bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In situ expression of Th17 immunologic mediators in American cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (V.) braziliensis and Leishmania (L.) amazonensis in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Rodrigues Gabriela F. , Alcântara Larissa Santos , Barros Joyce Pietro B. , de Lima Ana Carolina S. , Campos Marliane B. , Moraes Cesar , Ferreira Aurea F. , Matta Vania Lucia R. , Laurenti Marcia D. , Corbett Carlos Eduardo P. , Silveira Fernando T. , Gomes Claudia Maria Castro
Published: February 2023

American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) presents a wide spectrum of clinical and immunopathological manifestations. In Brazil, Leishmania (L.) amazonensis[La] and Leishmania(V.)braziliensis[Lb] show the highest pathogenic potential for humans causing different clinical forms: localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL : Lb/La), anergic diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (ADCL : La) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL : Lb). ADCL and MCL are the most severe forms and infection leads to a cellular immune response at the hyposensitivity and hypersensitivity poles. Th17-cells are involved in the ACL pathogenesis, are derived from naïve TCD4+ cells regulated by RORγt, differentiate in presence of IL-6, TGF-β, IL- 1β, IL-23 and express IL-17. Aim of this study was to characterize the cellular immune response mediated by Th17-profile cells through in situ determination of the expression of RORγt, IL-17, IL-6, TGF-β, IL-1β, and IL-23 in the ACL clinical-immunopathological spectrum caused by L.(L.)amazonensis and L.(V.)braziliensis. Biopsies of skin and mucosal lesions from forty patients including ADCL(n=8), LCL[La](n=17), LCL[Lb](n=9) and MCL(n=6), were examined by immunohistochemistry. The immunostained cells density (cells/mm2) was determined in image analysis system using AxionVision 4.8 software (Zeiss). As the disease evolution time (DET) was different among ACL patients, the effect of DET on the expression of immunological markers was evaluated in different clinical forms and histopathological changes, using ANCOVA. Our results showed significantly increased expression of RORγt, IL-17, IL-6, IL-1β and IL-23 in patients with ACL polar forms (ADCL and MCL); higher TGF-β expression was found in ADCL. DET influenced the expression of RORγt and IL-6 in: clinical forms of ACL and in categories of parasitism. DET also affected the production of RORγt, IL-17, IL-6, TGF-β and IL-1β in types of inflammatory infiltrate, evidencing that DET had effect on the expression of Th17 profile cytokines in ACL. Together, the expression of immunological mediators of Th17 profile in the ACL spectrum, as well as the DET effect, demonstrate the participation of this cell lineage in the immunopathogenesis of ACL, mainly in the polar and more severe forms of ACL spectrum. The dubious role played by Th17-cells may favors immune response suppression and parasitic persistence in ADCL, while in MCL it contributes to an exacerbated immune response and parasite scarcity.
Tactile dimensions of fabrics expressed by Japanese onomatopoeic words and phonemic features related to fabric luxuriousness and pleasantness
Authors: Hanada Mitsuhiko
Published: February 2023

This study examined the perceptual dimensions in the tactile perception of fabrics (cloths). The participants were asked to touch, stretch, and curl 23 fabrics and report suitable onomatopoeic (mimetic) words to describe the hand feel for each fabric. The participants' responses were collated into a contingency table of fabrics according to onomatopoeic words. The participants also rated the hand feel of the fabrics using bipolar semantic differential (SD) scales (heavy-light, thick-thin, soft-hard, elastic-inelastic, warm-cold, rough-smooth, luxurious-cheap, and pleasant-unpleasant). Three dimensions of thickness/heaviness, roughness, and softness were derived by factor analysis of the SD ratings with varimax rotation. Next, the dimensions of warmness/fullness/softness, roughness-smoothness, and elasticity/softness were obtained through correspondence analysis combined with sparse coding applied to the contingency table of fabrics by onomatopoeic words. However, these dimensions were not consistent with the factor dimensions obtained using factor analysis, which suggests that Japanese onomatopoeic words express the complex hand feel of fabrics. Finally, the luxuriousness and pleasantness of fabrics were also examined, and sensory characteristics and phonemes of onomatopoeic words related to these attributes were reported.
Persistence of inflammatory and vascular mediators 5 months after hospitalization with COVID-19 infection
Authors: Melhorn James , Alamoudi Asma , Mentzer Alexander J. , Fraser Emily , Fries Anastasia , Cassar Mark Philip , Kwok Andrew , Knight Julian Charles , Raman Betty , Talbot Nick P , Petousi Nayia
Published: February 2023

Background and aim

In acute severe COVID-19, patients present with lung inflammation and vascular injury, accompanied by an exaggerated cytokine response. In this study, our aim was to describe the inflammatory and vascular mediator profiles in patients who were previously hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonitis, months after their recovery, and compare them with those in patients recovering from severe sepsis and in healthy controls.

Methods

A total of 27 different cytokine, chemokine, vascular endothelial injury and angiogenic mediators were measured in the plasma of forty-nine patients 5.0 ± 1.9 (mean ± SD) months after they were hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia, eleven patients 5.4 ± 2.9 months after hospitalization with acute severe sepsis, and 18 healthy controls.

Results

Compared with healthy controls, IL-6, TNFα, SAA, CRP, Tie-2, Flt1, and PIGF were significantly increased in the post-COVID group, and IL-7 and bFGF were significantly reduced. While IL-6, PIGF, and CRP were also significantly elevated in post-Sepsis patients compared to controls, the observed differences in TNFα, Tie-2, Flt-1, IL-7 and bFGF were unique to the post-COVID group. TNFα levels significantly correlated with the severity of acute COVID-19 illness (spearman’s r = 0.30, p < 0.05). Furthermore, in post-COVID patients, IL-6 and CRP were each strongly negatively correlated with gas transfer factor %predicted (spearman’s r = –0.51 and r = –0.57, respectively, p < 0.002) and positively correlated with computed tomography (CT) abnormality scores at recovery (r = 0.28 and r = 0.46, p < 0.05, respectively).

Conclusion

A unique inflammatory and vascular endothelial damage mediator signature is found in plasma months following acute COVID-19 infection. Further research is required to determine its pathophysiological and clinical significance.
Effects of glycyrrhetinic acid β on growth and virulence of Aeromonas hydrophila
Authors: Chen Kai , Qin Ting , Pan Liangkun , Bing Xuwen , Xi Bingwen , Xie Jun
Published: February 2023

Aeromonas hydrophila is a significant pathogen to freshwater farmed animals, and antibiotics are usually used to control the bacterial septicemia caused by A. hydrophila. Due to the severe situation of development and spread of antibiotic resistance, there are stricter restrictions on antibiotics used in aquaculture. To evaluate the feasibility of glycyrrhetinic acid β (GA) as an alternative therapy against bacterial infection, in this study, an A. hydrophila isolated from diseased fish is used to test the antibacterial, anti-virulence activity and therapeutic effect of GA in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Results showed that GA did not affect the growth of A. hydrophila in vitro, while it could down-regulate (p < 0.05) the mRNA expression of the hemolysis-related genes hly and aerA, and significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) hemolytic activity of A. hydrophila. In addition, in vivo test showed that oral administration of GA was ineffective in controlling acute infections caused by A. hydrophila. In conclusion, these findings suggested that GA was a potential anti-virulence candidate against A. hydrophila, but the application of GA for the prevention and treatment of A. hydrophila-related diseases was still a long way.
Robin’s Viewer: Using deep-learning predictions to assist EEG annotation
Authors: Weiler Robin , Diachenko Marina , Juarez-Martinez Erika L. , Avramiea Arthur-Ervin , Bloem Peter , Linkenkaer-Hansen Klaus
Published: February 2023

Machine learning techniques such as deep learning have been increasingly used to assist EEG annotation, by automating artifact recognition, sleep staging, and seizure detection. In lack of automation, the annotation process is prone to bias, even for trained annotators. On the other hand, completely automated processes do not offer the users the opportunity to inspect the models’ output and re-evaluate potential false predictions. As a first step toward addressing these challenges, we developed Robin’s Viewer (RV), a Python-based EEG viewer for annotating time-series EEG data. The key feature distinguishing RV from existing EEG viewers is the visualization of output predictions of deep-learning models trained to recognize patterns in EEG data. RV was developed on top of the plotting library Plotly, the app-building framework Dash, and the popular M/EEG analysis toolbox MNE. It is an open-source, platform-independent, interactive web application, which supports common EEG-file formats to facilitate easy integration with other EEG toolboxes. RV includes common features of other EEG viewers, e.g., a view-slider, tools for marking bad channels and transient artifacts, and customizable preprocessing. Altogether, RV is an EEG viewer that combines the predictive power of deep-learning models and the knowledge of scientists and clinicians to optimize EEG annotation. With the training of new deep-learning models, RV could be developed to detect clinical patterns other than artifacts, for example sleep stages and EEG abnormalities.
Improvement of Caciotta-like cheese nutritional value by means of enrichment with blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) and Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas)
Authors: Andersen Jonas , Bosetti Maddalena , Mancini Andrea , Solovyev Pavel , Nardin Tiziana , Bontempo Luana , Larcher Roberto , Franciosi Elena
Published: February 2023

Introduction

In this study, we supplemented models of Caciotta-like cheese with blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) and Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas), as they have a high content of polyphenols, known as phytochemicals associated with health benefits. We evaluated the microbial composition, organoleptic aspects, total phenolic content, and chemical composition of model cheeses enriched with blackcurrant and Cornelian cherry.

Methods

Two different suppliers have been tested: a conventional and an organic one. Two different conditions of preparation (freeze-dried and not freeze-dried) were tested in two different amounts (0.3 and 0.6% dry weight w/v milk volume). Polyphenols were determined using Folin–Ciocalteu reaction and spectrometry; microbial community was determined with selective 24 media and plate counts; composition was determined using nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. Organoleptic tests with an untrained panel have been performed.

Results

The enrichments with blackcurrant and Cornelian cherry increased the total polyphenol content in model cheeses, in particular, when blackcurrant and Cornelian cherry were from conventional farming. Blackcurrant-enriched cheeses showed higher counts of lactic acid bacteria, higher levels of organic acids, amino acids, gamma-aminobutyric acid, histamine, and lower amount of monosaccharides deriving from bacterial lactose fermentation in cheese, suggesting a positive effect of blackcurrant compounds on the growth and activity of lactic acid bacteria. The enrichments did not affect the acceptance of the cheese, neither by blackcurrant nor by Cornelian cherry incorporation, with the exception of the appearance.

Discussion

Overall, we showed that cheeses enriched with blackcurrant or Cornelian cherry from conventional farming increased the bioactive potential of the dairy product without having an adverse effect on the microbial community, physiochemical properties, or organoleptic properties.
Mapping of the QTLs governing grain micronutrients and thousand kernel weight in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using high density SNP markers
Authors: Manjunath Karthik Kumar , Krishna Hari , Devate Narayana Bhat , Sunilkumar V. P. , Chauhan Divya , Singh Shweta , Mishra C. N. , Singh J. B. , Sinha Nivedita , Jain Neelu , Singh Gyanendra Pratap , Singh Pradeep Kumar
Published: February 2023

Biofortification is gaining importance globally to improve human nutrition through enhancing the micronutrient content, such as vitamin A, iron, and zinc, in staple food crops. The present study aims to identify the chromosomal regions governing the grain iron concentration (GFeC), grain zinc concentration (GZnC), and thousand kernel weight (TKW) using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) in wheat, developed from a cross between HD3086 and HI1500. The experiment was conducted in four different production conditions at Delhi viz., control, drought, heat, and combined heat and drought stress and at Indore under drought stress. Grain iron and zinc content increased under heat and combined stress conditions, while thousand kernel weight decreased. Medium to high heritability with a moderate correlation between grain iron and zinc was observed. Out of 4,106 polymorphic markers between the parents, 3,407 SNP markers were used for linkage map construction which spanned over a length of 14791.18 cm. QTL analysis identified a total of 32 chromosomal regions governing the traits under study, which includes 9, 11, and 12 QTLs for GFeC, GZnC, and TKW, respectively. A QTL hotspot was identified on chromosome 4B which is associated with grain iron, grain zinc, and thousand kernel weight explaining the phenotypic variance of 29.28, 10.98, and 17.53%, respectively. Similarly, common loci were identified on chromosomes 4B and 4D for grain iron, zinc, and thousand kernel weight. In silico analysis of these chromosomal regions identified putative candidate genes that code for proteins such as Inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate 5/6-kinase, P-loop containing nucleoside triphosphate hydrolase, Pleckstrin homology (PH) domains, Serine-threonine/tyrosine-protein kinase and F-box-like domain superfamily proteins which play role in many important biochemical or physiological process. The identified markers linked to QTLs can be used in MAS once successfully validated.
Rapid en-bloc hematoxylin-eosin staining for human lung cancer tissue for fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography
Authors: Ding Yun , Wei Huaye , Liu Xin , Xu Meilin , Sun Daqiang , Li Ting , Li Xin
Published: February 2023

Objective: To establish a rapid and effective method for en-bloc hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and paraffin embedding of human lung cancer and paracancerous tissues which can be applied to fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography (fMOST).

Methods: Human lung cancer and paracancerous tissues with a size of about 1 cm × 1 cm × 0.3 cm were taken and fixed in 10% neutral formalin. HE staining was performed using a heat water bath to facilitate staining. After staining, isopropyl alcohol was used for dehydration and transparency. Then, 65°C paraffin was used for wax immersion followed by paraffin embedding, while continuous paraffin sections were produced for observation.

Results: The tissues stained by en-bloc HE, dehydrated, transparent and wax immersion were slightly smaller in appearance, darker in color and slightly harder in texture than before. After paraffin embedding, the wax blocks did not show any obvious fragmentation, wrinkling or cavity formation, and could be continuously cut into 4-μm thick slices which could be dragged to form wax tapes. The sections could develop flat in waterbath, and the tissues showed no signs of collapse or separation from the paraffin. After sections were picked up and dewaxed, the tissue structure was intact and the cell structure was clear under light microscopy, which could be used to evaluate the pathological features of lung cancer and paracancerous tissues.

Conclusion: We propose a suitable en-bloc HE staining of centimeter-sized lung cancer and paracancerous tissues that can be applied to fMOST. It is promising to be used in the accurate identification of structural landmarks and spatial assessment of lung cancer.
Estimating stomatal conductance of citrus under water stress based on multispectral imagery and machine learning methods
Authors: Xie Jiaxing , Chen Yufeng , Yu Zhenbang , Wang Jiaxin , Liang Gaotian , Gao Peng , Sun Daozong , Wang Weixing , Shu Zuna , Yin Dongxiao , Li Jun
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Canopy stomatal conductance (Sc) indicates the strength of photosynthesis and transpiration of plants. In addition, Sc is a physiological indicator that is widely employed to detect crop water stress. Unfortunately, existing methods for measuring canopy Sc are time-consuming, laborious, and poorly representative.

Methods

To solve these problems, in this study, we combined multispectral vegetation index (VI) and texture features to predict the Sc values and used citrus trees in the fruit growth period as the research object. To achieve this, VI and texture feature data of the experimental area were obtained using a multispectral camera. The H (Hue), S (Saturation) and V (Value) segmentation algorithm and the determined threshold of VI were used to obtain the canopy area images, and the accuracy of the extraction results was evaluated. Subsequently, the gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) was used to calculate the eight texture features of the image, and then the full subset filter was used to obtain the sensitive image texture features and VI. Support vector regression, random forest regression, and k-nearest neighbor regression (KNR) Sc prediction models were constructed, which were based on single and combined variables.

Results

The analysis revealed the following: 1) the accuracy of the HSV segmentation algorithm was the highest, achieving more than 80%. The accuracy of the VI threshold algorithm using excess green was approximately 80%, which achieved accurate segmentation. 2) The citrus tree photosynthetic parameters were all affected by different water supply treatments. The greater the degree of water stress, the lower the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), and Sc of the leaves. 3) In the three Sc prediction models, The KNR model, which was constructed by combining image texture features and VI had the optimum prediction effect (training set: R2 = 0.91076, RMSE = 0.00070; validation set; R2 = 0.77937, RMSE = 0.00165). Compared with the KNR model, which was only based on VI or image texture features, the R2 of the validation set of the KNR model based on combined variables was improved respectively by 6.97% and 28.42%.

Discussion

This study provides a reference for large-scale remote sensing monitoring of citrus Sc by multispectral technology. Moreover, it can be used to monitor the dynamic changes of Sc and provide a new technique for gaining a better understanding of the growth status and water stress of citrus crops.
Potential of carvacrol as plant growth-promotor and green fungicide against fusarium wilt disease of perennial ryegrass
Authors: Saghrouchni Hamza , Barnossi Azeddin El , Mssillou Ibrahim , Lavkor Isilay , Ay Tahsin , Kara Mohammed , Alarfaj Abdullah A. , Hirad Abdurahman Hajinur , Nafidi Hiba-Allah , Bourhia Mohammed , Var Isil
Published: February 2023

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is a valuable forage and soil stabilisation crop. Perennial crops have long been associated with good environmental performance and ecosystem stability. Vascular wilt diseases caused by Fusarium species are the most damaging plant diseases affecting both woody perennials and annual crops. Therefore, the aim of the present study was the assessment of the preventive and growth-promoting effects of carvacrol against Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, and F. nivale (phylogenetically analyzed on the basis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions) causing vascular wilt of ryegrass in vitro and under greenhouse conditions. To accomplish this aim, various parameters were monitored including coleoptile development, rhizogenesis, the incidence of coleoptile lesions, disease index, the visual appearance of ryegrass health, ryegrass organic matter and soil fungal load. The results obtained showed that F. nivale was highly harmful to ryegrass seedlings compared to other Fusarium species. Furthermore, carvacrol with 0.1 and 0.2 mg/mL protected significantly the seedlings against Fusarium wilt diseases both in vitro and in the greenhouse. Simultaneously, carvacrol also functioned as a seedling growth promoter, as is reflected in all monitored parameters, such as the recovery of seedling height and root length, and the development of new leaf buds and secondary roots. Carvacrol proved to be effective plant growth promoter and a bio-fungicide against Fusarium vascular diseases.
Innovation and business performance in Australia: Role of entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship in a crisis
Authors: Abeysekera Indra
Published: February 2023

This descriptive study aimed to examine entrepreneurship’s and intrapreneurship’s roles in translating innovation intention into performance by examining Australian businesses. The primary aim was to investigate whether innovation-active businesses outperformed non-innovation-active businesses. It used the summary data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics about business innovations during the 2020–2021 financial year. The study included intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship as mediator constructs to hypothesised research questions. The study descriptively analyzed data that compared performance increases from the 2019–2020 to 2020–2021 financial year of the COVID-19 crisis period. It found that innovation-active businesses outperformed non-innovation-active businesses. The performance increased with the size of the business, with large businesses performing best, followed by medium-sized and small businesses. There was no distinctive difference between those with innovation-active and non-innovation-active status for businesses that maintained the same or decreased performance. The Theory of Planned Behavior provided the theoretical framework for the study. The study also found businesses post-crisis have broadened their performance outlook towards a triple bottom line way of thinking, contributing to economic, social, and environmental performance. Considering the findings, the study suggests some policy changes to help businesses thrive after the COVID-19 period.
Self-rated health of university students in Germany–The importance of material, psychosocial, and behavioral factors and the parental socio-economic status
Authors: Deindl Christian , Diehl Katharina , Spallek Jacob , Richter Matthias , Schüttig Wiebke , Rattay Petra , Dragano Nico , Pischke Claudia R.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Health inequalities start early in life. The time of young adulthood, between late teens and early twenties, is especially interesting in this regard. This time of emerging adulthood, the transition from being a child to becoming an adult, is characterized by the detachment from parents and establishing of an own independent life. From a health inequality perspective, the question about the importance of the socio-economic background of parents is important. University students are an especially interesting group. Many students come from a privileged background and the question of health inequality among university students has not yet been properly studied.

Methods

Based on the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS), we analyzed health inequalities among 9,000 students in Germany (∅ 20 years in the first year of their studies) over a period of 8 years.

Results

We found that most university students (92%) in Germany reported a good and very good health. Yet, we still found substantial health inequalities. Students whose parents had a higher occupational status reported less health problems. Additionally, we observed that health inequalities had indirect impact on health via health behavior, psychosocial resources, and material conditions.

Discussion

We believe our study is an important contribution to the understudied subject of students' health. We see the impact of social inequality on health among such a privileged group like university students as an important sign of the importance of health inequality.
Online health information seeking and the association with anxiety among older adults
Authors: Schuster Amy M. , Ghaiumy Anaraky Reza , Cotten Shelia R.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The Internet supplies users with endless access to a wealth of information and is generally the first source searched by U.S. adults (18 years and older) when seeking health information. Age and anxiety are associated with online health information seeking (OHIS). Older adults (65 years and older) are increasing their OHIS. Importantly, OHIS can potentially lead to improved health outcomes for older adults. The relationship between OHIS and anxiety is less clear. Studies report those with more symptoms of anxiety are more likely to be OHIS, while other studies find the reverse pattern or no association. Generalized anxiety disorder affects up to 11% of older adults and is oftentimes unrecognized and untreated.

Methods

To address the mixed findings in the literature, we analyzed six waves (2015–2020) of data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study to assess the causal relationship between anxiety and OHIS using a Random Intercept Cross-lagged Panel Model framework.

Results

We found that while anxiety symptoms lead to OHIS in the next wave, OHIS was not associated with anxiety symptoms in the next wave.

Discussion

This suggests that for this sample of older adults, OHIS does not reduce or exacerbate older adults' symptoms of anxiety.
Operational and structural diagnosis of sewerage and drainage networks in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa
Authors: Ouattara Zié Adama , Kabo-Bah Amos T. , Dongo Kouassi , Akpoti Komlavi , Siabi Ebenezer Kwadwo , Kablan Malan Ketcha Armand , Kangah Kouamedai Mathias
Published: February 2023

In Cote d'Ivoire, the failure of urban sewage systems is a crucial problem for the drainage of wastewater and rainwater. This failure is due to many factors and therefore, calls for diagnostic studies. The present study aimed at analyzing these networks in order to identify the different factors that contribute to the operational and structural degradation in selected sewerage and drainage networks in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. The method used in the study involved semi-structured interviews, video camera inspection and socio-environmental field surveys (geographical survey and household survey), followed by descriptive statistics. The results revealed that many structural, environmental and behavioral practice contribute to the progressive degradation of urban sewage systems. These factors are essentially those that prevent the normal flow of wastewater in the pipes such as the illegal dumping of solid waste, the unauthorized connection of wastewater networks, unsustainable urban agricultural practices, as well as the high concentration of vegetation on both sides of the network and the dilapidated infrastructure of the wastewater and rainwater networks. It was found that these factors are at the origin of the clogging and degradation of the sewers since 85% of the residents used these sewers as a dumping ground for solid waste.
Why Insects Cannot Stand the Heat of Climate Change
Authors: Sales Kris , Gardner Jessie , O’Neill Louis G. , Vasudeva Ramakrishnan
Published: February 2023

Climate change is gripping our planet. News headlines proclaim warmer winters and hotter summers, and these changes are impacting Earth’s biodiversity. Have you ever wondered how climate change causes extinctions? This is an important, ongoing research question because understanding how heat impacts living organisms could help us predict how species will cope in a warmer world and give us the knowledge we need to help vulnerable organisms. Insects make honey, pollinate crops, control pests, and recycle waste into nutrients. Despite being numerous and often helpful to humans, insects, and the effects that climate change is having on them, are often overlooked. Due to climate change, heatwaves are becoming more common and intense. In this article, we explore the impact of simulated heatwaves on a beetle species in the laboratory. Keep reading to learn about how heatwaves could cause damage that lasts over generations, potentially leading to extinctions.
Aflatoxin biocontrol in practice requires a multidisciplinary, long-term approach
Authors: Ortega-Beltran Alejandro , Bandyopadhyay Ranajit
Published: February 2023

One of the most elusive food safety problems is the contamination of staple crops with the highly carcinogenic aflatoxins produced byAspergillussection Flavi fungi. Governments, farmers, institutions, consumers, and companies demand aflatoxin solutions. Many aflatoxin management technologies exist, but their real-life use and effectiveness is determined by diverse factors. Biocontrol products based on atoxigenic isolates ofA. flavuscan effectively reduce aflatoxins from field to fork. However, development, testing, and registration of this technology is a laborious process. Further, several barriers prevent the sustainable use of biocontrol products. There are challenges to have the products accepted, to make them available at scale and develop mechanisms for farmers to buy them, to have the products correctly used, to demonstrate their value, and to link farmers to buyers of aflatoxin-safe crops. Developing an effective aflatoxin management technology is the first, major step. The second one, perhaps more complicated and unfortunately seldomly discussed, is to develop mechanisms to have it used at scale, sustainably, and converged with other complementary technologies. Here, challenges and actions to scale the aflatoxin biocontrol technology in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa are described with a view to facilitating aflatoxin management efforts in Africa and beyond.
Rhodopseudomonas palustris PSB06 agent enhance pepper yield and regulating the rhizosphere microecological environment
Authors: Luo Luyun , Wang Pei , Wang Diandong , Shi Xiaobin , Zhang Jingwen , Zhao Zhixiang , Zeng Jun , Liao Jingjing , Zhang Zhuo , Liu Yong
Published: February 2023

The Rhodopseudomonas palustris (R. palustris) PSB06 can promote crop growth, as it maybe regulates microbial communities in plant root soil, soil physicochemical properties, thus creating a favorable habitat for the crop growth. However, there are few studies on the yields and rhizosphere microbial community of R. palustris PSB06 agent. In the study, the high-throughput sequencing was used to study the changes of rhizosphere soil bacterial community after PSB06 treatment. The results indicated R. palustris PSB06 agent increased the pepper yield by 33.45% when compared to control group, with better effect than other treatments. And it also significantly increased soil nitrogen concentration. R. palustris PSB06 agent had improved pepper rhizosphere bacterial α diversity and changed the community structure. Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, Actinomycetes and Firmicutes were dominant phyla in all the pepper rhizosphere soil samples. The results showed that soil bacterial community were significantly positively correlated with pH (R = 0.8537, P = 0.001) and total nitrogen (R = 0.4347, P = 0.003). The nine significantly enriched OTU in R.palustris PSB06 treatment (PB) group belong to Nitrososphaera (OTU_109, OTU_14, OTU_18, OTU_8), Lysobacter (OTU_2115, OTU_13), Arenimonas (OTU_26), Luteimonas (OTU_49), and Ramlibacter (OTU_70) were significantly positively correlated with the total yield of pepper (R > 0.5, P < 0.05). Overall, our results provide a theoretical basis for studying the microbial regulation of R.palustris PSB06 on rhizosphere soil.
Extracellular vesicles would be involved in the release and delivery of seminal TGF-β isoforms in pigs
Authors: Padilla Lorena , Barranco Isabel , Martínez-Hernández Jesús , Parra Ana , Parrilla Inmaculada , Pastor Luis Miguel , Rodriguez-Martinez Heriberto , Lucas Xiomara , Roca Jordi
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Pig seminal plasma (SP) is rich in active forms of all three isoforms (1-3) of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), a chemokine modulatory of the immune environment in the female genital tract once semen is delivered during mating or artificial insemination (AI). The present study aimed to examine how TGF-βs are secreted by the epithelium of the male reproductive tract and how they are transported in semen, emphasizing the interplay with seminal extracellular vesicles (sEVs).

Methods

Source of TGF-βs was examined by immunohistochemistry in testis, epididymis, and accessory sex glands, by immunocytochemistry in ejaculated spermatozoa, and by Luminex xMAP®technology in SP and sEVs retrieved from healthy, fertile male pigs used as breeders in AI programs.

Results

All three TGF-β isoforms were expressed in all reproductive tissues explored and would be released into ductal lumen either in soluble form or associated with sEVs. Ejaculated spermatozoa expressed all three TGF-β isoforms, both inside and outside, probably the outer one associated with membrane-bound sEVs. The results confirmed that pig SP contains all three TGF-β isoforms and demonstrated that a substantial portion of them is associated with sEVs.

Discussion

Seminal EVs would be involved in the cellular secretion of the active forms of seminal TGF-β isoforms and in their safe transport from the male to the female reproductive tract.
Vertical ground reaction forces, paw pressure distribution, and center of pressure during heelwork in working dogs competing in obedience
Authors: Charalambous Danae , Lutonsky Christiane , Keider Stefan , Tichy Alexander , Bockstahler Barbara
Published: February 2023

Heelwork walking is a command that competitive obedience and working dogs are trained to perform. Unlike other canine sports, the research for competitive obedience sport is limited and no research regarding biomechanical gait adaptions during heelwork walking has been published. The aim of the study was to investigate the changes in vertical ground reaction forces, paw pressure distribution (PPD), and center of pressure (COP) of Belgian Malinois during heelwork walking. Ten healthy Belgian Malinois were included in the study. The dogs walked first without heeling (normal walk) and then while heeling on a pressure platform. The comparison between normal and heelwork walking was performed using mixed-effects models.Post-hocanalyses were performed using Sidak's alpha correction procedure. During heelwork walking, a significant decrease in the vertical impulse and stance phase duration (SPD) and a significant increase in the craniocaudal index and speed of COP was observed in the forelimbs compared to normal walking. At the hindlimbs, a significant increase in vertical impulse and SPD was observed during heelwork walking. Regarding PPD, a significant decrease of vertical impulse was observed at the cranial quadrants of the right forelimb and craniolateral quadrant of the left forelimb during heelwork. The area was significantly decreased at the craniolateral quadrant of the left forelimb and the time for the peak vertical force was prolonged significantly at the caudal quadrants of the right forelimb during heelwork walking. The vertical impulse was significantly increased in all quadrants of the hindlimbs except the craniolateral quadrant of the left hindlimb. The effect of these changes on the musculoskeletal system of working dogs should be investigated in further studies, using electromyography and kinematic analysis.
Decreased water temperature enhance Piscine orthoreovirus genotype 3 replication and severe heart pathology in experimentally infected rainbow trout
Authors: Sørensen Juliane , Cuenca Argelia , Olsen Anne Berit , Skovgaard Kerstin , Iburg Tine Moesgaard , Olesen Niels Jørgen , Vendramin Niccolò
Published: February 2023

Piscine orthoreovirus genotype 3 (PRV-3) was first discovered in Denmark in 2017 in relation to disease outbreaks in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). While the virus appears to be widespread in farmed rainbow trout, disease outbreaks associated with detection of PRV-3 have only occurred in recirculating aquaculture systems, and has predominantly been observed during the winter months. To explore the possible effects of water temperature on PRV-3 infection in rainbow trout, an in vivo cohabitation trial was conducted at 5, 12, and 18°C. For each water temperature, a control tank containing mock-injected shedder fish and a tank with PRV-3 exposed fish were included. Samples were collected from all experimental groups every 2nd week post challenge (WPC) up until trial termination at 12 WPC. PRV-3 RNA load measured in heart tissue of cohabitants peaked at 6 WPC for animals maintained at 12 and 18°C, while it reached its peak at 12 WPC in fish maintained at 5°C. In addition to the time shift, significantly more virus was detected at the peak in fish maintained at 5°C compared to 12 and 18°C. In shedders, fish at 12 and 18°C cleared the infection considerably faster than the fish at 5°C: while shedders at 18 and 12°C had cleared most of the virus at 4 and 6 WPC, respectively, high virus load persisted in the shedders at 5°C until 12 WPC. Furthermore, a significant reduction in the hematocrit levels was observed in the cohabitants at 12°C in correlation with the peak in viremia at 6 WPC; no changes in hematocrit was observed at 18°C, while a non-significant reduction (due to large individual variation) trend was observed at cohabitants held at 5°C. Importantly, isg15 expression was positively correlated with PRV-3 virus load in all PRV-3 exposed groups. Immune gene expression analysis showed a distinct gene profile in PRV-3 exposed fish maintained at 5°C compared to 12 and 18°C. The immune markers mostly differentially expressed in the group at 5°C were important antiviral genes including rigi, ifit5 and rsad2 (viperin). In conclusion, these data show that low water temperature allow for significantly higher PRV-3 replication in rainbow trout, and a tendency for more severe heart pathology development in PRV-3 injected fish. Increased viral replication was mirrored by increased expression of important antiviral genes. Despite no mortality being observed in the experimental trial, the data comply with field observations of clinical disease outbreaks during winter and cold months.
Concentrations and kinetics of renal biomarkers in dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus with and without 24-h intravenous lidocaine
Authors: Lehmann Anna , Brunner Anna , Marti Eliane , Francey Thierry , Steinbach Sarah , Peters Laureen M. , Adamik Katja-Nicole
Published: February 2023

Background

Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) can lead to organ failure including acute kidney injury (AKI). Due to its cytoprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, lidocaine has a potential to prevent AKI in dogs with GDV.

Design and setting

Prospective, observational cohort study in client-owned dogs with GDV.

Objective

To determine concentrations of renal biomarkers for AKI in dogs with GDV with and without intravenous (IV) lidocaine therapy.

Methods

Thirty-two dogs were randomized to receive either IV lidocaine (2 mg/kg, followed by a lidocaine constant rate infusion at a dose of 50 μg/kg/min over 24 h; n = 17) or no lidocaine (n = 15). Blood and urine samples were taken at admission (T0) (only blood), during or immediately after surgery (T1), and 24 (T24) and 48 (T48) h after surgery. Plasma creatinine (pCr), plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (pNGAL), urinary NGAL (uNGAL), uNGAL to creatinine ratio (UNCR), and urinary gamma-glutamyl transferase to creatinine ratio (uGGT/uCr) were evaluated. Biomarker concentrations were compared between dogs with and without IV lidocaine and the course of each marker was determined in comparison to its admission value.

Results

In the entire population, a significantly higher pCr at T0 (median, 95 μmol/L, interquartile range, 82–105) compared with T1 (69 μmol/L, 60–78), T24 (63 μmol/L, 52–78), and T48 (78 μmol/L, 65–87) (P < 0.001) was found. Plasma NGAL increased significantly between T0 (5.66 ng/mL, 3.58–7.43) and T24 (7.50 ng/mL, 4.01–11.89) (P = 0.006) and T48 (9.86 ng/mL, 5.52–13.92) (P < 0.001), respectively. Urinary NGAL increased significantly between T1 (0.61 ng/mL, 0.30–2.59) and T24 (2.62 ng/mL, 1.86–10.92) (P = 0.001) and T48 (4.79 ng/mL, 1.96–34.97 (P < 0.001), respectively. UNCR increased significantly between T1 (0.15 μg/mmol, 0.09–0.54) and T24 (1.14 μg/mmol, 0.41–3.58) (P = 0.0015) and T48 (1.34 μg/mmol, 0.30–7.42) (P < 0.001), respectively. Concentrations of uGGT/uCr increased significantly from T0 highest at T24 (6.20 U/mmol, 3.90–9.90) and significantly decreased at T48 (3.76 U/mmol, 2.84–6.22) (P < 0.001). No significant differences in any renal biomarker concentration were found between dogs with and without IV lidocaine therapy.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

Plasma NGAL, uNGAL and UNCR remained increased up to 48 h post-surgery. No evidence of lidocaine-associated renoprotection was found.
Wolf and Dog: What Differences Exist?
Authors: Coli Alessandra , Prinetto Davide , Giannessi Elisabetta
Published: February 2023

A morphological study of the skeletal specimen of Canis lupus L. from an archeological dig of Agnano (Pisa) (Fauna Laboratory, Department of Archaeological Sciences, University of Pisa, Italy) that is chronologically placed in the Wurm period (last glaciation) was done to perform an anatomical comparison between this wild ancestor and osteological specimens of Canis familiaris L. present in the Veterinary Anatomy Museum (University of Pisa). Marked morphological differences in the splanchnocranium (nasal bone, zygomatic arch and orbital angle), neurocranium (sagittal crest) and temporomandibular joint (due to different developments of the masticatory muscles) are highlighted on the wolf specimen compared to those in the domestic dog specimens present in Museum. The appendicular skeletal bones of the wolf show anatomical features similar to those of dog bone specimens, confirming their belonging to the same family (Canidae). This result confirms that domestication has almost exclusively affected the anatomical features of the skull that have changed due to the difference in dietary approach between wolves and dogs.
Honey and Alzheimer’s Disease—Current Understanding and Future Prospects
Authors: Shaikh Ammara , Ahmad Fairus , Teoh Seong Lin , Kumar Jaya , Yahaya Mohamad Fairuz
Published: February 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a leading cause of dementia, has been a global concern. AD is associated with the involvement of the central nervous system that causes the characteristic impaired memory, cognitive deficits, and behavioral abnormalities. These abnormalities caused by AD is known to be attributed by extracellular aggregates of amyloid beta plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. Additionally, genetic factors such as abnormality in the expression of APOE, APP, BACE1, PSEN-1, and PSEN-2 play a role in the disease. As the current treatment aims to treat the symptoms and to slow the disease progression, there has been a continuous search for new nutraceutical agent or medicine to help prevent and cure AD pathology. In this quest, honey has emerged as a powerful nootropic agent. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the high flavonoids and phenolic acids content in honey exerts its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. This review summarizes the effect of main flavonoid compounds found in honey on the physiological functioning of the central nervous system, and the effect of honey intake on memory and cognition in various animal model. This review provides a new insight on the potential of honey to prevent AD pathology, as well as to ameliorate the damage in the developed AD.
Effects of Sequential Enzymolysis and Glycosylation on the Structural Properties and Antioxidant Activity of Soybean Protein Isolate
Authors: Zhang Qing , Li Lin , Chen Lan , Liu Shuxiang , Cui Qiang , Qin Wen
Published: February 2023

The effects of limited hydrolysis following glycosylation with dextran on the structural properties and antioxidant activity of the soybean protein isolate (SPI) were investigated. Three SPI hydrolysate (SPIH) fractions, F30 (>30 kDa), F30-10 (10–30 kDa), and F10 (<10 kDa), were confirmed using gel permeation chromatography. The results demonstrated that the glycosylation of F30 was faster than that of F30-10 or F10. The enzymolysis caused the unfolding of the SPI to expose the internal hydrophobic cores, which was further promoted by the grafting of dextran, making the obtained conjugates have a loose spatial structure, strong molecular flexibility, and enhanced thermal stability. The grafting of dextran significantly enhanced the DPPH radical or •OH scavenging activity and the ferrous reducing power of the SPI or SPIH fractions with different change profiles due to their different molecular structures. The limited enzymolysis following glycosylation was proven to be a promising way to obtain SPI-based food ingredients with enhanced functionalities.
Correction: Zhang et al. Genome-Scale CRISPR Knockout Screening Identifies BACH1 as a Key Regulator of Aflatoxin B1-Induced Oxidative Damage. Antioxidants 2022, 11, 1787
Authors: Zhang Jinfu , Hu Siyi , Zhao Changzhi , Zhou Yuan , Zhang Lu , Liu Hailong , Zhou Peng , Li Sheng , Fu Liangliang , Zheng Zhuqing , Xiang Yue , Xu Xuewen , Ruan Jinxue , Li Xinyun , Sun Lvhui , Cao Gang , Zhao Shuhong , Wang Xu , Xie Shengsong
Published: February 2023

In the original publication [...]
Se-Enriched Cardamine violifolia Improves Laying Performance and Regulates Ovarian Antioxidative Function in Aging Laying Hens
Authors: Wang Hui , Cong Xin , Qin Kun , Yan Mengke , Xu Xianfeng , Liu Mingkang , Xu Xiao , Zhang Yue , Gao Qingyu , Cheng Shuiyuan , Zhao Jiangchao , Zhu Huiling , Liu Yulan
Published: February 2023

As a selenium-enriched plant, Cardamine violifolia (SEC) has an excellent antioxidant function. The edibility of SEC is expected to develop new sources of organic Se supplementation for human and animal nutrition. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of SEC on laying performance and ovarian antioxidant capacity in aging laying hens. A total of 450 laying hens were assigned to five treatments. Dietary treatments included the following: a basal diet (diet without Se supplementation, CON) and basal diets supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg Se from sodium selenite (SS), 0.3 mg/kg Se from Se-enriched yeast (SEY), 0.3 mg/kg Se from SEC, or 0.3 mg/kg Se from SEC and 0.3 mg/kg Se from SEY (SEC + SEY). Results showed that supplementation with SEC tended to increase the laying rate, increased the Haugh unit of eggs, and reduced the FCR. SEC promoted ovarian cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and ameliorated the maintenance of follicles. SEC, SEY, or SEC + SEY increased ovarian T-AOC and decreased MDA levels. SEC increased the mRNA abundance of ovarian selenoproteins. SEC and SEC + SEY increased the mRNA abundance of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1, and decreased the mRNA abundance of Keap1. These results indicate that SEC could potentially to improve laying performance and egg quality via the enhancement of ovarian antioxidant capacity. SEC exerts an antioxidant function through the modulation of the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway.