bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) demonstrate antiviral functions in vitro, and safety for application to COVID-19 patients in a pilot clinical study
Authors: Abutbul Avraham , Mumblat Helena , Porat Yaara , Friedman Nehemya , Atari Nofar , Sharabi Shirley , Nama Ahmad , Mugahed Waseem , Kessler Asa , Kolben Yotam , Shamir Reuben Ruby , Manzur Doron , Farber Ori , Bosch Liora , Lavy-Shahaf Gitit , Dor-On Eyal , Haber Adi , Giladi Moshe , Weinberg Uri , Palti Yoram , Mardor Yael , Mandelboim Michal
Published: November 2023

Coronaviruses are the causative agents of several recent outbreaks, including the COVID-19 pandemic. One therapeutic approach is blocking viral binding to the host receptor. As binding largely depends on electrostatic interactions, we hypothesized possible inhibition of viral infection through application of electric fields, and tested the effectiveness of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), a clinically approved cancer treatment based on delivery of electric fields. In preclinical models, TTFields were found to inhibit coronavirus infection and replication, leading to lower viral secretion and higher cell survival, and to formation of progeny virions with lower infectivity, overall demonstrating antiviral activity. In a pilot clinical study (NCT04953234), TTFields therapy was safe for patients with severe COVID-19, also demonstrating preliminary effectiveness data, that correlated with higher device usage.
Aztreonam-avibactam synergy, a validation and comparison of diagnostic tools
Authors: Verschelden Gil , Noeparast Maxim , Stoefs Anke , Van Honacker Eveline , Vandoorslaer Kristof , Vandervore Laura , Olbrecht Margo , Van Damme Kathleen , Demuyser Thomas , Piérard Denis , Wybo Ingrid
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem that necessitates the development of new therapeutic options. Cefiderocol and aztreonam (AT) are often the last active β-lactams for treating metallo-β-lactamases (MBL)-producing Gram-negative bacilli. In these difficult-to-treat bacterial strains, AT resistance is frequently attributed to the co-occurrence of other resistance mechanisms. In the case of β-lactamases they can often be inhibited by avibactam. In the present study, we evaluated the use of the double-disc synergy test (DDST) as a screening tool for the detection of synergy between AT-avibactam (ATA). We validated both the Gradient Diffusion Strips (GDSs) superposition method and the commercially available Liofilchem’s ATA GDS.

Materials and methods

We tested AT susceptibility in combination with ceftazidime-avibactam for 65 strains, including 18 Serine-β-Lactamase (SBL)- and 24 MBL-producing Enterobacterales, 12 MBL-producing P. aeruginosa, and 11 S. maltophilia isolates. Interpretation was done with EUCAST breakpoints (version 13.0), AT breakpoints being used for ATA. The accuracy and validity of the GDSs superposition method and ATA GDS were evaluated using an AT GDS applied on Mueller Hinton Agar plates supplemented with avibactam (MH-AV). A DDST was performed to screen for synergy between antibiotic combinations.

Results

Using MH-AV, all SBL- and MBL-positive Enterobacterales were susceptible or susceptible at increased exposure to the combination AT-avibactam. In contrast, only 2 out of the 12 (17%) P. aeruginosa strains and 9/11 (82%) of the S. maltophilia strains were susceptible- or susceptible at increased exposure for the combination of AT-avibactam. The DDST detected all synergies, demonstrating a 100% sensitivity and 100% negative predictive value for all bacterial strains.

Conclusion

The DDST is a sensitive tool for screening for antibiotic synergy. Unlike S. maltophilia and SBL- and MBL-positive Enterobacterales, most MBL-positive P. aeruginosa strains remain resistant to AT-avibactam. ATA GDS should be preferred for MIC determination of the AT-avibactam combination, while the GDSs superposition method can be used as an alternative to the commercial test.
Harnessing IGF-1 and IL-2 as biomarkers for calcineurin activity to tailor optimal FK506 dosage in α-synucleinopathies
Authors: Zaichick Sofia , Caraveo Gabriela
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Rise in Calcium (Ca2+) and hyperactive Ca2+-dependent phosphatase calcineurin represent two key determinants of a-synuclein (a-syn) pathobiology implicated in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Calcineurin activity can be inhibited with FK506, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved compound. Our previous work demonstrated a protective effect of low doses of FK506 against a-syn pathology in various models of a-syn related pathobiology.

Methods: Control and a-syn-expressing mice (12-18 months old) were injected with vehicle or two single doses of FK506 administered 4 days apart. Cerebral cortex and serum from these mice were collected and assayed using a meso scale discovery quickplex SQ 120 for cytokines and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for IGF-1.

Results: In this study we present evidence that reducing calcineurin activity with FK506 in a-syn transgenic mice increased insulin growth factor (IGF-1), while simultaneously decreasing IL-2 levels in both cerebral cortex and serum.

Discussion: The highly conserved Ca2+/calcineurin signaling pathway is known to be affected in a-syn-dependent human disease. FK506, an already approved drug for other uses, exhibits high brain penetrance and a proven safety profile. IL-2 and IGF-1 are produced throughout life and can be measured using standard clinical methods. Our findings provide two potential biomarkers that could guide a clinical trial of FK506 in PD patients, without posing significant logistical or regulatory challenges.
Causal association of gastroesophageal reflux disease with obstructive sleep apnea and sleep-related phenotypes: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Qin Shan , Wang Chi , Wang Xiaoqiu , Wu Wenzhong , Liu Chengyong
Published: November 2023

Background

The interactions and associations between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), sleep-related phenotypes (SRPs), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are complex, thus it is hard to explore the effect and direction of causalities.

Study objectives

A bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study was performed to explore causal associations of GERD with OSA and SRPs (including insomnia, morningness, sleep duration, ease of getting up, daytime napping, daytime dozing, and snoring).

Methods

First, we gathered summary statistics from publicly available databases. Subsequently, we identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms without strong linkage (r2 ≤ 0.001) by referencing relevant genome-wide association studies that met genome-wide significance criteria. Our primary analysis relied on inverse variance weighted to estimate the causal relationship. To ensure the validity of our findings, we also conducted several sensitivity analyses. These included MR Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier to detect and correct for potential pleiotropic effects, MR-Egger to assess directional pleiotropy, and weighted median analysis to further evaluate heterogeneity and pleiotropy. For the initial MR analysis, when causality was indicated by the results, instrumental variables that were significantly linked to the aforementioned confounding factors were removed. We will re-analyze the data after excluding outcome-related single nucleotide polymorphisms to confirm that the results are still consistent with the previous results.

Results

GERD was found to increase the risk of OSA (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.37–1.70, p = 5.3 × 10−15), insomnia (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.10–1.19, p = 1.3 × 10−10), snoring (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.04–1.13, p = 6.3 × 10−5) and less sleep duration (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.91–0.97, p = 3.7 × 10−4). According to the reverse-direction analysis, there is an elevated risk of GERD associated with OSA (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.02–1.12, p = 0.005), insomnia (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.60–2.37, p = 1.92 × 10−11) and snoring (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.37–2.21, p = 4.4 × 10−6).

Conclusion

Genetic susceptibility to GERD can elevate the likelihood of experiencing insomnia, snoring, and OSA, in addition to diminishing sleep duration. Conversely, a reverse MR analysis indicates that ameliorating any one of insomnia, snoring, or OSA can mitigate the risk of developing GERD.
The therapeutic effects of physical treatment for patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia: a narrative review
Authors: Di Ludovico Armando , Ciarelli Francesca , La Bella Saverio , Scorrano Giovanna , Chiarelli Francesco , Farello Giovanni
Published: November 2023

Background

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) encompass a variety of neurodegenerative disorders that are characterized by progressive deterioration of walking ability and a high risk for long-term disability. The management of problems associated with HSP, such as stiffness, deformity, muscle contractures, and cramping, requires strict adherence to recommended physiotherapy activity regimes. The aim of this paper is to conduct a critical narrative review of the available evidence focusing exclusively to the therapeutic advantages associated with various forms of physical therapy (PT) in the context of HSP, emphasizing the specific benefit of every distinct approach in relation to muscle relaxation, muscle strength, spasticity reduction, improvement of weakness, enhancement of balance, posture, walking ability, and overall quality of life.

Methods

To conduct a literature review, the databases PubMed, Scopus, and DOAJ (last access in June 2023) were searched.

Results

The PubMed search returned a total of 230 articles, Scopus returned 218, and DOAJ returned no results. After screening, the final list included 7 papers on PT treatment for HSP patients.

Conclusion

Electrostimulation, magnetotherapy, hydrotherapy, PT, robot-assisted gait training, and balance rehabilitation have the potential to increase lower extremity strength and decrease spasticity in HSP patients.
Transcription factors in microcephaly
Authors: Lim Youngshin
Published: November 2023

Higher cognition in humans, compared to other primates, is often attributed to an increased brain size, especially forebrain cortical surface area. Brain size is determined through highly orchestrated developmental processes, including neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, lamination, arborization, and apoptosis. Disruption in these processes often results in either a small (microcephaly) or large (megalencephaly) brain. One of the key mechanisms controlling these developmental processes is the spatial and temporal transcriptional regulation of critical genes. In humans, microcephaly is defined as a condition with a significantly smaller head circumference compared to the average head size of a given age and sex group. A growing number of genes are identified as associated with microcephaly, and among them are those involved in transcriptional regulation. In this review, a subset of genes encoding transcription factors (e.g., homeobox-, basic helix-loop-helix-, forkhead box-, high mobility group box-, and zinc finger domain-containing transcription factors), whose functions are important for cortical development and implicated in microcephaly, are discussed.
Identifying brain tumor patients’ subtypes based on pre-diagnostic history and clinical characteristics: a pilot hierarchical clustering and association analysis
Authors: Esposito Simona , Ruggiero Emilia , Di Castelnuovo Augusto , Costanzo Simona , Bonaccio Marialaura , Bracone Francesca , Esposito Vincenzo , Innocenzi Gualtiero , Paolini Sergio , Cerletti Chiara , Donati Maria Benedetta , de Gaetano Giovanni , Iacoviello Licia , Gialluisi Alessandro
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are severe health conditions with increasing incidence in the last years. Different biological, environmental and clinical factors are thought to have an important role in their epidemiology, which however remains unclear.

Objective

The aim of this pilot study was to identify CNS tumor patients’ subtypes based on this information and to test associations with tumor malignancy.

Methods

90 patients with suspected diagnosis of CNS tumor were recruited by the Neurosurgery Unit of IRCCS Neuromed. Patients underwent anamnestic and clinical assessment, to ascertain known or suspected risk factors including lifestyle, socioeconomic, clinical and psychometric characteristics. We applied a hierarchical clustering analysis to these exposures to identify potential groups of patients with a similar risk pattern and tested whether these clusters associated with brain tumor malignancy.

Results

Out of 67 patients with a confirmed CNS tumor diagnosis, we identified 28 non-malignant and 39 malignant tumor cases. These subtypes showed significant differences in terms of gender (with men more frequently presenting a diagnosis of cancer; p = 6.0 ×10−3) and yearly household income (with non-malignant tumor patients more frequently earning ≥25k Euros/year; p = 3.4×10−3). Cluster analysis revealed the presence of two clusters of patients: one (N=41) with more professionally active, educated, wealthier and healthier patients, and the other one with mostly retired and less healthy men, with a higher frequency of smokers, personal history of cardiovascular disease and cancer familiarity, a mostly sedentary lifestyle and generally lower income, education and cognitive performance. The former cluster showed a protective association with the malignancy of the disease, with a 74 (14-93) % reduction in the prevalent risk of CNS malignant tumors, compared to the other cluster (p=0.026).

Discussion

These preliminary data suggest that patients’ profiling through unsupervised machine learning approaches may somehow help predicting the risk of being affected by a malignant form. If confirmed by further analyses in larger independent cohorts, these findings may be useful to create potential intelligent ranking systems for treatment priority, overcoming the lack of histopathological information and molecular diagnosis of the tumor, which are typically not available until the time of surgery.
Bi-directional associations between gender-based harassment at work, psychological treatment and depressive symptoms
Authors: Paulin Johan , Peristera Paraskevi , Nyberg Anna
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The objective of this study was to investigate the bi-directional associations between experienced and witnessed gender-based harassment (GBH) on the one hand, and depressive symptoms and psychological treatment on the other, in an occupational setting. GBH are behaviors that derogate, demean, or humiliate an individual based on his or her gender.

Methods

The analyses were based on data from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health at 2018 (T1) and 2020 (T2), including 6,679 working participants (60.3% women) with a majority in the age range of 45–64. Using cross-lagged structural equational models, we analyzed experienced and witnessed GBH in relation to depressive symptoms and having received psychological treatment (talked to a counselor or psychological professional) over time.

Results

Our results showed that neither experienced nor witnessed GBH was prospectively associated with depressive symptoms or psychological treatment over two years. Both higher levels of depressive symptoms (β = 0.002, p ≤ 0.001) and having received psychological treatment (β = 0.013, p = 0.027) weakly predicted experiences of GBH over time. Having received psychological treatment was furthermore weakly associated with witnessed GBH (β = 0.019, p = 0.012).

Discussion

In conclusion, the hypothesized associations between exposure to GBH and mental health outcomes were not statistically significant, while a weak reverse association was noted. More research addressing bidirectional associations between GBH and mental health outcomes are needed.
The Generic Conspiracist Beliefs Scale-5: further psychometric evaluation using a United Kingdom-based sample
Authors: Dagnall Neil , Denovan Andrew , Drinkwater Kenneth Graham , Escolà-Gascón Alex
Published: November 2023

The 5-item Generic Conspiracist Beliefs Scale (GCB-5) is an abridged version of the 15-item GCBS. It was developed as a global measure of the tendency to engage in non-event-based, conspiracy-related ideation. The GCB-5 is appealing to researchers because of its brevity, which facilitates the measurement of belief in conspiracies alongside multiple constructs and/or in situations where resources are limited (time, etc.). Noting that several studies failed to find an adequate unidimensional fit in the parent GCBS measures across different contexts, the present study further assessed the psychometric properties of the GCB-5. This was necessary since the GCB-5 was validated using North American samples. Thus, to ensure that the GCB-5 was satisfactory for use with samples in the United Kingdom (UK), GCBS/GCB-5 items were administered to a large, representative UK-based sample (N = 1,331), alongside a range of validated conspiracy scales. Confirmatory factor analysis found that a one-factor GCB-5 model produced a good model fit. This specified that the GCB-5 was underpinned by a single dimension. Furthermore, the performance of the GCB-5 was equivalent to the longer GCBS. Both instruments produced similar mean item scores and standard deviations and were comparably positively correlated with concurrent measures. Although the GCB-5 internal reliability was lower than the GCBS, it was good. The GCB-5 also demonstrated configural, metric, and scalar invariance (among gender and age subgroups). This indicated that the GCB-5 was interpreted similarly by men and women and different age groups. Overall, results supported the assertion that the GCB-5 is a psychometrically satisfactory global measure of non-event-based, conspiratorial ideation.
The beauty in imperfection: how naturalness cues drive consumer preferences for ugly produce and reduce food waste
Authors: Xiao Meizhen , Jiang Yi , Cao Binbin
Published: November 2023

Purpose

An important reason for food waste is the rejection of ugly produce by consumers. Most previous research has examined the absolute negative impacts of ugly produce on consumers’ preferences, no research has examined the conditions in which consumers prefer ugly (vs. typical) produce instead.This research investigates the circumstances under which these aesthetic imperfections become advantageous.

Methods

We conducted two between-subject design randomized experiments featuring two produce categories to examine when and why consumers prefer ugly produce.

Results

We found that naturalness cues boost and even reverse consumers’ preferences for ugly produce when combining ugly appearance with naturalness cues. The subtyping effect mediates the interaction of appearance (typical vs. ugly) of produce and naturalness cues (present vs. absent) on produce’s evaluations.

Discussion

Our findings provide more cost-effective strategies for retailers to reduce food waste. This paper fills in the research gaps on taping into the novel condition in which consumers prefer ugly (vs. typical) produce and the psychological mechanism behind this process. Based on schema incongruity theory, we argue that naturalness cues, as an enabler corresponding to the incongruous features of ugly produce, facilitate consumers to resolve the schema incongruity triggered by the ugly appearance and, in turn, boost consumers’ preferences for ugly produce.
A Sliding Mode Control-Based Guidance Law for a Two-Dimensional Orbit Transfer with Bounded Disturbances
Authors: Bassetto Marco , Mengali Giovanni , Abu Salem Karim , Palaia Giuseppe , Quarta Alessandro A.
Published: November 2023

The aim of this paper is to analyze the performance of a state-feedback guidance law, which is obtained through a classical sliding mode control approach, in a two-dimensional circle-to-circle orbit transfer of a spacecraft equipped with a continuous-thrust propulsion system. The paper shows that such an inherently robust control technique can be effectively used to obtain possible transfer trajectories even when the spacecraft equations of motion are affected by perturbations. The problem of the guidance law design is first addressed in the simplified case of an unperturbed system, where it is shown how the state-feedback control may be effectively used to obtain simple mathematical relationships and graphs that allow the designer to determine possible transfer trajectories that depend on a few control parameters. It is also shown that a suitable combination of the controller parameters may be exploited to obtain trade-off solutions between the flight time and the transfer velocity change. The simplified control strategy is then used to investigate a typical heliocentric orbit raising/lowering in the presence of bounded disturbances and measurement errors.
Effect of Engine Design Parameters on the Climate Impact of Aircraft: A Case Study Based on Short-Medium Range Mission
Authors: Saluja Harjot Singh , Yin Feijia , Gangoli Rao Arvind , Grewe Volker
Published: November 2023

The climate impact of aviation is considerably different from that of other transport modes. The turbofan engine’s efficiency can be increased by increasing the Operating Pressure Ratio (OPR), bypass ratio (BPR) and Turbine Inlet Temperature (TIT), thereby reducing CO2 and H2O emissions. However, this may have an adverse effect on the secondary emissions, such as NOx, soot, etc. Taking a holistic view in evaluating the climate impact of engine development trends considering all the climate forcers is imperative for design trends in the future. This research investigates the impact of some key engine design parameters on climate. The emission changes due to design variations in the CFM56-5B are estimated using in-house engine performance and emission prediction tools. Accordingly, the changes in the species’ Average Temperature Response for 100 years (ATR100) are analyzed using a climate assessment tool, AirClim. The results show that the overall climate impact increases by 40% when increasing OPR from 25 to 40. Meanwhile, the Twin Annular Premixed Swirler (TAPS-II) combustor reduces the total ATR100 drastically, in the range of 52–58%, due to lean combustion.
Analysis of Catapult-Assisted Takeoff of Carrier-Based Aircraft Based on Finite Element Method and Multibody Dynamics Coupling Method
Authors: Shao Haoyuan , Li Daochun , Kan Zi , Zhao Shiwei , Xiang Jinwu , Wang Chunsheng
Published: November 2023

Catapult-assisted takeoff is the initiation of flight missions for carrier-based aircrafts. Ensuring the safety of aircrafts during catapult-assisted takeoff requires a thorough analysis of their motion characteristics. In this paper, a rigid–flexible coupling model using the Finite Element Method and Multibody Dynamics (FEM-MBD) approach is developed to simulate the aircraft catapult process. This model encompasses the aircraft frame, landing gear, carrier deck, and catapult launch system. Firstly, reasonable assumptions were made for the dynamic modeling of catapult-assisted takeoff. An enhanced plasticity algorithm that includes transverse shear effects was employed to simulate the tensioning and release processes of the holdback system. Additionally, the forces applied by the launch bar and holdback bar, nonlinear aerodynamics loads, shock absorbers, and tires were introduced. Finally, a comparative analysis was conducted to assess the influence of different launch bar angles and holdback bar fracture stain on the aircraft’s attitude and landing gear dynamics during the catapult process. The proposed rigid–flexible coupling dynamics model enables an effective analysis of the dynamic behavior throughout the entire catapult process, including both the holdback bar tensioning and release, takeoff taxing, and extension of the nose landing gear phases. The results show that higher launch bar angle increase the load and extension of the nose landing gear and cause pronounced fluctuations in the aircraft’s pitch attitude. Additionally, the holdback bar fracture strain has a significant impact on the pitch angle during the first second of the aircraft catapult process, with greater holdback bar fracture strain resulting in larger pitch angle variations.
Effect of Different Parameters (Treatment Administration Mode, Concentration and Phenological Weed Stage) on Thymbra capitata L. Essential Oil Herbicidal Activity
Authors: Torres-Pagán Natalia , Jouini Amira , Melero-Carnero Nieves , Peiró Rosa , Sánchez-Moreiras Adela , Carrubba Alessandra , Verdeguer Mercedes
Published: November 2023

The essential oil (EO) of Thymbra capitata has been demonstrated to possess herbicidal activity and could be used as an alternative to synthetic herbicides with reduced persistence in soil and new mode of action. Nevertheless, it is necessary to determine the adequate doses for its use, the proper way for its application and the best phenological stage of weeds and crops in which the EO should be applied to obtain maximum efficacy against weeds without compromising crop production. In this work, T. capitata EO was tested at three different concentrations against weeds grown from a citrus orchard soil seedbank untreated with herbicides and against three important weed species grown in substrate to determine the efficacy of the concentrations on different weed species. All experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions. To find out the best way for applying the EO, it was applied by irrigation and by spraying on the targeted weeds, and to verify the influence of timing, it was tested on Lolium rigidum at two different phenological stages and on wheat at a later phenological stage than weeds. The highest concentration tested (12 µL·mL−1) showed the best performance to control weeds. The more effective mode of application was by spraying on dicotyledons and by irrigation on monocotyledons at the earliest phenological stage. T. capitata EO was phytotoxic for wheat. More trials in different crops are needed to determine the best conditions for its use.
The Decreased Availability of Soil Moisture and Canopy Conductance Dominate Evapotranspiration in a Rain-Fed Maize Ecosystem in Northeastern China
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhao Tianhong , Ji Ruipeng , Chang Shuting , Gao Quan , Zhang Ge
Published: November 2023

Evapotranspiration (ET) determines the crop productivity in rain-fed agriculture. Global climate change alters the trade-off between soil water supply and atmospheric demand, energy partitioning, and community biophysical and structural properties; however, the interactive effects of these biotic and abiotic factors on ET and its components remain unclear. ET was measured in 2005–2020 in a rain-fed maize ecosystem in northeastern China using the eddy covariance method. By decomposing ET into transpiration (T) and evaporation (E) with the Shuttleworth–Wallace model, we investigated the abiotic and biotic interactive effects on ET and its components at annual levels. Results showed that available energy and albedo exhibited no significant time-series trends, but the Bowen ratio exhibited an increasing trend. Precipitation exhibited no significant trends; however, soil water content (SWC) decreased with time, accompanied by significantly increased air temperature (Ta) and a vapor pressure deficit (VPD). The ET decline was controlled by T, rather than E. The T decline was mainly controlled by canopy conductance and SWC. CO2 concentrations and the VPD exhibited indirect effects on T by reducing canopy conductance, while Ta and precipitation had indirect effects on T by reducing SWC. Our results indicated that decreasing ET may be more severe with crop physiological adaptability for a decreased SWC. Aiming to enhance water resource efficiency, the practice of returning crop residues to the field to reduce soil evaporation, coupled with adjusting the sowing time to mitigate the risk of seasonal droughts during critical growth stages, represents an effective strategy in agricultural water resource management.
Elevated Ripening Temperature Mitigates the Eating Quality Deterioration of Rice in the Lower Grain Position Due to the Improvement of Starch Fine Structure and Properties
Authors: Hu Yajie , Xu Yi , Cai Qin , Yu Enwei , Wei Haiyan , Xu Ke , Huo Zhongyang , Zhang Hongcheng
Published: November 2023

Elevated ripening temperature (ET) impacts rice grain quality. In this study, two rice varieties were investigated to evaluate the characterization of starch fine structure and grain eating quality under ET conditions. Rice exposure to ET increased the proportion of large-sized granules and starch granule average size, regardless of grain position. Compared to normal temperature (NT), the amylose content (AM) in the upper grain position (UP) exhibited a significant increase under ET, whereas the contrary results showed a decrease in the lower grain position (LP), and the proportion of shorter amylopectin chains increased under ET in UP or LP, whereas the proportion of long amylopectin chains decreased, resulting in a higher starch gelatinization temperature and enthalpy under ET. For grain position, compared to LP, UP had higher AM and a higher proportion of long amylopectin chains, leading to higher gelatinization enthalpy under ET. For eating quality, we found that ET deteriorated the eating quality of rice compared to NT, and UP had higher eating quality than LP under NT; however, there was a comparable eating quality between UP and LP under ET. Hence, elevated grain filling temperature mitigated the eating quality deterioration of rice grain in LP due to the lower AM and gelatinization enthalpy and the higher proportion of shorter amylopectin chains.
The Effect of Warming-Amplified Phosphorus Addition on a Peatland’s N2O Emissions
Authors: Yi Boli , Lu Fan , Chen Xu , Zhang Jiaqi , Ma Jun-Xiao , Chang An , Bu Zhao-Jun
Published: November 2023

Natural montane peatlands are generally not a significant source of nitrous oxide (N2O) due to environment limitations, including phosphorus (P) scarcity and temperature lowness. Phosphorus enrichment and warming caused by global change are altering these limitations, and are likely to increase the source function of N2O. However, the combined effects of P addition and warming on N2O fluxes and biotic/abiotic factors in peatlands are still uncertain. To address this, we investigated the long-term (12 yrs) effects of P addition (5 and 10 kg ha−1 yr−1) and its interaction with warming on N2O fluxes in a peatland. The results showed that although long-term P addition did not significantly affect the source/sink function of N2O in the peatland, it stimulated enzyme activities and promoted peat decomposition. However, warming amplified the effect of P addition to increase N2O emissions by stimulating enzyme activities and changing soil stoichiometry, so even turned the peatland into a significant source of N2O with an emission of approximate 100 g m−2 during the growing season. Our study suggests that P enrichment against the current background of global warming will enhance the possibility of strong N2O emissions in montane peatlands, which may increase the risk that global warming will be further aggravated.
A Section Dedicated to the Continuously Growing Field of Pest and Disease Management
Authors: Ruiu Luca
Published: November 2023

Invertebrate plant pests, like insects, mites, and nematodes, feed on plants to draw out the nutrients they need for development and growth [...]
YOLO v7-CS: A YOLO v7-Based Model for Lightweight Bayberry Target Detection Count
Authors: Li Shuo , Tao Tao , Zhang Yun , Li Mingyang , Qu Huiyan
Published: November 2023

In order to estimate bayberry yield, a lightweight bayberry target detection count model, YOLOv7-CS, based on YOLOv7, was proposed to address the issues of slow detection and recognition speed, as well as low recognition rate, of high-density bayberry targets under complex backgrounds. In this study, 8990 bayberry images were used for experiments. The training set, validation set, and test set were randomly recreated in a ratio of 8:1:1. The new network was developed with SPD-Conv detection head modules to extract features at various scales, to better capture small and indistinct bayberry targets. To improve accuracy and achieve a lightweight design, a CNxP module that replaces the backbone’s ELAN structure is proposed. We propose a global attention mechanism (GAM) in the intermediate layers of the network, to enhance cross-dimensional interactions, and a new pyramid pooling module called SPPFCSPC, to extend the field of perception and improve boundary detection accuracy. Finally, we combine the Wise-IoU function to enhance the network’s ability to identify overlapping and occluded objects. Compared with the SSD, Faster-RCNN, DSSD, and YOLOv7X target detection algorithms, YOLOv7-CS increases mAP 0.5 by 35.52%, 56.74%, 12.36%, and 7.05%. Compared with basic YOLOv7, mAP 0.5 increased from 5.43% to 90.21%, while mAP 0.95 increased from 13.2% to 54.67%. This parameter is reduced by 17.3 m. Ablation experiments further show that the designed module improves the accuracy of bayberry detection, reduces parameter counts, and makes bayberry image detection more accurate and effective.
Assessing Animal Welfare Risk in Fibre-Producing Animals by Applying the Five Domains Framework
Authors: Salobir Kaja , Kirchner Marlene Katharina , Haager Daniela
Published: November 2023

Nearly 5 billion farm animals, including waterfowl, cattle, sheep, goats, and alpacas, are being affected by the fashion industry. There is an urgent need for a system that evaluates their welfare. The rise in public interest on the topic of animal welfare is leading to the creation of different textile standards or certification schemes, which can give us an overview of the general state of expectations in terms of animal welfare within the textile industry. We therefore created a risk assessment tool and applied it to 17 different textile standards. Our results showed that only one of the standards reached a score in the “Acceptable” animal welfare risk category, and the rest of the standards had even lower scores of risks for animal welfare. In general, industry standards have not demanded sufficient requirements for higher levels of animal welfare. While the current risk assessment gave us a good idea of what is considered acceptable within the industry, it is also not necessarily representative of the risks for the majority of farm animals that are part of the textile industry. Only a small number of animal-derived materials are certified with some form of animal welfare standards, even though these standards can play an important role in improving the standard of care for animals. To evaluate the actual welfare states of the animals in fibre production, further research is needed to apply the proposed tool to actual farms.
Prediction of Parturition in Ferrets Using Ultrasonographic Fetal Measurements
Authors: Pettina Giorgia , Samiani Fabrizia , Zappone Viola , Quartuccio Marco , Pisu Maria Carmela
Published: November 2023

The gestation period in ferrets lasts 42 days (range 38–42). Numerous cases of maternal and paternal cannibalism have been reported, so it is important for breeders to know the exact date of parturition in order to separate the mother from the other ferrets in the herd. Fetal ultrasonographic biometry and specific formulae for assessing fetal growth have not yet been developed in ferrets as they have been in dogs and cats. The aim of this study was to develop a formula, similar to those available for other domestic species, that could be used in ferrets to date the birth of a litter to within one day. Among the different ultrasonographic parameters, the biparietal diameter (BP) gave a very accurate prediction and showed a significant relationship with days before parturition. The formula developed could allow better planning of care before, during and after parturition, thus helping to reduce neonatal mortality.
Characterization and Determination of the Antibacterial Activity of Baccharis dracunculifolia Essential-Oil Nanoemulsions
Authors: Monteiro Erika da Silva , da Silva Franklyn Santos , Gomes Karolina Oliveira , do Prado Bruno Alcântara , dos Santos Rebeca Dias , Gomes da Camara Claudio Augusto , de Moraes Marcilio Martins , Silva Izabel Cristina Rodrigues da , de Macêdo Vinicius Teixeira , Gelfuso Guilherme Martins , Sá Barreto Lívia Cristina Lira de , Orsi Daniela Castilho
Published: November 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of nanoemulsions of Baccharis dracunculifolia essential oil. The volatile compounds of the essential oil were identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The properties of the nanoemulsions (droplet size, polydispersity index, pH, and electrical conductivity) were determined. The antibacterial activities of the essential oil and its nanoemulsions were evaluated using MIC, MBC, and disk diffusion. The microorganisms used were: Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579, Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175, and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212) and Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC BAA-1706, Salmonella enterica ATCC 14028, and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922). The major volatile compounds of the B. dracunculifolia essential oil were limonene (19.36%), (E)-nerolidol (12.75%), bicyclogermacrene (10.76%), and β-pinene (9.60%). The nanoemulsions had a mean droplet size between 13.14 and 56.84 nm. The nanoemulsions presented lower and statistically significant MIC values compared to the essential oil, indicating enhancement of the bacteriostatic action. The disk diffusion method showed that both the nanoemulsions and the essential oil presented inhibition zones only for Gram-positive bacteria, while there were no results against Gram-negative bacteria, indicating that B. dracunculifolia essential oil has a better antimicrobial effect on Gram-positive microorganisms.
Antibiotic Resistance in Metal-Tolerant Microorganisms from Treatment Facilities
Authors: Perelomov Leonid , Sizova Olga , Gertsen Maria , Perelomova Irina , Arlyapov Vyacheslav , Atroshchenko Yury
Published: November 2023

The study examines the antibiotic resistance of metal-tolerant bacteria isolated from the wastewater treatment plant of a large city to six antibiotics belonging to the β-lactam antibiotics, aminoglycosides and amphenicols. Resistance of bacteria from sewage sludge multitolerant to heavy metals to 18 antibiotics of the β-lactam antibiotics, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, diaminopyrimidines, amphenicols and ansamycins was studied also. Out of 10, the metal-tolerant microorganisms isolated from wastewater treatment facilities only the Klebsiella pneumonia strain (tolerant to 3 mM Cu) from the sludge of a secondary settling tank did not show resistance to the studied antibiotics at the concentrations considered. Resistance to the maximum amount of antibiotics was typical for strains Serratia fonticola SS0-1, isolated from fresh sewage sludge and resistant to 5 mmol Cu and 3 mmol Pb, or Stenotrophomonas maltophilia SS0-5, also isolated from fresh sludge and resistant to 3 mmol Zn and Cu. It is possible that bacterial resistance to antibiotics develops not only as a result of the use of antibiotics themselves, but also as a result of environmental pollution with heavy metals, and vice versa.
Molecular Epidemiology of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Patients Diagnosed with Surgical Site Infection at Four Hospitals in Ethiopia
Authors: Worku Seble , Abebe Tamrat , Seyoum Berhanu , Alemu Ashenafi , Shimelash Yidenek , Yimer Marechign , Abdissa Alemseged , Beyene Getachew Tesfaye , Swedberg Göte , Mihret Adane
Published: November 2023

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common cause of severe surgical site infections (SSI). The molecular epidemiology of MRSA is poorly documented in Ethiopia. This study is designed to determine the prevalence of MRSA and associated factors among patients diagnosed with SSI. A multicenter study was conducted at four hospitals in Ethiopia. A wound culture was performed among 752 SSI patients. This study isolated S. aureus and identified MRSA using standard bacteriology, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and cefoxitin disk diffusion test. The genes mecA, femA, vanA, and vanB were detected through PCR tests. S. aureus was identified in 21.6% of participants, with 24.5% of these being methicillin-resistant Staphylococci and 0.6% showing vancomycin resistance. Using MALDI-TOF MS for the 40 methicillin-resistant Staphylococci, we confirmed that 31 (77.5%) were S. aureus, 6 (15%) were Mammaliicoccus sciuri, and the other 3 (2.5%) were Staphylococcus warneri, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. The gene mecA was detected from 27.5% (11/40) of Staphylococci through PCR. Only 36.4% (4/11) were detected in S. aureus, and no vanA or vanB genes were identified. Out of 11 mecA-gene-positive Staphylococci, 8 (72.7%) were detected in Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections were associated with the following risk factors: age ≥ 61 years, prolonged duration of hospital stay, and history of previous antibiotic use, p-values < 0.05. Hospitals should strengthen infection prevention and control strategies and start antimicrobial stewardship programs.
Chemically Modified Nanoparticles for Enhanced Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties with Cinnamon Essential Oil
Authors: López-Cano Aaron A. , Martínez-Aguilar Verónica , Peña-Juárez Mariana G. , López-Esparza Ricardo , Delgado-Alvarado Enrique , Gutiérrez-Castañeda Emmanuel J. , Del Angel-Monroy Mayra , Pérez Elías , Herrera-May Agustín L. , Gonzalez-Calderon J. Amir
Published: November 2023

We explored the potential of different nanoparticles (TiO2, CaCO3, and Al2O3), considering their pure form and modified with cinnamon essential oil (CEO). These materials were characterized using various techniques, including FTIR spectroscopy, XRD analysis, TGA, and SEM. The interaction between CEO and nanoparticles changed depending on the nanoparticle type. Al2O3 nanoparticles exhibited the strongest interaction with CEO, increasing their antioxidant capacity by around 40% and their transfer of antimicrobial properties, particularly against Gram-negative bacteria. In contrast, TiO2 and CaCO3 nanoparticles showed limited interaction with CEO, resulting in lower antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity. Incorporating pure and CEO-modified nanoparticles into polylactic acid (PLA) films improved their mechanical and thermal properties, which are suitable for applications requiring greater strength. This research highlights the potential of metal oxide nanoparticles to enhance the antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities of polymers. In addition, incorporating cinnamon essential oil can increase the antioxidant and antimicrobial effectiveness of the metal oxide nanoparticles and improve the mechanical and thermal properties of PLA films. Thus, these PLA films exhibit favorable characteristics for active packaging applications.
Characterization of the Fracture Network and Its Spatial Variability in Complex Faulted Zones: Implication in Landslide Susceptibility Analysis
Authors: Vianello Davide , Bonetto Sabrina , Mosca Pietro
Published: November 2023

In the frame of a regional study that is aimed at defining the landslide susceptibility in the upper Susa Valley (Western Italian Alps), this paper investigated the variation in the fracture network of rock masses in correspondence to faults zones. Fracture networks were characterized at sites located along transects that are oriented normally to fault traces and scattered in their adjacent sectors with the scope to be able to define and estimate the variation in fracture abundance in the bedrock. Fracture collection using a traditional geomechanical survey was combined with topological analysis to estimate the degree of fracturing of rock masses in terms of fracture intensity (P21) and connectivity. Several sites were selected, and the variation in fracturing intensity values and degree of connectivity allowed for the defining of “high fracturing zones” (HFZ) near fault traces moving from the background values of adjacent rock masses. Considering the variation in fracture intensity, a range of 400 m to 150 m HFZ can be defined, with considerable differences between the areas analysed. The values recorded show a high irregular variability in fracture intensity in correspondence to the mapped faults due to the interference and overlay of structures related to the complexity setting of the fault damage zone.
Distinctive Biological Properties between Mesenchymal Stem Cell Spheroids and Clumps of Mesenchymal Stem Cells/Extracellular Matrix Complexes in 3D Culture Systems
Authors: Yoshino Mai , Kajiya Mikihito , Yoshii Hiroki , Morimoto Shin , Horikoshi Susumu , Tari Misako , Iwata Tomoyuki , Ouhara Kazuhisa , Ando Toshinori , Yoshimoto Tetsuya , Shintani Tomoaki , Mizuno Noriyoshi
Published: November 2023

Background: Cells typically function and behave within a three-dimensional (3D) environment. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), known for their self-renewal, multi-lineage differentiation capabilities, and paracrine effects, have garnered significant medical interest. MSC spheroid culture is widely adopted to study the biological properties of MSCs in a 3D context. In contrast, we previously developed 3D clumps of MSC/ECM complexes termed C-MSCs. C-MSCs consisted of cells and self-produced ECM proteins, allowing grafting into tissue defects without any artificial scaffolds. This present study aimed to elucidate the fundamental biological distinctions between 3D MSC spheroids and C-MSCs. Methods: MSC spheroids and C-MSCs are generated from human bone-marrow-derived MSCs. The physical properties, histological structures, and gene expression patterns were compared in vitro. Results: Macroscopic and histological examinations revealed that, whereas MSC spheroids are dense cell clusters primarily formed through Cadherin-mediated cell–cell interactions, C-MSCs are cell aggregates anchored by the ECM component COL1, enabling them to form larger structures. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis showed that C-MSCs possess enhanced capacities to produce immunomodulatory and cytoprotective factors, a prominent biological characteristic of MSCs. Conclusion: Recognizing the distinct attributes of each cell aggregate offers insights into the potential evolution of 3D cell culture techniques and possible therapeutic implications.
Multi-Focus Microscopy Image Fusion Based on Swin Transformer Architecture
Authors: Xia Han Hank , Gao Hao , Shao Hang , Gao Kun , Liu Wei
Published: November 2023

In this study, we introduce the U-Swin fusion model, an effective and efficient transformer-based architecture designed for the fusion of multi-focus microscope images. We utilized the Swin-Transformer with shifted window and path merging as the encoder for extracted hierarchical context features. Additionally, a Swin-Transformer-based decoder with patch expansion was designed to perform the un-sampling operation, generating the fully focused image. To enhance the performance of the feature decoder, the skip connections were applied to concatenate the hierarchical features from the encoder with the decoder up-sample features, like U-net. To facilitate comprehensive model training, we created a substantial dataset of multi-focus images, primarily derived from texture datasets. Our modulators demonstrated superior capability for multi-focus image fusion to achieve comparable or even better fusion images than the existing state-of-the-art image fusion algorithms and demonstrated adequate generalization ability for multi-focus microscope image fusion. Remarkably, for multi-focus microscope image fusion, the pure transformer-based U-Swin fusion model incorporating channel mix fusion rules delivers optimal performance compared with most existing end-to-end fusion models.