bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of chronic pruritus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Wang Jie , Chen Yuhang , Yang Xinwei , Huang Jianli , Xu Yihua , Wei Wei , Wu Xianbo
Published: January 2023

Background: Chronic pruritus (CP) is a common and aggravating symptom associated with skin and systemic diseases. Although clinical reports suggest that Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is safe and effective in Chronic pruritus treatment, evidence to prove it is lacking. Therefore, in this review, we evaluated the therapeutic effects and safety of Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of Chronic pruritus.

Methods: Nine databases were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the inception of the database to 20 April 2022. The randomized controlled trials that compared the treatment of Chinese herbal medicine or a combination of Chinese herbal medicine and conventional western medicine treatment (WM) with western medicine treatment intervention for patients with Chronic pruritus were selected. We evaluated the effects of treatment with Chinese herbal medicine on the degree of pruritus, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score, response rate, recurrence rate, and incidence of adverse events in patients with Chronic pruritus. The risk of bias in each trial was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. The RevMan software (version 5.3) was used for performing meta-analyses to determine the comparative effects.

Results: Twenty-four randomized controlled trials were included, compared with placebo, moderate-quality evidence from one study showed that Chinese herbal medicine was associated with reduced visual analogue scale (VAS) (MD: −2.08; 95% CI = −2.34 to −1.82). Compared with western medicine treatment, low-to moderate-quality evidence from 8 studies indicated that Chinese herbal medicine was associated with reduced visual analogue scale, 4 studies indicated that Chinese herbal medicine was associated with reduced Dermatology Life Quality Index (MD = −1.80, 95% CI = −2.98 to −.62), and 7 studies indicated that Chinese herbal medicine was associated with improved Effective rate (RR: 1.26; 95% CI = 1.19–1.34). Compared with combination of Chinese herbal medicine and western medicine treatment, 16 studies indicated that Chinese herbal medicine was associated with reduced visual analogue scale, 4 studies indicated that Chinese herbal medicine was associated with reduced Dermatology Life Quality Index (MD = −2.37, 95% CI = −2.61 to −2.13), and 13 studies indicated that Chinese herbal medicine was associated with improved Effective rate (RR: 1.28; 95% CI = 1.21–1.36). No significant difference in the occurrence of adverse events in using Chinese herbal medicine or western medicine treatment was reported.

Conclusion: The efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine used with or without western medicine treatment was better than western medicine treatment in treating chronic pruritus. However, only a few good studies are available regarding Chronic pruritus, and thus, high-quality studies are necessary to validate the conclusions of this study.
Insights in the maturational processes influencing hydrocortisone pharmacokinetics in congenital adrenal hyperplasia patients using a middle-out approach
Authors: Michelet Robin , Bindellini Davide , Melin Johanna , Neumann Uta , Blankenstein Oliver , Huisinga Wilhelm , Johnson Trevor N. , Whitaker Martin J. , Ross Richard , Kloft Charlotte
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Hydrocortisone is the standard of care in cortisol replacement therapy for congenital adrenal hyperplasia patients. Challenges in mimicking cortisol circadian rhythm and dosing individualization can be overcome by the support of mathematical modelling. Previously, a non-linear mixed-effects (NLME) model was developed based on clinical hydrocortisone pharmacokinetic (PK) pediatric and adult data. Additionally, a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed for adults and a pediatric model was obtained using maturation functions for relevant processes. In this work, a middle-out approach was applied. The aim was to investigate whether PBPK-derived maturation functions could provide a better description of hydrocortisone PK inter-individual variability when implemented in the NLME framework, with the goal of providing better individual predictions towards precision dosing at the patient level.

Methods: Hydrocortisone PK data from 24 adrenal insufficiency pediatric patients and 30 adult healthy volunteers were used for NLME model development, while the PBPK model and maturation functions of clearance and cortisol binding globulin (CBG) were developed based on previous studies published in the literature.

Results: Clearance (CL) estimates from both approaches were similar for children older than 1 year (CL/F increasing from around 150 L/h to 500 L/h), while CBG concentrations differed across the whole age range (CBGNLME stable around 0.5 μM vs. steady increase from 0.35 to 0.8 μM for CBG PBPK). PBPK-derived maturation functions were subsequently included in the NLME model. After inclusion of the maturation functions, none, a part of, or all parameters were re-estimated. However, the inclusion of CL and/or CBG maturation functions in the NLME model did not result in improved model performance for the CL maturation function (ΔOFV > −15.36) and the re-estimation of parameters using the CBG maturation function most often led to unstable models or individual CL prediction bias.

Discussion: Three explanations for the observed discrepancies could be postulated, i) non-considered maturation of processes such as absorption or first-pass effect, ii) lack of patients between 1 and 12 months, iii) lack of correction of PBPK CL maturation functions derived from urinary concentration ratio data for the renal function relative to adults. These should be investigated in the future to determine how NLME and PBPK methods can work towards deriving insights into pediatric hydrocortisone PK.
Identification of a novel P2X7 antagonist using structure-based virtual screening
Authors: Pasqualetto Gaia , Zuanon Marika , Brancale Andrea , Young Mark T.
Published: January 2023

P2X4 and P2X7 receptors are ATP-gated ion channels, which play important roles in neuropathic and inflammatory pain, and as such they are important drug targets in diseases of inflammatory origin. While several compounds targeting P2X4 and P2X7 receptors have been developed using traditional high-throughput screening approaches, relatively few compounds have been developed using structure-based design. We initially set out to develop compounds targeting human P2X4, by performing virtual screening on the orthosteric (ATP-binding) pocket of a molecular model of human P2X4 based on the crystal structure of the Danio rerio receptor. The screening of a library of approximately 300,000 commercially available drug-like compounds led to the initial selection of 17 compounds; however, none of these compounds displayed a significant antagonist effect at P2X4 in a Fluo-4 ATP-induced calcium influx assay. When the same set of compounds was tested against human P2X7 in an ATP-stimulated Yo-Pro1 dye uptake assay, one compound (an indeno(1,2-b)pyridine derivative; GP-25) reduced the response by greater than 50% when applied at a concentration of 30 µM. GP-25 displayed an IC50 value of 8.7 μM at human P2X7 and 24.4 μM at rat P2X7, and was confirmed to be active using whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology and not cytotoxic. Schild analysis suggested that mode of action of GP-25 was orthosteric. Screening of a further 16 commercially available analogues of GP-25 led to the discovery of five additional compounds with antagonist activity at human P2X7, enabling us to investigate the structure-activity relationship. Finally, docking of the R- and S-enantiomers of GP-25 into the orthosteric pocket of molecular models of human P2X4 and human P2X7 revealed that, while both enantiomers were able to make multiple interactions between their carboxyl moieties and conserved positively charged amino-acids in human P2X7, only the S-enantiomer of GP-25 was able to do this in human P2X4, potentially explaining the lack of activity of GP-25 at this receptor.
A tipping point of spreading viruses: Estimating the risk of household contact transmission of COVID-19
Authors: Kurahashi Setsuya , Mukai Taisei , Sekine Yukari , Nakajima Keisuke , Otake Keiko , Sugiyama Junichi , Takizawa Takeshi , Kakizawa Yasushi
Published: January 2023

COVID-19 infection has been reported to be caused by droplet and contact infection. This paper proposes a model that visualizes the risk of contact infection to family members when viruses spread to various items at home. Behavior data after returning home are extracted from a questionnaire-based survey of home behavior to design the agent-based model. The data tables of contact behavior are created, including the room-to-room transfer probability table, the conditional probability table, and the contact probability table. The material transfer efficiency table is also created by measuring the virus transmission rate after contact with droplets in a virus experiment laboratory. In the experiment, the synthetic agent created from the acquired data probabilistically performs movement and contact behavior after returning home and reproduces the state in which the virus attached to the hand or belongings, when going out, propagates to objects at home. Next, we examine the risk of a second family member returning home. As a result, virus-attached contacts within around 30 minutes after returning home are widely confirmed around the entrance and kitchen, suggesting the effectiveness of early hand-washing behavior. And the experiment shows that even if the first person returning home disinfects their hands inside the entrance, the virus remains in a part of the entrance, and the virus is spread inside the room by the second person returning home.
Kondo resonance effects in emergent flat band materials
Authors: Ukpong Aniekan Magnus
Published: January 2023

Macroscopic degrees of freedom that are involved in the transport of carriers through mesoscopic electronic devices are susceptible to the effects of strong many-body correlations. The presence of magnetic impurities in dilute magnetic alloys typically allow for insights into Kondo effect from the scattering of free carriers by localized electron states of the magnetic impurities but this effect is not well understood when there are no d-band electron states. Herein, the signatures of Kondo resonance effect are elucidated in quantum dots derived from a carbon-nanoline embedded monolayer hexagonal boron nitride whose electron states host flat band ferromagnetism as distinct broken symmetry states. Quantum transport state of mesoscopic devices modelled as quantum dots tunnel coupled to metallic leads is computed by direct diagonalization of the Hamiltonian. The possibility of realizing quantum dots with highly tunable electron states in energy interconversion devices is discussed to show the importance of screening effects on single-electron energy levels. The quantum master equation is solved within different formalisms to determine the stationary-state particle and energy currents. Stability diagrams are calculated to show the dependence of the conductance on experimental control variables of the quantum dot device. The computed responses of the stationary-state transport signatures are used to characterize Kondo resonance effects from flat band states of embedded carbon nanoline-based quantum dots. It is found that the local network structure of the hexagonal ring carbon cluster-based quantum dot has a broken particle-hole symmetry in the transport state. This signals the formation of the quasiparticle states expected in second order scattering when the macroscopic “charge” pseudospin symmetry of the tunnelling electron state is broken dynamically due to charging. The results are discussed to show the implications of a vanishing particle-hole symmetry in the carrier transport state of quantum dots for energy conversion applications.
Steering thermal photoassociation of magnesium atoms by two time-delayed femtosecond laser pulses
Authors: Zhang Rong , Hu Jin-Wei , Han Yong-Chang , Fu Bina , Shundalau Maksim
Published: January 2023

By solving the full-dimensional time-dependent Schrödinger equation with the thermal-random-phase wavepacket method, we investigate the photoassociation (PA) process of hot (1000 K) magnesium atoms induced by two time-delayed femtosecond laser pulses. Driven by the 840 nm fs laser pulses, the Mg2 molecules can be formed on the four excited states, (1)1Πg, (1)1Πu, (2)1Πu, and (2)1Σu+, from the initial electronic ground state X1Σg+. It is found that the three-photon couplings between X1Σg+ and the three ungerade states [(1)1Πu (2)1Πu, and (2)1Σu+], play dominant roles in the population transfer process. By scanning the pulse duration τ from 50 to 200 fs, and varying the delay time δt0 from 0 to 2τ fs, we find that the final PA population is strongly dependent on the two parameters. For a given δt0, the parameter τ can induce a significant variation (2 ∼ 6.8 times) for the final PA population transfer, and for a given τ, one can also obtain a significant variation (2.7 ∼ 3.5 times) of the final PA population by varying δt0. Additionally, the dynamics of the coherently vibrational wavepackets of the four excited states are also influenced by the two parameters.
Derivatives of 2-aminobenzimidazole potentiate ASIC open state with slow kinetics of activation and desensitization
Authors: Evlanenkov Konstantin K , Komarova Margarita S , Dron Mikhail Y , Nikolaev Maxim V , Zhukovskaya Olga N , Gurova Nataliya A , Tikhonov Denis B
Published: January 2023

The pharmacology of acid-sensitive ion channels (ASICs) is diverse, but potent and selective modulators, for instance for ASIC2a, are still lacking. In the present work we studied the effect of five 2-aminobenzimidazole derivatives on native ASICs in rat brain neurons and recombinant receptors expressed in CHO cells using the whole-cell patch clamp method. 2-aminobenzimidazole selectively potentiated ASIC3. Compound Ru-1355 strongly enhanced responses of ASIC2a and caused moderate potentiation of native ASICs and heteromeric ASIC1a/ASIC2a. The most active compound, Ru-1199, caused the strongest potentiation of ASIC2a, but also potentiated native ASICs, ASIC1a and ASIC3. The potentiating effects depended on the pH and was most pronounced with intermediate acidifications. In the presence of high concentrations of Ru-1355 and Ru-1199, the ASIC2a responses were biphasic, the initial transient currents were followed by slow component. These slow additional currents were weakly sensitive to the acid-sensitive ion channels pore blocker diminazene. We also found that sustained currents mediated by ASIC2a and ASIC3 are less sensitive to diminazene than the peak currents. Different sensitivities of peak and sustained components to the pore-blocking drug suggest that they are mediated by different open states. We propose that the main mechanism of action of 2-aminobenzimidazole derivatives is potentiation of the open state with slow kinetics of activation and desensitization.
Regulators, functions, and mechanotransduction pathways of matrix stiffness in hepatic disease
Authors: Guo Ting , Wantono Cindy , Tan Yuyong , Deng Feihong , Duan Tianying , Liu Deliang
Published: January 2023

The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides physical support and imparts significant biochemical and mechanical cues to cells. Matrix stiffening is a hallmark of liver fibrosis and is associated with many hepatic diseases, especially liver cirrhosis and carcinoma. Increased matrix stiffness is not only a consequence of liver fibrosis but is also recognized as an active driver in the progression of fibrotic hepatic disease. In this article, we provide a comprehensive view of the role of matrix stiffness in the pathological progression of hepatic disease. The regulators that modulate matrix stiffness including ECM components, MMPs, and crosslinking modifications are discussed. The latest advances of the research on the matrix mechanics in regulating intercellular signaling and cell phenotype are classified, especially for hepatic stellate cells, hepatocytes, and immunocytes. The molecular mechanism that sensing and transducing mechanical signaling is highlighted. The current progress of ECM stiffness’s role in hepatic cirrhosis and liver cancer is introduced and summarized. Finally, the recent trials targeting ECM stiffness for the treatment of liver disease are detailed.
DeepAProt: Deep learning based abiotic stress protein sequence classification and identification tool in cereals
Authors: Ahmed Bulbul , Haque Md Ashraful , Iquebal Mir Asif , Jaiswal Sarika , Angadi U. B. , Kumar Dinesh , Rai Anil
Published: January 2023

The impact of climate change has been alarming for the crop growth. The extreme weather conditions can stress the crops and reduce the yield of major crops belonging to Poaceae family too, that sustains 50% of the world’s food calorie and 20% of protein intake. Computational approaches, such as artificial intelligence-based techniques have become the forefront of prediction-based data interpretation and plant stress responses. In this study, we proposed a novel activation function, namely, Gaussian Error Linear Unit with Sigmoid (SIELU) which was implemented in the development of a Deep Learning (DL) model along with other hyper parameters for classification of unknown abiotic stress protein sequences from crops of Poaceae family. To develop this models, data pertaining to four different abiotic stress (namely, cold, drought, heat and salinity) responsive proteins of the crops belonging to poaceae family were retrieved from public domain. It was observed that efficiency of the DL models with our proposed novel SIELU activation function outperformed the models as compared to GeLU activation function, SVM and RF with 95.11%, 80.78%, 94.97%, and 81.69% accuracy for cold, drought, heat and salinity, respectively. Also, a web-based tool, named DeepAProt (http://login1.cabgrid.res.in:5500/) was developed using flask API, along with its mobile app. This server/App will provide researchers a convenient tool, which is rapid and economical in identification of proteins for abiotic stress management in crops Poaceae family, in endeavour of higher production for food security and combating hunger, ensuring UN SDG goal 2.0.
Modeling of the potential geographical distribution of naked oat under climate change
Authors: Qin Mingxing , Gao Xinyue , Feng Meichen , Jin Ning , Wang Chao , Cheng Wenjuan
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Naked oat (Avena sativa L.), is an important miscellaneous grain crop in China, which is rich in protein, amino acids, fat and soluble dietary fiber. The demand for functional foods is gradually increasing as living standards rise, and the output of minor cereals in China is increasing annually. The planting layout of naked oat is scattered and lacks planning, which seriously restricts the development of the naked oat industry. The increase in miscellaneous grain production will not only be impacted by cultivation methods and management techniques, but the potential impact of global climate change needs to be considered. North China is the main area for naked oat production, worldwide.

Methods

In this study, the potential distribution range of naked oat in North China was forecast based on historical distribution data and the Maxent model under climate change conditions. The performance of the model was relatively high.

Results

The results indicated that the most suitable area for the potential geographic distribution of naked oat in North China was 27.89×104 km2, including central and northeastern Shanxi, and northeastern and western Hebei and Beijing, gradually moving northward. The core suitable area increased, and the distribution of naked oat had an obvious regional response to climate warming; the main environmental factors affecting the potential geographic distribution were precipitation factor variables (precipitation seasonality (variation coefficient)), terrain factor variables (elevation) and temperature factor variables (temperature seasonality (Standard Deviation*100)).

Discussion

In this study, the Maxent model was used to analyze and predict suitable areas for naked oat in North China, and the distribution of suitable areas was accurately divided, and the main climatic factors affecting the distribution of naked oat were identified. This research provides data support and theoretical support for the optimal planting zone of naked oat in North China.
Vessels in a Rhododendron ferrugineum (L.) population do not trace temperature anymore at the alpine shrubline
Authors: Piccinelli Silvia , Francon Loïc , Corona Christophe , Stoffel Markus , Slamova Lenka , Cannone Nicoletta
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Mean xylem vessel or tracheid area have been demonstrated to represent powerful proxies to better understand the response of woody plants to changing climatic conditions. Yet, to date, this approach has rarely been applied to shrubs.

Methods

Here, we developed a multidecadal, annually-resolved chronology of vessel sizes for Rhododendron ferrugineum shrubs sampled at the upper shrubline (2,550 m asl) on a north-facing, inactive rock glacier in the Italian Alps.

Results and Discussion

Over the 1960-1989 period, the vessel size chronology shares 64% of common variability with summer temperatures, thus confirming the potential of wood anatomical analyses on shrubs to track past climate variability in alpine environments above treeline. The strong winter precipitation signal recorded in the chronology also confirms the negative effect of long-lasting snow cover on shrub growth. By contrast, the loss of a climate-growth relation signal since the 1990s for both temperature and precipitation, significantly stronger than the one found in radial growth, contrasts with findings in other QWA studies according to which stable correlations between series of anatomical features and climatic parameters have been reported. In a context of global warming, we hypothesize that this signal loss might be induced by winter droughts, late frost, or complex relations between increasing air temperatures, permafrost degradation, and its impacts on shrub growth. We recommend future studies to validate these hypotheses on monitored rock glaciers.
Bacillus benefits the competitive growth of Ambrosia artemisiifolia by increasing available nutrient levels
Authors: Zhang Fengjuan , Sun Jianru , Wang Chang , Li Chunying , Chen Fengxin , Xu Haiyun , Chen Xue
Published: January 2023

Bacillus can help plants to acquire nutrients either directly or indirectly. However, the role of Bacillus community on the competitive growth of invasive Ambrosia artemisiifolia is poorly understood. Native Setaria viridis is often found in areas that have been invaded by A. artemisiifolia. We sought to determine whether the quantitative and/or qualitative differences in the Bacillus community present on the invasive A. artemisiifolia and native S.viridis provide a competitive advantage to the invasive over native species. A field experiment was established to imitate the invasion of A. artemisiifolia. The 16S rRNA gene was commercially sequenced to identify the bacilli isolated from the rhizosphere soil of field-grown A. artemisiifolia and S. viridis. The Bacillus communities in their rhizosphere were compared, and their effects on the competitive growth of A. artemisiifolia and S. viridis were tested in the pot experiments. Bacillus in the rhizosphere soil of A. artemisiifolia significantly enhanced its intra-specific competitive ability. The relative abundance of B. megaterium in the rhizosphere soil of A. artemisiifolia was significantly higher than that of S. viridis. Inoculation with B. megaterium that was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of both A. artemisiifolia and S. viridis significantly enhanced the relative competitiveness of A. artemisiifolia and inhibited that of S. viridis. The higher abundance of B. megaterium in the rhizosphere of A. artemisiifolia creates higher levels of available nutrients than that in the native S. viridis, which enhance the competitive growth of A. artemisiifolia. The result helps to discover the mechanism of Bacillus community in the invasion of A. artemisiifolia.
Integrated analysis of potential microbial consortia, soil nutritional status, and agro-climatic datasets to modulate P nutrient uptake and yield effectiveness of wheat under climate change resilience
Authors: Yahya Mahreen , Rasul Maria , Hussain Sayed Zajif , Dilawar Adil , Ullah Midrar , Rajput Lubna , Afzal Aftab , Asif Muhammad , Wubet Tesfaye , Yasmin Sumera
Published: January 2023

Climate change has a devastating effect on wheat production; therefore, crop production might decline by 2030. Phosphorus (P) nutrient deficiency is another main limiting factor of reduced yield. Hence, there is a dire need to judiciously consider wheat yield, so that human requirements and nutrition balance can be sustained efficiently. Despite the great significance of biostimulants in sustainable agriculture, there is still a lack of integrated technology encompassing the successful competitiveness of inoculated phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) in agricultural systems in the context of climatic conditions/meteorological factors and soil nutritional status. Therefore, the present study reveals the modulation of an integrated P nutrient management approach to develop potential PSB consortia for recommended wheat varieties by considering the respective soil health and agro-climatic conditions. The designed consortia were found to maintain adequate viability for up to 9 months, verified through field emission scanning electron microscopy and viable count. Furthermore, a significant increase in grain yield (5%–8%) and seed P (4%) content was observed in consortia-inoculated wheat plants with 20% reduced Diammonium phosphate (DAP) application under net house conditions. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of roots and amplification of the gcd gene of Ochrobactrum sp. SSR indicated the survival and rhizosphere competency of the inoculated PSB. Categorical principal component analysis (CAT-PCA) showed a positive correlation of inoculated field-grown wheat varieties in native soils to grain yield, soil P content, and precipitation for sites belonging to irrigated plains and seed P content, soil organic matter, and number of tillers for sites belonging to Northern dry mountains. However, the impact of inoculation at sites belonging to the Indus delta was found significantly correlated to soil potassium (K) content, electrical conductivity (EC), and temperature. Additionally, a significant increase in grain yield (15%) and seed P (14%) content was observed in inoculated wheat plants. Thus, the present study demonstrates for the first time the need to integrate soil biological health and agro-climatic conditions for consistent performance of augmented PSB and enhanced P nutrient uptake to curtail soil pollution caused by the extensive use of agrochemicals. This study provides innovative insights and identifies key questions for future research on PSB to promote its successful implementation in agriculture.
OsGLP participates in the regulation of lignin synthesis and deposition in rice against copper and cadmium toxicity
Authors: ShangGuan Xiangchao , Qi Ying , Wang Aiguo , Ren Yingnan , Wang Yu , Xiao Tengwei , Shen Zhenguo , Wang Qi , Xia Yan
Published: January 2023

Copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) are common heavy metal pollutants. When Cd and excessive Cu accumulate in plants, plant growth is reduced. Our previous study showed that Germin-like proteins (GLPs), which exist in tandem on chromosomes, are a class of soluble glycoproteins that respond to Cu stress. In this study, hydroponic cultures were carried out to investigate the effect of GLP on Cd and Cu tolerance and accumulation in rice. The results showed that knockout of a single OsGLP8-2 gene or ten OsGLP genes (OsGLP8-2 to OsGLP8-11) resulted in a similar sensitivity to Cd and Cu toxicity. When subjected to Cu and Cd stress, the glp8-2 and glp8-(2-11) mutants displayed a more sensitive phenotype based on the plant height, root length, and dry biomass of the rice seedlings. Correspondingly, Cu and Cd concentrations in the glp8-2 and glp8-(2-11) mutants were significantly higher than those in the wild-type (WT) and OsGLP8-2-overexpressing line. However, Cu and Cd accumulation in the cell wall was the opposite. Furthermore, we determined lignin accumulation. The overexpressing-OsGLP8-2 line had a higher lignin accumulation in the shoot and root cell walls than those of the WT, glp8-2, and glp8-(2-11). The expression of lignin synthesis genes in the OsGLP8-2-overexpressing line was significantly higher than that in the WT, glp8-2, and glp8-(2-11). The SOD activity of OsGLP8-2, Diaminobe-nzidine (DAB), propidium iodide (PI) staining, and Malondialdehyde (MDA) content determination suggested that OsGLP8-2 is involved in heavy metal-induced antioxidant defense in rice. Our findings clearly suggest that OsGLPs participate in responses to heavy metal stress by lignin deposition and antioxidant defense capacity in rice, and OsGLP8-2 may play a major role in the tandem repeat gene clusters of chromosome 8 under heavy metal stress conditions.
The chloroplast genome of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) and its comparative analysis with related Piper species
Authors: Gaikwad Ambika Baldev , Kaila Tanvi , Maurya Avantika , Kumari Ratna , Rangan Parimalan , Wankhede Dhammaprakash Pandhari , Bhat K. V.
Published: January 2023

Piper nigrum, also known as black pepper, is an economically and ecologically important crop of the genus Piper. It has been titled as the king of spices due to its wide consumption throughout the world. In the present investigation, the chloroplast genome of P. nigrum has been assembled from a whole genome sequence by integrating the short and long reads generated through Illumina and PacBio platforms, respectively. The chloroplast genome was observed to be 161,522 bp in size, having a quadripartite structure with a large single copy (LSC) region of 89,153 bp and a small single copy (SSC) region of 18,255 bp separated by a copy of inverted repeats (IRs), each 27,057 bp in length. Taking into consideration all the duplicated genes, a total of 131 genes were observed, which included 81 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNAs, 4 rRNAs, and 1 pseudogene. Individually, the LSC region consisted of 83 genes, the SSC region had 13 genes, and 18 genes were present in each IR region. Additionally, 216 SSRs were detected and 11 of these were validated through amplification in 12 species of Piper. The features of the chloroplast genome have been compared with those of the genus Piper. Our results provide useful insights into evolutionary and molecular studies of black pepper which will contribute to its further genetic improvement and breeding.
Systematic analysis of MADS-box gene family in the U’s triangle species and targeted mutagenesis of BnaAG homologs to explore its role in floral organ identity in Brassica napus
Authors: Song Min , Zhang Yanfeng , Jia Qingli , Huang Shuhua , An Ran , Chen Nana , Zhu Yantao , Mu Jianxin , Hu Shengwu
Published: January 2023

MADS-box transcription factors play an important role in regulating floral organ development and participate in environmental responses. To date, the MADS-box gene family has been widely identified in Brassica rapa (B. rapa), Brassica oleracea (B. oleracea), and Brassica napus (B. napus); however, there are no analogous reports in Brassica nigra (B. nigra), Brassica juncea (B. juncea), and Brassica carinata (B. carinata). In this study, a whole-genome survey of the MADS-box gene family was performed for the first time in the triangle of U species, and a total of 1430 MADS-box genes were identified. Based on the phylogenetic relationship and classification of MADS-box genes in Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana), 1430 MADS-box genes were categorized as M-type subfamily (627 genes), further divided into Mα, Mβ, Mγ, and Mδ subclades, and MIKC-type subfamily (803 genes), further classified into 35 subclades. Gene structure and conserved protein motifs of MIKC-type MADS-box exhibit diversity and specificity among different subclades. Comparative analysis of gene duplication events and syngenic gene pairs among different species indicated that polyploidy is beneficial for MIKC-type gene expansion. Analysis of transcriptome data within diverse tissues and stresses in B. napus showed tissue-specific expression of MIKC-type genes and a broad response to various abiotic stresses, particularly dehydration stress. In addition, four representative floral organ mutants (wtl, feml, aglf-2, and aglf-1) in the T0 generation were generated by editing four AGAMOUS (BnaAG) homoeologs in B. napus that enriched the floral organ variant phenotype. In brief, this study provides useful information for investigating the function of MADS-box genes and contributes to revealing the regulatory mechanisms of floral organ development in the genetic improvement of new varieties.
University teachers’ scientific research innovation incentive based on the three-party evolutionary game of the state, the colleges, and scientific researchers
Authors: Zheng Yan
Published: January 2023

Scientific research in colleges and universities is of great significance to national innovation. Based on the evolutionary game theory, this paper constructs a theoretical model of the state, universities, and researchers. This paper also conducts numerical simulation on the model. The results reveal that when the scientific researchers’ success rate reaches a certain threshold, more and more scientific researchers will choose to invest in scientific research. Then, universities and the state will hold a long-term incentive attitude toward scientific research and scientific innovation. The study further found that the greater the success rate of researchers, the faster universities and the state will actively encourage scientific research.
App-based support for parental self-efficacy in the first 1,000 days: A randomized control trial
Authors: Outhwaite Laura A.
Published: January 2023

Parental self-efficacy is key for guiding parents’ interactions with their child and is an important target for early intervention. This study reports a pilot randomized control trial (RCT) of a parenting application (app) with 79 parents of children aged 0–6 months in the United Kingdom. The app includes 1,026 daily age-appropriate activities across eight areas of child development, using resources accessible at home. While controlling for pre-test scores, parents who used the parenting app (Treatment Group) had significantly higher parental self-efficacy, after the 4-week intervention period, compared to the Active Control Group. Partial correlation analyses indicated that higher frequency of self-reported use of the parenting app was associated with greater parental self-efficacy outcomes. This evidence establishes proof of concept that parenting apps can have significant benefits on parental self-efficacy in early childhood. Limitations to the interpretation and generalization of the findings, as well as directions for future research are discussed.
Intestinal metabolites and the risk of autistic spectrum disorder: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Liu Deyang , Bu Dengyin , Li Hong , Wang Qingsong , Ding Xudong , Fang Xiaolu
Published: January 2023

Background

Observational studies have reported a strong association between autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and intestinal metabolites. However, it is unclear whether this correlation is causally or violated by confounding or backward causality. Therefore, this study explored the potential causal relationship between intestinal metabolites and dependent metabolites on ASD.

Methods

We used a two-sample Mendelian random analysis and selected variants closely related to intestinal flora-dependent metabolites as instrumental variables. MR-Egger, inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-PRESSO, maximum likelihood, and weighted median were performed to reveal their causal relationships. Ten metabolites were studied, which included trimethylamine-N-oxide, betaine, carnitine, choline, glutamate, kynurenine, phenylalanine, serotonin, tryptophan, and tyrosine. Sensitivity tests were also performed to evaluate the robustness of the MR study.

Results

The IVW method revealed that serotonin may increase the ASD risk (OR 1.060, 95% CI: 1.006–1.118), while choline could decrease the ASD risk (OR 0.925, 95% CI: 0.868–0.988). However, no definite causality was observed between other intestinal metabolites (e.g., trimethylamine-N-oxide, betaine, and carnitine) with ASD. Additionally, neither the funnel plot nor the MR-Egger test showed horizontal pleiotropy, and the MR-PRESSO test found no outliers. Cochran’s Q test showed no significant heterogeneity among the studies, suggesting the robustness of the study.

Conclusion

Our study found potential causality from intestinal metabolites on ASD. Clinicians are encouraged to offer preventive measures to such populations.
Case report: Amnestic mild cognitive impairment in multiple domains associated with neurofascin 186 autoantibodies: Case series with follow-up and review
Authors: Hansen Niels , Sagebiel Anne , Rentzsch Kristin , Hirschel Sina , Wiltfang Jens , Schott Björn H. , Claudia Bartels
Published: January 2023

Background

Neurofascin 186 autoantibodies are known to occur with a diseased peripheral nervous system. Recently, also additional central nervous system (CNS) involvement has been reported in conjunction with neurofascin 186 autoantibodies. Our case enlarges the spectrum of neurofascin 186 antibody-related disease to include mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods

We report here a case after having examined the patient files retrospectively, including diagnostics such as blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis involving the determination of neural autoantibodies, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), brain fluorodesoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), and extensive neuropsychological testing.

Results

We report on two patients with MCI. Brain MRI showed cerebral microangiopathy in both patients, but brain FDG-PET demonstrated pathology in the right prefrontal cortex, in the right inferior parietal cortex, and in both lateral occipital cortices in one patient. Neurofascin 186 antibodies were detected in serum in both patients, and neurofascin 186 autoantibodies were also detected in the CSF of one of these patients. At follow-up six month later, neurofascin 186 autoantibodies disappeared in one patient while persisting in the other.

Conclusion

We report on two individuals presenting MCI associated with neurofascin 186 antibodies, thus expanding the potential spectrum of neurofascin 186-associated disease. This report supports the recommendation to consider also neurofascin 186 autoantibodies in not just peripheral nerve disease, but also in disorders involving CNS autoimmunity. More studies are needed to clarify the lack of association between neurofascin 186 autoantibodies and cognitive decline.
A European arena for joint innovation in healthcare: The Platform for Innovation of Procurement and Procurement of Innovation (PiPPi)
Authors: Andrews Margaret R. , Long Preston A. , Ahlberg Martina , Balvert Fred , Alessandrello Rossana , Lazzari Agnese , Timmermann Maarten M. , Nouri Janian Mariet , Rantaniska Minerva , Spence Ann , Söderman Peter , Valls-Comamala Victòria , Stamm Tanja
Published: January 2023

By 2000 the European Union (EU) had recognized that its innovation capacity was underperforming in comparison to similar competitors and trading partners. Although the EU has made an effort to stimulate public research and development (R&D) through policy tools like Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) and Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI), starting with the 2000 Lisbon strategy and continuing through the 2021 updated Guidance on Innovation Procurement, there has remained a gap in knowledge of and use of these tools, in particular within healthcare. The past decades have seen an explosion in the number and use of digital technologies across the entire spectrum of healthcare. Demand-driven R&D has lagged here, while new digital health R&D has largely been driven by the supply side in a linear fashion, which can have disappointing results. PCP and PPI could have big impacts on the development and uptake of innovative health technology. The Platform for Innovation of Procurement and Procurement of Innovation (PiPPi) project was a Horizon 2020-funded project that ran from December 2018 to May 2022 with a consortium including seven of Europe's premier research hospitals and the Catalan Agency for Health Information. To promote PCP and PPI, PiPPi established a virtual Community of Practice (CoP) that brings together all stakeholder groups to share and innovate around unmet healthcare needs. This perspective presents a brief history of PCP and PPI in Europe with a focus on digital innovation in healthcare before introducing the PiPPi project and its value proposition.
Changes in dietary habits and weight status during the COVID-19 pandemic and its association with socioeconomic status among Iranians adults
Authors: Maharat Maryam , Sajjadi Seyedeh Forough , Moosavian Seyedeh Parisa
Published: January 2023

Background

COVID-19 pandemic has impacted human health through sudden lifestyle changes, including isolation at home, and social distancing. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating habits, weight status, and their associations with socioeconomic status.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted using an online structured questionnaire that inquired demographic, anthropometric (reported weight and height); dietary habits (weekly intake of certain foods); and dietary supplement intake information.

Results

A total of 1,187 participants completed the questionnaire, and after validation of the data, 1,106 respondents were included in the study, with a mean age of 34.5 ± 9.4 years. Our findings showed that the body mass index (BMI) of the participants significantly increased during COVID-19 (P < 0.001). Also, there were significant changes in the intake of a variety of food and beverage during the COVID-19, including less consumption of milk, yogurt, red meat, fish, canned fish, homemade fast foods, take out fast foods, carbonated drinks, and more consumption of whole bread, legumes (chickpeas, lentil, peas, kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, and navy beans), soy bean, nuts, seeds, high vitamin C vegetables, high vitamin C fruits, green-yellow fruits and vegetables, onion/garlic, dried fruits, natural fruit juices, and water (P < 0.001; for all). It is informed that individuals consumed more vitamin and mineral supplements (P < 0.001). Also, before and during COVID-19 pandemic weekly intakes of dairy, red meat, poultry, high vitamin C fruits, and whole bread were positively associated with socioeconomic status (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Overall, this study indicates changes in body weight, dietary habits and supplement intake during the pandemic. Therefore, the findings of this study are valuable for, health professionals and politicians to better public health practice and policy making.
Climate and health education: A critical review at one medical school
Authors: Greenwald Lucy , Blanchard Olivia , Hayden Colleen , Sheffield Perry
Published: January 2023

Introduction

As medical schools continue to improve and refine their undergraduate curricula, they are also redefining the roadmap for preparing future generations of physicians. Climate change is a critical topic to integrate into medical education. This period of change for undergraduate medical education coincides with a surge in interest and design efforts for climate and health curricula in health professional education, but this nascent field has yet to be solidly institutionalized. To continue to grow the number of medical students who achieve competency in the effects of climate change on individual health and the health of the planet during their training, we must examine what has worked to date and continue to shift our approach as curricular changes are implemented for feasibility and relevancy.

Objective and methods

In the present study, we assessed the “climate and health” content at one northeastern U.S. medical school that is undergoing an overhaul of their entire curriculum to explore strategies to deliver more robust climate health education in the context of the educational redesign. We conducted 1) a retrospective review of the now four-year-old initiative to investigate the sustainability of the original content, and 2) semi-structured interviews with lecturers, course directors, and medical education coordinators involved in implementation, and with faculty tasked with developing the upcoming curricular redesign.

Results and discussion

Of the original implementation plan, the content was still present in nine of the 14 lectures. Themes determined from our conversations with involved faculty included the need for 1) a shared vision throughout the content arc, 2) further professional development for faculty, and 3) involvement of summative assessment for students and the content itself to ensure longevity. The interviews also highlighted the importance of developing climate-specific resources that fit within the school's new curricular priorities. This critical review can serve as a case study in curriculum to inform other schools undergoing similar changes.
Framework for environment perception: Ensemble method for vision-based scene understanding algorithms in agriculture
Authors: Mujkic Esma , Ravn Ole , Christiansen Martin Peter
Published: January 2023

The safe and reliable operation of autonomous agricultural vehicles requires an advanced environment perception system. An important component of perception systems is vision-based algorithms for detecting objects and other structures in the fields. This paper presents an ensemble method for combining outputs of three scene understanding tasks: semantic segmentation, object detection and anomaly detection in the agricultural context. The proposed framework uses an object detector to detect seven agriculture-specific classes. The anomaly detector detects all other objects that do not belong to these classes. In addition, the segmentation map of the field is utilized to provide additional information if the objects are located inside or outside the field area. The detections of different algorithms are combined at inference time, and the proposed ensemble method is independent of underlying algorithms. The results show that combining object detection with anomaly detection can increase the number of detected objects in agricultural scene images.