bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insulin-like growth factor system components expressed at the conceptus-maternal interface during the establishment of equine pregnancy
Authors: Gibson Charlotte , de Ruijter-Villani M. , Stout Tom A. E.
Published: September 2022

In many species, the insulin-like growth factors (IGF1 and IGF2), their receptors and IGF binding proteins play important roles in preparing the endometrium for implantation, and regulating conceptus growth and development. To determine whether the IGF system may contribute to conceptus-maternal interaction during equine pre-implantation development, we evaluated mRNA expression for IGF system components in conceptuses, and endometrium recovered from pregnant and cycling mares, on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 after ovulation. We also investigated expression of IGF1, IGF2 and their receptors 6 and 11 days after transfer of day 8 embryos to synchronous (day 8) or asynchronous (day 3) recipient mares. Expression of IGF1 and IGF2, IGF1R, IGF2R, INSR and IGFBPs 1, 2, 4 and 5 was evident in endometrium and conceptus membranes during days 7–28. Endometrial IGF2, INSR, IGFBP1 and IGFBP2 expression increased between days 7 and 28 of pregnancy. In conceptus membranes, expression of all IGF system components increased with developmental stage. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong expression of IGF1, IGF2 and IGF1R in both endometrium and conceptus membranes, whereas INSR was highly expressed in endometrium but barely detectable in the conceptus. Finally, a negatively asynchronous uterine environment retarded IGF1, IGF2 and INSR expression in the conceptus, whereas in the endometrium only INSR expression was altered by asynchrony. The presence of IGFs, their receptors and IGFBPs in the endometrium and conceptus during early equine pregnancy, and down-regulation in the conceptus following asynchronous embryo transfer, suggest a role in conceptus-maternal communication during the preparation for implantation.
COVID-19 associated reduction in elective spay-neuter surgeries for dogs and cats
Authors: Guerios Simone D. , Porcher Tenley R. , Clemmer Gina , Denagamage Thomas , Levy Julie K.
Published: September 2022

The rise in subsidized spay-neuter access helped drive the euthanasia of shelter pets in the US from an estimated 13. 5 million in 1973 to 1.5 million in 2019. When the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic triggered lockdowns beginning in March 2020, many veterinary providers suspended nonessential services such as routine spay-neuter surgeries. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the volume of spay-neuter procedures performed by spay-neuter clinics. A retrospective study of patient data from 212 spay-neuter clinics using Clinic HQ practice management software was conducted from January 2019 through December 2021. The clinics collectively performed 1,217,240 surgeries in the pre-COVID baseline year of 2019. A sharp decline in surgeries began in March 2020 (−22%) and reached a nadir in April 2020 (−80%). Surgeries began to increase in May 2020 (−39%), before plateauing in July 2020 (−6%) and remaining slightly below the 2019 baseline in most months through the end of 2021. Compared to 2019, total surgeries decreased 13% to 1,059,388 in 2020 and decreased 3% to 1,184,274 in 2021. In 2020, when clinic disruptions were highest, the impact of the surgery cutbacks varied by geographic region, species, age, and source of animals. Compared with 2019, in 2020 surgeries decreased 17% in the Midwest region, 15% in the Northeast and West, and 11% in the South. Surgeries were reduced 19% in dogs and 10% in cats. When grouped by age, surgeries were reduced by 18% in geriatrics, 14% in adults, and 11% in juveniles. Reductions were similar for females (−14%) and males (−12%) and similar for unowned/organization-owned animals (−14%) and privately owned animals (−12%). In total, 190,818 fewer surgeries were performed by the 212 studied clinics in the 24 months from January 2020 through December 2021 than would be expected had 2019 levels been maintained. If a similar pattern was experienced by other spay/neuter providers in the US, it would suggest there is a deficit of more than 2.7 million spay/neuter surgeries that animal welfare organizations have yet to address.
Design and Optimization of an Active Leveling System Actuator for Lunar Lander Application
Authors: Manca Raffaele , Puliti Marco , Circosta Salvatore , Galluzzi Renato , Salvatore Sergio , Amati Nicola
Published: September 2022

This work proposes a systematic methodology for designing an active leveling system (ALS) actuator for lunar landing application. The ALS actuator is integrated into an inverted tripod leg layout, exploiting a honeycomb crushable damper as a shock absorber. The proposed ALS actuator is fitted within the leg’s primary strut and features a custom permanent-magnet synchronous machine rigidly coupled with a lead screw. The actuator aims to both provide proper leg deployment functioning and compensate for the different shock absorber deformations during landing. The leg dynamic behavior is simulated through a parameterized multi-body model to investigate different landing scenarios. First, a parametric sensitivity approach is used to optimize the transmission system and the electric machine characteristics. Then, the electric motor model is numerically validated and optimized through electromagnetic finite element analysis. To validate the proposed ALS design methodology, a virtual test bench is used to assess the ALS performances under different load scenarios. It is found that the proposed methodology is able to yield a compact, well-sized actuator which is numerically validated with the EL3 platform as a case study.
Implicit Extended Kalman Filter for Optical Terrain Relative Navigation Using Delayed Measurements
Authors: Silvestrini Stefano , Piccinin Margherita , Zanotti Giovanni , Brandonisio Andrea , Lunghi Paolo , Lavagna Michèle
Published: September 2022

The exploration of celestial bodies such as the Moon, Mars, or even smaller ones such as comets and asteroids, is the next frontier of space exploration. One of the most interesting and attractive purposes from the scientific point of view in this field, is the capability for a spacecraft to land on such bodies. Monocular cameras are widely adopted to perform this task due to their low cost and system complexity. Nevertheless, image-based algorithms for motion estimation range across different scales of complexities and computational loads. In this paper, a method to perform relative (or local) terrain navigation using frame-to-frame features correspondences and altimeter measurements is presented. The proposed image-based approach relies on the implementation of the implicit extended Kalman filter, which works using nonlinear dynamic models and corrections from measurements that are implicit functions of the state variables. In particular, here, the epipolar constraint, which is a geometric relationship between the feature point position vectors and the camera translation vector, is employed as the implicit measurement fused with altimeter updates. In realistic applications, the image processing routines require a certain amount of time to be executed. For this reason, the presented navigation system entails a fast cycle using altimeter measurements and a slow cycle with image-based updates. Moreover, the intrinsic delay of the feature matching execution is taken into account using a modified extrapolation method.
Impact of Organic and Chemical Nitrogen Fertilizers on the Crop Yield and Fertilizer Use Efficiency of Soybean–Maize Intercropping Systems
Authors: Lin Shifang , Pi Yijun , Long Dayong , Duan Jianjun , Zhu Xingtao , Wang Xiaoli , He Jin , Zhu Yonghe
Published: September 2022

The effect of the mixture (1:1) of chemical and organic nitrogen (N) fertilizer on crop yield quality and N fertilizer use efficiency remains elusive. A nitrogen field experiment was conducted in the growing seasons of 2020 and 2021 to investigate the effects of the mixture of chemical and organic N fertilizer on the crop yield, crop quality and nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency in a maize–soybean intercropping system in China. Four treatments applied at 150 kg N ha−1 were used: no nitrogen fertilizer (CK), chemical N fertilizer (ChemF), mixture (1:1) of chemical and organic N fertilizer (ChemF + OrgF) and organic N fertilizer (OrgF). The results showed that the yield and aboveground N accumulation of both soybean and maize increased with the application of fertilizer. The ChemF + OrgF treatment had lower maize and soybean seed yields than for ChemF treatment, but higher than the other two treatments in both years, and the maize yield of the (ChemF + OrgF) treatment was significantly higher (14.9%) in 2021 than 2020. Yields were significantly positively correlated with aboveground N accumulation and fertilizer use efficiency, measured using the nitrogen partial productivity (NPP), nitrogen agronomic efficiency (NAE) and nitrogen fertilizer recovery rate (NFRR). The protein content tended to increase and the oil content tended to decrease under (ChemF + OrgF) applications in soybeans. The (ChemF + OrgF) treatment had the lowest starch content in maize. There was no significant difference in the nitrogen harvest index among treatments, while the NPP, NAE and NFRR were the highest for the application of chemical N fertilizer and significantly decreased with the addition of organic N fertilizer. We conclude that the mixture (1:1) of chemical and organic N fertilizer increased the seed yield and quality of maize, but only the seed yield of soybean.
The Synergistic Effects of Sonication and Microwave Processing on the Physicochemical Properties and Phytochemicals of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Juice
Authors: Navida Maham , Nadeem Muhammad , Qureshi Tahir Mahmood , Pashameah Rami Adel , Malik Faiqa , Iqbal Aqsa , Sultan Muhammad , Abo-Dief Hala M. , Alanazi Abdullah K.
Published: September 2022

In recent years, consumers have increasingly demanded nutritious, healthy, and fresh-like food products with high organoleptic quality. Watermelon is rich in water, which is 92% mandatory for body functioning, and contains several vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, carotenoids, and lycopenes with various health benefits. The present study examines the combined effect of ultrasound (US) and microwave (MW) on the physico-chemical and phytochemicals of watermelon juice during storage (up to 120 days). Sonication was employed for different time intervals, particularly from 2 to 8 min at 20 kHz frequency and 525 W power, while microwave was applied at two different time intervals (1 min 50 s and 2 min) at 1000 W power and a frequency of 2450 MHz. The product was stored at 4 °C up to 120 days for further examination. Our results revealed that treatment T5 (10 min ultrasound & 1 min 50 s microwave) manifested the maximum cloud value (3.00), acidity (0.15%), vitamin C content (202.67 mg/100 mL), phenolics (852.57 mgGAE/100 mL), flavonoids (1970.9 µg CE/100 mL), and total antioxidant activity (8650.3 µg equivalent of ascorbic acid/mL of juice). Sonication in combination with microwave proved to be an efficient technique for increasing the antioxidant potential of watermelon juice. Thus, US and MW treatments may be incorporated for enhancing the phytochemical release and shelf life of watermelon juice.
Species Identification of Caterpillar Eggs by Machine Learning Using a Convolutional Neural Network and Massively Parallelized Microscope
Authors: Efromson John , Lawrie Roger , Doman Thomas Jedidiah Jenks , Bertone Matthew , Bègue Aurélien , Harfouche Mark , Reisig Dominic , Roe R. Michael
Published: September 2022

Rapid, accurate insect identification is the first and most critical step of pest management and vital to agriculture for determining optimal management strategies. In many instances, classification is necessary within a short developmental window. Two examples, the tobacco budworm, Chloridea virescens, and bollworm, Helicoverpa zea, both have <5 days from oviposition until hatching. H. zea has evolved resistance to Bt-transgenic crops and requires farmers to decide about insecticide application during the ovipositional window. The eggs of these species are small, approximately 0.5 mm in diameter, and often require a trained biologist and microscope to resolve morphological differences between species. In this work, we designed, built, and validated a machine learning approach to insect egg identification with >99% accuracy using a convolutional neural architecture to classify the two species of caterpillars. A gigapixel scale parallelized microscope, referred to as the Multi-Camera Array Microscope (MCAM™), and automated image-processing pipeline allowed us to rapidly build a dataset of ~5500 images for training and testing the network. In the future, applications could be developed enabling farmers to photograph eggs on a leaf and receive an immediate species identification before the eggs hatch.
Factors Affecting Smallholder Farmers’ Marketing Channel Choice in China with Multivariate Logit Model
Authors: Zhu Mengshuai , Shen Chen , Tian Yajun , Wu Jianzhai , Mu Yueying
Published: September 2022

Facing the changes in China’s agricultural products marketing channel, smallholder farmers with different characteristics choose various strategies to obtain more benefits. To analyze factors affecting smallholder farmers’ marketing channel choice, we classify four types of channels—Broker Channel, Farmers’ Retailing Channel, Wholesale Market Channel, and Cooperative Channel—and inspect 14 variables based on the survey data of 317 households from four provinces. We use a principal components analysis (PCA) to simplify these 14 variables into seven common factors and a multivariate logit model to study how the factors influence smallholder farmers’ choices. We find that compared with the Broker Channel, the Farmers’ Retailing Channel is mainly affected by the logistics factor, skill factor, risk factor, and size factor; the Wholesale Market Channel is influenced by the logistics factor and age factor; and the Cooperative Channel is mainly influenced by the age factor, logistics factor, and price factor. In conclusion, the logistics factor has a significant positive effect on each channel choice, and the improvement of the market and transportation conditions has a general promoting effect.
Genetic Algorithm for Cost Optimization of Different Multi-Tunnel Greenhouse Design Alternatives
Authors: Fernández-García María S. , Rodríguez-Robles Desirée , Villar-García José Ramón , Vidal-López Pablo
Published: September 2022

Greenhouses are employed worldwide to protect crops from meteorological conditions as well as to control some plant production variables. As multi-tunnel structures are amongst the most used, in this article, we focus on cost optimization of both the steel structure and the concrete foundation of this greenhouse typology. Firstly, three structural alternatives composed of three tunnels and differentiated portal frames were dimensioned conforming to the European design of steel structures, namely, Eurocode 3; meanwhile, the foundation was calculated through a previously validated matrix method. Then, genetic algorithms were employed to optimize for cost each proposed design and to evaluate the relative weight of each element in the overall steel consumption. Moreover, the influence of the greenhouse design on the final cost was also assessed, and it was found that the most cost-effective solution corresponded to the optimized greenhouse alternative exhibiting a 3.5 m separation between portal frames and the combination of a steel profile and plastic gutter (i.e., M3OPT at 15.14 €/m2). Finally, from the study on the influence of the portal frame separation, a further cost per square meter reduction was found for a design with the so-called structural gutter (i.e., steel profile and plastic water collection system) as support for the arches and a 4.5 m separation at 14.21 €/m2.
The Effects of Adjuvants on the Wetting and Deposition of Insecticide Solutions on Hydrophobic Wheat Leaves
Authors: Song Yuying , Huang Qiliang , Huang Guizhen , Liu Mingxin , Cao Lidong , Li Fengmin , Zhao Pengyue , Cao Chong
Published: September 2022

Pesticide droplet deposition determines the efficacy of pesticide solution and is a critical process in pesticide application. Adding spray adjuvants can improve droplet deposition to a certain extent, but there are currently many types of adjuvants with different properties. The improper selection or unreasonable use of adjuvants may be counterproductive, increasing the loss of pesticides or causing crop damage. In this study, the adjuvants methylated plant oil (Beidatong), alkoxy modified polytrisiloxane (Silwet408), hyperbranched fatty alcohol ether modified polymer (ND500), and polymers adjuvants (G2801) were selected through surface tension, contact angle, the determination of the maximum retention (Rm) and point of run-off (POR), and field deposition to explore the effect of adjuvants on the wetting and deposition performance of pesticides on wheat leaves. Compared with Beidatong and G2801, Silwet408 and ND500 could significantly reduce the surface tension of pesticides and greatly promote the wetting properties on wheat leaves, but Rm and POR value on wheat leaves were reduced. The field test results also showed that the deposition amount of the adjuvant Silwet408 and ND500 on wheat was slightly lower than that of the adjuvant Beidatong and G2801. Studying the effects of adjuvants on the wetting and deposition properties of insecticide solutions can provide practical guidance for the use of adjuvants.
Effects of Biopesticides and Undersown Cover Crops on Soil Properties in the Organic Farming System
Authors: Marcinkevičienė Aušra , Čmukas Arūnas , Velička Rimantas , Kosteckas Robertas , Skinulienė Lina
Published: September 2022

The inclusion of undersown cover crops in crop rotations and the use of biopesticides are essential for the long-term sustainability of the agroecosystem in organic farming. We hypothesized that biopesticides and undersown cover crops (crimson (incarnate) clover (Trifolium incarnatum Broth.), hairy (winter) vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and winter rye (Secale cereale L.)) are likely to have a positive impact on soil agrophysical and biological properties. Soil shear strength, soil aggregate–size distribution, plant root dry biomass and number and biomass of earthworms were determined at the end of the plant growing season. We concluded that the application of biopesticides and growing of undersown cover crops decreased soil shear strength and increased the percentage of macro-aggregates (0.25–10 mm) in the plough layer. In the plots with cover crops, plant root biomass was found to be significantly higher by a factor of 1.9 to 3.5, compared to the plots without cover crops. The application of biopesticides and undersown cover crops did not significantly affect the number and biomass of earthworms in the soil. The abundance of earthworms was more influenced by meteorological conditions.
Effects of Canopy Position and Microclimate on Fruit Development and Quality of Camellia oleifera
Authors: Lu Yifan , Si Yuanyuan , Zhang Lingyun , Sun Yongjiang , Su Shuchai
Published: September 2022

Camellia oleifera is an economic tree species in southern China and is famous for its oil. The surrounding climate is filtered by the tree itself, resulting in the canopy microclimate, which affects the growth and fruit quality of C. oleifera. This study investigated the effect of canopy positions on microclimate and fruit growth, maturation and qualities by comparing the differences in canopy position. This study also considered the relationship between microclimate and fruit qualities during the oil conversion period. The fruit qualities and microclimate were studied by dividing the canopy into two vertical layers and horizontal layers, creating the following canopy positions: upper outer canopy (UO), upper inner canopy (UI), lower outer canopy (LO) and lower inner canopy (LI). The light intensity increased significantly from inside to outside and from top to bottom in the canopy; however, there were no significant differences in temperature and relative humidity. At maturity, the moisture content of fruits and kernels in UO and LO was approximately <5% of those in UI and LI. The soluble sugar content increased by 10.90%, 8.47% and 6.84% in UO, UI and LO in November, while no significant change was observed in LI. The kernel oil content (KOC) obtained a higher value in UO and UI at maturity. However, KOC decreased by 5.16%, 3.02%, 3.10% and 0.67% in UO, UI, LO and LI in November. Light intensity in September and October was correlated, and temperature and relative humidity in August and September were correlated.
Innovative PLF Tool to Assess Growing-Finishing Pigs’ Welfare
Authors: Cruz Vasco , Rico José , Coelho Diogo , Baptista Fátima
Published: September 2022

The main goal of the AWARTECH project (Animal Welfare Adjusted Real Time Environmental Conditions of Housing) was to develop an innovative precision livestock tool that will support and reinforce the pig value chain, through the management of solutions based on monitoring, analysis and control of environmental, physiological, behaviour and animal performances parameters. Environmental data was collected by sensors of temperature, relative humidity, air velocity and gas concentration, which are integrated in an environmental control system (Webisense) and in a platform (Nidus). Webisense controlled the ventilation system, the cooling system and the heating system. The rectal and body surface temperatures were registered manual and automatically. In order to monitor the behaviour of the animals, video cameras were installed. An individual feeding machine equipped with a scale has been also installed. This equipment allow, through an RFID system, the individual monitoring and control of the amount of food supplied and ingested; the number and duration of visits; and the animal’s weight. The development of the AWARTECH platform resulted from the integration of data provided by Webisense, Nidus, feeding machine and video analytics as well as physiological data. This platform allows the control the environmental conditions based on welfare indicators promoting animal welfare.
The Physiological and Biochemical Response of Field Bean (Vicia faba L. (partim)) to Electromagnetic Field Exposure Is Influenced by Seed Age, Light Conditions, and Growth Media
Authors: Pawełek Agnieszka , Wyszkowska Joanna , Cecchetti Daniele , Dinka Mergi Daba , Przybylski Krzysztof , Szmidt-Jaworska Adriana
Published: September 2022

Research interest into the exposure of plants to magnetic fields (MF), including electromagnetic fields (EMF), has increased recently but results often vary depending on factors such as plant species and treatment dose. In this study, we exposed young (one year) and old (four years) field bean (Vicia faba L. (partim)) seeds to EMF (50 Hz, 7 mT) and observed seed germination and seedling growth under different conditions (growth media and light). The results indicated a stimulation by EMF of germination and early root growth of Petri dish-sown old seeds in continuous darkness and inhibition of germination of the pot-sown young seeds under long-day conditions. Root growth of two-week-old seedlings from pot-sown young seeds was stimulated by EMF treatment while their stem growth was inhibited. Some selected biochemical traits were examined, showing specific changes in membrane integrity, amylase activity, H2O2 levels, photosynthetic pigments, and content of the main groups of phytohormones, depending on seed age. The results indicate that priming of field bean seeds with EMF (50 Hz, 7 mT) could be a eustress factor that influences germination, early growth, and cellular activities and could positively influence the ability of field bean plants to grow and develop in more stressful conditions at later stages.
Effects and Molecular Mechanism of Mycorrhiza on the Growth, Nutrient Absorption, Quality of Fresh Leaves, and Antioxidant System of Tea Seedlings Suffering from Salt Stress
Authors: Li Yue-Wei , Tong Cui-Ling , Sun Mu-Fang
Published: September 2022

We studied changes in plant growth, nutrient absorption, quality of fresh leaves, and the antioxidant enzyme systems of leaves treated with AMF (Glomus etunicatum) in tea (tea cultivar “Xinyang 10”) seedlings exposed to 0 and 100 mmol/L sodium chloride (NaCl). The AMF colonization in the tea roots decreased observably by 50.1% after a 5-week soil NaCl (100 mmol/L) treatment. The growth, leaf nutrient levels, and leaf quality parameter contents significantly declined by 18–39% in the 100 mmol/L NaCl treatments. In contrast, these variables exhibited observably higher responses in the mycorrhizal seedlings than in the nonmycorrhizal seedlings. Furthermore, AMF improved the leaves’ total amino acid concentrations dramatically, accompanied by the upregulation of the genes of the amino acid synthetic enzymes, such as glutamate dehydrogenase (CsGDH), glutamate synthase (CsGOGAT), and glutamine synthetase (CsGS), while 100 mmol/L NaCl seedlings represented a negative performance. In addition, the 100 mmol/L NaCl treatments dramatically downregulated the expression level of the tea caffeine synthase 1 gene (CsTCS1), the ascorbate peroxidase gene (CsAPX), and the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme gene (CsHMGR) in the leaves, while the AMF seedlings represented positive performances. These results suggest that AMF may play an active role in fresh leaf quality via the partial upregulation of the relevant genes’ expression. In contrast, salt stress represented the opposite result in tea. The seedlings inoculated with AMF showed significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities, by 13.3–19.6%, including peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), over the non-AMF inoculated tea seedlings. Still, they did not affect glutathione reductase (GR), irrespective of the NaCl condition. Further studies indicated that AMF observably upregulated the genes’ expressions (i.e., CsCAT and CsSOD) in both the 0 and 100 mmol/L NaCl seedlings. Meanwhile, the 100 mmol/L NaCl seedlings represented markedly lower antioxidant enzyme activities (i.e., SOD, CAT, and POD) and gene expressions (i.e., CsSOD and CsCAT) than the non-NaCl seedlings, irrespective of AMF inoculation. These results imply that AMF has a positive role in strengthening salt tolerance and on the quality of fresh tea leaves.
Long-Term P Fertilizer Application Reduced Methane Emissions from Paddies in a Double-Rice System
Authors: Zhu Xiangcheng , Li Jin , Liang Xihuan , Chen Yunfeng , Chen Xianmao , Ji Jianhua , Xia Wenjian , Lan Xianjin , Peng Chunrui , Chen Jin
Published: September 2022

Rice is the main staple food worldwide, yet paddy fields are a primary source of artificial methane (CH4) emissions. Phosphorus (P) is a key element in the growth of plants and microbes, and P fertilizer input is a conventional agricultural practice adopted to improve rice yield. However, the impact of long-term P fertilizer addition on CH4 emissions in rice paddies is still unclear. To test this impact, a 36-yr field experiment with and without P fertilizer application treatments under a double-rice cropping system was used in this study to explore how continuous P application affects CH4 emissions and related plant and soil properties. The cumulative CH4 emissions were 21.2% and 28.6% higher without P fertilizer application treatment than with P fertilizer application treatment during the early and late season, respectively. Long-term P fertilizer application increased the rice aboveground biomass by 14.7–85.1% and increased grain yield by 24.5–138.7%. However, it reduced the ratio of root biomass to aboveground biomass. Long-term P fertilizer input reduced the soil NH4+ concentrations in both rice seasons but increased the soil DOC concentrations in the late season. The soil methanogenic abundance and CH4 production potential were similar without and with P fertilizer application treatments; however, the methanotrophic abundance and soil CH4 oxidation potential with P fertilizer application treatment were significantly higher than without P fertilizer application treatment. Our findings indicate that long-term P fertilizer input reduces CH4 emissions in rice fields, mainly by improving CH4 oxidation, which highlights the need for judicious P management to increase rice yield while reducing CH4 emissions.
Rates and Determinants of Hospital-Acquired Infection among ICU Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery in Developing Countries: Results from EMERGENCY’NGO’s Hospital in Sudan
Authors: Spagnolello Ornella , Fabris Silvia , Portella Gina , Raafat Shafig Saber Dimiana , Giovanella Elena , Badr Saad Manahel , Langer Martin , Ciccozzi Massimo , d’Ettorre Gabriella , Ceccarelli Giancarlo
Published: September 2022

Introduction. Knowledge of local and regional antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is crucial in clinical decision-making, especially with critically ill patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate and pattern of infections in valvular heart disease patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery in Khartoum, Sudan (run by EMERGENCY NGO). Methods. This is a retrospective, observational study from a single, large international referral centre (part of a Regional Programme), which enrolled patients admitted to the ICU between 1 January and 31 December 2019. Data collected for each patient included demographic data, operating theatre/ICU data and microbiological cultures. Results. Over the study period, 611 patients were enrolled (elective surgery n = 491, urgent surgery n = 34 and urgent medical care n = 86). The infection rate was 14.2% and turned out to be higher in medical than in surgical patients (25.6% vs. 12.4%; p = 0.002; OR = 2.43) and higher in those undergoing urgent surgery than those undergoing elective (29.4% vs. 11.2%; p = 0.004; OR = 3.3). Infection was related to (a) SOFA score (p < 0.001), (b) ICU length of stay (p < 0.001) and (c) days from ICU admission to OT (p = 0.003). A significant relationship between the type of admission (elective, urgent surgery or medical) and the presence of infections was found (p < 0.001). The mortality rate was higher among infected patients (infected vs. infection-free: 10.3% vs. 2.1%; p < 0.001; OR = 5.38; 95% CI: 2.16–13.4; p < 0.001). Conclusions. Hospital-acquired infections remain a relevant preventable cause of mortality in our particular population.
Qualitative Study on Antimicrobial Usage and Resistance in the Dairy Chain: A Situation Analysis and Solutions by Stakeholders from Punjab, India
Authors: Vijay Deepthi , Bedi Jasbir Singh , Dhaka Pankaj , Singh Randhir , Singh Jaswinder , Arora Anil Kumar , Gill Jatinder Paul Singh
Published: September 2022

The rising prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in animal foods and injudicious antibiotic use in the dairy sector pose significant threats to public health. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with a strategic sample of four stakeholder groups (114 participants) associated with antibiotic usage in the dairy sector of Punjab. The FGDs were conducted among veterinarians (n = 56), para-veterinarians (n = 28), and KIIs were conducted among chemists (n = 18) and dairy quality managers (n = 12) during 2020–2021. FGDs and qualitative interviews of various stakeholders depict existing risk practices in the fields that may promote antimicrobial resistance. The present study revealed that widely prevalent quackery (treatment practices carried out by unauthorized persons without any recognized diploma/degree) and self-treatment by farmers, over-the-counter availability of antibiotics, low veterinarian per animal ratio, and lack of awareness among the society about the potential public health effects of antimicrobial resistance were the main risk factors for injudicious antibiotic use in the dairy sector. The present study involved a comprehensive approach targeting the stakeholders in the dairy sector and their reflections on judicious antimicrobial usage and antimicrobial resistance adapted to the dairy farming of Punjab. There is an urgent need for the advocation of policies that consider the specific challenges faced by the dairy sector to simultaneously improve access to veterinary services as well as strengthen antibiotic stewardship.
Acinetobacter baylyi Strain BD413 Can Acquire an Antibiotic Resistance Gene by Natural Transformation on Lettuce Phylloplane and Enter the Endosphere
Authors: Riva Valentina , Patania Giovanni , Riva Francesco , Vergani Lorenzo , Crotti Elena , Mapelli Francesca
Published: September 2022

Antibiotic resistance spread must be considered in a holistic framework which comprises the agri-food ecosystems, where plants can be considered a bridge connecting water and soil habitats with the human microbiome. However, the study of horizontal gene transfer events within the plant microbiome is still overlooked. Here, the environmental strain Acinetobacter baylyi BD413 was used to study the acquisition of extracellular DNA (exDNA) carrying an antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) on lettuce phylloplane, performing experiments at conditions (i.e., plasmid quantities) mimicking those that can be found in a water reuse scenario. Moreover, we assessed how the presence of a surfactant, a co-formulant widely used in agriculture, affected exDNA entry in bacteria and plant tissues, besides the penetration and survival of bacteria into the leaf endosphere. Natural transformation frequency in planta was comparable to that occurring under optimal conditions (i.e., temperature, nutrient provision, and absence of microbial competitors), representing an entrance pathway of ARGs into an epiphytic bacterium able to penetrate the endosphere of a leafy vegetable. The presence of the surfactant determined a higher presence of culturable transformant cells in the leaf tissues but did not significantly increase exDNA entry in A. baylyi BD413 cells and lettuce leaves. More research on HGT (Horizontal Gene Transfer) mechanisms in planta should be performed to obtain experimental data on produce safety in terms of antibiotic resistance.
Macrolide versus Non-Macrolide in Combination with Steroids for the Treatment of Lobar or Segmental Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia Unresponsive to Initial Macrolide Monotherapy
Authors: Bae Eunha , Kim Ye Ji , Kang Hyun Mi , Jeong Dae Chul , Kang Jin Han
Published: September 2022

In the last few decades, macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MRMP) has been increasing in proportion. This study aimed to evaluate the treatment outcomes of children with lobar or segmental MP pneumonia unresponsive to the initial 3–5-day macrolide therapy, who then switched to either a non-macrolide, macrolide + steroid, or a non-macrolide + steroid regimen, according to the 2019 KSPID and KAPARD guideline during the 2019–2020 Mycoplasma epidemic in South Korea. A total of 190 patients <18 years old were admitted during the study period for MP lobar or segmental pneumonia, and 16.8% (n = 32/190) were responsive to the initial macrolide monotherapy, whereas 83.2% (158/190) were refractory. The median age of the patients was 7 (interquartile range [IQR], 5–9) years old and 46.2% (n = 73/158) were male. The overall treatment success rates of non-macrolide, macrolide + steroid, and non-macrolide + steroid groups were 46.2%, 80.8%, and 100.0%, respectively. Patients in the non-macrolide + steroid group had the shortest fever duration after a regimen change of 1 (IQR, 0–3) day compared with patients in the non-macrolide group and macrolide + steroid group; 2 (IQR, 1–4) days and 2 (IQR, 1–3.3) days (p = 0.004), respectively. Follow-up CRP (ß, 0.169; CI, 0.050–0.287; p = 0.006), macrolide + steroid therapy (ß, −1.694; CI, −2.463–−0.925; p < 0.001), and non-macrolide+ steroid therapy (ß, −2.224; CI, −3.321–−1.127; p < 0.001) were shown to be significantly associated with the duration of fever after admission. To conclude, in patients with severe MP pneumonia that failed to respond to the initial macrolide therapy, a non-macrolide + steroid had the highest treatment success rate and a shorter duration of fever.
Variability in Biological Activities of Satureja montana Subsp. montana and Subsp. variegata Based on Different Extraction Methods
Authors: Aćimović Milica , Šovljanski Olja , Pezo Lato , Travičić Vanja , Tomić Ana , Zheljazkov Valtcho D. , Ćetković Gordana , Švarc-Gajić Jaroslava , Brezo-Borjan Tanja , Sofrenić Ivana
Published: September 2022

Winter savory (Satureja montana L.) is a well-known spice and medicinal plant with a wide range of activities and applications. Two subspecies of S. montana, subsp. montana and subsp. variegata, were used for the preparation of seven different extracts: steam distillation (essential oil (EO) and hydrolate (HY)), subcritical water (SWE), ultrasound-assisted (UAE-MeOH and UAE-H2O), and microwave-assisted (MAE-MeOH and MAE-H2O) extraction. The obtained EOs, HYs, and extracts were used for an in vitro evaluation of the antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, reducing power, and superoxide anion methods) and in vitro antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Candida albicans. The antimicrobial screening was conducted using disk-diffusion assessment, minimal inhibitory concentration, time–kill kinetics modeling, and pharmacodynamic study of the biocide effect. The total phenolic content (TPC) was highest in EO, followed by SWE, MAE, and UAE, and the lowest was in HY. The highest antimicrobial activity shows EO and SWE for both varieties, while different UAE and MAE extracts have not exhibited antimicrobial activity. The natural antimicrobials in the S. montana extract samples obtained by green extraction methods, indicated the possibility of ecologically and economically better solutions for future in vivo application of the selected plant subspecies.
Epidemiology of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Streptococcus agalactiae Sequences from a Public Database in a One Health Perspective
Authors: Meroni Gabriele , Sora Valerio M. , Martino Piera Anna , Sbernini Alice , Laterza Giulia , Zaghen Francesca , Soggiu Alessio , Zecconi Alfonso
Published: September 2022

Streptococcus agalactiae is a well-known pathogen in humans and food-producing animals. Therefore, this bacterium is a paradigmatic example of a pathogen to be controlled by a One Health approach. Indeed, the zoonotic and reverse-zoonotic potential of the bacteria, the prevalence of Group B Streptococci (GBS) diseases in both human and animal domains, and the threatening global situation on GBS antibiotic resistance make these bacteria an important target for control programs. An epidemiological analysis using a public database containing sequences of S. agalactiae from all over the world was conducted to evaluate the frequency and evolution of antibiotic resistance genes in those isolates. The database we considered (NCBI pathogen detection isolate browser—NPDIB) is maintained on a voluntary basis. Therefore, it does not follow strict epidemiological criteria. However, it may be considered representative of the bacterial population related to human diseases. The results showed that the number of reported sequences increased largely in the last four years, and about 50% are of European origin. The frequency data and the cluster analysis showed that the AMR genes increased in frequency in recent years and suggest the importance of verifying the application of prudent protocols for antimicrobials in areas with an increasing frequency of GBS infections both in human and veterinary medicine.
Lonicerae Japonicae Flos Attenuates Neutrophilic Inflammation by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress
Authors: Lai Kuei-Hung , Chen Yu-Li , Lin Mei-Fang , El-Shazly Mohamed , Chang Yu-Chia , Chen Po-Jen , Su Chun-Han , Chiu Yen-Chun , Illias Amina M. , Chen Chih-Chuan , Chen Lo-Yun , Hwang Tsong-Long
Published: September 2022

Lonicerae japonicae flos (LJ) is an Asian traditional herb that is used as a dietary supplement, tea, and beverage to clear heat and quench thirst. However, no studies investigated its effect on activated human neutrophils, which played a crucial role in the bad prognosis of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) patients by aggravating lung inflammation and respiratory failure. Herein, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of LJ ethanol extract (LJEE) on human neutrophils activated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLF). Our experimental results indicated that LJEE suppressed fMLF-activated superoxide anion (O2•−) generation, the expression of CD11b, and cell adhesion and migration, as well as the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps in human neutrophils. Further in-depth mechanical investigation revealed that pretreatment with LJEE accelerated the Ca2+ clearance, but did not affect the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and protein kinase B (Akt) in activated human neutrophils. In addition, LJEE displayed a dose-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger activity, which assisted its anti-inflammatory activity. From the bioassay-coupled chromatographic profile, chlorogenic acids were found to dominate the anti-inflammatory effects of LJEE. Moreover, LJ water extract (LJWE) demonstrated an interrupting effect on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 spike protein (SARS-CoV-2-Spike)/angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) binding. In conclusion, the obtained results not only supported the traditional use of LJ for heat-clearance, but also suggested its potential application in daily health care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Agri-Food Waste from Apple, Pear, and Sugar Beet as a Source of Protective Bioactive Molecules for Endothelial Dysfunction and Its Major Complications
Authors: Caliceti Cristiana , Malaguti Marco , Marracino Luisa , Barbalace Maria Cristina , Rizzo Paola , Hrelia Silvana
Published: September 2022

Endothelial damage is recognized as the initial step that precedes several cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. It has been demonstrated that the best treatment for CVD is prevention, and, in the frame of a healthy lifestyle, the consumption of vegetables, rich in bioactive molecules, appears effective at reducing the risk of CVD. In this context, the large amount of agri-food industry waste, considered a global problem due to its environmental and economic impact, represents an unexplored source of bioactive compounds. This review provides a summary regarding the possible exploitation of waste or by-products derived by the processing of three traditional Italian crops—apple, pear, and sugar beet—as a source of bioactive molecules to protect endothelial function. Particular attention has been given to the bioactive chemical profile of these pomaces and their efficacy in various pathological conditions related to endothelial dysfunction. The waste matrices of apple, pear, and sugar beet crops can represent promising starting material for producing “upcycled” products with functional applications, such as the prevention of endothelial dysfunction linked to cardiovascular diseases.
Recent Development of the Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Hydrogen Sulfide Gasotransmitter
Authors: Liu Jianyun , Mesfin Fikir M. , Hunter Chelsea E. , Olson Kenneth R. , Shelley W. Christopher , Brokaw John P. , Manohar Krishna , Markel Troy A.
Published: September 2022

Hydrogen sulfide has been recently identified as the third biological gasotransmitter, along with the more well studied nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). Intensive studies on its potential as a therapeutic agent for cardiovascular, inflammatory, infectious and neuropathological diseases have been undertaken. Here we review the possible direct targets of H2S in mammals. H2S directly interacts with reactive oxygen/nitrogen species and is involved in redox signaling. H2S also reacts with hemeproteins and modulates metal-containing complexes. Once being oxidized, H2S can persulfidate proteins by adding -SSH to the amino acid cysteine. These direct modifications by H2S have significant impact on cell structure and many cellular functions, such as tight junctions, autophagy, apoptosis, vesicle trafficking, cell signaling, epigenetics and inflammasomes. Therefore, we conclude that H2S is involved in many important cellular and physiological processes. Compounds that donate H2S to biological systems can be developed as therapeutics for different diseases.
The NIN-Like Protein OsNLP2 Negatively Regulates Ferroptotic Cell Death and Immune Responses to Magnaporthe oryzae in Rice
Authors: Chen Yafei , Wang Juan , Nguyen Nam Khoa , Hwang Byung Kook , Jwa Nam Soo
Published: September 2022

Nodule inception (NIN)-like proteins (NLPs) have a central role in nitrate signaling to mediate plant growth and development. Here, we report that OsNLP2 negatively regulates ferroptotic cell death and immune responses in rice during Magnaporthe oryzae infection. OsNLP2 was localized to the plant cell nucleus, suggesting that it acts as a transcription factor. OsNLP2 expression was involved in susceptible disease development. ΔOsnlp2 knockout mutants exhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) and iron-dependent ferroptotic hypersensitive response (HR) cell death in response to M. oryzae. Treatments with the iron chelator deferoxamine, lipid-ROS scavenger ferrostatin-1, actin polymerization inhibitor cytochalasin A, and NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium suppressed the accumulation of ROS and ferric ions, lipid peroxidation, and HR cell death, which ultimately led to successful M. oryzae colonization in ΔOsnlp2 mutants. The loss-of-function of OsNLP2 triggered the expression of defense-related genes including OsPBZ1, OsPIP-3A, OsWRKY104, and OsRbohB in ΔOsnlp2 mutants. ΔOsnlp2 mutants exhibited broad-spectrum, nonspecific resistance to diverse M. oryzae strains. These combined results suggest that OsNLP2 acts as a negative regulator of ferroptotic HR cell death and defense responses in rice, and may be a valuable gene source for molecular breeding of rice with broad-spectrum resistance to blast disease.