bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between the Contact Force at the Ankle Hook and the Hamstring Muscle Force During the Nordic Hamstring Exercise
Authors: Ruan Mianfang , Li Li , Zhu Weiping , Huang Tianchen , Wu Xie
Published: March 2021

A novel device has been developed to assess eccentric hamstring strength during the Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) by measuring the contact force at the ankle hook (brace). The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between the force measured at the ankle hook and the hamstring force estimated by a low extremity model. Thirteen male college sprinters were recruited to perform NHE on an instrumented device Nordbord (Vald Performance, Australia). Contact forces were measured at a sampling rate of 50 Hz at the hooks using the uniaxial load cells. 3D kinematics were measured simultaneously at a sampling rate of 200 Hz using a 16-camera motion analysis system (Vicon Motion Analysis, Oxford, United Kingdom) during the NHE. The data were processed with Visual 3D (C-Motion, Germantown, MD, United States) and OpenSim (NCSRR, Stanford, CA, United States) to calculate the knee joint center’s coordinates and hamstring moment arms during NHE. A static low extremity model was built to estimate the hamstring force during NHE. We have observed a significant but not very high correlation (r2 = 0.58) between peak hamstring force and the peak contact force at the ankle hook. The peak contact force measured at the ankle hook can only explain a little more than half of the variations in peak hamstring muscle forces during NHE. Caution must be exercised when assessing the eccentric hamstring strength using the ankle contact force during NHE.
An Overview of FGF-23 as a Novel Candidate Biomarker of Cardiovascular Risk
Authors: Vázquez-Sánchez Sara , Poveda Jonay , Navarro-García José Alberto , González-Lafuente Laura , Rodríguez-Sánchez Elena , Ruilope Luis M. , Ruiz-Hurtado Gema
Published: March 2021

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF)-23 is a phosphaturic hormone involved in mineral bone metabolism that helps control phosphate homeostasis and reduces 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D synthesis. Recent data have highlighted the relevant direct FGF-23 effects on the myocardium, and high plasma levels of FGF-23 have been associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in humans, such as heart failure and arrhythmias. Therefore, FGF-23 has emerged as a novel biomarker of cardiovascular risk in the last decade. Indeed, experimental data suggest FGF-23 as a direct mediator of cardiac hypertrophy development, cardiac fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction via specific myocardial FGF receptor (FGFR) activation. Therefore, the FGF-23/FGFR pathway might be a suitable therapeutic target for reducing the deleterious effects of FGF-23 on the cardiovascular system. More research is needed to fully understand the intracellular FGF-23-dependent mechanisms, clarify the downstream pathways and identify which could be the most appropriate targets for better therapeutic intervention. This review updates the current knowledge on both clinical and experimental studies and highlights the evidence linking FGF-23 to cardiovascular events. The aim of this review is to establish the specific role of FGF-23 in the heart, its detrimental effects on cardiac tissue and the possible new therapeutic opportunities to block these effects.
A Weather-Driven Model for Predicting Infections of Grapevines by Sporangia of Plasmopara viticola
Authors: Brischetto Chiara , Bove Federica , Fedele Giorgia , Rossi Vittorio
Published: March 2021

A mechanistic model was developed to predict secondary infections of Plasmopara viticola and their severity as influenced by environmental conditions; the model incorporates the processes of sporangia production and survival on downy mildew (DM) lesions, dispersal and deposition, and infection. The model was evaluated against observed data (collected in a 3-year vineyard) for its accuracy to predict periods with no sporangia (i.e., for negative prognosis) or with peaks of sporangia, so that growers can identify periods with no/low risk or high risk. The model increased the probability to correctly predict no sporangia [P(P−O−) = 0.67] by two times compared to the prior probability, with fewer than 3% of the total sporangia found in the vineyard being sampled when not predicted by the model. The model also correctly predicted peaks of sporangia, with only 1 of 40 peaks unpredicted. When evaluated for the negative prognosis of infection periods, the model showed a posterior probability for infection not to occur when not predicted P(P−O−) = 0.87 with only 9 of 108 real infections not predicted; these unpredicted infections were mild, accounting for only 4.4% of the total DM lesions observed in the vineyard. In conclusion, the model was able to identify periods in which the DM risk was nil or very low. It may, therefore, help growers avoid fungicide sprays when not needed and lengthen the interval between two sprays, i.e., it will help growers move from calendar-based to risk-based fungicide schedules for the control of P. viticola in vineyards.
A Golgi-Localized Sodium/Hydrogen Exchanger Positively Regulates Salt Tolerance by Maintaining Higher K+/Na+ Ratio in Soybean
Authors: Sun Tianjie , Ma Nan , Wang Caiqing , Fan Huifen , Wang Mengxuan , Zhang Jie , Cao Jinfeng , Wang Dongmei
Published: March 2021

Salt stress caused by soil salinization, is one of the main factors that reduce soybean yield and quality. A large number of genes have been found to be involved in the regulation of salt tolerance. In this study, we characterized a soybean sodium/hydrogen exchanger gene GmNHX5 and revealed its functional mechanism involved in the salt tolerance process in soybean. GmNHX5 responded to salt stress at the transcription level in the salt stress-tolerant soybean plants, but not significantly changed in the salt-sensitive ones. GmNHX5 was located in the Golgi apparatus, and distributed in new leaves and vascular, and was induced by salt treatment. Overexpression of GmNHX5 improved the salt tolerance of hairy roots induced by soybean cotyledons, while the opposite was observed when GmNHX5 was knockout by CRISPR/Cas9. Soybean seedlings overexpressing GmNHX5 also showed an increased expression of GmSOS1, GmSKOR, and GmHKT1, higher K+/Na+ ratio, and higher viability when exposed to salt stress. Our findings provide an effective candidate gene for the cultivation of salt-tolerant germplasm resources and new clues for further understanding of the salt-tolerance mechanism in plants.
Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Involved in Host-Specific Resistance to Cyst Nematodes in Crops
Authors: Zheng Qi , Putker Vera , Goverse Aska
Published: March 2021

Cyst nematodes are able to infect a wide range of crop species and are regarded as a major threat in crop production. In response to invasion of cyst nematodes, plants activate their innate immune system to defend themselves by conferring basal and host-specific defense responses depending on the plant genotype. Basal defense is dependent on the detection of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), while host-specific defense mainly relies on the activation of canonical and non-canonical resistance (R) genes or quantitative trait loci (QTL). Currently, application of R genes and QTLs in crop species is a major approach to control cyst nematode in crop cultivation. However, emerging virulent cyst nematode field populations are threatening crop production due to host genetic selection by the application of a limited set of resistance genes in current crop cultivars. To counteract this problem, increased knowledge about the mechanisms involved in host-specific resistance mediated by R genes and QTLs to cyst nematodes is indispensable to improve their efficient and sustainable use in field crops. Despite the identification of an increasing number of resistance traits to cyst nematodes in various crops, the underlying genes and defense mechanisms are often unknown. In the last decade, indebt studies on the functioning of a number of cyst nematode R genes and QTLs have revealed novel insights in how plants respond to cyst nematode infection by the activation of host-specific defense responses. This review presents current knowledge of molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the recognition of cyst nematodes, the activation of defense signaling and resistance response types mediated by R genes or QTLs. Finally, future directions for research are proposed to develop management strategies to better control cyst nematodes in crop cultivation.
Exploring microRNA Signatures of DNA Damage Response Using an Innovative System of Genotoxic Stress in Medicago truncatula Seedlings
Authors: Gualtieri Carla , Gianella Maraeva , Pagano Andrea , Cadeddu Tiziano , Araújo Susana , Balestrazzi Alma , Macovei Anca
Published: March 2021

One of the challenges that living organisms face is to promptly respond to genotoxic stress to avoid DNA damage. To this purpose, all organisms, including plants, developed complex DNA damage response (DDR) mechanisms. These mechanisms are highly conserved among organisms and need to be finely regulated. In this scenario, microRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as active players, thus attracting the attention of the research community. The involvement of miRNAs in DDR has been investigated prominently in human cells whereas studies in plants are still scarce. To experimentally investigate the involvement of plant miRNAs in the regulation of DDR-associated pathways, an ad hoc system was developed, using the model legume Medicago truncatula. Specific treatments with camptothecin (CPT) and/or NSC120686 (NSC), targeting distinct components of DDR, namely topoisomerase I (TopI) and tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1), were used. Phenotypic (germination percentage and speed, seedling growth) and molecular (cell death, DNA damage, and gene expression profiles) analyses demonstrated that the imposed treatments impact DDR. Our results show that these treatments do not influence the germination process but rather inhibit seedling development, causing an increase in cell death and accumulation of DNA damage. Moreover, treatment-specific changes in the expression of suppressor of gamma response 1 (SOG1), master-regulator of plant DDR, were observed. Additionally, the expression of multiple genes playing important roles in different DNA repair pathways and cell cycle regulation were differentially expressed in a treatment-specific manner. Subsequently, specific miRNAs identified from our previous bioinformatics approaches as putatively targeting genes involved in DDR processes were investigated alongside their targets. The obtained results indicate that under most conditions when a miRNA is upregulated the corresponding candidate target gene is downregulated, providing an indirect evidence of miRNAs action over these targets. Hence, the present study extends the present knowledge on the information available regarding the roles played by miRNAs in the post-transcriptional regulation of DDR in plants.
The Role of Chromatid Interference in Determining Meiotic Crossover Patterns
Authors: Sarens Marie , Copenhaver Gregory P. , De Storme Nico
Published: March 2021

Plants, like all sexually reproducing organisms, create genetic variability by reshuffling parental alleles during meiosis. Patterns of genetic variation in the resulting gametes are determined by the independent assortment of chromosomes in meiosis I and by the number and positioning of crossover (CO) events during meiotic recombination. On the chromosome level, spatial distribution of CO events is biased by multiple regulatory mechanisms, such as CO assurance, interference and homeostasis. However, little is known about how multiple COs are distributed among the four chromatids of a bivalent. Chromatid interference (CI) has been proposed as a regulatory mechanism that biases distribution of multiple COs toward specific chromatid partners, however, its existence has not been well-studied and its putative mechanistic basis remains undescribed. Here, we introduce a novel method to quantitatively express CI, and take advantage of available tetrad-based genotyping data from Arabidopsis and maize male meiosis to quantify CI effects on a genome-wide and chromosomal scale. Overall, our analyses reveal random involvement of sister chromatids in double CO events across paired chromosomes, indicating an absence of CI. However, on a genome-wide level, CI was found to vary with physical distance between COs, albeit with different effects in Arabidopsis and maize. While effects of CI are minor in Arabidopsis and maize, the novel methodology introduced here enables quantitative interpretation of CI both on a local and genome-wide scale, and thus provides a key tool to study CI with relevance for both plant genetics and crop breeding.
Efficacy of an ACT and Compassion-Based eHealth Program for Self-Management of Chronic Pain (iACTwithPain): Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Carvalho Sérgio A. , Trindade Inês A. , Duarte Joana , Menezes Paulo , Patrão Bruno , Nogueira Maria Rita , Guiomar Raquel , Lapa Teresa , Pinto-Gouveia José , Castilho Paula
Published: March 2021

Background

Chronic pain (CP) has serious medical and social consequences and leads to economic burden that threatens the sustainability of healthcare services. Thus, optimized management of pain tools to support CP patients in adjusting to their condition and improving their quality of life is timely. Although acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is considered an evidence-based psychological approach for CP, evidence for the efficacy of online-delivered ACT for CP is still scarce. At the same time, studies suggest that self-compassion mediates the change in disability and psychopathological symptoms in ACT interventions for CP, although self-compassion is not a specific target in ACT. Thus, an explicit focus on self-compassion might increase the efficacy of ACT interventions for CP, although this hypothesis has not been tested. This study aims to develop an eHealth ACT and compassion-based self-management intervention for CP, the iACTwithPain, and to compare its efficacy in improving health outcomes to a similar ACT-only intervention and a medical TAU group.

Methods

The eHealth platform that will host the interventions will be developed using a flat design identity and will be interactive. The iACTwithPain intervention will comprise eight weekly self-management sessions and will be developed taking into consideration the psychological flexibility model applied to CP, with the addition of explicit compassion-based components. To analyze whether the iACTwithPain intervention will present superiority in improving CP’s impact and related health markers over the two other conditions, this study will follow an RCT design with three arms. CP patients will be recruited through direct contact with patient associations and healthcare services and a national press release in Portugal. Outcome measurement will be conducted at baseline, post-intervention and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. The interventions’ acceptability will also be assessed.

Discussion

The iACTwithPain intervention is expected to improve CP patients’ psychosocial functioning, quality of life, and empowerment, by promoting adaptive disease management and regulation of pain-related internal experiences. Results will contribute to a better understanding on the pertinence of adding compassion elements to ACT for CP and to reach an optimized intervention for CP.

Clinical Trial Registration

This trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.Gov (NCT04200183; 16 December 2019; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04200183). The current manuscript comprises the first version of this clinical trial’s protocol.
Urban (Digital) Play and Right to the City: A Critical Perspective
Authors: Castro Seixas Eunice
Published: March 2021

In this paper I discuss the concept of the right to the city in articulation with the concept of urban play and more specifically, the diverse body of research related with playable and playful cities. Following a brief review of these two concepts and related studies, I critically discuss the possibilities of articulating Lefebvre's radical concept of the right to the city to contemporary interventions on urban and digital play.
COVID-19 Mortality and Case-Fatality Rates in Sergipe State, Northeast Brazil, From April to June 2020
Authors: Martins-Filho Paulo R. , Araújo Adriano A. S. , Góes Marco A. O. , de Souza Mércia S. F. , Quintans-Júnior Lucindo J. , Martins Natália , Santos Victor S.
Published: March 2021

Information on how coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality is related to population characteristics in low- and middle-income countries is still limited. We described the deaths from COVID-19 in Sergipe state, Northeast Brazil, from April 2 to June 27, 2020. For this purpose, we conducted a study composed of (i) a case series study of all deaths due to COVID-19 and (ii) a population-based study to verify the behavior of the mortality and case-fatality rates (CFR) related to COVID-19. Data from 605 deaths due to COVID-19 were used to describe the characteristics of individuals with the disease, as well as the differences in gender, age, and comorbidities. Additionally, population data were extracted to estimate the mortality and CFR by population stratum. We also performed an adjusted CFR analysis including a time lag of 14 days between the onset of symptoms and reporting deaths. Of the 605 patients included in this study, 321 (53.1%) were males and the median age was 67.0 years. Most patients (n = 447, 73.9%) who died from COVID-19 had at least one pre-existing clinical condition. The mortality rate was 29.3 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants and the crude CRF was 2.6% (95% CI 2.4–2.8). CFR was higher in males (3.1%, 95% CI 2.8–3.4; p < 0.001) and people aged ≥60 years (14.2%, 95% CI 13.0–15.6; p = 0.042). About 25% of patients died during the first 24-h post-hospital admission. The adjusted CFR for a 14-day time lag was ~2-fold higher than the crude CFR over the study period.
Case Report: Totally Laparoscopic Resection of Retroperitoneal Paraganglioma Masquerading as a Duodenal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
Authors: Zhang Zhi , Tu Zhengbin , Lv Zhiqiang , Luo Yang , Yuan Jianmao
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Retroperitoneal paraganglioma (RPGL) is a rare clinical tumor derived from the retroperitoneal sympathetic paraganglion tissue. Since RPGLs are locate deeply and have no specific symptoms and imaging manifestations at the early stage, which easily causes missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. In addition, reports on totally laparoscopic resection of RPGLs are scarce due to their close proximity to large vessels, giant size, uncertain location, and unknown malignant status.

Case Presentation: We present here the case of totally laparoscopic resection of a 6.4 × 5.4 cm RPGL that was discovered during a workup for discomfort and upper abdominal pain in a 68-year-old female patient, mimicking a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the duodenum, Which was confirmed as a RPGL based on the histopathological and immunohistochemical findings.

Conclusions: RPGL is a rare tumor, and the transperitoneal laparoscopic approach for the RPGL is a safe, applicable method with less trauma and quick recovery, which is worth clinical popularizing and application. Moreover, the survival prognosis of RPGL patients are related to metastasis, and lifelong follow-up should be emphasized.
Hegemonic Conceptualizations of Empowerment in Entrepreneurship and Their Suitability for Collective Contexts
Authors: Wood Bronwyn P. , Ng Poh Yen , Bastian Bettina Lynda
Published: March 2021

The relationship between empowerment and entrepreneurship in collective societies is, in our view, insufficiently examined. Accepted definitions of empowerment and the assumptions underlying programs and research designs based on them result in outcomes that self-fulfil and, as a result, disappoint. Several issues are prevalent: the empowerment potential of programs is overestimated and the dominant view of what constitutes an ‘empowered self’ does not go deep enough to explore, and reframe, the self and its relationship to agency—two issues at the core of empowerment definitions and formulations. In this conceptual article, we examine the entrepreneurship and empowerment literature to suggest ways forward for the future health and relevance of the subject area. We highlight a serious methodological and perceptual issue within the literature, which offers many opportunities for theory development in the field.
A Review of Representative Methods Used in Wine Authentication
Authors: Popîrdă Andreea , Luchian Camelia Elena , Cotea Valeriu V. , Colibaba Lucia Cintia , Scutarașu Elena Cristina , Toader Ana Maria
Published: March 2021

Authenticity and the methods for determining fraud are two of the most important issues in the field of quality control and food safety. In the winemaking field, the study of authenticity is all the more necessary, with wine being one of the most adulterated foods, as the monthly reports of the European Commission show. This results in a two-fold problem: consumer expectations are not met and there is a disloyal competition among wine producers in the field. Authenticity has been a priority research direction worldwide for centuries. Today, researchers are working on improving already existing methods of authenticity monitoring, but also on creating new ones. The intention is to have results that are as accurate, fast and inexpensive as possible for confirmation or rejection of the hypothesis. The bibliographic study of the literature undertaken for the development of this article aims to identify the classical methods of establishing authenticity, describe them and establish their degree of efficiency. Moreover, a review of the current research trends is presented in this work.
Can Milk Flow Traits Act as Biomarkers of Lameness in Dairy Cows?
Authors: Juozaitienė Vida , Antanaitis Ramūnas , Urbonavičius Gediminas , Urbutis Mingaudas , Tušas Saulius , Baumgartner Walter
Published: March 2021

We hypothesized that lameness has an impact on milk flow traits. The aim of the current study was therefore to investigate the relation between lameness and milk flow traits in dairy cows. For this study 73 healthy and 55 cows with lameness were selected. Lameness was diagnosed by a local specialized veterinarian, according to the standard procedure. The blood samples were collected during clinical examination. The milking properties of cows were evaluated twice in a row—during evening and morning milking. The selected cows in the current lactation did not receive veterinary treatment, and correct hoof trimming was not performed at least four weeks before the experiment. The measurements were taken by two electronic mobile milk flow meters (Lactocorder®®, WMB AG, Balgache, Switzerland). Milk flow data were processed using LactoPro 5.2.0 software (Biomelktechnik Swiss). Cortisol concentration was measured with the automated analyzer TOSOH®® AIA-360 (South San Francisco, CA, USA). We found out that milk flow traits can act as biomarkers of lameness in dairy cows. We determined that the milk yield in the first minute of healthy dairy cows was 1.77 kg higher than that of lame cows. The electrical conductivity during the initial time of milking of healthy cows was 0.24 mS/cm lower than that of the lame group. The milking duration of LA cows was 1.07 min shorter and the time of incline in milk flow from 0.5 kg/min till the reach of the plateau phase was longer. The risk of lameness was most clearly indicated by an increase in blood cortisol concentration; if its blood level in cows exceeds 1 µg/dL, the risk of identifying lameness increases 4.9 times.
Application of Seaweed Organic Components Increases Tolerance to Fe Deficiency in Tomato Plants
Authors: Carrasco-Gil Sandra , Allende-Montalbán Raúl , Hernández-Apaolaza Lourdes , Lucena Juan J.
Published: March 2021

The beneficial effects of seaweed extracts have been related to plant growth regulators present in seaweeds. However, algae extracts comprise other organic compounds such as phenols, mannitol, alginates, laminarins, and fucoidans that may have a relevant role regarding abiotic stress tolerance due to nutrient deficiency. Therefore, we evaluated the individual effect of these organic compounds in a range of concentrations on the mitigation of Fe deficiency in tomato plants. Germination and plant growth promotion, root morphology, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant activity were determined. Results showed that the lowest concentration of phenolics, laminarin, and fucose compounds contributed to increasing the tolerance to Fe deficiency in tomato plants.
Clinical Significance of ROMs, OXY, SHp and HMGB-1 in Canine Leishmaniosis
Authors: Pugliese Michela , Sfacteria Alessandra , Oliva Gaetano , Falcone Annastella , Gizzarelli Manuela , Passantino Annamaria
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to investigate the role of oxidative stress parameters (ROMs, OXY, SHp), the Oxidative Stress index (OSi), and High Mobility Group Box-1 protein (HMGB-1) in canine leishmaniosis (CanL). For this study, thirty dogs, naturally infected with Leishmania spp. (Leishmania Group, LEISH) and ten healthy adult dogs (control group, CTR) were included. The diagnosis of CanL was performed by a cytological examination of lymph nodes, real time polymerase chain reaction on biological tissues (lymph nodes and whole blood), and an immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) for the detection of anti-Leishmania antibodies associated with clinical signs such as dermatitis, lymphadenopathy, onychogryphosis, weight loss, cachexia, lameness, conjunctivitis, epistaxis, and hepatosplenomegaly. The HMGB-1 and oxidative stress parameters of the LEISH Group were compared with the values recorded in the CTR group (Mann Whitney Test, p < 0.05). Spearman rank correlation was applied to evaluate the correlation between the HMGB-1, oxidative stress biomarkers, hematological and biochemical parameters in the LEISH Group. Results showed statistically significant higher values of SHp in the LEISH Group. Specific correlation between the ROMs and the number of red blood cells, and between HGMB-1 and SHp were recorded. These preliminary data may suggest the potential role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of CanL. Further studies are undoubtedly required to evaluate the direct correlation between inflammation parameters with the different stages of CanL. Similarly, further research should investigate the role of ROMs in the onset of anemia.
Reducing Duration of Antibiotic Use for Presumed Neonatal Early-Onset Sepsis in Greek NICUs. A “Low-Hanging Fruit” Approach
Authors: Kopsidas Ioannis , Tsopela Grammatiki-Christina , Molocha Nafsika-Maria , Bouza Eleni , Chorafa Elisavet , Chorianopoulou Evangelia , Giapros Vasileios , Gkentzi Despoina , Gkouvas Theodoros , Kapetanaki Anastasia , Karachristou Korina , Karavana Georgia , Kourkouni Eleni , Kourlaba Georgia , Lithoxopoulou Maria , Papaevangelou Vassiliki , Polychronaki Maria , Roilides Emmanuel , Siahanidou Tania , Stratiki Evangelia , Syrogiannopoulos George , Triantafyllou Christos , Tsolia Maria , Tsouvala Emmanouela , Zaoutis Theoklis , Spyridis Nikos ,   Preventing Hospital-Acquired Infections in Greece (PHiG) Investigators
Published: March 2021

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), where stewardship interventions are challenging. Lowering antibiotic consumption is desperately needed in Greece, a country with high antibiotic resistance rates. We sought to assess the effectiveness of a low-cost and -resource intervention to reduce antibiotic use in Greek NICUs implementing a “low-hanging fruit” approach. A prospective quasi-experimental study was conducted in 15/17 public NICUs in Greece (9/2016–06/2019). The intervention selected was discontinuation of antibiotics within 5 days for neonates with gestational age ≥ 37 weeks, no documented signs or symptoms of sepsis, CRP ≤ 10 mg/L and negative cultures within 3 days of antibiotic initiation. Impact was evaluated by the percentage of discontinued regimens by day 5, length of therapy (LOT) and stay. Trends of antibiotic consumption were assessed with days of therapy (DOT) per 1000 patient-days. Overall, there was a 9% increase (p = 0.003) of antibiotic discontinuation in ≤5 days. In total, 7/13 (53.8%) units showed a ≥10% increase. Overall, 615 days on antibiotics per 1000 patients were saved. Interrupted time-series analysis established a declining trend in DOT/1000 patient-days relative to the pre-intervention trend (p = 0.002); a monthly decrease rate of 28.96 DOT/1000 patient-days (p = 0.001, 95%CI [−45.33, −12.60]). The intervention had no impact on antibiotic choice. Antibiotic use was successfully reduced in Greek NICUs using a “low-hanging fruit” approach. In resource-limited settings, similar targeted stewardship interventions can be applied.
Bacterial Pathogens and Evaluation of a Cut-Off for Defining Early and Late Neonatal Infection
Authors: Kucova Pavla , Kantor Lumir , Fiserova Katerina , Lasak Jakub , Röderova Magdalena , Kolar Milan
Published: March 2021

Bacterial infections are an important cause of mortality and morbidity in newborns. The main risk factors include low birth weight and prematurity. The study identified the most common bacterial pathogens causing neonatal infections including their resistance to antibiotics in the Neonatal Department of the University Hospital Olomouc. Additionally, the cut-off for distinguishing early- from late-onset neonatal infections was assessed. The results of this study show that a cut-off value of 72 h after birth is more suitable. Only in case of early-onset infections arising within 72 h of birth, initial antibiotic therapy based on gentamicin with ampicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid may be recommended. It has been established that with the 72-h cut-off, late-onset infections caused by bacteria more resistant to antibiotics may be detected more frequently, a finding that is absolutely crucial for antibiotic treatment strategy.
Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Implementation in a Saudi Medical City: An Exploratory Case Study
Authors: Alghamdi Saleh , Berrou Ilhem , Bajnaid Eshtyag , Aslanpour Zoe , Haseeb Abdul , Hammad Mohamed Anwar , Shebl Nada
Published: March 2021

Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) in hospitals have long been shown to improve antimicrobials’ use and reduce the rates of antimicrobial resistance. However, their implementation in hospitals, especially in developing countries such as Saudi Arabia, remains low. One of the main barriers to implementation is the lack of knowledge of how to implement them. This study aims to explore how an antimicrobial stewardship programme was implemented in a Saudi hospital, the challenges faced and how they were overcome, and the program outcomes. A key stakeholder case study design was used, involving in-depth semi-structured interviews with the core members of the ASP team and analysis of 35 ASP hospital documents. ASP implementation followed a top-down approach and involved an initial preparatory phase and an implementation phase, requiring substantial infectious diseases and clinical pharmacy input throughout. Top management support was key to the successful implementation. ASP implementation reduced rates of multi-drug resistance and prescription of broad-spectrum antimicrobials. The implementation of ASPs in hospital is administrator rather than clinician driven. Outsourcing expertise and resources may help hospitals address the initial implementation challenges.
Transcriptional and Catalytic Responsiveness of the Antarctic Fish Trematomus bernacchii Antioxidant System toward Multiple Stressors
Authors: Giuliani Maria Elisa , Nardi Alessandro , Di Carlo Marta , Benedetti Maura , Regoli Francesco
Published: March 2021

Ocean-warming and acidification jeopardize Antarctic marine species, adapted to cold and constant conditions and naturally exposed to high pro-oxidant pressures and cadmium (Cd) bioavailability. The aim of this study was to investigate if projected temperature increase and pH reduction may affect the accumulation and the effects of Cd in the rockcod Trematomus bernacchii. Organisms were exposed for 14 days to six scenarios, combining environmental or increased temperature (−1 °C, +1 °C) and control or reduced pH (8.05, 7.60), either with or without Cd (40 µg/L). Responses in liver and gills were analyzed at different levels, including mRNA and functional measurements of metallothioneins and of a wide battery of antioxidants, integrated with the evaluation of the total antioxidant capacity and onset of oxidative damages. In the gills, metallothioneins and mRNA of antioxidant genes (nrf2, keap1, cat, gpx1) increased after Cd exposure, but such effects were softened by warming and acidification. Antioxidants showed slighter variations at the enzymatic level, while Cd caused glutathione increase under warming and acidified scenarios. In the liver, due to higher basal antioxidant protection, limited effects were observed. Genotoxic damage increased under the combined stressors scenario. Overall results highlighted the modulation of the oxidative stress response to Cd by multiple stressors, suggesting the vulnerability of T. bernacchii under predicted ocean change scenarios.
Common and Novel Markers for Measuring Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Ex Vivo in Research and Clinical Practice—Which to Use Regarding Disease Outcomes?
Authors: Menzel Alain , Samouda Hanen , Dohet Francois , Loap Suva , Ellulu Mohammed S. , Bohn Torsten
Published: March 2021

Many chronic conditions such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, type-2 diabetes, obesity, peripheral/coronary artery disease and auto-immune diseases are associated with low-grade inflammation. Closely related to inflammation is oxidative stress (OS), which can be either causal or secondary to inflammation. While a low level of OS is physiological, chronically increased OS is deleterious. Therefore, valid biomarkers of these signalling pathways may enable detection and following progression of OS/inflammation as well as to evaluate treatment efficacy. Such biomarkers should be stable and obtainable through non-invasive methods and their determination should be affordable and easy. The most frequently used inflammatory markers include acute-phase proteins, essentially CRP, serum amyloid A, fibrinogen and procalcitonin, and cytokines, predominantly TNFα, interleukins 1β, 6, 8, 10 and 12 and their receptors and IFNγ. Some cytokines appear to be disease-specific. Conversely, OS—being ubiquitous—and its biomarkers appear less disease or tissue-specific. These include lipid peroxidation products, e.g., F2-isoprostanes and malondialdehyde, DNA breakdown products (e.g., 8-OH-dG), protein adducts (e.g., carbonylated proteins), or antioxidant status. More novel markers include also –omics related ones, as well as non-invasive, questionnaire-based measures, such as the dietary inflammatory-index (DII), but their link to biological responses may be variable. Nevertheless, many of these markers have been clearly related to a number of diseases. However, their use in clinical practice is often limited, due to lacking analytical or clinical validation, or technical challenges. In this review, we strive to highlight frequently employed and useful markers of inflammation-related OS, including novel promising markers.
Time-Domain Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Subjects with Asymptomatic Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Giacalone Giacomo , Zanoletti Marta , Re Rebecca , Contini Davide , Spinelli Lorenzo , Torricelli Alessandro , Roveri Luisa
Published: March 2021

Biomarkers of microcirculation dysfunction may help in the study of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Time-Domain Near-Infrared spectroscopy (TD-NIRS), estimating the oxygenation of microcirculation of cerebral outer layers, might indirectly correlate with CSVD. We retrospectively evaluated TD-NIRS data from healthy subjects with age ≥ 55 years; no history of brain disease; normal neurological examination; absence of stenosis > 50% of extra/intra-cranial arteries; incidental finding of asymptomatic CSVD at brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). According to Fazekas scale, subjects were classified by presence of white matter hyperintensities in periventricular region (pvWMHs), deep white matter region (dWMHs), or both (d+pvWMHs). We compared the concentration of hemoglobin species and tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) among these groups. The study included 20 subjects, median age 67.5 (IQR 61–78) years old (6 without WMHs, 5 with pvWMHs, 9 with d+pvWMHs). Subjects with d+pvWMHs had significantly lower StO2 compared to subjects without WMHs (p = 0.022) or with pvWMHs (p = 0.004). StO2 < 56.7% indicated the presence of d+pvWMHs with 91% sensitivity and 67% specificity [AUC 91% (CI 95% 78–100%)]. In this preliminary study, cerebral TD-NIRS detected significantly lower StO2 in subjects with radiological signs of asymptomatic CSVD. Further studies are needed to evaluate if StO2 might represent a marker of asymptomatic CSVD.
Salmonids as Natural Functional Food Rich in Omega-3 PUFA
Authors: Kolanowski Wojciech
Published: March 2021

Salmonids are valuable fish in the human diet due to their high content of bioactive omega-3 very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (VLC PUFA). The aim of this study was to assess the omega-3 VLC PUFA content in selected salmonid fish present on the food market regarding whether they were farm-raised or wild. It was assumed that farm-raised fish, by eating well-balanced feed enriched with omega-3 PUFA, might contain omega-3 VLC PUFA in levels similar to that of wild fish. Fat content, fatty acid composition and omega-3 VLC PUFA content in fish fillets were measured. Farm-raised salmon from Norway, wild Baltic salmon, farm-raised rainbow trout and brown trout were bought from a food market whereas wild trout (rainbow and brown) were caught alive. The fat content in fish ranged from 3.3 to 8.0 g/100 g of fillet. It was confirmed that although wild salmonid fish contain 10–25% more omega-3 VLC PUFA in lipid fraction, the farm-raised ones, due to the 60–100% higher fat content, are an equally rich source of these desirable fatty acids in the human diet. One serving (130 g) of salmonid fish fillets might provide a significant dose of omega-3 VLC PUFA, from 1.2 to 2.5 g. Thus, due to very high content of bioactive fatty acids eicosapentaenoic (EPA), docosapentaenoic (DPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) in their meat, salmonid fish currently present on the food market, both sea and freshwater as well as wild and farm-raised, should be considered as natural functional food.
MOSAIK and FMI-Based Co-Simulation Applied to Transient Stability Analysis of Grid-Forming Converter Modulated Wind Power Plants
Authors: Farrokhseresht Nakisa , van der Meer Arjen A. , Rueda Torres José , van der Meijden Mart A. M. M.
Published: March 2021

The grid integration of renewable energy sources interfaced through power electronic converters is undergoing a significant acceleration to meet environmental and political targets. The rapid deployment of converters brings new challenges in ensuring robustness, transient stability, among others. In order to enhance transient stability, transmission system operators established network grid code requirements for converter-based generators to support the primary control task during faults. A critical factor in terms of implementing grid codes is the control strategy of the grid-side converters. Grid-forming converters are a promising solution which could perform properly in a weak-grid condition as well as in an islanded operation. In order to ensure grid code compliance, a wide range of transient stability studies is required. Time-domain simulations are common practice for that purpose. However, performing traditional monolithic time domain simulations (single solver, single domain) on a converter-dominated power system is a very complex and computationally intensive task. In this paper, a co-simulation approach using the mosaik framework is applied on a power system with grid-forming converters. A validation workflow is proposed to verify the co-simulation framework. The results of comprehensive simulation studies show a proof of concept for the applicability of this co-simulation approach to evaluate the transient stability of a dominant grid-forming converter-based power system.
Reuse of Decommissioned Hydrocarbon Wells in Italian Oilfields by Means of a Closed-Loop Geothermal System
Authors: Gizzi Martina , Taddia Glenda , Lo Russo Stefano
Published: March 2021

Geological and geophysical exploration campaigns have ascertained the coexistence of low to medium-temperature geothermal energy resources in the deepest regions of Italian sedimentary basins. As such, energy production based on the exploitation of available geothermal resources associated with disused deep oil and gas wells in Italian oilfields could represent a considerable source of renewable energy. This study used information available on Italian hydrocarbon wells and on-field temperatures to apply a simplified closed-loop coaxial Wellbore Heat Exchanger (WBHE) model to three different hydrocarbon wells located in different Italian oilfields (Villafortuna-Trecate, Val d’Agri field, Gela fields). From this study, the authors have highlighted the differences in the quantity of potentially extracted thermal energy from different analysed wells. Considering the maximum extracted working fluid temperature of 100 °C and imagining a cascading exploitation mode of the heat accumulated, for Villafortuna 1 WBHE was it possible to hypothesise a multi-variant and comprehensive use of the resource. This could be done using existing infrastructure, available technologies, and current knowledge.
A Connectivity-Based Clustering Scheme for Intelligent Vehicles
Authors: Khan Zahid , Koubaa Anis , Fang Sangsha , Lee Mi Young , Muhammad Khan
Published: March 2021

The reliability, scalability, and stability of routing schemes are open challenges in highly evolving vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). Cluster-based routing is an efficient solution to cope with the dynamic and inconsistent structure of VANETs. In this paper, we propose a cluster-based routing scheme (hereinafter referred to as connectivity-based clustering), where link connectivity is used as a metric for cluster formation and cluster head (CH) selection. Link connectivity is a function of vehicle density and transmission range in the proposed connectivity-based clustering scheme. Moreover, we used a heuristic approach of spectral clustering for the optimal number of cluster formation. Lastly, an appropriate vehicle is selected as a CH based on the maximum Eigen-centrality score. The simulation results show that the suggested connectivity-based clustering scheme performs well in the optimal number of cluster selections, strongly connected (STC) route selection, and route request messages (RRMs) in the discovery of a particular path to the destination. Thus, we conclude that link connectivity and the heuristic approach of spectral clustering are valuable additions to existing routing schemes for high evolving networks.
An Automatic Identification Method for the Blink Artifacts in the Magnetoencephalography with Machine Learning
Authors: Feng Yulong , Xiao Wei , Wu Teng , Zhang Jianwei , Xiang Jing , Guo Hong
Published: March 2021

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) detects very weak magnetic fields originating from the neurons so as to study human brain functions. The original detected MEG data always include interference generated by blinks, which can be called blink artifacts. Blink artifacts could cover the MEG signal we are interested in, and therefore need to be removed. Commonly used artifact cleaning algorithms are signal space projection (SSP) and independent component analysis (ICA). These algorithms need to locate the blink artifacts, which is typically done with the identification of the blink signals in the electrooculogram (EOG). The EOG needs to be measured by electrodes placed near the eye. In this work, a new algorithm is proposed for automatic and on-the-fly identification of the blink artifacts from the original detected MEG data based on machine learning; specifically, the artificial neural network (ANN). Seven hundred and one blink artifacts contained in eight MEG signal data sets are harnessed to verify the effect of the proposed blink artifacts identification algorithm. The results show that the method can recognize the blink artifacts from the original detected MEG data, providing a feasible MEG data-processing approach that can potentially be implemented automatically and simultaneously with MEG data measurement.
Tooth Root Bending Strength of Gears: Dimensional Effect for Small Gears Having a Module below 5 mm
Authors: Concli Franco
Published: March 2021

Downsizing is a more and more widespread trend in many industrial sectors, and, among the others, the automotive industry is pushing the design of its components towards increasingly compact, lightweight, efficient, and reliable solutions. In the past, the drivetrains for automotive were designed and manufactured with gears having modules in the range 3 to 10. In this respect, the main actual European standards for gear design such as ISO 6336:2019 (based on the DIN 3990:1987) are validated in the 3 to 10 mm range only. Moreover, it is well known that, by increasing the gear size, the gear size factor for tooth bending YX reduces. However, nowadays the advances in terms of materials and design knowledge have made possible the realization of miniaturized gearboxes with gears having normal modules below 3 mm with comparable (or better) reliability. In this scenario, understanding how the size affects (positively) the load-carrying capacity for tooth root bending for small modules below 5 mm is fundamental to maximize the design effectiveness in case of downsizing of the drivetrains. In this paper an experimental study was performed on small gears made of 39NiCrMo3 having a normal module of 2 mm to verify the load-carrying capacity for tooth root bending. Based on the experimental evidences and additional data from literature and past studies by the author, an extended formula for the size factor YX (according to ISO 6336) is proposed.
A Study of Correction to the Point Cloud Distortion Based on MEMS LiDAR System
Authors: Guo Dongbing , Wang Chunhui , Qi Baoling , Zhang Yu , Li Qingyan
Published: March 2021

Active imaging technology can perceive the surrounding environment and obtain three-dimensional information of the target. Among them, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) imaging systems are one of the hottest topics in the field of photoelectric active imaging. Due to the small size, fast scanning speed, low power consumption, low price and strong anti-interference, a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) based micro-scanning LiDAR is widely used in LiDAR imaging systems. However, the imaging point cloud will be distorted, which affects the accurate acquisition of target information. Therefore, in this article, we analyzed the causes of distortion initially, and then introduced a novel coordinate correction method, which can correct the point cloud distortion of the micro-scanning LiDAR system based on MEMS. We implemented our coordinate correction method in a two-dimensional MEMS LiDAR system to verify the feasibility. Experiments show that the point cloud distortion is basically corrected and the distortion is reduced by almost 72.5%. This method can provide an effective reference for the correction of point cloud distortion.