bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fermentation, bioactivity and molecular identification of endophytic fungi isolated from mangrove Ceriops tagal
Authors: PUTRA I PUTU YOGI ASTARA , UTAMI KETUT SATVIKA , HARDINI JUNITA , WIRASUTA I MADE AGUS GELGEL , UJAM NONYE TREASURE , ARIANTARI NI PUTU
Published: June 2023

Abstract. Putra IPYA, Utami KS, Hardini J, Wirasuta IMAG, Ujam NT, Ariantari NP. 2023. Fermentation, bioactivity and molecular identification of endophytic fungi isolated from mangrove Ceriops tagal. Biodiversitas 24: 3091-3098. Mangrove-associated-endophytic fungi are recognized as a considerable source of bioactive compounds in drug discovery. This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity and toxicity of endophytic fungi isolated from Ceriops tagal. Four endophytic fungal isolates, documented as SU-1-4, were obtained. In addition, isolate SU-3 was further identified as Hypoxylon mangrovei according to the comparison of the internal transcribed spacer region. Each fungal isolate was fermented on a solid rice medium, then extracted with ethyl acetate at the end of fermentation. After that, the crude ethyl acetate extracts were partitioned between aqueous methanol and n-hexane, and the methanolic phases were subjected to phytochemical screening and antimicrobial and toxicity assays. Preliminary phytochemical identification suggested the presence of alkaloids, triterpenoids, and steroids in all fungal methanolic extracts. Among them, H. mangrovei SU-3 extract showed the most pronounced antimicrobial effects with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 125 and 250 µg.mL-1 towards Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228. Meanwhile, the toxicity assay employing the brine shrimp lethality test revealed that all fungal methanolic extracts were toxic, with LC50 values ranging from 173.09 to 227.76 µg.mL-1. Isolation of antibacterial compounds and evaluation of their cytotoxicity on human cancer cells will be promising for further studies.
Investigating the scientific knowledge–policy interface in EU climate policy
Authors: Dupont Claire , Rosamond Jeffrey , Zaki Bishoy L.
Published: June 2023

We provide an historical overview of the evolution of knowledge exchange architecture for climate policy in the EU. We investigate whether evolutions in the knowledge architecture reflect shifts in the politicisation of climate change. First, we outline a conceptualisation of politicisation that accounts for two types of effects: prioritisation leading to enabling conditions for knowledge exchange, and polarisation leading to constraining conditions. Next, we describe the shifting politicisation of climate change in the EU since the 1990s, followed by a discussion of the evolution of two key aspects of the knowledge exchange system: formal and informal aspects, focusing on knowledge exchange with the European Commission. Our analysis reveals connections between the development of the formal and informal aspects of the knowledge exchange architecture and the shifts in politicisation in different time periods. We find that when the politicisation of climate change led to a negative or constraining context, the informal aspects of the knowledge exchange architecture closed, making it more challenging for multidisciplinary scientific knowledge to enter the process. However, the formal aspects of the knowledge exchange architecture remained in place, even under constraining conditions. The article provides a nuanced assessment of the connections between the effects of politicisation and the potential for meaningful scientific–policy knowledge exchange, enhancing our understanding of both the politicisation of climate change and of knowledge exchange architectures.
Colonial Unknowing and Relations of Study
Authors: Vimalassery Manu , Pegues Juliana Hu , Goldstein Alyosha
Published: June 2023

In this essay, we elaborate on the ways in which colonial unknowing is always itself a response, an epistemological counter-formation, which takes shape in reaction to the lived relations and incommensurable knowledges it seeks to render impossible and inconceivable. Apprehending colonial unknowing as a counter-formation is also a way of de-centering whiteness. We look specifically to Black and Indigenous relations of study as a being and thinking with under conditions often inhospitable—conditions predicated on the uneven distribution of suffering and sustenance—as “dissident relations” shaped by collective struggle. This essay is written in conversation with Alex Trimble Young’s criticism of the “On Colonial Unknowing” special issue we edited for Theory & Event .
Genetic regulators of sputum mucin concentration and their associations with COPD phenotypes
Authors: Van Buren Eric , Radicioni Giorgia , Lester Sarah , O’Neal Wanda K. , Dang Hong , Kasela Silva , Garudadri Suresh , Curtis Jeffrey L. , Han MeiLan K. , Krishnan Jerry A. , Wan Emily S. , Silverman Edwin K. , Hastie Annette , Ortega Victor E. , Lappalainen Tuuli , Nawijn Martijn C. , Berge Maarten van den , Christenson Stephanie A. , Li Yun , Cho Michael H. , Kesimer Mehmet , Kelada Samir N. P.
Published: June 2023

Hyper-secretion and/or hyper-concentration of mucus is a defining feature of multiple obstructive lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Mucus itself is composed of a mixture of water, ions, salt and proteins, of which the gel-forming mucins, MUC5AC and MUC5B, are the most abundant. Recent studies have linked the concentrations of these proteins in sputum to COPD phenotypes, including chronic bronchitis (CB) and acute exacerbations (AE). We sought to determine whether common genetic variants influence sputum mucin concentrations and whether these variants are also associated with COPD phenotypes, specifically CB and AE. We performed a GWAS to identify quantitative trait loci for sputum mucin protein concentration (pQTL) in the Sub-Populations and InteRmediate Outcome Measures in COPD Study (SPIROMICS, n = 708 for total mucin, n = 215 for MUC5AC, MUC5B). Subsequently, we tested for associations of mucin pQTL with CB and AE using regression modeling (n = 822–1300). Replication analysis was conducted using data from COPDGene (n = 5740) and by examining results from the UK Biobank. We identified one genome-wide significant pQTL for MUC5AC (rs75401036) and two for MUC5B (rs140324259, rs10001928). The strongest association for MUC5B, with rs140324259 on chromosome 11, explained 14% of variation in sputum MUC5B. Despite being associated with lower MUC5B, the C allele of rs140324259 conferred increased risk of CB (odds ratio (OR) = 1.42; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10–1.80) as well as AE ascertained over three years of follow up (OR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.02–1.94). Associations between rs140324259 and CB or AE did not replicate in COPDGene. However, in the UK Biobank, rs140324259 was associated with phenotypes that define CB, namely chronic mucus production and cough, again with the C allele conferring increased risk. We conclude that sputum MUC5AC and MUC5B concentrations are associated with common genetic variants, and the top locus for MUC5B may influence COPD phenotypes, in particular CB.
New structures of Class II Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphatase from Francisella tularensis provide a framework for a novel catalytic mechanism for the entire class
Authors: Selezneva Anna I. , Harding Luke N. M. , Gutka Hiten J. , Movahedzadeh Farahnaz , Abad-Zapatero Celerino
Published: June 2023

Class II Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatases (FBPaseII) (EC: 3.1.3.11) are highly conserved essential enzymes in the gluconeogenic pathway of microorganisms. Previous crystallographic studies of FBPasesII provided insights into various inactivated states of the enzyme in different species. Presented here is the first crystal structure of FBPaseII in an active state, solved for the enzyme from Francisella tularensis (FtFBPaseII), containing native metal cofactor Mn2+ and complexed with catalytic product fructose-6-phosphate (F6P). Another crystal structure of the same enzyme complex is presented in the inactivated state due to the structural changes introduced by crystal packing. Analysis of the interatomic distances among the substrate, product, and divalent metal cations in the catalytic centers of the enzyme led to a revision of the catalytic mechanism suggested previously for class II FBPases. We propose that phosphate-1 is cleaved from the substrate fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (F1,6BP) by T89 in a proximal α-helix backbone (G88-T89-T90-I91-T92-S93-K94) in which the substrate transition state is stabilized by the positive dipole of the 〈-helix backbone. Once cleaved a water molecule found in the active site liberates the inorganic phosphate from T89 completing the catalytic mechanism. Additionally, a crystal structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis FBPaseII (MtFBPaseII) containing a bound F1,6BP is presented to further support the substrate binding and novel catalytic mechanism suggested for this class of enzymes.
Differentiation of white matter histopathology using b-tensor encoding and machine learning
Authors: Rios-Carrillo Ricardo , Ramírez-Manzanares Alonso , Luna-Munguía Hiram , Regalado Mirelta , Concha Luis
Published: June 2023

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) is a non-invasive technique that is sensitive to microstructural geometry in neural tissue and is useful for the detection of neuropathology in research and clinical settings. Tensor-valued diffusion encoding schemes (b-tensor) have been developed to enrich the microstructural data that can be obtained through DW-MRI. These advanced methods have proven to be more specific to microstructural properties than conventional DW-MRI acquisitions. Additionally, machine learning methods are particularly useful for the study of multidimensional data sets. In this work, we have tested the reach of b-tensor encoding data analyses with machine learning in different histopathological scenarios. We achieved this in three steps: 1) We induced different levels of white matter damage in rodent optic nerves. 2) We obtainedex vivoDW-MRI data with b-tensor encoding schemes and calculated quantitative metrics using Q-space trajectory imaging. 3) We used a machine learning model to identify the main contributing features and built a voxel-wise probabilistic classification map of histological damage. Our results show that this model is sensitive to characteristics of microstructural damage. In conclusion, b-tensor encoded DW-MRI data analyzed with machine learning methods, have the potential to be further developed for the detection of histopathology and neurodegeneration.
Physiological response of anthocyanin synthesis to different light intensities in blueberry
Authors: An Xiaoli , Tan Tianyu , Song Zejun , Guo Xiaolan , Zhang Xinyu , Zhu Yunzheng , Wang Delu
Published: June 2023

Fruit color is an important economic character of blueberry, determined by the amount of anthocyanin content. Anthocyanin synthesis within the blueberry fruits is significantly affected by light. To reveal the physiological response mechanism of anthocyanin synthesis in blueberry fruits in different light intensities, four light intensities (100% (CK), 75%, 50% and 25%) were set for the ’O’Neal’ southern highbush blueberry as the experimental material in our study. The relationship between endogenous hormones content, associated enzyme activities, and variations with the anthocyanin content in blueberry fruits under various light intensities during the white fruit stage (S1), purple fruit stage (S2), and blue fruit stage (S3) were studied. The results showed that adequate light could significantly promote anthocyanin synthesis in blueberry fruits (P < 0.05). Blueberry fruits had an anthocyanin content that was 1.76~24.13 times higher under 100% light intensity than it was under non-full light intensity. Different light intensities significantly affected the content of endogenous hormones and the activity of associated enzymes in anthocyanin synthesis pathway (P < 0.05). Among them, the JA (jasmonic acid) content and PAL (phenylalanine ammonia lyase) activity of fruits under 100% light intensity were 2.49%~41.83% and 2.47%~48.48% higher than those under other light intensity, respectively. And a significant correlation was found between the variations in anthocyanin content in fruits and the content or activities of JA, ABA (abscisic acid), ETH (ethylene), GA3 (gibberellin 3), IAA (indoleacetic acid), PAL, CHI (chalcone isomerase), DFR (dihydroflavonol reductase) and UFGT (UDP-glucose: flavonoid 3-glucosyltransferase) (P < 0.05). It indicated that 100% light intensity significantly promoted anthocyanin synthesis in blueberry fruits by affecting endogenous hormones content and associated enzyme activities in the anthocyanin synthesis pathway. This study will lay a foundation for further research on the molecular mechanism of light intensity regulating anthocyanin synthesis in blueberry.
Do system quality and information quality affect job performance? The mediation role of users’ perceptions
Authors: Saputra Deddy Eduar Eka , Maulida Rahma Vera , Eliyana Anis , Pratama Andika Setia , Anggraini Rachmawati Dewi , Kamil Nurul Liyana Mohd , Ismail Izlin
Published: June 2023

This study aims to analyze the influence of the system quality and information quality from the Correctional Database System (CDS) on the job performance of correctional Technical Support Officers (TSO) in Sumatra, either directly or through the mediating role of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. This study tested 118 correctional officers selected by the purposive sampling technique. A quantitative approach is used with Partial Least Square–Structural Equation Modeling analysis technique. It was found that the direct influence of the system and information quality on job performance is insignificant. Nonetheless, it shows that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness fully mediate system quality and information quality on job performance. The findings demonstrate that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are important factors that motivate individual performance when supported by high-quality information systems. This study provides an overview of the use of a mandatory system for public organizations and the effects on user performance. It can be used as a basis for correctional institutions to strengthen and maintain a positive perception of CDS among their officers, such as through mentoring programs.
Effect of surface-partial-volume correction and adaptive threshold on segmentation of uroliths in computed tomography
Authors: Neubauer Jakob , Wilhelm Konrad , Gratzke Christian , Bamberg Fabian , Reisert Marco , Kellner Elias
Published: June 2023

Computed tomography (CT) is used to diagnose urolithiasis, a prevalent condition. In order to establish the strongest foundation for the quantifiability of urolithiasis, this study aims to develop semi-automated urolithiasis segmentation methods for CT images that differ in terms of surface-partial-volume correction and adaptive thresholding. It also examines the diagnostic accuracy of these methods in terms of volume and maximum stone diameter. One hundred and one uroliths were positioned in an anthropomorphic phantom and prospectively examined in CT. Four different segmentation methods were developed and used to segment the uroliths semi-automatically based on CT images. Volume and maximum diameter were calculated from the segmentations. Volume and maximum diameter of the uroliths were measured independently by three urologists by means of electronic calipers. The average value of the urologists´ measurements was used as a reference standard. Statistical analysis was performed with multivariate Bartlett’s test. Volume and maximum diameter were in very good agreement with the reference measurements (r>0.99) and the diagnostic accuracy of all segmentation methods used was very high. Regarding the diagnostic accuracy no difference could be detected between the different segmentation methods tested (p>0.55). All four segmentation methods allow for accurate characterization of urolithiasis in CT with respect to volume and maximum diameter of uroliths. Thus, a simple thresholding approach with an absolute value may suffice for robust determination of volume and maximum diameter in urolithiasis.
The rupture risk factors of mirror intracranial aneurysms: A systematic review and meta-analysis based on morphological and hemodynamic parameters
Authors: Yong-Wei Huang , Wang Xiao-Yi , Li Zong-Ping , Yin Xiao-Shuang
Published: June 2023

Objective

Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are a prevalent form of vascular disease that can lead to fatal outcomes upon rupture. Mirror intracranial aneurysms (MIAs) are a specific type of multiple aneurysms situated symmetrically on both sides of the parent arteries. The factors contributing to the risk of MIA rupture, based on morphological and hemodynamic parameters, are currently controversial. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the risk factors for MIA rupture.

Methods

The study performed an electronic search of Chinese and English databases, including China national Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang, VIP, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library databases, and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The morphological parameters (IA size, aspect ratio [AR], size ratio [SR], bottleneck factor [BNF], height-width ratio [HWR], irregular shape) and hemodynamic parameters (wall shear stress [WSS], low WSS area [LSA], oscillatory shear index [OSI]) were analyzed for their significance in determining the risk of MIA rupture.

Results

The analysis comprised 18 retrospective studies involving 647 patients, with a total of 1294 IAs detected, including 605 ruptured and 689 unruptured. The meta-analysis revealed that IA size, AR, SR, and irregular shape exhibited significant differences between the ruptured and unruptured groups, but HWR did not. In terms of hemodynamic parameters, WSS, OSI, and LSA were found to have significant differences between the two groups.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that larger IAs, higher AR, SR, and BNF are associated with a higher risk of rupture in patients with MIAs, regardless of their location. there is no significant difference in HWR between the ruptured and unruptured groups. These preliminary findings offer valuable insights for clinical decision-making and a more comprehensive comprehension of the current MIA status. Nevertheless, larger and multi-center studies are indispensable for corroborating these findings.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ identifier: CRD42022345587.
Using a person-centered approach in clinical care for patients with complex chronic conditions: Perspectives from healthcare professionals caring for Veterans with COPD in the U.S. Veterans Health Administration’s Whole Health System of Care
Authors: Anderson Ekaterina , Wiener Renda Soylemez , Molloy-Paolillo Brianne , McCullough Megan , Kim Bo , Harris J. Irene , Rinne Seppo T. , Elwy A. Rani , Bokhour Barbara G.
Published: June 2023

Background

The largest nationally integrated health system in the United States, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), has been undergoing a transformation toward a Whole Health (WH) System of Care. WH Clinical Care, a component of this system, includes holistically assessing the Veteran’s life context, identifying what really matters to the Veteran, collaboratively setting and monitoring personal health and well-being goals, and equipping the Veteran with access to conventional and complementary and integrative health resources. Implementation of WH Clinical Care has been challenging. Understanding healthcare professionals’ perspectives on the value of and barriers and facilitators to practicing WH Clinical Care holds relevance for not only VHA’s efforts but also other health systems, in the U.S. and internationally, that are engaged in person-centered care implementation.

Objectives

We sought to understand perspectives of healthcare professionals at VHA on providing WH Clinical Care to Veterans with COPD, as a lens to understand the broader issue of WH Clinical Care for Veterans living with complex chronic conditions.

Design

We interviewed 25 healthcare professionals across disciplines and services at a VA Medical Center in 2020–2021, including primary care providers, pulmonologists, palliative care providers, and chaplains. Interview transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Key results

Each element of WH Clinical Care raised complex questions and/or concerns, including: (1) the appropriate depth/breadth of inquiry in person-centered assessment; (2) the rationale for elicitation of what really matters; (3) the feasibility and appropriate division of labor in personal health goal setting and planning; and (4) challenges related to referring Veterans to a broad spectrum of supportive services.

Conclusions

Efforts to promote person-centered care must account for healthcare professionals’ existing comfort with its elements, advocate for a team-based approach, and continue to grapple with the conflicting structural conditions and organizational imperatives.
Comparison of two suture techniques on the inflammatory signs after third molars extraction–A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Rodrigues Éwerton Daniel Rocha , Martins-de-Barros Allan Vinícius , Loureiro Ariana Maria Luccas Costa , Carvalho Marianne de Vasconcelos , Vasconcelos Belmiro
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Wound closure technique is an operative factor that influences early post-operative complications after third molar surgery. This study investigates and compared the effectiveness of two closure techniques, primary closure and healing by second intention of the oblique incision on postsurgical discomfort after mandibular third molar surgery.

Materials and methods

This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, split mouth controlled trial. Surgical sites were divided into two groups Control group received simple sutures in both alveolar crest incision and oblique incision and intervention group received simple sutures in alveolar crest incision, while the oblique incision healed by second intention. All the patients were instructed to measure pain according to visual analogue scale (VAS) in postoperative period, swelling, mouth opening was assessed at 72h and 7 days after surgery. The wound healing was assessed on day 7.

Results

Thirty-five patients, who had bilateral impacted third molars of similar surgical difficulty, were recruited. Thirty-one successfully completed the study. Patients in the second intention group had significantly less pain at 24h (p < 0.27). and 48h (< 0.001), had significantly less swelling (< 0.001) and trismus (< 0.001) and patients submitted to primary closure had a better evaluation of the Landry index (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Healing by second intention of the oblique relaxing incision by partial surgical wound closure, in our study, were superior to the primary closure in reduction of post-operative pain, swelling and trismus.

Trial registration

This trial is registered at Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials–ReBEC -UTN: RBR-5fxbqsf (https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-5fxbqsf).
Transformation of financial institutions grants from the government to inclusive financial institutions in Indonesia
Authors: Darwis Valeriana , Rachmawati Rika R. , Muslim Chairul , Chanifah  , Sembiring Asma , Ilham Nyak , Mufidah Lyli , Suhartini Sri H. , Basuki Rofik S. , Rina Yanti , Suharyon  , Nurdin Maryam , Dahya  , Damanik Mario , Dewi Dina O.
Published: June 2023

Low-income communities have limited capital and access to money or loans from formal financial institutions. To solve the problems, the government provides solutions, one of them is by forming a microfinance program, namely Rural Agribusiness Business Development (PUAP). PUAP program is one of the grant activities to farmer group association (Gapoktan) with a total capital assistance of IDR 100 million. The problem with the 52,186 Gapoktan units that participated in PUAP activities, only 7,703 units (15%) were transformed into Agribusiness Microfinance Institutions (LKMA). This paper differs from others as it briefly explains the PUAP/MFI’s institutional transformation and the factors that affect its sustainability, which is so far still limited discussed. The paper aims to see what transformations Gapoktan becomes an inclusive LKMA and the level of sustainability of the LKMA. The research was conducted in Kendal Regency, Central Java- Indonesia, in 2022 on 5 LKMA. The process of transforming LKMA into an inclusive financial institution is analyzed descriptively. LKMA sustainability levels were analyzed using a multidimensional scaling (MDS) approach with the Rapfish application. So far, MDS with the Rapfish application is still very limited for microfinance analysis. MDS analysis is employed because it is relatively simple and effective for looking at sensitive attributes in improving sustainability and generating leverage attributes that can be used for policy-making. The result study shows that the transformation of PUAP into LKMA is driven by the ability to improve legality, financial governance and diversify the customer’s business field. The five LKMAs have a sustainability status of ’sufficient’ in running their business, with an index value of more than 50%. The study recommends 1) the Indonesian government could assist LKMA in improving its legality and 2) LKMA’s management should get training by experts to improve its financial capability to manage the cost saving.
Intravenous chloral hydrate anesthesia provides appropriate analgesia for surgical interventions in male Sprague-Dawley rats
Authors: Ward-Flanagan Rachel , Dickson Clayton T.
Published: June 2023

Background

The use of chloral hydrate as a sole maintenance anesthetic agent in rodent research has been controversial due to statements made in reference literature conflicting with results of primary research studies regarding its analgesic efficacy, and because of its associated tissue damage when administered intraperitoneally.

Objective

Our aim was to assess the analgesic efficacy of chloral hydrate using an intravenous (i.v.) route of administration, in order to prevent the local tissue irritation or ileus that has been previously reported using intraperitoneal (i.p.) routes.

Methods

We measured tail withdrawal latencies to a nociceptive thermal stimulus (infrared beam) in Sprague-Dawley rats–first when awake (unanesthetized), and then subsequently during i.v. chloral hydrate anesthesia. During anesthesia we also measured ongoing heart and respiration rates.

Results

Withdrawal latencies during chloral hydrate anesthesia were significantly higher, and often maximal, indicating a robust analgesic effect. Importantly, both respiration and heart rate remained unchanged following exposure to the nociceptive stimulus, and were comparable to values observed under other anesthetics and during natural sleep.

Conclusions

Together with previous studies, these results demonstrate that i.v. chloral hydrate provides excellent anesthetic depth and analgesic efficacy for surgical manipulations in rats.
Bioinformatics approach for developing a minimum set of SNP markers for identification of temperate japonica rice varieties cultivated in Spain
Authors: Sales Ester , García-Romeral Julia , Domingo Concha
Published: June 2023

The use of molecular markers for plant variety identification and protection is increasing. For this purpose, SNP markers have provided a reliable and stable tool for plant genotyping. The availability of small and low-cost SNP panels to accelerate the identification of the cultivated rice varieties should be beneficial for breeders, seed certification entities and rice industry. With the intention of providing of such a facility, we first developed a simple and easy-handle bioinformatics tool based on the widely used and freely available software R to generate small sets of SNPs that can discriminate varieties, by selecting markers from a larger genotyping dataset. By applying this algorithm to data from a previously genotyped collection of temperate japonica varieties from different countries, we identified a minimal set of 31 SNPs markers to distinguish 210 varieties. In addition, we used this algorithm to discriminate the 43 most cultivated in Spain rice varieties with minimal sets of 8 SNPs. We then developed and tested 22 Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) assays for the markers included in these panels, and obtained reliable genotype patterns for rice varieties identification. The complete 22 markers panel and the rice genotypes data could offer a useful and low-cost tool for rice breeders and industry to identify varieties and therefore to guarantee the quality of rice. The provided R-based algorithm can be applied to other genomic resources to develop core sets of discriminating markers.
Effects of a time-use intervention in isolated patients with coronavirus disease 2019: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Jung Jae Hyu , Ko Jin Young , Hong Ickpyo , Jung Min-Ye , Park Ji-Hyuk
Published: June 2023

Objective

Patients with coronavirus disease experience deterioration in occupational balance and mental health. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a time-use intervention on the occupational balance of isolated patients with coronavirus disease. Its impact on secondary outcomes including mental health and quality of life was also assessed.

Methods

This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in a single community-based hospital. Forty-one patients (19 in the experimental group and 22 in the control group) with coronavirus disease were recruited between February 1, 2021, and March 19, 2021. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a time-use intervention or education on self-activity. The time-use intervention is to plan a daily routine to engage in meaningful occupations. It consisted of 4 steps: time-use analysis, occupation selection, arrangement of activities and practice, and occupational therapist intervention. The control group was educated on self-activity and spent time autonomously.

Outcomes and measures

The primary outcome was occupational balance, evaluated using the Korean version of the Life Balance Inventory. Secondary outcomes were mental health and quality of life assessed using the Korean version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Korean Form of Zung’s Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Korean version of the Insomnia Severity Index, Multidimensional State Boredom Scale-8, Fear of Coronavirus Disease: Korean version of the Fear of Coronavirus Disease Scale, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument-BRIEF. Outcome measures were evaluated at admission and discharge.

Results

The time-use intervention significantly improved occupational balance (F = 14.12, p < .001) and all other measures of depression, anxiety, boredom, fear, and quality of life. Conversely, the control group showed a worsening pattern for all measures.

Conclusion

The time-use intervention is effective for improving occupational balance, mental health, and quality of life in patients with coronavirus disease.
Not all who wander are lost: Trail bias in community science
Authors: Geurts Ellyne M. , Reynolds John D. , Starzomski Brian M.
Published: June 2023

The exponential growth and interest in community science programs is producing staggering amounts of biodiversity data across broad temporal and spatial scales. Large community science datasets such as iNaturalist and eBird are allowing ecologists and conservation biologists to answer novel questions that were not possible before. However, the opportunistic nature of many of these enormous datasets leads to biases. Spatial bias is a common problem, where observations are biased towards points of access like roads and trails. iNaturalist–a popular biodiversity community science platform–exhibits strong spatial biases, but it is unclear how these biases affect the quality of biodiversity data collected. Thus, we tested whether fine-scale spatial bias due to sampling from trails affects taxonomic richness estimates. We compared timed transects with experienced iNaturalist observers on and off trails in British Columbia, Canada. Using generalized linear mixed models, we found higher overall taxonomic richness on trails than off trails. In addition, we found more exotic as well as native taxa on trails than off trails. There was no difference between on and off trail observations for species that are rarely observed. Thus, fine-scale spatial bias from trails does not reduce the quality of biodiversity measurements, a promising result for those interested in using iNaturalist data for research and conservation management.
Mpropred: A machine learning (ML) driven Web-App for bioactivity prediction of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) antagonists
Authors: Ferdous Nadim , Reza Mahjerin Nasrin , Hossain Mohammad Uzzal , Mahmud Shahin , Napis Suhami , Chowdhury Kamal , Mohiuddin A. K. M.
Published: June 2023

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic emerged in 2019 and still requiring treatments with fast clinical translatability. Frequent occurrence of mutations in spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 led the consideration of an alternative therapeutic target to combat the ongoing pandemic. The main protease (Mpro) is such an attractive drug target due to its importance in maturating several polyproteins during the replication process. In the present study, we used a classification structure–activity relationship (CSAR) model to find substructures that leads to to anti-Mproactivities among 758 non-redundant compounds. A set of 12 fingerprints were used to describe Mproinhibitors, and the random forest approach was used to build prediction models from 100 distinct data splits. The data set’s modelability (MODI index) was found to be robust, with a value of 0.79 above the 0.65 threshold. The accuracy (89%), sensitivity (89%), specificity (73%), and Matthews correlation coefficient (79%) used to calculate the prediction performance, was also found to be statistically robust. An extensive analysis of the top significant descriptors unveiled the significance of methyl side chains, aromatic ring and halogen groups for Mproinhibition. Finally, the predictive model is made publicly accessible as a web-app named Mpropred in order to allow users to predict the bioactivity of compounds against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. Later, CMNPD, a marine compound database was screened by our app to predict bioactivity of all the compounds and results revealed significant correlation with their binding affinity to Mpro. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and molecular mechanics/Poisson Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA) analysis showed improved properties of the complexes. Thus, the knowledge and web-app shown herein can be used to develop more effective and specific inhibitors against the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. The web-app can be accessed fromhttps://share.streamlit.io/nadimfrds/mpropred/Mpropred_app.py.
Mechanisms involved in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (Nox)-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) modulation of muscle function in human and dog bladders
Authors: Frara Nagat , Giaddui Dania , Braverman Alan S. , Jawawdeh Kais , Wu Changhao , Ruggieri, Sr Michael R. , Barbe Mary F.
Published: June 2023

Roles of redox signaling in bladder function is still under investigation. We explored the physiological role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (Nox) in regulating bladder function in humans and dogs. Mucosa-denuded bladder smooth muscle strips obtained from 7 human organ donors and 4 normal dogs were mounted in muscle baths, and trains of electrical field stimulation (EFS) applied for 20 minutes at 90-second intervals. Subsets of strips were incubated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), angiotensin II (Ang II; Nox activator), apocynin (inhibitor of Noxs and ROS scavenger), or ZD7155 (specific inhibitor of angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor) for 20 minutes in continued EFS trains. Subsets treated with inhibitors were then treated with H2O2or Ang II. In human and dog bladders, the ROS, H2O2(100μM), caused contractions and enhanced EFS-induced contractions. Apocynin (100μM) attenuated EFS-induced strip contractions in both species; subsequent treatment with H2O2restored strip activity. In human bladders, Ang II (1μM) did not enhance EFS-induced contractions yet caused direct strip contractions. In dog bladders, Ang II enhanced both EFS-induced and direct contractions. Ang II also partially restored EFS-induced contractions attenuated by prior apocynin treatment. In both species, treatment with ZD7155 (10μM) inhibited EFS-induced activity; subsequent treatment with Ang II did not restore strip activity. Collectively, these data provide evidence that ROS can modulate bladder function without exogenous stimuli. Since inflammation is associated with oxidative damage, the effects of Ang II on bladder smooth muscle function may have pathologic implications.
The cytosolic N-terminal region of heterologously-expressed transmembrane channel-like protein 1 (TMC1) can be cleaved in HEK293 cells
Authors: Yamaguchi Soichiro , Kamino Maho , Hamamura Maho , Otsuguro Ken-ichi
Published: June 2023

Transmembrane channel-like protein 1 (TMC1) is a transmembrane protein forming mechano-electrical transduction (MET) channel, which transduces mechanical stimuli into electrical signals at the top of stereocilia of hair cells in the inner ear. As an unexpected phenomenon, we found that the cytosolic N-terminal (Nt) region of heterologously-expressed mouse TMC1 (mTMC1) was localized in nuclei of a small population of the transfected HEK293 cells. This raised the possibility that the Nt region of heterologously-expressed mTMC1 was cleaved and transported into the nucleus. To confirm the cleavage, we performed western blot analyses. The results revealed that at least a fragment of the Nt region was produced from heterologously-expressed mTMC1. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments identified amino acid residues which were required to produce the fragment. The accumulation of the heterologously-expressed Nt fragment into the nuclei depended on nuclear localization signals within the Nt region. Furthermore, a structural comparison showed a similarity between the Nt region of mTMC1 and basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors. However, transcriptome analyses using a next-generation sequencer showed that the heterologously-expression of the Nt fragment of mTMC1 hardly altered expression levels of genes. Although it is still unknown what is the precise mechanism and the physiological significance of this cleavage, these results showed that the cytosolic Nt region of heterologously-expressed mTMC1 could be cleaved in HEK293 cells. Therefore, it should be taken into account that the cleavage of Nt region might influence the functional analysis of TMC1 by the heterologous-expression system using HEK293 cells.
ECA-VFog: An efficient certificateless authentication scheme for 5G-assisted vehicular fog computing
Authors: Almazroi Abdulwahab Ali , Aldhahri Eman A. , Al-Shareeda Mahmood A. , Manickam Selvakumar
Published: June 2023

Fifth-generation (5G)-enabled vehicular fog computing technologies have always been at the forefront of innovation because they support smart transport like the sharing of traffic data and cooperative processing in the urban fabric. Nevertheless, the most important factors limiting progress are concerns over message protection and safety. To cope with these challenges, several scholars have proposed certificateless authentication schemes with pseudonyms and traceability. These schemes avoid complicated management of certificate and escrow of key in the public key infrastructure-based approaches in the identity-based approaches, respectively. Nevertheless, problems such as high communication costs, security holes, and computational complexity still exist. Therefore, this paper proposes an efficient certificateless authentication called the ECA-VFog scheme for fog computing with 5G-assisted vehicular systems. The proposed ECA-VFog scheme applied efficient operations based on elliptic curve cryptography that is supported by a fog server through a 5G-base station. This work conducts a safety analysis of the security designs to analysis the viability and value of the proposed ECA-VFog scheme. In the performance ovulation section, the computation costs for signing and verification process are 2.3539 ms and 1.5752 ms, respectively. While, the communication costs and energy consumption overhead of the ECA-VFog are 124 bytes and 25.610432 mJ, respectively. Moreover, comparing the ECA-VFog scheme to other existing schemes, the performance estimation reveals that it is more cost-effective with regard to computation cost, communication cost, and energy consumption.
Agricultural diversification and intra-household dietary diversity: Panel data analysis of farm households in Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Mohammad Jahangir , Begum Ismat Ara , Mastura Tamanna , Kishore Avinash , Woodhill Jim , Chatterjee Kuhu , Jackson Tamara
Published: June 2023

This paper investigates the associations between agricultural diversification and dietary diversity among men, women and children of farm households in Bangladesh. Using three waves of nationally representative Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (BIHS- 2011–12, 2015 and 2018) data and a panel data model, the study found that agricultural production diversification can emphasize the dietary diversification across the life cycle of farm household members. The balanced panel data reveals that agricultural production diversification has a statistically significant and positive impact on dietary diversity of individual members (men, women and children) of farm households. Moreover, other important factors that impact on agricultural diversification and improve dietary diversity like women’s education and employment, commercialization of farm households, access to non-farm income sources, and access to information facilities also have a strong association in improving dietary status, food and nutritional security as well. Although there is currently limited diversity in the diets of adult men, women and children of rural farm households, the situation can be improved over time with proper and consistent support. The findings suggest policy interventions should target not only agricultural diversification but also improve women’s education and on and off farm employment opportunities and facilitate better access to information for rural households. These recommendations can support improved dietary diversity for all household members under different settings.
Rates, patterns, and predictors of complementary medicine use among patients with musculoskeletal diseases
Authors: Alnaimat Fatima , Alduraidi Hamza , Alhafez Laila , Abu Raddad Lujain , Haddad Bassem I. , Hamdan Mohammad , Alajlouni Jihad , Afifi Fatma U.
Published: June 2023

Aim

To investigate the extent of complementary medicine (CM) use and the most common therapies utilized by Jordanian patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) diseases.

Methods

A semi-structured questionnaire was used to conduct a cross-sectional survey of outpatient orthopedic and rheumatology patients at an academic medical center in Amman, Jordan between January and September 2020.

Results

A convenience sample of 1001 patients was interviewed (82% females). Pearson’s chi-square comparisons showed that nutritional CM was used by 43.4% of patients, while 29.8% used physical CM, and 16% used both. Almost all used the nutritional or physical CM in addition to their prescribed treatment. Nutritional form use was significantly higher among females, older age groups, married people, and those who worked (p < .05). Physical form use was statistically more prevalent in older age groups and those with a higher level of education (p < .05). Family income and urban residence were not significantly associated with the use of either form of CM therapy. Olive oil was the most frequently reported nutritional type (22.9%), and cupping was the most reported physical type (41.6%). Recommendations to use CM came primarily from family members or friends (64% of nutritional CM users and 59% of physical CM users). A physician or pharmacist was cited more frequently with physical CM (24% versus 8% for the nutritional form). In contrast, media sources were cited more for nutritional than physical form (28% versus 7%). Over half of the patients believed they received the desired effect from CM. Surprisingly, only 9.5% of the patients admitted to discussing their CM use with their physician.

Conclusion

CM use is prevalent among Jordanian patients with MSK disorders. Most patients rely on family and friends for recommendations, and they rarely inform their physician of the CM use. Physicians should routinely inquire about CM to provide patients with information regarding their benefits and risks.
Parents’ views of psychological research with children: Barriers, benefits, personality, and psychopathology
Authors: Jungmann Stefanie M. , Grebinyk Galyna , Witthöft Michael
Published: June 2023

Psychological studies with children have difficulty recruiting participants and samples are more often selective. Given parental consent for children’s participation, this study examined parents’ perceived barriers and benefits of participating in studies and associated parental personality and psychopathological characteristics. Since there are hardly any instruments available so far, the study also aimed to develop questionnaires for the systematic and standardized assessment of barriers and benefits. One hundred and nine parents with children < 18 years completed questionnaires on willingness to participate, perceived barriers (Parents‘ Barriers for Participating in Research Questionnaire, P-BARQ) and benefits (Parents‘ Benefits for Participating in Research Questionnaire, P-BERQ), personality traits, trait anxiety, and psychopathological characteristics. The P-BARQ and P-BERQ showed overall acceptable model fits (TLI/CFI = .90–.94; RMSEA = .08/.14) and internal consistencies (α = .68–.86). Parents’ willingness to own participation in psychological studies and their support for children’s participation correlated negatively with perceived barriers to participation (r ≥ ǀ-.32ǀ, p < .001). Parental personality traits (such as agreeableness/openness) showed positive associations with one’s own participation (r ≥ .19, p < .005) and negative correlations with perceived barriers to participation (r ≥ ǀ-.24ǀ, p < .001), while parental psychopathological characteristics are more closely related to consent to children’s participation (r = .24, p < .05). Parental trait anxiety showed both a positive correlation with perceived barriers (uncertainty) and benefits (diagnostics/help) (r ≥ .20, p < .05). For the willingness to participate in studies, barriers seem to play a more crucial role than the benefits of participation. If more information is given about psychological studies, uncertainties and prejudices can be reduced.