bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-Care Behavior Prevention of Covid-19 in the General Population Based on Pender Health Promotion Model
Authors: Pouresmali Asghar , Alizadehgoradel Jaber , Molaei Behnam , Vanderhasselt Marie-Anne , Fathi Davod
Published: January 2021

BackgroundCoronavirus with sudden and widespread outbreak has obviously imposed devastating consequences in various aspects of human life. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive value of Pender's health promotion model (HPM) structures in self-care preventive behavior against COVID-19 among the general population of Ardabil, Iran. MethodsThe present retrospective descriptive-correlational study was conducted on 200 citizens of Ardabil aged 18 and over in 2020, who were selected by convenience sampling through social media. Data collection tools included demographic profile, perceived self-efficacy scale, perceived emotions questionnaire, perceived social support questionnaire, perceived benefits and barriers questionnaire, researcher-made COVID-19 self-care questionnaire and commitment to action questionnaire based on Pender's HPM structures in an online manner. Data were analyzed by Amos 22 software and using structural equation modeling (SEM). ResultsAccording to the results, direct path analysis to COVID-19 self-care behavior indicated that the variables of perceived self-efficacy, interpersonal effects, positive emotion and perceived benefits are able to significantly predict self-care behaviors. Moreover, the bootstrapping test results in the indirect path analysis demonstrated that the variables of perceived self-efficacy, perceived social support, and perceived barriers and benefits through the mediator variable of commitment to action are able to significantly predict COID-19 self-care behavior.ConclusionsBased on the findings of the present study, it can be claimed that the proposed model of COVID-19 self-care behavior has an acceptable fitness in the general population. It seems that this model can be employed in developing educational programs and intervention techniques to modify people's attitudes and behaviors.
Ethnobotanical Wield Edible Plants and Tradition Used in Vientiane Province, Lao P.D.R
Authors: KHAMPHILAVONG KHAMBAY , Lili Zhang , Yongxiang Kang , Hua Li , Nishantha Muththanthirige D L C , Awais Muhammad
Published: January 2021

Background: Local people harvested wild edible plants to provide food and cash income for indigenous people and are of good importance to guarantee global food security. Individuals also play a significant role in maintaining the productivity and stability of indigenous ecosystems. Vientiane province, the middle part of Laos, is regarded as the biodiversity hotspot. The people who are living there have consolidated traditional knowledge about plants used. Hence, with the developing country, wild edible plants are threatening, and the associated local knowledge is in danger of being lost. However, wild plants surveys were conducted to investigate and documented the wild edible plants indigenous experience used by local people.Methods: Five-teen villages were carried out the field investigation. The information was collected using questionnaires, direct observation, individual discussion, semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews, group discussion, and participatory rural appraisal (PRA).Results: In this research, information about 202 wild edible plant species in 150 genera of 83 families was recorded. Most species were edible fruits (55 species), followed by young leaves (48 species). The wild edible plants are sources or fresh markets for local people, especially those living in remote areas, to procure mineral elements and vitamins. In addition, were 79 species sold as a mixture at the market. Therefore, the utilization of wild edible plants related to knowledge was according swiftly, especially in an area with the livable transportation and booming traveler.Conclusion: Local food, wild plant species are abundant and diverse in Vientiane province. The people provide food and proteins to remote areas people and also be a source of income. Hence, their associated traditional knowledge and wild edible plants are facing a variety of intimidation. So, preservation and sustainable utilization of these wild plants in this region are important. To document of these plant species might provide incipient information for conservation, probably further exploitation and will gather local indigenous knowledge.
Effects of Violent Video Games on Aggressive Behaviors Among Children: The Role of Anger and Trait Aggression in China
Authors: Zhang Qian , Tian JingJin , Chen LunChao , Cao Yi
Published: January 2021

The current study examined the violent video game effect on aggressive behaviors and the potential role of anger and trait aggression among Chinese children (n = 248; Mage = 6.09, SD = 0.21). Half of them were randomly assigned to play a violent or a neutral video game for 20 minutes. Results showed that brief exposure of children to a violent video game produced a small but significant increases in aggressive behaviors. More specifically, males exhibited more aggressive behaviors than females in the violent game condition. Moderation analysis suggested that the violent video game effect on aggression was not moderated by trait aggression, but this effect was mediated by increased anger (especially for males). These findings indicated that males who were exposed to a violent video game might be regarded as the key group to reduce aggression by training to vent their anger. Results are interpreted within and support the framework of the General Aggression Model (GAM).
Increased Carvone Production in Escherichia Coli by Balancing Expression of Limonene Conversion Enzymes Through Targeted QconCAT Proteome Analysis
Authors: Yoshida Erika , Kojima Motoki , Suzuki Munenori , Matsuda Fumio , Onuki Akiko , Nishio Yousuke , Usuda Yoshihiro , Kondo Akihiko , Ishii Jun
Published: January 2021

Background Natural mint flavor is produced by extraction from mint, which is not efficient enough to make it environment friendly process. (−)-Carvone is the monoterpenoid with key flavor of spearmint, and there has been an attempt to produce (−)-carvone by recombinant Escherichia coli. Although all enzymes in (−)-carvone biosynthesis have been functionally expressed in E. coli independently, the yield of (−)-carvone was low in the previous study.ResultsWe have found a by-product formation when cytochrome P450 limonene-6-hydroxylase (P450)/cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) and carveol dehydrogenase (CDH) were expressed in single cell. These by-products were determined as dihydrocarveol and dihydrocarvone. We hypothesized that the enzymatic kinetics and the expression levels of P450 and CDH are quite different in E. coli. Therefore, two strains independently expressing P450/CPR and CDH were mixed with different mixing ratio, confirming increase in carvone production and decrease in by-product formation when CDH input was reduced. To determine the optimum balance of enzyme expressions, proteome analysis quantification concatemer (QconCAT) method to quantify P450, CPR, and CDH was developed. Using the QconCAT standard protein that was artificially created by concatenating the tryptic peptides, the ratio between P450 and CDH was calculated, and their optimum ratio to maximize (−)-carvone production was shown. Then, a single strain expressing both P450/CPR and CDH was constructed to imitate the superior expression ratio. The upgraded strain showed 15-fold improvement compared to the initial strain, showing 44 ± 6.3 mg/L of (−)-carvone production from 100 mg/L (−)-limonene as a starting substrate.ConclusionsImproved expression balance of P450 and CDH in recombinant E. coli increased the (−)-carvone production using (−)-limonene as the direct substrates by the whole-cell biocatalysis, showing approximately 150 times higher titer than previous report. Our study showed the usefulness of proteome analysis QconCAT method in the strain development for industrial biotechnology field.
Distribution of ABO Blood Groups and Their Association With Low Risk of Severe COVID-19 Infection in Patients
Authors: Peng Minfei , Huang Shigao , Lv Qingqing , Chen Chaochao , Qin Jiajia , He Minmin , Yang Jie , Chen Shiyong , Zhao Qi
Published: January 2021

Background: To date, only few studies have focused on the correlation between ABO blood groups and COVID-19 infection risk, especially gender differences in infection risk. Our study aimed to describe the ABO blood group distribution and its association with risk of severe COVID-19 infection for effective identification of the susceptible population. Method：From January 21 to February 20, 2020, we compared the ABO blood group distribution and gender distribution and performed a correlation analysis in severe, non-severe, and non-COVID-19 patients. Results The results showed that the laboratory indices were significantly different between blood type O and non-blood-type-O COVID-19 patients. This indicated that patients of the type O blood group had a relatively lower risk of severe COVID-19 infection than patients of other blood types; in particular, females with blood type O had a lower risk of severe COVID-19 infection than males. Conclusion: Herein, we report a potentially simple prediction decision system to minimize the risk of severe COVID-19 infection based on blood type. Special attention should be paid to patients with blood types other than type O to minimize their risk of severe COVID-19 infection.
Validation of Real-Time RT-PCR for Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Outbreak Without Emergency Use Authorization Reagents in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Chung Yoon-Seok , Lee Nam-Joo , Woo Sang Hee , Kim Jeong-Min , Kim Heui Man , Jo Hye Jun , Park Ye Eun , Han Myung-Guk
Published: January 2021

Background: A real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was developed to rapidly diagnose coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Early diagnosis of COVID-19 enables timely treatment and the implementation of public health measures. We validated the sensitivity, specificity, precision, linearity, accuracy, and robustness of a real-time RT-PCR-based assay for SARS-CoV-2 detection and compared the sensitivity and specificity of Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)-approved reagents for COVID-19 with those of the real-time RT-PCR method.Methods: The real-time RT-PCR-based assay was performed to specifically amplify genomic markers of SARS-CoV-2.Results: The real-time RT-PCR assay was highly specific for SARS-CoV-2, and did not amplify genomic fragments of 13 other viruses that cause respiratory diseases. The assay showed high linearity when conducted with a viral isolate from a patient with COVID-19 together with plasmids containing the target genes. The assay showed good repeatability and reproducibility, with a coefficient of variation of 3%, and detected SARS-CoV-2 with a limit of detection of 1 PFU/mL.Conclusions: The present real-time RT-PCR-based assay can diagnose COVID-19 with high accuracy and sensitivity. This approach is highly effective and can facilitate the early diagnosis of COVID-19 without the use of EUA reagents in the Republic of Korea.
Physiological Characterization of the Chitin Synthase A Gene Responsible for Biosynthesis of Cuticle Chitin in Culex Pipiens Pallens (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Yang Xiaoshan , Xu Yang , Yin Qi , Zhang Hongbo , Yin Haitao , Sun Yan , Ma Lei , Zhou Dan , Shen Bo
Published: January 2021

Background: The pathogens transmitted by mosquitoes (Culex pipiens pallens) to humans and animals cause several emerging and resurgent infectious diseases. Increasing insecticide resistance requires rational action to control the target vector population. Chitin is indispensable for insect growth and development and absent from vertebrates and higher plants. Chitin synthase A (CHSA) represents a crucial enzyme in chitin synthesis; therefore, identifying and characterizing how CHSA determines the chitin content might help with novel vector control strategies. Results: The injection of small interfering RNA targeting CHSA (siCHSA) to knock down CHSA transcripts of in larval, pupal, and adult stages, showed different lethal phenotypes. In the larval and pupal stages, CHSA knockdown prevented larval molting, pupation, and adult eclosion, and affected the production of chitin and chitin degradation, which resulted in an ecdysis defect phenotype of mosquitoes. In the adult stage, it also affected the laminar organization of mesoderm and the formation of pseudo orthogonally large fibers of the endoderm. Conclusion: The present study provides a systematic and comprehensive description of the effects of CHSA on morphogenesis and metamorphosis. The results showed that CHSA not only affects chitin synthesis during molting, but also might be involved in chitin degradation. Our result further showed that CHSA is important for the structural integrity of the adult mosquito cuticle.
Establishment and Evaluation of a Rat Model of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Thrombosis Using a 3D-printed Mock Oxygenator
Authors: Umei Nao , Lai Angela , Miller Jennifer , Shin Suji , Roberts Kalliope Georgette , Qatarneh Saif Al , Ichiba Shingo , Sakamoto Atsuhiro , Cook Keith Elliot
Published: January 2021

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) research using large animals requires a significant amount of resources, slowing down the development of new means of ECMO anticoagulation. Therefore, this study developed and evaluated a new rat ECMO model using a 3D-printed mock oxygenator.Methods: The circuit consisted of tubing, a 3D-printed mock oxygenator, and a roller pump. The mock oxygenator was designed to simulate the geometry and blood flow patterns of the fiber bundle in full-scale oxygenators but with a low (2.5 mL) priming volume. Rats were placed on arteriovenous ECMO at a 1.9 mL/min flow rate at two different heparin doses (n = 3 each): low (15 IU/kg/h for eight hours) versus high (50 IU/kg/h for one hour followed by 25 IU/kg/h for seven hours). The experiment continued for eight hours or until the mock oxygenator failed. The mock oxygenator was considered to have failed when its blood flow resistance reached three times its baseline resistance.Results: During ECMO, rats maintained near-normal mean arterial pressure and arterial blood gases with minimal hemodilution. The mock oxygenator thrombus weight was significantly different (p < 0.05) between the low (0.02 ± 0.006 g) and high (0.003 ± 0.001 g) heparin delivery groups, and blood flow resistance was also larger in the low anticoagulation group.Conclusions: This model is a simple, inexpensive system for investigating new anticoagulation agents for ECMO and provides low and high levels of anticoagulation that can serve as control groups for future studies.
Clinical Outcomes and Retention Among HIV-Infected Adolescents and Adults Initiated on Protease Inhibitors Antiretroviral Therapy Regimen in Dar ES Salaam; A Longitudinal Retrospective Descriptive Study
Authors: Rugemalila Joan , Sariah Adellah , Mwaikambo Samuel , Sando David , Kalluvya Samuel
Published: January 2021

Background: Globally antiretroviral therapy access has increased and significantly changed HIV morbidity and mortality patterns. In sub-Saharan Africa there are reports of increasing rates of failure to second-line antiretroviral treatment (ART) hence, assessment for clinical outcomes is critical. Objectives: To assess clinical outcomes and retention using programmatic indicators among HIV-infected adolescents and adults receiving second-line ART in Tanzania. Methods: In this longitudinal retrospective cohort study, we enrolled HIV-infected individuals aged 15 years and above who were initiated on second-line ART (Protease Inhibitor based regimen) due to documented failure of first-line ART between July 2012 and September 2015. We evaluated mean change in CD4 cell count, HIV viral load and retention using survival analysis. Results : A total of 1446 participants were enrolled, the mean duration of second-line therapy was 37.0 months± SD 26.50 and the median CD4 cell count at initiation of the second line was 290 cells/mm3. Virologic suppression <50 copies/ml was increasing over time and reached 58% at 36 months. Six months after switching, 80% of patients were retained and thereafter. Predictors of retention were male gender with hazard ratio (HR) 1.04; 95% CI 1.0-1.1 P-value 0.037 and younger age (25 -39 years) with HR 1.1; 95% CI 1.0-1.2 P-value 0.006. Additionally, adherence > 90% increased the likelihood of retention with a strong correlation HR 1.4; 95% CI 1.1-1.7 P-value 0.00. Clinical stage III and IV at switch were less likely to be retained HR 0.6; 95% CI 0.5-0.6 P-value 0.000 and higher CD4 cell count was associated with less retention HR <1; 95 % CI 0.4-0.6 P-value 0.000. Conclusion: There was a low rate of viral suppression (<50copies/ml) 58% 36 months after switch however, more than 87% of participants were retained to care after switch. Predictors of retention were male gender, younger age (25-39 years) and adherence > 90%. Therefore, improving viral suppression after switching to second-line requires further interventions.
Ultimate Molecular Theory of Sweet Taste
Authors: He Huazhong
Published: January 2021

More than thirty years ago, I proposed a theory about sweet and bittermolecules’ recognition by protein helical structures. Unfortunately the paperscould not go to public platform until now. The sweet and bitter taste theory isupdated and presented in separated papers1,2. The sweet taste theory conveysthat sweet molecules are recognized by receptor protein helical structures andthe recognition process is a dynamic action, in which the sweet receptor proteinhelix has a torsion-spring-like oscillation between helical structures of 3.6 and 3amino acids per turn. To help this kind of oscillation, there are two kinds ofhydrogen donor and hydrogen acceptor DH-B entities for both receptor andsweet molecules: H-bond or non-H-bond. The distances between DH and Bcould be up to ~ 8.5 Å. The receptor H-bond type DH-B entities are the NH-Opairs forming H-bonds in protein helices; the receptor non-H-bond type DH-Bentities are the ones from two pairs of NH-Os forming H-bonds which are aboutone turn away. To facilitate this kind of movement, the interaction of DH-Bs of asweet molecule with those of sweet receptor, through a pair of complementaryhydrogen bonds, must have hydrogen bond complementarities, which means Hbondtype of ligands’ DH-Bs reacts on non-H-bond type of receptor’s O-NHs, andvice versa. As the oscillation may have different extent, it translates to sweetintensity. As recognition sites are only associated with a small fraction – helixstructure of whole sweet receptor, multiple binding sites or multiple receptors arewell expected.
Discovery of Vanoxerine Dihydrochloride as a CDK2 / 4 / 6 Triple-Inhibitor for the Treatment of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhu Ying , Ke Kun-Bin , Xia Zhong-Kun , Li Hong-Jian , Su Rong , Dong Chao , Zhou Feng-Mei , Wang Lin , Chen Rong , Wu Shi-Guo , Zhao Hui , Gu Peng , Leung Kwong-Sak , Wong Man-Hon , Lu Gang , Zhang Jian-Ying , Jiang Bing-Hua , Qiu Jian-Ge , Shi Xi-Nan , Lin Marie Chia-mi
Published: January 2021

Background: Cyclin-dependent kinases 2/4/6 (CDK2/4/6) play critical roles in cell cycle progression, and their deregulations are hallmarks of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: We used the combination of computational and experimental approaches to discover a CDK2/4/6 triple-inhibitor from FDA approved small-molecule drugs for the treatment of HCC.Results: We identified vanoxerine dihydrochloride as a new CDK2/4/6 inhibitor, and a strong cytotoxic drug in human HCC QGY7703 and Huh7 cells (IC50: 3.79μM for QGY7703and 4.04μM for Huh7 cells). In QGY7703 and Huh7 cells, vanoxerine dihydrochloride treatment caused G1‑arrest, induced apoptosis, and reduced the expressions of CDK2/4/6, cyclin D/E, retinoblastoma protein (Rb), as well as the phosphorylation of CDK2/4/6 and Rb. Drug combination study indicated that vanoxerine dihydrochloride and 5-Fu produced synergistic cytotoxicity in vitro in Huh7 cells. Finally, in vivo study in BALB/C nude mice subcutaneously xenografted with Huh7 cells, vanoxerine dihydrochloride (40mg/kg, i.p.) injection for 21 days produced significant anti‑tumor activity (p<0.05), which was comparable to that achieved by 5-Fu (10mg/kg, i.p.), with the combination treatment resulted in synergistic effect. Immunohistochemistry staining of the tumor tissues also revealed significantly reduced expressions of Rb and CDK2/4/6in vanoxerine dihydrochloride treatment group.Conclusions: The present study is the first report identifying a new CDK2/4/6 triple inhibitor vanoxerine dihydrochloride, and demonstrated that this drug represents a novel therapeutic strategy for HCC treatment.
Health literacy and health outcomes in China’s floating population: mediating effects of health services
Authors: Yu Haiyan , Wu Wei-ling , Yu lin-wei , Wu Lei
Published: January 2021

Background: The floating population in China consists primarily of internal immigrants and represents a typical health vulnerable group. Poor health literacy has recently become an obstacle in the accessibility and utilization of health services for the vulnerable population, leading to adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to examine whether health literacy affected health outcomes in China’s floating population and whether health service utilization had a mediating effect between health literacy and health outcomes.Method: The current study utilized a cross-sectional stratified, multistage, proportional to scale (PPS) study in Zhejiang Province, China, in November and December 2019. In total, 657 valid self-reported questionnaires were recovered and used for data collection. Questionnaires included questions regarding sociodemographic characteristics, health literacy, health outcomes, and health service utilization. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test questionnaire validity; descriptive statistics were used to understand the demographic characteristics of the floating population; and structural equation modeling was used to determine whether health service utilization mediated health literacy and health outcomes. Results: We report positive correlations between health literacy, health service utilization, and health outcomes. Mediation analysis demonstrated that health service utilization had partial mediating effects between health literacy and health outcomes. In the relationship between health literacy and health outcomes, the indirect effects of health service utilization accounted for 6.6%–8.7% of the total effects. Conclusion: Complete health literacy, through health care literacy and health promotion literacy, affects the mobile population's initiative to use health services, which, in turn, affects health outcomes. Thus, improving the health literacy of the floating population will help to improve health outcomes. Furthermore, health service providers should enhance the diversity of health service supply to ensure that the floating population has the external resources to improve personal health literacy.
Recognizing the hidden: Strengthening the HIV surveillance system among key and priority populations in Mozambique
Authors: Baltazar Cynthia Semá , Boothe Makini , Langa Denise Chitsondzo , Sathane Isabel , Horth Roberta , Young Peter , Schaad Nick , Raymond Henry F
Published: January 2021

High quality, representative data from HIV surveillance systems that have country ownership and commitment are critical for guiding national HIV responses, especially among key and priority populations given their disproportionate role in the transmission of the virus. Between 2011 to 2013, the Mozambique Ministry of Health has conducted five Biobehavioral Surveillance Surveys among key populations (Female sex workers, men who has sex with men and people who inject drugs) and priority populations (long distance truck drives and miners) as part of the national HIV surveillance system. We describe the experience of strengthening the HIV surveillance system among those populations through the implementation of these surveys in Mozambique. We document the lessons learned through the impact on coordination and collaboration; workforce development and institutional capacity building; data use and dissemination; advocacy and policy impact; financial sustainability and community impact. Key lessons learned include the importance of multisectoral collaboration, vital role of data to support KP visibility and advocacy efforts, and institutional capacity building of government agencies and KP organizations. Given that traditional surveillance methodologies from routine data often do not capture these hidden populations, it will be important to ensure that BBS surveys are an integral part of ongoing HIV surveillance activities in Mozambique.
Understanding the spiritual and emotional needs of siblings of chronically sick children with a rare disease
Authors: Nash Sally , Bryson Laura , Nash Paul , Gray Susannah
Published: January 2021

Background Family morbidity is a concern in the treatment of paediatric patients but guidance and research lacks reference to siblings. Siblings of chronically sick children are at risk of adverse outcomes if needs are not recognized and met. A literature review demonstrated that positive outcomes are possible with appropriate support. Objective To identify emotional and spiritual needs of children and young people (CYP) with a sibling with a chronic disease locating this within a wider understanding of the needs of this population.Method A mixed methods study including: validated, UK normed 52-item Kidscreen questionnaire for siblings, proxy version for parents; interviews of each sibling and focus groups drawn from these siblings were recorded, transcribed and subjected to iterative thematic analysis. The setting was Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHSFT, UK. Participants were 16 siblings and 16 parents of children with a chronic rare disease aged 8-16, one specialist nurse.Results The mean of parents’ scores on the questionnaire rated the sibling below the 50th percentile on all ten areas covered. A mean of 34.9 (median 31) for home life shows a significant impact of having a sick child. Siblings consistently rated themselves higher than parents. From the thematic analysis, largely negative consequences of having a sick sibling appeared in all domains. Coping mechanisms were in two main categories: 1. Creative and leisure activities, 2. Family and friends.Discussion and Conclusion Having a chronically unwell sibling negatively impacts global wellbeing, and, specifically in this study, their emotional and spiritual development. Further research will be needed to determine if this can be ameliorated
Development and usability of educational material about workplace particulate matter exposure
Authors: Stege Thomas A. M. , Bolte John F. B. , Claassen Liesbeth , Timmermans Danielle R. M.
Published: January 2021

Background. Particulate matter (PM) exposure is an important health risk, both in daily life and in the workplace. It causes respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and results in 800,000 premature deaths per year worldwide. In earlier research, we assessed workers’ information needs regarding workplace PM exposure, the properties and effects of PM, and the rationale behind various means of protection. We also concluded that workers do not always receive appropriate risk communication tools with regards to PM, and that their PM knowledge appears to be fragmented and incomplete. Methods. We considered several concepts for use as an educational material based on evaluation criteria: ease of use, costs, appropriateness for target audiences and goals, interactivity, implementation issues, novelty, and speed. We decided to develop an educational folder, which can be used to inform employees about the properties, effects and prevention methods concerning PM. Furthermore, we decided on a test setup of a more interactive way of visualisation of exposure to PM by means of exposimeters. For the development of the folder, we based the information needs on our earlier mental models-based research. We adjusted the folder based on the results of ten semi-structured interviews evaluating its usability. Results. The semi-structured interviews yielded commentaries and suggestions for further improvement, which resulted in a number of alterations to the folder. However, in most cases the folder was deemed satisfactory. Conclusion. Based on this study, the folder we developed is suitable for a larger-scale experiment and a practical test. Further research is needed to investigate the efficacy of the folder and the application of the exposimeter in a PM risk communication system.
Empowering Healthcare Volunteer’s through Participatory Action Research in a Comprehensive Healthcare Center
Authors: Vizeshfar Fatemeh , Momennasab Marzieh , Yektatalab Shahrzad , Iman Mohamad Taghi
Published: January 2021

Background: healthcare volunteers act as the link between the society and the healthcare system and are a symbol of people's participation in the health maintenance and promotion. Despite the important role of health volunteers in the health system, it seems they experience several problems. The aim of this study was empowering health volunteers by determining and relining their problems through a participatory approach.Methods: This study a participatory action research was done through two continuous cycles of reflection and acting for change over 20 months, in A comprehensive health center in Southern of Fars province in Iran.25 health volunteers, two instructors, and academic researcher as facilitator participate in this study. In the first cycle, the participants discovered the challenges of health volunteers prioritized them and an action plan was designed. Immersion and implementation of the plans were done. At the end of this cycle evaluation was done with the participants’ cooperation. The second cycle began with reflecting on the results of the first cycle and final evaluation was done. Results: Qualitative content analysis in the first phase led to the emergence of four major categories, including inefficiency of volunteers training, inefficiency of attraction and maintenance of volunteers, and being unknown to people and the major theme was named “unfertilized capacity”. After the implementation of the operational plan, the participants learned through reflection and immersing in action. Finally, quantitative content and data analysis showed improvement of knowledge and performance, satisfaction, effectiveness of programs and improvement in volunteer’s competence.Conclusions: Clarification of volunteers’ roles, supporting volunteers to improve their knowledge and skills with coherent planning based on their educational needs, are appropriate management plans to attract and retain volunteers. By presenting their services to the society, they will be empowered and motivated to continue.
Alterations in MicroRNA Gene Expression Profile in Liver Transplant Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Afshari Afsoon , Yaghobi Ramin , Karimi Mohammad hossin , Mowla Jvad
Published: January 2021

Background: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) can lead to liver failure which renders to liver transplant. miRNAs might be detected as biomarkers in subclinical stage of several hepatobiliary disorders like HCC. Therefore, in the present study, alterations in miRNAs as biomarkers were detected in LT patients with HCC. Methods: Fourteen tissue samples composed of 5 rejected and 9 non-rejected ones were used for studying the miRNAs expression pattern using LNA-array probe assay and the result was evaluated by in house SYBR Green Real-time PCR protocols on 30 other tissue samples composed of 10 rejected and 20 non-rejected ones for the selected miRNAs. All samples were collected from liver transplanted patients with HCC.Results: The study results revealed that in rejected patients compared to non-rejected ones, hsa-miR-3158-5p, -4449, -4511, and -4633-5p were up-regulated and hsa-miR-122-3p, -194-5p, 548as-3p, and -4284 were down-regulated. ROC curve analysis also confirmed that miR194-5p and -548as-3p in up-regulated and also, miR-3158-5p, -4449 in down-regulated microRNAs are significantly important molecules in rejection.Conclusion: Finally, the tissue levels of specific miRNAs (especially hsa-miR-3158-5p, -4449, -194-5p and -548as-3p) significantly correlated with the development of HCC, which can be present as biomarkers after further completing studies.
A novel method for isolation and culture of primary swine gastric epithelial cells
Authors: Bautista-Amorocho Henry , Silva-Sayago Jorge Alexander , Goyeneche-Patino Diego A. , Pérez-Cala Tania Liseth , Macías-Gómez Fabio , Arango-Viana Juan Carlos , Martínez Alonso
Published: January 2021

Background: Culturing primary epithelial cells has a major advantage over tumor-derived or immortalized cell lines as long as their functional phenotype and genetic makeup are mainly maintained. The swine model has shown to be helpful and reliable when used as a surrogate model for human diseases. Several porcine cell lines have been established based on a variety of tissues, which have shown to extensively contribute to the current understanding of several pathologies, especially cancer. However, protocols for the isolation and culture of swine gastric epithelial cells that preserve cell phenotype are rather limited. We aimed to develop a new method for establishing a primary epithelial cell culture from the fundic gland region of the pig stomach.Results: Mechanical and enzymatic dissociation of gastric tissue was possible by combining collagenase type I and dispase II, protease inhibitors and antioxidants, which allowed the isolation of epithelial cells from the porcine fundic glands showing cell viability > 90% during the incubation period. Gastric epithelial cells cultured in RPMI 1640, DMEM-HG and DMEM/F12 media did not contribute enough to cell adhesion, cluster formation and cell proliferation. By contrast, William’s E medium supplemented with growth factors supports confluency and proliferation of a pure epithelial cell monolayer after 10 days of incubation at 37oC, 5% CO2. Mucin-producing cell phenotype of primary isolates was confirmed by PAS staining, MUC1 by immunohistochemistry, as well as the expression of MUC1 and MUC20 genes by RT-PCR and cDNA sequencing. Swine gastric epithelial cells also showed origin-specific markers such as cytokeratin cocktail (AE1/AE3) and cytokeratin 18 (CK-18) using immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence methods, respectively.Conclusions: A new method was successfully established for the isolation of primary gastric epithelial cells from the fundic gland zone through a swine model based on a combination of tissue-specific proteases, protease inhibitors and antioxidants after mechanical cell dissociation. The formulation of William’s E medium with growth factors for epithelial cells contributes to cell adhesion and preserves functional primary cells phenotype, which is confirmed by mucin production and expression of typical epithelial markers over time.
Heterogeneity of Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms in Help-Seeking Adolescents
Authors: Cavelti Marialuisa , Lerch Stefan , Ghinea Denisa , Fischer-Waldschmidt Gloria , Resch Franz , Koenig Julian , Kaess Michael
Published: January 2021

Background: The heterogeneous presentation of borderline personality disorder (BPD) represents a clinical challenge. There is an ongoing scientific debate whether the heterogeneity can best be understood in terms of qualitative (categorical) or quantitative (dimensional) differences between individuals. The present study examined the latent structure of BPD in adolescents. Methods: Five-hundred and six outpatients aged 12 to 17 years with risk-taking and/or self-harming behavior were assessed at baseline and one-year follow-up. Latent class analysis (corresponding with the categorical approach), factor analysis (corresponding with the dimensional approach), and factor mixture models (allowing for both categorical and dimensional aspects) were applied to the DSM-IV BPD criteria.Results: The best fitting model distinguished between a majority class with high probabilities for all BPD criteria (“borderline group”) and a minority class with high probabilities for the impulsivity and anger criteria only (“impulsive group”). Sex significantly affected latent class membership, and both a latent factor and age explained within-class variability. The borderline group primarily consisted of females, frequently reported adverse childhood experiences, scored high on the emotion dysregulation and inhibitedness personality traits, and was associated with internalizing psychopathology. In contrast, the impulsive group primarily consisted of males, scored high on the dissocial behavior personality trait, and was associated with externalizing psychopathology. After one year, the two groups showed similar clinical improvement.Conclusions: The study provides evidence for two distinct subgroups of adolescents with BPD features that resemble the subtypes of the ICD-10 emotionally unstable personality disorder. More research is needed to further investigate the diagnostic stability of the two groups over time and potential differential treatment indications.
Comparison of functional and oncological outcomes of innovative “three-port” and traditional “four-port” laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Xu Ben , Cheng Si-da , Peng Yi-ji , Zhang Qian
Published: January 2021

Background: To compare the functional and oncological outcomes between innovative “three-port” and traditional “four-port” laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa).Methods: We retrospectively collected the data of PCa patients treated at our institutions from June 2012 to May 2016. According to the inclusion criteria, a total of 234 patients were included in the study, including 112 in group A (four-port) and 122 in group B (three-port). The perioperatively surgical characteristics, functional and oncological outcomes were compared between groups.Results: There were no statistical differences in the baseline parameters between these two groups. Compared with group A, the operative time (OT) and estimated blood loss (EBL) were significantly less in group B. On follow-up, the rate of positive surgical margin (PSM), prostate specific antigen (PSA) biochemical recurrence and continence after LRP did not show any statistically significant difference between the groups. An identical conclusion was also received in comparison of overall survival (OS) and biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) between both groups. Conclusion: Innovative “three-port” LRP can significantly shorten the OT and reduce the EBL compared with the traditional “four-port” LRP. Meanwhile, it does not increase the rate of PSM and PSA biochemical recurrence. “Three-port” LRP could be popularized in the future in view of its superior surgical technique, considerably better functional outcomes and remarkable oncological control.
Factors associated with ocular surface epithelial damage in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Kim Ji Eun , Kim Na Rae , Chin Hee Seung , Seo Kyoung Yul , Kim Tae Im , Jung Ji Won
Published: January 2021

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of systemic parameters, laboratory findings, oral parameters, and other ocular surface parameters on ocular surface epithelial damage in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).Methods: A total of 82 dry eye disease (DED) patients with pSS were enrolled in this study. Ocular surface epithelial damage was measured by ocular staining score (OSS). Systemic parameters, laboratory findings including serologic markers, oral parameters, and other ocular surface parameters were collected. Other ocular surface parameter assessments such as the Schirmer’s test, fluorescein tear breakup time, meibomian gland examinations, noninvasive keratographic tear film break-up time measurements using the Keratograph® 5M were performed, and the Ocular Surface Disease Index was determined. Results: In a multivariate analysis, decreased age and increased duration of pSS were significantly related to increased logarithm-transformed OSS (β = -0.011, P = 0.043 for and β = 0.003, P = 0.008). Among the ocular surface parameters, decreased fluorescein tear breakup time and increased MGD grade were significantly associated with increased logarithm-transformed OSS (β = -0.183, P < 0.001 and β = 0.192, P = 0.049).Conclusions: Ocular surface epithelial damage in patients with pSS was associated with young age, long duration of disease, unstable tear film, and decreased meibomian gland function.
Choice-dependent cross-modal interaction in the medial prefrontal cortex of rats
Authors: Zheng Mengyao , Xu Jinghong , Keniston Les , Wu Jing , Chang Song , Yu Liping
Published: January 2021

Cross-modal interaction (CMI) could significantly influence the perceptional or decision-making process in many circumstances. However, it remains poorly understood what integrative strategies are employed by the brain to deal with different task contexts. To explore it, we examined neural activities of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of rats performing cue-guided two-alternative forced-choice tasks. In a task requiring rats to discriminate stimuli based on auditory cue, the simultaneous presentation of an uninformative visual cue substantially strengthened mPFC neurons' capability of auditory discrimination mainly through enhancing the response to the preferred cue. Doing this also increased the number of neurons revealing a cue preference. If the task was changed slightly and a visual cue, like the auditory, denoted a specific behavioral direction, mPFC neurons frequently showed a different CMI pattern with an effect of cross-modal enhancement best evoked in information-congruent multisensory trials. In a choice free task, however, the majority of neurons failed to show a cross-modal enhancement effect and cue preference. These results indicate that CMI at the neuronal level is context-dependent in a way that differs from what has been shown in previous studies.
On the Usefulness of Luck Egalitarian Arguments for Global Justice
Authors: Schemmel Christian
Published: January 2021

Much of the recent philosophical literature about distributive justice and equality in the domestic context has been dominated by a family of theories now often called ‘luck egalitarianism’, according to which it is unfair if some people are worse off than others through no choice or fault of their own. This principle has also found its way into the literature about global justice. This paper explores some difficulties that this principle faces: it is largely insensitive to the causes of global inequality, and it is so demanding that it can only give rise to weak moral claims. I go on to argue that a) understanding justice claims as merely weak claims rests on an implausible and impractical concept of justice, and b) using the global luck egalitarian argument in practical discourse is likely to lead to misunderstanding, and to be counterproductive if the aim is to tackle global inequality. While these considerations do not suffice to make a conclusive case against the luck egalitarian principle, they should be acknowledged by global luck egalitarians – as some similar problems have indeed been by domestic luck egalitarians – and need to be addressed.
Democratizing Global ‘Bodies Politic’: Collective Agency, Political Legitimacy, and the Democratic Boundary Problem
Authors: Macdonald Terry
Published: January 2021

This article outlines a new approach to answering the foundational question in democratic theory of how the boundaries of democratic political units should be delineated. Whereas democratic theorists have mostly focused on identifying the appropriate population-group – or demos – for democratic decisionmaking, it is argued here that we should also take account of considerations relating to the appropriate scope of a democratic unit’s institutionalized governance capabilities – or public power. These matter because democratically legitimate governance is produced not only through the decision-making agency of a demos, but also through the institutionally distinct sources of political agency that shape the governance capabilities of public power. To develop this argument, the article traces a new theoretical account of the normative and institutional sources of collective agency, political legitimacy, and democratic boundaries, and illustrates it through a democratic reconstruction of the classical body politic metaphor. It further shows how this theoretical account lends strong prescriptive support to pluralist institutional boundaries within democratic global governance.
Essay Prize Introduction
Authors: Straehle Christine
Published: January 2021

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Justice in Action
Authors: Kennedy Ashley
Published: January 2021

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Introduction
Authors: Ronzoni Miriam , Torresi Tiziana
Published: January 2021

N/A
Human Rights for Liberals
Authors: Eleftheriadis Pavlos
Published: January 2021

Review: James Griffin, On Human Rights, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.’
Development Through Capitalism: The Only Game in Town
Authors: Román-Zozaya Armando
Published: January 2021

Review: Dani Rodrik, One Economics Many Recipes: Globalization, Institutions and Economic Growth, Princeton, Princeton University Press, 2007.
Migration and Global Justice
Authors: Banai Ayelet , Lenard Patti Tamara , Torressi Tiziana
Published: January 2021

"Editors Introduction" zum "Special Issue on Global Justice and Migration"
Editor’s Introduction
Authors: Culp Julian
Published: January 2021

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‘Walking Wombs’: Making Sense of the Muskoka Initiative and the Emphasis on Motherhood in Canadian Foreign Policy
Authors: Tiessen Rebecca
Published: January 2021

The Muskoka Initiative – or the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Initiative has been a flagship foreign policy strategy of the Harper Conservatives since it was introduced in 2010.  However, the maternal health initiative has been met with a number of key criticisms in relation to its failure to address the sexual and reproductive health needs of women in the Global South2. In this article, I examine these criticisms and expose the prevalent and problematic discourse employed in Canadian policy papers and official government speeches pertaining to the MNCH Initiative. I examine the embodiment of the MNCH and how these references to women’s bodies as “walking wombs” facilitate: the objectification and ‘othering’ of women as mothers and childbearers; a discourse of ‘saving mothers’ in a paternalistic and essentialist language; and the purposeful omission of gender equality. Feminist International Relations (IR) and post-colonial literature, as well as critical/feminist Canadian foreign policy scholarship are employed in this paper to frame these critiques.
Uncertainty as the Reason for Action: Last Opportunity and Future Climate Disaster
Authors: Shue Henry
Published: January 2021

In cases in which there is the possibility of massive human losses, the threshold likelihood of their occurrence, and the non-excessive costs of their prevention, we ought to act now. This is all the more definitely the case because it may well be that this is the time-of-last-opportunity to head off one or more potential disasters, all of which may still be preventable by sufficiently rapid reductions in carbon emissions from the combustion of fossil fuel. It is unfair that the present generation should incur as heavy a burden as it does of seizing the last opportunity for prevention of disasters like large sea-level rises, but the unfairness is not sufficient to make the burden unreasonable to bear, especially since it is not in fact as heavy as often believed.