bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiplex CRISPR/Cas9-mediated raffinose synthase gene editing reduces raffinose family oligosaccharides in soybean
Authors: Cao Li , Wang Zeru , Ma Hongyu , Liu Tengfei , Ji Jing , Duan Kaixuan
Published: November 2022

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is an important world economic crop. It is rich in oil, protein, and starch, and soluble carbohydrates in soybean seeds are also important for human and livestock consumption. The predominant soluble carbohydrate in soybean seed is composed of sucrose and raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs). Among these carbohydrates, only sucrose can be digested by humans and monogastric animals and is beneficial for metabolizable energy, while RFOs are anti-nutritional factors in diets, usually leading to flatulence and indigestion, ultimately reducing energy efficiency. Hence, breeding efforts to remove RFOs from soybean seeds can increase metabolizable energy and improve nutritional quality. The objective of this research is to use the multiplex Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9‐mediated gene editing system to induce the knockout of soybean raffinose synthase (RS) genes RS2 and RS3 simultaneously to reduce RFOs in mature seeds. First, we constructed five types of multiplex gene editing systems and compared their editing efficiency in soybean hairy roots. We confirmed that the two-component transcriptional unit (TCTU) and single transcriptional unit (STU) systems with transfer RNA (tRNA) as the cleavage site performed better than other systems. The average editing efficiency at the four targets with TCTU-tRNA and STU-tRNA was 50.5% and 46.7%, respectively. Then, we designed four single-guide RNA (sgRNA) targets to induce mutations at RS2 and RS3 by using the TCTU-tRNA system. After the soybean transformation, we obtained several RS2 and RS3 mutation plants, and a subset of alleles was successfully transferred to the progeny. We identified null single and double mutants at the T2 generation and analyzed the seed carbohydrate content of their progeny. The RS2 and RS3 double mutants and the RS2 single mutant exhibited dramatically reduced levels of raffinose and stachyose in mature seeds. Further analysis of the growth and development of these mutants showed that there were no penalties on these phenotypes. Our results indicate that knocking out RS genes by multiplex CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing is an efficient way to reduce RFOs in soybean. This research demonstrates the potential of using elite soybean cultivars to improve the soybean meal trait by multiplex CRISPR(Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)/Cas9-mediated gene editing.
Demoralization: Where it stands-and where we can take it: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Zheng Qingyong , Xiong Lu , Li Huijun , Liu Ming , Xu Jianguo , Luo Xiaofeng
Published: November 2022

Objectives

The purpose is to analyze existing studies related to the field of demoralization through bibliometrics.

Methodology

Relevant literature on demoralization was searched from PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and CINAHL Complete. Bibliometric analysis was performed using GraphPad Prisma 8.2.1, VOSviewer 1.6.18 and R software. Research publication trends, author-country collaboration, research hotspots and future trends were explored by generating network relationship maps.

Results

A total of 1,035 publications related to the field of demoralization were identified. The earliest relevant studies have been published since 1974, and the studies have grown faster since 2000. Psyche-oncology and Psychother Psychosom had the highest number of publications (n = 25). The United States, Italy and Australia have made outstanding contributions to the field and there was an active collaboration among leading scholars. Major research hotspots include the multiple ways of assessing demoralization, the specificity of various demographics and psychological disorders in different disease contexts, and the association and distinction of diverse clinical psychological abnormalities. The impact of COVID-19 on demoralization and subsequent interventions and psychological care may become a future research direction.

Conclusion

There has been a significant increase in research in the field of demoralization after 2000. The United States provided the most publications. There is overall active collaboration between authors, countries, and institutions. In future research, more attention will be paid to the effects of COVID-19 on demoralization and intervention care for this psychology.
Fitting the name or unworthy of the name?—Does the name of family firm major shareholder influence family’s egoistic behavior?
Authors: Yu Xiaodong , Li Huan , Cheng Xirong , Sun Shize
Published: November 2022

It has been generally believed that the major shareholders of family firms are more willing to implement egoistic behaviors aimed at benefiting the family. This study analyses whether the major shareholder of the family firm whose name contains “Confucian symbols” such as benevolence, righteousness, loyalty, and kindness will reduce family self-interested behaviors as his name indicates. Using a sample consisting of all 425 family firms listed on Small and Medium Enterprise Board and Growth Enterprise Board, the result shows that the major shareholder whose name contains Confucian symbols is less likely to misappropriate corporate assets and less likely to make “family-first” personnel arrangements, meanwhile is more open to external supervision. Further mechanism testing reveals that the major shareholder whose name contains Confucian symbols also tends to choose corporate culture that reflects Confucianism. The study confirms that the name of the major shareholder is one of the factors which can affect the operation of the family business, demonstrates that different family firms have different attitudes towards family self-interest, and promotes the extant research from the “differences between family and non-family firms” level further to the “differences among family firms running by different families” level.
Facilitating L2 writers’ metacognitive strategy use in argumentative writing using a process-genre approach
Authors: Huang Yu , Zhang Lawrence Jun
Published: November 2022

This paper reports on an empirical study that examined changes in L2 writers’ perceived use of metacognitive strategies after receiving a process-genre writing instruction. Following a mixed-methods approach, this study was conducted in two intact College English classes at a university in China. Participants were 72 first-year undergraduates, with an experimental group (n = 40) taught by the process-genre writing approach and a comparison group (n = 32) receiving conventional writing instruction. A Likert-scale questionnaire was used to examine students’ changes in their conceptualized metacognitive strategies. Think-aloud protocols were conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of students’ application of metacognitive strategies and genre knowledge in performing writing tasks. Findings revealed that the process-genre instruction had a significantly positive impact on the “considering the audience” factor, and students’ conception of the audience was clearer and more diversified. An in-depth analysis of the think-aloud protocols showed that the participants incorporated the acquired metacognitive strategies and genre knowledge in completing writing tasks, with more pre-task planning time focused on both global and local aspects. Students’ metacognitive monitoring also shifted from surface-level lexical and grammar regulation to discourse-level text control.
Social comparison effects on students’ cognitive anxiety, self-confidence, and performance in Chinese composition writing
Authors: Hong Jon-Chao , Tai Kai-Hsin , Hwang Ming-Yueh , Lin Chia-Yin
Published: November 2022

Social comparison is a mind-altering determinant that affects students’ learning behavior. To understand the effect, three instructional approaches to teaching Chinese writing skills were designed and implemented in this study: (1) The No Comparison Group (NCG): students were asked to complete compositions on their own; (2) The Upward Comparison Group (UCG): superior composition examples were provided and the students were asked to write compositions on the same topics; and (3) The Downward Comparison Group (DCG): inferior examples were provided for students to critique. Taiwanese junior high school ninth graders participated in three groups, and wrote compositions on six themes. The results revealed that the Chinese composition writing (CCW) skills of the students in the UCG and DCG improved significantly more than those of the students in the NCG. Composition-prompted cognitive anxiety in the DCG declined substantially. The results imply that adopting upward and downward comparisons for students to practice Chinese composition is worth adopting in writing lessons.
Exploring the impact of mass migration in Jin Dynasty by psycholinguistic analysis on Classical Chinese legacy text
Authors: Xiong Huan , Wu Gengxuan , Li Sijia , Xue Shujie , Li Hua , Zhu Tingshao
Published: November 2022

The first mass migration in China took place at the end of the Western Jin, which resulted in the southward transfer of the Central Plains Culture and brought about huge social changes. Such social changes exerted significant impacts on the gentry of the Jin Dynasty. This paper used a huge volume of Classical Chinese legacy text of Jin gentry members. We used CC-LIWC to calculate frequencies of different word categories used in these text contents and conducted an analysis of variance to measure significant differences between the three groups. We found 16 categories of words with significant differences and calculated their effect sizes, such as tense markers (tensem), F = 3.588, P < 0.05, η2 = 0.034; modal particles (modal_pa), F = 3.468, P < 0.05, η2 = 0.053; words for affective processes (affect), F = 3.096, P < 0.05, η2 = 0.028; words for cognitive processes (cogproc), F = 3.308, P < 0.05, η2 = 0.031; words for perceptual processes (percept), F = 7.137, P < 0.05, η2 = 0.06. Combining the psycholinguistics of the 16 categories of words and researches of historians on the Jin Dynasty, we then analyzed the direct and indirect, immediate and long-lasting psycholinguistic impacts of this mass migration on the gentry themselves and their descendants.
How organizational trust impacts organizational citizenship behavior: Organizational identification and employee loyalty as mediators
Authors: Dai Yuping , Tang Yuk Ming , Chen Weinian , Hou Jie
Published: November 2022

Research on the influence of organizational trust (OT) on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) of employees has been conducted for years, but the influence of internal mechanism for OT on OCB is not well studied. Based on social exchange theory and organizational identity theory, this paper explored the OT on the OCB and revealed the chain-mediating role of organizational identification (OI) and employee loyalty (EL) from both employees’ cognitive and psychological perspectives. The research employed a two-wave and multi-source strategy to conduct hypothesis validation with 305 validated questionnaires of Chinese enterprises. The results of the empirical analysis show that: (1) OT has a significant effect on OCB; (2) OI plays a mediating role between OT and OCB; (3) EL plays a mediating role between OT and OCB; and (4) OI and EL have a significant chain-mediating role between OT and OCB. The results of this study have deepened the understanding of organizational trust and have important practical implications for improving organizational citizenship behavior, organizational identification, and employee loyalty.
Discovery and validation of acetyl-L-carnitine in serum for diagnosis of major depressive disorder and remission status through metabolomic approach
Authors: Lee Seungyeon , Mun Sora , Lee You-Rim , Choi Hyebin , Joo Eun-Jeong , Kang Hee-Gyoo , Lee Jiyeong
Published: November 2022

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders that accompany psychophysiological and mood changes. However, the pathophysiology-based disease mechanism of MDD is not yet fully understood, and diagnosis is also conducted through interviews with clinicians and patients. Diagnosis and treatment of MDD are limited due to the absence of biomarkers underlying the pathophysiological mechanisms of MDD. Although various attempts have been made to discover metabolite biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment response of MDD, problems with sample size and consistency of results have limited clinical application. In addition, it was reported that future biomarker studies must consider exposure to antidepressants, which is the main cause of heterogeneity in depression subgroups. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to discover and validate biomarkers for the diagnosis of depression in consideration of exposure to drug treatment including antidepressants that contribute to the heterogeneity of the MDD subgroup. In the biomarker discovery and validation set, the disease group consisted of a mixture of patients exposed and unexposed to drug treatment including antidepressants for the treatment of MDD. The serum metabolites that differed between the MDD patients and the control group were profiled using mass spectrometry. The validation set including the remission group was used to verify the effectiveness as a biomarker for the diagnosis of depression and determination of remission status. The presence of different metabolites between the two groups was confirmed through serum metabolite profiling between the MDD patient group and the control group. Finally, Acetylcarnitine was selected as a biomarker. In validation, acetylcarnitine was significantly decreased in MDD and was distinguished from remission status. This study confirmed that the discovered acetylcarnitine has potential as a biomarker for diagnosing depression and determining remission status, regardless of exposure to drug treatment including antidepressants.
Mortality rate of mental disorder trends in China from 2002 to 2020
Authors: Li Boxuan , Zhang Guoshuang , Ma Jing , Kang Mingxiu
Published: November 2022

Background

The number of people with mental disorders is increasing in China, but there are few studies on the temporal trends and population distribution of mental disorder mortality.

Methods

The mortality of mental disorders were derived from the China Health Statistics Yearbook published by the National Health and Family Planning Commission. Temporal trends in mortality were examined with a joinpoint regression using annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC). A Poisson regression model was utilized to test the population-level risk factors associated with the death of people with mental disorders.

Results

The mortality of mental disorders in rural Chinese residents showed a decreasing trend from 2002 to 2020 [AAPC –2.06%, 95% confidence interval (CI) –3.16 to –0.91%]. The mortality of mental disorders in urban Chinese residents declined between 2005 and 2011 (APC –13.01%, 95% CI –21.08 to –4.13%). The mortality rate of mental disorders has decreased for urban males with an APC of –2.71% (95% CI –4.52 to –0.71) from 2002 to 2020. Urban women showed an increase in mental disorder mortality from 2002 to 2005 and from 2012 to 2020 with APCs of 19.65% (95% CI 0.64–42.32%) and 6.16% (95% CI 2.22–10.33%), respectively. Age was a significant risk factor for mental disorder mortality (odds ratio 1.28, 95% CI 1.23–1.32).

Conclusion

The dissemination of medical and health information, investment in medical and health resources, and the modification and optimization of regulations have led to a decrease in mental disorder mortality in China. It is vital to devote greater attention to elderly individuals suffering from mental disorders.
Toward a possible trauma subtype of functional neurological disorder: impact on symptom severity and physical health
Authors: Paredes-Echeverri Sara , Guthrie Andrew J. , Perez David L.
Published: November 2022

Background

As a group, individuals with functional neurological disorder (FND) report an approximately 3-fold increase in adverse life experiences (ALEs) compared to healthy controls. In patients with FND, studies have identified a positive correlation between symptom severity and the magnitude of ALEs. While not all individuals with FND report ALEs, such findings raise the possibility of a trauma-subtype of FND.

Objective

This study investigated if patients with FND, with or without probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or significant childhood maltreatment, differed in their symptom severity and physical health.

Materials and methods

Seventy-eight patients with FND were recruited (functional seizures,n= 34; functional movement disorder,n= 56). Participants completed self-report measures of symptom severity [Somatoform Dissociation Questionniare-20 (SDQ-20), Screening for Somatoform Disorders: Conversion Disorder subscale (SOMS:CD), Patient Health Questionniare-15 (PHQ-15)], physical health [Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF36-physical health)], childhood maltreatment [Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ)], and PTSD [PTSD Checklist-5 (PCL-5)]; a psychometric battery of other common predisposing vulnerabilities was also completed. To adjust for multiple comparisons, a Bonferroni correction was applied to all univariate analyses.

Results

Patients with FND and probable PTSD (n= 33) vs. those without probable PTSD (n= 43) had statistically significant increased scores on all symptom severity measures – as well as decreased physical health scores. In secondarypost-hocregression analyses, these findings remained significant adjusting for age, sex, race, college education, and: pathological dissociation; alexithymia; attachment styles; personality characteristics; resilience scores; functional seizures subtype; or moderate-to-severe childhood abuse and neglect scores; SOMS:CD and SDQ-20 findings also held adjusting for depression and anxiety scores. In a separate set of analyses, patients with FND and moderate-to-severe childhood abuse (n= 46) vs. those without moderate-to-severe childhood abuse (n= 32) showed statistically significant increased SDQ-20 and PHQ-15 scores; inpost-hocregressions, these findings held adjusting for demographic and other variables. Stratification by childhood neglect did not relate to symptom severity or physical health scores.

Conclusion

This study provides support for a possible trauma-subtype of FND. Future research should investigate the neurobiological and treatment relevance of a FND trauma-subtype, as well as continuing to delineate clinical characteristics and mechanisms in individuals with FND that lack a history of ALEs.
The role of metformin in treatment of weight gain associated with atypical antipsychotic treatment in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Mansuri Zeeshan , Makani Ramkrishna , Trivedi Chintan , Adnan Mahwish , Vadukapuram Ramu , Rafael John , Lodhi Ashutosh , Reddy Abhishek
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Second-generation antipsychotics are associated with significant weight gain. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the efficacy and safety of metformin for the treatment of weight gain in children and young adults treated with second-generation antipsychotics.

Methods

We followed PRISMA guidelines to evaluated studies published before March 2020 in Medline, Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane library database, annual scientific sessions of the American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Child and Adolescent, Psychiatry, and American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology. Studies included compared metformin with the placebo for management of weight gain in children and adolescents taking atypical antipsychotics. Non-randomized studies, animal experiment studies, editorials, and review studies were excluded. Multiple parameters, including change in anthropometric-biochemical parameters, drug discontinuation rate, and side effects among the groups were assessed. The random-effects method was used for meta-analysis.

Results

Four studies with were included in the final analysis (213 patients; metformin: 106; control: 107). After pooled analysis, 12–16 weeks of metformin therapy was associated with a significant reduction in weight [(mean difference (MD): −4.53 lbs, confidence interval (CI): −6.19 to −2.87, p-value < 0.001)], and BMI z score [MD, −0.09, CI: −0.16, −0.03, p-value: 0.004] compared to control. Metformin was also associated with a significant reduction in insulin resistance [MD: −1.38, CI: −2.26 to −0.51, p-value: 0.002]. There were higher odds of nausea-vomiting [OR: 4.07, CI: 1.32–12.54, p-value: 0.02] and diarrhea [OR: 2.93, CI: 1.50–5.71, p-value: 0.002] in the metformin group. However, there was no difference in drug discontinuation rate [OR: 1.45, CI: 0.41–5.06, p-value: 0.56].

Conclusion

Metformin may prove beneficial in the treatment of weight gain in children treated with second-generation antipsychotics. The pooled treatment effect showed a significant reduction in BMI Z-score and weight in just 12–16 weeks. The limitations include small sample size, variation in metformin dose, and duration of treatment. This meta-analysis should be interpreted as promising, and further larger studies are warranted before drawing a conclusion.
The importance of recognizing worthlessness for suicide prevention in adolescents with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Katzenmajer-Pump Luca , Komáromy Dániel , Balázs Judit
Published: November 2022

Background

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric diagnoses among children and adolescents. Depression and general anxiety disorder (GAD) are often co-occurring with ADHD among children and adolescents. Previous studies have found that ADHD, depression and GAD are all strongly correlated with suicidal thoughts and planning.

Aim

The current study aimed to further explore the association between ADHD, GAD and depressive symptoms as well as their association with suicidal thoughts and planning among adolescents.

Method

Adolescents with ADHD diagnosis were involved from child psychiatry outpatient clinics and adolescents without a psychiatric treatment or diagnosis were enrolled from high schools in Hungary. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents was used to evaluate psychiatric symptoms and disorders as well as suicidal thoughts and planning. Regularized psychological networks were used to investigate the associations.

Results

Altogether 185 adolescents (58 females and 127 males; mean age 14.79 years, SD = 1.48), 89 with ADHD and 96 without ADHD were enrolled. Depression symptom worthlessness was directly related to suicidal thoughts and planning, CI95 of the logit B between worthlessness and suicidal thought (0.72, 1.66). Both ADHD and anxiety were indirectly related to suicidal thoughts and planning through depression: CI95 of the logit B between being disorganized and feeling worthless is (0.38, 3.02), and CI95 of the logit B between being distressed and feeling worthless is (0.57, 2.52).

Conclusions

This study draws the attention of clinicians to the importance of recognizing “worthlessness” for suicide prevention in adolescents with ADHD. Furthermore, the results support previous studies, whereby symptoms of depression and anxiety mediate the relationship between ADHD and suicidal thoughts and planning. These results highlight the importance of ADHD comorbidities with depression and GAD and their effect on suicidal thoughts and planning.
The influence of arts engagement on the mental health of isolated college students during the COVID-19 outbreak in China
Authors: Chen Yanying , Zeng Xue , Tao Lijian , Chen Junxiang , Wang Yuhui
Published: November 2022

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the mental health of college students. This study aimed to investigate the buffering effect of arts engagement on anxiety and resilience in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Study design

A cross-sectional study.

Methods

The data were collected via an online survey during a wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Shanghai (March 15 to April 15, 2022). In total, 2,453 college students throughout China reported general anxiety symptom levels (according to the GAD-7), resilience (according to the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale), frequency of receptive arts engagement in the previous year, exposure to risk situations, and behavioral changes due to the pandemic.

Results

During the current stage of the pandemic, 43.7% of college students suffered from varying degrees of anxiety, and 2.6% showed severe anxiety. Gender and learning stage were not associated with anxiety. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that the decision to return to academic institution, the degree of exposure to COVID-19, and the frequency of accepting art participation and resilience could significantly predict the anxiety level of college students. Gender, study stage, behavioral changes arising from COVID-19, and exposure to COVID-19 significantly predict the resilience level of college students. There was an association between high frequency music activities, reading activities and low anxiety level (p < 0.001). There was an association between high frequency digital art, music activities, reading and high resilience (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Arts engagement appears to help students cope with mental health problems and those at risk. Policymakers should encourage college students to participate in art activities, especially in the context of social distancing.
The clinical and virological features of two children's coinfections with human adenovirus type 7 and human coronavirus-229E virus
Authors: Liu Shelan , Zhu An , Pan Jinren , Ying Lihong , Sun Wanwan , Wu Hanting , Zhu Haiying , Lou Haiyan , Wang Lan , Qin Shuwen , Yu Zhao , Cai Jian , Chen Yin , Chen Enfu
Published: November 2022

Objective

Human adenovirus (HAdV) coinfection with other respiratory viruses is common, but adenovirus infection combined with human coronavirus-229E (HCoV-229E) is very rare.

Study design and setting

Clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, and disease severity were compared between three groups: one coinfected with HAdV-Ad7 and HCoV-229E, one infected only with adenovirus (mono-adenovirus), and one infected only with HCoV-229E (mono-HCoV-229E).

Results

From July to August 2019, there were 24 hospitalized children: two were coinfected with HAdV-Ad7 and HCoV-229E, and 21 were infected with a single adenovirus infection. Finally, one 14-year-old boy presented with a high fever, but tested negative for HAdV-Ad7 and HCoV-229E. Additionally, three adult asymptotic cases with HCoV-229E were screened. No significant difference in age was found in the coinfection and mono-adenovirus groups (11 vs. 8 years, p = 0.332). Both groups had the same incubation period (2.5 vs. 3 days, p = 0.8302), fever duration (2.5 vs. 2.9 days, p = 0.5062), and length of hospital stay (7 vs. 6.76 days, p = 0.640). No obvious differences were found in viral loads between the coinfection and mono-adenovirus groups (25.4 vs. 23.7, p = 0.570), or in the coinfection and mono-HCoV-229E groups (32.9 vs. 30.06, p = 0.067). All cases recovered and were discharged from the hospital.

Conclusion

HAdV-Ad7 and HCoV-229E coinfection in healthy children may not increase the clinical severity or prolong the clinical course. The specific interaction mechanism between the viruses requires further study.
Recent HIV infection among newly diagnosed cases and associated factors in the Amhara regional state, Northern Ethiopia: HIV case surveillance data analysis (2019-2021)
Authors: Alemu Tefera , Ayalew Misganaw , Haile Mahteme , Amsalu Abraham , Ayal Alie , Wale Fisseha , Belay Amogne , Desta Birhanu , Taddege Tesfahun , Lankir Damtie , Bezabih Belay
Published: November 2022

Background

Distinguishing a recent from long-standing HIV infection is a critical step to reduce new infections in 2030. Therefore, this analysis determines the proportion of recent HIV infections among newly diagnosed cases and associated factors in the Amhara regional state between 2019 and 2021.

Methods

We got the HIV case-based surveillance dataset (July 2019 up to August 12/2021) from the Amhara Public Health Institute. Recent infection is an infection gained within the last 12 months as identified by Asante recency test kits. Logistic regression was carried out to identify factors associated with recent infection. Adjusted odd with 95% CI and a p-value of < 0.05 was considered to declare significant associations.

Results

Out of 5,689 eligible cases, 3,129 (55%) recency tests had been performed. The proportion of recent HIV infection is 443 (14.2%, 95% CI: 13, 15.4%). High proportion of recent infections is reported from Bahir Dar city (23.3%), Central Gondar (17.7%), West Gojjam (16.5%), North Shewa (16.5%) and South Gondar zones (15.7%). Besides, the proportion of recent infection is high among clients aged ≥ 51 years (32.4%), illicit drug users (30.6 %), homelessness (28.5%), current commercial sex workers (27.9%), prisoners (21.1%), and among clients with invasive medical procedures (22.2%). Recent infection is significantly associated with females (AOR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2–3.1), secondary and above education (AOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3–3.4), commercial sex workers (AOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2–2.7), having contact with index case (AOR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3–0.8) and illicit drug utilization (AOR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.1–12.4).

Conclusion

In the Amhara region, the proportion of recent HIV infection is high with marked variation across sociodemographic characteristics. We identified the risk or preventive factors associated with a recent infection. Therefore, all HIV responders should target their prevention efforts toward hot spot areas and sub-populations to stop further transmission.
Upstream-downstream asymmetries of drought impacts in major river basins of the European Alps
Authors: Dahlmann Heindriken , Stephan Ruth , Stahl Kerstin
Published: November 2022

The European Alps, despite being Europe's water towers, are increasingly affected by droughts. In recent decades, when climate warming has intensified, drought impacts have illustrated the regions' vulnerability. Improved knowledge on the spatial distribution of drought impacts from high elevation headwater regions down to plateau and foothill areas is of tremendous importance to understand socio-economic drought dimensions. The region has an exceptional data availability including archived drought impact information. It is therefore a good test bed for the often-assumed general hypothesis that drought impacts occur more often downstream. The aim of this study was to investigate whether upstream-downstream differences in the distribution of drought impacts exist in the four major river basins of the European Alps - Rhine, Rhone, Po and Danube. Two different classifications were developed to divide these basins in up- and downstream areas. We based the first classification on the distances to the main sink, and the second classification on human influence. The EDIIALPS database provided qualitative data to analyze the distribution patterns of reported drought impacts from 2000 to 2020. The results suggest a strong regional variability regarding the temporal and spatial distribution of drought impacts within the individual basins. But they support the general hypothesis: for both classifications the number of drought impacts per area is higher in downstream regions. For the classification based on distances differences are statistically significant for the Rhine and Danube basin. Further, the analysis of the drought indices SPI-6 and SPEI-6 revealed that the drought event does not have a large impact on the upstream-downstream differences. The study provides support for the existence of upstream-downstream asymmetries, but most importantly, the spatial distributions of drought impacts found in the four major river basins of the European Alps highlight the need for a network based analysis with more consistent impact data within river basins. Climate change and enhanced cascading effects likely increase these asymmetries and consequently future drought management strategies should take them into account.
Mycorrhizae helper bacteria for managing the mycorrhizal soil infectivity
Authors: Nasslahsen Bouchra , Prin Yves , Ferhout Hicham , Smouni Abdelaziz , Duponnois Robin
Published: November 2022

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are major components of soil microbiota and mainly interact with other microorganisms in the rhizosphere. Mycorrhiza establishment impacts the plant physiology and some nutritional and physical properties of the rhizospheric soil. These effects alter the development of the root or mycorrhizas resulting from the activity of soil microorganisms. The rhizosphere of mycorrhizal plants (mycorrhizosphere), is inhabited by large microbial activities responsible for several key ecosystem processes. This review is focused on the microbial interactions between mycorrhizal fungi and components of rhizosphere microbiota and highlight the agronomic potentialities of the Mycorrhiza Helper Bacteria on mycorrhiza formation. The main conclusion is that this MHB effect in the rhizosphere of mycorrhizal plants, enhance plant fitness and soil quality and are of great interest to ensure sustainable agricultural development and ecosystem functioning.
Comparative Accuracy of In Vitro Rumen Fermentation and Enzymatic Methodologies for Determination of Undigested Neutral Detergent Fiber in Forages and Development of Predictive Equations Using NIRS
Authors: Ahmadi Farhad , Li Yan-Fen , Jeong Eun-Chan , Wang Li-Li , Bharanidharan Rajaraman , Kim Jong-Geun
Published: November 2022

Undigested neutral detergent fiber (uNDF) is becoming more widely recognized as an important fiber fraction in forage quality assessment because it explains a portion of NDF that is inaccessible to digestion in the ruminant digestive system and is, thus, important in modeling the digestion kinetics of the potentially degradable component of NDF. In experiment 1, uNDF was determined in several forage species in order to compare the accuracy of two reference methods: (1) a long-term in vitro ruminal fermentation (240 h) using an Ankom DaisyII incubator and (2) a multi-step enzymatic method without ruminal fluid. The objective of experiment 2 was to construct predictive equations for uNDF estimation using acid detergent lignin (ADL) and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) in a pool (n = 264) of alfalfa hay, timothy hay, and tall fescue straw, using the most accurate reference method selected in experiment 1. Partial least squares regression analysis was used to calibrate the reference values against NIRS spectra. Several indicators were used to assess the performance of validation results, including standard error of cross-validation (SECrV), coefficient of determination of cross-validation (R2CrV), and ratio percentage deviation (RPD). The findings of experiment 1 suggested that, relative to the in vitro ruminal methodology, the enzymatic approach overestimated uNDF concentration of forages. Repeatability coefficient was also greater when uNDF was determined using the in vitro versus enzymatic procedure, potentially disqualifying the enzymatic method for the uNDF analysis in forages. In experiment 2, a poor relationship was established between ADL and uNDF (R2 < 0.60), suggesting the inadequacy of ADL parameter to represent the uNDF pool size in these forages. The best predictive equation using NIRS was obtained for alfalfa hay (R2CrV = 0.92; SECrV = 1.16; RPD = 3.57), using the in vitro fermentation as a reference method. The predictive equations were moderately accurate for timothy hay (R2CrV = 0.80; SECrV = 1.31; RPD = 2.08) and tall fescue straw (R2CrV = 0.79; SECrV = 1.38; RPD = 2.18). Our findings suggested the inadequacy of the enzymatic procedure in accurately determining uNDF concentration of forages as compared with the in vitro rumen fermentation protocol. Although the NIRS equations developed using the alfalfa hay dataset were more accurate than that of timothy hay and tall fescue straw, the validation results verified applicability of the equations as a fast screening tool for qualitative prediction of uNDF in these forages, which is important in commercial settings.
Work Efficiency Analysis of Multiple Heterogeneous Robots for Harvesting Crops in Smart Greenhouses
Authors: Choi Taeyong , Park Jongwoo , Kim Jeong-Jung , Shin Young-Sik , Seo Hyunuk
Published: November 2022

Extensive research is being conducted on using robots to automate harvest. However, most of the existing research is focused on the realization of harvesting using a single robot, and there have been very few studies on harvesting and transporting crops from a smart-greenhouse perspective. In this study, we demonstrate that the work efficiency is higher when a plurality of harvesting and transporting robots are used in tandem for harvesting crops in a smart greenhouse, compared to that when a single robot is used. The harvesting and transporting speeds of these robots are modeled in accordance with the facility environment. The operating speed of the robot group comprising only the harvesting robot and the harvesting and transporting robots is derived. In addition, the derived operating speed is analyzed based on the experimental data of the developed harvesting and transporting robots, and it was found that the overall operating speed increased when an appropriate combination of harvesting and transporting robots was used.
Evaluating Growth, Biomass and Cannabinoid Profiles of Floral Hemp Varieties under Different Planting Dates in Organic Soils of Florida
Authors: Sandhu Saroop S. , Chiluwal Anuj , Brym Zachary T. , Irey Mike , McCray James Mabry , Odero Dennis Calvin , Daroub Samira H. , Sandhu Hardev S.
Published: November 2022

Hemp production has been permitted as a new agricultural commodity in Florida and may serve as a potential rotational crop. Field trials were conducted in the Everglades Agricultural Region with multiple varieties planted at different dates. Data were collected on plant growth parameters, final biomass at harvest, and temporal cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in developing flowers. Results showed that at the United States Sugar Corporation (USSC) location, the BaOX variety had higher biomass compared to other varieties and at Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC), varieties ACDC and Cherry wine recorded the highest biomass compared to other varieties. Moreover, plant growth parameters such as plant height, canopy cover and SPAD were significantly affected by variety and planting date. Total CBD and THC content in plants increased over time for most varieties except for Early bird and Cherry abacus under second planting. There was a significantly high correlation between total CBD and THC content (R2 = 0.75 to 0.98, slope = 16.8 to 22.8). The THC content in most varieties exceeded the legal limit of 0.3% at some stage of the growing season. The results of this study indicate that the variety performance was largely affected by genetics compared to the planting date.
An Estimate of the Scale and Composition of the Hedgehog (Erinaceus europeaus) Rehabilitation Community in Britain and the Channel Islands
Authors: Bearman-Brown Lucy , Baker Philip
Published: November 2022

The conservation benefits of wildlife rehabilitation are equivocal, but could be substantial for formerly common species that are declining rapidly but are still commonly admitted to wildlife centres. We used a questionnaire survey to estimate the number of practitioners rehabilitating West European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Britain and the numbers entering hospitals/centres in one benchmark year (2016); practitioners were identified using an internet search and snowball sampling. Overall, 304 rehabilitators were identified: 148 supplied data on their structure, and 174 outlined the number of hedgehogs admitted in 2016. The former comprised 62.6% small (≤50 hedgehogs admitted year−1), 16.7% medium-sized (51–250 yr−1), and 20.7% large (>250 yr−1) hospitals; however, these accounted for 4.8%, 12.4%, and 82.8% of hedgehog admissions, respectively. Small hospitals were less likely to be registered as a charity, have paid staff, have a social media account, to record admissions electronically, or to conduct post-release monitoring. However, they were more likely to operate from their home address and to have been established for ≤5 years. Extrapolations indicate that this rehabilitation community admitted >40,000 hedgehogs in 2016, of which approximately 50% could have been released. These figures suggest that wildlife rehabilitation has potentially been an important factor in the dynamics of hedgehog populations in Britain in the last two decades.
Current Attitudes of Chinese Dairy Practitioners to Pain and Its Management in Intensively Raised Dairy Cattle
Authors: Shi Ruijia , Shu Hang , Yu Ruyang , Wang Yajing , Zhang Ziqi , Zhang Junjie , Gu Xianhong
Published: November 2022

Pain in dairy cattle is gaining attention globally. This study investigated the current attitudes of Chinese dairy practitioners to pain and its management in intensively raised dairy cattle. A total of 465 valid questionnaires with 26 painful conditions scored on numerical rating scales were collected from dairy practitioners. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, principal component analysis, and multivariate regression models. Dystocia was perceived as the most painful, while mild mastitis with milk changes only was perceived as the least painful. Respondents who agreed with the statement “pain management is worthwhile” tended to give a higher pain score. Young respondents (≤23 years old) and those from farms with ≤1000 cattle had lower pain scores for conditions with severe pain and low variability but higher pain scores for conditions with less severe pain and high variability, whereas highly educated respondents had consistently lower pain scores. As for pain management, older respondents (≥24 years old) tended to choose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and farms with >1000 cattle were more likely to use analgesics. Training in pain perception and management should be emphasised with the hope of promoting animal welfare and reducing unnecessary production losses.
Limited Effects of Pain Control Treatments on Behaviour and Weight Gain of Pure and Crossbred Nellore Heifer Calves When Subjected to Hot-Iron Branding
Authors: Hernandez Adalinda , Trindade Pedro Henrique Esteves , Paranhos Da Costa Mateus José Rodrigues , Jung Jens , Berg Charlotte
Published: November 2022

Hot-iron branding is still commonly performed in cattle farming in tropical countries, and possibly has negative consequences for animal welfare and weight gain. This study examined the behavioural and weight gain responses of pure and crossbred Nellore heifer calves subjected to hot-iron branding on the cheek, without and with use of anaesthesia and analgesia. Ninety-two heifer calves, around 120 days old, were studied prospectively when subjected to hot-iron branding on the cheek (a statutory procedure in Brazil following brucellosis vaccination). Four randomly selected groups of calves were allocated to four treatments: no pain control (CO); subcutaneous anaesthetic local block (LA); intramuscular analgesia (meloxicam) (LT); and local anaesthesia plus meloxicam (LL). Behaviour, flight speed and body weight were evaluated before, during, and five (5-d) and 60 days (60-d) after branding. For these parameters, the only difference observed was higher tension in the CO group 5-d post-branding, suggesting a short-term negative effect of branding without pain control. The limited effects of the pain control treatments suggest interference in pain assessment by other factors, such as expression of fear and stress. Despite the lack of differences observed in behaviour and production parameters, facial hot-iron branding is an obvious welfare issue and, due to the additional handling involved, adoption of a simple pain relief protocol is not sufficient to minimise the welfare impact.
Prevalence and Genetic Analysis of Resistance Mechanisms of Linezolid-Nonsusceptible Enterococci in a Tertiary Care Hospital Examined via Whole-Genome Sequencing
Authors: Hu Yuxin , Won Dongju , Nguyen Le Phuong , Osei Kennedy Mensah , Seo Younghee , Kim Junglim , Lee Yoonhee , Lee Hyukmin , Yong Dongeun , Choi Jong Rak , Lee Kyungwon
Published: November 2022

(1) Background: Linezolid plays an important role in the treatment of invasive infections caused by vancomycin-resistant enterococci after its introduction to clinical practice. However, a detailed examination of linezolid-nonsusceptible enterococci (LNSE) is required. In this study, we attempted to analyze the mechanisms of LNSE strains isolated from a tertiary care hospital. (2) Methods: From 2019 to 2020, 18 Enterococcus faecalis, 14 E. faecium, and 2 E. gallinarum clinical isolates were collected at Severance Hospital. Agar dilution was performed to evaluate precise linezolid minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Short-read whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was used to analyze resistance determinants. (3) Results: The presence of the optrA gene was likely the primary resistance mechanism in these three species, typically demonstrating a MIC value of 8 μg/mL. The co-existence of the cfr(D) and poxtA2 gene was the second major mechanism, primarily predicting a phenotype showing intermediate susceptibility to linezolid. G2576U mutation on 23S rRNA was only found in E. faecium; it mediated the most significant increase in linezolid MIC. (4) Conclusion: This is the first report examining poxtA2–cfr(D) co-harboring clinical enterococcal isolates in Korea and demonstrating the poxtA EF9F6-harboring clinical E. gallinarum strain worldwide. The comparison with resistance-gene-containing fragments in the isolates obtained from different countries and different sources demonstrated the spread of linezolid-resistance genes and suggested the possibility of foodborne transmission.
Metabolite Profiling of Microwave-Assisted Sargassum fusiforme Extracts with Improved Antioxidant Activity Using Hybrid Response Surface Methodology and Artificial Neural Networking-Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Javed Ahsan , Naznin Marufa , Alam Md. Badrul , Fanar Alshammari , Song Bo-Rim , Kim Sunghwan , Lee Sang-Han
Published: November 2022

Sargassum fusiforme (SF) is a popular edible brown macroalga found in Korea, Japan, and China and is known for its health-promoting properties. In this study, we used two sophisticated models to obtain optimized conditions for high antioxidant activity and metabolite profiling using high-resolution mass spectrometry. A four-factor central composite design was used to optimize the microwave-assisted extraction and achieve the maximum antioxidant activities of DPPH (Y1: 28.01 % inhibition), ABTS (Y2: 36.07 % inhibition), TPC (Y3: 43.65 mg GAE/g), and TFC (Y4: 17.67 mg CAE/g), which were achieved under the optimized extraction conditions of X1: 47.67 %, X2: 2.96 min, X3: 139.54 °C, and X4: 600.00 W. Moreover, over 79 secondary metabolites were tentatively identified, of which 12 compounds were reported for the first time in SF, including five phenolic (isopropyl 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxypropanoate, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol, scopoletin, caffeic acid 4-sulfate, and cinnamoyl glucose), two flavonoids (4’,7-dihydroxyisoflavone and naringenin), three phlorotannins (diphlorethohydroxycarmalol, dibenzodioxin-1,3,6,8-tetraol, and fucophlorethol), and two other compounds (dihydroxyphenylalanine and 5-hydroxybenzofuran-2(3H)-one) being identified for the first time in optimized SF extract. These compounds may also be involved in improving the antioxidant potential of the extract. Therefore, optimized models can provide better estimates and predictive capabilities that would assist in finding new bioactive compounds with improved biological activities that can be further applied at a commercial level.