bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Music to My Senses: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evidence of Music Analgesia Across Connectivity Networks Spanning the Brain and Brainstem
Authors: Powers Jocelyn M. , Ioachim Gabriela , Stroman Patrick W.
Published: May 2022

Pain is often viewed and studied as an isolated perception. However, cognition, emotion, salience effects, and autonomic and sensory input are all integrated to create a comprehensive experience. Music-induced analgesia has been used for thousands of years, with moderate behavioural effects on pain perception, yet the neural mechanisms remain ambiguous. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of music analgesia through individual ratings of pain, and changes in connectivity across a network of regions spanning the brain and brainstem that are involved in limbic, paralimbic, autonomic, cognitive, and sensory domains. This is the first study of its kind to assess the effects of music analgesia using complex network analyses in the human brain and brainstem. Functional MRI data were collected from 20 healthy men and women with concurrent presentation of noxious stimulation and music, in addition to control runs without music. Ratings of peak pain intensity and unpleasantness were collected for each run and were analysed in relation to the functional data. We found that music alters connectivity across these neural networks between regions such as the insula, thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala and hippocampus (among others), and is impacted by individual pain sensitivity. While these differences are important for how we understand pain and analgesia, it is essential to note that these effects are variable across participants and provide moderate pain relief at best. Therefore, a therapeutic strategy involving music should use it as an adjunct to pain management in combination with healthy lifestyle changes and/or pharmaceutical intervention.
Prevalence of Sensitization to Aeroallergens in Greater Beijing Region Children With Respiratory Allergy
Authors: Guan Kai , Zhu Wenjing , Sha Li , Liu Chuanhe , Zhao Jing , Yin Jia , Chen Yuzhi
Published: May 2022

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence and distribution of sensitization to aeroallergens in children with atopic diseases.

Methods

We conducted skin prick test on 9,527 pediatric patients (aged 0–17 years) with atopic diseases in allergy department of Children's Hospital affiliated with the Capital Institute of Pediatrics. Positive rates of aeroallergens were compared among the different groups.

Results

Boys (69.5%) had a higher positive rate in SPT results than girls (59.8%; χ2 = 91.7, P < 0.01), and the prevalence of sensitization to aeroallergens increased from 56.1% in the 0–5 year group, to 73.0% in patients above 12 years. Japanese hop (36.2%) and D. farinae (28.1%) were the most common outdoor and indoor aeroallergens, respectively. From low to high age groups, the positive detection rates of D. farinae were 20.3, 30.6, and 33.5%, respectively, followed by D. pteronyssinus (15.7, 24.8, and 30.0%) and cat dander (8.6, 19.8, and 27.9%, respectively), while dog dander and cockroach showed the same trend. The top three positive detection rates of outdoor aeroallergens were Alternaria (30.9%), Japanese Hop (26.7%), and Artemisia (23.7%) in the preschool age group. With regard to patients aged 6 to 11 years, the three most common were Japanese hop (39.2%), Alternaria (36.4%), and Fraxinus pollen (34.4%). Japanese hop (43.8%), Sabina (41.1%), and birch pollen (39.6%) became increasingly common allergens among adolescents. There were more patients with strongly positive reactions to Alternaria in AS (χ2 = 10.2, P < 0.01) and AS with AR groups (χ2 =9.7, P < 0.01) than those in the AR group. Asthmatic patients had significantly higher multiple positive reactions than those with AR (P < 0.01). Asthmatic patients had a much higher prevalence of HDM, animal dander, and Alternaria than those with allergic rhinitis (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The prevalence of sensitization to aeroallergens increased with age in children with atopic diseases in Greater Beijing Region. Alternaria was the predominant allergen before 5 years of age, and tree pollen had delayed sensitization in adolescents. Sensitization to perennial allergens such as HDM, cats, and Alternaria was more strongly associated with asthma risk. Sensitization to more than one allergen significantly affected asthmatic patients.
Case Report: Refractory Listeria innocua Meningoencephalitis in a Three-Year-Old Boy
Authors: Liao Yi , Liu Lingling , Zhou Hua , Fang Feng , Liu Xinglou
Published: May 2022

Listeria innocua is widely distributed in the environment and food and is considered a non-pathogenic bacterium for both humans and animals. To our knowledge, only a few cases of L. innocua infection in humans and ruminants have been reported. Moreover, there has been no report on human L. innocua meningoencephalitis. Here, we report a case of severe refractory meningoencephalitis in a three-year-old boy after infection with L. innocua. The child’s first symptoms were a runny nose, high fever, and rashes, which quickly progressed to unconsciousness and convulsions. The initial analysis of cerebral spinal fluid revealed remarkably elevated protein levels and increased white blood cells count. The blood culture of the patient in the early stage was positive for L. innocua. In addition, his brain imaging tests were observed dynamically, and the result showed a speedy progression from multiple intracranial abnormal signals to hydrocephalus and interstitial cerebral edema. After receiving antibiotics and symptomatic treatment for nearly 3 months, the patient’s condition improved markedly. However, he still had residual complications such as hydrocephalus. Although L. innocua is considered harmless, it can still cause disease in humans, even severe meningoencephalitis, with rapid progression and poor prognosis. Early discovery, diagnosis, and treatment are necessary to elevate the survival rate and life quality of those patients. Antibiotics should be used with sufficient duration and dosage. Cephalosporins are not suitable for the treatment of L. innocua meningoencephalitis and penicillin antibiotics are preferred for children. The presentation of this case will help to expand our knowledge of Listeria infections and provide a potential candidate for pathogens causing severe childhood central nervous system infection.
Consideration in Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial on Neck Pain to Avoid the Placebo Effect in Analgesic Action
Authors: Sun Yue-Li , Yao Min , Zhu Yue-Feng , Yin Meng-Chen , Liu Jin-Tao , Chen Xin , Huang Jin , Dai Yu-Xiang , Wang Wen-Hao , Ma Zeng-Bin , Wang Yong-Jun , Cui Xue-Jun
Published: May 2022

Background: In neck pain treatment, many therapies are focused on etiology, while it is well-known that placebo analgesia is also present in these therapies. The specific efficacy for etiology may be underestimated by ignoring their actual placebo effect. In this study, a logistic regression analysis is used to explore the risk factors causing different placebo responses in patients with neck pain among two RCTs. The probability of the placebo effect is predicted based on these risk factors.

Methods: Trial A and Trial B were similarly designed, randomized, double-/single-blind, placebo-controlled trials in patients treating neck pain with Qishe pill or Shi-style manipulation. Both studies set a placebo pill twice a day or traction for every other day as control. For further analyses on the placebo effect in neck pain management, logistic regression was used to assess subgroup-placebo interactions. The odds ratio assessed a significant influence on the placebo effect.

Results: In this pooled analysis, the total number of patients recruited for these two studies was 284, of which 162 patients received placebo treatment (placebo drug or traction for every other day). No statistically significant differences are found at baseline between the participants with placebo effect and non-placebo effect in the gender, age, and disease duration except in VAS and NDI at the initial time. There are numerically more patients with placebo effect in the shorter disease duration subgroup (< 4 months [76%]), higher initial VAS subgroup (>60 mm [90%]), and worse initial NDI subgroup (>24 [72%]) compared with the gender and age subgroup. An ROC curve is established to assess the model-data fit, which shows an area under the curve of 0.755 and a 95% confidence interval of 0.677–0.830. Participants who show placebo effect after 2 weeks have significantly lower VAS scores after 4 weeks, while there is no significant difference in NDI improvement between the two groups after 4 weeks.

Conclusion: Neck pain patients with shorter disease duration are more likely to overscore their pain severity, because of their less experience in pain perception, tolerance, and analgesia expectation.
Pentoxifylline Inhibits Pulmonary Fibrosis by Regulating Cellular Senescence in Mice
Authors: Lin Yifan , Xu Zhihao , Zhou Beibei , Ma Keer , Jiang Mengyi
Published: May 2022

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive disease, and its occurrence and development are mediated by cellular senescence. Drugs targeting senescent cells seem like a promising and efficacious strategy for IPF treatment. Previous studies have illustrated that pentoxifylline (PTX) may play a certain role in inhibiting pulmonary fibrosis and combating cellular senescence. In this study, we demonstrated that PTX administration inhibits pulmonary fibrosis development and cellular senescence in the bleomycin (BLM)-induced IPF mice model. Moreover, the expression levels of fibrosis-related genes and senescence-related genes in mice lung tissue and primary pulmonary fibroblasts illustrated lung fibroblasts’ vital role in these two processes. And the curative effect of PTX was completed mainly by acting on lung fibroblasts. Besides, during the whole treatment, delayed initiation or advanced halt of PTX administration would influence its effectiveness in reducing fibrotic and senescent traits in various degrees, and the latter influenced more. We further determined that a long period of PTX administration could bring noticeable benefits to mice in recovering BLM-induced lung fibrosis and suppressing age-associated cellular senescence. Moreover, it was still effective when PTX administration was used to treat senescent human fibroblasts. Thus, our findings manifested that PTX therapy is an efficient remedy for pulmonary fibrosis by suppressing cellular senescence.
First-In-Human Study on Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Single and Multiple Escalating Doses of Hepenofovir, a Novel Hepatic Targeting Prodrug of Tenofovir in Healthy Chinese Subjects
Authors: Zhang Hong , Gao Lei , Lou Jinfeng , Wu Min , Chen Hong , Yang Lizhi , Liu Jingrui , Zhu Xiaoxue , Li Xiaojiao , Li Cuiyun , Wang Meng , Liu Chengjiao , Guo Weibo , Wang Yuan , Gao Zhongqiang , Han Lei , Wang Daidi , Jin Weili , Ding Yanhua
Published: May 2022

Objective: Hepenofovir, a novel hepatic targeting prodrug of tenofovir, has been developed for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This is a first-in-human study to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) and tolerability of single and multiple escalating doses of hepenofovir in healthy Chinese subjects.

Methods: This phase Ia study included two parts: a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled single-ascending-dose (SAD) (25–200 mg) study under fasted conditions comprising a food-effect investigation (200 mg) and a multiple-ascending-dose (MAD) (25 mg) study under fasted conditions.

Results: Hepenofovir was well tolerated in healthy Chinese subjects. There was no significant difference in adverse reaction rates between hepenofovir and placebo groups. Hepenofovir was rapidly absorbed and metabolized into tenofovir after dosing. In healthy participants, the median Tmax of hepenofovir and tenofovir was 0.33–0.50 h and 0.62–0.75 h, respectively, and their mean half-life was 2.5–12.3 h and 49.7–53.8 h, respectively. Systemic exposure to tenofovir increased in proportion to the dose. The mean accumulation indexes of hepenofovir and tenofovir were 1.1 vs. 1.8. Moreover, food could reduce the Cmax of both hepenofovir and tenofovir, but did not affect their area under the curve (AUC).

Conclusions: Hepenofovir has shown a favorable safety and PK profile, which support the further evaluation of its safety and efficacy in CHB patients.

Clinical trial registration number: The trial is registered at Chinese Clinical Trial website (http://www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn/index.html # CTR20191953).
Second-Generation Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics and the Risk of Treatment Failure in a Population-Based Cohort
Authors: Janzen Donica , Bolton James M. , Leong Christine , Kuo I fan , Alessi-Severini Silvia
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Second-generation long-acting injectable antipsychotics (SG-LAIAs) may improve outcomes compared to other antipsychotics. Real-world studies using linked administrative databases play an important role in assessing the comparative effectiveness of antipsychotic medications.

Methods: We used a prevalent new-user design in a population-based cohort of antipsychotic users with diagnosis of a psychotic disorder to compare the primary outcome of treatment failure, defined as psychiatric hospitalization, completed suicide, incarceration, or treatment discontinuation. Additional outcomes were all-cause mortality. SG-LAIA users were matched on a 1:1 basis with other antipsychotic users based on the time-conditional propensity score, calendar time, and prior antipsychotic exposure.

Results: The use of LAIAs was not associated with a lower risk of treatment failure than other antipsychotics (adjusted hazard ratio 1.07 and 95% confidence interval 0.98–1.15) but did reduce all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 0.69 and 95% confidence interval 0.48–0.99). Monotherapy with LAIAs was superior to other antipsychotic monotherapy (adjusted hazard ratio for treatment failure 0.83 and 95% confidence interval 0.78–0.89), and LAIAs were superior to other antipsychotics in antipsychotic-naïve users (adjusted hazard ratio for treatment failure 0.57 and 95% confidence interval 0.47–0.70).

Conclusion: In this population-based cohort, SG-LAIAs reduced the risk of treatment failure in incident new users but not in prevalent new users.
Case Report: Cannabidiol-Induced Skin Rash: A Case Series and Key Recommendations
Authors: Souza José Diogo S. , Fassoni-Ribeiro Maíra , Batista Rayssa Miranda , Ushirohira Juliana Mayumi , Zuardi Antonio W. , Guimarães Francisco S. , Campos Alline C. , Osório Flávia de Lima , Elias Daniel , Souza Cacilda S. , Fassoni AndRea A. , Hallak Jaime E. C. , Crippa José Alexandre S.
Published: May 2022

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotomimetic constituent of the Cannabis plant, with potential therapeutic properties for many physical and neuropsychiatric conditions. Isolated CBD has been suggested to have favorable safety and tolerability. Although CBD-related rash is described, few case reports are well documented in the literature, and usually, CBD was used concomitantly with other medications. Thus, we report four women who presented a skin rash after ongoing CBD use. Other causes of these skin rashes were ruled out after conducting an extensive viral and serological detection panel, and three patients had their lesions biopsied. Two patients were re-exposed to the vehicle (MCT) without developing a new skin rash. Therefore, clinicians must be aware of this potential adverse effect of CBD use.
Combined Administration of Curcumin and Chondroitin Sulfate Alleviates Cartilage Injury and Inflammation via NF-κB Pathway in Knee Osteoarthritis Rats
Authors: Guan Ting , Ding Liu-Gang , Lu Bao-Yuan , Guo Jia-Yi , Wu Mei-Yin , Tan Zhi-Qun , Hou Shao-Zhen
Published: May 2022

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative chronic disease that most often occurs in the knee joint. Studies have shown that some food supplements, such as curcumin and chondroitin sulfate, are effective in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by exhibiting different protective effects. In this study, we further investigated the combined therapeutic effects of curcumin and chondroitin sulfate on cartilage injury in rats with arthritis.

Methods: An experimental KOA model was induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) in rats. All rats were randomly divided into five groups: Ctrl (control), model (saline), Cur (20 mg/kg curcumin in saline), CS (100 mg/kg chondroitin sulfate in saline), and CA (20 mg/kg curcumin and 100 mg/kg chondroitin sulfate in saline); drugs were given 2 weeks after MIA injection. The histomorphological changes of cartilage were observed by safranin fast green staining, H&E staining, and micro-CT scanning. Also, the levels of PGE2, TNF-α and IL-1β in the arthral fluid and serum were determined by the ELISA kits. The activities of SOD, CAT, COMP, MMP-3, and type II collagen were detected by biochemical kits. The expressions of TLR4, p-NF-κB, NF-κB, and COX-2 in cartilage were detected by Western blot.

Results: Data show that serum levels of IL-1β (p < 0.05), SOD (p < 0.0001), and MMP-3 (p < 0.001) were downregulated significantly in the CA group when compared to those in the model group. Meanwhile, obvious repair of cartilage with higher contains collagen II (p < 0.0001) could be observed in the CA group than the ones in Cur or CS group. In addition, significant downregulation of the expression of p-p65/p65 (p < 0.05) was found in the CA group.

Conclusion: Our findings showed that combined administration of curcumin and chondroitin sulfate could exert better repair for KOA in rat models. This may hold great promise for discovering potential drugs to treat KOA and may improve treatment options for it.
Role of IKKε in the Metabolic Diseases: Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology
Authors: Xiao Qing-Ao , He Qian , Li Lun , Song Yinhong , Chen Yue-ran , Zeng Jun , Xia Xuan
Published: May 2022

IKKε (inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase ε) is a member of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway. It participates in the inflammatory response and innate immunity against bacteria. In recent decades, IKKε has been closely associated with metabolic regulation. Inhibition of the IKKε pathway can improve fat deposition in the liver, reduce subcutaneous fat inflammation, and improve liver gluconeogenesis in obesity. IKKε is expected to be a new therapeutic target for metabolic diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes, and obesity. Herein, we summarize the structural characterization, physiological function, and pathological role of IKKε in metabolic diseases and small molecule inhibitors of IKKε.
Association of Gut Microbiota and Biochemical Features in a Chinese Population With Renal Uric Acid Stone
Authors: Cao Cheng , Fan Bo , Zhu Jin , Zhu Na , Cao Jing-Yuan , Yang Dong-Rong
Published: May 2022

Previous studies suggest that patients with nephrolithiasis exhibit dysbiosis in their gut microbiota, but those studies were conducted in calcium oxalate stone patients. We aimed to explore the association of gut microbiota and biochemical features of renal uric acid stone (UAS) patients in a Chinese population and identify the related bacteria that may affect the pathopoiesis of UAS. A case-control study of 117 patients with UAS, 123 patients with gout, and 135 healthy controls were included from January 2014 to October 2020. For each subject, data on demographics, biochemical parameters of blood and urine were analyzed. Fifteen patients with gout, 16 patients with UAS, 17 UAS patients with gout, and 17 healthy subjects were enrolled and provided fecal samples. The characteristics of gut microbiota were explored by using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing and analyzed by using a combination of software mother and R. Hyperuricemia was the main risk factor for the development of gout and UAS. Obesity, dyslipidemia, and aciduria were unique risk factors for UAS patients. The richness, diversity, and relative abundance of dominant bacteria at the phylum and genus levels of gut microbiota in UAS patients were significantly distinct from other subjects. Abundance of Bacteroides and Fusobacterium was significantly positively correlated with the serum uric acid (UA) level of UAS patients. Fusobacteria was involved in the metabolism and degradation of certain short-chain fatty acids, amino acids, and sugars in pathopoiesis of UAS, and inhibited their synthesis pathways. Fusobacteria may be related to the pathogenesis of UAS, and this finding contributes to the personalized treatment of UAS from the perspective of maintaining micro-ecological equilibrium in gut.
Musculoskeletal Effects of Altered GH Action
Authors: Young Jonathan A. , Zhu Shouan , List Edward O. , Duran-Ortiz Silvana , Slama Yosri , Berryman Darlene E.
Published: May 2022

Growth hormone (GH) is a peptide hormone that can signal directly through its receptor or indirectly through insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) stimulation. GH draws its name from its anabolic effects on muscle and bone but also has distinct metabolic effects in multiple tissues. In addition to its metabolic and musculoskeletal effects, GH is closely associated with aging, with levels declining as individuals age but GH action negatively correlating with lifespan. GH’s effects have been studied in human conditions of GH alteration, such as acromegaly and Laron syndrome, and GH therapies have been suggested to combat aging-related musculoskeletal diseases, in part, because of the decline in GH levels with advanced age. While clinical data are inconclusive, animal models have been indispensable in understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of GH action. This review will provide a brief overview of the musculoskeletal effects of GH, focusing on clinical and animal models.
Expression of Potato StDRO1 in Arabidopsis Alters Root Architecture and Drought Tolerance
Authors: Sun Chao , Liang Wenjun , Yan Kan , Xu Derong , Qin Tianyuan , Fiaz Sajid , Kear Philip , Bi Zhenzhen , Liu Yuhui , Liu Zhen , Zhang Junlian , Bai Jiangping
Published: May 2022

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L) is the third important crop for providing calories to a large human population, and is considered sensitive to moderately sensitive to drought stress conditions. The development of drought-tolerant, elite varieties of potato is a challenging task, which can be achieved through molecular breeding. Recently, the DEEPER ROOTING 1 (DRO1) gene has been identified in rice, which influences plant root system and regulates grain yield under drought stress conditions. The potato StDRO1 protein is mainly localized in the plasma membrane of tobacco leaf cells, and overexpression analysis of StDRO1 in Arabidopsis resulted in an increased lateral root number, but decreased lateral root angle, lateral branch angle, and silique angle. Additionally, the drought treatment analysis indicated that StDRO1 regulated drought tolerance and rescued the defective root architecture and drought-tolerant phenotypes of Atdro1, an Arabidopsis AtDRO1 null mutant. Furthermore, StDRO1 expression was significantly higher in the drought-tolerant potato cultivar “Unica” compared to the drought-sensitive cultivar “Atlantic.” The transcriptional response of StDRO1 under drought stress occurred significantly earlier in Unica than in Atlantic. Collectively, the outcome of the present investigation elucidated the role of DRO1 function in the alternation of root architecture, which potentially acts as a key gene in the development of a drought stress-tolerant cultivar. Furthermore, these findings will provide the theoretical basis for molecular breeding of drought-tolerant potato cultivars for the farming community.
Molecular Phylogeography and Intraspecific Divergences in Siberian Wildrye (Elymus sibiricus L.) Wild Populations in China, Inferred From Chloroplast DNA Sequence and cpSSR Markers
Authors: Xiong Yi , Xiong Yanli , Shu Xin , Yu Qingqing , Lei Xiong , Li Daxu , Yan Jiajun , Bai Shiqie , Ma Xiao
Published: May 2022

A detailed understanding of the distribution and degree of genetic variation within a species is important for determining their evolutionary potential, which in return facilitates the development of efficient conservation strategies aimed at preserving adaptive genetic variation. As an important perennial, cool-season grass in temperate Eurasia, increasing attention has been paid to Siberian wildrye (Elymus sibiricus) due to its excellent ecological utilization value and forage production potential in China, particularly in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) regions. In this study, we applied two chloroplast (cp) genes (matK and rbcL), three cp spacer regions (trnY-GUA∼trnD-GUC, atpH∼atpF, and rps4∼trnT-UGU), and six cpSSR markers to the genetic and phylogenetic analysis of 137 wild E. sibiricus accessions from 23 natural populations that represent the main distribution regions in China. The results show the highest genetic diversity (h = 0.913) and haplotype richness (10 haplotypes) for the QTP population, which indicates QTP as the probable diversity center and geographic origin of E. sibiricus in China. Population divergence was high, indicating a significant phylogeographic structure together with a significantly higher Nst value (Nst > Gst, P < 0.05) at the species level, QTP+XJ (combined populations from QTP and Xinjiang), QTP+NC (combined populations from QTP and North China), and XJ+NC (combined populations from Xinjiang and North China) group levels, respectively. An expansion was revealed in the distributional range of E. sibiricus in China from paleo times up to the recent past, while a dramatic range of contraction was predicted for the near future. The predicted main limiting factor for the further spread of E. sibiricus is an increasing global mean temperature. We recommend that the combination of Es-cpDNA1 and Es-cpDNA3+4+5 can be used as effective markers for phylogenetic analysis and phylogeographical history analysis of E. sibiricus. These findings shed new light on the historical population dynamics of cold-season herbs in the QTP region and the north of China and are of great significance for the future establishment of protection and collection strategies for wild E. sibiricus germplasm.
The Ubiquitin Proteasome System and Nutrient Stress Response
Authors: Mackinnon Erin , Stone Sophia L.
Published: May 2022

Plants utilize different molecular mechanisms, including the Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) that facilitates changes to the proteome, to mitigate the impact of abiotic stresses on growth and development. The UPS encompasses the ubiquitination of selected substrates followed by the proteasomal degradation of the modified proteins. Ubiquitin ligases, or E3s, are central to the UPS as they govern specificity and facilitate the attachment of one or more ubiquitin molecules to the substrate protein. From recent studies, the UPS has emerged as an important regulator of the uptake and translocation of essential macronutrients and micronutrients. In this review, we discuss select E3s that are involved in regulating nutrient uptake and responses to stress conditions, including limited or excess levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and copper.
Low-Input High-Molecular-Weight DNA Extraction for Long-Read Sequencing From Plants of Diverse Families
Authors: Russo Alessia , Mayjonade Baptiste , Frei Daniel , Potente Giacomo , Kellenberger Roman T. , Frachon Léa , Copetti Dario , Studer Bruno , Frey Jürg E. , Grossniklaus Ueli , Schlüter Philipp M.
Published: May 2022

Long-read DNA sequencing technologies require high molecular weight (HMW) DNA of adequate purity and integrity, which can be difficult to isolate from plant material. Plant leaves usually contain high levels of carbohydrates and secondary metabolites that can impact DNA purity, affecting downstream applications. Several protocols and kits are available for HMW DNA extraction, but they usually require a high amount of input material and often lead to substantial DNA fragmentation, making sequencing suboptimal in terms of read length and data yield. We here describe a protocol for plant HMW DNA extraction from low input material (0.1 g) which is easy to follow and quick (2.5 h). This method successfully enabled us to extract HMW from four species from different families (Orchidaceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae, Asteraceae). In the case of recalcitrant species, we show that an additional purification step is sufficient to deliver a clean DNA sample. We demonstrate the suitability of our protocol for long-read sequencing on the Oxford Nanopore Technologies PromethION® platform, with and without the use of a short fragment depletion kit.
Consistent Plant and Microbe Nutrient Limitation Patterns During Natural Vegetation Restoration
Authors: Xue Yue , Kang Haibin , Cui Yongxing , Lu Sheng , Yang Hang , Zhu Jiaqi , Fu Zhenjie , Yan Chenglong , Wang Dexiang
Published: May 2022

Vegetation restoration is assumed to enhance carbon (C) sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems, where plant producers and microbial decomposers play key roles in soil C cycling. However, it is not clear how the nutrient limitation patterns of plants and soil microbes might change during vegetation restoration. We investigated the nutrient limitations of the plant and microbial communities along a natural vegetation restoration chronosequence (1, 8, 16, 31, and 50 years) following farmland abandonment in Qinling Mountains, China, and assessed their relationships with soil factors. The result showed that following natural vegetation restoration, the nitrogen (N) limitation of plant and microbial communities was alleviated significantly, and thereafter, it began to shift to phosphorus (P) limitation at a later stage. Plants showed P limitation 50 years after restoration, while microbial P limitation appeared 31 years later. The changes in plant nutrient limitation were consistent with those in microbial nutrient limitation, but soil microbes were limited by P earlier than plants. Random forest model and partial least squares path modeling revealed that soil nutrient stoichiometry, especially soil C:N ratio, explained more variations in plant and microbial nutrient limitation. Our study demonstrates that the imbalanced soil C:N ratio may determine the soil microbial metabolic limitation and further mediate the variation in plant nutrient limitation during natural vegetation restoration, which provides important insights into the link between metabolic limitation for microbes and nutrient limitation for plants during vegetation restoration to improve our understanding of soil C turnover in temperate forest ecosystems.
The Transformation of Parents’ Perception of Education Involution Under the Background of “Double Reduction” Policy: The Mediating Role of Education Anxiety and Perception of Education Equity
Authors: Yu Shuo , Zheng Jiansong , Xu Zhibin , Zhang Tao
Published: May 2022

The “Double Reduction” policy in China was introduced to reduce the academic burden of primary and secondary school students, ease their parents’ education anxiety, enhance education equity, and curb the phenomenon of education involution. A survey was conducted on 271 parents using the items of “Double Reduction” policy understanding level, subjective family social class, and education involution as well as the scales of anxiety about learning attitudes and school admission, as well as perception of education equity. The results showed that: (1) education anxiety acted as a significant mediator between parents’ understanding of the “Double Reduction” policy and their perception of education involution, with the full mediation of anxiety about school admission outperforming anxiety about learning attitudes and (2) the more parents understand about the “Double Reduction” policy, the higher their perceived education equity. In the initial stage of the “Double Reduction” policy implementation, a survey of parents’ education anxiety and their perception of the policy effect can gain an effective glimpse into the outcomes of the policy execution, especially in alleviating the education involution, observe the impact pathways that influence education involution, and provide adjustment and improvement for the “Double Reduction” operation in time.
A Literature Review of Work From Home Phenomenon During COVID-19 Toward Employees’ Performance and Quality of Life in Malaysia and Indonesia
Authors: Abiddin Norhasni Zainal , Ibrahim Irmohizam , Abdul Aziz Shahrul Azuwar
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this paper is to determine the performance of employees employed at home during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia and Indonesia, also to examine the employee’s quality of life affected by COVID-19. The current study is aimed to critically determine the performance of employees employed at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The author has analyzed and reviewed various sources of articles, reports, and documents from previous research and literature. The findings explain that working from home has provided advantages and disadvantages for both the employees and the organization and is responsible for the decrease in employee productivity. In addition, the findings conclude that the fact that working from home is generally not feasible because many areas of work cannot be done from home, although for many employees, working from home has provided a work-life balance.
Re-assessing the Psychometric Properties of Stress Appraisal Measure in Ghana Using Multidimensional Graded Response Model
Authors: Srem-Sai Medina , Quansah Frank , Hagan John Elvis , Ankomah Francis , Frimpong James Boadu , Ogum Prosper Narteh , Schack Thomas
Published: May 2022

Despite the widespread use of the stress appraisal measure questionnaire in sport psychology literature, information on the psychometric properties of this survey instrument across different cultures and samples is still lacking. This study sought to validate the stress appraisal measure among male football players in the Ghana’s Premier League using the multidimensional item response theory. The descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted to recruit 424 footballers from the 2020/2021 Ghana Premier League season using the census approach. The 28-item Stress Appraisal Measure was used to assess six (6) appraisal mechanisms under primary and secondary cognitive appraisals. The ordered polytomous item response theory was used for analyzing the data. The study found that although some items were problematic, the majority of them were found to have good item parameters, effective scale option functioning, and provided adequate empirical information in the measurement of stress appraisal. This research concluded that the stress appraisal measure has promising applicability among male footballers who participated in the premier league in Ghana. Future researchers are encouraged to re-validate the stress appraisal measure with a different sample to contribute to the understanding of the applicability of the instrument in non-western populations.
Mapping Pitch Accents to Memory Representations in Spoken Discourse Among Chinese Learners of English: Effects of L2 Proficiency and Working Memory
Authors: Guan Connie Qun , Meng Wanjin , Morett Laura M. , Fraundorf Scott H.
Published: May 2022

We examined L2 learners’ interpretation of pitch accent cues in discourse memory and how these effects vary with proficiency and working memory (WM). One hundred sixty-eight L1-Chinese participants learning L2-English listened to recorded discourses containing pairs of contrastive alternatives and then took a later recognition memory test. Their language proficiency and WM were measured through standard tests and the participants were categorized into low, medium, advanced, and high advanced language proficiency groups. We analyzed recognition memory task performance using signal detection theory to tease apart response bias (an overall tendency to affirm memory probes) from sensitivity (the ability to discern whether a specific probe statement is true). The results showed a benefit of contrastive L + H* pitch accents in rejecting probes referring to items unmentioned in a discourse, but not contrastive alternatives themselves. More proficient participants also showed more accurate memory for the discourses overall, as well as a reduced overall bias to affirm the presented statements astrue. Meanwhile, that the benefit of L + H* accents in rejecting either contrast probes or unmentioned probes was modulated for people with greater working memory. Participants with higher WM were quite sure that it did not exist in the memory trace as this part of discourse wasn’t mentioned. The results support a contrast-uncertainty hypothesis, in which comprehenders recall the contrast set but fail to distinguish which is the correct item. Further, these effects were influenced by proficiency and by working memory, suggesting they reflect incomplete mapping between pitch accent and discourse representation.
Respecting the Old and Loving the Young: Emoji-Based Sarcasm Interpretation Between Younger and Older Adults
Authors: Cui Jing
Published: May 2022

The interpretation of sarcasm relies on many cues and constraints. In computer-mediated communication (CMC), paralinguistic cues, such as emoticons and emoji, play an important role in signaling sarcastic intention. Smiling emoji have been claimed to be a marker of sarcasm among Chinese senders. Shared knowledge between the sender and the recipient, such as age and relationship, has a substantial effect on irony or sarcasm interpretation. However, hardly any research has been done to integrate the two factors to explore their joint effect on sarcasm interpretation. The present study investigated the interaction effect of these factors on the interpretation of ambiguous statements accompanied by a smiling emoji. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the differences between younger and older adults in making judgments about ambiguous statements accompanied by a smiling emoji. The results showed that sender age and sender–receiver relationship have disparate influences on younger and older adults’ interpretation of emoji-based ambiguous statements. For younger adults, sender age and sender–receiver relationship were significantly associated with the perceived sarcasm of emoji-based ambiguous statements, whereas for older adults, sender age had a null effect on the sarcastic interpretation of emoji-based ambiguous statements, but relationship was an important cue that might impact their interpretation.
The Effects of Mandatory CSR Disclosure on Tax Avoidance and Tax Incidence
Authors: Ding Rui , Cao Yuanyuan , Sun Yanqi
Published: May 2022

The implementation of China’s mandatory corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure in 2008 provides us with a natural experiment setting. In this paper, we examine the effects of mandatory CSR disclosure on the levels of firms’ tax avoidance and tax incidence. By using a difference-in-differences model, we predict and find that mandatory CSR reporting firms tend to be less tax aggressive. Then we test who bears the burden of the effective tax rate increase. It shows that the increase of effective tax rate causes a drop in firm output and imposes a tax burden on the firms’ consumers. The reduction in output also reduces demand for the firms’ inputs and after-tax returns, passing tax burden to suppliers, other stakeholders, employees, and shareholders. In contrast, there is no evidence that the decrease of firms’ tax avoidance activities influences the tax incidence of governments, banks, and other creditors. These findings provide evidence that mandatory CSR disclosure changes firm tax planning activities and indeed influences the costs of various stakeholders.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Elevated Anxiety Symptoms of Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients in China: A One-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Lv Honghong , Meng Junping , Chen Yang , Yang Feng , Wang Wen , Wei Guohua , Zhang Jiaojiao , Wang Huan , Wang Mengqiu , Zhou Lu , Liu Hongbao
Published: May 2022

Recent studies have shown that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) aggravates anxiety in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), but it is still unclear how long this adverse effect will last. This study aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the elevated anxiety symptoms of MHD patients 1 year after the outbreak. Assessment of elevated anxiety symptoms was performed on patients with MHD during early COVID-19 (February 17-February 29, 2020) and 1-year follow-up (March 1-March 13, 2021), and a total of 100 patients had completed face-to-face questionnaires at the first and 1-year follow-up. At the beginning of the outbreak, 40% of the patients with MHD had anxiety symptoms [self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) score ≥ 50], and 11% (SAS score: 60–69) and 2% (SAS score ≥ 70) of the patients had moderate and severe anxiety symptoms, respectively. Multivariate analysis shows that possibility of unaccompanied transfer, possibility of family members or themselves being infected in a hospital, added body temperature monitoring during dialysis, and increased medical procedures are the risk factors in elevated anxiety symptoms during early COVID-19. At the 1-year follow-up, the incidence of anxiety symptoms in the same group of patients declined to 28%, and all the patients had mild anxiety symptoms (SAS score: 50–59), which is significantly lower than that of the early COVID-19 pandemic with statistically significant difference (p = 0.003). Increased protective measures taken by the medical staves were the only risk factor in elevated anxiety symptoms during the 1-year follow-up. This study shows that COVID-19 has a direct impact on the deterioration of anxiety symptoms in patients with MHD. With the changes of the requirements for COVID-19 prevention and control, as well as the enhancement of propaganda and education of the pandemic and psychological care, the severity and risk factors of anxiety symptoms in the patients with MHD are changing. Thus, targeted interventions are suggested to improve the psychological endurance of the patients with MHD.
A Comparison of Acute Neurocognitive and Psychotomimetic Effects of a Synthetic Cannabinoid and Natural Cannabis at Psychotropic Dose Equivalence
Authors: Theunissen Eef Lien , Kuypers Kim Paula Colette , Mason Natasha Leigh , Ramaekers Johannes Gerardus
Published: May 2022

Due to differences in potency, efficacy, and affinity for CB1 receptors, similarities and differences in psychoactive effect profiles of natural cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) cannot reliably be derived from equipotent dose comparisons. Instead, the current study proposes to compare the intrinsic psychoactive effects of natural cannabis (THC) and an SC, JWH-018, at psychotropic dose equivalence. Participants from two placebo-controlled studies were matched for their levels of subjective high to compare neurocognitive and psychotomimetic effects of THC and JWH-018. At equal subjective intoxication levels, both drugs impaired psychomotor, divided attention, and impulse control, with no significant difference between the two drugs. Both drugs also caused significant psychotomimetic effects, but dissociative effects were considerably more pronounced for JWH-018 than THC. We conclude that psychotropic dose equivalence provides a uniform approach for comparing the neurocognitive and psychotomimetic profiles of CB1 agonists, which can also be applied to other drug classes.
Repeated Winning and Losing Experiences in Chronic Social Conflicts Are Linked to RNA Editing Pattern Difference
Authors: Ru Fu-Xia , Kong Fanzhi , Ren Chun-Yan , He Yu-Shan , Xia Shou-Yue , Li Yu-Ning , Liang Ya-Ping , Feng Jun-Jie , Wei Zhi-Yuan , Chen Jian-Huan
Published: May 2022

Winner-loser effects influence subsequent agonistic interactions between conspecifics. Previous winning experiences could strengthen future aggression and increase the chance of winning the next agonistic interaction, while previous losing experiences could have the opposite effect. Although the role of A-to-I RNA editing has been recently implicated in chronic social defeat stress and aggressive behavior, it remains to be further elucidated in chronic social conflicts in agonistic interactions, especially in the repeated aggression (winners) and repeated defeat (losers) resulted from these conflicts. In the current study, transcriptome-wide A-to-I RNA editing in the dorsal striatum was investigated in a mouse model of chronic social conflicts, and compared between mice repeatedly winning and losing daily agonistic interactions. Our analysis identified 622 A-to-I RNA editing sites in the mouse dorsal striatum, with 23 to be differentially edited in 22 genes, most of which had been previously associated with neurological, psychiatric, or immune disorders. Among these differential RNA editing (DRE) sites four missense variants were observed in neuroligin 2 (Nlgn2), Cdc42 guanine nucleotide exchange factor 9 (Arhgef9) BLCAP apoptosis inducing factor (Blcap), and cytoplasmic FMR1 interacting protein 2 (Cyfip2), as well as two noncoding RNA sites in small nucleolar RNA host gene 11 (Snhg11) and the maternally expressed 3 (Meg3) gene. Moreover, significant changes were observed in gene functions and pathways enriched by genes with A-to-I RNA editing in losers and especially winners compared to controls. Our results demonstrate that repeated winning and losing experiences in chronic social conflicts are linked to A-to-I RNA editing pattern difference, underlining its role in the molecular mechanism of agonistic interactions between conspecifics.
Determinants of Infant Young Child Feeding Among Mothers of Malnourished Children in South Punjab, Pakistan: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Ahmed Farooq , Malik Najma Iqbal , Shahzad Muhammad , Ahmad Manal , Shahid Muhammad , Feng Xing Lin , Guo Jing
Published: May 2022

Inadequate feeding is one of the most critical underlying determinants of child malnutrition. In this study, we explore infant young child feeding (IYCF) and deconstruct breastfeeding barriers in mothers of severely malnourished children in one of the most marginalized districts of Punjab province of Pakistan. Using purposive sampling, 20 lactating mothers are recruited for open-ended semi-structured interviews. Results reveal that barriers to immediate and exclusive breastfeeding include the introduction of pre-lacteal, butter, and cow or formula milk by mothers and grandmothers. Birthing difficulties and ritualizing prelacteal to transfer religion and culture cause the delay of early initiation of breastmilk. The colostrum is also discarded based on its weird physical look. Moreover, household circumstances, limited diet, extra workload, and mental stress associated with marital relationships are other significant barriers. Mothers perceive their breastmilk as thin, impotent, and of bad quality and often complain against breastmilk insufficiency due to general weakness. Furthermore, poor mothers reduce breastfeeding when the fertility burden is high, especially if a female baby is in their womb. Alternatively, outer milk is recommended but washing bottles with detergents often becomes frequent. In conclusion, immediacy, exclusivity, frequency, and duration of breastfeeding are circumscribed owing to multiple social, cultural, and economic causes. Therefore, a holistic approach combining cultural and structural causes might be more relevant for successful IYCF practices in marginalized communities of Pakistan.