bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishment of a QuEChERS-UPLC-MS/MS Method for Simultaneously Detecting Tolfenpyrad and Its Metabolites in Tea
Authors: Wang Zihan , Wang Xinru , Wang Min , Li Ziqiang , Zhang Xinzhong , Zhou Li , Sun Hezhi , Yang Mei , Lou Zhengyun , Chen Zongmao , Luo Fengjian
Published: September 2022

An analytical method simultaneously detecting pesticide and its metabolites, especially with higher toxicity, was urgently needed for supervision and safety evaluation of agricultural products. In the present study, a modified QuEChERS method coupled with a ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) for simultaneous determination of tolfenpyrad (TFP) and its metabolites in tea matrices (fresh tea shoots, green tea, black tea, green tea infusion and black tea infusion) was established. The method validation showed good linearity (correlation coefficients ≥ 0.9945), accuracy (recoveries in 75.38–109.90%), sensitivity (limits of quantification ≤ 0.05 mg kg−1), and precision (relative standard deviations ≤ 19.09%). The established method was then applied to detect 40 market samples, resulting in 60.0% positive rate of TFP, besides, two metabolites including PT-CA, which is more toxic than the parent TFP, and PT-OH were also detected in the samples with high TFP residue (≥0.048 mg kg−1). The method established in the present work was thus of significant importance in comprehensive monitoring and of TFP in tea products.
Different Drought Tolerance Strategy of Wheat Varieties in Spike Architecture
Authors: Frantová Nicole , Rábek Michal , Elzner Petr , Středa Tomáš , Jovanović Ivana , Holková Ludmila , Martinek Petr , Smutná Pavlína , Prášil Ilja Tom
Published: September 2022

Spike characteristics include spike length, total spikelet number per spike, number of fertile flowers, spike density, spike fertility, grain number, thousand kernel weight, the number of spikes per square meter, harvest index and the grain yield during the flowering and ripening stage. The six winter and one facultative variety differed in earliness, derived in part from the allele of the Ppd-D1 gene and phenological observation. The two sites significantly differed in the soil moisture, which varied during continual microclimate monitoring. The spike architecture of winter wheat was affected by drought. The plant samples from the site FIELD 2 (more drought stressed) showed a higher reduction in spike characteristics such as a lower spike length, total spikelet number, number of fertile flowers and spike fertility, leading to a lower yield than the site FIELD 1. Both early and late varieties possess compensatory abilities to create the grain yield during drought stress; however, the timing and duration of exposure to drought determine the application and success of the compensatory ability. In our experiment, the late varieties (photoperiod sensitive) performed better in yield than the early varieties during both growing seasons. That is at odds with the generally recommended “drought escape strategy” (early varieties) and suggests a possible direction for variety selection and breeding in arid areas in Central Europe.
Enhancement of Clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) Shade Tolerance and Nitrogen Fixation under Dense Stands-Based Cropping Systems
Authors: Toukabri Wael , Ferchichi Nouha , Barbouchi Meriem , Hlel Dorsaf , Jadlaoui Mohamed , Bahri Haithem , Mhamdi Ridha , Cheikh M’hamed Hatem , Annabi Mohamed , Trabelsi Darine
Published: September 2022

Improving legumes crops’ performance under dense stands shade environment (e.g., intercropped oats–clover) is needed to promote agroecological practices. Previous studies have revealed that ethylene produced by plants under dense standing conditions is among other factors that affect crops’ growth performance and reduce legumes’ ability to fix nitrogen (N). Here, we identified a Pseudomonas thivervalensis strain T124 as a high ACC deaminase-producing bacterium and evaluated its potential ability to alleviate the effects of reduced light (RL) and exogenous ethylene applied as ACC (ethylene precursor) on clover growth and development under controlled conditions and field conditions at dense stands of clover and oats intercrops. RL decreases clover root and shoots biomass, whereas the T124 strain counteracted RL effects, enhancing clover tolerance to shade. Exogenous ACC reduced clover growth and chlorophyll content while inducing overaccumulation of reactive oxygen species (H2O2 and O2•−). ACC-elicited cellular stress was suppressed by strain T124, suggesting the role of bacterial ACC deaminase activity. Combined with Rhizobium leguminosarum strain T618 (the strain identified as being able to fix N in symbiosis with clover), T124 prevents early nodule senescence by improving nodule leghemoglobin and reducing nodule nitric oxide levels. Co-inoculation with T124 + T618 increased shoot N content (+24%) more than T618 alone. Field experiments revealed that intercropping decreases Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) at the top of clover due to oats, affecting clover photosynthesis assimilation. Interestingly, under T124 inoculation treatments, clover net photosynthetic rate (Anet) and stomatal conductance (Gs) were found to improve relative to the control and T618 inoculation treatments. Clover exhibits improved growth performance in terms of branching and nodulation after T124 inoculation. Most significant improvements occurred with the mixing of the two strains. Data suggest that co-inoculation with R. leguminosarum T618 and P. thivervalensis T124 potentially decreases the interspecific competition between clover and oats intercrops by reducing ACC (ethylene precursor) levels. Our study revealed that co-inoculation of legumes with competitive rhizobia and ACC deaminase-producing PGPRs is an eco-friendly approach to improving intercropping systems’ performance.
Coupling Relationship and Influencing Factors of the Water–Energy–Cotton System in Tarim River Basin
Authors: Lu Quan , Yang Yanxia , Li Bo , Li Yanjun , Wang Dezhen
Published: September 2022

As the largest inland river basin in China, the Tarim River Basin is an important energy base and a key cotton-producing area in China. Therefore, the harmonious development of water resources, energy resources and cotton resources in the Tarim River Basin is a lifeline for stable quality and efficient development in this region. In this paper, the water–energy–cotton system of the Tarim River Basin is constructed and the weight of each index in the system is determined by using the entropy method. On this basis, the comprehensive development index of each subsystem and the water–energy–cotton system is calculated to measure the comprehensive development level of each system. Then, the coupling relationship between the three resources is quantitatively analyzed by using the coupling coordination degree model, and the mutual influence and strength of interaction between each system are calculated. Finally, a fractional regression model is established to analyze the factors affecting the coordinated development of the water–energy–cotton system in the Tarim River Basin. The results show that the comprehensive development index of the Tarim River Basin fluctuates obviously and the comprehensive development level of water resource systems is higher than that of the cotton resource and energy resource systems, and there are regional differences between each subsystem and the comprehensive development index of water–energy–cotton system. The coupling coordination degree of the basin is the primary coordination on the whole; however, there are significant differences in the coupling coordination degree of each region. In terms of influencing factors, the area of soil erosion treatment and water consumption in ecological environments both play a positive role in promoting the coupling coordination degree, and population size and GDP will hinder the development of the coupling coordination degree to a certain extent.
The Effect of Supplemental Concentrate Feeding on the Morphological and Functional Development of the Pancreas in Early Weaned Yak Calves
Authors: Jiao Yang , Liu Shujie , Zhou Yanan , Yang Deyu , Li Jilan , Cui Zhanhong
Published: September 2022

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of supplemental concentrate feeding on the pancreatic development of yak calves. Twenty one-month-old yak calves with healthy body condition and similar body weight were selected as experimental animals and randomly divided into two groups, five replicates in each group. The control group yak calves were fed milk replacer and alfalfa hay, the experimental group yak calves were fed milk replacer, alfalfa hay and concentrate. The pre-feeding period of this experiment was thirty days, the trial period was one hundred days. At the end of feeding trail, five yak calves from each group were selected and slaughtered and the pancreas tissues of yak calves were collected and determined. The results showed that: (1) Dry matter and body weight of yak calves in the test group were significantly higher than those of the control group. (2) The apparent nutrient digestibility of crude protein, crude fat, calcium and phosphorus in the test group of yak calves was significantly higher than that of the control group, while the apparent nutrient digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber in the test group was significantly lower than that of the control group. (3) Pancreatic weight, organ index, total ratio of exocrine part area and total ratio of endocrine area of yak calves in the test group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the ratio of exocrine area was significantly lower in the test group than that of the control group. (4) The activities of the main pancreatic digestive enzymes: pancreatic amylase, pancreatic lipase, pancreatic protease and chymotrypsin were significantly higher in the test group than those of the control group, as were the hormonal contents of glucagon, insulin and pancreatic polypeptide. (5) The main differential metabolites of the pancreas in the test group were significantly higher than those of the control group, such as D-proline, hypoxanthine, acetylcysteine, gamma-glutamylcysteine, thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid, piperidinic acid, ellagic acid, nicotinamide, tropolone, D-serine, ribulose-5-phosphate, (+/-)5(6)-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid(EET), 2-hydroxycinnamic acid, L-phenylalanine, creatinine, tetrahydrocorticosterone, pyridoxamine, xanthine, 5-oxoproline, asparagine, DL-tryptophan, in-dole-3-acrylic acid, thymine, trehalose, docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids(FAHFA) (18:1/20:3), fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids(FAHFA) (18:2/20:4), adrenic acid and xanthosine. In conclusion, supplemental concentrate feeding promoted the good development of morphological and functional properties of the pancreas in early weaned yak calves to improve the digestion and absorption of feed nutrients, so as to enhance the growth and development quality of early weaned yak calves.
Effects of Oil Supplements on Growth Performance, Eating Behavior, Ruminal Fermentation, and Ruminal Morphology in Lambs during Transition from a Low- to a High-Grain Diet
Authors: Bahramkhani-Zaringoli Leili , Mirzaei-Alamouti Hamidreza , Aschenbach Jörg R. , Vazirigohar Mina , Patra Amlan Kumar , Jafari-Anarkooli Iraj , Ganjkhanlou Mahdi , Alipour Daryoush , Mansouryar Morteza
Published: September 2022

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of a maximum recommended oil supplementation on growth performance, eating behavior, ruminal fermentation, and ruminal morphological characteristics in growing lambs during transition from a low- to a high-grain diet. A total of 21 Afshari male lambs with an initial body weight (BW) of 41.4 ± 9.1 kg (mean ± SD) and at 5–6 months of age were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments (n = 7 per group), including (1) a grain-based diet with no fat supplement (CON), (2) CON plus 80 g/d of prilled palm oil (PALM), and (3) CON plus 80 g/d soybean oil (SOY); oils were equivalent to 50 g/kg of dry matter based on initial dry matter intake (DMI). All lambs were adapted to the high-grain diet for 21 d. In the adaptation period, lambs were gradually transferred to a dietary forage-to-concentrate ratio of 20:80 by replacing 100 g/kg of the preceding diet every 3 d. Thereafter, lambs were fed experimental diets for another 22 days. Fat-supplemented lambs had greater DMI, body weight (BW), and average daily gain (ADG), with a lower feed to gain ratio (p < 0.05), compared to CON lambs. The highest differences of DMI between fat-supplemented and CON-lambs were observed in week 3 of the adaptation period (p = 0.010). PALM- or SOY-supplementation lowered DM and NDF digestibility compared with CON (p < 0.05), and SOY caused the lowest organic matter (OM) digestibility compared with CON and PALM lambs (62.0 vs. 67.6 and 66.9; p < 0.05). Ruminal pH was higher for PALM and SOY compared with CON (p = 0.018). Lambs in SOY tended to have the highest ammonia-N concentrations (p = 0.075), together with a trend for higher concentrations of propionic acid, at the expense of acetic acid in ruminal fluid, on the last day of the adaptation period (diet × time, p = 0.079). Fat-supplemented lambs had lower isovaleric and valeric acid concentrations compared with CON on d 40 (diet × time, p < 0.05). PALM and SOY-fed lambs had a longer eating time (min/d and min/kg of DMI), chewing activity (min/d), meal frequency (n), and duration of eating the first and second meals after morning feeding (p < 0.05), and the largest meal size (p < 0.001). Fat supplemented lambs had greater ruminal papillary length (p < 0.05) and width (p < 0.01), and thicker submucosal, epithelial, and muscle layers, compared with the CON (p < 0.01). Blood metabolites were not influenced by dietary treatments (p > 0.05). The results from this study suggest that fat supplementation to high-grain diets may improve the development of ruminal epithelia and modify ruminal fermentation via optimized eating behavior or the direct effect of oils on the ruminal environment, resulting in better growth performance in growing lambs.
Adoption Can Be a Risky Business: Risk Factors Predictive of Dogs Adopted from RSPCA Queensland Being Returned
Authors: Thumpkin Eileen , Paterson Mandy B. A. , Morton John M. , Pachana Nancy A.
Published: September 2022

Not all dog adoptions are successful. This two-year retrospective study used survival (i.e., time-to-event) analyses to investigate readmissions for dogs adopted from RSPCA Queensland shelters between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2020. A better understanding of temporal patterns and risk factors associated with readmission may help RSPCA Queensland shelters better target and tailor resources to improve retention by adopters. The failure function (the cumulative percentage of adoptions that were readmitted by day of the adoption period) increased rapidly during the first 14 days of the adoption period. Approximately two-thirds of all returns occurred in this period. This readmission rate may have been influenced by the RSPCA Queensland adoption-fee refund policy. The cumulative percentage of adoptions that were readmitted plateaued at just under 15%. Dog size, age, coat colour, breed, and spending time in foster before adoption were factors associated with the risk of readmission. Failure functions for a low and a high-risk adoption example demonstrated the large degree of difference in hazard of readmission between covariate patterns, with estimated percentages of adoptions being returned by 90 days for those examples being 2% and 17%, respectively. Spending time in foster care before adoption appears to be protective against readmission, presumably because it supports a successful transition to the new home environment. Behaviour support and training provided for dogs during foster care may contribute to improve their outcomes. These findings highlight the profile of the higher-risk dogs potentially providing shelters with an opportunity to examine where and how resources could be allocated to maximize outcomes for the overall cohort. Population attributable 90-day failure estimates were calculated for each of bodyweight and age at adoption, coat colour, spending time in foster care before adoption, and breed. This calculation shows the expected reduction in the cumulative percentage of dogs readmitted by day 90 if the hazards of readmission for higher risk categories were reduced to those of a lower risk category. Expected reductions for individual factors ranged from 1.8% to 3.6% with one additional estimate of 6.8%. Risk of readmission could be reduced through increased development of foster capacity and capability, targeted interventions, improved adopter-dog matching processes, and more effective targeting of support for higher risk dogs, such as older or larger dogs. Population impact analyses provide a macro view that could assist shelters in strategically assessing the return on investment for various strategies aiming to improve adoption outcomes and potentially reduce readmissions.
Utilization of the Viscum Species for Diet and Medicinal Purposes in Ruminants: A Review
Authors: Hawu Onke , Ravhuhali Khuliso Emmanuel , Musekwa Mutshidzi Given , Sipango Nkosomzi , Mudau Humbelani Silas , Mokoboki Kwena Hilda , Moyo Bethwell
Published: September 2022

A cost-effective, alternative protein and mineral source such as the Viscum species can be key to livestock production. Viscum spp. are used as feed in many semi-arid and arid regions globally, particularly during feed shortages. The species’ feeding value, and their pharmaceutical attributes, have been recognized worldwide, albeit with variation in nutritive value from one host to another. The antinutritional factors found in Viscum spp. may benefit livestock when consumed in moderation due to their immunomodulatory, proapoptotic, and antimicrobial properties. The Vachellia species are known to be the common hosts for Viscum spp. Further, even though Viscum spp. inhibit host tree development by reducing carbon absorption and the host tree’s carbohydrates, the efforts to regulate their infestation should not result in the plant’s total eradication due to the benefits to livestock (as well as in fodder and medicine). This review will help to improve understanding of Viscum species control measures, while also increasing the productivity of ruminants.
Yet Another Non-Unique Human Behaviour: Leave-Taking in Wild Chacma Baboons (Papio ursinus)
Authors: Baehren Lucy , Carvalho Susana
Published: September 2022

Leave taking is a common, possibly universal, feature of human social behaviour that has undergone very little empirical research. Although the importance remains unknown, it has been suggested to play an important role in managing separations, mitigating the risk, and increasing social bonding beyond the interaction itself. In nonhuman species, the literature is virtually absent, but identifying leave taking beyond humans may provide unique insights into the evolutionary history of this behaviour and shed light onto its proximate and ultimate function(s). Methods to study leave taking are not well-established, and the variation in definitions, measures, and control variables presented in past studies poses additional challenges. Baboons are a valuable model for investigating human behavioural evolution: as a flexible, highly adaptable, and social primate whose radiation is, similarly to humans, associated with the emergence of the African savannah biome. Using the framework and definition proposed by Baehren, we investigated the presence of leave taking in a wild, generalist primate and tested a range of candidate behaviours on prerecorded video footage: (1) self-scratching, (2) eye gaze, and (3) orientation in the direction of parting. Using multivariate analysis, controlling for interaction duration and individual variation, our results show that orientation in the direction of parting occurs predominantly before social separation events. These results indicate evidence of leave taking in a wild nonhuman population and contrast with previous ideas that this is a uniquely human behaviour. The presence of leave taking in baboons suggests a deep evolutionary history of this behaviour, warranting further investigation into its function and presence across other nonhuman primate species.
Tree Species and Morphology of Holes Caused by Black-Tufted Marmosets to Obtain Exudates: Some Implications for the Exudativory
Authors: Lamoglia Juliane Martins , Boere Vanner , Picoli Edgard Augusto de Toledo , de Oliveira Juraci Alves , Silva Neto Carlos de Melo e , Silva Ita de Oliveira
Published: September 2022

Knowledge of the pattern of exploitation of trees can help us understand the relationship between marmosets and plants, especially in declining forests, such as those in the Brazilian Cerrado. Black-tufted marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) regularly exploit exudates by gouging the bark of trees with their specialized teeth. Determining preferred tree species to exploit exudates is important for forest management aimed at maintaining an essential food source for urban marmosets. We characterized the tree species, dendrometry, and the characteristics of the holes made by marmosets to obtain exudates. Based on these data, we proposed a gouging effort index (Chiseling Suitability Index for Marmosets, ChiSI). We identified 16 species belonging to 10 families of trees with gouging marks made by marmosets. Eleven new tree species used by black-tufted marmosets for exudates were identified in urban forests in the Cerrado. Exudate exploration was predominantly of medium intensity, with round holes concentrated in the canopy. The species Tapirira guianensis and Croton urucarana were preferred. The ChiSI was characterized by a narrow range for both T. guianensis and C. urucarana. Despite the flexibility of obtaining exudates, the black-tufted marmosets concentrate their exploitation to only a few tree species. The T. guianensis and C. urucarana tree species should be considered the most important species for management plans and the preservation of black-tufted marmosets that live in urban forests in the Cerrado.
Development and Validation of an Energy Consumption Model for Animal Houses Achieving Precision Livestock Farming
Authors: Du Longhuan , Yang Li , Yang Chaowu , Hu Chenming , Yu Chunlin , Qiu Mohan , Liu Siyang , Zhu Shiliang , Ye Xianlin
Published: September 2022

Indoor environmental control is usually applied in poultry farming to ensure optimum growth conditions for birds. However, these control methods represent a considerable share of total energy consumption, and the trend of applying new equipment in the future for precision livestock farming would further increase energy demand, resulting in an increase in greenhouse gas emissions and management costs. Therefore, to ensure optimum efficiency of both energy use and livestock productivity, a customized hourly model was developed in the present study to interpret and analyze the electronically collected data. The modules for estimating indoor gas concentrations were incorporated into the present model, as this has not been properly considered in previous studies. A validation test was performed in a manure-belt layer house using sensors and meters to measure the indoor environmental parameters and energy consumption. The predicted results, including indoor temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide and ammonia concentrations, showed good agreement with the measured data, indicating a similar overall trend with acceptable discrepancies. Moreover, the corresponding differences between the measured and simulated energy consumption for heating, tunnel ventilation and base ventilation were 13.7, 7.5, and 0.1%, respectively. The total energy demand estimated by the model showed a limited discrepancy of approximately 10.6% compared with that measured in reality. Although human factors, including inspection, cleaning, vaccination, etc., were not included in the model, the validation results still suggested that the customized model was able to accurately predict the indoor environment and overall energy consumption during poultry farming. The validated model provides a tool for poultry producers to optimize production planning and management strategies, increase the production rate of unit energy consumption and achieve precision livestock farming from an energy consumption standpoint.
The Social Construction of Narratives and Arguments in Animal Welfare Discourse and Debate
Authors: Muhammad Mukhtar , Stokes Jessica E. , Morgans Lisa , Manning Louise
Published: September 2022

Stakeholders can hold conflicting values and viewpoints, on what animal welfare is and how a good life is achieved and can signal different problems, or problematize specific aspects of farm animal welfare, and propose different actions or interventions within food supply chains. The aim of the study is to explore the contribution of narrative and argumentative discourse to the social construction and framing of animal welfare and its implications. The methodological approach in this research is composed of two phases with phase 1 being the foundational structured literature search in both academic and grey literature. Phase 2 was the analysis of the secondary data from the literature review to develop a synthesized iterative paper and in doing so develop a typology of five narratives: the ‘farming as a business’ narrative, the ‘religion-based’ narrative, the ‘research, legislative and political based narrative’, the ‘higher welfare’ narrative, and the “animal rights/power-based” narrative. Our findings demonstrate the contestation within the stakeholder discourse of the articulation of why farm animals should have a good life. Performance-related perspectives are rooted in the value-laden language and narratives that shape the arguments regarding notions of good and bad welfare; the emergent positioning of positive welfare for farm animals as well as how to achieve a good life in practice. The novel contribution of this review is the application of an explanatory word-language-discourse-person-situation-environment framework in this specific context to inform future research on animal welfare discourse analysis.
Isolation and Characterization of Mannanase-Producing Bacteria for Potential Synbiotic Application in Shrimp Farming
Authors: Sathitkowitchai Witida , Sathapondecha Ponsit , Angthong Pacharaporn , Srimarut Yanee , Malila Yuwares , Nakkongkam Wuttichai , Chaiyapechara Sage , Karoonuthaisiri Nitsara , Keawsompong Suttipun , Rungrassamee Wanilada
Published: September 2022

Prebiotics such as mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) are a promising approach to improve performance and disease resistance in shrimp. To improve prebiotic utilization, we investigated the potential probiotics and their feasibility of synbiotic use in vitro. Two bacterial isolates, Man26 and Man122, were isolated from shrimp intestines and screened for mannanase, the enzyme for mannan digestion. The crude mannanase from both isolates showed optimal activities at pH 8 with optimum temperatures at 60 °C and 50 °C, respectively. The enzymes remained stable at pH 8–10 for 3 h (>70% relative activity). The thermostability range of Man26 was 20–40 °C for 20 min (>50%), while that of Man122 was 20–60 °C for 30 min (>50%). The Vmax of Man122 against locust bean gum substrate was 41.15 ± 12.33 U·mg−1, six times higher than that of Man26. The Km of Man26 and Man122 were 18.92 ± 4.36 mg·mL−1 and 34.53 ± 14.46 mg·mL−1, respectively. With the addition of crude enzymes, reducing sugars of copra meal, palm kernel cake, and soybean meal were significantly increased (p < 0.05), as well as protein release. The results suggest that Man26 and Man122 could potentially be used in animal feeds and synbiotically with copra meal to improve absorption and utilization of feedstuffs.
Yeast Surface Display Platform for Rapid Selection of an Antibody Library via Sequential Counter Antigen Flow Cytometry
Authors: Ban Bhupal , Blake Robert C. , Blake Diane A.
Published: September 2022

Yeast surface display techniques have been increasingly employed as a tool for both the discovery and affinity maturation of antibodies. In this study, we describe the use of yeast surface display for the selection and affinity maturation of antibodies targeted to small molecules (haptens). In this approach, we coupled 4 to 15 sequential cycles of error-prone PCR to introduce heterogeneity into the sequence of an 12F6 scFv antibody that binds to chelated uranium; the resulting full-length constructs were combined to create a yeast-displayed scFv-library with high diversity. We also developed a stringent selection technique utilizing fluorescence-activated cell sorting; this was based on sequentially dropping the target antigen concentration, while concomitantly increasing the concentration of potential cross-reactive haptens in subsequent selection cycles. As a proof of the efficacy this approach, we confirmed that the antibodies identified via this approach retained binding to the target antigen (UO22+ complexed to a chelator), while binding with lesser affinity than the parental scFv to a structurally related haptens (the same chelator complexed to other metal ions). As will be described in this report, these scFv variants perform more efficiently in sensor-based assay than the parental 12F6 antibody. Combining the generation of scFv libraries via error-prone PCR with selection of yeast-displayed antibodies by fluorescence activated cell sorting will provide an efficient new method for the isolation of scFvs and other binding proteins with high affinity and specificity.
Determinants of Response at 2 Months of Treatment in a Cohort of Pakistani Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Shah Saeed , Khan Asghar , Shahzad Muhammad , Mokhtar Jawahir A. , Harakeh Steve , Kibria Zeeshan , Mehr Aneela , Bano Bushra , Ali Asif , Yousafzai Yasar Mehmood
Published: September 2022

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection continues to be a major global challenge. All patients with pulmonary tuberculosis are treated with a standard 6-month treatment regimen. Historical data suggest that even with shortened treatment, most patients achieve long-term remission. Risk stratification is a goal for reducing potentially toxic prolonged treatment. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with the early clearance of sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB). A total of 297 freshly diagnosed patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were included and enrolled in this study. Information related to their ethno-demographic and anthropometric characteristics was collected. We also assessed their complete blood counts, and blood iron, folate, and vitamin B12 levels. We found that the presence of higher levels of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in diagnostic sputum microscopy was the single most significant prognostic factor associated with early clearance of sputum AFB after 2 months of treatment. All of our patients achieved treatment success after 6 months of treatment and were disease free. Our results support the data obtained from previous studies indicating that AFB clearance at 2 months is unlikely to be a clinically useful biomarker or indicator for therapeutic stratification. Furthermore, demographic, anthropometric, and nutritional factors are not clinically useful biomarkers.
Changing Paradigms in Antibiotic Resistance in Salmonella Species with Focus on Fluoroquinolone Resistance: A 5-Year Retrospective Study of Enteric Fever in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kolkata, India
Authors: Biswas Malabika , Biswas Silpak , Gupta Bishal , Mascellino Maria Teresa , Rakshit Anindita , Chakraborty Banya
Published: September 2022

Enteric fever, a potentially fatal multisystem disease that is caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi and Paratyphi, poses a significant risk in low- and middle-income countries. A retrospective study to understand the prevalence and evolving patterns of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi was undertaken from June 2017 to June 2022. A total of 4051 blood samples were collected from patients attending inpatient and outpatient departments of the School of Tropical Medicine (Kolkata, India) hospital. Blood samples were cultured, and culture positive samples were further processed for identification using conventional and automated systems. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using both the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method and VITEK2 (bioMerieux). Forty-five (1.1%) Salmonella species were isolated among the number of total (n = 4051) samples that were tested. Out of the 45 Salmonella isolates, 35 were Salmonella Typhi (77.77%) and 10 were Salmonella Paratyphi A (22.23%). We found pronounced fluoroquinolone resistance of 100% in the recent years (2019–2022) in both of the S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A isolates. We found that 1 Salmonella Typhi and 2 Salmonella Paratyphi A isolates were resistant against multiple antibiotics (cefixime, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid), and 1 multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella Paratyphi A isolate was found in a recent study year (2020) and it showed resistance against different classes of antibiotics (cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and carbapenems). There was no resistance that was detected to the 3rd generation cephalosporins in the final years of the study. The emergence of Salmonella isolates that are resistant to multiple antibiotics poses a serious health problem. The antimicrobial resistance patterns that were detected in the study thus warrant further studies to understand the antibiotic susceptibility and resistance pattern of Salmonella against the major classes of antibiotics.
Dissemination of Carbapenemases and MCR-1 Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria in Aquatic Environments in Batna, Algeria
Authors: Cherak Zineb , Loucif Lotfi , Bendjama Esma , Moussi Abdelhamid , Benbouza Amel , Grainat Nadia , Rolain Jean-Marc
Published: September 2022

Antibiotic-resistant-bacteria are being considered as emerging environmental contaminants where the importance of the surrounding environment in their emergence and dissemination has been emphasized. The aim of this study was to screen for the presence and diversity of carbapenem- and colistin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (GNBs) in different aquatic environments. Water samples were collected in Batna, Algeria. Carbapenem- and colistin-resistant GNBs were selectively isolated and then identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. After phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility testing, the molecular mechanisms of β-lactams and colistin-resistance were investigated by PCR and sequencing. The clonality of mcr-1 positive Escherichia coli was determined by multi-locus sequence typing. We noticed a high level of resistance in both tap water and wastewater. The most commonly found carbapenem-resistance mechanism was the OXA-48 enzyme, but other carbapenemases were also detected. In addition, the mcr-1 gene was detected in 18 E. coli of different sequence types. Our findings highlight the role of aquatic environments in the dissemination of resistant-bacteria, especially considering that water is a connecting medium between different ecological systems and can easily transmit resistant-bacteria and promote horizontal gene transfer. Thus, the development of effective treatment strategies for eliminating antibiotic-resistance is seriously needed.
Novel Insights into Fungal Infections Prophylaxis and Treatment in Pediatric Patients with Cancer
Authors: Bossù Gianluca , Di Sario Riccardo , Muratore Edoardo , Leardini Davide , Pession Andrea , Esposito Susanna , Masetti Riccardo
Published: September 2022

Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) are a relevant cause of morbidity and mortality in children with cancer. Their correct prevention and management impact patients’ outcomes. The aim of this review is to highlight the rationale and novel insights into antifungal prophylaxis and treatment in pediatric patients with oncological and hematological diseases. The literature analysis showed that IFDs represent a minority of cases in comparison to bacterial and viral infections, but their impact might be far more serious, especially when prolonged antifungal therapy or invasive surgical treatments are required to eradicate colonization. A personalized approach is recommended since pediatric patients with cancer often present with different complications and require tailored therapy. Moreover, while the Aspergillus infection rate does not seem to increase, in the near future, new therapeutic recommendations should be required in light of new epidemiological data on Candidemia due to resistant species. Finally, further studies on CAR-T treatment and other immunotherapies are needed in patients with unique needs and the risk of complications. Definitive guidelines on IFD treatment considering the evolving epidemiology of antifungal resistance, new therapeutic approaches in pediatric cancer, novel antifungal drugs and the importance of an appropriate antifungal stewardship are urgently needed.
Virtual Screening for SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitory Peptides from the Putative Hydrolyzed Peptidome of Rice Bran
Authors: Harnkit Nathaphat , Khongsonthi Thanakamol , Masuwan Noprada , Prasartkul Pornpinit , Noikaew Tipanart , Chumnanpuen Pramote
Published: September 2022

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to the loss of life and has affected the life quality, economy, and lifestyle. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), which hydrolyzes the polyprotein, is an interesting antiviral target to inhibit the spreading mechanism of COVID-19. Through predictive digestion, the peptidomes of the four major proteins in rice bran, albumin, glutelin, globulin, and prolamin, with three protease enzymes (pepsin, trypsin, and chymotrypsin), the putative hydrolyzed peptidome was established and used as the input dataset. Then, the prediction of the antiviral peptides (AVPs) was performed by online bioinformatics tools, i.e., AVPpred, Meta-iAVP, AMPfun, and ENNAVIA programs. The amino acid composition and cytotoxicity of candidate AVPs were analyzed by COPid and ToxinPred, respectively. The ten top-ranked antiviral peptides were selected and docked to the SARS-CoV-2 main protease using GalaxyPepDock. Only the top docking scored candidate (AVP4) was further analyzed by molecular dynamics simulation for one nanosecond. According to the bioinformatic analysis results, the candidate SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitory peptides were 7–33 amino acid residues and formed hydrogen bonds at Thr22–24, Glu154, and Thr178 in domain 2 with short bonding distances. In addition, these top-ten candidate bioactive peptides contain hydrophilic amino acid residues and have a positive net charge. We hope that this study will provide a potential starting point for peptide-based therapeutic agents against COVID-19.
Effects of Dietary Selenium and Oxidized Fish Oils on Intestinal Lipid Metabolism and Antioxidant Responses of Yellow Catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco
Authors: Liu Guang-Hui , Zhang Dian-Guang , Lei Xi-Jun , Tan Xiao-Ying , Song Chang-Chun , Zheng Hua , Luo Zhi
Published: September 2022

Currently, the effect of selenium and oxidized fish oil interactions on the intestinal lipid metabolism and antioxidant responses of fish remains unknown. Herein, yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (weight: 3.99 ± 0.01 g) were used as experimental animals and were fed four diets: an adequate amount of selenium (0.25 mg kg−1) with fresh fish oil (A-Se+FFO), an adequate amount of selenium with oxidized fish oil (A-Se+OFO), a high amount of selenium (0.50 mg kg−1) with fresh fish oil (H-Se+FFO), and a high amount of selenium with oxidized fish oil (H-Se+OFO). The feeding experiment was conducted for 10 weeks. The results showed that selenium supplementation alleviated the intestinal tissue damage and reduced the lipid accumulation that was induced by oxidized fish oils. Meanwhile, we also found that 0.50 mg kg−1 selenium reduced the oxidative stress that is caused by oxidized fish oils through increasing the GSH and the activity and mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes. Dietary selenium and oxidized fish oils also affected the mRNA expression of intestinal selenoproteins including selenow2a, selenop2, and selenot2. Mechanistically, Se and oxidized eicosapentaenoic acid (oxEPA) influenced the GSH content by affecting the DNA binding ability of activating transcription factor (ATF) 3 to the slc7a11 promoter. For the first time, our results suggested that selenium alleviated the oxidized fish oil-induced intestinal lipid deposition and the oxidative stress of the fish. We also elucidated the novel mechanism of selenium increasing the GSH content by affecting the interaction of ATF3 and the slc7a11 promoter.
Air Pollution, Oxidative Stress, and the Risk of Development of Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Zorena Katarzyna , Jaskulak Marta , Michalska Małgorzata , Mrugacz Małgorzata , Vandenbulcke Franck
Published: September 2022

Despite multiple studies focusing on environmental factors conducive to the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), knowledge about the involvement of long-term exposure to air pollution seems insufficient. The main focus of epidemiological studies is placed on the relationship between exposure to various concentrations of particulate matter (PM): PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (O3), versus the risk of T1DM development. Although the specific molecular mechanism(s) behind the link between increased air pollution exposure and a higher risk of diabetes and metabolic dysfunction is yet unknown, available data indicate air pollution-induced inflammation and oxidative stress as a significant pathway. The purpose of this paper is to assess recent research examining the association between inhalation exposure to PM and associated metals and the increasing rates of T1DM worldwide. The development of modern and more adequate methods for air quality monitoring is also introduced. A particular emphasis on microsensors, mobile and autonomous measuring platforms, satellites, and innovative approaches of IoT, 5G connections, and Block chain technologies are also presented. Reputable databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were used to search for relevant literature. Eligibility criteria involved recent publication years, particularly publications within the last five years (except for papers presenting a certain novelty or mechanism for the first time). Population, toxicological and epidemiological studies that focused particularly on fine and ultra-fine PM and associated ambient metals, were preferred, as well as full-text publications.
Botanical Origin Assessment of Honey Based on ATR-IR Spectroscopy: A Comparison between the Efficiency of Supervised Statistical Methods and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: David Maria , Hategan Ariana Raluca , Magdas Dana Alina , Berghian-Grosan Camelia , Simionescu Bianca
Published: September 2022

Food authenticity control represents a constant concern nowadays, and against this background, new means of food fraud detection are developed by research and control laboratories. Among the most accessible analytical methods in this regard, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy proved to be an effective tool, being rapid, cost-effective, and not requiring solvent use. However, the generated experimental data need to be further processed in an efficient manner in order to be able to accurately assess the authenticity of a certain product. The temptation to pass some more available honey varieties as rarer ones might exist and in order to detect these types of miss labeling, we proposed in this study the development of new recognition models based on supervised chemometric models and artificial intelligence. In this way a comparison between the models’ capabilities constructed based on the association between ATR-IR spectroscopy with partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and support vector machines (SVM), respectively, was performed. The most efficient models for the individual botanical differentiation were developed by applying SVM on the significant spectral markers, determined through a supervised method.
Special Issue on Innovative Applications of Big Data and Cloud Computing
Authors: Yang Chao-Tung , Tsung Chen-Kun , Yen Neil Yuwen , Verma Vinod Kumar
Published: September 2022

Big Data and Cloud Computing are two major information technologies for processing data to translate data to knowledge [...]
Design of Optical Tweezers Manipulation Control System Based on Novel Self-Organizing Fuzzy Cerebellar Model Neural Network
Authors: Zhao Jing , Hou Hui , Huang Qi-Yu , Zhong Xun-Gao , Zheng Peng-Sheng
Published: September 2022

Holographic optical tweezers have unique non-physical contact and can manipulate and control single or multiple cells in a non-invasive way. In this paper, the dynamics model of the cells captured by the optical trap is analyzed, and a control system based on a novel self-organizing fuzzy cerebellar model neural network (NSOFCMNN) is proposed and applied to the cell manipulation control of holographic optical tweezers. This control system consists of a main controller using the NSOFCMNN with a new self-organization mechanism, a robust compensation controller, and a higher order sliding mode. It can accurately move the captured cells to the expected position through the optical trap generated by the holographic optical tweezers system. Both the layers and blocks of the proposed NSOFCMNN can be adjusted online according to the new self-organization mechanism. The compensation controller is used to eliminate the approximation errors. The higher order sliding surface can enhance the performance of controllers. The distances between cells are considered in order to further realize multi-cell cooperative control. In addition, the stability and convergence of the proposed NSOFCMNN are proved by the Lyapunov function, and the learning law is updated online by the gradient descent method. The simulation results show that the control system based on the proposed NSOFCMNN can effectively complete the cell manipulation task of optical tweezers and has better control performance than other neural network controllers.
Special Issue on Harmful Cyanobacteria and Their Metabolites
Authors: Meriluoto Jussi , Tokodi Nada
Published: September 2022

Cyanobacteria, previously called blue-green algae, are photosynthetic microorganisms which thrive especially in aquatic ecosystems suffering from eutrophication [...]