bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
miRNome Profiling Reveals Shared Features in Breast Cancer Subtypes and Highlights miRNAs That Potentially Regulate MYB and EZH2 Expression
Authors: Corrêa Stephany , Lopes Francisco P. , Panis Carolina , Basili Thais , Binato Renata , Abdelhay Eliana
Published: September 2021

Breast cancer (BC) has been extensively studied, as it is one of the more commonly diagnosed cancer types worldwide. The study of miRNAs has increased what is known about the complexity of pathways and signaling and has identified potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Thus, miRNome profiling could provide important information regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in BC. On average, more than 430 miRNAs were identified as differentially expressed between BC cell lines and normal breast HMEC cells. From these, 110 miRNAs were common to BC subtypes. The miRNome enrichment analysis and interaction maps highlighted epigenetic-related pathways shared by all BC cell lines and revealed potential miRNA targets. Quantitative evaluation of BC patient samples and GETx/TCGA-BRCA datasets confirmed MYB and EZH2 as potential targets from BC miRNome. Moreover, overall survival was impacted by EZH2 expression. The expression of 15 miRNAs, selected according to aggressiveness of BC subtypes, was confirmed in TCGA-BRCA dataset. Of these miRNAs, miRNA-mRNA interaction prediction revealed 7 novel or underexplored miRNAs in BC: miR-1271-5p, miR-130a-5p, and miR-134 as MYB regulators and miR-138-5p, miR-455-3p, miR-487a, and miR-487b as EZH2 regulators. Herein, we report a novel molecular miRNA signature for BC and identify potential miRNA/mRNAs involved in disease subtypes.
Case Report: Systemic Treatment and Serial Genomic Sequencing of Metastatic Prostate Adenocarcinoma Progressing to Small Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Lu XiaoJun , Gao Wenwen , Zhang Yu , Wang Tao , Gao Hongliang , Chen Qing , Shi Xiaolei , Lian Bijun , Zhang Wenhui , Gao Xu , Li Jing
Published: September 2021

Small cell carcinoma (SCC)/neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is a rare and highly aggressive subtype of prostate cancer associated with an AR(androgen receptor)-null phenotype and visceral metastases. This study presents a 44-year-old man originally diagnosed with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostatic adenocarcinoma. After 6-month androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) combined with docetaxel, the patient developed paraplegia. Laminectomy was performed, and a thoracic vertebral biopsy revealed neuroendocrine differentiation and mixed adenocarcinoma. The patient developed liver metastases and experienced stable disease for 4 months following etoposide combined with cisplatin and pembrolizumab. Seminal vesicle biopsy after chemotherapy revealed small-cell cancer. The prostate biopsy specimen also indicated pure SCC. We witnessed the dynamic evolution from pure adenocarcinoma to fully differentiated SCC, leading to obstruction and death. In addition, whole-exome sequencing was performed on both biopsy specimens of the thoracic vertebra at the beginning of castration resistance and that of seminal vesicle after multiple lines of treatment failure. Utilizing phylogenetic reconstruction, we observed that both samples shared a common ancestor clone harboring aberrations in the TP53, RB1, and NF2 genes. We also discovered that driver events in the private subclones of both samples, such as alterations in CDC27 and RUNX1, might have played a significant role in tumor progression or even neuroendocrine differentiation. Tumor biopsy and IHC assessment must be repeated at different stages of progression, because of intrapatient spatial and temporal heterogeneity of adenocarcinoma versus SCC/NEPC. Although, typical treatments including ADT, docetaxel, etoposide, cisplatin, and pembrolizumab provided temporary response, the patient still had a poor prognosis.
Exosomes: A New Pathway for Cancer Drug Resistance
Authors: Zhong Yunbin , Li Haibo , Li Peiwen , Chen Yong , Zhang Mengyao , Yuan Zhendong , Zhang Yufang , Xu Zhijie , Luo Geng , Fang Yuan , Li Xu
Published: September 2021

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles (EVs) that are secreted into body fluids by multiple cell types and are enriched in bioactive molecules, although their exact contents depend on the cells of origin. Studies have shown that exosomes in the tumor microenvironment affect tumor growth, metastasis and drug resistance by mediating intercellular communication and the transport of specific molecules, although their exact mechanisms of action need to be investigated further. In this review, we have summarized current knowledge on the relationship between tumor drug resistance and exosomes, and have discussed the potential applications of exosomes as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Decreased CD8+ Lymphocytic Infiltration in Multifocal and Multicentric Glioblastomas
Authors: Wang Run , Song Yifu , Hu Tianhao , Wang Xiaoliang , Jiang Yang , Zhang Di , Yu Juanhan , Han Sheng , Kan Liang
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Multifocal and multicentric glioblastomas (mGBMs) are associated with a poorer prognosis compared to unifocal glioblastoma (uGBM). The presence of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is predictive of clinical outcomes in human malignancies. Here, we examined the CD8+ lymphocytic infiltration in mGBMs.

Methods

The clinical data of 57 consecutive IDH wildtype primary mGBM patients with histopathological diagnoses were retrospectively reviewed. CD8+ TILs were quantitatively evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. The survival function of CD8+ TILs was assessed by Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

No significant difference in the concentration of CD8+ TILs was observed among foci from the same patient (P>0.150). The presence of CD8+ TILs was similar between multifocal and multicentric GBMs (P=0.885). The concentration of CD8+ TILs was significantly lower in mGBMs than in uGBMs (P=0.002). In mGBM patients, the CD8+ TIL level was associated with preoperative KPS (P=0.018). The median overall survival (OS) of the 57 mGBMs was 9 months. A low CD8+ TIL level (multivariate HR 4.404, 95% CI 1.954-9.926, P=0.0004) was an independent predictor of poor OS, while postoperative temozolomide chemotherapy (multivariate HR 6.076, 95% CI 2.330-15.842, P=0.0002) was independently associated with prolonged OS in mGBMs.

Conclusions

Decreased CD8+ TIL levels potentially correlate with unfavorable clinical outcome in mGBMs, suggesting an influence of the local immuno-microenvironment on the progression of mGBMs.
Evolution of Intestinal Gases and Fecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids Produced in vitro by Preterm Infant Gut Microbiota During the First 4 Weeks of Life
Authors: Wang Xuefang , Li Juan , Li Na , Guan Kunyu , Yin Di , Zhang Huating , Ding Guodong , Hu Yong
Published: September 2021

Background: The production of intestinal gases and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by infant gut microbiota may have a significant impact on their health, but information about the composition and volume of intestinal gases and SCFA profiles in preterm infants is scarce.

Objective: This study examined the change of the composition and volume of intestinal gases and SCFA profiles produced by preterm infant gut microbiota in vitro during the first 4 weeks of life.

Methods: Fecal samples were obtained at five time points (within 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks) from 19 preterm infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University between May and July 2020. These samples were initially inoculated into four different media containing lactose (LAT), fructooligosaccharide (FOS), 2′-fucosyllactose (FL-2), and galactooligosaccharide (GOS) and thereafter fermented for 24 h under conditions mimicking those of the large intestine at 37.8°C under anaerobic conditions. The volume of total intestinal gases and the concentrations of individual carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen (H2), methane (CH4), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) were measured by a gas analyzer. The concentrations of total SCFAs, individual acetic acid, propanoic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, pentanoic acid, and valeric acid were measured by gas chromatography (GC).

Results: The total volume of intestinal gases (ranging from 0.01 to 1.64 ml in medium with LAT; 0–1.42 ml with GOS; 0–0.91 ml with FOS; and 0–0.44 ml with FL-2) and the concentrations of CO2, H2, H2S, and all six fecal SCFAs increased with age (p-trends < 0.05). Among them, CO2 was usually the predominant intestinal gas, and acetic acid was usually the predominant SCFA. When stratified by birth weight (<1,500 and ≥1,500 g), gender, and delivery mode, the concentration of CO2 was more pronounced among infants whose weight was ≥1,500 g than among those whose weight was <1,500 g (p-trends < 0.05).

Conclusions: Our findings suggested that the intestinal gases and SCFAs produced by preterm infant gut microbiota in vitro increased with age during the first 4 weeks of life.
Peregrine Soliton as a Limiting Behavior of the Kuznetsov-Ma and Akhmediev Breathers
Authors: Karjanto Natanael
Published: September 2021

This article discusses a limiting behavior of breather solutions of the focusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation. These breathers belong to the family of solitons on a non-vanishing and constant background, where the continuous-wave envelope serves as a pedestal. The rational Peregrine soliton acts as a limiting behavior of the other two breather solitons, i.e., the Kuznetsov-Ma breather and Akhmediev soliton. Albeit with a phase shift, the latter becomes a nonlinear extension of the homoclinic orbit waveform corresponding to an unstable mode in the modulational instability phenomenon. All breathers are prototypes for rogue waves in nonlinear and dispersive media. We present a rigorous proof using the ϵ-δ argument and show the corresponding visualization for this limiting behavior.
Larval Zebrafish Exhibit Collective Circulation in Confined Spaces
Authors: Zaki Haider , Lushi Enkeleida , Severi Kristen E.
Published: September 2021

Collective behavior may be elicited or can spontaneously emerge by a combination of interactions with the physical environment and conspecifics moving within that environment. To investigate the relative contributions of these factors in a small millimeter-scale swimming organism, we observed larval zebrafish, interacting at varying densities under circular confinement. If left undisturbed, larval zebrafish swim intermittently in a burst and coast manner and are socially independent at this developmental stage, before shoaling behavioral onset. Our aim was to explore the behavior these larvae as they swim together inside circular confinements. We report here our analysis of a new observation for this well-studied species: in circular confinement and at sufficiently high densities, the larvae collectively circle rapidly alongside the boundary. This is a new physical example of self-organization of mesoscale living active matter driven by boundaries and environment geometry. We believe this is a step forward toward using a prominent biological model system in a new interdisciplinary context to advance knowledge of the physics of social interactions.
A New Criterion Beyond Divergence for Determining the Dissipation of a System: Dissipative Power
Authors: Gan Xiaoliang , Wang Haoyu , Yuan Ruoshi , Ao Ping
Published: September 2021

Divergence is usually used to determine the dissipation of a dynamical system, but some researchers have noticed that it can lead to elusive contradictions. In this article, a criterion, dissipative power, beyond divergence for judging the dissipation of a system is presented, which is based on the knowledge of classical mechanics and a novel dynamic structure by Ao. Moreover, the relationship between the dissipative power and potential function (or called Lyapunov function) is derived, which reveals a very interesting, important, and apparently new feature in dynamical systems: to classify dynamics into dissipative or conservative according to the change of “energy function” or “Hamiltonian,” not according to the change of phase space volume. We start with two simple examples corresponding to two types of attractors in planar dynamical systems: fixed points and limit cycles. In judging the dissipation by divergence, these two systems have both the elusive contradictions pointed by researchers and new ones noticed by us. Then, we analyze and compare these two criteria in these two examples, further consider the planar linear systems with the coefficient matrices being the four types of Jordan’s normal form, and find that the dissipative power works when divergence exhibits contradiction. Moreover, we also consider another nonlinear system to analyze and compare these two criteria. Finally, the obtained relationship between the dissipative power and the Lyapunov function provides a reasonable way to explain why some researchers think that the Lyapunov function does not coexist with the limit cycle. Those results may provide a deeper understanding of the dissipation of dynamical systems.
Responses of Root Endophytes to Phosphorus Availability in Peach Rootstocks With Contrasting Phosphorus-Use Efficiencies
Authors: Zhang Yu , Liu Xin , Guo Jiying , Zhao Jianbo , Wang Shangde , Zheng Zhiqin , Jiang Quan , Ren Fei
Published: September 2021

Phosphorus (P) is an important macronutrient for all lives, but it is also a finite resource. Therefore, it is important to understand how to increase the P availability and plant uptake. The endophytes can help host plants to improve P uptake and will be apparently affected by plant genotypes. To investigate the mechanism of root endophytes in promoting P uptake of peach rootstocks, we analyzed the variations of the root endophytic fungal and bacterial communities of peach rootstocks with different P efficiencies under high or low level of P addition. Results showed that Proteobacteria was the dominant bacterial phylum in the roots of all rootstocks under the two levels of P addition. At low P level, the abundance of Actinoplanes in phosphorus-inefficiency root system was apparently higher than that at high P level. Actinoplanes produced important secondary metabolites, improving the stress resistance of plants. Under high P condition, the abundance of Ferrovibrio was higher in Qing Zhou Mi Tao than in Du Shi. Fe oxides considerably reduced the availability of applied P, which partially explained why the P utilization in Qing Zhou Mi Tao is inefficient. Further, Ascomycota was the dominant fungal phylum in the roots of all rootstocks under different levels of P addition. The fungi community of roots varied in different rootstocks at each P level, but was similar for the same rootstock at different P levels, which indicated that genotype had a greater effect than P addition on the fungal community of peach rootstocks.
Impact of Specific N-Glycan Modifications on the Use of Plant-Produced SARS-CoV-2 Antigens in Serological Assays
Authors: Schwestka Jennifer , König-Beihammer Julia , Shin Yun-Ji , Vavra Ulrike , Kienzl Nikolaus F. , Grünwald-Gruber Clemens , Maresch Daniel , Klausberger Miriam , Laurent Elisabeth , Stadler Maria , Manhart Gabriele , Huber Jasmin , Hofner Manuela , Vierlinger Klemens , Weinhäusel Andreas , Swoboda Ines , Binder Christoph J. , Gerner Wilhelm , Grebien Florian , Altmann Friedrich , Mach Lukas , Stöger Eva , Strasser Richard
Published: September 2021

The receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein plays a key role in the virus-host cell interaction, and viral infection. The RBD is a major target for neutralizing antibodies, whilst recombinant RBD is commonly used as an antigen in serological assays. Such assays are essential tools to gain control over the pandemic and detect the extent and durability of an immune response in infected or vaccinated populations. Transient expression in plants can contribute to the fast production of viral antigens, which are required by industry in high amounts. Whilst plant-produced RBDs are glycosylated, N-glycan modifications in plants differ from humans. This can give rise to the formation of carbohydrate epitopes that can be recognized by anti-carbohydrate antibodies present in human sera. For the performance of serological tests using plant-produced recombinant viral antigens, such cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs) could result in false positives. Here, we transiently expressed an RBD variant in wild-type and glycoengineered Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and characterized the impact of different plant-specific N-glycans on RBD reactivity in serological assays. While the overall performance of the different RBD glycoforms was comparable to each other and to a human cell line produced RBD, there was a higher tendency toward false positive results with sera containing allergy-related CCD-antibodies when an RBD carrying β1,2-xylose and core α1,3-fucose was used. These rare events could be further minimized by pre-incubating sera from allergic individuals with a CCD-inhibitor. Thereby, false positive signals obtained from anti-CCD antibodies, could be reduced by 90%, on average.
Temporal Leadership and Bootlegging Behavior of Employees: The Mediating Effect of Self-Efficacy
Authors: Li Mingze , Ye Huili
Published: September 2021

As an important source of innovation, bootlegging is widespread in organizations. However, a lack of understanding exists in its antecedents. Based on the social cognition theory, this study aims to explore when and how temporal leadership (TL) leads to bootlegging behaviors (BOs) of employees, with self-efficacy (SE) as a mediator and perceived team efficacy (TE) as a moderator. We conducted a two-stage questionnaire survey and collected data from 231 employees from four companies located in Wuhan, P.R. China. SPSS and Mplus are used for testing our model, and the results are shown as following: TL positively affects the BO of employees. Besides, SE plays a mediating role in the relationship between TL and bootlegging, and perceived TE has a moderating effect between TL and SE. Also, perceived TE moderated the indirect effect of TL on bootlegging via SE. This study identifies the internal mechanism between time management and bootlegging, which provides an instructive view for further study on organizational innovation management. Theoretical contrition and practical implication have been discussed in this study.
Assessing Without Words: Verbally Incomplete Utterances in Complaints
Authors: Skogmyr Marian Klara
Published: September 2021

This study investigates the use of verbally incomplete utterances in French-language complaints about third parties or situations. In these cases, a speaker initiates a turn with verbal means but stops talking before reaching lexico-syntactic completion. The utterance becomes recognizable as an expression of negative stance or as a precise negative assessment by virtue of the linguistic formatting of the turn-initiation, its position within the larger interactional context, and the speaker’s accompanying bodily-visual displays and vocalizations. Data consist of video-recorded coffee-break conversations among first and second language speakers of French. Using multimodal Conversation Analysis, the analysis documents recurrent linguistic formats of the verbally incomplete utterances and examines the interactional deployment of the utterances in two distinct sequential contexts: (1) in the initiation of complaints, and (2) at the end of complaint tellings or reports. In the first of these, the action of leaving a turn verbally incomplete and expressing stance with bodily-visual means allows the speaker to prepare the grounds for the complaint by foreshadowing the negative valence of the upcoming talk. In the latter case, the verbally incomplete utterance and accompanying vocal and/or embodied conduct are deployed as a summary assessment or upshot of the complaint which shows, rather than merely describes, the complaint-worthiness of the situation. In both cases, the utterances work to enhance the chances for the speaker to obtain affiliative responses from coparticipants. While prior studies on verbally incomplete utterances have suggested that such utterances may be specifically suitable for subtly dealing with delicate actions, in this study the utterances are sometimes produced as part of multimodal ‘extreme-case expressions’ that convey negative stance in a high-grade manner. The findings contribute to a better understanding of interactional uses of verbally incomplete utterances and of the multimodal nature of negative assessments. The study thereby furthers our understanding of how grammar and the body interface as resources for the accomplishment of context-specific actions and the organization of social interaction.
Threshold Effect of Foreign Direct Investment and Carbon Emissions Performance From the Perspective of Marketization Level: Implications for the Green Economy
Authors: Hu Hao , Wang Haiyan , Zhao Shuang , Xi Xun , Li Lan , Shi Xiaojiao , Lu Yingzi , Yu Jianping , Liu Xiaoxiao , Li Jun , Zhou Haiyan
Published: September 2021

Exploring the path and mechanism of marketization level in the effect of foreign direct investment (FDI) on carbon emission performance will help to maximize the stimulation effect of foreign investment on green and low-carbon development. This study used the panel data of 11 provinces and cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2008 to 2016. A panel threshold model is constructed to explore the non-linear relationship between FDI and carbon emissions performance from the perspective of marketization level. The main conclusions are as follows: First, from the perspective of marketization level, a significant double threshold effect exists between foreign participation and carbon emission intensity, with threshold values of 4.4701 and 9.2516 respectively. Second, as the marketization level increases, the technology spillover effect of FDI increases, and the stimulation effect of foreign participation on carbon intensity decreases significantly, but it does not inhibit carbon intensity, indicating that the overall benefits brought by FDI technology spillovers are still insufficient to offset pollution caused by foreign investment. Third, the eastern region of the Yangtze River Economic Belt has crossed the second threshold. In the central and western regions, the marketization process is relatively slow except for Chongqing, and the regions are still firmly stuck between the first and second thresholds. In response to the conclusions of the empirical research, relevant policy suggestions are put forward from three dimensions, namely, the strategy of introducing foreign investment, construction of the marketization system, and environmental regulation, to achieve low-carbon and green development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.
Reliability Generalization Study of the Person-Centered Care Assessment Tool
Authors: Bru-Luna Lluna María , Martí-Vilar Manuel , Merino-Soto César , Livia José
Published: September 2021

The so-called Person-Centered Care (PCC) model identifies three fundamental principles: changing the focus of attention from the disease to the person, individualizing care, and promoting empowerment. The Person-Centered Care Assessment Tool (P-CAT) has gained wide acceptance as a measure of PCC in recent years due to its brevity and simplicity, as well as its ease of application and interpretation. The objective of this study is to carry out a reliability generalization meta-analysis to estimate the internal consistency of the P-CAT and analyze possible factors that may affect it, such as the year of publication, the care context, the application method, and certain sociodemographic properties of the study sample. The mean value of α for the 25 samples of the 23 studies in the meta-analysis was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.79–0.84), with high heterogeneity (squared-I = 85.83%). The only variable that had a statistically significant relationship with the reliability coefficient was the mean age of the sample. The results show that the P-CAT gives acceptably consistent scores when its use is oriented toward the description and investigation of groups, although it may be affected by variables such as the age of participants.
The Contribution of Executive Functions When Reading Multiple Texts: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Tarchi Christian , Ruffini Costanza , Pecini Chiara
Published: September 2021

In the present-day knowledge society, people need to critically comprehend information across multiple sources that express diverse and contradictory viewpoints. Due to the complexity associated with this process, an important role can be played by Executive Functions, that is, cognitive control processes used to regulate mental functioning and behavior when automatized elaborations are not sufficient. The aim of this article is to review existing research on the roles of executive functions when reading from multiple texts. To identify the appropriate studies, we conducted a search in the following databases: Web of science, Scopus, PsycInfo, Eric. The search string was created by combining the terms used in past literature reviews on executive functions and multiple-texts comprehension. From the total number of 4,877 records identified, seven articles met all the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Given the scarcity of studies on the topic, we decided to examine also eight articles reporting indirect evidence about the association between executive functions and multiple-text comprehension. Our review revealed that the study of the association between executive functions and multiple-texts comprehension is underdeveloped. The results seem to suggest that working memory is involved in surface comprehension, whereas results about sourcing and intertextual integration processes are mixed. Indirect evidence suggests that other executive functions, such as planning or monitoring, may be involved when learning from multiple texts. More research on this topic is needed given the increasing complexity of the contexts in which reading activities take place.
Personality and Its Partisan Political Correlates Predict U.S. State Differences in Covid-19 Policies and Mask Wearing Percentages
Authors: Heyman Gene M.
Published: September 2021

A central feature of the Covid-19 pandemic is state differences. Some state Governors closed all but essential businesses, others did not. In some states, most of the population wore face coverings when in public; in other states, <50% wore face coverings. According to journalists, these differences were symptomatic of a politically polarized America. The Big 5 personality factors also cluster at the state level. For example, residents of Utah score high on Conscientiousness and low on Neuroticism, whereas residents of Massachusetts and Connecticut show the opposite pattern. In state-level regressions that controlled for partisan political allegiances, Conscientiousness was a significant (negative) predictor of the stringency of state Covid-19 restrictions, whereas Openness was a significant (positive) predictor of mask wearing. A number of the predictors were strongly correlated with each other. For example, the correlation coefficient linking Openness with the percentage of Democratic state legislators was r = 0.53. Commonality regression partitions the explained variance between the amount that is unique to each predictor and the amount that is shared among subsets of correlated predictors. This approach revealed that the common variance shared by Conscientiousness, Openness and partisan politics accounted for 34% of the state differences in Covid-19 policy and 35% of the state differences in mask wearing. The results reflect the importance of personality in how Americans have responded to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Refining the Assessment of Entitlement in Romantic Relationships: The Sense of Relational Entitlement Scale—Revised (SRE-R)
Authors: Tolmacz Rami , Lev-Ari Lilac , Bachner-Melman Rachel
Published: September 2021

Objective: A subjective sense of entitlement is strongly evoked in the context of romantic relationships. A pathological sense of entitlement results from believing a partner should fulfill all one’s needs and wishes (inflated) or that the expression of genuine needs is illegitimate (restricted). This study aimed to validate a revised, improved version of the Sense of Relational Entitlement scale entitled the Sense of Relational Entitlement scale—Revised (SRE-R). We hypothesized it would have good factor structure and convergent validity, and that attachment dimensions and relationship indices would predict both inflated and restricted subscales.

Method: The SRE-R was completed by 854 Israeli adults (8.3% males) aged 31.94 ± 8.02. A subset (n = 629) also completed measures of attachment (ECR-S) and 447 completed measures of relational authenticity, pathological concern, and relational obsessions and compulsions.

Results: CFA confirmed two factors, inflated and restricted sense of relational entitlement. Relational obsessive-compulsive symptoms and pathological concern predicted an inflated sense of entitlement, and attachment avoidance, pathological concern, and authenticity in relationships predicted a restricted sense of entitlement.

Discussion: The SRE-R is a valid and useful tool to assess sense of entitlement in romantic relationships and should be examined in diverse samples and cultures.
Physician Aid in Dying for Dementia: The Problem With the Early vs. Late Disease Stage Distinction
Authors: Nicolini Marie Elisabeth
Published: September 2021

Background:Physician aid in dying (PAD) based on dementia is a contentious, highly debated topic. Several countries are considering extending their existing laws to include requests in incompetent patients based on a previously written advance directive. Discussions about this issue often invoke a distinction based on disease stage. The Dutch practice uses this distinction in classifications of dementia PAD cases and in guidance for clinicians. This paper explores the problem with this distinction for assessments of persons at the margins of competence.

The Problem:Dutch guidance for clinicians uses an early vs. late-stage disease distinction to refer to requests from competent and incompetent persons. However, the use of disease stages is problematic, both conceptually and empirically. Conceptually, because it goes against very functional model of competence that guidance recognizes. Empirically, because it creates problems for classifying and evaluating patients at the margins of competence.

Possible Ways Forward:Classification of cases and guidance should be based on competence, not disease stage. This requires rethinking decision-making for patients with dementia. Several possibilities are described, ranging from redefining the scope and role of advance directives in this context to exploring different types of decision-making frameworks.
The Potential Benefits of Non-skills Training (Mental Toughness) for Elite Athletes: Coping With the Negative Psychological Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Dagnall Neil , Drinkwater Kenneth Graham , Denovan Andrew , Walsh R. Stephen
Published: September 2021

The spread of COVID-19 has had a significant impact on global sport. This is especially true at the elite level, where it has disrupted training and competition. Concomitantly, restrictions have disrupted long-term event planning. Many elite athletes remain unsure when major events will occur and worry about further interruptions. Although some athletes have successfully adapted to the demands of the COVID-19 crisis, many have experienced difficulties adjusting. This has resulted in psychological complications including increased stress, anxiety, and depression. This article critically examines the extent to which non-cognitive skills training, in the form of increased awareness of Mental Toughness, can help elite athletes inoculate against and cope with negative psychological effects arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Non-cognitive skills encompass intrapersonal (motivations, learning strategies, and self-regulation) and interpersonal (interactions with others) domains not directly affected by intellectual capacity. Previous research indicates that enhancement of these spheres can assist performance and enhance mental well-being. Moreover, it suggests that training in the form of increased awareness of Mental Toughness, can improve the ability to cope with COVID-19 related challenges. In this context, Mental Toughness encompasses a broad set of enabling attributes (i.e., inherent and evolved values, attitudes, emotions, and cognitions). Indeed, academics commonly regard Mental Toughness as a resistance resource that protects against stress. Accordingly, this article advocates the use of the 4/6Cs model of Mental Toughness (i.e., Challenge, Commitment, Control, and Confidence) to counter negative psychological effects arising from COVID-19.
Enabling Food Safety Entrepreneurship: Exploratory Case Studies From Nepal, Senegal, and Ethiopia
Authors: Varyvoda Yevheniia , Cederstrom Thoric , Borberg Jenna , Taren Douglas
Published: September 2021

Today, formal and informal enterprises are increasingly contributing to the safety and nutritional ramifications of their food business activities. Enabling entrepreneurship in a sustainable manner means making profits, striving to prevent ingress of harmful substances, and increasing the efficiency of using local natural resources and thus mitigating food hazardous footprints. Using examples from Nepal, Senegal and Ethiopia, this review provides information on microbial and chemical contamination and food adulteration that lead to having unsafe food in the market and on factors that are limiting growing food businesses. Four examples for how to accelerate food safety entrepreneurship are presented that include safely diversifying markets with animal sourced foods, sustainably using neglected and underutilized animal sources, expanding, and integrating innovative technologies with traditional practice and using digital technology to improving monitoring and safety along the food supply chain.
Three Dimensional Brain Reconstruction Optimizes Surgical Approaches and Medical Education in Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery for Refractory Epilepsy
Authors: Swaminathan Arun
Published: September 2021

Epilepsy is a prevalent condition that affects 1–3% of the population or about 50–65 million people worldwide (WHO estimates) and about 3.5 million people in the USA alone (CDC estimates). Refractory epilepsy refers to patients that respond inadequately to medical management alone (at least two anti-seizure medications at appropriate doses) and are appropriate candidates for other interventions such as brain surgery or the use of neurostimulators for their epilepsy. Minimally invasive techniques like stereotactic EEG electrodes offer excellent investigational abilities to study the diagnostic attributes of the seizure networks, while therapies like laser ablations and neurostimulators permit intervention and modulation of these networks to offer seizure control with minimal cognitive compromise and surgical morbidity. The accuracy of these techniques is highly contingent on precise anatomical correlation between the location of the electrodes and their proximity to relevant structures of the brain. Ensuring good anatomical correlation using 3-dimensional (3D) reconstructions would permit precise localization and accurate understanding of the seizure networks. Accurate localization of stereotactic electrodes would enable precise understanding of the electrical networks and identify vital nodes in the seizure network. These reconstructions would also permit better understanding of the proximity of these electrodes to each other and help confirm arrangement of neurostimulators to maximize modulatory effects on the networks. Such reconstructions would enable better understanding of neuroanatomy and connectivity to improve knowledge of brain structures and relations in neurological conditions. These methods would enable medical students and doctors-in-training to better their understanding of neurological disease and the necessary interventions.
The Use of Olive Leaves in Buža Olive Cultivar Oil Production: Exploring the Impact on Oil Yield and Chemical Composition
Authors: Novoselić Anja , Klisović Dora , Lukić Igor , Lukić Marina , Brkić Bubola Karolina
Published: September 2021

The effect of the addition of different amounts of olive leaf (1, 2.5, and 5%, m/m) during Buža olive cv. oil production on the quantitative production parameters, composition, and sensory characteristics of the obtained oils were investigated in this study. The addition of leaf during oil extraction increased oil yield and extractability index by 97% compared to the control oil. The addition of leaf during extraction increased the concentration of pigments in oils, and the oil positive sensory attributes intensities, such as fruitiness and green grass/leaf notes. The influence on oil phenolic composition was dependent on the amount of leaf added. When 1% leaf was added, most of the phenolic compounds were preserved, while the addition of leaf at 5% decreased the concentration of the majority of phenols, especially secoiridoids by 45% compared to the control oil. The addition of leaf slightly increased the concentration of fatty acid ethyl esters and waxes in the oils. The obtained results indicate that particular importance should be given to the amount of olive leaf present in olive paste during oil extraction, since it apparently can increase the extractability of oil, but can also have negative effects on phenolic composition when added in excess.
Summer Pasture in Mountainous Area Affects Milk Fatty Acid Profile of Dual-Purpose Cows
Authors: Niero Giovanni , Bobbo Tania , Callegaro Simone , Visentin Giulio , Pornaro Cristina , Cassandro Martino , Cozzi Giulio , De Marchi Massimo , Penasa Mauro
Published: September 2021

The change in feeding regime of dairy herds using summer grazing in mountainous areas has several implications on cows’ productivity and milk composition. The present study quantified the effect of summer grazing on the milk fatty acids (FA) profile of Simmental and crossbred cows in an alpine holding. A total of 616 milk samples of 71 cows were collected 3 days before the onset of the grazing season until 91 days of grazing. Individual and groups of FA were quantified through mid-infrared spectroscopy. Data were analysed using a linear mixed model including the fixed effects of breed, stage of lactation, parity, sampling period, and the random effects of cows nested within breed and the residual. The stage of lactation and the sampling period were the most significant factors associated with milk FA. The variance explained by the random cow effect ranged from 15.10% (C18:1) to 25.31% (medium-chain FA). The concentration of C14:0, C16:0, and short- and medium-chain FA decreased across the summer season. Long-chain FA and polyunsaturated FA concentrations were greater in milk obtained at pasture compared with milk obtained indoors. Given these outcomes, the present study demonstrated the positive effect of grazing on milk FA composition from a nutraceutical point of view.
Comparison of Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) under Ridge and Pot Production
Authors: Smrke Tina , Veberic Robert , Hudina Metka , Stamic Domen , Jakopic Jerneja
Published: September 2021

Due to the specific requirements for low soil pH, new production methods are being introduced for highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). Planting in pots has gained popularity in recent years due to the easier control of the substrate pH. This study was carried out on 2-year-old ‘Duke’, ‘Aurora’ and ‘Brigitta’ cultivar blueberry plants that were planted along a ridge or in pots. The substrate temperature reached higher values for the pots, while the substrate water content was higher for the ridge. In the ‘Duke’ and ‘Aurora’ plants, significantly higher sugar/organic acid ratios were obtained for fruit from the ridge. However, significantly higher fruit total phenolics content, greater plant volumes and lower yields per plant were obtained for ‘Aurora’ as potted plants compared to the ridge. The ‘Brigitta’ fruit harvested from potted plants had significantly higher total organic acid content; however, no significant difference was seen for the sugar/organic acid ratio between the conditions. This study is the first to compare the responses of different highbush blueberry cultivars in terms of production on a ridge and in pots, and the impact on the substrate microclimatic conditions, plant volume and fruit yield and primary and secondary metabolites content.
Difficulties in Potato Pest Control: The Case of Pyrethroids on Colorado Potato Beetle
Authors: Molnar Imola , Rakosy-Tican Elena
Published: September 2021

Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata, CPB) is considered one of the most persistent crop pests because it is highly adaptable and can rapidly develop insecticide resistance. Nowadays, this beetle is resistant to over 54 different insecticides. In the absence of competitive alternatives, the answer of farmers to the high degree of pest adaptability is to increase the number of pesticide treatments or apply chemicals with different modes of action. Such a strategy increases the risk of intoxication in non-target organisms and leads to environmental pollution, augmenting the carbon footprint. Furthermore, these strategies are also unsustainable and inefficient for pest management in the long-term. The time has thus come to reform existing agriculture practices, for which the implementation of an integrated pest management strategy would be a more feasible tool. Applying a sustainable pest management strategy is indispensable for a better understanding of the status and mechanisms of insecticide resistance. Effective pest management requires monitoring the resistance of pests and developing a well-programmed pesticide treatment to simultaneously reduce the insecticide selection pressure and environmental pollution. In this context, here we present a review on the difficulties of potato pest control using as a case study the resistance of CPB to pyrethroids.
The Use of Coherent Laser Stimulation of Seeds and a Fungal Inoculum to Increase the Productivity and Health of Soybean Plants
Authors: Dłużniewska Joanna , Klimek-Kopyra Agnieszka , Czech Tomasz , Dobrowolski Jan Wincenty , Dacewicz Ewa
Published: September 2021

The laser stimulation of seeds is regarded as a modern method of seed enhancement. Our study evaluated the productivity and health of soybean plants resulting from the coherent irradiation of seeds and irradiation of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculum. The two-factor pot experiment took into account (1) the type of irradiated biological material (seeds, AMF inoculum, and seeds and inoculum) and (2) the means of irradiation (red laser—LR, blue laser—LB, red and blue laser—LR + LB, and control). Seed weight per plant, pod number per plant, root weight, the Fv/Fm fluorescence parameters, and the health status of the aboveground and underground parts of the plants were assessed. Stimulation with a laser light was shown to have a positive effect on the productivity and health of soybean plants. Significantly better effects can be obtained by stimulating the seeds alone. The stimulation of seeds treated with AMF inoculum slightly reduced the productivity of the plants. However, with regards to the conditions of plants, the treatment of seeds with AMF inoculum and laser irradiation was shown to reduce the incidence of Septoria brown spots.
Modeling the Effect of Temperature on Ginger and Turmeric Rhizome Sprouting
Authors: Retana-Cordero Marlon , Fisher Paul R. , Gómez Celina
Published: September 2021

Ginger and turmeric are tropical plant species with medicinal, beverage, and edible uses. Both species are typically propagated using seed rhizomes that often lack uniformity when sprouting, ultimately affecting the transplant growth and quality. Our objectives were to (1) develop a model to predict the effect of temperature on rhizome sprouting and transplant growth and (2) characterize the morphological factors affecting the sprouting of ginger and turmeric rhizomes. Two experiments were conducted where the rhizomes were placed in plastic bags with a moist substrate inside dark incubator chambers. Five temperature treatments (21, 25, 27, 30, and 32 °C) were used for calibrating the model, and six temperature treatments (14, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 °C) were used in the validation phase. The number of days for rhizomes to develop 1- and 5-cm sprouts were counted; after which, the total number of sprouts, total leaf length, and root quality were measured. A nonlinear regression analysis was used to develop temperature–response curves. Ginger and turmeric had optimal sprouting temperatures of 27.5 and 30.1 °C, respectively. Temperatures close to the optimal reduced the time to sprout and to subsequently reach the transplant stage. No sprouting was observed at 14 °C, and the minimum temperature to develop 5-cm sprouts was estimated at slightly above 17 °C in both species. Temperatures above 32 °C resulted in tissue damage and rhizome loss. The results from this study show the potential to produce uniform ginger and turmeric transplants using temperature treatments that accelerate sprouting.
Recent Advances in Biological Nitrogen Fixation
Authors: Wielbo Jerzy
Published: September 2021

Nitrogen is essential for the growth and functioning of all living organisms; however, only 2% of Earth’s nitrogen is available for them [...]
Comparison of Two Different Feather Sampling Methods to Measure Corticosterone in Wild Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) and Wild Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)
Authors: Voit Marielu , Baumgartner Katrin , von Fersen Lorenzo , Merle Roswitha , Reese Lukas , Wiegard Mechthild , Will Hermann , Tallo-Parra Oriol , Carbajal Annaïs , Lopez-Bejar Manel , Thöne-Reineke Christa
Published: September 2021

This research project had the aim to validate the possible alternative and less-painful sampling method of cutting feathers close to the skin instead of plucking them for subsequent feather corticosterone analysis, confirming recently-published results for other species in captivity. Analyzing CORTf is often used in animal welfare studies in combination with behavioral monitoring. The background of this idea was to act in the sense of animal welfare and reduce the burden of animal studies according to the 3-R-Principle (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) by refining procedures. To confirm the hypothesis that the sampling method itself has no influence on CORTf levels measured, plucked and cut samples of the respective bird were collected. Birds of two wild species were used: the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus). The CORTf was measured by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The determined values were inspected for their mean values, standard deviation (SD), and average differences. Afterwards, the CORTf levels of both species were compared, according to the sampling method, with the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). In the Bland-Altman (BA) plot the differences of the methods were displayed against the mean values. Additionally, sex, as a possible factor influencing CORTf, was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. The values of CCC showed poor agreement in the comparability of the two methods, whereas the concordance of the BA plot was decent. The average differences between the methods were marginal for both species (Mallards: −0.16 pg/mm, Flamingos −0.13 pg/mm). In summary, all anomalies or differences between the methods were negligible. Therefore, the alternative sampling method seems to be as suitable as the common standard method. No significant difference was found between females and males. Nevertheless, our results suggest that CORTf should not be interpreted in just considering the values themselves, but the results they should be analyzed in the context of a wider set of parameters. Hence, further studies are encouraged to create a larger data pool.