bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence and factors associated with the recurrence of Rathke's cleft cyst after surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Qian Ao , Zhou Jing , Zhang Xin , Yu Jiaojiao , Wang Xiaoshu
Published: January 2023

Backgroud

Recurrence of Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) is not uncommon after surgery, and the associated factors and incidence of relapse deserve a systematic summary.

Methods

This study was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched until September 12, 2022. Studies with significant results of recurrent factors or specific incidences of RCC recurrence and mean/median follow-up time were included. Based on a protocol of a 2-year interval grouping, included studies were categorized into four groups with follow-up periods  <24 months, 24–48 months, 48–72 months, and ≥72 months, respectively. Quality assessment was performed using the NOS score. Pooled estimations were computed by using a random-effects model in the STATA “metaprop” command. Publication bias was assessed visually through a funnel plot and statistically through Egger's linear regression test and Begg's correlation test.

Results

A total of 44 studies were included containing 2,539 cases. Squamous metaplasia was the most commonly reported factor, followed by the extent of cyst removal. The other factors were reported individually. The pooled overall incidences of RCC recurrence after surgery in four groups of the follow-up period were 7.4% (95%CI = 4.1–11.3%) in <24 months, 13.1% (95%CI = 9.7–17.0%) in 24–48 months, 13.7% (95%CI = 7.7–21.0%) in 48–72 months, and 33.8% (95%CI = 19.6–49.6%) in ≥72 months. The pooled symptomatic incidences were 2.3% (95%CI = 0.4–5.1%) in <24 months, 5.6% (95%CI = 3.6–7.9%) in 24–48 months, 5.9% (95%CI = 2.4–10.6%) in 48–72 months, and 14.1% (95%CI = 6.0–24.5%) in ≥72 months. A dramatic increase in recurrent incidence was observed when the follow-up period was more than 72 months in both overall and symptomatic recurrence. A similar trend of recurrence was found in subgroup analyses stratified by publication year, cohort size, and cyst resection strategy.

Conclusion

This study systematically reviewed recurrent factors and described the profile of trends in RCC recurrent incidence after surgery with a follow-up time based on a protocol of a 2-year interval, finding a dramatic increase in recurrent rates with a follow-up period of more than 72 months. This encouraged us to put forward a recommendation of at least a 6-year follow-up after surgery for patients with RCC.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42021278970.
Modified lumbar foraminoplasty using a power-aided reciprocating burr for percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy: A technical note and clinical report
Authors: Wang Yingbo , Wu Jian , Wang Tengyu , Liu Yaoyao , Jiang Mei , Wang Zhong , Chao Rui , Liu Peng , Pu Jungang , Fan Weili
Published: January 2023

Background

One of the main difficulties in a transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD), and simultaneously the most critical step, is performing an effective and safe foraminoplasty, which is especially difficult for beginners. To make it safer and faster for beginners to perform, we have used a specially designed power-aided reciprocating burr for TELD and reported the technical details.

Methods

From Jan. 2019 to Nov. 2022, 432 patients with single-level, symptomatic L4/5 or L5/S1 disc herniation were treated with TELD using a novel power-aided reciprocating burr. The surgical procedure is described in detail. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed the following day and 3 months after the operation. The learning curves of surgeons with different seniority levels are displayed. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to measure low back pain, leg pain, and lumbar function. All patients were followed up for at least 1 year.

Results

All patients underwent endoscopic surgery successfully. Among the 432 patients, radicular outer membrane damage was observed in 6 cases, and 1 case had hernia of the nerve tract. Except for this patient with aggravation of postoperative numbness, the postoperative neurological symptoms of all patients were significantly improved. The mean VAS scores for low back pain and leg pain and ODI scores were significantly decreased 6 w post-operatively and were maintained until 12 months post-operatively compared to preoperative scores (P < 0.05). All three doctors involved in the study had substantial experience in traditional open spinal surgery. The more operations all three surgeons completed, the more time spent on intervertebral foraminoplasty decreased (P < 0.05). Among them, doctors without experience in TELD surgery became proficient in this technique after accumulating experience in 13 cases. There was no significant difference in foraminoplasty time among these three surgeons during the same growing period (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Current clinical data demonstrated the safety and efficacy of modified TELD using a power-aided reciprocating burr for treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and showed that this technique significantly reduces the learning curve for beginners when performing foraminoplasty.
Relationship between preoperative lymphocyte to monocyte ratio and surgery outcome in type A aortic dissection
Authors: Ma Ming , Zhu Feng , Fan Fudong , Pan Jun , Cao Hailong , Zhou Qing , Wang Dongjin
Published: January 2023

Background

Lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) is associated with the mortality of cardiovascular diseases. However, the relationship between preoperative LMR and the prognosis of patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD) undergoing surgical treatment remains to be determined.

Methods

We enrolled 879 patients with TAAD undergoing surgical treatment between January 2018 and December 2021. Patients were divided into two groups: the Deceased group and the Survived group. The baseline clinical and operative characteristics of the two groups were compared and analyzed.

Results

In univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, the association between LMR and in-hospital mortality was significant, and LMR (OR = 1.598, 95% CI 1.114–2.485, P = 0.022) remained significant after adjusting for confounders.

Conclusion

Lower LMR may be independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality in TAAD undergoing surgical treatment.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute lung injury in a trauma population with and without long bone fractures
Authors: Larson Julia L. , Robertson Henry T. , Grey Scott F. , Schobel Seth A. , Potter Benjamin K. , Elster Eric A.
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Trauma is the leading cause of death in persons under the age of 45. Recovery in patients who survive initial trauma are frequently complicated by sequelae of injury that increases susceptibility to infection and inflammation. Uncontrolled inflammation can advance into life-threatening organ failure, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Similarities exist between biomarkers established in the etiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome and those identified in the acute inflammatory and healing phase of bone fractures. This study investigates the impact of long bone fractures on the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome where it is hypothesized that patients with long bone fractures would have different biomarker profiles and increased development of lung injury compared to patients without long bone fractures.

Methods: This is a retrospective data analysis of patients from an observational data repository from three trauma centers. Trauma patients with and without long bone fractures were matched and analyzed for the presence of known biomarkers of acute respiratory distress syndrome and for the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Results: There were no differences in overall acute respiratory distress syndrome development or hospital outcomes, however long bone fracture patients had a 2.35-fold higher hazard ratio of acute respiratory distress syndrome in the first 10 hospital days. There was a statistically significant increase in the levels of IL-6 in patients with long bone fractures (p = .0007). Structural equations modeling demonstrated that IL-6 was positively influenced by long bone fractures and IL-8.

Conclusion: The presence of long bone fractures did not result in differences in the overall development of acute respiratory distress syndrome or hospital outcomes, though was found to have an increased hazard ratio for acute respiratory distress syndrome development in the first 10 days. Further research is needed to better characterize the relationship between varying cytokine profiles and the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome in a trauma population.
Whole-genome sequencing of African swine fever virus from wild boars in the Kaliningrad region reveals unique and distinguishing genomic mutations
Authors: Mazloum Ali , van Schalkwyk Antoinette , Shotin Andrey , Zinyakov Nikolay , Igolkin Alexey , Chernishev Roman , Debeljak Zoran , Korennoy Fedor , Sprygin Alexander V.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Since the first report of outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in Georgia in 2007, the disease has expanded into Europe, Russia, and Asia, spreading rapidly via contact with infected animals including domestic pigs and wild boars. The vast expansion of this Genotype II African swine fever virus (ASFV) across wide-ranging territories and hosts inevitably led to the acquisition of novel mutations. These mutations could be used to track the molecular epidemiology of ASFV, provided that they are unique to strains restricted within a certain area. Whilst whole-genome sequencing remains the gold standard for examining evolutionary changes, sequencing of a single locus with significant variation and resolution power could be used as a rapid and cost-effective alternative to characterize multiple isolates from a single or related outbreak.

Material and methods

ASFVs obtained during active ASF outbreaks in the Russian region of Kaliningrad between 2017 and 2019 were examined. Since all of the viruses belonged to Genotype II and no clear differentiation based on central variable region (CVR) sequencing was observed, the whole-genome sequences of nine ASFV isolates from this region were determined. To obtain insights into the molecular evolution of these isolates, their sequences were compared to isolates from Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Results

Phylogenetic analysis based on the whole-genome sequences clustered the new isolates as a sister lineage to isolates from Poland and Germany. This suggests a possible shared origin followed by the addition of novel mutations restricted to isolates from this region. This status as a sister lineage was mirrored when analyzing polymorphisms in MGF-505-5R and MGF-110-7L, whilst a polymorphism unique to sequences from Kaliningrad was identified at locus K145R. This newly identified mutation was able to distinguish the isolates obtained from Kaliningrad with sequences of Genotype II ASFVs available on GenBank.

Discussion

The findings of this study suggest that ASFVs circulating in Kaliningrad have recently obtained this mutation providing an additional marker to the mutations previously described.
Evaluation of fecal sampling time points to estimate apparent nutrient digestibility in lactating Holstein dairy cows
Authors: Cavallini Damiano , Palmonari Alberto , Mammi Ludovica Maria Eugenia , Ghiaccio Francesca , Canestrari Giorgia , Formigoni Andrea
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The aim of this study was the evaluation of nutrient excretion patterns in samples of feces collected every 2 h to define the best sampling protocol for estimation of apparent digestibility.

Methods

Four multiparous mid-lactation Holstein cows, housed in a tie stall barn and milked twice a day (0800; 1900 h), were enrolled. Dry total mixed ration (TMR) without silages was fed once (0800 h) per day. Feces were sampled every 2 h for 72 h. Each sample was divided in 3 portions: hourly sample sample (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 00, 2, 4, 6), 8-h composite sample (00–06, 08–14 and 16–22), and a 24-h composite sample. Complete chemical analyses were performed and total tract nutrient digestibility was calculated using undegraded neutral detergent fiber at 240 h of in vitro fermentation (uNDF240h) as a marker. Feeding and rumination patterns were also recorded during the trial.

Results and discussion

For some parameters, excretion was not constant throughout the day: neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom), undegraded neutral detergent fiber at 24 h of in vitro fermentation (uNDF24h), uDNF240h, total tract crude protein digestibility (TTCPD), total tract neutral detergent fiber digestibility (TTaNDFomD), total tract potentially degraded neutral detergent fiber at 240 h of in vitro fermentation digestibility (TTpdNDF240hD) with minimal values after new TMR delivery and maximal values 12 h after feed delivery. Feeding and ruminating behavior seemed to have an important role in the excretion pattern, due to the pushing and evacuating effect they have. Considering our results, two fecal samples at 12 and 24 h after the TMR delivery are suggested. For one daily sample, 12 h post time of most stable and constant rumination 0000–0600 h, which is also 8 h post feed delivery is suggested.
Relationship Between Psychological Distress, Burnout and Work Engagement in Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review
Authors: Adanaqué-Bravo Ingrid , Escobar-Segovia Kenny , Gómez-Salgado Juan , García-Iglesias Juan Jesús , Fagundo-Rivera Javier , Ruiz-Frutos Carlos
Published: January 2023

Objective: The psychological distress that the COVID-19 pandemic has produced has generated negative effects on workers, and in one way or another this has affected their work engagement within companies. The aim of this research was to assess the relationship between psychological distress, burnout and work engagement in workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A systematic review was carried out following the PRISMA methodology, taking articles from the Scopus, Pubmed, and Web of Science databases from the beginning of the pandemic until November 2022. The methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools for non-randomised studies.

Results: 24 articles were selected. All the articles found an association between psychological distress, burnout or other factors and work engagement.

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on work engagement and a negative relationship with psychological distress and burnout, hence the importance of companies taking measures to minimise levels of psychological distress and burnout.
Training Performance Indications for Amateur Athletes Based on Nutrition and Activity Lifelogs
Authors: Nguyen Phuc-Thinh , Dao Minh-Son , Riegler Michael , Kiran Rage , Dang Thai-Thinh , Le Duy-Dong , Nguyen-Ly Kieu-Chinh , Pham Thanh-Qui , Nguyen Van-Luong
Published: January 2023

To maintain and improve an amateur athlete’s fitness throughout training and to achieve peak performance in sports events, good nutrition and physical activity (general and training specifically) must be considered as important factors. In our context, the terminology “amateur athletes” represents those who want to practice sports to protect their health from sickness and diseases and improve their ability to join amateur athlete events (e.g., marathons). Unlike professional athletes with personal trainer support, amateur athletes mostly rely on their experience and feeling. Hence, amateur athletes need another way to be supported in monitoring and recommending more efficient execution of their activities. One of the solutions to (self-)coaching amateur athletes is collecting lifelog data (i.e., daily data captured from different sources around a person) to understand how daily nutrition and physical activities can impact their exercise outcomes. Unfortunately, not all factors of the lifelog data can contribute to understanding the mutual impact of nutrition, physical activities, and exercise frequency on improving endurance, stamina, and weight loss. Hence, there is no guarantee that analyzing all data collected from people can produce good insights towards having a good model to predict what the outcome will be. Besides, analyzing a rich and complicated dataset can consume vast resources (e.g., computational complexity, hardware, bandwidth), and this therefore does not suit deployment on IoT or personal devices. To meet this challenge, we propose a new method to (i) discover the optimal lifelog data that significantly reflect the relation between nutrition and physical activities and training performance and (ii) construct an adaptive model that can predict the performance for both large-scale and individual groups. Our suggested method produces positive results with low MAE and MSE metrics when tested on large-scale and individual datasets and also discovers exciting patterns and correlations among data factors.
Adaptive Sliding-Mode Path-Following Control of Cart-Pendulum Robots with False Data Injection Attacks
Authors: Liu Jiadong , Jin Xiaozheng , Deng Chao , Che Weiwei
Published: January 2023

This paper addresses the displacement path-following problem for a class of disturbed cart-pendulum systems under the fake data injection (FDI) actuator attacks. A filter operator is proposed to estimate the weight vector caused by unknown attacks and disturbances, so that the actuator attacks can be parameterized using neural networks. Then, combined with filter signals and based on adaptive neural network and integral sliding-mode techniques, robust path-following control schemes are proposed to withdraw the impacts of disturbances and FDI attacks. The uniformly ultimately bounded stability results of the closed-loop cart-pendulum system with neural network weight estimations and sliding functions are achieved based on Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, a simulation model of a material robot is used to verify the proposed control strategy.
Reconfiguration of Technological and Innovation Capabilities in Mexican SMEs: Effective Strategies for Corporate Performance in Emerging Economies
Authors: Valdez-Juárez Luis Enrique , Ramos-Escobar Elva Alicia , Borboa-Álvarez Edith Patricia
Published: January 2023

Latin American SMEs currently have serious financial and technological limitations. These problems have generated poor progress in technological digitization, innovation management, and corporate performance. The purpose of this research is to first analyze the direct effect that digitalization has on the management of innovation and corporate performance of Mexican SMEs. Secondly, the moderating effect that technological barriers have on the digitization, innovation, and results of the corporate performances of Mexican SMEs is examined. This study compiles information from a sample of 4121 managers of SMEs in the service trade and manufacturing sector. The information collection technique was through a personal interview (online questionnaire) addressed to the owner and/or manager of the SMEs through the LimeSurvey Professional platform. The fieldwork was carried out during the months of January to July of the year 2022. The structural equations model (SEM) was used for data analysis, specifically with the statistical technique of analysis of variance through the partial least square (PLS). The findings revealed that digitization has positive and significant effects on innovation management and corporate performance. In addition, the results indicate that the barriers to digitalization as a moderating variable have been impeding development and digital transformation and reducing the results of innovation and corporate performance of Mexican SMEs. This study contributes to the development of dynamic capabilities theory.
Dimensioning the Optimal Number of Parallel Service Desks in the Passenger Handling Process at Airports Considered as a Queueing System—Case Study
Authors: Jenčová Edina , Koščák Peter , Koščáková Martina
Published: January 2023

Queueing theory is currently a widely used method for optimizing activities not only in air transport but also in other sectors, in both production and the use of personnel. Using this theory, it is possible to simulate in advance various scenarios that may arise during aircraft handling, handling of passengers and their luggage, cargo, or in production lines. This article aims to point out the possibilities of modeling queueing systems in air transport using a simulation model. It applies the measured data from the airport to the created simulation model, analyzes the knowledge gained from the simulations, and then proposes improvements or elimination of problems that may arise during the process in order to dimension the most favorable number of parallel service desks. During this process, we chose to evaluate the criteria of the efficiency of service check-in desks in the passenger handling process at the international airport in Košice and Prague. The handling process at the airport in Košice for weekly flights to Warsaw and at the airport in Prague also for flights to Warsaw during one week in the summer of 2019 was analyzed in more detail. During modeling, five efficiency criteria were monitored, which were focused on the probability of passengers waiting and their time spent waiting for their handling at the check-in desk. However, in these experiments, only the time spent at the check-in desk was taken into account; the following security, passport, and other checks were not included. As part of the evaluation of the efficiency of the passenger handling process, it was concluded that the critical point in the optimization of the handling process is dimensioning the optimal number of check-in desks, which had the greatest impact on the speed and possibility of processing all requests that entered the system. Therefore, it is advisable to first choose the most suitable number of desks and then work with other parameters that are adapted to the individual requirements for optimizing the handling process at airports.
Analysis and Experimental Study of Excitation Force Transfer Path of Optical Satellite Refrigeration Module
Authors: Luo Haitao , Liu Ziyang , Fan Chaohui , Zhao Fengqun
Published: January 2023

When the problem of the reaction force under the receiver structure is complicated, the existing force-based transfer path analysis method is not suitable for its analysis. Therefore, an improved reaction force transfer path analysis method is proposed in this paper. In the transfer path analysis method based on the modal superposition method, the penalty function method is introduced, and the path contribution of the receiving end reaction force is evaluated by analyzing the displacement response of the connection between the transfer path and the receiving end. A simulation analysis of a satellite refrigeration module vibration isolation device designed by the research group identified the main factors affecting the vibration isolation efficiency of the vibration isolation ring, and provided guidance for subsequent further optimization. The device was tested and analyzed by building an experimental platform, and the obtained simulation data fit well with the test data. These conclusions further show that the proposed analysis method can more accurately and conveniently analyze the path contribution of the receiving end reaction force under specific working conditions. This method is suitable for analyzing the transfer path of the reaction force at the receiving end in the design stage.
LoRaWAN CubeSat with an Adaptive Data Rate: An Experimental Analysis of Path Loss Link Margin
Authors: Mehdi Syed Zafar Abbas , Mohd Ali Aiffah , Zulkifli Safiah
Published: January 2023

One of the challenges of the Internet of Things (IoT) is to provide connectivity to devices around the globe. Long Range (LoRa) is one of the most practical technologies due to its low-power and long-range capabilities to be used by the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) CubeSat. This study aims to evaluate the performance of the Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) in receiving uplink messages from ground sensor nodes at an altitude of 550 km with a maximum elevation angle of 0°. An Adaptive Data Rate (ADR) is applied for the dynamic signal reception with respect to receiving signal strength. In this study, the path loss is simulated using attenuation levels from 30–150 dB to ensure that the signal connectivity success rate is at a minimum elevation angle and to perform the link analysis under various conditions. The results show that the LoRaWAN signals are successfully received with an SNR of −21 at the 150 dB attenuation from the end nodes because of its spread-spectrum technique which allows the system to detect signals under the noise floor.
Comparative Quality Evaluation of Physicochemical and Amylose Content Profiling in Rice Noodles from Diverse Rice Hybrids in China
Authors: Huang Hang , Li Yufei , Zeng Jiale , Cao Yazi , Zhang Tiancheng , Chen Guanghui , Wang Yue
Published: January 2023

Rice noodles are one of southern people’s favorite foods in China, so it is important to find the suitable raw rice for rice noodle making. To study the effects of different rice varieties on the quality of fresh wet rice noodles and to explore the relationship between the quality of the rice and the quality of the fresh wet rice noodles, this study to compare the 12 hybrid rice varieties as raw materials analyzed the differences in the cooking quality, texture index, and sensory score of fresh wet rice noodles using the principal component analysis, membership function, and cluster analysis. The results showed that the quality of fresh wet rice noodles prepared from different hybrid rice materials differed significantly. The fresh wet rice noodles made from Liangyou 5836 are of good quality, and they are mainly characterized by a low rate of broken noodles and spit pulp value, high rice noodle hardness, good rice noodle elasticity, strong rice noodle chewiness, and low adhesiveness. Moreover, its sensory evaluation is also better than that of other varieties. The comprehensive evaluation of 12 hybrid rice varieties by subordinate function analysis also showed that Liangyou 5836 was the best. In addition, through principal component analysis and gray analysis, it was found that 14 related indicators of rice quality and fresh wet rice noodle quality were concentrated into four categories, among which gel consistency best reflects the quality of rice and fresh wet rice noodles. Through comprehensive analysis, it was found that an amylose content of about 22% and a gel consistency of less than 40 mm can be used as core indicators to screen varieties suitable for making rice noodles. This study is of great significance for the selection of hybrid rice for both rice quality and fresh wet rice noodle quality.
Optimal Design and Analysis of Cavitating Law for Well-Cellar Cavitating Mechanism Based on MBD-DEM Bidirectional Coupling Model
Authors: Xu Gaowei , Fang Huimin , Song Yumin , Du Wensheng
Published: January 2023

A variable velocity parallel four-bar cavitating mechanism for well-cellar can form the well-cellar cavitation which suits for well-cellar transplanting under a continuous operation. In order to improve the cavitating quality, this paper analyzed the structural composition and working principle of the cavitating mechanism and established the bidirectional coupling model of multi-body dynamics and the discrete element between the cavitating mechanism and soil through Recurdyn and EDEM software. Based on the model, a three-factor, five-level quadratic orthogonal rotational combination design test was conducted with the parameters of the cavitating mechanism as the experimental factors and the parameters of the cavitation as the response index to obtain the optimal parameter combination, and a virtual simulation test was conducted for the optimal parameter combination in order to study the cavitating law of the cavitating mechanism and soil. The test results showed that the depth of the cavitation was 188.6 mm, the vertical angle of the cavitation was 90.4°, the maximum diameter of the cavitation was 76.1 mm, the minimum diameter of the cavitation was 68.5 mm, and the variance in the diameters for the cavitation was 5.42 mm2. The cavitating mechanism with optimal parameters based on the Recurdyn–EDEM bidirectional coupling mode could further improve the cavitating quality.
Productivity and Quality Sugarcane Broth at Different Soil Management
Authors: Martins Murilo Battistuzzi , Marques Filho Aldir Carpes , Santana Lucas Santos , Guimarães Júnnyor Wellingthon da Silva , Bortolheiro Fernanda Pacheco de Almeida Prado , Vendruscolo Eduardo Pradi , Seron Cássio de Castro , Costa Edilson , da Silva Kelly Gabriela Pereira
Published: January 2023

The quality of sugarcane broth can be affected by soil management. In compacted soils the productivity is reduced, and the raw material is poor. This research aimed to evaluate productivity and quality of sugarcane for four soil management types: (CT) heavy harrow + light harrow; (CTI) Subsoiler + light harrow; (MT) Subsoiler and (NT) no soil movement. The variables investigated were resistance to soil penetration (SPR), the chemical raw material quality (broth) and crop yield. In crop rows, SPR did not reach severe levels up to 0.3 m for sugarcane root development. However, below this layer, MT, NT, and CTI reached SPR limiting values of 2.50, 2.35 and 1.95 MPa, respectively. In inter-crop rows, compaction was concentrated in soil surface layers (0–0.3 m). In addition, all adopted managements presented SPR above the critical value (2 MPa). The soil preparation forms qualitatively affected the sugarcane broth, showing higher fiber and protein contents in NT, MT, and CT. The PS, Brix, TRS, and Pol were not affected by soil management. Still, higher absolute values were found in the NT, indicating an increase in broth quality when applying conservation management. The highest yields were obtained by reduced tillage (MT), surpassing the lowest yield management (NT) with an increase of 10.5 Mg ha−1.
Superior Antioxidant Capacity and Auxin Production Promote Seedling Formation of Rice Seeds under Submergence Stress
Authors: Lu Haoyu , Wang Mei , Li Wenxiu , Chen Zelin , Li Sifu , Yi Zhenxie , Zhang Yuzhu
Published: January 2023

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most significant food crops worldwide. Flooding can significantly impact the survival and emergence of rice seedlings in the direct planting form of rice, leading to a loss of production. This work investigated the critical phase of rice seed germination to the seedling establishment under submergence stress. It also explored the underlying physiological and molecular processes of shoot and root submergence tolerance. Physiological and transcriptomic analysis of flood-tolerant varieties (LS273) and non-flood-tolerant varieties (ZZ39) were performed. Under submergence stress, LS273 showed longer roots, taller shoots than ZZ39, and lower levels of malondialdehyde and GSSG, but a greater level of GSH/GSSG. In response to stress induced by submersion, LS273 produces more auxin than ZZ39. Within shoots, 4285 DEGs specific to LS273 and 4389 DEGs specifics to ZZ39 were found using the RNA-seq technique. There were 3983 specific DEGs in LS273 and 3292 specific DEGs in ZZ39 in the roots. Antioxidants and plant growth hormones were primarily mentioned in the annotations for these DEGs. Overall, our research provides a thorough foundation for investigating the molecular network underlying shoots’ and roots’ resistance to submergence stress in rice seedlings, leading us to hypothesize that the resistance of flood-tolerant rice may be attributed to high levels of oxidation resistance and auxin accumulation.
Glyphosate- and Imazapic-Resistant Chloris virgata Populations in the Southeastern Cropping Region of Australia
Authors: Chauhan Bhagirath Singh , Mahajan Gulshan
Published: January 2023

Chloris virgata is one of the most problematic summer grass species in southeastern Australia. A total of 40 populations of C. virgata were evaluated in the spring–summer season of 2021–2022 in an open environment at the Gatton Farms of the University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia, for their response to two acetyl-coenzyme-A carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors (clethodim and haloxyfop), a 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) inhibitor (glyphosate), and an acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor (imazapic). In the first experiment, all populations were screened at the field rate of each herbicide, and the second experiment evaluated the response of seven populations of C. virgata to different rates of glyphosate and imazapic. There were three replications of each treatment and both experiments were repeated over time. None of the populations survived the field rate of clethodim and haloxyfop, possibly suggesting a low exposure of the populations to these herbicides. Individuals in about 90% of populations survived (1% to 100% of individuals surviving) the field rates of glyphosate and individuals in all populations survived (1% to 100%) the imazapic field rate. The dose-response study revealed up to 14- and 5-fold glyphosate resistance in C. virgata populations based on survival and biomass values, respectively, compared to the most susceptible population. Imazapic resistance was up to 2.3- and 16-fold greater than the most susceptible population in terms of survival and biomass values, respectively. The increased cases of glyphosate- and imazapic-resistant C. virgata warrant a nationwide survey and diversified management strategies.
Bermudagrass Responses and Tolerance to Salt Stress by the Physiological, Molecular Mechanisms and Proteomic Perspectives of Salinity Adaptation
Authors: Noor Maryam , Fan Ji-Biao , Zhang Jing-Xue , Zhang Chuan-Jie , Sun Sheng-Nan , Gan Lu , Yan Xue-Bing
Published: January 2023

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. (commonly known as bermudagrass) is a member of the family Poaceae. It is a C4 grass that can grow annually and perennially with clone reproduction and seed-setting. It is not only used as forage but also as a weed in many crops. It grows along roadsides, in barren lands, irrigated lands, and seacoasts, where soil salinity is a major problem. Although bermudagrass is distributed worldwide, it shows limited growth under saline conditions. Under salt stress, the whole-plant growth is disturbed and the forage quality is compromised morphologically. At the physiological level, shoot development is affected owing to the resultant oxidative stress, although the total rate of photosynthesis is not greatly affected. Biochemical changes include a change in the K+/Na+ ratio; antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and peroxide dismutase increase, while catalase activity slows down. The anatomical changes are visible as salt crystals on the leaf surface and salt glands on the mesophyll surface. In this paper, the morphological, physiological, biochemical, and proteomic mechanisms of bermudagrass under salt stress are discussed, drawing a study of several genes such as ECA4, RAN1, MHX1, psbA1, psbB1, psbP, and psbY at the molecular level. Therefore, the current review aims to understand how bermudagrass grows and adapts well under salt conditions.
SpPdp11 Administration in Diet Modified the Transcriptomic Response and Its Microbiota Associated in Mechanically Induced Wound Sparus aurata Skin
Authors: Cerezo Isabel M. , Pérez-Gómez Olivia , Bautista Rocio , Seoane Pedro , Esteban M. Ángeles , Balebona M. Carmen , Moriñigo Miguel A. , Tapia-Paniagua Silvana T.
Published: January 2023

Skin lesions are a frequent fact associated with intensive conditions affecting farmed fish. Knowing that the use of probiotics can improve fish skin health, SpPdp11 dietary administration has demonstrated beneficial effects for farmed fish, so its potential on the skin needs to be studied more deeply. The wounded specimens that received the diet with SpPdp11 showed a decrease in the abundance of Enterobacteriaceae, Photobacterium and Achromobacter related to bacterial biofilm formation, as well as the overexpression of genes involved in signaling mechanisms (itpr3), cell migration and differentiation (panxa, ttbk1a, smpd3, vamp5); and repression of genes related to cell proliferation (vstm4a, areg), consistent with a more efficient skin healing processes than that observed in the wounded control group. In addition, among the groups of damaged skin with different diets, Achromobacter, f_Ruminococcaceae, p_Bacteroidetes, Fluviicola and Flavobacterium genera with significant differences showed positive correlations with genes related to cell migration and negative correlations with inflammation and cell proliferation and may be the target of future studies.
Antimicrobial Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms
Authors: Tuon Felipe Francisco , Suss Paula Hansen , Telles Joao Paulo , Dantas Leticia Ramos , Borges Nícolas Henrique , Ribeiro Victoria Stadler Tasca
Published: January 2023

Staphylococcus aureus is a microorganism frequently associated with implant-related infections, owing to its ability to produce biofilms. These infections are difficult to treat because antimicrobials must cross the biofilm to effectively inhibit bacterial growth. Although some antibiotics can penetrate the biofilm and reduce the bacterial load, it is important to understand that the results of routine sensitivity tests are not always valid for interpreting the activity of different drugs. In this review, a broad discussion on the genes involved in biofilm formation, quorum sensing, and antimicrobial activity in monotherapy and combination therapy is presented that should benefit researchers engaged in optimizing the treatment of infections associated with S. aureus biofilms.
Antifungal Activity of Mycogenic Silver Nanoparticles on Clinical Yeasts and Phytopathogens
Authors: Ribeiro Luiz Gustavo , Roque Gabriella Sales Calaço , Conrado Rafael , De Souza Ana Olívia
Published: January 2023

In this study, seven different silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were obtained using the fungi species from the phylum Ascomycota, Aspergillus tubingensis, Aspergillus spp., Cladosporium pini-ponderosae, Fusarium proliferatum, Epicoccum nigrum, Exserohilum rostratum, and Bionectria ochroleuca, isolated from the Brazilian biodiversity, particularly from the mangrove and Caatinga biomes. The nanoparticles were coded as AgNP-AT, AgNP-Asp, AgNP-CPP, AgNP-FP, AgNP-EN, AgNP-ER, and AgNP-BO and characterized using spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, transmission electron microcopy (TEM), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. All the AgNPs presented homogeneous size in the range from 43.4 to 120.6 nm (DLS) and from 21.8 to 35.8 nm (TEM), pH from 4.5 to 7.5, negative charge, and presence of protein coating on their surface. The antifungal activity of the AgNPs was evaluated on clinical strains of Candida albicans, and on the non-albicans species, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, and Candida guilliermondii, common in hospital infections, and against the phytopathogens Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium phaseoli, Fusarium sacchari, Fusarium subglutinans, Fusarium verticillioides, and Curvularia lunata, which are species responsible for serious damage to agriculture production. The AgNPs were effective against the yeasts with MICs ranging from 1.25 to 40 µM and on the phytopathogens with MICs from 4 to 250 µM, indicating the promising possibility of application of these AgNPs as antifungal agents. The results indicated that the physicochemical parameters of the AgNPs, including the functional groups present on their surface, interfered with their antifungal activity. Overall, the results indicate that there is no specificity of the AgNPs for the yeasts or for the phytopathogens, which can be an advantage, increasing the possibility of application in different areas.
Effect of Sarecycline on the Acne Symptom and Impact Scale and Concerns in Moderate-to-Severe Truncal Acne in Open-Label Pilot Study
Authors: Moore Angela Yen , Hurley Kara , Moore Stephen Andrew , Moore Luke , Zago Ilana
Published: January 2023

Truncal acne is common, and the psychosocial burden may be underestimated as patients most often complain of facial acne. The Acne Symptom and Impact Scale (ASIS) is a 17-item patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure designed to assess the signs and impacts of acne vulgaris. ASIS has previously been validated in a prospective, non-interventional study as a reliable PRO instrument for facial acne. In a pilot study, ASIS, and an additional 10 new questions that focused on the concerns of patients (ASIS-C), were given to 10 patients with moderate-to-severe truncal acne vulgaris who received 3 months of monotherapy with oral sarecycline, a narrow-spectrum tetracycline-class antibiotic. ASIS-C questionnaires were also given to 10 acne-free control subjects. Average ASIS-C answers decreased by 4% for Signs, 15% for Impact, and 16% for Concerns in the 10 patients, with greater decreases of 5% for Signs, 20% for Impact, and 19% for Concerns in the 60% of patients whose truncal acne was clear or almost clear after 12 weeks of sarecycline treatment. In this study, sarecycline was effective in reducing the psychosocial burden associated with truncal acne based on the ASIS-C PRO measures.
Potential Role of Oxidative Stress in the Production of Volatile Organic Compounds in Obesity
Authors: Oyerinde Adebowale Samuel , Selvaraju Vaithinathan , Babu Jeganathan Ramesh , Geetha Thangiah
Published: January 2023

Obesity is associated with numerous health issues such as sleep disorders, asthma, hepatic dysfunction, cancer, renal dysfunction, diabetes, cardiovascular complications, and infertility. Previous research has shown that the distribution of excess body fat, rather than excess body weight, determines obesity-related risk factors. It is widely accepted that abdominal fat is a serious risk factor for illnesses associated with obesity and the accumulation of visceral fat promotes the release of pro-oxidants, pro-inflammatory, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The metabolic process in the human body produces several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) via urine, saliva, breath, blood, skin secretions, milk, and feces. Several studies have shown that VOCs are released by the interaction of ROS with underlying cellular components leading to increased protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, or DNA damage. These VOCs released via oxidative stress in obese individuals may serves as a biomarker for obesity-related metabolic alterations and disease. In this review, we focus on the relationship between oxidative stress and VOCs in obesity.
Curcumin and N-Acetylcysteine Nanocarriers Alone or Combined with Deferoxamine Target the Mitochondria and Protect against Neurotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in a Co-Culture Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Mursaleen Leah , Chan Stefanie Ho Yi , Noble Brendon , Somavarapu Satyanarayana , Zariwala Mohammed Gulrez
Published: January 2023

As the blood-brain barrier (BBB) prevents most compounds from entering the brain, nanocarrier delivery systems are frequently being explored to potentially enhance the passage of drugs due to their nanometer sizes and functional characteristics. This study aims to investigate whether Pluronic® F68 (P68) and dequalinium (DQA) nanocarriers can improve the ability of curcumin, n-acetylcysteine (NAC) and/or deferoxamine (DFO), to access the brain, specifically target mitochondria and protect against rotenone by evaluating their effects in a combined Transwell® hCMEC/D3 BBB and SH-SY5Y based cellular Parkinson’s disease (PD) model. P68 + DQA nanoformulations enhanced the mean passage across the BBB model of curcumin, NAC and DFO by 49%, 28% and 49%, respectively (p < 0.01, n = 6). Live cell mitochondrial staining analysis showed consistent co-location of the nanocarriers within the mitochondria. P68 + DQA nanocarriers also increased the ability of curcumin and NAC, alone or combined with DFO, to protect against rotenone induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress by up to 19% and 14% (p < 0.01, n = 6), as measured by the MTT and mitochondrial hydroxyl radical assays respectively. These results indicate that the P68 + DQA nanocarriers were successful at enhancing the protective effects of curcumin, NAC and/or DFO by increasing the brain penetrance and targeted delivery of the associated bioactives to the mitochondria in this model. This study thus emphasises the potential effectiveness of this nanocarrier strategy in fully utilising the therapeutic benefit of these antioxidants and lays the foundation for further studies in more advanced models of PD.
Structural Response of Double-Layer Steel Cylinders under Inside-Explosion Loading
Authors: Qin Xuejun , Yang Jun , Guan Junyi , Liao Zhen , Ma Yanjun , Zhang Dezhi
Published: January 2023

The research on the structural response of explosive vessel is an important basis for the design of explosive vessels. Double-layer cylinder structures are widely used in the design of various explosive vessels. This paper studied the deformation of a steel cylindrical shell under internal explosion and proposes a new method for measuring shell deformation by PDV (photonic Doppler velocimetry). We carried out many spherical explosive experiments and obtained useful results that show displacement of the double-layer cylinders and the explosion time. The above process is a simulated LS-DYNA with a finite element numerical simulation. The vibration period of the outer cylindrical shell and the time for reflection of the stress wave in the outer cylindrical shell were obtained by numerical simulation and PDV measurement, respectively. The results of both can be verified against each other. Through the above research, the structural response of the multilayer cylinders can be obtained, which can provide further help with research of the structural design of multilayer cylinders.