bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tissue Distribution, Excretion, and Interaction With Human Serum Albumin of Total Bioflavonoid Extract From Selaginella doederleinii
Authors: Chen Bing , Xu Dafen , Li Zhijun , Jing Yafei , Lin Luping , Li Shaoguang , Huang Liying , Huang Xiuwang , Liu Ailin , Lin Xinhua , Yao Hong
Published: April 2023

Selaginella doederleinii Hieron is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb widely used to treat different cancers. Previously, we showed that the total bioflavonoid extract of S. doederleinii (TBESD) exhibits anti-carcinogenic activities both in vitro and in vivo. However, the plasma protein binding and pharmacokinetics parameters of TBESD remain unclear. To investigate plasma protein binding, tissue distribution, and excretion of TBESD, rats were administered a single dose of TBESD (600 mg/kg) intragastrically and tissue distribution and excretion of TBESD components were determined by rapid high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. TBESD binding to human serum albumin (HSA) was assessed by fluorescence spectroscopy. TBESD components amentoflavone, delicaflavone, robustaflavone, 2″,3″-dihydro-3′,3‴-biapigenin, and 3′,3‴-binaringenin were rapidly absorbed and distributed in various tissues, mostly in the lungs, kidneys, and ovaries, without long-term accumulation. The excretion of bioflavonoids occurred mostly via the intestinal tract and constituted 30% of the administered dose up to 48 h. Spectral analysis indicated that TBESD had a dynamic quenching effect on HSA by binding to one HSA site through hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bond formation. This is the first comprehensive report on the tissue distribution, excretion, and plasma protein binding of TBESD. This study provides important information on TBESD pharmacokinetics necessary for its further development into a therapeutic form for clinical applications.
Isoimperatorin therapeutic effect against aluminum induced neurotoxicity in albino mice
Authors: Rajendran Peramaiyan , Althumairy Duaa , Bani-Ismail Mohammad , Bekhet Gamal M. , Ahmed Emad A.
Published: April 2023

Background: Although aluminum (Al) is not biologically crucial to the human body, classical studies have demonstrated that excessive human exposure to Al can induce oxidative damage, neuroinflammatory conditions and neurotoxic manifestations implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Exposure to Al was reported to be associated with oxidative damage, neuroinflammation, and to enhance progressive multiregional neurodegeneration in animal models. Several plant-derived natural biomolecules have been recently used to reduce the toxic effects of Al through decreasing the oxidative stress and the associated diseases. A good candidate still to be tested is an active natural furanocoumarin, the isoimperatorin (IMP) that can be extracted from Lemon and lime oils and other plants. Here, we examined the neuroprotective effects of IMP on aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced neurotoxicity in albino mice.

Methods: Twenty-four male albino mice were used in this study. Mice were randomly devided into 5 groups. The first group was given distilled water as a control, the second group was given AlCl3 orally (10 mg/wt/day) starting from the 2nd week to the end of the 6th week, the third group received AlCl3 orally and IMP interperitoneally, i. p. (30 mg/wt/day) starting from week 2 till week 6 where IMP was supplement 1st and then 4 h later AlCl3 was given to mice. The fourth group received the control (IMP 30 mg/wt, i. p.) from the 2nd week till the end of the experiment. Rodent models of central nervous system (CNS) disorders were assessed using object location memory and Y-maze tests in 6th week began. Essential anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress indicators were evaluated, including interleukin-1 β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and catalase activity (CAT). In addition, serum levels of brain neurotransmitters such as corticosterone, acetylcholine (ACh), dopamine and serotonin in brain homogenates were measured calorimetrically.

Results: The study results revealed that the daily treatment of AlCl3 upregulated the TNF-α and IL-1β levels, increased MDA accumulation, and decreased TAC and CAT activity. In addition, aluminum induced a reduction in concentrations of ACh, serotonin and dopamine in the brain. However, IMP significantly ameliorates the effect of AlCl3 through modulating the antioxidant and regulating the inflammatory response through targeting Nrf2 (NF-E2-related factor 2) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK).

Conclusion: Thus, IMP might be a promising treatment option for neurotoxicity and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, which are associated with neuro-inflammation and oxidative stress.
Enhancement of the physical adsorption of some insoluble lead compounds from drinking water onto polylactic acid and graphene oxide using molybdenum disulfide nanoparticles: Theoretical investigation
Authors: Mahdhi Noureddine , Alsaiari Norah Salem , Amari Abdelfattah , Osman Haitham , Hammami Saber
Published: April 2023

This study reports the enhancement of the physical adsorption of some insoluble lead compounds, from drinking water, onto polylactic acid (PLA) polymer and graphene oxide (GO) by filling with molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoparticles (NPs). Based on the Lifshitz theory, we demonstrate the attractive nature of the van der Waals (vdW) interactions that are responsible for the physical adsorption between the cerussite (PbCO3), the pyromorphite (Pb5(PO4)3Cl), and the lead dioxide (PbO2) insoluble adsorbates and the GO/MoS2 and PLA/MoS2 adsorbent nanocomposites in water medium. Subsequently, we show an increase in the physical adsorption, at close and large separation distances (<100 nm) in the water medium, between the lead-insoluble adsorbate and the adsorbent GO/MoS2 and PLA/MoS2 nanocomposites by increasing the filling ratios (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) of MoS2 NPs. Moreover, for each lead-insoluble adsorbate, we demonstrate that the vdW adsorption potential and force were more important for GO/MoS2 than for PLA/MoS2 adsorbent. However, for a fixed filling rate, the physical adsorption was more important in the order PbO2 > Pb5(PO4)3Cl > PbCO3. Interestingly, we demonstrate that the physical adsorption strongly depended on the GO/MoS2 and PLA/MoS2 adsorbent type and weakly dependent to the lead compound adsorbates. For all “PbO2, Pb5(PO4)3Cl, and PbCO3” adsorbates, we demonstrate that the vdW adsorption potential and force were higher ∼6, ∼3.1, ∼2.2, and ∼1.9 times for GO than for PLA adsorbent for, respectively, filling ratios 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% of MoS2 NPs.
Integrated Proteomic and Metabolomic Analyses of Chicken Ovary Revealed the Crucial Role of Lipoprotein Lipase on Lipid Metabolism and Steroidogenesis During Sexual Maturity
Authors: Cui Zhifu , Ning Zifan , Deng Xun , Du Xiaxia , Amevor Felix Kwame , Liu Lingbin , Kang Xincheng , Tian Yaofu , Wang Yan , Li Diyan , Zhao Xiaoling
Published: April 2023

During sexual maturation and ovulatory cycle in chickens, ovaries undergo dynamic morphological and functional changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the integrated proteome and metabolome analyses of chicken ovaries to characterize the changes in protein and metabolite profiles during sexual maturity. The ovary of Rohman layers before (125 days of age) and after (139 days of age) sexual maturation were collected for proteome and metabolome sequencing. The results showed that a total of 680 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and 1,046 differential metabolites (DMs) were identified in the chicken ovary during sexual maturity. Among the DEPs, 595 proteins were up-regulated and 85 were down-regulated, whereas 519 metabolites were up-regulated and 527 were down-regulated. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEPs were significantly enriched in glycerolipid metabolism, calcium signaling pathway, folate biosynthesis, fat digestion and absorption, NF-kB signaling pathway, and PPAR signaling pathway. However, DMs were significantly enriched in the metabolism pathways, PPAR signalling pathway, glycerolipid metabolism, ferroptosis, biosynthesis of amino acids, and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. The results of the integrated analyses of DEPs and DMs revealed that the PPAR signaling pathway and glycerolipid metabolism were the most significantly enriched pathways. Among the identified DEPs, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) was upregulated in sexually mature chicken ovaries and was significantly enriched in the glycerolipid metabolism pathway, which may partially explain the possible reasons for steroidogenesis and lipid reserves responsible for oocyte maturation and ovarian follicle development during sexual maturity in chickens. The results further revealed that LPL silencing decreased the content of lipid droplets (LDs), as well as the mRNA expression of lipid metabolism-related genes including; sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) and fatty acid synthase (FASN); and steroidogenesis-related genes such as; cytochrome P450 11A1 (CYP11A1) and steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR). The present study revealed that upregulation of LPL in the chicken ovary during sexual maturity promotes granulosa cell (GC) lipid metabolism and steroidogenesis. These findings provide a theoretical support for further studies to elucidate the mechanism of lipid metabolism to regulate the function of avian GCs during sexual maturity in chickens.
Developmental origin of tendon diversity in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Moucaud Blandine , Prince Elodie , Jagla Krzysztof , Soler Cédric
Published: April 2023

Myogenesis is a developmental process that is largely conserved in both Drosophila and higher organisms. Consequently, the fruit fly is an excellent in vivo model for identifying the genes and mechanisms involved in muscle development. Moreover, there is growing evidence indicating that specific conserved genes and signaling pathways govern the formation of tissues that connect the muscles to the skeleton. In this review, we present an overview of the different stages of tendon development, from the specification of tendon progenitors to the assembly of a stable myotendinous junction across three different myogenic contexts in Drosophila: larval, flight and leg muscle development. We underline the different aspects of tendon cell specification and differentiation in embryo and during metamorphosis that result into tendon morphological and functional diversity.
Grasping and cutting points detection method for the harvesting of dome-type planted pumpkin using transformer network-based instance segmentation architecture
Authors: Yan Jin , Liu Yong , Zheng Deshuai , Xue Tao
Published: April 2023

An accurate and robust keypoint detection method is vital for autonomous harvesting systems. This paper proposed a dome-type planted pumpkin autonomous harvesting framework with keypoint (grasping and cutting points) detection method using instance segmentation architecture. To address the overlapping problem in agricultural environment and improve the segmenting precision, we proposed a pumpkin fruit and stem instance segmentation architecture by fusing transformer and point rendering. A transformer network is utilized as the architecture backbone to achieve a higher segmentation precision and point rendering is applied so that finer masks can be acquired especially at the boundary of overlapping areas. In addition, our keypoint detection algorithm can model the relationships among the fruit and stem instances as well as estimate grasping and cutting keypoints. To validate the effectiveness of our method, we created a pumpkin image dataset with manually annotated labels. Based on the dataset, we have carried out plenty of experiments on instance segmentation and keypoint detection. Pumpkin fruit and stem instance segmentation results show that the proposed method reaches the mask mAP of 70.8% and box mAP of 72.0%, which brings 4.9% and 2.5% gains over the state-of-the-art instance segmentation methods such as Cascade Mask R-CNN. Ablation study proves the effectiveness of each improved module in the instance segmentation architecture. Keypoint estimation results indicate that our method has a promising application prospect in fruit picking tasks.
Analysis of the main antioxidant enzymes in the roots of Tamarix ramosissima under NaCl stress by applying exogenous potassium (K+)
Authors: Chen Yahui , Li Haijia , Zhang Shiyang , Du Shanfeng , Zhang Jinchi , Song Zhizhong , Jiang Jiang
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Salinization affects more than 25% of the world's arable land, and Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb (T. ramosissima), the representative of Tamarix plants, is widely grown in salinized soil. In contrast, less is known about the mechanism of potassium's antioxidative enzyme activity in preventing NaCl stress damage to plants.

Method

This study examined changes in root growth for T. ramosissima at 0h, 48h, and 168h, performed antioxidant enzyme activity assays, transcriptome sequencing, and non-targeted metabolite analysis to understand changes in their roots as well as changes in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differential metabolites associated with antioxidant enzyme activities.

Result

As the time increased, the results showed that compared with the 200 Mm NaCl group, the root growth of the 200 mM NaCl + 10 mM KCl group increased, the activities of SOD, POD and CAT increased the most, but the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) increased less. Meanwhile, 58 DEGs related to SOD, POD and CAT activities were changed during the application of exogenous K+ for 48h and 168h in T. ramosissima. Based on association analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic data, we found coniferyl alcohol, which can act as a substrate to label catalytic POD. It is worth noting that Unigene0013825 and Unigene0014843, as POD-related genes, have positively regulated the downstream of coniferyl alcohol, and they have a significant correlation with coniferyl alcohol.

Discussion

In summary, 48h and 168h of exogenous K+ applied to the roots of T. ramosissima under NaCl stress can resist NaCl stress by scavenging the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by high salt stress by enhancing the mechanism of antioxidant enzyme activity, relieving NaCl toxicity and maintaining growth. This study provides genetic resources and a scientific theoretical basis for further breeding of salt-tolerant Tamarix plants and the molecular mechanism of K+ alleviating NaCl toxicity.
Simultaneous improvement and genetic dissection of drought and submergence tolerances in rice (Oryza sativa L.) by selective introgression
Authors: Zhang Chaopu , Li Min , Rey Jessica Domingo , Feng Ting , Lafitte Renee , Zheng Tianqing , Lv Yamei , Wu Fengcai , Fu Binying , Xu Jianlong , Zhang Fan , Zeng Wei , Liu Erbao , Ali Jauhar , Wang Wensheng , Li Zhikang
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Drought and submergence are contrasting abiotic stresses that often occur in the same rice crop season and cause complete crop failure in many rain-fed lowland areas of Asia.

Methods

To develop rice varieties with good tolerances to drought and submergence, 260 introgression lines (ILs) selected for drought tolerance (DT) from nine BC2 populations were screened for submergence tolerance (ST), resulting in 124 ILs with significantly improved ST.

Results

Genetic characterization of the 260 ILs with DNA markers identified 59 DT quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and 68 ST QTLs with an average 55% of the identified QTLs associated with both DT and ST. Approximately 50% of the DT QTLs showed ‘epigenetic’ segregation with very high donor introgression and/or loss of heterozygosity (LOH). Detailed comparison of the ST QTLs identified in ILs selected only for ST with ST QTLs detected in the DT-ST selected ILs of the same populations revealed three groups of QTLs underlying the relationship between DT and ST in rice: a) QTLs with pleiotropic effects on both DT and ST; b) QTLs with opposite effects on DT and ST; and c) QTLs with independent effects on DT and ST. Combined evidence identified most likely candidate genes for eight major QTLs affecting both DT and ST. Moreover, group b QTLs were involved in the Sub1regulated pathway that were negatively associated with most group aQTLs.

Discussion

These results were consistent with the current knowledge that DT and ST in rice are controlled by complex cross-talks between or among different phytohormone-mediated signaling pathways. Again, the results demonstrated that the strategy of selective introgression was powerful and efficient for simultaneous improvement and genetic dissection of multiple complex traits, including DT and ST.
LDRGDb - Legumes disease resistance genes database
Authors: Saxena Harshita , Kulshreshtha Aishani , Agarwal Avinav , Kumar Anuj , Singh Nisha , Jain Chakresh Kumar
Published: April 2023

Legumes comprise one of the world’s largest, most diverse, and economically important plant families, known for their nutritional and medicinal benefits. Legumes are susceptible to a wide range of diseases, similar to other agricultural crops. Diseases have a considerable impact on the production of legume crop species, resulting in large yield losses worldwide. Due to continuous interactions between plants and their pathogens in the environment and the evolution of new pathogens under high selection pressure; disease resistant genes emerge in plant cultivars in the field against those pathogens or disease. Thus, disease resistant genes play critical roles in plant resistance responses, and their discovery and subsequent use in breeding programmes aid in reducing yield loss. The genomic era, with its high-throughput and low-cost genomic tools, has revolutionised our understanding of the complex interactions between legumes and pathogens, resulting in the identification of several critical participants in both the resistant and susceptible relationships. However, a substantial amount of existing information about numerous legume species has been disseminated as text or is preserved across fractions in different databases, posing a challenge for researchers. As a result, the range, scope, and complexity of these resources pose challenges to those who manage and use them. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop tools and a single conjugate database to manage genetic information for the world’s plant genetic resources, allowing for the rapid incorporation of essential resistance genes into breeding strategies. Here, developed the first comprehensive database of disease resistance genes named as LDRGDb - LEGUMES DISEASE RESISTANCE GENES DATABASE comprises 10 legumes [Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), Chickpea (Cicer arietinum), Soybean (Glycine max), Lentil (Lens culinaris), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Barrelclover (Medicago truncatula), Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), Pea (Pisum sativum),Faba bean (Vicia faba), and Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)]. The LDRGDb is a user-friendly database developed by integrating a variety of tools and software that combine knowledge about resistant genes, QTLs, and their loci, with proteomics, pathway interactions, and genomics (https://ldrgdb.in/).
A dynamic compartment model for xylem loading and long-distance transport of iron explains the effect of kanamycin on metal uptake in Arabidopsis
Authors: Mentewab Ayalew , Mwaura Bethany W. , Kumbale Carla M. , Rono Catherine , Torres-Patarroyo Natalia , Vlčko Tomáš , Ohnoutková Ludmila , Voit Eberhard O.
Published: April 2023

Arabidopsis plants exposed to the antibiotic kanamycin (Kan) display altered metal homeostasis. Further, mutation of the WBC19 gene leads to increased sensitivity to kanamycin and changes in iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) uptake. Here we propose a model that explain this surprising relationship between metal uptake and exposure to Kan. We first use knowledge about the metal uptake phenomenon to devise a transport and interaction diagram on which we base the construction of a dynamic compartment model. The model has three pathways for loading Fe and its chelators into the xylem. One pathway, involving an unknown transporter, loads Fe as a chelate with citrate (Ci) into the xylem. This transport step can be significantly inhibited by Kan. In parallel, FRD3 transports Ci into the xylem where it can chelate with free Fe. A third critical pathway involves WBC19, which transports metal-nicotianamine (NA), mainly as Fe-NA chelate, and possibly NA itself. To permit quantitative exploration and analysis, we use experimental time series data to parameterize this explanatory and predictive model. Its numerical analysis allows us to predict responses by a double mutant and explain the observed differences between data from wildtype, mutants and Kan inhibition experiments. Importantly, the model provides novel insights into metal homeostasis by permitting the reverse-engineering of mechanistic strategies with which the plant counteracts the effects of mutations and of the inhibition of iron transport by kanamycin.
Application of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing for abiotic stress management in crop plants
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Prusty Manas Ranjan , Pandey Manish K. , Singh Prashant Kumar , Bohra Abhishek , Guo Baozhu , Varshney Rajeev K.
Published: April 2023

Abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, cold, heat, and heavy metals, extensively reducing global agricultural production. Traditional breeding approaches and transgenic technology have been widely used to mitigate the risks of these environmental stresses. The discovery of engineered nucleases as genetic scissors to carry out precise manipulation in crop stress-responsive genes and associated molecular network has paved the way for sustainable management of abiotic stress conditions. In this context, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-Cas (CRISPR/Cas)-based gene-editing tool has revolutionized due to its simplicity, accessibility, adaptability, flexibility, and wide applicability. This system has great potential to build up crop varieties with enhanced tolerance against abiotic stresses. In this review, we summarize the latest findings on understanding the mechanism of abiotic stress response in plants and the application of CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene-editing system towards enhanced tolerance to a multitude of stresses including drought, salinity, cold, heat, and heavy metals. We provide mechanistic insights on the CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing technology. We also discuss applications of evolving genome editing techniques such as prime editing and base editing, mutant library production, transgene free and multiplexing to rapidly deliver modern crop cultivars adapted to abiotic stress conditions.
Advantages of growth and competitive ability of the invasive plant Solanum rostratum over two co-occurring natives and the effects of nitrogen levels and forms
Authors: Sun Jian-Kun , Liu Ming-Chao , Tang Kai-Qi , Tang En-Xiong , Cong Jian-Min , Lu Xiu-Rong , Liu Zhi-Xiang , Feng Yu-Long
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has often been considered as a driver of exotic plant invasions. However, most related studies focused on the effects of soil N levels, and few on those of N forms, and few related studies were conducted in the fields.

Methods

In this study, we grew Solanum rostratum, a notorious invader in arid/semi-arid and barren habitats, and two coexisting native plants Leymus chinensis and Agropyron cristatum in mono- and mixed cultures in the fields in Baicheng, northeast China, and investigated the effects of N levels and forms on the invasiveness of S. rostratum.

Results

Compared with the two native plants, S. rostratum had higher aboveground and total biomass in both mono- and mixed monocultures under all N treatments, and higher competitive ability under almost all N treatments. N addition enhanced the growth and competitive advantage of the invader under most conditions, and facilitated invasion success of S. rostratum. The growth and competitive ability of the invader were higher under low nitrate relative to low ammonium treatment. The advantages of the invader were associated with its higher total leaf area and lower root to shoot ratio compared with the two native plants. The invader also had a higher light-saturated photosynthetic rate than the two native plants in mixed culture (not significant under high nitrate condition), but not in monoculture.

Discussion

Our results indicated that N (especially nitrate) deposition may also promote invasion of exotic plants in arid/semi-arid and barren habitats, and the effects of N forms and interspecific competition need to be taken into consideration when studying the effects of N deposition on invasion of exotic plants.
Metabolome and transcriptome signatures shed light on the anti-obesity effect of Polygonatum sibiricum
Authors: Ou Xiaobin , Wang Xiao , Zhao Bing , Zhao Yi , Liu Haiqing , Chang Yuankai , Wang Zhiwei , Yang Wenqi , Zhang Xuebin , Yu Ke
Published: April 2023

Obesity has become one of the major threats to human health across the globe. The rhizomes of Polygonatum sibiricum have shown promising anti-obesity effect. However, the metabolic and genetic basis mediating this beneficial effect are not fully resolved. It is well known that older rhizomes of P. sibiricum exert stronger pharmacological effects. Here, we performed high-resolution metabolome profiling of P. sibiricum rhizomes at different growth stages, and identified that three candidate anti-obesity metabolites, namely phloretin, linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid, accumulated more in adult rhizomes. To elucidate the genetic basis controlling the accumulation of these metabolites, we performed transcriptome profiling of rhizomes from juvenile and adult P. sibiricum. Through third-generation long-read sequencing, we built a high-quality transcript pool of P. sibiricum, and resolved the genetic pathways involved in the biosynthesis and metabolism of phloretin, linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed altered expression of the genetic pathways in adult rhizomes, which likely lead to higher accumulation of these candidate metabolites. Overall, we identified several metabolic and genetic signatures related to the anti-obesity effect of P. sibiricum. The metabolic and transcriptional datasets generated in this work could also facilitate future research on other beneficial effects of this medicinal plant.
A validation of the religious and spiritual struggles scale among young people living with HIV in Zimbabwe: Mokken scale analysis and exploratory factor analysis
Authors: Wüthrich-Grossenbacher Ursula , Mutsinze Abigail , Wolf Ursula , Maponga Charles Chiedza , Midzi Nicholas , Mutsaka-Makuvaza Masceline Jenipher , Merten Sonja
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Religious/spiritual convictions and practices can influence health- and treatment-seeking behavior, but only few measures of religiousness or spirituality have been validated and used outside of the US. The Religious and Spiritual Struggles scale (RSS) measures internal and external conflict with religion and spirituality and has been validated mainly in different high-income contexts. The aim of this study was the validation of the RSS in the Zimbabwean context and among young people living with human immunodeficiency virus (YPLHIV) aged 14–24.

Methods

Data collection with an Open Data Kit (ODK) questionnaire with 804 respondents took place in 2021. The validation was performed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), using statistical equation modeling (SEM), and Mokken scale analysis (MSA). After the low confirmability of the original scale sub-dimensions exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied.

Results

The EFA resulted in four new sub-domains that were different from the original six domains in the RSS but culturally more relevant. The new sub-domains are significantly related to health.

Discussion

The findings support the validity and relevance of the RSS and the new sub-domains in this context. As our study was limited to YPLHIV, further validation of the RSS among different population groups and contexts in the sub-Saharan region is encouraged.
The relationship of trait-like compassion with epigenetic aging: The population-based prospective Young Finns Study
Authors: Dobewall Henrik , Keltikangas-Järvinen Liisa , Marttila Saara , Mishra Pashupati P. , Saarinen Aino , Cloninger C. Robert , Zwir Igor , Kähönen Mika , Hurme Mikko , Raitakari Olli , Lehtimäki Terho , Hintsanen Mirka
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Helping others within and beyond the family has been related to living a healthy and long life. Compassion is a prosocial personality trait characterized by concern for another person who is suffering and the motivation to help. The current study examines whether epigenetic aging is a potential biological mechanism that explains the link between prosociality and longevity.

Methods

We used data from the Young Finns Study that follows six birth-cohorts from age 3–18 to 19–49. Trait-like compassion for others was measured with the Temperament and Character Inventory in the years 1997 and 2001. Epigenetic age acceleration and telomere length were measured with five DNA methylation (DNAm) indicators (DNAmAgeHorvath, IEAA_Hannum, EEAA_Hannum, DNAmPhenoAge, and DNAmTL) based on blood drawn in 2011. We controlled for sex, socioeconomic status in childhood and adulthood, and body-mass index.

Results and discussion

An association between higher compassion in 1997 and a less accelerated DNAmPhenoAge, which builds on previous work on phenotypic aging, approached statistical significance in a sex-adjusted model (n = 1,030;b = −0.34;p = 0.050). Compassion in 1997 predicted less accelerated epigenetic aging over and above the control variables (n = 843;b = −0.47;p = 0.016). There was no relationship between compassion in 2001 (n = 1108/910) and any of the other four studied epigenetic aging indicators. High compassion for others might indeed influence whether an individual’s biological age is lower than their chronological age. The conducted robustness checks partially support this conclusion, yet cannot rule out that there might be a broader prosocial trait behind the findings. The observed associations are interesting but should be interpreted as weak requiring replication.
Safety guidelines for youth agricultural work in the United States: A description of the development and updating process
Authors: Swenson Andrea V. R. , Salzwedel Marsha , Peltier Cassandra , Lee Barbara C.
Published: April 2023

To reduce the prevalence of youth injuries and fatalities in agricultural settings, safety professionals considered developing a guideline-focused intervention for how and when youth should conduct farm chores. In 1996, the process to create guidelines started, which then expanded to include professionals from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This team used a consensus driven approach to develop the guidelines and launch the North American Guidelines for Children’s Agricultural Tasks. By 2015, research related to the published guidelines indicated a need to incorporate new empirical evidence and develop dissemination plans based on new technologies. The process for updating the guidelines was supported by a 16-person steering committee and used content experts and technical advisors. The process yielded updated and new guidelines, now called Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines. This report responds to request for further details on the development and update of the guidelines and describes the genesis of the guidelines as an intervention, the process for creating guidelines, recognition of the need to update guidelines based on research, and the process for updating guidelines to assist in others engaged in similar types of interventions.
Quantifying the effects of cold waves on carbon monoxide poisoning: A time-stratified case-crossover study in Jinan, China
Authors: Wei Jinli , Ren Aifeng , Zhang Yingjian , Yin Yuanrong , Chu Nan , Ma Yiwen , Du Jipei , Cui Liangliang , Zhou Chengchao
Published: April 2023

Background

Previous studies have shown that carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning occurs mostly in winter and is associated with severe cold weather (e.g., ice storms, temperature drops). However, according to previous studies, the impact of low temperature on health has a delayed effect, and the existing research cannot fully reveal the delayed effect of cold waves on CO poisoning.

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to analyze the temporal distribution of CO poisoning in Jinan and to explore the acute effect of cold waves on CO poisoning.

Methods

We collected emergency call data for CO poisoning in Jinan from 2013 to 2020 and used a time-stratified case-crossover design combined with a conditional logistic regression model to evaluate the impact of the cold wave day and lag 0–8 days on CO poisoning. In addition, 10 definitions of a cold wave were considered to evaluate the impact of different temperature thresholds and durations.

Results

During the study period, a total of 1,387 cases of CO poisoning in Jinan used the emergency call system, and more than 85% occurred in cold months. Our findings suggest that cold waves are associated with an increased risk of CO poisoning in Jinan. When P01, P05, and P10 (P01, P05, and P10 refer to the 1st, 5th, and 10th percentiles of the lowest temperature, respectively) were used as temperature thresholds for cold waves, the most significant effects (the maximum OR value, which refers to the risk of CO poisoning on cold wave days compared to other days) were 2.53 (95% CI:1.54, 4.16), 2.06 (95% CI:1.57, 2.7), and 1.49 (95% CI:1.27, 1.74), respectively.

Conclusion

Cold waves are associated with an increased risk of CO poisoning, and the risk increases with lower temperature thresholds and longer cold wave durations. Cold wave warnings should be issued and corresponding protective policies should be formulated to reduce the potential risk of CO poisoning.
Operationalization of a multidimensional sex/gender concept for quantitative environmental health research and implementation in the KORA study: Results of the collaborative research project INGER
Authors: Kraus Ute , Jacke Katharina , Dandolo Lisa , Debiak Malgorzata , Fichter Sophie , Groth Katrin , Kolossa-Gehring Marike , Hartig Christina , Horstmann Sophie , Schneider Alexandra , Palm Kerstin , Bolte Gabriele
Published: April 2023

Background

In environmental health research, sex and gender are not yet adequately considered. There is a need to improve data collection in population-based environmental health studies by comprehensively surveying sex/gender-related aspects according to gender theoretical concepts. Thus, within the joint project INGER we developed a multidimensional sex/gender concept which we aimed to operationalize and to test the operationalization for feasibility.

Methods

In an iterative process, we created questionnaire modules which quantitatively captured the requirements of the INGER sex/gender concept. We deployed it in the KORA cohort (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg, Germany) in 2019 and evaluated response and missing rates.

Results

The individual sex/gender self-concept was surveyed via a two-step approach that asked for sex assigned at birth and the current sex/gender identity. Additionally, we used existing tools to query internalized sex/gender roles and externalized sex/gender expressions. Adapted to the KORA population, we asked for discrimination experiences and care and household activities contributing to explain structural sex/gender relations. Further intersectionality-related social categories (e.g., socio-economic position), lifestyle and psychosocial factors were covered through data available in KORA. We could not identify appropriate tools to assess the true biological sex, sexual orientation and ethnic/cultural identity, which have yet to be developed or improved. The response-rate was 71%, the evaluation of 3,743 questionnaires showed a low missing rate. Prevalence of marginalized groups regarding sex/gender identity and definable by experiences of discrimination was very low.

Conclusion

We have shown how the multidimensional INGER sex/gender concept can be operationalized according to an European and North American understanding of sex/gender for use in quantitative research. The questionnaire modules proved feasible in an epidemiologic cohort study. Being a balancing act between theoretical concepts and its quantitative implementation our operationalization paves the way for an adequate consideration of sex/gender in environmental health research.
Variations in national surveillance reporting for Mpox virus: A comparative analysis in 32 countries
Authors: Panag Deepkanwar Singh , Jain Nityanand , Katagi Dimitra , De Jesus Cipriano Flores Gabriela , Silva Dutra Macedo Gabriela Dias , Rodrigo Díaz Villa Gonzalo , Yèche Mathieu , Velázquez Mérida Saydi Yusveni , Kapparath Sreerag , Sert Zilfi , Reinis Aigars
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Case Reporting and Surveillance (CRS) are crucial to combat the global spread of the Monkeypox virus (Mpox). To support CRS, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released standardized case definitions for suspected, probable, confirmed, and discarded cases. However, these definitions are often subject to localized adaptations by countries leading to heterogeneity in the collected data. Herein, we compared the differences in Mpox case definitions in 32 countries that collectively reported 96% of the global Mpox caseload.

Methods

We extracted information regarding Mpox case definitions issued by the competent authorities in 32 included countries for suspected, probable, confirmed, and discarded cases. All data were gathered from online public sources.

Results

For confirmed cases, 18 countries (56%) followed WHO guidelines and tested for Mpox using species specific PCR and/or sequencing. For probable and suspected cases, seven and eight countries, respectively were found to have not released definitions in their national documentations. Furthermore, none of the countries completely matched WHO’s criteria for probable and suspected cases. Overlapping amalgamations of the criteria were frequently noticed. Regarding discarded cases, only 13 countries (41%) reported definitions, with only two countries (6%) having definition consistent with WHO guidelines. For case reporting, 12 countries (38%) were found to report both probable and confirmed cases, in line with WHO requirements.

Conclusion

The heterogeneity in case definitions and reporting highlights the pressing need for homogenization in implementation of these guidelines. Homogenization would drastically improve data quality and aid data-scientists, epidemiologists, and clinicians to better understand and model the true disease burden in the society, followed by formulation and implementation of targeted interventions to curb the virus spread.
Accelerated long-term forgetting: A sensitive paradigm for detecting subtle cognitive impairment and evaluating BACE1 inhibitor efficacy in preclinical Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Ohno Masuo
Published: April 2023

Given a long preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD) continuum before the onset of dementia, there is a growing demand for tools capable of detecting the earliest feature of subtle cognitive impairment and optimizing recruitment to clinical trials for potentially disease-modifying therapeutic interventions such as BACE1 inhibitors. Now that all BACE1 inhibitor programs in symptomatic and prodromal AD populations have ended in failure, trials need to shift to target the earlier preclinical stage. However, evaluating cognitive efficacy (if any) in asymptomatic AD individuals is a great challenge. In this context, accelerated long-term forgetting (ALF) is emerging as a sensitive cognitive measure that can discriminate between presymptomatic individuals with high risks for developing AD and healthy controls. ALF is characterized by increased forgetting rates over extended delays (e.g., days, weeks, months) despite normal learning and short-term retention on standard memory assessments that typically use around 30-min delays. This review provides an overview of recent progress in animal model and clinical studies on this topic, focusing on the utility and underlying mechanism of ALF that may be applicable to earlier diagnosis and BACE1 inhibitor efficacy evaluation at a preclinical stage of AD.
Sufficiency as trend or tradition?—Uncovering business pathways to sufficiency through historical advertisements
Authors: Niessen Laura , Bocken Nancy M. P. , Dijk Marc
Published: April 2023

Climate change and dwindling resources underline that we need to bring production and consumption levels in line with planetary boundaries. Consumption, particularly in high-income communities, needs to be reduced and stabilized at sustainable levels. Businesses can play a key role as suppliers of goods and services and creators of demand. Some companies are rising to the challenge and promoting less consumption or “sufficiency” through long product lifetimes, repair services or rental offers, but they remain niche actors in the economic system. Similarly, while circular initiatives gain traction across sectors, firms focus primarily on recycling and efficiency improvements rather than supporting more radical “Reduce” strategies. To engage companies in promoting sustainable levels of consumption, it can be helpful to understand pathways of established businesses who currently promote sufficiency. What can we learn from companies that currently promote sufficiency in their communications? Have they always advocated sufficient consumption, or have they changed recently? Through a historical perspective, we provide insights on the pathway of sufficiency for three companies. A document analysis of historical advertisements shines light on the messaging to potential customers over time. It is combined with an analysis of contemporary communications to connect the companies' past and present sufficiency approaches. Understanding different pathways to sufficiency can help modern-day businesses to reconsider their own business models and orientation. It can also point out levers for policy to support a transformation toward sustainable and circular business models that promote living within planetary boundaries.
Emerging work environments in the pandemic era: a gendered approach to work-life balance programs
Authors: Sreya B. , Lakshmana Rao Ayyagari , Ramakrishnan G. , Kulshretha Nikhil
Published: April 2023

As the coronavirus pandemic affects virtually every sector of the economy, this ongoing review examines the effects of remote working on women's job performance—including hypotheses about serious activities and how they may balance work and family. In recent years, psychometric testing has become increasingly popular with organizations worldwide, and they are looking at this method to better understand how women achieve balance in their lives. The aim of this work is to investigate how different aspects of psychometrics and factors relating to work-life balance influence women's satisfaction levels. An exploratory factor assessment (EFA) and a confirmatory factor assessment (CFA) using a seven-point Likert scale were performed on data collected from 385 selected female IT workers whose satisfaction levels toward psychometric assessments in their organization were examined. The current study uses EFAs and CFAs to develop and identify the key factors in women's work-life balance. The results also showed that three significant variables accounted for 74% of the variance: 26% from work and family, 24% from personal factors, and 24% from loving their job.
Screening the maize rhizobiome for consortia that improve Azospirillum brasilense root colonization and plant growth outcomes
Authors: Barua Niloy , Clouse Kayla M. , Ruiz Diaz Dorivar A. , Wagner Maggie R. , Platt Thomas G. , Hansen Ryan R.
Published: April 2023

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are valuable for supporting sustainable food production and may alleviate the negative impacts of chemical fertilizers on human health and the environment. While single-strain inoculations have proven unreliable due to poor survival and colonization in the rhizosphere, application of PGPB in multispecies consortia has the potential to improve these outcomes. Here, we describe a new approach for screening and identifying bacterial consortia that improve the growth of corn relative to plants inoculated with a single strain. The method uses the microwell recovery array (MRA), a microfabricated high-throughput screening device, to rapidly explore the maize (Zea mays L.) rhizobiome for higher-order combinations of bacteria that promote the growth and colonization of the nitrogen-fixing PGPB, Azospirillum brasilense. The device simultaneously generates thousands of random, unique combinations of bacteria that include A. brasilense and members of the maize rhizobiome, then tracks A. brasilense growth in each combination during co-culture. Bacteria that show the highest levels of A. brasilense growth promotion are then recovered from the device using a patterned light extraction technique and are identified. With this approach, the screen uncovered growth-promoting consortia consisting primarily of bacteria from the Acinetobacter-Enterobacter-Serratia genera, which were then co-inoculated with A. brasilense on axenic maize seedlings that were monitored inside a plant growth chamber. Compared to maize plants inoculated with A. brasilense alone, plants that were co-inoculated with these consortia showed accelerated growth after 15 days. Follow-up root colonization assays revealed that A. brasilense colonized at higher levels on roots from the co-inoculated seedlings. These findings demonstrate a new method for rapid bioprospecting of root and soil communities for complementary PGPB and for developing multispecies consortia with potential use as next-generation biofertilizers.