bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The gut bacterium Serratia marcescens mediates detoxification of organophosphate pesticide in Riptortus pedestris by microbial degradation
Authors: Xia Xie‐Jiang , Wu Wei , Chen Jian‐Ping , Shan Hong‐Wei 
Published: April 2023

AbstractOrganophosphate insecticides have been widely used in agriculture to control insect pests and raised growing problems including insecticide resistance. According to recent studies, microbial symbionts play important roles in developing insecticide resistance. The bean bug Riptortus pedestris is a notorious pest of leguminous crops, harbouring diverse microorganisms in their insect midguts. However, the potential biological roles of many gut‐associated bacteria are largely unknown. In this study, we isolated a bacterial strain from the midgut of R. pedestris and identified it as Serratia marcescens based on its morphological characteristics and the phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence. A halo of phosphorus‐solubilizing bacteria was observed on a medium containing lecithin and an organophosphorus insecticide dimethoate. Subsequently, the microbial degradation of dimethoate was determined using Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectroscopy (GC–MS). Further analysis indicated that the S. marcescens contained organophosphorus‐degrading MBL‐fold metallo‐hydrolase gene. Additionally, we discovered that the bacterium could colonize the insect midgut stably and enhance the host survivorship when exposed to dimethoate. Our results revealed that an insect gut‐associated bacterium could degrade organophosphorus compounds, thereby reducing related insecticide toxicity to the insect hosts. These findings provided further insights into the host‐microbiota interactions underpinning the development of insecticide resistance.
Can canthaxanthin intensify the colour of the blood swordtail Xiphophorus helleri?
Authors: Olier Bruno Silva , De Sousa Otávio Mesquita , Sanches Eduardo Gomes 
Published: April 2023

AbstractColouring has a great influence on the commercialization of ornamental fish. The aim of this study was to evaluate different concentrations of canthaxanthin in the diet of the blood swordtail Xiphophorus helleri in an effort to obtain a more intense red colour. Six concentrations of canthaxanthin (0, 50, 100, 250, 400 and 600 mg kg−1 diet) were used. The experiment lasted 60 days. Fish were evaluated for increased red pigmentation through the use of photographs (performed by smartphone) and imaging applications considering the Hunter method and the CMYK and productive performance. No significant differences were observed for productive performance. The use of photographs by means of a smartphone and the use of imaging applications proved to be adequate to assess differences in colour in the species. Swordtail red pigmentation did not show significant increase regardless of canthaxanthin dosages. Varieties of ornamental fish bred for red coloration may have limits for increased colour due to the storage capacity of carotenoids by chromatophores.
Visualisation of calcium oxalate crystal macropatterns in plant leaves using an improved fast preparation method
Authors: Ensikat Hans‐Jürgen , Malekhosseini Mahdieh , Rust Jes , Weigend Maximilian 
Published: April 2023

AbstractLeaves of the majority of plants contain calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals or druses which often occur in spectacular distribution patterns. Numerous studies on CaOx in plant tissues across many different plant groups have been published, since it can be visualised readily under a light microscope (LM). However, there is surprisingly limited knowledge on the actual, precise distribution of CaOx in the leaves of quite ordinary plants such as common native and exotic trees. Traditional sample preparation for the documentation of the distribution of CaOx crystals in a given sample – including overall distribution – requires time‐consuming clearing procedures. Here we present a refined fast preparation method to visualise the overall CaOx complement in a sample: The plant material is ashed and the ash viewed under the polarising microscope. This is a rapid method which overcomes many shortcomings of other methods and permits the visualisation of the entire CaOx content in most leaf samples. Pros and cons in comparison with the conventional clearing technique are discussed. Further aspects for CaOx investigations by micro‐CT and scanning electron microscopy are discussed.
Effectiveness of exercise therapy for individuals diagnosed with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Conde Rodrigo Melo , Senem Iara , dos Santos Marcia , de Lima Osório Flávia , Marques Júnior Wilson 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackground and AimsEffective treatments for Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) disease lack. Current treatments, such as ankle and foot surgery/orthoses, analgesics, and physiotherapy, focus on relieving the symptoms. Few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigated the effectiveness of exercise in patients with CMT, and a systematic review summarizing the effects of such treatments is outdated. This study aims to systematically review the effects of exercise on muscle strength, function, aerobic capacity, and quality of life in CMT.MethodsWe included RCTs that compared exercise programs against sham exercise, usual care, no exercise, and different exercise programs in individuals diagnosed with CMT. Searches were performed on 10 electronic databases from inception up to July 2021. Authors analyzed titles, abstracts, and full texts and extracted information from the eligible trials. We used the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale and the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach to evaluate the risk of bias and the certainty of the evidence, respectively. Results were synthesized narratively.ResultsEight citations (six studies; pooled n = 214) met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of participants was 38.49 (±13.02) years, and 83% were diagnosed with CMT1A. The mean PEDro score was 5.25 (range 2–9). Six trials were considered to have a high risk of bias. Moderate‐quality evidence suggests that strengthening the ankle dorsiflexors minimizes the progression of weakness at 24 months in children with CMT1A. For other outcomes, quality of the evidence ranged from very low to low.InterpretationBased on the available, evidence we can only recommend exercise to improve muscle strength in children with CMT. More high quality and robust trials are needed.
Eyebrow lifting using multidirectional absorbable thread
Authors: Kim Hyeonwoo , Jung Jinwoo , Choi Soon Woo , Yun Chang Woon , Lee Won 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundThread lifting is a common procedure in minimally invasive esthetic techniques and can also be used to raise the drooping soft tissue of the forehead by vertically inserting threads into the forehead.AimsThis study aimed to examine the effect of forehead thread lifting on enhancing upper eyelid opening.MethodsFifteen patients were included in this study, all of whom underwent eyebrow thread lifting with MINT LIFT® UP. Photographs of the patients were taken before, immediately after, and 1 and 12 weeks after surgery. Changes in the position of the eyebrows and eyelids were measured. The paired t‐test was used to determine the statistical significance of differences.ResultsAt 1 week after surgery, the eyebrows were at a lower level compared with before surgery, and no significant changes in eye‐opening were observed. However, at 12 weeks after surgery, the eyebrows and upper eyelids were both significantly elevated when compared to the preoperative state.ConclusionsEyebrow lifting can be performed using multidirectional thread lifting.
A global exploration of palliative community care literature: An integrative review
Authors: Weston Emily J. , Jefferies Diana , Stulz Virginia , Glew Paul , McDermid Fiona 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAimThis review sought to discover how community nurses globally provide palliative care, with specific focus on how they manage the personal and professional stressors associated with caring for dying clients in the home.DesignAn integrative review methodology was used to gain insight into how community palliative care is delivered worldwide.BackgroundThe provision of home palliative care by community nurses gives clients the ability to spend their final days in familiar surroundings. Research has focussed on the provision of palliative care in the inpatient setting, with little known about the community setting.MethodsData were collected through a literature search, then a critical analysis approach was used to evaluate the strengths of palliative care literature by analysing recurrent themes to stimulate further research on the topic.Data SourcesThe following databases were used to conduct the literature search: CINAHL, Medline, Pubmed, Scopus, Ovid.ResultsThe results highlighted the importance of building a skilled palliative community nursing workforce and the need to offer specialised palliative care training to nurses, particularly around difficult conversations and service coordination.ConclusionThe literature identified the challenges implicit within the community nursing role in delivering palliative care, but it did not identify the factors that enhance the nurses' ability to manage the stressors associated with this role. The input of nurses must be sought to understand the development of resilience.Implications for the professionCommunity palliative care nursing requires time spent with clients and family members who are suffering, therefore predisposing nurses to stress. Effort must be made to provide palliative care nurses with support to enhance professional resilience.
In vitro and ex vivo antibacterial activity of levofloxacin against Pasteurella multocida and Escherichia coli isolated from rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) – A preliminary study
Authors: Sitovs Andrejs , Skadins Ingus , Purvina Santa , Bandere Dace 
Published: April 2023

AbstractLevofloxacin veterinary formulations are available in Argentina, China and India for the use in dogs, cattle, pig and sheep, but not currently in the rabbit. Only the extra‐label use in rabbits is possible. Levofloxacin is not labelled for veterinary use in the EU or the USA. The activity of levofloxacin against rabbit pathogens Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) was evaluated. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined in broth and serum for 10 P. multocida isolates and 5 E. coli isolates from rabbits. One isolate of each bacterial species was used for the time‐killing curve study in vitro and ex vivo. In vitro AUC24/MIC ratios were used for building the inhibitory pharmacodynamic Imax model. The P. multocida MIC were 0.008–0.5 μg/mL, MBC – 0.015–0.5 μg/mL. Escherichia coli MIC was 0.008–0.03 μg/mL and MBC – 0.03–0.25 μg/mL. Bacterial counts were reduced to the limit of detection after 24 h with levofloxacin concentrations of 2 MIC and higher. All serum samples from rabbits treated with levofloxacin eliminated the bacteria within 24 h. AUC24/MIC ratios for bacteriostatic, bactericidal and bacterial elimination effects for P. multocida and E. coli isolates were 21, 29 and 75 h and 27, 32 and 60 h, respectively. Proposed daily doses against P. multocida (MIC = 0.015 μg/mL) and E. coli (MIC = 0.03 μg/mL) isolates were calculated as ≤0.91 and ≤1.43 mg/kg, respectively. Fluoroquinolones are categorized by WHO as ‘highest priority critically important antimicrobials’. Considering the increasing importance of antimicrobial stewardship, antimicrobials from a lower importance category that are active against the isolate of interest should be used in preference to fluoroquinolones. Fluoroquinolone use in veterinary medicine should be based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing in order to mitigate the risk to public health and prevent the spread of bacterial resistance.
Taxonomic and functional biogeographies of soil bacterial communities across the Tibet plateau are better explained by abiotic conditions than distance and plant community composition
Authors: Liang Qingqing , Mod Heidi K. , Luo Shuaiwei , Ma Beibei , Yang Kena , Chen Beibei , Qi Wei , Zhao Zhigang , Du Guozhen , Guisan Antoine , Ma Xiaojun , Le Roux Xavier 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe processes governing soil bacteria biogeography are still not fully understood. It remains unknown how the importance of environmental filtering and dispersal differs between bacterial taxonomic and functional biogeography, and whether their importance is scale‐dependent. We sampled soils across the Tibet plateau, with distances among plots ranging from 20 m to 1550 km. Taxonomic composition of bacterial community was characterized by 16S amplicon sequencing and functional community composition by qPCR targeting 9 functional groups involved in N dynamics. Factors representing climate, soil and plant community were measured to assess different facets of environmental dissimilarity. Both bacterial taxonomic and functional dissimilarities were more related to abiotic dissimilarity than biotic (vegetation) dissimilarity or distance. Taxonomic dissimilarity was mostly explained by differences in soil pH and mean annual temperature (MAT), while functional dissimilarity was linked to differences in soil N and P availabilities and N:P ratio. Soil pH and MAT remained the main determinants of taxonomic dissimilarity across spatial scales. In contrast, the explanatory variables of N‐related functional dissimilarity varied across the scales, with soil moisture and organic matter having the highest role across short distances (<~330 km), and available P, N:P ratio and distance being important over long distances (>~660 km). Our results demonstrate how biodiversity dimension (taxonomic versus functional aspects) and spatial scale influence the factors driving soil bacterial biogeography.
Profiling the Pyrenophora tritici‐repentis secretome: The Pf2 transcription factor regulates the secretion of the effector proteins ToxA and ToxB
Authors: See Pao Theen , Moffat Caroline S. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe global wheat disease tan spot is caused by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Pyrenophora tritici‐repentis (Ptr) which secretes necrotrophic effectors to facilitate host plant colonization. We previously reported a role of the Zn2Cys6 binuclear cluster transcription factor Pf2 in the regulation of the Ptr effector ToxA. Here, we show that Pf2 is also a positive regulator of ToxB, via targeted deletion of PtrPf2 which resulted in reduced ToxB expression and defects in conidiation and pathogenicity. To further investigate the function of Ptr Pf2 in regulating protein secretion, the secretome profiles of two Δptrpf2 mutants of two Ptr races (races 1 and 5) were evaluated using a SWATH‐mass spectrometry (MS) quantitative approach. Analysis of the secretomes of the Δptrpf2 mutants from in vitro culture filtrate identified more than 500 secreted proteins, with 25% unique to each race. Of the identified proteins, less than 6% were significantly differentially regulated by Ptr Pf2. Among the downregulated proteins were ToxA and ToxB, specific to race 1 and race 5 respectively, demonstrating the role of Ptr Pf2 as a positive regulator of both effectors. Significant motif sequences identified in both ToxA and ToxB putative promoter regions were further explored via GFP reporter assays.
Breeding site selection and co‐existing patterns of tropical mosquitoes
Authors: Chathuranga W. G. D. , Weeraratne T. C. , Abeysundara S. P. , Karunaratne S. H. P. P. , de Silva W. A. Priyanka P. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWe investigated the physicochemical properties and the biotic interactions of breeding sites of tropical mosquito species. Field sampling was done in 12 study areas in Sri Lanka covering areas with secondary natural forests and human settlements. A total of 226 breeding sites were investigated to determine the biotic interactions and physiochemical properties of breeding water (pH, Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, Total Dissolved Solids and Temperature). A total of 80.5% of breeding sites from both habitats were positive for mosquito larvae of seven genera and 24 species.Orthopodomyia flavithorax(297) andAedes albopictus(295) were dominated in tree holes ofAlstonia macrophylla,Vateria copalliferaandArtocarpus nobilis. Diversity indices showed that the diversity of mosquitoes is high in wet zone habitats of Sri Lanka compared to dry and intermediate zone habitats.Aedes albopictuscoexisted with 11 different mosquito species while it avoided larvae ofCulex fuscanus,Cx. uniformisandTripteroides affinis.Strong positive associations were reported betweenAe. albopictusandAr. subalbatuswhile larvae ofOr. flavithoraxmosquitoes were not co‐occurred with the larvae ofAe. vittatus,Ae. aegypti,Cx. sitiens,Ar. subalbatus,Anophelesspp andTr. affinis.The findings identified the breeding adaptability and tolerance to a wide range of physiochemical properties of tropical mosquito communities.
Impact of opioids on esophageal motility
Authors: Snyder Diana L. , Vela Marcelo F. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractOpioids are well known to cause adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract including nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Data regarding how opioids affect the esophagus are more limited. Opioid‐induced esophageal dysfunction (OIED) is a clinical syndrome defined by chronic opioid use (≥3 months), esophageal symptoms (mainly dysphagia), and esophageal motility abnormalities diagnosed by manometry including achalasia type III, hypercontractile esophagus, distal esophageal spasm, and esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction. Up until now, the effect of opioids on esophageal motility assessed by the functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) had not been described. In this issue of NGM, Patel et al. report that FLIP assessment in patients with esophageal symptoms showed that chronic opioid users have a significant increase in repetitive retrograde contractions, but no significant reduction in distensibility at the esophagogastric junction compared to non‐users. Additionally, perceptive symptoms were higher, and quality of life metrics were lower in the chronic opioid users. This review article will discuss our current understanding of OIED and provide context for this latest study in chronic opioid users. Further investigation with larger prospective studies is needed to understand the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of OIED.
Psychometric properties of the German version of the multidimensional perceived social support scale
Authors: Boggatz Thomas 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundSocial support can help older persons to cope with stressful situations. Sheltered housing facilities in German speaking countries therefore aim to promote social support for their residents. The MSPSS is a brief instrument to measure perceived social support, but its psychometric properties have not yet been investigated in a sample of German speaking older persons.ObjectivesTo determine the psychometric properties of the German version of the MSPSS for older personsMethodsIn a cross‐sectional study, residents of sheltered housing in Austria were asked to complete the MSPSS and to indicate the frequency of contacts to family and friends. Validity of the scale was investigated by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis as well as by their correlations with frequency of contacts to family and friends. Reliability was determined by Cronbach's Alpha and intraclass correlations for repeated measurements.ResultsExploratory factor analysis yielded a three‐factor solution for the MSPSS, which was, however, only partially supported by confirmatory factor analysis. Correlations with frequency of contact to family and friends partly confirmed the assumptions about the relationships between these factors and the corresponding groups of persons. Cronbach's Alpha was high, and intraclass correlations for most items ranged from fair to good.ConclusionsThe incomplete congruence between the theoretical assumptions regarding the scale and the results of the factor analysis is presumably due to overlapping content between the dimensions of the MSPSS, which can be remedied by reformulating some items.Implications for PracticeA slightly modified version of the MSPSS should be used to assess social support in sheltered housing.
Motivation for learning statistics: An example from fishery and aquaculture science
Authors: Sønvisen Signe A. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractTeaching statistics to generalist students oriented toward a profession, rather than academic merits, may be challenging. As statistics courses also tend to have a low student appeal, tailoring a course toward this type of audience is demanding. Framed within the theory of statistical thinking and literacy, this article shows how an investigative process, using domain data and real‐life examples, may facilitate meaningful learning and motivate students. Describing and reflecting upon the methods used, both in teaching and assessment, the article contributes to the practice of teaching statistics.
Seroprevalence of Leishmania infantum in outdoor workers from southern Italian endemic regions
Authors: Morea Anna , Stufano Angela , Sgroi Giovanni , De Benedictis Leonarda , Bezerra‐Santos Marcos Antonio , Mendoza‐Roldan Jairo Alfonso , Veneziano Vincenzo , Otranto Domenico , Lovreglio Piero , Iatta Roberta 
Published: April 2023

AbstractVisceral leishmaniasis is a zoonotic vector‐borne disease caused by Leishmania infantum. The infection often remains asymptomatic, though clinical forms may occur in immunosuppressed individuals. Although data on leishmaniasis in humans are available worldwide, the exposure to L. infantum of workers conducting outdoor activities has been scantly investigated, and it is limited to military personnel operating in endemic regions. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of L. infantum in different groups of outdoor workers and the occupational risk factors. The cross‐sectional study was performed on 229 workers including forestry guards, farmers, veterinarians, geologists and agronomists from three regions of southern Italy (i.e., Apulia, Basilicata and Campania). All serum samples were screened for L. infantum‐specific IgG/IgM by using automated indirect chemiluminescent immunoassays. Overall, 5.7% (13/229) of workers was positive to anti‐L. infantum antibodies, with the highest seroprevalence in veterinarians (13.6%). An increased occupational health surveillance for L. infantum infection in outdoor workers is essential to better understand the risk of exposure in specific jobs. Furthermore, guidelines and education along with a One Health collaboration among veterinarians, physicians, parasitologists and occupational health care professionals are crucial for the prevention of this disease.
On locally finite‐dimensional traces
Authors: Amini Massoud , Moradi Mehdi 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWe partially resolve two open questions on approximation properties of traces on simple ‐algebras. We answer a question raised by Nate Brown by showing that locally finite‐dimensional (LFD) traces form a convex set for simple ‐algebras. We prove that all the traces on the reduced ‐algebra of a discrete amenable ICC group are LFD, and conclude that is strong‐NF in the sense of Blackadar–Kirchberg in this case. This partially answers another open question raised by Brown.