bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthetic short-chain peptide analogues of H1 relaxin lack affinity for the RXFP1 receptor and relaxin-like bioactivity. Clues to a better understanding of relaxin agonist design
Authors: D'Ercole Annunziata , Nistri Silvia , Pacini Lorenzo , Carotenuto Alfonso , Santoro Federica , Papini Anna Maria , Bathgate Ross A. D. , Bani Daniele , Rovero Paolo
Published: August 2022

The peptide hormone relaxin (RLX), also available as clinical-grade recombinant protein (serelaxin), holds great promise as a cardiovascular and anti-fibrotic agent but is limited by the pharmacokinetic issues common to all peptide drugs. In this study, by a computational modelling chemistry approach, we have synthesized and tested a set of low molecular weight peptides based on the putative receptor-binding domain of the B chain of human H1 RLX isoform, with the objective to obtain RLX analogues with improved pharmacokinetic features. Some of them were stabilized to induce the appropriate 3-D conformation by intra-chain tri-azolic staples, which should theoretically enhance their resistance to digestive enzymes making them suited for oral administration. Despite these favourable premises, none of these H1 peptides, either linear or stapled, revealed a sufficient affinity to the specific RLX receptor RXFP1. Moreover, none of them was endowed with any RLX-like biological effects in RXFP1-expressing THP-1 human monocytic cells and mouse NIH-3T3-derived myofibroblasts in in vitro culture, in terms of significantly relevant cAMP elevation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, which represent two major signal transduction events downstream RXFP1 activation. This was at variance with authentic serelaxin, which induced a clear-cut, significant activation of both these classical RLX signaling pathways. Albeit negative, the results of this study offer additional information about the structural requirements that new peptide therapeutics shall possess to effectively behave as RXFP1 agonists and RLX analogues.
Engaging plasticity: Differentiation therapy in solid tumors
Authors: Bar-Hai Neta , Ishay-Ronen Dana
Published: August 2022

Cancer is a systemic heterogeneous disease that can undergo several rounds of latency and activation. Tumor progression evolves by increasing diversity, adaptation to signals from the microenvironment and escape mechanisms from therapy. These dynamic processes indicate necessity for cell plasticity. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a major role in facilitating cell plasticity in solid tumors by inducing dedifferentiation and cell type transitions. These two practices, plasticity and dedifferentiation enhance tumor heterogeneity creating a key challenge in cancer treatment. In this review we will explore cancer cell plasticity and elaborate treatment modalities that aspire to overcome such dynamic processes in solid tumors. We will further discuss the therapeutic potential of utilizing enhanced cell plasticity for differentiation therapy.
Dihydroartemisinin remodels macrophage into an M1 phenotype via ferroptosis-mediated DNA damage
Authors: Li Liu-Gen , Peng Xing-Chun , Yu Ting-Ting , Xu Hua-Zhen , Han Ning , Yang Xiao-Xin , Li Qi-Rui , Hu Jun , Liu Bin , Yang Zi-Yi , Xu Xiang , Chen Xiao , Wang Mei-Fang , Li Tong-Fei
Published: August 2022

Lung cancer recruits tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) massively, whose predominantly pro-tumor M2 phenotype leads to immunosuppression. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has been proven to remodel TAM into an anti-tumor M1 phenotype at certain concentrations in the present study, which was hypothesized to facilitate anti-lung cancer immunotherapy. However, how DHA remodels the TAM phenotype has not yet been uncovered. Our previous work revealed that DHA could trigger ferroptosis in lung cancer cells, which may also be observed in TAM thereupon. Sequentially, in the current study, DHA was found to remodel TAM into the M1 phenotype in vitro and in vivo. Simultaneously, DHA was observed to trigger ferroptosis in TAM and cause the DNA damage response and NF-κB activation. Conversely, the DHA-induced DNA damage response and NF-κB activation in TAM were attenuated after the inhibition of ferroptosis in TAM using an inhibitor of ferroptosis. Importantly, a ferroptosis inhibitor could also abolish the DHA-induced phenotypic remodeling of TAM toward the M1 phenotype. In a nutshell, this work demonstrates that DHA-triggered ferroptosis of TAM results in DNA damage, which could activate downstream NF-κB to remodel TAM into an M1 phenotype, providing a novel strategy for anti-lung cancer immunotherapy. This study offers a novel strategy and theoretical basis for the use of traditional Chinese medicine monomers to regulate the anti-tumor immune response, as well as a new therapeutic target for TAM phenotype remodeling.
Pan-cancer analyses identify DCBLD2 as an oncogenic, immunological, and prognostic biomarker
Authors: Xie Pan , Liu Jun-Yan , Yan Han , Wang Zhi-Bin , Jiang Shi-Long , Li Xi , Liu Zhao-Qian
Published: August 2022

Discoidin, CUB, and LCCL domain-containing protein 2 (DCBLD2) is a two-domain transmembrane protein-coding gene located on chromosome 3, the protein expressed by which acts as the membrane receptor of semaphorin and vascular endothelial growth factor during the development of axons and blood vessels. Although several research evidences at the cellular and clinical levels have associated DCBLD2 with tumorigenesis, nothing is known regarding this gene from a pan-cancer standpoint. In this study, we systematically analyzed the influence of DCBLD2 on prognosis, cancer staging, immune characteristics, and drug sensitivity in a variety of cancers based on a unified and standardized pan-cancer dataset. In addition, we performed GO enrichment analyses and KEGG analyses of DCBLD2-related genes and DCBLD2-binding proteins. Our results showed that DCBLD2 is a potential oncogenic, immunological as well as a prognostic biomarker in terms of pan-cancer, and is expected to contribute to the improvement of tumor prognosis and the development of targeted therapy.
Bipartite graph search optimization for type II diabetes mellitus Jamu formulation using branch and bound algorithm
Authors: Kusuma Wisnu Ananta , Habibi Zulfahmi Ibnu , Amir Muhammad Fahmi , Fadli Aulia , Khotimah Husnul , Dewanto Vektor , Heryanto Rudi
Published: August 2022

Jamu is an Indonesian traditional herbal medicine that has been practiced for generations. Jamu is made from various medicinal plants. Each plant has several compounds directly related to the target protein that are directly associated with a disease. A pharmacological graph can form relationships between plants, compounds, and target proteins. Research related to the prediction of Jamu formulas for some diseases has been carried out, but there are problems in finding combinations or compositions of Jamu formulas because of the increase in search space size. Some studies adopted the drug–target interaction (DTI) implemented using machine learning or deep learning to predict the DTI for discovering the Jamu formula. However, this approach raises important issues, such as imbalanced and high-dimensional dataset, overfitting, and the need for more procedures to trace compounds to their plants. This study proposes an alternative approach by implementing bipartite graph search optimization using the branch and bound algorithm to discover the combination or composition of Jamu formulas by optimizing the search on a plant–protein bipartite graph. The branch and bound technique is implemented using the search strategy of breadth first search (BrFS), Depth First Search, and Best First Search. To show the performance of the proposed method, we compared our method with a complete search algorithm, searching all nodes in the tree without pruning. In this study, we specialize in applying the proposed method to search for the Jamu formula for type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The result shows that the bipartite graph search with the branch and bound algorithm reduces computation time up to 40 times faster than the complete search strategy to search for a composition of plants. The binary branching strategy is the best choice, whereas the BrFS strategy is the best option in this research. In addition, the the proposed method can suggest the composition of one to four plants for the T2DM Jamu formula. For a combination of four plants, we obtain Angelica Sinensis, Citrus aurantium, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and Mangifera indica. This approach is expected to be an alternative way to discover the Jamu formula more accurately.
Mapping the global research landscape and hotspot of exercise therapy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A bibliometric study based on the web of science database from 2011 to 2020
Authors: Zhou Yu , Liu Xiaodan , Wu Weibing
Published: August 2022

Background: The application of exercise therapy (ET) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is generating increasing clinical efficacy and social-economic value. In this study, research trends, evolutionary processes and hot topics in this field are detailed, as well as predictions of future development directions.

Methods: Search for literature in the field of COPD and ET and analyze data to generate knowledge graphs using VOSiewer and CiteSpace software. The time frame for the search was from 2011 to January 2021. Then we extracted full-text key information (such as title, journal category, publication date, author, country and institution, abstract, and keyword) and obtained the co-citation analysis. Use hierarchal clustering analysis software developed by VOSviewer to map common citations, and use Citespace software to plot trend networks.

Results: The United States topped the list with 27.91% of the number of articles posted, followed by the UK at 25.44%. Imperial College London was the highest number of article publications in institutions, followed by Maastricht University and the University of Toronto. The Royal Brompton Harefield NHS Foundation Trust was one of many research institutions and currently holds the highest average citations per item (ACI) value, followed by Imperial College London and the University of Leuven. Judging from the number of publications related to ET and COPD, it is mainly published in cell biology, respiratory pulmonary diseases, and rehabilitation experiments study medicine. The European Respiration Journal is the most widely published in this field, followed by the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Respiratory Medicine.

Conclusion: COPD combined with ET is widely used in clinical practice and is on the rise. A distinctive feature of the field is multidisciplinary integration. Rehabilitation research for COPD involves multidisciplinary collaboration, tissue engineering, and molecular biology mechanism studies to help patients remodel healthy breathing. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation measures provide a solid foundation for advancing clinical efficacy in the field of COPD.
Can phase angle from bioelectrical impedance analysis associate with neuromuscular properties of the knee extensors?
Authors: Hirata Kosuke , Ito Mari , Nomura Yuta , Yoshida Tsukasa , Yamada Yosuke , Akagi Ryota
Published: August 2022

Maintenance and improvement of neuromuscular functions is crucial for everyone regardless of age. An easy way to assess neuromuscular properties without muscle contraction is useful especially for those who cannot perform strenuous muscular force production, such as older adults and patients with orthopedic or cognitive disorders. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) can assess body electrical properties e.g., phase angle (PhA) which is regarded as muscle quantity/quality index. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations of PhA with neuromuscular properties of the knee extensors in 55 young (n = 23) and older (n = 32) adults. The values of PhA of the right thigh and whole-body were determined with BIA at 50 kHz. The participants performed 4-s maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) to measure peak torque (PTMVIC), and 1-s brief MVIC to assess rate of torque development (RTD) over the time interval of 0–200 ms. As markers of physiological mechanisms of muscle force production, twitch contractile properties (peak twitch torque, rate of twitch torque development, and time-to-peak twitch torque) of the knee extensors obtained by femoral nerve electrical stimulation, and muscle activity assessed as root mean square values of electromyographic activity (EMG-RMS) during PTMVIC and RTD measurements were measured. Thigh and whole-body PhA significantly correlated with PTMVIC (r ≥ 0.555, p < 0.001) and electrically evoked twitch parameters (peak twitch torque, rate of twitch torque development, and time-to-peak twitch torque; |r| ≥ 0.420, p ≤ 0.001), but not RTD (r ≤ 0.237, p ≥ 0.081) or EMG-RMSs (|r| ≤ 0.214, p ≥ 0.117). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed that thigh PhA was selected as a significant variable to predict PTMVIC but not RTD. Whole-body PhA was not selected as a significant variable to predict PTMVIC or RTD. In conclusion, both thigh and whole-body PhA can associate with maximal voluntary muscle strength of the knee extensors, and this association may be due to intrinsic contractile properties but not neural aspects. Regarding prediction of the knee extensor strength, thigh PhA is preferable as the predictor rather than whole-body PhA which is used as a widely acknowledged indicator of sarcopenia.
Back From the Dead: The Atypical Kinase Activity of a Pseudokinase Regulator of Cation Fluxes During Inducible Immunity
Authors: Brauer Elizabeth K. , Ahsan Nagib , Popescu George V. , Thelen Jay J. , Popescu Sorina C.
Published: August 2022

Pseudokinases are thought to lack phosphotransfer activity due to altered canonical catalytic residues within their kinase domain. However, a subset of pseudokinases maintain activity through atypical phosphotransfer mechanisms. The Arabidopsis ILK1 is a pseudokinase from the Raf-like MAP3K family and is the only known plant pseudokinase with confirmed protein kinase activity. ILK1 activity promotes disease resistance and molecular pattern-induced root growth inhibition through its stabilization of the HAK5 potassium transporter with the calmodulin-like protein CML9. ILK1 also has a kinase-independent function in salt stress suggesting that it interacts with additional proteins. We determined that members of the ILK subfamily are the sole pseudokinases within the Raf-like MAP3K family and identified 179 novel putative ILK1 protein interactors. We also identified 70 novel peptide targets for ILK1, the majority of which were phosphorylated in the presence of Mn2+ instead of Mg2+ in line with modifications in ILK1’s DFG cofactor binding domain. Overall, the ILK1-targeted or interacting proteins included diverse protein types including transporters (HAK5, STP1), protein kinases (MEKK1, MEKK3), and a cytokinin receptor (AHK2). The expression of 31 genes encoding putative ILK1-interacting or phosphorylated proteins, including AHK2, were altered in the root and shoot in response to molecular patterns suggesting a role for these genes in immunity. We describe a potential role for ILK1 interactors in the context of cation-dependent immune signaling, highlighting the importance of K+ in MAMP responses. This work further supports the notion that ILK1 is an atypical kinase with an unusual cofactor dependence that may interact with multiple proteins in the cell.
Spermine-mediated metabolic homeostasis improves growth and stress tolerance in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) under water or high-temperature stress
Authors: Li Zhou , Cheng Bizhen , Wu Xing , Zhang Yan , Feng Guangyan , Peng Yan
Published: August 2022

Plants have developed diverse defense strategies to reduce the detrimental effects of a wide range of environmental stresses. The objectives of this study were to explore the function of spermine (Spm) on mediating growth and physiological changes in water homeostasis, photosynthetic performance, and oxidative damage and to further examine the regulatory mechanism of Spm on global metabolites reprogramming and associated metabolic pathways in horticultural creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) under water and heat stresses. The 21-days-old plants were pretreated with or without 100 μM Spm for 3 days and then subjected to water stress (17% polyethylene glycol 6000), high-temperature stress (40/35°C, day/night), or normal condition (control without water stress and heat stress) for 18 days. Results demonstrated that exogenous application of Spm could significantly increase endogenous polyamine (PAs), putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), and Spm contents, followed by effective alleviation of growth retardant, water imbalance, photoinhibition, and oxidative damage induced by water and heat stress. Metabolites' profiling showed that a total of 61 metabolites were differentially or commonly regulated by Spm in leaves. Spm upregulated the accumulation of mannose, maltose, galactose, and urea in relation to enhanced osmotic adjustment (OA), antioxidant capacity, and nitrogen metabolism for growth maintenance under water and heat stress. Under water stress, Spm mainly induced the accumulation of sugars (glucose-1-phosphate, sucrose-6-phosphate, fructose, kestose, maltotriose, and xylose), amino acids (glutamic acid, methionine, serine, and threonine), and organic acids (pyruvic acid, aconitic acid, and ketoglutaric acid) involved in the respiratory pathway and myo-inositol associated with energy production, the ROS-scavenging system, and signal transduction. In response to heat stress, the accumulation of alanine, glycine, gallic acid, malic acid, or nicotinic acid was specifically enhanced by Spm contributing to improvements in antioxidant potency and metabolic homeostasis. This study provides novel evidence of Spm-induced,tolerance to water and heat stresses associated with global metabolites reprogramming in favor of growth maintenance and physiological responses in horticultural plants.
Research hotspots and frontiers in agricultural multispectral technology: Bibliometrics and scientometrics analysis of the Web of Science
Authors: Zhang Yali , Zhao Dehua , Liu Hanchao , Huang Xinrong , Deng Jizhong , Jia Ruichang , He Xiaoping , Tahir Muhammad Naveed , Lan Yubin
Published: August 2022

Multispectral technology has a wide range of applications in agriculture. By obtaining spectral information during crop production, key information such as growth, pests and diseases, fertilizer and pesticide application can be determined quickly, accurately and efficiently. The scientific analysis based on Web of Science aims to understand the research hotspots and areas of interest in the field of agricultural multispectral technology. The publications related to agricultural multispectral research in agriculture between 2002 and 2021 were selected as the research objects. The softwares of CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Microsoft Excel were used to provide a comprehensive review of agricultural multispectral research in terms of research areas, institutions, influential journals, and core authors. Results of the analysis show that the number of publications increased each year, with the largest increase in 2019. Remote sensing, imaging technology, environmental science, and ecology are the most popular research directions. The journal Remote Sensing is one of the most popular publishers, showing a high publishing potential in multispectral research in agriculture. The institution with the most research literature and citations is the USDA. In terms of the number of papers, Mtanga is the author with the most published articles in recent years. Through keyword co-citation analysis, it is determined that the main research areas of this topic focus on remote sensing, crop classification, plant phenotypes and other research areas. The literature co-citation analysis indicates that the main research directions concentrate in vegetation index, satellite remote sensing applications and machine learning modeling. There is still a lot of room for development of multi-spectrum technology. Further development can be carried out in the areas of multi-device synergy, spectral fusion, airborne equipment improvement, and real-time image processing technology, which will cooperate with each other to further play the role of multi-spectrum in agriculture and promote the development of agriculture.
Host induced gene silencing of Magnaporthe oryzae by targeting pathogenicity and development genes to control rice blast disease
Authors: Wang Mengying , Dean Ralph A.
Published: August 2022

Rice blast disease caused by the hemi-biotrophic fungus Magnaporthe oryzae is the most destructive disease of rice world-wide. Traditional disease resistance strategies for the control of rice blast disease have not proved durable. HIGS (host induced gene silencing) is being developed as an alternative strategy. Six genes (CRZ1, PMC1, MAGB, LHS1, CYP51A, CYP51B) that play important roles in pathogenicity and development of M. oryzae were chosen for HIGS. HIGS vectors were transformed into rice calli through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and T0, T1 and T2 generations of transgenic rice plants were generated. Except for PMC1 and LHS1, HIGS transgenic rice plants challenged with M. oryzae showed significantly reduced disease compared with non-silenced control plants. Following infection with M. oryzae of HIGS transgenic plants, expression levels of target genes were reduced as demonstrated by Quantitative RT-PCR. In addition, treating M. oryzae with small RNA derived from the target genes inhibited fungal growth. These findings suggest RNA silencing signals can be transferred from host to an invasive fungus and that HIGS has potential to generate resistant rice against M. oryzae.
Comprehensive functional analysis of the PYL-PP2C-SnRK2s family in Bletilla striata reveals that BsPP2C22 and BsPP2C38 interact with BsPYLs and BsSnRK2s in response to multiple abiotic stresses
Authors: Liu Shuai , Lu Chan , Jiang Guanghui , Zhou Ru , Chang Yuanqing , Wang Shiqiang , Wang Donghao , Niu Junfeng , Wang Zhezhi
Published: August 2022

As the core regulation network for the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway, the PYL-PP2C-SnRK2s family commonly exists in many species. For this study, a total of 9 BsPYLs, 66 BsPP2Cs, and 7 BsSnRK2s genes were identified based on the genomic databases of Bletilla striata, which were classified into 3, 10, and 3 subgroups, respectively. Basic bioinformatics analysis completed, including the physicochemical properties of proteins, gene structures, protein motifs and conserved domains. Multiple cis-acting elements related to stress responses and plant growth were found in promoter regions. Further, 73 genes were localized on 16 pseudochromosomes and 29 pairs of paralogous genes were found via intraspecific collinearity analysis. Furthermore, tissue-specific expression was found in different tissues and germination stages. There were two BsPYLs, 10 BsPP2Cs, and four BsSnRK2 genes that exhibited a difference in response to multiple abiotic stresses. Moreover, subcellular localization analysis revealed six important proteins BsPP2C22, BsPP2C38, BsPP2C64, BsPYL2, BsPYL8, and BsSnRK2.4 which were localized in the nucleus and plasma membrane. Finally, yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays suggested that BsPP2C22 and BsPP2C38 could interact with multiple BsPYLs and BsSnRK2s proteins. This study systematically reported on the identification and characterization of the PYL-PP2C-SnRK2s family in B. striata, which provided a conceptual basis for deep insights into the functionality of ABA core signal pathways in Orchidaceae.
Melatonin treatment improves postharvest quality and regulates reactive oxygen species metabolism in “Feizixiao” litchi based on principal component analysis
Authors: Xie Jing , Qin Ziyi , Pan Jiali , Li Jing , Li Xia , Khoo Hock Eng , Dong Xinhong
Published: August 2022

Postharvest quality of litchi reduces rapidly during storage at room temperature. This study aimed to investigate the effect of melatonin treatment on postharvest quality and oxidative stress markers of litchi fruit during cold storage. The “Feizixiao” litchi was treated with melatonin solution concentrations of 0.2 and 0.6 mmol·L−1 and then stored at 4°C for 12 days. The results confirmed that the melatonin treatment effectively maintained the appearance and color of the litchi fruit, suppressed the peel browning, and improved the litchi quality. The treatment also significantly enhanced the levels of endogenous melatonin, antioxidant components (total phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanin), and antioxidant enzyme activities of the fruit. It also inhibited the other oxidative stress markers, such as O2−, H2O2, MDA, and protein carbonyl content, and upregulated the expressions of antioxidant and Msr-related genes. Correlation and principal component analyses further confirmed that the melatonin treatment effectively delayed the fruit senescence by enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activities and modulating peel browning and reactive oxygen species metabolism of the litchi fruit via regulating gene expression of the related enzymes (SOD and PPO). These findings suggested that the exogenous application of melatonin to litchi during the postharvest is an ideal way to preserve the fruit quality and delay fruit senescence.
Systemic regulation of soybean nodulation and nitrogen fixation by nitrogen via isoflavones
Authors: Lyu Xiaochen , Sun Chunyan , Lin Tao , Wang Xuelai , Li Sha , Zhao Shuhong , Gong Zhenping , Wei Ziwei , Yan Chao , Ma Chunmei
Published: August 2022

Nitrogen (N) inhibits soybean (Glycine max L.) nodulation and N2 fixation. Isoflavones secreted by soybean roots can stimulate signal transduction for symbiotic nodules, thus playing a key role in root nodule development and N2 fixation. The relationship between the inhibition of soybean nodulation, N2 fixation and isoflavones by N is still unclear. In this study, dual-root soybean plants were prepared by grafting, and N or isoflavones were supplied to unilateral roots. The number and dry weight of the soybean nodules, nitrogenase activity, isoflavone concentrations and relative changes in the level of expression of nodulation-related genes were measured to study the response relationship between the N systemic regulation the soybean nodule N2 fixation and changes in the concentrations of isoflavones in its roots. The results showed that N supply to one side of the dual-root soybeans systematically affected the N2 fixation of root nodules on both sides, and this effect began in the early stage of nodulation. Moreover, a unilateral supply of N systematically affected the concentrations of daidzein and genistein on both sides of the roots. The concentrations of isoflavones were consistent with the change trend of soybean root nodule and nodulation-related gene expression level. Treatment with unilateral N or isoflavones affected the soybean nodule N2 fixation and its nodulation-related genes, which had the same response to the changes in concentrations of root isoflavones. N regulates soybean nodulation and N2 fixation by systematically affecting the concentrations of isoflavones in the roots.
Bacillus halotolerans KKD1 induces physiological, metabolic and molecular reprogramming in wheat under saline condition
Authors: Wu Xiaohui , Fan Yaning , Wang Ruoyi , Zhao Qian , Ali Qurban , Wu Huijun , Gu Qin , Borriss Rainer , Xie Yongli , Gao Xuewen
Published: August 2022

Salt stress decreases plant growth and is a major threat to crop yields worldwide. The present study aimed to alleviate salt stress in plants by inoculation with halophilic plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) isolated from an extreme environment in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Wheat plants inoculated with Bacillus halotolerans KKD1 showed increased seedling morphological parameters and physiological indexes. The expression of wheat genes directly involved in plant growth was upregulated in the presence of KKD1, as shown by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis. The metabolism of phytohormones, such as 6-benzylaminopurine and gibberellic acid were also enhanced. Mining of the KKD1 genome corroborated its potential plant growth promotion (PGP) and biocontrol properties. Moreover, KKD1 was able to support plant growth under salt stress by inducing a stress response in wheat by modulating phytohormone levels, regulating lipid peroxidation, accumulating betaine, and excluding Na+. In addition, KKD1 positively affected the soil nitrogen content, soil phosphorus content and soil pH. Our findings indicated that KKD1 is a promising candidate for encouraging wheat plant growth under saline conditions.
Flavonoids affect the endophytic bacterial community in Ginkgo biloba leaves with increasing altitude
Authors: Fu Shaodong , Deng Yan , Zou Kai , Zhang Shuangfei , Liu Xueduan , Liang Yili
Published: August 2022

Altitude affects plant growth and metabolism, but the effect of altitude on plant endophytic microorganisms is still unclear. In this study, we selected 16Ginkgo bilobatrees to study the response of leaves’ endophytes to flavonoids and altitude (from 530 m to 1,310 m). HPLC results showed that flavonoids inGinkgo bilobaleaves increased by more than 150% with attitude rising from 530 m to 1,310 m, which revealed a positive correlation with altitude.Ginkgo bilobamight regulate the increased flavonoids in leaves to resist the increasing light intensity. 16S rDNA sequencing results showed that the endophytic bacterial communities ofGinkgo bilobaat different altitudes significantly differed.Ginkgoleaf endophytes’ alpha diversity decreased with increasing flavonoids content and altitude. The increased flavonoids might increase the environmental pressure on endophytes and affect the endophytic community inGinkgo bilobaleaves. The bacterial network inGinkgo bilobaleaves became more complex with increasing altitude, which might be one of the strategies of leaf endophytes to cope with increasing flavonoids. Metagenomes results predicted with PICRUSt showed that the abundance of flavonoid biosynthesis and photosynthesis genes were significantly decreased with the increase of flavonoid contents. High flavonoid content in leaves appeared to inhibit microbial flavonoid synthesis. Our findings indicate that altitude can modulate microbial community structure through regulating plant metabolites, which is important to uncovering the interaction of microbes, host and the environment.
“What makes this a wug?” Relations among children’s question asking, memory, and categorization of objects
Authors: Lazaroff Emma , Vlach Haley A.
Published: August 2022

Children ask many questions, but do not always receive answers to the questions they ask. We were interested in whether the act of generating questions, in the absence of an answer, is related to children’s later thinking. Two experiments examined whether children retain the questions they ask in working memory, and whether the type of questions asked relate to their categorization. Four to ten-year-old children (N= 42 in Experiment 1,N= 41 in Experiment 2) were shown 12 novel objects, asked three questions about each, and did not receive answers to their questions. Children recalled their questions in the first experiment and categorized variants of the novel objects in the second experiment. We found that children have robust working memory for their questions, indicating that these questions may relate to their subsequent thinking. Additionally, children generalize category boundaries more narrowly or broadly depending on the type of question they ask, indicating that children’s questions may reflect an underlying bias in how they think about the world. These findings suggest that future research should examine questions in the absence of answers to understand how inquiry affects children’s cognitive development.
Academic expectations among international students from North-Western China: A case of technology use during and post COVID-19
Authors: AL-Qadri Abdo Hasan , Ahmed Salah A. M. , Suliman Mohammed A. E. , Al-khresheh Mohammad H. , Boudouaia Azzeddine , Zhao Wei , Zhang Wenlan
Published: August 2022

This study examines the influence of the COVID-19 crisis on academic expectations among international students from north-western China. According to past studies, academic expectations are multifaceted, making it critical to test the methods employed to assess this fundamental trait. The outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in various significant changes in education, which have shifted from traditional to online or mixed formats. As a result, examining international students' academic expectations along with their interactions with adopted technologies is a topic that addresses the current situation and issues. A mixed approach, comprising two different instruments (questionnaire and interview), was followed to achieve this primary objective. While a survey with a questionnaire was undertaken with 551 international students, divided into two groups, ten students were interviewed during and after the lockdowns. The findings revealed that COVID-19 had a significant impact on the academic expectations of students as well as many elements such as training for employment, personal and social development, international student mobility, motivation, social pressure, and social interaction with the help of supporting technologies. In terms of gender, men outperformed women in motivation, social interaction, training for employment, and personal and social development factors. Similarly, as per the grade variable (undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral), the same higher trend was seen in postgraduates. Based on these findings, a set of recommendations was put forward. In the future, technology will be helpful in China's educational sector, such as online group collaboration, open education, managing student retention, and supervising teachers' recruitment.
Relationship between employment values and college students’ choice intention of slow employment: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Wang Ting , Li Shiqing
Published: August 2022

This study examines the impact of employment values on college students’ choice intention of slow employment, as well as the role of employment anxiety and social support in this process. A questionnaire survey is conducted among students from several universities in Haidian and Changping Districts of Beijing to test a theoretical model. It is found that the employment long-term income orientation and employment cost avoidance orientation significantly positively predicted the choice intention of slow employment, and employment anxiety plays a mediating role in this relationship. The short-term income orientation of employment significantly negatively affects the choice intention of slow employment. Social support moderates the impact of the long-term and short-term employment income orientation on employment anxiety and the mediation effect of employment anxiety. This study contributes to the literature on college students’ employment psychology and behavior, and it provides an approach for colleges and universities, society at large, families, and college students to reduce the choice intention of slow employment and achieve fuller employment.
Adoption of mobile health services using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model: Self-efficacy and privacy concerns
Authors: Liu Yizhi , Lu Xuan , Zhao Gang , Li Chengjiang , Shi Junyi
Published: August 2022

Mobile health (mHealth) services have been widely used in medical services and health management through mobile devices and multiple channels, such as smartphones, wearable equipment, healthcare applications (Apps), and medical platforms. However, the number of the users who are currently receiving the mHealth services is small. In China, more than 70% of internet users have never used mHealth services. Such imbalanced situation could be attributed to users’ traditional concept of medical treatment, psychological factors (such as low self-efficacy) and privacy concerns. The purpose of this study is to explore the direct and indirect effects of mHealth users’ self-efficacy and privacy concerns on their intention to adopt mHealth services, providing guidelines for mHealth service providers to enhance users’ intention of adoption. A questionnaire was designed by the research team and 386 valid responses were collected from domestic participants in China. Based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model, a research model integrated self-efficacy and privacy concerns was constructed to investigate their effects on users’ intention to adopt mobile mHealth services. The results show that self-efficacy could facilitate users’ intention to adopt mHealth services, and had a significantly positive effect on perceived ubiquity, effort expectancy, performance expectancy and subjective norm. This study verifies the direct and indirect effects of self-efficacy and privacy concerns on users’ intention to adopt mHealth services, providing a different perspective for studying mHealth adoption behavior. The findings could provide guidelines for mHealth service providers to improve their service quality and enhance users’ intention of adoption.
Viewpoint of operating room nurses about factors associated with the occupational burnout: A qualitative study
Authors: Teymoori Esmaeil , Zareiyan Armin , Babajani-Vafsi Saeed , Laripour Reza
Published: August 2022

Background

Occupational burnout is a mental health problem that among nurses may lead not only to physical and psychological complications, but also to a decrease in the quality of patient care. Considering the stressful nature of surgery, operating room nurses may be at a greater risk. Therefore, the present study aimed to identifying factors associated with the occupational burnout from the perspective of operating room nurses.

Materials and methods

This qualitative study was conducted in Iran in 2021 using conventional content analysis. Sampling was performed using purposeful sampling method with maximum variation. In order to collect data, individual, semi-structured interviews were performed with 18 operating room nurses. Interviews continued until data saturation. Data were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using steps proposed by Graneheim and Lundman. Data management was performed using MAXQDA-2020 software. Four criteria provided by Guba and Lincoln were used to improve the study’s trustworthiness and rigor.

Results

A main theme, 4 categories and 15 subcategories were extracted from the data. The main theme is “gradual burnout due to job tension” and categories and subcategories include organizational factors (manager incompetence, organizational indifference, ambiguity in organizational role, organizational inconsistency), interpersonal factors (surgeon aggression, surgeon authoritarianism, surgeon failure to manage stress, unprofessional behavior of nurses), Occupational nature factors (psychological factors and occupational hazards) as well as individual factors (occupational attitude, unprofessional behavior, emotional involvement, demographic factors, physical factors).

Conclusion

Numerous factors associated with burnout in operating room nurses, which may put the personnel under more pressure. According to these factors, nursing managers and operating room nurses can consider effective strategies to prevent or coping with burnout.
Psychological inflexibility and valuing happiness: Dangerous liaisons
Authors: Valdivia-Salas Sonsoles , Lombas A. Sebastian , Salvador Sonia , López-Crespo Ginesa
Published: August 2022

Previous evidence has shown that excessive valuing happiness may relate to lower psychological wellbeing across cultures. Considering the lack of data with Spanish population, we examined the relation between tightly holding happiness emotion goals and subjective wellbeing in a sample of Spanish women, and explored the mediation role exerted by psychological inflexibility components (namely, cognitive fusion and experiential avoidance) in the relation between valuing happiness and subjective wellbeing. A female adult sample (n = 168) filled out measures of excessive valuing happiness, psychological inflexibility, positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction. Valuing happiness only showed positive total effects on negative affect and strong direct effects on both cognitive fusion and experiential avoidance. Analyses revealed the mediating roles exerted by psychological inflexibility components, with experiential avoidance leading to lower pleasure; and cognitive fusion leading to greater displeasure and lower life satisfaction. Psychological inflexibility components explained between 40 and 80% of the total effect of valuing happiness on our outcome variables. Our findings highlight the need for further research on the benefits of hedonic vs. values-based approaches to happiness.
The impact of Internet use on the subjective well-being of Chinese residents: From a multi-dimensional perspective
Authors: Zhong Jiawei , Wu Wenbo , Zhao Fusen
Published: August 2022

As cyberspace has become an important factor in modern-day life, the impact of the Internet on residents has also attracted more attention. Based on the data of China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study empirically examines the impact of Internet use on Chinese residents’ subjective well-being (SWB) from a multi-dimensional perspective. The research found that Internet use had a significant impact on residents’ SWB, which was mainly reflected in job satisfaction, happiness, social ties, and future confidence. The impacts of the Internet’s different application fields are not consistent. Applying its use more in studying, working, socialize and commercial activities has a stronger effect, but has no significant impact on entertainment. Further heterogeneity tests also found that the marginal effect of Internet use increases with age, male and low-income groups can obtain greater benefit from the Internet, and there is almost no difference between urban and rural areas. This research provides micro evidence of the social effects of Internet use and provides enlightenment for how to further promote the quality of Internet use to better benefit people.
An analysis of awe evoked by COVID-19 on green purchasing behavior: A dual-path effect of approach-avoidance motivation
Authors: Su Weihuan , Sun Xixiang , Guo Xiaodong , Zhang Wei , Li Gen
Published: August 2022

The spread of the COVID-19 virus shows that it is time to re-emphasize the ethical attitude of “awe of others, awe of nature, and awe of life.” It once again reveals the importance of green development. In this study, we introduce awe into the context of COVID-19 and construct an “emotion-motivation-behavior” framework, aiming to explore the relationship between the epidemic and green purchasing behavior from a psychological perspective. Study 1 demonstrates the effect of awe on green purchasing and examines the mediating role of the motivation perspective, to reveal the potential different path. Specifically, prosocial motivation mediates the effect of positive awe evoked by COVID-19 on green purchasing; risk avoidance motivation mediates the effect of negative awe evoked by COVID-19 on green purchasing. Study 2 examined the moderating effect of self-construal. These findings have important management implications for enterprises to correctly use emotional guidance strategies and promote green marketing practices during the COVID-19.
The relationship between spiritual health and happiness in medical students during the COVID-19 outbreak: A survey in southeastern Iran
Authors: Abdolkarimi Mahdi , Masoomi Mahdieh , Lotfipur Seyedeh Shirin , Zakeri Mohammad Ali
Published: August 2022

It is necessary to study the various dimensions of health and their affecting factors during the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic to identify the necessary interventions. The study aims to determine the relationship between spiritual health and happiness in medical students during the COVID-19 outbreak. In this analytical cross-sectional design study, 409 medical students were examined for the state of happiness and spiritual health and the relationship between them. Student information was collected through Web-based sampling by using standard tools from 20 April to 20 June 2020. Medical students completed the demographic questionnaire as well as Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ) and Paloutzian and Ellison spiritual health questionnaire. The results showed that while the score of spiritual health and happiness was related to factors such as marriage, interest in a field of study, and socioeconomic status, the relationship between spiritual health and happiness was significant (r = 0.72). This study showed that students’ happiness scores were not optimal during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the strong relationship between spiritual health and happiness scores, spiritual health promotion, in conjunction with other interventions, can be used to improve happiness in this group.
Impact of income on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Based on the 2020 China family panel survey
Authors: Yang Dongliang , Hu Bingbin , Ren Zhichao , Li Mingna
Published: August 2022

Since December 2019, the COVID-19 has continued to rage, and epidemic prevention policies have limited contact between individuals, which may has a great influence on the income of individuals, exacerbate anxiety and depression, and cause serious mental health problems. The current study aims to examine the association between income and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic by using the data of 9,296 observations from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies. Employing ordinary least squares regression and two-stage least squares regression, we find the significant positive effect of income on Chinese mental health during this pandemic. In addition, the number of cigarettes smoked per day has significant negative effects on mental health. Education levelˎmarriage and exercise frequency have significant positive correlation with mental health. Furthermore, the impact of income on individuals of different groups is heterogeneous during this pandemic. The impact of income for well-educated individuals is less strong than their less-educated counterparts. People who exercise regularly respond less strongly to changes in income than those who do not exercise. Finally, individuals’ salary satisfaction and interpersonal relationship are shown to be the potential mechanism for the effect of income on Chinese mental health.