bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Values That Work: Exploring the Moderator Role of Protestant Work Ethics in the Relationship between Human Resources Practices and Work Engagement and Organizational Citizenship Behavior
Authors: Zúñiga Carolina , Aguado David , Cabrera-Tenecela Patricio
Published: January 2022

This research aimed to analyze the moderating effect that Protestant work ethics (PWE) have on the relationship between human resources practices (HRP) and (a) work engagement (WE) and (b) organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). The sample consisted of 299 participants. The results revealed that PWE moderates the relationship between HRP and WE and OCB through five dimensions. The dimensions of PWE-leisure and PWE-centrality of work are moderators between the HRP and the WE. The dimensions of PWE-morality–ethics, PWE-wasted time, PWE-delay of gratification, and PWE-leisure moderate the relationship between HRP and OCB. The analysis offers additional evidence to existing literature in understanding how human resources practices facilitate the development of work engagement and citizenship behaviors. The workers’ values play an essential role here to strengthen that relationship and mitigate its harmful effects.
Agro Climatic Zoning of Saffron Culture in Miyaneh City by Using WLC Method and Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Zamani Ali , Sharifi Alireza , Felegari Shilan , Tariq Aqil , Zhao Na
Published: January 2022

Recent continuous droughts and decreasing ground water tables have prompted efforts to improve irrigation schedules and introduce crops that need less water. A study was recently conducted to determine suitable zones for saffron in Miyaneh using Landsat-8 images and the weighted linear combination (WLC) method. Climatic and geographical indices for saffron cultivation in the region were for soil type, slope, soil moisture, and soil salinity. Parameters such as 30 years of data on climate, soil, and water conditions were collected from synoptic and climatologic stations such as Tabriz. Then, parameters were weighted using WLC for importance in each region. The data were transferred to expert choice and clustered, rated, and integrated to produce the last layer. The results showed that the southeastern and northwestern regions of Miyaneh, especially the banks of rivers and catchments, were identified as suitable places for saffron cultivation and that 28% of the area is in the suitable class, 36% in the relatively moderately suitable class, 20% in the critical suitability class, and the rest of the area, which covers about 16% of the area, is in the non-suitable class. Therefore, if it is possible to identify favorable areas for saffron cultivation according to the climatic requirements and it is possible in practice to achieve higher performance per unit area, that in itself will contribute to improved economic conditions and levels of income for farmers. Due to the special characteristics of saffron, substituting it for the cultivation of crops with high water requirements, such as onions, potatoes, tomatoes, etc., will help reduce water consumption.
A Preliminary Study on Flight Characteristics of the Longhorn Date Palm Stem Borer Jebusaea hammerschmidtii (Reiche 1878) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Using a Computerized Flight Mill
Authors: El-Shafie Hamadttu , Mohammed Maged , Alqahtani Nashi
Published: January 2022

The longhorn date palm stem borer, Jebusaea hammerschmidtii (Reiche), is a highly destructive beetle of edible date palm Phoenix dactylifera L. The flight capabilities and dispersal potential of this beetle are unknown, which hinders the planning for its proper management in date palm groves. In this study, the flight propensity of this insect pest was investigated using a computerized flight-testing system. The flight system consisted of a flight mill, a digitally controlled testing chamber, and a data logging and processing unit with a USB digital oscilloscope connected with a laptop. A total of 40 field-collected beetles of unknown sex and mating history were used in the experiments; about 34% of this number failed to fly on the flight mill. The relationship between temperature treatments (°C) and flight speed (m/min), cumulative flight time (min), and cumulative flight distance (km) of the test beetles were studied using regression equations with correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.91, 0.98, and 0.98, respectively. The maximum cumulative distance flown by the beetle was 11.5 km at a temperature of 35 °C, and a minimum distance of 2.4 km was recorded at 45 °C. The flight threshold of the beetle was 20 °C, at which flight activities ceased utterly. The velocity of the beetle increased with increasing temperature and reached a maximum of 107 m/min at 40 °C, before starting to decline. The obtained information on the flight characteristics of the J. hammerschmidtii may aid in understanding the dispersal of this pest in date palm plantations and in setting up management strategies.
The Influence of Organic and Conventional Cultivation Patterns on Physicochemical Property, Enzyme Activity and Microbial Community Characteristics of Paddy Soil
Authors: Xu Chengyu , Li Yulin , Hu Xue , Zang Qian , Zhuang Hengyang , Huang Lifen
Published: January 2022

Cultivation patterns can cause soil structure alteration. However, few studies have clarified the influence of cultivation pattern and soil depth on soil. The purpose of this experiment was to study the community characteristics of soil microorganisms in the 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm layers beneath paddy fields under organic and conventional cultivation patterns, and reveal the response mechanism of microbial community to cultivation patterns through the correlation analysis of soil nutrient content, enzyme activity and microbial dominant phyla, so as to provide a theoretical basis for high-yield rice cultivation from the perspective of microorganisms. In this study, four types of soil organic cultivation topsoil (OF_S), organic cultivation undersoil (OF_X), conventional cultivation topsoil (CF_S) and conventional cultivation undersoil (CF_X) in paddy fields were collected for nutrient and enzyme activity determination, and composition spectrum analysis of soil microbial community diversity was performed using a high-throughput sequencing platform. The results revealed that organic cultivation increased the contents of alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium and organic substances in both topsoil and undersoil as well as sucrase and urease activity in the undersoil. α diversity indicated that bacterial abundance in both topsoil and undersoil was organic > conventional cultivation; the microbial diversity index in the undersoil under organic cultivation technique was greater than that of conventional cultivation. A Venn diagram revealed that there was considerable difference in species between topsoil and undersoil under organic and conventional cultivation patterns. The composition of the community structure indicated that Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi and Bacteroidetes were the dominant phyla of bacterial communities in paddy fields. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant phyla of the fungal community. Cluster analysis results indicated that soil depth of both patterns produced apparent clustering effects on microorganisms. Correlation analysis revealed that contents of various soil nutrients and enzyme activities affected the relative abundance of the dominant bacteria and fungi in varying degrees. Alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, available potassium and organic matters were significant factors affecting the dominant phyla of soil. The present study demonstrated that compared with conventional cultivation, organic cultivation improved soil physicochemical property, enhanced soil enzyme activity, and altered soil microbial diversity and bacterial abundance. Soil nutrients, enzyme activity and the microbial community of paddy fields interacted with each other and affected the soil structure together.
Plants from Urban Parks as Valuable Cosmetic Ingredients: Green Extraction, Chemical Composition and Activity
Authors: Marijan Marijan , Jablan Jasna , Jakupović Lejsa , Jug Mario , Marguí Eva , Dalipi Rogerta , Sangiorgi Emanuele , Zovko Končić Marijana
Published: January 2022

The research on the possibilities of using biowaste from urban green areas is scarce. In this work, four plants, widely distributed in urban parks in Central Europe (Lotus corniculatus, Medicago lupulina, Knautia arvensis and Plantago major) were extracted using eco-friendly solvents based either on aqueous cyclodextrin solutions (hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin or γ-cyclodextrin) or natural deep eutectic solvents based on glycerol, betaine and glucose. Metal content was determined using total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF). The content of selected metabolites was determined using UV-VIS spectrophotometric methods and HPLC. Skin-related bioactivity was assessed using tyrosinase and elastase inhibition assays. The selected plants contained metals beneficial for skin health, such as zinc and calcium, while having a low content of toxic heavy metals. The extracts contained the bioactive phenolics such as quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin and apigenin. L. corniculatus was the most potent tyrosinase inhibitor, while K. arvensis showed the most pronounced elastase inhibitory activity. The employed solvents actively contributed to the observed bioactivity. The results indicate that the biowaste obtained from urban parks represents an ecologically acceptable alternative to conventional cultivation for the preparation of ecologically acceptable, high-value cosmetic products.
Effect of Different Tillage Systems on Soil Organic Carbon and Enzymatic Activity
Authors: Szostek Małgorzata , Szpunar-Krok Ewa , Pawlak Renata , Stanek-Tarkowska Jadwiga , Ilek Anna
Published: January 2022

The aim of the study was to compare the effect of conventional, simplified, and organic farming systems on changes in the content of soil organic carbon, organic matter fractions, total nitrogen, and the enzymatic activity. The research was conducted from 2016–2018 on arable land in the south-eastern part of Poland. The selected soils were cultivated in conventional tillage (C_Ts), simplified tillage (S_Ts), and organic farming (O_Fs) systems. The analyses were performed in soil from the soil surface layers (up to 25 cm depth) of the experimental plots. The highest mean contents of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and organic matter fractions were determined in soils subjected to the simplified tillage system throughout the experimental period. During the study period, organic carbon concentration on surface soil layers under simplified tillage systems was 31 and 127% higher than the soil under conventional tillage systems and organic farming systems, respectively. Also, the total nitrogen concentration in those soils was more than 40% and 120% higher than conventional tillage systems and organic farming systems, respectively. Moreover, these soils were characterised by a progressive decline in SOC and Nt resources over the study years. There was no significant effect of the analysed tillage systems on the C:N ratio. The tillage systems induced significant differences in the activity of the analysed soil enzymes, i.e., dehydrogenase (DH) and catalase (CAT). The highest DH activity throughout the experiment was recorded in the O_Fs soils, and the mean value of this parameter was in the range of 6.01–6.11 μmol TPF·kg−1·h−1. There were no significant differences in the CAT values between the variants of the experiment. The results confirm that, regardless of other treatments, such as the use of organic fertilisers, tillage has a negative impact on the content of SOC and organic matter fractions in the O_Fs system. All simplifications in tillage reducing the interference with the soil surface layer and the use of organic fertilisers contribute to improvement of soil properties and enhancement of biological activity, which helps to maintain its productivity and fertility.
Greenhouse Assays with Lactuca sativa for Testing Sewage Sludge-Based Soil Amendments
Authors: Santos Andreia F. , Veríssimo Ana M. , Brites Pedro , Baptista Filipe M. , Góis José C. , Quina Margarida J.
Published: January 2022

Sustainable agriculture practices within the guidelines of nutrient recycling and the circular economy must be increasingly promoted. This work aims to evaluate the performance of dried sewage sludge (DSS), green liquor dregs mixed with sewage sludge (DSSA), raw sewage sludge, and commercial organic fertilizer control, using a short-term agronomic assessment with lettuce crop (Lactuca sativa) in greenhouse conditions. Different application rates based on the nitrogen content were tested for each soil amendment: 0, 85, 170, and 225 kg N/ha (treatments T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively). DSS and DSSA resulted in fresh lettuce productivities 1.3 and 3.2 times higher in T3 than in T0, respectively. The ideal N content in lettuce leaves was reached for all materials and treatments, with the highest values obtained for DSS (2.88–3.33% from T1 to T3). Lettuce produced in soils amended with DSS and DSSA showed also ideal levels of Ca. Overall, the performance of sludge-based products was similar to commercial fertilizer, without impairing the nutritional balance of the crop and the soil.
A Network Analysis for Environmental Assessment in Wine Supply Chain
Authors: Maesano Giulia , Milani Mirco , Nicolosi Elisabetta , D’Amico Mario , Chinnici Gaetano
Published: January 2022

In the agri-food sector, the Life Cycle Assessment method (LCA) is used to evaluate the environmental impact of a product. Within agri-food products, wine is among the most analysed products, not only for its economic importance but also for the environmental impact of its activity. The paper aims to identify the main trends in the wine sector revolving around environmental evaluation using the LCA method in the academic literature. The aim is to investigate the literature on life cycle assessment analysis of grape and wine production through the systematic grouping of papers into clusters of research. So, the purpose is to discuss the gaps and insights identified by the study in order to aid in the development of a comprehensive state of the art on the topic. Scopus and Web of Science were used to search all articles following a clear and replicable protocol. The results (keywords) were subjected to co-occurrence analysis using VOSviewer, after which the articles were further analysed. Through a bibliographic coupling analysis, the research results were grouped through a network analysis that allowed identifying the research trends on the topic. Three clusters were identified containing the main lines of research on the subject. The results show that nowadays the literature is focusing on concerns related to climate change and consumer awareness on sustainability issues and certifications as well as environmental impacts generated mainly in the production phase in the vineyard. The research results are of interest for future research on LCA analysis in the wine sector in order to contribute to the discussion on the current model in the global wine sector.
Hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.) from Spontaneous Flora of the West Part of Romania: A Source of Nutrients for Locals
Authors: Poșta Daniela S. , Radulov Isidora , Cocan Ileana , Berbecea Adina A. , Alexa Ersilia , Hotea Ionela , Iordănescu Olimpia A. , Băla Maria , Cântar Ilie C. , Rózsa Sándor , Crista Florin L. , Boldea Marius V. , Negrea Monica , Popescu Iuliana
Published: January 2022

In this study, the nutritional potential of some hazelnut varieties from the spontaneous flora of Romania was analyzed as a means to increase the sustainability of the local production. The chemical composition from hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.) from spontaneous flora was determined in terms of mineral substances, protein, as well as essential and non-essential amino acids. The eight amino acids investigated had the following average values: Arg—0.68 g/100 g, Phe—0.415 g/100 g, Ser—0.277 g/100 g, Glu—0.188 g/100 g, Asp—0.133 g/100 g, Pro—0.038 g/100 g, and Lys—0.031 g/100 g. The average values of metal content were in the ranges: 88.39–146.98 µg·g−1 (Fe); 96.93–123.23 µg·g−1(Zn); 46.68–100.38 µg·g−1 (Cu); 26.00–87.78 µg·g−1 (Mn); 4.87–32.19 µg·g−1 (Ni); 1.87–2.84 µg·g−1 (Cr); and 1.29–1.86 µg·g−1 (Cd). Crude protein content values were in the range 16.33–22.31%. In order to harness this nutritional potential, the variety with superior quality indices was included, in the form of flour, in biscuit-type baked goods that were characterized from nutritional and sensory points of view. The results showed that the content of polyphenols increased with the addition of hazelnut flour, as did the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Ecophysiological Crop Modelling Combined with Genetic Analysis Is a Powerful Tool for Ideotype Design
Authors: Gu Junfei
Published: January 2022

Improving the grain yield of crops in both favourable and stressful environments is the main breeding objective required to ensure food security. In this review, I outline a genotype-to-phenotype approach that exploits the potential values of quantitative genetics and process-based crop modelling in developing new plant types with high yields. The effects of quantitative trait locus (QTL), for traits typically at the single-organ level over a short time scale, were projected for their impact on crop growth during the whole growing season in the field. This approach can provide more markers for selection programmes for specific environments whilst also allowing for prioritization. Crop modelling is thus a powerful tool for ideotyping under contrasting conditions, i.e., use of single-environment information for predicting phenotypes under different environments.
The Impact of Microbial and Botanical Insecticides on Grape Berry Moths and Their Effects on Secondary Pests and Beneficials
Authors: Duso Carlo , Pozzebon Alberto , Lorenzon Mauro , Fornasiero Diego , Tirello Paola , Simoni Sauro , Bagnoli Bruno
Published: January 2022

According to the European Directive 2009/128/EC and the subsequent provisions activated in member states, conventional pesticides should be progressively replaced by “non-chemical tools and/or measures”. The identification of reliable alternatives to pesticides is crucial to achieve this objective. A European project (PURE) was funded to investigate this topic with reference to annual and perennial crops. In this framework, a number of natural insecticides, in particular microbial and botanical ones (Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki, Beauveria bassiana, azadirachtin, pyrethrins and spinosad) were selected to test their effectiveness against grape berry moths, the key pests in most European vineyards. Trials were conducted in 2011 and 2012 in two experimental vineyards located in Italy (Tuscany and Veneto regions), following a randomized block design. Additional investigations were carried out in the Veneto region during 2013. Trial results stressed the high performance of spinosad and B. thuringiensis in controlling berry moth densities and the related damage. The use of B. bassiana mixed with B. thuringiensis did not significantly improve the impact of B. thuringiensis alone. Azadirachtin, and especially pyrethrins, proved to be less effective on berry moths than previous insecticides. The use of selected insecticides caused side-effects on a number of secondary pests, in particular leafhoppers. In 2011, densities of Empoasca vitis were higher in spinosad-treated plots probably because of a reduced egg parasitization rate. One year later, the population density of Zygina rhamni was higher in the plots treated with spinosad or pyrethrins. This trend was confirmed on spinosad-treated plots in the last experimental year. At the same time, spinosad and pyrethrins significantly reduced the predatory mite populations compared to other treatments. The use of these insecticides in viticulture is discussed in the framework of organic viticulture and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Soil Nutrient Retention and pH Buffering Capacity Are Enhanced by Calciprill and Sodium Silicate
Authors: Ng Ji Feng , Ahmed Osumanu Haruna , Jalloh Mohamadu Boyie , Omar Latifah , Kwan Yee Min , Musah Adiza Alhassan , Poong Ken Heong
Published: January 2022

In the tropics, warm temperatures and high rainfall contribute to acidic soil formation because of the significant leaching of base cations (K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Na+), followed by the replacement of the base cations with Al3+, Fe2+, and H+ ions at the soil adsorption sites. The pH buffering capacity of highly weathered acid soils is generally low because of their low pH which negatively impacts soil and crop productivity. Thus, there is a need to amend these soils with the right amount of inorganic liming materials which have relatively high neutralizing values and reactivity to overcome the aforementioned problems. Soil leaching and the pH buffering capacity studies were conducted to determine whether the co-application or co-amendment of a calcium carbonate product (Calciprill) and sodium silicate can improve soil nutrient retention and pH buffering capacity of the Bekenu series (Typic Paleudults). A 30 day soil leaching experiment was carried out using a completely randomized design with 16 treatments and 3 replications after which the leached soil samples were used for a pH buffering capacity study. The Calciprill and sodium silicate treatments significantly improved soil pH, exchangeable NH4+, available P, exchangeable base cations, Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC), and pH buffering capacity in comparison with the untreated soil. The improvements were attributed to the alkalinity of Calciprill and sodium silicate due to their high inherent K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Na+ contents. The neutralizing effects of the amendments impeded the hydrolysis of Al3+ (96.5%), Fe2+ (70.4%), and Mn2+ (25.3%) ions resulting in fewer H+ ions being produced. The co-application of Calciprill and sodium silicate reduced the leaching of Ca2+ (58.7%) and NO3− (74.8%) from the amended soils. This was due to the ability of sodium silicate to reduce soil permeability and protect the Calciprill and available NO3− from being leached. This also improved the longevity of Calciprill to enhance the soil pH buffering capacity. However, the amounts of NH4+, P, and base cations leached from the amended soils were higher compared with the un-amended soils. This was due to the high solubility of sodium silicate. The most suitable combination amendment was 7.01 g Calciprill and 9.26 g sodium silicate (C2S5) per kilogram soil. It is possible for farmers to adopt the combined use Calciprill and sodium silicate to regulate soil nutrient retention and improve the soil pH buffering capacity of highly weathered acidic soils. This will enhance soil and crop productivity.
Impacts of Litter Composition on the Structure and Functional Pathways of Soil Microbial Community during Phyllostachys Edulis Expansion
Authors: Dong Huiyun , Shao Shuai , Liang Chenfei , Xu Qiufang , Chen Junhui , Qin Hua
Published: January 2022

Forest ecosystem succession plays an important role in soil microbiota variation, and soil microbes will re-establish ecosystem function after disturbance events. A distinctive disturbance of the expansion of bamboo forest into the surrounding broadleaved ecosystem is the change in litter type input. We conducted a 6-month microcosm experiment to examine the effects of proportional changes in leaf litter composition due to moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) invasion into a broadleaved forest on soil microbial community. A series of mixed litters were prepared with bamboo litter occupying at 0%, 33%, 50%, 67% and 100% in proportion (with a decrease in litter carbon (C)/nitrogen (N) from 36.23 to 31.35), and they were then amended into a broadleaved forest soil at a rate of 1%, respectively. Soil bacterial and fungal communities at different incubation stages were determined by high-throughput sequencing. With the increasing proportion of bamboo litter, the broadleaved forest soil exhibited strong changes in microbiome assembly, including reducing bacteria alpha-diversity, the relative abundance of Acidobacteria and Basidiomycota, while increasing the relative abundance of Actinbacteria, Proteobacteria and Ascomycota. Moreover, the increased proportion of bamboo litter (0% PP→100% PP) increased the relative abundance of membrane transport and carbohydrate metabolism of soil bacteria but decreased the relative abundance of saprotrophic soil fungi. Redundancy analysis showed that bacteria rather than fungal communities changed greatly during incubation (p < 0.05). Additionally, the activities of soil pH, NO3−-N, NH4+-N, dissolved nitrogen and C- and N- acquiring enzymes were the main factors affecting bacterial and fungal community structure (p < 0.05). The soil physicochemical properties were significantly correlated with the composition of microbial phyla among different litter amendment treatments. These results indicated that different proportions of bamboo litter dramatically alter the soil bacterial rather than the fungal community, most likely by changing edaphic patterns. This study has important implications for understanding the litter–soil–microbe synergy during the bamboo forest expansion and provides a basis for assessing the ecological risk of bamboo forest expansion.
Response of Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to Fertilizers with Nitrogen-Transformation Inhibitors and Timing of Their Application under Field Conditions
Authors: Školníková Marie , Škarpa Petr , Ryant Pavel , Kozáková Zdenka , Antošovský Jiří
Published: January 2022

Winter wheat is a widely cultivated crop that requires high inputs of nitrogen (N) fertilization, which is often connected with N losses. The application of fertilizers with nitrification (NI) and urease inhibitors (UI) is an opportunity to eliminate the risk of N losses and improve N availability to plants. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of conventional nitrogen fertilizers with fertilizers containing nitrogen-transformation inhibitors as well as to evaluate the timing of their application on the wheat-grain yield and quality under the conditions of a three-year field experiment. The examined fertilizers with inhibitors were applied in a single dose or in a split application in combination with conventional fertilizers. The single application of urea with NI and/or UI resulted in a relatively average increase in the grain yield, while protein content and the Zeleny-test values were significantly increased compared to the split N application. The more significant effect of urea with NI and UI was found under the moisture-rich conditions compared to the drier conditions. A significant increase in the grain yield (by 6.3%) and in the Zeleny-test value (by 16.5%) was observed after inhibited urea application comparing to the control treatment (without inhibitors).
Heat Stress Leads to Poor Fruiting Mainly Due to Inferior Pollen Viability and Reduces Shoot Photosystem II Efficiency in “Da Hong” Pitaya
Authors: Chu Yu-Chun , Chang Jer-Chia
Published: January 2022

High summer temperatures (day/night: 40 °C/30 °C) are known to cause poor fruiting, reduced fruit/seed weight, and delayed fruit development in the “Da Hong” red-fleshed pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus); however, the mechanisms of these effects are unknown. This study examined how high temperature (HT, 40 °C/30 °C) affects stamen and pistil fertility through pollination combinations and fruit set in “Da Hong” pitaya and evaluated photosystem II (PSII) efficiency in yellowed shoots (cladodes). The in-vitro pollen germination rate was significantly higher at optimal temperature (OT, 30 °C/20 °C) than at HT, which was also associated with a reduced flower length, poor fruit set, small fruit size, and low number of seeds after self-pollination. Meanwhile, fruit set and fruit development were remarkably improved by using the pollens taken from plants grown at OT and moderate temperature (MH, 35 °C/25 °C) after mutual cross pollination, indicating that the reduction in seed number caused by incomplete fertilization due to inferior pollen viability was the main cause of poor fruiting under HT rather than pistil or photoinhibition, although HT treatment was linked to reductions of PSII efficiency at both the adaxial and abaxial ends of shoots. The results suggested that pollen viability was most affected under HT stress; thus, yielding remarkably reduced fruiting.
Planting Period Effects on Wheat Productivity and Water Footprints: Insights through Adaptive Trials and APSIM Simulations
Authors: Bana Ram Swaroop , Bamboriya Shanti Devi , Padaria Rabindra Nath , Dhakar Raj Kumar , Khaswan Shanker Lal , Choudhary Ram Lal , Bamboriya Jitendra Singh
Published: January 2022

Scarcity of fresh water and climate change are the two main threats for wheat production in South Asia. Tweaking wheat planting period could be an effective cost-smart strategy to mitigate these stresses. To evaluate the performance of three leading wheat varieties under different planting periods in pragmatic on-farm environments, trials were carried out during 2019–2020 and 2020–2021. Further, to have greater insights on long-term temporal scale, 22 years (2000 to 2021) of crop simulation data were analyzed to identify the optimum planting period of wheat for higher yield and water productivity using the APSIM cropping systems simulation model. The result showed that first fortnight of November (PD1)-sown crop resulted in higher grain yield and more irrigation water use efficiency. Wheat sown during PD1 and in the second fortnight of November (PD2) had 20–25% lower blue water requirement than the second fortnight of December (PD4) crop in the long run. To produce one tonne of wheat grain required an additional 20, 60 and 83 m3 irrigation water when the crop was sown at PD1, PD2, PD3 (first fortnight of December) and PD4, respectively. It was observed that PD4 reduced wheat yields by 20–22% compared to sowing on PD1 and PD2 and every 15 days’ delay in wheat planting after 15 November reduced the length of the crop growing season by 4–5 days. Hence, the early wheat planting is proven superior in harnessing maximum yield with minimum burden on blue water resources.
Telomere Length in Pig Sperm Is Related to In Vitro Embryo Development Outcomes
Authors: Ribas-Maynou Jordi , Mateo-Otero Yentel , Sanchez-Quijada Marina , Recuero Sandra , Delgado-Bermúdez Ariadna , Llavanera Marc , Yeste Marc
Published: January 2022

Telomere length has attracted much interest as a topic of study in human reproduction; furthermore, the link between sperm telomere length and fertility outcomes has been investigated in other species. This biomarker, however, has not been much explored in other animals, such as pigs, and whether it is related to sperm quality and fertility outcomes remains unknown. The present work aimed to determine the absolute value of telomere length in pig sperm, as well as its relationship to sperm quality parameters and embryo development. Telomere length was determined through quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (qFISH) in 23 pig sperm samples and data were correlated to quality parameters (motility, morphology, and viability) and in vitro fertilization outcomes. We found that the mean telomere length in pig sperm was 22.1 ± 3.6 kb, which is longer than that previously described in humans. Whilst telomere length was not observed to be correlated to sperm quality variables (p > 0.05), a significant correlation between telomere length and the percentage of morulae 6 days after in vitro fertilization was observed (rs = 0.559; 95% C.I. = (−0.007 to 0.854); p = 0.047). Interestingly, this correlation was not found when percentages of early blastocysts/blastocysts (rs = 0.410; 95% C.I. = (−0.200 to 0.791); p = 0.164) and of hatching/hatched blastocysts (rs = 0.356; 95% C.I. = (− 0.260 to 0.766); p = 0.233) were considered. Through the separation of the samples into two groups by the median value, statistically significant differences between samples with shorter telomeres than the median and samples with longer telomeres than the median were found regarding development to morula (11.5 ± 3.6 vs. 21.8 ± 6.9, respectively) and to early blastocyst/blastocysts (7.6 ± 1.4 vs. 17.9 ± 12.2, respectively) (p < 0.05). In the light of these results, sperm telomere length may be a useful biomarker for embryo development in pigs, as sperm with longer telomeres lead to higher rates of morulae and blastocysts.
Optimization of Propidium Monoazide qPCR (Viability-qPCR) to Quantify the Killing by the Gardnerella-Specific Endolysin PM-477, Directly in Vaginal Samples from Women with Bacterial Vaginosis
Authors: Latka Agnieszka , Van Simaey Leen , Reynders Marijke , Cools Piet , Rogier Tess , Lebbe Barbara , Corsini Lorenzo , Landlinger Christine , Vaneechoutte Mario
Published: January 2022

Quantification of the number of living cells in biofilm or after eradication treatments of biofilm, is problematic for different reasons. We assessed the performance of pre-treatment of DNA, planktonic cells and ex vivo vaginal biofilms of Gardnerella with propidium monoazide (PMAxx) to prevent qPCR-based amplification of DNA from killed cells (viability-qPCR). Standard PMAxx treatment did not completely inactivate free DNA and did not affect living cells. While culture indicated that killing of planktonic cells by heat or by endolysin was complete, viability-qPCR assessed only log reductions of 1.73 and 0.32, respectively. Therefore, we improved the standard protocol by comparing different (combinations of) parameters, such as concentration of PMAxx, and repetition, duration and incubation conditions of treatment. The optimized PMAxx treatment condition for further experiments consisted of three cycles, each of: 15 min incubation on ice with 50 µM PMAxx, followed by 15 min-long light exposure. This protocol was validated for use in vaginal samples from women with bacterial vaginosis. Up to log2.2 reduction of Gardnerella cells after treatment with PM-477 was documented, despite the complex composition of the samples, which might have hampered the activity of PM-477 as well as the quantification of low loads by viability-qPCR.
A New Antimicrobial Phenylpropanol from the Leaves of Tabernaemontana inconspicua Stapf. (Apocynaceae) Inhibits Pathogenic Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Ngah Lidwine , Tsopgni Willifred Dongmo Tékapi , Nyobe Judith Caroline Ngo , Tcho Alain Tadjong , Langat Moses K. , Ndom Jean Claude , Mas-Claret Eduard , Sadgrove Nicholas John , Waffo Alain François Kamdem , Phumthum Methee
Published: January 2022

A chemical investigation of the leaves of Tabernaemontana inconspicua Stapf. led to the isolation of a new phenylpropanol derivative, namely irisdichototin G (1), together with nine known compounds, including one polyol derivative, dambonitol (2); three alkaloids, 10-hydroxycoronaridine (3), voacristine (4) and vobasine (5); two triterpenes lupeol (6), betulinic acid (7) and three sterols, sitosterol (8), sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (9) and stigmasterol (10). The structure of the new compound, as well as those of the known ones, was established by means of spectroscopic methods: NMR analysis (1H and 13C NMR, 1H-1H-COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY), high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) and comparisons with previously reported data. Among the known compounds, compound 2 was firstly reported from the family Apocynaceae. Compounds 1–5 were tested for their antimicrobial effects against three Gram-negative organisms associated with human wound and systemic infections, namely Haemophilus influenzae 9435337A, Klebsiella pneumoniae 17102005 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2137659B. Compounds 1, 3, and 5 showed significant antimicrobial effects with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 62.5 μg/mL, 62.5 μg/mL and 7.81 μg/mL, respectively, against Haemophilus influenzae, whereas compounds 1 and 5 showed significant antimicrobial effects, with a MIC value of 31.25 μg/mL against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, compound 3 showed significant antimicrobial activity, with a MIC value of 31.25 μg/mL against Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Multitarget Antioxidant NO-Donor Organic Nitrates: A Novel Approach to Overcome Nitrates Tolerance, an Ex Vivo Study
Authors: Marini Elisabetta , Giorgis Marta , Leporati Marta , Rolando Barbara , Chegaev Konstantin , Lazzarato Loretta , Bertinaria Massimo , Vincenti Marco , Di Stilo Antonella
Published: January 2022

Chronic use of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) is limited by serious side effects, such as tolerance and endothelial dysfunction of coronary and resistance arteries. Although GTN is used as a drug since more than 130 years, the mechanisms of the vasodilatory effects and of tolerance development to organic nitrates are still incompletely elucidated. New synthesized organic nitrates with and without antioxidant properties were characterized for their ex vivo tolerance profile, in order to investigate the oxidative stress hypothesis of nitrate tolerance. The organic nitrates studied showed different vasodilation and tolerance profiles, probably due to the ability or inability of the compounds to interact with the aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 enzyme (ALDH-2) involved in bioactivation. Furthermore, nitrooxy derivatives endowed with antioxidant properties did not determine the onset of tolerance, even if bioactivated by ALDH-2. The results of this study could be further evidence of the involvement of ALDH-2 in the development of nitrate tolerance. Moreover, the behavior of organic nitrates with antioxidant properties supports the hypothesis of the involvement of ROS in inactivating ALDH-2.
Antioxidant Paradox in Male Infertility: ‘A Blind Eye’ on Inflammation
Authors: Dutta Sulagna , Sengupta Pallav , Roychoudhury Shubhadeep , Chakravarthi Srikumar , Wang Chee Woon , Slama Petr
Published: January 2022

The pathophysiology of male infertility involves various interlinked endogenous pathways. About 50% of the cases of infertility in men are idiopathic, and oxidative stress (OS) reportedly serves as a central mechanism in impairing male fertility parameters. The endogenous antioxidant system operates to conserve the seminal redox homeostasis required for normal male reproduction. OS strikes when a generation of seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) overwhelms endogenous antioxidant capacity. Thus, antioxidant treatment finds remarkable relevance in the case of idiopathic male infertility or subfertility. However, due to lack of proper detection of OS in male infertility, use of antioxidant(s) in some cases may be arbitrary or lead to overuse and induction of ‘reductive stress’. Moreover, inflammation is closely linked to OS and may establish a vicious loop that is capable of disruption to male reproductive tissues. The result is exaggeration of cellular damage and disruption of male reproductive tissues. Therefore, limitations of antioxidant therapy in treating male infertility are the failure in the selection of specific treatments targeting inflammation and OS simultaneously, two of the core mechanisms of male infertility. The present review aims to elucidate the antioxidant paradox in male infertility treatment, from the viewpoints of both induction of reductive stress as well as overlooking the inflammatory consequences.
Protection against Neurological Symptoms by Consuming Corn Silk Water Extract in Artery-Occluded Gerbils with Reducing Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Post-Stroke Hyperglycemia through the Gut-Brain Axis
Authors: Ryuk Jin Ah , Ko Byoung Seob , Moon Na Rang , Park Sunmin
Published: January 2022

Corn silk (Stigma maydis), rich in flavonoids, is traditionally used to treat edema, depression, and hyperglycemia and may alleviate ischemic stroke symptoms in Chinese medicine. This study examined whether corn silk water extract (CSW) could alleviate ischemic stroke symptoms and post-stroke hyperglycemia in Mongolian gerbils with transient cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). After being given 0.05% (I/R-LCSW) and 0.2% (I/R-HCSW), 0.02% aspirin (I/R-aspirin), and cellulose (I/R-control) in their 40 energy% fat diets for three weeks, the gerbils underwent an artery occlusion for eight minutes and reperfusion. They took the assigned diet for an additional three weeks. Sham-operated gerbils without artery occlusion had the same diet as Sham-control. CSW intake reduced neuronal cell death in gerbils with I/R and dose-dependently improved the neurological symptoms, including drooped eyes, crouched posture, flexor reflex, and walking patterns. CSW intake also alleviated the short-term memory and spontaneous alteration and grip strength compared to the I/R-control group. The protection against ischemic stroke symptoms was associated with the reduced tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, superoxide, and lipid peroxide levels, promoting superoxide dismutase activity in the hippocampus in the CSW groups, compared to the I/R-control. The blood flow measured by Doppler was improved with CSW compared to the I/R-control. Furthermore, CSW intake prevented the post-stroke hyperglycemia related to decreasing pancreatic β-cell mass as much as the Sham-control, and it was related to protection against β-cell apoptosis, restoring the β-cell mass similar to the Sham-control. CSW intake elevated the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Allobaculum, and Akkermansia compared to the I/R-control. Picrust2 analysis showed that CSW increased the propionate and butyrate metabolism and the starch and glucose metabolism but reduced lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis compared to the I/R-control. In conclusion, CSW intake protects against neuronal cell death and post-hyperglycemia by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation and increasing blood flow and the β-cell mass. The alleviation was associated with promoting the gut-brain axis by changing the gut microbiome community.
Neuroprotection and Disease Modification by Astrocytes and Microglia in Parkinson Disease
Authors: Takahashi Shinichi , Mashima Kyoko
Published: January 2022

Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are common bases for disease onset and progression in many neurodegenerative diseases. In Parkinson disease, which is characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons resulting in dopamine depletion, the pathogenesis differs between hereditary and solitary disease forms and is often unclear. In addition to the pathogenicity of alpha-synuclein as a pathological disease marker, the involvement of dopamine itself and its interactions with glial cells (astrocyte or microglia) have attracted attention. Pacemaking activity, which is a hallmark of dopaminergic neurons, is essential for the homeostatic maintenance of adequate dopamine concentrations in the synaptic cleft, but it imposes a burden on mitochondrial oxidative glucose metabolism, leading to reactive oxygen species production. Astrocytes provide endogenous neuroprotection to the brain by producing and releasing antioxidants in response to oxidative stress. Additionally, the protective function of astrocytes can be modified by microglia. Some types of microglia themselves are thought to exacerbate Parkinson disease by releasing pro-inflammatory factors (M1 microglia). Although these inflammatory microglia may further trigger the inflammatory conversion of astrocytes, microglia may induce astrocytic neuroprotective effects (A2 astrocytes) simultaneously. Interestingly, both astrocytes and microglia express dopamine receptors, which are upregulated in the presence of neuroinflammation. The anti-inflammatory effects of dopamine receptor stimulation are also attracting attention because the functions of astrocytes and microglia are greatly affected by both dopamine depletion and therapeutic dopamine replacement in Parkinson disease. In this review article, we will focus on the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of astrocytes and their synergism with microglia and dopamine.
Arterial Hypertension—Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
Authors: Krzemińska Julia , Wronka Magdalena , Młynarska Ewelina , Franczyk Beata , Rysz Jacek
Published: January 2022

Arterial hypertension (AH) is a major cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), leading to dysfunction of many organs, including the heart, blood vessels and kidneys. AH is a multifactorial disease. It has been suggested that the development of each factor is influenced by oxidative stress, which is characterized by a disturbed oxidant-antioxidant balance. Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an impaired antioxidant system promote the development of endothelial dysfunction (ED), inflammation and increased vascular contractility, resulting in remodeling of cardiovascular (CV) tissue. The hope for restoring the proper functioning of the vessels is placed on antioxidants, and pharmacological strategies are still being sought to reverse the harmful effects of free radicals. In our review, we focused on the correlation of AH with oxidative stress and inflammation, which are influenced by many factors, such as diet, supplementation and pharmacotherapy. Studies show that the addition of a single dietary component may have a beneficial effect on blood pressure (BP) values; however, the relationship between the antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties of individual dietary components and the hypotensive effect is not clear. Moreover, AH pharmacotherapy alleviates the increased oxidative stress, which may help prevent organ damage.
Near-Infrared Light-Triggered Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species and Induction of Local Hyperthermia from Indocyanine Green Encapsulated Mesoporous Silica-Coated Graphene Oxide for Colorectal Cancer Therapy
Authors: Choi Hyung Woo , Lim Jae Hyun , Kim Chan Woo , Lee Eunmi , Kim Jin-Moo , Chang Kiyuk , Chung Bong Geun
Published: January 2022

Near-infrared (NIR) light-mediated photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) have widely been used for cancer treatment applications. However, a number of limitations (e.g., low NIR absorption capacity of photothermal agents, insufficient loading efficiency of photosensitive molecules) have hindered the widespread use of NIR-mediated cancer therapy. Therefore, we developed a mesoporous silica-coated reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite that could provide a high encapsulation rate of indocyanine green (ICG) and enhance PTT/PDT efficiency in vitro and in vivo. The ICG-encapsulated nanocomposite not only enhances the photothermal effect but also generates a large number of tumor toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS). By conjugation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with folic acid (FA) as a tumor targeting moiety, we confirmed that ICG-encapsulated mesoporous silica (MS)-coated rGO nanocomposite (ICG@MS-rGO-FA) exhibited high colloidal stability and intracellular uptake in folate receptor-expressing CT-26 colorectal cancer cells. Upon NIR laser irradiation, this ICG@MS-rGO-FA nanocomposite induced the apoptosis of only CT-26 cells via enhanced PTT and PDT effects without any damage to normal cells. Furthermore, the ICG@MS-rGO-FA nanocomposite revealed satisfactory tumor targeting and biocompatibility in CT-26 tumor-bearing mice, thereby enhancing the therapeutic effects of PTT and PDT in vivo. Therefore, this tumor-targeted ICG@MS-rGO-FA nanocomposite shows a great potential for phototherapy applications.