bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How immigrant optimism shapes educational transitions over the educational life course–Empirical evidence from Germany
Authors: Busse Robin , Scharenberg Katja
Published: September 2022

Compared to natives, young adults with an immigrant background are more likely to choose academic education over vocational education and training (VET). Our study investigates ethnic choice effects at different stages of the educational system. Based on longitudinal data from the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS), we found that immigrant youths–when controlling for achievement and social background–were more likely to attend academic tracks in Grade 9, have higher participation rates in academic tracks at the upper-secondary level, are less likely to choose VET after lower-secondary education as well as after upper-secondary education, and switch more often to higher education after achieving an upper-secondary degree. Mediation analyses confirmed that these effects were largely shaped by differences in educational and occupational aspirations. Our study provides detailed insights into the transition pathways at different educational stages and the relevant mechanisms driving migration-specific choice effects. As ethnic choice effects are empirically well documented in international research, our investigation may contribute to a deeper understanding of educational inequalities in other European countries.
Response of soil carbon dioxide efflux to temporal repackaging of rainfall into fewer, larger events in a semiarid grassland
Authors: Roby Matthew C. , Scott Russell L. , Biederman Joel A. , Smith William K. , Moore David J. P.
Published: September 2022

Changing rainfall patterns will alter soil water availability to plants and microbes and likely impact soil CO2 efflux (Fs) in semiarid ecosystems. However, our understanding of the response of Fs to compound changes in rainfall event size and frequency remains relatively limited. To address this knowledge gap, we examined how compound changes in rainfall size and frequency impact Fs in a semiarid grassland by deploying automated soil chambers at a rainfall manipulation experiment. All plots within the experiment received equal total summer growing season precipitation that was temporally repackaged into regular events of inversely varied size and frequency, with event sizes ranging from 5 to 50 mm and dry intervals ranging from 3.5 to 21 days. We found that repackaging rainfall into few/large events with long dry intervals decreased seasonal cumulative Fs. Repackaging influenced key aspects of pulses including mean, maximum, and antecedent (day before irrigation) values of soil moisture and Fs and their rate of decline during drying intervals. Soil moisture explained substantial variation in Fs (R2 > 0.84) for all treatments; however, the sensitivity of Fs to soil moisture decreased in the few/large regime compared to the reference and many/small regimes. Dynamics in plant phenology (quantified by plot greenness) and soil temperature interacted with soil moisture to influence the seasonal evolution of Fs pulses and cumulative efflux. Our findings demonstrate that soil moisture and vegetation responses to changes in rainfall size and frequency impact soil CO2 efflux pulses and seasonal emissions in semiarid grasslands. These results, coupled with the knowledge that CO2 efflux pulses play an outsized role in dryland carbon exchange, indicate the possibility of future climate-mediated shifts in the carbon cycling of semiarid ecosystems.
Social network and villagers’ willingness to adopt residential rooftop PV products: A multiple mediating model based on TAM/PR theory
Authors: Wang Weidong , Guan Xieyue , Jin Shunlin , Wang Xiaonan , Qin Xue , Lu Na , Zhu Guyu , Li Dingding
Published: September 2022

Facing the promise of “carbon neutrality” and “carbon peak”, China’s vast rural areas will be the main front of energy conservation and emission reduction in the future. From the perspective of social capital, this paper combined TAM and perceived risk theory to construct a hypothesis model. Based on 617 rural survey data, structural equation model was used to reveal the influencing factors of the willingness to adopt residential rooftop PV products in rural China. The results show that: 1) social network has a significant impact on the willingness of villagers to adopt rooftop PV products. 2) Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and perceived risk play multiple mediating roles. 3) The parallel mediating effect of villagers’ perceived risk on the relationship between social network and adoption intention is much higher than the other two paths. 4) The chain mediating effect of perceived risk and perceived ease of use on the relationship between social network and villagers’ adoption intention is much higher than the other two paths. This study provides rich policy implications for rural renewable energy promotion and energy transition in China and other developing countries.
Development of rearing methodology for the invasive Spotted Lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae)
Authors: Nixon Laura J. , Jones Sharon , Dechaine Andrew C. , Ludwick Dalton , Hickin Mauri , Sullivan Liam , Elsensohn Johanna E. , Gould Juli , Keena Melody , Kuhar Thomas , Pfeiffer Douglas G. , Leskey Tracy C.
Published: September 2022

Lycorma delicatula, White (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), spotted lanternfly, is a univoltine, phloem-feeding, polyphagous and invasive insect in the USA. Although a primary host for this species is Ailanthus altissima, tree of heaven, L. delicatula also feeds on a wide range of hosts important to the USA including cultivated grapevines. Due to the need for classical or augmentative biological control programs to reduce impacts of L. delicatula across invaded areas, we developed a laboratory-based rearing protocol for this invasive species. Here, we evaluated the use of A. altissima apical meristems, epicormic shoots, and fresh foliage cut from A. altissima as a food source for rearing newly hatched L. delicatula. On these sources of plant material <20% of L. delicatula developed into adults and no oviposition occurred. However, when young, potted A. altissima trees were used as a food source, >50% of L. delicatula nymphs developed to the adult stage under natural daylengths and temperatures ranging from 20–25°C. The addition of wild grapevine, Vitis riparia, did not increase survivorship or reduce development time. To elicit mating and oviposition, adults were provided with A. altissima logs as an oviposition substrate and maintained under shortened daylengths and reduced nighttime temperatures (12L:12D and 24°C:13°C). This resulted in 2.12 egg masses deposited per female, which was 4× more than when adults were maintained in standard rearing conditions (16L:8D and 25°C). Based on these experiments, we present a protocol for reliably rearing L. delicatula under laboratory and/or greenhouse conditions.
A method for a fast and economical in situ collection of pore water in sandy sediments
Authors: Dutta Saurav , Saar Raoul , Lavie Zach , Vered Gal , Bradbury Harold J. , Antler Gilad
Published: September 2022

Marine sediment represents one of the most significant carbon reservoirs. Extraction of pore water from the uppermost 10 cm of the sediment column, just below the sediment-water interface, in coastal environments can be used to assess the rapid chemical changes caused by extensive subsurface biological and chemical reactions. However, owing to relatively large grain size of the sediment in some shallow coastal environments, sediment and pore water mixes quickly making collection of core samples for pore water extraction extremely difficult. Here, we present a simple method utilizing Rhizons to collect in situ pore water from coastal environments. We conducted both ex situ and in situ experiments, using fluorescein as a tracer, to understand the influence of overlying water during pore water collection through this method. These experiments also allowed us to assess the volume of pore water collected before fluorescein is observed in the samples at different vertical depths within the sediment column. We found that: 1. discarding the initial 2 mL of water minimizes the memory effect, 2. collection of 10 mL of water avoids interference from surrounding pore water and the overlying water column and 3. a vertical resolution of minimum 2 cm could be attained for sediments with grain size of 1 mm and less. We finally present data from two linear transects from different sites in the Gulf of Aqaba. Results from these case studies demonstrate expected patterns of high concentrations of iron and hydrogen sulfide in pore water from the sediment where surface coloration suggested iron and sulfate reduction was dominating, respectively. Both case studies, therefore, independently validated the Rhizon sampler method for collecting pore water in situ from marine sediments in coastal environments.
Low-frequency waterborne sound insulation by an acoustic metascreen with a metal chiral structure
Authors: Wang Chao , Zhao Honggang , Wang Yang , Zhong Jie , Yang Haibin , Yu Dianlong , Wen Jihong
Published: September 2022

Low sound speed or low-density materials can be used as soft acoustic boundaries in water, potentially as low-frequency underwater sound insulation. This study uses a chiral structure to construct an acoustic metascreen with deep subwavelength thickness. The results show that the transmission coefficient of the metascreen decreases noticeably in the low-frequency range when adjusting the chiral structure. The displacement pattern and the effective acoustic impedance are used to investigate the sound insulation mechanism. Low sound speed and effective acoustic impedance are found in the anisotropic chiral structure, and an extensive range of quasi-longitudinal wave phase velocities from 116.70 m/s to 3935.48 m/s can be obtained by adjusting the structural parameters without changing the filling rate. Finally, the effect of the oblique incidence angle on the sound insulation of the metascreen is investigated.
A survey on the safety of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine among a population with stroke risk in China
Authors: Wu Gang , Zhang Meixian , Xie Xiaomei , Zhu Yanwu , Tang Hongxia , Zhu Xinmiao , Liang Yifan , Chen Tao , Zhu Kuangyao , Zhang Danfeng , Jiang Sujun , Jiang Zhengli , Ke Shaofa
Published: September 2022

Background

The safety of the COVID-19 vaccine in patients at stroke risk is poorly understood.

Methods

A survey was conducted on risk factors related to stroke and adverse reactions to vaccines. The participants were divided into low-, medium-, and high-risk groups, according to the stroke risk scorecard recommended by the Stroke Prevention and Control Engineering Committee of the National Health and Family Planning Commission. Factors associated with adverse reactions were analyzed. Reasons for non-vaccination and the aggravation of underlying diseases after vaccination were investigated.

Results

1747 participants participated (138 unvaccinated) and 36.8, 22.1, 41.1% of the vaccinated participants had low, medium, high risk of stroke, respectively. The incidence of adverse reactions after the first and second injection was 16.6, 13.7%, respectively. There was no difference in the incidence of adverse reactions among different risk groups. Sex, vaccine type, sleep quality, worry of adverse reactions, age, and education level were significantly related to adverse reactions to vaccination. The most popular reason for non-vaccination for medium- or high risk-participants was the aggravation of the existing disease. Only 0.3% of vaccinated participants reported slight changes in blood pressure, sugar levels, and lipid levels. No aggravation of stroke sequelae, atrial fibrillation, or transient ischemic attack was reported.

Conclusions

Vaccination against COVID-19 (inactive virus) is safe for people at risk of stroke when the existing disease condition is stable. It is suggested to strengthen vaccine knowledge and ensure good sleep before vaccination.
Rehabilitation outcomes at discharge from staged community-based brain injury rehabilitation: A retrospective cohort study (ABI-RESTaRT), Western Australia, 2011–2020
Authors: Troeung Lakkhina , Mann Georgina , Cullinan Lily , Wagland Janet , Martini Angelita
Published: September 2022

Objective

To evaluate change in functional independence, psychosocial functioning, and goal attainment at discharge from a slow-stream Staged Community-Based Brain Injury Rehabilitation (SCBIR) service in Western Australia, 2011–2020.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study ofn= 323 adults with acquired brain injury (ABI) enrolled in a post-acute SCBIR service compared against a control cohort ofn= 312 with ABI admitted to three non-rehabilitation programs. Outcome measures were the UK Functional Independence Measure and Functional Assessment Measure (FIM+FAM), Mayo Portland Adaptability Inventory-4 (MPAI-4), and Goal Attainment Scale. Change in FIM+FAM and MPAI-4 scores and predictors of goal attainment at discharge were evaluated using multilevel mixed-effects regression.

Results

Median SCBIR length of stay was 20.5 months. Rehabilitation clients demonstrated clinically significant functional gains at discharge, adjusted mean change = +20.3,p< 0.001 (FIM+FAM). Peak gains of +32.3 were observed after 24–30 months and clinically significant gains were observed 5 years post-admission. Individuals discharged ≤6 months had the smallest functional gains (+12.7). Small psychosocial improvements were evidenced at discharge, mean reduction = −2.9T,p< 0.001 (MPAI-4) but not clinically significant. 47% of rehabilitation clients achieved their goals at the expected level or higher at discharge. Compared to the control, rehabilitation clients evidenced significantly greater functional gains and psychosocial improvement but lower goal attainment. Significant predictors of goal attainment at discharge were >2 years since injury, higher cognitive function and higher emotional adjustment at admission.

Conclusions

Functional recovery after ABI is a gradual and ongoing process. SCBIR is effective for functional rehabilitation post-injury but can be improved to achieve clinically meaningful psychosocial improvement.
Single-channel EEG signal extraction based on DWT, CEEMDAN, and ICA method
Authors: Hu Qinghui , Li Mingxin , Li Yunde
Published: September 2022

In special application scenarios, such as portable anesthesia depth monitoring, portable emotional state recognition and portable sleep monitoring, electroencephalogram (EEG) signal acquisition equipment is required to be convenient and easy to use. It is difficult to remove electrooculogram (EOG) artifacts when the number of EEG acquisition channels is small, especially when the number of observed signals is less than that of the source signals, and the overcomplete problem will arise. The independent component analysis (ICA) algorithm commonly used for artifact removal requires the number of basis vectors to be smaller than the dimension of the input data due to a set of standard orthonormal bases learned during the convergence process, so it cannot be used to solve the overcomplete problem. The empirical mode decomposition method decomposes the signal into several independent intrinsic mode functions so that the number of observed signals is more than that of the source signals, solving the overcomplete problem. However, when using this method to solve overcompleteness, the modal aliasing problem will arise, which is caused by abnormal events such as sharp signals, impulse interference, and noise. Aiming at the above problems, we propose a novel EEG artifact removal method based on discrete wavelet transform, complete empirical mode decomposition for adaptive noise (CEEMDAN) and ICA in this paper. First, the input signals are transformed by discrete wavelet (DWT), and then CEEMDAN is used to solve the overcomplete and mode aliasing problems, meeting the a priori conditions of the ICA algorithm. Finally, the components belonging to EOG artifacts are removed according to the sample entropy value of each independent component. Experiments show that this method can effectively remove EOG artifacts while solving the overcomplete and modal aliasing problems.
Recruitment and Differential Firing Patterns of Single Units During Conditioning to a Tone in a Mute Locked-In Human
Authors: Kennedy Philip , Cervantes Andre J.
Published: September 2022

Single units that are not related to the desired task can become related to the task by conditioning their firing rates. We theorized that, during conditioning of firing rates to a tone, (a) unrelated single units would be recruited to the task; (b) the recruitment would depend on the phase of the task; (c) tones of different frequencies would produce different patterns of single unit recruitment. In our mute locked-in participant, we conditioned single units using tones of different frequencies emitted from a tone generator. The conditioning task had three phases: Listen to the tone for 20 s, then silently sing the tone for 10 s, with a prior control period of resting for 10 s. Twenty single units were recorded simultaneously while feedback of one of the twenty single units was made audible to the mute locked-in participant. The results indicate that (a) some of the non-audible single units were recruited during conditioning, (b) some were recruited differentially depending on the phase of the paradigm (listen, rest, or silent sing), and (c) single unit firing patterns were specific for different tone frequencies such that the tone could be recognized from the pattern of single unit firings. These data are important when conditioning single unit firings in brain-computer interfacing tasks because they provide evidence that increased numbers of previously unrelated single units can be incorporated into the task. This incorporation expands the bandwidth of the recorded single unit population and thus enhances the brain-computer interface. This is the first report of conditioning of single unit firings in a human participant with a brain to computer implant.
Opposing inflammatory biomarker responses to sleep disruption in cancer patients before and during oncological therapy
Authors: Oliva Delmy , Andersson Bengt-Åke , Lewin Freddi , Jensen Lasse D.
Published: September 2022

Background

Sleep disruption is known to be highly prevalent in cancer patients, aggravated during oncological treatment and closely associated with reduced quality of life, therapeutic outcome and survival. Inflammatory factors are associated with sleep disruption in healthy individuals and cancer patients, but heterogeneity and robustness of inflammatory factors associated with sleep disruption and how these are affected by oncological therapy remain poorly understood. Furthermore, due to the complex crosstalk between sleep-, and therapy-associated factors, including inflammatory factors, there are currently no established biomarkers for predicting sleep disruption in patients undergoing oncological therapy.

Methods

We performed a broad screen of circulating biomarkers with immune-modulating or endocrine functions and coupled these to self-reported sleep quality using the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) sleep scale. Ninety cancer patients with gastrointestinal, urothelial, breast, brain and tonsillar cancers, aged between 32 and 86 years, and scheduled for adjuvant or palliative oncological therapy were included. Of these, 71 patients were evaluable. Data was collected immediately before and again 3 months after onset of oncological therapy.

Results

Seventeen among a total of 45 investigated plasma proteins were found to be suppressed in cancer patients exhibiting sleep disruption prior to treatment onset, but this association was lost following the first treatment cycle. Patients whose sleep quality was reduced during the treatment period exhibited significantly increased plasma levels of six pro-inflammatory biomarkers (IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-a, IFN-g, and GM-CSF) 3 months after the start of treatment, whereas biomarkers with anti-inflammatory, growth factor, immune-modulatory, or chemokine functions were unchanged.

Conclusion

Our work suggests that biomarkers of sleep quality are not valid for cancer patients undergoing oncological therapy if analyzed only at a single timepoint. On the other hand, therapy-associated increases in circulating inflammatory biomarkers are closely coupled to reduced sleep quality in cancer patients. These findings indicate a need for testing of inflammatory and other biomarkers as well as sleep quality at multiple times during the patient treatment and care process.
Tears for pears: Influence of children’s neophobia on categorization performance and strategy in the food domain
Authors: Foinant Damien , Lafraire Jérémie , Thibaut Jean-Pierre
Published: September 2022

Preschoolers’ neophobic dispositions mainly target fruits and vegetables. They received a great deal of attention in the past decades as these dispositions represent the main psychological barrier to dietary variety. Recently, children’s food neophobia has been found to be negatively correlated with their categorization performance (i.e., the accuracy to discriminate between food categories). We investigated categorization strategies among neophobic children, tendencies to favor one type of error over the other (misses over false alarms), in order to compensate for their poor categorization performance. To capture children’s categorization strategies, we used the Signal Detection Theory framework. A first experiment assessed 120 3-to-6-years old children’ sensitivity to discriminate between foods and nonfoods as well as their decision criterion (i.e., response strategy). In a second experiment, we manipulated the influence of food processing. The hypothesis was that food processing acts as a sign of human interventions that decreases uncertainty about edibility and thus promotes feelings of safety in the food domain. 137 children were tested on a food versus nonfood categorization task contrasting whole and sliced stimuli. In both experiments, increased levels of food neophobia were significantly associated with poorer categorization sensitivity and with a more conservative decision criterion (i.e., favoring “it is inedible” errors). Additionally, results from Experiment 2 revealed that food processing did not influence neophobic children, whereas their neophilic counterparts adopted a more liberal decision criterion for sliced stimuli than for whole stimuli. These findings are the first demonstration of a relationship between a decision criterion and food neophobia in young children. These results have strong implications for theories of food neophobia and laid the groundwork for designing novel types of food education interventions.
Efficacy of Bacillus coagulans BC01 on loperamide hydrochloride-induced constipation model in Kunming mice
Authors: Zhou Xu , Chen Yafang , Ma Xin , Yu Yang , Yu Xueping , Chen Xiaoyong , Suo Huayi
Published: September 2022

In this study, the laxative effect of Bacillus coagulans BC01 (BC01) in mice was investigated using a functional constipation mouse model. Six-week-old male specific pathogen-free (SPF) Kunming mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group (saline), model group (loperamide hydrochloride), drug control group (bisacodyl), BC01 low-dose group (4.0 × 108 CFU/mL) and BC01 high-dose group (4.0 × 109 CFU/mL). Except for the normal group, the functional constipation model was established by administering 0.25 mL of a loperamide hydrochloride suspension (1 mg/mL) twice daily for four consecutive days by oral gavage. After modeling, the BC01 groups were administered 0.25 mL of BC01. The bisacodyl served as a control and was administered orally at a dose of 100 mg/kg, while the other groups were administered 0.25 mL of sterile saline. After 7 days of continuous administration, the experimental mice were again induced by loperamide hydrochloride. During this period, the mechanism of BC01 to improve constipation symptoms in mice was analyzed by measuring the changes in body weight, fecal water content, small intestine propulsion rate, histology of small intestinal tissue sections, fecal microbial diversity, serum indices, as well as mRNA and protein expression levels in the small intestinal tissue. BC01 was found to significantly promote the intestinal propulsion rate and increase the fecal water content in the mice. BC01 could also alleviates constipation by regulating gastrointestinal motility (substance P, motilin, endothelin-1, somatostatin, and vasoactive intestinal peptide), gene expression (c-Kit, SCF, COX-2, NF-κB, iNOS, and eNOS), intestinal inflammation (eNOS, iNOS, NF-κB), and the intestinal microbiota composition in the constipated mice. In addition, the high-dose BC01 treatment had the best preventive effect on constipation. BC01 is a probiotic strain to effectively relieve the adverse effects of constipation.
Risk factors and survival prediction of pancreatic cancer with lung metastases: A population-based study
Authors: Yao Zong-Xi , Tu Jun-Hao , Zhou Bin , Huang Yang , Liu Yu-Lin , Xue Xiao-Feng
Published: September 2022

Background

The risk and prognosis of pancreatic cancer with lung metastasis (PCLM) are not well-defined. Thus, this study aimed to identify the risk and prognostic factors for these patients, and establish predictive nomogram models.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with PCLM between 2010 and 2016 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Independent risk factors and prognostic factors were identified using logistic regression and Cox regression analyses. Nomograms were constructed to predict the risk and survival of PCLM, and the area under the curve (AUC), C-index, and calibration curve were used to determine the predictive accuracy and discriminability of the established nomogram, while the decision curve analysis was used to confirm the clinical effectiveness.

Results

A total of 11287 cases with complete information were included; 601 (5.3%) patients with PC had lung metastases. Multivariable logistic analysis demonstrated that primary site, histological subtype, and brain, bone, and liver metastases were independent risk factors for lung metastases. We constructed a risk prediction nomogram model for the development of lung metastases among PC patients. The c-index of the established diagnostic nomogram was 0.786 (95%CI 0.726-0.846). Multivariable Cox regression analysis demonstrated that primary site, liver metastases, surgery, and chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for both overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS), while bone metastases were independent prognostic factors for CSS. The C-indices for the OS and CSS prediction nomograms were 0.76 (95% CI 0.74-0.78) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.74-0.78), respectively. Based on the AUC of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA), we concluded that the risk and prognosis model of PCBM exhibits excellent performance.

Conclusions

The present study identified the risk and prognostic factors of PCLM and further established nomograms, which can help clinicians effectively identify high-risk patients and predict their clinical outcomes.
Autologous humanized mouse models to study combination and single-agent immunotherapy for colorectal cancer patient-derived xenografts
Authors: Kanikarla Marie Preeti , Sorokin Alexey V. , Bitner Lea A. , Aden Rebecca , Lam Michael , Manyam Ganiraju , Woods Melanie N. , Anderson Amanda , Capasso Anna , Fowlkes Natalie , Overman Michael J. , Menter David G. , Kopetz Scott
Published: September 2022

Designing studies of immunotherapy is limited due to a lack of pre-clinical models that reliably predict effective immunotherapy responses. To address this gap, we developed humanized mouse models of colorectal cancer (CRC) incorporating patient-derived xenografts (PDX) with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Humanized mice with CRC PDXs were generated via engraftment of autologous (isolated from the same patients as the PDXs) or allogeneic (isolated from healthy donors) PBMCs. Human T cells were detected in mouse blood, tissues, and infiltrated the implanted PDXs. The inclusion of anti-PD-1 therapy revealed that tumor responses in autologous but not allogeneic models were more comparable to that of patients. An overall non-specific graft-vs-tumor effect occurred in allogeneic models and negatively correlated with that seen in patients. In contrast, autologous humanized mice more accurately correlated with treatment outcomes by engaging pre-existing tumor specific T-cell populations. As autologous T cells appear to be the major drivers of tumor response thus, autologous humanized mice may serve as models at predicting treatment outcomes in pre-clinical settings for therapies reliant on pre-existing tumor specific T-cell populations.
The controversy of klotho as a potential biomarker in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Yu Li-Xia , Li Sha-Sha , Sha Min-Yue , Kong Jia-Wei , Ye Jian-Ming , Liu Qi-Feng
Published: September 2022

Klotho is an identified longevity gene with beneficial pleiotropic effects on the kidney. Evidence shows that a decline in serum Klotho level occurs in early chronic kidney disease (CKD) and continues as CKD progresses. Klotho deficiency is associated with poor clinical outcomes and CKD mineral bone disorders (CKD-MBD). Klotho has been postulated as a candidate biomarker in the evaluation of CKD. However, the evidence for the clinical significance of the relationship between Klotho and kidney function, CKD stage, adverse kidney and/or non-kidney outcomes, and CKD-MBD remains inconsistent and in some areas, contradictory. Therefore, there is uncertainty as to whether Klotho is a potential biomarker in CKD; a general consensus regarding the clinical significance of Klotho in CKD has not been reached, and there is limited evidence synthesis in this area. To address this, we have systematically assessed the areas of controversy, focusing on the inconsistencies in the evidence base. We used a PICOM strategy to search for relevant studies and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale scoring to evaluate included publications. We reviewed the inconsistent clinical findings based on the relationship of Klotho with CKD stage, kidney and/or non-kidney adverse outcomes, and CKD-MBD in human studies. Subsequently, we assessed the underlying sources of the controversies and highlighted future directions to resolve these inconsistencies and clarify whether Klotho has a role as a biomarker in clinical practice in CKD.
Therapeutic effects and mechanisms of plant-derived natural compounds against intestinal mucositis
Authors: Li Cailan , Xie Jianhui , Wang Jiahao , Cao Ying , Pu Min , Gong Qihai , Lu Qiang
Published: September 2022

Intestinal mucositis is a clinically related adverse reaction of antitumor treatment. Majority of patients receiving high-dose chemical therapy, radiotherapy, and bone-marrow transplant suffer from intestinal mucositis. Clinical manifestations of intestinal mucositis mainly include pain, body-weight reduction, inflammatory symptom, diarrhea, hemoproctia, and infection, which all affect regular nutritional input and enteric function. Intestinal mucositis often influences adherence to antitumor treatment because it frequently restricts the sufferer’s capacity to tolerate treatment, thus resulting in schedule delay, interruption, or premature suspension. In certain circumstances, partial and general secondary infections are found, increasing the expenditures on medical care and hospitalization. Current methods of treating intestinal mucositis are provided, which do not always counteract this disorder. Against this background, novel therapeutical measures are extremely required to prevent and treat intestinal mucositis. Plant-derived natural compounds have lately become potential candidates against enteric injury ascribed to the capacity to facilitate mucosal healing and anti-inflammatory effects. These roles are associated with the improvement of intestinal mucosal barrier, suppression of inflammatory response and oxidant stress, and modulation of gut microflora and immune system. The present article aims at systematically discussing the recent progress of plant-derived natural compounds as promising treatments for intestinal mucositis.
A novel small molecule RK-019 inhibits FGFR2-amplification gastric cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Zeng Jun , Ran Kai , Li Xinyue , Tao Longyue , Wang Qiwei , Ren Jiangtao , Hu Rong , Zhu Yongxia , Liu Zhihao , Yu Luoting
Published: September 2022

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most malignant cancers and is estimated to be fifth in incidence ratio and the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Despite advances in GC treatment, poor prognosis and low survival rate necessitate the development of novel treatment options. Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) have been suggested to be potential targets for GC treatment. In this study, we report a novel selective FGFR inhibitor, RK-019, with a pyrido [1, 2-a] pyrimidinone skeleton. In vitro, RK-019 showed excellent FGFR1-4 inhibitory activities and strong anti-proliferative effects against FGFR2-amplification (FGFR2-amp) GC cells, including SNU-16 and KATO III cells. Treatment with RK-019 suppressed phosphorylation of FGFR and its downstream pathway proteins, such as FRS2, PLCγ, AKT, and Erk, resulting in cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, daily oral administration of RK-019 could attenuate tumor xenograft growth with no adverse effects. Here, we reported a novel specific FGFR inhibitor, RK-019, with potent anti-FGFR2-amp GC activity both in vitro and in vivo.
Body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness in overweight or obese people post COVID-19: A comparative study
Authors: Lemos Maurício Medeiros , Cavalini Gustavo Rocha , Pugliese Henrique Carlos Renato , Perli Victor Augusto Santos , de Moraes Marchiori Glória , Marchiori Luciana Lozza de Moraes , Sordi Ana Flávia , Franzói de Moraes Solange Marta , de Paula Ramos Solange , Valdés-Badilla Pablo , Mota Jorge , Magnani Branco Braulio Henrique
Published: September 2022

The present study aimed to evaluate the body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness of overweight or obese people after COVID-19. 171 volunteers of both sexes (men, n = 93 and women, n = 78) between 19 and 65 years old were allocated into three groups according to the severity of their symptoms of COVID-19: non-hospitalized people/mild symptoms (n = 61), hospitalized (n = 58), and hospitalized in an intensive care unit-ICU (n = 52). Two laboratory visits were carried out 24 h apart. First, a medical consultation was carried out, with subsequent measurement of body weight and height (calculation of body mass index) and body composition assessment via electrical bioimpedance. After 24 h, a cardiorespiratory test was performed using the Bruce protocol, with a direct gas exchange analysis. Hospitalized individuals had significantly higher values for fat mass and body fat percentage than non-hospitalized individuals (p < 0.05). Significantly higher values were found for heart rate (HR) and peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) for individuals who were not hospitalized when compared to those hospitalized in the ICU (p < 0.05). Significantly higher values for distance, ventilation, and the relationship between respiratory quotient were found for non-hospitalized individuals compared to hospitalized individuals and those in the ICU (p < 0.05). After the cardiorespiratory test, higher values for peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) were observed for non-hospitalized individuals than for all hospitalized individuals (p < 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher at the tenth and fifteenth minute post-Bruce test in hospitalized than in non-hospitalized participants (p < 0.05). Based on these results, proposals for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation are indispensable for hospitalized groups considering the responses of blood pressure. Monitoring HR, SpO2, and blood pressure are necessary during rehabilitation to avoid possible physical complications. Volume and intensity of exercise prescription should respect the physiologic adaptation. Given lower physical conditioning among all the groups, proposals for recovering from health conditions are urgent and indispensable for COVID-19 survivors.
Importance of species traits on individual-based seed dispersal networks and dispersal distance for endangered trees in a fragmented forest
Authors: Li Ning , Yang Xifu , Ren Yuanhao , Wang Zheng
Published: September 2022

Although mutualistic network analyses have sparked a renewed interest in the patterns and drivers of network structures within communities, few studies have explored structural patterns within populations. In an endangered tree species population, plant individuals share their bird seed dispersers; however, the factors affecting individual interaction patterns are poorly understood. In this study, four individual-based networks were built for the endangered Chinese yew, Taxus chinensis, in a fragmented forest based on bird foraging type (swallowing and pecking networks) and habitat type (networks in a bamboo patch and an evergreen broad-leaved forest patch). Species-level network metrics (species degree and specialization, d’) were used to evaluate the effects of species traits (bird and plant traits) on species-level networks and dispersal distance for T. chinensis. It was revealed that the interaction networks between T. chinensis individuals and their bird partners were influenced by foraging type and the habitat of plant distribution. Compared to the other two networks, bird swallowing and bird–fruit networks in the evergreen broad-leaved patch habitat had higher nestedness and connectance but lower modules and specialization. Bird (body weight and wing and bill lengths) and plant traits (height, crop size, and cover) significantly affected species-level network metrics such as degree and specialization. Furthermore, seed dispersal distance was influenced by species traits and the species-level metrics of fruit–bird interaction networks. These results provide new insights into individual-based seed dispersal mutualistic networks of endangered plant species under habitat fragmentation. Moreover, these findings have relevant implications for conserving and managing individual endangered trees in increasingly disturbed ecosystems.
Crop resilience via inter-plant spacing brings to the fore the productive ideotype
Authors: Tokatlidis Ioannis
Published: September 2022

Natural selection favors the competitive ideotype, enabling native plants to survive in the face of intense competition. The productive ideotype is the goal of artificial selection to achieve high crop yields via the efficient use of resources in a self-competition regime. When breeding is established under inter-genotypic competition, the competitive ideotype dominates and may fictitiously become selectable. The productive ideotype becomes selectable at the nil-competition regime, where widely spaced individuals prevent plant-to-plant interference for any input. Principal reasons bring to the fore the productive ideotype that combines low competitiveness and improved plant yield efficiency. Crop spacing via the productive ideotype is mandated to alleviate the varying optimum density and ensure efficient use of resources inter-seasonally, cope with intra-field variation and optimize resource use, compensate for missing plants and promote stability, counteract unpredictable stresses and offer a buffer against environmental diversity, and adopt low-input agriculture to conserve natural resources and the environment. For breeding toward the productive ideotype, nil-competition is the due condition to overcome the confounding effects of competition, maximize phenotypic differentiation and facilitate selection from an early segregating generation, optimize heritability due to moderated environmental variance and experimental designs that sample spatial heterogeneity, apply high selection pressure focusing exclusively on the targeted genotype, and avoid the risk of bias selection or loss of desired genotypes due to proximity to empty hills. The view of a modern crop variety composed of genotype(s) belonging to the productive ideotype is a viable option to reach crop resilience serving sustainability in enormously fluctuating agroecosystems.
Efficient shoot regeneration of medicinal plant Haplophyllum tuberculatum by direct and indirect organogenesis and genetic fidelity assessment using Inter Simple Sequence Repeats markers
Authors: Alsafran Mohammed , Wickramanayake Kokila , Usman Kamal , Ahmed Talaat
Published: September 2022

In vitro plant cell and tissue cultures are potent tools to propagating germplasm resources in conserving and managing plant genetic resources. A reliable micropropagation protocol was developed for efficient callus proliferation and direct and indirect shoot regeneration of Meseika (Haplophyllum tuberculatum). With the applied sterilization procedure, immature, unopened H. tuberculatum seed pods can be identified as a potent explant with high viability and low contamination percentage. Multiple shoots were regenerated from leaf and stem explants through direct organogenesis on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) + 3% sucrose medium amended with BAP. Indirect regeneration of several shoots was achieved on 1/2 MS + 1% sucrose media amended with 2 and 4 mg/l BAP. An efficient callus proliferation from both explants can be achieved by supplementing the MS media with NAA and BAP. All the cultures were incubated in a controlled growth chamber under 5/19 h light/dark photoperiod, temperature (25 ± 2°C), and 60% relative humidity (RH).10 ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeat) markers were screened to test the genetic fidelity of regenerated H. tuberculatum shoots. Callus development was observed after 15 days and shoot regeneration was occurred after 30 days after callus initiation. 10 ISSR primers produced a total of 39 clear, distinct amplicons. 75, 60, 40, and 16% polymorphism percentages were recorded by the ISSR primer 11, 7, 5, and 4, respectively. The developed micropropagation protocol is appropriate for rapid in-vitro multiplication of H. tuberculatum shoots and callus.
Implications for balance in 11- and 12-year-old children in northern Spain during SARS-CoV-2 lockdown
Authors: Ramos-Álvarez Oliver , Arufe-Giráldez Víctor , Sanmiguel-Rodríguez Alberto , Navarro-Patón Rubén
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The home lockdown due to the appearance of SARS-CoV-2 in Spanish society led to changes in certain habits in children and adolescents. These habits were related to the practice of physical activity and the implications of higher rates of sedentary activities. This lockdown lasted from March to June 2020. The aim of this study was to determine the implication that lockdown in Spain due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus outbreak had on balance in 11–12 year-old schoolchildren.

Materials and methods

In total, 50 Spanish children aged 11–12 years (M = 11.40, SD = 0.50) participated, 33 (66%) boys and 17 (34%) girls. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2 (Movement ABC-2) and an ad hoc questionnaire for sociodemographic data and other relevant information were used for the three data collections.

Results

There are significant differences (p < 0.05) in the results for balance variables measured by static balance tests on supports in the total sample, in boys and girls. There are also significant differences in the total sample as well as in the boys in the heel-toe backward walking test. In addition, there are significant differences in mean, scalar and percentile dimension scores for balance between before and after lockdown in both boys and girls. No significant differences were found in the total sample or by gender in measurements related to the zigzag jumping test with dominant as well as non-dominant leg in girls (p = 0.317).

Conclusion

As a consequence of SARS-CoV-2 confinement, there was a worsening of balance values in children aged 11–12 years.
K–12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math characteristics and recommendations based on analyses of teaching cases in China
Authors: Zheng Yunxiang , Liu Panpan , Yang Xinru , Guo Yidong , Qiu Xinxin , Jin Xiunan , Luo Xianfei , Zheng Tianxiang
Published: September 2022

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education emphasizes solving problems in authentic contexts and developing 21st-century skills. It also helps to cultivate individuals possessing scientific curiosity and innovative abilities. These capacities align with China’s core literacy training. Recent years have seen K–12 STEM cases flourish nationally. However, little attention has been paid to the shared characteristics of these practices, and suggestions for implementing STEM in primary and secondary schools are scarce. This paper presents commonalities in STEM practices within China from a curriculum perspective and offers recommendations for implementation based on these attributes. Specifically, this study first constructed analytical metricsviathe Delphi method to assess STEM cases. Next, 51 typical STEM teaching cases in different regions of China were analyzed using these metrics. Based upon the statistical results, five characteristics of STEM cases were summarized: China’s STEM education has an unbalanced geographical distribution; current practices benchmark the need for innovative talent training; most instructional content is drawn from real-world problems, but interdisciplinary integration deserves closer focus; the cases featured rich teaching activities and were conducted in a project-based learning fashion with insufficient emphasis on mathematical applications; and China seems to be holistically promoting STEM education, especially through new technologies and supplementary materials. Findings should allow instructors to better understand the intricacies of STEM implementation and to promote successful STEM cases. Recommendations are also provided to optimize the localization of STEM education in China in order to cultivate innovative and interdisciplinary talent.
Helicopter parenting during emerging adulthood: Consequences for career identity and adaptability
Authors: LeBlanc Joshua E. , Lyons Sean T.
Published: September 2022

This study explores the relationship between parental over involvement and the career development of emerging adults. Specifically, it investigates how emerging adults’ career meta competencies of vocational identity formation and career adaptability relate to perceived helicopter parenting. Participants included 491 emerging adults studying in a Canadian University (74.1% female, average age = 20.4 years old). We begin by reviewing the commonalities between helicopter parenting and other parenting constructs and styles. Next, using structural equation modeling, we explore the relationships between perceived helicopter parenting and the components of vocational identity (exploration: in depth exploration, in breadth; commitment: career commitment, identification with commitment; and reconsideration: career self doubt, career flexibility) and career adaptability, as well as the relationships between identity components and career adaptability. Third, we explore the association between perceived helicopter parenting and identity status progress (i.e., achievement, foreclosure, moratorium, undifferentiated, and searching moratorium). Results indicate that individuals reporting higher levels of perceived helicopter parenting experience significantly lower levels of career adaptability and in-depth exploration. Furthermore, these individuals report higher levels of career self doubt and are more likely to be in the vocational identity status of searching moratorium. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.