bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emotional modulation of cortical activity during gum chewing: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study
Authors: Hasegawa Yoko , Sakuramoto Ayumi , Suzuki Tatsuya , Sakagami Joe , Shiramizu Masako , Tachibana Yoshihisa , Kishimoto Hiromitsu , Ono Yumie , Ono Takahiro
Published: November 2022

Distinct brain regions are known to be associated with various emotional states. Cortical activity may be modulated by emotional states that are triggered by flavors during food intake. We examined cortical activity during chewing with different flavors and assessed the emotional modulation of cortical activity using multichannel near-infrared spectroscopy. Thirty-six right-handed volunteers participated in this crossover trial. The participants experienced positive and negative emotions from chewing flavorful (palatable) or less flavorful (unpalatable) gums, respectively for 5 min. Participants rated the taste, odor, and deliciousness of each gum using a visual analog scale. Bilateral hemodynamic responses in the frontal and parietal lobes, bilateral masseter muscle activation, and heart rate were measured during gum chewing. Changes in all measured data during gum chewing were also evaluated. The ratings of the tastes and odors of each gum significantly differed among the participants (P < 0.001). Hemodynamic response changes were significantly elevated in the bilateral primary sensorimotor cortex during gum-chewing, in comparison to resting. The difference in hemodynamic responses between palatable and unpalatable gum conditions was detected in the left frontopolar/dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Muscle activation and heart rate were not significantly different between different gum types. Our findings indicate that differential processing in the left prefrontal cortex might be responsible for the emotional states caused by palatable and unpalatable foods.
Systematic review on fiscal policy interventions in nutrition
Authors: Hammaker Jane , Anda Daniela , Kozakiewicz Tomasz , Bachina Vinitha , Berretta Miriam , Shisler Shannon , Lane Charlotte
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Both the World Health Organization and the Lancet Series on Adolescent nutrition recommend that governments adopt fiscal policies to combat diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, rigorous, systematic evidence regarding the effects of these interventions is lacking.

Methods

We synthesize the available evidence regarding the impacts of taxes and subsidies that directly affect consumer prices on availability and accessibility of foods and beverages, purchasing behavior, diet quality, health and well-being outcomes as well as considerations for implementation, sustainability and equity.

Results

Our initial search returned 2,113 de-duplicated studies, and ultimately 24 impact evaluations and two systematic reviews met final eligibility criteria and represented unique evaluations. Our meta-analysis of these studies suggests that taxes may decrease purchases of taxed beverages (SMD = −0.14 [95% CI: −0.29 to −0.07], n = 15). Results should be interpreted cautiously due to considerable heterogeneity (Q(14) = 335.19, p = 0.01, τ^2=0.03, I2 = 95.82%).

Discussion

The evidence base is too limited to draw conclusions about the effects of taxes on beverages and calorie-dense foods on purchases, or on the effects of subsidies on purchasing or diet quality. Overall, the evidence base is inconclusive on whether fiscal policies can meaningfully influence the availability and accessibility of foods and beverages, diet quality, and health outcomes. Policymakers implementing fiscal policies should consider information campaigns on health benefits and health risks associated with certain food and beverage consumption. For taxes, exposure to health information may amplify signaling effects of taxes and reduce avoidance behaviors, such as cross-border shopping. Future evaluations should diversify data sources to better understand impacts on diet and health outcomes.
Correlations between circulating methylmalonic acid levels and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among patients with diabetes
Authors: Wang Jiao , Tang Yunliang , Liu Ying , Cai Wei , Xu Jixiong
Published: November 2022

Aims

Evidence regarding serum methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels and mortality in individuals with diabetes is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between MMA and all-cause and cause-specific deaths in patients with diabetes.

Materials and methods

This is a population-based cohort study based on data from both the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and National Death Index from 1999 to 2014. We assessed the association of serum MMA concentrations with mortality using Cox proportional hazard models after adjusting for lifestyle, demographic factors, and comorbidities.

Results

Among the 3,097 participants, 843 mortalities occurred during a median follow-up of 4.42 years. There were 242 deaths due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and 131 cancer-associated deaths. After multivariate adjustment, elevated serum MMA levels were markedly correlated with a high risk of all-cause, CVD-, and cancer-related deaths. Each one-unit increase in the natural log-transformed MMA level correlated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (2.652 times), CVD mortality risk (3.153 times), and cancer-related mortality risk (4.514). Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) after comparing participants with MMA < 120 and ≥250 nmol/L were 2.177 (1.421–3.336) for all-cause mortality, 3.560 (1.809–7.004) for CVD mortality, and 4.244 (1.537–11.721) for cancer mortality.

Conclusion

Higher serum MMA levels were significantly associated with higher all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality. These findings suggest that maintaining lower MMA status may lower mortality risk in individuals with diabetes.
N6-methylandenosine-related immune genes correlate with prognosis and immune landscapes in gastric cancer
Authors: Huang Yuancheng , Zou Yushan , Tian Yanhua , Yang Zehong , Hou Zhengkun , Li Peiwu , Liu Fengbin , Ling Jiasheng , Wen Yi
Published: November 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to probe into the significance of N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-related immune genes (m6AIGs) in predicting prognoses and immune landscapes of patients with gastric cancer (GC).

Methods

The clinical data and transcriptomic matrix of GC patients were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The clinically meaningful m6AIGs were acquired by univariate Cox regression analysis. GC patients were stratified into different clusters via consensus clustering analysis and different risk subgroups via m6AIGs prognostic signature. The clinicopathological features and tumor microenvironment (TME) in the different clusters and different risk subgroups were explored. The predictive performance was evaluated using the KM method, ROC curves, and univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Moreover, we fabricated a nomogram based on risk scores and clinical risk characteristics. Biological functional analysis was performed based on Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. The connectivity map was used to screen out potential small molecule drugs for GC patients.

Results

A total of 14 prognostic m6AIGs and two clusters based on 14 prognostic m6AIGs were identified. A prognostic signature based on 4 m6AIGs and a nomogram based on independent prognostic factors was constructed and validated. Different clusters and different risk subgroups were significantly correlated with TME scores, the distribution of immune cells, and the expression of immune checkpoint genes. Some malignant and immune biological processes and pathways were correlated with the patients with poor prognosis. Ten small molecular drugs with potential therapeutic effect were screened out.

Conclusions

This study revealed the prognostic role and significant values of m6AIGs in GC, which enhanced the understanding of m6AIGs and paved the way for developing predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets for GC.
Pyroptosis: A new insight of non-small-cell lung cancer treatment
Authors: Chen Xi , Wu Jianzhang , Wang Jiabing
Published: November 2022

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has become one of the most common malignant tumors. Emerging evidence has shown that tumor resistance to apoptosis by damaging or bypassing apoptotic cell death is a major contributor to poor responses to therapy in patients with NSCLC. Pyroptosis is a new type of cytolytic and inflammatory programmed death distinct from apoptosis. Currently, pyroptosis has been reported to cause a strong inflammatory response and significant tumor suppression. It is considered a promising therapeutic strategy and prognosis for NSCLC. In this review, we summarized the characteristics of pyroptosis from its underlying basis and role in NSCLC, thereby providing the potential of pyroptosis as a therapeutic strategy and highlighting the challenges of activating pyroptosis in NSCLC treatment.
Single-cell analyses reveal the therapeutic effects of ATHENA and its mechanism in a rhabdomyosarcoma patient
Authors: Liu Yujun , Wang Ke , Zhou Yanli , Zhuang Xibing , Shao Shali , Qiao Fulu , Wang Xiangdong , Zou Xin , Qiao Tiankui
Published: November 2022

Background

Whole-cell tumor vaccines tend to suffer from low immunogenicity. Our previous study showed that irradiated lung cancer cell vaccines in mouse models enhance antitumor efficacy by eliciting an intensive T cells response and improving immunogenicity. Based on these findings, we developed an improved whole-cell tumor vaccine, Autologous Tumor Holo antigEn immuNe Activation (ATHENA).

Methods

In this study, we report the successful treatment of a 6-year-old male diagnosed with meningeal rhabdomyosarcoma with pulmonary and liver metastases using ATHENA. After 6 cycles of therapy, PET/CT showed the therapeutic efficacy of ATHENA. We profiled the immune response by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Flow cytometry analysis was implemented to validate the status transitions of CD8+ T cells.

Results

In CD8+ T cells, the exhausted status was weakened after treatment. The exhausted CD4+ T cells shifted towards the central memory phenotype after the treatment. Breg cells were converted to Plasma or Follicular B cells. Survival analysis for pan-cancer and transcription factor analysis indicated that such T cell and B cell transitions represent the recovery of antitumoral adaptive immune response. We validated that the proportion of CD279+CD8+ T cells were reduced and the expression of CD44 molecule was upregulated by flow cytometry assay.

Conclusion

Such studies not only show that ATHENA therapy may be a promising alternative treatment for tumor patients but provide a novel idea to analyses the mechanisms of rare cases or personalized cancer treatment.
Recent advances of nanomaterial-based anti-angiogenic therapy in tumor vascular normalization and immunotherapy
Authors: Xiao Mingshu , Shi Yueli , Jiang Sujing , Cao Mengqing , Chen Weiyu , Xu Yun , Xu Zhiyong , Wang Kai
Published: November 2022

Anti-angiogenesis therapy and immunotherapy are the first-line therapeutic strategies for various tumor treatments in the clinic, bringing significant advantages for tumor patients. Recent studies have shown that anti-angiogenic therapy can potentiate immunotherapy, with many clinical trials conducted based on the combination of anti-angiogenic agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, currently available clinical dosing strategies and tools are limited, emphasizing the need for more improvements. Although significant progress has been achieved, several big questions remained, such as how to achieve cell-specific targeting in the tumor microenvironment? How to improve drug delivery efficiency in tumors? Can nanotechnology be used to potentiate existing clinical drugs and achieve synergistic sensitization effects? Over the recent few years, nanomedicines have shown unique advantages in antitumor research, including cell-specific targeting, improved delivery potentiation, and photothermal effects. Given that the applications of nanomaterials in tumor immunotherapy have been widely reported, this review provides a comprehensive overview of research advances on nanomaterials in anti-angiogenesis therapy, mainly focusing on the immunosuppressive effects of abnormal tumor vessels in the tumor immune microenvironment, the targets and strategies of anti-angiogenesis nanomedicines, and the potential synergistic effects and molecular mechanisms of anti-angiogenic nanomedicines in combination with immunotherapy, ultimately providing new perspectives on the nanomedicine-based synergy between anti-angiogenic and immunotherapy.
Coping strategies and considerations regarding low anterior resection syndrome and quality of life among patients with rectal cancer; a qualitative interview study
Authors: Laursen Birgitte Schantz , Sørensen Gitte Kjær , Majgaard Margit , Jensen Line Byskov , Jacobsen Karen Irene , Kjær Dorte Kløve , Juul Therese , Christensen Peter , Mikkelsen Anette Højer
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is defined as disordered bowel function following rectal resection, which is detrimental to quality of life (QoL). A recent international consensus definition of LARS stresses the importance of focusing on both the symptoms and the consequences that the symptoms have for the individual patient as studies indicate that LARS has a negative impact on patients’ QoL. However, an ongoing PROM study investigating late sequelae after rectal cancer finds that a minor proportion of patients scoring major LARS experience none or only little impact on quality of life

Aim

The aim of this study was to identify patients’ considerations and coping strategies to establish why the burden caused by major LARS had little or no influence on their QoL.

Materials and methods

This was a qualitative interview study based on 21 semi-structured individual telephone interviews with patients treated for rectal cancer. Data were analysed using a hermeneutic inspired thematic analysis.

Results and conclusion

Three themes emerged from the analysis; Adapting new life situation, Altering life perception and the Importance of relationships. Major LARS and its consequences following rectal cancer may be managed or altered by adopting problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies. Maintaining a positive attitude and having a good network of family and friends constitute a surplus, allowing patients to cope with the need for changed behaviour and appreciate the life that they have been given. Accepting that major LARS and its consequences cause limitations in life allowed patients to change their normality threshold over time.
3D CRISPR screen in prostate cancer cells reveals PARP inhibitor sensitization through TBL1XR1-SMC3 interaction
Authors: Zhang Huan , Gao Huanyao , Gu Yayun , John August , Wei Lixuan , Huang Minhong , Yu Jia , Adeosun Adeyemi A. , Weinshilboum Richard M. , Wang Liewei
Published: November 2022

Poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) either have been approved or being tested in the clinic for the treatment of a variety of cancers with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD). However, cancer cells can develop resistance to PARPi drugs through various mechanisms, and new biomarkers and combination therapeutic strategies need to be developed to support personalized treatment. In this study, a genome-wide CRISPR screen was performed in a prostate cancer cell line with 3D culture condition which identified novel signals involved in DNA repair pathways. One of these genes, TBL1XR1, regulates sensitivity to PARPi in prostate cancer cells. Mechanistically, we show that TBL1XR1 interacts with and stabilizes SMC3 on chromatin and promotes γH2AX spreading along the chromatin of the cells under DNA replication stress. TBL1XR1-SMC3 double knockdown (knockout) cells have comparable sensitivity to PARPi compared to SMC3 knockdown or TBL1XR1 knockout cells, and more sensitivity than WT cells. Our findings provide new insights into mechanisms underlying response to PARPi or platin compounds in the treatment of malignancies.
Analysis of the safety and efficacy of different plasma concentrations of pirfenidone in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Li Hui , Yang Jing , Chen Shanshan , Wang Peile , Yu Xueqing , Zhou Qingwei , Zhang Xiaojian , Zhang Guojun
Published: November 2022

The high incidence and mortality of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have led to the widespread use of antifibrotic drugs such as pirfenidone; however, the associated adverse reactions greatly vary among individuals and the dose is not fixed. To date, no reliable blood concentration range of pirfenidone is available to monitor adverse reactions and clinical efficacy. This real study assessed the efficacy and safety of different plasma concentrations of pirfenidone in patients with IPF. The study included 99 patients with IPF orally treated with pirfenidone capsules for at least 52 weeks. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to analyze drug plasma concentrations. The annual rate of forced vital capacity (FVC) decline, assessed at week 52, was set as the primary end point. Secondary end points were the change from the baseline in the 6-min walk distance (6 MWD) and the time to the first acute exacerbation of IPF, both of which evaluated over 52 weeks. In the total population, the annual FVC decline in the high-concentration group was −90.0 ml per year versus −260.0 ml per year in the low-concentration group, for a between-group difference of 190.3 ml per year. The proportion of patients treated with high plasma concentrations of pirfenidone who showed an absolute decline of ≥10% in FVC% predicted, with a 6 MWD reduction of ≥50 m, or died, was lower than that of patients treated with low plasma concentrations of pirfenidone. High concentrations of pirfenidone reduced the risk of acute exacerbation in patients with IPF. Considerable differences were not observed for the total St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire score or the rates of death between the high- and low-concentration groups. Mild to moderate adverse events, mainly involving the gastrointestinal system and the skin, were more common in the high-concentration group than in the low-concentration group but did not lead to termination of treatment in most cases. Our results suggest that treatment of IPF with high blood concentration of pirfenidone is both safe and effective. In the case of tolerable adverse reactions, patients with IPF may benefit from high concentrations of pirfenidone.
Integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of nafamostat mesylate on rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury
Authors: Guo Wenli , Wang Yu , Wu Yuxuan , Liu Jiang , Li Ying , Wang Jing , Ou Santao , Wu Weihua
Published: November 2022

Objective: To investigate the role and mechanisms of action of nafamostat mesylate (NM) in rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury (RIAKI).

Methods: RIAKI rats were assigned into control group (CN), RIAKI group (RM), and NM intervention group (NM). Inflammatory cytokines and proenkephalin a 119–159 (PENKID) were assessed. Cell apoptosis and glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPX4) were detected using TUNEL assay and immunohistochemical staining. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was detected by JC-1 dye. The expression of genes and metabolites after NM intervention was profiled using transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were validated using qPCR. The KEGG and conjoint analysis of transcriptome and metabolome were used to analyze the enriched pathways and differential metabolites. The transcription factors were identified based on the animal TFDB 3.0 database.

Results: Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and PENKID were remarkably higher in the RM group and lower in the NM group compared to the CN group. Pro-inflammatory cytokines increased in the RM group and notably decreased following NM treatment compared to the CN group. Tubular pathological damages were markedly attenuated and renal cell apoptosis was reduced significantly in the NM group compared to the RM group. The expression of GPX4 was lower in the RM group compared to the CN group, and it increased significantly after NM treatment. A total of 294 DEGs were identified in the RM group compared with the NM group, of which 192 signaling pathways were enriched, and glutathione metabolism, IL-17 signaling, and ferroptosis-related pathways were the top-ranking pathways. The transcriptional levels of Anpep, Gclc, Ggt1, Mgst2, Cxcl13, Rgn, and Akr1c1 were significantly different between the NM and RM group. Gclc was the key gene contributing to NM-mediated renal protection in RIAKI. Five hundred and five DEGs were annotated. Compared with the RM group, most of the upregulated DEGs in the NM group belonged to Glutathione metabolism, whereas most of the downregulated DEGs were related to the transcription factor Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction.

Conclusion: NM protects the kidneys against RIAKI, which is mainly associated with NM mediated regulation of glutathione metabolism, inflammatory response, ferroptosis-related pathways, and the related key DEGs. Targeting these DEGs might emerge as a potential molecular therapy for RIAKI.
Cascading failures in EV charging network
Authors: Ma Sining , Li Jie
Published: November 2022

With the rapid increase of Electric vehicle (EV) penetration, EV charging network become an important infrastructure. This paper studies the configuration of EV charging network from a safety perspective. It is found that cascading failures may happen if one charging station is out of work and its load has to be redistributed to its neighboring stations. The cascading failure model borrowed from network science area is used in the study, and the results show the effects of system parameters on the network robustness. The results indicate that in order to achieve a good performance, it is better to assign extra load based on neighbors’ degree when a node is overloaded. On the other hand, the extra load redistribution should not consider the distance between the overloaded node and its neighbors.
Double-parameter sensing of voltage and magnetic field based on photonic crystal fiber
Authors: Shi Weihua , Mu Rongqiu , Guo Xiaochen , Jiang Rushan , Shangguan Mingyu , Li Qing Feng , Zhang Huiyi , Zhang Ling , Wan Hongdan
Published: November 2022

In this paper, a new type of photonic crystal fiber (PCF) sensor is proposed for detecting the voltage and magnetic field simultaneously. In the PCF, an air hole of the cladding is coated with gold film and filled with the liquid crystal, thus the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) channel is formed to detect the voltage. While another air hole of the cladding is filled with magnetic fluids, the directional coupling channel is formed to detect the magnetic field. The SPR sensing channel and directional coupling channel are relatively independent. A finite element method (FEM) has been used for the optimization of the structure parameters, transmission characteristics of different modes, and analysis of the sensing characteristics. Numerical results reveal that the voltage sensitivity is 2.11 nm/V in the range of 5–35 V and the magnetic field sensitivity is 0.86 nm/Oe in the range of 90–210 Oe.
The effect of dobutamine on ocular blood flow of healthy adults: A 3D pseudocontinuous aterial spin labelling study
Authors: Cai Linkun , Niu Haijun , Ren Pengling , Liu Yawen , Zhang Tingting , Liu Dong , Zhao Erwei , Zhu Liang , Li Jing , Qiao Penggang , Zheng Wei , Wang Zhenchang
Published: November 2022

Purpose: Ocular blood flow (OBF) is an important risk factor for incidence, prevalence and progression of some ocular disorders. To date, there are very limited therapeutic options to increase OBF. This study investigated the effect of dobutamine on OBF of heathy adults using 3D pseudocontinuous arterial spin labelling (3D-pcASL), and explored the risk factors associated with OBF.

Methods: Forty-three healthy participants (86 eyes) were given an intravenous injection of dobutamine. We measured OBF using 3D-pcASL with a 3.0T- MRI scanner, OBF values were independently obtained by two doctors from the OBF map. We also collected physiological parameters using a vital signs monitor. The OBF and physiological parameters in the in the period before and after dobutamine injection states were obtained.

Results: OBF increased significantly after dobutamine injection using paired t test method (from 22.43 ± 9.87 to 47.73 ± 14.02 ml/min/100g, p < 0.001). Age, heart rate and systolic blood pressure were the main risk factors affecting OBF using logistic regression analysis (all p values < 0.05).

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study observing the effect of dobutamine on OBF. Our findings indicated that intravenously injected dobutamine increased OBF, making it a possible option to counteract ocular vascular ischaemia in the future.
Changes in the C-terminal, N-terminal, and histidine regions of amelogenin reveal the role of oligomer quaternary structure on adsorption and hydroxyapatite mineralization
Authors: Tao Jinhui , Hanson Emma , Dohnalkova Alice C. , Buchko Garry W. , Jin Biao , Shaw Wendy J. , Tarasevich Barbara J.
Published: November 2022

Adsorption interactions between amelogenin and calcium phosphate minerals are believed to be important to amelogenin’s function in enamel formation, however, the role of specific amino acid residues and domains within the protein in controlling adsorption is not well known. We synthesized “mechanistic probes” by systematically removing charged regions of amelogenin in order to elucidate their roles. The probes included amelogenin without the charged residues in the N-terminus (SEKR), without two, three, or eight histidines (H) in the central protein region (H2, H3, H8), or without the C-terminal residues (Delta).In-situatomic force microscopy (AFM) adsorption studies onto hydroxyapatite (HAP) single crystals confirmed that the C-terminus was the dominant domain in promoting adsorption. We propose that subtle changes in protein-protein interactions for proteins with histidines and N-terminal residues removed resulted in changes in the oligomer quaternary size and structure that also affected protein adsorption. HAP mineralization studies revealed that the oligomer-HAP binding energy and protein layer thickness were factors in controlling the amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) to HAP induction time. Our studies with mechanistic probes reveal the importance of the oligomer quaternary structure in controlling amelogenin adsorption and HAP mineralization.
Feasibility to estimate mean systemic filling pressure with inspiratory holds at the bedside
Authors: Wijnberge Marije , Jansen Jos R. C. , Pinsky Michael R. , Klanderman Robert B. , Terwindt Lotte E. , Bosboom Joachim J. , Lemmers Nikki , Vlaar Alexander P. , Veelo Denise P. , Geerts Bart F.
Published: November 2022

Background: A decade ago, it became possible to derive mean systemic filling pressure (MSFP) at the bedside using the inspiratory hold maneuver. MSFP has the potential to help guide hemodynamic care, but the estimation is not yet implemented in common clinical practice. In this study, we assessed the ability of MSFP, vascular compliance (Csys), and stressed volume (Vs) to track fluid boluses. Second, we assessed the feasibility of implementation of MSFP in the intensive care unit (ICU). Exploratory, a potential difference in MSFP response between colloids and crystalloids was assessed.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study in adult patients admitted to the ICU after cardiac surgery. The MSFP was determined using 3–4 inspiratory holds with incremental pressures (maximum 35 cm H2O) to construct a venous return curve. Two fluid boluses were administered: 100 and 500 ml, enabling to calculate Vs and Csys. Patients were randomized to crystalloid or colloid fluid administration. Trained ICU consultants acted as study supervisors, and protocol deviations were recorded.

Results: A total of 20 patients completed the trial. MSFP was able to track the 500 ml bolus (p < 0.001). In 16 patients (80%), Vs and Csys could be determined. Vs had a median of 2029 ml (IQR 1605–3164), and Csys had a median of 73 ml mmHg−1 (IQR 56–133). A difference in response between crystalloids and colloids was present for the 100 ml fluid bolus (p = 0.019) and in a post hoc analysis, also for the 500 ml bolus (p = 0.010).

Conclusion: MSFP can be measured at the bedside and provides insights into the hemodynamic status of a patient that are currently missing. The clinical feasibility of Vs and Csys was judged ambiguously based on the lack of required hemodynamic stability. Future studies should address the clinical obstacles found in this study, and less-invasive alternatives to determine MSFP should be further explored.

Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03139929.
Insight of PBZ mediated drought amelioration in crop plants
Authors: Maheshwari Chirag , Garg Nitin Kumar , Hasan Muzaffar , V Prathap , Meena Nand Lal , Singh Archana , Tyagi Aruna
Published: November 2022

Water scarcity is a significant environmental limitation to plant productivity as drought-induced crop output losses are likely to outnumber losses from all other factors. In this context, triazole compounds have recently been discovered to act as plant growth regulators and multi-stress protectants such as heat, chilling, drought, waterlogging, heavy metals, etc. Paclobutrazol (PBZ) [(2RS, 3RS)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)- 4, 4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1, 2, 4-trizol-1-yl)-pentan-3-ol)] disrupts the isoprenoid pathway by blocking ent-kaurene synthesis, affecting gibberellic acid (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) hormone levels. PBZ affects the level of ethylene and cytokinin by interfering with their biosynthesis pathways. Through a variety of physiological responses, PBZ improves plant survival under drought. Some of the documented responses include a decrease in transpiration rate (due to reduced leaf area), higher diffusive resistance, relieving reduction in water potential, greater relative water content, less water use, and increased antioxidant activity. We examined and discussed current findings as well as the prospective application of PBZ in regulating crop growth and ameliorating abiotic stresses in this review. Furthermore, the influence of PBZ on numerous biochemical, physiological, and molecular processes is thoroughly investigated, resulting in increased crop yield.
Cotton aphid infestation monitoring using Sentinel-2 MSI imagery coupled with derivative of ratio spectroscopy and random forest algorithm
Authors: Fu Hancong , Zhao Hengqian , Song Rui , Yang Yifeng , Li Zihan , Zhang Shijia
Published: November 2022

Aphids are one of the main pests of cotton and have been an important disaster limiting cotton yield. It is important to use satellite multispectral data to monitor the severity of cotton aphids in a timely and accurate manner on regional scale. Based on the combination of derivative of ratio spectra (DRS) and random forest (RF) algorithm, this study researched the quantitative monitoring model of cotton aphid severity based on Sentinel-2 data. First, the cotton area was extracted by using a supervised classification algorithm and the vegetation index threshold method. Then, the DRS algorithm was used to analyze the spectral characteristics of cotton aphids from three scales, and the Pearson correlation analysis algorithm was used to extract the bands significantly related to aphid infestation. Finally, the RF model was trained by ground sampling points and its accuracy was evaluated. The optimal model results were selected by the cross-validation method, and the accuracy was compared with the four classical classification algorithms. The results showed that (1) the canopy spectral reflectance curves at different grades of cotton aphid infestation were significantly different, with a significant positive correlation between cotton aphid grade and spectral reflectance in the visible band range and a negative correlation in the near-infrared band range; (2) The DRS algorithm could effectively remove the interference of the background endmember of satellite multispectral image pixels and enhance the aphid spectral features. The analysis results from three different scales and the evaluation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm in processing satellite multispectral data; (3) After the DRS processing, Sentinel-2 multispectral images could effectively classify the severity of cotton aphid infestation by the RF model with an overall classification accuracy of 80% and a kappa coefficient of 0.73. Compared with the results of four classical classification algorithms, the proposed algorithm has the best accuracy, which proves the superiority of RF. Based on satellite multispectral data, the DRS and RF can be combined to monitor the severity of cotton aphids on a regional scale, and the accuracy can meet the actual need.
Hyperspectral detection of fresh corn peeling damage using germinating sparse classification method
Authors: Li Zhenye , Fu Jun , Chen Zhi , Fu Qiankun , Luo Xiwen
Published: November 2022

Peeling damage reduces the quality of fresh corn ear and affects the purchasing decisions of consumers. Hyperspectral imaging technique has great potential to be used for detection of peeling-damaged fresh corn. However, conventional non-machine-learning methods are limited by unsatisfactory detection accuracy, and machine-learning methods rely heavily on training samples. To address this problem, the germinating sparse classification (GSC) method is proposed to detect the peeling-damaged fresh corn. The germinating strategy is developed to refine training samples, and to dynamically adjust the number of atoms to improve the performance of dictionary, furthermore, the threshold sparse recovery algorithm is proposed to realize pixel level classification. The results demonstrated that the GSC method had the best classification effect with the overall classification accuracy of the training set was 98.33%, and that of the test set was 95.00%. The GSC method also had the highest average pixel prediction accuracy of 84.51% for the entire HSI regions and 91.94% for the damaged regions. This work represents a new method for mechanical damage detection of fresh corn using hyperspectral image (HSI).
Protocorm-like-body extract of Phalaenopsis aphrodite combats watermelon fruit blotch disease
Authors: Ho Bo-Lin , Chen Jhun-Chen , Huang Tzu-Pi , Fang Su-Chiung
Published: November 2022

Bacterial fruit blotch, caused by the seedborne gram-negative bacterium Acidovorax citrulli, is one of the most destructive bacterial diseases of cucurbits (gourds) worldwide. Despite its prevalence, effective and reliable means to control bacterial fruit blotch remain limited. Transcriptomic analyses of tissue culture-based regeneration processes have revealed that organogenesis-associated cellular reprogramming is often associated with upregulation of stress- and defense-responsive genes. Yet, there is limited evidence supporting the notion that the reprogrammed cellular metabolism of the regenerated tissued confers bona fide antimicrobial activity. Here, we explored the anti-bacterial activity of protocorm-like-bodies (PLBs) of Phalaenopsis aphrodite. Encouragingly, we found that the PLB extract was potent in slowing growth of A. citrulli, reducing the number of bacteria attached to watermelon seeds, and alleviating disease symptoms of watermelon seedlings caused by A. citrulli. Because the anti-bacterial activity can be fractionated chemically, we predict that reprogrammed cellular activity during the PLB regeneration process produces metabolites with antibacterial activity. In conclusion, our data demonstrated the antibacterial activity in developing PLBs and revealed the potential of using orchid PLBs to discover chemicals to control bacterial fruit blotch disease.
The world’s largest potato cryobank at the International Potato Center (CIP) – Status quo, protocol improvement through large-scale experiments and long-term viability monitoring
Authors: Vollmer Rainer , Villagaray Rosalva , Castro Mario , Cárdenas José , Pineda Sandra , Espirilla Janeth , Anglin Noelle , Ellis Dave , Rennó Azevedo Vânia Cristina
Published: November 2022

Long-term conservation of Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) is a key priority for guaranteeing food security and sustainability of agricultural systems for current and future generations. The need for the secure conservation of genetic resources collections ex situ is critical, due to rapid and extreme climatic changes which are threatening and reducing biodiversity in their natural environments. The International Potato Center (CIP) conserves one of the most complete and diverse genetic resources collections of potato, with more than 7500 accessions composed of 4900 cultivated potato and 2600 potato wild relative accessions. The clonal conservation of cultivated potato, principally landraces, through in vitro or field collections is indispensable to maintain fixed allelic states, yet it is costly and labor-intensive. Cryopreservation, the conservation of biological samples in liquid nitrogen (-196°C), is considered the most reliable and cost-efficient long-term ex-situ conservation method for clonal crops. Over the last decade, CIP has built one of the largest potato cryobanks worldwide, cyopreserving more than 4000 cultivated potato accessions which represents 84% of the total cultivated potato collection currently conserved at CIP. In approximately, four years the entire potato collection will be cryopreserved. The development of an applied, robust cryopreservation protocol for potato, serves as a model for other clonally maintained crop collections. The CIP cryobank designs experiments with a high number of genetically diverse genotypes (70-100 accessions, seven cultivated species), to obtain reliable results that can be extrapolated over the collection as genotypes can often respond variably to the same applied conditions. Unlike most published reports on cryopreservation of plants, these large-scale experiments on potato are unique as they examine the acclimatization process of in vitro plants prior to, as well as during cryopreservation on up to ten times the number of genotypes conventionally reported in the published literature. As a result, an operational cryopreservation protocol for potato has advanced that works well across diverse potato accessions, not only with reduced processing time and costs, but also with an increased average full-plant recovery rate from 58% to 73% (+LN) for routine cryopreservation. The present article describes the composition of CIP’s cryobank, the cryopreservation protocol, methodology for the dynamic improvement of the operational protocol, as well as data collected on regeneration from long term cryopreserved potatoes.
Phasic alertness boosts representational momentum
Authors: Yan Junjie , Zeng Jingwen , Liu Peiduo
Published: November 2022

The final location of a moving object is always misremembered in the direction of the object’s motion; this occurrence is called representational momentum. Three experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of phasic alertness on representational momentum by presenting a visual or auditory warning cue. In experiment 1, the mouse pointer paradigm was used, and the results showed that external warning cues increased forward displacement. Experiment 2 indicated that the effects of phasic alertness and speed of motion on representational momentum were independent. In experiment 3, the probe paradigm was used, and the results showed that external warning cues increased forward displacement as well as participants’ sensitivity to the difference between the target and probe positions. These findings prove that phasic alertness boosts rather than reduces representational momentum. We propose that phasic alertness might influence representational momentum by modulating the process of executive control in the retention interval.
The gap and two-level differentiation in kindergarten education funding groups in China
Authors: Chen Jiantao , Wang Xiao , Luo Xiang
Published: November 2022

This paper examines the disparity in kindergarten education funding between different groups from 2012 to 2018 through the Gini coefficient and decomposition techniques. The results show that: the Gini coefficient of inter-provincial kindergarten education funding increased from 0.2320 in 2012 to 0.2329 in 2018 during the observation period; the Gini coefficients between urban and rural areas and between regions are smaller than those between provinces, but it is noteworthy that the Gini coefficient between urban and rural areas is growing faster; the gap at this stage mainly comes from the internal gap between the two items of state financial education funding and career income. The internal disparity between urban and rural areas and between regions also contributes significantly to the overall disparity; there is no obvious polarisation in kindergarten education funding. Combined with the analysis results, the following recommendations are made: increase the investment in education funds, gradually reduce the proportion of school fee income in career income, financial resources should be tilted toward kindergartens in regions with relatively slow economic development, and financial resources should be appropriately distributed between public and private kindergartens.
Ecological predictors of academic satisfaction in senior secondary school students in Hong Kong: The mediating role of academic confidence
Authors: Dou Diya , Shek Daniel T. L. , Wong Tingyin
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Although the secondary school curriculum reform has taken place for more than 1 decade in Hong Kong, very few studies have examined senior secondary school students’ academic satisfaction and its predictors at the individual and school levels. The present study examined the influence of academic stress, school support, positive youth development (PYD) attributes on academic satisfaction via the mediation of academic confidence among senior secondary school students using three-wave longitudinal data.

Methods

This study was derived from a 6-year longitudinal project examining youth development among Hong Kong adolescents. Only three waves of data collected from 2,023 students, including 959 boys (47.4%) and 1,040 girls (51.4%), from grade 10 to 12 (i.e., Waves 4–6), were used in the present study focusing on senior high school years. Students responded to a questionnaire concerning different aspects of their development, including their perceptions of school support, PYD attributes, academic stress, academic confidence, and satisfaction with the NSS curriculum. We conducted structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypothesized model.

Results

Results showed that while Wave 4 academic stress negatively predicted academic satisfaction at Wave 6, Wave 4 positive youth development attributes and school support had positive associations with Wave 6 academic satisfaction; Wave 5 academic confidence also served as a mediator in these relationships, except for the relationship between school support and academic satisfaction.

Discussion

The theoretical, practical, and policy implications of the findings are discussed. The present study generally supports previous findings on the relationships between academic stress, school support, PYD attributes, academic confidence, and academic satisfaction. The findings emphasize the prominence of PYD attributes, school support, and confidence in enhancing students’ academic satisfaction.
Entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention of Chinese college students: Evidence from a moderated multi-mediation model
Authors: Gao Yuan , Qin Xiao
Published: November 2022

Entrepreneurship plays an active role in promoting economic and population integration and social mobility. To further promote economic and social development, the Chinese government and universities have launched entrepreneurship education courses and encouraged college students to participate in entrepreneurship competitions to enhance their entrepreneurial knowledge, entrepreneurial ability and entrepreneurial intention. However, the entrepreneurial intention of Chinese college students is still not high. Therefore, a question arises: How should entrepreneurial education be carried out? Can entrepreneurial competitions and entrepreneurial self-efficacy be an effective medium in augmenting entrepreneurial education on entrepreneurial intention? Is family income an effective moderator affecting college students’ entrepreneurial intention? To answer these questions, this study used quantitative methods to collect 351 sample data points, and a theoretical model was constructed to explain the mechanism forming entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial intention. The results show that entrepreneurial self-efficacy plays a partial mediating role between entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurial competition and entrepreneurial self-efficacy play a chain mediating role and family income positively moderates the relationship between entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial intention. The contribution of this study is to reveal the black box of the formation mechanism in college students’ entrepreneurial intentions, affirms the role of the Chinese government in promoting entrepreneurial competitions and provides empirical evidence for the effective development of entrepreneurial practise activities, as well as theoretical references for entrepreneurial policy makers.
State ownership, information asymmetry and cash holding: Impact of COVID-19 on Chinese-listed firms
Authors: Yu Danni , Soh Weini , Noordin Bany Ariffi Amin , Yahya Mohamed Hisham , Latif Badar
Published: November 2022

This study investigates the relationship between information asymmetry and cash holdings under the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. It likewise explores how state ownership dominates their nexus, particularly during the pandemic. COVID-19 caused increases in cash holdings, and that the information asymmetry’s effect on cash holdings is more pronounced over the COVID-19 period. Additionally, information asymmetry has a weaker effect on corporate cash holdings for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) under the pandemic. Overall, the study shows that state ownership moderates information asymmetry’s impact on cash holdings and softens firms’ precautionary motive for cash holdings during the pandemic.
The Qwantify app dataset: A remote experience sampling study of desire, emotion, and well-being
Authors: Wilson-Mendenhall Christine D. , Condon Paul , Hasenkamp Wendy , MacKerron George , Quigley Karen S. , Barrett Lisa Feldman
Published: November 2022

Experiences of desire—the feeling of wanting to have, do, or experience something—are pervasive and varied. Recent theoretical advances draw attention to characterizing this variation. Thus, this study investigated experiences of desire in everyday life and co-occurring social, physical, and emotional states, including facets of emotional experiences known to be related to well-being (e.g., perceived loneliness and stress). The Qwantify app was designed to run a remote experience sampling study. Through the app, participants were randomly alerted during their daily life to report on their experience in the moment. During the data collection period, any individual could download the freely available Qwantify app and participate in the study, without providing identifying information or communicating with researchers. Similar to other remote experience sampling studies, an incentive for participants to engage in the study was unlocking visualizations of their own data. Over 600 participants downloaded the app, completed the sign-up process, and responded to at least one experience sampling alert. Approximately 40% of these participants went on to respond to 50 alerts. The purpose of this report is to describe this experience sampling dataset such that it can be used to test a variety of hypotheses, including hypotheses regarding individual differences.