bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychological Distress and COVID-19 Related Anxiety among Malaysian Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Abdul Latif Nurul Ilani , Mohamed Ismail Nor Azlin , Loh Sweet Yi Esther , Nur Azurah Abdul Ghani , Midin Marhani , Shah Shamsul Azhar , Kalok Aida
Published: April 2022

The combination of COVID-19 outbreaks and nationwide lockdown led to an increased prevalence of psychological distress among the population, especially women, as they have to cope with greater family and work demands. We aimed to identify the factors contributing to psychological distress among Malaysian women during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2020 and April 2021, in a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among women, which consisted of (1) Participant’s demographics, (2) COVID-19 knowledge and awareness, (3) Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and (4) COVID-19-related anxiety. Chi-square test and univariate analysis were performed to determine the significant factors associated with psychological distress. The mean scores for knowledge, COVID-19 anxiety, and DASS-21 subcomponents were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. A total of three hundred and thirty-eight women completed the survey. The majority of respondents demonstrated adequate knowledge (95.6%) on COVID-19. The proportion of our women who reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were 17.2%, 25.1%, and 0.9%, respectively, resulting in a prevalence of psychological distress of 27.8%. Low education level (p = 0.017), unemployment (p = 0.028), loss of income (p = 0.033), and hospital admission for surgical procedures (p = 0.021) were significantly associated with a higher psychological burden. A greater level of COVID-19 anxiety was found among Malays (p = 0.027), pregnant women (p = 0.013), and those who suffered a loss of income (p = 0.038) during this pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative effect on women’s psychological wellbeing, especially those from the lower socio-economic background. Therefore, adequate information, as well as support, must be provided to the vulnerable groups during the ongoing pandemic, to lessen their psychological burden.
Effects of a 12-Week Detraining Period on Physical Capacity, Power and Speed in Elite Swimmers
Authors: Głyk Wojciech , Hołub Maciej , Karpiński Jakub , Rejdych Wojciech , Sadowski Wojciech , Trybus Alina , Baron Jakub , Rydzik Łukasz , Ambroży Tadeusz , Stanula Arkadiusz
Published: April 2022

This study aims to evaluate the effects of a prolonged transition period (detraining) on the physical capacity, power, and speed parameters of elite swimmers. Fourteen swimmers (seven females and seven males) aged 20.4 ± 1.7 years participated in the study. The athletes were subjected to two rounds of identical tests at 12-week intervals during the detraining period (DP), which consisted of an evaluation of the athletes’ body weight and composition, a measurement of the power of their lower limbs (Keiser squat, countermovement jump (CMJ), akimbo countermovement jump (ACMJ)) and upper limbs (Keiser arms) on land, and 20-m swimming using the legs only (Crawl Legs test), arms only (Crawl Arms test), and full stroke (Front Crawl test). An analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of the main factor, Gender, on all the measured parameters, while for the factor Detraining, except for Front Crawl (W) (F = 4.27, p = 0.061), no significant interaction effect (Gender × Detraining) was revealed. Among both the male and the female participants, a reduction in lactate-threshold swimming speed (LT Dmax) and a reduction in swimming speed and power on the Crawl Arms, Crawl Legs, and Front Crawl tests was observed after 12 weeks. There were also statistically significant reductions in ACMJ and CMJ jump height and upper-limb power (Keiser squat) among the female and male swimmers. There were no significant changes in body weight or body composition. The study showed a clear deterioration in results for most of the parameters, both for those measured on land and for those measured in water.
Different Effects of 12-Week Speed or Accuracy Training on Obstacle-Crossing Foot Motion in Healthy Elderly
Authors: Maeda Yusuke , Sudo Daisuke , Shimotori Daiki
Published: April 2022

Preventing falls is important in the elderly. One reason for falling is tripping or stumbling; hence, it is important to improve the crossing motion. This study aimed to compare speed- and accuracy-oriented crossing training and establish a useful training method. To investigate the effects of crossing motion training, we conducted a randomized controlled trial. Twenty healthy elderly individuals (aged 71.7 ± 1.5 years) were randomly assigned to two groups: speed training and accuracy training groups. They practiced initiating their crossing motion faster or more accurately for 12 weeks. Using a three-dimensional motion analysis system, the data on the crossing motion was captured before and after the training period. We set four conditions (normal speed, fast, leaning stance, and leaning stance and fast) and two directions (anterior and lateral) to analyze the crossing motion. The crossing motion of the speed training group became significantly faster compared to baseline (p < 0.05); however, the accuracy of the crossing motion of the accuracy training group was not statistically significant. Speed training in this study had clear effects on crossing motion. It is surprising that crossing motion training from a normal upright stance can also improve swing speed from the leaning stance. We believe that this training is easy and useful in the elderly population.
Hair Sample Analysis as a Method of Monitoring Exposure to Bisphenol A in Dogs
Authors: Makowska Krystyna , Martín Julia , Rychlik Andrzej , Aparicio Irene , Santos Juan Luis , Alonso Esteban , Gonkowski Sławomir
Published: April 2022

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an organic substance widely used in the plastics industry. It penetrates food and environment and, as an endocrine disruptor, has detrimental effects on human organisms. Pet animals, which live in the immediate vicinity of humans, are also exposed to BPA; however, knowledge regarding the exposure of dogs to this substance is extremely scarce. This is the first study in which hair analysis has been used to biomonitor BPA in 30 dogs using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry techniques. The presence of BPA in concentration levels above the method detection limit (1.25 ng/g) was noted in 93.33% of samples. BPA concentration levels were found to range from 7.05 ng/g to 436 ng/g (mean 81.30 ng/g). Statistically significant differences in BPA concentration levels were found between animals with physiological weight and animals with abnormal weight (skinny and obese). In turn, differences between males and females, as well as between young, middle-aged and old dogs, were not statistically significant. The obtained results have clearly shown that hair analysis is a useful method to evaluate the exposure of dogs to BPA. This study also confirmed that dogs are exposed to BPA to a large extent, and this substance may play a role as a pathological factor in this animal species. However, many aspects connected to the influence of BPA on canine health status are unclear and need further study.
A Possible Link between the Environment and Cryptococcus gattii Nasal Colonisation in Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in the Liverpool Plains, New South Wales
Authors: Kan Alex , Schmertmann Laura J. , McArthur Clare , Mella Valentina S. A. , Crowther Mathew S. , Miranda Luisa , Malik Richard , Meyer Wieland , Krockenberger Mark B.
Published: April 2022

Cryptococcosis caused by yeasts of the Cryptococcus gattii species complex is an increasingly important mycological disease in humans and other mammals. In Australia, cases of C. gattii-related cryptococcosis are more prevalent in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) compared to humans and other animals, likely due to the close association that both C. gattii and koalas have with Eucalyptus species. This provides a cogent opportunity to investigate the epidemiology of spontaneous C. gattii infections in a free-living mammalian host, thereby offering insights into similar infections in humans. This study aimed to establish a link between nasal colonisation by C. gattii in free-ranging koalas and the tree hollows of Eucalyptus species, the key environmental source of the pathogen. We (i) detected and genotyped C. gattii from nine out of 169 free-ranging koalas and representative tree hollows within their home range in the Liverpool Plains, New South Wales, and (ii) examined potential environmental predictors of nasal colonisation in koalas and the presence of C. gattii in tree hollows. Phylogenetic analyses based on multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) revealed that the koalas were most likely colonised by the most abundant C. gattii genotypes found in the Eucalyptus species, or closely related genotypes. Importantly, the likelihood of the presence of C. gattii in tree hollows was correlated with increasing hollow size.
Spatial Convergence of Carbon Productivity: Theoretical Analysis and Chinese Experience
Authors: Sun Meng , Zhang Yue , Hu Yaqi , Zhang Jiayi
Published: April 2022

Based on the neoclassical framework, we propose the convergence hypothesis of carbon productivity under sustainable growth and prove the different effects of knowledge spillover and technology diffusion on convergence. The convergence hypothesis is tested using China’s provincial spatial dynamic panel data from 1995 to 2019. The results show that China’s provincial carbon productivity has conditional convergence and club convergence characteristics. The convergence speed of dynamic panel regression estimation is greater than that of cross-sectional regression. The convergence rate of dynamic spatial panel regression estimation is faster depending on the spatial spillover difference between the two technologies. In the early stage, the provincial spatial dependence of China’s carbon productivity is mainly knowledge spillover, and the convergence rate is lower than that of the closed economy. Over the past decade, the spatial spillover, dominated by low-carbon technology diffusion, has become the dominant force. The convergence rate is significantly faster than that of a non-spatial-dependent economy. In addition, the mechanism test found that the development of energy efficiency dominates the spatial transfer of technology, so the overall convergence of carbon productivity in China mainly comes from the apparent convergence of energy efficiency in provinces and cities. Our conclusion provides a new reference for the emission reduction actions of countries worldwide because the spatial knowledge spillover carried by capital flows is not conducive to the pursuit of carbon productivity in less developed regions. On the contrary, the dissemination and diffusion of low-carbon technologies can significantly reduce carbon equivalent input in the production process, accelerating the pursuit of developing countries or regions.
Nutrition-Related Information on Alcoholic Beverages in Victoria, Australia, 2021
Authors: Barons Katerina Penelope , Mann Davina , Orellana Liliana , Miller Mia , Pettigrew Simone , Sacks Gary
Published: April 2022

Alcoholic beverages sold in Australia are largely exempt from requirements to display nutrition information on packages, unlike other food and beverages. However, alcoholic beverage manufacturers can provide nutrition-related information voluntarily. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of nutrition-related information on packaged alcoholic beverages in Australia. An in-store audit of the largest alcohol retailer in Melbourne, Australia was conducted in July 2021. A systematic sampling method was used to assess the presence and format of nutrition information on 850 alcoholic beverages across 5 alcohol categories (wine (n = 200), beer (n = 200), spirits (n = 200), ready-to-drink beverages (n = 140) and ciders (n = 110)). Most products (n = 682, 80.2%) did not present nutrition-related information. Where information was presented (n = 168), it was most frequently on ready-to-drink beverages (n = 81, 57.9%) and least frequently on spirits (n = 9, 4.5%) and wines (n = 9, 4.5%). Nutrition information was most frequently in the format of a nutrition information panel (n = 150, 89.3%) and approximately half of labelled beverages (n = 86, 51.2%) included a nutrition content claim (e.g., ‘low in carbs’). Given limited voluntary implementation of nutrition labelling on alcoholic beverages in Australia and the substantial contribution of alcoholic beverages to energy intake, consideration of mandatory nutrition labelling, in a standardised format designed to maximise public health benefit, on alcoholic beverages is warranted.
Influence of COVID-19 Crisis on Motivation and Hiking Intention of Gen Z in China: Perceived Risk and Coping Appraisal as Moderators
Authors: Wu Yunfan , Kinoshita Keita , Zhang Yi , Kagami Rena , Sato Shintaro
Published: April 2022

People’s lives have drastically changed since the outbreak of COVID-19. One concern during the pandemic has been the level of inactivity among people. Compared to various generations (e.g., baby boomers, generation alpha), Generation Z (Gen Z) traditionally spends much less time in outdoor spaces. Due to the pandemic, their inactiveness is assumed to be even more severe. Hiking, an outdoor activity, has become a possible remedy for young people to exercise in a safer sport environment compared to traditional facility-based activities. Although various studies have supported the link between motivations and hiking intention, the relationship may be altered based on psychological influences unique to the pandemic situations—perceived risk and coping appraisals. The current study was conducted to investigate the relationship between Gen Z’s motivations and hiking intention and moderating roles of perceived risk and coping appraisals in a pandemic environment. Data were collected from Gen Z between 18 and 24 in China (N = 407). The validity and reliability of all the constructs were assessed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), average variance extracted (AVE), and composite reliability. For testing hypotheses, PROCESS Macro 4.0 was used. The findings proposed that the appraisals of the pandemic situation (i.e., perceived risk and coping ability) moderated the relationship between two of the motivations—intellectual and destination motivations—and hiking intention. As a result, organizers of outdoor sports programs can implement viable strategies and take valid measurements to minimize the fear and worries among people in the time of the crisis.
Therapeutic Patient Education for Fibromyalgia during Spa Therapy: The FiETT Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ducamp Philippe , Sichère Patrick , Gayum Hermine , Dubourg Karine , Roques Christian-François , Journot Valérie
Published: April 2022

Spa therapy is known to improve quality of life and diminish pain. We assessed the efficacy (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-FIQ) and safety at 6 months of a fibromyalgia-specific therapeutic patient education (TPE) program added to fibromyalgia-specific standardized spa therapy (SST), compared to SST alone, in a controlled randomized trial. We enrolled 157 patients, mostly women, attending spa centers in Southwest France in 2015–2016, and randomized them to SST + TPE (79) or SST (78). The intention-to-treat with “missing as failure” analysis showed a tendency toward a higher, though non-significant, benefit with TPE than without for FIQ (−9 vs. −3; p = 0.053) or pain intensity (−0.9 vs. −1.1; p = 0.58). In addition, pain relief (+3.2 vs. +4.3; p = 0.03) and fatigue (−1.6 vs. −3.7; p = 0.02) were significantly improved, and 87% patients in the SST + TPE arm still regularly practiced the physical exercises taught to them at 6 months. We suspect significant and lasting improvement from spa therapy, as well as our already well-informed and well-managed participants, to have prevented the demonstration of a significant benefit of TPE on FIQ.
Socio-Economic Drivers of Renewable Energy: Empirical Evidence from BRICS
Authors: Mehmood Usman , Agyekum Ephraim Bonah , Tariq Salman , Ul Haq Zia , Uhunamure Solomon Eghosa , Edokpayi Joshua Nosa , Azhar Ayesha
Published: April 2022

There is a need to implement efficient strategies to mitigate the challenges of climate change and income inequalities in developing countries. Several studies have been conducted to address the relationship among different econometric and environmental indicators of renewable energy (RE) but overlooked the relationship between RE and income inequalities. This study investigates the influence of the distribution of income on the RE in Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa (BRICS) between 1988 and 2017. The econometric (economic growth and trade), environmental, and institutional parameters are also integrated into the model. The outcomes reveal that reduced inequality in income distribution increases the consumption of RE. In contrast, CO2 emissions have a positive correlation with RE. The governments should implement environmentally friendly policies and increase the consumption of renewable energy in the future with regards to reducing environmental pollution. Furthermore, findings from the study indicate a positive effect on the reduction of corruption in renewable energy. This shows that institutional quality can affect the uptake of renewable energy. The study further identified that growth in a country’s economy decreases RE consumption, suggesting that these countries prefer fossil fuels to gain economic growth. The Granger causality results show that a bidirectional causality exists between income inequality and RE consumption. Bidirectional causality is observed between income distribution and CO2 emissions. The results from this study are important for policymakers to achieve sustainable development because fair income distribution and environmental quality are considered as two key factors for sustainable development. Strong institutions and control on corruption can bring sound social and economic gains. Therefore, fair distribution of income and strong institutional policies can increase RE consumption to achieve a clean environment.
Monitoring and Measurement in Child and Adolescent Mental Health: It’s about More than Just Symptoms
Authors: Jacob Jenna , Edbrooke-Childs Julian
Published: April 2022

Routine outcome monitoring (ROM) provides information to practitioners and others providing healthcare support to demonstrate the impact of interventions and for service evaluation [...]
Developing and Evaluating Newsletters for Parent Engagement in Sustainability via Active Garden Education (SAGE)
Authors: Vi Vinny , Suh Bin C. , Lorenzo Elizabeth , Martinelli Sarah , Arriola Anel , Lee Rebecca E.
Published: April 2022

Physical activity and nutrition preschool programming must involve parents in positive long-term healthy habits. This paper describes parent outreach in the Sustainability via Active Garden Education (SAGE) study. Newsletters were sent home with children to promote family opportunities to increase physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake. The content was generated via a community advisory board participatory process. Messages linked SAGE curriculum topics with home and community activities. Parents rated frequency of receipt, helpfulness, satisfaction, and use of content. Most participants were Hispanic (>78%) and women (>95%). Most reported receiving newsletters; nearly all reported that they were helpful. Favorite newsletter components included recipes, pictures of their children and seasonal produce spotlights. Most reported doing physical activities from the newsletters (51.9%). Few reported doing featured physical activity (8.9%) and fruit and vegetable (12.7%) community activities. Newsletter outreach methods are a simple strategy to add value to preschool-based interventions promoting healthy families.
A Rare Complication during Vaginal Delivery, Hamman’s Syndrome: A Case Report and Systematic Review of Case Reports
Authors: La Verde Marco , Palmisano Adriano , Iavarone Irene , Ronsini Carlo , Labriola Domenico , Cianci Stefano , Schettino Ferdinando , Reginelli Alfonso , Riemma Gaetano , De Franciscis Pasquale
Published: April 2022

Background: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) during pregnancy or labor is a rare event. We presented a case report and a systematic review of the literature to provide comprehensive symptoms, treatments, and complications analysis in the pregnant population affected by SPM. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of four databases for published papers in all languages from the beginning to 1 September 2021; Results: We included 76 papers with a total of 80 patients. A total of 76% patients were young primiparous, with a median age of 24 ± 5.4 years. The median gestational age was 40 ± 2.4 weeks, with a median duration of labor of 7.4 ± 4.2 h. In 86%, the ethnic origin was not specified. SPM develops in 55% of cases during the second stage of labor. Subcutaneous swelling and subcutaneous emphysema were present in 91.4%. Chest pain and dyspnea were present in 51.4% and 50% of the patients, respectively. We found that 32.9% patients had crepitus, and less common symptoms were dysphonia and tachycardia (14.3% and 14.3%, respectively). Oxygen and bronchodilators were used in 37.7% of the cases. Analgesics or sedatives were administered in 27.1%. Conservative management or the observation was performed in 21.4% and 28.6%, respectively. Antibiotics treatment was offered in 14.3%, whereas invasive procedures such as chest-tube drainage were used in just 5.7% of patients. There were no complications documented in most SPM (70.0%). We found that 16.7% of the SPM developed a pneumothorax and 5% developed a pneumopericardium.; Conclusions: In pregnancy, SPM occurs as subcutaneous swelling or emphysema during the second stage of labor. The treatment is usually conservative, with oxygen and bronchodilators and a low sequela rate. A universal consensus on therapy of spontaneous pneumomediastinum in pregnancy is necessary to reduce the risk of complications.
Social Media Addiction during COVID-19-Mandated Physical Distancing: Relatedness Needs as Motives
Authors: Cheng Cecilia , Lau Yan-Ching
Published: April 2022

In the early stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, national lockdowns and stay-at-home orders were implemented by many countries to curb the rate of infection. An extended stay-at-home period can frustrate people’s need for relatedness, with many turning to social media to interact with others in the outside world. However, social media use may be maladaptive due to its associations with social media addiction and psychosocial problems. Our study was set at this special context to examine the associations among social media addiction, two aspects of relatedness needs (i.e., satisfaction and frustration), and two prominent psychosocial problems (i.e., depressive symptoms and loneliness). The participants were 1048 residents of the U.K. or U.S. (46% men, mean age = 44.10 years, SD = 12.59, age range: 18–65). The results indicated significant positive associations between relatedness need frustration and social media addiction as well as significant positive associations between social media addiction and the two types of psychosocial problems. More importantly, both of these significant associations were strong enough to partially explain the significant positive associations between relatedness need frustration and the two types of psychosocial problems. These findings provided some support for relatedness need frustration as a motivation of social media addiction.
Metric Rectification of Spherical Images
Authors: Barazzetti Luigi
Published: April 2022

This paper describes a method for metric recording based on spherical images, which are rectified to document planar surfaces. The proposed method is a multistep workflow in which multiple rectilinear images are (i) extracted from a single spherical projection and (ii) used to recover metric properties. The workflow is suitable for documenting buildings with small and narrow rooms, i.e., documentation projects where the acquisition of 360 images is faster than the traditional acquisition of several photographs. Two different rectification procedures were integrated into the current implementation: (i) an analytical method based on control points and (ii) a geometric procedure based on two sets of parallel lines. Constraints based on line parallelism can be coupled with the focal length of the rectified image to estimate the rectifying transformation. The calculation of the focal length does not require specific calibrations projects. It can be derived from the spherical image used during the documentation project, obtaining a rectified image with just an overall scale ambiguity. Examples and accuracy evaluation are illustrated and discussed to show the pros and cons of the proposed method.
Quantification of Spatial Association between Commercial and Residential Spaces in Beijing Using Urban Big Data
Authors: Zhou Lei , Liu Ming , Zheng Zhenlong , Wang Wei
Published: April 2022

Commercial and residential spaces are two core types of geographical objects in urban areas. However, these two types of spaces are not independent of each other. Spatial associations exist between them, and a thorough understanding of this spatial association is of great significance for improving the efficiency of urban spatial allocation and realizing scientific spatial planning and governance. Thus, in this paper, the spatial association between commercial and residential spaces in Beijing is quantified with GIS spatial analysis of the average nearest neighbor distance, kernel density, spatial correlation, and honeycomb grid analysis. Point-of-interest (POI) big data of the commercial and residential spaces is used in the quantification since this big data represents a comprehensive sampling of these two spaces. The results show that the spatial distributions of commercial and residential spaces are highly correlated, maintaining a relatively close consumption spatial association. However, the degrees of association between different commercial formats and residential spaces vary, presenting the spatial association characteristics of “integration of daily consumption and separation of nondaily consumption”. The commercial formats of catering services, recreation and leisure services, specialty stores, and agricultural markets are strongly associated with the residential spaces. However, the development of frequently used commercial formats of daily consumption such as living services, convenience stores, and supermarkets appears to lag behind the development of residential spaces. In addition, large-scale comprehensive and specialized commercial formats such as shopping malls, home appliances and electronics stores, and home building materials markets are lagging behind the residential spaces over a wide range. This paper is expected to provide development suggestions for the transformation of urban commercial and residential spaces and the construction of “people-oriented” smart cities.
Bibliometric Analysis of OGC Specifications between 1994 and 2020 Based on Web of Science (WoS)
Authors: Huang Mingrui , Fan Xiangtao , Jian Hongdeng , Zhang Hongyue , Guo Liying , Di Liping
Published: April 2022

The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is an international non-profit standards organization. Established in 1994, OGC aims to make geospatial information and services FAIR-Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. OGC specifications have greatly facilitated interoperability among software, hardware, data, and users in the GIS field. This study collected publications related to OGC specifications from the Web of Science (WoS database) between 1994 to 2020 and conducted a literature analysis using Derwent Data Analyzer and VosViewer, finding that OGC specifications have been widely applied in academic fields. The most productive organizations were Wuhan University and George Mason University; the most common keywords were interoperability, data, and web service. Since 2018, the emerging keywords that have attracted much attention from researchers were 3D city models, 3D modeling, and smart cities. To make geospatial data FAIR, the OGC specifications SWE and WMS served more for “Findable”, SWE contributed more to “Accessible”, WPS and WCS served more for “Interoperable”, and WPS, XML schemas, WFS, and WMS served more for “Reusable”. The OGC specification also serves data and web services for large-scale infrastructure such as the Digital Earth Platform of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Remodeling and Fibrosis of the Cardiac Muscle in the Course of Obesity—Pathogenesis and Involvement of the Extracellular Matrix
Authors: Kruszewska Jagoda , Cudnoch-Jedrzejewska Agnieszka , Czarzasta Katarzyna
Published: April 2022

Obesity is a growing epidemiological problem, as two-thirds of the adult population are carrying excess weight. It is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarct, and atrial fibrillation). It has also been shown that chronic obesity in people may be a cause for the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), whose components include cellular hypertrophy, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, and increased extracellular collagen deposition. Several animal models with induced obesity, via the administration of a high-fat diet, also developed increased heart fibrosis as a result of extracellular collagen accumulation. Excessive collagen deposition in the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the course of obesity may increase the stiffness of the myocardium and thereby deteriorate the heart diastolic function and facilitate the occurrence of HFpEF. In this review, we include a rationale for that process, including a discussion about possible putative factors (such as increased renin–angiotensin–aldosterone activity, sympathetic overdrive, hemodynamic alterations, hypoadiponectinemia, hyperleptinemia, and concomitant heart diseases). To address the topic clearly, we include a description of the fundamentals of ECM turnover, as well as a summary of studies assessing collagen deposition in obese individuals.
Regenerative Medicine: Role of Stem Cells and Innovative Biomaterials 2.0
Authors: Tatullo Marco , Piattelli Adriano , Zavan Barbara
Published: April 2022

Regenerative medicine has constantly increased its field of influence over the last few years [...]
Slc38a9 Deficiency Induces Apoptosis and Metabolic Dysregulation and Leads to Premature Death in Zebrafish
Authors: Wu Xiya , Chen Jianyang , Liu Chengdong , Wang Xuan , Zhou Huihui , Mai Kangsen , He Gen
Published: April 2022

Eukaryotic cells control nutritional homeostasis and determine cell metabolic fate through a series of nutrient transporters and metabolic regulation pathways. Lysosomal localized amino acid transporter member 9 of the solute carrier family 38 (SLC38A9) regulates essential amino acids’ efflux from lysosomes in an arginine-regulated fashion. To better understand the physiological role of SLC38A9, we first described the spatiotemporal expression pattern of the slc38a9 gene in zebrafish. A quarter of slc38a9−/− mutant embryos developed pericardial edema and died prematurely, while the remaining mutants were viable and grew normally. By profiling the transcriptome of the abnormally developed embryos using RNA-seq, we identified increased apoptosis, dysregulated amino acid metabolism, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis disorders that occurred in slc38a9−/− mutant fish. slc38a9 deficiency increased whole-body free amino acid and lactate levels but reduced glucose and pyruvate levels. The change of glycolysis-related metabolites in viable slc38a9−/− mutant fish was ameliorated. Moreover, loss of slc38a9 resulted in a significant reduction in hypoxia-inducible gene expression and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (Hif1α) protein levels. These results improved our understanding of the physiological functions of SLC38A9 and revealed its indispensable role in embryonic development, metabolic regulation, and stress adaption.
The Importance of a Genome-Wide Association Analysis in the Study of Alternative Splicing Mutations in Plants with a Special Focus on Maize
Authors: Jia Zi-Chang , Yang Xue , Hou Xuan-Xuan , Nie Yong-Xin , Wu Jian
Published: April 2022

Alternative splicing is an important mechanism for regulating gene expressions at the post-transcriptional level. In eukaryotes, the genes are transcribed in the nucleus to produce pre-mRNAs and alternative splicing can splice a pre-mRNA to eventually form multiple different mature mRNAs, greatly increasing the number of genes and protein diversity. Alternative splicing is involved in the regulation of various plant life activities, especially the response of plants to abiotic stresses and is also an important process of plant growth and development. This review aims to clarify the usefulness of a genome-wide association analysis in the study of alternatively spliced variants by summarizing the application of alternative splicing, genome-wide association analyses and genome-wide association analyses in alternative splicing, as well as summarizing the related research progress.
Role of Drosophila in Human Disease Research 2.0
Authors: Yamaguchi Masamitsu , Yamamoto Shinya
Published: April 2022

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a highly tractable animal model to study various human diseases [...]
Dietary Choline Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Hepatic Lipid Dysregulation via UPRmt Modulated by SIRT3-Mediated mtHSP70 Deacetylation
Authors: Song Yu-Feng , Zheng Hua , Luo Zhi , Hogstrand Christer , Bai Zhen-Yu , Wei Xiao-Lei
Published: April 2022

The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is known as a conservative mechanism in response to mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, based on UPRmt, this study was conducted to determine the mechanism of a high-fat diet (HFD) inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and its role in stimulating hepatic lipid dysregulation. The choline-activated alleviating effect was also evaluated. In vivo, yellow catfish were fed three diets (control, HFD, and HFD + choline diet) for 10 weeks. In vitro, hepatocytes isolated from yellow catfish and the HepG2 cell line were cultured and incubated with fatty acid (FA) for 48 h. (1) HFD-induced mitochondrial dysfunction via SIRT3/mtHSP70-mediated UPRmt. HFD inhibited the subcellular localization of SIRT3 into the mitochondrion, resulting in the up-regulating of mtHSP70 acetylation via lysine residues 493 and 507. The mtHSP70 acetylation promoted the stability of mtHSP70, which then led to the UPRmt and further mitochondrial dysfunction. (2) SIRT3/mtHSP70-mediated UPRmt regulated HFD/FA-induced hepatic lipid dysregulation. SIRT3/mtHSP70-mediated UPRmt reduced FA ß-oxidation via mitochondrial dysfunction and then led to lipid dysregulation. Additionally, the mtHSP70–ACOX1 interaction was confirmed. (3) Choline alleviated HFD-induced UPRmt via up-regulating the localization of SIRT3 into the mitochondrion, which in turn led to the subsequent ameliorating effect on HFD-induced hepatic lipid dysregulation. Through SIRT3-mediated mtHSP70 deacetylation, dietary choline alleviates HFD-induced hepatic lipid dysregulation via UPRmt. This provides the first proof of acetylation regulating UPRmt and the crosstalk between UPRmt and FA ß-oxidation.
Supramolecular Hydrogen Bonding Assembly from Non-Coplanar Aromatic Tetra-1H-Pyrazoles with Crystallization-Induced Emission (CIE)
Authors: Wang Ji , Zhao Li-Rong , Tong Jin , Yu Yan-Min , Wang Xia-Yan , Yu Shu-Yan
Published: April 2022

Here, we report a design strategy for constructing supramolecular organic frameworks by introducing 1H-pyrazole groups to aromatic cores as non-coplanar molecules to form diverse supramolecular assemblies through multiple 1H-pyrazole [N−H···N] hydrogen bonds as well as other weak interactions. The new supramolecular organic frameworks displayed interesting crystallization-induced emission (CIE) behavior.
Regulatory Processes of the Canonical Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway and Photobiomodulation in Diabetic Wound Repair
Authors: Jere Sandy Winfield , Houreld Nicolette Nadene
Published: April 2022

Skin is a biological system composed of different types of cells within a firmly structured extracellular matrix and is exposed to various external and internal insults that can break its configuration. The restoration of skin’s anatomic continuity and function following injury is a multifaceted, dynamic, well-coordinated process that is highly dependent on signalling pathways, including the canonical Wnt/β catenin pathway, all aimed at restoring the skin’s protective barrier. Compromised and inappropriate tissue restoration processes are often the source of wound chronicity. Diabetic patients have a high risk of developing major impediments including wound contamination and limb amputation due to chronic, non-healing wounds. Photobiomodulation (PBM) involves the application of low-powered light at specific wavelengths to influence different biological activities that incite and quicken tissue restoration. PBM has been shown to modulate cellular behaviour through a variety of signal transduction pathways, including the Wnt/β catenin pathway; however, the role of Wnt/β catenin in chronic wound healing in response to PBM has not been fully defined. This review largely focuses on the role of key signalling pathways in human skin wound repair, specifically, the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and the effects of PBM on chronic wound healing.
The Morpho-Molecular Landscape of Spitz Neoplasms
Authors: Dal Pozzo Carlo Alberto , Cappellesso Rocco
Published: April 2022

Spitz neoplasms are a heterogeneous group of melanocytic proliferations with a great variability in the histological characteristics and in the biological behavior. Thanks to recent discoveries, the morpho-molecular landscape of Spitz lineage is becoming clearer, with the identification of subtypes with recurrent features thus providing the basis for a more solid and precise tumor classification. Indeed, specific mutually exclusive driver molecular events, namely HRAS or MAP2K1 mutations, copy number gains of 11p, and fusions involving ALK, ROS, NTRK1, NTRK2, NTRK3, MET, RET, MAP3K8, and BRAF genes, correlate with distinctive histological features. The accumulation of further molecular aberrations, instead, promotes the increasing malignant transformation of Spitz neoplasms. Thus, the detection of a driver genetic alteration can be achieved using the appropriate diagnostic tests chosen according to the histological characteristics of the lesion. This allows the recognition of subtypes with aggressive behavior requiring further molecular investigations. This review provides an update on the morpho-molecular correlations in Spitz neoplasms.
Bioinformatics of Differentially Expressed Genes in Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate-Induced Megakaryocytic Differentiation of K562 Cells by Microarray Analysis
Authors: Lee Seung-Hoon , Park Na Rae , Kim Jung-Eun
Published: April 2022

Megakaryocytes are large hematopoietic cells present in the bone marrow cavity, comprising less than 0.1% of all bone marrow cells. Despite their small number, megakaryocytes play important roles in blood coagulation, inflammatory responses, and platelet production. However, little is known about changes in gene expression during megakaryocyte maturation. Here we identified the genes whose expression was changed during K562 leukemia cell differentiation into megakaryocytes using an Affymetrix GeneChip microarray to determine the multifunctionality of megakaryocytes. K562 cells were differentiated into mature megakaryocytes by treatment for 7 days with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, and a microarray was performed using RNA obtained from both types of cells. The expression of 44,629 genes was compared between K562 cells and mature megakaryocytes, and 954 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were selected based on a p-value < 0.05 and a fold change >2. The DEGs was further functionally classified using five major megakaryocyte function-associated clusters—inflammatory response, angiogenesis, cell migration, extracellular matrix, and secretion. Furthermore, interaction analysis based on the STRING database was used to generate interactions between the proteins translated from the DEGs. This study provides information on the bioinformatics of the DEGs in mature megakaryocytes after K562 cell differentiation.
MIF1 and MIF2 Myostatin Peptide Inhibitors as Potent Muscle Mass Regulators
Authors: Lee Eun Ju , Shaikh Sibhghatulla , Baig Mohammad Hassan , Park So-Young , Lim Jeong Ho , Ahmad Syed Sayeed , Ali Shahid , Ahmad Khurshid , Choi Inho
Published: April 2022

The use of peptides as drugs has progressed over time and continues to evolve as treatment paradigms change and new drugs are developed. Myostatin (MSTN) inhibition therapy has shown great promise for the treatment of muscle wasting diseases. Here, we report the MSTN-derived novel peptides MIF1 (10-mer) and MIF2 (10-mer) not only enhance myogenesis by inhibiting MSTN and inducing myogenic-related markers but also reduce adipogenic proliferation and differentiation by suppressing the expression of adipogenic markers. MIF1 and MIF2 were designed based on in silico interaction studies between MSTN and its receptor, activin type IIB receptor (ACVRIIB), and fibromodulin (FMOD). Of the different modifications of MIF1 and MIF2 examined, Ac-MIF1 and Ac-MIF2-NH2 significantly enhanced cell proliferation and differentiation as compared with non-modified peptides. Mice pretreated with Ac-MIF1 or Ac-MIF2-NH2 prior to cardiotoxin-induced muscle injury showed more muscle regeneration than non-pretreated controls, which was attributed to the induction of myogenic genes and reduced MSTN expression. These findings imply that Ac-MIF1 and Ac-MIF2-NH2 might be valuable therapeutic agents for the treatment of muscle-related diseases.
Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the WRKY Gene Family in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi under Diverse Abiotic Stress
Authors: Zhang Caijuan , Wang Wentao , Wang Donghao , Hu Suying , Zhang Qian , Wang Zhezhi , Cui Langjun
Published: April 2022

The WRKY gene family is an important inducible regulatory factor in plants, which has been extensively studied in many model plants. It has progressively become the focus of investigation for the secondary metabolites of medicinal plants. Currently, there is no systematic analysis of the WRKY gene family in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. For this study, a systematic and comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of the WRKY gene family was conducted based on the genomic data of S. baicalensis. A total of 77 WRKY members were identified and 75 were mapped onto nine chromosomes, respectively. Their encoded WRKY proteins could be classified into three subfamilies: Group I, Group II (II-a, II-b, II-c, II-d, II-e), and Group III, based on the characteristics of the amino acid sequences of the WRKY domain and genetic structure. Syntenic analysis revealed that there were 35 pairs of repetitive fragments. Furthermore, the transcriptome data of roots, stems, leaves, and flowers showed that the spatial expression profiles of WRKYs were different. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that 11 stress-related WRKYs exhibited specific expression patterns under diverse treatments. In addition, sub cellular localization analysis indicated that SbWRKY26 and SbWRKY41 were localized in nucleus. This study is the first to report the identification and characterization of the WRKY gene family in S. baicalensis, which is valuable for the further exploration of the biological function of SbWRKYs. It also provides valuable bioinformatics data for S. baicalensis and provides a reference for assessing the medicinal properties of the genus.
Functional Dissection of P1 Bacteriophage Holin-like Proteins Reveals the Biological Sense of P1 Lytic System Complexity
Authors: Bednarek Agnieszka , Cena Agata , Izak Wioleta , Bigos Joanna , Łobocka Małgorzata
Published: April 2022

P1 is a model temperate myovirus. It infects different Enterobacteriaceae and can develop lytically or form lysogens. Only some P1 adaptation strategies to propagate in different hosts are known. An atypical feature of P1 is the number and organization of cell lysis-associated genes. In addition to SAR-endolysin Lyz, holin LydA, and antiholin LydB, P1 encodes other predicted holins, LydC and LydD. LydD is encoded by the same operon as Lyz, LydA and LydB are encoded by an unlinked operon, and LydC is encoded by an operon preceding the lydA gene. By analyzing the phenotypes of P1 mutants in known or predicted holin genes, we show that all the products of these genes cooperate with the P1 SAR-endolysin in cell lysis and that LydD is a pinholin. The contributions of holins/pinholins to cell lysis by P1 appear to vary depending on the host of P1 and the bacterial growth conditions. The pattern of morphological transitions characteristic of SAR-endolysin–pinholin action dominates during lysis by wild-type P1, but in the case of lydC lydD mutant it changes to that characteristic of classical endolysin-pinholin action. We postulate that the complex lytic system facilitates P1 adaptation to various hosts and their growth conditions.
Next-Generation Sequencing Screening of 43 Families with Non-Syndromic Early-Onset High Myopia: A Clinical and Genetic Study
Authors: González-Iglesias Eva , López-Vázquez Ana , Noval Susana , Nieves-Moreno María , Granados-Fernández María , Arruti Natalia , Rosa-Pérez Irene , Pacio-Míguez Marta , Montaño Victoria E. F. , Rodríguez-Solana Patricia , del Pozo Angela , Santos-Simarro Fernando , Vallespín Elena
Published: April 2022

Early-onset high myopia (EoHM) is a disease that causes a spherical refraction error of ≥−6 diopters before 10 years of age, with potential multiple ocular complications. In this article, we report a clinical and genetic study of 43 families with EoHM recruited in our center. A complete ophthalmological evaluation was performed, and a sample of peripheral blood was obtained from proband and family members. DNA was analyzed using a customized next-generation sequencing panel that included 419 genes related to ophthalmological disorders with a suspected genetic cause, and genes related to EoHM pathogenesis. We detected pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants in 23.9% of the families and detected variants of unknown significance in 76.1%. Of these, 5.7% were found in genes related to non-syndromic EoHM, 48.6% in genes associated with inherited retinal dystrophies that can include a syndromic phenotype, and 45.7% in genes that are not directly related to EoHM or retinal dystrophy. We found no candidate genes in 23% of the patients, which suggests that further studies are needed. We propose a systematic genetic analysis for patients with EoHM because it helps with follow-up, prognosis and genetic counseling.