bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
100 years of the State Meadow Institute
Authors: Kosolapov Vladimir , Trofimov Ilya , Trofimova Lyudmila , Yakovleva Elena
Published: October 2022

100 years since the Establishment of the State Meadow Institute the Federal Williams Research Center of Forage Production & Agroecology celebrates in June 2022. The State Meadow Institute creation was event of the most important state significance. This event is extremely important for rational nature management, increasing soil fertility, obtaining high and sustainable crop yields, and preserving the productive longevity of our lands. In 1922 the Station for the study of forage plants and forage area was transformed into the State Meadow Institute (SMI). 1930 – SMI was transformed into the All-Union Williams Fodder Research Institute. 1992 – transformation into the All-Russian Williams Fodder Research Institute. 2018 transformation into the Federal Williams Research Center of Forage Production & Agroecology. Throughout its history, the Institute has proudly borne the name of its founder – W. R. Williams. Such famous scientists as V. R. Williams, A. M. Dmitriev, L. G. Ramensky, I. V. Larin, S. P. Smelov, T. A. Rabotnov, A. A. Zubrilin and many others worked at the Institute. The Institute's works (books, articles) have been published in England, Belarus, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, USA, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Switzerland, Sweden, and Japan. Scientific and practical achievements of the Institute were awarded 7 times with State prizes of the USSR and the Russian Federation in the field of science and technology, as well as Prizes of the government of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of agriculture of the Russian Federation, diplomas of Exhibitions and other awards. For services to the country, the Institute was awarded the order of Labor Red Banner.
New variety of yellow lupine Antey
Authors: Lishchenko Pavel
Published: October 2022

The article presents the results of studies on the creation of a variety of lupine Antey, resistant to anthracnose intended for sod-podzolic sandy and sandy soils. The initial forms, which are distinguished by the average resistance to the disease, were selected in 2009 in the field in the absence of an anthracnosis infectious background in the hybrid nursery F1. The most stable combination of 1-08 turned out to be the most stable. In the period 2010–2012 the assessment and selection of the most resistant to anthracnosis of forms. In 2012, number 1-08-75 was allocated, which after a competitive variety test in 2019 was transferred to the state variety test, and in 2021 it was registered in the state register of protected breeding achievements as a variety of yellow Lupine Antey. The variety is universal, used as green food, silos, hay and grain. Over the years of research, the Antey variety formed from 45 to 52 t/ha of green mass, 1.5–2.0 t/ha of grain. The protein content in green mass and in grain compiled 42–44 and 18–19 %, alkaloids — 0.04 and 0.03 %. The length of the vegetation pies is 96–98 days, the mass of 1000 seeds is 100–120 g, the height of the herb is 70–80 cm, it is treated with good lateral branching (5–7 lateral branches, including 3–4 fruiting). The variety is resistant to fusariosis, anthracnose, especially to the formation of superficial and perforated necrotic ulcers on beans.
Trichoderma- from lab bench to field application: Looking back over 50 years
Authors: Dutta Pranab , Deb Lipa , Pandey Abhay K.
Published: October 2022

Biological control of plant pathogens has become increasingly possible with the use of fungi, which have a high reproductive rate (both sexually and asexually) and a short generation time and are very specific to their target.Trichodermaspecies are found in diverse habitats and experience various interactions with other organisms. They are used as bio-fungicides owing to their plant-protecting abilities, and they produce a large number of secondary metabolites (SMs) accompanied by enrichment in secondary metabolism-associated genes. This article aims to review and discuss the SMs produced byTrichodermaspecies, including their physiology, mode of action, mass production, and industrial and field applications for the control of plant diseases. We also discuss the evolutionary history, taxonomical gradient, classification, and ecology ofTrichodermaspecies, as well as indirect and direct mechanisms used as plant protectors with gene improvement strategies. Aside from the bioactivity of SMs derived fromTrichodermaspecies, compatibility with fungicides, mass formulation techniques, and industrial applications ofTrichodermaspecies, the review focuses on its advent and progress as a global research pioneer.
Enteric methane mitigation through Asparagopsis taxiformis supplementation and potential algal alternatives
Authors: Wasson Derek E. , Yarish Charles , Hristov Alexander N.
Published: October 2022

Research is increasingly directed towards decreasing the greenhouse gases contribution, specifically methane, from the livestock agriculture sector. Macroalgae supplementation has emerged as a promising tool to mitigate enteric methane emission in ruminants. The mode of action responsible for the mitigation effect centers around the content of volatile halogenated compounds, primarily bromoform. The sub-tropical red seaweed, Asparagopsis taxiformis, is the most well researched bromoform containing species. While several studies, both in vitro and in vivo, have demonstrated the effectiveness of A. taxiformis at reducing enteric methane emission (> 80% reduction), questions surrounding sustainability, animal productivity, animal product quality, and commercial practicality remain. These questions by no means disqualify the practice of feeding macroalgae to cattle to reduce methane emission, but they must be answered before implementing macroalgae as a feed additive commercially. Also, limiting scientific inquiry to a few species reduces the potential of discovering other compounds and modes of action that could produce the desired mitigation effect without the inherit drawbacks of the current options. Work conducted in both ruminant nutrition and human health fields have identified numerous bioactive compounds within plants that exhibit anti-microbial functions that could modify the rumen microbiome for beneficial outcomes. These compounds are also found in macroalgae. Phlorotannins, saponins, sulfonated glycans, other halocarbons and bacteriocins found within macroalgae have demonstrated antimicrobial activity in vitro. However, it is unclear what effect these compounds may have when used in vivo. Once identified, extracting these compounds for supplementation in lieu of feeding the entire plant may be a more practical solution. Dietary inclusion levels of macroalgae in ruminant diets can be limited by variation in active ingredient concentration, palatability to cattle, and excessive dietary mineral content. There are multiple in vitro studies that have demonstrated a methane reduction potential of non-bromoform containing species, but inclusion levels are often well above the effective levels of A. taxiformis (< 0.5% of dietary dry matter). In some animal studies, A. taxiformis supplementation has led to decreased dry matter intake and productivity and elevated mineral accumulation, such as iodine, in animal products. Therefore, methane mitigation by macroalgae will likely have to occur at low dietary concentrations to be practical. This review aims to highlight potential benefits and challenges that feeding macroalgae as a tool for methane reduction may have on animal production, the environment, animal and consumer health.
Reproducible and controlled peptide functionalization of polymeric nanoparticles
Authors: Chandrasiri Indika , Liu Yuxuan , Adjei-Sowah Emmanuela , Xiao Baixue , Benoit Danielle S. W.
Published: October 2022

Polymeric nanoparticles containing multiple amines and carboxylates have been frequently used in drug delivery research. Reproducible and controlled conjugation among these multifunctional biomaterials is necessary to achieve efficient drug delivery platforms. However, multiple functional groups increase the risk of unintended intramolecular/intermolecular reactions during conjugation. Herein, conjugation approaches and possible undesired reactions between multi-amine functionalized peptides, multi-carboxylate functionalized polymers, and anhydride-containing polymers [Poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride)-b-poly(styrene)] were investigated under different conjugation strategies (carbodiimide chemistry, anhydride ring-opening via nucleophilic addition elimination). Muti-amine peptides led to extensive crosslinking between polymers regardless of the conjugation chemistry. Results also indicate that conventional peptide quantification methods (i.e., o-phthalaldehyde assay, bicinchoninic acid assay) are unreliable. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) provided more accurate qualitative and quantitative evidence for intermolecular crosslinking. Crosslinking densities were correlated with higher feed ratios of multifunctional peptides and carbodiimide coupling reagents. Selectively protected peptides (Lys-Alloc) exhibited no crosslinking and yielded peptide-polymer conjugates with controlled dispersity and molecular weight. Furthermore, anhydride ring-opening (ARO) nucleophilic addition elimination was successfully introduced as a facile yet robust peptide conjugation approach for cyclic anhydride-containing polymers.
Green roof substrates—A literature review
Authors: Kader Shuraik , Chadalavada Sreenivasulu , Jaufer Lizny , Spalevic Velibor , Dudic Branislav
Published: October 2022

Green roofs are becoming increasingly popular in urban construction due to their wide array of benefits for creating a sustainable ecosystem. Many stakeholders invest in green roofs in the 21st century to enhance the environmental quality and mitigate urban ecological pollution. The substrate layer is the most important and critical component of green roof systems. The objective of the review study is to present the important information regarding the required elements that need to be considered for substrate selection of green roofs by critically reviewing the scientifically published articles. Research findings from past studies relevant to green roofs, vegetation and selective substrate parameters were extensively discussed under different topics related to water retention, drought resistance and related physico-chemical parameters. The generalities in past research articles were presented and special focus was provided on specific research articles those presented novelty regarding green roof substrates. Furthermore, the hotspots in all the considered research articles were commentatively identified and the appropriate solutions were evaluated. The critical review of published research articles indicates that most of the research on green roof substrates was conducted in either controlled laboratories or greenhouses and did not provide much importance to actual field tests. Therefore, these research findings are not sufficient to obtain the realistic field outcomes of the research. Future studies on green roof substrates should need to incorporate field experiments along with classical controlled tests by adhering to standard guidelines for assimilating climatic influences in substrates. Few studies have focused on dry climates, and further research needs to be conducted on dry climates due to their high susceptibility to drought and evapotranspiration. This manuscript would be the first review article that mainly focuses on substrates for green roofs, which is a novel aspect.
The m6A-methylated mRNA pattern and the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway under the hyper-m6A-modifying condition in the keloid
Authors: Lin Can-Xiang , Chen Zhi-Jing , Peng Qi-Lin , Xiang Ke-Rong , Xiao Du-Qing , Chen Ruo-Xi , Cui Taixing , Huang Yue-Sheng , Liu Hong-Wei
Published: October 2022

Purpose: The present study was carried out to investigate the global m6A-modified RNA pattern and possible mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of keloid.

Method: In total, 14 normal skin and 14 keloid tissue samples were first collected on clinics. Then, three samples from each group were randomly selected to be verified with the Western blotting to determine the level of methyltransferase and demethylase. The total RNA of all samples in each group was isolated and subjected to the analysis of MeRIP sequencing and RNA sequencing. Using software of MeTDiff and htseq-count, the m6A peaks and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were determined within the fold change >2 and p-value < 0.05. The top 10 pathways of m6A-modified genes in each group and the differentially expressed genes were enriched by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes signaling pathways. Finally, the closely associated pathway was determined using the Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining.

Results: There was a higher protein level of WTAP and Mettl3 in the keloid than in the normal tissue. In the keloid samples, 21,020 unique m6A peaks with 6,573 unique m6A-associated genetic transcripts appeared. In the normal tissue, 4,028 unique m6A peaks with 779 m6A-associated modified genes appeared. In the RNA sequencing, there were 847 genes significantly changed between these groups, transcriptionally. The genes with m6A-methylated modification and the upregulated differentially expressed genes between two tissues were both mainly related to the Wnt signaling pathway. Moreover, the hyper-m6A-modified Wnt/β-catenin pathway in keloid was verified with Western blotting. From the immunofluorescence staining results, we found that the accumulated fibroblasts were under a hyper-m6A condition in the keloid, and the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway was mainly activated in the fibroblasts.

Conclusion: The fibroblasts in the keloid were under a cellular hyper-m6A-methylated condition, and the hyper-m6A-modified highly expressed Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the dermal fibroblasts might promote the pathogenesis of keloid.
Design, synthesis, and insecticidal activity of a novel series of flupyrimin analogs bearing 1-aryl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl subunits
Authors: Zhao Fenghai , Tang Xianjun , Huang Jiaxing , Li Jiaqi , Xiao Yumei , Qin Zhaohai
Published: October 2022

To discover new potential insecticides to protect agricultural crops from damage, a series of novel flupyrimin derivatives containing an arylpyrazole core were designed and synthesized. Their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HRMS. Bioassays indicated that the 31 compounds synthesized possessed excellent insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostella. Among these target compounds, the lethality of A3, B1-B6, D4, and D6 reached 100% at 400 μg/ml. Moreover, when the concentration dropped to 25 μg/ml, the insecticidal activities against the Plutella xylostella for compounds B2, B3, and B4 still reached more than 70%. The structure–activity relationship of the Plutella xylostella was discussed. The density functional theory analysis of flupyrimin and B4 was carried out to support the abovementioned structure–activity relationship. The possible binding modes between receptor and active groups in title compounds were also verified by docking simulation. These results provided new ideas for the development of these novel candidate insecticides in the future.
Research status of gas sensing performance of Ti3C2Tx-based gas sensors: A mini review
Authors: Peng Bo , Huang Xinlu
Published: October 2022

Developing efficient gas sensing materials capable of sensitive, fast, stable, and selective detection is a requisite in the field of indoor gas environment monitoring. In recent years, metal carbides/nitrides (MXenes) have attracted attention in the field of gas sensing because of their high specific surface area, good electrical conductivity, and high hydrophilicity. Ti3C2Tx, the first synthesised MXene material, has also become the most popular MXene material owing to its low formation energy. In this paper, the latest progress in the application of Ti3C2Tx-based nanomaterials in the field of gas sensors is reviewed. Some challenges currently faced by Ti3C2Tx gas sensors are discussed, and possible solutions are proposed, focusing on the use of composite materials and surface functionalization methods to modify Ti3C2Tx nanomaterials to improve their sensing performance for the detection of gaseous volatile organic compounds. This study highlights the application prospects of Ti3C2Tx nanomaterials in gas sensors.
40Ar/39Ar ages and geochemistry of the Intersalar Range of the Bolivian Altiplano: A volcanological transect spanning the arc and reararc of the Central Andean Plateau
Authors: Salisbury Morgan J. , Jiménez Néstor , Barfod Dan
Published: October 2022

The volcanic Intersalar Range of western Bolivia provides a unique opportunity to examine geochemical variations spanning the arc and reararc regions of the Central Andean Plateau. In this study we report 23 new 40Ar/39Ar ages, 15 whole-rock Sr-Nd-Pb isotope analyses, and 50 whole-rock major and trace element analyses from samples collected across ∼115 km of the Intersalar Range. Most samples are classified as trachyandesites and trachydacites, with the most mafic lavas (slightly alkaline, basaltic trachyandesites) erupting from the Pliocene Coracora volcano in the central Altiplano. We identify two distinct pulses of reararc magmatism: a Miocene phase between 20 Ma and 14 Ma that corresponds with local compressional shortening, and a Plio-Pleistocene phase between 5 and 1 Ma that postdates observed structural deformation in the region. 87Sr/86Sr values (0.70512–0.70600) and 143Nd/144Nd values (0.51226–0.51255) are generally higher, and lower, respectively, in the younger phase, whereas Pb isotopes (206Pb/204Pb = 17.7315–18.5095; 207Pb/204Pb = 15.5714–15.6279; 208Pb/204Pb = 37.7862–38.6156) show little variation with age. Isotope values are only loosely correlated with distance from the modern Central Volcanic Zone. Higher Sr/Y, Dy/Yb, and [La/Yb]N values in the Plio-Pleistocene samples are consistent with homogenization at the base of a thicker continental crust compared to the Miocene samples. Nb concentrations show the strongest correlation with distance into the reararc compared to all other trace elements (arc Nb = 6–16 ppm; reararc Nb = 12–26 ppm). Nb/Nb* values (a measurement of the depth of the negative Nb anomaly) correspondingly increase into the reararc (indicating smaller anomalies), reaching a maximum at Coracora volcano before decreasing in the far rear arc region. Compiled data across the Central Andean Plateau reveal a strong correlation between Nb/Nb* and the presence of intact mantle lithosphere beneath the central Altiplano. We interpret this distinct Nb signal to reflect melting triggered by the breakdown of Nb-rich hydrous minerals within foundering (delaminating) mantle lithosphere. In conjunction with spatiotemporal data, Nb systematics provide the clearest indication of mantle lithosphere in regions where mafic samples are not present.
Case study on amplitude and phase response comparison between DAS and 3C geophone VSP surveys at a test site in Japan
Authors: Nakajima Takahiro , Miyoshi Takayuki , Hashimoto Tsutomu , Xue Ziqiu
Published: October 2022

Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) is an effective tool for seismic surveys and is widely used as the preferred sensor for acquiring dense Vertical Seismic Profile (VSP). However, DAS has some disadvantages compared to conventional geophone acquisition, such as single-component data, sensor directivity pattern, low S/N, etc. To apply DAS data to VSP processing, it is important to understand the characteristics of DAS measurements. This study first examined DAS and geophone responses for a VSP survey in a 1D earth model. The relationship of signal amplitude as a function of incident angle and phase shift between wavelets was confirmed. Next, we validated this relationship in a walk-away VSP survey, which was conventionally applied to monitor geological CO2 storage. The survey was carried out at a test site in Japan. We obtained both three-component (3C) geophone and DAS data using a single-mode fiber installed behind a casing. The observed amplitudes of the first P-waves by DAS and geophone showed very good agreement with the theoretical expectations. Finally, we performed imaging using acquired DAS data following the workflow for conventional VSP processing. These basic behaviors of DAS are useful for designing further analyses, such as VSP in deviated wells and full waveform inversion.
The mechanism of Girdin in degenerative brain disease caused by high glucose stimulation
Authors: Liu Longteng , Zhang Jinsong , Han Yanxi , Liu Dongge
Published: October 2022

Girdin, as an actin-binding protein, plays a major role in maintaining the stability of the actin skeleton structure and affects the growth, development, and migration of neurons. This study discusses the mechanism of Girdin in brain degeneration caused by high glucose stimulation. We examined the expression of Girdin in diabetic patients. The positive expression rate of Girdin in the diabetic group was 17.2% (5/29), which was obviously lower than the positive expression rate of 83.3% (20/24) in the non-diabetic group. We examined the expression of Girdin and its signaling pathway-related proteins Akt and STAT3 in hippocampal neurons induced by high glucose. The results showed that, in contrast to the control group (glucose concentration = 25 mmol/L), the expression of Girdin in the high-glucose group (glucose concentration = 225 mmol/L) was reduced (P < 0.05); the phosphorylation levels of Akt and STAT3 related to Girdin signaling pathway were also reduced (P < 0.05). Under high-glucose stimulation, the structure of neurons is abnormal, such as the reduction or disappearance of dendritic spines, and the number of neurons is reduced. In addition, Girdin and Akt were less expressed in neurons and synapses, especially the most obvious reduction in synaptic terminals. The activity of Girdin and its signaling pathway-related proteins Akt and STAT3 decreased in neurons under high glucose stimulation, indicating that the mechanism of Girdin in brain degeneration caused by high glucose stimulation was closely related to the Akt and STAT3 pathways.

Graphic Abstract

The mechanism of Girdin in degenerative brain disease caused by high glucose stimulation. This article discusses the mechanism of Girdin in brain degeneration induced by high glucose stimulation. The expression of Girdin in the diabetic group was significantly lower than that in the non-diabetic group. The expression of Girdin and its signaling pathway-related proteins Akt and STAT3 in hippocampal neurons was significantly reduced under high glucose stimulation. Under high glucose stimulation, the structure of neurons is abnormal and the number decreases; synapses become shorter. It indicates that the mechanism of brain degeneration caused by high glucose stimulation by Girdin is closely related to the Akt and STAT3 pathways.
New insight into the importance of formulation variables on parenteral growth hormone preparations: potential effect on the injection-site pain
Authors: Taghizadeh Bita , Jaafari Mahmoud Reza , Zarghami Nosratollah
Published: October 2022

Reducing injection-site pain (ISP) in patients with chronic conditions such as growth hormone deficiency is a valuable strategy to improve patient compliance and therapeutic efficiency. Thus understanding different aspects of pain induction following subcutaneous injection of biotherapeutics and identifying the responsible factors are vital. Here we have discussed the effects of formulation’s viscosity, concentration, osmolality, buffering agents, pH, and temperature as well as injection volume, dosing frequency, and different excipients on ISP following subcutaneous injection of commercially available recombinant human growth hormone products. Our literature review found limited available data on the effects of different components of parenteral rhGH products on ISP. This may be due to high cost associated with conducting various clinical trials to assess each excipient in the formulation or to determine the complex interactions of different components and its impact on ISP. Recently, conducting molecular dynamics simulation studies before formulation design has been recommended as an alternative and less-expensive approach. On the other hand, the observed inconsistencies in the available data is mainly due to different pain measurement approaches used in each study. Moreover, it is difficult to translate data obtained from animal studies to human subjects. Despite all these limitations, our investigation showed that components of parenteral rhGH products can significantly contribute to ISP. We suggest further investigation is required for development of long acting, buffer-free, preservative-free formulations. Besides, various excipients are currently being investigated for reducing ISP which can be used as alternatives for common buffers, surfactants or preservatives in designing future rhGH formulations.
Simulating the distribution of beached litter on the northwest coast of Scotland
Authors: Allison Nicole L. , Dale Andrew , Turrell William R. , Aleynik Dmitry , Narayanaswamy Bhavani E.
Published: October 2022

Various field methods have been used globally in an attempt to understand and quantify plastic pollution. However, in regions, such as the west coast of Scotland, sparse populations, combined with complex coastlines of numerous islands, sea lochs and headlands, has resulted in limited field data. The Clyde Sea is the most populated and industrialised region on the west coast of Scotland and therefore a potential source of land-based plastic litter to the less populated coast to the north. This study first presents an analysis of Marine Conservation Society (MCS) citizen-science beach-clean data, from 1994 to 2019, revealing spatial patterns between beach-clean sites. Plastic litter was categorised into land, marine and unknown sources, with the most common items in these three categories being crisp packets, fishing rope and fragments, respectively. On the west coast of Scotland there is on average 380.3 ± 419.9 plastic items per 100 m of coast, with the site average number of items recovered ranging from 1–2,355 per 100 m of coast. To simulate marine plastic litter movement from the Clyde Sea to a defined northwest model sub-area, an unstructured-grid hydrodynamic model was coupled with a particle tracking model subject to currents, diffusion, and wind. Three coastal boundary conditions were used to compare transport paths with or without particle beach resuspension, and for the resuspending cases, with or without a distinction between coastal type (retentive beaches versus reflective rocky coasts). Of the total released particles, the percentage that beached within the model sub-area, after a 1-year model run, ranged between 45.7% and 88.3% depending on the coastal boundary condition. The Clyde Sea was found to be a potential source of beached land-based plastic litter to the north, as on average, 6.8% (range: 2.9%–11.7%) of particles exited the Clyde Sea, crossed a defined northern boundary, and beached on the northwest coast. Both hydrodynamic and particle tracking models were tested, and the varying boundary conditions were compared to investigate holistic methodologies to better understand plastic pollution.
Occurrence of glyphosate in surface and drinking water sources in Cúcuta, Norte de Santander, and its removal using membrane technology
Authors: Álvarez Bayona María Angélica , Maturana Córdoba Aymer , Gallardo Amaya Romel J. , Muñoz Acevedo Amner
Published: October 2022

Glyphosate is currently the herbicide with the highest use worldwide for weed control. It has been detected in different water sources, including drinking water, which could be generating potential damage to human health. In the Metropolitan Area of Cúcuta, intensive rice cultivation is predominant, and as it grows in flooded areas, the use of herbicides has greater contact with water bodies, which are used as sources of supply. Based on this, the concentration of glyphosate was quantified in five sampling points of surface and drinking water of the Pamplonita and Zulia rivers, using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, establishing that the concentration found in drinking water (216 and 204.5 µg/L) was below the maximum allowable limits of countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia and above those of the European Union and the United Kingdom. Once the occurrence was identified, the removal capacity of glyphosate was evaluated using membrane technology through reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) in a pilot plant, for which response surface optimization models were implemented, and 100% removals were obtained, with repeatability close to 1% with respect to other reported investigations, highlighting that the NF process was more efficient even though the molecular weight of glyphosate was below the limit of the membrane. In contrast, it was determined that, according to the concentrations found in the drinking water supplied to the Metropolitan Area of Cúcuta, this has a low risk according to the guidelines for drinking water quality in Canada and a moderate risk according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The conventional systems currently used for water purification are insufficient to remove traces of contaminants such as herbicides. Therefore, it is necessary to implement new technologies.
Influence of meteorological conditions on the air quality during the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing
Authors: Wang Taihao , Du Huadong , Cheng Wei , Zhao Zezheng , Zhang Jiping , Zhou Chengjun
Published: October 2022

The 24th Winter Olympics was held in Beijing, and the air quality in the Beijing area has become the focus of the world’s attention. The Beijing government has taken a series of strict measures to control pollutant emissions during the Winter Olympics, which also provides us with a valuable opportunity to study the impact of meteorological conditions on pollutants. We defined November, December, January, February, and March as the polluted period in Beijing, and used the T-PCA method to divide the circulation types (CTs) affecting Beijing into six kinds (CT1-CT6). It was found that under the control of the western high pressure (CT1) and the northwest high pressure (CT4), the concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, SO2 and CO in Beijing were lower; while under the control of the northern high pressure (CT2), eastern high pressure (CT5), southeast high (CT3) and northeast low pressure (CT6), the concentration of PM2.5, NO2, SO2 and CO is higher. By analyzing the daily CTs, wind field and pollutant concentration changes in the Beijing area during the Beijing Winter Olympics, it was found that when two pollution events occurred during the Winter Olympics, the Beijing area was mainly prevailed by CT2, CT3, and CT6. Comparing the frequency of occurrence of six CTs during the 2022 Winter Olympics and the same period from 2014 to 2021, it was found that the proportion of CT1 and CT4 increased significantly during the Winter Olympics. Finally, the FLEXPART-WRF model was used to analyze the 48-h backward footprint distribution of pollutant particles in Beijing during the Winter Olympics. It further showed that the circulation in the Beijing area during the Winter Olympics was generally conducive to the dispersion of pollutants, and the air quality was better.
Transformation of farmland use and driving mechanism in Xinjiang since China’s Western Development Policy
Authors: Li Xiang , Chen Yuejiao , Xu Liping , Li Penghui , Zhang Ruqian
Published: October 2022

Since the implementation of China’s Western Development Policy, Xinjiang has experienced rapid socio-economic development and significant changes in its land use patterns. As an important factor in agricultural production, farmland is of crucial for realizing the rural revitalization strategy. Based the theoretical mechanisms of farmland use transformation, this study selected five periods of land use and socioeconomic data from 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2018 to study the spatial and temporal evolutionary characteristics of farmland use transformation in Xinjiang since China’s Western Development Policy. We then explored the driving mechanisms using an optimal geographic detector model based on parameters. The results showed that (1) Xinjiang’s farmland use transitioned toward large scale and multifunctionality, and the transition characteristics are mainly of fluctuating growth type. The spatial transformation and functional transformation characteristics were generally consistent in spatial distribution. (2) There was a spatial agglomeration in the transformation, which was concentrated in the economic zone of the northern slope of Tianshan Mountain, the Yili River Valley and Kashgar region. The concentration of functional transformation of farmland has increased, but the spatial transformation of farmland has weakened. (3) The role of influencing factors on the transformation of farmland use differed with periods. Finally, the study concluded that the functional transformation of farmland in Xinjiang since China’s Western Development Policy is still at the stage of mainly production function. We suggest that the protection of farmland in Xinjiang in the New Western Development period should be achieved by promoting the transformation of the function of farmland. The findings of this study provide decision-making assistance for the management of farmland use in Xinjiang during the New Western Development period and are an effective tool for achieving the goals of sustainable farmland use and agricultural and rural modernization.
Studies on the molecular level changes and potential resistance mechanism of Coreius guichenoti under temperature stimulation
Authors: Duan Yuanliang , Li Qiang , Zhou Jian , Zhao Han , Zhao Zhongmeng , Wang Lanmei , Luo Mingkun , Du Jun , Dong Zaijie
Published: October 2022

In this study, we used transcriptome and proteome technology to analyze molecular level changes in tissues ofCoreius guichenoticultured at high temperature (HT) and low temperature (LT). We also screened for specific anti-stress genes and proteins and evaluated the relationships between them. We identified 201,803 unigenes and 10,623 proteins. Compared with the normal temperature (NT), 408 genes and 1,204 proteins were up- or down-regulated in brain tissues, respectively, at HT, and the numbers were 8 and 149 at LT. In gill tissues, the numbers were 101 and 1,745 at HT and 27 and 511 at LT. In gill tissues at both temperatures, the degree of down-regulation (average, HT 204.67-fold, LT 443.13-fold) was much greater than that of up-regulation (average, HT 28.69-fold, LT 17.68-fold). The protein expression in brain (average, up 52.67-fold, down 13.54-fold) and gill (average, up 73.02-fold, down 12.92-fold) tissues increased more at HT than at LT. The protein expression in brain (up 3.77-fold, down 4.79-fold) tissues decreased more at LT than at HT, whereas the protein expression in gill (up 8.64-fold, down 4.35-fold) tissues was up-regulated more at LT than at HT. At HT, brain tissues were mainly enriched in pathways related to metabolism and DNA repair; at LT, they were mainly enriched in cancer-related pathways. At both temperatures, gill tissues were mainly enriched in pathways related to cell proliferation, apoptosis, immunity, and inflammation. Additionally, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed more differentially expressed proteins in gill tissues than in brain tissues at HT and LT, and temperature stimulation led to the strengthening of metabolic pathways in both tissues. Of the 96 genes we identified as potentially being highly related to temperature stress (59 from transcriptome and 38 from proteome data), we detectedheat shock protein 70in both the transcriptome and proteome. Our results improved our understanding of the differential relationship between gene expression and protein expression inC. guichenoti. Identifying important temperature stress genes will help lay a foundation for cultivatingC. guichenoti, and even other fish species, that are resistant to HT or LT.
Probiotics as multifaceted oral vaccines against colon cancer: A review
Authors: Singh Shubhi , Singh Manisha , Gaur Smriti
Published: October 2022

Probiotics are known as the live microorganisms that, upon adequate administration, elicit a health beneficial response inside the host. The probiotics are known as immunomodulators and exhibit anti-tumor properties. Advanced research has explored the potential use of probiotics as the oral vaccines without the latent risks of pathogenicity. Probiotic-based oral vaccines are known to induce mucosal immunity that prevents the host from several enteric infections. Probiotic bacteria have the ability to produce metabolites in the form of anti-inflammatory cytokines, which play an important role in the prevention of carcinogenesis and in the activation of the phagocytes that eliminate the preliminary stage cancer cells. This review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using the oral probiotic vaccines as well as the mechanism of action of probiotics in colon cancer therapy. This review also employs the use of “PROBIO” database for selecting certain probiotics with immunomodulatory properties. Furthermore, the use of several probiotic bacteria as anti-colon cancer adjuvants has also been discussed in detail. Because the current studies and trials are more focused on using the attenuated pathogens instead of using the probiotic-based vaccines, future studies must involve the advanced research in exploiting the potential of several probiotic strains as adjuvants in cancer therapies.
Case report: Ruxolitinib as first-line therapy for secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in patients with AIDS
Authors: Liu Xiang , Zhu Xueling , Zhou Xiaotang , Xie Yirui , Xiang Dairong , Wan Zhikai , Huang Ying , Zhu Biao
Published: October 2022

Background

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a fatal immunological syndrome resulting from excessive production of inflammatory cytokines. The conventional therapies for HLH, which are based on cytotoxic agents, are not always efficacious and safe, especially in patients with severe immunodeficiency. Ruxolitinib, a strong inhibitor of Janus kinase (JAK) 1/2, has already been evaluated as salvage and first-line therapy for HLH. Despite its promising efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of secondary HLH, the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib in HLH patients with HIV infection remain to be investigated.

Case presentation

Two men (ages: 45 and 58 years) both presented at our hospital with a high fever. They were found to be HIV-positive with severe immunodeficiency and opportunistic infections. Their laboratory tests showed severe pancytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and increased levels of inflammatory factors and ferritin. Hemophagocytosis was found in the bone marrow, and abdominal computed tomography or ultrasonography showed splenomegaly. Both patients were diagnosed with infection-induced HLH due to severe immunodeficiency. Given they were both highly immunocompromised, we chose ruxolitinib as a first-line treatment alternative to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Rapid remission of clinical symptoms and normalization of laboratory parameters were achieved after ruxolitinib therapy. Neither patient had any associated adverse drug reactions or other laboratory abnormalities. Both patients were eventually discharged and ruxolitinib was discontinued as their disease alleviated, and they did not show signs of relapse during the 3- and 5-month of follow-up examinations.

Conclusion

We described two cases of AIDS-related secondary HLH treated with ruxolitinib. Our cases highlight the feasibility of using ruxolitinib as a first-line therapy in patients with HIV infection and secondary HLH. Nevertheless, the safety and efficacy of this novel treatment need to be evaluated in large clinical trials in the future.
PD-1/PD-L1 combined with LAG3 is associated with clinical activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma
Authors: Zhong Yu-Min , Yin Kai , Chen Yu , Xie Zhi , Lv Zhi-Yi , Yang Jin-Ji , Yang Xue-Ning , Zhou Qing , Wang Bin-Chao , Zhong Wen-Zhao , Gao Ling-Ling , Zhou Wen-Bin , Chen Ji , Tu Hai-Yan , Liao Ri-Qiang , Zhang Dong-Kun , Zhang Shui-Lian , Lu Dan-Xia , Zheng Hong-Bo , Zhang Heng-Hui , Wu Yi-Long , Zhang Xu-Chao
Published: October 2022

Primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (PLELC) is an Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-related, rare subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) show durable responses in advanced NSCLC. However, their effects and predictive biomarkers in PLELC remain poorly understood. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 48 metastatic PLELC patients treated with ICI. Pretreated paraffin-embedded specimens (n = 19) were stained for PD-1, PD-L1, LAG3, TIM3, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD68, FOXP3, and cytokeratin (CK) by multiple immunohistochemistry (mIHC). Next-generation sequencing was performed for 33 PLELC samples. Among patients treated with ICI monotherapy (n = 30), the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), median progression-free survival (mPFS), and overall survival (mOS) were 13.3%, 80.0%, 7.7 months, and 24.9 months, respectively. Patients with PD-L1 ≥1% showed a longer PFS (8.4 vs. 2.1 months, p = 0.015) relative to those with PD-L1 <1%. Among patients treated with ICI combination therapy (n = 18), ORR, DCR, mPFS, and mOS were 27.8%, 100.0%, 10.1 months, and 19.7 months, respectively. Patients with PD-L1 ≥1% showed a significantly superior OS than those with PD-L1 <1% (NA versus 11.7 months, p = 0.001). Among the 19 mIHC patients, those with high PD-1/PD-L1 and LAG3 expression showed a longer PFS (19.0 vs. 3.9 months, p = 0.003). ICI also showed promising efficacy for treating metastatic PLELC. PD-L1 may be both predictive of ICI treatment efficacy and prognostic for survival in PLELC. PD-1/PD-L1 combined with LAG3 may serve as a predictor of ICI treatment effectiveness in PLELC. Larger and prospective trials are warranted to validate both ICI activity and predictive biomarkers in PLELC.

This study was partly presented as a poster at the IASLC 20th World Conference on Lung Cancer 2019, 7–10 September 2019, Barcelona, Spain.
Fast-track development of vaccines for SARS-CoV-2: The shots that saved the world
Authors: Chavda Vivek P. , Yao Qian , Vora Lalitkumar K. , Apostolopoulos Vasso , Patel Chirag A. , Bezbaruah Rajashri , Patel Aayushi B. , Chen Zhe-Sheng
Published: October 2022

In December 2019, an outbreak emerged of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which leads to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The World Health Organisation announced the outbreak a global health emergency on 30 January 2020 and by 11 March 2020 it was declared a pandemic. The spread and severity of the outbreak took a heavy toll and overburdening of the global health system, particularly since there were no available drugs against SARS-CoV-2. With an immediate worldwide effort, communication, and sharing of data, large amounts of funding, researchers and pharmaceutical companies immediately fast-tracked vaccine development in order to prevent severe disease, hospitalizations and death. A number of vaccines were quickly approved for emergency use, and worldwide vaccination rollouts were immediately put in place. However, due to several individuals being hesitant to vaccinations and many poorer countries not having access to vaccines, multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants quickly emerged that were distinct from the original variant. Uncertainties related to the effectiveness of the various vaccines against the new variants as well as vaccine specific-side effects have remained a concern. Despite these uncertainties, fast-track vaccine approval, manufacturing at large scale, and the effective distribution of COVID-19 vaccines remain the topmost priorities around the world. Unprecedented efforts made by vaccine developers/researchers as well as healthcare staff, played a major role in distributing vaccine shots that provided protection and/or reduced disease severity, and deaths, even with the delta and omicron variants. Fortunately, even for those who become infected, vaccination appears to protect against major disease, hospitalisation, and fatality from COVID-19. Herein, we analyse ongoing vaccination studies and vaccine platforms that have saved many deaths from the pandemic.
Decoupling blood telomere length from age in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant in the BMT-CTN 1202
Authors: Lai Tsung-Po , Verhulst Simon , Dagnall Casey L. , Hutchinson Amy , Spellman Stephen R. , Howard Alan , Katki Hormuzd A. , Levine John E. , Saber Wael , Aviv Abraham , Gadalla Shahinaz M.
Published: October 2022

The age of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) donors and their hematopoietic cell telomere length (TL) might affect recipients’ outcomes. Our goals were to examine the possible effect of these donors’ factors on the recipients’ hematopoietic cell TL and quantify hematopoietic cell TL shortening in the critical first three-month post-HCT. We measured hematopoietic cell TL parameters in 75 recipient-donor pairs, from the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (protocol#1202), by Southern blotting (SB), the Telomeres Shortest Length Assay (TeSLA), and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Recipients’ hematopoietic cell TL parameters post-HCT correlated with donors’ age (p<0.001 for all methods), but not recipients’ own age, and with donors’ pre-HCT hematopoietic cell TL (p<0.0001 for all). Multivariate analyses showed that donors’ hematopoietic cell TL pre-HCT, independent of donors’ age, explained most of the variability in recipients’ hematopoietic cell TL post-HCT (81% for SB, 56% for TeSLA, and 65% for qPCR; p>0.0001 for all). SB and TeSLA detected hematopoietic cell TL shortening in all recipients post-HCT (mean=0.52kb and 0.47kb, respectively; >15-fold the annual TL shortening in adults; p<0.00001 for both), but qPCR detected shortening only in 57.5% of recipients. TeSLA detected a buildup of post-HCT of telomeres <3 kb in 96% of recipients (p<0.0001). In conclusion, HCT decouples hematopoietic cell TL in the recipients from their own age to reflect the donors’ age. The potential donors’ age effect on outcomes of HCT might be partially mediated by short hematopoietic cell TL in older donors. qPCR-based TL measurement is suboptimal for detecting telomere shortening post-HCT.