bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability of the Modified Ashworth and Modified Tardieu Scales with Standardized Movement Speeds in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Yoo Myungeun , Ahn Jeong Hyeon , Rha Dong-wook , Park Eun Sook
Published: June 2022

The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) are widely used to quantify spasticity. However, the reliability of their use for ankle plantar flexors has been questioned. In this study, we aimed to examine whether their reliabilities could be increased to acceptable levels for ankle plantar flexors using standardized movement speed in children with spastic cerebral palsy. The MAS and MTS scores for 92 limbs were assessed by two raters on two occasions, 1 week apart. A metronome was used to maintain the stretching velocity at 120 beats per minute. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of the intra-rater reliabilities of the MAS and MTS and inter-rater reliability of the MAS were over 0.7. However, the ICCs for the inter-rater reliability of the MTS were <0.7 and >0.75 for the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, respectively. The ICCs for the inter- and intra-rater reliabilities of the R1 angles ranged from 0.68 to 0.84, while those of the R2 angles ranged from 0.74 to 0.93. The reliabilities of the R2-R1 angles were not satisfactory. In conclusion, with a standardized movement speed, the reliability of the MAS for the ankle plantar flexors and the MTS for the soleus were satisfactory; however, that of the MTS for the gastrocnemius was not.
A Pilot Study of Improving Self-Regulation and Social Interaction with Peers: An “Exciting School”
Authors: Romero-Ayuso Dulce , Espinosa-García Beatriz , Gómez-Marín Elena , Gómez-Jara Nicolás , Cuevas-Delgado Claudia , Álvarez-Benítez Irene , Triviño-Juárez José-Matías
Published: June 2022

Social interaction skills are related to successful academic performance and mental health. One of the key elements of socio-emotional competence is self-regulation. The main aim of this study was to analyze the effect of a self-regulation program at a primary school on the social interactions of neurotypical children and children with special educational needs, from the teachers’ and parents’ perspectives. A pre-post study was conducted. The children (n = 107) followed 10 sessions, each one of 50 min, for ten weeks, between January and April 2021. To assess the changes in children’s social interaction, the Peer Social Maturity Scale was administered to the teachers. After the intervention, parents completed a questionnaire designed ad hoc to understand the effectiveness of children’s emotional self-regulation. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in peer interaction skills. The families were satisfied with the program, due to the improvement in their children’s knowledge about their own emotions and those of the other people, and the learning strategies to regulate their emotions. Likewise, parents indicated that it would be necessary to complement the program with teaching and emotional regulation strategies for them. The “Exciting School” program could help improve the social skills of school-aged children.
Age-Appropriate Advance Care Planning in Children Diagnosed with a Life-Limiting Condition: A Systematic Review
Authors: Brunetta Julie , Fahner Jurrianne , Legemaat Monique , van den Bergh Esther , Krommenhoek Koen , Prinsze Kyra , Kars Marijke , Michiels Erna
Published: June 2022

Pediatric advance care planning (pACP) is an important strategy to support patient-centered care. It is known to be difficult, yet paramount, to involve the child in pACP while adjusting treatment to age and the corresponding stage of development. This systematic review was aimed to evaluate the age appropriateness of pACP interventions by assessing their characteristics, content, and evidence. CINAHL, Embase and MEDLINE were searched from 1 January 1998 to 31 August 2020 in order to identify peer-reviewed articles containing strategies and tools to facilitate pACP in both children (0–18 years) with life-limiting conditions and their families. An assessment of quality was performed using Cochrane tools and COREQ. The full protocol is available as PROSPERO CRD42020152243. Thirty-one articles describing 18 unique pACP tools were included. Most tools were developed for adolescents and young adults. In most cases, the interventions tried to assess the child’s and family’s preferences concerning their current and future hopes, wishes, and goals of the care. This was aimed to enhance communication about these preferences between children, their families, and health-care providers and to improve engagement in pACP. The relevance of an age-appropriate approach was mentioned in most articles, but this was mainly implicit. Seven articles implemented age-appropriate elements. Six factors influencing age appropriateness were identified. Tools to support pACP integrated age-appropriate elements to a very limited extent. They mainly focused on adolescents. The involvement of children of all ages may need a more comprehensive approach.
Clinical Differentiation between a Normal Anus, Anterior Anus, Congenital Anal Stenosis, and Perineal Fistula: Definitions and Consequences—The ARM-Net Consortium Consensus
Authors: Amerstorfer Eva E. , Schmiedeke Eberhard , Samuk Inbal , Sloots Cornelius E. J. , van Rooij Iris A. L. M. , Jenetzky Ekkehart , Midrio Paola ,   ARM-Net Consortium
Published: June 2022

In the past, an anteriorly located anus was often misdiagnosed and treated as an anorectal malformation (ARM) with a perineal fistula (PF). The paper aims to define the criteria for a normal anus, an anterior anus (AA) as an anatomic variant, and milder types of ARM such as congenital anal stenosis (CAS) and PF. An extensive literature search was performed by a working group of the ARM-Net Consortium concerning the subject “Normal Anus, AA, and mild ARM”. A consensus on definitions, clinical characteristics, diagnostic management, and treatment modalities was established, and a diagnostic algorithm was proposed. The algorithm enables pediatricians, midwives, gynecologists, and surgeons to make a timely correct diagnosis of any abnormally looking anus and initiate further management if needed. Thus, the routine physical inspection of a newborn should include the inspection of the anus and define its position, relation to the external sphincter, and caliber. A correct diagnosis and use of the presented terminology will avoid misclassifications and allow the initiation of correct management. This will provide a reliable comparison of different therapeutic management and outcomes of these patient cohorts in the future.
Diversity of Rotifera (Subclass: Monogononta) from Inland Water Bodies in Greece: An Updated Checklist
Authors: Stamou Georgia , Savva Agni , Demertzioglou Maria , Michaloudi Evangelia
Published: June 2022

Biodiversity records are recognized as important for both diversity conservation and ecological studies under the light of global threats faced by aquatic ecosystems. Here, the checklist of Greek rotifer species is presented based on a literature review, as well as current data from 38 inland water bodies. A total of 172 Monogononta rotifer species were recorded to belong to 21 families and 44 genera. The most diverse genera were Lecane, Brachionus, and Trichocerca, accounting for 34% of the recorded species. Trichocerca similis, Brachionus angularis, Filinia longiseta, Asplanchna priodonta, Keratella tecta, Keratella quadrata, and Keratella cochlearis were the most frequent species with a high frequency of occurrence over 60%, with K. cochlearis being the most frequently recorded (86%). Furthermore, we used rarefaction indices, and the potential richness was estimated at 264 taxa. More sampling efforts aiming at littoral species, as well as different habitats such as temporary pools, ponds, and rivers, are expected to increase the known rotifer fauna in Greece. We expect that additional molecular analyses will be needed to clarify the members of species complexes, likely providing additional species.
A Case Report of a Gluteus Hematoma Detected on 99mTc-MDP Bone Scan
Authors: Cheon Miju , Yoo Jang
Published: June 2022

This is a case report of a gluteal hematoma detected on 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate (MDP) whole-body bone scan in a 77-year-old male who had experienced a road traffic accident.
Evaluating the Liquidity Response of South African Exchange-Traded Funds to Country Risk Effects
Authors: Kunjal Damien
Published: June 2022

Liquidity is important for the stability of financial markets and the growth of national economies. However, the liquidity of financial markets may be influenced by country risk shocks through informational asymmetry, funding constraints, and portfolio rebalancing activities. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the effects of disaggregated country risk components on the liquidity of the South African Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) market. The sample employed segregates South African ETFs based on their benchmarking styles—particularly, ETFs with domestic benchmarks and ETFs with international benchmarks. The results from the panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model suggest that the liquidity of ETFs tracking domestic benchmarks is influenced positively by all country risk components in the long run, although only political and financial risks positively influence its short-run liquidity. Similarly, political and economic risk shocks positively influence the liquidity of ETFs tracking international benchmarks in the long-run; however, financial risk negatively influences its liquidity in both the long and short run. These findings suggest that investors can improve the overall performance and liquidity of their portfolios by taking into account the stability of political, financial, and economic risks.
Deepsign: Sign Language Detection and Recognition Using Deep Learning
Authors: Kothadiya Deep , Bhatt Chintan , Sapariya Krenil , Patel Kevin , Gil-González Ana-Belén , Corchado Juan M.
Published: June 2022

The predominant means of communication is speech; however, there are persons whose speaking or hearing abilities are impaired. Communication presents a significant barrier for persons with such disabilities. The use of deep learning methods can help to reduce communication barriers. This paper proposes a deep learning-based model that detects and recognizes the words from a person’s gestures. Deep learning models, namely, LSTM and GRU (feedback-based learning models), are used to recognize signs from isolated Indian Sign Language (ISL) video frames. The four different sequential combinations of LSTM and GRU (as there are two layers of LSTM and two layers of GRU) were used with our own dataset, IISL2020. The proposed model, consisting of a single layer of LSTM followed by GRU, achieves around 97% accuracy over 11 different signs. This method may help persons who are unaware of sign language to communicate with persons whose speech or hearing is impaired.
Cost-Aware Bandits for Efficient Channel Selection in Hybrid Band Networks
Authors: Hashima Sherief , Hatano Kohei , Fouda Mostafa M. , Fadlullah Zubair M. , Mohamed Ehab Mahmoud
Published: June 2022

Recently, hybrid band communications have received much attention to fulfil the exponentially growing user demands in next-generation communication networks. Still, determining the best band to communicate over is a challenging issue, especially in the dynamic channel conditions in multi-band wireless systems. In this paper, we manipulate a practical online-learning-based solution for the best band/channel selection in hybrid radio frequency and visible light communication (RF/VLC) wireless systems. The best band selection difficulty is formulated as a multi-armed bandit (MAB) with cost subsidy, in which the learner (transmitter) endeavors not only to increase his total reward (throughput) but also reduce his cost (energy consumption). Consequently, we propose two hybrid band selection (HBS) algorithms, named cost subsidy upper confidence bound (CSUCB-HBS) and cost subsidy Thompson sampling (CSTS-HBS), to efficiently handle this problem and obtain the best band with high throughput and low energy consumption. Extensive simulations confirm that CSTS-/CSUCB-HBS outperform the naive TS/UCB and heuristic HBS approaches regarding energy consumption, energy efficiency, throughput, and convergence speed.
Energy Oriented Concepts and Other SMART WORLD Trends as Game Changers of Co-Production—Reality or Future?
Authors: Adamik Anna , Nowicki Michał , Puksas Andrius
Published: June 2022

The aim of the study is to identify, map and assess the maturity and impact level of the specific energy-oriented economy and other SMART management concepts and social, technological, finance (economical), environmental, and communication (S.T.F.E.C.) trends which arose from the dynamic development and spread of the Industry 4.0 revolution on processes of effective competitiveness and the creation of modern enterprises. The article presents data and information obtained thanks to an in-depth review of the literature (extensive desk research), as well as that obtained as part of the conducted CAWI pilot study. The authors aim to search for answers to three specific research questions, concluding that recently, special attention is paid to such issues as co-creation and co-production, energy-oriented and circular economy, eco-energy, and sustainability. The findings of this study clearly show that in the SMART WORLD era, there is a growing interest in cooperation, co-creation, co-production issues, and usage of modern technologies and SMART management concepts typical of the Industry 4.0 era. The main reason for this is that enterprises strive to optimize and maximize their efficiency in the processes of competitiveness creation. Researched data allows us to conclude that openness to social, environmental, and technological trends and issues, with an approach based on sustainable and eco-energy-oriented development, play an increasingly important role. However, the level of their importance, implementation level, and maturity differ depending on the type of organization or industry. For example, service and trade companies more often than production companies use and rate the usefulness of social trends higher (reality = mainstream orientation for S&T companies and a future orientation for production companies), while production companies apply a more balanced approach, showing greater commitment to economic technological, environmental and financial trends (reality = mainstream orientation for production companies and a future orientation for trade and services companies). Given that the study shows and describes preliminary research results (pilot studies), the authors plan to undertake further efforts in the in-depth scientific exploration of the issues concerned, including, which is particularly important, conducting full-scale research.
Dextrins as Green and Biodegradable Modifiers of Physicochemical Properties of Cement Composites
Authors: Sybis Marta , Konował Emilia , Prochaska Krystyna
Published: June 2022

Growing interest in the use of natural organic compounds in the production of green concrete with the use of plasticizers has been particularly noticeable in the literature of recent decades. Starch is an attractive material due to its abundance, the low cost of sourcing it, and its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and susceptibility to modification. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of starch hydrolysate additives on the physicochemical properties of cement composites and concrete. Compressive strength tests and cement slurry rheology measurements were carried out for water–cement ratios from 0.40 to 0.50 and for amounts of added dextrin from 0.0 to 0.7% in relation to the cement weight. The dextrins used were characterized in terms of their viscosity, polymerisation degree, and surface activity in air/water systems. Conducted research indicates that even the minimum content of dextrin increases the fluidization of cement mixes (the flow diameter increased by 67.5% compared with the mixture without the admixture), enables the reduction of mixing water, and contributes to the compressive strength of cement mortars. A further decrease in the w/c ratio to the value of 0.40 resulted in an increase in the strength value of up to 67.9 MPa, which provided a 40% increase in strength. The degree of the polymerisation of added dextrin is seen as having an effect on the physical parameters of the cement mortar; the shorter the polymer chain of the studied dextrin, the more packed the adsorbent layer, and the greater the flow diameter of the cement mortar.
GIS-MCDM-Based Approach to Site Selection of Wave Power Plants for Islands in China
Authors: Shao Meng , Zhang Shulei , Sun Jinwei , Han Zhixin , Shao Zhuxiao , Yi Chuanxiu
Published: June 2022

On-site development of wave energy resources is a promising way to overcome power-shortage problems on islands. It is necessary to select suitable islands to deploy wave power plants, which are influenced by multiple factors related to resources, technology, economy, society, and environment. This study develops a two-stage decision framework to identify feasible islands and determine priority order based on geographic information systems (GIS) and multicriteria decision-making (MCDM). In the exclusion stage, unfeasible marine areas are excluded based on exclusion criteria and feasible island alternatives are identified. In the evaluation stage, alternatives are evaluated by evaluation criteria using the combined weighting method and the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS)-grey relation analysis (GRA) method. As the combined weighting method is based on the fuzzy group decision-making (GDM)-analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the entropy method, it can effectively reduce subjective deviation. The proposed framework is applied in Shandong Province. It identifies 13 inhabited islands feasible for constructing wave power plants, among which Daguan, South Changshan, and Xiaoguan are the optimal ones. Sensitivity analysis is performed to verify the feasibility of the proposed framework. The results show that it is effective and could provide reference for practical engineering.
Protection of Energy Network Infrastructures Applying a Dynamic Topology Virtualization
Authors: Kalinin Maxim , Zegzhda Dmitry , Zavadskii Evgenii
Published: June 2022

Rapid progress of computing and info-communication technologies (ICT) has changed the ecosystem of power production and delivery. Today, an energy network is a complex set of interrelated devices and information systems covering all areas of electric power operations and applying ICT based on open standards, such as IEC 60870, IEC 61850, and IEC 61970. According to IEC 62351, the energy networks are faced with high cybersecurity risks caused by open communications, security requirements rarely considered in the energy facilities, partial and difficult upgrades, and incompatibility of secure tools with industrial solutions. This situation results in new security challenges, e.g., denial of service attacks on the connected controllers, dispatching centers, process control systems, and terminals. IEC 62351 describes possible ways to comprehensive security in the energy networks. Most of them used in traditional networks (e.g., firewalls, intrusion detection systems) can be adapted to the energy networks. Honeypot systems as a protection measure help us to mitigate the attacks and maintain necessary security in the networks. Due to the large scale of an energy network and heterogeneity of its components, a new design, deployment, and management strategy for the honeypot systems are required. The paper suggests a new method for organizing a virtual network infrastructure of a hybrid honeypot system and a dynamic management method that adapts the network topology to the attacker’s actions according to the development graph of potential attacks. This technique allows us to dynamically build virtual networks of arbitrary scale. Because of the similarity of the virtual network to the virtualized origin and providing the level of interactivity of its nodes corresponding to real devices, this technique deploys an energy network indistinguishable from the real one for the attackers. A prototype of our honeypot system has been implemented, and experiments on it have demonstrated the more efficient use of the computing resources, the faster reaction to the attacker’s actions, and the deployment of different sizes of virtual networks for the given limits of the computing resources.
NMR-Based Metabolomic Approach for Evaluation of the Harvesting Time and Cooking Characteristics of Different Cassava Genotypes
Authors: Silva Lorena Mara A. , Alves Filho Elenilson G. , Martins Robson M. , Oliveira Willyane J. D. J. , Vidal Cristine S. , de Oliveira Luciana A. , de Brito Edy S.
Published: June 2022

Cassava is an important staple food for low-income countries. However, its cooking characteristics are especially affected by genotype. In this study, two groups of genotypes, namely hard to cook (HTC) and easy to cook (ETC), were harvested at different times (9 and 15 months), and evaluated by NMR coupled to chemometrics. Additionally, lignin of these materials was studied by 1H-13C HSQC NMR. The carbohydrates were the most important class of compounds to differentiate the cassava genotypes. The correlation of NMR with cooking time and starch content showed that the higher content of primary metabolites, mostly glucose, can be associated with longer cooking times and reduction of starch, corroborating the metabolic pathways analysis. Furthermore, it was observed that the lignin from cell walls did not differentiate the cooking performance of the genotypes.
Existence of Positive Solutions for a Singular Second-Order Changing-Sign Differential Equation on Time Scales
Authors: Tian Hui , Zhang Xinguang , Wu Yonghong , Wiwatanapataphee Benchawan
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we focus on the existence of positive solutions for a boundary value problem of the changing-sign differential equation on time scales. By constructing a translation transformation and combining with the properties of the solution of the nonhomogeneous boundary value problem, we transfer the changing-sign problem to a positone problem, then by means of the known fixed-point theorem, several sufficient conditions for the existence of positive solutions are established for the case in which the nonlinear term of the equation may change sign.
Molecular Cytogenetics Reveals Mosaicism in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Authors: Binz Regina L. , Pathak Rupak
Published: June 2022

Primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are consistently the most reliable in vitro model system for studying the inner lining of blood and lymphatic vessels or the endothelium. Primary human cells originate from freshly isolated tissues without genetic manipulation and generally show a modal number of 46 chromosomes with no structural alterations, at least during early passages. We investigated the cytogenetic integrity of HUVECs with conventional (G-banding) and molecular cytogenetic methods (spectral karyotyping (SKY) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)). Our G-band data shows two X-chromosomes, confirming these HUVECs originate from a female donor. Notably, some cells consistently exhibit an unfamiliar banding pattern on one X chromosome toward the distal end of the long arm (Xq). Our FISH analysis confirms that approximately 50% of these HUVECs have a deletion of the Xq terminal region. SKY analysis indicates that the deleted region is apparently not integrated into any other chromosome. Finally, we demonstrated the presence of a similar Xq deletion in the daughter cell line, EA.hy926, which was generated by fusing HUVECs with A549 (a thioguanine-resistant clone of adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells). These findings will advance comprehension of HUVECs biology and will augment future endothelial studies.
Positive Psychology: Supervisor Leadership in Organizational Citizenship Behaviors in Nurses
Authors: López-Ibort Nieves , Gil-Lacruz Ana I. , Navarro-Elola Luis , Pastor-Tejedor Ana C. , Pastor-Tejedor Jesús
Published: June 2022

Introduction: In nursing, identifying factors encouraging positive work attitudes is extremely important since a nurse’s performance directly impacts the quality of the care they provide, and, therefore, their patients’ health. Objective: The main objective of this research is to analyze whether the supervisor–nurse relationship is positively correlated with a nurse’s organizational citizenship behaviors. Thus, we established a main hypothesis as follows: the quality of the supervisor–nurse interpersonal relationship is positively related to the job satisfaction of the nurse, controlled by moderating the effects of psychological empowerment, the perceived organizational support, and leader–leader exchange. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study with individuals as the units of analysis. The population studied comprised all the nurses and supervisors working in nine public hospitals in the autonomous community of Aragon (Spain). The sample consisted of 2541 nurses, 192 supervisors, and 2500 paired dyads. Self-report questionnaires were used to ensure workers’ anonymity. The dependent variable was the nurse’s organizational citizenship behaviors; the main independent variable was the supervisor’s leadership; the moderating variables were the nurse’s empowerment, the organizational support the nurse perceived, and the quality of the supervisor–superior relationship. Results: Empirical evidence demonstrates that the quality of the supervisor–nurse relationship is positively correlated with organizational citizenship behaviors. The results also confirm the moderating effect of nurses’ empowerment and of the organizational support they perceive. Discussion: Our research shows how important it is for organizations to establish management practices promoting high-quality nurse–supervisor relationships; thus, hospital management should monitor both the supervisors’ performance and leadership. Conclusions: The quality of the relationship the supervisor establishes with their nurses is vitally important since it is a necessary requirement for beneficial results for the organization as a result of citizenship behavior practice.
Effects of the Preceding Crop on Soil N Availability, Biological Nitrogen Fixation, and Fresh Pod Yield of Organically Grown Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.)
Authors: Yfantopoulos Dionisios , Ntatsi Georgia , Gruda Nazim , Bilalis Dimitrios , Savvas Dimitrios
Published: June 2022

In the current study, the impact of the preceding crops on growth, fresh pod yield, nitrogen fixation efficiency, and nitrogen nutrition of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) was investigated for two years in both organic and conventional crops. As preceding crops served cabbage, pea, and faba bean. The pod number per plant (PN) and the total fresh pod yield (TFPY) were significantly lower with cabbage compared to pea and faba bean as preceding crops in both cropping systems and both experimental years. However, in the organic farming system, pea increased significantly in PN and TFPY compared to faba bean as a preceding crop, while in the conventional system, there was no significant difference between the two legumes. The greater yield performance with the two legumes as preceding crops was associated with higher soil NO3-N and total-N concentrations at the beginning of the subsequent faba bean crop. The higher soil N availability when the preceding crop was a legume resulted partly from the higher biomass of crop residues left by these crops on the field after harvest, compared to cabbage. However, it was also associated with a more extensive nodulation of the faba bean roots by rhizobia and a higher percentage of N derived from atmosphere (%Ndfa) in their plant tissues, as determined through the natural abundance of the 15N isotope, when the preceding crop was a legume. The cropping system had no impact on pod yield, but organic farming increased the %Ndfa in both years.
Relationship between Self-Perception of Aging and Quality of Life in the Different Stages of Reproductive Aging in Mexican Women
Authors: Rivera-Ochoa Frida Sara , González-Herrera Ixel Venecia , Zacarías-Flores Mariano , Correa-Muñoz Elsa , Mendoza-Núñez Víctor Manuel , Sánchez-Rodríguez Martha A.
Published: June 2022

Biological aging has an abrupt beginning in women, changing their body and perceptions, which are not accepted easily because the actual stereotypes are focused on youth and anti-aging. Our interest was to explore what the self-perception of aging (SPA) is in middle-aged women throughout the reproductive aging stages and their association with the quality of life. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 240 women (40–69 years) living in Mexico City, who were separated according to their reproductive aging stage. An electronic version of the Spanish version of the Self-rated Attitudes Towards Old Age (SATO) and the WHO Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQoL) was applied to these women and was sent by WhatsApp or email. Seventeen women of the total sample (7%) had a negative self-perception of aging. There is an association between SATO and WHOQoL (r = –0.273, p < 0.0001), but in the menopausal transition stage, the association is strong in the psychological subscale, and after menopause, early and late postmenopausal women show a better association in the social subscale. Negative SPA impacts the WHOQoL psychological dimension and not the total WHOQoL score. Our findings suggest an association between SPA and quality of life in different reproductive aging stages.
Contact Laxative Use and the Risk of Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation Failure in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Multi-Center Cohort Study
Authors: Hoang Anh Trung , Nguyen Phung-Anh , Duong Anh , Chiu I-Jen , Chou Chu-Lin , Ko Yu-Chen , Chang Tzu-Hao , Huang Chih-Wei , Wu Mai-Szu , Liao Chia-Te , Hsu Yung-Ho
Published: June 2022

Laxatives are commonly prescribed for constipation management; however, they are recognized as an independent factor associated with cardiovascular diseases. Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the closest to the ideal model of hemodialysis (HD) vascular access and part of the cardiovascular system. Our study aims to explore the association of contact laxative use with AVF maturation outcomes in patients undergoing HD. We conducted a multi-center cohort study of 480 contact laxative users and 472 non-users who had undergone initial AVF creation. All patients were followed until the outcomes of AVF maturation were confirmed. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to evaluate the risk of AVF maturation failure imposed by laxatives. Here, we found that patients who used contact laxatives were significantly associated with an increased risk of AVF maturation failure compared to non-users (adjusted odds ratio, 1.64; p = 0.003). Notably, the risk of AVF maturation failure increased when increasing their average daily doses and cumulative treatment days. In conclusion, our study found a significant dose- and duration-dependent relationship between contact laxative use and an increased risk of AVF maturation failure. Thus, laxatives should be prescribed with caution in this population. Further studies are needed to validate these observations and investigate the potential mechanisms.
Effect of Physical Activity on Depression in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tian Jianing , Kang Yujie , Liu Peifeng , Yu Hongyan
Published: June 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide, and approximately 50% of PD patients suffer from depression. We aim to determine the effects of physical activity on depression in PD patients and to provide scientific evidence-based exercise prescriptions for PD patients. A systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and PsycInfo until February 2022 for randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies published in English. The primary outcome was a score on a depression scale. A total of 14 RCTs involving 516 patients with PD were included in this study. The results of the meta-analysis showed that physical activity had a moderate and significant improvement in depression in PD patients (SMD = −0.60; 95% CI = −0.79 to −0.41; p < 0.00001). Subgroup analysis indicated that resistance exercise for 60–90 min more than 4 times per week for up to 12 weeks had a significant effect on PD patients who have had the disease for more than 5 years. Meta-regression showed that intervention type, intervention time, intervention frequency, intervention period, age, and disease duration were not sources of heterogeneity. Physical activity may reduce depression in PD patients. However, other larger sample sizes and high-quality studies are needed to validate these effects in the future.
Incongruence between Physician, Patient, and Medical Chart Report of Skin Cancer Prevention Counseling
Authors: Matthews Natalie H. , Kang Augustine W. , Weinstock Martin A. , Risica Patricia Markham
Published: June 2022

Skin cancer incidence in the United States has risen rapidly in recent decades, underscoring the need for accessible and effective prevention practices. Skin cancer prevention counseling can lead to increased sun protective behavior and early detection; however, little is understood regarding the frequency and content of counseling among primary care providers (PCPs). We performed multi-center cross-sectional surveys among 53 providers and 3343 of their patients and chart review asking whether skin cancer prevention counseling occurred and details of that counseling. Only 10–25% of patients reported that counseling occurred. Among the providers who reported counseling, there were higher odds that their patients recollected they were advised to use sunscreen or protective clothing, on how to use sunscreen, on signs of skin cancer, to perform a self-skin exam (all p < 0.001), and were provided with written materials (p < 0.01). Eight percent of prevention counseling was chart documented despite being highly associated with patient and physician recollection of counseling (p < 0.001). These results highlight the need for consistent and clear delivery of skin cancer primary prevention.
Improving Knowledge and Early Detection of Atrial Fibrillation through a Community-Based Opportunistic Screening Program: What’s Your Beat?
Authors: Jatau Abubakar Ibrahim , Bereznicki Luke R. , Wimmer Barbara C. , Bezabhe Woldesellassie M. , Peterson Gregory M.
Published: June 2022

A community-based opportunistic screening program was implemented to (i) improve atrial fibrillation (AF) awareness and detection and (ii) assess the performance of the Microlife WatchBP Home A for detecting AF when used in community screening. Screening sessions were conducted among people aged ≥ 65 years with no history of AF at public events across Tasmania, Australia. Participants with positive screening results were referred to their general medical practitioner for assessment. The device’s performance was assessed using the positive predictive value. A total of 1704 eligible participants were screened at 79 sessions. Of these people, 50 (2.9%) had a positive screening result. The device correctly identified AF in 22 (46.8%) participants with positive results. Among those with subsequently confirmed AF, 6 (27.3%) had a history of AF but were not aware of the diagnosis, and 16 (72.7%) were identified to have previously undiagnosed AF, with an overall prevalence of 0.9% (95% CI, 0.58 to 1.52). Oral anticoagulation therapy was initiated in 12 (87.5%) eligible participants. The positive predictive value of the device was 46.8% (95% CI, 33.3 to 60.7). Given the relatively low performance of the device, its application in community-based opportunistic screening programs for AF is unlikely to be cost-effective.
Knowledge and Myths about Eating Disorders in a German Adolescent Sample: A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Feldhege Johannes , Bilic Sally , Ali Kathina , Fassnacht Daniel B. , Moessner Markus , Farrer Louise M. , Griffiths Kathleen M. , Bauer Stephanie
Published: June 2022

Eating disorder mental health literacy (ED-MHL) refers to knowledge about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of eating disorders (EDs) and is an important factor in people’s attitudes towards individuals with EDs and help-seeking for EDs. Associations between ED-MHL, stigma, ED symptomatology, and gender were investigated in a sample of N = 194 German high school students. Knowledge and myths about EDs were assessed with 18 factual statements about EDs and agreement/disagreement with common myths about ED. Students also completed the Universal Stigma Scale (USS), the Weight Concerns Scale (WCS), and demographic items. Students judged M = 8.39 (SD = 3.40) statements correctly, while the average agreement with all ED myths was low (M = 0.19, SD = 0.14). Greater ED-MHL was associated with lower stigmatization of EDs. Male participants were less knowledgeable and more likely to agree with the ED myths. Participants displayed moderate ED-MHL; however, certain aspects such as ED risk factors or symptoms of specific disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa were less well known. These results can inform the design of future MHL interventions for adolescents.
Trends in Adolescent Health Risk Behaviors and Wellbeing: A 10 Year Observation from the EDIT Surveillance of Tuscany Region, Italy
Authors: Lastrucci Vieri , Lazzeretti Marco , Innocenti Francesco , Lorini Chiara , Berti Alice , Silvestri Caterina , Chiesi Fabrizio , Schirripa Annamaria , Paoli Sonia , Di Pisa Giulia , Moscadelli Andrea , Bonaccorsi Guglielmo , Voller Fabio
Published: June 2022

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the trends of prevalence of health risk behaviors (HRBs) and health conditions over a 10 year period (2008–2018) in a representative sample of adolescents of Tuscany Region, Italy. Methods: This was a repeated cross-sectional (four survey waves) study. The prevalence of 17 HRBs and health conditions were analyzed by age, sex, and socioeconomic status (SES). Results: A total of 21,943 students were surveyed. During the study period, decreases in smoking participation, cocaine use, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and problem gambling were observed, while alcohol abuse and at-risk sexual behaviors remained unchanged or increased. Males resulted more frequently involved in most of the HRBs, while females more frequently reported physical inactivity, regular smoking, and not using a condom. Female participation in smoking and alcohol abuse behaviors, fruit and vegetable consumption, and bullying worsened over the study period. Smoking, poor dietary habits, physical inactivity, high distress level, and obesity were more frequently observed in low-SES students than in high-SES students. Conclusions: The findings showed different tendencies in adolescent participation in HRBs over the last decade; concerning trends in at-risk sexual behaviors and alcohol consumption and females’ risk-taking behavior on the rise require careful monitoring.
How Does Social Security Fairness Predict Trust in Government? The Serial Mediation Effects of Social Security Satisfaction and Life Satisfaction
Authors: Zhi Kuiyun , Tan Qiurong , Chen Si , Chen Yongjin , Wu Xiaoqin , Xue Chenkai , Song Anbang
Published: June 2022

Several studies have found that trust in government is associated with social fairness, citizens’ satisfaction with public service, and life satisfaction. This study aimed to investigate the serial mediation effects of social security satisfaction and life satisfaction on the association between social security fairness and trust in government. We analyzed the data from the Chinese Social Survey in 2019 (n = 7403) to examine the serial mediation effects. The findings showed that the higher the level of government, the greater the trust it enjoyed from its citizens. The direct prediction of trust by social security fairness was stronger at the county and township levels than at the central government level. Both social security satisfaction and life satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between social security fairness and overall trust in government. Social security fairness indirectly positively predicted trust in local government at the county and township levels through social security satisfaction, life satisfaction, and their serial mediation. While social security fairness could only indirectly predict trust in central government through social security satisfaction, the prediction of trust in central government via life satisfaction (mediator) was not significant. We observed a serial mediation model in which social security fairness positively predicted trust in government directly and indirectly through social security satisfaction and life satisfaction. The finding that social security satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between perceptions of fairness in the social security system and trust in government has implications for improving policies and the functioning of the system at all levels of the government.
Capturing the Features of Physical Activity in Old Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of an Italian Survey
Authors: Gallè Francesca , Sabella Elita Anna , Di Muzio Marco , Barchielli Benedetta , Da Molin Giovanna , Ferracuti Stefano , Liguori Giorgio , Orsi Giovanni Battista , Napoli Christian
Published: June 2022

The restriction measures adopted to control the COVID-19 pandemic had significant consequences on individuals’ lifestyles. This study is aimed at assessing the amount and type of habitual physical activity (PA) in older adults during the advanced phase of the pandemic and their possible relationships with sociodemographic aspects. A questionnaire that included sociodemographic characteristics and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was administered online to elderly subjects living in the Apulia region, South Italy. A sample of 939 participants (57.1% F; mean age 75.9 ± 6.3) was obtained. In total, 68.8% of female respondents reported a decrease in PA during the pandemic, while 55.1% of men maintained their previous levels (<0.001). The total PASE score did not differ between gender groups (median value 91.7 in males vs. 90.0 in females; p = 0.067). However, differences were registered in leisure activities, particularly regarding walking (23.8 ± 14.8 in males vs. 20.2 ± 14.6 in females; p = 0.001). Higher PA levels were related with lower age (OR 0.253; 95% CI 0.192–0.333; p = 0.001). Since inactivity can affect elderly health and wellbeing, and considering the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on this habit, health promotion strategies to counteract the negative effects of the pandemic should include interventions aimed at increasing PA in this sub-group of the population, especially among women and elderly subjects.
Emerging Functions of lncRNA Loci beyond the Transcript Itself
Authors: Núñez-Martínez Hober Nelson , Recillas-Targa Félix
Published: June 2022

Thousands of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are actively transcribed in mammalian genomes. This class of RNAs has important regulatory functions in a broad range of cellular processes and diseases. Numerous lncRNAs have been demonstrated to mediate gene regulation through RNA-based mechanisms. Simultaneously, non-functional lncRNA transcripts derived from the activity of lncRNA loci have been identified, which underpin the notion that a considerable fraction of lncRNA loci exert regulatory functions through mechanisms associated with the production or the activity of lncRNA loci beyond the synthesized transcripts. We particularly distinguish two main RNA-independent components associated with regulatory effects; the act of transcription and the activity of DNA regulatory elements. We describe the experimental approaches to distinguish and understand the functional mechanisms derived from lncRNA loci. These scenarios reveal emerging mechanisms important to understanding the lncRNA implications in genome biology.
Venetoclax Induces Cardiotoxicity through Modulation of Oxidative-Stress-Mediated Cardiac Inflammation and Apoptosis via NF-κB and BCL-2 Pathway
Authors: AlAsmari Abdullah F. , Alghamdi Adel , Ali Nemat , Almeaikl Muath A. , Hakami Hassan M. , Alyousef Meshal K. , AlSwayyed Mohammed , Alharbi Metab , Alqahtani Faleh , Alasmari Fawaz , Alsaleh Nasser
Published: June 2022

Cardiovascular damage induced by anticancer therapy has become the main health problem after tumor elimination. Venetoclax (VTX) is a promising novel agent that has been proven to have a high efficacy in multiple hematological diseases, especially acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Considering its mechanism of action, the possibility that VTX may cause cardiotoxicity cannot be ruled out. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the toxic effect of VTX on the heart. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, low-dose VTX (50 mg/kg via oral gavage), and high-dose VTX (100 mg/kg via oral gavage). After 21 days, blood and tissue samples were collected for histopathological, biochemical, gene, and protein analyses. We demonstrated that VTX treatment resulted in cardiac damages as evidenced by major changes in histopathology and markedly elevated cardiac enzymes and hypertrophic genes markers. Moreover, we observed a drastic increase in oxidative stress, as well as inflammatory and apoptotic markers, with a remarkable decline in the levels of Bcl-2. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report the cardiotoxic effect of VTX. Further experiments and future studies are strongly needed to comprehensively understand the cardiotoxic effect of VTX.
The Effect of Conjugation of Ciprofloxacin and Moxifloxacin with Fatty Acids on Their Antibacterial and Anticancer Activity
Authors: Chrzanowska Alicja , Struga Marta , Roszkowski Piotr , Koliński Michał , Kmiecik Sebastian , Jałbrzykowska Karolina , Zabost Anna , Stefańska Joanna , Augustynowicz-Kopeć Ewa , Wrzosek Małgorzata , Bielenica Anna
Published: June 2022

Novel conjugates (CP) of moxifloxacin (MXF) with fatty acids (1m–16m) were synthesized with good yields utilizing amides chemistry. They exhibit a more pronounced cytotoxic potential than the parent drug. They were the most effective for prostate cancer cells with an IC50 below 5 µM for respective conjugates with sorbic (2m), oleic (4m), 6-heptenoic (10m), linoleic (11m), caprylic (15m), and stearic (16m) acids. All derivatives were evaluated against a panel of standard and clinical bacterial strains, as well as towards mycobacteria. The highest activity towards standard isolates was observed for the acetic acid derivative 14m, followed by conjugates of unsaturated crotonic (1m) and sorbic (2m) acids. The activity of conjugates tested against an expanded panel of clinical coagulase-negative staphylococci showed that the compound (14m) was recognized as a leading structure with an MIC of 0.5 μg/mL denoted for all quinolone-susceptible isolates. In the group of CP derivatives, sorbic (2) and geranic (3) acid amides exhibited the highest bactericidal potential against clinical strains. The M. tuberculosis Spec. 210 strain was the most sensitive to sorbic (2m) conjugate and to conjugates with medium- and long-chain polyunsaturated acids. To establish the mechanism of antibacterial action, selected CP and MXF conjugates were examined in both topoisomerase IV decatenation assay and the DNA gyrase supercoiling assay, followed by suitable molecular docking studies.