bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Armadillo BTB Protein ABAP1 Is a Crucial Player in DNA Replication and Transcription of Nematode-Induced Galls
Authors: Cabral Danila , Forero Ballesteros Helkin , de Melo Bruno Paes , Lourenço-Tessutti Isabela Tristan , Simões de Siqueira Kércya Maria , Obicci Luciana , Grossi-de-Sa Maria Fatima , Hemerly Adriana S. , de Almeida Engler Janice
Published: April 2021

The biogenesis of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.)-induced galls requires the hyperactivation of the cell cycle with controlled balance of mitotic and endocycle programs to keep its homeostasis. To better understand gall functioning and to develop new control strategies for this pest, it is essential to find out how the plant host cell cycle programs are responding and integrated during the nematode-induced gall formation. This work investigated the spatial localization of a number of gene transcripts involved in the pre-replication complex during DNA replication in galls and report their akin colocation with the cell cycle S-phase regulator Armadillo BTB Arabidopsis Protein 1 (ABAP1). ABAP1 is a negative regulator of pre-replication complex controlling DNA replication of genes involved in control of cell division and proliferation; therefore, its function has been investigated during gall ontogenesis. Functional analysis was performed upon ABAP1 knockdown and overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana. We detected ABAP1 promoter activity and localized ABAP1 protein in galls during development, and its overexpression displayed significantly reduced gall sizes containing atypical giant cells. Profuse ABAP1 expression also impaired gall induction and hindered nematode reproduction. Remarkably, ABAP1 knockdown likewise negatively affected gall and nematode development, suggesting its involvement in the feeding site homeostasis. Microscopy analysis of cleared and nuclei-stained whole galls revealed that ABAP1 accumulation resulted in aberrant giant cells displaying interconnected nuclei filled with enlarged heterochromatic regions. Also, imbalanced ABAP1 expression caused changes in expression patterns of genes involved in the cell division control as demonstrated by qRT-PCR. CDT1a, CDT1b, CDKA;1, and CYCB1;1 mRNA levels were significantly increased in galls upon ABAP1 overexpression, possibly contributing to the structural changes in galls during nematode infection. Overall, data obtained in galls reinforced the role of ABAP1 controlling DNA replication and mitosis and, consequently, cell proliferation. ABAP1 expression might likely take part of a highly ordered mechanism balancing of cell cycle control to prevent gall expansion. ABAP1 expression might prevent galls to further expand, limiting excessive mitotic activity. Our data strongly suggest that ABAP1 as a unique plant gene is an essential component for cell cycle regulation throughout gall development during nematode infection and is required for feeding site homeostasis.
Stomatal Arrangement Pattern: A New Direction to Explore Plant Adaptation and Evolution
Authors: Liu Congcong , Li Ying , Xu Li , Li Mingxu , Wang Jianming , Yan Pu , He Nianpeng
Published: April 2021

The arrangement patterns of stomata on the leaf surface influence water loss and CO2 uptake via transportation and diffusion between stomata, the sites of photosynthesis, and vasculature. However, the quantification of such patterns remains unclear. Based on the distance between stomata, we developed three independent indices to quantify stomatal arrangement pattern (SAP). “Stomatal evenness” was used to quantify the regularity of the distribution of stomata based on a minimum spanning tree, “stomatal divergence” described the divergence in the distribution of stomata based on their distances from their center of gravity, and “stomatal aggregation” was used to quantitatively distinguish the SAP as clustered, random, or regularly distributed based on the nearest-neighbor distances. These three indices address the shortcoming of stomatal density that only describes “abundance” and may, collectively, have a better capacity to explore crop development, plant adaptation and evolution, and potentially ultimately enable a more accurate reconstruction of the palaeoclimate.
Membrane-Enriched Proteomics Link Ribosome Accumulation and Proteome Reprogramming With Cold Acclimation in Barley Root Meristems
Authors: Martinez-Seidel Federico , Suwanchaikasem Pipob , Nie Shuai , Leeming Michael G. , Pereira Firmino Alexandre Augusto , Williamson Nicholas A. , Kopka Joachim , Roessner Ute , Boughton Berin A.
Published: April 2021

Due to their sessile nature, plants rely on root systems to mediate many biotic and abiotic cues. To overcome these challenges, the root proteome is shaped to specific responses. Proteome-wide reprogramming events are magnified in meristems due to their active protein production. Using meristems as a test system, here, we study the major rewiring that plants undergo during cold acclimation. We performed tandem mass tag-based bottom-up quantitative proteomics of two consecutive segments of barley seminal root apexes subjected to suboptimal temperatures. After comparing changes in total and ribosomal protein (RP) fraction-enriched contents with shifts in individual protein abundances, we report ribosome accumulation accompanied by an intricate translational reprogramming in the distal apex zone. Reprogramming ranges from increases in ribosome biogenesis to protein folding factors and suggests roles for cold-specific RP paralogs. Ribosome biogenesis is the largest cellular investment; thus, the vast accumulation of ribosomes and specific translation-related proteins during cold acclimation could imply a divergent ribosomal population that would lead to a proteome shift across the root. Consequently, beyond the translational reprogramming, we report a proteome rewiring. First, triggered protein accumulation includes spliceosome activity in the root tip and a ubiquitous upregulation of glutathione production and S-glutathionylation (S-GSH) assemblage machineries in both root zones. Second, triggered protein depletion includes intrinsically enriched proteins in the tip-adjacent zone, which comprise the plant immune system. In summary, ribosome and translation-related protein accumulation happens concomitantly to a proteome reprogramming in barley root meristems during cold acclimation. The cold-accumulated proteome is functionally implicated in feedbacking transcript to protein translation at both ends and could guide cold acclimation.
Preliminary Evaluation of the FETASS Training for Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study
Authors: Brehm Bettina , Schill Judith , Rauh Reinhold , Fleischhaker Christian , Biscaldi Monica
Published: April 2021

While several recent evaluation studies have shown the efficacy of parent training programs for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, manual-based training in German is still scarce. To address this gap, we developed a specific modularized training program for parents of children from preschool to pre-adolescent age with Autism Spectrum Disorder (FETASS). The overarching purpose of the FETASS intervention is to enhance social communication behavior and quality of life of the child by coaching parents. As a proximal target, the FETASS training aims to provide families with behavior management and communication strategies. The development of the training was influenced by published behavioral parent trainings and autism-specific interventions. The training comprises eight weekly sessions and targets families whose children have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) without intellectual and language impairments. As a preliminary pilot study, the purpose was to evaluate the acceptability of the training. Furthermore, the study aimed at initially evaluating social communication behavior, quality of life of the child, parental stress level, and parenting after training in comparison to a treatment as usual (TAU) group. Exploratively, long-term effects were investigated after 6 months of training as well. In total, 57 families participated (n[TAU] = 29,n[FETASS] = 28). Questionnaires about social communication behavior and quality of life of the child, parental stress, and parenting were administered at three time points (t1: baseline TAU/FETASS, t2: post TAU/FETASS; and t3: 6-month follow-up after FETASS). Primary outcome measures were the social communication behavior of the child and the parent’s proxy report on quality of life of the child. Secondary outcome measures were changes in parental stress and parenting behavior. Acceptability of the training was very high and we had almost no dropouts during training. Results for the primary outcome measure of social communication behavior, overall quality of life of the child, and long-term effects on social communication behavior were not significant. While long-term findings for parent stress reduction and for the quality of life of the child are promising, further research has to be done in a future randomized controlled trial.
Do Islanders Have a More Reactive Behavioral Immune System? Social Cognitions and Preferred Interpersonal Distances During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Hromatko Ivana , Grus Andrea , Kolđeraj Gabrijela
Published: April 2021

Insular populations have traditionally drawn a lot of attention from epidemiologists as they provide important insights regarding transmission of infectious diseases and propagation of epidemics. There are numerous historical instances where isolated populations showed high morbidity once a new virus entered the population. Building upon that and recent findings that the activation of the behavioral immune system (BIS) depends both upon one’s vulnerability and environmental context, we predicted that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, place of residence (island vs. mainland) explains a significant proportion of variance in preferred interpersonal distances, animosity toward strangers, and willingness to punish those who do not adhere to COVID-19 preventive measures. With 48 populated islands, Croatia provides a fruitful testing ground for this prediction. We also opted to explore relations among BIS-related variables (pathogen disgust, germ aversion, and perceived infectability) and social cognitions in a more natural context than has previously been done. The study was conducted online, on Croatian residents, during April and May 2020. As expected, the BIS variables contributed significantly to preferred interpersonal distances, negative emotions toward strangers, and willingness to punish those who do not adhere to COVID-19 preventive measures. Furthermore, our results showed that geographical location explained a significant amount of variance in preferred social (but not personal and intimate) distances and negative emotions toward foreigners. As Croatian islands are extremely frequent travel destinations, these differences between mainlanders and islanders cannot be explained by the lack of exposure to foreigners. Additionally, we found that scores on preferred interpersonal distances, pathogen disgust, and germ aversion were significantly higher compared to those obtained in Croatian samples before the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, men scored higher in perceived infectability than before the COVID-19 pandemic, and women did not, which reflects the objectively higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 for men than for women. Taken together, our results support the notion that BIS is a highly adaptive and context-dependent response system, likely more reactive in more susceptible individuals.
The Influence of Parents, Coaches, and Peers in the Long-Term Development of Highly Skilled and Less Skilled Volleyball Players
Authors: Coutinho Patrícia , Ribeiro João , da Silva Sara Mesquita , Fonseca António M. , Mesquita Isabel
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to understand the perceptions of highly skilled and less skilled volleyball players about the influences that parents, coaches, and peers had on their sport development and performance achievement. Highly skilled (n= 30) and less skilled (n= 30) volleyball players participated in semi-structured retrospective interviews to explain how parents, coaches and peers may have influenced their sport participation. Data was analyzed through a process of content analysis. Results indicated that parents, coaches, and peers had an important influence in player's sport development but differing according to players' expertise level. Concerning to parental influences, tangible support during the early years of development was mentioned by all players. However, parents' level of involvement and parenting styles revealed interesting differences between highly skilled and less skilled players. Highly skilled players perceived a moderate parental involvement and an autonomy-supportive parenting style, while less skilled players referred a excessive parental involvement in players' sport participation. Coaches influences showed to have some similarities in the early years with all players mentioning coaches as caring and recognizing their value as an athlete. However, highly skilled players described a different training environment characterized by a demanding coach, individualized instruction, and specific goal setting. Regarding peers' influence, all players recognized that friends were not only one of the main reasons to start playing volleyball, but also an important source of support to remain engaged and staying motivated to do sport. Highly skilled players, however, mentioned the importance of teammates' positive push and critiques during practice for enhancing their motivation, team cohesion and friendship. They also highlighted the importance of friends outside of sport in the later years of their career by acting as an escape from all the pressure that emerged from volleyball training and competition demands. Overall, these findings highlight different social influences according to the players' expertise level suggesting the need to examine more extensively the nature of significant others' support on athlete and talent development.
Caregivers’ Grief in Acquired Non-death Interpersonal Loss (NoDIL): A Process Based Model With Implications for Theory, Research, and Intervention
Authors: Yehene Einat , Manevich Alexander , Rubin Simon Shimshon
Published: April 2021

The number of family members caring and caregiving for a loved one undergoing physical and mental changes continues to increase dramatically. For many, this ongoing experience not only involves the “burden of caregiving” but also the “burden of grief” as their loved-one’s newfound medical condition can result in the loss of the person they previously knew. Dramatic cognitive, behavioral, and personality changes, often leave caregivers bereft of the significant relationship they shared with the affected person prior to the illness or injury. This results in what we term conditions of acquired “non-death interpersonal loss” (NoDIL). Current approaches to these losses use an amalgam of models drawn from both death and non-death loss. Despite their utility, these frameworks have not adequately addressed the unique processes occurring in the interpersonal sphere where the grieving caregiver needs to reach some modus vivendi regarding the triad of “who the person was,” “who they are now,” and “who they will yet become.” In this paper we propose a process-based model which addresses cognitive-emotional-behavioral challenges caregivers meet in the face of their new reality. These require a revision of the interpersonal schemas and the relationships that takes into account the ongoing interactions with the affected family member. The model and its utility to identify adaptive and maladaptive responses to NoDIL is elaborated upon with clinical material obtained from caregivers of people diagnosed with major neuro-cognitive disorder and pediatric traumatic brain injury. The article concludes with implications for theory, research and clinical intervention.
Patient-Planetary Health Co-benefit Prescribing: Emerging Considerations for Health Policy and Health Professional Practice
Authors: Redvers Nicole
Published: April 2021

In addition to the importance of fostering and developing measures for better health-system resilience globally from the effects of climate change, there have been increasing calls for health professionals, as well as public health and medical education systems, to become partners in climate change mitigation efforts. Direct clinical practice considerations, however, have not been adequately fostered equitably across all regions with an often-confusing array of practice areas within planetary health and sustainable healthcare. This article calls for a more coordinated effort within clinical practice spaces given the urgency of global environmental change, while also taking lessons from Indigenous traditional knowledge systems—a viewpoint that is rarely heard from or prioritized in public health or medicine. Simpler and more coordinated messaging in efforts to improve patient and planetary health are needed. The creation of unifying terminology within planetary health-rooted clinical and public health practice has been proposed with the potential to bring forth dialogue between and within disciplinary offshoots and public health advocacy efforts, and within clinical and health-system policy spaces.
Toughening Mechanism of Unidirectional Stretchable Composite
Authors: Jiang Xiaochun , Wang Zhengjin , Sun Danqi , Lu Tongqing , Wang Tiejun
Published: April 2021

Composite materials have been long developed to improve the mechanical properties such as strength and toughness. Most composites are non-stretchable which hinders the applications in soft robotics. Recent papers have reported a new design of unidirectional soft composite with superior stretchability and toughness. This paper presents an analytical model to study the toughening mechanism of such composite. We use the Gent model to characterize the large deformation of the hard phase and soft phase of the composite. We analyze how the stress transfer between phases deconcentrates the stress at the crack tip and enhances the toughness. We identify two types of failure modes: rupture of hard phase and interfacial debonding. We calculate the average toughness of the composite with different physical and geometric parameters. The experimental results in literature agree with our theoretical predictions very well.
Rituals of Containment: Many Pandemics, Body Politics, and Social Dramas During COVID-19 in Pakistan
Authors: Ali Inayat
Published: April 2021

Infecting millions of people, causing around two million deaths, and affecting billions of people worldwide during January 2021, the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is not merely one pandemic but many. These many pandemics, which I identify herein, have revealed the overt and subtle entanglements among religion, science, and politics around COVID-19. Building on my current ethnographic research on COVID-19 using purposive sampling and interview guide in Pakistan, and borrowing from various anthropological concepts such as “social drama,” proposed by Victor Turner, and ritual, I have developed a concept that I callrituals of containment. With this concept, I extend my previous argument regarding “symbolic ownership” to show a visible “body politics” by demonstrating how religion, science, and politics around COVID-19 are entangled at individual and government levels. This has become observable through the rituals of the Pakistani government of containment to deal with COVID-19. Such entanglements are visible in the case of strategies to tackle infected “viral bodies,” as the government has enacted its authority: (1) to bury what I am terming thedead viral bodywithout its beloved ones present; (2) to return or not to return this body to family members in a coffin; (3) or to provide the grieving family with a symbolic empty coffin. These Covidian politics have led to the question: Who in actuality owns the body? In conclusion, I argue that the problem lies in the discriminatory and contradictory rituals of containment of the government, not in using scientific evidence and guidelines.
Effect of Nutritional Variation and LCA Methodology on the Carbon Footprint of Milk Production From Holstein Friesian Dairy Cows
Authors: March Margaret D. , Hargreaves Paul R. , Sykes Alasdair J. , Rees Robert M.
Published: April 2021

The UK livestock industry urgently needs to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to contribute to ambitious climate change policy commitments. Achieving this requires an improved understanding of emission sources across a range of production systems to lower the burden associated with livestock products. Life cycle assessment (LCA) methods are used in this study to model milk production from two genetic merits of Holstein Friesian cows managed in two novel and two conventional UK dairy systems. Select merit cows sired by bulls with high predicted transmission for fat plus protein yield are compared with Control merit animals sired from UK average merit bulls. Cows were managed in conventional housed and grazed dairy systems with novel Byproduct and Homegrown feeding regimes. A LCA was used to quantify the effect of allocation and management of feed components on the carbon footprint of milk production. Natural variation in nutritional quality of dairy system rations was investigated to quantify uncertainty in the carbon footprint results. Novel production system data are used to assess the effect of introducing home grown legumes and co-product feeds. Control merit footprints across each of the management regimes were significantly higher (p<0.001) in comparison with a high production Select merit, on average by 15%. Livestock emissions (enteric, manure management and deposition) and embedded emissions (purchased feeds, fertiliser, and pesticides) were also significantly higher from control merit cows (p<0.01). Mass and economic allocation methods, and land use functional units, resulted in differences in performance ranking of the dairy systems, with larger footprints resulting from mass allocation. Pairwise comparisons showed GHG's from the systems to be significantly different in total and source category emissions, with significant differences in mean embedded emissions found between most management systems (p<0.05). Monte Carlo simulated system footprints considering the effect of variation in feed digestibility and crude protein also differed significantly from system footprints using standard methods (p < 0.001). Dairy system carbon footprint results should be expressed using multiple units and where possible calculations should incorporate variation in diet digestibility and crude protein content.
Boreal Agriculture Cannot Be Sustainable Without Food Sovereignty
Authors: Keske Catherine
Published: April 2021

Food sovereignty encompasses the right of humans to have access to, and to produce, healthy and culturally appropriate food. Food sovereignty exists within the “social” pillar of sustainability and sustainable food production. Over time, and as a result of colonialism and neo-liberal food regimes, Indigenous food system patterns in boreal regions have been disrupted. Imports make local food production economically infeasible. The intersection of food sovereignty and international trade is understudied. Food insecurity cycles are likely to perpetuate without deliberate action and government intervention. Policies that facilitate local access, and ownership, of agriculture and food processing facilities may foster food sovereignty. Indigenous community governance, and agricultural practices, are critical to restoring environmental and social sustainability.
Outcome of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients With N3 Stage: Survival Analysis of Propensity Score Matching With a Validated Predictive Nomogram
Authors: Han Chang , Wu Yijun , Sun Xu , Chong Yuming , Kang Kai , Liu Zhikai , Zhang Fuquan
Published: April 2021

Background and Objectives: N3-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is usually regarded as inoperable. There were very few studies that focused on N3-NSCLC patients. This study aims to analyze prognosis of NSCLC patients with N3 disease and provides retrospective indications.

Methods: NSCLC patients staged as N3 were retrospectively reviewed from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression were used for identifying prognostic factors. The selected predictive parameters by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression were used to develop predictive nomogram models for overall survival (OS) and lung cancer-specific survival (CSS). The C-index values were calculated to assess the models' predictive ability, while calibration curves were plotted to evaluate the agreement between the predicted and the actual survival. Survival curves were plotted by Kaplan-Meier method and were compared by log-rank test. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the baseline characteristics between treatment groups.

Results: A total of 24,747 N3-NSCLC patients were enrolled. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 35.8, 6.8, and 1.7%, respectively, while the corresponding CSS rates was 36.6, 6.9, and 1.8%, respectively. The nomogram models were developed using 11 significant prognostic parameters, including age, sex, race, histology, stage, T stage, bone, brain and liver metastases, surgery, and chemotherapy. Both of them demonstrated great predictive ability and performed well in the calibration curves. After PSM, patients receiving surgery demonstrated significantly better survival than those who did not. Besides, there was no significant difference of survival between patients receiving chemotherapy with and without radiotherapy.

Conclusions: The nomogram models for predicting survival outcome of N3-NSCLC patients can be clinically used. Surgery may be beneficial to the survival for these patients, while radiotherapy may not have additional survival benefits in patients receiving chemotherapy.
Identification of miRNA Signature in Breast Cancer to Predict Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response
Authors: Xing Ai-Yan , Wang Bin , Li Yu-Hong , Chen Xu , Wang Ya-Wen , Liu Hai-Ting , Gao Peng
Published: April 2021

Background: Chemotherapy failure causes high breast cancer recurrence and poor patient prognosis. Thus, we studied a cohort of novel biomarkers to predict chemotherapeutic response in breast cancer. In this study, miRNA expression profiling was performed on 10 breast cancer punctured specimens sensitive to chemotherapy (MP grade 4, 5) and 10 chemotherapy resistant (MP grade 1). Differentially expressed miRNAs were verified by qRT-PCR in 60 initial samples, 59 validated samples and 71 independent samples. A miRNA signature was generated using a Logistic regression model. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) test was used to assess specificity and sensitivity of single miRNA and miRNA signature. Target genes regulated by miRNAs and their involved signaling pathways were analyzed using GO enrichment and KEGG software. MiRNAs expression were separately compared with ER, PR, HER2 immunohistochemical staining and different drugs. qRT-PCR showed that the high expression of miR-23a-3p, miR-200c-3p, miR-214-3p and the low expression of miR-451a and miR-638 were closely related to chemoresistance. According to the formula for calculating the drug resistance risk, patients in the high-risk group were more likely to develop chemotherapy resistance than the low-risk group. Bioinformatics analysis showed that 5 miRNAs and target genes are mainly involved in p53, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, mTOR, Wnt, cells skeletal protein regulation, cell adhesion and ErbB signaling pathways. miR-451a expression was associated with ER, HER-2 status and anthracyclines. A miRNA signature of chemotherapeutic response may be clinically valuable for improving current chemotherapy regimens of individual treatment for patients with breast cancer.
Design and Modeling of a Bio-Inspired Flexible Joint Actuator
Authors: Xu Ming , Rong Cheng , He Long
Published: April 2021

Spiders rely on a hydraulic system to stretch their legs but use muscles to make their legs flex. The compound drive of hydraulics and muscle makes an integrate dexterous structure with powerful locomotion abilities, which perfectly meets the primary requirements of advanced robots. Inspired by this hydraulics-muscle co-drive joint, a novel flexible joint actuator was proposed and its driving characteristics were preliminarily explored. The bio-inspired flexible joint manifested as a double-constrained balloon actuator, which was fabricated by the composite process of 3D printing and casting. To evaluate its performance, the mathematical model was deduced, as well as the finite element analysis (FEA) model. A series of experiments on the rotation angles, driving forces, and efficiencies of the flexible joint were carried out and compared with the mathematical calculations and FEA simulations. The results show that the accuracy of the two theoretical models can be used to assess the joint actuator. The locomotion test of a soft arthropod robot with two flexible joints was also implemented, where the moving speed reached 22 mm/s and the feasibility of the proposed flexible joint applied to a soft robot was demonstrated.
Effects of Grape Seed Oil Supplementation to Broilers Diets on Growth Performance, Meat Fatty Acids, Health Lipid Indices and Lipid Oxidation Parameters
Authors: Turcu Raluca Paula , Panaite Tatiana Dumitra , Untea Arabela Elena , Vlaicu Petru Alexandru , Badea Irinel Adriana , Mironeasa Silvia
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of grape seed oil (GSO) supplementation to broilers fed polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)-enriched diets on growth performance, color, texture, fatty acid content and lipid peroxidation of meat. The 4-week feeding trial was conducted on 120 Cobb 500 broilers, assigned to three groups and housed in an experimental hall on permanent wood shaves litter. GSO was tested as source of natural antioxidants at different levels, 0% (GSO0, control), 1.5% (GSO1.5) and 3% (GSO3) in the presence of 4% flaxseed meal (FSM) in a completely randomized design. The results show that at the end of the experiment (42 days) the GSO supplementation had no effect (p < 0.05) on productivity parameters, except the final weight which was improved in GSO3 compared to GSO. The thigh meat color indicated a higher degree of lightness (p < 0.05), but the meat texture was not influenced (p < 0.05) by the new tested diets. The GSO diets increased (p < 0.05) the saturated fatty acid (SFA) content and decreased the PUFA content in the thigh meat. Thigh meat samples from GSO treatments had significantly (p < 0.05) improved oxidative stability. In the breast meat only the concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) decreased (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the GSO significantly improved the thigh meat oxidative stability.
Mechanism(s) of Glyphosate Resistance in a Selected Plantago lanceolata (L.) R Biotype
Authors: Ndou Vhuthu , Pieterse Petrus Jacobus , Brand Dirk Jacobus , Vorster Alvera , Louw Amandrie , Phiri Ethel
Published: April 2021

In 2003, a glyphosate-resistant plantago (Plantago lanceolata L.) population located in the Robertson district of South Africa was subjected to different glyphosate dosages and the highest dosage (7200 g a.e. ha−1) gave no acceptable levels of control. Here we reconfirm resistance and investigate the mechanism of glyphosate resistance. Dose-response curves indicated that the glyphosate dosage rate causing 50% survival (LD50) for the resistant (R) biotype is 43 times greater than for the susceptible (S) biotype, i.e., 43-fold resistant to glyphosate. Investigation into the molecular mechanism of plantago showed shikimate accumulation of the R biotype was lower than that of the S biotype. The reported 31P and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra show rapid glyphosate translocation into the young untreated leaves of the S biotype. No glyphosate translocation was observed in the R biotype. A point mutation in the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene, resulting in an amino acid substitution was also observed, indicating two unique glyphosate resistance mechanisms within the R biotype. The rapid evolution of glyphosate-resistant weeds threatens the usage of the world’s most important herbicide (glyphosate), which is essential in world food production and further limits grower options for weed control. New weed management strategies will be necessary to combat plantago R biotypes.
The Application of Multiple Linear Regression and Artificial Neural Network Models for Yield Prediction of Very Early Potato Cultivars before Harvest
Authors: Piekutowska Magdalena , Niedbała Gniewko , Piskier Tomasz , Lenartowicz Tomasz , Pilarski Krzysztof , Wojciechowski Tomasz , Pilarska Agnieszka A. , Czechowska-Kosacka Aneta
Published: April 2021

Yield forecasting is a rational and scientific way of predicting future occurrences in agriculture—the level of production effects. Its main purpose is reducing the risk in the decision-making process affecting the yield in terms of quantity and quality. The aim of the following study was to generate a linear and non-linear model to forecast the tuber yield of three very early potato cultivars: Arielle, Riviera, and Viviana. In order to achieve the set goal of the study, data from the period 2010–2017 were collected, coming from official varietal experiments carried out in northern and northwestern Poland. The linear model has been created based on multiple linear regression analysis (MLR), while the non-linear model has been built using artificial neural networks (ANN). The created models can predict the yield of very early potato varieties on 20th June. Agronomic, phytophenological, and meteorological data were used to prepare the models, and the correctness of their operation was verified on the basis of separate sets of data not participating in the construction of the models. For the proper validation of the model, six forecast error metrics were used: i.e., global relative approximation error (RAE), root mean square error (RMS), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). As a result of the conducted analyses, the forecast error results for most models did not exceed 15% of MAPE. The predictive neural model NY1 was characterized by better values of quality measures and ex post forecast errors than the regression model RY1.
Herbicides Efficacy against Volunteer Oilseed Rape as Influenced by Spray Solution pH
Authors: Grzanka Monika , Sobiech Łukasz , Skrzypczak Grzegorz , Piechota Tomasz
Published: April 2021

The pH of the spray liquid is one of the factors influencing the efficacy of herbicides. Adjusting the appropriate parameters of the spraying liquid may reduce the consumption of pesticides, which is in line with the currently introduced legal standards and society’s requirements. In the greenhouse experiment, the influence of herbicides containing mesotrione, nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron, bromoxynil, and a mixture of nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron, and mesotrione on the efficacy of oilseed rape control was investigated. Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. ssp. oleifera), apart from being an important crop, can become a nuisance weed in many fields as form of volunteer plants. Visual assessment, reduction of fresh weight, and chlorophyll fluorescence were performed. Individual herbicides influenced the tested parameters to a different extent. The pH of the spray liquid influenced the efficacy of individual plant protection products. The highest herbicidal efficacy in relation to the tested plants was observed in the case of combinations in which mesotrione was applied at a reduced and increased pH, nicosulfuron applied in an acidic and alkaline environment, rimsulfuron without pH modification, and all treatments in which bromoxynil was applied. The herbicides containing mesotrione and bromoxynil had the greatest impact on the photosystem II activity.
Multi-Parametric Portfolio to Assess the Fitness and Gonadal Maturation in Four Key Reproductive Phases of Brown Trout
Authors: Santos Diana , Rocha Eduardo , Malhão Fernanda , Lopes Célia , Gonçalves José F. , Madureira Tânia V.
Published: April 2021

Brown trout is an environmental freshwater sentinel species and is economically important for recreational fishing and aquaculture. Despite that, there is limited knowledge regarding morpho-physiological variations in adults throughout the reproductive cycle. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the fitness and gonadal maturation of cultured adult brown trout in four reproductive phases (spawning capable—December, regressing—March, regenerating—July, and developing—November). The systematic evaluation of males and females was based on biometric, biochemical, and hormonal parameters, along with a histomorphological grading of gonads and the immunophenotype location of key steroidogenic enzymes. The total weight and lengths reached the lowest levels in December. Gonad weights were higher in December and November, while the opposite pattern was found for liver weights. The lowest levels of cholesterol and total protein were also noted during those stages. The 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) and testosterone (T) for males, and estradiol (E2) and T for females, mostly explained the hormonal variations. The immunohistochemistry of cytochrome P450c17 (CYP17-I), aromatase (CYP19), and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) showed sex and site-specific patterns in the distinct reproductive phases. The sex- and season-specific changes generated discriminative multi-parameter profiles, serving as a tool for environmental and aquaculture surveys.
Blood Transcriptomics of Turbot Scophthalmus maximus: A Tool for Health Monitoring and Disease Studies
Authors: Ronza Paolo , Álvarez-Dios José Antonio , Robledo Diego , Losada Ana Paula , Romero Roberto , Bermúdez Roberto , Pardo Belén G. , Martínez Paulino , Quiroga María Isabel
Published: April 2021

Blood transcriptomics is emerging as a relevant tool to monitor the status of the immune system and assist in diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and pathogenesis studies of diseases. In fish pathology, the potential of transcriptome profiling of blood is still poorly explored. Here, RNA sequencing was applied to analyze the blood transcriptional profile of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), the most important farmed flatfish. The study was conducted in healthy specimens and specimens parasitized by the myxozoan Enteromyxum scophthalmi, which causes one of the most devastating diseases in turbot aquaculture. The blood of healthy turbot showed a transcriptomic profile mainly related to erythrocyte gas transportation function, but also to antigen processing and presentation. In moderately infected turbot, the blood reflected a broad inhibition of the immune response. Particularly, down-regulation of the B cell receptor signaling pathway was shared with heavily parasitized fish, which showed larger transcriptomic changes, including the activation of the inflammatory response. Turbot response to enteromyxosis proved to be delayed, dysregulated and ineffective in stopping the infection. The study evinces that blood transcriptomics can contribute to a better understanding of the teleost immune system and serve as a reliable tool to investigate the physiopathological status of fish.
Multimodal Interventions to Prevent and Control Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Producer-Associated Infections at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Egypt
Authors: Kamel Noha A. , Elsayed Khaled M. , Awad Mohamed F. , Aboshanab Khaled M. , El Borhamy Mervat I.
Published: April 2021

The current rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae including the extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) has been increasingly reported worldwide, posing new challenges to health care facilities. Accordingly, we evaluated the impact of multimodal infection control interventions at one of the major tertiary healthcare settings in Egypt for the aim of combating infections by the respective pathogens. During the 6-month pre-intervention period, the incidence rate of CRE and ESBL-producing clinical cultures were 1.3 and 0.8/1000 patient days, respectively. During the post-intervention period, the incidence of CRE and ESBL producers continued to decrease, reaching 0.5 and 0.28/1000 patient days, respectively. The susceptibility rate to carbapenems among ESBL producers ranged from 91.4% (ertapenem) to 98.3% (imipenem), amikacin (93%), gentamicin (56.9%), and tobramycin (46.6%). CRE showed the highest resistance pattern toward all of the tested β-lactams and aminoglycosides, ranging from 87.3% to 94.5%. Both CRE and ESBL producers showed a high susceptibility rate (greater than 85.5%) to colistin and tigecycline. In conclusion, our findings revealed the effectiveness of implementing multidisciplinary approaches in controlling and treating infections elicited by CRE and ESBL producers.
Salvadora persica: Nature’s Gift for Periodontal Health
Authors: Mekhemar Mohamed , Geib Mathias , Kumar Manoj , Radha  , Hassan Yasmine , Dörfer Christof
Published: April 2021

Salvadora persica (SP) extract, displays very valuable biotherapeutic capacities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory effects. Numerous investigations have studied the pharmacologic actions of SP in oral disease therapies but its promising outcomes in periodontal health and treatment are not yet entirely described. The current study has been planned to analyze the reported effects of SP as a support to periodontal therapy to indorse regeneration and healing. In consort with clinical trials, in vitro investigations show the advantageous outcomes of SP adjunctive to periodontal treatment. Yet, comprehensive supplementary preclinical and clinical investigations at molecular and cellular levels are indispensable to reveal the exact therapeutic mechanisms of SP and its elements for periodontal health and therapy.
Plant Foods Rich in Antioxidants and Human Cognition: A Systematic Review
Authors: Baroni Luciana , Sarni Anna Rita , Zuliani Cristina
Published: April 2021

Oxidative stress can compromise central nervous system integrity, thereby affecting cognitive ability. Consumption of plant foods rich in antioxidants could thereby protect cognition. We systematically reviewed the literature exploring the effects of antioxidant-rich plant foods on cognition. Thirty-one studies were included: 21 intervention, 4 cross-sectional (one with a cohort in prospective observation as well), and 6 prospective studies. Subjects belonged to various age classes (young, adult, and elderly). Some subjects examined were healthy, some had mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and some others were demented. Despite the different plant foods and the cognitive assessments used, the results can be summarized as follows: 7 studies reported a significant improvement in all cognitive domains examined; 19 found significant improvements only in some cognitive areas, or only for some food subsets; and 5 showed no significant improvement or no effectiveness. The impact of dietary plant antioxidants on cognition appears promising: most of the examined studies showed associations with significant beneficial effects on cognitive functions—in some cases global or only in some specific domains. There was typically an acute, preventive, or therapeutic effect in young, adult, and elderly people, whether they were healthy, demented, or affected by MCI. Their effects, however, are not attributable only to anti-oxidation.
Effect of One-Sided Surface Charring of Beech Wood on Density Profile and Surface Wettability
Authors: Šeda Vít , Machová Dita , Dohnal Jakub , Dömény Jakub , Zárybnická Lucie , Oberle Anna , Vacenovská Veronika , Čermák Petr
Published: April 2021

One-sided surface charred European beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) was studied. Radial and tangential specimens of dimensions of 50 × 25 × 350 mm were one-sided surface charred at 200, 250, 300, 350, and 400 °C for various times using a contact heating system. Specimens of dimensions of 50 × 25 × 50 mm3 were prepared for treatment intensity analysis and its effect on surface wettability. Density profiles of the radial and tangential charred specimens were determined using X-ray densitography with a resolution of 0.05 mm. The wettability of the one-sided surface charred wood specimens was analyzed via contact angle, measured using the sessile drop method and determined over 10 to 150 s. The oven-dried specimens were partially submerged in water and water uptake was recorded after 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 48, and 72 h according to EN-927-5. The surface density of the radial specimen groups charred at 200 °C for 6 min and 250 °C for 4 min decreased by about 4.5 to 8.2%. With increasingly severe charring, the surface density decreased by about 15.5 to 33.5%. A mild charring process produced a surface charred layer of approx. 2 mm, while higher temperatures and longer times affected the density up to 4–6 mm beneath the surface. Differences were found between the water uptake of the radial and tangential charred beech specimens. The most significant decrease of 56% in water uptake was recorded for the radial group prepared at 200 °C for 20 min after floating in water for 72 h. Water uptake in the radial groups modified at 250 °C for 4 and 6 min after 72 h decreased by 38% and 36%, respectively. The tangential groups did not show any statistically significant decrease. The average water uptake of the groups charred at 200 °C for 20 min, 350 °C for 2 min and 400 °C for 1 min was greater than that of the reference; the variability of the measured data was significantly greater due to the highly anisotropic character of the tangential specimens. Micro cracks were also visible on the surface. Concluding from the results of this study, one-sided surface charred beech wood exhibits increased potential in terms of wood–water related properties when a temperature range of 200–400 °C is applied.
Can Urban Environmental Problems Be Accurately Identified? A Complaint Text Mining Method
Authors: Jiao Yaran , Li Chunming , Lin Yinglun
Published: April 2021

With the popularization of social networks, the abundance of unstructured data regarding environmental complaints is rapidly increasing. This study established a text mining framework for Chinese civil environmental complaints and analyzed the characteristics of environmental complaints, including keywords, sentiment, and semantic networks, with two–year environmental complaints records in Guangzhou city, China. The results show that the keywords of environmental complaints can be effectively extracted, providing an accurate entry point for solving environmental problems; light pollution complaints are the most negative, and electromagnetic radiation complaints have the most fluctuating emotions, which may be due to the diversity of citizens’ perceptions of pollution; the nodes of the semantic network reveal that citizens pay the most attention to pollution sources but the least attention to stakeholders; the edges of the semantic network shows that pollution sources and pollution receptors show the most concerning relationship, and the pollution receptors’ relationships with pollution behaviors, sensory features, stakeholders, and individual health are also highlighted by citizens. Thus, environmental pollution management should not only strengthen the control of pollution sources but also pay attention to these characteristics. This study provides an efficient technical method for unstructured data analysis, which may be helpful for precise and smart environmental management.