bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insects as source of phenolic and antioxidant entomochemicals in the food industry
Authors: Torres-Castillo Jorge A. , Olazarán-Santibáñez Fabián E.
Published: March 2023

Edible insects are a natural resource with profound interest in the food industry. Not only because of their nutritional content and technical production advantage, but also for the presence of bioactive compounds known as entomochemicals. These include phenolic, alkaloid, and terpenoid compounds, as well as amino acids derivatives, among others. This work is focused on phenolic compounds, which have been the best characterized due to their role in food development and bioactive properties. The major taxonomic orders studied in this regard include Orthoptera, Coleoptera, and Lepidoptera, whose edible specimens have antioxidant effects provided by the phenolic compounds contained therein. The use of these insects in the development of nutritious foods will enhance the number of options available for the human population. However, depth research is still needed to guarantee the aforementioned bioactivity in processed foods and ensure its innocuity, thus minimizing the risk of allergic reactions and allowing the full utilization of edible insect species in the food industry. Phenolic derived from edible insects portray an opportunity to improve high quality food, as an alternative to diversify and complement an adequate and functional diet. Future development foods supplemented with insects must consider the preservation of potential benefits of not only nutrients, also de nutraceuticals.
Case report: Side-firing intraoperative ultrasound guided endoscopic endonasal resection of a clival chordoma
Authors: Baker Katherine E. , Robbins Austin C. , Kumm Zeynep T. , Ziemke Michael K. , Washington Chad W. , Luzardo Gustavo D. , Taylor Charlotte S. , Stringer Scott P. , Zachariah Marcus A.
Published: March 2023

Clival chordomas are locally invasive midline skull base tumors arising from remnants of the primitive notochord. Intracranial vasculature and cranial nerve involvement of tumors in the paraclival region necessitates image guidance that provides accurate real-time feedback during resection. Several intraoperative image guidance modalities have been introduced as adjuncts to endoscopic endonasal surgery, including stereotactic neuronavigation, intraoperative ultrasound, intraoperative MRI, and intraoperative CT. Gross total resection of chordomas is associated with a lower recurrence rate; therefore, intraoperative imaging may improve long-term outcomes by enhancing the extent of resection. However, among these options, effectiveness and accessibility vary between institutions. We previously published the first use of an end-firing probe in the resection of a clival chordoma. End-firing probes provide a single field of view, primarily limited to depth estimation. In this case report, we discuss the benefits of employing a novel minimally invasive side-firing ultrasound probe as a cost-effective and time-efficient option to navigate the anatomy of the paraclival region and guide endoscopic endonasal resection of a large complex clival chordoma.
Ex vivo near-infrared targeted imaging of human bladder carcinoma by ICG-anti-CD47
Authors: Hao Haifeng , Wang Xinyu , Qin Yan , Ma Zhifang , Yan Pengyu , Liu Chao , Chen Guanying , Yang Xiaofeng
Published: March 2023

Objective

The low detection rate of early-stage and small tumors remains a clinical challenge. A solution to this unmet need is urgently warranted for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer (BC). This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of CD47 as a target for optical molecular imaging of human BC and conduct preliminary ex vivo imaging experiments.

Method

Using indocyanine green (ICG) and a CD47 antibody (anti-CD47), we synthesized a new targeted fluorescent probe ICG-anti-CD47. A total of 25 patients undergoing radical cystectomy were prospectively included in ex vivo imaging experiments. Following surgery, the freshly isolated bladder specimens were incubated with ICG-anti-CD47, and images were captured under white light and near-infrared (NIR) light. Standard histopathologic evaluation was performed, and findings were correlated with those of CD47-targeted NIR molecular imaging.

Results

Based on the ex vivo imaging experiments, 23 and 2 patients were pathologically diagnosed with bladder urothelial carcinoma and bladder squamous cell carcinoma, respectively. There were no adverse effects of ICG-anti-CD47 on the histological structure of the tumor and normal uroepithelium. In the NIR grayscale images, the mean fluorescence intensity of the tumor tissue was significantly higher than that of the adjacent normal background tissue, which markedly improved tumor visualization.

Conclusion

Anti-CD47-targeted NIR molecular imaging may be a feasible and powerful strategy for the accurate diagnosis of BC. Nevertheless, larger-scale randomized trials are warranted to verify the present findings.
Integrated analysis of Dendrobium nobile extract Dendrobin A against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma based on network pharmacology, bioinformatics, and validation experiments
Authors: Xu Xiaoqing , Yu Yaping , Yang Li , Wang Bingshu , Fan Yonghao , Ruan Banzhan , Zhang Xiaodian , Dai Haofu , Mei Wenli , Jie Wei , Zheng Shaojiang
Published: March 2023

Background:Dendrobium nobile (D. nobile), a traditional Chinese medicine, has received attention as an anti-tumor drug, but its mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we applied network pharmacology, bioinformatics, and in vitro experiments to explore the effect and mechanism of Dendrobin A, the active ingredient of D. nobile, against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods: The databases of SwissTargetPrediction and PharmMapper were used to obtain the potential targets of Dendrobin A, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PDAC and normal pancreatic tissues were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue Expression databases. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for Dendrobin A anti-PDAC targets was constructed based on the STRING database. Molecular docking was used to assess Dendrobin A anti-PDAC targets. PLAU, one of the key targets of Dendrobin A anti-PDAC, was immunohistochemically stained in clinical tissue arrays. Finally, in vitro experiments were used to validate the effects of Dendrobin A on PLAU expression and the proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration, and invasion of PDAC cells.

Results: A total of 90 genes for Dendrobin A anti-PDAC were screened, and a PPI network for Dendrobin A anti-PDAC targets was constructed. Notably, a scale-free module with 19 genes in the PPI indicated that the PPI is highly credible. Among these 19 genes, PLAU was positively correlated with the cachexia status while negatively correlated with the overall survival of PDAC patients. Through molecular docking, Dendrobin A was found to bind to PLAU, and the Dendrobin A treatment led to an attenuated PLAU expression in PDAC cells. Based on clinical tissue arrays, PLAU protein was highly expressed in PDAC cells compared to normal controls, and PLAU protein levels were associated with the differentiation and lymph node metastatic status of PDAC. In vitro experiments further showed that Dendrobin A treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion, inducing apoptosis and arresting the cell cycle of PDAC cells at the G2/M phase.

Conclusion: Dendrobin A, a representative active ingredient of D. nobile, can effectively fight against PDAC by targeting PLAU. Our results provide the foundation for future PDAC treatment based on D. nobile.
The impact of aspirin exposure prior to intensive care unit admission on the outcomes for patients with sepsis-associated acute respiratory failure
Authors: Lu Zongqing , Fang Pu , Xia Dunling , Li Mengdie , Li Seruo , Wang Yu , Fu Lin , Sun Gengyun , You Qinghai
Published: March 2023

Objectives: This present study aimed to infer the association between aspirin exposure prior to ICU admission and the clinical outcomes of patients with Sepsis-associated acute respiratory failure (S-ARF).

Methods: We obtained data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV 2.0. Patients were divided into pre-ICU aspirin exposure group and Non-aspirin exposure group based on whether they took aspirin before ICU admission. The primary outcome is 28-day mortality. Augmented inverse propensity weighted was used to explore the average treatment effect (ATE) of the pre-ICU aspirin exposure. A generalized additive mixed model was used to analyze the longitudinal data of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), red cell distribution width (RDW), oxygenation index (P/F), dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), mechanical power (MP), and mechanical power normalized to predicted body weight (WMP) in the two groups. A multiple mediation model was constructed to explore the possible mediators between pre-ICU aspirin exposure and outcomes of patients with S-ARF.

Results: A total of 2090 S-ARF patients were included in this study. Pre-ICU aspirin exposure decreased 28-day mortality (ATE, −0.1945, 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.2786 to −0.1103, p < 0.001), 60-day mortality (ATE, −0.1781, 95% Cl, −0.2647 to −0.0915, p < 0.001), and hospital mortality (ATE, −0.1502, 95%CI, −0.2340 to −0.0664, p < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, the ATE for 28-day mortality, 60-day mortality, and hospital mortality were not statistically significant in the coronary care unit group, high-dose group (over 100 mg/d), and no invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) group. After excluding these non-beneficiaries, Cdyn and P/F ratio of the pre-ICU aspirin exposure group increased by 0.31mL/cmH2O (SE, 0.21, p = 0.016), and 0.43 mmHg (SE, 0.24, p = 0.041) every hour compared to that of non-aspirin exposure group after initialing IMV. The time-weighted average of NLR, Cdyn, WMP played a mediating role of 8.6%, 24.7%, and 13% of the total effects of pre-ICU aspirin exposure and 28-day mortality, respectively.

Conclusion: Pre-ICU aspirin exposure was associated with decreased 28-day mortality, 60-day mortality, and hospital mortality in S-ARF patients except those admitted to CCU, and those took a high-dose aspirin or did not receive IMV. The protective effect of aspirin may be mediated by a low dynamic level of NLR and a high dynamic level of Cdyn and WMP. The findings should be interpreted cautiously, given the sample size and potential for residual confounding.
Aspirin-triggered Resolvin D1 ameliorates activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome via induction of autophagy in a rat model of neuropathic pain
Authors: Wang Yi-Hao , Tang Yu-Ru , Gao Xiao , Zhang Nan-Nan , Lv Qing-Qing , Liu Juan , Li Yan
Published: March 2023

Background: Several studies performed thus far indicate that neuroinflammation may be one of the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain (NP). Autophagy, as an adaptive response, has been regarded as an active process of removing the inflammatory stimulus and restoring homeostatic balance. Resolution of inflammation is a biochemical process mediated by the so-called aspirin-triggered specialized proresolving lipid mediators (AT-SPMs), which are thought to exert protective effects in NP. Recent studies have proposed mechanisms in models of inflammatory disorders and showed a relationship between resolution of inflammation and autophagy. This study aimed to validate the functional effects of Aspirin-triggered Resolvin D1 (AT-RvD1) on in vitro and in vivo models of inflammation and to determine their roles in the regulation of autophagy and activation of the Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome signaling pathway.

Methods: An NP model was established using L5-6 spinal nerve ligation (SNL) and a model of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-stimulated primary microglia was established to evaluate the effect of SPMs. Western blotting was used to detect the level of NLRP3 inflammasomes complexes proteins (NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1) and autophagy-related proteins (LC3B, and Beclin1). Immunofluorescence staining was used to understand the autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome activation process. The behavioral changes in rats were analyzed using paw withdrawal thresholds (PWT) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) test.

Results: Our results showed that AT-SPMs significantly upregulated the activation of autophagy, which was characterized by an increase in the ratio of LC3B-II/I and accumulation of ATG5 and Beclin1. AT-RvD1 showed a dose-dependent decrease in the upregulated PWT and PWL induced by SNL and suppressed the expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome protein and the production of its corresponding downstream proinflammatory factors. Additionally, AT-RvD1 induced the activation of autophagy of the microglia and decreased the expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome protein and the accumulation of proinflammatory factors in TNF-ɑ-challenged microglia.

Conclusion: Thus, these results showed that AT-RvD1 may be a potential alternative therapeutic strategy for the prevention or treatment of NP by inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway by targeting the induction of autophagy.
Ab initio symmetry-adapted emulator for studying emergent collectivity and clustering in nuclei
Authors: Becker K. S. , Launey K. D. , Ekström A. , Dytrych T.
Published: March 2023

We discuss emulators from the ab initio symmetry-adapted no-core shell-model framework for studying the formation of alpha clustering and collective properties without effective charges. We present a new type of an emulator, one that utilizes the eigenvector continuation technique but is based on the use of symplectic symmetry considerations. This is achieved by using physically relevant degrees of freedom, namely, the symmetry-adapted basis, which exploits the almost perfect symplectic symmetry in nuclei. Specifically, we study excitation energies, point-proton root-mean-square radii, along with electric quadrupole moments and transitions for 6Li and 12C. We show that the set of parameterizations of the chiral potential used to train the emulators has no significant effect on predictions of dominant nuclear features, such as shape and the associated symplectic symmetry, along with cluster formation, but slightly varies details that affect collective quadrupole moments, asymptotic normalization coefficients, and alpha partial widths up to a factor of two. This makes these types of emulators important for further constraining the nuclear force for high-precision nuclear structure and reaction observables.
Oblique propagation of arbitrary amplitude ion acoustic solitary waves in anisotropic electron positron ion plasma
Authors: Almas  , Ata-ur-Rahman  , Khalid Muhammad , Eldin Sayed M.
Published: March 2023

The oblique propagation of arbitrary ion acoustic solitary waves (IASWs) in magnetized electron-positron-ion plasmas is investigated by employing Sagdeev pseudopotential approach. Ions are assumed to be adiabatic having anisotropic thermal pressure. Electrons and positrons are considered to be isothermal, following Maxwellian distribution. In terms of electrostatic potential, Sagdeev potential function is obtained and analyzed numerically in the context of relevant plasma configuration parameters. The existence region of solitary pulses is defined accurately. It is investigated how several plasma configuration parameters, such as the positron concentration, parallel, and perpendicular ion pressure affect soliton characteristics.
The role of class IIa histone deacetylases in regulating endothelial function
Authors: Shen Zexu , Bei Yun , Lin Haoran , Wei Taofeng , Dai Yunjian , Hu Yangmin , Zhang Chao , Dai Haibin
Published: March 2023

Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) are monolayer cells located in the inner layer of the blood vessel. Endothelial function is crucial in maintaining local and systemic homeostasis and is precisely regulated by sophisticated signaling pathways and epigenetic regulation. Endothelial dysfunctions are the main factors for the pathophysiological process of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, hypertension, and stroke. In these pathologic processes, histone deacetylases (HDACs) involve in epigenetic regulation by removing acetyl groups from lysine residues of histones and regulating downstream gene expression. Among all HDACs, Class IIa HDACs (HDAC4, 5, 7, 9) contain only an N-terminal regulatory domain, exert limited HDAC activity, and present tissue-specific gene regulation. Here, we discuss and summarize the current understanding of this distinct subfamily of HDACs in endothelial cell functions (such as angiogenesis and immune response) with their molecular underpinnings. Furthermore, we also present new thoughts for further investigation of HDAC inhibitors as a potential treatment in several vascular diseases.
Study on the nitrogen content estimation model of cotton leaves based on “image-spectrum-fluorescence” data fusion
Authors: Qin Shizhe , Ding Yiren , Zhou Zexuan , Zhou Meng , Wang Hongyu , Xu Feng , Yao Qiushuang , Lv Xin , Zhang Ze , Zhang Lifu
Published: March 2023

Objective

Precise monitoring of cotton leaves’ nitrogen content is important for increasing yield and reducing fertilizer application. Spectra and images are used to monitor crop nitrogen information. However, the information expressed using nitrogen monitoring based on a single data source is limited and cannot consider the expression of various phenotypic and physiological parameters simultaneously, which can affect the accuracy of inversion. Introducing a multi-source data-fusion mechanism can improve the accuracy and stability of cotton nitrogen content monitoring from the perspective of information complementarity.

Methods

Five nitrogen treatments were applied to the test crop, Xinluzao No. 53 cotton, grown indoors. Cotton leaf hyperspectral, chlorophyll fluorescence, and digital image data were collected and screened. A multilevel data-fusion model combining multiple machine learning and stacking integration learning was built from three dimensions: feature-level fusion, decision-level fusion, and hybrid fusion.

Results

The determination coefficients (R2) of the feature-level fusion, decision-level fusion, and hybrid-fusion models were 0.752, 0.771, and 0.848, and the root-mean-square errors (RMSE) were 3.806, 3.558, and 2.898, respectively. Compared with the nitrogen estimation models of the three single data sources, R2 increased by 5.0%, 6.8%, and 14.6%, and the RMSE decreased by 3.2%, 9.5%, and 26.3%, respectively.

Conclusion

The multilevel fusion model can improve accuracy to varying degrees, and the accuracy and stability were highest with the hybrid-fusion model; these results provide theoretical and technical support for optimizing an accurate method of monitoring cotton leaf nitrogen content.
Red and blue light-specific metabolic changes in soybean seedlings
Authors: Lim You Jin , Kwon Soon-Jae , Eom Seok Hyun
Published: March 2023

Red and blue artificial light sources are commonly used as photosynthetic lighting in smart farm facilities, and they can affect the metabolisms of various primary and secondary metabolites. Although the soybean plant contains major flavonoids such as isoflavone and flavonol, using light factors to produce specific flavonoids from this plant remains difficult because the regulation of light-responded flavonoids is poorly understood. In this study, metabolic profiling of soybean seedlings in response to red and blue lights was evaluated, and the isoflavone–flavonol regulatory mechanism under different light irradiation periods was elucidated. Profiling of metabolites, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, amino acids, organic acids, free sugars, alcohol sugars, and sugar acids, revealed that specific flavonol, isoflavone, and phenolic acid showed irradiation time-dependent accumulation. Therefore, the metabolic gene expression level and accumulation of isoflavone and flavonol were further investigated. The light irradiation period regulated kaempferol glycoside, the predominant flavonol in soybeans, with longer light irradiation resulting in higher kaempferol glycoside content, regardless of photosynthetic lights. Notably, blue light stimulated kaempferol-3-O-(2,6-dirhamnosyl)-galactoside accumulation more than red light. Meanwhile, isoflavones were controlled differently based on isoflavone types. Malonyl daidzin and malonyl genistin, the predominant isoflavones in soybeans, were significantly increased by short-term red light irradiation (12 and 36 h) with higher expressions of flavonoid biosynthetic genes, which contributed to the increased total isoflavone level. Although most isoflavones increased in response to red and blue lights, daidzein increased in response only to red light. In addition, prolonged red light irradiation downregulated the accumulation of glycitin types, suggesting that isoflavone’s structural specificity results in different accumulation in response to light. Overall, these findings suggest that the application of specific wavelength and irradiation periods of light factors enables the regulation and acquisition of specialized metabolites from soybean seedlings.
Understanding consumers’ continuance intention to watch streams: A value-based continuance intention model
Authors: Jia Xiaoyun , Pang Yan , Huang Bingqi , Hou Feng
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Live stream-watching has become increasingly popular worldwide. Consumers are found to watch streams in a continuous manner. Despite its popularity, there has been limited research investigating why consumers continue to watch streams. Previously, the expectation-confirmation theory (ECT) has been widely adopted to explain users’ continuance intention. However, most current ECT-based models are theoretically incomplete, since they only consider the importance of perceived benefits without considering users’ costs and sacrifices. In this paper, we propose a value-based continuance intention model (called V-ECM), and use it to investigate factors influencing consumers’ continuance intention to watch streams.

Methods

Our hypotheses were tested using an online survey of 1,220 consumers with continuance stream-watching experiences.

Results

Results indicate that perceived value, a process of an overall assessment between users’ perceived benefits and perceived sacrifices, is proved to be a better variable than perceived benefits in determining consumers’ continuance watching intention. Also, compared with other ECT-based models, V-ECM is a more comprehensive model to explain and predict consumers’ continuance intention.

Discussion

V-ECM theoretically extends ECT-based studies, and it has potential to explain and predict other continuance intentions in online or technology-related contexts. In addition, this paper also discusses practical implications for live streaming platforms with regards to their design, functions and marketing.
Listen to the heart or mind first? Examining sequential coping mechanisms among Indians during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Srivastava Sanchita , Upadhaya Puja , Jain Renuka
Published: March 2023

The present study examines the mediating role of emotion-focused and problem-focused coping between stress and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample comprised 501 (312 women and 184 men aged between 18 and 42) Indians who experienced the first-ever continued lockdown in India during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this study confirmed the presence of perceived stress due to the lockdown and pandemic among participants. Furthermore, perceived stress, coping including emotion-focused and problem-focused, and psychological well-being were found to be interrelated. The serial mediation analysis revealed that participants dealt with stress by choosing emotion-focused coping first as an immediate resort. After a reappraisal of stress-inducing situations, they used problem-focused coping, and this sequence of constant coping mechanisms helped maintain their psychological well-being. The findings of this study can be applied to develop strategies for people’s mental health by public health organizations and health professionals.
Development and validation of the help-seeking intention scale in university students with hazardous and harmful consumption of alcohol
Authors: Romero Reyes Daniela , Moriano León Juan Antonio , Ybarra Sagarduy José Luis
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) has been proposed as suitable to study help-seeking intentions. This paper aims to develop the IH-RHAC scale (Help-seeking intention in young adults with hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption) with the TPB. The objectives of the study were: (a) to analyze the structure, reliability, and validity of the instrument, (b) to identify whether attitude, subjective norm, self-efficacy, and past help-seeking would predict help-seeking intention, and (c) to assess concurrent validity.

Methods

From a total of 2,011 students who responded to the surveys, the sample was made up of 263 university students aged 18 to 29 with hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption practices, who responded to an online questionnaire including the AUDIT, IH-RHAC, and a scale of barriers and resources for alcohol consumption. Partial least squares structural equations (PLS-SEM) were used to test the hypotheses about reliability, validity of the scales, and prediction of the constructs: attitude, subjective norms, self-efficacy, and help-seeking in the past about intention. Pearson’s correlations were used to obtain evidence of concurrent validity.

Results

The results displayed favorable psychometric characteristics. The internal measurement model showed that attitude, self-efficacy, and prior help-seeking predicted a 27% help-seeking variance. Subjective norm did not predict intention.

Discussion

It has been concluded that this is an instrument with psychometric support that can contribute to designing and/or evaluating interventions that promote the students’ search for help.
The role of preschoolers’ home literacy environment and emergent literacy skills on later reading and writing skills in primary school: A mediational model
Authors: Bigozzi Lucia , Vettori Giulia , Incognito Oriana
Published: March 2023

The importance of the quality of home literacy environment and practices (HLE&P) in the earliest years on children’s reading and writing development is recognized in the literature. However, whether and to what extent this relationship between preschoolers’ HLE&P on their later reading and writing skills in primary school is mediated by emergent literacy competence remains to be clarified. It may be that preschool constitutes a significant opportunity for children to develop notational awareness and phonological awareness which are emergent literacy skills that are fundamental for later reading and writing skills. Children who experience literacy-poor HLE&P with fewer opportunities to practice more complex language skills and diverse vocabulary might develop adequate reading and writing skills when their emergent literacy skills in preschool are high (notational and phonological awareness). This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the mediational role of preschoolers’ emergent literacy skills in preschool (notational and phonological awareness) in the relationship between HLE&P and reading and writing skills shown by the same children in primary school using a large-scale dataset. A total of 115 children (mean-age at last year of preschool = 4.88 ± 0.36) took part in the research. In preschool, children performed emergent literacy tasks and their parents completed a home literacy questionnaire. Later, in primary school, children completed standardized assessments of spelling (orthographic accuracy and fluency in a dictation task) and reading decoding (accuracy and speed in a text reading task) skills. The results of mediational analyses showed that notational awareness totally mediates the relationship between HLE&P and reading speed (𝛽= − 0.17, p < 0.05) and writing accuracy (𝛽=0.10, p < 0.05), but not for reading accuracy in primary school. The mediational model with phonological awareness as mediator was not significant. The results are discussed in the light of the effect of preschool in contributing to filling children’s home literacy gaps and disadvantages. In preschool, emergent literacy programs are essential to counterbalance the needs of preschoolers to develop adequate reading and writing skills when the family cannot provide enriched HLE&P from the early years of life.
Consumers’ green purchase intention to visit green hotels: A value-belief-norm theory perspective
Authors: Wang Cen-Peng , Zhang Qi , Wong Philip Pong Weng , Wang Lei
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The theory of planned behavior (TPB) has dominated the limited number of green hotel visitation studies; however, those studies’ findings are often inconclusive or even controversial. Thus, research needs to move beyond using the TPB to measure consumers’ intention and behavior, and to experiment with alternative theoretical frameworks to explain behavioral change. Value-belief-norm theory of environmentalism (VBN) proposed that various facets of values can influence individuals’ beliefs, subsequently effecting their moral obligations, ultimately, their pro-environmental behaviors. Hence, this study aims to examine the relationship between value components (i.e., biospheric, altruistic, collectivistic), beliefs (i.e., explicit and implicit attitude), norms (i.e., social and personal norm), and green purchase intention to visit green hotels.

Methods

An online survey of convenience sampling technique was adopted for data collection. A total of 373 valid questionnaires were subjected to descriptive analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were performed for the testing of the hypotheses.

Results

The results suggested that biospheric and collectivistic value positively influence explicit environmental attitude while altruistic value positively influences intrinsic environmental attitude, but negatively influences extrinsic environmental attitude. Social norm was shown to have a positive impact on personal norm and green purchase intention. Furthermore, implicit environmental attitude was shown to influence personal norm and intention, while personal norm positively influences green purchase intention to visit green hotels.

Discussion

This study provided an alternative perspective on the selection of green hotels among consumers based on value-belief-norm theory in the tourism literature. These empirical findings would greatly benefit green hotel managers and other key stakeholders in the hospitality industry.
Maternity care experience of Pakistani ethnic minority women in Hong Kong
Authors: Asim Saba , Nichini Elena , Goggins William Bernard , Dong Dong , Yeoh Eng-King
Published: March 2023

Background

Persistent inequalities in maternity care experience and outcomes exist globally for ethnic minority (EM) and migrant women. Despite the fact that this is an important research area, no prior study has been done in Hong Kong (HK) to examine maternity care experience of EM women.

Objectives

To investigate maternity care experience of Pakistani EM women (both local born and immigrants) during pregnancy, birth and after birth in hospital in HK. An evaluation of their satisfaction and factors predicting satisfaction with care during the three phases of maternity care was included in the study.

Methods

A cross sectional survey was conducted among Pakistani EM women who had given birth in HK in last 3 years, using a structured questionnaire by a bilingual interviewer, from April to May 2020. Counts and percentages were used to describe all categorical variables. Association between predictor variables and overall satisfaction was assessed by bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression.

Results

One hundred and twenty questionnaires were completed. Almost 60 percent of the women were very satisfied with the overall care. More than half of the women described the care they received as kind, respectful and well communicated. After adjusting for age and parity, HK born Pakistani women expressed relatively less satisfaction with care, especially during pregnancy and labor and birth, as compared with Pakistan born women. Women with conversational or fluent English-speaking ability also felt comparatively less satisfied particularly from intrapartum and postnatal care in hospital. Education level had a negative association with satisfaction with care during pregnancy.

Conclusions

Maternity care providers should take into account the diversity of EM women population in HK. Our findings suggest that effective communication and care that can meet individual needs, expectations, and values is imperative to improve experience and quality of maternity care for EM women in HK.
Digitizing tuberculosis treatment monitoring in Wuhan city, China, 2020–2021: Impact on medication adherence
Authors: Zhang Mengxian , Wang Guiyang , Najmi Hina , Yaqoob Aashifa , Li Tao , Xia Yinyin , Ye Jianjun , Hou Shuangyi , Xiao Ye , Zhou Liping , Li Yuehua
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Digital technologies can improve adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment. We studied the impact of digitizing TB treatment monitoring on adherence among TB patients in Wuhan, China, during 2020-2021.

Methods

We compared an electronic system introduced to monitor TB medication adherence (e-Patient Service System; e-PSS) with the p paper-based standard of care (TB Control Information System; TCIS) in terms of prescribed TB treatment doses taken by patients and patient outcome after six months of follow up. We designed a cross sectional study using retrospective data for all drug susceptible pulmonary TB patients recorded on both systems. The main indicators were: compliant first follow up visit (within 3 days of start of treatment); medication adherence (80% or more of monthly doses taken); and end of treatment success ratio.

Results

A total of 1,576 TB patients were recorded in TCIS in July September, 2020 and 1,145 TB cases were included in e-PSS in January March, 2021. The distribution of patient demographic and clinical features was similar between the two groups. A larger proportion from the e-PSS group visited the community doctor in the first three days compared with the TCIS group (48.91 versus 29. 76 % respectively). Medication adherence was also higher in the e-PSS group during the 6 months of treatment than in the TCIS group (84. 28 versus 80.3 3 % respectively). Treatment success was 92.52% in the e-PSS group and 92.07% in the TCIS group. Multivariate logistic regress ion analysis demonstrated that adjusted odds ratios for compliant first follow up visit, medication adherence and favorable treatment outcome in the e-PSS versus TCIS groups were 2.94 (95% 2.47 3.50), 1.33 (95% 1.08 1.63), and 1. 12 (95% CL: 0.79 1.57) respectively.

Discussion

This study revealed improvements in TB care following an intervention to monitor treatment digitally in patients in Wuhan, China.
The interaction of local people and natural area in Haraz drainage basin; Case study: Ab-e Ask village
Authors: Rakhshan Mojdeh , Mahmoudi Hossein , Abdoli Asghar , Veisi Hadi , Babrgir Sima
Published: March 2023

According to the importance of Locals impact on conservation, this research had tried to find the role of locals in the protection of natural resources and ecosystems, and also tried to clarify the external laws which are affecting on local's livelihood. This research had done in Ab-e Ask village which is located on the edge of the Lar National Park and along the Haraz River, which is one of the five protected rivers in Iran, and it used the public participatory methods. Using the “Problem Tree,” “Before and After Diagram,” “Social Resources Map,” and etc., helped us to find the answers of: 1. The main reasons of water pollution 2. The land ownership‘s effect on livelihood 3. Finding the traditional approaches of conservation. Finally, the results were about: 1. The sewage of Haraz Road Restaurants and also the pollution of fish ponds were the main water pollution reasons. 2. The effect of Land Ownership Law was clarified and 3. There were two Local Traditions that protect the natural resources, one was called “Barf-e-Chal” which was about saving the water sources for the summer, and the other was about protecting the plants of region until the end of pollination season that results in protecting the flora.
Phosphorus price spikes: A wake-up call for phosphorus resilience
Authors: Brownlie Will J. , Sutton Mark A. , Cordell Dana , Reay Dave S. , Heal Kate V. , Withers Paul J. A. , Vanderbeck Isabelle , Spears Bryan M.
Published: March 2023

Food systems depend on reliable supplies of phosphorus to fertilize soils. Since 2020, a pandemic, geopolitical disputes, trade wars and escalating fuel prices have driven a >400% increase in phosphorus commodity prices, contributing to the current food crisis. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has disrupted phosphate trade further. Concurrently, phosphorus losses to freshwaters, through insufficient municipal wastewater treatment and inappropriate fertilizer use and land management practices, are a significant threat to water quality globally. Despite precariously balanced food and water security risks, nations are largely unaware of their “phosphorus vulnerability” and phosphorus is markedly absent in national and global policies addressing food and water security. Phosphorus vulnerability can be described as the degree to which people/systems are susceptible to harm due to the physical, geopolitical and socio-economic dimensions of global phosphorus scarcity and pollution. Here, we bring the current price spike into focus, highlighting the drivers, policy responses and their consequences. We highlight the need for an integrated assessment of phosphorus vulnerability that considers environmental, socio-economic and climate change risks across scales. We illustrate how reducing phosphorus waste, increasing phosphorus recycling, and wider system transformation can reduce national reliance on imported phosphorus, whilst enhancing food and water security. The current crisis in fertilizer prices represents a wake-up call for the international community to embrace the global phosphorus challenge.
Immunogenicity and efficacy of serogroup A and D bacterins against Pasteurella multocida in mice
Authors: Guan Li-jun , Yang Jin-qian , Xu Qing-yuan , Feng Yi-fan , Zhang Xi-chen , Tang Bo , Zhao Zhan-qin
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Pasteurella multocida is a widespread respiratory pathogen in pigs, causing swine pneumonia and atrophic rhinitis, and the capsular serogroups A and D are the main epidemic serogroups in infected animals. This study investigated the protective effects of serogroup A and D bacterins against current circulating P. multocida strains, to better understand the immunity generated by bacterins.

Method

13 serogroup A (seven A: L3 and six A: L6 strains) and 13 serogroup D (all D: L6 strains) P. multocida strains were isolated, and used as inactivated whole cell antigen to prepare P. multocida bacterins. Mice were immunized with these bacterins at 21-day interval and intraperitoneally challenged with the homologous and heterologous P. multocida strains, respectively. The antibody titer levels and immunization protective efficacy of vaccines were evaluated.

Results

All of the bacterins tested induced high titer levels of immunoglobulin G antibodies against the parental bacterial antigen in mice. Vaccination with the six A: L6 bacterins provided no protection against the parent strain, but some strains did provide heterologous protection against A: L3 strains. Vaccination with the seven A: L3 bacterins provided 50%–100% protection against the parent strain, but none gave heterologous protection against the A:L6 strains. Immunization with the thirteen D: L6 bacterins offered 60%–100% protection against the parent strain, and almost all D: L6 strains gave cross-protection.

Discussion

This study found that the cross-protectivity of serogroup A strains was poor, while serogroup D strains was effective, which provided some insights for P. multocida vaccine development.
Deposition of Potassium on Chimney Wall from Wood Stove Smoke: Implication for the Influence of Domestic Biomass Burning on Atmospheric Aerosols
Authors: Kawamura Kimitaka , Kunwar Bhagawati , Deshmukh Dhananjay Kumar , Vodička Petr , Haque Md. Mozammel
Published: March 2023

Based on the field studies of biomass burning plumes in Alaska, we hypothesized that potassium (K) may be significantly scavenged, during wood stove burning, as deposits on the inner wall of the chimney where the temperature decreases with the height. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed chimney deposit samples collected from the inner wall of a chimney (6 m long) for the measurement of major ions and anhydrosugars including levoglucosan (Lev). Concentrations of K were found to be highest in the lower part of the chimney with a decreasing trend with height, whereas Lev showed an opposite trend with the lowest concentrations near the bottom of the chimney and an increase with height. We detected an anti-correlation between the two components in the chimney deposits, confirming that K is largely scavenged as a deposit within the chimney while Lev is significantly emitted to the ambient air. We propose that, using K/Lev mass ratios, the relative contributions of open fires and domestic wood burning to ambient aerosols can be evaluated.
The Processing Differences between Chinese Proper Nouns and Common Nouns in the Left and Right Hemispheres of the Brain
Authors: Lu Zijia , Bai Xuejun
Published: March 2023

In this study, we investigated whether there were differences between the processing of Chinese proper nouns and common nouns in the left and that in the right hemispheres of the brain by using a visual half-field technique. The experimental materials included four types of proper nouns (people’s names, landmark names, country names, and brand names), four types of common nouns (animals, fruits and vegetables, tools, and abstract nouns), and pseudowords. Participants were asked to judge whether target words that had been quickly presented in their left or right visual field were meaningful words. The results showed that there was a distinction between the processing of the two types of words in the left and right hemispheres. There was no significant difference in the processing of the two types of nouns in the right hemisphere, but the left hemisphere processed common nouns more effectively than proper nouns. Furthermore, the processing difference of proper nouns between the two hemispheres was less than that of common nouns, suggesting that proper nouns have a smaller lateralization effect than common nouns.
Impact of Time to Surgery on Outcome in Wilms Tumor Treated with Preoperative Chemotherapy
Authors: Meier Clemens-Magnus , Furtwängler Rhoikos , Mergen Marvin , Welter Nils , Melchior Patrick , Schenk Jens-Peter , Vokuhl Christian , Kager Leo , Kroiss-Benninger Sabine , Wagenpfeil Stefan , Graf Norbert
Published: March 2023

(1) Background: Wilms tumor (WT) treated preoperatively is cured in over 90% of cases. However, how long preoperative chemotherapy can be given is unknown. (2) Methods: 2561/3030 patients with WT (age < 18 years) treated between 1989 and 2022 according to SIOP-9/GPOH, SIOP-93-01/GPOH, and SIOP-2001/GPOH are retrospectively analyzed to assess the risk of time to surgery (TTS) for relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). (3) Results: TTS was calculated for all surgeries, with the mean being 39 days (38.5 ± 12.5) for unilateral tumors (UWT) and 70 days (69.9 ± 32.7) for bilateral disease (BWT). Relapse occurred in 347 patients, of which 63 (2.5%) were local, 199 (7.8%) were metastatic, and 85 (3.3%) were combined. Moreover, 184 patients (7.2%) died, 152 (5.9%) due to tumor progression. In UWT, recurrences and mortality are independent of TTS. For BWT without metastases at diagnosis, the incidence of recurrence is less than 18% up to 120 days and increases to 29% after 120 days, and to 60% after 150 days. The risk of relapse (Hazard Ratio) adjusted for age, local stage, and histological risk group increases to 2.87 after 120 days (CI 1.19–7.95, p = 0.022) and to 4.62 after 150 days (CI 1.17–18.26, p = 0.029). In metastatic BWT, no influence of TTS is detected. (4) Conclusions: The length of preoperative chemotherapy has no negative impact on RFS or OS in UWT. In BWT without metastatic disease, surgery should be performed before day 120, as the risk of recurrence increases significantly thereafter.
The Tissue Factor Pathway in Cancer: Overview and Role of Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans
Authors: Hassan Nourhan , Efing Janes , Kiesel Ludwig , Bendas Gerd , Götte Martin
Published: March 2023

Historically, the only focus on tissue factor (TF) in clinical pathophysiology has been on its function as the initiation of the extrinsic coagulation cascade. This obsolete vessel-wall TF dogma is now being challenged by the findings that TF circulates throughout the body as a soluble form, a cell-associated protein, and a binding microparticle. Furthermore, it has been observed that TF is expressed by various cell types, including T-lymphocytes and platelets, and that certain pathological situations, such as chronic and acute inflammatory states, and cancer, may increase its expression and activity. Transmembrane G protein-coupled protease-activated receptors can be proteolytically cleaved by the TF:FVIIa complex that develops when TF binds to Factor VII (PARs). The TF:FVIIa complex can activate integrins, receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), and PARs in addition to PARs. Cancer cells use these signaling pathways to promote cell division, angiogenesis, metastasis, and the maintenance of cancer stem-like cells. Proteoglycans play a crucial role in the biochemical and mechanical properties of the cellular extracellular matrix, where they control cellular behavior via interacting with transmembrane receptors. For TFPI.fXa complexes, heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) may serve as the primary receptor for uptake and degradation. The regulation of TF expression, TF signaling mechanisms, their pathogenic effects, and their therapeutic targeting in cancer are all covered in detail here.
The Tumor Coagulome as a Transcriptional Target and a Potential Effector of Glucocorticoids in Human Cancers
Authors: Racine Floriane , Louandre Christophe , Godin Corinne , Chatelain Baptiste , Prekovic Stefan , Zwart Wilbert , Galmiche Antoine , Saidak Zuzana
Published: March 2023

Background: The coagulome, defined as the repertoire of genes that locally regulate coagulation and fibrinolysis, is a key determinant of vascular thromboembolic complications of cancer. In addition to vascular complications, the coagulome may also regulate the tumor microenvironment (TME). Glucocorticoids are key hormones that mediate cellular responses to various stresses and exert anti-inflammatory effects. We addressed the effects of glucocorticoids on the coagulome of human tumors by investigating interactions with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Lung Adenocarcinoma, and Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma tumor types. Methods: We analyzed the regulation of three essential coagulome components, i.e., the tissue factor (TF), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in cancer cell lines exposed to specific agonists of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) (dexamethasone and hydrocortisone). We used QPCR, immunoblots, small-interfering RNA, Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIPseq) and genomic data from whole tumor and single-cell analyses. Results: Glucocorticoids modulate the coagulome of cancer cells through a combination of indirect and direct transcriptional effects. Dexamethasone directly increased PAI-1 expression in a GR-dependent manner. We confirmed the relevance of these findings in human tumors, where high GR activity/high SERPINE1 expression corresponded to a TME enriched in active fibroblasts and with a high TGF-β response. Conclusion: The transcriptional regulation of the coagulome by glucocorticoids that we report may have vascular consequences and account for some of the effects of glucocorticoids on the TME.