bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Diagnosing and Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: New Challenges on Initializing and Optimizing Pharmacological Treatment
Authors: Segenreich Daniel
Published: April 2022

Introduction

COVID-19 has been causing huge disruptions in mental healthcare services worldwide, including those related to ADHD. Some consequences of the pandemic, such as virtual schooling and remote work, as well as increased telemedicine, have posed new challenges for ADHD diagnosis and treatment. In this narrative review, we summarize existing COVID-19 and ADHD literature especially focusing on ADHD diagnostic during the pandemic and treatment adherence.

Methods

The databases searched were: PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Google Scholar and medRxiv. We included all English language articles and preprints that reported on medication/pharmacological treatment among the terms “ADHD” and “COVID-19” resulting in a total of 546 articles. The final search was done on Dec-23 2021. We selected fifteen articles focusing on the challenges of ADHD diagnostic during COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

Of the fifteen studies included, most were cross-sectional and perspective pieces. Most of them discussed that individuals with ADHD present risk factors that may make them more vulnerable to health negative consequences of the pandemic, which in turn may have an impact on treatment efficacy and adherence. Telemedicine is also addressed as a potential powerful instrument on monitoring ADHD treatment.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic on monitoring ADHD treatment, the available literature stressed that the current scenario also may offer new opportunities that could lead to the development of individualized treatment interventions, such as the remote monitoring of symptoms.
Evaluating Simulation-Based Tobacco Treatment Scenarios for Providers Delivering Treatment for People Living With Mental Illnesses
Authors: Okoli Chizimuzo T. C. , Otachi Janet K. , Seng Sarret , Abufarsakh Bassema , Williams Lovoria B.
Published: April 2022

Background

People living with mental illnesses (PMI) experience elevated tobacco use and related morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of effective and safe tobacco treatments along with evidence that PMI are motivated and able to quit successfully, few Mental and behavioral healthcare providers (MHPs) engage PMI in such treatment. MHPs may lack the confidence or skills to engage their clients in tobacco treatment. Currently, there are limited training modalities to prepare MHPs in delivering tobacco treatment for PMI. However, animated scenario-based simulated encounters can bridge this gap to effectively provide tailored MHP training to enhance treatment delivery. Hence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate simulated tobacco treatment education scenarios tailored to MHPs.

Methods

For this evaluation, we used a pretest-posttest design to assess changes in MHPs tobacco treatment knowledge and behavioral intentions after viewing simulated treatment encounters. We developed four animated scenarios, using brief tobacco treatment interventions, simulating treatment encounters with PMI. MHPs were primarily recruited from mental or behavioral healthcare facilities and were asked to complete a web-based questionnaire. Their knowledge, views, and experiences in providing tobacco treatment were assessed prior to viewing the animated scenarios. Participants were then asked to evaluate the desirability, acceptability, and applicability of the animated scenarios; and thereafter, their knowledge of and intentions to provide evidence-based tobacco treatment (i.e., ASK, ADVISE, ASSESS, ASSIST, ARRANGE) were again assessed.

Results

Participants (N = 81) were on average 41.0 years of age, mostly female (79.0%), and non-Hispanic White (86.4%). Nearly a quarter endorsed current tobacco use and few had tobacco treatment training (14.8%). Overall knowledge of tobacco treatment scores significantly increased before and after viewing the videos (M = 3.5 [SD = 1.0] to M = 4.1 [SD = 1.0], p < 0.0001). After viewing the simulated scenario videos, participants endorsed moderate to high mean scores (ranging from 4.0-4.2 on a 0 to 5 scale) on the desirability, acceptability, and applicability of the different animated scenarios. In addition, after viewing the scenarios the proportion of participants who endorsed that they intended to occasionally/very often engage clients in evidence based tobacco treatment were high for ASK (94.9%), followed by ADVISE and ASSESS (84.7% each), followed by ASSIST (81.4%), and ARRANGE (74.6%). Evaluation scores significantly differed by type of animated scenario and participants' work settings and discipline.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the use of brief animated scenarios may be a useful modality to enhance MHPs knowledge acquisition and treatment delivery intentions. Such approaches may be integrated into tobacco treatment trainings for MHPs.
Perceptions of the Doctor-Patient Relationship Among Patients in a Private, Secondary-Level Hospital in Southern India
Authors: Gala Pooja , Sriram Veena , Kotian Chitra , Ballala Kirthinath , Vedanthan Rajesh , Perish Emily , Umakanth Shashikiran , Meltzer David
Published: April 2022

Introduction

An epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India is fueling a growing demand for primary care and hospitalization services. Difficulties in coordinating inpatient and outpatient care create significant barriers to providing high-quality medical care. In this paper, we describe patient experiences, perceptions, and expectations of doctor-patient relationships in a secondary-level private hospital in Karnataka, India.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, mixed-method needs assessment with surveys and in-depth interviews at Dr. TMA Pai Hospital (TMAPH), a secondary-level, private sector hospital in Karnataka, India. Inclusion criteria included all adults over 18 years old hospitalized at TMAPH in the past year. Patients were consecutively recruited from August 2019-October 2019 and asked to rate aspects of their relationship with their primary care provider (PCP). Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze predictors of the doctor-patient relationship. Patients were interviewed regarding their perceptions of care coordination and doctor-patient relationships. General Thematic Analysis was utilized to analyze qualitative data and develop themes. Quantitative and qualitative findings were then merged to interpret the various dimensions of doctor-patient relationships.

Results

A total of 150 patients (47.3% male) enrolled. Ten patients underwent qualitative interviews. The median patient age was 67 years (IQR 56–76). 112 (74.7%) of patients identified a PCP either at or outside of TMAPH. 89% had diabetes and/or hypertension. Compared to patients without a PCP, having a PCP led to a significantly higher adjusted odds of always spending optimal time with their doctors (aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.1–6.8, p = 0.04), and always receiving clear instructions on managing their medical conditions (aOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.0–6.1, p = 0.04). The following themes were developed from patient interviews: (1) patients trusted and respected their PCP believing they were receiving high quality care; and (2) despite perceived fragmentation in care, patients spoke favorably of their relationships with their doctors.

Conclusions

Among a sample of recently hospitalized patients, those with a PCP reported more positive doctor-patient relationships, though rates of dissatisfaction with doctors were still high. Further research and strategies are required to optimize continuity of care and doctor-patient relationships across the entire continuum of outpatient and inpatient care.
Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Health Expenditures of Noncommunicable Disease Multimorbidity—Findings From Gorakhpur Health and Demographic Surveillance System
Authors: Reddy Mahendra M. , Zaman Kamran , Yadav Rajaram , Yadav Priyanka , Kumar Kaushik , Kant Rajni
Published: April 2022

Background

Noncommunicable disease (NCD) multimorbidity throws a unique challenge to healthcare systems globally in terms of not only management of disease, but also familial, social, and economic implications associated with it.

Objective

To assess the prevalence of NCD multimorbidity and its associated risk factors along with health expenditures among adults (≥18 years) living in a rural area.

Methods

A secondary data analysis of the first-round survey done as part of the Gorakhpur Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (GHDSS) was done. Information related to self-reported morbidity and other variables related to sociodemographics and out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) was captured using a pretested questionnaire. Multivariable cluster adjusted binomial regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with multimorbidity.

Results

The overall prevalence of NCD multimorbidity was found to be 1.8% (95% CI: 1.7–1.9%). The prevalence of NCD multimorbidity was highest among elderly (≥60 years) [6.0% (95% CI: 5.5–6.5%)] and among women [2.4% (95% CI: 2.3–2.6%)]. Sociodemographic factors, such as age, gender, occupation, education, marital status, religion, caste, and household wealth, were all found to be independently associated with NCD multimorbidity. The median annual OOPE was found to be significantly higher among those with NCD multimorbidity (INR 20,000) compared with those with no NCD (INR 5,000) or having only one NCD (INR 8,000).

Conclusion

Among the adults in GHDSS, about 13 in every 100 were suffering from at least one NCD and around two in 100 were having NCD multimorbidity. Those with NCD multimorbidity spent almost four times higher annual OOPE compared with those without NCDs.
The Impact of Slice Interval and Equation on the Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Image Estimation of Quadriceps Muscle Volume in End Stage Liver Disease
Authors: Quinlan Jonathan I. , Jones Clare , Bissonnette Emma , Dhaliwal Amritpal , Williams Felicity , Choudhary Surabhi , Breen Leigh , Lavery Gareth G. , Armstrong Matthew J. , Elsharkawy Ahmed M. , Lord Janet M. , Greig Carolyn A.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

End stage liver disease (ESLD) is associated with loss of muscle mass and function, known as sarcopenia, which can increase the risk of complications of ESLD, hospitalization and mortality. Therefore, the accurate assessment of muscle mass is essential to evaluate sarcopenia in ESLD. However, manual segmentation of muscle volume (MV) can be laborious on cross-sectional imaging, due to the number of slices that require analysis. This study aimed to investigate the impact of reducing the number of slices required for MV estimation. Further, we aimed to compare two equations utilized in estimating MV (cylindrical and truncated cone).

Methods

Thirty eight ESLD patients (23 males; 54.8 ± 10.7 years) were recruited from the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Birmingham. A 3T MRI scan was completed of the lower limbs. Quadriceps MV was estimated utilizing 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4 cm slice intervals with both cylindrical and truncated cone equations. Absolute and relative error (compared to 1 cm slice interval) was generated for 2-, 3-, and 4 cm slice intervals. L3 skeletal muscle index (SMI) was also calculated in 30 patients.

Results

Relative error increased with slice interval using the cylindrical (0.45 vs. 1.06 vs. 1.72%) and truncated cone equation (0.27 vs. 0.58 vs. 0.74%) for 2, 3, and 4 cm, respectively. Significantly, the cylindrical equation produced approximately twice the error compared to truncated cone, with 3 cm (0.58 vs. 1.06%, P < 0.01) and 4 cm intervals (0.74 vs. 1.72%, P < 0.001). Finally, quadriceps MV was significantly correlated to L3 SMI (r2 = 0.44, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The use of the truncated equation with a 4 cm slice interval on MRI offers an efficient but accurate estimation of quadricep muscle volume in ESLD patients.
Towards Robot-Assisted Therapy for Children With Autism—The Ontological Knowledge Models and Reinforcement Learning-Based Algorithms
Authors: Salhi Intissar , Qbadou Mohammed , Gouraguine Soukaina , Mansouri Khalifa , Lytridis Chris , Kaburlasos Vassilis
Published: April 2022

Robots are more and more present in our lives, particularly in the health sector. In therapeutic centers, some therapists are beginning to explore various tools like video games, Internet exchanges, and robot-assisted therapy. These tools will be at the disposal of these professionals as additional resources that can support them to assist their patients intuitively and remotely. The humanoid robot can capture young children’s attention and then attract the attention of researchers. It can be considered as a play partner and can directly interact with children or without a third party’s presence. It can equally perform repetitive tasks that humans cannot achieve in the same way. Moreover, humanoid robots can assist a therapist by allowing him to teleoperated and interact from a distance. In this context, our research focuses on robot-assisted therapy and introduces a humanoid social robot in a pediatric hospital care unit. That will be performed by analyzing many aspects of the child’s behavior, such as verbal interactions, gestures and facial expressions, etc. Consequently, the robot can reproduce consistent experiences and actions for children with communication capacity restrictions. This work is done by applying a novel approach based on deep learning and reinforcement learning algorithms supported by an ontological knowledge base that contains relevant information and knowledge about patients, screening tests, and therapies. In this study, we realized a humanoid robot that will assist a therapist by equipping the robot NAO: 1) to detect whether a child is autistic or not using a convolutional neural network, 2) to recommend a set of therapies based on a selection algorithm using a correspondence matrix between screening test and therapies, and 2) to assist and monitor autistic children by executing tasks that require those therapies.
Institutionalizing Non-institutionalization: Toward Sustainable Commoning
Authors: Smets Peer , Volont Louis
Published: April 2022

The goal of this article is to revive and empirically expand the debate on institutional frameworks within commons scholarship. The paper's guiding question is: what kind of institutional framework allows for sustainable commoning in urban conditions? In order to answer this question, we invoke the case of Savings and Credit Associations, a form of financial commoning whereby participants lend each other money and decide, through deliberative sessions, how the money is to be shared. We mobilize data from three decades of ethnographic research in India and The Netherlands, in order to distill the institutional properties that have contributed to Savings and Credit Associations' sustainable existence. The paper's main claim will be that in Savings and Credit Associations' institutional frameworks, a pivotal precondition for sustainable commoning can be found: the combination of a socio-relational (low-scale, trust-based) approach with a reconsideration of the rules at given intervals. In conclusion, we also argue that it's precisely a socio-relational approach which may save commoning's emancipatory potential.
Deep Convection as Inferred From the C2OMODO Concept of a Tandem of Microwave Radiometers
Authors: Auguste Franck , Chaboureau Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2022

Probing the atmosphere from space using radiometers is a challenging way to improve our knowledge of deep convection. Exploration of water absorption bands in the 183, 325, and 448 GHz range is promising because of the radiation scattered by icy hydrometeors produced by deep convection. We investigate what properties of deep convection could be inferred from the Convective Core Observations through MicrOwave Derivatives in the trOpics (C2OMODO) concept of a tandem of microwave radiometers separated by several tens of seconds. Two tropical deep convective events (Hector the Convector and a radiative-convective equilibrium case) are simulated with the Meso-NH non-hydrostatic numerical model, the outputs of which are used to compute brightness temperatures (Tbs) using the Radiative Transfer for the Television and Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) Operational Vertical Sounder (RTTOV) code. We find different relationships between the ice water path, vertical ice momentum, vertical ice velocity, and the time derivative dTb/dt. They depend on where they are probed after separating the growing convective cores from their surrounding environment with a radiometric point of view. Tb and dTb/dt are highly dependent on the ice water path that depends on horizontal and vertical ice advection and microphysical processes. Looking at deep convection in general, we find that the ice water path increases linearly with decreasing dTb/dt. In the specific case of the core of growing convective cells, the vertical ice momentum and the vertical ice velocity are related to dTb/dt. However, such a relationship breaks down in the anvil because horizontal ice advection can dominate microphysical processes. These results are robust to horizontal resolution and time delay.
Why Handwriting is Good for Your Brain
Authors: Plebanek Daniel J. , James Karin H.
Published: April 2022

As laptops and tablets become more popular, handwriting is slowly fading away. While new technology has many benefits such as helping us stay connected with each other and allowing us to quickly search for information, activities such as printing our letters by hand may help the brain learn. There are many potential reasons for this. When people write letters by hand, they: (1) actively see and feel the letter being written; (2) see several different versions of that letter; and (3) pay more attention to what they are doing. In this article, you will learn about how handwriting helps us learn symbols and aids in remembering information. You will also learn how your brain responds when you write by hand compared with when you type. Handwriting is still important, even if most of how we communicate these days is through a keyboard or touchscreen.
Life in the Darkness of Caves
Authors: Mammola Stefano , Frigo Irene , Cardoso Pedro
Published: April 2022

For humans, caves are dark, moist, and often dangerous places. However, caves are also home to many animals that live strange lives: blind beetles that eat bat poop and appreciate it; tiny spiders that spin webs to catch insects, also known as flying food; and white salamanders that swim in cave ponds without getting lost, at least not all the time. Most of these animals do not have eyes—why would you need eyes when you live in the dark? Instead, they have developed other special senses to “see” in the dark. These animals look nothing like the ones you know, and many of them are endangered because they can only live in caves. Mining, pollution, and climate change are threatening cave animals and all their weirdness. Anyone can study and help them, even you!
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Functionality of International Surgical Volunteer Organizations
Authors: Lyons Spencer , Xu Amy L. , Durand Wesley M. , Patel Shyam , Oni Julius K. , Babu Jacob M.
Published: April 2022

Background

Surgical volunteer organizations have been severely limited during the ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic. Our purpose was to identify obstacles to surgical volunteer organizations secondary to COVID-19 and their responses.

Methods

Forty-one surgical volunteer organizations participated in a web-based survey (156 invited, 26% response rate). Respondents were separated into two groups: low donations surgical volunteer organizations (≤50% donations of previous year; n = 17) and high donations surgical volunteer organizations (≥75%; n = 24). Univariate analyses were used to compare the two cohorts.

Results

Of responding surgical volunteer organizations, 34 (83%) were unable to maintain full functionality due to COVID-19; 27% of high donations vs. 0% of low donations surgical volunteer organizations (p = 0.02). The three leading obstacles were finances/donations (78%), fewer volunteers (38%), and inadequate personal protective equipment (30%). In response, 39% of surgical volunteer organizations developed novel E-volunteering opportunities. For support, 85% of surgical volunteer organizations suggested monetary donations, 78% promotion through social media platforms, and 54% donation of personal protective equipment.

Conclusion

The majority of surgical volunteer organizations were unable to maintain full functionality due to stressors caused by COVID-19, including limitations on finances, volunteers, and personal protective equipment.
Management of Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis after Thyroid Surgery with Injection Laryngoplasty: State of Art Review
Authors: Liao Li-Jen , Wang Chi-Te
Published: April 2022

Background

Unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) after thyroid surgery often leads to significant morbidity including dysphonia, dysphagia, and aspiration. Injection laryngoplasty (IL) is an effective treatment of UVFP with numerous readily available materials. However, few studies focus on IL for UVFP following thyroidectomy.

Objectives

This review aims to critically review current literature to determine the timing, materials, methods and outcomes of IL for UVFP after thyroid surgery.

Type of Review

Literature review.

Methods

A literature review was performed using the Pubmed, Medline and EMBASE databases. All relevant articles published in English addressing the effect of IL in post thyroid surgery related UVFP were analyzed. Studies using IL for UVFP of multiple etiologies were excluded. Meta-analysis was conducted using fixed and random effect model.

Results

Five original studies were identified, including 214 patients received IL for UVFP following thyroid surgery. Two studies injected autologous fat via direct suspension laryngoscope under general anesthesia, while the other 3 studies injected polyacrylamide, hyaluronic acid, and polymethyl methacrylate from cricothyroid membrane under local anesthesia. All 5 studies reported improved voice outcomes of IL for post-thyroidectomy UVFP. Meta-analysis showed MPT increased for 3.18 s (95% CI: 2.40–3.96, fix effect model) after IL. Another common acoustic parameter, jitter (%) also improved for 1.46 (95% CI: 0.73–2.19, random effects model) after IL for post-thyroidectomy UVFP.

Conclusions

This review supported that IL can improve the voice outcome for post-thyroidectomy UVFP. Autologous fat remains a good augmentation material with a potential longer lasting effect. More research and long-term surveys are needed to document the safety and longevity of other synthetic materials.
Haptenation of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor: A Potential Biomarker for Contact Hypersensitivity
Authors: Ndreu Lorena , Sasse Samantha , Karlberg Ann-Therese , Karlsson Isabella
Published: April 2022

The immunological response in contact hypersensitivity is incited by small electrophilic compounds, known as haptens, that react with endogenous proteins after skin absorption. However, the identity of hapten-modified proteins seen as immunogenic remains as yet largely unknown. In a recent study, we have for the first time identified a hapten-modified protein in the local lymph nodes of mice treated topically with the model hapten tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC). The TRITC modification was located on the N-terminal proline of the protein macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). The focus of the current study was to investigate the presence of the same hapten-protein conjugate in blood samples from mice treated topically with TRITC. Furthermore, TRITC modifications of the two major blood proteins, namely hemoglobin (Hb) and albumin (Alb), as well as TRITC modifications of MIF other than the N-terminal proline, were examined. Following incubation with different molar ratios of TRITC, a proteomic approach was applied to characterize conjugate formation of the three aforementioned proteins, using high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The targeted screening of the TRITC-treated mice blood and lymph node samples for these sites led to the identification of only the same TRITC-MIF conjugate previously detected in the lymph nodes. No Hb and Alb conjugates were detected. Quantification of both the TRITC-modified and unmodified N-terminal peptide of MIF in blood and lymph node samples gave interesting insights of MIF’s role in murine contact hypersensitivity. Incubation of MIF with four different haptens encompassing different reactivity mechanisms and potencies, showed adduct formation at different amino acid residues, suggesting that MIF can be the preferred target for a wide variety of haptens. The present study provides essential progress toward understanding of hapten-protein conjugate formation in contact hypersensitivity and identifies hapten-modified MIF as a potential biomarker for this condition. Further investigation of MIF as a target protein can be a next step to determine if MIF is a biomarker that can be used to develop better diagnostic tools and targeted therapeutics for individuals with allergic contact dermatitis.
Evaluation of Platelet and Leukocyte Counts in Canine Platelet-Rich Plasma Obtained After Successive Blood Collections From the Same Patient and the Effects of Freezing on the Concentration of Growth Factors Present in It
Authors: DeMello Victoria , Chen Grace , Wakshlag Joseph , Mason David
Published: April 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was 2-fold: to evaluate whether the timing of collection influences the platelet counts and leukocyte counts of PRP samples, and to evaluate growth factor concentrations in canine PRP after freezing and storage without a preservation agent for 6 months of time.

Materials and Methods

Whole blood collection was performed three times over the course of 4 weeks. All PRP samples were evaluated with a CBC analysis. The PRP samples were frozen and stored without a preservation agent for the duration of the 4-week study.

Results

The platelet and leukocyte counts were not statistically significant between the timing of blood draws over the course of 4 weeks. All three growth factors were present in measurable quantities after freezing and storage for 6 months without a preservation agent.

Clinical Relevance

PDGF, TGF-β1, and VEGF were all present in measurable quantities. Furthermore, PDGF and TGF-β1 were correlated with platelet count of the final PRP. VEGF concentrations were able to be quantified. We correctly hypothesized growth factor concentrations would be present and measurable in canine PRP frozen and stored without a preservation agent for 6 months.
Bovine Leptospirosis Due to Persistent Renal Carriage of Leptospira borgpetersenii Serovar Tarassovi
Authors: Hamond Camila , LeCount Karen , Putz Ellie J. , Bayles Darrell O. , Camp Patrick , Goris Marga G. A. , van der Linden Hans , Stone Nathan E. , Schlater Linda K. , Sahl Jason W. , Wagner David M. , Nally Jarlath E.
Published: April 2022

Leptospirosis is a global zoonotic disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality in human and animal populations.Leptospira interrogansis a leading cause of human disease, andL.borgpeterseniiis a leading cause of animal disease. Cattle are reservoir hosts ofL.borgpeterseniiserovar Hardjo, which is transmittedviaurine, semen, and uterine discharges resulting in abortion and poor reproductive performance. Bovine bacterin vaccines can only protect against those serovars included in vaccine formulations and typically include serovar Hardjo among others. Genotyping and serotyping represent two different and unique methods for classifying leptospires that do not always correlate well; comprehensive characterization using either method requires recovery of isolates from infected animals. In this study, we report for the first time, isolation ofL.borgpeterseniiserovar Tarassovi from the urine of a dairy cow in the U.S. The classification of the isolate, designated strain MN900, was confirmed by whole-genome sequencing, serotyping with reference antisera and monoclonal antibodies, Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI), and immunoblotting with reference antisera. Strain MN900 was excreted in urine samples for 18 weeks even as the cow was seronegative for serovar Tarassovi. Strain MN900 has an unusual morphology since it is not as motile as other leptospires and lacks hooked ends. Serovar Tarassovi is not included in U.S. bacterin vaccines. These results demonstrate the importance of culture and concomitant genotyping and serotyping to accurately classify leptospires, and as required to design efficacious vaccine and diagnostic strategies to not only limit animal disease but reduce zoonotic risk.
Phylogenetic Studies of Coxiella-Like Bacteria and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae in Ticks Collected From Vegetation in Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand
Authors: Usananan Pawiga , Kaenkan Warissara , Sudsangiem Ronnayuth , Baimai Visut , Trinachartvanit Wachareeporn , Ahantarig Arunee
Published: April 2022

Ticks can transmit a wide variety of pathogens, including bacteria. Here, we report the detection of tick-associated bacteria in Chaiyaphum Province, northeastern Thailand. There have been few reports of tick-borne bacterial pathogens in the study areas, which are evergreen forests dominated by plateaus at elevations of approximately 1,000 m. In total, 94 ticks were collected from vegetation. They were screened for the presence of Coxiella, Francisella, Rickettsia, and Borrelia bacteria using PCR assays. In this study, we found ticks from two genera, Haemaphysalis and Amblyomma, that were positive for Coxiella-like bacteria (CLB) and Rickettsia. Francisella and Borrelia spp. were not detected in these two tick genera. The results revealed the evolutionary relationships of CLB in Amblyomma testudinarium, Haemaphysalis lagrangei, and Haemaphysalis obesa ticks using the 16S rRNA and rpoB markers, which clustered together with known isolates of ticks from the same genera. In contrast, the groEL marker showed different results. On the basis of the groEL phylogenetic analysis and BLAST results, three groups of CLB were found: (1) CLB from A. testudinarium grouped as a sister clade to CLB from Ixodes ricinus; (2) CLB from Haemaphysalis lagrangei was distantly related to CLB from Haemaphysalis wellingtoni; and (3) CLB from A. testudinarium grouped as sister clade to CLB from Amblyomma from French Guiana and Brazil. For Rickettsia studies, phylogenetic trees of the gltA, ompB, and sca4 genes revealed two groups of Spotted Fever Group (SFG) Rickettsiae: (1) SFG Rickettsiae that formed a sister clade with Rickettsia tamurae AT-1 (belong to the Rickettsia helvetica subgroup) in A. testudinarium and (2) SFG Rickettsiae that formed a distantly related group to Rickettsia rhipicephali 3-7-female6-CWPP (belong to the Rickettsia massiliae subgroup) in A. testudinarium. This study expanded our knowledge of the diversity of tick-borne Coxiella and Rickettsia bacteria. The pathogenic roles of these bacteria also need to be investigated further.
A Qualitative Analysis of Clinical Year Veterinary Student Journal Entries for a Shelter Medicine Rotation
Authors: Jafarian Sohaila , Akpek Eda , Reinhard Chelsea L. , Watson Brittany
Published: April 2022

Veterinary medical schools are tasked with not only providing experiences necessary to graduate veterinarians proficient in the skills and knowledge used most frequently in private practice, but also develop expertise in animal behavior, welfare, ethics, veterinary forensics, and cultural competency. Integrating all these knowledge areas into the curriculum can be challenging. Shelter medicine is increasingly identified by educators as an optimal learning environment to offer exposure to these topics. It can not only meet learning objectives in veterinary medical curriculum, but also provide students with authentic learning experiences to engage in and gain a deeper understanding of cultural humility, implicit bias, diversity, and inclusion. This includes documentation of international learning outcomes for shelter medicine in veterinary medical curriculum. There have been no studies evaluating authentic learning experiences specific to shelter medicine programs and their impacts on students. The aim of this study was to determine the individual activities and thematic categories on which veterinary students chose to reflect on and their potential impacts during a clinical rotation in shelter medicine at Penn Vet through qualitative content analysis of their journal entries. In our study, students found experiences on the shelter medicine rotation to be beneficial to their growth as a future veterinarian, provided them with takeaways that they found applicable and practical, helped them self-identify knowledge gaps, and changed their perspectives on several important topics related to collective human and animal welfare. These results speak to the value perceived by students of the rotation and suggest an authentic learning experience through a shelter medicine program can help cultivate more practice-ready and culturally competent veterinary graduates.
Exogenous L-carnitine Administration Ameliorates the Adverse Effects of Heat Stress on Testicular Hemodynamics, Echotexture, and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Rams
Authors: El-Sherbiny Hossam R. , El-Shalofy Amr S. , Samir Haney
Published: April 2022

Heat stress (HS) diminishes the testicular antioxidant defense systems, which adversely affect the testicular blood perfusion. Improving the testicular hemodynamics during HS conditions is of a great impact on the whole reproductive performance in rams. This study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of L-carnitine (LC) on the testicular blood flow and echotextures and also on the total antioxidants (TAC) and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in the serum during HS conditions in rams. Testicular blood flow was evaluated through scanning of the supra-testicular artery (STA) spectral patterns through pulsed Doppler ultrasonography [peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), time average maximum velocity (TAMAX), resistive index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI)], while the echotexture assessment of testicular parenchyma was performed by a computerized software program. Moreover, TAC and NO concentrations were assayed colorimetrically using the spectrophotometer. There were significant decreases (P < 0.05) in values of PSV at 48 and 168 h (23.45 ± 0.39 and 23.37 ± 1.41 cm/s, respectively), and TAMAX at 1, 48, and 168 h (17.65 ± 0.95, 17.5 ± 0.13, and 16.9 ± 1.05 cm/s, respectively) after LC administration compared to just before administration (31.92 ± 1.13 and 21.58 ± 0.92 cm/s, respectively). Values of RI and PI of the examined STA significantly decreased, especially at 1 h for RI (0.45 ± 0.02) and 1 and 48 h for PI (0.66 ± 0.06 and 0.65 ± 0.05, respectively) after LC treatment to 0 h (0.55 ± 0.03 and 0.84 ± 0.06, respectively). The EDV values did not show any significant (P < 0.05) changes in all the experimental time points. There were significant (P < 0.05) increases in the values of pixel intensity of the testicular parenchyma, especially at 1 and 168 h (78.71 ± 2.50 and 88.56 ± 4.10, respectively) after LC administration, compared to just before administration (69.40 ± 4.75). Serum NO levels tend to increase after LC administration (P = 0.07) concerning just before administration. While TAC values showed significant gradual increase and reached the highest values at 168 h (2.75 ± 0.58 mM/l) after LC administration, compared to 0 h (1.12 ± 0.05 mM/l). In conclusion, exogenous LC administration ameliorates testicular hemodynamic disruptions, as measured by spectral Doppler ultrasonography, via augmentation of the rams' total antioxidant capacity under HS conditions.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Danofloxacin in Yellow River Carp (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus) After One Single Oral Dose
Authors: Song Zhe-Wen , Yang Fang , Dai Yan , Zhang Chao-Shuo , Shao Hao-Tian , Wang Han , Ma Kai-Li , Li Ze-En , Yang Fan
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to determine the population pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin in healthy Yellow River carp (Cyprinus carpio Haematopterus) after single oral administration at 10 mg/kg body weight (BW). A sparse sampling was applied in this study and plasma samples were randomly collected from the tail veins of six carp at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 144 h after administration. A maximum of four plasma samples was collected from each carp. Then the concentrations of danofloxacin in plasma samples were determined through an HPLC method. Danofloxacin could be quantified in plasma up to 144 h after administration. The corresponding population pharmacokinetic modeling was developed according to the non-linear mixed effect method, including covariate and covariance models to explain some variations from unknown sources and improve the prediction ability. On the premise of sparse sampling, the typical values of the population (fixed effect) and inter-individual variation (random effect) were described by the current population pharmacokinetic model. The estimated typical values and coefficient of variation between individuals (CV%) of absorption rate constant (tvKa), apparent distribution volume (tvV) and clearance (tvCL) were 2.48 h−1and 0.203%, 47.8 L/kg and 8.40%, 0.694 L/h/kg and 4.35%, respectively. The current danofloxacin oral dosing (10 mg/kg BW) can provide suitable plasma concentrations to inhibit those pathogens with MIC values below 0.016 μg/ml based on the calculated PK/PD indices of AUC/MIC or Cmax/MIC. Further studies are still needed to determine thein vitroandin vivoantibacterial efficacy of danofloxacin against pathogens isolated from Yellow River carp and finally draw a reasonable dosing regimen.
Modeling the Human Placenta to Investigate Viral Infections During Pregnancy
Authors: Sheridan Megan A. , Zhou Jie , Franz Alexander W. E. , Schust Danny J.
Published: April 2022

Throughout gestation, the placenta is vital for proper development of the fetus. Disruptions in trophoblast, the main functional cell type of the placenta, stress the pregnancy, with potential adverse outcomes for both mother and baby. While the placenta typically functions as an effective pathogen barrier to protect the fetus, there are scenarios in which viral infections either cross the placenta or disturb its function. Here, we briefly review placental morphologic and functional changes across pregnancy and how these relate to routes for and protection from pathogens. We then explore the potential advantages and limitations of the current primary trophoblast models (primary cultures/explants, cell lines, trophoblast stem cells and trophoblast organoids) and stem cell-derived trophoblast models (naïve and primed embryonic stem cells [ESCs], and blastoids) and discuss these in the context of what is already known about (1) how viruses cross the placenta and the mechanisms that are used for its protection and (2) how these protective mechanisms change across gestation.
Application of High-Order WENO Scheme in the CFD/FW–H Method to Predict Helicopter Rotor Blade–Vortex Interaction Tonal Noise
Authors: Sun Yan , Shi Yongjie , Xu Guohua
Published: April 2022

The accurate prediction of helicopter rotor blade–vortex interaction (BVI) noise is challenging. This paper presents an implementation of the seventh-order improved weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO-Z) scheme for predicting rotor BVI noise using a high-resolution numerical method based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes and the Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings equations. The seventh-order improved WENO-Z scheme is utilized to minimize the inherent numerical dissipation of the reconstruction method in the monotone upstream-centered scheme for conservation laws (MUSCL), thereby improving the rotor wake resolution and the BVI noise-prediction accuracy. The three-layer dummy cell method is used to ensure that the flux at the boundary maintains seventh-order accuracy. The effectiveness of the flow solver and the acoustic solver is validated using the Helishape-7A rotor and the UH-1H rotor, respectively. The flow field and BVI noise characteristics of the OLS rotor obtained from the fifth- and seventh-order WENO-Z schemes are compared with that of the third-order MUSCL for coarse and fine background grids. The wake resolution, noise-prediction accuracy, and computational cost of the three schemes are compared. The results show that the high-order WENO scheme provides higher accuracy for flow field simulation and BVI noise prediction than the MUSCL, but the computational cost of the WENO scheme increases substantially as the grid resolution increases. However, the WENO scheme can predict BVI using a coarser grid than the MUSCL. The computational cost of the WENO scheme is relatively low under the same flow field simulation resolution.
UAV Imagery for Automatic Multi-Element Recognition and Detection of Road Traffic Elements
Authors: Huang Liang , Qiu Mulan , Xu Anze , Sun Yu , Zhu Juanjuan
Published: April 2022

Road traffic elements comprise an important part of roads and represent the main content involved in the construction of a basic traffic geographic information database, which is particularly important for the development of basic traffic geographic information. However, the following problems still exist for the extraction of traffic elements: insufficient data, complex scenarios, small targets, and incomplete element information. Therefore, a set of road traffic multielement remote sensing image datasets obtained by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is produced, and an improved YOLOv4 network algorithm combined with an attention mechanism is proposed to automatically recognize and detect multiple elements of road traffic in UAV imagery. First, the scale range of different objects in the datasets is counted, and then the size of the candidate box is obtained by the k-means clustering method. Second, mosaic data augmentation technology is used to increase the number of trained road traffic multielement datasets. Then, by integrating the efficient channel attention (ECA) mechanism into the two effective feature layers extracted from the YOLOv4 backbone network and the upsampling results, the network focuses on the feature information and then trains the datasets. At the same time, the complete intersection over union (CIoU) loss function is used to consider the geometric relationship between the object and the test object, to solve the overlapping problem of the juxtaposed dense test element anchor boxes, and to reduce the rate of missed detection. Finally, the mean average precision (mAP) is calculated to evaluate the experimental effect. The experimental results show that the mAP value of the proposed method is 90.45%, which is 15.80% better than the average accuracy of the original YOLOv4 network. The average detection accuracy of zebra crossings, bus stations, and roadside parking spaces is improved by 12.52%, 22.82%, and 12.09%, respectively. The comparison experiments and ablation experiments proved that the proposed method can realize the automatic recognition and detection of multiple elements of road traffic, and provide a new solution for constructing a basic traffic geographic information database.
Assessment of Best Management Practices on Hydrology and Sediment Yield at Watershed Scale in Mississippi Using SWAT
Authors: Nepal Dipesh , Parajuli Prem B.
Published: April 2022

The selection and execution of appropriate best management practices (BMPs) in critical areas of a watershed can effectively reduce sediment yield. Objectives of this research include developing a watershed-scale Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model for the Big Sunflower River Watershed (BSRW), identifying high sediment yield areas using calibrated and validated model, and assessing the effects of various BMPs. The efficiency of three BMPs, grassed waterways (GWW), vegetative filter strips (VFS), and grade stabilization structures (GSS), and their combinations in reducing sediment yield, were investigated. The model performed well for streamflow (P-factor = 0.72–0.87; R-factor = 0.74–1.27; R2 = 0.60–0.86; NSE = 0.60–0.86) and total suspended solids (TSS) (P-factor = 0.56–0.89; R-factor = 0.43–2.83; R2 = 0.62–0.91; NSE = 0.38–0.91) during calibration and validation. The simulation of individual BMPs revealed that GWW showed the highest sediment yield reduction (up to 44%), followed by VFS (up to 38%) and GSS (up to 7%). Two BMPs’ combinations showed that GSS and GWW had the largest sediment yield reduction potential (up to 47%) while VFS and GSS had the lowest potential (up to 42%). Similarly, a combination of all three BMPs reduced the sediment yield up to 50%. The findings of this study will aid in sustainable watershed management and will be valuable for watershed managers and planners.
Integrative Analyses of Antler Cartilage Transcriptome and Proteome of Gansu Red Deer (Cervus elaphus kansuensis) at Different Growth Stages
Authors: Chen Yanxia , Zhang Zhenxiang , Jin Wenjie , Li Zhaonan , Bao Changhong , He Caixia , Guo Yuqin , Li Changzhong
Published: April 2022

The velvet antler is a unique model for cancer and regeneration research due to its periodic regeneration and rapid growth. Antler growth is mainly triggered by the growth center located in its tip, which consists of velvet skin, mesenchyme and cartilage. Among them, cartilage accounts for most of the growth center. We performed an integrative analysis of the antler cartilage transcriptome and proteome at different antler growth stages. RNA-seq results revealed 24,778 unigenes, 19,243 known protein-coding genes, and 5535 new predicted genes. Of these, 2722 were detected with differential expression patterns among 30 d, 60 d, and 90 d libraries, and 488 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened at 30 d vs. 60 d and 60 d vs. 90 d but not at 30 d vs. 90 d. Proteomic data identified 1361 known proteins and 179 predicted novel proteins. Comparative analyses showed 382 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), of which 16 had differential expression levels at 30 d vs. 60 d and 60 d vs. 90 d but not at 30 d vs. 90 d. An integrated analysis conducted for DEGs and DEPs showed that gene13546 and its coding protein protein13546 annotated in the Wnt signaling pathway may possess important bio-logical functions in rapid antler growth. This study provides in-depth characterization of candidate genes and proteins, providing further insights into the molecular mechanisms controlling antler development.
Bisphenol A Interferes with Redox Balance and the Nrf2 Signaling Pathway in Xenopus tropicalis during Embryonic Development
Authors: Chen Hongjun , Zhong Keke , Zhang Yongpu , Xie Lei , Chen Peichao
Published: April 2022

Bisphenol A (BPA), an environmental estrogen, is widely used and largely released into the hydrosphere, thus inducing adverse effects in aquatic organisms. Here, Xenopus tropicalis was used as an animal model to investigate the oxidative effects of BPA on early embryonic development. BPA exposure prevalently caused development delay and shortened body length. Furthermore, BPA exposure significantly increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damage in embryos. Thus, the details of BPA interference with antioxidant regulatory pathways during frog early embryonic development should be further explored.