bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride versus sodium fluoride varnish combined with mother’s motivational interviewing for arresting early childhood caries: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Yassin Randa , Amer Hala , Tantawi Maha El
Published: October 2023

Background

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) has gained attention as one of the minimally invasive modalities to manage ECC although it causes black staining of treated carious lesions. A possible affordable alternative may be Sodium Fluoride (NaF) varnish combined with good oral hygiene promoted by parental Motivational Interviewing (MI). The study compared the effectiveness of 38% SDF solution and 5% NaF varnish supported by parental MI in arresting ECC.

Materials and methods

Children aged ≤ 4 years old with at least one active carious lesion (ICDAS score ≥ 3) were randomly assigned to treatment by a single application of 38% SDF solution or a single application of 5% NaF varnish supported by two MI sessions for mothers at baseline and after three months. Chi-Squared test was used to compare groups and multilevel logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effect of the interventions on ECC arrest adjusting for confounders. The interaction between the type of intervention and baseline lesion severity, moderate (ICDAS 3/4) or advanced (ICDAS 5/6), was also assessed.

Results

The study included 165 children with 949 active lesions. After 6 months, there were no significant differences between SDF and NaF/MI groups in overall caries arrest (63.7% and 58.1%,p = 0.08), and in moderate lesions (72.9% and 69.6%,p = 0.52). However, in advanced lesions, the arrest rate was significantly higher in the SDF than the NaF/ MI group (60.3% and 50.0%,P = 0.01). Multilevel multiple logistic regression showed no significant differences between the interventions (AOR = 1.56,P = 0.27) with significant interaction between the intervention and baseline lesion severity (p < 0.001). Moderate lesions treated with SDF (AOR = 3.69,P = 0.008) or NaF/MI (AOR = 3.32,P < 0.001) had significantly higher odds of arrest than advanced lesions treated with NaF/ MI with no difference between advanced lesions treated with SDF or NaF/ MI (AOR = 1.85,P = 0.155) in arrest rate.

Conclusion

NaF/ MI can be an alternative to SDF in arresting advanced and moderate ECC lesions without staining with stronger effect on moderate lesions (ICDAS 3/4).

Trial registration

The trial was retrospectively registered at clinicaltrial.gov registry (#NCT05761041) on 9/3/2023.
Biocompatibility of three different root canal sealers, experimental study
Authors: Alfahlawy Ahmad , Selim Manar A. A. , Hassan Hayam Y.
Published: October 2023

Objectives

This study was assessed the biocompatibility of three different root canal sealers (Well-Root St, GuttaFlow Bioseal, and AH-Plus) following implantation in rat subcutaneous tissues, using histopathological immunohistochemical analysis.

Methods

Four groups of eighty-four male rats each underwent subcutaneous dorsal implantation of a polyethylene tube, either empty or filled. Tissues were collected, fixed, and processed for histological analysis after 7, 15, and 30 d. Slides were photographed and digitally processed to identify lymphocytes and macrophages using Cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3) and cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68) markers, respectively. P was set at 0.05, when lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration was compared between groups and observation times using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results

Histopathological analysis of all groups revealed an inflammatory reaction followed by the emergence of a fibrous capsule after 7 days. After 30 days, the thickness of the fibrous capsule and the inflammatory response subsided. CD3 staining for immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the AH-Plus group had the highest mean percentage of lymphocyte infiltration at 7 and 15 days, followed by the Well-Root St, GuttaFlow Bioseal, and Control groups. After 30 days, no discernible difference was observed between the groups in terms of the mean percentage of lymphocyte infiltration. After 7, 15, and 30 days, there was a significant difference in the mean percentage of macrophage infiltration across the groups, as demonstrated by CD68 staining. After 7, 15, and 30 days, the AH-Plus group had the highest mean percentage of macrophage infiltration, followed by the Well-Root St. and GuttaFlow Bioseal groups, while the control group had the lowest mean percentage.

Conclusion

All observational periods showed minimal inflammatory reactions to GuttaFlow Bioseal. After subcutaneous tissue implantation in a rat model, the initial inflammatory reactions to Well-Root St and AH-Plus had abated by day 30, and all tested sealers had outstanding biocompatibility.
Radiation in an emergency situation: attempting to respect the patient’s beliefs as reported by a minor
Authors: Yumoto Tetsuya , Hongo Takashi , Koide Yasuhiro , Obara Takafumi , Tsukahara Kohei , Naito Hiromichi , Nakao Atsunori
Published: October 2023

Background

Each individual’s unique health-related beliefs can greatly impact the patient-clinician relationship. When there is a conflict between the patient’s preferences and recommended medical care, it can create a serious ethical dilemma, especially in an emergency setting, and dramatically alter this important relationship.

Case presentation

A 56-year-old man, who remained comatose after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, was rushed to our hospital. The patient was scheduled for emergency coronary angiography when his adolescent daughter reported that she and her father held sincere beliefs against radiation exposure. We were concerned that she did not fully understand the potential consequences if her father did not receive the recommended treatment. A physician provided her with in depth information regarding the risks and benefits of the treatment. While we did not want to disregard her statement, we opted to save the patient’s life due to concerns about the validity of her report.

Conclusions

Variations in beliefs regarding medical care force clinicians to incorporate patient beliefs into medical practice. However, an emergency may require a completely different approach. When faced with a patient in a life-threatening condition and unconscious, we should take action to prioritize saving their life, unless we are highly certain about the validity of their advance directives.
A scoping review of the barriers and facilitators to accessing and utilising mental health services across regional, rural, and remote Australia
Authors: Kavanagh Bianca E. , Corney Kayla B. , Beks Hannah , Williams Lana J. , Quirk Shae E. , Versace Vincent L.
Published: October 2023

Background

Inadequate healthcare access and utilisation are implicated in the mental health burden experienced by those living in regional, rural, and remote Australia. Facilitators that better enable access and utilisation are also reported in the literature. To date, a synthesis on both the barriers and facilitators to accessing and utilising mental health services within the rural Australian context has not been undertaken. This scoping review aims to (1) synthesise the barriers and facilitators to accessing and utilising mental health services in regional, rural, and remote Australia, as identified using the Modified Monash Model; and (2) better understand the relationship between barriers and facilitators and their geographical context.

Methods

A systematic search of Medline Complete, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and CINAHL was undertaken to identify peer-reviewed literature. Grey literature was collated from relevant websites. Study characteristics, including barriers and facilitators, and location were extracted. A descriptive synthesis of results was conducted.

Results

Fifty-three articles were included in this scoping review. Prominent barriers to access and utilisation included: limited resources; system complexity and navigation; attitudinal and social matters; technological limitations; distance to services; insufficient culturally-sensitive practice; and lack of awareness. Facilitators included person-centred and collaborative care; technological facilitation; environment and ease of access; community supports; mental health literacy and culturally-sensitive practice. The variability of the included studies precluded the geographical analysis from being completed.

Conclusion

Both healthcare providers and service users considered a number of barriers and facilitators to mental health service access and utilisation in the regional, rural, and remote Australian context. Barriers and facilitators should be considered when re-designing services, particularly in light of the findings and recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, which may be relevant to other areas of Australia. Additional research generated from rural Australia is needed to better understand the geographical context in which specific barriers and facilitators occur.
Protein secretion zones during overexpression of amylase within the Gram-positive cell wall
Authors: Strach Manuel , Koch Felicitas , Fiedler Svenja , Liebeton Klaus , Graumann Peter L.
Published: October 2023

Background

Whereas the translocation of proteins across the cell membrane has been thoroughly investigated, it is still unclear how proteins cross the cell wall in Gram-positive bacteria, which are widely used for industrial applications. We have studied the secretion of α-amylase AmyE within two different Bacillus strains, B. subtilis and B. licheniformis.

Results

We show that a C-terminal fusion of AmyE with the fluorescent reporter mCherry is secreted via discrete patches showing very low dynamics. These are visible at many places within the cell wall for many minutes. Expression from a high copy number plasmid was required to be able to see these structures we term “secretion zones”. Zones corresponded to visualized AmyE activity on the surface of cells, showing that they release active enzymes. They overlapped with SecA signals but did not frequently co-localize with the secretion ATPase. Single particle tracking showed higher dynamics of SecA and of SecDF, involved in AmyE secretion, at the cell membrane than AmyE. These experiments suggest that SecA initially translocates AmyE molecules through the cell membrane, and then diffuses to a different translocon. Single molecule tracking of SecA suggests the existence of three distinct diffusive states of SecA, which change during AmyE overexpression, but increased AmyE secretion does not appear to overwhelm the system.

Conclusions

Because secretion zones were only found during the transition to and within the stationary phase, diffusion rather than passive transport based on cell wall growth from inside to outside may release AmyE and, thus, probably secreted proteins in general. Our findings suggest active transport through the cell membrane and slow, passive transition through the cell wall, at least for overexpressed proteins, in bacteria of the genus Bacillus.
Ceramide d18:1/24:1 as a potential biomarker to differentiate obesity subtypes with unfavorable health outcomes
Authors: Yu Baowen , Hu Moran , Jiang Wanzi , Ma Yizhe , Ye Jingya , Wu Qinyi , Guo Wen , Sun Yan , Zhou Min , Xu Yiwen , Wu Zhoulu , Wang Yiwen , Lam Sin Man , Shui Guanghou , Gu Jingyu , Li John Zhong , Fu Zhenzhen , Gong Yingyun , Zhou Hongwen
Published: October 2023

Background

The criteria for metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) remain controversial. This research aimed to identify a potential biomarker to differentiate the subtypes of obesity.

Methods

The study conducted a lipidomic evaluation of ceramide in the serum of 77 Chinese adults who had undergone hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps. These adults were divided into three groups according to the clinical data: normal weight control group (N = 21), MHO (N = 20), and MUO (N = 36).

Results

The serum Cer d18:1/24:1 level in the MHO group was lower than that in the MUO group. As the Cer d18:1/24:1 level increased, insulin sensitivity decreased, and the unfavorable parameters increased in parallel. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that serum Cer d18:1/24:1 levels were independently correlated with MUO in obesity. Individuals with higher levels of Cer d18:1/24:1 also had an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. Most ceramide subtype levels increased in obesity compared to normal-weight individuals, but the levels of serum Cer d18:0/18:0 and Cer d18:1/16:0 decreased in obesity.

Conclusions

The relationships between ceramide subtypes and metabolic profiles might be heterogeneous in populations with different body weights. Cer d18:1/24:1 could be a biomarker that can be used to differentiate MUO from MHO, and to better predict who will develop unfavorable health outcomes among obese individuals.

Trial registration

The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University’s Institutional Review Board authorized this study protocol, and all participants provided written informed consent (2014-SR-003) prior to study entry.
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet vs hypocaloric balanced diet in the prevention of high-frequency episodic migraine: the EMIKETO randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Caprio Massimiliano , Moriconi Eleonora , Camajani Elisabetta , Feraco Alessandra , Marzolla Vincenzo , Vitiello Laura , Proietti Stefania , Armani Andrea , Gorini Stefania , Mammi Caterina , Egeo Gabriella , Aurilia Cinzia , Fiorentini Giulia , Tomino Carlo , Barbanti Piero
Published: October 2023

Background

Migraine is the second world’s cause of disability. Among non-pharmacological treatments, nutritional intervention, particularly ketogenic diet, represents one of the most promising approaches.

Methods

This a prospective, single center, randomized, controlled study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) compared to a hypocaloric balanced diet (HBD) in migraine prophylaxis in patients affected by high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) with a Body Mass Index (BMI) > 27 kg/m2. Fifty-seven patients were randomly assigned to a VLCKD (group 1) or HBD (group 2). Group 1 patients followed a VLCKD for 8 weeks, followed by a low calorie diet (LCD, weeks 9–12), and a HBD (weeks 13–24), whereas group 2 patients followed a HBD from week 0 to 24. Anthropometric indexes, urine and blood chemistry were assessed at enrollment, baseline, weeks 4, 8, 12, and 24. Migraine characteristics were evaluated at baseline, weeks 8, 12 and 24. Change in monthly migraine days (MMDs) at weeks 5–8 compared to baseline was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints encompassed changes in visual analogue scale (VAS), Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) and Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36) scores. We also studied effects on circulating lymphocytes and markers of inflammation, changes in plasma aldosterone and renin levels before and after VLCKD or HBD treatment.

Results

Reduction from baseline in MMDs was greater in VLCKD compared to HBD group at week 8 (p = 0.008), at week 12 (p = 0.007), when ketosis had been interrupted by carbohydrates reintroduction, and at week 24 (p = 0.042), when all patients were following the same dietary regimen. Quality of life scores (SF-36) were improved in VLCKD group at week 8 and 12, and were also improved in HBD group, but only at week 12. Weight-loss was significantly higher in VLCKD group at week 8 (p = 0.002) and week 12 (p = 0.020). At the end of the study weight loss was maintained in VLCKD group whereas a slight weight regain was observed in HBD group. Inflammatory indexes, namely C reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and total white blood cell count (WBC) were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in VLCKD group at week 12. Aldosterone plasma level were significantly increased in both groups at week 8, particularly in VLCKD group. However, electrolytes and renin plasma levels were never altered throughout the study in both groups.

Conclusions

VLCKD is more effective than HBD in reducing MMD in patients with HFEM and represents an effective prophylaxis in patients with overweight/obesity.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04360148.
Impact of breast density on diagnostic accuracy in digital breast tomosynthesis versus digital mammography: results from a European screening trial
Authors: Olinder Jakob , Johnson Kristin , Åkesson Anna , Förnvik Daniel , Zackrisson Sophia
Published: October 2023

Background

The diagnostic accuracy of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and digital mammography (DM) in breast cancer screening may vary per breast density subgroup. The purpose of this study was to evaluate which women, based on automatically assessed breast density subgroups, have the greatest benefit of DBT compared with DM in the prospective Malmö Breast Tomosynthesis Screening Trial.

Materials and methods

The prospective European, Malmö Breast Tomosynthesis Screening Trial (n = 14,848, Jan. 27, 2010–Feb. 13, 2015) compared one-view DBT and two-view DM, with consensus meeting before recall. Breast density was assessed in this secondary analysis with the automatic software Laboratory for Individualized Breast Radiodensity Assessment. DBT and DM’s diagnostic accuracies were compared by breast density quintiles of breast percent density (PD) and absolute dense area (DA) with confidence intervals (CI) and McNemar’s test. The association between breast density and cancer detection was analyzed with logistic regression, adjusted for ages < 55 and ≥ 55 years and previous screening participation.

Results

In total, 14,730 women (median age: 58 years; inter-quartile range = 16) were included in the analysis. Sensitivity was higher and specificity lower for DBT compared with DM for all density subgroups. The highest breast PD quintile showed the largest difference in sensitivity and specificity at 81.1% (95% CI 65.8–90.5) versus 43.2% (95% CI 28.7–59.1), p < .001 and 95.5% (95% CI 94.7–96.2) versus 97.2% (95% CI 96.6–97.8), p < 0.001, respectively. Breast PD quintile was also positively associated with cancer detected via DBT at odds ratio 1.24 (95% CI 1.09–1.42, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Women with the highest breast density had the greatest benefit from digital breast tomosynthesis compared with digital mammography with increased sensitivity at the cost of slightly lower specificity. These results may influence digital breast tomosynthesis’s use in an individualized screening program stratified by, for instance, breast density.

Trial registration. Trial registration at https://www.ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01091545, registered March 24, 2010.
Systematic identification of CAZymes and transcription factors in the hypercellulolytic fungus Penicillium funiculosum NCIM1228 involved in lignocellulosic biomass degradation
Authors: Pasari Nandita , Gupta Mayank , Sinha Tulika , Ogunmolu Funso Emmanuel , Yazdani Syed Shams
Published: October 2023

Background

Penicillium funiculosum NCIM1228 is a filamentous fungus that was identified in our laboratory to have high cellulolytic activity. Analysis of its secretome suggested that it responds to different carbon substrates by secreting specific enzymes capable of digesting those substrates. This phenomenon indicated the presence of a regulatory system guiding the expression of these hydrolyzing enzymes. Since transcription factors (TFs) are the key players in regulating the expression of enzymes, this study aimed first to identify the complete repertoire of Carbohydrate Active Enzymes (CAZymes) and TFs coded in its genome. The regulation of CAZymes was then analysed by studying the expression pattern of these CAZymes and TFs in different carbon substrates—Avicel (cellulosic substrate), wheat bran (WB; hemicellulosic substrate), Avicel + wheat bran, pre-treated wheat straw (a potential substrate for lignocellulosic ethanol), and glucose (control).

Results

The P. funiculosum NCIM1228 genome was sequenced, and 10,739 genes were identified in its genome. These genes included a total of 298 CAZymes and 451 TF coding genes. A distinct expression pattern of the CAZymes was observed in different carbon substrates tested. Core cellulose hydrolyzing enzymes were highly expressed in the presence of Avicel, while pre-treated wheat straw and Avicel + wheat bran induced a mixture of CAZymes because of their heterogeneous nature. Wheat bran mainly induced hemicellulases, and the least number of CAZymes were expressed in glucose. TFs also exhibited distinct expression patterns in each of the carbon substrates. Though most of these TFs have not been functionally characterized before, homologs of NosA, Fcr1, and ATF21, which have been known to be involved in fruiting body development, protein secretion and stress response, were identified.

Conclusions

Overall, the P. funiculosum NCIM1228 genome was sequenced, and the CAZymes and TFs present in its genome were annotated. The expression of the CAZymes and TFs in response to various polymeric sugars present in the lignocellulosic biomass was identified. This work thus provides a comprehensive mapping of transcription factors (TFs) involved in regulating the production of biomass hydrolyzing enzymes.
Pre-pregnancy gene expression signatures are associated with subsequent improvement/worsening of rheumatoid arthritis during pregnancy
Authors: Wright Matthew , Smed Mette Kiel , Nelson J. Lee , Olsen Jørn , Hetland Merete Lund , Jewell Nicholas P. , Zoffmann Vibeke , Jawaheer Damini
Published: October 2023

Background

While many women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) improve during pregnancy and others worsen, there are no biomarkers to predict this improvement or worsening. In our unique RA pregnancy cohort that includes a pre-pregnancy baseline, we have examined pre-pregnancy gene co-expression networks to identify differences between women with RA who subsequently improve during pregnancy and those who worsen.

Methods

Blood samples were collected before pregnancy (T0) from 19 women with RA and 13 healthy women enrolled in our prospective pregnancy cohort. RA improvement/worsening between T0 and 3rd trimester was assessed by changes in the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Pre-pregnancy expression profiles were examined by RNA sequencing and differential gene expression analysis. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify co-expression modules correlated with the improvement/worsening of RA during pregnancy and to assess their functional relevance.

Results

Of the 19 women with RA, 14 improved during pregnancy (RAimproved) while 5 worsened (RAworsened). At the T0 baseline, however, the mean CDAI was similar between the two groups. WGCNA identified one co-expression module related to B cell function that was significantly correlated with the worsening of RA during pregnancy and was significantly enriched in genes differentially expressed between the RAimproved and RAworsened groups. A neutrophil-related expression signature was also identified in the RAimproved group at the T0 baseline.

Conclusion

The pre-pregnancy gene expression signatures identified represent potential biomarkers to predict the subsequent improvement/worsening of RA during pregnancy, which has important implications for the personalized treatment of RA during pregnancy.
Efficient expansion and delayed senescence of hUC-MSCs by microcarrier–bioreactor system
Authors: Wang Xia , Ouyang Liming , Chen Wenxia , Cao Yulin , Zhang Lixin
Published: October 2023

Background

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) are widely used in cell therapy due to their robust immunomodulatory and tissue regenerative capabilities. Currently, the predominant method for obtaining hUC-MSCs for clinical use is through planar culture expansion, which presents several limitations. Specifically, continuous cell passaging can lead to cellular aging, susceptibility to contamination, and an absence of process monitoring and control, among other limitations. To overcome these challenges, the technology of microcarrier–bioreactor culture was developed with the aim of ensuring the therapeutic efficacy of cells while enabling large-scale expansion to meet clinical requirements. However, there is still a knowledge gap regarding the comparison of biological differences in cells obtained through different culture methods.

Methods

We developed a culture process for hUC-MSCs using self-made microcarrier and stirred bioreactor. This study systematically compares the biological properties of hUC-MSCs amplified through planar culture and microcarrier–bioreactor systems. Additionally, RNA-seq was employed to compare the differences in gene expression profiles between the two cultures, facilitating the identification of pathways and genes associated with cell aging.

Results

The findings revealed that hUC-MSCs expanded on microcarriers exhibited a lower degree of cellular aging compared to those expanded through planar culture. Additionally, these microcarrier-expanded hUC-MSCs showed an enhanced proliferation capacity and a reduced number of cells in the cell cycle retardation period. Moreover, bioreactor-cultured cells differ significantly from planar cultures in the expression of genes associated with the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix.

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrate that our microcarrier–bioreactor culture method enhances the proliferation efficiency of hUC-MSCs. Moreover, this culture method exhibits the potential to delay the process of cell aging while preserving the essential stem cell properties of hUC-MSCs.
On Roth’s “human fossil” from Baradero, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina: morphological and genetic analysis
Authors: Menéndez Lumila Paula , Barbieri Chiara , López Cruz Idalia Guadalupe , Schmelzle Thomas , Breidenstein Abagail , Barquera Rodrigo , Borzi Guido , Schuenemann Verena J. , Sánchez-Villagra Marcelo R.
Published: October 2023

The “human fossil” from Baradero, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, is a collection of skeleton parts first recovered by the paleontologist Santiago Roth and further studied by the anthropologist Rudolf Martin. By the end of the nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth century it was considered one of the oldest human skeletons from South America's southern cone. Here, we present the results of an interdisciplinary approach to study and contextualize the ancient individual remains. We discuss the context of the finding by first compiling the available evidence associated with the historical information and any previous scientific publications on this individual. Then, we conducted an osteobiographical assessment, by which we evaluated the sex, age, and overall preservation of the skeleton based on morphological features. To obtain a 3D virtual reconstruction of the skull, we performed high resolution CT-scans on selected skull fragments and the mandible. This was followed by the extraction of bone tissue and tooth samples for radiocarbon and genetic analyses, which brought only limited results due to poor preservation and possible contamination. We estimate that the individual from Baradero is a middle-aged adult male. We conclude that the revision of foundational collections with current methodological tools brings new insights and clarifies long held assumptions on the significance of samples that were recovered when archaeology was not yet professionalized.
Anaesthetic management and complications of a Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) undergoing diagnostic imaging
Authors: Romero Patricia , Restitutti Flavia , McGill Niamh , Hoey Seamus , Bennett Rachel C.
Published: October 2023

Background

The presence of a tracheal septum dividing the trachea into two makes intubation one of the main challenges of penguin anaesthesia. Differences in the length and location of the aforementioned tracheal septum have been described in some penguin species. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it has not been reported in Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti). Therefore, one of the aims of this publication is to report the septal position in this Humboldt penguin. Furthermore, this publication describes the anaesthetic protocol and complications encountered and discusses some of the more important features of penguin anaesthesia. It is anticipated that this case report will aid in future procedures requiring anaesthesia of this penguin species.

Case presentation

A 25-year-old female Humboldt penguin was anaesthetized at the University College Dublin Veterinary Hospital for radiographs and computed tomography (CT) following three weeks of inappetence. After assessing the health status of the penguin from the clinical history and performing a physical examination, an American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score of II was assigned and a combination of butorphanol 1 mg/kg and midazolam 1 mg/kg was administered intramuscularly to sedate the penguin. Induction of anaesthesia was performed via a face mask using sevoflurane in oxygen. The airway was intubated with a 4.0 mm Cole tube and anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane in oxygen during the entire procedure. Anaesthetic monitoring consisted of an electrocardiogram, pulse oximetry, non-invasive blood pressure, capnography, and body temperature.

Conclusions

Tracheal bifurcation was identified as the start of the tracheal septum 4.67 cm from the glottis using CT. Most of the anticipated complications of penguin anaesthesia, such as hyperthermia, hypothermia, regurgitation, hypoventilation, and difficulties in intubation were present in this case. However, no major sequalae occurred following the anaesthetic protocol described.
Time lag effect of vegetation response to seasonal precipitation in the Mara River Basin
Authors: Feng Shouming , Zhang Zhenke , Zhao Shuhe , Guo Xinya , Zhu Wanyi , Das Priyanko
Published: October 2023

Background

Mara River Basin is an ecologically fragile area in East Africa, with a pattern of alternating wet and dry seasons shaped by periodic precipitation. Considering the regional biological traits and climatic change, the vegetation's response to seasonal variation is complicated and frequently characterized by time lags. This study analyzed the variation of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and investigated its time lag to precipitation at the monthly scale. NDVI characteristic peaks were proposed from the perspective of seasonal mechanisms and were quantified to assess the lag effect.

Results

The results showed that the Anomaly Vegetation Index could identify low precipitation in 2006, 2009, and 2017. The NDVI showed an increasing trend in 75% of areas of the basin, while showed a decreased significance in 3.5% of areas, mainly in savannas. As to the time lag, the 1-month lag effect dominated most months, and the spatiotemporal disparities were noticeable. Another method considering the alternations of wet and dry seasons found that the time lag was approximately 30 days. Based on the time distribution of NDVI characteristic peaks, the average time lag was 35.5 days and increased with the range of seasons.

Conclusions

The findings confirmed an increasing trend of NDVI in most regions from 2001 to 2020, while the trends were most obvious in the downstream related to human activities. The results could reflect the time lag of NDVI response to precipitation, and the 1-month lag effect dominated in most months with spatial heterogeneity. Four NDVI characteristic peaks were found to be efficient indicators to assess the seasonal characteristics and had a great potential to quantify vegetation variation.
Antiseptics and mupirocin resistance in clinical, environmental, and colonizing coagulase negative Staphylococcus isolates
Authors: Hefzy Enas Mamdouh , Radwan Tharwat E. E. , Hozayen Basma M. M. , Mahmoud Eman E. , Khalil Mahmoud A. F.
Published: October 2023

Background

Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) are opportunistic and nosocomial pathogens. The excessive use of antimicrobial agents, including antiseptics, represents one of the world’s major public health problems. This study aimed to test the susceptibility of CoNS to antiseptics.

Methods

Out of 250 specimens collected from different sections of the hospital, 55 samples were identified as CoNS, categorized into three groups based on their sources: environmental samples (n = 32), healthcare worker carriers samples (n = 14), and clinical infection samples (n = 9). Isolates were examined for susceptibility to antibiotics and antiseptics, such as benzalkonium chloride (BC), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and chlorhexidine digluconate (CHDG). Mupirocin and antiseptic resistance genes, as well as the mecA gene, were detected using polymerase chain reaction. CoNS isolates with notable resistance to antiseptics and antibiotics were identified using the API-Staph system.

Results

A high frequency of multidrug resistance among CoNS clinical infection isolates was observed. Approximately half of the CoNS isolates from healthcare workers were susceptible to CHDG, but 93% were resistant to BC and CTAB. The frequency of antiseptics and antibiotics resistance genes in CoNS isolates was as follows: qacA/B (51/55; 92.7%), smr (22/55; 40.0%), qacG (1/55; 1.8%), qacH (6/55; 10.9%), qacJ (4/55; 7.3%), mecA (35/55; 63.6%), mupB (10/55; 18.2%), and mupA (7/55; 12.7%). A significant difference in the prevalence of smr gene and qacJ genes between CoNS isolates from healthcare workers and other isolates was reported (P value = 0.032 and ˂0.001, respectively). Four different CoNS species; S. epidermidis, S. chromogene, S. haemolyticus, and S. hominis, were identified by API.

Conclusions

CoNS isolates colonizing healthcare workers showed a high prevalence of antiseptic resistance genes, while clinical infection samples were more resistant to antibiotics. CHDG demonstrated greater efficacy than BC and CTAB in our hospital.
Steel Fiber Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Ahmad Jawad , Zhou Zhiguang , Deifalla Ahmed Farouk
Published: October 2023

Self-compacting concrete (SCC), which flows under its own weight without being compacted or vibrating, requires no outside mechanical force to move. But like normal concrete, SCC has a brittle character (weak in tension) that causes sudden collapse with no advance notification. The tensile capacity of SCC has increased owing to the addition of steel fiber (SF). Various research concentrates on increasing the tensile strength (TS) of SCC by incorporating SF. To collect information on past research, present research developments, and future research directions on SF-reinforced SCC, however, a detailed review of the study is necessary. The main aspects of this review are the general introduction of SCC, fresh properties namely slump flow, slump T50, L box, and V funnel, and strength properties such as compressive, tensile, flexure, and elastic modulus. Furthermore, failure modes of steel fiber-reinforced SCC are also reviewed. Results suggest that the SF decreased the filling and passing ability. Furthermore, improvement in strength properties was also observed. However, some studies reported that SF had no effect or even decreased compressive capacity. Additionally, SF improved the tensile capacity of SCC and avoid undesirable brittle failure. Finally, the review recommends the substitution of secondary cementitious materials in SF-reinforced SCC to improve its compressive capacity.
Dietary supplementation of zinc oxide modulates intestinal functionality during the post-weaning period in clinically healthy piglets
Authors: Schokker Dirkjan , Kar Soumya K. , Willems Els , Bossers Alex , Dekker Ruud A. , Jansman Alfons J. M.
Published: October 2023

Background

To improve our understanding of host and intestinal microbiome interaction, this research investigated the effects of a high-level zinc oxide in the diet as model intervention on the intestinal microbiome and small intestinal functionality in clinically healthy post-weaning piglets. In study 1, piglets received either a high concentration of zinc (Zn) as zinc oxide (ZnO, Zn, 2,690 mg/kg) or a low Zn concentration (100 mg/kg) in the diet during the post weaning period (d 14–23). The effects on the piglet’s small intestinal microbiome and functionality of intestinal tissue were investigated. In study 2, the impact of timing of the dietary zinc intervention was investigated, i.e., between d 0–14 and/or d 14–23 post weaning, and the consecutive effects on the piglet’s intestinal functionality, here referring to microbiota composition and diversity and gene expression profiles.

Results

Differences in the small intestinal functionality were observed during the post weaning period between piglets receiving a diet with a low or high concentration ZnO content. A shift in the microbiota composition in the small intestine was observed that could be characterized as a non-pathological change, where mainly the commensals inter-changed. In the immediate post weaning period, i.e., d 0–14, the highest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in intestinal tissue were observed between animals receiving a diet with a low or high concentration ZnO content, i.e., 23 DEGs in jejunal tissue and 11 DEGs in ileal tissue. These genes are involved in biological processes related to immunity and inflammatory responses. For example, genes CD59 and REG3G were downregulated in the animals receiving a diet with a high concentration ZnO content compared to low ZnO content in both jejunum and ileum tissue. In the second study, a similar result was obtained regarding the expression of genes in intestinal tissue related to immune pathways when comparing piglets receiving a diet with a high concentration ZnO content compared to low ZnO content.

Conclusions

Supplementing a diet with a pharmaceutical level of Zn as ZnO for clinically healthy post weaning piglets influences various aspects intestinal functionality, in particular in the first two weeks post-weaning. The model intervention increased both the alpha diversity of the intestinal microbiome and the expression of a limited number of genes linked to the local immune system in intestinal tissue. The effects do not seem related to a direct antimicrobial effect of ZnO.
Multi-scale movement syndromes for comparative analyses of animal movement patterns
Authors: Kays Roland , Hirsch Ben , Caillaud Damien , Mares Rafael , Alavi Shauhin , Havmøller Rasmus Worsøe , Crofoot Margaret
Published: October 2023

Background

Animal movement is a behavioral trait shaped by the need to find food and suitable habitat, avoid predators, and reproduce. Using high-resolution tracking data, it is possible to describe movement in greater detail than ever before, which has led to many discoveries about the behavioral strategies of particular species. Recently, enough data been become available to enable a comparative approach, which has the potential to uncover general causes and consequences of variation in movement patterns, but which must be scale specific.

Methods

Here we introduce a new multi-scale movement syndrome (MSMS) framework for describing and comparing animal movements and use it to explore the behavior of four sympatric mammals. MSMS incorporates four hierarchical scales of animal movement: (1) fine-scale movement steps which accumulate into (2) daily paths which then, over weeks or months, form a (3) life-history phase. Finally, (4) the lifetime track of an individual consists of multiple life-history phases connected by dispersal or migration events. We suggest a series of metrics to describe patterns of movement at each of these scales and use the first three scales of this framework to compare the movement of 46 animals from four frugivorous mammal species.

Results

While subtle differences exist between the four species in their step-level movements, they cluster into three distinct movement syndromes in both path- and life-history phase level analyses. Differences in feeding ecology were a better predictor of movement patterns than a species’ locomotory or sensory adaptations.

Conclusions

Given the role these species play as seed dispersers, these movement syndromes could have important ecosystem implications by affecting the pattern of seed deposition. This multiscale approach provides a hierarchical framework for comparing animal movement for addressing ecological and evolutionary questions. It parallels scales of analyses for resource selection functions, offering the potential to connect movement process with emergent patterns of space use.
Exploring the fermentation quality, bacterial community and metabolites of alfalfa ensiled with mugwort residues and Lactiplantibacillus pentosus
Authors: Guo Linna , Wang Xuekai , Chen Huilong , Li Xiaomei , Xiong Yi , Zhou Hongzhang , Xu Gang , Yang Fuyu , Ni Kuikui
Published: October 2023

Background

The inefficient utilization of plant residues leads to serious environmental pollution and loss of plant nutrition. Nevertheless, the herbal residues including valuable mugwort have been rarely explored. Ensiling has been considered as a promising technique to reuse plant residues. Thus, this study investigated the effect of mugwort residues (M) and Lactiplantibacillus pentosus (LAB) on the fermentation quality, bacterial diversity, and metabolites of alfalfa silage after 60 days of ensiling.

Results

The results showed that compared with control, adding LAB, M and their combination significantly decreased pH (P < 0.05). Among all treatments, LAB + M had the lowest pH, butyric acid and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentrations (P < 0.05). Besides, lactic acid concentration of LAB + M treatment was increased nearly by 3 times compared with control. A shift on the bacterial profile was clearly observed, of which Lactiplantibacillus pentosus abundance increased to beyond 90% of total bacteria in LAB + M and all additives decreased Enterobacter hormaechei abundance than control (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, metabolite analysis indicated that mugwort residues addition enhanced the metabolites of apiin and apigenin 8-C-[xylosyl-(1- > 2)-galactoside] relevant to flavonoids (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The addition of mugwort residues combined with Lactiplantibacillus pentosus significantly improved fermentation quality with the high relative abundance of Lactiplantibacillus pentosus. Moreover, mugwort residues addition could contribute to the upregulation of specific metabolites such as flavonoids, which would provide a new insight for facilitating fermentation with herbal residues.

Graphical Abstract
An analysis of Hong Kong high school curriculum with implications for United Nations sustainable development goals
Authors: Lei Chi-Un , Tang Shan
Published: October 2023

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Target 4.7 stated that by 2030, all learners should acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. However, only scattered studies outline how SDG knowledge has been taught in public K12 curricula. This study aims to identify SDG topics in 13 subjects in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education curriculum and the perceptions of teachers in relation to SDG education. Data were collected through a machine learning approach and semi-structured interviews. Analysis of the module, subject, and curriculum level was conducted. By examining how teachers perceive in relation to the results of SDG classification and implementation of SDG education, the findings showed that teachers and administrators have adopted positive attitudes towards SDG classification, and supportive government can positively influence teachers and administrators in implementing SDG education. Such findings can be useful for policymakers to develop strategies to facilitate SDG education.
Missing body measurements prediction in fashion industry: a comparative approach
Authors: Meyer Philippe , Birregah Babiga , Beauseroy Pierre , Grall Edith , Lauxerrois Audrey
Published: October 2023

The use of artificial intelligence to predict body dimensions rather than measuring them by stylists or 3D scanners permits to obtain easily all measurements of individual consumers and can consequently reduce costs of population survey campaigns. In this paper, we have compared several models of machine learning to predict about 30 measurements used in fashion industry to construct clothes from 6 easy-to-measure body dimensions and demographic information. The four types of models we have studied are linear regressions, random forests, gradient boosting trees and support vector regressions. To construct and train them we have used anthropometric measurements of 9000 adult individuals of the French population collected by the French Institute of Textiles and Clothing (IFTH) during a national measurement campaign collected between 2003 and 2005. We have analyzed the model prediction performance in terms of individual and global predictions as well as the effect of the training dataset size and the importance of the input features. The linear and the support vector regressions have given the best results with respect to evaluation metrics, predicted distributions and have required less training data than tree-based models. It turns out that the weight and height have been the most important input features for the models considered while the hip girth has been the less important among the input measurements. Since the set of body dimensions used in fashion industry and the morphology depend on the gender, we have decided to treat men and women separately and to compare them.
Difference in sulfur regulation mechanism between tube-dwelling and free-moving polychaetes sympatrically inhabiting deep-sea hydrothermal chimneys
Authors: Koito Tomoko , Ito Yusuke , Suzuki Akihiko , Tame Akihiro , Ikuta Tetsuro , Suzuki Miwa , Mitsunobu Satoshi , Sugimura Makoto , Inoue Koji
Published: October 2023

The environment around deep sea hydrothermal vents is characterized by an abundance of sulfur compounds, including toxic hydrogen sulfide. However, numerous communities of various invertebrates are found in it. It is suggested that invertebrates in the vicinity of hydrothermal vents detoxify sulfur compounds by biosynthesis of taurine-related compounds in the body. On the other hand, the vent endemic polychaete Alvinella pompejana has spherocrystals composed of sulfur and other metals in its digestive tract. It was considered that the spherocrystals contribute to the regulation of sulfur in body fluids. Paralvinella spp. and Polynoidae. gen. sp. live sympatrically and in areas most affected by vent fluid. In this study, we focused on the digestive tract of Paralvinella spp. and Polynoidae. gen. sp. to examine whether they have spherocrystals. We also investigated the possible involvement of bacteria in the digestive tract in spherulization. Examination with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with Energy Disperse X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) detected spherocrystals containing sulfur and iron in the digestive tract of Paralvinella spp. In contrast, such spherocrystals were not observed in that of Polynoidae. gen. sp. although sulfur is detected there by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Meta-16S rRNA analysis indicated that the floras of the digestive tracts of the two species were very similar, suggesting that enteric bacteria are not responsible for spherocrystal formation. Analysis of taurine-related compounds indicated that the digestive tissues of Polynoidae. gen. sp. contain a higher amount of hypotaurine and thiotaurine than those of Paralvinella spp. Therefore, the two sympatric polychaetes use different strategies for controlling sulfur, i.e., Paralvinella spp. forms spherocrystals containing elemental sulfur and iron in the digestive tract, but Polynoidae. gen. sp. accumulates taurine-related compounds instead of spherocrystals. Such differences may be related to differences in their lifestyles, i.e., burrow-dweller or free-moving, or may have been acquired phylogenetically in the evolutionary process.