bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Memorandum on the Ethical Fashion
Authors: HIRAMATSU Ryuen
Published: November 2023

The fashion business has shifted business models over time from a product-centric approach to a sales-oriented approach, and then to a customer-centric approach, continuously imbuing products with new value. Through globalization, products become increasingly obsolete more rapidly, and an overly market-centric approach has invited uniformity of products, causing consumers to become tired of products more quickly. As a result, this has produced a cycle of mass production, mass consumption, and then mass waste. The emergence of fast fashion in turn spurred more price competition and the contraction of the product cycle and, as a result, has led not only to environmental impact, but negatively affected the contexts of business management, planning, production, logistics, and sales, putting downward pressure on corporate profits and labor density beyond feasible limits, creating a downward spiral in which the very continuation of business is in question. One new keyword emerging to resolve these social issues is the idea of ethical.
Rus İktisadi Düşünce Tarihi. Vincent Barnett, çev. Yılmaz Aksu, Albaraka Yayınları,2022, 249s.
Authors: BİLGİÇ Erdal
Published: November 2023

Bu çalışma Vincent Barnett'in Rus İktisadi Düşünce Tarihi kitabını incelemektedir.
The Ambivalent Translator: Towards a History of Psychoanalytic Translations
Authors: Mayer Andreas
Published: November 2023

An influential strand within modern translation studies has drawn a portrait of the translator as a deeply ambivalent figure, charged with the challenging task of preserving the foreign of the original work within the new version, and thus as inevitably torn between two languages and cultures. The case of the first English translations of Freud's work, undertaken by Abraham Arden Brill, is used here to demonstrate that a detailed historical and philological analysis of textual practices can help us situate the figure of the ambivalent translator in its proper context, namely within a historical model of translation. Retracing this model and its ramifications also has larger implications for an approach that should allow us to understand the relational, affective and institutional bonds connecting authors, translators and readers in global processes of cultural transmission of the human sciences.
Isolation, identification, and significance of salivary Veillonella spp., Prevotella spp., and Prevotella salivae in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Hammad Moshira I. , Conrads Georg , Abdelbary Mohamed M. H.
Published: November 2023

The global prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is on the rise, prompting significant attention from researchers worldwide. IBD entails chronic inflammatory disorders of the intestinal tract, characterized by alternating flares and remissions. Through high-throughput sequencing, numerous studies have unveiled a potential microbial signature for IBD patients showing intestinal enrichment of oral-associated bacteria. Simultaneously, the oral microbiome can be perturbed by intestinal inflammation. Our prior investigation, based on 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, underscored elevated abundance of Veillonella spp. and Prevotella spp. in the salivary microbiomes of IBD patients. Noteworthy, Prevotella salivae emerged as a distinct species significantly associated with IBD. P. salivae is an under-recognized pathogen that was found to play a role in both oral and systemic diseases. In this study, we delve deeper into the salivary microbiomes of both IBD patients and healthy controls. Employing diverse cultivation techniques and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reactions (RT-qPCR), we gauged the prevalence and abundance of Veillonella spp., Prevotella spp., and P. salivae. Our isolation efforts yielded 407 and 168 strains of Veillonella spp., as well as 173 and 90 strains of Prevotella spp., from the saliva samples of IBD patients and healthy controls, respectively. Veillonella-vancomycin agar emerged as the discerning choice for optimal Veillonella spp. cultivation, while Schaedler kanamycin-vancomycin agar proved to be the most suitable medium for cultivating Prevotella spp. strains. Comparing our RT-qPCR findings to the previous 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing data, the results corroborated the higher abundance of Veillonella spp., Prevotella spp., and P. salivae in the saliva of IBD patients compared to healthy controls. However, it’s worth noting that in contrast to RT-qPCR, the 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing data revealed greater absolute abundance of all three bacterial groups in both IBD patients and controls.
Efficacy of Chinese traditional patent medicines for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a Bayesian network meta-analysis of 64 randomized controlled trials
Authors: Guo Hongxin , Zhu Mingjun , Yu Rui , Li Xingyuan , Zhao Qifei
Published: November 2023

Background

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, and modern medicine offers less effective treatment for HFpEF. Much evidence shows that Chinese traditional patent medicines (CTPMs) have good efficacy for HFpEF, but the advantages and disadvantages of different CTPMs for HFpEF are still unclear. This study used network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare clinical efficacies of different CTPMs for HFpEF.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of CTPMs for treating HFpEF were searched in seven Chinese and English databases from inception to September 2023: China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, VIP, China Biology Medicine, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated the quality of the included studies. The GeMTC package in R (version 4.1.2) was used to perform Bayesian NMA.

Results

A total of 64 RCTs were included, involving six CTPMs and 6,238 patients. The six CTPMs were Qili Qiangxin capsule (QLQXC), Qishen Yiqi dropping pill (QSYQDP), Yixinshu capsule (YXSC), Yangxinshi tablet (YXST), Shexiang Baoxin Pill (SXBXP), and Tongxinluo capsule (TXLC). Conventional Western medicine (CWM) treatment was given to the control group, and CWM treatment combined with CTPM treatment was given to the experimental group. The results indicated that CPTMs + CWM were all superior to CWM alone; SXBXP + CWM had the best efficacies in improving the New York Heart Association cardiac functional classification efficiency; TXLC + CWM was best at improving the ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow velocity to late diastolic mitral inflow velocity (E/A); QSYQDP + CWM was best at reducing N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP); and QSYQDP + CWM was best at improving the 6-min walking test. In terms of safety, there was no signiﬁcant difference between CTPMs + CWM and CWM.

Conclusion

Compared with CWM alone, CTPMs + CWM combinations have certain advantages and good safety in the treatment of HFpEF. QSYQDP + CWM and SXBXP + CWM may be the potential optimal integrative medicine-based treatments for HFpEF. Given the limitations of this study, further high-quality, multicenter, large sample, randomized, and double-blind studies are needed to confirm the current results.

Systematic Review Registration

identifier, CRD42022303938.
Noncardiac anomalies in children with congenital heart disease
Authors: Huang Xianghui , Gao Yuan , Chen Weicheng , Sheng Wei , Huang Guoying
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Noncardiac anomalies (NCAs) in patients with congenital heart defects (CHDs) are crucial for perioperative management and etiology studies. This study aimed to investigate NCAs in Chinese children with CHDs.

Methods

Medical records for CHD-diagnosed children hospitalized from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2019 were collected and subjected to retrospective analyses to excavate potential association rules between CHDs and noncardiac malformations.

Results

A total of 3,788 CHD patients were included in this study. The main phenotypes of CHD were Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD, 33.69%), Atrial Septal Defect (ASD, 12.72%), and Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF, 5.54%). A total of 887 (23.42%) cases showed noncardiac anomalies, which were mainly associated with the central nervous system (34.61%), nose/ear/mandibular/face (19.39%), genitourinary system (15.78%), and musculoskeletal system (15.56%). Compared to other CHD subtypes, septal defects had a lower percentage of associated NCAs (P = 3.7 × 10−9) while AVSD had a higher percentage (P = 0.0018).

Disscussion

NCAs are prevalent among CHD-diagnosed children in China, and the spectrums of NCAs in different CHD subcategories were different.
Sustainable manufacture and application of biochar to improve soil properties and remediate soil contaminated with organic impurities: a systematic review
Authors: Rizwan Muhammad , Murtaza Ghulam , Zulfiqar Faisal , Moosa Anam , Iqbal Rashid , Ahmed Zeeshan , Irshad Sana , Khan Imran , Li Tonghao , Chen Jiefeng , Zhang Mingguang , Siddique Kadambot H. M. , Leng Lijian , Li Hailong
Published: November 2023

Biochar production and application have become increasingly popular in the past 15 years. Biochar, derived from diverse biomass types, offers a rich carbon source created through thermal combustion. Biochar production primarily depends on pyrolysis conditions and feedstock type. This review focuses on the multifaceted aspects of biochar, encompassing hydrothermal carbonization, gasification, and pyrolysis temperatures in biochar production and its role in bioeconomy and soil remediation. Biochar has yielded valuable insights, notably in decreasing nutrient leaching, curbing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reducing the bioavailability of environmental pollutants, sequestering carbon (C) in soils, and enhancing agricultural productivity. Consequently, it has emerged as a valuable commodity for the bioeconomy, which involves harnessing bioresources through bioengineering to create economically valuable products. As a marketable output, biochar finds application in energy, diverse biochar-based product manufacturing, and the agricultural sector. Thus, biochar production not only enhances soil quality but also unlocks additional revenue streams. This review underscores the critical role of feedstock selection and pyrolysis conditions in optimizing biochar production. Furthermore, it highlights biochar as a sustainable and effective tool for improving various soil types and remediating soil contamination caused by organic impurities, including persistent organic compounds and antibiotics.
Chronic systemic capillary leak syndrome with lymphatic capillaries involvement and MYOF mutation: case report and literature review
Authors: Gao Dehua , Zhong Wen , Zhang Weiru , Wang Xuan , Li Weiping , Liu Jun
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) is a rare disorder characterized by hemoconcentration, hypoproteinemia and edema. Chronic SCLS (cSCLS) presents as intractable edema, distinguishing it from the classic acute form, and only about 10 cases were reported worldwide. Nevertheless, the underlying pathogenesis of both types is obscure.

Case presentation: We report a case of a 58-year-old man with chronic edema persisting for 8 years, complicated by unique chylous polyserous effusions and hypotrichosis, which was successfully relieved by treatment with dexamethasone, intravenous immunoglobulin, and thalidomide. Furthermore, a variant c.5594A>G (p.K1865R) in the MYOF gene was identified as a potentially pathogenic mutation through whole-exome genetic sequencing. The proposed mechanism involves its impact on VEGF signaling, leading to increased capillary permeability.

Conclusion: Our case illustrates possible lymphatic capillaries involvement in SCLS, which may plays a potential role in immune disorder, and revealed a possible causative genetic mutation of SCLS.
Preoperative systemic immune-inflammation index as a prognostic indicator for patients with urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Zheng Jianxiong , Peng Lei , Zhang Shaohua , Liao Haiyang , Hao Jiayao , Wu Song , Shen Haili
Published: November 2023

Background

The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) is a cost-efficient indicator for carcinoma prognosis. However, its utility in urothelial carcinoma (UC) prognosis is disputed. This meta-analysis aims to assess SII’s prognostic value in UC.

Methods

A thorough search of databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus, was conducted to find studies until January 11, 2023. Eligibility criteria were applied to select studies. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted from selected studies and compiled in a meta-analysis to gauge SII’s association with survival outcomes such as overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

This analysis includes 19 studies with 12505 UC patients. It was found that high SII significantly correlated with worse OS in UC patients (HR 1.430, 95% CI 1.237-1.653, P<0.001). High SII values also linked with poorer CSS (HR 1.913, 95% CI 1.473-2.485, P<0.001), RFS (HR 1.240, 95% CI 1.097-1.403, P=0.001), and PFS (HR 1.844, 95% CI 1.488-2.284, P<0.001) compared to low SII values. Subgroup analysis revealed SII’s consistent prognostic value in UC across races, carcinoma types, sample sizes, and SII cut-off values, suggesting its potential as a prognostic indicator in UC patients.

Conclusion

Current evidence suggests SII as a promising, cost-efficient predictor in UC patients. This meta-analysis indicates SII’s potential as a valuable prognostic tool in UC patients.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=307643, identifier CRD42022307643.
Nutritional ecology of temperate octocorals in a warming ocean
Authors: Lange Kiara , Maguer Jean-François , Reynaud Stéphanie , Ferrier-Pagès Christine
Published: November 2023

Global warming of the oceans poses a double threat to benthic organisms as they reach their thermal limits and starve to death due to declines in plankton abundance during heat waves. Under these circumstances, dissolved nutrients become an important alternative food source, especially in temperate regions where they can reach high concentrations. Although octocorals play a central role in temperate Marine Animal Forests and benthic-pelagic coupling, our knowledge of their feeding ecology is still limited. We used 13C and 15N isotope labeling to investigate feeding rates on dissolved inorganic (carbon, ammonium, nitrate) and organic (urea, amino acids) nutrients of the two most common Mediterranean gorgonians, the mixotrophic species Eunicella singularis and the heterotrophic species Paramuricea clavata. We also measured the uptake of natural dissolved organic matter (DOM) provided at different concentrations. Measurements were conducted at 17°C and 24°C to anticipate the effects of ocean warming. Our findings indicate that gorgonians exhibit notably low uptake rates of dissolved inorganic and organic nutrients, both at 17°C and 24°C. At 24°C, gorgonians experienced heat stress, as evidenced by elevated respiration rates, the loss of symbionts in E. singularis, and decreased lipid reserves in P. clavata. However, we did not observe a significant increase in the uptake rates of dissolved inorganic or organic nutrients, except for dissolved organic carbon in E. singularis. This study provides valuable insight into the nutritional requirements of temperate octocorals. The results demonstrate that dissolved nutrients, in particular nitrogen, do not play a substantial role in the diet of gorgonians, suggesting that these organisms primarily rely on the capture of plankton and detrital material for their nitrogen requirements. Therefore, temperate octocorals may be at high risk of severe starvation in the future.
Exploring potent aldose reductase inhibitors for anti-diabetic (anti-hyperglycemic) therapy: integrating structure-based drug design, and MMGBSA approaches
Authors: Shahab Muhammad , Zheng Guojun , Alshabrmi Fahad M. , Bourhia Mohammed , Wondmie Gezahign Fentahun , Mohammad Salamatullah Ahmad
Published: November 2023

Aldose reductase (AR) is an important target in the development of therapeutics against hyper-glycemia-induced health complications such as retinopathy, etc. In this study, we employed a combination of structure-based drug design, molecular simulation, and free energy calculation approaches to identify potential hit molecules against anti-diabetic (anti-hyperglycemic)-induced health complications. The 3D structure of aldoreductase was screened for multiple compound libraries (1,00,000 compounds) and identified as ZINC35671852, ZINC78774792 from the ZINC database, Diamino-di nitro-methyl dioctyl phthalate, and Penta-o-galloyl-glucose from the South African natural compounds database, and Bisindolylmethane thiosemi-carbazides and Bisindolylme-thane-hydrazone from the Inhouse database for this study. The mode of binding interactions of the selected compounds later predicted their aldose reductase inhibitory potential. These com-pounds interact with the key active site residues through hydrogen bonds, salt bridges, and π-π interactions. The structural dynamics and binding free energy results further revealed that these compounds possess stable dynamics with excellent binding free energy scores. The structures of the lead inhibitors can serve as templates for developing novel inhibitors, and in vitro testing to confirm their anti-diabetic potential is warranted. The current study is the first to design small molecule inhibitors for the aldoreductase protein that can be used in the development of therapeutic agents to treat diabetes.
Age-related upregulation of perineuronal nets on inferior collicular cells that project to the cochlear nucleus
Authors: Almassri Laila S. , Ohl Andrew P. , Iafrate Milena C. , Wade Aidan D. , Tokar Nick J. , Mafi Amir M. , Beebe Nichole L. , Young Jesse W. , Mellott Jeffrey G.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Disruptions to the balance of excitation and inhibition in the inferior colliculus (IC) occur during aging and underlie various aspects of hearing loss. Specifically, the age-related alteration to GABAergic neurotransmission in the IC likely contributes to the poorer temporal precision characteristic of presbycusis. Perineuronal nets (PNs), a specialized form of the extracellular matrix, maintain excitatory/inhibitory synaptic environments and reduce structural plasticity. We sought to determine whether PNs increasingly surround cell populations in the aged IC that comprise excitatory descending projections to the cochlear nucleus.

Method

We combined Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA) staining for PNs with retrograde tract-tracing in three age groups of Fischer Brown Norway (FBN) rats.

Results

The data demonstrate that the percentage of IC-CN cells with a PN doubles from ~10% at young age to ~20% at old age. This was true in both lemniscal and non-lemniscal IC.

Discussion

Furthermore, the increase of PNs occurred on IC cells that make both ipsilateral and contralateral descending projections to the CN. These results indicate that reduced structural plasticity in the elderly IC-CN pathway, affecting excitatory/inhibitory balance and, potentially, may lead to reduced temporal precision associated with presbycusis.
Clinical applications of neurofeedback based on sensorimotor rhythm: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ribeiro Tatiana Ferri , Carriello Marcelo Alves , de Paula Eugenio Pereira , Garcia Amanda Carvalho , Rocha Guilherme Luiz da , Teive Helio Afonso Ghizoni
Published: November 2023

Background

Among the brain-machine interfaces, neurofeedback is a non-invasive technique that uses sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) as a clinical intervention protocol. This study aimed to investigate the clinical applications of SMR neurofeedback to understand its clinical effectiveness in different pathologies or symptoms.

Methods

A systematic review study with meta-analysis of the clinical applications of EEG-based SMR neurofeedback performed using pre-selected publication databases. A qualitative analysis of these studies was performed using the Consensus tool on the Reporting and Experimental Design of Neurofeedback studies (CRED-nf). The Meta-analysis of clinical efficacy was carried out using Review Manager software, version 5.4.1 (RevMan 5; Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK).

Results

The qualitative analysis includes 44 studies, of which only 27 studies had some kind of control condition, five studies were double-blinded, and only three reported a blind follow-up throughout the intervention. The meta-analysis included a total sample of 203 individuals between stroke and fibromyalgia. Studies on multiple sclerosis, insomnia, quadriplegia, paraplegia, and mild cognitive impairment were excluded due to the absence of a control group or results based only on post-intervention scales. Statistical analysis indicated that stroke patients did not benefit from neurofeedback interventions when compared to other therapies (Std. mean. dif. 0.31, 95% CI 0.03–0.60, p = 0.03), and there was no significant heterogeneity among stroke studies, classified as moderate I2 = 46% p-value = 0.06. Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia showed, by means of quantitative analysis, a better benefit for the group that used neurofeedback (Std. mean. dif. −0.73, 95% CI −1.22 to −0.24, p = 0.001). Thus, on performing the pooled analysis between conditions, no significant differences were observed between the neurofeedback intervention and standard therapy (0.05, CI 95%, −0.20 to −0.30, p = 0.69), with the presence of substantial heterogeneity I2 = 92.2%, p-value < 0.001.

Conclusion

We conclude that although neurofeedback based on electrophysiological patterns of SMR contemplates the interest of numerous researchers and the existence of research that presents promising results, it is currently not possible to point out the clinical benefits of the technique as a form of clinical intervention. Therefore, it is necessary to develop more robust studies with a greater sample of a more rigorous methodology to understand the benefits that the technique can provide to the population.
Accuracy of reticulocyte hemoglobin for diagnosing iron deficiency in former very preterm infants: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Barr Hudson , Kulkarni Ketan , Singh Balpreet , Sandila Navjot , Morrison Lisa , Beach Lori , Ghotra Satvinder
Published: November 2023

Background

Serum ferritin (SF) is commonly used to diagnose iron deficiency (ID) but has limitations. Reticulocyte hemoglobin (Ret-He) is being increasingly used for ID diagnosis. This study aimed to assess accuracy of Ret-He for ID diagnosis in former very preterm infants (VPI) at 4–6 months corrected age (CA).

Methods

A retrospective population-based cohort study was conducted on all live VPI born between 23 and 30 weeks of gestational age (GA) in Nova Scotia from 2012 to 2018. Infants underwent SF and Ret-He testing at 4–6 months CA. ID was defined using two definitions. The first defined ID as SF < 20 mcg/L at both 4- and 6-months CA, and the second as SF < 30 mcg at at both 4- and 6-months CA. The accuracy of Ret-He for identifying ID was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results

ID was present in 39.7% (62) of 156 infants in the first definition and 59.6% (93) in the second at 4–6 months CA. The AUC of Ret-He for ID diagnosis was 0.64 (p = 0.002) in the first definition and 0.59 (p = 0.04) in the second. The optimal cut-off was 29.4pg in the first and 29.7 in the second definition. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV) at the 29.4 pg cut-off were 50.0%, 78.7%, 60.8%, and 70.5% for definition 1 and 44.1%, 74.6%, 71.9%, and 47.5% at the 29.7pg cut-off for definition 2.

Conclusion

Ret-He had low diagnostic accuracy for ID diagnosis in former VPI. Caution is advised when using Ret-He alone for ID diagnosis. Further research is needed to establish optimal approaches for identifying ID in VPI.
Case Report: One heart with two lobes: a rare infantile congenital giant left atrial appendage aneurysm
Authors: Chan Yu-Jen , Ly Ly Nguyen Thi , Hai Nguyen Minh , Jan Sheng-Ling
Published: November 2023

Left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAAA) is an extremely rare congenital heart abnormality, with varying degrees of symptoms, ranging from asymptomatic to arrhythmia, thromboembolic event or airway obstruction. Most infantile cases were incidentally found by echocardiography. Contrast-enhanced chest tomography can confirm the diagnosis and inform surgical plan. We describe an asymptomatic young female infant who had a unique extreme cardiomegaly on a chest x-ray and received surgical aneurysmectomy. Her heart was restored to a normal cardiac size after the heart surgery.
Role of anthraquinones in combating insulin resistance
Authors: Xia Wanru , Li Shuqian , Li LinZehao , Zhang Shibo , Wang Xiaolei , Ding Wenyu , Ding Lina , Zhang Xiandang , Wang Zhibin
Published: November 2023

Insulin resistance presents a formidable public health challenge that is intricately linked to the onset and progression of various chronic ailments, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cancer. Effectively addressing insulin resistance is paramount in preventing and managing these metabolic disorders. Natural herbal remedies show promise in combating insulin resistance, with anthraquinone extracts garnering attention for their role in enhancing insulin sensitivity and treating diabetes. Anthraquinones are believed to ameliorate insulin resistance through diverse pathways, encompassing activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, restoration of insulin signal transduction, attenuation of inflammatory pathways, and modulation of gut microbiota. This comprehensive review aims to consolidate the potential anthraquinone compounds that exert beneficial effects on insulin resistance, elucidating the underlying mechanisms responsible for their therapeutic impact. The evidence discussed in this review points toward the potential utilization of anthraquinones as a promising therapeutic strategy to combat insulin resistance and its associated metabolic diseases.
Identification of the ALMT gene family in the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and analysis of the function of StALMT6/10 in response to aluminum toxicity
Authors: Zhang Feng , Jiang Sixia , Li Qiong , Song Zhiying , Yang Ying , Yu Shirui , Nie Zongyue , Chu Moli , An Yanlin
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Aluminum (Al)-activated malate transporters (ALMTs) play an important role in the response to Al toxicity, maintenance of ion homeostasis balance, mineral nutrient distribution, and fruit quality development in plants. However, the function of the StALMT gene family in potato remains unknown.

Methods and results

In this study, 14 StALMT genes were identified from the potato genome, unevenly distributed on seven different chromosomes. Collinearity and synteny analyses of ALMT genes showed that potatoes had 6 and 22 orthologous gene pairs with Arabidopsis and tomatoes, respectively, and more than one syntenic gene pair was identified for some StALMT gene family members. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results showed differential expression levels of StALMT gene family members in different tissues of the potato. Interestingly, StALMT1, StALMT6, StALMT8, StALMT10, and StALMT12 had higher expression in the root of the potato cultivar Qingshu No. 9. After being subjected to Al3+ stress for 24 h, the expression of StALMT6 and StALMT10 in roots was evidently increased, displaying their decisive role in Al3+ toxicity.

Discussion

In addition, overexpression of StALMT6 and StALMT10 in Arabidopsis enhanced its tolerance to Al toxicity. These results indicate that StALMT6 and StALMT10 impart Al3+ resistance in the potato, establishing the foundation for further studies of the biological functions of these genes.
Nano-microplastic and agro-ecosystems: a mini-review
Authors: Verma Krishan K. , Song Xiu-Peng , Xu Lin , Huang Hai-Rong , Liang Qiang , Seth Chandra Shekhar , Li Yang-Rui
Published: November 2023

Plastics’ unavoidable and rampant usage causes their trash to be extensively dispersed in the atmosphere and land due to its numerous characteristics. Because of extensive plastic usage and increased manufacturing, there is insufficient recycling and a large accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in the environment. In addition to their wide availability in the soil and atmosphere, micro- and nanoplastics are becoming contaminants worldwide. Agro-ecosystem functioning and plant development are being negatively impacted in several ways by the contamination of the environment and farmland soils with MPs (<5 mm) and nanoplastics (<1 µm). The contributions of some recyclable organic waste and plastic film mulching and plastic particle deposition in agroecosystems may be substantial; therefore, it is crucial to understand any potentially hazardous or undesirable impacts of these pollutants on agroecosystems. The dissolution of bioplastics into micro- and nano-particles (MBPs and NBPs) has not been considered in recent studies, which focus primarily on agro-ecosystems. It is essential to properly understand the distribution, concentration, fate, and main source of MPs, NPS, MBPs, and NBPs in agroecosystems. Based on the limited findings, understanding the knowledge gap of environmental impact from micro and nanoplastic in farming systems does not equate to the absence of such evidence. It reveals the considerations for addressing the gaps to effectively protect global food safety and security in the near future.
Molecular diversity and evolution of far-red light-acclimated photosystem I
Authors: Gisriel Christopher J. , Bryant Donald A. , Brudvig Gary W. , Cardona Tanai
Published: November 2023

The need to acclimate to different environmental conditions is central to the evolution of cyanobacteria. Far-red light (FRL) photoacclimation, or FaRLiP, is an acclimation mechanism that enables certain cyanobacteria to use FRL to drive photosynthesis. During this process, a well-defined gene cluster is upregulated, resulting in changes to the photosystems that allow them to absorb FRL to perform photochemistry. Because FaRLiP is widespread, and because it exemplifies cyanobacterial adaptation mechanisms in nature, it is of interest to understand its molecular evolution. Here, we performed a phylogenetic analysis of the photosystem I subunits encoded in the FaRLiP gene cluster and analyzed the available structural data to predict ancestral characteristics of FRL-absorbing photosystem I. The analysis suggests that FRL-specific photosystem I subunits arose relatively late during the evolution of cyanobacteria when compared with some of the FRL-specific subunits of photosystem II, and that the order Nodosilineales, which include strains like Halomicronema hongdechloris and Synechococcus sp. PCC 7335, could have obtained FaRLiP via horizontal gene transfer. We show that the ancestral form of FRL-absorbing photosystem I contained three chlorophyll f-binding sites in the PsaB2 subunit, and a rotated chlorophyll a molecule in the A0B site of the electron transfer chain. Along with our previous study of photosystem II expressed during FaRLiP, these studies describe the molecular evolution of the photosystem complexes encoded by the FaRLiP gene cluster.
‘Vaccine as a cheat sheet’: a metaphor gone awry on Facebook
Authors: Negrea-Busuioc Elena
Published: November 2023

COVID-19 vaccine-related conspiracy narratives skyrocketed in social media in the first year of the pandemic. Science communicators have tried to debunk false information as did Vlad Mixich, a Romanian public health expert, who tried to explain on Facebook why the vaccine cannot modify the human DNA. Drawing on the literature on metaphor as a discourse phenomenon, this paper uses a discourse-led approach to metaphor analysis to identify and analyze the metaphors used by Mixich to explain how vaccines work and the mRNA technology underlying the COVID-19 vaccine. A particular metaphor is then given special attention: ‘vaccine as a cheat sheet’. The author of the Facebook post seems to use this metaphor deliberately both to clarify vaccine-related information and to mock people susceptible to false information about the vaccine. This paper shows that while the ‘cheating’ metaphor simplifies abstract knowledge and allows the audience to engage with a complex topic, it also has potential to amplify vaccine-related polarization.
The higher the household income, the lower the possibility of depression and anxiety disorder: evidence from a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Liu Guangyan , Liu Wenlin , Zheng Xifeng , Li Junyan
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Observational studies have demonstrated that household income is associated with morbidity of mental disorders. However, a causal relationship between the two factors remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the causal relationship between household income status and genetic liability of mental disorders using a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

Methods

This MR study included a large cohort of the European population from publicly available genome-wide association study datasets. A random-effects inverse-variance weighting model was used as the main standard, with MR-Egger regression, weighted median, and maximum likelihood estimations performed concurrently as supplements. Sensitivity analysis, consisting of heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy tests, was performed using Cochran’s Q test, MR-Egger intercept, and MR-PRESSO tests to ensure the reliability of the conclusions.

Results

A higher household income tended to be associated with a lower risk of genetic liability for depression (odds ratio [OR]: 0.655, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.522–0.822, p < 0.001) and anxiety disorder (OR: 0.666, 95% CI = 0.526–0.843, p < 0.001). No associations were observed for schizophrenia (OR: 0.678, 95% CI = 0.460–1.000, p = 0.05), panic disorder (OR: 0.837, 95% CI = 0.445–1.577, p = 0.583), insomnia (OR: 1.051, 95% CI = 0.556–1.986, p = 0.877), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OR: 1.421, 95% CI = 0.778–2.596, p = 0.252), and bipolar disorder (OR: 1.126, 95% CI = 0.757–1.677, p = 0.556). A reverse MR study showed no reverse causal relationship between psychiatric disorders and household income. Sensitivity analysis verified the reliability of the results.

Conclusion

Our results revealed that the population with a higher household income tended to have a minor risk of genetic liability in depression and anxiety disorders.
Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban residents’ consumption behavior of forest food—an empirical study of 6,946 urban residents
Authors: Liu Shiyu , He Dan , Chen Ke
Published: November 2023

Forest food, which possesses enormous potential, has emerged as a significant and promising food source under the all-encompassing approach to food. The sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 has enhanced health cognition among residents, impacting household food consumption patterns. In this study, we analyzed data from 6,946 urban households in 14 cities of Liaoning Province to examine the consumption behavior of urban households regarding 4 categories of forest food (forest nuts, forest fruits and vegetables, forest drinks, and forest medicines) before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Various empirical methods were employed, including the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), Ordinal Logit Model, Mediation Effect Model, and Moderation Effect Model. The results revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic positively impacted the “willingness-behavior” consumption behavior of urban residents toward forest food. Health cognition played a positive mediating role in influencing residents’ willingness to pay (WTP) for forest food during the pandemic. Per capita income had a negative moderating effect on the actual purchasing behavior of urban residents toward forest food. Furthermore, differences were observed in the consumption behavior of forest food among residents in cities with different levels of pandemic severity.
Effects of sowing dates and phosphorus levels on cotton growth and yield: soil analysis and implications
Authors: Tlatlaa Jacob Shauri , Tryphone George Muhamba , Nassary Eliakira Kisetu
Published: November 2023

This study assessed the effects of sowing dates and phosphorus levels on cotton performance in Chato-Msilale village in Chato District, Tanzania. The soil analysis revealed that field exhibited slightly acidic soil with normal electrical conductivity but suffered from severe deficiencies in total nitrogen and organic carbon. The same field presents common issue of low cation exchange capacity, indicating limited nutrient-holding capacity. Furthermore, both fields displayed very low levels of total nitrogen (<0.1%), signaling a nitrogen deficiency. Available phosphorus was rated as medium (16.8 mg kg−1soil). Trace elements fluctuated and could be managed based on specific crop requirements. The factors at different levels were: (1) sowing dates – (i) 25th November 2022, (ii) 15th December 2022, and (iii) 4th January 2023; and (2) Phosphorus levels – (i) control, (ii) 20 kg P ha−1, (iii) 40 kg P ha−1, and (iv) 60 kg P ha−1. Regarding cotton growth and yield, sowing dates significantly (p< 0.001) influenced plant height, gin turnout, lint yield, number of bolls per plant, and boll weight while phosphorus levels did not exhibit significant effects. Earlier sowing dates resulted in higher yields, albeit with variations in yield components. Interactions showed that growth and yields were only numerically higher in the middle sowing date at higher levels of phosphorus applied. Overall, these insights offer valuable guidance for optimizing cotton cultivation in Chato District, emphasizing the importance of selecting appropriate sowing dates for improved yields.
Case Report: Supramalleolar osteotomy to preserve joint function and delay the development of Charcot neuroarthropathy of the ankle
Authors: Zhang Baozhou , Li Wenjing , Li Ying , Du Hui , Wu Yong
Published: November 2023

Background

Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) is a severe disease that primarily affects the foot and ankle. Conservative treatment with total contact casts is suitable for early stages, but surgery is necessary for complications such as ulceration, malalignment, infection, or severe pain. The ankle instability caused by excessive axial load may require arthrodesis. However, preserving joint function in young patient can significantly enhance the quality of life.

Case report

A 33-year-old woman underwent open reduction and internal fixation after the right tibia and fibula fractures following a fall while walking. She developed severe pain and deformity in her right ankle after full weightbearing. After further evaluation, she was diagnosed with Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) of the right ankle. The patient declined arthrodesis and opted for a supramalleolar osteotomy (SMO) instead 18 months after the initial surgery. The SMO procedure involved correcting the hindfoot malalignment through osteotomy and fixation. Although she experienced skin necrosis, the patient eventually achieved satisfactory outcomes with improvements in pain, deformity, and functionality of the ankle. Radiographic measurements showed positive realignment, and the patient reported a significant improvement in her quality of life at the final follow-up.

Conclusions

The SMO procedure could potentially be considered as an option to preserve ankle function and delay the disease development of CN for young patients. The restored foot stability and hindfoot alignment can help improve patients' quality of life.
Melatonin in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Critical Literature Review
Authors: Feybesse Cyrille , Chokron Sylvie , Tordjman Sylvie
Published: November 2023

The article presents a review of the relationships between melatonin and neurodevelopmental disorders. First, the antioxidant properties of melatonin and its physiological effects are considered to understand better the role of melatonin in typical and atypical neurodevelopment. Then, several neurodevelopmental disorders occurring during infancy, such as autism spectrum disorder or neurogenetic disorders associated with autism (including Smith–Magenis syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Rett’s syndrome, Tuberous sclerosis, or Williams–Beuren syndrome) and neurodevelopmental disorders occurring later in adulthood like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, are discussed with regard to impaired melatonin production and circadian rhythms, in particular, sleep–wake rhythms. This article addresses the issue of overlapping symptoms that are commonly observed within these different mental conditions and debates the role of abnormal melatonin production and altered circadian rhythms in the pathophysiology and behavioral expression of these neurodevelopmental disorders.
EEG Changes during Propofol Anesthesia Induction in Vegetative State Patients Undergoing Spinal Cord Stimulation Implantation Surgery
Authors: Qin Xuewei , Chen Xuanling , Wang Bo , Zhao Xin , Tang Yi , Yao Lan , Liang Zhenhu , He Jianghong , Li Xiaoli
Published: November 2023

Objective: To compare the EEG changes in vegetative state (VS) patients and non-craniotomy, non-vegetative state (NVS) patients during general anesthesia with low-dose propofol and to find whether it affects the arousal rate of VS patients. Methods: Seven vegetative state patients (VS group: five with traumatic brain injury, two with ischemic–hypoxic VS) and five non-craniotomy, non-vegetative state patients (NVS group) treated in the Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University International Hospital from January to May 2022 were selected. All patients were induced with 0.5 mg/kg propofol, and the Bispectral Index (BIS) changes within 5 min after administration were observed. Raw EEG signals and perioperative EEG signals were collected and analyzed using EEGLAB in the MATLAB software environment, time–frequency spectrums were calculated, and EEG changes were analyzed using power spectrums. Results: There was no significant difference in the general data before surgery between the two groups (p > 0.05); the BIS reduction in the VS group was significantly greater than that in the NVS group at 1 min, 2 min, 3 min, 4 min, and 5 min after 0.5 mg/kg propofol induction (p < 0.05). Time–frequency spectrum analysis showed the following: prominent α band energy around 10 Hz and decreased high-frequency energy in the NVS group, decreased high-frequency energy and main energy concentrated below 10 Hz in traumatic brain injury VS patients, higher energy in the 10–20 Hz band in ischemic–hypoxic VS patients. The power spectrum showed that the brain electrical energy of the NVS group was weakened R5 min after anesthesia induction compared with 5 min before induction, mainly concentrated in the small wave peak after 10 Hz, i.e., the α band peak; the energy of traumatic brain injury VS patients was weakened after anesthesia induction, but no α band peak appeared; and in ischemic–hypoxic VS patients, there was no significant change in low-frequency energy after anesthesia induction, high-frequency energy was significantly weakened, and a clear α band peak appeared slightly after 10 Hz. Three months after the operation, follow-up visits were made to the VS group patients who had undergone SCS surgery. One patient with traumatic brain injury VS was diagnosed with MCS-, one patient with ischemic–hypoxic VS had increased their CRS-R score by 1 point, and the remaining five patients had no change in their CRS scores. Conclusions: Low doses of propofol cause great differences in the EEG of different types of VS patients, which may be the unique response of damaged nerve cell residual function to propofol, and these weak responses may also be the basis of brain recovery
Point Cloud-Based Smart Building Acceptance System for Surface Quality Evaluation
Authors: Cai Dongbo , Chai Shaoqiang , Wei Mingzhuan , Wu Hui , Shen Nan , Zhou Yin , Ding Yanchao , Hu Kaixin , Hu Xingyi
Published: November 2023

The current expansion of building structures has created a demand for efficient and smart surface quality evaluation at the acceptance phase. However, the conventional approach mainly relies on manual work, which is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and unrepeatable. This study presents a systematic and practical solution for surface quality evaluation of indoor building elements during the acceptance phase using point cloud. The practical indoor scanning parameters determination procedure was proposed by analyzing the project requirements, room environment, and apparatus. An improved DBSCAN algorithm was developed by introducing a plane validation and coplanar checking to facilitate the surface segmentation from the point cloud. And a revised Least Median of Square-based algorithm was proposed to identify the best-fit plane. Afterwards, the flatness, verticality, and squareness were evaluated and depicted using a color-coded map based on the segmented point cloud. The experiment on an apartment showcases how the system improves the information flow and accuracy during building acceptance, resulting in a potentially smart acceptance activity.
The Role of Post-Mastectomy Radiotherapy in T1-2N1 Breast Cancer Patients: Propensity Score Matched Analysis
Authors: Kim Kangpyo , Park Won , Kim Haeyoung , Cho Won Kyung , Kim Nalee , Nam Seok Jin , Kim Seok Won , Lee Jeong Eon , Yu Jonghan , Chae Byung Joo , Lee Se Kyung , Ryu Jai Min
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the role of post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) in T1-2N1 breast cancer. Between 2006 and 2014, a total of 504 patients with T1-2N1 breast cancer were analyzed. PMRT was administered to 71 patients, and 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed between the PMRT and non-PMRT groups. Loco-regional control (LRC), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were compared according to PMRT status. Thirteen and one loco-regional recurrences were observed in the PMRT and non-PMRT groups, respectively. Before PSM, the 8-year LRC, DFS, and OS rates in the non-PMRT and PMRT groups were 98.5% and 96.5% (p = 0.426), 89.7% and 91.2% (p = 0.700), and 91.5% and 92.1% (p = 0.679), respectively. Corresponding rates were 95.6% and 96.5% (p = 0.365), 84.1% and 91.2% (p = 0.185), and 88.4% and 92.1% (p = 0.276), respectively, after PSM. Multivariate analysis showed that three lymph node metastases were prognostic for LRC and DFS rates and LVI for OS rate. Arm lymphedema developed in 32.4% of patients who received PMRT, which was significantly higher than the non-PMRT group (p < 0.001). Contributions of PMRT for improvement of treatments outcomes in T1-2N1 breast cancer patients were not evident, while the incidence of arm lymphedema significantly increased after PMRT. Further prospective trials are required to re-evaluate the role of PMRT.