bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determining Appropriate Screening Tools and Cutoffs for Cognitive Impairment in the Chinese Elderly
Authors: Zhang Shaowei , Qiu Qi , Qian Shixing , Lin Xiang , Yan Feng , Sun Lin , Xiao Shifu , Wang Jinghua , Fang Yuan , Li Xia
Published: December 2021

Background: The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) are the most commonly used tools for cognitive impairment screening. The present study aimed to investigate the ability of the MOCA and MMSE to differentiate between cognitively normal elderly individuals, MCI patients and dementia patients at different ages and education levels and to establish the optimal cutoff scores of the MoCA and MMSE for MCI and dementia in the Chinese elderly.

Methods: A total of 2,954 Chinese elderly individuals, including 1,746 normal controls, 599 MCI patients and 249 dementia patients, were consecutively recruited in the study. The optimal cutoffs for MoCA and MMSE were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis among the different age and education levels in the three groups. Furthermore, comparison of ROC curves were made to evaluate the performances of the two tests.

Results: The area under the curve(AUC) of the MoCA (0.82) for detecting MCI was significantly higher than that of the MMSE (0.75) (P < 0.001). When the sample was divided according to age and education level, the AUC of the MoCA (0.84) was higher than those of the MMSE (0.71) for MCI (P < 0.001) in the younger and more highly-educated groups. The optimal cutoff scores of the MoCA for the groups aged ≤ 75 years old and education ≤ 6 years, aged > 75 years old and education ≤ 6 years, aged ≤ 75 years old and education > 6 years, aged > 75 years old and education > 6 years in screening for MCI were identified as 19.5, 15.5, 24.5 and 24.5, respectively, and the optimal cutoff scores for dementia were 18.5, 10.5, 18.5 and 20.5, respectively. For MMSE in the above four groups, the cutoff scores to detect MCI were 26.5, 22.5, 28.5 and 26.5, respectively, and the optimal cutoff scores for dementia were 23.5, 19.5, 23.5 and 23.5, respectively.

Conclusion: Compared to MMSE, the MoCA is more suitable for discriminating MCI in younger and more highly educated elderly Chinese individuals. However, the MMSE has advantage over MoCA in screening MCI in individuals with lower education levels and the older groups of Chinese elderly.
Predictive Role of Executive Function in the Efficacy of Intermittent Theta Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Modalities for Treating Methamphetamine Use Disorder—A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Wang Li-Jin , Mu Lin-Lin , Ren Zi-Xuan , Tang Hua-Jun , Wei Ya-Dong , Wang Wen-Juan , Song Pei-Pei , Zhu Lin , Ling Qiang , Gao He , Zhang Lei , Song Xun , Wei Hua-Feng , Chang Lei-Xin , Wei Tao , Wang Yu-Jing , Zhao Wei , Wang Yan , Liu Lu-Ying , Zhou Yi-Ding , Zhou Rui-Dong , Xu Hua-Shan , Jiao Dong-Liang
Published: December 2021

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has therapeutic effects on craving in methamphetamine (METH) use disorder (MUD). The chronic abuse of METH causes impairments in executive function, and improving executive function reduces relapse and improves treatment outcomes for drug use disorder. The purpose of this study was to determine whether executive function helped predict patients' responses to rTMS treatment.

Methods: This study employed intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) rTMS modalities and observed their therapeutic effects on executive function and craving in MUD patients. MUD patients from an isolated Drug Rehabilitation Institute in China were chosen and randomly allocated to the iTBS group and sham-stimulation group. All participants underwent the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Adult Version Scale (BRIEF-A) and Visual Analog Scales (VAS) measurements. Sixty-five healthy adults matched to the general condition of MUD patients were also recruited as healthy controls.

Findings: Patients with MUD had significantly worse executive function. iTBS groups had better treatment effects on the MUD group than the sham-stimulation group. Further Spearman rank correlation and stepwise multivariate regression analysis revealed that reduction rates of the total score of the BRIEF-A and subscale scores of the inhibition factor and working memory factor in the iTBS group positively correlated with improvements in craving. ROC curve analysis showed that working memory (AUC = 87.4%; 95% CI = 0.220, 0.631) and GEC (AUC = 0.761%; 95% CI = 0.209, 0.659) had predictive power to iTBS therapeutic efficacy. The cutoff values are 13.393 and 59.804, respectively.

Conclusions: The iTBS rTMS had a better therapeutic effect on the executive function of patients with MUD, and the improved executive function had the potential to become a predictor for the efficacy of iTBS modality for MUD treatment.

Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: ChiCTR2100046954.
Validation of a Methodology for the Detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Saliva by Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase-PCR
Authors: Escobar Daniel F. , Díaz Pablo , Díaz-Dinamarca Diego , Puentes Rodrigo , Alarcón Pedro , Alarcón Bárbara , Rodríguez Iván , Manzo Ricardo A. , Soto Daniel A. , Lamperti Liliana , Díaz Janepsy , García-Escorza Heriberto E. , Vasquez Abel E.
Published: December 2021

In January 2021, the Chilean city of Concepción experienced a second wave of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) while in early April 2021, the entire country faced the same situation. This outbreak generated the need to modify and validate a method for detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in saliva, thereby expanding the capacity and versatility of testing for COVID-19. This study was conducted in February 2021 in the Chilean city of Concepción during which time, the town was under total quarantine. The study participants were mostly symptomatic (87.4%), not hospitalized, and attended care centers because of their health status rather than being asked by the researchers. People coming to the health center in Concepción to be tested for COVID-19 (via reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]) from a specimen of nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) were then invited to participate in this study. A total of 131 participants agreed to sign an informed consent and to provide saliva and NPS specimens to validate a method in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and statistical analysis of the cycle threshold (Ct) values from the RT-PCR. Calculations pertaining to the 127 participants who were ultimately included in the analysis showed sensitivity and specificity at 94.34% (95% CI: 84.34–98.82%) and 98.65% (95% CI: 92.70–99.97%), respectively. The saliva specimen showed a performance comparable to NPS as demonstrated by the diagnostic parameters. This RT-PCR method from the saliva specimen is a highly sensitive and specific alternative compared to the reference methodology, which uses the NPS specimen. This modified and validated method is intended for use in the in vitro diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, which provides health authorities in Chile and local laboratories with a real testing alternative to RT-PCR from NPS.
Association of Night Shift Work With Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria and Effect Modification by Circadian Dysfunction Among Workers
Authors: Huang Yuzhou , Jing Danrong , Su Juan , Huang Zhijun , Liu Han , Tao Juan , He Meian , Chen Xiang , Shen Minxue , Xiao Yi
Published: December 2021

Purpose: Night shift work is common in the current working environment and is a risk factor for many diseases. The study aimed to explore the relationship between night shift work with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), and the modification effect of circadian dysfunction on it.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Chinese workers. Exposure was measured by night work history and duration. Circadian dysfunction was characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). The diagnosis of CSU was made by dermatologists who were investigating on the spot. The effect size was expressed as odds ratios (ORs).

Results: A total of 8,057 participants were recruited, and 7,411 (92%) with complete information were included in the final analyses. The prevalence rates of CSU for workers without night shift and those with night shift history were 0.73 and 1.28%, respectively. Compared with workers who never worked night shifts, the risk of CSU increased with the length of night shift work: OR = 1.55 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.78–3.06) for duration <5 years and OR = 1.91 (95% CI: 1.12–3.26) for duration ≥5 years. EDS s EDS has been shown to modify this combination. Among workers without EDS, there was no association between night shift and CSU (OR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.49–1.79). Whereas, in participants with EDS, the correlation was significant (OR = 3.58; 95% CI: 1.14–11.20). However, the effect modification by sleep disturbance was not observed.

Conclusions: Night shift work is a risk factor for CSU, and there is a dose-response relationship between night shift work hours and the risk of CSU. This connection may be modified by circadian dysfunction.
A Study Protocol for Increasing Access to Smoking Cessation Treatments for Low-Income Minority Smokers
Authors: Matthews Alicia K. , Watson Karriem S. , Duangchan Cherdsak , Steffen Alana , Winn Robert
Published: December 2021

Background: Smoking rates among low-income patients are double those of the general population. Access to health care is an essential social determinant of health. Federally qualified health care centers (FQHC) are government-supported and community-based centers to increase access to health care for non-insured and underinsured patients. However, barriers to implementation impact adherence and sustainability of evidence-based smoking cessation within FQHC settings. To address this implementation barrier, our multi-disciplinary team proposes Mi QUIT CARE (Mile Square QUITCommunity-Access-Referral-Expansion) to establish the acceptability, feasibility, and capacity of an FQHC system to deliver an evidence-based and multi-level intervention to increase patient engagement with a state tobacco quitline.

Methods: A mixed-method approach, rooted in an implementation science framework of RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance), will be used in this hybrid effectiveness-implementation design. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of a novel delivery system (patient portal) for increasing access to smoking cessation treatment. In preparation for a future randomized clinical trial of Mi QUIT CARE, we will conduct the following developmental research: (1) Examine the burden of tobacco among patient populations served by our partner FQHC, (2) Evaluate among FQHC patients and health care providers, knowledge, attitudes, barriers, and facilitators related to smoking cessation and our intervention components, (3) Evaluate the use of tailored communication strategies and patient navigation to increase patient portal uptake among patients, and (4) To test the acceptability, feasibility, and capacity of the partner FQHC to deliver Mi QUIT CARE.

Discussion: This study provides a model for developing and implementing smoking and other health promotion interventions for low-income patients delivered via patient health portals. If successful, the intervention has important implications for addressing a critical social determinant of cancer and other tobacco-related morbidities.

Trial Registration: U.S. National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials, NCT04827420, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04827420.
Community Health Workers' Experiences in Strengthening the Uptake of Childhood Immunization and Malaria Prevention Services in Urban Sierra Leone
Authors: Ishizumi Atsuyoshi , Sutton Roberta , Mansaray Anthony , Parmley Lauren , Eleeza Oliver , Kulkarni Shibani , Sesay Tom , Conklin Laura , Wallace Aaron S. , Akinjeji Adewale , Toure Mame , Lahuerta Maria , Jalloh Mohamed F.
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Community health workers (CHWs) play an integral role in Sierra Leone's health systems strengthening efforts. Our goal was to understand CHWs' experiences of providing immunization and malaria prevention services in urban settings and explore opportunities to optimize their contributions to these services.

Methods: In 2018, we conducted an exploratory qualitative assessment in the Western Area Urban district, which covers most of the capital city of Freetown. We purposively selected diverse health facilities (i.e., type, ownership, setting) and recruited CHWs through their supervisors. We conducted eight focus group discussions (FGD) with CHWs, which were audio-recorded. The topics explored included participants' background, responsibilities and priorities of urban CHWs, sources of motivation at work, barriers to CHWs' immunization and malaria prevention activities, and strategies used to address these barriers. The local research team transcribed and translated FGDs into English; then we used qualitative content analysis to identify themes.

Results: Four themes emerged from the qualitative content analysis: (1) pride, compassion, recognition, and personal benefits are important motivating factors to keep working as CHWs; (2) diverse health responsibilities and competing priorities result in overburdening of CHWs; (3) health system- and community-level barriers negatively affect CHWs' activities and motivation; (4) CHWs use context-specific strategies to address challenges in their work but require further support.

Conclusion: Focused support for CHWs is needed to optimize their contributions to immunization and malaria prevention activities. Such interventions should be coupled with systems-level efforts to address the structural barriers that negatively affect CHWs' overall work and motivation, such as the shortage of work supplies and the lack of promised financial support.
Multi-Locus Sequence Typing and Drug Resistance Analysis of Swine Origin Escherichia coli in Shandong of China and Its Potential Risk on Public Health
Authors: Wang Wei , Yu Lanping , Hao Wenwen , Zhang Fusen , Jiang Meijie , Zhao Shuping , Wang Fangkun
Published: December 2021

The extensive use of antibiotics has caused antimicrobial resistance and multidrug resistance in Escherichia coli and gradual expands it into a worldwide problem. The resistant E. coli could be transmitted to humans through animal products, thereby creating a problem for bacterial treatment in humans and resulting in a public health issue. This study aims to investigate the molecular typing and drug resistance of swine and human origin E. coli within the same prefecture-level cities of Shandong Province and the potential risk of E. coli on public health. The drug sensitivity results indicated that tetracycline (TE) (97.17%) is a major antibiotic with high drug resistance in 106 swine origin E. coli. There was a significant difference in the drug-resistant genotypes between the two sources, of which the blaTEM positive rate was the highest in the genera of β-lactams (99% in swines and 100% in humans). Among the 146 E. coli isolates, 98 (91.51% swine origin) and 31 (77.5% human origin) isolates were simultaneously resistant to three or more classes of antibiotics, respectively. The multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) results indicate that the 106 swine origin E. coli isolates are divided into 25 STs with ST1258, ST361, and ST10 being the dominant sequence analysis typing strains. There were 19 MLST genotypes in 40 strains of human E. coli from Tai'an, Shandong Province, with ST1193, ST73, ST648, ST131, ST10, and ST1668 being the dominant strains. Moreover, the cluster analysis showed that CCl0 and CC23 were the common clonal complexes (CCs) from the two sources. Our results provide a theoretical basis for guiding the rational use of antibiotics and preventing the spread of drug-resistant bacteria, and also provide epidemiological data for the risk analysis of foodborne bacteria and antimicrobial resistance in swine farms in Shandong Province.
Predictors of Shift Work Sleep Disorder Among Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Li Yuxin , Lv Xiaoyan , Li Rong , Wang Yongchao , Guan Xiangyun , Li Li , Li Junli , Xue Fuzhong , Ji Xiaokang , Cao Yingjuan
Published: December 2021

Background: Nurses have a high incidence of shift work sleep disorder, which places their health and patient safety in danger. Thus, exploring the factors associated with shift work sleep disorder in nurses is of great significance in improving their sleep health, nursing personnel staffing, and scheduling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of shift work sleep disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the factors associated with shift work sleep disorder in Chinese nurses.

Methods: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study using an online survey. Stratified cluster sampling was used to include 4,275 nurses from 14 hospitals in Shandong, China from December 2020 to June 2021. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis and random forest were used to identify the factors associated with shift work sleep disorder.

Results: The prevalence of shift work sleep disorder in the sampled shift nurses was 48.5% during the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical fatigue, psychological stress, shift work more than 6 months per year, busyness during night shift, working more than 40 h per week, working more than four night shifts per month, sleeping more than 8 h before night shift, using sleep medication, irregular meals, and high-intensity physical activity were associated with increased odds of shift work sleep disorder. Good social support, good work-family balance, napping two or three times per week, resting more than one day after shifts, intervals of 8 days or more between shifts, and taking turns to rest during the night shift were associated with decreased odds of shift work sleep disorder.

Conclusions: Shift work sleep disorder may be associated with scheduling strategies and personal behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. To reduce the incidence of shift work sleep disorders in nurses, nursing managers should increase night shift staffing, extend rest days after shift, increase night shift spacing, and reduce overtime, and nurses need to seek more family and social support and control their sleep schedules and diet.
Early-Time Non-Equilibrium Pitch Angle Diffusion of Electrons by Whistler-Mode Hiss in a Plasmaspheric Plume Associated with BARREL Precipitation
Authors: Millan R. M. , Ripoll J.-F. , Santolík O. , Kurth W. S.
Published: December 2021

In August 2015, the Balloon Array for Radiation belt Relativistic Electron Losses (BARREL) observed precipitation of energetic (<200 keV) electrons magnetically conjugate to a region of dense cold plasma as measured by the twin Van Allen Probes spacecraft. The two spacecraft passed through the high density region during multiple orbits, showing that the structure was spatial and relatively stable over many hours. The region, identified as a plasmaspheric plume, was filled with intense hiss-like plasma waves. We use a quasi-linear diffusion model to investigate plume whistler-mode hiss waves as the cause of precipitation observed by BARREL. The model input parameters are based on the observed wave, plasma and energetic particle properties obtained from Van Allen Probes. Diffusion coefficients are found to be largest in the same energy range as the precipitation observed by BARREL, indicating that the plume hiss waves were responsible for the precipitation. The event-driven pitch angle diffusion simulation is also used to investigate the evolution of the electron phase space density (PSD) for different energies and assumed initial pitch angle distributions. The results show a complex temporal evolution of the phase space density, with periods of both growth and loss. The earliest dynamics, within the ∼5 first minutes, can be controlled by a growth of the PSD near the loss cone (by a factor up to ∼2, depending on the conditions, pitch angle, and energy), favored by the absence of a gradient at the loss cone and by the gradients of the initial pitch angle distribution. Global loss by 1-3 orders of magnitude (depending on the energy) occurs within the first ∼100 min of wave-particle interaction. The prevalence of plasmaspheric plumes and detached plasma regions suggests whistler-mode hiss waves could be an important driver of electron loss even at high L-value (L ∼6), outside of the main plasmasphere.
How Fit Are Special Operations Police Officers? A Comparison With Elite Athletes From Olympic Disciplines
Authors: Zwingmann Lukas , Zedler Marvin , Kurzner Stefan , Wahl Patrick , Goldmann Jan-Peter
Published: December 2021

The diverse tasks of special operations police (SOP) units place high physical demands on every officer. Being fit for duty requires a wide range of motor abilities which must be trained regularly and in a structured manner. But SOP operators have to plan and manage large proportions of their training alone, which makes it difficult to control. Therefore, this study aimed to highlight strengths and deficits of the SOP operators' fitness by comparing them to elite athletes, and to define future training goals. Retrospective data of 189 male SOP operators were used, who completed several isometric strength tests, a graded exercise test to determine maximal oxygen uptake, and countermovement jumps to determine leg muscle power. On the basis of a literature search, performance data were then compared to a total of 3,028 elite male athletes from 36 Summer Olympic disciplines. Pooled means and standard deviations were calculated for each discipline and effect sizes were used to analyze their similarities and differences to the SOP unit. On average, SOP operators were taller, heavier, and stronger than elite athletes. But both the ability to convert this strength into explosive movement and aerobic power was significantly less developed. From this point of view, SOP operators should consider polarized endurance training to work efficiently on improving aerobic performance. In addition, regular plyometric training seems necessary to improve leg muscle power and agility.
Understanding Farmers' Behavior and Their Decision-Making Process in the Context of Cattle Diseases: A Review of Theories and Approaches
Authors: Biesheuvel Marit M. , Santman-Berends Inge M. G. A. , Barkema Herman W. , Ritter Caroline , Berezowski John , Guelbenzu Maria , Kaler Jasmeet
Published: December 2021

Understanding farmers' behavior regarding disease control is essential to successfully implement behavior change interventions that improve uptake of best practices. A literature review was conducted to identify theoretical underpinnings, analytical methodologies, and key behavioral determinants that have been described to understand farmers' behavior in disease control and prevention on cattle farms. Overall, 166 peer-reviewed manuscripts from studies conducted in 27 countries were identified. In the past decade, there were increasing reports on farmers' motivators and barriers, but no indication of application of appropriate social science methods. Furthermore, the majority (58%) of reviewed studies lacked a theoretical framework in their study design. However, when a theoretical underpinning was applied, the Theory of Planned Behavior was most commonly used (14% of total). The complexity of factors impacting farmers' behavior was illustrated when mapping all described key constructs of the reviewed papers in behavior change frameworks, such as the socioecological framework and the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation Behavior (COM-B) model. Constructs related to personal influences and relationships between farmers and veterinarians were overrepresented, whereas constructs related to other interpersonal and contextual environments were not extensively studied. There was a general lack of use of validated scales to measure constructs and empirically validated theoretical frameworks to understand and predict farmers' behavior. Furthermore, studies mainly focused on measurements of intention of stakeholder behavior rather than actual behavior, although the former is a poor predictor of the latter. Finally, there is still a lack of robust evidence of behavior change interventions or techniques that result in a successful change in farmers' behavior. We concluded that for a sustainable behavior change, studies should include wider constructs at individual, interpersonal, and contextual levels. Furthermore, the use of empirically validated constructs and theoretical frameworks is encouraged. By using coherent frameworks, researchers could link constructs to design interventions, and thereby take the first step toward theory-driven, evidence-based interventions to influence farmers' behavior for disease control.
Cardiopulmonary Parameters and Arterial Blood Gases During Etorphine-Medetomidine-Midazolam Immobilization in Free-Ranging Black Rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis) Undergoing Electro-Ejaculation—A Preliminary Study
Authors: Meuffels Janine , Lueders Imke , Bertschinger Henk , Luther-Binoir Ilse , Pohlin Friederike , Gerber Leandri , Tindall Brendan
Published: December 2021

Conservation management interventions for the critically endangered black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) require immobilization, which offer opportunities for semen collection and cryopreservation to establish genetic reservoirs. In free-ranging rhinoceroses, a combination of the potent opioid etorphine and the tranquilizer azaperone is routinely used for chemical immobilization but is associated with muscle rigidity and severe cardiopulmonary changes. Additionally, azaperone inhibits semen emission. Seven free-ranging, male, sexually mature black rhinoceroses were immobilized with an alternative protocol consisting of 4.5 mg etorphine, 5 mg medetomidine, 50 mg midazolam and 2,500 IU hyaluronidase delivered remotely by darting from a helicopter. During the immobilization, electro-ejaculation was performed with a portable electro-ejaculator, and a species-specific rectal probe. Animals were observed for muscle tremors. Longitudinal changes in respiratory rate, heart rate and peripheral oxyhemoglobin saturation, measured at 5 min intervals, were assessed using a general mixed model. Non-invasive oscillometric blood pressure and arterial blood gas variables were measured at first handling and before reversal and compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. All animals were successfully immobilized, showed no muscle tremors, presented with normal heart rates and lactate concentration (<5 mmol/L), recovered uneventfully, but experienced acidemia, hypoxemia and hypercapnia. Induction time and total time in recumbency were 4.2 ± 0.41 and 38.4 ± 6.9 min, respectively. Electro-stimulation commenced after 11.7 ± 3.98 min and completed after 24.3 ± 6.65 min. Semen-rich fractions were successfully collected from six animals. Our observations indicate that etorphine-medetomidine-midazolam provides a promising immobilization protocol for free-ranging black rhinoceroses, that allows for successful electro-ejaculation.
T Cell Immune Profiles of Blood and Tumor in Dogs Diagnosed With Malignant Melanoma
Authors: Sparger Ellen E. , Chang Hong , Chin Ning , Rebhun Robert B. , Withers Sita S. , Kieu Hung , Canter Robert J. , Monjazeb Arta M. , Kent Michael S.
Published: December 2021

Investigation of canine T cell immunophenotypes in canine melanomas as prognostic biomarkers for disease progression or predictive biomarkers for targeted immunotherapeutics remains in preliminary stages. We aimed to examine T cell phenotypes and function in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and baseline tumor samples by flow cytometry, and to compare patient (n= 11–20) T cell phenotypes with healthy controls dogs (n= 10–20). CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25, FoxP3, Ki67, granzyme B, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were used to classify T cell subsets in resting and mitogen stimulated PBMCs. In a separate patient cohort (n= 11), T cells were classified using CD3, CD4, CD8, FoxP3, and granzyme B in paired PBMC and single cell suspensions of tumor samples. Analysis of flow cytometric data of individual T cell phenotypes in PBMC revealed specific T cell phenotypes including FoxP3+ and CD25+FoxP3- populations that distinguished patients from healthy controls. Frequencies of IFN-γ+ cells after ConA stimulation identified two different patient phenotypic responses, including a normal/exaggerated IFN-γ response and a lower response suggesting dysfunction. Principle component analysis of selected T cell immunophenotypes also distinguished patients and controls for T cell phenotype and revealed a clustering of patients based on metastasis detected at diagnosis. Findings supported the overall hypothesis that canine melanoma patients display a T cell immunophenotype profile that is unique from healthy pet dogs and will guide future studies designed with larger patient cohorts necessary to further characterize prognostic T cell immunophenotypes.
Effects of Three-Layer Encapsulated Tea Tree Oil on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, and Intestinal Microbiota of Weaned Pigs
Authors: Wang Lixue , Zhang Ying , Liu Ling , Huang Fei , Dong Bing
Published: December 2021

Tea tree oil (TTO) exerts key roles in improving growth performance of pigs. However, knowledge is limited regarding comparative effects of Encp TTO and Un-encp TTO supplementation on growth performance of pigs. A study determined the effects of TTO or its capsulation on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microbiome of weaned pigs. A total of 144 healthy pigs (8.5 ± 0.24 kg) were subjected to four treatments for a 28-d trial with six replicates per treatment and six pigs per pen: negative control, NC; positive control, PC (antibiotic supplemented); Un-encp TTO (supplemented with unencapsulated TTO); Encp TTO (supplemented with encapsulated TTO). NC, TTO, and PC treatments were compared with regard to improved average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion rate, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal morphology (p < 0.05) and decreased diarrhea rate. TTO- and PC-treated pigs had higher levels of serum superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and immunoglobulin G; lower levels of liver aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase; and improved concentrations of interleukin 10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor α, and IL-1β (p < 0.05). TTO- and PC-treated pigs had higher abundance of beneficial bacterial species Subdoligranulum and lower abundance of diarrhea associated species Escherichia–Shigella in cecal and colonic digesta (p < 0.05). Encapsulation of TTO preserved more activities of TTO than its unencapsulated counterpart by showing higher ADG, ADFI, and feed conversion rate during day 1 (d1) to d14 (p < 0.05) and tended to lower diarrhea rate (p = 0.083) and improve villous height/crypt depth (VH/CD) ratio (p = 0.089) in jejunum. Encapsulation of TTO also improved antioxidant indexes and decreased liver injury and inflammation accordingly (p < 0.05). Encapsulated TTO-treated pigs had higher abundance of beneficial Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and lower the abundance of harmful Escherichia–Shigella in cecal and colonic digesta (p < 0.05). Our results demonstrated TTO benefits on improving growth performance of weaned pigs and further proved that encapsulation of TTO was superior to its unencapsulated counterpart at multiples. Encapsulated TTO was similar to the PC group and could be potentially an alternative of feed antibiotics for weaned pigs.
Design and Simulation of a Flexible Bending Actuator for Solar Sail Attitude Control
Authors: Liu Meilin , Wang Zihao , Ikeuchi Daiki , Fu Junyu , Wu Xiaofeng
Published: December 2021

This paper presents the design of a flexible bending actuator using shape memory alloy (SMA) and its integration in attitude control for solar sailing. The SMA actuator has advantages in its power-to-weight ratio and light weight. The bending mechanism and models of the actuator were designed and developed. A neural network based adaptive controller was implemented to control the non-linear nature of the SMA actuator. The actuator control modules were integrated into the solar sail attitude model with a quaternion PD controller that formed a cascade control. The feasibility and performance of the proposed actuator for attitude control were investigated and evaluated, showing that the actuator could generate 1.5 × 10−3 Nm torque which maneuvered a 1600 m2 CubeSat based solar sail by 45° in 14 h. The results demonstrate that the proposed SMA bending actuator can be effectively integrated in attitude control for solar sailing under moderate external disturbances using an appropriate controller design, indicating the potential of a lighter solar sail for future missions.
Discriminative Power of Geometric Parameters of Different Cultivars of Sour Cherry Pits Determined Using Machine Learning
Authors: Ropelewska Ewa , Sabanci Kadir , Aslan Muhammet Fatih
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study was to develop models based on linear dimensions or shape factors, and the sets of combined linear dimensions and shape factors for discrimination of sour cherry pits of different cultivars (‘Debreceni botermo’, ‘Łutówka’, ‘Nefris’, ‘Kelleris’). The geometric parameters were calculated using image processing. The pits of different sour cherry cultivars statistically significantly differed in terms of selected dimensions and shape factors. The discriminative models built based on linear dimensions produced average accuracies of up to 95% for distinguishing the pit cultivars in the case of ‘Nefris’ vs. ‘Kelleris’ and 72% for all four cultivars. The average accuracies for the discriminative models built based on shape factors were up to 95% for the ‘Nefris’ and ‘Kelleris’ pits and 73% for four cultivars. The models combining the linear dimensions and shape factors produced accuracies reaching 96% for the ‘Nefris’ vs. ‘Kelleris’ pits and 75% for all cultivars. The geometric parameters with high discriminative power may be used for distinguishing different cultivars of sour cherry pits. It can be of great importance for practical applications. It may allow avoiding the adulteration and mixing of different cultivars.
Genetic Improvement of Post-Heading Root Morphology and Physiology Facilitating Yield Increase of japonica Inbred Rice
Authors: Meng Tianyao , Chen Xi , Zhang Xubin , Ge Jialin , Zhou Guisheng , Dai Qigen , Wei Huanhe
Published: December 2021

Since genetic improvement greatly promoted an increased yield japonica inbred rice in east China after the 1990s, better root characteristics were certainly expected. In 2018 and 2019, nine japonica inbred rice released in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s were investigated to evaluate the changes in root morpho-physiology and identify root traits that contributed to the positive yield trends during the genetic process. The 2010’s rice had 8.0 and 4.3% higher grain yield than the 1990’s and the 2000’s rice, respectively (p < 0.05). Genetic yield gain was mainly attributed to the increased spikelets per panicle. Compared with the 1990’s and the 2000’s rice, the 2010’s rice had higher shoot biomass at heading and maturity (p < 0.05), as well as root biomass (p < 0.05), especially for root biomass of 15–30 cm soil depth. Leaf area index (LAI), soil-plant analysis development (SPAD) values, and leaf photosynthetic rate at middle grain-filling period (MGP) and late grain-filling period (LGP) were all increased. The 2010’s rice had consistently higher root length and volume, root oxidation activity, and root bleeding rate at MGP and LGP than the 1990’s and the 2000’s rice (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were detected between root length and volume, root oxidation activity, and root bleeding rate at MGP, LGP, and SPAD values, leaf photosynthetic rate at MGP and LGP, and higher shoot biomass accumulation after heading and grain yield (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The present study implied that genetic improvement optimized post-heading root morphology and physiology, which maintained shoot stay-green and facilitated biomass accumulation and yield increase in japonica inbred rice during the genetic process since the 1990s.
The Improvement of the Adaptation Process of Tocopherol and Acetylsalicylic Acid in Offspring of Mothers Exposed to TCDD
Authors: Dobrzyński Maciej , Madej Jan P. , Leśków Anna , Tarnowska Małgorzata , Majda Jacek , Szopa Monika , Gamian Andrzej , Kuropka Piotr
Published: December 2021

Dioxins are chemical compounds that may cause an inflammatory reaction. During dioxin-induced inflammation, generated reactive oxygen species lead to morphological changes in various tissues and in biochemical parameters. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the changes in the livers of rats whose mothers were exposed to dioxins and the protective role of α-tocopherol and acetylsalicylic acid in liver inflammation. The study material consisted of Buffalo rats who were the offspring of females treated with dioxin, dioxin + α-tocopherol, or dioxin + acetylsalicylic acid. Livers and blood samples were taken from the rats’ offspring, and then histopathological and biochemical analyses were performed. The histopathological analysis showed that the changes observed in the livers of neonates were the result of the dioxins derived from their mother. The biochemical analysis showed that the morphological changes in the liver affected its function, which manifested in a higher total protein concentration in the dioxin-treated group, and that the creatinine level in this group was significantly higher than that in the other groups. This effect was reduced by the protective role of α-tocopherol and acetylsalicylic acid. Based on these results, we came to the conclusion that dioxins significantly affect the structure of the liver, which negatively affects its function, mainly in the scope of the metabolism of plasma proteins and hepatic enzymes.
How Divergence for Feed Efficiency Traits Affects Body Measurements and Metabolites in Blood and Ruminal Parameters on Pre-Weaning Dairy Heifers
Authors: Leão Juliana Mergh , Coelho Sandra Gesteira , Lage Camila Flávia de Assis , Azevedo Rafael Alves de , Lima Juliana Aparecida Mello , Carneiro Juliana Campos , Ferreira Alexandre Lima , Machado Fernanda Samarini , Pereira Luiz Gustavo Ribeiro , Tomich Thierry Ribeiro , Diniz Neto Hilton do Carmo , Campos Mariana Magalhães
Published: December 2021

The objectives of this study were: (1) to evaluate feed efficiency indexes and their relationships with body measurements and blood and ruminal metabolites in the pre-weaning period; (2) to determine if such measurements can be used as feed-efficiency markers during the pre-weaning period. Holstein–Gyr heifer calves (n = 36), enrolled between 4 and 12 weeks of age, were classified into two residual feed intake (RFI) and residual body weight gain (RG) groups: high efficiency (HE; RFI, n = 10; and RG, n = 9), and low efficiency (LE; RFI, n = 10; and RG, n = 8). Calves were fed whole milk (6 L/day) and solid feed ad libitum. Body developments were measured weekly and feed intake (milk and solid feed) daily during the whole period. Blood samples were collected at 12 weeks of age and analyzed for glucose, insulin and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Samples of ruminal content were collected on the same day and analyzed for pH, NH3-N, and volatile fatty acids (VFA). Among the growth characteristics, only the initial hip width differed between the RFI groups, and withers height differed between the RG groups. Concentration of BHB was greater and glucose: insulin ratios tended to be greater in LE-RG animals. Butyric acid proportions were similar among RFI groups, but tended to be greater for HE-RG than for LE-RG. Overall, correlation coefficients between RFI or RG and blood, rumen, or morphometric markers were low. Thus, it is unlikely that measurements of metabolic indicators, per se, will be useful in the early identification of more efficient animals. Understanding the underlying physiological basis for improved feed efficiency in dairy heifers requires further investigation.
Intravitreal Injection of Long-Acting Pegylated Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Provides Neuroprotective Effects via Antioxidant Response in a Rat Model of Traumatic Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Huang Chin-Te , Wen Yao-Tseng , Desai Tushar Dnyaneshwar , Tsai Rong-Kung
Published: December 2021

Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) may cause severe visual loss following direct or indirect head trauma which may result in optic nerve injuries and therefore contribute to the subsequent loss of retinal ganglion cells by inflammatory mediators and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) provides the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative actions but has a short half-life and also induces leukocytosis upon typical systemic administration. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the anti-oxidative response and neuroprotective effects of long-acting pegylated human G-CSF (PEG-G-CSF) in a rat model of optic nerve crush (ONC). Adult male Wistar rats (150–180 g) were chosen to have a sham operation in one eye and have ONC in the other. PEG-G-CSF or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS control) was immediately administered after ONC by intravitreal injection (IVI). We found the IVI of PEG-G-CSF does not induce systemic leukocytosis, but increases survival of RGCs and preserves the visual function after ONC. TUNEL assays showed fewer apoptotic cells in the retina in the PEG-G-CSF-treated eyes. The number of sorely ED1-positive cells was attenuated at the lesion site in the PEG-G-CSF-treated eyes. Immunoblotting showed up-regulation of p-Akt1, Nrf2, Sirt3, and HO-1 in the ON of the PEG-G-CSF-treated eyes. Our results demonstrated that one IVI of long-acting PEG-G-CSF is neuroprotective in the rONC. PEG-G-CSF activates the p-Akt1/Nrf2/Sirt3 and the p-Akt1/Nrf2/HO-1 axes to provide the antioxidative action and further attenuated RGC apoptosis and neuroinflammation. This provides crucial preclinical information for the development of alternative therapy with IVI of PEG-G-CSF in TON.
Decision Tree-Based Data Stratification Method for the Minimization of the Masking Effect in Adverse Drug Reaction Signal Detection
Authors: Wei Jianxiang , Cheng Lu , Han Pu , Zhu Yunxia , Huang Weidong
Published: December 2021

Data masking is an inborn defect of measures of disproportionality in adverse drug reactions signal detection. Some improved methods which used gender and age for data stratification only considered the patient-related confounding factors, ignoring the drug-related influencing factors. Due to a large number of reports and the high proportion of antibiotics in the Chinese spontaneous reporting database, this paper proposes a decision tree-stratification method for the minimization of the masking effect by integrating the relevant factors of patients and drugs. The adverse drug reaction monitoring reports of Jiangsu Province in China from 2011 to 2018 were selected for this study. First, the age division interval was determined based on the statistical analysis of antibiotic-related data. Secondly, correlation analysis was conducted based on the patient’s gender and age respectively with the drug category attributes. Thirdly, the decision tree based on age and gender was constructed by the J48 algorithm, which was used to determine if drugs belonged to antibiotics as a classification label. Fourthly, some performance evaluation indicators were constructed based on the data of drug package inserts as a standard signal library: recall, precision, and F (the arithmetic harmonic mean of recall and precision). Finally, four experiments were carried out by means of the proportional reporting ratio method: non-stratification (total data), gender-stratification, age-stratification and decision tree-stratification, and the performance of the signal detection results was compared. The experimental results showed that the decision tree-stratification was superior to the other three methods. Therefore, the data-masking effect can be further minimized by comprehensively considering the patient and drug-related confounding factors.
Effects of Various Mineral Trioxide Aggregates on Viability and Mineralization Potential of 3-Dimensional Cultured Dental Pulp Stem Cells
Authors: Kwon Seung-Ho , Jeong Hyun-Jeong , Lee Bin-Na , Lee Hyo-Seol , Kim Hyun-Jung , Kim Sun-Young , Kim Duck-Su , Jang Ji-Hyun
Published: December 2021

Three-dimensionally (3D) cultured dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) reportedly exhibit superior multi-lineage differentiation capacities and have a higher expression in regeneration-related gene categories compared to conventionally cultured DPSCs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of various mineral trioxide aggregates (MTAs) on DPSCs cultured in 3D, assessing their cell viability and tissue mineralization properties. We examined the morphology, cell viability, alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity and qualitative alizarin red S staining assay of the DPSCs that reacted with various MTAs, which included ProRoot (PRM), Biodentine (BIO), and Well-Root PT (WRP), in two different culture plates, an ultra-low attachment plate (ULA) and a conventional monolayer plate (2D). As a control, MTA-free and IRM samples were prepared. None of the MTA groups affected the microsphere-forming characteristics of DPSCs that had been cultured in ULA. The DPSCs that were cultured in ULA showed high cell viability in all MTA groups compared to IRM. The mineralization potential was favorable in all MTA groups, with a significantly higher ALP activity among the DPSCs that were cultured in ULA. Among MTAs, the PRM group showed substantially higher ALP activity than the other MTA groups. In conclusion, our results indicate that 3D-cultured DPSCs with various MTAs showed comparable viability and mineralization capacity similar to those cultured without reacting with MTA cement.
Enhancing the Reliability of Communication between Vehicle and Everything (V2X) Based on Deep Learning for Providing Efficient Road Traffic Information
Authors: Osman Radwa Ahmed , Saleh Sherine Nagy , Saleh Yasmine N. M. , Elagamy Mazen Nabil
Published: December 2021

Developing efficient communication between vehicles and everything (V2X) is a challenging task, mainly due to the characteristics of vehicular networks, which include rapid topology changes, large-scale sizes, and frequent link disconnections. This article proposes a deep learning model to enhance V2X communication. Various channel conditions such as interference, channel noise, and path loss affect the communication between a vehicle (V) and everything (X). Thus, the proposed model aims to determine the required optimum interference power to enhance connectivity, comply with the quality of service (QoS) constraints, and improve the communication link reliability. The proposed model fulfills the best QoS in terms of four metrics, namely, achievable data rate (Rb), packet delivery ratio (PDR), packet loss rate (PLR), and average end-to-end delay (E2E). The factors to be considered are the distribution and density of vehicles, average length, and minimum safety distance between vehicles. A mathematical formulation of the optimum required interference power is presented to achieve the given objectives as a constrained optimization problem, and accordingly, the proposed deep learning model is trained. The obtained results show the ability of the proposed model to enhance the connectivity between V2X for improving road traffic information efficiency and increasing road traffic safety.