Fragmentation Index Research Articles

Semi-automatic construction of heterogeneous data schema based on structure and context-aware recommendation.

Customizing the structure and format of scientific data facilitates the publication of diverse and heterogeneous data. Many data publishing platforms empower users to create self-designed schemas, leading to schema proliferation and more intricate creation processes. To address these challenges, we present a semi-automatic method and system for constructing heterogeneous material data schemas based on structure and context-aware recommendation. We propose a schema fragment tree structure to represent data schemas with hierarchical relationships, transforming the recommendation into subtree matching. Fragment index and semantic search techniques are introduced to identify candidate fragments, and a tree editing distance algorithm calculates similarity scores. Evaluated on the Data Schema Construction System, the algorithm outperforms baselines-TF-IDF and BM25 for schemas matching-in precision, recall, and F1-score. The baseline for reduced workload refers to the effort required to create schemas without recommendation. Our recommendation improves schema creation efficiency by 50.5% and reduces schema proliferation by 16.5%.

Study on protein hydrolysis and microbial community changes during the fermentation of pork loin ham mediated by electrical stimulation.

This study explored the effect of electrical stimulation (ES) and Pediococcus pentosaceus LL-07 (P. pentosaceus LL-07) and Staphylococcus simulans QB7 (S. simulans QB7) on the quality and microbial community of loin ham during the ripening. After the ES and starter culture treatments, the Aw and pH were decreased. Surface hydrophobicity, myogenic fiber fragmentation index (MFI), TCA-soluble peptide, amino nitrogen and free amino acids (FAAs) were also significantly higher than the control group (CK) (P < 0.05). This increase was more significant in the E-S group (electrical stimulation followed by inoculation with P. pentosaceus LL-07 and S. simulans QB7) than the rest of the experimental group (E、S、S-E group). Furthermore, the CK and E-S groups were subjected to a bacterial community comparison experiment. The microbial diversity of these two groups was increased. Pediococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. became the dominant bacteria in E-S groups during the ripening. Correlation analyses show a strong correlation between protein hydrolysis, microorganisms and FAAs. In conclusion, the combination of ES and starter culture could promote protein hydrolysis, the accumulation of FAAS, and improves the bacterial community of loin ham.

Associations between objectively measured sleep characteristics and 6-minute walk distance in older adults: the Disparities in Sleep and Cognitive Outcomes (DISCO) study.

Decline in physical functioning in older adults has been associated with higher risk of chronic diseases. Subjective sleep disturbances have been associated with declines in physical functioning with aging. We examined the association between objectively measured sleep characteristics and 6-minute walk distance, a marker of functional capacity, in a sample of older adults. This analysis included 199 participants who were enrolled in the Disparities in Sleep and Cognitive Outcomes (DISCO) study, a longitudinal cohort of older adults aged ≥55 years. Exposures included: sleep duration, sleep percentage, sleep fragmentation, and sleep regularity index measured using 7 days of wrist actigraphy; sleep stages including non-REM stage 3 (N3) and REM, and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) measured using an overnight type 2 home polysomnography. The primary outcome was the total distance walked in 6-minutes (6MWD). Multiple linear regression was used for analysis. Mean age of participants was 67.6 (SD=6.3) years (range 55-84 years), 69.3% were women, 62.3% were White and 84.4% were non-Hispanic. The average 6MWD was 476.0 (SD=95.6) meters. In adjusted models (B [95% CI]), higher sleep percentage (2.65 [0.22,5.08] percent) and greater sleep regularity (1.03 [0.0047, 2.05] units) were associated with higher 6MWD. Greater sleep fragmentation was associated with lower 6MWD (-2.56 [-4.02, -1.10] percent). Sleep duration, N3, REM, and AHI were not associated with 6MWD. Poorer objective sleep quality and irregular sleep were associated with poorer functional capacity in older adults. Future work should test whether improving sleep quality and regularity improves physical functioning and overall health in older adults.

Sperm DNA fragmentation: focusing treatment on seminal transport fluid beyond sperm production.

To determine the effects of oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents on semen parameters and the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI). Ninety-eight men with infertility diagnosis were included. The participants submitted two semen samples, before and at least two months after treatment. Macroscopic and microscopic semen parameters were evaluated following the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. In addition, the sperm DFI was evaluated using the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) technique. Subsequently, a treatment regimen was administered, including daily oral doses of ciprofloxacin (1000 mg) and doxycycline (100 mg) for 21 and 10 days, respectively. In addition, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (15 mg of meloxicam) were used for 10 days. After treatment, the same parameters were re-evaluated for new semen samples taken under the same initial conditions. After treatment, significant increases in pH, sperm count, total concentration, and normal sperm morphology were observed, but no significant differences were found in the seminal volume parameter or progressive motility. After treatment, a significant decrease in the concentration of immature cells was observed, and although not statistically significant, a reduction in the concentration of leucocytes was observed. After treatment, the mean sperm DFI significantly decreased from 28.24± 2.39% to 16.2±7.1%. Treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories significantly reduced the sperm DFI and improved semen quality.

Regulatory Fragmentation and Operational Efficiency

ABSTRACTThis study employs a fragmentation index derived from Federal Register data to explore the relationship between regulatory fragmentation and operational efficiency. I find a positive association between regulatory fragmentation and operational efficiency, validated through various robustness checks, including entropy balancing, instrumental variable methods, fixed effects at different levels, change specification models, and alternative measures of operational efficiency. Additional analyses indicate that this positive association is more pronounced in firms exhibiting internal control weaknesses and facing higher operational uncertainty. Overall, my results suggest that although regulatory fragmentation poses challenges, it also creates opportunities for firms to enhance their operation efficiency. This research sheds light on the multifaceted effects of regulatory environments, providing valuable insights for policymakers and corporate strategists in managing regulatory complexities.

Sperm DNA fragmentation index: limited effectiveness on predicting embryo quality in assisted reproduction technology treatments

PurposePrior sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) thresholds for diagnosing male infertility and predicting assisted reproduction technology (ART) outcomes fluctuated between 15 and 30%, with no agreed standard. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the sperm DFI on early embryonic development during ART treatments and establish appropriate DFI cut-off values.MethodsRetrospectively analyzed 913 couple’s ART cycles from 2021 to 2022, encompassing 1,476 IVF and 295 ICSI cycles, following strict criteria. The WHO guidelines directed the semen analysis, while the acridine orange test (AOT) determined the DFI. Male factors (age, BMI, DFI, infertility duration, sperm parameters) and female parameters (age, BMI, AMH, retrieved oocytes) were evaluated. We also assessed embryological parameters like fertilization rate, cleavage rate, and blastocyst quality. Correlations between DFI and embryo quality were examined and DFI cut-off values were established using ROC analysis.ResultsThe Sperm DFI demonstrated a positive correlation with male age and a negative correlation with sperm motility, concentration, and normal morphology, while showing no relation to BMI. No connection between DFI and embryological parameters in only IVF and ICSI groups was found, but a negative correlation with fertilization rate was seen in all ART cycles. ROC curve analysis revealed a DFI cut-off value of 21.15% having 36.7% sensitivity and 28.9% specificity in predicting high fertilization rate (≥ 80%).ConclusionSperm DFI had a negative correlation with fertilization rate, but limited predictive efficacy and no significant link to other embryological parameters. DFI assessments may improve early embryo development prediction during ART treatments, particularly in older males or those exhibiting poor sperm quality.

A new approach for hemodynamics of varicoceles: blood flow patterns based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound

BackgroundHemodynamic alterations in the spermatic vein are implicated in infertility among patients with varicocele (VC). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), a powerful tool for hemodynamic analysis, remains unexplored for VC. This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of using CEUS to evaluate spermatic vein hemodynamics in patients with VC and establish a clear correlation between specific hemodynamic patterns and impaired semen parameters. This study included 165 patients with left-sided VC and 50 healthy volunteers. All participants underwent CEUS of the spermatic veins, along with maximum venous diameter and testicular volume measurements and serum sex hormone levels and routine semen analyses. The sperm DNA fragmentation index was measured in 146 patients with VC and 37 healthy controls.ResultsThe analyses revealed four distinct blood flow patterns of the spermatic vein: steady flow, intermittent stasis, intermittent reflux, and filling defect. In healthy spermatic veins, the predominant blood flow patterns included steady flow and intermittent stasis. Spermatic veins with VC exhibited a significant increase in the intermittent reflux and filling defect patterns, with the proportion rising as the clinical grade increased. The four patterns were further grouped into the “steady flow & intermittent stasis” and “intermittent reflux & filling defect” patterns for logistic regression analyses; the intermittent reflux & filling defect pattern was revealed as an independent risk factor for impaired sperm concentration, total sperm counts, progressive motility, morphology, and DNA fragmentation index.ConclusionsThis study validated the feasibility of CEUS for assessing the hemodynamics of the spermatic vein and established the intermittent reflux & filling defect pattern as an independent predictor of impaired semen parameters.

Impact of sperm DNA fragmentation index on assisted reproductive outcomes: a retrospective analysis

Impact of sperm DNA fragmentation index on assisted reproductive outcomes: a retrospective analysis

Effects of chitosan-gentianic acid derivatives on myofibrillar proteins in sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus) during refrigerated storage.

Phenolic acid-chitosan derivatives have received extensive attention due to their greatly enhanced mechanical, antibacterial and antioxidant properties, especially in food preservation. The chitosan-gentianic acid (CS-g-GA) was prepared and its impact on myofibrillar proteins (MPs) in sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus) during refrigerated storage was investigated in this study. Fish fillets were immersed in distilled water, CS, GA and CS-g-GA solutions, respectively, followed by an 18-day refrigerated storage. MPs were extracted from fish fillets every 3days, and then the degree of oxidation and conformational changes of MPs were evaluated. The results of myofibril fragmentation index (MFI) and surface hydrophobicity confirmed that CS-g-GA can retard the fragmentation and degradation of myofibrils. Additionally, the total sulfhydryl content of CS-g-GA-treated samples in the later storage was significantly higher than those of other groups, confirming that CS-g-GA treatment protected the structure and function of protein. Results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and inner fluorescence intensity (IFI) showed that CS-g-GA maintained the secondary and tertiary structure of MPs. The results from scanning electron microscope (SEM) further clarified that CS-g-GA can maintain the tight arrangement of muscle fibers and protect the microstructure of myofibrils. Furthermore, the observation of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) demonstrated that CS-g-GA can prevent protein cross-linking and aggregation. Therefore, CS-g-GA treatment can effectively protect the structure and delay the oxidation of MPs.

Sleep fragmentation and hypoxaemia as key indicators of cognitive impairment in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea

BackgroundThis study aimed to identify characteristics associated with cognitive impairment in older individuals with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) using the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R) that could aid in stratifying those at higher risk for impairment.MethodsWe analysed existing cross-sectional datasets that measured the performance of 89 adult patients (aged 50–85 years) with OSA on the ACE-R cognitive test. Receiver operating characteristic curves and logistic regression analysis were utilised to identify associations between impairment status and various factors, including demographic characteristics, self-reported sleepiness, cognitive complaints, and OSA severity.ResultsAccording to established thresholds (ACE-R ≤ 88), 36% of participants were cognitively impaired. When adjusted for age and education, the strongest factors associated with impairment status were prior measures of arousal index (cut-off: ≥28events/hr, OR: 5.67, p < 0.01), sleep mean SpO2 (cut-off: ≤92%, OR: 3.52, p < 0.05), 3% oxygen desaturation index (cut-off: ≥27events/hr, OR: 3.75, p < 0.05), and sleep time spent under 90% SpO2 (cut-off: ≥9%, OR: 3.16, p < 0.05). Combining these factors achieved a high sensitivity (≥ 93%) of detecting impairment within this cohort. Conversely, the apnoea-hypopnoea index, daytime sleepiness, and cognitive complaints were not associated with impairment status.ConclusionsThe ACE-R identified a significant proportion of patients with OSA as having cognitive impairment. Traditional indices of sleep fragmentation and hypoxaemia may allow clinicians to identify at-risk patients for cognitive evaluation, however further studies are needed to validate these findings and explore whether poor cognitive performance can be remediated via OSA treatment.

Revealing the Mechanism of Protein Degradation in Postmortem Meat: The Role of Phosphorylation and Ubiquitination.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of phosphorylation and ubiquitination on the degradation of myofibrillar proteins in mutton with different tenderness. The longissimus thoracis lumborum muscles were chosen and divided into tender and tough groups (n = 9), and then stored at 4 °C for 1 h, 12 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 5 d postmortem. Shear force, pH, myofibril fragmentation index, AMPK activity, E3 ubiquitin ligase abundance, protein phosphorylation, and the ubiquitination levels of muscle samples were measured. The results demonstrated that the meat of samples in the tender group had a higher degradation of desmin and a lower phosphorylation level of desmin at 1 d compared with the tough group. The ubiquitination level of desmin, AMPK activity, and E3 ubiquitin ligase abundance in the tender group were noticeably higher than those in the tough group at 12 h. There was a negative correlation between the shear force and desmin degradation. The desmin degradation was negatively correlated with desmin phosphorylation and ubiquitination levels. The phosphorylation level of desmin was positively correlated with its ubiquitination. In summary, this study suggests that AMPK and E3 ubiquitin ligase concurrently play significant roles in regulating meat tenderness by regulating phosphorylation and ubiquitination in meat postmortem.

Association between sperm DNA fragmentation index and recurrent pregnancy loss: results from 1485 participants undergoing fertility evaluation.

Several male factors have been reported to play a role in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between semen parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and RPL. A total of 1485 participants were recruited from a university hospital between April 2020 and August 2022. Six hundred and thirtyfour men from couples with RPL were assigned to the case group, while 851 men from couple without RPL who underwent fertile evaluation were assigned to the control group. Semen parameters including sperm DNA fragmentation, were assessed. No statistically significant differences in semen parameters, sperm kinematics and DFI were observed between the case group and the control group. A higher proportion of men in the case group had a DFI > 30% compared to those in the control group; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed no significant non-linear relationships between continuous DFI and risk of RPL. Our study indicates that there is no significant relationship between DFI and RPL risk. Further prospective studies are needed to explore the impact of DFI on fertility outcomes in couples experiencing RPL.

Temperament Upregulates Mitochondrial Enzymes and Negatively Affects Myofibrillar Fragmentation in Beef of Excitable Bos taurus indicus Cattle.

Bos taurus indicus cattle is known to be temperamental and to produce beef with greater variability in terms of quality compared to beef of Bos taurus taurus. Cattle adaptability and resilience are of great importance to sustain beef production worldwide. The study aimed to understand early post-mortem metabolites among muscles with different fiber types profile of calm and excitable Nellore, as well as its relationship with fragmentation of beef aged up to 28 d. Animals were evaluated based on chute score and exit velocity to calculate a temperament index, which was used to classify them as calm or excitable. At slaughter, the pH and temperature declines of Triceps brachii (TB) and Longissimus lumborum (LL) were measured, muscles were sampled, and aged up to 28 d. Metabolites were determined, and sarcomere length and myofibrillar fragmentation index (MFI) were quantified. Metabolomics data were analyzed using a multivariate approach, while other traits were investigated through ANOVA. The pH decline was affected by all three fixed effects investigated (temperament × muscle × time post-mortem: p = 0.016), while temperature decline was affected by muscle × time (p < 0.001). Metabolites differed among muscles and cattle temperament, with excitable cattle showing greater taurine abundance in LL, as well as greater creatine in TB 1 h post-mortem, based on the volcano plot. Sarcomere length and MFI results revealed faster and limited tenderization in excitable cattle beef. Altogether, results emphasized the upregulation of mitochondrial enzymes and reduced tenderization as determinants of inferior beef quality after prolonged aging in excitable cattle.

Which is the shear force that defines the lamb's sensory acceptance?

Abstract The lamb meat tenderness acceptance threshold has been little studied and has never been evaluated for the Brazilian population. So, this study aimed to find the maximum acceptable shear force for Brazilian lamb meat consumers. Three muscles were previously tested and chosen Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL), psoas major and semimembranosus muscles received different treatments in the post-slaughter period (Hot deboning followed by cooling on ice, Standard carcass cooling and Ageing), aiming to create samples with varying levels of tenderness, which were evaluated by acceptance tests and descriptive analysis of tenderness by a trained team. Sarcomere length, myofibril fragmentation index, proximate composition, weight loss and pH analyses were performed to observe the biochemical phenomena in each treatment's meats. Variations caused in samples by treatments were more significant than differences inherent to the different muscles. Pearson and Multiple Factor correlation analyses indicated positive correlations between sarcomere length, myofibril fragmentation index and the scores assigned in sensory tests by 140 panelists and a trained team. Both groups noted that the differences between the meats in terms of tenderness and the sarcomere length also influenced the perception of juiciness observed by the groups. The maximum shear force indicated as acceptable for lamb meat was 44.1 N. The results obtained are important to guide the lamb meat producer for certain practices in the post-slaughter moments, avoiding actions that lead to sarcomere shortening and encouraging the production of aged meats.

Influence of carcass chilling time on the progression of rigor mortis, carcass characteristics and physicochemical properties related to the colour and tenderness of longissimus thoracis et lumborum and biceps femoris muscles in Botucatu rabbits.

The objective of this study was to characterize the progression of rigor mortis and evaluate the influence of chilling time on carcass characteristics, colour, and tenderness of Botucatu rabbit meat in both males and females. The muscles analyzed were the longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) and biceps femoris (BF). As chilling time progressed, weight loss due to chilling increased (P<0.001), whereas weight loss due to thawing (P=0.035) and volume of exudate post-thawing (P=0.022) decreased. Cold carcass yield remained stable for 18h of chilling, with greater (P<0.001) values for males. The colour parameters L*, a* and b* were significantly influenced by sex and chilling time. Rigor mortis began at 1.5h post-mortem, was established between 4.5 and 6h, and resolved at 18h of chilling. Biceps femoris showed greater (P<0.001) shear force at 0h and 4.5h, with reduced (P<0.001) tenderness in males compared to females. Sarcomere length was shorter (P<0.001) at 24h in BF and from 18h in LTL. Myofibrillar fragmentation index of both muscles, and water holding capacity of BF increased (P<0.001) with chilling time. Therefore, it is concluded that chilling the carcasses for 18h prior to freezing results in reduced weight losses, increased luminosity and tenderness of Botucatu rabbit meat.

High-density polyethylene carcass wrapping during the first 24 hours post-mortem and its effects on rabbit meat quality

Post-slaughter chilling is essential for food safety in the meat industry. However, carcasses exposed to cold air in refrigerated chambers may undergo adverse effects on quality parameters. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic wrapping on rabbit carcasses during post-slaughter chilling and its impact on the rabbit meat quality. Twenty whole carcasses of male Botucatu rabbits, slaughtered at 90 days of age, were used in a completely randomised design with a 2×2 factorial scheme [HDPE carcass wrapping (present and absent) vs. cut (loin vs. thigh)]. After 24 h of slow chilling at 4°C, the carcasses were deboned and physicochemical analyses were conducted to assess quality parameters: pH, colour (L*, a*, b*), water-holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss (CL), sarcomere length (SL), shear force (SF), myofibrillar fragmentation index (MFI) and lipid oxidation by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). The wrapping resulted in lower (P&lt;0.05) ultimate pH, red intensity, waterholding capacity and shear force, and higher MFI (P&lt;0.05). Sarcomere length was shorter in the unwrapped thigh compared to both wrapped thigh and unwrapped loin (P&lt;0.05). The thigh exhibited higher redness, yellowness and shear force (P&lt;0.05), while the loin showed greater lightness (P&lt;0.05). The unwrapped loin also demonstrated a greater MFI than the unwrapped thigh (P&lt;0.05). Notably, no significant effect of either wrapping or cut type was observed on TBARS (P&gt;0.05). These findings demonstrated that HDPE wrapping maintained the light colour of rabbit meat, which is more appealing to white meat consumers due to its light pink appearance. Additionally, HDPE wrapping enhanced tenderness, a key attribute in consumers’ meat selection, as indicated by higher MFI values (P&lt;0.05) and lower shear force measurements (P&lt;0.05). In conclusion, wrapping carcasses in high-density polyethylene during the first 24 h post-mortem positively influences the rabbit meat quality, particularly in terms of colour and tenderness, with the loin cut showing superior tenderness compared to the thigh.

Sperm Functional Status: A Multiparametric Assessment of the Fertilizing Potential of Bovine Sperm.

Sperm viability is routinely assessed for the quality control of cryopreserved bovine sperm batches but is not usually conclusive regarding their fertilizing potential. In this study, we investigated the fertility predictive value of bull sperm viability in combination with DNA integrity or the functional status of viable sperm. In addition to sperm viability, we flow cytometrically assessed the percentage of sperm with high DNA fragmentation index (%DFI) and the fraction of viable sperm with low intracellular Ca2+ content and functional mitochondria using the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay and a five-color staining panel in 791 and 733 cryopreserved batches with non-return rate (NRR) records after ≥100 first services, respectively. Using linear mixed-effects models and conditional inference trees, we examined the potential of sperm viability combined with either DNA integrity or the functional status of viable sperm to predict the batch-specific NRR. Batches with a %DFI of ≤6.86% were more likely to have a NRR of >60%, whereas %DFI values of >6.86% were more likely to be associated with a 55-60% or lower NRR. Combining post-thaw viability with the functional status of viable sperm did not reliably predict the NRR of individual batches. Concluding, the incorporation of DNA integrity assessment can considerably improve sperm fertility prognostics.

Оценка кумулятивной эффективности совместного назначения препаратов «Сперотон» и «Синергин» у пациентов с мужским бесплодием

Introduction. Infertility is a serious problem of modern medicine, affecting 15% of couples worldwide. In 25- 87% of cases, the male factor of infertility is mediated by oxidative stress. An effective way to eliminate oxidative stress is the use of antioxidant supplements. To date, the question remains open about the effect of combined drugs – which components and in what proportions can provide the optimal therapeutic effect. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the «Speroton» and «Sinergin» complexes separately and in combination with each other on bulk semen analysis parameters and accessory spermiological tests. The patient was asymptomatic and the lesion was accidental finding on the CT scan. Materials and methods. The study included 90 patients, whose ages ranged from 25 to 45. In the first group, 30 patients received «Speroton» 1 sachet per day for 3 months, in the second group, 30 patients received «Sinergin» 2 capsules per day for 3 months, in the third group, 30 patients received both drugs at the prescribed dosage. At the time of inclusion in the study and after 3 months of therapy, patients underwent a semen analysis, an assessment of the index of sperm DNA fragmentation and the level of generation of reactive oxygen species. Results. In patients taking «Speroton», a moderate positive effect was observed with respect to sperm concentration, an increase in sperm motility was noted, as well as a significant decrease in the generation of reactive oxygen species and, accordingly, the DNA fragmentation index. The «Sinergin» complex in the form of monotherapy led to a moderate increase in sperm concentration and motility, but had practically no effect on the results of additional functional tests. Combination therapy («Speroton» and «Sinergin») surpassed both types of monotherapy in terms of its effect on the number of spermatozoa (the average increased from 62.4 million to 100 million), the total number of motile spermatozoa (from 11.38 million to 34 million), the DNA fragmentation index (from 21% to 7%) and the level of generation of reactive oxygen species (from 66.09 mV to 17.64 mV). Conclusion. Antioxidant complexes have a positive effect on various spermological parameters. The combination of «Speroton» and «Sinergin» has the most pronounced effect on the intensity of oxidative stress and the index of fragmentation of sperm DNA, as well as on the basic parameters of the spermogram.

Corneal protein repair after amniotic membrane photo-tissue bonding versus amniotic membrane graft in the treatment of corneal ulcer (an experimental study)

Corneal alkali burns persist as a significant challenge in our field, often leading to a prolonged treatment course with various sight-threatening problems. This work, of utmost importance, aimed to apply the photo-tissue bonding technique (PTB) to weld the amniotic membrane (AM) to the corneal surface versus an amniotic membrane graft (AMG) and explore its safety in saving corneal protein against alkali burn.Methods Twenty-seven rabbits with an induced corneal ulcer using 1 mol/L NaOH solution. Nine rabbits were used as an ulcer group without treatment, and the rest (n = 18) were subjected to two treatment protocols with AM. The first was attaching the AM to the corneal ulcer through photo-tissue bonding using 532 nm and rose Bengal stain as a photosynthesizing agent. The second was using cyanoacrylate glue as a tissue adhesive. The corneal total protein (TP), refractive index (RI), DNA fragmentation, and oxidative stress index (OSI) were evaluated. Results: The cornea’s TP showed a significant decrease (p˂0.001) immediately, 1 week, and 2 weeks after ulcer induction (-58.9%, -64.4%, and − 72.6%, respectively). The treatment with AM PTB showed improvement immediately (-45.2%, p˂0.001), after one week (-27.4%, p˂0.01), and after two weeks (-14.38%, p˂0.05). Moreover, the treatment with AMG showed improvement after the same periods with percentage changes of -52.05%, (p˂0.001), -41.8% (p˂0.001), and − 32.2%, (p˂0.01) with respect to the control. Moreover, RI of corneal protein showed improvement after two weeks of treatment with AM PTB (3%, p˃0.05) and AMG (7%, p˃0.05), respectively. The corneal protein DNA base pairs improved 88.49% for AM PTB and 82.35% for the AMG group. The oxidative stress was shifted towards an antioxidative state in AM PTB (-3.9%, P > 0.05) and the AMG group (15.9%, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The AM PTB technique used in corneal ulcers showed promising improvement in total corneal proteins, refractive index, DNA fragmentation, and OSI than AMG using cyanoacrylate glue. These results strongly support the use of AM PTB for ophthalmic purposes, suggesting its potential to enhance clinical research and practice for patients with corneal ulcers and ocular surface diseases.

Influence of Host and Landscape-Associated Factors in the Infection and Transmission of Pathogens: The Case of Directly Transmitted Virus in Mammals.

Among pathogens associated with mammals, numerous viruses with a direct transmission route impact human, domestic and wild species health. Host and landscape factors affect viral infection and transmission dynamics of these viruses, along with barriers to host dispersal and gene exchange. However, studies show biases toward certain locations, hosts and detected pathogens, with regional variations in similar host-virus associations. Using a systematic review, in two electronic repositories for articles published until December 2022, we analysed the available information on host- and landscape-associated factors influencing the infection and transmission of directly transmitted viruses in mammals. In the analysis, about 50% of papers examined either host traits, landscape composition or configuration measures, while approximately 24% combined host and landscape-associated factors. Additionally, approximately 17% of the articles included climatic data and 30% integrated factors related to anthropogenic impact, as these variables have a role in host density, distribution and virus persistence. The most significant and frequent host traits used as predictor variables were sex, age, body weight, host density and species identity. Land cover was the most evaluated landscape attribute, while some explored configuration variables like edge density and fragmentation indexes. Finally, temperature, precipitation and features such as human population density and human footprint index were also typically measured and found impactful. Given the many contributions host- and landscape-related factors have in pathogen dynamics, this systematic study contributes to a better knowledge of host-virus dynamics and the identification of variables and gaps that can be used for disease prevention.