bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unraveling the impact of disrupted nucleocytoplasmic transport systems in C9orf72-associated ALS
Authors: McGoldrick Philip , Robertson Janice
Published: August 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are two adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases that are part of a common disease spectrum due to clinical, genetic, and pathological overlap. A prominent genetic factor contributing to both diseases is a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in a non-coding region of the C9orf72 gene. This mutation in C9orf72 leads to nuclear depletion and cytoplasmic aggregation of Tar DNA-RNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43). TDP-43 pathology is characteristic of the majority of ALS cases, irrespective of disease causation, and is present in ~50% of FTD cases. Defects in nucleocytoplasmic transport involving the nuclear pore complex, the Ran-GTPase cycle, and nuclear transport factors have been linked with the mislocalization of TDP-43. Here, we will explore and discuss the implications of these system abnormalities of nucleocytoplasmic transport in C9orf72-ALS/FTD, as well as in other forms of familial and sporadic ALS.
Strengthening stroke prevention and awareness in the Philippines: a conceptual framework
Authors: Sese Lance Vincent C. , Guillermo Ma. Celina L.
Published: August 2023

Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide, with low and middle-income countries bearing the greatest burden. This article focuses on stroke prevention and awareness in the Philippines, a country grappling with high stroke incidence and limited healthcare resources. The two-pronged approach presented by the authors aims to address the challenges of stroke care by combining community-based prevention and targeted public awareness campaigns. The community-based stroke prevention component involves personalized risk factor assessments and tailored interventions conducted at local health centers. By identifying modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and elevated cholesterol levels, healthcare professionals can provide targeted education and interventions to individuals at risk. Additionally, the decentralized targeted stroke awareness campaigns emphasize public education through culturally adapted materials, engagement with local stakeholders, and media campaigns. These initiatives seek to increase awareness of stroke symptoms and prompt presentation in medical facilities. By implementing this comprehensive approach, we aim to mitigate the burden of stroke in the Philippines, improve stroke outcomes, and raise public awareness about stroke recognition and prevention.
Hearing, seeing, and feeling speech: the neurophysiological correlates of trimodal speech perception
Authors: Hansmann Doreen , Derrick Donald , Theys Catherine
Published: August 2023

Introduction

To perceive speech, our brains process information from different sensory modalities. Previous electroencephalography (EEG) research has established that audio-visual information provides an advantage compared to auditory-only information during early auditory processing. In addition, behavioral research showed that auditory speech perception is not only enhanced by visual information but also by tactile information, transmitted by puffs of air arriving at the skin and aligned with speech. The current EEG study aimed to investigate whether the behavioral benefits of bimodal audio-aerotactile and trimodal audio-visual-aerotactile speech presentation are reflected in cortical auditory event-related neurophysiological responses.

Methods

To examine the influence of multimodal information on speech perception, 20 listeners conducted a two-alternative forced-choice syllable identification task at three different signal-to-noise levels.

Results

Behavioral results showed increased syllable identification accuracy when auditory information was complemented with visual information, but did not show the same effect for the addition of tactile information. Similarly, EEG results showed an amplitude suppression for the auditory N1 and P2 event-related potentials for the audio-visual and audio-visual-aerotactile modalities compared to auditory and audio-aerotactile presentations of the syllable/pa/. No statistically significant difference was present between audio-aerotactile and auditory-only modalities.

Discussion

Current findings are consistent with past EEG research showing a visually induced amplitude suppression during early auditory processing. In addition, the significant neurophysiological effect of audio-visual but not audio-aerotactile presentation is in line with the large benefit of visual information but comparatively much smaller effect of aerotactile information on auditory speech perception previously identified in behavioral research.
Preliminary evidence of prolonged timing effects of theta-burst stimulation in the reading system
Authors: Harrington Rachael M. , Krishnamurthy Lisa C. , Ossowski Alexandra , Jeter Mykayla , Davis Adriane , Bledniak Ewelina , Ware Ashley L. , Morris Robin , Arrington C. Nikki
Published: August 2023

Theta-burst stimulation (TBS) is a repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation technique that can be used to upregulate or downregulate different brain regions. However, the timing of its effects and the differing effects of continuous TBS (cTBS) versus intermittent TBS (iTBS) in the reading system have not been explored. This study assessed how stimulation type and post-stimulation timing affected change in performance during a phonological discrimination and sight word recognition task after stimulation of supramarginal gyrus (SMG). Fourteen right-handed young adults (age 18–27 years; 44% male) were block-randomized to receive either iTBS or cTBS to the supramarginal gyrus. Participants then performed a pseudoword discrimination task and an orthographic awareness task (behavioral control) at four different time points and change in reaction time compared to baseline was measured from each time point. There was no effect of stimulation type on change in reaction time [t(16) = −0.2, p = 0.9], suggesting that both types of TBS caused similar effects. Percent change in reaction time decreased over time in the pseudoword task [t(50) = −5.9, p < 0.001], indicating faster pseudoword processing speed with better performance 60–70 min after stimulation. In contrast, no change was demonstrated over time for the behavioral control task [t(43) = −0.6, p = 0.6], suggesting that the change over time seen in the test condition was not a learning effect. These findings provide insight into the effects of TBS on the reading system and can guide future study designs.
Time to consider animal data governance: perspectives from neuroscience
Authors: Eke Damian , Ogoh George , Knight William , Stahl Bernd
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Scientific research relies mainly on multimodal, multidimensional big data generated from both animal and human organisms as well as technical data. However, unlike human data that is increasingly regulated at national, regional and international levels, regulatory frameworks that can govern the sharing and reuse of non-human animal data are yet to be established. Whereas the legal and ethical principles that shape animal data generation in many countries and regions differ, the generated data are shared beyond boundaries without any governance mechanism. This paper, through perspectives from neuroscience, shows conceptually and empirically that there is a need for animal data governance that is informed by ethical concerns. There is a plurality of ethical views on the use of animals in scientific research that data governance mechanisms need to consider.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. Overall, 13 interviews with 12 participants (10 males and 2 females) were conducted. The interviews were transcribed and stored in NviVo 12 where they were thematically analyzed.

Results

The participants shared the view that it is time to consider animal data governance due to factors such as differences in regulations, differences in ethical principles, values and beliefs and data quality concerns. They also provided insights on possible approaches to governance.

Discussion

We therefore conclude that a procedural approach to data governance is needed: an approach that does not prescribe a particular ethical position but allows for a quick understanding of ethical concerns and debate about how different positions differ to facilitate cross-cultural and international collaboration.
Deviant spontaneous neural activity as a potential early-response predictor for therapeutic interventions in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Jing Huan , Zhang Chunguo , Yan Haohao , Li Xiaoling , Liang Jiaquan , Liang Wenting , Ou Yangpan , Wu Weibin , Guo Huagui , Deng Wen , Xie Guojun , Guo Wenbin
Published: August 2023

Objective

Previous studies have established significant differences in the neuroimaging characteristics between healthy controls (HCs) and patients with schizophrenia (SCZ). However, the relationship between homotopic connectivity and clinical features in patients with SCZ is not yet fully understood. Furthermore, there are currently no established neuroimaging biomarkers available for the diagnosis of SCZ or for predicting early treatment response. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between regional homogeneity and specific clinical features in SCZ patients.

Methods

We conducted a longitudinal investigation involving 56 patients with SCZ and 51 HCs. The SCZ patients underwent a 3-month antipsychotic treatment. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), regional homogeneity (ReHo), support vector machine (SVM), and support vector regression (SVR) were used for data acquisition and analysis.

Results

In comparison to HCs, individuals with SCZ demonstrated reduced ReHo values in the right postcentral/precentral gyrus, left postcentral/inferior parietal gyrus, left middle/inferior occipital gyrus, and right middle temporal/inferior occipital gyrus, and increased ReHo values in the right putamen. It is noteworthy that there was decreased ReHo values in the right inferior parietal gyrus after treatment compared to baseline data.

Conclusion

The observed decrease in ReHo values in the sensorimotor network and increase in ReHo values in the right putamen may represent distinctive neurobiological characteristics of patients with SCZ, as well as a potential neuroimaging biomarker for distinguishing between patients with SCZ and HCs. Furthermore, ReHo values in the sensorimotor network and right putamen may serve as predictive indicators for early treatment response in patients with SCZ.
Sensory eye dominance plasticity in the human adult visual cortex
Authors: Kam Ka Yee , Chang Dorita H. F.
Published: August 2023

Sensory eye dominance occurs when the visual cortex weighs one eye’s data more heavily than those of the other. Encouragingly, mechanisms underlying sensory eye dominance in human adults retain a certain degree of plasticity. Notably, perceptual training using dichoptically presented motion signal-noise stimuli has been shown to elicit changes in sensory eye dominance both in visually impaired and normal observers. However, the neural mechanisms underlying these learning-driven improvements are not well understood. Here, we measured changes in fMRI responses before and after a five-day visual training protocol to determine the neuroplastic changes along the visual cascade. Fifty visually normal observers received training on a dichoptic or binocular variant of a signal-in-noise (left–right) motion discrimination task over five consecutive days. We show significant shifts in sensory eye dominance following training, but only for those who received dichoptic training. Pattern analysis of fMRI responses revealed that responses of V1 and hMT+ predicted sensory eye dominance for both groups, but only before training. After dichoptic (but not binocular) visual training, responses of V1 changed significantly, and were no longer able to predict sensory eye dominance. Our data suggest that perceptual training-driven changes in eye dominance are driven by a reweighting of the two eyes’ data in the primary visual cortex. These findings may provide insight into developing region-targeted rehabilitative paradigms for the visually impaired, particularly those with severe binocular imbalance.
A review of international trade and investment agreements and nutrition policy space in the Pacific
Authors: Bunkley Noah , McCool Judith , Garton Kelly
Published: August 2023

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific are heavily reliant on imported foods which are often nutritionally deficient, and typically high in salt, fat, and sugar. To curb nutrition-related non-communicable diseases, nutrition policies are needed to create food environments that promote healthy diets. However, international trade and investment agreements (TIAs) may interfere with the policy space for SIDS to regulate their food environments by requiring member states to meet trade obligations that could conflict with their nutrition policy goals. In this review, we identify real examples of where TIAs have been responsible for changes in Pacific SIDS’ nutrition policies alongside the potential for further constraints on healthy nutrition policies from Pacific Island participation in TIAs. In addition, we note the effects of regulatory chill from TIA obligations in Pacific SIDS, whereby healthy nutrition policies are not considered, developed, or implemented due to the threat of trade disputes or the complexity of TIA procedural requirements. Existing literature indicates that TIAs have shaped nutrition policies to fit within the global trade paradigm despite SIDS’ nutrition policy imperatives. More can be done locally, regionally, and internationally to increase the importance of nutrition in the trade agenda, leverage regional institutions to champion nutrition regulation and support SIDS in navigating the trade and nutrition policy environment.
Deep-learning and conventional radiomics to predict IDH genotyping status based on magnetic resonance imaging data in adult diffuse glioma
Authors: Zhang Hongjian , Fan Xiao , Zhang Junxia , Wei Zhiyuan , Feng Wei , Hu Yifang , Ni Jiaying , Yao Fushen , Zhou Gaoxin , Wan Cheng , Zhang Xin , Wang Junjie , Liu Yun , You Yongping , Yu Yun
Published: August 2023

Objectives

In adult diffuse glioma, preoperative detection of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) status helps clinicians develop surgical strategies and evaluate patient prognosis. Here, we aim to identify an optimal machine-learning model for prediction of IDH genotyping by combining deep-learning (DL) signatures and conventional radiomics (CR) features as model predictors.

Methods

In this study, a total of 486 patients with adult diffuse gliomas were retrospectively collected from our medical center (n=268) and the public database (TCGA, n=218). All included patients were randomly divided into the training and validation sets by using nested 10-fold cross-validation. A total of 6,736 CR features were extracted from four MRI modalities in each patient, namely T1WI, T1CE, T2WI, and FLAIR. The LASSO algorithm was performed for CR feature selection. In each MRI modality, we applied a CNN+LSTM–based neural network to extract DL features and integrate these features into a DL signature after the fully connected layer with sigmoid activation. Eight classic machine-learning models were analyzed and compared in terms of their prediction performance and stability in IDH genotyping by combining the LASSO–selected CR features and integrated DL signatures as model predictors. In the validation sets, the prediction performance was evaluated by using accuracy and the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristics, while the model stability was analyzed by using the relative standard deviation of the AUC (RSDAUC). Subgroup analyses of DL signatures and CR features were also individually conducted to explore their independent prediction values.

Results

Logistic regression (LR) achieved favorable prediction performance (AUC: 0.920 ± 0.043, accuracy: 0.843 ± 0.044), whereas support vector machine with the linear kernel (l-SVM) displayed low prediction performance (AUC: 0.812 ± 0.052, accuracy: 0.821 ± 0.050). With regard to stability, LR also showed high robustness against data perturbation (RSDAUC: 4.7%). Subgroup analyses showed that DL signatures outperformed CR features (DL, AUC: 0.915 ± 0.054, accuracy: 0.835 ± 0.061, RSDAUC: 5.9%; CR, AUC: 0.830 ± 0.066, accuracy: 0.771 ± 0.051, RSDAUC: 8.0%), while DL and DL+CR achieved similar prediction results.

Conclusion

In IDH genotyping, LR is a promising machine-learning classification model. Compared with CR features, DL signatures exhibit markedly superior prediction values and discriminative capability.
Radiomics-based T-staging of hollow organ cancers
Authors: Huang Dong , Xu Xiaopan , Du Peng , Feng Yuefei , Zhang Xi , Lu Hongbing , Liu Yang
Published: August 2023

Cancer growing in hollow organs has become a serious threat to human health. The accurate T-staging of hollow organ cancers is a major concern in the clinic. With the rapid development of medical imaging technologies, radiomics has become a reliable tool of T-staging. Due to similar growth characteristics of hollow organ cancers, radiomics studies of these cancers can be used as a common reference. In radiomics, feature-based and deep learning-based methods are two critical research focuses. Therefore, we review feature-based and deep learning-based T-staging methods in this paper. In conclusion, existing radiomics studies may underestimate the hollow organ wall during segmentation and the depth of invasion in staging. It is expected that this survey could provide promising directions for following research in this realm.
Phase Ib trial of inhaled iloprost for the prevention of lung cancer with predictive and response biomarker assessment
Authors: Miller York E. , Ghosh Moumita , Merrick Daniel T. , Kubala Brandi , Szabo Eva , Bengtson Lisa , Kocherginsky Masha , Helenowski Irene B. , Benante Kelly , Schering Tia , Kim Jihye , Kim Hyunmin , Ha Duc , Bergan Raymond C. , Khan Seema A. , Keith Robert L.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Iloprost, a prostacyclin analog, has lung cancerpreventive activity in preclinical models and improved dysplasia in former smokers in a phase IIb trial. Oral iloprost is currently unavailable. We performed a phase Ib trial of inhaled iloprost in former smokers to assess tolerance and compliance.

Methods

Participants self-administered nebulized iloprost (5ug) or placebo four (QID) or two (BID) times daily. As QID dose was well tolerated and due to expiration of the placebo, the BID dosing and placebo were eliminated early on in the trial. Bronchoscopy with biopsyat six standard sites was performed at treatment initiation and two months post-iloprost, with exploratory histological analysis. Bulk RNA sequencing, single cell RNA sequencing and an in vitro assay of epithelial progenitor cell iloprost response were performed on a subset of biopsies in an exploratory investigation of response mechanisms and predictive biomarkers.

Results and discussion

Thirty-four of a planned 48 participants were recruited to the trial.Inhaled iloprost was well tolerated with no adverse events > grade 2. Compliance was 67% in the QID group. The trial was not powered to detect histologic response and none was found. Bulk RNA sequencing of biopsies pre/post iloprost suggest that iloprost is immunomodulatory and downregulates cell proliferation pathways. Single cell RNA sequencing showed an increase in CD8-positive T cells with upregulation of genes in interferon γ signaling. In vitro iloprost response by epithelial progenitor cells correlated with histologic response with kappa coefficient of 0.81 (95% CI 0.47, 1.0). Inhaled iloprost was well tolerated with suboptimal compliance. Molecular analysis suggested that iloprosthas immunomodulatory and antiproliferative effects.The progenitor cell iloprost response assay may be a promising avenue to develop predictive biomarkers.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02237183, identifier NCT02237183.
Presynaptic depolarization differentially regulates dual neurotransmitter release from starburst amacrine cells in the mouse retina
Authors: Ichinose Tomomi , Hellmer Chase B. , Bohl Jeremy M.
Published: August 2023

The retina is comprised of diverse neural networks, signaling from photoreceptors to ganglion cells to encode images. The synaptic connections between these retinal neurons are crucial points for information transfer; however, the input-output relations of many synapses are understudied. Starburst amacrine cells in the retina are known to contribute to retinal motion detection circuits, providing a unique window for understanding neural computations. We examined the dual transmitter release of GABA and acetylcholine from starburst amacrine cells by optogenetic activation of these cells, and conducted patch clamp recordings from postsynaptic ganglion cells to record excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs and IPSCs). As starburst amacrine cells exhibit distinct kinetics in response to objects moving in a preferred or null direction, we mimicked their depolarization kinetics using optogenetic stimuli by varying slopes of the rising phase. The amplitudes of EPSCs and IPSCs in postsynaptic ganglion cells were reduced as the stimulus rising speed was prolonged. However, the sensitivity of postsynaptic currents to the stimulus slope differed. EPSC amplitudes were consistently reduced as the steepness of the rising phase fell. By contrast, IPSCs were less sensitive to the slope of the stimulus rise phase and maintained their amplitudes until the slope became shallow. These results indicate that distinct synaptic release mechanisms contribute to acetylcholine and GABA release from starburst amacrine cells, which could contribute to the ganglion cells’ direction selectivity.
Artesunate, as an Hsp90 inhibitor, inhibits the proliferation of Burkitt’s lymphoma cells by inhibiting AKT and ERK
Authors: Yuan-Ce Li , Qi Zhang , Hong-Yang Zhang , Yan-Wen Wang , Yu-Mei Sun , Bi-Juan Yang , Jun-Lin Yin
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Artesunate, a derivative of artemisinin, has anti-malarial effects, and in recent years has also been reported to have anti-tumor activity. However, its anti-tumor mechanisms are not well understood.

Methods: In this study, we focused on the targeting of Hsp90 by artesunate to inhibit tumor cell proliferation, which we examined using immunoprecipitation, a proliferation assay, flow cytometry, western blotting, a tumor xenograft animal model, and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, to examine the tumor-suppressive effects of artesunatein nude mice, we used artesunate-loaded PLGA-PEG nanoparticles.

Results: The binding of artesunate to Hsp90 was found to reduce the expression of its client proteins AKT, ERK, p-AKT, p-ERK, and EGFR, thereby blocking the cell cycle at the G0/G1 → S stage in lymphoma cells and inducing apoptosis. In addition, the results of tumor xenograft experiments revealed that artesunate reduced the expression of AKT and ERK proteins in tumor tissues, inhibited tumor proliferation, and reduced tumor size and weight. Furthermore, nanoparticle encapsulation was demonstrated to enhance the anti-cancer activity of artesunate.

Discussion: We thus established that artesunate inhibits the proliferation of lymphoma cells by targeting the Hsp90 protein, and we accordingly believe that this compound has potential for development as a novelanti-tumor drug.
Problems and challenges encountered by Chinese medical institutions in implementing the national centralized drug procurement
Authors: Zhang Wen , Xu Qingwen , Peng Jing , Zhang Xiaotong , Chen Lu , Wu Yilai , Yang Kui , Luan Jiajie , Liu Xiaoyun
Published: August 2023

Objective: The problems and challenges encountered by Chinese medical institutions in implementing the national centralized drug procurement was investigated and analyzed in order to provide reference for the regulatory agencies to formulate policies.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect the problems encountered by 329 Chinese medical institutions in implementing the national centralized drug procurement and the corresponding suggestions provided by relevant experts. Statistical analysis was performed to identify differences in the themes and the number of collected problems, further revealing the relevance to the region in which the medical institutions is located.

Result: 1360 problems and suggestions were collected from 329 Chinese medical institutions that located in North (19.15%), Northeast (5.78%), East (33.43%), Central (10.03%), South (9.73%), Southwest (14.89%), and Northwest China (6.99%). There was statistically significant difference in the number of collected problems and suggestions between regions (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the content of gathered problems and suggestions involves in 15 themes including system construction, organizational system and work responsibilities, reasonable measurement and reporting of procurement volume et al. These themes that these medical institutions are focusing on are mainly centered on the supply guarantee (15%), reasonable measurement and reporting of procurement volume (11.40%) and guarantee measures for clinical priority use (9.48%) of drugs with national centralized procurement. Meanwhile, we found that problems regarding the supply guarantee of drugs with national centralized procurement displayed significant difference between regions (p = 0.0096).

Conclusion: Chinese medical institutions are facing great challenges in implementing the national centralized drug procurement. The scientific study and judgment of the current situation and the construction of corresponding solution require a precise classification of the problems encountered by medical institutions in the process of implementing the national centralized drug procurement policy, which is of great practical significance for deepening the reform of the medical and health system.
Reasons that lead people to buy prescription medicines on the internet: a systematic review
Authors: Almomani Hamzeh , Raza Amna , Patel Nilesh , Donyai Parastou
Published: August 2023

Aim:This systematic review explores the factors that could influence consumer’s decision of purchasing prescription medicines using the Internet.

Methods:Relevant databases were searched to retrieve studies published from 2012 to 2021. The studies selected for inclusion were those focused on the consumer’s perspective and the purchase of prescription medicines. A narrative synthesis was employed. The Capability Opportunity Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) were employed as conceptual lenses that guided the analysis.

Results:Seventeen studies were included. These studies have adopted various methodologies: qualitative method (n= 4), quantitative method (n= 12), and mixed methods (n= 1). The studies were based in Europe (n= 8), North America (n= 3), Middle East (n= 4), and 2 studies were conducted in several countries (multinational). The analysis of these studies revealed 7 themes that represent the reasons that lead people to buy prescription medicines via the Internet. These themes were the consumers’ beliefs about the outcomes of the purchase (perceived benefits and risks of the purchase), consumer’s emotions that could influence the purchasing decision, the factors that increase or decrease consumer’s level of behavioural control over the purchase (facilitators and barriers of the purchase), consumers knowledge about the purchase, the trusting beliefs that lead consumers to trust the online sellers of medicines, the social influencing factors, and the external environmental factors that could encourage the purchase.

Discussion:This study provides a comprehensive review of the breadth of reasons that drive people to buy prescription medicines via the Internet. Identifying those reasons could provide the basis for regulators to design evidence-based awareness campaigns to minimise the purchase of prescription medicines via the Internet. Furthermore, future research directions have been provided in this review to build upon the existing knowledge and address the research gaps in this area.
Sustainable agriculture and GM crops: the case of Bt cotton impact in Ballari district of India
Authors: Subramanian Arjunan
Published: August 2023

Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton are at the forefront of an intense debate on the benefits of genetically modified (GM) crops among smallholder farmers in developing countries. Existing studies fail to control for confounders, selection bias, or cultivation bias from preferential treatment in the initial adoption phase. Addressing these concerns in this paper, I examine the impact of Bt cotton employing an unbalanced panel fixed-effects model of a crop yield and profit function on newly collected plot-level data in the most recent decade. Results show that Bt cotton yields have stagnated, have a null effect on profits, and have become more sensitive to pest pressure in the most recent decade. Though many studies have demonstrated higher crop yield and profit gains in the first decade of Bt cotton adoption that raised the average returns to the technology, the second decade shows convergence in benefits, which raises obvious questions about the prospect of GM technology. Since Bt cotton is the only GM crop technology widely adopted by smallholder farmers, the findings of this paper contribute to the broader public debate on the future of agricultural biotechnology.
Investigating the impact of terminal heat stress on contrasting wheat cultivars: a comprehensive analysis of phenological, physiological, and biochemical traits
Authors: Kumar Hitesh , Chugh Vishal , Kumar Manoj , Gupta Vikas , Prasad Shambhoo , Kumar Satish , Singh Chandra Mohan , Kumar Rahul , Singh Bhupendra Kumar , Panwar Gurusharan , Kumar Mukul
Published: August 2023

Terminal heat stress has become one of the major threats due to global climate change which is significantly affecting the production and productivity of wheat crop. Therefore, it is necessary to identify key traits and genotypes to breed heat-tolerant wheat. The present study was undertaken with the objective of comparing the effects of heat stress (HSE) and extended heat stress (EHSE) on phenological-physio-biochemical traits of contrasting heat-tolerant and heat-susceptible genotypes during the reproductive phase. Phenological traits exhibited significant reduction under EHSE compared to HSE. Heat-tolerant genotypes maintained balanced phenological-physio-biochemical traits, while heat-sensitive genotypes showed significant reductions under both stress regimes. Among phenological traits, DM (R2 = 0.52) and BY (R2 = 0.44) have shown a positive effect on seed yield, indicating that biomass and crop duration contributed to the yield advantage under stress. During the grain filling stage, both the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and chlorophyll (Chl) exhibited consistently positive impacts on grain yield under both HSE and EHSE conditions. This could be attributed to the enhanced photosynthesis resulting from delayed senescence and improved assimilate remobilization under terminal heat stress. The biochemical activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) was induced in tolerant genotypes under HSE. The correlation of canopy temperature with phenological-physio-biochemical traits remained static under HSE and EHSE, suggesting CT as the best selection parameter for heat tolerance. The traits showing a positive association with yield and that are less affected under stress could be used for selecting tolerant genotypes under stress environments. These tolerant genotypes can be used to develop mapping populations to decipher the genes conferring tolerance as well as to study the molecular basis of tolerance.
Investigation on absorption cross-section of photosynthetic pigment molecules based on a mechanistic model of the photosynthetic electron flow-light response in C3, C4 species and cyanobacteria grown under various conditions
Authors: Ye Zi-Piao , Stirbet Alexandrina , An Ting , Robakowski Piotr , Kang Hua-Jing , Yang Xiao-Long , Wang Fu-Biao
Published: August 2023

Investigation on intrinsic properties of photosynthetic pigment molecules participating in solar energy absorption and excitation, especially their eigen-absorption cross-section (σik) and effective absorption cross-section (σ′ik), is important to understand photosynthesis. Here, we present the development and application of a new method to determine these parameters, based on a mechanistic model of the photosynthetic electron flow-light response. The analysis with our method of a series of previously collected chlorophyll a fluorescence data shows that the absorption cross-section of photosynthetic pigment molecules has different values of approximately 10−21 m2, for several photosynthetic organisms grown under various conditions: (1) the conifer Abies alba Mill., grown under high light or low light; (2) Taxus baccata L., grown under fertilization or non-fertilization conditions; (3) Glycine max L. (Merr.), grown under a CO2 concentration of 400 or 600 μmol CO2 mol−1 in a leaf chamber under shaded conditions; (4) Zea mays L., at temperatures of 30°C or 35°C in a leaf chamber; (5) Osmanthus fragrans Loureiro, with shaded-leaf or sun-leaf; and (6) the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB905, grown under two different nitrogen supplies. Our results show that σik has the same order of magnitude (approximately 10−21 m2), and σ′ik for these species decreases with increasing light intensity, demonstrating the operation of a key regulatory mechanism to reduce solar absorption and avoid high light damage. Moreover, compared with other approaches, both σik and σ′ik can be more easily estimated by our method, even under various growth conditions (e.g., different light environment; different CO2, NO2, O2, and O3 concentrations; air temperatures; or water stress), regardless of the type of the sample (e.g., dilute or concentrated cell suspensions or leaves). Our results also show that CO2 concentration and temperature have little effect on σik values for G. max and Z. mays. Consequently, our approach provides a powerful tool to investigate light energy absorption of photosynthetic pigment molecules and gives us new information on how plants and cyanobacteria modify their light-harvesting properties under different stress conditions.
Optimizing hybrid vigor: a comprehensive analysis of genetic distance and heterosis in eggplant landraces
Authors: Rajan Neha , Debnath Sandip , Perveen Kahkashan , Khan Faheema , Pandey Brijesh , Srivastava Akanksha , Khanam Mehrun Nisha , Subramaniyan Vetriselvan , Kumarasamy Vinoth , Paul Pronob J. , Lal Mohan
Published: August 2023

Introduction

This study explored the molecular characterization of 14 eggplant (brinjal) genotypes to evaluate their genetic diversity and the impact of heterosis. As eggplant is a vital horticultural crop with substantial economic and nutritional value, a comprehensive understanding of its genetic makeup and heterosis effects is essential for effective breeding strategies. Our aim was not only to dissect the genetic diversity among these genotypes but also to determine how genetic distance impacts heterotic patterns, which could ultimately help improve hybrid breeding programs.

Methods

Genetic diversity was assessed using 20 SSR markers, and the parental lines were grouped into five clusters based on the Unweighted Pair Group Method of Arithmetic Means (UPGMA). Heterosis was examined through yield and yield-related traits among parents and hybrids.

Results

Polymorphisms were detected in eight out of the twenty SSR markers across the parental lines. Notably, a high genetic distance was observed between some parents. The analysis of yield and yield-related traits demonstrated significant heterosis over mid, superior, and standard parents, particularly in fruit yield per plant. Two crosses (RKML-26 X PPC and RKML1 X PPC) displayed substantial heterosis over mid and better parents, respectively. However, the positive correlation between genetic distance and heterosis was only up to a certain threshold; moderate genetic distance often resulted in higher heterosis compared to very high genetic distance.

Discussion

These findings emphasize the critical role of parental selection in hybrid breeding programs. The results contribute to the understanding of the relationship between genetic distance and heterosis, and it is suggested that future research should delve into the genetic mechanisms that drive heterosis and the effect of genetic distance variance on heterosis. The insights drawn from this study can be harnessed to enhance crop yield and economic value in breeding programs.
Non-destructive detection of single-seed viability in maize using hyperspectral imaging technology and multi-scale 3D convolutional neural network
Authors: Fan Yaoyao , An Ting , Wang Qingyan , Yang Guang , Huang Wenqian , Wang Zheli , Zhao Chunjiang , Tian Xi
Published: August 2023

The viability of Zea mays seed plays a critical role in determining the yield of corn. Therefore, developing a fast and non-destructive method is essential for rapid and large-scale seed viability detection and is of great significance for agriculture, breeding, and germplasm preservation. In this study, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology was used to obtain images and spectral information of maize seeds with different aging stages. To reduce data input and improve model detection speed while obtaining more stable prediction results, successive projections algorithm (SPA) was used to extract key wavelengths that characterize seed viability, then key wavelength images of maize seed were divided into small blocks with 5 pixels ×5 pixels and fed into a multi-scale 3D convolutional neural network (3DCNN) for further optimizing the discrimination possibility of single-seed viability. The final discriminant result of single-seed viability was determined by comprehensively evaluating the result of all small blocks belonging to the same seed with the voting algorithm. The results showed that the multi-scale 3DCNN model achieved an accuracy of 90.67% for the discrimination of single-seed viability on the test set. Furthermore, an effort to reduce labor and avoid the misclassification caused by human subjective factors, a YOLOv7 model and a Mask R-CNN model were constructed respectively for germination judgment and bud length detection in this study, the result showed that mean average precision (mAP) of YOLOv7 model could reach 99.7%, and the determination coefficient of Mask R-CNN model was 0.98. Overall, this study provided a feasible solution for detecting maize seed viability using HSI technology and multi-scale 3DCNN, which was crucial for large-scale screening of viable seeds. This study provided theoretical support for improving planting quality and crop yield.
Haplotype analysis and marker development of five salt-tolerant–related genes in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Li Pingbo , Li Zhen , Liu Xu , Zhang Hua , Zhang Shuyong , Liu Fang , Li Nana , Yang Yongyi , Xie Kun , Ding Hanfeng , Yao Fangyin
Published: August 2023

Salinity stress is a great threat to the growth and productivity of crops, and development of salt-tolerant crops is of great necessity to ensure food security. Although a few genes with natural variations that confer salt tolerance at germination and seedling stage in rice have been cloned, effective intragenic markers for these genes are awaited to be developed, which hinder the use of these genes in genetic improvement of salt tolerance in rice. In this study, we first performed haplotype analysis of five rice salt-tolerant–related genes using 38 rice accessions with reference genome and 4,726 rice germplasm accessions with imputed genotypes and classified main haplotype groups and haplotypes. Subsequently, we identified unique variations for elite haplotypes reported in previous studies and developed 11 effective intragenic makers. Finally, we conducted genotyping of 533 of the 4,726 rice accessions from worldwide and 70 approved temperate geng/japonica cultivars in China using the developed markers. These results could provide effective donors and markers of salt-tolerant–related genes and thus could be of great use in genetic improvement of salt tolerance in rice.
Physiological and lipidomic response of exogenous choline chloride alleviating salt stress injury in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis)
Authors: Zuo Zhi-Fang , Li Yan , Mi Xin-Feng , Li Yong-Long , Zhai Chen-Yuan , Yang Guo-Feng , Wang Zeng-Yu , Zhang Kun
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Choline participates in plant stress tolerance through glycine betaine (GB) and phospholipid metabolism. As a salt-sensitive turfgrass species, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is the main turfgrass species in cool-season areas.

Methods

To improve salinity tolerance and investigate the effects of choline on the physiological and lipidomic responses of turfgrass plants under salinity stress conditions, exogenous choline chloride was applied to Kentucky bluegrass exposed to salt stress.

Results

From physiological indicators, exogenous choline chloride could alleviate salt stress injury in Kentucky bluegrass. Lipid analysis showed that exogenous choline chloride under salt-stress conditions remodeled the content of phospholipids, glycolipids, and lysophospholipids. Monogalactosyl diacylglycerol, digalactosyl diacylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and lysophosphatidylcholine content were increased and phosphatidic acid content were decreased in plants after exogenous choline chloride under salt treatment. Plant leaf choline content increased, but GB was not detected in exogenous choline chloride treatment plants under nonstress or salt-stress conditions.

Discussion

GB synthesis pathway related genes showed no clear change to choline chloride treatment, whereas cytidyldiphosphate‐choline (CDP‐choline) pathway genes were upregulated by choline chloride treatment. These results reveal that lipid remodeling through choline metabolism plays an important role in the salt tolerance mechanism of Kentucky bluegrass. Furthermore, the lipids selected in this study could serve as biomarkers for further improvement of salt-sensitive grass species.
Marble melancholy: using crossmodal correspondences of shapes, materials, and music to predict music-induced emotions
Authors: Mesz Bruno , Tedesco Sebastián , Reinoso-Carvalho Felipe , Ter Horst Enrique , Molina German , Gunn Laura H. , Küssner Mats B.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Music is known to elicit strong emotions in listeners, and, if primed appropriately, can give rise to specific and observable crossmodal correspondences. This study aimed to assess two primary objectives: (1) identifying crossmodal correspondences emerging from music-induced emotions, and (2) examining the predictability of music-induced emotions based on the association of music with visual shapes and materials.

Methods

To achieve this, 176 participants were asked to associate visual shapes and materials with the emotion classes of the Geneva Music-Induced Affect Checklist scale (GEMIAC) elicited by a set of musical excerpts in an online experiment.

Results

Our findings reveal that music-induced emotions and their underlying core affect (i.e., valence and arousal) can be accurately predicted by the joint information of musical excerpt and features of visual shapes and materials associated with these music-induced emotions. Interestingly, valence and arousal induced by music have higher predictability than discrete GEMIAC emotions.

Discussion

These results demonstrate the relevance of crossmodal correspondences in studying music-induced emotions. The potential applications of these findings in the fields of sensory interactions design, multisensory experiences and art, as well as digital and sensory marketing are briefly discussed.
Psychometric properties of the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale–Short Form: evidence from Chinese elite athletes
Authors: Hu Jin-Chuan , Su Ning , Huang Yanmei , Zou Yu-Duo , Liu Hao , Liu Jing-Dong
Published: August 2023

Objectives

The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale-Short Form (CAAS-SF) among a sample of Chinese elite athletes.

Methods

A sample of Chinese elite athletes (n = 770) was invited to participate in this study. First, the factor structure of the Chinese version of the CAAS-SF was examined, and six measurement models (CFA, H-CFA, B-CFA, ESEM, H-ESEM, and B-ESEM) were constructed and compared. Second, the internal consistency reliability of the Chinese version of the CAAS-SF was examined. Finally, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to assess the nomological validity of the Chinese version of the CAAS-SF.

Results

The results showed that the hierarchical ESEM (H-ESEM) model best represented the factor structure of the CAAS-SF among Chinese elite athletes. It suggests that the higher-order factor of career adaptability explains the four distinctive but interrelated specific factors of concern, control, curiosity, and confidence. Cronbach's alpha coefficients (0.84–0.90), composite reliability (0.81–0.96), and coefficient omega hierarchical (0.855–0.94) of the Chinese version of the CAAS-SF were larger than the cutoff values, which suggest satisfactory reliability. The results of the SEM revealed that the higher-order factor of career adaptability was positively associated with career decision self-efficacy (β = 0.676, p < 0.001). This result is consistent with previous findings (r = 0.65, p < 0.01) and provided support for the nomological validity of the CAAS-SF among Chinese elite athletes.

Conclusion

The findings of the present study indicated that the Chinese version of the CAAS-SF displayed satisfactory reliability and validity and could be used to assess the career adaptability of Chinese elite athletes. In addition, the total score of the CAAS-SF is suggested to be used in future research and practical works.
Ecologically valid virtual reality-based technologies for assessment and rehabilitation of acquired brain injury: a systematic review
Authors: Faria Ana Lúcia , Latorre Jorge , Silva Cameirão Mónica , Bermúdez i Badia Sergi , Llorens Roberto
Published: August 2023

Purpose

A systematic review was conducted to examine the state of the literature regarding using ecologically valid virtual environments and related technologies to assess and rehabilitate people with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).

Materials and methods

A literature search was performed following the PRISMA guidelines using PubMed, Web of Science, ACM and IEEE databases. The focus was on assessment and intervention studies using ecologically valid virtual environments (VE). All studies were included if they involved individuals with ABI and simulated environments of the real world or Activities of Daily Living (ADL).

Results

Seventy out of 363 studies were included in this review and grouped and analyzed according to the nature of its simulation, prefacing a total of 12 kitchens, 11 supermarkets, 10 shopping malls, 16 streets, 11 cities, and 10 other everyday life scenarios. These VE were mostly presented on computer screens, HMD’s and laptops and patients interacted with them primarily via mouse, keyboard, and joystick. Twenty-five out of 70 studies had a non-experimental design.

Conclusion

Evidence about the clinical impact of ecologically valid VE is still modest, and further research with more extensive samples is needed. It is important to standardize neuropsychological and motor outcome measures to strengthen conclusions between studies.

Systematic review registration

identifier CRD42022301560,https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=301560.