bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcome predictors of odontogenic abscesses in the elderly
Authors: Kaercher Daniel , Thelen Philipp , Ruettermann Mike , Li Lei , Hamprecht Axel
Published: December 2024

Odontogenic infections have a high prevalence and can lead to severe complications. Due to demographic changes, the number of geriatric patients has increased in recent years. The aim of this study was to analyse odontogenic abscesses in elderly patients and to differentiate them from non–elderly patients regarding clinical presentation, bacterial analysis and therapy. We retrospectively reviewed 1,173 inpatients with odontogenic abscesses from 2014 to 2020. Patients were divided into elderly patients (≥70 years, n = 240) and non-elderly patients (<70 years, n = 933). Demographics, clinical parameters, laboratory values and treatment parameters were analysed. Overall, elderly patients had a longer hospital stay (LOS) (median 4 [range 28] vs. 3 [range 22] days) and more complications (9.6% vs. 7.9%) than non-elderly patients, although these differences were not statistically significant. Peri-/submandibular (p = 0.015), parapharyngeal (p < 0.001) and oral base infections (p = 0.036) were associated with significantly longer LOS in the elderly. Chronic renal failure (CRF) was associated with LOS (p = 0.010) and complications (p = 0.006). In the elderly, c-reactive protein (CRP) correlated significantly with LOS (p < 0.001) and more complications (p = 0.036). This study identifies anatomical spaces and CRF as outcome predictors of odontogenic abscesses in the elderly. In addition, CRP level may serve as a predictor of complicated course in elderly patients.
Blockade of connexin43-containing hemichannel attenuates the LPS-induced inflammatory response in human dental pulp cells by inhibiting the extracellular flux of ATP and HMGB1
Authors: Hu Peiling , Long Ping , Li Ruotong , Lan Xiaorong , He Yuanpei , Li Guangwen , Li Shiting
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Tissue repair can be promoted by moderate inflammation but suppressed by excessive levels. Therefore, control of excessive inflammation following removal of infection plays a critical role in promotion of pulpal repair. Connexin 43 (Cx43) forms hemichannels (HCs) or gap channels (GJs) to facilitate the delivery of small molecules between cells to regulate both inflammation and repair. Understanding the role of Cx43 in dental pulp may help develop a potential strategy to attenuate the inflammation and promote the formation of reparative dentin in deep caries.

Methods

We firstly investigated the expression profile of Cx43 in infected human third molars by histological analysis; then, we detected channel activity of Cx43 and the effect of mediating release of small molecules in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) by molecular biology methods. Results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and the unpaired t-test. The level of significance was set at α = 0.05.

Results

Analysis showed that the expression of Cx43 was upregulated in human third molars as the degree of infection increased, and Cx43 was not only expressed in odontoblast layer, but also detected in cell-rich zone and pulp proper. LPS activated Cx43 HCs in hDPCs while inhibiting GJs; blockade of Cx43 HCs attenuated LPS-induced inflammation. Furthermore, LPS promoted the extracellular release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) within hDPCs, thus exacerbating LPS-induced inflammation. The blockade of Cx43 HCs inhibited the extracellular release of ATP and HMGB1 within hDPCs.

Conclusion

Collectively, our finding suggested that Cx43 plays a key role in infection and inflammation in dental pulp. LPS activates Cx43 HCs to mediate the extracellular release of ATP and HMGB1 to exacerbate LPS-induced inflammation of hDPCs.
Presence in time: watching live and recorded sports in VR increases spatial, interpersonal, and temporal presence
Authors: Frewen Paul , Vincent Andrew
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Little research has explored the experience of viewing sporting events in three-dimensional (3D) virtual reality (VR), whether at the time the sporting events are happening or at a later date.

Materials and Methods

Participants (n = 148) were university students who watched brief segments of a 360° live stream of collegiate volleyball and basketball games, either live, at the time the games were happening, or approximately 1 week later. Participants watched segments of gameplay both while wearing and not wearing a 3D-VR headset, and provided spatial, interpersonal, and temporal presence ratings immediately afterward, as well as ratings of satisfaction with each viewing format.

Results

Viewing the games in 3D-VR, as compared to watching the games on a standard two-dimensional (2D) tablet computer, was associated with greater spatial, interpersonal, and temporal presence, and watching games live was associated with greater temporal presence. Although no differences were seen in overall satisfaction between the 3D-VR and standard 2D-tablet viewing formats, the more participants experienced a sense of presence while watching the games, the more they were satisfied with their sports viewing experience.

Discussion

Sports spectatorship in 3D-VR is associated with a heightening of the feeling of spatial presence (“being there”), interpersonal (i.e., social) presence (“being together”), and temporal presence (“this is happening now”), regardless of whether the games that one is watching are actually occurring in the present, or are instead camera recordings that were captured sometime in the past. Researching the experience of temporal presence in response to recordings of other kinds of public (e.g., music concert) and private events (e.g., family memory) is recommended.
The role of motivation in selection processes—comparing sports and business
Authors: Brinkmöller Birte , Dreiskämper Dennis , Höner Oliver , Strauss Bernd
Published: December 2024

Talent identification and selection in sports pose significant challenges, necessitating a nuanced understanding of factors influencing athletes’ elite-level potential. While physical and physiological aspects have conventionally played roles in the selection process, also other constructs of talent development have to be considered. Various talent models have included psychological aspects, especially motivation, as either moderators or catalysts. Based on empirical evidence of the relationship between motivation and performance, different views are hold in which form motivation should be used for talent selection. Considering the hierarchical model of achievement motivation and self-determination theory, the importance of different motivational dimensions in talent selection is assessed. This study extends its focus beyond sports, exploring whether differences and similarities between sports and business in their selection processes exist. The objective is to discern whether scouts, coaches and recruiters prioritize motivational dimensions differently. Along with the statistical analyses [conjoint analysis, analytical hierarchy processes (AHP) and constant-sum procedures], this research aims to provide insights into the weighted importance of diverse motivational dimensions and their influence on the decision-intention of decision-makers. The study aims to provide exploratory insights into how motivational dimensions could inform talent selection processes by comparing different contexts. This research may offer a first step to further investigate practical applications for talent identification and selection processes with insights from other contexts.
Agroecological approaches to securing rural livelihoods: a critical analysis using the example of Tanzania
Authors: Ahmad Nadja , Köpke Sören
Published: December 2024

Agrifood systems globally are confronted with mounting challenges, including hunger, rising food prices, and geopolitical tensions. Conventional agricultural models face criticism for causing environmental degradation and increasing poverty, which emphasizes the need for sustainable alternatives. Agroecology emerges as a promising solution that embodies a holistic, farmer-centric countermovement against corporate-led food systems. However, the practical implementation of agroecology as practice, science and social movement faces considerable barriers. Sceptics argue that agroecology is too complex, labor- and knowledge-intensive and cannot keep up with the production level of conventional agriculture. The case study was conducted in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands, based on expert interviews and literature analysis. It finds 18 factors that potentially impede the implementation and dissemination of agroecological approaches. Impeding factors exist in all three agroecological approaches. Most obstacles were identified with agroecology as a practical approach. Agroecology as a social movement was only addressed to a limited extent. Main challenges within the approaches include the fear of high financial, time, and energy expenditures when implementing agroecology, difficulties in adopting agroecological practices, the desired and equal collaboration between farmers and researchers, diverging and different definitions and understandings of agroecology, gender relations in farming activities and market and price dependencies for generating income. The study emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts, awareness, and supportive policies to promote agroecology effectively. The research contributes to bridging the gap between theoretical debates and practical applications of agroecology and urges rethinking and revising its conceptualization.
A novel approach for contactless heart rate monitoring from pet facial videos
Authors: Hu Renjie , Gao Yu , Peng Guoying , Yang Hongyu , Zhang Jiajin
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Monitoring the heart rate (HR) of pets is challenging when contact with a conscious pet is inconvenient, difficult, injurious, distressing, or dangerous for veterinarians or pet owners. However, few established, simple, and non-invasive techniques for HR measurement in pets exist.

Methods

To address this gap, we propose a novel, contactless approach for HR monitoring in pet dogs and cats, utilizing facial videos and imaging photoplethysmography (iPPG). This method involves recording a video of the pet’s face and extracting the iPPG signal from the video data, offering a simple, non-invasive, and stress-free alternative to conventional HR monitoring techniques. We validated the accuracy of the proposed method by comparing it to electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings in a controlled laboratory setting.

Results

Experimental results indicated that the average absolute errors between the reference ECG monitor and iPPG estimates were 2.94 beats per minute (BPM) for dogs and 3.33 BPM for cats under natural light, and 2.94 BPM for dogs and 2.33 BPM for cats under artificial light. These findings confirm the reliability and accuracy of our iPPG-based method for HR measurement in pets.

Discussion

This approach can be applied to resting animals for real-time monitoring of their health and welfare status, which is of significant interest to both veterinarians and families seeking to improve care for their pets.
Invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast and invasive breast carcinoma of no special type: a comparison of claudin proteins’ expression and its impact on survival
Authors: Kramer Zsófia , Budai András , Pesti Adrián , Kulka Janina , Tőkés Anna-Mária
Published: December 2024

Invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast is characterized by clusters of cells presenting with inverted polarity. Although the apico–basal polarity is a fundamental property of the epithelium, the biological alterations leading to the inside-out pattern observed in invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) remain mostly unknown. The regulation of tight junctions in polarity formation and maintenance is acknowledged. By using immunohistochemistry, we have analysed claudin-1, -3, -4, and -7 tight junction proteins expression and their prognostic value on IMPCs and compared them to invasive breast carcinomas of no special type (IBC-NST) tumors. Our cohort consisted of 37 IMPCs, 36 IBC-NST and 9 mixed IMPC/IBC-NST tumors. Two scoring systems were used to quantify protein expression: a 4-tier scoring system and the H-score method. Distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) intervals and overal survival (OS) data were used for prognosis evaluation. The analysed samples were characterized mainly by low or no claudin-1 expression whereas claudins-3, -4 and -7 showed variable positivity. We have found no significant differences in claudin-3 and -4 protein expression between IMPC and IBC-NST groups with either scoring methods, however high claudin-7 expression was found in significantly more IMPCs than IBC-NST tumors according to the H-score system (p = 0.02). The 4-tier scoring method revealed association of claudin-7 expression with molecular tumor subtypes (p = 0.001). IMPC and IBC-NST tumors did not show difference in DMFS (p = 0.70). In the analysis of pure IMPC and IBC-NST tumors, positive/high claudin-4 protein expression was significantly associated with shorter DMFS (p = 0.02/p = 0.008, respectively according to the two scoring methods). Claudin-3 and claudin-7 expression showed no association with DMFS or OS. Changes in epithelial polarity seem not to be related to claudin-1, -3, and -4 expression. Increased claudin-4 expression may have a role in breast cancer progression.
Model-Free Closed-Loop Control of Flow Past a Bluff Body: Methods, Applications, and Emerging Trends
Authors: Ren Feng , Wen Xin , Tang Hui
Published: December 2024

Flow past one or multiple bluff bodies is almost ubiquitous in nature and industrial applications, and its rich underlying physics has made it one of the most typical problems in fluid mechanics and related disciplines. The search for ways to control such problems has attracted extensive attention from both the scientific and engineering fields, as this could potentially bring about benefits such as reduced drag, mitigated noise, suppressed vibration, and enhanced heat transfer. Flow control can be generally categorized into passive and active approaches, depending on whether there is an external energy input to the flow system. Active control is further divided into open-loop approaches and closed-loop approaches, depending on whether the controller depends on feedback signals extracted from the flow system. Unlike in many other applications of passive flow control and open-loop active flow control, theoretically advantageous closed-loop controls are quite rare in this area, due to the complicated features of flow systems. In this article, we review the recent progress in and future perspectives of flow past a single or multiple bluff bodies using model-free closed-loop control so as to outline the state-of-the-art research, determine the physical rationale, and point to some future research directions in this field.
Incorporation of Controlling into the Organizational Structures of Industrial Enterprises
Authors: Vranakova Natalia , Gyurak Babelova Zdenka , Santava Eva
Published: December 2024

Enterprises, especially those operating in a dynamic environment of industrial production, need a management concept capable of responding to changes. For prompt and accurate reactions, it is crucial for managers to have a feedback system that allows monitoring the achievement of defined goals, the utilization of the enterprise’s potential, and the identification of its weaknesses. Controlling is an effective tool that enables monitoring and reporting the necessary areas, ensuring the efficient functioning of business processes through the early identification of deviations. It provides the enterprise’s management with vital information about goal achievement, the enterprise’s real potential, warnings about shortcomings, and a relevant feedback system. This research is aimed at examination of the role of controlling within the organizational structures of industrial enterprises in Slovakia and evaluation of the degree to which the current integration of controlling requires adjustments in companies’ organizational structures. For the research purpose, a questionnaire survey was conducted, including 61 respondents, all specialists from financial or controlling departments. The most significant findings include the organizational integration of the controlling department within the surveyed enterprises and the necessity to reconsider how the controlling department is incorporated into the company’s organizational structure. The findings suggest that companies with a functional organizational structure may need changes to enhance decision-making authority within the controlling department, while those with a line organizational structure already grant sufficient decision-making power to controllers.
How Much Is Too Much? The Impact of Update Frequency on Crowdfunding Success
Authors: Solodoha Eliran
Published: December 2024

This research seeks to clarify the uncertainty in crowdfunding literature regarding the relationship between the number of updates and campaign success. By integrating signal theory and the notion of information overload, this study posits a curved, inverted U-shaped relationship between the number of updates and campaign success. Empirical evidence to support this hypothesis is drawn from an analysis of 2852 projects sourced from a reward-based crowdfunding platform. The aim of this inquiry is to provide insights into the intricate dynamics that influence how the number of updates impacts the results of crowdfunding campaigns.
Characterizing Bacterial Communities in Agroecosystems of the UNESCO Global Geopark Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca
Authors: Martínez-Núñez Mario Alberto , Orozco-Ramírez Quetzalcoátl
Published: December 2024

This study explores the diversity and functions of microbiomes in ancient agroecosystems of the Mixteca Alta Geopark (MAG). Microbiome analysis could provide insights into soil bacterial communities and their role in enhancing soil fertility, nutrient cycling, and plant growth. We used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to identify key features in the composition of the microbiota of the Lama-bordo, Valley, and Terrace agroecosystems in MAG. Analysis of agroecosystem soils revealed 21 bacterial phyla, with Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Chloroflexi dominating. These microbial communities contribute to soil health, carbon cycling, and disease suppression. The study identified specific phylogroups and metabolic pathways associated with nutrient-rich environments like Lama-bordo and Valley, and nutrient-poor, sandy soils like Terrace. Soils from Lama-bordo and Valley were grouped due to microbiome similarity despite geographic separation, whereas Terrace soils differed. Nutrient-rich Lama-bordo and Valley soils host copiotrophic bacteria, while nutrient-poor Terrace soils favor oligotrophic species like Acidobacteria. Functional analysis of microbiomes reveals distinct metabolic pathways, including antibiotic biosynthesis (streptomycin, vancomycin) suggesting a role in plant disease resistance, amino acid pathways indicating active nitrogen cycling, and vitamin B5 and lipoic acid pathways contributing to energy metabolism and antioxidant functions.
Foliar Zn Application Increases Zn Content in Biofortified Potato
Authors: Zevallos Shirley , Salas Elisa , Gutierrez Pedro , Burgos Gabriela , De Boeck Bert , Mendes Thiago , Campos Hugo , Lindqvist-Kreuze Hannele
Published: December 2024

Given the widespread micronutrient deficiencies in vulnerable populations, crop biofortification has been proposed as a solution to increase nutrient concentrations. This study aimed to determine the effect of combining biofortification strategies on the agronomic characteristics and nutritional composition of potato. The effect of foliar fertilization (FF) with zinc (Zn) on five potato genotypes (G): four biofortified clones developed through conventional breeding with different Zn levels (high, medium, and low in Zn, and one high in Fe and Zn) and a commercial variety (‘Yungay’) were evaluated. At harvest, the number of tubers per plant, the weight of tubers per plant, and the average tuber weight were evaluated as yield components, and tuber samples were collected for micronutrient determination. For yield components, the analysis with linear mixed models showed no significant G × D interaction effects, but highly significant differences were observed among G. The Zn concentration in tubers showed a highly significant effect in the G × D interaction. The simple effects analysis showed that biofortified genotypes responded to FF with Zn by significantly increasing the tuber Zn concentrations by an average of 43% (range 28–61%), despite growing in alkaline soils. In contrast, the ‘Yungay’ variety showed a 6% increase. Clones biofortified through conventional genetic improvement responded better to agronomic FF with Zn compared to the non-biofortified commercial variety, demonstrating that both are synergistic strategies that can achieve a significant increase in Zn concentrations in tubers. The result of this study might be used to further biofortification efforts and decrease nutritional deficiencies.
Trends in Machine and Deep Learning Techniques for Plant Disease Identification: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rodríguez-Lira Diana-Carmen , Córdova-Esparza Diana-Margarita , Álvarez-Alvarado José M. , Terven Juan , Romero-González Julio-Alejandro , Rodríguez-Reséndiz Juvenal
Published: December 2024

This review explores the use of machine learning (ML) techniques for detecting pests and diseases in crops, which is a significant challenge in agriculture, leading to substantial yield losses worldwide. This study focuses on the integration of ML models, particularly Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), which have shown promise in accurately identifying and classifying plant diseases from images. By analyzing studies published from 2019 to 2024, this work summarizes the common methodologies involving stages of data acquisition, preprocessing, segmentation, feature extraction, and prediction to develop robust ML models. The findings indicate that the incorporation of advanced image processing and ML algorithms significantly enhances disease detection capabilities, leading to the early and precise diagnosis of crop ailments. This can not only improve crop yield and quality but also reduce the dependency on chemical pesticides, contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices. Future research should focus on enhancing the robustness of these models to varying environmental conditions and expanding the datasets to include a wider variety of crops and diseases. CNN-based models, particularly specialized architectures like ResNet, are the most widely used in the studies reviewed, making up 42.36% of all models, with ResNet alone contributing 7.65%. This highlights ResNet’s appeal for tasks that demand deep architectures and sophisticated feature extraction. Additionally, SVM models account for 9.41% of the models examined. The prominence of both ResNet and MobileNet reflects a trend toward architectures with residual connections for deeper networks, alongside efficiency-focused designs like MobileNet, which are well-suited for mobile and edge applications.
Effect of Sowing Date and Nitrogen Rates on Morphometric Features and Photosynthetic Performance in Sugar Beet
Authors: Michalska-Klimczak Beata , Mastalerczuk Grażyna , Wyszyński Zdzisław , Pačuta Vladimír , Rašovský Marek
Published: December 2024

Sugar beet is a critical crop for global sugar production, and optimizing its growth and yield requires a thorough understanding of the effects of agronomic practices such as sowing date and nitrogen fertilization. This study was conducted in the WULS-SGGW Experimental Field in Miedniewice, Poland, during two growing seasons. The aim of the research was to determine the impact of sowing dates and nitrogen fertilization on the morphometric features and photosynthetic performance of the Lubelska sugar beet variety grown in Luvisols soil. The experiments were arranged as split-plot designs (SPDs) with four replications. The factors of the experiment were the sowing date (optimal and delayed by two weeks) and nitrogen fertilization at doses of 0, 60, and 120 kg N·ha−1. The photosynthetic activity of sugar beet plants was measured four times during the growing season using chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) parameters. Morphometric features were determined by collecting sugar beet plants after each chlorophyll fluorescence measurement. The obtained results demonstrate the significant effect of nitrogen doses on the morphometric parameters of aboveground biomass. Increasing nitrogen doses also differentiated chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, such as FV/F0, FV/FM, PIABS, ET0/CS0, and ET0/CSM. A two-week delay in sowing affected both the fluorescence parameters and morphometric features of sugar beet, highlighting the interaction between agronomic practices and plant physiology.
Fast Quality Detection of Astragalus Slices Using FA-SD-YOLO
Authors: Zhao Fan , Zhang Jiawei , Liu Qiang , Liang Chen , Zhang Song , Li Mingbao
Published: December 2024

Quality inspection is a pivotal component in the intelligent sorting of Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi), a medicinal plant of significant pharmacological importance. To improve the precision and efficiency of assessing the quality of Astragalus slices, we present the FA-SD-YOLO model, an innovative advancement over the YOLOv8n architecture. This model introduces several novel modifications to enhance feature extraction and fusion while reducing computational complexity. The FA-SD-YOLO model replaces the conventional C2f module with the C2F-F module, developed using the FasterNet architecture, and substitutes the SPPF module with the Adaptive Inverted Fusion (AIFI) module. These changes markedly enhance the model’s feature fusion capabilities. Additionally, the integration of the SD module into the detection head optimizes parameter efficiency while improving detection performance. Performance evaluation highlights the superiority of the FA-SD-YOLO model. It achieves accuracy and recall rates of 88.6% and 89.6%, outperforming the YOLOv8n model by 1.8% and 1.3%, respectively. The model’s F1 score reaches 89.1%, and the mean average precision (mAP) improves to 93.2%, reflecting increases of 1.6% and 2.4% over YOLOv8n. These enhancements are accompanied by significant reductions in model size and computational cost: the parameter count is reduced to 1.58 million (a 47.3% reduction), and the FLOPS drops to 4.6 G (a 43.2% reduction). When compared with other state-of-the-art models, including YOLOv5s, YOLOv6s, YOLOv9t, and YOLOv11n, the FA-SD-YOLO model demonstrates superior performance across key metrics such as accuracy, F1 score, mAP, and FLOPS. Notably, it achieves a remarkable recognition speed of 13.8 ms per image, underscoring its efficiency and suitability for real-time applications. The FA-SD-YOLO model represents a robust and effective solution for the quality inspection of Astragalus membranaceus slices, providing reliable technical support for intelligent sorting machinery in the processing of this important medicinal herb.
Modeling Method of Corn Kernel Based on Discrete Element Method and Its Experimental Study
Authors: Zhang Jie , Jiang Xinming , Yu Yajun
Published: December 2024

Due to the complex shape of corn kernels and the large difference in size, in order to establish a more realistic model of corn kernels, this paper tests and analyzes two representative corn varieties planted in Northern China, and each variety is divided into high and low moisture content as the research object. According to its natural shape, the corn kernels are subdivided into four categories: wide horse-tooth shape, narrow horse-tooth shape, pyramid shape and spherical shape. The geometric parameters are tested and analyzed, and the correlation between the characteristic dimensions is obtained. Through the Rocky software, the polyhedral modeling method was used to establish the corn kernel models of different shapes, and the contact parameters and mechanical parameters were measured and calibrated, which were used as the basis for the modeling of corn kernel groups. Finally, through the simulation analysis of the corn kernel accumulation process and the comparison of the test results, the influence of different contact parameters on the simulation test results is explored, and the influence trend of the simulation results is analyzed. The feasibility and accuracy of the corn kernel population model established by the polyhedron method used in this paper are verified, which provides a reference for studying the simulation parameters of corn kernel population modeling.
Biodiversity, Traditional Uses, and Pharmacological Potential of Medicinal Plants of Mozambique
Authors: Razão Emílio Henriques , Sánchez Marta , Naval María Victoria , Gavilán Rosario G. , Gómez-Serranillos María Pilar
Published: December 2024

Mozambique possesses great biological diversity, with approximately 5500 plant species. Around 90% of its population uses natural resources for food and traditional medicine, being miombo forests serving as key providers for rural communities. The trade of medicinal plants also constitutes a significant economic activity for both rural and urban households. This study aims to review ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological studies on medicinal plants in Mozambique and explore their agricultural and conservation potential. Articles published between 2010 and 2024 were included and identified 472 medicinal plant species, 400 of which were classified to species or genus level, spanning 277 genera and 93 botanical families. The most cited families include Leguminosae (61 species), Euphorbiaceae (20), and Combretaceae (17). Notable species are Momordica balsamina, Sclerocarya birrea, Annona senegalensis, and Cassia abbreviata. Sixteen in vitro studies explored medicinal plants’ antibacterial, antimycobacterial, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antimalarial properties. Prominent results were shown by Maerua edulis (tuberculosis), Tabernaemontana elegans (malaria), and Momordica balsamina (cancer). This work underscores the critical role of natural resources in Mozambique’s primary healthcare system and highlights their agricultural and economic potential. As the first comprehensive compilation of commonly used medicinal plants in the country, it calls for sustainable cultivation practices and further research to enhance their use and benefits.
Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analysis Revealed the Maturation Mechanism of White-Fleshed Strawberry
Authors: Xu Linlin , Chen Xiaodong , Wang Qinglian , Zhao Mizhen , Qiao Yushan , Xie Zhaobiao , Sun Chuanwen , Sun Miao , Cai Weijian
Published: December 2024

Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) is a widely grown horticultural crop, which exists in red, yellow, and white varieties. In recent years, the white-fleshed strawberry variety is gaining more attention from consumers for its unique taste and appearance, but a comprehensive understanding of the molecular processes governing the ripening of white-fleshed strawberry remains undisclosed. In this study, based on the joint analysis of physiology, metabolome, and transcriptome, we screened and identified the key metabolites that were highly correlated to the maturation of white-fleshed strawberry (cv. ‘snow white’, SW for short) fruits. In contrast to red-fleshed strawberries, SW fruits exhibited three main ripening stages during the maturation, accompanied by the increases in total soluble solid and total sugar and the declines in total anthocyanin and total acid. Metabolomic analysis identified 832 differential accumulated metabolites (DAMs) at the secondary level of LC-MS/MS, and further investigations suggested that the increase in sucrose, citric acid, and epicatechin levels potentially play a role in the ripening process of SW fruits. Furthermore, abscisic acid and methyl jasmonate were recognized as the primary phytohormones involved in the production of these metabolites. The enrichment analysis of RNA-Seq data revealed that the differential expressed genes (DEGs) were primarily attributed to the pathways of ‘Starch and sucrose metabolism’ and ‘Plant hormone signal transduction’ but were undetected in ‘Flavonoid biosynthesis’ at the late ripening stage. Moreover, the de novo biosynthesis pathway, WGCNA, and Pearson correlation analysis indicated a direct relationship between FaSPS1, FaSPP1, and FaSPP2 with sucrose, FaPEPC1, FaV-PPase2, and FaV-PPase3 with citric acid, and Fa4CL2, Fa4CL3, and FaANR1 with anthocyanin. Further analysis revealed a co-expression of MYBs, bHLHs, NACs, and WRKYs with the structural genes mentioned. Overall, our findings uncovered a molecular mechanism regulating the maturation of white-fleshed strawberry, providing valuable insights for enhancing the flavor of white-fleshed strawberry through the gene-editing technique.
Assessing the Impact of Saline Irrigation Water on Durum Wheat (cv. Faraj) Grown on Sandy and Clay Soils
Authors: Manhou Khadija , Moussadek Rachid , Yachou Hasna , Zouahri Abdelmjid , Douaik Ahmed , Hilal Ismail , Ghanimi Ahmed , Hmouni Driss , Dakak Houria
Published: December 2024

In Morocco, saline irrigation significantly affects soil quality and reduces crop yields. This study evaluates the effect of salt stress on soil properties and the overall performance of the durum wheat variety “Faraj”, aiming to optimize production under saline conditions. A greenhouse experiment was conducted during the 2023–2024 season, using a completely randomized design (CRD) to assess soil properties, plant growth, and yield. Five salinity levels (0.2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 dS m−1) were applied to two soil types: silty-clay (S1) and sandy (S2). Results showed significant changes in soil properties, including increased pH, electrical conductivity, and accumulation of potassium, calcium, and magnesium in soil. Grain yield decreased significantly with increasing salinity, from 1.12 t ha−1 in freshwater to 0.12 t ha−1 at 16 dS m−1 in S1, and from 0.56 t ha−1 in freshwater to 0.12 t ha−1 at 16 dS m−1 in S2. Straw yield was less affected, with values of 1.24 and 1.16 t ha−1 for S1 and S2 at 12 dS m−1, decreasing to 0.80 and 0.55 t ha−1 at 16 dS m−1. The “Faraj” variety shows good tolerance to salinity up to 8 dS m−1 for grain yield and 12 dS m−1 for straw yield, making it particularly suitable for moderately saline environments.
Invasive Characteristics and Impacts of Ambrosia trifida
Authors: Kato-Noguchi Hisashi , Kato Midori
Published: December 2024

Ambrosia trifida L. is native to North America, has been introduced into many countries in Europe and East Asia, and is also expanding its habitat in its native ranges. Ambrosia trifida grows in sunny and humid environments, such as grasslands, riverbanks, floodplains, abandoned places, and agricultural fields, as an invasive plant species. Ambrosia trifida has a strong adaptive ability to adverse conditions and shows great variation in seed germination phenology and plant morphology in response to environmental conditions. Effective natural enemies have not been found in its native or introduced ranges. The species is allelopathic and contains several allelochemicals. These characteristics may contribute to the competitive ability and invasiveness of this species. Ambrosia trifida significantly reduces species diversity and plant abundance in its infested plant communities. The species also causes significant yield loss in summer crop production, such as in maize, soybean, sunflower, and cotton production. Ambrosia trifida is capable of rapid evolution against herbicide pressure. Populations of Ambrosia trifida resistant to glyphosate, ALS-inhibiting herbicides, and PPO-inhibiting herbicides, as well as cross-resistant populations, have already appeared. An integrated weed management protocol with a more diverse combination of herbicide sites of action and other practices, such as tillage, the use of different crop species, crop rotation, smart decision tools, and innovative equipment, would be essential to mitigate herbicide-dependent weed control practices and may be one sustainable system for Ambrosia trifida management.
Innovative Organic Fertilizers and Cover Crops: Perspectives for Sustainable Agriculture in the Era of Climate Change and Organic Agriculture
Authors: Khan Muhammad Tahir , Aleinikovienė Jūratė , Butkevičienė Lina-Marija
Published: December 2024

Anthropogenic activities have resulted in land desertification in various regions of the world, leading to the degradation of critical soil characteristics such as organic matter (OM) content, nutrient stock, and prevailing biodiversity. Restoring such degraded soils through organic matter amendments and diversified crop rotations is thus an intrinsic part of organic farming. This review discusses a wide range of organic farming impacts on soil health and crop productivity by focusing on organic fertilizers and crop diversification. Conventional fertilizers were considered vital for agricultural production to harvest high crop yields. Nevertheless, they are now deemed as environmentally hazardous and an obstacle to sustainable agroecosystems due to intensive chemical inputs that damage the soil over time and have long-lasting impacts. Conventional fertilization results in nutrient depletion, loss of microbial diversity, organic matter reduction, and deterioration of physical characteristics of the soil. Conversely, organic fertilization makes use of naturally existing resources to improve soil health. Organic amendments such as biochar, manure, and fermented grass improve soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties and promote the growth and diversity of beneficial soil microorganisms—important in nutrient cycling and soil stability. They facilitate the uptake of nutrients, hinder crop pathogen growth, mitigate heavy metals, and decompose xenobiotic organic substances. Moreover, growing cover crops is also a major strategy to improve soil health. Diversified crop rotation with combinatorial use of organic fertilizers may improve soil health and agricultural yields without any detrimental impacts on the environment and soil, ensuring sustainable food production, safety, and security. This integrated approach contributes to minimizing the use of chemical fertilizers and their effects on environmental health. It also contributes to reducing agricultural inputs along with enhancing OM, soil microbial diversity and biomass, nitrogen fixation, and carbon sequestration. Therefore, cover crops and organic fertilization may offer sustainable agroecosystems and climate change mitigation.
Regularity of Artemisia argyi Harvest Time and Its Response to Meteorological Factors
Authors: Yang Di , Zhou Tingting , Niu Tongfei , Yang Xu , Fu Guozhan , Song Chengwei , Hou Xiaogai
Published: December 2024

Timely harvesting is an important prerequisite for quality standardization in the traditional Chinese medicine industry. To determine the harvest time of Artemisia argyi and clarify the influence of meteorological factors (MFs) on the harvest time, we selected two excellent germplasm resources, namely, “Nanyang 1” (NY) and Luoyang Artemisia argyi (LY), as examples. We examined the changes in yield, quality, and related traits on 11 sampling dates (SDs) after the six true-leaf stage. Additionally, we analyzed the relationship between eight MFs on different SDs and yield, as well as quality indices. The results show that the SDs and MFs have a significant impact on yield and quality. The dynamic changes in growth traits and dry matter accumulation characteristics of NY and LY were basically consistent. From 75 to 90 d, Artemisia argyi was in the middle and late stages of the transition from vegetative growth to reproductive growth, during which the amount of dry matter accumulation stabilized. The leaves are the most representative medicinal part, with the comprehensive values of the LY leaf yield and main medicinal ingredient contents reaching their maximum at 75 d; the comprehensive values of the NY leaf yield and main volatile ingredient contents reached their maximum at 75 d, while the comprehensive value of the flavonoid and phenolic acid contents reached their maximum at 90 d. Therefore, LY is suitable for harvesting at 75 d, while NY can be harvested at either 75 or 90 d, depending on the harvest goals. In addition, the mean daily minimum temperature (MDMNT), effective accumulated temperature above 10 °C (≥10 °C EAT), and mean temperature daily range (MTDR) were found to be key MFs affecting harvest time. The dry matter accumulation of the roots and stems was significantly positively correlated with the MDMNT (p < 0.01). The dry matter accumulation of the leaves was significantly positively correlated with ≥10 °C EAT (p < 0.05). The total volatile oil content was significantly positively correlated with the MTDR (p < 0.05). These show that meteorological factors affect the harvest time in production practice. This study provides scientific support for determining the harvest time and managing the cultivation of Artemisia argyi.
Dynamic Changes in the Intraepithelial Lymphocyte Numbers Following Salmonella Typhimurium Infection in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Majeed Shuja , Shah Bikas R. , Khalid Nimra , Bielke Lisa , Nazmi Ali
Published: December 2024

At day 21 of age, Ross-308 broilers were orally gavaged with 7.5 × 106 CFU/mL S. Typhimurium (n = 30), and another 30 birds were kept as the control. The body weight of birds was recorded on days 0, 2, 7, and 14 days post-infection (dpi) to calculate body weight gains (BWGs). At each time point, seven birds per group were euthanized for sample collection to acquire IELs and lymphocytes from the ileum and spleen for flow cytometric analysis. A reduction in BWGs of the infected groups compared to the control group was observed only at 2 dpi. Additionally, there were no changes in the expression of IFN-γ, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the ileum at 2 and 7 dpi. The number of IELs increased significantly following Salmonella infection in the ileum at 2 and 7 dpi without any changes in spleen lymphocytes. The increase in the total number of IELs was derived from the elevated numbers of conventional CD8αβ+TCRαβ+ and natural IEL populations (CD4−CD8−TCRαβ+, CD8αα+TCRαβ+, TCRγδ+, non-T cells (TCRneg, and iCD8α cells)). The increase in regulatory IELs and the stable expression of proinflammatory cytokine genes during the first week of infection suggests the potential role of IELs in modulating intestinal inflammation.
Development of a Simple IFN-γ Release Whole Blood Assay for the Assessment of Leishmania infantum Specific Cellular Immunity in Dogs
Authors: Molnár Anna Sára , Murillo-Picco Andrea , Jiménez-Fortunato Clara , Solano-Gallego Laia
Published: December 2024

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania infantum, where increased interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels are associated with controlling the infection and mild to moderate disease. Therefore, monitoring IFN-γ concentrations is essential for monitoring the immune responses in CanL. This study compared a faster, cost-effective IFN-γ release whole blood assay in tubes (WBA-T) with a standardized version (WBA-S) in 41 dogs at different states of L. infantum infection. WBA-T was performed at 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation with three conditions: blood, blood with L. infantum-soluble antigen (LSA), and blood with mitogen ConA. WBA-S was performed in plates, with blood diluted and incubated for five days using the same conditions. Supernatants (WBA-S) or plasma (WBA-T) were harvested for IFN-γ measurement by ELISA. No significant differences were observed in terms of IFN-γ concentration between WBA-T and WBA-S under LSA conditions. However, the 48 h incubation period during WBA-T showed the highest median of IFN-γ concentration compared to other incubation periods and WBA-S. The IFN-γ concentrations under ConA stimulation in WBA-S were significantly higher than in WBA-T at all incubation times studied. In conclusion, WBA-T stimulated with LSA at 48 h incubation time was shown to be the most appropriate for assessing IFN-γ production.
Meta-Analysis of Seroprevalence and Prevalence of Influenza A Viruses (Subtypes H3N2, H3N8, and H1N1) in Dogs
Authors: Ramos-Martínez Ivan , Ramos-Martínez Edgar , Saavedra-Montañez Manuel , Santos-Paniagua Saraí , Segura-Velázquez René , Vicente-Fermín Onasis , Martínez-Aguirre Mayte , Ramos-Martínez Juan C. , Peña-Corona Sheila Irais , Pastelin-Palacios Rodolfo , Sánchez-Betancourt José Ivan
Published: December 2024

Influenza A is a zoonotic disease that affects dogs, pigs, horses, poultry, and birds. In this report, a meta-analysis according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) was conducted. Studies of influenza A viruses in dogs providing prevalence or seroprevalence in any location worldwide were included. The results in this study show that the seroprevalence for the H3N8 influenza subtype was 7.96% (95% CI: 2.03–16.8, p < 0.001), for the H3N2 subtype was 7.44% (95% CI: 4.51–10.5, p < 0.001), and for the H1N1 subtype was 3.10% (95% CI: 0.890–6.01, p < 0.001). In the case of the prevalence analysis, a prevalence of 0.395% (95% CI: 0.160–2.44) for the H3N8 subtype. For the H3N2 subtype, a prevalence of 17.8% (95% CI: 6.66–32.6, p < 0.001) was found. No publication bias was observed in the studies evaluating seroprevalence in the H3N2 and H1N1 subtypes. In the H3N8 subtype, Begg’s test indicated publication bias, but Egger’s test showed no bias. It is essential to know the approximate prevalence and seroprevalence worldwide of canine influenza, so this study reports the presence of influenza subtypes in dogs, placing this species as a reservoir for human, swine, equine, and avian influenza A viruses.
Evaluation of the Effects of Sedation and Anesthesia on Total Lung Volume and Attenuation in Rabbit Lung CT Exams
Authors: Sargo Roberto , Tomé Inês , Silva Filipe , Ginja Mário
Published: December 2024

Respiratory disease is common in rabbits, but subclinical conditions can be challenging to diagnose and may cause respiratory problems during anesthesia. CT is the preferred method for diagnosing lung diseases, but anesthesia can alter lung volume and cause lung lobe collapse. In this study, seventeen healthy 5-month-old male New Zealand white rabbits underwent thoracic CT scans under different conditions. Rabbits were sedated with midazolam and butorphanol and scanned in a sphinx position; they were then anesthetized with dexmedetomidine and ketamine and scanned again in sternal recumbency during spontaneous breathing. Lastly, apnea was induced using intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) for a final scan. Lung volume and density were measured using the 3D Slicer version 5.6.2 software, with thresholds set between −1050 and −100 Hounsfield Units (HU). Sedated animals had significantly higher total lung volume (69.39 ± 10.04 cm3) than anesthetized (47.10 ± 9.28 cm3) and anesthetized apnea rabbits (48.60 ± 7.40 cm3). Mean lung attenuation during sedation was −611.26 HU (right) and −636.00 HU (left). After anesthesia induction, values increased to −552.75 HU (right) and −561.90 HU (left). Following apnea induction, attenuation slightly decreased to −569.40 HU (right) and −579.94 HU (left). The results indicate that sedation may be preferable for rabbit lung CT to minimize anesthesia-related changes.