bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parasites digestifs des poules villageoises vendues à Ngaoundéré (Cameroun)
Authors: Bagari Iya Souley , Mamoudou Abdoulmoumini , Maliki Ibrahim Bello , Chahdini Gbambie Abass , Abah Samuel , Oumarou Farikou , Mohaman Bello , Awé Charles , Mbassi Linda Stella , Lontsi-Demano Michel
Published: December 2021

Une étude a été menée sur le parasitisme digestif des poules villageoises collectées dans deux marchés de la ville de Ngaoundéré (Cameroun) entre mai et août 2018. Neuf genres (Eimeria sp., Raillietina sp., Capillaria sp., Choanotaenia sp., Gongylonema sp., Amoebotaenia sp., Hymenolepis sp., Tetrameres sp. et Echinostoma sp.) et trois espèces (Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum et Trichostrongylus tenuis) ont été identifiés. Sur les 429 échantillons examinés, 362 étaient porteurs d’un ou de plusieurs parasites, soit un taux d’infestation de 84,4 %. Ce taux était de 86,3 % chez les 240 oiseaux examinés par coproscopie, et de 82,0 % chez les 189 examinés par autopsie. A la coproscopie, les oiseaux adultes étaient plus infestés que les jeunes par Ascaridia galli, Raillietina sp. et Eimeria sp. De même, à l’autopsie une plus forte prévalence de Capillaria sp. et Raillietina sp. a été observée chez les adultes. La plupart des helminthes parasitaient l’intestin grêle. Aucune lésion coccidienne n’a été observée le long du tractus intestinal. Diverses associations de parasites ont été observées avec celle prédominante de Eimeria sp. L’intensité moyenne d’infestation par Eimeria sp., estimée par la méthode de détermination du nombre d’oeufs par gramme de fèces de McMaster, a été la plus élevée chez les volailles adultes.
Violence and educational quality : effects of violence on the learning outcomes of students in Cameroon
Authors: Tangwe Abraham Tamukum
Published: December 2021

This study examines violence and its relation to learning outcomes of secondary school students in Cameroon. The study interconnected with educational quality values of accessibility, inclusiveness, favorable learning climate, tolerance, and responsible behavior. The government of Cameroon has attempted to uphold these values through legislation. In spite of this position, violence at school is still observable on a daily basis, not respecting the human rights of children and young learners and hindering them from learning. The study was to understand the effects of violence on their motivation and self-esteem, and its influence on their learning outcomes and the research question focused on the extent of violence in education. A model was operationalized measuring physical violence, psychological violence, structural violence and sexual violence at school and at home, mediated by self-esteem, motivation and health to the learning outcome, quantified by class repetition, grades and reading enjoyment. The study was designed using a quantitative approach with cross-sectional survey for students. Questionnaires were designed from approved scales which had been adopted to the Cameroonian background by two pretests. Data had been collected from a sample population of 924 students in grades four to seven in Cameroon. The data collection was approved by the regional authorities. The collected data was transformed by controlling the social background and reflecting different types of experiences of violence. The collected information was analyzed using descriptive statistics (means, standards deviation), and inferential statistics (ANOVA). The results indicate an acute prevalence of school violence. Students in Cameroon are affected by four ways of violence. About 20 % of students feel physical violence and psychological violence. More than half of the students’ experiences structural violence and about 23 % have experiences of sexual violence. As a zero-policy on experienced violence is the wished standard, the huge ratio of violence in the life of students in Cameroon becomes visible. The study shows that these experiences of violence affect the self-esteem and the motivation to learn. However, a significant relation between different forms of violence and school grades was not found in this study. In addition, the study shows the poor school quality, and a very discouraging socioeconomic background of students. In the perspective paradigm, the schools are neither an environment of the protection of students nor open spaces for real-world transmission of values. Violence remains a challenge. This requires coordinated and focused action. The study develops a number of suggestions for school practice to overcome this situation and suggests follow-up studies.
Penggunaan Informan Dalam Penyelidikan Tindak Pidana Pencurian Kendaraan Bermotor Roda Dua di Wilayah Polrestabes Surabaya
Authors: Saputra Edi Budi Wibowo
Published: December 2021

Urgensi kebutuhan akan adanya informan sipil dikarenakan beberapa sebab, yang pertama karena sulitnya menembus masuk lebih dalam ke wilayah jaringan curanmor. Kedua, dikarenakan minimnya informasi mengenai identitas yang diduga pelaku curanmor sehingga dibutuhkan seseorang yang menguasai medan target. Ketiga, perlunya membangun kemitraan antara kepolisian dan masyarakat sebagai basis deteksi dini.  Adapun optimalisasi peran informan dalam membantu kepolisian memberantas tindak pidana pencurian kendaraan bermotor roda dua, pertama  dilaksanakan melalui kegiatan optimalisasi pola rekrutmen jaringan informan. Kedua, optimalisasi pelatihan bagi jaringan informan sipil yang mutlak harus dilaksanakan guna meningkatkan kompetensi informan. Ketiga, optimalisasi pengawasan dan pengendalian informan yang dimulai dengan kegiatan mulai briefing sampai debriefing. Keempat, optimalisasi koordinasi Satreskrim dan Satintelkam melalui penyusunan Hubungan Tata Cara Kerja Polri (HTCK).
Reopening of Surabaya Zoo in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Pandemic
Authors: Fitriyanti Puteri Hapsari
Published: December 2021

High spread of Covid-19 in Surabaya implemented on a Large-Scale Social Restrictions policy. This has impacted on closure of tourist destinations, including Surabaya Zoo. During the closing period, Surabaya Zoo suffered significant losses due to the absence of revenue that impacted on the conservation operations in saving endangered animals. Based on Surabaya Mayor Regulation of New Normal Order Guidelines Number 28 of 2020 as amended by Number 33 of  2020, Surabaya Zoo is reopened. This fact is an interesting issue to study how well the management in handling this situation. The writing method used in this paper is a literature review and primary data collection as a form of best practice that might be adopted in Surabaya Zoo. The results showed that management is succeeded in reopening Surabaya Zoo. The conclusion from this study is Surabaya Zoo is recommended to be reopened during the first stage of New Normal
Mekanisme Koordinasi dalam Penanganan Tindak Pidana Korupsi (Studi di Kepolisian Resort Kota Besar Medan)vvv
Authors: Pratama Nova Indra
Published: December 2021

Bentuk Koordinasi antara Kepolisian, APIP, BPKP dan Kejaksaan adalah koordinasi eksternal yang bersifat horizontal. Prinsip manajerial dalam koordinasi tersebut menggunakan pola Early Stage. Dari sisi efektifitasmya koordinasi ini memberikan kejelasan wewenang masing-masing instansi dalam menangani perkara, ketepatan dalam bertindak, serta pada kecepatan penanganan perkara. Hal yang menjadi hambatan dalam koordinasi antara Kepolisian dengan APIP adalah adanya potensi pembebasan koruptor dengan dalih “kesalahan administratif”. Hambatan koordinasi Kepolisian dengan BPKP adalah terkait adanya benturan penghitungan kerugian keuangan negara dengan BPK. Hambatan koordinasi antara Kepolisian dengan Kejaksaan adalah dengan masih dimungkinkannya terjadi tumpang tindih penanganan perkara karena legalitas kejaksaan dalam penangan tindak pidana korupsi di tahap awal.
Analysis of Service Quality and Trust on Customer Satisfaction of Ojek Online in Banyuwangi
Authors: Lestariningsih Titin
Published: December 2021

Gojek online is a partner for two-wheeled drivers who can contribute 8.2 trillion per year to the Indonesian economy. This study is to analyzes the factors that influence online motorcycle taxi customer satisfaction in Banyuwangi. This research is a type of explanatory quantitative research with causal prediction measuring the strength of the relationship between variables. The population in this study is application users (consumers) who have received online motorcycle taxi services in 2021 in Banyuwangi. The sample is 100 respondents. The data were processed using SPSS 21 and SmartPLS 3.0. The hypothesis was processed using Structural Equation Modeling Path Least Square (SEM-PLS). The results of this study indicate that service quality has a significant positive effect on customer satisfaction and trust. Trust has no significant effect on customer satisfaction. Service quality has no significant effect on customer satisfaction with trust moderation. This research is to improve the service quality of online motorcycle taxi partners.
The Effect of Liquidity Risk on Bank Performance: Moderating Effect of Board Size and Board Meeting
Authors: Ratri Indira Nuansa
Published: December 2021

Bank performance is the most important thing to note and interesting to study because it plays a crucial role in a country's economy. This study aims to determine the effect of liquidity on bank performance and the moderating effect of the size and board meeting. The test in this study uses multiple linear regression on conventional banks listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2014 to 2019. The results of this study indicate that liquidity has a positive effect on bank performance, the size of the board of commissioners weakens the positive effect of liquidity on bank performance, and the number of board meeting weaken the positive effect of liquidity on bank performance.
LITERACY AND IDENTITY: FROM LIM KIM HOK, AND KHO PING HO TO THE CONTEMPORARY INDONESIAN LITERATURE
Authors: Pohan Zulfikar RH
Published: December 2021

The history and progress of Indonesian literature become a piece of authentic evidence for ethnic Chinese. Both of them can exert influence on contemporary Indonesian literature at large. It can be seen in the history of Indonesian literacy, romance, martial arts stories (Cerita silat), and Chinese literary writing styles which are still used nowadays. This shows how ethnic Chinese education and Hybrid (Malay-Chinese) in Indonesia have developed rapidly. Before this country was formed into a nation-state with cultural institutions, ethnic Chinese had undergone literary expressions. Moreover, culture at that time was widely accepted for Malay nations, Java, Balinese, etc. Conversely, many identity challenges and contestation during Dutch colonial, Old Order, and New Order pressed the ethnic Chinese in various ways. In addition, this can be understood as a part of cultural exchange. Hence, Indonesian literature is currently strongly influenced by the contact of Malay and Chinese literature.
İNSANİ GÜVENLİK MİSYONU TÜRK DIŞ POLİTİKASININ YUMUŞAK GÜCÜ OLABİLİR Mİ?
Authors: TEKİN Fatih
Published: December 2021

Yumuşak güç, diğerlerinin tercihlerini şekillendirebilme yetisine dayanmaktadır. Yumuşak gücün kaynakları ise bir ülkenin iç ve dış siyasetinde bağlı olduğu değerlerden, dış politikadaki uygulamalarından ve kültüründen oluşmaktadır. Türkiye yer aldığı bölgede meydana gelen sınır aşan sorunlardan doğrudan ya da dolaylı olarak en çok etkilenen ülkelerden biridir. Bu sorunlarla başa çıkmak için büyük çabalar sarf eden Türkiye’nin uluslararası imajı ise istenilenin çok altında bir noktadadır. Bu çalışma Türkiye’nin kamu diplomasisi uygulaması için başarılı olabilecek bir çerçeve yaklaşım önermektedir. Bu makalede Türkiye’nin insani güvenlik konusunu bir dış politika enstrümanı olarak kullanmasının hem ulusal güvenliğine ve imajına hem de uluslararası barışa sunacağı katkılar tartışılmaktadır. İnsani güvenliği bir dış politika misyonu olarak kullanan Kanada ve Japonya örneklerinden hareketle Türkiye’nin sahip olduğu potansiyel kaynaklarını yumuşak güce dönüştürebileceği iddiası savunulmaktadır.
Estéticas das resistências e o documentário (documento 03)
Authors: Sobrinho Gilberto Alexandre
Published: December 2021

Na “Trilogia Afro-Campineira” constam três realizações em documentário, em que dirigi, roteirizei e produzi os filmes. São três curtas-metragens focados em protagonistas de processos culturais, religiosos e artísticos, todos defensores de manifestações de matrizes africanas e seus potentes hibridismos, alocados na região metropolitana de Campinas-SP (RMC). Os filmes são Diário de Exus (2015), A Dança da Amizade, Histórias de Urucungos, Puítas e Quijengues (2016) e A Mulher da Casa do Arco-Íris (2017/2018). Desenvolvem-se, nos filmes, o que nomeio como as “estéticas das resistências”, priorizando narrativas afro-diaspóricas, num processo de criação em que confluem estética e política. Esteticamente, o documentário faz convergir os processos de observação, participação (entrevista), performance e “poesia”, num conjunto de imagens e sons centrados em pessoas e espaços que se organizam comunitariamente    em torno de códigos afrocentrados. Politicamente, realçam-se o papel da cultura e da religião na afirmação e construção identitária do povo negro, no Brasil, o que adensa a compreensão do papel da cultura na resistência de um povo. Esse texto documenta o processo de realização do terceiro curta-metragem da trilogia, trata-se de A Mulher da Casa do Arco-íris.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Zhu Kevin Y. , Acuña Alexander J. , Samuel Linsen T. , Grits Daniel , Kamath Atul F.
Published: December 2021

Background:

The utilization of hyaluronic acid (HA) for the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA) remains controversial, and more information is needed regarding how its utilization and financial burden have changed over recent years. The purpose of our analysis was to evaluate changes in overall utilization and health-care costs associated with HA injections among Medicare beneficiaries over a contemporary time frame.

Methods:

The 2012 to 2018 Medicare Fee-for-Service Provider Utilization and Payment Public Use Files (PUFs) were utilized for our analysis. Organized by Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes, these files capture 100% of Medicare Part B claims. Payment and utilization data were collected for all HCPCS codes corresponding to injection of an HA formulation. The number of services involving HA as well as the total cost of HA administration in 2020 U.S. dollars were tabulated. Mann-Kendall trend tests were used to evaluate trends in utilization for providers nationally and when segregated by specialty.

Results:

Total HA utilization increased significantly from 2012 (n = 1,090,503) through 2018 (n = 1,209,489; p = 0.04). Although orthopaedic surgeons did not demonstrate significant changes in total utilization rates (p = 0.23), the average number of services per orthopaedic surgeon increased significantly (p = 0.02). Reflecting a substantial growth in the number of advanced practice providers (APPs) providing injections, there was a significant increase in utilization and associated costs among physician assistants (p < 0.01) and nurse practitioners (p < 0.01). Total costs associated with HA services increased significantly from $290.10 million to $325.02 million (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

Despite the 2013 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons clinical practice guideline recommending against the clinical utility of these injections, HA services continued to be widely implemented among Medicare beneficiaries. Although there were variations across specialties when evaluating overall utilization rates as well as rates per provider, APPs largely contributed to the increase seen in the U.S. over this study period. More data are needed to support continued implementation and spending on this low-value care.
La capilla mayor de la iglesia de San Juan de Baza (Granada)
Authors: Segura Ferrer Juan Manuel
Published: December 2021

La iglesia de San Juan, singular edificio del siglo XVI, supone en su conjunto una manifestación destacada del tránsito de la arquitectura tardogótica a la renacentista en el norte del Reino de Granada. La capilla mayor, el espacio más antiguo y relevante del templo, al que dedicamos este artículo, fue el primero en construirse, en el primer tercio del siglo XVI, levantando su retablo a finales de dicha centuria
Distinct evolution of infection-enhancing and neutralizing epitopes in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 variants (from alpha to omicron) : a structural and molecular epidemiology study
Authors: GUERIN Patrick , YAHI Nouara , AZZAZ Fodil , CHAHINIAN Henri , SABATIER Jean-Marc , FANTINI Jacques
Published: December 2021

Infection-enhancing antibodies may limit the efficiency of Covid-19 vaccines. We analyzed the evolution ofneutralizing and facilitating epitopes in 1,860,489 SARS-CoV-2 genomes stored in the Los Alamos databasefrom June to November 2021. The structural dynamics of these epitopes was determined by molecular modelingof the spike protein on a representative panel of SARS-CoV-2 variants. D614, which belongs to an antibody-dependent-enhancement (ADE) epitope common to SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, has mutated to D614G in2020, which could explain why ADE has not been detected following mass vaccination. A second epitopelocated in the N-terminal domain (NTD), specific of SARS-CoV-2, is highly conserved among most variants. Incontrast, the neutralizing epitope of the NTD showed extensive variations in SARS-CoV-2 variants. The balancebetween facilitating and neutralizing antibodies is in favor of neutralization for the Wuhan strain, alpha and betavariants, but not for gamma, delta, lambda, and mu. The recently emerging omicron variant is atypic as itsmutational profiles affects both neutralization and ADE epitopes. Overall, our data reveal that the evolution ofSARS-CoV-2 has dramatically affected the ADE/neutralization balance. Future vaccines should consider thesefindings to design new formulations adapted to SARS-CoV-2 variants and lacking ADE epitopes in the spikeprotein.
Aquaculture Water Quality Improvement by Mixed Bacillus and Its Effects on Microbial Community Structure
Authors: Li Xue , Wang Tianie , Fu Baorong , Mu Xiyan
Published: December 2021

Nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in aquaculture is one of the greatest challenges threatening the survival of aquatic organisms, which requires efficient and sustainable remediation approach. Microbial remediation, especially the application of probiotics, has recently gained popularity in improving the water quality and maintaining the health condition of aquatic animals. In the present study, two groups of mixed Bacillus (Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus subtilis (A0+BS) and Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus coagulans (A0+BC)) were applied to aquaculture system of Crucian carp to improve the treatment of nitrogenous and phosphorus compounds. The effects of mixed Bacillus on water quality, and the structure and function of microbial communities in aquaculture water were investigated. Our results showed that the improvement effect of mixed Bacillus A0+BS on water quality was better than that of A0+BC, and the NH4+-N, NO2--N, NO3--N and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations were reduced by 46.3%, 76.3%, 35.6%, and 80.3%, respectively. In addition, both groups of mixed Bacillus increased the diversity of bacterial community and decreased the diversity of fungal community. Microbial community analysis showed that mixed Bacillus A0+BS increased the relative abundance of bacteria related with nitrogen and phosphorus removal, e.g., Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Comamonas, and Stenotrophomonas, but decreased the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria (Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas) and fungi (Epicoccum and Fusarium). The redundancy analysis showed that NH4+-N, NO2--N, and TP were primary environmental factors affecting the microbial community in aquaculture water. PICRUST analysis indicated that all functional pathways in the treatment groups were up-regulated, and all pathways in A0+BS group were richer than those in other groups. These results indicated that mixed Bacillus A0+BS addition produced good results in reducing nitrogenous and phosphorus compounds and shaped a favorable microbial community structure to further improve water quality.
Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Maternal Chronic Diseases in the Future: a Cross-sectional Study Using KoGES-HEXA Data
Authors: Cho Geum Joon , Kim Jiae , Kim Ji Young , Han Sung Won , Lee Soo Bin , Oh Min-Jeong , Kim Sa Jin , Shin Jae Eun
Published: December 2021

Purpose Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) are associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic syndrome (MS), in the future. We designed a large-scale cohort study to evaluate the influence of APOs (preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM], stillbirth, macrosomia, and low birth weight) on the incidence of chronic diseases, body measurements, and serum biochemistry in the future and investigate whether combinations of APOs had additive effects on chronic diseases.Methods We used health examinee data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES-HEXA) and extracted data of parous women (n = 30,174; mean age, 53.02 years) for the analysis. A logistic regression model was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals.Results The prevalence rate of APOs was 17.4% (5,264 women). Univariate analysis revealed that women with APOs were more frequently diagnosed with chronic diseases and had a family history of chronic diseases compared with women without APOs. In logistic regression analysis, composite APOs were associated with an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, angina pectoris, stroke, and MS (aOR: 1.093, 1.379, 1.269, 1.351, 1.414, and 1.104, respectively), after adjustment for family history and social behaviors. Preeclampsia and GDM were associated with an increased risk of some chronic diseases; however, the combination of preeclampsia and GDM did not have an additive effect on the risk.Conclusion APOs moderately influenced the future development of maternal CVD and metabolic derangements, independent of family history and social behaviors.
Surgical Outcomes and Fusion Rate Following Spine Fusion Surgeries in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: According to Kidney Function
Authors: Jo Dae Jean , Choi Ho Yong
Published: December 2021

PURPOSE. To evaluate the surgical outcomes and fusion rate following lumbar fusion surgeries in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) according to kidney function.METHODS. From March 2017 to February 2021, 54 consecutive adult patients with CKD who underwent spine fusion surgery were enrolled. According to the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) categories, 35 patients were classified into the non-end-stage renal disease (ESRD) group (GFR categories 3a–4, eGFR 15–59 mL/min/1.73 m2) and 19 patients into the ESRD group (GFR category 5, eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m2).RESULTS. Baseline characteristics did not differ between the groups. The mean number of fused vertebrae (4.9 ± 2.3 vs. 4.1 ± 2.0, p = 0.122), operative time (228.4 ± 129.6 min vs. 160.5 ± 87.5 min, p = 0.113), and surgical bleeding (743.1 ± 630.5 mL vs. 539.5 ± 384.4 mL, p = 0.354) did not differ between the groups. The rates of medical complications (25.7% vs. 52.6%, p = 0.048) and 3-month readmission (8.6% vs. 35.3%, p = 0.045) were significantly different between the groups. The 3-month mortality tended to be higher in the ESRD group (10.5%) than which in the non-ESRD group (2.9%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.280). The rate of pseudarthrosis was significantly higher in the ESRD group (35.3%) than in the non-ESRD group (9.1%, p = 0.047).CONCLUSIONS. Surgeons should be aware of the high morbidity and the pseudarthrosis when considering spine surgeries in patients with ESRD.
Exotic Tree Species Outnumbering Native Tree Species: an Alarming Situation for the Sustainable Urban Plantation Development
Authors: Shafique Muhammad Umair Umair , Younis Adnan , Asif Muhammad , Hameed Mansoor
Published: December 2021

This present study mainly focuses on the tree distribution and diversity of some selected roadsides in Faisalabad, a major city in Punjab, Pakistan. A total census of the tree population on selected roads was carried out and then studied for various parameters. Shannon–Wiener index, Reciprocal of Simpson’s diversity index, and Shannon Evenness were among the different species diversity indices which were studied. Observational results showed that the selected roads in the city hold low tree diversity, with nearly 2858 trees of 34 species, 30 genera, and 15 families. Mainly exotic tree species dominated the plantation of selected roadsides. The topmost three species contributing approximately 60% of the tree population are Conocarpus erectus, Eucalyptus crebra, and Terminalia mantaly. Despite the dominance of exotic tree species, many native tree species are also growing along selected roadsides. Since, Faisalabad has been reported as one of the most polluted cities in the world due to high suspended particulate matter, appropriate efforts are needed to improve the plantation pattern and also to enhance the canopy of the trees in the city to minimize the problem of air pollution.
Preliminary Evidence That Lectins in Infant Soy Formula Apparently Bind Bovine Milk Exosomes and Prevent Their Absorption in Healthy Adults
Authors: Mutai Ezra , Ngu Alice , Zempleni Janos
Published: December 2021

Background: Milk exosomes and their microRNA (miR) cargos are bioavailable. The content of exosomes and miRs is negligible in infant formulas compared to human milk, and dietary depletion of exosomes led to changes in bacterial communities and impaired gut health in juvenile mice. Adverse effects of formula feeding may be compounded by using soy formulas due to exosome binding by abundant lectins in that matrix. The purpose of this study was to assess the bioavailability of milk exosomes and their miR cargos added to soy formula in adults, as well as the potential role of soy lectins in exosome bioavailability.Methods: Eleven healthy adults (6 men, 5 women) enrolled in this randomized crossover study. Participants consumed 1.0 liter of soy formula without (SF) or with (SFE) bovine milk exosomes added. Concentration-time curves of six plasma miRs were analyzed using reverse transcription quantitative PCR. Lectin affinity chromatography was used to assess the binding of exosomes by soy lectins. Data were analyzed by using paired t test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Consumption of SF and SFE did not elicit postprandial increases in plasma miRs. Approximately 39% of bovine milk exosome particles were retained by lectin columns.Conclusions: We conclude that fortification of soy formulas with milk exosomes, in the absence of removing lectins, is not a viable strategy for delivering bioavailable exosomes and their miR cargos. Lectins in soy formulas bind glycoprotein on the surfaces of milk exosomes, thereby preventing exosome absorption.Trial RegistrationISRCTN registry ID: 16329971. Retrospectively registered on February 7th, 2019.
Risk Factors for the Occurrence and Protraction of Anterior Knee Pain in Children and Adolescents: a Prospective Cohort Study of 3 Years
Authors: Horii Manato , Akagi Ryuichiro , Takahashi Sho , Watanabe Shotaro , Ogawa Yuya , Kimura Seiji , Yamaguchi Satoshi , Ohtori Seiji , Sasho Takahisa
Published: December 2021

Background:

Anterior knee pain (AKP) is a common limitation to children’s participation in social and physical activities. Therefore, to prevent the occurrence and protraction of AKP, it is crucial to identify risk factors. The purpose of this study was to clarify the factors associated with the occurrence and protraction of AKP in children and adolescents.
Method:

A three-year prospective cohort study was conducted with children and adolescents aged 8–14 in Japan. We recorded the occurrence of AKP, heel buttock distance, straight leg raising angle (SLRA), dorsiflexion angle of the ankle joint, and the Hospital for Special Surgery Pediatric Functional Activity Brief Scale (HSS Pedi-FABS). Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for each predicted risk factor for the occurrence and protraction of AKP among subjects without AKP at baseline.
Results:

We recruited 1,254 children and adolescents for the present study, and 1,133 children and adolescents who did not have AKP at baseline were included in the analysis. Six to nine percent of the subjects developed AKP annually. A high HSS Pedi-FABS score significantly predicted AKP occurrence (in 2017, OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02−1.12, p = 0.003; in 2018, OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01−1.10, p = 0.025). Of the participants, 32.9% developed chronic AKP during the follow-up period. When 8-year-old was used as a reference age, 13-year-old subjects (right side, OR 2.37, 95% CI, 1.00−5.61, p = 0.05) and 14-year-old subjects (right side, OR 2.57, 95% CI, 1.00−6.60, p = 0.049; left side, OR 6.32; 95% CI 1.33−30.00, p = 0.020) were at a significantly higher risk of AKP protraction.
Conclusions:

This study showed that a greater physical activity level was a risk factor for the onset of anterior knee pain in childhood. In addition, one-third of the children and adolescents developed chronic knee pain, and elderly adolescents were at a higher risk of protraction.
Revealing Genetic Diversity, Population Structure and Cultivar-Specific SSR Alleles in Pistachio Using SSR Markers
Authors: Karcı Harun , Paizila Aibibula , Güney Murat , Zhaanbaev Mederbek , Kafkas Salih
Published: December 2021

Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is the only cultivated species in Pistacia genus and one of the most important nut crop in terms of production. Pistachio cultivars have significant level of variation in their phenotypic appearance and productivity. Understanding the genetic diversity between pistachio cultivars could facilitate breeding programs. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers are powerful tools in genetic diversity and germplasm collection studies. However, published information about the characterization of large scale pistachio cultivar germplasm with adequate number of SSR markers is limited. In this study, sixty-six pistachio cultivars and genotypes originated from six different countries were characterized and fingerprinted by 74 genomic and 18 genic SSR markers. SSR analysis identified 576 alleles for all 66 cultivars and genotypes. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 20 (CUPOhBa1592) alleles with a mean value of six alleles per locus. The polymorphism information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.07 (CUPVEST2939) to 0.87 (CUPSiOh2460) with a mean PIC value of 0.58. The pistachio cultivars and genotypes were divided into five clusters according to Structure and UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Average) analysis. Total of 61 cultivar specific alleles were detected in 34 cultivars, among them three primers (CUPOhBa1592, CUPBaPa1606 and CUPOhBa2127) produced more than four cultivar-specific loci therefore very promising for cultivar identification, fingerprinting and breeding studies in pistachio.
Purification, Identification And Characterization of Nag2 N-Acetylglucosaminidase From Trichoderma Virens Strain Mango
Authors: Huang Jheng-Hua , Zeng Feng-Jin , Guo Jhe-Fu , Huang Jian-Yuan , Lin Hua-Chian , Lo Chaur-Tsuen , Chou Wing-Ming
Published: December 2021

Background: N -acetylglucosaminidase (NAGase) could liberate N -acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) from GlcNAc-containing oligosaccharides. Trichoderma spp. is an important source of chitinase, particularly NAGase for industrial use. nag1 and nag2 genes encoding NAGase , are found in the genome in Trichoderma spp. The deduced Nag1 and Nag2 shares ~55% homology in Trichoderma virens. Most studies were focus on Nag1 and nag1 previously. Results: The native NAGase (TvmNAG2) was purified to homogeneity with molecular mass of ~68 kDa on SDS-PAGE analysis, and identified as Nag2 by MALDI/MS analysis from an isolate T. virens strain mango. RT-PCR analyses revealed that only nag2 gene was expressed in liquid culture of T. virens , while both of nag1 and nag2 were expressed in T. virens cultured on the plates. TvmNAG2 was thermally stable up to 60 o C for 2 h, and the optimal pH and temperature were 5.0 and 60-65 o C, respectively, using p -nitrophenyl- N -acetyl- β -D-glucosaminide ( p NP-NAG) as substrate. Using colloidal chitin as substrate, the end product catalyzed by TvmNAG2 was GlcNAc, based on HPLC and TLC analyses. The optimal temperature for TvmNAG2 to produce GlcNAc was 40 o C. TvmNAG2 possesses antifungal activity, inhibiting the mycelium growth of Sclerotium rolfsii . And it was resistant to the proteolysis by papain and trypsin. Conclusions: The native Nag2, TvmNAG2 was purified and identified from T. virens strain mango, as well as enzymatic properties. To our knowledge, it is the first report with the properties of native Trichoderma Nag2.
Educational Disparity in Drinking and Smoking in Japan for 2013–2019: a Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Naito Haruaki , Kakiuchi Yasuhiro , Osawa Motoki , Taguri Masataka , Tabuchi Takahiro
Published: December 2021

BackgroundIn Japan, studies of the relationship between drinking and educational background have not been as advanced as smoking studies, while Japan has extremely easy access to alcohol on a global level. We divided Japanese adults by drinking status, educational background, age, and gender, and analyzed the relationship, comparing to smokers’ data for reference.MethodsData were drawn from the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions (2013: 191,973 men, 214,815 women; 2016: 176,969 men, 196,181 women; 2019: 167,276 men, 183,963 women). We classified them as current drinkers, binge drinkers, current smokers, and heavy smokers. Drinking and smoking prevalence were analyzed by disparity indices, including rate difference, rate ratio, between-group variance, and slope index of inequality.ResultsWe found that higher positive estimates of educational disparity indices were among younger drinkers and got lower by aging. Surprisingly, among current drinkers, we also revealed women aged 45-94 had a negative estimate of an educational disparity index, while men aged 45-94 had negative one moving in a positive direction.ConclusionsEducation has a certain effect in preventing drinking, but the effect is so small among middle-aged and elderly people that other factors easily contribute to the phenomenon that those with a high education drink more than those with a low education. We estimated one of the factors is that many elderly women, who were high-educated and often forced to drink in accordance with women’s empowerment, are still alive and keep drinking. Further observation is needed to confirm it or reveal other factors.
New Insights Into Invertase Gene Family and Functional Characterization of Critical Cell Wall Invertase TaCWINV40 For Male Fertility in Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.)
Authors: Ye Jiali , Bu Yaning , He Mengting , Wu Yongfeng , Yang Xuetong , Zhang Lingli , Song Xiyue
Published: December 2021

Invertase (INV, ec3.2.1.26) irreversibly hydrolyzes sucrose into fructose and glucose, and it is regulated by the environment to affect pollen fertility in some plant species. However, there has been a lack of systematic identification of INV gene family in wheat. In order to reveal the potential influence on the male fertility, a total of 130 wheat INVs that unevenly distributed on 21 chromosomes were systematically identified and analyzed in this study. According to physical and chemical properties, subcellular location, and phylogenetic tree, they were divided into two acidic INV (AINV) subtypes: cell wall group (TaCWINV1-68), vacuole group (TaVINV1-42), and two neutral/alkaline INV (A/NINV) subtypes: cytoplasmic α group (TaA/NINV1-11) and cytoplasmic β group (TaA/NINV12-20). The amplification of A/NINVs is mainly attributed to the polyploidization of wheat, and the multiple duplication events experienced in AINVs revealed their non-dose sensitivity characteristic. The wheat RNA-seq data revealed the tissue specificity of A/NINVs and AINVs, and six spike-specific CWINVs showed significant differential expression between the fertile and sterile anthers of thermo-sensitive male-sterile wheat KTM3315A. TaCWINV40 localized in cell wall was effectively silenced in the fertile KTM3315A, and the malformed pollen grains and non-germinating pollen tubes shed light on its indispensability in the development of wheat anthers. This study will spur the interest on manipulating the novel genetic characteristics of TaCWINVs for the construction and improvement of wheat male sterile materials.
Validity and Reliability of the Japanese Version of the Cognitive Scale for Functional Bowel Disorders
Authors: Sugaya Nagisa , Tomita Yoshitoshi , Funaba Misako , Iida Hiroshi , Shirotsuki Kentaro , Gardner Fumiyuki Chin , Ando Tetsuya , Inamori Masahiko
Published: December 2021

BackgroundThe Cognitive Scale for Functional Bowel Disorders (CS-FBD) is a useful measure to assess maladaptive cognition, and focuses on how functional bowel disorders relate to negative thoughts, perfectionism, and social desirability. This study aimed to confirm the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the CS-FBD (CS-FBD-J). MethodsParticipants comprised 192 students (20.2±3.0 years) and 22 outpatients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (38.0±13.0 years). There were 76 students who met the diagnostic criteria for IBS, and two students who received treatment for IBS. Participants completed questionnaires containing the CS-FBD-J, IBS Severity Index (IBS-SI), Visceral Sensitivity Index (VSI), 24-item Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS-24), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).ResultsOur factor analysis revealed that the CS-FBD-J had a unidimensional factor structure, and that the factor loadings for 2 out of the 25 items were less than 0.4. After excluding the two items from the analysis, a single factor of the 23-item version accounted for 45.85% of the total variance. The CS-FBD-J scores had significant moderate correlations with the IBS-SI (r = 0.492~0.574) and VSI (r = 0.531~ 0.557) scores in the IBS group and the control group. Correlation between the DAS-24 and the CS-FBD-J was not significant (r = 0.179 ~ 0.191). Although the CS-FBD-J in the IBS group was significantly correlated with HADS-anxiety (r = 0.450) and depression scores (r = 0.357), their intercorrelations in the control group were not significant (r = 0.150 ~ 0.167). In the score comparison of the CS-FBD-J between the IBS patient group, non-patient IBS group (students with IBS except two who received treatment), and control group, there were significant group effects in the CS-FBD-J (IBS patient > non-patient IBS > control). The internal consistencies of the CS-FBD-J were high (α = 0.95). The item-total correlation analysis for the CS-FBD-J showed that the correlations between each item and the total score were significant.ConclusionThis study confirmed the reliability and validity of the 23-item version of the CS-FBS with the deletion of two items with low factor loadings.
Nakazawaea Odontotermitis f.a., sp. nov., a Novel Yeast Isolated from the Gut of Odontotermes Horni in India.
Authors: Tiwari Snigdha , Behera Bhaskar C. , Baghela Abhishek
Published: December 2021

Three strains SMT1.3, SMT1.10, and SMT2.2, representing a novel asexual ascomycetous yeast species, were isolated from the gut of a termite Odontotermes horni in Maharashtra, India. Phylogenetic analyses of the LSU, ITS and SSU sequences revealed that they belonged to the genus Nakazawaea, with N. siamensis as the closest relative. The new species differed from the type strain of N. siamensis (DMKU-RK467T) by 1.93% nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 region of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene, 0.53% nucleotide substitutions in the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene and 12.6% nucleotide substitutions in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Notable physiological differences were also observed between N. siamensis and the new species. Hence, the species Nakazawaea odontotermitis f.a., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SMT1.3T (MTCC 13105 = NFCCI 5011). The GenBank accession numbers of the LSU and ITS and SSU sequences of Nakazawaea odontotermitis f.a., sp. nov. are MZ234240, MZ234239 and OK384663. The MycoBank number is MB 841926.
Aβ/Tau Oligomer Interplay at Human Synapses Supports Shifting Therapeutic Targets for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Marcatti Michela , Fracassi Anna , Montalbano Mauro , Natarajan Chandramouli , Krishnan Balaji , Kayed Rakez , Taglialatela Giulio
Published: December 2021

Background. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline due to accumulating synaptic insults by toxic oligomers of amyloid beta (AβO) and tau (TauO). There is growing consensus that preventing these oligomers from interacting with synapses might be an effective approach to treat AD. However, recent clinical trial failures suggest low effectiveness of targeting Aβ in late-stage AD. Researchers have redirected their attention toward TauO as the levels of this species increase later in disease pathogenesis. Here we show that AβO and TauO differentially target synapses and affect each other's binding dynamics. Methods. Binding of labeled, pre-formed Aβ and tau oligomers onto synaptosomes isolated from the hippocampus and frontal cortex of mouse and postmortem cognitively intact elderly human brains was evaluated using flow-cytometry and western blot analyses. Binding of labeled, pre-formed Aβ and tau oligomers onto mouse primary neurons was assessed using immunofluorescence assay. The synaptic dysfunction was measured by fluorescence analysis of single-synapse long-term potentiation (FASS-LTP) assay. Results. We demonstrated that higher TauO concentrations effectively outcompete AβO and become the prevailing synaptic-associated species. Conversely, high concentrations of AβO facilitate synaptic TauO recruitment. Immunofluorescence analyses of mouse primary cortical neurons confirmed differential synaptic binding dynamics of AβO and TauO. Moreover, in vivo experiments using old 3xTgAD mice ICV injected with either AβO or TauO fully supported these findings. Consistent with these observations, FASS-LTP analyses demonstrated that TauO-induced suppression of chemical LTP was exacerbated by AβO. Finally, predigestion with proteinase K abolished the ability of TauO to compete off AβO without affecting the ability of high AβO levels to increase synaptic TauO recruitment. Thus, unlike AβO, TauO effects on synaptosomes are hampered by the absence of protein substrate in the membrane.Conclusions. These results introduce the concept that TauO become the main synaptototoxic species at late AD, thus supporting the hypothesis that TauO may be the most effective therapeutic target for clinically manifest AD.
Exploratory Analysis Using Machine Learning of Predictive Factors for Falls in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Suzuki Yasuhiro , suzuki hiroaki , ishikawa tatsuya , yamada yasunori , yatoh shigeru , sugano yoko , iwasaki hitoshi , sekiya motohiro , yahagi naoya , hada yasushi , shimano hitoshi
Published: December 2021

We aimed to investigate the status of falls and to identify important risk factors for falls in persons with type 2 diabetes (T2D) including the non-elderly. Participants were 316 persons with T2D. They were assessed for medical history, laboratory data and physical capabilities during the hospitalization and given a questionnaire on falls one year after discharge. Two different statistical models, logistic regression and random forest classifier were used to investigate important predictors of falls. The response rate to the survey was 72%; of the 226 respondents, there were 129 males and 97 females (median age 62 years). The fall rate during the first year after discharge was 19%. Logistic regression revealed that knee extension strength (β= -0.698, P = 0.002), fasting C-peptide (F-CPR) level (β= 0.492, P = 0.009) and dorsiflexion strength (β= -0.432, P = 0.047) were independent predictors of falls. The random forest classifier placed knee extension strength, grip strength (0.234), F-CPR level and dorsiflexion strength in the top 4 important variables for falls. Lower extremity muscle weakness as well as elevated F-CPR levels and reduced grip strength was shown to be important risk factors for falls in T2D.
Quality Assurance (QA) Assessment for Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test in Ngoma District, Eastern Province of Rwanda: A cross-sectional prospective study
Authors: Habimana Metuschelah , NDAHINDWA Vedaste , UMUHOZA Matutina Stella , OMOLO Jared , UWAMUNGU Schifra , Lucchi Naomi W. , Humuza James
Published: December 2021

Background

Currently, malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) are increasingly used for diagnosis of malaria, particularly in community where microscopy-based diagnosis is not practical. However, the diagnostic accuracy of mRDTs performed by the community health workers (CHWs) remains unknown. This study was conducted to determine the accuracy of mRDT results performed by CHWs in Ngoma district, eastern province of Rwanda.
Method

This was a cross sectional prospective study. 420 blood samples of patients self-reported to CHWs for malaria diagnosis were collected and analyzed by CHWs using mRDT and quality control tests were performed by using microscopy as a reference test. The study was conducted from 22nd April to 08th July, 2021.
Results

Among the 420 patients, 234 (55.71%) were females and 186 (44.29%) were males. Malaria test positivity was 2.62% by using mRDT and 1.67% by using microscopic test. The sensitivity and specificity of mRDT were 85.71% and 98.78% respectively. Negative predictive value, positive predictive value and accuracy of mRDTs were 99.75%, 54.54% and 98.57% respectively. Sensitivity of mRDT was below the WHO recommended sensitivity (>95%) although the specificity (98.78%) was within the WHO recommended specificity (>=90). There was a substantial agreement between mRDT and malaria microscopic test results, k=0.642.
Conclusion

mRDTs continue to be an appropriate choice for malaria diagnosis in the absence of microscopy.
Social Decisions from Description Compared to Experience Rely on Different Cognitive and Neural Processes
Authors: Deréky Anna , Hare Todd Anthony , Laureiro-Martínez Daniella , Brusoni Stefano
Published: December 2021

Social decisions reveal the degree to which people consider societal needs relative to their own desires. Although many studies showed how social decisions are taken when the consequences of actions are given as explicit information, little is known about how social choices are made when the relevant information was learned through repeated experience. Here, we compared how these two different ways of learning about the value of alternatives (description versus experience) impact social decisions in 147 healthy young adult humans. Using diffusion decision models, we show that, although participants chose similar outcomes across the learning conditions, they sampled and processed information differently. During description decisions, information sampling depended on both chosen and foregone rewards for self and society, while during experience decisions sampling was proportional to chosen outcomes only. Our behavioral data indicate that description choices involved the active processing of more information. Additionally, neuroimaging data from 40 participants showed that the brain activity was more closely associated with the information sampling process during description relative to experience decisions. Overall, our work indicates that the cognitive and neural mechanisms of social decision making depend strongly on how the values of alternatives were learned in addition to individual social preferences.