bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Focus Groups to Inform a New Community-Based Youth Diabetes Prevention Program
Authors: McAlpin Ngina , Elaiho Cordelia R. , Khan Farrah , Cruceta Cristina , Goytia Crispin , Vangeepuram Nita
Published: August 2022

There have been few youth-led diabetes prevention programs. Our objective was to conduct focus groups to explore peer influences on adolescent lifestyle behaviors and strategies for implementing a youth peer education model for diabetes prevention. We conducted six focus groups with 52 youth (ages 13–22; 62% male, 38% female; 64% Hispanic, 36% non-Hispanic Black) from East Harlem, NYC. We used a Thematic Analysis approach to identify major themes, compared findings, and resolved differences through discussion and consensus. Three dominant themes arose: (1) Adolescents generally encounter more unhealthy peer influences on diet and more healthy peer influences on physical activity; (2) Adolescents endorse youth-led diabetes prevention strategies and describe ideal qualities for peer leaders and methods to support and evaluate leaders; (3) Adolescents prefer text messaging to monitor behaviors, track goals, and receive personalized guidance. Using study findings, our Community Action Board developed a peer-led diabetes prevention program for prediabetic adolescents.
The Wavelength-Based Inactivation Effects of a Light-Emitting Diode Module on Indoor Microorganisms
Authors: Bang Jong-Il , Kim Ji-Hi , Choi Anseop , Sung Minki
Published: August 2022

With the increased incidence of infectious disease outbreaks in recent years such as the COVID-19 pandemic, related research is being conducted on the need to prevent their spread; it is also necessary to develop more general physical–chemical control methods to manage them. Consequently, research has been carried out on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as an effective means of light sterilization. In this study, the sterilization effects on four types of representative bacteria and mold that occur indoors, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Cladosporium cladosporidides, were confirmed using LED modules (with wavelengths of 275, 370, 385, and 405 nm). Additionally, power consumption was compared by calculating the time required for 99.9% sterilization of each microorganism. The results showed that the sterilization effect was high, in the order 275, 370, 385, and 405 nm. The sterilization effects at 385 and 405 nm were observed to be similar. Furthermore, when comparing the power consumption required for 99.9% sterilization of each microorganism, the 275 nm LED module required significantly less power than those of other wavelengths. However, at 405 nm, the power consumption required for 99.9% sterilization was less than that at 370 nm; that is, it was more efficient and similar to or less than that at 385 nm. Additionally, because 405 nm can be applied as general lighting, it was considered to have wider applicability and utility compared with UV wavelengths. Consequently, it should be possible to respond to infectious diseases in the environment using LEDs with visible light wavelengths.
Peer Support at the Intersection of Disability and Opioid (Mis)Use: Key Stakeholders Provide Essential Considerations
Authors: Nicholson Joanne , Valentine Anne , Ledingham Emily , Reif Sharon
Published: August 2022

Individuals with disabilities may experience higher rates of opioid/substance use disorders (OUD/SUD) than other individuals and are likely vulnerable to unmet treatment needs. Peer support may be beneficial to these individuals, given the evidence of benefits in target populations with similar needs and the potential for overcoming barriers to treatment suggested in the available literature. The objective of this exploratory study was to specify essential considerations in adapting peer support for this population. Diverse key stakeholders (n = 16) were interviewed to explore the experiences, needs, and available supports for individuals with disabilities and OUD/SUD. A Peer Support Work Group including members with lived experience advised each component of the study. Semi-structured interview data were content analyzed and memos generated to summarize themes related to the research question. Participants reported extensive professional and personal experience in human services, disability, and recovery. Emergent themes included the importance of accessibility and model fit, the notion of “peerness” and peer match, and essential aspects of peer recruitment, training, and support. An accessible, acceptable, effective model of peer support requires particular attention to the needs of this diverse and varied population, and the contexts in which they are identified, referred, and engaged in services.
Assessing the Expression of Emotions in Breast Cancer Survivors during the Time of Recovery: Perspective from Focus Groups
Authors: Sanchez Leticia , Fernandez Nelida , Calle Angela P. , Ladera Valentina , Casado Ines , Bayon Enrique , Garcia Isaias , Sahagun Ana M.
Published: August 2022

Breast cancer has major public health implications, as it is the most frequent malignant tumor and the leading cause of cancer death in women. Survivors have many needs, including strategies to cope with the associated distress. We explore whether focus groups are useful for nurses to obtain information about the emotional state of breast cancer women, and develop strategies for coping with the stress that this disease entails. A qualitative study was carried out, involving 25 focus groups with 83 women treated for breast cancer, recruited from the local Breast Cancer Association (ALMOM). Four open-ended questions were employed, and 60-min discussions were carried out. They were transcribed, analyzed, coded, and the themes identified. Four major themes emerged, including “complex emotional evolution”, “emotional isolation”, “lack of information” and “inability to give advice”. Women admitted that this disease had been a stressful factor for them, causing emotional (anxiety, irritability, anger or guilt) and cognitive disorders (confusion, lack of concentration, forgetfulness). The use of focus groups in breast cancer survivors allows nurses to evaluate the expression of emotions in these women, and collect and share information about their feelings, thoughts and experiences, so that survivors can cope more easily with the stress related to their illness.
Coping with Stress in Neoplastic Diseases
Authors: Olejniczak Dominik , Mularczyk-Tomczewska Paulina , Klimiuk Krzysztof , Olearczyk Agata , Kielan Aleksandra , Staniszewska Anna , Osowiecka Karolina
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Disease-related stress is a common phenomenon. It also occurs in neoplastic diseases. Since physical and mental health are interrelated, it is important to make sure that treatment covers these two areas. Therefore, it is essential to learn how patients with neoplastic diseases can cope with stress. Materials and Methods: The respondents are 306 patients suffering from neoplastic diseases, associated in patient advocacy groups. The method is the Brief-COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced) questionnaire. Results: The following stress management strategies were most commonly adopted by the patients: acceptance (median 2.25; 25–75% IQR 2.0–3.0), active coping (median 2.0; 25–75% IQR (interquartile range) 1.5–2.0), planning (median 2.0; 25–75% IQR 2.0–2.0), emotional support (median 2.0; 25–75% IQR 1.5–2.0), instrumental support (median 2.0; 25–75% IQR 2.0–2.0), self-distraction (median 2.0; 25–75% IQR 1.5–3.0), and venting (median 2.0; 25–75% IQR 1.5–3.0). A decision to adopt a particular stress management strategy by patients with neoplastic diseases was highly affected by demographic factors (p < 0.05), such as sex, education, age, place of residence and employment. Conclusions: Teaching stress management strategies should be a part of the education process among patients with neoplastic diseases. Before or in the course of treatment, an oncology patient should be educated on the prevention of mental health disorders. The ability to cope with stress is one of the key competences for the course of neoplastic diseases and it can affect the treatment process. Stress management in chronic diseases, including neoplastic diseases, should be approached not only at the level of an individual person but also at the level of the health system as a whole.
Celebrities and Breast Cancer: A Multidimensional Quali-Quantitative Analysis of News Stories Shared on Social Media
Authors: Biancovilli Priscila , Makszin Lilla , Amer Faten , Csongor Alexandra
Published: August 2022

In 2020, breast cancer was the most frequent type of cancer in 158 countries. To advise the population about risk factors and the importance of preventive measures, celebrities can be of great help, acting as spokespersons for reliable scientific information. The goal of this study is to analyse the content of news stories about breast cancer shared on different social media, examining how stories with celebrity presence are constructed. We performed a quali-quantitative multidimensional analysis of news stories in English that addressed breast cancer on the following social media platforms: Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Reddit. We compared news stories with and without the presence of celebrities. Our sample consists of 1594 news stories that had at least 1000 total shares across all analysed social media; 262 news stories mention a celebrity (16.44%), while 1332 stories do not (83.56%). Nevertheless, the ones that feature celebrities are, as a rule, more shared. The percentage of stories with celebrities addressing breast cancer prevention is quite low (1.9%). The same can be said for mentions of scientific papers/specialist quotes (3.4%). This research may help outline some possible paths that healthcare organizations and communication professionals can take to improve breast cancer content available online.
A Simple Index of Lake Ecosystem Health Based on Species-Area Models of Macrobenthos
Authors: Wu Junyan , He Yajing , Zhao Yongjing , Chen Kai , Cui Yongde , Wang Hongzhu
Published: August 2022

An effective biological index should meet two criteria: (1) the selected parameters have clear relationships with ecosystem health and can be measured simply by standard methods and (2) reference conditions can be defined objectively and simply. Species richness is a widely used estimate of ecosystem condition, although it is increased by nutrient enrichment, a common disturbance. Based on macrobenthos data from 91 shallow Yangtze lakes disconnected from the mainstem, we constructed an observed species (SO)-area (A) model to predict expected species richness (SE), and then developed an observed to expected index (O/E-SA) by calculating the SO/SE ratio. We then compared O/E-SA with three other commonly used indices regarding their ability to discriminate cultivated and urban lakes: (1) River Invertebrate Prediction and Classification System (RIVPACS; O/E-RF), (2) Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (B-IBI), and (3) Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT). O/E-SA showed significant positive linear relationships with O/E-RF, B-IBI and ASPT. Quantile regressions showed that O/E-SA and O/E-RF had hump-shape relationships with most eutrophication metrics, whereas B-IBI and ASPT had no obvious relationships. Only O/E-SA, O/E50 and B-IBI significantly discriminated cultivated from urban lakes. O/E-SA had comparable or higher performance with O/E-RF, B-IBI and ASPT, but was much simpler. Therefore, O/E-SA is a simple and reliable index for lake ecosystem health bioassessment. Finally, a framework was proposed for integrated biological assessment of Yangtze-disconnected lakes.
COVID-19 Lockdown in New Zealand: Perceived Stress and Wellbeing among International Health Students Who Were Essential Frontline Workers
Authors: Jagroop-Dearing Anita , Leonard Griffin , Shahid Syed M. , van Dulm Ondene
Published: August 2022

This study examined the stresses and wellbeing of international postgraduate health and nursing students at a tertiary education institute in New Zealand who were mainly essential frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 lockdown. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected by purposeful sampling (n = 43). The study utilised a cross-sectional survey, along with the Short Form of Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), adapted for the COVID-19 lockdown, and followed by semi-structured individual interviews. This study is the first in New Zealand to demonstrate that, with a mean PSS-10 score of 21.7 (±7.1), international health students experienced higher than optimal levels of stress, with supporting qualitative data identifying four themes for the sources of stress: (1) familial relationships, (2) essential work, (3) finances, and (4) study. However, these students coped because of the extensive support provided by their education institute and employers. These students played a critical role in the pandemic’s response and made a significant public health contribution by working in the frontline of the COVID-19 outbreak. Considering the global shortage of healthcare workers and understanding the key challenges, means of coping and support provisions, as we have here, offer insights for building and maintaining a resilient and resourceful health workforce through international health and nursing students in New Zealand and elsewhere.
Leaving No One behind in Healthy Ageing: A Unique Sub-Group, the “Cardboard Grannies of Hong Kong”
Authors: Kwan Crystal , Tam Ho-Chung
Published: August 2022

The older adult population in Hong Kong is large and diverse. The “Cardboard Grannies” in Hong Kong are informal waste pickers (IWPs) who represent a unique sub-group that is often forgotten in society. This group has unique social and economic conditions and contributions that are not monitored and recognized. Leaving no one behind in healthy ageing requires an understanding of the needs and contributions of those on the margins of society, like older adult IWPs. This study answers two main research questions: (i) what are the service needs of the older adult IWPs and (ii) what are their contributions (social impact)? Qualitative methods were used to collect data from the older adult IWPs and key informants. Thematic analysis and word clouds were used to analyse the data. Nine themes were identified, providing relevant and significant insight into the service needs of the older adult IWPs. Two themes were identified, providing insight into the contributions (social impact) of the older adult IWPs. These themes inform recommendations that cover a range of individual, family, and community service responses to address healthy ageing of this unique sub-group.
The Associations between Daytime Physical Activity, While-in-Bed Smartphone Use, Sleep Delay, and Sleep Quality: A 24-h Investigation among Chinese College Students
Authors: Chen Hongxing , Zhang Guodong , Wang Zhenhuan , Feng Siyuan , Li Hansen
Published: August 2022

Bedtime smartphone use is an emerging issue that threatens the sleep health of children and young adults. Physical activity can have numerous health benefits, including reducing problematic or addictive behavior. However, the role of daily physical activity in reducing bedtime smartphone use is understudied. Hence, we conducted a one-day cross-sectional on the weekend (21–22 May 2021) to investigate the associations between daytime physical activity, bedtime smartphone use, and sleep quality. A total of 828 college students were recruited in two colleges. Their daytime physical activity indices were captured, including self-reported physical activity duration, intensity, volume, and smartphone-monitored walking steps. The participants reported whether they used smartphone while lying in bed (before sleep) and whether they delayed sleep due to smartphone use. Their while-in-bed screen time (duration) and subsequent sleep quality were also measured with self-report and a numeric rating scale, respectively. The results suggested that daytime physical activity duration was associated with lower chances of while-in-bed smartphone use (OR = 0.907, p = 0.019) and smartphone-related sleep delay (OR = 0.932, p = 0.014). However, no significant association was found between physical activity indices and while-in-bed screen time or sleep quality. These findings may contribute to understanding the reciprocal relationship between physical activity and smartphone use and highlighting the potential of controlling problematic bedtime smartphone use through daily physical activity. Future research is warranted to examine the associations with extra objective measures.
Application Software That Can Prepare for Disasters Based on Patient-Participatory Evidence: K-DiPS: A Verification Report
Authors: Nakai Hisao , Itatani Tomoya , Horiike Ryo
Published: August 2022

This paper describes the design and function of an application that enables vulnerable people to provide medical information for use in disasters, and presents the results of an initial test of its usability in Nankoku, Japan. The application consists of two parts: K-DiPS Solo, a smartphone app, and K-DiPS Online, a web application for disaster management by local governments. We asked vulnerable people or their family caregivers to enter medical information into the app on their smartphones and connected this information to a local government application as a demonstration of a disaster response solution that manages information. We targeted a group of 14 healthy older people. The user information that they entered into the app was stored in the cloud via the communication system of the mobile phone. A ledger of vulnerable people for use in the event of a disaster was automatically created on the web application using the information supplied by the individuals. Local government staff corrected the location information, if necessary, by dragging points plotted on a map. This disaster response solution was shown to connect individuals to government offices, and to enable a consistent flow of information from patient details to stocking of supplies, and for simulation, training, and response during disasters.
Public’s Mental Health Monitoring via Sentimental Analysis of Financial Text Using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Alanazi Saad Awadh , Khaliq Ayesha , Ahmad Fahad , Alshammari Nasser , Hussain Iftikhar , Zia Muhammad Azam , Alruwaili Madallah , Rayan Alanazi , Alsayat Ahmed , Afsar Salman
Published: August 2022

Public feelings and reactions associated with finance are gaining significant importance as they help individuals, public health, financial and non-financial institutions, and the government understand mental health, the impact of policies, and counter-response. Every individual sentiment linked with a financial text can be categorized, whether it is a headline or the detailed content published in a newspaper. The Guardian newspaper is considered one of the most famous and the biggest websites for digital media on the internet. Moreover, it can be one of the vital platforms for tracking the public’s mental health and feelings via sentimental analysis of news headlines and detailed content related to finance. One of the key purposes of this study is the public’s mental health tracking via the sentimental analysis of financial text news primarily published on digital media to identify the overall mental health of the public and the impact of national or international financial policies. A dataset was collected using The Guardian application programming interface and processed using the support vector machine, AdaBoost, and single layer convolutional neural network. Among all identified techniques, the single layer convolutional neural network with a classification accuracy of 0.939 is considered the best during the training and testing phases as it produced efficient performance and effective results compared to other techniques, such as support vector machine and AdaBoost with associated classification accuracies 0.677 and 0.761, respectively. The findings of this research would also benefit public health, as well as financial and non-financial institutions.
Water Quality Prediction Based on Multi-Task Learning
Authors: Wu Huan , Cheng Shuiping , Xin Kunlun , Ma Nian , Chen Jie , Tao Liang , Gao Min
Published: August 2022

Water pollution seriously endangers people’s lives and restricts the sustainable development of the economy. Water quality prediction is essential for early warning and prevention of water pollution. However, the nonlinear characteristics of water quality data make it challenging to accurately predicted by traditional methods. Recently, the methods based on deep learning can better deal with nonlinear characteristics, which improves the prediction performance. Still, they rarely consider the relationship between multiple prediction indicators of water quality. The relationship between multiple indicators is crucial for the prediction because they can provide more associated auxiliary information. To this end, we propose a prediction method based on exploring the correlation of water quality multi-indicator prediction tasks in this paper. We explore four sharing structures for the multi-indicator prediction to train the deep neural network models for constructing the highly complex nonlinear characteristics of water quality data. Experiments on the datasets of more than 120 water quality monitoring sites in China show that the proposed models outperform the state-of-the-art baselines.
Influence of Varied Load Assistance with Exoskeleton-Type Robotic Device on Gait Rehabilitation in Healthy Adult Men
Authors: Tanaka Toshiaki , Matsumura Ryo , Miura Takahiro
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to clarify how the power-assist function of the hybrid assistive limb (HAL®), an exoskeleton-type gait-assist device, affected the gait characteristics of patients who wear it, specifically focusing on the “misalignment” of the robot joints and landmarks with the corresponding body parts. Five healthy adult men were video-recorded wearing the HAL® as they walked normally on a treadmill under seven conditions corresponding to the strengths and sites of robotic power assistance. For kinematic analysis, reflective markers were attached to the HAL® and the wearer at key locations, and participants were recorded walking past a set of four video cameras for each condition. A motion analysis system was used for analysis. The walking motion was segmented into eight-phase gait cycles. Knee misalignment, or the relative offset in position of the HAL®/wearer knee joints, was calculated from kinematic data and joint angles. These values were compared with respect to two factors: assist level and gait phase. Statistical analysis consisted of parametric and nonparametric tests for comparing the values of misalignment of each gait phase, followed by multiple comparisons to confirm significant differences. The results showed that the knee misalignment was greatest in the pre-swing phase and was significantly lower overall in conditions with high levels of power assistance. The result of greater knee misalignment in the pre-swing phase may be attributed to the structural properties of the HAL® lower-limb exoskeleton. This provides valuable insight regarding the walking stages that should be given special attention during the evaluation of synchrony between exoskeleton-type gait-assist robots and their wearers.
Risky Roads in Kuwait: An Uneven Toll on Migrant Workers
Authors: Gasana Janvier , Albahar Soad , Alkhalidi Mahareb , Al-Mekhled Qout , El Reda Darline , Al-Sharbati Marwan
Published: August 2022

This descriptive study reveals trends in citations and traffic-related mortality in Kuwait. Secondary data were utilized, where data on road traffic citations were obtained from the traffic police in the Ministry of Interior for the years from 2011 to 2015, and road traffic mortality data for the study period were obtained from the Ministry of Health. Objective: To describe recent trends in data related to road traffic safety in Kuwait over time, which could serve as an important indicator for the level of enforcement of existing traffic regulations. Descriptive summary statistics are presented. Results: There was a total of 24.2 million traffic violations during the study period. The number rose dramatically from 4 million citations in 2011 to nearly 6.5 million in 2015. The indirect method of citation (issued indirectly via surveillance methods) constituted a higher percentage of citations, 70.4%, compared to the direct method of citation (issued directly by the police officer), 29.6%. Furthermore, the top reason for citation was speeding, followed by parking in no parking/handicapped zones, driving with an expired license, and crossing a red light. Road traffic fatalities (RTFs) in Kuwait from 2011 to 2015 totaled 2282. About 450 people die each year in Kuwait from road traffic injuries and a slightly decreasing trend was found. Non-Kuwaitis have RTF counts that are four times higher than Kuwaitis, with 1663 and 263 deaths, respectively. Conclusions: Road traffic safety continues to be a major problem in Kuwait. Increases in citation issuance show a rise in traffic regulation enforcement, yet risky driving behaviors continue to account for most violations issued. Harsher penalties, road safety education, and implementing graduated driving licensing may be warranted to increase the safety of the roads.
Microbial Type IA Topoisomerase C-Terminal Domain Sequence Motifs, Distribution and Combination
Authors: Diaz Brenda , Mederos Christopher , Tan Kemin , Tse-Dinh Yuk-Ching
Published: August 2022

Type IA topoisomerases have highly conserved catalytic N-terminal domains for the cleaving and rejoining of a single DNA/RNA strand that have been extensively characterized. In contrast, the C-terminal region has been less covered. Two major types of small tandem C-terminal domains, Topo_C_ZnRpt (containing C4 zinc finger) and Topo_C_Rpt (without cysteines) were initially identified in Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium tuberculosis topoisomerase I, respectively. Their structures and interaction with DNA oligonucleotides have been revealed in structural studies. Here, we first present the diverse distribution and combinations of these two structural elements in various bacterial topoisomerase I (TopA). Previously, zinc fingers have not been seen in type IA topoisomerases from well-studied fungal species within the phylum Ascomycota. In our extended studies of C-terminal DNA-binding domains, the presence of zf-GRF and zf-CCHC types of zinc fingers in topoisomerase III (Top3) from fungi species in many phyla other than Ascomycota has drawn our attention. We secondly analyze the distribution and combination of these fungal zf-GRF- and zf-CCHC-containing domains. Their potential structures and DNA-binding mechanism are evaluated. The highly diverse arrangements and combinations of these DNA/RNA-binding domains in microbial type IA topoisomerase C-terminal regions have important implications for their interactions with nucleic acids and protein partners as part of their physiological functions.
Applications of CRISPR-Cas9 in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders
Authors: De Plano Laura M. , Calabrese Giovanna , Conoci Sabrina , Guglielmino Salvatore P. P. , Oddo Salvatore , Caccamo Antonella
Published: August 2022

Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease represent some of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders afflicting millions of people worldwide. Unfortunately, there is a lack of efficacious treatments to cure or stop the progression of these disorders. While the causes of such a lack of therapies can be attributed to various reasons, the disappointing results of recent clinical trials suggest the need for novel and innovative approaches. Since its discovery, there has been a growing excitement around the potential for CRISPR-Cas9 mediated gene editing to identify novel mechanistic insights into disease pathogenesis and to mediate accurate gene therapy. To this end, the literature is rich with experiments aimed at generating novel models of these disorders and offering proof-of-concept studies in preclinical animal models validating the great potential and versatility of this gene-editing system. In this review, we provide an overview of how the CRISPR-Cas9 systems have been used in these neurodegenerative disorders.
Systematic Review: Drug Repositioning for Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDG)
Authors: Brasil Sandra , Allocca Mariateresa , Magrinho Salvador C. M. , Santos Inês , Raposo Madalena , Francisco Rita , Pascoal Carlota , Martins Tiago , Videira Paula A. , Pereira Florbela , Andreotti Giuseppina , Jaeken Jaak , Kantautas Kristin A. , Perlstein Ethan O. , Ferreira Vanessa dos Reis
Published: August 2022

Advances in research have boosted therapy development for congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG), a group of rare genetic disorders affecting protein and lipid glycosylation and glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor biosynthesis. The (re)use of known drugs for novel medical purposes, known as drug repositioning, is growing for both common and rare disorders. The latest innovation concerns the rational search for repositioned molecules which also benefits from artificial intelligence (AI). Compared to traditional methods, drug repositioning accelerates the overall drug discovery process while saving costs. This is particularly valuable for rare diseases. AI tools have proven their worth in diagnosis, in disease classification and characterization, and ultimately in therapy discovery in rare diseases. The availability of biomarkers and reliable disease models is critical for research and development of new drugs, especially for rare and heterogeneous diseases such as CDG. This work reviews the literature related to repositioned drugs for CDG, discovered by serendipity or through a systemic approach. Recent advances in biomarkers and disease models are also outlined as well as stakeholders’ views on AI for therapy discovery in CDG.
Melanocortin-5 Receptor: Pharmacology and Its Regulation of Energy Metabolism
Authors: Ji Li-Qin , Hong Ye , Tao Ya-Xiong
Published: August 2022

As the most recent melanocortin receptor (MCR) identified, melanocortin-5 receptor (MC5R) has unique tissue expression patterns, pharmacological properties, and physiological functions. Different from the other four MCR subtypes, MC5R is widely distributed in both the central nervous system and peripheral tissues and is associated with multiple functions. MC5R in sebaceous and preputial glands regulates lipid production and sexual behavior, respectively. MC5R expressed in immune cells is involved in immunomodulation. Among the five MCRs, MC5R is the predominant subtype expressed in skeletal muscle and white adipose tissue, tissues critical for energy metabolism. Activated MC5R triggers lipid mobilization in adipocytes and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. Therefore, MC5R is a potential target for treating patients with obesity and diabetes mellitus. Melanocortin-2 receptor accessory proteins can modulate the cell surface expression, dimerization, and pharmacology of MC5R. This minireview summarizes the molecular and pharmacological properties of MC5R and highlights the progress made on MC5R in energy metabolism. We poInt. out knowledge gaps that need to be explored in the future.
MicroRNAs in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Its Complications
Authors: Krishnachaitanya Srikruthi S. , Liu Max , Fujise Ken , Li Qingjie
Published: August 2022

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), classified primarily between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a collection of chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions that cause multiple complications because of systemic alterations in the immune response. One major player is microRNA (miRNA), which is found to be associated with multiple pathways in mediating inflammation, especially those of a chronic nature in IBD, as well as irritable bowel syndrome. Although there have been studies linking miRNA alterations in IBD, even differentiating Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, this review focuses mainly on how miRNAs cause and mechanistically influence the pathologic complications of IBD. In addition to its role in the well-known progression towards colorectal cancer, we also emphasize how miRNA manifests the many extraintestinal complications in IBD such as cardiovascular diseases; neuropsychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders; and others, including various musculoskeletal, dermatologic, ocular, and hepatobiliary complications. We conclude through a description of its potential use in bettering diagnostics and the future treatment of IBD and its systemic symptoms.
miR3633a-GA3ox2 Module Conducts Grape Seed-Embryo Abortion in Response to Gibberellin
Authors: Bai Yunhe , Zhang Xiaowen , Xuan Xuxian , Sadeghnezhad Ehsan , Liu Fei , Dong Tianyu , Pei Dan , Fang Jinggui , Wang Chen
Published: August 2022

Seedlessness is one of the important quality and economic traits favored by grapevine consumers, which are mainly affected by phytohormones, especially gibberellin (GA). GA is widely utilized in seedless berry production and could effectively induce grape seed embryo abortion. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this process, like the role of RNA silencing in the biosynthesis pathway of GA remains elusive. Here, Gibberellin 3-β dioxygenase2 (GA3ox2) as the last key enzyme in GA biosynthesis was predicated as a potential target gene for miR3633a, and two of them were identified as a GA response in grape berries. We also analyzed the promoter regions of genes encoding GA biosynthesis and found the hormone-responsive elements to regulate grape growth and development. The cleavage interaction between VvmiR3633a and VvGA3ox2 was validated by RLM-RACE and the transient co-transformation technique in tobacco in vivo. Interestingly, during GA-induced grape seed embryo abortion, exogenous GA promoted the expression of VvmiR3633a, thereby mainly repressing the level of VvGA3ox2 in seed embryos. We also observed a negative correlation between down-regulated VvGA20ox2/VvGA3ox2 and up-regulated VvGA2ox3/VvGA2ox1, of which GA inactivation was greater than GA synthesis, inhibited active GA content, accompanied by the reduction of VvSOD and VvCAT expression levels and enzymatic activities. These series of changes might be the main causes of grape seed embryo abortion. In conclusion, we have preliminarily drawn a schematic mode of GA-mediated VvmiR3633a and related genes regulatory network during grape seed abortion induced by exogenous GA. Our findings provide novel insights into the GA-responsive roles of the VvmiR3633a-VvGA3ox2 module in the modulation of grape seed-embryo abortion, which has implications for the molecular breeding of high-quality seedless grape berries.
Inborn Errors of Nucleoside Transporter (NT)-Encoding Genes (SLC28 and SLC29)
Authors: Pastor-Anglada Marçal , Mata-Ventosa Aida , Pérez-Torras Sandra
Published: August 2022

The proper regulation of nucleotide pools is essential for all types of cellular functions and depends on de novo nucleotide biosynthesis, salvage, and degradation pathways. Despite the apparent essentiality of these processes, a significant number of rare diseases associated with mutations in genes encoding various enzymes of these pathways have been already identified, and others are likely yet to come. However, knowledge on genetic alterations impacting on nucleoside and nucleobase transporters is still limited. At this moment three gene-encoding nucleoside and nucleobase transporter proteins have been reported to be mutated in humans, SLC29A1, SLC29A3, and SLC28A1, impacting on the expression and function of ENT1, ENT3, and CNT1, respectively. ENT1 alterations determine Augustine-null blood type and cause ectopic calcification during aging. ENT3 deficiency translates into various clinical manifestations and syndromes, altogether listed in the OMIM catalog as histiocytosis-lymphoadenopathy plus syndrome (OMIM#602782). CNT1 deficiency causes uridine-cytidineuria (URCTU) (OMIM#618477), a unique type of pyrimidineuria with an as yet not well-known clinical impact. Increasing knowledge on the physiological, molecular and structural features of these transporter proteins is helping us to better understand the biological basis behind the biochemical and clinical manifestations caused by these deficiencies. Moreover, they also support the view that some metabolic compensation might occur in these disturbances, because they do not seem to significantly impact nucleotide homeostasis, but rather other biological events associated with particular subtypes of transporter proteins.
Canagliflozin Inhibits Human Endothelial Cell Inflammation through the Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1
Authors: Peyton Kelly J. , Behnammanesh Ghazaleh , Durante Giovanna L. , Durante William
Published: August 2022

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Studies have also shown that canagliflozin directly acts on endothelial cells (ECs). Since heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an established modulator of EC function, we investigated if canagliflozin regulates the endothelial expression of HO-1, and if this enzyme influences the biological actions of canagliflozin in these cells. Treatment of human ECs with canagliflozin stimulated a concentration- and time-dependent increase in HO-1 that was associated with a significant increase in HO activity. Canagliflozin also evoked a concentration-dependent blockade of EC proliferation, DNA synthesis, and migration that was unaffected by inhibition of HO-1 activity and/or expression. Exposure of ECs to a diabetic environment increased the adhesion of monocytes to ECs, and this was attenuated by canagliflozin. Knockdown of HO-1 reduced the anti-inflammatory effect of canagliflozin which was restored by bilirubin but not carbon monoxide. In conclusion, this study identified canagliflozin as a novel inducer of HO-1 in human ECs. It also found that HO-1-derived bilirubin contributed to the anti-inflammatory action of canagliflozin, but not the anti-proliferative and antimigratory effects of the drug. The ability of canagliflozin to regulate HO-1 expression and EC function may contribute to the clinical profile of the drug.
Borrowing the Features of Biopolymers for Emerging Wound Healing Dressings: A Review
Authors: Gardikiotis Ioannis , Cojocaru Florina-Daniela , Mihai Cosmin-Teodor , Balan Vera , Dodi Gianina
Published: August 2022

Wound dressing design is a dynamic and rapidly growing field of the medical wound-care market worldwide. Advances in technology have resulted in the development of a wide range of wound dressings that treat different types of wounds by targeting the four phases of healing. The ideal wound dressing should perform rapid healing; preserve the body’s water content; be oxygen permeable, non-adherent on the wound and hypoallergenic; and provide a barrier against external contaminants—at a reasonable cost and with minimal inconvenience to the patient. Therefore, choosing the best dressing should be based on what the wound needs and what the dressing does to achieve complete regeneration and restoration of the skin’s structure and function. Biopolymers, such as alginate (ALG), chitosan (Cs), collagen (Col), hyaluronic acid (HA) and silk fibroin (SF), are extensively used in wound management due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability and similarity to macromolecules recognized by the human body. However, most of the formulations based on biopolymers still show various issues; thus, strategies to combine them with molecular biology approaches represent the future of wound healing. Therefore, this article provides an overview of biopolymers’ roles in wound physiology as a perspective on the development of a new generation of enhanced, naturally inspired, smart wound dressings based on blood products, stem cells and growth factors.
Protective Effects of Recombinant Human Angiogenin in Keratinocytes: New Insights on Oxidative Stress Response Mediated by RNases
Authors: Culurciello Rosanna , Bosso Andrea , Troisi Romualdo , Barrella Valentina , Di Nardo Ilaria , Borriello Margherita , Gaglione Rosa , Pistorio Valeria , Aceto Serena , Cafaro Valeria , Notomista Eugenio , Sica Filomena , Arciello Angela , Pizzo Elio
Published: August 2022

Human angiogenin (ANG) is a 14-kDa ribonuclease involved in different pathophysiological processes including tumorigenesis, neuroprotection, inflammation, innate immunity, reproduction, the regeneration of damaged tissues and stress cell response, depending on its intracellular localization. Under physiological conditions, ANG moves to the cell nucleus where it enhances rRNA transcription; conversely, recent reports indicate that under stress conditions, ANG accumulates in the cytoplasmic compartment and modulates the production of tiRNAs, a novel class of small RNAs that contribute to the translational inhibition and recruitment of stress granules (SGs). To date, there is still limited and controversial experimental evidence relating to a hypothetical role of ANG in the epidermis, the outermost layer of human skin, which is continually exposed to external stressors. The present study collects compelling evidence that endogenous ANG is able to modify its subcellular localization on HaCaT cells, depending on different cellular stresses. Furthermore, the use of recombinant ANG allowed to determine as this special enzyme is effectively able to counter at various levels the alterations of cellular homeostasis in HaCaT cells, actually opening a new vision on the possible functions that this special enzyme can support also in the stress response of human skin.
Lidocaine Inhibited Tendon Cell Proliferation and Extracellular Matrix Production by Down Regulation of Cyclin A, CDK2, Type I and Type III Collagen Expression
Authors: Chen Yen-Chia , Chang Hsiang-Ning , Pang Jong-Hwei Su , Lin Li-Ping , Chen Jing-Min , Yu Tung-Yang , Tsai Wen-Chung
Published: August 2022

Lidocaine injection is a common treatment for tendon injuries. However, the evidence suggests that lidocaine is toxic to tendon cells. This study investigated the effects of lidocaine on cultured tendon cells, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying cell proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) production. Tendon cells cultured from rat Achilles tendons were treated with 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mg/mL lidocaine for 24 h. Cell proliferation was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8) assay and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed by Annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) stain. Cell cycle progression and cell mitosis were assessed through flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. The expression of cyclin E, cyclin A, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), p21, p27, p53, matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9), type I collagen, and type III collagen were examined through Western blotting, and the enzymatic activity of MMP-9 was determined through gelatin zymography. Lidocaine reduced cell proliferation and reduced G1/S transition and cell mitosis. Lidocaine did not have a significant negative effect on cell apoptosis. Lidocaine significantly inhibited cyclin A and CDK2 expression but promoted p21, p27, and p53 expression. Furthermore, the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 increased, whereas that of type I and type III collagen decreased. Lidocaine also increased the enzymatic activity of MMP-9. Our findings support the premise that lidocaine inhibits tendon cell proliferation by changing the expression of cell-cycle-related proteins and reduces ECM production by altering levels of MMPs and collagens.
Biomarker Associations in Delayed Cerebral Ischemia after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Spantler Dora , Molnar Tihamer , Simon Diana , Berki Timea , Buki Andras , Schwarcz Attila , Csecsei Peter
Published: August 2022

The prognosis for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is heavily influenced by the development of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), but the adequate and effective therapy of DCI to this day has not been resolved. Multiplex serum biomarker studies may help to understand the pathophysiological processes underlying DCI. Samples were collected from patients with aSAH at two time points: (1) 24 h (Day 1) and (2) 5–7 days after ictus. Serum concentrations of eotaxin, FGF-2, FLT-3L, CX3CL1, Il-1b, IL-4, IP-10, MCP3, and MIP-1b were determined using a customized MILLIPLEX Human Cytokine/Chemokine/Growth Factor Panel A multiplex assay. The functional outcome was defined by the modified Rankin scale (favorable: 0–2, unfavorable: 3–6) measured on the 30th day after aSAH. One-hundred and twelve patients with aSAH were included in this study. The median level of CX3CL1 and MCP-3 measured on Days 5–7 were significantly higher in patients with DCI compared with those without DCI (CX3CL1: with DCI: 110.5 pg/mL, IQR: 82–201 vs. without DCI: 82.6, 58–119, p = 0.036; and MCP-3: with DCI: 22 pg/mL (0–32) vs. without DCI: 0 (0–11), p < 0.001). IP-10, MCP-3, and MIP-1b also showed significant associations with the functional outcome after aSAH. MCP-3 and CX3CL1 may play a role in the pathophysiology of DCI.
Recent Advances in Adsorptive Nanocomposite Membranes for Heavy Metals Ion Removal from Contaminated Water: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Damiri Fouad , Andra Swetha , Kommineni Nagavendra , Balu Satheesh Kumar , Bulusu Raviteja , Boseila Amira A. , Akamo Damilola O. , Ahmad Zubair , Khan Farhat S. , Rahman Md. Habibur , Berrada Mohammed , Cavalu Simona
Published: August 2022

Water contamination is one of the most urgent concerns confronting the world today. Heavy metal poisoning of aquatic systems has piqued the interest of various researchers due to the high toxicity and carcinogenic consequences it has on living organisms. Due to their exceptional attributes such as strong reactivity, huge surface area, and outstanding mechanical properties, nanomaterials are being produced and employed in water treatment. In this review, recent advances in the use of nanomaterials in nanoadsorptive membrane systems for wastewater treatment and heavy metal removal are extensively discussed. These materials include carbon-based nanostructures, metal nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and layered double hydroxide-based compounds. Furthermore, the relevant properties of the nanostructures and the implications on their performance for water treatment and contamination removal are highlighted. The hydrophilicity, pore size, skin thickness, porosity, and surface roughness of these nanostructures can help the water permeability of the nanoadsorptive membrane. Other properties such as surface charge modification and mechanical strength can improve the metal adsorption effectiveness of nanoadsorptive membranes during wastewater treatment. Various nanocomposite membrane fabrication techniques are also reviewed. This study is important because it gives important information on the roles of nanomaterials and nanostructures in heavy metal removal and wastewater treatment.