bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring the effect of the anti-nerve growth factor antibodies bedinvetmab and frunevetmab on quality of life in dogs and cats with osteoarthritis using a validated health-related quality of life outcome measure: an observational real-world study
Authors: Reid Jacqueline , Gildea Edwina , Davies Vinny , Thompson Jill , Scott Marian
Published: August 2024

Background

Osteoarthritis causes chronic pain, impaired joint function, decreased mobility and negatively impacts quality of life (QOL). Anti-nerve growth factor antibodies bedinvetmab for dogs and frunevetmab for cats are licensed for the alleviation of osteoarthritis pain but their QOL impact is unreported. Our aim was to determine if these therapeutics improve QOL using a validated health-related QOL measure that generates scores in four domains of QOL-energetic and enthusiastic (E/E), happy and content (H/C), active and comfortable (A/C) and calm and relaxed (C/R)-in the dog and three in the cat-vitality, comfort and emotional wellbeing (EWB). Summary scores for physical wellbeing (PWB) and emotional wellbeing (EWB) for dogs and PWB for cats are calculated from the domain scores.

Methods

Animals received bedinvetmab (dogs) at 0.5–1 mg/kg or frunevetmab (cats) at 1–2.8 mg/kg by subcutaneous injection on days 0, 28 and 56 and owners completed QOL assessments within 48 hours of day 0 and on days 14, 28, 56, 63 and 70 using a study-specific app.

Results

Assessments were completed by 75 dog and 56 cat owners. By day 14 there was a statistically significant improvement (p ≤ 0.001) in PWB, EWB and all domains except C/R (p = 0.005) in dogs and in all domains and PWB in the cat. Subsequently there was a continued improvement in all domains and summary scores (p ≤ 0.001) except for H/C in the dog and EWB in the cat, which were excluded from the statistical model. The overall improvement in all domain scores in the cat and E/E and A/C in the dog exceeded the previously reported minimum important difference scores for the QOL measure, indicating a clinically significant change.

Conclusion

Treatment with bedinvetmab and frunevetmab produced a significant improvement in the QOL of dogs and cats. This latest evidence for the use of these OA pain medications could be helpful in the clinical management of osteoarthritis and post-marketing clinical trials.
The Challenges of Piezoelectric Actuators and Motors Application in a Space Environment
Authors: Šišovas Laurynas , Čeponis Andrius , Borodinas Sergejus
Published: August 2024

Piezoelectric actuators and motors are increasingly essential for space applications due to their precision, compactness, and efficiency. This review explores their advantages over traditional actuators, emphasizing their minimal electromagnetic interference, high responsiveness, and operational reliability in harsh space environments. This study highlights the challenges posed by space conditions such as vacuum, microgravity, extreme temperatures, and radiation, which require robust design and material considerations. A comprehensive review of missions using piezo actuators, including their operating principles, material advancements, and innovative designs tailored for space conditions. In addition, numerical calculations were performed by COMSOL Multiphysics 5.6 software with the aim of analyzing the impact of temperature variations typical of the low Earth orbit (LEO) on the electromechanical properties of the piezoelectric transducer. The results indicate significant variations in the characteristics of the resonant frequency, impedance, and phase frequency in a temperature range from −20 °C to 40 °C, emphasizing the importance of accounting for thermal effects in the design. The calculations show that advantages which are proposed by piezoelectric motion systems must be combined with adaptability to harsh environmental conditions and call for further research to enhance their robustness and performance for broader application in future space missions.
DGS-YOLOv8: A Method for Ginseng Appearance Quality Detection
Authors: Zhang Lijuan , You Haohai , Wei Zhanchen , Li Zhiyi , Jia Haojie , Yu Shengpeng , Zhao Chunxi , Lv Yan , Li Dongming
Published: August 2024

In recent years, the research and application of ginseng, a famous and valuable medicinal herb, has received extensive attention at home and abroad. However, with the gradual increase in the demand for ginseng, discrepancies are inevitable when using the traditional manual method for grading the appearance and quality of ginseng. Addressing these challenges was the primary focus of this study. This study obtained a batch of ginseng samples and enhanced the dataset by data augmentation, based on which we refined the YOLOv8 network in three key dimensions: firstly, we used the C2f-DCNv2 module and the SimAM attention mechanism to augment the model’s effectiveness in recognizing ginseng appearance features, followed by the use of the Slim-Neck combination (GSConv + VoVGSCSP) to lighten the model These improvements constitute our proposed DGS-YOLOv8 model, which achieved an impressive mAP50 of 95.3% for ginseng appearance quality detection. The improved model not only has a reduced number of parameters and smaller size but also improves 6.86%, 2.73%, and 3.82% in precision, mAP50, and mAP50-95 over the YOLOv8n model, which comprehensively outperforms the other related models. With its potential demonstrated in this experiment, this technology can be deployed in large-scale production lines to benefit the food and traditional Chinese medicine industries. In summary, the DGS-YOLOv8 model has the advantages of high detection accuracy, small model space occupation, easy deployment, and robustness.
Conservation Practices Boost Soil-Protected Organic Carbon Stocks in Olive Orchards
Authors: Pareja-Sánchez Evangelina , Domouso Pablo , Gómez-Muñoz Beatriz , Heras-Linares María T. , García-Ruíz Roberto
Published: August 2024

Carbon farming practices are pivotal for enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in agricultural systems. This study focuses on evaluating the effects of spontaneous cover crops as a conservation strategy compared to conventional management practices on total, non-protected, and protected SOC fractions, as well as carbon saturation, in olive groves across 13 paired sites (26 sites in total) in Andalucía, Spain. The research evaluates organic carbon concentrations in different soil fractions: non-protected (250–2000 µm), physically protected (53–250 µm), and chemically protected (<53 µm). The results reveal that olive groves managed with temporary spontaneous cover crops (CC) over the last 8–12 years generally exhibit higher SOC concentrations compared to those managed conventionally (BS), with significant differences observed across multiple sites. CC sites exhibited higher carbon stocks, with protected carbon averaging 42.6 Mg C ha−1 compared to 29.7 Mg C ha−1 in BS, and non-protected carbon at 10.3 Mg C ha−1 versus 4.8 Mg C ha−1. A direct relationship was identified between total SOC and both protected and non-protected carbon fractions, indicating that the soil of the studies olive orchards is far from being saturated in protected SOC. Moreover, the soil of the CC olive farms had a lower carbon saturation deficit (45.3%) compared to BS (67.2%). The findings show that maintaining the cover crops in olive orchards significantly contributed to carbon sequestration and reduced carbon saturation deficits by increasing the stocks of protected SOC.
Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Afidopyropen and Flonicamid on Life Parameters and Physiological Responses of the Tobacco Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci MEAM1
Authors: Ding Wenjuan , Xu Tengfei , Zhu Guodong , Chu Pengfei , Liu Shouzhu , Xue Ming
Published: August 2024

The tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci MEAM1, is a destructive pest that damages plants by sucking plant juice and transmitting viruses. B. tabaci insecticide resistance contributes to population resurgence, and new insecticides are continually needed. Flonicamid and afidopyropen are selective pesticides with high insecticidal activity against piercing–sucking pests and safety to non-target species. We determined the toxicity of flonicamid and afidopyropen to B. tabaci, investigated the sublethal effects on life parameters, and studied physiological responses to them. Flonicamid and afidopyropen were highly toxic to B. tabaci, with LC50 values of 12.795 mg/L (afidopyropen) and 25.359 mg/L (flonicamid) to nymphs and 4.711 mg/L (afidopyropen) and 11.050 mg/L (flonicamid) to adults. Sublethal concentrations (LC10 and LC20) reduced the longevity and fecundity of the B. tabaci F0 generation. Transgenerational effects were caused by exposure to sublethal concentrations of flonicamid and afidopyropen. Nymph mortality increased, development was delayed, fecundity decreased, and adult longevity was shortened. Population parameters such as the intrinsic rate of growth (r), net reproductive rate (R0), and finite rate of growth (λ) were significantly decreased compared to the control. The activity of detoxifying enzymes, such as GSTs and P450, were induced by flonicamid and afidopyropen at 72 h, while CarE was inhibited. The expression levels of eleven P450 genes and four GST genes were significantly higher than in the control. In conclusion, flonicamid and afidopyropen have excellent acute toxicity and continuous control effects on B. tabaci. Higher GST and P450 activities and gene expression levels may play important roles in the detoxification metabolic process.
Evaluation of the Quality of New Japonica Rice Resources in Three Provinces of Northeastern China
Authors: Ma Zhaohui , Jyu Xinyue , Gao Minghui , Cheng Haitao , Lyu Wenyan
Published: August 2024

It is important to improve the overall quality of rice grown in northeastern China, which is famous for its high yield. Therefore, it is necessary to study the quality of japonica rice resources in the region. This study analyzed 71 rice samples from the Liaoning, Heilongjiang, and Jilin Provinces, focusing on grain shape, endosperm composition, and taste. Significant regional differences were observed in taste and edibility, with the samples from Heilongjiang and Jilin generally scoring higher taste value, which was significantly higher than the Liaoning variety. However, the Liaoning varieties were more stable in terms of the sensory evaluation of taste. Obvious differences in grain length were detected among the samples, with the varieties from Jilin and Heilongjiang Provinces predominantly having short and medium-to-long grains, respectively, and those from Liaoning Province having diverse grain shapes. However, there was no correlation between grain shape and taste. This indicated that the taste of rice is not affected solely by its external morphology but also by multiple interacting factors. There were significant differences in endosperm composition among the three provinces, but the amylose content of the tested varieties was generally less than 18%, and the protein content was about 6%. Additionally, the Jilin Province varieties had the lowest apparent amylose content and long chain of amylopectin (Fb3), the Heilongjiang Province varieties had the lowest protein content, and there were more medium chains of amylopectin. Notably, protein content was negatively correlated with taste but positively correlated with pasting properties. It can be seen that the premise of varieties in different provinces showing good taste characteristics is to ensure the content of amylose and protein is low, and adjust the proportion of amylopectin chain length.
Comprehensive Perspective on Contamination Identification, Source Apportionment, and Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Paddy Soils of a Tropical Island
Authors: Guo Yan , Yang Yi , Li Yonghua
Published: August 2024

The closed-loop material and energy cycles of islands increase the susceptibility of their internal ecosystem components to heavy metal accumulation and transfer. However, limited research on the island scale hinders our understanding of heavy metal environmental geochemistry in this unique environment. This study focused on assessing a tropical island’s ecological risk by investigating heavy metal contamination and potential sources. The results revealed elevated cadmium and nickel concentrations in 0.44–1.31% of soil samples, particularly in coastal plains and developed areas. Using the absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) model assisted by GIS mapping, we identified three contamination sources: geological factors, agricultural activities, and traffic emissions. Network analysis indicated direct exposure risks of vegetation and soil microorganisms to contaminated soil (0.4611 and 0.7687, respectively), with nickel posing the highest risk, followed by Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Cr with risks transferring across trophic levels. These findings provide crucial insights for mitigating ecological risks associated with heavy metals by controlling priority pollutants and their sources in tropical island environments.
Potential for Grain Sorghum as a Trap and Nursery Crop for Helicoverpa zea and Its Natural Enemies and Dissemination of HearNPV into Cotton
Authors: Calvin Wilfrid , Gore Jeffrey , Greene Jeremy , Perkin Lindsey , Kerns David L.
Published: August 2024

Experiments were conducted in 2020 and 2021 in College Station, TX; Stoneville, MS; and Blackville, SC, to evaluate the potential of grain sorghum to serve as a trap crop for Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), a nursery crop for natural enemies of H. zea, and a source of Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV) for H. zea management in cotton. The experiments consisted of three treatments, including cotton-only, non-treated cotton–sorghum, and HearNPV-treated cotton–sorghum. Variables, including percent injury to fruiting forms, parasitized H. zea larvae, egg density, H. zea larval density, beneficial arthropod numbers, and HearNPV prevalence, were compared between the treatments. Growing cotton in an intercropping system with grain sorghum did not result in a consistent increase in H. zea control and beneficial arthropod density relative to the cotton-only treatment. Additionally, our results did not show sufficient evidence that grain sorghum interplanted with cotton can serve as a source of HearNPV that can favor H. zea control in cotton. However, we found that, if maintained in the cotton canopy, HearNPV may favor some level of H. zea suppression in cotton. Based on our HearNPV infection analyses using PCR, chrysopids, coccinellids, pentatomids, reduviids, formicids, anthocorids, and spiders appeared to be carrying HearNPV. The virus was detected consistently in specimens of coccinellids, pentatomids, and reduviids across both years of the study. We suggest that further investigation on virus efficacy against H. zea in cotton using the sorghum–cotton system as well as the ability of grain sorghum to serve as a H. zea trap crop and source of H. zea natural enemies be considered in future studies.
Effects of Scallop Shells and Starfish (Asterias amurensis) on Stabilization of Metalloid (As) and Heavy Metal (Pb and Zn)-Contaminated Soil
Authors: Park Se Hyun , Park Sang Hyeop , Koutsospyros Agamemnon , Moon Deok Hyun
Published: August 2024

Mining and industrial operations are often associated with metalloid and heavy metal contamination of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Heavy metals can weaken the soil’s purification ability to remediate and can accumulate in the human body through crops grown in contaminated soil. In this study, a stabilization method was applied for the remediation of arsenic (As) and heavy metal (Pb and Zn) contaminated soil. Scallop shells (SLS) and starfish (Asterias amurensis, ASF), commonly regarded as waste resource materials, are selected as stabilizers. Proper recycling/reuse measures are required to limit uncontrolled disposal of SLS and ASF, prevent environmental degradation of coastal areas, and take advantage of their high calcium carbonate contents. The stabilizers were processed through −#10 mesh (0.2 mm) and −#20 mesh (0.85 mm) sieves. In addition, calcined stabilizers were produced by calcining SLS and ASF at 900 °C to compare stabilization efficiency based on the presence/absence of high-temperature heat treatment. Each of the three types of processed stabilizers was added to contaminated soil at 2 to 10 wt.%, and the mixtures were subjected to wet curing for 28 days. Extraction with 0.1 N HCl was applied for stabilization efficiency assessment. Crops were cultivated in the stabilized soil to evaluate As and heavy metal immobilization capacity. Analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD) established that calcite (CaCO3) was observed in the natural materials and quicklime (CaO) in the calcined materials. The stabilization efficiency assessment results showed that treatment with SLS and ASF effectively reduced the elution of Pb and Zn. SLS was effective in immobilizing As, but the application of natural ASF increased the leachability of As due to the presence of organic matter. However, applying calcined ASF effectively immobilized As because the organic matter was removed at high temperatures. When the transition of As and heavy metals to crops was evaluated, Pb concentrations that exceeded the criterion for leafy vegetables were detected in the lettuce grown in contaminated soil. However, Pb was not detected in the lettuce grown in SLS- and ASF-treated soil, confirming the stability of heavy metal immobilization. Scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) analysis showed that the pozzolanic reaction is related to heavy metal immobilization, and Ca–As precipitation is related to the immobilization of As. The results of this study verified that SLS and ASF effectively immobilize As and heavy metals (Pb and Zn) around mines and that they can be used safely in agricultural soil.
A Stacking Ensemble Learning Model Combining a Crop Simulation Model with Machine Learning to Improve the Dry Matter Yield Estimation of Greenhouse Pakchoi
Authors: Wang Chao , Xu Xiangying , Zhang Yonglong , Cao Zhuangzhuang , Ullah Ikram , Zhang Zhiping , Miao Minmin
Published: August 2024

Crop models are instrumental in simulating resource utilization in agriculture, yet their complexity necessitates extensive calibration, which can impact the accuracy of yield predictions. Machine learning shows promise for enhancing yield estimations but relies on vast amounts of training data. This study aims to improve the pakchoi yield prediction accuracy of simulation models. We developed a stacking ensemble learning model that integrates three base models—EU-Rotate_N, Random Forest Regression and Support Vector Regression—with a Multi-layer Perceptron as the meta-model for the pakchoi dry matter yield prediction. To enhance the training dataset and bolster machine learning performance, we employed the EU-Rotate_N model to simulate daily dry matter yields for unsampled data. The test results revealed that the stacking model outperformed each base model. The stacking model achieved an R² value of 0.834, which was approximately 0.1 higher than that of the EU-Rotate_N model. The RMSE and MAE were 0.283 t/ha and 0.196 t/ha, respectively, both approximately 0.6 t/ha lower than those of the EU-Rotate_N model. The performance of the stacking model, developed with the expanded dataset, showed a significant improvement over the model based on the original dataset.
Characteristics of Summer Flash Drought and Its Effect on Maize Growth in Liaoning Province, China
Authors: Ji Ruipeng , Yu Wenying , Guo Baihui , Feng Rui , Wu Jinwen , Liu Dongming , Xu Changhua
Published: August 2024

Flash droughts, characterized by their abrupt onset and rapid intensification, are predicted to increase in frequency and severity under global warming. Understanding the incidence and progression of a flash drought and its impact on maize growth is crucial for maize production to withstand flash drought events. This study used the evaporative demand drought index (EDDI) method to evaluate the incidence of summer drought in Liaoning during the period 1961–2020. It examined the incidence and characteristics of summer flash droughts in Liaoning Province in the period of 1961–2020 and evaluated the factors responsible and the impact on maize during the critical development period. The ratio of the number of stations recording a disaster to total number of stations (IOC) curve, i.e., the ratio of the number of stations recording disasters and total stations, for summer flash droughts in Liaoning showed an upward trend during the period of 1961–2020, with large-scale, regional, and local flash droughts occurring in 8, 10, and 31 years, respectively. Summer flash droughts in Liaoning were mainly in the extreme drought category and ranged in frequency from 10% to 20% in most areas. Before the flash drought occurrence in three typical years (1989, 1997, and 2018), a precipitation deficit without large-scale high-temperature events was observed, and the cumulative water deficit caused the flash drought. Regional or large-scale high-temperature events were often accompanied by flash droughts, and the drought intensified rapidly, owing to the influence of heat waves and water deficits. Summer flash droughts caused a reduction in total primary productivity (GPP) of maize by more than 20% in most areas in the three typical years. The yield reduction rate in 1989, 1997, and 2018, was 27.6%, 26.4%, and 5%, respectively. The degree of decline in maize productivity and yield was associated with the onset and duration of the flash drought. The atmospheric conditions of summer flash droughts were characterized by high-pressure anomalies and atmospheric subsidence, which were unconducive for precipitation but conducive to flash drought occurrence. The continuous high-pressure anomaly promoted the maintenance of the flash drought.
Natural Foraging Selection and Gut Microecology of Two Subterranean Rodents from the Eurasian Steppe in China
Authors: Shang Zhenghaoni , Chen Kai , Han Tingting , Bu Fan , Sun Shanshan , Zhu Na , Man Duhu , Yang Ke , Yuan Shuai , Fu Heping
Published: August 2024

As the most abundant group of mammals, rodents possess a very rich ecotype, which makes them ideal for studying the relationship between diet and host gut microecology. Zokors are specialized herbivorous rodents adapted to living underground. Unlike more generalized herbivorous rodents, they feed on the underground parts of grassland plants. There are two species of the genus Myospalax in the Eurasian steppes in China: one is Myospalax psilurus, which inhabits meadow grasslands and forest edge areas, and the other is M. aspalax, which inhabits typical grassland areas. How are the dietary choices of the two species adapted to long-term subterranean life, and what is the relationship of this diet with gut microbes? Are there unique indicator genera for their gut microbial communities? Relevant factors, such as the ability of both species to degrade cellulose, are not yet clear. In this study, we analyzed the gut bacterial communities and diet compositions of two species of zokors using 16S amplicon technology combined with macro-barcoding technology. We found that the diversity of gut microbial bacterial communities in M. psilurus was significantly higher than that in M. aspalax, and that the two species of zokors possessed different gut bacterial indicator genera. Differences in the feeding habits of the two species of zokors stem from food composition rather than diversity. Based on the results of Mantel analyses, the gut bacterial community of M. aspalax showed a significant positive correlation with the creeping-rooted type food, and there was a complementary relationship between the axis root-type-food- and the rhizome-type-food-dominated (containing bulb types and tuberous root types) food groups. Functional prediction based on KEGG found that M. psilurus possessed a stronger degradation ability in the same cellulose degradation pathway. Neutral modeling results show that the gut flora of the M. psilurus has a wider ecological niche compared to that of the M. aspalax. This provides a new perspective for understanding how rodents living underground in grassland areas respond to changes in food conditions.
Gene emrC Associated with Resistance to Quaternary Ammonium Compounds Is Common among Listeria monocytogenes from Meat Products and Meat Processing Plants in Poland
Authors: Kawacka Iwona , Olejnik-Schmidt Agnieszka
Published: August 2024

(1) Background: L. monocytogenes is a food pathogen of great importance, characterized by a high mortality rate. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), such as benzalkonium chloride (BC), are often used as disinfectants in food processing facilities. The effectiveness of disinfection procedures is crucial to food safety. (2) Methods: A collection of 153 isolates of L. monocytogenes from meat processing industry was analyzed for their sensitivity to BC using the agar diffusion method. Genes of interest were detected with PCR. (3) Results: Genes emrC, bcrABC, and qacH were found in 64 (41.8%), 6 (3.9%), and 1 isolate (0.7%), respectively, and 79 isolates (51.6%) were classified as having reduced sensitivity to BC. A strong correlation between carrying QACs resistance-related genes and phenotype was found (p-value < 0.0001). Among 51 isolates originating from bacon (collected over 13 months), 48 had the emrC gene, which could explain their persistent presence in a processing facility. Isolates with the ilsA gene (from LIPI-3) were significantly (p-value 0.006) less likely to carry QACs resistance-related genes. (4) Conclusions: Reduced sensitivity to QACs is common among L. monocytogenes from the meat processing industry. Persistent presence of these bacteria in a processing facility is presumably caused by emrC-induced QACs resistance.
Targeting N-Acetylglucosaminidase in Staphylococcus aureus with Iminosugar Inhibitors
Authors: Sluga Janja , Tomašič Tihomir , Anderluh Marko , Rambaher Martina Hrast , Bajc Gregor , Sevšek Alen , Martin Nathaniel I. , Pieters Roland J. , Novič Marjana , Venko Katja
Published: August 2024

Bacteria are capable of remarkable adaptations to their environment, including undesirable bacterial resistance to antibacterial agents. One of the most serious cases is an infection caused by multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which has unfortunately also spread outside hospitals. Therefore, the development of new effective antibacterial agents is extremely important to solve the increasing problem of bacterial resistance. The bacteriolytic enzyme autolysin E (AtlE) is a promising new drug target as it plays a key role in the degradation of peptidoglycan in the bacterial cell wall. Consequently, disruption of function can have an immense impact on bacterial growth and survival. An in silico and in vitro evaluation of iminosugar derivatives as potent inhibitors of S. aureus (AtlE) was performed. Three promising hit compounds (1, 3 and 8) were identified as AtlE binders in the micromolar range as measured by surface plasmon resonance. The most potent compound among the SPR response curve hits was 1, with a KD of 19 μM. The KD value for compound 8 was 88 μM, while compound 3 had a KD value of 410 μM.
Evaluation of Gentamicin Release of PMMA Cements Using Different Methods: HPLC, Elution and Inhibition Zone Testing
Authors: Kittinger Clemens , Stadler Johannes , Kühn Klaus Dieter
Published: August 2024

(1) Background: There is an ongoing discussion on the elution efficacy of antibiotic-impregnated cements. Our experiments were intended to clarify if there are differences in the antibiotic elution of HPLC compared with inhibition zone testing using eluates or PMMA discs. (2) Materials and Methods: Two cement brands with different concentrations of the active ingredient were tested in antimicrobial Kirby–Bauer (disc diffusion) assays. Cement platelets were directly applied on the agar plates and their zone of inhibition was measured. In parallel, the platelets were incubated in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and at distinct points of time transferred into new buffer. At these time points, 50 µL of the bone cement eluates was used for zone of inhibition testing. Standard gentamicin sulfate solutions served as a control in the same test setup. To verify the microbiological investigations, the antibiotic content of the eluates was also measured via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). (3) Results: The experiments with cement eluates showed better differentiable results than the direct application of the cement discs. The results were also comparable to investigations with HPLC and gentamicin sulfate standard solutions. (4) Conclusions: The results of elution rates are influenced by the test system and the period of observation chosen. The microbial test systems reflect the results of HPLC to the same degree and give evidence of the efficacy of the antibiotics. The HPLC tests on eluates were more suitable in representing differences in release characteristics.
Antimicrobial Properties and Cytotoxicity of LL-37-Derived Synthetic Peptides to Treat Orthopedic Infections
Authors: Pennone Vincenzo , Angelini Elisa , Sarlah David , Lovati Arianna B.
Published: August 2024

Open fractures and prosthetic joints are prone to bacterial infections, especially those involving biofilms, and are worsened by antibiotic inefficacy and resistance. This highlights the need for targeted treatments against orthopedic infections. LL-37, a human cathelicidin, is known for its antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to synthesize and evaluate LL-37-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) for antibacterial efficacy and toxicity. Several truncated LL-37 analogues were created and tested against 18 bacterial strains, both ATCC and orthopedic clinical isolates, using MIC and MBC assays. Synergy with antibiotics and resistance development were also analyzed, alongside cytotoxicity on NIH-3T3 fibroblasts and hemolytic activity assessments. Six AMPs were synthesized, with FK-16 and GF-17 emerging as the most effective. The MIC values ranged from 4.69 to 18.75 µg/mL and 2.34 to 18.75 µg/mL, respectively, against S. epidermidis and S. aureus, with the MBC values matching the MIC values. Cytotoxicity tests showed no toxicity at concentrations below 75 µg/mL for GF-17 and 150 µg/mL for FK-16. Hemolytic activity was below 1% at 18.75 µg/mL for GF-17 and 75 µg/mL for FK-16. These AMPs showed no synergistic effects with antibiotics and no resistance development. FK-16 and GF-17 effectively removed biofilms, particularly against S. epidermidis. Incorporating these AMPs into surgical materials (hydrogels, cements, etc.) could enhance infection control in orthopedic procedures, warranting further in vivo studies.
Exploring the Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Salmonella typhi and Its Clinical Burden
Authors: Asghar Muhammad , Khan Taj Ali , Séraphin Marie Nancy , Schimke Lena F. , Cabral-Marques Otavio , Haq Ihtisham Ul , Farooqi Zia-ur-Rehman , Campino Susana , Ullah Ihsan , Clark Taane G.
Published: August 2024

Background: Typhoid fever caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. typhi) continues to pose a significant risk to public health in developing countries, including Pakistan. This study investigated the epidemiological factors linked to suspected and confirmed S. typhi infections in Peshawar’s hospital population. Methodology: A total of 5735 blood samples of patients with suspected enteric fever were collected from September 2022 to November 2023. S. typhi infection was confirmed using microbiological culture of blood samples, biochemical-based tests, and DNA-sequencing methods. Drug sensitivity testing on cultures was conducted as per the CLSI guidelines. Chi-square tests were used to analyze the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of 5735 samples stratified by S. typhi infection status, and risk factors were assessed by applying logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs). Results: The number of confirmed typhoid fever cases in this hospital-based study population was 691 (/5735, 12.0%), more prevalent in males (447/3235 13.8%) and children (0–11 years) (429/2747, 15.6%). Compared to children, the risk of S. typhi infection was lower in adolescence (adjusted OR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.42–0.66), adulthood (19–59 years; aOR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.25–0.38), and older adulthood (aOR = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.04–0.18) (p < 0.001). Compared to males, the risk of S. typhi infection was lower in females (aOR = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.56–0.80; p = 0.002). Living in a rural residence (compared to urban) was associated with a higher risk of infection (aOR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.16–1.63; p = 0.001), while access to a groundwater source (compared to municipal water supply) led to a lower risk (aOR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.43–0.73; p = 0.002). Vaccination demonstrated a robust protective effect (aOR = 0.069; 95% CI = 0.04–0.11, p = 0.002). For those with typhoid infections, clinical biomarker analysis revealed the presence of leucopenia (65/691, 9.4%), thrombocytopenia (130/691, 18.8%), and elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (402/691, 58.2%) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (690/691, 99.9%) levels. Worryingly, among the positive S. typhi isolates, there was a high prevalence of drug resistance (653/691), including multidrug-resistant (MDR 82/691, 11.9%) and extensively drug-resistant types (XDR, 571/691, 82.6%). Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of age, sex, locality, water source, and vaccination status in shaping the epidemiological landscape of S. typhi in the Peshawar district. It implies that expanding vaccination coverage to the broader population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, particularly in the district of Peshawar, would be beneficial.
Assessing the Impact of (Poly)phenol-Rich Foods on Cardiometabolic Risk in Postmenopausal Women: A Dietary Trial
Authors: Sánchez-Martínez Lorena , González-Barrio Rocío , García-Alonso Javier , Mena Pedro , Periago María-Jesús
Published: August 2024

Menopause is a critical stage in a woman’s life in which cardiometabolic alterations appear, such as insulin resistance or a predisposition to visceral fat deposits, leading to an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases (R-CMBs). New strategies to reduce the R-CMBs in postmenopausal women using natural compounds without adverse effects are desirable. In this sense, plant-based diets rich in fruits and vegetables could play a fundamental role due to the high content of bioactive compounds found in these diets, such as (poly)phenols, known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vasodilator properties. The aim of this research was to carry out a dietary trial to evaluate the effect of the daily intake of different (poly)phenol-rich foods (PP-rich foods) for 2 months on the modulation of the main cardiometabolic risk biomarkers of postmenopausal women. The results showed a slight improvement in blood pressure (BP), lipid profile and oxidative stress, endothelial function and inflammatory biomarkers. These findings suggest that daily consumption of PP-rich foods alleviated the R-CMBs of postmenopausal women by reducing the oxidative stress and, thus, the risk of cardiovascular events; however, the magnitude of the cardioprotective effect of (poly)phenols depends on inter-individual variability.
Phytochemical Composition and Toxicological Screening of Anise Myrtle and Lemon Myrtle Using Zebrafish Larvae
Authors: Cáceres-Vélez Paolin Rocio , Ali Akhtar , Fournier-Level Alexandre , Dunshea Frank R. , Jusuf Patricia Regina
Published: August 2024

Plants are an immense source of drugs, and 50% of modern pharmacopeia has a plant origin. With increasing life expectancy in humans, many age-related degenerative diseases converge on oxidative cellular stress pathways. This provides an opportunity to develop broad treatments by targeting the cause of common pathologic cell degeneration. Toxicological effects can be readily assessed in a live animal model system to establish potential fauna for clinical use. Here, we characterized and evaluated the antioxidant potential and toxicological effects of anise myrtle (Syzygium anisatum) and lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) leaves. Using zebrafish larvae, a model for high-throughput pre-clinical in vivo toxicology screening, we identified safe levels of extract exposures for development of future therapeutics. The antioxidant capacity and toxicity were very similar in these two myrtles. The LC50-96h for anise myrtle was 284 mg/L, and for lemon myrtle, it was 270 mg/L. These measurements are comparable to ongoing studies we are performing using the same criteria in zebrafish, which allow for robust testing and prioritization of natural fauna for drug development.
Curcumin Supplementation and Vascular and Cognitive Function in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Gimblet Colin J. , Kruse Nicholas T. , Geasland Katharine , Michelson Jeni , Sun Mingyao , Ten Eyck Patrick , Linkenmeyer Cari , Mandukhail Safur Rehman , Rossman Matthew J. , Sambharia Meenakshi , Chonchol Michel , Kurella Tamura Manjula , Seals Douglas , Hoth Karin F. , Jalal Diana
Published: August 2024

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment. Curcumin is a polyphenol that improves vascular and cognitive function in older adults; however, its effects on vascular and cognitive function in patients with CKD are unknown. We hypothesized that curcumin supplementation would improve vascular and cognitive function in patients with CKD. Eighty-eight adults diagnosed with stage 3b or 4 CKD (aged 66 ± 8 years, 75% male) participated in a 12-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to test the effects of curcumin (Longvida®, 2000 mg/day) on vascular and cognitive function. Our primary outcome was brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Our secondary outcomes were nitroglycerin-mediated dilation, carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), and cognitive function assessed via the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery. At baseline, the mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 34.7 ± 10.8, and the median albumin/creatinine ratio was 81.9 (9.7, 417.3). A total of 44% of participants had diabetes. Compared with placebo, 12 months of curcumin did not improve FMD (median change from baseline was −0.7 (−2.1, 1.1) and −0.1 (−1.5, 1.5) for curcumin and placebo, respectively, with p = 0.69). Similarly, there were no changes in nitroglycerin-mediated dilation, cfPWV, or cognitive outcomes. These results do not support chronic curcumin supplementation to improve vascular and cognitive function in patients with CKD.
Correction: Gómez et al. Long-Term Effect of Maternal Antioxidant Supplementation on the Lipid Profile of the Progeny According to the Sow’s Parity Number. Antioxidants 2024, 13, 379
Authors: Gómez Gerardo , Laviano Hernan D. , García-Casco Juan , Muñoz Maria , Gómez Fernando , Sánchez-Esquiliche Fernando , González-Bulnes Antonio , López-Bote Clemente , Óvilo Cristina , Rey Ana I.
Published: August 2024

In the original publication [...]
MRI Diffusion Connectomics-Based Characterization of Progression in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Mattie David , Peña-Castillo Lourdes , Takahashi Emi , Levman Jacob
Published: August 2024

Characterizing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression remains a significant clinical challenge. The initial stages of AD are marked by the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and Tau tangles, with cognitive functions often appearing normal, and clinical symptoms may not manifest until up to 20 years after the prodromal period begins. Comprehensive longitudinal studies analyzing brain-wide structural connectomics in the early stages of AD, especially those with large sample sizes, are scarce. In this study, we investigated a longitudinal diffusion-weighted imaging dataset of 264 subjects to assess the predictive potential of diffusion data for AD. Our findings indicate the potential of a simple prognostic biomarker for disease progression based on the hemispheric lateralization of mean tract volume for tracts originating from the supramarginal and paracentral regions, achieving an accuracy of 86%, a sensitivity of 86%, and a specificity of 93% when combined with other clinical indicators. However, diffusion-weighted imaging measurements alone did not provide strong predictive accuracy for clinical variables, disease classification, or disease conversion. By conducting a comprehensive tract-by-tract analysis of diffusion-weighted characteristics contributing to the characterization of AD and its progression, our research elucidates the potential of diffusion MRI as a tool for the early detection and monitoring of neurodegenerative diseases and emphasizes the importance of integrating multi-modal data for enhanced predictive analytics.
Age and Sex Estimation in Children and Young Adults Using Panoramic Radiographs with Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Şahin Tuğçe Nur , Kölüş Türkay
Published: August 2024

Image processing with artificial intelligence has shown significant promise in various medical imaging applications. The present study aims to evaluate the performance of 16 different convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in predicting age and gender from panoramic radiographs in children and young adults. The networks tested included DarkNet-19, DarkNet-53, Inception-ResNet-v2, VGG-19, DenseNet-201, ResNet-50, GoogLeNet, VGG-16, SqueezeNet, ResNet-101, ResNet-18, ShuffleNet, MobileNet-v2, NasNet-Mobile, AlexNet, and Xception. These networks were trained on a dataset of 7336 radiographs from individuals aged between 5 and 21. Age and gender estimation accuracy and mean absolute age prediction errors were evaluated on 340 radiographs. Statistical analyses were conducted using Shapiro–Wilk, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey tests (p < 0.05). The gender prediction accuracy and the mean absolute age prediction error were, respectively, 87.94% and 0.582 for DarkNet-53, 86.18% and 0.427 for DarkNet-19, 84.71% and 0.703 for GoogLeNet, 81.76% and 0.756 for DenseNet-201, 81.76% and 1.115 for ResNet-18, 80.88% and 0.650 for VGG-19, 79.41% and 0.988 for SqueezeNet, 79.12% and 0.682 for Inception-Resnet-v2, 78.24% and 0.747 for ResNet-50, 77.35% and 1.047 for VGG-16, 76.47% and 1.109 for Xception, 75.88% and 0.977 for ResNet-101, 73.24% and 0.894 for ShuffleNet, 72.35% and 1.206 for AlexNet, 71.18% and 1.094 for NasNet-Mobile, and 62.94% and 1.327 for MobileNet-v2. No statistical difference in age prediction performance was found between DarkNet-19 and DarkNet-53, which demonstrated the most successful age estimation results. Despite these promising results, all tested CNNs performed below 90% accuracy and were not deemed suitable for clinical use. Future studies should continue with more-advanced networks and larger datasets.
Study on the Effects and Mechanism of the Reinforcement of Soft Clay via Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation
Authors: Wu Huaan , Xie Xinyu , Xu Chuntai , Liu Jianxing , Zheng Xudong , Zheng Lingwei
Published: August 2024

A series of microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) experiments were conducted using Sporosarcina pasteurii to reinforce coastal soft clay in Zhejiang. By analyzing the physical and mechanical parameters of samples of varying ages, specifically focusing on each sample’s unconfined compressive strength, triaxial shear strength, and permeability coefficient, it was revealed that MICP technology can be used effectively to reinforce coastal clay. The unconfined compressive strength of treated soil increased by 23% compared to untreated soil, while the permeability coefficient decreased by 75%. The internal friction angle of the clay remained almost constant, whereas cohesion significantly increased by approximately 53%. One-dimensional compression experiments were also performed, yielding consolidation parameters such as the compression coefficient, compression index, and consolidation coefficient. The results indicated a notable decrease in the soil compression index. Furthermore, microscopic analysis revealed that clay particles were cemented by calcium carbonate, whose precipitation was induced by the bacteria. Our XRD results also indicated that the bacteria facilitated the conversion of Ca2+ present in the soil into calcium carbonate.
Class-Center-Based Self-Knowledge Distillation: A Simple Method to Reduce Intra-Class Variance
Authors: Zhong Ke , Zhang Lei , Wang Lituan , Shu Xin , Wang Zizhou
Published: August 2024

Recent inter-sample self-distillation methods that spread knowledge across samples further improve the performance of deep models on multiple tasks. However, their existing implementations introduce additional sampling and computational overhead. Therefore, in this work, we propose a simple improved algorithm, the center self-distillation, which achieves a better effect with almost no additional computational cost. The design process for it has two steps. First, we show using a simple visualization design that the inter-sample self-distillation results in a denser distribution of samples with identical labels in the feature space. And, the key to its effectiveness is that it reduces the intra-class variance of features through mutual learning between samples. This brings us to the idea of providing a soft target for each class as the center for all samples within that class to learn from. Then, we propose to learn class centers and consequently compute class predictions for constructing these soft targets. In particular, to prevent over-fitting arising from eliminating intra-class variation, the specific soft target for each sample is customized by fusing the corresponding class prediction with that sample’s prediction. This is helpful in mitigating overconfident predictions and can drive the network to produce more meaningful and consistent predictions. The experimental results of various image classification tasks show that this simple yet powerful approach can not only reduce intra-class variance but also greatly improve the generalization ability of modern convolutional neural networks.
A Deep Learning-Based Acoustic Signal Analysis Method for Monitoring the Distillation Columns’ Potential Faults
Authors: Wang Honghai , Zheng Haotian , Zhang Zhixi , Wang Guangyan
Published: August 2024

Distillation columns are vital for substance separation and purification in various industries, where malfunctions can lead to equipment damage, compromised product quality, production interruptions, and environmental harm. Early fault detection using AI-driven methods like deep learning can mitigate downtime and safety risks. This study employed a lab-scale distillation column to collect passive acoustic signals under normal conditions and three potential faults: flooding, dry tray, and leakage. Signal processing techniques were used to extract acoustic features from low signal-to-noise ratios and weak time-domain characteristics. A deep learning-based passive acoustic feature recognition method was then applied, achieving an average accuracy of 99.03% on Mel-frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC) spectrogram datasets. This method demonstrated robust performance across different fault types and limited data scenarios, effectively predicting and detecting potential faults in distillation columns.
Predicting Employee Absence from Historical Absence Profiles with Machine Learning
Authors: Zupančič Peter , Panov Panče
Published: August 2024

In today’s dynamic business world, organizations are increasingly relying on innovative technologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their human resource (HR) management. Our study uses historical time and attendance data collected with the MojeUre time and attendance system to predict employee absenteeism, including sick and vacation leave, using machine learning methods. We integrate employee demographic data and the absence profiles on timesheets showing daily attendance patterns as fundamental elements for our analysis. We also convert the absence data into a feature-based format suitable for the machine learning methods used. Our primary goal in this paper is to evaluate how well we can predict sick leave and vacation leave over short- and long-term intervals using tree-based machine learning methods based on the predictive clustering paradigm. This paper compares the effectiveness of these methods in different learning settings and discusses their impact on improving HR decision-making processes.