bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mammographic density in relation to breast cancer recurrence and survival in women receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Zdanowski Anna , Sartor Hanna , Feldt Maria , Skarping Ida
Published: June 2023

Objective

The association between mammographic density (MD) and breast cancer (BC) recurrence and survival remains unclear. Patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) are in a vulnerable situation with the tumor within the breast during treatment. This study evaluated the association between MD and recurrence/survival in BC patients treated with NACT.

Methods

Patients with BC treated with NACT in Sweden (2005–2016) were retrospectively included (N=302). Associations between MD (Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 5th Edition) and recurrence-free/BC-specific survival at follow-up (Q1 2022) were addressed. Hazard ratios (HRs) for recurrence/BC-specific survival (BI-RADS a/b/c vs. d) were estimated using Cox regression analysis and adjusted for age, estrogen receptor status, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status, axillary lymph node status, tumor size, and complete pathological response.

Results

A total of 86 recurrences and 64 deaths were recorded. The adjusted models showed that patients with BI-RADS d vs. BI-RADS a/b/c had an increased risk of recurrence (HR 1.96 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98–3.92)) and an increased risk of BC-specific death (HR 2.94 (95% CI 1.43–6.06)).

Conclusion

These findings raise questions regarding personalized follow-up for BC patients with extremely dense breasts (BI-RADS d) pre-NACT. More extensive studies are required to confirm our findings.
Skeletal muscle contributions to reduced fitness in cystic fibrosis youth
Authors: Tomlinson Owen William , Barker Alan Robert , Fulford Jonathan , Wilson Paul , Shelley James , Oades Patrick John , Williams Craig Anthony
Published: June 2023

Background

Increased maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) is beneficial in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) but remains lower compared to healthy peers. Intrinsic metabolic deficiencies within skeletal muscle (muscle “quality”) and skeletal muscle size (muscle “quantity”) are both proposed as potential causes for the lower V̇O2max, although exact mechanisms remain unknown. This study utilises gold-standard methodologies to control for the residual effects of muscle size from V̇O2max to address this “quality” vs. “quantity” debate.

Methods

Fourteen children (7 CF vs. 7 age- and sex-matched controls) were recruited. Parameters of muscle size – muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) and thigh muscle volume (TMV) were derived from magnetic resonance imaging, and V̇O2max obtained via cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Allometric scaling removed residual effects of muscle size, and independent samples t-tests and effect sizes (ES) identified differences between groups in V̇O2max, once mCSA and TMV were controlled for.

Results

V̇O2max was shown to be lower in the CF group, relative to controls, with large ES being identified when allometrically scaled to mCSA (ES = 1.76) and TMV (ES = 0.92). Reduced peak work rate was also identified in the CF group when allometrically controlled for mCSA (ES = 1.18) and TMV (ES = 0.45).

Conclusions

A lower V̇O2max was still observed in children with CF after allometrically scaling for muscle size, suggesting reduced muscle “quality” in CF (as muscle “quantity” is fully controlled for). This observation likely reflects intrinsic metabolic defects within CF skeletal muscle.
A report on SARS-CoV-2 first wave in Ecuador: drug consumption dynamics
Authors: Orellana-Manzano Andrea , Cordeiro Fernanda B. , Garcia-Angulo Andrea , Centeno Elizabeth , Vizcaíno-Tumbaco María José , Poveda Sebastián , Murillo Ricardo , Andrade-Molina Derly , Mirabá Mariuxi , Mehta Saurabh , Cárdenas Washington
Published: June 2023

Introduction: The first COVID-19 wave in Ecuador started in March 2020 and extended until November. Several types of drugs have been proposed as a potential treatment during this period, and some affected people have self-medicated.

Method: A retrospective study was conducted with 10,175 individuals who underwent RT-PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 from July to November 2020. We compared the number of positive and negative cases in Ecuador with symptoms and drug consumption. The Chi-square test of independence compared clinical and demographic data and PCR test results. Odds ratios analyzed drug consumption dynamics.

Results: Of 10,175 cases, 570 were positive for COVID-19, while 9,605 were negative. In positive cases, there was no association between the RT-PCR result and sex, age, or comorbidities. When considering demographic data, Cotopaxi and Napo had the highest rates of positive cases (25.7% and 18.8%, respectively). Manabí, Santa Elena, and Guayas regions had fewer than 10% positive cases. The Drug consumption dynamic analysis showed that negative COVID-19 cases presented higher drug consumption than positive cases. In both groups, the most consumed medication was acetaminophen. Acetaminophen and Antihistamines had higher odds of consumption in positive PCR cases than in negative. Symptoms like fever and cough were more related to positive RT-PCR results.

Conclusion: The first COVID-19 wave in Ecuador has affected the provinces differently. At a national level, the consumption of drugs has been highly associated with self-medication.
Discovery of novel benzylquinazoline molecules as p97/VCP inhibitors
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyi , Jiang Lingna , Li Yixin , Feng Qiqi , Sun Xiulin , Wang Yaonan , Zhao Ming
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Protein p97 is an extensively investigated AAA ATPase with various cellular activities, including cell cycle control, ubiquitin–proteasome system, autophagy, and NF-κB activation.

Method: In this study, we designed, synthesized and evaluated eight novel DBeQanalogs as potential p97 inhibitors in vivo and in vitro.

Results: In the p97 ATPase inhibition assay, compounds 6 and 7 showed higher potency than the known p97 inhibitors, DBeQ and CB-5083. Compounds 4-6 dramatically induced G0/G1 phase arrest in the HCT116 cells, and compound 7 arrested the cells in both G0/G1 and S phases. Western blots showed elevated levels of SQSTM/p62, ATF-4, and NF-κB in HCT116 cells with the treatment of compounds 4–7, confirming their role in inhibiting the p97 signaling pathway in cells. In addition, the IC50 of compounds 4–6 against HCT116, RPMI-8226, and s180 proliferation were 0.24–6.9 µM with comparable potency as DBeQ. However, compounds 4–6 displayed low toxicity against the normal human colon cell line. Thus, compounds 6 and 7 were proved to be potential p97 inhibitors with less cytotoxicity. In vivo studies using the s180 xenograft model have demonstrated that compound 6 inhibited tumor growth, led to a significant reduction of p97 concentration in the serum and tumor, and indicated non-toxicity on the body weight and organ-to-brain weight ratios except for the spleen at the dose of 90 μmol/kg/day for 10 days. Furthermore, the present study indicated that compound 6 may not induce s180 mice myelosuppression often observed in the p97 inhibitors.

Conclusion: Compound 6 displayed high binding affinity to p97, great p97 ATPase inhibition, selective cytotoxicity, remarkable anti-tumor effect, and upregulated safety, which improved the clinical potential of p97 inhibitors.
Molecular determinants of TRPM8 function: key clues for a cool modulation
Authors: Pertusa María , Solorza Jocelyn , Madrid Rodolfo
Published: June 2023

Cold thermoreceptor neurons detect temperature drops with highly sensitive molecular machinery concentrated in their peripheral free nerve endings. The main molecular entity responsible for cold transduction in these neurons is the thermo-TRP channel TRPM8. Cold, cooling compounds such as menthol, voltage, and osmolality rises activate this polymodal ion channel. Dysregulation of TRPM8 activity underlies several physiopathological conditions, including painful cold hypersensitivity in response to axonal damage, migraine, dry-eye disease, overactive bladder, and several forms of cancer. Although TRPM8 could be an attractive target for treating these highly prevalent diseases, there is still a need for potent and specific modulators potentially suitable for future clinical trials. This goal requires a complete understanding of the molecular determinants underlying TRPM8 activation by chemical and physical agonists, inhibition by antagonists, and the modulatory mechanisms behind its function to guide future and more successful treatment strategies. This review recapitulates information obtained from different mutagenesis approaches that have allowed the identification of specific amino acids in the cavity comprised of the S1-S4 and TRP domains that determine modulation by chemical ligands. In addition, we summarize different studies revealing specific regions within the N- and C-terminus and the transmembrane domain that contribute to cold-dependent TRPM8 gating. We also highlight the latest milestone in the field: cryo-electron microscopy structures of TRPM8, which have provided a better comprehension of the 21 years of extensive research in this ion channel, shedding light on the molecular bases underlying its modulation, and promoting the future rational design of novel drugs to selectively regulate abnormal TRPM8 activity under pathophysiological conditions.
The combined analysis of urine and blood metabolomics profiles provides an accurate prediction of the training and competitive status of Chinese professional swimmers
Authors: Yang Ruoyu , Wang Yi , Yuan Chunhua , Shen Xunzhang , Cai Ming , Wang Liyan , Hu Jingyun , Song Haihan , Wang Hongbiao , Zhang Lei
Published: June 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to employ metabolomics for the analysis of urine metabolites in swimmers, with the aim of establishing models for assessing their athletic status and competitive potential. Furthermore, the study sought to compare the identification efficacy of multi-component (urine and blood) model versus single-component (urine or blood) models, in order to determine the optimal approach for evaluating training and competitive status.

Methods: A total of 187 Chinese professional swimmers, comprising 103 elite and 84 sub-elite level athletes, were selected as subjects for this study. Urine samples were obtained from each participant and subjected to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics analysis. Significant urine metabolites were screened through multivariable logistic regression analysis, and an identification model was established. Based on the previously established model of blood metabolites, this study compared the discriminative and predictive performance of three models: either urine or blood metabolites model and urine + blood metabolites model.

Results: Among 39 urine metabolites, 10 were found to be significantly associated with the athletic status of swimmers (p < 0.05). Of these, levels of 2-KC, cis-aconitate, formate, and LAC were higher in elite swimmers compared to sub-elite athletes, while levels of 3-HIV, creatinine, 3-HIB, hippurate, pseudouridine, and trigonelline were lower in elite swimmers. Notably, 2-KC and 3-HIB exhibited the most substantial differences. An identification model was developed to estimate physical performance and athletic level of swimmers while adjusting for different covariates and including 2-KC and 3-HIB. The urine metabolites model showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.852 (95% CI: 0.793–0.912) for discrimination. Among the three identification models tested, the combination of urine and blood metabolites showed the highest performance than either urine or blood metabolites, with an AUC of 0.925 (95% CI: 0.888–0.963).

Conclusion: The two urine metabolites, 2-KC and 3-HIV, can serve as significant urine metabolic markers to establish a discrimination model for identifying the athletic status and competitive potential of Chinese elite swimmers. Combining two screened urine metabolites with four metabolites reported exhibiting significant differences in blood resulted in improved predictive performance compared to using urine metabolites alone. These findings indicate that combining blood and urine metabolites has a greater potential for identifying and predicting the athletic status and competitive potential of Chinese professional swimmers.
Optimizing genomic selection of agricultural traits using K-wheat core collection
Authors: Kang Yuna , Choi Changhyun , Kim Jae Yoon , Min Kyeong Do , Kim Changsoo
Published: June 2023

The agricultural traits that constitute basic plant breeding information are usually quantitative or complex in nature. This quantitative and complex combination of traits complicates the process of selection in breeding. This study examined the potential of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and genomewide selection (GS) for breeding ten agricultural traits by using genome-wide SNPs. As a first step, a trait-associated candidate marker was identified by GWAS using a genetically diverse 567 Korean (K)-wheat core collection. The accessions were genotyped using an Axiom® 35K wheat DNA chip, and ten agricultural traits were determined (awn color, awn length, culm color, culm length, ear color, ear length, days to heading, days to maturity, leaf length, and leaf width). It is essential to sustain global wheat production by utilizing accessions in wheat breeding. Among the traits associated with awn color and ear color that showed a high positive correlation, a SNP located on chr1B was significantly associated with both traits. Next, GS evaluated the prediction accuracy using six predictive models (G-BLUP, LASSO, BayseA, reproducing kernel Hilbert space, support vector machine (SVM), and random forest) and various training populations (TPs). With the exception of the SVM, all statistical models demonstrated a prediction accuracy of 0.4 or better. For the optimization of the TP, the number of TPs was randomly selected (10%, 30%, 50% and 70%) or divided into three subgroups (CC-sub 1, CC-sub 2 and CC-sub 3) based on the subpopulation structure. Based on subgroup-based TPs, better prediction accuracy was found for awn color, culm color, culm length, ear color, ear length, and leaf width. A variety of Korean wheat cultivars were used for validation to evaluate the prediction ability of populations. Seven out of ten cultivars showed phenotype-consistent results based on genomics-evaluated breeding values (GEBVs) calculated by the reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) predictive model. Our research provides a basis for improving complex traits in wheat breeding programs through genomics assisted breeding. The results of our research can be used as a basis for improving wheat breeding programs by using genomics-assisted breeding.
ASFL-YOLOX: an adaptive spatial feature fusion and lightweight detection method for insect pests of the Papilionidae family
Authors: Xu Lijia , Shi Xiaoshi , Tang Zuoliang , He Yong , Yang Ning , Ma Wei , Zheng Chengyu , Chen Huabao , Zhou Taigang , Huang Peng , Wu Zhijun , Wang Yuchao , Zou Zhiyong , Kang Zhiliang , Dai Jianwu , Zhao Yongpeng
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Insect pests from the family Papilionidae (IPPs) are a seasonal threat to citrus orchards, causing damage to young leaves, affecting canopy formation and fruiting. Existing pest detection models used by orchard plant protection equipment lack a balance between inference speed and accuracy.

Methods

To address this issue, we propose an adaptive spatial feature fusion and lightweight detection model for IPPs, called ASFL-YOLOX. Our model includes several optimizations, such as the use of the Tanh-Softplus activation function, integration of the efficient channel attention mechanism, adoption of the adaptive spatial feature fusion module, and implementation of the soft Dlou non-maximum suppression algorithm. We also propose a structured pruning curation technique to eliminate unnecessary connections and network parameters.

Results

Experimental results demonstrate that ASFL-YOLOX outperforms previous models in terms of inference speed and accuracy. Our model shows an increase in inference speed by 29 FPS compared to YOLOv7-x, a higher mAP of approximately 10% than YOLOv7-tiny, and a faster inference frame rate on embedded platforms compared to SSD300 and Faster R-CNN. We compressed the model parameters of ASFL-YOLOX by 88.97%, reducing the number of floating point operations per second from 141.90G to 30.87G while achieving an mAP higher than 95%.

Discussion

Our model can accurately and quickly detect fruit tree pest stress in unstructured orchards and is suitable for transplantation to embedded systems. This can provide technical support for pest identification and localization systems for orchard plant protection equipment.
Integrated transcriptome and proteome analysis reveals molecular responses of soybean anther under high-temperature stress
Authors: Li Jiajia , Chen Linying , Zhi Xianguan , Wang Jianxin , Lu Yun , Tian Zhuo , Wu Meiyan , Shan Yajing , Chen Haoran , Liao Wei , Long Qun , Zhu Shangshang , Wu Juntao , Qiu Lijuan , Wang Xiaobo
Published: June 2023

It is well documented that high temperature (HT) severely affects the development of soybean male reproductive organs. However, the molecular mechanism of thermo-tolerance in soybean remains unclear. To explore the candidate genes and regulatory mechanism of soybean response to HT stress and flower development, here, the anthers of two previously identified HT-tolerant (JD21) and HT-sensitive (HD14) varieties were analyzed by RNA-seq. In total, 219 (172 upregulated and 47 downregulated), 660 (405 upregulated and 255 downregulated), and 4,854 (2,662 upregulated and 2,192 downregulated) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between JD21 anthers treated with HT stress vs. JD21 anthers in the natural field conditions (TJA vs. CJA), HD14 anthers treated with HT stress vs. HD14 anthers in the natural field conditions (THA vs. CHA), and JD21 vs. HD14 anthers treated with HT stress (TJA vs. THA), respectively. The results showed that there were more DEGs upregulated in JD21; this might be the reason why JD21 was more HT-resistant than the HT-sensitive variety HD14. GO annotation and KEGG enriched analysis showed that many DEGs are mainly involved in defense response, response to biological stimuli, auxin-activated signaling pathway, plant hormone signal transduction, MAPK signaling pathway-plant, starch and sucrose metabolism, etc. The conjoint analysis of RNA-seq and previous iTRAQ results found that there were 1, 24, and 54 common DEGs/DAPs showing the same expression pattern and 1, 2, and 13 common DEGs/DAPs showing the opposite pattern between TJA vs. CJA, THA vs. CHA, and TJA vs. THA at the protein and gene level, respectively, among which HSPs, transcription factor, GSTU, and other DEGs/DAPs participated in the response to HT stress and flower development. Notably, the qRT-PCR analysis and physiological index change results coincided with the sequencing results of RNA-seq and iTRAQ. In conclusion, the HT-tolerant cultivar performed better under stress than the HT-sensitive cultivar through modulation of HSP family proteins and transcription factors, and by keeping key metabolic pathways such as plant hormone signal transduction normal. This study provided important data and some key candidate genes to better study the effect and molecular basis of HT on anther in soybean at a transcription and translation level.
Climate and fragment area jointly affect the annual dynamics of seedlings in different functional groups in the Thousand Island Lake
Authors: Zhong Yuping , Zhong Yuchen , Xie Yuchu , Lei Yanping , Wei Boliang , Liu Jinliang , Yu Mingjian
Published: June 2023

Habitat fragmentation and climate change are the two main threats to global biodiversity. Understanding their combined impact on plant community regeneration is vital for predicting future forest structure and conserving biodiversity. This study monitored the seed production, seedling recruitment and mortality of woody plants in the Thousand Island Lake, a highly fragmented anthropogenic archipelago, for 5 years. We analyzed the seed-seedling transition, seedling recruitment and mortality of different functional groups in the fragmented forests and conducted correlation analyses involving climatic factors, island area, and plant community abundance. Our results showed that: 1) shade-tolerant and evergreen species had higher seed-seedling transition, seedling recruitment and survival rate than shade-intolerant and deciduous species in time and space, and these advantages increased with the island area. 2) Seedlings in different functional groups responded differently to island area, temperature and precipitation. 3) Increasing active accumulated temperature (the sum of the mean daily temperature above 0 °C) significantly increased seedling recruitment and survival, and warming climate favored the regeneration of evergreen species. 4) The seedling mortality rate of all plant functional groups increased with the increase of island area, but the increasing strength weakened significantly with the increase of the annual maximum temperature. These results suggested that the dynamics of woody plant seedlings varied among functional groups, and can be regulated separately and jointly by fragmentation and climate.
Smartphone app aesthetics influence users' experience and performance
Authors: Perrig Sebastian A. C. , Ueffing David , Opwis Klaus , Brühlmann Florian
Published: June 2023

Past research has demonstrated that aesthetics affect users' experiences in various ways. However, there is little research on the impact of interface aesthetics on user performance in a smartphone app context. The present paper addresses this research gap using an online experiment (N = 281). Two variants of the same web app were created and manipulated in their aesthetics. Participants were randomly assigned to either variant and asked to explore the app before answering questions concerning the app's content. Results showed a significant positive effect of aesthetics on perceived usability and aesthetics. Furthermore, results point toward a positive impact of interface aesthetics on performance (i.e., the number of questions answered correctly). Thus, results indicate that a visually appealing smartphone web app increases users' subjective experience and objective performance compared to an unaesthetic app. This suggests that user interface aesthetics impact users' experiences and provide stakeholders with quantifiable value and competitive advantage.
Postpartum depression literacy in Chinese perinatal women: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Huang Weijian , Li Guiqin , Wang Dongmei , Qu Hua , Tian Maozhou , Wang Yanmei
Published: June 2023

Background

Postpartum depression literacy is a specific mental health literacy that can help perinatal women identify, manage, and prevent postpartum depression. However, the current status and associated factors of postpartum depression literacy among Chinese perinatal women are still unclear. This study investigated postpartum depression literacy and its associated factors among this group.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 386 cases of perinatal women using the convenience sampling method. Participants completed four questionnaires to evaluate their general characteristics, postpartum depression literacy, perceived social support, and general self-efficacy. The SPSS 24.0 software was used for descriptive statistical analysis, univariate analysis, and multivariate analysis.

Results

The total PoDLiS score was (3.56 ± 0.32). The factors that composed the final multiple regression equation included planned pregnancy condition (β = −0.137, p = 0.003), education (β = 0.127, p < 0.001), history of depression (β = −0.271, p < 0.001), social support (β = 0.0012, p < 0.001), self-efficacy (β = 0.030, p < 0.001), and complications (β = −0.0191, p = 0.0019). They accounted for 32.8% of the total postpartum depression literacy variation (R2 = 0.328, F = 24.518, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The findings of this study improved our understanding of perinatal women’s postpartum depression literacy and its associated factors. Women with low postpartum depression literacy urgently need to be identified. Comprehensive nursing intervention measures should be taken from six dimensions of mental health literacy, social support, and self-efficacy to improve the postpartum depression literacy of perinatal women.
Higher adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH Diet) is associated with lower greenhouse gases and land use from protein foods
Authors: Kling Nicole R. , Rosentrater Kurt A. , Lee Duck-Chul , Brellenthin Angelique G. , Lanningham-Foster Lorraine
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The average American diet is high in red and processed meats which increases one's risk for chronic diseases and requires more land and water to produce and yields greater greenhouse gases (GHG) compared to other protein foods. Reduction of red and processed meat intake, such as seen with the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH diet), could benefit human and environmental health.

Objective

The objective of this study is to predict the environmental sustainability of the DASH diet by evaluating the GHG, land use, and water withdrawals from protein foods within the self-selected diets of people who were encouraged to follow the DASH diet.

Methods

Dietary data was collected from 380 Midwesterners aged 35-70 years old with hypertension using the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour (ASA 24) Recall System. DASH diet adherence was measured using a nutrient-based DASH score. GHG, land use, and water withdrawals were obtained using Carnegie Mellon University's Economic Input-Output Life Cycle Assessment (eiolca.net) using the Purchaser model (cradle-to-consumer). Multiple linear regressions were used to view associations between individual DASH nutrient scores and environmental impacts of total, animal, and plant protein foods.

Results

Diets that met DASH diet guidelines, as indicated by higher individual DASH nutrient scores, were associated with less GHG and land use from total and animal protein foods but more GHG and land use from plant-protein foods, with a few exceptions. The pattern was not clear for water withdrawals. Diets with the greatest adherence had around 25–50% lower GHG and land use from total protein foods than diets with the lowest adherence. Changes may be due to decreased consumption of total and animal protein foods, selection of animal protein foods with lower environmental impacts, and increased consumption of plant protein foods.

Conclusion

Adhering to the DASH diet can promote the consumption of less environmentally demanding protein foods resulting in lower GHG and land use from protein foods. However, claims regarding the sustainability of the entire dietary pattern cannot be determined based off the current study. Regardless, it is evident that environmental impacts should be considered alongside health impacts when selecting, promoting, or recommending a dietary pattern.
Study on the lipid and flavor compounds of Hibiscus manihot L. oil induced by different pressing method
Authors: Yan Xinlei , Yang Nafei , Chen Baiting , Miao Jing , Guo Jiaqi , Sun Yufei , Wang Jing , Guo Wenhui , Zhang Xiujuan , Yang Feiyun , Wang Ruigang
Published: June 2023

Hibiscus manihot L. seed oil is an emerging high-value edible vegetable oil that also has a variety of important health functions, and concerns about its pressing method have great significance for commercial and consumer health. This study compared triacylglycerols (TAGs), diacylglycerol (DAG), free fatty acids (FFAs), and volatile flavor compounds for discriminating cold-pressed oil from hot-pressed oil. The profiles of TAGs, DAGs, FFAs, and flavor compounds were established by a lipidomic approach and electronic-nose (E-nose). Our results demonstrated that a slight decrease in TAG content and a significant increase in FFA and DAG contents were observed after roasting. The E-nose results showed that sulfides, terpenes, methane, compounds containing oxygen and nitrogen, alcohol and aromatic compounds greatly influenced the oil flavor. The PCA result of the E-nose data indicated that flavor compounds showed great promise for distinguishing the two samples. The quality indices and the oxidative stability of oil samples were detected to identify their nutritional value and edible quality. This study revealed that roasting greatly influenced the lipid and flavor substances of the Hibiscus manihot L. seed oil. Our findings could provide useful information on the impact of the pressing method for Hibiscus manihot L. seed oil.
Epigenetic analysis in a murine genetic model of Gulf War illness
Authors: Mozhui Khyobeni , O’Callaghan James P. , Ashbrook David G. , Prins Pjotr , Zhao Wenyuan , Lu Lu , Jones Byron C.
Published: June 2023

Of the nearly 1 million military personnel who participated in the 1990–1991 Gulf War, between 25% and 35% became ill with what now is referred to as Gulf War Illness (GWI) by the Department of Defense. Symptoms varied from gastrointestinal distress to lethargy, memory loss, inability to concentrate, depression, respiratory, and reproductive problems. The symptoms have persisted for 30 years in those afflicted but the basis of the illness remains largely unknown. Nerve agents and other chemical exposures in the war zone have been implicated but the long-term effects of these acute exposures have left few if any identifiable signatures. The major aim of this study is to elucidate the possible genomic basis for the persistence of symptoms, especially of the neurological and behavioral effects. To address this, we performed a whole genome epigenetic analysis of the proposed cause of GWI, viz., exposure to organophosphate neurotoxicants combined with high circulating glucocorticoids in two inbred mouse strains, C57BL/6J and DBA/2J. The animals received corticosterone in their drinking water for 7 days followed by injection of diisopropylfluorophosphate, a nerve agent surrogate. Six weeks after DFP injection, the animals were euthanized and medial prefrontal cortex harvested for genome-wide DNA methylation analysis using high-throughput sequencing. We observed 67 differentially methylated genes, notably among them, Ttll7, Akr1c14, Slc44a4, and Rusc2, all related to different symptoms of GWI. Our results support proof of principle of genetic differences in the chronic effects of GWI-related exposures and may reveal why the disease has persisted in many of the now aging Gulf War veterans.
A Magnetic-Controlled Flexible Continuum Robot with Different Deformation Modes for Vascular Interventional Navigation Surgery
Authors: Wang Zili , Weng Ding , Li Zhaoxin , Chen Lei , Ma Yuan , Wang Jiadao
Published: June 2023

A magnetic-controlled flexible continuum robot (MFCR) is a kind of continuum robot with small-size and flexibility that deforms under controlled magnetic fields, which makes MFCRs easy to fit in special sizes and designs and provides them with the ability to feasibly arrive at the desired area through certain blood vessel bifurcation. The magnetic drive method is suitable for the miniaturization of soft continuum robots but shows limitations in realizing high flexibility. To achieve miniaturization and high flexibility, in this work, the deformation schemes of a magnetic-controlled flexible continuum robot (MFCR) are proposed, simulated, and experimentally validated. The proposed MFCR includes a soft steering part made of a silicone elastomer with uniformly dispersed NdFeB powder which has a specific magnetization direction. With the actuation of different magnetic fields, the proposed MFCR shows three different deformation modes (C-shape, J-shape, and S-shape) and high flexibility. By using the potential energy model combined with magnetic and elastic potential energy, the quasi-static deformation model of MFCR is built. Through various simulations and experiments, we analyzed and predicted different deformation modes. The results from the experiments demonstrate the accuracy of the deformation model. The results indicate that the MFCR has good control precision and deformation performance with potential applications in robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery.
Mapping Gaps in Sugarcane Fields Using UAV-RTK Platform
Authors: de Oliveira Matheus Pereira de , Cardoso Paulo Henrique , Oliveira Romário Porto de , Barbosa Júnior Marcelo Rodrigues , da Silva Rouverson Pereira
Published: June 2023

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with a global real-time kinematic navigation satellite system (GNSS RTK) could be a state-of-the-art solution to measuring gaps in sugarcane fields and enable site-specific management. Recent studies recommend the use of UAVs to map these gaps. However, low-accuracy GNSS provides incomplete or inaccurate photogrammetric reconstructions, which could easily generate an error in the gap measurement and constrain the applicability of these techniques. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the potential of UAV RTK imagery for mapping gaps in sugarcane. To compare this solution with conventional UAV approaches, the precision and accuracy of RTK and non-RTK flights were evaluated. To increase the robustness of the research, flights were performed to map gaps found naturally in the field and with plants at different stages of development. Our results showed that the lengths of gaps identified by both RTK and non-RTK UAV imagery were similar, with differences in precision and accuracy of about 1% for both systems. In contrast, RTK was much more efficient and provides stakeholders with guidelines for accurate and precise mapping gaps, allowing them to make confident decisions on site-specific management.
The Potential for Endozoochorous Dispersal of Vachellia nilotica Seeds by Goats: Implications for Bush Encroachment
Authors: Manganyi Fortune L. , Tjelele Julius , Mbatha Khanyisile R. , Letsoalo Ngoako , Müller Francuois
Published: June 2023

Seed dispersal has become an important component in understanding plant–animal interaction. Recently, there have been concerns about the role of ruminants, particularly browsers, in the dispersal of woody plant seeds. This study aimed to determine whether including Vachellia nilotica seeds in livestock, diets could reduce the spread of viable seeds in the rangelands and control bush encroachment. The shoots and seed pods of Vachellia nilotica were harvested and analyzed for fiber, protein, and mineral nutrients at different seed pods inclusion rates, with or without a feed additive. Six diets were selected for feeding 24 goats and quantifying seed recovery and germination after ingestion. Results indicated that including seed pods and feed additives to Vachellia nilotica shoots significantly improved the quality of the fodder. Chipping the seed pods prior to including them in the diet resulted in 13% intact seed recovery, and approximately 2% of these seeds were recovered after ingestion. These recovered seeds were mostly still viable but were still dormant as seed coats were not sufficiently damaged after ingestion. Therefore, viable seeds may still be dispersed in the rangeland, leading to further bush encroachment.
Evaluation of the Intra- and Interspecific Development of Different Accessions of Silphium perfoliatum L. and Silphium integrifolium Michx.
Authors: Greve Martin , Korte Christoph Anton Conrad , Entrup Johanna , Altrogge Hanna , Bischoff Philip , Elfers Julian , Wever Christian , Pude Ralf
Published: June 2023

For higher sustainability in biomass production the use of new perennial species can lead to sustainable progress in the energy production and manufacturing industry. During the last decades, two different species of Silphium were discussed for biomass production. However, some questions regarding their cultivation and different uses are still to be answered. In this study, two accessions of Silphium perfoliatum L. and Silphium integrifolium Michx. were investigated during the year of establishment, and the first generative year for the phenotypic characteristics and suitability for cultivation, under Central European field conditions. Intra- and interspecific comparisons were made with special attention to their growth kinetics. While cup plant (S. perfoliatum) is well known as a potential biomass crop in Europe, silflower (S. integrifolium) is still unknown. In intraspecific comparison, S. integrifolium shows a more uniform development than S perfoliatum. In parallel, the development of S. perfoliatum accessions is temporally shifted, so that the S. perfoliatum accessions differ in the length of their phases of generative growth and onset of senescence in comparison to S. integrifolium. To make these results applicable, an improvement proposal was made to the existing BBCH scale for S. perfoliatum. In addition, an adaptation was conducted on S. integrifolium.
Geochemical Behaviors of Heavy Metal(loid)s in Soil Ferromanganese Nodules in Typical Karst Areas in Southwest China
Authors: Ji Wenbing , Luo Zhixiang , Huang Jianyu , Liu Xu , He Haiyun , Gong Yang , Chen Meng , Wen Yubo , Ying Rongrong
Published: June 2023

The ferromanganese nodules (FMNs) developing in soils of karst regions are naturally characterized by high heavy metal(loid)s contents due to several geological factors. Soil FMNs can considerably influence the geochemical behaviors of soil heavy metal(loid)s. However, the mechanisms of the FMN effects in soils of karst areas soils remain unclear, resulting in less understanding of the development process of karst soils. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate 21 individual FMNs collected in soils derived from carbonate rocks in Guangxi province, China, to reveal the mechanisms of heavy metal(loid)s enrichment in FMNs. The studied soil FMNs were mainly composed of Fe2O3, SiO2, Al2O3, MnO2, and TiO2, with proportions of 25.95, 20.8, 19.07, 3.98, and 1.23%, respectively. Compared to the background soils of Guangxi, the soil FMNs exhibited great enrichment in heavy metal(loid)s. The enrichment factors followed the order of Cd (243.33), Cr (49.67), Cu (5.46), Ni (8.37), Pb (23.68), Zn (15.4), and As (20.11). The heavy metal(loid)s contents in the soil FMNs of the karst areas were much higher than those observed in non-karst areas worldwide. According to the principal component analysis (PCA) results, the first three principal components contributed to about 88.81% of the total variance of the FMN compositions. PC1 (50.90%) suggested the presence of quartz, feldspar, and clay minerals-related elements in the soil FMNs, whereas PC2 (27.10%) and PC3 (10.81%) indicated the presence of Mn(oxyhydr)oxides and Fe(oxyhydr)oxides-related elements in the soil FMNs, respectively. The obtained selective extraction results demonstrated that up to 93% of the total contents of heavy metal(loid)s, namely, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, and Zn, were bound to Mn(oxyhydr)oxides. In contrast, oxyanionic species (As and Cr) were predominantly sequestered in Fe(oxyhydr)oxides.
Deciphering the Interactions in the Root–Soil Nexus Caused by Urease and Nitrification Inhibitors: A Review
Authors: Gupta Sneha , Yildirim Sibel , Andrikopoulos Benjamin , Wille Uta , Roessner Ute
Published: June 2023

Optimizing nitrogen (N) availability to plants is crucial for achieving maximum crop yield and quality. However, ensuring the appropriate supply of N to crops is challenging due to the various pathways through which N can be lost, such as ammonia (NH3) volatilization, nitrous oxide emissions, denitrification, nitrate (NO3−) leaching, and runoff. Additionally, N can become immobilized by soil minerals when ammonium (NH4+) gets trapped in the interlayers of clay minerals. Although synchronizing N availability with plant uptake could potentially reduce N loss, this approach is hindered by the fact that N loss from crop fields is typically influenced by a combination of management practices (which can be controlled) and weather dynamics, particularly precipitation, temperature fluctuations, and wind (which are beyond our control). In recent years, the use of urease and nitrification inhibitors has emerged as a strategy to temporarily delay the microbiological transformations of N-based fertilizers, thereby synchronizing N availability with plant uptake and mitigating N loss. Urease inhibitors slow down the hydrolysis of urea to NH4+ and reduce nitrogen loss through NH3 volatilization. Nitrification inhibitors temporarily inhibit soil bacteria (Nitrosomonas spp.) that convert NH4+ to nitrite (NO2−), thereby slowing down the first and rate-determining step of the nitrification process and reducing nitrogen loss as NO3− or through denitrification. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of urease and nitrification inhibitor technologies and their profound implications for plants and root nitrogen uptake. It underscores the critical need to develop design principles for inhibitors with enhanced efficiency, highlighting their potential to revolutionize agricultural practices. Furthermore, this review offers valuable insights into future directions for inhibitor usage and emphasizes the essential traits that superior inhibitors should possess, thereby paving the way for innovative advancements in optimizing nitrogen management and ensuring sustainable crop production.
Estimation of Nitrogen Concentration in Walnut Canopies in Southern Xinjiang Based on UAV Multispectral Images
Authors: Wang Yu , Feng Chunhui , Ma Yiru , Chen Xiangyu , Lu Bin , Song Yan , Zhang Ze , Zhang Rui
Published: June 2023

Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients affecting the growth and fruit quality of walnut trees. Rapid and accurate monitoring of nitrogen concentration in the walnut canopy can provide a digital basis for its nutritional diagnosis and precision fertilization. Consequently, the main purpose of this study was to use Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) remote sensing technology to monitor the nitrogen concentration of walnut canopies. In this study, UAV multispectral images of the canopies of nine walnut orchards with different management levels in Wensu County, South Xinjiang, China, were collected during the fast-growing (20 May), sclerotization (25 June), and near-maturity (27 August) periods of walnut fruit, and canopy nitrogen concentration data for 180 individual plants were collected during the same periods. The validity of the information extracted via the outline canopy and simulated canopy methods was compared. The accuracy of nitrogen concentration inversion for three modeling methods, partial least squares regression (PLSR), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF), was analyzed; the effects of different combinations of variables on model accuracy were compared; and the spatial distribution of the nitrogen concentration in the walnut canopy was numerically mapped using the optimal model. The results showed that the accuracy of the model created using the single plant information extracted from the outlined canopy was better than that of the simulated canopy method, but the simulated canopy method was more efficient in extracting effective information from the single plant canopy than the outlined canopy. The simulated canopy method overcame the difficulty of mismatching the spectral information of individual plants extracted, by outlining the canopy in the original image for nitrogen distribution mapping with the spectral information of image elements in the original resolution image. The prediction accuracy of the RF model was better than that of the SVM and PLSR models; the prediction accuracy of the model using a combination of waveband texture information and vegetation index texture information was better than that of the single-source model. The coefficients of determination (R2) values of the RF prediction model built using the band texture information extracted via the simulated canopy method with the vegetation index texture information were in the range of 0.61–0.84, the root mean square error (RMSE) values were in the range of 0.27–0.43 g kg−1, and the relative analysis error (RPD) values were in the range of 1.58–2.20. This study shows that it is feasible to monitor the nitrogen concentration of walnut tree canopies using UAV multispectral remote sensing. This study provides a theoretical basis and methodological reference for the rapid monitoring of nutrients in fruit trees in southern Xinjiang.
The Two Faces of Bacterial Membrane Vesicles: Pathophysiological Roles and Therapeutic Opportunities
Authors: Thapa Himadri B. , Ebenberger Stephan P. , Schild Stefan
Published: June 2023

Bacterial membrane vesicles (MVs) are nanosized lipid particles secreted by lysis or blebbing mechanisms from Gram-negative and -positive bacteria. It is becoming increasingly evident that MVs can promote antimicrobial resistance but also provide versatile opportunities for therapeutic exploitation. As non-living facsimiles of parent bacteria, MVs can carry multiple bioactive molecules such as proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and metabolites, which enable them to participate in intra- and interspecific communication. Although energetically costly, the release of MVs seems beneficial for bacterial fitness, especially for pathogens. In this review, we briefly discuss the current understanding of diverse MV biogenesis routes affecting MV cargo. We comprehensively highlight the physiological functions of MVs derived from human pathogens covering in vivo adaptation, colonization fitness, and effector delivery. Emphasis is given to recent findings suggesting a vicious cycle of MV biogenesis, pathophysiological function, and antibiotic therapy. We also summarize potential therapeutical applications, such as immunotherapy, vaccination, targeted delivery, and antimicrobial potency, including their experimental validation. This comparative overview identifies common and unique strategies for MV modification used along diverse applications. Thus, the review summarizes timely aspects of MV biology in a so far unprecedented combination ranging from beneficial function for bacterial pathogen survival to future medical applications.
Veronica persica Ethanol Extract Ameliorates Dinitrochlorobenzene-Induced Atopic Dermatitis-like Skin Inflammation in Mice, Likely by Inducing Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling
Authors: Shim Ki-Shuk , Park Musun , Yang Won-Kyung , Lee Hanbyeol , Kim Seung-Hyung , Choo Byung-Kil , Chae Sungwook , Kim Ho-Kyoung , Kim Taesoo , Kim Ki-Mo
Published: June 2023

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is chronic allergic contact dermatitis with immune dysregulation. Veronica persica has pharmacological activity that prevents asthmatic inflammation by ameliorating inflammatory cell activation. However, the potential effects of the ethanol extract of V. persica (EEVP) on AD remain elusive. This study evaluated the activity and underlying molecular pathway of EEVP in two AD models: dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced mice and interferon (IFN)-γ/tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated human HaCaT keratinocytes. EEVP attenuated the DNCB-induced increase in serum immunoglobulin E and histamine levels, mast cell counts in toluidine-blue-stained dorsal skin, inflammatory cytokine (IFN-γ, interleukin [IL]-4, IL-5, and IL-13) levels in cultured splenocytes, and the mRNA expression of IL6, IL13, IL31 receptor, CCR-3, and TNFα in dorsal tissue. Additionally, EEVP inhibited the IFN-γ/TNF-α-induced mRNA expression of IL6, IL13, and CXCL10 in HaCaT cells. Furthermore, EEVP restored the IFN-γ/TNF-α-induced downregulation of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in HaCaT cells by inducing nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression. A molecular docking analysis demonstrated that EEVP components have a strong affinity to the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 Kelch domain. In summary, EEVP inhibits inflammatory AD by attenuating immune cell activation and inducing the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in skin keratinocytes.