bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formulation of Protein-Rich Chocolate Chip Cookies Using Cricket (Acheta domesticus) Powder
Authors: Aleman Ricardo S. , Marcia Jhunior , Pournaki Shirin Kazemzadeh , Borrás-Linares Isabel , Lozano-Sanchez Jesus , Fernandez Ismael Montero
Published: October 2022

In the Western world, the successful introduction of insect consumption may need awareness of insect ingredient benefits, and consumers’ anticipation of insect-based foods with sensory quality is crucial. The objective of this study was to develop protein-rich nutritional chocolate chip cookies (CCC) from cricket powder (CP) and analyze their physicochemical, liking, emotions, purchase intent, and sensory properties. The CP additions levels were 0%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%. Chemical composition, physicochemical, and functional properties were analyzed using individual and mixed CP and wheat flour (WF). The proximate composition of CP mainly consisted of ash (3.9%), fat (13.4%), and protein (60.7%). In vitro protein digestibility of CP was 85.7%, whereas the essential amino acid score was 0.82. The CP inclusion significantly impacted the WF functional and rheological properties in all given incorporation levels in flour blends and doughs. The incorporation of CP produced darker and softer CCC, resulting from the effect of the CP protein. Adding 5% of CP did not impact the sensory attributes. Purchase intent and liking improved by using 5% of CP after panelists had revealed the beneficial information regarding CP. Concerning emotion terms, “happy” and “satisfied” significantly decreased while the negative emotion term “disgusted” increased among the highest CP substitute levels (7.5% and 10%) after beneficial information. Overall liking, flavor linking, education, consumption intent, gender, age, and positive emotion term “happy” were significantly assertive predictors affecting purchase intent.
Targeted Metabolome and Transcriptome Analyses Reveal the Pigmentation Mechanism of Hippophae (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit
Authors: Liang Jialong , Zhang Guoyun , Song Yating , He Caiyun , Zhang Jianguo
Published: October 2022

The genus Hippophae (sea buckthorn) is widely cultivated and consumed in Asia and Europe. The fruit color is an important appearance and commercial trait for sea buckthorn, which is closely related to the biosynthesis and accumulation of various nutrients and pigments. The fruit colors of sea buckthorn are varied, which appear as yellow, orange, red, and brown. However, the nutrients and pigments forming different the fruit colors of sea buckthorn remain unclear. To investigate the mechanism of pigmentation of sea buckthorn fruit, integrative analyses of the transcriptome and targeted metabolome, including the carotenoids, flavonoids, and chlorophylls, were performed in five sea buckthorn varieties with different fruit colors. A total of 209 flavonoids and 41 carotenoids were identified in five sea buckthorn fruits of different colors. The types and contents of flavonoids and carotenoids in the five sea buckthorn fruits were significantly different. Interestingly, we only found a high content of chlorophyll (772.7 mg/kg) in the sea buckthorn fruit with a brown color. The quantities and relative proportions of the flavonoids, carotenoids, and chlorophyll led to the different colors of the sea buckthorn fruits. Using a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), the key genes related to the carotenoids and chlorophyll metabolism were identified. The high content of chlorophylls in the brown fruit was closely related to the downregulated expression of key genes in the chlorophyll degradation pathway, including SGR, SGRL, PPH, NYC1, and HCAR. Our results provide new insights into the roles of flavonoids, carotenoids, and chlorophylls in the formation of fruit color in sea buckthorn.
Calcium Binding Mechanism of Soybean Peptide with Histidine Alteration by Molecular Docking Analysis and Spectroscopic Methods
Authors: Gan Jing , Kong Xiao , Xiao Ziqun , Chen Yuhang , Du Mengdi , Wang Yan , Wang Zhenhua , Cheng Yongqiang , Xu Bo
Published: October 2022

Histidine (His) carries a unique heteroaromatic imidazole side chain and plays an irreplaceable role in peptides and proteins. With the current study, we aimed to determine the characteristics and functional activities of the bone density of soy peptide–calcium complexes in which a His residue was replaced by Leu (CBP-H). Soybean peptide (CBP-H) was chemically synthesized, the binding mechanism between CBP-H and calcium ions in combination was determined with bioinformatics and spectroscopy analysis, and the difference between CBP and CBP-H was investigated. Finally, we analyzed the effect of CBP and CBP-H on osteoblasts in vitro. The results showed that CBP-H could bind to calcium ions, and the calcium coordinated with the carboxyl groups of Asp and Glu in the peptide. The nitrogen atoms of the amino group and the oxygen atoms of the carboxyl group in CBP-H significantly contributed to the coordination with Ca2+. Furthermore, the binding capacity was 36.48 ± 0.09 mg/g, similar to CBP. However, both CBP and CBP-H could promote osteogenic activity, the activity of CBP-H was 127.147%, lower than CBP (121.777%). While it had the same ability to promote intracellular calcium concentration, CBP-H could upregulate 150.12% calcium ions into the intracellular, and the rate of the rise of CBP was 158.91%, further highlighting the potential of His residues for binding calcium and treating osteoporosis.
Recent Developments in the Microencapsulation of Fish Oil and Natural Extracts: Procedure, Quality Evaluation and Food Enrichment
Authors: Perez-Palacios Trinidad , Ruiz-Carrascal Jorge , Solomando Juan Carlos , de-la-Haba Francisco , Pajuelo Abraham , Antequera Teresa
Published: October 2022

Due to the beneficial health effects of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants and their limited stability in response to environmental and processing factors, there is an increasing interest in microencapsulating them to improve their stability. However, despite recent developments in the field, no specific review focusing on these topics has been published in the last few years. This work aimed to review the most recent developments in the microencapsulation of fish oil and natural antioxidant compounds. The impact of the wall material and the procedures on the quality of the microencapsulates were preferably evaluated, while their addition to foods has only been studied in a few works. The homogenization technique, the wall–material ratio and the microencapsulation technique were also extensively studied. Microcapsules were mainly analyzed for size, microencapsulation efficiency, morphology and moisture, while in vitro digestion, flowing properties, yield percentage and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used more sparingly. Findings highlighted the importance of optimizing the most influential variables of the microencapsulation procedure. Further studies should focus on extending the range of analytical techniques upon which the optimization of microcapsules is based and on addressing the consequences of the addition of microcapsules to food products.
Pork Consumption Frequencies, Attitudes and Sensory Acceptance of Traditional Products in Lithuania
Authors: Razmaitė Violeta , Šveistienė Rūta , Jatkauskienė Virginija , Šiukščius Artūras
Published: October 2022

Finding a niche for the wider use of local pigs highlighted the need for information about consumer attitudes regarding pork and traditional products and the acceptability of fatter meat. With the aim to ascertain pork consumption frequency and Lithuanian consumer attitudes towards traditional pork products, as well as acceptability of traditional sausages from the meat of Lithuanian White pigs, a questionnaire-based survey and consumer sensory tests were conducted. A total of 136 meat consumers participated in the study. Respondents reported that they consume fresh or processed pork from 1 to 10 times weekly. Male respondents were more familiar with Lithuanian local pig breeds, while female respondents demonstrated knowledge of pork products. Boomer generation (1946–1964) respondents mostly (χ2 = 29.53, df = 10, p < 0.001) had pork at home compared with the respondents of younger generations. There were no significant differences in the blind sensory acceptance between sausages made in a traditional way and cold-smoked with different quantity of salt and commercial sausages of premium quality, while conventional hot-smoked sausages had lower (p < 0.001) overall acceptance. The highest (p < 0.005 and p < 0.01, respectively) acceptance for salt reduction in traditional sausages was demonstrated by the X generation (1965–1980) consumers compared with older boomer and subsequent Y (1965–1980) generations.
Fractional-Order Control Strategy for Anesthesia–Hemodynamic Stabilization in Patients Undergoing Surgical Procedures
Authors: Hegedus Erwin T. , Birs Isabela R. , Ghita Mihaela , Muresan Cristina I.
Published: October 2022

Fractional calculus has been opening new doors in terms of better modeling and control of several phenomena and processes. Biomedical engineering has seen a lot of combined attention from clinicians, control engineers and researchers in their attempt to offer individualized treatment. A large number of medical procedures require anesthesia, which in turn requires a closely monitored and controlled level of hypnosis, analgesia and neuromuscular blockade, as well maintenance of hemodynamic variables in a safe range. Computer-controlled anesthesia has been given a tremendous amount of attention lately. Hemodynamic stabilization via computer-based control is also a hot topic. However, very few studies on automatic control of combined anesthesia–hemodynamic systems exist despite the fact that hemodynamics is strongly influenced by hypnotic drugs, while the depth of hypnosis is affected by drugs used in hemodynamic control. The very first multivariable fractional-order controller is developed in this paper for the combined anesthesia–hemodynamic system. Simulation studies on 24 patients show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Hydrophobic Modification of ZrO2-SiO2 Xerogel and Its Adsorption Properties to Rhodamine B
Authors: Liu Yan , Yang Jing
Published: October 2022

Zirconium nitrate pentahydrate (Zr(NO3)4·5H2O) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) are used as the zirconium source and silicon source, respectively, and methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) as the hydrophobic modifier; the hydrophilic and hydrophobic ZrO2-SiO2 xerogels were prepared successfully. The xerogels were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and N2 adsorption–desorption measurement. The adsorption mechanism of hydrophobic ZrO2-SiO2 xerogels to RhB was described by the kinetic and adsorption isotherms. The results showed that the introduction of Si-CH3 groups can make the average pore size, BET surface area, and total pore volume of ZrO2-SiO2 xerogel increase. The hydrophobic ZrO2-SiO2 xerogel displays an adsorption capacity of 169.23 mg·g−1 for RhB dye at 25 °C and pH = 3. The adsorption process of hydrophobic ZrO2-SiO2 xerogel to RhB followed a pseudo–second-order kinetic model. Fitting results from the D–R model of adsorption indicate that the adsorption of RhB onto the hydrophobic ZrO2-SiO2 xerogels is mainly physical, accompanied by a spontaneous heat absorption process. The regeneration and recycling properties of hydrophobic xerogels were investigated, and their recoverability and reusability were demonstrated.
One-Step Process of Mixed Oleic Acid Esters and Its High Temperature Lubrication Properties in Bentonite Gelling Suspension
Authors: Bao Xincheng , Ma Cunfa , Zhou Fengshan
Published: October 2022

In recent years, with the increase in requirements for horizontal wells, ultra-high depth wells, small wells and branching wells, it has become increasingly important to deal with the conflict between drilling safety and bottomhole friction. In order to meet the requirements of complex boreholes and deepwater drilling processes, it is crucial to improve the performance of ester-based lubricants. Oleic acid esters are relatively stable and have high lubricity at low temperature, however, these can be hydrolyzed at high temperature. However, the structure of carboxylic acids and alcohols can significantly affect the performance of synthetic esters. In order to solve the problem of balancing the high-temperature performance and low temperature performance of oleic acid esters with different structures, we propose a new oleic acid esterification process. After mixing methanol and ethylene glycol, it is reacted with oleic acid, and the mixed oleate prepared is named MEO-21, and the optimal esterification conditions are obtained as follows: the reaction time is 3 h, the reaction temperature is 150 °C, and concentrated sulfuric acid is the catalyst. MEO-21 not only achieves an extreme pressure lubrication coefficient reduction rate (Δf) of 86.57% at room temperature, but maintains a stable performance after hot rolling at high temperatures. Hot rolling at 150 °C for 16 h, Δf was 85.25%, hot rolling at 180 °C for 16 h, Δf was 89.56%. MEO-21 was used as a base oil with other industrial by-product oils to compound and produce a high-temperature-resistant lubricant that was named L-541, L-541′s Δf was 90.39% at room temperature. L-541 was hot-rolling at 120 °C, 150 °C and 180 °C for 16 h, the Δf was stabled at 89%.
The Effect of Crosslinking Degree of Hydrogels on Hydrogel Adhesion
Authors: Li Zhangkang , Yu Cheng , Kumar Hitendra , He Xiao , Lu Qingye , Bai Huiyu , Kim Keekyoung , Hu Jinguang
Published: October 2022

The development of adhesive hydrogel materials has brought numerous advances to biomedical engineering. Hydrogel adhesion has drawn much attention in research and applications. In this paper, the study of hydrogel adhesion is no longer limited to the surface of hydrogels. Here, the effect of the internal crosslinking degree of hydrogels prepared by different methods on hydrogel adhesion was explored to find the generality. The results show that with the increase in crosslinking degree, the hydrogel adhesion decreased significantly due to the limitation of segment mobility. Moreover, two simple strategies to improve hydrogel adhesion generated by hydrogen bonding were proposed. One was to keep the functional groups used for hydrogel adhesion and the other was to enhance the flexibility of polymer chains that make up hydrogels. We hope this study can provide another approach for improving the hydrogel adhesion generated by hydrogen bonding.
Adaptive Response and Transcriptomic Analysis of Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) Seedlings to Salt Stress
Authors: Li Yuandong , Chen Jiao , Li Xiao , Jiang Haixia , Guo Dongliang , Xie Fang , Zhang Zeyang , Xie Liqiong
Published: October 2022

Soil salinity constrains agricultural development in arid regions. Flax is an economically important crop in many countries, and screening or breeding salinity-resistant flax cultivars is necessary. Based on the previous screening of flaxseed cultivars C71 (salt-sensitive) and C116 (salt-tolerant) as test materials, flax seedlings stressed with different concentrations of NaCl (0, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mmol/L) for 21 days were used to investigate the effects of salt stress on the growth characteristics, osmotic regulators, and antioxidant capacity of these flax seedlings and to reveal the adaptive responses of flax seedlings to salt stress. The results showed that plant height and root length of flax were inhibited, with C116 showing lower growth than C71. The concentrations of osmotic adjustment substances such as soluble sugars, soluble proteins, and proline were higher in the resistant material, C116, than in the sensitive material, C71, under different concentrations of salt stress. Consistently, C116 showed a better rapid scavenging ability for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and maintained higher activities of antioxidant enzymes to balance salt injury stress by inhibiting growth under salt stress. A transcriptome analysis of flax revealed that genes related to defense and senescence were significantly upregulated, and genes related to the growth and development processes were significantly downregulated under salt stress. Our results indicated that one of the important adaptations to tolerance to high salt stress is complex physiological remediation by rapidly promoting transcriptional regulation in flax.
Allele-Specific Disruption of a Common STAT3 Autosomal Dominant Allele Is Not Sufficient to Restore Downstream Signaling in Patient-Derived T Cells
Authors: König Saskia , Fliegauf Manfred , Rhiel Manuel , Grimbacher Bodo , Cornu Tatjana I. , Cathomen Toni , Mussolino Claudio
Published: October 2022

Dominant negative mutations in the STAT3 gene account for autosomal dominant hyper-IgE syndrome (AD-HIES). Patients typically present high IgE serum levels, recurrent infections, and soft tissue abnormalities. While current therapies focus on alleviating the symptoms, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has recently been proposed as a strategy to treat the immunological defect and stabilize the disease, especially in cases with severe lung infections. However, because of the potentially severe side effects associated with allogeneic HSCT, this has been considered only for a few patients. Autologous HSCT represents a safer alternative but it requires the removal of the dominant negative mutation in the patients’ cells prior to transplantation. Here, we developed allele-specific CRISPR-Cas9 nucleases to selectively disrupt five of the most common STAT3 dominant negative alleles. When tested ex vivo in patient-derived hematopoietic cells, allele-specific disruption frequencies varied in an allele-dependent fashion and reached up to 62% of alleles harboring the V637M mutation without detectable alterations in the healthy STAT3 allele. However, assessment of the gene expression profiles of the STAT3 downstream target genes revealed that, upon activation of those edited patient cells, mono-allelic STAT3 expression (functional haploinsufficiency) is not able to sufficiently restore STAT3-dependent signaling in edited T cells cultured in vitro. Moreover, the stochastic mutagenesis induced by the repair of the nuclease-induced DNA break could further contribute to dominant negative effects. In summary, our results advocate for precise genome editing strategies rather than allele-specific gene disruption to correct the underlying mutations in AD-HIES.
Results of a Continuous Quality Improvement Initiative of the Contemporaneous Model of Service Delivery
Authors: Luthra Atul Sunny , Millar Adam
Published: October 2022

The Contemporaneous Model of service delivery serves to manage behavioral expression in residents of long-term care homes with a diagnosis of advanced neurocognitive disorder. Its effectiveness is benchmarked in preventing the residents, on its active caseload, from seeking assistance in the emergency department and the dementia behavioral inpatient units for behavioral risks. The results of the three years of operation of the Contemporaneous Model of service delivery, for the years 2017–2018, 2018–2019, and 2019–2020, are presented here. These results are supportive of this model of service delivery as an effective way to reduce the burden of patients with advanced neurocognitive disorder with behavioral expressions on the emergency departments and specialized dementia behavioral services. It has the potential for becoming the gold standard model of service delivery in the Canadian health care system.
Factors Related to the Continuity of Care and Self-Management of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Hsiao-Mei , Su Bei-Yi
Published: October 2022

Background: Most diabetic patients suffer from chronic diseases affecting their self-management status. This study aims to explore the relationship between the CoC and the self-management of patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and analyze the predictive factors affecting their self-management. Methods: Structured questionnaires were used for data collection. Convenient sampling was adopted to recruit inpatients diagnosed with T2DM in the endocrine ward of a medical hospital in central Taiwan. Results: A total of 160 patients were recruited. The average age of the patients is 66.60 ± 14.57 years old. Among the four dimensions of the self-management scale, the average score of the problem-solving dimension was the highest, and that of the self-monitoring of blood glucose was the lowest. The analysis results showed that the overall regression model could explain 20.7% of the total variance in self-management. Conclusions: Healthcare providers should attach importance to the CoC of T2DM patients and encourage patients to maintain good interaction with healthcare providers during their hospitalization. It is recommended to strengthen CoC for patients with diabetes who are single or with low educational levels in clinical practice to enhance their blood glucose control and improve diabetes self-management.
A Tooth Segmentation Method Based on Multiple Geometric Feature Learning
Authors: Ma Tian , Yang Yizhou , Zhai Jiechen , Yang Jiayi , Zhang Jiehui
Published: October 2022

Tooth segmentation is an important aspect of virtual orthodontic systems. In some existing studies using deep learning-based tooth segmentation methods, the feature learning of point coordinate information and normal vector information is not effectively distinguished. This will lead to the feature information of these two methods not producing complementary intermingling. To address this problem, a tooth segmentation method based on multiple geometric feature learning is proposed in this paper. First, the spatial transformation (T-Net) module is used to complete the alignment of dental model mesh features. Second, a multiple geometric feature learning module is designed to encode and enhance the centroid coordinates and normal vectors of each triangular mesh to highlight the differences between geometric features of different meshes. Finally, for local to global fusion features, feature downscaling and channel optimization are accomplished layer by layer using multilayer perceptron (MLP) and efficient channel attention (ECA). The experimental results show that our algorithm achieves better accuracy and efficiency of tooth segmentation and can assist dentists in their treatment work.
Barriers and Facilitators to Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition Implementation Targeting Protein Energy Wasting in Malaysian Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Singh Birinder Kaur Sadu , Khor Ban-Hock , Sahathevan Sharmela , Gafor Abdul Halim Abdul , Fiaccadori Enrico , Chinna Karuthan , Ng See-Hoe , Karupaiah Tilakavati
Published: October 2022

The capacity to deliver intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) for patients on hemodialysis (HD) diagnosed with protein energy wasting (PEW) in low resource settings is unknown. This study aimed to examine the extent of IDPN practice in HD units in Malaysia, and its implementation to treat PEW. We surveyed pharmacists (n = 56), who are central to parenteral nutrition delivery in Malaysia including IDPN. Seventeen healthcare stakeholders engaging with the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) framework used the Likert scale to rate survey outcomes on IDPN implementation to treat PEW, according to the Evidence, Context, and Facilitation elements. IDPN for HD patients was available in 28 of 56 hospitals providing parenteral nutrition services, with only 13 hospitals (23.2%) providing IDPN to outpatients. Outpatient treatment was concentrated to urban locations (12/13) and significantly associated (p < 0.001) with resident nephrologists. The Evidence domain was rated poorly (2.18 ± 0.15) pertaining to IDPN indication when the oral spontaneous intake was ≤20 kcal/kg/day. The Context domain indicated good adherence to international best practice relating to IDPN administration (4.59 ± 0.15) and infusion time (4.59 ± 0.12). Poor adherence was observed in the Facilitation domain on ’Access to pharmacist and dietitian at HD units’ (2.65 ± 0.21) and ’Access to continuous medical education on managing PEW patients on HD’ (2.53 ± 0.15). The IDPN outpatient service was concentrated to urban hospitals with greater manpower resources. The PARIHS evaluation on IDPN implementation to treat PEW revealed facilitators in good practice adherence for prescribing and administration of IDPN but highlighted major barriers relating to IDPN indication and nutrient calculation.
Development and Validation of a Scale Measuring Intention toward Participating in Pro Bono of Pre-Service Physical Activity Instructors for the Activation of Physical Activity for the Disabled: Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior
Authors: Kim Kyungjin , Lee Yonghwa
Published: October 2022

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a scale for predicting the intention of pre-service physical activity instructors for persons with disabilities to participate in pro bono work, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. This study analyzed 322 university students majoring in adapted physical activity in South Korea. To determine the purpose of the study, the EFA using SPSS 21.0 and CFA using AMOS 21.0 were used to confirm the validity of the measurement tool and the relationship between latent and observed variables. Further, the Cronbach’s alpha was used to identify the internal reliability. As a result, first, the questionnaire used in this study was validated based on the theory. Second, the behavioral belief was influenced by teaching experience about physical activity for the disabled and knowledge about physical activity for the disabled. Third, the normative belief was influenced by the parents of people with disabilities, people with disabilities, family members, friends, and students in my department. Fourth, the control belief was influenced by the state of mind of physical activity instructors for people with disabilities, the ability to create an IEP, and the ability to do physical activity.
Specialists’ Dual Practice within Public Hospital Setting: Evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Fadzil Malindawati Mohd , Wan Puteh Sharifa Ezat , Aizuddin Azimatun Noor , Ahmed Zafar
Published: October 2022

In line with the commitment of the Malaysian government and Ministry of Health to prevent the brain drain of specialists from public hospitals, they have been permitted to perform dual practice within the public hospital setting (DPH) since 2007. DPH allowed them to hold jobs in both public and private practices within the same public hospitals that they are affiliated to, permitting these specialists to treat public and private patients. Nevertheless, the information regarding DPH in Southeast Asia region is still limited. This narrative review provides insight into the implementation of DPH in Malaysia. It highlights that DPH has been well-governed and regulated by the MOH while serving as a means to retain specialists in the public healthcare system by providing them with opportunities to obtain additional income. Such a policy has also reduced the financial burden of the government in subsidizing healthcare. However, as in other countries with similar policies, multiple challenges have arisen from the implementation of DPH in Malaysia despite its positive achievements and potentials. This paper concludes that proactive governance, monitoring, and regulation are key to ensure the success of DPH.
The Burden of Out-of-Pocket Expenditure Related to Gynaecological Cancer in Malaysia
Authors: Liew Chee Hui , Shabaruddin Fatiha Hana , Dahlui Maznah
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to estimate the economic burden on gynaecological cancer patients and their households, in terms of out-of-pocket expenditure, catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and poverty impact. A cross-sectional study was conducted at an academic tertiary-care health centre in an upper-middle-income country. Data were obtained via structured interviews of 120 gynaecological cancer patients alongside review of medical charts. Mean (SD) and median (IQR) annual household out-of-pocket expenditures were USD 2780 (SD = USD 3926) and USD 1396 (IQR = 3013), respectively. Two thirds (n = 77/120, 64%) of households experienced CHE and 17% (n = 20/120) were impoverished due to out-of-pocket expenditure related to gynaecological cancer. Factors associated with CHE, explored using multivariate logistic regression analysis, estimated that the highest income quintile households, Q5, were 90% less likely to incur CHE compared to the lowest income quintile households, Q1 (adjusted odds ratio = 0.100; p-value < 0.05) and that patients who were not receiving chemotherapy were 88% less likely to incur CHE compared to those receiving chemotherapy (adjusted odds ratio = 0.120; p-value < 0.05). These results indicate the necessity to broaden the coverage of existing financial assistance for patients from low- and middle-income households, such as extending coverage to adult patients of all ages and to those treated in all public hospitals, including academic health centres.
Use Case Evaluation and Digital Workflow of Breast Cancer Care by Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Technology Application
Authors: Griewing Sebastian , Lingenfelder Michael , Wagner Uwe , Gremke Niklas
Published: October 2022

This study aims at evaluating the use case potential of breast cancer care for artificial intelligence and blockchain technology application based on the patient data analysis at Marburg University Hospital and, thereupon, developing a digital workflow for breast cancer care. It is based on a retrospective descriptive data analysis of all in-patient breast and ovarian cancer patients admitted at the Department of Gynecology of Marburg University Hospital within the five-year observation period of 2017 to 2021. According to the German breast cancer guideline, the care workflow was visualized and, thereon, the digital concept was developed, premised on the literature foundation provided by a Boolean combination open search. Breast cancer cases display a lower average patient case complexity, fewer secondary diagnoses, and performed procedures than ovarian cancer. Moreover, 96% of all breast cancer patients originate from a city with direct geographical proximity. Estimated circumference and total catchment area of ovarian present 28.6% and 40% larger, respectively, than for breast cancer. The data support invasive breast cancer as a preferred use case for digitization. The digital workflow based on combined application of artificial intelligence as well as blockchain or distributed ledger technology demonstrates potential in tackling senological care pain points and leveraging patient data safety and sovereignty.
COVID-19 Depression and Infection Prevention Behavior among College Students: A Health Belief Perspective
Authors: Jang Yeong-Mi , Park Jong-Uk , Kim Nam-Yi
Published: October 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increase in depression among college students due to anxiety and fear of infection. Nonetheless, COVID-19 infection prevention measures should be actively implemented. In this study, the mediating effect of health belief on the relationship between depression and infection prevention behavior was investigated. A survey of 220 South Korean college students was conducted. Depression was found to be the independent variable, health belief the mediating variable, and infection prevention behavior the dependent variable. The model fit index according to confirmatory factor analysis was found to be suitable. Depression among college students was not directly related to COVID-19 infection prevention behavior; however, depression was confirmed to be related to infection prevention behavior via the mediation of health belief. Arbitration measures, focusing on perceived severity and susceptibility during health belief, are required.
Long-Haul COVID Patients: Prevalence of POTS Are Reduced but Cerebral Blood Flow Abnormalities Remain Abnormal with Longer Disease Duration
Authors: Campen C. (Linda) M. C. van , Visser Frans C.
Published: October 2022

Background: Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) has been described early after the onset of the COVID-19 infection, but also orthostatic hypotension (OH). In the present study, we hypothesized that orthostatic intolerance decreases over time. Methods: In 29 long-haul COVID-19 (LHC) patients, a tilt test was performed, including measurements of cerebral blood flow (CBF) by extracranial Doppler. The time interval between the onset of infection and the tilt test varied between 3 and 28 months. Results: In the first 12 months after the infection, 71% of the LHC patients showed POTS and after 24 months none of them. In the first 12 months, 29% of patients had a normal heart rate and blood pressure response (normHRBP) and after 24 months 75% (distribution of POTS, OH, and a normHRBP over time: p < 0.0001). Linear regression showed that, over time, there was a decrease in the abnormal CBF during the tilt (p = 0.024) but remained abnormal. Conclusion: In LHC patients, hemodynamic abnormalities of a tilt test change over time. Patients studied early after the onset of the disease mainly exhibit POTS, but patients studied later in the time course mainly show a normHRBP or OH. In addition, the abnormal CBF reduction improves over time, but CBF remains abnormal.
Effect of Biostimulant Application on Plant Growth, Chlorophylls and Hydrophilic Antioxidant Activity of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) Grown under Saline Stress
Authors: El-Nakhel Christophe , Cozzolino Eugenio , Ottaiano Lucia , Petropoulos Spyridon A. , Nocerino Sabrina , Pelosi Maria Eleonora , Rouphael Youssef , Mori Mauro , Di Mola Ida
Published: October 2022

Irrigated agricultural lands are prone to salinity problems which may imperil horticultural crops by reducing growth, yield and even qualitative traits. Eco-friendly approaches such as biostimulant application and in particular protein hydrolysates from vegetal origin are implemented to mitigate salinity stress effects on crops. For this reason, a greenhouse experiment on spinach irrigated with increasing concentrations of saline water (EC = 3 dS m−1 (EC3), 6 dS m−1 (EC6) and 9 dS m−1 (EC9), in addition to non-saline treatment (EC0)) was organized, while plants were subjected to foliar applications of a protein hydrolysate from vegetal origin on a weekly basis. The application of this biostimulant helped mitigate the adverse effects of saline stress, by increasing the SPAD index and total chlorophylls of spinach plants. Yield was significantly boosted under biostimulant treatment in saline conditions and reached the value obtained in control treatment (no biostimulants added) × EC0 in the case of EC 3 and 6 dS m−1. In addition, the number of leaves and plants m−1 was increased under biostimulant treatment, and most importantly the hydrophilic antioxidant activity of spinach, thus a qualitative aspect of great importance was also increased. Such results increase the knowledge on the effects of protein hydrolysates application on an important leafy vegetable and may help growers mitigate saline conditions and maintain high crop yield and high quality of the final product when no other source of irrigation water is available.
Seed Silhouettes as Geometric Objects: New Applications of Elliptic Fourier Transform to Seed Morphology
Authors: Cervantes Emilio , Rodríguez-Lorenzo José Luis , Gutiérrez del Pozo Diego , Martín-Gómez José Javier , Janousek Bohuslav , Tocino Ángel , Juan Ana
Published: October 2022

Historically, little attention has been paid to the resemblance between seed silhouettes to geometric figures. Cardioid and derivatives, ellipses, heart curves, lemniscates, lenses, lunes, ovals, superellipses, waterdrops, and other figures can be used to describe seed shape, as well as models for quantification. Algebraic expressions representing the average silhouettes for a group of seeds are available, and their shape can be described and quantified by comparison with geometric models. Bidimensional closed-plane figures resulting from the representation of Fourier equations can be used as models for shape analysis. Elliptic Fourier Transform equations reproduce the seed silhouettes for any closed-plane curve corresponding to the contour of the image of a seed. We review the geometric properties of the silhouettes from seed images and discuss them in the context of seed development, plant taxonomy, and environmental adaptation. Silene is proposed as a model for the study of seed morphology. Three groups have been recently defined among Silene species based on the structure of their seed silhouettes, and their geometric properties are discussed. Using models based on Fourier Transform equations is useful in Silene species where the seeds are homogenous in shape but don’t adjust to described figures.
Abundance and Population Dynamics of the Key Insect Pests and Agronomic Traits of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) Varieties under Different Planting Densities as a Sustainable Pest Control Method
Authors: Asiry Khalid A. , Huda Md. Nurul , Mousa Magdi A. A.
Published: October 2022

In Saudi Arabia, the tomato is susceptible to a wide range of insect pests that could destroy this valuable vegetable crop, cause yield losses, and affect fruit quality and quantity. Insecticides are widely applied to protect tomatoes and control pests that develop a resistance to pesticides, but these affect human health and have a negative impact on the environment. The application of Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) is a worthwhile sustainable alternative for controlling insect pests in tomato fields. To investigate the population dynamics of the major pests affecting tomato growth and yield, two commercial varieties (Areenez F1 and Tala F1) were cultivated at three plant spacings (30 × 50 cm, 60 × 50 cm, and 90 × 50 cm) under the conditions of the desert climate. The experiments were conducted in the field in 2020 and 2021 and were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with each treatment repeated for 4 times. A total of 14 major insect pests including Empoasca fabae, Bemisia tabaci, Orosius orientalis, Acheta domesticus, and Lasius niger were recorded on a weekly basis. The results showed that the mean abundances of E. fabae, O. orientalis, and B. tabaci were higher in the 30 × 50 cm plant spacing, whereas the 90 × 50 cm plant spacing resulted in a higher abundance of A. domesticus and L. niger. The measured agronomic traits, plant height (cm), plant dry mass (g), and total yield/ha (ton) of both the tomato varieties were significantly increased when the plants were spaced at 60 cm between plants and 50 cm between rows. We recommend that growing tomato plants at 60 cm between plants and 50 cm between rows may reduce the need to apply pesticides given that this plant spacing significantly reduced the abundance of some key insect pests and enhanced the tomato fruit yield.
Synthesis, Anticancer and Antitubercular Properties of New Chalcones and Their Nitrogen-Containing Five-Membered Heterocyclic Hybrids Bearing Sulfonamide Moiety
Authors: Castaño Lina Fernanda , Quiroga Jairo , Abonia Rodrigo , Insuasty Daniel , Vidal Oscar M. , Seña Rosalia , Rubio Vivian , Puerto Gloria , Nogueras Manuel , Cobo Justo , Guzman Juan , Insuasty Alberto , Insuasty Braulio
Published: October 2022

A new series of sulfonamides, 8a-b, 10, 12, and 14a-b, were synthesized by N-sulfonation reaction with sulfonyl chlorides 6a-b. Five new series of chalcone-sulfonamide hybrids (16-20)a-f were prepared via Claisen–Schmidt condensation of the newly obtained sulfonamides with aromatic aldehydes 15a-f in basic medium. Chalcones substituted with chlorine at position 4 of each series were used as precursors for the generation of their five-membered heterocyclic pyrazoline (22-23)a-d, (24-25)a-b and carbothioamide 27a-f derivatives. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anticancer and antituberculosis activities. To determine their anticancer activity, compounds were screened against sixty human cancer cell lines at a single dose (10 μM). Compounds 17a-c were highly active against LOX IMVI (melanoma), with IC50 values of 0.34, 0.73 and 0.54 μM, respectively. Chalcone 18e showed remarkable results against the entire panel of leukemia cell lines with IC50 values between 0.99–2.52 μM. Moreover, compounds 20e and 20f displayed growth inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv at concentrations below 10 μM. Although they showed low selectivity in cytotoxicity tests against the Vero cell line, further optimization could advance the potential biological activity of the selected compounds.
Computational Modeling and Imaging of the Intracellular Oxygen Gradient
Authors: Sedlack Andrew J. H. , Penjweini Rozhin , Link Katie A. , Brown Alexandra , Kim Jeonghan , Park Sung-Jun , Chung Jay H. , Morgan Nicole Y. , Knutson Jay R.
Published: October 2022

Computational modeling can provide a mechanistic and quantitative framework for describing intracellular spatial heterogeneity of solutes such as oxygen partial pressure (pO2). This study develops and evaluates a finite-element model of oxygen-consuming mitochondrial bioenergetics using the COMSOL Multiphysics program. The model derives steady-state oxygen (O2) distributions from Fickian diffusion and Michaelis–Menten consumption kinetics in the mitochondria and cytoplasm. Intrinsic model parameters such as diffusivity and maximum consumption rate were estimated from previously published values for isolated and intact mitochondria. The model was compared with experimental data collected for the intracellular and mitochondrial pO2 levels in human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) in different respiratory states and under different levels of imposed pO2. Experimental pO2 gradients were measured using lifetime imaging of a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based O2 sensor, Myoglobin-mCherry, which offers in situ real-time and noninvasive measurements of subcellular pO2 in living cells. On the basis of these results, the model qualitatively predicted (1) the integrated experimental data from mitochondria under diverse experimental conditions, and (2) the impact of changes in one or more mitochondrial processes on overall bioenergetics.
Stimulating Mitochondrial Biogenesis with Deoxyribonucleosides Increases Functional Capacity in ECHS1-Deficient Cells
Authors: Burgin Harrison James , Crameri Jordan James , Stojanovski Diana , Sanchez M. Isabel G. Lopez , Ziemann Mark , McKenzie Matthew
Published: October 2022

The lack of effective treatments for mitochondrial disease has seen the development of new approaches, including those that stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis to boost ATP production. Here, we examined the effects of deoxyribonucleosides (dNs) on mitochondrial biogenesis and function in Short chain enoyl-CoA hydratase 1 (ECHS1) ‘knockout’ (KO) cells, which exhibit combined defects in both oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO). DNs treatment increased mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and the expression of mtDNA-encoded transcripts in both CONTROL (CON) and ECHS1 KO cells. DNs treatment also altered global nuclear gene expression, with key gene sets including ‘respiratory electron transport’ and ‘formation of ATP by chemiosmotic coupling’ increased in both CON and ECHS1 KO cells. Genes involved in OXPHOS complex I biogenesis were also upregulated in both CON and ECHS1 KO cells following dNs treatment, with a corresponding increase in the steady-state levels of holocomplex I in ECHS1 KO cells. Steady-state levels of OXPHOS complex V, and the CIII2/CIV and CI/CIII2/CIV supercomplexes, were also increased by dNs treatment in ECHS1 KO cells. Importantly, treatment with dNs increased both basal and maximal mitochondrial oxygen consumption in ECHS1 KO cells when metabolizing either glucose or the fatty acid palmitoyl-L-carnitine. These findings highlight the ability of dNs to improve overall mitochondrial respiratory function, via the stimulation mitochondrial biogenesis, in the face of combined defects in OXPHOS and FAO due to ECHS1 deficiency.
Anthocyanin Accumulation Provides Protection against High Light Stress While Reducing Photosynthesis in Apple Leaves
Authors: Zhao Shanshan , Blum Jeremie A. , Ma Fangfang , Wang Yuzhu , Borejsza-Wysocka Ewa , Ma Fengwang , Cheng Lailiang , Li Pengmin
Published: October 2022

The photoprotective role of anthocyanin remains controversial. In this study, we explored the effects of anthocyanin on photosynthesis and photoprotection using transgenic ‘Galaxy Gala’ apple plants overexpressing MdMYB10 under high light stress. The overexpression of MdMYB10 dramatically enhanced leaf anthocyanin accumulation, allowing more visible light to be absorbed, particularly in the green region. However, through post-transcriptional regulation, anthocyanin accumulation lowered leaf photosynthesis in both photochemical reaction and CO2 fixation capacities. Anthocyanin accumulation also led to a decreased de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle and antioxidant capacities, but this is most likely a response to the light-shielding effect of anthocyanin, as indicated by a higher chlorophyll concentration and lower chlorophyll a/b ratio. Under laboratory conditions when detached leaves lost carbon fixation capacity due to the limitation of CO2 supply, the photoinhibition of detached transgenic red leaves was less severe under strong white, green, or blue light, but it became more severe in response to strong red light compared with that of the wild type. In field conditions when photosynthesis was performed normally in both green and transgenic red leaves, the degree of photoinhibition was comparable between transgenic red leaves and wild type leaves, but it was less severe in transgenic young shoot bark compared with the wild type. Taken together, these data show that anthocyanin protects plants from high light stress by absorbing excessive visible light despite reducing photosynthesis.
Experimental Evaluation of Quantum Dots and Antibodies Conjugation by Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Popov Anton , Lisyte Viktorija , Kausaite-Minkstimiene Asta , Bernotiene Eiva , Ramanaviciene Almira
Published: October 2022

The application of antibody-functionalized quantum dots (QDs) in different areas has been widely described in the literature. However, a standard routine method for obtaining information on the conjugation efficiency of QDs with antibodies in terms of the interaction of the functionalized QDs with a specific antigen is still lacking. Herein, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy is proposed for this purpose. Gold-coated SPR sensor disks were modified with a self-assembled monolayer of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid, and carbodiimide cross-linker chemistry was used to covalently immobilize the CD44 biomarker on the premodified surface (Au/CD44). Meanwhile, QDs functionalized with amine-derivatized polyethylene glycol (PEG) (QDs-NH2) were chosen for conjugation with antibodies because of their low non-specific adsorption on the Au/CD44 surface. Prior to conjugation, the surface binding capacity (Bmax) and equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of the specific antibodies against CD44 (anti-CD44) were found to be 263.32 ± 2.44 m° and 1.00 × 10−7 ± 2.29 × 10−9 M, respectively. QDs-NH2 and anti-CD44 were conjugated at their initial molar ratios of 1:3, 1:5, 1:10 and 1:12. SPR measurements showed that the conjugates (QDs-anti-CD44) prepared using 1:10 and 1:12 molar ratios interacted comparably with immobilized CD44 biomarkers. The equilibrium angles in the case of 10- and 12-fold concentrations of anti-CD44 were calculated to be 60.43 ± 4.51 and 61.36 ± 4.40 m°, respectively. This could be explained by the QDs-NH2 and anti-CD44 having a similar surface loading (about four molecules per QDs-NH2) and similar hydrodynamic diameters, which were 46.63 ± 3.86 and 42.42 ± 0.80 nm for the 1:10 and 1:12 ratios, respectively. An initial QDs-NH2: anti-CD44 molar ratio of 1:10 was chosen as being optimal. SPR spectroscopy proved to be the right choice for QDs-anti-CD44 conjugation optimization, and can be used for the evaluation of conjugation efficiency for other nanostructures with various bio-recognition molecules.