bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of oral metformin on gut microbiota characteristics and metabolite fractions in normal-weight type 2 diabetic mellitus patients
Authors: Niu Xiaohong , Wang Ying , Huang Linqing , Guo Pengna , Zhang Shi , Sun Yan , Jin Miaomiao
Published: August 2024

Background and aims

To analyze the effect of oral metformin on changes in gut microbiota characteristics and metabolite composition in normal weight type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods

T2DM patients in the cross-sectional study were given metformin for 12 weeks. Patients with unmedicated T2DM were used as a control group to observe the metrics of T2DM patients treated with metformin regimen. 16S rDNA high-throughput gene sequencing of fecal gut microbiota of the study subjects was performed by llumina NovaSeq6000 platform. Targeted macro-metabolomics was performed on 14 cases of each of the gut microbiota metabolites of the study subjects using UPLC-MS/MS technology. Correlations between the characteristics of the gut microbiota and its metabolites, basic human parameters, glycolipid metabolism indicators, and inflammatory factors were analyzed using spearman analysis.

Results

Glycolipid metabolism indexes and inflammatory factors were higher in normal-weight T2DM patients than in the healthy population (P<0.05), but body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and inflammatory factor concentrations were lower in normal-weight T2DM patients than in obese T2DM patients (P<0.05). Treatment with metformin in T2DM patients improved glycolipid metabolism, but the recovery of glycolipid metabolism was more pronounced in obese T2DM patients. None of the differences in α-diversity indexes were statistically significant (P>0.05), and the differences in β-diversity were statistically significant (P <0.05). Community diversity and species richness recovered after metformin intervention compared to before, and were closer to the healthy population. We found that Anaerostipes/Xylose/Ribulose/Xylulose may play an important role in the treatment of normal-weight T2DM with metformin by improving glycemic lipids and reducing inflammation. And Metformin may play a role in obese T2DM through Romboutsia, medium-chain fatty acids (octanoic acid, decanoic acid, and dodecanoic acid).

Conclusion

Gut microbial dysbiosis and metabolic disorders were closely related to glucose-lipid metabolism and systemic inflammatory response in normal-weight T2DM patients. Metformin treatment improved glucose metabolism levels, systemic inflammation levels in T2DM patients, closer to the state of healthy population. This effect may be mediated by influencing the gut microbiota and microbial host co-metabolites, mainly associated with Anaerostipes and xylose/Ribulose/Xylulose. Metformin may exert its effects through different pathways in normal-weight versus obese T2DM patients.
Artificial intelligence and wheezing in children: where are we now?
Authors: Venditto Laura , Morano Sonia , Piazza Michele , Zaffanello Marco , Tenero Laura , Piacentini Giorgio , Ferrante Giuliana
Published: August 2024

Wheezing is a common condition in childhood, and its prevalence has increased in the last decade. Up to one-third of preschoolers develop recurrent wheezing, significantly impacting their quality of life and healthcare resources. Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies have recently been applied in paediatric allergology and pulmonology, contributing to disease recognition, risk stratification, and decision support. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped healthcare systems, resulting in an increased workload and the necessity to reduce access to hospital facilities. In this view, AI and Machine Learning (ML) approaches can help address current issues in managing preschool wheezing, from its recognition with AI-augmented stethoscopes and monitoring with smartphone applications, aiming to improve parent-led/self-management and reducing economic and social costs. Moreover, in the last decade, ML algorithms have been applied in wheezing phenotyping, also contributing to identifying specific genes, and have been proven to even predict asthma in preschoolers. This minireview aims to update our knowledge on recent advancements of AI applications in childhood wheezing, summarizing and discussing the current evidence in recognition, diagnosis, phenotyping, and asthma prediction, with an overview of home monitoring and tele-management.
Plasma metabolites as potential markers and targets to prevent and treat urolithiasis: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhu Wuhui , Li Huan , Zhang Ming , Ji Bing , Liu Zongtao
Published: August 2024

Background

Studies on the relationships between diseases of the urinary system and human plasma proteomes have identified several potential biomarkers. However, none of these studies have elucidated the causal relationships between plasma proteins and urolithiasis.

Objective

The objective of the study was to investigate the potential risks of plasma metabolites in urolithiasis using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

Methods

A total of 1,400 metabolites were identified in the most comprehensive genome-wide association study (GWAS) of plasma metabolomics in a European population to date, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used as the instrumental variables for the plasma metabolites. The European GWAS data for urinary calculi included 482,123 case samples and 6,223 control samples (ebi-a-GCST90018935). The associations between the plasma metabolites and risk of urolithiasis were evaluated by inverse variance weighting (IVW) and supplemented by sensitivity analyses of the MR-Egger and MR-PRESSO tests.

Results

For the first time, we found a causal relationship between two plasma metabolites (p < 1.03 × 10−4) and urolithiasis (p < 0.05). The chemical 4-hydroxychlorothalonil, which is an intermediate product of the pesticide hydroxychlorothalonil, could promote urolithiasis (odds ratio (OR) = 1.12) as a risk factor. Moreover, 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPC, which is an important component of phospholipid metabolism in the human body, can inhibit urolithiasis (OR = 0.94).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that blood metabolites can be used as blood markers and drug targets in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of urolithiasis; furthermore, our results can provide a basis for policy makers to formulate prevention and treatment policies for urolithiasis.
Enhancing pediatric attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder treatment: exploring the gut microbiota effects of French maritime pine bark extract and methylphenidate intervention
Authors: Weyns Anne-Sophie , Ahannach Sarah , Van Rillaer Tim , De Bruyne Tess , Lebeer Sarah , Hermans Nina
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The pathogenesis of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is thought to be multifactorial, with a potential role for the bidirectional communication between the gut microbiome and brain development and function. Since the “golden-standard” medication therapy with methylphenidate (MPH) is linked to multiple adverse effects, there is a need for alternative treatment options such as dietary polyphenols. These secondary plant metabolites exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, but much less is known about their impact on the gut microbiota. Since polyphenols are believed to modulate gut microbial composition, interventions might be advantageous in ADHD therapy. Therefore, intervention studies with polyphenols in ADHD therapy investigating the gut microbial composition are highly relevant.

Methods

Besides the primary research questions addressed previously, this study explored a potential prebiotic effect of the polyphenol-rich French Maritime Pine Bark Extract (PBE) compared to MPH and a placebo in pediatric ADHD patients by studying their impact on the gut microbiota via amplicon sequencing of the full length 16S rRNA gene ribosomal subunit (V1-V9).

Results

One interesting finding was the high relative abundance of Bifidobacteria among all patients in our study cohort. Moreover, our study has identified that treatment (placebo, MPH and PBE) explains 3.94% of the variation in distribution of microbial taxa (adjusted p-value of 0.011).

Discussion

Our small sample size (placebo: n = 10; PBE: n = 13 and MPH: n = 14) did not allow to observe clear prebiotic effects in the patients treated with PBE. Notwithstanding this limitation, subtle changes were noticeable and some limited compositional changes could be observed.

Clinical Trial Registration

doi: 10.1186/S13063-017-1879-6
A real-world pharmacovigilance study of KRAS G12C mutation inhibitors based on the food and drug administration adverse event reporting system
Authors: Wu Lisha , Xu Maosheng , Li Xueqin , Aierken Dilinuer , Yu Jinxiu , Qin Tao
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Sotorasib and adagrasib have been widely used for the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) G12C mutation. It's necessary to assess their safety profiles in the real-world population.

Methods

A retrospective pharmacovigilance was conducted to examine adverse events (AEs) associated with sotorasib and adagrasib therapies using the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Disproportionality analysis was performed employing Venn analysis and four data-mining algorithms, including the reporting odds ratio (ROR), the proportional reporting ratio (PRR), the Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN), and the multi-item gamma Poisson shrinker (MGPS).

Results

The most commonly reported system organ classes (SOCs) for both adagrasib and sororasib were general, gastrointestinal, and investigations disorders. Notably, sotorasib exhibited significant signals for neoplasms and hepatobiliary disorders in four algorithms. Specifically, AEs related to neoplasms were predominantly associated with lung malignancies, all of which were consistent with the therapeutic indications of KRAS G12C mutation inhibitor. A total of 19 common AEs were identified in sotorasib and adagrasib, spanning gastrointestinal, general, hepatobiliary, investigations, metabolism, musculoskeletal, neoplasms, and respiratory disorders. 4 severe AEs (SAEs) were identified in sotorasib, with 3 SAEs displaying significant signals in four algorithms, including drug-induced liver injury, pancreatitis, and hepatic failure. In adagrasib, only 2 SAEs were detected, with renal failure showing significant signals in four algorithms.

Conclusion

This study offers a comprehensive evaluation of the major safety signals associated with sotorasib and adagrasib, providing valuable information for clinicians regarding drug selection and safety considerations, thereby facilitating the design of future prospective safety studies.
Predicting the efficiency of chidamide in patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma using machine learning algorithm
Authors: Zhang Chunlan , Xu Juan , Gu Mingyu , Tang Yun , Tang Wenjiao , Wang Jie , Liu Qinyu , Yang Yunfan , Zhong Xushu , Xu Caigang
Published: August 2024

Background

Chidamide is subtype-selective histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor that showed promising result in clinical trials to improve prognosis of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) patients. However, in real world settings, contradictory reports existed as to whether chidamide improve overall survival (OS). Therefore, we aimed to develop an interpretable machine learning (Machine learning)–based model to predict the 2-year overall survival of AITL patients based on chidamide usage and baseline features.

Methods

A total of 183 patients with AITL were randomly divided into training set and testing set. We used 5 ML algorithms to build predictive models. Recursive feature elimination (RFE) method was used to filter for the most important features. The ML models were interpreted and the relevance of the selected features was determined using the Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) method and the local interpretable model–agnostic explanationalgorithm.

Results

A total of 183 patients with newly diagnosed AITL from 2012 to 2022 from 3 centers in China were enrolled in our study. Seventy-one patients were dead within 2 years after diagnosis. Five ML algorithms were built based on chidamide usage and 16 baseline features to predict 2-year OS. Catboost model presented to be the best predictive model. After RFE screening, 12 variables demonstrated the best performance (AUC = 0.8651). Using chidamide ranked third among all the variables that correlated with 2-year OS.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the Catboost model with 12 variables could effectively predict the 2-year OS of AITL patients. Combining chidamide in the treatment therapy was positively correlated with longer OS of AITL patients.
Cyclosporine-induced alopecia:a case report, FDA adverse event reporting system analysis and literature assessment
Authors: Wang Ying , Wang Youhong , Xu Ping
Published: August 2024

Cyclosporine is a potent immunosuppressive drug for various immune-mediated diseases in children. Cyclosporine’s expected therapeutic effect also carries a wide range of side effects. One of the most common and intriguing dermatological side effects is hypertrichosis. However, recent reports have recognized alopecia as a potential adverse effect of cyclosporine. Here, we report a case of a 29-month-old boy diagnosed with aplastic anemia. During cyclosporine therapy, the patient presented with hair loss on the scalp, which and subsequently spread to the eyebrows and eyelashes. The alopecic symptoms were not relieved following topical minoxidil liniment interventions. When the cyclosporine was discontinued, a remarkable improvement was observed in the scalp, with complete hair regrowth. Data concerning cyclosporine from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database were extracted from January 2004 to January 2023. Within FAERS, our post-marketing pharmacovigilance analysis detected the reporting association of cyclosporine and alopecia. In monotherapy, cyclosporine-induced alopecia was observed in 118 cases, and tacrolimus-induced alopecia signals were detected in 197 cases. Although the potential mechanism of medication-induced hair loss is unclear, we identified a potential correlation between alopecia and cyclosporine, and it is still necessary to adequately recognize and clinically monitor this paradoxical reaction.
QTL-Seq identified a genomic region on chromosome 1 for soil-salinity tolerance in F2 progeny of Thai salt-tolerant rice donor line “Jao Khao”
Authors: Khunsanit Prasit , Jitsamai Navarit , Thongsima Nattana , Chadchawan Supachitra , Pongpanich Monnat , Henry Isabelle M. , Comai Luca , Suriya-Arunroj Duangjai , Budjun Itsarapong , Buaboocha Teerapong
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Owing to advances in high-throughput genome sequencing, QTL-Seq mapping of salt tolerance traits is a major platform for identifying soil-salinity tolerance QTLs to accelerate marker-assisted selection for salt-tolerant rice varieties. We performed QTL-BSA-Seq in the seedling stage of rice from a genetic cross of the extreme salt-sensitive variety, IR29, and “Jao Khao” (JK), a Thai salt-tolerant variety.

Methods

A total of 462 F2 progeny grown in soil and treated with 160 mM NaCl were used as the QTL mapping population. Two high- and low-bulk sets, based on cell membrane stability (CMS) and tiller number at the recovery stage (TN), were equally sampled. The genomes of each pool were sequenced, and statistical significance of QTL was calculated using QTLseq and G prime (G′) analysis, which is based on calculating the allele frequency differences or Δ(SNP index).

Results

Both methods detected the overlapping interval region, wherein CMS-bulk was mapped at two loci in the 38.41–38.85 Mb region with 336 SNPs on chromosome 1 (qCMS1) and the 26.13–26.80 Mb region with 1,011 SNPs on chromosome 3 (qCMS3); the Δ(SNP index) peaks were −0.2709 and 0.3127, respectively. TN-bulk was mapped at only one locus in the overlapping 38.26–38.95 Mb region on chromosome 1 with 575 SNPs (qTN1) and a Δ(SNP index) peak of −0.3544. These identified QTLs in two different genetic backgrounds of segregating populations derived from JK were validated. The results confirmed the colocalization of the qCMS1 and qTN1 traits on chromosome 1. Based on the CMS trait, qCMS1/qTN1 stably expressed 6%–18% of the phenotypic variance in the two validation populations, while qCMS1/qTN1 accounted for 16%–20% of the phenotypic variance in one validation population based on the TN trait.

Conclusion

The findings confirm that the CMS and TN traits are tightly linked to the long arm of chromosome 1 rather than to chromosome 3. The validated qCMS-TN1 QTL can be used for gene/QTL pyramiding in marker-assisted selection to expedite breeding for salt resistance in rice at the seedling stage.
Identification of autophagy-related genes ATG18 subfamily genes in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and the role of StATG18a gene in heat stress
Authors: Zhu Xi , Li Wei , Zhang Ning , Duan Huimin , Jin Hui , Chen Zhuo , Chen Shu , Zhou Jiannan , Wang Qihua , Tang Jinghua , Majeed Yasir , Zhang Yu , Si Huaijun
Published: August 2024

Autophagy is a highly conserved process in eukaryotes that is used to recycle the cellular components from the cytoplasm. It plays a crucial function in responding to both biotic and abiotic stress, as well as in the growth and development of plants. Autophagy-related genes (ATG) and their functions have been identified in numerous crop species. However, their specific tasks in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.), are still not well understood. This work is the first to identify and characterize the potato StATG18 subfamily gene at the whole-genome level, resulting in a total of 6 potential StATG18 subfamily genes. We analyzed the phylogenetic relationships, chromosome distribution and gene replication, conserved motifs and gene structure, interspecific collinearity relationship, and cis-regulatory elements of the ATG18 subfamily members using bioinformatics approaches. Furthermore, the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis suggested that StATG18 subfamily genes exhibit differential expression in various tissues and organs of potato plants. When exposed to heat stress, their expression pattern was observed in the root, stem, and leaf. Based on a higher expression profile, the StATG18a gene was further analyzed under heat stress in potatoes. The subcellular localization analysis of StATG18a revealed its presence in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. In addition, StATG18a altered the growth indicators, physiological characteristics, and photosynthesis of potato plants under heat stresses. In conclusion, this work offers a thorough assessment of StATG18 subfamily genes and provides essential recommendations for additional functional investigation of autophagy-associated genes in potato plants. Moreover, these results also contribute to our understanding of the potential mechanism and functional validation of the StATG18a gene’s persistent tolerance to heat stress in potato plants.
The molecular basis of flavonoid biosynthesis response to water, light, and temperature in grape berries
Authors: Shi Tianci , Su Yue , Lan Yibin , Duan Changqing , Yu Keji
Published: August 2024

Flavonoids, including proanthocyanidins (PAs), anthocyanins and flavonols are essential secondary metabolites that contribute to the nutritional value and sensory quality of grape berry and red wine. Advances in molecular biology technology have led to substantial progress in understanding the regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis. The influence of terroir on grape berries and wine has garnered increasing attention, yet its comprehensive regulatory network remains underexplored. In terms of application, environmental factors such as water, light, and temperature are more easily regulated in grapevines compared to soil conditions. Therefore, we summarize their effects on flavonoid content and composition, constructing a network that links environmental factors, hormones, and metabolites to provide a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms. This review enriches the knowledge of the regulatory network mechanisms governing flavonoid responses to environmental factors in grapes.
Examining bystander intervention for peer depression and sociodemographic correlates among university students in Singapore
Authors: Lim Benedict Wei Zhi , Koh Yen Sin , Shahwan Shazana , Goh Chong Min Janrius , Samari Ellaisha , Ong Wei Jie , Kwok Kian Woon , Chong Siow-Ann , Subramaniam Mythily
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The Advancing Research To Eliminate Mental Illness Stigma (ARTEMIS) study evaluated the impact of an intervention developed and implemented in Singapore on attitudes towards depression in university students. We aimed to assess the likelihood of university students intervening when their peers suffer from depression, before and after the ARTEMIS intervention.

Methods

390 students were recruited from a university in Singapore. The ARTEMIS intervention comprised a lecture by a trained mental health professional, a sharing session by a person with lived experience of depression, and a question-and-answer segment with a panel. The Bystander Intervention Scale for Depression (BISD) was administered at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. BISD assessed four factors: acceptance of responsibility to intervene, knowledge on how to intervene, awareness of depression among peers, and vigilance towards possible symptoms of depression. Linear mixed models were conducted to investigate associations. Sociodemographic correlates were also examined.

Results

A favourable shift in all factors was observed at post-intervention, which weakened at 3-month follow-up. Having past experience in the mental health field (β=1.50) and older age (β=0.18) were significantly associated with knowledge on how to intervene. Having social contact with mental illness (SCMI) and past experience in the mental health field (PEMHF) were significantly associated with awareness of depression among peers (SCMI β=0.89, PEMHF β=0.43) and vigilance towards possible symptoms of depression (SCMI β=0.39, PEMHF β=0.61).

Discussion

The short-term results of the intervention appeared promising across all BISD factors; however, these results were not sustained after 3 months. Future research should include the impact of ‘booster’ interventions over time. Sociodemographic factors that were identified to be significant correlates should also be considered when planning for future interventions.
Exploring infectious disease spread as a function of seasonal and pandemic-induced changes in human mobility
Authors: Cai Ruiqing , Spencer Zach , Ruktanonchai Nick
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Community-level changes in population mobility can dramatically change the trajectory of any directly-transmitted infectious disease, by modifying where and between whom contact occurs. This was highlighted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, where community response and nonpharmaceutical interventions changed the trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 spread, sometimes in unpredictable ways. Population-level changes in mobility also occur seasonally and during other significant events, such as hurricanes or earthquakes. To effectively predict the spread of future emerging directly-transmitted diseases, we should better understand how the spatial spread of infectious disease changes seasonally, and when communities are actively responding to local disease outbreaks and travel restrictions.

Methods

Here, we use population mobility data from Virginia spanning Aug 2019-March 2023 to simulate the spread of a hypothetical directly-transmitted disease under the population mobility patterns from various months. By comparing the spread of disease based on where the outbreak begins and the mobility patterns used, we determine the highest-risk areas and periods, and elucidate how seasonal and pandemic-era mobility patterns could change the trajectory of disease transmission.

Results and discussion

Through this analysis, we determine that while urban areas were at highest risk pre-pandemic, the heterogeneous nature of community response induced by SARS-CoV-2 cases meant that when outbreaks were occurring across Virginia, rural areas became relatively higher risk. Further, the months of September and January led to counties with large student populations to become particularly at risk, as population flows in and out of these counties were greatly increased with students returning to school.
Formation of linear arrays of holes in self-assembled collagen films
Authors: Erkan Melis , Blakney Kaitlyn , Andrews Emily , Leslie Reagan , Ozsan Eda , Kreplak Laurent
Published: August 2024

Collagen is one of the main constituents of mammalian extracellular matrix and is used extensively as a coating for tissue culture dishes and medical implants to promote cell growth and proliferation. By modulating the topography of the collagen coating at the nanometer to micrometer length scales, it is possible to achieve spatial control over cell growth and morphology. In this work, we are exploring the self-assembly of a thin collagen film on a glass substrate as a way to create new nanoscale surface features. By controlling the collagen concentration and adding an oscillatory flow, we are able to enrich the collagen film surface with a localized pattern of ripples oriented perpendicular to the flow direction. We propose that these ripples are the result of dewetting of the collagen film that leads to the formation of adjacent holes. We observe that individual holes form with an anisotropic rim due to the microstructure of the deposited collagen fibril network. This intrinsic anisotropy and the oscillatory flow yield new holes being formed in the film next to existing rims. As holes keep growing deeper, the rims extend along the flow direction, and the holes appear rectangular in shape, which gives the linear array of holes the apparent morphology of a ripple. Overall, we are able to create localized ripples at the surface of collagen films that would be difficult to produce via standard nanofabrication techniques.
Identification of Kelvin-Helmholtz generated vortices in magnetised fluids
Authors: Kelly Harley M. , Archer Martin O. , Ma Xuanye , Nykyri Katariina , Eastwood Jonathan P. , Southwood David J.
Published: August 2024

The Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability (KHI), arising from velocity shear across the magnetopause, plays a significant role in the viscous-like transfer of mass, momentum, and energy from the shocked solar wind into the magnetosphere. While the KHI leads to growth of surface waves and vortices, suitable detection methods for these applicable to magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) are currently lacking. A novel method is derived based on the well-established λ-family of hydrodynamic vortex identification techniques, which define a vortex as a local minimum in an adapted pressure field. The J×B Lorentz force is incorporated into this method by using an effective total pressure in MHD, including both magnetic pressure and a pressure-like part of the magnetic tension derived from a Helmholtz decomposition. The λMHD method is shown to comprise of four physical effects: vortical momentum, density gradients, fluid compressibility, and the rotational part of the magnetic tension. A local three-dimensional MHD simulation representative of near-flank magnetopause conditions (plasma β’s 0.5–5 and convective Mach numbers Mf∼0.4) under northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is used to validate λMHD. Analysis shows it correlates well with hydrodynamic vortex definitions, though the level of correlation decreases with vortex evolution. Overall, vortical momentum dominates λMHD at all times. During the linear growth phase, density gradients act to oppose vortex formation. By the highly nonlinear stage, the formation of small-scale structures leads to a rising importance of the magnetic tension. Compressibility was found to be insignificant throughout. Finally, a demonstration of this method adapted to tetrahedral spacecraft observations is performed.
Examining the Role of Organizational Culture on Citizenship Behavior: The Mediating Effects of Environmental Knowledge and Attitude Toward Energy Savings
Authors: Camacho Luis J. , Litheko Alpheaus , Pasco Michael , Butac Susan R. , Ramírez-Correa Patricio , Salazar-Concha Cristian , Magnait Celine Paula T.
Published: August 2024

Workplace energy conservation is vital for sustainability, as it reduces environmental harm, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and conserves natural resources. Such procedures lead to significant financial savings, adherence to environmental standards, enhanced corporate social responsibility, and improved organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). This study investigated the impact of organizational culture (OCULT) on OCB, with environmental knowledge (EK) and attitude toward energy savings (ATES) as mediating factors. Components of the theories of planned behavior and value-belief-norm were evaluated through a structural equation model, showing that OCULT influences OCB through EK and ATES, suggesting OCULT’s direct and indirect effects on OCB. The degree to which EK and ATES mediate these effects varies, emphasizing the importance of a strong OCULT in fostering an environmentally conscious workplace. Specifically, the findings reveal that OCULT is responsible for positively impacting ATES and EK, with path coefficients of 0.587 and 0.661, respectively. OCB is positively influenced by it (coefficient of 0.228). The research indicates that knowledge is vital in improving organizational behaviors, with a significant correlation between EK and OCB (coefficient of 0.675). Mediation analysis indicates that EK mediates the relationship between OCULT and OCB (standardized estimate of 0.344), and that ATES and EK together can enhance OCB (standardized estimate of 0.078), demonstrating a robust and meaningful causal effect mediating this link. This outcome is the product of the mutually beneficial interaction among various variables. This study highlights the importance of integrating cultural considerations into knowledge management to foster a more engaged and proactive workforce, which will enhance organizational performance. As a practical implication, managers should promote energy-saving behaviors and nurture a supportive OCULT to enhance OCB. Incorporating sustainability into core organizational strategies will result in a dedicated workforce actively participating in OCB and energy-saving initiatives.
Unequal Ground: Gender Disparities at Work Life in the Construction Industry
Authors: Soundarya Priya M. G. , Anandh K. S.
Published: August 2024

This research intends to explore how gender impacts different aspects of the quality of work life, emotional intelligence, and the work–family interface among professionals in the Indian construction industry. This study employs quantitative methodology using a questionnaire survey. The questionnaires were circulated to 900 construction professionals, and 724 valid responses were received, resulting in a response rate of 80.44%. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and independent sample t-Tests. The independent samples t-Test revealed significant (p < 0.05) gender disparities in various quality of work life factors, emotional intelligence, and work–family interface. Males had a more positive perception of career growth, management, and the working environment. In contrast, females experienced higher job satisfaction, work commitment, personal satisfaction towards their workplace and personal life, a higher work–family interface, and a better work–life balance. Females also experienced a higher level of physical exhaustion and had a higher level of emotional intelligence, while males experienced a higher level of mental exhaustion. There were no significant gender differences in satisfaction towards remuneration and fringe benefits, work culture, or the level of psychological exhaustion. The findings suggest that construction industry organizations could implement policies and practices that promote equal opportunities, provide support for work–family integration, and foster a culture of emotional intelligence. This research adds to the current body of knowledge by igniting novel empirical proof of gender-based differences in the Indian construction industry. It highlights the importance of addressing these disparities to improve the quality of work life, emotional intelligence, and work–family interface among professionals in the industry.
Metaphors Describing the Gendered Organization in the Career Advancement of Women: An Integrative Review
Authors: Huaman-Morillo Sara Rocio , Vander Linden Kara Lynette , Palmieri Patrick Albert
Published: August 2024

Worldwide, gender equality remains a barrier for women seeking career advancement in corporations. Despite the globalization of corporate social responsibility programs, women have not achieved positional parity with men within the managerial hierarchy. The purpose of this integrative review was to investigate the breadth of the gendered organization literature, summarize the evidence, and inform future research about the career advancement of women in privately owned and publicly traded corporations. Twelve databases were searched between January 1990 and December 2023 for published evidence. Of the 1914 documents screened, 55 articles were included in this review. The gendered organization literature is slowly evolving as a critical area for management research even though fully developed substantive and formal theories are lacking. However, gendered organizations can be conceptualized for theoretical development as a constellation of metaphors embedded in the corporate culture. These metaphors include firewalls, glass ceilings, glass cliffs, glass escalators, labyrinths, queen bees and beehives, and sticky floors. Notably, few intervention studies were reported in the literature. Corporate social responsibility programs had a surprisingly limited impact on eliminating deep-seated structural attributes contributing to gendered organizations. Therefore, management scholars need to engage in theoretical development and research to advance a comprehensive theory of the gendered organization, and studies should investigate why the identified metaphors continue to adversely impact the career advancement of women despite the presence of corporate social responsibility programs. Finally, existing evidence needs to be translated into intervention recommendations for policymakers and corporate leaders.
A Highland Barley Crop Extraction Method Based on Optimized Feature Combination of Multiple Phenological Sentinel-2 Images
Authors: Wu Xiaogang , Pan Kaiwen , Zhang Lin , He Xiulin , Wang Longhao , Guo Bing
Published: August 2024

Previous studies have primarily focused on the extraction of highland barley crops using single phenological images, which ignored the selection of the optimal phenological period for classification. Utilizing the multiple phenological images from Sentinel-2 to construct 25 features, including spectral, red edge, vegetation, and texture features, the recursive feature elimination algorithm and the random forest algorithm (RF) were employed to optimize feature datasets for different phenological stages, which were then used for the identification and classification of high-land barley by RF. The main results were as follows: (1) Information extraction based on feature optimization combinations yielded good overall classification accuracy, with classification accuracies for highland barley being 92.56% (jointing stage), 90.90% (heading stage), 90.74% (flowering stage), 91.55% (milk ripening stage), and 90.51% (maturity stage), respectively. (2) NDVIre1 had the highest importance score (0.1792) in the feature selection combination, indicating that the red edge index contributed significantly to crop information extraction and classification. (3) The five feature variables—GLCM_Mean, RVI, homogeneity, MAX, and GLCM_Correlation—showed stability and universality in the extraction of highland barley. These results demonstrated that the images that derived from the jointing and milk ripening phenological stages had the best applicability for highland barley extraction, and the optimized feature datasets that composed of NDVIre1 were conductive to detect and monitor of highland barley crops in the mountainous regions of northwest China.
Impacts of Selenium Supplementation on Soil Mercury Speciation, Soil Properties and Mercury-Resistant Microorganisms and Resistant Genes
Authors: Pei Guangpeng , Li Yuxin , Li Hua
Published: August 2024

Soil mercury (Hg) contamination is a serious threat to local ecology and public health. Exogenous selenium (Se) supplementation can effectively reduce the toxicity of Hg. However, the mechanisms affecting the changes in soil Hg speciation, soil properties and the microbial Hg-resistant system during the Se–Hg interaction after exogenous Se supplementation are not clear. Therefore, in this study, soil culture experiments were conducted to analyze the effects of different Se additions on the transformation of Hg speciation, soil properties and Hg-resistant microorganisms and resistant genes (mer operon). The results indicated that Se supplementation facilitated the transformation of soil Hg from bioavailable (exchangeable and carbonate-bound) to stable forms (organic material-bound and residual), significantly reducing Hg bioavailability. Se supplementation notably decreased the electrical conductivity of Hg-contaminated soil, but had no significant effect on the soil pH, organic matter content, cation exchange capacity or alkaline phosphatase and catalase activities. The maximum activity levels of soil sucrase and urease were observed when 1 mg kg−1 Se was added. Se significantly inhibited soil peroxidase and ascorbate oxidase activities, thereby alleviating the oxidative stress in the soil system caused by Hg. Additionally, Se significantly activated the Hg-resistant system in soil microorganisms by either decreasing or increasing the regulatory genes merD and merR, and it significantly upregulated the cytoplasmic protein gene merP and the membrane protein genes merC, merF and merT. This further increased the abundance of the organomercury lyase gene merB and the mercuric reductase gene merA, promoting the conversion of Hg species to Hg⁰. Furthermore, the abundance of mer operon-containing microorganisms, such as Thiobacillus ferrooxidants, Pseudomonas, Streptomyces and Cryptococcus, significantly increased with Se addition, explaining the role of soil microorganisms in mitigating soil Hg stress via Se supplementation.
Analysis of Twenty Years of Suction Trap Data on the Flight Activity of Myzus persicae and Brevicoryne brassicae, Two Main Vectors of Oilseed Rape Infection Viruses
Authors: Slavíková Lucie , Fryč David , Kundu Jiban Kumar
Published: August 2024

Myzus persicae and Brevicoryne brassicae are the main aphid pests and vectors of viruses that attack many crops, including oilseed rape, the most commonly grown dicotyledonous crop in the Czech Republic. In this study, we analysed the flight activity of both aphids from five suction traps over 20 years (2004–2023). We focussed on (i) the influence of the ban on seed dressing with neonicotinoids on aphid catches, (ii) the influence of the average temperature on flight activity, and (iii) the number of males/females caught in the suction traps. We compared the data on aphid flight activity at the coldest and warmest sites and found that migration starts about 10 days earlier at the warmest site than at the coldest site and that aphid populations are more numerous here. The number of catches in suction traps was observed for both aphids after the ban on neonicotinoids was significantly increased. For M. persicae, it was about 9 times higher, while for B. brassicae, it was about 1.3 times higher. In addition, we observed a significant decrease in the number of males in M. persicae with a simultaneous increase in the number of females (in autumn), which could be an indication of the formation of anholocyclic populations. Overall, our results showed a significantly high abundance of both aphid species depending on the observed locations, which seems to be related to the ban of neonicotinoids. Therefore, an effective alternative is needed to improve the control of aphid vectors that can ensure the stability of crops against aphid-transmitted virus diseases.
Pasture Recovery Period Affects Humic Substances and Oxidations of Organic Matter in Eastern Amazon
Authors: de Moraes Rego Carlos Augusto Rocha , López de Herrera Juan , Oliveira Paulo Sérgio Rabello de , Muniz Luciano Cavalcante , Rosset Jean Sérgio , Mattei Eloisa , Silveira Lucas da , Sampaio Marinez Carpiski , Pereira Marcos Gervasio , Silva Karolline Rosa Cutrim , de Oliveira Ismênia Ribeiro
Published: August 2024

Land management practices that overlook soil limitations and potential have led to varying degrees of degradation. This study evaluates the carbon content in chemical and oxidisable soil fractions across different pasture recovery periods, comparing them to secondary forests. The management practices assessed include the following: secondary forest (SF), perennial pasture (PP), perennial pasture recovered five years ago (P5), and perennial pasture recovered eight years ago (P8), all on Plinthosols. We analysed carbon levels in oxidisable fractions and humic substances at depths of 0–0.10 m, 0.10–0.20 m, 0.20–0.30 m, and 0.30–0.40 m. The SF and P8 areas showed the highest organic matter content within the humic fractions, compared to the PP and P5 areas. Additionally, the P8 area demonstrated an increase in the labile and moderately recalcitrant fractions of organic matter, standing out among the different fractions evaluated. The multivariate principal component analysis indicated that P8 has the greatest impact on soil quality, followed by FS, P5, and PP. The pasture recovery over the past eight years has significantly improved soil carbon accumulation, highlighting the benefits of land restoration.
Reproductive Disorders in Donkeys: Current Evidence and Update
Authors: Wang Zixuan , Zeng Shenming , Wang Yantao , Wang Tao , Qu Honglei , Zhu Yiping , Li Jing
Published: August 2024

Reproductive disorders in donkeys present a significant challenge to their health and welfare, impacting their roles in agriculture, conservation, and companionship. With the development of large-scale donkey farming in recent years, reproductive disorders have become a limiting factor for the expansion of the donkey population. In general, donkeys suffer from a similar array of diseases like horses, but little is known about the specificities of donkey reproductive disorders. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the pathogenesis, distribution, presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of a diverse array of reproductive disorders affecting donkeys. There are similar infectious and non-infectious causes for infertility and pregnancy loss in jennies compared with mares, but a difference in disease susceptibility does exist, which may be attributed to genetic influence, pathogen specificity, the environment, and reproductive management practices. Diagnostic and treatment plans need to be tailored towards the particularities of donkey reproductive disorders to increase donkey populations and to enhance the standard of care for this species. Enhancing reproductive health in donkeys not only ensures their sustainable use but also promotes their welfare and longevity in diverse human–animal interactions.
RNA-Seq Analysis of Glycolysis Regulation of Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup J Replication
Authors: Yang Ting , Qiu Lingling , Chen Shihao , Wang Zhixiu , Jiang Yong , Bai Hao , Bi Yulin , Chang Guobin
Published: August 2024

Avian Leukosis virus (ALV) is a widely spread virus that causes major economic losses to the global poultry industry. This study aims to investigate the effect of glycolysis on the replication of the ALV-J virus and identify the key circular RNAs that regulate the replication of the ALV-J virus. We found that glucose uptake, pyruvate content, and lactate content in DF1 cells were increased after ALV-J infection. Moreover, inhibiting the glycolysis of ALV-J-infected DF1 cells reduced the replication of the ALV-J virus. To further study the mechanism of glycolysis in the replication of the ALV-J virus, we performed RNA-seq on ALV-J-infected and ALV-J-infected cells treated with glycolysis inhibition. RNA-seq results show that a total of 10,375 circular RNAs (circRNAs) were identified, of which the main types were exonic circular RNAs, and 28 circRNAs were differentially expressed between ALV-J-infected and ALV-J-infected cells treated with glycolysis inhibition. Then, we performed functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed circRNA source and target genes. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that some circRNAs might be involved in regulating the replication of the ALV-J virus by influencing some pathways like glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, p53 signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, Insulin signaling pathway, and Apoptosis. This study revealed the effect of glycolysis on the replication of the ALV-J virus in DF1 cells and its possible regulatory mechanism, which provided a basis for understanding the factors influencing the replication of the ALV-J virus and reducing the rate of infection of the ALV-J virus in poultry.
Contrasting Dynamics of Intracellular and Extracellular Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Response to Nutrient Variations in Aquatic Environments
Authors: Liu Lele , Zou Xinyi , Cheng Yuan , Li Huihui , Zhang Xueying , Yuan Qingbin
Published: August 2024

The propagation of antibiotic resistance in environments, particularly aquatic environments that serve as primary pathways for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), poses significant health risks. The impact of nutrients, as key determinants of bacterial growth and metabolism, on the propagation of ARGs, particularly extracellular ARGs (eARGs), remains poorly understood. In this study, we collected microorganisms from the Yangtze River and established a series of microcosms to investigate how variations in nutrient levels and delivery frequency affect the relative abundance of intracellular ARGs (iARGs) and eARGs in bacterial communities. Our results show that the relative abundance of 7 out of 11 representative eARGs in water exceeds that of iARGs, while 8 iARGs dominate in biofilms. Notably, iARGs and eARGs consistently exhibited opposite responses to nutrient variation. When nutrient levels increased, iARGs in the water also increased, with the polluted group (COD = 333.3 mg/L, COD:N:P = 100:3:0.6, m/m) and the eutrophic group (COD = 100 mg/L, COD:N:P = 100:25:5, m/m) showing 1.2 and 3.2 times higher levels than the normal group (COD = 100 mg/L, COD:N:P = 100:10:2, m/m), respectively. In contrast, eARGs decreased by 6.7% and 8.4% in these groups. On the other hand, in biofilms, higher nutrient levels led to an increase in eARGs by 1.5 and 1.7 times, while iARGs decreased by 17.5% and 50.1% in the polluted and eutrophic groups compared to the normal group. Moreover, while increasing the frequency of nutrient delivery (from 1 time/10 d to 20 times/10 d) generally did not favor iARGs in either water or biofilm, it selectively enhanced eARGs in both. To further understand these dynamics, we developed an ARGs-nutrient model by integrating the Lotka–Volterra and Monod equations. The results highlight the complex interplay of bacterial growth, nutrient availability, and mechanisms such as horizontal gene transfer and secretion influencing ARGs’ propagation, driving the opposite trend between these two forms of ARGs. This contrasting response between iARGs and eARGs contributes to a dynamic balance that stabilizes bacterial resistance levels amid nutrient fluctuations. This study offers helpful implications regarding the persistence of bacterial resistance in the environment.