bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electroacupuncture Alleviates Chronic Pain-Induced Anxiety Disorders by Regulating the rACC-Thalamus Circuitry
Authors: Shen Zui , Zhang Haiyan , Wu Zemin , He Qiaoying , Liu Jinggen , Xu Yingling , Yao Shujing , He Xiaofen , Chen Yeqing , Liang Yi , Liu Boyi , Jiang Yongliang , Fang Junfan , Du Junying , Zhu Xixiao , Wu Mengwei , Wu Yuanyuan , Sun Jing , Xu Chi , Fang Jianqiao , Shao Xiaomei
Published: January 2021

Anxiety is a common comorbidity associated with chronic pain, which results in chronic pain complexification and difficulty in treatment. Electroacupuncture (EA) is commonly used to treat chronic pain and anxiety. However, the underlying mechanisms of the EA effect are largely unknown. Here, we showed that a circuitry underlying chronic pain induces anxiety disorders, and EA can treat them by regulating such circuitry. Using chemogenetic methods, we found that chemogenetic activation of the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) glutamatergic output to the thalamus induced anxiety disorders in control rats. Then, chemogenetic inhibition of the rACC-thalamus circuitry reduced anxiety-like behavior produced by intraplantar injection of the complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). In this study, we examined the effects of EA on a rat model of CFA-mediated anxiety-like behaviors and the related mechanisms. We found that chemogenetic activation of the rACC-thalamus circuitry effectively blocked the effects of EA on chronic pain-induced anxiety-like behaviors in CFA rats. These results demonstrate an underlying rACC-thalamus glutamatergic circuitry that regulates CFA-mediated anxiety-like behaviors. This study also provides a potential mechanistic explanation for EA treatment of anxiety caused by chronic pain.
Pharmacological Properties of Chalcones: A Review of Preclinical Including Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Evidence
Authors: Salehi Bahare , Quispe Cristina , Chamkhi Imane , El Omari Nasreddine , Balahbib Abdelaali , Sharifi-Rad Javad , Bouyahya Abdelhakim , Akram Muhammad , Iqbal Mehwish , Docea Anca Oana , Caruntu Constantin , Leyva-Gómez Gerardo , Dey Abhijit , Martorell Miquel , Calina Daniela , López Víctor , Les Francisco
Published: January 2021

Chalcones are among the leading bioactive flavonoids with a therapeutic potential implicated to an array of bioactivities investigated by a series of preclinical and clinical studies. In this article, different scientific databases were searched to retrieve studies depicting the biological activities of chalcones and their derivatives. This review comprehensively describes preclinical studies on chalcones and their derivatives describing their immense significance as antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiparasitic, psychoactive, and neuroprotective agents. Besides, clinical trials revealed their use in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, skin conditions, and cancer. Bioavailability studies on chalcones and derivatives indicate possible hindrance and improvement in relation to its nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. Multifaceted and complex underlying mechanisms of chalcone actions demonstrated their ability to modulate a number of cancer cell lines, to inhibit a number of pathological microorganisms and parasites, and to control a number of signaling molecules and cascades related to disease modification. Clinical studies on chalcones revealed general absence of adverse effects besides reducing the clinical signs and symptoms with decent bioavailability. Further studies are needed to elucidate their structure activity, toxicity concerns, cellular basis of mode of action, and interactions with other molecules.
Astragaloside IV Alleviates Tacrolimus-Induced Chronic Nephrotoxicity via p62-Keap1-Nrf2 Pathway
Authors: Gao Ping , Du Xiaoyi , Liu Lili , Xu Hua , Liu Maochang , Guan Xinlei , Zhang Chengliang
Published: January 2021

Tacrolimus-induced chronic nephrotoxicity (TIN) hinders its long-term use in patients. However, there are no drugs available in the clinic to relieve it at present. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is a saponin extract of the Astragalus which is widely used in the treatment of kidney disease. This study aimed to investigate the effect of AS-IV on TIN and its underlying mechanism. Herein, C57BL/6 mice were treated with tacrolimus and/or AS-IV for 4 weeks, and then the renal function, fibrosis, oxidative stress and p62-Keap1-Nrf2 pathway were evaluated to ascertain the contribution of AS-IV and p62-Keap1-Nrf2 pathway to TIN. Our results demonstrated that AS-IV significantly improved renal function and alleviated tubulointerstitial fibrosis compared with the model group. The expression of fibrosis-related proteins, including TGF-β1, Collagen I and α-SMA, were also decreased by AS-IV. Furthermore, AS-IV relieved the inhibition of tacrolimus on antioxidant enzymes. The data in HK-2 cells also proved that AS-IV reduced tacrolimus-induced cell death and oxidative stress. Mechanistically, AS-IV markedly promoted the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and the renal protective effects of AS-IV were abolished by Nrf2 inhibitor. Further researches showed that phosphorylated p62 was significantly increased after AS-IV pretreatment. Moreover, AS-IV failed to increase nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and subsequent anti-oxidative stress in HK-2 cells transfected with p62 siRNA. Collectively, these findings indicate that AS-IV relieve TIN by enhancing p62 phosphorylation, thereby increasing Nrf2 nuclear translocation, and then alleviating ROS accumulation and renal fibrosis.
Novel Hybrid CHC from β-carboline and N-Hydroxyacrylamide Overcomes Drug-Resistant Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Promoting Apoptosis, DNA Damage, and Cell Cycle Arrest
Authors: Miao Jiefei , Meng Chi , Wu Hongmei , Shan Wenpei , Wang Haoran , Ling Changchun , Zhang Jinlin , Yang Tao
Published: January 2021

A novel hybrid CHC was designed and synthesized by conjugating β-carboline with an important active fragment N-hydroxyacrylamide of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor by an amide linkage to enhance antitumor efficacy/potency or even block drug resistance. CHC displayed high antiproliferative effects against drug-sensitive SUMM-7721, Bel7402, Huh7, and HCT116 cells and drug-resistant Bel7402/5FU cells with IC50 values ranging from 1.84 to 3.27 μM, which were two-to four-fold lower than those of FDA-approved HDAC inhibitor SAHA. However, CHC had relatively weak effect on non-tumor hepatic LO2 cells. Furthermore, CHC exhibited selective HDAC1/6 inhibitory effects and simultaneously augmented the acetylated histone H3/H4 and α-tubulin, which may make a great contribution to their antiproliferative effects. In addition, CHC also electrostatically interacted with CT-DNA, exerted remarkable cellular apoptosis by regulating the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and DNA damage proteins in Bel7402/5FU cells, and significantly accumulated cancer cells at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle by suppressing CDK1 and cyclin B protein with greater potency than SAHA-treated groups. Finally, CHC displayed strong inhibitory potency to drug-resistant hepatic tumors in mice. Our designed and synthetic hybrid CHC could be further developed as a significant and selective anticancer agent to potentially treat drug-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma.
Dual-Modal Photoacoustic Imaging and Optical Coherence Tomography [Review]
Authors: Hosseinaee Zohreh , Tummon Simmons James A. , Reza Parsin Haji
Published: January 2021

Optical imaging technologies have enabled outstanding analysis of biomedical tissues through providing detailed functional and morphological contrast. Leveraging the valuable information provided by these modalities can help us build an understanding of tissues’ characteristics. Among various optical imaging technologies, photoacoustic imaging (PAI) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) naturally complement each other in terms of contrast mechanism, penetration depth, and spatial resolution. The rich and unique molecular-specified absorption contrast offered by PAI would be well complemented by detailed scattering information of OCT. Together these two powerful imaging modalities can extract important characteristic of tissue such as depth-dependent scattering profile, volumetric structural information, chromophore concentration, flow velocity, polarization properties, and temperature distribution map. As a result, multimodal PAI-OCT imaging could impact a broad range of clinical and preclinical imaging applications including but not limited to oncology, neurology, dermatology, and ophthalmology. This review provides an overview of the technical specs of existing dual-modal PAI-OCT imaging systems, their applications, limitations, and future directions.
Monoclonal Culture and Characterization of Symbiodiniaceae C1 Strain From the Scleractinian Coral Galaxea fascicularis
Authors: Wang Jun , Chen Jiaqi , Wang Shaoyu , Li Fuyu , Fu Chengchong , Wang Yan
Published: January 2021

The symbiosis between cnidarian hosts and photosynthetic dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae (i.e., zooxanthellae) provides the energy foundation of coral reef ecosystems in oligotrophic waters. The structure of symbiont biota and the dominant species of algal symbiont partly shape the environmental adaptability of coral symbiotes. In this study, the algal symbiont cells were isolated from the tentacles of Galaxea fascicularis, a hermatypic coral with obvious differentiation in heat resistance, and were cultured in vitro with an improved L1 medium. An algal monoclonal cell line was established using separated algal culture drops and soft agar plating method, and named by GF19C1 as it was identified as Cladocopium sp. C1 (Symbiodiniaceae) based on its ITS1, ITS2, and the non-coding region of the plastid psbA minicircle (psbAncr) sequences. Most GF19C1 cells were at the coccoid stage of the gymnodinioid, their markedly thickened (ca. two times) cell wall suggests that they developed into vegetative cysts and have sexual and asexual reproductive potential. The average diameter of GF19C1 cells decreased significantly, probably due to the increasing mitotic rate. The chloroplasts volume density of GF19C1 was significantly lower than that of their symbiotic congeners, while the surface area density of thylakoids relative to volumes of chloroplasts was not significantly changed. The volume fraction of vacuoles increased by nearly fivefold, but there was no significant change in mitochondria and accumulation bodies. Light-temperature orthogonal experiments showed that, GF19C1 growth preferred the temperature 25 ± 1°C (at which it is maintained post-isolation) rather than 28 ± 1°C under the light intensity of 42 ± 2 or 62 ± 2 μmol photons m–2 s–1, indicating an inertia for temperature adaptation. The optimum salinity for GF19C1 growth ranged between 28–32 ppt. The monoclonal culture techniques established in this study were critical to clarify the physiological and ecological characteristics of various algal symbiont species, and will be instrumental to further reveal the roles of algal symbionts in the adaptive differentiation of coral-zooxanthellae holobionts in future studies.
Sex Differences in Right Ventricular Dysfunction: Insights From the Bench to Bedside
Authors: Keen Jennifer , Prisco Sasha Z. , Prins Kurt W.
Published: January 2021

There are inherent distinctions in right ventricular (RV) performance based on sex as females have better RV function than males. These differences are magnified and have very important prognostic implications in two RV-centric diseases, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D). In both PH and ARVC/D, RV dysfunction results in poor patient outcomes. However, there are no currently approved therapies specifically targeting the failing RV, an important unmet need for these two life-threatening disorders. In this review, we highlight human data demonstrating divergent RV phenotypes in healthy, PH, and ARVC/D patients based on sex. Furthermore, we discuss the links between estrogen (the female predominant sex hormone), testosterone (the male predominant sex hormone), and dehydroepiandrosterone (a precursor hormone for multiple sex hormones in males and females) and RV function in both disorders. To provide potential mechanistic insights into sex differences in RV function, we review data that investigate how sex hormones combat or contribute to pathophysiological changes in the RV. Finally, we highlight the ongoing clinical trials in pulmonary arterial hypertension targeting estrogen and dehydroepiandrosterone signaling. Hopefully, a greater understanding of the factors that promote superior RV function in females will lead to novel therapeutic approaches to combat RV dysfunction in PH and ARVC/D.
Which Factors, Smoking, Drinking Alcohol, Betel Quid Chewing, or Underlying Diseases, Are More Likely to Influence the Severity of COVID-19?
Authors: Zhong Rui , Chen Lingxia , Zhang Qiong , Li Binbin , Qiu Yanfang , Wang Wei , Tan Dongyi , Zou Yanhui
Published: January 2021

The global outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic occurred in late 2019 and early 2020. The factors that influence disease severity should be of clinical concern. Existing findings on the effects of smoking on COVID-19 are also controversial and need to be confirmed by further research. In addition, the effects of alcohol consumption and betel quid (BQ) chewing on COVID-19 are unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the demographic characteristics of COVID-19 patients and the effects of smoking, drinking, BQ chewing, and underlying diseases on the severity of COVID-19. A retrospective study was conducted on 91 patients with confirmed cases of COVID-19 hospitalized in Yueyang, Hunan Province, China from 21 January to 8 March, 2020. Patient demographic data, and information on smoking, drinking and BQ chewing, and underlying diseases were extracted from the patient electronic medical records (EMR) and telephone interviews. The chi-square test was used to conduct a univariate analysis of the factors influencing the severity of COVID-19, and ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors related to the severity of COVID-19. The results showed that the rates of smoking, drinking and BQ chewing were 15.4, 26.4, and 7.1%, respectively, there was no significant relationship between these lifestyle factors and the severity of COVID-19 (P > 0.05). However, underlying diseases such as diabetes [odds ratio (OR) = 7.740, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.000–60.740, P = 0.050], source of infection (OR = 0.180, 95% CI: 0.030–0.980, P = 0.049), and employment status (retired/unemployed vs. employed: OR = 29.430, 95% CI, 1.050 – 822.330, P = 0.047) were significant independent predictors of severe COVID-19 infection. These individuals should be informed of methods to increase personal protection, and doctors should prevent these individuals from developing serious diseases. It is important to pay attention to the source of infection and timely medical treatment. This study showed that the clinical classification of COVID-19 was associated with patients with diabetes, source of infection, and retired/unemployed. Therefore in the clinical practice of COVID-19 should be more concern these factors. Although no statistical significance was found in smoking, drinking alcohol, BQ chewing, and severity of COVID-19 patients, more studies have confirmed that are harmful and risk factors for underlying diseases in the population. Health authorities should formulate policies to publicize the harmful effects of smoking, drinking, and betel nut chewing and promote a healthy lifestyle.
Identification, Gene Structure, and Expression of BnMicEmUP: A Gene Upregulated in Embryogenic Brassica napus Microspores
Authors: Shahmir Fariba , Pauls K. Peter
Published: January 2021

Microspores ofBrassica napuscan be diverted from normal pollen development into embryogenesis by treating them with a mild heat shock. As microspore embryogenesis closely resembles zygotic embryogenesis, it is used as model for studying the molecular mechanisms controlling embryo formation. A previous study comparing the transcriptomes of three-day-old sorted embryogenic and pollen-like (non-embryogenic) microspores identified a gene homologous toAT1G74730of unknown function that was upregulated 8-fold in the embryogenic cells. In the current study, the gene was isolated and sequenced fromB. napusand namedBnMicEmUP(B. napusmicrospore embryogenesis upregulated gene). Four forms ofBnMicEmUPmRNA and three forms of genomic DNA were identified.BnMicEmUP2,3was upregulated more than 7-fold by day 3 in embryogenic microspore cultures compared to non-induced cultures.BnMicEmUP1,4was highly expressed in leaves. Transient expression studies ofBnMicEmUP3::GFPfusion protein inNicotiana benthamianaand in stableArabidopsistransgenics showed that it accumulates in chloroplasts. The features of the BnMicEmUP protein, which include a chloroplast targeting region, a basic region, and a large region containing 11 complete leucine-rich repeats, suggest that it is similar to a bZIP PEND (plastid envelope DNA-binding protein) protein, a DNA binding protein found in the inner envelope membrane of developing chloroplasts. Here, we report that theBnMicEmUP3overexpression inArabidopsisincreases the sensitivity of seedlings to exogenous abscisic acid (ABA). TheBnMicEmUPproteins appear to be transcription factors that are localized in plastids and are involved in plant responses to biotic and abiotic environmental stresses; as well as the results obtained from this study can be used to improve crop yield.
Effect of Planting Date and Cultivar Maturity in Edamame Quality and Harvest Window
Authors: Moseley David , da Silva Marcos Paulo , Mozzoni Leandro , Orazaly Moldir , Florez-Palacios Liliana , Acuña Andrea , Wu Chengjun , Chen Pengyin
Published: January 2021

Edamame is a food-grade soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] that is harvested immature between the R6 and R7 reproductive stages. To be labeled as a premium product, the edamame market demands large pod size and intense green color. A staggered harvest season is critical for the commercial industry to post-harvest process the crop in a timely manner. Currently, there is little information to assist in predicting the optimum time to harvest edamame when the pods are at their collective largest size and greenest color. The objectives of this study were to assess the impact of cultivar, planting date, and harvest date on edamame color, pod weight, and a newly minted Edamame Harvest Quality Index combining both aforementioned factors. And to predict edamame harvest quality based on phenological stages, thermal units, and planting dates. We observed that pod color and weight depended on the cultivar, planting date, and harvest date combination. Our results also indicated that edamame quality is increased with delayed planting dates and that quality was dependent on harvest date with a quadratic negative response to delaying harvest. Maximum quality depended on cultivar and planting and harvest dates, but it remained stable for an interval of 18–27 days around the peak. Finally, we observed that the number of days between R1 and harvest was consistently identified as a key factor driving edamame quality by both stepwise regression and neural network analysis. These research results will help define a planting and harvest strategy for edamame production in Arkansas and the United States Mid-South.
ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE5 Interacts With RIBOSOMAL S6 KINASE2 to Mediate ABA Responses During Seedling Growth in Arabidopsis
Authors: Li Linxuan , Zhu Tingting , Song Yun , Feng Li , Farag Essam Ali Hassan , Ren Maozhi
Published: January 2021

ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE5 (ABI5) is an important regulator of abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway involved in regulating seed germination and postgerminative growth inArabidopsis, which integrates various phytohormone pathways to balance plant growth and stress responses. However, the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms underlying ABI5 and its interacting proteins remain largely unknown. Here, we found that inhibition of AtTOR could increase ABA content by up-regulating the expression levels of ABA biosynthesis-related genes, and thus activated the expression of ABA-responsive genes. Pharmacological assay showed thatabi5-1mutant was insensitive to TOR inhibitor AZD8055, whereasAtABI5overexpression lines were hypersensitive to AZD8055 inArabidopsis. Biochemical interaction assays demonstrated that ABI5 physically interacted with the RIBOSOMAL S6 KINASE2 (S6K2) protein in plant cell. S6K2 positively regulated ABA responses during seedling growth and upregulated ABA-responsive genes expression. Furthermore, genetic and physiological analysis indicated thatAtS6K2overexpression lines enhanced resistance to drought treatment whileAtS6K2interference lines were sensitive to drought. These results indicated that AtABI5 interacted with AtS6K2 to positively modulate ABA responses during seedling growth and shed light on a underlying mechanism of the crosstalk between TOR and ABA signaling pathways in modulating seedling growth inArabidopsis.
Nitrate Uptake and Transport Properties of Two Grapevine Rootstocks With Varying Vigor
Authors: Rossdeutsch Landry , Schreiner R. Paul , Skinkis Patricia A. , Deluc Laurent
Published: January 2021

In viticulture, rootstocks are essential to cope with edaphic constraints. They can also be used to modulate scion growth and development to help improve berry yield and quality. The rootstock contribution to scion growth is not fully understood. Since nitrogen (N) is a significant driver of grapevine growth, rootstock properties associated with N uptake and transport may play a key role in the growth potential of grafted grapevines. We evaluated N uptake and transport in a potted system using two grapevines rootstocks [Riparia Gloire (RG) and 1103 Paulsen (1103P)] grafted to Pinot noir (Pommard clone) scion. Combining results of nitrate induction and steady-state experiments at two N availability levels, we observed different responses in the uptake and utilization of N between the two rootstocks. The low vigor rootstock (RG) exhibited greater nitrate uptake capacity and nitrate assimilation in roots after nitrate resupply than the more vigorous 1103P rootstock. This behavior may be attributed to a greater root carbohydrate status observed in RG for both experiments. However, 1103P demonstrated a higher N translocation rate to shoots regardless of N availability. These distinct rootstock behaviors resulted in significant differences in biomass allocation between roots and shoots under N-limited conditions, although the overall vine biomass was not different. Under sufficient N supply, differences between rootstocks decreased but 1103P stored more N in roots, which may benefit growth in subsequent growing seasons. Overall, greater transpiration of vines grafted to 1103P rootstock causing higher N translocation to shoots could partially explain its known growth-promoting effect to scions under low and high N availability, whereas the low vigor typically conferred to scions by RG may result from the combination of lower N translocation to shoots and a greater allocation of biomass toward roots when N is low.
Sodium Influx and Potassium Efflux Currents in Sunflower Root Cells Under High Salinity
Authors: Hryvusevich Palina , Navaselsky Ilya , Talkachova Yuliya , Straltsova Darya , Keisham Monika , Viatoshkin Aliaksei , Samokhina Veranika , Smolich Igor , Sokolik Anatoliy , Huang Xin , Yu Min , Bhatla Satish Chander , Demidchik Vadim
Published: January 2021

Helianthus annuus L. is an important oilseed crop, which exhibits moderate salt tolerance and can be cultivated in areas affected by salinity. Using patch-clamp electrophysiology, we have characterized Na+ influx and K+ efflux conductances in protoplasts of salt-tolerant H. annuus L. hybrid KBSH-53 under high salinity. This work demonstrates that the plasma membrane of sunflower root cells has a classic set of ionic conductances dominated by K+ outwardly rectifying channels (KORs) and non-selective cation channels (NSCCs). KORs in sunflower show extreme Na+ sensitivity at high extracellular [Ca2+] that can potentially have a positive adaptive effect under salt stress (decreasing K+ loss). Na+ influx currents in sunflower roots demonstrate voltage-independent activation, lack time-dependent component, and are sensitive to Gd3+. Sunflower Na+-permeable NSCCs mediate a much weaker Na+ influx currents on the background of physiological levels of Ca2+ as compared to other species. This suggests that sunflower NSCCs have greater Ca2+ sensitivity. The responses of Na+ influx to Ca2+ correlates well with protection of sunflower growth by external Ca2+ in seedlings treated with NaCl. It can be, thus, hypothesized that NaCl tolerance in sunflower seedling roots is programmed at the ion channel level via their sensitivity to Ca2+ and Na+.
Applicability of the Dual-Factor Model of Mental Health in the Mental Health Screening of Chinese College Students
Authors: Xiao Rong , Zhang Chao , Lai Qiaozhen , Hou Yanfei , Zhang Xiaoyuan
Published: January 2021

Traditional mental health models focus on psychopathological symptoms. In contrast, a dual-factor model of mental health integrates psychopathology and subjective well-being into a mental health continuum, and it is adjustment and supplement for traditional mental health research paradigm. The present study explores the applicability of a dual-factor model of mental health in mental health screening of Chinese college students. To assess mental health statuses of 2,065 college students, we used Flourishing Scale Chinese Version, Satisfaction With Life Scale, the seven-item Patient Health Questionnaire, the Mental Health Continuum–Short Form, and Purpose in Life Test–Short Form. Results showed that the dual-factor model of mental health has a good fit index. Also, a feasible screening scale was addressed. The results indicate the importance of addressing both subjective well-being and psychopathology in evaluating mental health screening of college students.
Designing Visual-Arts Education Programs for Transfer Effects: Development and Experimental Evaluation of (Digital) Drawing Courses in the Art Museum Designed to Promote Adolescents’ Socio-Emotional Skills
Authors: Kastner Lydia , Umbach Nora , Jusyte Aiste , Cervera-Torres Sergio , Fernández Susana Ruiz , Nommensen Sven , Gerjets Peter
Published: January 2021

An active engagement with arts in general and visual arts in particular has been hypothesized to yield beneficial effects beyond arts itself. So-called cognitive and socio-emotional “transfer” effects into other domains have been claimed. However, the empirical basis of these hopes is limited. This is partly due to a lack of experimental comparisons, theory-based designs, and objective measurements in the literature on transfer effects of arts education. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to design and experimentally investigate a theory-based visual-arts education program for adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years (Mage = 15.02, SDage = 1.75). The program was delivered in a museum context in three sessions and was expected to yield specific and objectively measurable transfer effects. To conduct a randomized field trial, three strictly parallelized and standardized art courses were developed, all of which addressed the topic of portrait drawing. The courses mainly differed regarding their instructional focus, which was either on periods of art history, on the facial expression of emotions, or on the self-perception of a person in the context of different social roles. In the first and more “traditional” course portrait drawing was used to better understand how portraits looked like in former centuries. The two other courses were designed in a way that the artistic engagement in portrait drawing was interwoven with practicing socio-emotional skills, namely empathy and emotion recognition in one course and understanding complex self-concept structures in the other. We expected positive socio-emotional transfer effects in the two “psychological” courses. We used an animated morph task to measure emotion recognition performance and a self-concept task to measure the self-complexity of participants before and after all three courses. Results indicate that an instructional focus on drawing the facial expressions of emotions yields specific improvements in emotion recognition, whereas drawing persons in different social roles yields a higher level of self-complexity in the self-concept task. In contrast, no significant effects on socio-emotional skills were found in the course focussing on art history. Therefore, our study provides causal evidence that visual-arts programs situated in an art-museum context can advance socio-emotional skills, when designed properly.
Generating Buoyancy in a Sea of Uncertainty: Teachers Creativity and Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Anderson Ross C. , Bousselot Tracy , Katz-Buoincontro Jen , Todd Jandee
Published: January 2021

The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused significant uncertainty for students and teachers. During this time, teacher and student creative beliefs and affect play a supportive role in adaptively managing stress, finding joy, and bouncing back from inevitable setbacks with resilience. Developing an adaptive orientation to creativity is a critically important step in helping teachers deal with the challenges and stress of reaching their students through distance learning, especially the most marginalized. This study aims to understand how teacher creativity linked to well-being in the face of COVID-19-related school shutdowns and how teachers planned to adapt creatively to distance learning through the guidance of a summer creative teaching training institute. Results from this sequential mixed method study demonstrated important relationships. Creative self-efficacy in teaching related to teacher buoyancy in the face of setbacks. Creative growth mindset related to teachers’ general positive affect in teaching. Lowered creative anxiety related to reduced effects of secondary traumatic stress and general negative affect in teaching. Environmental support and encouragement for creativity in schools may be foundational for teacher well-being by enhancing teachers’ dispositional joy, general positive affect, and reducing general negative affect. Results suggested additional stress and loss of creativity for most teachers due to the COVID-19 pandemic alongside substantial capacity for creative adaptations with the support of training for creativity in teaching and learning.
Correlation Between Local Air Temperature and the COVID-19 Pandemic in Hubei, China
Authors: Hu Cheng-yi , Xiao Lu-shan , Zhu Hong-bo , Zhu Hong , Liu Li
Published: January 2021

Objective: To clarify the correlation between temperature and the COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei.

Methods: We collected daily newly confirmed COVID-19 cases and daily temperature for six cities in Hubei Province, assessed their correlations, and established regression models.

Results: For temperatures ranging from −3.9 to 16.5°C, daily newly confirmed cases were positively correlated with the maximum temperature ~0–4 days prior or the minimum temperature ~11–14 days prior to the diagnosis in almost all selected cities. An increase in the maximum temperature 4 days prior by 1°C was associated with an increase in the daily newly confirmed cases (~129) in Wuhan. The influence of temperature on the daily newly confirmed cases in Wuhan was much more significant than in other cities.

Conclusion: Government departments in areas where temperatures range between −3.9 and 16.5°C and rise gradually must take more active measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
An Assistive Soft Wrist Exosuit for Flexion Movements With an Ergonomic Reinforced Glove
Authors: Chiaradia Domenico , Tiseni Luca , Xiloyannis Michele , Solazzi Massimiliano , Masia Lorenzo , Frisoli Antonio
Published: January 2021

Soft exosuits are a promising solution for the assistance and augmentation of human motor abilities in the industrial field, where the use of more symbiotic wearable robots can avoid excessive worker fatigue and improve the quality of the work. One of the challenges in the design of soft exosuits is the choice of the right amount of softness to balance load transfer, ergonomics, and weight. This article presents a cable-driven based soft wrist exosuit for flexion assistance with the use of an ergonomic reinforced glove. The flexible and highly compliant three-dimensional (3D)-printed plastic structure that is sewn on the glove allows an optimal force transfer from the remotely located motor to the wrist articulation and to preserve a high level of comfort for the user during assistance. The device is shown to reduce fatigue and the muscular effort required for holding and lifting loads in healthy subjects for weights up to 3 kg.
Análisis de la gestión administrativa y la calidad del servicio en la atención de los partos humanizados en un hospital nacional de Lima
Authors: Aliaga Díaz Susana , Alcas Zapata Noel
Published: January 2021

Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo encontrar la influencia de la gestión administrativa y la calidad del servicio de un hospital público de la ciudad de Lima en los partos humanizados, estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo, cuasal y transversal. Se trabajó con una muestra de 90 pacientes de una población de 117 mujeres que se atendieron en dos meses seguidos; muestreo aleatorio. Se utilizaron tres instrumentos validados por expertos y cuya confiabiliad se midió con Alfa de Cronbach. En los resultados se evidenció que existe incidencia de la gestión administrativa y la calidad de servicio en el parto humanizado.
Identificando clubes de convergencia en Ecuador a nivel cantonal
Authors: Tinizhañay Peralta José Paúl
Published: January 2021

El estudio tiene por objetivo identificar la existencia de clubes de convergencia a nivel cantonal en Ecuador, establecer los miembros de cada uno y analizar sus tendencias históricas. Los clubes se entienden como una agrupación de cantones que comparten características estructurales económicas intrínsecas y debido a ello convergen a un estado estacionario de largo plazo común según dichas características lo definan. Para lograr los objetivos planteados, se aplica un algoritmo secuencial para datos de panel, comúnmente referido en la literatura como prueba log-t, para el periodo 2007-2018. Los resultados señalan la existencia de cinco clubes de convergencia en Ecuador y una tendencia decreciente a lo largo del tiempo del nivel de productividad per cápita. Además, se evidencia brechas económicas significativas que se han mantenido entre el grupo más rico y los más pobres. El análisis conjunto brinda tres implicaciones de política relacionadas con i) efectos spillover, ii) incentivos económicos a zonas deprimidas y iii) el desarrollo desbalanceado. Con este aporte se contribuye al debate sobre análisis de disparidades territoriales y asimetrías internas.
Responses of Branch Number and Yield Component of Soybean Cultivars Tested in Different Planting Densities
Authors: Xu Cailong , Li Ruidong , Song Wenwen , Wu Tingting , Sun Shi , Hu Shuixiu , Han Tianfu , Wu Cunxiang
Published: January 2021

Increasing planting density is one of the key management practices to enhance soybean yield. A 2-yr field experiment was conducted in 2018 and 2019 including six planting densities and two soybean cultivars to determine the effects of planting density on branch number and yield, and analyze the contribution of branches to yield. The yield of ZZXA12938 was 4389 kg ha−1, which was significantly higher than that of ZH13 (+22.4%). In combination with planting year and cultivar, the soybean yield increased significantly by 16.2%, 31.4%, 41.4%, and 46.7% for every increase in density of 45,000 plants ha−1. Yield will not increase when planting density exceeds 315,000 plants ha−1. A correlation analysis showed that pod number per plant increased with the increased branch number, while pod number per unit area decreased; thus, soybean yield decreased. With the increase of branch number, the branch contribution to yield increased first, and then plateaued. ZH13 could produce a high yield under a lower planting density due to more branches, while ZZXA12938 had a higher yield potential under a higher planting density due to the smaller branch number and higher tolerance to close planting. Therefore, seed yield can be increased by selecting cultivars with a little branching capacity under moderately close planting.
Involvement of Ethylene in Physiological Processes Determining the Vase Life of Various Hybrids of Mokara Orchid Cut Flowers
Authors: Wongjunta Melada , Wongs-Aree Chalermchai , Salim Shoshana , Meir Shimon , Philosoph-Hadas Sonia , Buanong Mantana
Published: January 2021

There is limited information about the postharvest performance and physiology of Mokara orchid cut flowers, which are a special group of artificially created trigenetic hybrids of Vanda × Arachnis × Ascocentrum. Therefore, we first characterized the patterns of various physiological parameters during vase life of five Mokara hybrids, which differ in their longevity. Then, we examined the effects of ethephon and ethylene inhibitors on these physiological parameters, and on parameters of the ethylene biosynthesis pathway, during vase life of two selected Mokara hybrids, “Moo-deang” and “Dao-lai”, which showed significant differences in their vase life duration and senescence symptoms. The results demonstrate that the differences in vase life longevity among the five Mokara hybrids are due to differences in their ethylene production rates, which regulate flower development processes expressed in bud opening and floret senescence. The results clearly show that ethylene is involved in the regulation of the Mokara flower senescence, and pretreatment with ethylene inhibitors significantly improved their vase life longevity. Thus, ethylene seems to be the main factor that determines the longevity differences of the Mokara hybrids, rather than their water relations parameters. This study can serve as a research tool for developing effective postharvest treatments for Mokara hybrids.
Widespread Presence of Domestic Dogs on Sandy Beaches of Southern Chile
Authors: Cortés Esteban I. , Navedo Juan G. , Silva-Rodríguez Eduardo A.
Published: January 2021

Dogs on sandy beaches are a threat to shorebirds. Managing this problem requires understanding the factors that influence the abundance of dogs in these ecosystems. We aimed to determine the proportion of beaches used by dogs and the effects of human presence on dog abundance on sandy beaches of southern Chile. We conducted dog counts and recorded the presence of tracks on 14 beaches. We used zero-inflated generalized linear mixed models to determine if the number of people, number of households, and other covariates were associated with dog abundance. We detected dog tracks on all the beaches, and dog sightings on most of them. Dogs were frequently not supervised (45%) and only 13% of them were leashed. The number of people on the beach and the number of houses near the beach were positively associated with the number of dogs on beaches. Finally, when dogs co-occurred with whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus), the probability of dog harassment was high (59%). Our work reveals that human presence determines the abundance of dogs on sandy beaches. Therefore, our study suggests that any strategy aiming at reducing dog harassment of shorebirds requires changes in those human behaviors that favor the presence of free-ranging dogs at beaches.
Relationships between Seminal Plasma Metabolites, Semen Characteristics and Sperm Kinetics in Donkey (Equus asinus)
Authors: Castiglione Morelli Maria Antonietta , Ostuni Angela , Giangaspero Brunella , Cecchini Stefano , Carluccio Augusto , Boni Raffaele
Published: January 2021

This study aimed to evaluate donkey seminal plasma metabolites and relate this information to the main characteristics of sperm quality. Sperm kinetics from 10 donkey stallions were analyzed with a computerized system at the time of collection (T0) and after 24 h storage at 4 °C (T24). Seminal plasma was frozen at −80 °C for subsequent proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. On three stallions, semen collection was repeated monthly for three times and sperm analysis also included mitochondrial activity and oxidative status. One stallion was azoospermic and a second semen collection was performed after one month. In the seminal plasma, 17 metabolites were identified; their levels showed numerous significant variations between the azoospermic and the normospermic individuals and grouped in well-defined clusters in a multivariate analysis. Comparing individuals with high and low sperm motility, the only discriminating metabolite was phenylalanine, whose levels were lower in the latter, as in the azoospermic individual. Phenylalanine was also the only metabolite highly correlated with all sperm kinematic parameters at T24. In conclusion, the present study has provided relevant information on the chemical characteristics of donkey semen, identified relationships between seminal metabolites, semen parameters, and sperm kinetics, and offered insights for future technological applications.
Producer and Veterinarian Perspectives towards Pain Management Practices in the US Cattle Industry
Authors: Robles Ivelisse , Arruda Andreia G. , Nixon Emma , Johnstone Elizabeth , Wagner Brooklyn , Edwards-Callaway Lily , Baynes Ronald , Coetzee Johann , Pairis-Garcia Monique
Published: January 2021

Producers and veterinarians are considered responsible for improving animal welfare, as they are responsible for implementing practices that directly impact the animal’s well-being. Most husbandry procedures performed in cattle do not include pain mitigation, and understanding challenges faced by these stakeholders to use analgesics is key in improving on-farm pain management strategies. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to explore producer and veterinarian perspectives on pain management practices by (1) exploring inquires received by Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD) regarding analgesic use in cattle and (2) using a survey instrument to identify factors that impact pain management implementation in the US cattle industry. Albeit analgesia use increased in the past ten years for some producers and the majority of veterinarians, administering analgesics for pain management on US cattle farms remains a challenge. From a producer perspective, drug cost, availability and logistics for administration. From a veterinarian perspective, lack of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) products hinders the support of on-farm protocols requiring extra-label drug use. Future steps to improve analgesic use on-farm include identifying and approving drugs that demonstrate efficacy for managing pain in cattle and disseminating educational resources to support stakeholders in both the implementation and drug withdrawal process.
Effects of Positive Human Contact during Gestation on the Behaviour, Physiology and Reproductive Performance of Sows
Authors: Hayes Megan E. , Hemsworth Lauren M. , Morrison Rebecca S. , Butler Kym L. , Rice Maxine , Rault Jean-Loup , Hemsworth Paul H.
Published: January 2021

Previous positive interactions with humans may ameliorate the stress response of farm animals to aversive routine practices such as painful or stressful procedures, particularly those associated with stockpeople. We studied the effects of positive handling by providing younger (parity 1–2) and older (parity 3–8) sows housed in pens of fifteen (n = 24 pens in total) with either positive human contact (+HC) or routine human contact (control) during gestation. The +HC treatment involved a familiar stockperson patting and scratching sows and was imposed at a pen-level for 2 min daily. Measurements studied included behavioural, physiological and productivity variables. The +HC sows showed reduced avoidance of the stockperson conducting pregnancy testing and vaccination in the home pens, however the behavioural and cortisol responses of sows in a standard unfamiliar human approach test did not differ. There were no effects of +HC on aggression between sows, serum cortisol or serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations during gestation, or on the behavioural and cortisol response to being moved to farrowing crates. There were also no effects of +HC on the maternal responsiveness of sows, farrowing rate or the number of piglets born alive, stillborn or weaned. Sows in the +HC pens reduced their physical interaction with the stockpeople imposing the treatment after 2 weeks, which suggests the sows may have habituated to the novel or possible rewarding elements of the handling treatment. This experiment shows that regular positive interaction with stockpeople does reduce sows’ fear of stockpeople, but does not always confer stress resilence.
Nucleotide Supplementation to Whole Milk Has Beneficial Effects on Post-Weaning Holstein Calf Performance
Authors: Abbaslou Yousef , Zahmatkesh Davood , Mahjoubi Ehsan , Hossein Yazdi Mehdi , Beiranvand Hamed , Gorjidooz Morteza
Published: January 2021

The positive effects of nucleotide (NU) supplementation in milk replacer have been elucidated in infants and in dairy calves; however, NU addition to whole milk has not been evaluated previously. This study aimed to assess NU supplementation in the whole milk on calf growth and health. Thirty Holstein calves (body weight: 39.1 ± 1.0 kg; 3 d after birth) were randomly assigned to the following treatments: whole milk without any supplementation (NU0), whole milk + 0.5 g/d added a NU-containing supplement to whole milk (NUCS0.5), and whole milk + 1 g/d added a NU-containing supplement to whole milk (NUCS1). Calves were weaned at d 55 and stayed on study until d 75. Calves had free access to feed and water throughout the study. Dry matter intakes (DMI) were similar among treatments (p > 0.05) during the pre-weaning period; however, increasing NU resulted in a linear (p < 0.05) increase in DMI during the post weaning period (2158, 2432, and 2518 g/d for NU0, NUCS0.5, and NUCS1, respectively). Treatments did not affect body weight (BW) at the first and second month of study, but final BW linearly increased as NU was added (87.1, 90.6, and 95.4 kg for NU0, NUCS0.5, and NUCS1, respectively). Neither pre-weaning average daily gain nor post-weaning average daily gain was affected by treatments; accordingly, feed efficiency was similar among treatment groups. Days with loose fecal score were linearly decreased as NU was added to whole milk during the first month of life, while the fecal score did not differ among treatments until the end of the study. No difference was observed in the skeletal growth of calves in the current study. Therefore, it can be concluded that NU supplementation in the whole milk has some beneficial effects on calf performance in terms of final BW, post-weaning DMI, and less days with loose feces.