bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Homeopathic Medicines in Second Wave of COVID-19: Prognostic Factor Research
Authors: Manchanda Raj Kumar , Miglani Anjali , Chakraborty Moumita , Kalsi Amrit , Meena Baljeet Singh , Kaur Prabhjeet , Saini Beenu , Arora Amit , Nagrath Cheshta , Kannoth Jithesh Thavarayil , Kudiyarasu Ram Kumar , Vardaan Rahul , Brahmachari Smita , Kumar Yogesh , Amitav B. , Konthembath Pramod , Gupta Ankit , Lolugu Suresh Kumar , Goel Pawan , Arora Shelly , Balan Shirin , Sharma Kavita , Chawla Anu , Ray Malaya Kumar , Jacob Vineetha Susan , Kumar Udesh , Verma Vikas Kumar , Singh Rahul Kumar , Saha Abishes , Ghuliani Manjula , Kaur Paramjeet , Gora Shruti , Gupta Meeta , Sharma Brender , Rutten Lex 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background The clinical profile and course of COVID-19 evolved perilously in a second wave, leading to the use of various treatment modalities that included homeopathy. This prognostic factor research (PFR) study aimed to identify clinically useful homeopathic medicines in this second wave.
Methods This was a retrospective, multi-centred observational study performed from March 2021 to May 2021 on confirmed COVID-19 cases who were either in home isolation or at COVID Care Centres in Delhi, India. The data were collected from integrated COVID Care Centres where homeopathic medicines were prescribed along with conventional treatment. Only those cases that met a set of selection criteria were considered for analysis. The likelihood ratio (LR) was calculated for the frequently occurring symptoms of the prescribed medicines. An LR of 1.3 or greater was considered meaningful.
Results Out of 769 confirmed COVID-19 cases reported, 514 cases were selected for analysis, including 467 in home isolation. The most common complaints were cough, fever, myalgia, sore throat, loss of taste and/or smell, and anxiety. Most cases improved and there was no adverse reaction. Certain new symptoms, e.g., headache, dryness of mouth and conjunctivitis, were also seen. Thirty-nine medicines were prescribed, the most frequent being Bryonia alba followed by Arsenicum album, Pulsatilla nigricans, Belladonna, Gelsemium sempervirens, Hepar sulphuris, Phosphorus, Rhus toxicodendron and Mercurius solubilis. By calculating LR, the prescribing indications of these nine medicines were ascertained.
Conclusion Add-on use of homeopathic medicines has shown encouraging results in the second wave of COVID-19 in integrated care facilities. Further COVID-related research is required to be undertaken on the most commonly prescribed medicines.
A case for conducting business-to-business experiments with multi-arm multi-stage adaptive designs
Authors: Legare Jonathan , Yao Ping , Lo Victor S. Y. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractMany businesses conduct experiments to scientifically test, measure, and optimize decisions in areas like sales, marketing, and operations efficiency. While randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or A/B tests are the dominant method for conducting business experiments especially for business-to-consumer marketing, adaptive designs have yet to make extensive inroads outside of the pharmaceutical and medical industries. In this study, we aim to raise awareness of the applicability and advantages of multi-arm multi-stage adaptive designs outside of clinical settings and we use simulations to demonstrate the value of these designs to modern business experiments, with a focus on business-to-business experiments such as testing alternative sales techniques. Our simulation results show that, compared to RCT, multi-arm multi-stage adaptive designs (MAMS) can reduce the sample size requirements and expected time to experiment completion whilst maintaining a similar level of statistical power. We also demonstrate that these benefits can translate into actual cost savings in conjunction with shorter time to market, resulting in higher overall efficiency over the traditional RCTs. MAMS serves as a strong alternative methodology in experiments where not all customers can be contacted at once such as business-to-business campaigns and general live channel programs which typically take weeks to months to complete.
From ‘world’ to ‘earth’: non-phenomenological subjectivity in Deleuze and Guattari's geophilosophy
Authors: Roberts Tom , Lapworth Andrew , Dewsbury J. D. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWith the invention of the concept of ‘geophilosophy’, Deleuze and Guattari did not intend to invoke a new subfield of philosophy; for them, all philosophy is geophilosophy by virtue of its constitutive relationship with contingency. What is less well understood, however, are the implications of Deleuze and Guattari’s geophilosophical approach for how we think about subjectivity today. Working against phenomenological forms of ‘earth-thinking’ that tend to reduce the ‘geo-’ to a phenomenological concept of ‘world’, Deleuze and Guattari conceptualize the earth as an immanent plane of forces that both precedes and exceeds the subject. Turning to Deleuze’s earlier essay on the literature of Michel Tournier, this paper offers a reading of geophilosophy in which aesthetic practices help us to grapple with the unthought forces of the earth beyond the phenomenological logic of world, and where art itself becomes a process that radically refigures our sense of what subjectivity can become.
In vitro
selection for disease resistance in plants - an alternative to genetic engineering
Authors: Jayasankar S. , Gray Dennis J. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Plant cell culture provides a unique opportunity to manipulate morphogenesis in a controlled environment, thus providing crop improvement with a powerful, complementary tool. Since the late 1970s, the process of
in vitro
selection has been applied to several cell culture systems to generate mutants with useful agronomic traits such as disease resistance. However, the promise of genetic engineering technology and some early failures among the
in vitro
selected plants stifled research in this area. Recent advances in molecular characterization of stress-related responses and the emergence of sensitive molecular analytical tools have reinvigorated research on
in vitro
selection. This technology is easy to use, and not encumbered by intellectual property issues and social concerns currently inhibiting development of transgenic crops. Thus it is an attractive complement to existing crop improvement strategies. The sub-cellular mechanisms that lead to altered phenotypes after
in vitro
selection are discussed.
Gastric ulcers
Authors: Friendship Robert M. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Gastric ulceration is a common cause of economic loss and a source of welfare concern in the pig industry worldwide. Stomach lesions tend to be restricted to the non-glandular area surrounding the oesophageal opening. Tissue damage occurs when acid, bile and digestive enzymes come in contact with this relatively unprotected area because of a breakdown in the normal pH gradient of the pig's stomach. The stomach contents become fluid and mixing occurs when finely ground feed is consumed or if the pig has not eaten for 12 to 24 hours. Helicobacter-like organisms are often found in the glandular region of the stomach but it seems unlikely that these bacteria play a major role in the development of lesions in the
pars oesophagea
, but more research is needed before this possibility is ruled out. Prevention of ulcers needs to be directed at ensuring pigs have feed in their stomachs, and that very fine feed particle size is avoided. Treatment is generally aimed at encouraging pigs to eat, and under exceptional circumstances acid secretion inhibitors can be used but generally economic circumstances prohibit their use.
BHV-1 infection in cattle: an update.
Authors: Turin L. , Russo S. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) infection represents an important example of virus-host interaction and a major disease affecting livestock. Although the infection is hardly life-threatening, the introduction of BHV-1 into a cattle farm can cause severe economic losses, due to the disease
per se
, as well as the consequent restrictions in the international trade of livestock. Progressive market integration within the European Union (EU) and market extension to include Eastern countries can certainly facilitate trade of cattle, semen, and embryos between member states. However, the diversity in status of animal health and the lack of common rules concerning disease prophylaxis and eradication still make BHV-1 a major concern for health and a key restriction in trading. This review focuses on the recent updates in BHV-1 virology and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR). Strategies aimed at limiting or preventing BHV-1 spread in cattle are also discussed.
Heat stress and dietary vitamin supplementation of poultry diets
Authors: Sahin K. , Kucuk O. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
A seasonal problem in many parts of the world, a high ambient temperature causes economic losses through reducing feed intake while decreasing nutrient utilization, live weight gain, egg production, egg quality and feed efficiency of poultry. Several methods are currently available to alleviate the negative effects of high environmental temperature on the performance of poultry. However, since it is expensive to cool buildings in which animals are housed, such methods are focused mostly on dietary manipulation. In terms of reducing the negative effects of environmental stress, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin A are used in the poultry diet because of the reported benefits of these vitamins including their anti-stress effects and also due to the fact that their utilization and thus normal concentrations are reduced during heat stress. This review focuses on the effects of dietary vitamin (C, E and A) supplementation in poultry reared under chronic heat stress.
Use of enzyme supplements in pig diets based on soyabean meal
Authors: Kim S. W. , Baker D. H. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Widespread use of soyabean meal in pig diets brings forth issues dealing with soyabean antinutritional compounds, especially those that are heat-stable following processing into soyabean meals. Microbial enzyme supplements have been used in an attempt to eliminate these antinutritional compounds, which include phytate and flatulence-producing carbohydrates. The benefits of using phytase in pig diets are well-documented and been reviewed, whereas the information on supplemental enzymes targeting flatulence-producing compounds is rather limited. Eighteen papers and abstracts are reviewed here. Use of these enzymes successfully reduced flatulence-producing compounds in soyabean meals and improved nutrient digestibility as well as growth of pigs even though these effects were not consistent. The inconsistency may reside in the fact that the origin and type of enzymes used for each study were different. Use of enzyme supplements for flatulence-producing compounds in soyabean meal could be beneficial to the industry if the origin and type of enzymes could be better defined.
What we have learnt on impacts of
Bt
cotton on non-target organisms in China
Authors: Wu Kongming , Peng Yufa , Shirong Jia 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Bt
transgenic cotton, containing a
Bacillus thuringiensis
toxin gene, has been widely planted in cotton growing areas in China since 1997. One of the major concerns of environmental risk is the impact on non-target organisms in the agriculture ecosystem. Results obtained in recent years indicate that the predator levels in
Bt
cotton fields are significantly higher than those in conventional cotton fields where insecticide has been used for control of the cotton bollworm,
Helicoverpa armigera
. However, the population density of parasitic wasps which parasitize on
H. armigera
larvae decreases dramatically due to the lower density and poor quality of
H. armigera
larvae in
Bt
cotton fields. As the predator population increases, the outbreak of cotton aphid [
Aphis gossypii
] in mid-season is effectively controlled, while the mirids become key insect pests in
Bt
cotton fields because of a reduced number of insecticides used against
H. armigera
. The diversity of the arthropod community in
Bt
cotton fields is higher than that in conventional cotton, suggesting that
Bt
cotton is highly favourable for integrated management of cotton pests. An assessment on the impact of
Bt
cotton pollen on two important economic insects, the Chinese tussah silkworm,
Antnaea perngicuerin
[
Antheraea pernyi
] and the silkworm,
Bombyx mori
, was conducted, from which it was concluded that the adverse effect is negligible.
The biosafety of molecular farming in plants
Authors: Commandeur Ulrich , Twyman Richard M. , Fischer Rainer 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Molecular farming in plants provides an inexpensive and convenient way to produce biopharmaceutical molecules and other valuable proteins on a large scale. Proof of principle has been demonstrated for a large number of recombinant human proteins, subunit vaccines and antibodies, and detailed cost evaluations have been described for the production of technical proteins in maize. In terms of biosafety, plants have several advantages over traditional production systems, such as the absence of endotoxins, human pathogens and oncogenic DNA sequences. However, other biosafety concerns remain to be addressed. These not only reflect the quality and safety of the final product, but also the wider effects of molecular farming on health and the environment. In this review we discuss the technological basis of molecular farming in plants and identify potential biosafety risks: transgene spread in the environment, recombinant protein accumulation in the ecosystem, contamination of food and feed chains with transgenes and their products, and product quality and safety.
Generating transgenic plants by minimal addition of exogenous DNA - a novel selection marker based on plant tubulins
Authors: Nick P. , Christou P. , Breviario D. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Most transgenic crops available on the market contain antibiotic resistance genes as selection markers. Although scientifically not justified, this raises public concern about a potential spread of antibiotic resistance genes in soil and intestinal bacteria, possibly accentuated by the agricultural use of transgenic crops. These markers are necessary to generate the transgenic crop, but they are dispensable for the agricultural use of these plants. A selection system is proposed for plant transformation that is exclusively based on genetic information already present in the host plant and that does not require antibiotic resistance genes. The approach exploits the natural variability of plant tubulins as essential components of cell growth, cell division and stress tolerance in plants. There exist a panel of tubulin promoters that can drive expression either constitutively or, alternatively, in different tissues or in response to different signals. They can be fused with a panel of different tubulin isotypes with distinct physiological features to produce a versatile kit of combinations that will confer distinct properties such as stress or herbicide tolerance to specified target tissues. This is used to construct a selection marker that is based upon truncated tubulins lacking the binding site for aryl-carbamate herbicides. The expression of this truncated tubulin is driven by the homologous tubulin promotor within a DNA fragment free of exogenous sequences (minimal expression unit) using clean DNA technology. The suitability of this selection system is demonstrated for rice as a model system for Graminaceous crops.
Innovation and liability: "Oh no! what have we done?".
Authors: Smyth S. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
This review article discusses the issues surrounding the biosafety of transgenic crops, their perception by consumers and the matter of socio-economic liability. The issue of liability management regarding transgenics would seem to be related to three key features of present day society. Firstly, consumer trust in government and industry has declined in all industrialized countries. Secondly, regulators in Canada and the United States have adamantly stuck to science-based risk assessment processes while, in Europe, regulators have tried to incorporate socioeconomic factors into the regulatory process. Thirdly, the whole concept of consumer empowerment has been badly dealt with by government, industry and, to a lesser degree, the judiciary. The stakeholders of government and industry have, for the most part, adopted the strategy of ignoring the consumer and hoping their concerns will go away. This hasn't worked and the willingness of the judiciary to hear large class action lawsuits against multinationals has forced reconsideration of this strategy. The key to socioeconomic liability management is to ensure that all stakeholders work together. Even though each stakeholder may have separate agendas, the goal needs to be consensus on the process objectives.
Novel products from transgenic oil palm.
Authors: Parveez G. K. A. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Oil palm (
Elaeis
) is an important economic crop in Malaysia and contributes significantly to the country's economy. Shortage of manpower, arable land and a fluctuating commodity price have forced the industry to widen its scope from being solely dependent on the edible oil market into more diverse applications and higher-return products. Genetic engineering, with all its advantages over conventional breeding, has been identified as a tool for synthesizing high-value-added products in transgenic oil palm. Genetic engineering requires reliable transformation and regeneration systems. Successful production of transgenic oil palm was achieved six years ago. The transgenic plants have started flowering and are still expressing the transgenes. Significant achievements in biochemical studies and isolation of useful oil palm genes and promoters have been reported. A wide range of transformation vectors are being constructed using the genes and promoters from oil palm and are being transformed into oil palm tissue cultures. The latest achievements in the production of transgenic oil palm carrying useful genes are reviewed.
Iron biofortification through genetic modification in rice, wheat, and cassava and its potential contribution to nutritional security
Authors: Narayanan Narayanan , Cueto-Reaño Maria Florida , Eroğlu Seçkin , Ludwig Yvonne , Okwuonu Ihuoma , Taylor Nigel J. , Grusak Michael A. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Micronutrient malnutrition is one of the major concerns noted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In developing countries, children under the age of five and pregnant women are at the highest risk of adverse events from micronutrient malnutrition. Staple food crops that are common in developing countries are rich in carbohydrates but low in micronutrients, especially iron. Genetic biofortification of staple food crops in farmer-preferred cultivars is a promising approach to deliver nutritious food, enhanced in iron concentration, to consumers who are at risk of malnutrition. In order to achieve biofortification, it is critical to understand the processes of iron uptake, regulation, transport dynamics, and whole-plant iron storage and how to manipulate them in individual crops. In this review, case studies of staple food crops including rice, wheat, and cassava are used to introduce iron biofortification strategies in both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous species, along with a discussion of consumer-based considerations for the deployment of biofortified crops also presented.
Effect of chelated zinc on milk production in dairy cows: Meta-analysis
Authors: Hamad Yaser , Younis Marwa , Ibrahim Hussam , El-Ashker Maged , Youssef Mohamed , El-khodery Sabry 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn this review, a systematic meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials that evaluate the effectiveness of supplementation of chelated zinc (Zn) on milk production in dairy cow has been performed. A total of 2106 transition dairy cows belonging to 23 studies from 7 papers were finally selected (treated, n = 1053; control, n = 1053). A meta-analysis of the effect of chelated Zn on milk production in dairy cow during lactation period was conducted following a search of literature. The data of cows either treated or controlled were extracted and analyzed by using comprehensive meta-analysis software program. I2statistic was used to estimate the degree of heterogeneity. Forest plot was used to present the means and their confidence intervals in a graphic manner and heterogeneous degree were explored with meta-regression; also, Begg’s test was conducted to investigate the publication bias. Overall, trial analysis of trials revealed that there was no significant effect of chelated Zn on milk production based on effect size (ES) and the confidence interval (95% CI) in comparison with the control cows (milk production ES = (0.941–1.183) 1.057,pvalue =0.337). A forest plot for the impact of chelated Zn on milk production was presented. The forest plots indicated that there is no heterogeneity between treated and control cows in response to supplementation of chelated Zn on milk production. The results of Begg’s test for publication bias were not significant. In conclusion, chelated Zn supplementation among dairy cows during lactation period provided a non-significant impact on milk yield.
Threat of

Xylella fastidiosa

and options for mitigation in infected plants
Authors: Burbank Lindsey P. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

The bacterial pathogen
Xylella fastidiosa
continues to threaten agricultural production of many different crops around the world, with significant economic burden from crop loss, disease management, and surveillance costs. In addition to direct economic consequences, plant diseases caused by
X. fastidiosa
have had significant societal impacts in the most affected regions. Although
X. fastidiosa
infects long-term perennial crops and landscape plants, there has never been a truly effective treatment for plants once they become infected. This review discusses the threat of
X. fastidiosa
to agriculture, landscapes, and global commerce, in addition to the most recent progress in treatment for
X. fastidiosa
in infected plants. Current disease mitigation options include nutritional, chemical, biocontrol, and plant resistance-based strategies, with the potential to develop combined management approaches. Overall, several strategies are promising for disease suppression but there is still opportunity for innovation, especially in treatment approaches that can be administered systemically by soil or foliar spray routes. Prevention of severe disease outcomes and crop loss, and the ability to suppress pathogen populations and reduce transmission without heavy reliance on insecticides would have significant economic and environmental benefits.