bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of β-glucan on Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium swine colonization and microbiota alterations
Authors: Bearson Shawn M. D. , Trachsel Julian M. , Bearson Bradley L. , Loving Crystal L. , Kerr Brian J. , Shippy Daniel C. , Kiros Tadele G. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
The 2017 Veterinary Feed Directive eliminated the use of medically important antibiotics for growth promotion of food animals; thus, alternative growth promoters are highly desirable by food animal producers to enhance animal health and reduce pathogen colonization, including the human foodborne pathogen Salmonella. β(1-3)(1-6)-d-glucan (β-glucan) is a soluble fiber with prebiotic characteristics; it has been shown to modulate immune and intestinal functions that strengthen swine resistance to health challenges such as bacterial infections when supplemented in the diets of growing pigs. The current study evaluated the effects of a β-glucan product on gut microbial community structure as well as Salmonella shedding and intestinal colonization.

Results
Five-week-old pigs were fed a β-glucan amended diet at 500 g/ton (n = 13) or a non-amended control diet (n = 14) for three weeks, followed by inoculation of the 27 pigs with 1 × 109 colony forming units of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain UK1. While remaining on the respective diets, fecal samples collected at 2, 4, 7, and 16 days post-inoculation (dpi) were similar for Salmonella shedding counts between the two diets. At 16 dpi, Salmonella counts were significantly lower in the cecal contents of the β-glucan-fed pigs (P = 0.0339) and a trend towards a reduction was observed in the Peyer’s patches region of the ileum (P = 0.0790) compared to the control pigs. Pigs fed β-glucan for three weeks exhibited an increase in members of the Clostridia class in their fecal microbial communities, and after inoculation with Salmonella, several potentially beneficial microorganisms were enriched in the microbiota of β-glucan-fed pigs (Lactobacillus, Ruminococcaceae, Prevotellaceae, Veillonellaceae, Bifidobacterium and Olsenella).

Conclusion
Administration of β-glucan altered the swine gut microbiome and reduced Salmonella colonization in the cecal contents.
Stock profiling using time–frequency-varying systematic risk measure
Authors: Mestre Roman 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis study proposes a wavelets approach to estimating time–frequency-varying betas in the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) framework. The dynamic of systematic risk across time and frequency is analyzed to investigate stock risk-profile robustness. Furthermore, we emphasize the effect of an investor’s investment horizon on the robustness of portfolio characteristics. We use a daily panel of French stocks from 2012 to 2022. Results show that varying systematic risk varies in time and frequency, and that its short and long-run evolutions differ. We observe differences in short and long dynamics, indicating that a stock’s betas differently fluctuate to early announcements or signs of events. However, short-run and long-run betas exhibit similar dynamics during persistent shocks. Betas are more volatile during times of crisis, resulting in greater or lesser robustness of risk profiles. Significant differences exist in short-run and long-run risk profiles, implying a different asset allocation. We conclude that the standard CAPM assumes short-run investment. Then, investors should consider time–frequency CAPM to perform systematic risk analysis and portfolio allocation.
Plasma manganese and selenium levels in paediatric chronic kidney disease patients measured by high resolution sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Verma Subhrata , Belostotsky Vladimir , Yang Liju , Filler Guido 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Manganese (Mn) and Selenium (Se) deficiencies are noted in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, levels of these trace elements have not been well studied in the paediatric CKD population. We determined the Mn and Se levels in a single-institution cohort of paediatric patients with CKD.

Methods
Ancillary cross-sectional study to a prospective longitudinal randomized control trial on zinc supplementation, which included 42 children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 years with CKD stages I to IV not on dialysis, who had 1–6 trace element measurements. Cystatin C estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Filler formula. Plasma Mn and Se levels were measured, and anthropomorphic data/blood parameters were collected from electronic health records. The trial was registered on clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02126293.

Results
There were 96 Mn and Se levels in 42 patients (age 12.5 ± 4.6 years). The median Mn concentration was 12.61 nmol/L [10.08, 16.42] with a trend towards lower values with lower eGFR (p = 0.0367 one-sided). Mn z-scores were significantly lower than the general paediatric reference population. The mean Se level was 1.661 ± 0.3399 µmol/L with a significant positive correlation with eGFR (p = 0.0159, r = 0.366). However, only 4 patients with low eGFR had abnormally low Se levels.

Conclusions
This single-institution study of children with CKD demonstrates a significant decrease in Se levels with decreasing eGFR, but no significant difference between mean Se z-scores of our cohort and the reference population. There was no significant relationship between Mn levels and eGFR however the mean Mn z-score was significantly lower than the theoretical mean.
Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02126293, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02126293. Date: April 30, 2014.
Fighting wheat rusts in China: a look back and into the future
Authors: Zhao Jie , Kang Zhensheng 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWheat rusts, including stripe, leaf, and stem rusts, are severe wheat diseases and cause huge yield loss in China annually. Benefiting from utilizing the genetic resistance wheat varieties, wheat stem rust has been effectively controlled since the 1970s; however, the wheat stripe and leaf rusts are still threating the wheat production in China due to lack of effective agricultural regulations. This review summarizes the research advances on wheat rust physiology, epidemiology, and fungicide resistance in China. In addition, the corresponding field management strategies for the integrated control of rust diseases are also discussed.
Epigallocatechin gallate restores the reduction of protein phosphatase 2 A subunit B caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion
Authors: Shah Murad-Ali , Kang Ju-Bin , Park Dong-Ju , Koh Phil Ok 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a flavonoid compound commonly found in green tea. It exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischemia. Protein phosphatase 2 A (PP2A) is an important serine/threonine phosphatase enzyme involved in various cellular activities. PP2A subunit B is present abundantly in the brain and plays an important role in the nervous system. We investigated the effect of EGCG on the expression level of PP2A subunit B in cerebral ischemia caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). EGCG (50 mg/kg) or vehicle was injected into the peritoneal cavity prior to MCAO surgery. Neurological behavior tests were performed 24 h after MCAO, and right cerebral cortex tissue was collected. Cerebral ischemia caused serious neurological abnormalities, which were alleviated by EGCG administration. We screened the expression of PP2A subunits containing A, B, and C using reverse-transcription PCR. We confirmed that PP2A subunit B exhibited significant changes in MCAO animals compared to subunits A and C. We continuously examined the expression of PP2A subunit B protein in MCAO animals using Western blot analysis.

Results
EGCG alleviated the reduction of PP2A subunit B protein by MCAO damage. In addition, immunohistochemistry demonstrated a decrease in the number of PP2A subunit B-positive cells in the cerebral cortex, and EGCG attenuated this decrease. Maintenance of PP2A subunit B is important for normal brain function.

Conclusion
Therefore, our findings suggest that EGCG exerts neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia through modulation of PP2A subunit B expression.
Predictors of recurrence and disease-free survival for salivary gland tumors among children and young adults in Kampala, Uganda: a retrospective follow-up study
Authors: Vuhahula Edda A. M. , Yahaya James J. , Ngaiza Advera I. , Morgan Emmanuel D. , Abraham Zephania S. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Salivary gland tumors are a group of tumors which are highly heterogeneous, and they are uncommon among children and young adults. We aimed to investigate the predictors of recurrence and disease-free survival for salivary gland tumors among children and young adults.

Methods
We retrospectively extracted clinical, pathologic, and follow-up data of patients who were diagnosed histologically with salivary gland tumors from January 2013 to December 2018 at the department of pathology, Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. Then, we applied Cox regression analysis to determine the predictors of disease-free survival using hazard ratio as the measure of probability of the survival with 95% confidence interval. We also used Kaplan–Meier curves to analyze the disease-free survival. P ˂ 0.05 was considered significant.

Results
A total of 144 patients with salivary gland tumors were included in the present study who were aged not more than 20 years with mean age of 13.9 ± 4.5 years. Over one quarter (26.4%, n = 38) of the salivary gland tumors that were analyzed in the present study were malignant. The prevalence of recurrence was (27.1%, n = 39), and the mean disease-free survival was 58.7 ± 1.9 months. Category of the salivary gland (AHR = 1.36, 95% CI = 0.137–0.942, p = 0.037) and behavior of the tumors (AHR = 1.82, 95% CI = 0.729–0.990, p = 0.023) were the potential predictors of disease-free survival.

Conclusion
Over one quarter of the patients had malignant salivary tumors, and also, one-third of the patients developed recurrence at the end of the follow-up period of 6 years. Involvement of minor salivary glands and having a malignant salivary gland tumor both have shown increased risk of recurrence as well as short disease-free survival. Therefore, patients with minor salivary gland involvement and those with malignant variants require optimal surgical resection of the tumors for possible prevention of early recurrence and increasing the survival of the patients without relapse of such tumors after initial resection of the primary lesions.
Antiseizure medications prescribing for behavioural and psychiatric concerns in adults with an intellectual disability living in England
Authors: Branford David , Sun James J. , Shankar Rohit 
Published: February 2023

SummaryAntiseizure medications (ASMs) are the second most widely prescribed psychotropic for people with intellectual disabilities in England. Multiple psychotropic prescribing is prevalent in almost half of people with intellectual disabilities on ASMs. This analysis identifies limited evidence of ASM benefit in challenging behaviour management and suggests improvements needed to inform clinical practice.
Clearance Profile of Circulating Tumor Human Papillomavirus DNA During Radiotherapy Predicts Clinical Outcomes in Human Papillomavirus–Related Oropharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Tanaka Hidenori , Uno Atsuhiko , Takenaka Yukinori , Suzuki Motoyuki , Seo Yuji , Takemoto Norihiko , Fukusumi Takahito , Eguchi Hirotaka , Kanai Haruka , Horie Masafumi , Isohashi Fumiaki , Ogawa Kazuhiko , Yachida Shinichi , Inohara Hidenori 
Published: February 2023

PURPOSE This study aimed to examine whether circulating tumor human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) DNA (ctHPV16DNA) can help identify patients with locally advanced HPV16-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who may benefit from deintensified treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS We serially collected blood samples before, during, and after treatment from 22 patients who received 70 Gy radiotherapy alone and longitudinally quantified ctHPV16DNA using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. We correlated the clearance profile of ctHPV16DNA with clinical outcomes. RESULTS The percentage of patients with detectable ctHPV16DNA decreased after every 10 Gy of radiotherapy. By contrast, the percentage of patients who later developed treatment failure among patients with detectable ctHPV16DNA gradually increased as radiotherapy proceeded, reaching 100% after 60 Gy of radiotherapy. We defined patients with and without detectable ctHPV16DNA after receiving 40 Gy as having slow and rapid clearance profiles, respectively. All 12 patients with a rapid clearance profile remained disease-free after radiotherapy. Of the 10 patients with a slow clearance profile, three had persistent or progressive disease at response evaluation after radiotherapy and one developed distant metastasis during follow-up (ie, four patients experienced treatment failure). The median follow-up for surviving patients was 38.6 months, and the 3-year failure-free survival rates of patients with rapid and slow clearance profiles were 100% and 58%, respectively ( P = .02). Neither baseline ctHPV16DNA levels nor metabolic tumor volume was an independent predictor of the pattern of the clearance profile. CONCLUSION In patients with HPV16-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma receiving radiotherapy, a slow ctHPV16DNA clearance profile could prelude unfavorable outcomes. Monitoring ctHPV16DNA is essential for determining the clearance profile, which might help optimize treatment intensity individually.
Understanding the Risk of Drug Interactions Between Ritonavir-Containing COVID-19 Therapies and Small-Molecule Kinase Inhibitors in Patients With Cancer
Authors: Hopkins Ashley M. , Sorich Michael J. , McLachlan Andrew J. , Karapetis Christos S. , Miners John O. , van Dyk Madelé , Rowland Andrew 
Published: February 2023

PURPOSE The introduction of COVID-19 therapies containing ritonavir has markedly expanded the scope of use for this medicine. As a strong cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitor, the use of ritonavir is associated with a high drug interaction risk. There are currently no data to inform clinician regarding the likely magnitude and duration of interaction between ritonavir-containing COVID-19 therapies and small-molecule kinase inhibitors (KIs) in patients with cancer. METHODS Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling was used to conduct virtual clinical trials with a parallel group study design in the presence and absence of ritonavir (100 mg twice daily for 5 days). The magnitude and time course of changes in KI exposure when coadministered with ritonavir was evaluated as the primary outcome. RESULTS Dosing of ritonavir resulted in a > 2-fold increase in steady-state area under the plasma concentration-time curve and maximal concentration for six of the 10 KIs. When the KI was coadministered with ritonavir, dose reductions to between 10% and 75% of the original dose were required to achieve an area under the plasma concentration-time curve within 1.25-fold of the value in the absence of ritonavir. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this study provides the first data to assist clinicians' understanding of the drug interaction risk associated with administering ritonavir-containing COVID-19 therapies to patients with cancer who are currently being treated with KIs. These data may support clinicians to make more informed dosing decisions for patients with cancer undergoing treatment with KIs who require treatment with ritonavir-containing COVID-19 antiviral therapies.
Effect of Restorative Neurostimulation on Major Drivers of Chronic Low Back Pain Economic Impact
Authors: Shaffrey Christopher , Gilligan Christopher 
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND:
High-impact chronic low back pain (CLBP) correlates with high healthcare resource utilization. Therapies that can alter impact status may provide beneficial long-term economic benefits. An implantable restorative neurostimulation system (ReActiv8, Mainstay Medical) designed to over-ride multifidus inhibition to facilitate motor control restoration, thereby resolving mechanical low back pain symptoms, has shown significant durable clinical effects in moderately and severely impacted patients.

OBJECTIVE:
To examine changes in high-impact chronic low back pain in patients treated with restorative neurostimulation at 2 years.

METHODS:
ReActiv8-B is a prospective, international, multicenter trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of restorative neurostimulation in patients with intractable CLBP and no prior surgery. For this longitudinal subanalysis, patients were stratified into low-, moderate-, and high-impact CLBP categories using the US Department of Health and Human Services definition comprising pain intensity, duration, and impact on work, self-care, and daily activities.

RESULTS:
Of 2-year completers (n = 146), 71% had high-impact CLBP at baseline and this proportion reduced to 10%, with 85% reporting no or low impact. This corresponds with measurements of HRQoL returning to near-population norms.

CONCLUSION:
In addition to clinically meaningful improvements in pain and function with long-term durability, the overwhelming majority of patients transitioned from a high- to a no- or low-impact CLBP state. This is typically associated with significantly lower healthcare-utilization levels. The of recovery trajectory is consistent with a restorative mechanism of action and suggests that over the long term, the improvement in these health states will be maintained.
Influence of Patient and Technical Variables on Combined Direct and Indirect Cerebral Revascularization: Case Series
Authors: Rennert Robert C. , Brandel Michael G. , Budohoski Karol P. , Twitchell Spencer , Fredrickson Vance L. , Grandhi Ramesh , Couldwell William T. 
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND:
Cerebral bypass for flow augmentation is an important technique for selected neurosurgical patients, with multiple techniques used (direct, indirect, or combined).

OBJECTIVE:
To assess the impact of patient and technical variables on direct and indirect bypass flow after combined revascularization.

METHODS:
This was a retrospective, single-institution review of patients undergoing direct superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery bypass with indirect encephaloduro-myosynangiosis for moyamoya disease and steno-occlusive cerebrovascular disease over a 2-year period. We evaluated the effect of baseline patient characteristics, preoperative imaging characteristics, and operative variables on direct and indirect patency grades.

RESULTS:
Twenty-six hemispheres (8 moyamoya disease and 18 steno-occlusive cerebrovascular disease) in 23 patients were treated with combined revascularization. The mean patient age was 53.4 ± 19.1 years. Direct bypass patency was 96%. Over a mean follow-up of 8.3 ± 5.4 months, there were 3 strokes in the treated hemispheres (11.5%). The mean modified Rankin Scale score improved from 1.3 ± 1.1 preoperatively to 0.7 ± 0.8 postoperatively. Preservation of the nondonor superficial temporal artery branch was associated with a lower direct bypass grade (P < .01), whereas greater mean time to maximum perfusion (Tmax)> 4 and >6 seconds and mismatch volumes were associated with higher direct bypass grades (P < .05). Tmax >4-second volume inversely predicted indirect bypass patency.

CONCLUSION:
Patient and technical variables may influence the relative contributions of the direct and indirect components of combined revascularizations.
Analysis on factors affecting tourist involvement in coffee tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand
Authors: Madhyamapurush Warach 
Published: February 2023

Background: The world economy is affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which affects the coffee industry. Coffee tourism is an emerging new type of tourism in Thailand that is formed in response to the growing demand from visitors with a particular affinity for coffee. Coffee tourism may contribute considerably to the expansion of Thai tourism given proper guidance and assistance. Methods: This study used a stochastic neuro-fuzzy decision tree (SNF-DT) to analyze coffee tourism in Thailand. This research surveyed 400 international and Thai coffee tourists. According to this study, Thai visitors mostly visit coffee tourism locations in Thailand for enjoyment. They also wanted to visit coffee fields to obtain personal knowledge about coffee production and marketing. Responses from foreign coffee tourists indicated that many of their journeys to coffee tourism destinations were entirely for enjoyment rather than business. They also wanted to meet local tour guides and acquire handmade and locally produced things to better understand coffee tourism. Results: According to the study results, coffee tourism management in northern Thailand appears to be well received by international tourists. We also compared the suggested model with the traditional model to demonstrate its efficacy. The performance metrics are the prediction rate, prediction error, and accuracy. The estimated results for our proposed technique are prediction rate (95%), prediction error (97%), and accuracy (94%). Recommendations: Major global businesses such as tourism have been harmed by COVID-19’s unprecedented effects. This study attempts to determine the role of coffee tourism in livelihoods based on real-time data using a machine-learning approach. More research is needed to analyse the factors of the coffee tourism experience using different machine learning approaches.
Pesticide use behavior, cognitive impairment and the model of safety standard of pesticide use among farmworkers in Indonesia
Authors: Ma'rufi Isa , Rif’ah Erwin Nur , Wathon Syubbanul , Ali Khaidar 
Published: February 2023

Background: The objective of this study was to identify pesticide residue, and to analyze associations between characteristics and pesticide use behavior with cognitive impairment among farmworkers. Additionally, a model of safety standard of pesticide use was constructed. Methods: This observational study was conducted in Jember Regency, Indonesia using a cross-sectional design. Cluster random sampling was performed, whereby 500 farmworkers were selected as participants. Characteristics, pesticide use behavior and cognitive impairment data were collected using questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using chi-squared and logistic regression tests, respectively. The model was created by comparative analysis between theoretical concepts and empirical findings. Results: This study found 10/15 agricultural products contain Chlorpyrifos class of Organochlorin. Based on Montreal Cognitive Assessment, 70% of participants were in the category indicating cognitive impairment. Pesticide use behavior among farmworkers showed that 92.4% of participants were in the favorable category. The chi-squared test presented the significance of the type of commodity and pesticide storage associated with cognitive impairment among farmworkers (p<0.05). According to logistic regression analysis, other commodities (tobacco) (AOR: 0.21 (CI: 0.09–0.46)), pesticide exposure duration (AOR: 0.52 (CI:0.27–0.99)), pesticide dissemination at night (AOR:5.77 (CI:1.12-29.85)) and pesticide storage outdoors (AOR: 1.81 (CI:1.13–2.90)) were associated with cognitive impairment (p<0.05). The model of safety standard of pesticide use is constructed by four variables: farmworker behavior, personal protection equipment (PPE) utilization, implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principal, and waste control. Conclusions: High numbers of agricultural products still contain pesticide residue. Although, pesticide use behavior was mainly within the favorable category, there were issues with excessive dose use, pesticide storage and disseminating time. The combination of favorable farmworker behavior, PPE utilization, implementing IPM principal, and waste control may protect farmworkers during pesticide use. The Agriculture District Office should conduct training workshops to farmworkers and provide waste management systems.