bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tocochromanol Profiles in Chlorella sorokiniana, Nannochloropsis limnetica and Tetraselmis suecica Confirm the Presence of 11′-α-Tocomonoenol in Cultured Microalgae Independently of Species and Origin
Authors: Montoya-Arroyo Alexander , Lehnert Katja , Muñoz-González Alejandra , Schmid-Staiger Ulrike , Vetter Walter , Frank Jan
Published: January 2022

11′-α-Tocomonoenol (11′-αT1) is structurally related to vitamin E and has been quantified in the microalgae Tetraselmis sp. and Nannochloropsis oceanica. However, it is not known whether 11′-αT1 is present in other microalgae independent of species and origin. The aim of this study was to analyze the tocochromanol profiles of Chlorella sorokiniana, Nannochloropsis limnetica, and Tetraselmis suecica and to determine if 11′-αT1 is present in these microalgae. Cultured microalgae were freeze-dried and the presence and identity of α-tocomonoenols were confirmed by LC-MSn (liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy) and GC-MS (gas chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy). Tocochromanol profiles were determined by HPLC-FLD (liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection) and fatty acid profiles (as fatty acid methyl esters; FAME) by GC-MS. As confirmed by LC-MSn and GC-MS, 11′-αT1 was the dominant αT1 isomer in cultured microalgae instead of 12′-αT1, the isomer also known as marine-derived tocopherol. αT1 represented less than 1% of total tocochromanols in all analyzed samples and tended to be more abundant in microalgae with higher proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In conclusion, our findings confirm that αT1 is not restricted to terrestrial photosynthetic organisms, but can also accumulate in microalgae of different species, with 11′-αT1—and not the marine-derived tocopherol (12′-αT1)—as the predominant αT1 isomer.
Supplementation of Enriched Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and CLA Cheese on High Fat Diet: Effects on Lipid Metabolism and Fat Profile
Authors: Tognocchi Monica , Conte Maria , Testai Lara , Martucci Morena , Serra Andrea , Salvioli Stefano , Calderone Vincenzo , Mele Marcello , Conte Giuseppe
Published: January 2022

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a positive relationship between dietary fat intake and the onset of several metabolic diseases. This association is particularly evident in a diet rich in saturated fatty acids, typical of animal foods, such as dairy products. However, these foods are the main source of fatty acids with a proven nutraceutical effect, such as the ω-3 fatty acid α-linolenic acid (ALA) and the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which have demonstrated important roles in the prevention of various diseases. In the present study, the effect of a supplementation with cheese enriched with ω-3 fatty acids and CLA on the metabolism and lipid profiles of C57bl/6 mice was evaluated. In particular, the analyses were conducted on different tissues, such as liver, muscle, adipose tissue and brain, known for their susceptibility to the effects of dietary fats. Supplementing cheese enriched in CLA and ω-3 fats reduced the level of saturated fat and increased the content of CLA and ALA in all tissues considered, except for the brain. Furthermore, the consumption of this cheese resulted in a tissue-specific response in the expression levels of genes involved in lipid and mitochondrial metabolism. As regards genes involved in the inflammatory response, the consumption of enriched cheese resulted in a reduction in the expression of inflammatory genes in all tissues analyzed. Considering the effects that chronic inflammation associated with a high-calorie and high-fat diet (meta-inflammation) or aging (inflammaging) has on the onset of chronic degenerative diseases, these data could be of great interest as they indicate the feasibility of modulating inflammation (thus avoiding/delaying these pathologies) with a nutritional and non-pharmacological intervention.
Some Observations on the Demographic Variables of Marriage System in Greek Thrace: Evidence from Several Anthropological Populations
Authors: Zafeiris Konstantinos N. , Koukli Marianna
Published: January 2022

The examination of demographic patterns and their variables is essential for our understanding of the anthropological and cultural processes that shape modern societies. Greek Thrace plays an important role in such analyses due to the cultural and socioeconomic variability it presents. This study is based on vital registration data of the 20th century, derived by various populations that inhabit the Department of Rhodopi, which are defined by discrete socio-economic, cultural, and historic backgrounds. We analyze and present various aspects of the social lives observed in these populations: marriage patterns, mean age at marriage of the spouses, mean age of mothers at first and last child, reproductive span, the children ever born, as well as other parameters related to reproduction. Our analyses show that several changes in marriage patterns have been undertaken throughout time, indicating an ongoing fertility transition. In that way, this study contributes to our knowledge on the anthropological populations from this part of Greece in relation to their socio-economic environment and it proposes possible analogies and differences that affected the evolution of the embedded populations.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Genealogy in 2021
Authors:   Genealogy Editorial Office
Published: January 2022

Rigorous peer-reviews are the basis of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Aging and Light Stress Result in Overlapping and Unique Gene Expression Changes in Photoreceptors
Authors: Escobedo Spencer E. , Stanhope Sarah C. , Dong Ziyu , Weake Vikki M.
Published: January 2022

Advanced age is one of the leading risk factors for vision loss and eye disease. Photoreceptors are the primary sensory neurons of the eye. The extended photoreceptor cell lifespan, in addition to its high metabolic needs due to phototransduction, makes it critical for these neurons to continually respond to the stresses associated with aging by mounting an appropriate gene expression response. Here, we sought to untangle the more general neuronal age-dependent transcriptional signature of photoreceptors with that induced by light stress. To do this, we aged flies or exposed them to various durations of blue light, followed by photoreceptor nuclei-specific transcriptome profiling. Using this approach, we identified genes that are both common and uniquely regulated by aging and light induced stress. Whereas both age and blue light induce expression of DNA repair genes and a neuronal-specific signature of death, both conditions result in downregulation of phototransduction. Interestingly, blue light uniquely induced genes that directly counteract the overactivation of the phototransduction signaling cascade. Lastly, unique gene expression changes in aging photoreceptors included the downregulation of genes involved in membrane potential homeostasis and mitochondrial function, as well as the upregulation of immune response genes. We propose that light stress contributes to the aging transcriptome of photoreceptors, but that there are also other environmental or intrinsic factors involved in age-associated photoreceptor gene expression signatures.
The Ehlers–Danlos Syndromes against the Backdrop of Inborn Errors of Metabolism
Authors: Van Damme Tim , Colman Marlies , Syx Delfien , Malfait Fransiska
Published: January 2022

The Ehlers–Danlos syndromes are a group of multisystemic heritable connective tissue disorders with clinical presentations that range from multiple congenital malformations, over adolescent-onset debilitating or even life-threatening complications of connective tissue fragility, to mild conditions that remain undiagnosed in adulthood. To date, thirteen different EDS types have been recognized, stemming from genetic defects in 20 different genes. While initial biochemical and molecular analyses mainly discovered defects in genes coding for the fibrillar collagens type I, III and V or their modifying enzymes, recent discoveries have linked EDS to defects in non-collagenous matrix glycoproteins, in proteoglycan biosynthesis and in the complement pathway. This genetic heterogeneity explains the important clinical heterogeneity among and within the different EDS types. Generalized joint hypermobility and skin hyperextensibility with cutaneous fragility, atrophic scarring and easy bruising are defining manifestations of EDS; however, other signs and symptoms of connective tissue fragility, such as complications of vascular and internal organ fragility, orocraniofacial abnormalities, neuromuscular involvement and ophthalmological complications are variably present in the different types of EDS. These features may help to differentiate between the different EDS types but also evoke a wide differential diagnosis, including different inborn errors of metabolism. In this narrative review, we will discuss the clinical presentation of EDS within the context of inborn errors of metabolism, give a brief overview of their underlying genetic defects and pathophysiological mechanisms and provide a guide for the diagnostic approach.
Genomic Analysis Reveals Subdivision of Black Rats (Rattus rattus) in India, Origin of the Worldwide Species Spread
Authors: Baig Mumtaz , Farah Sameera , Atkulwar Ashwin , Searle Jeremy B.
Published: January 2022

In contrast to the detailed and globally extensive studies on the spread of the commensal black rat, Rattus rattus, there has been relatively little work on the phylogeography of the species within India, from where this spread originated. Taking a genomic approach, we typed 27 R. rattus samples from Peninsular India using the genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) method. Filtering and alignment of the FASTQ files yielded 1499 genome-wide SNPs. Phylogenomic tree reconstruction revealed a distinct subdivision in the R. rattus population, manifested as two clusters corresponding to the east and west coasts of India. We also identified signals of admixture between these two subpopulations, separated by an Fst of 0.20. This striking genomic difference between the east and west coast populations mirrors what has previously been described with mitochondrial DNA sequencing. It is notable that the west coast population of R. rattus has been spread globally, reflecting the origins of commensalism of the species in Western India and the subsequent transport by humans worldwide.
Nanos Is Expressed in Somatic and Germline Tissue during Larval and Post-Larval Development of the Annelid Alitta virens
Authors: Kostyuchenko Roman P.
Published: January 2022

Nanos is a translational regulator that is involved in germline development in a number of diverse animals and is also involved in somatic patterning in several model organisms, including insects. Neither germline development nor somatic stem cell lines/undifferentiated multipotent cells have been characterized in the development of the annelid Alitta virens, nor is the mechanism of germ/stem-line specification generally well-understood in annelids. Here, I have cloned an Avi-nanos ortholog from A. virens and determined the spatial and temporal expression of Nanos. The results revealed that transcripts of nanos are expressed during differentiation of multiple tissues, including those that are derived from the 2d and 4d cells. In late embryonic stages and during larval development, these transcripts are expressed in the presumptive brain, ventral nerve cord, mesodermal bands, putative primordial germ cells (PGCs), and developing foregut and hindgut. During metamorphosis of the nectochaete larva into a juvenile worm, a posterior growth zone consisting of nanos-positive cells is established, and the PGCs begin to migrate. Later, the PGCs stop migrating and form a cluster of four nanos-expressing cells located immediately behind the jaws (segments 4–5). During posterior regeneration following caudal amputation, a robust Avi-nanos expression appears de novo at the site of injury and further accompanies all steps of regeneration. The obtained data suggest that blastemal cells are mostly derived from cells of the segment adjacent to the amputation site; this is consistent with the idea that the cluster of PGCs do not participate in regeneration.
A Maize Necrotic Leaf Mutant Caused by Defect of Coproporphyrinogen III Oxidase in the Porphyrin Pathway
Authors: Zhao Yan , Xu Wei , Wang Lijing , Han Shuai , Zhang Yongzhong , Liu Qingzhi , Liu Baoshen , Zhao Xiangyu
Published: January 2022

Lesion mimic mutants provide ideal genetic materials for elucidating the molecular mechanism of cell death and disease resistance. The maize necrotic leaf mutant (nec-t) is a recessive mutant with necrotic spots and yellow-green leaves. In this study, we found that nec-t was a light and temperature-dependent mutant. Map-based cloning and the allelic test revealed that nec-t was a novel allelic mutant of the Necrotic4 gene. Necrotic4 encodes the coproporphyrinogen III oxidase (CPX1), a key enzyme in the tetrapyrrole pathway, catalyzing coproporphyrinogen III oxidate to protoporphyrinogen IX. Subcellular localization showed that the necrotic4 protein was localized in the chloroplast. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis showed that the Necrotic4 mutation caused the enhanced chlorophyll degradation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) response. The mechanism of plant lesion formation induced by light and temperature is not clear. Our research provides a basis for understanding the molecular mechanism of necrosis initiation in maize.
New Genomic Signals Underlying the Emergence of Human Proto-Genes
Authors: Grandchamp Anna , Berk Katrin , Dohmen Elias , Bornberg-Bauer Erich
Published: February 2022

De novo genes are novel genes which emerge from non-coding DNA. Until now, little is known about de novo genes’ properties, correlated to their age and mechanisms of emergence. In this study, we investigate four related properties: introns, upstream regulatory motifs, 5′ Untranslated regions (UTRs) and protein domains, in 23,135 human proto-genes. We found that proto-genes contain introns, whose number and position correlates with the genomic position of proto-gene emergence. The origin of these introns is debated, as our results suggest that 41% of proto-genes might have captured existing introns, and 13.7% of them do not splice the ORF. We show that proto-genes which emerged via overprinting tend to be more enriched in core promotor motifs, while intergenic and intronic genes are more enriched in enhancers, even if the TATA motif is most commonly found upstream in these genes. Intergenic and intronic 5′ UTRs of proto-genes have a lower potential to stabilise mRNA structures than exonic proto-genes and established human genes. Finally, we confirm that proteins expressed by proto-genes gain new putative domains with age. Overall, we find that regulatory motifs inducing transcription and translation of previously non-coding sequences may facilitate proto-gene emergence. Our study demonstrates that introns, 5′ UTRs, and domains have specific properties in proto-genes. We also emphasize that the genomic positions of de novo genes strongly impacts these properties.
Characterization of the Genomic Landscape in Cervical Cancer by Next Generation Sequencing
Authors: Qiu Ling , Feng Hao , Yu Hailin , Li Ming , You Yana , Zhu Shurong , Yang Wenting , Jiang Hua , Wu Xin
Published: February 2022

Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. Although many sequencing studies have been carried out, the genetic characteristics of cervical cancer remain to be fully elucidated, especially in the Asian population. Herein, we investigated the genetic landscape of Chinese cervical cancer patients using a validated multigene next generation sequencing (NGS) panel. We analyzed 64 samples, consisting of 32 tumors and 32 blood samples from 32 Chinese cervical cancer patients by performing multigene NGS with a panel targeting 571 cancer-related genes. A total of 810 somatic variants, 2730 germline mutations and 701 copy number variations (CNVs) were identified. FAT1, HLA-B, PIK3CA, MTOR, KMT2D and ZFHX3 were the most mutated genes. Further, PIK3CA, BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM and TP53 gene loci had a higher frequency of CNVs. Moreover, the role of PIK3CA in cervical cancer was further highlighted by comparing with the ONCOKB database, especially for E545K and E542K, which were reported to confer radioresistance to cervical cancer. Notably, analysis of potential therapeutic targets suggested that cervical cancer patients could benefit from PARP inhibitors. This multigene NGS analysis revealed several novel genetic alterations in Chinese patients with cervical cancer and highlighted the role of PIK3CA in cervical cancer. Overall, this study showed that genetic variations not only affect the genetic susceptibility of cervical cancer, but also influence the resistance of cervical cancer to radiotherapy, but further studies involving a larger patient population should be undertaken to validate these findings.
Association of Interleukin Genes IL10 and IL10RB with Parameters of Overweight in Military Students
Authors: Maculewicz Ewelina , Dzitkowska-Zabielska Magdalena , Antkowiak Bożena , Antkowiak Oktawiusz , Mastalerz Andrzej , Garbacz Aleksandra , Massidda Myosotis , Bojarczuk Aleksandra , Dziuda Łukasz , Cięszczyk Paweł
Published: February 2022

Background: To date, nearly 300 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and other adiposity traits have been identified by GWAS. With regards to IL10, at least 49 IL10-associated polymorphisms have been reported. However, little is known regarding the relationship between SNPs of the IL10 gene and the risk of obesity in young men. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between SNPs of the IL10 and IL10RB genes and the risk of obesity in young men. Methods: A cohort of 139 male students were enrolled and the following IL10 and IL10RB SNPs were analyzed: IL10 (rs1518110), IL10 (rs3024491), IL10RB (rs2834167). The subjects were divided into groups depending on obesity parameters: body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI) and fat percentage (Fat%). Statistical analysis was conducted for a single locus and haplotypes, an association between SNPs and body composition parameters was tested with four genetic models: dominant, recessive, codominant and overdominant mode of inheritance (MOI). Results: Significant association was found for interaction IL10 (rs1518110) × IL10RB (rs2834167) with Fat% value exceeding 20 in codominant (p-value = 0.03, OR = 0.34, 95% CI 0.08 1.44) and dominant model (p-value = 0.03, OR = 0.34, 95% CI 0.08 1.44) Conclusion: Our study shows for the first time that there is a correlation between the occurrence of specific polymorphisms of IL10 gene (rs1518110, rs3024491 and rs2834167) and the possibility of obesity.
The Influence of Interpolated Point Location and Density on 3D Bathymetric Models Generated by Kriging Methods: An Application on the Giglio Island Seabed (Italy)
Authors: Alcaras Emanuele , Amoroso Pier Paolo , Parente Claudio
Published: January 2022

In relation to 3D bathymetric modelling, this article aims to analyze the performance of Kriging approaches in dependence of the location and density of the measured depth points. The experiments were carried out on a multi-beam sonar (MBS) dataset that includes 240,000 soundings covering a sea-bottom area near Giglio Island (Italy). Seven subsets were derived in random way from the initial regular MBS dataset, selecting an increasing number of points uniformly spaced. Seven models were generated for both Ordinary Kriging and Universal Kriging. Each model was submitted to leave-one-out cross-validation to define the exactness of the predictive values and compared with the initial grid to better evaluate the accuracy in dependence of the point number and dissemination. To investigate this relationship, a new index called MVI (Morphological Variation Index) was introduced as a measurement of the level of variation of seabed morphology. The results validate the efficiency of the Kriging methods and remark the influence of the dataset distribution on the 3D model, highlighting MVI as a useful index to represent the seabed variation as a unique value. Finally, in no rugged areas using 1 point every 1000 m2, the RMSE of the differences between measured and interpolated values falls below 1 m, while a further increment of soundings is required in the presence of a high level of variation of seabed morphology.
Quantitative Assessment of the Geosites of Chelmos-Vouraikos UNESCO Global Geopark (Greece)
Authors: Golfinopoulos Vasilis , Papadopoulou Penelope , Koumoutsou Eleni , Zouros Nickolas , Fassoulas Charalampos , Zelilidis Avraam , Iliopoulos George
Published: January 2022

The assessment of the geosites of Chelmos-Vouraikos UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) was carried out based on an established methodology for the evaluation of geoparks’ geosites. Such assessments should be used for sustainable development and geoconservation in geoparks. The selected methodology is based on a wider range of criteria concerning the overall value of each geosite, compared to other locations. Each criterion was scored and then three indices, Vedu, Vprot and Vedu were estimated for each geosite. The application of this methodology at Chelmos-Vouraikos UGGp has produced results which not only highlight the value of each geosite, but also provide ways for their utilization. The assessment of the 40 geosites of the geopark, identified geosites with high educational and touristic value (such as Portes–Triklia and the Cave of the Lakes), while geosites with increased protection-need value (the Tectonic Graben of Kalavryta) were also highlighted. Therefore, the assessment results will be used by the geopark to plan the effective management of the geosites based on their strengths and weaknesses, and which thus will promote the geopark and will contribute to the sustainable development of the local communities. The proposed methodology uses all possible criteria for its impartial application and despite a few minor problems that have been identified, it is considered appropriate for the assessment of geosites in Geoparks. The application of such evaluation methodologies is considered crucial for the development, protection and touristic promotion of geoparks.
Environment, Environmental Crimes, Environmental Forensic Medicine, Environmental Risk Management and Environmental Criminology
Authors: Casali Michelangelo Bruno , Travaini Guido Vittorio , Di Francesco Carlotta Virginia , Genovese Umberto Rosario
Published: January 2022

Forensic medicine has always held the human environment, either seen as a source for pathological agents or the background of judicial events, in great consideration. The concept of the environment has evolved through time, expanding itself to include all the physical and virtual sub-spaces in which we exist. We can nowadays talk of technoenvironmental reality; virtual spaces exploded because of the COVID-19 pandemic making us come to terms with the fact that those are the places where we work, where we socialize and, even, where we meet our doctors and can be cured. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has contributed to shaping new virtual realities that have got their own rules yet to be discovered, carved and respected. We already fight a daily battle to save our natural environment: along with the danger of green crimes, comes the need for environmental justice and environmental forensic medicine that will probably develop a forensic branch and an experimental branch, to implement our technical culture leading to definition of the real dimension of the risk itself to improve the role of legal medicine in the Environmental Risk Management. While green criminology addresses widespread green crimes, a virtual environment criminology will also develop, maybe with a contribution of AI in the justice field. For a sustainable life, the environmental revolution must rapidly take place, and there is the need for a new justice, a new forensic medicine and a new criminology too.
Differences in Resilience, Psychological Well-Being and Coping Strategies between HIV Patients and Diabetics
Authors: Rivera-Picón Cristina , Benavente-Cuesta María Hinojal , Quevedo-Aguado María Paz , Rodríguez-Muñoz Pedro Manuel
Published: January 2022

The aim of the study was to determine the differences in resilience, psychological well-being and coping strategies between patients with HIV and diabetics. The sample included a total of 400 subjects (199 patients with HIV and 201 subjects with diabetes). The instruments applied for data collection were a sociodemographic data questionnaire, the Resilience Scale (Wagnild and Young), the Ryff Psychological Well-being Scale and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (Sandín and Chorot). The data collection period was approximately 2 years (between February 2018 and January 2020). Based on the results of our work it was found that the subjects with HIV had lower scores than the diabetic subjects in all the resilience factors, except for the factor “feeling good alone”. In addition, the subjects with HIV scored significantly lower than the diabetic subjects on all the variables of psychological well-being. Subjects with HIV used problem-solving coping, social support seeking, positive reappraisal, religious coping and avoidance coping with less frequency than diabetic subjects. However, they used more negative auto-focused coping compared to diabetic subjects. Therefore, subjects with HIV show a different psychological pattern in relation to resilience, psychological well-being and use of coping strategies compared to diabetic subjects.
C-CorA: A Cluster-Based Method for Correlation Analysis of RNA-Seq Data
Authors: Qian Jianpu , Liu Wenli , Shi Yanna , Zhang Mengxue , Wu Qingbiao , Chen Kunsong , Chen Wenbo
Published: January 2022

Correlation analysis is a routine method of biological data analysis. In the process of RNA-Seq analysis, differentially expressed genes could be identified by calculating the correlation coefficients in the comparison of gene expression vs. phenotype or gene expression vs. gene expression. However, due to the complicated genetic backgrounds of perennial fruit, the correlation coefficients between phenotypes and genes are usually not high in fruit quality studies. In this study, a cluster-based correlation analysis method (C-CorA) is presented for fruit RNA-Seq analysis. C-CorA is composed of two main parts: the clustering analysis and the correlation analysis. The algorithm is described and then integrated into the MATLAB code and the C# WPF project. The C-CorA method was applied to RNA-Seq datasets of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) fruit stored or ripened under different conditions. Low temperature conditioning or heat treatment of loquat fruit can alleviate the extent of lignification that occurs because of postharvest storage under low temperatures (0 °C). The C-CorA method generated correlation coefficients and identified many candidate genes correlated with lignification, including EjCAD3 and EjCAD4 and transcription factors such as MYB (UN00328). C-CorA is an effective new method for the correlation analysis of various types of data with different dimensions and can be applied to RNA-Seq data for candidate gene detection in fruit quality studies.
The Cost-Benefits and Risks of Using Raffia Made of Biodegradable Polymers: The Case of Pepper and Tomato Production in Greenhouses
Authors: López-Marín Josefa , Gálvez Amparo , del Amor Francisco M. , Piñero Mari Carmen , Brotons-Martínez Jose M.
Published: February 2022

The use of plastics in agriculture has increased food production and reduced irrigation, pesticides, and pests. However, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), “disastrous” use has occurred, as agricultural soils are being contaminated and have begun to threaten food security, peoples’ health, and the environment. One of the most challenging plastic wastes that must be removed from plants, and instead recycled, is the raffia used to tutor crops. This work studied the economic risk of introducing raffia made from a biodegradable polymer in greenhouse pepper and tomato crops. An expert survey was carried out to analyze the evolution of breaks throughout the season of four biodegradable raffias: cellulose, cellulose + kraft paper, compostable biopolymer, and jute-rayon, comparing them with a polypropylene control for two years (2019–2020) in pepper and tomato crops. Fuzzy logic-ordered weighted averages (OWA) were used to treat and aggregate this information. Income, costs, and the risk of biodegradable raffia breakage were studied. The results show that the material that performed the best was the biopolymer in the two crops studied, as it presented a much lower risk of breakage. The breaks in tomatoes were higher than those produced in pepper for each material. For the biopolymer, the internal rates of return (3.49% in tomatoes and 8.14% in peppers) and the recovery period (18.50 and 13.45 years for tomato and pepper crops, respectively) were very similar to those of polypropylene.
Simulation Studies Provide Evidence of Aerosol Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a Multi-Story Building via Air Supply, Exhaust and Sanitary Pipelines
Authors: Zhang Zhuona , Li Xia , Wang Qin , Zhao Xiaoning , Xu Jin , Jiang Qinqin , Jiang Sili , Lyu Jiayun , Liu Shiqiang , Ye Ling , Yuan Jun , Feng Wenru , Xie Jiamin , Chen Qiuling , Zou Haoming , Xu Dongqun
Published: January 2022

A cross-layer non-vertical transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) occurred in a quarantine hotel in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China in June 2021. To explore the cross-layer transmission path and influencing factors of viral aerosol, we set up different scenarios to carry out simulation experiments. The results showed that the air in the polluted room can enter the corridor by opening the door to take food and move out the garbage, then mix with the fresh air taken from the outside as part of the air supply of the central air conditioning system and re-enter into different rooms on the same floor leading to the same-layer transmission. In addition, flushing the toilet after defecation and urination will produce viral aerosol that pollutes rooms on different floors through the exhaust system and the vertical drainage pipe in the bathroom, resulting in cross-layer vertical transmission, also aggravating the transmission in different rooms on the same floor after mixing with the air of the room and entering the corridor to become part of the air supply, and meanwhile, continuing to increase the cross-layer transmission through the vertical drainage pipe. Therefore, the air conditioning and ventilation system of the quarantine hotel should be operated in full fresh air mode and close the return air; the exhaust volume of the bathroom should be greater than the fresh air volume. The exhaust pipe of the bathroom should be independently set and cannot be interconnected or connected in series. The riser of the sewage and drainage pipeline of the bathroom should maintain vertical to exhaust independently and cannot be arbitrarily changed to horizontal pipe assembly.
Effects of Periodontal Treatment in Patients with Periodontitis and Kidney Failure: A Pilot Study
Authors: Chung Wen-Chen , Kao Chih-Chin , Huang Chiung-Fang , Lee Chang-Yu , Lu Hsein-Kun , Wu Mai-Szu
Published: January 2022

Periodontitis and chronic kidney disease are both chronic inflammatory diseases and share some common risk factors. This 3-month pilot study aimed to clarify whether non-surgical periodontal therapy is beneficial in clinical, biochemical, and microbiological conditions in patients with periodontitis and kidney failure. Kidney failure patients with moderate to severe periodontitis were recruited from two hospitals. Treatment group received non-surgical periodontal therapy, and control group received oral hygiene instruction only. Outcome assessments were conducted 1 and 3 months after treatment. Non-parametric tests were used to analyze the patient-level data. Periodontal site-level assessments were analyzed by Student t-test and paired t-test. Statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05. A total of 11 subjects completed the study. There was no significant difference between groups in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, infection events, systemic parameters, and serum biomarkers. Comparing to control group, clinical periodontal parameters, gingival crevicular fluid interleukin-1β (IL-1β) level and periodontal pathogens showed significant improvement in the treatment group. Non-surgical periodontal treatment did not change systemic outcomes in kidney failure patients, but changed the local micro-environment.
Efficacy of Interventions Based on the Use of Information and Communication Technologies for the Promotion of Active Aging
Authors: Astasio-Picado Álvaro , Cobos-Moreno Paula , Gómez-Martín Beatriz , Verdú-Garcés Lorena , Zabala-Baños María del Carmen
Published: January 2022

Nowadays, the study of how new media and technologies can be used to carry out health education by bringing these tools closer to the elderly population is interesting. It is a way of offering them access not only to greater knowledge, but to greater communication and relationship with their surroundings, a range of new possibilities and resources at their disposal that also represent a way to reduce the generation gap and bring them closer to the rest of the community. Objectives: to evaluate and analyze the studies that show the efficacy of interventions based on the use of information and communication technologies for the promotion of active aging in people older than or equal to 65 years who live in the community. Data sources, study eligibility criteria: the search for the articles was carried out from January 2012 to March 2021, in 6 databases (Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Scielo, Google Academic and WOS) based on the clinical question, using the keywords derived from the DeCS and MeSH thesauri, combined with the Boolean operators “AND”, “NOT” and “OR”. The search was limited to publications from the last 9 years, in English and Spanish. Results: after applying the selection criteria and evaluating the quality of the methodology, 7.91% (n = 17) of the 215 results were included with filters: 7 systematic review, 5 of Cohorts and 5 of Randomized Controlled Trial. Conclusions and implications of key findings: the use of communication technologies reduces the feeling of loneliness, as well as the use of virtual reality to exercise, train memory or perform rehabilitation. The most difficult barrier to overcome is the prior ignorance of the majority of the elderly to the technology that is overcome by working as a team throughout the community, especially in the health and educational sector, as well as the family or social nucleus.
Mobile Dating Applications and the Sexual Self: A Cluster Analysis of Users’ Characteristics
Authors: Mateizer Alexandru , Avram Eugen
Published: January 2022

The online environment has had a profound sociocultural impact, and its implications pose new challenges to modern-day societies. The digital sexual and dating domains have dramatically affected sexual and romantic behavior and norms, and yet, no empirical studies have addressed the role of the sexual self-concept in driving sexual and romantic online behavior. The aim of this study is to identify reliable sexual self-configurations through a cluster analysis approach and determine whether these profiles are informative in relation to app use motives and sexual outcomes. For this purpose, a total of 244 subjects were recruited. Survey questions measured a set of demographic parameters, motives for app use, online sexual activities, attachment orientations, the sexual self-concept and sexual satisfaction. Five clusters were identified, including two with high levels of sexual drive (“Driven” and “Adventurous”), two with low levels of sexual drive (“Unassured” and “Naïve”) and one with an intermediate level of sexual drive (“Competent”). The clusters differed on gender, attachment styles, app use patterns and sexual characteristics. These findings provide insight into how the sexual self-concept relates to the interaction between individuals and the online sexual and dating scenes.
“Should I Inhale?”—Perceptions, Barriers, and Drivers for Medicinal Cannabis Use amongst Australian Women with Primary Dysmenorrhoea: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Sinclair Justin , Armour Susanne , Akowuah Jones Asafo , Proudfoot Andrew , Armour Mike
Published: January 2022

Objective: This study sought to investigate the perceptions, barriers, and drivers associated with medicinal cannabis use among Australian women with primary dysmenorrhea. A qualitative study via virtual focus groups involving 26 women experiencing regular, moderate, or greater menstrual pain explored categories including cost, associated stigma, current drug driving laws, community and workplace ethics, and geographical isolation within the context of patient access under current Australian laws and regulations. Results: A qualitative descriptive analysis identified that dissatisfaction with current management strategies such as over-the-counter analgesic usage was the key driver for wanting to use medicinal cannabis. A number of significant barriers to use were identified including patient access to medical prescribers, medical practitioner bias, current drug driving laws, geographic location, and cost. Community and cultural factors such as the history of cannabis as an illicit drug and the resulting stigma, even when prescribed by a medical doctor, still existed and was of concern to our participants. Conclusion: Whilst medicinal cannabis is legal in all states and territories within Australia, several barriers to access exist that require government regulatory attention to assist in increasing patient adoption, including possible subsidisation of cost. The high cost of legal, medicinal cannabis was a key factor in women’s choice to use illicit cannabis. Overall, the concerns raised by our participants are consistent with the broader findings of a recent Australian Senate inquiry report into barriers to patient access to medicinal cannabis in Australia, suggesting many of the issues are systematic rather than disease-specific. Given the interest in use of medicinal cannabis amongst women with primary dysmenorrhea, clinical trials in this area are urgently needed.
Sociodemographic Determinants of Poles’ Attitudes towards the Forest during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Koprowicz Anna , Korzeniewicz Robert , Pusz Wojciech , Baranowska Marlena
Published: January 2022

Attitudes towards forest ecosystems have been changing together with human needs, which is amplified with society’s increasing need to spend recreation time in the forest. The phenomenon has been particularly visible during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to determine the attitude of Poles to forests during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was based on (1) a sociodemographic background questionnaire that consisted of questions about the independent variables and (2) the LAS scale—an independently prepared tool for measuring attitudes towards the forest. In the survey, 1025 people participated (673 women). The age of the subjects was between 19 and 68. The attitude towards the forest was analysed in three dimensions: Benefits, Involvement, and Fears. The Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance by ranks were used for statistical analysis. Women and people with primary education expressed the most fears connected with going to the forest. Men and people living in the countryside and in small towns, as well as respondents who were professionally active and performing work connected with forests were the most involved in exploring the forest and working for its benefit. Concerning the forest, concerned women, people from the highest age group, respondents with university education, and white-collar workers notice the most benefits from recreational activities in the forest.
COVID-19-Related Social Isolation Predispose to Problematic Internet and Online Video Gaming Use in Italy
Authors: Volpe Umberto , Orsolini Laura , Salvi Virginio , Albert Umberto , Carmassi Claudia , Carrà Giuseppe , Cirulli Francesca , Dell’Osso Bernardo , Luciano Mario , Menculini Giulia , Nanni Maria , Pompili Maurizio , Sani Gabriele , Sampogna Gaia , Group Working , Fiorillo Andrea
Published: January 2022

COVID-19 pandemic and its related containment measures have been associated with increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression in the general population. While the use of digital media has been greatly promoted by national governments and international authorities to maintain social contacts and healthy lifestyle behaviors, its increased access may also bear the risk of inappropriate or excessive use of internet-related resources. The present study, part of the COVID Mental hEalth Trial (COMET) study, aims at investigating the possible relationship between social isolation, the use of digital resources and the development of their problematic use. A cross sectional survey was carried out to explore the prevalence of internet addiction, excessive use of social media, problematic video gaming and binge watching, during Italian phase II (May–June 2020) and III (June–September 2020) of the pandemic in 1385 individuals (62.5% female, mean age 32.5 ± 12.9) mainly living in Central Italy (52.4%). Data were stratified according to phase II/III and three groups of Italian regions (northern, central and southern). Compared to the larger COMET study, most participants exhibited significant higher levels of severe-to-extremely-severe depressive symptoms (46.3% vs. 12.4%; p < 0.01) and extremely severe anxiety symptoms (77.8% vs. 7.5%; p < 0.01). We also observed a rise in problematic internet use and excessive gaming over time. Mediation analyses revealed that COVID-19-related general psychopathology, stress, anxiety, depression and social isolation play a significant role in the emergence of problematic internet use, social media addiction and problematic video gaming. Professional gamers and younger subjects emerged as sub-populations particularly at risk of developing digital addictions. If confirmed in larger and more homogenous samples, our findings may help in shedding light on possible preventive and treatment strategies for digital addictions.
Instagram Use and Body Dissatisfaction: The Mediating Role of Upward Social Comparison with Peers and Influencers among Young Females
Authors: Pedalino Federica , Camerini Anne-Linda
Published: January 2022

Background: Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms among young females. Idealized body images shared on the platform have been associated with lower levels of body satisfaction in this population, likely due to social comparison processes. In the present study, we tested a mediation model linking Instagram use (i.e., browsing through others’ profiles, commenting on others’ looks, posting one’s own photos or stories) to body dissatisfaction (i.e., body image discrepancy and lack of body appreciation), mediated by upward social comparison with close peers, distant peers, and social media influencers. Methods: We applied structural equation modeling to self-report cross-sectional data collected from 291 female adolescents and young women (Mage = 19.8, SD = 4.6; 94.8% Italian). Results: Our final model results show that browsing on Instagram was associated with lower levels of body appreciation, fully mediated by upward social comparison with social media influencers, not close or distant peers. Commenting on others’ looks and posting own content were not associated with body dissatisfaction. Being an adolescent female (compared to a young woman) and having a higher BMI were associated with worse body appreciation. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need for public health interventions to raise awareness about the posting practices of social media influencers and to strengthen a positive body image among young females susceptible to social comparison processes.
The Indoor Environment and Otitis Media among Australian Children: A National Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Veivers David , Williams Gail M. , Toelle Brett G. , Waterman Adriana M. Cortés de , Guo Yuming , Denison Lyn , Yang Bo-Yi , Dong Guang-Hui , Jalaludin Bin , Marks Guy B. , Knibbs Luke D.
Published: January 2022

The association between the indoor environment and lifetime prevalence of otitis media (OM) in Australian children was assessed. We analysed data from a cross-sectional study of children, aged 7–11 years, performed in twelve Australian cities during 2007–2008. The main outcome was a parental report of their child’s diagnosis with OM by a doctor. Information on the indoor environment (energy sources used for heating, cooling, and cooking, pets, and second-hand smoke exposure), in the first year of life and at present, was collected from parents by a questionnaire. Multi-level logistic regression models were used to adjust for individual- and area-level confounders. Our analysis comprised 2872 children (51% female, mean age: 10.0 (SD 1.2)). Of those, 1097 (39%) were reported to have OM. Exposure to gas heating in the first year of life was significantly associated with higher odds of OM in adjusted models (OR:1.22; 95% CI: 1.00,1.47), as was current exposure to reverse-cycle air conditioning (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.27,1.82). Ownership of a cat or dog at any time was also associated with high odds of OM (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.17,1.92). No other significant associations were observed. In this national study of Australian children, indoor environmental exposures associated with the lifetime prevalence of OM were gas heating, reverse-cycle air conditioning and pet ownership. Exposures in both early life and later childhood may both play a role in OM.
Diversity and Distribution Patterns of Endemic Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Iran: Implications for Conservation and Habitat Management
Authors: Hassanpouraghdam Mohammad Bagher , Ghorbani Hamideh , Esmaeilpour Marzieh , Alford Mac H. , Strzemski Maciej , Dresler Sławomir
Published: January 2022

Iran, with its unique climatic and topographic conditions, is home to about 8200 species of vascular plants. Approximately 2300 of the 8200 species are popularly characterized as medicinal or aromatic. Here, we compile information about the endemic medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) of Iran and map their distributions. Our survey found 180 endemic species of MAPs, belonging to 10 families and 30 genera. The majority of species are found in Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, and Apiaceae, with 86, 30, and 18 species, respectively. Approximately 70% of these plants have been recorded in the 10 provinces of Esfahan, Kerman, Fars, Tehran, Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari, East Azarbaijan, Lorestan, West Azarbaijan, Hamadan, and Mazandaran. These provinces are located in the Iran-o-Turanian region, one of the three major phytogeographic regions in Iran, which covers five areas of endemism (i.e., Azarbaijan, Zagros, Kopet Dagh-Khorassan, Alborz, and Central Alborz). So, Iran-o-Turanian region is the main center of diversity for the Iranian endemic MAPs. The north, center and western parts of Iran are rich in MAPs and could be considered as the dominant biodiversity hotspots of Iran more seemingly due to the diverse climatic and geographic assortment which generates the highest frequency and distribution of MAPs. Many of these MAPs are at the edge of extinction due to the unwise, unscientific harvesting and/or global climate change. Therefore, there is an urgent need to conserve and propagate some of these important MAPs to save them from extinction and also to ensure the availability of raw materials for their use and future research into their efficacy. Furthermore, identifying the areas of endemism (AEs) is an essential part of ongoing regional conservation management programs in Iran and worldwide.