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Manuka Honey Reduces The Virulence Of Pectobacterium Brasiliense By Suppressing Genes That Encode Plant Cell Wall-Degrading Enzymes, Ava Sheila, Subandiyah Siti, Rohman Muhammad Saifur, Ogawa Naoto, Joko Tri

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The primary virulence of soft rot pectobacteria, including Pectobacterium brasiliense, is mainly determined by the massive production of plant cell wall-degrading enzymes (PCWDEs), which promote plant tissue maceration in many crops. The antibiotic treatment to treat bacterial soft rot causes environmental problems and potentially affects resistance. Antibiotic resistance is driving interest in antimicrobial treatments, and no organism has been reported to have acquired resistance to honey. However, the use of honey as a therapeutic agent for plant bacterial pathogens has rarely been studied. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine the in vitro effect of Manuka honey against P. brasiliense …

A Systematic Review Of The Effects Of Meditative And Mindful Walking On Mental And Cardiovascular Health, Dustin W. Davis, Bryson Carrier, Kyle Cruz, Brenna Barrios, Merrill Russen Landers, James W. Navalta

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(2): 1692-1734, 2022. Meditative and mindful exercise are types of physical exercise during which people pay attention, on purpose, to each new present moment without judging their experience. The goal is to apply an accepting awareness of the environment, bodily sensations, thoughts, and emotions without labeling them (e.g., good or bad). The literature centers on qigong, tai chi, and yoga, which are types of mindful exercise that improve mental and cardiovascular health. It is unclear if meditative and mindful walking also improve these health domains. To the authors’ knowledge, this question has not been addressed …

New Semi-Dwarfing Alleles With Increased Coleoptile Length By Gene Editing Of Gibberellin 3-Oxidase 1 Using Crispr-Cas9 In Barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.), Jingye Cheng, Camilla Hill, Yong Han, Tianhua He, Xingguo Ye, Sergey Shabala, Ganggang Guo, Meixue Zhou, Ke Wang, Chengdao Li

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

The green revolution was based on genetic modification of the gibberellin (GA) hormone system with “dwarfing” gene mutations that reduces GA signals, conferring shorter stature, thus enabling plant adaptation to modern farming conditions. Strong GA-related mutants with shorter stature often have reduced coleoptile length, discounting yield gain due to their unsatisfactory seedling emergence under drought conditions. Here we present gibberellin (GA) 3-oxidase1 (GA3ox1) as an alternative semi-dwarfing gene in barley that combines an optimal reduction in plant height without restricting coleoptile and seedling growth. Using large-scale field trials with an extensive collection of barley accessions, we showed that a natural …

Epigenetic Clock Explains White Matter Hyperintensity Burden Irrespective Of Chronological Age, Joan Jiménez-Balado, Carolina Soriano-Tárraga, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

In this manuscript we studied the relationship between WMH and biological age (B-age) in patients with acute stroke. We included in this study 247 patients with acute stroke recruited at Hospital del Mar having both epigenetic (DNA methylation) and magnetic resonance imaging data. WMH were measured using a semi-automated method. B-age was calculated using two widely used methods: the Hannum and Horvath formulas. We used multiple linear regression models to interrogate the role of B-age on WMH volume after adjusting for chronological age (C-age) and other covariables. Average C-age of the sample was 68.4 (±11.8) and we observed a relatively …

Abdominal Aortic Calcification, Cardiac Troponin I And Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease Mortality In Older Women, Ryan Teh, Richard L. Prince, Marc Sim, John T. Schousboe, Warren Raymond, Pawel Szulc, Wai Lim, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Kun Zhu, Douglas P. Kiel, Carl Schultz, Peter L. Thompson, Joshua Lewis

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective: Examine if two inexpensive measures of atherosclerotic vascular diseases (ASVD), abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) provide complementary information for 10-year ASVD mortality and all-cause mortality risk in older women.

Methods: 908 community-dwelling women without prevalent ASVD ( ≥ 75 years) were followed-up between 2003 and 2013. AAC and plasma hs-cTnI measures were obtained in 2003. AAC was assessed on lateral spine images using a semiquantitative method (AAC24). Linked health records were used for mortality outcomes.

Results: Mean±SD age was 79.9±2.6 years. 276 (30.4%) women died during follow-up, including 138 (15.2%) ASVD-related deaths. AAC24 and …

Breakfast Consumption And Diet Quality Of Teens In Southwestern Ontario, Nicolas Woods, Jamie A. Seabrook, Jess Haines, Saverio Stranges, Leia M. Minaker, Colleen O'Connor, Sean Doherty, Jason Gilliland

Human Environments Analysis Lab (HEAL)

Background

Breakfast skipping has previously been associated with worse diet quality among adolescents; the latter increases the risk of chronic disease. However, many studies do not consider diet quality as a function of calories, which is problematic as skippers tend to consume less energy than consumers. Additionally, due to the lack of one accepted definition of both breakfast skipping and diet quality, it is unclear how differences found may change when using varying definitions.

Objectives

We aimed to compare the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) scores and nutrient intakes of teen breakfast skippers and consumers in Southwestern Ontario, Canada.

Methods

Cross-sectional, …

The Socio-Economic And Ecological Impact Of Regime Shifts On Small-Scale Fisheries In Northern Peru, Ana Paula Vidal

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Species composition is known to naturally change over time; however, these fluctuations happen frequently in shoreline ecosystems where warm and cold currents meet. This study aims to understand the social and economic impacts of changes in species composition and total catch in north-western Peru. A social perception analysis coupled with available small-scale fisheries landing data of three sites: Cabo Blanco, Los Organos, and Mancora was used to identify differences in species composition and total catch between sites from years 2010 to 2020. The results suggest that fishermen have a different perception of abundance across all sites as their responses do …

The Relationship Between Diet, Supplement Use, And The Prevalence And Severity Of Nausea And Vomiting During The 1st And 2nd Trimesters Of Pregnancy, Bailey Lentern

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) are common conditions experienced by women throughout the world. However, despite their widespread occurrence, the prevalence and severity of symptoms range significantly, with the exact aetiology underpinning this variation relatively unclear. Several studies propose that NVP may serve as an adaptive function, protecting the embryo from harmful foodstuffs, implying that diet is implicated within the pathogenesis of the condition. However, there is limited literature focusing on this topic, specifically with regards to supplement use. Therefore, the aim of the present research was to examine the relationship between diet, both pre-pregnancy and current diet, including …

Investigating The Impacts Of Heterotrophic Nutrition On Acropora Microclados, Heather O'Keefe

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The Scleractinian coral Acropora microclados is a commercially important species that functions as both an autotroph and heterotroph. In ex situ coral aquaculture, elucidating an optimal diet to improve growth and resilience is critical in improving the sustainability and success of rearing corals for trade and conservation. To investigate the impacts of diet on A. microclados, three groups of 15 nubbins were kept under three different feeding regimes for three months at the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth, UK. One group was fed nothing, the control (CTL), one group fed Artemia salina nauplii (ART) and one group fed a mixed diet …

An Investigation Into The Effects Of Weekly Habitual And Targeted Caffeine Consumption On Adult Runners' Endurance, Speed, And Mood, Elise Lucas

The Plymouth Student Scientist

BACKGROUND: Caffeine is a commonly consumed recreational drug which is also highly regarded as an ergogenic aid. Generally, users partake in sporadic and habitual caffeine consumption for functional benefits such as alertness or for social purposes, but targeted consumption prior to exercise is claimed to aid endurance, increase speed, and improve mood during exercise. OBJECTIVES: This questionnaire-based study aimed to evaluate the effect of targeted and randomised caffeine consumption on endurance, speed, and perceived mood in runners of varying levels. SUBJECTS: 489 subjects from 27 different countries (predominantly United States of America and United Kingdom) participated in the study (50.7% …

Behavioral Strategies Of Prehistoric And Historic Children From Dental Microwear Texture Analysis, Almudena Estalrrich, Kristin L. Krueger

Anthropology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Reconstructing the dietary and behavioral strategies of our hominin ancestors is crucial to understanding their evolution, adaptation, and overall way of life. Teeth in general, and dental microwear specifically, provide a means to examine these strategies, with posterior teeth well positioned to tell us about diet, and anterior teeth helping us examine non-dietary tooth-use behaviors. Past research predominantly focused on strategies of adult individuals, leaving us to wonder the role children may have played in the community at large. Here we begin to address this by analyzing prehistoric and historic children through dental microwear texture analysis of deciduous anterior teeth.

Hiv-Seropositive Patients’ Experiences With Social Workers: A South African Hiv+ Social Worker’S Reflective Log, Delarise Maud Mulqueeny

The Qualitative Report

Social workers play a pivotal role in HIV-seropositive patients’ treatment and care within South African public antiretroviral treatment (ART) programs. This article is a reflective log of an HIV-seropositive social worker’s observations and reflections on her positionality during a study on HIV-seropositive patients’ experiences of the public ART program in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The primary investigator (PI) utilized various tools and techniques including reflexive bracketing, participatory action research and a reflexive diary to navigate a sensitive study. This was while being cognizant of the fluidity of her insider/outsider positionality. The disclosure of the PI’s HIV-seropositive status culminated in all …

The Weekly Challenger, December 22, 2022, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The December 22, 2022, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

Late-Stage Functionalization Through Click Chemistry Provides Glut5-Targeting Glycoconjugate As A Potential Pet Imaging Probe, Adelina Oronova, Marina Tanasova

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The targeting of facilitative sugar transporters (GLUTs) has been utilized in the development of tools for diagnostics and therapy. The interest in this area is promoted by the phenomenon of alterations in cellular metabolic processes that are linked to multitudes of metabolic disorders and diseases. However, nonspecific targeting (e.g., glucose-transporting GLUTs) leads to a lack of disease detection efficiency. Among GLUTs, GLUT5 stands out as a prominent target for developing specific molecular tools due to its association with metabolic diseases, including cancer. This work reports a non-radiolabeled fluoride (19F) coumarin-based glycoconjugate of 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol as a potential PET imaging probe that …

Identifying The Gaps Between Public Health Training And Practice: A Workforce Competencies Comparative Analysis, Osnat Bashkin, Robert Otok, Ori Kapra, Kasia Czabanowska, Paul Barach, Orna Baron-Epel, Keren Dopelt, Mariusz Duplaga, Lore Leighton, Hagai Levine, Fiona Macleod, Yehuda Neumark, Stephanie Paillard-Borg, Theodore Tulchinsky, Zohar Mor

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

Objectives: The study aimed to generate insights on how best to enhance the compatibility between Public Health training program competencies and the implementation of competencies required by employers to address current and emerging public health needs.

Methods: A survey adapted from the WHO-ASPHER Competency Framework for the Public Health Workforce was conducted online among Israeli public health managers from August to November 2021. The survey was formulated to mirror Essential Public Health Operations. Forty-nine managers participated (37.6% response rate) in an assessment of 44 public health competencies and the core organizational public health operations.

Results: Analysis of Essential Public Health …

A Review On Nanomaterials And Nanohybrids Based Bio-Nanocomposites For Food Packaging, Kalpani Y. Perera, Amit K. Jaiswal, Swarna Jaiswal

Articles

With an increasing demand for a novel, eco-friendly, high-performance packaging material “bio-nanocomposites” has attracted great attention in recent years. The review article aims at to evaluating recent innovation in bio-nanocomposites for food packaging applications. The current trends and research over the last three years of the various bio-nanocomposites including inorganic, organic nanomaterials, and nanohybrids, which are suitable as food packaging materials due to their advanced properties such as high mechanical, thermal, barrier, antimicrobial, and antioxidant are described in detail. In addition, the legislation, migration studies, and SWOT analysis on bio-nanocomposite film have been discussed. It has been observed that the …

Hif1a-Dependent Induction Of Alveolar Epithelial Pfkfb3 Dampens Acute Lung Injury, Christine U Vohwinkel, Nana Burns, Ethan Coit, Xiaoyi Yuan, Eszter K Vladar, Christina Sul, Eric P Schmidt, Peter Carmeliet, Kurt Stenmark, Eva S Nozik, Rubin M Tuder, Holger K Eltzschig

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe form of lung inflammation causing acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients. ALI pathogenesis is closely linked to uncontrolled alveolar inflammation. We hypothesize that specific enzymes of the glycolytic pathway could function as key regulators of alveolar inflammation. Therefore, we screened isolated alveolar epithelia from mice exposed to ALI induced by injurious ventilation to assess their metabolic responses. These studies pointed us toward a selective role for isoform 3 of the 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFKFB3). Pharmacologic inhibition or genetic deletion of Pfkfb3 in alveolar epithelia (Pfkfb3loxP/loxP SPC-ER-Cre+ mice) was associated with profound increases in ALI during …

The Nutrition Prescription: Guideline Development For Nutrition Education In Graduate Nursing Curriculum, Jackie Myers, Samantha Delander

DNP and Student Works

Research describes nutrition education as "paramount" in reducing morbidity and mortality. There is a significant gap between current nutrition taught in graduate health science programs and the 25 hours of nutrition education suggested by the National Research Council. No standard nutrition education guideline exists. There is demand from students, graduate faculty, and legislators to incorporate nutrition knowledge into curricula as evident by the Medical Education Pledge signed at The White House's Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. Objectives: 1) Gap analysis of graduate health science nutrition education. 2) Develop and disseminate a nutrition guideline proposal for evaluation by stakeholders.

How Does Allium Leafy Parts Metabolome Differ In Context To Edible Or Inedible Taxa? Case Study In Seven Allium Species As Analyzed Using Ms-Based Metabolomics, Mostafa H. Baky, Samir N. Shamma, Mohamed R. Khalifa, Mohamed A. Farag

Faculty Journal Articles

Genus Allium (F. Amaryllidaceae) includes a wide variety of edible foods widely consumed for their nutritive as well as health benefits. Seven Allium species, viz., chives, Egyptian leek, French leek, red garlic, white garlic, red onion, and white onion aerial parts were assessed for metabolome heterogeneity targeting both aroma and nutrients phytochemicals. A headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were employed. Results revealed extensive variation in volatiles and nutrients profile among the seven Allium species represented by a total of 77 nutrients and 148 volatiles. Among edible Allium species, French leek encompassed high levels of nutrients, viz., …

Human Health During Space Travel: State-Of-The-Art Review, Chayakrit Krittanawong, Nitin Kumar Singh, Richard A Scheuring, Emmanuel Urquieta, Eric M Bershad, Timothy R Macaulay, Scott Kaplin, Carly Dunn, Stephen F Kry, Thais Russomano, Marc Shepanek, Raymond P Stowe, Andrew W Kirkpatrick, Timothy J Broderick, Jean D Sibonga, Andrew G Lee, Brian E Crucian

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The field of human space travel is in the midst of a dramatic revolution. Upcoming missions are looking to push the boundaries of space travel, with plans to travel for longer distances and durations than ever before. Both the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and several commercial space companies (e.g., Blue Origin, SpaceX, Virgin Galactic) have already started the process of preparing for long-distance, long-duration space exploration and currently plan to explore inner solar planets (e.g., Mars) by the 2030s. With the emergence of space tourism, space travel has materialized as a potential new, exciting frontier of business, hospitality, …

Thai Traditional Medical Remedies In Worayokasarn Scripture For Treating Obesity, Pannawat Chaiyawathanananthn

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

No abstract provided.

Genotoxic, Antigenotoxic, And Antioxidative Potentials Of Thai Bee Products, Treetip Ratanavalachai, Wantha Jenkhetkan, Chalerm Jansom, Arunporn Itharat, Sumon Thitiorul

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

Introduction: Bee products are becoming increasingly used as nutritional supplements. They have been reported to have antibacterial and antitumor properties.

Objective: We aimed to compare the efficacies on antioxidative and antigenotoxic potentials among these products from Chiangmai, northern Thailand, including their genotoxicity.

Methods: The genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity were assessed using in vitro sister chromatid exchange assay in human lymphocytes. Chemical compositions and antioxidative activities were investigated using standard chemical methods.

Results: Our results revealed that the lipid extracts tended to have the least genotoxicity compared to their defatted and crude extracts. The lipid extract of propolis at a nongenotoxic dose …

Index, - -

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

No abstract provided.

An Evaluation Of The Enjoyment Levels Of Participants Of Lifelab, A Health Literacy Intervention For Socially Disadvantaged Adolescents., Lorna Burke, Dr. Hannah Goss, Craig Smith, Dr. Johann Issartel, Dr. Sarahjane Belton

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

Aim: LifeLab is co-designed by and for Junior Cycle students from social disadvantage in Ireland, with the hope to improve health literacy and subsequent health outcomes in this cohort. The aim of this study was to evaluate the enjoyment levels of students participating in the pilot of LifeLab, with a view to informing future development of the intervention.

Method: As part of the process evaluation of the pilot of LifeLab, a series of focus groups and purposively designed enjoyment scales were completed by 80 adolescents, from one disadvantaged school in Dublin, Ireland. Inductive thematic analysis was carried out to analyse …

Therapies For Mitochondrial Disorders, Kayli Sousa Smyth, Anne Mulvihill

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

Mitochondria are cytoplasmic, double-membrane organelles that synthesise adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Mitochondria contain their own genome, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is maternally inherited from the oocyte. Mitochondrial proteins are encoded by either nuclear DNA (nDNA) or mtDNA, and both code for proteins forming the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes of the respiratory chain. These complexes form a chain that allows the passage of electrons down the electron transport chain (ETC) through a proton motive force, creating ATP from adenosine diphosphate (ADP). This study aims to explore current and prospective therapies for mitochondrial disorders (MTDS). MTDS are clinical syndromes coupled with abnormalities …

Comparison Of Pregnancy Complication Rates: Does Opioid Agonist Pharmacotherapy Make A Difference?, Alexa Pfeiffer Oms-Iii, Michael Falcone Oms-Iii, Pritha Aggarwal Oms-Iii, Andrea M. Bodine Md

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Background: Over the past decade, the prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnant patients has increased by 131% with an associated increase in pregnancy complications. Opioid agonist pharmacotherapy (OAP) with methadone or buprenorphine is recommended by ACOG for the management of OUD. The objectives of our study are to compare the incidence of pregnancy complications among patients who at the time of their delivery used OAP, OAP plus any additional substance (OAP+), illicit or prescribed opioids, and no opioids.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA, between January 1, 2018, through December …

A Community-Led Central Kitchen Model For School Feeding Programs In The Philippines: Learnings For Multisectoral Action For Health, Vanessa T. Siy Van, Carmina P. Siguin, Andrew C. Lacsina, Lean Franzl Yao, Zarah G. Sales, Normahitta P. Gordoncillo, Leslie Advincula-Lopez, Joselito T. Sescon, Eden Delight Miro

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

In devolved governments like the Philippines, local government units (LGUs) must be engaged to develop and coordinate responses to tackle the multisectoral problem of childhood undernutrition. However, current Philippine nutrition interventions, such as decentralized school feeding programs (SFPs), generally rely on the national government, public school teachers, or the private sector for implementation, with mixed results. The central kitchen model for SFPs was developed by 2 Philippine nongovernmental organizations and facilitated large-scale in-school feeding through community multisectoral action. This case study documented coordination processes in February 2018 for 1 urban city and 1 rural province-the model's earliest large-scale implementation sites-that …

Overqualified And Underrepresented: Gender Inequality In Pharmaceutical Patent Law, S. Sean Tu, Paul R. Gugliuzza, Amy Semet

Journal Articles

Pharmaceutical patents represent some of the most valuable intellectual property assets in the world: they can be worth billions of dollars if courts uphold their validity and find them infringed. But, if invalidated, generic drug manufacturers can get to market earlier, generating billions of dollars of revenue for themselves and creating enormous savings for consumers. Accordingly, drug patents are the product of careful, high-cost prosecution and are associated with high-stakes, bet-the-company litigation. But women lawyers are noticeably absent from pharmaceutical patent practice. This article reports an original empirical study finding that women comprise only one-third of the top pharmaceutical patent …

Consumer Behavior On The Organic Fruit And Vegetable Market: The Evidence From Poland, Joanna Pawlak, Wioletta Wróblewska

Journal of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour in Emerging Markets

Consumer opinion and behavior research plays an important role in the development of the market of specific products. Currently, research in the field of consumer behavior towards organic food, which is gaining popularity on the Polish market whose production is in line with the concept of sustainable development and the European Green Deal related to it, is of particular importance. The aim of the study was to analyze the opinion and behaviors of consumers as regards organic fruit and vegetables and the promotion of these products as a determinant of them. The data for the analyzes came from empirical research …

Medical Racism: Comparing Prenatal Care Across Races In The United States, Rubina Cheema

Student Research

Prenatal care describes any care a woman receives during her pregnancy. It is intended to keep both the mother and the child healthy and also to reduce the risk of complications during and after birth. This care is especially important for women with high-risk factors so that doctors and nurses are able to monitor their health and the health of their baby during the duration of their pregnancy. For prenatal care to be most effective, it is imperative to begin prenatal care within the first trimester of a woman's pregnancy. However, in the United States, medical racism creates a major …