bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling bacterial resistance to antibiotics: bacterial conjugation and drug effects
Authors: Techitnutsarut Pirommas , Chamchod Farida
Published: June 2021

Antibiotic resistance is a major burden in many hospital settings as it drastically reduces the successful probability of treating bacterial infections. Generally, resistance is associated with bacterial fitness reduction and selection pressure from antibiotic usage. Here, we investigate the effects of bacterial conjugation, plasmid loss, and drug responses on the population dynamics of sensitive and resistant bacteria by using a mathematical model. Two types of drugs are considered here: antibiotic M that kills only sensitive bacteria and antibiotic N that kills both bacteria. Our results highlight that larger dose and longer dosing interval of antibiotic M may result in the higher prevalence of resistant bacteria while they do the opposite for antibiotic N. When delays in administering initial and second doses are incorporated, the results demonstrate that the delays may lead to the higher prevalence of resistant bacteria when antibiotic M or N is administered with the longer time of bacteria remaining at the lower prevalence of the latter. Our results highlight that switching antibiotic agents during a treatment course and different bacterial strain characteristics result in a significant impact on the prevalence of resistant bacteria.
Double auction and profit maximization mechanism for jobs with heterogeneous durations in cloud federations
Authors: Lu Runhao , Liang Yuning , Ling Qing , Li Changle , Wu Weigang
Published: June 2021

By sharing resources with each other, different cloud providers in a cloud federation can exploit their diversity in resource configuration and operational cost so as to improve service performance. They should consider the strategy of resource pricing, job scheduling and server provisioning altogether to maximize their own interests. On the other hand, they need to efficiently trade the resources with a suitable mechanism, typically auction, so as to guarantee the participants’ profits. Nevertheless, in consideration of the heterogeneous execution times of jobs, both the pricing strategy and trading mechanism should be delicately designed, which is obviously a challenging task. In this paper, we firstly propose a truthful, individual-rational and ex-post budget-balanced auction mechanism for selecting pairs of buyer and seller winners to trade virtual machines for different durations. Then, to maximize the individual profits, we propose a dynamic resource bidding scheme and a job scheduling strategy based on our importance model of jobs with heterogeneous execution times and resource requirements. The simulation results show that, compared with existing ones, our design can better handle varieties of both execution time and resource requirement and make the participants obtain more individual profits.
Selenogenome and AMPK signal insight into the protective effect of dietary selenium on chronic heat stress-induced hepatic metabolic disorder in growing pigs
Authors: Liu Yan , Tang Jiayong , He Ying , Jia Gang , Liu Guangmang , Tian Gang , Chen Xiaoling , Cai Jingyi , Kang Bo , Zhao Hua
Published: June 2021

Background

Chronic heat stress (CHS) disrupts hepatic metabolic homeostasis and jeopardizes product quality of pigs. Selenium (Se) may regulate the metabolic state through affect selenoprotein. Thus, we investigate the protective effect of dietary hydroxy-4-methylselenobutanoic acid (HMSeBA) on CHS induced hepatic metabolic disorder in growing pigs, and the corresponding response of selenoprotein.

Methods

Forty crossbreed growing pigs were randomly assigned to five groups: control group raised in the thermoneutral environment (22 ± 2 °C) with basal diet; four CHS groups raised in hyperthermal condition (33 ± 2 °C) with basal diet and supplied with 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 mg Se/kg HMSeBA, respectively. The trial lasted 28 d. The serum biochemical, hepatic metabolism related enzyme, protein and gene expression and 25 selenoproteins in liver tissue were determined by real-time PCR, ELISA and western blot.

Results

CHS significantly increased the rectal temperature, respiration rate, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of pigs, up-regulated hepatic heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and induced lower liver weight, glycogen content, hepatic glucokinase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). The CHS-induced liver metabolic disorder was associated with the aberrant expression of 6 metabolism-related gene and 11 selenoprotein encoding genes, and decreased the protein abundance of GCK, GPX4 and SELENOS. HMSeBA improved anti-oxidative capacity of liver. 0.4 or 0.6 mg Se/kg HMSeBA supplementation recovered the liver weight, glycogen content and rescue of mRNA abundance of genes related to metabolism and protein levels of GCK. HMSeBA supplementation changed expressions of 15 selenoprotein encoding genes, and enhanced protein expression of GPX1, GPX4 and SELENOS in the liver affected by CHS. CHS alone showed no impact while HMSeBA supplementation increased protein levels of p-AMPKα in the liver.

Conclusions

In summary, HMSeBA supplementation beyond nutrient requirement mitigates CHS-induced hepatic metabolic disorder, recovered the liver glycogen content and the processes that are associated with the activation of AMPK signal and regulation of selenoproteins in the liver of growing pigs.
Recent advances in Lynch syndrome
Authors: Li Xi , Liu Guodong , Wu Wei
Published: June 2021

Lynch syndrome is one of the most common hereditary cancer syndromes and is characterized by the development of many cancers, such as colorectal cancer (CRC), endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, stomach cancer and many other cancers. Lynch syndrome is caused by pathogenic germline variants in one of four DNA mismatch repair genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, or PMS2) or by an EPCAM deletion. The MLH1 variant is correlated with the highest risk of CRC, while the MSH2 variant is correlated with the highest risk of other cancers. CRC is the most common cancer type that develops in individuals with Lynch syndrome, followed by endometrial cancer. Recent advances have been made to help us further understand the molecular pathogenesis of this disease and help improve diagnostic testing efficiency and surveillance strategies. Moreover, recent advances in immunotherapy provided by clinical trials also provide clinicians with more chances to better treat Lynch syndrome. This study aims to review many advances in the molecular genetics, clinical features, diagnosis, surveillance and treatment of Lynch syndrome.
An integrated gene catalog and over 10,000 metagenome-assembled genomes from the gastrointestinal microbiome of ruminants
Authors: Xie Fei , Jin Wei , Si Huazhe , Yuan Yuan , Tao Ye , Liu Junhua , Wang Xiaoxu , Yang Chengjian , Li Qiushuang , Yan Xiaoting , Lin Limei , Jiang Qian , Zhang Lei , Guo Changzheng , Greening Chris , Heller Rasmus , Guan Le Luo , Pope Phillip B. , Tan Zhiliang , Zhu Weiyun , Wang Min , Qiu Qiang , Li Zhipeng , Mao Shengyong
Published: June 2021

Background

Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiomes in ruminants play major roles in host health and thus animal production. However, we lack an integrated understanding of microbial community structure and function as prior studies are predominantly biased towards the rumen. In this study, we used shotgun metagenomics to profile the microbiota of 370 samples that represent 10 GIT regions of seven ruminant species.

Results

Our analyses reconstructed a GIT microbial reference catalog with > 154 million nonredundant genes and identified 8745 uncultured candidate species from over 10,000 metagenome-assembled genomes. The integrated gene catalog across the GIT regions demonstrates spatial associations between the microbiome and physiological adaptations, and 8745 newly characterized genomes substantially expand the genomic landscape of ruminant microbiota, particularly those from the lower gut. This substantially expands the previously known set of endogenous microbial diversity and the taxonomic classification rate of the GIT microbiome. These candidate species encode hundreds of enzymes and novel biosynthetic gene clusters that improve our understanding concerning methane production and feed efficiency in ruminants. Overall, this study expands the characterization of the ruminant GIT microbiota at unprecedented spatial resolution and offers clues for improving ruminant livestock production in the future.

Conclusions

Having access to a comprehensive gene catalog and collections of microbial genomes provides the ability to perform efficiently genome-based analysis to achieve a detailed classification of GIT microbial composition and function. Our study will bring unprecedented power in future association studies to investigate the impact of the GIT microbiota in ruminant health and production.
Linking genomic and physiological characteristics of psychrophilic Arthrobacter to metagenomic data to explain global environmental distribution
Authors: Shen Liang , Liu Yongqin , Allen Michelle A. , Xu Baiqing , Wang Ninglian , Williams Timothy J. , Wang Feng , Zhou Yuguang , Liu Qing , Cavicchioli Ricardo
Published: June 2021

Background

Microorganisms drive critical global biogeochemical cycles and dominate the biomass in Earth’s expansive cold biosphere. Determining the genomic traits that enable psychrophiles to grow in cold environments informs about their physiology and adaptive responses. However, defining important genomic traits of psychrophiles has proven difficult, with the ability to extrapolate genomic knowledge to environmental relevance proving even more difficult.

Results

Here we examined the bacterial genusArthrobacterand, assisted by genome sequences of new Tibetan Plateau isolates, defined a new clade, Group C, that represents isolates from polar and alpine environments. Group C had a superior ability to grow at −1°C and possessed genome G+C content, amino acid composition, predicted protein stability, and functional capacities (e.g., sulfur metabolism and mycothiol biosynthesis) that distinguished it from non-polar or alpine Group AArthrobacter. Interrogation of nearly 1000 metagenomes identified an over-representation of Group C in Canadian permafrost communities from a simulated spring-thaw experiment, indicative of niche adaptation, and an under-representation of Group A in all polar and alpine samples, indicative of a general response to environmental temperature.

Conclusion

The findings illustrate a capacity to define genomic markers of specific taxa that potentially have value for environmental monitoring of cold environments, including environmental change arising from anthropogenic impact. More broadly, the study illustrates the challenges involved in extrapolating from genomic and physiological data to an environmental setting.
Indoor bacterial, fungal and viral species and functional genes in urban and rural schools in Shanxi Province, China–association with asthma, rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis in high school students
Authors: Fu Xi , Ou Zheyuan , Zhang Mei , Meng Yi , Li Yanling , Wen Jikai , Hu Qiansheng , Zhang Xin , Norbäck Dan , Deng Yiqun , Zhao Zhuohui , Sun Yu
Published: June 2021

Background

Studies in developed countries have reported that the prevalence of asthma and rhinitis is higher in urban areas than in rural areas, and this phenomenon is associated with urbanization and changing indoor microbiome exposure. Developing countries such as China have experienced rapid urbanization in past years, but no study has investigated microbiome exposure and urban-rural health effects in these countries.

Methods

Nine high schools from urban and rural areas were randomly selected in Shanxi Province, China, and classroom vacuum dust was collected for shotgun metagenomic sequencing. A self-administered questionnaire was collected from 1332 students for personal information and health data. Three-level logistic regression was performed between microbial richness/abundance/functional pathways and the occurrence of asthma and rhinitis symptoms.

Results

Consistent with developed countries, the prevalence of wheeze and rhinitis was higher in urban areas than in rural areas (p < 0.05). Metagenomic profiling revealed 8302 bacterial, 395 archaeal, 744 fungal, 524 protist and 1103 viral species in classroom dust. Actinobacteria (mean relative abundance 49.7%), Gammaproteobacteria (18.4%) and Alphaproteobacteria (10.0%) were the most abundant bacterial classes. The overall microbiome composition was significantly different between urban and rural schools (p = 0.001, Adonis). Species from Betaproteobactera, Gammaproteobacteria and Bacilli were enriched in urban schools, and species from Actinobacteria and Cyanobacteria were enriched in rural schools. Potential pathogens were present in higher abundance in urban schools than in rural schools (p < 0.05). Pseudoalteromonas, Neospora caninum and Microbacterium foliorum were positively associated with the occurrence of wheeze, rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis, and Brachybacterium was protectively (negatively) associated with rhinitis (p < 0.01). The abundance of human endocrine and metabolic disease pathways was positively associated with rhinitis (p = 0.008), and butyrate and propionate metabolic genes and pathways were significantly enriched in rural schools (p < 0.005), in line with previous findings that these short-chain fatty acids protect against inflammatory diseases in the human gut.

Conclusions

We conducted the first indoor microbiome survey in urban/rural environments with shotgun metagenomics, and the results revealed high-resolution microbial taxonomic and functional profiling and potential health effects.
Microbial production of butyl butyrate: from single strain to cognate consortium
Authors: Sinumvayo Jean Paul , Li Yin , Zhang Yanping
Published: June 2021

Butyl butyrate (BB) is an important chemical with versatile applications in beverage, food and cosmetics industries. Since chemical synthesis of BB may cause adverse impacts on the environment, biotechnology is an emerging alternative approach for microbial esters biosynthesis. BB can be synthesized by using a single Clostridium strain natively producing butanol or butyrate, with exogenously supplemented butyrate or butanol, in the presence of lipase. Recently, E. coli strains have been engineered to produce BB, but the titer and yield remained very low. This review highlighted a new trend of developing cognate microbial consortium for BB production and associated challenges, and end up with new prospects for further improvement for microbial BB biosynthesis.
Experimental phantom evaluation to identify robust positron emission tomography (PET) radiomic features
Authors: Carles Montserrat , Fechter Tobias , Martí-Bonmatí Luis , Baltas Dimos , Mix Michael
Published: June 2021

Background

Radiomics analysis usually involves, especially in multicenter and large hospital studies, different imaging protocols for acquisition, reconstruction, and processing of data. Differences in protocols can lead to differences in the quantification of the biomarker distribution, leading to radiomic feature variability. The aim of our study was to identify those radiomic features robust to the different degrading factors in positron emission tomography (PET) studies. We proposed the use of the standardized measurements of the European Association Research Ltd. (EARL) accreditation to retrospectively identify the radiomic features having low variability to the different systems and reconstruction protocols. In addition, we presented a reproducible procedure to identify PET radiomic features robust to PET/CT imaging metal artifacts. In 27 heterogeneous homemade phantoms for which ground truth was accurately defined by CT segmentation, we evaluated the segmentation accuracy and radiomic feature reliability given by the contrast-oriented algorithm (COA) and the 40% threshold PET segmentation. In the comparison of two data sets, robustness was defined by Wilcoxon rank tests, bias was quantified by Bland–Altman (BA) plot analysis, and strong correlations were identified by Spearman correlation test (r > 0.8 and p satisfied multiple test Bonferroni correction).

Results

Forty-eight radiomic features were robust to system, 22 to resolution, 102 to metal artifacts, and 42 to different PET segmentation tools. Overall, only 4 radiomic features were simultaneously robust to all degrading factors. Although both segmentation approaches significantly underestimated the volume with respect to the ground truth, with relative deviations of −62 ± 36% for COA and −50 ± 44% for 40%, radiomic features derived from the ground truth were strongly correlated and/or robust to 98 radiomic features derived from COA and to 102 from 40%.

Conclusion

In multicenter studies, we recommend the analysis of EARL accreditation measurements in order to retrospectively identify the robust PET radiomic features. Furthermore, 4 radiomic features (area under the curve of the cumulative SUV volume histogram, skewness, kurtosis, and gray-level variance derived from GLRLM after application of an equal probability quantization algorithm on the voxels within lesion) were robust to all degrading factors. In addition, the feasibility of 40% and COA segmentations for their use in radiomics analysis has been demonstrated.
Design and system evaluation of a dual-panel portable PET (DP-PET)
Authors: Zeng Tianyi , Zheng Jiaxu , Xia Xinyuan , Chen Xin , Wang Beien , Zhang Shuangyue , Chandler Adam , Cao Tuoyu , Hu Lingzhi , Chen Qun , Chu Xu
Published: June 2021

Background

Integrated whole-body PET/MR technology continues to mature and is now extensively used in clinical settings. However, due to the special design architecture, integrated whole-body PET/MR comes with a few inherent limitations. Firstly, whole-body PET/MR lacks sensitivity and resolution for focused organs. Secondly, broader clinical access of integrated PET/MR has been significantly restricted due to its prohibitively high cost. The MR-compatible PET insert is an independent and removable PET scanner which can be placed within an MRI bore. However, the mobility and configurability of all existing MR-compatible PET insert prototypes remain limited.

Methods

An MR-compatible portable PET insert prototype, dual-panel portable PET (DP-PET), has been developed for simultaneous PET/MR imaging. Using SiPM, digital readout electronics, novel carbon fiber shielding, phase-change cooling, and MRI compatible battery power, DP-PET was designed to achieve high-sensitivity and high-resolution with compatibility with a clinical 3-T MRI scanner. A GPU-based reconstruction method with resolution modeling (RM) has been developed for the DP-PET reconstruction. We evaluated the system performance on PET resolution, sensitivity, image quality, and the PET/MR interference.

Results

The initial results reveal that the DP-PET prototype worked as expected in the MRI bore and caused minimal compromise to the MRI image quality. The PET performance was measured to show a spatial resolution ≤ 2.5 mm (parallel to the detector panels), maximum sensitivity = 3.6% at the center of FOV, and energy resolution = 12.43%. MR pulsing introduces less than 2% variation to the PET performance measurement results.

Conclusions

We developed a MR-compatible PET insert prototype and performed several studies to begin to characterize the performance of the proposed DP-PET. The results showed that the proposed DP-PET performed well in the MRI bore and would cause little influence on the MRI images. The Derenzo phantom test showed that the proposed reconstruction method could obtain high-quality images using DP-PET.
Increased pulmonary embolism in patients with COVID-19: a case series and literature review
Authors: Hesam-Shariati Sonia , Fatehi Poya , Abouzaripour Morteza , Fathi Fardin , Hesam-Shariati Negin , Hesam Shariati Mohammad Bakhtiar
Published: June 2021

There is some recent evidence that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increases the risk of venous thromboembolism by creating a prothrombotic state. COVID-19 and pulmonary embolism (PE) are both associated with tachypnoea, hypoxemia, dyspnoea, and increased D-dimer. Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in a patient with COVID-19 compared to an individual without it, using the conventional clinical and biochemical evidence is challenging and somehow impossible. In this study, we reported four male cases affected by COVID-19 and admitted to hospitals in Sanandaj, Iran. The patients were all older adults (ranging between 56 and 95 years of age). Fever, chills, muscle pain, and cough were evident in all the cases. Red blood cell levels were low, and pulmonary embolism was clearly detected on spiral computed tomographic (CT) angiography of the pulmonary circulation of all patients. These cases demonstrated that COVID-19 may lead to pulmonary embolism by causing blood coagulation problems. As COVID-19 continues to cause considerable mortality, more information is emerging which reveals its complicated pathogenicity. In the meantime, venous thromboembolism remains an uncommon finding in patients with COVID-19. It is essential that health care providers perform the necessary diagnostic evaluations and provide appropriate treatment for patients.
Validation and psychometric properties of the Indonesian version of the Fear of Missing Out Scale in adolescents
Authors: Kaloeti Dian Veronika Sakti , Kurnia S Ayu , Tahamata Valentino Marcel
Published: June 2021

Background

This study’s main purpose was to examine the psychometric properties of FoMOs’ adaptation among the Indonesian adolescents’ population. The second aim was to investigate the concurrent validity of the Indonesian version to provide evidence for the validity. Also, FoMOs’ difference level between demographic variance analyses was performed.

Method

The study involved a cross-sectional online survey design with 638 Indonesian adolescents aged 16–24 (M = 19.08, SD = 14.70). FoMO was measured by a 16-item that has been modified from the original 10-item. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were carried out to study its scores’ evidence of structural validity. Besides, to study its scores’ evidence of convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity concerning other variables such as stress, anxiety, and depression (Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale-21), and general health condition (General Health Questionnaire Scale-12), correlation analyses were conducted. To study the sensitivity, we assessed the effect of sociodemographic and social media use on the scale’s ability to identify the population’s risk to the FoMO by conducting analyses of variance. The Cronbach alpha values (α = .93) indicated that internal consistency of the scale was at an adequate level.

Results

Exploratory factorial analyses revealed adequate adjustment for the new version of the scale showing the three factorial structures. Confirmatory factor analyses showed that the 12-item of Indonesian FoMO had a good fit (χ2/df = 289.324/51; goodness-of-fit index (GFI) = 0.928; RMSEA = 0.086; comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.915; normed fit index (NFI) = 0.899; parsimony normed fit index (PNFI) = .695; Tucker–Lewis index (TLI) = 0.890).

Conclusion

This study has shown that the modified 12-item Fear of Missing Out Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for Indonesian adolescents. It showed that the Indonesian version of Fear of Missing Out Scale has adequate psychometric properties to measure Indonesian adolescents’ online behavior.
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the first 500 confirmed COVID-19 inpatients in a tertiary infectious disease referral hospital in Manila, Philippines
Authors: Agrupis Kristal An , Smith Chris , Suzuki Shuichi , Villanueva Annavi Marie , Ariyoshi Koya , Solante Rontgene , Telan Elizabeth Freda , Estrada Kelly Anne , Uichanco Ann Celestyn , Sagurit Jocelyn , Calayo Joy , Umipig Dorcas , dela Merced Zita , Villarama Fe , Dimaano Efren , Villarama Jose Benito , Lopez Edmundo , Sayo Ana Ria
Published: June 2021

Background

The Philippines has been one of the most affected COVID-19 countries in the Western Pacific region, but there are limited data on COVID-19-related mortality and associated factors from this setting. We aimed to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics and associations with mortality among COVID-19-confirmed individuals admitted to an infectious diseases referral hospital in Metro Manila.

Main text

This was a single-centre retrospective analysis including the first 500 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 individuals admitted to San Lazaro Hospital, Metro Manila, Philippines, from January to October 2020. We extracted clinical data and examined epidemiological and clinical characteristics and factors associated with in-hospital mortality. Of the 500 individuals, 133 (26.6%) were healthcare workers (HCW) and 367 (73.4%) were non-HCW, with HCW more likely presenting with milder symptoms. Non-HCW admissions were more likely to have at least one underlying disease (51.6% vs. 40.0%; p = 0.002), with hypertension (35.4%), diabetes (17.4%), and tuberculosis (8.2%) being the most common. Sixty-one (12.2%) died, comprising 1 HCW and 60 non-HCW (0.7% vs. 16.3%; p < 0.001). Among the non-HCW, no death occurred for the 0–10 years age group, but deaths were recorded across all other age groups. Compared to those who recovered, individuals who died were more likely to be older (p < 0.001), male (p = 0.015), report difficulty of breathing (p < 0.001), be HIV positive (p = 0.008), be intubated (p < 0.001), categorised as severe or critical (p < 0.001), have a shorter mean hospital stay (p < 0.001), or have an additional diagnosis of pneumonia (p < 0.001) or ARDS (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our analysis reflected significant differences in characteristics, symptomatology, and outcomes between healthcare and non-healthcare workers. Despite the unique mix of cohorts, our results support the country’s national guideline on COVID-19 vaccination which prioritises healthcare workers, the elderly, and people with comorbidities and immunodeficiency states.
Comparison of the potential activities of viral and bacterial chitinases
Authors: Abulikemu Suleiman , Yesilyurt Aydin , Gencer Donus , Usta Mehtap , Nalcacioglu Remziye
Published: June 2021

Background

Chitin, a long-chain polymer of N-acetylglucosamine, is a major structural component of the insect exoskeleton and the peritrophic membrane (PM). Chitinases are able to effectively break down glycosidic bonds of chitin polymer thus can be used in agriculture to control plant pathogen insects. These enzymes can be synthesized by higher plants, animals, protista, bacteria, and viruses.

Results

In this study, viral and bacterial chitinases were compared for their potential activity on a laboratory test insect. The genes encoding chitinases of Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcNPV) and Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) were amplified from genomic DNAs by PCR and cloned into the pET-28a (+) expression vector. The chitinase proteins of these 2 viruses (AcNPV-Chi, CpGV-Chi) and Serratia marcescens chitinase C (ChiC) protein which was previously cloned were overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Expressed proteins were purified and confirmed by western blot analysis as 50, 63, and 68 kDa for AcNPV, CpGV, and S. marcescens chitinases, respectively. Enzyme activities of the chitinases were confirmed. Chitinases were also compared to each other in silico. The insecticidal effects of these proteins were evaluated on Galleria mellonella L. larvae. Bioassays were performed on the 3rd instar larvae for each chitinase protein in triplicate. The results showed that although there were differences in enzymatic activities and domain organizations, all 3 microbial chitinases produced almost the same level of insecticidal activity on the test insect. LC50 and LT50 values were compatible with the mortality results. These results were a preanalysis for comparing the effects of microbial chitinases.

Conclusion

Potential activity experiments should be carried out on more insects to provide detailed information on the insecticidal effects of bacterial and viral chitinases.
Effects of curing on emulsion cold mix asphalts and their extracted binder
Authors: Thiriet Amélie , Gaudefroy Vincent , Chailleux Emmanuel , Piau Jean-Michel , Delfosse Frédéric , Leroy Christine
Published: June 2021

This paper focuses on the physicochemical changes that happen in cold mix asphalts during curing, and more specifically, while and after transitioning to different simulated seasons. Several tests were carried out in order to better grasp the influence of the weather (temperature and humidity) on the curing of such materials. The mechanical behaviour of the mix was assessed using oedometer tests. The physicochemical evolutions of extracted binders, such as oxidation and rheology, were evaluated. The results show stiffening of the mix and ageing of the binder linked to a higher temperature and a lower humidity. A low temperature and high moisture seem to slow down these evolutions. However the binder behaviour does not explain the whole mix behaviour as the kinetics between them are not always similar. Thus other mechanisms are yet to be found and taken into account to fully understand cold mix asphalts behaviour.
Influence of gasoline emissions on tomato fruit rot by two fungi in tropical ambient conditions
Authors: Aborisade Abiola Titilola , Balogun Kayode Peter , Oladele Oluwole Olakunle
Published: June 2021

Background

The release of pollutant gases into the atmosphere as a result of anthropogenic activities exert effect on biological systems at many levels. Combustion engines such as those in vehicles and power generators pollute the air with emissions from their exhausts. The gases released which are oxides of carbon, nitrogen; sulphur and particulate matter have effect on living things in the immediate environment. Up to 25% of harvested fruits and vegetables are lost mainly due to microbial activities before consumption. Disease development in ripe tomato fruit (host) by two of its fungal pathogens in the presence of generator emissions is presently being studied.

Results

Treatment produced variable effects depending on the fungus and the route of infection. For Rhizopus stolonifer coated and Fusarium oxysporum wound inoculated fruits, significant disease reduction was noticeable in the later days of storage, specifically from day 11. Fruits coated with F. oxsporum spores without wounding however, rotted more with gasoline emissions treatment also noticeably at the later period of storage. Long exposures caused greater rot reduction where disease was reduced and more severe rot where disease was enhanced. Rhizopus infected fruits were best preserved for 14 days by 40 min exposure while wound inoculated Fusarium infected fruits were best preserved by 45 min exposure. Disease reduction was 40–50% in both types of infection. Conversely, disease was most aggravated by about 50% by 45 min exposure of unwounded Fusarium infected fruits. Other exposures also caused increased rotting by about 5–35%.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that air pollution by fumes from generators may under certain host–pathogen conditions be advantageous in prolonging postharvest life of ripe tomatoes, while at other times could be devastating when fruits are subsequently stored or marketed at tropical ambient temperature. The advantage, however, outweighs the negative effects.
The COVID-19 basic reproductive ratio using SEIR model for the Middle East countries and some other countries for two stages of the disease
Authors: Al-Raeei Marwan
Published: June 2021

Background

The new coronavirus disease appeared at the end of 2019, and it is now a global problem over the world. There are multiple epidemiologic indicators used for discussing the spread of pandemics, one of these indicators is the basic reproductive ratio which indicates whether the pandemic is going to spread more or relax, and the aim of this work is estimating this ratio for the Middle East countries for two stages of the pandemic.

Main body of the abstract

We employ Runge–Kutta method on SEIR model to simulate the basic reproductive ratio values of SARS-CoV-2 disease by using the recorded data of the disease for two stages, up to date May 29, 2020, in the first stage and up to date September 7, 2020, in the second stage. We estimate the coefficient of exposing rate, the coefficient of infection rate, the coefficient of recovery rate and the coefficient of mortality rate of the new coronavirus disease in addition to the basic reproductive ratio values of the disease in the Middle East countries, namely Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Syrian Arab Republic, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Yemen where we apply the SEIR epidemic model.

Short conclusion

We find that the values of the basic reproductive ratio of the new coronavirus disease based on the used model in the Middle East countries start from 1.5583 to 3.0395 in the first stage and from 1.0001 to 4.5757. Besides, we find that the problem of the new coronavirus disease in Lebanon and in the Syrian Arab Republic is not good at all in the recent stage based on the values of the basic reproductive ratio comparing with other Middle East countries. Also, we find that the value of the basic reproductive ratio for the second stage is near one; however, if we apply the method for the following stages, we find that the values return to be larger because lots of people in that stage and after did not follow the governmental procedures for stopping the spreading of the disease.
Relationship of the sacral slope with early gait derangements in robust older women
Authors: Oliveira Leda Magalhaes , Roizenblatt Suely , Silva Flavio Duarte , Roizenblatt Arnaldo , Fernandes Artur Rocha Correa , Szejnfeld Vera Lucia
Published: June 2021

Background

Trunk pelvic dissociation is fundamental to the compensatory mechanism for muscle weakness during body bending. We carried out an early investigation of gait changes in a sample of community-dwelling women ≥60 years without gait complaints. The primary objective was to correlate spine and pelvic angles with performance tests and accelerometry parameters. The secondary objective was to correlate performance tests with accelerometry.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 54 community-dwelling women ≥60 years were subjected to Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), performance tests (Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go, and Gait analysis), and radiographic analysis of sagittal alignment (Thoracic and Lumbar Cobb, Pelvic Incidence, Sacral Slope, and Pelvic Tilt angles). Gait speed was assessed in a 10-m comfortable walk, and accelerometry parameters were obtained in a 30-m walk distance.

Results

The sample, aged 72 ± 6 years, exhibited moderate correlation between Sacral Slope and Step Length (+ 0.615). Sacral Slope weakly correlated with FES-I (− 0.339), Berg Balance Scale (+ 0.367), and with further accelerometry data in the AP plane: RMS, (+ 0.439) and Stride Regularity (+ 0.475), p < 0.05, all. Lumbar Cobb weakly correlated with the following accelerometry data in the AP plane: Step Length (+ 0.405), RMS, (+ 0.392), and Stride Regularity (+ 0.345), p < 0.05, all. Additionally, Stride Regularity in AP moderately correlated with FES-I (0,561, p < 0.05), among other weak correlations between performance tests and accelerometry data in AP.

Conclusions

Early alterations in Sacral Slope and gait abnormalities in the AP plane may provide understanding of the early gait changes in robust older women.
Gout of feet and ankles in different disease durations: diagnostic value of single-source DECT and evaluation of urate deposition with a novel semi-quantitative DECT scoring system
Authors: Shang Jin , Li Xiao-Hu , Lu Shu-Qin , Shang Yi , Li Lu-Lu , Liu Bin
Published: June 2021

Objectives

To investigate the diagnostic performance of single-source dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) based on gemstone spectral imaging technology (including Discovery CT750HD and Revolution CT) in patients with suspected feet/ankles gouty arthritis, and evaluate the urate deposition with a novel semi-quantitative DECT scoring system.

Methods

A total of 196 patients were consecutively included. Feet and ankles were evaluated in all patients by single-source DECT scan. The 2015 EULAR/ACR criteria were used as the reference for the diagnosis of gout. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of DECT for the diagnosis of gout in the early (≤1 year), middle (1–3 years), and late (> 3 years) disease durations were calculated. Besides, a novel semi-quantitative DECT scoring system was assessed for the measurement of urate deposition, and the correlation between the scores and the clinical and serological data were also evaluated. Moreover, the influences of artifacts on the diagnostic performance of DECT were also determined.

Results

The sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of DECT in 196 patients were 38.10, 96.43%, and 0.673 in the early-stage group; 62.96, 100.00%, and 0.815 in the middle-stage group; and 77.55, 87.50%, and 0.825 in the late-stage group, respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracies in the AUC of DECT (Discovery CT750HD and Revolution CT) in the middle and late stages of gout were higher than that in the early stage of gout. Besides, the monosodium urate crystals were deposited on the first metatarsophalangeal joints and ankles/midfeet. Age, the presence of tophus, bone erosion, and disease duration considerably affected the total urate score. No statistical difference in the positive detection of nail artifact, skin artifact, vascular calcification, and noise artifact was found between the case and control groups.

Conclusion

DECT (Discovery CT750HD and Revolution CT) showed promising diagnostic accuracy for the detection of urate crystal deposition in gout but had limited diagnostic sensitivity for short-stage gout. Longer disease duration, the presence of tophus, and bone erosion were associated with the urate crystal score system. The artifacts do not remarkably affect the diagnostic performance of DECT in gout.
Elucidation of the liver proteome in response to an antioxidant intake in rabbits
Authors: Sikiru Akeem Babatunde , Arangasamy Arunachalam , Egena Stephen Sunday Acheneje , Veerasamy Sejian , Reddy Ippala Janardhan , Raghavendra Bhatta
Published: June 2021

Background

Antioxidant intakes are one of the most cherished dietary approaches for the management of oxidative stress-induced liver damages. These antioxidants exist as the bioactive compounds present in plants and other natural sources functioning in varieties of ways from acting as direct scavengers of the free radicals to acting as the modifiers of genes and proteins expressions.Chlorella vulgarisis one of such antioxidants; it is a unicellular microalga and a rich source of polyphenols which has been reported for its capacity of reducing oxidative stress by upregulation of antioxidant genes. However, there are scarce reports on its effect on antioxidant protein expressions and functions in the liver. This situation necessitates untargeted proteomic profiling of the liver due to the antioxidant intakes as carried out in this present study. Sixteen laboratory weaner rabbits of 8 weeks old with initial average bodyweight of 1060 ± 29.42 g were randomly divided into two groups (n= 8 per group); the first group served as control while the second served as the treatment group were used for this study.

Results

After a period of 120 days daily consumption of 500 mg ofChlorella vulgarisbiomass per kg bodyweight of the rabbit models, the animals were sacrificed and their livers were harvested followed by protein extraction for the untargeted proteomic profiling using LC-MS/Orbitrap Fusion Tribrid™ peptides quantifier and sequencer. Also, there was an assessment of the oxidative stress biomarkers in the liver and serum of the rabbits. Five-hundred and forty-four (544) proteins were identified out of which 204 were unique to the control, 198 were unique to the treatment group, while 142 were common to both groups of the rabbits. Antioxidant proteins commonly found in both groups were upregulated in the treatment group and were significantly associated with oxidative stress-protective activities. There was a reduction in oxidative stress biomarkers of the supplemented group as indicated by the assessment of the liver malondialdehyde concentrations (p< 0.05), total antioxidant capacities (p< 0.05), and antioxidant enzyme activities (p< 0.05). Similarly, these biomarkers were significantly reduced in the serum of the supplemented rabbits (p< 0.05).

Conclusion

The study concluded thatChlorella vulgarisis an antioxidant agent that could be suitable for reducing liver oxidative stress damage and it is a potential drug candidate for protecting the liver against oxidative stress damages as revealed in the rabbit models.
PENINGKATAN MUTU GURU MELALUI PELATIHAN PEMBUATAN VIDEO BAHAN PEMBELAJARAN BERBASIS OPEN BROADCASTER SOFTWARE
Authors: Suryadi Aris , Abadi SC , Eriyadi Mindit , Usman Dani , Hamdani YM
Published: June 2021

Learning media provided by a teacher to students are generally conventional. This has resulted in a perceived saturation and of course the quality of teachers is seen as low in their eyes. Lack of teacher knowledge in the use of computer applications for creating technology-based learning media. The solution to these problems can be through the provision of training by using the open broadcaster software application as a learning medium. The application is in the form of software that can be downloaded directly on the internet, of course it can be applied by teachers. The target to be achieved in the subject they are teaching. The findings in this activity received a positive and enthusiastic response from the teachers 100%, both the training materials that were delivered, and the activities in operating the application 90%
PREVALENCE AND FORMS OF ONLINE HARASSMENT AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF A NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY
Authors: Mustapha Mulikat Ladi , Muhammad Shuaib Abolakale , Olowoniyi Faith Folusho
Published: June 2021

The upsurge in accessing and utilizing the internet and social networking sites for social activities predisposes adolescents and young adults globally to online harassment, Nigerian undergraduates inclusive. The impacts of online harassment have attracted many research interests, especially in the developed world and the dearth of inquiries among Nigerian undergraduates. This work inquired about the prevalence and forms of online harassment perpetrated by undergraduates in a Nigerian university. A descriptive research design was adopted, data were amassed utilizing a three-sectioned self-report form administered on a sample of 420 undergraduates. The selection of the sample was made following a multistage procedure. Percentage and univariate analysis techniques were used for data analysis. The result of the inquiry revealed widespread online harassment among the undergraduates of the university. All the forms of online harassment assessed were perpetrated; dog pilling topped the list (63.1%), followed by trolling (44.0%). The high rate of occurrence demands the urgent attention of the university authority, professionals across relevant fields should create awareness; the need to develop interventions and policies to deal with online harassment is obvious
MEWUJUDKAN DESA INOVASI TEKNOLOGI MELALUI PENGGUNAAN KOMPOSIT (RESIN DAN SERBUK LIMBAH BAWANG) DI DESA BANGSRI DAN DESA PESANTUNAN KABUPATEN BREBES
Authors: Santoso Irfan , Farid Ahmad , Kusuma Mobinta
Published: June 2021

TThe area of harvested shallots in Brebes is 60.82% of the total harvested area in Central Java Province. Production of shallots in 2018 reached 10,519,484 quintals. Pesantunan Village, Wanasari District, has a high productivity of 121.544 quintals/Ha and Bangsri Village has a productivity of 98.28 quintals/Ha. The abundant potential of onions also has an impact on the abundant onion waste, so that the potential for this onion waste will be made a composite as the embodiment of the Innovation Village. The purpose of this community service activity is to create a Technology Innovation Village to community groups in Pesantunan and Bangsri Villages regarding the use of onion waste into a composite.The method offered is divided into two, namely Soft Program and Hard Program.The result of the composite technology innovation village program, number of participants in the Pesantunan Village was 25 from the "Santun Asri" community group and 15 people in the Bangsri Village from the "Bumdes" membership. Participants were provided with a soft program including waste management and technology innovation villages in the composite field. Participants were also provided with a Hard Program, is practicing making composites with waste onions
PENERAPAN INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM (IFS) MENUJU DESA AGROWISATA DI DESA JATISARI, KECAMATAN JATISRONO, KABUPATEN WONOGIRI
Authors: Rachmawatie Srie Juli , Respati Adib Norma , Oktyajati Nancy , Widiastuti Libria , Rahayu Endang Siti , Sutrisno Joko
Published: June 2021

Integrated Farming System is a management system for plants, livestock, and aquaculture with environment to produce an excellent product. The objectives of the community service activity were empowering Jatisari Village community to realize the Agrotourism Village, ensuring integrated farming systems run well and optimally, and making Jatisari Village a fostered village of the Faculty of Engineering, Science and Agriculture UNIBA. Integrated farming system is a system that combines agricultural activities, animal husbandry, fisheries, and forestry with other sciences related to agriculture in one land, so that it is expected to be one of the solutions for increasing land productivity, building programs and environmental conservation, and integrated village development. Entrepreneurship is also important to support the existence of agrotourism of Jatisari Village. Jatisari Village is prospective in developing agrotourism areas. Local potential, natural resources and human resources can be utilized to support the development of agrotourism areas
PENGOLAHAN LIMBAH MINYAK JELANTAH MENJADI LILIN AROMATERAPI DI BANK SAMPAH LINTAS WINONGO, KELURAHAN BUMIJO, KECAMATAN JETIS, KOTA YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Astuti Amalia Yuli , Linarti Utaminingsih , Indah Budiarti Gita
Published: June 2021

Waste Cooking Oil (WCO) is the waste that came from household. WCO become a threat to community because it will come back to food chains again as residual bulk oil that have cheaper price than branded cooking oil. Lintas Winongo Waste Bank in Bumijo, Jetis, Yogyakarta City are trying to manage the waste cooking oil into recycled products. One of their products is aromatherapy candles. However, they had problem to produce the candles and sell it. They also faced problem about the odor of candle that came from WCO as raw material. The purpose of community service were to provide knowledge and skills to produce aromatherapy candles and to calculate the Cost of Goods Sold (CoGS). The methods in this activity were carried out in two stage. The first activity has organized by training and assistance in producing aromatherapy candles that mixed WCO and other ingredients. The second activity focused in calculating CoGS of candles. The results from these community service activities were increased knowledge and skills about producing aromatherapy candles. There were also increased knowledge about manage CoGS of their products