bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agronomic biofortification of basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) through iron and boron under varying seedling densities
Authors: Rajput Pradeep , Singh Adesh , Rajput Ravindra Kumar , Bhatt Rajan , Alamri Saud , Kanaujiya Pradeep Kr. , Gautam Sandip Kumar
Published: May 2024

At present, we have adequate production of rice to fulfill the needs of humans. Now it is time to produce biofortified rice, whose grains contain enough amounts of nutrients like iron and boron. Two field experiments were carried out in Kharif 2019 and 2020 at Meerut (Uttar Pradesh), India, to find the effect of iron and boron nutrition on rice with different planting densities. The main plot treatment consists of three planting densities, and the subplot treatment consists of five foliar applications of micronutrients. They were tested in a split-plot design (SPD) with three replications. The results revealed that the rice transplanted with one seedling/hill gave the highest iron and boron content in grains and/or the crop fortified with iron and boron at 0.1 and 0.04% applied at the maximum tillering (MT) and panicle initiation (PI) stages of rice, respectively. The higher values of yield-contributing characters such as effective tillers/m2, panicle length (cm), grain weight/panicle (g), and test weight (g), as well as quality parameters such as nutrient content in grain (mg/kg), volume expansion ratio, protein content in grains (%), and amylose content (%) of rice were noticed in one seedling/hill except effective tillers/m2 during the first and second years. Application of Fe and B at the MT and PI stages of rice improved almost all the yield attributes and quality parameters. Planting density of two and three seedlings/hill was recorded at par values of grain yield, followed by one seedling/hill. Rice transplanted with three seedlings/hill obtained an average of 10.1 and 10.6% more grain yield than one seedling/hill during the first and second years, respectively. However, the application of Fe at 0.1% and B at 0.04% during both stages through foliar spray resulted in the highest seed yield and showed parity with the application of iron at 0.1% at the MT stage and boron at 0.04% at the PI stage. Economics revealed that the planting density of three seedlings/hill gave the maximum net returns of 61,585 and 66,752 ₹/ha with a benefit–cost ratio of 2.12 and 2.19 during 2019 and 2020, respectively. Furthermore, the highest net returns (62,188 and 67,938 ₹/ha) and benefit–cost ratio (2.15 and 2.23) were observed from the treatment of iron at 0.1% and boron at 0.04% at the MT and PI stages during the first and second years, respectively.
Novel polymorphisms and genetic studies of the shadow of prion protein gene (SPRN) in pheasants
Authors: Choi Da-In , Zayed Mohammed , Kim Yong-Chan , Jeong Byung-Hoon
Published: May 2024

Background

Prion diseases in mammals are caused by the structural conversion of the natural prion protein (PrPC) to a pathogenic isoform, the “scrapie form of prion protein (PrPSc).” Several studies reported that the shadow of prion protein (Sho), encoded by the shadow of prion protein gene (SPRN), is involved in prion disease development by accelerating the conformational conversion of PrPC to PrPSc. Until now, genetic polymorphisms of the SPRN gene and the protein structure of Sho related to fragility to prion disease have not been investigated in pheasants, which are a species of poultry.

Methods

Here, we identified the SPRN gene sequence by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and compared the SPRN gene and Sho protein sequences among various prion disease-susceptible and -resistant species to identify the distinctive genetic features of pheasant Sho using Clustal Omega. In addition, we investigated genetic polymorphisms of the SPRN gene in pheasants and analyzed genotype, allele, and haplotype frequencies, as well as linkage disequilibrium among the genetic polymorphisms. Furthermore, we used in silico programs, namely Mutpred2, MUpro and AMYCO, to investigate the effect of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Finally, the predicted secondary and tertiary structures of Sho proteins from various species were analyzed by Alphafold2.

Results

In the present study, we reported pheasant SPRN gene sequences for the first time and identified a total of 14 novel SNPs, including 7 non-synonymous and 4 synonymous SNPs. In addition, the pheasant Sho protein sequence showed 100% identity with the chicken Sho protein sequence. Furthermore, amino acid substitutions were predicted to affect the hydrogen bond distribution in the 3D structure of the pheasant Sho protein.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the genetic and structural features of the pheasant SPRN gene.
Case report: Initial atypical skeletal symptoms and dental anomalies as first signs of Gardner syndrome: the importance of genetic analysis in the early diagnosis
Authors: Antal Gréta , Zsigmond Anna , Till Ágnes , Orsi Eniko , Szanto Ildiko , Büki Gergely , Kereskai László , Herbert Zsuzsanna , Hadzsiev Kinga , Bene Judit
Published: May 2024

Background: Gardner syndrome is a rare genetic cancer predisposition disorder characterized by intestinal polyposis, multiple osteomas, and soft and hard tissue tumors. Dental anomalies are present in approximately 30%–70% of patients with Gardner syndrome and can be discovered during routine dental examinations. However, sometimes the diagnosis is challenging due to the high clinical variability and incomplete clinical picture. Herein, we report a family with various dental and bone anomalies, in which the definitive diagnosis was established with the help of a comprehensive genetic analysis based on state-of-the-art next-generation sequencing technology.

Case presentation: A 17-year-old female index patient presented with dental (caries, impacted, retained and anteriorly located teeth) and atypical bone anomalies not resembling Gardner syndrome. She was first referred to our Genetic Counselling Unit at the age of 11 due to an atypical bone abnormality identified by a panoramic X-ray. Tooth 3.6 was surgically removed and the histopathology report revealed a Paget’s disease-like bone metabolic disorder with mixed osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity of the mandible. A small lumbar subcutaneous tumor was discovered by physical examination. Ultrasound examination of the tumor raised the possibility of a soft tissue propagation of chondromatosis. Her sister, 2 years younger at the age of 14, had some benign tumors (multiple exostoses, odontomas, epidermoid cysts) and impacted teeth. Their mother had also skeletal symptoms. Her lower teeth did not develop, the 9th-10th ribs were fused, and she complained of intermittent jaw pain. A cranial CT scan showed fibrous dysplasia on the cranial bones. Whole exome sequencing identified a heterozygous pathogenic nonsense mutation (c.4700C>G; p.Ser1567*) in the APC gene in the index patient’s DNA. Targeted sequencing revealed the same variant in the DNA of the other affected family members (the sister and the mother).

Conclusion: Early diagnosis of this rare, genetically determined syndrome is very important, because of the potentially high malignant transformation of intestinal polyps. Dentists should be familiar with the typical maxillofacial features of this disorder, to be able to refer patients to genetic counseling. Dental anomalies often precede the intestinal polyposis and facilitate the early diagnosis, thereby increasing the patients’ chances of survival. Genetic analysis may be necessary in patients with atypical phenotypic signs.
Simulation and Optimization of a Pendulum-Lever-Type Hole-Seeding Device
Authors: Zhou Hengshan , Dai Fei , Shi Ruijie , Zhao Cai , Deng Huan , Pan Haifu , Zhao Qinxue
Published: May 2024

The process of hole seeding on the mulch during full-film double-row furrow corn planting faces issues such as poor seed discharge and seed blockage. To address these challenges, a pendulum-lever-type hole-forming mechanism is designed, along with an adjustment device. By analyzing the working principles of the pendulum-lever-type hole seeder and the adjustment device, the structural parameters of the device are determined. Through theoretical analysis and simulation experiments, three-dimensional models of seeds and hole seeders are constructed. Based on MBD-DEM cosimulation, the trajectory of seed movement and the seeding process of the hole seeder are analyzed to elucidate the effects of the hole-former opening and the number of pendulum bearings on seeding quality. To improve the operational performance of the hole seeder, experiments are conducted using the hole seeder’s rotating disc speed, lever angle of the hole-former, and the number of pendulum bearings as experimental factors, with the qualification index, miss-seeding index, and reseeding index as experimental indicators. A three-factor, three-level Box–Behnken central composite experiment is performed to obtain mathematical models of the relationships between the experimental factors and indicators. Using Design-Expert 12 software, the regression models are optimized for multiple objectives to obtain the optimal parameter combination: a seeder disc speed of 49 r/min (corresponding to a forward speed of 5.76 km/h), a lever angle of 131°, and four pendulum bearings. Under this optimal parameter combination, the qualification index is 91.70%, the miss-seeding index is 4.57%, and the reseeding index is 3.73%. Experimental validation of the seeding performance of the hole seeder under the optimal parameter combination is conducted. Bench tests show that the qualification index, miss-seeding index, and reseeding index are 90.53%, 5.60%, and 3.87%, respectively. Field tests demonstrate a qualification index of 89.13%, a miss-seeding index of 5.46%, and a reseeding index of 6.41%. The actual results are consistent with the optimized values, providing valuable insights for the design and performance optimization of hole seeders.
Strawberry Detection and Ripeness Classification Using YOLOv8+ Model and Image Processing Method
Authors: Wang Chenglin , Wang Haoming , Han Qiyu , Zhang Zhaoguo , Kong Dandan , Zou Xiangjun
Published: May 2024

As strawberries are a widely grown cash crop, the development of strawberry fruit-picking robots for an intelligent harvesting system should match the rapid development of strawberry cultivation technology. Ripeness identification is a key step to realizing selective harvesting by strawberry fruit-picking robots. Therefore, this study proposes combining deep learning and image processing for target detection and classification of ripe strawberries. First, the YOLOv8+ model is proposed for identifying ripe and unripe strawberries and extracting ripe strawberry targets in images. The ECA attention mechanism is added to the backbone network of YOLOv8+ to improve the performance of the model, and Focal-EIOU loss is used in loss function to solve the problem of imbalance between easy- and difficult-to-classify samples. Second, the centerline of the ripe strawberries is extracted, and the red pixels in the centerline of the ripe strawberries are counted according to the H-channel of their hue, saturation, and value (HSV). The percentage of red pixels in the centerline is calculated as a new parameter to quantify ripeness, and the ripe strawberries are classified as either fully ripe strawberries or not fully ripe strawberries. The results show that the improved YOLOv8+ model can accurately and comprehensively identify whether the strawberries are ripe or not, and the mAP50 curve steadily increases and converges to a relatively high value, with an accuracy of 97.81%, a recall of 96.36%, and an F1 score of 97.07. The accuracy of the image processing method for classifying ripe strawberries was 91.91%, FPR was 5.03%, and FNR was 14.28%. This study demonstrates the program’s ability to quickly and accurately identify strawberries at different stages of ripeness in a facility environment, which can provide guidance for selective picking by subsequent fruit-picking robots.
Utilization of Rhodopseudomonas palustris in Crop Rotation Practice Boosts Rice Productivity and Soil Nutrient Dynamics
Authors: Sundar Laurence Shiva , Yen Kuei-Shan , Chang Yao-Tsung , Chao Yun-Yang
Published: May 2024

Using beneficial microorganisms, such as purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB), has shown enormous potential for improving plant growth and agricultural production. However, the full extent of their benefits and interactions with agricultural practices is yet to be fully understood. The present study aimed to investigate the use of PNSB in crop rotation practice, focusing on its impact on rice growth and yield. The experiment was conducted over two rice cropping seasons, with djulis grown between the rice as a rotation crop. The study shows that PNSB treatment increased the concentration of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) in plants, indicating enhanced photosynthesis. Moreover, when combined with crop rotation, PNSB remarkably improved soil fertility. These combined benefits resulted in substantial increases in tiller numbers (163%), leaf chlorophyll content (13%), and lodging resistance (66%), compared to the untreated plants. The combined treatment also resulted in higher productive tillers per hill (112%), average grain per hill (65%), and grain fertility (26%). This led to increased grain yield (65%), shoot dry weight (15%), and harvest index (37%). The findings clearly suggest that the incorporation of PNSB in crop rotation strategies can significantly augment the growth and yield of rice crops. These insights, pivotal for sustainable rice cultivation, hold the potential to simultaneously tackle the pressing issues of global food security and climate change.
Heat Stress and Water Irrigation Management Effects on the Fruit Color and Quality of ‘Hongro’ Apples
Authors: Do Van Giap , Lee Youngsuk , Park Juhyeon , Win Nay Myo , Kwon Soon-Il , Yang Sangjin , Kim Seonae
Published: May 2024

Increasing fruit crop production sustainability under climate change, particularly increasing temperatures, is a major challenge in modern agriculture. High temperatures affect apple fruit quality and decrease its color. Herein, we constructed an experimental field under temperature simulation to evaluate climate change mitigation strategies for apples. ‘Hongro’ apples were subjected to three treatments: (1) cultivation inside a vinyl house for heat treatment (heat induction), (2) cultivation under water irrigation (heat reduction), and (3) cultivation under normal atmospheric temperature (control). At harvest, the fruits of the heat treatment group exhibited poor coloration, with a lower gene expression and pigment accumulation than those of the water irrigation and control groups. Furthermore, the fruit quality of the heat treatment group decreased, with a lower soluble solid content (SSC) and titratable acidity (TA), and smaller fruits. Additionally, a higher fruit disorder (cracking and spots) ratio was observed in the heat treatment group than in the water irrigation and control groups. However, the fruits of the water irrigation group exhibited higher quality indexes (flesh firmness, SSC, and TA) and less cracking than those of the heat treatment and control groups. Heat reduction, including water irrigation, may be used for orchard management to prevent climate change-induced increasing temperatures.
Screening of Indicators to Evaluate the Overwintering Growth of Leaf-Vegetable Sweet Potato Seedlings and Their Main Influential Factors
Authors: Xiao Xiao , Tu Xiaoju , Zhong Kunquan , Zhang An , Yi Zhenxie
Published: May 2024

Whether the stems and leaves of leaf-vegetable sweet potatoes can be listed ahead of schedule is related to the improvement in economic benefits for farmers, and the key to all of this is to implement the safe overwintering of potato seedlings under the premise of saving production costs. Only in this way can we truly seize the “market opportunity” and achieve the goals of cost saving and increasing economic benefit. In this study, the main leaf-vegetable sweet potato variety Fucai 18 was used as the material, and the L9(34) orthogonal experiment was carried out in a simple solar greenhouse environment for two consecutive years from 2021 to 2022 and from 2022 to 2023, respectively. The effects of nine different combinations of factors on the above-ground and underground agronomic traits of overwintering sweet potato seedlings were studied under the conditions of four factors and three levels: planting density (a); different cutting seedlings (b); rooting agent concentration (c); and transplanting time (d). The methods of principal component analysis, membership function method, cluster analysis, grey correlation degree and stepwise regression analysis were used to evaluate the growth of overwintering seedlings, and try to screen out the key indicators that can be used to identify and evaluate the growth of overwintering sweet potato seedlings. Through range analysis, identify the optimal combination of four factors and three levels, and explore the main factors that have a significant impact on the key indicators for evaluating the growth of overwintering potato seedlings. The results indicate the following: (1) The use of simple sunlight greenhouse in Changsha area can achieve the safe overwintering of vegetable sweet potato seedlings. (2) Stem thickness, root length, and root diameter can be used as three key indicators for identifying and evaluating the growth potential of vegetable sweet potato overwintering seedlings. (3) Under four factors and three levels, the best combination was A3B3C1D1 (planting density of 250,000 plants/ha, stem tip core-plucking seedlings, rooting agent concentration of 50 mg/L, the first batch of transplanting time). (4) The transplanting time (D) is the main factor for the two key evaluation indicators of stem diameter and root diameter, while there is no significant difference in the three other factors. (5) Different cutting seedlings (B) are the main influencing factors for the key evaluation index of root length, while the other three factors have the following impact on root length: transplanting time (D) > rooting agent concentration (C) > planting density (A). The results of this study not only contribute to the construction of a safe overwintering cultivation technology system for vegetable sweet potato seedlings, but also provide a certain theoretical basis for the breeding of new cold-leaf-vegetable sweet potato varieties in the future.
Optimum Plant Density Improved Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Root Production Capacity and Photosynthesis for High Cotton Yield under Plastic Film Mulching
Authors: Cao Nan , Hou Jinmei , Hu Wei , Li Huqiang , Lin Jiao , Chen Guodong , Wan Sumei , Hu Shoulin
Published: May 2024

Cotton photosynthetic efficiency and the root–shoot relationship are two important physiological indexes affecting the final yield, but the interactive effects of plastic film mulching and planting density on the cotton photosynthetic efficiency and root–shoot relationship have rarely been reported. We aimed to investigate the optimal plant density with or without plastic film mulching for improved seed cotton yield in southern Xinjiang. Therefore, a two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of plastic film mulching (with or without plastic film mulching) and planting density (D1: 9 × 104 plants ha−1; D2: 18 × 104 plants ha−1; D3, 22 × 104 plants ha−1, local conventional planting density; D4, 27 × 104 plants ha−1) on the cotton root–shoot relationship, photosynthetic parameters, and seed cotton yield. Our results showed that the seed cotton yield was improved under plastic film mulching at all planting densities, but economic income was significantly lower in comparison to without plastic film mulching in 2023. Compared with D3, seed cotton yield and economic income at D2 increased by 6.9% and 12.2%, either with or without plastic film mulching, respectively. The highest increase in the seed cotton yield in D2 under plastic film mulching was due to the greatest improvements in the root production capacity and photosynthesis. The boll capacity of the root system (BCR) and boll loading of the root system (BLR) in D2 were the highest among all treatments with film mulching, being 9.0% and 16.9% higher than that in D3 in 2022 and 2023. However, the root–shoot ratio (R/S) was 7.1% and 6.9% lower in D2 than D3, under film mulching, in 2022 and 2023. Moreover, moderate plant density (D2) improved the SPAD value, chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm and PIabs), and photosynthetic parameter (Pn, Tr, and Gs) and decreased Ci compared with other planting density treatments in both years. Further analyses with correlation analysis showed that the seed cotton yield was highly positive correlated with BLR, BCR, and the photosynthetic parameter. In summary, suitable planting density (18 × 104 plants ha−1) combined with plastic film mulching has the potential to obtain high yields by enhancing the efficiency of photosynthetic assimilates, improving the capacity of cotton root production, providing a reference for suitable planting density under plastic film mulching.
Research on Control System of Corn Planter Based on Radar Speed Measurement
Authors: Wang Yunxia , Zhang Wenyi , Qi Bing , Ding Youqiang , Xia Qianqian
Published: May 2024

The intelligent control of precision planting can detect and regulate the operation quality of the planter in real time, which plays an important role in improving the operation quality of the planter and the yield of the corn. In this paper, the control system of a corn precision planter is designed to realize the operating quality monitoring and electric driving of the seed-metering device. The planting quality is calculated by the time interval between the neighboring falling seeds, instead of the plant spacing, to improve the operational efficiency of the system. At the same time, the forward speed of the planter is obtained by radar, which is used to accurately match the speed of the seed-metering device with the forward speed of the planter. The velocity error of the radar is analyzed, and the relevant relationship of the radar output frequency and forward speed is established. Comparative test results of this system and the JPS-12 test bench show that the detection performance of the system is reliable, and the maximum detection error of the quality parameters is less than 2.88%. Field experiments were carried out to verify the operational performance of the control system. Two speed sensors, radar and GPS, were chosen to study the effect of speed measuring on the performance of the control system. We found that speed measuring has a significant effect on planting performance. The qualified parameters of radar were significantly higher than those of GPS, at a forward speed of 6–12 km/h. The qualification feeding index (QFI) of radar was 0.51%, 0.67%, and 2.05% higher than that of GPS at speeds of 6, 8, 10, and 12 km/h. The precision index (PREC) of radar was 17.60%, 5.44%, 16.81%, and 17.30% lower than that of GPS. Therefore, the control system based on the radar speed measurement developed in this paper can significantly improve the operating quality of the planter.
Combined Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis of Lupinus polyphyllus Response to PEG Stress
Authors: Chai Shujie , Dong Wenke , Ma Huiling
Published: May 2024

Drought stress is a common abiotic stress, and Lupinus polyphyllus presents strong adaptability, but its drought resistance mechanism has not been explored. This study used PEG-6000 to simulate drought stress, and the H2O2 content, O2− generation rate and MDA content were determined. Transcriptome sequencing and untargeted metabolome analyses were also carried out on an Iceland germplasm and American B germplasm under different drought stress durations. The results showed that the gene regulation range in the American B germplasm was greater, whether genes were upregulated or downregulated. And the number of genes in the American B germplasm was higher than that in the Iceland germplasm. Additionally, the Iceland germplasm produced less peroxide under PEG stress than the Iceland germplasm. The Iceland germplasm was more stable than the American B germplasm under PEG stress, which can be shown in two aspects: peroxide content and gene regulation quantity. Joint transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis showed that genes and metabolites related to secondary and carbon metabolism were mainly involved in the response of Lupinus polyphyllus to PEG-simulated drought stress. The metabolites mainly included phenylalanine, tyrosine, trans-2-hydroxycinnamate, starch synthase, 1,4-alpha glucan branching enzyme and glycogen phosphorylase, and genes mainly included COMT, F5H, REF1, CAD, UGT72E and TPS. These results provided genetic resources and a theoretical basis for further molecular breeding of Lupinus polyphyllus.
Characterization of the Mitogenome of the Genus Dendrocerus Ratzeburg (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae) with the Specific Designed Primers
Authors: Wang Xu , Zhao Wenjing , Cui Shanshan , Su Baoshan , Huang Yixin , Chen Huayan
Published: May 2024

In Hymenoptera, the monophyly of Evaniomorpha has been the focus of debate among different scholars. In this study, we sequenced two mitochondrial genomes of Dendrocerus (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae) to analyze the mitochondrial genomic features of Dendrocerus and provide new molecular data for phylogenetic studies of Evaniomorpha. The mitogenome sizes of D. bellus and D. anisodontus were 15,445 bp and 15,373 bp, respectively, with the trnG of D. bellus missing. The nucleotide composition was significantly biased toward adenine and thymine, with A + T contents of 81.2% (D. bellus) and 82.4% (D. anisodontus). Using Ceraphron sp. (Ceraphronidae) as reference, the Ka/Ks values of NAD4L and NAD6 in D. anisodontus were both greater than one, indicating that non-synonymous mutations are favored by Darwinian selection, which is rare in other hymenopteran species. Compared with Ceraphon sp. gene order, nine operations were identified in D. anisodontus, including four reversals, four TDRLs (tandem duplication random losses) and one transposition, or four reversals and five TDRLs. Phylogenetic analysis of 40 mitochondrial genomes showed that Evaniomorpha was not a monophyletic group, which was also supported by the PBD values. Ceraphronoidea is a monophyletic group and is a sister to Aulacidae + Gasteruptiidae. Based on the conserved region of the newly sequenced mitochondrial genomes, a pair of specific primers MegaF/MegaR was designed for sequencing the COX1 genes in Megaspilidae and a 60% rate of success was achieved in the genus Dendrocerus.
Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Characterization of Sebaceous Adenoma and Epithelioma in Dogs
Authors: Kim Sanggu , Chaudhary Preeti Kumari , Upadhayaya Sachin , Seo Kwang Won , Kim Soochong
Published: May 2024

Sebaceous gland tumors are neoplasms originating from the sebaceous gland and are the third most common type of skin tumor, accounting for 21–35% of all cutaneous neoplasms in dogs. According to their histopathological characteristics, sebaceous gland tumors can be classified into adenoma as a benign tumor and epithelioma as a malignant tumor. Sebaceous epithelioma is distinguished from sebaceous adenoma by containing 90% or more reserve cells. However, this simple numerical criterion is insufficient to histologically distinguish between epitheliomas and adenomas. In addition, sebaceoma in humans, a similar tumor to sebaceous epithelioma, is a term used for tumors with more than 50% of reserve cells, unlike epithelioma. Therefore, we aimed to compare and characterize the histological and immunohistochemical profiles of comprehensive sebaceous adenoma, epithelioma, and borderline tumors that have more than 50% but less than 90% of reserve cells. A total of 14 canine sebaceous tumors were diagnosed as seven adenomas, four borderline tumors, and three epitheliomas. Histologically, the sebaceous adenomas showed nodules consisting of mature sebocytes surrounded by monolayer basaloid cells. In contrast, the portion of the reserve cells was increased, the portion of lipidized cells was decreased, and the majority of lipidized cells were found to be immature in sebaceous epithelioma. In the sebaceous adenomas, necrosis was not observed and mitotic figures were rarely seen. However, necrosis and mitotic figures were highly frequent in both borderline tumor and sebaceous epithelioma. Immunohistochemistry revealed that borderline tumor and sebaceous epithelioma showed significantly higher expression against Ki-67 than sebaceous adenoma. We conclude that it is more accurate to employ the cut-off value of 50% reserve cells in humans rather than the current 90% reserve cells for classifying sebaceous gland tumors in dogs, thereby providing new insight into the characterization of the sebaceous gland tumors.
Novel Approach for Evaluating Pregnancy-Associated Glycoprotein and Inflammation Markers during the Postpartum Period in Holstein Friesian Cows
Authors: Priyo Topas Wicaksono , Edo Ayane , Taura Yasuho , Yamato Osamu , Ono Tetsushi , Taniguchi Masayasu , Widodo Oky Setyo , Islam Md Shafiqul , Maki Shinichiro , Takagi Mitsuhiro
Published: May 2024

We evaluated the relationship between decreased pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) levels, inflammatory parameters (serum amyloid A [SAA] and milk amyloid A [MAA]), postpartum inflammatory conditions (mastitis, ketosis, and follicular cysts), and the FOXP3 gene. Nineteen Holstein-Friesian cows were included in this study. Up to approximately eight weeks after delivery, weekly health examinations were performed for mastitis and ketosis, and reproductive organ ultrasonography was performed. The decreasing PAG rate was negatively correlated with SAA concentration (r = −0.493, p = 0.032). Cows with mastitis exhibited a slower trend of PAG decrease (p = 0.095), and a greater percentage of these cows had MAA concentrations above 12 µg/mL (p = 0.074) compared with those without mastitis. A negative correlation, although nonsignificant (r = −0.263, p = 0.385), was observed between the day-open period and decreased PAG rate. The day-open period was correlated with the presence or absence of follicular cysts (p = 0.046). Four cows that developed follicular cysts were homozygous for the G allele of the FOXP3 gene related to repeat breeders. These results indicate a relationship between a decreased PAG rate and inflammatory status during the postpartum period. Thus, suppressing inflammation during the perinatal period may improve reproductive efficiency in the dairy industry.
Assessing the Socio-Economic Benefits and Costs of Insect Meal as a Fishmeal Substitute in Livestock and Aquaculture
Authors: Auzins Alberts , Leimane Ieva , Reissaar Rihard , Brobakk Jostein , Sakelaite Ieva , Grivins Mikelis , Zihare Lauma
Published: May 2024

Sustainability targets set by the United Nations, such as Zero Hunger by 2030, encourage the search for innovative solutions to enhance food production while preserving the environment. Alternative protein sources for feed, while conventional resources like soymeal and fishmeal become more expensive and scarcer, is one of the possibilities. Studies on substituting fishmeal with insect meal show promising results in terms of animal growth and feed efficiency. This paper aims to assess the socio-economic benefits and costs of insect meal substituting fishmeal in feed and to highlight the factors influencing performance most. The study evaluates the economic value of insect-based products, waste reduction, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions as socio-economic benefits. It combines empirical data derived from laboratory trials and two case studies covering black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) and yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor). Current analyses reveal negative socio-economic balances, emphasizing that reduction of operating and investment costs through upscaling and technological advancements can give a positive move, as well as factors such as current market valuations for nutrients can change significantly. Thus, a negative balance at the moment does not mean that insect rearing, and larva processing are not desirable from a long-term socio-economic perspective.
Gastrointestinal Parasites in Owned Dogs in Serbia: Prevalence and Risk Factors
Authors: Jovanovic Nemanja M. , Bisenic Olga , Nenadovic Katarina , Bogunovic Danica , Rajkovic Milan , Maletic Milan , Mirilovic Milorad , Ilic Tamara
Published: May 2024

Dogs are the most popular pets worldwide. Close contact between dogs and people increases the risk of transmission of various zoonotic parasitic infections. Given the importance of veterinary medicine in preserving the One Health concept, the aim of this research was to identify intestinal parasites that may have zoonotic potential and to evaluate risk factors (individual and environmental). The research was conducted in Serbia in 2022 and 2023 on 382 owned dogs, using qualitative methods of coprological examination with a concentration on parasitic elements. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 62.6%, with the following detected: protozoa: Cystoisospora spp. (9.2%), Sarcocystis spp. (4.5%), Neospora caninum/Hammondia spp. (3.7%), Giardia intestinalis (11.8%); nematoda: Toxocara canis (11.5%), Toxascaris leonina (4.2%), family Ancylostomatidae (38.0%), Trichuris vulpis (21.5%), Capillaria spp. (10.5%); trematoda: Alaria alata (1.6%) and cestodes from the Taeniidae family (1.3%). Factors like age, size and coat length, as well as the way of living, attitude and diet were linked to a significantly higher (p < 0.05) prevalence of intestinal parasites. Based on the results of coprological diagnostics, this research indicates the importance of educating dog owners, conducting routine parasitological tests on their pets and regular deworming strategies.
Owned-Dog Demographics, Ownership Dynamics, and Attitudes across Three States of India
Authors: Brill George , Chaudhari Amit , Polak Katherine , Rawat Suchitra , Pandey Divyanshi , Bhatt Pooja , Dholakia Parul Kevin , Murali Anju
Published: May 2024

This paper presents the demographics, dynamics, and attitudes of dog ownership across three states in India. The background of this research is set against the increasing significance of pet ownership in urban Indian contexts, with a particular focus on understanding the variations in dog-ownership patterns and their implications for public health and animal welfare. We employed a survey-based approach, gathering quantitative survey data from dog owners (n = 563) and non-dog-owners (n = 9282) across different socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds in seven Indian settlements. The results reveal notable differences in dog-ownership patterns, influenced by regional state. In particular, settlements in Gujarat were found to have significantly fewer dog-owning households than those in Tamil Nadu, with no differences found according to settlement size. Dog ownership was found to be more common in households of higher socioeconomic standing, and settlements in Uttarakhand were found more frequently to possess dogs for reasons other than companionship. Data from Ahmedabad and Vadodara, specifically, also indicate rapidly increasing rates of pet ownership. Sterilisation and rabies vaccination proportions were typically low and high, respectively, across all settlements, with few significant differences found among settlements. Confinement of owned dogs at night was significantly lower in Nainital than all other settlements. Differences in attitudes towards roaming dogs between dog owners and non-dog-owners were also examined, with the results indicating both positive and negative trends accordingly. Our results emphasise the need for region-specific strategies in public health and animal welfare policies, acknowledging the diverse nature of pet ownership in India. This research provides valuable insight for policymakers and animal welfare organisations, underlining the importance of tailored approaches to address the unique challenges and opportunities in the Indian context.
A Response Surface Methodological Approach for Large-Scale Production of Antibacterials from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum with Potential Utility against Foodborne and Orthopedic Infections
Authors: Prema Paulpandian , Ali Daoud , Nguyen Van-Huy , Pradeep Bhathini Vaikuntavasan , Veeramanikandan Veeramani , Daglia Maria , Arciola Carla Renata , Balaji Paulraj
Published: May 2024

A variety of bacteria, including beneficial probiotic lactobacilli, produce antibacterials to kill competing bacteria. Lactobacilli secrete antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) called bacteriocins and organic acids. In the food industry, bacteriocins, but even whole cell-free supernatants, are becoming more and more important as bio-preservatives, while, in orthopedics, bacteriocins are introducing new perspectives in biomaterials technologies for anti-infective surfaces. Studies are focusing on Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (previously known as Lactobacillus plantarum). L. plantarum exhibits great phenotypic versatility, which enhances the chances for its industrial exploitation. Importantly, more than other lactobacilli, it relies on AMPs for its antibacterial activity. In this study, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) through a Box–Behnken experimental design was used to estimate the optimal conditions for the production of antibacterials by L. plantarum. A temperature of 35 °C, pH 6.5, and an incubation time of 48 h provided the highest concentration of antibacterials. The initial pH was the main factor influencing the production of antibacterials, at 95% confidence level. Thanks to RSM, the titer of antibacterials increased more than 10-fold, this result being markedly higher than those obtained in the very few studies that have so far used similar statistical methodologies. The Box–Behnken design turned out to be a valid model to satisfactorily plan a large-scale production of antibacterials from L. plantarum.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Provide no Guidance on Management of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria within the First Year after Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Medina-Polo José , Falkensammer Eva , Köves Béla , Kranz Jennifer , Tandogdu Zafer , Tapia Ana María , Cai Tommaso , Wagenlehner Florian M. E. , Schneidewind Laila , Bjerklund Johansen Truls Erik
Published: May 2024

(1) Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most frequent complications in kidney transplant (KT) recipients. Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) may be a risk factor for UTIs and graft rejection. We aimed to evaluate available evidence regarding the benefit of screening and treatment of ASB within the first year after KT. (2) Evidence acquisition: A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library CENTRAL and Embase. Inclusion criteria were manuscripts in English addressing the management of ASB after KT. The PICO questions concerned Patients (adults receiving a KT), Intervention (screening, diagnosis and treatment of ASB), Control (screening and no antibiotic treatment) and Outcome (UTIs, sepsis, kidney failure and death). (3) Evidence synthesis: The systematic review identified 151 studies, and 16 full-text articles were evaluated. Seven were excluded because they did not evaluate the effect of treatment of ASB. There was no evidence for a higher incidence of lower UTIs, acute pyelonephritis, graft loss, or mortality in patients not treated with antibiotics for ASB. Analysis of comparative non-randomized and observational studies did not provide supplementary evidence to guide clinical recommendations. We believe this lack of evidence is due to confounding risk factors that are not being considered in the stratification of study patients.
Lippia graveolens Essential Oil to Enhance the Effect of Imipenem against Axenic and Co-Cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Fimbres-García Jorge O. , Flores-Sauceda Marcela , Othón-Díaz Elsa Daniela , García-Galaz Alfonso , Tapia-Rodriguez Melvin R. , Silva-Espinoza Brenda A. , Alvarez-Armenta Andres , Ayala-Zavala J. Fernando
Published: May 2024

This research focuses on assessing the synergistic effects of Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) essential oil or carvacrol when combined with the antibiotic imipenem, aiming to reduce the pathogenic viability and virulence of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The study highlighted the synergistic effect of combining L. graveolens essential oil or carvacrol with imipenem, significantly reducing the required doses for inhibiting bacterial growth. The combination treatments drastically lowered the necessary imipenem doses, highlighting a potent enhancement in efficacy against A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa. For example, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for the essential oil/imipenem combinations were notably low, at 0.03/0.000023 mg/mL for A. baumannii and 0.0073/0.000023 mg/mL for P. aeruginosa. Similarly, the combinations significantly inhibited biofilm formation at lower concentrations than when the components were used individually, demonstrating the strategic advantage of this approach in combating antibiotic resistance. For OXA-51, imipenem showed a relatively stable interaction during 30 ns of dynamic simulation of their interaction, indicating changes (<2 nm) in ligand positioning during this period. Carvacrol exhibited similar fluctuations to imipenem, suggesting its potential inhibition efficacy, while thymol showed significant variability, particularly at >10 ns, suggesting potential instability. With IMP-1, imipenem also displayed very stable interactions during 38 ns and demonstrated notable movement and positioning changes within the active site, indicating a more dynamic interaction. In contrast, carvacrol and thymol maintained their position within the active site only ~20 and ~15 ns, respectively. These results highlight the effectiveness of combining L. graveolens essential oil and carvacrol with imipenem in tackling the difficult-to-treat pathogens A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa.
Characterization of Salmonella Phage P1-CTX and the Potential Mechanism Underlying the Acquisition of the blaCTX-M-27 Gene
Authors: Zhao Qiu-Yun , Cai Run-Mao , Cai Ping , Zhang Lin , Jiang Hong-Xia , Zeng Zhen-Ling
Published: May 2024

The P1 phage has garnered attention as a carrier of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in Enterobacteriaceae. However, the transferability of ARGs by P1-like phages carrying ARGs, in addition to the mechanism underlying ARG acquisition, remain largely unknown. In this study, we elucidated the biological characteristics, the induction and transmission abilities, and the acquisition mechanism of the blaCTX-M-27 gene in the P1 phage. The P1-CTX phage exhibited distinct lytic plaques and possessed a complete head and tail structure. Additionally, the P1-CTX phage was induced successfully under various conditions, including UV exposure, heat treatment at 42 °C, and subinhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of antibiotics. Moreover, the P1-CTX phage could mobilize the blaCTX-M-27 gene into three strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and the following seven different serotypes of Salmonella: Rissen, Derby, Kentucky, Typhimurium, Cerro, Senftenberg, and Muenster. The mechanism underlying ARG acquisition by the P1-CTX phage involved Tn1721 transposition-mediated movement of blaCTX-M-27 into the ref and mat genes within its genome. To our knowledge, this is the first report documenting the dynamic processes of ARG acquisition by a phage. Furthermore, this study enriches the research on the mechanism underlying the phage acquisition of drug resistance genes and provides a basis for determining the risk of drug resistance during phage transmission.
GDSL Lipase Gene HTA1 Negatively Regulates Heat Tolerance in Rice Seedlings by Regulating Reactive Oxygen Species Accumulation
Authors: Su Rui , Luo Jingkai , Wang Yingfeng , Xiao Yunhua , Liu Xiong , Deng Huabing , Lu Xuedan , Chen Qiuhong , Chen Guihua , Tang Wenbang , Zhang Guilian
Published: May 2024

High temperature is a significant environmental stress that limits plant growth and agricultural productivity. GDSL lipase is a hydrolytic enzyme with a conserved GDSL sequence at the N-terminus, which has various biological functions, such as participating in plant growth, development, lipid metabolism, and stress resistance. However, little is known about the function of the GDSL lipase gene in the heat tolerance of rice. Here, we characterized a lipase family protein coding gene HTA1, which was significantly induced by high temperature in rice. Rice seedlings in which the mutant hta1 was knocked out showed enhanced heat tolerance, whereas the overexpressing HTA1 showed more sensitivity to heat stress. Under heat stress, hta1 could reduce plant membrane damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and elevate the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis showed that mutant hta1 significantly activated gene expression in antioxidant enzymes, heat response, and defense. In conclusion, our results suggest that HTA1 negatively regulates heat stress tolerance by modulating the ROS accumulation and the expression of heat-responsive and defense-related genes in rice seedlings. This research will provide a valuable resource for utilizing HTA1 to improve crop heat tolerance.
Therapeutic Potential of Palmitoylethanolamide in Gastrointestinal Disorders
Authors: Branković Marija , Gmizić Tijana , Dukić Marija , Zdravković Marija , Daskalović Branislava , Mrda Davor , Nikolić Novica , Brajković Milica , Gojgić Milan , Lalatović Jovana , Kralj Đorđe , Pantić Ivana , Vojnović Marko , Milovanović Tamara , Đurašević Siniša , Todorović Zoran
Published: May 2024

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endocannabinoid-like bioactive lipid mediator belonging to the family of N-acylethanolamines, most abundantly found in peanuts and egg yolk. When the gastrointestinal (GI) effects of PEA are discussed, it must be pointed out that it affects intestinal motility but also modulates gut microbiota. This is due to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory features. Additionally, PEA has shown beneficial effects in several GI diseases, particularly irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel diseases, as various studies have shown, and it is important to emphasize its relative lack of toxicity, even at high dosages. Unfortunately, there is not enough endogenous PEA to treat disturbed gut homeostasis, even though it is produced in the GI tract in response to inflammatory stimuli, so exogenous intake is mandatory to achieve homeostasis. Intake of PEA could be through animal and/or vegetable food, but bearing in mind that a high dosage is needed to achieve a therapeutic effect, it must be compensated through dietary supplements. There are still open questions pending to be answered, so further studies investigating PEA’s effects and mechanisms of action, especially in humans, are crucial to implementing PEA in everyday clinical practice.