bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding Experiences of Fibromyalgia Patients Involved in the Fimouv Study During COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Colas Claire , Jumel Audrey , Vericel Marie-Pierre , Barth Nathalie , Manzanares Jessica , Goutte Julie , Fontana Luc , Féasson Léonard , Hupin David , Guyot Jessica
Published: July 2021

Introduction:The COVID-19 pandemic implied a period of lockdown for the general population, increasing the risk to develop some physical or mental disorders. In fibromyalgia patients, these disorders are part of the large clinical picture of the syndrome. Fibromyalgia management is especially based on a regular practice of physical activity. Lockdown imposed a break in rhythms, requiring a restructuring of scheduling. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the experiences of fibromyalgia patients during COVID-19 lockdown using a qualitative analysis.

Method:19 patients (52 ± 9 years old) who completed a 3-month therapeutic education and/or supervised physical activity program were invited to participate (Fimouv study, Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04107948). A sociologist collected data by means of semi-structured interviews and analyzed them using thematic content analysis.

Results:Lockdown exacerbated the main symptoms of fibromyalgia, but adjusting the rhythms of life to fluctuations of these symptoms allowed a better quality of life. Patients felt the lack of physical activity and 68% found alternatives to remain physically active. The reduction of social constraints allowed them to better contend with their pathology. Fibromyalgia stopped being a main priority.

Conclusion:Lockdown was positively experienced by fibromyalgia patients. They linked the absence of physical activity with increased pain and fatigue. Nevertheless, reducing social constraints could be a key for fibromyalgia management, where symptoms seemed to take less space in everyday life.

Clinical Trial Registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04107948.
Measuring Emerging Number Knowledge in Toddlers
Authors: Silver Alex M. , Elliott Leanne , Braham Emily J. , Bachman Heather J. , Votruba-Drzal Elizabeth , Tamis-LeMonda Catherine S. , Cabrera Natasha , Libertus Melissa E.
Published: July 2021

Recent evidence suggests that infants and toddlers may recognize counting as numerically relevant long before they are able to count or understand the cardinal meaning of number words. The Give-N task, which asks children to produce sets of objects in different quantities, is commonly used to test children’s cardinal number knowledge and understanding of exact number words but does not capture children’s preliminary understanding of number words and is difficult to administer remotely. Here, we asked whether toddlers correctly map number words to the referred quantities in a two-alternative forced choice Point-to-X task (e.g., “Which has three?”). Two- to three-year-old toddlers (N = 100) completed a Give-N task and a Point-to-X task through in-person testing or online via videoconferencing software. Across number-word trials in Point-to-X, toddlers pointed to the correct image more often than predicted by chance, indicating that they had some understanding of the prompted number word that allowed them to rule out incorrect responses, despite limited understanding of exact cardinal values. No differences in Point-to-X performance were seen for children tested in-person versus remotely. Children with better understanding of exact number words as indicated on the Give-N task also answered more trials correctly in Point-to-X. Critically, in-depth analyses of Point-to-X performance for children who were identified as 1- or 2-knowers on Give-N showed that 1-knowers do not show a preliminary understanding of numbers above their knower-level, whereas 2-knowers do. As researchers move to administering assessments remotely, the Point-to-X task promises to be an easy-to-administer alternative to Give-N for measuring children’s emerging number knowledge and capturing nuances in children’s number-word knowledge that Give-N may miss.
Quality of the Physical Education Teacher’s Instruction in the Perspective of Self-Determination
Authors: Vergara-Torres Argenis P. , Tristán José , López-Walle Jeanette M. , González-Gallegos Alejandra , Pappous Athanasios Sakis , Tomás Inés
Published: July 2021

The teacher’s instructions in physical education class have important implications for the psychological well-being of their students. The aim of this study was to analyze, under the postulates of the Self-Determination Theory (SDT), a model with the following sequence: the perception of the quality of the instructions (task presentation, amount of corrective feedback, and its legitimate perception) generated by the physical education teacher, the satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs and the subjective vitality in young students. The participants were 890 students (462 males and 428 females) of primary level from the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Mexico, between ages 11 and 13 (M = 11.36; SD = 0.49). The structural equation modeling showed positive and significant associations in all model interrelations, that is, task presentation and the amount of corrective feedback (B = 0.88, p < 0.001), and this in turn with legitimate perception (B = 0.81, p < 0.001); the legitimate perception of feedback and the satisfaction of the need for autonomy, competence, and relatedness (B = 0.63, p < 0.001; B = 0.90, p < 0.001; B = 1.01, p < 0.001, respectively); finally, the satisfaction of the three psychological needs and the subjective vitality (B = 0.12, p < 0.01; B = 0.43, p < 0.001; B = 0.24, p < 0.001, respectively). Therefore, the importance of a quality task presentation, as well as providing corrective feedback based on support for autonomy, is evident, so that students perceive it legitimately and thus facilitate the satisfaction of their basic psychological needs and in consequence, indicators of psychological well-being such as subjective vitality.
Challenges on Radical Health Redesign to Reconfigure the Level of e-Health Adoption in EU Countries
Authors: Luca Magda Mihaela , Mustea Lavinia , Taran Alexandra , Stefea Petru , Vatavu Sorana
Published: July 2021

The recent worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of a performant public sector in terms of health. To achieve greater use and efficiency of health information and communication technology (ICT), the whole community of European states needs a model to develop a common strategy to support the implementation of e-health and reduce decision-making difficulties. Our research suggests such a model, starting from the level of adoption to the implementation of e-health and points out the existing disparities in the European countries regarding the difficulties of adopting e-health. We draw a composite index to assess the inequalities present in the quality of life, the public health system, and the adoption of e-health. Furthermore, to return to a hierarchy of European countries, the relative distance method (RDM) is applied by combining various classification criteria. The results identify the European countries with the highest levels of adoption (Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom), where e-health is routine, and the countries with the lowest levels of adoption (Greece, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Romania, and Slovakia), where e-health is not widespread. These results reveal critical implications in identifying solutions to reduce the gaps between countries, identifying public policies to support the adoption of e-health, and reducing difficulties in decision-making.
MR Imaging of Cochlear Modiolus and Endolymphatic Hydrops in Patients With Menière's Disease
Authors: Sousa Rita , Guerreiro Carla , Eça Tiago , Campos Jorge , Luis Leonel
Published: July 2021

Background: Menière's disease (MD) is an inner ear disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of spontaneous vertigo, unilateral low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness. Current diagnosis still often has to rely on subjective and audiometric criteria only, although endolymphatic hydrops is recognized as the pathophysiological substrate of the disease, having been demonstrated in anatomical pathological studies and by magnetic resonance (MRI). The modiolus has a close functional and anatomical relationship with the cochlear nerve and membranous labyrinth and can be evaluated with MRI but no data exist on the modiolar size in MD.

Purpose: Our purpose is to examine the following hypothesis. Is cochlear modiolus smaller in symptomatic ears in MD?

Methods: We used a retrospective 3 Tesla MR study (heavily T2-weighted 3D fast asymmetric spin-echo images and 0.5 mm slice thickness) comparing the mean modiolar area (MMA) in the index and best ears of eight patients with definite MD based on audiometric data. The obtained MMA values were compared against the audiometric data and the presence of vestibular endolymphatic hydrops.

Results: No differences were seen in MMA between best and worst ears. Ears with a pure tone average (PTA) ≥25 dB and more pronounced endolymphatic hydrops showed lower MMA (not statistically significant). Two patients with extreme endolymphatic hydrops showed a noteworthy ipsilateral decrease in the cochlear modiolus area.

Conclusion: No differences were seen in MMA between best and worst ears in definite MD. Worse hearing function (PTA ≥ 25dB) and more pronounced endolymphatic hydrops seem to be associated with lower MMA. This might be related to bone remodeling as a consequence of endolymphatic hydrops. Further research is needed to corroborate and explore these findings.
Classroom Immigrant Density Predicts Psychological Well-Being Among Adolescents With an Immigration Background: Findings From the 2017/18 Swedish Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Study
Authors: Granvik Saminathen Maria , Löfstedt Petra , Låftman Sara Brolin
Published: July 2021

Objectives:Group-level characteristics in shared contexts such as schools may affect adolescent psychological health. This study examined if the immigrant density in the classroom was associated with the level of self-reported psychological complaints among students with an immigration background.

Methods:Cross-sectional data were derived from 2,619 lower secondary school students (aged 13–15) in the 2017/18 wave of the Swedish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey. Using multilevel analysis estimating two-level random intercept linear regression models, classroom immigrant density was considered as a potential predictor of immigrant students’ psychological complaints.

Results:Students with an immigration background reported significantly fewer psychological complaints, on average, than students without such a background, even when adjusting for other sociodemographic characteristics. A cross-level interaction indicated that both first- and second-generation immigrant students experienced fewer psychological complaints in immigrant-dense classes compared to when the proportion of immigrant students was lower.

Conclusion:Students with an immigration background fare better psychologically in classes with a higher proportion of immigrant students. Such compositional effects could be alleviated by strengthening all schools’ capacities to provide a more inclusive classroom climate.
Development of Multi-Actor Multi-Criteria Analysis Based on the Weight of Stakeholder Involvement in the Assessment of Natural–Cultural Tourism Area Transportation Policies
Authors: Putro Heru Purboyo Hidayat , Pradono Pradono , Setiawan Titus Hari
Published: July 2021

Multi-actor multi-criteria analysis (MAMCA) was developed with a process involving the participation of various stakeholders. Stakeholders express various criteria as measures for the achievement of their respective goals. In general, the assessment of each stakeholder is considered to have the same weight. In reality, the weight of each stakeholder’s involvement in policy decision making is not the same. For example, the government’s assessment weight will be different from those of local business actors. In this study, the authors developed a multi-actor multi-criteria analysis method by adding the weight of stakeholder involvement when making decisions about transportation policies that support sustainable mobility in protected natural–cultural tourism areas. The weight of involvement was developed through stakeholder participation. Stakeholders were asked to provide weights for all stakeholders other than themselves using the AHP method. The results of this weighting were then averaged and considered as the stakeholder assessment weights. Adding stakeholder weighting can also improve the quality of decisions by avoiding bias and following the principle of fairness in the assessment.
Coronatine Modulated the Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species for Regulating the Water Loss Rate in the Detaching Maize Seedlings
Authors: Yu Haiyue , Wang Yubin , Xing Jiapeng , Zhang Yushi , Duan Liusheng , Zhang Mingcai , Li Zhaohu
Published: July 2021

Coronatine (COR), a structural and functional mimic of jasmonates, is involved in a wide array of effects on plant development and defense response. The present study aims to investigate the role of COR, in counteracting drought stress by modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, water balance, and antioxidant regulation in detached maize plants. Our results showed that COR can markedly decrease the water loss rate, but the antioxidants diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI) and dimethylthiourea (DMTU) eliminate the effect of water loss induced by COR. Using the dye 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (H2DCF-DA) loaded in the maize epidermis guard cells, it is observed that COR could increase ROS production, and then antioxidants DPI and DMTU decreased ROS production induced by COR. In addition, the expression of ZmRBOHs genes, which were associated with ROS generation was increased by COR in levels and ZmRBOHC was highly expressed in the epidermis guard cells. Moreover, COR-treated plants increased H2O2 and O2−· accumulation, antioxidant enzyme activities in control plants, while COR relieved the ROS accumulation and antioxidant enzyme activities under PEG treatment. These results indicated that COR could improve maize performance under drought stress by modulating ROS homeostasis to maintain water loss rate and antioxidant enzyme activities.
Rebalance the Nutritional Status and the Productivity of High CaCO3-Stressed Sweet Potato Plants by Foliar Nourishment with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Awad Ahmed A. M. , Sweed Atef A. A. , Rady Mostafa M. , Majrashi Ali , Ali Esmat F.
Published: July 2021

The use of nano-fertilizers and antioxidants for specific crops to minimize the negative effect of abiotic stresses is imperative. Two field experiments were fulfilled during two summer seasons (2019 and 2020) to study the response of sweet potato (Beauregard cv.) plants grown in calcareous soil (CaCO3 = 10.8–11.3%) to foliar nourishment with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and ascorbic acid (ASA) applied individually or in a mixture. Both ZnONPs and ASA were applied in three doses: 0, 1000, or 1500 mg L−1 for ZnONPs, and 0, 250 and 500 mg L−1 for ASA. The highest values of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) contents were recorded in both seasons, while those of phosphorus (P) and copper (Cu) were recorded in the 2020 season with ZnONPs applied at 1500 mg L−1. Furthermore, in both seasons, the maximum values of nutrient contents, excluding Mn content, were obtained with ASA applied at 500 mg L−1. However, applying both ZnONPs and ASA in a mixture bypassed each applied alone, with the highest overall nutrient contents being recorded, with few exceptions, with the highest dose of the mixture. The trend of the tuber root nutrient contents was correlated with the corresponding values in the leaves. Maximum tuber root yield was obtained with foliar feeding with 1000 mg ZnONP and 250 mg ASA L−1 in both seasons. The resulting data recommend the use of foliar nourishment with fertilizer nanoparticles and antioxidants to enable stressed plants to collect appropriate nutrient contents from the defective soils.
Fat Deposition in the Muscle of Female and Male Yak and the Correlation of Yak Meat Quality with Fat
Authors: Xiong Lin , Pei Jie , Chu Min , Wu Xiaoyun , Kalwar Qudratullah , Yan Ping , Guo Xian
Published: July 2021

This study aimed to explore the differences in fat deposition between female (FYs) and male yaks (MYs). Compared with MYs, the tenderness, L*, marbling, absolute content of fat, and most fatty acids (FAs) of longissimus dorsi (LD) in FYs were higher or better (p < 0.05), whereas the relative content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and n-3 PUFAs were lower (p < 0.01). The absolute content of fat, C18:0, cis-C18:2, cis-C18:1, and C24:0 were positively correlated with L*45 min, b*24 h, tenderness, and marbling score of LD in FYs and MYs (p < 0.05), respectively. LPL, FATP2, ELOVL6, HADH, HACD, and PLINS genes play a crucial role in improving the marbling score and tenderness of yak meat. The results of gene expression and protein synthesis showed the effect of gender to FA biosynthesis, FA transport, lipolysis, and FA oxidation in the adipose tissue of yak was realized by the expressions of ME1, SCD, ACSL5, LPL, FABP1, PLIN4, and PLIN2 in peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling. This study established a theoretical basis for the improvement of the meat quality of yak and molecular breeding.
Effect of Animal Age at Slaughter on the Muscle Fibres of Longissimus thoracis and Meat Quality of Fresh Loin from Iberian × Duroc Crossbred Pig under Two Production Systems
Authors: Ortiz Alberto , Tejerina David , García-Torres Susana , González Elena , Morcillo Javier Francisco , Mayoral Ana Isabel
Published: July 2021

Two production systems and several ages at slaughter were used: 12, 14 and 16 months for outdoor rearing (with the final finishing phase in the Montanera system, in which fed was based on natural resources, mainly acorns and grass) and 8, 10 and 12 months for animals reared indoors (intensive system: with feed based on commercial fodder) to evaluate their effect on the muscle fibre population and size of the Longissimus thoracis, (LT) muscle, as well as fresh loin quality traits. Animals that were older at slaughter revealed increased fibre sizes of the LT muscles in the pigs reared in the Montanera system. The LT muscles of the animals reared in intensive systems had a lower percentage of type I fibres and higher size of type IIB than those reared in the Montanera system. The approximate composition and instrumental colour of Montanera fresh loins were affected by the animal slaughter age. In the case of the intensive system, the effect of animal slaughter age had an impact on the approximate composition, instrumental colour, water loss and textural properties. Therefore, different ages at slaughter of Iberian pigs showed variations in some quality parameters in the fresh loins in both the Montanera and Intensive systems, thus proving to be a factor of variability and homogeneity of the Iberian products. The meat from Iberian pigs reared in an intensive system and slaughtered at a younger age proved to be more tender. The production system affected all the above quality traits, with the exception of water loss.
Personality and Cognitive Profiles of Animal-Assisted Intervention Dogs and Pet Dogs in an Unsolvable Task
Authors: Piotti Patrizia , Albertini Mariangela , Trabucco Lidia Pia , Ripari Lucia , Karagiannis Christos , Bandi Claudio , Pirrone Federica
Published: July 2021

Dogs are biologically predisposed to communicate with humans in cooperative contexts. They show individual differences in dog–human communication and inhibition, potentially enhanced by life experience, e.g., Animal-Assisted Interventions. This study aimed to investigate whether dogs’ personality, defined by biologically meaningful neural circuits described in the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality (RST), predicted dogs’ communication, task orientation, emotional state, and approach of an unsolvable task. We also investigated the differences between dogs experienced in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) and inexperienced dogs. The results indicated that a high sensitivity to the RST personality trait related to managing uncertainty (Behavioural Inhibition System, BIS) predicted fewer task orientations but increased referential and non-referential looking, which we interpreted as a way to obtain directions from the owner. Conversely, a high sensitivity to the traits reflecting tendencies to approach rewards (Behavioural Approach System, BAS) and avoid punishment (Fight–Flight–Freeze System, FFFS) predicted lower looking. High sensitivity to the FFFS also predicted more frequent task orientations, which we interpreted as frustration. Finally, the dogs in the AAI program looked more at their owner and were less oriented towards the task. These results provide empirical evidence of individual differences tied to the psychobiological personality traits in canine cognitive skills. Understanding such cognitive profiles may have an enormous impact on activities that rely upon dog–human collaborative interaction.
The Interactive Stress Assessment in Basic Animal Science Training
Authors: Manthey Theres , Nagel-Riedasch Stefan , Dülsner André
Published: July 2021

In order to assess the extent to which the legally prescribed training for the acquisition of animal experimentation expertise provides scientific personnel with the necessary competence and expertise to carry out a correct harm-benefit analysis in the context of animal experimentation applications, we conducted an interactive stress assessment concerning the basic animal experimentation expertise course. First, before the practical part of the course and then, after the practical part, the participants assessed images and video material of healthy and stressed animals. The results were assessed comparatively and showed a significant increase in performance in all categories (p-value < 0.001). In addition, the results were comparatively assessed against those of scientists already experienced in animal experiments and experienced animal caretakers in research and clinics. In all groups, the vast majority of participants were able to recognise stress in laboratory animals. A significant proportion of the participants were also able to rate the level of stress correctly according to three degrees of severity: mild, moderate and severe. Nevertheless, a small number of participants were unable to distinguish between healthy and stressed animals and thus, the stress in the individual groups was assigned very differently from the different degrees of severity. The results of this study illustrate, on the one hand, the high significance that training must have in order to acquire the expertise, and, on the other hand, how strongly the assessment of stress is influenced by subjectivity.
Isothermal Nucleic Acid Amplification Technologies for the Detection of Equine Viral Pathogens
Authors: Knox Alexandra , Beddoe Travis
Published: July 2021

The global equine industry provides significant economic contributions worldwide, producing approximately USD $300 billion annually. However, with the continuous national and international movement and importation of horses, there is an ongoing threat of a viral outbreak causing large epidemics and subsequent significant economic losses. Additionally, horses serve as a host for several zoonotic diseases that could cause significant human health problems. The ability to rapidly diagnose equine viral diseases early could lead to better management, treatment, and biosecurity strategies. Current serological and molecular methods cannot be field-deployable and are not suitable for resource-poor laboratories due to the requirement of expensive equipment and trained personnel. Recently, isothermal nucleic acid amplification technologies, such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and insulated isothermal polymerase chain reaction (iiPCR), have been developed to be utilized in-field, and provide rapid results within an hour. We will review current isothermal diagnostic techniques available to diagnose equine viruses of biosecurity and zoonotic concern and provide insight into their potential for in-field deployment.
High Prevalence of ESBL and Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance Genes in Salmonella enterica Isolated from Retail Meats and Slaughterhouses in Egypt
Authors: Adel Wesam A. , Ahmed Ashraf M. , Hegazy Yamen , Torky Helmy A. , Shimamoto Tadashi
Published: July 2021

The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica (S. enterica) to humans through food of animal origin are considered a major global public health concern. Currently, little is known about the prevalence of important antimicrobial resistance genes in S. enterica from retail food in Africa. Therefore, the screening and characterization of the extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes in S. enterica isolated from retail meats and slaughterhouses in Egypt were done by using PCR and DNA sequencing techniques. Twenty-eight out of thirty-four (82.4%) non-duplicate S. enterica isolates showed multidrug-resistance phenotypes to at least three classes of antimicrobials, and fourteen (41.2%) exhibited an ESBL-resistance phenotype and harbored at least one ESBL-encoding gene. The identified β-lactamase-encoding genes included blaCTX-M-1, blaCTX-M-3, blaCTX-M-13, blaCTX-M-14, blaCTX-M-15, and blaSHV-12 (ESBL types); blaCMY-2 (AmpC type); and blaTEM-1 and blaOXA-1 (narrow-spectrum types). PMQR genes (included qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, and aac(6′)-Ib-cr) were identified in 23 (67.6%) isolates. The presence of ESBL- and PMQR-producing S. enterica with a high prevalence rate in retail meats and slaughterhouses is considered a major threat to public health as these strains with resistance genes could be transmitted to humans through the food chain.
Purification, Physicochemical Properties, and Antioxidant Activities of Two Low-Molecular-Weight Polysaccharides from Ganoderma leucocontextum Fruiting Bodies
Authors: Gao Xiong , Qi Jiayi , Ho Chi-Tang , Li Bin , Xie Yizhen , Chen Shaodan , Hu Huiping , Chen Zhongzheng , Wu Qingping
Published: July 2021

Two low-molecular-weight polysaccharides (GLP-1 and GLP-2) were purified from Ganoderma leucocontextum fruiting bodies, and their physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities were investigated and compared in this study. The results showed that GLP-1 and GLP-2 were mainly composed of mannose, glucose, galactose, xylose, and arabinose, with weight-average molecular weights of 6.31 and 14.07 kDa, respectively. Additionally, GLP-1 and GLP-2 had a similar chain conformation, crystal structure, and molecular surface morphology. Moreover, GLP-1 exhibited stronger antioxidant activities than GLP-2 in five different assays: 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion radical, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and oxygen radical antioxidant capacity (ORAC). The main linkage types of GLP-1 were found to be →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →4)-β-D-Glcp-(1→, →3)-β-D-Glcp-(1→, →6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, and Glcp-(1→ by methylation analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In addition, GLP-1 could protect NIH3T3 cells against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP)-induced oxidative damage by increasing catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, elevating the glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio, and decreasing the malondialdehyde (MDA) level. These findings indicated that GLP-1 could be explored as a potential antioxidant agent for application in functional foods.
Atypical Bacilliredoxin AbxC Plays a Role in Responding to Oxidative Stress in Radiation-Resistant Bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans
Authors: Jeong Soyoung , Jung Jong-Hyun , Kim Min-Kyu , de Groot Arjan , Blanchard Laurence , Ryu Sangryeol , Bahn Yong-Sun , Lim Sangyong
Published: July 2021

Deinococcus radiodurans is a robust bacterium with extraordinary resistance to ionizing radiation and reactive oxygen species (ROS). D. radiodurans produces an antioxidant thiol compound called bacillithiol (BSH), but BSH-related enzymes have not been investigated. The D. radiodurans mutant lacking bshA (dr_1555), the first gene of the BSH biosynthetic pathway, was devoid of BSH and sensitive to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) compared to the wild-type D. radiodurans strain. Three bacilliredoxin (Brx) proteins, BrxA, B, and C, have been identified in BSH-producing bacteria, such as Bacillus. D. radiodurans possesses DR_1832, a putative homolog of BrxC. However, because DR_1832 contains a novel signature motif (TCHKT) and a C-terminal region similar to the colicin-like immunity domain, we named it AbxC (atypical BrxC). The deletion of abxC also sensitized cells to H2O2. AbxC exhibited peroxidase activity in vitro, which was linked to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidation via the BSH disulfide reductase DR_2623 (DrBdr). AbxC proteins were present mainly as dimers after exposure to H2O2 in vitro, and the oxidized dimers were resolved to monomers by the reaction coupled with BSH as an electron donor, in which DrBdr transported reducing equivalents from NADPH to AbxC through BSH recycling. We identified 25 D. radiodurans proteins that potentially interact with AbxC using AbxC-affinity chromatography. Most of them are associated with cellular metabolisms, such as glycolysis and amino acid biosynthesis, and stress response. Interestingly, AbxC could bind to the proposed peroxide-sensing transcription regulator, DrOxyR. These results suggest that AbxC may be involved in the H2O2 signaling mechanism mediated by DrOxyR.
Reactive Species from Two-Signal Activated Macrophages Interfere with Their Oxygen Consumption Measurements
Authors: Christopoulos Panagiotis F. , Grigalavicius Mantas , Corthay Alexandre , Berg Kristian , Theodossiou Theodossis A.
Published: July 2021

Metabolic modulation of macrophage activation has emerged as a promising strategy lately in immunotherapeutics. However, macrophages have a broad spectrum of functions and thus, understanding the exact metabolic changes that drive a particular immune response, is of major importance. In our previous work, we have reported a key role of nitric oxide (NO●) in two(2)-signal activated macrophages [M(2-signals)]. Further characterization using metabolic analysis in intact cells, showed that the basal and maximal respiration levels of M(2-signals) were comparable, with cells being unresponsive to the injections-inducd mitochondrial stress. Here, we show that excessive NO● secretion by the M(2-signals) macrophages, interferes with the oxygen (O2) consumption measurements on cells using the seahorse metabolic analyzer. This is attributed mainly to the consumption of ambient oxygen by NO● to form NO2− and/or NO3− but also to the reduction of O2 to superoxide anion (O2●−) by stray electrons from the electron transport chain, leading to the formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO−). We found that reactive species-donors in the absence of cells, produce comparable oxygen consumption rates (OCR) with M(2-signals) macrophages. Furthermore, inhibition of NO● production, partly recovered the respiration of activated macrophages, while external addition of NO● in non-activated macrophages downregulated their OCR levels. Our findings are crucial for the accurate metabolic characterization of cells, especially in cases where reactive nitrogen or oxygen species are produced in excess.
Impact of Oxidative Stress on Male Reproduction in Domestic and Wild Animals
Authors: Pintus Eliana , Ros-Santaella José Luis
Published: July 2021

Oxidative stress occurs when the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) overcome the antioxidant defenses of the organism, jeopardizing several biological functions, including reproduction. In the male reproductive system, oxidative stress not only impairs sperm fertility but also compromises offspring health and survival, inducing oxidative damage to lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Although a clear link between oxidative stress and male fertility disorders has been demonstrated in humans and laboratory rodents, little information is available about the implications of impaired redox homeostasis in the male fertility of domestic and wild animals. Therefore, this review aims to provide an update regarding the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that are associated with oxidative stress in the male reproductive system and their impact on the reproductive performance of domestic and wild animals. The most recent strategies for palliating the detrimental effects of oxidative stress on male fertility are reviewed together with their potential economic and ecological implications in the livestock industry and biodiversity conservation.
Oxidative Stress in Patients with Advanced CKD and Renal Replacement Therapy: The Key Role of Peripheral Blood Leukocytes
Authors: Vida Carmen , Oliva Carlos , Yuste Claudia , Ceprián Noemí , Caro Paula Jara , Valera Gemma , González de Pablos Ignacio , Morales Enrique , Carracedo Julia
Published: July 2021

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Most studies have investigated peripheral redox state focus on plasma, but not in different immune cells. Our study analyzed several redox state markers in plasma and isolated peripheral polymorphonuclear (PMNs) and mononuclear (MNs) leukocytes from advanced-CKD patients, also evaluating differences of hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) procedures. Antioxidant (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH)) and oxidant parameters (xanthine oxidase (XO), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), malondialdehyde (MDA)) were assessed in plasma, PMNs and MNs from non-dialysis-dependent-CKD (NDD-CKD), HD and PD patients and healthy controls. Increased oxidative stress and damage were observed in plasma, PMNs and MNs from NDD-CKD, HD and PD patients (increased XO, GSSG and MDA; decreased SOD, CAT, GPX and GSH; altered GSSG/GSH balance). Several oxidative alterations were more exacerbated in PMNs, whereas others were only observed in MNs. Dialysis procedures had a positive effect on preserving the GSSG/GSH balance in PMNs. Interestingly, PD patients showed greater oxidative stress than HD patients, especially in MNs. The assessment of redox state parameters in PMNs and MNs could have potential use as biomarkers of the CKD progression.
Linked Data Triples Enhance Document Relevance Classification
Authors: Nagumothu Dinesh , Eklund Peter W. , Ofoghi Bahadorreza , Bouadjenek Mohamed Reda
Published: July 2021

Standardized approaches to relevance classification in information retrieval use generative statistical models to identify the presence or absence of certain topics that might make a document relevant to the searcher. These approaches have been used to better predict relevance on the basis of what the document is “about”, rather than a simple-minded analysis of the bag of words contained within the document. In more recent times, this idea has been extended by using pre-trained deep learning models and text representations, such as GloVe or BERT. These use an external corpus as a knowledge-base that conditions the model to help predict what a document is about. This paper adopts a hybrid approach that leverages the structure of knowledge embedded in a corpus. In particular, the paper reports on experiments where linked data triples (subject-predicate-object), constructed from natural language elements are derived from deep learning. These are evaluated as additional latent semantic features for a relevant document classifier in a customized news-feed website. The research is a synthesis of current thinking in deep learning models in NLP and information retrieval and the predicate structure used in semantic web research. Our experiments indicate that linked data triples increased the F-score of the baseline GloVe representations by 6% and show significant improvement over state-of-the art models, like BERT. The findings are tested and empirically validated on an experimental dataset and on two standardized pre-classified news sources, namely the Reuters and 20 News groups datasets.
Investigations of the Surface of Heritage Objects and Green Bioremediation: Case Study of Artefacts from Maramureş, Romania
Authors: Ilieș Dorina Camelia , Hodor Nicolaie , Indrie Liliana , Dejeu Paula , Ilieș Alexandru , Albu Adina , Caciora Tudor , Ilieș Marin , Barbu-Tudoran Lucian , Grama Vasile
Published: July 2021

Old textiles are important elements of thecultural heritage. As a result of their composition mostly of natural elements old textiles are extremely prone to physical and chemical degradation due to fungal action. The treatments usually applied for the cleaning of heritage textiles target the use of synthetic fungicides, which are potentially harmful to both human health and the environment. Numerous studies highlight as an alternative to the use of conventional antifungals, the employment of essential oils and plant extracts, which are environmentally friendly and which have no adverse effects on human health. Against this background the present study aims to test six essential oils (Lavandula angustifolia, Citrus limon, Mentha piperita, Marjoram, Melaleuca alternifolia, Origanum vulgare) to establish their inhibitory effects against fungi identified on an old piece of traditional Romanian clothing from Maramureş. For the study, the types of fungi present on the objects was determined primarily through the open plates technique and microscopic identification. After identification, the essential oils were applied to the delimited surfaces, and their effects observed up to 32 days after application. The results show that these essential oils have a strong inhibitory effect on such fungal genera as Penicillinum sp., Cladosporium sp., Aspergillus spp., Candida guillermondii, Botrys sp., Mucor sp., having no observable side-effects on the physical properties of the materials concerned. The antimicrobial effects that essential oils and plant extracts have in the short term must be tested in future to ensure the enhanced preservation of heritage textiles and the health integrity of the restorers and visitors who view them in museums, collections or exhibitions.
A Co-Rotational Meshfree Method for the Geometrically Nonlinear Analysis of Structures
Authors: Yeh Wen-Cheng
Published: July 2021

This paper presents a co-rotational beam formulation, which is used for geometric nonlinear analysis with the differential reproducing kernel (DRK) approximation collocation method. The present formulation, based on the Timoshenko beam hypothesis, is capable of effectively solving geometrically nonlinear problems such as large deformation, postbuckling, lateral buckling, and snap-through problems. The kinematics have been constructed with the concept of co-rotational formulation adopted in the finite element method (FEM). A meshfree method based on the differential reproducing kernel (DRK) approximation collocation method, combined with the Newton–Raphson method, is employed to solve the strong forms of the geometrically nonlinear problems. The DRK method takes full advantage of the meshfree method. Moreover, only a scattered set of nodal points is necessary for the discretization. No elements or mesh connectivity data are required. Therefore, DRK will be able to completely circumvent the problems of mesh dependence and mesh distortion. The effectiveness of this study and its performance are shown through several numerical applications.
Gaze Behavior and Positioning of Referee Teams during Three-Point Shots in Basketball
Authors: Klatt Stefanie , Noël Benjamin , Nicklas André , Schul Karsten , Seifriz Florian , Schwarting Alessa , Fasold Frowin
Published: July 2021

This study looks at the visual scan patterns of high-class basketball referees. Using mobile eye-tracking devices, referees’ gaze behavior was analyzed during the execution of three-point shots in the official pre-season games of Germany’s men’s professional basketball league. We evaluated the extent to which the referees fulfill the tasks assigned to them, where do they look, and to what extent does their gaze behavior overlap during a three-point shot. Results indicate that referees who are far away from the ball and are, therefore, not responsible for observing the actual shot, tend to comply with their areas of responsibility less often than referees standing nearer to the ball, i.e., they appear to observe the ball more than required (ball watching) at the expense of other areas that they are required to be observing at the beginning of the shooting process. However, referees spend a very small part of a three-point shot looking at the same areas of interest. This indicates that referee teams’ allocation of gaze is rather effective, remaining in line with FIBA recommendations and is presumably not the main cause for errors in officiating.
Beetroot Microencapsulation with Pea Protein Using Spray Drying: Physicochemical, Structural and Functional Properties
Authors: García-Segovia Purificación , Igual Marta , Martínez-Monzó Javier
Published: July 2021

Beetroot is a root vegetable with carotenoids, phenols, vitamins, minerals, and water-soluble betalain pigments such as betacyanins (red-violet color) and betaxanthins (yellow-orange color), which have many nutritional and health benefits. Its use in the food industry is mainly as a powdered natural dye. This study aims to investigate the effect of adding pea protein to beetroot juice as an encapsulating agent, and the spray-dried temperature on the physicochemical, structural, and functional properties of the powder. The spray drying was conducted at 125 and 150 °C with 3.5% and 7% pea protein used in the mixtures with the beetroot juice. The water content, bulk density, porosity, hygroscopicity, water solubility, water absorption index, color, and microstructure of the obtained powder were determined. In addition, betacyanin, total phenols, antioxidant capacity, and powder encapsulate efficiency were analyzed. Using pea protein in the spray drying of beetroot juice had shown high yields of spray drying and good characteristics of the powdered product. Beetroot powder with 7% of pea protein was more porous and luminous, and less hygroscopic than beetroot powder with 3.5% of pea protein. However, the use of 7% of pea protein increased the amount of water immobilized by the samples and reduced the soluble solids present in the product compared to beetroot powder with 3.5% of pea protein. The use of 7% of pea protein protected beetroot bioactive compound higher than the use of 3.5%. Higher spray-drying temperature (150 °C) significantly decreased phenols content and antioxidant capacity of the beetroot powders (p < 0.05). Results showed using 7% pea protein mixed with beetroot juice and a 125 °C spray-drying temperature gave the most content of the studied bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. Moreover, the proposal gives more stable powders from a functionality viewpoint because it showed the higher encapsulate efficiency.
Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Cudrania tricuspidata Extract and Stewartia koreana Extract Mixture in a Collagen-Induced Arthritis Mouse Model
Authors: Kim Inkyu , Kim Hansol , Lee Eunjoo H. , Jo Geonung , Na Chun Soo , Kang Kyungtae , Lee Tae Hoon
Published: July 2021

Cudrania tricuspidata extracts (CTE) and Stewartia koreana extracts (SKE) are viable drugs for managing inflammation. We investigated the nitric oxide levels of CTE and a mixture of CTE/SKE (CTE mix) against lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells. In addition, we administered the CTE and CTE mix to mice with collagen-induced arthritis to confirm an anti-inflammatory effect against rheumatoid arthritis. We analyzed arthritis symptoms by oral administration of CTE mix using a CIA-induced animal model and analyzed the inhibitory activity of NO production with in vitro experiments. Both the CTE and CTE mix decreased nitric oxide levels, and a 2:1 ratio of CTE mix was most effective in vivo among the varying ratios of CTE mix tested. The spleen size increased by about 2.1 times, and the lymph node size decreased by about 2.5 times relative compared to the vehicle group. In blood biochemical analyses, tumor necrosis factor–α levels decreased by about three times, interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 levels were reduced by about eight times and three times, and PRG4 expression levels were increased by about 2.5 times relative to the vehicle group. We suggest that the CTE mix was superior to CTE alone and has potential as an anti-inflammatory treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Seasonal Variation of Radon Concentrations in Russian Residential High-Rise Buildings
Authors: Yarmoshenko Ilia , Malinovsky Georgy , Vasilyev Aleksey , Onishchenko Aleksandra
Published: July 2021

Assessment of the annual radon concentration is often required in indoor radon surveys of territories and individual dwellings for comparison with reference levels, studying factors affecting radon accumulation in dwellings, assessment of exposure in epidemiological studies, etc. The indoor radon surveys were carried out in multistorey buildings in eight Russian cities using solid state nuclear track detectors with an exposure period of three months. For these surveys, the estimation of annual indoor radon concentration was required to compare radon levels in buildings of high- and low-energy-efficiency classes located in different cities. To develop approaches to seasonal normalization in high-rise buildings, long-term one-hour radon concentration series obtained applying radon-monitors in 20 flats were analyzed. The dependency of indoor radon concentration on the indoor–outdoor temperature difference was studied taking into account the known natural, technogenic and anthropogenic factors affecting radon levels. The developed model of seasonal variations in multistorey buildings includes winter, summer, and demi-season periods, which differ both in ventilation intensity and dependency of radon concentration on the temperature difference. The developed model allows to estimate annual radon concentration taking into account the actual distribution of outdoor temperatures during the exposure of the track detectors.
Improving Automatic Warehouse Throughput by Optimizing Task Allocation and Validating the Algorithm in a Developed Simulation Tool
Authors: Baras Nikolaos , Chatzisavvas Antonios , Ziouzios Dimitris , Dasygenis Minas
Published: July 2021

It is evident that over the last years, the usage of robotics in warehouses has been rapidly increasing. The usage of robot vehicles in storage facilities has resulted in increased efficiency and improved productivity levels. The robots, however, are only as efficient as the algorithms that govern them. Many researchers have attempted to improve the efficiency of industrial robots by improving on the internal routing of a warehouse, or by finding the best locations for charging power stations. Because of the popularity of the problem, many research works can be found in the literature regarding warehouse routing. The majority of these algorithms found in the literature, however, are statically designed and cannot handle multi-robot situations, especially when robots have different characteristics. The proposed algorithm of this paper attempts to give the following solution to this issue: utilizing more than one robot simultaneously to allocate tasks and tailor the navigation path of each robot based on its characteristics, such as its speed, type and current location within the warehouse so as to minimize the task delivery timing. Moreover, the algorithm finds the optimal location for the placement of power stations. We evaluated the proposed methodology in a synthetic realistic environment and demonstrated that the algorithm is capable of finding an improved solution within a realistic time frame.