bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short-Term Effects of Atmospheric Pollution on Daily Mortality and Their Modification by Increased Temperatures Associated with a Climatic Change Scenario in Northern Mexico
Authors: Bretón Rosa María Cerón , Bretón Julia Griselda Cerón , Kahl Jonathan W. D. , Fuentes María de la Luz Espinosa , Lara Evangelina Ramírez , Marrón Marcela Rangel , Severino Reyna del Carmen Lara , Chi Martha Patricia Uc
Published: December 2020

Short-term effects of air pollution on the health of residents in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey, Mexico were assessed from 2012–2015 using a time-series approach. Guadalupe had the highest mean concentrations for SO2, CO and O3; whereas Santa Catarina showed the highest NO2 concentrations. Escobedo and Garcia registered the highest levels for PM10. Only PM10 and O3 exceeded the maximum permissible values established in the Mexican official standards. Most of pollutants and municipalities showed a great number of associations between an increase of 10% in their current concentrations and mortality, especially for people >60 years. Different scenarios resulting from climatic change were built (increases of 5–25% in daily mean temperature), but only the increase of 25% (5 °C) showed a significant association with air pollutant concentrations and mortality. All pollutants and municipalities showed significant increases in relative risk indexes (RRI) resulting from an increase of 5 °C when people >60 years was considered. Results were comparable to those reported by other authors around the world. The RRI were low but significant, and thus are of public concern. This study demonstrated that the elderly is strongly threatened not only by atmospheric pollution but also by climatic change scenarios in warm and semiarid places.
Assessment of a Screening Questionnaire to Identify Exposure to Lead in Pregnant Women
Authors: Coiplet Eléna , Freuchet Marine , Sunyach Claire , Mancini Julien , Perrin Jeanne , Courbiere Blandine , Heckenroth Hélène , Pissier Christel , Hamdaoui Naima , Bretelle Florence
Published: December 2020

Lead readily crosses the placenta and displays adverse effects on birth outcomes and neurodevelopment. Systematic identification of the risk of exposure during pregnancy is essential but rarely performed, probably due to hospital staff’s workload and their lack of awareness. We aimed to evaluate the relevance of a questionnaire to screen pregnant women for lead exposure. A cross-sectional, multicentre study was carried out on a population of 792 pregnant women from February 2018 to May 2020. A total of 596 women had a blood lead test: 68.5% had blood lead levels below 10 μg/L. The estimated prevalence above 25 µg/L was 4% (95% confidence interval (CI) [2.6–5.9]) and 1.3% had levels above 50 µg/L (95% CI [0.6–2.6]). Multivariate analysis showed that three risk factors significantly increased the probability of blood lead levels above 25 µg/L: the use of traditional cosmetics (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.90; 95% CI [1.65–9.21]; p = 0.002), degraded old housing (aOR: 2.67; 95% CI [1.19–6.038]; p = 0.018), and (marginally) eating bread more than twice a day (aOR: 2.40; 95% CI [0.96–6.11]; p = 0.060). Our study reveals that a three-question tool can be used to quickly screen for the risk of lead exposure in our population and to trigger lead blood tests and special vigilance during pregnancy follow-up.
Special Issue: Parent–Child Interactions: Paths of Intergenerational Transmission of Psychopathological Risk
Authors: Cerniglia Luca , Cimino Silvia
Published: December 2020

The developmental psychopathology clinical and theoretical framework has proposed a bio-psycho-social model that integrates biological, environmental, social, and psychological factors to disentangle the underpinning mechanisms of the intergenerational transmission of psychopathological risk [...]
Addressing Health Disparities in the Rural United States: Advocacy as Caregiving among Community Health Workers and Promotores de Salud
Authors: Logan Ryan I. , Castañeda Heide
Published: December 2020

Rural populations in the United States are faced with a variety of health disparities that complicate access to care. Community health workers (CHWs) and their Spanish-speaking counterparts, promotores de salud, are well-equipped to address rural health access issues, provide education, and ultimately assuage these disparities. In this article, we compare community health workers in the states of Indiana and Texas, based on the results of two separate research studies, in order to (1) investigate the unique role of CHWs in rural communities and (2) understand how their advocacy efforts represent a central form of caregiving. Drawing on ethnographic, qualitative data—including interviews, photovoice, and participant observation—we analyze how CHWs connect structurally vulnerable clients in rural areas to resources, health education, and health and social services. Our primary contribution to existing scholarship on CHWs is the elaboration of advocacy as a form of caregiving to improve individual health outcomes as well as provoke structural change in the form of policy development. Finally, we describe how CHWs became especially critical in addressing disparities among rural populations in the wake of COVID-19, using their advocacy-as-caregiving role that was developed and well-established before the pandemic. These frontline workers are more vital than ever to address disparities and are a critical force in overcoming structural vulnerability and inequities in health in the United States.
Integrating the Built and Social Environment into Health Assessments for Maternal and Child Health: Creating a Planning-Friendly Index
Authors: Wang Xi , Whittaker Jennifer , Kellom Katherine , Garcia Stephanie , Marshall Deanna , Dechert Tara , Matone Meredith
Published: December 2020

Environmental and community context earliest in the life course have a profound effect on life-long health outcomes. Yet, standard needs assessments for maternal and child health (MCH) programs often overlook the full range of influences affecting health in-utero and early childhood. To address this, we developed a methodology for assessing community risk in MCH based on six domains integrating 66 indicators across community, environment, socioeconomic indicators, and MCH outcomes. We pilot this methodology in Pennsylvania, and share examples of how local governments, planners, and public health officials across the geographic spectrum can integrate this data into community planning for improved maternal and child health.
Does Active Design Influence Activity, Sitting, Wellbeing and Productivity in the Workplace? A Systematic Review
Authors: Engelen Lina
Published: December 2020

Active design is an emerging concept to incorporate physical activity into daily life through thoughtful design, and is often implemented in new building designs. It is, however, not known what evidence base there is to support the claims. Through this systematic review, the current evidence for active design was investigated. Seven databases were searched. A range of search terms relating to active design, physical activity, sitting, performance and wellbeing were used. After title and abstract screening of 1174 papers and full-text screening, 17 were selected for inclusion. The papers provided promising evidence of active design aiding a reduction in sitting and increase in standing time. Limited evidence was found for physical activity; a few studies reported an increase in step counts. Musculoskeletal effects were investigated in few studies, but there is some evidence of benefits to lower back pain. There was consistent evidence for better light and air quality, but no evidence for other features of the workplace environment. No conclusive evidence was found on associations between active design features and work performance. There is hence some evidence to support the benefit of active design on physical health; however, the dearth and heterogeneity of the study designs, measures and findings warrant further research.
Sources and Determinants of Wholegrain Intake in a Cohort of Australian Children Aged 12–14 Months
Authors: Hassan Amira , Devenish Gemma , Golley Rebecca K. , Ha Diep , Do Loc G. , Scott Jane A.
Published: December 2020

In the first two years of life, exposure to wholegrain foods may help establish life‑long consumption patterns associated with reduced risk of chronic disease, yet intake data are lacking for this age group. This cross‑sectional analysis aimed to determine intakes and food sources of wholegrains in a cohort of 828 Australian children aged 12–14 months, and to identify determinants of wholegrain intake. Three non‑consecutive days of dietary intake data were collected using a 24‑h recall and 2‑day estimated food record. The multiple source method was used to estimate usual wholegrain intake, and the multivariable general linear model procedure used to identify associations between usual wholegrain intake and socio‑demographic determinants. The mean wholegrain intake was 19.5 (±14) g/day, and the major food sources were ready to eat breakfast cereals (40%) breads and bread rolls (26.6%), flours and other cereal grains (9.4%), and commercial infant foods (8.3%). Lower wholegrain intakes were observed for children whose mothers were born in China (p < 0.001) and other Asian countries (p < 0.001), with the exception of India (p = 0.193); those with mothers aged less than 25 years (p = 0.001) and those with two or more siblings (p = 0.013). This study adds to the weight of global evidence highlighting the need to increase children’s intake of foods high in wholegrain, including in the first few years of life.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Depression in Spain: Are There Gender Inequalities?
Authors: Cabezas-Rodríguez Andrea , Bacigalupe Amaia , Martín Unai
Published: December 2020

It is well known that women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with depression and to consume antidepressants. The factors related to the medicalisation of depression and their social distribution remain unclear. The aim of this study was to analyse gender inequalities in the medicalisation of depression from an intersectional perspective. This was a cross-sectional study based on data from the European Health Survey relating to Spain. Gender inequalities were calculated using prevalence ratios of women compared to men with a diagnosis of depression and antidepressant use, adjusted for age, depressive symptoms, primary care visits and diagnosis of depression in the case of antidepressant use. After adjustments, the diagnosis of depression and the use of antidepressants were more prevalent in women, especially of lower socioeconomic levels. Gender inequalities in the diagnosis of depression also increased with decreasing level of education. Regarding the use of antidepressants, gender inequalities were not significant in university graduates and people of higher social. The gender inequalities found in the diagnosis and treatment of depression cannot be completely attributed to a higher level of depressive symptoms in women or their greater frequency of visits to primary care. Inequalities are greater in more vulnerable social groups.
B-Comet Assay (Comet Assay on Buccal Cells) for the Evaluation of Primary DNA Damage in Human Biomonitoring Studies
Authors: Russo Carla , Acito Mattia , Fatigoni Cristina , Villarini Milena , Moretti Massimo
Published: December 2020

Many subjects perceive venous blood collection as too invasive, and thus moving to better-accepted procedures for leukocytes collection might be crucial in human biomonitoring studies (e.g., biomonitoring of occupational or residential exposure to genotoxins) management. In this context, primary DNA damage was assessed in buccal lymphocytes (BLs), fresh whole venous, and capillary blood leukocytes, and compared with that in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs)—the most frequently used cells—in 15 young subjects. Mouthwashes were collected after the volunteers rinsed their mouths with normal saline, and BLs were isolated by density gradient centrifugation. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture or by lancet. Anthropometric and lifestyle information was obtained by the administration of a structured questionnaire. As shown in the Bland-Altman plots, the level of agreement between BLs and PBLs lied within the accepted range, we thus enrolled a wider population (n = 54) to assess baseline DNA damage in BLs. In these cells, mean values of tail length (µm), tail intensity (%), and tail moment were 25.7 ± 0.9, 6.7 ± 0.4 and 1.0 ± 0.1, respectively. No significant association was observed between sex and smoking habit with any of the DNA damage parameters. Conversely, underweight subjects displayed significantly higher genomic instability compared with normal weight group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we successfully managed to set up and update a non-invasive and well-accepted procedure for the isolation of BLs from saliva that could be useful in upcoming biomonitoring studies.
The Mediating Role of Internalized Stigma and Shame on the Relationship between COVID-19 Related Discrimination and Mental Health Outcomes among Back-to-School Students in Wuhan
Authors: Li Hao , Zheng Ling , Le Hong , Zhuo Lijun , Wu Qian , Ma Guoqing , Tao Hongbing
Published: December 2020

Outbreaks of an epidemic, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), always brings about far-ranging discrimination and stigmatization to the epicenter. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted to assess experienced discrimination, internalized stigma, shame, and mental health (anxiety, depression, distress, insomnia) among college students who merely had a perceived linkage with COVID-19, and explore the linkage between discrimination and negative mental health outcomes through the mediating effects of shame and internalized stigma. A total of 995 participants (53% female) were involved in this study, in which 40.9% of college students were reported to be discriminated against because of their experience in Wuhan. The experience of COVID-19-related discrimination is indirectly associated with anxiety, depression, and insomnia, in which shame and internalized stigma play a complete mediating effect. Meanwhile, it is both directly and indirectly associated with distress through shame and internalized stigma. The findings of this study suggest that COVID-19-related discrimination is associated with shame and internalized stigma, which in turn predict psychological symptoms over time.
Marketing Breastfeeding Substitutes: A Discussion Document
Authors: Becker Genevieve E
Published: December 2020

Marketing influences knowledge, attitudes, and decisions related to infant and young child nutrition, safety, development, parental confidence, and other aspects of health and wellbeing of the child. These attitudes and behaviours of parents, health workers, policy makers, and other influencers have short- and long-term effects on the child. There is an International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes. Is it time to have a code of marketing of breastfeeding substitutes?
Financial Development and Environmental Regulations: The Two Pillars of Green Transformation in China
Authors: Li Cong , Liu Xihua , Bai Xue , Umar Muhammad
Published: December 2020

Awareness of the influence of environmental regulations and financial development on green technological progress by Chinese enterprises will help to promote the green transformation of China’s economy, thereby comprehensively enhancing the quality and competitiveness of its economic development. This paper constructs a theoretical framework to analyze environmental regulation, financial development, and green technological progress and studies the relationship among these three indicators using 2004–2018 data from Shandong province. The results show that environmental regulations and financial development both play roles in promoting green technological progress, but as environmental regulation becomes stronger, the effects of finance on green technological progress begin to differ across regions. The results partially verify the applicability of the Porter hypothesis in China, providing a reference for all levels of government to formulate scientific and reasonable environmental rules and policies.
Papás Activos: Associations between Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and Personal Networks among Fathers Living in Texas Colonias
Authors: Prochnow Tyler , Umstattd Meyer M. Renée , Patterson Megan S. , McClendon Megan E. , Gómez Luis , Trost Stewart G. , Sharkey Joseph
Published: December 2020

Despite growing health disparities in Latino populations related to lack of physical activity (PA), little is known regarding the impact of social networks on PA and sedentary behavior among a sample of Latino fathers residing in functionally rural colonias. Fathers wore accelerometers and responded to questions regarding their self-efficacy and characteristics of who they were active with most often. Fathers (n = 47) attained a mean of 73.3 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA (SD = 23.8) per day and were sedentary for a mean of 364.0 min (SD = 74.4) per day. In total, fathers reported 205 alters and significantly more family members (M = 3.60, SD = 1.64) than friends (M = 0.77, SD = 1.37). Sedentary time was positively associated with number of peers and inversely related to the number of children reported. Minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA was significantly associated with greater self-efficacy and number of family members reported. This study contributes to the evidence by further examining PA correlates of Latino fathers from functionally rural colonia communities. Additionally, this study supported both family systems theory and the socio–ecological model as it details the interpersonal and familial influences of PA behavior. Thus, supports for family activity promotion and programs which impact familial norms and activity at the family level may be particularly useful.
Integrating the Gender Perspective into Literature Studies to Enhance Medical University Students’ Gender Awareness and Critical Thinking
Authors: Liao Hung-Chang , Wang Ya-huei
Published: December 2020

Objective: This study attempted to integrate the gender perspective into literature studies to allow medical university students to examine internalized gender prescriptions and investigate whether the integration of the gender perspective into literature studies would create any difference among students in gender awareness and critical thinking. Methods: This study used fifteen-week quasi-experimental research to verify the feasibility of using the gender perspective in literature studies to arouse medical university students’ gender awareness and critical thinking. Before and after the intervention, a gender awareness test and a critical thinking disposition test were carried out by both the experimental group (41 students) and control group (41 students). Results: The findings show that regarding gender awareness, with the integration of the gender perspective into literature studies, medical university students had significantly higher post-test scores for “public gender consciousness” and “private gender consciousness.” In regard to critical thinking, they also had significantly better post-test scores in “systematicity and analyticity,” “maturity and skepticism,” and “inquisitiveness and conversance.” Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the integration of the gender perspective into literature studies could result in positive learning outcomes among medical university students in terms of gender awareness and critical thinking.
Neurosteroids and Focal Epileptic Disorders
Authors: Lévesque Maxime , Biagini Giuseppe , Avoli Massimo
Published: December 2020

Neurosteroids are a family of compounds that are synthesized in principal excitatory neurons and glial cells, and derive from the transformation of cholesterol into pregnenolone. The most studied neurosteroids—allopregnanolone and allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC)—are known to modulate GABAA receptor-mediated transmission, thus playing a role in controlling neuronal network excitability. Given the role of GABAA signaling in epileptic disorders, neurosteroids have profound effects on seizure generation and play a role in the development of chronic epileptic conditions (i.e., epileptogenesis). We review here studies showing the effects induced by neurosteroids on epileptiform synchronization in in vitro brain slices, on epileptic activity in in vivo models, i.e., in animals that were made epileptic with chemoconvulsant treatment, and in epileptic patients. These studies reveal that neurosteroids can modulate ictogenesis and the occurrence of pathological network activity such as interictal spikes and high-frequency oscillations (80–500 Hz). Moreover, they can delay the onset of spontaneous seizures in animal models of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Overall, this evidence suggests that neurosteroids represent a new target for the treatment of focal epileptic disorders.
Effect of Adrenergic Agonists on High-Fat Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis in Mice
Authors: Nakade Yukiomi , Kitano Rena , Yamauchi Taeko , Kimoto Satoshi , Sakamoto Kazumasa , Inoue Tadahisa , Kobayashi Yuji , Ohashi Tomohiko , Sumida Yoshio , Ito Kiyoaki , Yoneda Masashi
Published: December 2020

The autonomic nervous system, consisting of sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, plays an important role in regulating metabolic homeostasis. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) regulates hepatic lipid metabolism by regulating adrenergic receptor activation, resulting in the stimulation of hepatic very-low-density lipoprotein-triglyceride (TG) production in vivo. However, only a few studies on the relationship between SNS and hepatic steatosis have been reported. Here, we investigate the effect of adrenergic receptor agonists on hepatic steatosis in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The α-adrenergic receptor agonist phenylephrine (10 mg/kg/d) or the β-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol (30 mg/kg/d) was coadministered with HFD to male mice. After five weeks, hepatic steatosis, TG levels, and hepatic fat metabolism-related biomarkers were examined. HFD treatment induced hepatic steatosis, and cotreatment with phenylephrine, but not isoproterenol, attenuated this effect. Phenylephrine administration upregulated the mRNA levels of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and its target genes (such as carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1) and increased hepatic β-hydroxybutyrate levels. Additionally, phenylephrine treatment increased the expression of the autophagosomal marker LC3-II but decreased that of p62, which is selectively degraded during autophagy. These results indicate that phenylephrine inhibits hepatic steatosis through stimulation of β-oxidation and autophagy in the liver.
RNAi Mediated Hypoxia Stress Tolerance in Plants
Authors: Betti Federico , Ladera-Carmona Maria José , Perata Pierdomenico , Loreti Elena
Published: December 2020

Small RNAs regulate various biological process involved in genome stability, development, and adaptive responses to biotic or abiotic stresses. Small RNAs include microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulators of gene expression that affect the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation in plants and animals through RNA interference (RNAi). miRNAs are endogenous small RNAs that originate from the processing of non-coding primary miRNA transcripts folding into hairpin-like structures. The mature miRNAs are incorporated into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and drive the Argonaute (AGO) proteins towards their mRNA targets. siRNAs are generated from a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) of cellular or exogenous origin. siRNAs are also involved in the adaptive response to biotic or abiotic stresses. The response of plants to hypoxia includes a genome-wide transcription reprogramming. However, little is known about the involvement of RNA signaling in gene regulation under low oxygen availability. Interestingly, miRNAs have been shown to play a role in the responses to hypoxia in animals, and recent evidence suggests that hypoxia modulates the expression of various miRNAs in plant systems. In this review, we describe recent discoveries on the impact of RNAi on plant responses to hypoxic stress in plants.
NO Scavenging through Reductive Nitrosylation of Ferric Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Homo sapiens Nitrobindins
Authors: De Simone Giovanna , di Masi Alessandra , Ciaccio Chiara , Coletta Massimo , Ascenzi Paolo
Published: December 2020

Ferric nitrobindins (Nbs) selectively bind NO and catalyze the conversion of peroxynitrite to nitrate. In this study, we show that NO scavenging occurs through the reductive nitrosylation of ferric Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Homo sapiens nitrobindins (Mt-Nb(III) and Hs-Nb(III), respectively). The conversion of Mt-Nb(III) and Hs-Nb(III) to Mt-Nb(II)-NO and Hs-Nb(II)-NO, respectively, is a monophasic process, suggesting that over the explored NO concentration range (between 2.5 × 10−5 and 1.0 × 10−3 M), NO binding is lost in the mixing time (i.e., NOkon ≥ 1.0 × 106 M−1 s−1). The pseudo-first-order rate constant for the reductive nitrosylation of Mt-Nb(III) and Hs-Nb(III) (i.e., k) is not linearly dependent on the NO concentration but tends to level off, with a rate-limiting step (i.e., klim) whose values increase linearly with [OH−]. This indicates that the conversion of Mt-Nb(III) and Hs-Nb(III) to Mt-Nb(II)-NO and Hs-Nb(II)-NO, respectively, is limited by the OH−-based catalysis. From the dependence of klim on [OH−], the values of the second-order rate constant kOH− for the reductive nitrosylation of Mt-Nb(III)-NO and Hs-Nb(III)-NO were obtained (4.9 (±0.5) × 103 M−1 s−1 and 6.9 (±0.8) × 103 M−1 s−1, respectively). This process leads to the inactivation of two NO molecules: one being converted to HNO2 and another being tightly bound to the ferrous heme-Fe(II) atom.
Bevacizumab Augments the Antitumor Efficacy of Infigratinib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Le Thi Bich Uyen , Vu Thanh Chung , Ho Rebecca Zhi Wen , Prawira Aldo , Wang Lingzhi , Goh Boon Cher , Huynh Hung
Published: December 2020

The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling cascade is one of the key signaling pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). FGF has been shown to augment vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated HCC development and angiogenesis, as well as to potentially lead to resistance to VEGF/VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-targeted agents. Thus, novel agents targeting FGF/FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling may enhance and/or overcome de novo or acquired resistance to VEGF-targeted agents in HCC. Mice bearing high- and low-FGFR tumors were treated with Infigratinib (i.e., a pan-FGFR kinase inhibitor) and/or Bevacizumab (i.e., an angiogenesis inhibitor). The antitumor activity of both agents was assessed individually or in combination. Tumor vasculature, intratumoral hypoxia, and downstream targets of FGFR signaling pathways were also investigated. Infigratinib, when combined with Bevacizumab, exerted a synergistic inhibitory effect on tumor growth, invasion, and lung metastasis, and it significantly improved the overall survival of mice bearing FGFR-dependent HCC. Infigratinib/Bevacizumab promoted apoptosis, inhibited cell proliferation concomitant with upregulation of p27, and reduction in the expression of FGFR2-4, p-FRS-2, p-ERK1/2, p-p70S6K/4EBP1, Cdc25C, survivin, p-Cdc2, and p-Rb. Combining Infigratinib/Bevacizumab may provide therapeutic benefits for a subpopulation of HCC patients with FGFR-dependent tumors. A high level of FGFR-2/3 may serve as a potential biomarker for patient selection to Infigratinib/Bevacizumab.
The Antimicrobial Peptide Temporin G: Anti-Biofilm, Anti-Persister Activities, and Potentiator Effect of Tobramycin Efficacy Against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Casciaro Bruno , Loffredo Maria Rosa , Cappiello Floriana , Fabiano Guendalina , Torrini Luisa , Mangoni Maria Luisa
Published: December 2020

Bacterial biofilms are a serious threat for human health, and the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is one of the microorganisms that can easily switch from a planktonic to a sessile lifestyle, providing protection from a large variety of adverse environmental conditions. Dormant non-dividing cells with low metabolic activity, named persisters, are tolerant to antibiotic treatment and are the principal cause of recalcitrant and resistant infections, including skin infections. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) hold promise as new anti-infective agents to treat such infections. Here for the first time, we investigated the activity of the frog-skin AMP temporin G (TG) against preformed S. aureus biofilm including persisters, as well as its efficacy in combination with tobramycin, in inhibiting S. aureus growth. TG was found to provoke ~50 to 100% reduction of biofilm viability in the concentration range from 12.5 to 100 µM vs ATCC and clinical isolates and to be active against persister cells (about 70–80% killing at 50–100 µM). Notably, sub-inhibitory concentrations of TG in combination with tobramycin were able to significantly reduce S. aureus growth, potentiating the antibiotic power. No critical cytotoxicity was detected when TG was tested in vitro up to 100 µM against human keratinocytes, confirming its safety profile for the development of a new potential anti-infective drug, especially for treatment of bacterial skin infections.
IL-24 Negatively Regulates Keratinocyte Differentiation Induced by Tapinarof, an Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Modulator: Implication in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Vu Yen Hai , Hashimoto-Hachiya Akiko , Takemura Masaki , Yumine Ayako , Mitamura Yasutaka , Nakahara Takeshi , Furue Masutaka , Tsuji Gaku
Published: December 2020

Skin barrier dysfunction, including reduced filaggrin (FLG) and loricrin (LOR) expression, plays a critical role in atopic dermatitis (AD) development. Since aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, mediates keratinocyte differentiation, it is a potential target for AD treatment. Recently, clinical studies have shown that tapinarof, an AHR modulator, attenuated the development of AD. To examine the molecular mechanism involved in this, we analyzed tapinarof-treated normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs). Tapinarof upregulated FLG and LOR mRNA and protein expression in an AHR-dependent manner. Tapinarof also induced the secretion of IL-24, a cytokine that activates Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), leading to the downregulation of FLG and LOR expression. Knockdown of either IL-24 or STAT3 expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection augmented the upregulation of FLG and LOR expression induced by tapinarof, suggesting that inhibition of the IL-24/STAT3 axis during AHR activation supports the improvement of skin barrier dysfunction. Furthermore, tapinarof alone could restore the downregulation of FLG and LOR expression induced by IL-4, a key cytokine of AD, and its combination with JAK inhibitors enhanced this effect. These findings provide a new strategy for treating AD using AHR modulators and JAK inhibitors.
The Central Region of Testican-2 Forms a Compact Core and Promotes Cell Migration
Authors: Krajnc Anja , Gaber Aljaž , Lenarčič Brigita , Pavšič Miha
Published: December 2020

Testicans are modular proteoglycans of the extracellular matrix of various tissues where they contribute to matrix integrity and exert cellular effects like neurite outgrowth and cell migration. Using testican-2 as a representative member of the family, we tackle the complete lack of general structural information and structure–function relationship. First, we show using isothermal titration calorimetry and modeling that extracellular calcium-binding domain (EC) has only one active calcium-binding site, while the other potential site is inactive, and that testican-2 is within extracellular matrix always in the calcium-loaded form. Next, we demonstrate using various prediction methods that N- and C-terminal regions plus interdomain connections are flexible. We support this by small-angle X-ray-scattering analysis of C-terminally truncated testican-2, which indicates that the triplet follistatin-EC-thyroglobulin domain forms a moderately compact core while the unique N-terminal is disordered. Finally, using cell exclusion zone assay, we show that it is this domain triplet that is responsible for promoting cell migration and not the N- and C-terminal regions.
Bioelectric Responses of Conjunctival Goblet Cells to Dry Eye: Impact of Ion Channels on Exocytotic Function and Viability
Authors: Puro Donald G.
Published: December 2020

How ion channels impact the response of the ocular surface to dry eye is only beginning to be explored. Here, we review recent progress and provide new experimental data clarifying the exocytosis-altering actions of ion channels in conjunctival goblet cells whose release of tear-stabilizing mucin is a key adaptive response to the pre-ocular hyperosmolarity that characterizes dry eye. Patch-clamp recordings of goblet cells located in freshly excised rat conjunctiva reveal that these mucin-releasing cells respond to sustained hyperosmolarity by sequentially activating their ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP), nonspecific cation (NSC), voltage-gated calcium (VGCC), and P2X7 channels; each of which modulates exocytosis. Based on these and other new findings, we now identify four stages in the bioelectric response of conjunctival goblet cells to extracellular hyperosmolarity. To better characterize these stages, we report that high-resolution membrane capacitance (Cm) measurements of the exocytotic activity of single goblet cells demonstrate that the replenishment of mucin-filled granules after neural-evoked exocytosis is a multi-hour process, which VGCCs markedly accelerate. Yet, we also discovered that VGCC activation is high-risk since hyperosmotic-induced goblet cell death is boosted. With dry eye treatments being far from optimal, elucidating the physiologic and pathobiologic impact of the KATP/NSC/VGCC/P2X7 pathway provides a new opportunity to identify novel therapeutic strategies.
A Review of Hyperscanning and Its Use in Virtual Environments
Authors: Barde Amit , Gumilar Ihshan , Hayati Ashkan F. , Dey Arindam , Lee Gun , Billinghurst Mark
Published: December 2020

Hyperscanning is a technique which simultaneously records the neural activity of two or more people. This is done using one of several neuroimaging methods, such as electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The use of hyperscanning has seen a dramatic rise in recent years to monitor social interactions between two or more people. Similarly, there has been an increase in the use of virtual reality (VR) for collaboration, and an increase in the frequency of social interactions being carried out in virtual environments (VE). In light of this, it is important to understand how interactions function within VEs, and how they can be enhanced to improve their quality in a VE. In this paper, we present some of the work that has been undertaken in the field of social neuroscience, with a special emphasis on hyperscanning. We also cover the literature detailing the work that has been carried out in the human–computer interaction domain that addresses remote collaboration. Finally, we present a way forward where these two research domains can be combined to explore how monitoring the neural activity of a group of participants in VE could enhance collaboration among them.
Modelling the Complex Relationship between Interventions, Interventions Costs and the Service Provided When Evaluating Intervention Programs on Railway Infrastructure Networks
Authors: Burkhalter Marcel , Adey Bryan T.
Published: December 2020

Determining the interventions, e.g., maintenance, renewal, improvement and extension, to be included in an infrastructure program requires the consideration of the asset, intervention, traffic, and network characteristics. This, in turn, requires the development of an appropriate system model enabling the construction of straightforward optimisation models. Although there are already a considerable number of such system models in the literature, improved modelling of the complex relationships between interventions, intervention costs and the service provided by the infrastructure network is possible—especially in the trade-off between the accuracy of considering the complex relationships and the simplicity of the mathematical formulation. This paper explains how to build system models for railway infrastructure networks that capture the complex relationships in a system model that can then be used to construct mixed integer linear optimisation models. The proposed type of system model includes how both intervention costs and impacts on service vary as a function of the type, time and location of the interventions included in intervention programs. The system models of this type consist of a graph that is used to model the relationship between the interventions and intervention costs on the asset level, and the relationship between the interventions and the service provided on the network level. The algorithm uses systematic intervention classification and a hierarchical network state structure to build the system model. For illustration purposes, a system model for a railway network consisting of five track segments, seven switches, a bridge, a tunnel and the power supply system is developed using the algorithm.
Embedding of a Blade-Element Analytical Model into the SHYFEM Marine Circulation Code to Predict the Performance of Cross-Flow Turbines
Authors: Pucci Micol , Bellafiore Debora , Zanforlin Stefania , Rocchio Benedetto , Umgiesser Georg
Published: December 2020

Our aim was to embed a 2D analytical model of a cross-flow tidal turbine inside the open-source SHYFEM marine circulation code. Other studies on the environmental impact of Tidal Energy Converters use marine circulation codes with simplified approaches: performance coefficients are fixed a priori regardless of the operating conditions and turbine geometrical parameters, and usually, the computational grid is so coarse that the device occupies one or few cells. In this work, a hybrid analytical computational fluid dynamic model based on Blade Element Momentum theory is implemented: since the turbine blades are not present in the grid, the flow is slowed down by means of bottom frictions applied to the seabed corresponding to forces equal and opposite to those that the blades would experience during their rotation. This simplified approach allowed reproducing the turbine behavior for both mechanical power generation and the turbine effect on the surrounding flow field. Moreover, the model was able to predict the interaction between the turbines belonging to a small cluster with hugely shorter calculation time compared to pure Computational Fluid Dynamics.
Performance Evaluation of the Urban Cadastral System in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Chekole Solomon Dargie , de Vries Walter Timo , Durán-Díaz Pamela , Shibeshi Gebeyehu Belay
Published: December 2020

The cadastral system is a land management and land administration tool to provide a safe and reliable real property registration system. In Ethiopia, however, the attempts to implement a reliable urban cadastral system have not been successful, which translates into a deficient land administration system. This paper is an evaluation of the performance of the urban cadastral system of Addis Ababa, based on the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) excellence model. The nine criteria of the model were used as independent and dependent variables. Data were collected through interviews, Likert-type questionnaires, and focus group discussions, and validated with method-to-method technique. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques (ordinal logistics regression model) were employed. In order to ascertain reliability of the data, Cronbach’s alpha reliability test was performed in SPSS, and a coefficient of 0.883 was calculated, confirming that the items (questions) have relatively high internal consistency. According to the statistical result from the independent variables, the people result criteria estimated the achievement of cadastral organization at most (1.724). The societal result predicted with a coefficient of 0.281 less. This indicates that the people criterion determines more importantly than other variables. Overall, the independent variables scored the performance of the cadastral organization 24.92 out of 40 points. Findings from interviews and group discussion also confirmed that the most bottlenecks for the organizational achievement are the strategic plan, quality of leadership, bureaucratic processes, and supply of resources. Therefore, we suggest that the responsible authorities need to pay more attention to the enabler criteria (especially, the design of policy and strategy, quality of leadership, provision of resource and partnership, and the process), in order to improve the achievements of the urban cadastral system organization.
Land, Women, Youths, and Land Tools or Methods: Emerging Lessons for Governance and Policy
Authors: Chigbu Uchendu Eugene
Published: December 2020

Women and youths encounter problems with access to land, as well as securing tenure in land resources [...]
Being on Land and Sea in Troubled Times: Climate Change and Food Sovereignty in Nunavut
Authors: Panikkar Bindu , Lemmond Benjamin
Published: December 2020

Climate change driven food insecurity has emerged as a topic of special concern in the Canadian Arctic. Inuit communities in this region rely heavily on subsistence; however, access to traditional food sources may have been compromised due to climate change. Drawing from a total of 25 interviews among Inuit elders and experienced hunters from Cambridge Bay and Kugluktuk in Nunavut, Canada, this research examines how climate change is impacting food sovereignty and health. Our results show that reports of food insecurity were more pronounced in Kugluktuk than Cambridge Bay. Participants in Kugluktuk consistently noted declining availability of preferred fish and game species (e.g., caribou, Arctic char), a decline in participation of sharing networks, and overall increased difficulty accessing traditional foods. Respondents in both communities presented a consistent picture of climate change compounding existing socio-economic (e.g., poverty, disconnect between elders and youth) and health stressors affecting multiple aspects of food sovereignty. This article presents a situated understanding of how climate change as well as other sociocultural factors are eroding food sovereignty at the community-scale in the Arctic. We argue that a communal focus is required to address resilience and adaptation at the local level through programs that protect the local cultural knowledge, traditional ways of life, and indigenous sovereignty to reduce the severities of food insecurity in the Arctic stemming from climate change.
Impact of Carbon Foam Cell Sizes on the Microstructure and Properties of Pressure Infiltrated Magnesium Matrix Composites
Authors: Olszówka-Myalska Anita , Godzierz Marcin , Myalski Jerzy
Published: December 2020

Magnesium-based composites reinforced with open-celled carbon foams (Cof) of porosity approx. 97 vol % and three cell sizes (20, 45 and 100 ppi) were examined to characterize the influence of foam cell size on the microstructure and properties when pure magnesium and two cast alloys AZ31 and RZ5 were used as matrices. All composites were fabricated by pressure infiltration under the same conditions (temperature, pressure, time). For each matrix composition, two main factors due to the presence of the foam determined the composite microstructure—the efficiency of foam penetration and different conditions of metal crystallization. The lowest porosity was obtained when Cof45ppi was used and was independent of the applied matrix composition. The metallic component microhardness increased with a decrease in the carbon cell size as well as a decrease in the α-Mg grain size; both of those results should be taken into account during theoretical calculations. Compression and three-point bending strength measurements showed increases as the carbon cell size decreased, but reinforcing effectiveness relative to the matrix material depended on the metal matrix composition. At the fractured surface, different structural effects in the foam and matrix as well as at the interface were observed and depended on the foam geometry, metal composition and mechanical test type. In glassy carbon foam, those effects occurred as cracking across walls, fragmentation, and delamination, while in the matrix, shear bands and intergranular cracking were observed. On the delaminated foam surface, the microareas of a thin oxide layer were detected as well as dispersed phases characteristic for the applied matrix alloys. The accumulation of intermetallic phases was also observed on the metal matrix surface in microareas delaminated from the carbon foams. Mechanical property results indicated that among the tested, open-celled, carbon foams a 45 ppi porosity was the most useful for pressure infiltration and independent of magnesium-based matrix composition.
Novel Microwave-Assisted Method of Y2Ti2O7 Powder Synthesis
Authors: Chishkala Vladimir , Lytovchenko Serhiy , Mazilin Bohdan , Gevorkyan Edwin , Shkuropatenko Vladimir , Voyevodin Viktor , Rucki Mirosław , Siemiątkowski Zbigniew , Matijošius Jonas , Dudziak Agnieszka , Caban Jacek , Kilikevičius Artūras
Published: December 2020

In the paper, a novel technique for highly dispersed pyrochlore Y2Ti2O7 is proposed. The experimental results proved that the application of microwave irradiation at a certain stage of calcination allowed synthesizing of Y2Ti2O7 in much shorter time, which ensured substantial energy savings. An increase up to 98 wt.% in the content of the preferred phase with a pyrochlore-type structure Y2Ti2O7 was obtained after 25 h of yttrium and titanium oxides calcination at a relatively low temperature of 1150 °C, while the microwave-supported process took only 9 h and provided 99 wt.% of pyrochlore. The proposed technology is suitable for industrial applications, enabling the fabrication of large industrial amounts of pyrochlore without solvent chemistry and high-energy mills. It reduced the cost of both equipment and energy and made the process more environmentally friendly. The particle size and morphology did not change significantly; therefore, the microwave-assisted method can fully replace the traditional one.
Dielectric and Electrical Properties of BLT Ceramics Modified by Fe Ions
Authors: Wodecka-Dus Beata , Goryczka Tomasz , Adamczyk-Habrajska Małgorzata , Bara Mateusz , Dzik Jolanta , Szalbot Diana
Published: December 2020

The solid solution of the perovskite type structure Ba0.996La0.004Ti1−yFeyO3 (BLTF) for varying iron content (y = 0.1−0.4 mol.%) was obtained as a result of a solid state reaction using the conventional method. At room temperature (Tr < TC), the as-received ceramics reveals a single-phase, tetragonal structure and a P4mm space group. An increase in the iron content causes a slight decrease in the volume of the elementary cell. In addition, this admixture significantly reduces the maximum permittivity value (εm) and the shift of the phase transition temperature (TC) towards lower temperatures. The BLTF solid solution shows a classical phase transition and low values of dielectric loss tangent (tgδ), both at room temperature and in the phase transition area. The Curie–Weiss temperature (T0) and Curie constant (C) were also determined on the basis of the dielectric measurements results. The analysis of temperature changes in DC conductivity revealed presence of the positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTCR) effect in the phase transition area.