bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Hand Tracking in Immersive Virtual Reality for Memory Assessment
Authors: Varela-Aldás José , Buele Jorge , López Irene , Palacios-Navarro Guillermo
Published: March 2023

Few works analyze the parameters inherent to immersive virtual reality (IVR) in applications for memory evaluation. Specifically, hand tracking adds to the immersion of the system, placing the user in the first person with full awareness of the position of their hands. Thus, this work addresses the influence of hand tracking in memory assessment with IVR systems. For this, an application based on activities of daily living was developed, where the user must remember the location of the elements. The data collected by the application are the accuracy of the answers and the response time; the participants are 20 healthy subjects who pass the MoCA test with an age range between 18 to 60 years of age; the application was evaluated with classic controllers and with the hand tracking of the Oculus Quest 2. After the experimentation, the participants carried out presence (PQ), usability (UMUX), and satisfaction (USEQ) tests. The results indicate no difference with statistical significance between both experiments; controller experiments have 7.08% higher accuracy and 0.27 ys. faster response time. Contrary to expectations, presence was 1.3% lower for hand tracking, and usability (0.18%) and satisfaction (1.43%) had similar results. The findings indicate no evidence to determine better conditions in the evaluation of memory in this case of IVR with hand tracking.
Higher Sedentary Behaviors and Lower Levels of Specific Knowledge Are Risk Factors for Physical Activity-Related Injuries in Saudi Adolescents
Authors: Said Mohamed Ahmed , Almatar Amnah Ahmed , Alibrahim Mohammed Shaab
Published: March 2023

Encouraging physical activity (PA) for adolescents is necessary to achieve and maintain optimal health, but it may increase the risk of PA-related injuries. This study sought to assess the frequency, location, type, and severity of PA-related injuries in Saudi students aged 13 to 18 years and to identify associated risk factors. A total of 402 students, including 206 boys aged 15.87 ± 1.69 years and 196 girls aged 15.83 ± 1.70 years, were randomly assigned to participate in this study. For each participant, height, weight, body mass index, and fat percentage were measured. Responses to a specially designed four-part self-administered questionnaire were also collected. Results revealed that better specific knowledge was associated with a lower likelihood of sustaining injuries (β = −0.136; p = 0.001) but increased sedentary behaviors were associated with a greater likelihood of sustaining a PA-related injury (β = 0.358; p = 0.023). Gender, knowledge, and sedentary behaviors were the factors overall associated with a greater likelihood of suffering 1, 2, and 3 or more PA-related injuries. However, gender, fat-free mass, knowledge, and sedentary behaviors were associated overall with a greater likelihood of bruises, strains, fractures, sprains, concussions, and at least two types of PA-related injuries. Collectively, we should pay attention to the PA-related injury problem among middle and high school students, particularly when promoting a physically active lifestyle.
“It’s That They Treated Me Like an Object”: A Qualitative Study on the Participation of People Diagnosed with Psychotic Disorders in Their Health Care
Authors: Villena-Jimena Amelia , Morales-Asencio José Miguel , Quemada Casta , Hurtado María M.
Published: March 2023

The mental health recovery model is based on shared decision making, in which patients’ preferences and perceptions of the care received are taken into account. However, persons with psychosis usually have very few opportunities to participate in this process. The present study explores the experiences and perceptions of a group of patients with psychosis—in some cases longstanding, in others more recently diagnosed—concerning their participation in the decisions taken about the approach to their condition and about the attention received from healthcare professionals and services. For this purpose, we performed a qualitative analysis of the outcomes derived from five focus groups and six in-depth interviews (36 participants). Two major themes, with five sub-themes, were identified: shared decision-making (drug-centred approach, negotiation process, and lack of information) and the care environment and styles of clinical practice as determinants (aggressive versus person-centred environments, and styles of professional practice). The main conclusions drawn are that users want to participate more in decision making, they want to be offered a range of psychosocial options from the outset and that their treatment should be based on accessibility, humanity and respect. These findings are in line with the guidelines for clinical practice and should be taken into account in the design of care programmes and the organisation of services for persons with psychosis.
Assessment of Water Eutrophication at Bao’an Lake in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River Based on Multiple Methods
Authors: Leng Mingkai , Feng Lian , Wu Xiaodong , Ge Xuguang , Lin Xiaowen , Song Shixing , Xu Rui , Sun Zhenhua
Published: March 2023

Based on the monthly monitoring of Bao’an Lake in Hubei Province from 2018 to 2020, the eutrophication level of Bao’an Lake in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River is investigated using the comprehensive trophic level index (TLI), chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) absorption coefficient, and the phytoplankton water quality biological method. The influencing factors are then identified. The results demonstrate that the overall water quality of Bao’an Lake remained at levels III–V during 2018–2020. Due to different eutrophication assessment methods, the results are different, but all show that Bao’an Lake is in a eutrophication state as a whole. The eutrophication level of Bao’an Lake is observed to vary with time, exhibiting an increasing then decreasing trend between 2018–2020, while levels are high in summer and autumn, and low in winter and spring. Moreover, the eutrophication level of Bao’an Lake presents an obviously varying spatial distribution. Potamogeton crispus is the dominant species of the Bao’an Lake, the water quality is good in spring when Potamogeton crispus vigorously grows, but poor in summer and autumn. The permanganate index (CODMn) and total phosphorous (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) contents are identified as the main influencing factors of the eutrophication level of Bao’an Lake, with a significant relationship observed between Chl-a and TP (p < 0.01). The above results provide a solid theoretical basis for the ecological restoration of Bao’an Lake.
Evaluation of the Lebanese Adults’ Knowledge Regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Rouphael Melissa , Gerges Perla , Andres Christian , Sacre Yonna , Bitar Tania , Hleihel Walid
Published: March 2023

The daily functioning and overall well-being of people with ASD depends largely on understanding how the wider public views ASD. Indeed, an increased level of ASD knowledge in the general population may result in earlier diagnosis, earlier intervention, and better overall outcomes. The present study aimed to examine the current state of ASD knowledge, beliefs, and sources of information in a Lebanese general population sample, to identify the factors that could influence this knowledge. A total of 500 participants were involved in this cross-sectional study, which was conducted in Lebanon between May 2022 and August 2022 using the Autism Spectrum Knowledge scale, General Population version (ASKSG). Overall, the participants’ understanding of autism spectrum disorder was low, with a mean score of 13.8 (6.69) out of 32, or 43.1%. The highest knowledge score was found for items related to knowledge of the symptoms and associated behaviors (52%). However, the level of knowledge regarding the etiology and prevalence, assessment and diagnosis, treatment, outcomes, and prognosis of the disease was low (29%, 39.2%, 46%, and 43.4%, respectively). Moreover, age, gender, place of residence, sources of information, and ASD case were all statistically significant predictors of ASD knowledge (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.012, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). The general public in Lebanon perceive a lack of awareness and insufficient knowledge regarding ASD. This results in delayed identification and intervention, leading to unsatisfactory outcomes in patients. Raising awareness about autism among parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals should be a top priority.
Changes in Gut Microbiota and Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ordoñez-Rodriguez Alba , Roman Pablo , Rueda-Ruzafa Lola , Campos-Rios Ana , Cardona Diana
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory neurodegenerative disease mediated by autoimmune reactions against myelin proteins and gangliosides in the grey and white matter of the brain and spinal cord. It is considered one of the most common neurological diseases of non-traumatic origin in young people, especially in women. Recent studies point to a possible association between MS and gut microbiota. Intestinal dysbiosis has been observed, as well as an alteration of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, although clinical data remain scarce and inconclusive. Objective: To conduct a systematic review on the relationship between gut microbiota and multiple sclerosis. Method: The systematic review was conducted in the first quarter of 2022. The articles included were selected and compiled from different electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Proquest, Cochrane, and CINAHL. The keywords used in the search were: “multiple sclerosis”, “gut microbiota”, and “microbiome”. Results: 12 articles were selected for the systematic review. Among the studies that analysed alpha and beta diversity, only three found significant differences with respect to the control. In terms of taxonomy, the data are contradictory, but confirm an alteration of the microbiota marked by a decrease in Firmicutes, Lachnospiraceae, Bifidobacterium, Roseburia, Coprococcus, Butyricicoccus, Lachnospira, Dorea, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotella and an increase in Bacteroidetes, Akkermansia, Blautia, and Ruminocococcus. As for short-chain fatty acids, in general, a decrease in short-chain fatty acids, in particular butyrate, was observed. Conclusions: Gut microbiota dysbiosis was found in multiple sclerosis patients compared to controls. Most of the altered bacteria are short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing, which could explain the chronic inflammation that characterises this disease. Therefore, future studies should consider the characterisation and manipulation of the multiple sclerosis-associated microbiome as a focus of both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Pregnancy in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Light of New ESC Guidelines on Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Barańska-Pawełczak Karolina , Wojciechowska Celina , Jacheć Wojciech
Published: March 2023

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is defined as an elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) of >20 mmHg together with a pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP) of ≤15 mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of>2 Wood units (WU). Although the total mortality of pregnant women with PAH has decreased significantly in recent years and is reported to be around 12% in some databases, total mortality is still at an unacceptably high percentage. Moreover, some subgroups, such as patients with Eisenmenger’s syndrome, have a particularly high mortality rate of up to 36%. Pregnancy in patients with PAH is contraindicated; its appearance is an indication for a planned termination. Education of patients with PAH, including counseling on effective contraception, is essential. During pregnancy, blood volume, heart rate, and cardiac output increase, while PVR and systemic vascular resistance decrease. The hemostatic balance is shifted towards hypercoagulability. Among PAH-specific drugs, the use of inhaled or intravenous prostacyclins, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers (in patients with preserved vasoreactivity) is acceptable. Endothelin receptor antagonists and riociguat are contraindicated. Childbirth can take place through either vaginal delivery or caesarean section; similarly, neuraxial and general anesthesia have proven indications. In a situation where all pharmacological options have been used in pregnant or postpartum patients in a serious condition, veno-arterial ECMO is a useful therapeutic option. For PAH patients who want to become mothers, an option that does not endanger their lives is adoption.
“We Need to Live off the Land”: An Exploration and Conceptualization of Community-Based Indigenous Food Sovereignty Experiences and Practices
Authors: Poirier Brianna , Neufeld Hannah Tait
Published: March 2023

Although Indigenous food systems are sustainable in nature, many of these systems have been forcibly altered among Indigenous communities within Canada, as a consequence of colonization. Indigenous Food Sovereignty (IFS) movements work to counteract the dismantling of Indigenous food systems as well as the negative health impacts of environmental dispossession experienced by Indigenous communities. Through community-based participatory research methodologies and the utilization of Etuaptmumk, or two-eyed seeing, this research project explored community perspectives of IFS in Western Canada. Reflexive thematic analysis of qualitative data collected during a sharing circle held with community members identified the influence of Indigenous Knowledge and community support on three main aspects of Indigenous food sovereignty, including (1) environmental concerns, (2) sustainable practices and (3) a strong relationship with the land and waters. Through the sharing of stories and memories related to traditional foods and current sovereignty projects, community members identified concerns for their local ecosystem as well as a desire to preserve its natural state for generations to come. The strengthening of IFS movements is critical to the overall wellbeing of Indigenous communities within Canada. Support is needed for movements that honour relationships with traditional foods and recognize traditional lands and waters as necessary for healing and sustaining the health of Indigenous communities.
Comment on Vázquez-Gandullo et al. Inspiratory Muscle Training in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as Part of a Respiratory Rehabilitation Program Implementation of Mechanical Devices: A Systematic Review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 5564
Authors: Yigit Safak , Akinci Buket
Published: March 2023

In May 2022, the paper “Inspiratory Muscle Training in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as Part of a Respiratory Rehabilitation Program Implementation of Mechanical Devices: A Systematic Review” was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health [...]
Biofuel Ash Aging in Acidic Environment and Its Influence on Cd Immobilization
Authors: Song Le , Zhao Feng , Cui Haiyang , Wan Jingmin , Li Hui
Published: March 2023

Biofuel ash (BFA), which is the ash generated by biomass combustion in a biomass power plant, can be prepared as a heavy metal immobilizer and have a good immobilization effect on Cd in the soil environment of southern China, but the long-term effects of BFA on Cd immobilization remained unclear. Therefore, research about BFA aging and its influence on Cd immobilization was conducted in the paper. BFA was naturally aged into BFA-Natural aging (BFA-N) in the soil environment of southern China, and to simulate BFA-N, BFA was also artificially acid aged into BFA-Acid aging (BFA-A). The result indicated that BFA-A could partially simulate BFA-N in physicochemical properties. The Cd adsorption capacity of BFA reduced after natural aging and the decrease was more obvious in BFA-A according to Qm in Langmuir equation and qe from the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption processes of BFA before and after aging were mainly controlled by chemical action rather than physical transport. The immobilization of Cd included adsorption and precipitation, and adsorption was the dominant factor; the precipitation proportion was only 12.3%, 18.8%, and 1.7% of BFA, BFA-N, and BFA-A, respectively. Compared with BFA, both BFA-N and BFA-A showed Ca loss, and BFA-A was more obvious than BFA-N. Ca content level was consistent with Cd adsorption level among BFA, BFA-N, and BFA-A. It could be inferred that the main immobilization mechanism of Cd by BFA before and after aging was consistent and closely related to Ca. However, the adsorption mechanism of electrostatic interaction, ion exchange, and hydroxyl complexation changed to varying degrees in BFA-N and BFA-A.
Putting a Price on Nature: Ecosystem Service Value and Ecological Risk in the Dongting Lake Area, China
Authors: Tang Lisha , Long Hualou , Aldrich Daniel P.
Published: March 2023

Understanding the relationship between ecosystem service value and ecological risk evolutions holds great theoretical and practical significance, as it helps to ensure the quality management of ecosystems and the sustainable development of human–land system interactions. We analyzed this relationship in the Dongting Lake area in China from 1995 to 2020 using data from remote sensing-interpreted land use with ArcGIS and Geoda. We used the equivalent factor method to estimate the ecosystem service value, constructed a landscape ecological risk index to quantitatively describe the ecological risk of Dongting Lake, and analyzed their correlation. The results show that: (1) over the last 25 years, the ecosystem service value decreased by 31.588 billion yuan, with higher values in the middle of the area and lower values in the surroundings—the highest value was found in forested land and the lowest was for unutilized land; (2) the ecological risk index also decreased slowly over time, from the perspective of single land use type, the ecological risk value of construction land was the lowest, followed by woodland, grassland, and cultivated land, with water area being the highest—the ecological risk level presents the distribution state of whole piece and local aggregation; and (3) the ecological risk index in Dongting Lake area demonstrated positive spatial correlation, and the spatial agglomeration of land with similar risk levels showed a decreasing trend. Areas with strong partial spatial correlations between ecosystem service value and ecological risk index are mainly distributed in the central water areas and their surrounding areas. This study investigates the rational utilization of land resources, and the sustainable development of regional ecological security in Dongting Lake area.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Symptoms among Construction Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study in South China
Authors: Lee Yu-Chi , Hong Xinye , Man Siu Shing
Published: March 2023

Statistics showed that work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are the leading cause of productivity loss in the construction industry. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of WMSDs and associated factors among construction workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 380 construction workers in Guangdong Province, China. A demographic, work-related survey and the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire were used to collect the workers’ data. Descriptive statists and logistic regression were used for the data analysis. The results showed that the overall prevalence of WMSDs symptoms among the participants in any body region during the last 12 months was 57.9%. Neck (24.7%), shoulder (22.1%), upper back (13.4%), and lower back (12.6%) showed the highest prevalence of WMSDs. Age, exercise, work experience, work position, and level of fatigue after work were significantly associated with the prevalence of WMSDs symptoms in different body regions. The findings of this study showed that the prevalence of WMSDs symptoms among construction workers in south China is still high and is associated with different body areas compared to previous studies. The prevalence of WMSDs and risk-associated factors vary by country and region. This indicates that further local investigations are needed to propose specific solutions to improve the occupational health of construction workers.
Impact of Agricultural Mechanization Level on Farmers’ Health Status in Western China: Analysis Based on CHARLS Data
Authors: Zhang Huaquan , Yang Zhenyao , Wang Yidan , Ankrah Twumasi Martinson , Chandio Abbas Ali
Published: March 2023

Agricultural mechanization is an important component of agricultural modernization, as it contributes to the improvement of agricultural technology and the rapid transformation of agricultural development. However, research on the connection between agricultural mechanization and farmers’ health status is scarce. Thus, using the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS) data, this study explored how agricultural mechanization can affect farmers’ health. OLS and 2SLS models were used for the study’s analysis. Furthermore, we used a PSM model to check the robustness of our analysis. The findings showed that: (1) the current state of agricultural mechanization in western China harms the health of rural residents; (2) agricultural mechanization can mitigate the adverse effects on health by increasing farmers’ living expenditure and improving their living environment; and (3) agricultural mechanization’s effects on farmers’ health are regionally and income-heterogeneous. Agricultural mechanization has a more significant impact on health in Tibetan areas and high-income regions. It has an almost minimal effect in non-Tibetan and low-income areas. This paper suggests approaches that can be used to encourage the rational development of agricultural mechanization and improve rural populations’ health.
Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis Is Associated with Contractile Dysfunction in Stem Cell Model of MYH7 E848G Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Loiben Alexander M. , Chien Wei-Ming , Friedman Clayton E. , Chao Leslie S.-L. , Weber Gerhard , Goldstein Alex , Sniadecki Nathan J. , Murry Charles E. , Yang Kai-Chun
Published: March 2023

Missense mutations in myosin heavy chain 7 (MYH7) are a common cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), but the molecular mechanisms underlying MYH7-based HCM remain unclear. In this work, we generated cardiomyocytes derived from isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cells to model the heterozygous pathogenic MYH7 missense variant, E848G, which is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and adult-onset systolic dysfunction. MYH7E848G/+ increased cardiomyocyte size and reduced the maximum twitch forces of engineered heart tissue, consistent with the systolic dysfunction in MYH7E848G/+ HCM patients. Interestingly, MYH7E848G/+ cardiomyocytes more frequently underwent apoptosis that was associated with increased p53 activity relative to controls. However, genetic ablation of TP53 did not rescue cardiomyocyte survival or restore engineered heart tissue twitch force, indicating MYH7E848G/+ cardiomyocyte apoptosis and contractile dysfunction are p53-independent. Overall, our findings suggest that cardiomyocyte apoptosis is associated with the MYH7E848G/+ HCM phenotype in vitro and that future efforts to target p53-independent cell death pathways may be beneficial for the treatment of HCM patients with systolic dysfunction.
Fecal Microbiota Composition as a Metagenomic Biomarker of Dietary Intake
Authors: Melo Nathalia Caroline de Oliveira , Cuevas-Sierra Amanda , Fernández-Cruz Edwin , de la O Victor , Martínez José Alfredo
Published: March 2023

Gut microbiota encompasses the set of microorganisms that colonize the gastrointestinal tract with mutual relationships that are key for host homeostasis. Increasing evidence supports cross intercommunication between the intestinal microbiome and the eubiosis–dysbiosis binomial, indicating a networking role of gut bacteria as potential metabolic health surrogate markers. The abundance and diversity of the fecal microbial community are already recognized to be associated with several disorders, such as obesity, cardiometabolic events, gastrointestinal alterations, and mental diseases, which suggests that intestinal microbes may be a valuable tool as causal or as consequence biomarkers. In this context, the fecal microbiota could also be used as an adequate and informative proxy of the nutritional composition of the food intake and about the adherence to dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean or Western diets, by displaying specific fecal microbiome signatures. The aim of this review was to discuss the potential use of gut microbial composition as a putative biomarker of food intake and to screen the sensitivity value of fecal microbiota in the evaluation of dietary interventions as a reliable and precise alternative to subjective questionnaires.
Necroptosis Induced by Delta-Tocotrienol Overcomes Docetaxel Chemoresistance in Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Montagnani Marelli Marina , Beretta Giangiacomo , Moretti Roberta Manuela
Published: March 2023

Prostate cancer (PCa) represents the fifth cause of cancer death in men. Currently, chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of cancers, including PCa, mainly inhibit tumor growth by apoptosis induction. However, defects in apoptotic cellular responses frequently lead to drug resistance, which is the main cause of chemotherapy failure. For this reason, trigger non-apoptotic cell death might represent an alternative approach to prevent drug resistance in cancer. Several agents, including natural compounds, have been shown to induce necroptosis in human cancer cells. In this study we evaluated the involvement of necroptosis in anticancer activity of delta-tocotrienol (δ-TT) in PCa cells (DU145 and PC3). Combination therapy is one tool used to overcome therapeutic resistance and drug toxicity. Evaluating the combined effect of δ-TT and docetaxel (DTX), we found that δ-TT potentiates DTX cytotoxicity in DU145 cells. Moreover, δ-TT induces cell death in DU145 cells that have developed DTX resistance (DU-DXR) activating necroptosis. Taken together, obtained data indicate the ability of δ-TT to induce necroptosis in both DU145, PC3 and DU-DXR cell lines. Furthermore, the ability of δ-TT to induce necroptotic cell death may represent a promising therapeutical approach to overcome DTX chemoresistance in PCa.
Mechanism of Silylation of Vinyl Arenes by Hydrodisiloxanes Driven by Stoichiometric Amounts of Sodium Triethylborohydride—A Combined DFT and Experimental Study
Authors: Nowicki Mateusz , Zaranek Maciej , Grzelak Magdalena , Pawluć Piotr , Hoffmann Marcin
Published: March 2023

The reactions of vinyl arenes with hydrodisiloxanes in the presence of sodium triethylborohydride were studied using experimental and computational methods. The expected hydrosilylation products were not detected because triethylborohydrides did not exhibit the catalytic activity observed in previous studies; instead, the product of formal silylation with dimethylsilane was identified, and triethylborohydride was consumed in stoichiometric amounts. In this article, the mechanism of the reaction is described in detail, with due consideration given to the conformational freedom of important intermediates and the two-dimensional curvature of the potential energy hypersurface cross sections. A simple way to reestablish the catalytic character of the transformation was identified and explained with reference to its mechanism. The reaction presented here is an example of the application of a simple transition-metal-free catalyst in the synthesis of silylation products, with flammable gaseous reagents replaced by a more convenient silane surrogate.
Oral Glucosamine in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Derwich Marcin , Górski Bartłomiej , Amm Elie , Pawłowska Elżbieta
Published: March 2023

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) occur frequently within the general population and are the most common non-dental cause of orofacial pain. Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) is a degenerative joint disease (DJD). There have been several different methods of treatment of TMJ OA listed, including pharmacotherapy among others. Due to its anti-aging, antioxidative, bacteriostatic, anti-inflammatory, immuno-stimulating, pro-anabolic and anti-catabolic properties, oral glucosamine seems to be a potentially very effective agent in the treatment of TMJ OA. The aim of this review was to critically assess the efficacy of oral glucosamine in the treatment of TMJ OA on the basis of the literature. PubMed and Scopus databases were analyzed with the keywords: (temporomandibular joints) AND ((disorders) OR (osteoarthritis)) AND (treatment) AND (glucosamine). After the screening of 50 results, eight studies have been included in this review. Oral glucosamine is one of the symptomatic slow-acting drugs for osteoarthritis. There is not enough scientific evidence to unambiguously confirm the clinical effectiveness of glucosamine supplements in the treatment of TMJ OA on the basis of the literature. The most important aspect affecting the clinical efficacy of oral glucosamine in the treatment of TMJ OA was the total administration time. Administration of oral glucosamine for a longer period of time, i.e., 3 months, led to a significant reduction in TMJ pain and a significant increase in maximum mouth opening. It also resulted in long-term anti-inflammatory effects within the TMJs. Further long-term, randomized, double-blind studies, with a unified methodology, ought to be performed to draw the general recommendations for the use of oral glucosamine in the treatment of TMJ OA.
Autophagy in Inflammatory Response against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Resnik Roxana , Lopez Mingorance Fabiana , Rivera Francisco , Mitchell Florencia , Gonzalez Claudio D. , Vaccaro Maria I.
Published: March 2023

The coronavirus disease pandemic, which profoundly reshaped the world in 2019 (COVID-19), and is currently ongoing, has affected over 200 countries, caused over 500 million cumulative cases, and claimed the lives of over 6.4 million people worldwide as of August 2022. The causative agent is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Depicting this virus’ life cycle and pathogenic mechanisms, as well as the cellular host factors and pathways involved during infection, has great relevance for the development of therapeutic strategies. Autophagy is a catabolic process that sequesters damaged cell organelles, proteins, and external invading microbes, and delivers them to the lysosomes for degradation. Autophagy would be involved in the entry, endo, and release, as well as the transcription and translation, of the viral particles in the host cell. Secretory autophagy would also be involved in developing the thrombotic immune-inflammatory syndrome seen in a significant number of COVID-19 patients that can lead to severe illness and even death. This review aims to review the main aspects that characterize the complex and not yet fully elucidated relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and autophagy. It briefly describes the key concepts regarding autophagy and mentions its pro- and antiviral roles, while also noting the reciprocal effect of viral infection in autophagic pathways and their clinical aspects.
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus and Its nsp14 Suppress ER Stress Induced GRP78
Authors: Zeng Wei , Ren Jingping , Yang Gan , Jiang Changsheng , Dong Ling , Sun Qi , Hu Yaofang , Li Wentao , He Qigai
Published: March 2023

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), a member of the α-coronavirus genus, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration in piglets. Neonatal piglets infected with PEDV have a mortality rate as high as 100%. PEDV has caused substantial economic losses to the pork industry. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which can alleviate the accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in ER, involves in coronavirus infection. Previous studies have indicated that ER stress could inhibit the replication of human coronaviruses, and some human coronaviruses in turn could suppress ER stress-related factors. In this study, we demonstrated that PEDV could interact with ER stress. We determined that ER stress could potently inhibit the replication of GⅠ, GⅡ-a, and GⅡ-b PEDV strains. Moreover, we found that these PEDV strains can dampen the expression of the 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), an ER stress marker, while GRP78 overexpression showed antiviral activity against PEDV. Among different PEDV proteins, PEDV non-structural protein 14 (nsp14) was revealed to play an essential role in the inhibition of GRP78 by PEDV, and its guanine-N7-methyltransferase domain is necessary for this role. Further studies show that both PEDV and its nsp14 negatively regulated host translation, which could account for their inhibitory effects against GRP78. In addition, we found that PEDV nsp14 could inhibit the activity of GRP78 promotor, helping suppress GRP78 transcription. Our results reveal that PEDV possesses the potential to antagonize ER stress, and suggest that ER stress and PEDV nsp14 could be the targets for developing anti-PEDV drugs.
Association of SNPs in the PAI1 Gene with Disease Recurrence and Clinical Outcome in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Murakami Kaoru , Furuya Hideki , Hokutan Kanani , Goodison Steve , Pagano Ian , Chen Runpu , Shen Cheng-Huang , Chan Michael W. Y. , Ng Chi Fai , Kobayashi Takashi , Ogawa Osamu , Miyake Makito , Thornquist Mark , Shimizu Yoshiko , Hayashi Kazukuni , Wang Zhangwei , Yu Herbert , Rosser Charles J.
Published: March 2023

Purpose: Bladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most common cancer types worldwide and is characterized by a high rate of recurrence. In previous studies, we and others have described the functional influence of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI1) in bladder cancer development. While polymorphisms in PAI1 have been associated with increased risk and worsened prognosis in some cancers, the mutational status of PAI1 in human bladder tumors has not been well defined. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the mutational status of PAI1 in a series of independent cohorts, comprised of a total of 660 subjects. Results: Sequencing analyses identified two clinically relevant 3′ untranslated region (UTR) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PAI1 (rs7242; rs1050813). Somatic SNP rs7242 was present in human BCa cohorts (overall incidence of 72%; 62% in Caucasians and 72% in Asians). In contrast, the overall incidence of germline SNP rs1050813 was 18% (39% in Caucasians and 6% in Asians). Furthermore, Caucasian patients with at least one of the described SNPs had worse recurrence-free survival and overall survival (p = 0.03 and p = 0.03, respectively). In vitro functional studies demonstrated that SNP rs7242 increased the anti-apoptotic effect of PAI1, and SNP rs1050813 was related to a loss of contact inhibition associated with cellular proliferation when compared to wild type. Conclusion: Further investigation of the prevalence and potential downstream influence of these SNPs in bladder cancer is warranted.
Data-Driven Radiogenomic Approach for Deciphering Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Imaging Phenotypes in Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Pilot Study
Authors: Fischer Sarah , Spath Nicolas , Hamed Mohamed
Published: March 2023

The heterogeneity of lung tumor nodules is reflected in their phenotypic characteristics in radiological images. The radiogenomics field employs quantitative image features combined with transcriptome expression levels to understand tumor heterogeneity molecularly. Due to the different data acquisition techniques for imaging traits and genomic data, establishing meaningful connections poses a challenge. We analyzed 86 image features describing tumor characteristics (such as shape and texture) with the underlying transcriptome and post-transcriptome profiles of 22 lung cancer patients (median age 67.5 years, from 42 to 80 years) to unravel the molecular mechanisms behind tumor phenotypes. As a result, we were able to construct a radiogenomic association map (RAM) linking tumor morphology, shape, texture, and size with gene and miRNA signatures, as well as biological correlates of GO terms and pathways. These indicated possible dependencies between gene and miRNA expression and the evaluated image phenotypes. In particular, the gene ontology processes “regulation of signaling” and “cellular response to organic substance” were shown to be reflected in CT image phenotypes, exhibiting a distinct radiomic signature. Moreover, the gene regulatory networks involving the TFs TAL1, EZH2, and TGFBR2 could reflect how the texture of lung tumors is potentially formed. The combined visualization of transcriptomic and image features suggests that radiogenomic approaches could identify potential image biomarkers for underlying genetic variation, allowing a broader view of the heterogeneity of the tumors. Finally, the proposed methodology could also be adapted to other cancer types to expand our knowledge of the mechanistic interpretability of tumor phenotypes.
Nucleosome Remodeling at the Yeast PHO8 and PHO84 Promoters without the Putatively Essential SWI/SNF Remodeler
Authors: Lieleg Corinna , Novacic Ana , Musladin Sanja , Schmid Andrea , Akpinar Gözde Güçlüler , Barbaric Slobodan , Korber Philipp
Published: March 2023

Chromatin remodeling by ATP-dependent remodeling enzymes is crucial for all genomic processes, like transcription or replication. Eukaryotes harbor many remodeler types, and it is unclear why a given chromatin transition requires more or less stringently one or several remodelers. As a classical example, removal of budding yeast PHO8 and PHO84 promoter nucleosomes upon physiological gene induction by phosphate starvation essentially requires the SWI/SNF remodeling complex. This dependency on SWI/SNF may indicate specificity in remodeler recruitment, in recognition of nucleosomes as remodeling substrate or in remodeling outcome. By in vivo chromatin analyses of wild type and mutant yeast under various PHO regulon induction conditions, we found that overexpression of the remodeler-recruiting transactivator Pho4 allowed removal of PHO8 promoter nucleosomes without SWI/SNF. For PHO84 promoter nucleosome removal in the absence of SWI/SNF, an intranucleosomal Pho4 site, which likely altered the remodeling outcome via factor binding competition, was required in addition to such overexpression. Therefore, an essential remodeler requirement under physiological conditions need not reflect substrate specificity, but may reflect specific recruitment and/or remodeling outcomes.
The Metagenomic Composition and Effects of Fecal-Microbe-Derived Extracellular Vesicles on Intestinal Permeability Depend on the Patient’s Disease
Authors: Rodríguez-Díaz Cristina , Martín-Reyes Flores , Taminiau Bernard , Ho-Plágaro Ailec , Camargo Raquel , Fernandez-Garcia Felix , Pinazo-Bandera José , Toro-Ortiz Juan , Gonzalo Montserrat , López-Gómez Carlos , Rodríguez-Pacheco Francisca , Rodríguez de los Reyes Dámaris , Daube Georges , Alcain-Martinez Guillermo , García-Fuentes Eduardo
Published: March 2023

The composition and impact of fecal-microbe-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) present in different diseases has not been analyzed. We determined the metagenomic profiling of feces and fecal-microbe-derived EVs from healthy subjects and patients with different diseases (diarrhea, morbid obesity and Crohn’s disease (CD)) and the effect of these fecal EVs on the cellular permeability of Caco-2 cells. The control group presented higher proportions of Pseudomonas and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and lower proportions of Phascolarctobacterium, Veillonella and Veillonellaceae_ge in EVs when compared with the feces from which these EVs were isolated. In contrast, there were significant differences in 20 genera between the feces and EV compositions in the disease groups. Bacteroidales and Pseudomonas were increased, and Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcus, Clostridium and Subdoligranum were decreased in EVs from control patients compared with the other three groups of patients. Tyzzerella, Verrucomicrobiaceae, Candidatus_Paracaedibacter and Akkermansia were increased in EVs from the CD group compared with the morbid obesity and diarrhea groups. Fecal EVs from the morbid obesity, CD and, mainly, diarrhea induced a significant increase in the permeability of Caco-2 cells. In conclusion, the metagenomic composition of fecal-microbe-derived EVs changes depending on the disease of the patients. The modification of the permeability of Caco-2 cells produced by fecal EVs depends on the disease of the patients.
Staphylococcus aureus Cell Wall Phenotypic Changes Associated with Biofilm Maturation and Water Availability: A Key Contributing Factor for Chlorine Resistance
Authors: Parvin Farhana , Rahman Md. Arifur , Deva Anand K. , Vickery Karen , Hu Honghua
Published: March 2023

Staphylococcus aureus biofilms are resistant to both antibiotics and disinfectants. As Staphylococci cell walls are an important defence mechanism, we sought to examine changes to the bacterial cell wall under different growth conditions. Cell walls of S. aureus grown as 3-day hydrated biofilm, 12-day hydrated biofilm, and 12-day dry surface biofilm (DSB) were compared to cell walls of planktonic organisms. Additionally, proteomic analysis using high-throughput tandem mass tag-based mass spectrometry was performed. Proteins involved in cell wall synthesis in biofilms were upregulated in comparison to planktonic growth. Bacterial cell wall width (measured by transmission electron microscopy) and peptidoglycan production (detected using a silkworm larva plasma system) increased with biofilm culture duration (p < 0.001) and dehydration (p = 0.002). Similarly, disinfectant tolerance was greatest in DSB, followed by 12-day hydrated biofilm and then 3-day biofilm, and it was least in the planktonic bacteria––suggesting that changes to the cell wall may be a key factor for S. aureus biofilm biocide resistance. Our findings shed light on possible new targets to combat biofilm-related infections and hospital dry surface biofilms.
Oral Submucous Fibrosis: Etiological Mechanism, Malignant Transformation, Therapeutic Approaches and Targets
Authors: Qin Xiaofeng , Ning Yujie , Zhou Liming , Zhu Youming
Published: March 2023

Oral submucosal fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic, progressive and potentially malignant oral disorder with a high regional incidence and malignant rate. With the development of the disease, the normal oral function and social life of patients are seriously affected. This review mainly introduces the various pathogenic factors and mechanisms of OSF, the mechanism of malignant transformation into oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and the existing treatment methods and new therapeutic targets and drugs. This paper summarizes the key molecules in the pathogenic and malignant mechanism of OSF, the miRNAs and lncRNAs with abnormal changes, and the natural compounds with therapeutic effects, which provides new molecular targets and further research directions for the prevention and treatment of OSF.
Molecular Mechanisms of Neurogenic Inflammation of the Skin
Authors: Marek-Jozefowicz Luiza , Nedoszytko Bogusław , Grochocka Małgorzata , Żmijewski Michał A. , Czajkowski Rafał , Cubała Wiesław J. , Slominski Andrzej T.
Published: March 2023

The skin, including the hypodermis, is the largest body organ and is in constant contact with the environment. Neurogenic inflammation is the result of the activity of nerve endings and mediators (neuropeptides secreted by nerve endings in the development of the inflammatory reaction in the skin), as well as interactions with other cells such as keratinocytes, Langerhans cells, endothelial cells and mast cells. The activation of TRPV–ion channels results in an increase in calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P, induces the release of other pro-inflammatory mediators and contributes to the maintenance of cutaneous neurogenic inflammation (CNI) in diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, prurigo and rosacea. Immune cells present in the skin (mononuclear cells, dendritic cells and mast cells) also express TRPV1, and their activation directly affects their function. The activation of TRPV1 channels mediates communication between sensory nerve endings and skin immune cells, increasing the release of inflammatory mediators (cytokines and neuropeptides). Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the generation, activation and modulation of neuropeptide and neurotransmitter receptors in cutaneous cells can aid in the development of effective treatments for inflammatory skin disorders.
Gene Mapping and Identification of a Missense Mutation in One Copy of VRN-A1 Affects Heading Date Variation in Wheat
Authors: Xue Qianwen , Xiong Hongchun , Zhou Chunyun , Guo Huijun , Zhao Linshu , Xie Yongdun , Gu Jiayu , Zhao Shirong , Ding Yuping , Xu Le , Liu Luxiang
Published: March 2023

Heading date (HD) is an important trait for wide adaptability and yield stability in wheat. The Vernalization 1 (VRN1) gene is a key regulatory factor controlling HD in wheat. The identification of allelic variations in VRN1 is crucial for wheat improvement as climate change becomes more of a threat to agriculture. In this study, we identified an EMS-induced late-heading wheat mutant je0155 and crossed it with wide-type (WT) Jing411 to construct an F2 population of 344 individuals. Through Bulk Segregant Analysis (BSA) of early and late-heading plants, we identified a Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) for HD on chromosome 5A. Further genetic linkage analysis limited the QTL to a physical region of 0.8 Mb. Cloning and sequencing revealed three copies of VRN-A1 in the WT and mutant lines; one copy contained a missense mutation of C changed to T in exon 4 and another copy contained a mutation in intron 5. Genotype and phenotype analysis of the segregation population validated that the mutations in VRN-A1 contributed to the late HD phenotype in the mutant. Expression analysis of C- or T-type alleles in exon 4 of the WT and mutant lines indicated that this mutation led to lower expression of VRN-A1, which resulted in the late-heading of je0155. This study provides valuable information for the genetic regulation of HD and many important resources for HD refinement in wheat breeding programs.