bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Health-Related Behavior Changes: The Korea National Health Examination Survey
Authors: Yim Eunshil , Lee Kyounga , Park Ilsu , Lee Sangjin
Published: May 2020

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of health-related behavior changes on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study utilized data from the Korea National Health Examination Survey of adults aged 40 or older who underwent health screening in 2011, 2013, and 2015. The prevalence of MetS was analyzed according to sex, age, income, residence location, and health-related behaviors by conducting multiple logistic regression analysis. For health-related behaviors, smoking, drinking, and physical activity were examined, and changes in health-related behaviors over five years from 2011 to 2015 were included in the analysis. The prevalence of MetS in Korea in 2015 was 31.7%. The prevalence showed statistically significant differences according to sex, age, income, location, and health-related behaviors. The prevalence was higher in men than in women and increased with aging. Regarding income, MetS prevalence was slightly higher in the middle-income groups compared with the lowest or the highest. Regarding location, MetS prevalence was lower in metropolitan areas compared to small- to medium-sized cities and farming/fishery rural areas. Regarding health-related behavior, MetS prevalence increased in the smoking, heavy drinking, and passive activity groups compared with the nonsmoking, moderate drinking, and active activity groups. Regarding health-related behavior change, MetS prevalence was higher by 22% in the short-term nonsmoking group (subjects who smoked in the past but not currently) compared to the continuous nonsmoking group. The risk for MetS also increased by 84.9% in the continuous heavy drinking group compared to the continuous moderate drinking group. Finally, the risk for MetS increased by 30.3% in the continuous passive physical activity group compared to the continuous active physical activity group. This study’s findings indicate the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyle habits to prevent MetS. In particular, the focus for change should be concentrated on short-term nonsmoking, continuous heavy drinking, and continuous passive physical activities to improve health-related behaviors.
Artificial Intelligence-Empowered Mobilization of Assessments in COVID-19-like Pandemics: A Case Study for Early Flattening of the Curve
Authors: Simsek Murat , Kantarci Burak
Published: May 2020

The global outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has uncovered the fragility of healthcare and public health preparedness and planning against epidemics/pandemics. In addition to the medical practice for treatment and immunization, it is vital to have a thorough understanding of community spread phenomena as related research reports 17.9–30.8% confirmed cases to remain asymptomatic. Therefore, an effective assessment strategy is vital to maximize tested population in a short amount of time. This article proposes an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven mobilization strategy for mobile assessment agents for epidemics/pandemics. To this end, a self-organizing feature map (SOFM) is trained by using data acquired from past mobile crowdsensing (MCS) campaigns to model mobility patterns of individuals in multiple districts of a city so to maximize the assessed population with minimum agents in the shortest possible time. Through simulation results for a real street map on a mobile crowdsensing simulator and considering the worst case analysis, it is shown that on the 15th day following the first confirmed case in the city under the risk of community spread, AI-enabled mobilization of assessment centers can reduce the unassessed population size down to one fourth of the unassessed population under the case when assessment agents are randomly deployed over the entire city.
Effects of Different Ankle Supports on the Single-Leg Lateral Drop Landing Following Muscle Fatigue in Athletes with Functional Ankle Instability
Authors: Lin Cheng-Chieh , Chen Shing-Jye , Lee Wan-Chin , Lin Cheng-Feng
Published: May 2020

Background: Ankle support has been utilized for athletes with functional ankle instability (FAI), however, its effect on the landing performance during muscle fatigue is not well understood. This study aimed to examine the effects of ankle supports (ankle brace vs. Kinesio tape) on athletes with FAI following fatigued single-leg landing. Methods: Thirty-three young FAI athletes (CAIT scores < 24) were randomly allocated to control (Cn), ankle brace (AB) and Kinesio tape (KT) groups. All athletes performed single-leg lateral drop landings following ankle fatigue protocol. The fatigue-induced changes in kinetic parameters were measured among three groups. Results: A significant increase in peak vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) was found in the AB group (0.12% body weight (BW)) compared to that of the KT (0.02% BW) and Cn (median = 0.01% BW) groups. Significant decrease in both COP medial-lateral (ML) and anterior-posterior (AP) ranges were also found in the KT group (median = −0.15% foot width (FW) & median = −0.28% foot length (FL)) than those of the Cn group (median = 0.67% FW& median = 0.88% FL). Conclusions: Ankle braces might hamper the ability to absorb the impact force during landing. On the other hand, Kinesio tape might be beneficial for the postural control during landing.
Can We Predict the Evolution of Depressive Symptoms, Adjustment, and Perceived Social Support of Pregnant Women from Their Personality Characteristics? a Technology-Supported Longitudinal Study
Authors: Andreu-Pejó Laura , Martínez-Borba Verónica , Suso-Ribera Carlos , Osma Jorge
Published: May 2020

Background: Research exploring the relationship between personality and important pregnancy outcomes (i.e., depressive symptoms, adjustment, and perceived social support) tends to be cross-sectional, arguably due to the difficulties of conducting longitudinal and mental health research in this population. The objective of this study is to use a web-based solution to longitudinally explore how personality traits are associated, not only with the co-occurrence of these outcomes but also with their evolution during pregnancy. Stability and change of these outcomes will also be investigated. Methods: The sample included 85 pregnant women attending several medical centers in Spain. The web-based assessment included sociodemographic and obstetric variables (ad hoc) and personality (at the second trimester only), and outcomes at both the second and the third trimester (i.e., depressive symptoms, adjustment, and perceived social support). Results: The results showed that adjustment worsened from the second to the third trimester of pregnancy. Neuroticism (N), low extraversion (E), and psychoticism (P) were cross-sectionally and longitudinally associated with outcomes. In addition, N and, to a lesser extent P, uniquely contributed to the evolution of these outcomes in the multivariate analyses, including autoregressions. Conclusion: Personality and especially N and P should be evaluated early during pregnancy mental health screening. The use of a web page appears to be a useful tool for that purpose. Technologies might also help disseminate mental health prevention programs for these women, which would be especially recommended for those with a personality profile characterized by high N and P and, to a lesser extent, low E.
Waterloo Better Beginnings as a Transformative Prevention Project: Impacts on Children, Parents, and the Community
Authors: Nelson Geoffrey , Hasford Julian , Zatarain Carlos Luis , Gilmer Alexis , Worton S. Kathleen , Eid Marwa , Bangash Salma , Horne Jeremy
Published: May 2020

Better Beginnings Waterloo (BBW) is an ecological, community-driven, prevention program for children aged 4–8 and their families. BBW was implemented in two low-income communities with high percentages of visible minorities. Data on Grade 1–2 children and their parents (the baseline comparison group) were gathered through parent interviews (n = 34) and teacher reports (n = 68) in 2015, prior to BBW programs, and in the period 2018–2019, the same data were collected through parent interviews (n = 47) and teacher reports (n = 46) for children and parents participating in programs (the BBW group). As well, qualitative, open-ended individual interviews with parents (n = 47) and two focus groups were conducted in the period 2018–2019. Children in the BBW cohort were rated by their teachers as having a significantly lower level of emotional and behavioural problems than those in the baseline sample; parents in the BBW cohort had significantly higher levels of social support than parents in the baseline cohort; BBW parents rated their communities significantly more positively than parents at baseline. The qualitative data confirmed these findings. The quantitative and qualitative short-term findings from the BBW research showed similar positive impacts to previous research on program effectiveness, thus demonstrating that the Better Beginnings model can be successfully transferred to new communities.
Direct Enantiomeric Separation and Determination of Hexythiazox Enantiomers in Environment and Vegetable by Reverse-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Zhang Ping , Wang Sheng , Shi Dongmei , Xu Yangyang , Yang Furong , Deng Xile , He Yuhan , He Lin
Published: May 2020

In the present study, the direct enantiomeric separation of hexythiazox enantiomers on Lux cellulose-1, Lux cellulose-2, Lux cellulose-3, Lux cellulose-4, Lux amylose-1 and Chirapak IC chiral columns were carefully investigated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Acetonitrile/water and methanol/water were used as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.8 mL·min−1. The effects of chiral stationary phase, temperature, thermodynamic parameters, mobile phase component and mobile phase ratio on hexythiazox enantiomers separation were fully evaluated. Hexythiazox enantiomers received a baseline separation on the Lux cellulose-3 column with a maximum resolution of Rs = 2.09 (methanol/water) and Rs = 2.74 (acetonitrile/water), respectively. Partial separations were achieved on other five chiral columns. Furthermore, Lux amylose-1 and Chirapak IC had no separation ability for hexythiazox enantiomers when methanol/water was used as mobile phase. Temperature study indicated that the capacity factor (k) and resolution factor (Rs) decreased with column temperature increasing from 10 °C to 40 °C. The enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) involved in hexythiazox separation were also calculated and demonstrated the lower temperature contributed to better separation resolution. Moreover, the residue analytical method for hexythiazox enantiomers in the environment (soil and water) and vegetable (cucumber, cabbage and tomato) were also established with reliable accuracy and precision under reverse-phase HPLC condition. Such results provided a baseline separation method for hexythiazox enantiomers under reverse-phase conditions and contributed to an environmental and health risk assessment of hexythiazox at enantiomer level.
Passive Exposure to Pollutants from a New Generation of Cigarettes in Real Life Scenarios
Authors: Savdie Joseph , Canha Nuno , Buitrago Nicole , Almeida Susana Marta
Published: May 2020

The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and heat-not-burn tobacco (HNBT), as popular nicotine delivery systems (NDS), has increased among adult demographics. This study aims to assess the effects on indoor air quality of traditional tobacco cigarettes (TCs) and new smoking alternatives, to determine the differences between their potential impacts on human health. Measurements of particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5 and PM10), black carbon, carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were performed in two real life scenarios, in the home and in the car. The results indicated that the particle emissions from the different NDS devices were significantly different. In the home and car, the use of TCs resulted in higher PM10 and ultrafine particle concentrations than when e-cigarettes were smoked, while the lowest concentrations were associated with HNBT. As black carbon and CO are released by combustion processes, the concentrations of these two pollutants were significantly lower for e-cigarettes and HNBT because no combustion occurs when they are smoked. CO2 showed no increase directly associated with the NDS but a trend linked to a higher respiration rate connected with smoking. The results showed that although the levels of pollutants emitted by e-cigarettes and HNBT are substantially lower compared to those from TCs, the new smoking devices are still a source of indoor air pollutants.
Community Group Model Building as a Method for Engaging Participants and Mobilising Action in Public Health
Authors: Gerritsen Sarah , Harré Sophia , Rees David , Renker-Darby Ana , Bartos Ann E. , Waterlander Wilma E. , Swinburn Boyd
Published: May 2020

Group model building (GMB) is a qualitative method aimed at engaging stakeholders to collectively consider the causes of complex problems. Tackling inequities in community nutrition is one such complex problem, as the causes are driven by a variety of interactions between individual factors, social structures, local environments and the global food system. This methods paper describes a GMB process that utilises three system mapping tools in a study with members of a multicultural, low-income community to explore declining fruit and vegetable intake in children. The tools were: (1) graphs over time, which captures the community’s understanding of an issue; (2) cognitive mapping, which enables participants to think systemically about the causes and consequences of the issue; (3) causal loop diagrams, which describe feedback loops that reinforce the issue and identify potential actions. Cognitive mapping, a tool not usually associated with GMB, was added to the research process to support the gradual development of participants’ thinking and develops the skills needed to tackle an issue from a systems perspective. We evaluate the benefits and impact of these three tools, particularly in engaging participants and increasing understanding of systems thinking in order to develop and mobilise action. The tools could be adapted for use in other community-based research projects. Key learnings were the value of genuine partnership with a local organisation for longevity of the project, recruitment of key decisionmakers from the community early in the process, and allowing time to create sustainable change.
P-CRS: A Clinical Scale to Assess the Parent-Child Relationship in Infancy and Early Childhood
Authors: Speranza Anna Maria , Quintigliano Maria , Lauriola Marco , Fortunato Alexandro
Published: May 2020

This study aimed to examine the ability of a new clinician-report tool, the Parent-Child Relationship Scale (P-CRS), to assess the individual contributions that parents and their children make within the parent-child relationship, as well as interactions between parents and children in terms of developmental psychopathology. As clinical diagnoses in early childhood is both important and difficult, it is necessary to identify tools that can effectively contribute to evaluating parent-child relationships during the diagnostic process. A sample of 268 mother-child dyads, taken from both public and private clinical settings, was assessed. Clinicians were asked to assess these dyads using the P-CRS after four to five sessions of clinical evaluation. The results indicated that the three areas assessed by the P-CRS—“Interaction”, “Child” and “Parent”—could have different impacts on the various aspects of the parent-child relationship within distinct diagnostic groups. Thus, our findings support the use of the P-CRS to assist with clinical diagnosis during early childhood.
Epidemiological Aspects and Psychological Reactions to COVID-19 of Dental Practitioners in the Northern Italy Districts of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Authors: Consolo Ugo , Bellini Pierantonio , Bencivenni Davide , Iani Cristina , Checchi Vittorio
Published: May 2020

The outbreak and diffusion of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (Sars-CoV-2) and COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) have caused an emergency status in the health system, including in the dentistry environment. Italy registered the third highest number of COVID-19 cases in the world and the second highest in Europe. An anonymous online survey composed of 40 questions has been sent to dentists practicing in the area of Modena and Reggio Emilia, one of the areas in Italy most affected by COVID-19. The survey was aimed at highlighting the practical and emotional consequences of COVID-19 emergence on daily clinical practice. Specifically, it assessed dentists’ behavioral responses, emotions and concerns following the Sars-CoV-2 pandemic restrictive measures introduced by the Italian national administrative order of 10 March 2020 (DM-10M20), as well as the dentists’ perception of infection likelihood for themselves and patients. Furthermore, the psychological impact of COVID-19 was assessed by means of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 test (GAD-7), that measures the presence and severity of anxiety symptoms. Using local dental associations (ANDI-Associazione Nazionale Dentisti Italiani, CAO-Commissione Albo Odontoiatri) lists, the survey was sent by email to all dentists in the district of Modena and Reggio Emilia (874 practitioners) and was completed by 356 of them (40%). All dental practitioners closed or reduced their activity to urgent procedures, 38.2% prior to and 61.8% after the DM-10M20. All reported a routinely use of the most common protective personal equipment (PPE), but also admitted that the use of PPE had to be modified during COVID-19 pandemic. A high percentage of patients canceled their previous appointments after the DM-10M20. Almost 85% of the dentists reported being worried of contracting the infection during clinical activity. The results of the GAD-7 (General Anxiety Disorder-7) evaluation showed that 9% of respondents reported a severe anxiety. To conclude, the COVID-19 emergency is having a highly negative impact on the activity of dentists practicing in the area of Modena and Reggio Emilia. All respondents reported practice closure or strong activity reduction. The perception of this negative impact was accompanied by feelings of concern (70.2%), anxiety (46.4%) and fear (42.4%). The majority of them (89.6%) reported concerns about their professional future and the hope for economic measures to help dental practitioners.
Patient-Related Complexity of Care in Healthcare Organizations: A Management and Evaluation Model
Authors: Salvatore Fiorella Pia , Fanelli Simone
Published: May 2020

In times of economic stringency, the prerequisite for the provision of healthcare services differentiated by complexity is identified in the right patients’ allocation. Since access to high-intensity care units is restricted, it is necessary both to promptly diagnose patients who are at risk of rapid clinical deterioration or death and to define criteria to identify the correct allocation of patients based on clinical-care needs. Although the so-called “early warning scores” were used by healthcare professionals to alert medical staff, nowadays, they can also be used as decision rules for managing patient admissions, increasing their effective usefulness. The procedure for assessing the complexity of care profiles needs to be based on a multidisciplinary approach. The primary objective of scientific research was to determine the intensity of care (clinical instability and care dependence) of the patients allocated in different settings of the medical area. To correctly frame the phenomenon, the main methods and strategies developed for different care models were discussed. In the Italian healthcare organization, the indicators, methodologies and tools to evaluate the clinical-care complexity were identified and subsequently applied. In conclusion, the findings and proposals for improvement actions are shown.
Assessing Women’s Menstruation Concerns and Experiences in Rural India: Development and Validation of a Menstrual Insecurity Measure
Authors: Caruso Bethany A. , Portela Gerard , McManus Shauna , Clasen Thomas
Published: May 2020

Qualitative research has documented menstruator’s challenges, particularly in water and sanitation poor environments, but quantitative assessment is limited. We created and validated a culturally-grounded measure of Menstrual Insecurity to assess women’s menstruation-related concerns and negative experiences. With cross-sectional data from 878 menstruating women in rural Odisha, India, we carried out Exploratory (EFA) and Confirmatory (CFA) Factor Analyses to reduce a 40-item pool and identify and confirm the scale factor structure. A 19-item, five factor model best fit the data (EFA: root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.027; comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.994; Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.989; CFA: RMSEA = 0.058; CFI = 0.937; TLI = 0.925). Sub-scales included: Management, Menstrual Cycle Concerns, Symptoms, Restrictions, and Menstruation-Related Bodily Concerns. Those without access to a functional latrine, enclosed bathing space, water source within their compound, or who used reusable cloth had significantly higher overall Menstrual Insecurity scores (greater insecurity) than those with these facilities or using disposable pads. Post-hoc exploratory analysis found that women reporting experiencing tension at menstrual onset or difficulty doing work had significantly higher Menstrual Insecurity scores. This validated tool is useful for measuring Menstrual Insecurity, assessing health inequities and correlates of Menstrual Insecurity, and informing program design.
Tailoring Tofacitinib Oral Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The TuTORApp—A Usability Study
Authors: Sciascia Savino , Radin Massimo , Cecchi Irene , Di Nunzio Pierluigi , Buccarano Nicola , Di Gregorio Federico , Valeria Milone , Osella Sara , Crosasso Paola , Favuzzi Marika Denise , Rubini Elena , Foddai Silvia Grazietta , Baldovino Simone , Roccatello Dario , Rossi Daniela
Published: May 2020

Objective: To create a mobile application able to help patients follow medical treatments properly. Methods: We designed and developed a custom Android/iOS App to remind patients of the pharmaceutical drugs to be taken, of the visits and exams to attend, and to detect their compliance with their personal therapeutic plan. In this paper we describe the App development, UX/UI design, Gamification. TuTOR is an Android and iOS application designed to remind patients of the drugs to be taken, giving them all the information related to their therapeutic plans in a simple and non-invasive way. Thanks to a dedicated back-office, specially designed to meet specific medical information needs, the App can also help physicians detect their patients’ compliance with their treatments and modify prescriptions in real time. The App also ensures a state-of-the-art approach to data security and privacy protection. The main feature of TuTOR is the smart therapy assistant, which features dedicated alarms to remind users of taking their prescription drugs. Thanks to the automatic synchronization with a local database, the alert system works even without connection to the Internet. Particular attention was paid during the App’s design process: we looked to create an intuitive interface to ensure absolute ease of use, with state-of-the-art visual design aimed at maximizing user experience. Other relevant features include the App’s ability to givevisual evidence of the most important drugs to be taken and its note-taking feature, which gives patients the possibility to note down indications on why a specific drug was skipped. The App also keeps track of upcoming medical exams, laboratory tests, and visits on a devoted calendar. It also helps patients by listing therapy contacts, such as physicians’ phone numbers, and indicates all medical references by showing, for example, locations of relevant clinics and pharmacies on a map. Thanks to specific visual progress indicators and an innovative gamification approach, the App encourages users to faithfully follow therapy guidelines. With TuTOR, assessing the therapy’s state of completion is quick and easy.Thanksto the privacy-by-design approach used, all data managed by the system is compliant with the European Privacy Regulation and it is not available to third parties. Expected results: A mobile App for medication adherence might increase objectively and subjectively measured adherence.
Impact of Hearing Aids on Poverty, Quality of Life and Mental Health in Guatemala: Results of a before and after Study
Authors: Spreckley Mark , Macleod David , González Trampe Brenda , Smith Andrew , Kuper Hannah
Published: May 2020

There are 466 million people globally with disabling hearing loss, many of whom can benefit from hearing aids. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of providing hearing aids on poverty, mental health, quality of life, and activities, among adults in Guatemala. A nonrandomised before and after study was conducted, with a comparison group to assess for secular trends. Adult cases with bilateral hearing impairment were identified within 150 km of Guatemala City, as well as age- and sex-matched comparison subjects without disabling hearing loss. All participants were interviewed with a semistructured questionnaire, and cases were offered hearing aids. Participants were reinterviewed 6–9 months later. We interviewed 135 cases and 89 comparison subjects at baseline and follow-up. At baseline, cases were poorer than comparison subjects with respect to individual income (p = 0.01), household income (p = 0.02), and per capita expenditure (PCE) (p = 0.003). After provision of hearing aids, median household income improved among cases (p = 0.03). In the comparison group, median individual income (p = 0.01) and PCE (p = 0.03) fell between baseline at follow-up. At follow-up, there were also improvements in productive time use, quality of life, and depressive symptoms among cases, but these were less apparent in the comparison group. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated a positive effect of hearing aids in improving quality of life, economic circumstances and mental health among Guatemalan adults.
A Novel Protocol for Detection of Senescence and Calcification Markers by Fluorescence Microscopy
Authors: Herrmann Jaqueline , Babic Milen , Tölle Markus , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , van der Giet Markus , Schuchardt Mirjam
Published: May 2020

Vascular calcification and stiffening of the arterial wall is a systemic phenomenon that is associated with aging and it can be increased by several risk factors. The underlying mechanisms, especially the pathways of cellular senescence, are under current investigation. Easily manageable in vitro settings help to study the signaling pathways. The experimental setting presented here is based on an in vitro model using rat vascular smooth muscle cells and the detection of senescence and osteoblastic markers via immunofluorescence and RNAscope™. Co-staining of the senescence marker p21, the osteoblastic marker osteopontin, detection of senescence-associated heterochromatin foci, and senescence-associated β-galactosidase is possible within one test approach requiring fewer cells. The protocol is a fast and reliable evaluation method for multiplexing of calcifying and senescence markers with fluorescence microscopy detection. The experimental setting enables analysis on single cell basis and allows detection of intra-individual variances of cultured cells.
Seminal Plasma, Sperm Concentration, and Sperm-PMN Interaction in the Donkey: An In Vitro Model to Study Endometrial Inflammation at Post-Insemination
Authors: Miró Jordi , Marín Henar , Catalán Jaime , Papas Marion , Gacem Sabrina , Yeste Marc
Published: May 2020

In the donkey, artificial insemination (AI) with frozen-thawed semen is associated with low fertility rates, which could be partially augmented through adding seminal plasma (SP) and increasing sperm concentration. On the other hand, post-AI endometrial inflammation in the jenny is significantly higher than in the mare. While previous studies analyzed this response through recovering Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils (PMN) from uterine washings, successive lavages can detrimentally impact the endometrium, leading to fertility issues. For this reason, the first set of experiments in this work intended to set an in vitro model through harvesting PMN from the peripheral blood of jennies. Thereafter, how PMN, which require a triggering agent like formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) to be activated, are affected by donkey semen was interrogated. Finally, we tested how four concentrations of spermatozoa (100 × 106, 200 × 106, 500 × 106 and 1000 × 106 spermatozoa/mL) affected their interaction with PMN. We observed that semen, which consists of sperm and SP, is able to activate PMN. Whereas there was a reduced percentage of spermatozoa phagocytosed by PMN, most remained attached on the PMN surface or into a surrounding halo. Spermatozoa not attached to PMN were viable, and most of those bound to PMN were also viable and showed high tail beating. Finally, only sperm concentrations higher than 500 × 106 spermatozoa/mL showed free sperm cells after 3 h of incubation, and percentages of spermatozoa not attached to PMN were higher at 3 h than at 1 h, exhibiting high motility. We can thus conclude that semen activates PMN in the donkey, and that the percentage of spermatozoa phagocytosed by PMN is low. Furthermore, because percentages of spermatozoa not attached to PMN were higher after 3 h than after 1 h of incubation, we suggest that PMN-sperm interaction plays an instrumental role in the reproductive strategy of the donkey.
Novel Medicinal Mushroom Blend as a Promising Supplement in Integrative Oncology: A Multi-Tiered Study using 4T1 Triple-Negative Mouse Breast Cancer Model
Authors: Roda Elisa , De Luca Fabrizio , Di Iorio Carmine , Ratto Daniela , Siciliani Stella , Ferrari Beatrice , Cobelli Filippo , Borsci Giuseppina , Priori Erica Cecilia , Chinosi Silvia , Ronchi Andrea , Franco Renato , Di Francia Raffaele , Berretta Massimiliano , Locatelli Carlo Alessandro , Gregori Andrej , Savino Elena , Bottone Maria Grazia , Rossi Paola
Published: May 2020

Although medicinal mushroom extracts have been proposed as promising anti-cancer agents, their precise impacts on metastatic breast cancer are still to be clarified. For this purpose, the present study exploited the effect of a novel medicinal mushroom blend, namely Micotherapy U-care, in a 4T1 triple-negative mouse breast cancer model. Mice were orally administered with Micotherapy U-care, consisting of a mixture of Agaricus blazei, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, and Lentinula edodes. The syngeneic tumor-bearing mice were generated by injecting 4T1 cells in both supplemented and non-supplemented mice. After sacrifice 35 days later, specific endpoints and pathological outcomes of the murine pulmonary tissue were evaluated. (i) Histopathological and ultrastructural analysis and (ii) immunohistochemical assessment of TGF-ß1, IL-6 and NOS2, COX2, SOD1 as markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were performed. The QoL was comparatively evaluated. Micotherapy U-care supplementation, starting before 4T1 injection and lasting until the end of the experiment, dramatically reduced the pulmonary metastases density, also triggering a decrease of fibrotic response, and reducing IL-6, NOS, and COX2 expression. SOD1 and TGF-ß1 results were also discussed. These findings support the valuable potential of Micotherapy U-care as adjuvant therapy in the critical management of triple-negative breast cancer.
Elevated Plasma Levels of Circulating Extracellular miR-320a-3p in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Zhelankin Andrey V. , Vasiliev Sergey V. , Stonogina Daria A. , Babalyan Konstantin A. , Sharova Elena I. , Doludin Yurii V. , Shchekochikhin Dmitry Y. , Generozov Eduard V. , Akselrod Anna S.
Published: May 2020

The potential of extracellular circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) as non-invasive biomarkers of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been confirmed by a number of recent studies. However, the current data for some miRNAs are controversial and inconsistent, probably due to pre-analytical and methodological differences. In this work, we attempted to fulfill the basic pre-analytical requirements provided for circulating miRNA studies for application to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) research. We used quantitative PCR (qPCR) to determine the relative plasma levels of circulating miRNAs expressed in the heart or associated with atrial remodeling or fibrillation with reported altered plasma/serum levels in AF: miR-146a-5p, miR-150-5p, miR-19a-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-29b-3p, miR-320a-3p, miR-328-3p, miR-375-3p, and miR-409-3p. First, in a cohort of 90 adult outpatient clinic patients, we found that the plasma level of miR-320a-3p was elevated in PAF patients compared to healthy controls and hypertensive patients without AF. We further analyzed the impact of medication therapies on miRNA relative levels and found elevated miR-320a-3p levels in patients receiving angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) therapy. Additionally, we found that miR-320a-3p, miR-21-5p, and miR-146a-5p plasma levels positively correlated with the CHA2DS2-Vasc score and were elevated in subjects with CHA2DS2-Vasc ≥ 2. Our results indicate that, amongst the analyzed miRNAs, miR-320a-3p may be considered as a potential PAF circulating plasma biomarker, leading to speculation as to whether this miRNA is a marker of platelet state change due to ACEI therapy.
Super-Resolution Microscopy Reveals Diversity of Plant Centromere Architecture
Authors: Schubert Veit , Neumann Pavel , Marques André , Heckmann Stefan , Macas Jiri , Pedrosa-Harand Andrea , Schubert Ingo , Jang Tae-Soo , Houben Andreas
Published: May 2020

Centromeres are essential for proper chromosome segregation to the daughter cells during mitosis and meiosis. Chromosomes of most eukaryotes studied so far have regional centromeres that form primary constrictions on metaphase chromosomes. These monocentric chromosomes vary from point centromeres to so-called “meta-polycentromeres”, with multiple centromere domains in an extended primary constriction, as identified in Pisum and Lathyrus species. However, in various animal and plant lineages centromeres are distributed along almost the entire chromosome length. Therefore, they are called holocentromeres. In holocentric plants, centromere-specific proteins, at which spindle fibers usually attach, are arranged contiguously (line-like), in clusters along the chromosomes or in bands. Here, we summarize findings of ultrastructural investigations using immunolabeling with centromere-specific antibodies and super-resolution microscopy to demonstrate the structural diversity of plant centromeres. A classification of the different centromere types has been suggested based on the distribution of spindle attachment sites. Based on these findings we discuss the possible evolution and advantages of holocentricity, and potential strategies to segregate holocentric chromosomes correctly.
Toxic Effects of Nonylphenol on Neonatal Testicular Development in Mouse Organ Culture
Authors: Park Hyun-Jung , Zhang Mingtian , Lee Won-Young , Hong Kwon-Ho , Do Jeong Tae , Park Chankyu , Song Hyuk
Published: May 2020

Nonylphenol (NP) is an alkylphenol that is widely used in chemical manufacturing. Exposure to this toxic environmental contaminant has been shown to negatively affect the reproductive system. Herein, we evaluated the toxicity of NP in mouse testes, while using in vitro organ culture. Mouse testicular fragments (MTFs), derived from five-day postpartum neonatal mouse testes, were exposed to different concentrations of NP (1–50 μM) for 30 days. The results showed that NP impaired germ cell development and maintenance. Furthermore, NP significantly downregulated the transcript levels of both undifferentiated and differentiated germ cell marker genes relative to those in controls. In particular, a high dose of NP (50 µM) led to complete germ cell depletion and resulted in spermatogenic failure, despite the presence of Sertoli and Leydig cells. In addition, the mRNA expression of steroidogenic enzymes, such as steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR), Cytochrome P450 Family 11 Subfamily A Member 1 (Cyp11α1), Cytochrome P450 17A1 (Cyp17α1), and androgen receptor (AR), increased with increasing concentration of NP. Conversely, the expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) and Cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1 (Cyp19α1) in NP-exposed MTFs decreased when compared to that of the control. Taken together, this study demonstrates that NP has a negative effect on prepubertal spermatogenesis and germ cell maintenance and it disrupts steroidogenesis and induces hormonal imbalance in MTFs.
Identification and Characterization of Verticillium longisporum Lineage A1/D1 from Brassica Crops in Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Zou Zhongwei , Bisht Vikram , Fernando W. G. Dilantha
Published: May 2020

Verticillium stripe in canola (Brassica napus L.) caused by Verticillium longisporum was first reported in Manitoba in 2014. In this study, Brassica crops including canola, mustard (Brassica juncea) and radish (Raphanus sativus) with visible symptoms of Verticillium stripe were collected from Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, and the pathogens were isolated. Isolates from canola and radish were identified to V. longisporum, which produced longer conidia (7.92–12.00 µm) than Verticillium dahliae (4.32–7.04 µm). An isolate derived from mustard was characterized as V. dahliae. Molecular diagnostics with 18S rDNA, 5.8S rDNA and mating-type marker primers were used to confirm the identification of Verticillium isolates. PCR-RFLP of the mitochondrial small subunit rDNA and the cytochrome b gene were also employed to distinguish V. longisporum isolates from V. dahliae. The multi-gene characterization approach allowed for lineage determination, and V. longisporum isolates from canola and radish were in the A1/D1 group. Isolates of Verticillium longisporum from canola inoculated onto the canola cultivar ‘Westar’ caused symptoms of stem striping, stunting and short plants. Re-isolated fungal strains from infected stems were again inoculated onto canola plants, in order to confirm that V. longisporum was the causal agent of Verticillium stripe disease in the pathogenicity test.
Otoprotective Effects of Zingerone on Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity
Authors: Lee Chang Ho , Lee Da-hye , Lee So Min , Kim So Young
Published: May 2020

Previous studies have described the effects of zingerone (ZO) on cisplatin (CXP)-induced injury to the kidneys, liver, and other organs but not to the cochlea. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ZO on CXP-induced ototoxicity. Eight-week-old Sprague–Dawley rats were used and divided into a control group, a CXP group, and a CXP + ZO group. Rats in the CXP group received 5 mg/kg/day CXP intraperitoneally for five days. Rats in the CXP + ZO group received 5 mg/kg/day CXP intraperitoneally for five days and 50 mg/kg/day ZO intraperitoneally for seven days. Auditory brainstem response thresholds (ABRTs) were measured before (day 0) and after (day 10) drug administration. Cochlear histology was examined using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and cochlear whole mounts. The expression levels of cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A1, CYP1B1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and interleukin 6 (IL6) were estimated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The expression levels of heme oxygenase 1 (HO1) and caspase 3 were analyzed via Western blotting. The auditory thresholds at 4, 8, and 16 kHz were attenuated in the CXP + ZO group compared with the CXP group. The mRNA expression levels of CYP1A1, CYP1B1, iNOS, NFκB, TNFα, and IL6 were lower in the CXP + ZO group than in the CXP group. The protein expression levels of HO1 and caspase 3 were lower in the CXP + ZO group than in the CXP group. Cotreatment with ZO exerted otoprotective effects against CXP-induced cochlear injury via antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities involving CYPs, iNOS, NFκB, and TNFα.
Role of the Hyaluronan Receptor, Stabilin-2/HARE, in Health and Disease
Authors: Harris Edward N. , Baker Erika
Published: May 2020

Stabilin-2/HARE is the primary clearance receptor for circulating hyaluronan (HA), a polysaccharide found in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of metazoans. HA has many biological functions including joint lubrication, ocular turgor pressure, skin elasticity and hydration, cell motility, and intercellular signaling, among many others. The regulatory system for HA content in the tissues, lymphatics, and circulatory systems is due, in part, to Stabilin-2/HARE. The activity of this receptor was discovered about 40 years ago (early 1980s), cloned in the mid-1990s, and has been characterized since then. Here, we discuss the overall domain organization of this receptor and how it correlates to ligand binding, cellular signaling, and its role in known physiological disorders such as cancer.
From Environment to Genome and Back: A Lesson from HFE Mutations
Authors: Rametta Raffaela , Meroni Marica , Dongiovanni Paola
Published: May 2020

The environment and the human genome are closely entangled and many genetic variations that occur in human populations are the result of adaptive selection to ancestral environmental (mainly dietary) conditions. However, the selected mutations may become maladaptive when environmental conditions change, thus becoming candidates for diseases. Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a potentially lethal disease leading to iron accumulation mostly due to mutations in the HFE gene. Indeed, homozygosity for the C282Y HFE mutation is associated with the primary iron overload phenotype. However, both penetrance of the C282Y variant and the clinical manifestation of the disease are extremely variable, suggesting that other genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of HH, as well as, and in its progression to end-stage liver diseases. Alcohol consumption and dietary habits may impact on the phenotypic expression of HFE-related hemochromatosis. Indeed, dietary components and bioactive molecules can affect iron status both directly by modulating its absorption during digestion and indirectly by the epigenetic modification of genes involved in its uptake, storage and recycling. Thus, the premise of this review is to discuss how environmental pressures led to the selection of HFE mutations and whether nutritional and lifestyle interventions may exert beneficial effects on HH outcomes and comorbidities.
Molecular and Functional Characterization of Elovl4 Genes in Sparus aurata and Solea senegalensis Pointing to a Critical Role in Very Long-Chain (>C24) Fatty Acid Synthesis during Early Neural Development of Fish
Authors: Morais Sofia , Torres Miguel , Hontoria Francisco , Monroig Óscar , Varó Inma , Agulleiro María José , Navarro Juan Carlos
Published: May 2020

Very long-chain fatty acids (VLC-FA) play critical roles in neural tissues during the early development of vertebrates. However, studies on VLC-FA in fish are scarce. The biosynthesis of VLC-FA is mediated by elongation of very long-chain fatty acid 4 (Elovl4) proteins and, consequently, the complement and activity of these enzymes determines the capacity that a given species has for satisfying its physiological demands, in particular for the correct development of neurophysiological functions. The present study aimed to characterize and localize the expression of elovl4 genes from Sparus aurata and Solea senegalensis, as well as to determine the function of their encoded proteins. The results confirmed that both fish possess two distinct elovl4 genes, named elovl4a and elovl4b. Functional assays demonstrated that both Elovl4 isoforms had the capability to elongate long-chain (C20–24), both saturated (SFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA), fatty acid precursors to VLC-FA. In spite of their overlapping activity, Elovl4a was more active in VLC-SFA elongation, while Elovl4b had a preponderant elongation activity towards n-3 PUFA substrates, particularly in S. aurata, being additionally the only isoform that is capable of elongating docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). A preferential expression of elovl4 genes was measured in neural tissues, being elovl4a and elovl4b mRNAs mostly found in brain and eyes, respectively.
The Apolipoprotein A-I Mimetic L-4F Attenuates Monocyte Activation and Adverse Cardiac Remodeling after Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Hamid Tariq , Ismahil Mohamed Ameen , Bansal Shyam S. , Patel Bindiya , Goel Mehak , White C. Roger , Anantharamaiah G. M. , Prabhu Sumanth D.
Published: May 2020

Excessive inflammation after myocardial infarction (MI) can promote infarct expansion and adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling. L-4F, a mimetic peptide of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties; however, whether L-4F imparts beneficial effects after myocardial infarction (MI) is unknown. Here we demonstrate that L-4F suppresses the expansion of blood, splenic, and myocardial pro-inflammatory monocytes and macrophages in a mouse model of reperfused MI. Changes in immune cell profiles were accompanied by alleviation of post-MI LV remodeling and dysfunction. In vitro, L-4F also inhibited pro-inflammatory and glycolytic gene expression in macrophages. In summary, L-4F treatment prevents prolonged and excessive inflammation after MI, in part through modulation of pro-inflammatory monocytes and macrophages, and improves post-MI LV remodeling. These data suggest that L-4F could be a used as a therapeutic adjunct in humans with MI to limit inflammation and alleviate the progression to heart failure.
Prodromal Intestinal Events in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD): Colonic Dysmotility and Inflammation Are Associated with Enteric AD-Related Protein Deposition
Authors: Pellegrini Carolina , Daniele Simona , Antonioli Luca , Benvenuti Laura , D’Antongiovanni Vanessa , Piccarducci Rebecca , Pietrobono Deborah , Citi Valentina , Piragine Eugenia , Flori Lorenzo , Ippolito Chiara , Segnani Cristina , Palazon-Riquelme Pablo , Lopez-Castejon Gloria , Martelli Alma , Colucci Rocchina , Bernardini Nunzia , Trincavelli Maria Letizia , Calderone Vincenzo , Martini Claudia , Blandizzi Corrado , Fornai Matteo
Published: May 2020

Increasing evidence suggests that intestinal dysfunctions may represent early events in Alzheimer’s disease and contribute to brain pathology. This study examined the relationship between onset of cognitive impairment and colonic dysfunctions in a spontaneous AD model before the full development of brain pathology. SAMP8 mice underwent Morris water maze and assessment of faecal output at four, six and eight months of age. In vitro colonic motility was examined. Faecal and colonic Aβ, tau proteins, α-synuclein and IL-1β were assessed by ELISA. Colonic citrate synthase activity was assessed by spectrophotometry. Colonic NLRP3, caspase-1 and ASC expression were evaluated by Western blotting. Colonic eosinophil density and claudin-1 expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The effect of Aβ on NLRP3 signalling and mitochondrial function was tested in cultured cells. Cognitive impairment and decreased faecal output occurred in SAMP8 mice from six months. When compared with SAMR1, SAMP8 animals displayed: (1) impaired in vitro colonic contractions; (2) increased enteric AD-related proteins, IL-1β, active-caspase-1 expression and eosinophil density; and (3) decreased citrate synthase activity and claudin-1 expression. In THP-1 cells, Aβ promoted IL-1β release, which was abrogated upon incubation with caspase-1 inhibitor or in ASC-/- cells. Aβ decreased mitochondrial function in THP-1 cells. In SAMP8, enteric AD-related proteins deposition, inflammation and impaired colonic excitatory neurotransmission, occurring before the full brain pathology development, could contribute to bowel dysmotility and represent prodromal events in AD.