bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enteric Methane Emission, Rumen Fermentation and Microbial Profiles of Meat-Master Lambs Supplemented with Barley Fodder Sprouts
Authors: Mpanza Thamsanqa Doctor Empire , Dhlamini Thabo Creswell , Pierneef Rian Ewald , Mbatha Khanyisile R.
Published: September 2022

This study evaluated the effects of barley sprout on the ruminal fermentation characteristics, enteric methane emission and microbiome profiles of meat-master lambs. Twelve uncastrated lambs aged 3 months were used. They were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: Eragrostis curvula hay as a control diet (T1), grass hay plus 25% barley sprouts (T2) and grass hay plus 50% barley sprouts (T3). Animals were fed the diet for 61 days, including 10 days of adaptation. Four animals per treatment were used to collect methane and rumen fluid. Methane emission was recorded for nine consecutive days, from day 52 to 60, using a hand-held laser detector. Rumen fluid was collected on day 61 using an esophageal stomach tube for volatile fatty acid and DNA sequencing. The sprout supplementation had significant (p < 0.05) effects on methane emission and ruminal fermentation. Significant effects on rumen fermentation were observed with regards to ammonia–nitrogen (NH3-N), acetic acid and a tendency (p < 0.0536) to increase propionic acid. Barley sprouts reduced methane gas emission, ammonia–nitrogen and the enhanced body weight of the animals. The bacteria Bacteroidota and Firmicutes were predominant among the identified phyla. In addition, there was a shift in the relative abundance of phylum among the treatments. The principal coordinate analysis showed a clear difference in microbiome among animals in T1 and those in T2 and T3. The sprout supplementation improves feed utilization efficiency by the animals. In conclusion, barley sprouts may be strategically used as a climate-smart feed resource for ruminants.
New Insights into the Application of Lactic Acid Bacterial Strains in Fermentation
Authors: Shih Ming-Kuei , Lee Bao-Hong , Hou Chih-Yao
Published: September 2022

In recent years, lactic acid bacteria, widely used in food fermentation, have been recognized as beneficial components of the human microbiome in which they play an important role [...]
Controlling the Interaction between Starchy Polyelectrolyte Layers for Adjusting Protein Release from Nanocapsules in a Simulated Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Li Yingying , He Ying , Li Xiaoxi
Published: September 2022

Orally delivered bioactive proteins face great challenges in the harsh environment of the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in the field of functional foods based on bioactive proteins. Therefore, it is necessary to design carriers and delivery systems that have the potential to overcome the problem of lower bioaccessibility for protein cargoes. In this work, we present a starchy oral colon-targeting delivery system, capable of improving the release profile of the protein cargoes. The starchy oral colon-targeting delivery system was fabricated using layer-by-layer assembly of starchy polyelectrolytes (carboxymethyl anionic starch and spermine cationic starch) onto the surface of protein nanoparticles via electrostatic interaction. The dynamic change in the interaction between the starchy polyelectrolytes affected the shell aggregation structure and determined the release kinetics of nanocapsules in the GIT. Specifically, the stronger interactions between the starchy layers and the thicker and more compact shell layer kept the nanocapsule intact in the simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, better-protecting the protein from degradation by digestive fluids, thus avoiding the burst release effect in the SGF and SIF. However, the nanocapsule could quickly swell with the decreasing molecular interactions between starchy polyelectrolytes, increasing protein release (63.61%) in the simulated colonic fluid. Therefore, release behaviors of protein cargoes could be appropriately controlled by adjusting the number of deposited layers of pH-sensitive starchy polyelectrolytes on the nanocapsule. This could improve the bioaccessibility of oral targeted delivery of bioactive proteins to the colon.
Dynamic Changes of Volatile Compounds during the Xinyang Maojian Green Tea Manufacturing at an Industrial Scale
Authors: Yin Peng , Wang Jing-Jing , Kong Ya-Shuai , Zhu Yao , Zhang Jun-Wei , Liu Hao , Wang Xiao , Guo Gui-Yi , Wang Guang-Ming , Liu Zhong-Hua
Published: September 2022

Xinyang Maojian (XYMJ) is one of the premium green teas and originates from Xinyang, which is the northernmost green tea production area in China. The special geographic location, environmental conditions, and manufacturing process contribute to the unique flavor and rich nutrition of XYMJ green tea. Aroma is an important quality indicator in XYMJ green tea. In order to illustrate the aroma of XYMJ green tea, the key odorants in XYMJ green tea and their dynamic changes during the manufacturing processes were analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 73 volatile compounds of six different chemical classes were identified in the processed XYMJ green tea samples, and the manufacturing processes resulted in the losses of total volatile compounds. Among the identified volatile compounds, twenty-four aroma-active compounds, such as trans-nerolidol, geranylacetone, nonanal, (+)-δ-cadinene, linalool, (Z)-jasmone, cis-3-hexenyl butyrate, cis-3-hexenyl hexanoate, methyl jasmonate, and β-ocimene, were identified as the key odorants of XYMJ green tea based on odor activity value (OAV). The key odorants are mainly volatile terpenes (VTs) and fatty acid-derived volatiles (FADVs). Except for (+)-δ-cadinene, copaene, cis-β-farnesene, (Z,E)-α-farnesene and phytol acetate, the key odorants significantly decreased after fixing. The principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and the hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) analyses suggested that fixing was the most important manufacturing process for the aroma formation of XYMJ green tea. These findings of this study provide meaningful information for the manufacturing and quality control of XYMJ green tea.
Cultured Meat on the Social Network Twitter: Clean, Future and Sustainable Meats
Authors: Pilařová Lucie , Kvasničková Stanislavská Lucie , Pilař Ladislav , Balcarová Tereza , Pitrová Jana
Published: September 2022

The rapid development of technologies for cultured meat production has led to new challenges for producers regarding appropriate communication with future customers in order to deliver products to a viable market. Communication analysis of social media enables the identification of the key characteristics of the monitored topic, as well as the main areas of communication by individual users based on active digital footprints. This study aimed to identify the key characteristics of cultured meat based on communication analysis of the social network Twitter. Communication analysis was performed based on 36,356 Tweets posted by 4128 individual users. This analysis identified the following main communicated characteristics: clean meat, future meat, and sustainable meat. Latent Dittrich allocation identified five communication topics: (1) clean and sustainable products, (2) comparisons with plant-based protein and the impact on agribusiness, (3) positive environmental aspects, (4) cultured meat as an alternative protein, and (5) the regulation of cultured meat.
Effect of Stable Chlorine Dioxide and Vacuum-Packing Treatments on the Physicochemical and Volatile Flavor Properties of Pike Eel (Muraenesox cinereus) during Chilled Storage
Authors: Du Qi , Chen Xiaonan , Jiang Huili , Zhang Bin
Published: September 2022

The effects of vacuum-packaging and stable chlorine dioxide treatments on the quality of pike-eel fillets were investigated during chilled storage for a period of up to 10 days. The results reveal that the sensory scores, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) content, total viable count (TVC), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and the myofibrillar protein (MP) content of pike-eel fillets with different packing treatments all decreased significantly over 10 days of storage. However, the vacuum-packaging and stable chlorine dioxide pretreatment showed positive effects on the protein stability of pike-eel samples. Compared with the simple packaging (SP) and vacuum packing (VP) treatments, the combination treatments (CP) significantly inhibited the rapid increases in the TVB-N content, TVC values, and MDA content. Moreover, the comparative stability in the MP and its carbonyl content were maintained. Furthermore, our volatile organic compounds (VOCs) analysis confirmed that the combined packaging treatments significantly hindered protein and lipid oxidation, inhibited the growth of spoilage bacteria, and maintained the volatile flavors of pike-eel samples during chilled storage.
The Bioaccessibility and Antioxidant Activities of Fermented Mango Cultivar Juices after Simulated In Vitro Digestion
Authors: Cele Nobahle P. , Akinola Stephen A. , Shoko Tinotenda , Manhevi Vimbainashe E. , Remize Fabienne , Sivakumar Dharini
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the bioaccessibilities of total phenolic compounds, carotenoid profile, antioxidant activity, and Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) survival in fermented mango juice (MJs) obtained from three mango cultivars after exposure to an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model. The MJs from three cultivars (‘Sabre’, ‘Peach’, and ‘Tommy Atkins’) were fermented using Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 75 (L75), Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides 56 (L56), and their combination (L56 + 75). Fermented MJs were digested and fractions: gastric (GF), intestinal (IF), and dialysis (DF) were analyzed for total polyphenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (FRAP), 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2.2-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline–6-sulfonic acid (ABTS). In addition, the carotenoid content and the LAB population were determined from the GF and IF. After digestion, TPC decreased while fermentation improved its bioaccessibility. L75-fermented ‘Sabre’ MJs had the highest bioaccessible TPC in the GF (75.65%), IF (50.10%), and DF (32.52%) while L56 ‘Peach’ MJs increased the β-carotene bioaccessibility by 1.32-fold at GF and IF (1.21-fold). When compared to the other two juices, ‘Sabre’ and ‘Peach’ MJs fermented with L75 showed the highest IC50 values for DPPH and ABTS. Generally, L75-fermented ‘Sabre’ MJs had the highest LAB survival at both GF (7.57 Log CFU/mL) and IF (7.45 Log CFU/mL) and hold potential as probiotic juices. L56-fermented ‘Sabre’ MJs would ensure the delivery of four times the carotenoid recommended dietary allowance (RDA) to a target site in the body while L75-fermented ‘Peach’ MJs could be used to effectively counteract oxidants in the body system.
Correlation and Difference between Core Micro-Organisms and Volatile Compounds of Suan Rou from Six Regions of China
Authors: Lu Kuan , Wang Xueya , Wan Jing , Zhou Ying , Li Hongying , Zhu Qiujin
Published: September 2022

Suan Rou (SR), a traditional fermented meat, is widely favored by consumers due to its unique flavor and characteristics. To study the relationship between the core differential micro-organisms and differential volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of SR from six regions of China, high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and gas-chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) technologies were used to analyze the correlation between micro-organisms and VOCs in SR from Xiangxi of Hunan, Rongshui of Guangxi, Zunyi of Guizhou, Jinping of Guizhou, Congjiang of Guizhou, and Libo of Guizhou. A total of 13 core micro-organisms were identified at the genus level. Moreover, 95 VOCs were identified in the SR samples by GC-IMS analysis, with alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and esters comprising the major VOCs among all the samples. The results showed a strong correlation (|r| > 0.8, p < 0.05) between the core differential micro-organisms and differential VOCs, including four bacteria, five fungi, and 12 VOCs. Pediococcus, Debaryomyces, Zygosaccharomyces, and Candida significantly contributed to the unique VOCs of SR.
Optimized Cellulase-Hydrolyzed Deoiled Coconut Cake Powder as Wheat Flour Substitute in Cookies
Authors: Vo Tan Phat , Duong Nguyen Hong Nhung , Phan Thuy Han , Mai Thanh Phong , Nguyen Dinh Quan
Published: September 2022

Deoiled coconut cake powder (DCCP) was hydrolyzed to reduce the ratio of insoluble/soluble dietary fiber (RIS) by partially converting insoluble dietary fiber to soluble using Celluclast 1.5 L, a commercial cellulase preparation in citrate buffer medium. Firstly, the influence of citrate buffer amount, enzyme concentration, pH, and retention time on the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency was investigated. Then, response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the process in which the insoluble and soluble dietary fiber contents were the responses. The results revealed that 10.3 g buffer/g of materials, 3.7 U/g of the materials, and 60 min of retention time were the optimal conditions for the enzymatic hydrolysis to obtain the insoluble and soluble contents of 68.21%db and 8.18%db, respectively. Finally, DCCP or hydrolyzed DCCP (HDCCP) was partially substituted for wheat flour at different replacement ratios in a cookie recipe at 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40%. The cookies with a 10% replacement ratio of hydrolyzed deoiled coconut cake powders had a lower RIS by more than two folds those of DCCP and had the same sensorial score as the control sample. This study proposed that Celluclast 1.5 L effectively reduced RIS by partially converting insoluble to soluble dietary fiber, improving the soluble dietary fiber content in fiber-enriched cookies.
Underreported Human Exposure to Mycotoxins: The Case of South Africa
Authors: Nji Queenta Ngum , Babalola Olubukola Oluranti , Nleya Nancy , Mwanza Mulunda
Published: September 2022

South Africa (SA) is a leading exporter of maize in Africa. The commercial maize farming sector contributes to about 85% of the overall maize produced. More than 33% of South Africa’s population live in rural settlements, and their livelihoods depend entirely on subsistence farming. The subsistence farming system promotes fungal growth and mycotoxin production. This review aims to investigate the exposure levels of the rural population of South Africa to dietary mycotoxins contrary to several reports issued concerning the safety of South African maize. A systematic search was conducted using Google Scholar. Maize is a staple food in South Africa and consumption rates in rural and urban communities are different, for instance, intake may be 1–2 kg/person/day and 400 g/person/day, respectively. Commercial and subsistence maize farming techniques are different. There exist differences influencing the composition of mycotoxins in food commodities from both sectors. Depending on the levels of contamination, dietary exposure of South Africans to mycotoxins is evident in the high levels of fumonisins (FBs) that have been detected in SA home-grown maize. Other potential sources of exposure to mycotoxins, such as carryover effects from animal products and processed foods, were reviewed. The combined effects between FBs and aflatoxins (AFs) have been reported in humans/animals and should not be ignored, as sporadic breakouts of aflatoxicosis have been reported in South Africa. These reports are not a true representation of the entire country as reports from the subsistence-farming rural communities show high incidence of maize contaminated with both AFs and FBs. While commercial farmers and exporters have all the resources needed to perform laboratory analyses of maize products, the greater challenge in combatting mycotoxin exposure is encountered in rural communities with predominantly subsistence farming systems, where conventional food surveillance is lacking.
Effect of Polishing on Lead and Cadmium Bioavailability in Rice and Its Health Implications
Authors: Chen Xianghua , Chen Fangman , Sun Shuo , Li Yingwen , Li Yongxing , Mo Hui , Li Zhian , Zhuang Ping
Published: September 2022

Rice polishing is an important approach to reducing the concentrations of heavy metals in rice, but knowledge of its effect on the Pb and Cd bioavailability in produced rice and the related health risk remains limited. In this study, the effects of rice polishing on the bioaccessibility (BAC) and bioavailability (RBA) of Pb and Cd in rice are assessed using an in vitro method and an in vivo mouse bioassay. The Pb removal rate in brown rice (40%), lightly processed brown rice (62%), germinated rice (74%), and polished rice (79%) gradually enhanced with an increase in the polishing degree, while Cd was difficult to remove by polishing. The Pb and Cd BAC in germinated rice was the highest, while that in brown rice was the lowest. The polished rice Pb and Cd RBA in the liver and kidneys were significantly higher than those in the brown rice group. The Pb RBA in the livers and kidneys in the polished rice group was 26.6% ± 1.68% and 65.3% ± 0.83%, respectively, which was 1.6- and 2.6-times higher than that in the brown rice group, respectively. The Cd RBA values in both the livers and kidneys of the polished rice group were 1.3-times higher than those in the brown rice group. Although polishing reduced the total Pb in the polished rice, it was not enough to offset the increase in bioavailability, and its consumption risk was not weakened. This study highlighted the value of the oral-bioavailability-corrected health risk assessment for assessing the influence of rice polishing on Pb and Cd exposure via rice consumption.
Rapid Testing System for Rice Quality Control through Comprehensive Feature and Kernel-Type Detection
Authors: Zia Huma , Fatima Hafiza Sundus , Khurram Muhammad , Hassan Imtiaz Ul , Ghazal Mohammed
Published: September 2022

The assessment of food quality is of significant importance as it allows control over important features, such as ensuring adherence to food standards, longer shelf life, and consistency and quality of taste. Rice is the predominant dietary source of half the world’s population, and Pakistan contributes around 80% of the rice trade worldwide and is among the top three of the largest exporters. Hitherto, the rice industry has depended on antiquated methods of rice quality assessment through manual inspection, which is time consuming and prone to errors. In this study, an efficient desktop-application-based rice quality evaluation system, ‘National Grain Tech’, based on computer vision and machine learning, is presented. The analysis is based on seven main features, including grain length, width, weight, yellowness, broken, chalky, and/or damaged kernels for six different types of rice: IRRI-6, PK386, 1121 white and Selah, Super kernel basmati brown, and white rice. The system was tested in rice factories for 3 months and demonstrated 99% accuracy in determining the size, weight, color, and chalkiness of rice kernels. An accuracy of 98.8% was achieved for the classification of damaged and undamaged kernels, 98% for determining broken kernels, and 100% for paddy kernels. The results are significant because the developed system improves the local rice quality testing capacity through a faster, more accurate, and less expensive mechanism in comparison to previous research studies, which only evaluated four features of the singular rice type, rather than the seven features achieved in this study for six rice types.
Anthropometric, Lifestyle Characteristics, Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, and COVID-19 Have a High Impact on the Greek Adolescents’ Health-Related Quality of Life
Authors: Papadaki Stamatina , Carayanni Vilelmine , Notara Venetia , Chaniotis Dimitrios
Published: September 2022

Objective: The study aimed at analyzing the relationship between anthropometric characteristics, lifestyle, and dietary habits, as well as the burden of the pandemic on the health-related quality of life among Greek pupils. Research methods and procedures: On the whole, 2088 adolescents aged 12–18 years from Attica, Greece, were enlisted in this school-based cross-sectional study that took place in May–December 2021. Health-related quality of life was estimated through the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire, adherence to the Mediterranean diet—through the KIDMED test. For the empirical and econometric analyses, the Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis means comparison tests were utilized; multiple linear regression was used accordingly. Results: The present study provides evidence to the fact that boys, younger adolescents, adolescents living with both parents and with highly educated mothers had a better health-related quality of life. Concerning their eating practices, positive predictors were consuming a better-quality breakfast, having all five meals daily, consuming lunch and dinner with parents, and higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Moreover, sufficient night sleep time, fewer hours spent on screen viewing, more frequent walks, and having hobbies were linked to the health-related quality of life with a positive sign. In contrast, negative predictors were higher body mass index and everyday life difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Conclusions: Greek adolescents’ anthropometric characteristics, BMI, lifestyle and sedentary habits, eating habits, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet were significantly related to their perceived health-related quality of life during the pandemic.
Synthesis and Characterization of Fly Ash-Based Geopolymers Activated with Spent Caustic
Authors: Zhang Ruobing , Wan Qian , Zhang Yimin , Zhang Xuemian
Published: September 2022

The spent caustic with strong alkali first replaced the alkali activator to prepare the geopolymer. The influence of spent caustic to the geopolymer was characterized through compressive strength measurement, XRD, MIP analysis and NMR, and the immobilization efficiency of organic in geopolymer was evaluated through the measurement of total organic carbon (TOC). The results show that the spent caustic can partially replace the alkali activator to prepare the geopolymer, and it shows a better performance than that which was activated with pure NaOH solution when the alkalinity is between 4 mol and 14 mol. The organic matter in the spent alkali can be effectively fixed in the geopolymer, which will hinder the geopolymerization in the initial stage of the polymerization reaction but has little effect on the chemical structure and mechanical properties of the final product. With the degree of alkalinity increasing, the immobilization efficiency is improved, and the maximum can reach 84.5%. The organics in the spent caustic will hinder geopolymerization at the initial stage but has little effect on the chemical structure and mechanical property of the final product. This study proposes a new method for the recycling of spent caustic, which also reduces the preparation cost of geopolymers.
Up-Regulation of Interleukin-10 in Splenic Immune Response Induced by Serotype A Pasteurellamultocida
Authors: Li Haoyang , He Meirong , Cheng Yiwen , Jiang Junming , Yang Weijie , Zhang Zhenxing , An Qi , Chen Si , Man Churiga , Du Li , Wang Fengyang , Chen Qiaoling
Published: September 2022

Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) is an opportunistic pathogen that is common in livestock and poultry and leads to massive economic losses in the animal husbandry sector. In this study, we challenged mice with P. multocida strain HN02 by intraperitoneal injection and collected spleens to measure bacterial loads. We also performed histopathological analysis by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Then we used RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) to detect the mRNA expression levels in the mouse spleen and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to verify the sequencing data. Finally, we examined the effect of HN02 on anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) protein expression in the spleen through immunohistochemical analysis. The results showed that compared to those in the control group, the mouse spleens in the challenge group had lesions, and the average bacteria loads was (3.07 ± 1.09) × 106 CFU (colony-forming unit)/g. The RNA-seq results determined 3653 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and the qRT-PCR analysis revealed immune-related genes consistent with the expression trend in the sequencing data. The number and area of IL-10 positive cells substantially increased to resist inflammation in the challenge group. In conclusion, we analyzed the spleens of mice infected with P. multocida from multiple perspectives, and our findings lay a foundation for subsequent studies on the mechanism of pathogen-host interactions.
The Effect of Twitter App Policy Changes on the Sharing of Spatial Information through Twitter Users
Authors: Cao Jiping , Hochmair Hartwig H. , Basheeh Fisal
Published: September 2022

Social media data have been widely used to gain insight into human mobility and activity patterns. Despite their abundance, social media data come with various data biases, such as user selection bias. In addition, a change in the Twitter app functionality may further affect the type of information shared through tweets and hence influence conclusions drawn from the analysis of such data. This study analyzes the effect of three Twitter app policy changes in 2015, 2017, and 2019 on the tweeting behavior of users, using part of London as the study area. The policy changes reviewed relate to a function allowing to attach exact coordinates to tweets by default (2015), the maximum allowable length of tweet posts (2017), and the limitation of sharing exact coordinates to the Twitter photo app (2019). The change in spatial aspects of users’ tweeting behavior caused by changes in user policy and Twitter app functionality, respectively, is quantified through measurement and comparison of six aspects of tweeting behavior between one month before and one month after the respective policy changes, which are: proportion of tweets with exact coordinates, tweet length, the number of placename mentions in tweet text and hashtags per tweet, the proportion of tweets with images among tweets with exact coordinates, and radius of gyration of tweeting locations. The results show, among others, that policy changes in 2015 and 2019 led users to post a smaller proportion of tweets with exact coordinates and that doubling the limit of allowable characters as part of the 2017 policy change increased the number of place names mentioned in tweets. The findings suggest that policy changes lead to a change in user contribution behavior and, in consequence, in the spatial information that can be extracted from tweets. The systematic change in user contribution behavior associated with policy changes should be specifically taken into consideration if jointly analyzing tweets from periods before and after such a policy change.
Seasonal Variation for Plantar Fasciitis: Evidence from Google Trends Search Query Data
Authors: Hwang Seok-Min , Kim Seok , Hwang Suk-Hyun
Published: September 2022

We aimed to determine the seasonal trends in internet searches for plantar fasciitis and related symptoms in various countries using search engine query data on Google. We used Google Trends to obtain internet search query data from January 2009 to December 2019. We collected monthly search volumes for the query terms “plantar fasciitis” and “heel pain” in the USA, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Statistical analysis of the seasonal effects on plantar fasciitis was performed using a cosinor model. The cosinor analyses confirmed statistically significant seasonal patterns in the relative search volumes for the terms “plantar fasciitis” and “heel pain” in the USA, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Australia, with peaks during the summer and troughs during the winter. For New Zealand, the seasonal trend was statistically significant only for the term “plantar fasciitis”, while a similar trend for the term “heel pain” was present without achieving statistical significance for seasonality. This seasonality is thought to be related to more frequent occurrence of plantar fasciitis due to increased physical activity of people during the warmer months. In this study, the search query data using the terms “plantar fasciitis” and “heel pain” on Google Trends show significant seasonal variation across several countries, with a peak in the summer and a trough in the winter.
Excess Mortality among Physicians and Dentists during COVID-19 in Italy: A Cross-Sectional Study Related to a High-Risk Territory
Authors: Lupi Saturnino Marco , Todaro Claudia , Camassa Domenico , Rizzo Silvana , Storelli Stefano , Rodriguez y Baena Ruggero
Published: September 2022

Background: Many studies previously reported epidemiological data on mortality due to COVID-19 among health workers. All these studies included a partial sample of the population with a substantial selection bias. The present study evaluates the trend of mortality among physicians and dentists operating in an area considered to be at high risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data relating to all physicians and dentists registered in the province of Pavia (Italy), a sample consisting of 5454 doctors in 2020 was analyzed. The mortality rates obtained were compared with those related to the 5-year period preceding the pandemic and with those related to the general population. Results: In the area considered, a mortality rate of 0.83% (+69% compared to 2015–2019) was observed in the entire sample in 2020 and 0.43% (−11% compared to 2015–2019) in 2021; among physicians, there was a mortality rate of 0.76% (+53% compared to 2015-2019) in 2020 and 0.35% (−29% compared to 2015–2019) in 2021; for dentists, there was a mortality rate of 1.27% (+185% compared to 2015–2019) in 2020 and 1.01% (+127% compared to 2015–2019) in 2021. Conclusions: These data report the global impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on physicians and dentists in a high-risk territory. In 2020, a significant increase in the mortality rate compared to the previous 5 years was observed for both physicians and dentists; in 2021, a significant increase in the mortality rate was observed only for dentists. These data are also significant in evaluating the impact of vaccination on physicians and dentists and indicate that dentists were among the professions most at risk during the pandemic.
Effectiveness of Aromatherapy Yoga in Stress Reduction and Sleep Quality Improvement among Chinese Female College Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Authors: Gao Yuan , Wang Jiun-Yi , Ke Fengyi , Tao Rui , Liu Cheng , Yang Shang-Yu
Published: September 2022

College students, particularly female students, often suffer from severe stress and poor sleep. Aromatherapy yoga has become a popular exercise in recent years and may help reduce stress and improve sleep quality, although empirical evidence is limited. We investigated the effectiveness of aromatherapy yoga intervention in reducing stress and improving sleep quality among Chinese female college students. A total of 89 participants—44 in the experimental group (aromatherapy yoga) and 45 in the control group (yoga)—with an average age of 19.88 ± 1.13 years, were enrolled in this quasi-experimental study. Interventions were performed in the respective groups once a week for 12 weeks, for 90 min each time. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann–Whitney U test (including effect size) were used to test the differences in stress reduction and sleep quality before and after the intervention. From the findings of the current research, both therapies did not help female students’ stress levels or sleep hygiene significantly. However, aromatherapy yoga has the potential to improve sleep disturbances experienced by female college students. Additionally, there was no difference in the amount of stress or the quality of sleep between the aromatherapy yoga groups and the regular yoga groups before and after therapy.
Age as a Predictive Factor in Severity of Injuries in Riders of Electric Bikes and Powered Scooters: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Hamzani Yafit , Demtriou Helena , Zelnik Adi , Cohen Nir , Drescher Michael J. , Chaushu Gavriel , Yahya Bahaa Haj
Published: September 2022

The growth in worldwide popularity of electric bikes (E-bikes) and powered scooters (P-scooters) has been accompanied by an increase in injuries associated with their use. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of rider age to injury severity, represented by need for hospitalization. A retrospective review of the database of a tertiary medical center yielded 1234 patients (75.7% male) who attended the emergency department (ED) in 2014–2020 for injuries sustained while riding an E-bike or P-scooter. Mean age was 31.52 ± 14.77 years: 23% were aged <20 years; 33%, 21–30 years; 23%, 31–40 years; 10%, 41–50 years; 11%, >51 years. Ninety patients (7.3%) were hospitalized. Older age was significantly associated with the need for hospitalization on univariate analysis (p <.001), but significance was not maintained on binary logistic regression (OR = 1.02, 95%CI 0.99–1.06; p = 0.11). Patients who underwent imaging evaluation in the ED were at lower risk of hospitalization, and patients who had surgery or a relatively long operative procedure were at higher risk of hospitalization. The study shows that older age (>51 years) is not associated with a significantly increased probability of severe injury in E-bike and P-scooter riders. This finding has important implications for insurers and healthcare administrators.
Reduced Quality of Life in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease May Be Associated with Depression and Fatigue
Authors: Golubeva Julia A. , Sheptulina Anna F. , Yafarova Adel A. , Mamutova Elvira M. , Kiselev Anton R. , Drapkina Oxana M.
Published: September 2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is often thought of as clinically asymptomatic. However, many NAFLD patients complain of fatigue and low mood, which may affect their quality of life (QoL). This may create a barrier to weight loss and hinder the achievement of NAFLD therapy goals. Our study aimed to evaluate the QoL in NAFLD patients vs. healthy volunteers, and to analyze likely influencing factors. From March 2021 through December 2021, we enrolled 140 consecutive adult subjects (100 NAFLD patients and 40 controls). Overall, 95 patients with NAFLD and 37 controls were included in the final analysis. Fatty liver was diagnosed based on ultrasonographic findings. We employed 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) to evaluate QoL, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to identify anxiety and/or depression, and Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) to measure fatigue. NAFLD patients had significantly lower physical component summary scores, as well as significantly higher HADS-D scores, compared with the control group (Mann-Whitney U criterion = 1140.0, p = 0.001 and U = 1294.5, p = 0.022, respectively). Likewise, fatigue was more common in NAFLD patients (χ2 = 4.008, p = 0.045). Impaired QoL was significantly associated with fatigue (FAS score ≥ 22, p < 0.001) and depression (HADS-D ≥ 8, p < 0.001). In conclusion, NAFLD patients had significantly poorer QoL vs. controls, in particular with respect to the physical component of health. Impaired QoL may be associated with fatigue and depression, and together they may interfere with increased physical activity and lifestyle modifications in patients with NAFLD.
Identification of High-Risk Groups in Urinalysis: Lessons from the Longitudinal Analysis of Annual Check-Ups
Authors: Matsuzaki Keiichi , Ohigashi Tomohiro , Sozu Takashi , Ishida Mami , Kobayashi Daisuke , Suzuki Hitoshi , Suzuki Yusuke , Kawamura Takashi
Published: September 2022

Background: For effective screening in urinalysis, information on high-risk groups is needed; however, there is a lack of evidence in young adults in particular. The aim of this study was to provide information on urinalysis in young adults and to identify high-risk groups of urinalyses using multi-year data obtained from annual large-scale check-ups. Method: We used annual health check-up data collected from 2011 to 2016 at Kyoto University in Japan. Eligible participants were those aged 18–39 years who underwent annual health check-ups for four consecutive years between 2011 and 2016. We conducted descriptive analyses and calculated the risk ratios (RRs) for urinary abnormalities in the fourth year of urinalysis. Results: In total, 13,640 participants (10,877 men, 79.7%) met the eligibility criteria. The mean prevalence rates of proteinuria, haematuria and glucosuria were 1.61% (men: 1.63%; women: 1.53%), 1.48% (men: 0.53%; women: 5.22%) and 0.46% (men: 0.52%; women: 0.25%), respectively. Participants with urinary abnormalities at least once in the initial 3 years had a higher risk of urinary abnormalities in the fourth year than participants with no abnormal findings in the initial 3 years; the risk ratios (RRs) of proteinuria, haematuria and glucosuria were 3.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.2–3.7), 12.2 (95% CI = 11.7–12.7) and 42.6 (95% CI = 37.7–48.1), respectively. The RRs of all urinary abnormalities in the fourth year increased as the frequency of urinary abnormalities over the preceding 3 years increased. In haematuria, differences of the RR were observed between men and women. Conclusion: We clarified the prevalence of urinary abnormalities in young adults and high-risk groups of urinary abnormalities. Our findings support the need for multi-year annual urinalysis.
Do Rare Earths and Energy Commodities Drive Volatility Transmission in Sustainable Financial Markets? Evidence from China, Australia, and the US
Authors: Haq Inzamam UI , Nadeem Hira , Maneengam Apichit , Samantreeporn Saowanee , Huynh Nhan , Kettanom Thasporn , Wisetsri Worakamol
Published: September 2022

The high volatility and energy usage of rare earths have raised sustainable and financial concerns for environmentalists and sustainable investors. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate time-varying volatility transmission among rare earths elements, energy commodities, and sustainable financial markets. The sample covers global and major financial markets, i.e., US, China, and Australia. Using daily log returns from 2018 to 2022, the paper considers the dynamic Time Varying Parameter-Vector Autoregression (TVP-VAR) connectedness approach to gauge the time-varying features of volatility spillovers. The findings of total spillovers index reveal weak connectedness among markets during the sampled period. US and China rare earth markets were net volatility transmitters, whereas the Dow Jones Australia Sustainability Index (ASI), China Sustainability Index (CSI), Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (SWI), and MVIS Global Rare Earth Index (MVISGREI) were net recipients. Moreover, energy commodities i.e., WTI Crude Oil, Gasoline, and Natural Gas were net volatility transmitters, while ASI, CSI, and SWI were major volatility recipients. The weak financial contagion effect and connectedness across financial markets uncovers possible diversification opportunities. However, the US sustainable financial market is persistently not affected by these volatility spillovers. Policymakers need to establish strict regulations to protect sustainable financial markets in China and Australia.
Is Melanoma Progression Affected by Thyroid Diseases?
Authors: Ulisse Salvatore , Baldini Enke , Pironi Daniele , Gagliardi Federica , Tripodi Domenico , Lauro Augusto , Carbotta Sabino , Tarroni Danilo , D’Armiento Matteo , Morrone Aldo , Forte Flavio , Frattaroli Flaminia , Persechino Severino , Odorisio Teresa , D’Andrea Vito , Lori Eleonora , Sorrenti Salvatore
Published: September 2022

Clinical and epidemiological evidence indicate a relationship between thyroid diseases and melanoma. In particular, the hypothyroidism condition appears to promote melanoma spread, which suggests a protective role of thyroid hormones against disease progression. In addition, experimental data suggest that, in addition to thyroid hormones, other hormonal players of the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis, namely the thyrotropin releasing hormone and the thyrotropin, are likely to affect melanoma cells behavior. This information warrants further clinical and experimental studies in order to build a precise pattern of action of the HPT hormones on melanoma cells. An improved knowledge of the involved molecular mechanism(s) could lead to a better and possibly personalized clinical management of these patients.
Albumin/Thiacalix[4]arene Nanoparticles as Potential Therapeutic Systems: Role of the Macrocycle for Stabilization of Monomeric Protein and Self-Assembly with Ciprofloxacin
Authors: Yakimova Luidmila , Kunafina Aisylu , Mostovaya Olga , Padnya Pavel , Mukhametzyanov Timur , Voloshina Alexandra , Petrov Konstantin , Boldyrev Artur , Stoikov Ivan
Published: September 2022

The therapeutic application of serum albumin is determined by the relative content of the monomeric form compared to dimers, tetramers, hexamers, etc. In this paper, we propose and develop an approach to synthesize the cone stereoisomer of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene with sulfobetaine fragments stabilization of monomeric bovine serum albumin and preventing aggregation. Spectral methods (UV-vis, CD, fluorescent spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering) established the influence of the synthesized compounds on the content of monomeric and aggregated forms of BSA even without the formation of stable thiacalixarene/protein associates. The effect of thiacalixarenes on the efficiency of protein binding with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin was shown by fluorescence spectroscopy. The binding constant increases in the presence of the macrocycles, likely due to the stabilization of monomeric forms of BSA. Our study clearly shows the potential of this macrocycle design as a platform for the development of the fundamentally new approaches for preventing aggregation.
Precision Medicine: Determination of Ribavirin Urinary Metabolites in Relation to Drug Adverse Effects in HCV Patients
Authors: Giampaoli Ottavia , Sciubba Fabio , Biliotti Elisa , Spagnoli Mariangela , Calvani Riccardo , Tomassini Alberta , Capuani Giorgio , Miccheli Alfredo , Taliani Gloria
Published: September 2022

The most commonly used antiviral treatment against hepatitis C virus is a combination of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and ribavirin (RBV), which leads to a shortened duration of therapy and a sustained virologic response until 98%. Nonetheless, several dose-related side effects of RBV could limit its applications. This study aims to measure the urinary concentration of RBV and its main metabolites in order to evaluate the drug metabolism ability of HCV patients and to evaluate the adverse effects, such as anemia, with respect to RBV metabolite levels. RBV and its proactive and inactive metabolites were identified and quantified in the urine of 17 HCV males with severe liver fibrosis using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) at the fourth week (TW4) and at the twelfth week of treatment (EOT). Four prodrug urinary metabolites, including RBV, were identified and three of them were quantified. At both the TW4 and EOT stages, six HCV patients were found to maintain high concentrations of RBV, while another six patients maintained a high level of RBV proactive metabolites, likely due to nucleosidase activity. Furthermore, a negative correlation between the reduction in hemoglobin (Hb) and proactive forms was observed, according to RBV-triphosphate accumulation causing the hemolysis. These findings represent a proof of concept regarding tailoring the drug dose in relation to the specific metabolic ability of the individual, as expected by the precision medicine approach.
The Diagnostic Value of MRI-Based Radiomic Analysis of Lacrimal Glands in Patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome
Authors: Muntean Delia Doris , Bădărînză Maria , Ștefan Paul Andrei , Lenghel Manuela Lavinia , Rusu Georgeta Mihaela , Csutak Csaba , Coroian Paul Alexandru , Lupean Roxana Adelina , Fodor Daniela
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of MRI-based texture features of the lacrimal glands (LG) in augmenting the imaging differentiation between primary Sjögren’s Syndrome (pSS) affected LG and healthy LG, as well as to emphasize the possible importance of radiomics in pSS early-imaging diagnosis. The MRI examinations of 23 patients diagnosed with pSS and 23 healthy controls were retrospectively included. Texture features of both LG were extracted from a coronal post-contrast T1-weighted sequence, using a dedicated software. The ability of texture features to discriminate between healthy and pSS lacrimal glands was performed through univariate, multivariate, and receiver operating characteristics analysis. Two quantitative textural analysis features, RunLengthNonUniformityNormalized (RLNonUN) and Maximum2DDiameterColumn (Max2DDC), were independent predictors of pSS-affected glands (p < 0.001). Their combined ability was able to identify pSS LG with 91.67% sensitivity and 83.33% specificity. MRI-based texture features have the potential to function as quantitative additional criteria that could increase the diagnostic accuracy of pSS-affected LG.
In-Silico Drug Toxicity and Interaction Prediction for Plant Complexes Based on Virtual Screening and Text Mining
Authors: Zhang Feng , Ganesan Kumar , Li Yan , Chen Jianping
Published: September 2022

Potential drug toxicities and drug interactions of redundant compounds of plant complexes may cause unexpected clinical responses or even severe adverse events. On the other hand, super-additivity of drug interactions between natural products and synthetic drugs may be utilized to gain better performance in disease management. Although without enough datasets for prediction model training, based on the SwissSimilarity and PubChem platforms, for the first time, a feasible workflow of prediction of both toxicity and drug interaction of plant complexes was built in this study. The optimal similarity score threshold for toxicity prediction of this system is 0.6171, based on an analysis of 20 different herbal medicines. From the PubChem database, 31 different sections of toxicity information such as “Acute Effects”, “NIOSH Toxicity Data”, “Interactions”, “Hepatotoxicity”, “Carcinogenicity”, “Symptoms”, and “Human Toxicity Values” sections have been retrieved, with dozens of active compounds predicted to exert potential toxicities. In Spatholobus suberectus Dunn (SSD), there are 9 out of 24 active compounds predicted to play synergistic effects on cancer management with various drugs or factors. The synergism between SSD, luteolin and docetaxel in the management of triple-negative breast cancer was proved by the combination index assay, synergy score detection assay, and xenograft model.