bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mpox: An Overview of Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Public Health Implications
Authors: Branda Francesco , Romano Chiara , Ciccozzi Massimo , Giovanetti Marta , Scarpa Fabio , Ciccozzi Alessandra , Maruotti Antonello
Published: April 2024

Mpox, caused by viruses of the genus Orthopoxvirus, is an emerging threat to human and animal health. With increasing urbanization and more frequent interaction between humans and wild animals, the risk of Mpox transmission to humans has increased significantly. This review aims to examine in depth the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of Mpox, with a special focus on recent discoveries and advances in understanding the disease. Molecular mechanisms involved in viral replication will be examined, as well as risk factors associated with interspecific transmission and spread of the disease in human populations. Currently available diagnostic methods will also be discussed, with a critical analysis of their limitations and possible future directions for improving the accuracy and timeliness of diagnosis. Finally, this review will explore the public health implications associated with Mpox, emphasizing the importance of epidemiological surveillance, vaccination, and emergency preparedness to prevent and manage possible outbreaks. Understanding the epidemiology and control strategies for Mpox is critical to protecting the health of human and animal communities and mitigating the risk of interspecific transmission and spread of the disease.
Dysbiosis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Spondyloarthritis: Still a Long Way to Go?
Authors: Bragazzi Maria Consiglia , Pianigiani Federica , Venere Rosanna , Ridola Lorenzo
Published: April 2024

The association between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Spondyloarthritis (SpA) has been known for years, as has the concept that IBD is associated with an altered intestinal bacterial composition, a condition known as “dysbiosis”. Recently, a state of intestinal dysbiosis has also been found in SpA. Dysbiosis in the field of IBD has been well characterized so far, as well as in SpA. The aim of this review is to summarize what is known to date and to emphasize the similarities between the microbiota conditions in these two diseases: particularly, an altered distribution in the gut of Enterobacteriaceae, Streptococcus, Haemophilus, Clostridium, Akkermansia, Ruminococcus, Faecalibacterium Prausnitzii, Bacteroides Vulgatus, Dialister Invisus, and Bifidubacterium Adolescentis is common to both IBD and SpA. At the same time, little is known about intestinal dysbiosis in IBD-related SpA. Only a single recent study has found an increase in Escherichia and Shigella abundances and a decrease in Firmicutes, Ruminococcaceae, and Faecalibacterium abundances in an IBD-related SpA group. Based on what has been discovered so far about the altered distribution of bacteria that unite both pathologies, it is appropriate to carry out further studies aiming to improve the understanding of IBD-related SpA for the purpose of developing new therapeutic strategies.
Study on the Mechanism of Natural Gas Hydrate Decomposition and Seabed Seepage Triggered by Mass Transport Deposits
Authors: Liu Pengqi , Zhang Wei , Mao Shuang , Su Pibo , Chen Huaizhen , Hu Liguo
Published: April 2024

Previous studies indicate that mass transport deposits are related to the dynamic accumulation of natural gas hydrates and gas leakage. This research aims to elucidate the causal mechanism of seabed seepage in the western region of the southeastern Qiongdongnan Basin through the application of seismic interpretation and attribute fusion techniques. The mass transport deposits, bottom simulating reflector, submarine mounds, and other phenomena were identified through seismic interpretation techniques. Faults and fractures were identified by utilizing variance attribute analysis. Gas chimneys were identified using instantaneous frequency attribute analysis. Free gas and paleo-seepage points were identified using sweetness attributes, enabling the analysis of fluid seepage pathways and the establishment of a seepage evolution model. Research has shown that in areas where the mass transport deposits develop thicker layers, there is a greater uplift of the bottom boundary of the gas hydrate stability zone, which can significantly alter the seafloor topography. Conversely, the opposite is true. The research indicates that the upward migration of the gas hydrate stability zone, induced by the mass transport deposits in the study area, can result in the rapid decomposition of gas hydrates. The gas generated from the decomposition of gas hydrates is identified as the principal factor responsible for inducing seabed seepage. Moderate- and low-speed natural gas seepage can create spiny seamounts and domed seamounts, respectively.
Role of Remittance on Sustainable Economic Development in Developing and Emerging Economies: New Insights from Panel Cross-Sectional Augmented Autoregressive Distributed Lag Approach
Authors: Chand Shasnil Avinesh , Singh Baljeet
Published: April 2024

In this study, we aim to investigate the effects of remittance on sustainable economic development in 52 developing and emerging economies from 1996 to 2021. The study uses other variables such as real GDP per capita, total natural resource rents, globalization, and foreign direct investment. To achieve the mentioned objective, we apply a series of second-generation panel estimation approaches. These include CIPS unit root, Westerlund cointegration, cross-sectional augmented autoregressive distributed lag (CS-ARDL), and robustness using augmented mean group (AMG) and common correlated mean group (CCEMG). These methods are useful provided they are robust towards cross-country dependencies, slope heterogeneity, endogeneity, and serial correlation, which are disregarded in the conventional panel estimations. The empirical findings indicate that remittance accelerates sustainable economic development. Additionally, real GDP per capita and globalization also positively contribute towards sustainable economic development. However, total resource rents deteriorate sustainable economic development. This study offers key policy implications based on the empirical findings for the developing and emerging economies.
Adaptive Responses and Resilience of Small Livestock Producers to Climate Variability in the Cruz Verde-Sumapaz Páramo, Colombia
Authors: Postigo Julio C. , Guáqueta-Solórzano Victoria-Eugenia , Castañeda Edna , Ortiz-Guerrero Cesar Enrique
Published: April 2024

Enhanced anthropogenic climatic variability challenges small farmers. In the Sumapaz páramo (Colombia), higher irregularity in precipitation and temperature reduces the quality of pasture and cattle health. Data from surveys, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups were analyzed to understand livestock farmers’ responses to the impacts of climatic variability. To estimate the communities’ resilience in the páramo, we used the capitals framework, the Baseline Resilience Indicator for Communities (BRIC), and cluster analysis. The responses of most households aim to reduce the impacts of climatic variability on the production system, chiefly intensifying practices such as the rotation of paddocks, livelihood diversification, purchase of grass, and buying and selling livestock. Interestingly, farmers did not recognize the value of the types of capital for responding to climatic variability. Results showed that the use of available physical, social, and economic capitals render the farming system resilient. Our probit model estimated that economic and human capitals are the largest and most significant contributors to communities’ capacity to respond to climatic variability. However, pre-existing non-climatic vulnerabilities are also important. For example, poverty hinders farmers from using their income in response to climatic variability. The place-based measurements used in this research are easily understood and applicable by local policy makers to address increasing climate variability.
Infrastructure Impact Assessment through Multi-Hazard Analysis at Different Scales: The 26 November 2022 Flood Event on the Island of Ischia and Debris Management
Authors: Cappucci Sergio , Pollino Maurizio , Farrace Maria Giuseppina , Della Morte Lorenzo , Baiocchi Valerio
Published: April 2024

A multi-hazard analysis (seismic, landslide, flood) is conducted to verify the impact on the road network. The ENEA CIPCast platform is an innovative Decision Support System (DSS) that is used to implement the analyses using GIS. Using analytical and geoprocessing tools, the hazards were assessed and mapped. The overlapping of different geospatial layers allowed the implementation of a specific hazard map for the road network. Multi-hazard values were obtained using an appropriate matrix of single values, which were classified, and then summarized into four classes of values. The analyses were conducted at the regional (Campania region), provincial (Metropolitan City of Naples), and local scales (island of Ischia and municipality of Casamicciola Terme). In particular, the landslide event that struck Ischia island on 26 November 2022 and the municipality of Casamicciola Terme was considered as a case study to determine the impact on the road network, infrastructures, buildings, and jeopardizing inter-municipal connections. The results are mainly visualized through map processing and statistical summaries of the data. The management of the landslide debris, which can contain a multitude of fractions (waste, biomass and vegetation, sludge, soil, and rocks transported downstream by water), was also explored. This is a frontier issue for which international manuals and guidelines, as well as national and emergency acts, have been examined. A specific protocol for the sustainable management of the debris generated by floods and landslides is needed, and discussed in the present paper, to overcome emergencies after catastrophic events.
Land Titling and Microcredit in Cambodia: Examining the Reality of Hernando de Soto’s ‘Three Steps to Heaven’
Authors: Bateman Milford
Published: April 2024

Starting with the work of Hernando de Soto in the 1980s, the role of land tenure soon attracted the attention of the international development community as a neoliberal-oriented theory of change rooted in the possession and use of private individual land titles by the poor. One of the central mechanisms proposed by de Soto was a three-step process that involves the poor (1) “securing” their tenure with land titles, (2) using their newly acquired land titles as collateral to leverage large amounts of microcredit to be used to establish a functioning microenterprise, and then (3) escaping from their poverty due to the jobs and income associated with founding and running a microenterprise. This paper explores what I call de Soto’s “three steps to heaven” theory of change, a concept that was taken on board with gusto by leading Western governments and virtually all of the main international development institutions, particularly the World Bank. I argue that Cambodia provides the ideal setting for evaluating de Soto’s concept because, since around 2020, it has possessed the largest microcredit sector in the world (on a per capita basis), thanks largely to the obligatory use of land titles as the collateral required to obtain microcredit. While the first two of de Soto’s “three steps to heaven” have been realized, the evidence shows that the assumptions related to step three have proved to be extremely problematic: the ubiquity of microcredit that was achieved since the early 2010s via steps one and two has not, in general, improved the lives and communities of Cambodia’s poor through accelerated microenterprise development. It appears, instead, to have contributed to deeper poverty, insecurity, vulnerability and inequality. I conclude that de Soto’s “three steps to heaven” theory reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the real institutional drivers of sustainable local economic development and poverty reduction.
Analysis of Spatio-Temporal Evolution and Driving Factors of Eco-Environmental Quality during Highway Construction Based on RSEI
Authors: Hu Yanping , Yang Xu , Gao Xin , Zhang Jingxiao , Kang Lanxin
Published: April 2024

One essential part of transportation infrastructure is highways. The surrounding eco-environment is greatly impacted by the construction of highways. However, few studies have investigated changes in eco-environmental quality during highway construction, and the main impact areas of the construction have not been clarified. The highway from Sunit Right Banner to Huade (Inner Mongolia–Hebei border) was used as the study area. GEE was used to establish RSEI. During highway construction, Sen + M-K trend analysis, Hurst analysis, and Geodetector were employed to assess RSEI changes and driving factors. The results show the following: (1) An area of 1500 m around the highway is where the ecological impact of highway construction will be the greatest. (2) The curve of the annual mean of the RSEI from 2016 to 2021 is V-shaped. From northwest to southeast, there is an increasing trend in spatial distribution. (3) The largest environmental degradation during highway construction occurred during the first year of highway construction. (4) The factor detector results indicate that DEM, precipitation, distance from the administrative district, and FVC were the main RSEI drivers in the research region. The interaction detector’s findings show that the drivers’ combined influence on the RSEI was greater than that of their individual components. (5) Compared to the 2016–2021 trend, the proportion of future degraded areas in terms of eco-environmental quality will increase by 3.16%, while the proportion of improved areas will decrease by 2.99%.
Optimizing Parameters in the Common Land Model by Using Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Satellite Observations
Authors: Su Yuan , Zhang Shupeng
Published: April 2024

Terrestrial water storage (TWS) is pivotal in understanding environmental dynamics, climate change, and human impacts. Despite the utility of land surface models, uncertainties persist in their parameterization schemes. This study employs GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellite data to optimize the runoff parameterization scheme within the Common Land Model by a data assimilation and parameter optimization method. The optimization algorithm sets an adjustment factor that varies with time and space for runoff simulation and updates it along with the running of the land surface model. The evaluation reveals that there are improved correlation coefficients and reduced root mean square errors compared to GRACE observations. Independent assessments by using in situ river discharge observations demonstrate enhanced model performance, particularly in mountainous regions such as western North America. This study underscores the efficacy of integrating GRACE data to improve land surface model parameterization, offering more accurate predictions of TWS changes.
Validation and Comparison of Non-Invasive Tests for the Exclusion of High-Risk Varices in Compensated Advanced Chronic Liver Disease
Authors: Kurup Rajiv , Kalo Eric , Read Scott , Ma Wai See , George Jacob , Ahlenstiel Golo
Published: April 2024

Non-invasive tests (NITs) are a potential alternative to screening oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) for ruling out high-risk varices (HRVs) in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD). This retrospective study aimed to externally validate and compare various NITs in a multi-centre Australian cohort. Patients with cACLD were enrolled between January 2013 and December 2022. Liver stiffness measurements (LSMs), clinicopathological data, and OGD results were collected. A total of 210 patients were included. The median age was 57 years and 65.7% were male. The main aetiology of cACLD was hepatitis C (41.9%), and 91.9% of patients were Child–Pugh A. HRV prevalence was 12.4%. The Baveno VI criteria (B6C) was the only NIT that could safely reduce the need for OGDs across all aetiologies of cACLD, with a negative predictive value of 98.6 and spared OGD in 33.8%. The FIB-4 would have avoided the most OGDs (71%); however, the HRV miss rate was 6%. The results suggest that the B6C is the best performing NIT in our cohort and reliably excludes HRVs in cACLD patients, regardless of aetiology. This study confirms that the Baveno VI criteria can be applied in an Australian, mixed aetiology cohort to avoid unnecessary screening OGD.
Ensuring Fair Compensation: Analyzing and Adjusting Freight Forwarder Liability Limits
Authors: Poliak Miloš , Salamakhina Ekaterina
Published: April 2024

Background: Due to the absence of unified global regulations, defining the service and legal role of freight forwarders is challenging. This, as well as the lack of a standardized limit to the freight forwarder’s liability for loss or damage to the cargo, introduces misunderstandings into his relationship with the client. The purpose of this study is to analyze the most widely used limit for freight forwarder’s liability, set in Special Drawing Rights (SDR) units, and to adjust it, which will allow for maintaining the purchasing power of the compensation amount over different periods of time. Methods: In this study, two methods of adjusting the liability limit were proposed. In accordance with the first one, the limit was adjusted considering the impact of dollar inflation on the SDR unit. The second method involves changes in the limit of liability, taking into account changes in world prices for goods. Results: The result of this study showed that the second method is more functional, helping to preserve the purchasing power of the liability limit most effectively over time. Conclusions: This study revealed the fluctuating purchasing power of the forwarder’s liability limit over time and suggests utilizing a methodology tied to changes in global goods’ prices for adjustment.
On Higher-Order Generalized Fibonacci Hybrinomials: New Properties, Recurrence Relations and Matrix Representations
Authors: Kızılateş Can , Du Wei-Shih , Terzioğlu Nazlıhan
Published: April 2024

This paper presents a comprehensive survey of the generalization of hybrid numbers and hybrid polynomials, particularly in the fields of mathematics and physics. In this paper, by using higher-order generalized Fibonacci polynomials, we introduce higher-order generalized Fibonacci hybrid polynomials called higher-order generalized Fibonacci hybrinomials. We obtain some special cases and algebraic properties of the higher-order generalized Fibonacci hybrinomials, such as the recurrence relation, generating function, exponential generating function, Binet formula, Vajda’s identity, Catalan’s identity, Cassini’s identity and d’Ocagne’s identity. We also present three different matrices whose components are higher-order generalized Fibonacci hybrinomials, higher-order generalized Fibonacci polynomials and Lucas polynomials. By using these matrices, we obtain some identities related to these newly established hybrinomials.
Multiserver Retrial Queue with Two-Way Communication and Synchronous Working Vacation
Authors: Liu Tzu-Hsin , Chiou Kuo-Ching , Chen Chih-Ming , Chang Fu-Min
Published: April 2024

This work investigates a two-way communication retrial queue with synchronous working vacation and a constant retrial policy. During the idle time, a server makes an outgoing call after a random length. The service time of the incoming call and outgoing call obeys exponential distribution with different rates. If the incoming call finds all servers to be unavailable, it may or may not enter orbit. All servers immediately go on vacation simultaneously as soon as they find an empty system after the service finishes. During vacation, the servers can provide a service to those incoming calls, but this is at a lower-speed rate. The stationary probability distribution and the ergodic condition are obtained utilizing the matrix geometric technique. Some system characteristics are developed. Using MATLAB software, the variation in average orbit length, idle ratio, and the average number of servers in different server states is plotted for different values of the incoming/outgoing call rate and retrial rate. We further propose a multi-objective optimization model from which the optimal rate of outgoing calls and optimal vacation rate are explicitly obtained.
Risk Measures’ Duality on Ordered Linear Spaces
Authors: Kountzakis Christos E. , Rossello Damiano
Published: April 2024

The aim of this paper is to provide a dual representation of convex and coherent risk measures in partially ordered linear spaces with respect to the algebraic dual space. An algebraic robust representation is deduced by weak separation of convex sets by functionals, which are assumed to be only linear; thus, our framework does not require any topological structure of the underlying spaces, and our robust representations are found without any continuity requirement for the risk measures. We also use such extensions to the representation of acceptability indices.
Low-Rank Methods for Solving Discrete-Time Projected Lyapunov Equations
Authors: Lin Yiqin
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we consider the numerical solution of large-scale discrete-time projected Lyapunov equations. We provide some reasonable extensions of the most frequently used low-rank iterative methods for linear matrix equations, such as the low-rank Smith method and the low-rank alternating-direction implicit (ADI) method. We also consider how to reduce complex arithmetic operations and storage when shift parameters are complex and propose a partially real version of the low-rank ADI method. Through two standard numerical examples from discrete-time descriptor systems, we will show that the proposed low-rank alternating-direction implicit method is efficient.
A Higher-Order Extended Cubature Kalman Filter Method Using the Statistical Characteristics of the Rounding Error of the System Model
Authors: Zhang Haiyang , Wen Chenglin
Published: April 2024

The cubature Kalman filter (CKF) cannot accurately estimate the nonlinear model, and these errors will have an impact on the accuracy. In order to improve the filtering performance of the CKF, this paper proposes a new CKF method to improve the estimation accuracy by using the statistical characteristics of rounding error, establishes a higher-order extended cubature Kalman filter (RHCKF) for joint estimation of sigma sampling points and random variables of rounding error, and gives a solution method considering the rounding error of multi-level approximation of the original function in the undermeasured dimension. Finally, numerical simulations show that the RHCKF has a better estimation effect than the CKF, and that the filtering accuracy is improved by using the information of the higher-order rounding error, which also proves the effectiveness of the method.
On the Uniqueness of the Solution to the Inverse Problem of Determining the Diffusion Coefficient of the Magnetic Field Necessary for Constructing Analytical Models of the Magnetic Field of Mercury
Authors: Stepanova Inna , Kolotov Igor , Lukyanenko Dmitry , Shchepetilov Alexey
Published: April 2024

This paper considers the problem of the uniqueness of the solution to the coefficient inverse problem for the system of equations of magneto-hydrodynamics, the solution to which allows more accurately describing the processes of generating the magnetic field of planets with a magneto-hydrodynamic dynamo. The conditions under which it is possible to determine three components of the magnetic induction vector and the magnetic field diffusion coefficient are determined.
Pancreaticoduodenectomy with Anatomical Vascular Variant in Groove Pancreatitis—A Case Report
Authors: Breaza Gelu M. , Dan Radu G. , Hut Florin E. , Baderca Flavia , Cretu Octavian M. , Sima Laurentiu V.
Published: April 2024

Groove pancreatitis represents a chronic focal form of pancreatitis affecting the zone between the pancreatic head and the duodenal “C” loop, known as the groove area. This is a rare condition that affects the pancreatic periampullary part, including the duodenum and the common bile duct, which is usually associated with long-term alcohol and tobacco misuse, and is more frequent in men than in women. The most common clinical symptoms of groove pancreatitis include weight loss, acute abdominal pain, nausea, and jaundice. This report is about a 66-year-old woman with a history of heavy smoking, presenting with weight loss, nausea, and upper abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed the existence of chronic pancreatitis as well as the dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, a cyst of the pancreatic head, and enlargement of the biliary tract. Conservatory treatment was initiated but with no improvement of symptoms. Since endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was not possible due to the local changes, we decided to perform pancreatoduodenectomy, as surgery appears to be the single effective treatment.
The Effect of Shift Working on Dietary Patterns of Healthcare Practitioners during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Migdanis Athanasios , Tsolis Konstantinos , Migdanis Ioannis , Kaltsa Agoritsa G. , Fytsilis Fotios A. , Manouras Athanasios , Androutsos Odysseas , Kapsoritakis Andreas
Published: April 2024

Background and Objectives: Health professionals’ working schedules often do not allow them to follow a balanced way of life, and the nature of their work can affect their weight and eating habits. The aim of the present study is to shed some light on the impact of night shift working on the dietary practices of healthcare practitioners in Greece. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. With the use of an administered questionnaire several parameters were assessed, including anthropometric characteristics, weight history, as well as nutritional habits of the same group of participants during night shifts and when at regular working hours. Moreover, nutritional beliefs of the subjects were recorded, as well as the level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Results: It was observed that in all food groups, including water, used to compare the nutritional patterns of the participants during night shifts and when working regular hours, statistical differences were noted (p = 0.001). Furthermore, the participants who reported a higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet and self-reported healthier nutritional habits, had a statistically lower weight compared to the participants that rarely followed the specific model or reported unhealthier eating routine (p = 0.010 and p = 0.015, respectively). Conclusions: We conclude that shift-working healthcare professionals are associated with disturbed eating behaviours leading to the high consumption of unhealthy food. The implementation of interventions that will concentrate on educating health workers on balanced nutrition and improving physical environment (i.e., food availability, healthier food choices) seems to be of great importance.
The Diversity and Composition of Soil Microbial Communities Differ in Three Land Use Types of the Sanjiang Plain, Northeastern China
Authors: Wang Shenzheng , Wang Mingyu , Gao Xin , Zhao Wenqi , Miao Puwen , Liu Yingnan , Zhang Rongtao , Wang Xin , Sui Xin , Li Mai-He
Published: April 2024

In recent years, the Sanjiang Plain has experienced drastic human activities, which have dramatically changed its ecological environment. Soil microorganisms can sensitively respond to changes in soil quality as well as ecosystem function. In this study, we investigated the changes in soil microbial community diversity and composition of three typical land use types (forest, wetland and cropland) in the Sanjiang Plain using phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA) technology, and 114 different PLFA compounds were identified. The results showed that the soil physicochemical properties changed significantly (p < 0.05) among the different land use types; the microbial diversity and abundance in cropland soil were lower than those of the other two land use types. Soil pH, soil water content, total organic carbon and available nitrogen were the main soil physico-chemical properties driving the composition of the soil microbial community. Our results indicate that the soil microbial community response to the three different habitats is complex, and provide ideas for the mechanism by which land use changes in the Sanjiang Plain affect the structure of soil microbial communities, as well as a theoretical basis for the future management and sustainable use of the Sanjiang plain, in the northeast of China.
An Exploratory Study on Seasonal Variation in the Gut Microbiota of Athletes: Insights from Japanese Handball Players
Authors: Toda Kazuya , Yoshimoto Shin , Yoshida Keisuke , Mitsuyama Eri , Iwabuchi Noriyuki , Hosomi Koji , Sanada Takayuki Jujo , Tanaka Miyuki , Nanri Hinako , Kunisawa Jun , Odamaki Toshitaka , Miyachi Motohiko
Published: April 2024

Despite accumulating evidence that suggests a unique gut microbiota composition in athletes, a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon is lacking. Furthermore, seasonal variation in the gut microbiota of athletes, particularly during the off-season, remains underexplored. This study aimed to compare the gut microbiotas between athletic subjects (AS) and non-athletic subjects (NS), and to investigate variations between athletic and off-season periods. The data were derived from an observational study involving Japanese male handball players. The results revealed a distinct gut microbiota composition in AS compared with NS, characterized by significantly higher alpha-diversity and a greater relative abundance of Faecalibacterium and Streptococcus. Moreover, a comparative analysis between athletic and off-season periods in AS demonstrated a significant change in alpha-diversity. Notably, AS exhibited significantly higher alpha-diversity than NS during the athletic season, but no significant difference was observed during the off-season. This study demonstrates the characteristics of the gut microbiota of Japanese handball players and highlights the potential for changes in alpha-diversity during the off-season. These findings contribute to our understanding of the dynamic nature of the gut microbiota of athletes throughout the season.
Biofilm-Related Infections in Healthcare: Moving towards New Horizons
Authors: Di Domenico Enea Gino , Oliva Alessandra , Guembe María
Published: April 2024

In this Special Issue, titled “Biofilm-Related Infections in Healthcare”, we have reported considerable progress in understanding the physiology and pathology of biofilms [...]
Unveiling a Listeria monocytogenes Outbreak in a Rabbit Farm: Clinical Manifestation, Antimicrobial Resistance, Genomic Insights and Environmental Investigation
Authors: Rodrigues Inês C. , Ribeiro-Almeida Marisa , Silveira Leonor , Prata Joana C. , de Carvalho André Pinto , Roque Carla , Gomes João Paulo , Borges Vítor , Pista Ângela , Martins da Costa Paulo
Published: April 2024

Listeria monocytogenes poses a threat to both human and animal health. This work describes an L. monocytogenes outbreak in a Portuguese rabbit farm, detailing the isolates’ clinical manifestations, necropsy findings, and phenotypic and genomic profiles. Clinical signs, exclusively observed in does, included lethargy and reproductive signs. Post-mortem examination of does revealed splenomegaly, hepatomegaly with a reticular pattern, pulmonary congestion, and haemorrhagic lesions in the uterus, with thickening of the uterine wall and purulent greyish exudates. Positive L. monocytogenes samples were identified in fattening and maternity units across different samples, encompassing does and environmental samples. Core-genome Multi Locus Sequence Typing (cgMLST) analysis confirmed the outbreak, with the 16 sequenced isolates (lineage II, CC31, and ST325) clustering within a ≤2 allelic difference (AD) threshold. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing for five antibiotics revealed that 15 out of 19 outbreak isolates were resistant to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SXT). Concordantly, all SXT-resistant sequenced isolates were found to exclusively harbour a plasmid containing a trimethoprim-resistance gene (dfrD), along with loci linked to resistance to lincosamides (lnuG), macrolides (mphB), and polyether ionophores (NarAB operon). All sequenced outbreak isolates carried the antibiotic resistance-related genes tetM, fosX, lin, norB, lmrB, sul, and mprF. The outbreak cluster comprises isolates from does and the environment, which underscores the ubiquitous presence of L. monocytogenes and emphasizes the importance of biosecurity measures. Despite limited data on listeriosis in rabbit farming, this outbreak reveals its significant impact on animal welfare and production.
New Insights into the Production of Assyrtiko Wines from the Volcanic Terroir of Santorini Island Using Lachancea thermotolerans
Authors: Tzamourani Aikaterini , Paramithiotis Spiros , Favier Marion , Coulon Joana , Moine Virginie , Paraskevopoulos Ioannis , Dimopoulou Maria
Published: April 2024

Assyrtiko is a rare ancient grape variety of Greece, which is known to produce Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Santorini white wines. Besides the famous character of the volcanic terroir, Assyrtiko of Santorini is also marked by a low pH value and sharp acidity. The aim of the present study was to apply a new inoculation procedure that modulates the fermentation process by maintaining the unique sensorial characteristics of Assyrtiko wines based on acidity. For this purpose, the Lachancea thermotolerans species, known for the formation of lactic acid, was tested in sequential fermentation with three different Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. At the end of the fermentation process, implantation control for S. cerevisiae strains (interdelta sequence profile analysis) was performed, oenological parameters were determined according to the OIV protocols, and the volatile compounds produced were measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Finally, all produced wines were evaluated by quantitative descriptive analysis by two groups of experts; the Greek team of oenologists from Santorini Island specialized in Assyrtiko wines, and the French team of oenologists specialized in wine from Bordeaux. As expected, the inoculated strain was the one that dominated the fermentation process, but nine S. cerevisiae indigenous strains were also identified in the produced wines. Lachancea thermotolerans produced 1 g/L of lactic and also modulated the volatile profile of the wines independently of the S. cerevisiae strain used. The origin of the panelists played an important role in bringing up sensorial traits, such as acidity. Our results led to a new interesting application of L. thermotolerans for white wine production adapted to climate change claims.
Bacterial and Fungal Keratitis in a Tertiary Care Hospital from Romania
Authors: Bălășoiu Andrei Theodor , Bălășoiu Maria , Zlatian Ovidiu Mircea , Ghenea Alice Elena
Published: April 2024

Infectious keratitis is a significant global problem that can lead to corneal blindness and visual impairments. This study aimed to investigate the etiology of infectious bacterial and fungal keratitis, identify the causative pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance patterns, and analyze the risk factors associated with the development of infectious keratitis. The study was observational and retrospective, involving 226 eyes from 223 patients presented at the Ophthalmology Clinic of the County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Craiova, Romania. The inclusion criteria included corneal ulceration/abscess/infiltrate present on slit-lamp examination and positive microbiological sampling for bacteria or fungi. The study found that the most common causes of infectious keratitis were coagulase-negative staphylococci (35.40%), Staphylococcus aureus (11.06%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14.16%). The Gram-positive bacteria showed high resistance rates to penicillin, moderate rates to gentamycin and clindamycin, and low resistance to chinolones. The Gram-negative bacteria were highly resistant to ampicillin and amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, while third-generation cephalosporins, quinolones, and carbapenems were effective. Systemic antibiotics, such as vancomycine, piperacillin–tazobactam, amikacin, and ceftazidime, show promise against keratitis with low resistance rates, whereas carbapenems and topical aminoglycosides had higher resistance, leaving moxifloxacin as a potential topical option for Gram-positive bacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, albeit with resistance concerns for Klebsiella spp. Although fungal keratitis was rare, Fusarium spp. and Candida albicans were the leading fungal pathogens, with incidences of 2.65% and 2.21%, respectively. Candida albicans was broadly susceptible to most antifungals, while Fusarium solani, Curvularia lunata, and Alternaria alternata exhibited resistance to many antifungals. Amphotericin B and caspofungin can be used as systemic antifungals in fungal keratitis. The study also identified risk factors for keratitis such as ocular trauma (65.92%, OR: 2.5), contact lens wear (11.94%, OR: 1.8), and corneal scarring/leukoma (10.17%, OR: 1.6). Keratitis was more frequent in individuals over 60 years old. The findings of this study have implications for the development of effective diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive strategies for infectious keratitis.
Captivity Shifts Gut Microbiota Communities in Plateau Zokor (Eospalax baileyi)
Authors: Liu Daoxin , Li Bin , Song Pengfei , Jiang Feng , Zhang Tongzuo
Published: April 2024

The gut microbiota in animals is a dynamic ecosystem influenced by both the host itself and the environment it inhabits. It is known that short-term captivity can significantly impact the gut microbiota of plateau zokors, leading to substantial inter-individual variation. However, the specific changes in the assembly process of the gut microbiota in plateau zokors during captivity remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis on the assembly process of the gut microbiota in 22 male plateau zokors from the same location in Qinglin Township, Datong County, Qinghai Province, before (W) and after (L) laboratory rearing. We performed a single-factor correlation network analysis on the top 50 genera with relative abundance in each group. The results revealed that captivity increased the complexity of the gut microbiota in plateau zokors, indicating a higher number of interactions between different microbial species. However, this increase in complexity was accompanied by a decrease in stability, suggesting a higher degree of variability and potential disruption in the microbial community. According to the results of the neutral community model, the gut microbiota of plateau zokors in the W had a higher Nm value (Nm = 48,135) compared to the L (Nm = 39,671), indicating that species dispersal of the gut microbiota was greater in the wild than in captivity. In the wild, the modified stochasticity ratio (MST) was less than 0.5, suggesting that deterministic processes dominated. However, after 15 days of laboratory rearing, the MST became greater than 0.5, indicating a shift toward stochastic processes, and this difference was highly significant (p < 0.001). This differs from research related to aboveground animals. This study provides theoretical support for the application of gut microbiota in subterranean endangered species.
Structural Characterization and Bioactivity of a Titanium(IV)-Oxo Complex Stabilized by Mandelate Ligands
Authors: Kubiak Barbara , Muzioł Tadeusz , Wrzeszcz Grzegorz , Radtke Aleksandra , Golińska Patrycja , Jędrzejewski Tomasz , Wrotek Sylwia , Piszczek Piotr
Published: April 2024

Research on titanium-oxo complexes (TOCs) is usually focused on their structure and photocatalytic properties. Findings from these investigations further sparked our interest in exploring their potential biological activities. In this study, we focused on the synthesis and structure of a compound with the general formula [Ti8O2(OiPr)20(man)4] (1), which was isolated from the reaction mixture of titanium(IV) isopropoxide with mandelic acid (Hman) in a molar ratio of 4:1. The structure (1) was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, while spectroscopic studies provided insights into its physicochemical properties. To assess the potential practical applications of (1), its microcrystals were incorporated into a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) matrix, yielding composite materials of the type PMMA + (1) (2 wt.%, 5 wt.%, 10 wt.%, and 20 wt.%). The next stage of our research involved the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the obtained materials. The investigations performed demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of pure (1) and its composites (PMMA + (1)) against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. Furthermore, MTT tests conducted on the L929 murine fibroblast cell line confirmed the lack of cytotoxicity of these composites. Our study identified (1) as a promising antimicrobial agent, which is also may be use for producing composite coatings.
Discovery of a Novel Chemo-Type for TAAR1 Agonism via Molecular Modeling
Authors: Grossi Giancarlo , Scarano Naomi , Musumeci Francesca , Tonelli Michele , Kanov Evgeny , Carbone Anna , Fossa Paola , Gainetdinov Raul R. , Cichero Elena , Schenone Silvia
Published: April 2024

The search for novel effective TAAR1 ligands continues to draw great attention due to the wide range of pharmacological applications related to TAAR1 targeting. Herein, molecular docking studies of known TAAR1 ligands, characterized by an oxazoline core, have been performed in order to identify novel promising chemo-types for the discovery of more active TAAR1 agonists. In particular, the oxazoline-based compound S18616 has been taken as a reference compound for the computational study, leading to the development of quite flat and conformationally locked ligands. The choice of a “Y-shape” conformation was suggested for the design of TAAR1 ligands, interacting with the protein cavity delimited by ASP103 and aromatic residues such as PHE186, PHE195, PHE268, and PHE267. The obtained results allowed us to preliminary in silico screen an in-house series of pyrimidinone-benzimidazoles (1a–10a) as a novel scaffold to target TAAR1. Combined ligand-based (LBCM) and structure based (SBCM) computational methods suggested the biological evaluation of compounds 1a–10a, leading to the identification of derivatives 1a–3a (hTAAR1 EC50 = 526.3–657.4 nM) as promising novel TAAR1 agonists.
Phytochemical Composition and Antimicrobial Properties of New Lavandula angustifolia Ecotypes
Authors: Betlej Izabela , Andres Bogusław , Cebulak Tomasz , Kapusta Ireneusz , Balawejder Maciej , Żurek Natalia , Jaworski Sławomir , Lange Agata , Kutwin Marta , Pisulewska Elżbieta , Kidacka Agnieszka , Krochmal-Marczak Barbara , Boruszewski Piotr , Borysiuk Piotr
Published: April 2024

The purpose of this study was to characterize ethanol extracts from leaves and flowers of two ecotypes (PL—intended for industrial plantations and KC—intended for cut flowers) of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. The plant was cultivated in 2019 in southern Poland as part of a long-term research plan to develop new varieties resistant to difficult environmental conditions. The collected leaves and flowers were used to prepare ethanol extracts, which were then analyzed in terms of phytochemical composition and antioxidant, bactericidal, and fungicidal properties. Using UPLC techniques, 22 compounds belonging to phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified. UPLC test results indicated that ethanol extracts from leaves and flowers differ in phytochemical composition. Lower amounts of phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified in leaf extracts than in flower extracts. The predominant substances in the flower extracts were rosmarinic acid (829.68–1229.33 µg/g), ferulic acid glucoside III (810.97–980.55 µg/g), and ferulic acid glucoside II (789.30–885.06 µg/g). Ferulic acid glucoside II (3981.95–6561.19 µg/g), ferulic acid glucoside I (2349.46–5503.81 µg/g), and ferulic acid glucoside III (1303.84–2774.17 µg/g) contained the highest amounts in the ethanol extracts of the leaves. The following substances were present in the extracts in trace amounts or at low levels: apigenin, kaempferol, and caftaric acid. Leaf extracts of the PL ecotype quantitatively (µg/g) contained more phytochemicals than leaf extracts of the KC ecotype. The results obtained in this study indicate that antioxidant activity depends on the ecotype. Extracts from the PL ecotype have a better ability to eliminate free radicals than extracts from the KC ecotype. At the same time, it was found that the antioxidant activity (total phenolic content, ABTS•+, DPPH•, and FRAP) of PL ecotype leaf extracts was higher (24.49, 177.75, 164.88, and 89.10 μmol (TE)/g) than that determined in flower extracts (15.84, 125.05, 82.35, and 54.64 μmol (TE)/g). The test results confirmed that leaf and flower extracts, even at low concentrations (0.313–0.63%), significantly inhibit the growth of selected Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and Candida yeasts. Inhibition of mold growth was observed at a dose extract of at least 1 mL/100 mL.
Recycling and Degradation of Polyamides
Authors: Zheng Lin , Wang Mengjin , Li Yaoqin , Xiong Yan , Wu Chonggang
Published: April 2024

As one of the five major engineering plastics, polyamide brings many benefits to humans in the fields of transportation, clothing, entertainment, health, and more. However, as the production of polyamide increases year by year, the pollution problems it causes are becoming increasingly severe. This article reviews the current recycling and treatment processes of polyamide, such as chemical, mechanical, and energy recovery, and degradation methods such as thermal oxidation, photooxidation, enzyme degradation, etc. Starting from the synthesis mechanism of polyamide, it discusses the advantages and disadvantages of different treatment methods of polyamide to obtain more environmentally friendly and economical treatment schemes. Finding enzymes that can degrade high-molecular-weight polyamides, exploring the recovery of polyamides under mild conditions, synthesizing environmentally degradable polyamides through copolymerization or molecular design, and finally preparing degradable bio-based polyamides may be the destination of polyamide.