bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Perceived Broad Group Emotional Climate Scale: Development and Validation With Chinese Community Residents and University Students
Authors: Yang Xiao-juan , Wang Xin-qiang , Liu Jian-ping , Lai Song-hai , Liu Mingfan , Ye Baojuan
Published: August 2021

Perceived broad group emotional climate (PBGEC) is a perceived meso-environment emotion, which refers to individuals’ perceptions and experiences of the emotion climate when interacting with group members in daily life, and is not derived from individuals’ own emotions. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a PBGEC scale (PBGECS) for Chinese community residents and university students. A total of 1,408 residents from Chongqing completed the survey of PBGECS, the present social attitude scale, the future social expectations scale, and the social wellbeing scale, which constituted Sample 1; A total of 607 college students from Nanchang completed the survey of PBGECS and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale, which constituted Sample 2. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure, including positive PBGEC (PBGEC-P) and negative PBGEC (PBGEC-N). Internal consistency was strong for each factor and the full-scale (α ≥ 0.83). Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the correlated two-factor model of PBGEC and the four-factor model (including PBGEC-P, PBGEC-N, individual positive affect, and individual negative affect) demonstrated the best fit to the data, which supported the structural validity of the PBGECS. The interpretive validity, cultural validity, and population validity of the scale were also proved by examining the relationship between PBGEC and socioeconomic status, social attitude, and social wellbeing, respectively. The results show that the PBGECS demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity, which can be used to assesses the perceived emotion climate of an individual’s surrounding environment.
The Role of Artistic Creative Activities in Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia
Authors: Kiernan Frederic , Chmiel Anthony , Garrido Sandra , Hickey Martha , Davidson Jane W.
Published: August 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic some Australians turned to artistic creative activities (ACAs) as a way of managing their own mental health and well-being. This study examined the role of ACAs in regulating emotion and supporting mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also attempted to identify at-risk populations. We proposed that (1) participants would use ACAs as avoidance-based emotion regulation strategies; and (2) music engagement would be used for emotion regulation. Australian participants (N= 653) recruited from the general public completed an online survey, which included scales targeting anxiety (GAD7 scale), depression (PHQ9 scale) and loneliness (two UCLA Loneliness Scales, referring to “Before” and “Since” COVID-19). Participants reported which ACAs they had undertaken and ceased during the pandemic using an established list and ranked their undertaken ACAs in terms of effectiveness at making them “feel better.” For their top-ranked ACA, participants then completed the Emotion Regulation Scale for Artistic Creative Activities (ERS-ACA), and if participants had undertaken any musical ACAs, also the Musical Engagement Questionnaire (MusEQ). The results supported both hypotheses. ANOVAs indicated that participants ranked significantly higher on the “avoidance” ERS-ACA subscale than the other subscales, and that participants ranked significantly higher on the emotion regulation and musical preference MusEQ subscales than the other subscales. Additionally, while ACAs such as “Watching films or TV shows” and “Cookery or baking” were common, they ranked poorly as effective methods of emotion regulation, whereas “Listening to music” was the second-most frequently undertaken ACA and also the most effective. “Singing” and “Dancing” were among the most ceased ACAs but also ranked among the most effective for emotion regulation, suggesting that support for developing pandemic-safe approaches to these ACAs may provide well-being benefits in future crises. Additionally, correlation analyses showed that younger participants, those who took less exercise during the pandemic, and those with the highest musical engagement reported the poorest well-being. We conclude that ACAs provided an important resource for supporting mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and could potentially support mental health and well-being in future crises.
Organic Nutrient Source Allocation and Use in Smallholder Farming Communities: What Are We Missing?
Authors: Nyamasoka-Magonziwa Blessing , Vanek Steven J. , Carolan Michael , Ojiem John O. , Fonte Steven J.
Published: August 2021

Organic nutrient sources (ONS) are managed as a key resource by smallholder farmers to maintain the productivity of soils. Recycling of ONS by applying them to soils is a globally dominant strategy of ecological nutrient management. Understanding how ONS produced on-farm are allocated and what drives farmer decision making around their use is critical for sustainable nutrient management in smallholder agroecosystems. Using focus group discussions and a survey of 184 farming households, we studied socio-economic, socio-cultural, and environmental drivers of ONS allocation and use at the farm scale in three contrasting agroecological zones of western Kenya. Farm typologies of ONS management were also developed using cluster analysis based on resource endowment and the connectedness of farmers, management norms, and interaction with extension. Our findings suggest that the more resource endowed a farmer is, the more ONS are allocated to the main plot within the farm. We also observed that farmers preferred allocating more resources to plots that were considered more fertile. Land tenure had an important influence, in that main plots not owned by farmers were more likely to retain ONS such as crop residues. Management of residues is dependent on farmer gender, for instance, female farmers tended to burn legume residues in particular, which is notable since these higher quality residues are often considered key to sustainable soil nutrient management. Farm typologies featured different allocation patterns of ONS and were associated with resource endowment and farmer networks, including external ties to extension agents and internal ties to other farmers. Finally, there was a strong overarching influence of agroecological zone that often escapes characterization on the allocation of ONS. As research and development organizations continue to engage with smallholder farmers to reduce the burden of global food insecurity, the insights gained by this research will allow better anticipation of drivers and obstacles to improved nutrient management in these farming landscapes and communities.
COVID-19 Impact on Poultry Production and Distribution Networks in Bangladesh
Authors: Sattar Abdullah Al , Mahmud Rashed , Mohsin Md. Abu Shoieb , Chisty Nurun Nahar , Uddin Md. Helal , Irin Nusrat , Barnett Tony , Fournie Guillaume , Houghton Eve , Hoque Md. Ahasanul
Published: August 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected numerous economic sectors across the world, including livestock production. This study investigates how the pandemic has impacted the poultry production and distribution network (PDN), analyses stakeholders' changing circumstances, and provides recommendations for rapid and long-term resilience. This is based on a literature review, social media monitoring, and key informant interviews (n = 36) from across the poultry sector in Bangladesh. These included key informants from breeder farms and hatcheries, pharmaceutical suppliers, feed companies, dealers, farmers, middlemen, and vendors. We show that the poultry sector was damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, partly as a result of the lockdown and also by rumors that poultry and their products could transmit the disease. This research shows that hardly any stakeholder escaped hardship. Disrupted production and transportation, declining consumer demand and volatile markets brought huge financial difficulties, even leading to the permanent closure of many farms. We show that the extent of the damage experienced during the first months of COVID-19 was a consequence of how interconnected stakeholders and businesses are across the poultry sector. For example, a shift in consumer demand in live bird markets has ripple effects that impact the price of goods and puts pressure on traders, middlemen, farmers, and input suppliers alike. We show how this interconnectedness across all levels of the poultry industry in Bangladesh makes it fragile and that this fragility is not a consequence of COVID-19 but has been revealed by it. This warrants long-term consideration beyond the immediate concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prioritizing Construction Labor Productivity Improvement Strategies Using Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Making and Fuzzy Cognitive Maps
Authors: Kazerooni Matin , Nguyen Phuong , Fayek Aminah Robinson
Published: August 2021

Construction labor productivity (CLP) is affected by various interconnected factors, such as crew motivation and working conditions. Improved CLP can benefit a construction project in many ways, such as a shortened project life cycle and lowering project cost. However, budget, time, and resource restrictions force companies to select and implement only a limited number of CLP improvement strategies. Therefore, a research gap exists regarding methods for supporting the selection of CLP improvement strategies for a given project by quantifying the impact of strategies on CLP with respect to interrelationships among CLP factors. This paper proposes a decision support model that integrates fuzzy multi-criteria decision making with fuzzy cognitive maps to prioritize CLP improvement strategies based on their impact on CLP, causal relationships among CLP factors, and project characteristics. The proposed model was applied to determine CLP improvement strategies for concrete-pouring activities in building projects as an illustrative example. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a systematic approach for selecting appropriate CLP improvement strategies based on interrelationships among the factors affecting CLP and the impact of such strategies on CLP. The results are expected to support construction practitioners with identifying effective improvement strategies to enhance CLP in their projects.
Resistance to Fusarium Head Blight, Kernel Damage, and Concentrations of Fusarium Mycotoxins in the Grain of Winter Wheat Lines
Authors: Ochodzki Piotr , Twardawska Adriana , Wiśniewska Halina , Góral Tomasz
Published: August 2021

Fusarium head blight (FHB) can contaminate cereal grains with mycotoxins. Winter wheat can also become infected with FHB and is more resistant than durum wheat to head infection but less than other small-grain cereals. The aim of this study was to identify winter wheat lines that combine low levels of head infection and kernel damage with low levels of grain contamination with mycotoxins. Resistance of 27 winter wheat lines (four with resistance gene Fhb1) and cultivars to FHB was evaluated over a three-year (2017–2019) experiment established in two locations (Poznań and Radzików, Poland). At the anthesis stage, heads were inoculated with Fusarium culmorum isolates. The FHB index was scored, and the percentage of Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDKs) was assessed. The grain was analyzed for type B trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol and derivatives and nivalenol) and zearalenone content. The average FHB index of both locations was 12.9%. The proportion of FDK was 6.9% in weight and 8.5% in number. The average content of deoxynivalenol amounted to 3.543 mg/kg, and the average amount of nivalenol was 2.115 mg/kg. In total, we recorded 5.804 m/kg of type B trichothecenes. The zearalenone content in the grain was 0.214 mg/kg. Relationships between the FHB index, FDK, and mycotoxin contents were highly significant for wheat lines; however, these relationships were stronger for FDK than for FHB index. Breeding lines combining all types of FHB resistance were observed, five of which had resistance levels similar to those of wheat lines with the Fhb1 gene.
The Prevalence of Feline Hip Dysplasia, Patellar Luxation and Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae in Pedigree Cats in The Czech Republic
Authors: Černá Petra , Timmermans Joep , Komenda Dominik , Nývltová Ivana , Proks Pavel
Published: August 2021

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of feline hip dysplasia (HD), patellar luxation and lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LTV) in pedigree cats in the Czech Republic. (2) Methods: 107 pedigree cats at least 10 months old were recruited prospectively at the Small Animal Clinic at the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, CZ, between April 2019 and July 2020. (3) Results: The prevalence of hip joint dysplasia in all pedigree cats was 46.7%, of which 78% of cats had bilateral dysplasia. The HD was mainly from mild (grade 1) to moderate (grade 2); however, 6.1% of hip joints showed signs of severe HD (grade 3) in Maine Coon and Siberian cats. Patellar luxation was noted in 32.7% of the pedigree cats, was present bilaterally in 91.4% and was grade 1 or 2 in most cats. The presence of LTV was noted in 7.5% of pedigree cats. (4) Conclusions: The high prevalence of HD in pedigree cats should be considered and screening pedigree cats for HD is recommended before they are used in breeding programs.
Preliminary Investigation into a Novel Sustained-Release Formulation of Meloxicam in Sheep (Ovis aries)—Pharmacokinetic Profile
Authors: Plummer Christine , White Peter J. , Kimble Benjamin , Govendir Merran , Van der Saag Dominique
Published: August 2021

This study is a preliminary investigation describing the pharmacokinetic profile of a novel subcutaneous sustained-release meloxicam formulation (SRMF) in sheep. Six merino ewe hoggets (41.5 ± 4.6 kg) were treated with a novel subcutaneous SRMF at 2 mg/kg bodyweight (BW). Blood samples were collected at t = 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48, 96, 144, 168, 192, and 336 h following treatment, and interstitial (ISF) fluid samples were collected at periods of 8 to 12 h, 12 to 24 h, 24 to 48 h, 48 to 52 h, and 92 to 96 h following treatment. High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis with ultraviolet detection was utilised to determine the concentration of meloxicam in plasma and ISF. The SRMF exhibited the following mean (±SD) pharmacokinetic indices: Cmax of 1.58 μg/mL (±0.82 μg/mL) at a Tmax of 10.0 h (±1.79 h), and half life (t1/2) of 31.4 h (±13.17 h) in sheep plasma. Interstitial fluid samples were collected from three of the six sheep, with a decrease in meloxicam concentration exhibited over 52 h. This study demonstrates a variable extended t1/2, a delayed Tmax, and a lower Cmax of the SRMF, as compared to that of a conventional meloxicam formulation (CMF) in sheep, as previously referenced (t1/2: 14.28 h; Tmax: 5 h; Cmax: 15.94 μg/mL). Further research to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of the SRMF in sheep is warranted.
Rescue Therapy with Furazolidone in Patients with at Least Five Eradication Treatment Failures and Multi-Resistant H. pylori infection
Authors: Resina Elena , Gisbert Javier P.
Published: August 2021

Helicobacter pylori infection may persist after multiple eradication treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a furazolidone-based rescue regimen in hyper-refractory patients. A unicentre, prospective study was designed. Patients in whom five or more treatments had consecutively failed were included. All patients had previously received bismuth and key antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin, tetracycline, and rifabutin, and had positive H. pylori culture, demonstrating resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin. A quadruple regimen with furazolidone (200 mg), amoxicillin (1 g), bismuth (240 mg), and esomeprazole (40 mg) was prescribed twice a day for 14 days. Eradication was confirmed by the stool antigen test. Compliance was determined through questioning, and adverse effects using a questionnaire. Eight patients (mean age 56 years, 63% men, 38% peptic ulcer disease, 12% gastric cancer precursor lesions, and 50% functional dyspepsia) were included. Per-protocol and intention-to-treat eradication rates were 63%. Compliance was 100%. Adverse effects were reported in two (25%) patients, and all were mild. Even after five or more previous H. pylori eradication failures, and a multi-resistant infection, rescue treatment with furazolidone may be effective in approximately two-thirds of the cases, constituting a valid strategy after multiple previous eradication failures with key antibiotics such as clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, levofloxacin, and rifabutin.
Antibiotic Usage and Resistance in Food Animal Production: What Have We Learned from Bangladesh?
Authors: Chowdhury Sukanta , Ghosh Sumon , Aleem Mohammad Abdul , Parveen Shahana , Islam Md. Ariful , Rashid Md. Mahbubur , Akhtar Zubair , Chowdhury Fahmida
Published: August 2021

Irrational and inappropriate use of antibiotics in commercial chicken and aquaculture industries can accelerate the antibiotic resistance process in humans and animals. In Bangladesh, the growing commercial chicken and aquaculture industries are playing significantly important roles in the food value chain. It is necessary to know the antibiotic usage practices and antibiotic resistance in food animal production to design rational policies, guidelines, and interventions. We conducted a narrative review to understand the level of antibiotic usage and resistance in food animal production in Bangladesh. Information about antibiotic usage in different food animal production systems, including commercial chickens and aquaculture in Bangladesh is inadequate. Only a few small-scale studies reported that the majority (up to 100%) of the broiler and layer chicken farms used antibiotics for treating and preventing diseases. However, numerous studies reported antibiotic-resistant bacteria of public health importance in commercial chicken, fish, livestock, and animal origin food. The isolates from different pathogenic bacteria were found resistant against multiple antibiotics, including quinolones, the third or fourth generation of cephalosporins, and polymyxins. Veterinary practitioners empirically treat animals with antibiotics based on presumptive diagnosis due to inadequate microbial diagnostic facilities in Bangladesh. Intensive training is helpful to raise awareness among farmers, feed dealers, and drug sellers on good farming practices, standard biosecurity practices, personal hygiene, and the prudent use of antibiotics. Urgently, the Government of Bangladesh should develop and implement necessary guidelines to mitigate irrational use of antibiotics in food animals using a multi-sectoral One Health approach.
Antibiotics Used in Empiric Treatment of Ocular Infections Trigger the Bacterial Rcs Stress Response System Independent of Antibiotic Susceptibility
Authors: Harshaw Nathaniel S. , Stella Nicholas A. , Lehner Kara M. , Romanowski Eric G. , Kowalski Regis P. , Shanks Robert M. Q.
Published: August 2021

The Rcs phosphorelay is a bacterial stress response system that responds to envelope stresses and in turn controls several virulence-associated pathways, including capsule, flagella, and toxin biosynthesis, of numerous bacterial species. The Rcs system also affects antibiotic tolerance, biofilm formation, and horizontal gene transfer. The Rcs system of the ocular bacterial pathogen Serratia marcescens was recently demonstrated to influence ocular pathogenesis in a rabbit model of keratitis, with Rcs-defective mutants causing greater pathology and Rcs-activated strains demonstrating reduced inflammation. The Rcs system is activated by a variety of insults, including β-lactam antibiotics and polymyxin B. In this study, we developed three luminescence-based transcriptional reporters for Rcs system activity and used them to test whether antibiotics used for empiric treatment of ocular infections influence Rcs system activity in a keratitis isolate of S. marcescens. These included antibiotics to which the bacteria were susceptible and resistant. Results indicate that cefazolin, ceftazidime, polymyxin B, and vancomycin activate the Rcs system to varying degrees in an RcsB-dependent manner, whereas ciprofloxacin and tobramycin activated the promoter fusions, but in an Rcs-independent manner. Although minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) analysis demonstrated resistance of the test bacteria to polymyxin B and vancomycin, the Rcs system was activated by sub-inhibitory concentrations of these antibiotics. Together, these data indicate that a bacterial stress system that influences numerous pathogenic phenotypes and drug-tolerance is influenced by different classes of antibiotics despite the susceptibility status of the bacterium.
Mitochondrial Superoxide Dismutase in Cisplatin-Induced Kidney Injury
Authors: Mapuskar Kranti A. , Steinbach Emily J. , Zaher Amira , Riley Dennis P. , Beardsley Robert A. , Keene Jeffery L. , Holmlund Jon T. , Anderson Carryn M. , Zepeda-Orozco Diana , Buatti John M. , Spitz Douglas R. , Allen Bryan G.
Published: August 2021

Cisplatin is a chemotherapy agent commonly used to treat a wide variety of cancers. Despite the potential for both severe acute and chronic side effects, it remains a preferred therapeutic option for many malignancies due to its potent anti-tumor activity. Common cisplatin-associated side-effects include acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). These renal injuries may cause delays and potentially cessation of cisplatin therapy and have long-term effects on renal function reserve. Thus, developing mechanism-based interventional strategies that minimize cisplatin-associated kidney injury without reducing efficacy would be of great benefit. In addition to its action of cross-linking DNA, cisplatin has been shown to affect mitochondrial metabolism, resulting in mitochondrially derived reactive oxygen species (ROS). Increased ROS formation in renal proximal convoluted tubule cells is associated with cisplatin-induced AKI and CKD. We review the mechanisms by which cisplatin may induce AKI and CKD and discuss the potential of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase mimetics to prevent platinum-associated nephrotoxicity.
Exacerbated Age-Related Hippocampal Alterations of Microglia Morphology, β-Amyloid and Lipofuscin Deposition and Presenilin Overexpression in Per1−/−-Mice
Authors: Börner Jan Hendrik , Rawashdeh Oliver , Rami Abdelhaq
Published: August 2021

In humans, alterations of circadian rhythms and autophagy are linked to metabolic, cardiovascular and neurological dysfunction. Autophagy constitutes a specific form of cell recycling in many eukaryotic cells. Aging is the principal risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, we assume that both the circadian clock and autophagy are indispensable to counteract aging. We have previously shown that the hippocampus of Per1−/−-mice exhibits a reduced autophagy and higher neuronal susceptibility to ischemic insults compared to wild type (WT). Therefore, we chose to study the link between aging and loss of clock gene Per1−/−-mice. Young and aged C3H- and Per1−/−-mice were used as models to analyze the hippocampal distribution of Aβ42, lipofuscin, presenilin, microglia, synaptophysin and doublecortin. We detected several changes in the hippocampus of aged Per1−/−-mice compared to their wild type littermates. Our results show significant alterations of microglia morphology, an increase in Aβ42 deposition, overexpression of presenilin, decrease in synaptophysin levels and massive accumulation of lipofuscin in the hippocampus of 24-month-old Per1−/−-mice, without alteration of adult neurogenesis. We suggest that the marked lipofuscin accumulation, Aβ42 deposition, and overexpression of presenilin-2 observed in our experiments may be some of the consequences of the slowed autophagy in the hippocampus of aged Per1−/−-mice. This may lead during aging to excessive accumulation of misfolded proteins which may, consequently, result in higher neuronal vulnerability.
Taxifolin and Sorghum Ethanol Extract Protect against Hepatic Insulin Resistance via the miR-195/IRS1/PI3K/AKT and AMPK Signalling Pathways
Authors: Lee Hana , Jeong Won-Tae , So Yoon-Sup , Lim Heung-Bin , Lee Junsoo
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of taxifolin and sorghum ethanol extract on free fatty acid (FFA)-induced hepatic insulin resistance. FFA treatment decreased glucose uptake by 16.2% compared with that in the control, whereas taxifolin and sorghum ethanol extract increased the glucose uptake. Additionally, taxifolin and sorghum ethanol extract increased the expression of p-PI3K, p-IRS1, p-AKT, p-AMPK, and p-ACC in FFA-induced hepatocytes. Furthermore, FFA treatment increased the expression of miR-195. However, compared with the FFA treatment, treatment with taxifolin and sorghum ethanol extract decreased miR-195 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Taxifolin and sorghum ethanol extract enhanced p-IRS1, p-PI3K, p-AMPK, p-AKT, and p-ACC expression by suppressing miR-195 levels in miR-195 mimic- or inhibitor-transfected cells. These results indicate that taxifolin and sorghum ethanol extract attenuate insulin resistance by regulating miR-195 expression, which suggests that taxifolin and sorghum ethanol extract may be useful antidiabetic agents.
Discovery of Novel Pterostilbene Derivatives That Might Treat Sepsis by Attenuating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation through Modulation of MAPKs/NF-κB Signaling Pathways
Authors: Fang Mengyuan , Zou Tingfeng , Yang Xiaoxiao , Zhang Zhen , Cao Peichang , Han Jihong , Duan Yajun , Ruan Ban-Feng , Li Qing-Shan
Published: August 2021

Sepsis remains one of the most common life-threatening illnesses that is characterized by a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and usually arises following severe trauma and various septic infections. It is still in urgent need of new effective therapeutic agents, and chances are great that some candidates can be identified that can attenuate oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Pterostilbene, which exerts attractive anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities, is a homologue of natural polyphenolic derivative of resveratrol. Starting from it, we have made several rounds of rational optimizations. Firstly, based on the strategy of pharmacophore combination, indanone moiety was introduced onto the pterostilbene skeleton to generate a novel series of pterostilbene derivatives (PIF_1–PIF_16) which could possess both anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities for sepsis treatment. Then, all target compounds were subjected to their structure–activity relationships (SAR) screening of anti-inflammatory activity in mouse mononuclear macrophage RAW264.7 cell line, and their cytotoxicities were determined after. Finally, an optimal compound, PIF_9, was identified. It decreased the mRNA levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2). We also found that the anti-inflammatory effects might be contributed by its suppression on the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and MAPKs signaling pathway. Moreover, PIF_9 also demonstrated potent anti-oxidative activity in RAW264.7 macrophages and the sepsis mouse model. Not surprisingly, with the benefits mentioned above, it ameliorated LPS-induced sepsis in C57BL/6J mice and reduced multi-organ toxicity. Taken together, PIF_9 was identified as a potential sepsis solution, targeting inflammation and oxidative stress through modulating MAPKs/NF-κB.
Noble 3,4-Seco-triterpenoid Glycosides from the Fruits of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus and Their Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effects
Authors: Choi Bo-Ram , Kim Hyoung-Geun , Ko Wonmin , Dong Linsha , Yoon Dahye , Oh Seon Min , Lee Young-Seob , Lee Dong-Sung , Baek Nam-In , Lee Dae Young
Published: August 2021

Acanthopanax sessiliflorus (Araliaceae) have been reported to exhibit many pharmacological activities. Our preliminary study suggested that A. sessiliflorus fruits include many bioactive 3,4-seco-triterpenoids. A. sessiliflorus fruits were extracted in aqueous EtOH and fractionated into EtOAc, n-BuOH, and H2O fractions. Repeated column chromatographies for the organic fractions led to the isolation of 3,4-seco-triterpenoid glycosides, including new compounds. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) mass spectrometry (MS) systems were used for quantitation and quantification. BV2 and RAW264.7 cells were induced by LPS, and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators and their underlying mechanisms were measured by ELISA and Western blotting. NMR, IR, and HR-MS analyses revealed the chemical structures of the nine noble 3,4-seco-triterpenoid glycosides, acanthosessilioside G–O, and two known ones. The amounts of the compounds were 0.01–2.806 mg/g, respectively. Acanthosessilioside K, L, and M were the most effective in inhibiting NO, PGE2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 production and reducing iNOS and COX-2 expression. In addition, it had inhibitory effects on the LPS-induced p38 and ERK MAPK phosphorylation in both BV2 and RAW264.7 cells. Nine noble 3,4-seco-triterpenoid glycosides were isolated from A. sessiliflorus fruits, and acanthosessilioside K, L, and M showed high anti-inflammatory and anti-neuroinflammatory effects.
Antioxidants Threaten Multikinase Inhibitor Efficacy against Liver Cancer by Blocking Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Cucarull Blanca , Tutusaus Anna , Hernáez-Alsina Tania , García de Frutos Pablo , Reig María , Colell Anna , Marí Montserrat , Morales Albert
Published: August 2021

Sorafenib and regorafenib, multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) used as standard chemotherapeutic agents for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) during cancer treatment. Antioxidant supplements are becoming popular additions to our diet, particularly glutathione derivatives and mitochondrial-directed compounds. To address their possible interference during HCC chemotherapy, we analyzed the effect of common antioxidants using hepatoma cell lines and tumor spheroids. In liver cancer cell lines, sorafenib and regorafenib induced mitochondrial ROS production and potent cell death after glutathione depletion. In contrast, cabozantinib only exhibited oxidative cell death in specific HCC cell lines. After sorafenib and regorafenib administration, antioxidants such as glutathione methyl ester and the superoxide scavenger MnTBAP decreased cell death and ROS production, precluding the MKI activity against hepatoma cells. Interestingly, sorafenib-induced mitochondrial damage caused PINK/Parkin-dependent mitophagy stimulation, altered by increased ROS production. Finally, in sorafenib-treated tumor spheroids, while ROS induction reduced tumor growth, antioxidant treatments favored tumor development. In conclusion, the anti-tumor activity of specific MKIs, such as regorafenib and sorafenib, is altered by the cellular redox status, suggesting that uncontrolled antioxidant intake during HCC treatment should be avoided or only endorsed to diminish chemotherapy-induced side effects, always under medical scrutiny.
Preliminary Findings on the Association of the Lipid Peroxidation Product 4-Hydroxynonenal with the Lethal Outcome of Aggressive COVID-19
Authors: Žarković Neven , Orehovec Biserka , Milković Lidija , Baršić Bruno , Tatzber Franz , Wonisch Willibald , Tarle Marko , Kmet Marta , Mataić Ana , Jakovčević Antonia , Vuković Tea , Talić Danijela , Waeg Georg , Lukšić Ivica , Skrzydlewska Elzbieta , Žarković Kamelija
Published: August 2021

Major findings of the pilot study involving 21 critically ill patients during the week after admission to the critical care unit specialized for COVID-19 are presented. Fourteen patients have recovered, while seven passed away. There were no differences between them in respect to clinical or laboratory parameters monitored. However, protein adducts of the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) were higher in the plasma of the deceased patients, while total antioxidant capacity was below the detection limit for the majority of sera samples in both groups. Moreover, levels of the HNE-protein adducts were constant in the plasma of the deceased patients, while in survivors, they have shown prominent and dynamic variations, suggesting that survivors had active oxidative stress response mechanisms reacting to COVID-19 aggression, which were not efficient in patients who died. Immunohistochemistry revealed the abundant presence of HNE-protein adducts in the lungs of deceased patients indicating that HNE is associated with the lethal outcome. It seems that HNE was spreading from the blood vessels more than being a consequence of pneumonia. Due to the limitations of the relatively small number of patients involved in this study, further research on HNE and antioxidants is needed. This might allow a better understanding of COVID-19 and options for utilizing antioxidants by personalized, integrative biomedicine approach to prevent the onset of HNE-mediated vitious circle of lipid peroxidation in patients with aggressive inflammatory diseases.
Correlation of Kinematics and Kinetics of Changing Sagittal Plane Body Position during Landing and the Risk of Non-Contact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Authors: Kamari Mahgolzahra , Rakwal Randeep , Yoshida Takuya , Tanigawa Satoru , Kuki Seita
Published: August 2021

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one of the most common knee injuries that negatively affect athletes’ future performance and return to play. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation of kinematics and kinetics of changing sagittal plane body position during landing and the risk of non-contact ACL injury. Seven university female (age 19.57 ± 0.79 y, height 164.21 ± 8.11 m, weight 60.43 ± 5.99 kg) athletes playing soccer and handball, and with ≥ two years of training volunteered for this research. Three trunk positions: Lean Forward Landing (LFL), Self-selected Landing (SSL), and Upright Landing (URL)—via double/single-leg landing—were captured by a high-speed VICON motion capture system. A 3 × 2 two-way within-subjects ANOVA and Multiple Bonferroni corrected pairwise were used to test for condition (LFL, SSL, URL) and task (single/double-leg) effects (p≤ 0.05). The findings indicated that landing with a deeper knee flexion angle (LFL) would lead to smaller impact forces when compared to upright landing.
Is the Course of Headache Complaints Related to the Course of Orofacial Pain and Disability in Patients Treated for Temporomandibular Pain? An Observational Study
Authors: van der Meer Hedwig A. , Calixtre Letícia B. , Speksnijder Caroline M. , Engelbert Raoul H. H. , Nijhuis-van der Sanden Maria W. G. , Visscher Corine M.
Published: August 2021

Migraine, tension-type headache (TTH) and headaches attributed to temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are prevalent in patients with TMD-pain. The objective was to describe the course of headache complaints as compared to the course of TMD complaints in TMD-pain patients with headache during usual care multidisciplinary treatment for TMD. This was a 12-week longitudinal observational study following adults with TMD-pain and headache during a usual-care multidisciplinary TMD-treatment. The Graded Chronic Pain Scale was used for both TMD and headache to measure pain-related disability (primary outcome measure), pain intensity, days with pain and days experiencing disability (secondary outcome measures). Stratified for the headache type, general linear modelling for repeated measures was used to analyze changes over time in the TMD complaints and the headache complaints. TMD-pain patients with migraine (n = 22) showed significant decrease of pain-related disability for both TMD and headache complaints over time. No difference in the effect over time was found between the two complaints. Patients with TMD-pain and TTH (n = 21) or headache attributed to TMD (n = 17) did not improve in disability over time. For the secondary outcome measures, the results were equivocal. In conclusion, TMD-pain patients with migraine, improvement in TMD-related disability was comparable to headache-related disability for TMD-pain patients with TTH or with headache attributed to TMD, no improvements in disability were found.
Design and Implementation of an Ontology for Semantic Labeling and Testing: Automotive Global Ontology (AGO)
Authors: Urbieta Itziar , Nieto Marcos , García Mikel , Otaegui Oihana
Published: August 2021

Modern Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods can produce a large quantity of accurate and richly described data, in domains such as surveillance or automation. As a result, the need to organize data at a large scale in a semantic structure has arisen for long-term data maintenance and consumption. Ontologies and graph databases have gained popularity as mechanisms to satisfy this need. Ontologies provide the means to formally structure descriptive and semantic relations of a domain. Graph databases allow efficient and well-adapted storage, manipulation, and consumption of these linked data resources. However, at present, there is no a universally defined strategy for building AI-oriented ontologies for the automotive sector. One of the key challenges is the lack of a global standardized vocabulary. Most private initiatives and large open datasets for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADASs) and Autonomous Driving (AD) development include their own definitions of terms, with incompatible taxonomies and structures, thus resulting in a well-known lack of interoperability. This paper presents the Automotive Global Ontology (AGO) as a Knowledge Organization System (KOS) using a graph database (Neo4j). Two different use cases for the AGO domain ontology are presented to showcase its capabilities in terms of semantic labeling and scenario-based testing. The ontology and related material have been made public for their subsequent use by the industry and academic communities.
Effect of Allium fistulosum Extracts on the Stimulation of Longitudinal Bone Growth in Animal Modeling Diet-Induced Calcium and Vitamin D Deficiencies
Authors: Ryuk Jin Ah , Kim Hye Jin , Hwang Joo Tae , Ko Byoung Seob
Published: August 2021

Allium fistulosum is a perennial plant species grown worldwide belonging to the family Liliaceae. In Korean medicine, it is referred to as Chongbaek (CB), and it is prescribed for symptoms associated with the common cold due to its antipyretic properties. This study examined the effects of aqueous (CBW) and 30% ethanol (CBE) extracts on bone growth using a calcium- and vitamin D-deficient animal model. In an in vitro experiment, the alkaline phosphate activities of the extracts were examined using MC3T3-E1 and MG63 cells, and both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts had significant alkaline phosphate activities. In vivo, a serum analysis indicated that the CB extracts promoted bone growth based on the osteogenic markers ALP, calcium, osteocalcin, and collagen type 1 and increased the bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), and growth plate length. Overall, our results indicate that both CBW and CBE of A. fistulosum can be utilized to facilitate bone growth and increase BMD in children and adolescents by lengthening the growth plate without adverse side effects, such as metabolic disorders or the release of obesity-inducing hormones.
Encrypted Network Traffic Analysis of Secure Instant Messaging Application: A Case Study of Signal Messenger App
Authors: Afzal Asmara , Hussain Mehdi , Saleem Shahzad , Shahzad M. Khuram , Ho Anthony T. S. , Jung Ki-Hyun
Published: August 2021

Instant messaging applications (apps) have played a vital role in online interaction, especially under COVID-19 lockdown protocols. Apps with security provisions are able to provide confidentiality through end-to-end encryption. Ill-intentioned individuals and groups use these security services to their advantage by using the apps for criminal, illicit, or fraudulent activities. During an investigation, the provision of end-to-end encryption in apps increases the complexity for digital forensics investigators. This study aims to provide a network forensic strategy to identify the potential artifacts from the encrypted network traffic of the prominent social messenger app Signal (on Android version 9). The analysis of the installed app was conducted over fully encrypted network traffic. By adopting the proposed strategy, the forensic investigator can easily detect encrypted traffic activities such as chatting, media messages, audio, and video calls by looking at the payload patterns. Furthermore, a detailed analysis of the trace files can help to create a list of chat servers and IP addresses of involved parties in the events. As a result, the proposed strategy significantly facilitates extraction of the app’s behavior from encrypted network traffic which can then be used as supportive evidence for forensic investigation.
A Study on the Manufacture of Permanent Magnet Traction Control Valve for Electronic Stability Control in Electric Vehicles
Authors: Lee Hak-Sun , Park Sang-Gyun , Hong Myoung-Pyo , Lee Han-Jin , Kim Young-Suk
Published: August 2021

Most solenoid valves in use today require a magnetic coil to be continuously energized to maintain the magnetization of the magnetic body in order to operate. The problem is that if the power is still supplied, the power consumption will continue. In addition, problems such as shortening the lifespan of solenoid valve internal parts due to the increase in the internal temperature of the electronic stability control (ESC) due to the continuous heating of the magnetic coil, and malfunction due to instantaneous power failure may occur. In this study, we conducted a study on the permanent magnet traction control valve (TCV) for ESC that can minimize the unnecessary power consumption of electric vehicle batteries. For optimal permanent magnet design, polarity direction setting and permanent magnet specifications were studied through FE simulation. A permanent magnet TCV was fabricated and an electromagnetic force test was conducted to compare and evaluate it with the FE simulation result. By using a permanent magnet, it was possible to lower the initial current value for the TCV to drive, therefore, it was possible to develop a permanent magnet TCV that can minimize the unnecessary power consumption of electric vehicle batteries.
Comparison of Nonlinear and Linear Controllers for Magnetic Levitation System
Authors: Rosinová Danica , Hypiusová Mária
Published: August 2021

Nonlinear system control belongs to advanced control problems important for real plants control design. Various techniques have been developed in this field. In this paper we compare two different approaches to a nonlinear unstable Magnetic levitation system control. The first control design approach further develops our recent results on robust discrete-time pole-placement, based on convex DR-regions. The second studied approach is based on feedback linearization and the simplified development of the corresponding nonlinear control law is provided. Both approaches are compared and evaluated. The efficiency of robust discrete-time pole-placement controller is shown as well as its competitiveness in comparison with nonlinear control for Magnetic levitation system.
Reflected Light Spectrometry and AI-Based Data Analysis for Detection of Rapid Chicken Eggshell Change Caused by Mycoplasma Synoviae
Authors: Pakuła Anna , Paśko Sławomir , Kursa Olimpia , Komar Robert
Published: August 2021

Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) is a pathogen that causes economic losses in the poultry industry. It can be transmitted, amongst others, via the respiratory tract and spread relatively quickly. As such, MS infections are mainly controlled by maintaining MS-free breeder flocks. Routine diagnosis for the detection of MS may be based on serological, culture, and molecular tests. Here, we propose an optical solution where AI-based analysis of spectral data obtained from the light reflected from the eggshells is used to determine whether they originate from healthy or Mycoplasma synoviae-infected hens. The wavelengths proposed for spectral MS detection are limited to those of VIS and NIR DPSS lasers, which are freely accessible on market. The results are satisfactory: for white eggshells, the F-score is over 95% for five different combinations of wavelengths (using eight or nine wavelengths); for brown eggshells, the F-score is above 85%, also for five different combinations of 6–9 wavelengths.
Transmission Line Fault-Cause Identification Based on Hierarchical Multiview Feature Selection
Authors: Jian Shengchao , Peng Xiangang , Yuan Haoliang , Lai Chun Sing , Lai Loi Lei
Published: August 2021

Fault-cause identification plays a significant role in transmission line maintenance and fault disposal. With the increasing types of monitoring data, i.e., micrometeorology and geographic information, multiview learning can be used to realize the information fusion for better fault-cause identification. To reduce the redundant information of different types of monitoring data, in this paper, a hierarchical multiview feature selection (HMVFS) method is proposed to address the challenge of combining waveform and contextual fault features. To enhance the discriminant ability of the model, an ε-dragging technique is introduced to enlarge the boundary between different classes. To effectively select the useful feature subset, two regularization terms, namely l2,1-norm and Frobenius norm penalty, are adopted to conduct the hierarchical feature selection for multiview data. Subsequently, an iterative optimization algorithm is developed to solve our proposed method, and its convergence is theoretically proven. Waveform and contextual features are extracted from yield data and used to evaluate the proposed HMVFS. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the combined used of fault features and reveal the superior performance and application potential of HMVFS.
Intermolecular Interactions and In Vitro Performance of Methyl Anthranilate in Commercial Sunscreen Formulations
Authors: Rodrigues Natércia d. N. , Cebrián Juan , Montané Anna , Mendez Sandra
Published: August 2021

In order to afford the required level of broad-spectrum photoprotection against UV-B and UV-A radiation, sunscreens must contain a combination of UV filters. It is important that any interactions between UV filters do not adversely affect their photostability nor the overall photostability of the sunscreen formulation. In this work, we explore the feasibility of using methyl anthranilate (MA) as an alternative to the photo-unstable UV-A filter, avobenzone. From the in vitro studies presented here, we conclude that MA does not provide sufficient UV-A protection on its own but that it is more photostable in formulation than avobenzone. In addition, we found that both octocrylene (OCR) and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC), two commonly used UV-B filters, can stabilize MA through quenching of its triplet states, as previously reported, which has a demonstrable effect in formulation. In contrast with previously reported observations for mixtures of EHMC and avobenzone, we found no evidence of [2+2] photocycloadditions taking place between EHMC and MA. This work demonstrates how a clear insight into the photophysics and photochemistry of UV filters, as well as the interactions between them, can inform formulation design to predict sunscreen performance.