bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogeography of Toona ciliata (Meliaceae) Complex in China Inferred from Cytonuclear Markers
Authors: Xiao Yu , Zhang Xin-Xin , Hu Ying , Wang Xi , Li Pei , He Zi-Han , Lv Yan-Wen , Chen Xiao-Yang , Hu Xin-Sheng
Published: January 2023

Toona ciliata is an important timber species but is recognized as an endangered species at level II in China. Its genetic conservation is of increasing concern. Provenance trials and other breeding programs were conducted to develop seed transfer rules and multiplications. Here, we investigated twenty-nine populations sampled across the natural distribution of the T. ciliata complex using mtDNA and nrDNA ITS (ribosomal internal transcribed spacer) markers. Haplotype diversity was h = 0.190 ± 0.202 and nucleotide diversity was π = 0.000383 ± 0.000536 for mtDNA marker. Nucleotide diversity for ITS sequences was 0.00837 ± 0.000783. Haplotypes exhibited phylogeographic structure in spatial distribution. The extent of genetic differentiation was significant (Fst = 0.6994 ± 0.0079 for ITS and 0.8870 ± 0.0077 for mtDNA marker). Isolation by distance (IBD) and by elevation (IBE) occurred among populations. Phylogenetic relationships from mtDNA marker indicated three genetically distinct regions, each without IBD effects. Compared with pollen flow, seed flow was strongly impeded in the western region, but extensive in the central region, and less impeded in the eastern region. Most populations did not exhibit expansion, with only a few populations showing expansion after bottleneck effects. We discussed a strategy of region-based genetic conservation and proposed to conserve multiple populations in the western and eastern regions and a few populations in the central region.
Ethanolic Extracts of Datura innoxia Have Promising Acaricidal Activity against Rhipicephalus microplus as It Blocks the Glutathione S-Transferase Activity of the Target Tick
Authors: Saman Saman , Chen Chien-Chin , Malak Nosheen , Khan Afshan , Nasreen Nasreen , Khan Adil , Niaz Sadaf , Rehman Gauhar , Rodriguez-Vivas Roger , Cossío-Bayúgar Raquel
Published: January 2023

Rhipicephalus microplus is a major bovine ectoparasite that negatively impacts the cattle industry. The acaricidal activity of Datura innoxia ethanolic plant extract against R. microplus, compared with trichlorfon, was examined using the adult immersion test (AIT), and larval packet test (LPT). In vitro acaricidal activity of the selected plant extract against R. microplus engorged females was evaluated at different concentrations (2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/mL), and was the same for AIT and LPT. It was further supported by in silico molecular docking of D. innoxia’s 21 phytochemicals against the R. microplus Glutathione S-transferases (RmGST) protein’s three-dimensional (3D) structure predicted by the trRosetta server. The modeled 3D structure was then evaluated and confirmed with PROCHECK, ERRAT, and Verify3D online servers. To predict the binding mechanisms of these compounds, molecular docking was performed using Auto dock Vina software, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were used to investigate the protein atom’s dynamic motion. D. innoxia has a relatively higher inhibitory effect on oviposition (from 9.81% to 45.37%) and total larval mortality (42.33% at 24 h and 93.67% at 48 h) at 40 mg/mL. Moreover, the docking results showed that the chemicals norapoatropine and 7-Hydroxyhyoscyamine have strong interactions with active site residues of the target protein, with a docking score of −7.3 and −7.0 Kcal/mol, respectively. The current work also provided a computational basis for the inhibitors of Glutathione S-transferases that were studied in this research work, and this new knowledge should aid in creating new and effective acaricidal chemicals. Furthermore, this plant extract’s acaricide activity and its effect on oviposition and larval mortality were established in this work for the first time, indicating the possible use of this extract in the management of ticks.
Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance of Traumatic Experience in Mammals
Authors: Švorcová Jana
Published: January 2023

In recent years, we have seen an increasing amount of evidence pointing to the existence of a non-genetic heredity of the effects of events such as separation from parents, threat to life, or other traumatising experiences such as famine. This heredity is often mediated by epigenetic regulations of gene expression and may be transferred even across several generations. In this review, we focus on studies which involve transgenerational epigenetic inheritance (TEI), with a short detour to intergenerational studies focused on the inheritance of trauma or stressful experiences. The reviewed studies show a plethora of universal changes which stress exposure initiates on multiple levels of organisation ranging from hormonal production and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis modulation all the way to cognition, behaviour, or propensity to certain psychiatric or metabolic disorders. This review will also provide an overview of relevant methodology and difficulties linked to implementation of epigenetic studies. A better understanding of these processes may help us elucidate the evolutionary pathways which are at work in the course of emergence of the diseases and disorders associated with exposure to trauma, either direct or in a previous generation.
Altered Left Ventricular Rat Gene Expression Induced by the Myosin Activator Omecamtiv Mecarbil
Authors: El Oumeiri Bachar , Dewachter Laurence , Van de Borne Philippe , Hubesch Géraldine , Melot Christian , Jespers Pascale , Stefanidis Constantin , Mc Entee Kathleen , Vanden Eynden Frédéric
Published: January 2023

To explore the impact of omecamtiv mecarbil (OM) on the gene expression profile in adult male rats. Fourteen male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a single OM (1.2 mg/kg/h; n = 6) or placebo (n = 8) 30-min infusion. Echocardiography was performed before and after OM infusion. Seven days after infusion, rats were euthanized, and left ventricular (LV) tissues were removed for real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTq-PCR) experiments. After OM infusion, pro-apoptotic Bax-to-Bcl2 ratio was decreased, with increased Bcl2 and similar Bax gene expression. The gene expression of molecules regulating oxidative stress, including glutathione disulfide reductase (Gsr) and superoxide dismutases (Sod1/Sod2), remained unchanged, whereas the expression of antioxidant glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) increased. While LV gene expression of key energy sensors, peroxisome proliferator activator (Ppar) α and γ, AMP-activated protein kinase (Ampk), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (Cpt1) remained unchanged after OM infusion, and the expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (Pdk4) increased. The LV expression of the major myocardial glucose transporter Glut1 decreased, with no changes in Glut4 expression, whereas the LV expression of oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (Olr1) and arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (Alox15) increased, with no changes in fatty acid transporter Cd36. An increased LV expression of angiotensin II receptors AT1 and AT2 was observed, with no changes in angiotensin I-converting enzyme expression. The Kalikrein-bradykinin system was upregulated with increased LV expression of kallikrein-related peptidases Klk8, Klk1c2, and Klk1c12 and bradykinin receptors B1 and B2 (Bdkrb1 and Bdkrb2), whereas the LV expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase 2 (Nos2) increased. LV expression in major molecular determinants involved in calcium-dependent myocardial contraction remained unchanged, except for an increased LV expression of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II delta (Cacna1c) in response to OM. A single intravenous infusion of OM, in adult healthy rats, resulted in significant changes in the LV expression of genes regulating apoptosis, oxidative stress, metabolism, and cardiac contractility.
An Aggrephagy-Related LncRNA Signature for the Prognosis of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Huang Xueyuan , Chi Hao , Gou Siqi , Guo Xiyuan , Li Lin , Peng Gaoge , Zhang Jinhao , Xu Jiayu , Nian Siji , Yuan Qing
Published: January 2023

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is a common, highly malignant, and aggressive gastrointestinal tumor. The conventional treatment of PAAD shows poor results, and patients have poor prognosis. The synthesis and degradation of proteins are essential for the occurrence and development of tumors. Aggrephagy is a type of autophagy that selectively degrades aggregated proteins. It decreases the formation of aggregates by degrading proteins, thus reducing the harm to cells. By breaking down proteins, it decreases the formation of aggregates; thus, minimizing damage to cells. For evaluating the response to immunotherapy and prognosis in PAAD patients, in this study, we developed a reliable signature based on aggrephagy-related genes (ARGs). We obtained 298 AGGLncRNAs. Based on the results of one-way Cox and LASSO analyses, the lncRNA signature was constructed. In the risk model, the prognosis of patients in the low-risk group was noticeably better than that of the patients in the high-risk group. Additionally, the ROC curves and nomograms validated the capacity of the risk model to predict the prognosis of PAAD. The patients in the low-risk and high-risk groups showed considerable variations in functional enrichment and immunological analysis. Regarding drug sensitivity, the low-risk and high-risk groups had different half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50).
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Opioids in Patients with Solid Tumours: Is Their Association Safe? A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Cani Massimiliano , Bironzo Paolo , Garetto Ferdinando , Buffoni Lucio , Cotogni Paolo
Published: January 2023

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent one of the most effective treatments for patients with cancer. As their activity relies on host immune system reactivity, the role of concomitant medications such as corticosteroids and antibiotics has been extensively evaluated. Preclinical data suggest that opioids may influence the immune system. Methods: a systematic literature revision was performed using specific keywords on the major search engines. Two authors analysed all the studies and provided a selection of the following inclusion and exclusion criteria, respectively: 1. data collection of patients older than 18 years old affected by solid tumours; 2. description of ICIs efficacy in terms of PFS, OS, TTF, and ORR; 3. concomitant ICIs-opioids treatment and 1. language different from English; 2. not pertinent analyses. Results: 523 studies were analysed, and 13 were selected and included in our series. A possible negative interaction between oral opioids and ICIs efficacy was observed. Most evidence was retrospective, and studies were heterogeneous. Conclusions: Even if oral opioids seem to impact negatively on ICIs efficacy in cancer patients, to date there is not sufficient evidence to avoid their prescription in this population.
Religious Influences on the Experience of Family Carers of People with Dementia in a British Pakistani Muslim Community
Authors: Kevern Peter , Lawrence Dawn , Nazir Nargis , Tsaroucha Anna
Published: January 2023

This paper reports on a study that begins to address the paucity of research around the religious motivations of Muslim carers of family members with dementia. Seven carers were recruited for interviews from the British Pakistani Muslim community concentrated in the Midlands and North of England. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically using an iterative collaborative methodology. The findings suggested that the Muslim faith plays a pivotal role as a support mechanism for individual carers and their families, but the wider faith community and its leaders did not typically offer support and could impede access to external care. This was a result of cultural pressure and lack of awareness both among religious leaders and the community as a whole. The study concluded that the inequality in access to dementia services may be constructively addressed if service providers engage with these faith concerns in the community and religious leaders to meet the needs of Muslims of British Pakistani origin.
Role of Multifaceted Social Relationships on the Association of Loneliness with Depression Symptoms: A Moderated Mediation Analysis
Authors: Liu Yang , Jiao Dandan , Yang Mengjiao , Cui Mingyu , Li Xiang , Zhu Zhu , Sawada Yuko , Watanabe Miura Kumi , Watanabe Taeko , Tanaka Emiko , Anme Tokie
Published: January 2023

Strong relationship exists between loneliness and depression in older adults. However, the effect of multifaceted social relationships on the relationship between loneliness and depression has not been explored. The purpose of the current study was to find out how multifaceted social relationships affect the aforementioned processes. We investigated and evaluated the loneliness status, depression symptoms, social relationships, and demographic information of 1116 older adults aged ≥65 years living in rural Japan. The final 555 participants were included in the analysis. Statistical evidence showed a direct effect between loneliness and depression symptoms. Additionally, the mediation model found that social curiosity and participation acted as mediators between loneliness and depression symptoms. Further, independence and participation, independence, and feeling safe played a conditional moderating role in the model of loneliness–social curiosity–depression symptoms and loneliness–participation–depression symptoms, respectively. Interaction can be an individual moderator in the link between loneliness and depression symptoms without any mediator. The moderated mediation model suggests that social curiosity and participation could mediate the association between loneliness and depression symptoms. In this process, independence, participation, and feeling safe may act as moderators.
Interventions Focused by Nurses for Reducing Negative Effect of Traumatic Experience on Victims of Sexual Violence: A Scoping Review
Authors: Yosep Iyus , Hikmat Rohman , Mardhiyah Ai , Lukman Mamat
Published: January 2023

Sexual violence has increased quite rapidly. Sexual violence can be in the form of physical or verbal violence. The impact of sexual violence causes a traumatic experience that causes physical problems, psychological problems, loss of the future, and causes the risk of death. Nurses have an important role in reducing the impact of sexual violence on victims. The purpose of this study is to describe nursing interventions to reduce the impact of traumatic experiences experienced by victims of sexual violence. This study used a scoping review method. The literature used in this study is from CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus. Keywords in this study are sexual violence, traumatic experience, impact, and victims. Search strategy used PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews to select articles for this study. The inclusion criteria were that the sample was female victims of sexual violence, studies employed a randomized control trial or quasi-experimental research design, and the publication period was of the last 10 years (2013–2022). We found 10 articles that matched the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The findings from this scoping review show that nursing interventions can reduce the impact of traumatic experiences on victims of sexual violence. There are three methods of nursing intervention, namely cognitive behavior, counseling, and web-based intervention. The samples are from developing and developed countries. The range of the samples are from 35–1250 respondents. Nursing interventions focus on victims in order to improve mental health and reduce the traumatic impact experienced by victims of sexual violence. The activities carried out were psychoeducation, keeping a daily journal, and discussions related to the traumatic experiences experienced. Nurses as health workers have a role to provide comprehensive nursing care to victims of sexual violence by taking into account the characteristics and impact of trauma experienced by victims of sexual violence.
Effect of Resistance Training on Body Composition, Hemodynamic Parameters and Exercise Tolerance among Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sharma Abhishek , Sharma Nidhi , Vats Sakshi , Jain Mansi , Chahal Aksh , Kashoo Faizan Z. , Hakamy Ali , Alajam Ramzi Abdu , Alshehri Mohammed M. , Bharath Kumar Mallela , Sanjeevi Ramya Ramasamy , Alwadaani Fawwaz , Shaphe Mohammad Abu
Published: January 2023

Background: Effectiveness and safety of Resistance Training in treating various Cerebrovascular Disease diagnoses have drawn attention in recent years. Patients suffering with coronary artery disease should be offered individually tailored Resistance Training in their exercise regimen. Resistance Training was developed to help individuals with their functional status, mobility, physical performance, and muscle strength. Objective: The objective of this review was to collect, summarize and present information on the state of science focusing on usefulness, viability, safety and efficacy of Resistance Training in treating coronary artery disease and enhancing the aerobic capacity and improving overall health-related quality of life. Methods: The review is prepared in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Searches were conducted in Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE, PEDro and Scopus database. PEDro scale was used for methodological quality assessment of included studies. Two independent reviewers determined the inclusion criteria of studies by classifying interventions based on core components, outcome measures, diagnostic population and rated the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations using GRADE criteria. Results: Total 13 studies with 1025 patients were included for the detailed analysis. Findings emphasize the importance of assessing effectiveness and safety of Resistance Training in individuals with coronary artery disease. Patient specific designed exercise programs as Resistance Training targets at enhancing patients’ exercise tolerance, improves hemodynamic response and muscular strength with reduction in body fat composition. Conclusion: Resistance Training is an effective exercise that should be incorporated to counteract the loss of muscle strength, muscle mass, and physiological vulnerability, as well as to combat the associated debilitating effects on physical functioning, mobility and overall independence and Quality of Life during rehabilitation of patients with coronary artery disease.
Comparison of the Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Self-Employed Private Healthcare Workers with Respect to Employed Public Healthcare Workers: Three-Wave Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain
Authors: Pabón-Carrasco Manuel , Vilar-Palomo Samuel , Gonzalez-Elena María Luisa , Romero-Castillo Rocío , Ponce-Blandon José Antonio , Castro-Méndez Aurora
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: Coronavirus disease, also called COVID-19, is a worldwide pandemic with a major impact on all aspects of the individual (health status, psychological, and economic aspects, among others). The perception of health professionals in this situation has been influenced by their economic and psychosocial situations. On the economic level, self-employed workers have no state subsidies, with the added disadvantage of not having sufficient means to cope with contagion. This could potentially have an impact on their health and indirectly on their family members, creating additional stress. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are differences in the level of anxiety of health professionals working in private practice compared to healthcare workers working in public institutions during the first three waves of COVID-19. (2) Methods: A cohort study on 517 subjects comparing anxiety between a group of health workers and a group of health professionals working in the public sector at three key moments during the pandemic was performed. (3) Results: Statistically significant differences were found between self-employed private health professionals compared to those working as public health workers. The perception of impact was worse in the self-employed; however, a higher level of anxiety was evident in public employees in all assessed domains (cognitive, physiological, and motor, p = 0.001). (4) Conclusions: There were significant changes when comparing the first phase between both groups; employed public healthcare workers manifested a sense of lower risk of COVID-19 contagion than privately employed professionals, who had a higher level of anxiety. In the second and third waves, negative feelings improved for both groups, and the fear of showing anxiety to the patient decreased over the course of the waves.
Estimation of the Quality of the Diet of Mexican University Students Using DQI-I
Authors: Espino-Rosales Diana , Lopez-Moro Alejandro , Heras-González Leticia , Jimenez-Casquet Maria Jose , Olea-Serrano Fatima , Mariscal-Arcas Miguel
Published: January 2023

The quality of diet can be measured using diet quality indices, based on knowledge of associations between diet and health. The objective of this work was to evaluate whether the International Diet Quality Index is suitable for use as a diet quality index in populations of Mexican university girls. A cross-sectional nutritional survey was conducted at the University of Chihuahua (Mexico), collecting semi-quantitative nutritional information and socio-economic and lifestyle data from a representative sample of 400 women. Mean (Standard Deviation (SD)) age was 21.43 years (SD: 3.72); 59.1% were normal weight, 26.6% overweight, 15.3% obesity. The Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) was developed according to the method of Kim et al. (2003) and focused on major aspects of a high-quality diet (variety, adequacy, moderation and overall balance). The total score of Diet Quality Index-International reached 53.86% (SD: 11.43), indicating that the general diet of Mexican women a poor-quality diet. Adequacy scored highest, followed by moderation and variety. Overall balance scored the lowest. Variety: 26.3 % consumed less than 4 food groups daily, only 12.8% take more than 1 serving from each food group, and 50.6% consumed only one source of protein daily. Regarding adequacy, a large proportion of the population reported an intake of proteins, vitamin C, calcium, iron, and fruit greater than 50% of recommendation; the vegetables, fiber and grain groups were less 50%. Poor scores were obtained for total fat and SFA consumption (moderation). No statistically significant differences are observed for any of the variables under study and score of the Diet Quality Index-International: body mass index, weight, physical activity level, education level of father and mother, location of lunch, breakfast considered important, knowledge of nutrition, which allows us to consider a relatively uniform population in its eating habits. These people are close to a Westernized diet, and an intervention in nutritional education would be advisable to improve the intake of unprocessed foods, consume a greater variety of protein sources and significantly reduce consumption of sugary foods and soft drinks. Due to different methodological and cultural factors, the proposed Diet Quality Index-International dietary assessment method does not seem to be useful in the assessment of diet quality in the Mexican university population, so further research is needed to develop a diet quality index adapted to the Mexican population.
Autochthonous Cherry Rootstock Germplasm in the Context of Sustainable Sweet Cherry Production
Authors: Narandžić Tijana , Ljubojević Mirjana
Published: January 2023

Sustainability of fruit production is becoming a necessity in the time of climate changes and severe environmental issues, including decreasing water availability and biodiversity loss. To overcome these difficulties in sweet cherry production, we aimed to investigate the autochthonous cherry germplasm as a source of adaptable, size-controlling and productive rootstocks. The performance of sweet cherry cultivar ‘Summit’ grafted on six rootstock candidates and ‘Gisela 5’ as a control has been assessed in semi-arid climate, in conditions without irrigation and pruning, and with minimal herbicides’ application. The qualitative (anchorage, suckering, vitality), vegetative (trunk cross sectional area—TCSA, tree dimensions) and generative (potential and achieved yielding, fruit quality) characteristics were investigated. All candidates provided adequate anchorage while three candidates did not form suckers. Trees on ‘Gisela 5’ showed the lowest vitality. The scion TCSA in the fifth vegetation ranged from 16.7 to 47.2 cm2, while tree height, crown width and depth were up to 293, 150 and 175 cm, respectively. In sixth vegetation, the yield reached 4.1 kg. The average fruit mass in the trial of 2020–2021 was 8 g, fruit width was up to 27.5 cm, while the dry matter content reached 19%. The study showed that with the proper rootstock selection, sweet cherries could achieve satisfactory growth and yield without harming the environment and with minimal orchard’s maintenance practices. Within investigated autochthonous material, candidate PC_02_01/4 induced the best performance of ‘Summit’ cultivar.
Intraspecific and Interstage Similarities in Host-Plant Preference in the Diamondback Moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)
Authors: Badenes-Pérez Francisco Rubén , Heckel David G.
Published: January 2023

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is an important insect pest of cruciferous crops. Understanding its preference patterns can lead to more efficient management methods, such as trap crops. Several strains of P. xylostella were used to test whether there were differences in oviposition preference in a four-choice setting, on abaxial versus adaxial leaf surfaces in 28 different plant species, and on substrates with different concentrations of sinigrin (allylglucosinolate). Additionally, the larval preference of P. xylostella was studied with 17 plant species of known glucosinolate content that were compared to Arabidopsis thaliana L. in two-choice tests. Our research shows that the diet on which P. xylostella has fed hardly affects multiple-choice host-plant preference, abaxial and adaxial oviposition preference, or oviposition response to pure glucosinolates. Our study also shows that glucosinolate content affects larval preference, which together with the known correlation between glucosinolate content and P. xylostella oviposition, indicates that crops with high glucosinolate content could be more susceptible to damage by P. xylostella than crops with low glucosinolate content. These findings are discussed in regards to their significance in the management of P. xylostella.
Effects of Dwarfing Interstock Length on the Growth and Fruit of Apple Tree
Authors: Zhou Shasha , Shen Zhen , Yin Baoying , Liang Bowen , Li Zhongyong , Zhang Xueying , Xu Jizhong
Published: January 2023

There is no report on the effect of the length of Jizhen 2 interstock on the growth and fruit quality of Tianhong 2 apple trees, which are usually grown in Baoding, Hebei Province, China. We surveyed the tree size, branch types, fruit set, fruit quality and root parameters of 3–5-year-old ‘Tianhong 2/Jizhen 2/Malus × robusta Rehder’ apple trees, to study the effects of dwarfing interstock length on the growth of the tree’s aboveground parts and roots, as well as fruit yield and quality. The tree height and the stem girths of the interstock and scion decreased as interstock length increased, and the dwarfing degree of the apple trees gradually increased. Trees with an interstock length of 30 cm had the fewest long branches, the most short branches, and the greatest proportion of short branches. An interstock length of 30 cm provided the highest fruit-set rate, the highest yield per tree and per unit cross-sectional area, the highest single fruit weight, the highest soluble: acid ratio, the highest color brightness (L*), and better red skin coloration (higher a*) of the fruit skin. The root length density, root surface area density, and root volume density exhibited two growth peaks in a year, during the slow growth period when spring and autumn shoots are stopped. Root length density, root surface area density, and root volume density decreased with interstock length. Root death peaked during the growth peak period of the autumn shoots, and root length density of dead roots and root turnover frequencyincreased with the interstock length. A 30 cm length was the most suitable for the Tianhong 2 apple trees when the Jizhen 2 was used as the interstock.
Tolerance and Physiological Responses of Citrus Rootstock Cultivars to Boron Toxicity
Authors: Yang Wanyun , Yang Huidong , Ling Lili , Chun Changpin , Peng Liangzhi
Published: January 2023

Boron (B) is an essential trace nutrient element for citrus, but excessive B levels are frequently encountered in citrus production, potentially resulting in citrus toxicity. To better understand the tolerance and physiological responses of citrus rootstocks to excess B levels, Trifoliate orange, Ziyangxiangcheng, Carrizo citrange, and Red tangerine were treated with four B concentrations (0.05, 0.2, 0.8, and 3.2 mmol/L). High B concentrations resulted in leaf yellowing and shedding and eventual plant death. Chlorophyll content and photosynthetic capacity declined in response to high B concentrations, and relative leaf cell conductivity rose significantly. Trifoliate orange was the first to exhibit symptoms of B toxicity, with the highest levels of B-associated injury. As B concentrations rose, the height increment ratio declined, as did belowground and aboveground dry fresh weight. Soluble protein content initially rose and then fell, while proline content, SOD activity, and POD activity rose with B concentrations. B levels in these rootstocks also increased significantly, with the greatest increases in the leaves. Principal component analysis and subordinate function results revealed that the relative rank order for the B tolerance of citrus rootstocks was: Red tangerine > Carrizo citrange > Ziyangxiangcheng > Trifoliate orange.
Water Level Fluctuations in the Middle and Late Holocene in the Curonian Lagoon, Southeastern Baltic: Results of the Macrofossil and Phytolith Analyses
Authors: Druzhinina Olga , Napreenko Maxim , Napreenko-Dorokhova Tatiana , Golyeva Alexandra , Bashirova Leyla
Published: January 2023

This paper presents the results of a study on fluctuations in the water level of the Curonian Lagoon (in the Baltic Sea). To date, the genesis of this inland bay as part of the complex postglacial development of the southeastern Baltic is poorly understood. The data from lithological, geochronological, and phytolith analyses, as well as assessments of plant and animal macroremains from the lagoonal sediments, provide a reconstruction of local coastal biocenoses and water level dynamics in the Middle and Late Holocene time. This study reveals the fairly dynamic evolution of the coastal zone of the Curonian Lagoon over the past 7000 years, as indicated by the traced succession of plant communities from forest to near-shore, open-water biocenoses and the alternations of the drying out and inundation of the area under consideration. Thus far, a connection with two stages of the Baltic Sea water level fluctuations has been traced: the regressional stage, which took place approximately 5600 cal years BP, and the Late Subatlantic transgression, which started at approximately 1100 cal BP. This study demonstrates that phytolith (microbiomorphic) analysis is a promising method for the study of temperate-latitude lagoonal sediments, providing information not only on the local plant communities, but also on the changes in the hydrological regime of the area.
Strategies to Increase Willingness to Receive a COVID-19 Vaccine among Nursing Home Staff
Authors: van Tol Lisa S. , Meester Wendy , Caljouw Monique A. A. , Achterberg Wilco P.
Published: January 2023

Background: Nursing home (NH) staff and residents have been prioritized to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. However, NH staff have been hesitant. This study explored what strategies were used to overcome this hesitancy and which of these were found to be important by NH staff to increase their willingness to take a COVID-19 vaccine. Methods: This study employed a sequential exploratory qualitative design. The COVID-19 MINUTES study aimed to describe the challenges presented by, responses to, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in NHs. The minutes of COVID-19 outbreak teams (COTs) in Dutch long-term care organizations (n = 41) were collected and coded using content analysis. Textual units from December 2020 to April 2021 that regarded strategies to increase staff’s vaccination willingness (n = 67) were selected. Subsequently, to validate these data, two panels of NH healthcare workers (HCWs) and policy workers (PWs) (n = 8) selected, discussed, and ranked the strategies that they found to be important using a modified nominal group technique. Results: The strategies described in the minutes included financial reimbursements, personal contact, story sharing, logistics support, role models, visual information, and written information. Except for financial reimbursement, all these strategies were considered important or very important by the panel participants. Some organizations combined multiple strategies. Conclusion: The strategies that were found important in combination may be used more broadly and should be developed further with the involvement of HCWs.
Social Media Use and Its Association with Mental Health and Internet Addiction among Portuguese Higher Education Students during COVID-19 Confinement
Authors: Oliveira Ana Paula , Nobre Joana Rita , Luis Henrique , Luis Luis Soares , Pinho Lara Guedes , Albacar-Riobóo Núria , Sequeira Carlos
Published: January 2023

The use of social media was one of the most common way to keep in touch with friends and family during confinement. For higher education students, the fact that their universities were closed was a major change in their lives. The aim of this study is to relate the prevalence and type of social media with Internet addiction and mental health of university students in a district of Portugal during COVID-19 confinement. Mental health was studied by applying the reduced version of the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5) and to measure the Internet use and dependence, the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was used. The study (cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational) used an online questionnaire, conducted on Google® Forms and the link was sent to 4450 students, in the months of April to June 2020, during the confinement. A total of 329 valid questionnaires were obtained. We can conclude that regarding mental health, students in the 18–24 age group, single or divorced and who are not in a relationship, and with worse academic results, show worse levels of mental health. It is noteworthy that the students with the same characteristics also have the highest levels of addiction to internet.
The Factors Affecting Frailty among the Elderly in Korea: A Study Using the Frailty Cohort
Authors: Park DaSol , Kim Hee-Sun
Published: January 2023

In this study, the effects of health-related factors such as cognitive, mental, and physical functions on frailty among the elderly in Korea were analyzed, and basic data were provided to prevent frailty. Based on the frailty cohort, this study classified 11 independent variables into physical, mental, cognitive, social, and activities of daily living. Multiple regression analysis was conducted using the Korean frailty index as the dependent variable. Consequently, the following regression equation was derived: The Korean frailty index = 8.412 + 0.148 × (SGDS-K) − 0.000095 × (K-ABC) − 0.122 × PF + 0.327 × (K-ADL) − 0.049 × (K-IADL) − 0.047(MNA) + e. Among the 11 factors, one mental (SGDS-K) and two activities of daily living were health-related factors affecting the frailty of the elderly. The results of this study will help in establishing plans for the prevention and intervention of aging and can provide basic data for government-level community care for the prevention of aging in the future.
Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Intake, Abdominal Obesity, and Inflammation among US Adults without and with Prediabetes—An NHANES Study
Authors: Lin Wei-Ting , Kao Yu-Hsiang , Li Mirandy S. , Luo Ting , Lin Hui-Yi , Lee Chien-Hung , Seal David W. , Hu Chih-yang , Chen Lei-Shih , Tseng Tung-Sung
Published: January 2023

Excessive sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) consumption and abdominal obesity have been independently linked to numerous disorders, including diabetes and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). This study aimed to explore the association between SSB intake, abdominal obesity, and inflammation in normal and prediabetic adults. Sugar intake from SSBs was calculated from 24-h dietary recalls and further classified into non-, medium-, and high-intake. The status of non- and prediabetes was identified based on hemoglobin A1c level. All analyses were performed under a survey module with appropriate sampling weights to control for the complex survey design. A total of 5250 eligible adults without diabetes were selected from the 2007–2010 NHANES. A 1.31-fold increased risk of developing prediabetes was observed in people who consumed high sugar from SSBs when compared to non-SSB consumers. Among individuals with prediabetes, adults who consumed a high amount of sugar from SSB had a 1.57-fold higher risk to increase CRP when compared to non-SSB consumers, even after adjusting for abdominal obesity. Furthermore, the association between the high amount of sugar intake from SSBs and elevated CRP was strengthened by abdominal obesity in prediabetes (p for interaction term = 0.030). Our findings highlight that a positive association between sugar intake from SSBs and CRP levels was only observed in US adults with prediabetes. Abdominal obesity may strengthen this effect in prediabetic adults with a high amount of sugar intake from SSBs.
Does Increasing Farm Plot Size Influence the Visual Quality of Everyday Agricultural Landscapes?
Authors: Janeckova Molnarova Kristina , Bohnet Iris C. , Svobodova Kamila , Černý Pixová Kateřina , Daniels Michael , Skaloš Jan , Drhlíková Kristýna , Azadi Hossein , Zámečník Roman , Sklenička Petr
Published: January 2023

The increase in farm plot size is one of the most apparent and significant trends that have influenced central and eastern European agricultural landscapes since the 1950s. In many countries where the average plot size in traditional land-use systems did not exceed several hectares, present-day plots reach the size of 200 ha or more. In recent times, efforts have been made to reverse this trend to restore important ecosystem functions and to re-establish the aesthetic values of everyday landscapes. Visual landscape quality is becoming a major driving force in the development of agricultural landscapes with known effects on people’s well-being and health, and this quality plays an increasingly important role in agricultural policies. However, no comprehensive research has been carried out to establish the links between perceived visual landscape quality and the scale of the farm plot pattern. The current study was therefore designed to determine whether greater farmland pattern heterogeneity, i.e., smaller farm plot sizes, is consistent with higher visual preferences. The results showed that people preferred a small-scale plot pattern in landscapes characterized by a flat relief and a low proportion of woody vegetation. These homogeneous landscapes were also overall considered significantly less beautiful than more diverse landscapes. However, even a moderate decrease in plot size notably improved these low beauty scores. These preferences were displayed consistently by all respondents, and most strongly by older respondents, respondents with a higher level of education, and those professionally engaged in landscape design or conservation. The high level of consensus among respondents in rejecting further land consolidation in homogeneous landscapes, which form a large proportion of European farmland, underlines that the results of this study provide a valid argument for discussing sustainable agricultural plot sizes as part of agricultural policy-making.
Urbanicity—Perspectives from Neuroscience and Public Health: A Scoping Review
Authors: Senkler Ben , Freymueller Julius , Lopez Lumbi Susanne , Hornberg Claudia , Schmid Hannah-Lea , Hennig-Fast Kristina , Horstmann Gernot , Mc Call Timothy
Published: January 2023

Urban residency is associated with exposure to environmental factors, which can influence health in many ways. Neuroscientific research, as well as Public Health research, aim towards broadening evidence in the field of Urban Health. However, it is unclear whether the association between urban living and mental illnesses is causal rather than explainable by other selective effects. This review seeks to gather information on the current evidence regarding urban living and neurological outcomes to demonstrate how Public Health and Neuroscience could complement each other in the field of Urban Health. A scoping review was conducted in four electronic databases according to the PRISMA-statement guidelines. 25 empirical studies were included. Outcomes such as schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, social and cognitive functioning were scrutinised. Evidence was found for alteration of brain functioning and brain structure. Most studies researching cognitive functioning or cognitive decline displayed possible protective effects of urban living compared to rural living. The different study designs in Public Health and Neuroscience could profit from each other. Although the comparability of studies is limited by the inconsistent assessments of urbanity. Synergies and potentials to combine aspects of Public Health and Neuroscience in the field of Urban Health to improve population health became apparent.
Cardiovascular Disease Management in the Context of Global Crisis
Authors: Wadowski Patricia P. , Piechota-Polańczyk Aleksandra , Andreas Martin , Kopp Christoph W.
Published: January 2023

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) initiated a pandemic that has deteriorated health care access and thus disadvantaged vulnerable populations [...]
High Levels of PM10 Reduce the Physical Activity of Professional Soccer Players
Authors: Zacharko Michał , Cichowicz Robert , Depta Adam , Chmura Paweł , Konefał Marek
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study is to determine the impact of air quality, analyzed on the basis of the PM10 parameter in three regions of Poland, on the physical activity of soccer players from the Polish Ekstraklasa. The study material consisted of 4294 individual match observations of 362 players during the 2019/2020 domestic season. The measured indices included the parameter of air quality—PM10—and players’ physical activities: total distance (TD) and high-speed running (HSR). Poland was divided into three regions (North, Central, South). The statistical analysis of particulate matter (PM) and athletes’ physical activities, compared by region, revealed the effects in relation to the PM10 (H = 215.6566(2); p = 0.0001) and TD (H = 28.2682(2); p = 0.0001). Players performed better in regards to physical parameters in the North Region, where air pollution is significantly lower than in other regions. This means that even a short stay in more polluted regions can reduce the performance of professional footballers, which can indirectly affect the outcome of the match. Therefore, greater actions should be taken to improve air quality, especially through changes in daily physical activity, as this will reduce the carbon footprint.
Harmful Alcohol Use and Associated Socio-Structural Factors among Female Sex Workers Initiating HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Lichtwarck Hanne Ochieng , Kazaura Method Rwelengera , Moen Kåre , Mmbaga Elia John
Published: January 2023

Harmful alcohol use is an important risk factor for premature mortality and morbidity and associated with increased HIV risk and lower uptake of and adherence to HIV interventions. This study aimed to assess the extent of harmful alcohol use and associated socio-structural vulnerability factors among female sex workers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, a key population in the HIV epidemic. Data from a study of female sex workers initiating pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) recruited through respondent driven sampling were used. We assessed harmful alcohol use with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) defined as having an AUDIT score ≥ 16. Associations between harmful alcohol use and socio-structural factors were assessed using logistic regression with marginal standardization. Of the 470 women recruited, more than one third (37.3%) had a drinking pattern suggestive of harmful alcohol use. Such use was independently associated with sex work-related mobility (aPR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.11–1.61), arrest/incarceration (aPR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.27–1.84) and gender-based violence (aPR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.06–1.56). The high prevalence of harmful alcohol use and the interconnectedness with socio-structural factors indicate a need for a holistic programmatic approach to health for female sex workers. Programming should not solely direct attention to individual behavior but also include strategies aiming to address socio-structural vulnerabilities.
Toxicity Rank Order (TRO) As a New Approach for Toxicity Prediction by QSAR Models
Authors: Chen Yuting , Dong Yuying , Li Le , Jiao Jian , Liu Sitong , Zou Xuejun
Published: January 2023

Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (QSAR) models are commonly used for risk assessment of emerging contaminants. The objective of this study was to use a toxicity rank order (TRO) as an integrating parameter to improve the toxicity prediction by QSAR models. TRO for each contaminant was calculated from collected toxicity data including acute toxicity concentration and no observed effect concentration. TRO values associated with toxicity mechanisms were used to classify pollutants into three modes of action consisting of narcosis, transition and reactivity. The selection principle of parameters for QSAR models was established and verified. It showed a reasonable prediction of toxicities caused by organophosphates and benzene derivatives, especially. Compared with traditional procedures, incorporating TRO showed an improved correlation coefficient of QSAR models by approximately 10%. Our study indicated that the proposed procedure can be used for screening modeling parameter data and improve the toxicity prediction by QSAR models, and this could facilitate prediction and evaluation of environmental contaminant toxicity.
People with High Perceived Infectability Are More Likely to Spread Rumors in the Context of COVID-19: A Behavioral Immune System Perspective
Authors: Ding Qian , Luo Xingyu
Published: January 2023

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, many studies have explored the influencing factors of rumor spreading, such as anxiety, risk perception and information source credibility, but few studies have focused on the impact of individual differences. Based on the theory of behavioral immune systems, we investigated the impact of perceived infectability on rumor spreading and the mediating role of rumor trust in the context of COVID-19. Two studies were investigated using the scale and recall–report task of rumor spreading. The results show that perceived infectability was a significant positive predictor of rumor spreading. However, the impact of perceived infectability on rumor spreading was not direct, and it mainly indirectly affected rumor spreading through the mediating role of rumor trust. Overall, the findings suggest that individuals with high perceived infectability are more likely to believe rumors and then spread rumors during the epidemic. This study advances the literature on rumor spreading and behavioral immune systems and provides practical implications to anti-rumor campaigns.