bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum and Serum Exosomal CircRNAs hsa_circ_0001492, hsa_circ_0001439, and hsa_circ_0000896 as Diagnostic Biomarkers for Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kang Yanli , You Jianbin , Gan Yuhan , Chen Qianshun , Huang Chen , Chen Falin , Xu Xunyu , Chen Liangyuan
Published: June 2022

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an important role in tumorigenesis and several circulating circRNA signatures are closely associated with tumor diagnosis. However, the expression and clinical significance of the two forms of circulating circRNAs, serum and serum exosomal, in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), have not been characterized.

Methods

Three differentially expressed exosomal circRNAs, hsa_circ_0001492, hsa_circ_0001439, and hsa_circ_0000896, were selected based on previous exosomal circRNA sequencing data analyses of LUAD patients. The expression of these circRNAs in serum and serum-derived exosomes of LUAD patients was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and correlations between circRNA expression and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. The reliability of serum and serum exosomal hsa_circ_0001492, hsa_circ_0001439, and hsa_circ_0000896 to diagnose LUAD was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

Expression of serum and serum exosomal hsa_circ_0001492, hsa_circ_0001439, and hsa_circ_0000896 were significantly higher in LUAD patients than in healthy donors, and significantly lower after surgery. These three serum exosomal circRNAs were also associated with a higher cancer stage. Exosomal hsa_circ_0001492 expression was positively correlated with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels. An association between the expression of the three serum circRNAs and clinical characteristics was not observed. In addition, the three serum exosomal circRNAs had higher diagnostic sensitivity and specificity than the serum circRNAs, and the area under the curve (AUC) of all three serum exosomal circRNAs was >0.75. The combination of exosomal hsa_circ_0001492, hsa_circ_0001439, and hsa_circ_0000896 had better diagnostic sensitivity and specificity than that of a single marker, with an AUC value of 0.805.

Conclusions

The serum and serum exosomal circRNAs, hsa_circ_0001492, hsa_circ_0001439, and hsa_circ_0000896, were upregulated in LUAD patients. Serum exosomal circRNAs may serve as more effective biomarkers than serum circRNAs for LUAD diagnosis and may further aid the detection of this disease.
Case Report: Novel Mutation of F5 With Maternal Uniparental Disomy Causes Severe Congenital Factor V Deficiency
Authors: Cheng Lin , Li Ying , Zhou Wenjuan , Bo Tao
Published: June 2022

We summarized two cases of congenital factor V deficiency (FVD) associated with a novel F5 mutation, and analyzed the relationship of the clinical features and genetic characteristics in congenital FVD. Case 1 was a female newborn infant with remarkable bleeding who died of severe intracranial hemorrhage on day 42 after birth. She had significant prolongation of prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). The percentage activity of FV (PFV) was lower than 3% in case 1. The mother of case 1 showed no tendency to bleed. She had mild prolongation of PT and APTT. The PFV was only 43%. Both cases were found to have the same novel mutation in F5, which was c.5419G>A (p.Ala1807Thr) in exon 16. The variant in case 1 was inherited from the mother of case 1. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) also found a splice site mutation: a 103 Mb maternal uniparental disomy (UPD) of 1q21.1-qter in case 1, in which the F5 gene is located in this segment. So case 1 was homozygote and the mother of case 1 was heterozygote. The novel mutation of F5 was predicted to be harmful by bioinformatics software including Sorting Intolerant From Tolerant (SIFT), Polyphen2, LRT, and Mutation Taster. In summary, c.5419G>A (p.Ala1807Thr) in exon 16 of F5 is a pathogenic mutation, which causes severe congenital FVD in homozygote patients.
Antifibrotic Mechanism of Piceatannol in Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice
Authors: Sheng Hanjing , Lin Gang , Zhao Shengxian , Li Weibin , Zhang Zhaolin , Zhang Weidong , Yun Li , Yan Xiaoyang , Hu Hongyu
Published: June 2022

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal interstitial lung disease characterized by myofibroblast accumulation and extracellular matrix deposition, which lead to irreversible damage of the lung’s architecture and the formation of fibrotic lesions. IPF is also a sequela in serious patients with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The molecular mechanisms under pulmonary fibrosis remain unclear, and there is no satisfactory treatment currently available. Piceatannol (PIC) is a naturally occurring resveratrol analog found in a variety of dietary sources such as grapes, passion fruit, and white tea. It has been reported to inhibit liver fibroblast growth and exhibited various antitumor activities, although its role in pulmonary fibrosis has not been established yet. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-fibrotic role of PIC in bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

Methods: Mice with BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis were treated with PIC, and fibrotic changes were measured by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and hydroxyproline assay. Luciferase assay, Western blot assay, histological analysis, and immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate the effect of PIC on fibroblast activation and autophagy in mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (NIH-3T3) and human lung fibroblast cells (HFL1). The anti-fibrotic mechanisms of PIC were either confirmed in vivo.

Results: Our results showed that PIC significantly alleviated the bleomycin-induced collagen deposition and myofibroblast accumulation. In vitro and in vivo studies indicated that PIC plays a role in activating autophagy in the process of anti-fibroblast activation. Further mechanism studies demonstrated that PIC can promote autophagy via inhibiting the TGF-β1-Smad3/ERK/P38 signaling pathway, which leads to a decreased number of activated myofibroblasts.

Conclusion: Our study demonstrated for the first time that PIC possesses the protective effects against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis due to the direct pulmonary protective effects which enhance the effect of autophagy in vitro and in vivo and finally leads to the decreased number of activated myofibroblasts. PIC may serve as a candidate compound for pulmonary fibrosis therapy and attenuates the sequelae of SARS-COV-2 pulmonary fibrosis.
Oral Co-Supplementation of Curcumin, Quercetin, and Vitamin D3 as an Adjuvant Therapy for Mild to Moderate Symptoms of COVID-19—Results From a Pilot Open-Label, Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Khan Amjad , Iqtadar Somia , Mumtaz Sami Ullah , Heinrich Michael , Pascual-Figal Domingo A. , Livingstone Shona , Abaidullah Sajid
Published: June 2022

Background:Curcumin, quercetin, and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) are common natural ingredients of human nutrition and reportedly exhibit promising anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, broad-spectrum antiviral, and antioxidant activities.

Objective:The present study aimed to investigate the possible therapeutic benefits of a single oral formulation containing supplements curcumin, quercetin, and cholecalciferol (combinedly referred to here as CQC) as an adjuvant therapy for early-stage of symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a pilot open-label, randomized controlled trial conducted at Mayo Hospital, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.

Methods:Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed, mild to moderate symptomatic COVID-19 outpatients were randomized to receive either the standard of care (SOC) (n= 25) (control arm) or a daily oral co-supplementation of 168 mg curcumin, 260 mg quercetin, and 9 µg (360 IU) of cholecalciferol, as two oral soft capsules b.i.d. as an add-on to the SOC (n= 25) (CQC arm) for 14 days. The SOC includes paracetamol with or without antibiotic (azithromycin). Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RT-PCR test, acute symptoms, and biochemistry including C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin, and complete blood count were evaluated at baseline and follow-up day seven.

Results:Patients who received the CQC adjuvant therapy showed expedited negativization of the SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test, i.e., 15 (60.0%) vs. five (20.0%) of the control arm,p= 0.009. COVID-19- associated acute symptoms were rapidly resolved in the CQC arm, i.e., 15 (60.0%) vs. 10 (40.0%) of the control arm,p= 0.154. Patients in the CQC arm experienced a greater fall in serum CRP levels, i.e., from (median (IQR) 34.0 (21.0, 45.0) to 11.0 (5.0, 16.0) mg/dl as compared to the control arm, i.e., from 36.0 (28.0, 47.0) to 22.0 (15.0, 25.0) mg/dl,p= 0.006. The adjuvant therapy of co-supplementation of CQC was safe and well-tolerated by all 25 patients and no treatment-emergent effects, complications, side effects, or serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusion:The co-supplementation of CQC may possibly have a therapeutic role in the early stage of COVID-19 infection including speedy negativization of the SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test, resolution of acute symptoms, and modulation of the hyperinflammatory response. In combination with routine care, the adjuvant co-supplementation of CQC may possibly help in the speedy recovery from early-stage mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19. Further research is warranted.

Clinical Trial Registration:Clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT05130671
Interleukin-6 Receptor Blockade can Increase the Risk of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Indications From Mendelian Randomization
Authors: Li Shuxuan , Chen Lanlan , Lv Guoyue
Published: June 2022

Background: Interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) blockade has been approved for inflammation-associated diseases and whether it is effective in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is still unknown.

Methods: A target-based Mendelian randomization was performed to appraise whether inhibiting the IL-6 signaling pathway via IL-6R blockade can reduce the risk of NAFLD. The previously established genetic proxy SNP rs2228145 was mainly used to appraise the therapeutic effects and the genetic-predicted circulating IL-6 level was treated as the exposure with ∼30,000 samples. The genetic association between SNP rs2228145 (A > C) and NAFLD was obtained from non-FinnGen GWAS (1,483 cases and 17,781controls) and FinnGen GWAS (894 cases and 217,898 controls). The causal effects were estimated using a Wald ratio method and were combined using a fixed-effects meta-analysis. Furthermore, the SNP rs12048091 was employed as another proxy in the sensitivity analysis.

Results: The positive control analysis suggested the SNP rs2228145 can mimic the effects of IL-6R blockade where inhibiting IL-6 signaling can reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis [OR = 0.68 (0.58, 0.80)] and coronary heart disease [OR = 0.75 (0.68, 0.84)]. This Mendelian randomization analysis suggested that IL-6R blockade can adversely increase the risk of NAFLD in the non-FinnGen GWAS [OR = 1.99 (1.27, 3.13)] while not significant in the FinnGen consortium. The fixed-effects meta-analysis indicated inhibiting the IL-6 signaling pathway can reduce the risk of NAFLD [OR = 1.80 (1.26, 2.57)]. When including SNP rs12048091 as the genetic instrument, the meta-analysis using two genetic variants also indicated a similar effect on NAFLD [OR = 1.83 (1.32, 2.53)]. There was no heterogeneity in the whole analysis.

Conclusion: Our Mendelian randomization suggested inhibiting the IL-6 signaling pathway via IL-6R blockade might increase the risk of NAFLD, suggesting IL-6R should play a protective role in NAFLD.
Knockdown of TANK-Binding Kinase 1 Enhances the Sensitivity of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells to Molecular-Targeted Drugs
Authors: Du Fengxia , Sun Huiwei , Sun Fang , Yang Shiwei , Tan Haidong , Li Xiaojuan , Chai Yantao , Jiang Qiyu , Han Dongdong
Published: June 2022

The protein kinase, TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), not only regulates various biological processes but also functions as an important regulator of human oncogenesis. However, the detailed function and molecular mechanisms of TBK1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially the resistance of HCC cells to molecular-targeted drugs, are almost unknown. In the present work, the role of TBK1 in regulating the sensitivity of HCC cells to molecular-targeted drugs was measured by multiple assays. The high expression of TBK1 was identified in HCC clinical specimens compared with paired non-tumor tissues. The high level of TBK1 in advanced HCC was associated with a poor prognosis in patients with advanced HCC who received the molecular-targeted drug, sorafenib, compared to patients with advanced HCC patients and a low level of TBK1. Overexpression of TBK1 in HCC cells induced their resistance to molecular-targeted drugs, whereas knockdown of TBK1 enhanced the cells’ sensitivity to molecular-targeted dugs. Regarding the mechanism, although overexpression of TBK1 enhanced expression levels of drug-resistance and pro-survival-/anti-apoptosis-related factors, knockdown of TBK1 repressed the expression of these factors in HCC cells. Therefore, TBK1 is a promising therapeutic target for HCC treatment and knockdown of TBK1 enhanced sensitivity of HCC cells to molecular-targeted drugs.
Vacuoles in Bryophytes: Properties, Biogenesis, and Evolution
Authors: Liu Hao-ran , Shen Chao , Hassani Danial , Fang Wan-qi , Wang Zhi-yi , Lu Yi , Zhu Rui-liang , Zhao Qiong
Published: June 2022

Vacuoles are the most conspicuous organelles in plants for their indispensable functions in cell expansion, solute storage, water balance, etc. Extensive studies on angiosperms have revealed that a set of conserved core molecular machineries orchestrate the formation of vacuoles from multiple pathways. Usually, vacuoles in seed plants are classified into protein storage vacuoles and lytic vacuoles for their distinctive morphology and physiology function. Bryophytes represent early diverged non-vascular land plants, and are of great value for a better understanding of plant science. However, knowledge about vacuole morphology and biogenesis is far less characterized in bryophytes. In this review, first we summarize known knowledge about the morphological and metabolic constitution properties of bryophytes' vacuoles. Then based on known genome information of representative bryophytes, we compared the conserved molecular machinery for vacuole biogenesis among different species including yeast, mammals, Arabidopsis and bryophytes and listed out significant changes in terms of the presence/absence of key machinery genes which participate in vacuole biogenesis. Finally, we propose the possible conserved and diverged mechanism for the biogenesis of vacuoles in bryophytes compared with seed plants.
Metabolome and Transcriptome Analyses of Cucurbitacin Biosynthesis in Luffa (Luffa acutangula)
Authors: Zhao Gangjun , Wang Meng , Luo Caixia , Li Junxing , Gong Hao , Zheng Xiaoming , Liu Xiaoxi , Luo Jianning , Wu Haibin
Published: June 2022

Cucurbitacins are extremely bitter compounds mainly present in Cucurbitaceae, where Luffa belongs. However, there is no comprehensive analysis of cucurbitacin biosynthesis in Luffa fruit. Therefore, this study analyzed bitter (WM709) and non-bitter (S1174) genotypes of Luffa to reveal the underlying mechanism of cucurbitacin biosynthesis by integrating metabolome and transcriptome analyses. A total of 422 metabolites were detected, including vitamins, essential amino acids, antioxidants, and antitumor substances. Of these, 131 metabolites showed significant differences between bitter (WM709) and non-bitter (S1174) Luffa fruits. The levels of isocucurbitacin B, cucurbitacin D, 23,24-dihydro cucurbitacin E, cucurbitacin F were significantly higher in bitter than in non-bitter Luffa. Transcriptome analysis showed that Bi, cytochromes P450s (CYP450s), and acyltransferase (ACT) of the cucurbitacin biosynthesis pathway, were significantly up-regulated. Moreover, drought stress and abscisic acid (ABA) activated genes of the cucurbitacin biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, dual-luciferase reporter and yeast one-hybrid assays demonstrated that ABA-response element binding factor 1 (AREB1) binds to the Bi promoter to activate Bi expression. Comparative analysis of the Luffa and cucumber genomes showed that Bi, CYP450s, and ACT are located in the conserved syntenic loci, and formed a cucurbitacin biosynthesis cluster. This study provides important insights into major genes and metabolites of the cucurbitacin biosynthetic pathway, deepening the understanding of regulatory mechanisms of cucurbitacin biosynthesis in Luffa.
Study on Pear Flowers Detection Performance of YOLO-PEFL Model Trained With Synthetic Target Images
Authors: Wang Chenglin , Wang Yawei , Liu Suchwen , Lin Guichao , He Peng , Zhang Zhaoguo , Zhou Yi
Published: June 2022

Accurate detection of pear flowers is an important measure for pear orchard yield estimation, which plays a vital role in improving pear yield and predicting pear price trends. This study proposed an improved YOLOv4 model called YOLO-PEFL model for accurate pear flower detection in the natural environment. Pear flower targets were artificially synthesized with pear flower’s surface features. The synthetic pear flower targets and the backgrounds of the original pear flower images were used as the inputs of the YOLO-PEFL model. ShuffleNetv2 embedded by the SENet (Squeeze-and-Excitation Networks) module replacing the original backbone network of the YOLOv4 model formed the backbone of the YOLO-PEFL model. The parameters of the YOLO-PEFL model were fine-tuned to change the size of the initial anchor frame. The experimental results showed that the average precision of the YOLO-PEFL model was 96.71%, the model size was reduced by about 80%, and the average detection speed was 0.027s. Compared with the YOLOv4 model and the YOLOv4-tiny model, the YOLO-PEFL model had better performance in model size, detection accuracy, and detection speed, which effectively reduced the model deployment cost and improved the model efficiency. It implied the proposed YOLO-PEFL model could accurately detect pear flowers with high efficiency in the natural environment.
Reconstruction of the High Stigma Exsertion Rate Trait in Rice by Pyramiding Multiple QTLs
Authors: Tan Quanya , Bu Suhong , Chen Guodong , Yan Zhenguang , Chang Zengyuan , Zhu Haitao , Yang Weifeng , Zhan Penglin , Lin Shaojun , Xiong Liang , Chen Songliang , Liu Guifu , Liu Zupei , Wang Shaokui , Zhang Guiquan
Published: June 2022

Asian cultivated rice is a self-pollinating crop, which has already lost some traits of natural outcrossing in the process of domestication. However, male sterility lines (MSLs) need to have a strong outcrossing ability to produce hybrid seeds by outcrossing with restorer lines of male parents in hybrid rice seed production. Stigma exsertion rate (SER) is a trait related to outcrossing ability. Reconstruction of the high-SER trait is essential in the MSL breeding of rice. In previous studies, we detected eighteen quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for SER from Oryza sativa, Oryza glaberrima, and Oryza glumaepatula using single-segment substitution lines (SSSLs) in the genetic background of Huajingxian 74 (HJX74). In this study, eleven of the QTLs were used to develop pyramiding lines. A total of 29 pyramiding lines with 2–6 QTLs were developed from 10 SSSLs carrying QTLs for SER in the HJX74 genetic background. The results showed that the SER increased with increasing QTLs in the pyramiding lines. The SER in the lines with 5–6 QTLs was as high as wild rice with strong outcrossing ability. The epistasis of additive by additive interaction between QTLs in the pyramiding lines was less-than-additive or negative effect. One QTL, qSER3a-sat, showed minor-effect epistasis and increased higher SER than other QTLs in pyramiding lines. The detection of epistasis of QTLs on SER uncovered the genetic architecture of SER, which provides a basis for using these QTLs to improve SER levels in MSL breeding. The reconstruction of the high-SER trait will help to develop the MSLs with strong outcrossing ability in rice.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Distress Tolerance in Pakistani Men and Women
Authors: Shahzad Salman , Kliewer Wendy , Bano Nasreen , Begum Nasreen , Ali Zulfiqar
Published: June 2022

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that spread across the world, bringing with it serious mental health problems for men and women. Women in Pakistan are infected with COVID-19 at a much lower rate than men, yet report worse mental health. To explain this paradox, we surveyed 190 participants (46% male) shortly following the country lockdown, focusing on perceptions of the COVID-19 impact and positive adjustment. Measures used in this study included the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale and Distress Tolerance Scale. Factor analysis revealed five distinct areas related to COVID-19, which did not differ by sex. However, men reported higher levels of both distress tolerance and well-being than women. High endorsement of actions to protect against COVID-19 was related to lower distress tolerance scores, but in different ways for men and women. Men, but not women, who endorsed more protective measures to stop the pandemic reported higher DTS absorption scores, and therefore being more consumed by distress; women who endorsed more protective measures to stop the pandemic reported less acceptance of distress than men, as reflected in DTS appraisal scores. An in-depth analysis of women’s beliefs and behaviors related to COVID-19 is warranted to understand why Pakistani women who are infected with COVID-19 at lower rates than men show more mental health symptoms.
Watching Nature Videos Promotes Physiological Restoration: Evidence From the Modulation of Alpha Waves in Electroencephalography
Authors: Grassini Simone , Segurini Giulia Virginia , Koivisto Mika
Published: June 2022

Various lines of evidence have shown that nature exposure is beneficial for humans. Despite several empirical findings pointing out to cognitive and emotional positive effects, most of the evidence of these effects are correlational, and it has been challenging to identify a cause-effect relationship between nature exposure and cognitive and emotional benefits. Only few of the published studies use psychophysiological methods to assess the biological correlates of these positive effects. Establishing a connection between human physiology and contact with natural settings is important for identifying cause-effect relationships between exposure to natural environments and the positive effects commonly reported in connection to nature exposure. In the present study, we recorded physiological indexes of brain activity (electroencephalography) and sympathetic nervous system (electrodermal activity), while the participants were presented with a series of videos displaying natural, urban, or neutral (non-environmental, computerized) scenes. Participants rated the scenes for their perceived relaxing value, and after each experimental condition, they performed a cognitive task (digit span backward). Participants rated natural videos as the most relaxing. Spectral analyses of EEG showed that natural scenes promoted alpha waves, especially over the central brain. The results suggest that experiencing natural environments virtually produces measurable and reliable brain activity markers which are known to be related to restorative processes.
Entrepreneurs Can Know More Than They Can Tell: Conceptualizing and Measuring Tacit Entrepreneurial Knowledge
Authors: Wuytens Nils , Schepers Jelle , Vandekerkhof Pieter , Voordeckers Wim
Published: June 2022

Organizational knowledge components dominate research on tacit knowledge. In order to overcome this dominance, we introduce Tacit Entrepreneurial Knowledge (TEK). TEK is conceptualized as one’s experiential learning from past experiences and insights that result in tacit knowledge regarding entrepreneurship that is implicit, personal, and uncodified. For this study the situational judgment test (SJT) approach is adopted to overcome the common limitations in quantifying an individual’s tacit knowledge. The SJT is a scenario-based measurement instrument that allows us to quantify an individual’s TEK. The SJT is developed using three steps: first, scenarios were collected through interviews, followed by formulating responses to the scenarios, and finally, the effectiveness of the responses for each scenario was evaluated. The outcome of this research article is threefold; first, a comprehensive conceptualization of TEK, including delineation of its nomological network. Second, the development of a measurement instrument for TEK and subsequent scoring method. Finally, an antecedent-consequence model which includes potential contingencies associated with these relationships. In the debate on tacit knowledge, our measurement is innovative and relevant, as previous research failed to uncover an individual’s tacit knowledge in the context of entrepreneurship, despite its importance in various entrepreneurial processes. This study aspires to ignite research into TEK by demonstrating important research opportunities unlocked by our conceptualization and subsequent measurement, offering future researchers a wide range of avenues to uncover the black box of tacit knowledge in entrepreneurship.
Tracking Self-Control – Task Performance and Pupil Size in a Go/No-Go Inhibition Task
Authors: Timme Sinika , Wolff Wanja , Englert Chris , Brand Ralf
Published: June 2022

There is an ongoing debate about how to test and operationalize self-control. This limited understanding is in large part due to a variety of different tests and measures used to assess self-control, as well as the lack of empirical studies examining the temporal dynamics during the exertion of self-control. In order to track changes that occur over the course of exposure to a self-control task, we investigate and compare behavioral, subjective, and physiological indicators during the exertion of self-control. Participants completed both a task requiring inhibitory control (Go/No-Go task) and a control task (two-choice task). Behavioral performance and pupil size were measured during the tasks. Subjective vitality was measured before and after the tasks. While pupil size and subjective vitality showed similar trajectories in the two tasks, behavioral performance decreased in the inhibitory control-demanding task, but not in the control task. However, behavioral, subjective, and physiological measures were not significantly correlated. These results suggest that there is a disconnect between different measures of self-control with high intra- and interindividual variability. Theoretical and methodological implications for self-control theory and future empirical work are discussed.
Times Are Harsh, Be Kind to Yourself! Anxiety, Life Satisfaction, and the Mediating Role of Self-Compassion
Authors: Maftei Alexandra , Lãzãrescu Georgiana
Published: June 2022

The present research aimed to explore the indirect effect of self-compassion on the relationship between two dimensions of intolerance of uncertainty (i.e., prospective and inhibitory anxiety) and life satisfaction. One hundred sixty-four Romanian adult participants formed our sample from the country’s eastern side. Their ages ranged between 18 and 61 (M = 23.45, SD = 7.70, 72% females). The study was conducted in 2021, when the Delta wave of COVID-19 was at its peak. Our findings suggested significant negative associations between prospective anxiety, self-compassion, and life satisfaction. A similar negative significant association was suggested between inhibitory anxiety and self-compassion. Age did not significantly correlate with any of our primary variables. Mediation analyses indicated a total mediating effect of self-compassion on the relationship between participants’ prospective and inhibitory anxiety and their life satisfaction. We discuss the implications of our findings, considering their relevance for therapeutical interventions aimed to promote psychological wellbeing when facing adversity.
Elevated Admission Cardiac Troponin I Predicts Adverse Outcomes of Acute Type B Aortic Dissection after Endovascular Treatment
Authors: Zhao Kaiwen , Zhu Hongqiao , Zhang Lei , Liu Junjun , Pei Yifei , Zhou Jian , Jing Zaiping
Published: June 2022

Background

There is a lack of evidence about the predictive role of serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) on the long-term adverse outcomes of acute type B aortic dissection (aTBAD) patients after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). In this study, we identified whether cTnI was an independent risk factor of 5-year adverse outcomes for aTBAD patients after TEVAR.

Methods

We reviewed consecutive aTBAD patients without previous heart disease who were admitted for TEVAR. The total study population was divided into the cTnI(+) group (≥0.03 ng/mL) and the cTnI(−) group (<0.03 ng/mL) according to the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The differences in clinical characteristics, operative details and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results

There was no difference in age and male prevalence between the two groups. Compared with the cTnI(−) group, the incidence of chronic kidney disease was higher in patients with cTnI ≥0.03 ng/mL. In addition, the cTnI(+) group presented with more frequent premature beats and non-myocardial-infarction ST-T segment changes. In terms of laboratory examinations, white blood cell counts, neutrophil counts, serum D-dimer and serum fibrin degradation products showed an increase in the cTnI(+) group, while lymphocyte and platelet counts showed a decrease in these patients. Patients with elevated cTnI suffered from increased risks of 5-year aortic-related adverse events (hazard ratio, HR = 1.822, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.094–3.035; p = 0.021) and all-cause mortality (HR = 4.009, 95% CI: 2.175–7.388; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Among aTBAD patients without previous heart disease, preoperative elevated cTnI identified patients at an increased risk of long-term adverse outcomes after TEVAR.
Pilot Study of Effects of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression in the Immediate Peri-Operative Period on Hemodynamic Parameters in Patients After Laparoscopic Gynecologic Surgery
Authors: Liu Yanchang , Tan Xuhong , Cheng Yujin , Wang Baojun , Zhang Hanyu , Zhang Lili , Liu Danyong , Qi Xiaofei
Published: June 2022

The randomized controlled study investigated the impacts of immediate peri-operative Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) on hemodynamic indicators in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. Patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic gynecologic surgery were randomized to control (IPC not used), pre-operative IPC, post-operative IPC, and peri-operative IPC (performed both before and after surgery) groups. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean blood pressure (MBP) cardiac output (CO), heart rate (HR) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were measured at different time points. The results showed that SBP changes not obviously over time in the control and peri-operative IPC group. Compared with values before surgery, the pre-operative IPC group had a lower SBP (P < 0.01) at the end of PACU stay, whereas the post-operative IPC group had a higher SBP (P < 0.01) after surgery. All groups exhibited little or no variation in HR, CO and SVR. Conclusion is peri-operative IPC has no major adverse effects on hemodynamic parameters.
Case Report: Bilateral Biportal Endoscopic Open-Door Laminoplasty With the Use of Suture Anchors: A Technical Report and Literature Review
Authors: Zhu Chengyue , Wang Jing , Cheng Wei , Wang Dong , Pan Hao , Zhang Wei
Published: June 2022

Background

Unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) is a newly developed technique for spine surgery. Owing to the convenience of nerve decompression and compatibility with open surgical instruments under endoscopic guidance, this technique has seen widespread global use. In this study, we first used modified UBE with suture anchor fixation for cervical laminoplasty in a 65-year-old female patient with good clinical outcomes.

Methods

We used bilateral biportal endoscopy (BBE) for cervical laminoplasty with suture anchor fixation in a patient with cervical stenosis. Under endoscopic guidance, a bilateral approach was used to make the gutter and lift the lamina door. After the lamina doors were opened, sutures were tied tightly using facia cannula and knot pusher. After confirming the solidarity of the open-door status, the drainage tube was inserted and the incisions were closed. The patient’s pre- and postoperative radiological and clinical results were evaluated.

Results

Postoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores were improved clinically, and cervical canal was decompressed radiologically.

Conclusions

BBE laminoplasty combined with suture anchor fixation showed a favorable clinical and radiological result and appears to be a safe and effective technique for cervical stenosis.
Intra-Articular Injections of Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells vs. High Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid in Dogs With Osteoarthritis: Exploratory Data From a Double-Blind, Randomized, Prospective Clinical Trial
Authors: Kim Sohyun , Elam Lindsay , Johnson Valerie , Hess Ann , Webb Tracy , Dow Steven , Duerr Felix
Published: June 2022

This double-blind, randomized, prospective clinical trial was conducted to obtain exploratory data comparing the efficacy of intra-articular allogeneic mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) to high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA) for the treatment of pain associated with canine osteoarthritis (OA). Objective gait analysis (%Body Weight Distribution, %BWD), accelerometry, clinical metrology instruments and veterinary exams were used as outcome measures during various time points throughout the 48-week study period. Fourteen dogs with elbow or coxofemoral OA were enrolled and assigned in a 2:1 ratio to the treatment groups. Each patient received a set of two injections 4 weeks apart. Self-limiting joint flare was observed in seven patients, with six of these in the MSC group. Ten patients completed all follow-up appointments. Both treatment groups showed evidence of mild improvement following the treatment, but the results were inconsistent among the various outcome measures assessed. Overall, dogs enrolled in the HA group showed greater improvement compared to the MSC group. The primary outcome measure, %BWD, showed evidence of improvement, when compared to baseline values, at 36 weeks after injection for the HA group only (p = 0.048, estimated difference: 4.7). Similarly, when treatment groups were compared, evidence of a difference between treatment groups (with the HA-group showing greater improvement) were identified for weeks 24 and 36 (p = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). The small sample size of this exploratory study does not allow firm conclusions. However, until studies with larger sample sizes are available, the current literature combined with our data do not support the clinical use of intra-articular MSC therapy over high molecular weight HA for the treatment of canine OA at this time.
A Combinatorial Vaccine Containing Inactivated Bacterin and Subunits Provides Protection Against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae Infection in Mice and Pigs
Authors: Zhang Lijun , Luo Wentao , Xiong Ruyue , Li Haotian , Yao Zhiming , Zhuo Wenxiao , Zou Geng , Huang Qi , Zhou Rui
Published: June 2022

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) is the etiological agent of porcine contagious pleuropneumonia (PCP) that causes great economic losses in the swine industry. Currently, vaccination is still a commonly used strategy for the prevention of the disease. Commercially available vaccines of this disease, including inactivated bacterins and subunit vaccines, have clinical limitations such as side effects and low cross-protection. In this study, a combinatorial vaccine (Bac-sub) was developed, which contained inactivated bacterial cells of a serovar 1 strain and three recombinant protoxins (rApxIA, rApxIIA, and rApxIIIA). Its side effects, immune protection, and cross-protection were evaluated and compared with a commercial subunit vaccine and a commercial trivalent bacterin in a mouse infection model. The results revealed that the Bac-sub vaccine showed no obvious side effects, and induced higher levels of Apx toxin-specific IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a than the commercial vaccines after booster. After a challenge with virulent strains of serovars 1, 5, and 7, the Bac-sub vaccine provided greater protection (91.76%, 100%, and 100%, respectively) than commercial vaccines. Much lower lung bacterial loads (LBLs) and milder lung lesions were observed in the Bac-sub-vaccinated mice than in those vaccinated with the other two vaccines. The protective efficacy of the Bac-sub vaccine was further evaluated in pigs, which showed that vaccinated pigs displayed significantly milder clinical symptoms and lung lesions than the unvaccinated pigs after the challenge. Taken together, Bac-sub is a safe and effective vaccine that could provide high protection against A. pleuropneumoniae infection in both mice and pigs.
Biological Response of Triticum aestivum L. to the Abiotic Stress Induced by Winemaking Waste
Authors: Padureanu Silvica , Patras Antoanela
Published: June 2022

The winemaking waste (grape marc) can be beneficial if it is used in food, pharmaceutical industry, and medicine. However, studies reported that some concentrations of grape marc extracts may induce negative effects on animals. The present study was conducted in order to research if the grape marc induces abiotic stress with serious negative implications on plants. For this purpose, wheat grains were treated for 48 h with 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2% aqueous extracts of Merlot and Sauvignon blanc grape marc. Grains germination rate and cytogenetic parameters were investigated. The germination rate decreased moderately compared to the control in all treatments. The investigated cytogenetic parameters were: mitotic index (MI) and genetic abnormalities (bridges, fragments, associations between bridges and fragments, multipolar ana-telophases, micronuclei). As the grape marc concentration increases, the germination rate and mitotic index decrease moderately, while the percent of cells with chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei increases. Treatments with Merlot grape marc extract induced a higher percent of genetic abnormalities. The results prove from a genetic point of view that the winemaking waste induces abiotic stress on wheat (and probably, on other plants) and it should be depleted in polyphenols before storing on fields. Possible use of unprocessed grape marc could be as bio-herbicide.
Optimized Ultrasound-Assisted Enzymatic Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Rosa canina L. Pseudo-Fruits (Rosehip) and Their Biological Activity
Authors: Nicolescu Alexandru , Babotă Mihai , Zhang Leilei , Bunea Claudiu I. , Gavrilaș Laura , Vodnar Dan C. , Mocan Andrei , Crișan Gianina , Rocchetti Gabriele
Published: June 2022

Two techniques, namely, optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), were used to promote the extraction of phenolic compounds from the pseudo-fruits of Rosa canina L. (RC). For UAE, an optimization process based on the design of experiment (DoE) principles was used for determining the dependence between three variables (i.e., time of extraction, ultrasound amplitude, and the material-to-water ratio) and the total phenolic content of the samples. For EAE, a 2:1:1 pectinase, cellulase, and hemicellulase enzymatic blend was used as pre-treatment for optimized UAE, inducing a higher total phenolic content. The untargeted phenolic profiling approach revealed a great abundance of lower molecular weight phenolics (1.64 mg Eq./g) in UAE-RC extracts, whilst gallic acid (belonging to hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives) was the most abundant individual compound of both extracts. The unsupervised multivariate statistics clearly discriminated the impact of enzymatic pre-treatment on the phenolic profile of RC pseudo-fruits. Finally, Pearson’s correlation coefficients showed that anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and tyrosol derivatives were those compounds mostly correlated to the in vitro antioxidant potential of the extracts, whilst negative and significant (p < 0.05) correlation coefficients were recorded when considering the enzymatic inhibition activities. The highest enzyme-inhibitory activity has been identified against α-glucosidase, which indicates an antidiabetic effect.
Simplified Approach for In-Plane Strength Capacity of URM Walls by Using Lower-Bound Limit Analysis and Predefined Damage Patterns
Authors: Karadeniz Derya , Yilmaz Mustafa Tolga , Icel Cemal , Erberik Murat Altug
Published: June 2022

In this study, a two-phase simplified approach is proposed to predict the in-plane strength capacity of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls. In the first phase, in-plane damage and failure patterns of URM walls are determined from available observational (field) data, experimental data and also from numerical analysis data. Then, a set of rules are proposed to estimate damage and failure patterns of URM wall panels. In the second phase, this valuable information is employed to develop a simplified numerical model with a coarse mesh for the masonry wall, which is consistent with the crack formation at the ultimate state. Then, lower-bound limit analysis approach is used to predict the failure load of the wall without any detailed micro-element analysis. At the final stage, the proposed approach is verified by comparing the numerical results with experimental data from URM wall tests. By the assistance of this approach, it becomes possible to estimate the lateral capacities of ordinary, non-engineered URM walls and buildings from damage patterns at failure state. As an ultimate goal, this structural information can be used for seismic risk assessment of regions where the building typology considered in this study governs the building stock.
Application of Microalgae Biomass for Biodiesel Fuel Production
Authors: Makareviciene Violeta , Sendzikiene Egle
Published: June 2022

Recently, there has been a growing interest in the use of new types of cheaper raw materials for biodiesel production. There are many prospects for microalgae, which do not compete for land with conventional biodiesel raw materials, are characterized by rapid reproduction and high biomass accumulation, and under certain conditions, some are able to accumulate a large amount of oil. A number of studies have been conducted on the extraction of oil from microalgae cells and transesterification with various acyl receptors. This paper provides an overview of the results of research on microalgal biomass preparation and oil extraction. Indicators of the quality of the oil are presented and its suitability for biodiesel synthesis is analyzed. The homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts used for oil transesterification are described and the optimal conditions of the process when using various alcohols as acyl receptors are presented. Much attention is paid to the parameters affecting the transesterification efficiency and biodiesel yield. The physical and chemical, and operational and environmental properties of biodiesel obtained from algae oil are analyzed. The evaluation of the economic efficiency of biodiesel synthesis is also presented.
Prediction of Date Fruit Quality Attributes during Cold Storage Based on Their Electrical Properties Using Artificial Neural Networks Models
Authors: Mohammed Maged , Munir Muhammad , Aljabr Aljazi
Published: June 2022

Evaluating and predicting date fruit quality during cold storage is critical for ensuring a steady supply of high-quality fruits to meet market demands. The traditional destructive methods take time in the laboratory, and the results are based on one specific parameter being tested. Modern modeling techniques, such as Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, offer unique benefits in nondestructive methods for food safety detection and predicting quality attributes. In addition, the electrical properties of agricultural products provide crucial information about the interior structures of biological tissues and their physicochemical status. Therefore, this study aimed to use an alternative approach to predict physicochemical properties, i.e., the pH, total soluble solids (TSS), water activity (aw), and moisture content (MC) of date fruits (Tamar), during cold storage based on their electrical properties using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), which is the most popular ML technique. Ten date fruit cultivars were studied to collect data for the targeted parameters at different cold storage times (0, 2, 4, and 6 months) to train and test the ANNs models. The electrical properties of the date fruits were measured using a high-precision LCR (inductance, capacitance, and resistance) meter from 10 Hz to 100 kHz. The ANNs models were compared with a Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) at all testing frequencies of the electrical properties. The MLR models were less accurate than ANNs models in predicting fruit pH and had low performance and weak predictive ability for the TSS, aw, and MC at all testing frequencies. The optimal ANNs prediction model consisted of the input layer with 14 neurons, one hidden layer with 15 neurons, and the output layer with 4 neurons, which was determined depending on the measurements of the electrical properties at a 10 kHz testing frequency. This optimal ANNs model was able to predict the pH with R2 = 0.938 and RMSE = 0.121, TSS with R2 = 0.954 and RMSE = 2.946, aw with R2 = 0.876 and RMSE = 0.020, and MC with R2 = 0.855 and RMSE = 0.803 b by using the measured electrical properties. The developed ANNs model is a powerful tool for predicting fruit quality attributes after learning from the experimental measurement parameters. It can be suggested to efficiently predict the pH, total soluble solids, water activity, and moisture content of date fruits based on their electrical properties at 10 kHz.
Transcriptome Analysis and Identification of a Female-Specific SSR Marker in Pistacia chinensis Based on Illumina Paired-End RNA Sequencing
Authors: Cheng Xiaomao , Wang Fei , Luo Wen , Kuang Jingge , Huang Xiaoxia
Published: June 2022

Pistacia chinensis Bunge (P. chinensis), a dioecious plant species, has been widely found in China. The female P. chinensis plants are more important than male plants in agricultural production, as their seeds can serve as an ideal feedstock for biodiesel. However, the sex of P. chinensis plants is hard to distinguish during the seedling stage due to the scarcity of available transcriptomic and genomic information. In this work, Illumina paired-end RNA sequencing assay was conducted to unravel the transcriptomic profiles of female and male P. chinensis flower buds. In total, 50,925,088 and 51,470,578 clean reads were obtained from the female and male cDNA libraries, respectively. After quality checks and de novo assembly, a total of 83,370 unigenes with a mean length of 1.3 kb were screened. Overall, 64,539 unigenes (77.48%) could be matched in at least one of the NR, NT, Swiss-Prot, COG, KEGG, and GO databases, 71 of which were putatively related to the floral development of P. chinensis. Additionally, 21,662 simple sequence repeat (SSR) motifs were identified in 17,028 unigenes of P. chinensis, and the mononucleotide motif was the most dominant type of repeats (52.59%) in P. chinensis, followed by dinucleotide (22.29%), trinucleotide (20.15%). The most abundant repeats were AG/CT (13.97%), followed by AAC/GTT (6.75%) and AT/TA (6.10%). Based on these SSR, 983 EST-SSR primers were designed, 151 of which were randomly chosen for validation. Of these validated EST-SSR markers, 25 SSR markers were found to be polymorphic between male and female plants. One SSR marker, namelyPCSSR55, displayed excellent specificity in female plants, which could clearly distinguish between male and female P. chinensis. Altogether, our findings not only reveal that the EST-SSR marker is extremely effective in distinguishing between male and female P. chinensis but also provide a solid framework for sex determination of plant seedlings.