bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective brain hypothermia attenuates focal cerebral ischemic injury and improves long‐term neurological outcome in aged female mice
Authors: Liu Liqiang , Liu Jia , Li Ming , Lyu Junxuan , Su Wei , Feng Shejun , Ji Xunming
Published: November 2022

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the effects of mild selective brain hypothermia on aged female ischemic mice.

Methods

A distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO) model was established in aged female mice, who were then subjected to mild selective brain hypothermia immediately after the dMCAO procedure. Neurological behavioral examinations were conducted prior to and up to 35 days post‐ischemia. Infarct volume, brain atrophy, pro‐inflammation, and anti‐inflammation microglia/macrophages phenotype and white matter injury were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. Correlations between neurological behaviors and histological parameters were evaluated by Pearson product linear regression analysis.

Results

Sensorimotor and cognitive function tests confirmed the protective effect of mild selective brain hypothermia in elderly female ischemic mice. In addition, hypothermia decreased the infarct volume and brain atrophy induced by focal cerebral ischemia. Furthermore, hypothermia alleviated ischemia‐induced short‐term and long‐term white matter injury, which was correlated with behavioral deficits. Finally, hypothermia suppressed the harmful immunological response by promoting the transformation of pro‐inflammatory microglia/macrophages to anti‐inflammatory phenotype. This polarization was negatively correlated with neuronal loss and white matter injury.

Conclusion

Mild selective brain hypothermia promoted long‐term functional recovery by alleviating white matter damage in an aged female mouse model of ischemia.
States, Money and the Persistence of Colonial Financial Hierarchies in British West Africa
Authors: Bernards Nick
Published: November 2022

This article contributes to debates about the persistence of colonial hierarchies in global finance by examining the reproduction of key features of colonial monetary and financial systems through the end of formal colonialism in West Africa, with a focus on Ghana. The article draws together engagements with Marxian theories of money and of the colonial state, and an examination of a key period which has often not received sufficient direct attention in debates about colonialism and financial subordination: the breakdown and end of formal colonial rule, roughly between 1930 and 1960. The central puzzle addressed in this article is how, despite the explicit desire on the part of nationalist political leaders to overturn colonial financial systems, these wound up being reproduced through the negotiation of political independence. The article shows how the entanglements of colonial monetary and financial systems with processes of state formation posed severe limits on efforts to articulate a ‘developmental’ colonialism after World War II. Efforts to work around these limits ultimately reinforced the reliance of the colonial and postcolonial state on extractive and hierarchical structures of global finance. In short, the article shows how the contradictory position of the state in colonial capitalism is vital to understanding the persistence of colonial monetary and financial structures.
Reopenable clip‐over‐the‐line method for closing large mucosal defects following gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: Prospective feasibility study
Authors: Nomura Tatsuma , Sugimoto Shinya , Temma Taishi , Oyamada Jun , Ito Keiichi , Kamei Akira
Published: November 2022

Objectives

Large mucosal defects following gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) cause postoperative bleeding. To address this limitation and ensure closure of large mucosal defects, we developed the reopenable clip‐over‐the‐line method (ROLM) using a reopenable clip and nylon line. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the ROLM for closure of large mucosal defects following gastric ESD in a prospective, consecutive series of cases.

Methods

We performed the ROLM on 50 consecutive patients with gastric mucosal defects at the Ise Red Cross Hospital and Mie Prefectural Shima Hospital. The time to complete the ROLM, numbers of clips and lines required, size of defect, and closure success rate were measured, and postoperative adverse events were recorded.

Results

In all, 50 lesions were included in this study period between July 2021 and March 2022. The success rates of defect closure and defect closure without submucosal dead space of the ROLM were both 100% (50/50), with a median ROLM time of 30 (range, 14–35) min and a median resected specimen major axis of 45 (range, 31–73) mm. The median number of reopenable clips used was 31 (range, 10–93). Following gastric ESD, two cases of post‐ESD bleeding were observed during the follow‐up periods.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that ROLM is a feasible strategy for complete closure of mucosal defects post‐ESD without submucosal dead space. Future comparative studies with post‐ESD bleeding rate as the main outcome are desirable to evaluate the efficacy of ROLM.
The role of oral iron in the treatment of adults with iron deficiency
Authors: Lo Jamie O. , Benson Ashley E. , Martens Kylee L. , Hedges Madeline A. , McMurry Hannah Stowe , DeLoughery Thomas , Aslan Joseph E. , Shatzel Joseph J.
Published: November 2022

Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world, affecting over 20% of premenopausal women worldwide. Oral iron supplementation is often the first‐line treatment for the acute and chronic management of iron deficiency due to its ease and accessibility. However, there is no consensus on the optimal formulation or dosing strategy, or which patients should be preferentially treated with intravenous iron. Management of iron deficiency is complicated by the hepcidin‐ferroportin iron regulatory pathway, which has evolved to prevent iron overload and thereby creates an inherent limit on gastrointestinal iron uptake and efficacy of oral iron. Unabsorbed iron propagates many of the side effects that complicate oral iron use including dyspepsia and constipation, all of which can thus be exacerbated by excessive oral iron doses. Daily low dose and every other day dosing protocols have attempted to bypass this physiologic bottleneck to allow for effective absorption and limit side effects; however, this approach has still resulted in low fractional iron absorption. In the following manuscript, we review the pathophysiology of iron absorption and current evidence for various preparations of oral iron. Lastly, we highlight opportunities for further study to advance the care of individuals affected by iron deficiency.
Microbes and the fate of neutrophils
Authors: Kobayashi Scott D. , DeLeo Frank R. , Quinn Mark T.
Published: November 2022

Neutrophils or polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are an important component of innate host defense. These phagocytic leukocytes are recruited to infected tissues and kill invading microbes. There are several general characteristics of neutrophils that make them highly effective as antimicrobial cells. First, there is tremendous daily production and turnover of granulocytes in healthy adults—typically 1011 per day. The vast majority (~95%) of these cells are neutrophils. In addition, neutrophils are mobilized rapidly in response to chemotactic factors and are among the first leukocytes recruited to infected tissues. Most notably, neutrophils contain and/or produce an abundance of antimicrobial molecules. Many of these antimicrobial molecules are toxic to host cells and can destroy host tissues. Thus, neutrophil activation and turnover are highly regulated processes. To that end, aged neutrophils undergo apoptosis constitutively, a process that contains antimicrobial function and proinflammatory capacity. Importantly, apoptosis facilitates nonphlogistic turnover of neutrophils and removal by macrophages. This homeostatic process is altered by interaction with microbes and their products, as well as host proinflammatory molecules. Microbial pathogens can delay neutrophil apoptosis, accelerate apoptosis following phagocytosis, or cause neutrophil cytolysis. Here, we review these processes and provide perspective on recent studies that have potential to impact this paradigm.
Oncological results in women with wound complications following mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Cui Wenting , Xie Yiqun
Published: November 2022

We performed a meta‐analysis to evaluate the oncological results in women with wound complications following mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. A systematic literature search up to August 2022 was performed and 1618 subjects with mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction at the baseline of the studies; 443 of them were with wound complications, and 1175 were with no wound complications as a control. Odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the oncological results in women with wound complications following mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction using dichotomous or contentious methods with a random or fixed‐effect model. The wound complications had a significantly longer length of time to adjuvant therapy (MD, 9.44; 95% CI, 4.07–14.82, P < .001) compared with no wound complications in subjects with mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. However, no significant difference was found between wound complications and no wound complications in subjects with mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction in breast cancer recurrence (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 0.95–4.06, P = .07), death rates (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 0.89–4.27, P = .09), and kind of immediate breast reconstruction (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.53–1.92, P = .98). The wound complications had a significantly longer length of time to adjuvant, however, no significant difference was found in breast cancer recurrence, death rates, and kind of immediate breast reconstruction. The analysis of outcomes should be done with caution even though no low sample size was found in the meta‐analysis but a low number of studies was found in certain comparisons.
Willingness to pay, familiarity and political attitudes: The case of integrating people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Tavor Tchai , Akirav Osnat
Published: November 2022

Background

Integrating people with intellectual disabilities into the community has become a major goal in improving society in general. Our study adds an important layer to discussions of how to achieve this goal.

Method

We examine both the willingness to integrate people into the community and their willingness to pay for this integration. Using a representative sample of 813 Israeli respondents, we consider two factors in these attitudes: familiarity with the issue and people's political attitudes.

Results

We found that most people are willing to integrate people with intellectual disabilities into the community and some people are willing to pay for this integration. Those who are familiar with people with intellectual disabilities and those from the left side of the political map are more willing to pay to achieve this goal.

Conclusions

Familiarity and political attitudes matter in the willingness to pay to integrate people with intellectual disabilities into the community.
Conventional and intermittent drying modeling of agricultural products: A review
Authors: Raimundini Aranha Ana Caroline , Defendi Rafael Oliveira , Jorge Luiz Mario de Matos
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this article is to present a discussion about recent technologies applied to processes involving intermittent drying of agricultural products, in addition to verifying the adjustment of mathematical models, both for conventional and intermittent drying, based on recent research in the literature. It was found that new mathematical models are being studied to describe the drying kinetics, one of which is the generalized Lewis model. Regarding intermittent drying, mathematical models are generally based on mass and energy balances. Furthermore, to obtain the mathematical modeling of intermittent drying for intermittent products, some researchers employ the effective diffusivity technique to describe all possible mechanisms of moisture movement, being estimated by Fick's second law of diffusion. Energy savings were also analyzed for different raw materials, ranging from 6% to 75%. It has been shown that the tempering time, and the conditions of the samples under study, affect energy consumption.
Can corruption encourage clean technology transfer?
Authors: Ko Chiu Yu , Shen Bo , Zhang Xuyao
Published: November 2022

We study the impact of environmental regulation on the transfer of a clean technology where bureaucrats are needed for government intervention. In the absence of corruption, when environmental taxes are low, a technology transfer always takes place and it increases total outputs, but may lead to higher pollution levels. However, when corruption is possible, a firm with a dirty technology may choose to bribe a corruptible bureaucrat who will underreport the actual level of emissions, thereby hindering the transfer of clean technology. We show that a less strict anticorruption policy may lead to more bribing, but encourage technology transfers. Moreover, an environment‐oriented government would set a deterrent environmental tax to reduce pollution, while an output‐oriented government would set a minimum tax rate to eliminate corruption and induce technology transfers. However, a balanced government would tolerate corruption when the cost of bribing is low and the clean technology is sufficiently efficient.
HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis awareness, practices, and comfort among urban and rural family medicine physicians
Authors: Owens Christopher
Published: November 2022

Purpose

HIV rates are increasing in rural areas, and adolescents are disproportionately affected. HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a daily pill that is effective at preventing HIV; however, PrEP uptake among adolescents is low. PrEP is dependent on primary care providers (PCPs) prescribing it, but research has overwhelmingly sampled urban PCPs. This study compared the PrEP awareness, practices, and comfort between rural and urban family medicine physicians.

Methods

A total of 256 family medicine physicians in the United States were recruited from a Qualtrics panel to complete an online cross‐sectional survey between July 15 and August 9, 2022. Participants completed items assessing their demographic characteristics and PrEP awareness, practices, and comfort. A chi‐square test of independence and multiple logistic regression were used to determine rural/urban differences.

Findings

Rural family medicine physicians were less comfortable than urban family medicine physicians in providing sexual risk reduction counseling to adolescents, telling an adolescent patient their HIV test result was HIV positive, and implementing all of the PrEP clinical activities for adolescents.

Conclusions

Education, skill‐building, and collaborative partnership interventions could improve the comfort levels of rural family medicine physicians in implementing the PrEP guidelines for their adolescent patients. Future research is needed to understand the factors that explain the differences in PrEP‐related attitudes and practices between urban and rural family medicine physicians. Results from such studies could inform provider‐based interventions that ultimately increase PrEP use and decrease HIV rates among rural adolescents.
Whole and cortical kidney volume predict 5‐year post‐nephrectomy eGFR in Indian living kidney donors
Authors: Chanda Reettika , Singh Shweta , Eapen Anu , David Vinoi George , Mukha Rajiv Paul , Pandian Rajadoss Muthukrishna , Antonisamy Belavendra , Deborah Mercy Nahomi , Eapen Jeethu Joseph , Thomas Athul , John Elenjickal Elias , Yusuf Sabina , Alexander Suceena , Varughese Santosh , Valson Anna T.
Published: November 2022

Aim

To study the additional utility of pre‐nephrectomy whole and cortical kidney volumes (WKV, CKV) in predicting long‐term post‐nephrectomy kidney function in Indian living kidney donors (LKDs).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included all LKDs who underwent nephrectomy between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2015 at our centre, had pre‐nephrectomy height, weight and computed tomography (CT) angiography with arterial and nephrographic phase documented, and 5‐year post‐nephrectomy creatinine values measured. Correlation between body surface area (BSA) adjusted pre‐nephrectomy total CKV, WKV and pre‐nephrectomy CKD EPI eGFR; BSA‐adjusted remnant pre‐nephrectomy CKV (rCKV), WKV (rWKV) and 5‐year post‐nephrectomy CKD EPI creatinine eGFR (5yeGFRCr); predictors of 5yeGFRCr < 70% of pre‐nephrectomy CKD EPI creatinine eGFR (pre‐eGFRCr), and an equation to predict 5yeGFRCr from pre‐nephrectomy variables were calculated.

Results

A total of 196 LKDs (74% female, mean age 41.7 ± 11.0 years) were included in the study. Total WKV showed higher correlation with pre‐nephrectomy eGFR than CKV, the highest with CKD EPI cystatin eGFR. Remnant WKV showed higher correlation than rCKV with post‐nephrectomy eGFRCr and this increased over time. Older age, lower rWKV or rCKV, higher BSA, and higher pre‐eGFRCr identified LKDs with 5yeGFRCr < 70% of pre‐eGFRCr, with rCKV identifying a higher proportion (4.5%) of such LKDs. A model including rWKV or rCKV predicted 5yeGFRCr better than one including age, gender, BSA and pre‐eGFRCr alone.

Conclusion

Inclusion of pre‐nephrectomy remnant CKV and WKV into models for 5yeGFRCr and sub‐optimal post‐nephrectomy adaptation in Indian LKDs improves their accuracy. CKD EPI cystatin eGFR correlates better with functional renal mass.
SlRIP1b is a global organellar RNA editing factor, required for normal fruit development in tomato plants
Authors: Li Jinyan , Wang Keru , Yang Yongfang , Lu Yao , Cui Kaicheng , Ji Yajing , Ma Liqun , Cheng Ke , Ostersetzer‐Biran Oren , Li Feng , Qu Guiqin , Zhu Benzhong , Fu Daqi , Luo Yunbo , Zhu Hongliang
Published: November 2022

RNA editing in plant organelles involves numerous C‐U conversions, which often restore evolutionarily conserved codons and may generate new translation initiation and termination codons. These RNA maturation events rely on a subset of nuclear‐encoded protein cofactors. Here, we provide evidence of the role of SlRIP1b on RNA editing of mitochondrial transcripts in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants.

SlRIP1b is a RIP/MORF protein that was originally identified as an interacting partner of the organellar editing factor SlORRM4. Mutants of SlRIP1b, obtained by CRISPR/Cas9 strategy, exhibited abnormal carpel development and grew into fruit with more locules.

RNA‐sequencing revealed that SlRIP1b affects the C‐U editing of numerous mitochondrial pre‐RNA transcripts and in particular altered RNA editing of various cytochrome c maturation (CCM)‐related genes. The slrip1b mutants display increased H2O2 and aberrant mitochondrial morphologies, which are associated with defects in cytochrome c biosynthesis and assembly of respiratory complex III.

Taken together, our results indicate that SlRIP1b is a global editing factor that plays a key role in CCM and oxidative phosphorylation system biogenesis during fruit development in tomato plants. These data provide important insights into the molecular roles of organellar RNA editing factors during fruit development.
Regulatory role of atrial natriuretic peptide in brown adipose tissue: A narrative review
Authors: Lu Guanhua , Hu Ruixiang , Tao Tian , Hu Min , Dong Zhiyong , Wang Cunchuan
Published: November 2022

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has been considered to exert an essential role as a cardiac secretory hormone in the regulation of hemodynamic homeostasis. As the research progresses, the role of ANP in the crosstalk between heart and lipid metabolism has become an interesting topic that is attracting the interest of researchers. The regulation of ANP in lipid metabolism shows favorable effects, particularly the activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT). The complex regulatory network of ANP on BAT has not been fully outlined. This narrative review critically evaluated the existing literature on the regulatory effects of ANP on BAT. In general, we have summarized the expression of ANP and its receptors in various human tissues, analyzed the progress of research on the relationship between the ANP and BAT, and described several potential pathways of ANP to BAT. Exogenous ANP, natriuretic peptide receptor C (NPRC) deficiency, cold exposure, bariatric surgery, and cardiac or renal insufficiency could all contribute to BAT expression by increasing circulating ANP levels.
Periodontitis severity relationship with metabolic syndrome: A systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Rosário‐dos‐Santos Heloísa Laís , Miranda Samilly Silva , Gomes‐Filho Isaac Suzart , Cruz Simone Seixas da , Figueiredo Ana Claudia Morais Godoy , Souza Elivan Silva , Hintz Alexandre Marcelo , Loomer Peter Michael , Passos‐Soares Johelle de Santana
Published: November 2022

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between periodontitis severity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) through systematic review, registered in PROSPERO: CRD42021232120. Selected articles were independently chosen by three reviewers from six databases, including using article reference lists, up until March 2022. Eligible studies were observational, without language limitation, and in subjects aged at least 18 years. The methodological quality of selected studies was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale. Random effects models calculated summary measurements (odds ratio‐OR, 95% confidence interval, 95%CI). The I2 test evaluated the statistical heterogeneity of the data. Sensitivity, subgroup, and meta‐regression analyses were performed. For the reliability of evidence, the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations tool was used. A total of 2133 records were identified, and 14 studies were included comprising 24,567 participants. The summary odds ratio showed a positive association between individuals with moderate (ORadjusted = 1.26; 95%CI = 2.10–5.37; I2 = 45.85%), and severe periodontitis (ORadjusted = 1.50; 95%CI:1.28–1.71; I2 = 56.46%), and MetS. Subgroup and meta‐regression analyses showed that study effect size was influenced by year of publication, study design, and MetS diagnostic criteria, contributing to inter‐study variability. The findings showed that moderate and severe levels of periodontitis are associated with MetS, suggesting a possible dose–response effect.
Diketopyrrolopyrrole Derivatives as Photosensitizing Agents against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Pérez María E. , Almodovar Vitor A. S. , Durantini Javier E. , Gsponer Natalia S. , Durantini Andrés M. , Tomé Augusto C. , Durantini Edgardo N.
Published: November 2022

Diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) derivatives containing sulfonamide (Sulfonamide‐DPP), pyridyl (Dipyridyl‐DPP) and N‐methylpyridyl (MePyridyl‐DPP) substituents were assessed as antibacterial photosensitizers. Non‐charged DPPs showed an intense absorption band centered at about 480 nm and green fluorescence emission (ΦF ~ 0.7) in acetonitrile. The absorption of MePyridyl‐DPP was bathochromically shifted at 510 nm, with decreased fluorescence emission. Sulfonamide‐DPP and Dipyridyl‐DPP photosensitized the formation of O2(1Δg) (ΦΔ ~ 0.15–0.17), while the production induced by MePyridyl‐DPP was at least 10 times lower. Furthermore, these DPPs produced a photoreduction of NBT similar to that of the control. Photodynamic inactivation induced by DPPs was first investigated at the single‐bacterium level of Staphylococcus aureus attached to a surface. After 30 min irradiation, MePyridyl‐DPP produced a complete eradication of the bacteria. In bacterial cell suspensions, dicationic DPP induced more than 7 log10 decrease in S. aureus cell survival after 30 min irradiation. Potentiation with iodide anions allowed a complete elimination of bacteria after 15 min therapy. This compound was also effective to eliminate S. aureus cells on biofilms. The results show that MePyridyl‐DPP bearing two positive groups provides an amphiphilic character to the structure that improves the interaction with the cell envelop. This effect enhances the photocytotoxic activity of MePyridyl‐DPP against bacteria.
Reluctant State Agents: Schoolteachers and Governing Authorities in Post‐Coup Honduras
Authors: Levy Jordan
Published: November 2022

This article examines how teachers in post‐coup Honduras reluctantly complied with legislation with which they disagreed. New laws passed after the June 2009 military coup decentralized and privatized government funding by requiring that teachers solicit money for school infrastructure projects from municipal governments and private companies instead of from the Ministry of Education. This article demonstrates how teachers drew on their situated knowledge of state procedures and reluctantly engaged in clientelist relations with coup‐supporting politicians, who most teachers despised given their own involvement in the anti‐coup resistance movement. Anthropologists and others often emphasize the “top‐down” nature of how neoliberalism gets imposed and how state policies get implemented. In the case of public education policies in post‐coup Honduras, however, the same individuals responsible for implementing neoliberal legislation also actively protested against neoliberalism and the patronage of rich politicians in general. The analysis of teachers’ simultaneous critique of and engagement with clientelism is illuminative of how state agents in other contexts may end up implementing legislation with which they disagree. While not denying the global scope of neoliberal policies, this article advances scholarly knowledge of how frontline state agents implement state policies.
Direct transfer of a single frozen–thawed in vitro‐produced embryo to avoid twin pregnancy in dairy cows
Authors: López‐Gatius Fernando , Palacín‐Chauri Roger J. , Garcia‐Ispierto Irina
Published: November 2022

Fertility of cow receiving fixed‐time artificial insemination (FTAI) was compared with cow in which a single frozen–thawed in vitro‐produced (IVP) embryo was fixed‐time transferred (FTET) to avoid twin pregnancy. The study population was comprised of 596 lactating dairy cows synchronized for oestrus: 440 were fixed‐time inseminated (AI cows), and 156 were given GnRH treatment at the time of embryo transfer (ET cows) 8 days post‐oestrus. Of the 596 cows, 235 (39.4%) became pregnant: 175 (39.8%) AI cows and 60 (39.8%) ET cows. Twin pregnancy was recorded in 16% of the AI pregnant cows (28/175), whereas no ET cows had twins (0/60). Significant interaction (p < .01) was observed between breeding technique (FTAI vs FTET) and repeat (RB) or not repeat breeding (NRB) for the likelihood of pregnancy. This meant that using RB AI cows as reference, the odds ratio for pregnancy in RB ET cows was 2.2 (p = .04). In conclusion, transfer of a frozen IVP embryo proved useful to prevent the risk of twin pregnancy without affecting fertility.
Quercetin: Putative effects on the function of cryopreserved sperms in domestic animals
Authors: Abdelnour Sameh A. , Sindi Ramya A. , Abd El‐Hack Mohamed E. , Khalifa Norhan E. , Khafaga Asmaa F. , Noreldin Ahmed E. , Samir Haney , Tufarelli Vincenzo , Losacco Caterina , Gamal Mohammed , Imam Mohamed S. , Swelum Ayman A.
Published: November 2022

Quercetin is one of the most used antioxidant flavonoids and largely exists in many fruits and vegetables because of its capability to scavenge the free reactive oxygen species (ROSs) by repressing lipid peroxy radical fusion, metal ion chelating through enzyme inhibition, and adopting the repair mechanisms. It also exhibits various biological actions, including antioxidative, anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Furthermore, it contributes well to sustaining the endogenous cellular antioxidant defence system. The process of cryopreservation is associated with increased oxidative stress, and some steps are potential sources of ROSs, including the method of semen collection, handling, cryopreservation culture media, and thawing, which result in impaired sperm function. Several antioxidants have been proposed to counteract the harmful impact of ROS during semen cryopreservation. The antioxidant capability of quercetin has been verified in different animal species for providing valuable defence to sperm during the cryopreservation process. The beneficial properties of quercetin on various parameters of fresh and post‐thaw sperm in different species are clarified in this review. More in‐depth investigations are required to clarify quercetin's mechanism of action in different animal species.
Endogenous auxin maintains embryonic cell identity and promotes somatic embryo development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Karami Omid , Philipsen Cheryl , Rahimi Arezoo , Nurillah Annisa Ratna , Boutilier Kim , Offringa Remko
Published: November 2022

Somatic embryogenesis (SE), or embryo development from in vitro cultured vegetative explants, can be induced in Arabidopsis by the synthetic auxin 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) or by overexpression of specific transcription factors, such as AT‐HOOK MOTIF NUCLEAR LOCALIZED 15 (AHL15). Here, we explored the role of endogenous auxin [indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA)] during 2,4‐D and AHL15‐induced SE. Using the pWOX2:NLS‐YFP reporter, we identified three distinct developmental stages for 2,4‐D and AHL15‐induced SE in Arabidopsis, with these being (i) acquisition of embryo identity; (ii) formation of pro‐embryos; and (iii) somatic embryo patterning and development. The acquisition of embryo identity coincided with enhanced expression of the indole‐3‐pyruvic acid auxin biosynthesis YUCCA genes, resulting in an enhanced pDR5:GFP‐reported auxin response in the embryo‐forming tissues. Chemical inhibition of the indole‐3‐pyruvic acid pathway did not affect the acquisition of embryo identity, but significantly reduced or completely inhibited the formation of pro‐embryos. Co‐application of IAA with auxin biosynthesis inhibitors in the AHL15‐induced SE system rescued differentiated somatic embryo formation, confirming that increased IAA levels are important during the last two stages of SE. Our analyses also showed that polar auxin transport, with AUXIN/LIKE‐AUX influx and PIN‐FORMED1 efflux carriers as important drivers, is required for the transition of embryonic cells to proembryos and, later, for correct cell fate specification and differentiation. Taken together, our results indicate that endogenous IAA biosynthesis and its polar transport are not required for the acquisition of embryo identity, but rather to maintain embryonic cell identity and for the formation of multicellular proembryos and their development into histodifferentiated embryos.
Determination of the effect of iatrogenic blood contamination on lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase activity in canine cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Brune Jourdan E. , Chen Annie V. , Coffey Todd
Published: November 2022

Background

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) have differential tissue activity and isoenzyme profiles. LDH and CK exist as 5 and 3 isoenzymes, respectively, in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Studies have demonstrated that measuring LDH, CK, and their isoenzymes in CSF has diagnostic and prognostic values for dogs and people with neurologic disorders.

Objectives

Iatrogenic blood contamination can distort the results of CSF analysis. The purpose of this study was to determine allowable thresholds of blood contamination (RBC/μL) for accurate measurement of LDH, CK, and their isoenzymes in canine CSF.

Methods

Venous blood and CSF were collected from healthy dogs. Total LDH and CK activity were measured spectrophotometrically. Isoenzyme profiles were determined using gel electrophoresis and densitometric scanning. All samples were analyzed within 6 hours of collection. A nonlinear mixed effects regression model was used to estimate the allowable thresholds of blood contamination for accurate measurement of LDH, CK, and their isoenzymes in canine CSF.

Results

The threshold of iatrogenic blood contamination for total LDH and total CK in healthy dogs are 6696 RBC/μL (95% CI 3879–11 187) and 5961 RBC/μL (95% CI 2939–12 085), respectively. LDH‐1 is the most sensitive isoenzyme to iatrogenic blood contamination, while LDH‐4 is the least sensitive.

Conclusions

These results are important for the interpretation of LDH, CK, and their isoenzymes in canine CSF. Additionally, our methodology is translatable for determining thresholds of acceptable iatrogenic blood contamination in CSF for other diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of neurologic disease.
Repeatability and reproducibility of the interpretation of intradermal test results in dogs with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Aleksandrova Svetlina , Sofou Evi Ι. , Badulescu Elisa , Chatzis Manolis , Saridomichelakis Manolis N.
Published: November 2022

Background – There is lack of studies evaluating the repeatability and reproducibility of the interpretation of intradermal testing in dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objectives – To evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of the interpretation of intradermal test results in dogs with AD. For comparison, the repeatability of allergen‐specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E serology also was examined.

Materials and methods – Twenty dogs with AD were used. Intradermal test included injections of known negative and positive controls, and of 25 masked injections of 10 allergens/controls, that were selected randomly and injected at random positions. Reactions to the 25 masked allergens/controls were scored (positive/negative) subjectively by three independent examiners followed by an objective assessment. Allergen‐specific IgE serology was performed in blinded duplicate samples collected from all dogs for nine of 10 of the same allergens.

Results – Kappa values of intraobserver repeatability (≥2 injections of the same allergen to different positions of the same dog) varied between −0.53 and 0.8 (subjective evaluations), and between 0.03 and 1 (objective evaluation). When the repeatability of the serological test was examined k = 0.91. Kappa values for the interobserver reproducibility (objective and three subjective evaluations of the same allergen injected at the same position of the same dog) varied between 0.6 and 0.74 (overall 0.67).

Conclusions and clinical relevance – Intraobserver repeatability of the subjective and objective evaluation of IDT results varied from good to poor and depended on the number of times the same allergen was injected, whereas interobserver reproducibility varied from substantial to moderate. Further studies are needed to optimise the repeatability and reproducibility of IDT in dogs.
Hospitalization disrupts the daily rhythm of tear production in cats
Authors: Di Pietro Simona , Tabbì Marco , Falcone Annastella , Macrì Francesco , Piccione Giuseppe , Giudice Elisabetta , Giannetto Claudia
Published: November 2022

Objective

The exposure to constant light during the hospitalization was investigated to verify its influence on the daily rhythmicity of Schirmer tear test I (STT I) in theFelis catus.

Animal studied

One group (HG—hospitalized group) was consisted of 10 owned‐cats hospitalized to perform a sterilization procedure and was exposed to a 24/0 light/dark (L/D) cycle; the cat control group (CG) was consisted of 10 staff‐owned cats living in an indoor environment (12/12 L/D cycle).

Procedure

The STT I values was performed at 4 h intervals over a 48 h period (starting at 8:00 a.m. on Day 1 and finishing at 8:00 a.m. on Day 3) on the left (LE) and right (RE) eyes into two cat groups. A 35 x 5 mm commercial tear test strip was used to record tear production in millimeters wetting per minute (mm/min).

Results

Multivariate for repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a statistically significant effect of time. No difference was found between LE and RE tear production, and between the two experimental conditions. Robust daily rhythmicity was exhibited by the STT I in both eyes during the entire monitoring period in control cats and only during the Day 1 in hospitalized cats.

Conclusions

These data are a starting point for evaluating the imbalance of ocular physiology observed in hospitalized cats. Further studies on larger sample size and exposing the animals to various hospitalization procedures are needed to establish whether these alterations are caused by hospitalization procedures or by the light/dark schedules.
Enhancement of Tight Oil Recovery by Amphiphilic Janus Nanosheets
Authors: Li Yuan , Zhou Fujian , Li Bojun , Xu Hang , Yao Erdong , Li Minghui , Zhang Lufeng
Published: November 2022

Recently, nanofluid flooding has become one of the promising technologies in enhanced oil recovery. The agglomeration and the insufficient interfacial activity of nanoparticles in an aqueous solution are two major concerns affecting the application effect of nanofluids. Amphiphilic Janus nanomaterials make up for the deficiencies in both aspects compared with homogeneous modified nanomaterials. In this work, we investigate the potential use of an amphiphilic Janus molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheet (JMDN) as an enhanced oil recovery agent.

JMDN was synthesized by the SiO2 Template Method. Firstly, molybdenum disulfide nanosheets were adsorbed on the surface of SiO2 nano-microspheres as a single-sided modification. Then KOH was used to dissolve the SiO2 nano-microspheres, and the other side of the nano-sheet was modified to obtain JMDN. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to systematically characterize the morphology and structure of molybdenum disulfide nanosheets. The properties such as wettability, stability and interfacial tension were tested. The effect of using JMDN on low-permeability reservoir recovery was emphasized. Low-permeability core flooding and microfluidic experiments were conducted with a concentration of 50ppm nanofluids.

The JMDN with 40nm particle size was synthesized under certain conditions. The results of SEM showed it has 5–6 layers of nanostructures and TEM indicates that hydrophilic carboxyl group and hydrophobic alkyl group respectively exist in two sides of the nanosheet. The modified nanosheet can be stable for 7 days at 90°C. The contact angle experiment shows that the JMDN could effectively change rocks from oil-wet to water-wet. Oil-water interfacial tension is as low as 2.87 mN/m. The core flooding experiment show that the nanofluid could significantly increase oil recovery.

Numerous studies focused on the uniform modification of nanomaterials in tight oil recovery. Compared with conventional nanomaterials, the JMDN could strip oil from rock surfaces more efficiently due to its amphiphilic structure. This paper reveals the physical and chemical properties of JMDN and provides a new and efficient nanofluid system for EOR.
Composition controls soft hydrogel surface layer dimensions and contact mechanics
Authors: Johnson Christopher L. , Dunn Alison C.
Published: November 2022

Hydrogels are soft hydrated polymer networks that are widely used in research and industry due to their favorable properties and similarity to biological tissues. However, it has long been difficult to create a hydrogel emulating the heterogeneous structure of special tissues, such as cartilage. One potential avenue to develop a structural variation in a hydrogel is the “mold effect,” which has only recently been discovered to be caused by absorbed oxygen within the mold surface interfering with the polymerization. This induces a dilute gradient-density surface layer with altered properties. However, the precise structure of the gradient-surface layer and its contact response have not yet been characterized. Such knowledge would prove useful for designs of composite hydrogels with altered surface characteristics. To fully characterize the hydrogel gradient-surface layer, we created five hydrogel compositions of varying monomer and cross-linker content to encompass variations in the layer. Then, we used particle exclusion microscopy during indentation and creep experiments to probe the contact response of the gradient layer of each composition. These experiments showed that the dilute structure of the gradient layer follows evolving contact behavior allowing poroelastic squeeze-out at miniscule pressures. Stiffer compositions had thinner gradient layers. This knowledge can potentially be used to create hydrogels with a stiff load-bearing bulk with altered surface characteristics tailored for specific tribological applications.
Low-high-low or high-low-high? Pattern effects on sequential auditory scene analysis
Authors: Thomassen Sabine , Hartung Kevin , Einhäuser Wolfgang , Bendixen Alexandra
Published: November 2022

Sequential auditory scene analysis (ASA) is often studied using sequences of two alternating tones, such as ABAB or ABA_, with “_” denoting a silent gap, and “A” and “B” sine tones differing in frequency (nominally low and high). Many studies implicitly assume that the specific arrangement (ABAB vs ABA_, as well as low-high-low vs high-low-high within ABA_) plays a negligible role, such that decisions about the tone pattern can be governed by other considerations. To explicitly test this assumption, a systematic comparison of different tone patterns for two-tone sequences was performed in three different experiments. Participants were asked to report whether they perceived the sequences as originating from a single sound source (integrated) or from two interleaved sources (segregated). Results indicate that core findings of sequential ASA, such as an effect of frequency separation on the proportion of integrated and segregated percepts, are similar across the different patterns during prolonged listening. However, at sequence onset, the integrated percept was more likely to be reported by the participants in ABA_low-high-low than in ABA_high-low-high sequences. This asymmetry is important for models of sequential ASA, since the formation of percepts at onset is an integral part of understanding how auditory interpretations build up.
Physical Preparation of a World-Class Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls Team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Authors: Boone Jan , Caen Kevin , Lievens Maarten , Bourgois Gil , Colosio Alessandro L. , Bourgois Jan G.
Published: November 2022

Purpose: To analyze the physical profile and training program of a world-class lightweight double sculls rowing crew toward the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Method: A case study in which both rowers performed physical testing in November 2020 and April 2021 (anthropometrics, incremental rowing test, and power profiling). The training program (38 wk) in the buildup to the Olympics was analyzed, providing insight into training characteristics (volume; contribution of rowing, alternative, and strength training; prescribed and recorded [heart rate] training-intensity distribution). The entire period was split into 3 phases: preparation period (8 wk), competition period 1 (11 wk), and competition period 2 (9 wk), and training characteristics were compared. Results: In the April 2021 testing, rower A (1.89 m, 74.6 kg, 4.4% body fat) had a peak oxygen uptake of 5.8 L·min−1 (77.8 mL·min−1·kg−1) and a peak power output of 491 W. Rower B (1.82 m, 70.6 kg, 7.8% body fat) had a peak oxygen uptake of 5.5 L·min−1 (77.9 mL·min−1·kg−1) and a peak power output of 482 W. The mean weekly training volume was 14 hours 47 minutes (4 h 5 min), of which 58.5% (14.6%) consisted of rowing, 13.4% (6.8%) strength training, and 28.1% (2.6%) alternative training. Heart-rate training-intensity distribution was 77.8% (4.2%) in zone 1, 16.6% (3.7%) in zone 2, and 5.6% (2.8%) in zone 3 with a lower contribution of zone 1 in competition period 1 (P = .029) and competition period 2 (P = .023) compared with the preparation period, and a higher contribution of zone 3 in competition period 1 (P = .018) and competition period 2 (P = .011) compared with the preparation period. Conclusion: The crew combined a high volume of rowing, alternative, and strength training in a pyramidal heart-rate training-intensity distribution throughout the year.
“To Be Moving Is to Be Alive”: A Walk-Along Study Describing Older Public Housing Tenants’ Perceptions of Physical Activity
Authors: Saint-Onge Kadia , Bernard Paquito , Kingsbury Célia , Houle Janie
Published: November 2022

Few studies have focused on older public housing tenants’ perceptions of physical activity. Greater understanding of how they define, appreciate, and engage in physical activity could lead to better targeted promotion and reduced health inequalities for this subgroup of the population. We conducted 26 walk-along interviews with older public housing tenants in Montreal (Canada). Tenants were aged 60–93 years and lived in either one of three study sites including a commercial, a residential, and a mixed land-use area. Physical activity was described as a multidimensional construct through six interdependent dimensions: physiological, emotional, interpersonal, occupational, intellectual, and existential. Participants perceived physical activity as having potential for both well-being and ill-being. Perceptions of physical activity were a function of age, physical capacity, gender, culture, revenue, and relation to community. These results support using a life-course perspective and a broader definition in promoting physical activity to older public housing tenants.
GCN4 Enhances the Transcriptional Regulation of AreA by Interacting with SKO1 To Mediate Nitrogen Utilization in Ganoderma lucidum
Authors: Lian Lingdan , Shi Lingyan , Zhu Jing , Shi Liang , Ren Ang , You Hanshou , Liu Rui , Zhao Mingwen
Published: November 2022

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for cell growth and proliferation. Limitations of nitrogen availability in organisms elicit a series of rapid transcriptional reprogramming mechanisms, which involve the participation of many transcription factors.
Orsay Virus Infection of Caenorhabditis elegans Is Modulated by Zinc and Dependent on Lipids
Authors: Casorla-Perez Luis Alberto , Guennoun Ranya , Cubillas Ciro , Peng Bo , Kornfeld Kerry , Wang David
Published: November 2022

Orsay virus is the only known natural virus pathogen of
Caenorhabditis elegans
, which shares many evolutionarily conserved pathways with humans. We leveraged the powerful genetic tractability of
C. elegans
to characterize a novel interaction between zinc, lipids, and virus infection.
Genome Sequences of Gordonia Phages GrootJr and NovumRegina
Authors: Doyle Erin L. , Elliott Georgia M. , Hummel Sean J. , Jindra Katelyn A. , Marsh Ashley T. , Bowder Dane M.
Published: November 2022

Two
Gordonia
bacteriophages, GrootJr and NovumRegina, were discovered, sequenced, and annotated. These phages were isolated from distinct soil and water samples, respectively, on
Gordonia terrae
3612. These phages belong to the CR2 subcluster and are similar in genome size and gene content.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Arthrobacter
Phage ScienceWizSam
Authors: Coplen Samantha , Lopez-Davis Charmaine , Kotturi Hari
Published: November 2022

Phage ScienceWizSam was isolated from soil using
Arthrobacter
sp. strain ATCC 21022. The phage genome is 58,217 bp with 96 open reading frames (ORFs). All of the ORFs are transcribed rightwards. Based on gene content similarity, ScienceWizSam is assigned to phage subcluster AU1.
Pectobacterium carotovorum Phage vB_PcaM_P7_Pc Is a New Member of the Genus
Certrevirus
Authors: Naligama Kishani N. , Halmillawewa Anupama P.
Published: November 2022

Bacterial soft rot disease, caused by
Pectobacterium
spp., can lead to significant losses in carrot yields. As current control measures involving the use of chemicals or antibiotics are not recommended in many countries, bacteriophage-mediated biocontrol strategies are being explored for the successful control of these phytopathogens.