bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and characterization of herbal Kulfi (Ice Cream) using Tulsi, Ginger,and Clove
Authors: Solanki Khushal , Rani Rekha , Gaur Gaurav Kumar
Published: January 2024

Herbs and spices are used for imparting flavor, thearoma of the products and also possess various therapeutic properties like anti-stress, anti-hypertensive, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study was aimed to develop herbal kulfi using tulsi paste, ginger juice, and clove extract and the effects of the addition of herbs on its compositional, physicochemical properties, nutritional parameters, sensory attributes, and microbial quality. Initial trials were conducted to adjudge the most acceptable levelsusing tulsi paste (2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5%), ginger juice (2.0%, 3.0%and 4.0%) and clove extract (2.0%, 3.0% and 4.0%). An optimized herbal kulfi was developed using 2.5% tulsi paste, 2.0% ginger juice, and 4.0% clove extract. The kulfi prepared without anyaddition of tulsi, ginger, and clove was treated as control. The optimized herbal kulfi reported a fat content of 12.0%, protein3.53 %, total solids 42.80%, ash 1.0233%, carbohydrate 23.04%.The developed herbal kulfi reported 10.01% anti-oxidant activity and total phenolic content of 56.96 mg GAE/100g. The products possess a good level of anti-oxidant and total phenolic content. The herbal kulfi conforms to the FSSA requirements for ‘kulfi’. The standard plate count was found 3.85 cfu/g. The yeast andmold and coliform count were absent in the product as per FSSA standard.
Inhibitory effect of spices on beta lactamase enzyme of resistant bacteria isolatedfrom milk of healthy cattle
Authors: Poojitha Ravipati , Shrivastav Arpita , Shrivastava Neeraj , Kumar Nitesh , Singh ,Swatantra Kumar , Ranjan Rajeev , Jha Amit Kumar
Published: January 2024

Present study was undertaken to observe the effect of spices on the extended Spectrum beta lactamase enzyme of ESBL Producing Enterobacteriaceae Group of Bacteria isolated from healthy cattle milk. Out of 100 samples collected randomly from various dairy farms located at the different areas of Rewa 14samples characterized by the phenotypic standard methods were found to be ESBL positive giving a prevalence rate of 14%.Inhibitory potential and per cent inhibition of beta lactamase enzyme were observed against dry powder of Methi seeds(Trigonella foenum-graecum), dry zinger, (Zingiberofficinale),Ajwain seeds (Trachyspermum ammi) Kalonji seeds (Nigellasativa), Black pepper (Piper nigrum), Clove bud (Syzigiumaromaticum) (10mg/ml) and one test drug Tazobactum bycolorimetric assay method performed on the individual spicesand in their different combinations on the basis of absorbent value. The absorbance level of each spice was observed using NITROCEFIN as a chromogenic substrate at 405nm wavelength. Minimum absorbance value was observed by Zingiber officinale(0.48 ± 0.009) and the maximum absorbance value of Syzgiumaromaticum (1.698 ± 0.069). The inhibitory effect of combination of the spices showed maximum absorbance value (0.46 ± 0.06) by Piper nigrum and Zingiber officinale No significant differencewas seen between the absorbance value of Z.officinalis, N.sativa(0.61± 0.05) and P. nigrumT.faenum graecum (0.62±0.03). Study observed the in vitro inhibitory potential present in the spices and could be used in near future to combat antimicrobial resistance to some extent.
Quality assessment of buffalo milk Chakka prepared from different starter culture
Authors: Vihan Varsha , Singh VP , Umaraw Pramila , Verma Akhilesh K , Singh Chirag , Verma Shardanand
Published: January 2024

Chakka is a soured dairy product that is producedby removing the whey from fermented milk (dahi, known as In-dian yogurt). The starter culture plays a significant role in deter-mining the overall elemental quality of fermented dairy products. The present study was carried to find out the suitability of three different cultures for development of chakka viz. T1 (1.5% Mixed microbial culture), T2 (1.5% bacterial culture, STI-13 freeze-dried Lactic culture), and T3 (1.5% yeast cultures). Among the different culture various quality characteristics, physico-chemical param-eters and sensory characteristics were assessed for their ability to form chakka. Curd prepared from the Lactobacillus culture(T2) was found most suitable for preparation of chakka as T2delivered highest yield of curd mass, protein, least pH value and moisture content compared to microbial culture and yeast culture. Sensory attributes of chakka also varied significantly (P0.05) among cultures. All sensory attributes rated higher for T2(Lactobacillus cultures). Therefore, result of the study concluded that T2 (1.5% Lactobacillus) culture was most appropriate for formulation of chakka.
Energy saving through partial homogenization of milk over conventional milk homogenization
Authors: Vekariya Yogeshkumar , Jana Atanu , Kathiriya Mital
Published: January 2024

The present study was conducted to check the feasibility of partial homogenization of market milk used for the preparation of tea (commonly known as ‘chai’ in India) and thereby estimate the energy-saving potential of the process. In the case of partial homogenization of milk, cream with different fat content (15%, 20%, and 25%) was homogenized at three first-stage pressures viz., 1000 psi, 1200 psi, and 1500 psi while keeping the second-stage pressure constant at 500 psi. The homogenization of milk was conducted at 65°C and 70°Ctemperatures. The homogenized cream was used to preparestandardized milk having 4.5% fat and 8.5% solids-not-fat. The temperature and pressure for homogenization were optimizedbased on the desirable least creaming index of samples of standardized milk at 48 h of refrigerated storage (4±2°C). In the case of conventional homogenization of milk, milk was first standardized to 4.5% fat and 8.5% solids-not-fat and then homogenized at 2000 psi and 500 psi for the first and second stages respectively. Tea was prepared from milk obtained from both the homogenization processes and they were subjected to sensory evaluation. The energy consumption in both cases was measured from the energy meter installed at the homogenizer motor. The study revealed that, without affecting the quality of homogenized milk, about 68% of energy could be saved in partial homogenization of milk as compared to conventional homogenization of milk
Genetic parameters of fertility traits in Murrah buffaloes
Authors: Sharma Smriti , Dhaka SS , Patil CS
Published: January 2024

The data pertaining to 662 Murrah buffaloes of 24years (1996-2019) collected from history cum pedigree sheets maintained at Buffalo Farm, department of LPM, LUVAS, Hisar studied to determine the influence of non-genetic factors viz.period, season and parity and to estimate the genetic parameter of fertility performance traits using mixed linear model. The traits studied were: age at first calving (AFC), service period (SP),conception rate (CR), calving interval (CI), number of services per conception (NSC) and pregnancy rate (PR). Period of calving had non-significant effect on all fertility traits viz. SP, CR, CI,NSC and PR, except AFC. Season of calving reported to have highly significant (P<0.01) effect on SP, NSC and PR and significant (P<0.05) effect of season of calving was obtained onCR and CI. Highly (P<0.01) significant effect of parity was reported on SP and NSC and significant effect of parity at P<0.05 was also seen on CR, CI and PR. The least squares means of AFC, SP, CR,CI, NSC and PR were 1345.75±13.88 days, 153.87±4.34 days,67.08±1.18 %, 459.53±4.50 days, 2.01±0.05 and 0.27±0.01 %,respectively. The heritability estimates among traits in overall lactation fertility traits viz. AFC, SP, CR, CI, NSC and PR were0.36±0.21, 0.11±0.03, 0.09±0.02, 0.23±0.10, 0.04±0.01 and 0.07±0.01,respectively. PR had negative genetic and phenotypic correlations with SP, CI and NSC whereas positive genetic and phenotypic correlation with CR. It was concluded that selective breeding and better management can lead to enhancement inperformance of buffaloes
Future scenario of Dairy Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (DEE) of Kerala
Authors: SR Shyam Suraj , Kadian KS , Raj Khusboo
Published: January 2024

The present study was undertaken to forecast the future of dairy entrepreneurial ecosystem for a short term, medium term and long term in the state of Kerala (India) during 2020-21;owing to the high ranks of the state in dairy progressiveness, production systems and marketing infrastructure. Delphi survey was used to project the future into conceivable scenarios. Four likely scenarios were estimated for each period based on the important driving factors and their probability of occurrence ofchange. The constant factor taken to decide the scenario axis for the three periods was ‘dairy entrepreneurial growth’; while for the short term, the second contributing factor was ‘support services’; for medium term it was ‘cooperative sector’; and for the long term, it was ‘advanced technology’. The study presented the narration of the scenarios which can be utilized by policymakers and planners to design in advance the appropriate modifications and interventions to develop dairy entrepreneurship; and thereby create a desirable dairy entrepreneurial ecosystem for the state in the future.
Reflexões sobre as políticas públicas para pessoas com deficiência: estudo da legislação brasileira e moçambicana
Authors: Alvarenga Márcia Regina Martins , Quinava Sara Carlitos , Medeiros Márcia Maria de , Fontoura Júnior Eduardo Espíndola
Published: January 2024

O objetivo deste artigo foi analisar as políticas públicas que garantem os direitos das pessoas com deficiência no Brasil e em Moçambique, a fim de identificar convergências e divergências entre elas. O estudo realizado foi de caráter qualitativo, de cunho documental, por meio da seleção e análise das legislações de ambos os países e documentos jurídicos de origem nacional e internacional que regulam os direitos das pessoas com deficiência. Constatou-se que, em Moçambique, não foram identificadas políticas específicas para auxiliar na proteção de determinados grupos de pessoas com deficiência. No Brasil, embora existam políticas específicas, percebeu-se a necessidade de ampliar os estudos no sentido de compreender o alcance das ações propostas em termos legais, isto é, perceber até que ponto os termos legais são efetivamente incorporados.
Ensinar em tempos de pandemia: diálogos docentes na tríplice fronteira
Authors: Silva Luciane Cristina , Moraes Denise Rosana da Silva
Published: January 2024

Este artigo apresenta investigações iniciais e reflexões acerca das experiências vivenciadas e compartilhadas em encontros de estudos que reuniram professores de três cidades fronteiriças – Foz do Iguaçu (BR), Puerto Iguazú (AR) e Ciudad del Este (PY) –, com o objetivo de criar uma rede de diálogos, reflexões e troca de experiências sobre os desafios de ensinar durante a Pandemia da covid-19. Como metodologia, adotamos uma pesquisa qualitativa vinculada a um projeto de extensão, organizado em encontros online que congregaram professores de diferentes localidades para conhecer a realidade das escolas e estudar as formas como cada comunidade, cada governo, se organizou para implantação das aulas remotas, bem como os desafios e possibilidades da inserção das mídias como aparato pedagógico. Discutimos os resultados obtidos por meio dele, as articulações entre os docentes, de forma breve, por se tratar de um estudo em andamento, em caráter inicial.
A educação como resistência: a trajetória de um estudante guineense
Authors: M'boto Tiago , Paiva Geórgia Maria Feitosa e
Published: January 2024

Guiné Bissau é um país complexo, plurilíngue e pluriétnico, marcado por lutas sociais, políticas e disparidades econômicas e culturais, que, por sua vez, assolam o acesso à educação. Acerca desse tema, temos como objetivo apresentar, a partir da autoetnografia, as dificuldades enfrentadas por um jovem estudante do interior da Guiné-Bissau para concluir a Educação Básica. Para a discussão teórica e metodológica, contamos com os estudos de Chang (2008), Santos (2018), Cá (2015), Joaquim (2020) e Seide (2017), entre outros. No artigo, apresentamos o texto da narrativa em primeira pessoa da trajetória educacional de um jovem da etnia balanta. A imersão na memória evocada é alicerçada pela reflexão crítica acerca dos desafios enfrentados desde a infância até o momento da diáspora. Por meio da autoetnografia e da autobiografia evocativa, enquanto técnicas de pesquisa, conseguimos flagrar as vulnerabilidades do processo de autoconhecimento e empoderamento do sujeito pesquisador na sua história.
Escritas sobre as relações com famílias na rede de saúde mental de Belo Horizonte
Authors: Lima Tulíola Almeida de Souza
Published: January 2024

Nas relações entre famílias e equipes técnicas que atuam em serviços de saúde mental, há diversas reproduções e invenções de práticas. Manifestações de poder se materializam nas relações, persistindo práticas baseadas na tutela de quem se encontra em situação de vulnerabilidade. Em investigação baseada na esquizoanálise, foi utilizada como metodologia a cartografia, com uso de diário de bordo e de fragmentos literários contendo descrições de cenas que contribuem para a discussão. Observou-se que a convivência em atividades institucionais e o uso de dispositivos para agenciamentos coletivos permitem aos sujeitos refletir sobre concepções quanto à loucura, à família, às redes de assistência e instituições sociais. São refeitas assim condições para lidar com a desestabilidade que o contato com a loucura provoca e desenvolidas condições para outras formas de existir. Modos de escrever e de articular pesquisas, vida pessoal e prática profissional foram construídos, contribuindo para multiplicidades nos processos de produção de subjetividades na saúde mental.
The key role of the right posterior fusiform gyrus in music reading: an electrical neuroimaging study on 90 readers
Authors: Proverbio Alice Mado , Arcuri Giulia , Pantaleo Marta Maria , Zani Alberto , Manfredi Mirella
Published: January 2024

Introduction

In this study, we employed a combined electromagnetic recording technique, i.e., electroencephalogram (EEG)/event-related potentials (ERPs) plus standardized weighted low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (swLORETA), to investigate the neural mechanism subserving the orthographic processing of symbols in language and music. While much is known about word processing, the current literature remains inconclusive regarding music reading, as its mechanisms appear to be left lateralized in some cases (as suggested by music-alexia clinical case reports) and either right-sided or bilateral in others, depending on the study and the methodology used.

Methods

In this study, 90 right-handed participants with varying musical abilities and sexes performed an attentional selection task that involved the recognition of target letters and musical notes, while their EEG signals were recorded from 128 sites.

Results

The occipito/temporal N170 component of ERPs (170–210 ms) was found strictly left-sided during letter selection and bilateral (with a right-hemispheric tendency) during note selection. Source reconstruction data indicated the preponderant engagement of the right posterior fusiform gyrus (BA19) for processing musical notes. Also involved were other brain regions belonging to the word reading circuit, including the left-sided visual word form area (VWFA) and frontal eye-fields (FEFs).

Discussion

This finding provides an explanation for the infrequent appearance of musical alexia cases (previously observed only in patients with left hemispheric lesions). It also suggests how musical literacy could be a rehabilitative and preventive factor for dyslexia, by promoting neuroplasticity and bilaterality in the reading areas.
Meta-critical thinking, paradox, and probabilities
Authors: Brittan Gordon , Taper Mark Louis
Published: January 2024

There is as much lack of clarity concerning what “critical thinking” involves, even among those charged with teaching it, as there is consensus that we need more emphasis on it in both academia and society. There is an apparent need to think critically about critical thinking, an exercise that might be called meta-critical thinking. It involves emphasizing a practice in terms of which “critical thinking” is helpfully carried out and clarifying one or more of the concepts in terms of which “critical thinking” is usually defined. The practice is distinction making and the concept that of evidence. Science advances by constructing models that explain real-world processes. Once multiple potential models have been distinguished, there remains the task of identifying which models match the real-world process better than others. Since statistical inference has in large part to do with showing how data provide support, i.e., furnish evidence, that the model/hypothesis is more or less likely while still uncertain, we turn to it to help make the concept more precise and thereby useful. In fact, two of the leading methodological paradigms—Bayesian and likelihood—can be taken to provide answers to the questions of the extent to which as well as how data provide evidence for conclusions. Examining these answers in some detail is a highly promising way to make progress. We do so by way of the analysis of three well-known statistical paradoxes—the Lottery, the Old Evidence, and Humphreys’—and the identification of distinctions on the basis of which their plausible resolutions depend. These distinctions, among others between belief and evidence and different concepts of probability, in turn have more general applications. They are applied here to two highly contested public policy issues—the efficacy of COVID vaccinations and the fossil fuel cause of climate change. Our aim is to provide some tools, they might be called “healthy habits of mind,” with which to assess statistical arguments, in particular with respect to the nature and extent of the evidence they furnish, and to illustrate their use in well-defined ways.
The K-16 education movement: common themes across K-12 and higher education systems to inform development and evaluation
Authors: Kearney Christopher A. , Fensken Michael , Dupont Randolph
Published: January 2024

The K-16 education movement broadly includes efforts to streamline educational pathways across K-12 and higher academic and other systems to enhance adult and career readiness and address inequitable opportunities and resources faced by many vulnerable students. The movement remains largely aspirational, however, with little consensus and few tenets available to guide K-16 program development and evaluation. This article presents a preliminary scoping review of several major student themes that crosscut K-12 and higher education systems and that could inform K-16 education initiatives. These themes include student progression and completion; student engagement; student mental health; and student demographic and generational characteristics. Each theme is explored with respect to commonalities across K-12 and higher education systems. Examples include risk/protective factors, ecological levels, barriers, sophisticated data analysis, intervention, school climate, belongingness, student-teacher interactions, academic warning signs, tiered/stepped care models, and demographic and generational changes. A key underlying thesis throughout the article is movement toward a dimensional perspective that considers student development, support needs, learning strategies, and other domains along an educational spectrum rather than as distinct K-12 and higher education categories.
Variation in stem bark conductance to water vapor in Neotropical plant species
Authors: Ávila-Lovera Eleinis , Winter Klaus
Published: January 2024

Bark conductance to water vapor (gbark) is an important determinant of drought tolerance in tropical plants. Examining species differences in bark conductance can provide useful information about the resilience of tropical trees to ongoing climate change. Values of gbark are positively related to stem photosynthetic rate in desert species, showing that increased stem photosynthesis capacity is associated with increased bark conductance to water vapor. We determined whether stem morphometric traits, bioclimatic variables (e.g., temperature and precipitation), and shared evolutionary history help explain variation in gbark among tropical plant species. We surveyed 94 species (90 trees and 4 liana species) from lowland and mid-elevation forests in Panama and estimated gbark, stem diameter, specific stem area, bark thickness, sapwood area, and bark and wood density. Climate data were extracted from CHELSA 2.1 and Instituto de Meteorología e Hidrología de Panamá. Phylogenetic signal was estimated using Blomberg’s K statistic and Pagel’s λ. Bark conductance decreased with an increase in bark thickness and relative bark thickness, and was positively related to mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature. We also determined the temperature response of gbark of six plant species (five trees and one liana) from a lowland forest. In all six species, gbark decreased as air temperature increased from 20 to 50°C. There was a significant phylogenetic signal in gbark, with closely related species resembling each other more than distantly related species. We conclude that interspecific differences in gbark of Neotropical tree species depend on all three factors studied: stem morphometry, climate, and evolutionary history.
The challenge of assessing multiple stressors in freshwater ecosystems: nonintuitive interactions between pesticide exposure and larval crowding
Authors: Bilbo Tom R. , Dawson Dan E. , Salice Christopher J.
Published: January 2024

It is widely recognized that populations of freshwater aquatic organisms are faced with a myriad of co-occurring stressors. These likely include manufactured chemicals, stressors due to climate change, habitat alterations, water quality parameters, etc. Importantly, these stressors are superimposed over “natural” stressors such as density of conspecifics. Density effects, in particular, are important and can result from resource competition or crowding; here we define crowding as high density but without resource limitation. Crowding has received less research attention despite its potential ecological importance and frequency of occurrence. In larval mosquitoes, for example, both physical and chemical components are important effects of crowding, which result in increased mortality, prolonged development, and reduced size. The objective of this research was to determine how different crowding conditions would affect subsequent insecticide sensitivity using the yellow-fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. We hypothesized that stress due to crowding in the larval stage would increase insecticide sensitivity. Results showed that when larvae were reared at various crowding densities (without resource competition) but later exposed to a contact insecticide (permethrin) at equal densities they exhibited similar sensitivity. However, when larvae were reared at equal densities but exposed at various crowding densities there appeared to be a protective effect of crowding, as more densely crowded larvae were significantly less sensitive to the insecticide. Possible mechanisms for this protective effect were investigated. Induced detoxification enzymes do not appear to be a factor, but density-modified larval exposure is likely a mechanism. This research provides important insights into how mosquitoes may respond to control efforts as well as providing empirical recommendations on designing laboratory toxicity tests to better reflect ecological conditions in natural mosquito populations.
Salmon louse labial gland enzymes: implications for host settlement and immune modulation
Authors: Midtbø Helena Marie Doherty , Eichner Christiane , Hamre Lars Are , Dondrup Michael , Flesland Linn , Tysseland Kristoffer Helland , Kongshaug Heidi , Borchel Andreas , Skoge Renate Hvidsten , Nilsen Frank , Øvergård Aina-Cathrine
Published: January 2024

Salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) is a skin- and blood-feeding ectoparasite, infesting salmonids. While feeding, labial gland proteins from the salmon louse may be deposited on the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) skin. Previously characterized labial gland proteins are involved in anti-coagulation and may contribute to inhibiting Atlantic salmon from mounting a sufficient immune response against the ectoparasite. As labial gland proteins seem to be important in the host–parasite interaction, we have, therefore, identified and characterized ten enzymes localized to the labial gland. They are a large group of astacins named L. salmonis labial gland astacin 1–8 (LsLGA 1–8), one serine protease named L. salmonis labial gland serine protease 1 (LsLGSP1), and one apyrase named L. salmonis labial gland apyrase 1 (LsLGAp1). Protein domain predictions showed that LsLGA proteins all have N-terminal ShK domains, which may bind to potassium channels targeting the astacins to its substrate. LsLGA1 and -4 are, in addition, expressed in another gland type, whose secrete also meets the host–parasite interface. This suggests that LsLGA proteins may have an anti-microbial function and may prevent secondary infections in the wounds. LsLGAp1 is predicted to hydrolyze ATP or AMP and is, thereby, suggested to have an immune dampening function. In a knockdown study targeting LsLGSP1, a significant increase in IL-8 and MMP13 at the skin infestation site was seen under LsLGSP1 knockdown salmon louse compared to the control, suggesting that LsLGSP1 may have an anti-inflammatory effect. Moreover, most of the identified labial gland proteins are expressed in mature copepodids prior to host settlement, are not regulated by starvation, and are expressed at similar or higher levels in lice infesting the salmon louse-resistant pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha). This study, thereby, emphasizes the importance of labial gland proteins for host settlement and their immune dampening function. This work can further contribute to anti-salmon louse treatment such as vaccine development, functional feed, or gene-edited salmon louse-resistant Atlantic salmon.
Mycoplasma infection aggravates cardiac involvements in Kawasaki diseases: a retrospective study
Authors: Lu Guoyan , Li Xing , Tang Jie , Jin Yuxi , Wang Yang , Zhou Kaiyu , Li Yifei
Published: January 2024

Background

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection serves as a substantial cofactor in Kawasaki disease (KD) among patients. Although the dominant issue triggering KD has recently focused on MP infection, the complete demonstration of the relationship between MP infection and KD remains elusive. This study endeavors to scrutinize and compare the clinical manifestations and cardiac involvement between MP-triggered KD and non-infection–associated KD.

Method

This retrospective study (2023-039, approved by the Institutional Review Board of West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University) encompassed 247 consecutive patients diagnosed with KD between June 2017 and December 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups: the MP group (n = 38) and the non-MP group (n = 209). Univariable analysis was utilized to discern differences in clinical features, severity of inflammation, and initial or persistent cardiac complications between the two groups.

Results

The MP group exhibited a more intricate clinical profile compared with the non-MP group, characterized by prolonged hospital stays, a higher incidence of incomplete KD, and elevated comorbidities. In addition, MP infection correlated with severe hematological disorders, coagulation dysfunction, and myocardial injuries. Our findings revealed that MP infection led to prolonged inflammation after initial treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin. Although initial cardiac assessments failed to discern disparities between the two groups, MP infection notably exacerbated coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs), resulting in sustained dilation.

Conclusions

Recognizing MP infection as a significant infectious factor associated with KD is imperative. In patients with KD, MP infection significantly prolongs inflammation and causes hematological disturbances during the initial treatment phase. Moreover, the presence of MP infection exacerbates the progression of CAAs and myocardial injuries during the subacute phase of KD, consequently contributing to the persistence of CAAs.
Progress in mechanism-based diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis comorbid with tumor
Authors: Wang Chuan , Zou Rong-Qi , He Guo-Zhong
Published: January 2024

Tuberculosis (TB) and tumor, with similarities in immune response and pathogenesis, are diseases that are prone to produce autoimmune stress response to the host immune system. With a symbiotic relationship between the two, TB can facilitate the occurrence and development of tumors, while tumor causes TB reactivation. In this review, we systematically sorted out the incidence trends and influencing factors of TB and tumor, focusing on the potential pathogenesis of TB and tumor, to provide a pathway for the co-pathogenesis of TB comorbid with tumor (TCWT). Based on this, we summarized the latest progress in the diagnosis and treatment of TCWT, and provided ideas for further exploration of clinical trials and new drug development of TCWT.
Host-parasite dialogue: fecundity compensation mechanisms of Fissurella crassa
Authors: García-Huidobro M. Roberto , Reyes Miguel , Fuentes Nelson Caro , Bruna Tamara , Guzmán-Rivas Fabián , Urzúa Ángel , Pulgar José , Aldana Marcela
Published: January 2024

Parasites can alter the reproductive performance of their hosts, and to avoid or mitigate the resulting fitness loss, hosts may increase their current reproductive output to compensate for the future loss due to the parasitic infection. Fecundity compensation can be exploited by parasites for their own transmission (exploitation of host compensatory responses by parasites). However, this phenomenon has rarely been reported in second intermediate hosts of trematodes and its mechanisms and consequences largely unexplored. Along the east coast of the South Pacific, the second intermediate host, the mollusk Fissurella crassa, has been observed to display higher muscular foot, greater shell length and weight, and a higher gonadosomatic index when parasitized by metacercariaes of Proctoeces humboldti compared to non-parasitized hosts. In this study, we examined the histology, biochemistry (glucose, lipids, and proteins), and levels of sex hormones (estradiol and progesterone) in both parasitized and non-parasitized female individuals of F. crassa. Our findings revealed that the gonad of parasitized limpets had a higher density of oocytes, but these had a smaller individual area. Additionally, the gonadal tissue of parasitized limpets exhibited lower glucose content but higher lipid content. Notably, the levels of progesterone increased with parasite intensity. These results suggest that F. crassa possesses the ability to compensate for the negative effects of parasites by increasing the number of oocytes through biochemical and hormonal mechanisms. Our study contributes to the limited research on the impact of metacercariae on the reproduction of second intermediate hosts. Furthermore, we discuss how these changes in parasitized limpets could benefit parasite transmission.
Clarifying the murk: unveiling bacterial dynamics in response to crude oil pollution, Corexit-dispersant, and natural sunlight in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Matallana-Surget Sabine , Nigro Lisa M. , Waidner Lisa A. , Lebaron Philippe , Wattiez Ruddy , Werner Johannes , Fraser Rosie , Dimitrov Daniel , Watt Rowan , Jeffrey Wade H.
Published: January 2024

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DwH) Oil spill released an enormous volume of oil into the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), prompting the widespread use of chemical dispersants like Corexit® EC9500A. The ecological consequences of this treatment, especially when combined with natural factors such as sunlight, remain unexplored in the context of marine bacterial communities’ dynamics. To address this knowledge gap, our study employed a unique metaproteomic approach, investigating the combined effects of sunlight, crude Macondo surrogate oil, and Corexit on GoM microbiome across different mesocosms. Exposure to oil and/or Corexit caused a marked change in community composition, with a decrease in taxonomic diversity relative to controls in only 24 hours. Hydrocarbon (HC) degraders, particularly those more tolerant to Corexit and phototoxic properties of crude oil and/or Corexit, proliferated at the expense of more sensitive taxa. Solar radiation exacerbated these effects in most taxa. We demonstrated that sunlight increased the dispersant’s toxicity, impacting on community structure and functioning. These functional changes were primarily directed by oxidative stress with upregulated proteins and enzymes involved in protein turnover, general stress response, DNA replication and repair, chromosome condensation, and cell division. These factors were more abundant in chemically treated conditions, especially in the presence of Corexit compared to controls. Oil treatment significantly enhanced the relative abundance of Alteromonas, an oil-degrading Gammaproteobacteria. In combined oil-Corexit treatments, the majority of identified protein functions were assigned to Alteromonas, with strongly expressed proteins involved in membrane transport, motility, carbon and amino acid metabolism and cellular defense mechanisms. Marinomonas, one of the most active genera in dark conditions, was absent from the light treatment. Numerous metabolic pathways and HC-degrading genes provided insights into bacterial community adaptation to oil spills. Key enzymes of the glyoxylate bypass, enriched in contaminant-containing treatments, were predominantly associated with Rhodobacterales and Alteromonadales. Several proteins related to outer membrane transport, photosynthesis, and nutrient metabolisms were characterized, allowing predictions of the various treatments on biogeochemical cycles. The study also presents novel perspectives for future oil spill clean-up processes.
A UPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of tiamulin and its metabolites in Crucian carp (Carassius carassius): an in vivo metabolism and tissue distribution study
Authors: Wang Qianfeng , Fan Zhengli , Zhang Xiaojun , Yang Qiyu , Zhong Yaqian , Liu Wenjing
Published: January 2024

Tiamulin (TML) has been studied and analyzed in pigs, cattle, chickens, ducks, and other domestic animals, however, its metabolic state in fish has not been well explored. This study investigated TML metabolism in Crucian carp (Carassius carassius). After intraperitoneal injection of TML into Crucian carp, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF MS) analysis, was conducted to identify TML metabolites. The UPLC/Q-TOF MS analysis and the relative molecular mass of the metabolites obtained from related literature identified five metabolites in Crucian carp. These metabolites were M1 (510.2908, C28H48NO5S+), M2 (510.2908, C28H48NO5S+), M3 (466.2750, C26H44NO4S+), M4 (482.2663, C26H44NO5S+), and M5 (482.2663, C26H44NO5S+). The enrichment and metabolism of TML and its metabolites in Crucian carp were investigated using the drug bath method combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). TML exhibited an overall trend of an initial increase followed by a decrease. Moreover, the drug enrichment rate was fast and reached saturation after two days. The bioconcentration factor of TML in Crucian carp was 3.01. However, the drug had a slow elimination rate, with its complete metabolism occurring after 20 days.
Current situation and factors influencing elderly care in community day care centers: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Junyu , Zhu Yuan , Song Yulei , Liang Yongqi , Wang Lulu , Li Weitong , Wang Huimei , Xu Guihua
Published: January 2024

Background

The latest census data show that people over 60 years of age account for about 18.7% of the total population in China, and the aging of the population has become an irreversible trend in the 21st century. This study aimed to investigate the current status and factors influencing the care of the elderly in community day care centers in order to lay the foundation for the development of better services in community day care centers.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling in Nanjing, China. The survey instrument was the Day care and Elderly Care Service Needs Questionnaire, which included the Ability of Daily Living Assessment (ADL), the Xiao Shuiyuan Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) and the Day care Elderly Care Service Needs Survey Form, and a general information survey.

Results

A total of 450 elderly people in day care centers were surveyed. The elderly had different levels of demand for day care services, especially regarding daily care. Correlation analyses indicated that age (r = 0.619), education level (r = 0.616), source of income (r = 0.582), caregiver (r = 0.557), satisfaction with care service (r = 0.603), and degree of ADL (r = 0.629) were correlated with the need for elderly day care services (all p < 0.05). The factors influencing the demand for day care services encompassed age, education level, income source, caregiver, satisfaction with service, and ADL (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Elderly care services in community day care centers are mainly based on daily and spiritual comfort, and the needs of the elderly are influenced by many factors. Timely nursing care policies and measures that target these factors are needed to improve elderly care.
Case presentation and management of Lyme disease patients: a 9-year retrospective analysis in France
Authors: Perthame Emeline , Chartier Loïc , George Jean-Claude , Varloud Marie , Ferquel Elisabeth , Choumet Valérie
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common vector disease in temperate countries of the northern hemisphere. It is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex.

Methods

To study the case presentation of LB in France, we contacted about 700 physicians every year between 2003 and 2011. An anonymous questionnaire was established allowing the collection of 3,509 cases. The information collected was imported or directly entered into databases and allowed identifying variables that were validated in a multiple correspondence analysis (MCA).

Results

Sixty percent of the cases were confirmed, 10% were probable, 13.5% doubtful, 10.2% asymptomatic seropositive and 6.3% were negative. The clinical manifestations reported were cutaneous (63%), neurological (26%), articular (7%), ocular (1.9%) and cardiac (1.3%). Almost all patients were treated. When focusing more particularly on confirmed cases, our studies confirm that children have a distinct clinical presentation from adults. There is a gender effect on clinical presentation, with females presenting more often with erythema migrans or acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans than males, while males present more often with neurological signs or arthritis than females.

Discussion

This is the first time that a comprehensive study of suspected Lyme borreliosis cases has been conducted over several years in France. Although we were not able to follow the clinical course of patients after treatment, these results suggest the interest of refining the questionnaire and of following up a cohort of patients over a sufficiently long period to obtain more information on their fate according to different parameters.
Efficacy and safety of Lianhua Qingwen granule in the treatment of non-influenza viral pneumonia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical study
Authors: Ma Chengjie , Chen Bojun , Li Yanming , Gu Li , Dong Jianping , Xu Zhenyang , Wei Lijuan , He Zhihong , Nie Xiuhong , Feng Shuwen , Cao Bin , Sun Lei , Yang Limin , Li Xingwang , Jiang Rongmeng
Published: January 2024

Objective

To observe the effectiveness and safety of Lianhua Qingwen granule in the treatment of non-influenza viral pneumonia.

Methods

This study was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were clinically diagnosed with viral pneumonia (negative for influenza virus) were randomly divided into the Lianhua Qingwen granule trial group and placebo control group. Patients in the trial group was given Lianhua Qingwen granule, 2 bags at a time, 3 times a day, and the controls were given placebo, with a treatment course of 7 days. Patients’ clinical symptoms and signs, and treatment-associated adverse events were observed. Subjects should be included in the full analysis set (FAS) as long as they were all given the medication and had an effectiveness test performed after randomization. Subjects should be included in the Per Protocol Set (PPS),a subset of the total analysis set, which should contain those with strong compliance, no protocol violations, and complete baseline values for the primary indicators.

Results

A total of 169 subjects were enrolled in 12 subcenters, including 151 (76 in the trial group and 75 in the control group) in the FAS and 140 (68 in the trial group and 72 in the control group) in the PPS. After 7 days of treatment, the clinical symptom relief rates were 82.98% (FAS) and 87.12% (PPS) in the trial group, and 75.11% (FAS) and 76.02% (PPS) in the control group, respectively. The clinical symptom relief rates in the trial group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.001). Significant improvements in single symptoms of cough and expectoration in the trial group were observed compared with the control group (p < 0.05). There were no statistical differences in fever, sputum color change, chest pain, muscle pain, dyspnea, chills, and thirst between the two groups (p > 0.05).

Safety

There were no significant differences in body weight, vital signs, blood routine, urine routine, stool routine, and blood biochemical indicators (CK, AST, ALT, Cr, and Bun) between the two groups before and after treatment (p > 0.05). During treatment, there were no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events between the two groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Lianhua Qingwen granules improved the clinical symptoms of patients with non-influenza virus pneumonia, especially ameliorating cough and expectoration. Lianhua Qingwen granules were associated with good safety.
Early prediction of pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy of breast tumors: a comparative study using amide proton transfer-weighted, diffusion weighted and dynamic contrast enhanced MRI
Authors: Zhang Nan , Song Qingwei , Liang Hongbing , Wang Zhuo , Wu Qi , Zhang Haonan , Zhang Lina , Liu Ailian , Wang Huali , Wang Jiazheng , Lin Liangjie
Published: January 2024

Objective

To examine amide proton transfer-weighted (APTw) combined with diffusion weighed (DWI) and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI for early prediction of pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in invasive breast cancer.

Materials

In this prospective study, 50 female breast cancer patients (49.58 ± 10.62 years old) administered neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) were enrolled with MRI carried out both before NAC (T0) and at the end of the second cycle of NAC (T1). The patients were divided into 2 groups based on tumor response according to the Miller-Payne Grading (MPG) system. Group 1 included patients with a greater degree of decrease in major histologic responder (MHR, Miller-Payne G4-5), while group 2 included non-MHR cases (Miller-Payne G1-3). Traditional imaging protocols (T1 weighted, T2 weighted, diffusion weighted, and DCE-MRI) and APTw imaging were scanned for each subject before and after treatment. APTw value (APTw0 and APTw1), Dmax (maximum diameter, Dmax0 and Dmax1), V (3D tumor volume, V0 and V1), and ADC (apparent diffusion coefficient, ADC0 and ADC1) before and after treatment, as well as changes between the two times points (ΔAPT, ΔDmax, ΔV, ΔADC) for breast tumors were compared between the two groups.

Results

APT0 and APT1 values significantly differed between the two groups (p = 0.034 and 0.01). ΔAPTw values were significantly lower in non-MHR tumors compared with MHR tumors (p = 0.015). ΔDmax values were significantly higher in MHR tumors compared with non-MHR tumors (p = 0.005). ADC0 and ADC1 values were significantly higher in MHR tumors than in non-MHR tumors (p = 0.038 and 0.035). AUC (Dmax+DWI + APTw) = AUC (Dmax+APTw) > AUC (APTw) > AUC (Dmax+DWI) > AUC (Dmax).

Conclusion

APTw imaging along with change of tumor size showed a significant potential in early prediction of MHR for NAC treatment in breast cancer, which might allow timely regimen refinement before definitive surgical treatment.
Inactivation kinetics of selected pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria by aqueous ozone to validate minimum usage in purified water
Authors: Lou Yuqian , Kasler David R. , Hawkins Zach L. , Li Zhen , Sannito Dan , Fritz Ronald D. , Yousef Ahmed E.
Published: January 2024

Ozone is often used as an antimicrobial agent at the final step in purified water processing. When used in purified bottled water manufacturing, residual ozone should not exceed 0.4 mg/L, per US-FDA regulations. These regulations require the control of Escherichia coli and other coliform bacteria; however, non-coliform pathogens can contaminate bottled water. Hence, it is prudent to test the efficacy of ozone against such pathogens to determine if the regulated ozone level adequately ensures the safety of the product. Inactivation of selected pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria in purified water was investigated as a function of ozone dose, expressed in Ct units (mg O3*min/L). Bacterial species tested were Enterococcus faecium, E. coli (two serotypes), Listeria monocytogenes (three strains), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella enterica (three serovars). Resulting dose (Ct)-response (reduction in populations’ log10 CFU/mL) relationships were mostly linear with obvious heteroscedasticity. This heteroscedastic relationship required developing a novel statistical approach to analyze these data so that the lower bound of the dose-response relationships can be determined and appropriate predictive models for such a bound can be formulated. An example of this analysis was determining the 95%-confidence lower bound equation for the pooled dose-responses of all tested species; the model can be presented as follows: Logpopulationreduction = 3.80Ct + 1.84. Based on this relationship, application ozone at a Ct of 0.832 and 21°C achieves ≥ 5-log reduction in the population of any of the tested pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria. This dose can be implemented by applying ozone at 0.832 mg/L for 1 min, 0.416 mg/L for 2 min, or other combinations. The study also proved the suitability of E. faecium ATCC 8459 as a surrogate strain for the pathogens tested in the current study for validating water decontamination processes by ozone. In conclusion, the study findings can be usefully implemented in processing validation of purified water and possibly other water types.