bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary consumption of selenium inversely associated with osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
Authors: Grili Patricia Paula da Fonseca , Vidigal Camila Vilarinho , Cruz Geise Ferreira da , Albergaria Ben Hur , Marques-Rocha José Luiz , Pereira Taísa Sabrina Silva , Guandalini Valdete Regina
Published: September 2022

Background

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease characterized by reduced bone mineral density (BMD), which increases the risk of falls and fractures and reduces mobility. Some nutrients have a well-established role in maintaining bone health and preventing osteoporosis, while selenium (Se) has aroused interest in bone health possibly because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between dietary Se consumption and BMD in postmenopausal women.

Materials and methods

Cross-sectional, observational, analytical study carried out with women in menopause for at least 12 months, aged ≥ 50 years. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical data variables were studied. BMD was assessed using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and the participants classified as having normal BMD, osteopenia, or osteoporosis. Dietary consumption of Se was assessed by the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and classified into quartiles of consumption. Multivariate logistic regression with three fit models was applied to investigate the association of BMD with Se consumption quartiles. The significance level adopted for all tests was 5.0%.

Results

The final sample consisted of 124 women aged in average 66.8 ± 6.1 years and with a time since menopause of 19.6 ± 8.8 years. According to the BMD, 41.9% of the women had osteopenia and 36.3% osteoporosis. The mean consumption of Se was 154.4 ± 88.7 μg/day. The highest consumption of Se was observed among women with normal BMD (51.9%), whereas lower consumption levels were found in 57.7% of women with osteopenia and in 60.0% of women with osteoporosis (p = 0.003). In the multivariate analysis, after adjusting for possible confounding variables, Se remained associated with the group of women with osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women in the highest quartile (≥94.0 μg/day) of Se consumption had an OR of 0.02 (95%CI: 0.001–0.41; p = 0.012) of having osteoporosis when compared with women in the lowest quartile.

Conclusion

Se consumption was associated with BMD and postmenopausal women with higher Se consumption were less likely to have osteoporosis.
Prognostic value of glycolysis markers in pancreatic cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Chengcheng , Xu Ruiyuan , Song Jianlu , Chen Yuan , Yin Xinpeng , Ruze Rexiati , Xu Qiang
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Previous studies have investigated the prognostic significance of glycolysis markers in pancreatic cancer; however, conclusions from these studies are still controversial.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched to investigate the prognostic role of glycolysis markers in pancreatic cancer up to May 2022. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) related to overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were calculated using the STATA 12.0 software.

Results

A total of 28 studies comprising 2010 patients were included in this meta-analysis. High expression of the five glycolysis markers was correlated with a poorer OS (HR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.34-2.22), DFS (HR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.91-5.01), RFS (HR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.21-2.48) and DMFS (HR = 2.60, 95% CI: 1.09-6.20) in patients with pancreatic cancer. In subgroup analysis, it was shown that higher expression levels of the five glycolysis markers were related to a poorer OS in Asians (HR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.46-2.35, P < 0.001) and Caucasians (HR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.40-2.77, P < 0.001). Besides, analysis based on the expression levels of specific glycolysis markers demonstrated that higher expression levels of GLUT1 (HR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.58-2.82, P < 0.001), MCT4 (HR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.36-3.76, P = 0.002), and ENO1 (HR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.28-3.66, P =0.004) were correlated with a poorer OS in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Conclusions

High expression of the five glycolysis markers are associated with poorer OS, DFS, RFS and DMFS in patients with pancreatic cancer, indicating that the glycolysis markers could be potential prognostic predictors and therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer.
Interaction of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in altering the shape of subcortical structures in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Nan Feibiao , Gao Jian-ming , Li Li , Zhang You-ming , Zhang Yuanchao
Published: September 2022

Neuroimaging studies have found significant structural alterations of the cerebral cortex in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) following radiotherapy (RT) or concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), while their effects on the shape of subcortical structures remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the subcortical shape alterations between three groups: 56 untreated NPC patients (pre-RT group), 37 RT-treated NPC patients (post-RT group), and 108 CCRT-treated NPC patients (post-CCRT group). Using FSL-FIRST, we found that, compared with the pre-RT group, the post-CCRT group exhibited significant inward atrophy in the bilateral thalamus, bilateral putamen, left pallidum, and left caudate and outward inflation in the left caudate, while the post-RT group only exhibited inward atrophy in the bilateral thalamus. In addition, greater maximum dosage of RT for temporal lobes was associated with more severe inward atrophy of the bilateral thalamus in treated NPC patients. These results indicated that there may be an interaction between RT and CT that can cause subcortical damage.
Case report: ZEB1 expression in three cases of hepatic carcinosarcoma
Authors: Zhang Mingming , Yang Dongchang , Li Lu , Liu Lin , Wang Ting , Liu Tao , Li Lei , Liu Yanrong
Published: September 2022

Hepatic carcinosarcoma (HCS) is defined as a tumor that contains cancer from the epithelium and sarcoma from mesenchymal tissue. HCS has a low incidence rate and is composed of osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, or angiosarcoma. Though surgery is the main treatment for HCS, it has proven unsatisfactory, resulting in a very poor prognosis of HCS. Currently, the reports on HCS are mainly about the description of clinical pathological phenomena, imaging features, and mutation sites of related genes, the underlying molecular mechanism of HCS remains undefined. Through the dynamic process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer cells acquire a mesenchymal phenotype, simultaneously losing epithelial properties. Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) is an EMT-inducing transcription factor; its main regulatory target is E-cadherin in EMT process. Esophageal carcinosarcoma (ECS) is associated with EMT. The current study showed that EMT might promote the development of ECS and uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS), and ZEB1 was highly expressed in the sarcomatous components. In the current study, three cases were collected, and the clinicopathological features were compared with those of corresponding cases. The expression level, and subcellular localization of ZEB1 were detected using immunohistochemistry. The expression of the ZEB1 in the nucleus was found to be significantly higher in sarcomatous components than that in cancer components in all three cases, suggesting an association of HCS with EMT.
Multiparametric MRI-based nomograms in predicting positive surgical margins of prostate cancer after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Meng Shuang , Chen Lihua , Zhang Qinhe , Wang Nan , Liu Ailian
Published: September 2022

Background

Positive surgical margins (PSMs) are an independent risk factor of biochemical recurrence in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy; however, limited MRI-based predictive tools are available. This study aimed to develop a novel nomogram combining clinical and multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) parameters to reduce PSMs by improving surgical planning.

Methods

One hundred and three patients with PCa (55 patients with negative surgical margins [NSMs] and 48 patients with PSMs) were included in this retrospective study. The following parameters were obtained using GE Functool post-processing software: diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI); intravoxel incoherent motion model (IVIM); and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). Patients were divided into different training sets and testing sets for different targets according to a ratio of 7:3. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression algorithm was used to analyze the data set to select the optimal MRI predictors. Preoperatively clinical parameters used to build a clinical nomogram (C-nomogram). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to build an MRI nomogram (M-nomogram) by introducing the MRI parameters. Based on the MRI and clinical parameters, build an MRI combined with clinical parameters nomogram (MC-nomogram). Comparisons with the M-nomogram and MC-nomogram were based on discrimination, calibration, and decision curve analysis (DCA). A 3-fold cross-validation method was used to assess the stability of the nomogram.

Results

There was no statistical difference in AUC between the C-nomogram (sensitivity=64%, specificity=65% and AUC=0.683), the M-nomogram (sensitivity=57%, specificity=88% and AUC=0.735) and the MC-nomogram (sensitivity= 64%, specificity=82% and AUC=0.756). The calibration curves of the three nomograms used to predict the risk of PSMs in patients with PCa showed good agreement. The net benefit of the MC-nomogram was higher than the others (range, 0.2-0.7).

Conclusions

The mpMRI-based nomogram can predict PSMs in PCa patients. Although its AUC (0.735) is not statistically different from that of the clinical-based nomogram AUC (0.683). However, mpMRI-based nomogram has higher specificity (88% VS. 63%), model stability, and clinical benefit than clinical-based nomogram. And the predictive ability of mpMRI plus clinical parameters for PSMs is further improved.
Time to occurrence of necrotizing enterocolitis and its predictors among low birth weight neonates admitted at neonatal intensive care unit of felege hiwot compressive specialized hospital BahirDar, Ethiopia, 2021: A retrospective follow-up study
Authors: Alene Tamiru , Feleke Mulualem Gete , Yeshambel Addisu , Amare Abraham Tsedalu , Tigabu Agimasie , Birlie Tekalign Amera , Aynalem Yared Asmare , Kerebeh Gashaw , Eshetu Kirubel , Tsega Tilahun Degu , Wassihun Biresaw , Adella Getachew Asmare , Chichiabellu Tesfaye Yitna
Published: September 2022

Background

Globally, the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) varies between 6 and 15% of all neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Though necrotizing enterocolitis is a multifactorial and life-threatening disease, low birth prematurity is the single cause. Therefore, determining the time to presentation and its predictors of necrotizing enterocolitis were the main goals of this investigation.

Materials and methods

An institution-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted among 747 low birth weight (LBW) neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Felege Hiwot comprehensive specialized Hospital from 1 January 2017 to 30 December 2019. The sample size was calculated by using the STATA package. Data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and exported to STATA version 14 for analysis. The log-rank test and the Kaplan–Meier estimator were used to display the survival probability and differences between groups. At a significance threshold of 5%, Cox proportional hazard regression was performed to determine the net independent predictors of necrotizing enterocolitis.

Result

The overall incidence rate was 0.86 per 1,000 person-days (95% CI: 0.67, 1.14) with a 6.8% (95% i: 5.2, 8.9) proportion of necrotizing enterocolitis among low birth weight neonates. Preeclampsia [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR);1.92 (95% CI: 1.03–3.58)], premature rapture of membrane [AHR; 2.36 (95%, CI: 1.19–4.69)], perinatal asphyxia [AHR; 4.05 (95%, CI: 2.04–8.60)], gestational age between 28 and 32 weeks [AHR; 3.59 (95% CI: 1.01–8.83)], and birth weigh less than 1,000 g [AHR; 5.45 (95% CI: 3.84–9.12) were the independent predictors of necrotizing enterocolitis.

Conclusion

Within the first 1–7 days of a newborn’s life, necrotizing enterocolitis was most common. It was discovered that preeclampsia, premature rupture of membrane, perinatal asphyxia, gestational age of 28–32 weeks, and birth weight less than 1,000 g were predictors of its occurrence.
Pharmacological activities and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis for the identification of bioactive compounds from Justicia adhatoda L.
Authors: Musa Muhammad , Jan Gul , Jan Farzana Gul , Hamayun Muhammad , Irfan Muhammad , Rauf Abdur , Alsahammari Abdulrahman , Alharbi Metab , Suleria Hafiz A. R. , Ali Niaz
Published: September 2022

The current study aimed to assess the pharmacological potential of Justicia adhatoda by evaluating the presence of biologically active compounds using the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry approach and to undertake biological activities for the effectiveness of the present compounds using standard tests. A total of 21 compounds were identified in the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction in which 14 of the identified compounds are recognized for their pharmacological potential in the literature. In total, four fractions (ethyl acetate, chloroform, n-hexane, and aqueous) were evaluated for pharmacological activities. In carrageenan-induced inflammation, the chloroform fraction exhibited high anti-inflammatory activity (46.51%). Similarly, the analgesic potential of ethyl acetate fraction was the most effective (300 mg/kg) in the acetic acid-induced test. Similarly, in the formalin test, ethyl acetate fraction exhibited maximum inhibition in both early (74.35%) and late phases (88.38). Maximum inhibition of pyrexia (77.98%) was recorded for the ethyl acetate fraction (300 mg/kg). In DPPH assay, the ethyl acetate fraction revealed the highest scavenging potential among other fractions (50 μg/ml resulted in 50.40% and 100 μg/ml resulted in 66.74% scavenging).
Effect of X-ray radiation on the pharmacokinetics of apatinib in vivo in rats
Authors: Dong Shi-Qi , Yang Fan , Zhang Dong-Xu , Wang Ling-Mei , Liu Jian-Feng , Zhang Ai-Jie , Fan Hui-Rong
Published: September 2022

Purpose: The “radiotherapy-pharmacokinetic” (“RT-PK”) phenomenon refers to the fact that radiation can significantly alter the pharmacokinetic behavior of a drug. At present, it is not clear whether there is an “RT-PK” phenomenon that can affect apatinib during concurrent chemoradiotherapy. In this study, we used a rat irradiation model to study the effects of X-ray radiation on absorption, tissue distribution, and excretion of apatinib.

Method: Healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control and radiation groups. The radiation group was given an appropriate dose of abdominal X-ray radiation, while the control group was not given irradiation. After 24 h of recovery, both groups were given apatinib solution 45 mg/kg by gavage. A quantitative LC-MS/MS method was developed to determine the concentration of apatinib in the rats, so as to compare the differences between the control and radiation groups and thus investigate the modulating effect of radiation on the pharmacokinetics of apatinib in rats.

Results: After abdominal X-ray irradiation, the area under the curve (AUC0-t) of apatinib in rat plasma decreased by 33.8% and 76.3% at 0.5 and 2 Gy, respectively. Clearance (CL) and volume of distribution (Vd) increased and were positively correlated with radiation dose. X-ray radiation significantly reduced the concentration of apatinib in the liver and small intestine, and there was no tissue accumulation. In excretion studies, we found that X-ray radiation reduced the cumulative excretion of apatinib in feces and urine by 11.24% and 86.17%, respectively.

Conclusion: Abdominal X-ray radiation decreased plasma exposure, tissue distribution, and excretion of apatinib in rats, suggesting that the RT-PK phenomenon affects apatinib. We speculate that this RT-PK phenomenon is closely related to changes in metabolic enzymes in vivo. In clinical practice, when apatinib is combined with radiotherapy, attention should be paid to adjusting the dose of apatinib and optimizing the treatment plan to alleviate the adverse effects of this RT-PK phenomenon.
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel O-substituted tryptanthrin oxime derivatives as c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitors
Authors: Schepetkin Igor A. , Kovrizhina Anastasia R. , Stankevich Ksenia S. , Khlebnikov Andrei I. , Kirpotina Liliya N. , Quinn Mark T. , Cook Matthew J.
Published: September 2022

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) family includes three proteins (JNK1-3) that regulate many physiological processes, including inflammatory responses, morphogenesis, cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and cell death. Therefore, JNK represents an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Herein, a panel of novel tryptanthrin oxime analogs were synthesized and evaluated for JNK1-3 binding (Kd) and inhibition of cellular inflammatory responses (IC50). Several compounds exhibited submicromolar JNK binding affinity, with the most potent inhibitor being 6-(acetoxyimino)indolo[2,1-b]quinazolin-12(6H)-one (1j), which demonstrated high JNK1-3 binding affinity (Kd = 340, 490, and 180 nM for JNK1, JNK2, and JNK3, respectively) and inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nuclear factor-κB/activating protein 1 (NF-κB/AP-1) transcription activity in THP-1Blue cells and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in MonoMac-6 monocytic cells (IC50 = 0.8 and 1.7 μM, respectively). Compound 1j also inhibited LPS-induced production of several other proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1α, IL-1β, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in MonoMac-6 cells. Likewise, 1j inhibited LPS-induced c-Jun phosphorylation in MonoMac-6 cells, directly confirming JNK inhibition. Molecular modeling suggested modes of binding interaction of selected compounds in the JNK3 catalytic site that were in agreement with the experimental JNK3 binding data. Our results demonstrate the potential for developing anti-inflammatory drugs based on these nitrogen-containing heterocyclic systems.
Prediction for optimal dosage of pazopanib under various clinical situations using physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling
Authors: Wu Chunnuan , Li Bole , Meng Shuai , Qie Linghui , Zhang Jie , Wang Guopeng , Ren Cong Cong
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to apply a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to predict optimal dosing regimens of pazopanib (PAZ) for safe and effective administration when co-administered with CYP3A4 inhibitors, acid-reducing agents, food, and administered in patients with hepatic impairment. Here, we have successfully developed the population PBPK model and the predicted PK variables by this model matched well with the clinically observed data. Most ratios of prediction to observation were between 0.5 and 2.0. Suitable dosage modifications of PAZ have been identified using the PBPK simulations in various situations, i.e., 200 mg once daily (OD) or 100 mg twice daily (BID) when co-administered with the two CYP3A4 inhibitors, 200 mg BID when simultaneously administered with food or 800 mg OD when avoiding food uptake simultaneously. Additionally, the PBPK model also suggested that dosing does not need to be adjusted when co-administered with esomeprazole and administration in patients with wild hepatic impairment. Furthermore, the PBPK model also suggested that PAZ is not recommended to be administered in patients with severe hepatic impairment. In summary, the present PBPK model can determine the optimal dosing adjustment recommendations in multiple clinical uses, which cannot be achieved by only focusing on AUC linear change of PK.
Quantum interferometric metrology with entangled photons
Authors: Chen Yuanyuan , Hong Ling , Chen Lixiang
Published: September 2022

Quantum interferences of entangled photons have engendered tremendous intriguing phenomena that lack any counterpart in classical physics. Hitherto, owing to the salient properties of quantum optics, quantum interference has been widely studied and provides useful tools that ultimately broaden the path towards ultra-sensitive quantum metrology, ranging from sub-shot-noise quantum sensing to high-resolution optical spectroscopy. In particular, quantum interferometric metrology is an essential requisite for extracting information about the structure and dynamics of photon-sensitive biological and chemical molecules. This article reviews the theoretical and experimental progress of this quantum interferometric metrology technology along with their advanced applications. The scope of this review includes Hong–Ou–Mandel interferometry with ultrahigh timing resolution, entanglement-assisted absorption spectroscopy based on a Fourier transform, and virtual-state spectroscopy using tunable energy-time entangled photons.
Inorganic phosphate accelerates cardiac myofilament relaxation in response to lengthening
Authors: Wakefield Jane I. , Bell Stephen P. , Palmer Bradley M.
Published: September 2022

Myocardial relaxation in late systole is enhanced by increasing velocities of lengthening. Given that inorganic phosphate (Pi) can rebind to the force-producing myosin enzyme prior to MgADP release and hasten crossbridge detachment, we hypothesized that myocardial relaxation in late systole would be further enhanced by lengthening in the presence of Pi. Wistar rat left ventricular papillary muscles were attached to platinum clips, placed between a force transducer and a length motor at room temperature, and bathed in Krebs solution with 1.8 mM Ca2+ and varying Pi of 0, 1, 2, and 5 mM. Tension transients were elicited by electrical stimulation at 1 Hz. Peak tension was significantly enhanced by Pi: 0.593 ± 0.088 mN mm−2 at 0 mM Pi and 0.817 ± 0.159 mN mm−2 at 5 mM Pi (mean ± SEM, p < 0.01 by ANCOVA). All temporal characteristics of the force transient were significantly shortened with increasing Pi, e.g., time-to-50% recovery was shortened from 305 ± 14 ms at 0 mM Pi to 256 ± 10 ms at 5 mM Pi (p < 0.01). A 1% lengthening stretch with varying duration of 10–200 ms was applied at time-to-50% recovery during the descending phase of the force transient. Matching lengthening stretches were also applied when the muscle was not stimulated, thus providing a control for the passive viscoelastic response. After subtracting the passive from the active force response, the resulting myofilament response demonstrated features of faster myofilament relaxation in response to the stretch. For example, time-to-70% relaxation with 100 ms lengthening duration was shortened by 8.8 ± 6.8 ms at 0 Pi, 19.6 ± 4.8* ms at 1 mM Pi, 31.0 ± 5.6* ms at 2 Pi, and 25.6 ± 5.3* ms at 5 mM Pi (*p < 0.01 compared to no change). Using skinned myocardium, half maximally calcium-activated myofilaments underwent a 1% quick stretch, and the tension response was subjected to analysis for sensitivity of myosin detachment rate to stretch, g1, at various Pi concentrations. The parameter g1 was enhanced from 15.39 ± 0.35 at 0 Pi to 22.74 ± 1.31 s−1/nm at 8 Pi (p < 0.01). Our findings suggest that increasing Pi at the myofilaments enhances lengthening-induced relaxation by elevating the sensitivity of myosin crossbridge detachment due to lengthening and thus speed the transition from late-systole to early-diastole.
Intravital imaging of hemodynamic glomerular effects of enalapril or/and empagliflozin in STZ-diabetic mice
Authors: Kroeger Hannah , Kessel Friederike , Sradnick Jan , Todorov Vladimir , Gembardt Florian , Hugo Christian
Published: September 2022

Background: Diabetic kidney disease is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Administration of ACE inhibitors or/and SGLT2 inhibitors show renoprotective effects in diabetic and other kidney diseases. The underlying renoprotective mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibition, especially in combination with ACE inhibition, are incompletely understood. We used longitudinal intravital microscopy to directly elucidate glomerular hemodynamics on a single nephron level in response to the ACE inhibitor enalapril or/and the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin.

Methods: Five weeks after the induction of diabetes by streptozotocin, male C57BL/6 mice were treated with enalapril, empagliflozin, enalapril/empagliflozin or placebo for 3 days. To identify hemodynamic regulation mechanisms, longitudinal intravital multiphoton microscopy was employed to measure single nephron glomerular filtration rate (snGFR) and afferent/efferent arteriole width.

Results: Diabetic mice presented a significant hyperfiltration. Compared to placebo treatment, snGFR was reduced in response to enalapril, empagliflozin, or enalapril/empagliflozin administration under diabetic conditions. While enalapril treatment caused significant dilation of the efferent arteriole (12.55 ± 1.46 µm vs. control 11.92 ± 1.04 µm, p < 0.05), empagliflozin led to a decreased afferent arteriole diameter (11.19 ± 2.55 µm vs. control 12.35 ± 1.32 µm, p < 0.05) in diabetic mice. Unexpectedly under diabetic conditions, the combined treatment with enalapril/empagliflozin had no effects on both afferent and efferent arteriole diameter change.

Conclusion: SGLT2 inhibition, besides ACE inhibition, is an essential hemodynamic regulator of glomerular filtration during diabetes mellitus. Nevertheless, additional mechanisms—independent from hemodynamic regulation—are involved in the nephroprotective effects especially of the combination therapy and should be further explored in future studies.
A Functional Genomics View of Gibberellin Metabolism in the Cnidarian Symbiont Breviolum minutum
Authors: Wu Dan , Yang Lin , Gu Jiahua , Tarkowska Danuse , Deng Xiangzi , Gan Qinhua , Zhou Wenxu , Strnad Miroslav , Lu Yandu
Published: September 2022

Dinoflagellate inhabitants of the reef-building corals exchange nutrients and signals with host cells, which often benefit the growth of both partners. Phytohormones serve as central hubs for signal integration between symbiotic microbes and their hosts, allowing appropriate modulation of plant growth and defense in response to various stresses. However, the presence and function of phytohormones in photosynthetic dinoflagellates and their function in the holobionts remain elusive. We hypothesized that endosymbiotic dinoflagellates may produce and employ phytohormones for stress responses. Using the endosymbiont of reef corals Breviolum minutum as model, this study aims to exam whether the alga employ analogous signaling systems by an integrated multiomics approach. We show that key gibberellin (GA) biosynthetic genes are widely present in the genomes of the selected dinoflagellate algae. The non-13-hydroxylation pathway is the predominant route for GA biosynthesis and the multifunctional GA dioxygenase in B. minutum has distinct substrate preference from high plants. GA biosynthesis is modulated by the investigated bleaching-stimulating stresses at both transcriptional and metabolic levels and the exogenously applied GAs improve the thermal tolerance of the dinoflagellate. Our results demonstrate the innate ability of a selected Symbiodiniaceae to produce the important phytohormone and the active involvement of GAs in the coordination and the integration of the stress response.
Comparative transcriptomics analysis of developing peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) pods reveals candidate genes affecting peanut seed size
Authors: Wu Yue , Sun Ziqi , Qi Feiyan , Tian Mengdi , Wang Juan , Zhao Ruifang , Wang Xiao , Wu Xiaohui , Shi Xinlong , Liu Hongfei , Dong Wenzhao , Huang Bingyan , Zheng Zheng , Zhang Xinyou
Published: September 2022

Pod size is one of the most important agronomic features of peanuts, which directly affects peanut yield. Studies on the regulation mechanism underpinning pod size in cultivated peanuts remain hitherto limited compared to model plant systems. To better understand the molecular elements that underpin peanut pod development, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of chronological transcriptomics during pod development in four peanut accessions with similar genetic backgrounds, but varying pod sizes. Several plant transcription factors, phytohormones, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways were significantly enriched among differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at five consecutive developmental stages, revealing an eclectic range of candidate genes, including PNC, YUC, and IAA that regulate auxin synthesis and metabolism, CYCD and CYCU that regulate cell differentiation and proliferation, and GASA that regulates seed size and pod elongation via gibberellin pathway. It is plausible that MPK3 promotes integument cell division and regulates mitotic activity through phosphorylation, and the interactions between these genes form a network of molecular pathways that affect peanut pod size. Furthermore, two variant sites, GCP4 and RPPL1, were identified which are stable at the QTL interval for seed size attributes and function in plant cell tissue microtubule nucleation. These findings may facilitate the identification of candidate genes that regulate pod size and impart yield improvement in cultivated peanuts.
Impacts of family environment on adolescents’ academic achievement: The role of peer interaction quality and educational expectation gap
Authors: Zhao Lie , Zhao Wenlong
Published: September 2022

The current study uses a two-wave longitudinal survey to explores the influence mechanism of the family environment on adolescents’ academic achievement. The family environment is measured by parents and children’s reports, including family atmosphere, parent–child interaction, and family rules, to reveal the mediating effect of adolescents’ positive or negative peers between the family environment and academic achievement, and whether the gap between self- and parental educational expectation plays a moderating effect. This study uses the data of the China Education Panel Study (CEPS); the survey samples include 9,449 eighth-grade students (Mage = 13.55 years, SD = 0.70), establishing a multilevel moderated mediating effect model. The results showed (1) the family environment and peer interaction quality can positively predict adolescents’ academic achievement. (2) Using the KHB test, peer interaction quality plays a partial mediating role in the process of family environment positively affecting academic achievement, and the mediating ratio is 27.5%. (3) The educational expectation gap moderates the effect of the family environment on academic achievement and also on peer interaction quality. Therefore, from the perspective of environment and important others, to correctly grasp the academic achievement of junior high school students in the process of socialization, it is necessary to recognize that the family environment, peer interaction quality, and educational expectation gap play an important role.
The relationship between vocational college students’ liking of teachers and learning engagement: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Lu Lei , Zhang Luyao , Wang Longmei
Published: September 2022

To clarify the relationship between higher vocational students’ liking of teachers and their learning engagement, based on the theory of social exchange, 1,279 vocational students in the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta in China are used as the research objects. From the perspective of students and teachers, SPSS and AMOS are used to conduct a two-stage linear regression analysis. The results show that (1) students’ liking of their teachers has a positive effect on learning engagement; (2) liking positively affects students’ psychological empowerment; (3) liking of teachers indirectly influences learning engagement through psychological empowerment; (4) teacher’s support positively moderates the indirect relationship between liking of teachers and learning engagement through psychological empowerment. This study attempts to provide practical guidance for college students to provide learning engagement.
Bitter silence allows sexual harassment to continue in workplace: A qualitative study in Iranian nurses
Authors: Zeighami Maryam , Zakeri Mohammad Ali , Mangolian Shahrbabaki Parvin , Dehghan Mahlagha
Published: September 2022

Background

Sexual harassment in the workplace is continuing. However, the rate of sexual harassment disclosure is low, which causes many problems. Non-disclosure of sexual harassment can cause nurses' psychological distress and physical harm, and affect their productivity and quality of care. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the reasons why Iranian nurses stayed silent and did not disclose sexual harassment in their workplace.

Method

This qualitative descriptive-explorative study was conducted to investigate the reasons why Iranian nurses (n = 18) stayed silent on sexual harassment. Conventional content analysis and purposeful sampling method were used in this study. Data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Maximum variance in terms of age, sex, work experience, education level, marital status, and type of hospital and ward was considered in order to obtain rich information. Guba and Lincoln criteria were used to increase the study's trustworthiness, while the Graneheim and Lundman approach was used to analyze the content.

Results

The research data indicated 112 codes, a major category, 4 subcategories, and 9 primary categories. The major category, “The missing link is bitter silence; sexual harassment is still going on,” includes four subcategories: fear of social stigmas, organizational and legal barriers, family barriers, and personal barriers.

Conclusions

Nurses cannot break their silence on sexual harassment because they are afraid that disclosure of sexual harassment has negative consequences for their personal and professional lives. Policies and strategies should be developed to encourage nurses to disclose sexual harassment. This issue must be studied socially, culturally, and politically.
The economic impact of COVID-19 interventions: A mathematical modeling approach
Authors: Kim Jung Eun , Choi Heejin , Choi Yongin , Lee Chang Hyeong
Published: September 2022

Prior to vaccination or drug treatment, non-pharmaceutical interventions were almost the only way to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. After vaccines were developed, effective vaccination strategies became important. The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has caused enormous economic losses worldwide. As such, it is necessary to estimate the economic effects of control policies, including non-pharmaceutical interventions and vaccination strategies. We estimated the costs associated with COVID-19 according to different vaccination rollout speeds and social distancing levels and investigated effective control strategies for cost minimization. Age-structured mathematical models were developed and used to study disease transmission epidemiology. Using these models, we estimated the actual costs due to COVID-19, considering costs associated with medical care, lost wages, death, vaccination, and gross domestic product (GDP) losses due to social distancing. The lower the social distancing (SD) level, the more important the vaccination rollout speed. SD level 1 was cost-effective under fast rollout speeds, but SD level 2 was more effective for slow rollout speeds. If the vaccine rollout rate is fast enough, even implementing SD level 1 will be cost effective and can control the number of critically ill patients and deaths. If social distancing is maintained at level 2 at the beginning and then relaxed when sufficient vaccinations have been administered, economic costs can be reduced while maintaining the number of patients with severe symptoms below the intensive care unit (ICU) capacity. Korea has wellequipped medical facilities and infrastructure for rapid vaccination, and the public's desire for vaccination is high. In this case, the speed of vaccine supply is an important factor in controlling the COVID-19 epidemic. If the speed of vaccination is fast, it is possible to maintain a low level of social distancing without a significant increase in the number of deaths and hospitalized patients with severe symptoms, and the corresponding costs can be reduced.
It's not just a phase: Investigating text simplification in a second language from a process and product perspective
Authors: Rossetti Alessandra , Van Waes Luuk
Published: September 2022

Text simplification involves making texts easier to understand, usually for lay readers. Simplifying texts is a complex task, especially when conducted in a second language. The readability of the produced texts and the way in which authors manage the different phases of the text simplification process are influenced by their writing expertise and by their language proficiency. Training on audience awareness can be beneficial for writers, but most research so far has devoted attention to first-language writers who simplify their own texts. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of text simplification training on second-language writers (university students) who simplify already existing texts. Specifically, after identifying a first and a second phase in the text simplification process (namely, two distinct series of writing dynamics), we analyzed the impact of our training on pausing and revision behavior across phases, as well as levels of readability achieved by the students. Additionally, we examined correlations between pausing behavior and readability by using keystroke logging data and automated text analysis. We found that phases of text simplification differ along multiple dimensions, even though our training did not seem to influence pausing and revision dynamics. Our training led to texts with fewer and shorter words, and with syntactically simpler sentences. The correlation analysis showed that longer and more frequent pauses at specific text locations were linked with increased readability in the same or adjacent text locations. We conclude the paper by discussing theoretical, methodological, and pedagogical implications, alongside limitations and areas for future research.
The association between global cognitive function and walking capacity in individuals with broad ranges of cognitive and physical function: Are there sex differences?
Authors: Wiley Elise , Noguchi Kenneth S. , Moncion Kevin , D’Isabella Natalie , Shkredova Daria A. , Fang Hanna , Richardson Julie , MacDermid Joy C. , Rodrigues Lynden , Roig Marc , Tang Ada
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Cognitive function is known to be associated with physical function, where greater walking capacity has been shown to have moderate to strong correlations with global cognitive function and other various domains of cognition in older adults with and without chronic conditions. Biological sex may moderate the relationship between cognitive and physical function, but whether sex differences exist in this association has not been examined in an aging population. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between global cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment; MoCA), walking capacity (6-Minute Walk Test distance; 6 MWT) and sex in an aging population with broad ranges of cognitive and physical function.

Methods

Participants were assessed for global cognitive function (MoCA) and walking capacity (6 MWT). Multivariable regression analyses were performed to examine the interaction of sex in the association between MoCA and 6 MWT. First, we presented the unadjusted model (Model 1), then the model adjusted for age, history of stroke, and height (Model 2). To determine if there were sex-based differences in the association between global cognitive function and walking capacity, we included sex and an interaction term between sex*6 MWT distance in Models 3 and 4.

Results

Twenty-three females and 36 males were included in the multivariable regression analyses, respectively. Our sample represented broad ranges of cognitive and physical function levels, where MoCA scores ranged from 13 to 30, and 6 MWT distances from 203 to 750 m. 6 MWT distance was associated with MoCA in models unadjusted (R2 = 0.17; F(1,56) = 11.4; p < 0.01) and adjusted for age, stroke history, and height (R2 = 0.20; F(4,53) = 3.2; p = 0.02). No interaction with sex was found, but a main effect of sex was observed (R2 = 0.26; F(5,21) = 3.72; p = 0.03). When adjusting for age, height and history of stroke, males MoCA scores were 2.9 ± 1.3 less than the mean MoCA scores for females.

Discussion

Our findings confirm the positive relationship between cognitive and physical function in older adults. Notably, we also observed superior performance in global cognition among females that was consistent across a broad spectrum of walking capacity.
Assessing emerging technologies from an arms control perspective
Authors: Brackmann Maximilian , Gemünden Michèle , Invernizzi Cédric , Mogl Stefan
Published: September 2022

Developments in science and technology improve health and wellbeing of humankind, for example with better methods to detect and treat diseases. However, some advances have led to the development of weapons of mass destruction: chemical and biological weapons. Although banned by international treaties, chemical weapons have been used in recent years in assassinations and the Syrian civil war. Additionally, biological weapons became the subject of recent suspicions and allegations. While not limited to these fields, the so-called dual-use potential—the possibility to apply aspects both with benevolent or malevolent intentions—is especially pronounced in the life sciences. Here, we showcase some areas explored at the conference series Spiez CONVERGENCE that facilitates an exchange between science, arms control and international security. Together, these communities discuss the potential impact of life scientific advances on the Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions. Enabled by digital technologies, DNA sequencing and synthesis provide the toolbox to (re)construct viruses and cells, which demonstrated invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic but bear the misuse risk to allow intentionally triggering an outbreak. Open databases and algorithms could be used to generate new chemical weapons. We argue that preventing unintended consequences of life science research while promoting its benefits with responsible science, requires awareness and reflection about unexpected risks of everyone involved in the research process. The strength of the ban of chemical and biological weapons also depends on scientists interacting with policy makers in evaluating risks and implementing measures to reduce them.
Comparing Biorefinery Processes at the Early Design Stage Using Large Block Analysis
Authors: Trottier Émanuelle , Myers Craig , Stuart Paul
Published: September 2022

The transformation of pulp and paper mills through the integration of biorefineries is increasingly considered essential to the future of many existing sites. However, evaluating the risk and return of different biorefinery process alternatives at the early design stage is challenging. There are many strategies and technologies that must be considered, each of which is typically accompanied by its unique risks, including high levels of uncertainty in capital and operating cost estimates often obtained from technology providers. The novel methodology presented in this study, called Large Block Analysis (LBA), comprises a systematic approach for addressing these important challenges at the early design stage. LBA is used to obtain relative cost estimates for six process/product combinations incorporating different Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), for adding value to a hemicellulose stream extracted from hardwood chips. In this case study, it was found that the fixed capital costs obtained using the LBA method differed from the original costs by between 121 and −19%, and operating cost estimates differed by between 117 and −17% from the original. The results show that the most economically-viable options for the hemicellulose stream having reasonable technology risk included the production of (1) animal feed additives, (2) xylitol using a variant of the classical chemical process, and (3) furfural.
Impact of hydraulic and physicochemical factors on spatiotemporal variations of particle-associated bacteria in a drinking water distribution system
Authors: Osborne Erika , Haddix Madison , Garner Emily
Published: September 2022

Drinking water distribution systems are critical infrastructure that protect public health by ensuring safe water is transported from centralized treatment facilities to consumers. While growth of bacteria, such as opportunistic pathogens, in distribution system infrastructure is well established as a detriment to water quality, little is known about the role of sediment in conveying bacteria via biofilms throughout these systems. The objective of this study was to quantify the abundance of particle-associated bacteria in a rural drinking water distribution system with a chlorine disinfectant residual. The role of hydraulic and physicochemical factors in influencing the spatiotemporal loading of particle-associated bacteria in the system was also examined. The concentration of particle-associated bacteria averaged 1.28 log10 gene copies per mL, while total bacteria averaged 2.16 log10 gene copies per mL, demonstrating that biofilms formed on the surface of sediment represent a substantial portion of overall loading in the studied distribution system. Total suspended solids concentrations were correlated with particle-associated bacteria, but not total bacteria. Pipe diameter was found to be an important factor associated with the abundance of both total and particle-associated bacteria, as well as total chlorine concentration. Velocity, Reynold's number and the flow regime were also found to be important, as they were associated with both sediment and total bacteria, but not particle-associated bacteria. The results of this study indicate that particle-associated bacteria and total bacteria concentrations often followed disparate trends, demonstrating that their abundance is differentially influenced by a complex combination of physicochemical and hydraulic factors. These findings help to establish sediment as an important conduit for microbial loading in a chlorinated drinking water distribution system.
Tricking the Bees: How Some Flowers Cheat
Authors: Aguiar João Marcelo Robazzi Bignelli Valente
Published: September 2022

Flowers usually provide their pollinators with food, such as nectar. But some flowers trick their pollinators into pollinating without offering any food. Cheater flowers from the same species can be of different colors, and this might confuse the pollinators, because they have to visit many flowers before learning that all of the colors represent cheater flowers. To investigate this, we trained bees to visit artificial flowers that we could change the color of. The bees learned which colors represent flowers with no food, and they preferred to take a risk visiting flowers with new colors, instead of the ones they already recognized as cheaters. Also, bees visited more flowers and spent more time visiting them when flowers of two different colors were presented, compared to when only one color of flowers was available. We confirmed that presenting flowers of more colors is a good strategy for tricking pollinators and thus increasing pollination events.