bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Would a simple attention-reminder in discrete choice experiments affect heuristics, preferences, and willingness to pay for livestock market facilities?
Authors: Kassie Girma T. , Zeleke Fresenbet , Birhanu Mulugeta Yitayih , Scarpa Riccardo
Published: July 2022

This study addresses the question whether an ‘attention reminder’ in discrete choice experiments (DCE) affects preferences, willingness to pay (WTP), and attribute non-attendance (ANA). We report on an experiment which elicited preferences for livestock market facilities from 960 randomly selected farm households in Ethiopia. Basic diagnostic comparisons of the estimations showed that taste parameters are significantly different and the WTP values of two (out of eight) facilities are different betweenbeforeandafterthe reminder. Latent class model based ANA analysis revealed that the reminder has increased fully compensatory choice behavior [full attention] among sample respondents. The mixed logit models estimated in WTP space also showed that the WTP values are slightly smaller for most of the facilities after the reminder. In terms of relative importance, veterinary clinic, fenced shed, and watering trough facilities are the three livestock market facilities valued most by the farm households bothbeforeandafterthe reminder. Our results imply that researchers studying behaviors of rural communities in developing countries using DCEs might be able to address issues related to heuristics if they reminded respondents of the need to pay attention to all elements in the experiment unless understanding the choice decision making process itself is the point of interest. Empirically, livestock market development initiatives need to take into account farmers’ clear and consistent prioritization of the market facilities.
Digital transformation, green innovation and the Solow productivity paradox
Authors: Sun Shujun , Guo Lin
Published: July 2022

To provide evidence at the micro level for cracking the Solow productivity paradox, this paper deeply studies the impact of enterprise digital transformation on green innovation. In terms of theoretical research, three potential mechanisms are excavated for the first time; considering empirical research, a series of strict causal effect identification strategies are carried out. The results show that enterprise digital transformation can significantly promote green innovation, and it passes a series of robustness tests and endogenous tests. According to the theoretical and empirical results, the policy suggestions mainly include five points: helping enterprises to accelerate digital transformation; strengthening the green innovation ability of enterprises; reducing internal and external costs and promoting the professional division of labor; piloting the digital transformation policy; enhancing corporate social responsibility. It provides a reference of experience and a path for other countries to follow in implementing a digital transformation strategy and green sustainable development strategy.
Simultaneous presence of Mycoplasma salivarium and Tannerella forsythia in the implant sulcus after lateral augmentation with autogenous root grafts is associated with increased sulcus probing depth
Authors: Groß Karoline , Sahin Didem , Kohns Vasconcelos Malte , Pfeffer Klaus , Schwarz Frank , Henrich Birgit
Published: July 2022

Objective

To characterize a potential pathogenic role of Mycoplasma salivarium and bacterial co-detection patterns on different implant augmentation types.

Material and methods

36 patients were non-randomly assigned to autogenous lateral alveolar ridge augmentation with either cortical autogenous bone blocks, or healthy autogenous tooth roots or non-preservable teeth. Mucosal inflammation was assessed by probing pocket depth (PD) at all sampling sites and by bleeding on probing (BOP) in a subset of sampling sites, and standardized biofilm samples were obtained from the submucosal peri-implant sulcus and sulcus of a contralateral tooth at two times (t1 after implant placement; t2 after six months). Seven bacterial species were quantified using Taqman PCR.

Results

Mucosal inflammation did not differ between augmentation groups, but peri-implant sulci showed increased abundance of M. salivarium after augmentation with autogenous tooth roots lasting for at least six months (t1 p = 0.05, t2 p = 0.011). In M. salivarium-positive samples, Tannerella forsythia was correlated with PD (R = 0.25, p = 0.035) This correlation was not observed in M. salivarium-negative samples. Compared to all other samples, PD was deeper in co-detection (i.e., simultaneous M. salivarium and T. forsythia) positive samples (p = 0.022). No association of single or co-detection of bacteria with BOP was observed.

Conclusion

Presence of M. salivarium in peri-implant sulci varies with augmentation method and is associated with increased PD but not BOP. A potential causal role of M. salivarium in inflammation through a mechanism involving co-presence of T. forsythia requires further study.
Molecular and electrophysiological features of GABAergic neurons in the dentate gyrus reveal limited homology with cortical interneurons
Authors: Perrenoud Quentin , Leclerc Clémence , Geoffroy Hélène , Vitalis Tania , Richetin Kevin , Rampon Claire , Gallopin Thierry
Published: July 2022

GABAergic interneurons tend to diversify into similar classes across telencephalic regions. However, it remains unclear whether the electrophysiological and molecular properties commonly used to define these classes are discriminant in the hilus of the dentate gyrus. Here, using patch-clamp combined with single cell RT-PCR, we compare the relevance of commonly used electrophysiological and molecular features for the clustering of GABAergic interneurons sampled from the mouse hilus and primary sensory cortex. While unsupervised clustering groups cortical interneurons into well-established classes, it fails to provide a convincing partition of hilar interneurons. Statistical analysis based on resampling indicates that hilar and cortical GABAergic interneurons share limited homology. While our results do not invalidate the use of classical molecular marker in the hilus, they indicate that classes of hilar interneurons defined by the expression of molecular markers do not exhibit strongly discriminating electrophysiological properties.
The effect of a fennel seed extract on the STAT signaling and intestinal barrier function
Authors: Das Barun , Rabalais John , Kozan Philip , Lu Tina , Durali Nassim , Okamoto Kevin , McGeough Matthew D. , Lee Beom Jae , Barrett Kim E. , Marchelletta Ronald , Sivagnanam Mamata
Published: July 2022

Background

Foeniculum vulgare,F.vulgare, commonly known as fennel, is believed to be one of the world’s oldest medicinal herbs and has been exploited by people for centuries as a nutritional aid for digestive disorders. In many southeast Asian countries, it is ingested as an after-meal snack, mukhvas, due to its breath-freshening and digestive aid properties.F.vulgareis used in some countries, such as Iran, as a complementary and alternative treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods

This study investigated the effects of fennel seed extract on intestinal epithelium barrier function and the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) pathway. This pathway is active in inflammatory bowel disease. To study the protective effects of fennel seed extractin vitro, monolayers derived from the T84 colonic cell line were challenged with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and monitored with and without fennel seed extract. To complement ourin vitrostudies, the dextran sodium sulfate induced murine colitis model was employed to ascertain whether the protective effect of fennel seed extract can be recapitulatedin vivo.

Results

Fennel seed extract was shown to exert a protective effect on transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) in both T84 and murine models and showed increases in tight junction-associated mRNA in T84 cell monolayers. Both models demonstrated significant decreases in phosphorylated STAT1 (pSTAT1), indicating reduced activation of the STAT pathway. Additionally, mice treated with fennel seed showed significantly lower ulcer indices than control mice.

Conclusions

We conclude barrier function of the gastrointestinal tract is improved by fennel seed extract, suggesting the potential utility of this agent as an alternative or adjunctive therapy in IBD.
Accuracy and consistency of intensity-based deformable image registration in 4DCT for tumor motion estimation in liver radiotherapy planning
Authors: Tascón-Vidarte José D. , Stick Line Bjerregaard , Josipovic Mirjana , Risum Signe , Jomier Julien , Erleben Kenny , Vogelius Ivan Richter , Darkner Sune
Published: July 2022

We investigate the accuracy of intensity-based deformable image registration (DIR) for tumor localization in liver stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). We included 4DCT scans to capture the breathing motion of eight patients receiving SBRT for liver metastases within a retrospective clinical study. Each patient had three fiducial markers implanted. The liver and the tumor were delineated in the mid-ventilation phase, and their positions in the other phases were estimated with deformable image registration. We tested referenced and sequential registrations strategies. The fiducial markers were the gold standard to evaluate registration accuracy. The registration errors related to measured versus estimated fiducial markers showed a mean value less than 1.6mm. The positions of some fiducial markers appeared not stable on the 4DCT throughout the respiratory phases. Markers’ center of mass tends to be a more reliable measurement. Distance errors of tumor location based on registration versus markers center of mass were less than 2mm. There were no statistically significant differences between the reference and the sequential registration, i.e., consistency and errors were comparable to resolution errors. We demonstrated that intensity-based DIR is accurate up to resolution level for locating the tumor in the liver during breathing motion.
Clinician-created educational video for shared decision-making in the outpatient management of acne
Authors: Hung Chih-Tsung , Chen Yi-Hsien , Hung Tzu-Ling , Chiang Chien-Ping , Chen Chih-Yu , Wang Wei-Ming
Published: July 2022

Shared decision-making (SDM) provides patient-centered care. However, the limited consultation time was the main factor hindering the application. Patient education is crucial in the process of SDM. The use of visual aids as health education materials is an effective way to improve patients’ health literacy and medication adherence. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the clinician-created educational video of acne, accessed by patients during the waiting time, including knowledge level and satisfaction. This study was conducted in dermatology outpatient clinics and collected patient responses through electronic devices. During the waiting time, patients with acne would read educational pamphlets and complete the test first. Then, a clinician-created 8-minute educational video, as a patient decision aid (PDA), was accessed by patients using their own mobile smart devices, followed by a test and questionnaire about the satisfaction of the pamphlet and video. We enrolled 50 patients with acne, including 33 males and 17 females. The mean age is 25.55 ± 6.27 years old, ranging from 15 to 47 years old. About the patients’ knowledge, the test score improved significantly after watching the video (P < .001). The same findings were observed in the subgroup analysis of gender and different age groups. A higher proportion of patients preferred the educational video over the pamphlet in both genders and different age groups. All patients agreed with the video helped them to understand the educational information and impressed them more than reading pamphlets. The application of clinician-created educational videos in patient education seems to be an efficient solution to implement SDM in the daily clinical work. Besides, we could remind patients to watch the video anytime when they were not sure about the treatment choices, side effects, or the precautions of medications.
Utilization of maternal waiting home and associated factors among women who gave birth in the last one year, Dabat district, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Shiferaw Mulugeta Melese , Tiguh Agumas Eskezia , Kebede Azmeraw Ambachew , Taye Birhan Tsegaw
Published: July 2022

Background

Maternal mortality and adverse pregnancy outcomes are still challenges in developing countries. In Ethiopia, long distances and lack of transportation are the main geographic barriers for pregnant women to utilize a skilled birth attendant. To alleviate this problem, maternity waiting homes are a gateway for women to deliver at the health facilities, thereby helping towards the reduction of the alarming maternal mortality trend and negative pregnancy outcomes. However, there is a paucity of evidence regarding the utilization of maternity waiting homes in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess utilization of maternity waiting home services and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in the last year in Dabat district, northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 5 to February 30, 2019. A total of 402 eligible women were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured, pre-tested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. Data were entered into EPI info version 7.1.2 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted. Statistically significant associations between variables were determined based on the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95% confidence interval and p-value of ≤ 0.05.

Results

Maternity waiting home utilization by pregnant women was found to be 16.2% (95% CI: 13, 20). The mothers’ age (26–30 years) (AOR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.08,0.69), primary level of education (AOR = 9.05; 95% CI: 3.83, 21.43), accepted length of stay in maternity waiting homes (AOR = 3.15; 95% CI: 1.54, 6.43), adequate knowledge of pregnancy danger signs (AOR = 7.88; 95% CI: 3.72,16.69), jointly decision on the mother’s health (AOR = 2.76; 95% CI: 1.08,7.05), and getting people for household activities (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.21, 5.52) had significant association with maternity waiting home utilization.

Conclusion

In this study, maternity waiting home utilization was low. Thus, expanding a strategy to improve women’s educational status, health education communication regarding danger signs of pregnancy, empowering women’s decision-making power, and shortening the length of stay at maternity waiting homes may enhance maternity waiting home utilization.
Influence of upper limb activity on the step count and accuracy of sleep time of a wristband-type physical activity tracker
Authors: Sano Nobuyuki , Taniguchi Takanori , Nakazono Hisato
Published: July 2022

Background

A wristband-type consumer physical activity tracker (PAT) is commonly used in rehabilitation to assess an individual’s physical activity. However, under the free-living setting, the wristband-type PAT tends to overestimate step counts when compared with the research-standard criterion. Also, daily rhythm characteristics, such as sleep time, are difficult to monitor accurately based solely on self-reporting.

Purpose

To identify the conditions measured as step counts by a wristband-type consumer PAT when using the upper limbs in daily living, and the measurement accuracy of the sleeping time estimated from the wristband-type PAT.

Methods

Forty participants (20 females, mean age 32.65 ± 9.52 years) were enrolled in two experiments in this study. In Experiment 1, we measured the influence of upper limbs activity (movement speed and distance) on step counts of wristband-type and waist holder-type PAT in two upper limb tasks. In Experiment 2, we verified the measurement accuracy of two sleep times by wristband-type PAT using a self-reported survey for 3 days.

Results

The results of Experiment 1 revealed that the step counts using wristband-type PAT were influenced by upper limbs activity depending on movement distance (F (1, 19) = 31.705, p < 0.001) but not speed (F (1, 19) = 2.669, p < 0.117). Whereas, there was no relationship between step counts and upper limb activity in waist holder-type PAT. The results of Experiment 2 showed that the sleep times of wristband-type and self-report had a strong correlation (coefficient value = 0.93, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

This PAT is useful for capturing changes in the amount of physical activity and the daily rhythm within the individual. It can be expected to be used for rehabilitation support centered on upper limb activity and daily rhythm.
Piling it on: Perceived stress and lack of access to resources among US-based LGBTQ+ community members during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Levandowski Brooke A. , Miller Susan B. , Ran Davy , Pressman Eva A. , Van der Dye Timothy
Published: July 2022

Objectives

While the LGBTQ+ community has been disproportionally impacted by COVID-19 medical complications, little research has considered non-medical impact.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analyses of USA-based respondents from a global cross-sectional online mixed-methods survey collecting sexual orientation, gender identity, and the perceived stress scale (PSS). Bivariate and multivariate ordinal regression statistics were performed.

Results

Fourteen percent (n = 193,14.2%) identified as LGBTQ+. Variables significantly associated with LGBTQ+ included: COVID testing/treatment affordability, canceled activities, stocking food/medications, quitting job, lost income, and inability to procure groceries/cleaning supplies/medications. Adjusting for Hispanic ethnicity and income, BIPOC LGBTQ+ individuals had twice the odds (OR:2.02;95%CI:1.16–3.53) of moderate compared to low PSS scores, and high compared to moderate PSS scores, compared to white non-LGBTQ+ individuals. Adjusting for Hispanic ethnicity, income, age, and education, deaf LGBTQ+ individuals had twice the odds (OR:2.00;95%CI:1.12–3.61) of moderate compared to low PSS scores, and high compared to moderate PSS scores, compared to hearing non-LGBTQ+ individuals.

Conclusion

The LBGTQ+ community has increased stress due to COVID-19. Public health interventions must mitigate stress in BIPOC and deaf LGBTQ+ communities, addressing their intersectional experiences.
Sib-pair subgroup familial type 1 diabetes mellitus in children in the state of Qatar
Authors: Afyouni Houda , Haris Basma , Syed Najeeb , Ahmed Ikhlak , Hamed Noor , Abdel-Karim Tasneem , Mohammed Shayma , Khalifa Amel , Al-Maadheed Maryam , Zyoud Mahmoud , Elawwa Ahmed , Al-Khalaf Fawziya , Petrovski Goran , Hussain Khalid
Published: July 2022

Background

Type 1 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes mellitus (DM) in children. It can be sporadic in onset or cluster in families, which comprises parent-offspring and sib-pair subgroups. The risk of developing DM in first-degree relatives of affected individuals is 8–15 fold higher. There is limited data about familial DM from the Gulf region. This study aims to describe the clinical, biochemical and genetic characteristics of sib-pair familial type 1 diabetes in Qatar.

Methods

Every child with DM following up at Sidra Medicine was recruited. Data was collected regarding clinical features, family history, type 1 diabetes autoantibodies and whole genome sequencing was performed. Genetic analysis for MODY genes and HLA association analysis was conducted.

Results

44 families with sib-pair familial diabetes were identified. Of these, 2 families had 4 affected siblings and 5 families had 3 affected siblings. The majority are of Qatari ethnicity and the most common autoantibody was GAD65. The most common age of onset in the proband was 5–9 years while it was 10–14 years in subsequent siblings. The occurrence of DKA & HbA1c levels were lower in the second affected sibling. No relevant MODY gene variants were found. HLA analysis found 15 variants in at least 50% of the subjects. Most common were HLA-F*01*01*01G, HLA- DPA1*01*03*01G, HLA- DRB3*02*02*01G, HLA- E*01*01*01G & DRB4*03*01N.

Conclusions

The prevalence of sib-pair diabetes is 3.64%. The second affected siblings were older. MODY is unlikely and Class I and II HLA genes was present in sib-pair diabetes.
How representative are student convenience samples? A study of literacy and numeracy skills in 32 countries
Authors: Wild Heather , Kyröläinen Aki-Juhani , Kuperman Victor
Published: July 2022

Psychological research, including research into adult reading, is frequently based on convenience samples of undergraduate students. This practice raises concerns about the external validity of many accepted findings. The present study seeks to determine how strong this student sampling bias is in literacy and numeracy research. We use the nationally representative cross-national data from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies to quantify skill differences between (i) students and the general population aged 16–65, and (ii) students and age-matched non-students aged 16–25. The median effect size for the comparison (i) of literacy scores across 32 countries was d = .56, and for comparison (ii) d = .55, which exceeds the average effect size in psychological experiments (d = .40). Numeracy comparisons (i) and (ii) showed similarly strong differences. The observed differences indicate that undergraduate students are not representative of the general population nor age-matched non-students.
Responses of human colon and breast adenocarcinoma cell lines (LoVo, MCF7) and non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial cells (MCF-10A) to the acellular fraction of packed red blood cells in the presence and absence of cisplatin
Authors: Czubak-Prowizor Kamila , Macieja Anna , Poplawski Tomasz , Zbikowska Halina Malgorzata
Published: July 2022

Perioperative blood transfusion in colorectal and some other cancer patients has been linked to the increased risk for recurrence, but a causal mechanism remains unclear. During the preparation and storage of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) bio-active substances accumulate in the acellular fraction (supernatant). Viability, proliferation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and DNA damage of colon (LoVo) and breast (MCF7) adenocarcinoma cells and non-tumorigenic MCF-10A cell line were determined in response to the supernatants of fresh and long-stored (day 42) PRBCs, leukoreduced (LR) or non-leukoreduced (NLR). The effect of supernatants on the cytotoxicity of cisplatin (cisPt) towards the cells was also examined. Supernatants, especially from a day 1 PRBCs, both LR and NLR, reduced the viability and inhibited proliferation of tumor cells (LoVo, MCF7), accompanying by the excessive ROS production, but these were not the case in MCF-10A. Moreover, supernatants had no effect on the cytotoxicity of cisPt against LoVo and MCF7 cells, while caused increased drug resistance in MCF-10A cells. The findings suggest the acellular fraction of PRBCs does not exhibit any pro-proliferative activity in the cancer cell lines studied. However, these are pioneering issues and require further research.
Plasma metabolomic analysis indicates flavonoids and sorbic acid are associated with incident diabetes: A nested case-control study among Women’s Interagency HIV Study participants
Authors: Yu Elaine A. , Alemán José O. , Hoover Donald R. , Shi Qiuhu , Verano Michael , Anastos Kathryn , Tien Phyllis C. , Sharma Anjali , Kardashian Ani , Cohen Mardge H. , Golub Elizabeth T. , Michel Katherine G. , Gustafson Deborah R. , Glesby Marshall J.
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Lifestyle improvements are key modifiable risk factors for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) however specific influences of biologically active dietary metabolites remain unclear. Our objective was to compare non-targeted plasma metabolomic profiles of women with versus without confirmed incident DM. We focused on three lipid classes (fatty acyls, prenol lipids, polyketides).

Materials and methods

Fifty DM cases and 100 individually matched control participants (80% with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]) were enrolled in a case-control study nested within the Women’s Interagency HIV Study. Stored blood samples (1–2 years prior to DM diagnosis among cases; at the corresponding timepoint among matched controls) were assayed in triplicate for metabolomics. Time-of-flight liquid chromatography mass spectrometry with dual electrospray ionization modes was utilized. We considered 743 metabolomic features in a two-stage feature selection approach with conditional logistic regression models that accounted for matching strata.

Results

Seven features differed by DM case status (all false discovery rate-adjusted q<0.05). Three flavonoids (two flavanones, one isoflavone) were respectively associated with lower odds of DM (all q<0.05), and sorbic acid was associated with greater odds of DM (all q<0.05).

Conclusion

Flavonoids were associated with lower odds of incident DM while sorbic acid was associated with greater odds of incident DM.
A stable XPG protein is required for proper ribosome biogenesis: Insights on the phenotype of combinate Xeroderma Pigmentosum/Cockayne Syndrome patients
Authors: TAUPELET Florent , DONNIO Lise-Marie , MAGNANI Charlène , MARI Pierre-Olivier , GIGLIA-MARI Giuseppina
Published: July 2022

Nucleotide Excision Repair is one of the five DNA repair systems. More than 30 proteins are involved in this process, including the seven XP proteins. When mutated, the genes coding for these proteins are provoking the rare disease Xeroderma Pigmentosum, which causes cutaneous defects and a high prevalence of skin cancers in patients. The CSA and CSB proteins are also involved in Nucleotide Excision Repair, and their mutation leads to Cockayne Syndrome, another rare disease, causing dwarfism, neurodegeneration, and ultimately early death, but without high skin cancer incidence. Some mutations of ERCC5, the gene coding for XPG, may give rise to a combined Xeroderma Pigmentosum and Cockayne Syndrome. A defect in Nucleotide Excision Repair alone cannot explain all these phenotypes. XPG has been located in the nucleolus, where ribosome biogenesis happens. This energy-consuming process starts with the transcription of the ribosomal DNA in a long ribosomal RNA, the pre-rRNA 47S, by RNA Polymerase 1. 47S pre-rRNA undergoes several cleavages and modifications to form three mature products: the ribosomal RNAs 18S, 5.8S and 28S. In the cytoplasm, these three products will enter the ribosomes’ composition, the producers of protein in our cells. Our work aimed to observe ribosome biogenesis in presence of an unstable XPG protein. By working on Xeroderma Pigmentosum/Cockayne Syndrome cell lines, meaning in the absence of XPG, we uncovered that the binding of UBF, as well as the number of unresolved R-loops, is increased along the ribosomal DNA gene body and flanking regions. Furthermore, ribosomal RNA maturation is impaired, with increased use of alternative pathways of maturation as well as an increase of immature precursors. These defective processes may explain the neurodegeneration observed when the XPG protein is heavily truncated, as ribosomal homeostasis and R-loops resolution are critical for proper neuronal development.
An in vitro comparison of antimicrobial efficacy and cytotoxicity between povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine for treating clinical endometritis in dairy cows
Authors: Thongrueang Natcha , Liu Shyh-Shyan , Hsu Huan-Yu , Lee Hsu-Hsun
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to assess the in vitro antimicrobial effects of chlorhexidine (CHX) and povidone-iodine (PI) on clinical isolates of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Trueperella pyogenes (T. pyogenes) from the vaginal discharge of dairy cows, as well as to compare the cytotoxicity effects of CHX and PI on bovine endometrial epithelial cells (BEnEpC). In Experiment 1, 12 E. coli and 10 T. pyogenes were isolated from the vaginal discharge of cows with a uterine infection. The MIC and MBC against CHX and PI were analyzed in vitro. In Experiment 2, the cytotoxicity effects of CHX and PI on BEnEpC were analyzed using a Viability/Cytotoxicity Kit, wound scratch healing assay, and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes (IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α). In Experiment 1, the MIC and MBC values of CHX against E. coli were 0.0002% and 0.0002 to 0.00025%, respectively. The MIC and MBC values of PI were 1.25 to 2.5% and 1.25 to 5%, respectively. For T. pyogenes, the MIC and MBC values of CHX were 0.00002%. The MIC and MBC values of PI were 1.25%. In Experiment 2, the cell viability significantly decreased, and wound closures were significantly inhibited after treatment with ≥ 0.002% CHX and ≥ 0.025% PI. The expression of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α significantly increased after treatment with PI. Only IL-6 showed a significant increase after cells were treated with 0.00002% and 0.0002% CHX. The results suggested that both CHX and PI had high antibacterial effects. However, veterinarians and farmers should be aware of their cytotoxicity, which decrease viability of endometrial epithelial cells and inhibit wound healing in vitro.
The nuclear egress complex of Epstein-Barr virus buds membranes through an oligomerization-driven mechanism
Authors: Thorsen Michael K. , Draganova Elizabeth B. , Heldwein Ekaterina E.
Published: July 2022

During replication, herpesviral capsids are translocated from the nucleus into the cytoplasm by an unusual mechanism, termed nuclear egress, that involves capsid budding at the inner nuclear membrane. This process is mediated by the viral nuclear egress complex (NEC) that deforms the membrane around the capsid. Although the NEC is essential for capsid nuclear egress across all three subfamilies of the Herpesviridae, most studies to date have focused on the NEC homologs from alpha- and beta- but not gammaherpesviruses. Here, we report the crystal structure of the NEC from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a prototypical gammaherpesvirus. The structure resembles known structures of NEC homologs yet is conformationally dynamic. We also show that purified, recombinant EBV NEC buds synthetic membranes in vitro and forms membrane-bound coats of unknown geometry. However, unlike other NEC homologs, EBV NEC forms dimers in the crystals instead of hexamers. The dimeric interfaces observed in the EBV NEC crystals are similar to the hexameric interfaces observed in other NEC homologs. Moreover, mutations engineered to disrupt the dimeric interface reduce budding. Putting together these data, we propose that EBV NEC-mediated budding is driven by oligomerization into membrane-bound coats.
First report of three novel Bartonella species isolated in rodents and shrews from nine provinces of Thailand
Authors: Pangjai Decha , Nimsuphan Burin , Petkanchanapong Wimol , Wootta Wattanapong , Boonyareth Maskiet , Rodkvamtook Wuttikon , Boonmar Sumalee
Published: July 2022

Background and Aim: Bartonella spp. are Gram-negative zoonotic bacteria that are transmitted to humans by several types of animal hosts, including rodents. Several studies have been conducted on the prevalence of Bartonella infections in rodents. However, the risk of rodent-associated Bartonella spp. infection in humans remains unclear. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and genetic heterogeneity of Bartonella spp. in rodents and shrews from nine provinces of Thailand using culture and molecular techniques.

Materials and Methods: A total of 860 blood samples from rodents and shrews across nine provinces of Thailand were collected from January 2013 to June 2016. Bartonella spp. were isolated from all samples using conventional culture techniques and polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic tree analysis was used to align the Bartonella sequences obtained from this study.

Results: The prevalence of Bartonella spp. in rodents and shrews was 11.5% (99/860, 95% confidence interval: 9.38–13.64%). The following nine species of Bartonella were detected: Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella rattimassiliensis, Bartonella queenslandensis, Bartonella elizabethae, Bartonella chanthaburi spp. nov., Bartonella satun spp. nov., Bartonella coopersplainsensis, Bartonella ranong spp. nov., and Bartonella henselae. The prevalence of Bartonella-positive animals differed significantly among provinces.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, the three novel Bartonella spp. isolated from rodents and shrews across Thailand were detected for the first time in this study. Further studies on the epidemiology of Bartonella infection in rodents and its interaction with human health should be conducted in accordance with the Thai government's "One Health" approach to humans, animals, and the environment.
Images to foster student teachers’ reflective practice and professional
development
Authors: Pujolà Joan-Tomàs , González Vicenta
Published: July 2022

This chapter deals with a small-scale study that focuses on the analysis
of the student teachers’ evidence gathered from the first task of the
Barcelona study week of the proPIC project. The task, called ‘One picture
and One thousand words’, consists of selecting an image that represents the
student teachers’ conception of Additional Language (AL) teaching and an
explanatory text that accompanies it to clarify interpretation. The main
objective of this task is to prompt student teachers to use the image-text
relationship to express their beliefs about the complex process of AL
teaching, and to make the metacognitive effort to verbalise this
relationship.
Morphological, biochemical, and nutritional value of prickly and smooth fruit spinach
Authors: ABOLGHASEMI Reza , HAGHIGHI Maryam , ETEMADI Nematollah
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to investigate the morphological (qualitative and quantitative traits) and biochemical characteristics (such as leaf pigments and total antioxidant capacity, vitamin E and C content, total soluble carbohydrate, total amino acid content, nitrate concentration, nitrate reductase assay, oxalic acid content, Ca and Fe content) in spinach. The selected accessions in this study were prickly (’Varamin Prickly’) and smooth (’Monatol’) fruits of spinach selected among 44 accessions. This experiment was carried out in spring, arranged as a complete randomized block with three replicates and 18 observations. Results showed no significant differences between the two accessions for most qualitative and quantitative morphological traits. In contrast, biochemical characteristics showed significant differences between the two accessions. Both accessions had high yields, but the dry biomass  of ’Varamin Prickly’ accession was more than ’Monatol’ (smooth fruit). The results indicated that the fruit type does not appear to cause variations in morphological traits, and differences in accessions could be due to genetic sources and environmental distribution. The prickly fruit accession showed a significant superiority for most qualitative nutraceutical traits, including DPPH, flavonoid, phenol, carbohydrate, amino acid, fiber, and Fe content compared to smooth fruit accession. Finally, it was found that prickly fruit accession is very suitable for mechanized harvesting and human diet due to its appropriate plant, leaf, petiole, and qualitative nutraceutical traits and can be used for breeding purposes and cultivation fields.
Genotypic variation in response to drought stress is associated with biochemical and transcriptional regulation of ureides metabolism in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Authors: PHOLO-TAIT Motlalepula , KGETSE Thuto , TSHEKO Gaone Nthabeleng , THEDI Olerato Tshotlhe , LETHOLA Katso , MOTLAMME Ebenezer Oteng , ITHUTENG Moagisi Innocent , NGWAKO Samodimo
Published: July 2022

Ureidic legumes such as common bean (Phaseoulus valgaris L.) plants export nitrogen from the nodules to shoots and leaves as ureides during symbiotic biological nitrogen fixation. Common bean gene encoding allantoinase (allantoin amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.2.5), is a key enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of allantoin to allantoic acid. It plays a role in ureide generation for export and ureide catabolism to generate a nitrogen source in sinks tissues. As such, one of the adaptive mechanisms of plants to drought stress, is associated with ureides accumulation. To identify genetic variation of common bean in response to drought stress, changes in the expression of ALLANTONAISE (PvALN) gene and ureides content were examined in the leaf tissues of the three common bean genotypes (CAL96, DAB514 and DAB541) and one tepary bean genotype (Phaseolus acutifolius A.Gray). Amongst all the genotypes, the suggested drought susceptibility in DAB514 common bean genotype, was probably attributed to a repressed PvALN expression rate which were corroborated by an impaired ureides levels, and reduced plant growth. On contrary, drought stress induced an upregulated relative expression of PvALN coupled with an increase in allantoin and allantoate in DAB541 common bean genotype. In addition, the sustained plant growth in CAL96 was probably attributed to a steady amount of allantoin synthesized under drought stress. Taken together, DAB541 and CAL96 common bean genotypes are the promising genotypes with an induced upregulated transcriptional control of catabolism and/or biosynthesis of ureides, hence potential genotypes for selection and introduction under Botswana semi-arid conditions.
Conscience et autoconscience dans l’enseignement / apprentissage d’une langue-culture : pourquoi ? quoi ? comment ?
Authors: Smuk Maciej
Published: July 2022

The article introduces different approaches to (self-)awareness, as presented in this issue of Glottodidactica. Its first part discusses the advantages of developing (self-)awareness – in relation to the foreign language teacher and the foreign language learner. The general concept of savoir-être competence (existential competence) is also mentioned. In the second part possible research perspectives in this area and examples of research are given. The third part lists techniques and tools which can be used to stimulate teacher and student self-awareness.
Conscience collective et autoconscience dans l’enseignement / apprentissage du français langue seconde et de scolarisation : quand l’interculturel et le plurilinguisme sont en jeu
Authors: Auger Nathalie
Published: July 2022

This article explores the issue of the collective consciousness and self-consciousness in teaching and learning foreign languages. A review of the literature on the current issues of interculturality and plurilingualism in relation to the notions of consciousness and self-consciousness is first detailed. The issue raised allows us to question the impact of this consideration in terms of the consequences of this work on class dynamics. In fact, can the awareness and self-awareness of learners regarding intercultural and plurilingual practices exist outside of a co-construction with other learners, with the teacher? The research methodology is based on an analysis of interactions in the language class which brings into play these intercultural and plurilingual approaches (resulting from the LISTIAC and FLSCAN projects). It reports significant results on the co-construction of consciousness and emerging self-consciousness in the language class about the singular universals of languages and cultures. The discussion shows the value of a collective, and no longer purely personal understanding (for the learner) of consciousness and self-awareness of these plurilingual and cultural experiences.
La conscience et l’autoconscience des futurs formateurs de FLE dans le développement de la compétence interculturelle
Authors: Dekhissi Laurie , Lamprou Effrosyni , Valetopoulos Freiderikos
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we analyse the awareness and self-awareness of future trainers of French as a foreign language in teaching intercultural competence. To do so, we study extracts of students’ books created by MA students, where intercultural competence is developed. We realise that future master’s students are generally aware of the need for intercultural mediation, however some of them focus on descriptive aspects of their culture rather than adopting a mediator’s posture. In fact, they tend to describe and explain a cultural phenomenon rather than encouraging its interpretation and understanding
Towards sustainable management of African rosewood in West and Central Africa: a scoping review of current research
Authors: Bandoh W.K.N. , Adjonou K. , Segla K. , Dumenu W.K. , Johnson B.N. , Alaba P. , Kokutse A.D. , Rabiou H.G. , Ouinsavi C.A.I.N , Jimoh O.S. , Akinyele A. , Kokou K.
Published: July 2022

Owing to decades of inordinate exploitation of African rosewood (Pterocarpus erinaceus) and threats to its sustainability, multiple efforts by researchers to ensure its restoration and conservation have led to a proliferation of research and knowledge. The multiplicity of research
and knowledge has left a gap in developing a coherent conservation and sustainable management strategy for the species because, the body of knowledge is not well-organized, it is patchy and sometimes conflicting. This study addresses this gap by consolidating the existing body of knowledge
on the species through a scoping review of 225 publications on rosewood (1974–2020) in West and Central Africa. The results present current knowledge, gaps, and future research needs for the restoration, sustainable utilisation and conservation of rosewood in nine thematic areas namely;
genetics, ecology, silviculture and forest management, wood technology, regeneration, propagation and growth, pharmacology, socioeconomic use, trade and governance, microorganic symbiosis, and climate change vulnerability.
Financial assessment of community forest management: lessons from a cross-sectional study of timber management systems in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Medina G. , Pokorny B.
Published: July 2022

To understand the financial feasibility of externally-driven community forestry management (CFM), this study assesses twelve CFM systems in the Brazilian Amazon classified as particularly successful by supporting organizations. The study showed that significant investments were necessary
to set up the initiatives, including pre-financing the annual operational costs. Only three of the twelve management systems were found to be financially viable. These successful cases were able to follow the Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) guidelines due to the large scale of their operations.
The smaller initiatives were not financially autonomous. The findings indicate that the legal regulations and technical principles of the CFM approach do not correspond to the capacities and realities of typical local forest users in the Brazilian Amazon. There is an urgent need to better
adapt this approach to the interests and capacities of local resource users.
Timber business in West Africa: a review and outlook
Authors: Uzu J. , Bettinger P. , Siry J. , Mei B.
Published: July 2022

Forestry activities are important to the economies of West African nations. This paper aims to assess the current state of forest business in the sub-region, identify factors that may limit the development of the sector and suggest possible solutions. To achieve these objectives, we
examined relevant literature and forest statistics from peer-reviewed journals, government publications, and reports from development agencies. Seven West African countries were purposively selected for this study. The results showed that the subregion's forest product trade involves mostly
unprocessed logs sourced from natural forests, with plantation forests constituting only 0.35%–3.7% of the focus countries' forest areas. Also, the results from our statistical models showed that GDP per capita had a significant effect on wood production in the focus countries whereas
the economic freedom score had no significant effect. The fixed effects revealed that if Nigeria and Ghana had the same GDP per capita as the other focus countries, their wood production would be higher than the other countries. We argue that wood production is likely to increase as the living
standards in these countries improve, possibly from increased local demand. However, the lack of robust financial and economic models backing up sound forest management in these countries might discourage new private forest investments.
Chemical composition and in vitro and in vivo biological assortment of fixed oil extracted from Ficus benghalensis L.
Authors: Ibrahim Muhammad , Rauf Abdur , Muhammad Naveed , Khalil Anees Ahmed , Akram Muhammad , Aziz Qasim , Ullah Zia , Al-Awthan Yahya S. , Bahattab Omar , Al-Duais Mohammed A.
Published: July 2022

Ficus benghalensis (Moraceae) is widely found in Asian Countries and has been traditionally prescribed owing to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and muscle relaxation properties. Purposely, in this study, phytochemical composition and isolation of fixed oil from F. benghalensis were comprehended for the first time. The fatty acids were isolated from hexane (HO) and chloroform (CO) fractions and were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The fatty acid ester was identified by comparing the mass spectra with the equipment library. The major fatty acids identified from HO extract were oleic acid methyl ester (42.67), palmitic acid methyl ester (28.79), linoleic acid methyl ester (11.36), docosanoic acid methyl ester (8.83), and stearic acid methyl ester (3.21). Similarly, the major constituents of CO fraction were palmitic acid methyl ester (65.94), oleic acid methyl ester (10.18), stearic acid methyl ester (9.15), elaidic acid methyl ester (5.32), and linoleic acid methyl ester (3.94). Both of the isolated fixed oils were screened for antibacterial, antioxidant, analgesic, and muscle relaxant effects. Regarding the antibacterial effect, the maximum zone of inhibition against Bacillus subtilis was 26.32 and 25.09 mm by HO and CO fractions, respectively. Both HO and CO demonstrated significant antioxidant effects, i.e., 70.23 and 72.09 µg/mL at a higher dose (100 µg/mL). Similarly, both experimented fractions demonstrated significant analgesic effects while the muscle relaxant effect and sedative were non-significant. Results of the present study conclude that fixed oils are the significant antibacterial and analgesic.
A varying-coefficient partially linear transformation model for length-biased data with an application to HIV vaccine studies
Authors: Wan Alan T. K. , Zhao Wei , Gilbert Peter , Zhou Yong
Published: July 2022

Prevalent cohort studies in medical research often give rise to length-biased survival data that require special treatments. The recently proposed varying-coefficient partially linear transformation (VCPLT) model has the virtue of providing a more dynamic content of the effects of the covariates on survival times than the well-known partially linear transformation (PLT) model by allowing flexible interactions between the covariates. However, no existing analysis of the VCPLT model has considered length-biased sampling. In this paper, we consider the VCPLT model when the data are length-biased and right censored, thereby extending the reach of this flexible and powerful tool. We develop a martingale estimating function-based approach to the estimation of this model, provide theoretical underpinnings, evaluate finite sample performance via simulations, and showcase its practical appeal via an empirical application using data from two HIV vaccine clinical trials conducted by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.