bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exotic Tourist Destinations and Transmission of Infections by Swimming Pools and Hot Springs—A Literature Review
Authors: Mavridou Athena , Pappa Olga , Papatzitze Olga , Dioli Chrysa , Kefala Anastasia Maria , Drossos Panagiotis , Beloukas Apostolos
Published: December 2018

A growing number of people undertake international travel, and yet faster growth of such travel is expected in the tropics. Information on the hazards presented by pool and hot spring waters in tropical countries is very limited. This review aims to collate available information on pool water quality, alongside data on cases and outbreaks associated with swimming in pools in tropical regions affecting both local populations and travellers. Bacteria species commonly causing cases and outbreaks in the tropics as well as elsewhere in the world were excluded, and the review focuses on studies related to pathogens that, with the exception of Cryptosporidium, are unusual in more temperate climates. Studies concerning subtropical countries were included in the light of climate change. Diseases transmitted by vectors breeding in poorly maintained, neglected or abandoned pools were also included. 83 studies dealing with Microsporidia, Leptospira spp., Schistosomas spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria spp., Clostridium trachomatis, viruses, and vectors breeding in swimming pool and hot tub waters, and fulfilling predefined criteria, have been included in our survey of the literature. In conclusion, prevention strategies for pool safety in the tropics are imperative. Public health authorities need to provide guidance to westerners travelling to exotic destinations on how to protect their health in swimming pools.
Carbon and Nitrogen Burial and Response to Climate Change and Anthropogenic Disturbance in Chaohu Lake, China
Authors: Yu Qibiao , Wang Fang , Yan Weijin , Zhang Fengsong , Lv Shucong , Li Yanqiang
Published: December 2018

Lakes are a crucial component of the global carbon and nitrogen cycle. As a trend of enhanced human activities and climate change, the mechanisms of burial remain poorly understood. In this study, diverse biogeochemical techniques were applied to analyze the temporal variation of organic carbon and nitrogen burial rates in Chaohu Lake. The results showed that burial rates have ranged from 9.39 to 35.87 g C m−2 yr−1 for carbon and from 1.66 to 5.67 g N m−2 yr−1 for nitrogen since the 1860s. The average rates were 19.6 g C m−2 yr−1 and 3.14 g N m−2 yr−1 after the 1970s, which were significantly higher than the rate before the 1970s, showing an increasing trend. The decrease of C/N ratios as well as organic matter δ13C values indicates that the major organic matter source in sediment has been algal production since the 1970s. The increase of δ15N values indicated that the promotion in productivity was stimulated by nutrient input from sewage and agricultural runoff. The burial rates of organic carbon and nitrogen were significantly positively related to socio-economics and temperature, indicating that Chaohu Lake will become an increasing carbon and nitrogen pool under conditions of enhanced human activities and intensive precipitation.
Association of Low Lead Levels with Behavioral Problems and Executive Function Deficits in Schoolers from Montevideo, Uruguay
Authors: Barg Gabriel , Daleiro Mónica , Queirolo Elena I. , Ravenscroft Julia , Mañay Nelly , Peregalli Fabiana , Kordas Katarzyna
Published: December 2018

The negative effect of lead exposure on children’s intelligence is well-documented. Less is known about the impact of lead on the use of executive functions to self-regulate behavior. We measured blood lead level (BLL) in a sample of first grade children from Montevideo, Uruguay (n = 206, age 6.7 ± 0.5 years, 59.7% boys). Behavior was assessed with teacher versions of the Conners Rating Scale (CRS) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF). Mean BLL was 4.2 ± 2.1 μg/dL; 10% had mild-to-severe ratings of Attentional Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (T score > 65). In negative binomial regression, BLL was not associated with CRS sub-scales, but was associated with a poorer ability to inhibit inappropriate behaviors, prevalence ratio (PR) [95% CI]: 1.01 [1.00, 1.03] as measured by the BRIEF. In covariate-adjusted models, the association with BLL was attenuated. When stratified by sex, the covariate-adjusted association between BLL, hyperactivity, poorer inhitibion, emotional control, and behavioral regulation was marginally significant for girls but not boys. In summary, among children with low lead-exposure, we found some, but nonetheless modest, evidence of a relationship between higher BLL and child behavior. If confirmed by larger studies and other objective measures of behavior, such links could have implications for learning and social interaction, particularly among girls.
Lifetime Spousal Violence Victimization and Perpetration, Physical Illness, and Health Risk Behaviours among Women in India
Authors: Pengpid Supa , Peltzer Karl
Published: December 2018

The aim of this study was to assess the association between lifetime spousal violence victimization, spousal violence perpetration, and physical health outcomes and behaviours among women in India. In the 2015–2016 National Family Health Survey, a sample of ever-married women (15–49 years) (N = 66,013) were interviewed about spousal violence. Results indicate that 29.9% of women reported lifetime spousal physical violence victimization and 7.1% lifetime spousal sexual violence victimization (31.1% physical and/or sexual violence victimization), and 3.5% lifetime spousal physical violence perpetration. Lifetime spousal violence victimization and lifetime spousal violence perpetration were significantly positively correlated with asthma, genital discharge, genital sores or ulcers, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), tobacco use, alcohol use, and termination of pregnancy, and negatively associated with daily consumption of dark vegetables. In addition, lifetime spousal violence victimization was positively associated with being underweight, high random blood glucose levels, and anaemia, and negatively correlated with being overweight or obese. Lifetime spousal violence perpetration was marginally significantly associated with hypertension. The study found in a national sample of women in India a decrease of lifetime physical and/or sexual spousal violence victimization and an increase of lifetime spousal physical violence perpetration from 2005/5 to 2015/6. The results support other studies that found that, among women, lifetime spousal physical and/or sexual spousal violence victimization and lifetime spousal physical violence perpetration increase the odds of chronic conditions, physical illnesses, and health risk behaviours.
“A Lot of People Are Struggling Privately. They Don’t Know Where to Go or They’re Not Sure of What to Do”: Frontline Service Provider Perspectives of the Nature of Household Food Insecurity in Scotland
Authors: Douglas Flora , MacKenzie Fiona , Ejebu Ourega-Zoé , Whybrow Stephen , Garcia Ada L. , McKenzie Lynda , Ludbrook Anne , Dowler Elizabeth
Published: December 2018

This qualitative study explored frontline service providers’ perceptions of the nature of food insecurity in Scotland in 2015 to inform national policy and the provision of locally-based support for ‘at risk’ groups. A country-wide in-depth interview study was undertaken with informants from 25 health, social care, and third sector organisations. The study investigated informants’ perspectives associated with how food insecurity was manifesting itself locally, and what was happening at the local level in response to the existence of food insecurity. Data analysis revealed three key themes. First, the multiple faces and factors of food insecurity involving not only increased concern for previously recognised ‘at risk of food insecurity’ groups, but also similar concern held about newly food insecure groups including working families, young people and women. Secondly, respondents witnessed stoicism and struggle, but also resistance amongst some food insecure individuals to external offers of help. The final theme identified community participation yet pessimism associated with addressing current and future needs of food insecure groups. These findings have important implications for the design and delivery of health and social policy in Scotland and other countries facing similar challenges.
Geographic Imputation of Missing Activity Space Data from Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) GPS Positions
Authors: Mennis Jeremy , Mason Michael , Coffman Donna L. , Henry Kevin
Published: December 2018

This research presents a pilot study to develop and compare methods of geographic imputation for estimating the location of missing activity space data collected using geographic ecological momentary assessment (GEMA). As a demonstration, we use data from a previously published analysis of the effect of neighborhood disadvantage, captured at the U.S. Census Bureau tract level, on momentary psychological stress among a sample of 137 urban adolescents. We investigate the impact of listwise deletion on model results and test two geographic imputation techniques adapted for activity space data from hot deck and centroid imputation approaches. Our results indicate that listwise deletion can bias estimates of place effects on health, and that these impacts are mitigated by the use of geographic imputation, particularly regarding inflation of the standard errors. These geographic imputation techniques may be extended in future research by incorporating approaches from the non-spatial imputation literature as well as from conventional geographic imputation and spatial interpolation research that focus on non-activity space data.
Radiation-Induced Reactions in the Liver—Modulation of Radiation Effects by Lifestyle-Related Factors—
Authors: Nakajima Tetsuo , Ninomiya Yasuharu , Nenoi Mitsuru
Published: December 2018

Radiation has a wide variety of effects on the liver. Fibrosis is a concern in medical fields as one of the acute effects of high-dose irradiation, such as with cancer radiotherapies. Cancer is also an important concern following exposure to radiation. The liver has an active metabolism and reacts to radiations. In addition, effects are modulated by many environmental factors, such as high-calorie foods or alcohol beverages. Adaptations to other environmental conditions could also influence the effects of radiation. Reactions to radiation may not be optimally regulated under conditions modulated by the environment, possibly leading to dysregulation, disease or cancer. Here, we introduce some reactions to ionizing radiation in the liver, as demonstrated primarily in animal experiments. In addition, modulation of radiation-induced effects in the liver due to factors such as obesity, alcohol drinking, or supplements derived from foods are reviewed. Perspectives on medical applications by modulations of radiation effects are also discussed.
Genetic and Epigenetic Modifiers of Alcoholic Liver Disease
Authors: Meroni Marica , Longo Miriam , Rametta Raffaela , Dongiovanni Paola
Published: December 2018

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD), a disorder caused by excessive alcohol consumption is a global health issue. More than two billion people consume alcohol in the world and about 75 million are classified as having alcohol disorders. ALD embraces a wide spectrum of hepatic lesions including steatosis, alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). ALD is a complex disease where environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors contribute to its pathogenesis and progression. The severity of alcohol-induced liver disease depends on the amount, method of usage and duration of alcohol consumption as well as on age, gender, presence of obesity, and genetic susceptibility. Genome-wide association studies and candidate gene studies have identified genetic modifiers of ALD that can be exploited as non-invasive biomarkers, but which do not completely explain the phenotypic variability. Indeed, ALD development and progression is also modulated by epigenetic factors. The premise of this review is to discuss the role of genetic variants and epigenetic modifications, with particular attention being paid to microRNAs, as pathogenic markers, risk predictors, and therapeutic targets in ALD.
Biological and Evolutionary Significance of Terminal Extensions of Mitochondrial Translation Initiation Factor 3
Authors: Derbikova Ksenia , Kuzmenko Anton , Levitskii Sergey , Klimontova Maria , Chicherin Ivan , Baleva Maria V. , Krasheninnikov Igor A. , Kamenski Piotr
Published: December 2018

Protein biosynthesis in mitochondria is organized in a bacterial manner. However, during evolution, mitochondrial translation mechanisms underwent many organelle-specific changes. In particular, almost all mitochondrial translation factors, being orthologous to bacterial proteins, are characterized by some unique elements of primary or secondary structure. In the case of the organellar initiation factor 3 (IF3), these elements are several dozen amino acids long N- and C-terminal extensions. This study focused on the terminal extensions of baker’s yeast mitochondrial IF3, Aim23p. By in vivo deletion and complementation analysis, we show that at least one extension is necessary for Aim23p function. At the same time, human mitochondrial IF3 is fully functional in yeast mitochondria even without both terminal extensions. While Escherichia coli IF3 itself is poorly active in yeast mitochondria, adding Aim23p terminal extensions makes the resulting chimeric protein as functional as the cognate factor. Our results show that the terminal extensions of IF3 have evolved as the “adaptors” that accommodate the translation factor of bacterial origin to the evolutionary changed protein biosynthesis system in mitochondria.
Bicellular Tight Junctions and Wound Healing
Authors: Shi Junhe , Barakat May , Chen Dandan , Chen Lin
Published: December 2018

Bicellular tight junctions (TJs) are intercellular junctions comprised of a variety of transmembrane proteins including occludin, claudins, and junctional adhesion molecules (JAMs) as well as intracellular scaffold proteins such as zonula occludens (ZOs). TJs are functional, intercellular structures that form a barrier between adjacent cells, which constantly seals and unseals to control the paracellular passage of molecules. They are primarily present in the epithelial and endothelial cells of all tissues and organs. In addition to their well-recognized roles in maintaining cell polarity and barrier functions, TJs are important regulators of signal transduction, which modulates cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation, as well as some components of the immune response and homeostasis. A vast breadth of research data is available on TJs, but little has been done to decipher their specific roles in wound healing, despite their primary distribution in epithelial and endothelial cells, which are essential contributors to the wound healing process. Some data exists to indicate that a better understanding of the functions and significance of TJs in healing wounds may prove crucial for future improvements in wound healing research and therapy. Specifically, recent studies demonstrate that occludin and claudin-1, which are two TJ component proteins, are present in migrating epithelial cells at the wound edge but are absent in chronic wounds. This indicates that functional TJs may be critical for effective wound healing. A tremendous amount of work is needed to investigate their roles in barrier function, re-epithelialization, angiogenesis, scar formation, and in the interactions between epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and immune cells both in the acute wound healing process and in non-healing wounds. A more thorough understanding of TJs in wound healing may shed new light on potential research targets and reveal novel strategies to enhance tissue regeneration and improve wound repair.
Effect of Long-Term Strontium Exposure on the Content of Phytoestrogens and Allantoin in Soybean
Authors: Dresler Sławomir , Wójciak-Kosior Magdalena , Sowa Ireneusz , Strzemski Maciej , Sawicki Jan , Kováčik Jozef , Blicharski Tomasz
Published: December 2018

Abiotic stress, including metal excess, can modify plant metabolism. Here we investigated the influence of long-term strontium exposure (12 weeks, 0.5–4.0 mM Sr) on the content of phytoestrogens and allantoin as well as the mineral composition in soybean. Seven phytoestrogens were identified in the soybean: daidzin, glycitin, genistin, malonyldaidzin, malonylgenistin, daidzein, and coumestrol. The results showed that both malonyldaidzin and malonylgenistin were dominant phytoestrogens; however, the roots contained a relatively high amount of daidzein. It was found that strontium reduced the phytoestrogen content and decreased the antioxidant capacity. Strontium evoked depletion of the sum of all phytoestrogens by 40–70% in the leaves, 25–50% in the stems and in the seeds, depending on the strontium concentration. In the roots, 0.5 and 4.0 mM of strontium decreased the total phytoestrogen content by 25 and 55%, respectively, while 2.0 mM of strontium did not exert an effect on their accumulation. On the other hand, strontium ions induced allantoin accumulation mainly in the roots. Strontium was preferentially accumulated in the leaves, with a slight impact on macro- and micro-nutrients. Our research showed strontium-secondary metabolites interaction in the soybean, which can be useful for obtaining a natural pharmaceutical product containing both strontium and phytoestrogens for remediation of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Direct Single-Molecule Observation of Sequential DNA Bending Transitions by the Sox2 HMG Box
Authors: Moosa Mahdi Muhammad , Tsoi Phoebe S. , Choi Kyoung-Jae , Ferreon Allan Chris M. , Ferreon Josephine C.
Published: December 2018

Sox2 is a pioneer transcription factor that initiates cell fate reprogramming through locus-specific differential regulation. Mechanistically, it was assumed that Sox2 achieves its regulatory diversity via heterodimerization with partner transcription factors. Here, utilizing single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy, we show that Sox2 alone can modulate DNA structural landscape in a dosage-dependent manner. We propose that such stoichiometric tuning of regulatory DNAs is crucial to the diverse biological functions of Sox2, and represents a generic mechanism of conferring functional plasticity and multiplicity to transcription factors.
iTRAQ-Based Comparative Proteomic Analysis Provides Insights into Molecular Mechanisms of Salt Tolerance in Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.)
Authors: Wu Guo-Qiang , Wang Jin-Long , Feng Rui-Jun , Li Shan-Jia , Wang Chun-Mei
Published: December 2018

Salinity is one of the major abiotic stress factors that limit plant growth and crop yield worldwide. To understand the molecular mechanisms and screen the key proteins in response of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) to salt, in the present study, the proteomics of roots and shoots in three-week-old sugar beet plants exposed to 50 mM NaCl for 72 h was investigated by isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantitation (iTRAQ) technology. The results showed that 105 and 30 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in roots and shoots of salt-treated plants compared with untreated plants, respectively. There were 46 proteins up-regulated and 59 proteins down-regulated in roots; and 13 up-regulated proteins and 17 down-regulated proteins found in shoots, respectively. These DEPs were mainly involved in carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, transcription, translation, protein folding, sorting, and degradation as well as transport. It is worth emphasizing that some novel salt-responsive proteins were identified, such as PFK5, MDH, KAT2, ACAD10, CYP51, F3H, TAL, SRPR, ZOG, V-H+-ATPase, V-H+-PPase, PIPs, TIPs, and tubulin α-2/β-1 chain. qRT-PCR analysis showed that six of the selected proteins, including BvPIP1-4, BvVP and BvVAP in root and BvTAL, BvURO-D1, and BvZOG in shoot, displayed good correlation between the expression levels of protein and mRNA. These novel proteins provide a good starting point for further research into their functions using genetic or other approaches. These findings should significantly improve the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in salt tolerance of sugar beet plants.
Annexin A1 May Induce Pancreatic Cancer Progression as a Key Player of Extracellular Vesicles Effects as Evidenced in the In Vitro MIA PaCa-2 Model System
Authors: Pessolano Emanuela , Belvedere Raffaella , Bizzarro Valentina , Franco Paola , De Marco Iolanda , Porta Amalia , Tosco Alessandra , Parente Luca , Perretti Mauro , Petrella Antonello
Published: December 2018

Pancreatic Cancer (PC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies worldwide. As annexin A1 (ANXA1) is implicated in the establishment of tumour metastasis, the role of the protein in PC progression as a component of extracellular vesicles (EVs) has been investigated. EVs were isolated from wild type (WT) and ANXA1 knock-out (KO) PC cells and then characterised by multiple approaches including Western blotting, Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Dynamic Light Scattering. The effects of ANXA1 on tumour aggressiveness were investigated by Wound-Healing and invasion assays and microscopic analysis of the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). The role of ANXA1 on angiogenesis was also examined in endothelial cells, using similar approaches. We found that WT cells released more EVs enriched in exosomes than those from cells lacking ANXA1. Notably, ANXA1 KO cells recovered their metastatic potential only when treated by WT EVs as they underwent EMT and a significant increase of motility. Similarly, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) migrated and invaded more rapidly when treated by WT EVs whereas ANXA1 KO EVs weakly induced angiogenesis. This study suggests that EVs-related ANXA1 is able to promote cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis, confirming the relevance of this protein in PC progression.