bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Personal Agency in Borderline Personality Disorder: The Impact of Adult Attachment Style
Authors: Hashworth Talia , Reis Samantha , Grenyer Brin F. S.
Published: June 2021

Background

Personal agency- the degree to which one believes they have control over their life- is thought to influence how people understand their interpersonal relationships. Links between adult attachment and personal agency are theoretically relevant to the experience of borderline personality disorder (BPD) but this has yet to be empirically examined. The present research examines the impact of personal agency and adult attachment styles for individuals meeting criteria for BPD.

Methods

Participants consented to an online community study examining measures of locus of control (as an index of personal agency), BPD, and adult attachment. Participants meeting criteria for BPD (N = 96; mean age = 30.63; 70.5% female) were compared to age-matched healthy controls (N = 96; mean age = M = 31.99; 89.0% female).

Results

Individuals who met criteria for BPD displayed lower personal agency and higher fearful and preoccupied attachment styles in their close relationships, compared to Controls. Controls reported greater personal agency and were more securely attached in their relationships. Using multiple mediation modeling, the indirect effect of personal agency on BPD was significant for preoccupied, fearful, and secure attachment, but was non-significant for dismissive attachment. Lower personal agency was associated with insecure adult attachment styles.

Conclusions

Findings highlight the previously unexplored relationship between BPD and personal agency and indicate that adult attachment style plays a significant role. Low personal agency may increase challenges for individuals with symptoms of BPD by exacerbating relationship difficulties. People in treatment for BPD may benefit from focusing on both relationship insecurity and its impact on their perceived personal control.
Passive Coping Associations With Self-Esteem and Health-Related Quality of Life in Youth With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Reed Bonney , Rea Kelly E. , Claar Robyn Lewis , van Tilburg Miranda A. L. , Levy Rona L.
Published: June 2021

Pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may experience chronic stress related to disease symptoms and treatment, with negative consequences to their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Lower HRQOL among pediatric patients with IBD has been associated with worse disease-related symptoms and psychological functioning, while higher HRQOL has been associated with more adaptive coping with disease symptoms and treatment. In addition, patients’ self-esteem may impact the selection and use of coping strategies through global cognitions about their abilities and perceived competence. The current study seeks to extend existing research on HRQOL in youth with IBD by examining cross-sectional associations among self-esteem and passive coping strategies. Youth ages 9–18 with IBD (n = 147) rated their HRQOL using a disease-specific measure, typical strategies used to cope with pain or GI symptoms, and their general self-esteem. Mediation analyses were performed using regression-based techniques and bootstrapping. Results indicated that greater self-esteem was positively associated with HRQOL but negatively associated with passive coping. Controlling for disease activity, age, and gender, significant indirect effects were found in the relation between self-esteem and HRQOL through passive coping. Multiple mediation analyses using the three passive coping subscales found that self-esteem was indirectly associated with HRQOL through its effects specifically on catastrophizing as a passive coping strategy. Results suggest that pediatric patients’ general self-esteem can impact their HRQOL through passive coping and specifically, maladaptive cognitions (e.g., catastrophizing). Interventions aimed at addressing both self-esteem and catastrophizing as a passive coping strategy may offer promise for improving HRQOL in youth with IBD.
Higher Levels of Psychological Burden and Alterations in Personality Functioning in Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Engel Felicitas , Berens Sabrina , Gauss Annika , Schaefert Rainer , Eich Wolfgang , Tesarz Jonas
Published: June 2021

Aims: Is there evidence for increased psychological distress and alterations in personality functioning in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) compared to healthy controls (HCs)?

Background: In patients with CD and UC, perceived stress is closely associated with changes in disease activity. The stress response is influenced by psychological burden and personality functioning, but only little is known about these factors in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

Study: A total of 62 patients with an endoscopic ensured CD/UC without remission (n = 31 per group) and 31 HC were included. Patients with an active CD/UC and HC were individually matched (n = 93, 31 per group) for age, sex, education, and disease activity. Depression and anxiety were assessed to evaluate the effect of psychological burden (Patient Health Questionnaire-9/PHQ-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7/GAD-7). Personality functioning was measured by validated questionnaires for psychodynamic structural characteristics, mentalization, and attachment (Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis-Structure Questionnaire/OPD-SQ, Mentalization Questionnaire/MZQ, and Experiences in Close Relationships scale/ECR-RD 12).

Results: Levels of depression and anxiety were higher in CD/UC patients than in HC with large effect sizes. Comparing personality functioning in CD/UC with HC, psychodynamic structural characteristics differed between CD/UC and HC with medium effect sizes, with structural differences occurring primarily in the domain of self-perception and regulation. Only minor differences were found regarding mentalization and attachment. CD and UC differed only with small effect sizes.

Conclusion: Our data show that compared to HC, patients with CD/UC are characterized by a higher level of psychological burden and structural alterations in the domain of self.
Focusing on Resilience and Renewal From Stress: The Role of Emotional and Social Intelligence Competencies
Authors: Liu Han , Boyatzis Richard E.
Published: June 2021

Individuals are subject to stressful events from daily chronic stress to traumatic life-changing experiences and the resulting impairment. Efforts to reduce stress or stressors are misdirected. Instead, bouncing back or recovering from such experiences, often called resilience is a far more potent way to ameliorate the ravages of chronic stress and move to a state of renewal, thriving and flourishing. Because we infect each other with stress or renewal through emotional contagion, each person's ability to manage their own emotions as well as those of others and their relationships becomes key to health. These capabilities are called emotional and social intelligence. At the trait level, they are personal dispositions but at the behavioral level they are patterns of behavior we call emotional and social intelligence competencies (ESI). This paper is a review addressing the role of emotional and social intelligence competencies in resilience. By focusing on the behavioral level of ESI, designs for more precise research and practical applications as to how to develop ESI and resilience are offered.
Explain the Experience of Family Caregivers Regarding Care of Alzheimer's Patients: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Ashrafizadeh Hadis , Gheibizadeh Mahin , Rassouli Maryam , Hajibabaee Fatemeh , Rostami Shahnaz
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Due to the long-term and progressive nature of Alzheimer's disease, these patients need caregivers who will be responsible for their long-term care and who may then experience an increasing burden related to the progressive disease course, so it is important to understand the experiences of caregivers. The aim of this study was to explain the experience of family caregivers regarding care of Alzheimer's patients.

Methods: The present qualitative study employed a conventional content analysis approach and was conducted in Iran in 2020. This research was done through in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 11 qualified caregivers enrolled in a purposive sampling method. Interviews continued until data saturation. Data analysis was performed simultaneously with data collection. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed through Graneheim and Lundman style content analysis and data management was done with MAXQDA software. In order to achieve the accuracy and validity of the study, the Four-Dimensions Criteria (FDC) by Lincoln and Guba, credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transformability were considered and used.

Results: A total of 11 caregivers with mean age and standard deviation 48, ±26.12 participated in the study. The acquired data were put in two main categories of “burnout and exhaustion” with six subcategories and “excellence and personal growth” with three subcategories.

Conclusion: In this study, we found that perceptions of caregivers' role were not the same among study participants, who experienced both positive and negative dimensions of care provision to AD patients. The care experience has a spectrum that, in some people, leads to positive outcomes such as growth. A major part of caregiver challenges is related to the burden of caregiving strain and the erosive nature of the disease. Therefore, health planners should identify the challenges, pain and suffering of caregivers and seek to address them through appropriate strategies.
Early Detection of Temperament Risk Factors: A Comparison of Clinically Referred and General Population Children
Authors: Zentner Marcel , Biedermann Vivienne , Taferner Christina , da Cudan Hannah , Möhler Eva , Strauß Hannah , Sevecke Kathrin
Published: June 2021

Despite an extensive literature on associations between early childhood temperament and behavior problems, most of this evidence is based on general population samples. Hence, relatively little is known about the temperament characteristics of children who have been referred for in- or outpatient treatment of emotional and/or behavioral problems. Whether temperament-to-behavior problems identified in community samples would also be found in samples of clinically referred children is poorly understood. To redress this limitation, we compared temperament attributes of a predominantly preschool-aged sample of children referred for treatment of emotional and/or behavioral disorders (N = 87) with those from a similarly-aged general population sample (N = 85) by using the Integrative Child Temperament Screener (ICTS)—a new nine-item scale to identify clinically significant temperament attributes. Behavioral symptoms in the clinical sample were assessed through diagnostic interviews in combination with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), which was also administered to the general population children. Compared with general population children, referred children exhibited substantially higher scores on all ICTS subscales except behavioral inhibition. Furthermore, areas under the curve analyses showed that discrimination of both groups based on CBCL scales could be improved by adding the ICTS. Overall, the findings fill a long-standing gap in evidence regarding temperament characteristics of children with serious emotional and/or behavioral symptoms and suggest a useful role for the ICTS in assessment, screening, and prevention.
Case Report: Psychopathological Syndromes in the Course of Lupus Erythematosus and the Co-occurrence of Lupus Erythematous With Mental Disorders
Authors: Stelmach Ewa , Masiak Jolanta
Published: June 2021

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that leads to a chronic inflammatory process in tissues and organs. The neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) is a set of neuropsychiatric symptoms that derive from the central and peripheral nervous system and are observed in the course of SLE.

Case Report and Final Diagnostic and Therapeutic Results: A diagnostic and therapeutic process in a patient with the signs and symptoms of SLE and bipolar disorder (BD) has been described. Bipolar disorder has been diagnosed as a primary disorder while SLE as a comorbid disease.

Discussion: Common immunological mechanisms in BD and SLE are the reason for difficulties in diagnosing BD with co-occurring SLE. It should be determined whether BD is a primary disorder or a secondary component of a clinical picture of SLE (NPSLE) or whether mood and/or psychotic disorders are the result of steroid therapy in the course of SLE (steroid-induced mood and psychotic disorders, SIMPD).

Conclusion and the Patient's Perspective: The presented case report is a unique description of a patient with a primary diagnosis of BD with comorbid SLE.
Neurological Soft Signs (NSS) in Census-Based, Decade-Adjusted Healthy Adults, 20 to >70 Years of Age
Authors: Bachmann Silke , Beck Michaela , Tsai Dai-Hua , Haupt Friederike
Published: June 2021

Neurological soft signs (NSS) represent minor neurological features and have been widely studied in psychiatric disease. The assessment is easily performed. Quantity and quality may provide useful information concerning the disease course. Mostly, NSS scores differ significantly between patients and controls. However, literature does not give reference values. In this pilot study, we recruited 120 healthy women and men to build a cross-sectional, census-based sample of healthy individuals, aged 20 to >70 years, subdivided in 10-year blocks for a close approach to the human lifeline. Testing for NSS and neurocognitive functioning was performed following the exclusion of mental and severe physical illness. NSS scores increased significantly between ages 50+ and 60+, which was primarily accountable to motor signs. Gender and cognitive functioning were not related to changes of scores. Although the number of individuals is small, study results may lay a foundation for further validation of NSS in healthy individuals.
One Year Into the Pandemic: A Systematic Review of Perinatal Mental Health Outcomes During COVID-19
Authors: Iyengar Udita , Jaiprakash Bhavisha , Haitsuka Hanako , Kim Sohye
Published: June 2021

Obstetric guidelines have rapidly evolved to incorporate new data and research on the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), with data on perinatal mental health building over the last year. Our aim in the present manuscript is to provide a systematic review of mental health outcomes in pregnant and postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of neonatal and obstetric guidelines addressing symptoms and complications of COVID-19 during pregnancy, mother-to-neonate transmission, Cesarean-section delivery, neonatal prematurity, maternal/neonate mortalities, maternal-neonatal separation, and breastfeeding. We summarize data from 81 mental health studies of pregnant and postpartum women and underscore protective and risk factors identified for perinatal mental health outcomes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Data reviewed here suggest increased psychological symptoms, especially depressive and anxiety symptoms, in pregnant and postpartum women during COVID-19. Our systematic review integrates the most current obstetric and neonate guidelines, along with perinatal mental health outcomes associated with COVID-19, highlighting the best available data for the care of women and their neonates amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Computers Can Help us Find Raccoons and Other Living Creatures
Authors: Higino Gracielle Teixeira , Forero Norma , Banville Francis , Dansereau Gabriel , Poisot Timothée
Published: June 2021

If we want to protect our environment, we first need to know where animals and plants are. Are they hidden in the woods? Are they next to cities? Which woods or which cities? Wandering all over the world to find where living things are might seem exciting at first. However, in the long run, it might get a little tiring, no? Thankfully, we do not need to explore every corner of the Earth to know where the animals and plants are. Scientists instead use computers to deduce where certain species might be. In this article, we will describe how to find where raccoons live, by giving a computer special instructions. To do so, we just need a few observations of raccoons, the environmental conditions in which they have been identified, and a set of instructions to give to our computer.
Postharvest UV-C Irradiation Influenced Cellular Structure, Jasmonic Acid Accumulation, and Resistance Against Green Mold Decay in Satsuma Mandarin Fruit (Citrus unshiu)
Authors: Phonyiam Orathai , Ohara Hitoshi , Kondo Satoru , Naradisorn Matchima , Setha Sutthiwal
Published: June 2021

Green mold caused by Penicillium digitatum is an important factor limiting the shelf life of mandarin fruit. In this study, the effect of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation on cellular structure, endogenous jasmonic acid (JA), and development of P. digitatum in satsuma mandarin fruit was investigated. UV-C treatments included 0 (untreated control), 3, and 10 kJ m−2 or the exposure time of 0, 1.18, and 4.52 min, respectively. The UV-C dose of 10 kJ m−2 significantly reduced the development of P. digitatum both in vitro and in vivo, resulting in the maintenance of the cellular structure of the albedo tissue. The production of malondialdehyde (MDA) was decreased upon UV-C treatment of 10 kJ m−2. The concentration of JA increased in the treatment of 10 kJ m−2 compared to the treatment of 3 kJ m−2 and the control. UV-C irradiation increased total phenolic and total flavonoid concentrations and DPPH radical scavenging capacity. These results suggest that UV-C at 10 kJ m−2 has a potential to control green mold caused by P. digitatum, maintain cellular structure, stimulate the accumulation of JA, and induce biochemical compounds in satsuma mandarin.
The Recombinant Expression Proteins FnBP and ClfA From Staphylococcus aureus in Addition to GapC and Sip From Streptococcus agalactiae Can Protect BALB/c Mice From Bacterial Infection
Authors: Ma Zhongchen , Yin Xinyue , Wu Peng , Hu Ruirui , Wang Yong , Yi Jihai , Wang Zhen , Chen Chuangfu
Published: June 2021

Dairy cow mastitis is a serious disease that is mainly caused by intramammary infection with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae [group B streptococcus (GBS)]. FnBP and ClfA are the virulence factors of S. aureus, while GapC is the respective factor for S. agalactiae. Sip is a highly immunogenic protein, and it is conserved in all GBS serotypes. In this study, we analyzed the abovementioned four genes prepared a FnBP+ClfA chimeric protein (FC), a GapC+Sip chimeric protein (GS), and a FnBP+ClfA+GapC+Sip chimeric protein (FCGS) based on the antigenic sites to evaluate their use in vaccine development. After expression and purification of the recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli, BALB/c mice were immunized with them to examine resistance effects. The total lethal and half lethal doses of S. aureus and S. agalactiae were then measured, and the immunoprotective effects of the fusion proteins were evaluated. The FC and FCGS chimeric proteins could induce mice to produce high levels of antibodies, and bacterial loads were significantly reduced in the spleens and livers after challenge. After immunization with FCGS, the recipients resisted the attacks of both S. aureus and S. agalactiae, indicating the potential of the fusion protein as a mastitis vaccine.
Response of Growth Performance, Blood Biochemistry Indices, and Rumen Bacterial Diversity in Lambs to Diets Containing Supplemental Probiotics and Chinese Medicine Polysaccharides
Authors: Chen Huan , Guo Beibei , Yang Mingrui , Luo Junrong , Hu Yiqing , Qu Mingren , Song Xiaozhen
Published: June 2021

This study aims to investigate the effects of probiotics and Chinese medicine polysaccharides (CMPs) on growth performance, blood indices, rumen fermentation, and bacteria composition in lambs. Forty female lambs were randomly divided into four groups as follows: control, probiotics, CMP, and compound (probiotics + CMP) groups. The results showed that probiotics treatment increased the concentrations of blood glucose (GLU) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) and enhanced rumen microbial protein contents but declined the value of pH in rumen fluid compared with the control (P < 0.05). Furthermore, supplementation with CMP enhanced the average daily gain (ADG) and the contents of IgA, IgG, and IgM in the serum but decreased the F:G ratio compared with the control (P < 0.05). Besides, both CMP and compound (probiotics + CMP) treatments decreased the ratio of acetic acid and propionic acid compared with the control (P < 0.05). High-throughput sequencing data showed that at the genus level, the relative abundance of Veillonellaceae_UCG-001 in the probiotics group was increased, the relative abundance of Succiniclasticum and norank_f__Muribaculaceae in the CMP group were enhanced, and the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002 in the compound group was raised compared with the control (P < 0.05). In summary, supplementation with probiotics can promote rumen protein fermentation but decrease the diversity of bacteria in rumen fluid; however, CMP treatment increased the relative abundance of Fibrobacteria, changed rumen microbial fermentation mode, increased the immune function, and ultimately improved the growth performance.
Develop Real-Time Robot Control Architecture Using Robot Operating System and EtherCAT
Authors: Chuang Wei-Li , Yeh Ming-Ho , Yeh Yi-Liang
Published: June 2021

This paper presents the potential of combining ROS (Robot Operating System), its state-of-art software, and EtherCAT technologies to design real-time robot control architecture for human–robot collaboration. For this, the advantages of an ROS framework here are it is easy to integrate sensors for recognizing human commands and the well-developed communication protocols for data transfer between nodes. We propose a shared memory mechanism to improve the communication between non-real-time ROS nodes and real-time robot control tasks in motion kernel, which is implemented in the ARM development board with a real-time operating system. The jerk-limited trajectory generation approach is implemented in the motion kernel to obtain a fine interpolation of ROS MoveIt planned robot path to motor. EtherCAT technologies with precise multi-axis synchronization performance are used to exchange real-time I/O data between motion kernel and servo drive system. The experimental results show the proposed architecture using ROS and EtherCAT in hard real-time environment is feasible for robot control application. With the proposed architecture, a user can efficiently send commands to a robot to complete tasks or read information from the robot to make decisions, which is helpful to reach the purpose of human–robot collaboration in the future.
Challenging Times for Insurance, Banking and Financial Supervision in Saudi Arabia (KSA)
Authors: Orlando Giuseppe , Bace Edward
Published: June 2021

The financial system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has a history of relative soundness, particularly in banking, due to comparatively strict and enforced domestic supervision, and supported by what has been for the most part a reasonably robust economy. However, the sector is facing challenges of a sluggish economy, need for reform and negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper strives to assess how well the government thus far has responded to the challenges in the financial sector. The working hypothesis is that the insurance industry has improved its position, resulting in higher efficiency and profitability and lower risk. This is an industry historically plagued by too many players, financial issues and less than adequate controls. The analysis undertaken bears out the hypothesis, as revealed by the enhanced contribution made by the industry since the pandemic. Analysis suggests that strides have been made in that industry in terms of helping to diversify the economy with the onset of the pandemic. Moreover, evidence is provided that the sensitivity to changes in oil volumes (rather than to changes in oil prices) is a key risk factor for the financial sector in the KSA. These findings have implications for policy makers in terms of leveraging the pandemic conditions as an opportunity to drive further reform and diversify the economy with lower risk.
Bacillus velezensis WZ-37, a New Broad-Spectrum Biocontrol Strain, Promotes the Growth of Tomato Seedlings
Authors: Chen Xiuling , Huang Haifeng , Zhang Shumei , Zhang Yao , Jiang Jingbin , Qiu Youwen , Liu Jiayin , Wang Aoxue
Published: June 2021

A biological control agent is arguably an ideal alternative to chemical fungicide for the prevention and control of gray mold disease. During this process, a biological control produces low levels of pollution, generates few residues that pose no risk to the environment, and pathogens cannot gain resistance to it easily. A new antifungal strain isolated from plant rhizosphere exhibited high antifungal activity against the phytopathogens Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum, F. moniliforme, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Colletotrichum orbiculare, Alternaria nees, F. equiseti, and F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. It was identified as Bacillus velezensis WZ-37 by morphological and physiological indices and comparisons of 16S rRNA and gyrB genes. WZ-37 can significantly inhibit the mycelia growth of B. cinerea by 96.97%. It can reduce a tomato fruit’s decay rate after 21 days of storage by 33.33% (13.34% less for the control) without significantly affecting its firmness and soluble solids. Plant height, stem diameter, and the fresh and dry weight of tomato seedlings were significantly increased when their seeds were soaked in a WZ-37 suspension (106 cfu/mL) for 3 h and grown for 21 days in soil. WZ-37 has broad-spectrum biocontrol and can prolong a tomato’s storage period and enhance its seedlings’ growth, making it a promising candidate strain for broad-spectrum biocontrol applications in agriculture.
Utilization of Mango, Apple and Banana Fruit Peels as Prebiotics and Functional Ingredients
Authors: Zahid Hafza Fasiha , Ranadheera Chaminda Senaka , Fang Zhongxiang , Ajlouni Said
Published: June 2021

Among the waste by-products generated by the fruit industry (peels, seeds, and skins), fruit peel constitutes the major component. It is estimated that fruit peel accounts for at least 20% of the fresh fruit weight. Fruit peels are considered as major sources of dietary fiber and anticipated to be successfully utilized as prebiotics. This study examined the chemical composition, functional properties and the prebiotic effects of three major tropical fruit peels (apple, banana and mango). The prebiotic effect was tested using three commercial probiotic strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. casei and Bifidobacterium lactis) individually and in combination. Each probiotic culture was fortified with different concentration (0%, 2% and 4%) of selected fruit peel powder (FPP). Results revealed that all tested FPP significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the probiotics viable counts, which reached >10 logs after 24 h of incubation. However, the concentration of 2% and 4% FPP showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) on the probiotic viable counts. Additionally, the prebiotic effects of FPP were the same when applied to individual and mixed cultures. This investigation demonstrated that small amount (2%) of apple, banana and mango peel powder could be successfully utilized as prebiotics to enhance the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Additionally, the studied physical and chemical characteristics of FPP demonstrated their potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries as functional ingredients.
Carotenoid Content and Bioaccessibility in Commercial Maize Hybrids
Authors: Zurak Dora , Grbeša Darko , Duvnjak Marija , Kiš Goran , Međimurec Tatjana , Kljak Kristina
Published: June 2021

The objective of the present study was to determine the content and bioaccessibility of carotenoids in 104 maize hybrids available at the market. Lutein, zeaxanthin, α- and β-cryptoxanthin, and β-carotene were determined in whole grains and micelles produced during standardized INFOGEST digestibility analysis, and their bioaccessibility was calculated as the ratio of micellar and grain carotenoids. Tested hybrids varied in total carotenoid content, with 34% having total carotenoid content in the range of 15–20 µg/g dry matter (DM) and 41% in the range of 20–25 µg/g DM. The amount of bioaccessible carotenoids increased linearly (p < 0.05) with increasing content in the grain, and decreased among determined carotenoidsd in the order: lutein (52%) > zeaxanthin (43%) > β-carotene (43%) > α-cryptoxanthin (27%) > β-cryptoxanthin (26%). Bioaccessibility of lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-carotene decreased with increasing content in the grain (p < 0.05). On average, only 43% of the total carotenoids were bioaccessible in commercial maize hybrids tested, which should be considered when formulating an animal diet.
Impact of Wind Direction on Erodibility of a Hortic Anthrosol in Southeastern Spain
Authors: Guerrero Rocío , Valenzuela Juan L. , Monterroso Alejandro I. , Asensio Carlos
Published: June 2021

We tested an efficient, easily and economically manufactured wind-transported particle collector of our own design, called a multidirectional trap (MDt), on fine-tilled Anthrosols. Results from the logs of nine vaned masts, each with four MDt collectors at different heights, showed a clear predominance of northeast and south winds. After analyzing sediment transport rates and their balance, we found that sediments from the south were being deposited rather than lost. A large amount of phyllosilicates, which are highly adhesive sediments, and therefore, increase aggregation, decreasing erodibility, were captured in the upper traps. Moreover, they are rich in calcium carbonate, mainly calcite, which is a powerful aggregate, and therefore, also decreases their wind erodibility. Sediments from the northeast, however, with almost double the total mass transport, contained the largest amount of captured quartz, promoting abrasion and increasing soil erodibility. Nevertheless, large amounts of organic matter found in sediments from the NE led to some aggregation, which balances material lost.
The Efficacy of Seed Treatments on Major Sugar Beet Pests: Possible Consequences of the Recent Neonicotinoid Ban
Authors: Viric Gasparic Helena , Lemic Darija , Drmic Zrinka , Cacija Maja , Bazok Renata
Published: June 2021

Sugar beet production remains unprotected after the ban on neonicotinoids, while pest pressure is increasing. Although the organic approach to agriculture is highly welcomed, the question remains whether it will be possible to grow sugar beet without pesticides. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of seed treatments with neonicotinoids on the main sugar beet pests, to determine the susceptibility of the pests under the specific climatic conditions and to discuss possible consequences of the ban of neonicotinoids on the future of sugar beet production in southeast Europe. The study was conducted in two different climatic regions in Croatia in two consecutive years. The tested variants were: seed coated with imidacloprid, seed coated with a combination of thiamethoxam and teflutrin and untreated control. Our results showed that seed coatings with imidacloprid and thiamethoxam provided satisfactory protection against wireworms, flea beetles and sugar beet weevils at low population pressure. These pests are regular pests of sugar beet in southern and eastern Europe and therefore need to be controlled. Caterpillars and aphids were present in low populations, so the efficacy of the insecticides tested cannot be determined with certainty. A further research program is needed to find alternative solutions and develop easily implementable strategies for all sugar beet pests. We would propose an authorization of neonicotinoids for seed treatment of sugar beet in the regions with high infestation pressure of the main sugar beet pests.
In Vitro Pathogenesis Caused by Phytophthora cactorum and DNA Analysis of the Strawberry-Resistant Microplants with ISSR Markers
Authors: Marecki Wojciech , Żebrowska Jadwiga
Published: June 2021

The soil pathogenic fungus Phytophthora cactorum causes the most dangerous diseases occurring in strawberry plantations—strawberry crown rot and leather rot. Modern biotechnology methods, e.g., in vitro culture selection and molecular diagnostics can be utilized in the selection of cultivars that are less susceptible or resistant to Phytophthora diseases. In this study, in vitro selection of four strawberry microclones: ‘Elsanta’, ‘Feltar’, ‘Teresa’ and ‘Plena SVdT’ against Phytophthora cactorum (Lebert and Cohn) J. Schröt was carried out. Molecular analysis with inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers was also used to evaluate genetic similarity of the selected resistant plants. None of the analyzed microclones showed complete resistance to the selection factor, but there were plants in all tested microclones that survived the pressure of the pathogen. Results showed that susceptibility to this pathogenic fungus was significantly differentiated and depended on the microclone. The ‘Feltar’ microclone had the significantly lowest susceptibility to Phytophthora disease, followed by the microclones ‘Elsanta’ and ‘Teresa’ with significantly higher susceptibility. The ‘Plena SVdT’ microclone showed the highest susceptibility to Phytophthora disease. This differentiation was linked to the genetic similarity observed at deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) level between the resistant plants selected from microclones. Cluster analysis revealed that microclones with similar susceptibility to phytophthorosis, i.e., ‘Elsanta’, ‘Feltar’ and ‘Teresa’, appeared to be genetically similar. The microclone ‘Plena SVdT’ revealed a different course of phytophthorosis from the aforementioned microclones, being the least genetically similar to them.
Productivity and Profitability of Kharif Rice Are Influenced by Crop Establishment Methods and Nitrogen Management in the Lateritic Belt of the Subtropical Region
Authors: Mohanta Samata , Banerjee Mahua , Malik Ganesh Chandra , Shankar Tanmoy , Maitra Sagar , Ismail Ismail Ahmed , Dessoky Eldessoky S. , Attia Attia O. , Hossain Akbar
Published: June 2021

Nitrogen management is vital for economic and environmental sustainability. Asynchrony of fertilizer application with crop demand along various nitrogen losses in Eastern India leads to low fertilizer efficiency in Kharif rice. At the same time, direct-sowing is gaining popularity due to water and labor scarcity. In an experiment between 2017–2018 in West Bengal, India, the main plots represented establishment methods: conventional transplanting, TPR; direct-seeded rice, DSR; and drum seeded rice, DRR; while subplots represented nitrogen management options: farmer’s practice (FP), the state-recommended (SR), nutrient expert-based (NE), Green seeker-based (GS) and LCC-based (LCC) in a split-plot design with three repetitions. Plant growth, productivity, and profitability were evaluated. All indicators of growth or production were affected by establishment methods and by N-management options. The yield enhancement of TPR and DSR over DRR was 21.1 and 16.8%, respectively, while it was enhanced by 19.21, 14.71, 6.49, and 2.52% by GS, NE, LCC, and SR, respectively, over FP. The highest net return and return per rupee invested were recorded with DSR, while both GS and NE had better economics. The results suggest that the combination of DSR establishment with GS or NE requires further studies to find climate-smart management techniques in Kharif rice.
Effect of Animal Waste Based Digestate Fertilization on Soil Microbial Activities, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Spring Wheat Productivity in Loam and Sandy Loam Soil
Authors: Doyeni Modupe Olufemi , Baksinskaite Ausra , Suproniene Skaidre , Tilvikiene Vita
Published: June 2021

The increasing quantities of organic residues are becoming one of the most important problems for climate change mitigation. Sustainable utilization technologies are required to minimize the effect of recycling on the environment. Nevertheless, treated residues should be part of the circular bioeconomy. One of the most promising processes is the biogas system, with the final products biogas and digestate, which contain valuable nutrients and are therefore suitable as agricultural fertilizers. However, there is lack of research data on the effectiveness of digestate on environmental factors including soil quality as well as crop productivity and quality. In this study, we compare the roles of different digestates (chicken manure digestate, cow manure digestate, and pig manure digestate) on spring wheat productivity, soil microbial activities, and greenhouse gas emissions in loam and sandy loam soil under controlled climate conditions. The liquid digestate applied was equivalent to 170 kg N ha−1 of total N presented. Overall, results showed that the two soil types responded differently to the addition of the digestates, and the benefits depended on soil characteristics as well as on the type of the digestate applied. There was a higher effect on soil microbial activity in sandy loam soil compared to that of loam soil. Chicken manure digestate had the highest value of dehydrogenase activity and soil microbial biomass C of 9.23 µg TPFg−1 h−1 and 175.6 µg g−1 across the two soil types. CO2 and N2O emissions were moderately higher in loam soil when compared to that of sandy loam soil. The highest CO2 peak emission at 0.0107 µg ha−1 h−1 occurred in pig manure digestate in the sandy loam soil, and regular peak patterns observed in loam soil fertilized with pig digestate manure. Chicken manure digestate had the highest peak emissions across both soil types at 0.007950 mg ha−1 h−1 and 0.5667 mg ha−1 h−1 in the loam and sandy loam soil, respectively. The biomass yield varied across the soil types irrespective of the digestate applied. The agricultural benefits of digestates in different receiving soil ecosystems supplying essential nutrients for crop productivity, coupled with its environmental benefits, makes it an encouraging prospect in temperate climate zones.
Intranasal Vaccination Strategy to Control the COVID-19 Pandemic from a Veterinary Medicine Perspective
Authors: Annas Salleh , Zamri-Saad Mohd
Published: June 2021

The world is currently facing an ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The disease is a highly contagious respiratory disease which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Current control measures used by many countries include social distancing, wearing face masks, frequent hand washing, self-isolation, and vaccination. The current commercially available vaccines are injectable vaccines, although a few intranasal vaccines are in trial stages. The reported side effects of COVID-19 vaccines, perceptions towards the safety of the vaccines, and frequent mutation of the virus may lead to poor herd immunity. In veterinary medicine, attaining herd immunity is one of the main considerations in disease control, and herd immunity depends on the use of efficacious vaccines and the vaccination coverage in a population. Hence, many aerosol or intranasal vaccines have been developed to control veterinary respiratory diseases such as Newcastle disease, rinderpest, infectious bronchitis, and haemorrhagic septicaemia. Different vaccine technologies could be employed to improve vaccination coverage, including the usage of an intranasal live recombinant vaccine or live mutant vaccine. This paper discusses the potential use of intranasal vaccination strategies against human COVID-19, based on a veterinary intranasal vaccine strategy.
Impacts of Supplementing Broiler Diets with Biological Curcumin, Zinc Nanoparticles and Bacillus licheniformis on Growth, Carcass Traits, Blood Indices, Meat Quality and Cecal Microbial Load
Authors: Abd El-Hack Mohamed E. , Alaidaroos Bothaina A. , Farsi Reem M. , Abou-Kassem Diaa E. , El-Saadony Mohamed T. , Saad Ahmed M. , Shafi Manal E. , Albaqami Najah M. , Taha Ayman E. , Ashour Elwy A.
Published: June 2021

The current study aimed to investigate the influence of dietary zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs), curcumin nanoparticles (CurNPs), and Bacillus licheniformis (Bl) on the growth, carcass, blood metabolites, and the count of some cecal microorganisms of Indian River (IR) broilers. Chicks were allotted into seven experimental groups: control group, 1st, 2nd and 3rd groups were given diets enriched with ZnNPs, CurNPs and Bl (3.0, 5.0 and 2.0 cm3/kg diet, respectively). The 4th, 5th and 6th groups were given diets supplemented with ZnNPs (3.0) + Bl (2.0) (ZP); ZnNPs (3.0) + CurNPs (5.0) (ZC) and ZnNPs (3.0) + CurNPs (5.0) + Bl (2.0) (ZCP) cm3/kg diet, respectively. The results revealed that ZnNPs and CurNPs exhibited a considerable antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. They also inhibited the growth of microbes in a range of 50–95 µg/mL. The diet supplemented with ZnNPs, CurNPs, and Bl increased the body weight compared to the control after five weeks of age. Additionally, values of daily feed intake increased in these groups; however, the feed conversion ratio decreased. All values of carcass traits were better than that of the control. The treatments led to decreased abdominal lipids compared to the control. The activity of liver enzymes and malondialdehyde (MDA) activity decreased in the treated groups. In a converse trend, the levels of oxidative enzymes, amylase, protease, lipase and immunoglobulin were higher than that of the control. Meat quality properties were improved and cecal microbial counts were decreased. In conclusion, the ZnNPs, CurNPs, and Bl improved the broiler’s weights, carcass traits, meat quality traits, as well as some blood indices and cecal microbial load. Therefore, the inclusion of ZnNPs, CurNPs, or Bl is recommended for broiler feeding regimens to improve the performance and health status.
Gastrointestinal Tract Morphometrics and Content of Commercial and Indigenous Chicken Breeds with Differing Ranging Profiles
Authors: Marchewka Joanna , Sztandarski Patryk , Zdanowska-Sąsiadek Żaneta , Adamek-Urbańska Dobrochna , Damaziak Krzysztof , Wojciechowski Franciszek , Riber Anja B. , Gunnarsson Stefan
Published: June 2021

Optimal development of the gut is important for nutrient absorption and for poultry to resist diseases. The aim of the study was to compare gastrointestinal tract morphometrics, small intestine microstructure, as well as the amount of pasture matter and feed ingested by the birds with outdoor access presenting either an outdoor-preferring, moderate-outdoor or indoor-preferring ranging profile. Sixty non-beak trimmed birds per strain: broiler hybrid Sasso and Polish indigenous green-legged partridge were housed from week 5 to 10 in groups of 10, under conditions of EU organic meat chicken production. Pens with outdoor ranges were video recorded, to obtain frequencies of the birds’ range use. Statistical analysis was conducted applying generalized linear mixed models, applying the ranging profile as a fixed effect and pen as a random factor. The weight of the pasture matter in bird crops was the highest in moderate-outdoor profiled green-legged partridges, as compared to other ranging profiles (p = 0.04). In Sasso, villi in the small intestines were significantly higher in the outdoor-preferring compared to indoor-preferring profiled birds (p = 0.04), while their area was larger in the outdoor-preferring Sasso birds (p = 0.01). The level of development of the gastrointestinal tract and its content may be a potential indicator of the birds’ ranging profile and forage consumption.
Systems Biology and Bile Acid Signalling in Microbiome-Host Interactions in the Cystic Fibrosis Lung
Authors: Woods David F. , Flynn Stephanie , Caparrós-Martín Jose A. , Stick Stephen M. , Reen F. Jerry , O’Gara Fergal
Published: June 2021

The study of the respiratory microbiota has revealed that the lungs of healthy and diseased individuals harbour distinct microbial communities. Imbalances in these communities can contribute to the pathogenesis of lung disease. How these imbalances occur and establish is largely unknown. This review is focused on the genetically inherited condition of Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Understanding the microbial and host-related factors that govern the establishment of chronic CF lung inflammation and pathogen colonisation is essential. Specifically, dissecting the interplay in the inflammation–pathogen–host axis. Bile acids are important host derived and microbially modified signal molecules that have been detected in CF lungs. These bile acids are associated with inflammation and restructuring of the lung microbiota linked to chronicity. This community remodelling involves a switch in the lung microbiota from a high biodiversity/low pathogen state to a low biodiversity/pathogen-dominated state. Bile acids are particularly associated with the dominance of Proteobacterial pathogens. The ability of bile acids to impact directly on both the lung microbiota and the host response offers a unifying principle underpinning the pathogenesis of CF. The modulating role of bile acids in lung microbiota dysbiosis and inflammation could offer new potential targets for designing innovative therapeutic approaches for respiratory disease.
Antimicrobial Photodynamic Approach in the Inactivation of Viruses in Wastewater: Influence of Alternative Adjuvants
Authors: Bartolomeu Maria , Oliveira Cristiana , Pereira Carla , Neves M. Graça P. M. S. , Faustino M. Amparo F. , Almeida Adelaide
Published: June 2021

Pathogenic viruses are frequently present in marine and estuarine waters, due to poor wastewater (WW) treatments, which consequently affect water quality and human health. Chlorination, one of the most common methods used to ensure microbiological safety in tertiarily treated effluents, may lead to the formation of toxic chemical disinfection by-products on reaction with organic matter present in the effluents. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) can be a promising disinfecting approach for the inactivation of pathogens, without the formation of known toxic by-products. Additionally, some studies have reported the potentiator effect on aPDT of some compounds, such as potassium iodide (KI) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In the present study, the aPDT efficiency of a PS formulation constituted of five cationic porphyrins (Form) in the inactivation of E. coli T4-like bacteriophage, a model of mammalian viruses, in different aqueous matrices with different organic matter content, was evaluated. Photoinactivation studies were performed at different concentrations of Form and in the presence of the adjuvants KI and H2O2. The results showed that the efficiency of bacteriophage photoinactivation is correlated with the Form concentration, the amount of the organic matter in WW, and the adjuvant type. Form can be an effective alternative to controlling viruses in WW, particularly if combined with H2O2, allowing to significantly reduce PS concentration and treatment time. When combined with KI, the Form is less effective in inactivating T4-like bacteriophage in WW.