bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neonatal and maternal upregulation of antileukoproteinase in horses
Authors: Holmes Camille M. , Babasyan Susanna , Wagner Bettina
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The end of gestation, ensuing parturition, and the neonatal period represent highly dynamic phases for immunological changes in both mother and offspring. The regulation of innate immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface during late term pregnancy, after birth, and during microbial colonization of the neonatal gut and other mucosal surfaces, is crucial for controlling inflammation and maintaining homeostasis. Innate immune cells and mucosal epithelial cells express antileukoproteinase (SLPI), which has anti-inflammatory and anti-protease activity that can regulate cellular activation.

Methods

Here, we developed and validated new monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to characterize SLPI for the first time in horses. Peripheral blood and mucosal samples were collected from healthy adults horses and a cohort of mares and their foals directly following parturition to assess this crucial stage.

Results

First, we defined the cell types producing SLPI in peripheral blood by flow cytometry, highlighting the neutrophils and a subset of the CD14+ monocytes as SLPI secreting immune cells. A fluorescent bead-based assay was developed with the new SLPI mAbs and used to establish baseline concentrations for secreted SLPI in serum and secretion samples from mucosal surfaces, including saliva, nasal secretion, colostrum, and milk. This demonstrated constitutive secretion of SLPI in a variety of equine tissues, including high colostrum concentrations. Using immunofluorescence, we identified production of SLPI in mucosal tissue. Finally, longitudinal sampling of clinically healthy mares and foals allowed monitoring of serum SLPI concentrations. In neonates and postpartum mares, SLPI peaked on the day of parturition, with mares returning to the adult normal within a week and foals maintaining significantly higher SLPI secretion until three months of age.

Conclusion

This demonstrated a physiological systemic change in SLPI in both mares and their foals, particularly at the time around birth, likely contributing to the regulation of innate immune responses during this critical period.
Osteomyelitis is associated with increased anti-inflammatory response and immune exhaustion
Authors: Surendar Jayagopi , Hackenberg Roslind K. , Schmitt-Sánchez Fabio , Ossendorff Robert , Welle Kristian , Stoffel-Wagner Birgit , Sage Peter T. , Burger Christof , Wirtz Dieter C. , Strauss Andreas C. , Schildberg Frank A.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Osteomyelitis (OMS) is a bone infection causing bone pain and severe complications. A balanced immune response is critical to eradicate infection without harming the host, yet pathogens manipulate immunity to establish a chronic infection. Understanding OMS-driven inflammation is essential for disease management, but comprehensive data on immune profiles and immune cell activation during OMS are lacking.

Methods

Using high-dimensional flow cytometry, we investigated the detailed innate and adaptive systemic immune cell populations in OMS and age- and sex-matched controls.

Results

Our study revealed that OMS is associated with increased levels of immune regulatory cells, namely T regulatory cells, B regulatory cells, and T follicular regulatory cells. In addition, the expression of immune activation markers HLA-DR and CD86 was decreased in OMS, while the expression of immune exhaustion markers TIM-3, PD-1, PD-L1, and VISTA was increased. Members of the T follicular helper (Tfh) cell family as well as classical and typical memory B cells were significantly increased in OMS individuals. We also found a strong correlation between memory B cells and Tfh cells.

Discussion

We conclude that OMS skews the host immune system towards the immunomodulatory arm and that the Tfh memory B cell axis is evident in OMS. Therefore, immune-directed therapies may be a promising alternative for eradication and recurrence of infection in OMS, particularly in individuals and areas where antibiotic resistance is a major concern.
Durable cellular immune response against inactivated ZIKV and envelope proteins in ZIKV-infected women during pregnancy
Authors: Apostolico Juliana de Souza , Lunardelli Victória Alves Santos , Boscardin Silvia Beatriz , Botosso Viviane Fongaro , Astray Renato Mancini , Kalil Jorge , de Almeida Roque Pacheco , Cunha-Neto Edecio , Rosa Daniela Santoro
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has been associated to Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults and congenital malformations during pregnancy, leading to the manifestation of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). The ZIKV envelope protein (EZIKV), prominently displayed on the virus surface, is a primary target for the humoral immune response. However, limited information exists regarding its capacity to induce cellular immunity, particularly in pregnant women with a history of ZIKV infection. The EZIKV protein comprises three domains: the central domain (EDI), a dimerization domain (EDII), and a domain responsible for binding to the cell surface receptor (EDIII). To examine the regions of EZIKV targeted by cellular immunity, we examined cellular immune responses in a cohort of mothers infected with ZIKV, whose infants exhibited microcephaly.

Methods

To assess the ZIKV-specific response, we used inactivated virus and different recombinant viral envelope proteins (EZIKV, EDI/IIZIKV and EDIIIZIKV). All women in the study contracted the infection during pregnancy, with 72% experiencing symptoms such as fever, rash, joint pain, and retro-orbital pain. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBC) were collected post- ZIKV diagnosis confirmation, with a median time of 18 months (IQR 13.5-19) after parturition. Using the ELISpot assay, we quantified specific interferon-gamma (IFNγ) producing cells by stimulating PBMC with either inactivated ZIKV particles or equimolar amounts of recombinant EZIKV, EDI/IIZIKV and EDIIIZIKV.

Results and discussion

Our findings demonstrate the induction of IFN-γ producing cells in PBMC from ZIKV-convalescent mothers, whose infants manifested microcephaly, upon stimulation with both inactivated ZIKV particles and recombinant proteins. The identification of immunodominant regions within ZIKV can contribute for the development of targeted treatments and vaccine candidates tailored for pregnant women.
Biogeographical and seasonal distribution of pteropod populations in the western and central Mediterranean Sea inferred from sediment traps
Authors: Béjard Thibauld M. , Manno Clara , Sierro Francisco J. , Flores José-Abel , Tarruella Javier P. , de Madron Xavier Durrieu , Sanchez-Vidal Anna , Rigual-Hernández Andrés S.
Published: April 2024

Pteropods are a group of cosmopolitan holoplanktic gastropods that produce an aragonite shell and play an important role in both marine ecosystems and geochemical cycles. In addition to being affected by anthropogenic impacts that include warming and changes in carbonate system parameters, the Mediterranean Sea is considered to be understudied concerning pteropods dynamics and abundances. This work aims to document the modern spatial and temporal distributions of pteropods populations in the Northwestern and Central Mediterranean Sea (Gulf of Lions and Strait of Sicily), respectively. We present data from two sediment-trap records that cover the timeframe between early 1996 and early 2004 for the Gulf of Lions and late 2013 to late 2014 for the Sicily Strait. A total of 843 pteropod shells and 18 different species were identified. Limacina inflata, Creseis virgula and Creseis clava were the most abundant species in the Gulf of Lions, while in the Sicily Strait, C. conica replaced C. clava as the most abundant species. These taxons represented around 70% of the total individuals identified in both sites. Overall, our results suggest a greater pteropod abundance in the Gulf of Lions than in the Sicily Strait, most likely due to enhanced food conditions. In the Gulf of Lions, maximum fluxes occurred in autumn (32.5% of the annual pteropod fluxes registered in October), while in the Sicily Strait peak fluxes occurred in winter (30.5% of the annual pteropod fluxes registered in January). Comparison of temporal changes pteropod fluxes with satellite sea surface temperature (SST), and chlorophyll-a concentration suggest a possible positive effect of high algal accumulation and cool water conditions in the Strait of Sicily on the main pteropod groups. In turn, no clear relationships between pteropod groups, SST and chlorophyll-a were identified in the Gulf of Lions, highlighting the effect of salinity and carbonate system parameters. Overall, and despite the limitations associated with the use of sediment traps for pteropod population monitoring, the consistency of our results with the literature supports the use of sediment traps as useful tools for documenting the diversity and temporal distribution of pteropods.
Mineralogy and geotechnical properties of alkaline-activated kaolin with zeolitic tuff and cement kiln dust as landfill liners
Authors: Shaqour Fathi
Published: April 2024

Mixtures of variable proportions of kaolin, quartz sand, zeolitic tuff, and cement kiln dust were blended while adding an 8 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution to allow alkali-activation of kaolin and achieve the optimum strength. This study investigated the mineralogy, microstructure, and geotechnical properties of the prepared mixtures. The aim was to produce a sustainable, environmentally friendly landfill liner. The samples were compacted in stainless steel molds to a maximum dry density and optimum moisture content, extruded from the molds, and left to cure in an oven at varying temperatures from 40°C to 80°C for 24 h. The investigations included XRD, SEM, unconfined compressive strength, and hydraulic conductivity tests. Test results showed the development of a hydroxysodalite binder due to the alkali reaction of kaolin, which caused an increase in strength ranging from 20 to 25 MPa depending on the curing temperature. Alkaline activation was effective even at temperatures as low as 40°C. A mixture of 100 units of kaolin, 45 units of sand, 45 units of zeolitic tuff, and 10% by weight cement kiln dust (CKD) with an 8 M sodium hydroxide activator was found to best achieve the required strength and hydraulic conductivity of 10−9 m/s for the landfill liner. The zeolitic tuff with high cation exchange capacity, available in the mixture, absorbs contaminants in the leachate and prevents pollution of the groundwater. The use of cement kiln dust contributes to enhancing strength and solving an acute environmental problem.
Association between sleep duration during pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Yuandong , Liang Chao , Wu Cui , Nan Zheng
Published: April 2024

Objective

To systematically review studies on the correlation between sleep duration during pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and use meta-analysis to explore the correlation between the two to provide a basis for preventing GDM during pregnancy.

Methods

The search databases were China Knowledge Network (CNKI), Weipu, Wanfang, China Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed), Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed, and the search time was from the establishment of the above databases to July 2023. The data were statistically analyzed using STATA/MP17 and RevMan 5.3 software. Publication bias could be accurately assessed using funnel plots and Egger’s test.

Results

A total of 5,197 papers were searched, and 13 studies were finally included, which included 80,259 individuals, including 3,461 patients with GDM. The comprehensive analysis showed that. Based on pooled data from prospective, cross-sectional, and case–control studies, extreme sleep duration during pregnancy was strongly associated with GDM compared with average sleep duration. The results of the prospective studies showed that both short (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.07–2.10, I2 = 60.9%, p = 0.02) and long (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.13–1.46, I2 = 0.0%, p < 0.0001) sleep duration increased the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, but the harms were more pronounced with short sleep. In analyzing the association between extreme sleep duration and GDM, publication bias was found in prospective, cross-sectional, and case–control studies with moderate heterogeneity and prospective-only studies with low heterogeneity.

Conclusion

Both too short and too long sleep duration during pregnancy are strongly associated with GDM. Either too short or too long sleep duration predicts the risk of developing GDM, but the harms are more pronounced with short sleep. These findings remind us of the importance of controlling sleep duration during pregnancy and help to optimize early strategies to prevent GDM.

Systematic review registration: http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier [CRD42023470925].
A systematic review reveals conflicting evidence for the prevalence of antibodies against the sialic acid ‘xenoautoantigen’ Neu5Gc in humans and the need for a standardised approach to quantification
Authors: Hutton Esme , Scott Emma , Robson Craig N. , Signoret Nathalie , Fascione Martin A.
Published: April 2024

Despite an array of hypothesised implications for health, disease, and therapeutic development, antibodies against the non-human sialic acid N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) remain a subject of much debate. This systematic review of 114 publications aimed to generate a comprehensive overview of published studies in this field, addressing both the reported prevalence of anti-Neu5Gc antibodies in the human population and whether experimental variation accounts for the conflicting reports about the extent of this response. Absolute titres of anti-Neu5Gc antibodies, the reported prevalence of these antibodies, and the individual variation observed within experiments were analysed and grouped according to biological context (‘inflammation’, ‘xenotransplantation’, ‘biotherapeutic use’, ‘cancer’, and ‘healthy populations’), detection method, target epitope selection, and choice of blocking agent. These analyses revealed that the experimental method had a notable impact on both the reported prevalence and absolute titres of anti-Neu5Gc antibodies in the general population, thereby limiting the ability to ascribe reported trends to genuine biological differences or the consequence of experimental design. Overall, this review highlights important knowledge gaps in the study of antibodies against this important xenoautoantigen and the need to establish a standardised method for their quantification if the extent of the importance of Neu5Gc in human health is to be fully understood.
Purinosomes involved in the regulation of tumor metabolism: current progress and potential application targets
Authors: Xie Jiaqi , Liu Jiaqi , Chen Xiehui , Zeng Changchun
Published: April 2024

The core of tumor cell metabolism is the management of energy metabolism due to the extremely high energy requirements of tumor cells. The purine nucleotide synthesis pathway in cells uses the purinosomes as an essential spatial structural complex. In addition to serving a crucial regulatory role in the emergence and growth of tumors, it contributes to the synthesis and metabolism of purine nucleotides. The significance of purine metabolism in tumor cells is initially addressed in this current article. The role of purinosomes as prospective therapeutic targets is then reviewed, along with a list of the signaling pathways that play in the regulation of tumor metabolism. A thorough comprehension of the function of purinosomes in the control of tumor metabolism can generate fresh suggestions for the creation of innovative cancer treatment methods.
Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with motor deficits after brain tumor resection: a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial
Authors: Engelhardt Melina , Schneider Heike , Reuther Jan , Grittner Ulrike , Vajkoczy Peter , Picht Thomas , Rosenstock Tizian
Published: April 2024

Objective

Surgical resection of motor eloquent tumors poses the risk of causing postoperative motor deficits which leads to reduced quality of life in these patients. Currently, rehabilitative procedures are limited with physical therapy being the main treatment option. This study investigated the efficacy of repetitive navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treatment of motor deficits after supratentorial tumor resection.

Methods

This randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial (DRKS00010043) recruited patients with a postoperatively worsened upper extremity motor function immediately postoperatively. They were randomly assigned to receive rTMS (1Hz, 110% RMT, 15 minutes, 7 days) or sham stimulation to the motor cortex contralateral to the injury followed by physical therapy. Motor and neurological function as well as quality of life were assessed directly after the intervention, one month and three months postoperatively.

Results

Thirty patients were recruited for this study. There was no significant difference between both groups in the primary outcome, the Fugl Meyer score three months postoperatively [Group difference (95%-CI): 5.05 (-16.0; 26.1); p=0.631]. Patients in the rTMS group presented with better hand motor function one month postoperatively. Additionally, a subgroup of patients with motor eloquent ischemia showed lower NIHSS scores at all timepoints.

Conclusions

Low-frequency rTMS facilitated the recovery process in stimulated hand muscles, but with limited generalization to other functional deficits. Long-term motor deficits were not impacted by rTMS. Given the reduced life expectancy in these patients a shortened recovery duration of deficits can still be of high significance.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://drks.de/DRKS00010043.
Ascorbic acid-induced warfarin resistance after breast cancer surgery: a case report and literature review
Authors: Gao Pingfa , Shen Yang , Wu Ping , Lv Wenjie
Published: April 2024

Warfarin is an anticoagulant that requires INR-based dosage adjustment. Ascorbic acid may impair warfarin effectiveness according to limited literature. We report a rare case of a 63-year-old woman with an aortic valve replacement history who developed warfarin resistance after taking ascorbic acid for anemia following breast cancer surgery. Despite increasing the warfarin dose from 6 mg to 10 mg daily, her INR remained below the therapeutic range. After ruling out other causes of warfarin resistance, we discontinued ascorbic acid and observed a rapid increase in INR to target values. The temporal relationship and the absence of other confounding factors confirmed the causality of ascorbic acid in this case. We recommend that patients concomitantly taking vitamin C and warfarin should monitor their INR values closely and discontinue ascorbic acid as soon as possible if they exhibit signs of warfarin resistance.
Ferroptosis targeting natural compounds as a promising approach for developing potent liver cancer agents
Authors: Pandey Pratibha , Elsori Deena , Kumar Rahul , Lakhanpal Sorabh , Rautela Indra , Alqahtani Tariq Mohammed , Ahmad Fuzail , Iqbal Danish , Khan Fahad
Published: April 2024

Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. However, treatment options, including surgical resection, transplantation, and molecular drug therapies, are of limited effectiveness. Recent studies have demonstrated that suppressing ferroptosis might be a pivotal signal for liver cancer initiation, thus providing a new way to combat liver cancer. Ferroptosis is a distinct form of controlled cell death that differs from conventional cell death routes like apoptosis, necrosis, and pyroptosis. It results from intracellular iron overload, which raises iron-dependent reactive oxygen species. This, in turn, leads to the accumulation of lipid peroxides that further result in oxidative damage to cell membranes, disrupt normal functioning, and ultimately speed up the ferroptosis phenomenon. Ferroptosis regulation is intricately linked to cellular physiological processes, encompassing iron metabolism, lipid metabolism, and the equilibrium between oxygen-free radical reactions and lipid peroxidation. This review intends to summarize the natural compounds targeting ferroptosis in liver cancer to offer new therapeutic ideas for liver cancer. Furthermore, it serves as the foundation for identifying and applying chemical medicines and natural chemicals that target ferroptosis to treat liver cancer efficiently.
Cell-type specific effects of mineralocorticoid receptor gene expression suggest intercellular communication regulating fibrosis in skeletal muscle disease
Authors: Gomatam Chetan K. , Ingale Pratham , Rodriguez Gabriel , Munger Sarah , Pomeranets Rachel , Krishna Swathy , Lowe Jeovanna , Howard Zachary M. , Rafael-Fortney Jill A.
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal striated muscle degenerative disease. DMD is caused by loss of dystrophin protein, which results in sarcolemmal instability and cycles of myofiber degeneration and regeneration. Pathology is exacerbated by overactivation of infiltrating immune cells and fibroblasts, which leads to chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Mineralocorticoid receptors (MR), a type of nuclear steroid hormone receptors, are potential therapeutic targets for DMD. MR antagonists show clinical efficacy on DMD cardiomyopathy and preclinical efficacy on skeletal muscle in DMD models.

Methods: We have previously generated myofiber and myeloid MR knockout mouse models to dissect cell-specific functions of MR within dystrophic muscles. Here, we compared skeletal muscle gene expression from both knockouts to further define cell-type specific signaling downstream from MR.

Results: Myeloid MR knockout increased proinflammatory and profibrotic signaling, including numerous myofibroblast signature genes. Tenascin C was the most highly upregulated fibrotic gene in myeloid MR-knockout skeletal muscle and is a component of fibrosis in dystrophic skeletal muscle. Surprisingly, lysyl oxidase (Lox), canonically a collagen crosslinker, was increased in both MR knockouts, but did not localize to fibrotic regions of skeletal muscle. Lox localized within myofibers, including only a region of quadriceps muscles. Lysyl oxidase like 1 (Loxl1), another Lox family member, was increased only in myeloid MR knockout muscle and localized specifically to fibrotic regions.

Discussion: This study suggests that MR signaling in the dystrophic muscle microenvironment involves communication between contributing cell types and modulates inflammatory and fibrotic pathways in muscle disease.
Comparative metabolomics combined with genome sequencing provides insights into novel wolfberry-specific metabolites and their formation mechanisms
Authors: Long Qiyuan , Zhang Changjian , Zhu Hui , Zhou Yutong , Liu Shuo , Liu Yanchen , Ma Xuemin , An Wei , Zhou Jun , Zhao Jianhua , Zhang Yuanyuan , Jin Cheng
Published: April 2024

Wolfberry (Lycium, of the family Solanaceae) has special nutritional benefits due to its valuable metabolites. Here, 16 wolfberry-specific metabolites were identified by comparing the metabolome of wolfberry with those of six species, including maize, rice, wheat, soybean, tomato and grape. The copy numbers of the riboflavin and phenyllactate degradation genes riboflavin kinase (RFK) and phenyllactate UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT1) were lower in wolfberry than in other species, while the copy number of the phenyllactate synthesis gene hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate reductase (HPPR) was higher in wolfberry, suggesting that the copy number variation of these genes among species may be the main reason for the specific accumulation of riboflavin and phenyllactate in wolfberry. Moreover, the metabolome-based neighbor-joining tree revealed distinct clustering of monocots and dicots, suggesting that metabolites could reflect the evolutionary relationship among those species. Taken together, we identified 16 specific metabolites in wolfberry and provided new insight into the accumulation mechanism of species-specific metabolites at the genomic level.
Automatic price appraisals: why they matter and how to measure them
Authors: Altenburg Daria , Spruyt Adriaan
Published: April 2024

Accurately estimating consumers’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) is crucial to product design, pricing decisions, and the design of competitive marketing strategies. However, traditional self-report measures of WTP are susceptible to many reporting biases, including tactical responding or an inability to make accurate estimates. Importantly, appraisals also occur automatically (i.e., in the absence of substantial time, intention, awareness, and/or substantial cognitive resources) and implicit measures used to capture automatic appraisals are less susceptible to the sort of reporting biases that self-report measures can be affected by. However, the only existing implicit measure for assessing automatic price appraisals (the Task Rule Congruency paradigm, ‘TRC’) is impractical because of the large number of trials and time it requires. Accordingly, here we introduce the Implicit Attribute Classification Task (IMPACT), test its effectiveness for the measurement of automatic price appraisals (Study 1), and directly compare its effectiveness and utility with that of the TRC (Study 2). We find that the IMPACT is an efficient measure of automatic price appraisals, that it produces considerably larger effects compared to the TRC, and that it does so while substantially shortening the procedure. We also discuss how the IMPACT scores can be used to derive an implicit measure of willingness to pay. Our findings make a substantial contribution to both research and practice by providing an effective tool that facilitates, for the first time, an efficient exploration of implicit WTP.
Effect of applying nursing-based cognitive defusion techniques on mindful awareness, cognitive fusion, and believability of delusions among clients with schizophrenia: a randomized control trial
Authors: El-Ashry Ayman Mohamed , Abd Elhay Eman Sameh , Taha Samah Mohamed , Khedr Mahmoud Abdelwahab , Attalla Mansour Feby Saad , Alabdullah Amany Anwar Saeed , Farghaly Abdelaliem Sally Mohammed , El-Sayed Mona Metwally
Published: April 2024

Background

Applying cognitive defusion techniques to enduring psychotic symptoms, such as delusions, presents both a challenge and a promising opportunity for psychiatric nurses to manage delusions among schizophrenia clients.

Objective

This study aimed to examine the impact of cognitive defusion techniques on psychological flexibility, mindful awareness, cognitive fusion, and the believability of delusions in schizophrenia clients.

Methodology

This study used a single-blind, parallel-arm Randomized Controlled Trial design. Over five weeks, 70 clients with schizophrenia were randomized to either the cognitive defusion intervention group (n = 35) or the control group (n = 35).

Findings

The participants showed significant reductions in the believability of delusions, cognitive fusion, and psychological inflexibility immediately after the intervention and at follow-up. Notable enhancements were observed in cognitive defusion and mindfulness awareness abilities.

Conclusion

Cognitive defusion techniques positively affect schizophrenia clients who struggle with persistent delusional beliefs. This underscores the importance of further investigating this approach to decrease the intensity of delusions as part of a comprehensive therapeutic intervention. Psychiatric nurses must receive training in “cognitive defusion skills” to aid schizophrenia clients in becoming more aware of their emotions and modifying their coping strategies for delusional beliefs. On August 3, 2023, the research was retrospectively registered under the reference number NCT05759091 as a randomized clinical trial.

Clinical trial registration

https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05759091, identifier NCT05759091.
Environmental stress and emotional reactivity: an exploratory experience sampling method study
Authors: Wong Corine Sau Man , Chan Wai Chi , Lo Kristen Wing Yan , Chen Eric Yu Hai , Lam Linda Chiu Wa
Published: April 2024

Background

Previous studies have shown a relationship between environments and mental health. However, limited studies have investigated the impact of environment stress (ES) on emotional reactivity. Our study aimed to fill this gap by examining how daily ES affects momentary emotional reactivity using experience sampling method (ESM).

Methods

Participants were randomly recruited from a prospective cohort study in Hong Kong to participate in a 7-day ESM study. The participants received eight electronic signals daily assessing their ES, positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA). Participants were categorized into depressed group or control group based on Revised Clinical Interview Schedule. Psychometric properties of the ESM assessment were evaluated. Multilevel linear regression analyzes were conducted to examine the association of ES with PA, NA and the group status of the participants (cases versus controls).

Results

A total of 15 participants with depression and 15 healthy controls were recruited, and 1307 momentary assessments were completed with a compliance rate of 77.8%. The depressed group demonstrated a significant increase in NA in response to ES, while the control group showed a decrease in PA. In addition, the depressed group reported a lower perception of control and interaction with their environment compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Using ESM, a valid, reliable, and easy-to-use self-reporting tool, our findings provided valuable insights on the potential mechanisms underlying emotional responses to stressful environments.
A conceptual framework on pre- and post-displacement stressors: the case of Syrian refugees
Authors: Assaf Sara A. , Nuwayhid Iman , Habib Rima R.
Published: April 2024

Researchers have documented multiple stressors and mental health problems along the journey of refugees as they are displaced to seek refuge in nearby and remote host countries. This article examines published research on Syrian refugees to propose a framework to conceptualize Syrian refugees’ pre- and post-stressors and their collective impact on their mental health. The proposed framework provides a comprehensive understanding of the interconnected pathways between pre-displacement stressors, post-displacement stressors, and mental health outcomes for Syrian refugees. Pre-displacement stressors are best captured by the concept of trauma centrality and emotional suppression. Post-displacement stressors, categorized under financial, political, and social themes, have a direct impact on the mental health of the refugees, but could also play a partial mediating role on the impact of pre-displacement stressors on mental health. The framework suggests a direct pathway between the experience of war-related traumatic events and mental health and introduces the country of residence as a potential moderator of the severity of mental health. The latter is primarily influenced by local policies and the host communities’ acceptance of refugees. We believe that the proposed framework can guide the work of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners concerned with the mental health and well-being of Syrian refugees. Additionally, although based on the experience of Syrian refugees, it presents a holistic perspective that could be adapted in other refugee settings.
Interference of daratumumab and efficacy of plerixafor on haematopoietic stem cell collection in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Bigi Flavia , Tacchetti Paola , Giorgi Alessandro , Mazzocchetti Gaia , Solli Vincenza , Barbato Simona , Sinigaglia Barbara , Campanini Elena , Favero Emanuele , Talarico Marco , Puppi Michele , Rizzello Ilaria , Rocchi Serena , Mancuso Katia , Pantani Lucia , Cavo Michele , Zamagni Elena
Published: April 2024

The impact of daratumumab on CD34+ hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) mobilization has recently been a matter of concern. To address this issue, we compared CD34+ HSC-related outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma treated with daratumumab-based quadruplets (N = 44) and bortezomib/thalidomide/dexamethasone (N = 50) before cyclophosphamide-based mobilization. Plerixafor was more often required in the daratumumab group (52% vs. 20%, p = 0.002) and, despite a lower total yield, retained its efficacy in boosting HSC harvesting (+90% vs. +79%, p = 0.463). As a result, the same proportion of patients reached their planned collection goal in the two groups, suggesting its potential to overcome the interference of daratumumab on HSC mobilization. No clinically significant differences were observed in the immediate post-autologous HSC transplant interval in the two groups.
Whistleblowing Based on the Three Lines Model
Authors: Kagias Paschalis , Garefalakis Alexandros , Passas Ioannis , Kyriakogkonas Panagiotis , Sariannidis Nikolaos
Published: April 2024

Directive 1937/2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law became effective very recently. However, Directive 1937/2019 lacks sufficient guidance on the implementation or governance of whistleblowing frameworks. In addition, the existing literature lacks a definition of whistleblowing and whistleblowing frameworks that is appropriate for internal audit and fraud prevention. The purpose of this paper is to address the lack of a definition of whistleblowing and whistleblowing framework appropriate for internal auditing and to guide the roles and responsibilities within an organization to apply and maintain a robust whistleblowing framework. To this effect, the Three Lines Model is used, one of the most recognized theoretical models in effective risk governance and internal audit.
Critical Perspectives of Organisational Behaviour towards Stakeholders through the Application of Corporate Governance Principles
Authors: Luca Florin-Alexandru , Tiganas Claudiu-Gabriel , Grigoras-Ichim Claudia-Elena , Filipeanu Dumitru , Morosan-Danila Lucia
Published: April 2024

Corporate governance is gaining interest not only from investors but companies that want to operate in international markets, prompting a more thorough analysis of the field to prioritise stakeholder interests alongside shareholder value. By adopting a holistic approach that considers stakeholders’ diverse needs and expectations, companies can build resilience, foster trust, and create sustainable value for all stakeholders, ensuring long-term success and societal impact. This paper analyses corporate governance principles applied at the international, European, and national levels, emphasising the importance of the field for the stakeholders. The practical approach of the paper analyses the application and compliance of the corporate governance code of 18 companies in the field of financial intermediation and insurance, which are listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, underlining the crucial role of transparency of operations in instilling confidence and reassurance in stakeholders. The conclusions present proposals for measures to improve corporate governance practices at the level of companies.
Agro-Investments among Small Farm Business Entrepreneurs in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution: A Case in the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
Authors: Nkosi Mzwakhe , Agholor Azikiwe Isaac , Olorunfemi Oluwasogo David
Published: April 2024

Agro-investment in the fourth industrial revolution will be an imperative driving factor and a sacrosanct enabler for small farm business entrepreneurs to participate holistically in the agricultural economic value chain. Investing in advanced technology and entrepreneurship has the potential to promote business modernization and improve the productivity and profitability of farm businesses. This study assessed agro-investments in small farm business entrepreneurs in the era of the fourth industrial revolution in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. The study objectives were precisely to determine the perception of small farm business entrepreneurs on agro-investment and examine the impact of agro-investment for small farm business entrepreneurs in the fourth industrial revolution. The questionnaire used in this study employed structured and semi-structured questions for data collection, and an aggregate of 235 participants were randomly selected. The results on perception indicate that small farm business entrepreneurs mostly perceive agro-investment in the fourth industrial revolution as not suitable for small farm business conditions; this may be attributed to modern agricultural implements being predominantly manufactured in accordance with commercial sector specifications. The results from the binary logistic regression analysis on the perception of small farm business entrepreneurs in the fourth industrial revolution revealed that gender (P-value = 0.031), level of education (P-value = 0.04), farm size (P-value = 0.048), farming skills and knowledge (P-value = 0.027), farm productivity (P-value = 0.059) and investment opportunities (P-value = 0.057) were significant and influence the perception of small farm business entrepreneurs. The mean and standard deviation were used to assess the degree of severity of impact. From the results, sources of investment, technology, market participation, economic benefits, and government interventions were discovered to be impactful on agro-investment for small farm business entrepreneurs. The key contributions of agro-investments among small farm business entrepreneurs in the technological era embody catalyzed rural development, a diversified inclusive rural economy, and competitive participation in the agricultural food value chain. Another crucial contribution of the study is unlocking and accentuating the potential and opportunities that investors, technology designers, and manufacturers can exploit in small farm business agro-investments. This paper identifies and recommends that the South African government ought to create enabling environments for agricultural investment activities to thrive, especially among small farm business entrepreneurs, thereby providing grant funding and training, and enabling public-private stakeholder linkages.
The Impact of Gamification on Slovenian Consumers’ Online Shopping
Authors: Faganel Armand , Pačarić Filip , Rižnar Igor
Published: April 2024

Gamification involves integrating game mechanics into non-game environments such as business intranets, online communities, websites, and learning management systems to boost participation. Its aim is to actively engage employees, customers, and other stakeholders, fostering collaboration, sharing, and interaction. Gamification is a relatively unfamiliar term in Slovenia. The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of gamification on Slovenian consumers, specifically how it affects the online shopping process and user engagement during purchases. To test the hypotheses, we used appropriate statistical tools: chi-square, Friedman, and Wilcoxon tests. The findings indicate that gamification’s strongest influence is not on the post-purchase evaluation phase but rather on the alternative evaluation phase. It is interesting that highly rated reviewers significantly influence product purchases in online stores, while consumers are unwilling to increase their spending on online purchases in exchange for gamification-related benefits.
DBO-CNN-BiLSTM: Dung Beetle Optimization Algorithm-Based Thrust Estimation for Micro-Aero Engine
Authors: Lei Baijun , Huang Haozhong , Chen Guixin , Liang Jianguo , Long Huigui
Published: April 2024

Thrust constitutes a pivotal performance parameter for aircraft engines. Thrust, being an indispensable parameter in control systems, has garnered significant attention, prompting numerous scholars to propose various methods and algorithms for its estimation. However, research methods for estimating the thrust of the micro-turbojet engines used in unmanned aerial vehicles are relatively scarce. Therefore, this paper proposes a thrust estimator for micro-turbojet engines based on DBO (dung beetle optimization) utilizing bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) and a convolutional neural network (CNN). Furthermore, the efficacy of the proposed model is further validated through comparative analysis with others in this paper.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Melatonin-Mediated Salt Stress Response in Germinating Alfalfa
Authors: Liu Zirui , Ren Xiangling , Zhu Wenxuan , Li Yingao , Li Guomin , Liu Caifeng , Li Defeng , Shi Yinghua , Wang Chengzhang , Zhu Xiaoyan , Sun Hao
Published: April 2024

Salt stress poses a significant threat to crop yields worldwide. Melatonin (MT), an endogenous hormone synthesized in plants, has emerged as a crucial player in plant responses to various abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, heat, and cold. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying MT-mediated abiotic stress responses remain incompletely understood. To elucidate the key genes and pathways involved in MT-mediated alleviation of salt stress, we conducted physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic analyses on alfalfa seedlings. Our results demonstrated that alfalfa seedlings treated with melatonin exhibited higher germination rates, longer bud lengths, and greater fresh weights compared to those subjected to salt stress alone. Furthermore, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide anion (O2−) were reduced, while the activities and contents of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and glutathione (GSH) increased in response to melatonin treatment. Transcriptome analysis revealed 2181 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the salt-treated group, with 780 upregulated and 1401 downregulated genes. In contrast, the MT-treated group exhibited 4422 DEGs, including 1438 upregulated and 2984 downregulated genes. Functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs were primarily involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoids, isoflavones, plant hormones, glutathione (GSH), soluble sugars, and other substances, as well as in ABC transporter and MAPK signaling pathways. Notably, the MT-treated group showed greater enrichment of DEGs in these pathways, suggesting that MT mitigates salt stress by modulating the expression of genes related to phytohormones and antioxidant capacity. Overall, our findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying MT-mediated salt tolerance in alfalfa, with important implications for breeding salt-tolerant alfalfa and other crops.
Spatio-Temporal Evolution of Olive Tree Water Status Using Land Surface Temperature and Vegetation Indices Derived from Landsat 5 and 8 Satellite Imagery in Southern Peru
Authors: Quille-Mamani Javier Alvaro , Huayna German , Pino-Vargas Edwin , Chucuya-Mamani Samuel , Vera-Barrios Bertha , Ramos-Fernandez Lia , Espinoza-Molina Jorge , Cabrera-Olivera Fredy
Published: April 2024

Land surface temperature (LST) and its relationship with vegetation indices (VIs) have proven to be effective for monitoring water stress in large-scale crops. Therefore, the objective of this study is to find an appropriate VI to analyse the spatio-temporal evolution of olive water stress using LST images and VIs derived from Landsat 5 and 8 satellites in the semi-arid region of southern Peru. For this purpose, VIs (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index 2 (EVI2) and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI)) and LST were calculated. The information was processed in Google Earth Engine (GEE) for the period 1985 to 2024, with an interval of every five years for the summer season. The triangle method was applied based on the LST-VIs scatterplot analysis, a tool that establishes wet and dry boundary conditions for the Temperature Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI). The results indicated a better appreciation of olive orchard water stress over time, with an average of 39% drought (TVDINDVI and TVDISAVI), 24% severe drought (TVDINDVI) and 25% (TVDISAVI) of the total area, compared to TVDIEVI2, which showed 37% drought and 16% severe drought. It is concluded that TVDINDVI and TVDISAVI provide a better visualisation of the water stress map of the olive crop and offer a range of options to address current and future problems in water resource management in the olive sector in semi-arid areas of southern Peru.
Organic Certification, Online Market Access, and Agricultural Product Prices: Evidence from Chinese Apple Farmers
Authors: Zhang Li , Liu Dong , Yin Qie , Liu Jundi
Published: April 2024

Motivated by the increasing interest in sustainable agriculture and the potential benefits associated with organic certification, this study employs a multidimensional fixed-effects model to analyze data derived from onsite surveys conducted among 681 apple farmers in the Loess Plateau region of China to explore the influence of organic certification on absolute and relative agricultural product prices given online market access. The findings indicated a significant increase in apple prices among farmers who held organic certifications and engaged in online market sales, with prices rising by CNY1.60 per half kilogram. Additionally, this study highlights that the amalgamation of organic certification with online market access significantly enhances agricultural product prices by facilitating better dissemination of market information among farmers. Furthermore, this research addresses a critical gap in the existing literature by clarifying the differential impact of organic certification across distinct farmer demographics and geographical regions. The more pronounced positive impact of organic certification on prices observed among cooperative members and farmers in the low-altitude areas is particularly noteworthy. These results underscore the crucial role of online market access in achieving premium effects and price stability for organically certified products.
Role of Genome Sequences of Major and Minor Millets in Strengthening Food and Nutritional Security for Future Generations
Authors: Maharajan Theivanayagam , Krishna Thumadath Palayullaparambil Ajeesh , Krishnakumar Neenthamadathil Mohandas , Vetriventhan Mani , Kudapa Himabindu , Ceasar Stanislaus Antony
Published: April 2024

Millets are small-seeded cereals belonging to the family Poaceae. They are considered to be climate-resilient and future nutritional food cereals for humans. Millets are resistant to biotic and abiotic stressors compared to other major cereals and thrive in low-quality soils with little maintenance and less rainfall. The importance of millets is still not well known to many people due to the lack of popularity and cultivation in semi-arid tropics of Asia and Africa. The United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023) to promote millet cultivation and popularize their health benefits globally. A few years ago, the application of molecular biology was in its infancy in millets due to the unavailability of genome sequences. Genome sequences are available for most of the millets on NCBI and Phytozome databases. In this review, we discuss the details of genome sequences for millets, candidate genes identified from the native genome of millets. The current status of quantitative trait loci and genome-wide association studies in millets are also discussed. The utilization of millet genome sequences in functional genomics research and translating the information for crop improvement will help millet and non-millet cereals survive harsh environments in the future. Such efforts will help strengthen food security and reduce malnutrition worldwide in 2050.