bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical role of G3BP1 in bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV3)-inhibition of stress granules formation and viral replication
Authors: Liu Nian , Yang Wei , Luo Lingzhi , Ma Mingshuang , Cui Jin , Dong Xiumei , Li Yijing
Published: April 2024

Background

It remains unclear whether BPIV3 infection leads to stress granules formation and whether G3BP1 plays a role in this process and in viral replication. This study aims to clarify the association between BPIV3 and stress granules, explore the effect of G3BP1 on BPIV3 replication, and provide significant insights into the mechanisms by which BPIV3 evades the host’s antiviral immunity to support its own survival.

Methods

Here, we use Immunofluorescence staining to observe the effect of BPIV3 infection on the assembly of stress granules. Meanwhile, the expression changes of eIF2α and G3BP1 were determined. Overexpression or siRNA silencing of intracellular G3BP1 levels was examined for its regulatory control of BPIV3 replication.

Results

We identify that the BPIV3 infection elicited phosphorylation of the eIF2α protein. However, it did not induce the assembly of stress granules; rather, it inhibited the formation of stress granules and downregulated the expression of G3BP1. G3BP1 overexpression facilitated the formation of stress granules within cells and hindered viral replication, while G3BP1 knockdown enhanced BPIV3 expression.

Conclusion

This study suggest that G3BP1 plays a crucial role in BPIV3 suppressing stress granule formation and viral replication.
Progressive sarcopenia and myosteatosis predict prognosis of advanced HCC patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Liu Mengchen , Jin Qianna , Wang Huiyan , Li Yunqiao
Published: April 2024

Background

Immunotherapy stands as a pivotal modality in the therapeutic landscape for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, yet responses vary among patients. This study delves into the potential impact of sarcopenia, myosteatosis and adiposity indicators, as well as their changes during immunotherapy, on treatment response and prognosis in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis, 116 patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors were recruited. Skeletal muscle, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and visceral adipose tissue were assessed by computed tomography at the level of the third lumbar vertebrae before and after 3 months of treatment. Sarcopenia and myosteatosis were evaluated by skeletal muscle index and mean muscle density using predefined threshold values. Patients were stratified based on specific baseline values or median values, along with alterations observed during the treatment course. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared using the log-rank test and a multifactorial Cox proportional risk model.

Results

A total of 116 patients were recruited and divided into two cohorts, 81 patients for the training set and 35 patients for the validating set. In the overall cohort, progressive sarcopenia (P=0.021) and progressive myosteatosis (P=0.001) were associated with objective response rates, whereas progressive myosteatosis (P<0.001) was associated with disease control rates. In the training set, baseline sarcopenia, myosteatosis, and subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue were not significantly associated with PFS and OS. In multivariate analysis adjusting for sex, age, and other factors, progressive sarcopenia(P=0.002) and myosteatosis (P=0.018) remained independent predictors of PFS. Progressive sarcopenia (P=0.005), performance status (P=0.006) and visceral adipose tissue index (P=0.001) were all independent predictors of OS. The predictive models developed in the training set also had good feasibility in the validating set.

Conclusion

Progressive sarcopenia and myosteatosis are predictors of poor clinical outcomes in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors, and high baseline visceral adiposity is associated with a poorer survival.
Non-AIDS-defining comorbidities impact health related quality of life among older adults living with HIV
Authors: Zhabokritsky Alice , Klein Marina , Loutfy Mona , Guaraldi Giovanni , Andany Nisha , Guillemi Silvia , Falutz Julian , Arbess Gordon , Tan Darrell H. S. , Walmsley Sharon
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The life expectancy of people living with HIV receiving effective combination antiretroviral therapy is approaching that of the general population and non AIDS-defining age-related comorbidities are becoming of greater concern. In order to support healthy aging of this population, we set out to explore the association between multimorbidity (defined as presence of 2 or more non AIDS-defining comorbidities) and quality of life (QoL).

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional analysis using data from the Correlates of Healthy Aging in Geriatric HIV (CHANGE HIV) study, a Canadian cohort of people living with HIV age 65  years and older. Study participants completed two QoL modules, the general QoL and health related QoL (HR-QoL).

Results

433 participants were included in the analysis with a median age of 69  years (interquartile range, IQR 67–72). The median number of comorbidities among study participants was 3 (IQR 2–4), with 78% meeting the definition of multimorbidity. General QoL scores (median 66, IQR 58–76) were lower than HR-QoL scores (median 71, IQR 61–83) and were not associated with multimorbidity after adjusting for age, sex, relationship status, household income, exercise, tobacco smoking history, malnutrition, time since HIV diagnosis, and HIV-related stigma. In contrast, multimorbidity was associated with lower HR-QoL (adjusted β = −4.57, 95% CI −8.86, −0.28) after accounting for the same variables. Several social vulnerabilities (not having a partner, low household income), health behaviours (lower engagement in exercise, smoking), and HIV-related factors (HIV stigma, longer time since HIV diagnosis) were also associated with lower QoL.

Discussion

Overall, our study demonstrated a high burden of multimorbidity among older adults living with HIV in Canada, which has a negative impact on HR-QoL. Interventions aimed at preventing and managing non-AIDS-defining comorbidities should be assessed in people living with HIV to determine whether this can improve their HR-QoL.
Bone-nerve crosstalk: a new state for neuralizing bone tissue engineering—A mini review
Authors: Damiati Laila A. , El Soury Marwa
Published: April 2024

Neuro bone tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary field that combines both principles of neurobiology and bone tissue engineering to develop innovative strategies for repairing and regenerating injured bone tissues. Despite the fact that regeneration and development are considered two distinct biological processes, yet regeneration can be considered the reactivation of development in later life stages to restore missing tissues. It is noteworthy that the regeneration capabilities are distinct and vary from one organism to another (teleost fishes, hydra, humans), or even in the same organism can vary dependent on the injured tissue itself (Human central nervous system vs. peripheral nervous system). The skeletal tissue is highly innervated, peripheral nervous system plays a role in conveying the signals and connecting the central nervous system with the peripheral organs, moreover it has been shown that they play an important role in tissue regeneration. Their regeneration role is conveyed by the different cells' resident in it and in its endoneurium (fibroblasts, microphages, vasculature associated cells, and Schwann cells) these cells secrete various growth factors (NGF, BDNF, GDNF, NT-3, and bFGF) that contribute to the regenerative phenotype. The peripheral nervous system and central nervous system synchronize together in regulating bone homeostasis and regeneration through neurogenic factors and neural circuits. Receptors of important central nervous system peptides such as Serotonin, Leptin, Semaphorins, and BDNF are expressed in bone tissue playing a role in bone homeostasis, metabolism and regeneration. This review will highlight the crosstalk between peripheral nerves and bone in the developmental stages as well as in regeneration and different neuro-bone tissue engineering strategies for repairing severe bone injuries.
Exploring the key deteriorative microorganisms on ancient ivories unearthed from the Sanxingdui Ruins site during temporary cold storage
Authors: Lao Guangjie , Zhou Zhiwei , Wu Rao , Wang Chong , Wu Wei , Lv Shan , Liu Jiancheng , Xie Zhenbin , Dinnyés András , Yuan Haibing , Tan Xuemei , Sun Qun
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The ancient ivories unearthed from the Sanxingdui Ruins site are valuable cultural relics, however, the microbial biodeterioration on ivories during temporary cold storage poses a great threat to their later long-term preservation.

Methods

Here, the combination of high-throughput sequencing and biochemical assays was applied for the in-depth investigation of the key deteriorative microorganisms colonizing on the ivories and the tracing of their origin, as well as the assessment of the ethanol disinfection impact on the microbial communities on ivories.

Results

It was observed that the surfaces of ivories were scattered by the fungal patches of white, dark grey, and hedge green colors during cold storage. The high-throughput sequencing results showed that the genera Mortierella (38.51%), Ilyonectria (14.43%), Penicillium (1.15%), and Aspergillus (1.09%) were the dominant fungi, while Pseudomonas (22.63%), Sphingopyxis (3.06%), and Perlucidibaca (2.92%) were the dominant bacteria on ivories. The isolated Aspergillus A-2 resulted in the highest amount of calcium releasing from the degradation of hydroxyapatite (HAP), the main component of ivory, by the organic acids produced, including oxalic acid and citric acid. The fast expectation-maximization for microbial source tracking (FEAST) analysis revealed that the majority of the fungi (57.45%) and bacteria (71.84%) colonizing on the ivories were derived from the soils surrounding ivories in the sacrifice pits, indicating soils as the primary source for the spoilage microbes growing on ivories. The dominant strains could degrade cellulose, the key components of wet cotton towels commonly applied on ivories for moisture maintenance, aiding the spoilage microbes colonizing on ivories. Notably, the ivory disinfection with 75% ethanol during the cleansing significantly decreased the relative abundance of the dominant genera of Ilyonectria, Aspergillus, and Pseudomonas, with Mortierella becoming the dominant one on ivories.

Discussion

Together, the fungi, particularly Aspergillus and Penicillium, played a significant role in the microbial biodeterioration of unearthed ancient ivories by producing the organic acids. These results may improve the control of the microbial biodeterioration and develop more efficient strategies for the long-time conservation of unearthed ancient ivories and other cultural relics.
The role of kinases in peripheral nerve regeneration: mechanisms and implications
Authors: Zhang Xu , Duan Xuchu , Liu Xiaoyu
Published: April 2024

Peripheral nerve injury disease is a prevalent traumatic condition in current medical practice. Despite the present treatment approaches, encompassing surgical sutures, autologous nerve or allograft nerve transplantation, tissue engineering techniques, and others, an effective clinical treatment method still needs to be discovered. Exploring novel treatment methods to improve peripheral nerve regeneration requires more effort in investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved. Many factors are associated with the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves, including the cross-sectional area of the injured nerve, the length of the nerve gap defect, and various cellular and molecular factors such as Schwann cells, inflammation factors, kinases, and growth factors. As crucial mediators of cellular communication, kinases exert regulatory control over numerous signaling cascades, thereby participating in various vital biological processes, including peripheral nerve regeneration after nerve injury. In this review, we examined diverse kinase classifications, distinct nerve injury types, and the intricate mechanisms involved in peripheral nerve regeneration. Then we stressed the significance of kinases in regulating autophagy, inflammatory response, apoptosis, cell cycle, oxidative processes, and other aspects in establishing conductive microenvironments for nerve tissue regeneration. Finally, we briefly discussed the functional roles of kinases in different types of cells involved in peripheral nerve regeneration.
A new era in the management of spinal metastasis
Authors: Morimoto Tadatsugu , Toda Yu , Hakozaki Michiyuki , Paholpak Permsak , Watanabe Kazuyuki , Kato Kinshi , Tsukamoto Masatsugu , Hirata Hirohito , Kaneuchi Yoichi , Tome Yasunori , Nagamine Satomi , Nishida Kotaro , Katsuya Hiroo , Matsumoto Yoshihiro , Otani Koji , Mawatari Masaaki , Nikaido Takuya
Published: April 2024

Despite the recent advances in cancer treatment, the incidence of patients with spinal metastases continues to grow along with the total number of cancer patients. Spinal metastases can significantly impair activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL), compared with other types of bone metastases, as they are characterized with severe pain and paralysis caused by skeletal-related events. Reduced ADL can also lead to treatment limitations as certain anticancer agents and radiation therapy are not compatible treatments; thus, leading to a shorter life expectancy. Consequently, maintaining ADLs in patients with spinal metastases is paramount, and spine surgeons have an integral role to play in this regard. However, neurosurgeon, orthopedic and spinal surgeons in Japan do not have a proactive treatment approach to spinal metastases, which may prevent them from providing appropriate treatment when needed (clinical inertia). To overcome such endemic inertia, it is essential for 1) spine surgeons to understand and be more actively involved with patients with musculoskeletal disorders (cancer locomo) and cancer patients; 2) the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach (coordination and meetings not only with the attending oncologist but also with spine surgeons, radiologists, rehabilitation specialists, and other professionals) to preemptive treatment such as medication, radiotherapy, and surgical treatment; and 3) the integration of the latest findings associated with minimally invasive spinal treatments that have expanded the indications for treatment of spinal metastases and improved treatment outcomes. This heralds a new era in the management of spinal metastases.
Raising root zone temperature improves plant productivity and metabolites in hydroponic lettuce production
Authors: Hayashi Sota , Levine Christopher P. , Yu Wakabayashi , Usui Mayumi , Yukawa Atsuyuki , Ohmori Yoshihiro , Kusano Miyako , Kobayashi Makoto , Nishizawa Tomoko , Kurimoto Ikusaburo , Kawabata Saneyuki , Yamori Wataru
Published: April 2024

While it is commonly understood that air temperature can greatly affect the process of photosynthesis and the growth of higher plants, the impact of root zone temperature (RZT) on plant growth, metabolism, essential elements, as well as key metabolites like chlorophyll and carotenoids, remains an area that necessitates extensive research. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of raising the RZT on the growth, metabolites, elements, and proteins of red leaf lettuce. Lettuce was hydroponically grown in a plant factory with artificial light at four different air temperatures (17, 22, 27, and 30°C) and two treatments with different RZTs. The RZT was raised 3°C above the air temperature in one group, while it was not in the other group. Increasing the RZT 3°C above the air temperature improved plant growth and metabolites, including carotenoids, ascorbic acids, and chlorophyll, in all four air temperature treatments. Moreover, raising the RZT increased Mg, K, Fe, Cu, Se, Rb, amino acids, and total soluble proteins in the leaf tissue at all four air temperatures. These results showed that raising the RZT by 3°C improved plant productivity and the metabolites of the hydroponic lettuce by enhancing nutrient uptake and activating the metabolism in the roots at all four air temperatures. Overall, this research demonstrates that plant growth and metabolites can be improved simultaneously with an increased RZT relative to air temperature. This study serves as a foundation for future research on optimizing RZT in relation to air temperature. Further recommended studies include investigating the differential effects of multiple RZT variations relative to air temperature for increased optimization, examining the effects of RZT during nighttime versus daytime, and exploring the impact of stem heating. This research has the potential to make a valuable contribution to the ongoing growth and progress of the plant factory industry and fundamental advancements in root zone physiology. Overall, this research demonstrates that plant growth and metabolites can be improved simultaneously with an increased RZT relative to air temperature. This study serves as a foundation for future research on optimizing RZT in relation to air temperature. Further recommended studies include investigating the differential effects of multiple RZT variations relative to air temperature for increased optimization, examining the effects of RZT during nighttime versus daytime, and exploring the impact of stem heating. This research has the potential to make a valuable contribution to the ongoing growth and progress of the plant factory industry and fundamental advancements in root zone physiology.
Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic data reveal the cold stress responses molecular mechanisms of two coconut varieties
Authors: Li Jing , Wang Fangyuan , Sayed Md. Abu , Shen XiaoJun , Zhou Lixia , Liu Xiaomei , Sun Xiwei , Chen Shuangyan , Wu Yi , Lu Lilan , Gong Shufang , Iqbal Amjad , Yang Yaodong
Published: April 2024

Among tropical fruit trees, coconut holds significant edible and economic importance. The natural growth of coconuts faces a challenge in the form of low temperatures, which is a crucial factor among adverse environmental stresses impacting their geographical distribution. Hence, it is essential to enhance our comprehension of the molecular mechanisms through which cold stress influences various coconut varieties. We employed analyses of leaf growth morphology and physiological traits to examine how coconuts respond to low temperatures over 2-hour, 8-hour, 2-day, and 7-day intervals. Additionally, we performed transcriptome and metabolome analyses to identify the molecular and physiological shifts in two coconut varieties displaying distinct sensitivities to the cold stress. As the length of cold stress extended, there was a prominent escalation within the soluble protein (SP), proline (Pro) concentrations, the activity of peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the leaves. Contrariwise, the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH) underwent a substantial reduction during this period. The widespread analysis of metabolome and transcriptome disclosed a nexus of genes and metabolites intricately cold stress were chiefly involved in pathways centered around amino acid, flavonoid, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. We perceived several stress-responsive metabolites, such as flavonoids, carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids, which unveiled considerably, lower in the genotype subtle to cold stress. Furthermore, we uncovered pivotal genes in the amino acid biosynthesis, antioxidant system and flavonoid biosynthesis pathway that presented down-regulation in coconut varieties sensitive to cold stress. This study broadly enriches our contemporary perception of the molecular machinery that contributes to altering levels of cold stress tolerance amid coconut genotypes. It also unlocks several unique prospects for exploration in the areas of breeding or engineering, aiming to identifying tolerant and/or sensitive coconut varieties encompassing multi-omics layers in response to cold stress conditions.
Emotion dysregulation and depressive symptoms mediate the association between inhibitory control difficulties and aggressive behaviour in children with ADHD
Authors: Marques Sofia , Correia-de-Sá Teresa , Guardiano Micaela , Sampaio-Maia Benedita , Ferreira-Gomes Joana
Published: April 2024

Background/objectives

Impulsive aggressive behaviour, although not a core symptom, is often part of the clinical presentation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Recently, impulsive aggression has been attributed to emotion dysregulation, which is currently conceptualised as a transdiagnostic factor and seems to contribute to the co-occurrence of other problems in ADHD. Thus, this study investigated the presence of impulsive aggressive behaviour and explored whether emotion dysregulation mediates the relationship between inhibitory control difficulties and aggressive behaviour in children with ADHD. Because ADHD may act as a risk factor for the development of other conditions, such as internalising problems, we aimed to understand whether depressive symptoms contribute to this relationship.

Methods

Seventy-two children were recruited from a hospital and the community, 38 of whom had ADHD and 34 were typically developing (TD). Parents completed the Child Behaviour Checklist, the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function, and the Emotion Regulation Checklist. Simple mediation and serial mediation models were performed to test our hypotheses.

Results

Aggressive behaviour was significantly higher in ADHD children compared to TD children. Emotion dysregulation fully mediated the relationship between inhibitory control difficulties and aggressive behaviour in ADHD children. Adding depressive symptoms to the model increased the explained variance in aggressive behaviour.

Conclusion

The main result of our study supports the role of emotion dysregulation and depressive symptoms in mediating the relationship between inhibitory control difficulties and impulsive aggressive behaviour in children with ADHD. This highlights that aggressive behaviour is, in part, a result of the inability of the child to appropriately regulate their emotions. Future interventions may be tailored to improve emotion regulation skills to address aggressive behaviour.
The spatio-temporal pattern and its influencing factors of production efficiency of health resources in China
Authors: Tang Hui , Ao Rongjun , Li Yilei
Published: April 2024

There is always a contradiction between the limited health resources and the unlimited demand of the population for health services, and only by improving the productivity of health resources can the health level of the population be improved as much as possible. Using prefecture-level administrative regions as spatial units, the paper analyzes the spatial pattern and changes of health productivity of health resources in China from 2000 to 2010, and uses a spatial panel Tobit model to examine the effects of factors such as technical level of health institutions, health service accessibility, public health policies and ecological environment quality on health productivity of health resources. The results show that with the Hu Huanyong line as the dividing line, the spatial heterogeneity of “high in the southeast and low in the northwest” in the health productivity of China's health resources is clear; as the regional differences narrow, the spatial correlation increases, and the spatial pattern of “overall dispersion and partial agglomeration” becomes more obvious. The fitting results of the spatial Durbin model reveal the direction and degree of influence of local and adjacent factors on the production efficiency of health resources. The positive influence of technical level of local health institutions and the accessibility of health services, the literacy level and the ability to pay for health services of residents in adjacent areas, the degree of urbanization of regional health resource allocation, climate suitability and the quality of the atmospheric environment are significant. And the negative influence of local residents' literacy and ability to pay for health services, the technical level of health institutions in adjacent areas and the degree of medicalization of health resource allocation are also significant. The influence of the degree of medicalization of local health resource allocation and the accessibility of health services in adjacent areas are significantly spatial-heterogeneous.
Exploring behavioral intention to use telemedicine services post COVID-19: a cross sectional study in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aldekhyyel Raniah N. , Alshuaibi Faisal , Alsaaid Osama , Bin Moammar Faisal , Alanazy Talal , Namshah Abdulmajeed , Altassan Kholood , Aldekhyyel Reem , Jamal Amr
Published: April 2024

Introduction

While telemedicine offers significant benefits, there remain substantial knowledge gaps in the literature, particularly regarding its use in Saudi Arabia. This study aims to explore health consumers’ behavioral intention to use telemedicine examining the associated factors such as eHealth literacy and attitudes toward telemedicine services.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted to collect data on demographics, health status, internet skills, attitudes toward telemedicine, and eHealth literacy. An online survey was administered at two large public gatherings in Riyadh. The eHEALS-Pl scale was used to measure perceived eHealth literacy levels, and data analysis was performed using SPSS (IBM Corp. United States).

Results

There were 385 participants, with an equal distribution of genders. The largest age group was 18–20 years old (57%). Nearly half of the participants were neither employed nor students, while 43% had access to governmental hospitals through employment. 71% reported proficiency in using the internet. Health-wise, 47% rated their health as excellent, and 56% did not have medical insurance. 87% expressed a high likelihood of using telemedicine if offered by a provider. Participants were categorized based on their eHealth Literacy scores, with 54% scoring low and 46% scoring high. Overall, participants showed positive attitudes toward telemedicine, with 82% agreeing that it saves time, money, and provides access to specialized care. About half of the participants perceived the process of seeing a doctor through telemedicine video as complex. Both eHealth Literacy and attitudes toward telemedicine showed a statistically significant association with the intention to use telemedicine (p < 0.001). There was a positive and significant correlation between eHealth Literacy and attitudes (ρ =0.460; p < 0.001). Multivariate ordinal regression analysis revealed that the odds for a high likelihood of intention to use telemedicine significantly increased with positive attitudes (p < 0.001). Mediation analysis confirmed the significant mediating role of attitudes toward telemedicine in the relationship between eHealth Literacy and the intention to use telemedicine.

Conclusion

The findings underline the importance of enhancing health literacy and consumer attitudes toward telemedicine, particularly during the healthcare digital transformation we are experiencing globally. This is crucial for promoting increased acceptance and utilization of telemedicine services beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Risky mindset: prior exposure to risk increases utilitarian choices in sacrificial moral scenarios
Authors: Sahai Abhishek , Manjaly Jaison A.
Published: April 2024

Evidence of cross-domain spillover into the moral domain has been limited to altruistic and consumption behaviors. Building on the literature on spillover effects and domain-general decision processes, we predicted that choice behavior in the economic domain would affect subsequent choices in sacrificial moral dilemmas. We tested this prediction using hypothetical risky gambles and vignettes for moral dilemmas. We found that prior exposure to risky gambles increased utilitarian responses toward sacrificial moral dilemmas. Mediation analysis suggests that this is due to the spillover of a cost–benefit mindset. This mindset increases the probability of making utilitarian-type choices when faced with moral dilemmas but does not affect moral judgment. These results suggest that moral decisions are susceptible to cross-domain spillover effects. Moral values might get easily traded off in transactional scenarios in which cost–benefit analysis is a dominant decision strategy.
Veganism, cuisine, and class: exploring taste as a facilitator in adopting a vegan lifestyle in Santiago, Chile
Authors: Giacoman Claudia , Joustra Camila
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Veganism is a movement that avoids consuming animal products. This lifestyle is commonly represented as elitist despite the broad range of people who follow it. Using Bourdieu's taste theory, this study analyzes how personal culinary tastes of different social classes generate favorable (or unfavorable) dispositions to adopting veganism.

Methods

We analyzed 73 biographical interviews with 40 young vegans in three different waves.

Results

The findings reveal that all social classes exhibit favorable dispositions towards veganism. In upper-class individuals, dispositions to embrace healthy and exotic food facilitate the adoption of new flavors and reflexivity in eating practices. Conversely, lower-class individuals have traditional meatless culinary practices rooted in their restricted budget, facilitating the transition to a plant-based diet.

Discussion

These results demonstrate the relevance of social class in understanding the diversity of vegan practices, and they contribute to breaking stereotypes around this movement.
Prospects and Perspectives of Health Impact Assessment: A Systematic Review of the Peer-Reviewed Literature From June 2007 to January 2023
Authors: Lamprecht Nina , Erlanger Tobias E. , Utzinger Jürg , Winkler Mirko S.
Published: April 2024

Objectives

In 2008, an analysis investigating health impact assessment (HIA) practice found that only 6% of HIA-related peer-reviewed publications had a focus on low- and medium-developed countries, whereas 94% were conducted in countries with a high or very high development state. We aimed to update and deepen these observations.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review, searching PubMed and Web of Science for HIA-related papers published in the scientific literature from June 2007 to January 2023. Only applied HIA and papers with HIA as a subject were included.

Results

The search yielded 3,036 publications and the final selection consisted of 1,019 publications. The annual number of total publications increased considerably over the past 15 years. Whereas research-driven HIA (n = 460) showed a steep increase, step-by-step HIA (n = 71) did not show a clear trend.

Conclusion

The gap between the number of HIA-related peer-reviewed publications focusing on low/medium and high/very high developed countries has diminished from 6/94 to 11/89. There is a growing tendency to apply the terminology HIA for health impact modelling studies and quantitative health risk assessments.
Non-Electrically Driven Acoustic Actuator
Authors: Niwano Takeru , Matsumoto Mitsuharu
Published: April 2024

Nuclear power plants have high radiation levels and humans cannot work directly on them. Therefore, it is necessary to establish effective repair work methods. One promising approach is the use of disaster relief robots. However, strong radiation affects circuits and electronic devices. Because typical robots contain electrical circuits and are controlled by radio waves, they are difficult to use in highly radioactive environments. In this study, we propose a non-electrically driven acoustic actuator that does not use electronic circuits and is driven by sound waves. To realize this goal, we have investigated a sound wave drive using a cylindrical container.
Development of a Tool to Manipulate Flexible Pieces in the Industry: Hardware and Software
Authors: Martínez-Peral Francisco José , Borrell Méndez Jorge , Segura Heras José Vicente , Perez-Vidal Carlos
Published: April 2024

Currently, the textile industry is a poorly automated sector, due in part to problems in the handling of deformable leather and textile parts during production operations. In this work, several problems in the handling process of leather and textile parts are addressed, introducing methods to increase the automation of the process. A pneumatic actuator designed to pick up textile or leather parts avoiding their deformation during transport has been developed. This actuator maximizes the number of gripping points to improve handling, making it more stable and efficient. Additionally, a vision system has been implemented in the part-picking task which, in conjunction with the CAD information of the part, sends the modified gripping position of the part to the robot. This allows customized handling of each textile or leather part. Finally, validation tests have been carried out on this development, both in simulations and in laboratory conditions, demonstrating its viability and direct applicability in the production line.
Progressive Optimal Fault-Tolerant Control Combining Active and Passive Control Manners
Authors: Du Dan , Li Zetao , Dahhou Boutaib
Published: April 2024

This study develops a progressive optimal fault-tolerant control method based on insufficient fault information. By combining passive and active fault-tolerant control manners during the process of fault diagnosis, insufficient fault information is fully used, and optimal fault-tolerant control effect is achieved. In addition, the fault-tolerant control method based on guaranteed robust cost control is introduced. The proposed progressive optimal fault-tolerant control method considers two aspects. First, as the amount of fault information continually increases, the performance index of the progressive optimal fault-tolerant controller improves. Second, at each moment, based on the corresponding insufficient fault information and prior knowledge, optimal fault-tolerant control is achieved according to current fault information. The process of progressive optimal fault-tolerant control converges to active fault-tolerant control when the fault is completely identified, and the optimal fault-tolerant controller is no longer reconfigured until no more useful fault information can be provided. Furthermore, a progressive optimal fault-tolerant control algorithm based on the grid segmentation in the parameter uncertainty domain and the selection of different auxiliary center points is introduced. Simulation results verified the feasibility of the proposed algorithm and the validity of the proposed theory.
Quantitative Analysis of Atrazine Impact on UAV-Derived Multispectral Indices and Correlated Plant Pigment Alterations: A Heatmap Approach
Authors: Boonupara Thirasant , Udomkun Patchimaporn , Kajitvichyanukul Puangrat
Published: April 2024

Utilizing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) multispectral technology offers a non-destructive and efficient approach to monitoring plant health and stress responses by analyzing reflectance data across various wavelengths. This study integrates UAV-based multispectral imagery with ground-measured sample data to evaluate the impact of atrazine (ATR) on chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, and anthocyanins in Red Cos lettuce. The results indicate a significant increase (p < 0.05) in ATR concentration in lettuce with soil application, leading to notable reductions in pigment concentrations. Heatmap analysis reveals that EVI shows the strongest negative correlations with pigment classes (coefficients ranging between −0.75 to −0.85), while NDVI, GNDVI, and BNDVI exhibit the strongest positive correlations with pigments (coefficients > 0.75). These findings highlight the potential of this innovative technique in predicting pigment concentrations and emphasize its importance in monitoring pesticide effects for sustainable agriculture.
Physiology and Development of Soybean under Light Supplementation Treated with Herbicides in the Field
Authors: dos Santos Edson Aparecido , Vacari André Abrão , Ferreira Danilo Pires , Cardoso Filipe Ademar Souza , Lemes Ernane Miranda , Barroso Gabriela Madureira , Coelho Victor Peçanha de Miranda , Silva Leirian Paloma dos Santos , Modesto Patrícia dos Santos
Published: April 2024

Soy is Brazil’s main commodity, and due to its importance, farmers have adopted several technological innovations, such as light supplementation, to increase grain productivity and quality. However, the use of artificial light can interfere with weed dynamics and herbicide efficiency. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of herbicides on weed control and qualitative and quantitative attributes of soybeans grown under light supplementation. A field experiment was set up in the city of Monte Carmelo, MG, Brazil. The treatments were distributed in plots mounted under a central pivot in two environments: with light supplementation (LED panels) and without light supplementation. The treatments were distributed across four blocks, and plots were subdivided in space. The herbicides used were glyphosate, diclosulam and glyphosate, s-metolachlor and glyphosate, fomesafen + clethodim, flumioxazin + clethodim. The variables analyzed were the number of weeds, biomass, and control; chlorophyll levels; initial fluorescence; ratio of variable fluorescence to maximum fluorescence; and soybean electron transport rate—indicators of soybean yield. Light supplementation increases the density and biomass of weeds and impairs the effectiveness of herbicides. However, light supplementation with LED panels installed on the central irrigation pivot promotes increased productivity and improvements in the quantitative and qualitative parameters of soybeans. Due to these benefits, light supplementation can be considered advantageous for irrigated soybean production.
Effect of Harvest Management on Biomass Yield, Forage Quality, and Nutrient Removal by Bioenergy Grasses in Mid-Central Virginia
Authors: Kering Maru K. , Rahemi Alireza , Temu Vitalis W.
Published: April 2024

The increasing cost of fossil-based energy sources has driven research in bio-based alternatives, such as perennial grasses for feedstock. The mid-Atlantic receives appreciable summer rainfall that may support a two-cut-per-year−1 harvest. At Virginia State University, a study on annual forage sorghum and two one-year stand perennials, miscanthus, and selected switchgrass ecotypes was carried out. The experimental design was a split-plot with harvest systems and feedstock grass species randomly assigned to the main and sub-plots, respectively. Only perennial grasses were assigned to the two-cut-per-year−1 system. The first cut occurred in early summer, and the second and single cut occurred after the frost-kill. Under the two-cut system, in 2022, the first-cut dry matter (DM) yield ranged from 8.9 Mg ha−1 in Blackwell to 14.7 Mg ha−1 in BoMaster. Additionally, except for BoMaster, the regrowth DM yields were within 10% of the first-cut DM yield. Under the one-cut system, the yield ranged from 10.8 Mg ha−1 in Blackwell to 23.2 Mg ha−1 in sorghum. Under the two-cut system, in 2023, miscanthus produced the greatest first-cut DM yield of 18.4 Mg ha−1, while other perennials averaged 10.1 Mg ha−1. Compared to the first cut, the hot and dry summer significantly reduced regrowth for all feedstock species, with the miscanthus DM yield dropping by 64%. While forage attributes differ among feedstock species, in general, both the first cut and regrowth showed greater crude protein and mineral elements, as well as lower ADF contents compared to a single cut following a killing freeze. Sorghum had better forage quality for the one-cut-per-year−1 feedstock material, and, along with the first cut and regrowth, it may have the potential for use as forage for maintenance energy in animal systems. For perennials, the two-cut-per-year−1 system removed the greatest quantities of nutrients during both years, with the first-cut harvest contributing about 65% of all removed N and K. Sorghum removed the greatest quantities of nutrients compared to the perennial under a one-cut-per-year−1 system. Therefore, while a two-cut-per-year−1 system can result in the greatest DM yields for dual-purpose use, its adoption calls for a critical analysis of economic benefits that considers feedstock bioenergy processing approaches, stand persistence, and fertilizer management strategies to address potential soil fertility depletion due to mineral element mining.
Phosphatidylethanolamine Improves Postnatal Growth Retardation by Regulating Mucus Secretion of Intestinal Goblet Cells in Piglets
Authors: Wang Nan , Wang Chengming , Qi Ming , Lin Xingtong , Zha Andong , Tan Bie , Yin Yulong , Wang Jing
Published: April 2024

Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), a multifunctional phospholipid, is necessary for neonate development. This study aimed to explore the impact of the regulation of exogenous PE on postnatal growth retardation (PGR) by improving intestinal barrier function. Thirty-two neonatal pigs were divided into four groups according to their body weight (BW 2.79 ± 0.50 kg or 1.88 ± 0.40 kg) at 7 days old, CON-NBW, PE-NBW, CON-PGR, and PE-PGR. PE was supplemented to NBW piglets and PGR piglets during lactation and post-weaning periods. Compared with the NBW piglets, the growth performance of PGR piglets was lower, while PE improved the poor growth performance. PGR piglets showed injured intestinal morphology, as evidenced by the reduced ratio of villus height to crypt depth (VH/CD) and goblet cell numbers in the jejunum and ileum. PE recovered the intestinal barrier injury by increasing VH/CD and goblet cell numbers. The decreased MUC2 mRNA and protein expressions were observed in the small intestine of PGR piglets, and PE remarkably increased the expression of MUC2. Mechanistically, PE increased the goblet cell differentiation promoting gene spdef mRNA levels and reduced the mRNA expressions involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress in the jejunal and ileal mucosa of PGR piglets. Overall, we found that PE alleviated growth retardation by regulating intestinal health and generalized its application in neonates.
Genomic Epidemiology of C2/H30Rx and C1-M27 Subclades of Escherichia coli ST131 Isolates from Clinical Blood Samples in Hungary
Authors: Tóth Kinga , Damjanova Ivelina , Laczkó Levente , Buzgó Lilla , Lesinszki Virág , Ungvári Erika , Jánvári Laura , Hanczvikkel Adrienn , Tóth Ákos , Szabó Dóra
Published: April 2024

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli ST131 has become widespread worldwide. This study aims to characterize the virulome, resistome, and population structure of E. coli ST131 isolates from clinical blood samples in Hungary. A total of 30 C2/H30Rx and 33 C1-M27 ST131 isolates were selected for Illumina MiSeq sequencing and 30 isolates for MinION sequencing, followed by hybrid de novo assembly. Five C2/H30Rx and one C1-M27 cluster were identified. C1-M27 isolates harbored the F1:A2:B20 plasmid in 93.9% of cases. Long-read sequencing revealed that blaCTX-M-27 was on plasmids. Among the C2/H30Rx isolates, only six isolates carried the C2-associated F2:A1:B- plasmid type. Of 19 hybrid-assembled C2/H30Rx genomes, the blaCTX-M-15 gene was located on plasmid only in one isolate, while in the other isolates, ISEcp1 or IS26-mediated chromosomal integration of blaCTX-M-15 was detected in unique variations. In one isolate a part of F2:A1:B- plasmid integrated into the chromosome. These results suggest that CTX-M-15-producing C2/H30Rx and CTX-M-27-producing C1-M27 subclades may have emerged and spread in different ways in Hungary. While blaCTX-M-27 was carried mainly on the C1/H30R-associated F1:A2:B20 plasmid, the IncF-like plasmids of C2/H30Rx or its composite transposons have been incorporated into the chromosome through convergent evolutionary processes.
Development of Gluten-Free Bread Based on Maize and Buckwheat and Enriched with Aromatic Herbs and Spices
Authors: Ruiz-Aceituno Laura , Casado Natalia , Arriero-Romo Emma , Morante-Zarcero Sonia , Lázaro Almudena , Sierra Isabel
Published: April 2024

This work aimed to develop high-quality gluten-free bread based on maize and buckwheat with good palatability and texture properties. Different aromatic herbs and spices were incorporated as ingredients to evaluate whether their addition could influence the acceptability of consumers by improving the sensory properties of the final product. The bread formulation was first optimized through a response surface methodology. Accordingly, high specific volume, high springiness, and low hardness provided the best theoretical bread quality. However, when developing the product, some sensory defects were detected. Therefore, the addition of other ingredients (e.g., oil, sugar, and yeast) was tested. Finally, five different gluten-free bread with different combinations of aromatic herbs and spices were obtained. They were nutritionally characterized and subjected to sensory analysis by a panel of 140 consumers. The chemical composition of all bread was very similar, with only slight differences among them. Likewise, all of them received acceptable sensory scores (>5) from consumers, and some combinations of herbs and spices obtained scores higher than in the control bread (without herbs and spices). Overall, the gluten-free bread formulated with the combination of basil and oregano was the one that consumers significantly liked the most.
Strict Vector Equilibrium Problems of Multi-Product Supply–Demand Networks with Capacity Constraints and Uncertain Demands
Authors: Li Ru , Yu Guolin
Published: April 2024

This paper considers a multi-product, multi-criteria supply–demand network equilibrium model with capacity constraints and uncertain demands. Strict network equilibrium principles are proposed both in the case of a single criterion and multi-criteria, respectively. Based on a single criterion, it proves that strict network equilibrium flows are equivalent to vector variational inequalities, and the existence of strict network equilibrium flows is derived by virtue of the Fan–Browder fixed point theorem. Based on multi-criteria, the scalarization of strict network equilibrium flows is given by using Gerstewitz’s function without any convexity assumptions. Meanwhile, the necessary and sufficient conditions of strict network equilibrium flows are derived in terms of vector variational inequalities. Finally, an example is given to illustrate the application of the derived theoretical results.
A Singular Tempered Sub-Diffusion Fractional Equation with Changing-Sign Perturbation
Authors: Zhang Xinguang , Chen Jingsong , Li Lishuang , Wu Yonghong
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we establish some new results on the existence of positive solutions for a singular tempered sub-diffusion fractional equation involving a changing-sign perturbation and a lower-order sub-diffusion term of the unknown function. By employing multiple transformations, we transform the changing-sign singular perturbation problem to a positive problem, then establish some sufficient conditions for the existence of positive solutions of the problem. The asymptotic properties of solutions are also derived. In deriving the results, we only require that the singular perturbation term satisfies the Carathéodory condition, which means that the disturbance influence is significant and may even achieve negative infinity near some time singular points.