bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (Vitamin D) Level Is Associated With Susceptibility to COVID-19, Severity, and Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Akbar Mohammad Rizki , Wibowo Arief , Pranata Raymond , Setiabudiawan Budi
Published: March 2021

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess whether low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) level is associated with susceptibility to COVID-19, severity, and mortality related to COVID-19.

Methods: Systematic literature searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase database up until 9 December 2020. We include published observational prospective and retrospective studies with information on 25-OHD that reported main/secondary outcome. Low serum 25-OHD refers to participants with serum 25-OHD level below a cut-off point ranging from 20 to 30 ng/mL. Other cut-off values were excluded to reduce heterogeneity. The main outcome was mortality defined as non-survivor/death. The secondary outcome was susceptibility and severe COVID-19.

Results: There were 14 studies comprising of 999,179 participants. Low serum 25-OHD was associated with higher rate of COVID-19 infection compared to the control group (OR = 2.71 [1.72, 4.29], p < 0.001; I2: 92.6%). Higher rate of severe COVID-19 was observed in patients with low serum 25-OHD (OR = 1.90 [1.24, 2.93], p = 0.003; I2: 55.3%), with a sensitivity of 83%, specificity of 39%, PLR of 1.4, NLR of 0.43, and DOR of 3. Low serum 25-OHD was associated with higher mortality (OR = 3.08 [1.35, 7.00], p = 0.011; I2: 80.3%), with a sensitivity of 85%, specificity of 35%, PLR of 1.3, NLR of 0.44, and DOR of 3. Meta-regression analysis showed that the association between low serum 25-OHD and mortality was affected by male gender (OR = 1.22 [1.08, 1.39], p = 0.002), diabetes (OR = 0.88 [0.79, 0.98], p = 0.019).

Conclusion: Low serum 25-OHD level was associated with COVID-19 infection, severe presentation, and mortality.
The Multidimensional Assessment for Pediatric Patients in Radiotherapy (M.A.P.-RT) Tool for Customized Treatment Preparation: RADAR Project
Authors: Chiesa Silvia , Marconi Elisa , Dinapoli Nicola , Sanfilippo Maria Zoe , Ruggiero Antonio , Mastronuzzi Angela , Panza Giulia , Serra Annalisa , Massaccesi Mariangela , Cacchione Antonella , Beghella Bartoli Francesco , Chieffo Daniela Pia Rosaria , Gambacorta Maria Antonietta , Valentini Vincenzo , Balducci Mario
Published: March 2021

Aims: Pediatric patients may experience considerable distress during radiotherapy. Combining psychological interventions with standard therapies can reduce the need for sedation. The RADAR Project aims to use a systematic method of recording data that can reveal patients' difficulties and fragility during treatment.

In this context, the aim of our study was to investigate the ability of a multidimensional assessment tool (M.A.P.-RT schedule) to predict the need for sedation during radiotherapy. The schedule, which is administered during the first evaluation, was created to collect information on patients and their families in a standardized way.

Materials and Methods: The study enrolled pediatric patients (aged 0–18 years or 18–21 with cognitive impairment). Data were collected by means of the M.A.P.-RT module; this explores various thematic areas, and is completed by the radiation oncologist, psychologist and nurse during their first evaluation. Features were selected by means of the Boruta method (random forest classifier), and the totals of the significant partial scores on each subsection of the module were inserted into a logistic model in order to test for their correlation with the use of anesthesia and with the frequency of psychological support. The results of logistic regression (LR) were used to identify the best predictors. The AUC was used to identify the best threshold for the scores in the evaluation.

Results: A total of 99 patients were considered for this analysis. The feature that best predicted both the need for anesthesia and the frequency of psychological support was the total score (TS), the AUC of the ROC being 0.9875 for anesthesia and 0.8866 for psychological support.

Conclusion: During the first evaluation, the M.A.P.-RT form can predict the need for anesthesia in pediatric patients, and is a potential tool for personalizing therapeutic and management procedures.
KRAS Mutational Regression Is Associated With Oligo-Metastatic Status and Good Prognosis in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Ottaiano Alessandro , Nasti Guglielmo , Santorsola Mariachiara , Altieri Vincenzo , Di Fruscio Giuseppina , Circelli Luisa , Luce Amalia , Cossu Alessia Maria , Scognamiglio Giosuè , Perri Francesco , Correra Marco , Belli Andrea , Delrio Paolo , Botti Gerardo , Caraglia Michele
Published: March 2021

Background

We previously reported that loss of KRAS mutations (“regressive” mutational trajectories) from primary tumors to metastases associated with the oligo-metastatic status in colorectal cancer (CRC). The present study was undertaken in order to analyze the mutational trajectories of KRAS in a well-characterized cohort of CRC patients who developed poly- or oligo-metastatic disease.

Material and Methods

Patients were treated and followed-up according to European Society of Medical Oncology guidelines. Primary CRC FFPE tissue and metastatic circulating-free DNA were extracted using the QIAamp DNA specific kits (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). Samples were sequenced with the Oncomine Solid Tumour DNA kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). Plasma collection for liquid biopsy was done from 1 to 14 days before starting first-line chemotherapy. Analysis of the prognostic power of KRAS evolutionary trajectories was done with uni- and multivariate analyses.

Results

One-hundred-fourteen patients were enrolled. Sixty-three patients presented with mutated KRAS (mutKRAS) and 51 with wild-type KRAS (wtKRAS). KRAS mutational concordance was high (70.1%).Two divergent subsets were identified: mutKRAS in primary tumors and wtKRAS in metastatic ones (regressive: mutKRAS → wtKRAS in 8.8% of patients), and vice versa (progressive: wtKRAS → mutKRAS in 21.1% of patients). An association between KRAS regressive trajectory and the oligo-metastatic status (P <0.0001) was found. At multivariate analysis, regressive and progressive mutational trajectories emerged as independent prognostic factors for survival, with Hazard Ratios of 0.22 (CI 95%: 0.08–0.61; median survival: not reached) and 2.70 (CI 95%: 1.11–6.56, median survival: 12.1 months), respectively.

Conclusions

Our data provide evidence that the evolutionary trajectories of KRAS can have a strong clinical prognostic role and that they can be involved in discriminating between poly-metastatic aggressive vs oligo-metastatic indolent CRC.
COVID-19 in Children: Respiratory Involvement and Some Differences With the Adults
Authors: Jurado Hernández Jenny Libeth , Álvarez Orozco Iván Francisco
Published: March 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represents a health problem with multidimensional impacts and heterogeneous respiratory involvement in children, probably due to the interaction between different and complex mechanisms that could explain its variable degrees of severity. Although the majority of reports reveal that children develop less severe cases, the number of patients is increasing with more morbidity. Most serious respiratory manifestations are acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pneumonia. By understanding the key aspects that can be used to differentiate between pediatric and adult respiratory compromise by COVID-19, we can improve our knowledge, and thus decrease the negative impact of the disease in the pediatric population. In this mini review, we summarize some of the mechanisms and findings that distinguish between adult and pediatric COVID-19 and respiratory involvement, taking into account some issues related to the physiopathology, diagnosis, clinical and paraclinical presentation, severity, treatment, and control of the disease.
Photodynamic Therapy Using Cerenkov and Radioluminescence Light
Authors: Spinelli Antonello E. , Boschi Federico
Published: March 2021

In this short review the potential use of Cerenkov radiation and radioluminescence as internal sources for Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is discussed. PDT has been developed over the course of more than 100 years and is based on the induced photo conversion of a drug called photosensitizer (PS) that triggers the production of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to the killing of the cells. In order to overcome the problem of light penetration in the tissues, different solutions were proposed in the past. The use of radioisotopes like: 18F, 64Cu, 90Y, 177Lu as internal light sources increase the light fluence at the PS compared to an external source, resulting in a larger cytotoxic effect.
Effects of Allicin on Late Sodium Current Caused by ΔKPQ-SCN5A Mutation in HEK293 Cells
Authors: Chen Yating , Huang Yun , Bai Jing , Liu Chuanbin , Ma Shanshan , Li Jiaxin , Lu Xu , Fu Zihao , Fang Lihua , Li Yang , Zhang Jiancheng
Published: March 2021

Aim

The aim was to study the effect of Allitridum (Allicin) on the heterologous expression of the late sodium current on the ΔKPQ-SCN5A mutations in HEK293 cells, with a view to screening new drugs for the treatment of long QT syndrome type 3 (LQT3).

Methods and Results

The ΔKPQ-SCN5A plasmid was transiently transferred into HEK293 cells by liposome technology and administered by extracellular perfusion, and the sodium current was recorded by whole-cell patch-clamp technology. Application of Allicin 30 μM reduced the late sodium current (INa,L) of the Nav1.5 channel current encoded by ΔKPQ-SCN5A from 1.92 ± 0.12 to 0.65 ± 0.03 pA/pF (P < 0.01, n = 15), which resulted in the decrease of INa,L/INa,P (from 0.94% ± 0.04% to 0.32% ± 0.02%). Furthermore, treatment with Allicin could move the steady-state inactivation of the channel to a more negative direction, resulting in an increase in channel inactivation at the same voltage, which reduced the increase in the window current and further increased the inactivation of the channel intermediate state. However, it had no effect on channel steady-state activation (SSA), inactivation mechanics, and recovery dynamics after inactivation. What’s more, the Nav1.5 channel protein levels of membrane in the ΔKPQ-SCN5A mutation were enhanced from 0.49% ± 0.04% to 0.76% ± 0.02% with the effect of 30 mM Allicin, close to 0.89% ± 0.02% of the WT.

Conclusion

Allicin reduced the late sodium current of ΔKPQ-SCN5A, whose mechanism may be related to the increase of channel steady-state inactivation (SSI) and intermediate-state inactivation (ISI) by the drug, thus reducing the window current.
Interpreting Cytokinin Action as Anterograde Signaling and Beyond
Authors: Ikeda Yoshihisa , Zalabák David , Kubalová Ivona , Králová Michaela , Brenner Wolfram G. , Aida Mitsuhiro
Published: March 2021

Among the major phytohormones, the cytokinin exhibits unique features for its ability to positively affect the developmental status of plastids. Even early on in its research, cytokinins were known to promote plastid differentiation and to reduce the loss of chlorophyll in detached leaves. Since the discovery of the components of cytokinin perception and primary signaling, the genes involved in photosynthesis and plastid differentiation have been identified as those directly targeted by type-B response regulators. Furthermore, cytokinins are known to modulate versatile cellular processes such as promoting the division and differentiation of cells and, in concert with auxin, initiating the de novo formation of shoot apical meristem (SAM) in tissue cultures. Yet how cytokinins precisely participate in such diverse cellular phenomena, and how the associated cellular processes are coordinated as a whole, remains unclear. A plausible presumption that would account for the coordinated gene expression is the tight and reciprocal communication between the nucleus and plastid. The fact that cytokinins affect plastid developmental status via gene expression in both the nucleus and plastid is interpreted here to suggest that cytokinin functions as an initiator of anterograde (nucleus-to-plastid) signaling. Based on this viewpoint, we first summarize the physiological relevance of cytokinins to the coordination of plastid differentiation with de novo shoot organogenesis in tissue culture systems. Next, the role of endogenous cytokinins in influencing plastid differentiation within the SAM of intact plants is discussed. Finally, a presumed plastid-derived signal in response to cytokinins for coupled nuclear gene expression is proposed.
Identification and Regulation of Tomato Serine/Arginine-Rich Proteins Under High Temperatures
Authors: Rosenkranz Remus R. E. , Bachiri Samia , Vraggalas Stavros , Keller Mario , Simm Stefan , Schleiff Enrico , Fragkostefanakis Sotirios
Published: March 2021

Alternative splicing is an important mechanism for the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes during development, cell differentiation or stress response. Alterations in the splicing profiles of genes under high temperatures that cause heat stress (HS) can impact the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and thermotolerance. Consequently, information on factors involved in HS-sensitive alternative splicing is required to formulate the principles of HS response. Serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins have a central role in alternative splicing. We aimed for the identification and characterization of SR-coding genes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a plant extensively used in HS studies. We identified 17 canonical SR and two SR-like genes. Several SR-coding genes show differential expression and altered splicing profiles in different organs as well as in response to HS. The transcriptional induction of five SR and one SR-like genes is partially dependent on the master regulator of HS response, HS transcription factor HsfA1a. Cis-elements in the promoters of these SR genes were predicted, which can be putatively recognized by HS-induced transcription factors. Further, transiently expressed SRs show reduced or steady-state protein levels in response to HS. Thus, the levels of SRs under HS are regulated by changes in transcription, alternative splicing and protein stability. We propose that the accumulation or reduction of SRs under HS can impact temperature-sensitive alternative splicing.
The Good Manager: Development and Validation of the Managerial Interpersonal Skills Scale
Authors: Beenen Gerard , Pichler Shaun , Livingston Beth , Riggio Ron
Published: March 2021

It is no secret that employees leave their organizations because of bad managers- but what about the good ones? How can researchers and organizations differentiate individuals in terms of the interpersonal skills needed to perform well in the managerial role? Although these are fundamentally important questions to organizational psychologists, there exists no conceptual model, definition, or measure of interpersonal skills specific to the managerial role. We address these questions and research gaps by developing a conceptual model and validating a concomitant measure of managerial interpersonal skills (MIPS) through a research program that included four studies across three phases: First, through a review of the literature and structured interviews with practicing managers; next, three quantitative studies in which we develop, refine and validate our MIPS scale; and finally, in a fourth validation study with matched supervisor-employee data from a large healthcare organization. Results suggest that MIPS are best represented by a three-dimensional model comprised of supporting, motivating and managing conflict all indicating a higher-order latent MIPS factor. Results also indicate the MIPS Scale predicts job attitudes and performance among both employees and managers above and beyond personality traits and leader-member exchange, as well as constructs closely related to MIPS, such as social support and conflict management style.
Latent Inhibition as a Biological Basis of Creative Capacity in Individuals Aged Nine to 12
Authors: Lorca Garrido Antonio José , López-Martínez Olivia , de Vicente-Yagüe Jara María Isabel
Published: March 2021

This study focuses on latent inhibition, a mechanism behind selective attention, as the biological basis of creativity in schoolchildren. The main objective of this study is to know if low levels of attention positively affect the levels of creativity manifested in students between the ages of nine and 12. The design of this study is non-experimental with an explanatory-correlational cross-sectional quantitative approach. In order to achieve the objective suggested, several education centers located in Murcia were selected, in which 476 students took part in a creativity test (PIC-N), an attention test (D2), and another test about intelligence depending on the educational level (BADYG/E2r or BADYG/E3r). The results obtained showed that selective attention was negatively correlated with graphic creativity, understanding that behind it lies the latent inhibition, and that when certain levels of intelligence are present, this negative correlation increases. In this way, the simultaneous existence of creative and inattentive subjects is demonstrated.
Combination of Clptm1L and TMEM207 Expression as a Robust Prognostic Marker in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Hano Kimika , Hatano Kiichi , Saigo Chiemi , Kito Yusuke , Shibata Toshiyuki , Takeuchi Tamotsu
Published: March 2021

Overexpression of Cleft Lip and Palate Transmembrane 1-Like (Clptm1L) confers cancer cell survival through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress survival signaling pathway, while TMEM207 impairs the tumor suppressor function of WW domain containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), which sensitizes cancer cells to ER stress-induced apoptosis. In the present study, we examined whether these two ER stress-related proteins, Clptm1L and TMEM207, could be prognostic markers in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Immunohistochemical staining using specific antibodies to Clptm1L or TMEM207 revealed that 31 of 89 tissue specimens exhibited concomitant expression of Clptm1L and TMEM207 at the cancer invasion front. A Kaplan–Meier plot of the patient survival curve followed by a log-rank test revealed that the coexpression of Clptm1L and TMEM207 was significantly associated with poor outcome in patients with OSCC (P = 0.00252). Coexpression of Clptm1L and TMEM207 was closely related to lymph node metastasis (P=0.000574). Both univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that coexpression of Clptm1L and TMEM207 predicted the poor prognosis of the patients with OSCC. The present study indicated that the double positive Clptm1L and TMEM207 immunoreactivity was closely related to lymph node metastasis with prognostic value in patients with OSCC.
Las organizaciones de personalidad: el enfoque postracionalista
Authors: Arciero Giampiero , Villegas Besora Manuel
Published: March 2021

Se expone la importancia del desarrollo del lenguaje y como afecta éste en el desarrollo de la figura del apego. La figura del apego puede dar sentido a los estados emocionales del niño lo cual le ayudará con la delimitación del sentido de sí mismo y la consecuente organización de su personalidad.
Interpretación del juego imaginativo en la psicoterapia infantil: hacia un enfoque hermenéutico fenomenológico
Authors: Mook Bertha , Villegas i Torras Ariadna
Published: March 2021

A pesar del interés renovado y los avances técnicos en la terapia infantil, su base teórica permanece débil. Un enfoque fenomenológico hermenéutico de la terapia del juego ofrece una comprensión teórica basada en la filosofía del significado de las expresiones infantiles a través del juego imaginativo en un contexto terapéutico. Recurriendo al concepto ontológico del juego de Gadamer y a la teoría de la interpretación de Ricoeur, se considera el juego imaginativo infantil como un texto que requiere interpretación. La comprensión e interpretación del juego imaginativo en la terapia del juego se ilustra mediante una escena de un caso de un niño maltratado.
Pubertad y adolescencia: ¿trabajamos con los jóvenes y/o con los padres? Una perspectiva postracionalista
Authors: Cabrera Casimiro Eduardo , Trujillo Trujillo Servando David , Arciero Giampiero
Published: March 2021

En la práctica clínica asisten a consulta padres con hijos puberales o adolescentes por problemas que presentan éstos; incluso en ocasiones vienen adolescentes solos en busca de ayuda. Tanto por razones psicoterapéuticas (viabilidad, estrategia y efectividad de la intervención) como por razones legales (menor de edad) nos planteamos con quién y cómo procede la intervención psicoterapéutica. Con el presente trabajo se pretende clarificar qué variables teórico-prácticas son importantes tener en cuenta para determinar en cada caso el trabajo con familias y/o con sus hijos adolescentes y puberales. Para ello se considera necesario analizar en primer lugar los cambios que a nivel general experimentan los jóvenes y sus familias en este periodo evolutivo. En segundo lugar se intenta comprender cómo estos cambios son sentidos y reordenados por los miembros familiares en función de las Organizaciones de Significado Personal.
¿Porqué no se mueven los continentes? ¿porqué no cambian las personas?
Authors: Prochaska James O. , Prochaska Janice M.
Published: March 2021

La gente no cambia porque no puede, no quiere, no sabe cómo, o no sabe qué cambiar. El modelo transteórico ofrece un modelo integrador de comprensión de las razones para no cambiar, así como de la predisposición al cambio. Los estadios y niveles de cambio guían a los terapeutas en su trabajo de ayudar a cambiar a los clientes. Los clientes en el estadio precontemplativo generalmente no pueden cambiar sin una ayuda especial. Los que se encuentran en el estadio de contemplación no están seguros de querer cambiar. Quienes se hallan en el estadio de preparación temen no saber cómo cambiar con éxito. Los niveles de cambio ayudan a guiar el terapeuta y los clientes con respecto a qué cosa cambiar.
Transformaciones en las relaciones de apego en la adolescencia: adaptación frente a necesidad de psicoterapia
Authors: Crittenden Patricia M. , Villegas Torras Ariadna
Published: March 2021

La adolescencia es un periodo de cambios significativos en las relaciones de apego. Además, la adolescencia culmina un proceso de desarrollo en el cual la interacción con los padres ha modelado la mente y el comportamiento de los hijos de manera que estarán o no preparados para la vida fuera de sus familias de origen. Por otro lado, la maduración neurológica que ocurre durante la adolescencia crea la primera oportunidad para los individuos de considerar y cambiar, independientemente de sus padres, la herencia familiar. Este artículo sitúa en primer lugar el apego en un marco de desarrollo y luego se centra en el proceso de cambio para aquellos adolescentes que necesitan una intervención profesional para realizar la transición desde una infancia distorsionada a una edad adulta con capacidad de adaptación.
De la teoria del apego a la psicoterapia
Authors: Liotti Giovanni
Published: March 2021

El presente artículo se propone hacer una revisión de los temas teóricos y empíricos ligados a la teoría del apego y a la investigación que de ella se deriva, focalizándose en sus aplicaciones psicoterapéuticas pero sin hacer referencia a ninguno de los principales modelos de psicoterapia actuales (psicoanálisis, terapia cognitiva, terapia familiar). Se analizan en detalle, debido a sus repercusiones en el praxis clínica del psicoterapeuta: (1) las bases evolucionistas de la teoría del apego, (2) la dialéctica existente entre los diferentes tipos y dimensiones del apego (en especial, la desorganización del apego), (3) los aspectos de la teoría relacionados con la cognición humana, el desarrollo y organización de la personalidad y (4) la regulación de las emociones. Y finalmente se analiza cómo una psicoterapia basada sobre la teoría del apego debe situarse en el marco de un debate entre el pensamiento moderno y postmoderno en psicoterapia.
Levels of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria Phyla and Lactobacillaceae Family on the Skin Surface of Broiler Chickens (Ross 308) Depending on the Nutritional Supplement and the Housing Conditions
Authors: Cholewińska Paulina , Michalak Marta , Wojnarowski Konrad , Skowera Szymon , Smoliński Jakub , Czyż Katarzyna
Published: March 2021

The microbiome of animals, both in the digestive tract and in the skin, plays an important role in protecting the host. The skin is one of the largest surface organs for animals; therefore, the destabilization of the microbiota on its surface can increase the risk of diseases that may adversely affect animals’ health and production rates, including poultry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutritional supplementation in the form of fermented rapeseed meal and housing conditions on the level of selected bacteria phyla (Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and family Lactobacillaceae). The study was performed on 30 specimens of broiler chickens (Ross 308), individually kept in metabolic cages for 36 days. They were divided into 5 groups depending on the feed received. On day 36, skin swabs were individually collected. Temperature and humidity were measured in the room. The temperature was measured every 2 days (18 measurements × 6 points). The results of Real-Time PCR analysis have shown a significant effect of the feed additive on the level of Firmicutes phylum on the skin. On the other hand, a variable level of the tested bacteria was shown depending on the location of the cages. The Firmicutes phylum and Lactobacillaceae family achieved the highest level in the top-window zone. However, in the case of the Actinobacteria phylum, the highest level was found at the top-door and middle-door zones. The obtained results suggest that the conditions in which animals live may affect the microbiota of their skin.
Effect of Different Selection Criteria on Performance, Carcass and Meat Quality of Nellore Young Bulls
Authors: Silva Juliana , Cônsolo Nara Regina Brandão , Buarque Vicente Luiz Macedo , Beline Mariane , da Silva Martins Taiane , Lobo Annelise Aila Gomes , Gómez Juan Fernando Morales , Eler Joanir Pereira , Leme Paulo Roberto , Netto Arlindo Saran , Gerrard David Edwin , Baldi Fernando , Silva Saulo Luz
Published: March 2021

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of selection criteria for post-weaning daily gain (PWDG) and early sexual heifer precocity (PP14) on the performance, carcass traits and meat quality of Nellore bulls. In year one, 50 animals were selected according to their expected progeny differences (EPDs) for PWDG and grouped as high (HG) or low (LG) groups. In year two, 50 animals were selected according to EPD for PP14 and also grouped as high (HP) or low (LP). After slaughter, samples of the longissimus muscle area (LMA) were used to evaluate meat quality. Most of performance traits were not affected by the selection criteria. However, the HG group had higher dressing percentage (p = 0.028), LMA (p = 0.02) and fat trim in the forequarter (p = 0.04) compared to the LG group. The HP group tended to have greater dry matter intake (p = 0.08), LMA (p = 0.05), rump fat (p = 0.04), heavier striploins (p = 0.07), tenderloins (p = 0.09) and briskets (p = 0.08) compared with LP group. In conclusion, the selection based on divergent groups PWDG or PP14 has a small impact on performance, carcass and meat quality traits.
Recognition of Bloom/Yield in Crop Images Using Deep Learning Models for Smart Agriculture: A Review
Authors: Darwin Bini , Dharmaraj Pamela , Prince Shajin , Popescu Daniela Elena , Hemanth Duraisamy Jude
Published: March 2021

Precision agriculture is a crucial way to achieve greater yields by utilizing the natural deposits in a diverse environment. The yield of a crop may vary from year to year depending on the variations in climate, soil parameters and fertilizers used. Automation in the agricultural industry moderates the usage of resources and can increase the quality of food in the post-pandemic world. Agricultural robots have been developed for crop seeding, monitoring, weed control, pest management and harvesting. Physical counting of fruitlets, flowers or fruits at various phases of growth is labour intensive as well as an expensive procedure for crop yield estimation. Remote sensing technologies offer accuracy and reliability in crop yield prediction and estimation. The automation in image analysis with computer vision and deep learning models provides precise field and yield maps. In this review, it has been observed that the application of deep learning techniques has provided a better accuracy for smart farming. The crops taken for the study are fruits such as grapes, apples, citrus, tomatoes and vegetables such as sugarcane, corn, soybean, cucumber, maize, wheat. The research works which are carried out in this research paper are available as products for applications such as robot harvesting, weed detection and pest infestation. The methods which made use of conventional deep learning techniques have provided an average accuracy of 92.51%. This paper elucidates the diverse automation approaches for crop yield detection techniques with virtual analysis and classifier approaches. Technical hitches in the deep learning techniques have progressed with limitations and future investigations are also surveyed. This work highlights the machine vision and deep learning models which need to be explored for improving automated precision farming expressly during this pandemic.
A Geochemical and Agronomic Evaluation of Technosols Made from Construction and Demolition Fines Mixed with Green Waste Compost
Authors: Coull Malcolm , Butler Benjamin , Hough Rupert , Beesley Luke
Published: March 2021

Construction and demolition fines (C&D-fines) and green waste compost (GWC) are two commonly generated urban waste materials that represent repositories of geochemical value. Here technosols were produced from volumetric mixtures of these materials ranging from 0–100% C&D-fines, with the remaining proportion comprised of GWC. Agronomic assessment was carried out by way of pot and rhizobox plant growth experiments with ryegrass, barley and pea to determine germination, plant mass and rooting behaviours. Geochemical and mineralogical evaluation was achieved by soil pore water solution measurements combined with X-ray powder diffraction analyses respectively, to characterise the technosols and their distinct deviations from a reference agricultural geogenic soil (soil). The results demonstrated that germination, growth and root mass/surface area of vegetation were up to 80-fold greater after 30-days in the technosol composed of equal volumes of the two materials (50% C&D-fines: 50% GWC) compared to the soil. High concentrations of Ca and Mg in pore waters (550–800 mg·L−1) were dominant features of the technosols, in contrast to the soil (<50 mg·L−1), resulting from gypsum and calcite enrichment of the C&D-fines. In contrast, the GWC represented a source of soluble K (450–1000·mg·L−1). Highly elevated Ca concentrations in extended leaching tests of the C&D-fines reflected ongoing gypsum dissolution, whereas soluble Mg and K were rapidly depleted from the GWC. In summary, short-term performance of the technosols as plant growth substrates was strong despite their geochemical and mineralogical distinction from soil. Gleaning additional geochemical value from combining urban wastes in this way is potentially suited to myriad scenarios where geogenic soils are contaminated, sealed or otherwise absent. Further assessment will now be needed to determine the geochemical longevity of the technosols before wider scale applications can be recommended.
Effects of Management and Hillside Position on Soil Organic Carbon Stratification in Mediterranean Centenary Olive Grove
Authors: Aguilera-Huertas Jesús , Lozano-García Beatriz , González-Rosado Manuel , Parras-Alcántara Luis
Published: March 2021

The short- and medium—long-term effects of management and hillside position on soil organic carbon (SOC) changes were studied in a centenary Mediterranean rainfed olive grove. One way to measure these changes is to analyze the soil quality, as it assesses soil degradation degree and attempts to identify management practices for sustainable soil use. In this context, the SOC stratification index (SR-COS) is one of the best indicators of soil quality to assess the degradation degree from SOC content without analyzing other soil properties. The SR-SOC was calculated in soil profiles (horizon-by-horizon) to identify the best soil management practices for sustainable use. The following time periods and soil management combinations were tested: (i) in the medium‒long-term (17 years) from conventional tillage (CT) to no-tillage (NT), (ii) in the short-term (2 years) from CT to no-tillage with cover crops (NT-CC), and (iii) the effect in the short-term (from CT to NT-CC) of different topographic positions along a hillside. The results indicate that the SR-SOC increased with depth for all management practices. The SR-SOC ranged from 1.21 to 1.73 in CT0, from 1.48 to 3.01 in CT1, from 1.15 to 2.48 in CT2, from 1.22 to 2.39 in NT-CC and from 0.98 to 4.16 in NT; therefore, the soil quality from the SR-SOC index was not directly linked to the increase or loss of SOC along the soil profile. This demonstrates the time-variability of SR-SOC and that NT improves soil quality in the long-term.
Serotyping and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella Strains Detected in Wildlife and Natural Environments in Southern Italy
Authors: La Tela Immacolata , Peruzy Maria Francesca , D’Alessio Nicola , Di Nocera Fabio , Casalinuovo Francesco , Carullo Maria Rosaria , Cardinale Davide , Cristiano Daniela , Capuano Federico
Published: March 2021

Wild animals are potential vectors of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance among Salmonella serovars isolated from wildlife and the environment in Italy. A total of 164 Salmonella isolates were analyzed, and six different subspecies and 64 serovars were detected. High proportions of Salmonella isolates proved resistant to streptomycin (34.1%), followed by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (23.2%), tetracycline (17.7%), ciprofloxacin (14.63%) and ampicillin (11.59%). By source, the lowest level of resistance was observed in Salmonella serovars isolated from a water environment, while antimicrobial resistance was frequent in strains collected from shellfish, reptiles and birds. Multidrug-resistant strains were recovered from seafood (n = 11), mammals (n = 3) and water (n = 1). Three S. Typhimurium monophasic variant strains showed asimultaneous resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which represents a recognized alert resistance profile for this serovar. These data indicate the environmental dissemination of resistant strains due to anthropogenic activities, which, in southern Italy, probably have a higher impact on marine ecosystems than on terrestrial ones. Moreover, as most of the animals considered in the present study are usually consumed by humans, the presence of resistant bacteria in them is a matter of great concern.
Nanoscale Metal-Organic Frameworks as Fluorescence Sensors for Food Safety
Authors: Dou Xilin , Sun Kai , Chen Haobin , Jiang Yifei , Wu Li , Mei Jun , Ding Zhaoyang , Xie Jing
Published: March 2021

Food safety has attracted attention worldwide, and how to detect various kinds of hazardous substances in an efficient way has always been a focus. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are a class of hybrid porous materials formed by organic ligand and metal ions. Nanoscale MOFs (NMOFs) exhibit great potential in serving as fluorescence sensors for food safety due to their superior properties including high accuracy, great stability, fast response, etc. In this review, we focus on the recent development of NMOFs sensing for food safety. Several typical methods of NMOFs synthesis are presented. NMOFs-based fluorescence sensors for contaminants and adulterants, such as antibiotics, food additives, ions and mycotoxin etc. are summarized, and the sensing mechanisms are also presented. We explore these challenges in detail and provide suggestions about how they may be surmounted. This review could help the exploration of NMOFs sensors in food related work.
Effectiveness of Antibacterial Surfaces in Osseointegration of Titanium Dental Implants: A Systematic Review
Authors: López-Valverde Nansi , Macedo-de-Sousa Bruno , López-Valverde Antonio , Ramírez Juan Manuel
Published: March 2021

Titanium (Ti) dental implant failure as a result of infection has been established at 40%, being regarded as one of the most habitual and untreatable problems. Current research is focused on the design of new surfaces that can generate long-lasting, infection-free osseointegration. The purpose of our study was to assess studies on Ti implants coated with different antibacterial surfaces, assessing their osseointegration. The PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases were electronically searched for in vivo studies up to December 2020, selecting six studies that met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the selected studies was assessed using the ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments) criteria and Systematic Review Center for Laboratory animal Experimentation’s (SYRCLE’s) risk of bias tool. Although all the included studies, proved greater osseointegration capacity of the different antibacterial surfaces studied, the methodological quality and experimental models used in some of them make it difficult to draw predictable conclusions. Because of the foregoing, we recommend caution when interpreting the results obtained.
Wastewaters, with or without Hospital Contribution, Harbour MDR, Carbapenemase-Producing, but Not Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Teban-Man Adela , Farkas Anca , Baricz Andreea , Hegedus Adriana , Szekeres Edina , Pârvu Marcel , Coman Cristian
Published: March 2021

Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPKP) isolated from influent (I) and effluent (E) of two wastewater treatment plants, with (S1) or without (S2) hospital contribution, were investigated. The strains belonged to the Kp1 phylogroup, their highest frequency being observed in S1, followed by S2. The phenotypic and genotypic hypervirulence tests were negative for all the strains tested. At least one carbapenemase gene (CRG), belonging to the blaKPC, blaOXA-48, blaNDM and blaVIM families, was observed in 63% of CPKP, and more than half co-harboured two to four CRGs, in different combinations. Only five CRG variants were observed, regardless of wastewater type: blaKPC-2, blaNDM-1, blaNDM-6, blaVIM-2, and blaOXA-48. Sequence types ST258, ST101 and ST744 were common for both S1 and S2, while ST147, ST525 and ST2502 were found only in S1 and ST418 only in S2. The strains tested were multi-drug resistant (MDR), all being resistant to beta-lactams, cephalosporins, carbapenems, monobactams and fluoroquinolones, followed by various resistance profiles to aminoglycosides, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, tigecycline, chloramphenicol and tetracycline. After principal component analysis, the isolates in S1 and S2 groups did not cluster independently, confirming that the antibiotic susceptibility patterns and gene-type profiles were both similar in the K. pneumoniae investigated, regardless of hospital contribution to the wastewater type.
Shelf-Life Optimisation of Plasma Polymerised (2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPOpp) Coatings; A New Possible Approach to Tackle Infections in Chronic Wounds
Authors: Böttle Kilian , Vasilev Krasimir , Michl Thomas Danny
Published: March 2021

Chronic wounds fail to heal and are accompanied by an ongoing infection. They cause suffering, shorten lifespans, and their prevalence is increasing. Unfortunately, the medical treatment of chronic wounds has remained unchanged for decades. A novel approach to break the biological vicious cycle is the long-lived radical (2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO). TEMPO can be plasma polymerised (TEMPOpp) into thin coatings that have antimicrobial properties. However, due to its radical nature, quenching causes it to lose effectiveness over time. Our aim in this study was to extend the shelf-life of TEMPOpp coatings using various storage conditions: Namely, room temperature (RT), room temperature & vacuum sealed (RTV), freezer temperature & vacuum sealed (FTV). We have analysed the coatings’ quality via the surface analytical methods of X-Ray Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR); finding marked differences among the three storage conditions. Furthermore, we have compared the antimicrobial efficacy of the stored coatings against two major bacterial pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, commonly found in chronic wounds. We did so both qualitatively via live/dead staining, as well as quantitatively via (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino) carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium (XTT) viability assay for up to 15 weeks in 5 weeks increments. Taken all together, we demonstrate that samples stored under FTV conditions retain the highest antimicrobial activity after 15 weeks and that this finding correlates with the retained concentration of nitroxides.
Host Response against Virus Infection in an Insect: Bidensovirus Infection Effect on Silkworm (Bombyx mori)
Authors: Ito Katsuhiko , Ponnuvel Kangayam M. , Kadono-Okuda Keiko
Published: March 2021

Silk cocoons obtained from silkworms are the primary source of commercial silk, making the silkworm an economically important insect. However, the silk industry suffers significant losses due to various virus infections. Bombyx mori bidensovirus (BmBDV) is one of the pathogens that cause flacherie disease in silkworms. Most silkworm strains die after BmBDV infection. However, certain silkworm strains show resistance to the virus, which is determined by a single recessive gene, nsd-2. The +nsd-2 gene (allele of nsd-2; the susceptibility gene) encodes a putative amino acid transporter expressed only in the insect’s midgut, where BmBDV can infect, suggesting that this membrane protein may function as a receptor for BmBDV. Interestingly, the expression analysis revealed no changes in the +nsd-2 gene expression levels in virus-uninfected silkworms, whereas the gene expression drastically decreased in the virus-infected silkworm. This condition indicates that the host factor’s expression, the putative virus receptor, is affected by BmBDV infection. It has recently been reported that the expression levels of some host genes encoding cuticle, antioxidant, and immune response-related proteins were significantly regulated by BmBDV infection. In this review, we discuss the host response against virus infection based on our knowledge and long-term research experience in this field.
Icaritin Provides Neuroprotection in Parkinson’s Disease by Attenuating Neuroinflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Energy Deficiency
Authors: Wu Hao , Liu Xi , Gao Ze-Yu , Lin Ming , Zhao Xin , Sun Yi , Pu Xiao-Ping
Published: March 2021

Neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction are all important pathogenic mechanisms underlying motor dysfunction and dopaminergic neuronal damage observed in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, despite extensive efforts, targeting inflammation and oxidative stress using various approaches has not led to meaningful clinical outcomes, and mitochondrial enhancers have also failed to convincingly achieve disease-modifying effects. We tested our hypothesis that treatment approaches in PD should simultaneously reduce neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and improve alterations in neuronal energy metabolism using the flavonoid icaritin in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of PD. Using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI), coupled with biochemical analyses and behavioral tests, we demonstrate that icaritin improves PD by attenuating the the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activity and stabilizing mitochondrial function, based on our extensive analyses showing the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome, reduction of NLRP3-mediated IL-1β secretion, and improvements in the levels of antioxidant molecules. Our data also indicated that icaritin stabilized the levels of proteins related to mitochondrial function, such as voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) and ATP synthase subunit beta (ATP5B), as well as those of molecules related to energy metabolism, such as ATP and ADP, ultimately improving mitochondrial dysfunction. By employing molecular docking, we also discovered that icaritin can interact with NLRP3, VDAC, ATP5B, and several blood–brain barrier (BBB)-related proteins. These data provide insights into the promising therapeutic potential of icaritin in PD.
Oxidative Stress Mediates the Fetal Programming of Hypertension by Glucocorticoids
Authors: Lamothe Jeremy , Khurana Sandhya , Tharmalingam Sujeenthar , Williamson Chad , Byrne Collin J. , Lees Simon J. , Khaper Neelam , Kumar Aseem , Tai T.C.
Published: March 2021

The field of cardiovascular fetal programming has emphasized the importance of the uterine environment on postnatal cardiovascular health. Studies have linked increased fetal glucocorticoid exposure, either from exogenous sources (such as dexamethasone (Dex) injections), or from maternal stress, to the development of adult cardiovascular pathologies. Although the mechanisms are not fully understood, alterations in gene expression driven by altered oxidative stress and epigenetic pathways are implicated in glucocorticoid-mediated cardiovascular programming. Antioxidants, such as the naturally occurring polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), or the superoxide dismutase (SOD) 4-hydroxy-TEMPO (TEMPOL), have shown promise in the prevention of cardiovascular dysfunction and programming. This study investigated maternal antioxidant administration with EGCG or TEMPOL and their ability to attenuate the fetal programming of hypertension via Dex injections in WKY rats. Results from this study indicate that, while Dex-programming increased blood pressure in male and female adult offspring, administration of EGCG or TEMPOL via maternal drinking water attenuated Dex-programmed increases in blood pressure, as well as changes in adrenal mRNA and protein levels of catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine beta hydroxylase (DBH), and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT), in a sex-specific manner. Furthermore, programmed male offspring displayed reduced antioxidant glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1) expression, increased superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and catalase (CAT) expression, and increased pro-oxidant NADPH oxidase activator 1 (Noxa1) expression in the adrenal glands. In addition, prenatal Dex exposure alters expression of epigenetic regulators histone deacetylase (HDAC) 1, 5, 6, 7, 11, in male and HDAC7 in female offspring. These results suggest that glucocorticoids may mediate the fetal programming of hypertension via alteration of epigenetic machinery and oxidative stress pathways.