bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hereditary Ovarian Cancer: Towards a Cost-Effective Prevention Strategy
Authors: Ghose Aruni , Bolina Anita , Mahajan Ishika , Raza Syed Ahmer , Clarke Miranda , Pal Abhinanda , Sanchez Elisabet , Rallis Kathrine Sofia , Boussios Stergios
Published: September 2022

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal gynaecological malignancy. The search for a widely affordable and accessible screening strategy to reduce mortality from OC is still ongoing. This coupled with the late-stage presentation and poor prognosis harbours significant health-economic implications. OC is also the most heritable of all cancers, with an estimated 25% of cases having a hereditary predisposition. Advancements in technology have detected multiple mutations, with the majority affecting the BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 genes. Women with BRCA mutations are at a significantly increased lifetime risk of developing OC, often presenting with a high-grade serous pathology, which is associated with higher mortality due to its aggressive characteristic. Therefore, a targeted, cost-effective approach to prevention is paramount to improve clinical outcomes and mortality. Current guidelines offer multiple preventive strategies for individuals with hereditary OC (HOC), including genetic counselling to identify the high-risk women and risk-reducing interventions (RRI), such as surgical management or chemoprophylaxis through contraceptive medications. Evidence for sporadic OC is abundant as compared to the existing dearth in the hereditary subgroup. Hence, our review article narrates an overview of HOC and explores the RRI developed over the years. It attempts to compare the cost effectiveness of these strategies with women of the general population in order to answer the crucial question: what is the most prudent clinically and economically effective strategy for prevention amongst high-risk women?
The Effect of Perceived Stress, Family Companionship, and Mental Health on the Subjective Happiness of Chinese Healthcare Workers: A Mixed Research Method
Authors: Feng Danni , Wang Quan , Huang Sufang , Lang Xiaorong , Ding Fengfei , Wang Wei
Published: September 2022

Aim: This study aimed to understand the impact of perceived stress on the subjective happiness of Chinese healthcare workers (HCWs) and to further explore the chain-mediating role of family companionship and mental health. Background: In the face of tense doctor–patient relationships; a heavy workload; long working hours; seemingly endless shifts; potential professional title promotions; work performance assessments; and the difficult balance between family, work, and other aspects of life, HCWs are often under great pressure, which can endanger mental health and reduce subjective happiness. However, the role of healthcare workers’ active participation in family companionship in mental health and subjective happiness is not clear. Method: We used a mixed research design to collect data in two locations (Hospital A and Hospital B) in Wuhan, China. A self-distributed questionnaire was assigned to HCWs through the Research Electronic Data Capture survey. A total of 368 valid surveys were obtained. Results: Hospital A’s perceived stress level and mental health problems were more severe, while Hospital B had a higher subjective happiness score and more time to spend with their families. Subjective happiness was affected by children, education, occupation, health status, commuting time, and the scores of perceived stress and depression. The scores of perceived stress and mental health were significantly negatively associated with subjective happiness and family companionship, and there was a significant positive correlation between subjective happiness and family companionship. The results also showed that family companionship and mental health acted as serial mediators between perceived stress and subjective happiness. However, family companionship did not play a mediating role between perceived stress and subjective happiness. Most HCWs had work–family conflicts, and a high amount of work pressure and feelings of powerlessness and not having sufficient time were common when they accompanied their families. Conclusions: HCWs had a high level of perceived stress and psychological distress, and their subjective happiness score was lower than that of the general population. Many HCWs experienced negative emotions when taking care of their families. Only a small number of people had enough time to spend time with their families and perform more prominently in busier hospitals. More importantly, perceived stress can indirectly have an impact on subjective happiness through a chain-mediating effect of family companionship and mental health, and family companionship may not always promote subjective happiness unless mental health is maintained. Therefore, in the future, we can consider carrying out interventions based on family companionship and mental health among HCWs to promote the healthy and harmonious development of individuals, families, and hospitals.
Evidence-Based Nursing Practices for the Prevention of Newborn Procedural Pain in Neonatal Intensive Therapy—An Exploratory Study
Authors: Popowicz Hanna , Kwiecień-Jaguś Katarzyna , Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska Wioletta , Kopeć Monika , Dyk Danuta
Published: September 2022

Background: Due to the progress in neonatology, in particular, in the past three decades, the mortality rate among patients of intensive care units has decreased. However, this is connected not only with newborns needing to stay longer in the unit, but also with the exposure of newborns to many painful procedures and stresses. Lack of or insufficient pain prevention has a negative impact on the sensory or locomotor development of newborns. Despite the presence of guidelines based on scientific evidence, the use of pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain-management methods in newborns is still insufficient. Aim: The aim of the study was to: identify the knowledge nurses/midwives have of recommended non-pharmacological and/or pharmacological methods, in particular, in relation to medical intervention procedures; assess the interventions for pain relief applied by midwives/nurses most often in their clinical practice; examine the role of age, general work experience, education level and years of work of medical professionals on a neonatal ward, as well as the referral level of a unit, versus the application of pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. Methods: A descriptive and quantitative study conducted in 2019 among Polish nurses/midwives working at neonatal intensive care units. Results: The analysis of the material reflected the deficit of knowledge and the insufficient daily use of recommended pain-relief measures among the respondents. Conclusions: The interpretation of data indicates that despite the clear and easily available recommendations of scientific societies concerning the mode of conduct in particular medical procedures, medical personnel do not apply those recommendations in their everyday practice. It is necessary to plan and implement education strategies for nurses/midwives on standard pain-management interventions during painful medical procedures.
A Cross-Sectional Survey of National Chinese College Students’ Mental Status during COVID-19 Pandemic: Using a Compiled Stress Response Questionnaire
Authors: Guo Ying , Zhang Hongyu , Xie Yufei , Tian Xin , Luo Na , Zhang Yan
Published: September 2022

As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread, local governments in China adopted severe lockdown measures to control the pandemic. People were restricted from traveling for leisure, business, education, and medical treatment. Changes were observed in people’s psychological states as a result of COVID-19. This study aimed to construct a Stress Response Questionnaire based on the stress response theory for use with college students, to access their authentic mental health conditions and provide psychological intervention suggestions and countermeasures for the emergency plan formulated by the education department. The questionnaire was used to collect responses from a sample of 16,353 college students from 34 provinces in China. The results showed that anxiety levels varied by sex, current location, and pandemic region, each of which predicted different levels of emotional disturbance. Thus, we highly recommend that the Chinese college administration implement appropriate intervention programs and procedures to help college students maintain their mental health.
Videogaming Frequency and Executive Skills in Young Adults
Authors: Peracchia Sara , D’Aurizio Giulia , Curcio Giuseppe
Published: September 2022

Many studies have shown that “action” videogames (VG) training can improve various cognitive aspects (such as attention, enumeration skill, problem solving, vigilance, inhibitory control and decision making). Unfortunately, independently by VG genre, little research has been conducted on the relevance of videogaming frequency to modulate cognitive performance. In the present study, we investigated the differences between two groups of young adults (Experienced Gamers and Casual Gamers, respectively, EGs and CGs) in some attentional and executive abilities. To this end, 19 EGs (age 23.21 ± 1.68 years; gaming frequency 46.42 ± 11.15 h/week) and 19 CGs (age 23.10 ± 2.28 years; gaming frequency 1.31 ± 1.76 h/week) were selected and asked to complete a computer-based and customized version of an executive battery (i.e., Attention Network Task, Game of Dice task, Go/NoGo task and Task Switching). The results showed better basic attentional abilities and alertness level (i.e., as indicated by faster reaction times (RTs) and greater accuracy) in EGs compared to CGs. Moreover, EGs showed a more efficient decision making than CGs, particularly evident in risky decisions. Taken together, such results show that an executive functioning improvement can be observed as a consequence of continuous and constant exposure to VG, independently by the specific genre played. These data can be a useful starting point to develop new and innovative executive training protocols, based and inspired to videogames to be applied in clinical populations suffering, for example, from dysexecutive impairment.
Time to Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus among Korean Adults with Hyperglycemia: Using a Community-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Jeong Ihn-Sook , Kang Chan-Mi
Published: September 2022

Objectives: To identify the time from hyperglycemia to diabetes mellitus (DM) diagnosis and treatment, the risk factors for diabetes development, and the prevalence of comorbidities/complications in patients > 40 years of age. Methods: This secondary data analysis study used data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. The participants comprised 186 patients who did not have diabetes at baseline, but developed hyperglycemia at the first follow-up. The average and median periods until DM diagnosis and treatment were calculated using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Results: Of the 186 participants, 57.0% were men and 35.5% were 40–49 years old. The average time to DM diagnosis and treatment was 10.87 years and 11.34 years, respectively. The risk factors for the duration of DM were current smoking, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood sugar (FBS), and postprandial 2-hour glucose (PP2). The risk factors for the duration of diabetes treatment were current smoking, hypertension, BMI, FBS, and PP2. The development of one or more comorbidities or diabetes complications was identified at the time of DM diagnosis (36.5%) and DM treatment (41.4%). Conclusions: As diabetes complications occur at the time of DM, and early treatment can impact the development of diabetes complications or mortality, it is necessary to establish a referral program so that participants presenting with high blood sugar levels in the screening program can be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.
Digital Health to Strengthen District-Based Public–Private Mix Tuberculosis Control in Purwakarta District, Indonesia: A Qualitative Research
Authors: Paskaria Cindra , Sunjaya Deni Kurniadi , Parwati Ida , Bestari Muhammad Begawan
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to explore the problem that occurs in district-based public–private mix tuberculosis (DPPM TB) in the Purwakarta district, and how digital health can help overcome this problem. This study used a qualitative research design. By purposive sampling, 46 informants were selected to be interviewed and 9 informants participated in focus group discussion. Data were collected during January to November 2020 and analyzed using the content analysis technique. Trustworthiness is obtained through the triangulation method and peer debriefing. The problems identified in public and private partnership were the lack of communication and awareness, the under-reporting of TB cases in the private health sector, and the limitation of the existing information system. Communication is important in delivering information about a tuberculosis program, patient referrals, and contact investigation; therefore, digital health is considered as a potential strategy to facilitate that. Digital health must consider ethical issues, avoid redundancy, be user-friendly, and include intervention packages. We conclude that the lack of communication between the public and the private health sectors in TB control was a major problem in DPPM TB. Digital health is needed to ensure the flow of information and communication between the public and the private health sectors.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Therapeutic Continuity among Outpatients with Chronic Cardiovascular Therapies
Authors: Casula Manuela , Galimberti Federica , Iommi Marica , Olmastroni Elena , Rosa Simona , Altini Mattia , Catapano Alberico L. , Tragni Elena , Poluzzi Elisabetta
Published: September 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic poses major challenges to healthcare systems. We aimed to investigate the impact of the pandemic on prescription and adherence patterns of chronic cardiovascular therapies (lipid-lowering [LL], oral antidiabetic drugs [AD], and antihypertensives [AH]) using administrative pharmaceutical databases. For each treatment, two cohorts of prevalent cases in 2019 and 2020 were compared. We evaluated the percentage change in dispensed packages and treatment adherence as a proportion of days covered (PDC). For all therapies, an increase was observed during March–April 2020 (LL: +4.52%; AD: +2.72%; AH: +1.09%), with a sharp decrease in May–June 2020 (LL: −8.40%; AD: −12.09%; AH: −10.54%) compared to 2019. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on chronic cardiovascular treatments appears negligible on adherence: 533,414 patients showed high adherence to LL (PDC ≥ 80%) in January–February 2020, and 2.29% became poorly adherent (PDC < 20%) in the following four-month period (vs. 1.98% in 2019). A similar increase was also observed for AH (1.25% with poor adherence in 2020 vs. 0.93% in 2019). For AD, the increase was restrained (1.55% with poor adherence in 2020 vs. 1.37% in 2019). The rush to supply drugs at the beginning of lockdown preserved the continuity of chronic cardiovascular therapies.
Depressive Symptoms and Ageism among Nursing Home Residents: The Role of Social Support
Authors: Xu Dongjuan , Wang Yaqi , Li Ming , Zhao Meng , Yang Zhenhua , Wang Kefang
Published: September 2022

(1) Background: Ageism refers to the stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination against older individuals or groups based on their age. This study investigates the modifying role of social support in the relationship between depressive symptoms and ageism in China; (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 21 nursing homes in Jinan from March to June in 2019. The data were analyzed through a multilevel mixed-effects generalized linear model; (3) The analysis showed that older adults in nursing homes experienced moderate levels of ageism. There were significant interaction effects between depressive symptoms and social support on overall ageism and objective ageism after controlling for covariates (p < 0.05). As the level of social support increased, the predicted ageism greatly reduced among older adults without depressive symptoms when compared to those with depressive symptoms; (4) Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of identifying strategies to enhance social support and reduce depressive symptoms for nursing home residents. Having positive attitudes toward aging and overcoming negative age-related stereotypes may benefit older adults’ physical and mental health, well-being, and help to promote an age-friendly society.
Association between Grief and Somatic Complaints in Bereaved University and College Students
Authors: Sillis Lauren , Claes Laurence , Andriessen Karl
Published: September 2022

Many emerging adults experience the death of a loved one while they are enrolled as a student in higher education. Bereavement increases the risk of long-term adverse physical and mental health outcomes. Still, as most studies have focused on psychological aspects of grief, little is known about the impact of grief on somatic complaints in students, leaving them vulnerable to health deteriorations. This study aimed to address this gap, and we hypothesized that there is a positive association between grief and somatic complaints in bereaved students. Participants (N = 688) were students enrolled at Flemish universities and colleges in Belgium. Participants filled out an online survey with sociodemographic questions, two scales assessing grief, and somatic grief reactions, and two additional questions inquiring whether participants had experienced other somatic reactions, and whether they had taken any steps to remedy their somatic complaints. Regression analyses revealed that less social support, type of relationship (first-degree relative), and the level of grief were positively associated with somatic complaints, and bereaved students reported various complaints such as feeling pain and strains, thus confirming the hypothesis. As bereaved students may be reluctant to seek support for somatic complaints, the findings indicate that information and psychoeducation for bereaved students and their social environment must address somatic grief reactions and encourage timely help seeking. In addition, staff members at psychosocial and medical services for students should be trained to recognize somatic as well as psychological grief reactions. Appropriately skilled, they can inquire about such complaints and provide adequate support to prevent long-term health ramifications.
Evaluating the Effects of Social Capital, Self-Stigma, and Social Identity in Predicting Behavioral Intentions of Agricultural Producers to Seek Mental Health Assistance
Authors: Baker Carrie N. , Strong Robert , McCord Carly , Redwine Tobin
Published: September 2022

Mental illness significantly impacts agricultural producers, whose occupation puts them at increased risk for compromised mental health and related disorders. Help-seeking intention, which can be mediated by variables such as social identity, social capital, and self-stigma, can lead to improved mental health outcomes. This cross-sectional study aimed to describe the intention of agricultural producers to seek mental health assistance and determine whether these three variables are associated with help-seeking intention. Researchers administered a cross-sectional survey of agricultural producers from two regions in 32 Texas counties. Researchers surveyed a sample of Texas agricultural producers (n = 429) to understand their social identity, social capital, and degree of self-stigma, and their intent to seek help for personal or emotional problems and for suicide ideation. Researchers identified a relationship between social identity and social capital, which indicated that social identity is moderately associated with greater levels of social capital. The multiple linear regression analyses confirmed that social capital and self-stigma are significant predictors of producers’ help-seeking intention for both help-seeking types. These results signify the importance of efforts to increase social capital, increase mental health literacy and tailor training to address self-stigma and enhance positive help-seeking behavior among agricultural producers.
Review of Research on Road Traffic Operation Risk Prevention and Control
Authors: Ma Yongji , Xu Jinliang , Gao Chao , Mu Minghao , E Guangxun , Gu Chenwei
Published: September 2022

Road traffic safety can be ensured by preventing and controlling the potential risks in road traffic operations. The relevant literature was systematically reviewed to identify the research context and status quo in the road traffic operation risk prevention and control field and identify the key study contents needing further research. As research material, the related English and Chinese literature published between 1996 and 2021 (as of 31st December 2021) was obtained through the Web of Science Core Collection and Chinese Science Citation Database. These research materials include 22,403 English and 7876 Chinese papers. Based on the bibliometrics, this study used CiteSpace software to conduct keyword co-occurrence analysis in the field. The results show that the relevant research topics mainly covered the risks of drivers, vehicles, roads, and the traffic environment. In the aspect of driver risks, the studies focused on driving behavior characteristics. In terms of vehicle risks, the related studies were mainly about the vehicle control system, driving assistance system, hazardous material transportation, automated driving technology, safe driving speed, and vehicle collision prediction. For the road risks, the safe driving guarantee of high-risk road sections, driving risks at intersections, and safe road alignment design were the three study hotspots. In terms of traffic environment risks, identifying traffic risk locations and driving safety guarantees under adverse weather conditions were the two main research highlights. Moreover, mathematical modeling was the main method for studying road traffic operation risk. Furthermore, the impact of environmental factors on drivers, the emergency rescue system for road traffic accidents, the connection between automated driving technology and safe driving theory, and the man–machine hybrid traffic flow characteristics are the subjects needing further research.
Projections in Various Scenarios and the Impact of Economy, Population, and Technology for Regional Emission Peak and Carbon Neutrality in China
Authors: Wang Song , Wang Yixiao , Zhou Chenxin , Wang Xueli
Published: September 2022

Owing to the surge in greenhouse gas emissions, climate change is attracting increasing attention worldwide. As the world’s largest carbon emitter, the achievement of emission peak and carbon neutrality by China is seen as a milestone in the global response to the threat. By setting different “emission peak” and “carbon neutrality” paths, this study compares the different pathways taken by China towards regional emission reduction to illustrate China’s possible contribution to global emission reduction, and analyzes the role that China’s economy, population, and technology need to play in this process through the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology model. In terms of path setting, based on actual carbon emissions in various regions from 2000 to 2019 and grid data on land use from 2000 to 2020, the model simulates three emission peak paths to 2030 and two carbon neutrality paths to 2060, thus setting six possible carbon emission trends from 2000 to 2060 in different regions. It is found that the higher the unity of policy objectives at the emission peak stage, the lower the heterogeneity of the inter-regional carbon emission trends. In the carbon neutrality stage, the carbon emissions in the unconstrained symmetrical extension decline state scenario causes the greatest environmental harm. Certain regions must shoulder heavier responsibilities in the realization of carbon neutrality. The economic development level can lead to a rise in carbon emissions at the emission peak stage and inhibit it at the carbon neutrality stage. Furthermore, the dual effects of population scale and its quality level will increase carbon emissions at the emission peak stage and decrease it at the carbon neutrality stage. There will be a time lag between the output of science and technology innovation and its industrialization, while green innovation is a key factor in carbon neutrality. Based on the results, this study puts forward policy suggestions from a macro perspective to better realize China’s carbon emission goals.
Craniofacial Growth and Asymmetry in Newborns: A Longitudinal 3D Assessment
Authors: Lo Ai-Lun , Hallac Rami R. , Chen Shih-Heng , Hsu Kai-Hsiang , Wang Sheng-Wei , Chen Chih-Hao , Lien Rei-Yin , Lo Lun-Jou , Chou Pang-Yun
Published: September 2022

Objective: To evaluate the development of the craniofacial region in healthy infants and analyze the asymmetry pattern in the first year of life. Methods: The participants were grouped by sex and age (1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months) to receive three-dimensional (3D) photographs. Stereoscopic craniofacial photos were captured and transformed into a series of craniofacial meshes in each group. The growth patterns of the anthropometric indices and the degree of craniofacial asymmetry were measured, and average craniofacial meshes and color-asymmetry maps with craniofacial asymmetry scores were calculated. Results: A total of 373 photographs from 66 infants were obtained. In both genders, the highest and lowest growth rates for all anthropometric indices were noted between 1 and 2 months and between 9 and 12 months, respectively. Overall, male infants had higher anthropometric indices, head volume, and head circumference than female infants. The craniofacial asymmetry score was presented with a descending pattern from 1 to 12 months of age in both sex groups. Both sex groups showed decreased left-sided laterality in the temporal-parietal-occipital region between 1 and 4 months of age and increased right frontal-temporal prominence between 6 and 12 months of age. Conclusions: A longitudinal evaluation of the craniofacial growth of healthy infants during their first year of life was presented.
Associations of Problematic Internet Use, Weight-Related Self-Stigma, and Nomophobia with Physical Activity: Findings from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Malaysia
Authors: Liu Wei , Chen Jung-Sheng , Gan Wan Ying , Poon Wai Chuen , Tung Serene En Hui , Lee Ling Jun , Xu Ping , Chen I-Hua , Griffiths Mark D. , Lin Chung-Ying
Published: September 2022

Insufficient physical activity is a common problem for university students because they may engage in sedentary lifestyle owing to excessive time spent on their smartphones and social media use. This may result in problematic internet use (PIU) and nomophobia (fear of not having a mobile phone). Moreover, prior evidence shows that weight-related self-stigma is an important factor contributing to low physical activity. Therefore, the present study examined the associations between PIU, nomophobia, and physical activity among university students across mainland China, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Participants (3135 mainland Chinese, 600 Taiwanese, and 622 Malaysian) completed the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS), Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMPQ), Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The measurement invariance of the assessed questionnaires was supported across the three regions. The present findings analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling showed that (i) greater nomophobia was associated with higher levels of physical activity, (ii) greater weight-related self-stigma was associated with higher levels of physical activity, and (iii) greater nomophobia was associated with greater weight-related self-stigma. Although the present findings suggest the possibility that experiencing some level of nomophobia or weight-related self-stigma appears to help improve physical activity, it is not recommended that these be encouraged, but reducing PIU should be targeted as a means to improve physical activity.
Effects of Regular Water Replenishment on Enzyme Activities and Fungal Metabolic Function of Sheep Manure Composting on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Cai Rui , Cui Xinyu , Zhang Shuai , Xu Chuncheng
Published: September 2022

The dry climate characteristics of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau will seriously affect microbial metabolism during composting. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of regular water supplementation on the fungal and enzymatic activities of sheep manure composting in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. The experiment set up the treatments of water replenishment once every 7 days(T2) and 3.5 days (T3) days, and no water supplementation was used as the control (T1). The results showed that regular water supplementation increased the activities of various enzymes during composting, and the activities of protease, cellulase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase in T3 were higher than those in T2. Regular water supplementation increased the relative abundance of Remersonia and Mycothermus, which were significantly positively correlated with the germination index, and degradation of organic components. Regular water supplementation could enrich fungi carbohydrate, protein, and nucleotide metabolisms, and T3 had a better effect. A redundancy analysis showed that environmental factors could significantly affect the fungal community; among them, moisture content (76.9%, p = 0.002) was the greatest contributor. In conclusion, regular water supplementation can improve the key enzyme activities and fungal metabolic function of sheep manure composting, and water replenishment once every 3.5 days had the best effect.
Emotional State of Young Men in Relation to Problematic Internet Use
Authors: Tomska Natalia , Rył Aleksandra , Turoń-Skrzypińska Agnieszka , Szylińska Aleksandra , Marcinkowska Julia , Durys Damian , Rotter Iwona
Published: September 2022

The Internet has become an indispensable tool in communication, business, entertainment, and obtaining information. Behavioral addictions are disorders associated with uncontrolled activity feeding the reward system, motivation, and memory. The purpose of this study was to assess the emotional state in terms of problematic Internet use. The survey was conducted in 2020–2021 in the West Pomeranian region of Poland and involved 500 men aged 18–30 (24.82 ± 3.83). The study was conducted using our own original questionnaire regarding the amount of time spent playing computer games during the weekdays and on days off; the type of school/university; financial situation; as well as the manner, purpose, and degree of Internet use. Other questionnaires were also used, i.e., Beck Depression Inventory, Internet Use Test, GAD-7 Generalized Anxiety Assessment Questionnaire, and Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Problematic use of the Internet may result in the occurrence of anxiety, anger, hostility or depression. Longer duration of Internet activity was correlated to higher scores on the Internet Use Test degree of problematic Internet use. There was a correlation between the severity of mild depression symptoms and the occurrence of anxiety, verbal and physical aggression, and problematic Internet use.
Short Communication: Enterotoxin Genes and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Bacillus cereus Isolated from Garlic Chives and Agricultural Environment
Authors: Jung Jieun , Jin Hyeonsuk , Seo Seungmi , Jeong Myeongin , Kim Boeun , Ryu Kyoungyul , Oh Kwangkyo
Published: September 2022

This study aims to investigate the enterotoxin profiles and antibiotic susceptibility of Bacillus cereus isolated from garlic chives and environmental samples. A total of 103 B. cereus isolates were used to identify enterotoxin genes, including hblA, hblC, hblD, nheA, nheB, and nheC. The hemolysin BL enterotoxin complex (hblACD) was detected in 38 isolates (36.9%), and the non-hemolytic enterotoxin complex (nheABC) was detected in 8 (7.8%) isolates. Forty-five isolates (43.7%) had hblACD and nheABC genes. B. cereus was resistant to β-lactam antibiotics and susceptible to non-β-lactam antibiotics. However, some B. cereus strains showed intermediate resistance to β-lactam and non-β-lactam antibiotics. B. cereus isolated from garlic chives showed intermediate resistance to cefotaxime (7.7%), rifampin (15.4%), clindamycin (30.8%), erythromycin (7.7%), and tetracycline (7.7%). B. cereus isolates from the agricultural environment were moderately resistant to cefotaxime (18.9%), rifampin (15.6%), clindamycin (12.2%), erythromycin (4.4%), and tetracycline (5.6%). Moreover, B. cereus isolates from garlic chives and cultivation environments could change their antibiotic resistance profile from susceptible to intermediate-resistant to rifampin, clindamycin, erythromycin, and tetracycline and exhibit multidrug resistance. These results indicate that continuous monitoring of B. cereus contamination in the produce and agricultural environment might be needed to ensure the safety of consuming fresh vegetables.
Premature Primary Tooth Loss and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Preschool Children
Authors: Gomes Monalisa Cesarino , Perazzo Matheus França , Neves Érick Tássio Barbosa , Siqueira Maria Betânia Lins Dantas , Paiva Saul Martins , Granville-Garcia Ana Flávia
Published: September 2022

The present study aimed to evaluate the association between premature primary tooth loss and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in preschool children. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 769 5-year-old preschool children. The children and their parents or guardians answered the Brazilian version of the Scale of Oral Health Outcomes for 5-Year-Old Children for the assessment of OHRQoL. Meanwhile, clinical examinations were performed for the assessment of premature primary tooth loss. Unadjusted and adjusted multilevel Poisson regression models were utilized to investigate the associations between the variables. In the parental version of the scale, premature posterior primary tooth loss (rate ratio [RR] = 2.65; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.51–4.68), weak sense of coherence (RR = 2.25; 95% CI = 1.62–3.11), and visit to a dentist (RR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.04–2.52) were associated with OHRQoL. Based on the children’s perceptions, only the preschool type was associated with OHRQoL (RR = 1.92; 95% CI = 1.21–3.05). Premature posterior primary tooth loss had a greater impact on OHRQoL based on the parents’ perception, whereas only the preschool type was associated with OHRQoL based on the children’s perception.
The Relationship between Physical Exercise and Negative Emotions in College Students in the Post-Epidemic Era: The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation Self-Efficacy
Authors: Tang Shaohua , Chen Hanwen , Wang Lingzhi , Lu Tianci , Yan Jun
Published: September 2022

Objective: To investigate the relationship between physical activity and negative emotions among college students in the post-epidemic era and determine if emotional regulation plays a mediating role between physical activity and negative emotions. Methods: 479 college students (293 males, 186 females, M = 19.94, SD = 1.25) who were under closed campus management during the epidemic period were surveyed using the physical activity rating scale (PARS-3), the self-assessment scale for anxiety (SAS), the self-esteem scale for depression (SDS), and the emotion regulation self-efficacy scale (RES). Results: (1) Physical activity, negative emotions, and emotion regulation self-efficacy among college students were significantly different by gender (p < 0.01). (2) Physical exercise was negatively correlated with anxiety and depression (r = −0.236, p < 0.01; r = −0.198, p < 0.01) and positively correlated with emotion regulation self-efficacy (r = 0.256, p < 0.01) in college students. (3) Emotion regulation self-efficacy was negatively correlated with anxiety and depression (r = −0.440, p < 0.01; r = −0.163, p < 0.01). (4) Emotion regulation self-efficacy also partially mediated the relationship between physical activity and negative emotions. Conclusion: (1) Physical activity in the post-epidemic era negatively predicted anxiety and depression in school-isolated college students. (2) Emotion regulation self-efficacy in the post-epidemic era partially mediates the relationship between physical activity and anxiety and depression.
Influence of Training and Single Exercise on Leptin Level and Metabolism in Obese Overweight and Normal-Weight Women of Different Age
Authors: Murawska-Ciałowicz Eugenia , Kaczmarek Agnieszka , Kałwa Małgorzata , Oniszczuk Anna
Published: September 2022

Leptin is one of the important hormones secreted by adipose tissue. It participates in the regulation of energy processes in the body through central and peripheral mechanisms. The aim of this study was to analyse the anthropological and physical performance changes during 9 month training in women of different age and body mass. The additional aim was the analysis of leptin levels in the fasting stage and after a control exercise. Obese (O), overweight (OW), and normal-weight (N) women participated in the study. Additional subgroups of premenopausal (PRE) (<50 years) and postmenopausal (POST) (50+) women were created for leptin level analysis. The main criterion of the division into subgroups was the age of menopause in the population. The control submaximal test and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) according to Astrand–Rhyming procedures was performed at baseline and after 3, 6, and 9 months. Before each control test, body weight (BM), body mass index (BMI), percentage of adipose tissue (% FAT), and mass (FAT (kg)) were measured. Moreover, before and after each test, leptin level was measured. After 9 months, there was a significant decrease in BM in the O (p < 0.05) and OW (p < 0.05) groups with no significant changes in the N group. There was a decrease in BMI in both the O (p < 0.05) and the OW (p < 0.05) groups, with no changes in the N group. The % FAT reduction was noted only in the O group (p < 0.05). VO2max increased in each of the measured groups (p < 0.05). The fasting leptin level at 0, 3, 6, and 9 months were the highest in the O group. The fasting leptin level before training was highest in the O group compared to the OW group (p < 0.01) and the N group (p < 0.01). It was also higher in the OW group compared to the N group at baseline (0) (p < 0.01) and after 3 and 6 months (p < 0.01). After 9 months, the leptin concentration decreased by 20.2% in the O group, 40.7% in the OW group, and 33% in the N group. Moreover, the fasting leptin level was higher in the POST subgroup compared to the PRE group in the whole group of women (p < 0.05). After a single exercise, the level of leptin in the whole study group decreased (p < 0.05). This was clearly seen, especially in the POST group. The 9 month training had a reducing effect on the blood leptin concentration in groups O, OW, and N. This may have been a result of weight loss and the percentage of fat in the body, as well as systematically disturbed energy homeostasis.
Slow Evolution toward “Super-Aggregation” of the Oligomers Formed through the Swapping of RNase A N-Termini: A Wish for Amyloidosis?
Authors: Gotte Giovanni , Butturini Elena , Bettin Ilaria , Noro Irene , Mahmoud Helmy Alexander , Fagagnini Andrea , Cisterna Barbara , Malatesta Manuela
Published: September 2022

Natively monomeric RNase A can oligomerize upon lyophilization from 40% acetic acid solutions or when it is heated at high concentrations in various solvents. In this way, it produces many dimeric or oligomeric conformers through the three-dimensional domain swapping (3D-DS) mechanism involving both RNase A N- or/and C-termini. Here, we found many of these oligomers evolving toward not negligible amounts of large derivatives after being stored for up to 15 months at 4 °C in phosphate buffer. We call these species super-aggregates (SAs). Notably, SAs do not originate from native RNase A monomer or from oligomers characterized by the exclusive presence of the C-terminus swapping of the enzyme subunits as well. Instead, the swapping of at least two subunits’ N-termini is mandatory to produce them. Through immunoblotting, SAs are confirmed to derive from RNase A even if they retain only low ribonucleolytic activity. Then, their interaction registered with Thioflavin-T (ThT), in addition to TEM analyses, indicate SAs are large and circular but not “amyloid-like” derivatives. This confirms that RNase A acts as an “auto-chaperone”, although it displays many amyloid-prone short segments, including the 16–22 loop included in its N-terminus. Therefore, we hypothesize the opening of RNase A N-terminus, and hence its oligomerization through 3D-DS, may represent a preliminary step favoring massive RNase A aggregation. Interestingly, this process is slow and requires low temperatures to limit the concomitant oligomers’ dissociation to the native monomer. These data and the hypothesis proposed are discussed in the light of protein aggregation in general, and of possible future applications to contrast amyloidosis.
A Comparative DFT Study on Process Control Agents in the Mechanochemical Synthesis of PbTe
Authors: Rojas-Chávez Hugo , Miralrio Alan , Juárez-García José M. , Carbajal-Franco Guillermo , Cruz-Martínez Heriberto , Montejo-Alvaro Fernando , Valdés-Madrigal Manuel A.
Published: September 2022

A process control agent is an organic additive used to regulate the balance between fracturing and mechanical kneading, which control the size of the as-milled particles. Tributyl phosphate (TBP) is evaluated to act as surface modifier of PbTe, and it is compared with the results obtained using formaldehyde (CH2O). In order to elucidate the nature of the interaction between TBP and the PbTe surface, global and local descriptors were calculated via the density functional theory. First, TBP and CH2O molecules are structurally optimized. Then, vertical ionization energies as well as vertical electron affinities are calculated to elucidate how both molecules behave energetically against removal and electron gain, respectively. The results were compared with those obtained from the electrostatic potential mapped on the van der Waals isosurface. It is inferred that the theoretical insights are useful to propose adsorption modes of TBP and CH2O on the PbTe surface, which are usable to rationalize the facets exposed by PbTe after the surface treatment. The optimized structures of the compound systems showed a close correlation between the surface energy shift (Δγ) and the PbTe facets exhibited. Finally, a Wulff construction was built to compare the usage of TBP and CH2O molecules in PbTe morphology.
The Influence of the Severity of Early Chronic Kidney Disease on Oxidative Stress in Patients with and without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Andrade-Sierra Jorge , Pazarín-Villaseñor Leonardo , Yanowsky-Escatell Francisco Gerardo , Díaz-de la Cruz Elodia Nataly , García-Sánchez Andrés , Cardona-Muñoz Ernesto Germán , Munguía-Galaviz Francisco Javier , de Alba-Razo Alejandra , Miranda-Díaz Alejandra Guillermina
Published: September 2022

Early Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a condition that tends to progress to End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD). Early diagnosis of kidney disease in the early stages can reduce complications. Alterations in renal function represent a complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). The mechanisms underlying the progression of CKD in diabetes could be associated with oxidative and inflammatory processes. This study aimed to evaluate the state of inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) on the progression of CKD in the early stages in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in patients with CKD in early stages (1, 2, 3) with and without T2DM. The ELISA method determined the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α as well as lipoperoxides (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD). Colorimetric methods determined glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Patients with CKD and T2DM had significantly decreased antioxidant defenses for SOD (p < 0.01), GPx (p < 0.01), and TAC (p < 0.01) compared to patients without T2DM. Consequently, patients with T2DM had higher concentrations of oxidant markers, NO (p < 0.01), inflammation markers, IL-6 (p < 0.01), and TNF-α than patients without T2DM. CKD stages were not related to oxidative, antioxidant, and inflammatory marker outcomes in T2DM patients. Patients without T2DM presented an increase in SOD (p = 0.04) and a decrease in NO (p < 0.01) when the stage of CKD increased. In conclusion, patients with T2DM present higher levels of oxidative and inflammatory markers accompanied by a decrease in antioxidant defense. However, these oxidative status markers were associated with CKD stage progression in patients without T2DM. Thus, NO and SOD markers could help detect the early stages of CKD in patients who have not yet developed metabolic comorbidities such as T2DM.
Effect of Pt Decoration on the Optical Properties of Pristine and Defective MoS2: An Ab-Initio Study
Authors: Ramírez-de-Arellano Juan Manuel , Jiménez-González Ali Fransuani , Canales Mónica , Magaña Luis Fernando
Published: September 2022

Using structural relaxation calculations and first-principles molecular dynamics (FPMD), we performed numerical simulations to explore the interaction of a 2D MoS2 surface and a platinum atom, calculating the optical properties of the resulting material. We explored three initial positions for the interaction of the Pt atom and the pristine MoS2 surface, plus another position between Pt and the MoS2 surface with a sulfur vacancy VS. The surface absorbed the Pt atom in all cases considered, with absorption energies ranging from −2.77 eV to −5.83 eV. We calculated the optical properties and band structure of the two cases with the largest absorption energies (−3.45 eV and −5.83 eV). The pristine MoS2 is a semiconductor with a gap of around 1.80 eV. With the adsorption of the Pt atom (the −3.45 eV case), the material reduces its band gap to 0.95 eV. Additionally, the optical absorption in the visible range is greatly increased. The energy band structure of the 2D MoS2 with a sulfur vacancy VS shows a band gap of 0.74 eV, with consequent changes in its optical properties. After the adsorption of Pt atoms in the VS vacancy, the material has a band gap of 1.06 eV. In this case, the optical absorption in the visible range increases by about eight times. The reflectivity in the infrared range gets roughly doubled for both situations of the Pt-absorbed atom considered. Finally, we performed two FPMD runs at 300 K to test the stability of the cases with the lowest and highest absorption energies observed, confirming the qualitative results obtained with the structural relaxations.