bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulatory Effects of Heat-Inactivated Streptococcus Thermophilus Strain 7 on the Inflammatory Response: A Study on an Animal Model with TLR3-Induced Intestinal Injury
Authors: Lee Gilbert Aaron , Chang Yu-Wei , Lin Wan-Li , Yang Yu-Chen S. H. , Chen Wei-Jen , Huang Fu-Huan , Liu Yun-Ru
Published: January 2023

Rotavirus infections result in severe gastroenteritis with a detrimental inflammatory response in the intestine. Because probiotics have an anti-inflammatory effect and can modulate the gut microbiota profile, they can be used as a biotherapy for inflammatory intestinal diseases. In this study, we isolated Streptococcus thermophilus strain 7 (ST7) from cow milk and examined the effect of heat-inactivated ST7 on the intestinal histopathological score, inflammatory cytokine levels, T-cell activation and effector function, and microbiome profile in a mouse model with intestinal injury induced by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), a Toll-like receptor 3 agonist. The results indicated that ST7 treatment prevented weight loss and intestinal injury and prevented the upregulation of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-15 levels in intestinal epithelial cells; prevented the upregulation of inflammation-associated Gammaproteobacteria and Alistipes; and increased the levels of Firmicutes in fecal microbiota after poly I:C stimulation. ST7 treatment also increased the serum interferon-γ (IFN-γ) level and promoted the expression of IFN-γ in both CD8 and CD4 T cells. In summary, ST7 prevented the inflammatory response, promoted the T-cell effector function, and modulated the microbiota profile of mice with poly I:C-induced small intestine injury.
Experimental Study on Silt Soil Improved by Microbial Solidification with the Use of Lignin
Authors: Sun Yongshuai , Zhong Xinyan , Lv Jianguo , Wang Guihe
Published: January 2023

At present, in the field of geotechnical engineering and agricultural production, with increasingly serious pollution an environmentally friendly and efficient means is urgently needed to improve the soil mass. This paper mainly studied the microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology and the combined effect of MICP technology and lignin on the improvement of silt in the Beijing area. Through unconfined compressive strength and dynamic triaxial test methods, samples improved by microorganisms were studied to obtain the optimal values of cement concentration and lignin under these two test schemes. The results show that after the incubation time of Sporosarcina pasteurii reached 24 h, the OD600 value was 1.7–2.0 and the activity value (U) was 930–1000 mM ms/min. In the unconfined static pressure strength test, after MICP treatment the optimal concentration of cementitious solution for constant temperature and humidity samples and constant-temperature immersion samples was 1.25 mol/L. The compressive strength of the constant temperature and humidity sample was 1.73 MPa, and the compressive strength of the constant-temperature immersion sample was 3.62 Mpa. At the concentration of 1.25 mol/L of cement solution, MICP technology combined with lignin could improve the constant temperature and humidity silt sample. The optimal addition ratio of lignin was 4%, and its compressive strength was 1.9 MPa. The optimal lignin addition ratio of the sample soaked at a constant temperature was 3%, and the compressive strength was 4.84 MPa. In the dynamic triaxial multi-stage cyclic load test, the optimal concentration of cementation solution for the constant temperature and humidity sample after MICP treatment was 1.0 mol/L, and the failure was mainly inclined cracks. However, in the condition of joint improvement of MICP and lignin, the sample mainly had a drum-shaped deformation, the optimal lignin addition ratio was 4%, and the maximum axial load that the sample could bear was 306.08 N. When the axial dynamic load reached 300 N, the strain accumulation of the 4% group was only 2.3 mm. In this paper, lignin, an ecofriendly material, was introduced on the basis of MICP technology. According to the failure shape and relevant results of the sample, the addition of lignin was beneficial for the improvement of the compressive strength of the sample.
Gut Microbiota Analysis and In Silico Biomarker Detection of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder across Cohorts
Authors: Wang Wenjuan , Fu Pengcheng
Published: January 2023

The study of human gut microbiota has attracted increasing interest in the fields of life science and healthcare. However, the complicated and interconnected associations between gut microbiota and human diseases are still difficult to determine in a predictive fashion. Artificial intelligence such as machine learning (ML) and deep learning can assist in processing and interpreting biological datasets. In this study, we aggregated data from different studies based on the species composition and relative abundance of gut microbiota in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developed (TD) individuals and analyzed the commonalities and differences of ASD-associated microbiota across cohorts. We established a predictive model using an ML algorithm to explore the diagnostic value of the gut microbiome for the children with ASD and identify potential biomarkers for ASD diagnosis. The results indicated that the Shenzhen cohort achieved a higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) value of 0.984 with 97% accuracy, while the Moscow cohort achieved an AUROC value of 0.81 with 67% accuracy. For the combination of the two cohorts, the average prediction results had an AUROC of 0.86 and 80% accuracy. The results of our cross-cohort analysis suggested that a variety of influencing factors, such as population characteristics, geographical region, and dietary habits, should be taken into consideration in microbial transplantation or dietary therapy. Collectively, our prediction strategy based on gut microbiota can serve as an enhanced strategy for the clinical diagnosis of ASD and assist in providing a more complete method to assess the risk of the disorder.
Changes in Etiology and Clinical Outcomes of Pleural empyema during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Chan King-Pui , Ma Ting-Fung , Sridhar Siddharth , Lam David , Ip Mary , Ho Pak-Leung
Published: January 2023

Healthcare-seeking behavior changed during the COVID-19 pandemic and might alter the epidemiology of pleural empyema. In this study, the incidence, etiology and outcomes of patients admitted for pleural empyema in Hong Kong in the pre-COVID-19 (January 2015–December 2019) and post-COVID-19 (January 2020–June 2022) periods were compared. Overall, Streptococcus pneumoniae was the predominant organism in <18-year-old patients, while Streptococcus anginosus, anaerobes and polymicrobial infections were more frequent in adults. In the post-COVID-19 period, a marked decline in the incidence of pleural empyema in children was observed (pre-COVID-19, 18.4 ± 4.8 vs. post-COVID-19, 2.0 ± 2.9 cases per year, p = 0.036), while the incidence in adults remained similar (pre-COVID-19, 189.0 ± 17.2 vs. post-COVID-19, 198.4 ± 5.0 cases per year; p = 0.23). In the post-COVID-19 period, polymicrobial etiology increased (OR 11.37, p < 0.0001), while S. pneumoniae etiology decreased (OR 0.073, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, clinical outcomes (length of stay, ICU admission, use of intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy, surgical intervention, death) were not significantly different in pre- and post-COVID-19 periods. In conclusion, an increase in polymicrobial pleural empyema was observed during the pandemic. We postulate that this is related to the delayed presentation of pneumonia to hospitals.
Chemical and Microbial Characterization of Fermented Forest Litters Used as Biofertilizers
Authors: Marois Johann , Lerch Thomas Z. , Dunant Ugo , Farnet Da Silva Anne-Marie , Christen Pierre
Published: January 2023

The excessive use of chemicals in intensive agriculture has had a negative impact on soil diversity and fertility. A strategy for developing sustainable agriculture could rely on the use of microbial-based fertilizers, known as biofertilizers. An alternative to marketed products could be offered to small farmers if they could produce their own biofertilizers using forest litters, which harbor one of the highest microbial diversities. The aim of this study is to characterize microbial communities of Fermented Forest Litters (FFL), assuming that the fermentation process will change both their abundance and diversity. We investigated two types of differing in the chemical composition of the initial litters used and the climatic context of the forest where they are originated from. The abundance and diversity of bacterial and fungal communities were assessed using quantitative PCR and molecular genotyping techniques. The litter chemical compositions were compared before and after fermentation using Infrared spectrometry. Results obtained showed that fermentation increased the abundance of bacteria but decreased that of fungi. Low pH and change in organic matter composition observed after fermentation also significantly reduced the α-diversity of both bacterial and fungal communities. The higher proportion of aliphatic molecules and lower C/N of the FFLs compared to initial litters indicate that FFLs should be rapidly decomposed once added into the soil. This preliminary study suggests that the agronomic interest of FFLs used as biofertilizers is probably more related to the contribution of nutrients easily assimilated by plants than to the diversity of microorganisms that compose it. Further studies must be conducted with sequencing techniques to identify precisely the microbial species likely to be beneficial to plant growth.
Enhanced Recovery of Natural Antioxidants from Grape Waste Using Natural Eutectic Solvents-Based Microwave-Assisted Extraction
Authors: Cañadas Raquel , Sáenz de Miera Blanca , Méndez Paloma , González Emilio J. , González-Miquel María
Published: January 2023

The evaluation of sustainable solvents as alternatives to more harmful conventional solvents combined with intensification techniques to recover phenolic compounds from agri-food waste is in the spotlight. The wine industry generates large amounts of waste as a consequence of grape processing operations, which can be revalued by solvent extraction of valuable antioxidants for food and fine chemical applications. Therefore, the present study focuses on the use of natural eutectic solvents (NAESs) with benign environmental, health, and safety profiles, for valorization of grape waste in the context of a circular economy. Herein, up to 15 NAESs consisting of combinations of three hydrogen bond acceptors (choline chloride, L-proline, and betaine) and four hydrogen bond donors (1,2-propanediol, glycerol, and 1,2- and 1,3-butanediol) were evaluated for antioxidant recovery. After an initial screening of the performance of NAESs by conventional extraction, the process was intensified by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). The extracts were analyzed by UV/VIS spectrophotometric and HPLC methods. Promising results were obtained with the solvent betaine, 1,2-butanediol [1:4], using MAE at 100 °C for 3 min. Overall, the proposed NAESs-based MAE method was successfully applied to recover target compounds from grape waste, with great prospects for the antioxidants market and sustainable development for the winery sector.
Alkaloids and Styryl lactones from Goniothalamus ridleyi King and Their α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity
Authors: Polbuppha Isaraporn , Teerapongpisan Passakorn , Phukhatmuen Piyaporn , Suthiphasilp Virayu , Maneerat Tharakorn , Charoensup Rawiwan , Andersen Raymond J. , Laphookhieo Surat
Published: January 2023

Gonioridleylactam (1), a new compound, is a unique dimeric aristolactam isolated from the EtOAc extract of the twigs of Goniothalamus ridleyi King. The structure of gonioridleylactam (1) consists of two different aristolactams linked together with two methylenedioxy bridges at C–3/C–3′ and C–4/C–4′, generating a ten-membered ring of [1,3,6,8]tetraoxecine. A new natural product, gonioridleyindole (3-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-1H-benz[f]indole-4,9-dione, 2), together with eight known compounds (3–10) were also isolated from this plant. Their structures were extensively characterized by spectroscopic methods and comparisons were made with the literature. Compounds 1–4, 7, and 9 were evaluated for their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Of these, 3,5-demethoxypiperolide (7) displayed the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, with an IC50 value of 1.25 µM.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Orange and Methylene Blue Dyes by Engineering the Surface Nano-Textures of TiO2 Thin Films Deposited at Different Temperatures via MOCVD
Authors: Khalifa Zaki S. , Shaban Mohamed , Ahmed Inas A.
Published: January 2023

TiO2 thin films were deposited on quartz substrates by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) at temperatures of 250, 350, and 450 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data revealed the production of a pure anatase phase, a decrease in crystallite size, and a textural change as deposition temperature increased. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study the morphological properties and confirm XRD results. UV-Vis.-NIR spectroscopy was used to investigate the optical properties of the samples. The effect of deposition temperature on wettability was investigated using contact angle measurements. Sunlight photocatalytic properties increased with the increase in deposition temperature for methyl orange and methylene blue. Films were post-annealed at 500 °C for 2 h. The effect of annealing on all the above-mentioned properties was explored. The kinetic analysis demonstrated superb agreement with the kinetic pseudo-first-order model. The rate of photocatalytic degradation of MB was ~8, 13, and 12 times that of MO using 250, 350, and 450 °C deposited films, respectively. Photodegradation was found to depend on the specific surface area, type of pollutant, and annealing temperature.
Investigation of the Influence of Charge State and Collision Energy on Oligonucleotide Fragmentation by Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Gawlig Christopher , Rühl Michael
Published: January 2023

Due to the increasing pharmaceutical interest of oligonucleotides, for example in antisense therapy and vaccines, their analytical characterization is of fundamental importance due to their complex structure. For this purpose, mass spectrometry is a viable tool for structural studies of nucleic acids. Structural information regarding the primary sequence of a nucleic acid can reliably be gained via tandem mass spectrometry (MSMS) fragmentation. In this work, we present the characteristic fragmentation behavior of short-chain oligonucleotides (15–35 nucleotides) with respect to the collision-induced dissociation (CID) voltage used. The relationship and influence of the length of the oligonucleotide and its charge state is also discussed. The results presented here can be helpful for estimating the required fragmentation energies of short-chain oligonucleotides and their sequencing.
Identifications of Surfactin-Type Biosurfactants Produced by Bacillus Species Isolated from Rhizosphere of Vegetables
Authors: Bartal Attila , Huynh Thu , Kecskeméti Anita , Vörös Mónika , Kedves Orsolya , Allaga Henrietta , Varga Mónika , Kredics László , Vágvölgyi Csaba , Szekeres András
Published: January 2023

Surfactins are cyclic lipopeptides consisting of a β-hydroxy fatty acid of variable chain length and a peptide ring of seven amino acids linked together by a lactone bridge, forming the cyclic structure of the peptide chain. These compounds are produced mainly by Bacillus species and are well regarded for their antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities. For their surfactin production profiling, several Bacillus strains isolated from vegetable rhizospheres were identified by their fatty acid methyl ester profiles and were tested against phytopathogen bacteria and fungi. The isolates showed significant inhibition against of E. amylovora, X. campestris, B. cinerea, and F. culmorum and caused moderate effects on P. syringae, E. carotovora, A. tumefaciens, F. graminearum, F. solani, and C. gloeosporioides. Then, an HPLC-HESI-MS/MS method was applied to simultaneously carry out the quantitative and in-depth qualitative characterisations on the extracted ferment broths. More than half of the examined Bacillus strains produced surfactin, and the MS/MS spectra analyses of their sodiated precursor ions revealed a total of 29 surfactin variants and homologues, some of them with an extremely large number of peaks with different retention times, suggesting a large number of variations in the branching of their fatty acid chains.
3-Arylidene-2-oxindoles as Potent NRH:Quinone Oxidoreductase 2 Inhibitors
Authors: Lozinskaya Natalia A. , Bezsonova Elena N. , Dubar Meriam , Melekhina Daria D. , Bazanov Daniil R. , Bunev Alexander S. , Grigor’eva Olga B. , Klochkov Vladlen G. , Sokolova Elena V. , Babkov Denis A. , Spasov Alexander A. , Sosonyuk Sergey E.
Published: January 2023

The enzyme NRH:quinone oxidoreductase 2 (NQO2) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders, malaria, glaucoma, COVID-19 and cancer. NQO2 expression is known to be increased in some cancer cell lines. Since 3-arylidene-2-oxindoles are widely used in the design of new anticancer drugs, such as kinase inhibitors, it was interesting to study whether such structures have additional activity towards NQO2. Herein, we report the synthesis and study of 3-arylidene-2-oxindoles as novel NRH:quinone oxidoreductase inhibitors. It was demonstrated that oxindoles with 6-membered aryls in the arylidene moiety were obtained predominantly as E-isomers while for some 5-membered aryls, the Z-isomers prevailed. The most active compounds inhibited NQO2 with an IC50 of 0.368 µM. The presence of a double bond in the oxindoles was crucial for NQO2 inhibition activity. There was no correlation between NQO2 inhibition activity of the synthesized compounds and their cytotoxic effect on the A549 cell line.
Film Forming Systems for Delivery of Active Molecules into and across the Skin
Authors: Touitou Elka , Natsheh Hiba , Zailer Jana
Published: January 2023

We have investigated delivery systems that can form a structured matrix film on the skin after their application. In a previous work, we have shown that Weblike film forming systems (also called Pouches Drug Delivery Systems, PDDS) enable enhanced skin delivery of the incorporated molecules. These delivery systems are composed of one or more phospholipids, a short-chain alcohol, a polymer and optionally water. In this work, we continue the investigation and characterization of Weblike carriers focusing on some factors affecting the delivery properties such as components concentration and mode of application on the skin. Upon non-occluded application on the skin, the systems dry rapidly, forming a web-like structured film. Lidocaine, Ibuprofen, FITC and Cannabidiol are molecules with various physico-chemical properties that were incorporated in the carrier. The systems were tested in a number of in vitro and in vivo experiments. Results of the in vitro permeation of Ibuprofen through porcine skin indicated two-fold delivery through the skin of Ibuprofen when applied from our Weblike system in comparison with a nanovesicular carrier, the ethosome. We also have investigated weblike systems containing hemp seed oil (HSO). This addition enhanced the film’s ability to deliver lipophilic molecules to the deeper skin layers, leading to an improved pharmacodynamic effect. In analgesic tests carried out in a pain mice model following one hour application of CBD in Weblike system with and without HSO, the number of writhing episodes was decreased from 29 in the untreated animals to 9.5 and 18.5 writhes, respectively. The results of our work open the way towards a further investigation of Weblike film forming systems containing drugs for improved dermal and transdermal treatment of various ailments.
Optimization and Prediction of Stability of Emulsified Liquid Membrane (ELM): Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Zamouche Meriem , Tahraoui Hichem , Laggoun Zakaria , Mechati Sabrina , Chemchmi Rayene , Kanjal Muhammad Imran , Amrane Abdeltif , Hadadi Amina , Mouni Lotfi
Published: January 2023

In this work, the emulsified liquid membrane (ELM) extraction process was studied as a technique for separating different pollutants from an aqueous solution. The emulsified liquid membrane used consisted of Sorbitan mono-oleate (Span 80) as a surfactant with n-hexane (C6H14) as a diluent; the internal phase used was nitric acid (HNO3). The major constraint in the implementation of the extraction process by an emulsified liquid membrane (ELM) is the stability of the emulsion. However, this study focused first on controlling the stability of the emulsion by optimizing many operational factors, which have a direct impact on the stability of the membrane. Among the important parameters that cause membrane breakage, the surfactant concentration, the emulsification time, and the stirring speed were demonstrated. The optimization results obtained showed that the rupture rate (Tr) decreased until reaching a minimum value of 0.07% at 2% of weight/weight of Span 80 concentration with an emulsification time of 3 min and a stirring speed of 250 rpm. On the other hand, the volume of the inner phase leaking into the outer phase was predicted using an artificial neural network (ANN). The evaluation criteria of the ANN model in terms of statistical coefficient and RMSE error revealed very interesting results and the performance of the model since the statistical coefficients were very high and close to 1 in the four phases (R_training = 0.99724; R_validation = 0.99802; R_test = 0.99852; R_all data = 0.99772), and also, statistical errors of RMSE were minimal (RMSE_training= 0.0378; RMSE_validation = 0.0420; RMSE_test = 0.0509; RMSE_all data = 0.0406).
Study on the Shadow Effect of the Stress Field around a Deep-Hole Hydraulic-Fracturing Top-Cutting Borehole and Process Optimization
Authors: Wang Shuanlin , Luo Jianqiao
Published: January 2023

The clean utilization and green development of coal resources have become a research focus in recent years. Underground hydraulic fracturing technology in coal mines has been widely used in roof pressure relief, top coal pre-splitting, gas drainage, roadway pressure relief and goaf disaster prevention. Different in situ stress types cause great differences in the stress field around the boreholes, the critical pressure of the fracture initiation, and the direction of the fracture expansion trend; in addition, the stress shadow effect generated by the superposition of stress fields between boreholes relatively close together has a mutual coupling effect on the evolution of the stress field, the development of the plastic zone, and the crack propagation of the rock mass. Therefore, an effective method to solve the problem is to establish a mechanical model of hydraulic fracturing in boreholes for theoretical calculation, determine the influence mechanism of the crack shadow effect, and design a numerical simulation experiment of the equivalent stress fluid–solid coupling of hydraulic fracturing under different pore diameters and spacings. In addition, combining rock mechanics and fracture mechanics to analyze the influence of the shadow effect of the stress field between cracks on the evolution of the equivalent stress and the plastic zone is one of the important advances in this paper. Considering the engineering background of the site, the geological conditions and the requirements of general regulations, it is considered that the parameter selection of roof fracturing hydraulic fracturing technology in the Yushen mining area is more suitable when 0.12 m hole diameter and 3.5 m hole spacing are selected.
Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Complex Carbohydrates and the Mucus in a Mathematical Model of a Gut Reactor
Authors: Jegatheesan Thulasi , Moorthy Arun S. , Eberl Hermann J.
Published: January 2023

The human gut microbiota rely on complex carbohydrates for energy and growth, particularly dietary fiber and host-produced mucins. These complex carbohydrates must first be hydrolysed by certain microbial groups to enable cross-feeding by the gut microbial community. We consider a mathematical model of the enzymatic hydrolysis of complex carbohydrates into monomers by a microbial species. The resulting monomers are subsequently digested by the microbial species for growth. We first consider the microbial species in a single compartment continuous stirred-tank reactor where dietary fiber is the only available substrate. A two compartment configuration in which a side compartment connected by diffusion is also studied. The side compartment is taken to be the mucus layer of the human colon, providing refuge from washout and an additional source of complex carbohydrate in the form of mucins. The two models are studied using stability analysis, numerical exploration, and sensitivity analysis. The delay in substrate availability due to hydrolysis results in bistability and the unconditional asymptotic stability of the trivial equilibrium. The addition of the mucus compartment allows the microbial species to survive under conditions that would otherwise result in washout in a comparable single compartment reactor. This would suggest that depending on the features of the gut microbiota being studied, extracellular hydrolysis and a representation of the mucus layer should be included in mathematical and lab reactor models of the human gut microbiota.
Research on the Spatial Expansion Characteristics and Industrial and Policy Driving Forces of Chengdu–Chongqing Urban Agglomeration Based on NPP-VIIRS Night Light Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Wei Yali , Li Ying , Wang Siying , Wang Junyi , Zhu Yu
Published: January 2023

In the context of rapid urbanization development, exploring the driving forces and characteristics of urban agglomerations’ spatial expansion not only enriches the depth and breadth of research on urban agglomerations’ expansion in China, but also has great significance for future urban development planning, rational utilization of land resources, and protection of ecological environment. This study selects nighttime light data to extract the built-up areas of the Chengdu–Chongqing urban agglomeration from 2012 to 2020, and uses urban expansion speed, urban expansion intensity, urban center of gravity migration, compactness, and fractal dimension index, combined with driving force analysis, to explore its development. The results show the following: (1) From 2012 to 2020, the Chengdu–Chongqing urban agglomeration expanded around Chengdu and Chongqing, and the expansion scale of each city first increased and then decreased. (The expansion scale is a comprehensive result obtained by using the formula of urban expansion speed and expansion intensity, indicating the extent of urban expansion.) (2) The expansion direction of the Chengdu–Chongqing urban agglomeration keeps close to Chengdu and Chongqing. The urban spatial form is not stable and begins to focus on urban interior filling. (Urban interior filling refers to the infrastructure construction and content enrichment and renewal within an urban built-up area.) (3) The spatio-temporal expansion of the Chengdu–Chongqing urban agglomeration from 2012 to 2020 is most affected by the levels of economic development and regional investment.
Evaluation of Health Economic Loss Due to Particulate Matter Pollution in the Seoul Subway, South Korea
Authors: Thangavel Prakash , Kim Kyoung Youb , Park Duckshin , Lee Young-Chul
Published: January 2023

Evaluating an illness’s economic impact is critical for developing and executing appropriate policies. South Korea has mandatory national health insurance in the form of NHIS that provides propitious conditions for assessing the national financial burden of illnesses. The purpose of our study is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of PM2.5 exposure in the subway and a comparative analysis of cause-specific mortality outcomes based on the prevalent health-risk assessment of the health effect endpoints (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and ischemic heart disease (IHD)). We used the National Health Insurance database to calculate the healthcare services provided to health-effect endpoints, with at least one primary diagnosis in 2019. Direct costs associated with health aid or medicine, treatment, and indirect costs (calculated based on the productivity loss in health effect endpoint patients, transportation, and caregivers, including morbidity and mortality costs) were both considered. The total cost for the exposed population for these endpoints was estimated to be USD 437 million per year. Medical costs were the largest component (22.08%), followed by loss of productivity and premature death (15.93%) and other costs such as transport and caregiver costs (11.46%). The total incurred costs (per 1000 persons) were accounted to be USD 0.1771 million, USD 0.42 million, and USD 0.8678 million for COPD, Asthma, and IHD, respectively. Given that the economic burden will rise as the prevalence of these diseases rises, it is vital to adopt effective preventative and management methods strategies aimed at the appropriate population.
Digital Health Interventions to Improve Adolescent HPV Vaccination: A Systematic Review
Authors: Choi Jihye , Tamí-Maury Irene , Cuccaro Paula , Kim Sooyoun , Markham Christine
Published: January 2023

Digital technologies are being increasingly utilized in healthcare to provide pertinent and timely information for primary prevention, such as vaccination. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review to describe and assess current digital health interventions to promote HPV vaccination among adolescents and parents of adolescents, and to recommend directions for future interventions of this kind. Using appropriate medical subject headings and keywords, we searched multiple databases to identify relevant studies published in English between 1 January 2017 and 31 July 2022. We screened and selected eligible studies for inclusion in the final analysis. We reviewed a total of 24 studies, which included interventions using text messages (4), mobile apps (4), social media and websites (8), digital games (4), and videos (4). The interventions generally improved determinants of HPV vaccination, such as HPV-related knowledge, vaccine-related conversations, and vaccination intentions. In particular, text message and social media interventions targeted improved vaccine uptake behaviors, but little meaningful change was observed. In conclusion, digital health interventions can cost-effectively provide education about HPV vaccination, offer interactive environments to alleviate parental vaccine hesitancy, and ultimately help adolescents engage in HPV vaccine uptake.
Qualitative Conceptual Content Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Error Inquiries
Authors: Hall Elisha , Odafe Solomon , Madden Joseph , Schillie Sarah
Published: January 2023

The launch of the COVID-19 vaccination program was the largest vaccination campaign in U.S. history, with an unprecedented demand for vaccine and new vaccination providers, warranting significant education and communication efforts. NIP-INFO (nipinfo@cdc.gov) is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) immunization inquiry response service, and it receives inquiries for COVID-19 and routine non-COVID vaccines. A qualitative analysis of NIP-INFO’s content was performed to better characterize and understand some of the knowledge gaps and reasons that COVID-19 vaccine administration errors occur. A total of 734 COVID-19 vaccine administration error inquiries were received between January 2021 and April 2022. The most frequent inquiries related to storage (n = 191; 26.0%), incorrect dosage or product (n = 190; 25.9%), unauthorized age group (n = 108; 14.7%), and schedule (n = 105; 14.3%). Training and communication strategies are imperative to ensure proper vaccine administration and build and maintain vaccine confidence.
The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Meningococcal Vaccination Awareness, Delivery, and Coverage in Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States: A Systematic Review
Authors: Masaquel Catherine , Schley Katharina , Wright Kelly , Mauskopf Josephine , Parrish Ronika Alexander , Presa Jessica Vespa , Hewlett Dial
Published: January 2023

Vaccines remain a fundamental intervention for preventing illness and death. In the United States, suboptimal vaccine uptake in adolescents and young adults has been observed for meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) and serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccines, particularly among marginalized communities, despite current recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. A systematic literature search was conducted in the MEDLINE and MEDLINE In-Process, Embase, Cochrane, PsychInfo, and CINAHL databases to identify both drivers of, and barriers to, MenACWY and MenB vaccine uptake in adolescents and young adults. A total of 34 of 46 eligible studies that presented outcomes stratified by race/ethnicity, geography, and socioeconomic status were selected for review. Results showed MenACWY and MenB vaccination coverage in adolescents and young adults is impacted by racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic disparities. Gaps also exist in insurance for, or access to, these vaccines in adolescents and young adults. Moreover, there was variability in the understanding and implementation of the shared decision-making recommendations for the MenB vaccine. Disease awareness campaigns, increased clarity in accessing all meningococcal vaccines, and further research on the relationships between measures of marginalization and its impact on vaccine coverage in adolescents and young adults are needed to reduce the incidence of severe infections.
Effects of Heat-Killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 Supplementation on Growth Performance, Blood Profiles, Intestinal Morphology, and Immune Gene Expression in Pigs
Authors: Tartrakoon Wandee , Charoensook Rangsun , Incharoen Tossaporn , Numthuam Sonthaya , Pechrkong Thitima , Onoda Satoru , Shoji Gaku , Brenig Bertram
Published: January 2023

In the present study, the effects of dietary heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 (HK L-137) on the productive performance, intestinal morphology, and cytokine gene expression of suckling-to-fattening pigs were investigated. A total of 100 suckling pigs [(Large White × Landrace) × Duroc; 4.5 ± 0.54 kg initial body weight (BW)] were used and assigned to each of the four dietary treatments as follows: (1) a control diet with antibiotics as a growth promoter (AGP) from the suckling phase to the grower phase and no supplement in the finisher phases; (2) a control diet without antibiotics as a growth promoter (NAGP); (3) a control diet with HK L-137 at 20 mg/kg from the suckling phase to the starter phase and no supplement from the grower phase to the finisher phases (HKL1); and (4) a control diet with HK L-137 at 20 mg/kg from the suckling phase to the weaner phase, at 4 mg/kg from the starter phase to the finisher 1 phase, and no supplement in the finisher 2 phase (HKL2). During the weaner–starter period, the pigs fed on the AGP and HKL2 diets showed significantly higher weight gain and average daily gain (ADG) than those in the NAGP group (p < 0.05). The pigs in the AGP, HKL1, and HKL2 groups showed greater ADG than those in the NAGP groups (p < 0.05) throughout the grower–finisher period. The suckling pigs in the HKL1 and HKL2 groups showed a higher platelet count (484,500 and 575,750) than in the others (p < 0.05); however, there were no significant differences in the other hematological parameters among the treatment groups. The relative mRNA expression level of IFN- ß of the suckling and starter pigs were significantly higher in the HKL1 and HKL2 groups than in the others (p < 0.05), while the IFN-γ showed the highest level in the HKL2 suckling pigs (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that a HK L-137 supplementation could stimulate the immune response in suckling and starter pigs and promote the growth performance in finishing pigs.
Caring for Canines: A Survey of Dog Ownership and Parasite Control Practices in Ireland
Authors: Sherlock Caoimhe , Holland Celia V. , Keegan Jason D.
Published: January 2023

Dogs are an important part of life for many people. Dog ownership can confer various health benefits to their owners, but it also presents some risks. In order to establish if dog owners were aware of these risks, an online survey of dog ownership practices was carried out. The survey was open during the month of January 2022 and received 662 responses regarding 850 individual dogs. Overall, 52% of people reported deworming their dog between zero and twice a year, which is unlikely to reduce the risk of infection to humans. The majority of dog owners (71%) reported disposing of faeces correctly; however, when comparing urban and rural environments, 33% of those in rural environments did not dispose of their dogs’ faeces at all, compared with 3% of people in urban locations. People who obtained their dog during the pandemic brought their dog to the vet and dewormed them more frequently than those who obtained their dog before the pandemic. There were no differences in how faeces was disposed of between these groups. These results indicate that we, as researchers and veterinarians, have much work to do in terms of educating dog owners about the ways in which we can reduce the risk of infection to ourselves and our communities.
A case of the development of early mental and autonomic disorders in a patient with Parkinson's disease. differential diagnosis with atypical parkinsonism
Authors:   1FSBEI HE «NOSMA» Vladikavkaz, Kumakhov A. A. , Bekuzarova M. R. ,   1FSBEI HE «NOSMA» Vladikavkaz, Khasaeva M. A. ,   2FSBEI HE «KBSU named after H. M. Berbekov» Nalchik, Shakova Z. M. ,   2FSBEI HE «KBSU named after H. M. Berbekov» Nalchik
Published: January 2023

Parkinson's disease is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by early pronounced death of dopaminergic neurons in the compact substantia nigra with accumulation of intracellular pathological protein alpha-synuclein. It is often necessary to carry out differential diagnosis of this disease with atypical types of parkinsonism, such as multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, and diffuse Lewy body disease. Given the fact that the diagnosis of all types of Parkinsonism basically consists in conducting a clinical examination, specialists often find it difficult to make the correct diagnosis. This article describes the differential diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy on the example of a clinical case. The purpose of studying this case is to help practitioners in making diagnoses of Parkinsonism. A patient with symptoms of Parkinsonism was examined, followed by differential diagnosis based on the obtained clinical and instrumental data. The verification of the diagnosis caused particular difficulty due to the presence of various combined symptoms of Parkinsonism. Ultimately, based on clinical and instrumental studies, the decision was made in favor of Parkinson's disease, which was confirmed by the fact of a positive response to Levodopa therapy. Undoubtedly, every practicing neurologist needs to know the clinical features of various types of parkinsonism in order to make a correct diagnosis, and, accordingly, prescribe the correct treatment in the future.
Optimisation of Safe Loading Density for Live Transportation of Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792), Yearlings in Plastic Bags
Authors:   ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal 263136, Uttarakhand, India, RAJESH MANCHI , KAMALAM BIJU SAM , DUBEY MANEESH KUMAR , GANIE PARVAIZ AHMAD , KUNAL KISHOR
Published: January 2023

A field study evaluated the safe loading density for live transportation of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792), yearlings in plastic bags of super-oxygenated water. The experimental fish (197.5 ± 40 g) were starved for 72 h and mildly sedated with clove oil (40 µL.L-1 for 2–3 min) before packing. Three loading densities of live rainbow trout (120, 170, 230 g.L-1) were packed in plastic bags containing 6 L of stream water and 10–12 L of medical-grade oxygen gas. Six replicate bags per loading density were then subjected to 10 h of transportation by road at ~10 °C. On arrival at the destination, important water quality indicators and fish survival were recorded from each plastic bag. With increasing fish loading density, there was a corresponding increase in the concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), free ammonia (NH3), total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations and specific conductivity in the transport water, and a decrease in dissolved oxygen (DO, R2 = 0.91-0.99). These differences in vital water quality indicators were significantly more in the 230 g.L-1 group. However, there was no mortality even at the highest loading density, as the critical water quality parameters did not cross the acute lethal thresholds for rainbow trout. Based on the findings, it is recommended that a loading density of 230 g.L-1 is safe for live transportation of rainbow trout yearlings in plastic bags over a transport duration of 10 h at ~10 °C, following adequate starvation and mild sedation.
À propos de la construction sexuée de l’espace urbain
Authors: Coutras Jacqueline
Published: January 2023

Jacqueline Coutras : On the gendered construction of urban space.

Is the construction of the town, as it can be understood through its organization into separate zones - considered to be “complementary” to each other-based on the division between the sexes and in particular the sexual division of labour ? In order to study this “hidden dimension” of space it seems necessary to centre the analysis on the economic and ideological dimensions of urban functioning and at two levels (local and the urban unit). According to the author, only this approach to the town makes it possible to bring out to what extent women’s spatial duty, which has never been recognised as such and which is circumscribed to the immediate residential area, is in fact one of the fundamental elements of the coherence and thus of the solidity of the overall urban organization in our modem north-western cities.
Normes et valeurs dans l’éducation des jeunes enfants en Allemagne
Authors: Ludwig Béatrice
Published: January 2023

En favorisant l’éducation du jeune enfant dans la famille jusqu’à l’âge de trois ans, la politique familiale en Allemagne augmente pour les mères le risque d’une désinsertion professionnelle. Si des changements de points de vue se sont fait jour dans l’histoire des modes de garde, on voit perdurer un clivage très fort entre les partisans des crèches et leurs détracteurs qui défendent la prédominance des compétences parentales, en particulier maternelles, dans la prise en charge du très jeune enfant. L’étude d’un mode d’accueil collectif particulier -«le groupe d’âges mélangés», appelé aussi «le modèle de Cologne » -permet de saisir combien une telle approche de la socialisation est difficile à mettre en œuvre dans un contexte politique marqué par les représentations idéologiques des Églises et des deux grands partis, la CDU et le SPD, sur la famille, l’insertion professionnelle des mères et l’éducation des jeunes enfants.
The ethnic core of unionique music: Ravi Shankar’s Concerto No 1 for Sitar & Orchestra and Anoushka Shankar’s Land of Gold album
Authors: Iryna Paliy
Published: January 2023

Statement of the problem. This article focuses attention on the vivid examples of interaction among fundamentally different spheres of music playing: ethnic, academic, jazz and modern pop music. The growing number of examples of combining music with various types of thinking and rules of organizing musical materials, observed during the past 70 years, posed a question to music theoreticians and historians concerning the genre-based definition of these fundamentally new types of music. Presently, none of the existing genre-based definitions of the aforementioned musical compositions has a concrete wholesome description; they contain numerous contradictions, tautologies and interchangeable terms. To solve these problems, we have introduced a separate category, unionique music, which includes music works created as a result of organic combination of elements from a broad range of music spheres: from the music of Western European academic tradition to electronic music. This article offers an analysis of Ravi Shankar’s Concerto No 1 for Sitar & Orchestra and Anoushka Shankar’s Land of Gold album. A characteristic feature of these works is the basic ethnic component, while in other aspects, they have essential differences. Analysis of recent research and publications. An important place in this article is occupied by the world music genre, because it contains a vividly expressive ethnic component. Therefore, this article uses research works devoted to the world music genre by P. Bohlman, R. Middleton, M. Hart, I. Fedorova, and the studies of history and theory of Indian musical culture. The main goal of the study is to identify, based on the analysis of Ravi Shankar’s Concerto No 1 for Sitar & Orchestra and Anoushka Shankar’s Land of Gold album, the factors that place these compositions into the unionique music category. Methodology: the historical, analytical and comparative methods were used to achieve the goal set forth in this article. Results and conclusions. Our analysis has revealed that Anoushka Shankar’s Land of Gold album and Ravi Shankar’s Concerto No 1 for Sitar & Orchestra are the works that have no analogues, and based on all features, they fall into the unionique music category. The author of this article has come to a conclusion that a new paradigm of musical thinking has occurred in the 21st century, featuring the use of a broad range of expressive means in the works of music to create compositions at a fundamentally different level. The importance of perceiving all spheres of music playing as equal parts of a wholesome picture of the musical world as well as the understanding the rules of every sphere of music was stressed upon. The fact that interaction among music domains has a substantial potential for the creation of various interesting compositions that enrich the musical culture was established.