bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Clinical Effectiveness of Oseltamivir for Influenza Treatment in Children
Authors: Qin Jianru , Lin Jilei , Zhang Xiangfei , Yuan Shuhua , Zhang Chiyu , Yin Yong
Published: April 2022

Objective: To estimate the clinical effectiveness of oseltamivir in children with different subtypes of influenza virus infection.

Methods: A total of 998 children with acute respiratory infection were enrolled from January to March 2018, and were divided into influenza A, influenza B, influenza A + B, and non-influenza infection (IV-negative) groups. Influenza-like symptoms and duration of fever were evaluated and compared between oseltamivir-treated and non-treated groups.

Results: There were no significant differences in the reduction in total febrile period and duration of fever from the onset of therapy between the oseltamivir treated and non-treated children infected with influenza A (p = 0.6885 for total febrile period and 0.7904 for the duration of fever from the onset of treatment), influenza B (p = 0.1462 and 0.1966), influenza A + B (p = 0.5568 and 0.9320), and IV-negative (p = 0.7631 and 0.4655). The duration of fever in children received oseltamivir therapy within 48 h was not significantly shorter than that beyond 48 h (p > 0.05). Additionally, percentages and severities of influenza-like symptoms, including headache, myalgia, fatigue, bellyache, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, cough, and coryza were not decreased and alleviated after treatment of oseltamivir.

Conclusion: Oseltamivir treatment does not significantly shorten the duration of fever, nor does it significantly relieve influenza-like symptoms in children with infection of influenza.
P2X7 Activation Enhances Lipid Accumulation During Adipocytes Differentiation Through Suppressing the Expression of Sirtuin-3, Sirtuin-5, and Browning Genes
Authors: Chiang Chien-Hsieh , Cheng Ching-Yuan , Lien Yi-Ting , Huang Kuo-Chin , Lin Wan-Wan
Published: April 2022

P2X7 signaling has been explored in adipose tissue because of its potential to promote ATP-activated inflammatory cascades during obesogenic environments. However, limited literature has investigated the role of the P2X7 receptor in lipid metabolism during adipocyte differentiation. This study sought to explore the regulatory roles of P2X7 in adipocytes. This study utilized the in vitro 3T3-L1 differentiation model. Lipid accumulation, intracellular triglyceride, and extracellular glycerol were determined. The selective P2X7 agonist BzATP and antagonist A438079 were administered to investigate the functions of P2X7. We found that the expression of P2X7 and the lipid accumulation increased during adipocyte differentiation from D0 to D4. When administered at D0/D2, A438079 attenuated, while BzATP enhanced the degree of lipid accumulation during adipocyte differentiation. Neither did BzATP and A438079 administration affect the expression of PPARγ and C/EBPα genes that increased at D4. In addition, both intracellular triglyceride and extracellular glycerol levels at D4 were reduced by A438079 treatment and enhanced by BzATP administration. When administered at stage 2 of adipocyte differentiation, BzATP consistently enhanced lipid accumulation and intracellular triglyceride and extracellular glycerol levels without affecting mRNA and protein levels of PPARγ and C/EBPα that increased at D4. However, treating A438079 or BzATP at D4 did not affect intracellular triglyceride formation and extracellular glycerol release in differentiated adipocytes at D7. Notably, BzATP administration at stage 2 exerted a concentration-dependent inhibition on the enhanced expression of PRDM16, PGC-1α, and UCP-1 at D4. Furthermore, BzATP administration at D0/D2 inhibited the protein and mRNA levels of sirtuin-3/5 at D4. BzATP treatment at stage 2 also suppressed the mRNA levels of sirtuin-3/5 genes upregulated by insulin. In conclusion, this study demonstrated P2X7 enhances lipid accumulation during adipogenesis by suppressing the expression of sirtuin-3/5 and the browning genes.
Automated Object Detection in Experimental Data Using Combination of Unsupervised and Supervised Methods
Authors: Wu Yiran , Wang Zhen , Ripplinger Crystal M. , Sato Daisuke
Published: April 2022

Deep neural networks (DNN) have shown their success through computer vision tasks such as object detection, classification, and segmentation of image data including clinical and biological data. However, supervised DNNs require a large volume of labeled data to train and great effort to tune hyperparameters. The goal of this study is to segment cardiac images in movie data into objects of interest and a noisy background. This task is one of the essential tasks before statistical analysis of the images. Otherwise, the statistical values such as means, medians, and standard deviations can be erroneous. In this study, we show that the combination of unsupervised and supervised machine learning can automatize this process and find objects of interest accurately. We used the fact that typical clinical/biological data contain only limited kinds of objects. We solve this problem at the pixel level. For example, if there is only one object in an image, there are two types of pixels: object pixels and background pixels. We can expect object pixels and background pixels are quite different and they can be grouped using unsupervised clustering methods. In this study, we used the k-means clustering method. After finding object pixels and background pixels using unsupervised clustering methods, we used these pixels as training data for supervised learning. In this study, we used logistic regression and support vector machine. The combination of the unsupervised method and the supervised method can find objects of interest and segment images accurately without predefined thresholds or manually labeled data.
Dietary Inclusion of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) Mitigates Foodborne Enteritis in Zebrafish Through the Gut-Liver Immune Axis
Authors: Li Ming , Zhao Xuyang , Xie Jiayuan , Tong Xinyu , Shan Junwei , Shi Mijuan , Wang Guangxin , Ye Weidong , Liu Yuhang , Unger Bruno Hamish , Cheng Yingyin , Zhang Wanting , Wu Nan , Xia Xiao-Qin
Published: April 2022

To help prevent foodborne enteritis in aquaculture, several feed additives, such as herbal medicine, have been added to fish diets. Predictions of effective herb medicines for treating fish foodborne enteritis from key regulated DEGs (differentially expressed genes) in transcriptomic data can aid in the development of feed additives using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database. Seabuckthorn has been assessed as a promising candidate for treating grass carp soybean-induced enteritis (SBMIE). In the present study, the SBMIE zebrafish model was used to assess seabuckthorn’s therapeutic or preventative effects. The results showed that intestinal and hepatic inflammation was reduced when seabuckthorn was added, either pathologically (improved intestinal villi morphology, less oil-drops) or growth-related (body fat deposition). Moreover, seabuckthorn may block the intestinal p53 signaling pathway, while activating the PPAR signaling pathway and fatty acid metabolism in the liver. 16S rRNA gene sequencing results also indicated a significant increase in OTU numbers and skewed overlapping with the fish meal group following the addition of seabuckthorn. Additionally, there were signs of altered gut microbiota taxa composition, particularly for reduced TM7, Sphingomonas, and Shigella, following the addition of seabuckthorn. Hindgut imaging of fluorescent immune cells in SBMIE larvae revealed the immune regulatory mechanisms at the cellular level. Seabuckthorn may significantly inhibit the inflammatory gathering of neutrophils, macrophages, and mature T cells, as well as cellular protrusions’ formation. On the other hand, in larvae, seabuckthorn inhibited the inflammatory aggregation of lck+ T cells but not immature lymphocytes, indicating that it affected intestinal adaptive immunity. Although seabuckthorn did not affect the distribution of intestinal CD4+ cells, the number of hepatic CD4+ cells were reduced in fish from the seabuckthorn supplementation group. Thus, the current data indicate that seabuckthorn may alleviate foodborne gut-liver symptoms by enhancing intestinal mucosal immunity and microbiota while simultaneously inhibiting hepatic adipose disposition, making it a potential additive for preventing fish foodborne gut-liver symptoms.
H2S Protects Against Immobilization-Induced Muscle Atrophy via Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
Authors: Xu Miaomiao , Liu Xiaoguang , Bao Peng , Wang Yan Jie , Lu Jianqiang , Liu Yu Jian
Published: April 2022

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are major triggers of the imbalance between protein synthesis and degradation during the pathogenesis of immobilization-induced muscle atrophy. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gas transmitter with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, on immobilization-induced muscle atrophy. Mice were allocated to control and immobilization (IM) groups, which were treated with slow (GYY4137) or rapid (NaHS) H2S releasing donors for 14 days. The results showed that both GYY4137 and NaHS treatment reduced the IM-induced muscle loss, and increased muscle mass. The IM-induced expressions of Muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1) and atrogin-1, two muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligases, were decreased by administration of GYY4137 or NaHS. Both GYY4137 and NaHS treatments alleviated the IM-induced muscle fibrosis, as evidenced by decreases in collagen deposition and levels of tissue fibrosis biomarkers. Moreover, administration of GYY4137 or NaHS alleviated the IM-induced infiltration of CD45 + leukocytes, meanwhile inhibited the expressions of the pro-inflammatory biomarkers in skeletal muscles. It was found that administration of either GYY4137 or NaHS significantly attenuated immobilization-induced oxidative stress as indicated by decreased H2O2 levels and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) immunoreactivity, as well as increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and NRF2 downstream anti-oxidant targets levels in skeletal muscles. Collectively, the present study demonstrated that treatment with either slow or rapid H2S releasing donors protected mice against immobilization-induced muscle fibrosis and atrophy. The beneficial effects of H2S on immobilization-induced skeletal muscle atrophy might be due to both the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of H2S.
Caring for Psychological Distress of Patients With COVID-19: A Mixed-Method Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Li Juan , Wang Anni , Liu Lei , Chen Xue , Bai Xiaoling
Published: April 2022

Introduction

The 2019–2020 pandemic COVID-19 has become a global health crisis. While many recent studies on COVID-19 pandemic have focused on disease epidemiology and psychological status of patients, few have explored the multi-facet influential factors or combined perspectives from both the patients and healthcare workers. The purposes of this study were to: analyze the influencing factors of psychological distress of COVID-19 patients; and describe the experience of healthcare workers relieving psychological distress.

Materials and Methods

This study uses a mixed-method cross-sectional design, including a quantitative study and a qualitative study, targeting two populations: COVID-19 patient and health workers, respectively. In the quantitative part, we recruited a convenience sample of patients with COVID-19 from five hospitals in Wuhan, Hubei Province from 10 to 15 April, 2020. Besides, we collected data by using participants’ socio-demographic information sheet, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10, the Herth Hope Index, the Distress Thermometer, the Revised Chinese Version of Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, and the Chinese Version of Wake Forest Physician Trust Scale. In the qualitative part, the participants were healthcare workers involved in medical aid missions in Hubei Province, China. Meanwhile, we used sampling with convenient and purposive, data collection with a semi-structured online video interview, and text transcription with Colaizzi’s phenomenological method.

Results

The results reveal that 25.7% of patients reported higher level of psychological distress (n = 31, scoring ≥4). After controlling the sociodemographic variables, only severity of COVID-19 (β = 0.282, P = 0.025) and uncertainty in illness (β = 0.345, P = 0.007) shown significant effect on psychological distress in the regression model (F = 10.862, R2 = 0.222, P < 0.001). The experience of healthcare workers emerged five themes: Particularly needed psychological care, Manifestation of negative emotion, Manifestation of proactive adaptation, Strategies relieving psychological distress, and gains of healthcare workers after delivering effective psychological care.

Conclusion

The 25.7% of patients with COVID-19 still suffered from psychological distress, which should receive timely attention from healthcare workers. And the severity of the disease and disease uncertainty have a significant impact on distress. It is critical to train the healthcare workers on detecting the different manifestation of psychological distress, offering timely disease related information, and applying communication strategies.
Measuring Social Desirability in Collectivist Countries: A Psychometric Study in a Representative Sample From Kazakhstan
Authors: Nurumov Kaidar , Hernández-Torrano Daniel , Ait Si Mhamed Ali , Ospanova Ulzhan
Published: April 2022

Social desirability bias (SDB) is a pervasive measurement challenge in the social sciences and survey research. More clarity is needed to understand the performance of social desirability scales in diverse groups, contexts, and cultures. The present study aims to contribute to the international literature on social desirability measurement by examining the psychometric performance of a short version of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MCSDS) in a nationally representative sample of teachers in Kazakhstan. A total of 2,461 Kazakhstani teachers completed the MCSDS – Form C in their language of choice (i.e., Russian or Kazakh). The results failed to support the theoretical unidimensionality of the original scale. Instead, the results of Random Intercept Item Factor Analysis model suggest that the scale answers depend more on the method factor rather than the substantial factor that represents SDB. In addition, an alternative explanation indicates that the scale seems better suited to measuring two SDB correlated factors: attribution and denial. Internal consistency coefficients demonstrated unsatisfactory reliability scores for the two factors. The Kazakhstani version of the MCSDS – Form C was invariant across geographic location (i.e., urban vs. rural), language (i.e., Kazakh vs. Russian), and partially across age groups. However, no measurement invariance was demonstrated for gender. Despite these limitations, the analysis of the Kazakhstani version of the MCSDS – Form C presented in this study constitutes a first step in facilitating further research and measurement of SDB in post-Soviet Kazakhstan and other collectivist countries.
The Effects of Contextual Factors, Self-Efficacy and Motivation on Learners’ Adaptability to Blended Learning in College English: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Authors: Yang Shuhan , Pu Ruihui
Published: April 2022

Objective

Few research efforts have substantially introduced relevant studies on Chinese students’ adaptability in relation to the ineffectiveness of blended learning mode in College English. This study is guided by social cognitive theory, and related literature has been reviewed concerning adaptability. In this study, we aim to examine the involved relationships among contextual factors, self-efficacy, motivation, and adaptability to blended learning mode among non-English majored Chinese learners in the College English course.

Methods

The quantitative research method was employed in this study, and 595 respondents were eventually collected to enable the data analysis. The structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used to analyze the data.

Results

(1) The non-English majored learners’ adaptability to blended learning mode in College English was at a low level with a mean value of 2.26, indicating that students still suffer difficulties from class conducted in blended learning; (2) the fit indices were at the level of good fit, and it suggested the structural model had an overall good fit to the data as shown:x2/df = 2.496, RMESA = 0.050, GFI = 0.956, AGFI = 0.936, NFI = 0.968, RFI = 0.959, IFI = 0.980, TLI = 0.975, CFI = 0.980; (3) adaptability was positively related to contextual factors, self-efficacy, and motivation (p< 0.001); (4) contextual factors exerted an indirect effect on the adaptability not only through the separate mediating role of self-efficacy and motivation, but through the chain mediating role of self-efficacy and motivation (p< 0.01).

Implications

This study theoretically extends previous studies on adaptability by investigating the affecting factors in the framework of social cognitive theory. More practically important is that this study sheds light on the impact mechanism of positive and enjoyable environment, self-efficacy and motivation on non-English majored learners’ adaptability to blended learning mode in English course, which would provide a vital insight for administrators and College English instructors to reconsider the role of learners’ responses in the mixed mode to improve their English achievement more effectively, as well as to enhance and promote their user experience of the offered blended learning service.
Neural Substrates of Homing Pigeon Spatial Navigation: Results From Electrophysiology Studies
Authors: Hough Gerald E.
Published: April 2022

Over many centuries, the homing pigeon has been selectively bred for returning home from a distant location. As a result of this strong selective pressure, homing pigeons have developed an excellent spatial navigation system. This system passes through the hippocampal formation (HF), which shares many striking similarities to the mammalian hippocampus; there are a host of shared neuropeptides, interconnections, and its role in the storage and manipulation of spatial maps. There are some notable differences as well: there are unique connectivity patterns and spatial encoding strategies. This review summarizes the comparisons between the avian and mammalian hippocampal systems, and the responses of single neurons in several general categories: (1) location and place cells responding in specific areas, (2) path and goal cells responding between goal locations, (3) context-dependent cells that respond before or during a task, and (4) pattern, grid, and boundary cells that increase firing at stable intervals. Head-direction cells, responding to a specific compass direction, are found in mammals and other birds but not to date in pigeons. By studying an animal that evolved under significant adaptive pressure to quickly develop a complex and efficient spatial memory system, we may better understand the comparative neurology of neurospatial systems, and plot new and potentially fruitful avenues of comparative research in the future.
How Does Migration Background Affect COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions? A Complex Relationship Between General Attitudes, Religiosity, Acculturation and Fears of Infection
Authors: Holz Manuel , Mayerl Jochen , Andersen Henrik , Maskow Britta
Published: April 2022

Objectives

The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between migration background and COVID-19 vaccine intentions, exploring multiple mediation paths. We argue that the migrational and sociocultural background influences general attitudes toward health and political/public institutions. The effects of these general attitudes on vaccination intentions are mediated by fears of infection. Additionally, we analyze a migrant-only model including acculturation variables (years since migration, foreign and host country media consumption) and region of origin (European vs. Non-European). Design: The data (n = 1027) stem from an online access panel collected between March 15 and March 25, 2021. Quotas for gender and age were set according the online population of Germany. The use of an oversampling framework for first generation migrants resulted in a sample with 50% first generation migrants and 50% native Germans without migration background. Models were calculated using a Structural Equation Modeling approach.

Results

Migration background both increases and decreases antecedents of vaccination intentions. Being a migrant increases positive antecedents like religiosity, which in turn positively influence general attitudes and thus fears of infection and vaccination intentions. But being a migrant has also a significant direct negative association with vaccination intentions, implying missing mediators. Increasing years since migration increase host country (German) media consumption and decrease consumption of media from the country of origin. Both media variables are positively associated with political trust and health consciousness. Additionally, European compared to Non-European migrants have less political trust, fear of personal infection and lower vaccination intentions on the whole.

Conclusions

The study found that vaccination intentions can be understood by applying the proposed hypothetical structure. We found complex associations of the migration and sociocultural background and COVID-19 vaccination intentions, where antecedents of vaccination intentions are both increased and decreased by migration background and migration specific factors.
Establishing the Convergent Validity of the Travel Habit Questions in the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children Questionnaire by Quantifying Active Travel in Norwegian Adolescents
Authors: Malnes Lena , Haugen Tommy , Hansen Bjørge Herman , Kolle Elin , Berntsen Sveinung
Published: April 2022

Background

Active travel (cycling or walking to school) can be a substantial part of adolescents' daily physical activity. Research on transport activities primarily relies on self-reported indices of travel mode and travel time. However, many researchers do not report the psychometric properties of their instruments. The Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) questionnaire is a commonly used instrument, but the items in this questionnaire on travel habits have not yet been validated. The present study was conducted to investigate the convergent validity and agreement between the HBSC items and a travel diary on (1) transport mode to and from school and (2) travel time to school.

Methods

The study sample consisted of 50 participants in the 9th grade (15 ± 0.3 years, 62% girls) from seven Norwegian schools. Outcome variables included transport mode and travel time derived from the HBSC items and a five-day travel diary. Convergent validity was assessed by evaluating Cohen's kappa for travel mode and the correlation coefficient (Spearman Rho) for travel time. Simple agreement calculations between the two measurement methods were also conducted.

Results

The association between the HBSC questionnaire and the diary for travel mode to and from school was κ = 0.63 (P < 0.001) and κ = 0.77 (P < 0.001), respectively. The total agreement between the HBSC questionnaire and the diary for was 78%. However, the agreement was higher for walking (88%) and cycling (91%) than for motorized transport (67%). For travel time, the Spearman correlation coefficient was ρ = 0.60 (P < 0.001) between the HBSC questionnaire and the diary. The total agreement on travel time was 67%; however, active commuters (86%) seemed to more accurately estimated travel time than motorized commuters (55%).

Conclusion

Although the overall agreement between the HBSC questionnaire and the diary for mode of transport was 78%, the HBSC questionnaire may underestimate the prevalence of motorized transport compared to walking and cycling.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03817047.
Foliar Application of a Microbial Inoculant and Alkali-Extracted Humic Product Boosts Forage Productivity and Quality on a Central Coast California Rangeland
Authors: Carey Chelsea J. , Strohm Hayley , Smith Ford , Biaggi Mark
Published: April 2022

There is increasing interest in using biostimulant products, such as microbial inoculants and alkali-extracted “humic” substances to help manage rangelands regeneratively and rebuild soil health. Understanding how plant and soil communities on rangelands respond to these products is therefore important. In this 3-year study, we examined the combined effects of a commercial inoculant and alkali-extracted “humic” product that are currently on the market (Earthfort Inc. Soil Provide and Revive®) and asked whether they influenced rangeland forage productivity and quality, soil microbial biomass and community composition, and abiotic soil parameters in Central Coastal California. Treatments were established in February 2018 and the products were applied two to three times a year during the growing season (approximately November—May). Sampling of plant and soil samples also began in February 2018 and continued in the fall and spring for three consecutive growing seasons. We found that forage productivity responded positively to the foliar application of these commercial products, with forage production on average 58% percent higher in treated compared to control sites. Some metrics of forage quality (acid detergent fiber, calcium, and fat content) also responded in a desirable way, but these benefits were not mirrored by changes belowground in the microbial community or abiotic parameters. While our study derives from one ranch and therefore requires confirmation of its ubiquity prior to broadscale adoption, our results provide new insights into the usefulness of this approach for managing rangeland productivity in California's Central Coast—and suggest biostimulants could warrant attention as a potential tool for regenerative stewardship of rangelands more broadly.
A Perspective Emphasizing Circadian Rhythm Entrainment to Ensure Sustainable Crop Production in Controlled Environment Agriculture: Dynamic Use of LED Cues
Authors: Marie Telesphore R. J. G. , Leonardos Evangelos D. , Lanoue Jason , Hao Xiuming , Micallef Barry J. , Grodzinski Bernard
Published: April 2022

World-wide, sustainable crop production is increasingly dependent on the protection of crops from adverse local climate conditions by using controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facilities. Today's greenhouses and plant factories are becoming very technologically advanced. Important breakthroughs in our understanding of the deployment of affordable artificial lighting systems that can supplement and even replace solar radiation is the subject of this perspective article. The key to improving sustainable CEA is to synchronize those environmental cues that best entrain the natural circadian rhythm of the crop. Patterns of circadian rhythms reflect the balance of daily metabolic cycles and phenological stages of development that integrate and anticipate environmental changes for all complex organisms. Within the last decade, our understanding of the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as spectrally tunable tools for stimulating plant responses has expanded rapidly. This perspective proposes that extending the photoperiod in CEA is an economically sustainable goal to for year-round productivity of tomato, using dynamic LED shifts that entrain the circadian rhythm. When the photoperiod is extended too far, tomato experiences injury. To avoid yield reduction, we look to nature for clues, and how circadian rhythms evolved in general to long-photoperiods during the summer in high-latitudes. It follows that circadian rhythm traits are good targets for breeders to select new tomato cultivars suitable for CEA. Circadian rhythm entrainment, using dynamic LED cues, can be tailored to any latitude-of-origin crop, and thus expands the strategies ensuring sustainable food security including healthy diets locally in any region of the world.
Does Chronic Kidney Disease Really Affect the Complications and Prognosis After Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma? A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Xiao-Yu , Zhao Zhi-Qiang , Cheng Yu-Xi , Tao Wei , Yuan Chao , Zhang Bin , Wang Chun-Yi
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to analyze whether chronic kidney disease (CKD) affected the complications and prognosis after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to 22 February 2022 to find eligible studies. Complications, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were collected, and this meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.3.

Results

A total of nine studies including 6,541 patients were included in this meta-analysis. After pooling all baseline information, the CKD group had a higher rate of Child-Pugh grade B than the Non-CKD group (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.3 to 1.93, P < 0.00001). As for surgery-related information, the CKD group had larger blood loss (MD = −404.79, 95% CI = −509.70 to −299.88, P < 0.00001), and higher rate of blood transfusion (OR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.85 to 3.3, P < 0.00001). In terms of complications, the CKD group had a higher rate of overall complications (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.57 to 2.81, P < 0.00001) and a higher rate of ≥ grade III complications (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.57 to 2.81, P = 0.0002). The CKD group had poor OS compared with the non-CKD group (HR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.1 to 1.49, P = 0.001). However, in terms of DFS, no significant difference was found (HR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.96 to 1.28, P = 0.16).

Conclusion

Preexisting CKD was associated with higher ratio of complications and poor OS.
An Efficient and Rapid Assay for Detecting Neutralizing Antibodies Against Serotype 4 Fowl Adenovirus
Authors: Guo Yiwen , Xie Songhua , Xu Zhenqi , Xie Quan , Wang Weikang , Wan Zhimin , Li Tuofan , Qin Aijian , Shao Hongxia , Ye Jianqiang
Published: April 2022

Currently, the outbreak of serotype 4 fowl adenovirus (FAdV-4) has spread worldwide and caused tremendous economic loss to the poultry industry. Although inactivated vaccines have been licensed against FAdV-4 in China, a rapid and efficient serological method for measuring the titer of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) specific for FAdV-4 post-infection or vaccination is rarely reported. Classical virus neutralization test (VNT) is superior in sensitivity and specificity for detecting NAbs but is either time-consuming or laborious. In this study, a recombinant virus FA4-EGFP expressing EGFP-fiber-2 fusion protein, rather than wild type (WT) FAdV-4 was used to develop a novel VNT for detecting FAdV-4 NAbs. Specificity analysis showed that the approach only reacted with the sera against FAdV-4, not with the sera against other avian pathogens tested. The novel VNT was effective in the detection of NAbs against FAdV-4 in sera from both experimentally infected and clinically vaccinated chickens, and had good linear correlation with the classical VNT. Moreover, the novel VNT not only significantly simplifies the procedure for detection of NAbs, but also shortens the timeline to 24 h in comparison with the classical VNT with 3-4 d. All these data demonstrate that the FA4-EGFP based VNT developed here provides an efficient diagnostic method for monitoring the immunological state of the vaccination or diagnosing the clinical infection of FAdV-4 in a quick and funding-saving manner.
Simulation-Based Study on Round Window Atresia by Using a Straight Cochlea Model with Compressible Perilymph
Authors: Hong Wenjia , Horii Yasushi
Published: April 2022

The sound stimulus received by the pinna is transmitted to the oval window of the inner ear via the outer ear and middle ear. Assuming that the perilymph in the scala vestibuli and scala tympani is compressible, we report that the sound wave generated in the cochlea due to the vibration of the oval window can be expressed by the combination of even and odd symmetric sound wave modes. Based on this new approach, this paper studies the cause of hearing deterioration in the lower frequency region seen in round window atresia from the viewpoint of cochlear acoustics. Round window atresia is an auditory disease in which the round window is ossified and its movement is restricted. Using the finite element method, a round window atresia model was designed and the acoustic behavior of the round window was discussed corresponding to the level of disease. From this, we report that the healthy round window works as a free-end reflector to the incident sound waves, but it also works as a fixed-end reflector in the case of round window atresia. Next, we incorporated the round window atresia model into a cochlear model and performed a simulation in order to determine the acoustic aspects of the cochlea as a whole. The simulation results indicate that hearing deterioration occurs in a lower frequency range, which is also coincident with the clinical reports (hearing deterioration of approximately 10 to 20 dB below 4000 Hz). Finally, we explain that the cause of hearing deterioration due to round window atresia is considered to be the even sound wave mode enlarging due to the fixed-end reflection at the ossified round window, and, as a result, the odd sound wave mode that generates the Békésy’s traveling wave on a basilar membrane is significantly weakened.
Highlighting a Digital Platform to Assess Young People Needs: Reaching and Engaging Adolescents and Young Adults for Care Continuum in Health Project (REACH)
Authors: Memiah Peter , Lathan-Dye Monica , Opanga Yvonne , Muhula Samuel , Gitahi-Kamau Nyawira , Kamau Anne , Otiso Lillian
Published: April 2022

Young people (YP), defined as individuals aged between 10 and 24 years, are a vulnerable population. Leveraging digital platforms to reach YP is essential in identifying protective and risk behaviors among this population. The objectives of this study were to (1) examine the user-inclusive development process of a theory-based digital platform to reach YP, (2) describe aspects of the digital application prototype, and (3) provide preliminary findings from the utilization of the app. We present the five-step design process for building the app. The app, known as the REACH-AYA survey, consisted of 98 closed-ended questions with built-in skip-logic algorithms and took approximately 7 min to complete. The survey questions centered on behavioral, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors, which were adopted from different validated instruments, thereby addressing 10 different domains. During the pilot phase, participants utilized the app, critiqued its features, and provided iterative feedback. We used respondent-driven sampling to recruit participants in Nairobi, Kenya, the leading county in high-speed data connectivity. Once recruited, each participant completed the survey and later sent it to their peers until the desired sample size was achieved. The REACH-AYA app prototype was guided and developed by the design thinking approach with an initial pilot sample of 33 YP for pre-testing. The end-user pre-testing assessed for functionality, time, and adaptability. The app was then launched initially through social media, reaching 1101 YP, with approximately eighty percent (n = 887) having completed the survey by the close of the study. The majority of the participants were male (59%), and approximately (69%) of the participants were aged between 15 and 24 years. This is one of the few studies that demonstrate user-centric methodologies of app development and real-life application in identifying protective and risk factors for the wellbeing of YP. Methodologies and lessons learned from this research may benefit other disciplines using digital technology to reach YP or other difficult-to-reach populations.
Estimation of Transport-Category Jet Airplane Maximum Range and Airspeed in the Presence of Transonic Wave Drag
Authors: Wislicenus Jan , Daidzic Nihad E.
Published: April 2022

One of the most difficult steps in estimating the cruise performance characteristics of high-subsonic transport-category turbofan-powered airplanes is the estimation of the transonic wave drag. Modern jet airplanes cruise most efficiently in the vicinity of the drag-divergence or drag-rise Mach numbers. In the initial design phase and later when the preliminary wind-tunnel and/or CFD computations and drag polars are known with increased accuracy, a method of estimating cruise performance is needed. In this study, a new semi-empirical transonic wave drag model using modified Lock’s equation was developed. For maximum range cruise estimations, an optimization criterion based on maximizing specific air range was used. The resulting nonlinear equations are of 12th- and 13th-order. Numerical Newton–Raphson nonlinear solvers were used to find real positive roots of such polynomials. The NR method was first tested for accuracy and convergence using known analytical solutions. A methodology for an initial guess was developed starting with the maximum-range cruise Mach without the wave-drag included. This guess resulted in fast quadratic convergence in all computations. Other novel features of this article include a new semi-empirical fuel-flow law, which was also extensively tested. Additionally, a semi-empirical turbofan thrust model usable for a wide range of bypass ratios and the entire flight envelope was developed. Such physics-based semi-empirical model can be used for a wide range of turbofans. The algorithm can be utilized to identify most beneficial input parameter values and combinations for the cruise flight phase. The model represents a powerful tool to estimate important cruise performance airspeeds located in the transonic regime. An intended application is in the conceptual development stages for early design optimizations of future airplanes. It is possible with additional effort to extend existing model capabilities to deal with supersonic transports optimal cruise parameters.
Algorithm for Extracting the 3D Pose Information of Hyphantria cunea (Drury) with Monocular Vision
Authors: Chen Meixiang , Zhang Ruirui , Han Meng , Yi Tongchuan , Xu Gang , Ren Lili , Chen Liping
Published: April 2022

Currently, the robustness of pest recognition algorithms based on sample augmentation with two-dimensional images is negatively affected by moth pests with different postures. Obtaining three-dimensional (3D) posture information of pests can provide information for 3D model deformation and generate training samples for deep learning models. In this study, an algorithm of the 3D posture information extraction method for Hyphantria cunea (Drury) based on monocular vision is proposed. Four images of every collected sample of H. cunea were taken at 90° intervals. The 3D pose information of the wings was extracted using boundary tracking, edge fitting, precise positioning and matching, and calculation. The 3D posture information of the torso was obtained by edge extraction and curve fitting. Finally, the 3D posture information of the wings and abdomen obtained by this method was compared with that obtained by Metrology-grade 3D scanner measurement. The results showed that the relative error of the wing angle was between 0.32% and 3.03%, the root mean square error was 1.9363, and the average relative error of the torso was 2.77%. The 3D posture information of H. cunea can provide important data support for sample augmentation and species identification of moth pests.
Residue Mulching Alleviates Coastal Salt Accumulation and Stimulates Post-Fallow Crop Biomass under a Fallow–Maize (Zea mays L.) Rotation System
Authors: Zhang Yifu , Yuan Wei , Han Lianjie
Published: April 2022

Fallow, a field where living plants are unplanted for a period, is continually implemented to accumulate moisture for the upcoming cultivation. However, there are less studies on the fallow strategies in one-crop-per-annum cropping system for coastal saline soils. In this study, 2-year “fallow + maize (Zea mays L.)” rotation experiments were carried out from 2016 to 2018 to assess how the mulching determine post-fallow soil moisture, salt distribution, and crop performance. Three treatments were designed, i.e., traditional cultivation without residue retention (TT), traditional tillage with total straw mulching during fallow (TT + SM), and no-till cultivation combined fallow mulching (NT + SM). After 2 years of fallow mulching with maize rotation, TT + SM reduced soil electrical conductivity (EC) and total salt of the upper 30 cm soil profile by 22.9% and 25.4% (p = 0.05), respectively, compared with the TT treatment. The results also indicate an improvement in volumetric soil water content (SWC) by 10.3%, soil organic matter (SOM) by 17.8%, and ultimately grain yield by 11.3% (p = 0.05) under the TT + SM treatment. Fallow mulching is recommended as an acceptable way to protect soil health in coastal fresh-starved or rain-fed farming practice.
Trace Mineral Solubility and Digestibility in the Small Intestine of Piglets Are Affected by Zinc and Fibre Sources
Authors: Tokarčíková Katarína , Čobanová Klaudia , Takácsová Margaréta , Barszcz Marcin , Taciak Marcin , Tuśnio Anna , Grešaková Ľubomíra
Published: April 2022

Findings that Zn and fibre source affected the nutrient apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), made us hypothesize that interactions could occur affecting the apparent digestibility of Zn and trace elements (TEs) interacting with Zn in the digestive tract. Therefore, the study investigated the effects of Zn and fibre sources on the apparent digestibility and solubility of TEs (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn) and pH in the small intestinal segments of 40-days-old piglets. In vitro solubility of TEs was estimated using a simulated digestion assay. Feed supplementation with potato fibre (PF) affected the ATTD of all TEs and dry matter as well as mineral solubility in the ileum and/or jejunum without any effect on pH in the small intestine. Intake of PF enhanced Zn and Cu absorption (p < 0.01), but significantly decreased ATTD of Fe and Mn (p < 0.001). Diet supplementation with Zn glycinate decreased Zn absorption in the gut (p < 0.01) and affected the solubility of other TEs in the different digestion phases. Although in vitro solubility of TEs does not provide a good prediction of mineral bioaccessibility, using a combination of in vitro and in vivo methods can enable prediction of the trace mineral absorption.
Bioethanol Production from Steam-Exploded Barley Straw by Co-Fermentation with Escherichia coli SL100
Authors: Díaz Manuel J. , Moya Manuel , Castro Eulogio
Published: April 2022

Second-generation bioethanol is considered a suitable option for replacing fossil fuels. Agricultural residues are being studied as feedstocks for sugar generation, which are in turn converted into ethanol. Among them, barley straw (BS) is a promising raw material, due to its high abundance, lignocellulosic composition and lack of other practical applications. Under these assumptions, the central aim of this study is to suggest an efficient bioethanol production scheme from BS at different levels of integration in co-fermentation with Escherichia coli SL100, including separate hydrolysis and co-fermentation (SHCF), simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF), and presaccharification and simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (PSSCF), using the water-insoluble solid (WIS) and slurry fractions obtained after steam explosion (SE) pretreatment. The best results in terms of ethanol yield were achieved following the SHCF process, using the WIS and the slurry as substrates, with yields of 89.1% and 78.8% of the theoretical maximum, respectively. Considering all of the above points, the following scheme is proposed for the conversion of BS into ethanol: SE pretreatment (160 °C, 30 min) of BS previously soaked overnight in 2.88% w/v phosphoric acid solution, filtration of the slurry, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis and co-fermentation of the two fractions obtained separately, with previous detoxification of the prehydrolysate with ammonium hydroxide (5 N). Under these conditions, 19.43 g of bioethanol was produced from 100 g of BS.
Anti-Salmonella and Antibiofilm Potency of Salvia officinalis L. Essential Oil against Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella enterica
Authors: Selim Samy , Almuhayawi Mohammed S. , Alqhtani Hussain , Al Jaouni Soad K. , Saleh Fayez M. , Warrad Mona , Hagagy Nashwa
Published: April 2022

Raw milk is a significant vehicle for the transmission of different infections. In the present study, we focused on Salmonella enterica from raw milk and its resistance to various antibacterial drugs. Furthermore, we have investigated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of essential oil (EO) obtained from Salvia officinalis L. leaves that were collected from the Aljouf region, Saudi Arabia, against S. enterica. One-dozen strains of S. enterica were found in a batch of a hundred milk samples, and those S. enterica strains were shown to be resistant to several antibiotics, particularly the β-lactam group of antimicrobial drugs. Against multidrug-resistant S. enterica, the inhibitory zones for EO from S. officinalis leaves were found to be 21 mm in diameter. S. officinalis EO at 5% concentration showed a remarkable in vitro inhibitory activity toward the biofilm growth of different S. enterica isolates. Analysis of EO by GC–MS identified 21 distinct components, accounting for 89.94% of the total oil component. The most prominent compounds were 1,8-cineole (39.18%), β-caryophyllene (12.8%), and α--terpineol (10.3%). Taken together, our results unequivocally confirm that the S. officinalis EOs exert numerous bioactivities. Thus, the well-deserved attention on S. officinalis EO usage as a food preservative and adjunctive remedy for bacterial food-borne diseases is justified.
Special Issue “Oxidative Stress in Aging and Associated Chronic Diseases”
Authors: Mas-Bargues Cristina , Alique Matilde , Barrús-Ortiz Mª Teresa , Borrás Consuelo , Rodrigues-Díez Raquel
Published: April 2022

Aging is a risk factor for several diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cancer, osteoarthritis, and Alzheimer; oxidative stress is a key player in the development and progression of aging and age-associated diseases [...]
Impressive Impact of Hemp Extract on Antioxidant System in Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Organism
Authors: Skowronek Patrycja , Wójcik Łukasz , Strachecka Aneta
Published: April 2022

We examined the effect of hemp extract on the activity of the antioxidant system (catalase, peroxidase, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capacity) in the hemolymph of adult honey bees (Apis mellifera). The bees were divided into three groups: (1) an experimental group fed with pure sugar syrup with cotton strips soaked with hemp extract put inside the cage; (2) an experimental group fed with a mixture of sugar syrup with hemp extract; and (3) a control group fed with a mixture of sugar and a water–glycerine solution. Hemolymph samples were collected on the 1st day of this study and then every week, until all bees in the group died. The activities of all antioxidant enzymes were higher for the experimental groups, compared to those for the control group. The highest antioxidant activities were noted in the group supplemented with cannabis with the use of syringes. Supplementation with hemp also increased the lifespan of bees in this group compared to that of the bees consuming only sugar syrup (control: 35 days), with 49 and 52 days for groups of cannabis on strips and in syrup, respectively. Hemp extract, thanks to its antioxidant properties, increased the activities of key antioxidant enzymes that protect the bee’s organisms against free radicals and thus delay the aging processes.