bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacillus coagulans Alleviates Intestinal Damage Induced by TiO2 Nanoparticles in Mice on a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Shi Qingying , Yang Chen , Zhang Bingjie , Chen Dongxiao , Lu Fuping , Zhao Huabing
Published: October 2022

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are generally added in considerable amounts to food as a food additive. Oral exposure to TiO2 NPs could induce intestinal damage, especially in obese individuals with a high-fat diet. The probiotic Bacillus coagulans (B. coagulans) exhibits good resistance in the gastrointestinal system and is beneficial to intestinal health. In this study, B. coagulans was used to treat intestinal damage caused by TiO2 NPs in high-fat-diet mice via two intervention methods: administration of TiO2 NPs and B. coagulans simultaneously and administration of TiO2 NPs followed by that of B. coagulans. The intervention with B. coagulans was found to reduce the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. A 16S rDNA sequencing analysis revealed that B. coagulans had increased the diversity of gut microbiota and optimized the composition of gut microbiota. Fecal metabolomics analysis indicated that B. coagulans had restored the homeostasis of sphingolipids and amino acid metabolism. The intervention strategy of administering TiO2 NPs followed by B. coagulans was found to be more effective. In conclusion, B. coagulans could alleviate intestinal damage induced by TiO2 NPs in high-fat-diet mice TiO2B. coagulans. Our results suggest a new avenue for interventions against intestinal damage induced by TiO2 NPs.
A Facile Strategy for Development of pH-Sensing Indicator Films Based on Red Cabbage Puree and Polyvinyl Alcohol for Monitoring Fish Freshness
Authors: Wu Hejun , Jiao Chun , Li Shasha , Li Qingye , Zhang Zhiqing , Zhou Man , Yuan Xiangyang
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to develop a novel pH-sensing biopolymer film based on red cabbage puree (RCP) incorporated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), which was utilized for monitoring fish freshness during storage at 25 °C. A homogenized RCP suspension with a mean particle size of 12.86 ± 0.03 μm and a total anthocyanin concentration of 292.17 ± 2.65 mg/L was directly used as a film-forming substance and anthocyanin source to blend with PVA, showing visual changes in color and ultraviolet-visible spectra within a pH of 2–12. Rheological and microstructural studies certified the strong interactions and good compatibility between the RCP and PVA, resulting in better mechanical properties and water resistance of the composite film than those of a pure RCP film, but without affecting its pH sensitivity. When used for fish freshness monitoring at 25 °C, the developed RCP/PVA film presented visible color differences from purple to yellow, which corresponded to the spoilage threshold of the total volatile basic nitrogen and the total viable count in fish samples. The study highlights that anthocyanin-rich purees of fruits and vegetables, in this case red cabbage puree, can be fully utilized to develop eco-friendly pH-sensing indicator films for intelligent food packaging.
Soybean-Derived Tripeptide Leu–Ser–Trp (LSW) Protects Human Vascular Endothelial Cells from TNFα-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation via Modulating TNFα Receptors and SIRT1
Authors: Fan Hongbing , Bhullar Khushwant S. , Wang Zihan , Wu Jianping
Published: October 2022

Soybean is a rich source of high-quality proteins and an excellent food source of bioactive peptides. A tripeptide, Leu–Ser–Trp (LSW), was previously identified from soybean as an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory peptide. In the present work, we further studied its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in human vascular endothelial cells (EA.hy926) and elucidated the mechanisms underlying these biological activities. In tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)-stimulated EA.hy926 cells, LSW significantly inhibited oxidative stress, both reduced superoxide and malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.001), owing to its free-radical-scavenging ability. LSW treatment also mitigated the elevated protein expression of vascular adhesion molecule-1 (p < 0.001) and cyclooxygenase 2 (p < 0.01) via inhibition of NF-κB and p38/JNK signaling, respectively. Additionally, LSW also inhibited the endogenous formation of TNFα and attenuated the expression of its two receptors in EA.hy926 cells. Furthermore, LSW upregulated sirtuin-1 level, which partially contributed to its anti-inflammatory activity. These results demonstrate the multiple roles of LSW in ameliorating vascular endothelial oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, which support its uses as a nutraceutical or functional food ingredient for combating endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases.
Cultivar-Dependent Effects of Non-Saccharomyces Yeast Starter on the Oenological Properties of Wines Produced from Two Autochthonous Grape Cultivars in Southern Italy
Authors: Paradiso Vito Michele , Sanarica Luigi , Zara Ignazio , Pisarra Chiara , Gambacorta Giuseppe , Natrella Giuseppe , Cardinale Massimiliano
Published: October 2022

Global warming poses a threat to winemaking worldwide, especially in dry–warm regions such as Southern Italy. Must fermentation with non-Saccharomyces yeast starter is a possible approach to limit the negative effects of climate change, leading to desirable effects such as an increase in total acidity and/or aroma improvement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the use of a non-Saccharomyces starter (Lachancea thermotolerans) on the chemical and sensory properties of wines obtained by the the fermentation of two autochthonous Apulian grape cultivars, namely Bombino nero and Minutolo, as compared to the traditional Saccharomyces cerevisiae-driven fermentation. Bombino and Minutolo wines fermented with either Lachancea thermotolerans or Saccharomyces cerevisiae were characterized for their oenological parameters, volatile profiles, and sensory properties. Both chemical and sensory properties were affected by the yeast starter. Inoculation of L. thermotolerans increased sensory complexity, with different floral and sweet-like attributes for both cultivars. Bombino nero, a neutral cultivar, showed a clear effect on wine composition, with both an increase in lactic acid and a change in the volatile profile. On the contrary, the impact of L. thermotolerans was partially masked in Minutolo due to the strong primary aroma background of this highly terpenic cultivar. In this work, we evidenced a notable cultivar × yeast interaction, showing how generalizations of the effects of non-Saccharomyces yeasts on vinification are difficult to achieve, as they show a cultivar-specific outcome.
Biochemical and Structural Characterization of Ferulated Arabinoxylans Extracted from Nixtamalized and Non-Nixtamalized Maize Bran
Authors: Hussain Muzzamal , Saeed Farhan , Niaz Bushra , Imran Ali , Tufail Tabussam
Published: October 2022

Maize bran is a good source of non-starch polysaccharides, having various bioactive compounds. In the current research, we extracted the ferulated arabinoxylans from nixtamalized maize bran (NMB) and non-nixtamalized maize bran (NNMB) and explored their biochemical composition (monosaccharides, phenolic compounds) and structural characteristics (FTIR, SEM and XRD) as well as antioxidant activity. Results showed that contents of ferulated arabinoxylans were 8.1 ± 0.04% and 6.8 ± 0.02 in NMB and NNMB, respectively. Moreover, the purity of arabinoxylans was 60.1 ± 0.8% and 57.04 ± 0.7% in NMB and NNMB ferulated arabinoxylans. Furthermore, ferulated arabinoxylans have higher arabinose, xylose and ferulic acid contents. FTIR spectra of NMB and NNMB ferulated arabinoxylans depicted the presence of polysaccharide compounds and the corresponding band was observed at 993 cm−1, which is due to glycosidic bond vibration. In addition, absorbance regions of arabinoxylans between 900 cm−1 to 1200 cm−1 were observed. Moreover, SEM micrographs of ferulated arabinoxylans had visible rough and porous surface morphology. Further, ferulated arabinoxylans of NMB and NNMB did not exhibit any sharp peaks in XRD graphs, attributed to their amorphous nature. However, XRD 2θ showed peaks at 20.0°, which predominantly indicated that the material has an amorphous state with small crystalline regions in the sample, which shows the presence of xylans (small and narrow sharp peaks).
In-Silico Analysis and Antidiabetic Effect of α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Peptides from Lupin Protein Hydrolysate: Enzyme-Peptide Interaction Study Using Molecular Docking Approach
Authors: Fadimu Gbemisola J. , Farahnaky Asgar , Gill Harsharn , Olalere Olusegun A. , Gan Chee-Yuen , Truong Tuyen
Published: October 2022

The use of natural ingredients for managing diabetes is becoming more popular in recent times due to the several adverse effects associated with synthetic antidiabetic medications. In this study, we investigated the in vitro antidiabetic potential (through inhibition of α-glucosidase (AG) and α-amylase (AA)) of hydrolysates from lupin proteins pretreated with ultrasound and hydrolyzed using alcalase (ACT) and flavourzyme (FCT). We further fractionated ACT and FCT into three molecular weight fractions. Unfractionated ACT and FCT showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher AG (IC50 value = 1.65 mg/mL and 1.91 mg/mL) and AA (IC50 value = 1.66 mg/mL and 1.98 mg/mL) inhibitory activities than their ultrafiltrated fractions, where lower IC50 values indicate higher inhibitory activities. Then, ACT and FCT were subjected to peptide sequencing using LC-MS-QTOF to identify the potential AG and AA inhibitors. Molecular docking was performed on peptides with the highest number of hotspots and PeptideRanker score to study their interactions with AG and AA enzymes. Among the peptides identified, SPRRF, FE, and RR were predicted to be the most active peptides against AG, while AA inhibitors were predicted to be RPR, PPGIP, and LRP. Overall, hydrolysates prepared from lupin proteins using alcalase and flavourzyme may be useful in formulating functional food for managing diabetics.
Long-Term Dietary Lycium ruthenicum Murr. Anthocyanins Intake Alleviated Oxidative Stress-Mediated Aging-Related Liver Injury and Abnormal Amino Acid Metabolism
Authors: Chen Shasha , Wang Honglun , Hu Na
Published: October 2022

In recent years, the relationship between Lycium ruthenicum Murr. anthocyanins (LRA) and health has attracted increasing attention. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-aging effect and mechanism of LRA through a D-galactose (DG)-induced aging rat model. Our results showed that the long-term intake of LRA, for 8 weeks, improved motor function, reduced serum aging markers, promoted the endogenous antioxidant system, and suppressed the serum inflammatory cytokines in aging rats. Besides, the LRA treatment alleviated DG-induced liver injuries by relieving the inflammation and inhibiting Fas/FasL-mediated cell death. More importantly, the abnormal serum metabolome profiles of the aging rats were restored by the LRA, relating to 38 metabolites and 44 pathways. Specifically, the LRA significantly affected the amino acid and protein-related metabolic pathways by regulating the levels of L-threonine, L-aspartic acid, glycine, L-histidine, D-homocysteine, L-homocitrulline, L-homoserine, guanidineacetic acid, and kynurenine. These results have important implications for the development of LRA as an anti-aging and liver-protective ingredient.
Finite-Time Stability for Caputo Nabla Fractional-Order Switched Linear Systems
Authors: Xu Peng , Long Fei , Wang Qixiang , Tian Ji , Yang Xiaowu , Mo Lipo
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we address the finite-time stability problem of Caputo nabla fractional-order switched linear systems with α∈(0,1). Firstly, the monotonicity of the discrete Mittag-Leffler function is proposed. Secondly, under the per-designed switching rules, the form of the solution for Caputo nabla fractional-order switched linear systems is obtained by using the discrete unit step function. On the above basis, some sufficient conditions of finite-time stability for Caputo nabla fractional-order switched linear systems are proposed, according to the discrete Grönwall inequality and the monotonicity of the discrete Mittag-Leffler function. Finally, simulation verification is carried out via three numerical examples.
Modeling Nearby Low-Luminosity Active-Galactic-Nucleus Jet Images at All VLBI Scales
Authors: Pu Hung-Yi , Asada Keiichi , Nakamura Masanori
Published: October 2022

Relativistic jets from nearby low-luminosity active-galactic-nuclei (LLAGN) were observed by Very-Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) across many orders of magnitude in space, from milliparsec to sub-parsec scales, and from the jet base in the vicinity of black holes to the jet collimation and acceleration regions. With the improved resolution for VLBI observations, resolved VLBI jet morphologies provide valuable opportunities for testing and constraining black hole jet physics. In this review, we summarize and discuss the current progress of modeling nearby LLAGN jet images from horizon scales to large scales, including the construction of jet models and the assumed emission details. Illustrative examples for jet image modeling are also given to demonstrate how jet image features may vary with the underlying physics.
Magnetic Application of Gadolinium Orthoferrite Nanoparticles Synthesized by Sol–Gel Auto-Combustion Method
Authors: Guganathan Loganathan , Rajeevgandhi Chinnaiyan , Sathiyamurthy Kaliyamurthy , Thirupathi Kokila , Santhamoorthy Madhappan , Chinnasamy Ellappan , Raorane Chaitany Jayprakash , Raj Vinit , Kim Seong-Cheol , Anand Pichapillai
Published: October 2022

In this manuscript, we present the synthesis of gadolinium orthoferrite nanoparticles using the sol–gel auto-combustion technique. The obtained gadolinium orthoferrite nanoparticles were annealed at various temperatures, such as 800 °C, 900 °C, 1000 °C, and 1100 °C. The synthesized materials were analyzed by various instrumental characterizations. The vibrational characteristics of the synthesized samples were verified by FTIR. The surface morphology of the gadolinium orthoferrite nanoparticles was analyzed by FE-SEM and HR-TEM, revealing their spherical structural morphology and uniform particle structure. The presence of the elemental features was analyzed in the gadolinium orthoferrite nanoparticles by EDAX. The surface analysis of the core ranges of the XPS-recorded spectra were obtained for the elemental states of the Gd, Fe, and O factors in the samples, and it additionally characterized the different levels of oxidative states by fitting the levels of the high-resolution parameters of Gd 4d, Fe 2p, and O 1s. The magnetic properties of the samples were investigated by VSM. The measurement of the magnetic parameters revealed that gadolinium orthoferrite nanoparticles exhibit a ferromagnetic nature.
Influence of Casein Hydrolysates and Yeast on the Rheological Properties of Wheat Dough
Authors: Troncoso Recio Ricardo , Pérez Guerra Nelson , Torrado Agrasar Ana , Tovar Rodríguez Clara Asunción
Published: October 2022

The influence of casein hydrolysates (CHs) and yeast on the viscoelasticity of wheat dough at 25 °C were analysed. Three wheat doughs were studied: the unyeasted dough (UYD), the unyeasted dough with CHs (UYD-C) and the yeasted dough (YD). The characteristic parameters in the linear viscoelastic range (LVER) were analysed by stress sweep at 6.3 rad/s: UYD-C dough exhibited higher values of stress (σmax) and strain (γmax) amplitudes, and softer gel network (lower complex modulus, G*) comparing with UYD dough. The oscillatory data suggest that CHs would work as (energy and time) stabilising-agents based on the greatest reticular energy (E parameter) and the lowest frequency dependence of phase angle (δ) at the low frequency range. The rotatory tests show that CHs may act as shear thinning agents in the gluten-starch network, facilitating the solid-fluid transition at the yield point (UYD-C dough). The yeasted dough (YD) exhibited a more shear sensitive structure, evidenced in the highest influence of frequency on the elastic (G′) and viscous (G″) parameters, and gel to sol transition at 0.23 rad/s was observed.
TEGylated Phenothiazine-Imine-Chitosan Materials as a Promising Framework for Mercury Recovery
Authors: Cibotaru Sandu , Ailincai Daniela , Andreica Bianca-Iustina , Cheng Xinjian , Marin Luminita
Published: October 2022

This paper reports new solid materials based on TEGylated phenothiazine and chitosan, with a high capacity to recover mercury ions from aqueous solutions. They were prepared by hydrogelation of chitosan with a formyl derivative of TEGylated phenothiazine, followed by lyophilization. Their structural and supramolecular characterization was carried out by 1H-NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, as well as X-ray diffraction and polarized light microscopy. Their morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and their photophysical behaviour was examined by UV/Vis and emission spectroscopy. Swelling evaluation in different aqueous media indicated the key role played by the supramolecular organization for their hydrolytic stability. Mercury recovery experiments and the analysis of the resulting materials by X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy showed a high ability of the studied materials to bind mercury ions by coordination with the sulfur atom of phenothiazine, imine linkage, and amine units of chitosan.
Physicochemical, Pasting, and Thermal Properties of Native Corn Starch–Mung Bean Protein Isolate Composites
Authors: Tarahi Mohammad , Shahidi Fakhri , Hedayati Sara
Published: October 2022

Starch is widely used in food and non-food industries because of its unique characteristics. However, native starch shows some weaknesses that restrict its applications. Recently, some studies have demonstrated the benefits of using protein to overcome these limitations. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of mung bean protein isolate (MBPI) (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) on the physicochemical, pasting, and thermal properties of native corn starch (NCS), as a novel starch–protein composite. Higher swelling power (SP), water absorbance capacity (WAC), and solubility values of NCS were observed with increasing MBPI concentration. Additionally, by the addition of MBPI, the rapid visco analyzer (RVA) showed a reduction in pasting temperature (77.98 to 76.53 °C), final viscosity (5762 to 4875 cP), and setback (3063 to 2400 cP), while the peak viscosity (4691 to 5648 cP) and breakdown (1992 to 3173 cP) increased. The thermal properties of NCS/MBPI gels investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed higher onset, peak, and conclusion temperatures (69.69 to 72.21 °C, 73.45 to 76.72 °C, and 77.75 to 82.26 °C, respectively), but lower gelatinization enthalpy (10.85 to 8.79 J/g) by increasing MBPI concentration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) indicated that the addition of MBPI decreased the amount of hydrogen bonds within starch. Furthermore, after three cycles of freeze-thaw shocks, the syneresis of NCS-MBPI composites decreased from 38.18 to 22.01%. These results indicated that the MBPI could improve the physicochemical properties of NCS, especially its syneresis and retrogradation characteristics.
Variation among the Complete Chloroplast Genomes of the Sumac Species Rhus chinensis: Reannotation and Comparative Analysis
Authors: Xu Yujie , Wen Jun , Su Xu , Ren Zhumei
Published: October 2022

The sumac Rhus chinensis Mill. is an economically and ecologically important shrub or tree species in the family of Anacardiaceae with a wide distribution in East to Southeast Asia. We assembled the complete chloroplast genome of 159,187 bp in length and the GC content of 37.8%. The genome encoded 132 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 1 pseudogene, and 77 SSRs were identified as well as the interval regions, totaling 46,425 bp in length. The mauve alignment revealed one gene rearrangement among the Rhus species. All the SSRs were divided into five types, most of which consisted of mono- and tri- repeat motifs. Our genome exhibited the longest size and more annotated genes compared to the three other genomes of R. chinensis reported in GenBank. We also discovered some relatively highly variable regions in the complete chloroplast genomes of the Rhus species. The ML phylogenetic analysis of the available chloroplast sequences of the Anacardiaceae well supported the monophyly of each tribe and each genus; the tribe Rhoideae was close to the tribe Anacardiaceae with a high support of 100%, and they then grouped with the tribe Spondiadeae. R. chinensis was sister to R. potaninii, and they then grouped with the species R. typhina.
Phylogenetic Analysis Based on DNA Barcoding and Genetic Diversity Assessment of Morinda officinalis How in Vietnam Inferred by Microsatellites
Authors: Pham Thanh , Nguyen Quynh Thi , Tran Duc Minh , Nguyen Hoi , Le Hung Thai , Hoang Que Thi Hong , Van Yen Thi , Tran Thang Nam
Published: October 2022

Morinda officinalis How is well-known as a valuable medicinal plant found in some regions of Vietnam. This species is mainly used for treating male impotence, irregular menstruation, and rheumatoid arthritis. This study aimed to identify the species of and genetic diversity in three M. officinalis populations: one each in Quang Binh (QB), Thua Thien Hue (TTH), and Quang Nam (QN). In this study, four DNA barcoding markers (ITS1, ITS2, matK, and rbcL) were used to identify the species and 22 microsatellite markers were applied for population structure and diversity analyses. The results showed that the sequences of gene regions studied in M. officinalis had a high similarity (>95%) to the ITS1, ITS2, matK, and rbcL sequences of M. officinalis on BLAST. Of the four DNA barcoding markers used, ITS1 and ITS2 showed higher efficiency in DNA amplification of M. officinalis. From this study, 27 GenBank codes were published on BLAST. The results also revealed high levels of genetic diversity in populations. The average observed and expected heterozygosity values were HO = 0.513 and HE = 0.612, respectively. The average FST value was 0.206. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed 70% variation within populations and 30% among populations. The population structure of M. officinalis inferred in STRUCTURE revealed that the optimum number of genetic groups for the admixture model was K = 2. These findings provided vital background information for future studies in the conservation of M. officinalis in both ex situ and in situ plans.
Adenoviral Vectors: Potential as Anti-HBV Vaccines and Therapeutics
Authors: Farhad Tasneem , Neves Keila , Arbuthnot Patrick , Maepa Mohube Betty
Published: October 2022

Adenoviral vaccines have been at the front line in the fight against pandemics caused by viral infections such as Ebola and the coronavirus disease 2019. This has revived an interest in developing these vectors as vaccines and therapies against other viruses of health importance such as hepatitis B virus (HBV). Current hepatitis B therapies are not curative; hence, chronic hepatitis B remains the major risk factor for development of liver disease and death in HBV-infected individuals. The ability to induce a robust immune response and high liver transduction efficiency makes adenoviral vectors attractive tools for anti-HBV vaccine and therapy development, respectively. This review describes recent developments in designing adenoviral-vector-based therapeutics and vaccines against HBV infection.
The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Pilumnopeus Makianus (Brachyura: Pilumnidae), Novel Gene Rearrangements, and Phylogenetic Relationships of Brachyura
Authors: Duan Xinbing , Dong Xiangli , Li Jiji , Lü Jiayin , Guo Baoying , Xu Kaida , Ye Yingying
Published: October 2022

Pilumnopeus makianus is a crab that belongs to Pilumnidae, Brachyura. Although many recent studies have focused on the phylogeny of Brachyura, the internal relationships in this clade are far from settled. In this study, the complete mitogenome of P. makianus was sequenced and annotated for the first time. The length of the mitogenome is 15,863 bp, and includes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNA), and 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA). The mitogenome exhibits a high AT content (72.26%), with a negative AT-skew (−0.01) and a GC-skew (−0.256). In the mitogenome of P. makianus, all the tRNA genes are folded into the typical cloverleaf secondary structure, except trnS1 (TCT). A comparison with the ancestors of Brachyura reveals that gene rearrangement occurred in P. makianus. In addition, phylogenetic analyses based on thirteen PCGs indicated that P. makianus, Pilumnus vespertilio, and Echinoecus nipponicus clustered into a well-supported clade that supports the monophyly of the family Pilumnidae. These findings enabled a better understanding of phylogenetic relationships within Brachyura.
Genetic Diversity and Population Genetic Structure Analysis of Plasmodium knowlesi Thrombospondin-Related Apical Merozoite Protein (TRAMP) in Clinical Samples
Authors: Ahmed Md Atique , Zaidi Rehan Haider , Deshmukh Gauspasha Yusuf , Saif Ahmed , Alshahrani Mohammed Abdulrahman , Salam Syeda Sabiha , Elfaki Mohammed Mohieldien Abbas , Han Jin-Hee , Patgiri Saurav Jyoti , Quan Fu-Shi
Published: October 2022

The simian malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi causes a high number of zoonotic infections in Malaysia. The thrombospondin-related apical merozoite protein (TRAMP) is an essential ligand for binding to the erythrocyte cell surface, whereby it facilitates the invasion. This study is the first attempt to determine the genetic diversity, phylogeography, natural selection and population structure from 97 full-length PkTRAMP gene sequences originating from Malaysia. We found low levels of nucleotide diversity (π~0.0065) for the full-length gene despite samples originating from geographically separated regions (i.e., Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo). The rate of synonymous substitutions was significantly higher than that of non-synonymous substitutions, indicating a purifying selection for the full-length gene within the clinical samples. The population genetic analysis revealed that the parasite population is undergoing a significant population expansion. The analysis of the amino acid sequence alignment of 97 PkTRAMP sequences identified 15 haplotypes, of which a major shared haplotype was noted Hap 1 (n = 68, Sarawak; n = 34, Sabah; n = 12, Peninsular Malaysia; n = 22). The phylogenetic analysis using DNA sequences identified two clusters that separated due to geographical distance and three mixed clusters with samples from both Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. Population structure analyses indicated two distinct sub-populations (K = 2). Our findings point to the potential for independent parasite evolution, which could make zoonotic malaria control and elimination even more challenging.
Systematic Identification and Validation of Suitable Reference Genes for the Normalization of Gene Expression in Prunella vulgaris under Different Organs and Spike Development Stages
Authors: Zheng Hui , Zhao Hongguang , Zhang Xuemin , Liang Zongsuo , He Qiuling
Published: October 2022

The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) is an efficient and sensitive method for determining gene expression levels, but the accuracy of the results substantially depends on the stability of the reference gene (RG). Therefore, choosing an appropriate reference gene is a critical step in normalizing qRT-PCR data. Prunella vulgaris L. is a traditional Chinese medicine herb widely used in China. Its main medicinal part is the fruiting spike which is termed Spica Prunellae. However, thus far, few studies have been conducted on the mechanism of Spica Prunellae development. Meanwhile, no reliable RGs have been reported in P. vulgaris. The expression levels of 14 candidate RGs were analyzed in this study in various organs and at different stages of Spica Prunellae development. Four statistical algorithms (Delta Ct, BestKeeper, NormFinder, and geNorm) were utilized to identify the RGs’ stability, and an integrated stability rating was generated via the RefFinder website online. The final ranking results revealed that eIF-2 was the most stable RG, whereas VAB2 was the least suitable as an RG. Furthermore, eIF-2 + Histon3.3 was identified as the best RG combination in different periods and the total samples. Finally, the expressions of the PvTAT and Pv4CL2 genes related to the regulation of rosmarinic acid synthesis in different organs were used to verify the stable and unstable RGs. The stable RGs in P. vulgaris were originally identified and verified in this work. This achievement provides strong support for obtaining a reliable qPCR analysis and lays the foundation for in-depth research on the developmental mechanism of Spica Prunellae.
Eusocial Transition in Blattodea: Transposable Elements and Shifts of Gene Expression
Authors: Berger Juliette , Legendre Frédéric , Zelosko Kevin-Markus , Harrison Mark C. , Grandcolas Philippe , Bornberg-Bauer Erich , Fouks Bertrand
Published: October 2022

(1) Unravelling the molecular basis underlying major evolutionary transitions can shed light on how complex phenotypes arise. The evolution of eusociality, a major evolutionary transition, has been demonstrated to be accompanied by enhanced gene regulation. Numerous pieces of evidence suggest the major impact of transposon insertion on gene regulation and its role in adaptive evolution. Transposons have been shown to be play a role in gene duplication involved in the eusocial transition in termites. However, evidence of the molecular basis underlying the eusocial transition in Blattodea remains scarce. Could transposons have facilitated the eusocial transition in termites through shifts of gene expression? (2) Using available cockroach and termite genomes and transcriptomes, we investigated if transposons insert more frequently in genes with differential expression in queens and workers and if those genes could be linked to specific functions essential for eusocial transition. (3) The insertion rate of transposons differs among differentially expressed genes and displays opposite trends between termites and cockroaches. The functions of termite transposon-rich queen- and worker-biased genes are related to reproduction and ageing and behaviour and gene expression, respectively. (4) Our study provides further evidence on the role of transposons in the evolution of eusociality, potentially through shifts in gene expression.
Accelerating Tsunami Modeling for Evacuation Studies through Modification of the Manning Roughness Values
Authors: Cárdenas Giovanni , Catalán Patricio A.
Published: October 2022

The role of the Manning roughness coefficient in modifying a tsunami time series of flow depth inundation was studied in Iquique, Chile, using a single synthetic earthquake scenario. A high-resolution digital surface model was used as a reference configuration, and several bare land models using constant roughness were tested with different grid resolutions. As previously reported, increasing the Manning n value beyond the standard values is essential to reproduce mean statistics such as the inundated area extent and maximum flow depth. The arrival time showed to be less sensitive to changes in the Manning n value, at least in terms of the magnitude of the error. However, increasing the Manning n value too much leads to a critical change in the characteristics of the flow, which departs from its bore-like structure to a more gradual and persistent inundation. It was found that it is possible to find a Manning n value that resembles most features of the reference flow using less resolution in the numerical grids. This allows us to speed up inundation tsunami modeling, which could be useful when multiple inundation simulations are required.
Interpretation of Trace Element Chemistry of Zircons from Bor and Cukaru Peki: Conventional Approach and Random Forest Classification
Authors: Klimentyeva Dina , Velojic Milos , Von Quadt Albrecht , Hood Shawn
Published: October 2022

The deposits of Bor and Cukaru Peki are important contributors to the Apuseni–Banat–Timok–Srednogorie (ABTS) belt’s metallogenic endowment. We use decision tree and random forest algorithms applied to zircon geochemistry data from Bor, Cukaru Peki and a selection of other localities within the ABTS. The resulting predictions, supported by high scores on the test set predictions for the random forest algorithm, suggest that it is possible to fingerprint the studied deposits and localities from the ABTS belt based on zircon geochemistry. These results take into account the multivariate geochemical patterns and can be used in combination with a widely accepted Eu anomaly indicator or assist in finding more subtle geochemical differences for systems where applying a single cut-off value does not result in a good separation between barren and mineralized rocks.
Advanced Practice Providers as Leaders of a Rapid Response Team: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kreeftenberg Herman G. , de Bie Ashley J. R. , Aarts Jeroen T. , Bindels Alexander J. G. H. , van der Meer Nardo J. M. , van der Voort Peter H. J.
Published: October 2022

In view of the shortage of medical staff, the quality and continuity of care may be improved by employing advanced practice providers (APPs). This study aims to assess the quality of these APPs in critical care. In a large teaching hospital, rapid response team (RRT) interventions led by APPs were assessed by independent observers and intensivists and compared to those led by medical residents MRs. In addition to mortality, the MAELOR tool (assessment of RRT intervention), time from RRT call until arrival at the scene and time until completion of clinical investigations were assessed. Process outcomes were assessed with the crisis management skills checklist, the Ottawa global rating scale and the Mayo high-performance teamwork scale. The intensivists assessed performance with the handoff CEX recipient scale. Mortality, MAELOR tool, time until arrival and clinical investigation in both groups were the same. Process outcomes and performance observer scores were also equal. The CEX recipient scores, however, showed differences between MRs and APPs that increased with experience. Experienced APPs had significantly better situational awareness, better organization, better evaluations and better judgment than MRs with equal experience (p < 0.05). This study shows that APPs perform well in leading an RRT and may provide added quality over a resident. RRTs should seriously consider the deployment of APPs instead of junior clinicians.
Diabetes Self-Management and Health-Related Quality of Life among Primary Care Patients with Diabetes in Qatar: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Alsayed Hassan Diana , Helaluddin Fatema , Chahestani Ozra Hajebi , Mohamed Omnia , Islam Nazmul
Published: October 2022

Diabetes self-management (DSM) practices are an important determinant of health-related outcomes, including health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The purpose of this study is to explore DSM practices and their relationship with the HRQOL of patients with type 2 diabetes in primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Qatar. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from PHCC patients with diabetes via interview-administered questionnaires by utilizing two instruments: the DSM questionnaire (DSMQ) and the HRQOL Short Form (SF-12). Frequencies were calculated for categorical variables and medians were calculated for continuous variables that were not normally distributed. A statistical comparison between groups was conducted using chi-square for categorical data. Binary logistic regression was utilized to examine the relationship between the significant independent factors and the dependent variables. A total of 105 patients completed the questionnaire, 51.4% of whom were male. Approximately half of the participants (48.6%) reported poor overall DSM practices, and 50.5% reported poor physical health quality of life (PC) and mental health quality of life (MC). Female participants showed significantly higher odds of reporting poor DSM than male participants (OR, 4.77; 95% CI, 1.92–11.86; p = 0.001). Participants with a secondary education (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.04–0.81; p = 0.025) and university education (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.04–0.84; p = 0.029) showed significantly lower odds of reporting poor DSM than participants with no/primary education. Older participants showed higher odds of reporting poor PC than younger participants (OR 11.04, 95% CI, 1.47–82.76 and OR 8.32; 95% CI, 1.10–62.86, respectively). Females also had higher odds for poor PC than males (OR 7.08; 95% CI, 2.21–22.67), while participants with a secondary (OR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.03–0.62; p = 0.010) and university education (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.02–0.57; p = 0.008) showed significantly lower odds of reporting poor MC. In conclusion, patients with diabetes reported poor overall DSM practices and poor HRQOL. Our findings suggest intensifying efforts to deliver culturally appropriate DSM education to patients and to empower patients to take charge of their health.
Fighting Cancer around the World: A Framework for Action
Authors: Horgan Denis , Mia Rizwana , Erhabor Tosan , Hamdi Yosr , Dandara Collet , Lal Jonathan , Domgue Joel , Ewumi Oladimeji , Nyawira Teresia , Meyer Salomé , Kondji Dominique , Francisco Ngiambudulu , Ikeda Sadakatsu , Chuah Chai , De Guzman Roselle , Paul Anupriya , Reddy Nallamalla Krishna , Park Woong-Yang , Tripathi Vijay , Tripathi Ravikant , Johns Amber , Singh Mohan , Phipps Maude , Dube France , Whittaker Kate , Mukherji Deborah , Rasheed Hadi , Kozaric Marta , Pinto Joseph , Doral Stefani Stephen , Augustovski Federico , Aponte Rueda Maria , Fujita Alarcon Ricardo , Barrera-Saldana Hugo
Published: October 2022

Tackling cancer is a major challenge right on the global level. Europe is only the tip of an iceberg of cancer around the world. Prosperous developed countries share the same problems besetting Europe–and the countries and regions with fewer resources and less propitious conditions are in many cases struggling often heroically against a growing tide of disease. This paper offers a view on these geographically wider, but essentially similar, challenges, and on the prospects for and barriers to better results in this ceaseless battle. A series of panels have been organized by the European Alliance for Personalised Medicine (EAPM) to identify different aspects of cancer care around the globe. There is significant diversity in key issues such as NGS, RWE, molecular diagnostics, and reimbursement in different regions. In all, it leads to disparities in access and diagnostics, patients’ engagement, and efforts for a better understanding of cancer.
Close Contacts, Infected Cases, and the Trends of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Epidemic in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Li Furong , Liang Fengchao , Zhu Bin , Han Xinxin , Fang Shenying , Huang Jie , Zou Xuan , Gu Dongfeng
Published: October 2022

(1) The overall trends of the number of daily close contacts and infected cases as well as their association during an epidemic of Omicron Variant of SARS-CoV-2 have been poorly described. (2) Methods: This study was to describe the trends during the epidemic of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Shenzhen, China, including the number of close contacts and infected cases as well as their ratios by days and stages (five stages). (3) Results: A total of 1128 infected cases and 80,288 close contacts were identified in Shenzhen from 13 February 2022 to 1 April 2022. Before the citywide lockdown (14 March), the number of daily close contacts and infected cases gradually increased. However, the numbers showed a decrease after the lockdown was imposed. The ratio of daily close contacts to daily infected cases ranged from 20.2:1 to 63.4:1 and reached the lowest during the lockdown period. The growth rate of daily close contacts was consistent with those of infected cases observed 6 days later to some extent. (4) Conclusions: The Omicron variant epidemic was promptly contained by tracing close contacts and taking subsequent quarantine measures.
Effects of Changes in Smoking Behavior of Older Adults’ Oral Health
Authors: Jeong Kyuhyoung , Cho Sunghwan , Ryu Juhyun , Cho Heeran J. , Kim Sunghee
Published: October 2022

While smoking is a crucial health risk, it adversely affects oral health, particularly becoming riskier for older adults who have smoked for a long time. This study identifies the patterns of smoking behavior changes in older adults aged 65 years and older and examines how the smoking behavior changes affect their oral health. Longitudinal data were derived from Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) between 2006 and 2018, targeting the older adults 65 years and older in South Korea. The independent variable was the amount of smoking, and the dependent variable was oral health. For data analysis, SPSS 25.0 and M-plus 8.0 programs were utilized. As a result, the patterns of changes in smoking behavior of the older adults finally derived were ‘non-smoking,’ ‘decreasing,’ ‘high-level maintenance,’ and ‘decreasing after increasing.’ Furthermore, the relationship between the smoking behavior change pattern of the older adults and oral health was revealed. Specifically, as for the smoking behavior change pattern of the older adults, it was confirmed that the oral health was better in the ‘non-smoking’ pattern compared to the ‘high-level maintenance’ pattern. On the other hand, it was confirmed that the ‘decreasing’ pattern and the ‘decreasing after rising’ pattern did not significantly affect oral health. The findings imply that even if older adults smoked a lot in the past, if they quit smoking at some point, it can positively affect their oral health. Furthermore, it is suggested to allow public officials, medical professionals, and welfare experts to actively intervene for older adults to stop smoking for their oral health.
Effectiveness of Pulmonary Rehabilitation among COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: AL-Mhanna Sameer Badri , Mohamed Mahaneem , Noor Norhayati Mohd , Afolabi Hafeez Abiola , Irekeola Ahmad Adebayo , Bello Kizito Eneye , Aldhahi Monira I. , Wan Ghazali Wan Syaheedah
Published: October 2022

Background: Many COVID-19 patients presented with detrimental features, such as impaired respiratory function, physical capacity, and overall poor quality of life. The present study evaluates the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation on COVID-19 patients. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar from 2019 to 2021. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO with the registration number CRD42021273618. We performed statistical analyses via random effects and expressed the outcomes as standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous variables, with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: We included six trials involving 432 patients. The primary outcome showed a significant improvement in physical function (SMD 0.83, 95% CI −0.58 to 1.09; p < 0.001; four trials, 266 participants; high-quality evidence). There was significant difference in anxiety (SMD −0.80, 95% CI −1.23 to −0.37; p = 0.003), physical activity intensity levels (SMD −1.27, 95% CI −2.23 to −0.32; p = 0.009), sleep quality (MD −0.05, 95% CI −0.83 to −0.16; p = 0.004), peripheral muscle performance of lower limbs (SMD 0.90, 95% CI −0.60 to 1.20; p < 0.001), and dyspnoea outcomes (SMD −0.55, 95% CI −0.87 to −0.23; p = 0.007). Conclusions: Pulmonary rehabilitation is an effective adjuvant therapy that minimizes COVID-19 severity in the intervention group compared to the conventional treatment. The findings of this study will need to be considered in the framework of the clinical outcome as observed in the intervention outcome. Additionally, safer data on guideline rehabilitation would be needed to examine whether pulmonary rehabilitation would be a fruitful intervention to reduce COVID-19 severity.
Eye-Tracking-Based Analysis of Situational Awareness of Nurses
Authors: Sugimoto Masahiro , Tomita Atsumi , Oyamada Michiko , Sato Mitsue
Published: October 2022

Background: Nurses are responsible for comprehensively identifying patient conditions and associated environments. We hypothesize that gaze trajectories of nurses differ based on their experiences, even under the same situation. Methods: An eye-tracking device monitored the gaze trajectories of nurses with various levels of experience, and nursing students during the intravenous injection task on a human patient simulator. Results: The areas of interest (AOIs) were identified in the recorded movies, and the gaze durations of AOIs showed different patterns between experienced nurses and nursing students. A state transition diagram visualized the recognition errors of the students and the repeated confirmation of the vital signs of the patient simulator. Clustering analysis of gaze durations also indicated similarity among the participants with similar experiences. Conclusions: As expected, gaze trajectories differed among the participants. The developed gaze transition diagram visualized their differences and helped in interpreting their situational awareness based on visual perception. The demonstrated method can help in establishing an effective nursing education, particularly for learning the skills that are difficult to be verbalized.
Machine Learning Deciphers Genotype and Ammonium as Key Factors for the Micropropagation of Bryophyllum sp. Medicinal Plants
Authors: Lozano-Milo Eva , Landin Mariana , Gallego Pedro Pablo , García-Pérez Pascual
Published: October 2022

Bryophyllum constitutes a subgenus of succulent plants that have been widely employed worldwide in traditional medicine. Micropropagation is required to optimize their growth and reproduction for biotechnological purposes. The mineral composition of culture media is usually an underestimated factor in the design of the in vitro culture protocols of medicinal plants. Universal and highly cited media mineral formulations, such as the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, are generally employed in plant tissue culture studies, although they cause physiological disorders due to their imbalanced mineral composition. In this work, neurofuzzy logic is proposed as a machine-learning-based tool to decipher the key factors (genotype, number of subcultures, and macronutrients) that are involved in the establishment of the Bryophyllum sp. in vitro culture. The results show that genotype played a key role, as it impacts both vegetative growth and asexual reproduction in all of the species that were studied. In addition, ammonium was identified as a significant factor, as concentrations above 15 mM promote a negative effect on vegetative growth and reproduction. These findings should be considered as the starting point for optimizing the establishment of the in vitro culture of Bryophyllum species, with large-scale applications as biofactories of health-promoting compounds, such as polyphenols and bufadienolides.