bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Red and Orange Complex Subgingival Microbiome of Cognitive Impairment and Cognitively Normal Elderly with Periodontitis
Authors: Tadjoedin Fatimah Maria , Masulili Sri Lelyati C. , Rizal Muhammad Ihsan , Kusdhany Lindawati S. , Turana Yuda , Ismail Raden Irawati , Bachtiar Boy M.
Published: January 2022

Increasing evidence has shown an association between periodontitis and cognitive impairment. Subgingival microbiota play a great role in periodontitis pathogenesis. However, the correlation between the subgingival microbiome and cognitive impairment remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the red and orange complex subgingival microbiome of cognitively impaired and cognitively normal elderly Indonesian subjects with periodontitis. Twenty-eight elderly subjects diagnosed with periodontitis underwent two cognitive examinations using the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test and the Mini-Mental State Examination. Gingival crevicular fluid taken from the periodontal pocket, at a depth between 5 and 7 mm, using a paper point was used as the subgingival samples. The subgingival microbiome in the cognitive impairment group (n = 14) and cognitively normal group (n = 14) was compared using the 16S rRNA Metagenomic iSeq™ 100 Sequencing System. There was β-diversity in the subgingival microbiota between the cognitively impaired and cognitively normal subjects. The metagenomic analysis showed a higher abundance of Porphyromonas and Treponema bacteria in the cognitive impairment group than in the normal cognitive group (p < 0.05). The abundance of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola was higher in the cognitively impaired elderly subjects. The role of P. gingivalis and T. denticola in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment needs further investigation.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among Physical Therapists toward COVID-19 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Alshahrani Adel , Gautam Ajay Prashad , Asiri Faisal , Ahmad Irshad , Alshahrani Mastour Saeed , Reddy Ravi Shankar , Alharbi Mutasim D. , Alkhathami Khalid , Alzahrani Hosam , Alshehri Yasir S. , Alqhtani Raee
Published: January 2022

To curb the COVID-19 pandemic, the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of preventive measures play an essential role, and healthcare workers have had to endure a burden to care for COVID-19 patients. Thus, this study aimed to assess the weight of the KAP of physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a cross-sectional study, where we circulated an online KAP questionnaire to 1179 physical therapists, and among those, 287 participated and completed the questionnaire. The collected responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and regression analyses, and p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Both males and females participated in almost equal numbers; most of the participants were <40 years, had a bachelor’s level of education, and were from the central region of Saudi Arabia. Social media and the internet were the primary sources of COVID-19-related information (74.6%). Knowledge components A (92%) and B (73.9%) were excellent among most participants. Approximately half of the participants (50.5%) had a moderate attitude toward COVID-19, and regarding the practice component, most participants (74.6%) scored moderately. Correlation analysis showed a low positive relationship between knowledge A, attitude, and practice components. Still, there was a very low positive relationship between knowledge B, attitude, and practice components, but both were statistically significant. Our study showed that physical therapists in Saudi Arabia exhibit good knowledge, attitude, and practice toward COVID-19.
Characterization of Soluble Sugar Content, Related Enzyme Activity and Gene Expression in the Fruits of ‘Minihyang’ Mandarin on Different Rootstocks
Authors: Hong Ha Rim , Oh Eun Ui , Han Seung Gab , Yun Su Hyun , Kim Ho Bang , Song Kwan Jeong
Published: January 2022

‘Minihyang’ mandarin bears fruits with small size and high sugar content. ‘Minihyang’ mandarin grafted on trifoliate orange (TO) tends to be vigorous and develops water sprout open. It is associated with insufficient floral differentiation and fruit set. Recently, the use of Flying Dragon (FD) as rootstock with a high dwarf effect has been proposed to improve this situation. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two different rootstock genotypes on tree growth, fruit yield, and fruit quality at the physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels. As a result of the study, in FD, tree vigor was stably maintained, fruit size was large, and the sugar content was high compared to the TO. Fructose, glucose, and sucrose of fruit continued to increase from development to maturity. In particular, fructose and sucrose were significantly higher in the fruits of the FD than those in TO at 150 and 220 days after anthesis. The total sugar content was also significantly higher in the fruit of the FD. The activities of SPS and SS associated with sucrose synthesis tended to be increased during the fruit maturity season, but there was no significant difference between the two rootstocks. On the other hand, the activities of SS and AI breaking down sucrose were high in FD at 150 and 220 days after anthesis. These results suggest that the unloading of sucrose might be increased and affect the sugar content. However, the results of real-time PCR analysis of gene expression related to sucrose metabolism did not show an association with changes in enzyme activity affecting sugar content. Therefore, further detailed studies on the process after the regulation of gene expression are likely to be needed.
Micropropagation of Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) and Quantification of Parthenolide Content in Its Micropropagated and Conventionally Grown Plants
Authors: Mahood Huda E. , Abbas Majeed Kadhem , Zahid Nisar Ahmad
Published: January 2022

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a well-known multi-functional plant with anti-inflammatory, cardiotonic, antiangiogenic, and anticancer effects. The therapeutic value of this plant is due to its phytochemical constitutes, especially parthenolide. Tissue culture techniques have been applied to improve the bioactive components of many herbal plants. Hence, this study, was carried out to establish a protocol for micropropagation of the feverfew plant and to quantify parthenolide content in its micropropagated and conventionally grown plants. To establish an aseptic culture, different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) were investigated for seed surface sterilization. Besides, the effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the callus induction, shoot organogenesis from callus and in vitro rooting were evaluated. Additionally, the parthenolide yield of the micropropagated and conventionally grown plants was determined by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that surface sterilization of feverfew seeds with 6% NaOCl for 15 min obtained 65.00 ± 2.69% aseptic seeds. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.4 mg/L thidiazuron (TDZ) and 2 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) resulted in 86.00 ± 1.72% callus induction. The highest number of shoots (5.00 ± 0.15) per explant was obtained in the treatment of MS medium supplemented with 5 mg/L zeatin. MS medium fortified with 3 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) produced the maximum number of roots per plantlet (8.90 ± 0.35). A total of 90% of the micropropagated plantlets survived when planted in perlite + peat moss (1:1 v/v); the micropropagated plantlets were successfully established in the ex vitro conditions. According to parthenolide analysis, its level was significantly higher in the micropropagated plants than conventionally grown plants. Among different solvents, ethanolic extraction obtained the highest parthenolide content of the feverfew plant. Hence, it can be concluded that micropropagation of feverfew could be applied to produce disease-free planting materials and to improve the parthenolide content of the feverfew plant.
Effects of NIR Reflective Film as a High Tunnel-Covering Material on Fruit Cracking and Biomass Production of Tomatoes
Authors: Yamaura Hiroko , Furuyama Shinichi , Takano Nobuo , Nakano Yuka , Kanno Keiichi , Ando Takashi , Amasaki Ichiro , Watanabe Yukie , Iwasaki Yasunaga , Isozaki Masahide
Published: January 2022

Tomatoes require higher irradiance, although the incidence of physiological disorders in fruit increases at high temperatures. Near-infrared (800–2500 nm) (NIR) reflective materials are effective tools to suppress rising air temperatures in greenhouses. We examined the physiological and morphological changes in tomato growth and fruit quality when grown in a high tunnel covered with NIR reflective film (NR) and in another covered with polyolefin film (PO; control). There was no relationship between the fruit cracking rate and mean daytime temperature under NR. The fruit temperature at the same truss was lower and the increase in air temperature was slow under NR. Fruit dry matter (DM) content under NR was also significantly decreased. These findings suggest that the reduction in fruit cracking under NR results from a decrease in fruit DM content as a consequence of lower fruit temperature and a decrease in total DM (TDM). Total fruit yield did not differ, whereas TDM was significantly decreased under NR. This was considered to result from a lower transmitted photosynthetic photon flux density (400–700 nm) (PPFD) and LAI, and lower photosynthetic capacity in single leaves because of a decrease in both total nitrogen and chlorophyll content. We conclude that NR film reduces fruit cracking in exchange for a slight reduction in TDM.
Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Precipitation and Maximum Flows in Devil’s Creek, Tacna, Peru
Authors: Pino-Vargas Edwin , Chávarri-Velarde Eduardo , Ingol-Blanco Eusebio , Mejía Fabricio , Cruz Ana , Vera Alissa
Published: January 2022

Global projections of climate change indicate negative impacts on hydrological systems, with significant changes in precipitation and temperature in many parts of the world. As a result, floods and droughts are expected. This article discusses the potential effects of climate change and variability on the maximum precipitation, temperature, and hydrological regime in Devil’s Creek, Tacna, Peru. The outputs of precipitation and daily temperature of fifteen regional climate models were used for the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 emission scenarios. The methodology used includes the bias correction and downscaling of meteorological variables using the quintiles mapping technique, hydrological modeling, the evaluation of two emission scenarios, and its effect on the maximum flows of the stream. The results of the multi-model ensemble show that the maximum annual precipitation will probably increase by more than 30% for the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios for the 2021–2050 period relative to the 1981–2005 period. Likewise, as expected, the maximum flows could increase by 220% and 154% for the RCP4.5 scenarios for the 2021–2050 and 2051–2080 terms, respectively, and 234% and 484% for the RCP8.5 scenarios and for the 2021–2050 and 2051–2080 terms, respectively, concerning the recorded historical value, increasing the probability of flood events and damage in populations located downstream.
Benefits on Hematological and Biochemical Parameters of a High-Intensity Interval Training Program for a Half-Marathon in Recreational Middle-Aged Women Runners
Authors: Bonet Jèssica B. , Javierre Casimiro , Guimarães João Tiago , Martins Sandra , Rizo-Roca David , Beleza Jorge , Viscor Ginés , Pagès Teresa , Magalhães José , Torrella Joan R.
Published: January 2022

(1) Background: half-marathon races are popular among recreational runners, with increases in participation among middle-aged and women. We aimed to determine the effects of two half-marathon training programs on hematological and biochemical markers in middle-aged female recreational runners; (2) Methods: ten women (40 ± 7 years) followed moderate intensity continuous training (MICT), based on running volume below 80% V˙O2max, and another ten women followed high intensity interval training (HIIT) at 80%–100% V˙O2max, with less volume, and combined with eccentric loading exercise. Hematology, plasma osmolality, and plasma markers of metabolic status, muscle damage, inflammatory, and oxidative stress were measured before (S1) and after (S2) training and 24 h after the half-marathon (S3); (3) Results: both training programs had similar moderate effects at S2. However, the acute response at S3 induced different alterations. There was a greater decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels in MICT and reductions in markers of damage and inflammation in HIIT. Greater variability in some plasma markers at S3 in MICT suggests that there is inter-individual variability in the response to training; (4) Conclusions: HIIT led to better adaptation to the competition maybe because of the repeated exposure to higher oxygen consumption and eccentric loading exercise.
Creativity in the South Korean Workplace: Procedural Justice, Abusive Supervision, and Competence
Authors: Choi Woo-Sung , Kang Seung-Wan , Choi Suk Bong
Published: January 2022

Innovation is now a feature of daily life. In a rapidly changing market environment and amid fierce competition, organizations pursue survival and growth through innovation, and the key driver of innovation is the creativity of employees. Because the value of creativity has been emphasized, many organizations are looking for effective ways to encourage employees to be creative at work. From a resource perspective, creativity at work can be viewed as a high-intensity job demand, and organizations should encourage it by providing and managing employee resources. This study is an attempt to empirically investigate how competence and abusive supervision affect the relationship between procedural justice and creativity from the conservation of resources perspective. Findings from two-wave time-lagged survey data from 377 South Korean employees indicate that procedural justice increases creativity through the mediation of competence. Furthermore, abusive supervision has a negative moderating effect on the relationship between procedural justice and competence. The findings show that competence moderates the relationship between procedural justice and creativity and that the lower the level of abusive supervision, the greater the effect of procedural justice on competence and creativity.
Changes in the Frequency of Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Subsequent Risk of All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality
Authors: Choi Young , Choi Jae Woo
Published: January 2022

We investigated the association of changes in the frequency of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and the risks of all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. This study used the nationally representative National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort database. We included 286,402 individuals aged ≥20 years and estimated changes in the frequency of MVPA over a two-year period. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazard regression models. The HRs (95% CIs) for the risk of all-cause and CVD mortality for an increased frequency of MVPA from physical inactivity compared with continual physical inactivity were 0.82 and 0.68 (0.73–0.92 and 0.51–0.91) for 1–2, 0.72 and 0.48 (0.62–0.84 and 0.31–0.74) for 3–4, and 0.73 and 0.70 (0.63–0.85 and 0.50–0.98) for ≥5 sessions of MVPA/week. The HRs (95% CIs) for the risk of all-cause and CVD mortality were 1.28 and 1.58 (1.07–1.53 and 1.01–2.46), 1.25 and 2.17 (1.01–1.57 and 1.14–4.12), and 1.43 and 1.44 (1.15–1.77 and 0.84–2.47) for changes from 1–2, 3–4, and ≥5 sessions of MVPA/week to physical inactivity, respectively. This study showed the beneficial effect of increasing physical activity, particularly for those who were physically inactive at baseline, as well as the increased risk of all-cause and CVD mortality after adapting a physically inactive lifestyle regardless of their baseline physical activity status.
Is There a Difference in Brain Functional Connectivity between Chinese Coal Mine Workers Who Have Engaged in Unsafe Behavior and Those Who Have Not?
Authors: Tian Fangyuan , Li Hongxia , Tian Shuicheng , Tian Chenning , Shao Jiang
Published: January 2022

(1) Background: As a world-recognized high-risk occupation, coal mine workers need various cognitive functions to process the surrounding information to cope with a large number of perceived hazards or risks. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the connection between coal mine workers’ neural activity and unsafe behavior from the perspective of cognitive neuroscience. This study explored the functional brain connectivity of coal mine workers who have engaged in unsafe behaviors (EUB) and those who have not (NUB). (2) Methods: Based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a total of 106 workers from the Hongliulin coal mine of Shaanxi North Mining Group, one of the largest modern coal mines in China, completed the test. Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient (COR) analysis, brain network analysis, and two-sample t-test were used to investigate the difference in brain functional connectivity between the two groups. (3) Results: The results showed that there were significant differences in functional brain connectivity between EUB and NUB among the frontopolar area (p = 0.002325), orbitofrontal area (p = 0.02102), and pars triangularis Broca’s area (p = 0.02888). Small-world properties existed in the brain networks of both groups, and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex had significant differences in clustering coefficient (p = 0.0004), nodal efficiency (p = 0.0384), and nodal local efficiency (p = 0.0004). (4) Conclusions: This study is the first application of fNIRS to the field of coal mine safety. The fNIRS brain functional connectivity analysis is a feasible method to investigate the neuropsychological mechanism of unsafe behavior in coal mine workers in the view of brain science.
Identifying Opportunities for Strategic Policy Design to Address the Double Burden of Malnutrition through Healthier Retail Food: Protocol for South East Asia Obesogenic Food Environment (SEAOFE) Study
Authors: Phulkerd Sirinya , Rachmi Cut Novianti , Sameeha Mohd Jamil , Borazon Elaine Q. , Thow Anne-Marie , Trevena Helen , Saptari Adila Fahmida , Cheah Yong Kang , Wel Che Aniza Che , Marquez Vanessa T. , Sakulsri Teeranong , Thongcharoenchupong Natjera , Poh Bee Koon
Published: January 2022

Effective policies that address both the supply and demand dimensions of access to affordable, healthy foods are required for tackling malnutrition in South East Asia. This paper presents the Protocol for the South East Asia Obesogenic Food Environment (SEAOFE) study, which is designed to analyze the retail food environment, consumers’ and retailers’ perspectives regarding the retail food environment, and existing policies influencing food retail in four countries in South East Asia in order to develop evidence-informed policy recommendations. This study was designed as a mixed-methods sequential explanatory approach. The country sites are Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. The proposed study consists of four phases. Phase One describes the characteristics of the current retail food environment using literature and data review. Phase Two interprets consumer experience in the retail food environment in selected urban poor communities using a consumer-intercept survey. This phase also assesses the retail food environment by adapting an in-store audit tool previously validated in higher-income countries. Phase Three identifies factors influencing food retailer decisions, perceptions, and attitudes toward food retail policies using semi-structured interviews with selected retailers. Phase Four recommends changes in the retail food environment using policy analysis and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. For the analysis of the quantitative data, descriptive statistics and multiple regression will be used, and thematic analysis will be used to process the qualitative data. This study will engage stakeholders throughout the research process to ensure that the design and methods used are sensitive to the local context.
Parenting, Pesticides and Adolescent Psychological Adjustment: A Brief Report
Authors: Grzywacz Joseph G. , Belden Jason B. , Robertson Amy M. , Hernandez Daphne C. , Carlos Chavez Fiorella L. , Merten Michael J.
Published: January 2022

Pesticides used to control insects, such as pyrethroids, are neurotoxicants, yet adolescent researchers often overlook their potential role in adolescent psychological adjustment. This brief report is guided by bioecological theory and considers the possible independent and interactive effects of environmental pyrethroid pesticide exposure for adolescent depressive symptoms. Self-reported adolescent appraisals of the parent–child relationship and depressive symptoms were obtained from a convenience sample of impoverished, predominantly Latino urban youth (n = 44). Exposure to environmental pyrethroids was obtained from wipe samples using a standardized protocol. Parent–adolescent conflict was higher in households with bifenthrin than those without, and adolescent depressive symptoms were elevated in homes where cypermethrin was detected. In addition, the presence of bifenthrin in the home attenuated the protective effects of parental involvement on adolescent depressive symptoms. The current results suggest that adolescent mental health researchers must consider the synergistic combinations of adolescents’ environments’ physical and social features. Given the endemic presence of pesticides and their neurotoxic function, pesticide exposure may demand specific attention.
Listening to Caregivers’ Voices: The Informal Family Caregiver Burden of Caring for Chronically Ill Bedridden Elderly Patients
Authors: Mamom Jinpitcha , Daovisan Hanvedes
Published: January 2022

The informal family caregiver burden (IFCB) for chronically ill bedridden elderly patients (CIBEPs) is a major issue worldwide. It is a significant challenge due to the ongoing increased palliative care in the family setting; therefore, we explored the IFCB of caring for CIBEPs in Thailand. This article utilized a qualitative method, the total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) approach, with purposive sampling of thirty respondents between September and December 2020. The data were analyzed using cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) to determine the relationship between the driving and dependence power of the enabling factors. The IFCB of the palliative care of CIBEPs was associated with primary care, nursing, extrinsic monitoring and complication prevention. The results showed that the IFCB involves taking responsibility, daily workload, follow-up caring, caring tasks, caregiving strain, financial distress, patient support, external support and caregiving strategy; thus, assistance with taking responsibility, extrinsic monitoring and follow-up care daily tasks may reduce the caregiver burden.
Influence of Sleep Characteristic Changes on Nurses’ Quality of Life during Their Transition to Practice: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kim Kyoungja , Lee Youngjin
Published: January 2022

Aim: To explore the effect of changes in sleep characteristics on changes in quality of life during the transition period of new graduate nurses. Background: Sleep problems among nurses are associated with negative physical and psychological consequences. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in South Korea. Participants included 88 newly graduated nurses. Data were collected twice, prior to shift work and after 4 months of working as a nurse, via online structured self-report questionnaires created using Survey Monkey from March 2018 to February 2020. A generalized linear mixed model was used to analyze the influence of changes in sleep characteristics on quality of life. Results: A generalized linear mixed model showed that changes in the subjective quality of sleep, subjective health perception, and daytime dysfunction influenced quality of life changes during the transition. This implies that deterioration already existed. From their undergraduate period to four months after they began working as nurses, a significant decrease was observed in the quality of sleep. Participants’ quality of life significantly decreased. Conclusions: Changes in the quality of life of new graduate nurses may show deterioration with a significant drop in subjective sleep quality. Institutions should improve existing work adaptation programs provided during new graduate nurses’ transition to practice by including information on changes in nurses’ health caused by changes in sleep characteristics and sleep quality.
Onset of Weight Gain and Health Concerns for Men: Findings from the TAP Programme
Authors: Cortnage Mark , Pringle Andy
Published: January 2022

With shown reticence by men to engage with dietary interventions for weight loss, investigations that provide detail on men’s perceptions for the causes of weight gain and subsequent concerns over health and image are important. Such discoveries have potential to make a valuable contribution to male gendered programme design aimed at tackling weight gain and promoting good health. Connecting to men to health using their hobbies and interests, this study deployed semi-structured interviews of eight male participants (age > 35 years) enrolled on The Alpha Programme (TAP). TAP is a 12-week football and weight management intervention delivered in local community venues. Results captured men’s lived experiences and feelings of being overweight, their attempts at dietary modification, health and causes of weight gain. Results signify externalized attribution for weight gain, entrenched habitual intake practices, despondency related to weight stigmatization, self-objectification and low self-worth. Moreover, this study outlines the processes for capturing this information using a male friendly approach and setting. Outcomes have potential for shaping bespoke men’s weight management and health improvement interventions in the future.
On the Coupling and Coordination Development between Environment and Economy: A Case Study in the Yangtze River Delta of China
Authors: Deng Menghua , Chen Junfei , Tao Feifei , Zhu Jiulong , Wang Min
Published: January 2022

The coupling and coordination development of the environment and economy (CC2E) is one of the most vital issues to sustainable development. This paper adopted the coupling coordination model, projection pursuit algorithm, and random forest model to explore the spatial-temporal evolution and influencing factors of the CC2E in the Yangtze River Delta from 2015 to 2019, respectively. The results showed that: (1) The degree of coupling coordination (DCC) of the CC2E in most cities of the Yangtze River Delta has risen from primary coordination to intermediate coordination. (2) In the spatial perspective, the distribution of DCC is correlated with geographical location. The value of DCC in the western region was significantly lower than that of the eastern cities. (3) The influencing factors results showed that the GDP in the economic subsystem and the annual average concentration of PM2.5 in the environmental subsystem were the most influencing factors of DCC in the Yangtze River Delta. The established index system of CC2E and the measurements of CC2E provide a new idea for how to achieve sustainable development. Meanwhile, this study can provide recommendations for formulating the environmental protection and economic development policy.
Trust in Medicine as a Factor Conditioning Behaviors Recommended by Healthcare Experts during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland
Authors: Makowska Marta , Boguszewski Rafał , Podkowińska Monika
Published: January 2022

Objective: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, public health experts have faced the challenge of convincing people to change their everyday habits. This study aims to evaluate the impact of trust in medicine on Polish citizens’ adherence to recommended behaviors. Methods: An online survey was conducted on a quota sample of adult Poles (n = 1072) during the second wave of COVID-19. Results: The trust-in-medicine index was created from statements relating to trust in healthcare professionals, vaccines, and medicines. This index showed that 27.1% of respondents expressed low trust, 36.7% expressed moderate trust, and 36.3% expressed high trust. The recommended behavior index was created from nine statements. This index showed that 15.8% of respondents had low adherence, 38.2% had moderate adherence, and 46.0% had high adherence to the healthcare experts’ recommendations. One-way analysis of variance showed that people with a high trust had significantly higher scores on the recommended behavior index when compared to people with a moderate or low trust. Conclusions: This study suggests that those responsible for health policy should put more effort into building trust not only in health professionals, but also in pharmaceutical companies. We also determined the socio-demographic features of people to whom such actions of trust building should be directed.
Birth Size and Maternal, Social, and Environmental Factors in the Province of Jujuy, Argentina
Authors: Martinez Jorge Ivan , Figueroa Marcelo Isidro , Martínez-Carrión José Miguel , Alfaro-Gomez Emma Laura , Dipierri José Edgardo
Published: January 2022

Introduction: birth size is affected by diverse maternal, environmental, social, and economic factors. Aim: analyze the relationships between birth size—shown by the indicators small for gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA)—and maternal, social, and environmental factors in the Argentine province of Jujuy, located in the Andean foothills. Methods: data was obtained from 49,185 mother-newborn pairs recorded in the Jujuy Perinatal Information System (SIP) between 2009 and 2014, including the following: newborn and maternal weight, length/height, and body mass index (BMI); gestational age and maternal age; mother’s educational level, nutritional status, marital status and birth interval; planned pregnancy; geographic-linguistic origin of surnames; altitudinal place of birth; and unsatisfied basic needs (UBN). The dataset was split into two groups, SGA and LGA, and compared with adequate for gestational age (AGA). Bivariate analysis (ANOVA) and general lineal modeling (GLM) with multinomial distribution were employed. Results: for SGA newborns, risk factors were altitude (1.43 [1.12–1.82]), preterm birth (5.33 [4.17–6.82]), older maternal age (1.59 [1.24–2.05]), and primiparous mothers (1.88 [1.06–3.34]). For LGA newborns, the risk factors were female sex (2.72 [5.51–2.95]), overweight (1.33 [1.22–2.46]) and obesity (1.85 [1.66–2.07]). Conclusions: the distribution of birth size and the factors related to its variability in Jujuy are found to be strongly conditioned by provincial terrain and the clinal variation due to its Andean location.
Consequences of Social and Environmental Corporate Responsibility Practices: Managers’ Perception in Mozambique
Authors: Madime Eulália , Gonçalves Tiago Cruz
Published: January 2022

The objective of this paper is to analyze the relationship between the social and environmental practices of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and the economic–financial, social, and environmental performance in Mozambican companies, from the managers’ perspectives. The data were collected from a sample of 227 companies through a survey questionnaire. We used structural equation modelling to analyze how the managers correlate the different social and environmental practices with performance at the financial, social, and environmental levels. The results showed that the relationship between all major components of the social and environmental practices, and the economic–financial, social, and environmental performance is positive but insignificant with the exception of the social practices of community support, which has a weak relationship with the economic–financial performance, environmental performance, and social performance, as well as the environmental practices. The data indicate that there is a need for strengthening the appropriate economic–financial incentive policies and strategies for the agents who promote good CSR practices in the country, in order to obtain satisfactory, measurable, and comparable economic–financial, social, and environmental performance.
Moderating Effects of Financial Cognitive Abilities and Considerations on the Attitude–Intentions Nexus of Stock Market Participation
Authors: Akhter Tahmina , Hoque Mohammad Enamul
Published: January 2022

This study aims to examine the determinants of investors’ behavioral intentions to participate in the stock market. In this attempt, this research investigated the direct and moderating effects of the financial cognitive abilities and the financial considerations on the nexus of attitudes and behavioral intentions of investors. Data for this study were collected from active and potential investors in the Dhaka Stock Exchange of Bangladesh using a structured questionnaire. The partial least squares method was used to examine the nature and extent of the relationships of investors’ behavioral intentions with their attitude, financial cognitive abilities, and financial considerations in making stock market investment-related decisions. The findings of this study suggest that investors’ attitudes, financial planning ability, and perceptions of financial risks and benefits are important factors that influence their decisions in stock market participation. Moreover, financial planning, financial satisfaction, and perceived financial risk moderate the nexus of attitude and behavioral intentions to participate in the stock market. This study, therefore, has significant implications for policymakers, stock market regulators, and financial service providers.
Oxidized Substrates of APEH as a Tool to Study the Endoprotease Activity of the Enzyme
Authors: Sandomenico Annamaria , Gogliettino Marta , Iaccarino Emanuela , Fusco Carmela , Caporale Andrea , Ruvo Menotti , Palmieri Gianna , Cocca Ennio
Published: January 2022

APEH is a ubiquitous and cytosolic serine protease belonging to the prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) family, playing a critical role in the processes of degradation of proteins through both exo- and endopeptidase events. Endopeptidase activity has been associated with protein oxidation; however, the actual mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. We show that a synthetic fragment of GDF11 spanning the region 48–64 acquires sensitivity to the endopeptidase activity of APEH only when the methionines are transformed into the corresponding sulphoxide derivatives. The data suggest that the presence of sulphoxide-modified methionines is an important prerequisite for the substrates to be processed by APEH and that the residue is crucial for switching the enzyme activity from exo- to endoprotease. The cleavage occurs on residues placed on the C-terminal side of Met(O), with an efficiency depending on the methionine adjacent residues, which thereby may play a crucial role in driving and modulating APEH endoprotease activity.
Glaucocalyxin A Ameliorates Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced Injury in Human Renal Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cell Line HK-2 Cells
Authors: Hosohata Keiko , Jin Denan , Takai Shinji
Published: January 2022

Ischemia-reperfusion injury is one of the major causes of acute kidney injury (AKI), which is increasingly prevalent in clinical settings. Glaucocalxin A (GLA), a biologically ent-kauranoid diterpenoid, has various pharmacological effects like antioxidation, immune regulation, and antiatherosclerosis. In this study, the effect of GLA on AKI and its mechanism were studied in vitro. HK-2 human renal tubular epithelial cells were exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), which were established as an in vitro AKI model. Subsequently, the mRNA expressions of inflammatory and antioxidant factors were determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell death were detected by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. GLA pre-treatment improved the cell viability of HK-2 cells exposed to H/R. GLA suppressed the H/R-induced ROS production in HK-2 cells. GLA also elevated the activities of superoxide dismutase of HK-2 cells exposed to H/R. Moreover, GLA prevented H/R-induced cell death in HK-2 cells. Furthermore, GLA ameliorated the activation of the protein kinase B (Akt)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway in HK-2 cells exposed to H/R. Our findings suggested that GLA protected HK-2 cells from H/R-induced oxidative damage, which was mediated by the Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. These results indicate that GLA may serve as a promising therapeutic drug for AKI.
Antibiotic Heteroresistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Stojowska-Swędrzyńska Karolina , Łupkowska Adrianna , Kuczyńska-Wiśnik Dorota , Laskowska Ewa
Published: January 2022

Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most common pathogens responsible for infections, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and bacteremias. The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae was recognized in 2017 by the World Health Organization as a critical public health threat. Heteroresistance, defined as the presence of a subpopulation of cells with a higher MIC than the dominant population, is a frequent phenotype in many pathogens. Numerous reports on heteroresistant K. pneumoniae isolates have been published in the last few years. Heteroresistance is difficult to detect and study due to its phenotypic and genetic instability. Recent findings provide strong evidence that heteroresistance may be associated with an increased risk of recurrent infections and antibiotic treatment failure. This review focuses on antibiotic heteroresistance mechanisms in K. pneumoniae and potential therapeutic strategies against antibiotic heteroresistant isolates.
Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Contributes to Paclitaxel Resistance in Bladder Cancer Cells with Cancer Stem Cell-Like Properties
Authors: Jiménez-Guerrero Rocío , Belmonte-Fernández Alejandro , Flores M. Luz , González-Moreno Mónica , Pérez-Valderrama Begoña , Romero Francisco , Japón Miguel Á. , Sáez Carmen
Published: January 2022

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays an important role in tumor progression and chemotherapy resistance and seems to be essential for the maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSC) in several tumor types. However, the interplay of these factors has not been fully addressed in bladder cancer. Here, our goal was to analyze the role of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in paclitaxel resistance and to study the therapeutic efficacy of its inhibition in bladder cancer cells, as well as to determine its influence in the maintenance of the CSC-like phenotype in bladder cancer. Our results show that paclitaxel-resistant HT1197 cells have hyperactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and increased CSC-like properties compared with paclitaxel-sensitive 5637 cells. Paclitaxel sensitivity diminishes in 5637 cells after β-catenin overexpression or when they are grown as tumorspheres, enriched for the CSC-like phenotype. Additionally, downregulation of β-catenin or inhibition with XAV939 sensitizes HT1197 cells to paclitaxel. Moreover, a subset of muscle-invasive bladder carcinomas shows aberrant expression of β-catenin that associates with positive expression of the CSC marker ALDH1A1. In conclusion, we demonstrate that Wnt/β-catenin signaling contributes to paclitaxel resistance in bladder cancer cells with CSC-like properties.
Productive Performance of Mexican Creole Pullets and Immature Males Fed Different Levels of Metabolizable Energy and Crude Protein
Authors: Matus-Aragón Miguel Ángel , Salinas-Ruiz Josafhat , González-Cerón Fernando , Sosa-Montes Eliseo , Pro-Martínez Arturo , Hernández-Mendo Omar , Cuca-García Juan Manuel , Mendoza-Pedroza Sergio Iban , Hernández-Blancas Berenice
Published: January 2022

Mexican Creole birds are a poorly researched genetic resource whose nutritional requirements are unknown. The objective was to evaluate the productive performance and nutrient use efficiency of Mexican Creole birds, using four diets with different concentrations of metabolizable energy (EM, MJ/kg) and crude protein (PC, g/kg). The experimental diets with constant ME/CP ratios equal to 0.06, were: 12.55/200, 11.92/190, 11.30/180 and 10.67/170. One hundred and ninety-two 12-week-old creole birds (96 males and 96 females) were randomly distributed amongst the diets (24 males and 24 females each). Due to the diet × sex interaction, males fed the 10.67/170 diet had higher feed intake, and males under 10.67/170, 11.92/190 and 11.30/180 had higher final body weight and weight gain than the other birds. Feed conversion ratio was lower in birds with diets 12.55/200 and 11.92/190. Total body fat retention was higher in females with the diet 12.55/200, 11.92/190 and 11.30/180. In conclusion, males with the 10.67/170 (lowest ME and CP) diet showed a high productive performance, without compromising carcase yield and body composition, while females with all diets did not show differences in productive performance, carcass yield and body composition.
Design, Development and Evaluation of Haptic and Olfactory based Application for Visually Impaired Learners
Authors: Chit Su Mon  , Yap Kian Meng , Ahmad Azlina
Published: January 2022

Educational entertainment or edutainment is a popular approach to allow learners experience a fun learning environment while acquiring knowledge. Currently, this approach is widely used and has promising benefits, whereby not only it provides a fun learning environment but also cause learners to hardly notice the learning process. However, as there are a minimum of 2.2 billion people worldwide with vision impairment or blindness, this approach can be a challenging experience for them. It is thus important to provide equal opportunities for these members of the community in the teaching and learning environment. Owing to the limited applications available for the visually impaired in virtual edutainment tailored for them, this research aims to design and develop an edutainment application for visually impaired users using a user-centered design. The application allows users to touch 3D objects using Touch by 3DSystems. In addition, sounds and smells will be released from the speaker and olfactory devices, respectively. The usability and satisfaction of users toward this application was tested on the visually impaired as well as blindfolded users using a 7-point Likert scale questionnaire. This questionnaire was constructed in accordance with USE (Usefulness, Satisfaction, and Ease of use) by Lund. A total of 10 participants – including visually impaired teachers and blindfolded students – participated in this study.  Participants in this study agreed that the proposed application is useful, easy to use, easy to learn, and were satisfied with the application. The average rating of the results out of 7 was 5.92 for usefulness, 5.6 for ease of use, 6.22 for ease of learning, and 6.25 for satisfaction.
Design of Portfolio using Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Rao Dr. S. V. Ramana , Marisetty Nagendra , Kumar B. Lohith
Published: January 2022

Stock markets are considered a barometer of the respective country’s economy around the world. Modern portfolio theory advocates diversification for risk management, which helps maintain returns as long as indices around the world are not perfectly correlated. The relationship exists across markets; as a result, co-movement has drawn the attention of individual investors and portfolio managers for the construction of their portfolios to maximize returns for a given level of risk. The study of co-movements provides inputs for portfolio construction and facilitates the identification of markets where indices may move in the same direction or the opposite direction and the country’s stock markets that are not correlated. A review of the literature revealed that statistical tools like Correlation, Factor analysis, and Granger causality test, etc., are some of the tools that can be used to understand co-movements of markets. Alan harper et al. (2012) study used principle component analysis and inferred that Indian stock returns are aligned with its trading partners and concluded that maximizing the investors’ returns by reducing the risk. Tak Kee Hui concluded that factor analysis provides inputs for selecting foreign markets for risk diversification. This study examines the potential for diversification using 22 world stock market indices using multivariate analysis.
Teologi Mistik Pengharapan Bagi Sebuah Restorasi
Authors: Martiyani  , Halawa Iman Krisdayanti , Panjaitan Firman
Published: January 2022

Mystical Theology of Hope for a Restoration: The Interpretation of Ezekiel 37: 1-14. Various problems in the world have made humans live in suffering, especially when facing a pandemic which is still ongoing today. Humans need strength and certainty to face these difficult times in order to rise from adversity and experience restoration that is able to bring life into hope. This article examines efforts to cultivate hope theologically by describing a mystical theological view of hope in Ezekiel 37: 1-14. By using qualitative methods, especially through the approach of textual interpretation that examines the text to find the core of the news, the main message is found in the view of the mystical theology of the hope of the Prophet Ezekiel regarding the picture of Israel's recovery in exile, through Ezekiel's vision of the condition of dry bones scattered in the valley. The final findings of this article reveal that restoration from God is both a physical and a spiritual one that is represented by the act of God's Spirit awakening the dry bones. This event contains a bright hope for Israel, and for humans who believe, that life will be restored as long as humans are willing to keep themselves faithful as God's people.
Abstrak: Teologi Mistik Pengharapan bagi Sebuah Restorasi: Tafsir Yehezkiel 37:1-14. Berbagai persoalan di dunia telah menjadikan manusia hidup di dalam penderitaan, terkhusus ketika menghadapi pandemi yang masih berlangsung saat sekarang. Manusia membutuhkan kekuatan dan kepastian untuk menghadapi masa-masa sulit ini guna bangkit dari keterpurukan penderitaan dan mengalami restorasi yang mampu mengantar kehidupan ke dalam pengharapan. Artikel ini mengupas upaya menumbuhkan pengharapan secara teologis dengan menjabarkan sebuah pandangan teologi mistik pengharapan dalam Yehezkiel 37:1-14. Dengan menggunakan metode kualitatif, khususnya melalui pendekatan tafsir tekstual yang meneliti teks untuk menemukan inti berita, ditemukan pesan utama dalam pandangan teologi mistik pengharapan Nabi Yehezkiel mengenai gambaran pemulihan Israel dalam pembuangan, melalui penglihatan Yehezkiel terhadap kondisi tulang-tulang kering yang berserakan di lembah. Temuan akhir dari artikel ini mengungkapkan bahwa pemulihan dari Allah merupakan pemulihan fisik dan sekaligus spiritual yang digambarkan melalui tindakan Roh Allah yang membangkitan tulang-tulang kering. Peristiwa ini berisi harapan yang cerah bagi Israel, dan manusia yang percaya, bahwa akan membuat pulih lagi kehidupan asalkan manusia mau tetap menjaga diri untuk setia sebagai umat kepunyaan Allah.