bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecomorphological adaptation of Scorpaena porcus (Linnaeus, 1758): evidence from two different environments revealed by sagittae features and somatic growth rates
Authors: D’Iglio Claudio , Famulari Sergio , Ferri Josipa , Albano Marco , Spanò Nunziacarla , Capillo Gioele , Savoca Serena
Published: May 2024

Improve the knowledge base on the ecomorphological adaptation of teleost species to different environments, trying to reconstruct how habitat can shape sagittae, is essential for conservational purposes, evolutionary evaluations, and population dynamics studies. Here is provided a comparative study between sagittae features, growth rates and age composition of two Scorpaena porcus populations inhabiting the Mediterranean waters, one from the Strait of Messina (Central Mediterranean Sea) and one from the Split area (Adriatic Sea). Additionally, the stomach contents of the Messina specimens have also been analysed to provide some preliminary information on the diet of S. porcus. A total of ninety individuals, half from each area, have been obtained from two extremely different environments. Results showed an overall different morphology, shape, and morphometry of sagittae among the size classes of the two investigated populations. Samples from Messina were characterized by a most elliptical and slender shape, with a more regular serration of margins than those from Split, which exhibited a wider sagitta, with a most enhanced anti-rostrum and longer rostrum. Concerning diet, specimens from Messina showed a preference for Crustacea (especially Brachyura and Amphipoda) and Teleost species, showing some differences with literature data from other geographical areas (Split one included). Results have confirmed the reliability of sagittae to detect the inter-population variability of S. porcus from different geographical areas, an essential tool for stock assessment, population studies and investigation on ecomorphological adaptation of teleost species to different habitats.
Impact of heavy metals on aquatic life and human health: a case study of River Ravi Pakistan
Authors: Ahamad Muhammad Irfan , Yao Zijie , Ren Liang , Zhang Cheng , Li Tingting , Lu Heli , Mehmood Muhammad Sajid , Rehman Adnanul , Adil Muhammad , Lu Siqi , Feng Wanfu
Published: May 2024

Heavy-metal contamination in river and ocean is a critical environmental issue that endangers marine ecosystems and human health. Therefore, conducting extensive research to devise effective mitigation measures is imperative. Sediment samples were taken randomly throughout the study area. Analysis was done to determine the presence of different metals, including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, lead, and manganese. The assessment of different pollution levels was done by using various pollution indicators including “geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF)” for accuracy. The Igeo measurement for Cd indicated varying pollution, ranging from moderate to significantly polluted, while Mn revealed no contamination. Elements such as Ni, Cr, Cu, and Zn showed a moderate level of contamination. The contamination factor values exhibited a range of 0.436 (Pb) to 7.637 (Cd), with average values spanning from 0.9176 (Mn) to 4.9714 (Cd), suggesting significant regional variation. EF exhibits a pattern of contamination comparable to that of Igeo. The noncarcinogenic risk associated with exposure to Cd and As exceeded the higher limit (HI > 1) for children and adults. Furthermore, the carcinogenic risk presented by pollutants such as copper (Cu), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) was found to exceed the limits in children. In adults, only arsenic (As) and copper (Cu) were shown to represent a higher risk of cancer than the limit of 10−4. The PCA analysis revealed that two (PCs) accounted for more than 65% of the total variance in the River Ravi, as determined by eigenvalues greater than 1. This study underscores the importance of the ongoing monitoring and management of heavy-metal pollution to ensure sustainable marine ecosystem development and public health protection.
Patient with suspected co-infection of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and malaria: a case report
Authors: Zhao Han-Dong , Qian Hong-Bo , Wang Ze-Kun , Ren Rui-Kang , Yu Tong-Bo , Liu Hong-Li
Published: May 2024

Background

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a natural epidemic disease that can be caused by the Hantaan virus (HTNV). Malaria is caused by plasmodium and can be transmitted by a mosquito bite. The similar manifestations shared by these disorders pose a challenge for clinicians in differential diagnosis, in particular, coupled with a false-positive serological test.

Case presentation

A 46-year-old man was admitted for fever and chills for over 10 days and was suspected of being co-infected with HFRS and malaria due to a history of travel to malaria-endemic areas and a positive HTNV-immunoglobulin M (IgM) test. Although leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, renal injury, lymphocytosis, overexpression of interleukin-6, and procalcitonin were observed during the hospitalization, the hypotensive, oliguria, and polyuria phases of the HFRS course were not observed. Instead, typical symptoms of malaria were found, including a progressive decrease in erythrocytes and hemoglobin levels with signs of anemia. Furthermore, because the patient had no history of exposure to HFRS endemic areas, exposure to an HTNV-infected rodent, or a positive HTNV-IgG test, and false serological tests of IgM can be caused by various factors, the HFRS coinfection with malaria was ruled out.

Conclusion

Misdiagnosis can be easily induced by a false serological test, in particular the IgM test which can be influenced by various factors. A combination of health history, epidemiology, physical examination, precise application of specific examinations involving tests of conventional laboratory parameters as well as well-accepted methods such as the immunochromatographic (ICG) test, real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Western blot (WB), and acquaintance with disorders with similar manifestations will contribute to the precise diagnosis in clinical treatment.
Cost-effectiveness of Kang Ai injection plus chemotherapy vs. Shenqi Fuzheng injection plus chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhu Junjie , Tian Lei
Published: May 2024

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of two Chinese patent medicines, including Kang Ai injection and Shenqi Fuzheng injection with each combined with platinum-based chemotherapy as the first-line treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in China.

Methods

From Chinese healthcare system perspective, a three state Markov model with a cycle of 3 weeks and a 10-year horizon was constructed to derive the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Since only individual patient data of progression-free survival (PFS) of Kang Ai injection group can be obtained, we extrapolated median overall survival (mOS) of Kang Ai injection group and median progression-free survival (mPFS) and mOS of Shenqi Fuzheng injection group based on published literature and methods. Then survival curves were estimated by the method of declining exponential approximation of life expectancy (DEALE), which is based on the assumption that survival follows a declining exponential function. We performed one-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis to test the robustness. Additionally, a scenario analysis was adopted to investigate the impact of using best-fitting distribution for PFS curve of Kang Ai injection group on the economic conclusion.

Results

The base-case result indicated that Kang Ai injection group provided 0.217 incremental quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) at an incremental cost of $103.38 compared with Shenqi Fuzheng injection group. The ICER was $476.41/QALY, which was much lower than the willingness to pay threshold of one time the GDP per capita of China in 2022 ($12,070/QALY). Deterministic sensitivity analysis result showed that ICER was most sensitive to the changes in odds ratio (OR) value. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of base-case analysis results. The scenario analysis result showed that by using Log-Normal distribution to fit the PFS curve of Kang Ai injection group and shortening the time horizon to 5 years, the ICER was $4,081.83/QALY, which was still much lower than the willingness to pay threshold.

Conclusion

Kang Ai injection combined with platinum-based chemotherapy appeared to be more cost-effective for the treatment of advanced NSCLC than Shenqi Fuzheng injection combined with platinum-based chemotherapy.
Collagen peptides affect collagen synthesis and the expression of collagen, elastin, and versican genes in cultured human dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Dierckx Stephan , Patrizi Milagros , Merino Marián , González Sonia , Mullor José L. , Nergiz-Unal Reyhan
Published: May 2024

Background

Collagen is one of the major proteins of the skin and it is particularly important for its strength and resilience. Skin aging is a natural process that is characterized by the decrease and fragmentation of collagen in the dermis. Oral supplementation with collagen peptides has been clinically shown to have a positive effect on the skin condition. However, the mechanisms of aging-related changes synthesized by cells exposed to collagen are currently not well understood. Therefore, in this in vitro study, the mechanisms associated with collagen, elastin, and versican in human dermal fibroblasts were investigated after exposure to collagen peptides.

Methods

The effects of different concentrations of collagen peptides on cell viability and metabolism were analyzed. For gene expression analysis, human dermal fibroblasts were treated with collagen peptides. This was then followed by RNA extraction and DNA synthesis. Gene expressions of collagen type 1 (COL1A1), elastin (ELN), and versican (VCAN) were quantified by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). In addition, collagen levels were analyzed by confocal scanning laser microscopy using immunostaining.

Results

Collagen peptides tested in the study increased the expression of the relevant COL1A1, ELN, and VCAN genes in human dermal fibroblasts (p < 0.005). Furthermore, confocal microscopy showed increased collagen expression in the dermal fibroblast culture after treatment with the collagen peptides (p < 0.005).

Conclusion

These data provide cell-based evidence for the beneficial effects of exposure to collagen peptides on the skin’s collagen content and on the molecules that provide firmness and elasticity. This may support the hypothesis that collagen peptides are important for maintaining extracellular matrix (ECM) structure and skin regeneration.
Improved object detection method for unmanned driving based on Transformers
Authors: Zhao Huaqi , Peng Xiang , Wang Su , Li Jun-Bao , Pan Jeng-Shyang , Su Xiaoguang , Liu Xiaomin
Published: May 2024

The object detection method serves as the core technology within the unmanned driving perception module, extensively employed for detecting vehicles, pedestrians, traffic signs, and various objects. However, existing object detection methods still encounter three challenges in intricate unmanned driving scenarios: unsatisfactory performance in multi-scale object detection, inadequate accuracy in detecting small objects, and occurrences of false positives and missed detections in densely occluded environments. Therefore, this study proposes an improved object detection method for unmanned driving, leveraging Transformer architecture to address these challenges. First, a multi-scale Transformer feature extraction method integrated with channel attention is used to enhance the network's capability in extracting features across different scales. Second, a training method incorporating Query Denoising with Gaussian decay was employed to enhance the network's proficiency in learning representations of small objects. Third, a hybrid matching method combining Optimal Transport and Hungarian algorithms was used to facilitate the matching process between predicted and actual values, thereby enriching the network with more informative positive sample features. Experimental evaluations conducted on datasets including KITTI demonstrate that the proposed method achieves 3% higher mean Average Precision (mAP) than that of the existing methodologies.
The research progress of perioperative non-pharmacological interventions on postoperative cognitive dysfunction: a narrative review
Authors: Zhao Li , Guo Yiping , Zhou Xuelei , Mao Wei , Zhu Hongyu , Chen Linlin , Liu Xianchun , Zhang Longyi , Xie Ying , Li Linji
Published: May 2024

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common neurological complication in elderly patients after surgery and general anesthesia. The occurrence of POCD seriously affects the postoperative recovery of patients, and leads to prolonged hospital stay, reduced quality of life, increased medical costs, and even higher mortality. There is no definite and effective drug treatment for POCD. More evidence shows that perioperative non-pharmacological intervention can improve postoperative cognitive function and reduce the incidence of POCD. Therefore, our studies summarize the current non-pharmacological interventions of POCD from the aspects of cognitive training, physical activity, transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation, noninvasive brain stimulation, non-pharmacological sleep improvement, music therapy, environment, and multimodal combination Interventions, to provide more data for clinical application and research.
Modulation effect of sulfated polysaccharide from Sargassum fusiforme on gut microbiota and their metabolites in vitro fermentation
Authors: Jiang Long , Song Chen , Ai Chunqing , Wen Chengrong , Song Shuang
Published: May 2024

The present study demonstrated the digestion behavior and fermentation characteristics of a sulfated polysaccharide from Sargassum fusiforme (SFSP) in the simulated digestion tract environment. The results showed that the molecular weight of two components in SFSP could not be changed by simulated digestion, and no free monosaccharide was produced. This indicates that most of SFSP can reach the colon as prototypes. During the fermentation with human intestinal flora in vitro, the higher-molecular-weight component of SFSP was utilized, the total sugar content decreased by 16%, the reducing sugar content increased, and the galactose content in monosaccharide composition decreased relatively. This indicates that SFSP can be selectively utilized by human intestinal flora. At the same time, SFSP also changed the structure of intestinal flora. Compared with the blank group, SFSP significantly increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes and decreased the abundance of Firmicutes. At the genus level, the abundances of Bacteroides and Megamonas increased, while the abundances of Shigella, Klebsiella, and Collinsella decreased. Moreover, the concentrations of total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), acetic, propionic and n-butyric acids significantly increased compared to the blank group. SFSP could down-regulate the contents of trimethylamine, piperidone and secondary bile acid in fermentation broth. The contents of nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid and other organic acids were increased. Therefore, SFSP shows significant potential to regulate gut microbiota and promote human health.
Osteolytic lesions as a presenting sign of acute myeloid leukemia: a case report
Authors: Zhang Jingqian , Mu Shidai , Cai Li , Ai Lisha , Wu Yaohui
Published: May 2024

Osteolytic lesions are infrequently observed in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This report details the case of a 66-year-old male patient who presented with myeloid sarcoma (MS), osteolytic lesion and pancytopenia. Effective treatments were delayed due to diagnostic challenges and the rapid progression of the disease. It is essential to consider AML in the differential diagnosis when faced with a patient presenting osteolytic lesions and pancytopenia.
Marine-derived EGFR inhibitors: novel compounds targeting breast cancer growth and drug resistance
Authors: Li Qi , Li Bo , Wang Qian , Wang Chengen , Yu Miao , Xu Tianfu
Published: May 2024

Breast cancer (BC) continues to be a major health challenge globally, ranking as the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality among women, despite advancements in cancer detection and treatment. In this study, we identified four novel compounds from marine organisms that effectively target and inhibit the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), crucial for BC cell growth and proliferation. These compounds not only induced early apoptosis through Caspase-3 activation but also showed significant inhibitory effects on EGFR mutations associated with drug resistance (T790M, L858R, and L858R/T790M), demonstrating high EGFR kinase selectivity. Cell Thermal Shift Assay (CETSA) experiments indicated that Tandyukisin stabilizes EGFR in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, binding competition assays using surface plasmon resonance technology revealed that Tandyukisin and Trichoharzin bound to distinct sites on EGFR and that their combined use enhanced apoptosis in BC cells. This discovery may pave the way for developing new marine-derived EGFR inhibitors, offering a promising avenue for innovative cancer treatment strategies and addressing EGFR-mediated drug resistance.
Gelatin-based biomaterials and gelatin as an additive for chronic wound repair
Authors: Cao Hongwei , Wang Jingren , Hao Zhanying , Zhao Danyang
Published: May 2024

Disturbing or disrupting the regular healing process of a skin wound may result in its progression to a chronic state. Chronic wounds often lead to increased infection because of their long healing time, malnutrition, and insufficient oxygen flow, subsequently affecting wound progression. Gelatin—the main structure of natural collagen—is widely used in biomedical fields because of its low cost, wide availability, biocompatibility, and degradability. However, gelatin may exhibit diverse tailored physical properties and poor antibacterial activity. Research on gelatin-based biomaterials has identified the challenges of improving gelatin’s poor antibacterial properties and low mechanical properties. In chronic wounds, gelatin-based biomaterials can promote wound hemostasis, enhance peri-wound antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and promote vascular and epithelial cell regeneration. In this article, we first introduce the natural process of wound healing. Second, we present the role of gelatin-based biomaterials and gelatin as an additive in wound healing. Finally, we present the future implications of gelatin-based biomaterials.
Comparative efficacy of buparvaquone and imidocarb in inhibiting the in vitro growth of Babesia bovis
Authors: Cardillo Natalia M. , Lacy Paul A. , Villarino Nicolas F. , Doggett J. Stone , Riscoe Michael K. , Bastos Reginaldo G. , Laughery Jacob M. , Ueti Massaro W. , Suarez Carlos E.
Published: May 2024

Introduction:

B. bovis is an apicomplexan parasite responsible for bovine babesiosis, a tick-borne disease with a worldwide impact. The disease remains inefficiently controlled, and few effective drugs, including imidocarb dipropionate (ID), are currently available in endemic areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether buparvaquone (BPQ), a drug currently used to treat cattle infected with the Babesia-related Theileria spp. parasites, could be active against Babesia parasites. Herein, we compared the effect of ID and BPQ on B. bovis growth in vitro erythrocyte culture.

Methods:

We compared the effect of ID and BPQ on the culture-adapted Texas T2Bo strain of B. bovis. In vitro cultured parasites were incubated with ID and BPQ at two starting parasitemia levels (PPE), 0.2% and 1%. In vitro cultured parasites were treated with ID or BPQ at concentrations ranging from 10 to 300 nM, during 4 consecutive days. Parasitemia levels were daily evaluated using microscopic examination. Data was compared using the independent Student’s t-test.

Results and discussion:

Both ID and BPQ significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) the growth of B. bovis, regardless of the initial parasitemia used. At 1% parasitemia, BPQ had lower calculated inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50: 50.01) values than ID (IC50: 117.3). No parasites were found in wells with 0.2% starting parasitemia, treated previously with 50 nM of BPQ or ID, after 2 days of culture without drugs. At 1% parasitemia, no parasite survival was detected at 150 nM of BPQ or 300 nM of ID, suggesting that both drugs acted as babesiacidals.

Conclusion:

Overall, the data suggests that BPQ is effective against B. bovis and shows a residual effect that seems superior to ID, which is currently the first-line drug for treating bovine babesiosis globally.
Design, analysis and validation of a microstrip patch antenna with enhanced coupling for leaf moisture sensing: an IoT approach
Authors: Khan Muhammad Talha , Lin Xian Qi , Zhe Chen , Saboor Abdus
Published: May 2024

An innovative IoT-based system utilizing a modified slotted microstrip patch antenna with enhanced coupling is presented for precise measurement of leaf moisture content. The antenna employs a rectangular slot above the feed point with an advanced coupling technique to enhance sensitivity. The antenna, fabricated on a 0.8 mm F4B substrate, is designed to resonate within the 2.40 to 3.0 GHz range under unloaded conditions. A parametric analysis focusing on leaf permittivity ranging from 20 to 30 is conducted to determine the antennas’ sensitivity. Experimental measurements of the reflection coefficient (S11) with respect to resonant frequency shift are performed with leaf samples as the samples under test (SUT). Experimental results reveal that the proposed patch antenna’s sensitivity is significantly enhanced, ranging from 0.57 to 1.67 times greater than that of traditional patch antennas for the five leaf samples tested. The antenna exhibits a sensitivity of 0.06 GHz and 0.02 GHz for the modified and enhanced coupling designs, respectively. The mean relative error between predicted and measured moisture content values is low at 0.038. The findings highlight the antenna’s increased sensitivity in detecting leaf moisture content and illustrate the potential of the proposed IoT-based system for real-time agricultural monitoring, marking an advancement in precision farming practices. The study validates the microstrip patch antenna’s capability as a moisture sensor through detailed sensitivity analysis, frequency shift measurements, and regression modeling.
Copy-number variants and polygenic risk for intelligence confer risk for autism spectrum disorder irrespective of their effects on cognitive ability
Authors: Schmilovich Zoe , Bourque Vincent-Raphaël , Douard Elise , Huguet Guillaume , Poulain Cécile , Ross Jay P. , Alipour Paria , Castonguay Charles-Étienne , Younis Nadine , Jean-Louis Martineau , Saci Zohra , Pausova Zdenka , Paus Tomas , Schuman Gunter , Porteous David , Davies Gail , Redmond Paul , Harris Sarah E. , Deary Ian J. , Whalley Heather , Hayward Caroline , Dion Patrick A. , Jacquemont Sébastien , Rouleau Guy A.
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Rare copy number variants (CNVs) and polygenic risk for intelligence (PRS-IQ) both confer susceptibility for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but have opposing effects on cognitive ability. The field has struggled to disentangle the effects of these two classes of genomic variants on cognitive ability from their effects on ASD susceptibility, in part because previous studies did not include controls with cognitive measures. We aim to investigate the impact of these genomic variants on ASD risk while adjusting for their known effects on cognitive ability.

Methods

In a cohort of 8,426 subjects with ASD and 169,804 controls with cognitive assessments, we found that rare coding CNVs and PRS-IQ increased ASD risk, even after adjusting for their effects on cognitive ability.

Results

Bottom decile PRS-IQ and CNVs both decreased cognitive ability but had opposing effects on ASD risk. Models combining both classes of variants showed that the effects of rare CNVs and PRS-IQ on ASD risk and cognitive ability were largely additive, further suggesting that susceptibility for ASD is conferred independently from its effects on cognitive ability. Despite imparting mostly additive effects on ASD risk, rare CNVs and PRS-IQ showed opposing effects on core and associated features and developmental history among subjects with ASD.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that cognitive ability itself may not be the factor driving the underlying liability for ASD conferred by these two classes of genomic variants. In other words, ASD risk and cognitive ability may be two distinct manifestations of CNVs and PRS-IQ. This study also highlights the challenge of understanding how genetic risk for ASD maps onto its dimensional traits.
Exploring the role of mindfulness on obligatory exercise among young athletes: mediating roles of obsessive passion and cognitive state anxiety
Authors: Li Qianyuan , Li Li , He Qianqian , Wang Huilin
Published: May 2024

Introduction

In the current trend toward youthfulness and age reduction in competitive sports, the issue of obligatory exercise among young athletes is becoming more severe. This not only affects their physical and mental health but also hampers their future prospects in the sports world. While delving into the impact of mindfulness on the issue of obligatory exercise among young athletes, it reveals the mediating role of obsessive passion and cognitive state anxiety.

Methods

This study is a cross-sectional research that employs convenience and snowball sampling methods. We selected 403 young athletes from several universities and high-level sports teams in the central-southern region of China as valid samples and used AMOS v.23 to construct a structural equation model to validate the hypotheses.

Results

The research findings indicate a significant positive correlation between obsessive passion, cognitive state anxiety, and obligatory exercise. Furthermore, obsessive passion and cognitive state anxiety mediate the relationship between mindfulness and obligatory exercise. This implies that young athletes can better regulate their emotional state during training, manage training loads sensibly, and avoid issues with obligatory exercise through mindfulness training.

Discussion

In conclusion, to enhance the cognitive levels of young athletes and reduce their obligatory exercise behaviors, national sports authorities and coaching teams should develop reasonable mindfulness training programs for athletes and encourage their participation in mindfulness training.
Isolation and phylogenetic characterization of arboviruses circulating among phlebotomine sandflies in parts of North Rift, Kenya
Authors: Koskei Edith , Langat Solomon , Mutisya James , Mulwa Francis , Lutomiah Joel , Koka Hellen , Oyola Samuel O. , Waihenya Rebecca , Mabeya Sepha N. , Sang Rosemary
Published: May 2024

Background

Until recently, arbovirus surveillance is mainly focused on mosquito and tick vectors, resulting in the discovery of several mosquito- and tick-borne arboviruses. However, the role of sandflies in arbovirus transmission and disease has remained largely unexplored. This study sought to isolate and characterize arboviruses from phlebotomine sandflies from selected pastoral ecozones in the North Rift region of Kenya.

Methods

Sandflies were collected from selected sites in North Rift Kenya between 2015 and 2018. They were sorted and pooled by sex, site, and collection date. The pools were homogenized and inoculated onto Vero cells for virus isolation. The positive pools were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction targeting different arboviruses. The isolates were further characterized by high-throughput sequencing using Illumina Miseq platform.

Results

Approximately 28,226 sandflies translating to 824 pools were sampled from the selected regions. A total of 11 showed reproducible cytopathic effects on Vero cells. We identified five arboviruses: sindbis (n = 4) from Kacheliba and Baringo, Chandipura (n = 4) from Turkana and Baringo, Koutango (n = 1) and Ntepes (n = 1) from Baringo, and Bogoria (n = 1) from Kacheliba. The percent identities of the identified viruses were approximately 80% to 98% compared to known viruses in GenBank, suggesting that some of them could be novel viruses.

Conclusion

This study successfully isolated and characterized five arboviruses from sandflies. The findings suggest that sandflies are potential hosts of a wide range of arboviruses and are therefore important vectors to consider in arbovirus surveillance and evaluated for their ability to transmit them. Further studies are needed to determine the public health importance and extent of exposure of these viruses to humans and livestock populations.
Occurrence of Antimicrobial-Resistant Enterococcus spp. in Healthy Chickens Never Exposed to Antimicrobial Agents in Central Italy
Authors: Cagnoli Giulia , Di Paolo Alessia , Bertelloni Fabrizio , Salvucci Sonia , Buccioni Arianna , Marzoni Fecia di Cossato Margherita , Ebani Valentina Virginia
Published: May 2024

Enterococci are part of the natural flora of the gastrointestinal tract of mammals, including humans, birds and invertebrates. They can cause infection, mainly among hospitalized patients, as well as acquire and transfer antimicrobial resistance genes. The present study allowed the isolation of 98 Enterococcus (73.47% E. faecium, 23.47% E. faecalis, 3.06% E. avium) strains from 120-day-old healthy chickens that had never been treated with antimicrobials. Their antimicrobial resistance was evaluated by the agar disk diffusion method; high-level aminoglycoside (streptomycin and gentamicin) and vancomycin resistance were established using the microbroth dilution method. The highest percentages of resistant isolates were detected with quinupristin–dalfopristin (88.78%), rifampicin (64.29%), tetracyclines (45.92%), and enrofloxacin (41.84%). High percentages of susceptible strains were found with teicoplanin (100%), amoxicillin–clavulanic acid (97.96%), nitrofurantoin (94.90%), ampicillin (92.86%), chloramphenicol (90.82%), and linezolid (88.78%). About 60% of the strains were classified as MDR (multidrug-resistant). Moreover, PCR was carried out to investigate genes encoding for tetracyclines resistance determinants: tet(M), tet(L), tet(O), tet(K), and Int-Tn. Genes were detected in 68 (69.38%) strains: 36 were shown to be resistant with the agar disk diffusion method, while 28 were intermediate, and 2 were susceptible. The present study showed that chickens never treated with antimicrobials potentially harbor enterococci having phenotypic and genotypic characters of antimicrobial resistance.
Glutathione and a Pool of Metabolites Partly Related to Oxidative Stress Are Associated with Low and High Myopia in an Altered Bioenergetic Environment
Authors: Mérida Salvador , Návea Amparo , Desco Carmen , Celda Bernardo , Pardo-Tendero Mercedes , Morales-Tatay José Manuel , Bosch-Morell Francisco
Published: May 2024

Oxidative stress forms part of the molecular basis contributing to the development and manifestation of myopia, a refractive error with associated pathology that is increasingly prevalent worldwide and that subsequently leads to an upsurge in degenerative visual impairment due to conditions that are especially associated with high myopia. The purpose of our study was to examine the interrelation of potential oxidative-stress-related metabolites found in the aqueous humor of high-myopic, low-myopic, and non-myopic patients within a clinical study. We conducted a cross-sectional study, selecting two sets of patients undergoing cataract surgery. The first set, which was used to analyze metabolites through an NMR assay, comprised 116 patients. A total of 59 metabolites were assigned and quantified. The PLS-DA score plot clearly showed a separation with minimal overlap between the HM and control samples. The PLS-DA model allowed us to determine 31 major metabolite differences in the aqueous humor of the study groups. Complementary statistical analysis of the data allowed us to determine six metabolites that presented significant differences among the experimental groups (p < 005). A significant number of these metabolites were discovered to have a direct or indirect connection to oxidative stress linked with conditions of myopic eyes. Notably, we identified metabolites associated with bioenergetic pathways and metabolites that have undergone methylation, along with choline and its derivatives. The second set consisted of 73 patients who underwent a glutathione assay. Here, we showed significant variations in both reduced and oxidized glutathione in aqueous humor among all patient groups (p < 0.01) for the first time. Axial length, refractive status, and complete ophthalmologic examination were also recorded, and interrelations among metabolic and clinical parameters were evaluated.
Blends of Organic Acids Are Weaponizing the Host iNOS and Nitric Oxide to Reduce Infection of Piscirickettsia salmonis in vitro
Authors: Corcionivoschi Nicolae , Balta Igori , McCleery David , Pet Ioan , Iancu Tiberiu , Julean Calin , Marcu Adela , Stef Lavinia , Morariu Sorin
Published: May 2024

For the last 30 years, Piscirickettsia salmonis has caused major economic losses to the aquaculture industry as the aetiological agent for the piscirickettsiosis disease. Replacing the current interventions, based on antibiotics, with natural alternatives (e.g., organic acids) represents a priority. With this study, we aimed to better understand their biological mechanism of action in an in vitro model of infection with salmon epithelial cells (CHSE-214). Our first observation revealed that at the sub-inhibitory concentration of 0.5%, the organic acid blend (Aq) protected epithelial cell integrity and significantly reduced P. salmonis invasion. The MIC was established at 1% Aq and the MBC at 2% against P. salmonis. The sub-inhibitory concentration significantly increased the expression of the antimicrobial peptides Cath2 and Hepcidin1, and stimulated the activity of the innate immune effector iNOS. The increase in iNOS activity also led to higher levels of nitric oxide (NO) being released in the extracellular space. The exposure of P. salmonis to the endogenous NO caused an increase in bacterial lipid peroxidation levels, a damaging effect which can ultimately reduce the pathogen’s ability to attach or multiply intracellularly. We also demonstrate that the increased NO release by the host CHSE-214 cells is a consequence of direct exposure to Aq and is not dependent on P. salmonis infection. Additionally, the presence of Aq during P. salmonis infection of CHSE-214 cells significantly mitigated the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-8, IL-12, and IFNγ. Taken together, these results indicate that, unlike antibiotics, natural antimicrobials can weaponize the iNOS pathway and secreted nitric oxide to reduce infection and inflammation in a Piscirickettsia salmonis in vitro model of infection.
The Truncated Peptide AtPEP1(9–23) Has the Same Function as AtPEP1(1–23) in Inhibiting Primary Root Growth and Triggering of ROS Burst
Authors: Cui Junmei , Sa Ermei , Wei Jiaping , Fang Yan , Zheng Guoqiang , Wang Ying , Wang Xiaoxia , Gong Yongjie , Wu Zefeng , Yao Panfeng , Liu Zigang
Published: May 2024

Currently, the widely used active form of plant elicitor peptide 1 (PEP1) from Arabidopsis thaliana is composed of 23 amino acids, hereafter AtPEP1(1–23), serving as an immune elicitor. The relatively less conserved N-terminal region in AtPEP family indicates that the amino acids in this region may be unrelated to the function and activity of AtPEP peptides. Consequently, we conducted an investigation to determine the necessity of the nonconserved amino acids in AtPEP1(1–23) peptide for its functional properties. By assessing the primary root growth and the burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS), we discovered that the first eight N-terminal amino acids of AtPEP1(1–23) are not crucial for its functionality, whereas the conserved C-terminal aspartic acid plays a significant role in its functionality. In this study, we identified a truncated peptide, AtPEP1(9–23), which exhibits comparable activity to AtPEP1(1–23) in inhibiting primary root growth and inducing ROS burst. Additionally, the truncated peptide AtPEP1(13–23) shows similar ability to induce ROS burst as AtPEP1(1–23), but its inhibitory effect on primary roots is significantly reduced. These findings are significant as they provide a novel approach to explore and understand the functionality of the AtPEP1(1–23) peptide. Moreover, exogenous application of AtPEP1(13–23) may enhance plant resistance to pathogens without affecting their growth and development. Therefore, AtPEP1(13–23) holds promise for development as a potentially applicable biopesticides.
Hydrogen Peroxide Signaling in the Maintenance of Plant Root Apical Meristem Activity
Authors: Liu Hui , Mu Yangwei , Xuan Yuxin , Wu Xiaolin , Wang Wei , Zhang Hui
Published: May 2024

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a prevalent reactive oxygen species (ROS) found in cells and takes a central role in plant development and stress adaptation. The root apical meristem (RAM) has evolved strong plasticity to adapt to complex and changing environmental conditions. Recent advances have made great progress in explaining the mechanism of key factors, such as auxin, WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX 5 (WOX5), PLETHORA (PLT), SHORTROOT (SHR), and SCARECROW (SCR), in the regulation of RAM activity maintenance. H2O2 functions as an emerging signaling molecule to control the quiescent center (QC) specification and stem cell niche (SCN) activity. Auxin is a key signal for the regulation of RAM maintenance, which largely depends on the formation of auxin regional gradients. H2O2 regulates the auxin gradients by the modulation of intercellular transport. H2O2 also modulates the expression of WOX5, PLTs, SHR, and SCR to maintain RAM activity. The present review is dedicated to summarizing the key factors in the regulation of RAM activity and discussing the signaling transduction of H2O2 in the maintenance of RAM activity. H2O2 is a significant signal for plant development and environmental adaptation.
Valproic Acid Causes Redox-Regulated Post-Translational Protein Modifications That Are Dependent upon P19 Cellular Differentiation States
Authors: Piorczynski Ted B. , Calixto Jouber , Henry Haley C. , England Kelli , Cowley Susannah , Hansen Jackson M. , Hill Jonathon T. , Hansen Jason M.
Published: May 2024

Valproic acid (VPA) is a common anti-epileptic drug and known neurodevelopmental toxicant. Although the exact mechanism of VPA toxicity remains unknown, recent findings show that VPA disrupts redox signaling in undifferentiated cells but has little effect on fully differentiated neurons. Redox imbalances often alter oxidative post-translational protein modifications and could affect embryogenesis if developmentally critical proteins are targeted. We hypothesize that VPA causes redox-sensitive post-translational protein modifications that are dependent upon cellular differentiation states. Undifferentiated P19 cells and P19-derived neurons were treated with VPA alone or pretreated with D3T, an inducer of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) antioxidant pathway, prior to VPA exposure. Undifferentiated cells treated with VPA alone exhibited an oxidized glutathione redox couple and increased overall protein oxidation, whereas differentiated neurons were protected from protein oxidation via increased S-glutathionylation. Pretreatment with D3T prevented the effects of VPA exposure in undifferentiated cells. Taken together, our findings support redox-sensitive post-translational protein alterations in undifferentiated cells as a mechanism of VPA-induced developmental toxicity and propose NRF2 activation as a means to preserve proper neurogenesis.
Effect of Diethanol-Isopropanolamine and Typical Supplementary Cementitious Materials on the Hydration Mechanism of BOF Slag Cement Pastes
Authors: Wang Hongyu , Gu Xiaowei , Xu Xiaochuan , Liu Jianping , Zhu Zhenguo , Wang Shenyu
Published: May 2024

This study investigated the effects of lithium slag and iron tailings on the hydration mechanism of Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) slag cement paste with the addition of 0.06% diethanol-isopropanolamine (DEIPA). This study examined the fluidity, compressive strength, pore solution pH, and hydration products of BOF slag-based composite cementitious materials. The results showed that DEIPA facilitated the conversion from ettringite (AFt) to monosulphate (AFm) and improved the early compressive strength of the BOF slag–cement mortar. Incorporating lithium slag into the DEIPA-containing BOF slag–cement system promoted AFt formation, increased calcium-silicate-hydrate production, and enhanced the microstructure. BOF slag, lithium slag, and iron tailings exhibit synergistic effects in cement pastes. BOF slag and lithium slag provided the reactive components SiO2 and Al2O3. In the early hydration stages, the iron tailings primarily served as fillers, accelerating the system’s reactions.
An Experimental Study on the Efficacy of Local Exhaust Systems for the Mitigation of Exhaled Contaminants in a Meeting Room
Authors: Ejaz Muhammad Farhan , Kilpeläinen Simo , Mustakallio Panu , Zhao Weixin , Kosonen Risto
Published: May 2024

In industrial applications, local exhaust systems have been used extensively for capturing and confining contaminants at their source. The present study investigates the efficacy of these systems in mitigating the spread of exhaled pollutants by combining them with mixing and displacement ventilation. Experiments were conducted in a simulated meeting room with six closely situated workstations, featuring five exposed persons (simulated with heated dummies) and one infected person (simulated with a breathing manikin). Six overhead local exhaust units, merged with panels, corresponding to workstations, were installed using a lowered false ceiling. Additionally, a table plenum setting for air inlets was introduced to enhance displacement ventilation effectiveness along with local exhaust systems. Results from 16 experimental cases are presented, using the local air quality index and ventilation effectiveness in the breathing zone. The local exhaust system improved the local air quality at the measuring locations closest to the infector in almost all test scenarios. The improvement, particularly significant with displacement ventilation, marked a maximum 35% increase in the local air quality index adjacent to the infector and 25% in the entire breathing zone of the tested meeting room. Moreover, the table plenum settings, coupled with displacement ventilation, further enhanced conditions in the breathing zone. Under the specific conditions of this investigation, the number of operational local exhausts had a marginal impact on mixing ventilation but a significant one on displacement ventilation tests. The efficacy of local exhaust systems was also influenced by the levels of heat gains present in the room. Overall, the study aims to contribute to ongoing efforts to identify sustainable solutions to mitigate indoor airborne diseases with a combination of supply and local exhaust units.
Assessing Accessible Travel Satisfaction in Old Communities: A SEM Study
Authors: Fan Liya , Xiong Yingqing , Peng Yizhan
Published: May 2024

China faces a significant population of individuals with disabilities, and the aging demographic exacerbates this challenge. There is an urgent need for accessible environments for vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, the elderly, and pregnant women. Consequently, this study aimed to explore the factors influencing satisfaction with accessible travel in old communities in Nanchang City. Adopting a perspective encompassing vulnerabilities across all age groups, we employed interviews, on-site surveys, questionnaires, and literature reviews to construct a model of satisfaction with accessible travel. This model comprises five evaluation dimensions: pedestrian pathways, public spaces, signage guidance, social support, and software provision, encompassing twenty-seven influencing factors. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to validate the model. The research findings indicated that social support (0.697), pedestrian pathways (0.480), and public spaces (0.291) exerted a significant overall effect on satisfaction within the model, whereas the influence of software provision (0.225) and signage guidance (0.249) was comparatively smaller. Vulnerable groups within the community prioritized operational maintenance (0.818) and cultural advocacy (0.791) within social support. They also emphasized aspects of pedestrian pathways such as elevation treatment (0.809) and pavement design (0.803), as well as rest facilities (0.804) and service facilities (0.790) within public spaces. Finally, based on the weighted ranking of factors among latent variables, we propose corresponding optimization strategies and development proposals. This paper contributes to providing theoretical, practical, and technical support for the design of community accessibility that caters to socially vulnerable groups across “universal and all-ages” groups. It plays a proactive role in enhancing the quality of life for these vulnerable groups and promoting the improvement of accessibility environments in old communities.
Comparison of Embodied Carbon Footprint of a Mass Timber Building Structure with a Steel Equivalent
Authors: Hemmati Mahboobeh , Messadi Tahar , Gu Hongmei , Seddelmeyer Jacob , Hemmati Moein
Published: May 2024

The main purpose of this study is to quantify and compare the embodied carbon (EC) from the materials used or designed to build the Adohi Hall, a residence building located on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, AR. It has been constructed as a mass timber structure. It is compared to the same building design with a steel frame for this study. Based on the defined goal and scope of the project, all materials used in the building structure are compared for their global warming potential (GWP) impact by applying a life cycle assessment (LCA) using a cradle-to-construction site system boundary. This comparative building LCA comprises the product stage (including raw material extraction, processing, transporting, and manufacturing) plus transportation to the construction site (nodule A1–A4, according to standard EN 15804 definitions). In this study, GWP is primarily assessed with the exclusion of other environmental factors. Tally®, as one of the most popular LCA tools for buildings, is used in this comparative LCA analysis. In this study, the substitution of mass timber for a steel structure with a corrugated steel deck and concrete topping offers a promising opportunity to understand the GWP impact of each structure. Mass timber structures exhibit superior environmental attributes considering the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 eq). Emissions per square meter of gross floor area for mass timber stand at 198 kg, in stark contrast to the 243 kg CO2 eq recorded for steel structures. This means the mass timber building achieved a 19% reduction in carbon emissions compared to the functional equivalent steel structure within the building modules A1 to A4 studied. When considering carbon storage, about 2757 tonnes of CO2 eq are stored in the mass timber building, presenting further benefits of carbon emission delays for the life span of the structure. The substitution benefit from this construction case was studied through the displacement factor (DF) quantification following the standard process. A 0.28 DF was obtained when using mass timber over steel in the structure. This study provides insights into making more environmentally efficient decisions in buildings and helps in the move forward to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and address GWP mitigation.