bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fertility-Sparing Surgery in Infiltrative Mucinous Carcinoma of the Ovary
Authors: ben Ltaief Sarra , Ghalleb Montassar , Chabchoub Azza , Slimen Maher , Hadj Kacem Linda , Zenzeri Yosr , Chargui Riadh , Dhieb Tarek
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Mucinous ovarian carcinoma is often diagnosed early and can affect young patients. The preservation of the female reproductive organ is one of the critical issues, especially for nulliparous women. This case report aims to reconsider the safe outcome of fertility-sparing surgery for infiltrative type mucinous ovarian carcinoma. Case Presentation: A 28-year-old woman with a right mucinous ovarian carcinoma, infiltrative subtype stage IA was treated by right salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and lymph nodes staging. A 5-year follow-up showed no signs of relapse, and she completed two full-term natural pregnancies. Conclusion: Conservative surgery is a crucial matter for this patient category. The infiltrative type has a poorer prognosis, but few papers have reported the outcome and the safety of fertility-sparing surgery in this context.
Metastatic Seminoma Presenting in Kidney and Cervical Lymph Nodes after a 25-Year Interval: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Naimi Azar , Hajiahmadi Somayeh , Sohrabi Haniyeh
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Seminoma comprises approximately 50% of testicular germ cell tumors. Retroperitoneal lymph nodes are the most common initial metastatic sites but renal metastases are infrequent and the majority of renal tumors represent primary neoplasm. Case Presentation: In this study, we present a 48-year-old male with metastases of seminoma to the cervical lymph nodes and kidney after a 25-year interval. Conclusion: This presentation emphasizes the necessity of advising all patients who are discharged from follow-up that there is a chance of late remote relapse and that if they acquire any illness after discharge, they must inform their doctor about their previous seminoma.
Clinical Outcomes of Deferred Lesions by IVUS Versus FFR-Guided Treatment Decision
Authors: Lee Joo Myung , Kim Hangyul , Hong David , Hwang Doyeon , Zhang Jinlong , Hu Xinyang , Jiang Jun , Nam Chang-Wook , Doh Joon-Hyung , Lee Bong-Ki , Kim Weon , Huang Jinyu , Jiang Fan , Zhou Hao , Chen Peng , Tang Lijiang , Jiang Wenbing , Chen Xiaomin , He Wenming , Kang Jeehoon , Ahn Sung-Gyun , Yoon Myeong-Ho , Kim Ung , Ki You-Jeong , Shin Eun-Seok , Choi Ki Hong , Park Taek Kyu , Yang Jeong Hoon , Song Young Bin , Choi Seung-Hyuk , Gwon Hyeon-Cheol , Koo Bon-Kwon , Kim Hyo-Soo , Tahk Seung-Jea , Wang Jian’an , Hahn Joo-Yong ,   the FLAVOUR Investigators
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:

There are limited data regarding the safety of deferral of percutaneous coronary intervention based on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) findings. The current study sought to compare the prognosis between deferred lesions based on IVUS and fractional flow reserve (FFR)–guided treatment decision.

METHODS:

This study is a post hoc analysis of the FLAVOUR randomized trial (Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular Ultrasound for Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Intermediate Stenosis) that compared 2-year clinical outcomes between IVUS- and FFR-guided treatment decision on intermediate coronary artery lesions using predefined criteria. In both IVUS and FFR groups, vessels were classified into deferred or revascularized vessels, and patients were classified as those with or without deferred lesions. Vessel-oriented composite outcomes (cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization) in deferred vessels and patient-oriented composite outcomes (death, myocardial infarction, or any revascularization) in patients with deferred lesions were compared between the IVUS and FFR groups.

RESULTS:

A total of 1682 patients and 1820 vessels were analyzed, of which 922 patients and 989 vessels were deferred. At 2 years, there was no difference in the cumulative incidence of vessel-oriented composite outcomes in deferred vessels between IVUS (n=375) and FFR (n=614) groups (3.8% versus 4.1%; hazard ratio, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.47–1.75];
P
=0.77). The risk of vessel-oriented composite outcomes was comparable between deferred and revascularized vessels following treatment decision by IVUS (3.8% versus 3.5%; hazard ratio, 1.09 [95% CI, 0.54–2.19];
P
=0.81) and FFR (4.1% versus 3.6%; hazard ratio, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.56–2.32];
P
=0.72). In comparison of patient-oriented composite outcomes in patients with deferred lesions, there was no significant difference between the IVUS (n=357) and FFR (n=565) groups (6.2% versus 5.9%; hazard ratio, 1.05 [95% CI, 0.61–1.80];
P
=0.86).

CONCLUSIONS:

In patients with intermediate coronary artery stenosis, deferral of percutaneous coronary intervention based on IVUS-guided treatment decision showed comparable risk of clinical events with FFR-guided treatment decision.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02673424.
Flipped C-Terminal Ends of APOA1 Promote ABCA1-Dependent Cholesterol Efflux by Small HDLs
Authors: He Yi , Pavanello Chiara , Hutchins Patrick M. , Tang Chongren , Pourmousa Mohsen , Vaisar Tomas , Song Hyun D. , Pastor Richard W. , Remaley Alan T. , Goldberg Ira J. , Costacou Tina , Sean Davidson W. , Bornfeldt Karin E. , Calabresi Laura , Segrest Jere P. , Heinecke Jay W.
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:

Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) predicts cardiovascular disease independently of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. Isolated small HDL particles are potent promoters of macrophage CEC by the ABCA1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter A1) pathway, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear.

METHODS:

We used model system studies of reconstituted HDL and plasma from control and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT)–deficient subjects to investigate the relationships among the sizes of HDL particles, the structure of APOA1 (apolipoprotein A1) in the different particles, and the CECs of plasma and isolated HDLs.

RESULTS:

We quantified macrophage and ABCA1 CEC of 4 distinct sizes of reconstituted HDL. CEC increased as particle size decreased. Tandem mass spectrometric analysis of chemically cross-linked peptides and molecular dynamics simulations of APOA1, the major protein of HDL, indicated that the mobility of C-terminus of that protein was markedly higher and flipped off the surface in the smallest particles. To explore the physiological relevance of the model system studies, we isolated HDL from LCAT-deficient subjects, whose small HDLs (like reconstituted HDLs) are discoidal and composed of APOA1, cholesterol, and phospholipid. Despite their very low plasma levels of HDL particles, these subjects had normal CEC. In both the LCAT-deficient subjects and control subjects, the CEC of isolated extra-small HDL (a mixture of extra-small and small HDL by calibrated ion mobility analysis) was 3- to 5-fold greater than that of the larger sizes of isolated HDL. Incubating LCAT-deficient plasma and control plasma with human LCAT converted extra-small and small HDL particles into larger particles, and it markedly inhibited CEC.

CONCLUSIONS:

We present a mechanism for the enhanced CEC of small HDLs. In smaller particles, the C-termini of the 2 antiparallel molecules of APOA1 are “flipped” off the lipid surface of HDL. This extended conformation allows them to engage with ABCA1. In contrast, the C-termini of larger HDLs are unable to interact productively with ABCA1 because they form a helical bundle that strongly adheres to the lipid on the particle. Enhanced CEC, as seen with the smaller particles, predicts decreased cardiovascular disease risk. Thus, extra-small and small HDLs may be key mediators and indicators of the cardioprotective effects of HDL.
Ganglioside GM3 Protects Against Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm by Suppressing Ferroptosis
Authors: Zhang Fangni , Li Kan , Zhang Wenhui , Zhao Ziyan , Chang Fangyuan , Du Jie , Zhang Xu , Bao Kaiwen , Zhang Chunyong , Shi Lei , Liu Zongwei , Dai Xiangchen , Chen Chen , Wang Dao Wen , Xian Zhong , Jiang Hongfeng , Ai Ding
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a potentially life-threatening vascular condition, but approved medical therapies to prevent AAA progression and rupture are currently lacking. Sphingolipid metabolism disorders are associated with the occurrence and development of AAA. It has been discovered that ganglioside GM3, a sialic acid–containing type of glycosphingolipid, plays a protective role in atherosclerosis, which is an important risk factor for AAA; however, the potential contribution of GM3 to AAA development has not been investigated.

METHODS:

We performed a metabolomics study to evaluated GM3 level in plasma of human patients with AAA. We profiled GM3 synthase (ST3GAL5) expression in the mouse model of aneurysm and human AAA tissues through Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. RNA sequencing, affinity purification and mass spectrometry, proteomic analysis, surface plasmon resonance analysis, and functional studies were used to dissect the molecular mechanism of GM3-regulating ferroptosis. We conditionally deleted and overexpressed
St3gal5
in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in vivo to investigate its role in AAA.

RESULTS:

We found significantly reduced plasma levels of GM3 in human patients with AAA. GM3 content and ST3GAL5 expression were decreased in abdominal aortic vascular SMCs in patients with AAA and an AAA mouse model. RNA sequencing analysis showed that
ST3GAL5
silencing in human aortic SMCs induced ferroptosis. We showed that GM3 interacted directly with the extracellular domain of TFR1 (transferrin receptor 1), a cell membrane protein critical for cellular iron uptake, and disrupted its interaction with holo-transferrin. SMC-specific
St3gal5
knockout exacerbated iron accumulation at lesion sites and significantly promoted AAA development in mice, whereas GM3 supplementation suppressed lipid peroxidation, reduced iron deposition in aortic vascular SMCs, and markedly decreased AAA incidence.

CONCLUSIONS:

Together, these results suggest that GM3 dysregulation promotes ferroptosis of vascular SMCs in AAA. Furthermore, GM3 may constitute a new therapeutic target for AAA.
Cerebrovascular Complications Associated With Iatrogenic Fungal Meningitis Following Surgical Procedures in Mexico
Authors: Becerril-Gaitan Andrea , Bindal Shivani , Parker Samantha L. , Mullarkey Matthew P. , Zeineddine Hussein A. , Chen Justine M. , Choi Huimahn A. , Chen Peng R. , Blackburn Spiros , Day Arthur , Torres Luis F. , Brown Robert J. , Bowry Ritvij , Chen Ching-Jen
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:

The current fungal meningitis outbreak caused by contaminated epidural anesthesia with
Fusarium solani
among patients who underwent surgical procedures in Matamoros, Mexico remains a cause of concern. Its association with an increased susceptibility for cerebrovascular complications (CVC) has not been reported. This single-center study describes 3 patients with a unique pattern of CVC attributed to fungal meningitis.

METHODS:

A retrospective case series of patients diagnosed with fungal meningitis following surgical procedures under contaminated epidural anesthesia who developed a unique pattern of CVC during their hospitalization.

RESULTS:

Three female patients (mean age, 35 years) with CVC due to iatrogenic fungal meningitis were included. Positive Fungitell β-D-glucan assay in cerebrospinal fluid was documented in all cases, and
F
.
solani
was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction in case 3. All cases were complicated by severe vertebrobasilar circulation vasculopathy and arterial dissections with resultant subarachnoid hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage, ultimately leading to patients’ death.

CONCLUSIONS:

The death toll from the ongoing fungal meningitis outbreak keeps rising, underscoring the need for early recognition and aggressive treatment. We highlight the risk for vertebrobasilar circulation CVC among these patients. The angioinvasive nature of
F
.
solani
is yet to be clarified; however, a clear pattern has been observed. Public health awareness should be raised and a strong response should be pursued.
İhracatçı İşletmelerde Lojistik Yeteneklerin Tedarik Zinciri Performansı ile İlişkisi Üzerine Keşfedici bir Araştırma
Authors: SARIHAN Ahmed Yusuf , MARŞAP Beyhan
Published: November 2023

Bu çalışmada ihracat yapan işletmelerin lojistik yetenekleri ve tedarik zinciri performansları temel değişkenler olarak alınmış ve bunlara ek olarak alıcı-satıcı ilişkileri, şebeke ilişkileri ve teknolojik ilerleme değişkenleri ile araştırma deseni oluşturulmuştur. Araştırma tüm bu değişkenlerin işletme süreçleri içerisindeki önemi ile değişkenler arası ilişkilerin doğasını keşfetmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırmada Türkiye’de faaliyet gösteren yedi ihracatçı işletmenin tedarik zinciri süreçlerini tamamıyla yorumlayabilecek üst düzey yöneticileri ile görüşmeler yapılmıştır. İhracat yapan işletmelerin tedarik zinciri işleyişlerinin yerel düzeyde çalışan şirketlere göre farklılık gösterdiği göz önüne alındığında çalışma Türkiye’de bu anlamda yapılan nitel bir araştırma olma özelliği ile özgün değer taşımaktadır. Çalışma sonucunda ihracatçı işletmelerin tedarik zinciri performansı üzerinde en fazla rolü olan değişkenlerin lojistik yetenekler ve alıcı-satıcı ilişkilerinin kalitesi olduğu tespit edilirken en az rolü olan değişken şebeke ilişkileri olarak gözlemlenmiştir.
Marka Vatandaşlık Davranışı Literatürünün Bibliyometrik Analizi
Authors: HIRLAK Bengü , ÇOLAKOĞLU Emre
Published: November 2023

Bu çalışmanın amacı marka vatandaşlık davranışıyla ilgili yayınların sistematik olarak incelenmesiyle mevcut bilgi birikimini görünür hale getirmek ve böylelikle daha sonraki araştırmaların bu bilgi birikimine katkı sağlayabilmeleri için bir yol haritası çizebilmektir. Web of Science Core Collection (WOS) ve Scopus veri tabanlarından elde edilen verilerle R programı aracılığıyla bibliyometrik analiz yapılmıştır. Analizler sonucunda marka vatandaşlık davranışıyla ilgili yayınların, kaynakların, yazarların, ülkelerin ve kelimelerin atıf ve sıklık ölçütlerine göre performansları belirlenmiş; konu çerçevesinde oluşan kavramsal, entelektüel ve sosyal yapılar görünür hale getirilmiştir. Yapılan bu çalışmayla kavram ile ilgili kurumların, ülkelerin ve yazarların bilimsel yayın performansları değerlendirilmeye, yayın yapılan en önemli dergileri ve makaleleri tespit etmeye, bundan sonra yapılacak araştırmaların birbirini tekrar etmemesini sağlamaya, araştırmacılara çalışma konusu belirlemede rehberlik etmeye, bu kavramın yeterince araştırılıp araştırılmadığı belirlenmeye ve böylelikle literatürdeki araştırma boşluğunu tamamlanmaya çalışılmıştır.
Türkiye’de Faaliyet Gösteren Faizsiz Finans Kurumlarının Yönetişim Uygulamalarına Yönelik Bir Araştırma
Authors: KARACAER Berrin
Published: November 2023

Faizsiz finans kurumları (FFK)’nın tüm faaliyetlerinin fıkhi ilkeler çerçevesinde yürütülmesinin gerekmesi, özgün bir fıkhi yönetişim sisteminin geliştirilmesi ihtiyacı ile sonuçlanmıştır. Çalışmanın amacı İslami Finansal Kuruluşlar Muhasebe ve Denetim Organizasyonu (AAOIFI), İslami Finansal Hizmetler Kurumu (IFSB) standartları ve mevcut düzenlemeler çerçevesinde Türkiye’deki fıkhi yönetişim uygulamalarını; i) Fıkhi Yönetişime Yönelik Yaklaşımlar, ii) Danışma Komitesinin Rolleri, iii) Danışma Komitesi Üyelerinin Nitelikleri, iv) Operasyonel Prosedürler ve v) Fıkhi Yönetişimin Gelişimine Yönelik Görüş ve Öneriler olmak üzere beş üst başlıktan oluşan bir yaklaşımla araştırmak ve analiz etmektir. Bu amaçla nitel araştırma yönteminin bir parçası olarak FFK’ların kurumsal yönetişim alanında yer alan katılımcılarla yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmanın bulguları belirlenen alanlarda fıkhi yönetişim uygulamalarında bir takım zayıflık ve eksiklikler olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Son olarak ampirik analizlere dayalı olarak, Türkiye’deki fıkhi yönetişim sistemini geliştirmek amacıyla önerilerde bulunulmaktadır.
Açık İnovasyon, Örgütsel Çeviklik ve Firma Performansı İlişkisi
Authors: İMAMOĞLU Salih Zeki , ERAT Serhat , TAŞCI Veciye
Published: November 2023

Bu çalışmanın amacı açık inovasyon, örgütsel çeviklik ve firma performansı arasındaki ilişkiyi araştırmaktır. Küreselleşen ve sürekli değişen iş çevresinde sürdürülebilir bir şekilde rekabet edebilmek için örgütlerin performanslarını sürekli iyileştirmesi gerekmektedir. Açık inovasyon, bunun önemli yollarından biridir. Öbür taraftan piyasanın ve teknolojinin her an değişmesi, organizasyonların çevik bir yapı sergileyerek değişimlere hızlı cevap verebilmelerini ve dinamik koşullarda inovatif olmalarını zaruri kılmaktadır. Bu noktada açık inovasyon, örgütsel çeviklik ve firma performansı arasındaki ilişkinin ampirik olarak incelenmesi önem arz etmektedir. Çalışma kapsamında Gebze-Kocaeli bölgesinde imalat sanayiinde faaliyet gösteren 200 firmadaki çalışandan anket yoluyla veriler elde edilmiş ve AMOS’ta Yapısal Eşitlik Modeli kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Analiz sonuçlarına göre açık inovasyon ve örgütsel çeviklik, örgütsel çeviklik ve firma performansı ile açık inovasyon ve firma performansı arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ve pozitif bir ilişki vardır.
The Impact Digitalization and Globalization on Income Distribution in Emerging Industrial Economies
Authors: DEMİR Ömer , CENGİZ Orhan , NAS Şahin
Published: November 2023

Digitalization is the most important indicator of technological development. More specifically, digitalization affects income distribution in different ways. Improvement in digital technologies promotes labour productivity and economic efficiency. Hence, how digitalization affects income inequality is required to obtain more evidence. This study investigates the distributional impact of digitalization in 29 Emerging Industrial Economies (EIEs) over the period 2000-2020. The panel ARDL model estimation results show digitalization alleviates income inequality. Likewise, economic growth, globalization, and institutional quality also negatively affect income inequality. In addition, economic growth, globalization, and institutional quality support the encouraging effect of digitalization on income inequality. Moreover, the Dumitrescu-Hurlin (DH) panel causality test result confirms the two-way causality between economic growth, globalization, and digitalization with income inequality, and the one-way causality running from income inequality to institutional quality.
Milli Mücadele Dönemi Rum Kamuoyuna Yönelik Bir Gazete: Neologos
Authors: TOKAN ŞENOL Feryade
Published: November 2023

Milli Mücadele Dönemi’nde, toplumsal yapıda ve Anadolu coğrafyasında yaşanan değişimin önemli aktörlerinden biri de basındır. Milli Mücadele Dönemi basınına baktığımızda, basının genel görünümü özetle mücadeleyi destekleyenler ve desteklemeyenler şeklinde incelenebilir. Ancak Milli Mücadele’yi desteklemeyenler arasında, Osmanlı topraklarında basım ve gazetecilik faaliyetlerini başlatan azınlık toplumu mensupları da bulunmaktadır.

Osmanlı topraklarındaki basım ve yayın faaliyetlerinde bulunan en eski toplumlardan olan Rumlar yayıncılık alanında oldukça üretkendir. Neologos gazetesi Rum toplumunun önemli yayınlarından biridir ve siyasi gelişmelere yönelik kendi toplumunun çıkarları doğrultusunda tavır almıştır.

Çalışmanın araştırma alanı olarak seçtiğimiz Neologos gazetesinin 1919 Temmuz ve Ağustos aylarındaki sayıları, belli başlıklar gözetilerek incelenmiş, gazetenin geçmiş ve mücadele dönemindeki tavrı ve siyasi tutumu tartışmaya açılmıştır. Milli Mücadele döneminde önemli dönemeçlerden biri olan manda tartışmalarının yapıldığı dönemdeki yayınlar incelenmiş ve Neologos gazetesinin haberleri ele alışı ve oluşturduğu içerik tartışılmıştır.
Active Inference With Empathy Mechanism for Socially Behaved Artificial Agents in Diverse Situations
Authors: Matsumura Tadayuki , Esaki Kanako , Yang Shao , Yoshimura Chihiro , Mizuno Hiroyuki
Published: November 2023

This article proposes a method for an artificial agent to behave in a social manner. Although defining proper social behavior is difficult because it differs from situation to situation, the agent following the proposed method adaptively behaves appropriately in each situation by empathizing with the surrounding others. The proposed method is achieved by incorporating empathy into active inference. We evaluated the proposed method regarding control of autonomous mobile robots in diverse situations. From the evaluation results, an agent controlled by the proposed method could behave more adaptively socially than an agent controlled by the standard active inference in the diverse situations. In the case of two agents, the agent controlled with the proposed method behaved in a social way that reduced the other agent’s travel distance by 13.7% and increased the margin between the agents by 25.8%, even though it increased the agent’s travel distance by 8.2%. Also, the agent controlled with the proposed method behaved more socially when it was surrounded by altruistic others but less socially when it was surrounded by selfish others.
Complicating Narratives of Contemporary Chinese Art as Global Art through the Lens of Exhibition Histories
Authors: Hopfener Birgit
Published: November 2023

This essay reviews two publications on Chinese contemporary art and its relation to the global through the lens of exhibition histories. The monograph Die chinesische Avantgarde und das Dispositiv der Ausstellung. Konstruktionen chinesischer Gegenwartskunst im Spannungsfeld der Globalisierung (The ‘Chinese avant-garde’ and the exhibition as dispositive. Constructing contemporary Chinese art in the global context) authored by Franziska Koch (2016), and the edited volume Uncooperative Contemporaries: Art Exhibitions in Shanghai in 2000, (2020) published in the Exhibition Histories series by Afterall Books. The former seeks to re-write the history of contemporary Chinese art exhibitions from a transcultural perspective with a particular focus on group exhibitions of contemporary Chinese art in the West. The latter focuses on exhibitions that took place in the wake of China's “global turn in the year 2000. It examines the first international Shanghai biennial and so called “satellite shows,” unofficial exhibitions that took place concurrently with the biennial. Both books examine how Chinese contemporary art's relation to the global has been conceptualized and operated differently at different times, in different yet often transculturally/transnationally entangled locales, socio-political contexts, power structures and geopolitical currents, in different discursive contexts, according to specific political and discursive conditions and agendas, and through various agents and institutions. This essay argue that by shedding light on specific locales, and their transnational and transcultural entanglements, and the various agents involved in the formation of global contemporary Chinese art both publications critically intervene into top-down universalist discourses of the “global contemporary.” Speaking from different positionalities, they seek to complicate narratives and understandings of contemporary global and Chinese art from the bottom-up. Informed by the post-colonial critique of historicism a bottom-up perspective they conceive of global art not as a universalistic concept, but as plural articulations of global contemporaneity conceived as “disjunctive unity,” a shared yet heterogenous present constituted by multiple contemporaneities.
Is a 6-week training protocol effective in preparing young Lusitano horses in early athletic life?
Authors: Coelho C. , Silva A. , Santos A. , Vintém C. , Santos C. , Fonseca J. , Prazeres J. , Souza V. , Gola A. , Manso Filho H.C. , Simões J.
Published: November 2023

A 6-weeks training program, aimed at improving the physical conditioning of dressage horses, was assessed to determine its’ effectiveness. The training program comprised of 40-80 min of daily preparatory exercises for dressage competition (transitions, circles, extended walk, trot or canter, stride length variation, diagonals, straight lines and serpentines) which were performed six times per week. Thus, nine (4 year old) Lusitano horses were evaluated before (M1) and six weeks after (M2) the introduction of the new training routine. On both occasions animals were physically examined and blood samples were collected before (T0), immediately after (T1) a dressage simulation test (DST) and at 30 min (T2) and 240 min (T3) of recovery. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), body temperature (BT), erythrogram, blood lactate and glucose, serum proteins, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK) values were recorded and the obtained variables were analysed using ANOVA and Tukey tests (). The training protocol produced significant changes in the measured biomarkers. Speed of work during the DST (5.8 vs 7.36 m/s; ) significantly increased, though no changes were observed in the HRpeak (∼158.1 beat/min; ), HRmean (∼113.9 beat/min; ) and distance (∼220 m). Additionally, at M1 significantly () lower values of RR and of blood lactate were recorded and at M2 low values of HR, BT, glucose, AST and CK were observed, the latter suggesting a cardiometabolic improvement. The biomarkers returned to basal levels 30 min post DST on both M1 and M2. The training regimen successfully improved the athletic conditioning of the Lusitano horses, preparing them for the practice of dressage without compromising their welfare.
Physiology of human-horse interactions during substance withdrawal within psychotherapy participants
Authors: Friend M.M. , Nicodemus M.C. , Cavinder C.A. , Lemley C.O. , Prince P. , Holtcamp K. , Swanson R.M.
Published: November 2023

Psychotherapy incorporating equine interaction (PIE) is emerging as an effective treatment for substance use disorder (SUD); however, research concerning physiological impacts of PIE during substance withdrawal is lacking. This study investigated impacts of PIE on salivary cortisol concentrations and heart rates in SUD patients during withdrawal. Heart rate and cortisol concentrations were also measured in horses to investigate potential human-horse coupling during PIE. Saliva samples and heart rates were collected from SUD patients (n = 18) and their therapy horses (n = 4) prior to the introduction of the horse and following equine interaction within a residential psychotherapy program during the substance withdrawal period. Without the presence of the horse, the equine environment during the first week of withdrawal produced lower () cortisol and heart rate measures than found in the equine interaction for the SUD patients. Human heart rates, however, decreased () in the second week in response to the equine interaction. A strong negative correlation (r = −0.9, ) was found within the changes in human and horse cortisol concentrations during week two as human cortisol concentrations decreased while horse cortisol concentrations increased. Results indicate equine interaction during psychotherapy is more effective in the second week than the first at mitigating stress for withdrawing residential SUD treatment program patients and the equid environment, even without the presence of a horse, can positively impact stress parameters in withdrawing SUD patients during the first week of treatment.
Effects of the mycotoxins aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone on survival, biomass and toxin accumulation in Musca domestica larvae
Authors: Niermans K. , Hoek-van den Hil E.F. , van Dam R. , van der Fels-Klerx H.J. , van Loon J.J.A.
Published: November 2023

Insects are receiving increasing attention as a possible ingredient for feed and/or food production. When used efficiently, insects can provide a sustainable and economically favourable contribution to global food security. Housefly larvae (HFL) can grow on a variety of organic side streams and upgrade them by partial conversion into high-quality protein. Organic side streams may be chemically contaminated by naturally occurring toxins, e.g. mycotoxins, therefore, effects on insect survival and biomass as well as other feed and/or food safety issues should be investigated. In this study, the HFL were exposed to a feed substrate spiked with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON) or zearalenone (ZEN) at concentrations of either 1 or 10 times the maximum levels or guidance values set for feed materials by the European Commission. Mortality and biomass of HFL were recorded over five days of exposure. LC-MS/MS analysis was used to determine the concentration of the mycotoxins in the substrate offered, the larvae and the residual feed material. A molar mass balance was calculated to estimate how much of the spiked mycotoxins (and several metabolites), was recovered in the larval body and the residual material. Exposure to either of the three mycotoxins did not affect larval mortality and biomass, and accumulation in the larval body did not take place. Metabolism does seem to occur for AFB1 and ZEN as the molar mass balance revealed an unrecovered fraction of ca. 40-50%. Little DON metabolism occurred as most of the initially present DON was found back unchanged. The results of this study support the potential for safe use of HFL as food- and/or feed when reared on mycotoxin contaminated side-streams, as accumulation of the tested mycotoxins did not take place in HFL. Further research is needed to identify the fate of the unrecovered fractions of AFB1 and ZEN.
Exploring mitigating factors for aflatoxin awareness and incidence among smallholder groundnut farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Jelliffe J. , Bravo-Ureta B. , Jordan D. , Dankyi A. , Appaw W. , Mochiah M.
Published: November 2023

This study considers the association between agricultural extension, aflatoxin, and good management practices among smallholder groundnut farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. The first part examines extension and self-reported knowledge and perceptions of aflatoxin for three countries. This is done using pooled survey data (n = 1388) collected from 2014 to 2016, beginning with Uganda (n = 480) in 2014, Ghana (n = 537) in 2015, and Mozambique (n = 335) in 2016. Results from probit regressions suggest that aflatoxin knowledge and perceptions are related to village extension services, household head education, farm size, groundnut production area, and experience with aflatoxins. To build upon these findings, additional information on aflatoxin levels and good management practices for a sub-sample of the 2015 Ghana survey (n = 134) is analysed. Negative binomial regression estimates indicate significantly lower aflatoxin levels for households that (1) follow good management practices and (2) are in receipt of village extension services, with the lowest average aflatoxin level from the combination of (1) and (2). These findings underscore the role of extension in combating the incidence of aflatoxin in groundnut value chains. In this way, extension is associated with greater knowledge and perceptions, as well as lower levels of aflatoxin, that can be further reduced with good management practices.
Certainty Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
Authors: Tuzet Giovanni
Published: November 2023

The paper argues for a pragmatist understanding of the reasonable doubt standard in law. It builds on the idea that our dispositions to act signal the epistemic states we are in. This helps clarify the notion of a reasonable doubt and the idea of being certain beyond it.

More specifically, the paper points out three major standards of proof used in legal contexts and the rationale of their distinction. It articulates the received view according to which the reasonable doubt standard is superior to allegedly subjective standards as the French “intime conviction”; then it addresses what I call the “rampant critique” of the reasonable doubt standard, namely the view that, as the notion of a reasonable doubt is obscure and undetermined, the standard is irremediably subjective. The paper finally presents a pragmatist understanding and defense of the standard, building on the idea of beliefs as dispositions to act.
Morphological diffusion and the internal subgrouping of Central Totonac
Authors: Beck David
Published: November 2023

The Totonac branch of the Totonacan (also known as Totonac-Tepehua) family is traditionally broken down into four divisions—Misantla, Northern, Sierra, and Lowland. Misantla is an obvious outlier, but the relationship among the remaining three, which comprise the Central Totonac division, is uncertain due to competing lines of evidence: lexical isoglosses group Sierra and Lowland against Northern while morphological changes appear to set Sierra off against the other two. The spatial distribution of the morphological innovations shows these not to be a coherent set of changes inherited from a common ancestor, but instead a series of successive innovations diffused in a wave-like pattern. This paper also demonstrates that the morphological innovations are more recent than the lexical changes, supporting the prior separation of Sierra-Lowland languages from Northern. The paper also explores the methodological issues associated with the classification of languages in close contact at shallow time depths.
Effect of different inclusion levels of defatted Hermetia illucens larvae meal on fillet quality of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)
Authors: Busti S. , Magnani M. , Badiani A. , Silvi M. , Baldi G. , Soglia F. , Petracci M. , Sirri F. , Gasco L. , Brambilla F. , Gatta P.P. , Parma L. , Bonaldo A.
Published: November 2023

In recent years, insect meal has attracted increasing interest as an innovative protein source to replace fish meal in feed formulation due to its valuable nutritional profile. This research aimed to compare the effects of different dietary inclusion levels (5, 10, and 15%) of Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal on Sparus aurata (initial weight: 98.6 ± 0.6 g) sensorial, technological, and nutritional fillets quality. Fish were fed experimental diets over 113 days. Results showed that the inclusion of defatted HI larvae meal did not induce off-flavours in gilthead sea bream fillets. No significant differences were found in appearance, mouthfeels, and texture, while a difference emerged in the trait ‘cooked chicken breast’ for odour and flavour characteristics. Moreover, fillets’ quality traits and proximate composition analyses performed did not show significant differences between the treatments. The fillets’ fatty acid content showed that higher inclusion of HI meal leads to higher saturated fatty acids content, while no significant difference in polyunsaturated fatty acids was observed among treatments. Results have a positive implication as dietary HI did not negatively affect the fatty acids composition or quality of sea bream fillets.
Drying treatment impact on oil yield extracted from black soldier fly larvae using supercritical carbon dioxide and its biological activities
Authors: Rattana M. , Yongyut C. , Supachet P.
Published: November 2023

Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae are considered economically viable as an alternative source of oil and bioactive compounds. The drying and extraction methods are critical steps in the extraction of oil and have an impact on the characteristics and composition of the extracted oil. Supercritical CO2 extraction of oil from black soldier fly larvae allows for the extraction of important bioactive compounds and oils while causing the least amount of change. The effect of different pre-treatment tray-drying and freeze-drying methods on the quantity and biological activities of oil extracted from black soldier fly larvae using supercritical CO2 was investigated in this study. Oil extraction from tray-dried and freeze-dried black soldier fly larvae samples could be done at low temperatures for a shorter extraction time, resulting in higher yields while avoiding the negative effects of high temperatures on lipids and other valuable components. The oil extracted from tray-dried and freeze-dried black soldier fly larvae contained major fatty acid compositions such as lauric acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid and palmitic acid, as well as total phenolic compounds (0.067-0.113 mg gallic acid/g oil), antioxidant capacity 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhdrazyl (DPPH) (0.36-0.56 μmol Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)/10 g oil), and antioxidant capacity 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) (0.23-0.55 μmol TEAC/10 g oil, and ferric reducing antioxidant power antioxidant capacity (0.33-0.64 μmol TEAC/10 g oil). The oil extracted from tray-dried and freeze-dried larvae samples had a shelf life of approximately 2.42-3.63 months and 2.51-3.40 months, respectively, at storage temperatures ranging from 25 to 55 °C. The oil extracted from tray-dried and freeze-dried larvae samples extracted using supercritical CO2 had high acid values which could inhibit keratinocyte growth by 76.70 and 75.04%, respectively, at 100 mg/ml concentrations. Furthermore, the tray-drying and freeze-drying methods had no effect on the physicochemical properties of the supercritical CO2-extracted oil from dried black soldier fly larvae samples.
Behaviour intention to eat reared crickets in Myanmar: the effects of trust, knowledge, and perceived quality
Authors: Myint Thu Thu A. , Klink-Lehmann J. , Dürr J. , Borgemeister C.
Published: November 2023

Edible insects are a good source of proteins, fats, and micronutrients for human consumption. Crickets are one of the most widely reared insects worldwide. They require less capital spending and less space and water consumption while offering more food, employment, and income possibilities than conventional animal farming. Additionally, raising crickets may aid in achieving various sustainable development objectives. Although crickets are Myanmar’s most popular edible insects, a few farmers are presently rearing them. The farming business is not thriving as in other countries mainly because consumers primarily eat crickets collected from the wild. Using the extended theory of planned behaviour, this study identifies factors possibly impacting the intention to eat reared crickets in Myanmar, alongside perceived product quality, consumer knowledge, and trust in value chain actors. Data were collected through telephone interviews, resulting in a valid data set of 212 respondents from Yangon and Mandalay who recently ate crickets collected from the wild. The result of the structural equation modelling revealed that participants are ready to accept reared crickets as a food source. Consumption intention towards reared crickets is directly influenced by consumers’ attitudes, perceived behavioural control, and trust in producers. Concurrently, it is indirectly influenced by consumer knowledge of the environmental friendliness of cricket farming. Subjective norms, trust in retailers, and perceived product quality do not significantly affect the intention to eat crickets. As trust in producers is the new main predictive factor, cricket farmers should build public trust by giving transparency in the production process, thereby achieving a more favourable attitude towards reared insects, possibly leading to higher consumption levels.
Growth performance and dynamic copper accumulation in tissues of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae under copper exposure
Authors: Zhou M. , Wu S.J. , Tan X.H. , Sun Q.X. , Li X.C. , Dong Y.W. , You C.H. , Huang Y.H.
Published: November 2023

To figure out the copper metabolism features in vivo and evaluate the potential risk of copper residue in tissues of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and their by-products, the effects of oral copper exposure of 0, 50, 500 and 1000 mg/kg (Control, Cu50, Cu500 and Cu1000) on growth performance and dynamic copper accumulation in the fat body, cuticle of BSFL and the rearing residue were investigated in a 12-days rearing trial. The results showed that, the body weight and length, and body protein content of BSFL were improved by exposure to 50 mg/kg copper, but reduced by exposure to 500 and 1000 mg/kg copper, as well as that of the pre-pupa rate. Under the copper exposure of 500 and 1000 mg/kg, the copper concentrations in the larval fat body were high at the early developmental stage, but sharply reduced to be 8.1 ± 0.3 mg/kg within 12 days with no significant differences among groups. Similarly, the copper concentrations in the cuticle also decreased rapidly to be 46.3 ± 2.9 and 91.3 ± 9.4 mg/kg in the Cu500 and Cu1000 groups within 12 days, but they were significantly higher than those of the control (8.1 ± 0.3 mg/kg) and Cu50 (10.1 ± 1.1 mg/kg) groups. The linear regression analysis between copper exposure doses and copper concentrations in the rearing residues indicated that the latter are dose- and time-dependent. Overall, the growth performance and body protein content of BSFL were improved by low copper exposure, but reduced by high copper exposure. The oral copper could be excluded from larval fat body and cuticle rapidly, and be largely accumulated in the rearing residues. Therefore, little risk of copper residue in the main tissues of post larvae or pre-pupae of black soldier fly (BSF), but higher risk of it in the rearing residues could be anticipated. Our results provide valuable information for safety assessment of copper residues in BSF products and by-products.
Survey on public acceptance of insects as novel food in a non-EU country: a case study of Serbia
Authors: Andrić A. , Miličić M. , Bojanić M. , Obradović V. , Šašić Zorić L. , Petrović M. , Gadjanski I.
Published: November 2023

The present study aimed to evaluate the state of public perceptions and acceptance of insects as food in Serbia. The data was gathered via an online survey involving 1102 participants who completed Google Forms questionnaire shared through mailing lists and social media channels. The findings indicate that, while 85.3% of the respondents were aware of the use of insects in human diet, only 12.5% had previously consumed edible insects. The results of the chi-square tests further revealed that both familiarity and experience significantly affected willingness to buy insect-based food, whereas age and educational level did not. Men were more open to purchasing edible insects than women. Twice as many participants (49.4%) responded positively to eating insect-based food in which insects were not visible than to consuming recognisable insects (25.4%). Crisis (shortage of conventional sources of protein), curiosity, nutrition, and health benefits were the most frequently chosen reasons for including insect-based products in a diet, whereas disgust was the main reason against. Multiple correspondence analysis resulted in two dimensions that accounted for the largest amount of variance. The first dimension referred to familiarity with entomophagy, experience of eating edible insects, and willingness to buy insect-based products, whereby sustainability, affordability, taste, nutrition, and curiosity were the reasons for including insect-based products in a diet, while high price was a reason against. The second dimension indicated lack of familiarity, experience, or willingness to buy, with crisis as the most common motivating reason, and the perception of insects as pests and socio-cultural unacceptance as the main reasons against. Although almost half of the respondents reported willingness to consume processed insect-based products, the actual acceptance is possibly lower. Therefore, future research should focus on the provision of tasting opportunities as well as information on the benefits associated with the production and consumption of insects.
The need for dedicated pilot plant infrastructure for insect rearing and processing: a case-study from Belgium
Authors: Frooninckx L. , De Smet J. , Van Miert S. , Van Der Borght M.
Published: November 2023

Insects have the potential to form the basis of a sustainable value chain that plays a key role in the transition to a biobased economy. Numerous companies recognize the potential of insects, but immediate application on an industrial scale is hampered by several obstacles such as regulatory uncertainties and the need for support to upscale their processes. Another challenge is that only limited information is available on industrial insect rearing, and the information that is freely available often comes from small-scale research. Translating the research findings of that small-scale research to industrial scale is often cumbersome. In Belgium, KU Leuven and Thomas More in collaboration with VITO started doing research on insect rearing and processing about a decade ago. They recognized the need to add expertise on pilot scale, aside from their research on laboratory scale, as an intermediate step towards industrial production. The realisation of the Insect Pilot Plant in Belgium has enabled their ambition to offer such solutions at pilot scale. Additional benefit of having this pilot facility is that increased reliability and flexibility that comes with it enables the standardisation of all experiments, lab-scale as well as pilot scale, further increasing the expertise of the research centres involved and their ability to transfer that expertise to the sector.
The effect of different levels of Hermetia illucens oil inclusion on caecal microbiota of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica, Gould, 1837)
Authors: Atallah E. , Mahayri T.M. , Fliegerová K.O. , Mrázek J. , Addeo N.F. , Bovera F. , Moniello G.
Published: November 2023

In this study, we investigated the effect of the dietary inclusion of Hermetia illucens larvae oil on the diversity and structure of the bacterial community of the caecal content of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica). A total of 40 quails, equally selected for slaughter from 100 animals which were divided evenly into four treatment groups including control group (C) with a diet containing corn oil and 3 experimental groups with partial (25%, 50%) or total (100%) substitution of corn oil by H. illucens larvae oil, here referred to as Black soldier fly larvae oil (BSFO): BSFO 25, BSFO 50 and BSFO 100, respectively. After slaughtering (42 days of age), the microbiota of caecal samples was examined by high-throughput sequencing using the V4-V5 region of the 16S rRNA gene. In all the studied groups the dominant phylum was Firmicutes with prevailing families of Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae. Caecal microbiota was meaningly influenced on genus level. The linear discriminant analysis effect size (LefSe) analysis for the differential taxa abundance showed that Lactobacillus was significantly increased in BSFO 25 group, Fusicatenibacter was significantly enriched in all the experimental groups fed larvae oil (BSFO 25, 50 and 100) and Subdoligranulum was highly elevated in BSFO 100 group. The analysis revealed statistical dissimilarities between the control group (C) and the groups with 50% and 100% oil replacement (BSFO 50 and 100). The bacterial diversity was significantly suppressed in the samples of quails fed the diet with a total inclusion of H. illucens oil (BSFO 100). The results showed the considerable effect of Black soldier fly larvae oil on the caecal microbiota of Japanese quails.