bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Canola Oil Ameliorates Obesity by Suppressing Lipogenesis and Reprogramming the Gut Microbiota in Mice via the AMPK Pathway
Authors: Gao Jing , Ma Li , Yin Jie , Li Tiejun , Yin Yulong , Chen Yongzhong
Published: October 2024

Background: obesity is a worldwide problem that seriously endangers human health. Canola oil (Col) has been reported to regulate hepatic steatosis by influencing oxidative stress and lipid metabolism in Kunming mice. However, whether Col exhibits an anti-obesity effect by altering the gut microbiota remains unknown. Methods: in this study, we observed that a high-fat diet increased lipogenesis and gut microbiota disorder in C57BL/6J male mice, while the administration of Col suppressed lipogenesis and improved gut microbiota disorder. Results: the results show that Col markedly reduced the final body weight and subcutaneous adipose tissue of C57BL/6J male mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) after 6 weeks of administration. However, although Col did not effectively increase the serum concentration of HDL, we found that treatment with Col notably inhibited the low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TGs) in HFD mice. Furthermore, Col ameliorated obesity in the liver compared to mice that were only fed a high-fat diet. We also found that Col significantly inhibited the relative expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP1/2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), and insulin-induced genes (Insig1/2) that proved to be closely associated with lipogenesis in HFD mice. In addition, the concentration of acetic acid was significantly increased in Col-treatment HFD mice. Further, we noted that Col contributed to the reprogramming of the intestinal microbiota. The relative abundances of Akkermansia, Dubosiella, and Alistipes were enhanced under treatment with Col in HFD mice. The results also imply that Col markedly elevated the phosphorylation level of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway in HFD mice. Conclusions: the results of our study show that Col ameliorates obesity and suppresses lipogenesis in HFD mice. The underlying mechanisms are possibly associated with the reprogramming of the gut microbiota, in particular, the acetic acid-mediated increased expression of Alistipes via the AMPK signaling pathway.
Association of Serum Bile Acid Profile with Diet and Physical Activity Habits in Japanese Middle-Aged Men
Authors: Aoi Wataru , Koyama Teruhide , Honda Akira , Takagi Tomohisa , Naito Yuji
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Circulating bile acid (BA) profiles change with lifestyle and are closely related to intestinal BA metabolisms such as deconjugation and conversion to secondary BAs. The composition of BA in the blood is involved in systemic nutrient metabolism and intestinal health. Herein, we explored the associations of lifestyle and physical fitness with the circulating BA profile of middle-aged men. Methods: Data of 147 male participants (aged 50–64 years; BMI < 26 kg/m2; no medication for diabetes or dyslipidemia) from the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort study were analyzed. Serum concentrations of 15 types of BAs were examined for associations with variables on dietary habits, physical-activity habits, and physical fitness. Results: Green tea intake was positively associated with the deconjugation ratio of total BAs (p = 0.028) and negatively associated with secondary BA levels (free deoxycholic acid [DCA] (p = 0.078), glyco-DCA (p = 0.048), and tauro-DCA (p = 0.037)). In contrast, physical activity was negatively associated with the deconjugation ratio (p = 0.029) and secondary BA levels (free DCA (p = 0.098), and free lithocholic acid (p = 0.009)). Grip strength was also negatively associated with secondary BA levels (tauro-DCA (p = 0.041)) but was not associated with the deconjugation ratio. Energy and fat intake and skeletal muscle mass were not associated with the deconjugation ratio or secondary BA levels. Conclusions: The study findings suggest that lifestyle-associated changes in serum deconjugated and secondary BAs indicate improvements in nutrient metabolism and the intestinal environment.
A Sustained-Release Butyrate Tablet Suppresses Ex Vivo T Helper Cell Activation of Osteoarthritis Patients in a Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial
Authors: Korsten Sandra G. P. J. , Hartog Merel , Berends Alinda J. , Koenders Marije I. , Popa Calin D. , Vromans Herman , Garssen Johan , van de Ende Cornelia H. M. , Vermeiden Jan P. W. , Willemsen Linette E. M.
Published: October 2024

Degenerative joint disease osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by the degeneration of cartilage, synovial inflammation and low-grade systemic inflammation in association with microbial dysbiosis and intestinal barrier defects. Butyrate is known for its anti-inflammatory and barrier protective effects and might benefit OA patients. In a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial, the effects of four to five weeks of oral treatment with sustained-release (SR) butyrate tablets (600 mg/day) on systemic inflammation and immune function were studied in hand OA patients. Serum markers for systemic inflammation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) leakage were measured and ex vivo stimulation of whole blood or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was performed at baseline and after treatment. Butyrate treatment did not affect the serum markers nor the cytokine release of ex vivo LPS-stimulated whole blood or PBMCs nor the phenotype of restimulated monocytes. By contrast, butyrate treatment reduced the percentage of activated T helper (Th) cells and the Th17/Treg ratio in αCD3/CD28-activated PBMCs, though cytokine release upon stimulation remained unaffected. Nevertheless, the percentage of CD4+IL9+ cells was reduced by butyrate as compared to the placebo. In both groups, the frequency of Th1, Treg, Th17, activated Th17, CD4+IFNγ+ and CD4+TNFα+ cells was reduced. This study shows a proof of principle of some immunomodulatory effects using a SR butyrate treatment in hand OA patients. The inflammatory phenotype of Th cells was reduced, as indicated by a reduced percentage of Th9 cells, activated Th cells and improved Th17/Treg balance in ex vivo αCD3/CD28-activated PBMCs. Future studies are warranted to further optimize the butyrate dose regime to ameliorate inflammation in OA patients.
Effectiveness and Side Effect Incidence in a Real-World Digital Weight-Loss Service Using Compounded Semaglutide: A Retrospective Comparative Study
Authors: Talay Louis , Vickers Matt
Published: October 2024

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) were originally developed in the late 1980s as a class of antidiabetic medication. However, research over the past decade has found them to be a safe and effective weight-loss agent, which has led to the approval of GLP-1 RAs such as Semaglutide as a supplement to lifestyle obesity interventions in multiple countries. When Semaglutide has become commercially unavailable, digital weight-loss services (DWLSs) have prescribed a compounded form of the medication—a practice in which health professionals formulate a replica of the commercial medication to serve ongoing patient needs. Although compounding has been relatively common over the past century, prominent medical bodies have argued that compounding a relatively novel medication such as Semaglutide represents a major safety risk. This study retrospectively compared the weight and side effect outcomes of patients from a large Australian DWLS whose lifestyle coaching was supplemented with either compounded or pure Semaglutide (both groups following the same titration schedule). All data were extracted from the service’s central data repository. To be included in the weight loss analysis, patients needed to have received a minimum of four monthly medication orders between June 2023 and May 2024 and have submitted weight data between 90 and 150 days after the arrival of their first order. All patients who received at least one medication order within the same period were included in the side effect analysis. The mean four-month weight loss percentage was statistically lower in the compounded Semaglutide group (N = 923, M = 9.11, SD = ±5.76) compared to those in the pure Semaglutide group (n = 1858, M = 9.87, SD = ±6.46), t (2032) = −3.15, p = 0.0017. A statistically lower proportion of patients in the compounded Semaglutide group (71.61%) reported at least one side effect than patients in the pure Semaglutide group (77.40%) during the study period, X2 (1, N = 7683) = 32.32, p < 0.001. When side effects were disaggregated into severity categories, a statistical difference was only observed in mild side effects, X2 (1, N = 7683) = 59.16, p < 0.001. A significantly higher rate of patients from the pure Semaglutide group achieved the ten (50.54% vs. 44.64%), X2 (1, N = 7683) = 10.34, p < 0.001, and fifteen (21.42% vs. 12.78%), X2 (1, N = 7683) = 30.43, p < 0.001, percent weight loss thresholds than patients from the compounded Semaglutide group. The findings indicate that compounded Semaglutide can be used as a component of tightly controlled DWLSs with slightly less effectiveness but with slightly lower side effect incidence when compared to pure Semaglutide.
In Vivo HOXB7 Gene Silencing and Cotreatment with Tamoxifen for Luminal A Breast Cancer Therapy
Authors: Valle Ana Beatriz Caribé dos Santos , da Silva Fábio Fernando Alves , Carneiro Maria Ângela Pepe , Espuche Bruno , Tavares Guilherme Diniz , Bernardes Emerson Soares , Moya Sergio Enrique , Pittella Frederico
Published: October 2024

Background: Acquired resistance and adverse effects are some of the challenges faced by thousands of Luminal A breast cancer patients under tamoxifen (TMX) treatment. Some authors associate the overexpression of HOXB7 with TMX resistance in this molecular subtype, and the knockdown of this gene could be an effective strategy to regain TMX sensitivity. Therefore, we used calcium phosphate hybrid nanoparticles (HNP) for the delivery of short interfering RNA molecule (siRNA) complementary to the HOXB7 gene and evaluated the RNA interference (RNAi) effects associated with TMX treatment in breast cancer in vivo. Methods: HNP were prepared by the self-assembly of a methoxy-poly (ethylene glycol)-block-poly (L-glutamic acid) copolymer (PEG-pGlu) and the coprecipitation of CaPO4 to incorporate siRNA. The in vitro cell viability and migration were evaluated prior to in vivo experiments. Further, animals bearing early-stage and advanced Luminal A breast cancer were treated with HNP-siHOXB7, HNP-siHOXB7 + TMX, and TMX. Antitumoral activity and gene expression were evaluated following histopathological, hematological, and biochemical analysis. Results: The HNP were efficient in delivering the siRNA in vitro and in vivo, whilst HOXB7 silencing associated with TMX administration promoted controlled tumor growth, as well as a higher survival rate and reduction in immuno- and hepatotoxicity. Conclusions: Therefore, our findings suggest that HOXB7 can be an interesting molecular target for Luminal A breast cancer, especially associated with hormone therapy, aiming for adverse effect mitigation and higher therapeutic efficacy.
Development and Characterization of Film-Forming Solution Loaded with Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels for Topical Application in Post-Surgical Therapies
Authors: Cebrian Rosinéia Aparecida Vilela , Dalmagro Mariana , Pinc Mariana Moraes , Donadel Guilherme , Engel Larissa Aparecida , Bariccatti Reinaldo Aparecido , de Almeida Rafael Menck , de Aguiar Kelen Menezes Flores Rossi , Lourenço Emerson Luiz Botelho , Hoscheid Jaqueline
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Considering the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties attributed to compounds in Syzygium cumini extract, this research aimed to advance postoperative therapeutic innovations. Specifically, the study assessed the physicochemical properties of a film-forming solution (FFS) incorporated with S. cumini, evaluating its therapeutic potential for postoperative applications. Methods: The S. cumini extract was meticulously characterized to determine its chemical composition, with particular emphasis on the concentration of phenolic compounds. Antioxidant and antimicrobial assays were conducted to assess the extract’s efficacy in these domains. Following this, an FFS containing S. cumini was formulated and evaluated comprehensively for skin adhesion, mechanical and barrier properties, and thermal behavior. Results: The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the S. cumini extract demonstrated promising results, indicating its potential utility as an adjunct in postoperative care. The developed FFS exhibited favorable physicochemical properties for topical application, including adequate skin adhesion and appropriate pH levels. Moreover, chemical and thermal analyses confirmed the formulation’s stability and the retention of the extract’s beneficial properties. Conclusions: Overall, the findings suggest that the S. cumini-loaded FFS holds significant potential as a valuable therapeutic tool for post-surgical management.
In Vitro Mucoadhesive Features of Gliadin Nanoparticles Containing Thiamine Hydrochloride
Authors: Voci Silvia , Gagliardi Agnese , Giuliano Elena , Salvatici Maria Cristina , Procopio Antonio , Cosco Donato
Published: October 2024

Background: Gliadins have aroused significant interest in the last decade as suitable biomaterials for food and pharmaceutical applications. In particular, the oral route is the preferred method of administration for gliadin-based formulations, due to the affinity of this biomaterial for the gut mucosa. However, up to now, this has been demonstrated only by means of in vivo or ex vivo studies. Methods: This is why, in this study, various in vitro techniques were employed in order to evaluate the ability of polymeric nanoparticles, made up of a commercial grade of the protein and an etheric surfactant, to interact with porcine gastric mucin. The nanosystems were also used for the encapsulation of thiamine hydrochloride, used as a model of a micronutrient. Results: The resulting systems were characterized by a mean diameter of ~160–170 nm, a narrow size distribution when 0.2–0.6 mg/mL of thiamine was used, and an encapsulation efficiency between 30 and 45% of the drug initially employed. The incubation of the gliadin nanosystems with various concentrations of porcine gastric mucin evidenced the ability of the carriers to interact with the mucus glycoprotein, showing a decreased Zeta potential after a 4 h incubation (from ~−30 to −40 mV), while demonstrating that the encapsulation of the drug did not affect its bioadhesive features. Conclusions: Altogether, these data support the conceivable application of gliadin nanoparticles as formulations for the oral administration of bioactive compounds.
Enhancing Acute Migraine Treatment: Exploring Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for the Nose-to-Brain Route
Authors: Torres Joana , Silva Renata , Farias Gonçalo , Sousa Lobo José Manuel , Ferreira Domingos Carvalho , Silva Ana Catarina
Published: October 2024

Migraine has a high prevalence worldwide and is one of the main disabling neurological diseases in individuals under the age of 50. In general, treatment includes the use of oral analgesics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for mild attacks, and, for moderate or severe attacks, triptans or 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonists. However, the administration of antimigraine drugs in conventional oral pharmaceutical dosage forms is a challenge, since many molecules have difficulty crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to reach the brain, which leads to bioavailability problems. Efforts have been made to find alternative delivery systems and/or routes for antimigraine drugs. In vivo studies have shown that it is possible to administer drugs directly into the brain via the intranasal (IN) or the nose-to-brain route, thus avoiding the need for the molecules to cross the BBB. In this field, the use of lipid nanoparticles, in particular solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), has shown promising results, since they have several advantages for drugs administered via the IN route, including increased absorption and reduced enzymatic degradation, improving bioavailability. Furthermore, SLN and NLC are capable of co-encapsulating drugs, promoting their simultaneous delivery to the site of therapeutic action, which can be a promising approach for the acute migraine treatment. This review highlights the potential of using SLN and NLC to improve the treatment of acute migraine via the nose-to-brain route. First sections describe the pathophysiology and the currently available pharmacological treatment for acute migraine, followed by an outline of the mechanisms underlying the nose-to-brain route. Afterwards, the main features of SLN and NLC and the most recent in vivo studies investigating the use of these nanoparticles for the treatment of acute migraine are presented.
Perovskite Nanocrystal-Coated Inorganic Scintillator-Based Fiber-Optic Gamma-ray Sensor with Higher Light Yields
Authors: Jegal Seokhyeon , Song Siwon , Park Jae Hyung , Kim Jinhong , Kim Seunghyeon , Lee Sangjun , Pyeon Cheol Ho , Kim Sin , Lee Bongsoo
Published: October 2024

Radiation possesses inherent physical characteristics, such as penetrability and radionuclide energy, which enable its widespread applicability in fields such as medicine, industry, environment, security, and research. Advancements in scintillator-based radiation detection technology have led to revolutionary changes by ensuring the safe use and precise measurement of radiation. Nevertheless, certain fields require higher scintillation yields to obtain more refined and detailed results. Therefore, in this study, we explored inorganic scintillators coated with perovskite nanomaterials to detect gamma rays with high light yields. By mixing perovskite with a polymer, we improved the intrinsic characteristics of quantum dots, which otherwise failed to maintain their performance over time. On this basis, we investigated the interactions among inorganic scintillators and a mixed material (CsPbBr3 + PMMA) and confirmed an increase in the scintillation yield and measurement trends. Furthermore, optimized scintillation yield measurement experiments facilitated gamma spectroscopy, demonstrating the validity of our approach through the analysis of the peak channel increases in the energy spectra of various gamma sources in relation to the increased scintillation yield.
Genetic Variability in the Physicochemical Characteristics of Cultivated Coffea canephora Genotypes
Authors: Junior Hilton Lopes , Rocha Rodrigo Barros , Kolln Alana Mara , Silva Ramiciely Nunes de Paula , Alves Enrique Anastácio , Teixeira Alexsandro Lara , Espíndula Marcelo Curitiba
Published: October 2024

The objective of this study was to characterize the genetic divergence and selection gains of the physicochemical grains traits of 68 genotypes of C. canephora most cultivated in the Western Amazon. For this purpose, the following characteristics were evaluated over two harvests: aqueous extract, ash, acidity, pH, protein, ether extract, soluble solids, phenolic compounds, soluble sugars, reducing sugars, and non-reducing sugars. The genotype × measurement interaction effect was significant for all characteristics, with a predominant simple interaction, resulting in smaller changes in the ranking of genotypes. Out of a total of 45 genotypic correlation estimates, 8 were significant, of which 5 were related to acidity. The dispersion of the first two components associated with reference points shows that the genotypes BRS3193, AS1, AS2, AS3, N16, CA1, and AS7 were closest to the ideal type of higher performance. Selection for the main characteristic of soluble sugars resulted in estimates of genetic progress lower than those observed using selection indices. The genetic materials present high genetic diversity, allowing the selection of reference plants with high levels of sugars (BRS3193, AS3, GJ25, and LB30), proteins (BRS2357), lipids (GJ30), and phenolic compounds in their green beans (BRS3193) and high water solubility (AS2).
Genetic Transformation of Triticum dicoccum and Triticum aestivum with Genes of Jasmonate Biosynthesis Pathway Affects Growth and Productivity Characteristics
Authors: Miroshnichenko Dmitry N. , Pigolev Alexey V. , Pushin Alexander S. , Alekseeva Valeria V. , Degtyaryova Vlada I. , Degtyaryov Evgeny A. , Pronina Irina V. , Frolov Andrej , Dolgov Sergey V. , Savchenko Tatyana V.
Published: October 2024

The transformation protocol based on the dual selection approach (fluorescent protein and herbicide resistance) has been applied here to produce transgenic plants of two cereal species, emmer wheat and bread wheat, with the goal of activating the synthesis of the stress hormone jasmonates by overexpressing ALLENE OXIDE SYNTHASE from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtAOS) and bread wheat (TaAOS) and OXOPHYTODIENOATE REDUCTASE 3 from A. thaliana (AtOPR3) under the strong constitutive promoter (ZmUbi1), either individually or both genes simultaneously. The delivery of the expression cassette encoding AOS was found to affect morphogenesis in both wheat species negatively. The effect of transgene expression on the accumulation of individual jasmonates in hexaploid and tetraploid wheat was observed. Among the introduced genes, overexpression of TaAOS was the most successful in increasing stress-inducible phytohormone levels in transgenic plants, resulting in higher accumulations of JA and JA-Ile in emmer wheat and 12-OPDA in bread wheat. In general, overexpression of AOS, alone or together with AtOPR3, negatively affected leaf lamina length and grain numbers per spike in both wheat species. Double (AtAOS + AtOPR3) transgenic wheat plants were characterized by significantly reduced plant height and seed numbers, especially in emmer wheat, where several primary plants failed to produce seeds.
A Study of the Diversity Patterns of Desert Vegetation Communities in an Arid Zone of China
Authors: Xin Zhiming , Li Xing , Li Yonghua , Dong Xue , Duan Ruibing , Chang Xu , Cheng Yiben , Wu Xiuqing , Li Wei
Published: October 2024

The Gobi Desert ecosystem is currently experiencing the impacts of persistent climate warming and extreme weather. However, the relative influences of factors such as soil, climate, and spatial variables on the β-diversity of desert plants and their key components have not been systematically studied. In this research, the Dunhuang North Mountain and Mazong Mountain areas were selected as study areas, with a total of 79 plant community plots systematically established. The aim was to explore intercommunity β-diversity and its components and to analyze the interrelationships with climate factors, soil factors, and geographic distance. The results indicate that (1) there is a geographic decay pattern and significant differences among plant communities in the Dunhuang North Mountain and Mazong Mountain areas, with β-diversity primarily driven by replacement components. (2) Climate, soil, and geographic distance significantly influence β-diversity and its replacement components, with climate factors exerting the greatest influence and geographic distance the least. (3) Multiple regression analysis (MRM) reveals differential effects of climate factors, soil factors, and geographic distance on β-diversity and its replacement components, with climate and soil factors exerting a much greater influence than geographic distance. In summary, the β-diversity of plant communities and their replacement components in the Dunhuang North Mountain and Mazong Mountain areas result from the combined effects of habitat filtering and dispersal limitation, with habitat filtering having a greater impact, while environmental heterogeneity is an important factor influencing species differences in this region.
Landscape Heterogeneity Drives Genetic Diversity in the Highly Dispersive Moss Funaria hygrometrica Hedw.
Authors: Magdy Mahmoud , Werner Olaf , Patiño Jairo , Ros Rosa María
Published: October 2024

Funaria hygrometrica, a cosmopolitan moss species known for its remarkable dispersal capacity, was selected as the focal organism to investigate the relationship between landscape features and genetic diversity. Our study encompassed samples collected from two distinct regions: the Spanish Sierra Nevada Mountains (SN), characterized by a diverse landscape with an altitudinal difference of nearly 3500 m within a short distance, and the Murcia Region (MU) in Southeast Spain, characterized by a uniform landscape akin to the lowlands of Sierra Nevada. Genotyping analysis targeted three genetic regions: the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS), the chloroplast rps3-rpl16 region, and the mitochondrial rpl5-rpl16 spacer. Through this analysis, we aimed to assess genetic variability and population structure across these environmentally contrasting regions. The Sierra Nevada populations exhibited significantly higher haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.78 in the highlands and 0.67 overall) and nucleotide diversity (π% = 0.51 for ITS1) compared to the Murcia populations (Hd = 0.35, π% = 0.14). Further investigation unveiled that samples from the lowlands of Sierra Nevada showed a closer genetic affinity to Murcia than to the highlands of Sierra Nevada. Furthermore, the genetic differentiation between highland and lowland populations was significant (ΦST = 0.55), with partial Mantel tests and ResistanceGA analysis revealing a strong correlation between ITS1-based genetic diversity and landscape features, including altitude and bioclimatic variables. Our study elucidated potential explanations for the observed genetic structuring within F. hygrometrica samples’ populations. These included factors such as a high selfing rate within restricted habitats, a limited average dispersal distance of spores, hybrid depression affecting partially incompatible genetic lineages, and recent migration facilitated via human activities into formerly unoccupied areas of the dry zones of Southeast Spain.
Genome-Wide Identification of the Geranylgeranyl Pyrophosphate Synthase (GGPS) Gene Family Associated with Natural Rubber Synthesis in Taraxacum kok-saghyz L. Rodin
Authors: Wang Lili , He Huan , Wang Jiayin , Meng Zhuang , Wang Lei , Jin Xiang , Zhang Jianhang , Du Pingping , Zhang Liyu , Wang Fei , Li Hongbin , Xie Quanliang
Published: October 2024

Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin (TKS) is a recognized alternative source of natural rubber comparable to the rubber tree. The geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPS) catalyzed the synthesis of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), which is an important enzyme in the secondary metabolism pathway. In this study, we present the first analysis of the GGPS gene family in TKS, where a total of seven TkGGPS family members were identified. Their core motifs, conserved structural domains, gene structures, and cis-acting elements were described. In addition, two phylogenetic trees were constructed based on the Neighbor-Joining and Maximum-Likelihood methods, and the TkGGPSs were highly conserved and exhibited good collinearity with the other species. Transcriptome data showed that seven TkGGPS gene members were expressed in all the 12 tissues measured, and TkGGPS1, TkGGPS3, and TkGGPS6 were highly expressed in latex, suggesting that they may be associated with natural rubber synthesis. Meanwhile, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that the expression levels of the TkGGPS genes were regulated by the ethylene and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) pathways. Subcellular localization results indicated that all the TkGGPS proteins were also located in chloroplasts involved in photosynthesis in plants. This study will provide valuable insights into the selection of candidate genes for molecular breeding and natural rubber biosynthesis in TKS.
In Vitro Evaluation of Electrospun PCL Bioscaffold with Zinc-Doped Bioactive Glass Powder Addition
Authors: Chen Ya-Yi , Chiou Yuh-Jing , Chang Pei-Jung , Chang Wei-Min , Yeh Yu-Cheng , Chen Chin-Yi , Chang Yu-Kang , Lin Chung-Kwei
Published: October 2024

Preparing electrospun fibers by applying a potential difference between a polymeric solution and a contacting substrate is increasingly attracting attention in tissue engineering applications. Among the numerous polymers, polycaprolactone (PCL) bioscaffold has been widely investigated due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Bioactive powder can be added to further improve its performance. In the present study, bioactive glass powder modified by adding 0–6 wt.% antibacterial zinc element (coded as ZBG) was prepared through the sol–gel process. Furthermore, PCL bioscaffolds with various ZBG additions were prepared using the electrospinning technique. The zinc-doped bioactive glass powder and electrospun PCL/ZBG bioscaffolds were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to determine their structural properties. Additionally, in vitro bioactivity, biocompatibility and antibacterial performance were investigated. Experimental results showed that sol–gelled ZBG powder possessed superior bioactivity and 0.8 g ZBG was the optimal addition to prepare PCL/ZBG bioscaffolds with. All the electrospun PCL/ZBG bioscaffolds were biocompatible and their antibacterial performance against two S. aureus strains (SA133 and Newman) improved with increasing zinc concentration. Electrospun PCL/ZBG bioscaffolds exhibited excellent bioactivity and have great potential for biomedical application.
Fabrication of Low-Cost Porous Carbon Polypropylene Composite Sheets with High Photothermal Conversion Performance for Solar Steam Generation
Authors: Xu Shuqing , Wu Shiyun , Xu Bin , Ma Jiang , Du Jianjun , Lei Jianguo
Published: October 2024

The development of absorber materials with strong light absorption properties and low-cost fabrication processes is highly significant for the application of photothermal conversion technology. In this work, a mixed powder consisting of NaCl, polypropylene (PP), and scale-like carbon flakes was ultrasonically pressed into sheets, and the NaCl was then removed by salt dissolution to obtain porous carbon polypropylene composite sheets (P-CPCS). This process is simple, green, and suitable for the low-cost, large-area fabrication of P-CPCS. P-CPCS has a well-distributed porous structure containing internal and external connected water paths. Under the dual effects of the carbon flakes and porous structure, P-CPCS shows excellent photothermal conversion performance in a broad wavelength range. P-CPCS-40 achieves a high temperature of 128 °C and a rapid heating rate of 12.4 °C/s under laser irradiation (808 nm wavelength, 1.2 W/cm2 power). When utilized for solar steam generation under 1 sun irradiation, P-CPCS-40 achieves 98.2% evaporation efficiency and a 1.81 kg m−2 h−1 evaporation rate. This performance means that P-CPCS-40 outperforms most other previously reported absorbers in terms of evaporation efficiency. The combination of carbon flakes, which provide a photothermal effect, and a porous polymer structure, which provides light-capturing properties, opens up a new strategy for desalination, sewage treatment, and other related fields.
Facile Construction of Flame-Resistant and Thermal-Insulating Sodium Alginate Aerogel Incorporating N- and P-Elements
Authors: Liu Ju , Zhan Huanhui , Song Jianan , Wang Chenfei , Zhao Tong , Fu Bo
Published: October 2024

In this study, sodium alginate (SA) aerogel cross-linked with Ca2+ was selected as the basic skeleton to construct a lightweight, flame retardant, and thermal insulating composite aerogel via modification with melamine and phytic acid. The resulting aerogel, SA-1.0 MP, achieved a thermal conductivity as low as 0.0379 W/(m·K). Compared to pristine SA aerogel, SA-1.0 MP demonstrated improved fire resistance, evidenced by a substantial increase in the limiting oxygen index (LOI) from 21.5% to 48.8% and a V-0 rating in the UL-94 test. Furthermore, a synergistic mechanism was proposed to explain its remarkable flame-retardant capability.
Rapid and Prolonged Antidepressant and Antianxiety Effects of Psychedelics and 3,4-Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Fluyau Dimy , Kailasam Vasanth Kattalai , Revadigar Neelambika
Published: October 2024

Background: There is ongoing research into the potential use of psychedelics and 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) as alternatives to commonly used medications for treating major depressive and anxiety disorders. Aims: We aimed to assess the efficacy of psychedelics and MDMA in managing depressive and anxiety symptoms and evaluate their safety profiles. Methods: We searched five databases for randomized controlled trials of psychedelics and MDMA targeting depressive and anxiety symptoms and conducted a meta-analysis using a random effects model when possible. The review protocol is registered in PROSPERO under CRD42022341325. Results: Psilocybin induced a rapid and sustained reduction in depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder and in patients with life-threatening cancer. MDMA induced a decrease in depressive symptoms in patients with life-threatening cancer, autism spectrum disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. MDMA’s effect size was either negligible or negative in reducing generalized anxiety symptoms, but MDMA reduced social anxiety symptoms. Ayahuasca induced a reduction in depressive symptoms in individuals with treatment-resistant major depressive and personality disorders. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) induced a decrease in anxiety symptoms in individuals with life-threatening cancer. Psilocybin’s adverse effects were noticeable for elevated blood pressure, headaches, and panic attacks. For MDMA, elevated blood pressure, headaches, panic attacks, and feeling cold were noticeable. Conclusions: Psychedelics (psilocybin, ayahuasca, and LSD) and MDMA have the potential to induce a reduction in depressive and anxiety symptoms. Adverse effects are noticed. Rigorous randomized controlled studies with larger sample sizes utilizing instruments with better reliability and validity are warranted.
Homo Climaticus vs. Homo Religiosus: The Interplay of Archetypes
Authors: Zariņš Kristaps , Siders Emīls Georgs
Published: October 2024

In the modern era, we increasingly encounter threats and challenges caused by climate change, and as a result, “green” thinking has become a necessity in every person’s life. It is believed that environmentally focused thinking can be invigorated with the help of Homo Climaticus, who is defined as a rational person in a climate crisis. However, it must be recognized that to understand the essence of Homo Climaticus, it must be compared with other archetypes. Within the framework of this article, the authors have evaluated the interaction between Homo Climaticus and Homo Religiosus in the context of environmental management. The analysis of these archetypes outlines the synergies and conflicts that arise from the fundamental differences in the worldviews of these archetypes, although both are committed to preserving the environment. Homo Climaticus is fundamentally based on science and data related to environmental management, whereas Homo Religiosus is motivated by faith-based ethics and the moral necessity to protect the world created by God. Recognizing and utilizing the strengths of both these archetypes can create more effective environmental management. Such an interdisciplinary approach indicates that collaboration between scientific and religious communities can provide a comprehensive strategy for addressing global environmental issues.
A New Method for Top-Down Inversion Estimation of Carbon Dioxide Flux Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Wang Hui , Li Dan , Zhou Ruilin , Hu Xiaoyu , Wang Leyi , Zhang Lang
Published: October 2024

Estimation of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emission sources and natural sinks (i.e., CO2 fluxes) is essential for the development of climate policies. Satellite observations provide an opportunity for top-down inversion of CO2 fluxes, which can be used to improve the results of bottom-up estimation. This study proposes to develop a new top-down CO2 flux estimation method based on deep learning, as well as satellite observations, and an atmospheric chemical transport model. This method utilizes two deep learning models: the concentration correction model and the concentration–flux inversion model. The former optimizes the GEOS-Chem-simulated CO2 concentration using Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) satellite observations, while the latter establishes the complicated relationship between CO2 concentration and CO2 flux. Results showed that both deep learning models demonstrated excellent prediction performance, with a mean bias of 0.461 ppm for the concentration correction model and an annual mean correlation coefficient of 0.920 for the concentration–flux inversion model. A posterior CO2 flux was obtained through a two-step optimization process using these well-trained models. Our findings indicate that the posterior estimations of CO2 flux sources in eastern China and northern Europe have been significantly reduced compared to the prior estimations. This study provides a new perspective on top-down CO2 flux inversion using satellite observation. With advancements in deep learning algorithms and increased satellite observations, this method may become an effective approach for CO2 flux inversion in the future.
Multi-Window Fusion Spatial-Frequency Joint Self-Attention for Remote-Sensing Image Super-Resolution
Authors: Li Ziang , Lu Wen , Wang Zhaoyang , Hu Jian , Zhang Zeming , He Lihuo
Published: October 2024

Remote-sensing images typically feature large dimensions and contain repeated texture patterns. To effectively capture finer details and encode comprehensive information, feature-extraction networks with larger receptive fields are essential for remote-sensing image super-resolution tasks. However, mainstream methods based on stacked Transformer modules suffer from limited receptive fields due to fixed window sizes, impairing long-range dependency capture and fine-grained texture reconstruction. In this paper, we propose a spatial-frequency joint attention network based on multi-window fusion (MWSFA). Specifically, our approach introduces a multi-window fusion strategy, which merges windows with similar textures to allow self-attention mechanisms to capture long-range dependencies effectively, therefore expanding the receptive field of the feature extractor. Additionally, we incorporate a frequency-domain self-attention branch in parallel with the original Transformer architecture. This branch leverages the global characteristics of the frequency domain to further extend the receptive field, enabling more comprehensive self-attention calculations across different frequency bands and better utilization of consistent frequency information. Extensive experiments on both synthetic and real remote-sensing datasets demonstrate that our method achieves superior visual reconstruction effects and higher evaluation metrics compared to other super-resolution methods.
SSN: Scale Selection Network for Multi-Scale Object Detection in Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Lin Zhili , Leng Biao
Published: October 2024

The rapid growth of deep learning technology has made object detection in remote sensing images an important aspect of computer vision, finding applications in military surveillance, maritime rescue, and environmental monitoring. Nonetheless, the capture of remote sensing images at high altitudes causes significant scale variations, resulting in a heterogeneous range of object scales. These varying scales pose significant challenges for detection algorithms. To solve the scale variation problem, traditional detection algorithms compute multi-layer feature maps. However, this approach introduces significant computational redundancy. Inspired by the mechanism of cognitive scaling mechanisms handling multi-scale information, we propose a novel Scale Selection Network (SSN) to eliminate computational redundancy through scale attentional allocation. In particular, we have devised a lightweight Landmark Guided Scale Attention Network, which is capable of predicting potential scales in an image. The detector only needs to focus on the selected scale features, which greatly reduces the inference time. Additionally, a fast Reversible Scale Semantic Flow Preserving strategy is proposed to directly generate multi-scale feature maps for detection. Experiments demonstrate that our method facilitates the acceleration of image pyramid-based detectors by approximately 5.3 times on widely utilized remote sensing object detection benchmarks.
Remote Sensing-Based Multiscale Analysis of Total and Groundwater Storage Dynamics over Semi-Arid North African Basins
Authors: Amazirh Abdelhakim , Ouassanouan Youness , Bouimouass Houssne , Baba Mohamed Wassim , Bouras El Houssaine , Rafik Abdellatif , Benkirane Myriam , Hajhouji Youssef , Ablila Youness , Chehbouni Abdelghani
Published: October 2024

This study evaluates the use of remote sensing data to improve the understanding of groundwater resources in climate-sensitive regions with limited data availability and increasing agricultural water demands. The research focuses on estimating groundwater reserve dynamics in two major river basins in Morocco, characterized by significant local variability. The study employs data from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment satellite (GRACE) and ERA5-Land reanalysis. Two GRACE terrestrial water storage (TWS) products, CSR Mascon and JPL Mascon (RL06), were analyzed, along with auxiliary datasets generated from ERA5-Land, including precipitation, evapotranspiration, and surface runoff. The results show that both GRACE TWS products exhibit strong correlations with groundwater reserves, with correlation coefficients reaching up to 0.96 in the Oum Er-rbia River Basin and 0.95 in the Tensift River Basin (TRB). The root mean square errors (RMSE) were 0.99 cm and 0.88 cm, respectively. GRACE-derived groundwater storage (GWS) demonstrated a moderate correlation with observed groundwater levels in OERRB (R = 0.59, RMSE = 0.82), but a weaker correlation in TRB (R = 0.30, RMSE = 1.01). On the other hand, ERA5-Land-derived GWS showed a stronger correlation with groundwater levels in OERRB (R = 0.72, RMSE = 0.51) and a moderate correlation in TRB (R = 0.63, RMSE = 0.59). The findings suggest that ERA5-Land may provide more accurate assessments of groundwater storage anomalies, particularly in regions with significant local-scale variability in land and water use. High-resolution datasets like ERA5-land are, therefore, more recommended for addressing local-scale heterogeneity in regions with contrasted complexities in groundwater storage characteristics.
Estimating Rootzone Soil Moisture by Fusing Multiple Remote Sensing Products with Machine Learning
Authors: Sahaar Shukran A. , Niemann Jeffrey D.
Published: October 2024

This study explores machine learning for estimating soil moisture at multiple depths (0–5 cm, 0–10 cm, 0–20 cm, 0–50 cm, and 0–100 cm) across the coterminous United States. A framework is developed that integrates soil moisture from Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP), precipitation from the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM), evapotranspiration from the Ecosystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS), vegetation data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), soil properties from gridded National Soil Survey Geographic (gNATSGO), and land cover information from the National Land Cover Database (NLCD). Five machine learning algorithms are evaluated including the feed-forward artificial neural network, random forest, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), Categorical Boosting, and Light Gradient Boosting Machine. The methods are tested by comparing to in situ soil moisture observations from several national and regional networks. XGBoost exhibits the best performance for estimating soil moisture, achieving higher correlation coefficients (ranging from 0.76 at 0–5 cm depth to 0.86 at 0–100 cm depth), lower root mean squared errors (from 0.024 cm3/cm3 at 0–100 cm depth to 0.039 cm3/cm3 at 0–5 cm depth), higher Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiencies (from 0.551 at 0–5 cm depth to 0.694 at 0–100 cm depth), and higher Kling–Gupta Efficiencies (0.511 at 0–5 cm depth to 0.696 at 0–100 cm depth). Additionally, XGBoost outperforms the SMAP Level 4 product in representing the time series of soil moisture for the networks. Key factors influencing the soil moisture estimation are elevation, clay content, aridity index, and antecedent soil moisture derived from SMAP.
Discovering the Ecosystem Service Value Growth Characteristics of a Subtropical Soil Erosion Area Using a Remote-Sensing-Driven Mountainous Equivalent Factor Method
Authors: Jiang Hong , Lin Jing , Liu Bibao , Yue Hui , Lin Jinglan , Shui Wei , Gao Ming , Chen Yunzhi
Published: October 2024

Evaluation ecosystem service value (ESV) is critical, as “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”. To assess the incremental effects of ecological assets on soil and water conservation in subtropical mountains, we developed a remote-sensing-driven mountainous equivalent factor (RS-MEF) method to estimate the ESV of Changting County, China. This method is a hybrid of a conventional equivalent factor framework and remote sensing techniques for mountains, achieving several advancements, including spatial adjustment using vegetation activity merged with productivity, improved spatial resolution, and the removal of topographic effects. Using the RS-MEF method, we estimated that the ESV of Changting County was approximately CNY 15.80 billion in 2010 and CNY 34.83 billion in 2022. Specifically, the ESV per unit area of the major soil erosion area (MSEA) in the county was less than that of the non-major soil erosion area (n-MSEA); however, the ESV growth rate of the MSEA from 2010 to 2022 was faster than that of the n-MSEA. Therefore, the ESV gap between the two areas was reduced from 28.99% in 2010 to 15.83% in 2022. Topographic gradient analysis illustrates that areas with elevations of 385 to 658 m and steep slopes achieved a high ESV, while high-elevation areas with gentle slopes will be a focus of control in the next phase. Our study demonstrates that significant achievements have been made in ecological restoration from an ESV perspective, with a notable reduction in low-ESV areas in the MSEA; the insights gained into ESV growth and its underlying factors are valuable and instructive for future soil and water conservation efforts.