bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of pH and Base Substitution during Deaerator Treatments of Herring Milt Hydrolysate on the Odorous Content and the Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Todeschini Sarah , Perreault Véronique , Goulet Charles , Bouchard Mélanie , Dubé Pascal , Boutin Yvan , Bazinet Laurent
Published: June 2022

Despite the biological interest in herring milt hydrolysate (HMH), its valorization is limited by its unpleasant odor resulting from the presence of mainly amine and carbonyl compounds. Recently, a deaerator was demonstrated as an interesting avenue to reduce the odorous content of HMH. However, the removal rate of amine and carbonyl compounds was highly dependent on the operating conditions, and the impact of such a process on the biological potential of HMH was not considered. Therefore, this study aimed to optimize the deaerator process by assessing the impacts of the combination of deaerator treatments at neutral and basic pH, the increase in pH from 10 to 11, and the substitution of NaOH by KOH on the odorous content and the antioxidant activity of HMH. Results showed that the highest deodorization rate of HMH was obtained when a deaerator treatment at neutral pH was combined with another one at basic pH using KOH for alkalization. This condition resulted in a decrease in the dimethylamine and trimethylamine contents by 70%, while certain compounds such as 2,3-pentanedione, methional, (E,E)-2,4-heptadienal, or (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal were almost completely removed. Removal mechanisms of the targeted compounds were totally identified, and the performance of the developed process was confirmed by sensory analysis. Lastly, it was shown that the antioxidant potential of HMH was not affected by the deodorization process. These results demonstrated the feasibility of deodorizing a complex matrix without affecting its biological potential.
Structure and Anti-Inflammatory Activity Relationship of Ergostanes and Lanostanes in Antrodia cinnamomea
Authors: Yang Xin , Wang Xiang , Lin Jiachen , Lim Sophie , Cao Yujia , Chen Siyu , Xu Pingkang , Xu Chunyuhang , Zheng Hongling , Fu Kuo-Chang , Kuo Chien-Liang , Huang Dejian
Published: June 2022

Antrodia cinnamomea is a precious edible mushroom originating from Taiwan that has been popularly used for adjuvant hepatoprotection and anti-inflammation; however, the chemical principle for its anti-inflammatory activity has not been elucidated, which prevents the quality control of related products. Using the RAW264.7 model for the anti-inflammatory activity assay as a guide, we reported the isolation and structural elucidation of three potent anti-inflammatory compounds from isolated ergostanes (16) and lanostanes (6). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis including NMR and HR-QTOF-MS. Particularly, the absolute configurations of (25R)-antcin K, (25R)-antcin A, versisponic acid D, and (25R)-antcin C were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). The representative and most promising compound antcin A was shown to suppress pro-inflammatory biomolecule release via the down-regulation of iNOS and COX-2 expression through the NF-κB pathway while the mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 were also decreased. The high dependency on structural variation and activity suggests that there might be special biological targets for antcin A. Our work makes it possible to develop evidence-based dietary supplements from Antrodia cinnamomea based on anti-inflammatory constituents.
Influence of In Vitro Gastric Digestion of Olive Leaf Extracts on Their Bioactive Properties against H. pylori
Authors: Villalva Marisol , Silvan Jose Manuel , Guerrero-Hurtado Esperanza , Gutierrez-Docio Alba , Navarro del Hierro Joaquín , Alarcón-Cavero Teresa , Prodanov Marin , Martin Diana , Martinez-Rodriguez Adolfo J.
Published: June 2022

The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of in vitro gastric digestion of two olive leaf extracts (E1 and E2) on their chemical composition and bioactive properties against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), one of the most successful and prevalent human pathogens. HPLC-PAD/MS analysis and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of both olive leaf extracts were carried out before and after their in vitro gastric digestion. The results showed that gastric digestion produced modifications of the chemical composition and bioactive properties of both olive leaf extracts. The main compounds in the extract E1 were hydroxytyrosol and its glucoside derivatives (14,556 mg/100 g), presenting all the identified compounds a more polar character than those found in the E2 extract. E2 showed a higher concentration of less polar compounds than E1 extract, with oleuropein (21,419 mg/100 g) being the major component. Gastric digestion during the fasted state (pH 2) induced an overall decrease of the most identified compounds. In the extract E1, while the anti-inflammatory capacity showed only a slight decrease (9% of IL-8 production), the antioxidant properties suffered a drastic drop (23% of ROS inhibition), as well as the antibacterial capacity. However, in the extract E2, these changes caused an increase in the anti-inflammatory (19% of IL-8 production) and antioxidant activity (9% of ROS inhibition), which could be due to the hydrolysis of oleuropein and ligustroside into their main degradation products, hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol, but the antibacterial activity was reduced. Gastric digestion during fed state (pH 5) had less influence on the composition of the extracts, affecting in a lesser degree their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, although there was a decrease in the antibacterial activity in both extracts similar to that observed at pH 2.
Oppositely Charged Pickering Emulsion Co-Stabilized by Chitin Nanoparticles and Fucoidan: Influence of Environmental Stresses on Stability and Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Hu Miao , Du Xiaoqian , Liu Guannan , Huang Yuyang , Liu Zhao , Sun Shukun , Li Yang
Published: June 2022

Single emulsifiers exhibit varying degrees of restriction in stabilizing emulsions. Oppositely charged chitin nanoparticles and fucoidan complex particles were used as emulsifiers to stabilize a o/w Pickering emulsion and explore its stability and antioxidant activity under different environmental stresses. The results showed that the emulsion with the smallest mean particle size (1.02 μm) and strongest zeta potential (−29.3 mV) was formed at pH 7. Moreover, at this pH, it presented the highest physical stability and antioxidant activity and the lowest emulsion creaming index. The investigation of the effect of temperature on the stability and antioxidant activity of the emulsion revealed that, after freezing/thawing at −20 °C, the emulsion was unstable, the particle size increased, and the stability and antioxidant activity were low. In contrast, the emulsions treated at 25, 37, and 60 °C displayed no significant differences and exhibited high stabilities and antioxidant activities. Additionally, increasing the salt ion concentration further decreased the emulsion stability and antioxidant activity. Particularly, the emulsion with a salt concentration of 500 mM displayed the lowest stability, and stratification occurred after 30 d of storage. The Pickering emulsion remained stable under different environmental stresses expect for at a temperature of −20 °C and 500 mM salt ion concentration.
Production and Shelf-Life Study of Probiotic Caja (Spondias mombin L.) Pulp Using Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. Lactis B94
Authors: Rodrigues Thais Jaciane Araujo , Albuquerque Aline Pacheco , Azevedo Antônio Vinícius Silva de , Silva Layanne Rodrigues da , Pasquali Matheus Augusto de Bittencourt , Araújo Gilmar Trindade de , Monteiro Shênia Santos , Lima Wanessa Dayane Leite , Rocha Ana Paula Trindade
Published: June 2022

The highly nutritional caja fruit (Spondias mombin L.) is an accessible source of vitamins and antioxidants that are indispensable for the human diet. The objective of the present work was to study the production of a probiotic caja pulp using Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis B94. Firstly, a kinetic study was performed on the fermentation of the caja pulp with Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis B94 to determine the optimum conditions of the process. Growth kinetics revealed that the ideal time for ending the fermentation would be at 22 h because it corresponds to the end of the exponential phase. Both the whole pulp and the probiotic pulp were characterized for pH, acidity, total soluble solids, water content, phenolic content, reducing carbohydrates, ascorbic acid, and total carotenoids. Physicochemical characterization revealed similar results between the whole and the probiotic pulp. The stability test demonstrated that the probiotic pulp is stable and preserved the probiotic attributes of the final product. In conclusion, our results reveal that caja pulp can be considered a favorable medium for the Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis B94 growth and consequently can be explored biotechnologically for new food products.
Large-Scale, High-Throughput Phenotyping of the Postharvest Storage Performance of ‘Rustenburg’ Navel Oranges and the Development of Shelf-Life Prediction Models
Authors: Owoyemi Abiola , Porat Ron , Lichter Amnon , Doron-Faigenboim Adi , Jovani Omri , Koenigstein Noam , Salzer Yael
Published: June 2022

We conducted a large-scale, high-throughput phenotyping analysis of the effects of various pre-harvest and postharvest features on the quality of ‘Rustenburg’ navel oranges, in order to develop shelf-life prediction models to enable the use of the First Expired, First Out logistics strategy. The examined pre-harvest features included harvest time and yield, and the examined postharvest features included storage temperature, relative humidity during storage and duration of storage. All together, we evaluated 12,000 oranges (~4 tons) from six different orchards and conducted 170,576 measurements of 14 quality parameters. Storage time was found to be the most important feature affecting fruit quality, followed by storage temperature, harvest time, yield and humidity. The examined features significantly affected (p < 0.001) fruit weight loss, firmness, decay, color, peel damage, chilling injury, internal dryness, acidity, vitamin C and ethanol levels, and flavor and acceptance scores. Four regression models were evaluated for their ability to predict fruit quality based on pre-harvest and postharvest features. Extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) combined with a duplication approach was found to be the most effective approach. It allowed for the prediction of fruit-acceptance scores among the full data set, with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.217 and an R2 of 0.891.
Rapid and Low-Cost Detection of Millet Quality by Miniature Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Iteratively Retaining Informative Variables
Authors: Wang Fuxiang , Wang Chunguang , Song Shiyong
Published: June 2022

Traditional chemical methods for testing the fat content of millet, a widely consumed grain, are time-consuming and costly. In this study, we developed a low-cost and rapid method for fat detection and quantification in millet. A miniature NIR spectrometer connected to a smartphone was used to collect spectral data from millet samples of different origins. The standard normal variate (SNV) and first derivative (1D) methods were used to preprocess spectral signals. Variable selection methods, including bootstrapping soft shrinkage (BOSS), the variable iterative space shrinkage approach (VISSA), iteratively retaining informative variables (IRIV), iteratively variable subset optimization (IVSO), and competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS), were used to select characteristic wavelengths. The partial least squares regression (PLSR) algorithm was employed to develop the regression models aimed at predicting the fat content in millet. The results showed that the proposed 1D-IRIV-PLSR model achieved optimal accuracy for fat detection, with a correlation coefficient for prediction (Rp) of 0.953, a root mean square error for prediction (RMSEP) of 0.301 g/100 g, and a residual predictive deviation (RPD) of 3.225, by using only 18 characteristic wavelengths. This result highlights the feasibility of using this low-cost and high-portability assessment tool for millet quality testing, which provides an optional solution for in situ inspection of millet quality in different scenarios, such as production lines or sales stores.
The Effect of Pressure–Shift Freezing versus Air Freezing and Liquid Immersion on the Quality of Frozen Fish during Storage
Authors: Li Ting , Kuang Shiyao , Xiao Ting , Hu Lihui , Nie Pengcheng , Ramaswamy Hosahalli S. , Yu Yong
Published: June 2022

In this study, a self-cooling laboratory system was used for pressure–shift freezing (PSF), and the effects of pressure–shift freezing (PSF) at 150 MPa on the quality of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) during frozen storage at −30 °C were evaluated and compared with those of conventional air freezing (CAF) and liquid immersion freezing (LIF). The evaluated thawing loss and cooking loss of PSF were significantly lower than those of CAF and LIF during the whole frozen storage period. The thawing loss, L* value, b* value and TBARS of the frozen fish increased during the storage. After 28 days storage, the TBARS values of LIF and CAF were 0.54 and 0.65, respectively, significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the 0.25 observed for PSF. The pH of the samples showed a decreasing trend at first but then increased during the storage, and the CAF had the fastest increasing trend. Based on Raman spectra, the secondary structure of the protein in the PSF-treated samples was considered more stable. The α-helix content of the protein in the unfrozen sample was 59.3 ± 7.22, which decreased after 28 days of frozen storage for PSF, LIF and CAF to 48.5 ± 3.43, 39.1 ± 2.35 and 33.4 ± 4.21, respectively. The results showed that the quality of largemouth bass treated with PSF was better than LIT and CAF during the frozen storage.
Simultaneous Determination of Nine Quinolones in Pure Milk Using PFSPE-HPLC-MS/MS with PS-PAN Nanofibers as a Sorbent
Authors: Wei Lanlan , Chen Yanan , Shao Dongliang , Li Jingjun
Published: June 2022

In this study, a packed-fiber solid-phase extraction (PFSPE)-based method was developed to simultaneously detect nine quinolones, including enrofloxacin (ENR), ciprofloxacin (CIP), ofloxacin (OFL), pefloxacin (PEF), lomefloxacin (LOM), norfloxacin (NOR), sarafloxacin (SAR), danofloxacin (DAN), and difloxacin (DIF), in pure milk, using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Polystyrene (PS) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) were combined to form PS-PAN composite nanofibers through electrospinning. The nanofibers were used to prepare the home-made extraction columns, and the process was optimized and validated using blank pure milk. The analytical method showed high accuracy, and the recoveries were 88.68–97.63%. Intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations were in the ranges of 1.11–6.77% and 2.26–7.17%, respectively. In addition, the developed method showed good linearity (R2 ≥ 0.995) and low method quantification limits for the nine quinolones (between 1.0–100 ng/mL) for all samples studied. The nine quinolones in the complex matrix were directly extracted using 4.0 mg of PS-PAN composite nanofibers as a sorbent and completely eluted in 100 μL elution solvent. Therefore, the developed PFSPE-HPLC-MS/MS is a sensitive and cost-effective technique that can effectively detect and control nine quinolones in dairy products.
Rheological Properties, Particle Size Distribution and Physical Stability of Novel Refined Pumpkin Seed Oil Creams with Oleogel and Lucuma Powder
Authors: Borriello Angela , Miele Nicoletta Antonella , Masi Paolo , Cavella Silvana
Published: June 2022

This research aimed to develop new hazelnut and pumpkin seed oil-based creams and to assess the effect of different fat and sugar phases on the structure and physical properties of those creams at different refining degrees. In this study, three novel spreadable creams were prepared in a stirred ball-mill: CBS with cocoa butter, pumpkin seed oil and saccharose; OS with pumpkin seed oil and carnauba wax-basedoleogel and saccharose; OLS with oleogel, saccharose and Lucuma powder. OS and CBS creams reached a D90 value lower than 30 µm at 150 min of refining, the OLS cream showed the highest D90 value, with a particle size distribution and a rheological behaviour little affected by the refining time. The OS and CBS creams differed in yield stress, indicating that the attractive particle–particle interactions are affected not only by the particle size, but also by fat composition. Moreover, all the creams showed solid-like behaviour and a good tolerance to deformation rate, a high oil-binding capacity and a good physical stability. Thus, it is possible to reformulate spreadable creams with healthier nutritional profiles.
Indirect Measurement of β-Glucan Content in Barley Grain with Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy
Authors: Ghizzoni Roberta , Morcia Caterina , Terzi Valeria , Gianinetti Alberto , Baronchelli Marina
Published: June 2022

β-Glucan is a component of barley grains with functional properties that make it useful for human consumption. Cultivars with high grain β-glucan are required for industrial processing. Breeding for barley genotypes with higher β-glucan content requires a high-throughput method to assess β-glucan quickly and cheaply. Wet-chemistry laboratory procedures are low-throughput and expensive, but indirect measurement methods such as near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) match the breeding requirements (once the NIR spectrometer is available). A predictive model for the indirect measurement of β-glucan content in ground barley grains with NIRS was therefore developed using 248 samples with a wide range of β-glucan contents (3.4%–17.6%). To develop such calibration, 198 unique samples were used for training and 50 for validation. The predictive model had R2 = 0.990, bias = 0.013% and RMSEP = 0.327% for validation. NIRS was confirmed to be a very useful technique for indirect measurement of β-glucan content and evaluation of high-β-glucan barleys.
A Simple and Rapid “Signal On” Fluorescent Sensor for Detecting Mercury (II) Based on the Molecular Beacon Aptamer
Authors: Wang Li , Chi En-Zhong , Zhao Xin-Huai , Zhang Qiang
Published: June 2022

Biosensors for mercury (II) (Hg2+) with high sensitivity are urgently required for food safety, ecosystem protection and disease prevention. In this study, a simple and fast detection method of Hg2+ based on the molecular beacon aptamer was established, according to the principle that Hg2+ could change the structure of the molecular beacon aptamer, resulting in the changed fluorescence intensity. All of the detection conditions were optimized. It was found that an optimal molecular beacon aptamer MB3 showed the optimal response signal in the optimized reaction environment, which was 0.08 μmol/L MB3, 50 mmol/L tris buffer (40 mmol/L NaCl, 10 mmol/L MgCl2, pH 8.1), and a 10 min reaction. Under the optimal detection conditions, the molecular beacon aptamer sensor showed a linear response to Hg2+ concentration within a range from 0.4 to 10 μmol/L and with a detection limit of 0.2254 μmol/L and a precision of 4.9%. The recovery rates of Hg2+ in water samples ranged from 95.00% to 99.25%. The method was convenient and rapid, which could realize the rapid detection of mercury ions in water samples.
Effects of Relative Density and Grading on the Particle Breakage and Fractal Dimension of Granular Materials
Authors: Yang Gui , Chen Zhuanzhuan , Sun Yifei , Jiang Yang
Published: June 2022

Particle breakage was reported to have great influence on the mechanical property of granular materials. However, limited studies were conducted to quantify the detailed effects of relative density and initial grading on the particle breakage behaviour of granular materials under different confining pressures. In this study, a series of monotonic drained triaxial tests were performed on isotropically consolidated granular materials with four different initial gradings and relative densities. It is observed that particle breakage increases as the confining pressure or relative density increases, whereas it decreases with the increasing coefficient of uniformity. Due to particle breakage, the grading curves of granular materials after triaxial tests can be simulated by a power-law function with fractal dimension. As the confining pressure increases, the fractal dimension approaches the limit of granular materials, i.e., 2.6. A unique normalized relation between the particle breakage extent and confining pressure by considering relative density and grading index was found.
Local Discontinuous Galerkin Method Coupled with Nonuniform Time Discretizations for Solving the Time-Fractional Allen-Cahn Equation
Authors: Wang Zhen , Sun Luhan , Cao Jianxiong
Published: June 2022

This paper aims to numerically study the time-fractional Allen-Cahn equation, where the time-fractional derivative is in the sense of Caputo with order α∈(0,1). Considering the weak singularity of the solution u(x,t) at the starting time, i.e., its first and/or second derivatives with respect to time blowing-up as t→0+ albeit the function itself being right continuous at t=0, two well-known difference formulas, including the nonuniform L1 formula and the nonuniform L2-1σ formula, which are used to approximate the Caputo time-fractional derivative, respectively, and the local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) method is applied to discretize the spatial derivative. With the help of discrete fractional Gronwall-type inequalities, the stability and optimal error estimates of the fully discrete numerical schemes are demonstrated. Numerical experiments are presented to validate the theoretical results.
Psychological Factors Influencing Achievement of Senior High School Students
Authors: Kienngam Nongluck , Maneeton Narong , Maneeton Benchalak , Pojanapotha Pichaya , Manomaivibul Jutipat , Kawilapat Suttipong , Damrongpanit Suntonrapot
Published: June 2022

Numerous factors are proposed to affect high school students’ academic achievement; however, these factors may not reveal all possible causal relationships. This study conducted path analysis to examine the direct and indirect effects of interpersonal relationships, life satisfaction, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression on the academic achievement of senior high school students. Two hundred and eighty-five students from five schools in Chiang Mai, Thailand, aged 14–19 years, were included for data analysis. The fit indices of all models were in agreement with the empirical data. Anxiety levels had a significantly positive direct effect on achievement, whereas depression had a negative direct effect on achievement. Additionally, self-esteem, life satisfaction, and interpersonal relationships had negative indirect effects on depression and anxiety. A program that stimulates the optimal and appropriate level of anxiety may be useful. An appropriate level of anxiety appeared positively related to academic achievement, but a high level of anxiety relatively influenced the incidence of depression. Thus, encouraging self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, and life satisfaction can promote academic ability and decrease the risk of depression. Further well-designed and large sample-size studies should be conducted to confirm these findings. The interplay of all studied factors may account for the variation in academic achievement, depression, and anxiety of 11.60%, 42.80%, and 17.60%, respectively.
The Effect of a Child Model on Breath-Sounds Examination Skills and Satisfaction on Nursing Students
Authors: Thamruangrit Silpthai , Santati Sermsri , Granger Jumpee , Buadong Dongruethai , Thongsri Jatuporn
Published: June 2022

One of nursing students’ auscultation critical skills is listening to a child’s breathing sounds. Previously, learning this skill required a SimBaby, which was insufficient, causing nursing students to lack proficiency. Therefore, a CHIld Model (CHIM), an innovation emulating breathing sounds, has been invented based on Gagné’s learning theory to solve this insufficiency. This article reports on the CHIM invention, consisting of hardware, software, and programming, and its effect on nursing students’ breath-sounds examination skills and satisfaction. First, the CHIM was assessed for quality and satisfaction by experts. The results were good in quality and had the highest satisfaction for application in actual use. Second, the CHIM was assessed for auscultation skills and satisfaction among nursing students. Forty-four junior nursing students participated. Next, they were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Then, both were taught the same about respiratory problems with the SimBaby, except the experimental group had training with the CHIM. After that, both groups’ auscultation skills and satisfaction in the experimental group were examined. Finally, the statistical analysis showed that after the intervention was applied, learning with the CHIM was better than without, with the highest satisfaction level. As intended, the CHIM can help effectively enhance students’ learning and proficiency.
Adaptation and Dissemination of Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guidelines for Traffic Injuries
Authors: Lim Kyeong-Tae , Kim Hyun-Tae , Hwang Eui-Hyoung , Hwang Man-Suk , Heo In , Park Sun-Young , Cho Jae-Heung , Kim Koh-Woon , Ha In-Hyuk , Kim Me-riong , Park Kyoung-Sun , Kang Hyoung Won , Lee Jun-Hwan , Shin Byung-Cheul
Published: June 2022

In South Korea, car insurance that includes medical coverage of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) has increased exponentially. Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for traffic injuries were established in 2016. We aimed to revise and update de novo CPG and distribute the adapted CPG to TKM practitioners and patients. Clinical key questions from previous CPG were identified and updated regarding the grade of recommendation and level of evidence using additional evidence from the literature obtained through a systematic search and the use of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology. The dissemination and implementation of the updated CPG were conducted at the CPG Center of Korean Medicine. Ultimately, 25 recommendations based on 13 clinical key questions were developed: 2 for diagnosis, 22 for TKM treatments, and 1 for prognosis. After recognition by professional societies and certification by the CPG Center of Korean Medicine, leaflets, card news, and infographics for TKM doctors in South Korea were produced and distributed. These are the only TKM CPG for patients who have experienced traffic injuries. They are expected to contribute to standardized and evidence-based treatment using TKM and similar interventions. Moreover, disseminating the adapted CPG will promote treatment reliability and strengthen insurance coverage.
Thromboelastography Profile Is Associated with Lung Aeration Assessed by Point-of-Care Ultrasound in COVID-19 Critically Ill Patients: An Observational Retrospective Study
Authors: Biasucci Daniele Guerino , Bocci Maria Grazia , Buonsenso Danilo , Pisapia Luca , Consalvo Ludovica Maria , Vargas Joel , Grieco Domenico Luca , De Pascale Gennaro , Antonelli Massimo
Published: June 2022

Background. To evaluate relationships between lung aeration assessed by lung ultrasound (LUS) with viscoelastic profiles obtained by thromboelastography (TEG) in COVID-19 respiratory failure. Methods. Retrospective analysis in a tertiary ICU in Rome, Italy. Forty invasively ventilated adults with COVID-19 underwent LUS and TEG assessment. A simplified LUS protocol consisting in scanning six areas, three per side, was adopted. A score from 0 to 3 was assigned to each area. TEG®6s was used to obtain viscoelastic hemostatic assay parameters which were compared to LUS score. Results. There was a significant inverse correlation between LUS score and static compliance of the respiratory system (Crs, rs −0.75; p < 0.001). We found a significant association between LUS and functional fibrinogen maximum amplitude (FF-MA): among 18 patients with LUS score ≤ 12, median FF-MA was 31 mm [IQR 28–39] whilst, among 22 patients with LUS score > 12, it was 46.3 mm [IQR 40–53], p = 0.0004. Median of the citrated recalcified kaolin-activated maximum amplitude (CK-MA) was 66.1 mm [64.4–68] in the LUS score ≤ 12 group, and 69.6 [68.5–70.7] when LUS score > 12, p < 0.002. Conclusions. The hypercoagulable profile as defined by elevated FF-MA and CK-MA may be associated with a low degree of lung aeration as assessed by LUS.
Healthcare Providers’ Satisfaction with Implementation of Telemedicine in Ambulatory Care during COVID-19
Authors: Althumairi Arwa , AlHabib Alaa Fathi , Alumran Arwa , Alakrawi Zahraa
Published: June 2022

Introduction: Telemedicine has become a critical aspect of healthcare provision during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). However, healthcare providers’ utilization of and satisfaction with telemedicine technologies could have a significant impact on the quality of care provided to patients during COVID-19. The current study explores the key factors that could affect healthcare providers’ satisfaction with telemedicine in ambulatory care during the pandemic. Objectives: This research study aims at identifying the factors that could influence the healthcare providers’ satisfaction level with the use of telemedicine in ambulatory care services in Saudi Arabia during COVID 19. Methods: This is a descriptive quantitative cross-sectional study. The research team has utilized the Service Quality Model (SERVQUAL) to assess the healthcare providers’ satisfaction with telemedicine in ambulatory care through a questionnaire that was adapted from previous studies. This questionnaire includes the following dimensions: tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. It was distributed to all ambulatory care physicians in a public hospital-based ambulatory health center in Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia. Results: The study findings showed that Saudis are significantly more satisfied with telemedicine compared to non-Saudis. Age, gender, experience, medical specialty, and computer literacy skills were not found to have any significant effects on the level of the provider’s satisfaction. Conclusion: This research provides new insight and understanding of the relationship between the frequent use of the health information system and the level of physician satisfaction. This major finding puts more emphasis on the importance of education and training when it comes to the adoption of telemedicine through the frequent use of health information systems and applications. These encouraging findings provide a vital piece of information for healthcare organizations interested in a further adoption of telemedicinal practices and applications.
Air Pollution and Its Devastating Effects on the Central Nervous System
Authors: Sîrbu Carmen Adella , Stefan Ion , Dumitru Rodica , Mitrica Marian , Manole Aida Mihaela , Vasile Titus Mihai , Stefani Constantin , Ranetti Aurelian Emil
Published: June 2022

Air pollution is a real public health problem, it being one of the five most common causes of mortality in developing countries. However, pollution studies have focused on the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems in recent decades. Recently, researchers have moved towards a new direction, tracing a direct link between pollution and stroke. Stroke has many known risk factors such as smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, and hypertension. Pollution is universally widespread, already a matter of public interest, so that, although intuitive, it is difficult to connect the two. The particles found in the air that we breathe, regardless of their origin, can attack the body in different ways, causing inflammation, and triggering a true cascade of phenomena that end up attacking the central nervous system and other organs. This article tries to explain the series of phenomena that determine the harmful effect of particles present in the air, with an increased focus on the central nervous system and especially on strokes. A deeper understanding of these phenomena helps in guiding future studies and finding viable solutions to protect people at risk.
Spinal Reflex Excitability of Lower Leg Muscles Following Acute Lateral Ankle Sprain: Bilateral Inhibition of Soleus Spinal Reflex Excitability
Authors: Kim Joo-Sung , Kim Kyung-Min , Chang Eunwook , Jung Hyun Chul , Lee Jung-Min , Needle Alan R.
Published: June 2022

Neural changes in the ankle stabilizing muscles following ankle sprains are thought to be one contributing factor to persistent ankle dysfunction. However, empirical evidence is limited. Therefore, we aimed to examine spinal reflex excitability of lower leg muscles following acute ankle sprains (AAS). We performed a case-control study with 2 groups consisting of 30 young adults with AAS and 30 aged-matched uninjured controls. Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) testing was performed to estimate spinal reflex excitability of lower leg muscles: soleus, fibularis longus (FL), tibialis anterior (TA). Maximal H-reflex (Hmax) and motor responses (Mmax) were determined by delivering a series of electrical stimuli at the sciatic nerve. Hmax/Mmax ratios were calculated to represent normalized spinal reflex excitability. Separate group-by-limb analyses of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures found there were no significant interactions for any of the muscles (SL: F1,56 = 0.95, p = 0.33, FL: F1,51 = 0.65, p = 0.42, TA: F1,51 = 1.87, p = 0.18), but there was a significant main effect of group in the soleus (F1,56 = 6.56, p = 0.013), indicating the Hmax/Mmax ratio of soleus in the AAS group was significantly lower bilaterally (AAS = 0.56 ± 0.19, control = 0.68 ± 0.17, p = 0.013), with no significant group differences in the other muscles (FL: F1,51 = 0.26, p = 0.61, TA: F1,51 = 0.93, p = 0.34). The bilateral inhibition of the soleus spinal reflex excitability following AAS may be significant in that it may explain bilateral sensorimotor deficits (postural control deficits) following unilateral injury, and provide insights into additional therapies aimed at the neural change.
Morpho-Physiological and Anatomical Alterations of Salt-Affected Thompson Seedless Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) to Brassinolide Spraying
Authors: El-Banna Mostafa F. , AL-Huqail Arwa Abdulkreem , Farouk Saad , Belal Bassam E. A. , El-Kenawy Mosaad A. , Abd El-Khalek Ahmed F.
Published: June 2022

Salinity is one of the most critical crises worldwide that ultimately compromises future food security. Brassinosteroids including brassinolide (BL) are a class of polyhydroxy steroids phytohormones, that play a crucial role in several plant metabolic pathways and boost plants’ stress tolerance, but less data is accessible on its function in salt-affected grapevine. The experiment was conducted throughout the 2019 and 2020 experimental seasons at EL-Baramon experimental farm, Horticulture Research Institute, Mansoura, Egypt, to recognize the remediation potential of BL (1 and 2 mg L−1) in lightening salinity (NaCl at 1000, 2000, and 3000 mg L−1) injury on Thompson seedless grapevine seedlings (H4 strain) growth and physio-anatomical attributes. Data advocated that while salinity reduced growth attributes, BL applications substantially improved the overall salt-affected plant performance. Salinity stress significantly decreased photosynthetic pigment, relative water content, and ions percentage (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, potassium/sodium ratio). Alternatively, BL spraying significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased the photosynthetic pigment, maintaining a favorable potassium/sodium ratio and increasing the ions percentage. Additionally, increasing salinity levels significantly boost plant sodium percentage and induce a membrane malfunction associated with increased membrane permeability; conversely, the application of BL decreased the sodium percentage associated with decreasing membrane permeability relative to non-treated salinized plants. Moreover, salinity and/or BL significantly improved the antioxidant capacity associated with rising proline accumulation and antioxidant enzyme activities. Anatomically, salinity stress considerably modified leaf structure; meanwhile, the spraying with BL drastically mitigates the harmful effects of salinity on leaf anatomy. Additionally, salt-affected plant cells explained various obvious organelles ultrastructural modifications and cellular damage; meanwhile, BL spraying to salt-affected plants repealed the ultrastructural modifications of cell organelles. Taken together, BL, especially 2 mg L−1, has a great potential to boost the salt tolerance of Thompson seedless grapevine seedlings (H4 strain). It improves salt tolerance by sustaining higher photosynthetic pigment concentrations, maintaining ion homeostasis, regulating water status, and stimulating antioxidant capacity as well as maintaining leaf anatomical attributes.
Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide Products on Basil, Lettuce, and Algae in an Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System
Authors: Hendrickson Teal D. , Dunn Bruce L. , Goad Carla , Hu Bizhen , Singh Hardeep
Published: June 2022

Hydrogen peroxide has been used as a sanitation agent for many years. Recently, hydrogen peroxide products have been used to remove algae from irrigation lines and sanitize hydroponic systems between uses. However, hydrogen peroxide can have phytotoxic effects on plants at high concentrations. The goal of this research was to determine if hydrogen peroxide treatments affected plant and algae growth in the ebb and flow hydroponic systems. The research was conducted at the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture greenhouses in Stillwater, OK. Two cultivars of lettuce, ‘Green Forest’ and ‘Tropicana’, and two cultivars of basil, ‘Aroma II’ and ‘Genovese’, were transplanted into the ebb and flow hydroponic systems, and three different hydrogen peroxide products, PERpose Plus, ZeroTol, and 3% hydrogen peroxide, were applied at different rates and combinations in two experiments. Shoot fresh weight in lettuce was found to be significantly greater in control and 3% hydrogen peroxide treatments for both cultivars; however, in ‘Tropicana’ those treatments were not different from any other treatment. Greater amounts of PERpose Plus and ZeroTol, such as 60 mL, restricted plant growth in lettuce, whereas only cultivar differences for SPAD and plant width were reported for basil. Algae growth was not significantly controlled by any treatment in this research based on algae counts, weights, or spectrometer readings. However, algae species quantification did show that Microspora tumidula was found in the greatest concentrations in control, with a 96.0%, 99.2%, 94.0%, and 97.9% reduction in the 15 mL ZeroTol, 60 mL ZeroTol, 15 mL PERpose Plus, and 3% hydrogen peroxide treatments, respectively. Other algae genera identified included Scenedesmus, Chlamydomonas, Gloeocystis, Tetraspora, Leptolyngbya, Pennate diatoms, and Centric diatoms.
Evaluation of the Storage Performance of ‘Valencia’ Oranges and Generation of Shelf-Life Prediction Models
Authors: Owoyemi Abiola , Porat Ron , Lichter Amnon , Doron-Faigenboim Adi , Jovani Omri , Koenigstein Noam , Salzer Yael
Published: June 2022

We conducted a large-scale, high-throughput phenotyping analysis of the effects of various preharvest and postharvest features on the quality of ‘Valencia’ oranges in order to develop shelf-life prediction models. Altogether, we evaluated 10,800 oranges (~3.6 tons) harvested from three orchards at different periods and conducted 151,200 measurements of 14 quality parameters. The storage time was the most important feature affecting fruit quality, followed by the yield, storage temperature, humidity, and harvest time. The storage time and temperature features significantly affected (p < 0.001) all or most of the tested quality parameters, whereas the harvest time, yield, and humidity conditions significantly affected several particular quality parameters, and the selection of rootstocks had no significant effect at all. Five regression models were evaluated for their ability to predict fruit quality based on preharvest and postharvest features. Non-linear Support Vector Regression (SVR) combined with a data-balancing approach was found to be the most effective approach. It allowed the prediction of fruit-acceptance scores among the full data set, with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.195 and an R2 of 0.884. The obtained data and models should assist in determining the potential storage times of different batches of fruit.
SABER: A Model-Agnostic Postprocessor for Bias Correcting Discharge from Large Hydrologic Models
Authors: Hales Riley C. , Sowby Robert B. , Williams Gustavious P. , Nelson E. James , Ames Daniel P. , Dundas Jonah B. , Ogden Josh
Published: June 2022

Hydrologic modeling is trending toward larger spatial and temporal domains, higher resolutions, and less extensive local calibration and validation. Thorough calibration and validation are difficult because the quantity of observations needed for such scales do not exist or is inaccessible to modelers. We present the Stream Analysis for Bias Estimation and Reduction (SABER) method for bias correction targeting large models. SABER is intended for model consumers to apply to a subset of a larger domain at gauged and ungauged locations and address issues with data size and availability. SABER extends frequency-matching postprocessing techniques using flow duration curves (FDC) at gauged subbasins to be applied at ungauged subbasins using clustering and spatial analysis. SABER uses a “scalar” FDC (SFDC), a ratio of simulated to observed FDC, to characterize biases spatially, temporally, and for varying exceedance probabilities to make corrections at ungauged subbasins. Biased flows at ungauged locations are corrected with the scalar values from the SFDC. Corrected flows are refined to fit a Gumbel Type 1 distribution. We present the theory, procedure, and validation study in Colombia. SABER reduces biases and improves composite metrics, including Nash Sutcliffe and Kling Gupta Efficiency. Recommendations for future work and a discussion of limitations are provided.
Lorentzian-Corrected Apparent Exchange-Dependent Relaxation (LAREX) Ω-Plot Analysis—An Adaptation for qCEST in a Multi-Pool System: Comprehensive In Silico, In Situ, and In Vivo Studies
Authors: Radke Karl Ludger , Wilms Lena Marie , Frenken Miriam , Stabinska Julia , Knet Marek , Kamp Benedikt , Thiel Thomas Andreas , Filler Timm Joachim , Nebelung Sven , Antoch Gerald , Abrar Daniel Benjamin , Wittsack Hans-Jörg , Müller-Lutz Anja
Published: June 2022

Based on in silico, in situ, and in vivo studies, this study aims to develop a new method for the quantitative chemical exchange saturation transfer (qCEST) technique considering multi-pool systems. To this end, we extended the state-of-the-art apparent exchange-dependent relaxation (AREX) method with a Lorentzian correction (LAREX). We then validated this new method with in situ and in vivo experiments on human intervertebral discs (IVDs) using the Kendall-Tau correlation coefficient. In the in silico experiments, we observed significant deviations of the AREX method as a function of the underlying exchange rate (kba) and fractional concentration (fb) compared to the ground truth due to the influence of other exchange pools. In comparison to AREX, the LAREX-based Ω-plot approach yielded a substantial improvement. In the subsequent in situ and in vivo experiments on human IVDs, no correlation to the histological reference standard or Pfirrmann classification could be found for the fb (in situ: τ = −0.17 p = 0.51; in vivo: τ = 0.13 p = 0.30) and kba (in situ: τ = 0.042 p = 0.87; in vivo: τ = −0.26 p = 0.04) of Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) with AREX. In contrast, the influence of interfering pools could be corrected by LAREX, and a moderate to strong correlation was observed for the fractional concentration of GAG for both in situ (τ = −0.71 p = 0.005) and in vivo (τ = −0.49 p < 0.001) experiments. The study presented here is the first to introduce a new qCEST method that enables qCEST imaging in systems with multiple proton pools.
Evidence for Oxidative Pathways in the Pathogenesis of PD: Are Antioxidants Candidate Drugs to Ameliorate Disease Progression?
Authors: Leathem Alexander , Ortiz-Cerda Tamara , Dennis Joanne M. , Witting Paul K.
Published: June 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that arises due to a complex and variable interplay between elements including age, genetic, and environmental risk factors that manifest as the loss of dopaminergic neurons. Contemporary treatments for PD do not prevent or reverse the extent of neurodegeneration that is characteristic of this disorder and accordingly, there is a strong need to develop new approaches which address the underlying disease process and provide benefit to patients with this debilitating disorder. Mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage, and inflammation have been implicated as pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons seen in PD. However, results of studies aiming to inhibit these pathways have shown variable success, and outcomes from large-scale clinical trials are not available or report varying success for the interventions studied. Overall, the available data suggest that further development and testing of novel therapies are required to identify new potential therapies for combating PD. Herein, this review reports on the most recent development of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory approaches that have shown positive benefit in cell and animal models of disease with a focus on supplementation with natural product therapies and selected synthetic drugs.
Discovery of a New Microbial Origin Cold-Active Neopullulanase Capable for Effective Conversion of Pullulan to Panose
Authors: Wang Meixing , Hu Huizhen , Zhang Buyu , Zheng Yang , Wu Pan , Lu Zhenghui , Zhang Guimin
Published: June 2022

Panose is a type of functional sugar with diverse bioactivities. The enzymatic conversion bioprocess to produce high purity panose with high efficiency has become increasingly important. Here, a new neopullulanase (NPase), Amy117 from B. pseudofirmus 703, was identified and characterized. Amy117 presented the optimal activity at pH 7.0 and 30 °C, its activity is over 40% at 10 °C and over 80% at 20 °C, which is cold-active. The enzyme cleaved α-1, 4-glycosidic linkages of pullulan to generate panose as the only hydrolysis product, and degraded cyclodextrins (CDs) and starch to glucose and maltose, with an apparent preference for CDs. Furthermore, Amy117 can produce 72.7 mg/mL panose with a conversion yield of 91% (w/w) based on 80 mg/mL pullulan. The sequence and structure analysis showed that the low proportion of Arg, high proportion of Asn and Gln, and high α-helix levels in Amy117 may contribute to its cold-active properties. Root mean square deviation (RMSD) analysis also showed that Amy117 is more flexible than two mesophilic homologues. Hence, we discovered a new high-efficiency panose-producing NPase, which so far achieves the highest panose production and would be an ideal candidate in the food industry.