bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HIV sero-status disclosure and associated factors among HIV positive women in East Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Implications for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission
Authors: Mosisa Getu , Mulisa Diriba , Oluma Adugna , Bayisa Lami , Merdassa Emiru , Bayisa Diriba , Tamiru Afework , Tolossa Tadesse , Chala Diriba Dereje , Fetensa Getahun , Wakuma Bizuneh
Published: November 2022

Background

Women's HIV-positive disclosure plays a pivotal role to achieve the goal of preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) among pregnant women in particular. Although several primary studies were conducted in the different countries of East Africa, no study concluded the prevalence of women's HIV status disclosure and associated factors in East Africa. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess the pooled prevalence of disclosure status and associated factors among women in East Africa.

Objectives

To assess the pooled prevalence of HIV sero-status disclosure and associated factors among women in East Africa.

Methods

HINARI, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. The data were extracted using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and STATA v 14.1 was used for the analysis. The Funnel plots and Egger's statistical test was used to check publication bias. Heterogeneity was assessed by conducting sensitivity and subgroup analyses.

Result

The pooled prevalence of sero-status disclosure among women in East Africa was 73.77% (95%CI 67.76, 79.77). Knowing partner's sero-status (OR = 10.04(95%CI 3.36, 31.84), married (OR = 2.46 (95%CI 1.23, 4.89), smooth relationship (OR = 3.30 (95%CI 1.39, 7.84), and discussion on HIV before the test (OR = 6.96 (95%CI 3.21, 15.05) were identified determinants of HIV sero-status disclosure.

Conclusion

The current systematic and meta-analysis revealed that nearly one-fourth of women had not disclosed HIV sero-status to at least one individual. Knowing the partner's HIV sero-status, being married, having a smooth relationship, and discussing on HIV before the test were determinants of disclosure status. Therefore, disclosure of HIV-positive sero-status among women living with HIV needs to be strengthened.
Association between environmental chemicals co-exposure and peripheral blood immune-inflammatory indicators
Authors: Liu Yong , Zhang Zhihui , Han Dongran , Zhao Yiding , Yan Xiaoning , Cui Shengnan
Published: November 2022

Chronic inflammation is closely related to chronic inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Few studies have evaluated the effects of exposure to multiple chemical combinations on immunoinflammatory related indicators and their possible molecular mechanisms. This study explored the effect of exposure to various chemicals on immune-inflammatory biomarkers and its molecular mechanism. Using data from 1,723 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2011–2012), the aim was to determine the association between chemical mixtures and immunoinflammatory biomarkers [including White blood cell (Wbc), neutrophil (Neu), lymphocytes (Lym), and Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR)] using linear regression model, weighted quantile sum regression (WQSR) model, and bayesian nuclear machine regression (BKMR) model. Meanwhile, functional enrichment analysis and protein–protein interaction network establishment were performed to explore the molecular mechanism of inflammation induced by high-weight chemicals. In the linear regression model established for each single chemical, the four immunoinflammatory biomarkers were positively correlated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), negatively correlated with perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and positively or negatively correlated with metallic and non-metallic elements. WQSR model showed that cadmium (Cd), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDE) had the highest weights. In BKMR analysis, the overall effect of chemical mixtures was significantly associated with Lym and showed an increasing trend. The hub genes in high-weight chemicals inflammation-related genes were interleukin-6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin-1B (IL1B), etc. They were mainly enriched in inflammatory response, Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, Th17 cell differentiation and IL-17 signaling pathway. The above results show that exposure to environmental chemical cocktails primarily promotes an increase in Lym across the immune-inflammatory spectrum. The mechanism leading to the inflammatory response may be related to the activation of IL-6 amplifier by the co-exposure of environmental chemicals.
Limited social support is associated with depression, anxiety, and insomnia in a Japanese working population
Authors: Omichi Chie , Kaminishi Yuki , Kadotani Hiroshi , Sumi Yukiyoshi , Ubara Ayaka , Nishikawa Kohei , Matsuda Arichika , Ozeki Yuji
Published: November 2022

Background

Lack of social support is associated with depression, anxiety, and insomnia. This study aimed to determine the source of support related to depression, anxiety, and insomnia among Japanese workers.

Methods

As part of a cohort study, we conducted a questionnaire survey among city government employees in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, from September 2021 to March 2022. We used the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder−7 (GAD-7), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) to assess depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and insomnia, respectively. We used the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ) to assess job stressors and social support (from supervisors, colleagues, and family).

Results

A total of 1,852 Japanese employees (38.4% male, 45.9 ± 12.9 years) participated in the survey, with 15.5, 10.8, and 8.2% of the participants having depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 10), anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 ≥ 10), and insomnia (ISI ≥ 15), respectively. The logistic regression analysis suggested that job stressors were associated with depressive symptoms (p < 0.001), anxiety symptoms (p < 0.001), and insomnia (p = 0.009). In contrast, support from co-workers (p = 0.016) and family members (p = 0.001) was associated with decreased depressive symptoms. Support from family members was associated with decreased insomnia (p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Social support from co-workers and family may be associated with reduced depressive symptoms, and family support may be associated with reduced insomnia in the Japanese working population.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03276585.
“Snake flu,” “killer bug,” and “Chinese virus”: A corpus-assisted critical discourse analysis of lexical choices in early UK press coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kania Ursula
Published: November 2022

Now mostly known as “COVID-19” (or simply “Covid”), early discourse around the pandemic was characterized by a particularly large variation in naming choices (ranging from “new coronavirus” and “new respiratory disease” to “killer bug” and the racist term “Chinese virus”). The current study is situated within corpus-assisted discourse studies and analyses these naming choices in UK newspaper coverage (January–March 2020), focusing on terminology deemed “inappropriate” as per WHO guidelines on naming infectious diseases. The results show that 9% of all terms referring to COVID-19 or the virus causing it are “inappropriate” overall, with “inappropriate” naming being more prevalent (1) in tabloids than broadsheets and (2) in the period before compared to the period after the virus was officially named on 11th February, 2020. Selected examples within each of the categories of “inappropriate” names are explored in more detail [terms (1) inciting undue fear, (2) containing geographic locations, and (3) containing species of animals], and the findings are discussed with regard to the contribution of lexical choices to the reproduction of (racist and otherwise problematic) ideologies in mainstream media.
Box fermentation and solar drying improve the nutrient composition and organoleptic quality of chocolate from cocoa beans
Authors: Obinze Sandra , Ojimelukwe Philippa C. , Eke Ben A.
Published: November 2022

Chocolate is a well-liked and popular food product made from the cocoa bean. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of box fermentation and solar drying of cocoa bean on chocolate quality. Fermentation was carried out in a perforated wooden box for 168 h with periodic turning after every 48 h. The succession of microorganisms during fermentation and total microbial count were monitored. Both the fermented and unfermented samples were solar dried. During drying the change in weight of the beans, amount of solar radiation, and ambient wind speed of the atmosphere were measured. The approximate nutrient (crude protein, crude fat, total ash, crude fiber, and carbohydrate) and phytochemical (phenol) contents of the dried cocoa beans were evaluated. Sensory properties of chocolate, produced from the two samples (box fermented and dried as well as unfermented and dried) were compared. The initial temperature of the fermenting cocoa mash was 30°C. It rose to 46°C by the 96th h of fermentation and sharply declined to 38°C by the 120th h. Candida, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus spp were probable organisms identified with the fermenting mass at the initial stage of the fermentation. Lactic acid bacteria dominated after 72 h. Bacillus spp was also observed until the 168th h. Solar drying of unfermented bean lasted for 4 days, while that of fermented bean lasted for 3 days. Fermentation increased the crude protein, total ash and carbohydrate contents of the cocoa beans. It also improved the appearance, and aroma of chocolate from the cocoa beans.
Validation of a new smart textiles biotechnology for heart rate variability monitoring in sheep
Authors: Turini Luca , Bonelli Francesca , Lanatà Antonio , Vitale Valentina , Nocera Irene , Sgorbini Micaela , Mele Marcello
Published: November 2022

Robust Animal-Based Measures (ABMs) are fundamental in order to assess animal welfare, however in semi-extensive sheep farming systems is not easy to collect ABMs without inducing additional stress in the animals. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive technique of assessing stress levels related to animal welfare. It is considered a sensitive indicator of the functional regulatory characteristics of the autonomic nervous system. Several studies investigated the use of HRV for welfare assessment in dairy cows while research on sheep is scarce. Moreover, assessing HRV in small ruminants at pasture is critical because of the lack of a solution adoptable for field conditions. This study aimed to evaluate if a smart textiles technology is comparable to a Standard base-apex electrocardiogram (ECG) for measuring HRV in small ruminants. Eight healthy Massese dairy sheep were recruited. Standard base-apex ECG and smart textiles technology (Smartex ECG) were simultaneously acquired for 5 min in the standing, unsedated, unclipped sheep. The ECG tracings were recorded when animals were standing quietly. The Bland-Altman test and the linear regression analysis were applied after parameter extraction in time, frequency, and non-linear methods to compare Smartex against standard base-apex ECG systems. The Bland-Altman test was applied to all HRV extracted parameters (Mean RR, pNN50, RMSSD, LF/HF, SampEn, SD1, SD2, stdRR) to evaluate the agreement between the two different instruments, and a linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between the two methods. The smart textiles biotechnology was simple to wear and clean. It can be worn without using glue and without shaving the sheep's wool, limiting animal handling and stress. Bland Altman test reported a robust agreement between the two systems. In fact, the regression analysis of HRV parameters showed that half of the parameters recorded had an R2 coefficient >0.75. Results also showed a very small reproducibility coefficient that indicated that the two methods were really close to each other. Smartex textiles technology can be used for HRV evaluation in sheep species as a potential ABM for animal welfare assessment.
Genotype by heat conditions interaction effects on growth and litter traits in rabbits
Authors: Ragab Mohamed , Elkhaiat Ibrhim , Younis Hassan , Ahmed Marwa , Helal Mostafa
Published: November 2022

Heat stress has severe impacts on rabbit performance because they have difficulty getting rid of excess heat. The interaction between genetic and environmental factors plays a vital role in the adaptation process. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of interaction between the genotype and heat conditions (G×H) on litter size and growth traits. Two rabbit lines were used in the current study, Egyptian maternal line (APRI) and New Zealand White (NZW). The rabbits were raised under normal (22°C) or heat stress (35°C) conditions. The does were raised in individual cages, and their kits were reared under the same conditions. Negative effects of heat conditions were noted for litter traits, as heat stress had significantly reduced the number of born alive, total born, and marketed number rabbits by about 16, 11, and 25%, respectively. Moreover, growth traits were reduced under heat stress conditions compared to normal temperature conditions. Significant differences between genotypes were observed, APRI rabbits were higher than NWZ rabbits in the total born, number of born alive, number weaned, and the number of marketed rabbits by 10, 8, 11, and 10%, respectively. Genotype by heat conditions interaction effects were observed, APRI litters under normal conditions showed significantly higher litter traits than NWZ litters, whereas relevant reductions in litter traits of APRI line than NZW litters when reared in heat conditions. For growth traits, the differences between the two lines under normal conditions were reduced when animals of the two lines were raised under heat stress, for BW28, BW42, BW63, ADG28−42, and DF28−42 while these differences were increased for ADG42−63, DF28−42 and feed conversion during the whole fattening period. Based on the observed G × H interactions, it is important to select the animals under the same production conditions to raise rabbits that can cope with the expected global warming conditions.
Hematology and biochemistry reference intervals for American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) in South Florida
Authors: Balaguera-Reina Sergio A. , Jennings Nicole D. , Godfrey Sidney T. , Brandt Laura A. , Daykin Bryna , Squires Michiko A. , Mazzotti Frank J.
Published: November 2022

The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List across its range and classified as locally threatened in several countries. There is a lack of knowledge involving hematological and physiological parameters in American crocodile populations, limiting our understanding of what are considered “normal” blood analyte results for the species and how to link them with health assessments. In this study, we analyzed 40 hematological and biochemical parameters and estimated reference intervals (RIs) for 35 of them based on 436 clinically healthy wild American crocodiles caught in South Florida between 2015 and 2021. Crocodiles were captured across three areas with different levels of human influence [low = Everglades National Park (ENP), medium = Biscayne Bay Estuary (BBE), and high = Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant (TP)]. There was very strong-to-strong evidence for an effect of where animals were caught on five analytes: basophils %, phosphorus, proportion of (pr) alpha-2 globulins, absolute count (abs) of gamma globulins, and corticosterone, so no reference values were estimated but general statistics are presented and discussed. From the remaining analytes, we found no evidence that sex or size class had an effect on red blood cell (RBC), azurophils and monocytes abs, triglycerides, and albumin abs. However, we did find moderate-to-strong evidence that sex influenced azurophils % and size class influenced white blood cell (WBC), heterophils %, monocytes %, basophils abs, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), potassium, glucose, bile acids, alpha-1 globulin abs, and alpha-2 globulin pr and abs. Finally, there was strong evidence that both sex and size class influenced PCV, lymphocytes % and abs, eosinophils % and abs, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), calcium, sodium, chloride, total protein, albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio, albumin pr, alpha-1 globulin, and beta globulin abs. Intraspecific analysis showed that size is the variable that most influenced analytes explaining up to 29% of the variation, which relates to our findings based on intraindividual analysis. We compared our results with blood parameters reported for conspecifics as well as closely related species and discussed implication of those results for clinical diagnosis and American crocodile conservation.
Immunological role and prognostic value of SPARCL1 in pan-cancer analysis
Authors: He Kangwei , Li Changjiu , Yuan Hui , Jiang Kang , Deng Gang
Published: November 2022

Background: Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine-like 1 (SPARCL1) was a kind of extracellular matrix glycoprotein. SPARCL1 was strongly inhibited in most cancers. However, the potential functions of SPARCL1 in the pan-cancer cohort have not been widely studied.

Methods: We evaluated the transcriptional level and the prognostic value of SPARCL1 in 33 types of cancer and revealed the relationship between genetic alterations of SPARCL1 and the tumor mutation burden. Meanwhile, we assessed the correlations between SPARCL1 and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes across cancers.

Results: The transcriptional level of SPARCL1 was inhibited in most cancers. Although SPARCL1 was down-regulated in most cancers, SPARCL1 might play a protective or detrimental role in different cancers. We demonstrated that mutation count was elevated in the altered SPARCL1 group in several cancers. Additionally, we found a significant positive correlation between SPARCL1 and macrophage infiltration levels in most cancers. Especially, marker sets of M2 macrophages were strongly related to SPARCL1 in cholangiocarcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma, rectum adenocarcinoma, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Conclusion: Our study found that SPARCL1 might work as a biomarker for prognosis and immune infiltration in pan-cancer analysis.
Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment of Chronic Active Antibody-Mediated Kidney Graft Rejection: Report of the Phase I/II Clinical Trial Case Series
Authors: Večerić-Haler Željka , Sever Matjaž , Kojc Nika , Halloran Philip F. , Boštjančič Emanuela , Mlinšek Gregor , Oblak Manca , Poženel Primož , Švajger Urban , Hartman Katrina , Kneževič Miomir , Barlič Ariana , Girandon Lenart , Aleš Rigler Andreja , Zver Samo , Buturović Ponikvar Jadranka , Arnol Miha
Published: November 2022

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) therapy has already been studied in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), and the available data showed that it is safe and well tolerated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of autologous MSCs in combination with standard therapy in KTRs with biopsy-proven chronic active antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Patients with biopsy-proven chronic active AMR received treatment with autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs (3 × 106 cells/kg iv) after completion of standard therapy and were followed for up to 12 months. The primary endpoints were safety by assessment of adverse events. Secondary endpoints included assessment of kidney graft function, immunological and histological changes related to AMR activity and chronicity assessed by conventional microscopy and molecular transcripts. A total of 3 patients were enrolled in the study before it was terminated prematurely because of adverse events. We found that AMR did not improve in any of the patients after treatment with MSCs. In addition, serious adverse events were observed in one case when autologous MSCs therapy was administered in the late phase after kidney transplantation, which requires further elucidation.
Comparison between Density and Velocity Fields in Burst Modulation of a Dielectric-Barrier-Discharge Plasma Actuator
Authors: Emori Kenta , Kaneko Yutaka , Nishida Hiroyuki
Published: November 2022

The flow field produced by a dielectric-barrier-discharge plasma actuator using burst modulation was experimentally investigated in quiescent air from two viewpoints: density and vorticity fields. A wide range of burst signal parameters were evaluated using particle-image velocimetry and background-oriented schlieren measurements. Four types of flow-field patterns were found: Type 1 was a wall jet, similar to continuous operation; Type 2 was a periodical, independent vortex moving along the wall surface; Types 3 and 4 demonstrated a feature wherein the periodic shedding of the vortex pair (primary and secondary vortices) occurred while moving over the surface. While Types 3 and 4 demonstrated a shared feature, they had different density and vorticity structures. The change of the flow-field pattern from Type 1 to Type 4 was triggered by a lower burst frequency and ratio, as well as a higher base frequency. In addition, the vorticity strength and density were strongly negatively correlated and depended on the rate of power consumption to generate one vortex.
Quantitative Measurement Method for Ice Roughness on an Aircraft Surface
Authors: Wang Yuan , Zhang Yang , Wang Yan , Zhu Dongyu , Zhao Ning , Zhu Chunling
Published: November 2022

When an aircraft passes through clouds containing supercooled water droplets, the leading edge’s surface will gradually accumulate ice. Ice surface roughness is an important parameter affecting the local convective heat transfer coefficient and the water collection coefficient, which in turn affect the ice’s shape. However, because the surface roughness of aircraft icing is a transient value varying in time and space, it is extremely difficult to measure with existing methods in real time. In this study, a noncontact ultrasonic pulse-echo (UPE) technique is applied to characterize the ice roughness of an airfoil model’s surface. A multilayer model with equivalent bead-like roughness profiles is established to study the effects of changes in ice roughness on ultrasonic echo signals. A series of simulations indicated that ice roughness can be measured quantitatively and effectively in the range of [11.6, 120] μm. Based on these simulations, an experimental UPE device was developed to measure echo signals on top of the ice corresponding to surface roughness. The results show that for both the regular and irregular surface roughness samples, the maximum relative error in the roughness is less than 15%. Meanwhile, we designed and supplemented the experiment with the NACA-0012 airfoil model to realize the online measurement of ice roughness in an icing research tunnel.
Vibration Analysis of a Roller Bearing Condition Used in a Tangential Threshing Drum of a Combine Harvester for the Smooth and Continuous Performance of Agricultural Crop Harvesting
Authors: Bhandari Shankar , Jotautienė Eglė
Published: November 2022

Testing the reliability of the threshing unit is difficult and thus often neglected before the harvesting season, which can result in breakdown maintenance during peak harvesting time in difficult-to-access areas for sensor mounting. In this paper, the vibration analysis of the threshing condition of the combine harvester was performed by introducing the bracket for inaccessible locations. The Adash A4900 Vibrio M analyzer (Adash spol. s.r.o., Ostrava, Czech Republic) was used for a vibration signal measurement and the DDS Adash software was used for signal processing. The demodulated fast Fourier transform (FFT) root mean square (RMS) (500 Hz–16 kHz) method was used to evaluate the bearing condition and DDS Adash Fault Source Identification Tool (FASIT) technology was used to evaluate other mechanical conditions such as the looseness, misalignment, and unbalance of the threshing unit of the Massey Ferguson series of combine harvesters. Modal and random vibration analyses were performed on the bracket and components and compared to prevent the resonance phenomenon using the Ansys Software (Ansys, Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA). The constrained modal analysis of the threshing drum was performed to observe the deformation. Decent results were obtained from the method used. The method was again validated by the tangential threshing test bench and successfully determined the bearing fault condition. The method used is an uncomplicated and effective way of performing the bearing analysis of the tangential unit of the combine harvester.
Co-Contamination of Food and Feed with Mycotoxin and Bacteria and Possible Implications for Health
Authors: Marin Daniela Eliza , Pistol Gina Cecilia , Procudin Cristina Valeria , Taranu Ionelia
Published: November 2022

Food and feed safety is an issue of great concern for both animal and human health, due to the frequent contamination of food and feed with pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, yeasts, molds, and parasites. The present paper assumes the possibility that a mycotoxin contamination could occur at the same time as a bacterial infection and investigates the effects of such co-contamination, in comparison with the individual effects of bacterial challenge. For this purpose, we have investigated the effects of simultaneous contamination of swine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (as a model for bacterial contamination) and mycotoxins (ochratoxin or zearalenone) on cell viability, cell cycles, oxydative stress, and inflammation. Our results show important additive/synergistic effects of co-exposure to fungal and bacterial toxins, and that these effects are more important when the cells are co-exposed to LPS and ochratoxin (OTA). The exposure of PBMCs to both OTA and LPS induced an exacerbation of the increase in the inflammation of concentrations of pro-inflamatory cytokines, compared with that of LPS-challenged cells: IL-1β (4.1 times increase), TNF-α (3.2 times increase), IL-6 (3.1 times increase). There was also a decrease in antioxidant defence (i.e., a significant decrease in the total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity) and a significant increase in the percentage of cells undergoing necrosis (24.3% vs. 15.3% in LPS-treated cells). The exposure to zearalenone (ZEA) and LPS led to less important effects and concerned mainly the parameters related to oxidative stress (i.e., a decrease in total antioxidant capacity). The present study provides important data for risk assessment, as the concomitant contamination with bacteria and mycotoxins can lead to a higher toxicity than that which results after an individual infection with Gram-negative bacteria.
Research Progress in Leaf Related Molecular Breeding of Cucurbitaceae
Authors: Liu Yafei , Xu Huinan , Wang Huasen , Feng Shengjun
Published: November 2022

Cucurbitaceae crops play an important role in agricultural production, and they are a primary source of vegetables and fruits for daily needs. The cultivation of cucurbit varieties with excellent agronomic characters has attracted much attention in recent years. As the main source energy organ of Cucurbitaceae, the development of leaves is closely related to yield and environmental response. In this paper, the main research achievements on leaf development of Cucurbitaceae plants were summarized, and the origin, genetic research, gene mapping, and effects on the agronomic and economic characters of the leaf shape and leaf color mutants of Cucurbitaceae were introduced. In addition, the effects of some hormones and environmental factors were reviewed. This work provides a reference point for molecular breeding of leaf development of Cucurbitaceae.
Unravelling the Role of Metabolites for Detecting Physiological State of Wild Animals: European Rabbit’s (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Case
Authors: Marín-García Pablo Jesús , Llobat Lola , Rouco Carlos , Aguayo-Adán Juan Antonio , Larsen Torben , Cambra-López Maria , Blas Enrique , Pascual Amorós Juan José
Published: November 2022

European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has been defined as a keystone species in the Mediterranean ecosystem. Rabbits have been classed as “endangered” by the IUCN within their native range. In this sense, animal nutrition may play a fundamental and limiting role in the conservation of wild species. The overarching goal of ecological nutrition is to unravel the extensive web of nutritional links that direct animals in their interactions with their ecological environments. The main aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different feed intake, geographic location, animal sex, and reproductive stage on glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and plasmatic urea nitrogen (PUN), albumin, glutamate, and total protein metabolites. Additionally, we examined the potential of these metabolites as biomarkers. Full stomach contents and blood samples were collected from European wild rabbits (n = 89) for the analysis of the metabolites described above. Our work shows that the levels of these metabolites are affected by the sex of the animals, as well as by their reproductive stage (glucose, NEFA and albumin). There were signs of better optimisation of resources by females than by other groups of animals. These data may be interesting in the study of nutritional components that could be affecting physiological state of this species.
First Isolation of a Herpesvirus (Family Alloherpesviridae) from Great Lakes Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens)
Authors: Johnston Amber E. , Shavalier Megan A. , Scribner Kim T. , Soto Esteban , Griffin Matt J. , Waldbieser Geoffrey C. , Richardson Bradley M. , Winters Andrew D. , Yun Susan , Baker Edward A. , Larson Douglas L. , Kiupel Matti , Loch Thomas P.
Published: November 2022

The lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens; LST) is the only native sturgeon species in the Great Lakes (GL), but due to multiple factors, their current populations are estimated to be <1% of historical abundances. Little is known about infectious diseases affecting GL-LST in hatchery and wild settings. Therefore, a two-year disease surveillance study was undertaken, resulting in the detection and first in vitro isolation of a herpesvirus from grossly apparent cutaneous lesions in wild adult LST inhabiting two GL watersheds (Erie and Huron). Histological and ultrastructural examination of lesions revealed proliferative epidermitis associated with herpesvirus-like virions. A virus with identical ultrastructural characteristics was recovered from cells inoculated with lesion tissues. Partial DNA polymerase gene sequencing placed the virus within the Family Alloherpesviridae, with high similarity to a lake sturgeon herpesvirus (LSHV) from Wisconsin, USA. Genomic comparisons revealed ~84% Average Nucleotide Identity between the two isolates, leading to the proposed classification of LSHV-1 (Wisconsin) and LSHV-2 (Michigan) for the two viruses. When naïve juvenile LST were immersion-exposed to LSHV-2, severe disease and ~33% mortality occurred, with virus re-isolated from representative skin lesions, fulfilling Rivers’ postulates. Results collectively show LSHV-2 is associated with epithelial changes in wild adult LST, disease and mortality in juvenile LST, and is a potential threat to GL-LST conservation.
Oxidative Stress Response of Meagre to Dietary Black Soldier Fly Meal
Authors: Guerreiro Inês , Castro Carolina , Serra Cláudia R. , Coutinho Filipe , Couto Ana , Peres Helena , Pousão-Ferreira Pedro , Gasco Laura , Gai Francesco , Oliva-Teles Aires , Enes Paula
Published: November 2022

This study aimed to assess the effect of Hermetia illucens meal (HM) dietary inclusion on meagre oxidative status. Thus, fish were fed a fishmeal-based diet (CTR diet) and three other diets with increasing levels of HM inclusion, namely 10%, 20%, and 30% (diets HM10, HM20, and HM30, respectively). At the end of the trial, hepatic and intestine superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities and malondialdehyde concentration were unaffected by the diet composition. Liver glutathione peroxidase activity was higher in the fish fed the HM20 diet than in the fish fed the CTR and HM30 diets, and glutathione reductase activity linearly increased with the dietary HM level. The hepatic total glutathione and reduced glutathione contents were significantly lower in fish fed the HM20 diet than in fish fed the CTR and HM10 diets. In the intestine, the oxidized glutathione (GSSG) content and oxidative stress index linearly increased with the increase in dietary HM level, with the GSSG content of fish fed the HM20 diet being significantly higher than of fish fed the CTR diet. In conclusion, 30% HM might be included in meagre diets without negatively affecting hepatic and intestine oxidative status.
International Survey of Practice for Prophylactic Systemic Antibiotic Therapy in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Parsons Thomas , French Jonathan , Oshima Takeshi , Figueroa Francisco , Neri Thomas , Klasan Antonio , Putnis Sven
Published: November 2022

(1) Background: Prophylactic systemic antibiotics are acknowledged to be an important part of mitigating prosthetic joint infections. Controversy persists regarding optimal antibiotic regimes. We sought to evaluate current international antibiotics guidelines for total joint arthroplasty (TJA) of the hip and knee. (2) Methods: 42 arthroplasty societies across 6 continents were contacted and their published literature reviewed. (3) Results: 17 societies had guidelines; of which 11 recommended an antibiotic agent or antibiotic class (10—cephalosporin; 1—cloxacillin); 15 recommended antibiotic infusion within an hour of incision and 10 advised for post-operative doses (8—up to 24 h; 1—up to 36 h; 1—up to 48 h). (4) Conclusions: Prophylactic antibiotic guidelines for TJA are often absent or heterogenous in their advice.
Colistin Resistance Mechanisms in Human and Veterinary Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates
Authors: Tietgen Manuela , Sedlaczek Lisa , Higgins Paul G. , Kaspar Heike , Ewers Christa , Göttig Stephan
Published: November 2022

Colistin (polymyxin E) is increasingly used as a last-resort antibiotic for the treatment of severe infections with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. In contrast to human medicine, colistin is also used in veterinary medicine for metaphylaxis. Our objective was to decipher common colistin resistance mechanisms in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from animals. In total, 276 veterinary K. pneumoniae isolates, derived from companion animals or livestock, and 12 isolates from human patients were included for comparison. Six out of 276 veterinary isolates were colistin resistant (2.2%). Human isolates belonging to high-risk clonal lineages (e.g., ST15, ST101, ST258), displayed multidrug-resistant phenotypes and harboured many resistance genes compared to the veterinary isolates. However, the common colistin resistance mechanism in both human and animal K. pneumoniae isolates were diverse alterations of MgrB, a critical regulator of lipid A modification. Additionally, deleterious variations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-associated proteins (e.g., PmrB P95L, PmrE P89L, LpxB A152T) were identified. Phylogenetic analysis and mutation patterns in genes encoding LPS-associated proteins indicated that colistin resistance mechanisms developed independently in human and animal isolates. Since only very few antibiotics remain to treat infections with MDR bacteria, it is important to further analyse resistance mechanisms and the dissemination within different isolates and sources.
Potential of Aromatic Plant-Derived Essential Oils for the Control of Foodborne Bacteria and Antibiotic Resistance in Animal Production: A Review
Authors: Zhang Lianhua , Gao Fei , Ge Junwei , Li Hui , Xia Fei , Bai Hongtong , Piao Xiangshu , Shi Lei
Published: November 2022

Antibiotic resistance has become a severe public threat to human health worldwide. Supplementing antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) at subtherapeutic levels has been a commonly applied method to improve the production performance of livestock and poultry, but the misuse of antibiotics in animal production plays a major role in the antibiotic resistance crisis and foodborne disease outbreaks. The addition of AGPs to improve production performance in livestock and poultry has been prohibited in some countries, including Europe, the United States and China. Moreover, cross-resistance could result in the development of multidrug resistant bacteria and limit therapeutic options for human and animal health. Therefore, finding alternatives to antibiotics to maintain the efficiency of livestock production and reduce the risk of foodborne disease outbreaks is beneficial to human health and the sustainable development of animal husbandry. Essential oils (EOs) and their individual compounds derived from aromatic plants are becoming increasingly popular as potential antibiotic alternatives for animal production based on their antibacterial properties. This paper reviews recent studies in the application of EOs in animal production for the control of foodborne pathogens, summarizes their molecular modes of action to increase the susceptibility of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and provides a promising role for the application of nanoencapsulated EOs in animal production to control bacteria and overcome antibiotic resistance.
Do Volatiles Affect Bacteria and Plants in the Same Way? Growth and Biochemical Response of Non-Stressed and Cd-Stressed Arabidopsis thaliana and Rhizobium E20-8
Authors: Sá Carina , Matos Diana , Cardoso Paulo , Figueira Etelvina
Published: November 2022

Plant roots are colonized by rhizobacteria, and these soil microorganisms can not only stimulate plant growth but also increase tolerance to stress through the production of volatile organic compounds. However, little is known about the effect that these plant beneficial volatiles may have on bacteria. In this study, the effects on growth and oxidative status of different concentrations of three volatiles already reported to have a positive influence on plant growth (2-butanone, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and 2,3-butanediol) were determined in A. thaliana and Rhizobium sp. strain E20-8 via airborne exposure in the presence and absence of Cd. It was expected to ascertain if the plant and the bacterium are influenced in the same way by the volatiles, and if exposure to stress (Cd) shifts the effects of volatiles on plants and bacteria. Results showed the antioxidant activity of the volatiles protecting the plant cell metabolism from Cd toxicity and increasing plant tolerance to Cd. Effects on bacteria were less positive. The two alcohols (3-methyl-1-butanol and 2,3-butanediol) increased Cd toxicity, and the ketone (2-butanone) was able to protect Rhizobium from Cd stress, constituting an alternative way to protect soil bacterial communities from stress. The application of 2-butanone thus emerges as an alternative way to increase crop production and crop resilience to stress in a more sustainable way, either directly or through the enhancement of PGPR activity.
Chemical Profiling, Antiproliferative and Antimigratory Capacity of Haberlea rhodopensis Extracts in an In Vitro Platform of Various Human Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Spyridopoulou Katerina , Kyriakou Sotiris , Nomikou Angeliki , Roupas Angelos , Ermogenous Antreas , Karamanoli Katerina , Moyankova Daniela , Djilianov Dimitar , Galanis Alex , Panayiotidis Mihalis I. , Pappa Aglaia
Published: November 2022

Haberlea rhodopensis is a Balkan endemic plant that belongs to the Gesneriaceae family, and is believed to have medicinal use and health-promoting properties. This study aimed to (i) prepare aqueous (HAE) and ethanolic (HEE) extracts from the leaves of H. rhodopensis from in vitro propagated plants, (ii) screen for their potential antiproliferative and antimigratory activities, and (iii) chemically characterize both HAE and HEE by identifying compounds which may contribute to their observed bioactivity thereby further supporting their potential use in biomedical applications. The antiproliferative activity of both extracts was assessed against six human cancer cell lines by employing the sulforhodamine-B (SRB) assay. HEE was found to be more potent in inhibiting cancer cell growth as compared to HAE. Therefore, HEE’s antimigratory effects were further studied in hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma (A459) cell lines as they were among the most sensitive ones to its antiproliferative activity. HEE was found to exert significant antimigratory concentration-dependent effects in both cell lines assessed with the wound healing assay. Chemical characterization by UPLC-MS/MS analysis identified that HEE contains higher levels of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, pigments (chlorophyll–/-b, lycopene, and β-carotene), monoterpenoids, and condensed tannins compared to HAE, while HAE, contains higher levels of soluble protein and sugars. Furthermore, HEE demonstrated remarkable antioxidant activity evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH●), 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS●+) and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. We have obtained comprehensive results highlighting the potential of HEE as a source of bioactive compounds with anticancer properties. Future studies should aim at identifying the chemical constituents responsible for the bioactivities observed, and focus on investigating HEE’s effects, in in vivo preclinical cancer models.
Blue Light Supplemented at Intervals in Long-Day Conditions Intervenes in Photoperiodic Flowering, Photosynthesis, and Antioxidant Properties in Chrysanthemums
Authors: Yang Jingli , Song Jinnan , Jeong Byoung Ryong
Published: November 2022

The flowering of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.), inhibited by long-day lighting, can be reversed with a short period of low supplemental blue light (S-BL). Both flowering and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging processes are primarily driven by sugars created by photosynthetic carbon assimilation. In addition, the antioxidant ability potentially affects flowering in photoperiod- and/or circadian rhythm-dependent manners. This indicates that there is an interactive relationship among blue (B) light, photosynthetic efficiency, sugar accumulation, and antioxidant ability in flowering regulation. Here, 4 h of 30 μmol·m−2·s−1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) S-BL was applied at the end of a 13-h long-day period (LD13 + 4B) at different intervals during 60 days of experimental duration. The five experimental groups were named according to the actual number of days of S-BL and their intervals: applied once every day, “60 days-(LD13 + 4B) (100.0%)”; once every other day, “30 days-(LD13 + 4B) (50.0%)”; once every three days, “15 days-(LD13 + 4B) (25.0%)”; once every five days, “10 days-(LD13 + 4B) (16.7%)”; and once every seven days, “7 days-(LD13 + 4B) (11.7%)”. Two non-S-BL control groups were also included: 60 10-h short days (60 days-SD10) and 13-h long days (60 days-LD13). At the harvest stage, varying degrees of flowering were observed except in “60 days-LD13” and “7 days-(LD13 + 4B) (11.7%)”. The number of flowers increased and the flower buds appeared earlier as the proportion of S-BL days increased in LD13 conditions, although the “60 days-SD10” gave the earliest flowering. The proportion of initial, pivotal, and optimal flowering was 16.7% (“10 days-(LD13 + 4B)”), 50.0% (“30 days-(LD13 + 4B)”), and 100.0% (“60 days-(LD13 + 4B)”), respectively. Meanwhile, a series of physiological parameters such as the production of enzymatic or non-enzymatic antioxidants, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, enzyme activities, and carbohydrate accumulation were significantly improved by “30 days-(LD13 + 4B) (50.0%)” as a turning point until the peaks appeared in “60 days-(LD13 + 4B) (100.0%)”, as well as the expression of florigenic or anti-florigenic and some antioxidant-synthetic genes. Furthermore, the results of principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that S-BL days positively regulated flowering, photosynthesis, carbohydrate accumulation, and antioxidant production. In aggregate, the pivotal and optimal proportions of S-BL days to reconcile the relationship among flowering, photosynthetic carbon assimilation, and antioxidant ability were 50.0% and 100.0%, respectively. However, there are still significant gaps to be filled in order to determine the specific involvement of blue light and antioxidant abilities in flowering regulation.
Validation of Diesel Fraction Content in Heavy Oils Measured by High Temperature Simulated Distillation and Physical Vacuum Distillation by Performance of Commercial Distillation Test and Process Simulation
Authors: Stratiev Dicho , Shishkova Ivelina , Ivanov Mihail , Dinkov Rosen , Argirov Georgi , Vasilev Svetlin , Yordanov Dobromir
Published: November 2022

A gas chromatography high temperature simulation distillation (HTSD: ASTM D 7169), and physical vacuum distillation (ASTM D 1160) were employed to characterize H-Oil vacuum distillates, straight run vacuum distillates, and hydrotreated vacuum distillates with the aim to determine their content of diesel fraction and evaluate the possible higher extraction of diesel fraction from the heavy oils. The ASTM D 7169 reported about six times as high diesel fraction content in H-Oil heavy distillates as that reported by the ASTM D 1160 method. Performing a commercial distillation column test along with a simulation of the column operation using data of both ASTM methods and a software process simulator revealed that the HTSD is the more valid method for proper determination of the diesel fraction content in heavy oils. The software process simulation of the commercial distillation column operation suggests that the HTSD could be considered as a true boiling point distillation method for heavy oils. The separation of the diesel fraction from the H-Oil heavy distillates quantified by the HTSD could deliver oil refining profit improvement in the amount of six digits USD per year.