bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shock Acceleration and Attenuation during Running with Minimalist and Maximalist Shoes: A Time- and Frequency-Domain Analysis of Tibial Acceleration
Authors: Xiang Liangliang , Gu Yaodong , Rong Ming , Gao Zixiang , Yang Tao , Wang Alan , Shim Vickie , Fernandez Justin
Published: July 2022

Tibial shock attenuation is part of the mechanism that maintains human body stabilization during running. It is crucial to understand how shock characteristics transfer from the distal to proximal joint in the lower limb. This study aims to investigate the shock acceleration and attenuation among maximalist shoes (MAXs), minimalist shoes (MINs), and conventional running shoes (CONs) in time and frequency domains. Time-domain parameters included time to peak acceleration and peak resultant acceleration, and frequency-domain parameters contained lower (3–8 Hz) and higher (9–20 Hz) frequency power spectral density (PSD) and shock attenuation. Compared with CON and MAX conditions, MINs significantly increased the peak impact acceleration of the distal tibia (p = 0.01 and p < 0.01). Shock attenuation in the lower frequency depicted no difference but was greater in the MAXs in the higher frequency compared with the MIN condition (p < 0.01). MINs did not affect the tibial shock in both time and frequency domains at the proximal tibia. These findings may provide tibial shock information for choosing running shoes and preventing tibial stress injuries.
Unexpected Motherhood-Triggered Hearing Loss in the Two-Pore Channel (TPC) Mutant Mouse
Authors: Royer Juliette , Cancela José-Manuel , Edeline Jean-Marc
Published: July 2022

Calcium signaling is crucial for many physiological processes and can mobilize intracellular calcium stores in response to environmental sensory stimuli. The endolysosomal two-pore channel (TPC), regulated by the second messenger nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP), is one of the key components in calcium signaling. However, its role in neuronal physiology remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated to what extent the acoustic thresholds differed between the WT mice and the TPC KO mice. We determined the thresholds based on the auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) at five frequencies (between 4 and 32 kHz) and found no threshold difference between the WT and KO in virgin female mice. Surprisingly, in lactating mothers (at P9–P10), the thresholds were higher from 8 to 32 kHz in the TPC KO mice compared to the WT mice. This result indicates that in the TPC KO mice, physiological events occurring during parturition altered the detection of sounds already at the brainstem level, or even earlier.
Domains of Vulnerability, Resilience, Health Habits, and Mental and Physical Health for Health Disparities Research
Authors: Wolfe Rebecca M. , Beck-Felts Katie , Speakar Brianna , Spaulding William D.
Published: July 2022

Health disparities associated with severe mental illness (SMI) have become a major public health concern. The disparities are not directly due to the SMI. They involve the same leading causes of premature death as in the general population. The causes of the disparities are therefore suspected to reflect differences in health-related behavior and resilience. As with other problems associated with SMI, studying non-clinical populations at risk for future onset provides important clues about pathways, from vulnerability to unhealthy behavior and compromised resilience, to poor health and reduced quality of life. The purpose of this study was to identify possible pathways in a sample of public university students. Four domains of biosystemic functioning with a priori relevance to SMI-related vulnerability and health disparities were identified. Measures reflecting various well-studied constructs within each domain were factor-analyzed to identify common sources of variance within the domains. Relationships between factors in adjacent domains were identified with linear multiple regression. The results reveal strong relationships between common factors across domains that are consistent with pathways from vulnerability to health disparities, to reduced quality of life. Although the results do not provide dispositive evidence of causal pathways, they serve as a guide for further, larger-scale, longitudinal studies to identify causal processes and the pathways they follow to health consequences.
From Immunohistochemistry to New Digital Ecosystems: A State-of-the-Art Biomarker Review for Precision Breast Cancer Medicine
Authors: Hacking Sean M. , Yakirevich Evgeny , Wang Yihong
Published: July 2022

Breast cancers represent complex ecosystem-like networks of malignant cells and their associated microenvironment. Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) are biomarkers ubiquitous to clinical practice in evaluating prognosis and predicting response to therapy. Recent feats in breast cancer have led to a new digital era, and advanced clinical trials have resulted in a growing number of personalized therapies with corresponding biomarkers. In this state-of-the-art review, we included the latest 10-year updated recommendations for ER, PR, and HER2, along with the most salient information on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), Ki-67, PD-L1, and several prognostic/predictive biomarkers at genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic levels recently developed for selection and optimization of breast cancer treatment. Looking forward, the multi-omic landscape of the tumor ecosystem could be integrated with computational findings from whole slide images and radiomics in predictive machine learning (ML) models. These are new digital ecosystems on the road to precision breast cancer medicine.
Self-Powered Photoelectrochemical Assay for Hg2+ Detection Based on g-C3N4-CdS-CuO Composites and Redox Cycle Signal Amplification Strategy
Authors: Su Yonghuan , Su Lixia , Liu Bingqian , Lin Youxiu , Tang Dianping
Published: July 2022

A highly sensitive self-powered photoelectrochemical (spPEC) sensing platform was constructed for Hg2+ determination based on the g-C3N4-CdS-CuO co-sensitized photoelectrode and a visible light-induced redox cycle for signal amplification. Through successively coating the single-layer g-C3N4, CdS, and CuO onto the surface of an electrode, the modified electrode exhibited significantly enhanced PEC activity. The microstructure of the material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). However, the boost in photocurrent could be noticeably suppressed due to the consumption of hole-scavenging agents (reduced glutathione) by the added Hg2+. Under optimal conditions, we discovered that the photocurrent was linearly related to the Hg2+ concentration in the range of 5 pM–100 nM. The detection limit for Hg2+ was 0.84 pM. Moreover, the spPEC sensor demonstrated good performance for the detection of mercury ions in human urine and artificial saliva.
The Association between Stress and Children’s Weight Status: A School-Based, Epidemiological Study
Authors: Kanellopoulou Aikaterini , Vassou Christina , Kornilaki Ekaterina N. , Notara Venetia , Antonogeorgos George , Rojas-Gil Andrea Paola , Lagiou Areti , Yannakoulia Mary , Panagiotakos Demosthenes B.
Published: July 2022

Given the evidence on how stress affects weight status in children, this research examined this association among Greek students aged 10–12 years old. Overall, 1452 children and their parents from several urban areas participated in an observational study conducted during the period 2014–2016. Participants completed validated questionnaires. International Obesity Task Force guidelines were used for children’s weight status classification. Descriptive statistics and nested logistic regression models were used. Multivariate correspondence analysis was also used to construct a score to evaluate the children’s stress levels. The overall prevalence of overweight/obesity was 27%. More than 80% of the children appeared to have a medium or high level of stress, mainly due to the school environment. School-related stress increased the odds of obesity in children. The association between stress and overweight/obesity status showed a consistent trend (adjusted odds ratios varied from 1.44 to 1.52, p-values < 0.01). Children’s weight status was associated with several school-related stressors. Although the school environment may play an aggravating role in the weight status of children, family plays a catalyst role in this direction. Therefore, actions have to be promoted in the school community so that children become more health literate on a public health level.
Hyponatremia—A New Diagnostic Marker for Complicated Acute Appendicitis in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Anand Sachit , Krishnan Nellai , Birley Jana , Tintor Goran , Bajpai Minu , Pogorelić Zenon
Published: July 2022

Background: Acute appendicitis in the pediatric population remains a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Despite many biochemical markers, imaging modalities and scoring systems, initial misdiagnosis and complication rates are high in children. This suggests the need for investigations directed towards new diagnostic tools to aid in the diagnosis. Recent studies have shown a correlation between serum sodium levels and complicated appendicitis. Although the exact reasons for hyponatremia in patients with complicated appendicitis are not known, there is persuasive data to support the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 in the non-osmotic release of antidiuretic hormone. This meta-analysis aims to investigate all available data on hyponatremia as a diagnostic marker of complicated appendicitis in the pediatric population. Methods: The literature search was conducted by two independent investigators according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The scientific databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus) were systematically searched for relevant studies using the keywords (hyponatremia) AND (appendicitis) AND (children). The methodological quality was assessed using a validated scale, and RevMan 5.4 software was utilized for pooled analysis. Results: Seven studies were included in the final meta-analysis, five of which were retrospective. A total of 1615 and 2808 cases were distributed into two groups: group A with complicated appendicitis and group B with uncomplicated acute appendicitis, respectively. The studies compared serum sodium levels of patients among the groups. Pooling the data demonstrated significantly lower serum sodium levels in children with complicated appendicitis vs. the non-complicated appendicitis (WMD: −3.29, 95% CI = −4.52 to −2.07, p < 0.00001). The estimated heterogeneity among the included studies was substantial and statistically significant (I2 = 98%, p < 0.00001). Conclusion: The results of the present meta-analysis indicate that hyponatremia has potential to be utilized as a biochemical marker in the diagnosis of complicated appendicitis in the pediatric population. However, well designed prospective diagnostic efficiency studies are essential to consolidate the association between hyponatremia and complicated acute appendicitis.
Infancy Dietary Patterns, Development, and Health: An Extensive Narrative Review
Authors: Martín-Rodríguez Alexandra , Bustamante-Sánchez Álvaro , Martínez-Guardado Ismael , Navarro-Jiménez Eduardo , Plata-SanJuan Erika , Tornero-Aguilera José Francisco , Clemente-Suárez Vicente Javier
Published: July 2022

Correct dietary patterns are important for a child’s health from birth to adulthood. Understanding a child’s health as a state of entire physical, mental, and social well-being is essential. However, reaching adulthood in a complete health proper state is determined by feeding and dietary habits during preconception, pregnancy, or children infancy. Different factors, such as the mother’s lifestyle, culture, or socioeconomic status, are crucial during all these phases. In this review, we aimed to assess the long-term associations between infancy dietary patterns and health and their influence on development and growth. To reach this objective, a consensus critical review was carried out using primary sources such as scientific articles, and secondary bibliographic indexes, databases, and web pages. PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar were the tools used to complete this research. We found that high-income countries promote high-calorie foods and, consequently, obesity problems among children are rising. However, undernutrition is a global health issue concerning children in low- and middle-income countries; thus, parental socioeconomic status in early life is essential to children’s health and development, showing that biological, social, and environmental influences are increased risk factors for chronic diseases. This narrative review is aimed to collect evidence for early nutritional intervention and future disease prevention.
Complete Integrated Automation of the Electrochemical Corrosion Protection System of Pipelines Based on IoT and Big Data Analytics
Authors: Prokhorov Oleksandr , Prokhorov Valeriy , Khussanov Alisher , Khussanov Zhakhongir , Kaldybayeva Botagoz , Turdybekova Dilfuza
Published: July 2022

This article is devoted to the issues of creating an adaptive intelligent system, for monitoring and controlling the technological process for electrochemical corrosion protection of main pipelines (MP), which has been designed for remote control of electrochemical protection (EChP) parameters and their optimization as well as adaptive control of the parameters of cathodic protection stations while taking into account changes in external conditions. The multi-objective problem of optimizing the operating modes of cathodic protection stations (CPS) is considered because optimization is carried out according to both the criterion of optimal distribution of the protective potential (uniform distribution of the protective total (pipe-to-soil) potential along the length of the pipeline) and to the criterion of the minimum total protective current of stations. The structure of the distributed electrochemical protection system is described in the article. A more complete picture of the protection of the pipeline and solving the problems of optimizing the electrochemical protection modes in real time is possible due to remote monitoring of control and measuring points (CMP) in the middle of the pipeline between neighboring cathodic protection stations, as well as in all corrosion and hazardous zones where they are also installed. In addition to the often-used GSM/GPRS networks in electrochemical protection systems, an energy-efficient LPWAN (Low-Power Wide-Area Network) data transmission network is also used and data collection is carried out using a cloud IoT platform. The functionality of the system is described, web application screens are shown in various operating modes for remote monitoring and control of the protective parameters of cathodic protection stations is reported. Analytical data processing for the tasks assessing the protection of objects in the pipeline system against corrosion are also shown. The system ensures that the electrochemical protection process is maintained at an optimal level between the destructive zones of “underprotection” and “overprotection”, taking into account monitoring data, geological conditions at the pipeline site, climatic or seasonal changes and other factors. In general, this system provides an increase in the reliability of the electrochemical protection system as a whole and, accordingly, it prevents possible emergency situations on the pipeline system while also reducing the cost of pipeline maintenance due to the reliability and continuity of protection.
A Cross-Sectional Study on Mental Health of School Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic in India
Authors: Deb Sibnath , Kar Samarjit , Deb Shayana , Biswas Sanjib , Dar Aehsan Ahmad , Mukherjee Tusharika
Published: July 2022

The broad objective of the present study is to assess the levels of anxiety and depression of school students during the COVID-19 lockdown phase and their association with students’ background, stress, concerns and social support. In this regard, the present study follows a novel two stage approach. In the first phase, an empirical survey was carried out, based on multivariate statistical analysis, wherein a group of 273 school students participated in the study voluntarily. In the second phase, a novel Picture Fuzzy FFA (PF-FFA) method was applied for understanding the dynamics of facilitating and prohibiting factors for three categories of focus groups (FG), formulated on the basis of attendance in online classes. Findings revealed a significant impact of anxiety and depression on mental health. Further, PF-FFA examinedthe impact of the driving forces that steered children to attend class as contrasted to the the impact of the restricting forces.
Using Drones to Monitor Broad-Leaved Orchids (Dactylorhiza majalis) in High-Nature-Value Grassland
Authors: Gröschler Kim-Cedric , Oppelt Natascha
Published: July 2022

Dactylorhiza majalis is a threatened indicator species for the habitat quality of nutrient-poor grassland sites. Environmentalists utilize the species to validate the success of conservation efforts. Conventionally, plant surveys are field campaigns where the plant numbers are estimated and their spatial distribution is either approximated by GPS or labor-intensively measured by differential GPS. In this study, we propose a monitoring approach using multispectral drone-based data with a very high spatial resolution (~3 cm). We developed the magenta vegetation index to enhance the spectral response of Dactylorhiza majalis in the drone data. We integrated the magenta vegetation index in a random forest classification routine among other vegetation indices and analyzed feature impact on model decision making using SHAP. We applied an image object-level median filter to the classification result to account for image artefacts. Finally, we aggregated the filtered result to individuals per square meter using an overlaying vector grid. The SHAP analysis showed that magenta vegetation index had the highest impact on model decision making. The random forest model could reliably classify Dactylorhiza majalis in the drone data (F1 score: 0.99). We validated the drone-derived plant count using field mappings and achieved good results with an RMSE of 12 individuals per square meter, which is within the error margin stated by experts for a conventional plant survey. In addition to abundance, we revealed the comprehensive spatial distribution of the plants. The results indicate that drone surveys are a suitable alternative to conventional monitoring because they can aid in evaluating conservation efforts and optimizing site-specific management.
LST-GCN: Long Short-Term Memory Embedded Graph Convolution Network for Traffic Flow Forecasting
Authors: Han Xu , Gong Shicai
Published: July 2022

Traffic flow prediction is an important part of the intelligent transportation system. Accurate traffic flow prediction is of great significance for strengthening urban management and facilitating people’s travel. In this paper, we propose a model named LST-GCN to improve the accuracy of current traffic flow predictions. We simulate the spatiotemporal correlations present in traffic flow prediction by optimizing GCN (graph convolutional network) parameters using an LSTM (long short-term memory) network. Specifically, we capture spatial correlations by learning topology through GCN networks and temporal correlations by embedding LSTM networks into the training process of GCN networks. This method improves the traditional method of combining the recurrent neural network and graph neural network in the original spatiotemporal traffic flow prediction, so it can better capture the spatiotemporal features existing in the traffic flow. Extensive experiments conducted on the PEMS dataset illustrate the effectiveness and outperformance of our method compared with other state-of-the-art methods.
The Influence of Characteristic Sea State Parameters on the Accuracy of Irregular Wave Field Simulations of Different Complexity
Authors: Lünser Helene , Hartmann Moritz , Desmars Nicolas , Behrendt Jasper , Hoffmann Norbert , Klein Marco
Published: July 2022

The accurate description of the complex genesis and evolution of ocean waves, as well as the associated kinematics and dynamics is indispensable for the design of offshore structures and the assessment of marine operations. In the majority of cases, the water-wave problem is reduced to potential flow theory on a somehow simplified level. However, the nonlinear terms in the surface boundary conditions and the fact that they must be fulfilled on the unknown water surface make the boundary value problem considerably complex. Hereby, the contrary objectives with respect to a very accurate representation of reality and numerical efficiency must be balanced wisely. This paper investigates the influence of characteristic sea state parameters on the accuracy of irregular wave field simulations of different complexity. For this purpose, the high-order spectral method was applied and the underlying Taylor series expansion was truncated at different orders so that numerical simulations of different complexity can be investigated. It is shown that, for specific characteristic sea state parameters, the boundary value problem can be significantly reduced while providing sufficient accuracy.
Consumption of Farmed Fish, Fed with an Olive-Pomace Enriched Diet, and Its Effect on the Inflammatory, Redox, and Platelet-Activating Factor Enzyme Profile of Apparently Healthy Adults: A Double-Blind Randomized Crossover Trial
Authors: Petsini Filio , Ntzouvani Agathi , Detopoulou Maria , Papakonstantinou Vasiliki D , Kalogeropoulos Nick , Fragopoulou Elizabeth , Nomikos Tzortzis , Kontogianni Meropi D , Antonopoulou Smaragdi
Published: July 2022

A fish-rich diet has a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health. The platelet activating factor (PAF) is involved in the development of atherosclerosis, and in vitro results support the regulating action of bioactive nutrients on PAF metabolism. The purpose of this study is to examine whether the consumption of farmed fish fed with an olive-pomace enriched diet (EF) affects PAF metabolism and the markers of inflammation and oxidative stress compared to the consumption of conventionally fed farmed fish (CF). Thirty apparently healthy adults completed a randomized double-blind crossover trial, during which they consumed both CF and EF twice a week for 8 weeks with a six-week washout period in between. The activities of PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH), lysoPAF acetyltransferase (lysoPAF-AT), DTT-insensitive CDP-choline: 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol-choline-phosphotransferase (PAF-CPT) in leukocytes, and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (LpPLA2) in serum were determined. The quantities of interleukin-6 (IL-6), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), oxidized LDL (ox-LDL), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as well as the serum oxidation, were also determined. Both types of fish exerted similar effects as there were no statistically significant differences between the two interventions except for an elevated PAF-CPT and reduced arachidonic acid (AA) in the red blood cell (RBC) membrane lipids after the EF intake.
Characterization of Key Aroma Compounds in Fermented Bamboo Shoots Using Gas Chromatography-Olfactometry-Mass Spectrometry, Odor Activity Values, and Aroma Recombination Experiments
Authors: Li Shubo , Tian Yufeng , Sun Minghao , Liu Jiaojiao , Bai Yunxia , Liu Xiaoling , Guo Yuan
Published: July 2022

Guangxi fermented bamboo shoots (GFBS) are widely appreciated by consumers in China because of their unique aroma. In this study, the dominant aroma compounds of GFBS were investigated using gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry, odor-activity values, and aroma recombination. The results show that 70 aroma compounds, including alcohols, esters, aldehydes, acids, phenols, ethers, ketones, alkenes, benzene derivatives, and furans, were identified in GFBS. Among them, 15 aroma compounds with odor-activity values (OAVs) > 1 were identified. Aroma-recombination-omission experiments and sensory evaluation demonstrated that octanal, (E)-2-octenal, acetic acid, guaiacol, phenylethyl alcohol, creosol, 4-ethylguaiacol, and p-cresol significantly contributed to the characteristic aroma of GFBS. Most importantly, p-cresol (34,997.95 ≤ OAV ≤ 71,409.51) and acetic acid (2155.79 ≤ OAV ≤ 3872.09) significantly contributed to its aroma (p < 0.001). The major aroma profile of GFBS included a strong fermented odor, which was pungent and sour. This study provides a theoretical basis for improving the flavor of GFBS.
Shopping in Reality or Virtuality? A Validation Study of Consumers’ Price Memory in a Virtual vs. Physical Supermarket
Authors: Jacobsen Lina Fogt , Mossing Krogsgaard-Jensen Nora , Peschel Anne O.
Published: July 2022

This study validates a VR supermarket as a research tool by studying the influence of the food shopping setting on consumers’ price memory—an important antecedent for price comparisons in the purchase situation. In a quasi-experiment, two groups of consumers were given a shopping task in either a physical supermarket or a virtual reality supermarket setting. Upon task completion, participants’ explicit and implicit price memory was measured across three food product categories (pizza sauce, pasta, and dark chocolate). Results revealed no significant difference between the two settings, supporting the comparability between the VR shopping experience and the experience in the physical supermarket. The VR supermarket can therefore be a valid tool for studying consumer food choice behaviour in a shopping context. Further results show that explicit price memory is weaker compared to implicit price memory, that even prices are remembered better than odd prices, and that price memory follows the expected pattern in a VR supermarket as well. Finally, exploratory findings indicate that the feeling of physical presence and self-presence is relatively high for this particular VR supermarket, whereas social presence is weaker.
Antioxidant Activities of Co-Encapsulated Natal Plum (Carissa macrocarpa) Juice Inoculated with Ltp. plantarum 75 in Different Biopolymeric Matrices after In Vitro Digestion
Authors: Seke Faith , Manhivi Vimbainashe E. , Guerin Marie , Shoko Tinotenda , Akinola Stephen A. , Garcia Cyrielle , Remize Fabienne , Slabbert Retha M. , Sivakumar Dharini
Published: July 2022

Biopolymeric systems that co-encapsulate probiotics and bioactive compounds ensure timely delivery in the gastrointestinal tract. Cyanidin 3-sambubioside is the dominant anthocyanin in Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa). This study aims at the co-encapsulation of Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa) juice inoculated with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 75 (Ltp. plantarum 75) by freeze-drying using pea protein isolate, maltodextrin, and psyllium mucilage and evaluating their release in vitro. An encapsulation efficiency of >85% was noted in lactic acid bacteria (LAB) survival and anthocyanin content. Freeze-drying produced pinkish-red powder, rich in polyphenols and LAB (>6 Log CFU mL−1) after 14 days of storage. Natal plum juice + maltodextrin + pea protein isolate + psyllium mucilage + Ltp. plantarum 75 (NMPeaPsyB) showed the highest LAB population (6.74 Log CFU mL−1) with a survival rate of 81.9%. After digestion, NMPeaPsyB and NMPeaPsy had the highest LAB survival (>50%) at 67.5% and 67.5 ± 0.75%, respectively, and the highest bioaccessibility of cyanidin 3-sambubioside in Natal plum juice than the other co-encapsulation with other biopolymers. NMPeaPsy and NMPeaPsyB showed phenolic stability in the gastric phase and controlled release in the intestinal simulated phase. The antioxidant activities had strong correlations with cyanidin 3-sambubioside. The results confirmed that microencapsulation is important for improving stability and allowing for the development of functional foods.
Effect of Xanthan Gum, Kappa–Carrageenan, and Guar Gum on the Functional Characteristics of Egg White Liquid and Intermolecular Interaction Mechanism
Authors: Gong Sijia , Shi Xuefeng , Zheng Jiangxia , Dai Ruitong , Li Junying , Xu Guiyun , Li Xingmin
Published: July 2022

This study evaluated the effects of three polysaccharides, xanthan gum (XG), kappa-carrageenan (CA), and guar gum (GG), on the foaming and emulsifying properties of egg white liquid (EWL) and explored the intermolecular interactions and aggregation states in the initial polysaccharide–EWL complex. The results showed that the addition of XG and GG significantly improved the foaming stability of EWL on the one hand, from 66% to 78% and 69%, respectively (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the addition of XG and GG significantly improved the foam uniformity and density, and the average foam area decreased from 0.127 to 0.052 and 0.022 mm2, respectively (p < 0.05). The addition of XG and CA significantly improved the emulsification activity index (from 13.32 to 14.58 and 14.36 m2/mg, respectively, p < 0.05) and the emulsion stability index (from 50.89 to 53.62 and 52.18 min, respectively, p < 0.05), as well as the interfacial protein adsorption at the oil–water interface; it also reduced the creaming index. However, GG negatively affected these indicators. Furthermore, the electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions among molecules in EWL due to XG and the electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions among molecules in EWL due to CA ultimately led to the irregular aggregation of egg white proteins. Hydrophobic interactions and disulfide bonds between molecules in EWL–containing GG formed filamentous aggregations of egg white proteins. This work reveals that molecules in the polysaccharide–egg white complexes aggregate by interaction forces, which in turn have different effects on the foaming and emulsifying properties of egg white proteins.
Effects of Inherent Lactic Acid Bacteria on Inhibition of Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme and Antioxidant Activities in Dry-Cured Meat Products
Authors: Ogata Masaya , Uchiyama Jumpei , Ahhmed Abdulatef M. , Sakuraoka Seiichi , Taharaguchi Satoshi , Sakata Ryoichi , Mizunoya Wataru , Takeda Shiro
Published: July 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate the inherent bacteria that contribute to expressing the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity and the antioxidant activity of dry-cured meat products without a bacterial starter. Among the ten dry-cured meat product samples, Coppa and Milano salami exhibited high ACE inhibitory activity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). No consistent trend was observed in the pH values or the total peptide and imidazole dipeptide concentration of the products that exhibited high ACE inhibitory and antioxidant activities in the tested samples. To investigate the bacteria contributing to the ACE inhibitory and antioxidant activities of the product, 16S rRNA sequencing analysis, isolation, and identification of bacteria were performed using not only Coppa and Milano salami but also the Jamon Serrano and Parma prosciutto products that had low functional activities. Results suggest the Lactobacillales order, particularly the species Latilactobacillus sakei and Pediococcus pentosaceus, were the main inherent bacteria in Coppa and Milano salami, respectively, compared with the Jamon Serrano and Parma prosciutto products. Therefore, the inherent lactic acid bacteria in dry-cured meat products without bacterial starter is important for ACE inhibitory and antioxidant activities of the products.
Protective Effect of Diet-Supplemented and Endogenously Produced Omega-3 Fatty Acids against HFD-Induced Colon Inflammation in Mice
Authors: Thomas Shalom Sara , Cha Youn-Soo , Kim Kyung-Ah
Published: July 2022

Perilla (Perilla frutescens) oil reduces high-fat-diet-induced colon inflammation by suppressing the NF-κB pathway. In the current study, we compared the effect of endogenously produced and externally supplemented omega-3 fatty acids on high-fat-diet-induced colon inflammation. The fat-1 transgenic mice that endogenously synthesize omega-3 fatty acids were backcrossed with C57BL/6J wild-type mice to obtain transgenic (TR) and wild-type (WT) littermates. Five-week-old male littermates were divided into five groups: two groups fed 10% normal diet (WTLD, TRLD) and three groups fed with a 60% fat high-fat diet (WTHD, TRHD, and WTPO). In the WTPO group, 8% (w/w) of perilla oil was added. Perilla oil supplemented WT mice and fat-1 transgenic mice suppressed high-fat-diet-induced body weight and improved serum lipid levels. Furthermore, the WTPO and TRHD groups exhibited increased colon length, lower macroscopic scores, and reduced levels of pro-inflammatory markers and improved epithelial integrity barrier markers. The expression of GPR120 was increased in the WTPO group. Altogether, our results indicated that perilla oil could improve the symptoms of colon inflammation as an alternate omega-3 fatty acid supplement.
Analysis of Stability, Rheological and Structural Properties of Oleogels Obtained from Peanut Oil Structured with Yellow Beeswax
Authors: Zbikowska Anna , Onacik-Gür Sylwia , Kowalska Małgorzata , Sowiński Michał , Szymańska Iwona , Żbikowska Katarzyna , Marciniak-Łukasiak Katarzyna , Werpachowski Wojciech
Published: July 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the macro- and microscopic properties of oleogels with yellow beeswax using different methods, especially modern optical techniques. Microrheological properties, physical stability and morphology of oleogel crystals obtained by structuring of peanut oil with yellow beeswax was analyzed. It was observed that oleogels, even with the smallest concentration of beeswax (2%), were resistant to centrifugal force. Increase in yellow beeswax concentration (from 2, 4, 6 to 8 %) resulted in significant differences in the characteristics of oleogels: increased elasticity (EI), macroscopic viscosity (MVI) and the firmness values of oleogels. It was concluded that non-invasive optical techniques (multi-speckle diffusing wave spectroscopy—Rheolaser Master) are useful in obtaining a quick evaluation of physical properties of oleogels at the microstructural level, and the received information allows for quality assessment.
Retirement Is a Foreign Country: Work beyond Retirement and Elder Care in Socialist Bulgaria
Authors: Iliev Ilia
Published: July 2022

In this article, I investigate state policies in socialist rule in Bulgaria, encouraging pensioners to work beyond retirement and their impact on eldercare. First, I argue that in the 1970s, Bulgarian pensioners began occupying economic niches similar to those of labor migrants in Western Europe. The policies actively promoting work after retirement were introduced in parallel with legislation encouraging older people to distribute their property among potential heirs as a donation instead of their last will. I argue that this combination of work beyond retirement and inheritance patterns had a negative impact on eldercare and should be taken into consideration when designing new policies addressed at working pensioners. The research is based on letters of complaint or denunciation from the 1970s, available in the Bulgarian State Archives.
Low Baseline Plasma L-Glutamine Concentration Identifies Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients at High Risk of Developing Early Gastrointestinal Adverse Events during Sorafenib Treatment
Authors: Boix Loreto , Sapena Víctor , Samper Esther , Díaz-González Álvaro , Llarch Neus , Iserte Gemma , Da Fonseca Leonardo G. , Sanduzzi-Zamparelli Marco , Forner Alejandro , Bruix Jordi , Reig María
Published: July 2022

Gastrointestinal adverse events (GIAEs) are common in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with sorafenib. Diarrhea is a prevalent event responsible for treatment interruptions and dosage modifications. Our study evaluates the role of baseline blood L-glutamine (L-Gln) levels in the prediction of gastrointestinal adverse events development early during treatment (eGIAE). Blood L-Gln was measured in 135 patients with advanced HCC prior to starting sorafenib. Any adverse events developed during therapy were registered in a prospective database. We used Mann–Whitney U and Fisher’s exact tests to compare quantitative or categorical variables, respectively, Kaplan–Meier method to analyze time to event variables, log-rank test for the survival functions and Cox regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HR). Fifteen per cent of patients developed eGIAE, with diarrhea as the most frequent one. Patients displaying the lowest L-Gln levels presented a significant higher risk of eGIAE, while those with the highest levels were protected from eGIAE and achieved better survival. Our study shows for the first time the association of baseline blood L-Gln levels with eGIAE development in HCC patients during sorafenib treatment. Low L-Gln concentrations might reflect a potentially compromised intestinal barrier that becomes clinically relevant early after treatment start.
Golf and Health, More than 18 Holes—A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Martín-García María del Mar , Ruiz-Real José Luis , Gázquez-Abad Juan Carlos , Uribe-Toril Juan
Published: July 2022

Despite golf’s contribution to health, scientific production related to golf and health has been relatively scarce. This work aims to investigate the state of the art on golf and health and to identify existing gaps and the principal and most notable potential future research trends, contributing to connecting the reality of the facilities dedicated to the practice of this sport and its contribution to raising awareness of the importance of sport in maintaining health. A total of 179 articles were analyzed following the steps for systematic reviews and meta-analysis protocols based on the PRISMA 2020 methodology and QUORUM, and a bibliometric analysis was carried out. Research to date has mainly focused on the benefits of golf in improving health, preventing illness, slowing down aging, or as rehabilitation and on exploring the risks and injuries involved in playing golf. The different ways of promoting participation or changing the image of golf by showing its healthy side are outlined as research trends in the coming years. There is a lack of exploration of the use of technology, the effects of the sport on certain disorders related to psychosocial factors, and further knowledge of the relationships between playing intentions and health. This research provides essential information for researchers who plan to work with golf in the future.
School Students’ Concerns and Support after One Year of COVID-19 in Austria: A Qualitative Study Using Content Analysis
Authors: Jesser Andrea , Schaffler Yvonne , Gächter Afsaneh , Dale Rachel , Humer Elke , Pieh Christoph
Published: July 2022

Adolescents suffer severely from the psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using qualitative content analysis, this study examined open-ended responses to a survey on the mental health of school students in Austria in February 2021. A representative sample (n = 214) was drawn from a total survey sample of 3052 adolescents aged 14–20. The analysis revealed several areas of concern, including school-related concerns, concerns about restrictions, self-related concerns, and interpersonal problems. School-related concerns associated with distance learning were mentioned most frequently. Compared with research conducted at the beginning of the pandemic, it appeared that concerns about educational and professional futures increased. The analysis also indicated young people’s most important sources of support, such as social contacts, recreational activities, attitudes and abilities, distraction, and escape. Of concern is the proportion of young people citing maladaptive coping strategies and the reluctance to seek professional support. Ideas for practice-oriented measures were developed from the study results, such as embedding youth-led peer interventions in traditional mental health services.
Medico-Legal Aspects of Hospital-Acquired Infections: 5-Years of Judgements of the Civil Court of Rome
Authors: Treglia Michele , Pallocci Margherita , Passalacqua Pierluigi , Sabatelli Giuseppe , De Luca Lucilla , Zanovello Claudia , Messineo Agostino , Quintavalle Giuseppe , Cisterna Alberto Michele , Marsella Luigi Tonino
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent a risk to patients’ health, as well as being an issue of worldwide relevance in terms of public health and increased healthcare costs. The occurrence of a complication causally related to the development of an infection contracted during a hospital stay, or in any event during a healthcare activity, may represent a source of liability for the healthcare facility itself and, therefore, lead to compensation for the injured patient. The aim of this research is to analyze the phenomenon of professional liability related to HAIs, to emphasize its economic and juridical aspects and, at the same time, highlight the clinical-managerial issues deserving attention, in order to guarantee the safety of care for patients. Methods: The retrospective review concerned all the judgments regarding HAIs drawn up by the Judges of the Civil Court of Rome, published between January 2016 and December 2020. Results: In the five-year period considered, 140 verdicts were issued in which the liability for which compensation was sought was related to the occurrence of healthcare-related infections. Convictions were recognized in 62.8%. The most involved branches were those related to the surgical areas: orthopedics, heart surgery, and general surgery. The three most frequently isolated organisms were Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The total amount of compensation paid was EUR 21.243.184,43. Conclusions: The study showed how the analysis of the juridical and medico legal aspects of HAIs may represent not only a helpful tool for healthcare performance assessment, but also a data source usable in clinical risk management and in the implementation of patient safety.
Water Stress Alleviation Effects of Biostimulants on Greenhouse-Grown Tomato Fruit
Authors: Fernandes Ângela , Chaski Christina , Pereira Carla , Kostić Marina , Rouphael Youssef , Soković Marina , Barros Lillian , Petropoulos Spyridon A.
Published: July 2022

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of three biostimulant products (Nomoren (N), Twin Antistress (TW), x-Stress (XS) and control treatment (C: no biostimulants added)) on the nutritional value, chemical composition and bioactive properties of greenhouse tomato fruit grown under full (W+: 100% of field capacity) and deficit irrigation (W–: 70% of field capacity) conditions. Fat content was the highest for the fully irrigated plants that received no biostimulants (CW+), while proteins and carbohydrates and energetic value were the highest in the XSW+ treatment. The content of the main detected sugars (fructose, glucose and trehalose) varied depending on the irrigation and biostimulant treatment. The highest amounts of individual and total organic acids and tocopherols were recorded in fully irrigated plants treated with Twin Antistress (TW), whereas the lowest overall values were observed under deficit irrigation for plants that received the XS treatment. The most abundant fatty acids were palmitic (27.5–36.0%) and linoleic acid (27.4–35.4%), followed by oleic (9.2–21.2%), linolenic (5.4–13.1%) and stearic acid (5.3–6.8%). Moreover, the highest values of β-carotene and lycopene were recorded for the CW- and NW+ treatments, respectively. The TWW+ showed the highest antioxidant activity for both assays tested (TBARS and OxHLIA). Most of the tested extracts showed lower antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria compared to the positive controls. On the other hand, CW+, XSW+ and XSW- treatments showed higher antifungal activity (MIC values) than positive controls. In conclusion, each biostimulant product had a different effect on the determined characteristics depending on the level of irrigation. Therefore, more research is needed to better identify the mechanisms of action and the physiological processes, after which the tested biostimulants may be used to standardize the application of such products in tomato cultivation.
Evaluation of Proline-Coated Chitosan Nanoparticles on Decay Control and Quality Preservation of Strawberry Fruit (cv. Camarosa) during Cold Storage
Authors: Bahmani Reza , Razavi Farhang , Mortazavi Seyed Najmmaddin , Gohari Gholamreza , Juárez-Maldonado Antonio
Published: July 2022

Edible coatings are an appropriate way to preserve the quality of horticultural crops and reduce post-harvest losses. In this study, treatments with proline (Pro), chitosan (CTS) and proline-coated chitosan nanoparticles (CTS-Pro NPs) to maintain quality and reduce the decay of strawberry fruit were examined during storage at 4 °C for 12 days. The strawberries were treated with Pro 1 and 5 mM, CTS at 0.1% (w/v), CTS-Pro NPs at 0.1% (w/v) and distilled water (control) at 20 °C for 5 min. Following 3, 6, 9 and 12 days of cold storage, the fruits were removed from refrigeration, and some traits were evaluated one day after storage under shelf-life conditions. The results indicated that the fruit coated with CTS and CTS-Pro NPs showed reduced malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide content and less decay and weight loss compared to control and proline. CTS-Pro NPs also preserved fruit quality by conserving higher levels of ascorbic acid, total soluble solids, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity and enzymes. These results confirmed the benefit of using chitosan and CTS-Pro NP coatings to maintain fruit quality and increase the shelf life of strawberries by enhancing their antioxidant system and their ability to eliminate free radicals under cold storage.
The Impact of Aqueous Extracts of Verbesina sphaerocephala and Verbesina fastigiata on Germination and Growth in Solanum lycopersicum and Cucumis sativus Seedlings
Authors: Velasco-Ramírez Ana Paulina , Velasco-Ramírez Alejandro , Hernández-Herrera Rosalba Mireya , Ceja-Esquivez Jesus , Velasco-Ramírez Sandra Fabiola , Ramírez-Anguiano Ana Cristina , Torres-Morán Martha Isabel
Published: July 2022

The use of extracts derived from different plants has gained popularity as an alternative option to manage weeds and support phenological development in plants. One of the main problems facing agricultural production is the intensive application of chemical fertilizers that harm the environment. This study investigated the biostimulant effects of the aqueous extracts of Verbesinasphaerocephala and Verbesinafastigiata on the germination and growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and American cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings. The aqueous extracts of both species of Verbesina were tested at concentrations of 0.5 and 1%. Seed germination and seedling development under nursery conditions were evaluated. The seed germination percentage was reduced in all treatments with the extracts of both Verbesina species when compared to that of the control treatment, which was considered an allelopathic effect. However, seedling growth in pots showed different behavior, with the extracts beneficially affecting certain agronomic variables, such as root and leaf length. The results suggest potential uses for V. sphaerocephala and V. fastigiata extracts, although a greater range of action may be experienced through the effects of certain molecules on weed growth. Additional studies with chemical approaches are necessary to better direct the uses and applications of Verbesina biomolecules, as they also functioned as growth promoters.