bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shared Governance as an Antecedent of Intention to Leave and Job Satisfaction among Nurses in Level 3 Government Hospitals in Region III, Philippines
Authors: Lintag Raymond P , Ruiz Fred B , S. Orte Christian Jay , M. Alarilla Virginia , A. Floresca-Arceo Hanna Monique
Published: October 2022

Background: Shared governance may be considered as both a guideline and a technique that allows nurses to have a say in decision-making measures. Rather of assigning full accountability to one nurse, it is distributed to each group member. In the face of high attrition, healthcare officials are still considering strategies to improve nurse job satisfaction and retention. Aim: The purpose of the study is to explore shared governance as an antecedent of intention to leave and job satisfaction among nurses in Level III government hospitals in Region III, Philippines. Materials and Methods: Quantitative descriptive type of research was used. A total of 806 nurses across six (6) Level III government hospitals in Region III, Philippines participated in the study. Three instruments were utilized namely: 1) Shared Governance was measured using the Index of Professional Nursing Governance by Hess (1998) used in the study of Wilson (2013); 2) Intention to Leave questionnaire by Mohammed and Mohammed (2013) used in the research of Ahmed, Abdelwahab, and Elguindy (2017) and 3) Job Satisfaction questionnaire by Mueller and McCloskey and used in the research of Prosen and Piskar (2015). Data was computed using SPSS version 25. Results: It revealed that shared governance is not an antecedent of the intention to leave among nurses. Even in terms of job satisfaction, shared governance is not an antecedent among its variables except for the control and responsibility which identified as significant. Conclusion: Nurses at all levels of the organization should govern and participate in decisions that influence their practice as part of the shared governance model; thus, allowing them to have greater independence and control over their practice leading to maintain job satisfaction and decrease intention to leave the institution.
Effect of music therapy on postembolization syndrome in Thai patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A quasi-experimental crossover study
Authors: Khuntee Wassana , Hanprasitkam Kanitha , Sumdaengrit Bualuang
Published: October 2022

Background: Postembolization syndrome (PES), including abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, are complications most severe on the first day after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Music therapy has been found to help manage pain. If pain, a cause of nausea and vomiting, can be relieved, then nausea and vomiting should also be reduced.
Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effect of music therapy on PES in patients with liver cancer after receiving TACE.
Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental crossover design. The study was conducted at the inpatient units of a specialized hospital for cancer in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 2020 to October 2021. Thirty patients with liver cancer were purposively selected based on the pre-determined criteria. A change-over design was used to compare patients’ changes in abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting from the experimental period to the other control period. During the experimental period, music therapy was administered for 30 minutes on Day 0 after TACE, then twice a day in the morning and evening of Days 1 and 2 after TACE, and in the morning of Day 3 after TACE. During the control period, the patients used silent headphones. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed ranks and Friedman tests.
Results: The participants perceived abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting at a mild level during all periods. Pain scores in the music therapy period were significantly lower than those in the control period on Days 0, 1, and 2 after TACE (p <0.001, p <0.01, and p <0.001, respectively) and lower than at the baseline (p <0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in nausea and vomiting scores between the music therapy period and the control period on Days 0, 1, and 2 after TACE and no statistically significant differences at the baseline.
Conclusion: Music therapy effectively reduces mild pain among patients with liver cancer experiencing PES. This therapy can be used as a non-pharmacological treatment for nurses and other healthcare professionals in caring for patients with liver cancer.
Every nursing support matters: Mothers of hospitalised preterm newborns
Authors: Zolkefli Yusrita
Published: October 2022

Nursing support for mothers whose newborns are admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has been a subject of interest in nursing practice. The article by Ong et al. acknowledges the salient role of nurses in supporting mothers in the neonatal intensive care unit. While the study suggested a moderate quality of life among mothers, the authors emphasised the necessity for hospital management to provide tangible and structured strategies to reduce maternal stress. The paper describes some existing nursing support programs to illustrate the approaches.
Contemporary Use of Intracoronary Imaging in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Li Kam Wa Matthew E. , Gerber Robert T.
Published: October 2022

Since the first balloon angioplasty in 1977, remarkable advances in catheter-based technology have been achieved with the use of stents and intracoronary devices. However, despite these developments, visual assessment of a 2-dimensional lumenogram of the coronary vessels remains the predominant method of assessing coronary disease and guiding angioplasty worldwide. It is an enigma that there is still such a low uptake in the use of intravascular imaging, whether in the form of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence tomography (OCT), with both techniques providing cross-sectional imaging of the coronary vessels with a resolution at the microscopic scale. The intracoronary imaging community tends to focus on the academic aspects of IVUS and OCT, often highlighting the evidence-based benefits in lesion subsets, such as left main stem or bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention. However, this does not impart crucial practical-related aspects pertaining to IVUS or OCT, which can improve outcomes and achieve optimal results for operators and patients. Here, the authors present a case-based approach to IVUS and OCT use in contemporary clinical practice, with the hope of providing useful, practical insights for the busy interventionalist and prompting the consideration of intracoronary imaging catheters as an essential part of their percutaneous coronary intervention toolbox.
Guidelines, Clinical Evidence, and Real-Life Practice: How to Find Your Way in Managing Hypercholesterolaemia
Authors: Fricker Janet
Published: October 2022

Prof Masana presented evidence that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is a causal factor for atherosclerosis and that cardiovascular disease (CVD)-relative risk (RR) is reduced proportionally to LDL reductions, regardless of the type of monotherapy used. Combination therapy offers the advantage of increased lipid-lowering efficacy and a reduction in the side effects associated with high-intensity statins. The rationale thus exists for replacing high-intensity statin therapy with high-intensity cholesterol-lowering therapy.

Prof Farnier gave an in-depth description of the results of the IMPROVE-IT, FOURIER, and ODYSSEY-Outcomes trials, demonstrating that the magnitude of clinical benefit is independent of whether it is achieved by statins, ezetimibe, or PCSK9 inhibitors. The IMPROVE-IT study also showed that the magnitude of benefit is proportionate to the absolute decrease in LDL cholesterol. This is consistent with the conclusions of a meta-analysis of randomised controlled statin trials, showing that patients achieving very low LDL cholesterol levels have a reduced risk of major cardiovascular (CV) events compared with those achieving moderately low levels. The greatest benefits for reductions in major adverse CV events from lowering LDL cholesterol occur in patients with diabetes.

The above studies have led the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) taskforce on PCSK9 inhibitors to outline a strategy for additional treatment, with patients on maximally-tolerated statin doses failing to achieve LDL cholesterol goals at 4 weeks being considered for ezetimibe treatment, and those failing to achieve goals after a further 4 weeks being considered for PCSK9 inhibitors.

Votes from the audience, collected at the start and end of each presentation, showed that the speakers convinced delegates that the lower the LDL cholesterol level achieved the better the outcome for patients would be, that combination therapy is as effective as single dose high-intensity statins, and that statins plus ezetimibe should be considered as standard treatment in high-risk patients, particularly in Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.
GADOLINIUM(III) COMPLEX OXIDE COMPOUNDS OF OBTAINED FROM MOLYBDATE-PHOSPHATE MOLTEN SALT
Authors: Terebilenko Kateryna , Zozuliia Valeriia , Tokmenko Inna , Slobodyanik Mykola
Published: October 2022

The peculiarities of K2Gd(PO4)(MoO4) single crystal growth from combined phosphate-molybdate melts have been investigated. The formation regions of GdPO4,  KGd(MoO4)2 and their cocrystallization fields with the mixed anionic compound potassium – gadolinium have been established. IR spect­roscopy showed that in all compounds molybdenum and phosphorus are in a tetrahedral environment, and the phase composition was confirmed by X-ray powder. Crystallization of the target compound K2Gd(PO4)(MoO4) is observed in the pseudobinary section K2Mo2O7-KPO3 orthiorombic system, space group Ibca, Z = 8, а = 19,694(4) Å, b = 12,260(3) Å, c = 6,961(3) Å. Double phosphate K3Gd(PO4)2 crystallizes in the form of colorless prismatic crystals from the melts with the initial ratio K/P = 1.7–3.3, which practically corresponds to the section K2MoO4 – K4P2O7. Phosphate GdPO4 crystallizes in the form of colorless prismatic crystals up to 0.1 mm in size at the maximum KPO3 content in the melt, which corresponds to K/P ratio = 0.20–0.50 and K/(Mo+P) = 0.25–0.33. Crystal-chemical criteria for the formation of mixed-anion-type layered frameworks, island structures, and three-dimensional frameworks based on mixed phosphate-molybdate systems and rare earth elements are proposed. The key factor in the formation of complex oxide compounds of rare earth elements from combined molybdate-phosphate melts is the ratio of K/Mo in the initial solution - melt: 1) at  K/Mo = 0.5–1.1, LnPO4 orthophosphates are formed, which are characterized by a 3D framework on the basis of LnO7/LnO8poly­hedra condensed into a three-dimensional framework; at K/Mo = 1.2–1.5, mixed anionic compounds of the composition K2Ln(PO4)(MoO4) (Ln – Gd- Tb) with a layered structure are formed, where LnО8 forms zigzag chains; 3) at K/Mo = 1.6–3.0, double orthophosphates of the composition K3Ln(PO4)2 with an island structure are formed.
A Review Paper on Development of Aluminum Matrix Composite with Organic Reinforcements
Authors: Barman Akashjyoti , Biswas Ajay , Rathod Avishkar B. , Singh Mahendra
Published: October 2022

The main background of this study is the desire to create materials through sustainable methods that will be environmentally friendly and have low-cost production. Most authors have focused on developing aluminum matrix composites through various inorganic reinforcements. These AMCs have improved mechanical, physical, chemical, and thermal properties as well as improved wear and corrosion resistance. This paper studies alternative reinforcement materials that are organic, inexpensive, and easily available which can be used in place of inorganic reinforcements. Based on the literature that has been studied, various organic reinforcements like aloe vera, coconut husk, rice husk, and so on have been used for developing aluminum matrix composites. It was discovered that the addition of organic materials as reinforcements results in improved mechanical and physical properties of the composite materials, based on the literature review.
Design and development of solid state cooling module for rawmilk cooling
Authors: Patil Mallikarjuna , Ramachandra CT , Kumar Mahesh , KB G, Suresha, , Kuma Prasanna
Published: October 2022

The global increasing demand for refrigeration in field of cooling and storage led to usage of more electricity and release of ozone depleting gases over the world which is a contributing factor of global warming. Thermoelectric cooling is a novel technique for producing cooling and heating effect. Hence, a solid state cooling module for cooling of raw milk was designed and developed. The milk cooling chamber was designed with the dimensions of 260 mm in diameter, 140 mm in height and 2 mm in thickness. The volume of the milk and water cooling chamber was 5 and 4 L, respectively. Three numbers of TEC1-12715 Peltier module, with the dimensions of 40 mm in length, 3.6 mm in thickness and 40 mm in width, cold side fins (36 fins), hot side fins (100 fins) and exhaust fans (3 Nos.) were used in the cooling module. The 12 V, 10A DC power supply for three module and exhaust fans was drawn from SMPS in parallel connection. The thermoelectric cooling module was able to cool raw milk from 37 to 9 Â°C. The highest cooling load obtained was 229.74 kJ at 60 min. The minimum and maximum power consumption recorded was 0.375 kWh and 1.125 kWh, respectively. The COP of the module was ranged from 0.036 to 0.259.
Heavy metal contamination of milk and milk Products produced in Boumerdes(Algeria)
Authors: Djeziri Mourad. , Hamza Sabrina , Sebih Meriem
Published: October 2022

Milk and its derivatives are major sources of micronutrients an overdose of these can be harmful. This study aimed to measure heavy metals concentration and its derivatives from the Factory LFB (Boudouaou Cheese Dairy) in Boumerdes, Algeria. The concentration were measured using a graphite furnace spectrophotometer, the all data processing was carried with XL-STAT 2014 software. The mean values (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg, Cd, Cr and Pb) lie respectively between: (0.019-0.45), (0.29-7.24), (0.21- 0.56), (1.09-120.77), (0.012-0.41), (0.006-0.027), (0.086-0.72mg/L) Higher levels of Cd, Fe, Cr and Pb were observed in pasteurized milk and cheese, and higher levels of Zn and Cu in cheese than in other sampales, all exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) limits. The highest non-carcinogenic risk quotient (NCR) values were attributed to Pb and Cd in raw milk, pasteurized milk and cheese, which were above the values recommended by the Health Protection Agency United States Environment (USEPA) as for the carcinogenic risk factor (CR), desipite the low value found, consumption of milk and cheese over a long period of time does not exclude the risk of developing cancer.
Influence of WPC and coagulation temperature on the physico-chemical andsensory quality of goat milk chhana
Authors: Mishra Kuldeep , Pinto Suneeta , Dharaiya CN , Prajapati JP
Published: October 2022

This study was carried out to select a suitable level of WPC in milk and coagulation temperature for manufacture of chhana prepared from Surati goat milk. WPC was evaluated at three levels of addition, viz. 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 % w/w of milk and three coagulation temperatures were evaluated viz. 75, 80 ÂºC and 85 ÂºC. A significant reduction in moisture content as well as increase in fat and protein content of chhana was observed with increase in the level of WPC and coagulation temperature. Their interaction also showed similar effect. Chhana prepared using a coagulation temperature of 85ÂºC had the highest pH (i.e. 5.69) and acidity (0.51% lactic acid) which was significantly higher compared to chhana samples prepared using lower coagulation temperatures viz. 75 and 80ÂºC. Chhana prepared from milk incorporated with 0.5% WPC and coagulated at 80ÂºC was preferred the most with respect to sensory attributes.
Role of non-genetic factors on semen production performance in Murrahbuffalo bulls
Authors: Ramajayan P , Sivaselvam SN , Karthickeyan SMK , Venkataramanan R , Gopinathan A
Published: October 2022

The present study aims to determine the effect of non-genetic factors on semen production traits of Murrah buffalo bulls maintained in an organized semen station. The data collected from 75 Murrah bulls maintained during the period 1997 to 2017 were used to analyse the non-genetic effects using least-squares analyses under General Linear Model (GLM). The overall least-squares means for age at first semen collection (AFSC), age at first semen freezing (AFSF), age at last semen collection (ALSC), age at last semen freezing (ALSF), semen production period (SPP), frozen semen production period (FSPP), age at disposal (AD), number of ejaculates per bull per year, lifetime ejaculates per bull, frozen semen doses per bull per year and lifetime production of frozen semen doses per bull were 1149.71 days, 1160.67 days, 2745.32 days, 2728.73 days, 1313.97 days, 1292.23 days, 2819.09 days, 63.57, 637.88, 5738.60 doses and 69778.32 doses, respectively. Poor semen quality, old age, and poor libido were the predominant causes of disposal of bulls with 42.11%, 22.81%, and 12.28%, respectively. The period of birth of the bulls had a highly significant (P<0.01) effect on AFSC and AFSF and a significant (P<0.05) impact on AD. While the season of birth was non-significant for any of the parameters studied. Period I recorded higher values for AFSC, AFSF, and AD, whereas bulls born in period V exhibited lower AFSC and AFSF. Early selection and training of bulls under preferable managemental conditions will increase the semen production period and frozen semen doses.
Dairy infrastructure development index: measuring regional inequalities acrossdistricts of Gujarat
Authors: Mahidaand Darshnaben P , Cariappa Adeeth
Published: October 2022

Infrastructure development is critical to sustain and attain optimum output from the rapidly growing Indian dairy sector. The existing studies indicate the need to improve the dairy infrastructure; however, the need varies across regions. This study analyses the disparity in the dairy infrastructure development of one of the highly dairy progressive State â€“ Gujarat - using a Principal Component Approach (PCA). The results indicate that there exists nearly a 54% disparity in the dairy infrastructure facility among the districts of Gujarat. The index value varies from 0.04 for Dang to 0.66 for Banaskantha districts of Gujarat. The findings pointed towards a higher association of existence of farmer collectives and infrastructure development in the state. Development indicators to be prioritized for improving the level of dairy infrastructure in the low performing districts are also highlighted. The study suggests that the existing inequalities can be reduced by supporting and strengthening the already existing institutions like milk cooperatives and farmer producer companies or by incentivizing farmer groups to create one.
Labour absorption in livestock activities in arid Western and Northern region ofRajasthan
Authors: Rajput Arjun Singh , Sharma Latika , Meena GL , Burark SS , Pant DC , Mishra S
Published: October 2022

In the arid western and northern regions of Rajasthan livestock activity is a complementary activity to farming and it provides much needed risk cover in case of crop failure. The present investigation was undertaken to study the labour absorption in different livestock activities in Arid western and northern regions of Rajasthan. The study was conducted based on primary data. The primary data were collected from the 200 households of 10 villages during year of the 2018-2019. The average utilization of human labour in livestock activities was found 54.48 man-days/animal/year in arid western and northern region. The participation of woman labour in all livestock activities was found more than man labour in all herd size group in arid western and northern region. The annual average human labour absorption was maximum in site preparation activity i.e., 28.76 hours/animal/year for male and 101.63 hours/animal/year for female, then other activities in all size of farms.
Role and motivational factors of vendors in milk marketing system
Authors: Dixit Awadhesh , Ponnusamy Kuppusamy
Published: October 2022

Vendors are important players in milk procurement and distribution among the consumers especially in urban and semi-urban areas. In order to understand their role and motivational factors in milk marketing, a study was conducted in four regions of Uttar Pradesh during 2020-2021. A sample of 120 was considered for the study by randomly selecting 30 respondents each from western, eastern, central and Bundelkhand regions of Uttar Pradesh. The primary data were analysed using frequency and percentage. The finding revealed that all the vendors had performed the milk procurement and milk distribution activities, serving as major source of information as major roles and provision of farm inputs and advisory services as minor role across the four regions. Adulteration detection was reported as major role by 16.67 per cent of respondents and minor role by 80.83 per of them and 2.5 per cent were not considering it as role, link to government officials as major role by only 2.5 per cent of the vendors and 97.50 per cent of the reported it as minor role. Majority of the vendors in Central region (76.67%), Eastern region (86.67%), Bundelkhand region and Western region (66.67%) were motivated by seeing their previous generations who were running the vendorship successfully with good income and therefore they adopted it as family tradition. Good income in vendorship motivated 56.57 per cent of them in Central region, 50 per cent in Eastern region, 40 per cent in Bundelkhand region and 46.67 per cent in Western region. The study warrants promotion of vendors in the formal value chain by providing training and other support for development of sustainable milk marketing.
Effect of storage temperature on quality characteristics of iron fortified milkchocolate
Authors: Singh Manpreet , Chawla Rekha , Bansal Venus
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the storage stability of iron fortified milk chocolate at two different temperatures viz., ambient (25Â±2Â°C) and refrigeration (4Â±1Â°C). The developed product was packed in aluminium foil (0.2 mm thick) and change in quality attributes in terms of sensory, physico-chemical, instrumental textural and microbiological investigation were performed at an interval of 7 days. The keeping quality decreased with the progress of storage at both temperatures, however, the product stored at ambient temperature became unacceptable after 21 days of storage. An increase in HMF, TBA, peroxide, aw, FFA, hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, SPC and YM was observed in both the samples, whereas, the changes were more pronounced at ambient temperature. Henceforth, samples stored at refrigeration temperature were acceptable till 91 days of storage and exhibited significantly (p<0.05) higher sensory scores from day 7. The study indicated that iron fortified chocolates could be successfully stored for longer period at refrigeration temperature and is a potential substitute for conventional chocolate.
Impact of agromet advisory services on farmers’ operational decisions related todairy farming in Thiruvananthapuram
Authors: RV Manjusree , Maiti Sanjit , Garai Sanchita , KV Manjunath , Bhakat Mukesh , Dixit AK , Jha SK , Kadian KS
Published: October 2022

Climate factors has an impact on numerous aspects of productivity, reproduction, health, and adaptation in dairy animals. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to assess the impact of the agromet advisory services on farmers' decision making for different farm operations related to dairy farming. The study was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala state. Two blocks were selected randomly from the district and from each block two experimental and two control villages selected after verifying that villages were not receiving any kind of agromet advisory services from Agromet Field Unit (AMFU) in Thiruvananthapuram. From each experimental village 15 beneficiary farmers were selected and provided with treatment i.e. Agromet Advisory Bulletins were disseminated twice a week (Tuesday and Friday) regularly for 6 months through Whatsapp group and from each control village 15 non-beneficiary farmers were selected. To assess the impact Difference in difference design and regression models were used. The findings revealed that most of the agromet advices were only relevant for crop farmers and the advices relevant for dairy farmers were included less frequently. Hence advisory services pertinent to dairy farmers must be appropriately included in the agromet advisory services disseminated from AMFUs.
Bile salt hydrolase and cholesterol assimilation potential of lactobacilli fromNigerian fermented foods and human sources
Authors: Duche Rachael T , Nwagu Tochukwu N , Singh Anamika , Ganesh Wandhare Arundhati , Sihag Manvesh Kumar , Panwar Harsh , Ezeogu Lewis I
Published: October 2022

Bile salt hydrolases (BSH) results in microbes releasing enzymes conferring physiological functions for both the producing organisms and the host and subsequently lower serum cholesterol. In recent years, these attributes have generated interest towards screening of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for functional food production. In this present study, lactobacilli (n=34) (13 L. casei, 6 L. paracasei, 11 L. brevis, 3 L. pentosus and 1 L. plantarum) from varied sources viz. Nigerian fermented foods and human specimens were screened qualitatively and quantitatively for BSH activity using the direct plate assay and cell free extracts (CFE) of overnight cultures. To establish a correlation between BSH and cholesterol reduction, 12 isolates displaying high precipitation over bile salt agar plates, and high BSH enzyme activity in CFE were selected for in vitro cholesterol reduction assay. Results showed that 58% of the isolates from humans, and 36% from fermented food origin showed larger zones of precipitation. The highest BSH activity was exhibited by Lactobacillus casei GR4 (76mM) after 10 min of incubation, an isolate from fermented food. Isolates from human specimens expressed higher enzyme activity compared to those from fermented foods with significant increase (P<0.05) after 30 min incubation. Cholesterol level was variable as L. pentosus 8ST5 and 8ST7 had 2 and 4% cholesterol levels in the medium; while L. casei and paracasei group (Lactobacillus casei group, LCG) 3MB4, 8BM6, BK4 and L. brevis GR29 had 7%/ml each proving their application in food formulation, reduction of hypercholesterolemia, and as prophylaxis for controlling serum cholesterol levels.
Association of virginiamycin and multiple supplement for cattle fed a high-quality tropical forage
Authors: Vidal Raphaela C. , Lima Nicole S.A. , Sampaio Claudia B. , Duarte Marcio S. , Detmann Edenio
Published: October 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding virginiamycin to either mineral mixture or multiple supplement on intake, digestion, ruminal fermentation profile, rumen microbial production, blood metabolites, and liver metabolism of zebu heifers fed a high-quality tropical forage. Eight Brahman heifers were assigned to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin Square design. The treatments were: mineral mixture, mineral mixture with virginiamycin, multiple supplement, and multiple supplement with virginiamycin. The basal diet consisted of a high-quality Tifton 85 hay (Cynodom sp.) chopped at 10-cm particle size and fed twice daily. The mineral mixture was provided daily at 120 g/animal. The multiple supplement was formulated to provide 300 g of crude protein (CP)/kg as fed, contained mineral mixture, corn grain, and urea: ammonium sulfate, and was daily provided at 200 g/animal. The mineral mixture and multiple supplement provided the same daily amount of minerals. The amount of supplemental virginiamycin was based on a maximum theoretical response on animal performance (50 mg/100 kg body weight) and daily mixed to the supplements types. The treatments were compared according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (mineral mixture and multiple supplement, with or without virginiamycin). The virginiamycin supplementation did not alter either voluntary intake or digestibility (P≥0.44). Using the multiple supplement decreased forage (P<0.05) and digested organic matter (DOM, P<0.10) intake, but increased dietary CP : DOM ratio (P<0.01). The multiple supplement increased the ruminal ammonia concentration (P<0.04) and the acetate-to-propionate ratio (P<0.06). Virginiamycin increased urinary nitrogen (N) when provided along with multiple supplement (P<0.05). Fecal N was decreased by multiple supplement (P<0.06). Despite these effects, no effect was verified on either body N accretion (P≥0.48) or microbial N production in the rumen (P≥0.27). Virginiamycin decreased the blood IGF-1 (P<0.07). The hepatic gene expression for propionyl-CoA carboxylase was increased by virginiamycin (P<0.01). Virginiamycin increased the hepatic gene expression of both citrate synthase and pyrivate carboxylase when mineral mixture was provided (P<0.01), but decreased it when animals were fed multiple supplement (P<0.04). Using a low-intake multiple supplement with a high CP content for cattle fed high-quality forage causes a substitutive effect on forage intake, but keeps nitrogen accretion unchanged. That pattern indicates an improvement in feed efficiency. On the other hand, virginiamycin supplementation seems to cause some post-prandial influences, which may vary according to the type of supplement. Those influences apparently improve animal efficiency.
Inflammatory priming with IL-1β promotes the immunomodulatory behavior of adipose derived stem cells
Authors: Colombini Alessandra , Libonati Francesca , Cangelosi Davide , Lopa Silvia , De Luca Paola , Coviello Domenico Antonio , Moretti Matteo , de Girolamo Laura
Published: October 2022

Inflammatory processes contribute to osteoarthritis (OA) severity and progression. Mesenchymal stem cells, particularly those derived from adipose tissue (ASCs), are able to sense and control the inflammatory environment. This immunomodulatory potential can be boosted by different priming strategies based on inflammatory stimulation. The aim of the present study is to investigate the transcriptional modulation of a huge panel of genes and functionally verify the predicted immunomodulatory ability of ASCs after interleukin one beta (IL-1β) priming. ASCs were isolated from adipose tissue obtained from three donors and expanded. After stimulation with 1 ng/ml of IL-1β for 48 h, cells were collected for gene array and functional tests. Pooled cells from three donors were used for RNA extraction and gene array analysis. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were performed to assess the involvement of the modulated genes after priming in specific biological processes and pathways. Functional co-culture tests of ASCs with T cells and macrophages were performed to assess the ability of primed ASCs to modulate immune cell phenotype. Among the overall genes analyzed in the gene array, about the 18% were up- or down-regulated in ASCs after IL-1β priming. GO enrichment analysis of up- or down-regulated genes in ASCs after IL-1β priming allowed identifying specific pathways involved in the modulation of inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling. The main processes enriched according to the GSEA are related to the inflammatory response and cell proliferative processes. Functional tests on immune cells showed that primed and non-primed ASCs induced a decrease in the CD3+ T lymphocytes survival rate and an anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization. In conclusion, IL-1β priming represents a tailored strategy to enhance the ability of ASCs to direct macrophages towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype and, consequently, improve the efficacy of ASCs in counteracting the OA inflammatory component.
The targeting imaging and treatment capacity of gelsolin-targeted and paclitaxel-loaded PLGA nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Ji Jiamei , Qin Haocheng , Yang Yan , Wu Jun , Wu Juan
Published: October 2022

As a vital sign of carcinomas, lymph node metastasis is closely related to poor prognosis due to a lack of identification and effective treatment in the early stage. Nanoscale contrast agents targeting specific tumor antigens are expected to identify tumor metastasis in the early stage and achieve precise treatment. As a biomarker in the early stage of tumor invasion and metastasis, gelsolin (GSN) might be a promising molecular target to identify and screen tumor metastasis through the lymphatic system. Therefore, GSN-targeted paclitaxel-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (GSN-PTX-PLGA NPs) were prepared, and their physicochemical properties, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, and dissolution were determined. Besides, uptake experiments and the fluorescent imaging system were used to evaluate their targeting capability. The targeting imaging and treatment capacity were also assessed by experiments in vitro and in vivo. The diameter of the GSN-PTX-PLGA NPs was 328.59 ± 3.82 nm. Hca-F cells with GSN-PLGA NPs showed stronger green fluorescence than Hca-P cells. DiI-labeled GSN-PLGA NPs in tumor-bearing mice and isolated organs exhibited more prominent fluorescence aggregation. The imaging of GSN-PLGA NPs was satisfactory in vitro, and the echo intensity gradually increased with increasing concentrations of GSN-PLGA NPs. After treatment with GSN-PTX-PLGA NPs, there was an obvious decrease in tumor volume and lymph node metastasis rate compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, GSN-PTX-PLGA NPs have a remarkable targeting capacity in vivo and in vitro, and they effectively inhibit tumor growth and lymph node metastasis in vivo.
From regeneration to osteoarthritis in the knee joint: The role shift of cartilage-derived progenitor cells
Authors: Liu Wenguang , Feng Meng , Xu Peng
Published: October 2022

A mount of growing evidence has proven that cartilage-derived progenitor cells (CPCs) harbor strong proliferation, migration, andmultiple differentiation potentials over the past 2 decades. CPCs in the stage of immature tissue play an important role in cartilage development process and injured cartilage repair in the young and active people. However, during maturation and aging, cartilage defects cannot be completely repaired by CPCs in vivo. Recently, tissue engineering has revealed that repaired cartilage defects with sufficient stem cell resources under good condition and bioactive scaffolds in vitro and in vivo. Chronic inflammation in the knee joint limit the proliferation and chondrogenesis abilities of CPCs, which further hampered cartilage healing and regeneration. Neocartilage formation was observed in the varus deformity of osteoarthritis (OA) patients treated with offloading technologies, which raises the possibility that organisms could rebuild cartilage structures spontaneously. In addition, nutritionmetabolismdysregulation, including glucose and free fatty acid dysregulation, could influence both chondrogenesis and cartilage formation. There are a few reviews about the advantages of CPCs for cartilage repair, but few focused on the reasons why CPCs could not repair the cartilage as they do in immature status. A wide spectrum of CPCs was generated by different techniques and exhibited substantial differences. We recently reported that CPCs maybe are as internal inflammation sources during cartilage inflammaging. In this review, we further streamlined the changes of CPCs from immature development to maturation and from healthy status to OA advancement. The key words including “cartilage derived stem cells”, “cartilage progenitor cells”, “chondroprogenitor cells”, “chondroprogenitors” were set for latest literature searching in PubMed and Web of Science. The articles were then screened through titles, abstracts, and the full texts in sequence. The internal environment including long-term inflammation, extendedmechanical loading, and nutritional elements intake and external deleterious factors were summarized. Taken together, these results provide a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanism of CPC proliferation and differentiation during development, maturation, aging, injury, and cartilage regeneration in vivo.
The role of BMP4 in adipose-derived stem cell differentiation: A minireview
Authors: Setiawan Abdul Malik , Kamarudin Taty Anna , Abd Ghafar Norzana
Published: October 2022

Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily of cytokines responsible for stem cells’ commitment to differentiation, proliferation, and maturation. To date, various studies have utilized BMP4 as a chemical inducer for in vitro differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) based on its potential. BMP4 drives in vitro differentiation of ADSC via TGF-β signaling pathway by interactions with BMP receptors leading to the activation of smad-dependent and smad-independent pathways. The BMP4 signaling pathways are regulated by intracellular and extracellular BMP4 antagonists. Extracellular BMP4 antagonist prevents interaction between BMP4 ligand to its receptors, while intracellular BMP4 antagonist shutdowns the smad-dependent pathways through multiple mechanisms. BMP4 proved as one of the popular differentiation factors to induce ADSC differentiation into cell from mesodermal origin. However, addition of all-trans retinoic acid is also needed in trans-differentiation of ADSC into ectodermal lineage cells. Suggesting that both BMP4 and RA signaling pathways may be necessary to be activated for in vitro trans-differentiation of ADSC.
Luminescent quantum dot films improve light use efficiency and crop quality in greenhouse horticulture
Authors: Hebert Damon , Boonekamp Jeroen , Parrish Charles H. , Ramasamy Karthik , Makarov Nikolay S. , Castañeda Chloe , Schuddebeurs Lisanne , McDaniel Hunter , Bergren Matthew R.
Published: October 2022

The spectral quality of sunlight reaching plants remains a path for optimization in greenhouse cultivation. Quantum dots represent a novel, emission-tunable luminescent material for optimizing the sunlight spectrum in greenhouses with minimal intensity loss, ultimately enabling improved light use efficiency of plant growth without requiring electricity. In this study, greenhouse films containing CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots were utilized to absorb and convert ultraviolet and blue photons from sunlight to a photoluminescent emission centered at 600 nm. To analyze the effects of the quantum dot film spectrum on plant production, a 25-week tomato trial was conducted in Dutch glass greenhouses. Plants under the quantum dot film experienced a 14% reduction in overall daily light integral, resulting from perpendicular photosynthetically active radiation transmission of 85.3%, mainly due to reflection losses. Despite this reduction in intensity, the modified sunlight spectrum and light diffusion provided by the quantum dot film gave rise to 5.7% improved saleable production yield, nearly identical total fruiting biomass production, 23% higher light use efficiency (g/mol), 10% faster vegetative growth rate, and 36% reduced tomato waste compared to the control, which had no additional films. Based on this result, materials incorporating quantum dots show promise in enabling passive, electricity-free spectrum modification for improving crop production in greenhouse cultivation, but extensive controlled crop studies are needed to further validate their effectiveness.
Towards sustainable adaptation: A tool for estimating adaptation costs to climate change for smallholder farmers
Authors: Shoko Kori Dumisani , Kori Edmore
Published: October 2022

Adaptation reduces the harmful effects of climate change. Nonetheless, the process of adaptation is associated with costs. If these costs are not managed accordingly, they have the potential to deter adaptation thereby impacting on its sustainability. Estimating adaptation costs to climate change provides vital information for decision-making among resource constrained smallholder maize farmers and enhances sustainable adaptation. However, there is no method for estimating adaptation costs that caters for the needs of smallholder maize farmers. Therefore, it was imperative to develop a context-specific tool for estimating adaptation costs for smallholder maize farmers using a bottom-up approach. Principles of quantification of theoretical constructs including conceptualization, operationalisation and attribute development were adopted in developing the tool for estimating adaptation costs to climate change. The tool is composed of three evaluation tools and three adaptation costs equations for the pre-, during- and post-adaptation phases, a total adaptation costs equation and a Summated Rating Scale for sustainability of adaptation activities. The tool is user-friendly, relatively easy to use, can be interpreted easily and modified to suit different smallholder farmers. It is hoped that the tool will assist smallholder maize farmers to consider all factors of critical importance before implementing adaptation plans and ensure reduced adaptation costs while enhancing sustainability.
Global waveshape parameter Rd in signaling focal prominence: Perceptual salience in the absence of f0 variation
Authors: Yanushevskaya Irena , Murphy Andy , Gobl Christer , Ní Chasaide Ailbhe
Published: October 2022

This paper explores perceptual salience of voice source parameter manipulation in signaling prominence in the absence off0variation. Synthetic stimuli were generated based on an inverse filtered all-voiced utterance “We were away a year ago.” A global waveshape parameterRdwas manipulated in the stimuli to enhance prominence in the two potentially accentable syllables WAY and YEAR and to provide voice source deaccentuation post-focally. The manipulations were intended to mimic an increase in phonatory tension in the prominent syllable while decreasing it in the post-focal material.f0was kept constant. Two listening tests were conducted in which participants rated the perceived prominence of the potentially accentable syllables in the manipulated utterances on a continuous visual analog scale. The results suggest that perceived focal prominence can be achieved by source variation in the absence off0modulations, although the results were not identical in the two tests. The extent of the enhancement of prominence by source manipulations in our data depended on the location of focal syllable in the intonational phrase and on the length of postfocal material (the effect was stronger for WAY than for YEAR).
Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes and cardiac hypertrophy: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets
Authors: Luan Yi , Jin Yage , Zhang Pengjie , Li Hongqiang , Yang Yang
Published: October 2022

Cardiac hypertrophy has been shown to compensate for cardiac performance and improve ventricular wall tension as well as oxygen consumption. This compensatory response results in several heart diseases, which include ischemia disease, hypertension, heart failure, and valvular disease. Although the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy remains complicated, previous data show that dysfunction of the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) mediates the progression of cardiac hypertrophy. The interaction between the mitochondria and ER is mediated by mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs), which play an important role in the pathology of cardiac hypertrophy. The function of MAMs has mainly been associated with calcium transfer, lipid synthesis, autophagy, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this review, we discuss key MAMs-associated proteins and their functions in cardiovascular system and define their roles in the progression of cardiac hypertrophy. In addition, we demonstrate that MAMs is a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy.
Assessment of the causal association between celiac disease and cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Huang Jian
Published: October 2022

Background

Epidemiological studies have reported inconsistent results of the association between celiac disease (CD) and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, the causality remains largely unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether CD is causally associated cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic stroke, large artery stroke, cardioembolic stroke, small vessel stroke, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, angina, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and venous thromboembolism using an mendelian randomization (MR) approach.

Methods

Summary-level data for CD were derived from a large-sample genome-wide association study (GWAS) including 12,041 CD cases and 12,228 controls of European ancestry. The corresponding data for ischemic stroke (34,217 cases and 406,111 controls), large artery stroke (4,373 cases and 406,111 controls), cardioembolic stroke (7,193 cases and 406,111 controls), small vessel stroke (5,386 cases and 192,662 controls), coronary heart disease (22,233 cases and 64,762 controls), myocardial infarction (11,622 cases and 187,840 controls), angina (18,168 cases and 187,840 controls), heart failure (47,309 cases and 930,014 controls), atrial fibrillation (60,620 cases and 970,216 controls), and venous thromboembolism (9,176 cases and 209,616 controls) were obtained from the IEU GWAS database. We calculated the causal effect using the inverse variance weighted method. Sensitivity analyses and leave-one-out analyses were performed to ensure the consistency and robustness of causal estimates.

Results

The MR inverse variance weighted estimates indicated no causal effect of genetically predicted CD on ischemic stroke (OR = 1.001, 95% CI: 0.984-1.018), large artery stroke (OR = 1.003, 95% CI: 0.961-1.048), cardioembolic stroke (OR = 1.009, 95% CI: 0.977-1.042), small vessel stroke (OR = 1.023, 95% CI: 0.981-1.066), coronary heart disease (OR = 0.995, 95% CI: 0.977-1.013), myocardial infarction (OR = 0.994, 95% CI: 0.959-1.030), angina (OR = 1.006, 95% CI: 0.981-1.032), heart failure (OR = 0.999, 95% CI: 0.982-1.016), atrial fibrillation (OR = 1.000, 95% CI: 0.990-1.011), and venous thromboembolism (OR = 1.001, 95% CI: 0.971-1.032). Sensitivity analyses using the MR-Egger, weighted median, and simple mode methods yielded similar results. No evidence of horizontal pleiotropy was identified (MR Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier global test and MR-Egger intercept with P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Our findings do not support a causal contribution of CD itself to ischemic stroke, large artery stroke, cardioembolic stroke, small vessel stroke, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, angina, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and venous thromboembolism risk.