bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Melatonin-Pretreated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improved Cognition in a Diabetic Murine Model
Authors: Amin Shaimaa Nasr , Sharawy Nivin , El Tablawy Nashwa , Elberry Dalia Azmy , Youssef Mira Farouk , Abdelhady Ebtehal Gamal , Rashed Laila Ahmed , Hassan Sherif Sabry
Published: March 2021

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multisystem endocrine disorder affecting the brain. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) pretreated with Melatonin have been shown to increase the potency of MSCs. This work aimed to compare Melatonin, stem cells, and stem cells pretreated with Melatonin on the cognitive functions and markers of synaptic plasticity in an animal model of type I diabetes mellitus (TIDM). Thirty-six rats represented the animal model; six rats for isolation of MSCs and 30 rats were divided into five groups: control, TIDM, TIDM + Melatonin, TIDM + Stem cells, and TIDM + Stem ex vivo Melatonin. Functional assessment was performed with Y-maze, forced swimming test and novel object recognition. Histological and biochemical evaluation of hippocampal Neuroligin 1, Sortilin, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and Growth Associated Protein 43 (GAP43). The TIDM group showed a significant decrease of hippocampal Neuroligin, Sortilin, and BDNF and a significant increase in iNOS, TNF-α, TLR2, and GAP43. Melatonin or stem cells groups showed improvement compared to the diabetic group but not compared to the control group. TIDM + Stem ex vivo Melatonin group showed a significant improvement, and some values were restored to normal. Ex vivo melatonin-treated stem cells had improved spatial working and object recognition memory and depression, with positive effects on glucose homeostasis, inflammatory markers levels and synaptic plasticity markers expression.
LETM1: A Single Entity With Diverse Impact on Mitochondrial Metabolism and Cellular Signaling
Authors: Natarajan Gayathri K. , Mishra Jyotsna , Camara Amadou K. S. , Kwok Wai-Meng
Published: March 2021

Nearly 2 decades since its discovery as one of the genes responsible for the Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome (WHS), the primary function of the leucine-zipper EF-hand containing transmembrane 1 (LETM1) protein in the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) or the mechanism by which it regulates mitochondrial Ca2+ handling is unresolved. Meanwhile, LETM1 has been associated with the regulation of fundamental cellular processes, such as development, cellular respiration and metabolism, and apoptosis. This mini-review summarizes the diversity of cellular functions impacted by LETM1 and highlights the multiple roles of LETM1 in health and disease.
Sex Differences in Rest-Activity Circadian Rhythm in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Mulè Antonino , Bruno Eleonora , Pasanisi Patrizia , Galasso Letizia , Castelli Lucia , Caumo Andrea , Esposito Fabio , Roveda Eliana , Montaruli Angela
Published: March 2021

Rest-Activity circadian Rhythm (RAR) can be used as a marker of the circadian timing system. Recent studies investigated the relationship between irregular circadian rhythms and cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia. These factors are related to the Metabolic Syndrome (MS), a clustering of metabolic risk factors that increases the risk of several cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. This cross-sectional analysis aimed to explore the RAR characteristics by actigraphy in subjects with MS, particularly in relation to sex and MS parameters, using parametric and non-parametric analyses. Distinguishing the characteristics of RAR based on sex could prove useful as a tool to improve the daily level of activity and set up customized activity programs based on each person’s circadian activity profile. This study showed that female participants exhibited higher values than male participants in the Midline Estimating Statistic of Rhythm (MESOR) (243.3 ± 20.0 vs 197.6 ± 17.9 activity count), Amplitude (184.5 ± 18.5 vs 144.2 ± 17.2 activity count), which measures half of the extent of the rhythmic variation in a cycle, and the most active 10-h period (M10) (379.08 ± 16.43 vs 295.13 ± 12.88 activity count). All these parameters are indicative of a higher daily activity level in women. Female participants also had lower Intradaily Variability (IV) than male participants (0.75 ± 0.03 vs 0.85 ± 0.03 activity count), which indicates a more stable and less fragmented RAR. These preliminary data provide the first experimental evidence of a difference in RAR parameters between male and female people with MS.
Sex Influence on the Functional Recovery Pattern After a Graded Running Race: Original Analysis to Identify the Recovery Profiles
Authors: Macchi Robin , Vercruyssen Fabrice , Hays Arnaud , Aubert Gaetan , Exubis Gaetan , Chavet Pascale , Goubert Emmanuelle , Souron Robin , Kunimasa Yoko , Nicol Caroline
Published: March 2021

This study investigated the sex influence on the acute and delayed fatigue effects of a 20 km graded running race. Eighteen recreational runners, 10 women and 8 men, completed the race. The testing protocol included five sessions: a week before the race (PRE), 35 ± 15 min after (POST), 2 h, 2 and 4 days (2D and 4D) later. Each session included uni- and bilateral maximal isometric voluntary contractions of the knee extensors (MVC), a squat jump (SJ), and a drop jump (DJ). Acute and delayed muscle soreness (DOMS) were evaluated for the quadriceps, hamstring and triceps surae muscle groups. The 2D and 4D sessions included also a horizontal force-velocity test (HF-V) performed under five resistive conditions. For each test, a set of key variables was computed to characterize the lower limb functional recovery. Mixed ANOVA analyses revealed significant (sex × time) interactions, with larger acute drops for men in MVCs and earlier recovery for women in the bilateral MVC (p< 0.001) and DJ (p< 0.05) tests. Only women reported DOMS for the hamstrings at 2D (p< 0.001) and showed small improvements in pure concentric SJ (p< 0.05) and HF-V (p< 0.01) tests at 4D. As expected, DOMS disappeared prior to the complete functional recovery. These results confirmed the combined influence of testing task and sex on the functional recovery pattern while supporting a lesser and faster recovery in women. The originality of this study lies in the complexity and sex-dependence of the functional recovery pattern revealed by a multiple factorial analysis which was used to identify the most discriminating tests and variables in the recovery pattern. The obtained clusters highlighted some recovery profiles associated with greater risks of injury when starting to run again. However, the lack of sex × time interaction for normalized values emphasizes the major influence of men’s initially higher functional values compared to women.
Variety Discrimination Power: An Appraisal Index for Loci Combination Screening Applied to Plant Variety Discrimination
Authors: Yang Yang , Tian Hongli , Wang Rui , Wang Lu , Yi Hongmei , Liu Yawei , Xu Liwen , Fan Yaming , Zhao Jiuran , Wang Fengge
Published: March 2021

Molecular marker technology is used widely in plant variety discrimination, molecular breeding, and other fields. To lower the cost of testing and improve the efficiency of data analysis, molecular marker screening is very important. Screening usually involves two phases: the first to control loci quality and the second to reduce loci quantity. To reduce loci quantity, an appraisal index that is very sensitive to a specific scenario is necessary to select loci combinations. In this study, we focused on loci combination screening for plant variety discrimination. A loci combination appraisal index, variety discrimination power (VDP), is proposed, and three statistical methods, probability-based VDP (P-VDP), comparison-based VDP (C-VDP), and ratio-based VDP (R-VDP), are described and compared. The results using the simulated data showed that VDP was sensitive to statistical populations with convergence toward the same variety, and the total probability of discrimination power (TDP) method was effective only for partial populations. R-VDP was more sensitive to statistical populations with convergence toward various varieties than P-VDP and C-VDP, which both had the same sensitivity; TDP was not sensitive at all. With the real data, R-VDP values for sorghum, wheat, maize and rice data begin to show downward tendency when the number of loci is 20, 7, 100, 100 respectively, while in the case of P-VDP and C-VDP (which have the same results), the number is 6, 4, 9, 19 respectively and in the case of TDP, the number is 6, 4, 4, 11 respectively. For the variety threshold setting, R-VDP values of loci combinations with different numbers of loci responded evenly to different thresholds. C-VDP values responded unevenly to different thresholds, and the extent of the response increased as the number of loci decreased. All the methods gave underestimations when data were missing, with systematic errors for TDP, C-VDP, and R-VDP going from smallest to biggest. We concluded that VDP was a better loci combination appraisal index than TDP for plant variety discrimination and the three VDP methods have different applications. We developed the software called VDPtools, which can calculate the values of TDP, P-VDP, C-VDP, and R-VDP. VDPtools is publicly available athttps://github.com/caurwx1/VDPtools.git.
Growing Up in a Digital World – Digital Media and the Association With the Child’s Language Development at Two Years of Age
Authors: Sundqvist Annette , Koch Felix-Sebastian , Birberg Thornberg Ulrika , Barr Rachel , Heimann Mikael
Published: March 2021

Digital media (DM), such as cellphones and tablets, are a common part of our daily lives and their usage has changed the communication structure within families. Thus, there is a risk that the use of DM might result in fewer opportunities for interactions between children and their parents leading to fewer language learning moments for young children. The current study examined the associations between children’s language development and early DM exposure.

Participants: Ninety-two parents of 25months olds (50 boys/42 girls) recorded their home sound environment during a typical day [Language ENvironment Analysis (LENA)] and participated in an online questionnaire consisting of questions pertaining to daily DM use and media mediation strategies, as well as a Swedish online version of the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory, which includes a vocabulary scale as well as a grammar and pragmatics scale.

Results: Through correlations and stepwise regressions three aspects of language were analyzed. The child’s vocabulary was positively associated with interactional turn-taking. The child’s vocabulary and grammar were negatively associated with the likelihood of parent’s device use during everyday child routines and the amount of TV watched by the child. The child’s pragmatic development was also positively associated with the parent’s device use in child routines but also with the parent’s joint media engagement (JME), as well as the child’s gender (where girls perform better).

Conclusion: Our study confirms that specific aspects of the 2-year old’s DM environment are associated with the child’s language development. More TV content, whether it is viewed on a big screen or tablet, is negatively associated with language development. The likelihood of parents’ use of DM during everyday child routines is also negatively associated with the child’s language development. Positive linguistic parental strategies such as interactional turn-taking with the child, JME, and book reading, on the other hand, are positively associated with the child’s language development.
Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation-Induced Effects Over the Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex: Differences in the Task Types of Task Switching
Authors: Wang Ziyu , Zhu Rongjuan , You Xuqun
Published: March 2021

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been previously used to investigate the causal relationships between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and task switching but has delivered inconclusive results that may be due to different switching tasks involving different cognitive control processes. In the current study, we manipulated task types and task predictability to investigate the role of DLPFC in task-switching performances. Notably, we distinguished the specific effects of anodal-tDCS on two types of tasks (parity/magnitude and parity/vowel-consonant tasks). Forty-eight participants were randomly assigned to four task groups as follows; Group I who was assigned right anode (RA) parity/magnitude tasks, Group II who were assigned sham parity/magnitude tasks, Group III who were assigned RA parity/vowel-consonant tasks, and Group IV who were assigned sham parity/vowel-consonant tasks. Participants were asked to complete both predictable and unpredictable tasks. In the parity/magnitude task, we demonstrated a lower switch cost for the RA group compared to the sham group for unpredictable tasks. In contrast, in the parity/vowel-consonant task, the switch cost was higher for the RA group compared to the sham group for unpredictable and predictable tasks. These findings confirmed an anodal-tDCS-induced effect over the right DLPFC both in the parity/magnitude and parity/vowel-consonant tasks. Our data indicated that anodal tDCS may have a stronger influence on task-switching performance over the right DLPFC by changing the irrelevant task-set inhibition process. Also, the right DLPFC is unlikely to act by performing exogenous adjustment of predictable task switching.
Differences in the Psychological Profiles of Elite and Non-elite Athletes
Authors: Mitić Petar , Nedeljković Jasmina , Bojanić Željka , Franceško Mirjana , Milovanović Ivana , Bianco Antonino , Drid Patrik
Published: March 2021

One of the main goals of sport psychology is to identify those psychological factors that are relevant for sport performance as well as possibilities of their development. The aim of the study was to determine whether the set of specific psychological characteristics [generalized self-efficacy, time perspective, emotional intelligence (EI), general achievement motivation, and personality dimensions] makes the distinction between athletes based on their (non)-participation in the senior national team, that is, their belonging to the subsample of elite or non-elite athletes depending on this criterion. According to the group centroids it can be said that elite athletes are characterized by a positive high score in self-efficacy, emotionality, present fatalistic time perspective, past positive time perspective, and openness to experience. They are also characterized by low past negative time perspective, emotional competence, and future time perspective. Non-elite athletes have the opposite traits. The results have been discussed in the context of their application in the process of talent selection and development in sport as well as the development of life skills in athletes.
Positive Psychological Impacts of Cooking During the COVID-19 Lockdown Period: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Güler Ozan , Haseki Murat İsmet
Published: March 2021

This study aims to explore the positive psychological effects of culinary experiences during the COVID-19 lockdown days. Qualitative research methods adopted to provide a deeper understanding. Data was collected through a structured online survey from 30 participants in Turkey. This occurred between April 10th and June 3rd, 2020 when the strict confinement measures were applied. Content analysis was deductively applied according to the Stebbins’s Theory of Casual vs. Serious Leisure which classifies the well-being according to characteristics of leisure experiences. The results revealed that at the first stage people went into the kitchen with the motivation of pure happiness and relaxation indicating hedonic well-being. However, people who intended to spend time with culinary activities with the expectations of pure happiness left the kitchen with eudaimonic outcomes by gaining special skills and knowledge, self-actualization and self-enrichment. When these outcomes are evaluated based on the Stebbins’s theoretical framework, culinary activities have both casual and serious leisure experience characteristics in terms of psychological well-being. It is understood that culinary activities have versatile leisure characteristics. Thanks to the culinary activities, people do not only obtain pure happiness and relaxation but can draw wider inferences about their life by realizing their own potential during the psychologically challenging COVID-19 lockdown days.
Effects of Commitment on Fear of Failure and Burnout in Teen Spanish Handball Players
Authors: González-Hernández Juan , da Silva Carlos Marques , Monteiro Diogo , Alesi Marianna , Gómez-López Manuel
Published: March 2021

Under an observational, transversal, and descriptive design, the study analyze the degree of adjustment of the perceptions of fear of failure as a mediating variable of the estimated relationship between sporting commitment and the appearance of burnout in young handball players in a competitive context. The sample included a total of 479 youth category handball players (250 boys and 229 girls) selected to compete in the Spanish Regional Championships. The age range was 16 (40.1%)−17 (59.9%) years old (M = 16.60; SD = 0.50). With regard to the years of experience variable, 85.4% stated that they have more than 5 years of experience at the federated handball player level. The Spanish version of Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory (PFAI), Inventory Athletes Burnout Revised (IBD-R), and Sport Commitment Questionnaire (SCQE) were used to assess fear of failure. The correlation patterns evidence that commitment is negative and significantly associated with emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and fear of failure and positively associated with reduced sense of personal accomplishment. In the standardized direct effect, negative and significant effects were observed between commitment and fear of failure, fear of failure with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and on the contrary, a negative and significant effect was observed between fear of failure and reduced sense of personal accomplishment. The evaluated athletes reflect a positive psychological disposition, show pride in having been selected by their territorial teams and reflect a high desire to show their sporting qualities. Despite the emergence of cognitive-emotional processes associated with fear of failure (e.g., shame, fear of criticism), this has been observed to protect the sense of self-fulfillment through sport effort, although it also has impacts on further emotional exhaustion and loss of value of sport effort.
A Proposed Classification of ICD-11 Severity Degrees of Personality Pathology Using the Self and Interpersonal Functioning Scale
Authors: Gamache Dominick , Savard Claudia , Leclerc Philippe , Payant Maude , Berthelot Nicolas , Côté Alexandre , Faucher Jonathan , Lampron Mireille , Lemieux Roxanne , Mayrand Kristel , Nolin Marie-Chloé , Tremblay Marc
Published: March 2021

Background: The 11th version of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) has adopted a dimensional approach to personality disorder (PD) nosology. Notably, it includes an assessment of PD degree of severity, which can be classified according to five categories. To date, there is no gold standard measure for assessing degree of PD severity based on the ICD-11 model, and there are no empirically-based anchor points to delineate the proposed categories. With the operationalization of PD degrees of severity in the ICD-11 PD model now being closely aligned with Criterion A of the DSM-5 Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD), sharing a focus on self and interpersonal dysfunction, self-report instruments developed for the latter model might prove useful as screening tools to determine degrees of severity in the former.

Methods: The Self and Interpersonal Functioning Scale, a brief validated self-report questionnaire originally designed to assess level of personality pathology according to the AMPD framework, was used to derive anchor points to delineate the five severity degrees from the ICD-11 PD model. Data from five clinical and non-clinical samples (total N = 2,240) allowed identifying anchor points for classification, based on Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis, Latent Class Analysis, and data distribution statistics. Categories were validated using multiple indices pertaining to externalizing and internalizing symptoms relevant to PD.

Results: Analyses yielded the following anchor points for PD degrees of severity: No PD = 0–1.04; Personality Difficulty = 1.05–1.29; Mild PD = 1.30–1.89; Moderate PD = 1.90–2.49; and Severe PD = 2.50 and above. A clear gradient of severity across the five categories was observed in all samples. A high number of significant contrasts among PD categories were also observed on external variables, consistent with the ICD-11 PD degree of severity operationalization.

Conclusions: The present study provides potentially useful guidelines to determine severity of personality pathology based on the ICD-11 model. The use of a brief self-report questionnaire as a screening tool for assessing PD degrees of severity should be seen as a time-efficient support for clinical decision and treatment planning.
The Mental Health Ecosystem: Extending Symptom Networks With Risk and Protective Factors
Authors: Lunansky Gabriela , van Borkulo Claudia D. , Haslbeck Jonas M. B. , van der Linden Max A. , Garay Cristian J. , Etchevers Martín J. , Borsboom Denny
Published: March 2021

Inspired by modeling approaches from the ecosystems literature, in this paper, we expand the network approach to psychopathology with risk and protective factors to arrive at an integrated analysis of resilience. We take a complexity approach to investigate the multifactorial nature of resilience and present a system in which a network of interacting psychiatric symptoms is targeted by risk and protective factors. These risk and protective factors influence symptom development patterns and thereby increase or decrease the probability that the symptom network is pulled toward a healthy or disorder state. In this way, risk and protective factors influence the resilience of the network. We take a step forward in formalizing the proposed system by implementing it in a statistical model and translating different influences from risk and protective factors to specific targets on the node and edge parameters of the symptom network. To analyze the behavior of the system under different targets, we present two novel network resilience metrics: Expected Symptom Activity (ESA, which indicates how many symptoms are active or inactive) and Symptom Activity Stability (SAS, which indicates how stable the symptom activity patterns are). These metrics follow standard practices in the resilience literature, combined with ideas from ecology and physics, and characterize resilience in terms of the stability of the system's healthy state. By discussing the advantages and limitations of our proposed system and metrics, we provide concrete suggestions for the further development of a comprehensive modeling approach to study the complex relationship between risk and protective factors and resilience.
Detailed Postmortem Profiling of Inflammatory Mediators Expression Revealed Post-inflammatory Alternation in the Superior Temporal Gyrus of Schizophrenia
Authors: Izumi Ryuta , Hino Mizuki , Wada Akira , Nagaoka Atsuko , Kawamura Takashi , Mori Tsutomu , Sainouchi Makoto , Kakita Akiyoshi , Kasai Kiyoto , Kunii Yasuto , Yabe Hirooki
Published: March 2021

Recent studies have lent support to the possibility that inflammation is associated with the pathology of schizophrenia. In the study of measurement of inflammatory mediators, which are markers of inflammation, elevated inflammatory cytokine levels in the brain and blood have been reported in patients with schizophrenia. Several postmortem brain studies have also reported changes in the expression of inflammatory cytokines. However, it is not clear how these elevated inflammatory cytokines interact with other inflammatory mediators, and their association with the pathology of schizophrenia. We comprehensively investigated the expression of 30 inflammatory mediators in the superior temporal gyrus (STG) of 24 patients with schizophrenia and 26 controls using a multiplex method. Overall, inflammatory mediator expression in the STG was mostly unchanged. However, the expression of interleukin (IL)1-α and interferon-gamma-inducible protein (IP)-10 was decreased [IL-1α, median (IQR), 0.51 (0.37–0.70) vs. 0.87 (0.47–1.23), p = 0.01; IP-10, 13.99 (8.00–36.64) vs. 30.29 (10.23–134.73), p = 0.05], whereas that of IFN-α was increased [2.34 (1.84–4.48) vs. 1.94 (1.39–2.36), p = 0.04] in schizophrenia, although these alterations did not remain significant after multiple testing. Clustering based on inflammatory mediator expression pattern and analysis of upstream transcription factors using pathway analysis revealed that the suppression of IL-1α and IP-10 protein expression may be induced by regulation of a common upstream pathway. Neuroinflammation is important in understanding the biology of schizophrenia. While neuroimaging has been previously used, direct observation to determine the expression of inflammatory mediators is necessary. In this study, we identified protein changes, previously unreported, using comprehensive protein analysis in STG. These results provide insight into post-inflammatory alternation in chronic schizophrenia.
RETRACTED: COVID-19 as an “Infodemic” in Public Health: Critical Role of the Social Media
Authors: Banerjee Debanjan , Meena K. S.
Published: March 2021

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has emerged as a significant and global public health crisis. Besides the rising number of cases and fatalities, the outbreak has also affected economies, employment and policies alike. As billions are being isolated at their homes to contain the infection, the uncertainty gives rise to mass hysteria and panic. Amidst this, there has been a hidden epidemic of “information” that makes COVID-19 stand out as a “digital infodemic” from the earlier outbreaks. Repeated and detailed content about the virus, geographical statistics, and multiple sources of information can all lead to chronic stress and confusion at times of crisis. Added to this is the plethora of misinformation, rumor and conspiracy theories circulating every day. With increased digitalization, media penetration has increased with a more significant number of people aiding in the “information pollution.” In this article, we glance at the unique evolution of COVID-19 as an “infodemic” in the hands of social media and the impact it had on its spread and public reaction. We then look at the ways forward in which the role of social media (as well as other digital platforms) can be integrated into social and public health, for a better symbiosis, “digital balance” and pandemic preparedness for the ongoing crisis and the future.
Inspiratory Muscle Strength and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Association With Health-Related Quality of Life in Healthy Older Adults
Authors: Roldán Ainoa , Monteagudo Pablo , Cordellat Ana , Sanchis-Soler Gema , Blasco-Lafarga Cristina
Published: March 2021

The main purpose of this study was to explore similarities and differences in the association between two capabilities affecting the cardiorespiratory system (overall and multifactorial cardiorespiratory fitness and inspiratory muscle strength) and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), in a group of active healthy seniors. Sixty-five individuals (age, 73.01 ± 5.27 years; 53 women) who participated regularly in a multicomponent training program completed the EuroQol 5D-5L questionnaire, the 6-min walking test (6MWT), and the maximum inspiratory pressure test (MIP). Non-parametric correlations (Spearman's rho) were conducted to analyze the association between HRQoL indices (EQindex and EQvas), MIP, and 6MWT, considering both, the whole sample and men and women separately. Furthermore, partial correlation was made by controlling age and sex. We found a moderate association between HRQoL and cardiorespiratory fitness (EQvas: r = 0.324, p = 0.009; EQindex: r = 0.312, p = 0.011). Considering sex, relationship EQvas-6MWT decrease to small (r = 0.275; p = 0.028) whereas EQindex-6MWT remained moderated (r = 0.425; p = 0.000). When we considered women and men separately, the association between HRQoL and 6MWT appeared only in women, while the observed strong trend (p = 0.051) toward a large and positive association between EQindex and MIP, mediated by the covariate age, appeared only in men. Conversely to the cardiorespiratory fitness, MIP is not a limiting factor of HRQoL in healthy active elderly. Moreover, MIP and HRQoL should be included in the assessment of exercise interventions because they provide different information about the cardiorespiratory system deterioration. Similarly, EQvas and EQindex confirm to be complementary in the assessment of HRQoL. Furthermore, like aging process is different for men and women, the association between MIP and cardiorespiratory fitness with HRQoL may behave differently, so keeping on research these associations could help to improve training programs for this population.
Domestic Livestock and Rewilding: Are They Mutually Exclusive?
Authors: Gordon Iain J. , Manning Adrian D. , Navarro Laetitia M. , Rouet-Leduc Julia
Published: March 2021

Human influence extends across the globe, from the tallest mountains to the deep bottom of the oceans. There is a growing call for nature to be protected from the negative impacts of human activity (particularly intensive agriculture); so-called “land sparing”. A relatively new approach is “rewilding”, defined as the restoration of self-sustaining and complex ecosystems, with interlinked ecological processes that promote and support one another while minimising or gradually reducing human intervention. The key theoretical basis of rewilding is to return ecosystems to a “natural” or “self-willed” state with trophic complexity, dispersal (and connectivity) and stochastic disturbance in place. However, this is constrained by context-specific factors whereby it may not be possible to restore the native species that formed part of the trophic structure of the ecosystem if they are extinct (e.g., mammoths, Mammuthus spp., aurochs, Bos primigenius); and, populations/communities of native herbivores/predators may not be able to survive or be acceptable to the public in small scale rewilding projects close to areas of high human density. Therefore, the restoration of natural trophic complexity and disturbance regimes within rewilding projects requires careful consideration if the broader conservation needs of society are to be met. In some circumstances, managers will require a more flexible deliberate approach to intervening in rewilding projects using the range of tools in their toolbox (e.g., controlled burning regimes; using domestic livestock to replicate the impacts of extinct herbivore species), even if this is only in the early stages of the rewilding process. If this approach is adopted, then larger areas can be given over to conservation, because of the potential broader benefits to society from these spaces and the engagement of farmers in practises that are closer to their traditions. We provide examples, primarily European, where domestic and semi-domestic livestock are used by managers as part of their rewilding toolbox. Here managers have looked at the broader phenotype of livestock species as to their suitability in different rewilding systems. We assess whether there are ways of using livestock in these systems for conservation, economic (e.g., branded or certified livestock products) and cultural gains.
Effect of Combination of Salt and pH on Functional Properties of Frozen-Thawed Egg Yolk
Authors: Hidas Karina Ilona , Nyulas-Zeke Ildikó Csilla , Visy Anna , Baranyai László , Nguyen Lien Phuong Le , Tóth Adrienn , Friedrich László , Nagy Attila , Németh Csaba
Published: March 2021

Egg yolk undergoes an irreversible gelation process at temperatures below −6 °C, which greatly impairs its application and increases its apparent viscosity. This work was aimed to investigate the effect of salt and pH in preventing the gelation of frozen-thawed egg yolk. Before freezing, 5% of salt was added into the pasteurized liquid egg yolk, then pH was adjusted to different levels (5.7, 6.0 and 6.3) with citric acid. After that, the yolk was stored at −18 °C for four weeks. Rheological and thermal properties of the fresh and frozen-thawed egg yolk were measured. In addition, the colour, turbidity and emulsifying properties were also determined. The results showed that pH of all samples increased during frozen storage, but at different rates. The combination of 5% of salt and pH at 6.0 and 6.3 could prevent the gelation, resulting in rheological properties more like the fresh liquid egg yolk. In addition, emulsifying properties also obtained better results for treated yolk. Moreover, L* value of treated egg yolk was higher before freezing and became lower after storage compared to control. The results of this work found that the combination of 5% of salt and adjusted pH could prevent the gelation of frozen-thawed liquid yolk.
Mitigation of Airborne PRRSV Transmission with UV Light Treatment: Proof-of-Concept
Authors: Li Peiyang , Koziel Jacek , Zimmerman Jeffrey , Zhang Jianqiang , Cheng Ting-Yu , Yim-Im Wannarat , Jenks William , Lee Myeongseong , Chen Baitong , Hoff Steven
Published: March 2021

Proper treatment of infectious air could potentially mitigate the spread of airborne viruses such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). The objective of this research is to test the effectiveness of ultraviolet (UV) in inactivating aerosolized PRRSV, specifically, four UV lamps, UV-A (365 nm, both fluorescent and LED-based), “excimer” UV-C (222 nm), and germicidal UV-C (254 nm), were tested. The two UV-C lamps effectively irradiated fast-moving PRRSV aerosols with short treatment times (<2 s). One-stage and two-stage UV inactivation models estimated the UV doses needed for target percentage (%) reductions on PRRSV titer. UV-C (254 nm) dose needed for 3-log (99.9%) reduction was 19.43 and 2.44 mJ/cm2, respectively, based on one-stage and two-stage models. UV-C (222 nm) doses needed for a 3-log reduction 2.81 and 1.04 mJ/cm2, based on one-stage and two-stage models, respectively. However, the cost of 222 nm excimer lamps is still economically prohibitive for scaling-up trials. The UV-A (365 nm) lamps could not reduce PRRSV titers for tested doses up to 4.11 mJ/cm2. Pilot-scale or farm-scale testing of UV-C on PRRSV aerosols simulating barn ventilation rates are recommended based on its effectiveness and reasonable costs comparable to HEPA filtration.
From the Andes to the Apennines: Rise and Fall of a Free-Ranging Population of Feral Llamas
Authors: Gargioni Carlo , Monaco Andrea , Francesco Ficetola Gentile , Lazzeri Lorenzo , Mori Emiliano
Published: March 2021

Since 2016, a feral population of llama Lama glama has been present in Central Italy after escaping from a zoological garden and starting to reproduce. We updated demographic status and distribution of this population and investigated societal perception towards the llama presence and management in the area through a standard questionnaire. Field data were collected through direct (transects traveled by car and on foot) and indirect (newspapers, social networks and online platforms) research. The feral population appears to be declining. In July 2020, the population was represented by three individuals (one male and two females), identified also through photoidentification, most likely located within a 40-hectare area. The majority of citizens are aware of the presence of feral llamas and show a positive attitude toward them and a negative one toward management actions. The case of feral llamas in Italy is an evident example of unsafe management of a species which should have kept in a zoo and which, once set free, was able to catalyze the attention of the general public. The decline of this population limits the need of drastic management actions that, given the appreciation expressed by people and press toward these animals, would have been at risk of conflict with the public opinion. Removal action should be rapidly taken, i.e., before any demographic rebound and before the population becomes a stable feature of the local landscape.
Skeletal Muscle Development in Postnatal Beef Cattle Resulting from Maternal Protein Restriction during Mid-Gestation
Authors: Costa Thais Correia , Du Min , Nascimento Karolina Batista , Galvão Matheus Castilho , Meneses Javier Andrés Moreno , Schultz Erica Beatriz , Gionbelli Mateus Pies , Duarte Marcio de Souza
Published: March 2021

We aimed to investigate the effects of maternal protein restriction during mid-gestation on the skeletal muscle composition of the offspring. In the restriction treatment (RES, n = 9), cows were fed a basal diet, while in the control (CON, n = 9) group cows received the same RES diet plus the protein supplement during mid-gestation (100–200d). Samples of Longissimus dorsi muscle were collected from the offspring at 30d and 450d postnatal. Muscle fiber number was found to be decreased as a result of maternal protein restriction and persisted throughout the offspring’s life (p < 0.01). The collagen content was enhanced (p < 0.05) due to maternal protein restriction at 30d. MHC2X mRNA expression tended to be higher (p = 0.08) in RES 30d offspring, however, no difference (p > 0.05) was found among treatments at 450d. Taken together, our results suggest that maternal protein restriction during mid-gestation has major and persistent effects by reducing muscle fiber formation and may slightly increase collagen accumulation in the skeletal muscle of the offspring. Although maternal protein restriction may alter the muscle fiber metabolism by favoring the establishment of a predominant glycolytic metabolism, the postnatal environment may be a determinant factor that establishes the different proportion of muscle fiber types.
The Effects of Turnip (Brassica rapa) Extract on the Growth Performance and Health of Broilers
Authors: Eghbaldost-Jadid Reza , Nosrati Mehran , Rasouli Behrouz , Seidavi Alireza , Phillips Clive J. C.
Published: March 2021

There are concerns about inclusion of antibiotics in the feed of broiler chickens, because of the development of antibiotic resistance, leading to a search for alternative feed additives. Turnip extract is known to have antibacterial properties but has not been tested in the diet of broiler chickens. We allocated 200 broiler chicks to receive one of four levels of turnip extract in their water, 0, 150, 300 or 450 ppm, or a standard antibiotic, Virginiamycin, over a 42-day growing period. Although initially there were detrimental effects of providing 450 ppm, overall the 150 ppm level of supplementation increased weight gain, compared with birds given Virginiamycin, and decreased gizzard weight. Birds given 150 ppm or Virginiamycin had increased low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and reduced very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs) in their blood serum and reduced antibody responses to sheep red blood cells, compared to birds in the 450 ppm treatment. Birds given turnip extract at 450 ppm had fewer Gram-negative lactose and coliform bacteria than those provided with no turnip extract, and those provided with 150–300 ppm had the same as those provided with Virginiamycin. Turnip extract could potentially replace antibiotics included in the feed of broiler chickens for growth promotion and the control of bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal tract.
The Influence of Plant Extracts and Phytoconstituents on Antioxidant Enzymes Activity and Gene Expression in the Prevention and Treatment of Impaired Glucose Homeostasis and Diabetes Complications
Authors: Mihailović Mirjana , Dinić Svetlana , Arambašić Jovanović Jelena , Uskoković Aleksandra , Grdović Nevena , Vidaković Melita
Published: March 2021

Diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder resulting either from insulin resistance or an impaired insulin secretion. Prolonged elevated blood glucose concentration, the key clinical sign of diabetes, initiates an enhancement of reactive oxygen species derived from glucose autoxidation and glycosylation of proteins. Consequently, chronic oxidative stress overwhelms cellular endogenous antioxidant defenses and leads to the acute and long-standing structural and functional changes of macromolecules resulting in impaired cellular functioning, cell death and organ dysfunction. The oxidative stress provoked chain of pathological events over time cause diabetic complications such as nephropathy, peripheral neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, retinopathy, hypertension, and liver disease. Under diabetic conditions, accompanying genome/epigenome and metabolite markers alterations may also affect glucose homeostasis, pancreatic β-cells, muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. By providing deeper genetic/epigenetic insight of direct or indirect dietary effects, nutrigenomics offers a promising opportunity to improve the quality of life of diabetic patients. Natural plant extracts, or their naturally occurring compounds, were shown to be very proficient in the prevention and treatment of different pathologies associated with oxidative stress including diabetes and its complications. Considering that food intake is one of the crucial components in diabetes’ prevalence, progression and complications, this review summarizes the effect of the major plant secondary metabolite and phytoconstituents on the antioxidant enzymes activity and gene expression under diabetic conditions.
Potentials of Raspberry Ketone as a Natural Antioxidant
Authors: Lim Sung Ho , Choi Chang-Ik
Published: March 2021

Oxidative stress is closely linked to various diseases, and many studies have been conducted to determine how to reduce this stress. In particular, efforts are being made to find potential antioxidants from natural products. Studies have shown that raspberry ketone (RK; 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone) has various pharmacological activities. This review summarizes the antioxidant activities of RK and their underlying mechanisms. In several experimental models, it was proven that RK exhibits antioxidant properties through increasing total antioxidant capacity (TAC); upregulating antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT); and improving lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, research about RK’s antioxidant activities is directly or indirectly related to its other various physiological activities. Further studies at the clinical level will be able to verify the value of RK as an effective antioxidant, functional health food, and therapeutic agent.
Dynamic Characteristics of Approach Spike Jump Tasks in Male Volleyball Players
Authors: Tai Wei-Hsun , Peng Hsien-Te , Song Chen-Yi , Lin Jian-Zhi , Yu Hai-Bin , Wang Li-I
Published: March 2021

The approach running spike-jump (RSJ) is a crucial technique in the sport of volleyball. Two types of RSJs are commonly used for the volleyball spike attack: (1) RSJ with one leg (RSJ-1L) and (2) RSJ with two legs (RSJ-2L). The purposes of the current study were to compare the kinematic and kinetic differences between the RSJ-1L and RSJ-2L. Ten male college volleyball players performed spike jumps by striking a stationary ball at maximal jump height. Data were collected by six infrared Qualisys motion-capture cameras (180 Hz), two AMTI force platforms (1800 Hz), and recorded by Qualisys Track Manager software. The RSJ-1L demonstrated the faster three-step approach running velocity, greater vertical GRF, and ankle, knee, and hip joint moment, but less jump height, shorter last step length and push-off time, smaller knee and hip joint flexion angles at the initial foot-contact, and knee range of motion compared to the RSJ-2L. The current study contributed to the understanding of biomechanical differences of the volleyball spike jumps and can be used to adapt to the volleyball training.
A Single Image Enhancement Technique Using Dark Channel Prior
Authors: Wang Cong , Ding Mingli , Zhang Yongqiang , Wang Lina
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we propose a novel single image enhancement technique for defogging by using dark channel prior. The traditional dark channel prior methods for defogging have problems of high time complexity, edge effect, and failure of dark channel prior. To overcome the problems of high time complexity and edge effect, firstly, a four-point weighting algorithm is proposed to estimate the atmospheric light value accurately, and the dark channel prior is used to estimate the rough transmittance. Then, the gray-scale image of the input image is used to refine the transmittance. After that, an atmospheric scattering model is designed to restore the fog-free image. To solve the problem that the dark channel prior can not process the high brightness area, a combination of edge detection and maximum inter-class variance is used to segment the sky area and non-sky area. Finally, the improved defogging method is used for processing the non-sky area, and the enhancement algorithm via sequential decomposition is used for handling the sky area. Extensive experiments show that the improved algorithm can not only reduce the time complexity, but also effectively improve the edge effect. At the same time, it can also solve the problem of failure of dark channel prior.
Towards a Reliable Evaluation of Local Interpretation Methods
Authors: Li Jun , Lin Daoyu , Wang Yang , Xu Guangluan , Ding Chibiao
Published: March 2021

The growing use of deep neural networks in critical applications is making interpretability urgently to be solved. Local interpretation methods are the most prevalent and accepted approach for understanding and interpreting deep neural networks. How to effectively evaluate the local interpretation methods is challenging. To address this question, a unified evaluation framework is proposed, which assesses local interpretation methods from three dimensions: accuracy, persuasibility and class discriminativeness. Specifically, in order to assess correctness, we designed an interactive user feature annotation tool to provide ground truth for local interpretation methods. To verify the usefulness of the interpretation method, we iteratively display part of the interpretation results, and then ask users whether they agree with the category information. At the same time, we designed and built a set of evaluation data sets with a rich hierarchical structure. Surprisingly, one finding is that the existing visual interpretation methods cannot satisfy all evaluation dimensions at the same time, and each has its own shortcomings.
Measurements and Analysis of AC Losses in HTS Windings of Electrical Machine for Different Operation Modes
Authors: Zanegin Sergey , Ivanov Nikolay , Zubko Vasily , Kovalev Konstantin , Shishov Ivan , Shishov Dmitry , Podguzov Vladimir
Published: March 2021

The article is devoted to the study of losses in devices based on high-temperature superconductors of the 2nd generation. The complexity of the devices under study increases from a single rack coil to a winding assembled from several coils, and finally to an electric machine operating in generator mode. This is the way to experimentally study the behavior of 2nd generation high temperature superconductor (2G HTS) carrying a transport current in various conditions: self-field, external DC, and AC magnetic field. Attention is also paid to the losses in the winding during its operation from the inverter, which simulates the operating conditions in the motor mode of a propulsion system.