various stem cells, providing cellular protection against endobiotics and xenobiotics. In this study, we designed artificial mirtrons to regulate ABCG2 expression posttranscriptionally. Applying EGFP as a host gene, we could achieve efficient silencing not only in luciferase reporter systems but also at the ABCG2 protein level. Moreover, we observed important new sequential-functional features of the designed mirtrons. Mismatch at the first position of the mirtron-derived small RNA resulted in better silencing than full complementarity, while the investigated middle and 3′ mismatches did not enhance silencing. These latter small RNAs operated most probably via non-seed specific translational inhibition in luciferase assays. Additionally, we found that a mismatch in the first position has not, but a second mismatch in the third position has abolished target mRNA decay. Besides, one nucleotide mismatch in the seed region did not impair efficient silencing at the protein level, providing the possibility to silence targets carrying single nucleotide polymorphisms or mutations. Taken together, we believe that apart from establishing an efficient ABCG2 silencing system, our designing pipeline and results on sequential-functional features are beneficial for developing artificial mirtrons for other targets.
Ciliary Signalling and Mechanotransduction in the Pathophysiology of Craniosynostosis
Authors: Tiberio Federica , Parolini Ornella , Lattanzi Wanda
Published: July 2021

Craniosynostosis (CS) is the second most prevalent inborn craniofacial malformation; it results from the premature fusion of cranial sutures and leads to dimorphisms of variable severity. CS is clinically heterogeneous, as it can be either a sporadic isolated defect, more frequently, or part of a syndromic phenotype with mendelian inheritance. The genetic basis of CS is also extremely heterogeneous, with nearly a hundred genes associated so far, mostly mutated in syndromic forms. Several genes can be categorised within partially overlapping pathways, including those causing defects of the primary cilium. The primary cilium is a cellular antenna serving as a signalling hub implicated in mechanotransduction, housing key molecular signals expressed on the ciliary membrane and in the cilioplasm. This mechanical property mediated by the primary cilium may also represent a cue to understand the pathophysiology of non-syndromic CS. In this review, we aimed to highlight the implication of the primary cilium components and active signalling in CS pathophysiology, dissecting their biological functions in craniofacial development and in suture biomechanics. Through an in-depth revision of the literature and computational annotation of disease-associated genes we categorised 18 ciliary genes involved in CS aetiology. Interestingly, a prevalent implication of midline sutures is observed in CS ciliopathies, possibly explained by the specific neural crest origin of the frontal bone.
Analysis of the Experiences of Adults with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Authors: Kwon Soo Jin , Kim Yoonjung
Published: July 2021

Complex regional pain syndrome is a rare, intractable disease causing chronic pain. For improved subjective and personal experience, an individualized treatment approach based on a thorough understanding of the patient’s perceptions is required for pain management. In this study, we examined the experiences and challenges of 11 Korean patients diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome. The patients described their experiences during in-depth, face-to-face interviews, and data were subjected to a thematic analysis. We identified the following three main themes: “my own non-stereotyped pain,” “complex emotions caused by pain,” and “a careful life endured alone.” Enduring pain alone was difficult, and the lack of support from family members, caregivers, or society amplified the patients’ hardships. As these patients often felt alone when coping with internal difficulties, including pain, they frequently coped through self-management of the condition. The importance of offering realistic support to complex regional pain syndrome patients is underscored via a multifaceted approach and may aid in the development of educational programs for medical personnel, families, and caregivers of these patients.
Cut-Off Points of Visceral Adipose Tissue Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Military Men
Authors: da Rosa Samir Ezequiel , Costa Amina Chain , Fortes Marcos S. R. , Marson Runer Augusto , Neves Eduardo Borba , Rodrigues Laercio Camilo , Ferreira Paula Fernandez , Filho Jose Fernandes
Published: July 2021

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) has high metabolic activity and secretes a larger number of adipokines that are related to the inflammatory process. Quantifying VAT could estimate the risk of developing Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). This study was designed to determine the VAT cut-off points assessed by DXA associated with MetS in military men. In total, 270 (37.5 ± 6.9 years) military men from the Brazilian Army (BA) participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements, assessment of body composition by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), hemodynamics and biochemical tests were performed. The Student’s t test, independent samples, Person’s correlation, ROC curve, Youden Index and positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were used. The MetS prevalence was 27.4%, which means that 74 (38.0 ± 7.3 years) military men had at least three risk factors of MetS present. The cutoff point of VAT with the highest balance between sensitivity (77.0%) and specificity (69.9%) was 1025.0 cm3 (1086.0 g). An area on the ROC curve was 0.801 (p < 0.000), which was very good precision. VAT ≥ 1025.0 cm3 (1086.0 g) is associated with the risk factors of MetS and is, therefore, a predictor of the disease with good indicators of sensitivity and specificity and a robust indicator of MetS.
Flood Impacts on Critical Infrastructure in a Coastal Floodplain in Western Puerto Rico during Hurricane María
Authors: Mejia Manrique Said A. , Harmsen Eric W. , Khanbilvardi Reza M. , González Jorge E.
Published: July 2021

Flooding during extreme weather events damages critical infrastructure, property, and threatens lives. Hurricane María devastated Puerto Rico (PR) on 20 September 2017. Sixty-four deaths were directly attributable to the flooding. This paper describes the development of a hydrologic model using the Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA), capable of simulating flood depth and extent for the Añasco coastal flood plain in Western PR. The purpose of the study was to develop a numerical model to simulate flooding from extreme weather events and to evaluate the impacts on critical infrastructure and communities; Hurricane María is used as a case study. GSSHA was calibrated for Irma, a Category 3 hurricane, which struck the northeastern corner of the island on 7 September 2017, two weeks before Hurricane María. The upper Añasco watershed was calibrated using United States Geological Survey (USGS) stream discharge data. The model was validated using a storm of similar magnitude on 11–13 December 2007. Owing to the damage sustained by PR’s WSR-88D weather radar during Hurricane María, rainfall was estimated in this study using the Weather Research Forecast (WRF) model. Flooding in the coastal floodplain during Hurricane María was simulated using three methods: (1) Use of observed discharge hydrograph from the upper watershed as an inflow boundary condition for the coastal floodplain area, along with the WRF rainfall in the coastal flood plain; (2) Use of WRF rainfall to simulate runoff in the upper watershed and coastal flood plain; and (3) Similar to approach (2), except the use of bias-corrected WRF rainfall. Flooding results were compared with forty-two values of flood depth obtained during face-to-face interviews with residents of the affected communities. Impacts on critical infrastructure (water, electric, and public schools) were evaluated, assuming any structure exposed to 20 cm or more of flooding would sustain damage. Calibration equations were also used to improve flood depth estimates. Our model included the influence of storm surge, which we found to have a minimal effect on flood depths within the study area. Water infrastructure was more severely impacted by flooding than electrical infrastructure. From these findings, we conclude that the model developed in this study can be used with sufficient accuracy to identify infrastructure affected by future flooding events.
Assessment of Water Quality in A Tropical Reservoir in Mexico: Seasonal, Spatial and Multivariable Analysis
Authors: Loaiza Juan G. , Rangel-Peraza Jesús Gabriel , Sanhouse-García Antonio Jesús , Monjardín-Armenta Sergio Alberto , Mora-Félix Zuriel Dathan , Bustos-Terrones Yaneth A.
Published: July 2021

Agricultural activities are highly related to the reduction of the availability of water resources due to the consumption of freshwater for crop irrigation, the use of fertilizers and pesticides. In this study, the water quality of the Adolfo López Mateos (ALM) reservoir was evaluated. This is one of the most important reservoirs in Mexico since the water stored is used mainly for crop irrigation in the most productive agricultural region. A comprehensive evaluation of water quality was carried out by analyzing the behavior of 23 parameters at four sampling points in the period of 2012-2019. The analysis of the spatial behavior of the water quality parameters was studied by spatial distribution graphs using the Inverse Distance Weighting interpolation. Pearson correlation was performed to better describe the behavior of all water quality parameters. This analysis revealed that many of these parameters were significantly correlated. The Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was carried out and showed the importance of water quality parameters. Ten principal components were obtained, which explained almost 90% of the total variation of the data. Additionally, the comprehensive pollution index showed a slight water quality variation in the ALM reservoir. This study also demonstrated that the main source of contamination in this reservoir occurs near sampling point one. Finally, the results obtained indicated that a contamination risk in the waterbody and further severe ecosystem degradations may occur if appropriate management is not taken.
A Longitudinal Study of the Relationship between Shift Work and Prostate-Specific Antigen in Healthy Male Workers
Authors: Lee Yesung , Lee Woncheol , Kim Hyoung-Ryoul
Published: July 2021

As shift work has become prevalent globally, it is important to evaluate the health effects of shift work on employees. Several studies have demonstrated a positive association between shift work and prostate cancer. Therefore, we aimed to further examine the relationship between shift work and elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Our study collected data from 66,817 male participants at baseline and followed up for about 6 years. We categorized shift worker status and shift schedule types. To evaluate the risk of elevated PSA on shift workers, we estimated hazard ratios using the Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. During a median follow-up of 4.1 years, 1030 participants developed elevated PSA. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of elevated PSA for shift workers compared with daytime workers was 1.37 (1.04–1.80). Among shift workers, rotating shift workers (HR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.06–2.03) showed a significantly increased risk of elevated PSA compared with daytime workers. Our longitudinal study provides evidence for an association between shift work, especially rotating shift work, and elevations of PSA.
Tele-Monitoring System for Chronic Diseases Management: Requirements and Architecture
Authors: Mucchi Lorenzo , Jayousi Sara , Gant Antonio , Paoletti Elisabetta , Zoppi Paolo
Published: July 2021

In the last years a large variety of eHealth services and Apps for professional medical users have been developed for different scenarios. The increasing elderly population (+100% in 2050) makes urgent to implement tele-medicine paradigm in the healthcare structures. The need of monitoring large number of patients distributed over the territory, together with the lack of medical resources, makes the adoption of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) crucial for the future healthcare services. This paper presents an ICT architecture model for the provision of tele-monitoring services within a novel proposed remote monitoring concept for healthcare, considering the new Family and Community Nurse (FCN). An integrated and personalized tele-monitoring solution is presented, through a detailed description of the reference network architecture and service platform. Moreover, the preliminary results of the experimental activities carried out for the evaluation of the system in terms of usability in operational scenarios are provided.
Roles of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook and Other Home-Based Records on Newborn and Child Health: A Systematic Review
Authors: Carandang Rogie Royce , Sakamoto Jennifer Lisa , Kunieda Mika Kondo , Shibanuma Akira , Yarotskaya Ekaterina , Basargina Milana , Jimba Masamine
Published: July 2021

Home-based records are paper or electronic records retained and used by mothers or caregivers to document the health services received for maternal, newborn, and child health. Little has been studied about the roles of these records on newborn and child health outcomes. Hence, we collated and summarized evidence concerning the roles of home-based records in improving newborn and child health. We conducted a systematic search in several databases: MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Academic Search Complete, SocINDEX, CENTRAL, DARE, NHS EED, HTA, J-STAGE, Ichushi, and gray literature. We included original research articles of all study designs published in English or Japanese until January 2020. Owing to heterogeneity across the outcomes of included studies, we conducted a narrative synthesis. We included 55 studies (23 in Japanese) among 14,017 identified articles. We identified the following roles of home-based records on newborn and child health: promoted newborn/childcare seeking, improved knowledge and practices of newborn/childcare, encouraged home care for childhood illnesses, reduced child mortality and morbidity, and facilitated continuum of care. We observed a mixed effect on age-appropriate immunization (e.g., DTP3 completion) and no effect on the practice of immediate breastfeeding and prevention of perinatal mortality and morbidity. The findings highlighted the effectiveness and usefulness of home-based records to improve newborn and child health outcomes. However, only a few studies were available for each outcome category, limiting the certainty of evidence provided in this review. Therefore, we recommend further studies to explore the benefits of home-based records on improving newborn and child health.
Customized Power Wheelchair Joysticks Made by Three-Dimensional Printing Technology: A Pilot Study on the Environmental Adaptation Effects for Severe Quadriplegia
Authors: Shin Hee Dong , Ahn Da Hyun , Lee Hyun Ah , Lee Yun Kyung , Yang Hee Seung , Jo Min , Lee Seul Bin Na , Park Gwan Su , Hwang Yun Sub , Sim Woo Sob , Park Sung-Jun
Published: July 2021

Background: Power wheelchair joysticks are often available as standardized ready-made products for patients with severe hand dysfunction. However, standardized joysticks have limitations in accommodating the individualized features of hand dysfunctions. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has facilitated active research on the development of joysticks that can overcome such limitations. Methods: Four subjects participated in the study to evaluate driving abilities and satisfaction after using the customized joystick for two weeks. Modified power-mobility indoor driving assessment (PIDA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration task load index (NASA-TLX), and psychosocial impact of assistive devices scale (PIADS; Korean version) were employed for evaluation. Results: In patients 1–3, the modified PIDA scores had the highest values in the pre-test and post-test. In patient 4, the modified PIDA score had a higher value in the post-test (mean value = 4) compared to the pre-test (mean value = 3.33). In all patients, the modified PIDA time was lower in the post-test compared to the pre-test. The NASA-TLX and PIADS values indicate that greater satisfaction was achieved through the usage of customized joysticks in the post-test. Conclusions: All patients can improve their power wheelchair driving abilities and achieve greater satisfaction. Clinical Relevance: Three-dimensional printed customized power wheelchair joysticks can offer enhanced driving abilities and satisfaction to patients with limited hand function owing to severe spinal cord injury.
Exposure to Stress and Air Pollution from Bushfires during Pregnancy: Could Epigenetic Changes Explain Effects on the Offspring?
Authors: Murphy Vanessa E. , Karmaus Wilfried , Mattes Joerg , Brew Bronwyn K. , Collison Adam , Holliday Elizabeth , Jensen Megan E. , Morgan Geoffrey G. , Zosky Graeme R. , McDonald Vanessa M. , Jegasothy Edward , Robinson Paul D. , Gibson Peter G.
Published: July 2021

Due to climate change, bushfires are becoming a more frequent and more severe phenomenon which contributes to poor health effects associated with air pollution. In pregnancy, environmental exposures can have lifelong consequences for the fetus, but little is known about these consequences in the context of bushfire smoke exposure. In this review we summarise the current knowledge in this area, and propose a potential mechanism linking bushfire smoke exposure in utero to poor perinatal and respiratory outcomes in the offspring. Bushfire smoke exposure is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes including reduced birth weight and an increased risk of prematurity. Some publications have outlined the adverse health effects on young children, particularly in relation to emergency department presentations and hospital admissions for respiratory problems, but there are no studies in children who were exposed to bushfire smoke in utero. Prenatal stress is likely to occur as a result of catastrophic bushfire events, and stress is known to be associated with poor perinatal and respiratory outcomes. Changes to DNA methylation are potential epigenetic mechanisms linking both smoke particulate exposure and prenatal stress to poor childhood respiratory health outcomes. More research is needed in large pregnancy cohorts exposed to bushfire events to explore this further, and to design appropriate mitigation interventions, in this area of global public health importance.
Effects of Natural Ventilation and Saliva Standard Ejectors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Quantitative Analysis of Aerosol Produced during Dental Procedures
Authors: Rexhepi Imena , Mangifesta Rocco , Santilli Manlio , Guri Silvia , Di Carlo Piero , D’Addazio Gianmaria , Caputi Sergio , Sinjari Bruna
Published: July 2021

The novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has renewed attention to aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs). Dental-care workers are at high risk of contamination by SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of standard saliva ejectors and natural ventilation in reducing particulate matter (PM) concentration during different routine dental procedures in the pandemic period. The DustTrak monitor was used to measure PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and breathable (<4 microns) total dust during 14 procedures performed with and without the presence of natural ventilation in a dental unit. Moreover, measurements were performed near the practitioners or near the standard saliva ejectors during the different procedures. In the latter condition, reduced levels of PM10 were recorded (82.40 ± 9.65 μg/m3 vs. 50.52 ± 0.23 μg/m3). Moreover, higher levels of PM (53.95 ± 2.29 μg/m3 vs. 27.85 ± 0.14 μg/m3) were produced when the dental unit’s windows were open. At the same time, the total level of PM were higher during scaling than during other procedures (data suggest not to adopt natural ventilation—both window and door opened—during dental procedures). It was also demonstrated that the use of standard saliva ejectors can considerably reduce the total released amount of PM10.
Evaluation of COVID-19 Mitigation Policies in Australia Using Generalised Space-Time Autoregressive Intervention Models
Authors: Ip Ryan H. L. , Demskoi Dmitry , Rahman Azizur , Zheng Lihong
Published: July 2021

In handling the COVID-19 pandemic, various mitigation policies aiming at slowing the spread and protecting all individuals, especially the vulnerable ones, were implemented. A careful evaluation of the effectiveness of these policies is necessary so that policy-makers can implement informed decisions if another wave of COVID-19 or another pandemic happens in the future. This paper reports an assessment of some policies introduced by the Australian governments using a generalised space-time autoregressive model which incorporates multiple exogenous variables and delay effects. Our results show that the number of daily new cases from the states and territories are influenced by both temporal and spatial aspects. Business and border restrictions are found helpful in reducing the number of new cases a few days after implementation while gathering restrictions may not be effective.
Using Multilevel Regression and Poststratification to Estimate Physical Activity Levels from Health Surveys
Authors: Christofoletti Marina , Benedetti Tânia R. B. , Mendes Felipe G. , Carvalho Humberto M.
Published: July 2021

Background: Large-scale health surveys often consider sociodemographic characteristics and several health indicators influencing physical activity that often vary across subpopulations. Data in a survey for some small subpopulations are often not representative of the larger population. Objective: We developed a multilevel regression and poststratification (MRP) model to estimate leisure-time physical activity across Brazilian state capitals and evaluated whether the MRP outperforms single-level regression estimates based on the Brazilian cross-sectional national survey VIGITEL (2018). Methods: We used various approaches to compare the MRP and single-level model (complete-pooling) estimates, including cross-validation with various subsample proportions tested. Results: MRP consistently had predictions closer to the estimation target than single-level regression estimations. The mean absolute errors were smaller for the MRP estimates than single-level regression estimates with smaller sample sizes. MRP presented substantially smaller uncertainty estimates compared to single-level regression estimates. Overall, the MRP was superior to single-level regression estimates, particularly with smaller sample sizes, yielding smaller errors and more accurate estimates. Conclusion: The MRP is a promising strategy to predict subpopulations’ physical activity indicators from large surveys. The observations present in this study highlight the need for further research, which could, potentially, incorporate more information in the models to better interpret interactions and types of activities across target populations.
The Positive Role of Tai Chi in Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Xu Suodi , Baker Julien S. , Ren Feng
Published: July 2021

The ongoing coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a significant threat to both people’s physical and mental health. Physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, and negative emotions among the general population have been significantly increased because of COVID-19 home confinement. These are major risk factors associated with higher incidences of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, effective exercise management should be proposed as a prevention strategy to improve both physical and mental health while diminishing the effects of COVID-19. Tai Chi as a low-to-moderate aerobic exercise combines physical and mental training and plays a positive impact on human health. Here we aim to outline the effects of Tai Chi on the immune system, inflammatory responses, pulmonary function, and emotional control. The benefits of Tai Chi practice for individuals coping with COVID-19 are stated here which include immune system promotion, inflammation response reduction, rehabilitation in respiratory diseases, and emotional improvement. This statement has been supported by available clinical, physiological, and biological research. As a result, we hope to introduce Tai Chi as an effective exercise intervention for people coping with COVID-19 and as a beneficial exercise for maintaining an active lifestyle during a pandemic.
Ontological Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccine Roll out Strategies: A Comparison of India and the United States of America
Authors: Sreeganga S. D. , Chandra Ajay , Ramaprasad Arkalgud
Published: July 2021

The unprecedented outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments to devise national strategies to curtail its spread. The present study analyzes the national strategies of India and the United States for the COVID-19 vaccine roll out. The paper presents an ontology of COVID-19 vaccine roll out, maps the national strategies, identifies, analyzes the emphases and gaps in them, and proposes corrections to the same. The analysis shows that the national strategies are selective in their focus and siloed in their approach. They must be systematized to address the emerging challenges effectively. Thus, there is need for a systemic understanding and analysis to reinforce the effective pathways to manage vaccine roll out, reposition the ineffective ones, and engineer new ones through feedback and learning.
Is Brief Exposure to Green Space in School the Best Option to Improve Attention in Children?
Authors: Anabitarte Asier , García-Baquero Gonzalo , Andiarena Ainara , Lertxundi Nerea , Urbieta Nerea , Babarro Izaro , Ibarluzea Jesús , Lertxundi Aitana
Published: July 2021

The positive effects of Green Spaces on health are thought to be achieved through the mechanisms of mitigation, instoration and restoration. One of the benefits of Green Spaces may be the restoration of attention and so the objective of this research is testing empirically whether exposure to a green environment improves attention in school children. For so doing, we first used a split-unit statistical design in each of four schools, then combined the primary results via meta-analysis. The Attention Network Test (ANT) was used to measure attention before and after exposure and a total of 167 seven-year-old students participated in the experiments. Overall, our experimental results do not support the hypothesis that students’ exposure to activities in green vs. grey spaces affected their performance in ANT. This was so despite the fact that neither age nor gender biases have been detected and despite that our experiments have been proved to be sufficiently statistically powerful. It would be advisable to consider air pollution and noise. We also recommend that participants attend the experiment with mental exhaustion to maximize the ability to detect significant changes.
Social-Economic Environments and Depressive Symptoms in Community-Dwelling Adults: A Multi-Level Analysis for Two Nationwide Datasets in Taiwan
Authors: Hu Susan C. , Tsai Yu-Hsuan , Li Der-Chiang , Hsu Wan-Chen , Huang Nuan-Ching
Published: July 2021

Most studies have focused on factors associated with depression at the individual level, and evidence on ecological models linking social-economic features with depression is rare in Taiwan. This study aimed to use multi-level analysis to explore the effects of social-economic environments on depressive symptoms among Taiwanese adults. The 2009 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the Age-Friendly Environments database were linked in this study. A total of 6602 adults aged 20 years and older were included in the analysis. A Chinese version of the 10-item CESD was used as the outcome measure. Three social indicators (population density, divorce rate, and crime rate) and three economic indicators (unemployment rate, per capita disposable income, and per capita government expenditures) at the ecological level were examined. Results showed that two social environments and two economic features were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. However, the effects of these factors were different by gender and age groups. The economic environments were critical for males and young adults aged 20–44 years old, whereas the social environments were significant for females and middle-aged and older adults. Intervention efforts for depression prevention should integrate ecological approaches into the effects of social-economic environments on depressive symptoms.
The Effect of Vaccination Rates on the Infection of COVID-19 under the Vaccination Rate below the Herd Immunity Threshold
Authors: Chen Yi-Tui
Published: July 2021

Although vaccination is carried out worldwide, the vaccination rate varies greatly. As of 24 May 2021, in some countries, the proportion of the population fully vaccinated against COVID-19 has exceeded 50%, but in many countries, this proportion is still very low, less than 1%. This article aims to explore the impact of vaccination on the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the herd immunity of almost all countries in the world has not been reached, several countries were selected as sample cases by employing the following criteria: more than 60 vaccine doses per 100 people and a population of more than one million people. In the end, a total of eight countries/regions were selected, including Israel, the UAE, Chile, the United Kingdom, the United States, Hungary, and Qatar. The results find that vaccination has a major impact on reducing infection rates in all countries. However, the infection rate after vaccination showed two trends. One is an inverted U-shaped trend, and the other is an L-shaped trend. For those countries with an inverted U-shaped trend, the infection rate begins to decline when the vaccination rate reaches 1.46–50.91 doses per 100 people.
Iliotibial Band Autograft Provides the Fastest Recovery of Knee Extensor Mechanism Function in Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Wren Tishya L. , Beltran Veronica , Katzel Mia J. , Conrad-Forrest Adriana S. , VandenBerg Curtis D.
Published: July 2021

Iliotibial band autograft is an increasingly popular option for pediatric anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The purpose of this study was to compare recovery of knee extensor mechanism function among pediatric patients who underwent ACLR using iliotibial band (IT), hamstring tendon (HT), quadriceps tendon (QT), and patellar tendon (PT) autografts. One hundred forty-five pediatric athletes (76 female; age 15.0, range 7–21 years) with recent (3–18 months) unilateral ACLR performed drop-jump landing and 45° cutting with 3D motion capture. Knee extensor mechanism function (maximum knee flexion angle, maximum internal knee extensor moment, energy absorption at knee) during the loading phase (foot contact to peak knee flexion) was compared among graft types (20 IT, 29 HT, 39 QT, 57 PT) and sides (ACLR or contralateral) using linear mixed models with sex, age, and time since surgery as covariates. Overall, knee flexion was significantly lower on the operated vs. contralateral side for HT, QT, and PT during both tasks (p < 0.03). All graft types exhibited lower knee extensor moments and energy absorption on the operated side during both movements (p ≤ 0.001). Kinetic asymmetry was significantly lower for IT compared with QT and PT during both movements (p ≤ 0.005), and similar patterns were observed for HT vs. QT and PT (p ≤ 0.07). Asymmetry was similar between IT and HT and between QT and PT. This study found that knee extensor mechanism function recovers fastest in pediatric ACLR patients with IT autografts, followed by HT, in comparison to QT and PT, suggesting that IT is a viable option for returning young athletes to play after ACLR.
Development and Validation of a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Questionnaire on COVID-19 (KAP COVID-19)
Authors: Park Da-In
Published: July 2021

Given its highly contagious nature and an absence of a specific antiviral agent to this date, the key to controlling the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and decreasing the infection rate is adherence to preventive measures. It is essential to understand an individual’s knowledge, attitudes and practices toward COVID-19 since public adherence to health guidelines relies heavily on these aspects. However, there is no validated instrument that evaluates knowledge, attitudes and practices toward COVID-19. Thus, this study aimed to develop and validate such tool. A questionnaire was developed based on international and national guidelines and a review of the literature. Initial items were evaluated by 10 experts to determine content validity. Exploratory factor analysis and reliability testing were conducted with a convenience sample of 229 nursing students. Based on the content, face validity and factor analysis, 34 items were selected. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value of 0.735 indicated a highly acceptable score with a significant Bartlett’s test of sphericity (p < 0.0001). The internal consistency coefficients indicated acceptable reliability of the tool (Cronbach’s α = 0.75). The KAP COVID-19 is a valid instrument that can be used to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practices toward COVID-19.
Critical Feminist Service-Learning: A Physical Activity Program in a Woman’s Prison
Authors: Hinojosa-Alcalde Ingrid , Soler Susanna
Published: July 2021

In recent decades, increasing emphasis has been placed on the role of universities in ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education. Higher education strategies such as critical feminist service-learning (CFSL) can help achieve true university-community engagement to achieve social good while allowing students to develop academic competencies, values, and social responsibility. This study analyzes the impact of a university physical activity–based CFSL project implemented at a woman’s prison. The study combined quantitative and qualitative research methods. Eighty-one students (24 women and 57 men) participated in the project over the 3 years in which it was run (2017–2018, 2018–2019, and 2019-2020). Aspects related to the four principles of CFSL were analyzed using data collected from questionnaires and reflective learning journals completed by the students and a semi-structured interview with the prison sports instructor. Our findings show that participating in the project brought about significant changes in students’ beliefs and preconceptions about prisons, and helped them to develop their critical awareness. They also show that the project strengthened the collaborative relationship between the establishments and agents involved. In conclusion, CFSL is a powerful higher education strategy that can be used to show future educators and practitioners how sport and physical activity can drive social justice and contribute to the achievement of the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.