AMY1 and starch intake. We studied 3,624 adults without diabetes or elevated blood glucose in the Malmö Diet Cancer cohort. We assessed the associations and interactions between starch intake, AMY1 copies and glucose homeostasis traits  and risk of type 2 diabetes over an average of 18 follow-up years. AMY1 copy number was not associated with glucose, insulin or HOMA-IR. We observed a significant interaction between starch intake and AMY1 copies on insulin and HOMA-IR after adjusting for potential confounders (p < 0.05). The inverse association between starch intake and insulin and HOMA-IR was stronger in the group with 10 or more copies (Ptrend < 0.001). In addition, we observed an inverse association between starch intake and type 2 diabetes in the group with 10 or more copies (ptrend = 0.003), but not in the other groups. This cross-sectional observational study suggests that AMY1 copy numbers might interact with starch intake on glucose homeostasis traits. Interventional studies are required to determine whether individuals with high AMY1 copy numbers may benefit from a high starch intake.Salivary amylase initiates the digestion of starch and it has been hypothesized that salivary amylase may play a role in the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The aim was to examine the interaction between copy number variation in the salivary amylase gene  AMY1 gene, which has gained interest because of the wide range of copy number variation (CNV)  and risk of type 2 diabetes and whether there is an interaction between AMY1 CNV and starch intake on these traits.Salivary α-amylases cleaves starch molecules into smaller saccharides that are further digested by pancreatic α-amylases in the gut. Individuals with high salivary amylase levels have been shown to have faster oral starch digestion . Salivaron (CNV) . In humaon (CNV) , 4, whic6 copies . Importae saliva , 6. Consf starch –9. It haf starch ; howeverc adults , while oc adults , 12. Lowulations –15. Howeulations , 4, 16. ividuals . In addih intake . Thus, bn = 74,138). The only exclusion criteria were limited Swedish language skills and mental incapacity. The participation rate was 41%, and 28,098 subjects completed all parts of the baseline examinations, with a higher participation rate in women than in men . These baseline examinations included an extensive self-administered sociomedical questionnaire, anthropometric measurements and dietary assessment , 5,099 had complete dietary data and 4,716 of those had glucose measured. After exclusion of individuals with diabetes at baseline (n = 225) and fasting glucose concentration 6.1 mmol/L or above (n = 867), our final study sample consisted of 3,624 individuals.The Malmö Diet Cancer (MDC) study is a population-based prospective cohort from southern Sweden with baseline examinations conducted between 1991 and 1996. All women born between 1923 and 1950 and men born between 1923 and 1945 living in Malmö were invited to participate  using the QX200 AutoDG ddPCR System  following the manufacturer's instructions, as previously described in detail by Rukh et al. (AMY1) and two samples from female donors with known AMY1 copy numbers (4 and 8 copies of AMY1) were included as controls in each run. We performed repeated runs of samples with high copy numbers and of a randomly selected subset of 10% of the samples. The plates were read on a Bio-Rad QX200 Droplet Reader, and copy numbers were calculated using QuantaSoft software version 1.7.4 (Bio-Rad Laboratories). Copy number of AMY1 was divided into four groups: 1–4, 5–6, 7–9 and 10 and above copies.h et al. . A high-n = 4,491), 471 incident T2D cases were identified during a mean follow-up of 18.3 years .Type 2 diabetes cases were identified through the end of the follow-up period (31 December 2014) using information from seven different registers [National Diabetes Register , the 2002), and obesity was defined as BMI > 30 kg/m2. Educational level was divided into five categories: elementary, primary and secondary, upper secondary, further education without a degree and university degree. Smoking habits were categorized as current smokers (including irregular smoking), ex-smokers and never smokers. Alcohol consumption was divided into six categories. Zero consumers reported no consumption in the 7-day food diary or during the previous year in the questionnaire. The other individuals were divided into sex-specific quintiles based on the reported alcohol intake from the 7-day food diary, with the following cut-off values: 3.4, 9.1, 15.7, and 25.7 g/day  and 0.9, 4.3, 8.1, and 14.0 g/day . Leisure time physical activity levels were assessed according to 17 prespecified activities, with the option to add one more activity. Metabolic equivalent (MET) hours per week were calculated by multiplying the time spent on each activity in the four different seasons with an intensity factor, and the population were thereafter categorized into five groups .A balance-beam scale was used to measure weight (kilograms) with subjects wearing light clothing and no shoes, and height (centimeters) was measured with a fixed stadiometer. BMI was defined as weight divided by height in square meters  or starch intake  and the outcome (dependent) variables of fasting glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR. In the basic model, we adjusted for age, sex and screening date. When examining the association between starch intake and outcome variables, we also adjusted for the following variables: leisure time physical activity, educational level, alcohol consumption, smoking habits, season of registry, energy intake, and BMI. These variables were selected for their potential association with either dietary intake or the outcome variables. We examined the interaction between starch intake and AMY1 CNV on each outcome variable by including a multiplicative variable in the model with full adjustment. To interpret the findings from the interaction analyses, the association between AMY1 CNV and outcome variables were examined in strata of starch intake tertiles, and the association between starch intake and outcome variables was examined in the strata of AMY1 CNV groups. Means and 95% CIs for each outcome variable were calculated in strata of starch intake tertiles. We also ran the analyses separately for males and females.IBM SPSS Statistics for Macintosh, version 24.0  was used for all the statistical analyses. Plasma insulin and HOMA-IR values were ln-transformed. Participant characteristics according to tertiles of starch intake and four categories of AMY1 CNV  and starch intake . The interaction between starch intake and AMY1 CNV on type 2 diabetes risk was assessed by introducing a multiplicative factor with continuous variables with the full adjusted model.Cox proportional hazard regression was used to calculate hazard ratios for type 2 diabetes incidence by n = 2,316; approximately 64%) than males , with a mean age of 57 years (range 45–68 years). The participants' baseline characteristics according to tertiles of starch intake and groups of AMY1 CNV are summarized in Our study sample of 3,624 individuals without diabetes and impaired fasting glucose included more females  and HOMA-IR (P-interaction = 0.04), but not on glucose (P-interaction = 0.99) . In addition, the inverse association between starch intake and insulin and HOMA-IR was mainly observed among those with 10 or more copies of AMY1. In summary, the highest insulin levels and HOMA-IR were observed in the group that had highest number of AMY1 copies and lowest starch intake (AMY1 CNV on fasting glucose (P = 0.03). Similar as results for insulin and HOMA-IR, the negative association between starch intake and fasting glucose was only observed among those with 10 or more copies of AMY1. glucose . We obse = 0.99) . Adjustih intake . When inAMY1 CNV on insulin and HOMA-IR for females  but not for males (P-interaction = 0.78)  nor HOMA-IR (P = 0.09). In females, the inverse association between starch intake and insulin levels was only observed in the high AMY1 CNV group.There was an interaction effect of starch intake and  = 0.78) ; howeverAMY1 CNV and type 2 diabetes risk  or starch intake and type 2 diabetes risk . Although there was no statistically significant interaction between AMY1 CNV and starch intake (P = 0.30), we observed an inverse association between starch intake and type 2 diabetes among those with 10 or more copies of AMY1 (P = 0.003), but not among those with fewer number of copies . This inverse association tended to be stronger in the high AMY1 CNV and glucose homeostasis traits. Similar to our findings, there was a lack of association between AMY1 CNV and HOMA-IR among French adults  having the lowest starch intake. These finding could support the suggested improved glucose homeostasis of individuals with high AMY1 copy numbers. Thus, if individuals with high AMY1 copy numbers have a faster initial starch digestion with higher cephalic insulin release, high starch intake might be related to lower insulin resistance in this group. A high-starch diet is on average also higher in fiber, and fiber have been associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes  (n = 380) showed lower fasting glucose after 6 months of the low-caloric intervention than those with the AA (n = 55) and GA (n = 257) genotype, independent of concurrent weight changes and baseline levels. We could not significantly connect AMY1 CNV to a decreased type 2 diabetes risk, likely because of low power, but there is some evidence that supports a connection between salivary amylase activity and glucose homeostasis that is possibly affected by dietary changes.In a study of overweight individuals, carriers of the A-allele of an  levels) . HoweverAMY1 CNV is strongly correlated with salivary amylase levels in saliva  in 3,504 French adults . These results indicate that a high-starch diet may be beneficial for individuals with higher AMY1 copy numbers.In conclusion, we observed that individuals consuming a high-starch diet have lower fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR. This association was stronger with higher https://www.malmo-kohorter.lu.se/english.The data analyzed in this study is subject to the following licenses/restrictions: The dataset for this article cannot be made publicly available because of ethical and legal restrictions. Requests to access these datasets should be directed to The studies involving human participants were reviewed and approved by the ethical committee at Lund University (LU 51-90). The participants provided their written informed consent to participate in this study.ES formulated the research question and designed the study and had primary responsibility for the final content. AH and ES analyzed and interpreted the data. JA-A performed the genetic analyses. AH wrote the first draft of the manuscript. ES and UE provided critical review. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.


After the first patellar dislocation, most patients report damage of the medio-patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) and surgical reconstruction is required. The purpose of this study is to systematically review current evidence and to clarify the role of the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons as graft for isolated MPFL reconstruction.The present systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. The literature search was conducted in October 2019. All clinical trials using the semitendinosus and/or gracilis tendon grafts for isolated MPFL reconstruction in patients with patellofemoral instability were considered for inclusion. Only articles reporting a minimum of 12-month follow-up were considered. The PEDro score was used for the methodological quality assessment.Data from 1491 procedures were collected. The mean follow-up was 36.12 months. There was comparability among the patient baseline. All the scores of interests  and range of motion scored better in the semitendinosus group. Moreover, in favour of the semitendinosus group, a statistically significant reduction of the revision surgeries and re-dislocations were evidenced. Apprehension test and persistent instability sensation found any statistical correlations.Isolated MPFL reconstruction through semitendinosus tendon graft performed better than the gracilis in selected patients suffering from recurrent patellofemoral instability. Patellofemoral instability is a common cause of complaint in active young patients . After tHowever, there is a lack of clinical studies comparing directly the two tendons, and the best graft for MPFL reconstruction is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the current evidence and to investigate which is the best graft between gracilis and semitendinosus tendons for MPFL reconstruction. We focused on the clinical scores, physical examination, further revision surgeries and failures.(P) Population: recurrent patellofemoral instability;(I) Intervention: isolated MPFL reconstruction;(C) Comparison: semitendinosus versus gracilis tendon graft;(O) Outcomes: clinical score and examination, re-operations, failure.This systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) . The autpatellofemoral and/or patellar combined with instability, dislocation, luxation, syndrome combined with MPFL and/or rupture, tear, reconstruction combined with semitendinosus, gracilis, hamstring, tendon, graft, combined with bundle, doubled, single. The same authors screened the resulting articles. If the title and related abstract matched the topic, the full text was accessed. Furthermore, the bibliographies were screened to find additional articles.Two independent authors  performed the literature search. In October 2019, the following databases were accessed: Pubmed, Embase, Google Scholar, Scopus. The following keywords were used isolated or in combination: All studies reporting the outcomes of MPFL reconstruction using the semitendinosus and/or gracilis tendon graft for recurrent patellofemoral instability were considered for inclusion. According to the Oxford Centre of Evidenced-Based Medicine , levels Two independent authors  extracted the following data: generalities , patient demographics , follow-up duration, onset (recurrent or acute), presence of risk factors, patellar and femoral graft fixation. The following outcomes of interest were collected: Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale , LysholmThe PEDro score was used for the methodological quality assessment. Two authors  independently performed the score. This score analysed the papers under several items: clear statement of inclusion and exclusion criteria, allocation, randomization, blinding methods, follow-up duration, point estimates and variability. The final result was a value from 0  to 10 . Values > 6 points were considered acceptable .T test was performed in all the comparisons, with values of P < 0.05 considered statistically significant.For the statistical analysis, we referred to the IBM SPSS Software. The arithmetic mean and standard deviation (SD) for continuous variables were adopted. For binary variables, the odd ratio (OR) effect measure was adopted. The confidence interval was set at 95% in all the binary comparisons. The unpaired The initial literature search resulted in 894 articles. Of them, 379 were rejected because of duplications. Another 360 were rejected as they did not match the eligibility criteria. A further 107 articles were rejected because no quantitative data under the endpoints of interest were reported. Other 11 articles were rejected due to unreliable data. Ultimately, a total of 37 papers were included in this work, 11 using the gracilis tendon graft and 26 using the semitendinosus tendon graft , attesting a good baseline comparability. Patient demographics concerning the gracilis tendon graft group are shown in Table In the present study, a total of 1491 MPFL reconstructions, with a mean of 36.12 ± 17.1 months of follow-up, were enrolled. In the gracilis graft group, a total of 574 knees were analysed, with a mean age of 22.39 ± 4.8 years. In the semitendinosus graft group, a total of 917 knees were analysed, with a mean age of 22.68 ± 7.4 years. Between the two groups, there were no significant differences among the samples ages (P = 0.02), Lysholm + 4.44% (P = 0.04), Tegner + 0.65 points (P = 0.2), ROM + 13.42° (P = 0.004).In the gracilis group, the Kujala score showed a mean of 84.95% (SD 6.5), the Lysholm score 86.73% (SD 4.2), and the Tegner 5.20 points (SD 0.9), the ROM 121.55° (SD 6.2). In the semitendinosus group, the Kujala score showed a mean of 89.44% , the Lysholm score 91.17% (SD 4.2), and the Tegner 5.85 points (SD 1.1), the ROM 134.97° (SD 6.8). All the scores of interests resulted in favour of the semitendinosus group: Kujala + 4.49% (P = 0.01) and re-dislocations  were evidenced. The gracilis reported a not statistically significant reduction of the post-operative apprehension test , reduction of the persistent instability sensation . Continuous comparisons are shown in Table In favour of the semitendinosus group, a reduction of the revision surgeries (OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.2853 to 1.1594; According to the main findings of this systematic review, we found that the semitendinosus tendon graft performed better overall. Worthy of note was the statistically significant reduction of re-dislocations and revisions rate observed in the semitendinosus group. The endpoints Kujala and Lysholm and range of motion were both statistically significant in favour of the semitendinosus graft group. They showed homogenous values, with poor data variance and small confidence intervals, yielding trustworthy results. Concerning the other analysed endpoints, apprehension test and persistent instability sensation, no statistical differences between the two groups were found.The MPFL is the most important restraint to patellar lateralization during the first 30° of flexion , 53. CurThe present systematic review evidenced important limitations. The overall poor quality of the included studies represented an important point of weakness. No study took advantage of blinding methods, and only 8% provided randomization of the samples. Therefore, the data must be interpreted with caution. There is a lack of randomized clinical trials in the current literature, and further high-quality studies are strongly required. The present study performed the analyses regardless of the type of onset of instability, type of patellar and femoral fixation. This represents another limitation of the present work, and further studies are required. Points of strength of this systematic review were the comprehensive nature of the literature search, along with the strict eligibility criteria and rigorous quality assessment. Another point of strength, the methodological assessment of this work, which according to the PEDro score, resulted in a good quality assessment. Furthermore, as confirmed by the Student’s t-test, the study presents an optimal baseline comparability of the samples. All these observations provide an overall reduction of the risk of publication bias, generating feasible results.For isolated MPFL reconstruction, the semitendinosus performed better overall. The Kujala and Lysholm scores were both statistically significant in favour of the semitendinosus graft group. The ROM was statistically significant and greater in favour of the semitendinosus graft group. Furthermore, a statistically significant reduction in the failure rate was observed in the semitendinosus group. The gracilis tendon graft group reported a reduction in complication rate, but without statistical significance.


Correction to: Genome Biol 21, 34 (2020)https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-020-1947-1Candidatus names presented in Additional file 5: Dataset S4. In addition, the presentation of the names without full protologues has precluded their registration in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, in line with the recommendations of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes. The original Additional File 5 has therefore been replaced by Additional File Candidatus names.Following publication of the original paper , the autAdditional file 5 A: Clustering of samples at 60% AAI to form genus clusters. Novel genera were defined as clusters of MAGs at 60% AAI which were not assigned a genus by GTDB-Tk. B: Protologues for the new Candidatus names.


Botrytis cinerea by 66%, suggesting potential application in food packaging as an active biomaterial layer to hinder further contamination of fruits during the storage and transport period.Active packaging represents a large and diverse group of materials, with its main role being to prolong the shelf-life of food products. In this work, active biomaterials based on thermoplastic starch-containing cinnamon oil emulsions were prepared by the compression molding technique. The thermal, mechanical, and antifungal properties of obtained materials were evaluated. The results showed that the encapsulation of cinnamon oil emulsions did not influence the thermal stability of materials. Mechanical resistance to break was reduced by 27.4%, while elongation at break was increased by 44.0% by the addition of cinnamon oil emulsion. Moreover, the novel material provided a decrease in the growth rate of  Botrytis cinerea is the most widespread fungal disease on fruits and is mainly manifested in the post-harvest period.In the last decade, the Chilean fruit industry has been consolidated as one of the main international leaders in the export of fresh fruits, particularly grapes, strawberries, and raspberries. Fruit exports accounted for 27% of the sector’s total export value in 2016, with an export value of US$16 billion, which makes this sector the most important in the country, being surpassed only by the mining industry [Recently, active biodegradable packaging has gained more importance for fruit storage directly after harvesting, in order to minimize the appearance of gray mold and losses during transport. Namely, this type of packaging can be directly in contact with the surface of food products or with the headspace between the package and the food products. Moreover, active materials can appear in the form of sachets/capsules that contain an antifungal agent that is inserted into a package or in the form of inner coating of the packaging material. The role of the antifungal agent is to reduce, inhibit, or hinder the growth of fungi that may be present in the packed fruits ,3,4,5. MAmong all biopolymers, starch is a very promising candidate for the processing of biodegradable food packaging materials ,12. StarBotrytis cinerea [Botrytis cinerea were assessed.In this work, cinnamon oil was used as an antifungal component, because has already been proven to be an efficient bioactive agent toward  cinerea ,15,16. I cinerea ,19,20,21® 034,010 . Glycerol was obtained from OCN company .The cinnamon essential oil was supplied by Cedrosa . Chia seeds were purchased from the local market in Mexico. Starch from corn was purchased from Buffalog. The supernatant was decanted and analyzed. The extracted mucilage was frozen, and afterward, the sample was dehydrated using a freeze-dryer for 48 h. The dehydrated products were stored in desiccators with P2O5 in order to prevent any moisture absorption until experiments that required usage of these products were performed.The extraction of mucilage was performed according to the method proposed by Velázquez-Gutiérrez et al. . Namely,A certain amount of obtained mucilage was dissolved in water at room temperature for 12 h, with continuous stirring, in order to obtain different concentrations of aqueous solution (0.2–1.5 wt%). The emulsions were made by mixing the mucilage solutions as an aqueous phase and the cinnamon essential oil as a lipid phase with a laboratory T-25 digital Ultraturrax at 9600 rpm for 2 min. The concentration of cinnamon oil in water varied from 1 to 5 v/v . The total volume of the aqueous/water phase was 50 mL. In order to check the stability of emulsions, the creaming index was monitored at specific storage time . When creaming occurred during storage time at room temperature (25 °C), emulsions were homogenized to re-disperse the cream layer before the analysis. Three samples per each emulsion formulation were tested, and the deviation was less than 3%.g, the creaming index  was checked and calculated according to the following Equation (1):o is the total height of the emulsion layer in vials and Ht is the height of the cream layer. Analyses were performed in triplicate.Each emulsion was evaluated to detect visible parameters such as color, creaming, coalescence, and/or separation of phases. After the emulsions were homogenized and centrifuged for 10 min at 524× g. The heights of the emulsified layer and cream layer were measured, and the TS was calculated according to the following Equation (2):o is the total height of the emulsion layer in vials and Ht is the height of the cream layer. Analyses were performed in triplicate.The thermal stability  of emulsions was evaluated by subsequent heating of the emulsion in a water bath at 80 °C for 30 min and subsequent cooling down to room temperature (20 ± 2 °C), followed by centrifugation for 10 min at 524× B. cinerea was placed in the center of the Petri dishes and incubated at 25 ± 2 °C until control (with sterile water) reached its maximum development. The plates were sealed with Parafilm® to avoid vapor leakage.Twenty milliliters of sterilized potato dextrose agar (PDA) was placed in Petri dishes (100 × 15 mm). A volume of 0.1 mL of the emulsion was uniformly dispersed in the culture medium PDA (Bioxon) on six Petri dishes per treatment and allowed to dry. A disc of 5 mm in diameter of C is the control’s growth, and CT is the growth in the treatment group. Analyses were carried out in triplicate.Mycelial growth over time was measured daily using a Vernier caliper. The test ended when the mycelium completely covered the Petri dish in the control sample. Six repetitions per treatment were carried out. The mycelial growth inhibition index (IM) was calculated according to the following Equation (3):The first step in the preparation of materials was the thermo-plasticization of starch. The starch was homogenized with 150 g of glycerol and 50 g of water in a high-speed blade mixer  at 45 °C and a speed of 2800 rpm. This sample was coded as TPS and used to prepare control the TPS plate by a compression molding technique. According to the preliminary results related to emulsions, the two best formulations were chosen to be incorporated into the starch matrix during the thermo-plasticization process. The same procedure was followed to obtain the thermo-plasticized starch loaded with emulsions, as for the control TPS sample.Plates were made by the use of Labtech LP-20B hydraulic press. The 40 g of thermo-plasticized starch samples was placed between two stainless steel molds that were covered with a Teflon sheet. The samples were compressed with an applied pressure of 70 bar for 3 min at 140 °C. The resulting plates were cooled for 1 min before unmolding. The thickness of the obtained materials was approximately 0.5 mm.®. The operating conditions were as follows: nitrogen flow of 10 mL/min, temperature heating range from 30 to 500 °C, and a heating rate of 10 C/min. All measurements were performed in triplicate, and obtained parameters were repeatable within ±3%.Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed by NETZSCH TG 209 F3 TarsusMechanical analysis was performed on a Universal test machine KARG Industrie Technik Smartens 005) according to the ASTMD638 (2010) standard test method. The test conditions were as follows: 23 ± 2 °C, 45 ± 5% RH, crosshead speed 2 mm/min. The measurements were carried out in sextuplicate. The standard deviation for the tested parameters was ± 10%.B. cinerea was prepared as described in The PDA culture medium and cultivation of The concentration of mucilage was shown to play a significant role in the stabilization of emulsions. In fact, emulsion was only obtained when the used mucilage content was above 0.75 wt%. B. cinerea are shown in B. cinerea. It is important to highlight that after two months of storage, all tested emulsions were again subjected to antifungal tests and again showed 100% growth inhibition. The high antifungal activity of cinnamon oil is already well known because of its chemical composition [B. cinerea. Since the best emulsion stability within the time showed B1i–B3i formulations, these formulations were chosen for further incorporation into thermoplastic starch , and percentage of elongation at break (e) of the materials are presented in L180), the temperature at which degradation starts (Tonset), the maximum weight loss temperature (Tdeg), and char residue are reported in onset at 280 °C and maximum degradation peak at 312 °C were related to starch chain decomposition. The addition of emulsion did not affect the thermal degradation profile of thermoplastic starch since there were no significant changes in Tonset and Tdeg values. On the other side, a slight increase in weight loss up to 180 °C and char residue for starch-emulsion plates was observed. These results were expected because low concentrations of volatile components were introduced in thermoplastic starch. The unchanged thermal stability after the inclusion of essential oils/bioactive components were also observed in the literature for LDPE films incorporated with cinnamon and rosemary oil [The weight loss at 180 °C  depended on the concentration of bioactive components included in the thermoplastic starch plates. With an increase in the cinnamon oil concentration in thermoplastic starch plates, a lower rate of B. cinerea growth was observed. In fact, the inhibition of mycelium growth was above 50% after 10 days of incubation only for samples Starch-B2i and Starch-B3i when compared with the control. This outcome could be explained by a low concentration of cinnamon oil in starch plates, ranging from 0.2 to 0.6 wt%. The inhibition of growth rate of Starch-B3i sample was improved by 66% in comparison with that of the control sample, which means that this material could be used in food packaging as a supporting layer inserted in the box, but only to hinder the further contamination of fruits during storage or transport, minimizing fruit loss and damage. In order to obtain biobased materials with higher antifungal efficiency, further optimization of the system is required. The main optimization of the plasticizer and emulsion ratio with respect to the starch matrix is necessary in order to avoid a further decrease in the mechanical stability of the final materials. In fact, introducing a higher amount of emulsion into the starch matrix would further increase the antifungal activity and elasticity of the material but would significantly reduce its tensile strength, which can be an undesirable effect from the industrial point of view. Moreover, a higher concentration of emulsion could cause olfactory and gustatory contamination of packed foods  due to the migration of volatile compounds from package to food. Hence, besides mechanical and biological stability, further studies should include the evaluation of the side effects of materials containing cinnamon oil emulsion on the sensory properties of food (odor and flavor).The main purpose of the antifungal tests was to evaluate the potential use of starch/emulsion plates as antifungal biodegradable layers/sachets in the food packaging industry, taking into account that B.cinerea in the “in vitro” antifungal test. These results demonstrate that thermoplastic starch loaded with cinnamon oil emulsion could be potentially used as a bioactive layer or emitter in the food packaging sector to hinder further infection of fruits.The study investigated the potential use of thermoplastic starch incorporated with cinnamon oil emulsion as a bioactive antifungal material in the food packaging industry. The addition of cinnamon oil emulsion did not affect the thermal stability of thermoplastic starch. In contrast, the mechanical properties showed a clear enhancement in elongation of obtained bioactive material at the break point. Moreover, the highest loading of the emulsion into thermoplastic starch showed inhibition of the growth of


These samples were also characterised by a higher resistant starch content. Cold storage resulted in an increase in the proportion of resistant starch. Total phenols content ranged from 210.96 (boiling) to 348.46 mg/100 g DW (grilling) and vitamin C content ranged from 43.79 (boiling) to 68.83 mg/100 g DW (microwaving). DPPH radical scavenging activity was the highest for the grilled tubers. The results indicate microwaving and grilling as the most favourable thermal treatments of potato.The study examined the effects of various methods of thermal treatment of Lord cultivar potato tubers on changes in starch, polyphenols, vitamin C, antioxidant activity, and mineral compounds. Following heat treatment in order to determine further transformations of starch, the potatoes were stored at 2 °C/24 h. Changes in starch, bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties varied depending on the treatment method. In general, higher retention of bioactive compounds was noted for tubers treated with “dry” methods, such as microwaving or grilling than for tubers treated with “wet” methods, The online version of this article (10.1007/s11130-020-00808-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Solanum tuberosum) is one of the main sources of food worldwide [The potato , polyphenols, vitamin C, antioxidant activity, mineral compounds and dry matter of potatoes. In order to determine changes in total starch and starch fractions, the potatoes, following thermal treatment, were cold stored for 24 h.traditional boiling in a stainless steel pot, with the process beginning with boiling water, and the water-to-raw material ratio 5:1 (time 35 min),steaming in a stainless steel pot with a perforated insert (time 50 min),steaming in a RETIGO convection-steam (combi) oven  ,microwaving in a Whirlpool microwave oven type AMW204  ,grilling on the SILEX electric grill  .The research material were potato tubers of Lord cultivar, purchased in May 2017 on the retail market in Olsztyn, Poland. Potatoes were washed, dried with paper towel and subjected to the following thermal treatments with peel left on:Thermal treatment was continued until the tubers were soft enough to be consumed. The time of thermal treatment was determined experimentally in the preliminary tests. After each heat treatment potatoes were left on a plate to cool down to the room temperature and then divided into two parts. One part was peeled by hand with a knife, cut and comminuted with the use of a blender , and subjected to analyses. The second part was cold stored. To serve this purpose, after cooling down, unpeeled potatoes destined for the storage study were immediately placed in a glass container with lid and kept in a refrigerator at 2 °C for 24 h. After storage they were peeled by hand with a knife, cut and comminuted with a blender , and then subjected to analyses.Dry matter (DW) content was determined according to an AOAC method .per 100 g dry weight (DW) of sample.Total starch (TS) content was determined according to the method described by Englyst et al. . A samplper 100 g DW of sample. Additionally, the starch digestion index (SDI) was calculated according to Gökmen et al. [Rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) contents were determined using the method of Englyst et al. . For then et al.  as follow/v) solution of metaphosphoric acid (see per 100 g DW of sample.L-ascorbic acid (L-AA) content was determined using HPLC according to Gökmen et al.  Ascorbicper 100 g DW of sample.Total content of phenolic compounds (TP) was determined spectrophotometrically with the use of a Folin-Ciocalteu reagent according to the procedure described by Borowska et al. . Phenoliper g DW of sample.The DPPH radical scavenging assay was determined according to Sánchez-Moreno et al.   using Statistica v12 software . The differences between the mean values were evaluated using the Duncan test at the significance level of P < 0.05) in terms of dry matter content (Table P < 0.05). Romano et al. [Potatoes subjected to various thermal treatments differed significantly  were noted for potato tubers subjected to steam treatment in a pot and in a combi oven, and between the microwaved and grilled tubers. Total starch contents of tubers immediately after thermal treatment and after 24-h cold storage were similar.Tubers boiled in water were characterised by the highest total starch content and it was higher than in raw potato Table . This waP < 0.05) increased digestibility of potato starch compared to raw tubers  was found by Navarre et al. [The contents of AA, DHAA and vitamin C (which includes both AA and DHAA) are presented in Table e et al. . Our rese et al. . Accordie et al. , retentiPotatoes of the Lord cultivar used in the experiment contained 183.5 mg TP as an GAE in 100 g DW Table . LiteratThe results of antioxidant activity are presented in Table The content of 9 mineral compounds in raw and cooked tubers are presented in Table The methods of thermal treatment of potato tubers, applied in the study, had different effects on starch, bioactive components such as vitamin C, TP, mineral compounds, and antioxidant properties. An analysis of changes in the investigated components reveals that microwaving and grilling should be indicated as favourable treatment methods. Tubers subjected to these treatments were characterised by a higher concentration of RS, TP, vitamin C, and mineral components compared to samples boiled in water, steamed, or cooked in a combi oven. They also exhibited stronger antioxidant properties determined in the test with DPPH radical. Cold storage  of potatoes following their thermal treatment, applied where the potatoes are intended for the production of vegetable salads, resulted in further changes in starch and a favourable increase in the proportion of the RS fraction.ESM 1(PDF 88 kb)


The introduction of PCL as a second side chain type in addition to PEG resulted in heterografted copolymers with modified properties such as biodegradability. “Click” reactions were carried out with efficiencies between 17–70% or 32–50%  depending on the PEG grafting density. The graft copolymers were self-assembled into micellar superstructures with the ability to encapsulate active substances, such as vitamin C (VitC), arbutin (ARB) or 4-n-butylresorcinol (4nBRE). Drug loading contents (DLC) were obtained in the range of 5–55% (VitC), 39–91% (ARB) and 42–98% (4nBRE). In vitro studies carried out in a phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution (at pH 7.4 or 5.5) gave the maximum release levels of active substances after 10–240 min depending on the polymer system. Permeation tests in Franz chambers indicated that the bioactive substances after release by micellar systems penetrated through the artificial skin membrane in small amounts, and a majority of the bioactive substances remained inside the membrane, which is satisfactory for most cosmetic applications. Amphiphilic copolymers of alkyne functionalized 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (AlHEMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (MPEGMA) with graft or V-shaped graft topologies were synthesized. The functionalization of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with azide group enabled attachment to P(AlHEMA- The selection of appropriate non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable polymers that can form carriers of drugs or active substances is the most important consideration for all biomedical and cosmetological applications. The polymeric carriers are very often based on biopolymers, such as polysaccharides  : 47.56 vs. 22.65, 83.14 vs. 34.97, 1.63 vs. 0.27). This means a higher proportion of the hydrophilic fraction in the copolymer formed the carrier can be used to accelerate diffusion through the membrane. The highest permeation parameter values were obtained for the ARB loaded micelles in each series and showed their great potential in active substance delivery for deeper penetration into skin layers -co-MPEGMA), which varied by grafting degree, PEG/PCL side chain ratio and PCL graft length (PCL4000 or PCL9000), were designed for delivery substances applicable in cosmetology that include dermatological problems. All synthesized amphiphilic graft copolymers with varying hydrophilic-hydrophobic balances showed self-assembly ability indicated by CMC values and observed by SEM. Most of the polymers provided micellar particles with hydrodynamic diameters from 100–300 nm, but the larger particle sizes do not exclude these systems from potential application as they can be used externally on the skin surface without the need to enter the body to release the active substance. Aqueous self-assembly was used to encapsulate the selected cosmetic substances  into micelles with relatively high efficiencies for almost all systems (DLC > 60%), except for VitC (5–55%). In vitro studies carried out in a PBS solution (pH 7.4 or 5.5) demonstrated the maximum release of active substances (>70%) was achieved within the first hour. However, the nature of the active substance interacted with polymer matrix varied by biodegradable PCL graft length and hydrophilic PEG graft levels was a crucial difference in the release profiles, which also depended on the solution pH. The permeation tests of the active substance released through a membrane acting as human skin in Franz chambers indicated moderate diffusion into solution and remained in the membrane . The best permeation rate results were observed for ARB. Future investigations of the synthesized polymer carriers with desirable properties  will focus on the evaluation of their biochemical potential that includes cytotoxicity and possible anti-aging effects examining β-galactosidase activity. The heterograft copolymers P(HEMA-


Mini-fragment plates (MFPs) are increasingly used in fracture surgery to provide provisional fixation. After definitive fixation, the surgeon decides whether to remove the plates or leave them in place as additional fixation, based on the perceived biomechanical influence of the MFP. However, there are no current biomechanical studies to guide this decision. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of MFPs on the four-point bending and torsional stiffness of long bone transverse and simple wedge fracture fixation constructs.Fourth-generation composite bone cylinders were cut to produce transverse (AO-OTA classification 12-A3) and simple wedge (AO-OTA classification 12-B2) fracture models. The specimens were fixed using a low-contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) and MFPs. Specimens were tested in four-point bending and torsion utilizing 3 different MFP orientations.transverse fracture constructs. MFPs significantly increased the bending stiffness for wedge fracture constructs under certain loading conditions. This increase was observed when MFPs were positioned both orthogonal  and opposite  to the LC-DCP. MFPs significantly increased the torsional stiffness for both transverse and wedge fracture constructs when MFPs were positioned both orthogonal  and opposite  to the LC-DCP.No statistically significant differences in bending stiffness were found between control and MFP groups for Our results indicate that including MFPs in definitive fixation can increase the bending and torsional stiffness of a long-bone fracture fixation construct. This suggests that the biomechanical influence of MFPs should be considered. However, clinical studies will be required to test the applicability of these findings to the clinical setting. Ten 250 mm length composite biomechanical grade bone cylinders  were cut using a bandsaw to produce 5 transverse fracture specimens and 5 wedge fracture specimens. Specimens were bisected at the longitudinal midpoint to create transverse fractures. Specimens simulating wedge fractures were cut with the wedge vertex aligned with the longitudinal midpoint, with fracture lines aligned at 20° to the longitudinal axis. All specimens were fixed with an 8-hole 4.5 mm LC-DCP . Self-tapping 4.5 mm cortex screws  were used to secure the LC-DCP. Screws were installed bicortically. Transverse fracture specimens were fixed with screws in LC-DCP holes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8. Wedge fracture specimens were fixed with screws in LC-DCP holes 1, 2, 7, and 8  equipped with a 6-degree-of-freedom load cell . Each sample was subjected to four-point bend loading using standard 4-point bending fixtures  with 76.2 mm distance between the top fulcrums and 228.6 mm distance between the bottom fulcrums. Specimens were positioned with the longitudinal midpoint centered between the force applicators  to a depth of 45 mm and a distance of 5 mm from the end of the LC-DCP. The potting fixture was secured to the MTS load cell using a custom jig that allowed for unconstrained rotation in the 2 bending planes. The free end of the specimen was then secured to the machine actuator using a 3-jaw lathe chuck. Two Kirschner wires were drilled through this end to prevent rotation of the sample in the chuck while applying torque .2.MFPs positioned 90° from the LC-DCP around the specimen longitudinal axis .3.MFPs positioned 180° from the LC-DCP around the specimen longitudinal axis (opposite).All specimens were tested in four-point bending and torsion utilizing 3 MFP configurations. The different configurations were tested in the following order:1.Cyclic four-point bending stiffness test: 50–200 N applied at 1 Hz for 20 cycles. Specimens were tested in 4 different loading orientations: loading directly on the LC-DCP, loading directly opposite the LC-DCP, and loading at both 90° orientations to the LC-DCP.2.Cyclic torsional stiffness test: 0.5–1.5 N m applied at 1 Hz for 20 cycles.All specimens were tested according to the following 2 loading protocols:All tests were performed in the same order on all specimens. Four-point bending tests were performed first in the following order: loading directly on the LC-DCP, loading directly opposite the LC-DCP, loading at 90° to the LC-DCP on the side where the MFP was installed (regardless of its orientation), loading at 90° to the LC-DCP opposite to the MFP installation side. Torsional tests were performed once all four-point bending tests had been performed for all MFP orientations. In total, 5 tests  were performed per specimen in each of the 3 MFP configurations. Additionally, a preliminary specimen was tested to ensure cyclic loading was performed in the specimens’ elastic region, avoiding plastic (or permanent) deformation.The cyclic peak load was chosen such that applied bending and torsional moments were consistent with those observed during daily activities.For both bending and torsional tests, the specimen was preloaded to the minimum cyclic load and allowed to settle for 30 seconds. Cyclic testing was initiated once the preload settled at the minimum cyclic load.2.4R-squared values were calculated for all loading curves. Prior to performing statistical comparisons, normality of the data was confirmed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to identify loading conditions where statistically significant differences between groups may be present. Paired, 2-tailed t-tests (P < .05) were then used to compare bending and torsional stiffness between the control group and each MFP configuration, as well as between MFP configurations, in groups where ANOVA indicated significant differences were present. Finally, post-hoc power analysis was performed.Vertical displacement and applied compressive force were recorded during four-point bend testing. Rotational angle and torque were recorded during torsional testing. All data were recorded by the MTS controller at 102.4 Hz. Four-point bending and torsional stiffness values were calculated from the second-to-last cycle of each test. For specimens where settling effects were present during the loading cycle, the stiffness value was calculated from the later, settled portion of the force–displacement curve. To ensure no permanent damage was done to either the cylinders or the implants, 33.1P = .001; opposite: 28.4% increase in mean, P = .02). No significant differences were found in four-point bending or torsional stiffness between the orthogonal and opposite MFP configurations  confirm test specimens were not permanently damaged during testing.Adding an MFP in any orientation did not affect the four-point bending stiffness for any loading condition. Adding a MFP significantly increased torsional stiffness in both groups  when loading on the LC-DCP. There was no difference in four-point bending stiffness for other loading orientations. Adding MFPs significantly increased torsional stiffness in both groups . Four-point bend stiffness was significantly greater in the opposite MFP group compared to the orthogonal MFP group when loading directly on  or directly opposite to  the LC-DCP. There was no significant difference in four-point bending stiffness in either MFP group when loading 90° from the LC-DCP on either side. There was also no significant difference in torsional stiffness between the 2 MFP configurations (Table P < 80%) due to small sample size. R-squared values  confirm test specimens were not permanently damaged during testing.Adding MFPs significantly increased the four-point bending stiffness in both groups ; however, this was an underpowered comparison (power = 0.275) and could have benefited from a larger sample size. It may be that, due to the relatively small size of the MFP, adding an MFP does not effectively increase the stiffness of the construct. In other words, the LC-DCP is still responsible for the vast majority of load bearing. Conversely, the MFPs did have a significant impact on torsional stiffness in both transverse and wedge fractures. This is because, in a construct utilizing only an LC-DCP, the LC-DCP alone is not sufficient to anchor the bone fragments around the torsional axis; in general, 2 fixation points are necessary to prevent rotation around an axis. The MFP provides this second fixation point, thus increasing torsional stiffness.From a purely mechanical standpoint, one could expect that the addition of MFPs to a plate fixation construct could increase the bending stiffness of the construct. In transverse and wedge fracture models, the application of a bending-inducing load will cause the fracture gap to widen, with the widening having greatest magnitude at the aspect farthest from the application surface. Thus, applying an MFP across the fracture gap should, in theory, resist this widening and thereby increase stiffness. It follows that placing an MFP where the widening is greatest, that is, the surface opposite the applied load, would cause the greatest increase in stiffness. In this study, we did observe a 50% increase in mean bending stiffness in transverse fractures when load was applied to the LC-DCP and the MFP was placed opposite to the plate Table . This in It follows that surgeons should aim to induce primary healing when they are able to achieve perfect reduction, while allowing fractures that cannot be perfectly reduced to undergo the secondary healing process. To properly induce primary healing, axial strain at the fracture gap must be kept below 2%, necessitating as rigid a fixation as possible. Therefore, in simple patterns, such as the transverse fracture modeled in this study, addition of MFPs may be considered. Conversely, when a perfect reduction is unattainable and secondary healing is expected, MFPs may only be appropriate for provisional reduction. However, because we did not measure interfragmentary motion in this study, we cannot determine if MFPs can be used to induce primary over secondary healing by limiting axial strain to less than 2%. Rather, MFPs may be used to increase fixation rigidity in cases where primary healing can be expected. Use of MFPs may be considered an extra step to ensure primary healing, rather than the catalyst that drives primary instead of secondary healing. However, further studies are needed prior to applying the results of this study in clinical practice.The fracture pattern and the expected type of healing  may dictate the use of MFPs as part of the definitive fixation. Primary healing requires rigid fixation over a perfectly reduced fracture gap, while secondary healing may be achieved without perfect reduction or rigid fixation and is in fact enhanced by some axial fragment motion. reported zero nonunion complications in 39 cases across 7 different fracture regions, indicating the use of MFPs is not directly related to the development of nonunion complications. As in our study, this group used 2.0 mm MFPs. However, a key distinction is that this group placed definitive fixation directly on top of the provisionally installed MFP. This means, according to the mechanical theory described above, the MFP is less involved in creating stability in the definitive construct than if it were, for example, positioned opposite to the larger plate. Similarly, Archdeacon and Wyrick reported only a single nonunion among 28 tibial metadiaphysis fracture cases. However, the specific nonunion case was encountered in a high energy, highly comminuted, segmental fracture, indicating fracture complexity was the critical factor in nonunion development. These clinical results suggest that the use of MFPs does not contribute to nonunion.The use of MFPs in clinical practice has not been associated with complications. Oh et alThis study had several limitations inherent to biomechanical studies. First, composite bone models are not a perfect stand-in for cadaveric models or live patients. In addition to lacking the viscoelastic mechanical properties inherent to biological tissues, composite models possess perfectly uniform geometry, which directly influences the construct's mechanical response under all loading modes. On the other hand, standardization of the bone and fracture model, thus avoiding variations such as in a cadaveric model, was critical to identify the specific influence of MFPs. Second, this study only investigated unimodal loading. Activities in vivo rarely, if ever, exert a single type of load  on a structure. Therefore, this study did not perfectly mimic in vivo biomechanical loading. Third, the fracture models used in this study were simplified relative to what may be seen in vivo. Each fracture was perfectly cut with a bandsaw, and no additional fragments were present. It is unclear whether the same trends seen in this study would apply to more complicated fracture models, including those with jagged fracture lines and/or necessitating more provisional MFPs, indicating this may be an area for future research. Finally, no load to failure or fatigue testing was performed in this study. MFPs used in this study are much smaller and mechanically weaker than the corresponding LC-DCP, and thus are likely to fail at lower loading magnitudes and/or after a lower number of loading cycles. This creates a potential concern regarding the long-term use of MFPs that were not originally designed for permanent fracture augmentation. The long-term effects of MFPs on fracture fixation performance must be examined in future research. Lastly, the limited sample size resulted in some underpowered comparisons. Despite these limitations, this study provides preliminary biomechanical evidence regarding the influence of MFPs in the context of long bone fixation. However, further biomechanical studies are needed prior to applying biomechanical findings to the clinical setting.In conclusion, the addition of MFPs to a long bone fixation construct may significantly increase both torsional and bending stiffness, depending on the fracture pattern. The findings of this study suggest that surgeons should consider the biomechanical effects of leaving MFPs as part of their final fixation construct. Future studies are also needed to address the use of MFPs in more complicated fracture types and in clinical practice.


According to the experience of nurses and physiotherapists, the abdomen of constipated people becomes softer after abdominal massage. However, the relationship between the decrease in abdominal stiffness and the benefits of abdominal massage has not been examined quantitatively and is unclear. Furthermore, devices for measuring stiffness have been designed to measure relatively hard areas such as the shoulders and do not take into account the lateral outflow of the target tissue, which can be a problem when measuring the stiffness of soft areas such as the abdomen. To address these issues, this study presents a stiffness sensor suitable for measuring abdominal stiffness and investigates the relationship between the reduction in abdominal stiffness and the benefits of abdominal massage. The solution to prevent the lateral outflow of the target is the realization of a stopper, including a contact detection device, which enables a wide-area contact around the targeted area. The sensor consists of a stopper, probe, spring, and time-of-flight (ToF) sensors. The probe and spring provide appropriate pressure and deformation to the abdomen, whereas the stopper prevents the probe from being pushed into the abdomen more than necessary. The ToF sensor measures the deformation length when the deformation is stopped by the stopper. The abdominal stiffness can be derived from the deformation length. The investigation results indicate that the reduction in abdominal stiffness corresponds to the improvement of the stool condition or the maintenance of a healthy stool condition, whereas the maintenance of abdominal stiffness indicates the maintenance or deterioration of the stool condition. The age of the Japanese population has been increasing year by year since 1950, and the care of older adults has become increasingly serious in recent years. By the end of 2016, the total population of Japan reached 122.693 million, of which 27.3% were over 65 years old .Constipation is defined as a state in which feces cannot be defecated in sufficient quantity and with comfort . It can Popular chronic constipation in older adults is characterized by difficulties in defecation and slow-transit constipation. Digital disimpaction  is a maStudies have shown that specific massage improves the temperature of the fingertip, has some positive effects on heart rate and blood pressure , stimulaRegarding the effectiveness of abdominal massage, according to the experience of nurses and physiotherapists, the abdomen of people suffering from slow-transit constipation is often stiffer than that of people without constipation, whereas the abdominal feel of the constipated people softens after receiving abdominal massage. Tension in the rectus and transversus abdominis muscles results in poor bowel movement. This is considered to be reflected in abdominal stiffness. Massaging is considered to improve blood circulation, which in turn improves bowel movement and softening. Unfortunately, this relationship is based on interviews with nurses and has thus far been unclear. Accordingly, our purpose was to focus on abdominal stiffness or softness and explore the relationship between the changes in abdominal stiffness and the effectiveness  of abdominal massage. The effect of massage is reflected in the fecal properties, but it takes several days to confirm it. If the change in abdominal stiffness can be correlated with the effect of massage, then the method and duration of the massage can be changed appropriately during massage. To address this, this study aims to design a stiffness sensor for the abdomen that is suitable for this research to measure and record abdominal stiffness. Additionally, this study aimed to investigate the defecation status of participants before and after abdominal massage and analyze the data to determine the relationship between the effectiveness of abdominal massage and reductions in abdominal stiffness due to massage.Thus far, abdominal stiffness has not been considered an evaluation target. In contrast, stiffness of the neck and shoulder was evaluated using a muscle hardness tester, which is commercially available . UnfortuSul et al. proposed a new stiffness measurement system that utilizes the lateral deformation profile of an object under indentation . They deSim et al. developed a portable sensor to determine transepidermal water loss, skin conductance, and skin hardness . They deIn our previous research , we deveThere are also other microdevices related to soft tissue property measurements. Fath El Bab et al. designed a micromachined piezoresistive tactile sensor for detecting the compliance of soft tissue, independent of the applied distance between the sensor and tissue . Yang etUltrasonic elastography (USE) and magnetic resonance elastography (MSE) have received significant attention in recent years for noninvasive assessment of tissue mechanical properties ,26,27,28In view of the characteristics of the human abdomen and the specific research needs of abdominal stiffness evaluation in massage for slow-transit constipation, this study presents a new portable abdominal stiffness sensor suitable for evaluating abdominal stiffness, and reveals the relationship between the effectiveness of abdominal massage and change in abdominal stiffness by massage.We designed a portable fixed-stroke abdominal stiffness sensor. It touches the participant’s abdominal skin through a force-measuring probe and a stopper. The probe generates the proper pressure through a preset spring to measure the depression deformation when the surrounding tissue makes contact with the stopper and calculates the stiffness of the abdomen. The probe has a simple and reliable structure and utilizes a low-cost small modular time-of-flight (ToF) sensor and high-precision spring elements to achieve deformation and force measurements. The stopper has contact detectors for evaluating the tissue stiffness as well as for achieving contact with a wide surface, preventing the target from flowing to the sides. The contact detectors are based on a capacitive skin contact judgment function, which enables accurate contact detection and measurement of the evaluation time. The sensor system also has a display screen to show the measurement results in real time, making the measurement process fast and easy. We used this sensor to measure the stiffness of key areas designated by the nurse before and after the nurse performed specific abdominal massages on the participants. Meanwhile, we tracked the defecation of participants before and after abdominal massage and analyzed the relationship between changes in abdominal stiffness and the effectiveness of abdominal massage.Deformation and force are measurableBe able to contact a wide surface, preventing tissue from flowing to the sidesAdequate for the abdominal softness of human bodyRealize a simple, quick, comfortable, low-stress operationSmall in size, easy to carry, low cost, and easy to manufactureThe abdomen of the human body is poorly muscled and fatty, owing to the presence of many organs. Therefore, when the sensor probe is pushed into the abdomen, the tissue can flow to the sides. A mechanism is required to prevent these issues. The high softness of the abdomen should also be considered. To measure a large number of ordinary participants, it is desirable that the sensor system allow frequent daily measurements. To address these issues, the following functional requirements were defined:The abdominal wall of the human body can be roughly divided into the epidermis, fat layer, and muscle layer, starting from the outermost layer, as shown in To obtain the stiffness, the force applied to the surface of the measured object and the corresponding depression deformation must be measured. The basic measurement principle is shown in To obtain stiffness based on this principle, we need to resolve the issue of tissue flowing to the sides when pressing the target abdomen, which is caused by high softness in the abdomen. If the target tissue/fat flows to the sides, then its stiffness cannot be included in the evaluation of stiffness. Additionally, excessive pressing can cause inaccurate evaluations. To minimize the flow effect, we designed a contact-detection device . The remaining main components were an OLED display  and a Micro SD card module (HiLetgo). An SD card (32 GB) was inserted into the module. The power was supplied externally. Two lithium-ion batteries (NCR18650B 3400 mAh) were utilized by connecting it to the outlet for the power supply in the top panel. We designed the grooves and screw holes to fix the components, as shown in To facilitate assembly, the structure of this part is designed as a front-rear type, with a micro-SD-card-fixing part and a top cover. The four parts are spliced for easy assembly, disassembly, and maintenance. We designed three buttons set on the left side of the OLED display to correct the zero point of the sensor, start recording data, and stop recording data. The measurement is always active after power-on. Pressing the button 2 starts writing the measurement data to the SD card, and pressing the button 3 stops the writing. The display shows dynamic data in real time. A calibration test was conducted to obtain the relationship The obtained root mean squared error (RMSE) was 0.016 N, while the coefficient of determination was 0.995. The results demonstrate that the developed PFAS sensor has a high accuracy. The accuracy of the ToF sensor refers to the deviation of its value from the actual value. In the developed sensor, the measurement is performed inside the sensor; thus, the measurement target, measurement environment, and lighting conditions are always the same. Therefore, the deviation of the ToF sensor value from the actual value is the same in the measurement and can be included in the equation of the regression curve. Furthermore, the average value of the 15 filtered data was used for the calibration. Therefore, the accuracy of the developed sensor may be higher than that of the ToF sensor. Note that there are small differences in the manufacturer’s nominal values. The intercept of the obtained regression curve (0.85 N) was very close to the nominal values of the pre-tension ; thus, Equation (4) is corrected toFrom Equation (2), the abdominal stiffness defined in this study can be expressed asThe constant stroke of the probe was set to Utilizing the developed PFAS sensor, abdominal stiffness was evaluated in massage for constipation, along with the relationship between the changes in abdominal stiffness and the effectiveness of abdominal massage.We recruited 17 females claiming constipation , height = 157.1 ± 6.7 cm, and BMI = 21.2 ± 2.7). The evaluation procedure and purpose were approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Kanazawa University (No. 60). Information on physical conditions, such as height and problems with constipation, was obtained via a questionnaire. Information on the Bristol Stool Scale (BSS)  for consThose who can provide written consent for participation in this study.Those of age 20 years or older at the time of obtaining consentThose who complain of constipation.The exclusion criteria are as follows:People with chronic diseases that may be affected by massage.Those who cannot understand the contents of the explanation and consent transcript.The inclusion criteria are as follows:Step 1: Check the Bristol Stool Scale (BSS) just before receiving the massage; no defecation in one week prior to the massage was rated as no defecation.Step 2: Measurement of abdominal stiffness.Step 3: Abdominal massage for 30 min.Step 4: Measurement of abdominal stiffness.Step 5: Check the Bristol Stool Scale (BSS) immediately after receiving the massage; no defecation within a week after receiving the massage was rated as no defecation.The evaluation steps were as follows:The developed PFAS sensor was utilized to measure the abdominal stiffness near the left iliac bone of the individuals, corresponding to the middle of the descending colon where the stool was formed. The reference point for the evaluation was the middle point of the descending colon between the left iliac bone and umbilicus. Before the measurement, the participant exposed her abdomen with the consent of the participant. The measurements were then conducted following the steps shown in Abdominal massage , the maximum and minimum values were removed, and the mean of the remaining data values was derived. From Equation (6) and the mean probe displacement, the abdominal stiffness is derived. To statistically observe the change in abdominal stiffness, a The Bristol Stool Scale (BSS)  was usedBy comparing the value of CRAS with 1, the change in abdominal stiffness can be easily classified into three groups: decrease, maintenance, and increase.p-values are shown in t-test for paired samples indicates that the change in abdominal stiffness due to the massage was detected by the developed sensor.First, the effect of massage on abdominal stiffness was evaluated. Second, we examined the relationship between the change in abdominal stiffness  and changes in BSS. Unfortunately, the BSS for one participant was not available, and the examination was conducted for the remaining 16 participants. The results are presented in In one case, when the BSS remained in a bad condition at CRAS When abdominal stiffness was maintained irrespective of the massage  improves the circulation of blood flow, which results in increased intestinal peristalsis. Muscle relaxation is considered to be associated with reduced abdominal stiffness. Changes in abdominal stiffness could reflect changes in the fatty layer, peritoneum, stool properties, and stool volume. The details are beyond the scope of this study and may be involved in our future research.This study presented an abdominal stiffness sensor to evaluate the benefits of abdominal massage immediately after massage for slow-transit constipation. The sensor consists of a probe, a spring, a stopper, and ToF sensors. The probe and spring were designed based on the statistics for the fat thickness of the abdominal wall so that appropriate pressure and deformation were applied to the abdomen, and the change in stiffness was evaluated. The stopper prevents the probe from being pushed into the abdomen more than necessary and includes contact detection systems to provide a wide area contact around the examination area to prevent the fat in the abdomen from flowing out to the sides.The ToF sensor measures the deformation length from which the abdominal stiffness can be derived. With the developed sensor, this study also investigated the relationship between the change in abdominal stiffness and the effectiveness of abdominal massage. Although the abdominal feel of the constipated people softens after receiving abdominal massage according to the experience of nurses and physiotherapists, the relationship was not clear. The developed sensor was utilized to measure the abdominal stiffness near the left iliac bone of the individuals immediately before and after abdominal massage. The evaluated area corresponds to the middle of the descending colon, where the stool is formed.The Bristol Stool Scale (BSS) before and after abdominal massage was used to evaluate the benefits of abdominal massage. The BSS is a widely used diagnostic tool that analyzes human stools to check whether a participant is constipated. The results indicated that a reduction in abdominal stiffness corresponds to an improvement in the stool condition or the maintenance of a healthy stool condition, whereas no change in abdominal stiffness indicates the maintenance or deterioration of the stool condition. The effects of massage can be estimated by examining changes in abdominal stiffness, and thus, by observing the changes in abdominal stiffness, the method and duration of the massage can be changed appropriately during massage. Further investigation and analysis are needed to determine the mechanisms by which abdominal massage affects abdominal stiffness, which may be relevant for our future research.


Balaena mysticetus) has once been large with up to estimated 100,000 individuals. Genetic diversity of the extant Spitsbergen stock is unknown. We present 10 complete mitochondrial genomes of heterochronous ancient bowhead whale samples from Svalbard (14C age estimate range: 215–8885 years) obtained via NGS of total genomic DNA extracts. The ten mitogenomes differed by nucleotide substitutions and/or indels, and there was a total of 160 variable positions. The average nucleotide diversity was π = 0.0029. There was no statistically significant correlation between genetic divergence and time.The endangered Spitsbergen stock of bowhead whales ( Balaena mysticetus) are the only baleen whale species that occur year-round in Arctic and subarctic regions. The Spitsbergen stock is distributed in the Greenland Sea and the northern Barents Sea, and is today classified as being Endangered by The International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) , and the mitochondrial genomes were assembled using MITObim 1.8  or the D-loop region. Nine samples have been used earlier for mitochondrial haplotype determination through a 453 bp stretch of the D-loop region . An extended alignment including the mitogenomes available in GenBank  resulted in 206 variable sites  across the 15 haplotypes. In this expanded dataset, 143 substitutions affect protein-coding regions (103 synonymous and 40 non-synonymous substitutions), 29 RNA genes, and 32 noncoding positions. Not surprisingly, the non-coding D-loop region was the most variable part of the mitochondrial genomes.π = 0.0029 for the 10 ancient Spitsbergen mitochondrial haplotypes. A maximum-likelihood phylogram (Average nucleotide diversity was hylogram  depicts hylogram  and conthylogram .2: 0.012883) with PMO 234.525 (above) and NHMO-DMA-43194 (below) deviating most from the ‘root-to-tip’ regression line.There was no statistically significant association between genetic divergence through time and sampling dates. For the Spitsbergen stock bowhead whale mitogenomes included in this study the correlation coefficient was 0.1135 (R


Numerous techniques have been described for the tibial-sided graft preparation in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The use of less suture material for graft preparation is thought to improve ingrowth and to reduce the risk for infection. At the same time, the suture construct should be strong enough to resist the surgeon’s pull during tensioning of the transplant.n = 19), graft preparation was performed using three tibial-sided sutures, with each tendon end sutured separately. In the one-suture group (n = 20), a modified graft preparation using only one tibial-sided suture was applied. Each sample underwent load-to-failure testing (Nmax) after cyclic pre-loading. To estimate intraoperative tension forces acting on the tibial-sided suture constructs, the maximal tension force of 26 volunteers on such a construct was measured using a load cell.In total, 39 fresh-frozen procine deep flexor tendons were used and prepared as four-strand grafts. In the three-suture group (p = 0.0001). In both groups, the mode of failure was a tear of the suture in all samples. A failure of the suture–tendon interface was not observed in any case. The median maximal tension force on the construct applied by the 26 volunteers was 134 N (range 73–182 N).The biomechanical testing of the two different suture constructs showed a significantly higher load-to-failure for the three-suture group (711 N ± 91 N) compared to the one-suture group (347 N ± 24 N) (The presented single-suture tendon graft preparation resisted to smaller failure loads than the conventional three-suture technique. However, no failures in the suture–tendon interface were seen and the failure loads observed were far beyond the tension forces that can be expected intraoperatively. Hence, the single-suture graft preparation technique may be a valuable alternative to the conventional technique. Sufficient and stable graft fixation is one of the key elements for successful reconstructions of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) . InitialDifferent techniques for ACL reconstruction have been described , 4. A weDifferent studies have shown that bioabsorbable and metallic screws have a higher failure rate than other implants . This coWith 0.5%, surgical site infections are rare with ACL reconstruction, but they can be devastating when they occur . PostopeThe primary goal of this study was to compare the biomechanical strength of a single-suture tibial-sided ACL graft preparation technique to the conventional methods using three sutures.The secondary goal was to evaluate the maximum tension forces acting on the suture construct intraoperatively.Forty porcine deep flexor tendons were prepared for the study. The tendons were harvested from the hind legs of 2-year-old domestic pigs and then fresh frozen and stored at − 83 °C.The samples were thawed to room temperature for 12 h before the testing and cut to a length of 24 cm. Fresh-frozen porcine flexor tendons were used based on availability and comparable biomechanical properties compared to human tendons  and they® sutures .All tendon samples were prepared as four-strand ACL grafts by an experienced knee surgeon using #2 Fiberwiren = 20), graft preparation was performed using three tibial-sided sutures: Each tendon end was sutured separately using Krakow stitches (four up and four down) and then a third suture was looped around the midpoint of the tendon to form a four-strand graft , a modified graft preparation using only one tibial-sided suture was applied. Both tendons were sutured together, again using Krakow stitches (four up and four down). Then, the free suture ends were pulled through the midpoint of the tendon to form a stable four-strand graft  with a hook and a customized hold fastener Fig. .Fig. 3TeAfter 50 sinusoidal cycles of pre-loading between 50 and 150 N at 1 Hz, a load-to-failure test was conducted at 20 mm/min.®, Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA) was looped around a hook to simulate the intraoperative position and angle during tibial tensioning of the ACL graft. Tension forces were measured using a tension force load cell  and recorded using a customized measurement software calculating the maximum tension force . The suture  for descriptive analysis. Further statistical analysis was done using SPSS V24.0 . A Mann–Whitney p = 0.0001: Fig. Mechanical testing was possible in 39 of 40 samples. One sample in the three-suture group had to be excluded from testing due to a pre-existing damage to the tendon. Thus, 19 grafts were tested in the three-suture group and 20 grafts in the one-suture group. In both groups, it was the sutures that always failed under load. No failure of the suture–tendon interface was observed in any case. The load-to-failure was significantly higher in the three-suture group (711 N ± 91 N) when compared to the one-suture group . In a very similar biomechanical setup, Hong et al. reported a failure of the sutures in all cases, as well . The manIn view of these numbers, it is of interest what the true forces are that may act on such a suture–tendon construct during surgery. In our simulation of tibial ACL graft tensioning, only one volunteer was able to achieve half the maximum tensile strength of the #2 FiberWire . In factThe limitations of this study include those inherent to a biomechanical in vitro study on porcine tendon. The forces applied were of only axial tension nature and do not take into account shear and torque forces that may occur during the ACL graft tensioning procedure. The samples were not human semitendinosus or gracilis tendons as used for ACL reconstructions but deep hind leg flexor tendons obtained from pigs. The influence of drying, autolysis and freezing of the tenons during the harvesting procedure and storage on their biomechanical behavior remains unclear and hence, limits the application of our findings to living tissue .However, Domnick et al. could demonstrate that for biomechanical investigations, fresh-frozen porcine flexor tendons represent an appropriate substitute for human semitendinosus tendons . Both poA limitation of the surgeon’s tensile force simulation is the fact that no pulling aids like clamps or forceps were used. Such the factor limiting the tensile force of the volunteers was often pain from the thread cutting into the fingers .In summary, however, ACL graft preparation with the presented single-suture technique seems sufficiently stable in view of the tensile forces that can be expected intraoperatively. Even though based on in vitro observations, the results of this study may serve as basis for future clinical studies on this topic.The presented single-suture tendon graft preparation resisted to smaller failure loads than the conventional three-suture technique. However, no failures in the suture–tendon interface were seen and the failure loads observed were far beyond the tension forces that can be expected intraoperatively.Hence, the single-suture graft preparation technique may be a valuable alternative to the conventional technique.


Gymnodinium catenatum) blooms at different stages. Species identification indicated that phages were the main species. Unifrac analysis showed clear temporal patterns in virioplankton dynamics. The viral community was dominated by Siphoviridae, Podoviridae, and Myoviridae throughout the whole bloom cycle. However, some changes were observed at different phases of the bloom; the relatively abundant Siphoviridae and Myoviridae dominated at pre-bloom and peak bloom stages, while at the post-bloom stage, the members of Phycodnaviridae and Microviridae were more abundant. Temperature and nutrients were the main contributors to the dynamic structure of the viral community. Some obvious correlations were found between dominant viral species and host biomass. Functional analysis indicated some functional genes had dramatic response in algal-associated viral assemblages, especially the CAZyme encoding genes. This work expands the existing knowledge of algal-associated viruses by characterizing viral composition and function across a complete algal bloom cycle. Our data provide supporting evidence that viruses participate in dinoflagellate bloom dynamics under natural conditions.Viruses are key biogeochemical engines in the regulation of the dynamics of phytoplankton. However, there has been little research on viral communities in relation to algal blooms. Using the virMine tool, we analyzed viral information from metagenomic data of field dinoflagellate ( Phytoplankton are important primary producers in marine ecosystems and play a critical role in element cycling, food web production, and broader ecosystem functions ,2,3. OveIn recent years, increases in the frequency and global distribution of HABs has prompted researchers to investigate their triggers and formation mechanisms because it is crucial to understand the factors regulating their dynamics to effectively manage and control them. Biological agents, including plants , protozoHABs are rapid expansions of phytoplankton populations that represent a major threat to the health of diverse coastal and freshwater aquatic ecosystems ,5. HAB fViruses are now indisputably viewed as necessary components of aquatic environments, both in their abundance and their multiple ecological functions ,24. TheyThe important role that viruses have in phytoplankton blooms has been explored in many works on diatoms and blue-green algae. However, few studies have studied the successional trajectories of viral communities with regard to dinoflagellate blooms, especially throughout a complete algal bloom cycle. In addition, despite the relatively mature understanding of viral dynamics during HAB events, the identification of potential functions remains a challenge, limiting our current understanding of the complex interactions between viruses and algae. These considerations indicate the need to study virioplankton dynamics and their potential functions during dinoflagellate blooms in developing our understanding of algal-viral interactions.Gymnodinium catenatum) samples. We want to test the hypothesis that viral community structure and function are linked to specific bloom stages and co-regulate the fate of HABs. The results may contribute to the current understanding of the viral regulatory role in algal bloom events.Here, using the virMine tool , we analG. catenatum bloom in YanTian , Shenzhen, China. Sampling was carried out in the field from 4 August 2015 to 10 September 2015 . Water samples were collected in triplicate (5 L each) using a Niskin bottle, from depths of approximately 0.5–1.0 m. Samples were brought to the laboratory under ice-bathing condition for further treatment. A 50 mL fraction of each sample was preserved in 1% glutaraldehyde to quantify total bacterial abundance. In addition, 50 mL of each sample was preserved with 1% Lugol’s iodine for the identification and quantification of phytoplankton. Algae were observed and counted under an optical microscope (×100 magnification).Experimental samples were collected from a 4+), nitrate nitrogen (NO3–), nitrite nitrogen (NO2–), and phosphate phosphorus (PO43–), were measured according to the methods of Murphy [In addition to the evaluation of each sample, physicochemical parameters of the seawater  were recorded in vivo using a YSI 6920 water-quality sensor . Other environmental factors, including levels of ammonium nitrogen  and stored at 4 °C until analysis. The filtered membranes, including viral particles and microbial cells, were collected for DNA extraction. Total DNA was extracted using the MoBio PowerWater Viral DNA/RNA Isolation Kit  according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The viral DNA was amplified by Qiagen REPLI-g Single Mini Kit  using Phi29 DNA polymerase. The viral clone library was constructed using the whole-genome multiple displacement amplification (MDA) method. The sequencing library for next-generation sequencing (NGS) was prepared using NEBNext® UltraTM DNA Library Prep Kit . Adapter-ligated fragments were then amplified using PCR and purified by gel electrophoresis. The DNA library was pair-end sequenced using Illumina HiSeq 2000 by MAGIGENE Biotech. Co. Ltd. .The seawater samples were initially passed through 10 μm filter to remove particles or cells. For enrichment of marine viruses, we used FeCleviously . In brieAmong the 11 time-point samples obtained during the HAB event, we selected 8 for metagenomic analyses: YT1, YT3 (pre-bloom), YT4-YT6 (during bloom), and YT8, YT10-YT11 (post-bloom). DNA extraction was performed using the aforementioned methods. Purified genomic DNA was sheared to 150–200 bp using the Covaris S220  acoustic system. Metagenomic libraries were prepared using the NuGen Encore multiplex systems I and IB . The manufacturer’s instructions were followed for end repair, adapter ligation, amplification, and barcoding, with unique DNA barcodes flanking the adapters for each sample. The metagenomes were sequenced using the next-generation sequencing platform Illumina HiSeq 2000 .p-values (0.05 or 0.01) were determined. For viral composition, the cluster and relationships between viral community composition and environmental parameters were investigated using correlation matrices (such as Pearson correlation) and Euclidean distances under R software (www.r-project.org). Inter-species associations between virus and target species (G. catenatum) were examined using a variance ratio (VR) test [For environmental parameters, SPSS version 13.0 was used to perform statistical analysis. Then, one-way analysis of variance tests was conducted to evaluate the differences between different HAB stages, and adjusted VR) test . To visuVR) test .ia represents relative abundance of (i) gene; iL represents the length of (i) gene sequence; ix represents the number of (i) gene-mapping reads; ib represents the copy number of (i) gene; and j represents the number of all of reads. Uncontaminated high-quality reads (clean reads) were used for subsequent analysis. Clean reads were then independently assembled to scaffolds for each sampling site using SPAdes [http://downloads.jbei.org/data/microbial communities/MaxBin/MaxBin.html, Version 2.2.4) was used to perform scaffold binning by adopting the following conditions: (1) assembled scaffolds had lengths >1000 bp; (2) tetranucleotide frequencies and coverage level of scaffolds were calculated; (3) the parameters were substituted into the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm to calculate the probability that all scaffolds belong to each bin. Subsequently, the contigs were uploaded to virMine to perform automated analysis and annotation. Open reading frames (ORFs) were predicted from the scaffolds. To investigate the functional diversity of HABs viruses, clusters of orthologous group (COG) annotation of viromes was determined by Blastp comparisons of predicted ORFs with the eggNOG database (http://eggnog.embl.de/) with an E-value of 1 × 10−5. ORFs affiliated to COG function classes of carbohydrate transport and metabolism were further clustered to generate unique carbohydrate metabolic ORFs with CD-hits. Subsequently, CAZymes from these viral ORFs were identified on the dbCAN web server based on CAZyme family-specific HMMs [Raw sequencing reads underwent quality trimming using Trimmomatic to remove adaptor contaminants and low-quality reads . Read cog SPAdes . The resfic HMMs . ORFs reThe raw data in this study have been deposited in the NCBI database under accession number SRP158562. In addition, the analyzed data of viral scaffolds can be found in G. catenatum, and cell concentrations ranged from (0.51 ± 0.042) × 102 to (5.4 ± 0.61) × 103 cells/mL, with the highest biomass appearing at the peak stage (p < 0.01). Five phases were documented over the course of the bloom’s cycle: pre-stage (YT1 and YT2), exponential growth stage (YT3 and YT4), peak-stage (YT5 and YT6), decline-stage (YT7–YT9), and terminal-stage (YT10 and YT11). During the HAB sampling period, temperature, salinity, and pH ranges were 27.5–28.7 °C, 27.8%–34.6%, and 7.36–8.52, respectively. There was distinct temporal heterogeneity in the main nutrient concentrations  throughout the HAB, and the lowest values appeared at the bloom’s peak. Detailed information is given in our previous work [During this algal bloom, the target species was d from 0. ± 0.042 We got 242.5 gigabases of raw reads  from the eight metagenomic samples. Details of the data can be found in a previous work [Caudovirales. Previous viral metagenome studies on marine environments have also found a high abundance of Caudovirales [Caudovirales increased from the pre-bloom stage (YT1 and YT3) to the growth and peak stages (YT4 to YT6); it reached its highest values at YT5 (50.6%) and subsequently decreased during the post-bloom stage   viruses (73.08%), with a relatively lower proportion (<1%) of ssDNA and RNA virus communities. Most of the dsDNA groups of viruses were bacteriophages, which reflects the high abundance and diversity of bacterial hosts during the algal bloom. In addition, the most dominant dsDNA viruses were from the order ovirales ,54. Our nd YT11) . This trn blooms . Bacterin blooms , and then blooms . TherefoSiphoviridae, Podoviridae, Myoviridae, Phycodnaviridae, Mimiviridae, and Microviridae . The patterns observed among the Myoviridae and Siphoviridae were somewhat different, with a gradual increase over time and a maximum proportional abundance appearing at the peak stage, with approximately 21.9% ± 11.1% and 50.5% ± 24.6% of the total OTU tags, respectively. Similarly, the abundance of the other members (such as Phycodnaviridae and Microviridae) showed a dramatic increase during the G. catenatum bloom and were enriched (with abundances of more than 10%) at the end of bloom. Siphoviridae, Podoviridae, and Myoviridae were the major members, which is not surprising because these species have been found to be the most abundant groups of viruses in the aquatic environment [Iridoviridae, Phycodnaviridae, Mimiviridae, Poxviridae, and Polydnaviridae) in the DNA viromes. In our study, only Phycodnaviridae and Mimiviridae were detected, and they accounted for a relatively low proportion of the whole. The main reason for this was likely our choice of sampling sites: Gong et al. [Phycodnaviridae and Mimiviridae in this work indicates that they were the main species associated with G. catenatum and perhaps participated in the decline of algal bloom [Microviridae, as the sole ssDNA viruses. This low level of representation may reflect differences in the abundances of these viruses across bloom stages. However, many new ssDNA viral genomes have been assembled from environmental samples from Saanich Inlet, the Strait of Georgia, and the Gulf of Mexico [At the family level, the overall viral community was primarily represented by oviridae . As the ironment ,56,57. Pg et al.  used samal bloom ,59,60,61f Mexico . This suf Mexico . In futuMediterranean phage uvMED, Celeribacter phage P12053L, Flavobacterium phage FL-1, uncultured Mediterranean phage uvDeep CGR1-KM17-C101, Roseobacter phage SIO1, and Verrucomicrobia phage P8625. In a previous study, Hwang et al. [Pelagibacter phage HTVC010P, Ostreococcus lucimarinus OIV5/OIV1, and Roseobacter phage SIO1 were the most common species in Goseong Bay. Gong et al. [Cellulophaga phages, Pseudomonas phages, and Vibrio phages were responsible for the high percentage of surface water viromes in Prydz Bay. In Chile Bay, an integrative omics study demonstrated that the phage community associated with bacterioplankton was dominated by a new Pseudoalteromonas virus (PpCBA) during a diatom-dominated phytoplankton bloom [Further investigation at the genus level indicated that 41 common viral species were present in the entire sample, including 31 species of phages . The topg et al.  found thg et al.  suggesteon bloom . As the 2−, NO3−, NH4+, and PO43−) co-contributed to the variability of viral communities. Specifically, Roseobacter phage SIO1, Flavobacterium phage FL-1, and Verrucomicrobia phage P8625 were positively correlated with NO2− and NO3− and were negatively correlated with PO43−; Prochlorococcus phage Syn1 and Pseudoalteromonas phage BS5 were positively correlated with PO43− and NO2− to some extent, but NH4+ had a negative influence; and in uncultured Mediterranean phage members, most genera exhibited positive associations with nutrients. Our results are consistent with Deng et al. [g et al. , and demg et al.  found thG. catenatum (G. catenatum). G. catenatum was strongly positively correlated with Pelagibacter phage HTVC008M, Flavobacterium phage FL1, and Bathycoccus sp. RCC1105 viruses in the network (p < 0.01), and negatively correlated with Synechococcus phage S-EIV1, uncultured Mediterranean phage uvDeep-CGR1-KM17-C101, and CGR2-KM23-C896, among others (p < 0.01). This multiplicity of positive inter-species associations may have provided an opportunity for species to adapt to the surrounding environment and contribute to the duration of algal bloom [Emiliania huxleyi, Phaeocystis pouchetii, and Phaeocystis globose, has been well studied [G. catenatum at the post-HAB stage, which can be explained with the “killing the winner” hypothesis [Although abiotic factors generally control viral communities, biotic correlations may also play a role. In addition, in order to investigate the contribution of viral interactions to the host, we constructed a network based on correlations between the predominant taxa and the target species, atenatum . At the al bloom . By cont studied ,64. Duri studied ,69,70. Spothesis , whereinMediterranean phage, Celeribacter phage, Flavobacterium phage, and Roseobacter phage; whereas genes in the GT proteins mostly belonged to uncultured Mediterranean phage, Verrucomicrobia phage P8625, Vibrio virus nt1, and uncultured marine virus  are likely involved in determining a given algal bloom fate at a specific time and location. Functional predictions indicated that the viruses exhibited glycoside hydrolase activities, facilitating the understanding of the primary roles of viruses in the degradation of organic carbon. Detailed comparisons of the metabolic characters of phytoplankton and viral communities should be performed to enable a better understanding of the ecological mechanisms of HABs from a virological perspective.This study surveyed viral communities in a natural dinoflagellate