bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
UAV Assisted Spatiotemporal Analysis and Management of Bushfires: A Case Study of the 2020 Victorian Bushfires
Authors: Munawar Hafiz Suliman , Ullah Fahim , Khan Sara Imran , Qadir Zakria , Qayyum Siddra
Published: July 2021

Australia is a regular recipient of devastating bushfires that severely impacts its economy, landscape, forests, and wild animals. These bushfires must be managed to save a fortune, wildlife, and vegetation and reduce fatalities and harmful environmental impacts. The current study proposes a holistic model that uses a mixed-method approach of Geographical Information System (GIS), remote sensing, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)-based bushfire assessment and mitigation. The fire products of Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) and Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) are used for monitoring the burnt areas within the Victorian Region due to the 2020 bushfires. The results show that the aggregate of 1500 m produces the best output for estimating the burnt areas. The identified hotspots are in the eastern belt of the state that progressed north towards New South Wales. The R2 values between 0.91–0.99 indicate the fitness of methods used in the current study. A healthy z-value index between 0.03 to 2.9 shows the statistical significance of the hotspots. Additional analysis of the 2019–20 Victorian bushfires shows a widespread radius of the fires associated with the climate change and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) phenomenon. The UAV paths are optimized using five algorithms: greedy, intra route, inter route, tabu, and particle swarm optimization (PSO), where PSO search surpassed all the tested methods in terms of faster run time and lesser costs to manage the bushfires disasters. The average improvement demonstrated by the PSO algorithm over the greedy method is approximately 2% and 1.2% as compared with the intra route. Further, the cost reduction is 1.5% compared with the inter-route scheme and 1.2% compared with the intra route algorithm. The local disaster management authorities can instantly adopt the proposed system to assess the bushfires disasters and instigate an immediate response plan.
Effect of Dietary Brown Seaweed (Macrocystis pyrifera) Additive on Meat Quality and Nutrient Composition of Fattening Pigs
Authors: Jerez-Timaure Nancy , Sánchez-Hidalgo Melissa , Pulido Rubén , Mendoza Jonathan
Published: July 2021

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary brown seaweed (Macrocystis pyrifera) additive (SWA) on meat quality and nutrient composition of commercial fattening pigs. The treatments were: Regular diet with 0% inclusion of SWA (CON); Regular diet with 2% SWA (2%-SWA); Regular diet with 4% SWA (4%-SWA). After slaughtering, five carcasses from each group were selected, and longissimus lumborum (LL) samples were taken for meat quality and chemical composition analysis. Meat quality traits (except redness intensity) were not affected (p > 0.05) by treatments. Samples from the 4%-SWA treatment showed the lowest a value than those from the 2%-SWA and CON treatments (p = 0.05). Meat samples from the 4%-SWA group contained 3.37 and 3.81 mg/100 g more of muscle cholesterol than CON and 2% SWA groups, respectively (p < 0.05). The SWA treatments affected (p ≤ 0.05) the content of ash, Mn, Fe, and Cu. The LL samples from 4%-SWA had the highest content of ash; however, they showed 0.13, 0.45, and 0.23 less mg/100 g of Mn, Fe, and Zn, respectively, compared to samples from CON (p ≤ 0.05). Fatty acids composition and macro minerals content (Na, Mg, and K) did not show variation due to the SWA treatments. Further studies are needed to understand the biological effects of these components on adipogenesis, cholesterol metabolism, and mineral deposition in muscle.
GNAI2 Promotes Proliferation and Decreases Apoptosis in Rabbit Melanocytes
Authors: Hu Shuaishuai , Dai Yingying , Bai Shaocheng , Zhao Bohao , Wu Xinsheng , Chen Yang
Published: July 2021

GNAI2 (G protein subunit alpha i2) is a signaling modulator or transducer, involved in several transmembrane signaling systems, that plays a vital role in the melanogenesis signaling pathway. However, whether GNAI2 regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis in rabbit melanocytes is not known. We found that GNAI2 was differentially expressed in rabbits with different coat colors using qRT-PCR and Wes assays. Furthermore, it was observed that the rabbits with black skin had the highest GNAI2 levels, and those with white skin had the lowest expression. The coding sequence of GNAI2 was successfully cloned and inserted into pcDNA3.1 and pcDNA3.1-Myc vectors. It was observed that the GNAI2 protein was mainly localized in the cytoplasm using the indirect immunofluorescence staining assay. Overexpression of GNAI2 significantly increased melanin content, promoted melanocyte proliferation, and inhibited melanocyte apoptosis. On the contrary, the knockdown of GNAI2 using siRNA had the opposite effect. In addition, GNAI2 significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of the melanin-related genes TYR, GPNMB, PMEL, and DCT in rabbit melanocytes. The results suggested that GNAI2 regulated melanocyte development by promoting melanocyte proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis.
Seismic and Geodetic Imaging (DInSAR) Investigation of the March 2021 Strong Earthquake Sequence in Thessaly, Central Greece
Authors: Papadopoulos Gerassimos A. , Agalos Apostolos , Karavias Andreas , Triantafyllou Ioanna , Parcharidis Issaak , Lekkas Efthymios
Published: July 2021

Three strong earthquakes ruptured the northwest Thessaly area, Central Greece, on the 3, 4 and 12 March 2021. Since the area did not rupture by strong earthquakes in the instrumental period of seismicity, it is of great interest to understand the seismotectonics and source properties of these earthquakes. We combined relocated hypocenters, inversions of teleseismic P-waveforms and of InSAR data, and moment tensor solutions to produce three fault models. The first shock (Mw = 6.3) occurred in a fault segment of strike 314° and dip NE41°. It caused surface subsidence −40 cm and seismic slip 1.2–1.5 m at depth ~10 km. The second earthquake (Mw = 6.2) occurred to the NW on an antithetic subparallel fault segment (strike 123°, dip SW44°). Seismic slip of 1.2 m occurred at depth of ~7 km, while surface subsidence −10 cm was determined. Possibly the same fault was ruptured further to the NW on 12 March (Mw = 5.7, strike 112°, dip SSW42°) that caused ground subsidence −5 cm and seismic slip of 1.0 m at depth ~10 km. We concluded that three blind, unknown and unmapped so far normal fault segments were activated, the entire system of which forms a graben-like structure in the area of northwest Thessaly.
The Effect of High and Low Life Purpose on Ikigai (a Meaning for Life) among Community-Dwelling Older People—A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Tsuzishita Souma , Wakui Tadaaki
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study is to reveal how high or low life purpose is related to QOL and ikigai (a meaning for life). Ikigai is “a sense of purpose and motivation in the daily lives of older people, a sense that they are capable and meaningful to their families and others, and that they should be”. Eighty-one community-dwelling older people (23 male and 58 female, mean age 77 ± 5.2 years) participated of their own will. The following items were measured: dementia test, exercise habits, life purpose, ikigai, and QOL. In the multivariate analysis of high and low life purpose, only ikigai was found to be related. In the multivariate analysis of ikigai, life purpose was also the most relevant, indicating that life purpose and ikigai are strongly interrelated. To improve QOL, it is also necessary to take into account life purpose in addition to the current nursing care prevention.
The Relationship between Foot Status and Motor Status in Preschool Children: A Simple, Comparative Observational Study
Authors: Kojić Milan , Protić Gava Branka , Bajin Milan , Vasiljević Marko , Bašić Jasmina , Stojaković Dušan , Ilić Milena P.
Published: July 2021

Background: The research objective of the study is to determine the differences in the manifestation of the motor status of normally fed preschool test subjects, classified into groups according to foot status. Methods: This is a simple, comparative observational study. Preschool children included in this study have been subjected to anthropometric measurements in order to determine BMI, tests for motor skills assessment (running at 20 m from a high start, standing broad jump, backwards polygon, rectangular seated forward bend, plate tapping, sit-ups for 60 s, and bent arm hang), and a determination of foot status. The total sample was comprised of 202 test subjects who attended a regular sports program, aged 3.9 to 6.5 years of decimal age (M = 141; Age = 5.3 ± 0.74; Height = 117.3 ± 7.1; Weight = 22 ± 3.7; F = 61; Age = 5.1 ± 0.73; Height = 114.9 ± 7.4; Weight = 21.2 ± 3.8), of which 153 (75.7%) were normally fed, 6 (3%) were undernourished, 30 were overweight (14.9%), and 13 were obese (6.4%). Results: In the total sample, 30 (14.9%) subjects had normal arch feet, 90 (44.6%) high arched feet, and 41 (20.3%) flat feet. We found 41 (20.3%) subjects who had different left and right foot statuses within this sample. The data were processed by means of nonparametric tests (the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests) at a significance level p ≤ 0.05. Conclusion: The results show that there is a statistically significant difference between groups of subjects with different foot statuses in the manifestation of motor status in most tests, with a significance level of p ≤ 0.01, and in tests of sit-ups for 60 s and the bent arm hang, there is a statistically significant difference, the level of which is p ≤ 0.05. It is only in the inclination test of rectangular seated forward bend that no statistically significant difference was displayed.
Association between Short Hours of Sleep and Overweight/Obesity in Mexican Adolescent Population: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Fresan Ana , Genis-Mendoza Alma Delia , López-Narváez María Lilia , Gómez-Peralta Tania Guadalupe , Aguilar-Velázquez Daniela Georgina , Juárez-Rojop Isela Esther , González-Castro Thelma Beatriz , Tovilla-Zárate Carlos Alfonso , Castillo-Avila Rosa Giannina , Nicolini Humberto
Published: July 2021

Background/Aim: Obesity in adolescents is increasing; as such, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity in Mexican adolescents and examine its possible association with hours of sleep. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was carried out. This study included 863 adolescents aged between 11 and 16 years. The prevalence of obesity was estimated using the body mass index (BMI). The duration of sleep (and other information) was assessed by a self-reported questionnaire. The Cochran–Mantel–Hansel test for categorical variables and a general linear model for continuous variables were used to evaluate the interaction effect of BMI and sex with respect to sleeping and assessed activity conditions. Results: It was found that 47.6% of the adolescents were overweight/obese. Men were more frequently overweight/obese than women (52.6% vs. 41.8%, p = 0.002). Moreover, overweight/obese adolescents were younger and spent fewer daily hours watching television (p < 0.05). Men practiced sports more hours per week than women (p = 0.04). However, women spent more daily time on the internet (p = 0.05), and overweight/obese adolescent women slept fewer hours than overweight/obese men and adolescents with normal weight (p = 0.008). Conclusions: The development of strategies for the prevention of overweight/obesity and the improvement of sleep duration should include a gender perspective to improve health habits in Mexican adolescents.
Effect of Sleep Quality and Depression on Married Female Nurses’ Work–Family Conflict
Authors: Hwang Eunhee , Yu Yeongbin
Published: July 2021

Married female nurses experience work–family conflict (WFC) as they manage excessive work and various working-hour types while rearing children and tending household chores, and as a result, they continuously constantly deliberate over quitting their job or moving to a different workplace. Married nurses were found to have shorter sleep duration and sleep latency compared to single nurses, and high job stress not only hinders their family life but also causes sleep problems. Depression is a classic negative emotion experienced by married working women who must manage both work and family. This study aims to examine WFC in married female nurses and investigate its predictors, namely depression and sleep quality. A total of 229 married female nurses completed a Google questionnaire link consisting of the Work–Family Conflict Scale, Sleep-Quality Scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, LSD post hoc test, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple regression using the SPSS/WIN 26.0 program. The average WFC score was 4.84 ± 1.12 (range 1–7); WFC showed a statistical difference according to a stage of the lifecycle (F = 7.12, p = 0.001) and perceived health (F = 12.01, p < 0.001). WFC was low among those in the non-parenthood stage of the lifecycle (β = −0.26, p < 0.001), those with good (β = −0.18, p = 0.011) or moderate perceived health (β = −0.15, p = 0.023), and those without turnover intention (β = −0.13, p = 0.016). On the other hand, WFC was high among those who were extremely dissatisfied with their job (β = 0.16, p = 0.008) and those who had a high level of depression (β = 0.22, p = 0.002); these variables explained 20.2% of WFC (F = 7.663, p < 0.001). Based on these results, subsequent studies should develop and implement coping programs that help reduce WFC and improve depression and sleep quality in married female nurses.
Well-Being at Work: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Portuguese Nutritionists
Authors: Akutsu Rita de Cássia , Rocha Ada , Viana Victor , Akutsu Luiz , Silva Izabel Cristina , Botelho Raquel Braz Assunção , Han Heesup , Raposo António , Ariza-Montes Antonio , Araya-Castillo Luis , Zandonadi Renata Puppin
Published: July 2021

This exploratory, nationwide cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the well-being of Portuguese nutritionists, in addition to outlining their professional and demographic profile. Descriptive analyses were carried out to determine the measures relating to centralising tendency and dispersion of the sample. We compared means and proportions through t-tests and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The sample size was 206 individuals, respecting a minimum of eight respondents per item to validate the instrument. We recruited Nutritionists from Portugal nationwide using the list of electronic mail provided by the Order of Nutritionists. We sent an electronic mail to all the Nutritionists registered in this Order. We also used messaging applications and social networks (Instagram, Facebook) to reach Nutritionists who were not accessing electronic mail. Most respondents are women (92.5%), young (mean age = 31.4 ± 8.07 years; 54.2% of participants aging under 30 years), single, and with no children. More than half are Catholic (73.8%) and have less than ten years of nutritionist undergraduate completion (55.4%). The only variable that influences well-being at work is the economic variable Household Monthly Income. Those who earn less than €500.00 per month perceive themselves at a lesser state of work well-being than those who earn from €2501.00 to €5000.00 per month.
Effectiveness of Community Nutrition-Specific Interventions on Improving Malnutrition of Children under 5 Years of Age in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ghodsi Delaram , Omidvar Nasrin , Nikooyeh Bahareh , Roustaee Roshanak , Shakibazadeh Elham , Al-Jawaldeh Ayoub
Published: July 2021

Childhood malnutrition remains an important public health and development problem in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to systematically review the community-based nutrition-specific interventions and their effectiveness and/or cost-effectiveness on the nutritional status of children under 5 years of age in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). A systematic literature search of the English electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Knowledge, Ovid, EMBASE, as well as Persian databases (SID and Magiran) was performed up to May 2019. Studies regarding the effectiveness/cost-effectiveness of the community-based nutrition-specific programs and interventions targeted at under-five-year children in EMR countries were selected. The primary outcomes were mean of Weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), Height-for-Age z-score (HAZ), and Weight-for-Height z-score (WHZ) of children or prevalence of wasting, stunting, and/or underweight among the children. Meta-analysis was also performed on the selected articles and intervention effects (mean differences) were calculated for each outcome for each study and pooled using a weighted random effects model. Risk of bias (ROB) of each included study was assessed based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020172643). Of 1036 identified studies, eight met the inclusion criteria. Amongst these, seven were from Pakistan and one from Iran. Only one study conducted in Pakistan reported the cost-effectiveness of nutrition-specific interventions in the region. Nutrition education/consultation and cash-based interventions were the most common nutrition-specific strategies used for management of child malnutrition in the EMR countries. Out of these eight studies, four were included in the meta-analysis. When different interventions were pooled, they had resulted in a significant improvement in WHZ of children (MD: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.46, three studies, I2 82.40%). Considering the high prevalence of child malnutrition in a number of countries in the region, capacity building and investigation regarding the implementation of new approaches to improve nutritional status of children and their effect(s) and cost-effectiveness assessment are highly recommended.
Effects of Cognitive/Exercise Dual-Task Program on the Cognitive Function, Health Status, Depression, and Life Satisfaction of the Elderly Living in the Community
Authors: Sok Sohyune , Shin Eunyoung , Kim Seyoon , Kim Myeongshin
Published: July 2021

The elderly population in Korea is rapidly increasing. It is necessary to develop multi-faceted and complex interventions for prevention and delay of dementia, balance improvement, and physical activity, among the elderly living in the community. This study aimed to examine the effects of the cognitive/exercise dual-task program on cognitive function, health status, depression, and life satisfaction of the elderly living in the community. A quasi-experimental study design using a pretest-posttest control group was employed. The study included a total of 65 elderly participants (intervention: n = 32, control: n = 33) in Seoul, South Korea. The cognitive/exercise dual-task program as an intervention was composed of 20 sessions for a total of 10 weeks, held twice a week for about 50 min each session. Measures were general characteristics of study participants, the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K), Korean elderly health status assessment tool, Korean version of Geriatric Depression Scale, and the elderly life satisfaction scale. Data were collected from October 2020 to March 2021. There were statistically significant differences on cognitive function, health status, depression, and life satisfaction between two groups. The cognitive/exercise dual-task program was an effective intervention for improving cognitive function, health status, and life satisfaction, and for decreasing depression of the elderly living in the community. Health care providers need to pay attention to cognitive/exercise dual-task programs for elderly living in the community.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Mental Health Status of Saudi Citizens Living Abroad
Authors: Behisi Marwah Ahmed , Altaweel Hussain M. , Gassas Reham F. , Aldehaiman Mansour , Alkhamees Abdulmajeed A.
Published: July 2021

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis associated with unprecedented levels of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has been suggested to contribute to a great burden on global mental health. We assumed that individuals in quarantine outside their home country would be more vulnerable to developing mental health disorders during the current pandemic and might face difficulties in accessing mental health services. Aim: To explore the degree of association between the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health status of Saudi citizens living abroad. Objectives: (1) To measure the prevalence and risk factors of mental health problems among Saudi citizens studying and living abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) to assess the correlation between the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health status of Saudi citizens living abroad; and (3) to explore the level of anxiety/depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from August 2020 to September 2020 using a self-administrated questionnaire composed of sociodemographic, (GAD-7) and (PHQ-9) scales. Results: A total of 64% of participants experienced psychiatric symptoms during the pandemic, and 34% and 30% met the diagnostic criteria for symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively. The risk of psychological symptoms was more likely experienced by females, young, single, or divorced, or those who were living alone. In addition, those who lived in the UK and Ireland were more likely to develop depressive and anxiety symptoms. More than 80% appreciated the response of the Saudi government and embassy to meet the MH needs of students undergoing quarantine abroad and in Saudi Arabia. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedented threat to global mental health. Two-thirds of study participants who were in foreign countries during the COVID-19 pandemic reported anxiety or depressive symptoms. Living away from family and friends was significantly associated with increased loneliness and psychological distress. These and other findings highlight the need to remove barriers preventing easily accessible online mental health services, social and family support, and timely provision of resources.
Family Recovery Interventions with Families of Mental Health Service Users: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Norton Michael John , Cuskelly Kerry
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Recovery has become a catalyst for much organisational and cultural change within mental health services. Recovery involves the service user living the best life of their choice despite the presence of mental health challenges. In contrast, recovery of families remains under-developed with minimal attention given to the unique support families may require in their own recovery journeys. This paper aims to place focus on the topic through a systematic review of the literature into family recovery interventions in mental health; Method and Analysis: A PRISMA compliant systematic review was initiated. It included how the reviewers retrieved and selected studies for the systematic review. It outlined the inclusion/exclusion criteria and how these were further developed through the PICO framework. It also outlined how the reviewers assessed issues of bias and quality, as well as the process of data synthesis; Results: Three studies were included in this review. Each focusing on family recovery interventions across the lifespan: Kidstime to family toolkits to family psychoeducation. The benefits and challenges of each intervention to the family were synthesised along with a list of four family recovery enablers that are vital for the implementation of such family recovery interventions; Discussion/Implications for Practice: The results highlight the paucity of quality literature available for family recovery interventions. All three studies scored poorly in terms of quality, with one particular study (Nagi and Davies 2015) lacking quotations from participants to back up their claims. From this study, a number of actions need to be implemented, specifically around the enablers needed to allow for family recovery interventions to be fully implemented.
The NUPHAC-EU Framework for Nurses’ Role in Interprofessional Pharmaceutical Care: Cross-Sectional Evaluation in Europe
Authors: De Baetselier Elyne , Van Rompaey Bart , Dijkstra Nienke E. , Sino Carolien G. , Akerman Kevin , Batalha Luis M. , Fernandez Maria I. D. , Filov Izabela , Grøndahl Vigdis A. , Heczkova Jana , Helgesen Ann Karin , Keeley Sarah , Kolovos Petros , Langer Gero , Ličen Sabina , Lillo-Crespo Manuel , Malara Alba , Padyšáková Hana , Prosen Mirko , Pusztai Dorina , Raposa Bence , Riquelme-Galindo Jorge , Rottková Jana , Talarico Francesco , Tziaferi Styliani , Dilles Tinne
Published: July 2021

Clear role descriptions promote the quality of interprofessional collaboration. Currently, it is unclear to what extent healthcare professionals consider pharmaceutical care (PC) activities to be nurses’ responsibility in order to obtain best care quality. This study aimed to create and evaluate a framework describing potential nursing tasks in PC and to investigate nurses’ level of responsibility. A framework of PC tasks and contextual factors was developed based on literature review and previous DeMoPhaC project results. Tasks and context were cross-sectionally evaluated using an online survey in 14 European countries. A total of 923 nurses, 240 physicians and 199 pharmacists responded. The majority would consider nurses responsible for tasks within: medication self-management (86–97%), patient education (85–96%), medication safety (83–95%), monitoring adherence (82–97%), care coordination (82–95%), and drug monitoring (78–96%). The most prevalent level of responsibility was ‘with shared responsibility’. Prescription management tasks were considered to be nurses’ responsibility by 48–81% of the professionals. All contextual factors were indicated as being relevant for nurses’ role in PC by at least 74% of the participants. No task nor contextual factor was removed from the framework after evaluation. This framework can be used to enable healthcare professionals to openly discuss allocation of specific (shared) responsibilities and tasks.
Personality Profile in Focal Hand Dystonia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Pérez-de-Heredia-Torres Marta , Huertas-Hoyas Elisabet , Trugeda-Pedrajo Nuria , Serrada-Tejeda Sergio , Gómez-Gil-Díaz-Río Alfonso , Martínez-Castrillo Juan C.
Published: July 2021

It has been suggested that focal hand dystonia (FHD) should be viewed as a neuropsychiatric disorder rather than as a pure movement disorder. We aimed to compare the personality factors that are common to people with FHD and evaluate how personality factors could affect the functionality of the upper limbs and community participation. We conducted a cross-sectional case–control study in which 12 people with FHD were matched with 12 age and gender matched healthy control participants. The Big Five Questionnaire; the Quick Disabilities, Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire; and the Jebsen–Taylor Test of Hand Function were used as assessment measures. Control of emotions was the only variable for which a significant difference was found, with participants with FHD displaying lesser control. Correlations were not observed between different personality profiles, the functionality of the upper limbs and the perceived participation of people with FHD in activities of daily living. People with FHD may present with low emotional stability, but this does not have a negative impact on the functionality of the upper limbs and activities of daily living. These findings have clinical implications to be considered for interventions, as they suggest that personality aspects, such as extraversion, may not predict for better functionality and perceived participation in activities of daily living.
Monetizing the Burden of Childhood Asthma Due to Traffic Related Air Pollution in the Contiguous United States in 2010
Authors: Farrukh Minaal , Khreis Haneen
Published: July 2021

Background: Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) refers to the wide range of air pollutants emitted by traffic that are dispersed into the ambient air. Emerging evidence shows that TRAP can increase asthma incidence in children. Living with asthma can carry a huge financial burden for individuals and families due to direct and indirect medical expenses, which can include costs of hospitalization, medical visits, medication, missed school days, and loss of wages from missed workdays for caregivers. Objective: The objective of this paper is to estimate the economic impact of childhood asthma incident cases attributable to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a common traffic-related air pollutant in urban areas, in the United States at the state level. Methods: We calculate the direct and indirect costs of childhood asthma incident cases attributable to NO2 using previously published burden of disease estimates and per person asthma cost estimates. By multiplying the per person indirect and direct costs for each state with the NO2-attributable asthma incident cases in each state, we were able to estimate the total cost of childhood asthma cases attributable to NO2 in the United States. Results: The cost calculation estimates the total direct and indirect annual cost of childhood asthma cases attributable to NO2 in the year 2010 to be $178,900,138.989 (95% CI: $101,019,728.20–$256,980,126.65). The state with the highest cost burden is California with $24,501,859.84 (95% CI: $10,020,182.62–$38,982,261.250), and the state with the lowest cost burden is Montana with $88,880.12 (95% CI: $33,491.06–$144,269.18). Conclusion: This study estimates the annual costs of childhood asthma incident cases attributable to NO2 and demonstrates the importance of conducting economic impacts studies of TRAP. It is important for policy-making institutions to focus on this problem by advocating and supporting more studies on TRAP’s impact on the national economy and health, including these economic impact estimates in the decision-making process, and devising mitigation strategies to reduce TRAP and the population’s exposure.
The Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Dental Care: An Integrative Literature Review
Authors: Song Jihee , Kim Jeong Nam , Tomar Scott , Wong Lauren N.
Published: July 2021

The goal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) is to increase access to health insurance and decrease health care cost while improving health care quality. With more articles examining the relationship between one of the ACA provisions and dental health outcomes, we systematically reviewed the effect of the ACA on dental care coverage and access to dental services. We searched literature using the National Library of Medicine’s Medline (PubMed) and Thomson Reuters’ Web of Science between January 2010 and November 2020. We identified 33 articles related to dental coverage, and access/utilization of dental care services. This systematic review of studies showed that the ACA resulted in gains in dental coverage for adults and children, whereas results were mixed with dental care access. Overall, we found that the policy led to a decrease in cost barriers, an increase in private dental coverage for young adults, and increased dental care use among low-income childless adults. The implementation of the ACA was not directly associated with dental insurance coverage among people in the U.S. However, results suggest positive spillover effects of the ACA on dental care coverage and utilization by people in the national level dataset.
Co-Creation Approach with Action-Oriented Research Methods to Strengthen “Krachtvoer”; A School-Based Programme to Enhance Healthy Nutrition in Adolescents
Authors: Driessen-Willems Marion D. , Bartelink Nina H. M. , Bessems Kathelijne M. H. H. , Kremers Stef P. J. , Kintzen Conny , van Assema Patricia
Published: July 2021

In recent years, the nutritional pattern of the Dutch adolescent has cautiously improved. However, progress can be gained if more Dutch adolescents adhere to the nutritional guidelines. School-based initiatives offer opportunities to deal with the unhealthy eating behaviours of adolescents via nutrition educational interventions. In designing and/or re-designing school-based interventions, it is important to enhance optimal context-oriented implementation adaptation by involving the complex adaptive school system. This paper elaborates on the way of dealing with the dynamic implementation context of the educational programme “Krachtvoer” (ENG: “Power food”) for prevocational schools, how the programme can be adapted to each unique implementation context, and how the programme can be progressively kept up to date. Following a co-creation-guided approach with various intersectoral stakeholders within and outside the school setting, action-oriented mixed research methods (i.e., observations, semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, programme usage monitoring, and questionnaires) constantly provide input to develop the programme and its implementation strategy via continuous micro-process cycles. Successful co-creation of school-based health promotion seems to be dependent on proper intersectoral cooperation between research and practice communities, a national partner network that can provide project-relevant insights and establish capacity building aimed at improving contextual fit, and a time-investment balance in and between sectors.
Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Related to Coffee Consumption in Korea? A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Observational Study
Authors: Kim Sang-Gyun , Kang Jong Woo , Jeong Seong Min , Song Gwan Gyu , Choi Sung Jae , Jung Jae Hyun
Published: July 2021

Coffee consumption is gradually increasing in Korea. As a result, interest in the relationship between coffee consumption and various diseases is growing. Several factors affect the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and coffee consumption may be related. We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2012–2016). A total of 12,465 eligible participants (4819 men and 7646 women) were included in the study. Participants with RA were defined as those who were diagnosed and currently being treated by physicians. Daily coffee consumption amounts were categorized as none, <1 cup, 1–2 cups, 2–3 cups, and ≥3 cups a day based on a self-report. A multivariable logistic regression model was employed, and we calculated the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the odds of participants having RA with respect to coffee consumption. Compared to the no-coffee group, the ORs for RA in the <1 cup and 1–2 cups groups were 2.99 (95% CI 0.33–27.28) and 2.63 (95% CI 0.31–22.63) in men, respectively, and the ORs for RA for women in the <1 cup, 1–2 cups, 2–3 cups, and ≥3 cups groups were 0.62 (95% CI 0.31–1.26), 0.67 (95% CI 0.33–1.37), 1.08 (95% CI 0.35–3.36), and 1.43 (95% CI 0.25–8.36), respectively. Our study concludes, therefore, that daily coffee consumption is not related to the prevalence of RA in the general Korean population.
Environmental Risk Assessment of Recycled Products of Spent Coppery Etchant in Jiangsu Province, China
Authors: Xu Xiaowei , Hua Jing , Zhang Houhu , Zhao Zehua , Wang Yi , Zhang Dapeng , Zhang Jun , Chen Xiaoxi
Published: July 2021

With the vigorous development of the 5G industry, the characteristic hazardous waste, spent coppery etchant, was also produced in large quantities. In recent years, there are many companies that have begun to collect spent coppery etchant for the purpose of producing recycled products, such as copper sulfate, copper oxide, basic copper chloride, and copper powder, which often contain large amounts of heavy metals. However, due to the lack of relevant standards and applicable regulatory measures, some of the recycled products flow to the feed processing industry and even to the food processing industry. This study investigated the pollution status of heavy metals in recycled products of spent coppery etchant and evaluated the impact of recycled products exposure on human health. The results showed that the content of Zn was the highest, which was 21 times higher than the corresponding standard limit. Human health risk assessment indicated that the hazard quotients of As account for 87.5% of the entire HI value, while the average carcinogenic risk values of As for copper sulfate, copper oxide, basic copper chloride, and copper powder are 1.09 × 10−5, 3.19 × 10−5, 1.29 × 10−5, 7.94 × 10−6, respectively. Meanwhile, suggestions on the supervision of recycled products and the concentration limits of heavy metals in recycled products were put forward.
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Big Data to Optimize COVID-19 Clinical Public Health and Vaccination Roll-Out Strategies in Africa
Authors: Mellado Bruce , Wu Jianhong , Kong Jude Dzevela , Bragazzi Nicola Luigi , Asgary Ali , Kawonga Mary , Choma Nalamotse , Hayasi Kentaro , Lieberman Benjamin , Mathaha Thuso , Mbada Mduduzi , Ruan Xifeng , Stevenson Finn , Orbinski James
Published: July 2021

COVID-19 is imposing massive health, social and economic costs. While many developed countries have started vaccinating, most African nations are waiting for vaccine stocks to be allocated and are using clinical public health (CPH) strategies to control the pandemic. The emergence of variants of concern (VOC), unequal access to the vaccine supply and locally specific logistical and vaccine delivery parameters, add complexity to national CPH strategies and amplify the urgent need for effective CPH policies. Big data and artificial intelligence machine learning techniques and collaborations can be instrumental in an accurate, timely, locally nuanced analysis of multiple data sources to inform CPH decision-making, vaccination strategies and their staged roll-out. The Africa-Canada Artificial Intelligence and Data Innovation Consortium (ACADIC) has been established to develop and employ machine learning techniques to design CPH strategies in Africa, which requires ongoing collaboration, testing and development to maximize the equity and effectiveness of COVID-19-related CPH interventions.
Impact of the MooN Physical Education Program on the Socio-Emotional Competencies of Preadolescents
Authors: Luna Pablo , Cejudo Javier , Piqueras José A. , Rodrigo-Ruiz Débora , Bajo Miriam , Pérez-González Juan-Carlos
Published: July 2021

Few studies have analyzed emotional educational experiences through physical education interventions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects on socio-emotional competencies of a physical education intervention (i.e., the MooN program) based on the instructional model known as the sports education model (SEM), compared to a physical education intervention based on the traditional model of direct instruction (TM-DI) in preadolescents. The sample consisted of 170 students between 10 and 13 years old (mean age: M = 10.76; standard deviation: SD = 0.73). Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (SEM; n = 87) and the active control group (TM-DI; n = 83). In the experimental group, the SEM-based intervention was applied, while in the active control group, an intervention based on the TM-DI was developed. A quasi-experimental design with repeated pre-test and post-test measures and an active control group was used. The self-efficacy inventory for multiple intelligences (IAMI-40) was used to assess the children’s socio-emotional competencies. The child perfectionism inventory was applied to evaluate the self-demand perfectionist efforts. The results confirmed that the MooN program (SEM intervention) promoted significant improvements in socio-emotional competencies. These findings support the potential of this physical education instructional model as an emotional education pathway for the socio-emotional improvement of preadolescent students.
Genomic Variability in the Survival Motor Neuron Genes (SMN1 and SMN2): Implications for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Phenotype and Therapeutics Development
Authors: Butchbach Matthew E. R.
Published: July 2021

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a leading genetic cause of infant death worldwide that is characterized by loss of spinal motor neurons leading to muscle weakness and atrophy. SMA results from the loss of survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene but retention of its paralog SMN2. The copy numbers of SMN1 and SMN2 are variable within the human population with SMN2 copy number inversely correlating with SMA severity. Current therapeutic options for SMA focus on increasing SMN2 expression and alternative splicing so as to increase the amount of SMN protein. Recent work has demonstrated that not all SMN2, or SMN1, genes are equivalent and there is a high degree of genomic heterogeneity with respect to the SMN genes. Because SMA is now an actionable disease with SMN2 being the primary target, it is imperative to have a comprehensive understanding of this genomic heterogeneity with respect to hybrid SMN1–SMN2 genes generated by gene conversion events as well as partial deletions of the SMN genes. This review will describe this genetic heterogeneity in SMA and its impact on disease phenotype as well as therapeutic efficacy.
Hepatic LKB1 Reduces the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via Genomic Androgen Receptor Signaling
Authors: Heo Jun H. , Lee Sang R. , Jo Seong Lae , Ko Je-Won , Kwon Hyo-Jung , Hong Eui-Ju
Published: July 2021

The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) increases in males aged >45 years, which indicates that androgens are associated with the development and/or progression of NAFLD, although excess dietary intake is the primary causative factor. However, it is uncertain how androgens are involved in the metabolic process of NAFLD, which is associated with the state of steatosis in hepatocytes. To investigate whether androgen receptor (AR) signaling influences NAFLD development, the state of steatosis was monitored in mouse livers and hepatocytes with or without androgens. As a result, hepatic lipid droplets, expression of AR, and phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) increased in the presence of testosterone. Concurrently, the expression of LKB1, an upstream regulator of AMPK, was increased by testosterone treatment. We observed that the fluctuation of AMPK-ACC signaling, which plays an important role in lipogenesis, depends on the presence of testosterone and AR. Additionally, we demonstrated that testosterone bound AR was recruited to the promoter of the LKB1 gene and induced LKB1 expression. Our study highlights a novel mechanism by which testosterone modulates NAFLD development by inducing the mRNA expression of LKB1.
Inflammatory Response in COVID-19 Patients Resulting from the Interaction of the Inflammasome and SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Cheon So Yeong , Koo Bon-Nyeo
Published: July 2021

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) began at the end of 2019. COVID-19 is caused by infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and patients with COVID-19 may exhibit poor clinical outcomes. Some patients with severe COVID-19 experience cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or a cytokine storm—elevated levels of hyperactivated immune cells—and circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. This severe inflammatory response can lead to organ damage/failure and even death. The inflammasome is an intracellular immune complex that is responsible for the secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 in various human diseases. Recently, there has been a growing number of studies revealing a link between the inflammasome and COVID-19. Therefore, this article summarizes the current literature regarding the inflammasome complex and COVID-19.
Arabidopsis OSMOTIN 34 Functions in the ABA Signaling Pathway and Is Regulated by Proteolysis
Authors: Park Eun-Joo , Kim Tae-Houn
Published: July 2021

Plants have evolutionarily established resistance responses to a variety of abiotic stress conditions, in which ABA mediates the integrated regulation of these stress responses. Numerous proteins function at the transcription level or at the protein level when contributing to controls of the ABA signaling process. Although osmotin is identified as a salt-inducible protein, its function in the abiotic stress response is yet to be elucidated. To examine the role of Arabidopsis OSMOTIN 34 (OSM34) in the ABA signaling pathway, a deletion mutant osm34 generated by a CRISPR/Cas9 system and the double mutant osm34 osml (osmotin 34-like) were analyzed for various ABA responses. Both osm34 and osm34 osml showed reduced levels of ABA responses in seeds and leaves. Moreover, proline level and expression of the proline biosynthesis gene P5CS1 was significantly reduced in osm34 osml. Interestingly, OSM34 binds to SKP2A, an F-Box protein whose transcription is induced by ABA. The protein stability of OSM34 was determined to be under the control of the 26S proteasome. In conclusion, our data suggest that OSM34 functions as a positive regulator in the generation of ABA responses and is under post-translational control.
ZmFAR1 and ZmABCG26 Regulated by microRNA Are Essential for Lipid Metabolism in Maize Anther
Authors: Jiang Yilin , Li Ziwen , Liu Xinze , Zhu Taotao , Xie Ke , Hou Quancan , Yan Tingwei , Niu Canfang , Zhang Shaowei , Yang Mengbing , Xie Rongrong , Wang Jing , Li Jinping , An Xueli , Wan Xiangyuan
Published: July 2021

The function and regulation of lipid metabolic genes are essential for plant male reproduction. However, expression regulation of lipid metabolic genic male sterility (GMS) genes by noncoding RNAs is largely unclear. Here, we systematically predicted the microRNA regulators of 34 maize white brown complex members in ATP-binding cassette transporter G subfamily (WBC/ABCG) genes using transcriptome analysis. Results indicate that the ZmABCG26 transcript was predicted to be targeted by zma-miR164h-5p, and their expression levels were negatively correlated in maize B73 and Oh43 genetic backgrounds based on both transcriptome data and qRT-PCR experiments. CRISPR/Cas9-induced gene mutagenesis was performed on ZmABCG26 and another lipid metabolic gene, ZmFAR1. DNA sequencing, phenotypic, and cytological observations demonstrated that both ZmABCG26 and ZmFAR1 are GMS genes in maize. Notably, ZmABCG26 proteins are localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), chloroplast/plastid, and plasma membrane. Furthermore, ZmFAR1 shows catalytic activities to three CoA substrates in vitro with the activity order of C12:0-CoA > C16:0-CoA > C18:0-CoA, and its four key amino acid sites were critical to its catalytic activities. Lipidomics analysis revealed decreased cutin amounts and increased wax contents in anthers of both zmabcg26 and zmfar1 GMS mutants. A more detailed analysis exhibited differential changes in 54 monomer contents between wild type and mutants, as well as between zmabcg26 and zmfar1. These findings will promote a deeper understanding of miRNA-regulated lipid metabolic genes and the functional diversity of lipid metabolic genes, contributing to lipid biosynthesis in maize anthers. Additionally, cosegregating molecular markers for ZmABCG26 and ZmFAR1 were developed to facilitate the breeding of male sterile lines.