bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clostridioides difficile as a Dynamic Vehicle for the Dissemination of Antimicrobial-Resistance Determinants: Review and In Silico Analysis
Authors: Kartalidis Philip , Skoulakis Anargyros , Tsilipounidaki Katerina , Florou Zoi , Petinaki Efthymia , Fthenakis George C.
Published: June 2021

The present paper is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on the role of Clostridioides difficile in the accumulation of genes associated with antimicrobial resistance and then the transmission of them to other pathogenic bacteria occupying the same human intestinal niche. The second part describes an in silico analysis of the genomes of C. difficile available in GenBank, with regard to the presence of mobile genetic elements and antimicrobial resistance genes. The diversity of the C. difficile genome is discussed, and the current status of resistance of the organisms to various antimicrobial agents is reviewed. The role of transposons associated with antimicrobial resistance is appraised; the importance of plasmids associated with antimicrobial resistance is discussed, and the significance of bacteriophages as a potential shuttle for antimicrobial resistance genes is presented. In the in silico study, 1101 C. difficile genomes were found to harbor mobile genetic elements; Tn6009, Tn6105, CTn7 and Tn6192, Tn6194 and IS256 were the ones more frequently identified. The genes most commonly harbored therein were: ermB, blaCDD, vanT, vanR, vanG and vanS. Tn6194 was likely associated with resistance to erythromycin, Tn6192 and CTn7 with resistance to the β-lactams and vancomycin, IS256 with resistance to aminoglycoside and Tn6105 to vancomycin.
Behavior of Listeria monocytogenes and Other Microorganisms in Sliced Riojano Chorizo (Spanish Dry-Cured Sausage) during Storage under Modified Atmospheres
Authors: Gonzalez-Fandos Elena , Vazquez de Castro Maria , Martinez-Laorden Alba , Perez-Arnedo Iratxe
Published: June 2021

Sliced ready-to-eat meat products packaged under modified atmospheres are often marketed since they cover consumer demands. The slicing process could be a potential risk for consumers since contamination with Listeria monocytogenes could occur during this stage. The current study evaluated the behavior of L. monocytogenes and other microorganisms in commercial sliced Riojano chorizo. This meat product was sliced and inoculated with L. monocytogenes (3.5 log CFU/g) before packaging under different atmospheres (air, vacuum, 100% N2, 20% CO2/80% N2 and 40% CO2/60% N2) and stored at 4 °C for up to 60 days. Samples were taken on days 0, 7, 21, 28 and 60 of storage. L. monocytogenes, mesophiles, Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria, Micrococcaceae, molds and yeast counts were evaluated. Additionally, water activity, humidity and pH were determined. L. monocytogenes counts decreased in inoculated sliced chorizo during storage. Packaging conditions and day of storage influenced microbial counts. After 60 days, a significant reduction (p ≤ 0.05) in the initial Listeria contamination levels (3.5. log CFU/g) between 1.1 and 1.46 logarithmic units was achieved in the sausages packaged in modified atmosphere. The highest reductions were observed in slices packaged in 40% CO2/60% N2 after 60 days of storage at 4 °C.
Beneficial Microorganisms to Control the Gray Mold of Grapevine: From Screening to Mechanisms
Authors: Amarouchi Zakaria , Esmaeel Qassim , Sanchez Lisa , Jacquard Cédric , Hafidi Majida , Vaillant-Gaveau Nathalie , Ait Barka Essaid
Published: June 2021

In many vineyards around the world, Botrytis cinerea (B. cinerea) causes one of the most serious diseases of aerial grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) organs. The control of the disease relies mainly on the use of chemical products whose use is increasingly challenged. To develop new sustainable methods to better resist B. cinerea, beneficial bacteria were isolated from vineyard soil. Once screened based on their antimicrobial effect through an in vivo test, two bacterial strains, S3 and S6, were able to restrict the development of the pathogen and significantly reduced the Botrytis-related necrosis. The photosynthesis analysis showed that the antagonistic strains also prevent grapevines from considerable irreversible PSII photo-inhibition four days after infection with B. cinerea. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of S3 exhibited 100% similarity to Bacillus velezensis, whereas S6 had 98.5% similarity to Enterobacter cloacae. On the other hand, the in silico analysis of the whole genome of isolated strains has revealed the presence of “biocontrol-related” genes supporting their plant growth and biocontrol activities. The study concludes that those bacteria could be potentially useful as a suitable biocontrol agent in harvested grapevine.
Mineralogical Appraisal of Bauxite Overburdens from Brazil
Authors: Negrão Leonardo Boiadeiro Ayres , Pöllmann Herbert , Cortinhas Alves Tiago Kalil
Published: June 2021

Mineralogical appraisal is an important tool for both mining and industrial processes. X-ray powder diffraction analysis (XRPD) can deliver fast and reliable mineralogical quantification results to aid industrial processes and improve ore recoveries. Furthermore, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) chemical data, thermal analysis (TA), and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) can be used to validate and refine XRPD results. Mineralogical assessment of non-traditional ores, such as mining wastes, is also an important step to consider them for near-future industries. In the Brazilian Amazon, alumina-rich clays cover the largest and most important bauxitic deposits of the region and have been considered as a possible raw material for the local cement and ceramic industry. In this work, a mineralogical evaluation of these clays (Belterra Clays) is performed using XRPD, XRF, TA, and FTIR. XRPD-Rietveld quantification confirmed that kaolinite is the main phase of the clay overburden, followed by variable contents of gibbsite and goethite and minor quantities of hematite, anatase, and quartz. The chemistry derived from Rietveld, based on stoichiometric phase compositions, presents a good correlation with the XRF data and is also supported by the TA and FTIR data. The initially assumed homogeneous composition of Belterra Clay is revealed to be variable by the present mineralogical study.
The (U-Th)/He Chronology and Geochemistry of Ferruginous Nodules and Pisoliths Formed in the Paleochannel Environments at the Garden Well Gold Deposit, Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia: Implications for Landscape Evolution and Geochemical Exploration
Authors: Anand Ravi R. , Wells Martin A. , Lintern Melvyn J. , Schoneveld Louise , Danišík Martin , Salama Walid , Noble Ryan R. P. , Metelka Vasek , Reid Nathan
Published: June 2021

Ferruginous nodules and pisoliths that cap deeply weathered profiles and transported cover are characteristic of the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia. Here we show how ferruginous nodules and pisoliths formed in the paleochannel sediments during Miocene can be used to locate buried Au mineralization. Three types of ferruginous nodules and pisoliths were identified in paleochannel sediments and saprolite, representing different parent materials and environments covering the Garden Well Au deposit: (i) ferruginous nodules formed in saprolite on the flanks of the paleochannel (NSP), (ii) ferruginous pisoliths formed in the Perkolilli Shale in the middle of the paleochannel (PPS) and (iii) ferruginous nodules formed in the Wollubar Sandstone at the bottom of the paleochannel (NWS). The appearance, mineralogy and geochemistry of ferruginous nodules and pisoliths vary according to their origin. The PPS and NWS are goethite-rich whereas NSP is a mixture of goethite and hematite which make them all suitable for (U–Th)/He dating. The average age of goethite in the NSP is 14.8 Ma, in the NWS is 11.2 Ma and in the PPS is 18.6 and 14 Ma. The goethite ages in ferruginous nodules and pisoliths are thought to be younger than the underlying saprolite (Paleocene-Eocene) and were formed in different environmental conditions than the underlying saprolite. Anomalous concentrations of Au, As, Cu, Sb, In, Se, Bi, and S in the cores and cortices of the NWS and the PPS reflect the underlying Au mineralization, and thus these nodules and pisoliths are useful sample media for geochemical exploration in this area. These elements originating in mineralized saprolite have migrated both upwards and laterally into the NWS and the PPS, to form spatially large targets for mineral exploration.
Strength and Ultrasonic Characteristics of Cemented Paste Backfill Incorporating Foaming Agent
Authors: Xu Xiaochuan , Sun Xiaogang , Yao Wei , Wu Pinqi , Qiu Jingping , Guo Zhenbang , Liu Na
Published: June 2021

This work is a systematic study of the strength and ultrasonic properties of cemented paste backfill incorporating a foaming agent, known as foam-cemented paste backfill (FCPB). Based on determining the optimal admixture contents (foaming stabilizer, thickening agent, and foaming agent), a series of uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) tests were conducted to determine the relationship between the UCS of FCPB and four influencing factors, i.e., cement–tailings ratio (CTR), solid content (SC), curing time (T), and foaming agent content (FC). To analyze the sensitivity of UCS to these four factors, grey relational analysis (GRA) was introduced. Moreover, UCS results were correlated with the corresponding ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) parameters. The results indicate that the optimal contents of foaming stabilizer, thickening agent and foaming agent are 0.5%, 0.6%, and 1–3%, respectively. The UCS of FCPB exponentially increases with CTR and SC, while it logarithmically and linearly increases with T and FC, respectively. CTR has the most significant influence, followed by T, SC, and FC. There exists an evidently linear relationship between UPV and UCS of FCPB regardless of CTR, SC, T and FC. These results contribute to understanding the properties of hardened FCPB and to sound designs in practice.
Gold-Bearing Brown Coal Deposits of the Zeya–Bureya Sedimentary Basin (East Russia): Fundamental Model of Formation
Authors: Sorokin Anatoliy Petrovich , Konyushok Andrey Alexeyevich , Kuz’minykh Valeriy Mikhailovich , Dugin Sergey Vadimovich
Published: June 2021

The primary sources and the conditions for the formation of the Paleogene–Neogene coal-bearing deposits in the Zeya–Bureya sedimentary basin were identified and studied with the help of paleogeographic reconstructions and geochemical analyses. Based on the results obtained, we suggest a new basic model of element transfer into the coal, involving two mutually complementary processes to account for the introduction and concentration of gold and other trace elements in the sequences investigated. The first process reflects the system in which peatlands were concentrated along the basin’s junction zone and the passive internal residual mountain ranges. The second reflects the junction’s contrast-type (sharp-type) forms conditions along the external mobile mountain-fold frame. The eroded gold particles were transported over 10–20 km as complex compounds, colloids, dispersed particles, and nanoparticles, and remobilized into clastogenic and dissolved forms along the first few kilometers. The release of gold in the primary sources occurred due to weathering of gold-bearing ore zones, followed by transportation of gold by minor rivers to the areas of peat accumulation. This study considered the probability of the accumulation of high concentrations of gold and rare earth elements (REE) in coal due to the introduction of organic and inorganic materials during floods, with episodes of catastrophic events, and volcano–hydrothermal activities.
Tunable Viscoelastic Properties of Sodium Polyacrylate Solution via CO2-Responsive Switchable Water
Authors: Wu Dianguo , Shi Yiwen , Lv Kun , Wei Bing , Zhu Youyi , Yin Hongyao , Feng Yujun
Published: June 2021

Upon stimulus by CO2, CO2-switchable viscoelastic fluids experience a deliberate transition between non-viscous and highly viscous solution states. Despite attracting considerable recent attention, most such fluids have not been applied at a large- scale due to their high costs and/or complex synthesis processes. Here, we report the development of CO2-switchable viscoelastic fluids using commercially available sodium polyacrylate (NaPAA) and N,N-dimethyl ethanol amine (DMEA)-based switchable water. Upon bubbling CO2, into the solutions under study, DMEA molecules are protonated to generate quaternary ammonium salts, resulting in pronounced decreases in solutions viscosity and elasticity due to the influence of increased ionic strength on NaPAA molecular conformations. Upon removal of CO2 via introduction of N2, quaternary salts are deprotonated to tertiary amines, allowing recovery of fluid viscosity and elasticity to near the initial state. This work provides a simple approach to fabricating CO2-switchable viscoelastic fluids, widening the potential use of CO2 in stimuli-responsive applications.
Effect of Cold Rolling on the Evolution of Shear Bands and Nanoindentation Hardness in Zr41.2Ti13.8Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 Bulk Metallic Glass
Authors: Gunti Abhilash , Jana Parijat Pallab , Lee Min-Ha , Das Jayanta
Published: June 2021

The effect of cold rolling on the evolution of hardness (H) and Young’s modulus (E) on the rolling-width (RW), normal-rolling (NR), and normal-width (NW) planes in Zr41.2Ti13.8Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 (Vitreloy 1) bulk metallic glass (BMG) was investigated systematically using nanoindentation at peak loads in the range of 50 mN–500 mN. The hardness at specimen surface varied with cold rolling percentage (%) and the variation is similar on RW and NR planes at all the different peak loads, whereas the same is insignificant for the core region of the specimen on the NW plane. Three-dimensional (3D) optical surface profilometry studies on the NR plane suggest that the shear band spacing decreases and shear band offset height increases with the increase of cold rolling extent. Meanwhile, the number of the pop-in events during loading for all the planes reduces with the increase of cold rolling extent pointing to more homogeneous deformation upon rolling. Calorimetric studies were performed to correlate the net free volume content and hardness in the differently cold rolled specimens.
Effect of the Nanostructured Zn/Cu Electrocatalyst Morphology on the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Value-Added Chemicals
Authors: Pinthong Piriya , Klongklaew Phongsathon , Praserthdam Piyasan , Panpranot Joongjai
Published: June 2021

Zn/Cu electrocatalysts were synthesized by the electrodeposition method with various bath compositions and deposition times. X-ray diffraction results confirmed the presence of (101) and (002) lattice structures for all the deposited Zn nanoparticles. However, a bulky (hexagonal) structure with particle size in the range of 1–10 μm was obtained from a high-Zn-concentration bath, whereas a fern-like dendritic structure was produced using a low Zn concentration. A larger particle size of Zn dendrites could also be obtained when Cu2+ ions were added to the high-Zn-concentration bath. The catalysts were tested in the electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR) using an H-cell type reactor under ambient conditions. Despite the different sizes/shapes, the CO2RR products obtained on the nanostructured Zn catalysts depended largely on their morphologies. All the dendritic structures led to high CO production rates, while the bulky Zn structure produced formate as the major product, with limited amounts of gaseous CO and H2. The highest CO/H2 production rate ratio of 4.7 and a stable CO production rate of 3.55 μmol/min were obtained over the dendritic structure of the Zn/Cu–Na200 catalyst at −1.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl during 4 h CO2RR. The dissolution and re-deposition of Zn nanoparticles occurred but did not affect the activity and selectivity in the CO2RR of the electrodeposited Zn catalysts. The present results show the possibilities to enhance the activity and to control the selectivity of CO2RR products on nanostructured Zn catalysts.
Association of Plasma Phospholipids with Age-Related Cognitive Impairment: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Liu Ting-Ting , Pang Shao-Jie , Jia Shan-Shan , Man Qing-Qing , Li Yu-Qian , Song Shuang , Zhang Jian
Published: June 2021

Decreased concentration of phospholipids were observed in brain tissue from individuals with dementia compared with controls, indicating phospholipids might be a key variable in development of age-related cognitive impairment. The reflection of these phospholipid changes in blood might provide both reference for diagnosis/monitoring and potential targets for intervention through peripheral circulation. Using a full-scale targeted phospholipidomic approach, 229 molecular species of plasma phospholipid were identified and quantified among 626 senile residents; the association of plasma phospholipids with MoCA score was also comprehensively discussed. Significant association was confirmed between phospholipid matrix and MoCA score by a distance-based linear model. Additionally, the network analysis further observed that two modules containing PEs were positively associated with MoCA score, and one module containing LPLs had a trend of negative correlation with MoCA score. Furthermore, 23 phospholipid molecular species were found to be significantly associated with MoCA score independent of fasting glucose, lipidemia, lipoproteins, inflammatory variables and homocysteine. Thus, the decreased levels of pPEs containing LC-PUFA and the augmented levels of LPLs were the most prominent plasma phospholipid changes correlated with the cognitive decline, while alterations in plasma PC, PS and SM levels accompanying cognitive decline might be due to variation of lipidemia and inflammatory levels.
Graph Theory-Based Electroencephalographic Connectivity and Its Association with Ketogenic Diet Effectiveness in Epileptic Children
Authors: Su Ting-Yu , Hung Pi-Lien , Chen Chien , Lin Ying-Jui , Peng Syu-Jyun
Published: June 2021

Ketogenic diet therapies (KDTs) are widely used treatments for epilepsy, but the factors influencing their responsiveness remain unknown. This study aimed to explore the predictors or associated factors for KDTs effectiveness by evaluating the subtle changes in brain functional connectivity (FC) before and after KDTs. Segments of interictal sleep electroencephalography (EEG) were acquired before and after six months of KDTs. Analyses of FC were based on network-based statistics and graph theory, with a focus on different frequency bands. Seventeen responders and 14 non-responders were enrolled. After six months of KDTs, the responders exhibited a significant functional connectivity strength decrease compared with the non-responders; reductions in global efficiency, clustering coefficient, and nodal strength in the beta frequency band for a consecutive range of weighted proportional thresholds were observed in the responders. The alteration of betweenness centrality was significantly and positively correlated with seizure reduction rate in alpha, beta, and theta frequency bands in weighted adjacency matrices with densities of 90%. We conclude that KDTs tended to modify minor-to-moderate-intensity brain connections; the reduction of global connectivity and the increment of betweenness centrality after six months of KDTs were associated with better KD effectiveness.
Clinical Results of the Implementation of a Breast Milk Bank in Premature Infants (under 37 Weeks) at the Hospital Universitario del Valle 2018–2020
Authors: Torres-Muñoz Javier , Jimenez-Fernandez Carlos Alberto , Murillo-Alvarado Jennifer , Torres-Figueroa Sofia , Castro Juan Pablo
Published: June 2021

Breast milk is widely recognized as the best source of nutrition for both full term and premature babies. We aimed to identify clinical results of the implementation of a breast milk bank for premature infants under 37 weeks in a level III hospital. 722 neonates under 37 weeks, hospitalized in the Neonatal intensive care unit (ICU), who received human breast milk from the institution’s milk bank 57% (n = 412) vs. mixed or artificial 32% (n = 229), at day 7 of life. An exploratory data analysis was carried out. Measures of central tendency and dispersion were used, strength of association of odds ratio (OR) and its confidence intervals (95% confidence interval (CI)). 88.5% had already received human milk before day 7 of life. Those who received human milk, due to their clinical condition, had 4 times a greater chance of being intubated (OR 4.05; 95% CI 1.80–9.11). Starting before day 7 of life decreases the opportunity to develop necrotizing enterocolitis by 82% (adjusted odds ratio (ORa) 0.18; 95% CI 0.03–0.97), intraventricular hemorrhage by 85% (ORa 0.15; 95% CI 0.06–0.45) and sepsis by 77% (ORa 0.23; 95% CI 0.15–0.33). Receiving human milk reduces the probability of complications related to prematurity, evidencing the importance that breast milk banks play in clinical practice.
Dietary Patterns and Risk Factors of Frailty in Lebanese Older Adults
Authors: Yaghi Nathalie , Yaghi Cesar , Abifadel Marianne , Boulos Christa , Feart Catherine
Published: June 2021

Factors associated with frailty, particularly dietary patterns, are not fully understood in Mediterranean countries. This study aimed to investigate the association of data-driven dietary patterns with frailty prevalence in older Lebanese adults. We conducted a cross-sectional national study that included 352 participants above 60 years of age. Sociodemographic and health-related data were collected. Food frequency questionnaires were used to elaborate dietary patterns via the K-mean cluster analysis method. Frailty that accounted for 15% of the sample was twice as much in women (20%) than men (10%). Identified dietary patterns included a Westernized-type dietary pattern (WDP), a high intake/Mediterranean-type dietary pattern (HI-MEDDP), and a moderate intake/Mediterranean-type dietary pattern (MOD-MEDDP). In the multivariate analysis, age, waist to height ratio, polypharmacy, age-related conditions, and WDP were independently associated with frailty. In comparison to MOD-MEDDP, and after adjusting for covariates, adopting a WDP was strongly associated with a higher frailty prevalence in men (OR = 6.63, 95% (CI) (1.82–24.21) and in women (OR = 11.54, 95% (CI) (2.02–65.85). In conclusion, MOD-MEDDP was associated with the least prevalence of frailty, and WDP had the strongest association with frailty in this sample. In the Mediterranean sample, a diet far from the traditional one appears as the key deleterious determinant of frailty.
Lifestyle Factors and Genetic Variants Associated to Health Disparities in the Hispanic Population
Authors: Fernandez Maria Luz
Published: June 2021

Non-communicable diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, hepatic steatosis, and cancer are more prevalent in minority groups including Hispanics when compared to Non-Hispanic Whites, leading to the well-recognized terminology of health disparities. Although lifestyle factors including inadequate dietary habits, decreased physical activity, and more prominently, an unhealthy body weight, may be partly responsible for this disproportion in chronic diseases, genetic variations also make a substantial contribution to this problem. In this review, the well-recognized obesity problem in Hispanics that has been associated with chronic disease is examined as well as the influence of diet on promoting an inflammatory environment leading to increased cardiometabolic risk, insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, and cancer. In addition, some of the more studied genetic variations in Hispanics and their association with chronic disease is reviewed.
Konjac Glucomannan Attenuated Triglyceride Metabolism during Rice Gruel Tolerance Test
Authors: Nagasawa Takumi , Kimura Takao , Yoshida Akihiro , Tsunekawa Katsuhiko , Araki Osamu , Ushiki Kazumi , Ishigaki Hirotaka , Shoho Yoshifumi , Suda Itsumi , Hiramoto Suguru , Murakami Masami
Published: June 2021

In a recent study, we showed that konjac glucomannan (KGM) inhibits rice gruel-induced postprandial increases in plasma glucose and insulin levels. To extend this research, we investigated the effects of KGM addition to rice gruel on pre- and postprandial concentrations of circulating lipoprotein lipase (LPL), glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored high-density lipoprotein-binding protein 1 (GPIHBP1), hepatic triglyceride lipase (HTGL), free fatty acids (FFA), and triglycerides (TG). A total of 13 Japanese men, without diabetes, dyslipidemia, or gastrointestinal diseases, interchangeably ingested rice gruel containing no KGM (0%G), rice gruel supplemented with 0.4% KGM (0.4%G), and rice gruel supplemented with 0.8% KGM (0.8%G), every Sunday for 3 weeks. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and at 30, 60, and 120 min after ingestion to measure the abovementioned lipid parameters. Lipid parameters showed small, but significant, changes. Significant reductions were found in circulating FFA levels among all participants. Circulating TG levels significantly declined at 30 min and then remained nearly constant in the 0.8%G group but exhibited no significant difference in the 0%G and 0.4%G groups. Although circulating levels of LPL and GPIHBP1 significantly decreased in the 0%G and 0.4%G groups, they increased at 120 min in the 0.8%G group. Participants in the 0%G and 0.4%G groups showed significant decreases in circulating HTGL levels, which was not observed in the 0.8%G group. Our results demonstrate the novel pleiotropic effects of KGM. Supplementation of rice gruel with KGM powder led to TG reduction accompanied by LPL and GPIHBP1 elevation and HTGL stabilization, thereby attenuating TG metabolism.
Bovine Colostrum Applications in Sick and Healthy People: A Systematic Review
Authors: Guberti Monica , Botti Stefano , Capuzzo Maria Teresa , Nardozi Sara , Fusco Andrea , Cera Andrea , Dugo Laura , Piredda Michela , De Marinis Maria Grazia
Published: June 2021

Colostrum is the first secretion of mammalian glands during the early period after birth giving. Its components are biologically active and have beneficial effects on new-born growth and well-being. Bovine colostrum has the highest concentration of these substances and its supplementation or application may provide health benefits. This systematic review was conducted to update current knowledge on bovine colostrum effects including all administration routes on healthy and sick subjects. Full texts or abstracts of twenty-eight papers as reports of systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, observational studies and case series were included after searches in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library and Cinahl databases. The full texts of selected studies were assessed for quality using validated tools and their results were summarized in different categories. Studies were highly heterogeneous as regards to population, intervention, outcome and risk of bias. Bovine colostrum topical application was shown effective on vaginal dryness related symptoms limitation. Its use as food supplement showed interesting effects preventing upper respiratory illness in sportsmen, modulating immune system response and reducing intestinal permeability in healthy and sick subjects. Conflicting results were provided in pediatric population and little evidence is available on its use with older adults. Further studies are mandatory to better understand all factors influencing its activity.
The First Detection and Genetic Characterization of Four Different Honeybee Viruses in Wild Bumblebees from Croatia
Authors: Tlak Gajger Ivana , Šimenc Laura , Toplak Ivan
Published: June 2021

To determine the presence and the prevalence of four different honeybee viruses (acute bee paralysis virus—ABPV, black queen cell virus—BQCV, chronic bee paralysis virus—CBPV, deformed wing virus—DWV) in wild bumblebees, pooled randomly selected bumblebee samples were collected from twenty-seven different locations in the territory of Croatia. All samples were prepared and examined using the RT-PCR methods for quantification of mentioned honeybee viruses. Determined prevalence (%) of identified positive viruses were in the following decreasing order: BQCV > DWV > ABPV, CBPV. Additionally, direct sequencing of samples positive for BQCV (n = 24) and DWV (n = 2) was performed, as well as a test of molecular phylogeny comparison with those available in GenBank. Selected positive field viruses’ strains showed 95.7 to 100% (BQCV) and 98.09% (DWV) nucleotide identity with previously detected and deposited honeybee virus strains in the geographic areas in Croatia and neighboring Slovenia. In this article, the first detection of four honeybee viruses with genetic characterization of high diversity strains circulating in wild bumblebees in Croatia is presented.
Coinfections with Bacteria, Fungi, and Respiratory Viruses in Patients with SARS-CoV-2: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Alhumaid Saad , Al Mutair Abbas , Al Alawi Zainab , Alshawi Abeer M. , Alomran Salamah A. , Almuhanna Mohammed S. , Almuslim Anwar A. , Bu Shafia Ahmed H. , Alotaibi Abdullah M. , Ahmed Gasmelseed Y. , Rabaan Ali A. , Al-Tawfiq Jaffar A. , Al-Omari Awad
Published: June 2021

Background: Coinfection with bacteria, fungi, and respiratory viruses in SARS-CoV-2 is of particular importance due to the possibility of increased morbidity and mortality. In this meta-analysis, we calculated the prevalence of such coinfections. Methods: Electronic databases were searched from 1 December 2019 to 31 March 2021. Effect sizes of prevalence were pooled with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). To minimize heterogeneity, we performed sub-group analyses. Results: Of the 6189 papers that were identified, 72 articles were included in the systematic review (40 case series and 32 cohort studies) and 68 articles (38 case series and 30 cohort studies) were included in the meta-analysis. Of the 31,953 SARS-CoV-2 patients included in the meta-analysis, the overall pooled proportion who had a laboratory-confirmed bacterial infection was 15.9% (95% CI 13.6–18.2, n = 1940, 49 studies, I2 = 99%, p < 0.00001), while 3.7% (95% CI 2.6–4.8, n = 177, 16 studies, I2 = 93%, p < 0.00001) had fungal infections and 6.6% (95% CI 5.5–7.6, n = 737, 44 studies, I2 = 96%, p < 0.00001) had other respiratory viruses. SARS-CoV-2 patients in the ICU had higher co-infections compared to ICU and non-ICU patients as follows: bacterial (22.2%, 95% CI 16.1–28.4, I2 = 88% versus 14.8%, 95% CI 12.4–17.3, I2 = 99%), and fungal (9.6%, 95% CI 6.8–12.4, I2 = 74% versus 2.7%, 95% CI 0.0–3.8, I2 = 95%); however, there was an identical other respiratory viral co-infection proportion between all SARS-CoV-2 patients [(ICU and non-ICU) and the ICU only] (6.6%, 95% CI 0.0–11.3, I2 = 58% versus 6.6%, 95% CI 5.5–7.7, I2 = 96%). Funnel plots for possible publication bias for the pooled effect sizes of the prevalence of coinfections was asymmetrical on visual inspection, and Egger’s tests confirmed asymmetry (p values < 0.05). Conclusion: Bacterial co-infection is relatively high in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2, with little evidence of S. aureus playing a major role. Knowledge of the prevalence and type of co-infections in SARS-CoV-2 patients may have diagnostic and management implications.
Equine Herpesvirus Type 4 (EHV-4) Outbreak in Germany: Virological, Serological, and Molecular Investigations
Authors: Pavulraj Selvaraj , Eschke Kathrin , Theisen Jana , Westhoff Stephanie , Reimers Gitta , Andreotti Sandro , Osterrieder Nikolaus , Azab Walid
Published: June 2021

Equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) is enzootic in equine populations throughout the world. A large outbreak of EHV-4 respiratory infection occurred at a Standardbred horse-breeding farm in northern Germany in 2017. Respiratory illness was observed in a group of in-housed foals and mares, which subsequently resulted in disease outbreak. Out of 84 horses in the stud, 76 were tested and 41 horses were affected, including 20 foals, 10 stallions, and 11 mares. Virological investigations revealed the involvement of EHV-4 in all cases of respiratory illness, as confirmed by virus isolation, qPCR, and/or serological follow-up using virus neutralization test and peptide-specific ELISA. Among infected mares, 73% (8 out of 11) and their corresponding foals shed the virus at the same time. EHV-4 was successfully isolated from four animals (including one stallion and three foals), and molecular studies revealed a different restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profile in all four isolates. We determined the complete 144 kbp genome sequence of EHV-4 isolated from infected horses by next-generation sequencing and de novo assembly. Hence, EHV-4 is genetically stable in nature, different RFLP profiles, and genome sequences of the isolates, suggesting the involvement of more than one animal as a source of infection due to either true infection or reactivation from a latent state. In addition, epidemiological investigation revealed that stress caused by seasonal changes, management practices, routine equestrian activities, and exercises contributed as a multifactorial causation for disease outbreak. This study shows the importance of implementing stress alleviating measures and management practices in breeding farms in order to avoid immunosuppression and occurrence of disease.
Pharmacokinetic Study of Anti-osteoarthritic Compounds of a Standardized Fraction from Sphaeralcea Angustifolia
Authors: Serrano-Román Jade , Nicasio-Torres Pilar , Hernández-Pérez Elizabeth , Jiménez-Ferrer Enrique
Published: June 2021

Sphaeralcea angustifolia has been widely used in inflammatory conditions such as blows, bruises, fractures, and wounds. The compounds identified as active in plants and suspension cell culture of S. angustifolia were tomentin, scopoletin, and sphaeralcic acid. To consolidate the integral use of knowledge about the S. angunstifolia and strengthen its pharmacological use in patients with knee osteoarthritis, the pharmacokinetic behavior of the active compounds was characterized. The SaTSS (S. angustifoloia standardized in Tomentin, Scopoletin, and Sphaeralcic acid) anti-ostearthritic fraction was obtained from cell suspension. The analytical method of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for tomentin, scopoletin, and sphaeralcic acid were validated determining the accuracy, precision linearity, sensibility, specificity, detection limits, and quantification time-range parameters, as well as extraction efficiency and stability of compounds. The pharmacokinetic assay was performed with ICR mice strain, in which the mice were administrated with a single oral or intravenous dose (400 mg/kg with 7.1 mg/kg of scopoletin and tomentin in mixture and 34.6 mg/kg of sphaeralcic acid) of the SaTSS standardized active fraction. The results of the validated analytical methods allowed establishing, in a validated manner, that a coumarin mixture and sphaeralcic acid present in the SaTES fraction were detected in plasma. According to the values of Akaike Information Criteria (AIC), Sum of Squares (SS), Schwarz Criteria (SC), and by the determination coefficient (R2), the compounds follow a two-compartment model.
Cardiac Events Potentially Associated to Remdesivir: An Analysis from the European Spontaneous Adverse Event Reporting System
Authors: Rafaniello Concetta , Ferrajolo Carmen , Sullo Maria Giuseppa , Gaio Mario , Zinzi Alessia , Scavone Cristina , Gargano Francesca , Coscioni Enrico , Rossi Francesco , Capuano Annalisa
Published: June 2021

Remdesivir was recommended for hospitalized patients with COVID-19. As already reported in the Summary of Product Characteristics, most of remdesivir’s safety concerns are hepatoxicity and nephrotoxicity related. However, some cases have raised concerns regarding the potential cardiac events associated with remdesivir; therefore, the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee of the European Medicines Agency requested to investigate all available data. Therefore, we analyzed all Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs) collected in the EudraVigilance database focusing on cardiac adverse events. From April to December 2020, 1375 ICSRs related to remdesivir were retrieved from EudraVigilance, of which 863 (62.8%) were related to male and (43.3%) adult patients. A total of 82.2% of all AEs (N = 2604) was serious and one third of the total ICSRs (N = 416, 30.3%) had a fatal outcome. The most frequently reported events referred to hepatic/hepatobiliary disorders (19.4%,), renal and urinary disorders (11.1%) and cardiac events (8.4%). Among 221 cardiac ICSRs, 69 reported fatal outcomes. Other drugs for cardiovascular disorders were reported as suspected/concomitant together with remdesivir in 166 ICSRs (75.1%), 62 of which were fatal. Moreover, the mean time to overall cardiac event was 3.3 days (±2.2). Finally, disproportionality analysis showed a two-fold increased risk of reporting a cardiac adverse event associated with remdesivir compared to both hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin. This study showed that remdesivir could be associated to risk of cardiac events, suggesting a potential safety signal which has not been completely evaluated yet. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Comparison of Pharmacokinetics and Anti-Pulmonary Fibrosis-Related Effects of Sulforaphane and Sulforaphane N-acetylcysteine
Authors: Son Eun Suk , Fei Xiang , Yoon Jin-Ha , Seo Seung-Yong , Maeng Han-Joo , Jeong Sung Hwan , Kim Yu Chul
Published: June 2021

Sulforaphane (SFN), belonging to the isothiocyanate family, has received attention owing to its beneficial activities, including chemopreventive and antifibrotic effects. As sulforaphane N-acetylcysteine (SFN-NAC), a major sulforaphane metabolite, has presented similar pharmacological activities to those of SFN, it is crucial to simultaneously analyze the pharmacokinetics and activities of SFN and SFN-NAC, to comprehensively elucidate the efficacy of SFN-containing products. Accordingly, the anti-pulmonary fibrotic effects of SFN and SFN-NAC were assessed, with simultaneous evaluation of permeability, metabolic stability, and in vivo pharmacokinetics. Both SFN and SFN-NAC decreased the levels of transforming growth factor-β1-induced fibronectin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and collagen, which are major mediators of fibrosis, in MRC-5 fibroblast cells. Regarding pharmacokinetics, SFN and SFN-NAC were metabolically unstable, especially in the plasma. SFN-NAC degraded considerably faster than SFN in plasma, with SFN being formed from SFN-NAC. In rats, SFN and SFN-NAC showed a similar clearance when administered intravenously; however, SFN showed markedly superior absorption when administered orally. Although the plasma SFN-NAC concentration was low owing to poor absorption following oral administration, SFN-NAC was converted to SFN in vivo, as in plasma. Collectively, these data suggest that SFN-NAC could benefit a prodrug formulation strategy, possibly avoiding the gastrointestinal side effects of SFN, and with improved SFN-NAC absorption.
Bioresorbable Photonics: Materials, Devices and Applications
Authors: Wu Xiaozhong , Guo Qinglei
Published: June 2021

Bio-photonic devices that utilize the interaction between light and biological substances have been emerging as an important tool for clinical diagnosis and/or therapy. At the same time, implanted biodegradable photonic devices can be disintegrated and resorbed after a predefined operational period, thus avoiding the risk and cost associated with the secondary surgical extraction. In this paper, the recent progress on biodegradable photonics is reviewed, with a focus on material strategies, device architectures and their biomedical applications. We begin with a brief introduction of biodegradable photonics, followed by the material strategies for constructing biodegradable photonic devices. Then, various types of biodegradable photonic devices with different functionalities are described. After that, several demonstration examples for applications in intracranial pressure monitoring, biochemical sensing and drug delivery are presented, revealing the great potential of biodegradable photonics in the monitoring of human health status and the treatment of human diseases. We then conclude with the summary of this field, as well as current challenges and possible future directions.
Characterizing Quantum Effects in Optically Induced Nanowire Self-Oscillations: Coherent Properties
Authors: Choi Jeong Ryeol
Published: June 2021

Mechanical properties of metallic-nanowire self-oscillations are investigated through a coherent-state analysis. We focus on elucidating the time behavior of quantum energy in such oscillations, in addition to the analysis of fluctuations, evolution of eigenstates, and oscillatory trajectories. The quantum energy varies somewhat randomly at first, but, at a later time, it undergoes a stable periodical oscillation; the mean energy in the stabilized motion is large when the frequency of the driving force is resonated with that of the intrinsic oscillation of the nanowire. We confirmed that when the oscillatory amplitude is sufficiently low, the quantum energy is quite different from the classical one due to zero-point energy which appears in the quantum regime. Because the power in such an oscillation is typically ultra low, quantum effects in the nanowire oscillations are non-negligible. Detailed analysis for the evolution of the probability densities and their relation with the oscillation trajectories of the nanowire are also carried out. Characterizing quantum effects in the actual oscillatory motions and clarifying their difference from the classical ones are important in understanding nanowire self-oscillations.
Chemical and Phytocoenological Characteristics of Two Different Slovak Peatlands
Authors: Fazekašová Danica , Barančíková Gabriela , Fazekaš Juraj , Štofejová Lenka , Halas Ján , Litavec Tadeáš , Liptaj Tibor
Published: June 2021

This paper presents the results of pedological and phytocoenological research focused on the detailed research of chemical parameters (pH, organic carbon, and nutrients), risk elements (As-metalloid, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn), and species composition of the vegetation of two different peatlands on the territory of Slovakia—Belianske Lúky (a fen) and Rudné (a bog). Sampling points were selected to characterize the profile of the organosol within the peatland, the soil profile between the peatland and the agricultural land, and the soil profile of the outlying agricultural land, which is used as permanent grassland. Based on phytocoenological records, a semi-quantitative analysis of taxa in accordance with the Braun–Blanquet scale was performed. The study revealed that the thickness of the peat horizon of the fen in comparison with the bog is very low. In terms of the quality of organic matter, the monitored peatlands are dominated by fresh plant residues such as cellulose and lignin. Differences between individual types of peatlands were also found in the soil reaction and the supply of nitrogen to the organic matter of peat. The values of the soil exchange reaction were neutral on the fen, as well as slightly alkaline but extremely low on the bog. A significantly higher nitrogen supply was found in the organic matter of the fen in contrast to the bog. At the same time, extremely low content of accessible P and an above-limit content of As in the surface horizons were also found on the fen. From the phytocoenological point of view, 22 plant species were identified on the fen, while only five species were identified on the bog, which also affected the higher diversity (H’) and equitability (e). The results of the statistical testing confirmed the diversity of the studied peatlands and the different impact of environmental variables on plant diversity.
Aquatic Macrophytes Occurrence in Mediterranean Farm Ponds: Preliminary Investigations in North-Western Sicily (Italy)
Authors: Panzeca Patrizia , Troia Angelo , Madonia Paolo
Published: June 2021

Mediterranean wetlands are severely affected by habitat degradation and related loss of biodiversity. In this scenario, the wide number of artificial farm ponds can play a significant role in the biodiversity conservation of aquatic flora. In the present contribution we show the preliminary results of a study on Mediterranean farm ponds of north-western Sicily (Italy), aimed to investigating the environmental factors linked to the occurrence of submerged macrophytes (vascular plants and charophytes). We studied the aquatic flora of 30 ponds and determined the chemical and isotopic composition of their water bodies on a subset of the most representative 10 sites. Results show that (1) farm ponds host few but interesting species, such as Potamogeton pusillus considered threatened at regional level; (2) Chara vulgaris, C. globularis and P. pusillus behave as disturbance-tolerant species, occurring both in nitrates-poor and nitrates-rich waters, whereas Stuckenia pectinata and Zannichellia palustris occur only in nitrates-poor waters. Although farm ponds are artificial and relatively poor habitats, these environments seem to be important for the aquatic flora and for the conservation of the local biodiversity, and can give useful information for the use of macrophytes as bioindicators in the Mediterranean area.
Chemical Composition, Allelopathic, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Sesquiterpenes Rich Essential Oil of Cleome amblyocarpa Barratte & Murb.
Authors: Abd-ElGawad Ahmed M. , Elgamal Abdelbaset M. , EI-Amier Yasser A. , Mohamed Tarik A. , El Gendy Abd El-Nasser G. , I. Elshamy Abdelsamed
Published: June 2021

The integration of green natural chemical resources in agricultural, industrial, and pharmaceutical applications allures researchers and scientistic worldwide. Cleome amblyocarpa has been reported as an important medicinal plant. However, its essential oil (EO) has not been well studied; therefore, the present study aimed to characterize the chemical composition of the C. amblyocarpa, collected from Egypt, and assess the allelopathic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of its EO. The EO of C. amblyocarpa was extracted by hydrodistillation and characterized via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The chemometric analysis of the EO composition of the present studied ecospecies and the other reported ecospecies was studied. The allelopathic activity of the EO was evaluated against the weed Dactyloctenium aegyptium. Additionally, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were determined. Forty-eight compounds, with a prespondence of sesquiterpenes, were recorded. The major compounds were caryophyllene oxide (36.01%), hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (7.92%), alloaromadendrene epoxide (6.17%), myrtenyl acetate (5.73%), isoshyobunone (4.52%), shyobunol (4.19%), and trans-caryophyllene (3.45%). The chemometric analysis revealed inconsistency in the EO composition among various studied ecospecies, where it could be ascribed to the environmental and climatic conditions. The EO showed substantial allelopathic inhibitory activity against the germination, seedling root, and shoot growth of D. aegyptium, with IC50 values of 54.78, 57.10, and 74.07 mg L−1. Additionally, the EO showed strong antioxidant potentiality based on the IC50 values of 4.52 mg mL−1 compared to 2.11 mg mL−1 of the ascorbic acid as standard. Moreover, this oil showed significant anti-inflammation via the suppression of lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenases (COX1, and COX2), along with membrane stabilization. Further study is recommended for analysis of the activity of pure authentic materials of the major compounds either singularly or in combination, as well as for evaluation of their mechanism(s) and modes of action as antioxidants or allelochemicals.