bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Food Knowledge for Better Nutrition and Health: A Study among University Students in Portugal
Authors: Guiné Raquel P. F. , Florença Sofia G. , Aparício Maria Graça , Cardoso Ana Paula , Ferreira Manuela
Published: May 2023

When students enter university, they suffer adaptations, including, usually, greater autonomy and responsibility for the choices they make. Therefore, it is crucial that they are well informed so as to make healthier food choices. The aim of this study was to determine whether sociodemographic characteristics, academic performance and lifestyle (tobacco and alcohol consumption) interfere with food literacy in university students. A quantitative, analytical, descriptive, transversal and correlational study was carried out, using quantitative data obtained through a questionnaire survey applied to a sample of 924 university students in Portugal. Food literacy was assessed through a scale of 27 items, distributed in three dimensions: D1—Literacy about food nutritional value and composition, D2—Literacy about labelling and food choice and D3—Literacy about healthy eating practices. Results showed no differences in food literacy according to sex or age. However, food literacy varied significantly with nationality, either globally (p = 0.006) or in the different dimensions evaluated (p-values of 0.005, 0.027 and 0.012 for D1, D2 and D3, respectively). In terms of academic achievement, the results showed no significant differences according to self-reported academic performance or even to the average classification obtained in the course. Regarding lifestyle variables, it was observed that alcohol consumption or smoking are not associated with food literacy, that is, food literacy does not vary significantly with these two lifestyle variables. In conclusion, food literacy in general and the dimensions evaluated are essentially constant among university students in Portugal, only varying for students from abroad. These results help to better perceive the food literacy levels for the population under study, university students, and that can be a valuable tool to better increase food literacy at these institutions as a way to better prepare for a healthier life and proper food habits that can enhance health in the long term.
How Tasmanian Emergency Departments ‘Choose Wisely’ When Investigating Suspected Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Thurlow Lauren E. , Van Dam Pieter J. , Prior Sarah J. , Tran Viet
Published: May 2023

Overuse of computed tomography pulmonary angiograms (CTPAs) for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) has been recognised as an issue for over ten years, with Choosing Wisely Australia recommending that CTPAs only be ordered if indicated by a clinical practice guideline (CPG). This study aimed to explore the use of evidence-based practice within regional Tasmanian emergency departments in relation to CTPA orders by determining whether CTPAs were ordered in accordance with validated CPGs. We conducted a retrospective medical record review of all patients who underwent CTPA across all public emergency departments in Tasmania between 1 August 2018 and 31 December 2019 inclusive. Data from 2758 CTPAs across four emergency departments were included. PE was reported in 343 (12.4%) of CTPAs conducted, with yield ranging from 8.2% to 16.1% between the four sites. Overall, 52.1% of participants had neither a CPG documented, nor a D-dimer conducted before their scan. A CPG was documented before 11.8% of scans, while D-dimer was conducted before 43% of CTPAs. The findings presented in this study indicate that Tasmanian emergency departments are not consistently ‘Choosing Wisely’ when investigating PE. Further research is required to identify explanations for these findings.
School-Based TGfU Volleyball Intervention Improves Physical Fitness and Body Composition in Primary School Students: A Cluster-Randomized Trial
Authors: Stojanović Darko , Momčilović Vladimir , Zadražnik Marko , Ilić Igor , Koničanin Admira , Padulo Johnny , Russo Luca , Stojanović Toplica
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to explore whether a 16-week Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) volleyball intervention could improve primary school students’ physical fitness and body composition. Eighty-eight primary school students (age 13.3 ± 0.3 years) were randomized to a TGfU volleyball intervention group (VG) or a control group (CG). The CG attended three regular physical education (PE) classes per week, while the VG attended two regular PE classes and a TGfU volleyball intervention that was implemented in the third PE class. Body composition components (body weight, body mass index, skinfold thickness, body fat percentage, and muscle mass percentage) and physical fitness (flexibility, vertical jumps (squat and countermovement jump—SJ/CMJ), 30 m sprint, agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness) assessments were performed pre-and post-intervention period. Significant interaction effects between VG and CG and pre- and post-test were found for the sum of five skinfolds (p < 0.0005, ŋp2 = 0.168), body fat % (p < 0.0005, ŋp2 = 0.200), muscle mass % (p < 0.0005, ŋp2 = 0.247), SJ (p = 0.002, ŋp2 = 0.103), CMJ (p = 0.001, ŋp2 = 0.120), 30 m sprint (p = 0.019, ŋp2 = 0.062), agility T-test (p < 0.0005, ŋp2 = 0.238), and VO2max (p < 0.0005, ŋp2 = 0.253). Further examination revealed a greater improvement among VG students compared to CG students in certain body composition and physical fitness outcomes. Implementing a TGfU volleyball intervention in the physical education curriculum appears to have effective stimuli for reducing adiposity and promoting physical fitness levels in seventh-grade primary school students.
Parkinson’s Disease Detection from Voice Recordings Using Associative Memories
Authors: Luna-Ortiz Irving , Aldape-Pérez Mario , Uriarte-Arcia Abril Valeria , Rodríguez-Molina Alejandro , Alarcón-Paredes Antonio , Ventura-Molina Elías
Published: May 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological condition that is chronic and worsens over time, which presents a challenging diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis is required to recognize PD patients from healthy individuals. Diagnosing PD at early stages can reduce the severity of this disorder and improve the patient’s living conditions. Algorithms based on associative memory (AM) have been applied in PD diagnosis using voice samples of patients with this health condition. Even though AM models have achieved competitive results in PD classification, they do not have any embedded component in the AM model that can identify and remove irrelevant features, which would consequently improve the classification performance. In this paper, we present an improvement to the smallest normalized difference associative memory (SNDAM) algorithm by means of a learning reinforcement phase that improves classification performance of SNDAM when it is applied to PD diagnosis. For the experimental phase, two datasets that have been widely applied for PD diagnosis were used. Both datasets were gathered from voice samples from healthy people and from patients who suffer from this condition at an early stage of PD. These datasets are publicly accessible in the UCI Machine Learning Repository. The efficiency of the ISNDAM model was contrasted with that of seventy other models implemented in the WEKA workbench and was compared to the performance of previous studies. A statistical significance analysis was performed to verify that the performance differences between the compared models were statistically significant. The experimental findings allow us to affirm that the proposed improvement in the SNDAM algorithm, called ISNDAM, effectively increases the classification performance compared against well-known algorithms. ISNDAM achieves a classification accuracy of 99.48%, followed by ANN Levenberg–Marquardt with 95.89% and SVM RBF kernel with 88.21%, using Dataset 1. ISNDAM achieves a classification accuracy of 99.66%, followed by SVM IMF1 with 96.54% and RF IMF1 with 94.89%, using Dataset 2. The experimental findings show that ISNDAM achieves competitive performance on both datasets and that statistical significance tests confirm that ISNDAM delivers classification performance equivalent to that of models published in previous studies.
Precision of Ultrasound-Guided versus Anatomical Palpation-Guided Needle Placement of the Ulnar Nerve at the Cubital Tunnel: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: López-de-Celis Carlos , Fernández-de-Las-Peñas César , Malo-Urriés Miguel , Albarova-Corral Isabel , Arias-Buría José L. , Pérez-Bellmunt Albert , Rodríguez-Sanz Jacobo , González-Rueda Vanessa , Borella-Andrés Sergio
Published: May 2023

Percutaneous electrical stimulation has been performed for years with only the assistance of anatomical landmarks. The development of real-time ultrasonography guidance has improved the precision and safety of these percutaneous interventions. Despite ultrasound-guided and palpation-guided procedures being performed routinely for targeting nerve tissues in the upper extremity, the precision and safety of these techniques are unknown. The aim of this cadaveric study was to determine and compare the precision and safety of ultrasound-guided versus palpation-guided needling procedure with and without the handpiece of the ulnar nerve on a cadaveric model. Five physical therapists performed a series of 20 needle insertion tasks each (n = 100), 10 palpation-guided (n = 50) and 10 ultrasound-guided (n = 50) on cryopreserved specimens. The purpose of the procedure was to place the needle in proximity to the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel. The distance to target, time performance, accurate rate, number of passes, and unintentional puncture of surrounding structures were compared. The ultrasound-guided procedure was associated with higher accuracy (66% vs. 96%), lower distance from needle to the target (0.48 ± 1.37 vs. 2.01 ± 2.41 mm), and a lower frequency of perineurium puncture (0% vs. 20%) when compared with the palpation-guided procedure. However, the ultrasound-guided procedure required more time (38.33 ± 23.19 vs. 24.57 ± 17.84 s) than the palpation-guided procedure (all, p < 0.001). Our results support the assumption that ultrasound guidance improves the accuracy of needling procedures on the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel when compared with palpation guidance.
Embedding the Patient-Citizen Perspective into an Operational Framework for the Development and the Introduction of New Technologies in Rehabilitation Care: The Smart&Touch-ID Model
Authors: Realdon Olivia , Adorni Roberta , Ginelli Davide , Micucci Daniela , Blasi Valeria , Bellavia Daniele , Schettini Fabrizio , Carradore Roberto , Polsinelli Pietro , D’Addario Marco , Gui Marco , Messina Vincenzina , Foglia Emanuela , Steca Patrizia , Mantovani Fabrizia , Baglio Francesca
Published: May 2023

To date, at least 2.41 billion people with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are in need of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation care through innovative technologies is the ideal candidate to reach all people with NCDs in need. To obtain these innovative solutions available in the public health system calls for a rigorous multidimensional evaluation that, with an articulated approach, is carried out through the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) methodology. In this context, the aim of the present paper is to illustrate how the Smart&TouchID (STID) model addresses the need to incorporate patients’ evaluations into a multidimensional technology assessment framework by presenting a feasibility study of model application with regard to the rehabilitation experiences of people living with NCDs. After sketching out the STID model’s vision and operational process, preliminary evidence on the experiences and attitudes of patients and citizens on rehabilitation care will be described and discussed, showing how they operate, enabling the co-design of technological solutions with a multi-stakeholder approach. Implications for public health are discussed including the view on the STID model as a tool to be integrated into public health governance strategies aimed at tuning the agenda-setting of innovation in rehabilitation care through a participatory methodology.
Advanced Techniques for Bone Restoration and Immediate Loading after Implant Failure: A Case Report
Authors: Onică Neculai , Onică Cezara Andreea , Baciu Elena-Raluca , Vasluianu Roxana-Ionela , Ciofu Mihai , Balan Mihail , Gelețu Gabriela Luminița
Published: May 2023

The objective of this study was to report a clinical case of dental implant failure with significant bone loss that was treated using reconstructive surgical techniques. We present a 58-year-old man with a history of implant surgery and implant failure on the mandible. Data collected using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and intraoral scans were exported into Exoplan (exocad GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany), from which a standard tessellation file was obtained. To create a customized mandible mesh design, DentalCAD 3.0 Galway software (exocad GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany) was used. Based on guided bone regeneration, the method involved bone reconstruction and the application of a custom titanium mesh. The bone mix was obtained by combining a xenograft (Cerabone, Bottis biomaterials Gmbh, Zossen, Germany), an allograft (Max Graft, granules Bottis biomaterials Gmbh, Zossen, Germany), and an autograft. The titanium meshes were fixed to the bone using self-drilling screws and covered with a resorbable membrane. Immediately after surgery, an impression was recorded, and the next day, the patient received a milled polymethyl methacrylate interim denture. Based on our case study, the presented custom-made implant can be considered a temporary solution, during which guided bone regeneration is expected to take place.
A Novel Approach for Organic Strawberry Cultivation: Vermicompost-Based Fertilization and Microbial Complementary Nutrition
Authors: Kilic Neslihan , Dasgan Hayriye Yildiz , Gruda Nazim S.
Published: May 2023

This study investigated the effects of vermicompost fertilization with complementary microbial nutrition on the plant growth, yield, and fruit quality of the organically grown strawberry “Monterey” cultivar. Along with vermicompost, five different microbial fertilizers containing plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were used as complementary nutrition. Here, we examined plant growth parameters, strawberry yield, fruit weight, pH, total soluble solids, and acidity in fruit and leaf mineral nutrient concentrations. Vermicompost-based fertilization with PGPR and AMF improved plant growth, yield, and fruit quality. The highest total yield (216.75 g per plant−1) and heaviest fruits with an average of 18.11 g were obtained from the vermicompost-based fertilization with PGPR containing complementary fertilization. This included Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megaterium, Trichoderma harzianum, and Trichoderma konigii. This treatment also resulted in the best ratio of total soluble solids to acidity (18.74), pH (3.95), and mineral nutrient concentrations in leaves. The novel approach with vermicompost-based fertilization and complementary microbial nutrition improves organic strawberries’ growth, yield, and fruit quality. These results are promising for enhancing organic strawberry production.
Differences in Dry Matter Accumulation and Distribution Patterns between Pre-Elite Seed and Certified Seed of Virus-Free Potato
Authors: Wu Chao , Ma Haiyan , Fang Xiaoting , Liu Ruilin , Shi Xinxin , Zhang Kaiqin , Wang Qiang , Zheng Shunlin
Published: May 2023

Virus-free seed potatoes are generally divided into pre-elite seeds and certified seeds. To study the differences in dry matter accumulation and distribution between pre-elite seeds and certified seeds through a field randomized block two-factor experiment, pre-elite seeds and certified seeds of four varieties were selected to explore the differences in growth characteristics between the two levels of virus-free potatoes and to find a way to improve potato seed expansion efficiency. The results showed that the growth process of pre-elite seeds was slower and the growth period was longer than certified seeds. The dry matter accumulation of pre-elite seeds in various organs was lower than in certified seeds, and the distribution ratio in the roots and stems of each variety was also lower than the certified seed, while there was no significant difference in the leaf and tuber distribution ratio. The average dry matter accumulation rate in both pre-elite and certified seeds was sorted by size of tubers > leaves > stems > roots; however, it was significantly lower in pre-elite seeds than in certified seeds. Tuber fresh weight, tuber volume, tuber number, and the theoretical yield of certified seeds were higher than those of pre-elite seeds. Experiments have shown that appropriately prolonging the harvest time of virus-free potatoes, especially pre-elite seeds, and increasing the proportion of dry matter allocated to roots and stems by pre-elite seeds in the early growth stages can effectively increase yield.
Understanding the Relationship between Illness Perceptions and Health Behaviour among Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Fossey Brittany , McCaffery Kirsten J. , Cvejic Erin , Jansen Jesse , Copp Tessa
Published: May 2023

This paper aims to delineate the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural responses of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to their illness by applying the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation (CSM) to their health behaviour. An online cross-sectional design was used to examine the relationship between participants’ illness perceptions (illness identity, consequence, timeline, control, and cause) and emotional representations of their PCOS, and their health behaviours (diet, physical activity, and risky contraceptive behaviour). The participants were 252 women between the ages of 18 and 45 years, living in Australia, and self-reporting a diagnosis of PCOS, recruited through social media. Participants completed an online questionnaire regarding illness perceptions as well as their diet, physical activity, and risky contraceptive behaviour. Illness identity was positively associated with the number of maladaptive dietary practices (B = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.003, 0.138; p = 0.04), and perception of longer illness duration was associated with reduced physical activity (OR = 0.898, 95% CI: 0.807, 0.999; p = 0.49) and risky contraceptive behaviour (OR = 0.856, 95% CI: 0.736, 0.997; p = 0.045). The limitations of the study include all data being self-reported (including PCOS diagnosis), and the potential for analyses of physical activity and risky contraceptive use being underpowered due to reduced sample sizes. The sample was also highly educated and restricted to those who use social media. These findings suggest that illness perceptions may play a role in influencing health behaviour in women with PCOS. A better understanding of the illness perceptions of women with PCOS is needed to increase health-promoting behaviour and improve health outcomes for women with PCOS.
Insights from Drug Checking Programs: Practicing Bootstrap Public Health Whilst Tailoring to Local Drug User Needs
Authors: Ondocsin Jeff , Ciccarone Daniel , Moran Lissa , Outram Simon , Werb Dan , Thomas Laura , Arnold Emily A.
Published: May 2023

The year 2021 was the most deadly year for overdose deaths in the USA and Canada. The stress and social isolation stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with a flood of fentanyl into local drug markets created conditions in which people who use drugs were more susceptible to accidental overdose. Within territorial, state, and local policy communities, there have been longstanding efforts to reduce morbidity and mortality within this population; however, the current overdose crisis clearly indicates an urgent need for additional, easily accessible, and innovative services. Street-based drug testing programs allow individuals to learn the composition of their substances prior to use, averting unintended overdoses while also creating low threshold opportunities for individuals to connect to other harm reduction services, including substance use treatment programs. We sought to capture perspectives from service providers to document best practices around fielding community-based drug testing programs, including optimizing their position within a constellation of other harm reduction services to best serve local communities. We conducted 11 in-depth interviews from June to November 2022 via Zoom with harm reduction service providers to explore barriers and facilitators around the implementation of drug checking programs, the potential for integration with other health promotion services, and best practices for sustaining these programs, taking the local community and policy landscape into account. Interviews lasted 45–60 min and were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to reduce the data, and transcripts were discussed by a team of trained analysts. Several key themes emerged from our interviews: (1) the instability of drug markets amid an inconsistent and dangerous drug supply; (2) implementing drug checking services in dynamic environments in response to the rapidly changing needs of local communities; (3) training and ongoing capacity building needed to create sustainable programs; and (4) the potential for integrating drug checking programs into other services. There are opportunities for this service to make a difference in overdose deaths as the contours of the drug market itself have changed over time, but a number of challenges remain to implement them effectively and sustain the service over time. Drug checking itself represents a paradox within the larger policy context, putting the sustainability of these programs at risk and challenging the potential to scale these programs as the overdose epidemic worsens.
Reports of Negative Interactions with Healthcare Providers among Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive People assigned Female at Birth in the United States: Results from an Online, Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Inman Elizabeth M. , Obedin-Maliver Juno , Ragosta Sachiko , Hastings Jen , Berry Jasmine , Lunn Mitchell R. , Flentje Annesa , Capriotti Matthew R. , Lubensky Micah E. , Stoeffler Ari , Dastur Zubin , Moseson Heidi
Published: May 2023

Over one million people in the United States are transgender, nonbinary, or gender expansive (TGE). TGE individuals, particularly those who have pursued gender-affirming care, often need to disclose their identities in the process of seeking healthcare. Unfortunately, TGE individuals often report negative experiences with healthcare providers (HCPs). We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of 1684 TGE people assigned female or intersex at birth in the United States to evaluate the quality of their healthcare experiences. Most respondents (70.1%, n = 1180) reported at least one negative interaction with an HCP in the past year, ranging from an unsolicited harmful opinion about gender identity to physical attacks and abuse. In an adjusted logistic regression model, those who had pursued gender-affirming medical care (51.9% of the sample, n = 874) had 8.1 times the odds (95% CI: 4.1–17.1) of reporting any negative interaction with an HCP in the past year, compared to those who had not pursued gender-affirming care, and tended to report a higher number of such negative interactions. These findings suggest that HCPs are failing to create safe, high-quality care interactions for TGE populations. Improving care quality and reducing bias is crucial for improving the health and well-being of TGE people.
Trajectories of Parental Daily Stress: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study during the COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Aldoney Daniela , Coo Soledad , Pérez Janet Carola , Muñoz-Najar Andrés , González Constanza , Montemurro Manuel , Tapia Leonel , Gana Sofía , Silva Luz María , Panesso Carolina , Silva Jaime
Published: May 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic was a source of significant stress due to health and safety concerns and measures to control the virus’ spread, such as mobility restrictions. This measure was especially demanding for parents with school aged children, who had to find new work–family balance as their children participate in online education while attempting to work remotely. To evaluate parents’ stress trajectories during the pandemic, we conducted Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMAs) during lockdown for 29 days in 68 families in Santiago, Chile. In addition, we evaluated the role of educational level and income, co-parenting, and number of children in parents’ stress trajectories. Our results showed that during the first weeks of lockdown expected protective factors (i.e., income and co-parental support) were not able to influence parents’ daily stress management. Moreover, parents with higher educational levels reported worse stress adaptation than less educated parents. On the other hand, co-parental conflict was significantly associated with parent’s stress. Our study captured an acute response to COVID-19 related challenges. This study contributes to understanding how parents adjust to stress during adverse circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Managing Nanomaterials in the Workplace by Using the Control Banding Approach
Authors: Ramos Delfina , Almeida Luis
Published: May 2023

Nanomaterials offer new technical and commercial opportunities. However, they may also pose risks to consumers and the environment and raise concerns about occupational health and safety. An overview of the standardization in the area of nanomaterials is presented. Focus is given to the standard ISO/TS 12901-2:2014, which describes the use of a control banding approach for controlling the risks associated with occupational exposures to nano-objects and their aggregates and agglomerates greater than 100 nm. The article also presents a case study on a textile finishing company that implements two chemical finishes containing nanomaterials. A risk analysis was conducted to assess the hazards associated with workers handling nanomaterials. Control banding was applied, and measures such as appropriate ventilation and use of protective equipment are proposed to mitigate risks. In some cases, additional measures, such as a closed booth and smoke extractor, are required. The safety data sheets are a primary source of information on how to handle and care for products containing nanomaterials, but the information provided is still limited in terms of the specific hazards and risks posed by nanomaterials.
Building Façade Color Distribution, Color Harmony and Diversity in Relation to Street Functions: Using Street View Images and Deep Learning
Authors: Zhai Yujia , Gong Ruoyu , Huo Junzi , Fan Binbin
Published: May 2023

Building façade colors play an important role in influencing urban imageability, attraction and citizens’ experience. However, the relations between street functions and the building façade color distribution, color harmony and color diversity have not been thoroughly examined. We obtained the dominant colors of building façades in Changning District, Shanghai, utilizing Baidu street view images, image semantic segmentation technology and the K-means algorithm. The variations in building façades’ dominant colors, color harmony and diversity across different types of functional streets were examined through logistic regression and ANOVA analyses. The results indicate that, compared to industrial streets, red hues are more common in science education streets, residential streets and mixed functional streets. Business streets are more likely to have hues of green, red and red–purple. Residential streets’ saturation is overall higher than that of industrial streets. In business streets, the medium–high value occurs less frequently than other streets. Moreover, we found that the street building façade colors in industrial streets were more harmonious and less diversified than that in other functional streets. This study has implications for urban color planning practices. Color harmony and color diversity should be well considered in future planning. The role of street functions should also be addressed in building façade color planning, to improve existing planning frameworks as well as related strategies.
A New Culture Model for Enhancing Estrogen Responsiveness in HR+ Breast Cancer Cells through Medium Replacement: Presumed Involvement of Autocrine Factors in Estrogen Resistance
Authors: Jang Seok-Hoon , Paek Se Hyun , Kim Jong-Kyu , Seong Je Kyung , Lim Woosung
Published: May 2023

Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (HR+ BC) cells depend on estrogen and its receptor, ER. Due to this dependence, endocrine therapy (ET) such as aromatase inhibitor (AI) treatment is now possible. However, ET resistance (ET-R) occurs frequently and is a priority in HR+ BC research. The effects of estrogen have typically been determined under a special culture condition, i.e., phenol red-free media supplemented with dextran-coated charcoal-stripped fetal bovine serum (CS-FBS). However, CS-FBS has some limitations, such as not being fully defined or ordinary. Therefore, we attempted to find new experimental conditions and related mechanisms to improve cellular estrogen responsiveness based on the standard culture medium supplemented with normal FBS and phenol red. The hypothesis of pleiotropic estrogen effects led to the discovery that T47D cells respond well to estrogen under low cell density and medium replacement. These conditions made ET less effective there. The fact that several BC cell culture supernatants reversed these findings implies that housekeeping autocrine factors regulate estrogen and ET responsiveness. Results reproduced in T47D subclone and MCF-7 cells highlight that these phenomena are general among HR+ BC cells. Our findings offer not only new insights into ET-R but also a new experimental model for future ET-R studies.
Investigating the Theranostic Potential of Graphene Quantum Dots in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Walton-Raaby Max , Woods Riley , Kalyaanamoorthy Subha
Published: May 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with no definitive diagnosis or known cure. The aggregation of Tau protein into neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), which contain straight filaments (SFs) and paired helical filaments (PHFs), is a major hallmark of AD. Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are a type of nanomaterial that combat many of the small-molecule therapeutic challenges in AD and have shown promise in similar pathologies. In this study, two sizes of GQDs, GQD7 and GQD28, were docked to various forms of Tau monomers, SFs, and PHFs. From the favorable docked poses, we simulated each system for at least 300 ns and calculated the free energies of binding. We observed a clear preference for GQD28 in the PHF6 (306VQIVYK311) pathological hexapeptide region of monomeric Tau, while GQD7 targeted both the PHF6 and PHF6* (275VQIINK280) pathological hexapeptide regions. In SFs, GQD28 had a high affinity for a binding site that is available in AD but not in other common tauopathies, while GQD7 behaved promiscuously. In PHFs, GQD28 interacted strongly near the protofibril interface at the putative disaggregation site for epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and GQD7 largely interacted with PHF6. Our analyses revealed several key GQD binding sites that may be used for detecting, preventing, and disassembling the Tau aggregates in AD.
Impact of Sea Warming and 17-α-Ethinylestradiol Exposure on the Lipid Metabolism of Ruditapes philippinarum Clams
Authors: Rodrigues João A. , Bispo Daniela S. C. , Silva Mónica G. , Araújo Rita , Soares Amadeu M. V. M. , Freitas Rosa , Gil Ana M.
Published: May 2023

This paper reports on an NMR metabolomics study of lipophilic extracts of Ruditapes philippinarum clams exposed to the hormonal contaminant 17-α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), at 17 °C and 21 °C. The results reveal that exposure at 17 °C triggers a weak response at low EE2 concentrations, suggestive of a slight increase in membrane rigidity, followed by lipid metabolic stability at higher EE2 concentrations. On the other hand, at 21 °C, lipid metabolism begins to respond at 125 ng/L EE2, with antioxidant docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) helping to tackle high-oxidative-stress conditions, in tandem with enhanced storage of triglycerides. Exposure to 625 ng/L EE2 (highest concentration) enhances phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels, their direct intercorrelation suggesting PUFA incorporation in new membrane phospholipids. This should lead to increased membrane fluidity, probably aided by a decrease in cholesterol. PUFA levels, considered a measure of membrane fluidity, were strongly (and positively) correlated to intracellular glycine levels, thus identifying glycine as the main osmolyte entering the cells under high stress. Membrane fluidity also seems to elicit the loss of taurine. This work contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms of response of R. philippinarum clams to EE2 in tandem with warming while unveiling novel potential markers of stress mitigation, namely high levels of PtdCho, PUFAs (or PtdCho/glycerophosphocholine and PtdCho/acetylcholine ratios) and linoleic acid and low PUFA/glycine ratios.
Gut Microbiota and Brain Alterations after Refeeding in a Translational Anorexia Nervosa Rat Model
Authors: Trinh Stefanie , Kogel Vanessa , Kneisel Lilly , Müller-Limberger Elena , Herpertz-Dahlmann Beate , Beyer Cordian , Seitz Jochen
Published: May 2023

The gut microbiota composition is causally involved in the regulation of body weight. Through the gut–brain axis, microbiota play a role in psychiatric disorders including anorexia nervosa (AN). Previously, we showed microbiome changes to be associated with brain volume and astrocyte reductions after chronic starvation in an AN animal model. Here, we analyzed whether these alterations are reversible after refeeding. The activity-based anorexia (ABA) model is a well-established animal model that mimics several symptoms of AN. Fecal samples and the brain were analyzed. Like previous results, significant alterations in the microbiome were observed after starvation. After refeeding, including the normalization of food intake and body weight, α- and β-diversity, as well as the relative abundance of specific genera, were largely normalized in starved rats. Brain parameters appeared to normalize alongside microbial restitution with some aberrations in the white matter. We confirmed our previous findings of microbial dysbiosis during starvation and showed a high degree of reversibility. Thus, microbiome alterations in the ABA model appear to be mostly starvation-related. These findings support the usefulness of the ABA model in investigating starvation-induced effects on the microbiota–gut–brain axis to help comprehend the pathomechanisms of AN and potentially develop microbiome-targeted treatments for patients.
Isolation, Characterization, and Comparative Genomic Analysis of Bacteriophage Ec_MI-02 from Pigeon Feces Infecting Escherichia coli O157:H7
Authors: Sultan-Alolama Mohamad Ismail , Amin Amr , Vijayan Ranjit , El-Tarabily Khaled A.
Published: May 2023

The most significant serotype of Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli that causes foodborne illnesses is Escherichia coli O157:H7. Elimination of E. coli O157:H7 during food processing and storage is a possible solution. Bacteriophages have a significant impact on bacterial populations in nature due to their ability to lyse their bacterial host. In the current study, a virulent bacteriophage, Ec_MI-02, was isolated from the feces of a wild pigeon in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for potential future use as a bio-preservative or in phage therapy. Using a spot test and an efficiency of plating analysis, Ec_MI-02 was found to infect in addition to the propagation host, E. coli O157:H7 NCTC 12900, five different serotypes of E. coli O157:H7 (three clinical samples from infected patients, one from contaminated green salad, and one from contaminated ground beef). Based on morphology and genome analysis, Ec_MI-02 belongs to the genus Tequatrovirus under the order Caudovirales. The adsorption rate constant (K) of Ec_MI-02 was found to be 1.55 × 10−8 mL/min. The latent period was 50 min with a burst size of almost 10 plaque forming units (pfu)/host cell in the one-step growth curve when the phage Ec_MI-02 was cultivated using the propagation host E. coli O157:H7 NCTC 12900. Ec_MI-02 was found to be stable at a wide range of pH, temperature, and commonly used laboratory disinfectants. Its genome is 165,454 bp long with a GC content of 35.5% and encodes 266 protein coding genes. Ec_MI-02 has genes encoding for rI, rII, and rIII lysis inhibition proteins, which supports the observation of delayed lysis in the one-step growth curve. The current study provides additional evidence that wild birds could also be a good natural reservoir for bacteriophages that do not carry antibiotic resistance genes and could be good candidates for phage therapy. In addition, studying the genetic makeup of bacteriophages that infect human pathogens is crucial for ensuring their safe usage in the food industry.
Revealing the Role of Alternariol in the Local Steroidogenesis in Human Prostate Normal and Cancer Cells
Authors: Urbanek Kinga Anna , Kowalska Karolina , Habrowska-Górczyńska Dominika Ewa , Kozieł Marta Justyna , Domińska Kamila , Piastowska-Ciesielska Agnieszka Wanda
Published: May 2023

The mycotoxin alternariol (AOH) can be found in food products infected by Alternaria spp. and is considered an endocrine-disruptive mycotoxin. The main mechanism of AOH toxicity is associated with DNA damage and modulation of the inflammation process. Still, AOH is considered as one of the emerging mycotoxins. In this study, we have evaluated how AOH might affect the local steroidogenesis process in the prostate, in both normal and cancer cells. We have found that AOH itself modulates the cell cycle, inflammation, and apoptosis, rather than the steroidogenesis process in prostate cancer cells; however, in the presence of another steroidogenic agent, the influence on steroidogenesis is significant. Therefore, this is the first study to report the effect of AOH on local steroidogenesis in normal and prostate cancer cells. We postulate that AOH might modulate the release of the steroid hormones and expression of the key components by interfering with the steroidogenic pathway and might be considered a steroidogenesis-altering agent.
Structural and Biological Features of G-Quadruplex Aptamers as Promising Inhibitors of the STAT3 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Esposito Veronica , Benigno Daniela , Bello Ivana , Panza Elisabetta , Bucci Mariarosaria , Virgilio Antonella , Galeone Aldo
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we investigate the structural and biological features of G-quadruplex (G4) aptamers as promising antiproliferative compounds affecting the STAT3 signalling pathway. Targeting the STAT3 protein through high-affinity ligands to reduce its levels or activity in cancer has noteworthy therapeutic potential. T40214 (STAT) [(G3C)4] is a G4 aptamer that can influence STAT3 biological outcomes in an efficient manner in several cancer cells. To explore the effects of an extra cytidine in second position and/or of single site-specific replacements of loop residues in generating aptamers that can affect the STAT3 biochemical pathway, a series of STAT and STATB [GCG2(CG3)3C] analogues containing a thymidine residue instead of cytidines was prepared. NMR, CD, UV, and PAGE data suggested that all derivatives adopt dimeric G4 structures like that of unmodified T40214 endowed with higher thermal stability, keeping the resistance in biological environments substantially unchanged, as shown by the nuclease stability assay. The antiproliferative activity of these ODNs was tested on both human prostate (DU145) and breast (MDA-MB-231) cancer cells. All derivatives showed similar antiproliferative activities on both cell lines, revealing a marked inhibition of proliferation, particularly at 72 h at 30 µM. Transcriptomic analysis aimed to evaluate STAT’s and STATB’s influence on the expression of many genes in MDA-MB-231 cells, suggested their potential involvement in STAT3 pathway modulation, and thus their interference in different biological processes. These data provide new tools to affect an interesting biochemical pathway and to develop novel anticancer and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Efflux-Related Carbapenem Resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii Is Associated with Two-Component Regulatory Efflux Systems’ Alteration and Insertion of ΔAbaR25-Type Island Fragment
Authors: Słoczyńska Alicja , Wand Matthew E. , Bock Lucy J. , Tyski Stefan , Laudy Agnieszka E.
Published: May 2023

The efflux pumps, beside the class D carbapenem-hydrolysing enzymes (CHLDs), are being increasingly investigated as a mechanism of carbapenem resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii. This study investigates the contribution of efflux mechanism to carbapenem resistance in 61 acquired blaCHDL-genes-carrying A. baumannii clinical strains isolated in Warsaw, Poland. Studies were conducted using phenotypic (susceptibility testing to carbapenems ± efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs)) and molecular (determining expression levels of efflux operon with regulatory-gene and whole genome sequencing (WGS)) methods. EPIs reduced carbapenem resistance of 14/61 isolates. Upregulation (5–67-fold) of adeB was observed together with mutations in the sequences of AdeRS local and of BaeS global regulators in all 15 selected isolates. Long-read WGS of isolate no. AB96 revealed the presence of AbaR25 resistance island and its two disrupted elements: the first contained a duplicate ISAba1-blaOXA-23, and the second was located between adeR and adeA in the efflux operon. This insert was flanked by two copies of ISAba1, and one of them provides a strong promoter for adeABC, elevating the adeB expression levels. Our study for the first time reports the involvement of the insertion of the ΔAbaR25-type resistance island fragment with ISAba1 element upstream the efflux operon in the carbapenem resistance of A. baumannii.
Topical Collection: New Insights on Sphingolipids in Health and Disease
Authors: Huwiler Andrea
Published: May 2023

The last two decades have boosted research on sphingolipids as bioactive and signaling molecules [...]
Spermatocytic Tumor: A Review
Authors: Secondino Simona , Viglio Alessandra , Neri Giuseppe , Galli Giulia , Faverio Carlotta , Mascaro Federica , Naspro Richard , Rosti Giovanni , Pedrazzoli Paolo
Published: May 2023

Spermatocytic tumor (ST) is a very rare disease, accounting for approximately 1% of testicular cancers. Previously classified as spermatocytic seminoma, it is currently classified within the non-germ neoplasia in-situ-derived tumors and has different clinical-pathologic features when compared with other forms of germ cell tumors (GCTs). A web-based search of MEDLINE/PubMed library data was performed in order to identify pertinent articles. In the vast majority of cases, STs are diagnosed at stage I and carry a very good prognosis. The treatment of choice is orchiectomy alone. Nevertheless, there are two rare variants of STs having very aggressive behavior, namely anaplastic ST and ST with sarcomatous transformation, that are resistant to systemic treatments and their prognosis is very poor. We have summarized all the epidemiological, pathological and clinical features available in the literature regarding STs that have to be considered as a specific entity compared to other germ GCTs, including seminoma. With the aim of improving the knowledge of this rare disease, an international registry is required.
Fecal Microbiota Composition, Their Interactions, and Metagenome Function in US Adults with Type 2 Diabetes According to Enterotypes
Authors: Park Sunmin , Zhang Ting , Kang Suna
Published: May 2023

T2DM etiology differs among Asians and Caucasians and may be associated with gut microbiota influenced by different diet patterns. However, the association between fecal bacterial composition, enterotypes, and T2DM susceptibility remained controversial. We investigated the fecal bacterial composition, co-abundance network, and metagenome function in US adults with T2DM compared to healthy adults based on enterotypes. We analyzed 1911 fecal bacterial files of 1039 T2DM and 872 healthy US adults from the Human Microbiome Projects. Operational taxonomic units were obtained after filtering and cleaning the files using Qiime2 tools. Machine learning and network analysis identified primary bacteria and their interactions influencing T2DM incidence, clustered into enterotypes, Bacteroidaceae (ET-B), Lachnospiraceae (ET-L), and Prevotellaceae (ET-P). ET-B showed higher T2DM incidence. Alpha-diversity was significantly lower in T2DM in ET-L and ET-P (p < 0.0001), but not in ET-B. Beta-diversity revealed a distinct separation between T2DM and healthy groups across all enterotypes (p < 0.0001). The XGBoost model exhibited high accuracy and sensitivity. Enterocloster bolteae, Facalicatena fissicatena, Clostridium symbiosum, and Facalibacterium prausnitizii were more abundant in the T2DM group than in the healthy group. Bacteroides koreensis, Oscillibacter ruminantium, Bacteroides uniformis, and Blautia wexlerae were lower in the T2DM than in the healthy group regardless of the enterotypes in the XGBoost model (p < 0.0001). However, the patterns of microbial interactions varied among different enterotypes affecting T2DM risk. The interaction between fecal bacteria was more tightly regulated in the ET-L than in the ET-B and ET-P groups (p < 0.001). Metagenomic analysis revealed an inverse association between bacteria abundance in T2DM, energy utility, butanoate and propanoate metabolism, and the insulin signaling pathway (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, fecal bacteria play a role in T2DM pathogenesis, particularly within different enterotypes, providing valuable insights into the link between gut microbiota and T2DM in the US population.
OPTO-BLUE: An Integrated Bidirectional Optogenetic Lentiviral Platform for Controlled Light-Induced Gene Expression
Authors: Arancibia Duxan , Pol Iracy , Vargas-Fernández Martín , Zárate Rafaella V. , Signorelli Janetti R. , Zamorano Pedro
Published: May 2023

Regulated systems for transgene expression are useful tools in basic research and a promising platform in biomedicine due to their regulated transgene expression by an inducer. The emergence of optogenetics expression systems enabled the construction of light-switchable systems, enhancing the spatial and temporal resolution of a transgene. The LightOn system is an optogenetic tool that regulates the expression of a gene of interest using blue light as an inducer. This system is based on a photosensitive protein (GAVPO), which dimerizes and binds to the UASG sequence in response to blue light, triggering the expression of a downstream transgene. Previously, we adapted the LightOn system to a dual lentiviral vector system for neurons. Here, we continue the optimization and assemble all components of the LightOn system into a single lentiviral plasmid, the OPTO-BLUE system. For functional validation, we used enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) as an expression reporter (OPTO-BLUE-EGFP) and evaluated the efficiency of EGFP expression by transfection and transduction in HEK293-T cells exposed to continuous blue-light illumination. Altogether, these results prove that the optimized OPTO-BLUE system allows the light-controlled expression of a reporter protein according to a specific time and light intensity. Likewise, this system should provide an important molecular tool to modulate gene expression of any protein by blue light.