bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wellbeing and Work Design in Brazilian Teleworkers
Authors: Mishima-Santos Viviane , Sticca Marina Greghi , Pérez-Nebra Amalia R.
Published: October 2021

Studies suggest that work characteristics may be related to workers’ wellbeing. However, little is known about how these work characteristics may influence telework wellbeing in the face of the long period of social isolation and restrictions imposed by COVID-19. This study aimed to relate work characteristics in remote work to wellbeing using a two-stage multi-method approach. The general hypothesis is that different work characteristics will be organized into different groups and related to wellbeing. In Step 1, 108 teleworkers who participated in compulsory telework conditions answered the Work Design Questionnaire (WDQ) and Wellbeing at Work scale. A cluster analysis was conducted in which two clusters emerged based solely on their valence. The variables that contributed most to the cluster were: feedback from the job, social support, problem-solving, and decision and execution autonomy. Cluster 1 aggregated higher scores on work characteristics, and Cluster 2, lower scores. Cluster 1 presented significantly higher scores on wellbeing. In Step 2, 27 of these workers were blindly interviewed. Five classes of words emerged from the interviews: Class 1 – wellbeing, Class 2 – work dissatisfaction lexicon, Class 3 – role clarity, Class 4 – job demands, and Class 5 – job resources, including receiving feedback, conversations, praise, and support. Chi-square analysis suggests significant differences in classes 2, 3, 4, and 5. Cluster 1 appears more frequently in the role clarity class and less frequently in the work dissatisfaction and job demands classes. Cluster 2 is more frequent in the job dissatisfaction and job demands classes, however, less frequent in the job resources class. Class 1 shows no significant difference. These results partially support the general hypothesis that different work characteristics will be organized into different clusters and related to the teleworker’s wellbeing, but in the sense that it prevents suffering but does not necessarily promote wellbeing. The results contribute to the understanding of the relationship between work characteristics and wellbeing during the pandemic by using a different methodological approach, describing that work feedback, social support, skill variety, and problem-solving are the most significant in differentiating the perception of the groups. Social support and feedback from the job differentiate cluster 1 from cluster 2, but social support is not able to increase wellbeing, unless buffering unwellness.
Older Adults Who Experience Their Lives to Be Completed and No Longer Worth Living: A Systematic Mini-Review Into Used Terminology, Definitions, and Interpretations
Authors: Appel Judith E. , van Wijngaarden Els J.
Published: October 2021

In the Netherlands and in Belgium, a political debate emerged regarding the possibility of euthanasia and assisted suicide (EAS) for older adults who experience their lives as completed and no longer worth living, despite being relatively healthy. This mini-review aimed to (1) present an overview of the terms used to denote this phenomenon as well as their definitions and to (2) explore how the underlying experiences are interpreted by the study authors. A systematic search was performed in Web of Science, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL, yielding 35 articles meeting the selection criteria. We selected empirical, English-language articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Participants had to have a first-person experience of the phenomenon or be assessed for it, or have a third-person experience of the phenomenon. Results show that the terms tiredness of life (ToL) and weariness of life (WoL) were used most frequently, also in the broader literature on suicidal expressions across the life span. Many studies mentioned operational definitions or synonyms rather than theoretical definitions. Moreover, inside the EAS debate, the term ToL was more common, its definition incorporated death wishes, and it was regularly framed existentially. Outside of this debate, the phenomenon was generally considered as a part of suicidal ideation distinct from death wishes, and its experience was often associated with underlying psychopathology. We discuss the need to establish consensus definitions and conclude that only a multidimensional view may be suitable to capture the complex nature of the phenomenon.
Working Memory Performance, Pain and Associated Clinical Variables in Women With Fibromyalgia
Authors: Gil-Ugidos Antonio , Rodríguez-Salgado Dolores , Pidal-Miranda Marina , Samartin-Veiga Noelia , Fernández-Prieto Montse , Carrillo-de-la-Peña Maria Teresa
Published: October 2021

Working memory (WM) is a critical process for cognitive functioning in which fibromyalgia (FM) patients could show cognitive disturbances. Dyscognition in FM has been explained by interference from pain processing, which shares the neural substrates involved in cognition and may capture neural resources required to perform cognitive tasks. However, there is not yet data about how pain is related to WM performance, neither the role that other clinical variables could have. The objectives of this study were (1) to clarify the WM status of patients with FM and its relationship with nociception, and (2) to determine the clinical variables associated to FM that best predict WM performance. To this end, 132 women with FM undertook a neuropsychological assessment of WM functioning (Digit span, Spatial span, ACT tests and a 2-Back task) and a complete clinical assessment (FSQ, FIQ-R, BDI-1A, HADS, PSQI, MFE-30 questionnaires), including determination of pain thresholds and tolerance by pressure algometry. Patients with FM seem to preserve their WM span and ability to maintain and manipulate information online for both visuospatial and verbal domains. However, up to one-third of patients showed impairment in tasks requiring more short-term memory load, divided attention, and information processing ability (measured by the ACT task). Cognitive performance was spuriously related to the level of pain experienced, finding only that pain measures are related to the ACT task. The results of the linear regression analyses suggest that sleep problems and fatigue were the variables that best predicted WM performance in FM patients. Future research should take these variables into account when evaluating dyscognition in FM and should include dynamic measures of pain modulation.
Innovative Enterprises Development and Employees’ Knowledge Sharing Behavior in China: The Role of Leadership Style
Authors: Jiang Daokui , Chen Zhuo
Published: October 2021

Leadership is generally considered helpful for team knowledge sharing. However, differences in the influence of different leadership styles on team knowledge sharing mechanism is still unclear. To understand different leadership style foster team knowledge sharing, this study focuses on leader–follower trust during team interactions. From the perspective of leadership as social problem solving, we argue that transformational leadership and authoritative leadership are different linked to team knowledge sharing. Through the collection of a sample of 791 valid questionnaires in China, we used the structural equation model to test the theoretical model. Results showed that: (1) Transformational leadership was positively linked to explicit and implicit knowledge sharing, while authoritative leadership was positively linked to explicit knowledge sharing. (2) Trust tendency mediates the relationship between authoritative leadership and knowledge sharing. (3) Supportive and bureaucratic culture moderate the influence of trust tendency on implicit knowledge sharing, such that the positive relationship is stronger for the low-quality of supportive culture and the high-quality of bureaucratic culture. Finally, The study’s implication for theory and practice were discussed, its limitations were identified, and directions for future research were suggested.
Esteemed Colleagues: A Model of the Effect of Open Data on Selective Reporting of Scientific Results
Authors: Spiegelman Eli
Published: October 2021

Open data, the practice of making available to the research community the underlying data and analysis codes used to generate scientific results, facilitates verification of published results, and should thereby reduce the expected benefit (and hence the incidence) of p-hacking and other forms of academic dishonesty. This paper presents a simple signaling model of how this might work in the presence of two kinds of cost. First, reducing the cost of “checking the math” increases verification and reduces falsification. Cases where the author can choose a high or low verification-cost regime (that is, open or closed data) result in unraveling; not all authors choose the low-cost route, but the best do. The second kind of cost is the cost to authors of preparing open data. Introducing these costs results in that high- and low-quality results being published in both open and closed data regimes, but even when the costs are independent of research quality open data is favored by high-quality results in equilibrium. A final contribution of the model is a measure of “science welfare” that calculates the ex-post distortion of equilibrium beliefs about the quality of published results, and shows that open data will always improve the aggregate state of knowledge.
The Aftermath: Post-pandemic Psychiatric Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic, a South Korean Perspective
Authors: Min Sooyeon , Jeong Yun Ha , Kim Jeongyeon , Koo Ja Wook , Ahn Yong Min
Published: October 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted our everyday life. Along with the fear of getting infected or of having loved ones infected, the lifestyle changes and the socioeconomic consequences of the pandemic have profound impact on mental health of the general population. While numerous studies on immediate psychological responses to COVID-19 are being published, there is a lack of discussion on its possible long-term sequelae. In this study, we systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed longitudinal studies that examined mental health of the general population prior to and during the pandemic. Furthermore, we explored the long-term psychiatric implications of the pandemic with data from South Korea. Our analysis showed that the number of suicidal deaths during the pandemic was lower than the previous years in many countries, which is in contrast with the increased depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in the general population in South Korea as well as in other countries. To explain this phenomenon, we propose a possibility of delayed impacts. The post-traumatic stress, long-term consequences of social restrictions, and maladaptive response to the “new normal” are discussed in the paper. COVID-19 being an unprecedented global crisis, more research and international collaboration are needed to understand, to treat, and to prevent its long-term effects on our mental health.
Systematic Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh: Effectiveness of Preparedness in the First Wave
Authors: Saha Priom , Gulshan Jahida
Published: October 2021

Background: To develop an effective countermeasure and determine our susceptibilities to the outbreak of COVID-19 is challenging for a densely populated developing country like Bangladesh and a systematic review of the disease on a continuous basis is necessary.

Methods: Publicly available and globally acclaimed datasets (4 March 2020–30 September 2020) from IEDCR, Bangladesh, JHU, and ECDC database are used for this study. Visual exploratory data analysis is used and we fitted a polynomial model for the number of deaths. A comparison of Bangladesh scenario over different time points as well as with global perspectives is made.

Results: In Bangladesh, the number of active cases had decreased, after reaching a peak, with a constant pattern of death rate at from July to the end of September, 2020. Seventy-one percent of the cases and 77% of the deceased were males. People aged between 21 and 40 years were most vulnerable to the coronavirus and most of the fatalities (51.49%) were in the 60+ population. A strong positive correlation (0.93) between the number of tests and confirmed cases and a constant incidence rate (around 21%) from June 1 to August 31, 2020 was observed. The case fatality ratio was between 1 and 2. The number of cases and the number of deaths in Bangladesh were much lower compared to other countries.

Conclusions: This study will help to understand the patterns of spread and transition in Bangladesh, possible measures, effectiveness of the preparedness, implementation gaps, and their consequences to gather vital information and prevent future pandemics.
Risk Perception of COVID-19 in Indonesia During the First Stage of the Pandemic
Authors: Tejamaya Mila , Widanarko Baiduri , Erwandi Dadan , Putri Amelia Anggarawati , Sunarno Stevan D. A. M. , Wirawan I Made Ady , Kurniawan Bina , Thamrin Yahya
Published: October 2021

Community perceptions of early-stage pandemics may have significant implications for subsequent disease control and management. Perceptions of COVID-19 among Indonesian citizens were assessed 2 months after the first reported case in the country. The study used an online survey tool, which was adapted from a standardized questionnaire for risk perception of an infectious disease outbreak. The questions of the survey involved respondents' perceived level of knowledge, preparedness, efficacy of control measures, newness, infectiousness, seriousness, motivating and hindering factors, and effectiveness of prevention methods, as well as questions that assessed actual level of knowledge of respondents such as causative agents, modes of transmission, number of total cases, and available control measures. A total of 1,043 respondents participated in this study. The main sources of information of respondents were social media (85.2%) and online news (82.2%). Nearly all respondents were aware that COVID-19 is a viral disease with saliva droplets (97.1%) and contaminated surfaces (86.5%) being its main modes of transmission. Participants showed a good level of knowledge pertaining to control measures, an adequate level of belief toward their efficacy, and a willingness to implement such measures. More than 95% of the respondents perceived COVID-19 to be either serious or very serious. However, the level of anxiety among respondents was moderate, suggesting the presence of risk tolerance in the community. Individual characteristics such as gender, educational background, and occupation were found to have a statistically significant relationship with risk perception and tolerance, but voluntary participation in control measures was high and similar. This indicates that the COVID-19 health campaign during early pandemic in Indonesia was a success. This research also revealed certain areas where health promotion, education, and awareness might be improved.
36-Month Evaluation of a Weight Management Programme in Chinese Overweight and Obese Adults
Authors: Yang Xi , Chattopadhyay Kaushik , Hubbard Richard , Li Jia-Lin , Li Li , Lin Yi
Published: October 2021

Background: Few comprehensive lifestyle intervention programmes have been investigated on overweight and obese adults in China. This study was to evaluate the effect of a 36-month weight management programme on weight loss and its maintenance among overweight and obese patients in Ningbo, China.

Methods: Adults with BMI ≥24kg/m2 enrolled in this programme, including nutritional, physical activity, psychological and endocrinological counselling sessions, from July 2015 to January 2020. Adults participated in face-to-face counselling sessions and group-based education. Then, participants joined 21-day intensive programme using Bohe health APP and WeChat group to get personal advice of nutrition and lifestyle. In the end, participants were requested to join 33-month follow-ups including face-to-face counselling and personal advice on WeChat group. The main outcome was to evaluate the changes in weight at each followup from baseline weight.

Results: In total, 692 adults participated in this entire weight management programme. During follow-ups, 579, 475, 299, 219, and 135 adults participated at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. All participants had a significant initial weight loss at 3 months, then maintained the weight loss during 33-month follow-ups. At 36 months, 11.0%, 6.4%, and 3.5% of all participants achieved 5%, 10%, and 15% weight loss from the baseline weight, respectively. Adjusted weight at 36 months was significantly reduced from the baseline weight in both sex (−7.2 kg).

Conclusion: This weight management programme is suggested to benefit to reduce initial body weight and maintain long-term weight loss among overweight and obese adults.
The Determinants of the Low COVID-19 Transmission and Mortality Rates in Africa: A Cross-Country Analysis
Authors: Bouba Yagai , Tsinda Emmanuel Kagning , Fonkou Maxime Descartes Mbogning , Mmbando Gideon Sadikiel , Bragazzi Nicola Luigi , Kong Jude Dzevela
Published: October 2021

Background: More than 1 year after the beginning of the international spread of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), the reasons explaining its apparently lower reported burden in Africa are still to be fully elucidated. Few studies previously investigated the potential reasons explaining this epidemiological observation using data at the level of a few African countries. However, an updated analysis considering the various epidemiological waves and variables across an array of categories, with a focus on African countries might help to better understand the COVID-19 pandemic on the continent. Thus, we investigated the potential reasons for the persistently lower transmission and mortality rates of COVID-19 in Africa.

Methods: Data were collected from publicly available and well-known online sources. The cumulative numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths per 1 million population reported by the African countries up to February 2021 were used to estimate the transmission and mortality rates of COVID-19, respectively. The covariates were collected across several data sources: clinical/diseases data, health system performance, demographic parameters, economic indicators, climatic, pollution, and radiation variables, and use of social media. The collinearities were corrected using variance inflation factor (VIF) and selected variables were fitted to a multiple regression model using the R statistical package.

Results: Our model (adjusted R-squared: 0.7) found that the number of COVID-19 tests per 1 million population, GINI index, global health security (GHS) index, and mean body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated (P < 0.05) with COVID-19 cases per 1 million population. No association was found between the median life expectancy, the proportion of the rural population, and Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) coverage rate. On the other hand, diabetes prevalence, number of nurses, and GHS index were found to be significantly associated with COVID-19 deaths per 1 million population (adjusted R-squared of 0.5). Moreover, the median life expectancy and lower respiratory infections rate showed a trend towards significance. No association was found with the BCG coverage or communicable disease burden.

Conclusions: Low health system capacity, together with some clinical and socio-economic factors were the predictors of the reported burden of COVID-19 in Africa. Our results emphasize the need for Africa to strengthen its overall health system capacity to efficiently detect and respond to public health crises.
Hot Coffee: The Identity, Climate Profiles, Agronomy, and Beverage Characteristics of Coffea racemosa and C. zanguebariae
Authors: Davis Aaron P. , Gargiulo Roberta , Almeida Iolanda N. das M. , Caravela Marcelino Inácio , Denison Charles , Moat Justin
Published: October 2021

Climate change poses a considerable challenge for coffee farming, due to increasing temperatures, worsening weather perturbations, and shifts in the quantity and timing of precipitation. Of the actions required for ensuring climate resilience for coffee, changing the crop itself is paramount, and this may have to include using alternative coffee crop species. In this study we use a multidisciplinary approach to elucidate the identity, distribution, and attributes, of two minor coffee crop species from East Africa:Coffea racemosaandC. zanguebariae. Using DNA sequencing and morphology, we elucidate their phylogenetic relationships and confirm that they represent two distinct but closely related species. Climate profiling is used to understand their basic climatic requirements, which are compared to those of Arabica (C. arabica) and robusta (C. canephora) coffee. Basic agronomic data (including yield) and sensory information are provided and evaluated.Coffea racemosaandC. zanguebariaepossess useful traits for coffee crop plant development, particularly heat tolerance, low precipitation requirement, high precipitation seasonality (dry season tolerance) and rapid fruit development (c. 4 months flowering to mature fruit). These attributes would be best accessedviabreeding programs, although these species also have niche-market potential, particularly after further pre-farm selection and post-harvest optimization.
Clinicopathological Characteristics and Survival Outcomes of Primary Renal Leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Chen Cheng , Jiang Xinjie , Xia Fei , Chen Xudong , Wang Weiguo
Published: October 2021

Background: Primary renal leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is an exceedingly rare entity with a poor prognosis. We summarized the clinicopathological characteristics, treatment choice, and survival outcomes of LMS from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

Methods: Renal LMS and kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) data from 1998 to 2016 were collected from the SEER database. The continuous variables were analyzed using t-tests, while the categorical variables were analyzed using Pearson's chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests. Propensity score matching (PSM) was also performed. The cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) curves were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analyses and compared by log-rank tests. The risk factors for CSS and OS were estimated using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models.

Results: A total of 140 patients with renal LMS and 75,401 patients with KIRC were enrolled. These groups differed significantly in sex, race, tumor size, grade, SEER stage, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Renal LMS exhibited poorer CSS and OS compared with KIRC before and after PSM. For renal LMS, the univariate Cox proportional hazard regression model indicated that larger tumor size, higher tumor grade, higher SEER stage, and chemotherapy were risk factors for CSS and OS, while surgery appeared to be a protective factor. However, only tumor grade, SEER stage, and receiving surgery remained independent prognostic factors in the multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model. In addition, subgroup analyses indicated that surgery remained a protective factor for advanced renal LMS. However, there was no survival benefit for patients receiving chemotherapy.

Conclusions: Primary renal LMS is an exceedingly rare entity with distinct clinicopathological features and a poor prognosis. A higher tumor grade and late stage may indicate a poor prognosis. Complete tumor resection remains to be the first treatment choice, while chemotherapy may be a palliative treatment for patients with advanced disease.
A Comparison of Production Performance, Egg Quality, and Cecal Microbiota in Laying Hens Receiving Graded Levels of Vitamin B12
Authors: Wang Rui , Bai Yan , Yang Yu , Wu Xiaotian , Li Ruirui
Published: October 2021

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of fortified diets with standard vs. high levels of vitamin B12 on cecal microbiota composition, production performance, and eggshell quality of laying hens. Dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet with no supplementation of vitamin B12 or supplemented with 25, 100, and 400 μg/kg vitamin B12, respectively. A total of 432 laying hens were randomly assigned to four treatments with six replicates per treatment. No significant effect of dietary treatments on the production performance of hens was detected. The shell thickness of eggs from hens fed diet supplemented with 100 μg/kg of vitamin B12 was higher (P < 0.01) than that of eggs from hens fed control diet or supplemented with 25 μg/kg vitamin B12. The shell percentage of eggs from hens fed diet supplemented with 400 μg/kg of vitamin B12 was higher (P < 0.01) than that of eggs from hens fed other treatment diets. Dietary vitamin B12 did not modulate diversity of the cecal microbiota of the layers. At genus level, the cecal content from layers fed diet with supplemental level of 100 or 400 μg/kg of vitamin B12 had higher (P < 0.01) abundance of Faecalibacterium and lower (P < 0.05) abundance of Acinetobacter compared with the cecal content from layers fed other two diets. The abundance of Lactobacillus in the cecal samples from layers fed 100 μg/kg of supplemental level of vitamin B12 was higher (P < 0.05) than that from layers fed other three diets. The abundance of Butyricicoccus was higher (P < 0.05), while Bilophila was lower (P < 0.05) in the cecal content of layers fed 400 μg/kg of vitamin B12 diet compared with those from layers fed other three diets. The results of PICRUSt analysis indicated that 10 predicted metabolic functions of the cecal microbial communities were positively correlated to dietary vitamin B12 level. Overall, dietary supplementation of 100 or 400 μg/kg of vitamin B12 had equivalent effects and caused the significant change in composition and metabolic functions of cecal microorganisms, which could positively impact eggshell quality, metabolism, and gut health of laying hens.
Inhibitory Effect of Bovine Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Lipopolysaccharide Induced Inflammation of Endometrial Epithelial Cells in Dairy Cows
Authors: Lu Wengeng , Xu Zheng-Mei , Liu Qing , Yu Nan-Nan , Yu Jia-Bin , Li Wei-Long , Mao Ying-Ying , Du Zhenzhen , Si Linqing , Yuan Siqi , Jin Jidong , Fu Shixin , Sun Dongbo , Han Ying-Hao
Published: October 2021

Endometritis is a disease that affects reproductive health in dairy cows and causes serious economic damage to the dairy industry world-wide. Although in recent years, the application of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for the treatment of inflammatory diseases has attracted much attention, there are few reports of the use of MSCs in dairy cows. In the present study, our objective was to explore the inhibitory effects of bovine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (bAD-MSCs) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation in bovine endometrial epithelial cells (bEECs) along with the potential underlying molecular mechanisms. We characterized isolated bAD-MSCs using cell surface marker staining and adipogenic/osteogenic differentiation, and analyzed them using immunofluorescence, flow cytometry (surface marker staining), and adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation. Furthermore, to understand the anti-inflammatory effects of bAD-MSCs on LPS induced bEEC inflammation, we used a bAD-MSC/bEEC co-culture system. The results showed that bAD-MSC treatments could significantly decrease LPS induced bEEC apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression levels, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Furthermore, our results showed that bAD-MSC treatments could also significantly downregulate LPS induced p38, IkB-a, and JAK1 phosphorylation and Bax protein expression levels, which are closely related to inflammatory progress and cellular apoptosis in bEECs. Our findings demonstrate that bAD-MSCs play an inhibitory role in LPS induced bEEC inflammation and provide new insights for the clinical therapy of endometritis in dairy cows.
Easing Restrictions During Vaccine Scarcity. How Mitigation Measures Help Tackling Associated Moral and Behavioral Challenges
Authors: Tretter Max , Ehrlich David B. , von Ulmenstein Ulrich
Published: October 2021

Background:When vaccines became first available during the Covid-19 pandemic, their demand significantly exceeded their supply. In consequence, the access to vaccines, initially, was distributed unequally. At the same time, governments started easing pandemic restrictions for vaccinated and recovered persons and restoring their freedoms since their risk of transmitting the virus is significantly reduced.

Evidence:We show that restoring freedoms for vaccinated and recovered persons – while upholding restrictions for the rest of the population – is morally unfair during vaccine scarcity. Further, it may yield unintended side-effects, including perverse incentives, growing rifts in society, and the expansion of marginalization.

Policy Options & Recommendations:We recommend accompanying easing for vaccinated and recovered individuals by mitigation measures for those who are neither vaccinated nor recovered. We propose, first, to temporarily lift the same restrictions for negative-tested individuals, as for vaccinated or recovered people. Second, the state must ensure broad and easy access to testing for everyone – free of charge.

Conclusion:If done right, these mitigation measures create (at least temporarily) equal access to freedom for everybody – solving the moral problem of unfair access to freedoms and counteracting possible negative consequences.
Effect of Integration of Linseed and Vitamin E in Charolaise × Podolica Bulls’ Diet on Fatty Acids Profile, Beef Color and Lipid Stability
Authors: Morittu Valeria Maria , Spina Anna Antonella , Iommelli Piera , Poerio Anselmo , Oliverio Francesco Vincenzo , Britti Domenico , Tudisco Raffaella
Published: October 2021

Dietary supplementation with oilseeds improves the fatty acid profiles of meat, but results are often inconsistent. This study aimed to assess the effects of dietary linseed and vitamin E supplementation on fatty acid profile, cholesterol content and color stability of beef samples. Dorsal subcutaneous fat samples were subjected to lipid stability assessment. Eighteen young bulls (385 ± 15 kg BW, age 8–9 months) were allocated into three homogeneous groups, each receiving ad libitum wheat straw and concentrate only (CON = 5.5 kg/day), concentrate with linseed (LIN = 80 g/kg, i.e., 440 g/head/day), and concentrate with linseed plus vitamin E (L + E = 80 g/kg, i.e., 440 g/head/day + 2500 IU/head/day of Vitamin E). Group L+E showed significantly lower cholesterol content, lower n-6/n-3 ratio and a higher PUFA percentage compared to the CON group. Meat color was affected by feeding LIN with a decrease in a*, b*, and C* compared to the CON group. The experimental diets increased H° values compared to the CON group. A positive effect of vitamin E in protecting lipids of dorsal subcutaneous depots from oxidation was detected in group L+E compared to group LIN. The supplementation with extruded linseeds in the diet had positive effects on the nutritional profile of the meat. When vitamin E was included, linseed did not alter the color of meat, and the lipid stability of the subcutaneous fat improved.
Combination of Compost and Mineral Fertilizers as an Option for Enhancing Maize (Zea mays L.) Yields and Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from a Nitisol in Ethiopia
Authors: Zerssa Gebeyanesh Worku , Kim Dong-Gill , Koal Philipp , Eichler-Löbermann Bettina
Published: October 2021

Combined application of organic and mineral fertilizers has been proposed as a measure for sustainable yield intensification and mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, fertilizer effects strongly depend on the soil type and still no precise information is available for Nitisols in Ethiopia. The study evaluated effects of different ratios of biowaste compost and mineral fertilizers (consisting of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulphur (S)) on maize (Zea mays L. Bako-hybrid) yields in a two-year field trial. Soil samples from each treatment of the field trial were used to estimate emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and microbial activity in a 28-day incubation experiment with two moisture levels (40% and 75% water-filled pore space, WFPS). The application of fertilizers corresponded to a N supply of about 100 kg ha−1, whereby the pure application of mineral fertilizers (100 min) was gradually replaced by compost. Maize yields were increased by 12 to 18% (p < 0.05) in the combined treatments of compost and mineral fertilizers compared to the 100 min treatment. The cumulative emissions of N2O and CO2 but not CH4 were affected by the fertilizer treatments and soil moisture levels (p < 0.05). At 75% WFPS, the N2O emissions in the 100 min treatment was with 16.3 g ha−1 more than twice as high as the treatment with 100% compost (6.4 g ha−1) and also considerably higher than in the 50% compost treatment (9.4 g ha−1). The results suggest that a compost application accounting for 40 to 70% of the N supply in the fertilizer combinations can be suitable to increase maize yields as well as to mitigate GHG emissions from Nitisols in Southwestern Ethiopia.
Analysis of the Evolution of Drought through SPI and Its Relationship with the Agricultural Sector in the Central Zone of the State of Veracruz, Mexico
Authors: Salas-Martínez Fernando , Valdés-Rodríguez Ofelia Andrea , Palacios-Wassenaar Olivia Margarita , Márquez-Grajales Aldo
Published: October 2021

Agriculture and raising livestock are human activities highly affected by drought. In Mexico, the Veracruz territory is seriously affected by this phenomenon. Our study had two objectives: (1) to analyze the drought evolution through the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the maximum temperature in the central zone of the state of Veracruz for the period 1980–2018; and (2) to describe the relationship between the yield of corn grain and cattle, and the SPI, in the study area. The methodology consisted of calculating the SPI to estimate the drought conditions in the mentioned area. Subsequently, we determined the relationship of these conditions with the maximum temperature increase and the presence of El Niño/La Niña events. The results showed that the drought has intensified during 1980–2018, having a presence in almost 50% of the area. Additionally, the maximum temperature increased by approximately 6 °C. As a result, the cultivation of corn grain under rain conditions showed reductions in 48% of the analyzed municipalities. Concerning livestock variables, lower reductions were reported (42–32%) for the same period. Therefore, we can conclude that the drought has intensified in recent years due to an increase in the maximum temperature and El Niño/La Niña events, and these factors have had a higher impact on the agricultural sector.
Crop Allelopathy for Sustainable Weed Management in Agroecosystems: Knowing the Present with a View to the Future
Authors: Scavo Aurelio , Mauromicale Giovanni
Published: October 2021

In the face of yield losses caused by weeds, especially in low-input agricultural systems, and environmental pollution due to the excessive use of synthetic herbicides, sustainable weed management has become mandatory. To address these issues, allelopathy, i.e., the biochemical phenomenon of chemical interactions between plants through the release of secondary metabolites into the environment, is gaining popularity. Although many important crops are known for their allelopathic potential, farmers are still reluctant to use such knowledge practically. It is therefore important to assist advisors and farmers in assessing whether allelopathy can be effectively implemented into an eco-friendly weed management strategy. Here, we aim to give a comprehensive and updated review on the herbicidal potential of allelopathy. The major findings are the following: (1) Crops from different botanical families show allelopathic properties and can be cultivated alone or in combination with other non-allelopathic crops. (2) Many allelopathic tools can be adopted (crop rotation, intercropping, cover cropping as living or dead mulches, green manuring, use of allelochemical-based bioherbicides). (3) These methods are highly flexible and feature increased efficiency when combined into an integrated weed management strategy. (4) Recent advances in the chemistry of allelopathy are facilitating the use of allelochemicals for bioherbicide production. (5) Several biotechnologies, such as stress induction and genetic engineering techniques, can enhance the allelopathic potential of crops or introduce allelopathic traits de novo. This review shows how important the role of allelopathy for sustainable weed management is and, at the same time, indicates the need for field experiments, mainly under an integrated approach. Finally, we recommend the combination of transgenic allelopathy with the aforementioned allelopathic tools to increase the weed-suppressive efficacy of allelopathy.
Seed Priming with Mg(NO3)2 and ZnSO4 Salts Triggers the Germination and Growth Attributes Synergistically in Wheat Varieties
Authors: Choudhary Surendra Kumar , Kumar Vivek , Singhal Rajesh Kumar , Bose Bandana , Chauhan Jyoti , Alamri Saud , Siddiqui Manzer H. , Javed Talha , Shabbir Rubab , Rajendran Karthika , Iqbal Muhammad Aamir , Elmetwaly Zahia E. A. , Sorour Sobhy , Sabagh Ayman EL.
Published: October 2021

An experiment was conducted in both laboratory (germinative attributes) and field conditions (growth attributes) with completely randomized design (CRD) and randomized block design, respectively, to view the responses of different priming treatments in two wheat varieties: HUW-234 (V1) and BHU-3(V2). In the present study, seeds were primed with water (hydro; T2), Mg (NO3)2 (T3), ZnSO4 (T4), and a combination of both salts (T5). Their carry over effects were observed on the germinative and vegetative phases of growth. All treatments were compared with the performance of nonprimed control seeds (T1). Maximum germination percentage (98.33, 100%) was noted with T3, whereas length of shoot (8.83, 10.23 cm) and root (9.47, 10.73 cm) and their fresh (0.34, 0.45 g) and dry weights (0.05, 0.07 g) were recorded maximum in T5 for both varieties; however, the vigor index I and II showed varietal difference, but primed sets were found always superior with respect to nonprimed control. Study of plant height, leaf number and area, fresh and dry weights of total leaves and stem showed the best performance under combined use of both salts, i.e., Mg (NO3)2 and ZnSO4 as priming agents, followed by ZnSO4, Mg (NO3)2, hydro, and the nonprimed one. The study of biochemical parameters such as protein content and nitrate reductase activity of leaves showed the highest increment in combined priming treatment and increased 63.77, 90.37, 37.44% and 12.81, 5.61, 7.75%, respectively, after 35, 45, and 60 days after sowing. It is likely that chlorophyll, nitrogen, iron, and zinc content also followed a similar pattern and were enhanced in combined priming treatments as compared to nonpriming treatment. Therefore, the result suggests that priming seeds with Mg (NO3)2 and ZnSO4 worked synergistically at varietal level and improved growth attributes at field conditions.
Socio-Economic Implications and Potential Structural Adaptations of the Tunisian Agricultural Sector to Climate Change
Authors: Frija Aymen , Oulmane Amine , Chebil Ali , Makhlouf Mariem
Published: October 2021

Climate change is expected to have serious economic and social impacts on Tunisian rural farmers. The extent of these impacts will largely depend on the level of political and structural adaptations. This study aims to evaluate the effect of increasing water shortages on agricultural income and employment. It also analyzes structural adaptation strategies implemented by farmers in response to this challenge. We have therefore developed a regionally disaggregated supply model to simulate three types of scenarios concerning (i) decreasing quantities of irrigation water at the regional level; (ii) enhanced irrigation water use efficiency; and (iii) higher production prices. Observed crop production data for 21 crops and 24 districts of Tunisia have been used. Districts have been aggregated into five regions based on bioclimatic homogeneity. Results show that climate change will lead to the reduction of irrigated areas and an increased importance of rainfed agriculture. It will also have a negative impact on farm income and employment. This negative effect can be fully mitigated by improving water use efficiency, at farm and perimeter levels, and can be reversed by offering more attractive producer prices to farmers through enhanced value chain integration.
Nano- and Macroscale Imaging of Cholesterol Linoleate and Human Beta Defensin 2-Induced Changes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms
Authors: Beadell Brent A. , Chieng Andy , Parducho Kevin R. , Dai Zhipeng , Ho Sam On , Fujii Gary , Wang Yixian , Porter Edith
Published: October 2021

The biofilm production of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is central to establishing chronic infection in the airways in cystic fibrosis. Epithelial cells secrete an array of innate immune factors, including antimicrobial proteins and lipids, such as human beta defensin 2 (HBD2) and cholesteryl lineolate (CL), respectively, to combat colonization by pathogens. We have recently shown that HBD2 inhibits biofilm production by PA, possibly linked to interference with the transport of biofilm precursors. Considering that both HBD2 and CL are increased in airway fluids during infection, we hypothesized that CL synergizes with HBD2 in biofilm inhibition. CL was formulated in phospholipid-based liposomes (CL-PL). As measured by atomic force microscopy of single bacteria, CL-PL alone and in combination with HBD2 significantly increased bacterial surface roughness. Additionally, extracellular structures emanated from untreated bacterial cells, but not from cells treated with CL-PL and HBD2 alone and in combination. Crystal violet staining of the biofilm revealed that CL-PL combined with HBD2 effected a significant decrease of biofilm mass and increased the number of larger biofilm particles consistent with altered cohesion of formed biofilms. These data suggest that CL and HBD2 affect PA biofilm formation at the single cell and community-wide level and that the community-wide effects of CL are enhanced by HBD2. This research may inform future novel treatments for recalcitrant infections in the airways of CF patients.
Lipid Transfer Proteins (LTPs)—Structure, Diversity and Roles beyond Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Amador Vinícius Costa , Santos-Silva Carlos André dos , Vilela Lívia Maria Batista , Oliveira-Lima Marx , de Santana Rêgo Mireli , Roldan-Filho Ricardo Salas , Oliveira-Silva Roberta Lane de , Lemos Ayug Bezerra , de Oliveira Wilson Dias , Ferreira-Neto José Ribamar Costa , Crovella Sérgio , Benko-Iseppon Ana Maria
Published: October 2021

Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) are among the most promising plant-exclusive antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). They figure among the most challenging AMPs from the point of view of their structural diversity, functions and biotechnological applications. This review presents a current picture of the LTP research, addressing not only their structural, evolutionary and further predicted functional aspects. Traditionally, LTPs have been identified by their direct isolation by biochemical techniques, whereas omics data and bioinformatics deserve special attention for their potential to bring new insights. In this context, new possible functions have been identified revealing that LTPs are actually multipurpose, with many additional predicted roles. Despite some challenges due to the toxicity and allergenicity of LTPs, a systematic review and search in patent databases, indicate promising perspectives for the biotechnological use of LTPs in human health and also plant defense.
Molecular Modeling the Proteins from the exo-xis Region of Lambda and Shigatoxigenic Bacteriophages
Authors: Donaldson Logan W.
Published: October 2021

Despite decades of intensive research on bacteriophage lambda, a relatively uncharacterized region remains between the exo and xis genes. Collectively, exo-xis region genes are expressed during the earliest stages of the lytic developmental cycle and are capable of affecting the molecular events associated with the lysogenic-lytic developmental decision. In Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and enterohemorragic E. coli (EHEC) that are responsible for food- and water-borne outbreaks throughout the world, there are distinct differences of exo-xis region genes from their counterparts in lambda phage. Together, these differences may help EHEC-specific phage and their bacterial hosts adapt to the complex environment within the human intestine. Only one exo-xis region protein, Ea8.5, has been solved to date. Here, I have used the AlphaFold and RoseTTAFold machine learning algorithms to predict the structures of six exo-xis region proteins from lambda and STEC/EHEC phages. Together, the models suggest possible roles for exo-xis region proteins in transcription and the regulation of RNA polymerase.
A Strategy for Hospital Pharmacists to Control Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Japan
Authors: Hamada Yukihiro , Ebihara Fumiya , Kikuchi Ken
Published: October 2021

In Japan, there is concern regarding the relation between the inappropriate use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance (AMR). Increased bacterial resistance is due in part to the inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents. The support of the pharmacist becomes important, and there is growing interest in antimicrobial stewardship to promote the appropriate and safe use of antimicrobials needed for the optimal selection of drugs, doses, durations of therapy, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), and implementations of cost containment strategies in Japan. Pharmacists should strive to disseminate the concept of “choosing wisely” in relation to all medicines, implement further interventions, and put them into practice. In this article, we present data for antimicrobial stewardship and Japan’s AMR action plan, focusing on how pharmacists should be involved in enabling physicians to choose antimicrobials wisely.
Antimicrobial Effect of Isotretinoin Therapy on Periodontal Pathogens: A Case-Control Study
Authors: AlJasser Reham , AlAqeely Razan , AlZahrani Afnan , AlKenani Manal , AlQahtani Sadeem , AlSarhan Mohammed , AlOtaibi Dalal , Lambarte Rhodanne
Published: October 2021

Isotretinoin (INN), a drug used to treat severe acne, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. INN may affect periodontal pathogenic bacteria, so we aimed to study the effect of INN on intraoral microbial profiles of periodontal disease and healthy periodontium. Our case-control study divided 180 subjects into six groups according to periodontal health status and INN usage as follows: healthy periodontium receiving INN (HINN; n = 30); those with generalized plaque-induced gingivitis receiving INN (GINN; n = 30); and those with stage I generalized periodontitis receiving INN (PINN; n = 30). Subjects not taking INN, were categorized in the same manner: those with a healthy periodontium (HC; n = 30); those with generalized plaque-induced gingivitis (GC; n = 30); and those with generalized periodontitis stage I (PC; n = 30). Plaque samples were collected to determine the prevalence of four periodontal pathogens (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Fusobacterium nucleatum) in each study group using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software, and multiple regression analysis was performed for each parameter tested in each group at a significance level of 0.05. All INN groups showed significantly lower levels of P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, and T. denticola and higher levels of F. nucleatum (p < 0.001). INN had an observable antimicrobial effect on the periodontal pathogen count in patients with plaque-induced gingivitis and chronic periodontitis. INN may have a potential additive antimicrobial value in the treatment of periodontal disease.