bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Robotic Test Rig for Performance Assessment of Prosthetic Joints
Authors: Etoundi Appolinaire C. , Dobner Alexander , Agrawal Subham , Semasinghe Chathura L. , Georgilas Ioannis , Jafari Aghil
Published: March 2022

Movement within the human body is made possible by joints connecting two or more elements of the musculoskeletal system. Losing one or more of these connections can seriously limit mobility, which in turn can lead to depression and other mental issues. This is particularly pertinent due to a dramatic increase in the number of lower limb amputations resulting from trauma and diseases such as diabetes. The ideal prostheses should re-establish the functions and movement of the missing body part of the patient. As a result, the prosthetic solution has to be tested stringently to ensure effective and reliable usage. This paper elaborates on the development, features, and suitability of a testing rig that can evaluate the performance of prosthetic and robotic joints via cyclic dynamic loading on their complex movements. To establish the rig’s validity, the knee joint was chosen as it provides both compound support and movement, making it one of the major joints within the human body, and an excellent subject to ensure the quality of the prosthesis. Within the rig system, a motorised lead-screw simulates the actuation provided by the hamstring-quadricep antagonist muscle pair and the flexion experienced by the joint. Loads and position are monitored by a load cell and proximity sensors respectively, ensuring the dynamics conform with the geometric model and gait analysis.

Background: Robotics, Prosthetics, Mechatronics, Assisted Living.

Methods: Gait Analysis, Computer Aided Design, Geometry Models.

Conclusion: Modular Device, Streamlining Rehabilitation.
Pandemic-era Participation in Public Lands Governance: Lessons From the USDA Forest Service
Authors: Floress Kristin , Cohen Alice
Published: March 2022

Public participation processes influencing National Forest management in the United States have shifted significantly because of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Although the United States Forest Service has used virtual participation tools in the past to support participation, the pandemic was the first time staff had to solely rely on such methods. Using the Trinity of Voice theory concepts of access, standing, and influence, we discuss how each has been and can be impacted by virtual vs. in-person public participation in federal land governance. Lessons are drawn from two peer-to-peer learning sessions among Forest Service staff in Fall 2020 and a case from the National Forests in North Carolina. Virtual participation can broaden access to processes that would primarily have taken place in-person as people were not limited by travel time or distance. Virtual methods may allow for greater use of adaptive technologies and therefore may increase participation access. Web meeting alternatives (e.g., telephone calls) can be used to increase participation access for those without reliable or affordable internet. However, planners trained in facilitating in-person meetings may not have the technical competencies necessary to ensure participants are able to effectively participate during virtual meetings, and misunderstandings that might be easily addressed in face-to-face settings can be more difficult to solve and ground rules for participation ignored more easily during virtual participation. We expect these lessons will support the work of other practitioners interested in supporting access, standing, and influence when designing virtual participation processes.
SQUAB—I: The First Release of Strange QUasar Candidates With ABnormal Astrometric Characteristics From Gaia EDR3 and SDSS
Authors: Wu Qi-Qi , Liao Shi-Long , Ji Xiang , Qi Zhao-Xiang , Zheng Zhen-Ya , Lin Ru-Qiu , Zhang Ying-Kang , An Tao
Published: March 2022

Given their extremely large distances and small apparent sizes, quasars are generally considered as objects with near-zero parallax and proper motion. However, some special quasars may have abnormal astrometric characteristics, such as quasar pairs, lensed quasars, AGNs with bright parsec-scale optical jets, which are scientifically interesting objects, such as binary black holes. These quasars may come with astrometric jitter detectable with Gaia data, or significant changes in the position at different wavelengths. In this work, we aim to find these quasar candidates from Gaia EDR3 astrometric data combining with Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) spectroscopic data to provide a candidate catalog to the science community. We propose a series of criteria for selecting abnormal quasars based on Gaia astrometric data. We obtain two catalogs containing 155 sources and 44 sources, respectively. They are potential candidates of quasar pairs.
Beyond AOPs: A Mechanistic Evaluation of NAMs in DART Testing
Authors: Rajagopal Ramya , Baltazar Maria T. , Carmichael Paul L. , Dent Matthew P. , Head Julia , Li Hequn , Muller Iris , Reynolds Joe , Sadh Kritika , Simpson Wendy , Spriggs Sandrine , White Andrew , Kukic Predrag
Published: March 2022

New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) promise to offer a unique opportunity to enable human-relevant safety decisions to be made without the need for animal testing in the context of exposure-driven Next Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA). Protecting human health against the potential effects a chemical may have on embryo-foetal development and/or aspects of reproductive biology using NGRA is particularly challenging. These are not single endpoint or health effects and risk assessments have traditionally relied on data from Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity (DART) tests in animals. There are numerous Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) that can lead to DART, which means defining and developing strict testing strategies for every AOP, to predict apical outcomes, is neither a tenable goal nor a necessity to ensure NAM-based safety assessments are fit-for-purpose. Instead, a pragmatic approach is needed that uses the available knowledge and data to ensure NAM-based exposure-led safety assessments are sufficiently protective. To this end, the mechanistic and biological coverage of existing NAMs for DART were assessed and gaps to be addressed were identified, allowing the development of an approach that relies on generating data relevant to the overall mechanisms involved in human reproduction and embryo-foetal development. Using the knowledge of cellular processes and signalling pathways underlying the key stages in reproduction and development, we have developed a broad outline of endpoints informative of DART. When the existing NAMs were compared against this outline to determine whether they provide comprehensive coverage when integrated in a framework, we found them to generally cover the reproductive and developmental processes underlying the traditionally evaluated apical endpoint studies. The application of this safety assessment framework is illustrated using an exposure-led case study.
Preliminary Study on the Connection Between the Mineral Profile of Horse Hooves and Tensile Strength Based on Body Weight, Sex, Age, Sampling Location, and Riding Disciplines
Authors: Rueda-Carrillo Gabriel , Rosiles-Martínez René , Hernández-García Anaid Ireri , Vargas-Bello-Pérez Einar , Trigo-Tavera Francisco J.
Published: March 2022

Hoof mineral profile is important as it could affect locomotion. Factors such as body weight, sex, age, and riding disciplines affect hoof mineral profile. In Mexico and globally, studies are needed on the characterization of mineral profile of hooves and tensile strength, as this could help to prevent overgrowth or microfractures. Therefore, in the present survey, 165 samples of equine hoof cuttings from different sex, ages, breeds, and riding disciplines from different regions of Mexico were analyzed for their mineral composition, and a universal testing machine was used to measure tensile strength. More than half of the samples were from males (63%) and aged 3 to 5 years (52%). Most samples were obtained from horses used for reproduction (36%) and working (29%) purposes. The most preponderant minerals were K (3,416 μg/g), Na (2,242 μg/g), and Ca (631 μg/g). Tensile strength ranged from 1.2 to 45 N. Females had higher (P < 0.05) amounts of Zn than males. Animals younger than 3 years old have lower (P < 0.05) levels of Na than those between 3 and 5 years old. Horses used for reproduction had lower (P < 0.05) Mg concentrations than animals used for running and working. Tensile strength was similar between demographic characteristics. Horses from Santa Gertrudis military ranch had higher (P < 0.05) levels of Ca, Se, and Na compared with horses from other sampling location. Copper was higher (P < 0.05) in horses from racecourse. Potassium was higher (P < 0.05) in horses from the Presidential General Staff. Overall, there was no evident connection between sex, ages, breeds, and riding disciplines from different regions of Mexico and the mineral composition of the hoof or its tensile strength. Further research should focus on the relation on specific feeding regimes, horse individual characteristic, hoof mineral contents, and tensile strength.
The Role of Computed Tomography in Imaging Non-neurologic Disorders of the Head in Equine Patients
Authors: Stieger-Vanegas Susanne M. , Hanna Ashley L.
Published: March 2022

Computed tomography (CT) imaging of the head in equine patients is now commonly performed as CT scanners are more readily available. Head CT has proven valuable in evaluating spatially complex anatomic structures, where radiographic superimposition, or restricted accessviaendoscopy or ultrasound, limit complete evaluation of the disease process. Head CT has been demonstrated to be incredibly valuable in the evaluation of dental and paranasal sinus disease, disease of the hyoid apparatus and ear, and in evaluation of skull trauma. CT is an excellent modality for assessment of both osseous and soft tissue structures; however, evaluation of complex vascular anatomy and determination of tissue viability is limited without the use of contrast agents. Therefore, various contrast agent protocols including intravenous and intraarterial iodinated contrast administration techniques have been established. CT also has limitations in the evaluation of brain and spinal cord disease, for which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has major advantages. Head CT images are most commonly evaluated in transverse planes. However, standard multiplanar reconstructions of the head including dorsal and parasagittal planes improve the understanding of spatially complex disease processes. These reconstructions can be crucial for accurate identification of diseased teeth and determination of the extent and severity of osseous and paranasal sinus disease. Head CT examinations are becoming an increasingly important diagnostic tool in the evaluation of horses with head disorders, and CT imaging findings are an important aspect in the clinical decision-making process. The following review discusses the indications, benefits, and technical considerations for the use of computed tomography (CT) in evaluating non-neurologic head pathologies in equine patients.
Case Report: Usefulness of Drip Infusion Cholangiography With Computed Tomography for the Diagnosis of Biloma in a Dog
Authors: Tamura Masahiro , Ohta Hiroshi , Hasegawa Nene , Hosoya Kenji , Takiguchi Mitsuyoshi
Published: March 2022

Bilomas are encapsulated collections of bile outside or inside the biliary tract within the abdominal cavity. For diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, it is important to identify the origin of bile leaks from the biliary tract. This case report describes the usefulness of drip infusion cholangiography with computed tomography (DIC-CT) for detecting the site of bile leakage in a dog with biloma. A 10-year-old, castrated male Pomeranian dog was referred to our department for gastrointestinal signs. Abdominal ultrasonography detected gallbladder mucocele without evidence of defect on the wall and well-defined anechoic localized fluid accumulation around the right division of the liver. On the other hand, there was only a small amount of ascites in the abdominal cavity. The accumulated fluid collected through abdominocentesis had a bilirubin concentration of 11.4 mg/dl, which was more than twice as high as that in serum (0.4 mg/dl), but had absence of pyogenic bacteria. The DIC-CT with meglumine iotroxate showed two well-defined large fluid collections: one between right medial and lateral lobe and the other between the right lateral lobe and caudate process of caudate lobe. Three-dimensional DIC-CT views that the former was enhanced by the contrast agent and that it communicated with an intrahepatic bile duct of the right lateral lobe. Moreover, the DIC-CT images confirmed communication with each fluid collections. After 6 days of hospitalization, a decrease in the amount of accumulated fluid was confirmed, after which cholecystectomy was performed. The dog was discharged from the hospital without complications. No signs of bile leakage were observed on follow-up imaging on postoperative day 10. According to authors knowledge, this has been the first report to show that DIC-CT can be useful for determining the origin of bile leakage in dogs with bilomas.
Robust Adaptive Control of Knee Exoskeleton-Assistant System Based on Nonlinear Disturbance Observer
Authors: Aljuboury Anwer S. , Hameed Akram Hashim , Ajel Ahmed R. , Humaidi Amjad J. , Alkhayyat Ahmed , Mhdawi Ammar K. Al
Published: March 2022

This study presents a control design of an angular position for the exoskeleton knee assistance system based on a model reference adaptive control (MRAC) strategy. Three schemes of the MRAC design have been proposed: the classical MRAC, MRAC with an adaptive disturbance observer, and MRAC with a nonlinear observer. The stability analysis for each scheme has been conducted and developed based on the Lyapunov theorem to prove the uniform ultimate bound of tracking and estimation errors. In addition, the adaptive laws have been developed for the proposed schemes according to the stability analysis. The effectiveness of the proposed state and output feedback controllers has been verified via computer simulation. The results based on numerical simulation have shown that the MRAC with a nonlinear observer could give better robustness characteristics and better performance in terms of tracking and estimation errors as compared to the other controllers.
Taxonomy of Factors Involved in Decision-Making to Sustain Organization Members’ Creativity
Authors: Blašková Martina , Tumová Dominika , Mičiak Martin
Published: March 2022

Creativity is highly valued in all areas of life, and it must be supported in the academic environment for the future prosperity of all organizations. This is the primary source of creativity for practice. The research presented is based on answering the following questions: Are an organization’s members willing to increase their motivation if the organization’s motivational efforts improve? What elements in decision-making are used to support the creativity and motivation of the organization’s members? The paper proposes a novel taxonomy of decision-making factors influencing organizations’ sustainable creativity based on linking the findings from the authors’ surveys. Its application will lead to an improvement in the organizations’ processes, especially in the process of education and knowledge generation. The sociological inquiry was used as the main data collection method. Other methods applied included content analysis, practical cases analysis, and comparison. Methods of mathematical-statistical analysis and deductive-inductive approach were used in the evaluation. This resulted in the confirmation of the impact of creative decision-making approaches by employees and managers on sustainable motivation and creativity in the organization. The taxonomy of decision-making factors for the support of sustainable creativity reflects the results of this original research combined with the findings summarized in the discussion.
Improvement of Airport Surface Operation at Tokyo International Airport Using Optimization Approach
Authors: Chen Tong , Hanaoka Shinya
Published: March 2022

Congestion and delays occur on airport surfaces as a result of a rapid increase in the demand for air transport. The aim of this study is to determine the differences between optimized and observed operations to improve airport surface operation at Tokyo International Airport by using mixed-integer linear programming to minimize the total ground movement distance and time based on real-time flight information. Receding horizon schemes are considered to adapt to dynamic environments. The model obtains results that reduce the taxi distance by 18.54% and taxi time by 29.77% compared with the observed data. A comparison of taxiway usage patterns between the optimization results and observed data provides insight into the optimization process, for example, changes in runway cross strategies and taxiway direction rules. Factors such as the objective function weights and airline–terminal relationship were found to significantly affect the optimization result. This study suggests improvements that can be made at airports to achieve a more efficient surface operation.
Benefits of Resveratrol and Pterostilbene to Crops and Their Potential Nutraceutical Value to Mammals
Authors: Duke Stephen O.
Published: March 2022

Resveratrol and its dimethoxylated derivative, pterostilbene, are produced by several plant species, including a few edible crops such as peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), grapes (Vitis spp.), and blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), as well some plants used in traditional medicine. Both compounds are inducible, antimicrobial compounds with activity against both plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi, an activity apparently not directly related to their strong antioxidant activity. An amazing number of nutraceutical properties have been claimed for both compounds, including antioxidant, antiaging, anti-cholesterol, anticancer, antidiabetic and other beneficial activities. Most evidence supports the view that pterostilbene is more active for most of these effects, due in part to its greater biological availability. However, the amount of these compounds in most diets is insufficient to provide these health benefits. Dietary supplements of formulated pure compounds can now provide sufficient dietary levels for these effects, as transgenic crops in the future might also do.
Antimicrobial Potential of Essential Oils from Aromatic Plant Ocimum sp.; A Comparative Biochemical Profiling and In-Silico Analysis
Authors: Salvi Prafull , Kumar Gulshan , Gandass Nishu , Kajal  , Verma Ashish , Rajarammohan Sivasubramanian , Rai Nilesh , Gautam Vibhav
Published: March 2022

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are a rich source of bioactive compounds that are immensely important due to their potential use in pharmacological and agricultural applications. Here, we have evaluated the antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs) from three different species of Ocimum: O. gratissimum (EO1), O. tenuiflorum (EO2), and O. sanctum (EO3). The EOs were screened for antibacterial activity against pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The essential oils EO1 and EO3 showed significant growth inhibition of the tested bacteria. Likewise, all EOs exhibited antifungal potential against the broad-spectrum plant fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum that causes white-mould disease in plants. Moreover, the antimicrobial potential of the EOs correlates well with their antioxidant activity determined by DPPH free radical scavenging activity. The biochemical analysis of the EOs employing high-performance thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, revealed the presence of distinct phytoconstituents that might be responsible for their differential bioactivity. Furthermore, an in-silico evaluation of the candidate phytoconstituents using molecular docking analysis suggests their potential for antimicrobial applications. Altogether, our results clearly show that EO1 and EO3 possess promising antimicrobial properties, and therefore could be utilized as a potential antimicrobial agent.
Spatiotemporal Assessment of Soil Organic Carbon Change Using Machine-Learning in Arid Regions
Authors: Fathizad Hassan , Taghizadeh-Mehrjardi Ruhollah , Hakimzadeh Ardakani Mohammad Ali , Zeraatpisheh Mojtaba , Heung Brandon , Scholten Thomas
Published: March 2022

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is an essential property of soil, and understanding its spatial patterns is critical to understanding vegetation management, soil degradation, and environmental issues. This study applies a framework using remote sensing data and digital soil mapping techniques to examine the spatiotemporal dynamics of SOC for the Yazd-Ardakan Plain, Iran, from 1986 to 2016. Here, a conditioned Latin hypercube sampling method was used to select 201 sampling sites. A set of 37 environmental predictors were obtained from Landsat imagery taken in 1986, 1999, 2010 and 2016. Here, SOC was modeled for 2016 using the Random Forest (RF), support vector regression (SVR), and artificial neural networks (ANN) machine-learners by correlating environmental predictors with soil data. The results showed that RF yielded the highest accuracy (R2 = 0.53), compared to the other two learners. By performing a variable importance analysis of the RF model, normalized difference vegetation index, modified vegetation index, and ground-adjusted vegetation index were determined to be the most important environmental predictors. By applying the model calibrated from 2016 data to 1986, 1999 and 2010, the results showed a substantial decrease in SOC; these decreases in SOC were mainly attributed to land use changes and agricultural activities.
Organic Farming Provides a Blueprint to Improve Food Quality, Safety and Security
Authors: Leifert Carlo
Published: March 2022

The increasing reliance on non-renewable resources (in particular, mineral nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and synthetic chemical pesticides) to sustain current productivity levels of agriculture are of growing concern, because these inputs have substantial negative environmental impacts and may become too expensive and/or unavailable in the future [...]
The Effect of Cultivation Conditions on Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) Seed Production and Oil Quality (Omega 3, 6, 9)
Authors: Supriyanto Supriyanto , Imran Zulhamsyah , Ardiansyah Rhomi , Auliyai Brian , Pratama Aditya , Kadha Faustinus
Published: March 2022

Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis Linneo, Euphorbiaceae) is known as a Peruvian seed containing a high level of unsaturated fatty acids, such as α-linolenic acid (Omega-3), linoleic acid (Omega-6), and oleic acid (Omega-9). These essential fatty acids are important functional foods due to their benefits for human health. Considering its benefits, it is necessary to find the right cultivation conditions to develop Sacha Inchi in Indonesia, where it has not been widely cultivated. This study aimed to determine the adaptability of Sacha Inchi to different cultivation conditions and the effects of these conditions on seed production and oil quality. Sacha Inchi plants were cultivated under three different cultivation conditions (open area, mixed cultures, and agroforestry) and the seeds were harvested monthly to determine the seed production and oil quality. The results showed that seed production in the open area was higher than in other conditions. The highest oil yield from monthly harvesting was found in mixed cultures. Interestingly, the level of Omega-3 content in the agroforestry condition was higher compared to other conditions. The level of Omega-6 and Omega-9 content in the open area was higher than in mixed cultures and agroforestry. However, the content of unsaturated fatty acids in the three different cultivation conditions was not significantly different, being 91.88% in the open area, 92.53% in mixed cultures, and 92.97% for agroforestry. In conclusion, the cultivation of Sacha Inchi under open areas is recommended due to its seed productivity which will affect the total oil production.
Soil Organic Carbon and Nutrients Affected by Tree Species and Poultry Litter in a 17-Year Agroforestry Site
Authors: Amorim Helen C. S. , Ashworth Amanda J. , Zinn Yuri L. , Sauer Thomas J.
Published: March 2022

Tree species and fertilization sources may affect the soil organic carbon (SOC) and fertility in agroforestry (AF) systems in temperate regions, but this remains unexplored. This study assesses the longitudinal trends in the SOC and major nutrients in a 17-year AF site established on an Ultisol in Fayetteville, AR. We evaluated how management and fertilization (mineral vs. organic) affect the soil’s physical and chemical properties using the tree species: red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and pecan Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch. Long-term applications of poultry litter increased the soil pH, whereas the Mg and S concentrations decreased compared to the baseline levels (1999). Poultry litter increased the soil P concentration in 53% compared to the baseline levels and reduced the soil C:N ratio. After 17 years, increased Ca, SOC, and N concentrations were observed in the soils under the pecan stands that received poultry litter. Positive correlations occurred between the SOC and N (r = 0.96) as well as the Ca (r = 0.71) and P (r = 0.61) at a soil depth of 0–15 cm. Our findings demonstrated that the changes in SOC and fertility in the AF soils vary according to tree species and fertilization, mostly due to distinctive leaf litter and nutrient inputs. Organic matter accumulation increased the SOC retention and nutrient availability in the temperate AF systems.
Variability of Root System Size and Distribution among Coffea canephora Genotypes
Authors: Schmidt Raquel , Silva Larícia Olária Emerick , Ferreira Adesio , Gontijo Ivoney , Guimarães Rubens José , Ramalho José C. , Partelli Fábio Luiz
Published: March 2022

This work aimed to evaluate the variability in the distribution of the root system among genotypes of C. canephora cv. Conilon and indicate management strategies for a more efficient mineral fertilization. Root distribution was evaluated in six genotypes. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with three replications. Soil monoliths measuring about 27 cm3 were collected at six different soil depths, at three row distances and nine distances of inter-row planting. The collections were carried out in one plant of each repetition. In total, 1296 samples were evaluated. The roots were washed, digitized and processed to quantify length density, volume, surface area and diameter. The distribution of the root system was characterized using semivariograms. It was observed that the highest concentration of roots occurred in the distances close to the irrigation drippers. There was variation in the distribution of the root system among the genotypes. However, in general, the root system is concentrated at a depth of 0 to 20 cm in the soil, at distances up to 50 cm in the planting row and up to 60 cm in inter-rows. Therefore, the greatest efficiency in nutritional management can be achieved by applying fertilizers within a radius of 50 cm around the plant.
Deciphering the Colonization Strategies in Roots of Long-Term Fertilized Festuca rubra
Authors: Corcoz Larisa , Păcurar Florin , Vaida Ioana , Pleșa Anca , Moldovan Cristina , Stoian Vlad , Vidican Roxana
Published: March 2022

Festuca rubra is one of the dominant species in mountain high natural values grasslands. Most herbaceous plants are involved in a symbiotic partnership with arbuscular mycorrhizas for maintaining their abundance and cover. This research was conducted to explore the changes in mycorrhizal colonization patterns and structure development due to the long-term application of treatments. A large database of microscopic images was deeply analyzed with the MycoPatt tool, for the extraction of clear mycorrhizal maps that present particular colonization strategies. The overall colonization frequency and intensity varied largely between treatments, with a maximum in organic conditions. The presence of both arbuscules and vesicles in the same root area indicate a continuous alternance of fungal strategy, from storage to enhanced transfer of nutrients. A low-mineral organic treatment permits a clear separation of colonization strategy in different parts of roots. The nutrient availability due to mineral treatment induced a restriction in mycorrhizal development, which was maintained colonization by a resistance conditions strategy. The use of mycorrhizal maps permits a deep scanning of colonized roots, identifying the real positioning of fungal structures, along with their developmental potential and the assessment of the colonization strategy.
Piglet Morphology: Indicators of Neonatal Viability?
Authors: Tucker Bryony S. , Petrovski Kiro R. , Craig Jessica R. , Morrison Rebecca S. , Smits Robert J. , Kirkwood Roy N.
Published: March 2022

The morphological measures, crown-to-rump length (CR), and abdominal circumference (AC) have been suggested to be as good, if not better, than birth weight for predicting piglet performance. We explored the relationships between CR and AC, and piglet weights at birth and 24 h, to investigate their predictive value for piglet survival. Piglet weight and AC at birth and 24 h, and CR at 24 h were recorded for 373 piglets born to 31 sows. Morphological measures were categorised into two levels for weight and three levels for AC and CR. Further, AC and CR groupings were concatenated to create a new variable (PigProp) to describe the proportionality of piglet morphology. Proportionate piglets had equal CR and AC levels, and disproportionate piglets had contrasting levels. Birth AC was a good predictor of colostrum intake (p < 0.001) when accounting for birth weight, but 24 h weight and PigProp were good indicators of actual colostrum intake (p < 0.001 for both). The significant interaction of colostrum and PigProp showed that within the smaller piglet groups, those who had greater than 200 g of colostrum had higher 24 h weight and survival (p < 0.001 both). As expected, as body weight and colostrum intake increased, so did weight change to d 21 (P = 0.03 and trend at p = 0.1, respectively). A similar pattern was seen with increasing PigProp group (p < 0.001); however, piglets from the disproportionate group 1,3 had the greatest observed weight change (5.15 ± 0.06 kg). Our data show morphological measures may be more predictive of piglet viability in terms of both performance and survival than weight and there may be subgroups that have higher than expected chances of survival.
Assessing Genomic Diversity and Selective Pressures in Bohai Black Cattle Using Whole-Genome Sequencing Data
Authors: Ma Xiaohui , Cheng Haijian , Liu Yangkai , Sun Luyang , Chen Ningbo , Jiang Fugui , You Wei , Yang Zhangang , Zhang Baoheng , Song Enliang , Lei Chuzhao
Published: March 2022

Bohai Black cattle are one of the well-known cattle breeds with black coat color in China, which are cultivated for beef. However, no study has conducted a comprehensive analysis of genomic diversity and selective pressures in Bohai Black cattle. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of genomic variation in 10 Bohai Black cattle (five newly sequenced and five published) and the published whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data of 50 cattle representing five “core” cattle populations. The population structure analysis revealed that Bohai Black cattle harbored the ancestry with European taurine, Northeast Asian taurine, and Chinese indicine. The Bohai Black cattle demonstrated relatively high genomic diversity from the other cattle breeds, as indicated by the nucleotide diversity (pi), the expected heterozygosity (HE) and the observed heterozygosity (HO), the linkage disequilibrium (LD) decay, and runs of homozygosity (ROH). We identified 65 genes containing more than five non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs), and an enrichment analysis revealed the “ECM-receptor interaction” pathways associated with meat quality in Bohai Black cattle. Five methods (CLR, θπ, FST, θπ ratio, and XP-EHH) were used to find several pathways and genes carried selection signatures in Bohai Black cattle, including black coat color (MC1R), muscle development (ITGA9, ENAH, CAPG, ABI2, and ISLR), fat deposition (TBC1D1, CYB5R4, TUSC3, and EPS8), reproduction traits (SPIRE2, KHDRBS2, and FANCA), and immune system response (CD84, SLAMF1, SLAMF6, and CDK10). Taken together, our results provide a valuable resource for characterizing the uniqueness of Bohai Black cattle.
Changes in Oxidative Status Biomarkers in Saliva and Serum in the Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome and Colic of Intestinal Aetiology: A Pilot Study
Authors: Contreras-Aguilar María Dolores , Rubio Camila Peres , González-Arostegui Luis Guillermo , Martín-Cuervo María , Cerón Jose J. , Ayala Ignacio , Henriksen Ida-Marie Holm , Jacobsen Stine , Hansen Sanni
Published: March 2022

Changes in the oxidative status of the blood of horses suffering from gastric ulcers and colic of intestinal aetiology (CIE) have been reported. However, saliva can also be a source of biomarkers of oxidative status. Therefore, this study aims to validate automated assays for the measurement of oxidative status biomarkers (ferric reducing ability of saliva/serum—FRAS/FRAP, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity—CUPRAC, the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity—TEAC, uric acid, and advanced oxidation protein products—AOPP) in the saliva and serum of horses, to assess their changes in the different ulcer gastric diseases (squamous—ESGD and glandular—EGGD) and CIE, and to evaluate their relationship with serum amyloid A (SAA), adenosine deaminase (ADA), and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) status. The assays showed a low imprecision and good linearity with enough sensitivity in both fluids. In EGGD, higher levels of FRAS, uric acid, and AOPP in saliva were observed compared to the healthy group, correlating with the salivary ADA levels. Horses with CIE showed increases in uric acid concentrations in serum associated with their SIRS status and outcome of the disease. In conclusion, analytes related to the oxidative status can be measured in the saliva and serum from horses by automated assays, and some of them can potentially be assessed as biomarkers in horses with gastric ulcers and CIE.
Extended Infusion of Meropenem in Neonatal Sepsis: A Historical Cohort Study
Authors: Cao Guangna , Zhou Pengxiang , Zhang Hua , Sun Bangkai , Tong Xiaomei , Xing Yan
Published: March 2022

This single-center historical cohort study investigated the effectiveness and safety of extended infusion (EI) compared with short-term infusion (STI) of meropenem in neonatal sepsis. Patient electronic health records from Peking University Third Hospital (1 December 2011–1 April 2021) were screened. Neonates diagnosed with sepsis and treated with meropenem in the neonatal intensive care unit were included (256 patients) as STI (0.5 h, 129 patients) and EI (2–3 h, 127 patients) groups. Three-day clinical effectiveness and three-day microbial clearance were considered the main outcomes. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. EI of meropenem was associated with a significantly higher 3-day clinical effectiveness rate (0.335 (0.180, 0.623), p = 0.001) and 3-day microbial clearance (4.127 (1.235, 13.784), p = 0.021) than STI, with comparable safety. Subgroup analyses showed that neonates with very low birth weight benefited from EI in terms of 3-day clinical effectiveness rate (75.6% versus 56.6%, p = 0.007), with no significant difference in the 3-day clinical effectiveness (85.1% versus 78.3%, p = 0.325) and microbial clearance (6% versus 5%, p > 0.999) rates between 3 h and 2 h infusions. Thus, EI of meropenem may be associated with better effectiveness and comparable safety in treating neonatal sepsis than STI. Nonetheless, historically analyzed safety evaluation might be biased, and these findings need confirmation in randomized controlled trials of larger sample sizes.
Human Placental Intracellular Cholesterol Transport: A Focus on Lysosomal and Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Yañez Maria Jose , Leiva Andrea
Published: March 2022

The placenta participates in cholesterol biosynthesis and metabolism and regulates exchange between the maternal and fetal compartments. The fetus has high cholesterol requirements, and it is taken up and synthesized at elevated rates during pregnancy. In placental cells, the major source of cholesterol is the internalization of lipoprotein particles from maternal circulation by mechanisms that are not fully understood. As in hepatocytes, syncytiotrophoblast uptake of lipoprotein cholesterol involves lipoprotein receptors such as low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI). Efflux outside the cells requires proteins such as the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1. However, mechanisms associated with intracellular traffic of cholesterol in syncytiotrophoblasts are mostly unknown. In hepatocytes, uptaken cholesterol is transported to acidic late endosomes (LE) and lysosomes (LY). Proteins such as Niemann–Pick type C 1 (NPC1), NPC2, and StAR related lipid transfer domain containing 3 (STARD3) are required for cholesterol exit from the LE/LY. These proteins transfer cholesterol from the lumen of the LE/LY into the LE/LY-limiting membrane and then export it to the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, or plasma membrane. Although the production, metabolism, and transport of cholesterol in placental cells are well explored, there is little information on the role of proteins related to intracellular cholesterol traffic in placental cells during physiological or pathological pregnancies. Such studies would be relevant for understanding fetal and placental cholesterol management. Oxidative stress, induced by generating excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays a critical role in regulating various cellular and biological functions and has emerged as a critical common mechanism after lysosomal and mitochondrial dysfunction. This review discusses the role of cholesterol, lysosomal and mitochondrial dysfunction, and ROS in the development and progression of hypercholesterolemic pregnancies.
Superoxide Radicals in the Execution of Cell Death
Authors: Fujii Junichi , Homma Takujiro , Osaki Tsukasa
Published: March 2022

Superoxide is a primary oxygen radical that is produced when an oxygen molecule receives one electron. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) plays a primary role in the cellular defense against an oxidative insult by ROS. However, the resulting hydrogen peroxide is still reactive and, in the presence of free ferrous iron, may produce hydroxyl radicals and exacerbate diseases. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are the preferred target of hydroxyl radicals. Ferroptosis, a type of necrotic cell death induced by lipid peroxides in the presence of free iron, has attracted considerable interest because of its role in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Radical electrons, namely those released from mitochondrial electron transfer complexes, and those produced by enzymatic reactions, such as lipoxygenases, appear to cause lipid peroxidation. While GPX4 is the most potent anti-ferroptotic enzyme that is known to reduce lipid peroxides to alcohols, other antioxidative enzymes are also indirectly involved in protection against ferroptosis. Moreover, several low molecular weight compounds that include α-tocopherol, ascorbate, and nitric oxide also efficiently neutralize radical electrons, thereby suppressing ferroptosis. The removal of radical electrons in the early stages is of primary importance in protecting against ferroptosis and other diseases that are related to oxidative stress.
Kojic Acid Showed Consistent Inhibitory Activity on Tyrosinase from Mushroom and in Cultured B16F10 Cells Compared with Arbutins
Authors: Wang Wei , Gao Ying , Wang Weiwei , Zhang Jianyong , Yin Junfeng , Le Ting , Xue Jinjin , Engelhardt Ulrich H. , Jiang Heyuan
Published: March 2022

Kojic acid, β-arbutin, α-arbutin, and deoxyarbutin have been reported as tyrosinase inhibitors in many articles, but some contradictions exist in their differing results. In order to provide some explanations for these contradictions and to find the most suitable compound as a positive control for screening potential tyrosinase inhibitors, the activity and inhibition type of the aforementioned compounds on monophenolase and diphenolase of mushroom tyrosinase (MTYR) were studied. Their effects on B16F10 cells melanin content, tyrosinase (BTYR) activity, and cell viability were also exposed. Results indicated that α-arbutin competitively inhibited monophenolase activity, whereas they uncompetitively activated diphenolase activity of MTYR. β-arbutin noncompetitively and competitively inhibited monophenolase activity at high molarity (4000 µM) and moderate molarity (250–1000 µM) respectively, whereas it activated the diphenolase activity of MTYR. Deoxyarbutin competitively inhibited diphenolase activity, but could not inhibit monophenolase activity and only extended the lag time. Kojic acid competitively inhibited monophenolase activity and competitive–noncompetitive mixed-type inhibited diphenolase activity of MTYR. In a cellular experiment, deoxyarbutin effectively inhibited BTYR activity and reduced melanin content, but it also potently decreased cell viability. α-arbutin and β-arbutin dose-dependently inhibited BTYR activity, reduced melanin content, and increased cell viability. Kojic acid did not affect cell viability at 43.8–700 µM, but inhibited BTYR activity and reduced melanin content in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, kojic acid was considered as the most suitable positive control among these four compounds, because it could inhibit both monophenolase and diphenolase activity of MTYR and reduce intercellular melanin content by inhibiting BTYR activity without cytotoxicity. Some explanations for the contradictions in the reported articles were provided.
Phoenix dactilyfera L. Pits Extract Restored Bone Homeostasis in Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporotic Animal Model through the Antioxidant Effect and Wnt5a Non-Canonical Signaling
Authors: Saleh Samar R. , Ghareeb Doaa A. , Masoud Aliaa A. , Sheta Eman , Nabil Mohamed , Masoud Inas M. , Maher Adham M.
Published: March 2022

Oxidative stress associated with long-term glucocorticoids administration is a route through which secondary osteoporosis can be developed. The therapeutic potential of Phoenix dactilyfera L. pits is offered by their balanced, valuable and diverse phytochemical composition providing protective potential against oxidative reactions, making it a good candidate to treat glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO). This study evaluates the possible anti-osteoporotic effect of date pit extract (DPE) against dexamethasone (DEXA)-induced osteoporosis. Male rats were allocated into three control groups, which received saline, low and high doses of DPE (150 and 300 mg/kg/day), respectively. Osteoporosis-induced groups that received DEXA (1 mg/kg/day) were divided into DEXA only, DPE (2 doses) + DEXA, and ipriflavone + DEXA. Femoral bone minerals density and bone mineral content, bone oxidative stress markers, Wnt signaling, osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation markers, and femur histopathology were evaluated. DPE defeated the oxidative stress, resulting in ameliorative changes in Wnt signaling. DPE significantly reduced the adipogenicity and abolished the osteoclastogenic markers (RANKL/OPG ratio, ACP, TRAP) while enhancing the osteogenic differentiation markers (Runx2, Osx, COL1A1, OCN). In Conclusion DPE restored the balanced proliferation and differentiation of osteoclasts and osteoblasts precursors. DPE can be considered a promising remedy for GIO, especially at a low dose that had more potency.
The Peripheral Kynurenine Pathway and Psychosomatic Comorbidity in Subjects with Morbid Obesity Undergoing Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Farup Per G. , Hestad Knut
Published: March 2022

Background: The Kynurenine pathway (KP) is involved in various disorders, but little is known about the KP and psychosomatic complaints. The aim was to study the peripheral KP and psychosomatic comorbidity in subjects with morbid obesity. Methods: Psychosomatic comorbidity (perceived general health, muscle-skeletal pain, well-being, mood disorders, fatigue, self-esteem, sleepiness, and sense of humour) was registered, and serum samples were collected six months before and after bariatric surgery. Results: A total of 141 subjects (men/women, 116/25) with a mean age of 43.0 (SD 8.7) years and BMI of 42.1 (SD 3.8) kg/m2 were included. No significant associations were seen between the psychosomatic disorders and the KP. There was a significant downregulation of all KP metabolites after surgery, a reduction in CRP, and strong associations between CRP and the KP, particularly with the ratios of Kynurenine/Tryptophan and Quinolinic acid (QA)/Xanthurenic acid (XA). The QA/XA ratio was negatively associated with diabetes. Conclusions: The peripheral KP seemed to be of minor importance for the psychosomatic comorbidity in subjects with morbid obesity. The downregulation of all KP metabolites after bariatric surgery indicated reduced inflammation. The QA/XA ratio seemed to be a marker of insulin sensitivity and favourable glucose control.
Changes in Soil Chemical Properties Due to Long-Term Compost Fertilization Regulate Methane Turnover Related Gene Abundances in Rice Paddy
Authors: Kim Chungwoo , Walitang Denver I. , Roy Choudhury Aritra , Lee Yi , Lee Sanghun , Chun Hyenchung , Heo Tae-Young , Park Kido , Sa Tongmin
Published: March 2022

Maintaining rice yield, soil function, and fertility are essential components of long-term compost fertilization. However, paddy fields are major sources of anthropogenic methane emissions. The aim of the study is to evaluate the changes in soil chemical properties and their concurrent impact on the abundance of methanogenesis (mcrA) and methane oxidation (pmoA) related genes among compost (Com), NPK+Compost (NPKCom), and unfertilized (NF) fallow paddy fields under long-term compost fertilization. Results showed that compost and NPK+Compost fertilization altered the soil chemical properties of paddy fields with a significant increase in the functional gene abundance potentially associated with Methanobacteriaceae for mcrA (1.23 × 106 to 3.84 × 106 copy number g−1 dry soil) and methane oxidizing bacteria such as Methylomonas and Methylobacter for pmoA (1.65 × 106 to 4.3 × 106 copy number g−1 dry soil). Ordination plots visualized these changes, where treatments clustered distinctly indicating that Com and NPKCom treatments were characterized by paddy soils with elevated OM, TN, K and P content and higher abundances of methanogenesis and methane oxidation related genes. The study showed that long-term compost fertilization resulted in paddy fields with high nutrient content and high gene abundance, attributed to methanogens and methane oxidizing bacteria that responded well with compost fertilization. These results indicated the potential of these fallow paddy fields for methane emission and methane oxidation and that they are ‘primed’, potentially influencing subsequent paddy field responses to long-term compost application.