bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecological River Health Assessment Using Multi-Metric Models in an Asian Temperate Region with Land Use/Land Cover as the Primary Factor Regulating Nutrients, Organic Matter, and Fish Composition
Authors: Mamun Md , Jargal Namsrai , Atique Usman , An Kwang-Guk
Published: August 2022

This study was performed to determine the ecological health of a temperate river over nine years (2011–2019); it also analyzed the trophic structure and linkage of nutrients (nitrogen [N] and phosphorus [P]), sestonic chlorophyll-a (CHL-a), and the top trophic fish in the Asian monsoon region. Water chemistry, trophic indicators, and tolerance guilds were primarily influenced by land use and land cover (LULC); the magnitude of variation was also related to geographic elevation, artificial physical barriers (weirs), and point sources. Levels of nutrients, organic matter, and CHL-a largely influenced by the intensity of the monsoon seasonality for a particular LULC and stream order. Mann–Kendall tests based on a long-term annual dataset showed that annual organic matter and CHL-a increased over time because of longer hydraulic residence time after weir construction. The results of empirical nutrient models suggested that P was the key determinant for algal growth (CHL-a); the strong P-limitation was supported by N:P ratios > 17 in ambient waters. Linear regression models and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) were used to determine the influences of LULC and water quality on the trophic/tolerance linkages, fish community compositions and structures, and river health. Tolerant species had a positive functional relationship with nutrient enrichment through total phosphorus (TP) (R2 = 0.55, p < 0.05) and total nitrogen (TN) (R2 = 0.57, p < 0.05), organic pollution in terms of biological oxygen demand (BOD) (R2 = 0.41, p < 0.05) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) (R2 = 0.49, p < 0.05), and algal growth (R2 = 0.47, p < 0.05); sensitive species exhibited the opposite pattern. The degradation of river health, based on the multi-metric index of biotic integrity (IBI) model, was evident in the downriver region (“fair–poor” condition) and was supported by the quantitative fish community index (QFCI) model. The outcomes suggested that the degradation and variation of ecological river health, trophic linkages of water chemistry (N, P)-algal biomass-fish, were largely controlled by the land use pattern and construction of physical barriers in relation to the Asian monsoon.
A Socio-Cognitive Review of Healthy Eating Programs in Australian Indigenous Communities
Authors: Harris Jessica , Carins Julia , Parkinson Joy , Bodle Kerry
Published: August 2022

Purpose: This paper aims to understand the challenges to healthy eating for Indigenous Australians using a Social Cognitive Theory lens. Understanding the environmental, cognitive, and behavioural barriers to healthy eating for Indigenous populations in Australia will help identify current gaps and highlight future actions needed in this area to close the gap for Indigenous Australians. Study design: Narrative review of interventions of healthy eating programs in Australian Indigenous communities sourced using a systematic search protocol to understand the environmental, cognitive, and behavioural barriers to healthy eating among Indigenous Australians and to identify gaps and future actions needed to address this from 2010–2020. Results: The search produced 486 records, after duplicates were removed and the inclusion and exclusion process were utilised, seven interventions were retained in nine studies. The seven interventions had multiple study designs, from randomised control trials to case studies. Conclusions: Further work needs to explore the long-term feasibility of providing fruit and vegetable discounts and the impact of remoteness for the delivery of healthy food. Dietary interventions need to be clearly described, and fidelity and process of the design and implementation process to help with replication of work.
Multimorbidity Patterns among People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Findings from Lima, Peru
Authors: Bernabe-Ortiz Antonio , Borjas-Cavero Diego B. , Páucar-Alfaro Jimmy D. , Carrillo-Larco Rodrigo M.
Published: August 2022

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a chronic condition with a high disease burden worldwide, and individuals with T2DM often have other morbidities. Understanding the local multimorbidity profile of patients with T2DM will inform precision medicine and public health, so that tailored interventions can be offered according to the different profiles. Methods: An analysis was conducted of electronic health records (2016–2021) in one hospital in Lima, Peru. Based on ICD-10 codes and the available measurements (e.g., body mass index), we identified all T2DM cases and quantified the frequency of the most common comorbidities (those in ≥1% of the sample). We also conducted k-means analysis that was informed by the most frequent comorbidities, to identify clusters of patients with T2DM and other chronic conditions. Results: There were 9582 individual records with T2DM (mean age 58.6 years, 61.5% women). The most frequent chronic conditions were obesity (29.4%), hypertension (18.8%), dyslipidemia (11.3%), hypothyroidism (6.4%), and arthropathy (3.6%); and 51.6% had multimorbidity: 32.8% had only one, 14.1% had two, and 4.7% had three or more extra chronic conditions in addition to T2DM. The cluster analysis revealed four unique groups: T2DM with no other chronic disease, T2DM with obesity only, T2DM with hypertension but without obesity, and T2DM with all other chronic conditions. Conclusions: More than one in two people with T2DM had multimorbidity. Obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were the most common chronic conditions that were associated with T2DM. Four clusters of chronic morbidities were found, signaling mutually exclusive profiles of patients with T2DM according to their multimorbidity profile.
“What Do You Need? What Are You Experiencing?” Relationship Building and Power Dynamics in Participatory Research Projects: Critical Self-Reflections of Researchers
Authors: Arnold Doris , Glässel Andrea , Böttger Tabea , Sarma Navina , Bethmann Andreas , Narimani Petra
Published: August 2022

Participatory approaches create opportunities for cooperation, building relationships, gaining knowledge, rethinking, and eventually changing power structures. From an international perspective, the article looks at the historical development of different participatory approaches in which building relationships and managing the balance of power between persons engaged in participatory research are central. The authors present and critically reflect on four research projects to show how they understood and implemented participatory research in different ways and what they have learned from their respective experiences. The “PaSuMi” project worked in the context of addiction prevention with migrants and provides a glimpse into different contexts of participatory research. The initiator of the study “Back into life—with a power wheelchair” works with post-stroke individuals who use the assistive device in community mobility and reflects on the shifting and intertwining roles of participants. In the research project “Workshops for implementation of expanded community nursing”, new professional roles for nurses in community nursing were developed; here limitations to participation and ways to deal with them are illustrated. Finally, the “DIPEx” project deals with challenges of enabling participation of persons with multiple sclerosis via narrative interviews on the experience of health and illness. All examples underline the necessity of a permanent reflection on relationships and power dynamics in participatory research processes.
Ventilatory Muscle Training for Early Cardiac Rehabilitation Improved Functional Capacity and Modulated Vascular Function of Individuals Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Eibel Bruna , Marques Juliana R. , Dipp Thiago , Waclawovsky Gustavo , Marschner Rafael A. , Boll Liliana C. , Kalil Renato A. K. , Lehnen Alexandre M. , Sales Allan R. K. , Irigoyen Maria Claudia Costa
Published: August 2022

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation with aerobic exercises is the first strategy for nonpharmacological treatment in the postoperative period of individuals undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to improve functional capacity and vascular health. However, other exercise modalities remain uncertain regarding the same benefits. Objectives: Evaluation of the effect of different modalities of exercise, such as early cardiac rehabilitation on subjects submitted to CABG in the six-minute walk test (6-MWT) and on the percentage of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery. Methods: A randomized clinical trial in which 15 patients (62.7 ± 6.7 years) who underwent CABG were randomly assigned to the following groups: isometric (IG, Handgrip Jamar®), ventilatory muscle training (VG, PowerBreathe®) and control (CG, conventional respiratory and motor physiotherapy). All patients were attended to physically twice a day (20 min/session) for a consecutive week after the CABG (hospital admission). Functional capacity was assessed by 6-MWT and endothelial function was assessed through the technique of FMD, before and after (~7 days) admission to CABG. The doppler ultrasound videos were analyzed by Cardiovascular Suite® software (Quipu, Pisa, Italy) to measure %FMD. Statistics: Generalized estimation equation, followed by Bonferroni post hoc (p < 0.05). Results: Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure (SBP/DBP/MAP, respectively) were 133, 76 and 95 mmHg. The groups presented walking meters (m) distance before and after intervention of: IGbasal 357.80 ± 47.15 m vs. IGpost 306.20 ± 61.63 m, p = 0.401 (+51 m); VGbasal 261.50 ± 19.91 m vs. VGpost 300.75 ± 26.29 m, p = 0.052 (+39 m); CG basal 487.83 ± 83.23 m vs. CGpost 318.00 ± 31.08, p = 0.006 (−169 m). %FMD before and after intervention was IGbasal 10.4 ± 4.8% vs. IGpost 2.8 ± 2.5%, p = 0.152; VGbasal 9.8 ± 5.1% vs. VGpost 11.0 ± 6.1%, p = 0.825; CGbasal 9.2 ± 15.8% vs. CGpost 2.7 ± 2.6%, p = 0.710 and resting mean basal blood flow was IGbasal 162.0 ± 55.0 mL/min vs. IGpost 129.9 ± 63.7 mL/min, p = 0.662; VGbasal 83.74 ± 12.4 mL/min vs. VGpost 58.7 ± 17.1 mL/min, p = 0.041; CGbasal 375.6 ± 183.7 mL/min vs. CGpost 192.8 ± 115.0 mL/min, p = 0.459. Conclusions: Ventilatory muscle training for early cardiac rehabilitation improved acute functional capacity and modulated mean flow of individuals undergoing CABG.
Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19 Pandemic Period in the European Population: An Institutional Challenge
Authors: Di Fazio Nicola , Morena Donato , Delogu Giuseppe , Volonnino Gianpietro , Manetti Federico , Padovano Martina , Scopetti Matteo , Frati Paola , Fineschi Vittorio
Published: August 2022

The worldwide spread of SARS-CoV-2 has been responsible for an infectious pandemic, with repercussions on socio-economic aspects and on the physical and mental health of the general population. The present systematic review aimed to evaluate the data belonging to the European framework, analyzing the population by age group. Original articles and reviews on the state of mental health of the general European population have been researched starting from 2021. Initially, a total of 1764 studies were found, among which a total of 75 were selected. Youth were the age group most affected by pandemic consequences on mental health, with emotional and behavioral alterations observed from a third to more than a half of children and adolescents examined. Among both adolescents and adults, the female gender had a higher prevalence of psychopathological symptoms. The main risk factors were poor social support, economic difficulties, and, in particular, unemployment or job changes. Additional individual risk factors were the perception of loneliness, the presence of pre-pandemic mental illness/distress, and some personality traits, such as neuroticism, impulsiveness, and the use of maladaptive coping strategies. Unexpectedly, the elderly maintained good resilience towards change, even if a stress factor was represented by the feeling of loneliness and poor social contact. As regards suicidal behaviors, among adolescents, there was an increase in attempts of 25%, with a greater risk for the female gender. This risk increased also among adults, in association with symptoms of anxiety and depression, and poor socio-environmental conditions. In conclusion, some population groups were found to be at greater risk of psychological burden during pandemic waves, thus representing priority targets for socio-health interventions.
Management of Chronic Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace from the Perspective of Older Employees: A Mixed Methods Research Study
Authors: Skamagki Glykeria , Carpenter Christine , King Andrew , Wåhlin Charlotte
Published: August 2022

(1) Background: This mixed methods research (MMR) study explored older employees’ experiences of chronic musculoskeletal disorders (CMSDs) in relation to their employment, their perspectives on managing these conditions in the workplace and the strategies used to facilitate and maintain their roles and responsibilities. The services offered to them were also identified. (2) Methods: A mixed methods exploratory sequential design was implemented. In the first qualitative phase, 16 semi-structured interviews gathered in-depth information from older employees. The findings informed the development of an online questionnaire in the survey phase, which was administered to older employees (N = 107). Both sets of findings were then integrated using a narrative joint display. (3) Results: The phenomena of presenteeism and leaveism were important components of employees’ strategies for managing their condition. The integrated findings highlighted the roles of employers, managers and social support in encouraging disclosure and supporting the management of CMSDs. The results also emphasised how self-management and professional health services are crucial for sustaining employability. (4) Conclusions: Current challenges call for employers to identify effective ways to support the ageing workforce and invest in training opportunities for managers and collaborative opportunities with healthcare professionals and other stakeholders. A flexible, empathetic and resourceful work environment is optimal for supporting sustained employability for an ageing workforce.
Cross-Cultural Validation of Quebec User Satisfaction with Assistive Technology 2.0 for Spanish Population (QUEST-2.0 ES)
Authors: Guerreiro Joao , Jiménez-Arberas Estíbaliz , Porto Trillo Patricia , Vilar Figueira Olalla , Saénz-López Buñuel Pedro , Pais Sandra , Tierra Orta José , Pousada García Thais
Published: August 2022

Background: Assistive technologies (ATs) are resources to promote the independence and participation of people with a disability. The use of standardized tools, based on outcome measures, is essential for guaranteeing high-quality rates. The Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with AT–2.0 (QUEST) is a scale to assess the satisfaction of people using any AT. Objectives: To translate and culturally validate the QUEST–2.0 for the Spanish population (QUEST 2.0-ES). Methods: A validation cross-design and descriptive study. The test–retest reliability, validity, and internal consistency of QUEST 2.0-ES were studied. It was divided into two phases: Sample 1 was formed by 26 persons; in sample 2, 30 persons participated. The conditions included neurological conditions, amputations, rare diseases, and deafness. Results: Thirty-five men and 21 women participated in total. The majority of AT used were those for mobility. QUEST 2.0-ES analysis showed internal consistency values between the test (α = 0.87) and retest versions (α = 0.89). The internal consistency was high for AT (test, α = 0.83; retest, α = 0.87) and Service (test, α = 0.80; retest, α = 0.80). The temporal reliability (1–2 weeks) for test–retest was 0.88. Conclusion: QUEST 2.0-ES showed good psychometric properties in terms of validity and test–retest reliability, and it is a good tool to assess the user’s satisfaction with ATs and services.
You Are What You Eat and So Is Our Planet: Identifying Dietary Groups Based on Personality and Environmentalism
Authors: Palnau Jan-Felix , Ziegler Matthias , Lämmle Lena
Published: August 2022

Behavioral change interventions promoting the reduction of animal product consumption are valuable tools to improve ecological sustainability as well as public health and help the mitigation of climate change. Recent findings revealed improved efficacy of interventions targeted at barriers (e.g., self-efficacy) of three different types of meat consumers over non-targeted interventions (e.g., completion of unrelated surveys). However, such interventions have yet to factor in the role of individual differences in personality. Therefore, in a first step, we performed segmentation analysis on barriers and benefits of reducing animal product consumption (e.g., meat attachment, environmentalism) with the inclusion of personality. In an online sample of N=1135 participants, latent profile analysis revealed five distinct dietary groups: “plant-based eaters”, “meat-reducers”, “medium-hindrance meat eaters”, “medium strong-hindrance meat eaters, and “strong-hindrance meat eaters”, based on inhibitors and facilitators of meat reduction. Groups differed in terms of consumption of different animal products (η2=0.08 to η2=0.80) as well as the Big Five (η2=0.08 to η2=0.80) and Dark Triad (η2=0.08 to η2=0.80). Strong-hindrance meat eaters were characterized by low Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and Openness as well as high dark trait expression, implying new targets for future intervention design.
Development and Validation of a New Measure of Work Annoyance Using a Psychometric Network Approach
Authors: Magnavita Nicola , Chiorri Carlo
Published: August 2022

Existing measures of the impact of job characteristics on workers’ well-being do not directly assess the extent to which such characteristics (e.g., opportunity to learn new skills) are perceived as positive or negative. We developed a measure, the Work Annoyance Scale (WAS), of the level of annoyance that workers feel about certain aspects of the job and evaluated its psychometric properties. Using archival data from two cohorts (n = 2226 and 655) of workers that had undergone an annual medical examination for occupational hazard, we show the usefulness of the network psychometric approach to scale validation and its similarities and differences from a traditional factor analytic approach. The results revealed a two-dimensional structure (working conditions and cognitive demands) that was replicable across cohorts and bootstrapped samples. The two dimensions had adequate structural consistency and discriminant validity with respect to other questionnaires commonly used in organizational assessment, and showed a consistent pattern of association with relevant background variables. Despite the need for more extensive tests of its content and construct validity in light of the organizational changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic and of an evaluation of the generalizability of the results to cultural contexts different from the Italian one, the WAS appears as a psychometrically sound tool for assessment and research in organizational contexts.
Mediator Effect of Cardiorespiratory Fitness on the Association between Physical Activity and Lung Function in Adults: Cross-Sectional Results from the Epimov Study
Authors: Ostolin Thatiane Lopes Valentim Di Paschoale , Gonze Bárbara de Barros , Sperandio Evandro Fornias , Arantes Rodolfo Leite , Romiti Marcello , Dourado Victor Zuniga
Published: August 2022

We investigated whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) mediates the association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and lung function in asymptomatic adults. We examined the cross-sectional results of 1362 adults aged 18–80 years from the Epidemiology and Human Movement Study. Participants were submitted to spirometry to obtain forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1). Additionally, we used cardiopulmonary exercise testing to obtain peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2) as a measure of CRF. Participants used a triaxial accelerometer for 4–7 days to obtain MVPA. Mediation analyses were performed considering the CRF as a mediator, MVPA as an independent variable, and FVC and FEV1 as dependent variables with adjustment for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk score. We aimed to investigate the total (path c) and direct (paths a, b, c’) effects through the regression coefficients. We also examined the indirect effect, which was obtained from the product of the coefficients (path ab). Our sample was composed mainly of overweight and middle-aged women. MVPA was positively related to CRF (path a), as well as CRF and lung function (path b). MVPA also presented a significant positive total effect (path c) in the lung function. However, this relationship became non-significant when CRF was included in the model for both FVC and FEV1 (path c’). We did not observe a direct effect of MVPA on the lung function. In contrast, the indirect effect was significant (path ab). Lastly, CRF mediated 60% of the total effect of MVPA on FVC and 61.9% on FEV1. CRF mediates the relationship between lung function and MVPA in asymptomatic adults. Therefore, our results reinforce the need to include CRF assessment in practice clinical routine and suggest that strategies focusing on CRF might be more promising to prevent respiratory diseases in adults.
Oral Care Cards as a Support in Daily Oral Care of Frail Older Adults: Experiences and Perceptions of Professionals in Nursing and Dental Care—A Qualitative Study
Authors: Persson Jessica , Johansson Isabelle , Torgé Cristina Joy , Bergström Eva-Karin , Hägglin Catharina , Wårdh Inger
Published: August 2022

Frail older adults often have poor oral health. In Sweden, oral care cards are designed to be used as an interprofessional tool for documenting the oral health status of older adults with extensive care needs and to describe oral care recommendations. The aim of this study was to explore nursing and dental professionals’ experiences and perceptions of oral care cards. Nursing and dental care staff were interviewed in groups or individually. The recorded data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. A theme emerged: Navigating an oral care responsibility that is not anchored in the nursing and dental care context. The theme was elucidated in three categories: “Accessibility and usefulness”, “Coordination between nursing and dental care”, and “Ethical approach”. The participants perceived a lack of surrounding frameworks and collaboration concerning oral care and the use of oral care cards. An oral care card could ideally facilitate interprofessional and person-centered oral care. However, oral health does not seem to have found its place in the nursing care context. Further research is needed to investigate how oral care cards ought to be developed and designed to support oral health care work.
Impacts of COVID-19 Travel Restriction Policies on the Traffic Quality of the National and Provincial Trunk Highway Network: A Case Study of Shaanxi Province
Authors: Ma Yongji , Xu Jinliang , Gao Chao , Tong Xiaohui
Published: August 2022

According to recent research, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted road traffic quality. This study aims to analyze the impacts of COVID-19 travel restriction policies on the traffic quality of the national and provincial trunk highway network (NPTHN) in Shaanxi Province. We collected the traffic data of the NPTHN for three consecutive years (from 2019 to 2021), before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, including weekly average daily traffic, weekly traffic interruption times, weekly traffic control time, weekly traffic accidents, weekly traffic injuries, and weekly traffic deaths. Using descriptive statistics and dynamic analysis methods, we studied the safety and service levels of the NPTHN. We set up an assessment model of the NPTHN operational orderliness through dissipative structure theory and entropy theory to study the operational orderliness of the NPTHN. Results show that in 2020, the service level, safety level, and operational orderliness of the NPTHN dropped to the lowest levels. The pandemic was gradually brought under control, and the travel restriction policies were gradually reduced and lifted. The adverse impacts on the operational orderliness of the NPTHN decreased, but the operational orderliness did not yet recover to the pre-pandemic level. Meanwhile, the service and safety levels of the NPTHN did not recover. Taken together, the COVID-19 travel restriction policies had adverse impacts on the traffic quality of the NPTHN in Shaanxi Province.
The Effect of Role Conflict and Professional Autonomy on the Role Performance of Patient Safety Coordinators in Small and Medium-Sized Hospitals in Korea
Authors: Park Kyo-Yeon , Kang Kyoungrim
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effects of role conflict and professional autonomy on the role performance of patient safety coordinators in small and medium-sized hospitals in Korea. The participants in this cross-sectional study were 121 patient safety coordinators in general hospitals or hospitals with more than 100–300 beds. Data were collected through an online survey for about three weeks in February 2022. The variables were role conflict, professional autonomy, and role performance. In the data analysis, we employed the t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and multiple regression methods. Almost all (99.2%) of the participants were nurses. The lower the role conflict and the higher the professional autonomy, the better the role performance shown. As a result of analyzing the factors affecting role performance, the regression model was found to be significant (F = 6.988, p < 0.001). The most influential factor in role performance was professional autonomy (β = 0.279, p = 0.002). In conclusion, it is thought that systematic education and legal and institutional arrangements for independent roles and work regulations are needed to strengthen patient safety coordinators’ competency in small and medium-sized hospitals in Korea. This will improve the role performance of patient safety coordinators and create a better patient safety culture.
Predictors of Economic Outcomes among Romanian Youth: The Influence of Education—An Empirical Approach Based on Elastic Net Regression
Authors: Zamfir Ana-Maria , Davidescu Adriana AnaMaria , Mocanu Cristina
Published: August 2022

Young people have to be provided with opportunities to access prosperous, resilient and fulfilling lives. Investing in education and skills is considered one of the most important ways to support young people’s well-being and to enable them to enjoy good career prospects. Using the framework of human capital theory, we explored the role of education among the factors explaining wage variation among Romanian youth. We built our analysis on micro-data for Romania from the EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions 2020. In order to identify the most important factors influencing the wage distribution, we employed the elastic net regression approach. Moreover, we considered the phenomenon of expansion of education and ran the analysis by alternately using a traditional measure for education and a relative measure reflecting the theory of education as positional good. We ran the analysis for different cohorts of the population, focusing the discussion on the results for young people. Our findings confirm the importance of education for wage distribution together with other factors of influence, such as gender, degree of urbanization, region, sector of employment and working experience. Our conclusions are relevant for designing more effective educational and social policies to deal with various disadvantages faced by youth in Romania.
A Study on the Willingness of Industrial Ecological Transformation from China’s Zero Waste Cities Perspective
Authors: Li Xing , Fang Yongheng , Luo Fuzhou
Published: August 2022

Based on the practice of a circular economy, China officially put forward the goal of building a “Zero Waste City” in 2018 and has formulated a series of measures to promote energy savings and emissions reduction in various sectors among which industry has received key attention due to its long-term high energy consumption and high pollution. The growth of an urban economy cannot be supported by industry, but the high energy consumption and high pollution of industry have become the keys to urban environmental management, and the need for ecological transformation of industry is very urgent. Based on the construction background of zero waste cities in China, this study analyzes the transformation factors of industrial producers’ willingness to make ecological transformation. The factors that influence industrial producers to make ecological transformation are perception of participation, perception of cost, perception of identity, and perception of government intervention. These factors have a positive moderating effect on the adoption of transformation strategies by industrial producers among which the perception of government involvement also plays a mediating role and has an important influence on the promotion of active ecological transformation by industrial producers.
Social Group Differences in Influencing Factors for Chinese Urban Residents’ Subjective Well-Being: From the Perspective of Social Stratification
Authors: Wen Ping , Zhang Jiting , Zhou Suhong
Published: August 2022

With the great pressure of modern social life, the problem of residents’ subjective well-being has attracted scholars’ attention. Against the background of institutional transformation, China has a special social stratification structure. The socio-economic resources and living needs of different social classes are different, resulting in differences in the level of subjective well-being and the influencing factors for this. Taking Guangzhou as an example, based on the data of a household survey conducted in 2016, this paper obtains the social hierarchical structure through two-step clustering, and explores the differences between influencing factors for subjective well-being using multiple linear regression models. The clustering results divided Guangzhou urban residents into four classes: retirees, white-collar workers outside the system, manual workers and white-collar workers inside the system. The subjective well-being of white-collar workers inside the system and manual workers is high. The subjective well-being of white-collar workers outside the system is below the average value, and retirees have poor subjective well-being. The results of the regression analysis show that the subjective well-being of all social classes could be improved by active participation in fitness exercises, harmonious neighborhood relationships and a central residential location. Health-related factors such as physical health, sleeping time and density of neighborhood medical facilities, have a significant impact on manual workers’ subjective well-being. An increase in the density of neighborhood leisure facilities could help to improve the subjective well-being of white-collar workers outside the system. However, this would inhibit the subjective well-being of white-collar workers within the system. By revealing the differences in influencing factors for different social groups’ subjective well-being, the research conclusions could provide a reference for the formulation of targeted policies and measures to improve residents’ subjective well-being in urban China.
Reliability and Validity of a Chinese Version of the Cohen–Mansfield Agitation Inventory-Short Form in Assessing Agitated Behavior
Authors: Sun Feng-Ching , Lin Li-Chan , Chang Shu-Chen , Li Hui-Chi , Cheng Chia-Hsin , Huang Ling-Ya
Published: August 2022

Background: Patients with dementia often present agitated behaviors. The Cohen–Mansfield Agitation Inventory-short form (CMAI-SF) is one of the most widely used instruments to evaluate agitated behaviors that affect patients’ quality of life and impose burden on caregivers. However, there is no simplified Chinese version of the CMAI-SF (C-CMAI-SF) in clinical settings. Purpose: This study aimed to develop a Chinese version of the C-CMAI-SF and examine its validity and reliability. Methods: This cross-sectional study included three phases. In Phase I, the original CMAI-SF was translated to Chinese. In Phase II, experts were invited to examine the content validity index (CVI). Phase III was conducted to test the validity and reliability of the C-CMAI-SF. Results: The scale showed good validity and reliability with a scale-level CVI of 0.89, Cronbach’s alpha (measure of internal consistency) of 0.874, and test–retest correlation coefficient of 0.902 (for 257 individuals). Using factor analysis, three factors were identified. Regarding concurrent validity, the C-CMAI-SF score was correlated with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (agitation aggression subscale) and the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (agitation subscale). Conclusions: The study demonstrated that the C-CMAI-SF is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating agitated behaviors in people with dementia. Relevance to clinical practice: The C-CMAI-SF is an easy and quick tool used to identify and evaluate agitated behaviors in busy clinical settings.
Response of Anthocyanin Accumulation in Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Fruit to Light Days
Authors: Zhou Yan , Mumtaz Muhammad Ali , Zhang Yonghao , Shu Huangying , Hao Yuanyuan , Lu Xu , Cheng Shanhan , Zhu Guopeng , Wang Zhiwei
Published: August 2022

Light is the key factor affecting the synthesis of anthocyanins in pepper. In this study, pepper fruit under different light days was used as experimental material to explore the synthesis of anthocyanins in purple pepper. A total of 38 flavonoid metabolites were identified in the purple pepper germplasm HNUCA21 by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), of which 30 belong to anthocyanins. The detected anthocyanin with the highest content was Delphinidin-3-O-glucoside (17.13 µg/g), which reached the maximum after 168 h of light treatment. Through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), the brown module was identified to be related to the early synthesis of anthocyanins. This module contains many structural genes related to flavonoid synthesis, including chalcone synthase (CHS 107871256, 107864266), chalcone isomerase (CHI 107871144, 107852750), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR 107860031), flavonoid 3′ 5′-hydroxylase (F3’5’H 107848667), flavonoid 3′-monooxygenase (F3M 107862334), leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase (LDOX 107866341), and trans-cinnamate 4-monooxygenase (TCM 107875406, 107875407). The module also contained some genes related to anthocyanin transport function, such as glutathione S-transferase (GST 107861273), anthocyanidin 3-O-glucosyltransferase (UDPGT 107861697, 107843659), and MATE (107863234, 107844661), as well as some transcription factors, such as EGL1 (107865400), basic helix-loop-helix 104 (bHLH104 107864591), and WRKY44 (107843538, 107843524). The co-expression regulatory network indicated the involvement of CHS, DFR, CHI, and EGL1, as well as two MATE and two WRKY44 genes in anthocyanin synthesis. The identified genes involved in early, middle, and late light response provided a reference for the further analysis of the regulatory mechanism of anthocyanin biosynthesis in pepper.
Exogenous ANP Treatment Ameliorates Myocardial Insulin Resistance and Protects against Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury in Diet-Induced Obesity
Authors: Oi Yuhei , Nagoshi Tomohisa , Kimura Haruka , Tanaka Yoshiro , Yoshii Akira , Yasutake Rei , Takahashi Hirotake , Kashiwagi Yusuke , Tanaka Toshikazu D. , Tachibana Toshiaki , Yoshimura Michihiro
Published: August 2022

Increasing evidence suggests natriuretic peptides (NPs) coordinate interorgan metabolic crosstalk. We recently reported exogenous ANP treatment ameliorated systemic insulin resistance by inducing adipose tissue browning and attenuating hepatic steatosis in diet-induced obesity (DIO). We herein investigated whether ANP treatment also ameliorates myocardial insulin resistance, leading to cardioprotection during ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) in DIO. Mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or normal-fat diet for 13 weeks were treated with or without ANP infusion subcutaneously for another 3 weeks. Left ventricular BNP expression was substantially reduced in HFD hearts. Intraperitoneal-insulin-administration-induced Akt phosphorylation was impaired in HFD hearts, which was restored by ANP treatment, suggesting that ANP treatment ameliorated myocardial insulin resistance. After ischemia–reperfusion using the Langendorff model, HFD impaired cardiac functional recovery with a corresponding increased infarct size. However, ANP treatment improved functional recovery and reduced injury while restoring impaired IRI-induced Akt phosphorylation in HFD hearts. Myocardial ultrastructural analyses showed increased peri-mitochondrial lipid droplets with concomitantly decreased ATGL and HSL phosphorylation levels in ANP-treated HFD, suggesting that ANP protects mitochondria from lipid overload by trapping lipids. Accordingly, ANP treatment attenuated mitochondria cristae disruption after IRI in HFD hearts. In summary, exogenous ANP treatment ameliorates myocardial insulin resistance and protects against IRI associated with mitochondrial ultrastructure modifications in DIO. Replenishing biologically active NPs substantially affects HFD hearts in which endogenous NP production is impaired.
TM4SF5-Mediated Regulation of Hepatocyte Transporters during Metabolic Liver Diseases
Authors: Kim Ji Eon , Kim Eunmi , Lee Jung Weon
Published: August 2022

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is found in up to 30% of the world’s population and can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which has a poor 5-year relative survival rate of less than 40%. Clinical therapeutic strategies are not very successful. The co-occurrence of metabolic disorders and inflammatory environments during the development of steatohepatitis thus needs to be more specifically diagnosed and treated to prevent fatal HCC development. To improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, the identification of molecules and/or pathways responsible for the initiation and progression of chronic liver disease has been explored in many studies, but further study is still required. Transmembrane 4 L six family member 5 (TM4SF5) has been observed to play roles in the regulation of metabolic functions and activities in hepatocytes using in vitro cell and in vivo animal models without or with TM4SF5 expression in addition to clinical liver tissue samples. TM4SF5 is present on the membranes of different organelles or vesicles and cooperates with transporters for fatty acids, amino acids, and monocarbohydrates, thus regulating nutrient uptake into hepatocytes and metabolism and leading to phenotypes of chronic liver diseases. In addition, TM4SF5 can remodel the immune environment by interacting with immune cells during TM4SF5-mediated chronic liver diseases. Because TM4SF5 may act as an NAFLD biomarker, this review summarizes crosstalk between TM4SF5 and nutrient transporters in hepatocytes, which is related to chronic liver diseases.
Naegleria fowleri Cathepsin B Induces a Pro-Inflammatory Immune Response in BV-2 Microglial Cells via NF-κB and AP-1 Dependent-MAPK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Lê Hương Giang , Kang Jung-Mi , Võ Tuấn Cường , Na Byoung-Kuk
Published: August 2022

Naegleria fowleri is a ubiquitous protozoa parasite that can cause primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a fatal brain infection in humans. Cathepsin Bs of N. fowleri (NfCBs) are multifamily enzymes. Although their pathogenic mechanism in PAM is not clearly understood yet, NfCBs have been proposed as pathogenic factors involved in the pathogenicity of amoeba. In this study, the immune response of BV-2 microglial cells induced by NfCB was analyzed. Recombinant NfCB (rNfCB) evoked enhanced expressions of TLR-2, TLR-4, and MyD88 in BV-2 microglial cells. This enzyme also induced an elevated production of several pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-6 and iNOS in cells. The inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including JNK, p38, and ERK, effectively reduced the production of these pro-inflammatory cytokines. The rNfCB-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in BV-2 microglial cells was suppressed by inhibiting NF-kB and AP-1. Phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 in cells were also enhanced by rNfCB. These results suggest that NfCB can induce a pro-inflammatory immune response in BV-2 microglial cells via the NF-κB- and AP-1-dependent MAPK signaling pathways. Such a NfCB-induced pro-inflammatory immune response in BV-2 microglial cells might contribute to the pathogenesis of PAM caused by amoeba, by exacerbating deleterious immune responses and tissue damages in N. fowleri-infected foci of the brain.
Knockout of Katnal2 Leads to Autism-like Behaviors and Developmental Delay in Zebrafish
Authors: Zheng Jing , Long Fei , Cao Xu , Xiong Bo , Li Yu
Published: August 2022

KATNAL2 mutations have been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other related neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as intellectual disability (ID) in several cohorts. KATNAL2 has been implicated in brain development, as it is required for ciliogenesis in Xenopus and is required for dendritic arborization in mice. However, a causative relationship between the disruption of Katnal2 function and behavioral defects has not been established. Here, we generated a katnal2 null allele in zebrafish using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing and carried out morphological and behavioral characterizations. We observed that katnal2-/- embryos displayed delayed embryonic development especially during the convergence and extension (CE) movement. The hatched larvae showed reduced brain size and body length. In the behavioral tests, the katnal2-/- zebrafish exhibited reduced locomotor activity both in larvae and adults; increased nocturnal waking activity in larvae; and enhanced anxiety-like behavior, impaired social interaction, and reduced social cohesion in adults. These findings indicate an important role for katnal2 in development and behavior, providing an in vivo model to study the mechanisms underlying the ASD related to KATNAL2 mutations.
Light Spectral Composition Modifies Polyamine Metabolism in Young Wheat Plants
Authors: Pál Magda , Hamow Kamirán Áron , Rahman Altafur , Majláth Imre , Tajti Judit , Gondor Orsolya Kinga , Ahres Mohamed , Gholizadeh Fatemeh , Szalai Gabriella , Janda Tibor
Published: August 2022

Although light-emitting diode (LED) technology has extended the research on targeted photomorphogenic, physiological, and biochemical responses in plants, there is not enough direct information about how light affects polyamine metabolism. In this study, the effect of three spectral compositions (referred to by their most typical characteristic: blue, red, and the combination of blue and red [pink] lights) on polyamine metabolism was compared to those obtained under white light conditions at the same light intensity. Although light quality induced pronounced differences in plant morphology, pigment contents, and the expression of polyamine metabolism-related genes, endogenous polyamine levels did not differ substantially. When exogenous polyamines were applied, their roborative effect were detected under all light conditions, but these beneficial changes were correlated with an increase in polyamine content and polyamine metabolism-related gene expression only under blue light. The effect of the polyamines on leaf gene expression under red light was the opposite, with a decreasing tendency. Results suggest that light quality may optimize plant growth through the adjustment of polyamine metabolism at the gene expression level. Polyamine treatments induced different strategies in fine-tuning of polyamine metabolism, which were induced for optimal plant growth and development under different spectral compositions.
Therapeutic Vaccines for HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal and Cervical Cancer: The Next De-Intensification Strategy?
Authors: Morand Grégoire B. , Cardona Isabel , Cruz Sara Brito Silva Costa , Mlynarek Alex M. , Hier Michael P. , Alaoui-Jamali Moulay A. , da Silva Sabrina Daniela
Published: August 2022

The rise in human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has prompted a quest for further understanding of the role of high-risk HPV in tumor initiation and progression. Patients with HPV-positive OPSCC (HPV+ OPSCC) have better prognoses than their HPV-negative counterparts; however, current therapeutic strategies for HPV+ OPSCC are overly aggressive and leave patients with life-long sequalae and poor quality of life. This highlights a need for customized treatment. Several clinical trials of treatment de-intensification to reduce acute and late toxicity without compromising efficacy have been conducted. This article reviews the differences and similarities in the pathogenesis and progression of HPV-related OPSCC compared to cervical cancer, with emphasis on the role of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines as a potential de-intensification treatment strategy. Overall, the future development of novel and effective therapeutic agents for HPV-associated head and neck tumors promises to meet the challenges posed by this growing epidemic.
Neuropilin (NRPs) Related Pathological Conditions and Their Modulators
Authors: Broz Matic , Kolarič Anja , Jukič Marko , Bren Urban
Published: August 2022

Neuropilin 1 (NRP1) represents one of the two homologous neuropilins (NRP, splice variants of neuropilin 2 are the other) found in all vertebrates. It forms a transmembrane glycoprotein distributed in many human body tissues as a (co)receptor for a variety of different ligands. In addition to its physiological role, it is also associated with various pathological conditions. Recently, NRP1 has been discovered as a coreceptor for the SARS-CoV-2 viral entry, along with ACE2, and has thus become one of the COVID-19 research foci. However, in addition to COVID-19, the current review also summarises its other pathological roles and its involvement in clinical diseases like cancer and neuropathic pain. We also discuss the diversity of native NRP ligands and perform a joint analysis. Last but not least, we review the therapeutic roles of NRP1 and introduce a series of NRP1 modulators, which are typical peptidomimetics or other small molecule antagonists, to provide the medicinal chemistry community with a state-of-the-art overview of neuropilin modulator design and NRP1 druggability assessment.