bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Air Pollution Control Management In Jakarta by Crossed-Impact Matrix Multiplications Applied to Classification (MICMAC)
Authors: Wangintan Roy , Yani Moh. , Hardjomidjojo Hartrisari , June Tania
Published: June 2024

The rapid activity in Jakarta due to high economic growth increases air pollution, which impacts health problems and environmental, social, and ecological disturbances. The research objectives are to determine factors for controlling air pollution, score and evaluate the matrix of direct influence (MDI), draw a direct and indirect influence graph, and make rating and classification comparisons. The information collection was carried out by applying the Center Gather Dialog strategy to decide the factors that impact contamination control. Information evaluation was carried out utilizing the interpretive structural modelling (ISM) with matrice d’ impacts cruises multiplication appliqué a classement (cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification, abbreviated as MICMAC). The results show that the factor that influences air pollution control is high concentrations resulting from activities in the transportation sector and industrial sector. Economic growth has an indirect effect because economic growth is correlated in the same direction as air pollution. The transportation sector consists of motorized vehicle activities such as cars, two-wheeled motorbikes, aeroplanes, trains, and ships that use oil fuel, which contributes to the high concentration of air pollution in Jakarta. Controlling air pollution must involve all parties, including government responsibility, public awareness, transportation, and industrial actors. All parties should implement and comply with regulations effectively and efficiently. Air pollution monitoring activities must be carried out appropriately and regularly.
The use of plant explants to obtain embryogenic callus clams as an early stage in the selection of Napier Grass cv Taiwan
Authors: Husni Ali , Kosmiatin Mia , Harmini  , Widodo Slamet
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to obtain 50-100 mussels from a population of embryogenic callus derived from cultivars of Taiwan elephant grass. The research was conducted in three phases: 1) sterilization, which was accomplished by immersing the material in 70% alcohol solution, 20% chlorox, and rinsing it with sterile distilled water so that it could be cultured in the treatment media; 2) callus induction with explants of young leaves in culture medium supplemented with growth regulator (PGR) 2,4-D at a concentration of 2 mg/l and enriched with amino acids and casein hydrolysate; 3) callus proliferation and regeneration utilizing culture-based. The results indicated that the success rate of explant sterilization ranged from 10 to 78%, and the ability of the tissue to form callus ranged from 60 to 80%, with the highest callus-forming ability obtained from culture explants with chemical and physical combination sterilization by burning, while at the proliferation stage, it was obtained on average 5 times per series. After two weeks, the average callus weight was 1.72 to 1.76 g per bottle, increasing to 1.92 to 2.07 g per bottle for a total of 150 bottles, with 78.1 to 85.3% of callus cells capable of regenerating into shoots via organogenesis or embryogenesis. It was determined that the initial selection procedure for fodder plants from explants to obtain callus has the potential to be further developed.
Anthelmintic Activity of Red Macroalgae Acrocystis sp. and Acanthophora sp. Etanolic Extract Against Haemonchus contortus in Sheep In Vitro
Authors: Angger Sakti Awistaros , Ahmad Baihaqi Zein , Suwignyo Bambang , Sofyan Ahmad , Herdian Hendra , Kustantinah
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of ethanolic extracts from red macroalgae Acrocystis sp. and Acanthophora sp. against the nematode Haemonchus contortus found in sheep, in vitro. The adult worm motility test was conducted in a factorial completely randomized design with two factors: the type of macroalgae as the first factor and the time of observation as the second factor. A total of 100 adult female H. contortus worms were randomly divided into four treatments with five replicates each. Each replicate consisted of 5 worms placed in a petri dish containing 5 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride solution (C: negative control), 1 mg/mL ethanolic extract of Acrocystis sp. (AR), 1 mg/mL ethanolic extract of Acanthophora sp. (AC), and 0.5 mg/mL albendazole (ALB: positive control). Sodium chloride 0.9% was used as the solvent for AR, AC, and ALB. The results demonstrated that, after 24 hour, AC exhibited anthelmintic activity by inhibiting the motility of H. contortus (P<0.05), to a remaining 4.00%, compared to AR (44.00%), although it could not compete with albendazole (P<0.05). Accordingly, the ethanolic extract of red macroalgae Acanthophora sp. holds potential for further investigation as an anthelmintic agent for ruminant livestock.
Chemical composition and protein quality of BSF larvae reared with different media in Lombok
Authors: Ketut Gede Wiryawan I , Hafiz Mandiling Irham , Kusuma Purnamasari Dwi , Maslami Vebera , Syamsuhaidi
Published: June 2024

The black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), scientifically known as Hermetia illucens, possess a substantial protein and fat content, enhancing their viability for incorporation into poultry feed. This characteristic positions them as one of the most favorable insect species for commercial productio. Its protein and fat content, however, varied among rearing media. This study aims to evaluate and compare the chemical composition, protein quality, and Apparent metabolizable energy (AME) value of BSFL reared with different media in Lombok Island. Three fourteen-day-old BSFL samples were collected from three BSFL farms rearing BSFL with different media i.e., rejected bread and expired sweetened condensed milk (A), organic household waste (B), and broiler manure (C). The samples were analyzed for their proximate composition, amino acids, and gross energy contents using the standard method. The results showed that protein and fat contents of BSFL reared with media A, B and C were 40.11 and 20.29 %; 39.09 and 37.17%, 28.37 and 29.49 % respectively. All samples were good sources of lysine and threonine with a chemical score over 100, but deficient in sulfur-containing amino acids and tryptophan. The AME value ranged from 5447 to 6085 Kcal/kg, and protein digestibility was between 72.78 and 78.67%. It can be concluded that BSFL has a high AME value and is rich in lysine and threonine but deficient in methionine, cysteine, and tryptophan.
Smallholder farmers’ decision-making style in the process of adopting beef cattle feed innovation in Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta
Authors: Trisakti Haryadi Fransiskus , Made Ari Kusuma Dewi Ni
Published: June 2024

Decision-making style describes anecdotally the way each individual makes decisions. The aim of this research was to analyse the decision-making style of farmers in the process of adopting innovative feed for beef cattle fattening. This research is a case study of a group of beef cattle farmers in Kapanewon Bantul, Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta. The method for determining groups uses a purposive sampling method. Respondents in this study were all members of groups determined using the census method. Data collection was carried out by direct interviews with respondent farmers using prepared instruments. The data collected was analysed descriptively. Farmers’ decision-making styles based on rational (81.2%), intuitive (72.3%), and dependent (63.4%) dimensions are in the high category, while avoidant (54.4%) and spontaneous (64.4%) decision making styles are in the medium category. The conclusion in this research is that smallholder farmers are very careful in making decisions. Strong priorities emerge for the rational decision-making style. Fattening cattle farmers have considered the risks and benefits of the profits obtained when having to make decisions about using feed innovation because it is seen as a determinant in the livestock business.
Estrus detection on different thoroughbred crossbreed horses with vaginal smear and vaginal acidity method
Authors: Sitaresmi P I , Wulandari A , Hudaya M F , Santoso S , Herdis H , Anwar R I , Nurlatifa A , Maulana H , Yulianto M D E , Widayati D T
Published: June 2024

Breeding manipulation season in racehorses is required to ensure the birth at the specific period (August-December), which will maximize the foal’s age when participating in their first race (July). Therefore, it is important to time the mating of mares using highly accurate estrus detection methods. This research was conducted to identify the differences data using vaginal smear and pH vagina of Thorougbred crossbreed mares in estrus and anestrus phases. Fifteen multiparous mares were conducted with a period of estrus of 19-22d. The result data showed significant differences (P<0.05) in the vaginal cell distribution patterns at each phase of the estrus cycle. The superficial cells predominate (92.43±5.14%) in the estrus phase while significant parabasal cells (87.89±3.09%) predominate in the anestrus phase. The results also showed a significant difference (P<0.05) in vaginal pH which was much more alkaline (8.71±0.25) in the estrus phase while more significantly acidic-normal (6.02±0.26) in the anestrus phase. However, the results showed no difference both in vaginal smear and pH vagina based on pedigree group. Finally, the pattern of superficial cells being more common and vaginal pH levels being higher during estrus may offer a new way to find out when an equine is in estrus.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism and Restriction Enzyme Analysis of Chicken’s Prolactin Gene based on Genbank Sequences
Authors: Rosalinda E , Sari A P Z N L , Saraswati Y V , Istarisa A F , Sasongko H , Alfiyanto A R , Maharani D
Published: June 2024

The prolactin gene (PRL) has a role in controlling broodiness and egg production in chickens. This study aimed to identify Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) in the chicken PRL gene sequences and analyzed the possible restriction enzymes to conduct the PCR-RFLP as a preliminary study. Four sequences of the PRL gene were collected from GenBank and aligned. Primers were designed for the simulation of restriction enzyme analysis. Virtual PCR-RFLP gel electrophoresis was generated specifically for SNPs located in exon regions. As a result, there were 6 SNPs found in the exon regions. Restriction enzyme analysis revealed there were two SNPs (g.5806C/T and g.5856T/A) that cannot recognized by any restriction enzyme. The SNP g.5878C/T was only perceived by the TaqI enzyme. Three restriction enzymes could be used to recognize the SNP g.1621G/C (BsmAI, BsaI, and BcoDI) and g.5753G/C (SfaNI, HphI, and MslI). The BsrI, BmrI, BsMFI, and Hpy188I enzymes could be used to recognize SNP g.5781G/C. The SfaNI, HphI, and TaqI match the criteria for detection of the SNP g.5753 G/C and g.5878C/T using the PCR-RFLP method. In conclusion, the SfaNI, HphI, and TaqI enzymes can be used for conventional analysis using the PCR-RFLP method.
Production and morphological characteristics of Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) in Mekong delta, Vietnam
Authors: Linh N T , Qui N H , Dong N T K
Published: June 2024

To meet the demands of an increasing population, protein sources from meat should be diverted. Muscovy duck is a potential protein source of high meat weight and quality for humans. The study tried to describe all information of production and morphological traits of local Muscovy ducks from 1-12 weeks old. This study involved 40 Muscovy ducks from the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, and showed that local male and female Muscovy ducks differed, with male ducks performing better in terms of growth rate, nutrients in meat. The typical morphological characteristics of local Muscovy ducks are black plumage for whole body with small spot white in wings. The highest body weight (BW) was 3,356±166.3 g/head for male ducks and 2,036±104.4 g/head for female ducks. The birds could grow up to 23.72-39.32 g/day from 1-12 weeks age and consume 99.02-153.9 g/head/day feed. Meat of male ducks accounts for 65.8% of live BW while female duck meat accounts for 67% of live BW. The nutritional composition of female ducks was almost the same with male ducks, especially crude protein, at > 21%. It could be concluded that male Muscovy ducks can be used more suitable for meat purposes.
The Existence of Macroalgae in Indonesia: Unlocking the Nutritive Potential for Sustainable Beef Production
Authors: Panjaitan Tanda , Firison Jhon , Nyoman Suyasa I , Tambunan Reny , Atmoko Bayu , Krishna Noor , Adinata Yudi , Hilmi Nurul
Published: June 2024

Assessment of the existence of macroalgae and revealing the chemical composition to investigate the potential usage for feed to support sustainable beef production has been conducted in Indonesian prominent livestock production area specifically Lombok, Bali, Yogyakarta, Lampung and Bengkulu. These regions host numerous seaweed production centres, while others hold the capacity to develop into seaweed cultivation zones. To assess the existence, utilisation, and accessibility of macroalgae in each region, observations and interviews were conducted. Subsequently, dominant macroalgae species were sampled and subjected to proximate analysis to determine their nutritional profiles. The results showed that the dominant macroalgae observed included red algae (Rhodophyta) like Eucheuma sp., Gracilaria sp., and Acanthophora sp., green algae (Chlorophyta) such as Ulva sp. and Caulerpa sp., and the brown alga (Phaeophyta) Sargassum sp. The dominant macroalgae found in all five observation sites with high abundance were Sargassum sp., Gracilaria sp., and Eucheuma cottonii. Ulva sp. and Eucheuma spinosum were present at four sites, while Acanthophora sp. and Caulerpa sp. were found at three sites. The dry matter content of the macroalgae ranged from 9.92% to 17.01%, with the highest values observed in the Eucheuma group (14.11%-17.01%). This was followed by Sargassum sp. (12.55 ± 2.40%), Ulva sp. (12.28 ± 2.33%), and Gracilaria sp. (11.09 ± 3.79%). Caulerpa sp. exhibited the lowest dry matter content (9.92 ± 1.29%). The crude protein (CP) content varied both within and between groups of algae species and observation sites. Gracilaria sp. exhibited the highest CP content (13.55 ± 0.16%), followed by Caulerpa sp. (11.87 ± 2.22%), Sargassum sp. (8.98 ± 0.42%), and Ulva sp. (6.98 ± 0.94%). The mineral content of the macroalgae was noticeably high, which is reflected in the low organic matter content. Ulva sp. had the highest organic matter content (80.17%), followed by Sargassum sp. (70.55%), Gracilaria sp. (66.53%), Caulerpa sp. (47.61%), and Eucheuma cottonii (43.50%). The readily available seaweed in this study tend to exhibit moderate to high protein and mineral content, making it a promising partial replacement or supplement for conventional feed, potentially contributing to sustainable beef production. Gracilaria sp., the most readily available seaweed, high in nutrient content with the potential to partially replace conventional feed protein sources. Its abundance of vitamins and minerals may enrich the overall value of the feed.
Cardiorenal effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers among people underrepresented in trials: analysis of routinely collected data with emulation of a reference trial (ONTARGET)
Authors: Baptiste Paris J , Wong Angel Y S , Schultze Anna , Clase Catherine M , Leyrat Clémence , Williamson Elizabeth , Powell Emma , Mann Johannes F E , Cunnington Marianne , Teo Koon , Bangdiwala Shrikant I , Gao Peggy , Tomlinson Laurie , Wing Kevin
Published: June 2024

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death globally. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), compared in the ONTARGET trial (Ongoing Telmisartan Alone and in Combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial), each prevent cardiovascular disease. However, trial results may not be generalizable, and their effectiveness in underrepresented groups is unclear. Using trial emulation methods within routine-care data to validate findings, we explored the generalizability of ONTARGET results. For people prescribed an ACEi/ARB in the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD dataset from January 1, 2001, to July 31, 2019, we applied trial criteria and propensity-score methods to create an ONTARGET trial-eligible cohort. Comparing ARB with ACEi, we estimated hazard ratios for the primary composite trial outcome (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure) and secondary outcomes. Because the prespecified criteria were met, confirming trial emulation, we then explored treatment heterogeneity among 3 trial-underrepresented subgroups: females, persons aged ≥75 years, and those with chronic kidney disease. In the trial-eligible population (n = 137 155), results for the primary outcome demonstrated similar effects of ARB and ACEi (hazard ratio = 0.97; 95% CI, 0.93-1.01), meeting the prespecified validation criteria. When extending this outcome to trial-underrepresented groups, similar treatment effects were observed by sex, age, and chronic kidney disease. This suggests that ONTARGET trial findings are generalizable to trial-underrepresented subgroups.

This article is part of a Special Collection on Pharmacoepidemiology.
Characterization of a KU70-disrupted strain of the mannosylerythritol lipid-producing yeast Pseudozyma tsukubaensis constructed by a marker recycling system
Authors: Fujii Tatsuya , Ishiya Koji , Saika Azusa , Morita Tomotake
Published: June 2024

The basidiomycetous yeast Pseudozyma tsukubaensis is known as an industrial mannosylerythritol lipid producer. In this study, the PtURA5 marker gene was deleted by homologous recombination. Using the PtURA5-deleted mutant as a host strain, we obtained a derivative disrupted for the PtKU70 gene, a putative ortholog of the KU70 gene encoding a protein involved in the nonhomologous end-joining pathway of DNA repair. Subsequently, the introduced PtURA5 gene was re-deleted by marker recycling. These results demonstrated that the PtURA5 gene can be used as a recyclable marker gene. Although the frequency of homologous recombination has been shown to be increased by KU70 disruption in other fungi, the PtKU70-disrupted strain of P. tsukubaensis did not demonstrate an elevated frequency of homologous recombination. Furthermore, the PtKU70-disrupted strain did not show increased susceptibility to bleomycin. These results suggested that the function of this KU70 ortholog in P. tsukubaensis is distinct from that in other fungi.
Captive birds exhibit greater foraging efficiency and vigilance after anti-predator training
Authors: Roberts Jessica L , Luther David
Published: June 2024

Rearing animals in captivity for conservation translocation is a complex undertaking that demands interdisciplinary management tactics. The maladapted behaviors that captive animals can develop create unique problems for wildlife managers seeking to release these animals into the wild. Often, released captive animals show decreased survival due to predation and their inability to display appropriate anti-predator, vigilance, and risk-analysis behaviors. Additionally, released animals may have poor foraging skills, further increasing their vulnerability to predation. Often conservation translocation programs use anti-predator training to ameliorate these maladapted behaviors before release but find mixed results in behavioral responses. The behavioral scope of analyzing the effect of anti-predator trainings is frequently narrow; the effect of this training on an animal’s risk-analysis competency, or ability to assess the predation risk of a foraging patch and subsequently adjust its behavior, remains unstudied. Using a captive-reared passerine species, the American robin (Turdus migratorius) (46 individuals), we applied an experimental giving up density test (GUD) to analyze the effect of anti-predator training on the robins’ vigilance/risk-analysis behaviors, patch choice, and the GUD of food left behind after one foraging session. Robins moved and foraged freely between 3 foraging patches of differing predation risk before and after a hawk silhouette was presented for 1 min. Results indicate that after anti-predator training, robins displayed increased vigilance across most foraging patches and better foraging efficiency (higher vigilance and latency to forage with simultaneous lower GUD) in the safest patch. These results can have positive survival implications post-release, however, more research on this training is needed because anti-predator training has the potential to elicit indiscriminate increased vigilance to the detriment of foraging gains. Further research is required to standardize GUD’s application in translocation programs with multigenerational captive-bred animals to fully comprehend its effectiveness in identifying and correcting maladaptive behaviors. GUD tests combined with behavioral analysis should be used by conservation translocation managers to examine the need for anti-predator and foraging trainings, the effects of trainings, and a group’s suitability for release.
Prospective study of the effect of rituximab on kidney function in membranous nephropathy
Authors: Kanigicherla Durga A K , Kehagia Angie A , Jamshidi Babak , Manounah Lina , Barnes Anna , Patrick Hannah , Powell Helen , Austin Catrin , Norton Stephen , Willcocks Lisa , Griffith Megan , Braddon Fiona , Steenkamp Retha , McKane William S , Khwaja Arif
Published: June 2024

Background

Patients with membranous nephropathy (MN) and poor kidney function or active disease despite previous immunosuppression are underrepresented in clinical trials. It is unknown how effective rituximab is in this population.

Methods

This prospective, multi-centre, single-arm, real-world study of patients with active MN [urine protein-creatinine ratio (uPCR) >350 mg/mmol and serum albumin <30 g/L, or a fall in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of at least 20% or more over at least 3 months] evaluated rituximab in those with contraindications to calcineurin inhibitors and cytotoxic therapy. The primary outcome was change in rate of eGFR decline before and after rituximab. Complete or partial remission were defined as uPCR <30 mg/mmol or uPCR <350 mg/mmol with a ≥50% fall from baseline, respectively.

Results

A total of 180 patients [median age 59 years, interquartile range (IQR) 48–68] received rituximab and were followed up for a median duration of 17 months. Seventy-seven percent had prior immunosuppression. Median eGFR and uPCR at baseline were 49.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 (IQR 34.4–80.6) and 766 mg/mmol (IQR 487–1057), respectively. The annual rate of decline of eGFR fell from 13.9 to 1.7 mL/min/1.73 m2/year following rituximab (Z score = 2.48, P < .0066). At 18 months 12% and 42% of patients were in complete or partial remission, respectively. Rituximab was well tolerated; patient survival was 95.6% at 2 years and in patients in whom eGFR was available, kidney survival was 93% at 2 years.

Conclusion

Rituximab significantly reduced the rate of eGFR decline in active MN including those who had received prior immunosuppression or with poor baseline kidney function.
Probiotic Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis with Trichuris Suis Ova: A Randomised, Double-blinded, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial [the PROCTO Trial]
Authors: Prosberg Michelle V , Halkjær Sofie I , Lo Bobby , Bremerskov-Köser Christina , Ilvemark Johan F K F , Seidelin Jakob B , Kristiansen Malene F , Kort Anja , Kallemose Thomas , Bager Peter , Bendtsen Flemming , Nordgaard-Lassen Inge , Kapel Hanne S , Kringel Helene , Kapel Christian M O , Petersen Andreas M
Published: June 2024

Background and Aims

To demonstrate that administration of 7500 Trichuris suis ova [TSO] every second week over 24 weeks would reduce the intestinal inflammation in moderate ulcerative colitis.

Methods

A single-centre, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase 2b clinical trial of 7500 Trichuris suis ova every 2 weeks for 24 weeks compared with placebo in moderate activity of ulcerative colitis [Mayo score 6–10] were performed. Primary outcome: clinical remission; secondary outcomes: clinical response at 24 weeks, complete corticosteroid-free clinical remission, endoscopic remission, symptomatic remission at 12 and 24 weeks, and partial Mayo score over time.

Results

In all, 119 patients were randomised to Trichuris suis ova [n = 60] or placebo [n = 59]. At Week 24, clinical remission was achieved in 30% of Trichuris suis ova-treated vs 34% of placebo-treated (risk ratio [RR] = 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52–1.50; p = 0.80, intention to treat). No difference was found in clinical response in any of the clinical response subgroups. However, in patients who did not need treatment with corticosteroids during the trial, a temporary effect of TSO was seen in the analysis of symptomatic remission at Week 12 [p = 0.01] and the partial Mayo score at Week 14 and Week 18 [p < 0.05 and p = 0.02].

Conclusions

Compared with placebo, Trichuris suis ova administration was not superior in achieving clinical remission at Week 24 in ulcerative colitis or in achieving clinical Mayo score reduction, complete corticosteroid-free clinical remission, or endoscopic remission. However, Trichuris suis ova treatment induced symptomatic temporary remission at Week 12.
Can artificial intelligence-driven cephalometric analysis replace manual tracing? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hendrickx Julie , Gracea Rellyca Sola , Vanheers Michiel , Winderickx Nicolas , Preda Flavia , Shujaat Sohaib , Jacobs Reinhilde
Published: June 2024

Objectives

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the accuracy and efficiency of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven automated landmark detection for cephalometric analysis on two-dimensional (2D) lateral cephalograms and three-dimensional (3D) cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images.

Search methods

An electronic search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and grey literature with search timeline extending up to January 2024.

Selection criteria

Studies that employed AI for 2D or 3D cephalometric landmark detection were included.

Data collection and analysis

The selection of studies, data extraction, and quality assessment of the included studies were performed independently by two reviewers. The risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of the 2D landmarks identification based on both mean radial error and standard error.

Results

Following the removal of duplicates, title and abstract screening, and full-text reading, 34 publications were selected. Amongst these, 27 studies evaluated the accuracy of AI-driven automated landmarking on 2D lateral cephalograms, while 7 studies involved 3D-CBCT images. A meta-analysis, based on the success detection rate of landmark placement on 2D images, revealed that the error was below the clinically acceptable threshold of 2 mm (1.39 mm; 95% confidence interval: 0.85–1.92 mm). For 3D images, meta-analysis could not be conducted due to significant heterogeneity amongst the study designs. However, qualitative synthesis indicated that the mean error of landmark detection on 3D images ranged from 1.0 to 5.8 mm. Both automated 2D and 3D landmarking proved to be time-efficient, taking less than 1 min. Most studies exhibited a high risk of bias in data selection (n = 27) and reference standard (n = 29).

Conclusion

The performance of AI-driven cephalometric landmark detection on both 2D cephalograms and 3D-CBCT images showed potential in terms of accuracy and time efficiency. However, the generalizability and robustness of these AI systems could benefit from further improvement.

Registration

PROSPERO: CRD42022328800.
In silico design and analysis of a multiepitope vaccine against Chlamydia
Authors: Tanner Tayhlor , Medhavi F N U , Richardson Shakyra , Omosun Yusuf O , Eko Francis O
Published: June 2024

Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection worldwide, potentially leading to severe pathologies including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and tubal infertility if left untreated. Current strategies, including screening and antibiotics, have limited effectiveness due to high rates of asymptomatic cases and logistical challenges. A multiepitope prophylactic vaccine could afford long-term protection against infection. Immunoinformatic analyses were employed to design a multiepitope Chlamydia vaccine antigen. B- and T-cell epitopes from five highly conserved and immunogenic Ct antigens were predicted and selected for the vaccine design. The final construct, adjuvanted with cholera toxin A1 subunit (CTA1), was further screened for immunogenicity. CTA1-MECA (multiepitope Chlamydia trachomatis antigen) was identified as antigenic and nonallergenic. A tertiary structure was predicted, refined, and validated as a good quality model. Molecular docking exhibited strong interactions between the vaccine and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Additionally, immune responses consistent with protection including IFN-γ, IgG + IgM antibodies, and T- and B-cell responses were predicted following vaccination in an immune simulation. Expression of the construct in an Escherichia coli expression vector proved efficient. To further validate the vaccine efficacy, we assessed its immunogenicity in mice. Immunization with CTA1-MECA elicited high levels of Chlamydia-specific antibodies in mucosal and systemic compartments.
DNA Methylation at C-Reactive Protein-Associated CpG Sites May Mediate the Pathway Between Educational Attainment and Cognition
Authors: Stoldt Meike , Ammous Farah , Lin Lisha , Ratliff Scott M , Ware Erin B , Faul Jessica D , Zhao Wei , Kardia Sharon L R , Smith Jennifer A
Published: June 2024

Growing evidence has linked inflammatory processes to cognitive decline and dementia. This work examines whether an epigenetic marker of C-reactive protein (CRP), a common clinical inflammatory biomarker, may mediate the relationship between educational attainment and cognition. We first evaluated whether 53 previously reported CRP-associated DNA methylation sites (CpGs) are associated with CRP, both individually and aggregated into a methylation risk score (MRSCRP), in 3 298 participants from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, mean age = 69.7 years). Forty-nine CpGs (92%) were associated with the natural logarithm of CRP in HRS after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, BMI, genetic ancestry, and white blood cell counts (p < .05), and each standard deviation increase in MRSCRP was associated with a 0.38 unit increase in lnCRP (p = 4.02E-99). In cross-sectional analysis, for each standard deviation increase in MRSCRP, total memory score and total cognitive score decreased, on average, by 0.28 words and 0.43 items, respectively (p < .001). Further, MRSCRP mediated 6.9% of the relationship between high school education and total memory score in a model adjusting for age, sex, and genetic ancestry (p < .05); this was attenuated to 2.4% with additional adjustment for marital status, APOE ε4 status, health behaviors, and comorbidities (p < .05). Thus, CRP-associated methylation may partially mediate the relationship between education and cognition at older ages. Further research is warranted to determine whether DNA methylation at these sites may improve current prediction models for cognitive impairment in older adults.
Characteristics and Effectiveness of Physical Therapist-Supervised Exercise Interventions for Nursing Home Residents With Dementia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Boer Dennis , Schmidt Charlotte , Sterke Shanty , Schoones Jan , Elbers Roy , Vliet Vlieland Thea
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives

Although physical therapy, in particular exercise therapy, is widely used in nursing home residents with dementia, the literature on this topic is relatively scarce. This systematic review aimed to summarize the literature on the characteristics and effectiveness of exercise interventions supervised by physical therapists in nursing home residents with dementia.

Research Design and Methods

Six electronic databases were systematically searched for relevant studies up to August 17, 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing exercise interventions supervised by a physical therapist to any other form of intervention or usual care in nursing home residents with dementia were selected. Data were narratively analyzed and forest plots visualizing exercise effects were created.

Results

From the 1 377 records retrieved and screened, 6 RCTs, reported in 11 papers, met the selection criteria. Included studies used multimodal or aerobic exercise interventions, with the frequency, duration and intensity varying across studies. Three of the 6 studies were at high risk of bias. Due to inconsistency in the findings and variety in outcome measures, results on the effectiveness of the interventions are inconclusive.

Discussion and Implications

Our review emphasizes the need for more robust studies to offer understanding of the efficacy of exercise interventions supervised by physical therapists for nursing home residents with dementia.
What explains the provision of health insurance by Indonesian employers? A trend analysis of the National Labour Force Survey 2018-2022
Authors: Khoe Levina Chandra , Mansyur Muchtaruddin , Wiseman Virginia , Asante Augustine
Published: June 2024

Indonesian laws mandate that every employer should provide health insurance and work accident insurance to their employees. Nevertheless, there is a significant gap in the coverage of employer-sponsored insurance among Indonesian workers. This study examines the coverage of employer-sponsored insurance and work accident insurance and analyses the characteristics of the uninsured working population in Indonesia. We analysed nationally representative cross-sectional data from the National Labour Force Survey (NLFS) conducted between 2018 and 2022. The primary dependent variable was the provision of health insurance and work accident insurance by employers. The independent variables included having any physical disabilities, number of working hours, duration of employment, labour union membership, earning at least the provincial minimum wage, having a written contract and working in high risk jobs. Logistic regression was employed using the R statistical software. The findings indicate that coverage of employer-sponsored health insurance is low in Indonesia—ranging from 36.1% in 2018 to 38.4% in 2022. Workers with a written contract, earning at least the provincial minimum wage, were members of a labour union, employed for at least 5 years and working more than 40 hours a week were more likely to be insured. By contrast, workers who had physical disabilities or were employed in high-risk jobs were less likely to be insured. Our study concludes that having a written employment contract is the single most influential factor that explains the provision of employer-sponsored health insurance in Indonesia. The country’s labour laws should therefore formalize the provision of written employment contracts for all workers regardless of the type and nature of work. The existing laws on health insurance and work accident insurance should be enforced to ensure that employers meet their constitutionally mandated obligation of providing these types of insurance to their workers, particularly those engaged in high risk jobs.
Optimal Gearing of Musculoskeletal Systems
Authors: Polet Delyle T , Labonte David
Published: June 2024

Synopsis

Movement is integral to animal life, and most animal movement is actuated by the same engine: striated muscle. Muscle input is typically mediated by skeletal elements, resulting in musculoskeletal systems that are geared: at any instant, the muscle force and velocity are related to the output force and velocity only via a proportionality constant G, the “mechanical advantage”. The functional analysis of such “simple machines” has traditionally centered around this instantaneous interpretation, such that a small vs large G is thought to reflect a fast vs forceful system, respectively. But evidence is mounting that a comprehensive analysis ought to also consider the mechanical energy output of a complete contraction. Here, we approach this task systematically, and deploy the theory of physiological similarity to study how gearing affects the flow of mechanical energy in a minimalist model of a musculoskeletal system. Gearing influences the flow of mechanical energy in two key ways: it can curtail muscle work output, because it determines the ratio between the characteristic muscle kinetic energy and work capacity; and it defines how each unit of muscle work is partitioned into different system energies, that is, into kinetic vs “parasitic” energy such as heat. As a consequence of both effects, delivering maximum work in minimum time and with maximum output speed generally requires a mechanical advantage of intermediate magnitude. This optimality condition can be expressed in terms of two dimensionless numbers that reflect the key geometric, physiological, and physical properties of the interrogated musculoskeletal system, and the environment in which the contraction takes place. Illustrative application to exemplar musculoskeletal systems predicts plausible mechanical advantages in disparate biomechanical scenarios, yields a speculative explanation for why gearing is typically used to attenuate the instantaneous force output ($G_{\text{opt}} \lt 1)$, and predicts how G needs to vary systematically with animal size to optimize the delivery of mechanical energy, in superficial agreement with empirical observations. A many-to-one mapping from musculoskeletal geometry to mechanical performance is identified, such that differences in G alone do not provide a reliable indicator for specialization for force vs speed—neither instantaneously, nor in terms of mechanical energy output. The energy framework presented here can be used to estimate an optimal mechanical advantage across variable muscle physiology, anatomy, mechanical environment, and animal size, and so facilitates investigation of the extent to which selection has made efficient use of gearing as a degree of freedom in musculoskeletal “design.”
The Causes and Consequences of Public Misunderstanding of Shark Conservation
Authors: Shiffman D S
Published: June 2024

Synopsis

Sharks and their relatives face serious conservation challenges. In addition to more effective implementation of regulations already on the books, they need more and stronger conservation and management policies to prevent the extinction of many species, which would have associated negative ecological and economic consequences. Many members of the public are aware of and concerned by shark conservation challenges, but there is widespread misunderstanding of the threats to sharks and the available policy solutions to address those threats. Such misunderstanding has been spread by both well-intentioned but uninformed shark enthusiasts (i.e., people who care and want to help but have limited or incorrect knowledge of key facts and evidence) and also by extremist activist organizations (i.e., those far outside of mainstream norms). Specifically, many members of the public incorrectly believe that the practice of shark finning (and associated demand for shark fins) is the largest or only threat to sharks. In general, the public is far less familiar with widely used and effective tools such as sustainable fisheries management as a solution to shark conservation threats. Many members of the public incorrectly believe that banning the 1% of the global shark fin trade that is the most sustainable will be a major victory for shark conservation. Many members of the public are heavily influenced by information from uninformed extremists rather than from experts. These misunderstandings result in suboptimal policy outcomes, and even conflict between stakeholder groups that ostensibly share goals or desired outcomes. This perspective summarizes a decade of work attempting to understand the causes and consequences of widespread misunderstanding about shark conservation threats and solutions, mapping each along the Science-Policy Interface. It also proposes solutions focusing on sharing our hard-earned expertise with the interested public in an accessible format.
Driving through stop signs: predicting stop codon reassignment improves functional annotation of bacteriophages
Authors: Cook Ryan , Telatin Andrea , Bouras George , Camargo Antonio Pedro , Larralde Martin , Edwards Robert A , Adriaenssens Evelien M
Published: June 2024

The majority of bacteriophage diversity remains uncharacterized, and new intriguing mechanisms of their biology are being continually described. Members of some phage lineages, such as the Crassvirales, repurpose stop codons to encode an amino acid by using alternate genetic codes. Here, we investigated the prevalence of stop codon reassignment in phage genomes and its subsequent impacts on functional annotation. We predicted 76 genomes within INPHARED and 712 vOTUs from the Unified Human Gut Virome Catalogue (UHGV) that repurpose a stop codon to encode an amino acid. We re-annotated these sequences with modified versions of Pharokka and Prokka, called Pharokka-gv and Prokka-gv, to automatically predict stop codon reassignment prior to annotation. Both tools significantly improved the quality of annotations, with Pharokka-gv performing best. For sequences predicted to repurpose TAG to glutamine (translation table 15), Pharokka-gv increased the median gene length (median of per genome median) from 287 to 481 bp for UHGV sequences (67.8% increase) and from 318 to 550 bp for INPHARED sequences (72.9% increase). The re-annotation increased median coding capacity from 66.8% to 90.0% and from 69.0% to 89.8% for UHGV and INPHARED sequences predicted to use translation table 15. Furthermore, the proportion of genes that could be assigned functional annotation increased, including an increase in the number of major capsid proteins that could be identified. We propose that automatic prediction of stop codon reassignment before annotation is beneficial to downstream viral genomic and metagenomic analyses.
CDP-DAG synthesis by peripheral membrane-bound Tam41-type enzymes
Authors: Okamoto Koji
Published: June 2024

Cytidine diphosphate diacylglycerol (CDP-DAG) is a critical intermediate that is converted to multiple phospholipids in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In budding yeast, CDP-DAG synthesis from cytidine triphosphate (CTP) and phosphatidic acid (PA) is catalyzed by the membrane-integrated protein Cds1 in the endoplasmic reticulum and the peripheral membrane-bound protein Tam41 in mitochondria. Although a recent study revealed that the fission yeast SpTam41 consists of a nucleotidyltransferase domain and a winged helix domain, forming an active-site pocket for CTP binding between the two domains together with a C-terminal amphipathic helix for membrane association, how CTP and Mg 2+, a most-favoured divalent cation, are accommodated with PA remains obscure. A more recent report by Kimura et al. (J. Biochem. 2022; 171:429–441) solved the crystal structure of FbTam41, a functional ortholog from a Firmicutes bacterium, with CTP-Mg 2+, successfully providing a detailed molecular view of CDP-DAG synthesis. In this commentary, our current understanding of Tam41-mediated reaction is discussed.
A Scoping Review of PTSD and Depression in Adult Burn Patients: A Call for Standardized Screening and Intervention Research
Authors: Wang Sarah , Cannata Brigette , Vallurupalli Medha , Yenikomshian Haig A , Gillenwater Justin , Stoycos Sarah A
Published: June 2024

Despite the growing incidence of burn injuries globally and the advancements in physical recovery, the psychological aspect of burn trauma recovery remains inadequately addressed. This review aims to consolidate existing literature on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in adult burn survivors, recognizing the need for a holistic approach to burn recovery that encompasses both physical and mental health. The comprehensive analysis of 156 studies revealed significant variations in methodological approaches, leading to challenges in creating standardized protocols for mental health assessment in burn care. Key findings include the identification of a wide range of psychological assessment tools and a substantial research gap in low- and middle-income countries, where the majority of burn injuries occur. Only 7.0% of the studies assessed interventions for PTSD or depression, indicating a lack of focus on treatment modalities. The studies identified demographic factors, patient history, psychosocial factors, burn injury characteristics, and treatment course as risk factors for PTSD and depression postburn injury. The review highlights the need for early screening, intervention, and attention to subjective experiences related to burn injury, as these are strong predictors of long-term psychological distress. It also emphasizes the complexity of addressing psychological distress in burn survivors and the need for more standardized practices in assessing PTSD and depression specific to this population.
Seasonal Dynamics in Burn Profiles: A Comprehensive Retrospective Analysis at the Burn Care Centre, PIMS, Islamabad (2016–2022)
Authors: Qayyum Kashaf , Rehan Muhammad , Arshad Zunera , Iqbal Tariq , Sarwar Muhammad Asad , Mahmood Rabia
Published: June 2024

Seasons have a major impact on the frequency and characteristics of burn injuries; in warmer months, thermal burns from outdoor activities are more common, while in cooler months, incidents involving heating sources and fires are more common. It is essential to comprehend these trends in order to customize safety precautions and awareness initiatives. Studies on the impact of seasonal variations help burn centers allocate resources more effectively in order to prepare for variations in patient volume and severity. Data from January 2016 to December 2022, with an emphasis on burn types excluding nonburn cases, were analyzed retrospectively over a 7-year period at the Burn Care Centre in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. The research examined hospital stays, demographics, burn causes, admissions, total burned surface area, and death rates while dividing the years into winter and summer seasons for analysis. With 4014 admitted patients, the study found that winter admissions increased by 11.007%, with winter admissions accounting for 55.503% of all admissions and summer admissions for 44.496%. The gender distribution stayed the same, with 54.59% of the population being male and 45.99% being female. Hospital stays were longer for summer admissions (16.428) than for winter admissions (11.285). Summertime saw a rise in electric burn cases (307 cases), with a 43 case fatality rate. With 1699 cases, flame burns predominated in the epidemiology of burns, followed by scald burns with 1384 cases. In conclusion, seasonal differences have a substantial impact on burn profiles, with winter seeing a marked rise in occurrences. Men are also more likely to sustain electric burns, particularly in the summer. Effective management and prevention techniques depend on an understanding of these patterns.