bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological Implications of War: Machine Learning Estimations of the Russian Invasion’s Effect on Italy’s COVID-19 Dynamics
Authors: Chumachenko Dmytro , Dudkina Tetiana , Chumachenko Tetyana , Morita Plinio Pelegrini
Published: November 2023

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly transformed the global scenario, marked by overwhelming infections, fatalities, overburdened healthcare infrastructures, economic upheavals, and significant lifestyle modifications. Concurrently, the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, triggered a severe humanitarian and public health crisis, leading to healthcare disruptions, medical resource shortages, and heightened emergency care needs. Italy emerged as a significant refuge for displaced Ukrainians during this period. Aim: This research aims to discern the impact of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine on the COVID-19 transmission dynamics in Italy. Materials and Methods: The study employed advanced simulation methodologies, particularly those integrating machine learning, to model the pandemic’s trajectory. The XGBoost algorithm was adopted to construct a predictive model for the COVID-19 epidemic trajectory in Italy. Results: The model demonstrated a commendable accuracy of 86.03% in forecasting new COVID-19 cases in Italy over 30 days and an impressive 96.29% accuracy in estimating fatalities. When applied to the initial 30 days following the escalation of the conflict (24 February 2022, to 25 March 2022), the model’s projections suggested that the influx of Ukrainian refugees into Italy did not significantly alter the country’s COVID-19 epidemic course. Discussion: While simulation methodologies have been pivotal in the pandemic response, their accuracy is intrinsically linked to data quality, assumptions, and modeling techniques. Enhancing these methodologies can further their applicability in future public health emergencies. The findings from the model underscore that external geopolitical events, such as the mass migration from Ukraine, did not play a determinative role in Italy’s COVID-19 epidemic dynamics during the study period. Conclusion: The research provides empirical evidence negating a substantial influence of the Ukrainian refugee influx due to the Russian full-scale invasion on the COVID-19 epidemic trajectory in Italy. The robust performance of the developed model affirms its potential value in public health analyses.
Grey Systems Model to Assess Water Quality in Mantaro River in Peru
Authors: Delgado Alexi , Culqui Joshis , Lazo Marisabel , Guerrero Valeria , Delgado Isabel
Published: November 2023

The section of the Mantaro River that flows through the department of Huancavelica, Peru, has been affected by toxic wastes and mineral residues from industrial and mining activities, which have directly impacted the water quality. In this work, a grey system model, based on the grey clustering method, was used to assess water quality. The grey clustering method was applied using the central point of triangular whitening weight functions (CTWF). In addition, the Prati index and the Environmental Quality Standards for water from the Peru government were revised and used for this study. In the case study, six physicochemical parameters, pH, DO, BOD, Cd, As, and Pb, at nine monitoring points were assessed along the Mantaro River. The results showed that the sixth monitoring point (P6), which is influenced by mining activity, was highly contaminated, while the other points were classified as noncontaminated. Finally, the results obtained by applying the grey clustering method can be useful to competent authorities, for decision making on water management in this watershed.
Gastrointestinal Nematodes and Protozoa in Small and Large Ruminants from Rural Agro-Climatic Regions of Northern India
Authors: Sharma Anuja , Sharma Shilpa , Kour Shilippreet , Avatsingh Achhada Ujalkaur , Perveen Kahkashan , Alsulami Jamilah A. , Singh Nasib
Published: November 2023

Gastrointestinal nematode parasites and gastrointestinal protozoan parasites are considered detrimental to the livestock population and manifest production-limiting effects. Small and large ruminants (cattle, buffalo, goats, and sheep) are important components of the rural economy of northern India. However, the epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites in this agro-climatic region has not been studied extensively. In this study, the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was determined in 163 animals, including cattle (n = 86), buffalo (n = 11), goats (n = 48), and sheep (n = 18) from 26 sampling sites by copro-parasitological analysis. The prevalence values of 94.47% and 66.87% were recorded for the nematodes and protozoa, respectively. The group-wise prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode parasites was 95.3%, 90.9%, 93.7%, and 94.4% in cattle, buffalo, goats, and sheep, respectively, whereas for gastrointestinal protozoan parasites, the respective values were 70.9%, 54.5%, 60.4%, and 72.2%. Copromicroscopy revealed ten genera of nematodes—Ascaris, Capillaria, Cooperia, Haemonchus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Ostertagia, Strongyloides, Trichostrongylus, Trichuris, and one protozoan genus—Eimeria. The prevalence of Trichostrongylus spp. was highest in buffaloes, whereas in cattle, Ascaris spp. were predominant. In both goats and sheep, Haemonchus contortus was found to be predominant. The highest prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was recorded in the rainy season. These findings indicate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in the ruminant population in this region and necessitate the implementation of preventive and control strategies for effective animal health management.
Harnessing the Power of Remote Sensing and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A Comparative Analysis for Soil Loss Estimation on the Loess Plateau
Authors: Kariminejad Narges , Kazemi Garajeh Mohammad , Hosseinalizadeh Mohsen , Golkar Foroogh , Pourghasemi Hamid Reza
Published: November 2023

This study explored the innovative use of multiple remote sensing satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles to calculate soil losses in the Loess Plateau of Iran. This finding emphasized the importance of using advanced technologies to develop accurate and efficient soil erosion assessment techniques. Accordingly, this study developed an approach to compare sinkholes and gully heads in hilly regions on the Loess Plateau of northeast Iran using convolutional neural network (CNN or ConvNet). This method involved coupling data from UAV, Sentinel-2, and SPOT-6 satellite data. The soil erosion computed using UAV data showed AUC values of 0.9247 and 0.9189 for the gully head and the sinkhole, respectively. The use of SPOT-6 data in gully head and sinkhole computations showed AUC values of 0.9105 and 0.9123, respectively. The AUC values were 0.8978 and 0.9001 for the gully head and the sinkhole using Sentinel-2, respectively. Comparison of the results from the calculated UAV, SPOT-6, and Sentinel-2 data showed that the UAV had the highest accuracy for calculating sinkhole and gully head soil features, although Sentinel-2 and SPOT-6 showed good results. Overall, the combination of multiple remote sensing satellites and UAVs offers improved accuracy, timeliness, cost effectiveness, accessibility, and long-term monitoring capabilities, making it a powerful approach for calculating soil loss in the Loess Plateau of Iran.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Collective Bargaining: The Future of Labour Relations after the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Rueda-López Ramón , Muñoz-Doyague María F. , Aja-Valle Jaime , Vázquez-García María J.
Published: November 2023

This research presents a bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature on collective bargaining between 2012 and 2021. The main objective of this research is to analyze how scientific research on collective bargaining has evolved during this period and to identify current trends and future lines of research on the institution of governance of labor relations. For this purpose, 1676 documents collected in the Web of Science Core Collection and 1971 in Scopus have been analyzed. This analysis has made it possible to determine which have been the scientific papers with the greatest impact, the most relevant researchers, and the most used keywords. As a contribution, note the classification made in relation to which are the most relevant scientific journals, the most cited papers, or the most influential researchers in the field of collective bargaining. As conclusions and future lines of research identified, this research points out the need to delve into studies related to the promotion of dialogue between human resources management and the legal representation of workers about working conditions that positively affect workplace well-being, as well as investigations related to the power and legitimacy of negotiation by social and economic agents.
The State of Knowledge and Attitudes of the Inhabitants of the Polish Świętokrzyskie Province about Renewable Energy Sources
Authors: Latosińska Jolanta , Miłek Dorota
Published: November 2023

One of the ways to achieve an energy transformation is to reduce environmental degradation through the use of, among other things, renewable energy sources (RES). The widespread use of RES depends not only on economic and technical aspects, but also on societal acceptance. The aim of this research was to find out the attitudes and the state of knowledge of residents of Świętokrzyskie province regarding RES. This aim was further specified through five research questions. The research used a diagnostic survey method, and respondents’ opinions were gathered through an author’s survey. This survey included open-ended questions on solar energy (solar panels and photovoltaic panels separately), wind power, hydropower, geothermal energy (ground source heat pump and other sources separately), biomass and biogas. The research sample was selected based on data availability. Econometric modeling was used to analyze the results. The freedom in responding allowed for the exploration of a wide range of respondents’ opinions. The results confirmed the positive attitude of residents towards RES and the influence of education level on their self-assessment. Residents of Świętokrzyskie province, in comparison to residents of Poland, stand out for their high level of acceptance of the use of hydropower in their neighborhood. The opinions of the residents of Świętokrzyskie province on the impact of wind power and heat pumps on the environment did not align with the opinions of the residents of Poland.
Studies on the Migration of Sulphur and Chlorine in the Pyrolysis Products of Floor and Furniture Joinery
Authors: Kajda-Szcześniak Małgorzata , Ścierski Waldemar
Published: November 2023

This article discusses research on the low-temperature pyrolysis of waste floor and furniture joinery as an example of chemical recycling. Pyrolysis was carried out at 425 °C to obtain solid, liquid, and gaseous products. In line with the circular economy concept, the waste was transformed into economical and environmentally friendly raw materials suitable for application. Research results related to the chemical composition and properties of pyrolysis products are shown, with particular emphasis on the migration process of acidic impurities, i.e., sulphur and chlorine. In some processes, the presence of such substances can be a problem. Research has shown the high potential for sulphur and chlorine migration in pyrolysis products. It was shown that for woodwork, the most sulphur was discharged with the pyrolysis gas and the least was immobilised in the oil fraction. For vinyl panels, more than 50% of the sulphur was immobilised in the char. Chlorine was immobilised mainly in the char and pyrolysis gas. A high chlorine content of 12.55% was found in the vinyl panel. At the same time, a high chlorine content was also found in the pyrolysis products of these panels. This value is several times higher than in wood-based waste.
The Performance of Discriminative Tracking Algorithms for the Sway Frequency Measurement of Betula platyphylla Sukaczev (Individual Branch and Tree) under Artificial and Natural Excitation
Authors: Yang Xinnian , Wang Achuan , Pang Peng
Published: November 2023

The sway frequency is an important component of the dynamic characteristics of trees. Video-based methods can be used to measure the sway frequencies of trees. The key to successfully measuring tree sway frequency using video methods lies in whether the tracking method employed is appropriate. Based on six algorithms, i.e., Boosting, TLD, MIL, KCF, MOSSE and CSR-DCF, the tracking performance and accuracy of tree sway frequency measurements were investigated under two conditions: artificial excitation and environmental excitation. The results show that the following: (1) In terms of the tracking speed of tree sway, MOSSE > KCF > CSR-DCF > Boosting > MIL > TLD. (2) The TLD algorithm is not suitable for tree sway tracking. Boosting, MIL, MOSSE, KCF and CSR-DCF can be used for tree sway tracking. (3) Boosting, MIL and MOSSE are suitable for measuring the sway frequency of artificially excited branches and environmentally excited trees. (4) KCF and CSR-DCF algorithms are not suitable for the measurement of branch sway frequency under artificial excitation conditions but can be used for the measurement of tree sway frequency under environmental excitation conditions. However, it should be noted that this experiment only takes a Betula platyphylla Sukaczev tree and a Betula platyphylla Sukaczev branch as the research object to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of each tracking method, and does not verify the generalization ability of the above methods (on multiple tree species and multiple trees).
Biofloc Application Using Aquaponics and Vertical Aquaculture Technology in Aquaculture: Review
Authors: Yu Young-Bin , Choi Jae-Ho , Lee Ju-Hyeong , Jo A-Hyun , Han Sung Won , Han Song-Hun , Choi Hee Jae , Choi Cheol Young , Kang Ju-Chan , Min EunYoung , Kim Jun-Hwan
Published: November 2023

Some aspects of traditional aquaculture have negative impacts on the aquatic environment, leading to pollution and disease outbreaks in farmed organisms. Biofloc technology (BFT) is a closed aquaculture system that utilizes specific microbial communities to remove ammonia emitted from aquaculture organisms or adds carbon to the aquaculture system to improve water quality. BFT has benefits, such as increasing production and improving water quality, and reducing disease spread and pollution, without the need for water exchange. However, there are disadvantages, such as rapid changes in water quality due to accumulation of dissolved nutrients and total suspended soils (TSS) and the requirement for expensive aeration equipment to maintain dissolved oxygen. BFT can be enhanced in value and efficiency by combining it with other aquaculture technologies, such as aquaponics and vertical aquaculture to overcome the disadvantages. The integration of biofloc with technologies from the fourth industrial revolution holds potential for further development, while aquaponics and vertical farming can eliminate geographical limitations and accelerate the urbanization of aquaculture. The integration of aquaponics and vertical aquaculture with BFT has potential for development, accelerating the urbanization of aquaculture and removing geographic limitations.
Sensory Evaluation, Physico-Chemical Properties, and Aromatic Profile of Pasteurised Orange Juice with Resistant Maltodextrin
Authors: Arilla Elías , Martínez-Monzó Javier , Chiş Maria Simona , Fǎrcaş Anca Corina , Socaci Sonia Ancuţa , Codoñer-Franch Pilar , García-Segovia Purificación , Igual Marta
Published: November 2023

The beneficial health effects of prebiotics have been demonstrated in numerous research papers. However, their incorporation into daily food remains unfamiliar to consumers. This work evaluates the effects of the addition of resistant maltodextrin (RMD) on the sensory attributes of pasteurised orange juice, together with the physico-chemical properties and the aromatic profile. RMD addition increased the sweetness and decreased the acidity and bitterness, resulting in a higher overall panellists’ rating of orange juice. It also proportionally increased °Brix together with density and decreased acidity. Colour changes were registered with higher RMD concentrations. Orange pulp presence affected the volume particle size distribution analysis, while RMD addition did not have any effect. The aroma volatile compounds were also analysed. Pulp-added samples showed a higher quantity of alcohol and aldehydes, whereas pulp-free samples registered higher terpene and terpenoid values. Ketones and acids were also quantified. RMD had a moderate impact on volatile compound quantifications, with the orange pulp presence playing a much more decisive role. A correspondence analysis was also performed to relate instrumental and sensory determinations for all samples. This work proves that the addition of RMD to orange juice is technologically feasible while also achieving a good response at the sensory level.
The Effect of Exogenous Cadmium and Zinc Applications on Cadmium, Zinc and Essential Mineral Bioaccessibility in Three Lines of Rice That Differ in Grain Cadmium Accumulation
Authors: Tavarez Michael , Grusak Michael A. , Sankaran Renuka P.
Published: November 2023

Millions of people around the world rely on rice (Oryza sativa) for a significant portion of daily calories, but rice is a relatively poor source of essential micronutrients like iron and zinc. Rice has been shown to accumulate alarmingly high concentrations of toxic elements, such as cadmium. Cadmium in foods can lead to renal failure, bone mineral density loss, cancer, and significant neurotoxicological effects. Several strategies to limit cadmium and increase micronutrient density in staple food crops like rice have been explored, but even when cadmium concentrations are reduced by a management strategy, total cadmium levels in rice grain are an unreliable means of estimating human health risk because only a fraction of the minerals in grains are bioaccessible. The goal of this work was to assess the influence of cadmium and zinc supplied to plant roots on the bioaccessibility of cadmium and essential minerals from grains of three rice lines (GSOR 310546/low grain Cd, GSOR 311667/medium grain Cd, and GSOR 310428/high grain Cd) that differed in grain cadmium accumulation. Treatments consisted of 0 μM Cd + 2 μM Zn (c0z2), 1 μM Cd + 2 μM Zn (c1z2), or 1 μM Cd + 10 μM Zn (c1z10). Our results revealed that an increased grain cadmium concentration does not always correlate with increased cadmium bioaccessibility. Among the three rice lines tested, Cd bioaccessibility increased from 2.5% in grains from the c1z2 treatment to 17.7% in grains from the c1z10 treatment. Furthermore, Cd bioccessibility in the low-Cd-accumulating line was significantly higher than the high line in c1z10 treatment. Zinc bioaccessibility increased in the high-cadmium-accumulating line when cadmium was elevated in grains, and in the low-cadmium line when both cadmium and zinc were increased in the rice grains. Our results showed that both exogenous cadmium and elevated zinc treatments increased the bioaccessibility of other minerals from grains of the low- or high-grain cadmium lines of rice. Differences in mineral bioaccessibility were dependent on rice line. Calculations also showed that increased cadmium bioaccessibility correlated with increased risk of dietary exposure to consumers. Furthermore, our results suggest that zinc fertilization increased dietary exposure to cadmium in both high and low lines. This information can inform future experiments to analyze genotypic effects of mineral bioavailability from rice, with the goal of reducing cadmium absorption while simultaneously increasing zinc absorption from rice grains.
Qualitative Analysis of RLC Circuit Described by Hilfer Derivative with Numerical Treatment Using the Lagrange Polynomial Method
Authors: S. Naveen , V. Parthiban , Abbas Mohamed I.
Published: November 2023

This paper delves into an examination of the existence, uniqueness, and stability properties of a non-local integro-differential equation featuring the Hilfer fractional derivative with order ω∈(1,2) for the RLC model. Based on Schaefer’s fixed point theorem and Banach’s contraction principle, the existence and uniqueness results are established. Furthermore, Ulam–Hyers and Ulam–Hyers–Rassias stability results for the boundary value problem of the RLC model are discussed. To showcase the practicality and efficacy of our theoretical findings, a two-step Lagrange polynomial interpolation method is applied to solve some numerical examples.
Variability in Clinical Phenotype in TARDBP Mutations: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Case Description and Literature Review
Authors: Lombardi Michele , Corrado Lucia , Piola Beatrice , Comi Cristoforo , Cantello Roberto , D’Alfonso Sandra , Mazzini Letizia , De Marchi Fabiola
Published: November 2023

Mutations in the 43 kDa transactive-response (TAR)-DNA-binding protein (TARDBP) are associated with 2–5% of familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) cases. TAR DNA-Binding Protein 43 (TDP-43) is an RNA/DNA-binding protein involved in several cellular mechanisms (e.g., transcription, pre-mRNA processing, and splicing). Many ALS-linked TARDBP mutations have been described in the literature, but few phenotypic data on monogenic TARDBP-mutated ALS are available. In this paper, (1) we describe the clinical features of ALS patients carrying mutations in the TARDBP gene evaluated at the Tertiary ALS Center at Maggiore della Carità University Hospital, Novara, Italy, from 2010 to 2020 and (2) present the results of our review of the literature on this topic, analyzing data obtained for 267 patients and highlighting their main clinical and demographic features.
A Bird’s-Eye View of Endangered Species Conservation: Avian Genomics and Stem Cell Approaches for Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus)
Authors: Intarapat Sittipon , Sukparangsi Woranop , Gusev Oleg , Sheng Guojun
Published: November 2023

Aves ranks among the top two classes for the highest number of endangered and extinct species in the kingdom Animalia. Notably, the IUCN Red List classified the green peafowl as endangered. This highlights promising strategies using genetics and reproductive technologies for avian wildlife conservation. These platforms provide the capacity to predict population trends and enable the practical breeding of such species. The conservation of endangered avian species is facilitated through the application of genomic data storage and analysis. Storing the sequence is a form of biobanking. An analysis of sequence can identify genetically distinct individuals for breeding. Here, we reviewed avian genomics and stem cell approaches which not only offer hope for saving endangered species, such as the green peafowl but also for other birds threatened with extinction.
Comparative Mitogenomics Reveals Cryptic Species in Sillago ingenuua McKay, 1985 (Perciformes: Sillaginidae)
Authors: Gao Tianxiang , Shi Yijia , Xiao Jiaguang
Published: November 2023

It is unreliable to identify marine fishes only by external morphological features. Species misidentification brings great challenges to fishery research, resource monitoring and ecomanagement. Sillago ingenuua is an important part of commercial marine fishes, and in which, the morphological differences between different groups are not obvious. Here, we compared different geographical groups of S. ingenuua which were collected from Xiamen, Dongshan, Keelung, Songkhla and Java. The results showed that all samples of S. ingenuua were similar in external morphological characteristics and the shape of the swim bladder, but there were two distinctive lineages which were flagged as cryptic species based on DNA barcoding. The comparative mitogenomic results showed that S. ingenuua A and S. ingenuua B were identical in structural organization and gene arrangement. Their nucleotide composition and codon usage were also similar. A phylogenetic analysis was performed based on 13 concatenated PCGs from eight Sillago species. The results showed that the genetic distance between S. ingenuua A and S. ingenuua B was large (D = 0.069), and this genetic distance was large enough to reveal that S. ingenuua A and S. ingenuua B might be different species.
Education and Training Adaptations for Health Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review of Lessons Learned and Innovations
Authors: Boutros Perla , Kassem Nour , Nieder Jessica , Jaramillo Catalina , von Petersdorff Jakob , Walsh Fiona J. , Bärnighausen Till , Barteit Sandra
Published: November 2023

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has considerably impacted the clinical education and training of health workers globally, causing severe disruptions to learning environments in healthcare facilities and limiting the acquisition of new clinical skills. Consequently, urgent adaptation measures, including simulation training and e-learning, have been implemented to mitigate the adverse effects of clinical education. This scoping review aims to assess the impact of COVID-19 on medical education and training, examine the implemented adaptation measures, and evaluate their effectiveness in improving health workers’ education and training during the pandemic. Methods: Employing the PRISMA-ScR framework and Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological guidance, we conducted a scoping review, systematically searching PubMed, medRxiv, Google, and DuckDuckGo databases to account for the grey literature. The search included studies published between 1 December 2019 and 13 October 2021, yielding 10,323 results. Of these, 88 studies focused on health worker education and training during the pandemic. Results: Our review incorporated 31,268 participants, including physicians, medical trainees, nurses, paramedics, students, and health educators. Most studies (71/88, 81%) were conducted in high-income and lower-middle-income countries. The pandemic’s effects on health workers’ clinical skills and abilities have necessitated training period extensions in some cases. We identified several positive outcomes from the implementation of simulation training and e-learning as adaptation strategies, such as enhanced technical and clinical performance, increased confidence and comfort, and an expanded global educational outreach. Conclusions: Despite challenges like insufficient practical experience, limited interpersonal interaction opportunities, and internet connectivity issues, simulation training, e-learning, and virtual training have proven effective in improving clinical education and training during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research is required to bolster preparedness for future pandemics or similar situations.
Incidence and Determinants of Acute Kidney Injury after Prone Positioning in Severe COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: La Rosa Riccardo , Grechi Benedetta , Ragazzi Riccardo , Alvisi Valentina , Montanari Giacomo , Marangoni Elisabetta , Volta Carlo Alberto , Spadaro Savino , Scaramuzzo Gaetano
Published: November 2023

(1) Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common among critically ill COVID-19 patients, but its temporal association with prone positioning (PP) is still unknown, and no data exist on the possibility of predicting PP-associated AKI from bedside clinical variables. (2) Methods: We analyzed data from 93 COVID-19-related ARDS patients who underwent invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and at least one PP cycle. We collected hemodynamic variables, respiratory mechanics, and circulating biomarkers before, during, and after the first PP cycle. PP-associated AKI (PP-AKI) was defined as AKI diagnosed any time from the start of PP to 48 h after returning to the supine position. A t-test for independent samples was used to test for the differences between groups, while binomial logistical regression was performed to assess variables independently associated with PP-associated AKI. (3) Results: A total of 48/93 (52%) patients developed PP-AKI, with a median onset at 24 [13.5–44.5] hours after starting PP. No significant differences in demographic characteristics between groups were found. Before starting the first PP cycle, patients who developed PP-AKI had a significantly lower cumulative fluid balance (CFB), even when normalized for body weight (p = 0.006). Central venous pressure (CVP) values, measured before the first PP (OR 0.803, 95% CI [0.684–0.942], p = 0.007), as well as BMI (OR 1.153, 95% CI = [1.013–1.313], p = 0.031), were independently associated with the development of PP-AKI. In the multivariable regression analysis, a lower CVP before the first PP cycle was independently associated with ventilator-free days (OR 0.271, 95% CI [0.123–0.936], p = 0.011) and with ICU mortality (OR:0.831, 95% CI [0.699–0.989], p = 0.037). (4) Conclusions: Acute kidney injury occurs frequently in invasively ventilated severe COVID-19 ARDS patients undergoing their first prone positioning cycle. Higher BMI and lower CVP before PP are independently associated with the occurrence of AKI during prone positioning.
The Use of Two Locally Sourced Bio-Inocula to Improve Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycling in Soils and Increase Macro and Micronutrient Nutrient Concentration in Edamame (Glycine max. L.) and Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima)
Authors: Mahmud Kishan , Franklin Dorcas , Cabrera Miguel , Ney Laura , Dahal Subash , Subedi Anish
Published: November 2023

Soil macro- and micronutrient nutrient availability and their uptake by plants are critically reliant upon an active presence of the soil microbiome. This study investigated the effect of two locally sourced bio-inocula, local effective microorganisms (LEMs) and false-local effective microorganisms (F-LEMs), on plant available nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), and the uptake of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn) content in edamame (Glycine max. L.) and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) grown in a randomized complete block design with four reps, summer 2017 and 2018, respectively. LEM plots showed greater plant-available N during the first week (edamame season) and fourth week (pumpkin season) after treatment applications. During the pumpkin season, post-treatment plant-available P was greater in both summers in LEM plots. Edamame bean had 19%, 3%, 5%, and 16% greater Ca, Mg, K, and Zn content in LEM plots compared to the Control, respectively. The concentration of K in pumpkin pulp at harvest was 31% higher in LEMs than in F-LEMs, while Mg concentration was 42% higher. Pumpkin pulp and seeds also had 27% and 34% greater Ca and Zn concentrations compared to the Control. Our study suggests that LEMs were effective in solubilizing macro- and micronutrients, which led to increased plant uptake.
Occupational Etiology of Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Literature Review
Authors: Nikkilä Rayan , Tolonen Suvi , Salo Tuula , Carpén Timo , Pukkala Eero , Mäkitie Antti
Published: November 2023

While abundant evidence exists linking alcohol, tobacco, and HPV infection to a carcinogenic impact on the oropharynx, the contribution of inhalational workplace hazards remains ill-defined. We aim to determine whether the literature reveals occupational environments at a higher-than-average risk of developing oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) and summarize the available data. To identify studies assessing the relationship between occupational exposure and risk of OPC, a search of the literature through the PubMed-NCBI database was carried out and, ultimately, 15 original articles meeting eligibility criteria were selected. Only original articles in English focusing on the association between occupational exposure and risk or death of specifically OPC were included. The available data are supportive of a potentially increased risk of OPC in waiters, cooks and stewards, artistic workers, poultry and meat workers, mechanics, and World Trade Center responders exposed to dust. However, the available literature on occupation-related OPC is limited. To identify occupational categories at risk, large cohorts with long follow-ups are needed. Identification of causal associations with occupation-related factors would require dose–response analyses adequately adjusted for confounders.
Haberlea rhodopensis Extract Tunes the Cellular Response to Stress by Modulating DNA Damage, Redox Components, and Gene Expression
Authors: Staneva Dessislava , Dimitrova Neli , Popov Borislav , Alexandrova Albena , Georgieva Milena , Miloshev George
Published: November 2023

Ionizing radiation (IR) and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative stress can cause damage to cellular biomolecules, including DNA, proteins, and lipids. These harmful effects can compromise essential cellular functions and significantly raise the risk of metabolic dysfunction, accumulation of harmful mutations, genome instability, cancer, accelerated cellular senescence, and even death. Here, we present an investigation of HeLa cancer cells’ early response to gamma IR (γ-IR) and oxidative stress after preincubation of the cells with natural extracts of the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis. In light of the superior protection offered by plant extracts against radiation and oxidative stress, we investigated the cellular defence mechanisms involved in such protection. Specifically, we sought to evaluate the molecular effects of H. rhodopensis extract (HRE) on cells subjected to genotoxic stress by examining the components of the redox pathway and quantifying the transcription levels of several critical genes associated with DNA repair, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis. The influence of HRE on genome integrity and the cell cycle was also studied via comet assay and flow cytometry. Our findings demonstrate that HREs can effectively modulate the cellular response to genotoxic and oxidative stress within the first two hours following exposure, thereby reducing the severity of such stress. Furthermore, we observed the specificity of genoprotective HRE doses depending on the source of the applied genotoxic stress.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor (GnRHR) and Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
Authors: Fanis Pavlos , Neocleous Vassos , Papapetrou Irene , Phylactou Leonidas A. , Skordis Nicos
Published: November 2023

Human sexual and reproductive development is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which is primarily controlled by the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) acting on its receptor (GnRHR). Dysregulation of the axis leads to conditions such as congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) and delayed puberty. The pathophysiology of GnRHR makes it a potential target for treatments in several reproductive diseases and in congenital adrenal hyperplasia. GnRHR belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor family and its GnRH ligand, when bound, activates several complex and tissue-specific signaling pathways. In the pituitary gonadotrope cells, it triggers the G protein subunit dissociation and initiates a cascade of events that lead to the production and secretion of the luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) accompanied with the phospholipase C, inositol phosphate production, and protein kinase C activation. Pharmacologically, GnRHR can be modulated by synthetic analogues. Such analogues include the agonists, antagonists, and the pharmacoperones. The agonists stimulate the gonadotropin release and lead to receptor desensitization with prolonged use while the antagonists directly block the GnRHR and rapidly reduce the sex hormone production. Pharmacoperones include the most recent GnRHR therapeutic approaches that directly correct the misfolded GnRHRs, which are caused by genetic mutations and hold serious promise for CHH treatment. Understanding of the GnRHR’s genomic and protein structure is crucial for the most appropriate assessing of the mutation impact. Such mutations in the GNRHR are linked to normosmic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and lead to various clinical symptoms, including delayed puberty, infertility, and impaired sexual development. These mutations vary regarding their mode of inheritance and can be found in the homozygous, compound heterozygous, or in the digenic state. GnRHR expression extends beyond the pituitary gland, and is found in reproductive tissues such as ovaries, uterus, and prostate and non-reproductive tissues such as heart, muscles, liver and melanoma cells. This comprehensive review explores GnRHR’s multifaceted role in human reproduction and its clinical implications for reproductive disorders.
Structural Analysis and Characterization of an Antiproliferative Lectin from Canavalia villosa Seeds
Authors: Lossio Claudia F. , Osterne Vinicius J. S. , Pinto-Junior Vanir R. , Chen Simin , Oliveira Messias V. , Verduijn Joost , Verbeke Isabel , Serna Sonia , Reichardt Niels C. , Skirtach Andre , Cavada Benildo S. , Van Damme Els J. M. , Nascimento Kyria S.
Published: November 2023

Cells use glycans to encode information that modulates processes ranging from cell–cell recognition to programmed cell death. This information is encoded within a glycocode, and its decoding is performed by carbohydrate-binding proteins. Among these, lectins stand out due to their specific and reversible interaction with carbohydrates. Changes in glycosylation patterns are observed in several pathologies, including cancer, where abnormal glycans are found on the surfaces of affected tissues. Given the importance of the bioprospection of promising biomolecules, the current work aimed to determine the structural properties and anticancer potential of the mannose-specific lectin from seeds of Canavalia villosa (Cvill). Experimental elucidation of the primary and 3D structures of the lectin, along with glycan array and molecular docking, facilitated the determination of its fine carbohydrate-binding specificity. These structural insights, coupled with the lectin’s specificity, have been combined to explain the antiproliferative effect of Cvill against cancer cell lines. This effect is dependent on the carbohydrate-binding activity of Cvill and its uptake in the cells, with concomitant activation of autophagic and apoptotic pathways.
Microbiology and Biochemistry of Pesticides Biodegradation
Authors: Guerrero Ramírez José Roberto , Ibarra Muñoz Lizbeth Alejandra , Balagurusamy Nagamani , Frías Ramírez José Ernesto , Alfaro Hernández Leticia , Carrillo Campos Javier
Published: November 2023

Pesticides are chemicals used in agriculture, forestry, and, to some extent, public health. As effective as they can be, due to the limited biodegradability and toxicity of some of them, they can also have negative environmental and health impacts. Pesticide biodegradation is important because it can help mitigate the negative effects of pesticides. Many types of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and algae, can degrade pesticides; microorganisms are able to bioremediate pesticides using diverse metabolic pathways where enzymatic degradation plays a crucial role in achieving chemical transformation of the pesticides. The growing concern about the environmental and health impacts of pesticides is pushing the industry of these products to develop more sustainable alternatives, such as high biodegradable chemicals. The degradative properties of microorganisms could be fully exploited using the advances in genetic engineering and biotechnology, paving the way for more effective bioremediation strategies, new technologies, and novel applications. The purpose of the current review is to discuss the microorganisms that have demonstrated their capacity to degrade pesticides and those categorized by the World Health Organization as important for the impact they may have on human health. A comprehensive list of microorganisms is presented, and some metabolic pathways and enzymes for pesticide degradation and the genetics behind this process are discussed. Due to the high number of microorganisms known to be capable of degrading pesticides and the low number of metabolic pathways that are fully described for this purpose, more research must be conducted in this field, and more enzymes and genes are yet to be discovered with the possibility of finding more efficient metabolic pathways for pesticide biodegradation.
Efficient Strategies to Use β-Cationic Porphyrin-Imidazolium Derivatives in the Photoinactivation of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Moura Nuno M. M. , Moreira Xavier , Da Silva Eliana Sousa , Faria Joaquim Luís , Neves Maria G. P. M. S. , Almeida Adelaide , Faustino Maria A. F. , Gomes Ana T. P. C.
Published: November 2023

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a critical global health issue and the development of alternatives to conventional antibiotics is of the upmost relevance. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is considered a promising and innovative approach for the photoinactivation of microorganisms, particularly in cases where traditional antibiotics may be less effective due to resistance or other limitations. In this study, two β-modified monocharged porphyrin-imidazolium derivatives were efficiently incorporated into polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) formulations and supported into graphitic carbon nitride materials. Both porphyrin-imidazolium derivatives displayed remarkable photostability and the ability to generate cytotoxic singlet oxygen. These properties, which have an important impact on achieving an efficient photodynamic effect, were not compromised after incorporation/immobilization. The prepared PVP-porphyrin formulations and the graphitic carbon nitride-based materials displayed excellent performance as photosensitizers to photoinactivate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (99.9999% of bacteria) throughout the antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. In each matrix, the most rapid action against S. aureus was observed when using PS 2. The PVP-2 formulation needed 10 min of exposure to white light at 5.0 µm, while the graphitic carbon nitride hybrid GCNM-2 required 20 min at 25.0 µm to achieve a similar level of response. These findings suggest the potential of graphitic carbon nitride-porphyrinic hybrids to be used in the environmental or clinical fields, avoiding the use of organic solvents, and might allow for their recovery after treatment, improving their applicability for bacteria photoinactivation.
Contribution to Knowledge on Bioapatites: Does Mg Level Reflect the Organic Matter and Water Contents of Enamel?
Authors: Lasota Agnieszka , Kuczumow Andrzej , Gorzelak Mieczysław , Blicharski Tomasz , Niezbecka-Zając Joanna , Turżańska Karolina , Szabelska Anna , Łobacz Michał , Wiszumirska Karolina , Wieruszewski Marek , Jarzębski Maciej , Jabłoński Mirosław
Published: November 2023

The matter constituting the enamels of four types of organisms was studied. The variability of the ions was presented in molar units. It was proven that the changes in water contents of the enamel are significantly positively related to changes in Mg; inversely, there is also a strong connection with changes in Ca and P, the main components of bioapatite. The variability in the organic matter has the same strong and positive characteristics and is also coupled with changes in Mg contents. Amelogenins in organic matter, which synthesize enamel rods, likely have a role in adjusting the amount of Mg, thus establishing the amount of organic matter and water in the whole enamel; this adjustment occurs through an unknown mechanism. Ca, P, Mg, and Cl ions, as well as organic matter and water, participate in the main circulation cycle of bioapatites. The selection of variations in the composition of bioapatite occurs only along particular trajectories, where the energy of transformation linearly depends on the following factors: changes in the crystallographic d parameter; the increase in the volume, V, of the crystallographic cell; the momentum transfer, which is indirectly expressed by ΔsinΘ value. To our knowledge, these findings are novel in the literature. The obtained results indicate the different chemical and crystallographic affinities of the enamels of selected animals to the human ones. This is essential when animal bioapatites are transformed into dentistic or medical substitutes for the hard tissues. Moreover, the role of Mg is shown to control the amount of water in the apatite and in detecting organic matter in the enamels.
Combining Software-Defined Radio Learning Modules and Neural Networks for Teaching Communication Systems Courses
Authors: Camuñas-Mesa Luis A. , de la Rosa José M.
Published: November 2023

The paradigm known as Cognitive Radio (CR) proposes a continuous sensing of the electromagnetic spectrum in order to dynamically modify transmission parameters, making intelligent use of the environment by taking advantage of different techniques such as Neural Networks. This paradigm is becoming especially relevant due to the congestion in the spectrum produced by increasing numbers of IoT (Internet of Things) devices. Nowadays, many different Software-Defined Radio (SDR) platforms provide tools to implement CR systems in a teaching laboratory environment. Within the framework of a ‘Communication Systems’ course, this paper presents a methodology for learning the fundamentals of radio transmitters and receivers in combination with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs).
Cognitive Underperformance in a Mixed Neuropsychiatric Sample at Diagnostic Evaluation of Adult ADHD
Authors: Dong Hui , Koerts Janneke , Pijnenborg Gerdina H. M. , Scherbaum Norbert , Müller Bernhard W. , Fuermaier Anselm B. M.
Published: November 2023

(1) Background: The clinical assessment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adulthood is known to show non-trivial base rates of noncredible performance and requires thorough validity assessment. (2) Objectives: The present study estimated base rates of noncredible performance in clinical evaluations of adult ADHD on one or more of 17 embedded validity indicators (EVIs). This study further examines the effect of the order of test administration on EVI failure rates, the association between cognitive underperformance and symptom overreporting, and the prediction of cognitive underperformance by clinical information. (3) Methods: A mixed neuropsychiatric sample (N = 464, ADHD = 227) completed a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment battery on the Vienna Test System (VTS; CFADHD). Test performance allows the computation of 17 embedded performance validity indicators (PVTs) derived from eight different neuropsychological tests. Further, all participants completed several self- and other-report symptom rating scales assessing depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning. The Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory-II were administered to derive embedded symptom validity measures (SVTs). (4) Results and conclusion: Noncredible performance occurs in a sizeable proportion of about 10% up to 30% of individuals throughout the entire battery. Tests for attention and concentration appear to be the most adequate and sensitive for detecting underperformance. Cognitive underperformance represents a coherent construct and seems dissociable from symptom overreporting. These results emphasize the importance of performing multiple PVTs, at different time points, and promote more accurate calculation of the positive and negative predictive values of a given validity measure for noncredible performance during clinical assessments. Future studies should further examine whether and how the present results stand in other clinical populations, by implementing rigorous reference standards of noncredible performance, characterizing those failing PVT assessments, and differentiating between underlying motivations.