bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review of Renewable Energy Investment in Belt and Road Initiative Countries: A Bibliometric Analysis Perspective
Authors: Yang Fang , Li Juan
Published: September 2024

Since the proposal of the “Belt and Road” initiative (BRI) in 2013, China’s renewable energy investments in the countries along the route have shown rapid growth and diversification. These investments have shifted from initial product exports and engineering contracts to deeper equity investments and financing cooperation. They not only promote a global energy structure transformation towards green and low-carbon development but also bring significant economic growth and social progress to the participating countries. This study aims to systematically review the research status and trends of renewable energy investments in “Belt and Road” countries through comprehensive bibliometric analysis. Utilizing the Web of Science database and VOS viewer 1.6.17 software for visualization, this research reveals the publication trends, high-impact articles, institutional collaborations, and author networks in this field. Additionally, through keyword co-occurrence network analysis, three core research themes are identified: investment motivations, synergy effects, renewable energy consumption, and international cooperation. This systematic bibliometric analysis not only outlines the current research landscape but also provides important insights for identifying emerging research directions, thereby supporting more in-depth investigations into renewable energy investments within the “Belt and Road” initiative.
A Fuzzy PROMETHEE Method for Evaluating Strategies towards a Cross-Country Renewable Energy Cooperation: The Cases of Egypt and Morocco
Authors: Papapostolou Aikaterini , Karakosta Charikleia , Mexis Filippos-Dimitrios , Andreoulaki Ioanna , Psarras John
Published: September 2024

Recognising the urgency of addressing climate change and the imperative to mitigate its effects, the European Union (EU) has embarked on a transformative journey to reshape its energy landscape, with a pronounced emphasis on harnessing renewable energy sources (RESs) and augmenting their contribution to electricity generation. To propel Europe towards sustainable development through its energy transition, EU member states are encouraged to foster collaborative efforts on a European scale, inviting neighbouring countries to participate in joint ventures aimed at leveraging RESs for electricity generation. Consequently, it becomes imperative to evaluate the potential depth of cooperation among these nations, assessing how such partnerships can align with Europe’s overarching objectives while fostering mutually beneficial conditions. This paper seeks to undertake a thorough analysis and evaluation of the potential impacts of such cooperation, both in advancing RES objectives and in promoting broader cooperation goals concerning the countries involved. The appropriate methodological framework has been developed, utilising and implementing the fuzzy PROMETHEE multicriteria decision analysis method, to address the problem’s multidimensional character, intending to implement an appropriate action plan and promote production from RESs. The methodology has been applied to assess alternative strategies in two case study countries, Morocco and Egypt, while important outcomes have emerged towards the successful implementation of cooperation mechanisms promoting RES.
Hydrogen Refueling Stations: A Review of the Technology Involved from Key Energy Consumption Processes to Related Energy Management Strategies
Authors: Pereira Rafael , Monteiro Vitor , Afonso Joao L. , Teixeira Joni
Published: September 2024

Over the last few years, hydrogen has emerged as a promising solution for problems related to energy sources and pollution concerns. The integration of hydrogen in the transport sector is one of the possible various applications and involves the implementation of hydrogen refueling stations (HRSs). A key obstacle for HRS deployment, in addition to the need for well-developed technologies, is the economic factor since these infrastructures require high capital investments costs and are largely dependent on annual operating costs. In this study, we review hydrogen’s application as a fuel, summarizing the principal systems involved in HRS, from production to the final refueling stage. In addition, we also analyze the main equipment involved in the production, compression and storage processes of hydrogen. The current work also highlights the main refueling processes that impact energy consumption and the methodologies presented in the literature for energy management strategies in HRSs. With the aim of reducing energy costs due to processes that require high energy consumption, most energy management strategies are based on the use of renewable energy sources, in addition to the use of the power grid.
Two-Layer Optimal Scheduling and Economic Analysis of Composite Energy Storage with Thermal Power Deep Regulation Considering Uncertainty of Source and Load
Authors: Xing Chao , Xiao Jiajie , Xi Xinze , Li Jingtao , Li Peiqiang , Zhang Shipeng
Published: September 2024

A two-layer scheduling method of energy storage that considers the uncertainty of both source and load is proposed to coordinate thermal power with composite energy storage to participate in the peak regulation of power systems. Firstly, considering the characteristics of thermal power deep peak regulation, a cost model of thermal power deep peak regulation is constructed and fuzzy parameters are used to manage the uncertainty of wind, photovoltaics, and load. Secondly, based on the peaking characteristics and operating costs of composite energy storage, a two-layer optimal scheduling model of energy storage is constructed. The upper layer takes pumped storage as the optimization goal to improve net load fluctuation and the optimal peak load benefit; the lower layer takes the system’s total peak load cost as the optimization goal and obtains a day-before scheduling plan for the energy storage system, using an improved gray wolf algorithm to process it. Finally, we verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy based on an IEEE 39-node system.
Hybrid Long Short-Term Memory Wavelet Transform Models for Short-Term Electricity Load Forecasting
Authors: Guenoukpati Agbassou , Agbessi Akuété Pierre , Salami Adekunlé Akim , Bakpo Yawo Amen
Published: September 2024

To ensure the constant availability of electrical energy, power companies must consistently maintain a balance between supply and demand. However, electrical load is influenced by a variety of factors, necessitating the development of robust forecasting models. This study seeks to enhance electricity load forecasting by proposing a hybrid model that combines Sorted Coefficient Wavelet Decomposition with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks. This approach offers significant advantages in reducing algorithmic complexity and effectively processing patterns within the same class of data. Various models, including Stacked LSTM, Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM), Convolutional Neural Network—Long Short-Term Memory (CNN-LSTM), and Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory (ConvLSTM), were compared and optimized using grid search with cross-validation on consumption data from Lome, a city in Togo. The results indicate that the ConvLSTM model outperforms its counterparts based on Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), and correlation coefficient (R2) metrics. The ConvLSTM model was further refined using wavelet decomposition with coefficient sorting, resulting in the WT+ConvLSTM model. This proposed approach significantly narrows the gap between actual and predicted loads, reducing discrepancies from 10–50 MW to 0.5–3 MW. In comparison, the WT+ConvLSTM model surpasses Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) type artificial neural networks, achieving a MAPE of 0.485%, an RMSE of 0.61 MW, and an R2 of 0.99. This approach demonstrates substantial robustness in electricity load forecasting, aiding stakeholders in the energy sector to make more informed decisions.
Assessing Vulnerability to Cyclone Hazards in the World’s Largest Mangrove Forest, The Sundarbans: A Geospatial Analysis
Authors: Mohammed  , Sultana Fahmida , Khan Ariful , Ahammed Sohag , Saimun Md. Shamim Reza , Bhuiyan Md Saifuzzaman , Srivastava Sanjeev K. , Mukul Sharif A. , Arfin-Khan Mohammed A. S.
Published: September 2024

The Sundarbans is the world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest with an area of about 10,000 square kilometers and shared between Bangladesh and India. This world-renowned mangrove forest, located on the lower Ganges floodplain and facing the Bay of Bengal, has long served as a crucial barrier, shielding southern coastal Bangladesh from cyclone hazards. However, the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem is now increasingly threatened by climate-induced hazards, particularly tropical cyclones originating from the Indian Ocean. To assess the cyclone vulnerability of this unique ecosystem, using geospatial techniques, we analyzed the damage caused by past cyclones and the subsequent recovery across three salinity zones, i.e., Oligohaline, Mesohaline, and Polyhaline. Our study also examined the relationship between cyclone intensity with the extent of damage and forest recovery. The findings of our study indicate that the Polyhaline zone, the largest in terms of area and with the lowest elevation, suffered the most significant damage from cyclones in the Sundarbans region, likely due to its proximity to the most cyclone paths. A correlation analysis revealed that cyclone damage positively correlated with wind speed and negatively correlated with the distance of landfall from the center of the Sundarbans. With the expectation of more extreme weather events in the near future, the Sundarbans mangrove forest faces a potentially devastating outlook unless both natural protection processes and human interventions are undertaken to safeguard this critical ecosystem.
Genome-Wide Identification of the Auxin Response Factor Gene Family in Maple (Acer truncatum) and Transcriptional Expression Analysis at Different Coloration Stages of Leaves
Authors: Qu Tongbao , Sun Yinglun , Yu Ran , Liu Jian , Zhang Xinyu , Gong Zaixin
Published: September 2024

Auxin response factors (ARFs) are involved in the mechanism of plant leaf color regulation, inhibiting chlorophyll synthesis while promoting anthocyanin production. However, it is not clear whether the ARF gene family is involved in autumn leaf color changes in maple. The differentially expressed genes for autumn leaf discoloration were obtained by transcriptome sequencing, and the AtARF family was constructed by homologous gene search. The results show that the AtARFs consist of 21 members distributed on 11 chromosomes and can be divided into three subfamilies, which are mainly distributed in the nucleus. The promoter regions of the AtARFs contain light-responsive elements, abiotic stress-responsive elements, and hormone-responsive elements. The analyses presented in this paper provide comprehensive information on ARFs and help to elucidate their functional roles in leaf color change in Acer truncatum.
Altitudinal Variation in Soil Acid Phosphomonoesterase Activity in Subalpine Coniferous Forests in China
Authors: He Xiaoli , Dai Shile , Ma Tingting , Zhang Tao , He Junbo , Wu Yanhong
Published: September 2024

Studying the altitudinal variation and driving factors of soil acid phosphomonoesterase (ACP) activity in subalpine regions is crucial for understanding nutrient cycling processes within mountainous ecosystems. This study focused on fir (Abies fabri (Mast.) Craib) forests located at three altitudes (2781 m, 3044 m, and 3210 m) on the eastern slope of Mt. Gongga in southwest China. We measured soil ACP activity alongside soil climate, nutrients, and microorganisms at various depths and elevations to investigate how these factors influence ACP activity. The results indicated that in the organic matter horizons (Oe and Oa horizons), ACP activity gradually decreased with elevation. However, the surface mineral horizon (A horizon) did not show a decline in ACP activity with increasing elevation, which could be attributed to significantly lower ACP activity recorded at the 2781 m sample site compared to the 3044 m site. Variance partitioning analysis revealed that among soil climate, nutrients, and microorganisms, soil nutrients had the most substantial impact on ACP activity across all horizons, with a particularly high contribution of 89.4% observed in the A horizon. Random forest model analysis further demonstrated that soil total carbon (TC) played a crucial role in determining ACP activity in the Oe and Oa horizons, with importance values of 8.5% and 7.3%, respectively. Additionally, soil total nitrogen (TN) was identified as the primary factor influencing ACP activity in the A horizon, with an importance value of 12.6%. Furthermore, soil ACP activity was positively regulated by the soil TC:TP and TN:TP ratios, indicating a stoichiometric control of ACP activity in the Abies fabri (Mast.) Craib forests on Mt. Gongga.
How the Spruce Ageing Process Affects Wood
Authors: Jelonek Tomasz , Klimek Katarzyna , Naskrent Bartłomiej , Tomczak Arkadiusz , Grzywiński Witold , Kopaczyk Joanna , Szwed Tomasz , Grabowski Daniel , Szaban Jarosław
Published: September 2024

Climate change and the gradual phaseout of the spruce from Central Europe inspired us to study the effects of the ageing process of trees on wood properties. This study was conducted in old tree stands with significant involvement of the spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst) in the ages between 122 and 177 years. The study material (samples) was collected from the selected trees to study wood properties such as density, resilience to compressive strength, resilience to bending strength, and modulus of elasticity. The results and findings of this study indicate that the spruce currently reaches the optimal technical quality of wood tissue at approximately 60 years of age. It is approximately 20 years earlier than the planned cutting age for the species. This could be due to water stress which led to adaptive changes in the wood tissue and earlier technical maturation of the wood in the studied trees. Significant radiant variabilities of wood properties of the Norway spruce were observed. It was determined that wood density does not fully reflect its mechanical properties, and it can be considered an indicator of the technical quality of wood tissue, but only within a limited scope. The results obtained may not only be applied in optimising the use of wood from spruce stands. They can also indicate the need to change the approach to managing spruce stands and their conversion towards broadleaf species.
Behavioral Characteristics and Related Physiological and Ecological Indexes of Cultured Scallops (Mizuhopecten yessoensis) in Response to Predation by the Crab Charybdis japonica
Authors: Li Xian , Li Danyang , Tian Ying , Chang Yaqing , Hao Zhenlin
Published: September 2024

To investigate the effects of predation by the paddle crab Charybdis japonica on the culture and survival of scallops (Mizuhopecten yessoensis) during bottom culture, we investigated the behavioral characteristics of three sizes (small, medium, and large) of scallops in response to exposure to crabs. We found that scallops escaped from crab predation by continuous shell closure or movement. Shell closure force increased with scallop size, and scallops of the same size that were stimulated by the presence of crabs closed their shell more frequently than control scallops. We also measured the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, arginine kinase, and octopine dehydrogenase in the gill, adductor muscle, and mantle of scallops before and after exposure to predation. Tissues that showed significant differences between control and test specimens were selected for deep sequencing of the transcriptome to identify and validate the key genes that were sensitive to predation. We found that when M. yessoensis is stimulated by the presence of predators, its behavioral characteristics and related physiological and ecological indexes undergo significant changes. The results are relevant for developing specifications for M. yessoensis seedling casting during bottom culture.
Assessing the Effects of Guiera senegalensis, Pluchea odorata, and Piliostigma reticulatum Leaf Powder Supplementation on Growth, Immune Response, Digestive Histology, and Survival of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758) Juveniles before and after Aeromonas hydrophila Infection
Authors: Ndour Paul M. , Fall Jean , Darias Maria J. , Caruso Domenico , Canonne Marc , Pepey Elodie , Hermet Sophie , Fall Sokhna K. L. , Diouf Malick , Sarter Samira
Published: September 2024

The effects of three medicinal plants in the feeds of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were investigated on growth, survival, immunity, and digestive histology at various inclusion levels: (A) Guiera senegalensis at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8%; (B) Pluchea odorata at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4%; (C) Piliostigma reticulatum at 0, 1, and 2%; and (D) a mixture of the three at 0, 1, and 2%. After 28 days of feeding, fish were infected with Aeromonas hydrophila for 12 days. The results showed that, except for G. senegalensis, the inclusion of the medicinal plants, alone or combined, enhanced the immune response. The diet with 4% P. odorata significantly increased plasma lysozyme and bactericidal activities without affecting feed conversion efficiency or growth. Despite improved immunity, none of the treatments enhanced post-infection survival rates. However, fish fed the 1% mixture showed healthier livers and intestines, with reduced cell swelling and normal lipid deposits, followed by the 2% mixture and the control. These results highlight the potential benefits of incorporating P. odorata and the plant mixture into the diets of Nile tilapia juveniles for enhancing their immune response against A. hydrophila.
Image-Based Computational and Experimental Biomedical Flows
Authors: Yu Huidan (Whitney)
Published: September 2024

Fluids is pleased to present a Special Issue named “Image-Based Computational and Experimental Biomedical Flows”, a curated collection of thirteen featured research papers that explore the integration between medical imaging data and 4-D (space + time) fluid dynamics for patient-specific cardiovascular flows [...]
A Numerical Evaluation of Airborne Transmission Control through Saliva Modification
Authors: Shrestha Rajendra , Fontes Douglas , Kinzel Michael
Published: September 2024

The present study explored the relationship between airborne transmission and the saliva fluid properties of a human sneeze. Specifically, we aimed to understand if altering the saliva and its relationship to droplet breakup and stability can affect its transmission characteristics. The study aimed to answer this question using computational fluid dynamics, specifically, a hybrid Eulerian–Lagrangian model with a Spalart–Allmaras, detached eddy simulation turbulence model. The effort focused on a scenario with a sneeze event within a ventilated room. The study found that for sneezes, secondary breakdown processes are important. Thicker saliva that increased the Ohnesorge number displayed a clear resistance to aerosolization due to stabilized secondary breakup, leading the bulk of the drops having high settling rates that are less likely to drive airborne transmission. For instance, the use of xanthum gum, which increased the saliva viscosity by 2000%, reduced the formation of aerosols. Additionally, another class of modifiers that reduce saliva content was studied, which was also effective in reducing airborne transmission drivers. Zingiber, which reduced the saliva content, reduced the formation of aerosols. However, when considering the overall reduction in droplet volume, saliva modifiers such as cornstarch, xanthum gum, and lozenges increased the mean droplet size by 50%, 25%, and 50%, respectively, while reducing the overall droplet volume by 71.6%, 71.2%, and 77.2%, respectively. Conversely, Zingiber reduced the mean droplet size by 50% but increased the overall droplet volume by 165.7%. Overall, for this type of respiratory event, this study provides insight into the potential for modifying saliva characteristics that may impact airborne transmission and could introduce new tools for reducing airborne pathogen transmission.
Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analyses of the Immune Mechanism in Pathogenetic and Resistant Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) Infected with Aeromonas hydrophila
Authors: Ge Lingrui , Wang Zi’ao , Hu Yazhou , Wang Pei , Qin Qin , Tian Yu , Wang Xiaoqing , Wen Xingxing , Zeng Dan
Published: September 2024

Background: As intensive aquaculture practices have progressed, the prevalence of bacterial diseases in the Chinese soft-shell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) has escalated, particularly infections caused by Aeromonas hydrophila, such as ulcerative dermatitis and abscess disease. Despite this, little is known about their immune defenses against this pathogen. Methods: Our study pioneers an integrated analysis of transcriptomics and proteomics to investigate the immune responses of Chinese soft-shelled turtles to A. hydrophila infection. Results: The investigation revealed significant differences in immune-related pathways between groups susceptible and resistant to A. hydrophila infection after 4 days. A total of 4667 and 3417 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 763 and 568 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), and 13 and 5 correlated differentially expressed genes and proteins (cor-DEGs-DEPs) were identified in susceptible and resistant Chinese soft-shelled turtles, respectively. In the resistant group, upregulation of immune-related genes, such as CD3ε and CD45, enhanced T-cell activation and the immune response. The proteomic analysis indicated that immune proteins, such as NF-κB1, were significantly upregulated in the resistant group. The correlation analysis between transcriptomics and proteomics demonstrated that the CD40 gene and protein, differentially expressed in the resistant group compared to the control group, were commonly upregulated within the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway. Conclusions: The transcriptomic and proteomic data obtained from this study provide a scientific foundation for understanding the immune mechanisms that enable the Chinese soft-shelled turtle to resist A. hydrophila infection.
Genetic Basis of Stress-Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Authors: Svob Strac Dubravka
Published: September 2024

Stress exposure is one of the major risk factors for the development of different psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, leading to various (mal)adaptive alternations in different parts of the brain, and affecting both brain structure and function [...]
Multi-Omics Revealed Regulatory Mechanisms Underlying the Flowering of Ferula sinkiangensis across Three Dimensions
Authors: Fan Congzhao , Li Yanfei , Zhang Jizhao , Zhao Yaqin , Zhang Yigong , Zhu Jun , Gao Xingwang , Liang Yan , Qiu Yuanjin , Song Jingyuan , Wang Guoping
Published: September 2024

Backgroud/Objectives: Ferula spp. is an essential crop in Central Asia with pronounced economic benefits governed by its flowering process. However, the mechanisms of the flowering phenotype remain unclear. Methods: In this study, using F. sinkiangensis as a model plant, we integrated transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome analyses to compare the multilayer differences in leaves and roots of plants with flowering and unflowering phenotypes. Results: We found that several variations in the transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome were closely associated with flowering. The Photosynthesis and Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways in plants with the flowering phenotype were more active. Additionally, three flowering genes, named FL2–FL4, were upregulated in the leaves of flowering plants. Notably, six transcription factors were potentially responsible for regulating the expression of FL2–FL4 in the leaves to mediate flowering process of F. sinkiangensis. Moreover, genes relevant to Photosynthesis and Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were also involved in regulating the expression of FL2–FL4 in flowering plants. Conclusions: The active regulation network together with Photosynthesis and Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were essential for inducing the expression of flowering-related genes in leaves to promote the flowering process of F. sinkiangensis.
Refinement and Enhancement of Agrobacterium-Mediated Transient Transformation for Functional Gene Examination in Mulberry (Morus L.)
Authors: Mo Rongli , Zhang Na , Qiu Changyu , Huang Sheng , Wei Wei , Zhang Chaohua , Liu Dan , Lin Qiang
Published: September 2024

Background: Mulberry (Morus L.), a vital perennial woody plant with significant economic importance, is utilized for silkworm rearing, human consumption and medicinal use. The availability of mulberry’s whole-genome sequencing data has underscored the demand for an effective, user-friendly, and high-throughput protocol to facilitate the elucidation of gene functions. Methods and Results: In this investigation, we established a transient transformation approach using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated sonication followed by vacuum infiltration in mulberry tissue culture seedlings. Simultaneously, we optimized the transformation conditions, including mulberry genotypes, A. tumefaciens strain, acetosyringone concentration, bacterial density, sonication time, and days after agroinfiltration. These optimizations aimed to achieve heightened transformation efficiency, employing GFP as a reporter gene to monitor transformation events. The optimized method included the use of an infiltration medium (10 mM MgCl2, 10 mM MES (2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid sodium salt), 150 μM acetosyringone, and OD600 0.5 of A. tumefaciens LBA4404) supplemented with the surfactant 0.02% Silwet L-77, with 20 s sonication followed by 20 min vacuum infiltration (0.07 MPa). Among the four mulberry genotypes, ‘Taiguo’ was the most responsive genotype and produced the highest levels of GFP expression at 7 d after infiltration. Furthermore, the optimized transient transformation approach has been proven to be successfully applicable for transiently overexpressing MaANS and MaDFR in mulberry fruits of ‘Taiguo’, in vitro, which distinctly enhanced fruit coloring and significantly increased anthocyanin accumulation, respectively. Conclusions: In summary, we devised a dependable, stable and highly efficient transient transformation approach suitable for rapid gene function examination in mulberry leaves and fruits, in vitro.
Multiplex Determination of K-Antigen and Colanic Acid Capsule Variants of Cronobacter sakazakii
Authors: Ibrahim Khaled M. , Alsonosi Abdlrhman M. , Agena Mahmoud B. , Elgamoudi Bassam A. , Forsythe Stephen J.
Published: September 2024

Cronobacter sakazakii is associated with the ingestion of contaminated reconstituted powdered infant formula (PIF), resulting in necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis and meningitis in neonatal infants. Potential virulence determinants include the variable capsular polysaccharides; K-antigen and colanic acid (CA). Strains encoding for the capsule variant K2:CA2 have been strongly associated with neonatal meningitis cases. This study aimed to develop and apply a multiplex PCR assay to determine C. sakazakii K-antigen and colanic acid types. Twenty-six strains of C. sakazakii which had previously been isolated from food and environmental sources were used. These cover 18 multilocus sequence types and four serotypes. Based on our research findings, we have identified two K-antigen types present. Specifically, the K1-antigen was observed in sequence types ST1, ST8, ST20, ST23, ST64, ST198, ST263, ST264 and ST406, while the K2-antigen was present in ST4, ST9, ST12, ST13, ST136, ST233, ST245 and ST405. Additionally, we detected colanic acid (CA) type 1 in sequence types ST1, ST8, ST9, ST20, ST245 and ST405, and colanic acid (CA) type 2 in ST4, ST12, ST13, ST23, and ST64. We compared the predicted K-antigen and colanic acid types with the entire genome sequences of the strains. The comparison showed complete agreement between the PCR amplification results and the genomic analysis of the K-antigen and colanic acid-encoding regions. This assay is a useful tool for rapid identification of C. sakazakii, K-antigen and colanic acid types, in routine diagnoses and foodborne investigations. In addition, it will contribute to our knowledge of virulence factors associated with life-threatening neonatal meningitis.
CRABP1 Enhances the Proliferation of the Dermal Papilla Cells of Hu Sheep through the Wnt/β-catenin Pathway
Authors: Hussain Zahid , Hu Tingyan , Gou Yuan , He Mingliang , Lv Xiaoyang , Wang Shanhe , Sun Wei
Published: September 2024

Background: The homologous proteins identified as cellular retinoic acid-binding proteins I and II (CRABP-I and CRABP-II) belong to a subset of intracellular proteins characterized by their robust affinity for retinoic acid, which plays an indispensable role in the development of hair follicle, including differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis in keratinocytes. Previous research on Hu sheep hair follicles revealed the specific expression CRABP1 in dermal papilla cells (DPCs), suggesting that CRABP1 has a potential role in regulating the DPC population. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to expose the performance of the CRABP1 genes in the development and proliferation of DPCs. Methods: Initially, overexpression and inhibition of CRABP1 in the DPCs were conducted through overexpression vector and siRNA. CCK-8, EDU, and RT-PCR cell cycle assays and immunostaining were performed to evaluate the proliferation and cell cycle of dermal papilla cells (DPCs). Although, the influence of CRABP1 upon β-catenin in dermal papilla cells (DPCs) was found using immunofluorescence labeling. Finally, RT-PCR was conducted to assess the impact of CRABP1 on the expression levels of CTNNB1, TCF4, and LEF1 in DPCs involved in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Results: The results showed that CRABP1 overexpression promotes the growth rates of DPCs and significantly enhances the proportion of S-phase cells compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The results were the opposite when CRABP1 was a knockdown. In contrast, there was a significant decline in the mRNA expression levels of CTNNβ1, LEF1 (p < 0.05), and TCF4 (p < 0.01) by CRABP1 knockdown. Conclusions: This study found that CRABP1 influences the expression of important genes within the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and promotes DPC proliferation. This investigation provides a theoretical framework to explain the mechanisms that control hair follicle morphogenesis and development.
Trends and Prospects in Pig Genomics and Genetics
Authors: Piórkowska Katarzyna , Ropka-Molik Katarzyna
Published: September 2024

Pork is one of the most commonly consumed meat in the world [...]
Clinical and Genetic Profiles of 5q- and Non-5q-Spinal Muscular Atrophy Diseases in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Nishio Hisahide , Niba Emma , Saito Toshio , Okamoto Kentaro , Lee Tomoko , Takeshima Yasuhiro , Awano Hiroyuki , Lai Poh-San
Published: September 2024

Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease characterized by loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and lower brainstem. The term “SMA” usually refers to the most common form, 5q-SMA, which is caused by biallelic mutations in SMN1 (located on chromosome 5q13). However, long before the discovery of SMN1, it was known that other forms of SMA existed. Therefore, SMA is currently divided into two groups: 5q-SMA and non-5q-SMA. This is a simple and practical classification, and therapeutic drugs have only been developed for 5q-SMA (nusinersen, onasemnogene abeparvovec, risdiplam) and not for non-5q-SMA disease. Methods: We conducted a non-systematic critical review to identify the characteristics of each SMA disease. Results: Many of the non-5q-SMA diseases have similar symptoms, making DNA analysis of patients essential for accurate diagnosis. Currently, genetic analysis technology using next-generation sequencers is rapidly advancing, opening up the possibility of elucidating the pathology and treating non-5q-SMA. Conclusion: Based on accurate diagnosis and a deeper understanding of the pathology of each disease, treatments for non-5q-SMA diseases may be developed in the near future.
Green Alternatives for the Control of Fungal Diseases in Strawberry: In-Field Optimization of the Use of Elicitors, Botanical Extracts and Essential Oils
Authors: Soppelsa Sebastian , Cellini Antonio , Donati Irene , Buriani Giampaolo , Spinelli Francesco , Andreotti Carlo
Published: September 2024

Finding safe and reliable alternatives to fungicides is currently one of the biggest challenges in agriculture. In this regard, this experiment investigated the effectiveness of different elicitors, botanical extracts and essential oils to control grey mold (Botrytis cinerea) and powdery mildew (Podosphaera aphanis) on strawberry plants. This trial was conducted in field conditions under a plastic tunnel with strawberry plants ‘Elsanta’. A first group of strawberry plants was treated before flowering with elicitors [acibenzolar-S-Methyl–(BTH), chitosan], botanical extracts (seaweed extract, alfalfa hydrolysate) and essential oils (thyme and juniper), and grey mold incidence on flowers was evaluated (Experiment 1). Furthermore, a second group of plants was treated before (Experiment 2) and after (Experiment 3) controlled inoculation with P. aphanis. The results indicated that the incidence of flower infected by B. cinerea was reduced by approximately 50% with thyme and juniper essential oils’ applications compared to the untreated control, with no significant difference observed compared to the commercial fungicide penconazole (positive control). As a consequence, the final yield of essential-oil-treated plants was +27% higher than that of non-treated plants. No significant differences emerged for other tested products against grey mold. However, gene expression analysis showed an up-regulation (>2 ÷ 5 folds as compared to control 4 days after application) of FaEDS1, FaLOX and PR gene expression (FaPR1, FaPR5, FaPR10) in leaves treated with BTH. The other natural substances tested also induced defense-related genes, albeit at a lower level than BTH. In Experiment 2, all treatments applied prior to inoculation significantly reduced the incidence and severity of powdery mildew as compared to control. At 28 days after inoculation, chitosan and thyme essential oil applications performed similarly to their positive controls (BTH and penconazole, respectively), showing a significant reduction in disease incidence (by −84 and −92%) as compared to control. Post-inoculum application of essential oils (Experiment 3) showed an efficacy similar to that of penconazole against powdery mildew. These results indicated that the tested substances could be used as alternatives to fungicides for the control of grey mold and powdery mildew in strawberry, therefore representing a valuable tool for the control of these fungal diseases under the framework of sustainable agriculture.
Diversity and Utilization of Commelinaceae in Central Laos
Authors: Sengthong Anousone , Saensouk Surapon , Saensouk Piyaporn , Souladeth Phetlasy , Rakarcha Sarayut
Published: September 2024

This investigation examines the diversity and utilization of Commelinaceae in three research areas in central Laos. It identifies a total of 17 species, including Amischotolype divaricata Duist., Callisia fragrans (Lindl.) Woodson, Callisia repens (Jacq.) L., Commelina benghalensis L., Commeilina diffusa Burm.f., Cyanotis arachnoidea C.B. Clarke, Cyanotis axillaris (L.) D. Don ex Sweet, Cyanotis cristata (L.) D. Don, Floscopa scandens Lour., Murdannia edulis (Stokes) Faden, Murdannia medica (Lour.) D.Y. Hong, Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan, Murdannia spectabilis (Kurz) Faden, Pollia thyrsiflora (Blume) Steud., Tradescantia pallida (Rose) D.R. Hunt, Tradescantia spathacea Sw., and Tradescantia zebrina Bosse. There are ten species within this family that are utilized for food, medicine, ornamental purposes, or as animal feed. Floscopa scandens has the highest use value (UV) of 1.24, followed closely by Commelina diffusa with a UV of 1.22. Murdannia spectabilis has the lowest UV of 0.39 and is mostly utilized for ornamental purposes. Several species, including Commelina diffusa, Floscopa scandens, and Tradescantia zebrina, are utilized in traditional medicine to address musculoskeletal ailments, provide food, and alleviate obstetric/gynecological concerns. The informant agreement ratio (IAR) is 1.00 for musculoskeletal symptoms and nourishment and 0.9 for obstetric and gynecological symptoms. The plant species Commelina diffusa, Tradescantia zebrina, and Floscopa scandens demonstrate a fidelity level (%FL) of 100% in traditional medicinal use, with Floscopa scandens showing %FL of 63.64% for back pain treatment and 36.36% for postpartum recovery.
Application of PCR-Based Techniques for the Identification of Genetic Fingerprint Diversity of Dominant Bacteria in Fecal Samples of Children with Diarrhea in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Thi Quy , Dao Trong Khoa , Nguyen Hong Duong , Phung Thi Bich Thuy , Pham Thi Thanh Nga , Nguyen Thi Viet Ha , Trinh Thi Huong , Le Huu Cuong , Le Thi Thu Hong , Do Thi Huyen
Published: September 2024

In Vietnam, diarrhea, especially persistent diarrhea, is one of the most common diseases in children, while a significant proportion of cases are negative with pathogens; thus, there is an urgent need to understand gut bacterial dysbiosis. In this study, bacteria in the fecal samples of five healthy and ten diarrheal children were separated from other residues, then adopted to extract their metagenomic DNA for evaluating their diversity based on V3 and V6–V8 regions and the 16S rRNA gene by PCR-RFLP and PCR-DGGE. As a result, bacterial metagenomic DNAs with high quality, quantity and diversity were successfully extracted using a GeneJET kit and a chemical protocol. A sequence analysis of 73 representative DNA fragments from gels indicated a remarkable bacterial dysbiosis in all groups of diarrhea. Viral diarrhea was characterized by extremely reduced bacterial diversity with the blossom of Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus. Streptococcus was also the most abundant in persistent diarrhea. Beneficial bacteria that may play a role in the self- rebalance in intestinal bacterial communities, such as Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus, were seen in all diarrheal groups, while Bacteroides and Akkermansia muciniphila were seen in the healthy group but absent in the diarrheal groups. This study provides additional evidence for a relationship between intestinal bacterial dysbiosis and diarrhea in children, emphasizing an increase in Streptococcus.
Child Fatalities in Tractor-Related Accidents in Rural Iceland, 1918–2024: A Historical Analysis
Authors: Einarsdóttir Jónína , Gunnlaugsson Geir
Published: September 2024

Children on farms face high risks of work- and non-work-related fatalities, with tractors being a significant contributor. This study examines children’s involvement in fatal tractor-related accidents within agriculture in Iceland from 1918 to 2024, explores adult reflections on childhood tractor-driving experiences, and analyses Members of Parliament’s arguments against setting a minimum age for off-road tractor driving. The data are based on parliamentary debates on tractor-related legislation, fatal tractor-related accidents documented in newspaper archives and supplementary sources, and narrative interviews with former summer children who stayed at farms during their childhoods. Over half of the 81 registered accidents involved children—primarily boys—with 75% occurring between 1958 and 1988, when no minimum age for off-road tractor driving existed. The fatality incidence rate for children was more than four times higher than for adults. Arguments against minimum age requirements for off-road driving included the need for child labour, children’s superior driving skills, and the denial that children were more often victims than adults. Since 1988, no child has died while driving a tractor. A human-centred approach focusing on the working conditions, driver capacity, and adherence to safety procedures and legal frameworks is needed to prevent future accidents.
The Association between Food Insecurity and Insomnia Symptoms among Young Adults in Puerto Rico and the Mediating Role of Psychological Distress Symptoms
Authors: Vázquez-Colón Natalia , López-Cepero Andrea , Amaya Claudia , Tucker Katherine L. , Kiefe Catarina I. , Person Sharina D. , Rosal Milagros C. , Pérez Cynthia M.
Published: September 2024

Residents of Puerto Rico face a high burden of food insecurity (FI), which has been associated with insomnia symptoms (IS). However, this association remains understudied in Puerto Rican young adults, a vulnerable group experiencing an elevated prevalence of FI and poor sleep. We evaluated the association between FI and IS and the mediating role of psychological distress symptoms among young adults in Puerto Rico. Data are derived from the PR-OUTLOOK cohort (2020–2023) of adults aged 18–29 y. We assessed FI with the six-item USDA Household Food Security Scale and IS with the 5-item Women’s Health Initiative Insomnia Rating Scale. Psychological distress symptoms included depressive symptoms (CES-D-10), anxiety (STAI-10), and perceived stress (PSS-4). Poisson’s regression models estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The Karlson–Holm–Breen method estimated the mediation percentage of each psychological distress symptom on the association between FI and IS. Notably, 24.8% of participants experienced FI, and 30.4% reported elevated IS. FI was associated with IS (PR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.24, 1.60), an association partially mediated by depressive (31.6%), perceived stress (17.6%), and anxiety symptoms (17.2%), accounting for 35.8% of the mediation percentage. Future research should confirm these findings using objective assessments of sleep and psychosocial stress.
Gram-Negative Bacilli Blood Stream Infection in Patients with Severe Burns: Microbiological and Clinical Evidence from a 9-Year Cohort
Authors: Fuentes-González María Fernanda , Fernández-Rodríguez Diana , Colín-Castro Claudia A. , Hernández-Durán Melissa , López-Jácome Luis Esaú , Franco-Cendejas Rafael
Published: September 2024

Bloodstream infection is one of the most important and increasing complications in patients with severe burns. Most of the species affecting this population are Gram-negative bacilli that exhibit antimicrobial resistance. We conducted this study to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile and resistance mechanisms of these bacterial infections and their clinical associations on morbidity and mortality. We analyzed a retrospective cohort of burn patients. All patients included in this study had monobacterial blood stream infections during their hospital stay. We performed phenotypic and genotypic tests to determine the antimicrobial resistance mechanism and profile of each strain. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed between variables. We found 109 patients with monobacterial bacteremia. Pseudomonas spp. (50.7%), A. baumannii (46.4%), and Klebsiella spp. (13.8%) were the most common causative microorganisms. The Pseudomonas spp. isolates showed resistance to imipenem (81.5%), mainly by class A and class B carbapenemases. The A. baumannii isolates conferred resistance to imipenem (56.2%), mainly by class D carbapenemases. One quarter of Klebsiella spp. showed resistance to 3rd generation cephalosporins. We also observed that a total body surface area greater than 40% and three or more different types of invasive procedures might be related to increased mortality. Multidrug resistance is highly present. The extent of the burned area and a high number of different types of invasive procedures had an impact in decreasing survivorship in burn patients with bacteremia.
Cerebrospinal Fluid and Peripheral Blood Lymphomonocyte Single-Cell Transcriptomics in a Subject with Multiple Sclerosis Acutely Infected with HIV
Authors: Pinnetti Carmela , Rozera Gabriella , Messina Francesco , Spezia Pietro Giorgio , Lazzari Elisabetta , Fabeni Lavinia , Chillemi Giovanni , Pietrucci Daniele , Haggiag Shalom , Mastrorosa Ilaria , Vergori Alessandra , Girardi Enrico , Antinori Andrea , Maggi Fabrizio , Abbate Isabella
Published: September 2024

Signatures of neurodegeneration in clinical samples from a subject with multiple sclerosis (MS) acutely infected with HIV were investigated with single-cell transcriptomics using 10X Chromium technology. Sequencing was carried out on NovaSeq-TM, and the analysis was performed with Cell Ranger software (v 7.1.0) associated with a specifically established bioinformatic pipeline. A total of 1446 single-cell transcriptomes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and 4647 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained. In the CSF, many T-cell lymphocytes with an enriched amount of plasma cells and plasmacytoid dendritic (pDC) cells, as compared to the PBMCs, were detected. An unsupervised cluster analysis, putting together our patient transcriptomes with those of a publicly available MS scRNA-seq dataset, showed up-regulated microglial neurodegenerative gene expression in four clusters, two of which included our subject’s transcriptomes. A few HIV-1 transcripts were found only in the CD4 central memory T-cells of the CSF compartment, mapping to the gag-pol, vpu, and env regions. Our data, which describe the signs of neurodegenerative gene expression in a very peculiar clinical situation, did not distinguish the cause between multiple sclerosis and HIV infection, but they can give a glimpse of the high degree of resolution that may be obtained by the single-cell transcriptomic approach.
Functional Bidirectionality of ERV-Derived Long Non-Coding RNAs in Humans
Authors: Song Yanmei , Wen Hongling , Zhai Xiuli , Jia Lei , Li Lin
Published: September 2024

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are widely recognized as the result of exogenous retroviruses infecting the ancestral germline, stabilizing integration and vertical transmission during human genetic evolution. To date, endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) appear to have been selected for human physiological functions with the loss of retrotransposable capabilities. ERV elements were previously regarded as junk DNA for a long time. Since then, the aberrant activation and expression of ERVs have been observed in the development of many kinds of human diseases, and their role has been explored in a variety of human disorders such as cancer. The results show that specific ERV elements play respective crucial roles. Among them, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) transcribed from specific long-terminal repeat regions of ERVs are often key factors. lncRNAs are over 200 nucleotides in size and typically bind to DNA, RNA, and proteins to perform biological functions. Dysregulated lncRNAs have been implicated in a variety of diseases. In particular, studies have shown that the aberrant expression of some ERV-derived lncRNAs has a tumor-suppressive or oncogenic effect, displaying significant functional bidirectionality. Therefore, theses lncRNAs have a promising future as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets to explore the concise relationship between ERVs and cancers. In this review, we first summarize the role of ERV-derived lncRNAs in physiological regulation, mainly including immunomodulation, the maintenance of pluripotency, and erythropoiesis. In addition, pathological regulation examples of their aberrant activation and expression leading to carcinogenesis are highlighted, and specific mechanisms of occurrence are discussed.