bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advances in 3D Gel Printing for Enzyme Immobilization
Authors: Shen Jialong , Zhang Sen , Fang Xiaomeng , Salmon Sonja
Published: July 2022

Incorporating enzymes with three-dimensional (3D) printing is an exciting new field of convergence research that holds infinite potential for creating highly customizable components with diverse and efficient biocatalytic properties. Enzymes, nature’s nanoscale protein-based catalysts, perform crucial functions in biological systems and play increasingly important roles in modern chemical processing methods, cascade reactions, and sensor technologies. Immobilizing enzymes on solid carriers facilitates their recovery and reuse, improves stability and longevity, broadens applicability, and reduces overall processing and chemical conversion costs. Three-dimensional printing offers extraordinary flexibility for creating high-resolution complex structures that enable completely new reactor designs with versatile sub-micron functional features in macroscale objects. Immobilizing enzymes on or in 3D printed structures makes it possible to precisely control their spatial location for the optimal catalytic reaction. Combining the rapid advances in these two technologies is leading to completely new levels of control and precision in fabricating immobilized enzyme catalysts. The goal of this review is to promote further research by providing a critical discussion of 3D printed enzyme immobilization methods encompassing both post-printing immobilization and immobilization by physical entrapment during 3D printing. Especially, 3D printed gel matrix techniques offer mild single-step entrapment mechanisms that produce ideal environments for enzymes with high retention of catalytic function and unparalleled fabrication control. Examples from the literature, comparisons of the benefits and challenges of different combinations of the two technologies, novel approaches employed to enhance printed hydrogel physical properties, and an outlook on future directions are included to provide inspiration and insights for pursuing work in this promising field.
Effects of Fermented Green Tea Waste Extract Gels on Oxidative Damage in Short-Term Passive Smoking Mice
Authors: Liu Jiangwen , Wang Yijun , Sun Lei , Guo Dongfeng , Wu Xuefeng , Mu Dongdong , Li Xingjiang
Published: July 2022

Passive smoking is extensively studied because of its harmfulness to human health. In this study, the effects of fermented green tea waste extract gels (GTEG) on oxidative damage in mice exposed to short-term cigarette smoke (CS) were investigated. The GTEG is prepared from green tea waste extract and microbial transglutaminase (MTGase). The lung injury model of mice was established through passive smoking for 5 days. The experimental results revealed the following findings. (1) The GTEG induced by MTGase has obvious gel properties; (2) GTEG has strong biological activity and antioxidant properties in vitro; (3) The passive smoking model was established successfully; specifically, the lung tissue of the model mice exhibited inflammatory symptoms, oxidative stress response appeared in their bodies, and their inflammatory indicators increased; (4) Compared with the passive smoking model group, the mice, which were exposed to CS and received GTEG treatment, exhibited increased food intake and body weight; increased total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity in serum; significant decreases (p < 0.05) in the content levels of the inflammatory factors malondialdehyde, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α); and inhibited expression of IL-6, IL-33, TNF-α, and IL-1β inflammatory genes. The results indicated that taking GTEG can relieve the oxidative stress injury of mice caused by short-term CS and has antioxidant properties.
lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA ceRNA Network Involved in Sheep Prolificacy: An Integrated Approach
Authors: Sadeghi Masoumeh , Bahrami Abolfazl , Hasankhani Aliakbar , Kioumarsi Hamed , Nouralizadeh Reza , Abdulkareem Sarah , Ghafouri Farzad , Barkema Herman
Published: July 2022

Understanding the molecular pattern of fertility is considered as an important step in breeding of different species, and despite the high importance of the fertility, little success has been achieved in dissecting the interactome basis of sheep fertility. However, the complex mechanisms associated with prolificacy in sheep have not been fully understood. Therefore, this study aimed to use competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks to evaluate this trait to better understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for fertility. A competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network of the corpus luteum was constructed between Romanov and Baluchi sheep breeds with either good or poor genetic merit for prolificacy using whole-transcriptome analysis. First, the main list of lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNA related to the corpus luteum that alter with the breed were extracted, then miRNA–mRNA and lncRNA–mRNA interactions were predicted, and the ceRNA network was constructed by integrating these interactions with the other gene regulatory networks and the protein–protein interaction (PPI). A total of 264 mRNAs, 14 lncRNAs, and 34 miRNAs were identified by combining the GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. In total, 44, 7, 7, and 6 mRNAs, lncRNAs, miRNAs, and crucial modules, respectively, were disclosed through clustering for the corpus luteum ceRNA network. All these RNAs involved in biological processes, namely proteolysis, actin cytoskeleton organization, immune system process, cell adhesion, cell differentiation, and lipid metabolic process, have an overexpression pattern (Padj < 0.01). This study increases our understanding of the contribution of different breed transcriptomes to phenotypic fertility differences and constructed a ceRNA network in sheep (Ovis aries) to provide insights into further research on the molecular mechanism and identify new biomarkers for genetic improvement.
The Identification by Exome Sequencing of Candidate Genes in BRCA-Negative Tunisian Patients at a High Risk of Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Cancer
Authors: BenAyed-Guerfali Dorra , Kifagi Chamseddine , BenKridis-Rejeb Wala , Ammous-Boukhris Nihel , Ayedi Wajdi , Khanfir Afef , Daoud Jamel , Mokdad-Gargouri Raja
Published: July 2022

(1) Background: Germline variants in BRCA1/BRCA2 genes explain about 20% of hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC) cases. In the present paper, we aim to identify genetic determinants in BRCA-negative families from the South of Tunisia. (2) Methods: Exome Sequencing (ES) was performed on the lymphocyte DNA of patients negative for BRCA mutations from each Tunisian family with a high risk of HBOC. (3) Results: We focus on the canonical genes associated with HBOC and identified missense variants in DNA damage response genes, such as ATM, RAD52, and RAD54; however, no variants in PALB2, Chek2, and TP53 genes were found. To identify novel candidate genes, we selected variants harboring a loss of function and identified 17 stop-gain and 11 frameshift variants in genes not commonly known to be predisposed to HBOC. Then, we focus on rare and high-impact genes shared by at least 3 unrelated patients from each family and selected 16 gene variants. Through combined data analysis from MCODE with gene ontology and KEGG pathways, a short list of eight candidate genes (ATM, EP300, LAMA1, LAMC2, TNNI3, MYLK, COL11A2, and LAMB3) was created. The impact of the 24 selected genes on survival was analyzed using the TCGA data resulting in a selection of five candidate genes (EP300, KMT2C, RHPN2, HSPG2, and CCR3) that showed a significant association with survival. (4) Conclusions: We identify novel candidate genes predisposed to HBOC that need to be validated in larger cohorts and investigated by analyzing the co-segregation of selected variants in affected families and the locus-specific loss of heterozygosity to highlight their relevance for HBOC risk.
Ethylene Plays a Dual Role during Infection by Plasmodiophora brassicae of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Wang Kai , Shi Yiji , Sun Qingbin , Lu Mingjiao , Zheng Lin , Aldiyar Bakirov , Yu Chengyu , Yu Fengqun , Xu Aixia , Huang Zhen
Published: July 2022

Plasmodiophora brassicae infection leads to hypertrophy of host roots and subsequent formation of galls, causing huge economic losses to agricultural producers of Cruciferae plants. Ethylene (ET) has been reported to play a vital role against necrotrophic pathogens in the classic immunity system. More clues suggested that the defense to pathogens in roots may be different from the acrial. The ET pathway may play a positive role in the infection of P. brassicae, as shown by recent transcriptome profiling. However, the molecular basis of ET remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the potential role of ethylene against P. brassicae infection in an ein3/eil1 double-mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana). After infection, ein3/eil1 (Disease Index/DI: 93) showed more susceptibility compared with wild type (DI: 75). Then, we inoculated A. thaliana Columbia-0 (Col-0) with P. brassicae by 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and pyrazinamide (PZA), respectively. It was found that the symptoms of infected roots with ACC were more serious than those with PZA at 20 dpi (day post infection). However, the DI were almost the same in different treatments at 30 dpi. WRKY75 can be directly regulated by ET and was upregulated at 7 dpi with ACC, as shown by qRT-PCR. The wrky75-c mutant of A. thaliana (DI: 93.75) was more susceptible than the wild type in Arabidopsis. Thus, our work reveals the dual roles of ET in infection of P. brassicae and provides evidence of ET in root defense against pathogens.
Role of Multiple Vitamin D-Related Polymorphisms in Multiple Sclerosis Severity: Preliminary Findings
Authors: Agnello Luisa , Scazzone Concetta , Lo Sasso Bruna , Vidali Matteo , Giglio Rosaria Vincenza , Ciaccio Anna Maria , Ragonese Paolo , Salemi Giuseppe , Ciaccio Marcello
Published: July 2022

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a multifactorial disease whose pathogenesis is the result of interaction among genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Among these, a role for vitamin D hypovitaminosis has emerged in recent decades. Vitamin D levels are influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes codifying for molecules involved in vitamin D metabolism have been associated with an increased risk of developing MS. However, few studies assessed the association of such SNPs with the severity of the disease. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the potential association among vitamin D status, MS severity, and vitamin D-related SNPs, alone or in combination. Methods: In a cohort of 100 MS patients, we genotyped 18 SNPs in the following genes: NAD synthetase 1, CYP2R1, vitamin D binding protein, vitamin D receptor, Retinoid X Receptor-α, KLOTHO, CYP24A1, and CYP27A1. Serum 25(OH)D3 levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Genotyping was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction or PCR-RFLP. Results: We did not find any association between SNPs, alone or in combination, and MS severity. Conclusion: In this study, we make an initial evaluation of the possible influence of several SNPs in vitamin D-related genes on MS severity.
Collection, Standardization and Attribution of Robust Disaster Event Information—A Demonstrator of a National Event-Based Loss and Damage Database in Austria
Authors: Themessl Matthias , Enigl Katharina , Reisenhofer Stefan , Köberl Judith , Kortschak Dominik , Reichel Steffen , Ostermann Marc , Kienberger Stefan , Tiede Dirk , Bresch David N. , Röösli Thomas , Lehner Dagmar , Schubert Chris , Pichler Andreas , Leitner Markus , Balas Maria
Published: July 2022

Loss and damage databases are essential tools within the disaster risk management cycle for making informed decisions. However, even in data-rich countries such as Austria, no consistent and curated multi-hazard database is available. Based on the requirements of the United Nations, the European Union, as well as on national demands to deal with disaster impacts, we conceived and set up a demonstrator for a consistent multi-hazard national event-based loss and damage database that addresses event identification, loss accounting and disaster forensics according to international standards. We built our database on already existing data from administration and federal agencies and formulated a process to combine those data in a synergetic way. Furthermore, we tested how earth observation and weather data could help to derive more robust disaster event information. Our demonstrator focuses on two Austrian federal provinces, three hazard types—floods, storms and mass movements—and the period between 2005 and 2018. By analyzing over 140.000 single event descriptions, we conclude that—despite some limitations in retrospective data harmonization—the implementation of a curated event-based national loss and damage database is feasible and adds significant value compared to the usage of single national datasets or existing international databases such as EM-DAT or the Risk Data Hub. With our demonstrator, we are able to support the national risk assessment, the national Sendai Monitoring and federal disaster risk management with the provision of best possible harmonized loss and damage information, tailored indicators and statistics as well as hazard impact maps on the municipality scale.
The Role of Fluids in Melting the Continental Crust and Generating Granitoids: An Overview
Authors: Li Jiahao , Ding Xing , Liu Junfeng
Published: July 2022

Granite is a distinctive constituent part of the continental crust on Earth, the formation and evolution of which have long been hot research topics. In this paper, we reviewed the partial melting processes of crustal rocks without or with fluid assistance and summarized the role of fluids and volatiles involved in the formation of granitic melts. As a conventional model, granitoids were thought to be derived from the dehydration melting of hydrous minerals in crustal basement metamorphic rocks in the absence of external fluids. However, the external-fluid-assisted melting of crustal metamorphic rocks has recently been proposed to produce granitoids as extensive fluids could be active in the deep continental crust, especially in the subduction zones. It has been demonstrated experimentally that H2O plays a crucial role in the partial melting of crustal rocks, in which H2O can (1) significantly lower the solidus temperature of the melted rocks to facilitate partial melting; (2) affect the melting reaction process, mineral stability, and the composition of melt; and (3) help the melt to separate more easily from the source area and aggregate to form a large-scale magma chamber. More importantly, dissolved volatiles and salts in the crustal fluids could also lower the solidus temperature of rocks, affect the partitioning behaviors of trace elements between minerals and melts, and facilitate the formation of some distinctive granitoids (e.g., B-rich, F-rich, and high-K granitoids). Furthermore, various volatiles dissolved in fluids could result in elemental or isotopic fractionation as well as the diversity of mineralization during fluid-assisted melting. In-depth studies regarding the fluid-assisted partial melting of crustal rocks will facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of melting of the Earth’s crust, thus providing strong theoretical constraints on the genesis and mineralization of granitoids as well as the formation and evolution of the continental crust.
“Though I Am a Woman, I Am Not a Defenceless One!”: Women and Violence in Nineteenth-Century Pirate Stories
Authors: Avila Beth
Published: July 2022

Resonating with British and American audiences and inspiring many later pirate stories, Byron’s The Corsair (1814) participated in a transatlantic conversation about female responses to violent masculinity. In an 1869 Rhode Island newspaper article, a woman recalled reading The Corsair as a child and debating whether to name her favorite doll Medora, the wife of the pirate, or Gulnare, the woman who kills their captor to rescue the pirate. Within the poem, Gulnare becomes less desirable in the eyes of the pirate after her violent act, but S. H. W. decides on Gulnare and sews on a needle-like bodkin to represent her dagger, thereby providing her doll with the symbol of Gulnare’s violent agency. This particular reader response suggests that Gulnare’s violent and independent action, which gave her control over her situation, resonated with some female readers in America. Authors of early American pirate stories, such as James Fenimore Cooper, refused to endorse a model of womanhood that included violence. However, Ballou’s extremely popular FannyCampbell (1844) constructed a lady pirate who embodies a model of womanhood that incorporates some conventional feminine traits of virtue, moral influence, and redemptive womanhood, but also draws on the justified violence of the male adventure hero. As a female pirate captain, Fanny combines aspects of the honorable gentleman pirate from The Corsair with the active woman, not unlike Gulnare, who realizes that in certain situations redemption and rescue are not options, and she must use violence in defense of herself and others.
Unmet Healthcare Needs among College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for System-Wide and Structural Changes for Service Delivery
Authors: Becerra Monideepa B. , Roland Thomas Charles , Avina Robert M. , Becerra Benjamin J.
Published: July 2022

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, college students faced health disparities in addition to a negative burden on academic performance; however, little is reported in the literature regarding healthcare utilization. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among consenting college student participants aged 18 or older from a Hispanic-serving institution. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were used to analyze demographic characteristics and the types of healthcare services needed by such characteristics. Logistic regression was used to adjust for noted sex differences in associations between reporting limited healthcare services and types of healthcare services. Results: The study population of 223 participants was mostly Hispanic/Latino (65%) and female (73%). Of the population, 11% reported they could not obtain needed healthcare services, with time being reported as the most common reason. Significant associations were found between seeking general healthcare services/routine screening, seeking mental health services, and seeking sexual health services with reporting limited healthcare services, with sex-adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of 1.90 (95% CI: 1.08, 3.36), 3.21 (95% CI: 1.44, 4.15), and 2.58 (95% CI: 1.05, 6.35), respectively. Conclusions: Availability and inability to obtain health services may exacerbate college student health disparities. Targeted interventions are needed in the population to mitigate the potential burdens of unmet healthcare needs, particularly among minority college students.
Can Moringa Leaf Spray Treatment Increase the Nutraceutical Properties of Radish Baby Leaf?
Authors: Romano Daniela , La Fornara Giovanni , Tribulato Alessandro , Toscano Stefania
Published: July 2022

Among the ready-to-use products, baby leaf salads (both raw and cooked), especially those belonging to the Brassicaceae family, represent a very interesting food typology, with nutraceutical properties. Recently, to obtain products with lower levels of synthetic chemicals and to improve nutritional quality, attention has been paid to the use of natural biostimulants such as Moringa oleifera Lam. In this study, the aim was to investigate the effect of applying this natural biostimulant, at 15, 30, and 45 days from sowing, by spraying seedlings of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) each morning with Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE) at doses of 1:40 and 1:30 L−1 until dripping. Different morphological, physiological, and chemical parameters were determined. At harvesting time, the fresh biomass, total leaf area, and unit leaf area showed progressive increases as the dose of MLE was increased, while there were no significant difference in the dry biomass among the treatments. The quantum yield of PSII showed a significant increase in response to MLE treatments. The contents of chlorophylls and carotenoids were higher in both MLE treatments as compared with those of the control plants. The antioxidant capacity (DPPH) was not influenced by MLE treatment, while the influence was significant for total phenolic content (TPC). No significant differences were observed for the total sugar content, while the highest concentration of ascorbic acid was found with both MLE treatments; the MLE treatments did not modify the nitrate content. Therefore, MLE treatment showed a positive influence, although further studies are necessary to individuate the better doses and treatment modalities to improve the characteristics of radish baby leaf.
Growing Crops in Arid, Drought-Prone Environments: Adaptation and Mitigation
Authors: Sisto Nicholas P. , Severinov Sergei , Aboites Manrique Gilberto
Published: July 2022

Drought poses significant risks to society, in particular irrigated-crop production, which accounts for a large share of global freshwater use. Given its key role in the production of food, feed and fiber crops, there exists a need for policy measures to prevent and mitigate the impacts of drought on irrigated agriculture. This paper proposes that the design of drought policy should take into account actual farmer behavior in response to water scarcity. To this end, we offer a detailed analysis of land allocation and crop-choice decisions over time in an irrigation district located in the dry plains of Northern Mexico. We find that farmers systematically change their crop mix in response to water availability. In particular, in times of drought, irrigation water flows to higher-yield and higher-price crops (which also require more intense irrigation) to the detriment of less water-demanding (but lower value) crops. Farmers use water with the goal of earning a living—economizing on water per se has no relevance in that context. Policies that do not explicitly recognize this may result in ineffective, inefficient and/or unfair outcomes.
Correction: Tobollik et al. Burden of Disease Due to Traffic Noise in Germany. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 2304
Authors: Tobollik Myriam , Hintzsche Matthias , Wothge Jördis , Myck Thomas , Plass Dietrich
Published: July 2022

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]
Microplastic Contamination in Urban, Farmland and Desert Environments along a Highway in Southern Xinjiang, China
Authors: Li Wenfeng , Wang Shuzhi , Wufuer Rehemanjiang , Duo Jia , Pan Xiangliang
Published: July 2022

The different types of microplastics (MPs), including debris, fibers, particles, foams, films and others, have become a global environmental problem. However, there is still a lack of research and understanding of the pollution characteristics and main causes of MPs in the arid region of Xinjiang, China. In this survey, we focused on the occurrence and distribution of MPs in urban, farmland and desert areas along a highway in the survey area. Our results showed that the main types of MPs were polypropylene (PP) flakes, polyethylene (PE) films and both PE and PP fragments and fibers. The abundance levels of MPs in street dust of Korla, Alar and Hotan districts equaled 804, 307 and 1526 particles kg−1, respectively, and were positively correlated with the urban population. In farmland areas, there were only two types of MPs (films and fibers), of which the film particles dominated and accounted for 91% of the total on the average. The highest abundance rate of MPs reached 7292 particles kg−1 in the desert area along the highway. The minimum microplastic particle sizes were 51.8 ± 2.2 μm in urban street dust samples, 54.2 ± 5.3 μm in farmland soil samples and 67.8 ± 8.4 μm in samples from along the desert highway. Particle sizes < 500 μm were most common and accounted for 48–91% of the total in our survey. The abundance and shape distribution of the MPs were closely related to the different types of human activities.
Unmet Healthcare Needs Predict Depression Symptoms among Older Adults
Authors: Eimontas Jonas , Gegieckaitė Goda , Zamalijeva Olga , Pakalniškienė Vilmantė
Published: July 2022

Risk factors for depression in older adults include significant interpersonal losses, increasing social isolation, and deteriorating physical abilities and health that require healthcare. The effects of unmet healthcare needs on depression in older adults are understudied. This study aimed to analyze the association between unmet healthcare needs and symptoms of depression, sleep, and antidepressant medication while controlling for other significant factors among older adults. For this study, we used a multinational database from The Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), containing data of individuals aged 50 and older. The final sample used in this research consisted of 39,484 individuals from 50 to 100 years (mean − 71.15, SD ± 9.19), 42.0 percent of whom were male. Three path models exploring relationships between symptoms of depression at an older age and unmet healthcare needs were produced and had a good model fit. We found that unmet healthcare needs were directly related to depression, activity limitations were related to depression directly and through unmet healthcare needs, whereas financial situation mostly indirectly through unmet healthcare needs. We discuss how depression itself could increase unmet healthcare needs.
Mental Health Risk Factors and Coping Strategies among Students in Asia Pacific during COVID-19 Pandemic—A Scoping Review
Authors: Kaur Wandeep , Balakrishnan Vimala , Chen Yoke Yong , Periasamy Jeyarani
Published: July 2022

The impact of COVID-19 has forced higher education institutes to go into lockdown in order to curb the situation. This sudden change caused students within the institutions to forgo traditional face to face classroom settings and to attend immediate online classes. This review aims to summarize the evidence of the social demographic mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on students in higher education institutes within the Asia Pacific region and identify the coping mechanisms adopted during these times. A systematic literature search was conducted using three databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus), out of which 64 studies met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The findings revealed that the social demographic groups most at risk were female students, those who were in the final years of their studies (i.e., students who were almost graduating), and postgraduate students as well as students studying medical fields (nursing, dental, medicine, health sciences etc.). The majority of the studies identified that students were relying on mobile devices and extended screen time to cope with the pandemic. Having proper social support, be it through a network of friends or positive family cohesion, can be a good buffer against the mental impacts of COVID-19. Students in higher education institutes are at risk of mental consequences due to COVID-19. By reducing their screen time, finding a healthier coping system, increasing the availability of support within the family and community, as well as actively engaging in beneficial activities students may be able to alleviate general negative emotions, specifically during the pandemic.
Elite Tennis Players Experiencing High-Arched Supination and Cuboids Dropped Foot Syndromes in Daily Normal Gait
Authors: Chow Tong-Hsien , Hsu Chin-Chia
Published: July 2022

Many studies have focused on the plantar pressure characteristics of specific movements and footwork in tennis. However, little research has been conducted for exploring the foot characteristics among tennis professionals’ daily habitual paces. This study aims to examine the pressure profiles associated with foot posture and balance abilities of elite tennis players during normal gait to understand how foot loading patterns result from habitual paces that may be derived from intensive tennis training and competition. A cross-sectional comparative study is conducted on 95 male college elite tennis players (mean age: 20.2 ± 1.2 years) and 100 male recreational tennis players (mean age: 19.8 ± 0.9 years). Bipedal plantar pressure distributions (PPDs) associated with arch index (AI) and centers of gravity balance are explored through the plantar pressure device. The foot posture is estimated to determine the rearfoot postural alignment. During the midstance phase of walking with a normal gait, the bipedal AI values of the elite group are significantly lower, indicating that they have high-arched feet. Additionally, the elite group experienced higher PPDs at the lateral regions of their longitudinal arches and heels and relatively lower PPDs at the medial portions of both feet. Rearfoot postural alignment resonance analysis of the PPDs suggests that the elite group experienced foot supination associated with cuboid dropped. Moreover, the right foot bears heavier centers of gravity balance in the present study. The elite tennis players in the study are categorized as having high-arched supination with cuboids dropped when performing daily habitual paces. This finding warrants further investigation into the correlation between possible injuries and daily habitual paces that may result from tennis’ intensive training and competition.
“Family before Anyone Else”: A Qualitative Study on Family, Marginalization, and HIV among Hispanic or Latino/a/x Mexican Sexual Minority Males
Authors: García Moctezuma , Ramos S. Raquel , Aponte-Soto Lisa , Ritchwood Tiarney D. , Drabble Laurie A.
Published: July 2022

This study explored the influence family relationships have on HIV-related factors among Hispanic or Latino/a/x Mexican sexual minority cisgender males in San Antonio, TX, US. A total of 15 young adults (7 people living with HIV; PLWH) ages 21–30 completed a semi-structured interview. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. The following themes emerged: (1) family support; (2) mother-son relationships; (3) father-son relationships; (4) sibling support; (5) family marginalization of sexual minorities; and (6) internalized homophobia. People who reported being HIV negative were more likely to have a prominent mother-son relationship, strong sense of family, supportive siblings, and family acceptance as a sexual minority. PLWH were more likely to report a weak sense of family, being raised in a maternal-led household, and less likely to have a relationship with their father and siblings. Marginalization among participants regardless of HIV status included exposure to religious rhetoric stigmatizing sexual minorities and fathers’ reinforcing Mexican traditional gender norms. In addition to encountering homophobia, PLWH were further marginalized by family members due to their HIV status. The findings suggest a need for greater attention to examining the impact of familial support of Hispanic or Latino/a/x Mexican sexual minority cisgender males as young adults with or at risk of HIV.
Uptake, Engagement and Acceptance, Barriers and Facilitators of a Text Messaging Intervention for Postnatal Care of Mother and Child in India—A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study
Authors: Sampathkumar Swetha , Sankar Meenakshi , Ramasamy Sankar , Sriram Nivedita , Saravanan Ponnusamy , Ram Uma
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to test the feasibility and to identify barriers and facilitators towards adherence of a text messaging intervention for postnatal care in India. Mixed methods research involving both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. A survey questionnaire for feasibility and focus group interviews to identify the barriers and facilitators to the intervention were conducted. The top three reasons for activation of service were: helped the new mother to understand the changes (95%); provided continuation of care (90%) and clarified conflicting information (89%). Over 90% read the messages daily. 80% were happy with the message frequency. About 75% shared the content with others. The main reasons for non-activation were: 30% had technical issues, 15% did not think it would be useful, 17% did not have time to activate and for 5%, husbands made the decision. These findings were triangulated through the qualitative focus groups. The main themes identified via the focus groups were: (1) reliable, current information; (2) issues and themes well aligned with new mothers’ needs and priorities; (3) expanded the repertoire of information sources available; and (4) high-quality accessible information. The satisfaction and trust rates were high. This technology may be useful for health information intervention in specific postnatal areas.
Patient Care via Video Consultations: Piloting and S.W.O.T. Analysis of a Family Medicine Digitally Synchronous Seminar for Medical Students
Authors: Särchen Franziska , Springborn Susanne , Mortsiefer Achim , Ehlers Jan
Published: July 2022

Background: There is a need to familiarize medical students with the specifics of video consultations. This paper presents the concept and tests of a digitally synchronous distance seminar in which medical students practice video consultations as an aid to a family physician’s activity in a patient-oriented manner. The aim of the evaluation was to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (S.W.O.T.) of the teaching concept. Methods: A total of 12 students carried out video consultations independently and under medical supervision. The seminar included two elements: (A) All students and teachers were video consulted in a family practice; (B) A small group performed a video consultation in a patient´s home environment. The students’ evaluation was conducted with two questionnaires (pre/post), which were analyzed with descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. The S.W.O.T. analysis was elaborated by the author team based on the results of the questionnaires and the interviews with the teachers. Results: Students learned the limits and possibilities of teleconsultations and deepened their family medical knowledge. Strengths: Among others; increase interest in video consultations, patient contact, focused work. Weaknesses: Among others; technical difficulties and the time it requires. Opportunities: Among others; involve students with multiple workloads in patient teaching. Risks: Among others; no integration into the curriculum yet, few personnel resources. Conclusions: The learning model familiarizes medical students with competences in family medical patient care using video communication. The results of S.W.O.T. analyses can be weighted differently. Project groups can decide individually if they want to integrate the learning concept into their curriculum and which further improvements are necessary.
Why Employees Experience Burnout: An Explanation of Illegitimate Tasks
Authors: Ouyang Chenhui , Zhu Yongyue , Ma Zhiqiang , Qian Xinyi
Published: July 2022

Among the many workplace stressors, a new type of stressor has been identified: illegitimate tasks. This newly identified type of stressor refers to work tasks that do not meet employee role expectations and constitute a violation of professional identity. To investigate illegitimate tasks’ mediating mechanisms and boundary conditions on job burnout, we examined a cross-level first-stage moderated mediation model with the collective climate as a moderator and psychological entitlement as a mediator. Grounded in the job demands–resources model (JD-R) and justice theory, the current study uniquely posits that illegitimate tasks can lead to burnout by way of psychological entitlement; however, this effect is less where collective climate is higher. Data were collected from 459 employees on 89 teams at enterprises in China. The results of the analysis, using HLM, MPLUS and SPSS revealed that illegitimate tasks stimulated employees’ psychological entitlement and led to job burnout. While employees’ psychological entitlement played a partially mediating role between illegitimate tasks and job burnout, a collective climate could weaken the stimulating effect of illegitimate tasks on employees’ psychological entitlement and then negatively affect the mediating effect of psychological entitlement between illegitimate tasks and burnout. The study reveals the antecedents of burnout from the perspective of job tasks and psychological entitlement, offers practical insight into the mechanism of illegitimate tasks on employee job burnout and recommends that organizations develop a collective climate to reduce employees’ psychological entitlement and job burnout for steady development of the enterprise.
Correlation of Salivary Occult Blood with the Plasma Concentration of Branched-Chain Amino Acids: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Izumi Maya , Sonoki Kazuo , Akifusa Sumio
Published: July 2022

Background: Plasma branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) levels are predictors of glycometabolic disorders, leading to diabetes. Microbes, including periodontal pathogens, are thought to be associated with elevated plasma BCAA levels. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between salivary occult blood (SOB) and plasma BCAA levels in middle-aged Japanese individuals. Methods: Sixty-four Japanese individuals aged ≥ 40 years were recruited for this study, which was conducted in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, from August to December 2021. Individuals diagnosed with and/or treated for diabetes were excluded from the study. The body mass index (BMI); plasma concentrations of total, high-density, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; triglyceride, glucose, and BCAA; and glycosylated hemoglobin ratio were measured. A basic periodontal examination was performed after the SOB test. Results: The median age of participants (men—20; women—44) was 55 (range, 41–78) years. The plasma BCAA concentration in the SOB-positive group (477 [400–658] μmol/L) was higher than that in the SOB-negative group (432 [307–665] μmol/L). Linear regression analysis revealed that SOB remained independently associated with the plasma BCAA level with statistical significance (β = 0.17, p = 0.02) after adjusting for sex, age, and BMI. Conclusions: SOB was positively correlated with plasma BCAA levels in middle-aged Japanese individuals. Thus, SOB may be a predictor of elevated plasma BCAA levels.
Seasonal Patterns and Trends in Dermatoses in Poland
Authors: Klimiuk Krzysztof Bartosz , Krefta Dawid , Kołkowski Karol , Flisikowski Karol , Sokołowska-Wojdyło Małgorzata , Balwicki Łukasz
Published: July 2022

Background: The amount of data available online is constantly increasing, including search behavior and tracking trends in domains such as Google. Analyzing the data helps to predict patient needs and epidemiological events more accurately. Our study aimed to identify dermatology-related terms that occur seasonally and any search anomalies during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods: The data were gathered using Google Trends, with 69 entries between January-2010 and December-2020 analyzed. We conducted the Seasonal Mann–Kendal Test to determine the strength of trends. The month with the highest seasonal component (RSV) and the lowest seasonal component (RSV) was indicated for every keyword. Groups of keywords occurring together regularly at specific periods of the year were shown. Results: We found that some topics were seasonally searched in winter (e.g., herpes, scabies, candida) and others in summer (e.g., erythema, warts, urticaria). Conclusions: Interestingly, downward trends in searches on sexually transmitted diseases in comparison with increased infection rates reported officially show a strong need for improved sexual education in Poland. There were no significant differences in trends for coronavirus-related cutaneous symptoms during 2020. We have shown that the seasonality of dermatologically related terms searched in Poland via Google did not differ significantly during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Extending the Together, We Inspire Smart Eating Curriculum to Intergenerational Nutrition Education: A Pilot Study
Authors: Scrivano Rachel M. , Juris Jill J. , Jarrott Shannon E. , Lobb Jennifer M.
Published: July 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has made accessing nutritious foods difficult for older adults and children living in low-income households. The evidence-based preschool nutrition education curriculum Together, We Inspire Smart Eating (WISE) can be used to encourage children to try healthy foods. Written as a single generation curriculum, inviting older adult community members to WISE programming for an intergenerational experience may provide further supports and mutual benefits as participants cooperate towards a common goal. While creators have evaluated implementation of WISE, research has yet to explore factors that influence WISE adoption within an intergenerational setting. We conducted a pilot study using the implementation evaluation framework to explore WISE implementation within single generation and intergenerational settings by measuring five implementation outcomes (fidelity, acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and sustainability) through three methods: (1) direct assessment of program fidelity via video coding; (2) indirect assessment of stakeholders’ perceptions of WISE implementation, and (3) a directed qualitative content analysis on annual interview data. Fidelity scores were comparable between the two settings and stakeholder ratings of appropriateness, acceptability, and feasibility of WISE were high. Qualitative data revealed that aspects of WISE are less appropriate for older participants and reiterated known logistical barriers of intergenerational programming that may challenge program sustainability.
Automated Workflow for Usability Audits in the PHR Realm
Authors: García-Berná José A. , Sobrino-Duque Raimel , Carrillo de Gea Juan M. , Nicolás Joaquín , Fernández-Alemán José L.
Published: July 2022

Teleworking is an everyday reality in today’s world. Many companies are opting for this way of working remotely, as it improves employers’ satisfaction along with the work–life balance and it does not lead to any significant reduction in performance. In general, the comfortable use of software applications is a priority, and quality aspects such as usability are of vital importance. In this paper, a novel workflow is proposed. It consists of the following components: (1) a tool to manage usability evaluations based on expert reviews, called Usevalia; (2) a set of heuristics to be considered when performing the evaluations; (3) a catalogue of usability requirements to guide the evaluations; (4) a checklist related to the heuristics to verify that the evaluations have been performed correctly by all the auditors; and (5) a set of tasks to know in advance the functionality of the applications to be audited. Personal health records (PHRs) were taken as a case study. This methodology made it possible to involve a total of 31 working groups that evaluated the usability of four PHRs. Concerning the main results, the evaluators agreed that with Usevalia the usability evaluations could go a step further because they are coordinated and can work together remotely. In addition, analyses of usability scores provided insight into current proposals for improving usability of applications.
The Reflection of Income Segregation and Accessibility Cleavages in Sydney’s House Prices
Authors: Ng Matthew Kok Ming , Roper Josephine , Lee Chyi Lin , Pettit Christopher
Published: July 2022

Cities often show residential income segregation, and the price of housing is generally related to employment accessibility, but how do these factors intersect? We analyse Greater Sydney, Australia, a metropolitan area of 5 million people. Sydney is found to have reasonably even employment accessibility by car, reflecting the increasingly polycentric nature of the modern city; however, it also shows considerable income segregation and variance in property prices between different parts of the city. Entropy is used to examine diversity and mixing of different income groups. Finally, hedonic price models using ordinary-least squares and geographically-weighted regression techniques show the differing effects of employment accessibility on house prices in different parts of the city. The results show that accessibility has small to negative effects on prices in the most valuable areas, suggesting that other effects such as recreational access and employment type/quality may be more important determinants of house prices in these areas.
Mechanical Compression by Simulating Orthodontic Tooth Movement in an In Vitro Model Modulates Phosphorylation of AKT and MAPKs via TLR4 in Human Periodontal Ligament Cells
Authors: Roth Charlotte E. , Craveiro Rogerio B. , Niederau Christian , Malyaran Hanna , Neuss Sabine , Jankowski Joachim , Wolf Michael
Published: July 2022

Mechanical compression simulating orthodontic tooth movement in in vitro models induces pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. Our previous work shows that TLR4 is involved in this process. Here, primary PDL cells are isolated and characterized to better understand the cell signaling downstream of key molecules involved in the process of sterile inflammation via TLR4. The TLR4 monoclonal blocking antibody significantly reverses the upregulation of phospho-AKT, caused by compressive force, to levels comparable to controls by inhibition of TLR4. Phospho-ERK and phospho-p38 are also modulated in the short term via TLR4. Additionally, moderate compressive forces of 2 g/cm2, a gold standard for static compressive mechanical stimulation, are not able to induce translocation of Nf-kB and phospho-ERK into the nucleus. Accordingly, we demonstrated for the first time that TLR4 is also one of the triggers for signal transduction under compressive force. The TLR4, one of the pattern recognition receptors, is involved through its specific molecular structures on damaged cells during mechanical stress. Our findings provide the basis for further research on TLR4 in the modulation of sterile inflammation during orthodontic therapy and periodontal remodeling.
Optimization of Multilayer Films Composed of Chitosan and Low-Methoxy Amidated Pectin as Multifunctional Biomaterials for Drug Delivery
Authors: Potaś Joanna , Wilczewska Agnieszka Zofia , Misiak Paweł , Basa Anna , Winnicka Katarzyna
Published: July 2022

Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) based on polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) structures are recognized as interesting materials for manufacturing functionalized coatings or drug delivery platforms. Difficulties in homogeneous PEC system development generated the idea of chitosan (CS)/low-methoxy amidated pectin (LM PC) multilayer film optimization with regard to the selected variables: the polymer ratio, PC type, and order of polymer mixing. Films were formulated by solvent casting method and then tested to characterize CS/LM PC PECs, using thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), turbidity, and zeta potential measurements. The internal structure of the films was visualized by using scanning electron microscopy. Analysis of the mechanical and swelling properties enabled us to select the most promising formulations with high uniformity and mechanical strength. Films with confirmed multilayer architecture were indicated as a promising material for the multifunctional systems development for buccal drug delivery. They were also characterized by improved thermal stability as compared to the single polymers and their physical mixtures, most probably as a result of the CS–LM PC interactions. This also might indicate the potential protective effect on the active substances being incorporated in the PEC-based films.