bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant-based diets and body composition in Chinese omnivorous children aged 6–9 years old: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Gengdong , Su Mengyang , Chu Xinwei , Wei Yuanhuan , Chen Shanshan , Zhou Yingyu , Liu Zhengping , Zhang Zheqing
Published: July 2022

Evidence suggests that plant-based diets are beneficial for alleviating metabolic diseases. Childhood is a crucial period for body growth and development. However, it is unknown whether adherence to a plant-based diet is related to a healthy body composition in children. We aimed to assess the relationship between a plant-based diet and body composition in children. A total of 452 Chinese children aged 6–9 years old participated in this cross-sectional study. Lean mass (LM), fat mass, and fat mass percentage (FMP) were assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. An age- and sex-specific abdominal FMP ≥85th percentile was defined as abdominal obesity. Handgrip strength was measured using a hydraulic hand dynamometer. A validated 79-item food frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary information. Overall plant-based diet index (PDI), healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI), and unhealthful plant-based diet index (uPDI) scores were calculated. After adjusting for potential covariates, a higher hPDI score (per 10-score increment) was associated with a higher LM in the android area (0.038 kg, 3.2%), gynoid area (0.048 kg, 1.9%), and trunk (0.102 kg, 1.2%) and with a lower FMP (1.18%) in the android area. In contrast, a higher uPDI score (per 10-score increment) was associated with a lower LM in the trunk (0.091 kg, 1.1%) and android area (0.023 kg, 1.9%) and with a higher FMP (0.74%) in the android area. No significant associations were observed between the overall PDI and body composition or abdominal obesity. After stratifying by sex, higher (vs. lower) hPDI scores was associated with lower abdominal obesity risk in girls and higher handgrip strength in boys. In conclusion, in this cross-sectional study, we found that stronger adherence to a healthful plant-based diet, and less adherence to an unhealthful plant-based diet was associated with better body composition in Chinese omnivorous children aged 6–9 years old. Our results highlight the need to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy plant foods within investigating how to obtain a healthy body composition in children.
Adequate 25(OH)D moderates the relationship between dietary inflammatory potential and cardiovascular health risk during the second trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Yin Wan-jun , Yu Li-jun , Wu Lin , Zhang Lei , Li Qiong , Dai Fei-cai , Tao Rui-xue , Jiang Xiao-min , Zhu Peng
Published: July 2022

Background

Pro-inflammatory diets play an important role in developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Vitamin D has been demonstrated to have an anti-inflammatory effect and promote cardiovascular health (CVH). However, it is unclear whether adequate vitamin D during pregnancy protects against poor CVH caused by pro-inflammatory diets.

Objective

To investigate the association of pro-inflammatory diets with the cardiovascular risk (CVR) among pregnant women and whether such association was modified by vitamin D status.

Methods

The study was based on a prospective birth cohort that included 3,713 pregnant women between 16 and 23 gestational weeks. In total, 25(OH)D concentrations and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured from the collected blood. The dietary inflammatory potential was evaluated using the empirical dietary inflammatory pattern (EDIP) score based on a validated food frequency questionnaire. Gestational CVR was evaluated using the CVR score based on five “clinical” CVR metrics, including body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, glucose levels, and smoking status.

Results

The proportion of women with a CVR score >0 was 54.3%. We observed a positive association between the EDIP score and CVR score. Compared with the lowest quartile, the CVR score (β = −0.114, 95% CI, −0.217, −0.011) and hs-CRP levels (β = −0.280, 95% CI, −0.495, −0.065) were lower in the highest quartile (P for trend <0.05). Increased CVR connected with high EDIP score was observed only in women with 25(OH)D concentrations <50 nmol/L (RR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.35, 2.54). Mediation analysis revealed that the proportion of association between the EDIP score and CVR score mediated by 25(OH)D was 28.7%, and the proportion of the association between 25(OH)D and the CVR score mediated by hs-CRP was 21.9%.

Conclusion

The higher dietary inflammatory potential was associated with an increased CVR during pregnancy by promoting inflammation. Adequate vitamin D could exert anti-inflammatory effects and modify such association.
Implementation of sugar-sweetened beverages tax and its perception among public health stakeholders. A study from Poland
Authors: Brukało Katarzyna , Kaczmarek Krzysztof , Kowalski Oskar , Romaniuk Piotr
Published: July 2022

Background

One of tools to tackle growing problem of overweight and obesity are the taxation mechanisms applied to sugar-sweetened beverages, which are expected to influence the common eating behaviors, but also they have impact on the market and public finances. The solution is therefore highly entangled in the complex of social and intersectoral interests generating a number of opportunities and threats affecting its feasibility.

Aims

The study aims to depict the views of Polish stakeholders on the implementation of the sugar tax in Poland, particularly the perception of success determinants, barriers, as well as views on the features of the implemented solutions and possible alternatives.

Methods

We used semi-structured interviews with 18 individuals representing key public health stakeholders in Poland. The interview consisted of four parts, where first concentrated on the advantages and disadvantages of the SSB tax, the second part explored stakeholder involvement and stances, third concerned the feasibility of the project, and in the fourth part respondents were asked for suggestions for decision-makers regarding the content of the project and its implementation process. To reconstruct position of 4 main political parties we applied desk research. We used MAXQDA v2020 to analyse the collected data.

Results

Stakeholders tend to expressed conflicting views on the effectiveness, relevance and socio-economic impact of the SSB tax. All of them agreed that the tax may appear severe for the poorest groups, children and adolescents, while disagreeing about the economic impact of the levy. The allocation of additional tax revenues was raising doubts, with stakeholders believing that the fiscal aim is the basic reason for implementing the tax, while these resources should be primarily dedicated to health promotion intervention and prevention of diet-related diseases. On the other hand, the political debate on the tax was highly superficial with strong populism arising of the presented positions.

Conclusions

There is a need to conduct a thorough public debate and improvements in terms of public communication to increase social awareness, sealing and refining the implemented solutions. Close cooperation with market players and non-governmental organizations is highly recommended.
Nomogram constructed by immunological and inflammatory indicators for predicting prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus surgery
Authors: Luo Yun , Weng Xue-Fen , Huang Jia-Tao , Hu Xue-Hao , Wei Lai-Feng , Lin Yi-Wei , Ding Tian-Yan , Zhang Biao , Chu Ling-Yu , Liu Can-Tong , Peng Yu-Hui , Xu Yi-Wei , Wu Fang-Cai
Published: July 2022

Objectives

At present, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients accepting neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) plus surgery lack corresponding prognostic indicators. This study aimed to construct a prognostic prediction model for ESCC patients undergoing nCRT and surgery based on immune and inflammation-related indicators.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the levels of serum immune- and inflammation-related indicators of ESCC patients before receiving nCRT plus surgery in the training cohort (99 patients) and validation cohort (67 patients), which were collected from 2007 to 2020. Univariate and multivariate Cox survival analyses were conducted to evaluate the indicators to set up a nomogram associated with the patients’ overall survival (OS). The prediction accuracy and discriminative ability of the nomogram were measured by the concordance index (C-index), decision curve, calibration curve, integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and net reclassification improvement (NRI).

Results

Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses demonstrated that immune globin A (IgA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were independent risk factors. A nomogram based on IgA, CRP, and cTNM stage was established for predicted OS in the training cohort and validated in the validation cohort. The C-index of the nomogram was 0.820 (95% CI: 0.705–0.934), which was higher than that of the cTNM stage (0.655 (95% CI: 0.546–0.764),p< 0.05) in the training cohort, and similar results were observed in the validation cohort (0.832 (95% CI: 0.760–0.903 vs 0.635 (95% CI: 0.509–0.757),p< 0.001). Furthermore, the prediction accuracy and net benefit of the nomogram verified by the calibration curve, decision curve, NRI, and IDI were satisfactory in the training and validation cohorts.

Conclusion

The newly constructed nomogram concluding serum IgA, CRP, and cTNM stage might be helpful in the prognosis prediction for ESCC patients receiving nCRT plus surgery.
DYNLT3 overexpression induces apoptosis and inhibits cell growth and migration via inhibition of the Wnt pathway and EMT in cervical cancer
Authors: Zhang Jianan , Shen Qi , Xia Lu , Zhu Xueqiong , Zhu Xuejie
Published: July 2022

The role of the dynein light chain Tctex-type 3 (DYNLT3) protein in the biological behavior of cervical cancer and its relative molecular mechanisms were investigated. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect DYNLT3 protein expression in cervical cancer tissues. Cell proliferation and apoptosis rates and invasiveness and migratory capacities were determined by CCK-8 assays, BrdU staining assays and colony formation assays, fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), wound healing assays, and Transwell invasion assays of cervical cancer cells after DYNLT3 modulation. The expression levels of Wnt signaling pathway- and EMT-related proteins were examined by Western blotting. Furthermore, the effects of DYNLT3 on the tumorigenicity and metastasis of cervical cancer in nude mice were analyzed by performing immunohistochemistry, and we found that the expression level of the DYNLT3 protein was higher in human normal cervical tissues than in cervical cancer tissues. Overexpression of DYNLT3 obviously attenuated the proliferation, migration and invasion of CaSki and SiHa cells, and promoted cell apoptosis. Upregulation of DYNLT3 expression markedly decreased the expression of Wnt signaling pathway-related proteins (Dvl2, Dvl3, p-LRP6, Wnt3a, Wnt5a/b, Naked1, Naked2, β-catenin and C-Myc) and EMT-related proteins (N-cadherin, SOX2, OCT4, vimentin and Snail), and increased the expression of E-cadherin and Axin1. However, the opposite results were observed after down-regulation of DYNLT3 expression. Up-regulation of DYNLT3 expression significantly inhibited tumor growth in a nude mouse model, while downregulation of DYNLT3 showed the opposite results. In addition, the major metastatic site of cervical cancer cells in mice was the lung, and downregulation of DYNLT3 expression increased cancer metastasis in vivo. DYNLT3 exerted inhibitory effects on cervical cancer by inhibiting cell proliferation, migration and invasion, promoting cell apoptosis in vitro, and inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis in vivo, possibly by suppressing the Wnt signaling pathway and the EMT.
Case report: dual primary malignancies treated by laparoscopic multiorgan resection with natural orifice specimen extraction surgery
Authors: Hu Kunpeng , Ke Yifan , Chen Qin , Wu Jiezhong , Ke Yingping , Xie Qiuxian , Liu Bo , Chen Jiajia
Published: July 2022

With microtrauma becoming a consensus, in order to improve surgical treatment capability, the clinical application of laparoscopic multiorgan resection is becoming more and more complicated and diversified. Recently, we successfully presented a case of transvaginal specimen extraction surgery that included laparoscopic anatomical left hemihepatectomy combined with laparoscopic total hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy and the pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. The patient, a 75-year-old woman, was hospitalized with abnormal vaginal discharge and bleeding. The pathologic diagnosis of uterine curettage was endometrioid adenocarcinoma. After completing examinations such as color Doppler ultrasound, CEUS, MRCP and thoracoabdominal enhanced spiral CT, preoperative diagnosis was considered as endometrial cancer and a space-occupying lesion in the liver (primary or secondary site)?. No lymphatic or distant metastasis had been found. We also excluded Lynch syndrome by digestive endoscopy and gene sequencing. After a multidisciplinary consultation, the patient underwent surgery under general anesthesia on 24 September 2021. The operation was completed uneventfully in 6 hours, then the patient was transferred to the ICU for follow-up monitoring. The patient began to eat and was able to leave bed on the 4th postoperative day. According to immunohistochemistry, the patient’s postoperative diagnosis was intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and endometrial cancer. Compared with open surgery, laparoscopic multiorgan resection with natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) has many advantages such as fewer traumas, shorter recovery time, and better postoperative quality of life. However, combined large-scale laparoscopic surgeries of different organs can be challenging for surgeons and anesthesiologists. No similar cases have been searched.
Induction chemotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Bi-Cheng , Kuang Bo-Hua , Liu Xin-Xiu , Lin Guo-He , Liu Quentin
Published: July 2022

Background

Adding induction chemotherapy to concurrent platinum-based chemoradiotherapy has significantly prolonged the survival time of patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In this study, we intend to evaluate the survival outcomes, responses, and incidences of toxicities of induction chemotherapy and the differences between different strategies.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL on August 10, 2021. Single-arm or multi-arm prospective clinical trials on induction chemotherapy without targeted therapies or immune checkpoint inhibitors were included. Primary outcomes included survival outcomes, objective response rate, and disease control rate, and the secondary outcome was the rates of grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events.

Results

The 39 studies included in the systematic review and meta-analysis comprised 36 clinical trials and 5389 patients. The estimates for 3-year overall and fail-free survival rates were 87% and 77%. The estimates for 5-year rates of overall and fail-free survival were 81% and 73%. Gemcitabine plus platinum and docetaxel combined with 5-fluorouracil plus platinum strategies were associated with the highest rates of 3-year and 5-year overall survival. The objective response and disease control rates were 85% and 98% after the completion of induction chemotherapy. Neutropenia (27%) and nausea/vomiting (7%) were the most common grade 3 or higher treatment-related hematological and non-hematological adverse events during the induction phase.

Conclusions

Different induction chemotherapeutic strategies appear to have varying effects and risks; a comprehensive summary of the survival outcomes, responses, and toxicities in clinical trials may provide a crucial guide for clinicians.
Reduced Cancer Screening Due to Lockdowns of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Reviewing Impacts and Ways to Counteract the Impacts
Authors: Luu Tuan
Published: July 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has created disruptions in health services in general and cancer screening and diagnostic services in particular, leading to diminished cancer screening participation rates. This paper aims to seek insights into impacts that the pandemic has had on cancer screening, impacts that reduced cancer screening may have in the long run, and how to address such impacts. The paper demonstrates that reduced cancer screening in the pandemic is likely to result in enhanced demands for cancer screening in the new normal, enhanced demands for resources to address such demands, and poor prognosis due to stage migration of cancer diseases. Some measures are recommended for counteracting these impacts.
Cancer chemotherapy: insights into cellular and tumor microenvironmental mechanisms of action
Authors: Tilsed Caitlin M. , Fisher Scott A. , Nowak Anna K. , Lake Richard A. , Lesterhuis W. Joost
Published: July 2022

Chemotherapy has historically been the mainstay of cancer treatment, but our understanding of what drives a successful therapeutic response remains limited. The diverse response of cancer patients to chemotherapy has been attributed principally to differences in the proliferation rate of the tumor cells, but there is actually very little experimental data supporting this hypothesis. Instead, other mechanisms at the cellular level and the composition of the tumor microenvironment appear to drive chemotherapy sensitivity. In particular, the immune system is a critical determinant of chemotherapy response with the depletion or knock-out of key immune cell populations or immunological mediators completely abrogating the benefits of chemotherapy in pre-clinical models. In this perspective, we review the literature regarding the known mechanisms of action of cytotoxic chemotherapy agents and the determinants of response to chemotherapy from the level of individual cells to the composition of the tumor microenvironment. We then summarize current work toward the development of dynamic biomarkers for response and propose a model for a chemotherapy sensitive tumor microenvironment.
Profiling of fatty acid metabolism in the dorsal root ganglion after peripheral nerve injury
Authors: Yamamoto Shota , Hashidate-Yoshida Tomomi , Shimizu Takao , Shindou Hideo
Published: July 2022

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) induces neuronal hyperexcitability, which underlies neuropathic pain. The emergence of RNA sequencing technologies has enabled profiling of transcriptional changes in pathological conditions. However, these approaches do not provide information regarding metabolites such as lipids that are not directly encoded by genes. Fatty acids (FAs) are some of the essential lipids in mammalian organisms and are mainly stored as membrane phospholipids. In response to various biological stimuli, FAs are rapidly released and converted into several mediators, such as eicosanoids and docosanoids. FAs themselves or their metabolites play important roles in physiology and pathology. In this study, using a comprehensive lipidomic analysis of FA metabolites, 152 species were measured in the dorsal root ganglia of mice at multiple time points after PNI. We found that PNI increased the ω-6 FA metabolites produced by cyclooxygenases but not those produced by lipoxygenases or cytochrome P450 enzymes in the dorsal root ganglia. In contrast, ω-3 FA metabolites biosynthesized by any enzyme transiently increased after nerve injury. Overall, these findings provide a new resource and valuable insights into PNI pathologies, including pain and nerve regeneration.
Stability of novel urinary biomarkers used for lupus nephritis
Authors: Cody Ellen M. , Rose James E. , Huang Bin , Qiu Tingting , Brunner Hermine I. , Devarajan Prasad
Published: July 2022

Background

The Renal Activity Index for Lupus (RAIL) is a composite score of six urinary biomarkers (neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), ceruloplasmin, adiponectin, and hemopexin) used to monitor lupus nephritis activity in children. We tested stability of RAIL biomarkers prior to meaningful clinical use.

Methods

Urine samples were tested by ELISA under shipping conditions, freeze/thaw, ambient and longer-term storage. Statistical analysis was performed via Deming Regression, Bland-Altman and Spearman Correlation Coefficient.

Results

Biomarker concentration were comparable to freshly collected urine following storage at −80 °C for up to 3 months, and at 4 or 25 °C up to 48 h followed by −80 °C. Neither shipping on dry or wet ice exposure nor addition of two freeze-thaw cycles led to loss of signal, with excellent Spearman Correlation coefficients under all conditions.

Conclusions

RAIL biomarkers are stable following short-term storage at clinically relevant conditions.
Perennials as Future Grain Crops: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Chapman Elizabeth A. , Thomsen Hanne Cecilie , Tulloch Sophia , Correia Pedro M. P. , Luo Guangbin , Najafi Javad , DeHaan Lee R. , Crews Timothy E. , Olsson Lennart , Lundquist Per-Olof , Westerbergh Anna , Pedas Pai Rosager , Knudsen Søren , Palmgren Michael
Published: July 2022

Perennial grain crops could make a valuable addition to sustainable agriculture, potentially even as an alternative to their annual counterparts. The ability of perennials to grow year after year significantly reduces the number of agricultural inputs required, in terms of both planting and weed control, while reduced tillage improves soil health and on-farm biodiversity. Presently, perennial grain crops are not grown at large scale, mainly due to their early stages of domestication and current low yields. Narrowing the yield gap between perennial and annual grain crops will depend on characterizing differences in their life cycles, resource allocation, and reproductive strategies and understanding the trade-offs between annualism, perennialism, and yield. The genetic and biochemical pathways controlling plant growth, physiology, and senescence should be analyzed in perennial crop plants. This information could then be used to facilitate tailored genetic improvement of selected perennial grain crops to improve agronomic traits and enhance yield, while maintaining the benefits associated with perennialism.
Limiting resource and leaf functional traits jointly determine distribution patterns of leaf intrinsic water use efficiency along aridity gradients
Authors: Wang Jing , Wen Xuefa
Published: July 2022

Intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) is a critical eco-physiological function allowing plants to adapt to water- and nutrient-limited habitats in arid and semi-arid regions. However, the distribution of iWUE in coexisting species along aridity gradients and its controlling factors are unknown. We established two transects along an aridity gradient in the grasslands of Losses Plateau (LP) and Inner Mongolia Plateau (MP) to elucidate the patterns and underlying mechanisms of iWUE distribution in coexisting species along aridity gradient. We determined leaf carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) stable isotopes, functional traits related to carbon fixation, and limiting resources. Bulk leaf δ13C and δ18O were used as proxies for time-integrated iWUE and stomatal conductance (gs) during the growing season. Our results showed that variability in iWUE within transect was primarily controlled by species, sampling sites and an interactive effect between species and sampling sites. Mean values of iWUE (iWUEMean) increased and coefficient of variation (CV) in iWUE (iWUECV) decreased with an increase in aridity, demonstrating that increases in aridity lead to conservative and convergent water use strategies. Patterns of iWUEMean and iWUECV were controlled primarily by the ratio of soil organic carbon to total nitrogen in LP and soil moisture in MP. This revealed that the most limited resource drove the distribution patterns of iWUE along aridity gradients. Interspecific variation in iWUE within transect was positively correlated with Δ18O, indicating that interspecific variation in iWUE was primarily regulated by gs. Furthermore, relationship between iWUE and multi-dimensional functional trait spectrum indicated that species evolved species-specific strategies to adapt to a harsh habitat by partitioning limiting resources. Overall, these findings highlighted the interactive effects of limiting resources and leaf functional traits on plant adaptation strategies for iWUE, and emphasized the importance of considering biological processes in dissecting the underlying mechanisms of plant adaptation strategies at large regional scales.
The primary function of Six5 of Fusarium oxysporum is to facilitate Avr2 activity by together manipulating the size exclusion limit of plasmodesmata
Authors: Blekemolen Mila C. , Cao Lingxue , Tintor Nico , de Groot Tamara , Papp Diana , Faulkner Christine , Takken Frank L. W.
Published: July 2022

Pathogens produce effector proteins to manipulate their hosts. While most effectors act autonomously, some fungal effectors act in pairs and rely on each other for function. During the colonization of the plant vasculature, the root-infecting fungus Fusarium oxysporum (Fo) produces 14 so-called Secreted in Xylem (SIX) effectors. Two of these effector genes, Avr2 (Six3) and Six5, form a gene pair on the pathogenicity chromosome of the tomato-infecting Fo strain. Avr2 has been shown to suppress plant defense responses and is required for full pathogenicity. Although Six5 and Avr2 together manipulate the size exclusion limit of plasmodesmata to facilitate cell-to-cell movement of Avr2, it is unclear whether Six5 has additional functions as well. To investigate the role of Six5, we generated transgenic Arabidopsis lines expressing Six5. Notably, increased susceptibility during the early stages of infection was observed in these Six5 lines, but only to Fo strains expressing Avr2 and not to wild-type Arabidopsis-infecting Fo strains lacking this effector gene. Furthermore, neither PAMP-triggered defense responses, such as ROS accumulation and callose deposition upon treatment with Flg22, necrosis and ethylene-inducing peptide 1-like protein (NLP), or chitosan, nor susceptibility to other plant pathogens, such as the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae or the fungus Verticilium dahlia, were affected by Six5 expression. Further investigation of the ability of the Avr2/Six5 effector pair to manipulate plasmodesmata (PD) revealed that it not only permits cell-to-cell movement of Avr2, but also facilitates the movement of two additional effectors, Six6 and Six8. Moreover, although Avr2/Six5 expands the size exclusion limit of plasmodesmata (i.e., gating) to permit the movement of a 2xFP fusion protein (53 kDa), a larger variant, 3xFP protein (80 kDa), did not move to the neighboring cells. The PD manipulation mechanism employed by Avr2/Six5 did not involve alteration of callose homeostasis in these structures. In conclusion, the primary function of Six5 appears to function together with Avr2 to increase the size exclusion limit of plasmodesmata by an unknown mechanism to facilitate cell-to-cell movement of Fo effectors.
Comparative chloroplast genome and transcriptome analysis on the ancient genus Isoetes from China
Authors: Yang Yujiao , Yu Xiaolei , Wei Pei , Liu Chenlai , Chen Zhuyifu , Li Xiaoyan , Liu Xing
Published: July 2022

Isoetes is a famous living fossil that plays a significant role in the evolutionary studies of the plant kingdom. To explore the adaptive evolution of the ancient genus Isoetes from China, we focused on Isoetes yunguiensis (Q.F. Wang and W.C. Taylor), I. shangrilaensis (X. Li, Y.Q. Huang, X.K. Dai & X. Liu), I. taiwanensis (DeVol), I. sinensis (T.C. Palmer), I. hypsophila_GHC (Handel-Mazzetti), and I. hypsophila_HZS in this study. We sequenced, assembled, and annotated six individuals’ chloroplast genomes and transcriptomes, and performed a series of analyses to investigate their chloroplast genome structures, RNA editing events, and adaptive evolution. The six chloroplast genomes of Isoetes exhibited a typical quadripartite structure with conserved genome sequence and structure. Comparative analyses of Isoetes species demonstrated that the gene organization, genome size, and GC contents of the chloroplast genome are highly conserved across the genus. Besides, our positive selection analyses suggested that one positively selected gene was statistically supported in Isoetes chloroplast genomes using the likelihood ratio test (LRT) based on branch-site models. Moreover, we detected positive selection signals using transcriptome data, suggesting that nuclear-encoded genes involved in the adaption of Isoetes species to the extreme environment of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). In addition, we identified 291–579 RNA editing sites in the chloroplast genomes of six Isoetes based on transcriptome data, well above the average of angiosperms. RNA editing in protein-coding transcripts results from amino acid changes to increase their hydrophobicity and conservation in Isoetes, which may help proteins form functional three-dimensional structure. Overall, the results of this study provide comprehensive transcriptome and chloroplast genome resources and contribute to a better understanding of adaptive evolutionary and molecular biology in Isoetes.
Skimmia anquetilia N.P. Taylor and Airy Shaw (Rutaceae): A Critical Appriasal of its Ethnobotanical and Pharmacological Activities
Authors: Nabi Masarat , Tabassum Nahida , Ganai Bashir Ahmad
Published: July 2022

Skimmia anquetilia N.P. Taylor and Airy Shaw (Rutaceae) is a perennial, aromatic, gregarious wild ornamental shrub native to the Western Himalaya. The plant is used in the traditional medicinal system to treat copious health conditions like rheumatism, fever, inflammation, headache, influenza, body-ache, clearing of the nose, diabetes, lowering the body temperature, smallpox, wounds, burns, snake, and scorpion bites. Phytochemical and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) analysis of S. anquetilia showed the presence of alkanes, alkenes, carboxylic acids, fatty acids, and their esters, simple coumarins, terpenes, phenylpropanoid, and so on. These active principles exhibit a wide array of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancerous, anti-feedant, and antibacterial properties. Most pharmacological studies were based on the essential oil and the crude extracts of the plant and the bioactive compounds responsible for the bioefficacy have not been well-identified. Further investigations are required to transform the experience-based claims on the use of S. anquetilia in traditional medicine practices into evidence-based information. Detailed in-vitro and in-vivo studies on the mechanisms of action of pure bioactive compounds and more elaborate toxicity studies to ensure plant safety for human use should be conducted. This review recapitulates the current status of its use in the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities. It also offers a critical assessment of the plant’s existing information which would help to recuperate its potential as a source for drug development of lead molecules.
Linkage analysis and residual heterozygotes derived near isogenic lines reveals a novel protein quantitative trait loci from a Glycine soja accession
Authors: Yang Yia , La Thang C. , Gillman Jason D. , Lyu Zhen , Joshi Trupti , Usovsky Mariola , Song Qijian , Scaboo Andrew
Published: July 2022

Modern soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] cultivars have low overall genetic variation due to repeated bottleneck events that arose during domestication and from selection strategies typical of many soybean breeding programs. In both public and private soybean breeding programs, the introgression of wild soybean (Glycine soja Siebold and Zucc.) alleles is a viable option to increase genetic diversity and identify new sources for traits of value. The objectives of our study were to examine the genetic architecture responsible for seed protein and oil using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from hybridizing a G. max line (‘Osage’) with a G. soja accession (PI 593983). Linkage mapping identified a total of seven significant quantitative trait loci on chromosomes 14 and 20 for seed protein and on chromosome 8 for seed oil with LOD scores ranging from 5.3 to 31.7 for seed protein content and from 9.8 to 25.9 for seed oil content. We analyzed 3,015 single F4:9 soybean plants to develop two residual heterozygotes derived near isogenic lines (RHD-NIL) populations by targeting nine SNP markers from genotype-by-sequencing, which corresponded to two novel quantitative trait loci (QTL) derived from G. soja: one for a novel seed oil QTL on chromosome 8 and another for a novel protein QTL on chromosome 14. Single marker analysis and linkage analysis using 50 RHD-NILs validated the chromosome 14 protein QTL, and whole genome sequencing of RHD-NILs allowed us to reduce the QTL interval from ∼16.5 to ∼4.6 Mbp. We identified two genomic regions based on recombination events which had significant increases of 0.65 and 0.72% in seed protein content without a significant decrease in seed oil content. A new Kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) assay, which will be useful for introgression of this trait into modern elite G. max cultivars, was developed in one region. Within the significantly associated genomic regions, a total of eight genes are considered as candidate genes, based on the presence of gene annotations associated with the protein or amino acid metabolism/movement. Our results provide better insights into utilizing wild soybean as a source of genetic diversity for soybean cultivar improvement utilizing native traits.
Does improved oleic acid content due to marker-assisted introgression of ahFAD2 mutant alleles in peanuts alter its mineral and vitamin composition?
Authors: Kamdar Jignesh H. , Jasani Mital D. , Chandrashekar Ajay B. , Janila Pasupulati , Pandey Manish K. , Georrge John J. , Varshney Rajeev K. , Bera Sandip K.
Published: July 2022

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) with high oleic acid content have extended shelf life and several health benefits. Oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acid contents in peanuts are regulated by ahFAD2A and ahFAD2B mutant alleles. In the present study, ahFAD2A and ahFAD2B mutant alleles from SunOleic 95R were introgressed into two popular peanut cultivars, GG-7 and TKG19A, followed by markers-assisted selection (MAS) and backcrossing (MABC). A total of 22 MAS and three MABC derived lines were developed with increased oleic acid (78–80%) compared to those of GG 7 (40%) and TKG 19A (50%). Peanut kernel mineral and vitamin composition remained unchanged, while potassium content was altered in high oleic ingression lines. Two introgression lines, HOMS Nos. 37 and 113 had over 10% higher pooled pod yield than respective best check varieties. More than 70% recurrent parent genome recovery was observed in HOMS-37 and HOMS-113 through recombination breeding. However, the absence of recombination in the vicinity of the target locus resulted in its precise introgression along with ample background genome recovery. Selected introgression lines could be released for commercial cultivation based on potential pod yield and oleic acid content.
Imaging the snorkel effect during submerged germination in rice: Oxygen supply via the coleoptile triggers seminal root emergence underwater
Authors: Shiono Katsuhiro , Koshide Akiko , Iwasaki Kazunari , Oguri Kazumasa , Fukao Takeshi , Larsen Morten , Glud Ronnie N.
Published: July 2022

Submergence during germination impedes aerobic metabolisms and limits the growth of most higher plants. However, some wetland plants including rice can germinate under submerged conditions. It has long been hypothesized that the first elongating shoot tissue, the coleoptile, acts as a snorkel to acquire atmospheric oxygen (O2) to initiate the first leaf elongation and seminal root emergence. Here, we obtained direct evidence for this hypothesis by visualizing the spatiotemporal O2 dynamics during submerged germination in rice using a planar O2 optode system. In parallel with the O2 imaging, we tracked the anatomical development of shoot and root tissues in real-time using an automated flatbed scanner. Three hours after the coleoptile tip reached the water surface, O2 levels around the embryo transiently increased. At this time, the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), an enzyme critical for anaerobic metabolism, was significantly reduced, and the coleorhiza covering the seminal roots in the embryo was broken. Approximately 10 h after the transient burst in O2, seminal roots emerged. A transient O2 burst around the embryo was shown to be essential for seminal root emergence during submerged rice germination. The parallel application of a planar O2 optode system and automated scanning system can be a powerful tool for examining how environmental conditions affect germination in rice and other plants.
Impact of Si on C, N, and P stoichiometric homeostasis favors nutrition and stem dry mass accumulation in sugarcane cultivated in tropical soils with different water regimes
Authors: Costa Milton Garcia , dos Santos Sarah Marcilene Machado , de Mello Prado Renato , Palaretti Luiz Fabiano , de Cássia Piccolo Marisa , de Souza Júnior Jonas Pereira
Published: July 2022

Studies with silicon (Si) in sugarcane indicate a greater response in productivity in plants under stress, and the underlying mechanisms of Si in the crop are poorly reported. In this context, the benefits of Si in the crop’s stem production are expected to occur at the C:N:P stoichiometry level in plant tissues, benefiting plants with and without stress. However, the extension of this response may vary in different soils. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate if fertigation with Si modifies the C:N:P stoichiometry and if it can increase sugarcane’s nutritional efficiency and vegetative and productive parameters. Therefore, three experiments were installed using pre-sprouted seedlings to cultivate sugarcane in tropical soils belonging to the Quartzarenic Neosol, Eutrophic Red Latosol, and Dystrophic Red Latosol classes. The treatments comprised a 2 × 2 factorial scheme in each soil. The first factor was composed without water restriction (water retention = 70%; AWD) and with water restriction (water retention = 35%; PWD). The second factor presented Si concentrations (0 mM and 1.8 mM) arranged in randomized blocks with five replications. Fertigation with Si increases the Si and P concentration, the C and N efficiency, the C:N ratio, and the dry mass production. However, it decreases the C and N concentration and the C:P, C:Si, and N:P ratios in sugarcane leaves and stems regardless of the water regime adopted in the three tropical soils. Cluster and principal components analysis indicated that the intensity of the beneficial effects of Si fertigation on sugarcane plants varies depending on the cultivation soil and water conditions. We found that Si can be used in sugarcane with and without water stress. It changes the C:N:P homeostasis enough to improve the nutritional efficiency of C, P, N, and, consequently, the dry mass accumulation on the stems, with variation in the different cultivated soils.
The humidity level matters during the desiccation of Norway spruce somatic embryos
Authors: Fischerová Lucie , Gemperlová Lenka , Cvikrová Milena , Matušíková Ildiko , Moravčíková Jana , Gerši Zuzana , Malbeck Jiří , Kuderna Jan , Pavlíčková Jana , Motyka Václav , Eliášová Kateřina , Vondráková Zuzana
Published: July 2022

In Norway spruce, as in many other conifers, the germination capacity of somatic embryos is strongly influenced by the desiccation phase inserted after maturation. The intensity of drying during desiccation eminently affected the formation of emblings (i.e., seedlings developed from somatic embryos). Compared to non-desiccated embryos, the germination capacity of embryos desiccated at 100% relative humidity was about three times higher, but the reduction of relative humidity to 95 and 90% had a negative effect on the subsequent embryo development. The water loss observed in these embryos did not lead to an increase in lipid peroxidation, as shown by malondialdehyde levels. Another metabolic pathway in plants that mediates a response to abiotic stresses is directed toward the biosynthesis of polyamines (PAs). The activities of PA biosynthetic enzymes increased steadily in embryos during desiccation at 100% relative humidity, whereas they decreased at lower humidity. The total content of free PAs in the embryos gradually decreased throughout desiccation. The increase in free putrescine (Put) and perchloric acid-insoluble Put conjugates was observed in embryos desiccated at lower humidity. These changes were accompanied to some extent by the transcription of the genes for the PA biosynthesis enzymes. Desiccation at 100% relative humidity increased the activity of the cell wall-modifying enzymes β-1,3-glucanases and chitinases; the activities of these enzymes were also significantly suppressed at reduced humidity. The same pattern was observed in the transcription of some β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase genes. Desiccation treatments triggered metabolic processes that responded to water availability, suggesting an active response of the embryo to the reduction in humidity. A positive effect was demonstrated only for desiccation at high relative humidity. Some of the physiological characteristics described can be used as markers of inappropriate relative humidity during somatic embryo desiccation.
Intersubjectivity as an antidote to stress: Using dyadic active inference model of intersubjectivity to predict the efficacy of parenting interventions in reducing stress—through the lens of dependent origination in Buddhist Madhyamaka philosophy
Authors: Ho S. Shaun , Nakamura Yoshio , Gopang Meroona , Swain James E.
Published: July 2022

Intersubjectivity refers to one person’s awareness in relation to another person’s awareness. It is key to well-being and human development. From infancy to adulthood, human interactions ceaselessly contribute to the flourishing or impairment of intersubjectivity. In this work, we first describe intersubjectivity as a hallmark of quality dyadic processes. Then, using parent-child relationship as an example, we propose a dyadic active inference model to elucidate an inverse relation between stress and intersubjectivity. We postulate that impaired intersubjectivity is a manifestation of underlying problems of deficient relational benevolence, misattributing another person’s intentions (over-mentalizing), and neglecting the effects of one’s own actions on the other person (under-coupling). These problems can exacerbate stress due to excessive variational free energy in a person’s active inference engine when that person feels threatened and holds on to his/her invalid (mis)beliefs. In support of this dyadic model, we briefly describe relevant neuroimaging literature to elucidate brain networks underlying the effects of an intersubjectivity-oriented parenting intervention on parenting stress. Using the active inference dyadic model, we identified critical interventional strategies necessary to rectify these problems and hereby developed a coding system in reference to these strategies. In a theory-guided quantitative review, we used this coding system to code 35 clinical trials of parenting interventions published between 2016 and 2020, based on PubMed database, to predict their efficacy for reducing parenting stress. The results of this theory-guided analysis corroborated our hypothesis that parenting intervention can effectively reduce parenting stress if the intervention is designed to mitigate the problems of deficient relational benevolence, under-coupling, and over-mentalizing. We integrated our work with several dyadic concepts identified in the literature. Finally, inspired by Arya Nagarjuna’s Buddhist Madhyamaka Philosophy, we described abstract expressions of Dependent Origination as a relational worldview to reflect on the normality, impairment, and rehabilitation of intersubjectivity.
Farming experience, personal characteristics, and entrepreneurial decisions of urban residents: Empirical evidence from China
Authors: Zhou Deshui , Li Lele
Published: July 2022

Entrepreneurship is an important way to provide solutions for social employment problems. Using data from the 2016 China Labor Force Dynamic Survey (CLDS), we explore the influence of farming experience on urban residents’ entrepreneurial decisions at the theoretical and empirical levels. A Probit model with instrumental variables method was used to analyze the influence of farming experience on urban residents’ entrepreneurial decisions, while a mediating effect model was used to test its channels of action. The results show that: (1) farming experience can contribute to the entrepreneurial decision of urban residents relative to those without experience in farming. To overcome possible endogeneity issues, an Eprobit model based on the estimation of instrumental variables was used for testing. (2) Heterogeneity tests based on age, city type, and physical capital found that this effect was more significant in urban residents with non-capital cities, middle-aged groups, and high-material capital. (3) Farming experience indirectly drives entrepreneurial decisions through the mediating role of promoting positive personality traits, such as “optimism” and “mutual aid consciousness.” Therefore, the farming experience has a positive effect on urban residents’ entrepreneurial decisions and helps to understand the deeper influence of micro-individual characteristics on entrepreneurial decisions in the urbanization process.
Anxiety and depression mediate the relationship between digestive tract conditions and oral health-related quality of life in orthodontic patients
Authors: Tian Xue , Li Yuan-hong , Deng Lan-zhi , Han Wen-ze , Pu Dan , Han Xiang-long , Du Shu-fang , Deng Wei
Published: July 2022

Background

Anxiety and depression are common psychological problems in orthodontic patients whose diet habits and oral health status change frequently during treatment. However, relationships between anxiety and depression, digestive tract condition, and impaired oral health-related quality of life remain unknown.

Materials and methods

In this study, clinical assessments, including anxiety, depression, digestive tract condition, and oral health-related quality of life, were collected from 769 outpatients in the orthodontic department using three self-reported questionnaires. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationships among different clinical assessments. A chained mediation analysis model was further conducted to explore the direct and indirect effects of these various clinical factors.

Results

Changes in digestive tract conditions were positively correlated with the psychological status and oral health-related quality of life. Anxiety and depression partially mediated the relationship between them, and the indirect effect was 0.68 (30%), of which the mediation effect of anxiety accounted for 56%.

Conclusion

Anxiety and depression mediate the relationship between gastrointestinal conditions and oral health. In particular, anxiety seems to play a significant mediating role. Our findings indicate that psychological status must be paid more attention to in future clinical practices and supervision for digestive tract symptoms of orthodontic patients.