bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine Learning as a Diagnosis Tool of Groundwater Quality in Zones with High Agricultural Activity (Region of Campo de Cartagena, Murcia, Spain)
Authors: García-del-Toro Eva M. , García-Salgado Sara , Mateo Luis F. , Quijano M. Ángeles , Más-López M. Isabel
Published: December 2022

Groundwater is humanity’s freshwater pantry, constituting 97% of available freshwater. The 6th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of the UN Agenda 2030 promotes “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”, which takes special significance in arid or semi-arid regions. The region of Campo de Cartagena (Murcia, Spain) has one of the most technified and productive irrigation systems in Europe. As a result, the groundwater in this zone has serious chemical quality problems. To qualify and predict groundwater quality of this region, which may later facilitate its management, two machine learning models (Naïve-Bayes and Decision-tree) are proposed. These models did not require great computing power and were developed from a reduced number of data using the KNIME (KoNstanz Information MinEr) tool. Their accuracy was tested by the corresponding confusion matrix, providing a high accuracy in both models. The obtained results showed that groundwater quality was higher in the northern and west zones. This may be due to the presence in the north of the Andalusian aquifer, the deepest in Campo de Cartagena, and in the west to the predominance of rainfed crops, where the amount of water available for leaching fertilizers is lower, coming mainly from rainfall.
Performance and Economic Evaluation of Low-Lignin Alfalfa ‘Hi-Gest® 360’ in Saskatchewan Canada
Authors: Damiran Daalkhaijav , Larson Kathy , Biligetu Bill , Sammons Jourdyn , Lardner Herbert
Published: December 2022

A three-year (2018–2020) study was conducted in Lanigan (Thin Black soil zone) and Saskatoon (Dark Brown soil zone), SK Canada to compare low-lignin alfalfa (Medicago sativa) cv. Hi-Gest® 360 (HiGest) with alfalfa- cv. AC Grazeland (Grazeland) in monoculture and binary mixtures with hybrid bromegrass (HBG; cv. AC Success) for forage yield, nutrient profile, and establishment costs. Field plots were seeded in August 2017. Stands were harvested at three maturity stages of alfalfa (1 = 10% bloom; 2 = 40% bloom; and 3 = 100% bloom). Compared to Grazeland, HiGest alfalfa yielded 25% less in Saskatoon in monoculture, but no difference was found in Lanigan. Averaged across two sites, HiGest had 8.6% less acid detergent lignin (6.51 vs. 5.95%) and 10.3% greater in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility (42.7 vs. 38.7% of neutral detergent fiber). In the binary mixtures, however, differences in yield and quality between the two alfalfas were negligible. The stand establishment costs averaged 300 Canadian dollar (CAD) ha−1, 205 CAD ha−1, 260 CAD ha−1, and 303 CAD ha−1 for HiGest, Grazeland, Grazeland-HBG, and HiGest-HBG, respectively. Hi-Gest® 360 alfalfa could provide higher digestible nutrients when it was used as a monoculture and could maintain quality better into later maturing stages. However, the higher seed price, and no actual advantage in mixtures may delay its adoption.
Effects of Fertilizer Level and Intercropping Planting Pattern with Corn on the Yield-Related Traits and Insect Community of Soybean
Authors: Li Likun , Chen Fajun , Xing Guangnan
Published: December 2022

Intercropping of corn and soybean is widely practiced in agricultural production. However, few studies have investigated the effect of intercropping and fertilizer reduction on soybean yield. In the present study, corn and soybean were interplanted in 2:2, 2:3 and 2:4 ratios. Two fertilizer levels (normal: 600 kg/ha VS. reduced: 375 kg/ha) were set. The effects of fertilizer levels and intercropping planting patterns on the growth and yield of intercropping soybeans were studied based on the changes in enzyme activities related to nitrogen metabolism and insect community in the field. The results show that fertilizer reduction significantly reduced the biomass, 100-seed weight and yield of soybean. Intercropping also reduced these yield-related traits; a decreasing trend was more obvious with a decrease in soybean ratio. Intercropping had greater effect on soybean plant biomass, 100-seed weight and yield than fertilizer reduction. Reduction in fertilizer reduced the activities of nitrogen-metabolism-related enzymes in soybean. In addition to increased NR (nitrate reductase) enzyme activity in R5, intercropping planting pattern also had negative effect on the activities of nitrogen-metabolism-related enzymes in soybean. Reduced fertilizer only significantly reduced the Pielou evenness index. Reduced fertilizer application was beneficial with respect to the outbreak of greenhouse whitefly. However, an intercropping planting pattern can significantly increase the number of species, as well as the Shannon–Wiener diversity index and the Pielou evenness index of the insect community, and significantly reduce the Simpson dominance index and the population of the important pest, green leafhopper. In conclusion, C2S4 (two corn rows with four rows of soybean) is a scientific intercropping planting pattern that can reduce the occurrence of pests through ecological regulation and does not significantly reduce the activity of enzymes-related to nitrogen metabolism in most cases, ensuring soybean yield.
Honey Bee Exposure to the Fungicide Propiconazole in Lowbush Blueberry Fields
Authors: Drummond Francis Andrew
Published: December 2022

The fungicide propiconazole is a commonly used fungicide in small fruit and tree fruit production in the U.S.A. In Maine wild blueberry production, it is used almost exclusively for mummy berry disease control. The goal of this study is to assess the risk of exposure to honey bee colonies deployed in wild blueberry fields for pollination. The study was conducted over a six-year period (2009–2014) in both the field and laboratory. Field surveys (2009–2011) measured the residues on blueberry flowers in 41 commercial fields across the blueberry growing region. A two-year study (2010–2011) determined the decay rate of propiconazole in blueberry fields after application. A laboratory study determined the contact LD50 of propiconazole to honey bee workers (2013). A field exposure/effect study was conducted over three years (2011–2013). In this study, 8–18 previously unexposed colonies were randomly assigned to one of two treatments, (1) isolated fields that were treated prior to bloom with the fungicide, propiconazole, but no other pesticides, or (2) isolated fields that were not treated with propiconazole or any other pesticides. The measures taken to evaluate effects of exposure monitored each year were (1) estimation of the exposure to colonies, measured as residues on flowers, workers, and in pollen brought back to hives; (2) colony population size (workers and brood); (3) queen status and presence; (4) queen oviposition rate; (5) supersedure rate; (6) egg hatch success; (7) mortality of developing larvae and pupae; (8) royal jelly deposition in wax comb cells; (9) worker longevity; (10) foraging activity; (11) treated bloom repellency to foragers; (12) colony overwintering success; (13) worker hypopharyngeal gland acini size; and (14) pathogen and parasite incidence and intensity. The results of these experiments and surveys showed that the propiconazole contact LD50 was 24,747 ppb. Residues of propiconazole were found to be commonly abundant on flowers in treated commercial fields after application with a mean concentration of 2083.8 ± 851.3 (se). The decay of propiconazole to non-detectable levels took about 40 days after application. The three-year hive deployment study showed that residues in treated fields were detected on flowers, pollen, and worker bees, demonstrating that exposure to this fungicide occurs even though it is applied before bloom. Also in the hive deployment study, evidence of reduced colony populations, increased supersedure, decreased queen oviposition rate, increased pathogen or parasite incidence and intensity, and increased overwintering colony loss due to propiconazole exposure was not found. However, propiconazole exposed colonies exhibited reduced worker longevity (17.3%), hypertrophy of 5 d old nurse bee hypopharyngeal acini (8.3%), and a 3.5 h repellency of foragers to treated bloom.
Relationship between Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Creep Behavior of a Cr-Rich Ferritic Stainless Steel Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
Authors: Karlsson Dennis , Helander Thomas , Bettini Eleonora , Hassila Carl-Johan , Cedervall Johan , Sahlberg Martin , Harlin Peter , Jansson Ulf
Published: December 2022

Additive manufacturing (AM) techniques such as laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) are rapidly growing due to the inherent design freedom and possibilities to produce components not available with other techniques. This could be utilized in, e.g., the design of new types of heat exchangers in ferritic stainless steels often used for high-temperature applications. Ferritic stainless steels are, however, difficult to weld and could therefore imply obstacles when produced by AM. When establishing the AM-produced alloy in new applications, it is therefore important to increase the understanding of the mechanical properties and high-temperature creep resistance in relation to the unique microstructure and printability. In this study, we have investigated the microstructure of Cr-rich SS446 ferritic stainless steel produced by L-PBF by microscopical and crystallographic techniques. The properties were compared to the conventionally produced tubes. The rapid cooling and reheating during the application of the subsequent powder layers during L-PBF introduces an intriguing microstructure consisting of a ferritic matrix with precipitation of austenite showing a Kurdjumov–Sachs orientation relationship. Characteristic dislocation networks were observed in the L-PBF samples and contributed to the good mechanical properties in the as-built state (more than twice the yield strength of the conventionally produced tube). Furthermore, the creep resistance at 800 °C was superior to the conventionally produced component, suggesting that L-PBF-produced SS446 possesses many advantages regarding production as compared to the conventional route.
Magnet Integrated Fabric Phase Sorptive Extraction (MI-FPSE): A Powerful Green(er) Alternative for Sample Preparation
Authors: Samanidou Victoria , Kabir Abuzar
Published: December 2022

Green(er) sample preparation technologies still dominate as the anticipated improvement in all analytical protocols. Separation scientists all over the world continuously strive to comply with the Green Analytical Chemistry (GAC) demands. To follow this trend, microextraction techniques are constantly evolving to bridge the gap between Green Analytical Chemistry and sample pretreatment. A research group from Florida International University, Miami, Florida has introduced fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE) in 2014 that was considered as a new milestone in microextraction technologies at that time. Two years later, the same research group introduced an advantageous innovative configuration that combines the stirring and extraction mechanism into a single sample preparation device, keeping all the benefits originally offered by classical FPSE. Magnet integrated fabric phase sorptive extraction (MI-FPSE) was eventually introduced as a new, advantageous implementation of FPSE. This device exhibits the advantageous role of the increase in extraction kinetics through sample diffusion, resulting in improved extraction efficiency of the microextraction device and supports the need for combining processes for better promotion and implementation of the principles of Green Analytical Chemistry. The applications of MI-FPSE are presented herein, showing the essential role that this technique can play in analytical and bioanalytical sample preparation.
Integrated Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Crucial mRNAs and miRNAs Related to Fecundity in the Hypothalamus of Yunshang Black Goats during the Luteal Phase
Authors: Han Miaoceng , Liang Chen , Liu Yufang , He Xiaoyun , Chu Mingxing
Published: December 2022

A normal estrus cycle is essential for the breeding of goats, and the luteal phase accounts for most of the estrus cycle. The corpus luteum (CL) formed during the luteal phase is a transient endocrine gland that is crucial for the reproductive cycle and pregnancy maintenance, and is controlled by many regulatory factors. However, the molecular mechanism of the hypothalamus effect on the reproductive performance of different litter sizes during the luteal phase of goats has not been elucidated. In this study, RNA-sequencing was used to analyze the mRNA and miRNA expression profiles of the hypothalamic tissues with the high-fecundity goats during the luteal phase (LP-HF) and low-fecundity goats during the luteal phase (LP-LF). The RNA-seq results found that there were 1963 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (890 up-regulated and 1073 down-regulated). The miRNA-seq identified 57 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs), including 11 up-regulated and 46 down-regulated, of which 199 DEGs were predicted to be potential target genes of DEMs. Meanwhile, the functional enrichment analysis identified several mRNA-miRNA pairs involved in the regulation of the hypothalamic activity, such as the common target gene MEA1 of novel-miR-972, novel-miR-125 and novel-miR-403, which can play a certain role as a related gene of the reproductive development in the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis and its regulated network, by regulating the androgen secretion. While another target gene ADIPOR2 of the novel-miR-403, is distributed in the hypothalamus and affects the reproductive system through a central role on the HPG axis and a peripheral role in the gonadal tissue. An annotation analysis of the DE miRNA-mRNA pairs identified targets related to biological processes, such as anion binding (GO:0043168) and small molecule binding (GO: 0036094). Subsequently, the KEGG(Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways were performed to analyze the miRNA-mRNA pairs with negatively correlated miRNAs. We found that the GnRH signaling pathway (ko04912), the estrogen signaling pathway (ko04915), the Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis (ko04666), and the IL-17 signaling pathway (ko04657), etc., were directly and indirectly associated with the reproductive process. These targeting interactions may be closely related to the reproductive performance of goats. The results of this study provide a reference for further research on the molecular regulation mechanism for the high fertility in goats.
In Vitro Rumen Fermentation and Post-Ruminal Digestibility of Sorghum–Soybean Forage as Affected by Ensiling Length, Storage Temperature, and Its Interactions with Crude Protein Levels
Authors: Aloba Temitope Alex , Dickhoefer Uta , Castro-Montoya Joaquin
Published: December 2022

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of ensiling length, storage temperature, and its interaction with crude protein (CP) levels in sorghum–soybean forage mixtures on in vitro rumen fermentation and post-ruminal digestibility of nutrients. The dietary treatments consisted of fresh forages (d 0) and silages of sorghum and soybean stored indoors or outdoors for 75 and 180 d with additional ingredients to make two dietary CP levels, 90 and 130 g/kg dry matter (DM) and a forage-to-concentrate ratio of 80 to 20. An in vitro procedure was conducted using the ANKOM RF technique to study rumen fermentation. The dietary treatments were incubated in duplicate for 8 and 24 h in three runs. After each incubation time, in vitro rumen fermentation parameters were measured, and the protozoa population was counted using a microscope. Post-ruminal digestibility was determined using the pepsin and pancreatic solubility procedure. Cumulative gas production (GP) increased quadratically with ensiling length (8 h, p < 0.01; 24 h, p = 0.02), and the GP differed between CP levels at both incubation times (p < 0.01). However, total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations in rumen inoculum increased quadratically with ensiling length (p < 0.01; for both incubation times), and interaction between ensiling length and CP levels was observed in proportions of acetate and propionate after 24 h of incubation (p < 0.01; for both incubation times). Similarly, an interaction between ensiling length and CP levels was found in the proportion of valerate after 24 h of incubation (p < 0.01). There was a quadratic response to ensiling length in the NH4–N concentration after 8 h (p < 0.01) and 24 h (p < 0.05), and the CP level also differed (p < 0.01) at both incubation times. The ciliate protozoa count after 24 h was higher in low CP diets than in high CP diets (p = 0.04). The amount of CP in the undegraded substrate at both incubation times differed between CP levels (p < 0.01; for both incubation times). An interaction effect between ensiling length and storage temperature after 8 h (p = 0.02) and 24 h (p < 0.01) was observed for intestinal CP digestibility. The effect of CP levels on intestinal CP digestibility differed after 8 h (p < 0.01) and 24 h (p < 0.01). In conclusion, increasing ensiling length beyond 75 d reduced CP digestibility, and additional CP inclusion did not ameliorate this.
Mitochondrial DNA of Sardinian and North-West Italian Populations Revealed a New Piece in the Mosaic of Phylogeography and Phylogeny of Salariopsis fluviatilis (Blenniidae)
Authors: Azzena Ilenia , Scarpa Fabio , Locci Chiara , Cossu Piero , Niffoi Alessio , Orrù Flavio , Bovero Stefano , Sotgiu Giuseppe , Sanna Daria , Casu Marco
Published: December 2022

The genus Salariopsis (Blenniidae) comprises freshwater blenny fish that inhabits Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, and north-east Atlantic areas. Three species were formally described to date: Salariopsis fluviatilis. S. economidisi, and S. atlantica. In this study, 103 individuals were collected from different Italian regions (Sardinia, Liguria, Piedmont, Lombardy) and analyzed using the mtDNA Control Region and the ribosomal 16s gene. We aimed (i) to depict the phylogeographic patterns of S. fluviatilis in northern Italy and Sardinia and (ii) to compare the genetic structure of Italian samples with those from other Mediterranean regions. Results obtained showed the presence of a well-supported genetic structuring among Italian S. fluviatilis populations, shedding new light on the phylogeographic patterns of northern Italian populations of S. fluviatilis sensu stricto across the Ligurian Alpine ridge and the Sardinia Island-mainland dispersal patterns. Furthermore, our species delimitation analysis was consistent in supporting results of previous research about the presence of genetic differentiation among S. fluviatilis, evidencing: (i) a large group of S. fluviatilis sensu stricto that includes two sub-groups (Occidental and Oriental), (ii) one group comprising populations from the Middle East of a taxonomic entity corresponding to Salariopsis cf. fluviatilis, and (iii) one group of Iberian individuals from the Guadiana River.
Analysis of Gut Microbial Communities and Resistance Genes in Pigs and Chickens in Central China
Authors: Rui Yapei , Qiu Gang
Published: December 2022

Background: Basic data concerning the gut microbiota of the main animal husbandry breeds (pigs and chickens) are scarce in China. The dynamics of gut microbiota (pigs and chickens) in China and antibiotic resistance genes carried by microorganisms in the natural environment are unknown. Methods: Free range and factory-farmed Gushi chickens and Huainan pigs were divided into eight groups. Faecal samples were collected from each group, and the metagenomic sequencing method was used to detect each group of samples. Results: The resistance genes showed the following trend, from high to low relative abundance: tetW was the highest, followed by tetW/N/W, then lnuA; and others from high to low were mdtB, lnuC, ANT6-la, ErmB, mdtC, ErmQ, tetBP, vatE, evgS, acrB, cpxA, mefA, Escherichia coli-ampC, tetL, yojl, AcrF and mdtA. All groups administered enrofloxacin and oregano oil did not develop a drug-resistant phenotype during the 5-day treatment period, as grouped in this trial. In 2022, after Announcement No. 194 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in China, the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) trend declined, but it did not fundamentally change, presumably due to the impact of environmental pollution caused by the long-term use of antimicrobials.
Effects of Protein-Chelated Zinc Combined with Mannan-Rich Fraction to Replace High-Dose Zinc Oxide on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Intestinal Health in Weaned Piglets
Authors: Zhang Gang , Zhao Jinbiao , Lin Gang , Guo Yuhan , Li Defa , Wu Yi
Published: December 2022

A total of 168 weaned piglets (average initial body weight of 7.70 ± 0.75 kg) were used in a 4-week feeding trial to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with protein-chelated zinc (Zn-Pro) alone or combined with a mannan-rich fraction (MRF) to replace high-dose zinc oxide (ZnO) for weaned piglets. The dietary treatments included a basal diet as control (CON), a ZnO diet (basal diet + 1600 mg Zn/kg from ZnO), a Zn-Pro diet (basal diet + 60 mg Zn/kg from Zn-Pro), and a MRF plus Zn-Pro diet (MRP, basal diet + 800 mg/kg MRF + 60 mg Zn/kg from Zn-Pro). The average daily gain of piglets in the MRP group was higher (p ≤ 0.05) than that in CON and Zn-Pro groups during d 15–28 and d 1–28 of experiment. The apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein in the MRP group was higher (p ≤ 0.05) than that in the CON group. The serum insulin-like growth factor-1 level in the MRP group was markedly higher (p ≤ 0.05) than that of piglets in the other three treatment groups. Piglets fed the Zn-Pro and ZnO diets had greater (p ≤ 0.05) acetic acid in cecal digesta than those fed the CON diet, while the MRP diet had higher (p ≤ 0.05) cecal propionate concentration than those that were fed the CON diet on d 28 of experiment. Moreover, the villus height of ileum in the MRP group tended to be greater than the CON group (p = 0.09). Compared with the CON and MRP groups, the relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae (p = 0.08) and Lachnospiraceae (p = 0.09) in the Zn-Pro group showed an increasing trend. The relative abundance of Prevotellaceae in the Zn-Pro group was significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) than that in the MRP group. In conclusion, the combined addition of MRF and Zn-Pro acted as a suitable alternative to ZnO to beneficially support the growth performance and intestinal health of weaned piglets, as well as contribute to a lower diarrhea rate and environmental pollution from fecal zinc excretion.
Fish Community Structure and Biomass Particle-Size Spectrum in the Upper Reaches of the Jinsha River (China)
Authors: Yan Taiming , He Jiayang , Yang Deying , Ma Zhijun , Chen Hongjun , Zhang Qian , Deng Faqiang , Ye Lijuan , Pu Yong , Zhang Mingwang , Yang Song , Yang Shiyong , Tang Ziting , He Zhi
Published: December 2022

To understand the characteristics of the fish community structure and biomass particle-size spectrum in the upper reaches of the Jinsha River, fish and environmental surveys were conducted in 21 segments of the upper reaches of the Jinsha River in September 2019 and June 2020. A total of 4062 fish belonging to 2 orders, 5 families, 18 genera, and 28 species were collected. Among them, Cyprinidae fish were the most abundant (14 species), accounting for 50.00%. The Shannon index and Pielou evenness index values varied from 0.402–1.770 and 0.254–0.680, respectively. The dominant species of fish were Triplophysa stenura, Schizothorax wangchiachii, and Schizopygopsis malacanthus. Redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to analyse the relationship between the fish community and environmental factors. Velocity, altitude, and dissolved oxygen were the main influencing factors of fish community structure differences in the upper reaches of the Jinsha River. The abundance/biomass curves showed that the fish communities in the upper reaches of the Jinsha River were moderately or severely disturbed. The standardized biomass particle-size spectrum of fish showed that the degree of disturbance of fish in tributaries was much lower than that in the main stream. Compared with the historical data, the fish community structure in the Jinsha River has changed significantly, with the number of exotic species increasing, and the individual fish showing miniaturization and younger ages. It is suggested that habitat conservation strategies be adopted in the upper tributaries of the Jinsha River to provide a reference for the restoration of fishery resources and the conservation of fish diversity in the Yangtze River.
Cheese and Butter as a Source of Health-Promoting Fatty Acids in the Human Diet
Authors: Paszczyk Beata
Published: December 2022

The assessment of fatty acid composition, including the content of conjugated linoleic acid cis9trans11 C18:2 (CLA) and trans C18:1 and C18:2 isomers in fat extracted from selected high-fat dairy products commonly available to consumers in retail sale on the Polish market, and a comparison of their indicators as to the quality of lipids was the aim of the study. The experimental materials were hard cheeses, white-mold cheeses, blue-veined cheeses, and butters. The conducted study demonstrated that various contents of groups of fatty acids and the values of lipid quality indices were found in the tested products. Butters turned out to be richer sources of short-chain, branched-chain, and odd-chain fatty acids. The fat extracted from butters and white-mold cheeses had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) content of n-3 fatty acids. Lower values of the n-6/n-3 ratio were determined in the fat extracted from butters and white-mold cheeses. The highest values of the thrombogenicity index (TI) were found in fat extracted from hard cheeses. Significantly lower values (p < 0.05) of the atherogenicity index (AI) and values of the H/H ratio were found in fat from mold cheeses. Fat from butters and white-mold cheeses had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) content of CLA and total content of trans C18:1.
Epitope Mapping of Anti-Mouse CCR3 Monoclonal Antibodies Using Flow Cytometry
Authors: Tateyama Nami , Asano Teizo , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Li Guanjie , Yoshikawa Takeo , Tanaka Tomohiro , Kaneko Mika K. , Kato Yukinari
Published: December 2022

The CC chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3) is a receptor for CC chemokines, including CCL5/RANTES, CCL7/MCP-3, and CCL11/eotaxin. CCR3 is expressed on the surface of eosinophils, basophils, a subset of Th2 lymphocytes, mast cells, and airway epithelial cells. CCR3 and its ligands are involved in airway hyperresponsiveness in allergic asthma, ocular allergies, and cancers. Therefore, CCR3 is an attractive target for those therapies. Previously, anti-mouse CCR3 (mCCR3) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), C3Mab-3 (rat IgG2a, kappa), and C3Mab-4 (rat IgG2a, kappa) were developed using the Cell-Based Immunization and Screening (CBIS) method. In this study, the binding epitope of these mAbs was investigated using flow cytometry. A CCR3 extracellular domain-substituted mutant analysis showed that C3Mab-3, C3Mab-4, and a commercially available mAb (J073E5) recognized the N-terminal region (amino acids 1–38) of mCCR3. Next, alanine scanning was conducted in the N-terminal region. The results revealed that the Ala2, Phe3, Asn4, and Thr5 of mCCR3 are involved in C3Mab-3 binding, whereas Ala2, Phe3, and Thr5 are essential to C3Mab-4 binding, and Ala2 and Phe3 are crucial to J073E5 binding. These results reveal the involvement of the N-terminus of mCCR3 in the recognition of C3Mab-3, C3Mab-4, and J073E5.
Days of Antibiotic Spectrum Coverage Trends and Assessment in Patients with Bloodstream Infections: A Japanese University Hospital Pilot Study
Authors: Maeda Masayuki , Nakata Mari , Naito Yuika , Yamaguchi Kozue , Yamada Kaho , Kinase Ryoko , Takuma Takahiro , On Rintaro , Tokimatsu Issei
Published: December 2022

The antibiotic spectrum is not reflected in conventional antimicrobial metrics. Days of antibiotic spectrum coverage (DASC) is a novel quantitative metric for antimicrobial consumption developed with consideration of the antibiotic spectrum. However, there were no data regarding disease and pathogen-specific DASC. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the DASC trend in patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs). DASC and days of therapy (DOT) of in-patients with positive blood culture results during a 2-year interval were evaluated. Data were aggregated to calculate the DASC, DOT, and DASC/DOT per patient stratified by pathogens. During the 2-year study period, 1443 positive blood culture cases were identified, including 265 suspected cases of contamination. The overall DASC, DASC/patient, DOT, DOT/patient, and DASC/DOT metrics were 226,626; 157.1; 28,778; 19.9; and 7.9, respectively. A strong correlation was observed between DASC and DOT, as well as DASC/patient and DOT/patient. Conversely, DASC/DOT had no correlation with other metrics. The combination of DASC and DOT would be a useful benchmark for the overuse and misuse evaluation of antimicrobial therapy in BSIs. Notably, DASC/DOT would be a robust metric to evaluate the antibiotic spectrum that was selected for patients with BSIs.
Analysis of the Oral Microbiome in a Patient with Cardiofaciocutaneous Syndrome and Severe Periodontal Disease: Impact of Systemic Antibiotic Therapy
Authors: Muñoz Navarro Carolina , del Carmen Sánchez Beltrán María , Arriagada Vargas Carolina , Batalla Vázquez Pilar , Diniz Freitas Márcio , Limeres Posse Jacobo , Diz Dios Pedro , García Mato Eliane
Published: December 2022

An 8-year-old girl diagnosed with cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome presented to our department with gingival pain, inflammation, and bleeding. Her medical history included hypoplasia of the corpus callosum, intellectual disability, trichothiodystrophy, global developmental delay, myopia, laryngomalacia, hypothyroidism, and osteoporosis. A diagnosis was reached of “periodontitis as a direct manifestation of systemic diseases”. During 9 years of follow-up, there were exacerbation episodes with spontaneous gum bleeding, ulcers in the interdental papilla, tooth mobility, and progressive tooth loss. Some of these exacerbation episodes resolved clinically with the administration of amoxicillin and metronidazole. We therefore proposed an oral microbiome study (subgingival and saliva samples) before and after antibiotic therapy. The most abundant genera at the subgingival level before administering antibiotics were Prevotella, Streptococcus, Fusobacterium, Leptotrichia, and Aggregatibacter. Of the 94 genera sequenced, 57 were less abundant in the post-treatment state than at baseline, particularly certain Gram-negative periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas, Treponema, Aggregatibacter, Fusobacterium, and Campylobacter. In contrast, other genera related to oral health, such as Haemophilus, Granulicatella, and Abiotrophia, showed an increase after administering the antibiotic. In conclusion, periodontitis exacerbations as a direct manifestation of systemic disease can occasionally be controlled exclusively with systemic antibiotics, without the need for performing mechanical periodontal therapy. This clinical recovery is correlated to substantial changes in the oral microbiome, which lead to the recovery of eubiosis of the microbiota.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Diabetic Foot Infections in a Tunisian Hospital with the First Detection of MSSA CC398-t571
Authors: Arfaoui Ameni , Sallem Rym Ben , Fernández-Fernández Rosa , Eguizábal Paula , Dziri Raoudha , Abdullahi Idris Nasir , Sayem Noureddine , Ben Khelifa Melki Salma , Ouzari Hadda-Imen , Torres Carmen , Klibi Naouel
Published: December 2022

This study sought to analyze the antimicrobial resistant phenotypes and genotypes as well as the virulence content of S. aureus isolates recovered from patients with diabetic foot infections (DFIs) in a Tunisian hospital. Eighty-three clinical samples of 64 patients were analyzed, and bacterial isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF. The antimicrobial resistance phenotypes were determined by the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion susceptibility test. Resistance and virulence genes, agr profile, spa and SCCmec types were determined by PCR and sequencing. S. aureus was detected in 14 of the 64 patients (21.9%), and 15 S. aureus isolates were recovered. Six out of the fifteen S. aureus isolates were methicillin-resistant (MRSA, mecA-positive) (40%). The isolates harbored the following resistance genes (number of isolates): blaZ (12), erm(B) (2), erm(A) (1), msrA (2), tet(M) (2), tet(K) (3), tet(L) (1), aac(6′)-aph(2″) (2), ant(4″) (1) and fexA (1). The lukS/F-PV and tst genes were detected in three isolates. Twelve different spa-types were identified and assigned to seven clonal complexes with the predominance of agr-type III. Furthermore, the SCCmec types III, IV and V were found among the MRSA isolates. Moreover, one MSSA CC398-t571-agr-III isolate was found; it was susceptible to all antimicrobial agents and lacked luk-S/F-PV, tst, eta and etb genes. This is the first report on the prevalence and molecular characterization of S. aureus from DFIs and also the first detection of the MSSA-CC398-t571 clone in human infections in Tunisia. Our findings indicated a high prevalence S. aureus in DFIs with genetic diversity among the MSSA and MRSA isolates.
Surgical Excision of Unusual Sacked Neck and Mediastinum Abscess of Odontogenic Origin
Authors: Colizza Andrea , D’Erme Giovanni , Ciofalo Andrea , D’Angeli Giacomo , Federici Francesca Romana , Galli Carlotta , De Vincentiis Marco , Galli Massimo
Published: December 2022

The most common cause of neck infections is odontogenic abscesses that can often be life-threatening and require a surgical drain associated with antibiotic therapy. We present a case of the surgical management of an odontogenic sack-shaped and walled abscess arising from elements 3.6, 3.7 and 3.8 that reached the laterocervical spaces and anterior mediastinum in a 28-year-old healthy woman. Typical signs and symptoms of cervical complications of dental origin are fever, a neck mass, lymphadenopathy, trismus and odynophagia. The gold standard treatment in these situations is a multidisciplinary approach involving an oral surgeon, ENT specialist and thoracic surgeon to drain the infected material. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first described case report of a dental abscess enclosed in a sack in the deep space of the neck and in the anterior space of the mediastinum.
Gradient Boosting Machine Identified Predictive Variables for Breast Cancer Patients Pre- and Post-Radiotherapy: Preliminary Results of an 8-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Rodríguez-Tomàs Elisabet , Arenas Meritxell , Baiges-Gaya Gerard , Acosta Johana , Araguas Pablo , Malave Bárbara , Castañé Helena , Jiménez-Franco Andrea , Benavides-Villarreal Rocío , Sabater Sebastià , Solà-Alberich Rosa , Camps Jordi , Joven Jorge
Published: December 2022

Radiotherapy (RT) is part of the standard treatment of breast cancer (BC) because of its effects on relapse reduction and survival. However, response to treatment is highly variable, and some patients may develop disease progression (DP), a second primary cancer, or may succumb to the disease. Antioxidant systems and inflammatory processes are associated with the onset and development of BC and play a role in resistance to treatment. Here, we report our investigation into the clinical evolution of BC patients, and the impact of RT on the circulating levels of the antioxidant enzyme paraoxonase-1 (PON1), cytokines, and other standard biochemical and hematological variables. Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) algorithm was used to identify predictive variables. This was a retrospective study in 237 patients with BC. Blood samples were obtained pre- and post-RT, with samples of healthy women used as control subjects. Results showed that 24 patients had DP eight years post-RT, and eight patients developed a second primary tumor. The algorithm identified interleukin-4 and total lymphocyte counts as the most relevant indices discriminating between BC patients and control subjects, while neutrophils, total leukocytes, eosinophils, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and PON1 activity were potential predictors of fatal outcome.
Mangosteen Pericarp Extract Supplementation Boosts Antioxidant Status via Rebuilding Gut Microbiota to Attenuate Motor Deficit in 6-OHDA-Induced Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Nurrahma Bira Arumndari , Yeh Tu-Hsueh , Hsieh Rong-Hong , Tsao Shu-Ping , Chen Chia-Wen , Lee Yen-Peng , Pan Chun-Hsu , Huang Hui-Yu
Published: December 2022

Oxidative stress and gut dysbiosis have been known to precede Parkinson’s disease (PD). An antioxidant-rich product, mangosteen pericarp (MP), has the ability to counterbalance excessive free radicals and the imbalanced gut microbiota composition, suggesting the MP’s capacity to delay PD progression. In this study, we explored the effects of two doses of MP extract in a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced PD rat model. We revealed that the 8-week supplementation of a low dose (LMP) and a high dose of the MP extract (HMP) improved motor function, as observed in decreased contralateral rotation, improved time spent on rod, and higher dopamine binding transporter (DAT) in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). The MP extract, especially the HMP, also increased antioxidant-related gene expressions, restored muscle mitochondrial function, and remodeled fecal microbiota composition, which were followed by reduced reactive oxygen species levels in brain and inflammation in plasma. Importantly, bacterial genera Sutterella, Rothia, and Aggregatibacter, which were negatively correlated with antioxidant gene expressions, decreased in the HMP group. It is imperative to note that in addition to directly acting as an antioxidant to reduce excessive free radicals, MP extract might also increase antioxidant state by rebuilding gut microbiota, thereby enhanced anti-inflammatory capacity and restored mitochondrial function to attenuate motor deficit in 6-OHDA-induced PD-like condition. All in all, MP extract is a potential candidate for auxiliary therapy for PD.
Broccoli-Derived Glucoraphanin Activates AMPK/PGC1α/NRF2 Pathway and Ameliorates Dextran-Sulphate-Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice
Authors: Tian Qiyu , Xu Zhixin , Sun Qi , Iniguez Alejandro Bravo , Du Min , Zhu Mei-Jun
Published: December 2022

As the prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) rises, the etiology of IBD draws increasing attention. Glucoraphanin (GRP), enriched in cruciferous vegetables, is a precursor of sulforaphane, known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. We hypothesized that dietary GRP supplementation can prevent mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in an acute colitis mouse model induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Eight-week-old mice were fed a regular rodent diet either supplemented with or without GRP. After 4 weeks of dietary treatments, half of the mice within each dietary group were subjected to 2.5% DSS treatment to induce colitis. Dietary GRP decreased DSS-induced body weight loss, disease activity index, and colon shortening. Glucoraphanin supplementation protected the colonic histological structure, suppressed inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and reduced macrophage infiltration in colonic tissues. Consistently, dietary GRP activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (PGC)-1α, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) pathways in the colonic tissues of DSS-treated mice, which was associated with increased mitochondrial DNA and decreased content of the oxidative product 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHDG), a nucleotide oxidative product of DNA. In conclusion, dietary GRP attenuated mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress induced by DSS, suggesting that dietary GRP provides a dietary strategy to alleviate IBD symptoms.
Cathelicidin Attenuates Hyperoxia-Induced Lung Injury by Inhibiting Ferroptosis in Newborn Rats
Authors: Chou Hsiu-Chu , Chen Chung-Ming
Published: December 2022

High oxygen concentrations are often required to treat newborn infants with respiratory distress but have adverse effects, such as increased oxidative stress and ferroptosis and impaired alveolarization. Cathelicidins are a family of antimicrobial peptides that exhibit antioxidant activity, and they can reduce hyperoxia-induced oxidative stress. This study evaluated the effects of cathelicidin treatment on lung ferroptosis and alveolarization in hyperoxia-exposed newborn rats. Sprague Dawley rat pups were either reared in room air (RA) or hyperoxia (85% O2) and then randomly given cathelicidin (8 mg/kg) in 0.05 mL of normal saline (NS), or NS was administered intraperitoneally on postnatal days from 1–6. The four groups obtained were as follows: RA + NS, RA + cathelicidin, O2 + NS, and O2 + cathelicidin. On postnatal day 7, lungs were harvested for histological, biochemical, and Western blot analyses. The rats nurtured in hyperoxia and treated with NS exhibited significantly lower body weight and cathelicidin expression, higher Fe2+, malondialdehyde, iron deposition, mitochondrial damage (TOMM20), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and significantly lower glutathione, glutathione peroxidase 4, and radial alveolar count (RAC) compared to the rats kept in RA and treated with NS or cathelicidin. Cathelicidin treatment mitigated hyperoxia-induced lung injury, as demonstrated by higher RAC and lower TOMM20 and IL-1β levels. The attenuation of lung injury was accompanied by decreased ferroptosis. These findings indicated that cathelicidin mitigated hyperoxia-induced lung injury in the rats, most likely by inhibiting ferroptosis.
Jasminum sambac Cell Extract as Antioxidant Booster against Skin Aging
Authors: Ceccacci Sara , Lucia Adriana De , Tortora Assunta , Colantuono Antonio , Carotenuto Gennaro , Tito Annalisa , Monti Maria Chiara
Published: December 2022

Oxidative stress plays a major role in the skin aging process through the reactive oxygen species production and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation. Antioxidant ingredients are therefore needed in the skin care market and the use of molecules coming from plant cell cultures provide a unique opportunity. In this paper, the features of an hydroethanolic extract obtained by Jasminum sambac cells (JasHEx) were explored. The antioxidant and anti-AGE properties were investigated by a multidisciplinary approach combining mass spectrometric and bio-informatic in vitro and ex vivo experiments. JasHEx contains phenolic acid derivatives, lignans and triterpenes and it was found to reduce cytosolic reactive oxygen species production in keratinocytes exposed to exogenous stress. It also showed the ability to reduce AGE formation and to increase the collagen type I production in extracellular matrix. Data demonstrated that JasHEx antioxidant properties were related to its free radical scavenging and metal chelating activities and to the activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway. This can well explain JasHEx anti-inflammatory activity related to the decrease in NO levels in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Thus, JasHEx can be considered a powerful antioxidant booster against oxidative stress-induced skin aging.
Distinctive Handwriting Signs in Early Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Senatore Rosa , Marcelli Angelo , De Micco Rosa , Tessitore Alessandro , Teulings Hans-Leo
Published: December 2022

Background: The analysis of handwriting movements to quantify motor and cognitive impairments in neurodegenerative diseases is increasingly attracting interest. Non-invasive and quick-to-administer tools using handwriting movement analysis can be used in early screening of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and maybe in the diagnosis of other neurodegenerative disease. Theaim of this work is to identify the distinctive signs characterizing handwriting in the early stage of PD, in order to provide a diagnostic tool for the early detection of the disease. Compared to previous studies, here, we analyzed handwriting movements of patients on which the disease affects the contralateral side with respect to the one used for writing. Methods: We collected and analyzed a set of handwriting samples by PD patients and healthy subjects. Participants were asked to follow a novel protocol, containing handwriting patterns of various levels of complexity, using both familiar and unfamiliar movements. Results: We found that the signs characterizing the early stage of PD differ from those appearing in later stages. Our work provides evidence that early detection of PD, even when the disease affects mainly the contralateral side with respect to the one used for writing, could be achieved by analyzing specific features measured during the execution of specific handwriting tasks. Eventually, we found that patients’ performance benefits from the execution of handwriting in specific conditions. Conclusions: The analysis provides the guidelines for the design of a diagnostic tool for the early detection of PD and some suggestions for reducing motor impairments in PD patients.
Expert System and Decision Support System for Electrocardiogram Interpretation and Diagnosis: Review, Challenges and Research Directions
Authors: Adewole Kayode S. , Mojeed Hammed A. , Ogunmodede James A. , Gabralla Lubna A. , Faruk Nasir , Abdulkarim Abubakar , Ifada Emmanuel , Folawiyo Yusuf Y. , Oloyede Abdukareem A. , Olawoyin Lukman A. , Sikiru Ismaeel A. , Nehemiah Musa , Gital Abdulsalam Ya’u , Chiroma Haruna
Published: December 2022

Electrocardiography (ECG) is one of the most widely used recordings in clinical medicine. ECG deals with the recording of electrical activity that is generated by the heart through the surface of the body. The electrical activity generated by the heart is measured using electrodes that are attached to the body surface. The use of ECG in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been in existence for over a decade, and research in this domain has recently attracted large attention. Along this line, an expert system (ES) and decision support system (DSS) have been developed for ECG interpretation and diagnosis. However, despite the availability of a lot of literature, access to recent and more comprehensive review papers on this subject is still a challenge. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the application of ES and DSS for ECG interpretation and diagnosis. Researchers have proposed a number of features and methods for ES and DSS development that can be used to monitor a patient’s health condition through ECG recordings. In this paper, a taxonomy of the features and methods for ECG interpretation and diagnosis were presented. The significance of the features and methods, as well as their limitations, were analyzed. This review further presents interesting theoretical concepts in this domain, as well as identifies challenges and open research issues on ES and DSS development for ECG interpretation and diagnosis that require substantial research effort. In conclusion, this paper identifies important future research areas with the purpose of advancing the development of ES and DSS for ECG interpretation and diagnosis.