bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms of the molecular and cellular biology of angiogenesis and inflammation in moyamoya angiopathy and related vascular diseases
Authors: Dorschel Kirsten B. , Wanebo John E.
Published: May 2023

Rationale

The etiology and pathophysiological mechanisms of moyamoya angiopathy (MMA) remain largely unknown. MMA is a progressive, occlusive cerebrovascular disorder characterized by recurrent ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes; with compensatory formation of an abnormal network of perforating blood vessels that creates a collateral circulation; and by aberrant angiogenesis at the base of the brain. Imbalance of angiogenic and vasculogenic mechanisms has been proposed as a potential cause of MMA. Moyamoya vessels suggest that aberrant angiogenic, arteriogenic, and vasculogenic processes may be involved in the pathophysiology of MMA. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells have been hypothesized to contribute to vascular remodeling in MMA. MMA is associated with increased expression of angiogenic factors and proinflammatory molecules. Systemic inflammation may be related to MMA pathogenesis.

Objective

This literature review describes the molecular mechanisms associated with cerebrovascular dysfunction, aberrant angiogenesis, and inflammation in MMA and related cerebrovascular diseases along with treatment strategies and future research perspectives.

Methods and results

References were identified through a systematic computerized search of the medical literature from January 1, 1983, through July 29, 2022, using the PubMed, EMBASE, BIOSIS Previews, CNKI, ISI web of science, and Medline databases and various combinations of the keywords “moyamoya,” “angiogenesis,” “anastomotic network,” “molecular mechanism,” “physiology,” “pathophysiology,” “pathogenesis,” “biomarker,” “genetics,” “signaling pathway,” “blood-brain barrier,” “endothelial progenitor cells,” “endothelial function,” “inflammation,” “intracranial hemorrhage,” and “stroke.” Relevant articles and supplemental basic science articles almost exclusively published in English were included. Review of the reference lists of relevant publications for additional sources resulted in 350 publications which met the study inclusion criteria. Detection of growth factors, chemokines, and cytokines in MMA patients suggests the hypothesis of aberrant angiogenesis being involved in MMA pathogenesis. It remains to be ascertained whether these findings are consequences of MMA or are etiological factors of MMA.

Conclusions

MMA is a heterogeneous disorder, comprising various genotypes and phenotypes, with a complex pathophysiology. Additional research may advance our understanding of the pathophysiology involved in aberrant angiogenesis, arterial stenosis, and the formation of moyamoya collaterals and anastomotic networks. Future research will benefit from researching molecular pathophysiologic mechanisms and the correlation of clinical and basic research results.
Brain function effects of exercise interventions for cognitive decline: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Karamacoska Diana , Butt Ali , Leung Isabella H. K. , Childs Ryan L. , Metri Najwa-Joelle , Uruthiran Vithya , Tan Tiffany , Sabag Angelo , Steiner-Lim Genevieve Z.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Exercise is recognized as a modifiable lifestyle factor that can mitigate cognitive decline and dementia risk. While the benefits of exercise on cognitive aging have been reported on extensively, neuronal effects in adults experiencing cognitive decline have not been systematically synthesized. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effects of exercise on cognition and brain function in people with cognitive decline associated with dementia risk.

Method

A systematic search was conducted for randomized controlled trials of ≥ 4 weeks exercise (aerobic, resistance, or mind-body) that assessed cognition and brain function using neuroimaging and neurophysiological measures in people with subjective or objective cognitive decline. Study characteristics and brain function effects were narratively synthesized, while domain-specific cognitive performance was subjected to meta-analysis. Study quality was also assessed.

Results

5,204 records were identified and 12 unique trials met the eligibility criteria, representing 646 adults classified with cognitive frailty, mild or vascular cognitive impairment. Most interventions involved 40-minute sessions conducted 3 times/week. Exercise improved global cognition (g = −0.417, 95% CI, −0.694 to −0.140, p = 0.003, I2 = 43.56%), executive function (g = −0.391, 95% CI, −0.651 to −0.131, p = 0.003, I2 = 13.28%), but not processing speed or general short-term memory (both p >0.05). Across fMRI and ERP studies, significant neuronal adaptations were found with exercise cf. control throughout the brain and were linked with improved global cognition, memory, and executive function. Cerebral blood flow was also found to improve with 24 weeks of exercise, but was not linked with cognitive changes.

Discussion

The cognitive improvements associated with exercise are likely driven by increased metabolic activity, cerebrovascular mechanisms, and neuroplasticity throughout the brain. Our paper shows the promise in, and need for, high-quality trials integrating cognitive and brain function measures to elucidate the functional relationship between exercise and brain health in populations with a high risk of dementia.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42022291843.
Identification of DNA repair gene signature and potential molecular subtypes in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Bai Yi , He Jinyun , Ma Yanquan , Liang He , Li Ming , Wu Yan
Published: May 2023

DNA repair is a critical factor in tumor progression as it impacts tumor mutational burden, genome stability, PD-L1 expression, immunotherapy response, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). In this study, we present a prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that utilizes genes related to the DNA damage response (DDR). Patients were stratified based on their risk score, and groups with lower risk scores demonstrated better survival rates compared to those with higher risk scores. The prognostic model’s accuracy in predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates for HCC patients was analyzed using receiver operator curve analysis (ROC). Results showed good accuracy in predicting survival rates. Additionally, we evaluated the prognostic model’s potential as an independent factor for HCC prognosis, along with tumor stage. Furthermore, nomogram was employed to determine the overall survival year of patients with HCC based on this independent factor. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that in the high-risk group, apoptosis, cell cycle, MAPK, mTOR, and WNT cascades were highly enriched. We used training and validation datasets to identify potential molecular subtypes of HCC based on the expression of DDR genes. The two subtypes differed in terms of checkpoint receptors for immunity and immune cell filtration capacity.Collectively, our study identified potential biomarkers of HCC prognosis, providing novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying HCC.
BRCA2 mutation in advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma treated with Olaparib and a PD-1 inhibitor: a case report
Authors: Chen Zhujun , Wang Kang , Zhao Lintao , Gong Liang
Published: May 2023

Background

Mutations in the human breast cancer susceptibility gene 2 (breast cancer 2, BRCA2) increase the risk of breast, ovarian and other cancers. Olaparib, an oral poly[adenosine diphosphate (ADP)–ribose] polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, is usually prescribed to treat BRCA mutated tumors, especially breast and ovarian cancers. Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of lung cancer and many other cancers by destroying the interaction between receptors with ligands in the tumor-immune microenvironment and enabling T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells.

Case description

In our study, we report a patient with advanced BRCA2 lung squamous cell carcinoma who received platinum-based chemotherapy combined with paclitaxel. Seven months later, the disease progressed. BRCA2 mutations were detected in peripheral blood by next-generation sequencing. After 2 months of treatment with Olaparib combined with Cindilimab, the patient was in partial remission and the progression-free survival (PFS) lasted for 6 months, but the patient developed immune renal damage.

Conclusions

This study adds to the clinical data for the treatment of BRCA2 mutant non-small cell lung cancer by demonstrating that lung squamous cell carcinoma has a good response to PARP inhibitors. It also serves as a reminder that there may still be some negative effects from targeted superimposed immunotherapy.
Clinical characteristics and prostate-cancer-specific mortality of competitive risk nomogram in the second primary prostate cancer
Authors: Xu Chaojie , Pei Dongchen , Liu Yi , Guo Jianhua , Liu Nan , Wang Qian , Yu Yang , Kang Zhengjun
Published: May 2023

Background

With the development of early diagnosis and treatment, the second primary malignancy (SPM) attracts increasing attention. The second primary prostate cancer (spPCa) is an important class of SPM, but remains poorly understood.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 3,322 patients with spPCa diagnosed between 2004 and 2015 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Chi-square test was applied to compare demographic and clinical variables and analyze causes of death. Multivariate competitive risk regression model was used to identify risk factors associated with prostate-cancer-specific mortality (PCSM), and these factors were enrolled to build a nomogram of competitive risk. The C-index, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were employed to evaluate the discrimination ability of our nomogram.

Results

The median follow-up (interquartile range, IQR) time was 47 (24–75) months, and the median (IQR) diagnosis interval between the first primary cancer (FPC) and spPCa was 32 (16–57) months. We found that the three most common sites of SPM were the urinary system, digestive system, and skin. Through multivariate competitive risk analysis, we enrolled race (p < 0.05), tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) stage (p < 0.001), Gleason score (p < 0.05), surgery (p = 0.002), and radiotherapy (p = 0.032) to construct the model to predict the outcomes of spPCa. The C-index was 0.856 (95% CI, 0.813–0.899) and 0.905 (95% CI, 0.941–0.868) in the training and validation set, respectively. Moreover, both the calibration curve and DCA illustrated that our nomogram performed well in predicting PCSM.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we identified four risk factors associated with the prognosis of spPCa and construct a competing risk nomogram, which performed well in predicting the 3-, 5-, and 10-year PCSM.
Long-term economic evaluation of the recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis fusion protein (EC) test for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection
Authors: Diao Sha , Liu Zheng , Liu Dan , Cheng Xiao , Zeng Linan , Jiao Xue-Feng , Chen Zhe , Ni Xiaofeng , He Siyi , Wu Bin , Kang Deying , Wan Chaomin , Zhao Rongsheng , Wang Huiqing , Zhang Lingli
Published: May 2023

Background: Tuberculosis continues to be a significant global burden. Purified protein derivative of tuberculin (TB-PPD) is one type of tuberculin skin test (TST) and is used commonly for the auxiliary diagnosis of tuberculosis. The recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis fusion protein (EC) test is a new test developed in China.

Objective: Evaluate the long-term economic implications of using the EC test compared with the TB-PPD test to provide a reference for clinical decision-making.

Methods: The target population was people at a high risk persons of being infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The outcome indicator was quality-adjusted life years (QALY). A cost–utility analysis was used to evaluate the long-term economic implications of using the EC test compared with the TB-PPD test. We employed a decision tree–Markov model from the perspective of the whole society within 77 years.

Results: Compared with the TB-PPD test, the EC test had a lower cost but higher QALY. The incremental cost–utility ratio was −119,800.7381 CNY/QALY. That is, for each additional QALY, the EC test could save 119,800.7381 CNY: the EC test was more economical than the TB-PPD test.

Conclusion: Compared with the TB-PPD test, the EC test would be more economical in the long term for the diagnosis of M. tuberculosis infection according our study.
Soluble receptors for advanced glycation end-products prevent unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal fibrosis
Authors: Kim Chan Ho , Kang Hye-Young , Kim Gyuri , Park Jimin , Nam Bo Young , Park Jung Tak , Han Seung Hyeok , Kang Shin-Wook , Yoo Tae-Hyun
Published: May 2023

Introduction: The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and its ligands, such as high-mobility group protein box 1 (HMGB1), play an important role in the accumulation of extracellular matrix in chronic kidney diseases with tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Blocking RAGE signaling with soluble RAGE (sRAGE) is a therapeutic candidate for renal fibrosis.

Methods: NRK-52E cells were stimulated with or without HMGB1 and incubated with sRAGE in vitro. Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally treated with sRAGE after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) operation in vivo.

Results: HMBG1-stimulated NRK-52E cells showed increased fibronectin expression, type I collagen, α-smooth muscle actin, and connective tissue growth factor, which were attenuated by sRAGE. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were enhanced in NRK-52E cells exposed to HMBG1, and sRAGE treatment alleviated the activation of the MAPK and NF-κB pathways. In the UUO rat models, sRAGE significantly ameliorated the increased renal fibronectin, type I collagen, and α-smooth muscle actin expressions. Masson’s trichrome staining confirmed the anti-fibrotic effect of sRAGE in the UUO rat model. RAGE also significantly attenuated the activation of the MAPK pathway and NF-κB, as well as the increased number of infiltrated macrophages within the tubulointerstitium in the kidney of the UUO rat models.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that RAGE plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis and that its inhibition by sRAGE may be a potential therapeutic approach for renal fibrosis.
Widely untargeted metabolomic profiling unearths metabolites and pathways involved in leaf senescence and N remobilization in spring-cultivated wheat under different N regimes
Authors: Effah Zechariah , Li Lingling , Xie Junhong , Karikari Benjamin , Xu Aixia , Wang Linlin , Du Changliang , Duku Boamah Emmanuel , Adingo Samuel , Zeng Min
Published: May 2023

Progression of leaf senescence consists of both degenerative and nutrient recycling processes in crops including wheat. However, the levels of metabolites in flag leaves in spring-cultivated wheat, as well as biosynthetic pathways involved under different nitrogen fertilization regimes, are largely unknown. Therefore, the present study employed a widely untargeted metabolomic profiling strategy to identify metabolites and biosynthetic pathways that could be used in a wheat improvement program aimed at manipulating the rate and onset of senescence by handling spring wheat (Dingxi 38) flag leaves sampled from no-, low-, and high-nitrogen (N) conditions (designated Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively) across three sampling times: anthesis, grain filling, and end grain filling stages. Through ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, a total of 826 metabolites comprising 107 flavonoids, 51 phenol lipids, 37 fatty acyls, 37 organooxygen compounds, 31 steroids and steroid derivatives, 18 phenols, and several unknown compounds were detected. Upon the application of the stringent screening criteria for differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), 28 and 23 metabolites were differentially accumulated in Group 1_vs_Group 2 and Group 1_vs_Group 3, respectively. From these, 1-O-Caffeoylglucose, Rhoifolin, Eurycomalactone;Ingenol, 4-Methoxyphenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside, and Baldrinal were detected as core conserved DAMs among the three groups with all accumulated higher in Group 1 than in the other two groups. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that tropane, piperidine, and pyridine alkaloid biosynthesis; acarbose and validamycin biosynthesis; lysine degradation; and biosynthesis of alkaloids derived from ornithine, lysine, and nicotinic acid pathways were the most significantly (p < 0.05) enriched in Group 1_vs_Group 2, while flavone and flavonol as well as anthocyanins biosynthetic pathways were the most significantly (p < 0.05) enriched in Group 1_vs_Group 3. The results from this study provide a foundation for the manipulation of the onset and rate of leaf senescence and N remobilization in wheat.
Masculinity, sexism and populist radical right support
Authors: Coffe Hilde , Fraile Marta , Alexander Amy , Fortin-Rittberger Jessica , Banducci Susan
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The gender gap in populist radical right voting—with women being less likely to support populist radical right parties than men—is well-established. Much less is known about the interplay between gender, masculinity and populist radical right voting. This study investigates the extent to which masculinity affects women and men's likelihood of supporting populist radical right parties. Focusing on sexism as a link between masculinity and populist radical right support, we put forward two mechanisms that operate at once: a mediating effect of sexism (sexism explains the association between masculinity and populist radical right voting) and a moderating effect of sexism (the impact of masculinity is stronger among citizens scoring high on sexism compared with citizens with low levels of sexist attitudes).

Methods

We draw on an original dataset collected in Spain at the end of 2020 to investigate support for the Spanish populist radical right party VOX.

Results

We find support for hypothesized mechanisms, mediation and moderation, chiefly among men. First, sexism explains about half of the link between masculinity and populist radical right support for this group, confirming the hypothesized mediation effect. Second, masculinity has a significantly stronger impact on the likelihood of supporting VOX among men scoring high on sexism, which in turn substantiates the presence of a moderation effect.

Discussion

Existing research so far has examined the empirical connections between how individuals perceive their levels of masculinity, sexism, and PRR voting separately. Our study offers a first step in unpacking the relationship between masculinity and PRR support by focusing specifically on how sexism relates to both these variables.
Matching different-structured advertising pictorial metaphors with verbalization forms: incongruity-based evoked response potentials evidence
Authors: Cao Shuo , Yue Fang , Zheng Shihui , Fu Yang , Huang Jing , Wang Huili
Published: May 2023

Many studies emphasize the need of verbally representing pictorial metaphors, but few have empirically investigated whether and how the particular verbalization form match different types of pictorial metaphors. Using evoked response potentials (ERP), a 3 (pictorial structure: fusion, juxtaposition, literal image) × 2 [verbalization form: A是(is) B, A像(is like) B] within-group experiment was conducted among 36 participants. ERPs were time-locked to the onset of the verb [是/像(is/is like)] of the metaphor sentence that follows a pictorial metaphor to detect the verbo-pictorial incongruity in metaphor comprehension. The incongruity-based ERP analysis showed that pictorial metaphors, when verbalized in two forms, all induced frontal N1 effect, regardless of pictorial structures, only with a larger N1 amplitude for literal images in “A是(is) B.” A central stronger P2 was observed in “A像(is like) B” for three structures. Despite a general elicitation of posterior P3 in all conditions, a larger P3 was found for juxtapositions verbalized in “A像(is like) B” and for literal images verbalized in “A是(is) B.” There was no significant difference between two verbalization forms for fusion-structured pictorial metaphors. These findings suggest: (1) verbo-pictorial metaphors could induce incongruity-based attention; (2) higher verbo-pictorial semantic congruity and relatedness, indexed by stronger P2 and P3, confirmed “A像(is like) B” to be the more effective verbalization form in representing pictorial metaphors, specifically for juxtaposition-structured pictorial metaphors; (3) for non-metaphor advertising pictures, verbal metaphor showed an interference effect. The study not only reveals the neuro-cognitive mechanism of processing verbo-pictorial metaphors, but also offers neural reference for the design of effective multi-modal metaphor by finding an optimal match between PMs and verbalization forms.
Exploring pandemic metaphors in educational contexts: a survey on the language of teachers and educators in Reggio Emilia, Italy
Authors: Giuliani Alice
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to explore how metaphors were used to interpret the pandemic and to address its challenges in primary and secondary schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy. A questionnaire was administered to educators and teachers to understand how languages, images, and metaphors were used by themselves and their students to talk about the pandemic and their experiences of living with it. The goal of the questionnaire was to guide critical reflection and encourage more informed language choices. While the existing literature points out the alleged overuse of war metaphors and military frames in public discourse, our findings show that war metaphors are relatively frequent, with other metaphorical frames widely used by teachers and educators to foster resilient attitudes in students. Moreover, in their professional contexts, teachers and educators mostly use metaphorical frames involving resilient attitudes. Our interpretation of the results supports the hypothesis that the purposeful use and deliberate production of metaphors support the choice of metaphors with positive, constructive implications. Finally, some implications of these findings on the theory of metaphor and the methodology of the research are discussed.
Suprachiasmatic nucleus functional connectivity related to insomnia symptoms in adolescents with major depressive disorder
Authors: Cao Lingling , Feng Ruohan , Gao Yingxue , Bao Weijie , Zhou Zilin , Liang Kaili , Hu Xinyue , Li Hailong , Zhang Lianqing , Li Yang , Zhuo Lihua , Huang Guoping , Huang Xiaoqi
Published: May 2023

Background

Insomnia is a commonly seen symptom in adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD). The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which is the circadian rhythm regulation center, plays a crucial role in the regulation of sleep-wake circulation. Nevertheless, how SCN function contributes to the exact neural mechanisms underlying the associations between insomnia and depressive symptoms has not been explored in adolescents. In the current study, we aimed to explore the relationship between SCN functional connectivity (FC) and insomnia symptoms in adolescents with MDD using a seed-based FC method.

Methods

In the current study, we recruited sixty-eight first-episode drug-naïve adolescents with MDD and classified them into high insomnia (MDD-HI) and low insomnia (MDD-LI) groups according to the sleep disturbance subscale of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-S). Forty-three age/gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) were also recruited. SCN FC maps were generally for all subjects and compared among three groups using one-way ANOVA with age, gender and adjusted HAMD score as covariates. We used partial correlations to explore associations between altered FC and clinical symptoms, including sleep quality scores.

Results

Adolescents with MDD showed worse sleep quality, which positively correlated with the severity of depression. Compared to MDD-LI and HCs, MDD-HI adolescents demonstrated significantly decreased FC between the right SCN and bilateral precuneus, and there was no significant difference between the MDD-LI and HC groups. The HAMD-S scores were negatively correlated with bilateral SCN-precuneus connectivity, and the retardation factor score of HAMD was negatively correlated with right SCN-precuneus connectivity.

Conclusion

The altered FC between the SCN and precuneus may underline the neural mechanism of sleep-related symptoms in depressive adolescents and provide potential targets for personalized treatment strategies.
Whole-genome sequencing of multidrug resistance Salmonella Typhi clinical strains isolated from Balochistan, Pakistan
Authors: Fatima Sareen , Ishaq Zaara , Irfan Muhammad , AlAsmari Abdullah F. , Achakzai Jahangir Khan , Zaheer Tahreem , Ali Amjad , Akbar Ali
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries, contributing significantly to the global disease burden.

Methods

In this study, S. Typhi strains were isolated from 100 patients exhibiting symptoms of typhoid fever at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Antimicrobial testing of all isolates was performed to determine the sensitivity and resistance pattern. Three MDR strains, namely QS194, QS430, and QS468, were subjected to whole genome sequencing for genomic characterization.

Results and Discussion

MLST analysis showed that QS194, belonged to ST19, which is commonly associated with Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium. In contrast, QS430 and QS468, belonged to ST1, a sequence type frequently associated with S. Typhi. PlasmidFinder identified the presence of IncFIB(S) and IncFII(S) plasmids in QS194, while IncQ1 was found in QS468. No plasmid was detected in QS430. CARD-based analysis showed that the strains were largely resistant to a variety of antibiotics and disinfecting agents/antiseptics, including fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, monobactams, cephamycins, penams, phenicols, tetracyclines, rifamycins, aminoglycosides, etc. The S. Typhi strains possessed various virulence factors, such as Vi antigen, Agf/Csg, Bcf, Fim, Pef, etc. The sequencing data indicated that the strains had antibiotic resistance determinants and shared common virulence factors. Pangenome analysis of the selected S. Typhi strains identified 13,237 genes, with 3,611 being core genes, 2,093 shell genes, and 7,533 cloud genes. Genome-based typing and horizontal gene transfer analysis revealed that the strains had different evolutionary origins and may have adapted to distinct environments or host organisms. These findings provide important insights into the genetic characteristics of S. Typhi strains and their potential association with various ecological niches and host organisms.
Political economy of protein transition: Battles of power, framings and narratives around a false wicked problem
Authors: Béné Christophe , Lundy Mark
Published: May 2023

In this paper we revisit the current debate between red meat vs. alternative protein and explore the respective contribution that those two polarized discourses claim to make in relation to the new international agenda on transforming food systems toward a more sustainable future. To complete this, we combine classical political economy analysis focusing on the access and distribution of power and economic resources amongst different groups of actors, with a more sociological approach relying on discourses analysis. The first part of the paper highlights the relevance of adopting a political economy approach to explore the centrality of factors such as incumbent actors' powers and influence at both national and international levels. It also raises questions about the equitable redistribution of the dividends of the sector's rapid growth between the different groups of actors and in particular the marginalization of the smallholders. We then deconstruct some of the main narratives and counter-narratives that have emerged over the last two decades around the question of protein transition and show how those different narratives have been used as “discursive tools” by both the red meat and the alternative protein proponents to advance their own agendas and ignore others'. In doing so, we expose some of the unnecessary polarized or confrontational elements of the debate and suggest that the wicked nature of the problem as it appears at first sight may in fact be more the result of the framing used by particular actors, rather than the consequence of an irreconcilable tensions between diverging priorities.
How the Brain and Memory Grow Up Together
Authors: Ji Angela , Lorenz Mary , Bahary Sigalle , Riggins Tracy
Published: May 2023

We forget a lot about events that happen early in our lives. Why does this happen? To answer this question, we looked at how memory changes as children grow. We know the brain is important for memory, but we wanted to understand whether it was the changes in the brain that help kids to remember or if it was the ability to remember that changes the brain. We gave kids memory tests and looked at their brain activity across 3 years. Then we asked which changed first—kids’ memories or kids’ brains? We found that there was an interactive relationship: in younger kids, memory shaped the brain; but in older kids, memory and the brain shaped each other. These results help us understand why memory gets better as kids grow up and how using our brains helps us to remember.
The adoption and impacts of improved parboiling technology for rice value chain upgrading on the livelihood of women rice parboilers in Benin
Authors: Arouna Aminou , Aboudou Rachidi , Ndindeng Sali Atanga
Published: May 2023

Food insecurity and child malnutrition remain persistent problems in sub-Saharan Africa. Rice is a staple food for more than half of the world’s population. However, white rice is poor in micronutrients and records higher glycemic values compared to parboiled rice. An improved parboiling system called “Grain quality enhancer, Energy-efficient and durable Material” (GEM in short) allows the processing of quality rice with better physical and nutritional properties compared to traditional systems. This paper assessed the drivers and impact of the adoption of the GEM system on women’s livelihoods. A total of 822 rice women parboilers were randomly sampled and interviewed in Benin, in regions where the GEM system was introduced. We employed the endogenous switching regression model (ESR) to assess the impact of the GEM system. We found evidence that adoption of the GEM system increased women parboilers’ rice output rate (dehulling return), income and food security and reduced poverty. The impact of the GEM system is estimated at 14.38 kg of milled rice per 100 kg of paddy (21.46%), equivalent to US$ 7.25 of additional income (17.77%). A significantly lower poverty rate of 26% was found among households due to the adoption of the GEM system. These results are supported by women’s perceptions that the output rate, better nutritional value and reduction of broken rice during dehulling are major advantages of the improved parboiling system. Policy actions such as training of local fabricators and credit options are required for out-scaling and sustainability of the improved parboiling system.
A systematic review of the ecological, social and economic sustainability effects of community-supported agriculture
Authors: Egli Lukas , Rüschhoff Judith , Priess Jörg
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) offers a high potential to provide synergies between ecological, economic and social sustainability aspects. While CSA is still in a niche, it has experienced rapid growth and increasing interest during the last years. An overview of sustainability impacts of CSA based on quantitative empirical work is missing, which is needed for well-informed and targeted policies and funding, as well as to tackle research gaps.

Methods

Here we reviewed the literature to systematically assess empirical and quantitative findings regarding sustainability outcomes of CSA at different levels.

Results

We found that < 30% of the 39 studies included assessed ecological sustainability aspects. If CSA farms were compared to reference systems, they mostly performed better with regard to resource use efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions. The majority of studies evaluated social aspects. While many studies showed that CSA yet fails to reach low-income households, and therefore members do not represent the average population, CSA membership improves health and sustainability behavior. Economic variables were assessed in more than half of the considered studies, but knowledge on the relative performance remains scarce. Nevertheless, first studies indicate high economic viability.

Discussion

Our review suggests a largely positive performance of CSA with regard to sustainability. Accordingly, if CSA would reach a bigger share in the food system, it could contribute to a transformation toward sustainable food systems. To address important knowledge gaps, we recommend the consideration of more and particularly ecological sustainability aspects, comparisons across different farming and marketing systems and the integration of knowledge from different sources such as theses and practical knowledge documented in various languages in different parts of the world.
Case report: Interdisciplinary treatment of complex C1/C2 fractures in a patient with concomitant three-vessel coronary artery disease requiring bypass surgery
Authors: Di Francesco M. E. , Magunia H. , Örgel A. , Tatagiba M. , Radwan M. , Adib S. D.
Published: May 2023

Background

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) frequently leads to consciousness disturbance following hemodynamic collapse. Therefore, MI can occur together with upper cervical spine trauma. Herein, we report the successful treatment of complex C1/C2 fractures in a patient with concomitant three-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD).

Case presentation

A 70-year-old patient presented in our emergency outpatient clinic after a hemodynamic collapse without neurological deficits or heart-related complaints. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the cervical spine revealed a dislocated odontoid fracture Anderson and D'Alonzo type II and an unstable Gehweiler type III injury (Jefferson's fracture). An intradiploic arachnoid cyst in the posterior wall of the posterior fossa was a coincident radiological finding. Furthermore, coronary angiography confirmed three-vessel CAD with high-grade coronary artery stenosis. Indication for upper cervical spine surgery and bypass surgery was given. An interdisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons and anesthesiologists evaluated the patient's case to develop the most suitable therapy concept and alternative strategies. Finally, in first step, C1-C2 fusion was performed by Harms technique under general anesthesia with x-ray guidance, spinal neuronavigation, Doppler ultrasound and cardiopulmonary monitoring. Cardiothoracic surgeons were on standby. One month later bypass surgery was performed uneventfully. Follow-up CT scan of cervical spine revealed intraosseous screw positioning and beginning fusion of the fractures. The patient did not develop neurological deficits and recovered completely from both surgeries.

Conclusions

Treating complex C1/C2 fractures with concomitant severe CAD requiring treatment is challenging and carries a high risk of complications. To our knowledge, the literature does not provide any guidelines regarding therapy of this constellation. To receive upper cervical spine stability and to prevent both, spinal cord injury and cardiovascular complications, an individual approach is required. Interdisciplinary cooperation to determine optimal therapeutic algorithms is needed.
Phytochemicals: potential alternative strategy to fight Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Almuzaini Abdulaziz M.
Published: May 2023

The rise of multidrug resistant (MDR) microorganisms is a great hazard worldwide and has made it difficult to treat many infectious diseases adequately. One of the most prevalent causes of outbreaks of foodborne illness worldwide is Salmonella. The ability of this and other harmful bacteria to withstand antibiotics has recently proven crucial to their effective control. Since the beginning of time, herbal medicines and phytochemicals have been employed for their potent antibacterial action and there is a growing trend toward the production of plant based natural products for the prevention and treatment of pathogenic infections. Numerous phytochemicals have been proven effective against the molecular determinants responsible for attaining drug resistance in pathogens like efflux pumps, membrane proteins, bacterial cell communications and biofilms. The medicinal plants having antibacterial activity and antibiotics combination with phytochemicals have shown synergetic activity against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The inhibitory effects of tannins on rumen proteolytic bacteria can be exploited in ruminant nutrition. Improved control of the rumen ecology and practical use of this feed additive technology in livestock production will be made possible by a better knowledge of the modulatory effects of phytochemicals on the rumen microbial populations in combination with fermentation. This review focuses on the development of antibacterial resistance in Salmonella, the mechanism of action of phytochemicals and the use of phytochemicals against S. enterica serovar Typhimurium. The advances and potential future applications of phytochemicals in the fight against resistant are also discussed.
Status of udder health performance indicators and implementation of on farm monitoring on German dairy cow farms: results from a large scale cross-sectional study
Authors: Böker Andreas R. , Bartel Alexander , Do Duc Phuong , Hentzsch Antonia , Reichmann Frederike , Merle Roswitha , Arndt Heidi , Dachrodt Linda , Woudstra Svenja , Hoedemaker Martina
Published: May 2023

Regional benchmarking data enables farmers to compare their animal health situation to that of other herds and identify areas with improvement potential. For the udder health status of German dairy cow farms, such data were incomplete. Therefore, the aim of this study was (1) to describe the incidence of clinical mastitis (CM), (2) to describe cell count based udder health indicators [annual mean test day average of the proportion of animals without indication of mastitis (aWIM), new infection risk during lactation (aNIR), and proportion of cows with low chance of cure (aLCC); heifer mastitis rate (HM)] and their seasonal variation, and (3) to evaluate the level of implementation of selected measures of mastitis monitoring. Herds in three German regions (North: n = 253; East: n = 252, South: n = 260) with different production conditions were visited. Data on CM incidence and measures of mastitis monitoring were collected via structured questionnaire-based interviews. Additionally, dairy herd improvement (DHI) test day data from the 365 days preceding the interview were obtained. The median (Q0.1, Q0.9) farmer reported incidence of mild CM was 14.8% (3.5, 30.8%) in North, 16.2% (1.9, 50.4%) in East, and 11.8% (0.0, 30.7%) in South. For severe CM the reported incidence was 4.0% (0.0, 12.2%), 2.0% (0.0, 10.8%), and 2.6% (0.0, 11.0%) for North, East, and South, respectively. The median aWIM was 60.7% (53.4, 68.1%), 59.0% (49.7, 65.4%), and 60.2% (51.5, 67.8%), whereas the median aNIR was 17.1% (13.6, 21.6%), 19.9% (16.2, 24.9%), and 18.3% (14.4, 22.0%) in North, East, and South, respectively with large seasonal variations. Median aLCC was ≤1.1% (≤ 0.7%, ≤ 1.8%) in all regions and HM was 28.4% (19.7, 37.2%), 35.7% (26.7, 44.2%), and 23.5% (13.1, 35.9%), in North, East and South, respectively. Participation in a DHI testing program (N: 95.7%, E: 98.8%, S: 89.2%) and premilking (N: 91.1%, E: 93.7%, S: 90.2%) were widely used. Several aspects of udder health monitoring, including exact documentation of CM cases, regular microbiological analysis of milk samples and the use of a veterinary herd health consultancy service were not applied on many farms. The results of this study can be used by dairy farmers and their advisors as benchmarks for the assessment of the udder health situation in their herds.
Development and Evaluation of an Enhanced Virtual Reality Flight Simulation Tool for Airships
Authors: Rostami Mohsen , Kamoonpuri Jafer , Pradhan Pratik , Chung Joon
Published: May 2023

A real-time flight simulation tool is proposed using a virtual reality head-mounted display (VR-HMD) for remotely piloted airships operating in beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) conditions. In particular, the VR-HMD was developed for stratospheric airships flying at low/high altitudes. The proposed flight simulation tool uses the corresponding aerodynamics characteristics of the airship, the buoyancy effect, mass balance, added mass, propulsion contributions and ground reactions in the FlightGear Flight Simulator (FGFS). The VR headset was connected to the FGFS along with the radio controller containing the real-time orientation/state of each button, which is also simulated to provide better situational awareness, and a head-up display (HUD) that was developed to provide the required flight data. In this work, a system was developed to connect the FGFS and the VR-capable graphics engine Unity to a PC and a wireless VR-HMD in real time with minimal lag between data transmission. A balance was found for FGFS to write to a CSV file at a period of 0.01 s. For Unity, the file was read every frame, which translates to around 0.0167 s (60 Hz). A test procedure was also conducted with a similar rating technique based on the NASA TLX questionnaire, which identifies the pilot’s available mental capacity when completing an assigned task to assure the comfortability of the proposed VR-HMD. Accordingly, a comparison was made for the aircraft control using the desktop simulator and the VR-HMD tool. The results showed that the current iteration of the system is ideal to train pilots on using similar systems in a safe and immersive environment. Furthermore, such an advanced portable system may even increase the situational awareness of pilots and allow them to complete a sizeable portion of actual flight tests with the same data transmission procedures in simulation. The VR-HMD flight simulator was also conceived to express the ground control station (GCS) concept and transmit flight information as well as the point of view (POV) visuals in real-time using the real environment broadcast using an onboard camera.
Efficacy of Public Extension and Advisory Services for Sustainable Rice Production
Authors: Alzahrani Khodran , Ali Mubashar , Azeem Muhammad Imran , Alotaibi Bader Alhafi
Published: May 2023

Agriculture is an integral constituent of Pakistan’s economy and the primary source of livelihood for nearly 65% of the population living in rural areas. Rice is the second major staple food after wheat and a significant source of foreign exchange earnings through Basmati exports. Pakistan has established an extensive network of agricultural extension to educate the farming community about modern agricultural practices for enhancing the agricultural productivity of major food crops grown in the country. The present study was undertaken to evaluate rice farmers’ views about public extension services and to identify their perspective regarding various ways of enhancing rice production in Pakistan. A multi-stage simple random sampling technique was employed, and data were collected from 193 rice farmers with the help of structured interviews using a pre-tested questionnaire. The findings revealed that a vast majority of the rice farmers were poorly satisfied with the public extension services. The results of the Spearman Rank-Order Correlation showed that landholding size had a significant effect on deciding extension contact; public extension agents are more likely to visit and serve those rice farmers who possess large landholders and therefore have the tendency to intentionally neglect small-scale rice farmers. For enhancing rice production in Pakistan, farmers believed that the provision of subsidized agricultural inputs and a minimum support price for rice is indispensable. Based on our findings, we suggest that to make public extension services more effective, public extension agents should particularly focus on the capacity building of small-scale farmers rather than large-scale farmers. Moreover, there is a need to broaden the scope of public extension services from simple crop protection measures to a set of comprehensive sustainable agricultural practices for increasing agricultural productivity, resource-use efficiency, as well as resilience toward adverse impacts of climate change.
A New SNP in AGPL2, Associated with Floury Endosperm in Rice, Is Identified Using a Modified MutMap Method
Authors: Zhang Long , You Ran , Chen Hualan , Zhu Jun , Lin Lingshang , Wei Cunxu
Published: May 2023

The floury endosperm mutants of rice can not only be used to uncover the molecular mechanisms involved in regulating starch synthesis and grain development but are also suitable for dry milling to produce rice flour of good quality. In this study, we identified and characterized a rice floury endosperm mutant, M10, from a mutant pool induced by EMS. The total starch content in the M10 seeds significantly decreased, while the soluble sugar content demonstrably increased. The grain hardness of M10 was lower than that of the wild type because of the spherical and loosely packed starch granules. The modified MutMap analysis demonstrated that AGPL2 on chromosome 1 is most likely to be the candidate gene causing a floury endosperm. The genome sequences of AGPL2 in M10 carried a single nucleotide substitution of guanine (G) to adenine (A) in the seventh exon, leading to a missense mutation from glycine (Gly) to glutamic acid (Glu) at the 251st amino acid. Allele test confirmed that AGPL2 is the gene responsible for the M10 phenotype. Both transcriptional and protein levels of AGPL2 in M10 were obviously higher than those in the developing endosperm of wild type, indicating a positive feedback regulation is caused by AGPL2 mutation. Together, our results suggest that AGPL2 plays a critical role in starch synthesis and that the modified MutMap method is feasible for identifying floury endosperm mutant genes in rice.
Internet-Based Survey on Physical Activity and Incidence of Injury in Active Working Dogs
Authors: Spinella Giuseppe , Valentini Simona , Lopedote Mirella
Published: May 2023

A survey with 100 multiple choice and open-ended questions was proposed by free access to working dogs’ handlers. One hundred and nine respondents were recorded and their dates processed. The most represented breeds were: Belgian Malinois, Labrador, Border Collie and German Shepherds. Of these, 71.6% were intact dogs and 28.4% were spayed or neutered, with a median age range of 3–4 years. Furthermore, 55.5% had undergone early radiographic examinations for hip or elbow dysplasia diagnosis. The dogs performed the following activities: search and rescue on surface (59%), search and rescue on rubble (37%), Internationale Gebrauchshund Pruefung (IGP) (9%), man trailing (5%), sled dog (5%), search on avalanche (4%), dog towing (3%), canine shows (3%), hunting (2%), water rescue (1%), pet therapy (1%), wildlife conservation dog (1%), Mondioring (1%). Only 36.4% of respondents submitted their dogs to a specific sports medical examination and 55.5% to an orthopaedic examination. An injury incidence of 45.5% was recorded, generally related to mild musculoskeletal trauma. A limited number of handlers routinely performed warm-up and/or cool-down activities. A positive assessment emerged of the need for many respondents to attend and request education courses and updates on the proper health management of their dogs.