bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alkaline ceramidase catalyzes the hydrolysis of ceramides via a catalytic mechanism shared by Zn2+-dependent amidases
Authors: Yi Jae Kyo , Xu Ruijuan , Obeid Lina M. , Hannun Yusuf A. , Airola Michael V. , Mao Cungui
Published: September 2022

Human alkaline ceramidase 3 (ACER3) is one of three alkaline ceramidases (ACERs) that catalyze the conversion of ceramide to sphingosine. ACERs are members of the CREST superfamily of integral-membrane hydrolases. All CREST members conserve a set of three Histidine, one Aspartate, and one Serine residue. Although the structure of ACER3 was recently reported, catalytic roles for these residues have not been biochemically tested. Here, we use ACER3 as a prototype enzyme to gain insight into this unique class of enzymes. Recombinant ACER3 was expressed in yeast mutant cells that lack endogenous ceramidase activity, and microsomes were used for biochemical characterization. Six-point mutants of the conserved CREST motif were developed that form a Zn-binding active site based on a recent crystal structure of human ACER3. Five point mutants completely lost their activity, with the exception of S77A, which showed a 600-fold decrease compared with the wild-type enzyme. The activity of S77C mutant was pH sensitive, with neutral pH partially recovering ACER3 activity. This suggested a role for S77 in stabilizing the oxyanion of the transition state. Together, these data indicate that ACER3 is a Zn2+-dependent amidase that catalyzes hydrolysis of ceramides via a similar mechanism to other soluble Zn-based amidases. Consistent with this notion, ACER3 was specifically inhibited by trichostatin A, a strong zinc chelator.
TNF-α and NF-κB signaling play a critical role in cigarette smoke-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of retinal pigment epithelial cells in proliferative vitreoretinopathy
Authors: Wang Victor , Heffer Alison , Roztocil Elisa , Feldon Steven E. , Libby Richard T. , Woeller Collynn F. , Kuriyan Ajay E.
Published: September 2022

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is characterized by the growth and contraction of cellular membranes within the vitreous cavity and on both surfaces of the retina, resulting in recurrent retinal detachments and poor visual outcomes. Proinflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) have been associated with PVR and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Cigarette smoke is the only known modifiable risk factor for PVR, but the mechanisms are unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of cigarette smoke on the proinflammatory TNFα/NF-κB/Snail pathway in RPE cells to better understand the mechanisms through which cigarette smoke increases the risk of PVR. Human ARPE-19 cells were exposed to cigarette smoke extract (CSE), for 4 to 24-hours and TNFα, Snail, IL-6, IL-8, and α-SMA levels were analyzed by qPCR and/or Western blot. The severity of PVR formation was assessed in a murine model of PVR after intravitreal injection of ARPE-19 cells pre-treated with CSE or not. Fundus imaging, OCT imaging, and histologic analysis 4 weeks after injection were used to examine PVR severity. ARPE-19 cells exposed to CSE expressed higher levels of TNFα, SNAIL, IL6 and IL8 mRNA as well as SNAIL, Vimentin and α-SMA protein. Inhibition of TNFα and NF-κB pathways blocked the effect of CSE. In vivo, intravitreal injection of ARPE-19 cells treated with CSE resulted in more severe PVR compared to mice injected with untreated RPE cells. These studies suggest that the TNFα pathway is involved in the mechanism whereby cigarette smoke increases PVR. Further investigation into the role of TNFα/NF-κB/Snail in driving PVR and pharmacological targeting of these pathways in disease are warranted.
Quality of work-life and turnover intentions among the Ghanaian nursing workforce: A multicentre study
Authors: Poku Collins Atta , Alem John Ndebugri , Poku Rasheed Ofosu , Osei Sandra Adwubi , Amoah Edward Obeng , Ofei Adelaide Maria Ansah
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Attrition of the Nursing Workforce from low-and middle-income countries to high-resourced settings is a reality that has escalated in the current Coronavirus pandemic due to varied reasons. With increased job stress resulting from the pandemic, the Quality of Work-Life of the Nursing Workforce is affected, with its effect on poor quality care to the client. This study sought to assess the perception of the Nursing Workforce about the Quality of Work-Life, and the factors that predict turnover intention among nurses in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana.

Methods

A cross-sectional, descriptive design involving multiple centres was used. The participants were made up of 348 Registered Nurses working in primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare in five (5) hospitals in the Kumasi Metropolis. Data collection was done using questionnaires adapted from the Work-Related Quality of Life Scale and the Turnover Intention Scale and analyzed using frequencies, mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation, and Multiple Regression.

Results

The Registered Nurses perceived Quality of Work-Life as low; with close to half of them having a turnover intention. All the domains of Quality of Work-Life of the Nursing Workforce significantly correlated with Turnover intentions. Regression analysis showed that the number of years in a healthcare setting, general well-being, job control and satisfaction, and working condition of the Registered Nurse significantly predicted their turnover intentions at the p-value of 0.05.

Conclusion

The findings of the study have provided an understanding of the Quality of Work-Life, and factors that contribute to increased turnover intentions among the Nursing Workforce amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare systems must enrol in requisite programmes that provide psychological and social support through counselling to promote the Quality of Work-Life of nurses.
A structural basis for the functional differences between the cytosolic and plastid phosphoglucose isomerase isozymes
Authors: Jiao Juan , Gao Fei , Liu Jie , Lv Zongyang , Liu Cuimin
Published: September 2022

Phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) catalyzes the interconversion between glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) and fructose-6-phosphate (F6P), thereby regulating sucrose synthesis in plant cells. In general, plants contain a pair of PGI isozymes located in two distinct compartments of the cell (cytosol and plastid) with differences in both the primary structure and the higher-order structure. Previously, we showed that the activity of cytosolic PGI (PGIc) is more robust (activity, thermal stability, substrate turnover rate, etc.) than that of the plastid counterpart (PGIp) in multiple organisms, including wheat, rice, and Arabidopsis. The crystal structures of apoTaPGIc (an isotype cytosol PGIc in Triticum aestivum), TaPGIc-G6P complex, and apoTaPGIp (an isotype plastid PGIp in Triticum aestivum) were first solved in higher plants, especially in crops. In this study, we detailed the structural characteristics related to the biochemical properties and functions of TaPGIs in different plant organelles. We found that the C-terminal domains (CTDs) of TaPGIc and TaPGIp are very different, which affects the stability of the dimerized enzyme, and that Lys213TaPGIc/Lys193TaPGIp and its surrounding residues at the binding pocket gateway may participate in the entrance and exit of substrates. Our findings provide a good example illuminating the evolution of proteins from primary to higher structures as a result of physical barriers and adaptation to the biochemical environment.
Genetic diversity and population structure of wild and cultivated Crotalaria species based on genotyping-by-sequencing
Authors: Muli Joshua Kiilu , Neondo Johnstone O. , Kamau Peter K. , Michuki George N. , Odari Eddy , Budambula Nancy L. M.
Published: September 2022

Crotalariais a plant genus that is found all over the world, with over 700 species of herbs and shrubs. The species are potential alternative food and industrial crops due to their adaptability to different environments. Currently, information on the genetic diversity and population structure of these species is scanty. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) is a cost-effective high-throughput technique in diversity evaluation of plant species that have not been fully sequenced. In the current study,de novoGBS was used to characterize 80Crotalariaaccessions from five geographical regions in Kenya. A total of 9820 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were obtained after thinning and filtering, which were then used for the analysis of genetic diversity and population structure inCrotalaria. The proportion of SNPs with a minor allele frequency (maf) > = 0.05 was 45.08%, while the Guanine-Cytosine (GC) content was 0.45, from an average sequence depth of 455,909 reads per base. The transition vs transversion ratio was 1.81 and Heterozygosity (He) ranged between 0.01–0.07 in all the sites and 0.04 to 0.52 in the segregating sites. The mean Tajima’s D value for the population was -0.094, suggesting an excess of rare alleles. The fixation index (Fst) between the different populations based on the Wright Fst (1943) ranged from 0.0119 to 0.066 for the Eastern-Western and Nairobi-Western populations. Model based techniques of population structure analysis including structure, k-means and cross-entropy depicted eight clusters in the study accessions. Non-model based techniques especially DAPC depicted poor population stratification. Correspondence Analysis (CA), Principal coordinate analyses (PCoA) and phylogenetic analysis identified a moderate level of population stratification. Results from this study will help conservationists and breeders understand the genetic diversity ofCrotalaria. The study also provides valuable information for genetic improvement of domesticated species.
MFA-net: Object detection for complex X-ray cargo and baggage security imagery
Authors: Viriyasaranon Thanaporn , Chae Seung-Hoon , Choi Jang-Hwan
Published: September 2022

Deep convolutional networks have been developed to detect prohibited items for automated inspection of X-ray screening systems in the transport security system. To our knowledge, the existing frameworks were developed to recognize threats using only baggage security X-ray scans. Therefore, the detection accuracy in other domains of security X-ray scans, such as cargo X-ray scans, cannot be ensured. We propose an object detection method for efficiently detecting contraband items in both cargo and baggage for X-ray security scans. The proposed network, MFA-net, consists of three plug-and-play modules, including the multiscale dilated convolutional module, fusion feature pyramid network, and auxiliary point detection head. First, the multiscale dilated convolutional module converts the standard convolution of the detector backbone to a conditional convolution by aggregating the features from multiple dilated convolutions using dynamic feature selection to overcome the object-scale variant issue. Second, the fusion feature pyramid network combines the proposed attention and fusion modules to enhance multiscale object recognition and alleviate the object and occlusion problem. Third, the auxiliary point detection head adopts an auxiliary head to predict the new keypoints of the bounding box to emphasize the localizability without requiring further ground-truth information. We tested the performance of the MFA-net on two large-scale X-ray security image datasets from different domains: a Security Inspection X-ray (SIXray) dataset in the baggage domain and our dataset, named CargoX, in the cargo domain. Moreover, MFA-net outperformed state-of-the-art object detectors in both domains. Thus, adopting the proposed modules can further increase the detection capability of the current object detectors on X-ray security images.
Multicolor fluorescence activated cell sorting to generate humanized monoclonal antibody binding seven subtypes of BoNT/F
Authors: Fan Yongfeng , Sun Zhengda , Conrad Fraser , Wen Weihua , Zhao Lequn , Lou Jianlong , Zhou Yu , Farr-Jones Shauna , Marks James D.
Published: September 2022

Generating specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that neutralize multiple antigen variants is challenging. Here, we present a strategy to generate mAbs that bind seven subtypes of botulinum neurotoxin serotype F (BoNT/F) that differ from each other in amino acid sequence by up to 36%. Previously, we identified 28H4, a mouse mAb with poor cross-reactivity to BoNT/F1, F3, F4, and F6 and with no detectable binding to BoNT/F2, F5, or F7. Using multicolor labeling of the different BoNT/F subtypes and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) of yeast displayed single-chain Fv (scFv) mutant libraries, 28H4 was evolved to a humanized mAb hu6F15.4 that bound each of seven BoNT/F subtypes with high affinity (KD 5.81 pM to 659.78 pM). In contrast, using single antigen FACS sorting, affinity was increased to the subtype used for sorting but with a decrease in affinity for other subtypes. None of the mAb variants showed any binding to other BoNT serotypes or to HEK293 or CHO cell lysates by flow cytometry, thus demonstrating stringent BoNT/F specificity. Multicolor FACS-mediated antibody library screening is thus proposed as a general method to generate multi-specific antibodies to protein subtypes such as toxins or species variants.
Toll-like receptor-mediated innate immune responses by recognition of the recombinant dormancy-associated Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteins Rv2659c and Rv1738
Authors: Saelee Chutiphon , Hanthamrongwit Jariya , Soe Phyu Thwe , Khaenam Prasong , Inthasin Naharuthai , Ekpo Pattama , Chootong Patchanee , Leepiyasakulchai Chaniya
Published: September 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) poses a major threat to the global public health. Importantly, latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) still impedes the elimination of TB incidence since it has a substantial risk to develop active disease. A multi-stage subunit vaccine comprising active and latency antigens of Mtb has been raised as the promising vaccine to trigger immune protection against all stages of TB. Therefore, the discovery of new antigens that could trigger broad immune response is essential. While current development of TB vaccine mainly focuses on protective immunity mediated by adaptive immune response, the knowledge on triggering the innate immune response by antigens is still limited. We showed that recombinant dormancy-associated Mtb proteins Rv2659c and Rv1738 were recognized by human innate immune recognition molecules, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2 and 4 by using HEK-Blue™ hTLR2/hTLR4 systems. We further demonstrated that these two proteins activated phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (Ser536) in the human CD14+ blood cells. We also investigated that these two proteins significantly induced level of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α) which were mediated through TLR2 and TLR4 pathways in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs). These findings suggest that proteins Rv2659c and Rv1738 stimulated innate immune response targeting TLR2 and TLR4 to produce inflammatory cytokines, and their benefits would be valuable for the development of an effective prophylactic tuberculosis vaccine.
Impact of number and type of identified antigen on transplant-free survival in hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Authors: Kypreos Margaret , Batra Kiran , Glazer Craig S. , Adams Traci N.
Published: September 2022

Background

Identification of inciting antigen can affect diagnostic confidence, quality of life, and prognosis in patients with HP. It is unknown whether the number and type of antigen affect results of diagnostic testing or prognosis, whether antigen identified by clinical history alone affects prognosis, and whether feather exposure is associated with outcomes similar to those of other antigens.

Methods

To evaluate whether the number or type of antigen identified by clinical history alone affects clinical outcomes, we evaluated a retrospective cohort of patients with a high or definite probability of HP based on recent guidelines.

Results

In our retrospective cohort, 136 patients met high or definite probability of HP and were included in the analysis. Median transplant-free survival was better in patients with antigen identified on clinical history alone than patients without identified antigen. Feather exposure was associated with improved TFS compared to patients without antigen identified; there was no difference in TFS between patients with feather exposure and either mold or live bird exposure. Mold antigen was associated with increased risk of fibrotic HP compared to avian antigen. Among patients with identified antigen, the number and type of antigen did not affect TFS.

Discussion

Our study suggests that clinical history is adequate for providing prognostic information to patients with HP and classifying the diagnostic probability of HP according to recent guidelines. Feather exposure should be considered an inciting antigen in patients with ILD.
An evaluation of fusion partner proteins for paratransgenesis in Asaia bogorensis
Authors: Grogan Christina , Bennett Marissa , Lampe David J.
Published: September 2022

Mosquitoes transmit many pathogens responsible for human diseases, such as malaria which is caused by parasites in the genus Plasmodium. Current strategies to control vector-transmitted diseases are increasingly undermined by mosquito and pathogen resistance, so additional methods of control are required. Paratransgenesis is a method whereby symbiotic bacteria are genetically modified to affect the mosquito’s phenotype by engineering them to deliver effector molecules into the midgut to kill parasites. One paratransgenesis candidate is Asaia bogorensis, a Gram-negative bacterium colonizing the midgut, ovaries, and salivary glands of Anopheles sp. mosquitoes. Previously, engineered Asaia strains using native signals to drive the release of the antimicrobial peptide, scorpine, fused to alkaline phosphatase were successful in significantly suppressing the number of oocysts formed after a blood meal containing P. berghei. However, these strains saw high fitness costs associated with the production of the recombinant protein. Here, we report evaluation of five different partner proteins fused to scorpine that were evaluated for effects on the growth and fitness of the transgenic bacteria. Three of the new partner proteins resulted in significant levels of protein released from the Asaia bacterium while also significantly reducing the prevalence of mosquitoes infected with P. berghei. Two partners performed as well as the previously tested Asaia strain that used alkaline phosphatase in the fitness analyses, but neither exceeded it. It may be that there is a maximum level of fitness and parasite inhibition that can be achieved with scorpine being driven constitutively, and that use of a Plasmodium specific effector molecule in place of scorpine would help to mitigate the stress on the symbionts.
Effects of cortisol on female-to-male sex change in a wrasse
Authors: Goikoetxea Alexander , Todd Erica V. , Muncaster Simon , Lokman P. Mark , Thomas Jodi T. , Robertson Holly A. , De Farias e Moraes Carlos E. , Gemmell Neil J.
Published: September 2022

Sex change occurs as a usual part of the life cycle for many teleost fish and the modifications involved (behavioural, gonadal, morphological) are well studied. However, the mechanism that transduces environmental cues into the molecular cascade that underlies this transformation remains unknown. Cortisol, the main stress hormone in fish, is hypothesised to be a key factor linking environmental stimuli with sex change by initiating gene expression changes that shift steroidogenesis from oestrogens to androgens but this notion remains to be rigorously tested. Therefore, this study aimed to experimentally test the role of cortisol as an initiator of sex change in a protogynous (female-to-male) hermaphrodite, the New Zealand spotty wrasse (Notolabrus celidotus). We also sought to identify potential key regulatory factors within the head kidney that may contribute to the initiation and progression of gonadal sex change. Cortisol pellets were implanted into female spotty wrasses under inhibitory conditions (presence of a male), and outside of the optimal season for natural sex change. Histological analysis of the gonads and sex hormone analyses found no evidence of sex change after 71 days of cortisol treatment. However, expression analyses of sex and stress-associated genes in gonad and head kidney suggested that cortisol administration did have a physiological effect. In the gonad, this included upregulation ofamh, a potent masculinising factor, andnr3c1, a glucocorticoid receptor. In the head kidney,hsd11b2, which converts cortisol to inactive cortisone to maintain cortisol balance, was upregulated. Overall, our results suggest cortisol administration outside of the optimal sex change window is unable to initiate gonadal restructuring. However, our expression data imply key sex and stress genes are sensitive to cortisol. This includes genes expressed in both gonad and head kidney that have been previously implicated in early sex change in several sex-changing species.
The deviation-from-familiarity effect: Expertise increases uncanniness of deviating exemplars
Authors: Diel Alexander , Lewis Michael
Published: September 2022

Humanlike entities deviating from the norm of human appearance are perceived as strange or uncanny. Explanations for the eeriness of deviating humanlike entities include ideas specific to human or animal stimuli like mate selection, avoidance of threat or disease, or dehumanization; however, deviation from highly familiar categories may provide a better explanation. Here it is tested whether experts and novices in a novel (greeble) category show different patterns of abnormality, attractiveness, and uncanniness responses to distorted and averaged greebles. Greeble-trained participants assessed the abnormality, attractiveness, uncanniness of normal, averaged, and distorted greebles and their responses were compared to participants who had not previously seen greebles. The data show that distorted greebles were more uncanny than normal greebles only in the training condition, and distorted greebles were more uncanny in the training compared to the control condition. In addition, averaged greebles were not more attractive than normal greebles regardless of condition. The results suggest uncanniness is elicited by deviations from stimulus categories of expertise rather than being a purely biological human- or animal-specific response.
Factors associated with modern contraceptive use among men in Pakistan: Evidence from Pakistan demographic and health survey 2017-18
Authors: Ali Ahmad , Zar Abu , Wadood Ayesha
Published: September 2022

Objective

The role of men in family planning is critical in patriarchal societies like Pakistan. The objective of this study is to explore the predictors of modern contraceptive use among Pakistani men.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis of Pakistan demographic and health survey (PDHS) 2017–18 data. The study sample consists of 3691 ever married men aged 15–49 years. Pearson’s chi square test and logistic regression were used to find out the determinants of modern contraceptive use among men. Data analysis was carried out in December, 2020.

Results

Findings of logistic regression showed that men who were uneducated (aOR = 0.746; 95% CI = 0.568–0.980), residing in Sindh (aOR = 0.748; 95% CI = 0.568–0.985), Baluchistan (aOR = 0.421; 95% CI = 0.280–0.632) or FATA (aOR 0.313; 95% CI 0.176–0.556) and those who belonged to the poorest wealth quintile (aOR = 0.569; 95% CI = 0.382–0.846) were less likely to use modern contraceptives. Men who did not wish for another child (aOR = 2.821; 95% CI = 2.305–3.451) had a higher likelihood of modern contraceptive use. Finally, men who thought that contraception was women’s business (aOR = 0.670; 95% CI = 0.526–0.853) and those who did not discuss family planning with health worker (aOR = 0.715; 95% CI = 0.559–0.914) were also less likely to use modern contraceptives.

Conclusion

Reproductive health education of males, targeting males, in addition to, females for addressing family planning issues and improvement of family planning facilities in socioeconomically under-privileged regions are suggested to improve contraceptive use among couples.
Can ten days of heat acclimation training improve temperate-condition rowing performance in national-level rowers?
Authors: Philp Calvin P. , Pitchford Nathan W. , Visentin Denis C. , Kitic Cecilia M. , Fell James W. , Buchheit Martin , Minson Christopher T. , Gregory John R. , Watson Greig
Published: September 2022

This study investigated whether heat acclimation (HA) could improve rowing performance in temperate conditions in national-level rowers. Using a parallel-group design, eleven rowers (3 female, 8 male, age: 21±3 years, height: 182.3±6.8cm, mass: 79.2±9.0kg, V˙O2peak: 61.4±5.1ml·kg·min-1) completed either a HA intervention (HEAT, n = 5) or acted as controls (CON, n = 6). The intervention replaced usual cross-training sessions and consisted of an hour of submaximal cycling or rowing ergometry in either 34±0°C for HEAT or 14±1°C for CON daily over two five-day blocks (10 sessions total), separated by 72h. Participants performed the ‘10+4’ test that consists of 10-min submaximal rowing and a 4-min time-trial (TT) in temperate conditions (20±0°C) before and after the intervention. Heat acclimation following the 10-session intervention was evidenced by large significant (p<0.05) decreases in maximum tympanic temperature (d = -1.68) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) (d = -2.26), and a large significant increase in sweat loss (d = 0.91). Large non-significant (p>0.05) decreases were seen in average tympanic temperature (d = -3.08) and average heart rate (d = -1.53) in HEAT from session 2 to session 10 of the intervention. Furthermore, a large significant increase was seen in plasma volume (d = 3.74), with large significant decreases in haemoglobin concentration (d = -1.78) and hematocrit (d = -12.9). Following the intervention, large non-significant increases in respiratory exchange ratio (d = 0.87) and blood lactate (d = 1.40) as well as a large non-significant decrease in RPE (d = -1.23) were seen in HEAT during the 10-min submaximal rowing. A large significant decrease in peak heart rate (d = -2.27), as well as a large non-significant decrease in relative V˙O2peak (d = -0.90) and large non-significant increases in respiratory exchange ratio (d = 1.18), blood lactate concentration (d = 1.25) and power output (d = 0.96) were seen in HEAT during the 4-min TT. This study suggests that a 10-session HA intervention may elicit HA in national-level rowers, with potential to improve 4-min TT performance in temperate conditions.
Bioconversion of agro-industrial residues as a protein source supplementation for multiparous Holstein Thai crossbreed cows
Authors: Suriyapha Chaichana , Supapong Chanadol , So Sarong , Wanapat Metha , Cherdthong Anusorn
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this field study was to compare the effects of top-dressing tropical lactating cows with soybean meal (SBM) or citric waste fermented yeast waste (CWYW) on intake, digestibility, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites, purine derivatives, milk production, and economic return. Sixteen mid-lactation Thai crossbreeds, Holstein Friesian (16.7 ± 0.30 kg/day milk yield and 490 ± 40.0 kg of initial body weight) were randomly allocated to two treatments in a completed randomized design: SBM as control (n = 8) or CWYW (n = 8). The feeding trial lasted for 60 days plus 21 days for treatment adaptation. The results showed that total dry matter intake, nutrient intake, and digestibility did not (p>0.05) differ between SBM and CWYW top-dressing. Ruminal pH and the protozoal population did not (p>0.05) differ between SBM and CWYW top-dressing. After 4 hours of feeding, CWYW top-dressing showed greater ammonia nitrogen, plasma urea nitrogen, and bacterial population compared with the top-dressing of SBM. Volatile fatty acids and purine derivatives were not different (p>0.05) between SBM and CWYW top-dressing. For milk urea nitrogen, there was a greater (p<0.05) and somatic cell count was lower (p<0.05) for cows fed the CWYW top-dress compared to cows fed the SBM top-dress. The cost of the top-dress and total feed cost were less (p<0.05) for CWYW compared to SBM top-dressing, at 0.59 vs 1.16 US dollars/cow/day and 4.14 vs 4.75 US dollars/cow/day, respectively. In conclusion, CWYW could be used as an alternative protein source to SBM without having a negative impact on tropical lactating cows.
Anti-inflammatory agents as modulators of the inflammation in adipose tissue: A systematic review
Authors: da Cruz Nascimento Sara Sayonara , Carvalho de Queiroz Jaluza Luana , Fernandes de Medeiros Amanda , de França Nunes Ana Clara , Piuvezam Grasiela , Lima Maciel Bruna Leal , Souza Passos Thaís , Morais Ana Heloneida de Araújo
Published: September 2022

Obesity is characterized by an adipose tissue mass expansion that presents a risk to health, associated with a chronic increase in circulating inflammatory mediators. Anti-inflammatory agents are an obesity alternative treatment. However, the lack of effective agents indicates the need to assess the mechanisms and identify effective therapeutic targets. The present work identified and described the mechanisms of action of anti-inflammatory agents in adipose tissue in experimental studies. The review was registered in the International Prospective Registry of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO—CRD42020182897). The articles’ selection was according to eligibility criteria (PICOS). The research was performed in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, VHL, and EMBASE. The methodological quality evaluation was assessed using SYRCLE. Initially, 1511 articles were selected, and at the end of the assessment, 41 were eligible. Among the anti-inflammatory agent classes, eight drugs, 28 natural, and five synthetic compounds were identified. Many of these anti-inflammatory agents act in metabolic pathways that culminate in the inflammatory cytokines expression reduction, decreasing the macrophages infiltration in white and adipose tissue and promoting the polarization process of type M1 to M2 macrophages. Thus, the article clarifies and systematizes these anti-inflammatory agents’ mechanisms in adipose tissue, presenting targets relevant to future research on these pathways.
Risk factors and prognosis of acute lactation mastitis developing into a breast abscess: A retrospective longitudinal study in China
Authors: Li Daxue , Li Jiazhen , Yuan Yuan , Zhou Jing , Xiao Qian , Yang Ting , Li Yili , Jiang Lili , Gao Han
Published: September 2022

Background

Breast abscess is developed on the basis of acute mastitis, which will cause damage to the physical and mental health of lactating women and is an important factor affecting the rate of breastfeeding. This study examined the risk factors for mastitis to develop into breast abscess, and analyzed the distribution of pathogenic bacteria, bacterial resistance, and treatment outcome.

Methods

The medical records of 316 cases of mastitis and 219 cases of breast abscess were retrospectively collected. We analyzed the bacterial distribution of mastitis and breast abscess, and compared the differences of bacterial drug resistance. Univariate analysis and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the following aspects: age, primiparity or not, history of breast surgery, body temperature, puerperium or not, onset time, located in the nipple/areolar complexe area or not, history of massage by non-professionals, staphylococcus aureus/methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection or not, diabetes and white blood cell count.

Results

Of the 535 patients, 203 (37.9%) were positive for staphylococcus aureus. There were 133 (65.5%) cases of methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and 70 (34.5%) cases of MRSA. Concerning bacterial drug resistance, a statistical analysis showed that MSSA had high resistance rate to penicillin (96.2%), ampicillin (91%), clindamycin (42.9%) and erythromycin (45.9%). MRSA had a high resistance rate to penicillin (100%), ampicillin (98.6%), oxacillin (95.7%), erythromycin (81.4%), clindamycin (80%), and amoxicillin (31.7%). Risk factors for progression of mastitis to breast abscess include a body temperature<38.5°C, a postpartum time ≥ 42 days, an onset time ≥ 2 days, lesions in the nipple/areolar complex area, a history of massage by non-medical staff and bacterial cultures for milk or pus that test positive for staphylococcus aureus or MRSA (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The most common pathogenic bacteria of mastitis and breast abscess is staphylococcus aureus. There are many risk factors for mastitis to develop into breast abscess. We should take effective measures for its risk factors and select sensitive antibiotics according to the results of bacterial culture to reduce the formation of breast abscess.
The effectiveness of low-dosed outpatient biopsychosocial interventions compared to active physical interventions on pain and disability in adults with nonspecific chronic low back pain: A protocol for a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Hochheim Martin , Ramm Philipp , Amelung Volker
Published: September 2022

Background

Best outpatient treatment of nonspecific chronic low back pain is high-dosed exercise that is maintained after therapy. Primary care biopsychosocial intervention (PCBI) is an outpatient multicomponent intervention that includes an active component (exercise, physical activity, or physiotherapy) and at least one psychological, social, or occupational component. Research has shown that PCBI can reduce pain intensity and disability. While scattered studies support low-dosed (<15 treatment hours) PCBI, there is no systematic review comparing the effectiveness of low-dosed PCBI treatment with traditional physical activity interventions in adults with nonspecific chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Inclusion criteria

Randomised controlled trials that evaluate low-dosed outpatient biopsychosocial interventions compared to physical treatment with an active component such as exercise, physical activity or usual physiotherapy treatment for adult participants (18 years or older) who suffer from nonspecific CLBP will be included.

Methods

A comprehensive search of multiple databases will be used to find relevant studies. The databases will be searched from inception to December 2021, with English or German language restrictions imposed. Keywords and derivatives of “chronic back pain”, “exercise intervention”, “cognitive-behavioral therapy”, “primary care” and “randomized controlled trials” will be used. Sources will include CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Ovid Medline, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), PubMed and Web of Science.

Discussion

To our knowledge, this will be the first systematic review and meta-analysis of narrowly defined low- dosed PCBI across populations with nonspecific chronic low back pain. The objective of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of low-dosed outpatient biopsychosocial interventions versus physical active interventions on pain intensity and disability in adults with CLBP. This study will provide evidence that could improve treatment options for patients with nonspecific CLBP.

Trail registration

Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022302771. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022302771
PGRS domain structures: Doomed to sail the mycomembrane
Authors: Berisio Rita , Delogu Giovanni
Published: September 2022

The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in understanding biological processes is potentially immense. Structural elucidation of mycobacterial PE_PGRS is sustenance to unveil the role of these enigmatic proteins. We propose a PGRS “sailing” model as a smart tool to diffuse along the mycomembrane, to expose structural motifs for host interactions, and/or to ship functional protein modules at their C-terminus.
ADENOMATOUS POLYPOSIS PHENOTYPE IN BMPR1A AND SMAD4 VARIANT CARRIERS
Authors: Rosner Guy , Petel-Galil Yael , Laish Ido , Levi Zohar , Kariv Revital , Strul Hana , Gilad Ophir , Gluck Nathan
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND:

Variants in SMAD4 or BMPR1A cause juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS), a rare autosomal dominant condition characterized by multiple gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyps. A phenotype of attenuated adenomatous polyposis without hamartomatous polyps is rare.

METHODS:

We describe a retrospective cohort of patients with SMAD4 or BMPR1A heterozygous germline variants, having ≥10 cumulative colorectal adenomas and/or colorectal cancer without hamartomatous polyps. All patients had multigene panel and duplication/deletion analysis to exclude other genetic syndromes.

RESULTS:

The study cohort included eight patients. The pathogenic potential of the variants was analyzed. Variants detected included 4 missense variants, 1 nonsense variant, 1 splice site variant, and 2 genomic deletions. Features of pathogenicity were present in most variants, and co-segregation of the variant with polyposis or colorectal cancer (CRC) was obtained in 7 of the 8 families. Three of 8 patients had CRC (age <50) in addition to polyposis phenotype. Two patients had extraintestinal neoplasms (pancreas and ampulla of Vater).

DISCUSSION:

The clinical phenotype of SMAD4 and BMPR1A variants may infrequently extend beyond the classical JPS phenotype. Applying multigene panel analysis of hereditary cancer-related genes in patients with unexplained polyposis can provide syndrome-based clinical surveillance for carriers and their family members.
Transformer for the Building Segmentation of Urban Remote Sensing
Authors: Zhang Heqing , Wang Zhenxin , Song Jun-Feng , Li Xueyan
Published: September 2022

The automatic extraction of urban buildings based on remote sensing images is important for urban dynamic monitoring, planning, and management. The deep learning has significantly helped improve the accuracy of building extraction. Most remote sensing image segmentation methods are
based on convolution neural networks, which comprise encoding and decoding structures. However, the convolution operation cannot learn the remote spatial correlation. Herein we propose the Shift Window Attention of building SWAB-net based on the transformer model to solve the semantic segmentation
of building objects. Moreover, the shift window strategy was adopted to determine buildings using urban satellite images with 4 m resolution to extract the features of sequence images efficiently and accurately. We evaluated the proposed network on SpaceNet 7, and the results of comprehensive
analysis showed that the network is conducive for efficient remote sensing image research.
Avaliação das Perdas de Água e Solo em Pastagem Inserida em Ambiente de Cerrado Brasileiro sob Chuva Simulada
Authors: Confessor Jefferson Gomes , Silva Lara  Luíza , Araújo Paula Meirilane Soares
Published: September 2022

Pastagens ocupam extensas áreas do território nacional, as quais apresentam características heterogêneas que variam de acordo com o clima, fertilidade e manejo. A erosão hídrica gerada pela ação das chuvas se mostra como uma das principais fontes promotoras do depauperamento dos solos no Brasil, a qual também expõe comportamento distinto espacialmente e temporalmente.  Deste modo, esta pesquisa tem por objetivo avaliar as perdas de água e solo de uma pastagem inserida em região de Cerrado em dois períodos distintos do ano (primavera e verão), visando compreender a dinâmica hidrogeomorfológica do uso em questão. Para tal, utilizando-se de um simulador de chuvas calibrado para replicar pluviosidades de alta intensidade semelhantes às ocorrentes na região de estudo (Uberlândia-MG), replicou-se precipitações com intensidade de 64,34 mm/h em um tempo de 30 minutos (32,17 mm) sobre 4 parcelas de erosão. No geral, a pastagem da área de estudo se apresentou em boas condições de qualidade, expondo baixos valores de água e sedimentos perdidos, sendo os maiores volumes escoados no verão e maiores taxas erodidas no inverno. Os valores encontrados estão ligados às variações sazonais climáticas expressas na região, as quais refletiram nos hábitos de crescimento vegetativo das plantas, gerando alterações na qualidade estrutural das pastagens, sendo verificado que o período de retorno das chuvas na região (transição inverno-verão) se comporta como fase mais susceptível para o desencadeamento de processos erosivos.
Stress Anxiety and Depression Levels Associated with COVID 19 among the Oral Health Care Workers in North India A Cross Sectional Studyare worker in North India A cross sectional study
Authors: Bali Ashish , Pal Pritish Chandra , Bali Aditya , Ameen Safna , Ahmed Rimsha , Khan Mohammad Zaheem
Published: September 2022

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused an impervious financial and psychological burden. Health care professionals, including oral health care workers, have been risking fighting the pandemic. The chief objective of the current study was to estimate the rates of prevalence of depression, stress, and anxiety among the oral health care professionals in Jammu and Udaipur city. The study was delineated as an online cross-sectional questionnaire-based research. It was mailed to different practitioners between May and July 2020, particularly those offered their services in COVID centers. The participants were to fill the self report questionnaires. Then, the parameters were measured using depression, anxiety, and stress scale 21(DASS 21) and Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HARS) to measure the degrees of depression, stress, and fear among the volunteers. The target population was divided into age groups between 23 to 28 years and over 28 years. Four hundred ninety responses were received and were considered for the study. The acquired data were analysed using IBM SPSSsoftware (windows version 23). The mean and standard deviations were calculated for stress, anxiety, depression using mentioned scale. The results were compared based on gender and age group. A statistically significant variance in stress level was found between male and female groups (p=0.002) and for the two age groups (p=0.001). Using the Hamilton anxiety rating scale, no statistically significant divergence could be seen among male and female participants. The current study showed stress, anxiety, and depressions were prevalent among health care workers working in COVID pandemic situations. Therefore, mental health status must be addressed, and issues must be resolved.
Technology Trends and Future Opportunities in Development of NBC Protective Clothing
Authors: Bharati Suraj , Dhyani Himanshi , Thakare Vikas B. , Singh Virendra Vikram , Meher Damyanti , Boopathi Mannan
Published: September 2022

This article reviews a detailed and timely evolution of Nuclear Biological Chemical (NBC) protective clothing. The increased threat of NBC weapons underlines the need for NBC protective clothing for first responders, service personnel as well as civilians. The material selection criteria for protective clothing have been changed considerably with the development of advance technical fibers to sustain the threat of CWA and fulfill precisely need for the NBC suits. Because of advancement, in the use and delivery of Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA), the evolution of the NBC suit is presented. The chemical protection of NBC protective clothing needs to be precisely evaluated and thereby related standard test methods are also duly accommodated. This review documented the journey of the NBC suit right from charcoal based to activated carbon spheres (ACS), and recent developments on the materials aspects of various protective clothing.
GC MS Based Comparative Phytochemical Profiling of Rhodiola Imbricata Roots Collected from Different High Mountain Passes of Ladakh India and a First Report of Apocynin from Genus Rhodiola
Authors: Sharma Rajni , Kumar Raj , Thakur Mohan Singh , Patel Manoj Kumar , Chaurasia O P , Saxena Shweta
Published: September 2022

Rhodiola imbricata is a high value medicinal plant of trans-Himalayan mountain passes in Ladakh. This plant is a highly sought after in national and international herbal product market due to its unique phytochemical composition and resultant medicinal properties. However, compositional variation in the raw material from different geographical locations results in variation in quality as well as efficacy of the final products. The current study was designed to generate the comparative GC-MS profiles of hydro-methanolic extracts of Rhodiola imbricata root samples collected from various locations in Ladakh i.e., Chang La (17605 ft), Khardung La (18,379 ft), and Shashi La (13908 ft) mountain passes. The study highlighted variations in volatile phytochemical composition in root samples collected from different locations, especially with respect to phenols, terpenes and fatty acids. Samples from Chang La had maximum amount of phenolic compounds (96.78 per cent), followed by samples from Khardung La (77.05 per cent) while they were undetected in samples from Shashi La pass. Specifically, comparative GC-MS profiling revealed that peak area percentage of two important bioactive compounds (i.e. piceol and apocynin) varied amongst samples. In the samples collected from Chang La, the piceol covered (94 per cent) and apocynin covered (2.78 per cent) peak area whereas in samples collected from Khardung La, piceol covered (73.8 per cent) and apocynin covered (3.25 per cent) peak areas respectively, however, samples collected from Shashi La showed none of these compounds. Interestingly, in the present study, apocynin (a potent NADPH oxidase inhibitor) is being reported for the first time from Rhodoila genus. On the basis of present findings, samples collected from Chang La and Khardung La passes showed better phytochemical composition of pharmacological active phenolic compounds than Shashi La sample.
Employee Engagement Comparative Study of Baby Boomers, x, and y Generation Workers in Transportation and Logistics Delivery service Companies Semarang
Authors: Kurniawati Nurul Imani
Published: September 2022

Studies related to workers across generations have caught the attention of many researchers. For the first time in history, the company is inhabited by workers from various generations to be able to work side by side. How workers in each generation interact with and influence the organization they work for is still an interesting research gap to study. However, the studies examining employee engagement in the Baby Boomers generation, X generation and Y generation in transportation companies and logistics delivery services  are still limited. Therefore, this study aims to conduct research on the differences in employee engagement in the Baby Boomers generation, X generation and Y generation in transportation and logistics delivery service companies in Semarang. To fulfill this goal, the study was conducted on workers who were grouped by generation according to age or year of birth. To these respondents, employee engagement was measured which was then carried out a comparative test to determine the significance of differences in employee engagement in each generation. The results of the statistical tests carried out show that statistically it can be proven that workers from the Baby Boomer generation, X generation and Y generation have different employee engagement