bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response to Cold: A Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis in Eight Cold-Adapted Yeasts
Authors: Baeza Marcelo , Zúñiga Sergio , Peragallo Vicente , Gutierrez Fernando , Barahona Salvador , Alcaino Jennifer , Cifuentes Víctor
Published: February 2022

Microorganisms have evolved to colonize all biospheres, including extremely cold environments, facing several stressor conditions, mainly low/freezing temperatures. In general, terms, the strategies developed by cold-adapted microorganisms include the synthesis of cryoprotectant and stress-protectant molecules, cold-active proteins, especially enzymes, and membrane fluidity regulation. The strategy could differ among microorganisms and concerns the characteristics of the cold environment of the microorganism, such as seasonal temperature changes. Microorganisms can develop strategies to grow efficiently at low temperatures or tolerate them and grow under favorable conditions. These differences can be found among the same kind of microorganisms and from the same cold habitat. In this work, eight cold-adapted yeasts isolated from King George Island, subAntarctic region, which differ in their growth properties, were studied about their response to low temperatures at the transcriptomic level. Sixteen ORFeomes were assembled and used for gene prediction and functional annotation, determination of gene expression changes, protein flexibilities of translated genes, and codon usage bias. Putative genes related to the response to all main kinds of stress were found. The total number of differentially expressed genes was related to the temperature variation that each yeast faced. The findings from multiple comparative analyses among yeasts based on gene expression changes and protein flexibility by cellular functions and codon usage bias raise significant differences in response to cold among the studied Antarctic yeasts. The way a yeast responds to temperature change appears to be more related to its optimal temperature for growth (OTG) than growth velocity. Yeasts with higher OTG prepare to downregulate their metabolism to enter the dormancy stage. In comparison, yeasts with lower OTG perform minor adjustments to make their metabolism adequate and maintain their growth at lower temperatures.
Application of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry for the Rapid Identification of Yeast Species From Polar Regions
Authors: He Chenyang , Feng Jianju , Su Jing , Zhang Tao , Yu Liyan
Published: February 2022

Protein profiling based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) has proved to be a powerful tool for yeast identification. However, it is rarely used in the identification of yeast isolates from polar regions, which may be due to the limited data available for the differentiation of polar yeast species. The present study constructed a supplementary database of MALDI-TOF MS, including 33 yeast species from the Arctic and Antarctica. These yeast species were used to assess the accuracy and practicality of MALDI-TOF MS-based identification compared to the ribosomal DNA [internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) gene regions] sequencing identification. Their dendrogram based on main spectra profiles (MSPs) in the supplementary database was somewhat consistent with their phylogenetic tree. The accuracy of MALDI-TOF MS identification was also compared by the ethanol-formic acid extraction method and the on-plate extraction method. In addition, peptide markers of some yeast species (e.g., Glaciozyma, Phenoliferia, Mrakia, and Vishniacozyma) were identified. It is concluded that the MALDI-TOF MS method can differentiate some closely related yeast species from polar regions, thus is suitable for the identification of polar yeasts.
Bovine Animal Model for Studying the Maternal Microbiome, in utero Microbial Colonization and Their Role in Offspring Development and Fetal Programming
Authors: Amat Samat , Dahlen Carl R. , Swanson Kendall C. , Ward Alison K. , Reynolds Lawrence P. , Caton Joel S.
Published: February 2022

Recent developments call for further research on the timing and mechanisms involved in the initial colonization of the fetal/infant gut by the maternal microbiome and its role in Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD). Although progress has been made using primarily preterm infants, ethical and legal constraints hinder research progress in embryo/fetal-related research and understanding the developmental and mechanistic roles of the maternal microbiome in fetal microbial imprinting and its long-term role in early-life microbiome development. Rodent models have proven very good for studying the role of the maternal microbiome in fetal programming. However, some inherent limitations in these animal models make it challenging to study perinatal microbial colonization from a biomedical standpoint. In this review, we discuss the potential use of bovine animals as a biomedical model to study the maternal microbiome, in utero microbial colonization of the fetal gut, and their impact on offspring development and DOHaD.
Shunt Surgery Efficacy Is Correlated With Baseline Cerebrum Perfusion in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A 3D Pulsed Arterial-Spin Labeling Study
Authors: Huang Wenjun , Fang Xuhao , Li Shihong , Mao Renling , Ye Chuntao , Liu Wei , Lin Guangwu
Published: February 2022

This study investigated the relationship between preoperative cerebral blood flow (CBF) in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) and preoperative clinical symptoms and changes of clinical symptoms after shunt surgery. A total of 32 patients with diagnosed INPH and 18 age-matched healthy controls (HCs) were involved in this study. All subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including 3D pulsed arterial-spin labeling (PASL) for non-invasive perfusion imaging, and clinical symptom evaluation at baseline, and all patients with INPH were reexamined with clinical tests 1 month postoperatively. Patients with INPH had significantly lower whole-brain CBF than HCs, with the most significant differences in the high convexity, temporal lobe, precuneus, and thalamus. At baseline, there was a significant correlation between the CBF in the middle frontal gyrus, calcarine, inferior and middle temporal gyrus, thalamus, and posterior cingulate gyrus and poor gait manifestation. After shunting, improvements were negatively correlated with preoperative perfusion in the inferior parietal gyrus, inferior occipital gyrus, and middle temporal gyrus. Preoperative CBF in the middle frontal gyrus was positively correlated with the severity of preoperative cognitive impairment and negatively correlated with the change of postoperative MMSE score. There was a moderate positive correlation between anterior cingulate hypoperfusion and improved postoperative urination. Our study revealed that widely distributed and intercorrelated cortical and subcortical pathways are involved in the development of INPH symptoms, and preoperative CBF may be correlative to short-term shunt outcomes.
Intersegmental Interactions Give Rise to a Global Network
Authors: Kearney Graciela , Radice Martina , Merlinsky Agustín Sanchez , Szczupak Lidia
Published: February 2022

Animal motor behaviors require the coordination of different body segments. Thus the activity of the networks that control each segment, which are distributed along the nerve cord, should be adequately matched in time. This temporal organization may depend on signals originated in the brain, the periphery or other segments. Here we evaluate the role of intersegmental interactions. Because of the relatively regular anatomy of leeches, the study of intersegmental coordination in these animals restricts the analysis to interactions among iterated units. We focused on crawling, a rhythmic locomotive behavior through which leeches move on solid ground. The motor pattern was studied ex vivo, in isolated ganglia and chains of three ganglia, and in vivo. Fictive crawling ex vivo (crawling) displayed rhythmic characteristics similar to those observed in vivo. Within the three-ganglion chains the motor output presented an anterior-posterior order, revealing the existence of a coordination mechanism that occurred in the absence of brain or peripheral signals. An experimental perturbation that reversibly abolished the motor pattern in isolated ganglia produced only a marginal effect on the motor activity recorded in three-ganglion chains. Therefore, the segmental central pattern generators present in each ganglion of the chain lost the autonomy observed in isolated ganglia, and constituted a global network that reduced the degrees of freedom of the system. However, the intersegmental phase lag in the three-ganglion chains was markedly longer than in vivo. This work suggests that intersegmental interactions operate as a backbone of correlated motor activity, but additional signals are required to enhance and speed coordination in the animal.
Structural Features Predict Sexual Trauma and Interpersonal Problems in Borderline Personality Disorder but Not in Controls: A Multi-Voxel Pattern Analysis
Authors: Dadomo Harold , Salvato Gerardo , Lapomarda Gaia , Ciftci Zafer , Messina Irene , Grecucci Alessandro
Published: February 2022

Child trauma plays an important role in the etiology of Bordeline Personality Disorder (BPD). Of all traumas, sexual trauma is the most common, severe and most associated with receiving a BPD diagnosis when adult. Etiologic models posit sexual abuse as a prognostic factor in BPD. Here we apply machine learning using Multiple Kernel Regression to the Magnetic Resonance Structural Images of 20 BPD and 13 healthy control (HC) to see whether their brain predicts five sources of traumas: sex abuse, emotion neglect, emotional abuse, physical neglect, physical abuse (Child Trauma Questionnaire; CTQ). We also applied the same analysis to predict symptom severity in five domains: affective, cognitive, impulsivity, interpersonal (Zanarini Rating Scale for Borderline Personality Disorder; Zan-BPD) for BPD patients only. Results indicate that CTQ sexual trauma is predicted by a set of areas including the amygdala, the Heschl area, the Caudate, the Putamen, and portions of the Cerebellum in BPD patients only. Importantly, interpersonal problems only in BPD patients were predicted by a set of areas including temporal lobe and cerebellar regions. Notably, sexual trauma and interpersonal problems were not predicted by structural features in matched healthy controls. This finding may help elucidate the brain circuit affected by traumatic experiences and connected with interpersonal problems BPD suffer from.
Dynamic Oscillations Evoked by Subcallosal Cingulate Deep Brain Stimulation
Authors: Tiruvadi Vineet , Choi Ki Sueng , Gross Robert E. , Butera Robert , Jirsa Viktor , Mayberg Helen
Published: February 2022

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of subcallosal cingulate white matter (SCCwm) alleviates symptoms of depression, but its mechanistic effects on brain dynamics remain unclear. In this study we used novel intracranial recordings (LFP) in n = 6 depressed patients stimulated with DBS around the SCCwm target, observing a novel dynamic oscillation (DOs). We confirm that DOs in the LFP are of neural origin and consistently evoked within certain patients. We then characterize the frequency and dynamics of DOs, observing significant variability in DO behavior across patients. Under the hypothesis that LFP-DOs reflect network engagement, we characterize the white matter tracts associated with LFP-DO observations and report a preliminary observation of DO-like activity measured in a single patient's electroencephalography (dEEG). These results support further study of DOs as an objective signal for mechanistic study and connectomics guided DBS.
Selected Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Reverse the Frataxin Transcriptional Defect in a Novel Friedreich’s Ataxia Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neuronal Reporter System
Authors: Schreiber Anna M. , Li Yanjie , Chen Yi-Hsien , Napierala Jill S. , Napierala Marek
Published: February 2022

Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of guanine–adenine–adenine repeats within the first intron of the frataxin (FXN) gene. The location and nature of the expansion have been proven to contribute to transcriptional repression of FXN by decreasing the rate of polymerase II (RNA polymerase II) progression and increasing the presence of histone modifications associated with a heterochromatin-like state. Targeting impaired FXN transcription appears as a feasible option for therapeutic intervention, while no cure currently exists. We created a novel reporter cell line containing an FXN-Nanoluciferase (FXN-NLuc) fusion in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) reprogrammed from the fibroblasts of patients with FRDA, thus allowing quantification of endogenous FXN expression. The use of iPSCs provides the opportunity to differentiate these cells into disease-relevant neural progenitor cells (NPCs). NPCs derived from the FXN-NLuc line responded to treatments with a known FXN inducer, RG109. Results were validated by quantitative PCR and Western blot in multiple FRDA NPC lines. We then screened a commercially available library of compounds consisting of molecules targeting various enzymes and pathways critical for silencing or activation of gene expression. Only selected histone deacetylase inhibitors were capable of partial reactivation of FXN expression. This endogenous, FRDA iPSC-derived reporter can be utilized for high-throughput campaigns performed in cells most relevant to disease pathology in search of FXN transcription activators.
Health Benefits of Probiotics in Sport and Exercise - Non-existent or a Matter of Heterogeneity? A Systematic Review
Authors: Heimer Melina , Teschler Marc , Schmitz Boris , Mooren Frank C.
Published: February 2022

Background

The use of probiotics in sports has been growing in recent years, as up to 50% of athletes suffer from training- and performance-limiting gastrointestinal (GI) problems. Moreover, repeated exhaustive exercise and high training loads may lead to a transiently depressed immune function, associated with an increased risk of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).

Aim

To provide a qualitative analysis of probiotic effects on URTI, GI symptoms and the immune system in healthy individuals under consideration of performance level as main classifier.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was conducted (PubMed, SPORTDiscus with Full Text, Web of Science) to analyze the effects of probiotics in athletes and healthy active individuals on GI problems, URTI, and the immune system. A qualitative synthesis with performance level and treatment duration as main classifiers was performed.

Results

Of 41 eligible studies, 24 evaluated the effects of probiotic supplements in athletes, 10 in recreationally active individuals and 7 in healthy untrained adults. Large heterogeneity was observed in terms of probiotic strains, mode of delivery, performance level, treatment duration and outcome assessment. Overall, studies provided inconsistent observations.

Conclusion

The effects of probiotics on immune system, URTI, and GI symptoms in athletes, healthy adults and recreationally active individuals remain inconclusive. Based on the analyzed studies and identified parameters, this article provides suggestions to align future research on the effects of probiotics in exercise.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42021245840.
Higher Abdominal Adiposity Is Associated With Lower Muscle Strength in Chilean Adults
Authors: Palacio Ana Cristina , Díaz-Torrente Ximena , Quintiliano-Scarpelli Daiana
Published: February 2022

Handgrip strength (HGS) is a well-established indicator of muscle strength and a reasonable clinical predictor of metabolic health and diseases. This study explores the association between relative muscular strength and abdominal obesity (AO) in healthy Chilean adults. A convenience sample was recruited (n = 976) between 2018 and 2020. The HGS was determined by dynamometry. The anthropometry (weight, height, waist, and mid-arm circumference) and physical activity were also measured. The relative HGS (RHGS) was calculated by dividing the maximum HGS of the dominant hand by the body mass index. The AO was defined as a waist circumference (WC) >88 cm for women, and >102 cm for men. From the sample, 52.6% were women, 56.4% had excessive weight, and 42.7% had AO. The absolute and RHGS were greater in men compared to women (p < 0.001) and were decreased with age in both sexes. We observed a moderate negative correlation between WC and RHGS (rho = −0.54, and rho = −0.53, for men and women, respectively). The RHGS was lower in individuals with AO, independent of age and sex (p < 0.05). For each cm increase in WC, the odds of low RHGS (<25th percentile) increased by 12 and 9% for men and women, respectively. The AO is related to higher odds for low RHGS (OR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.23–2.41). In our sample of healthy adults, a higher AO was associated with a lower muscle strength measured by dynamometry.
Key Enzymes in Fatty Acid Synthesis Pathway for Bioactive Lipids Biosynthesis
Authors: Zhuang Xiao-Yan , Zhang Yong-Hui , Xiao An-Feng , Zhang Ai-Hui , Fang Bai-Shan
Published: February 2022

Dietary bioactive lipids, one of the three primary nutrients, is not only essential for growth and provides nutrients and energy for life's activities but can also help to guard against disease, such as Alzheimer's and cardiovascular diseases, which further strengthen the immune system and maintain many body functions. Many microorganisms, such as yeast, algae, and marine fungi, have been widely developed for dietary bioactive lipids production. These biosynthetic processes were not limited by the climate and ground, which are also responsible for superiority of shorter periods and high conversion rate. However, the production process was also exposed to the challenges of low stability, concentration, and productivity, which was derived from the limited knowledge about the critical enzyme in the metabolic pathway. Fortunately, the development of enzymatic research methods provides powerful tools to understand the catalytic process, including site-specific mutagenesis, protein dynamic simulation, and metabolic engineering technology. Thus, we review the characteristics of critical desaturase and elongase involved in the fatty acids' synthesis metabolic pathway, which aims to not only provide extensive data for enzyme rational design and modification but also provides a more profound and comprehensive understanding of the dietary bioactive lipids' synthetic process.
Tumor Burden in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Transarterial Chemoembolization: Head-to-Head Comparison of Current Scoring Systems
Authors: Müller Lukas , Hahn Felix , Auer Timo Alexander , Fehrenbach Uli , Gebauer Bernhard , Haubold Johannes , Zensen Sebastian , Kim Moon-Sung , Eisenblätter Michel , Diallo Thierno D. , Bettinger Dominik , Steinle Verena , Chang De-Hua , Zopfs David , Pinto dos Santos Daniel , Kloeckner Roman
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Recently, several scoring systems for prognosis prediction based on tumor burden have been promoted for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). This multicenter study aimed to perform the first head-to-head comparison of three scoring systems.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 849 treatment-naïve patients with HCC undergoing TACE at six tertiary care centers between 2010 and 2020. The tumor burden score (TBS), the Six-and-Twelve score (SAT), and the Seven-Eleven criteria (SEC) were calculated based on the maximum lesion size and the number of tumor nodes. All scores were compared in univariate and multivariate regression analyses, adjusted for established risk factors.

Results

The median overall survival (OS) times were 33.0, 18.3, and 12.8 months for patients with low, medium, and high TBS, respectively (p<0.001). The median OS times were 30.0, 16.9, and 10.2 months for patients with low, medium, and high SAT, respectively (p<0.001). The median OS times were 27.0, 16.7, and 10.5 for patients with low, medium, and high SEC, respectively (p<0.001). In a multivariate analysis, only the SAT remained an independent prognostic factor. The C-Indexes were 0.54 for the TBS, 0.59 for the SAT, and 0.58 for the SEC.

Conclusion

In a direct head-to-head comparison, the SAT was superior to the TBS and SEC in survival stratification and predictive ability. Therefore, the SAT can be considered when estimating the tumor burden. However, all three scores showed only moderate predictive power. Therefore, tumor burden should only be one component among many in treatment decision making.
Case Report: Proteinase 3 Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Ulcerative Colitis Presenting as Recurrent Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction in a Teenage Patient With in situ Proteinase 3 Immunohistochemical Staining
Authors: Yang Ching-Wen , Kao Yu-Chien , Lin Pei-Chun , Chien Hsi-Yuan , Lin Sheng-Chieh , Lee Yu-Hsien , Huang Yen-Lin , Fang Shiuh-Bin
Published: February 2022

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory bowel disease with the colorectum as its major target organ. Involvement of the upper gastrointestinal tract in UC is rare and presents with nonspecific endoscopic and microscopic characteristics. Recent studies have demonstrated proteinase 3 antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA) to be a serological marker for differentiating UC from Crohn's disease in children and for detecting disease activity and nonresponse to steroid therapy and antitumor necrotizing factor-α agents. Herein, we report a 13-year-old female patient mainly presenting with recurrent bilious vomiting who was initially diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis. Intestinal pseudo-obstruction was confirmed through observation of a patent but segmentally dilated jejunum in the barium follow-through examination and other imaging; such obstruction can be attributed to backwash ileitis, superior mesenteric artery syndrome, ileus due to hypokalemia, or PR3-associated enteritis. Laboratory data revealed leukocytosis with neutrophil predominance and serum antinuclear antibody and PR3-ANCA positivity. Overlapping syndrome with autoimmune diseases was suspected. Pathology revealed a crypt abscess with aggregates of neutrophils consistent with UC but did not indicate vasculitis. The in situ immunohistochemical staining revealed PR3 density mainly in the colon and focally in the duodenum. To our knowledge, this is the first case report with in situ pathological evidence of PR3 in inflamed intestinal tissues in a patient with UC and with rare initial presentation of intestinal pseudo-obstruction–induced recurrent bilious vomiting. Whether the clinical features of the present case constitute overlap syndrome with other autoimmune disease or a disease variation of UC warrants further investigation. Notably, the patient's serum PR3-ANCA titers remained high in coincidence with increased disease activity and nonresponse to steroid therapy, but became lower after infliximab treatment. PR3-ANCA as a potential serum biomarker to aid in making differential diagnoses of UC in children, correlating disease activity, and predicting therapeutic responses was also reviewed.
An Integrative Pharmacology Model for Decoding the Underlying Therapeutic Mechanisms of Ermiao Powder for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Wu Jie , Wang Kexin , Liu Qinwen , Li Yi , Huang Yingying , Liu Yujie , Cai Jieqi , Yin Chuanhui , Li Xiaowei , Yu Hailang , Meng Wei , Wang Handuo , Lu Aiping , Li Yazi , Guan Daogang
Published: February 2022

As a systemic inflammatory arthritis disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is complex and hereditary. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has evident advantages in treating complex diseases, and a variety of TCM formulas have been reported that have effective treatment on RA. Clinical and pharmacological studies showed that Ermiao Powder, which consists of Phellodendron amurense Rupr. (PAR) and Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. (ALD), can be used in the treatment of RA. Currently, most studies focus on the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PAR and ALD and are less focused on their coordinated molecular mechanism. In this research, we established an integrative pharmacological strategy to explore the coordinated molecular mechanism of the two herbs of Ermiao Powder in treating RA. To explore the potential coordinated mechanism of PAR and ALD, we firstly developed a novel mathematical model to calculate the contribution score of 126 active components and 85 active components, which contributed 90% of the total contribution scores that were retained to construct the coordinated functional space. Then, the knapsack algorithm was applied to identify the core coordinated functional components from the 85 active components. Finally, we obtained the potential coordinated functional components group (CFCG) with 37 components, including wogonin, paeonol, ethyl caffeate, and magnoflorine. Also, functional enrichment analysis was performed on the targets of CFCG to explore the potential coordinated molecular mechanisms of PAR and ALD. The results indicated that the CFCG could treat RA by coordinated targeting to the genes involved in immunity and inflammation-related signal pathways, such as phosphatidylinositol 3‑kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, and nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway. The docking and in vitro experiments were used to predict the affinity and validate the effect of CFCG and further confirm the reliability of our method. Our integrative pharmacological strategy, including CFCG identification and verification, can provide the methodological references for exploring the coordinated mechanism of TCM in treating complex diseases and contribute to improving our understanding of the coordinated mechanism.
IgG-like Bispecific Antibody CD3×EpCAM Generated by Split Intein Against Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Wang Lei , Qiao Yu , Zong Huifang , Han Lei , Ke Yong , Pan ZhiDi , Chen Jie , Lu Jun , Li Jinyao , Ying Tianlei , Zhang Baohong , Zhu Jianwei
Published: February 2022

Background: Colorectal cancer is a commonly diagnosed cancer with high mortality worldwide. Postoperative recidivation and metastasis still are the main challenges in clinical treatments. Thus, it is urgent to develop new therapies against colorectal cancer. Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) is overexpressed in colorectal cancer cells and strongly associated with cancer development. Bispecific antibody (BsAb) is a kind of promising immunotherapy, which could recognize T cells and cancer cells simultaneously to achieve the anti-tumor effects.

Methods: A bispecific antibody targeting EpCAM and CD3 with IgG format was genereated by split intein based on the Bispecific Antibody by Protein Splicing” platform. In vitro, the affinity of CD3×EpCAM BsAb was determined by Biolayer interferometry, its cytotoxicity was detected by LDH release assay, T cell recruitment and activation was detected by Flow Cytometry. In vivo, its pharmacokinetic parameters were detected, and anti-tumor effects were evaluated on the tumor cell xenograft mouse model.

Results: The results showed that the CD3×EpCAM BsAb could activate and recruit T cells via binding colorectal cells and T cells, which could lead to more potent cytotoxicity to various colorectal cell lines than its parent EpCAM monoclonal antibody (mAb) in vitro. The CD3×EpCAM BsAb had similar pharmacokinetic parameters with EpCAM mAb and inhibits tumor growth on the SW480 tumor cell xenograft mouse model.

Conclusion: The CD3×EpCAM BsAb could be a promising candidate for colorectal cancer treatment.
Alternative Management Approaches of Citrus Diseases Caused by Penicillium digitatum (Green Mold) and Penicillium italicum (Blue Mold)
Authors: Bhatta Usha K.
Published: February 2022

Green mold (Penicillium digitatum) and blue mold (Penicillium italicum) are among the most economically impactful post-harvest diseases of citrus fruit worldwide. Post-harvest citrus diseases are largely controlled with synthetic fungicides such as pyrimethanil, imazalil, fludioxonil, and thiabendazole. Due to their toxic effects, prolonged and excessive application of these fungicides is gradually restricted in favor of safe and more eco-friendly alternatives. This review comprehensively describes alternative methods for the control ofP. digitatumandP. italicum: (a) antagonistic micro-organisms, (b) plant extracts and essential oils, (c) biofungicides, (d) chitosan and chitosan-based citrus coatings, (e) heat treatments, (f) ionizing and non-ionizing irradiations, (g) food additives, and (h) synthetic elicitors. Integrating multiple approaches such as the application of biocontrol agents with food additives or heat treatments have overcome some drawbacks to single treatments. In addition, integrating treatment approaches could produce an additive or synergistic effect on controlling both molds for a satisfactory level of disease reduction in post-harvest citrus. Further research is warranted on plant resistance and fruit-pathogen interactions to develop safer strategies for the sustainable control ofP. digitatumandP. italicumin citrus.
Shoot or Don’t Shoot? Tactical Gaze Control and Visual Attention Training Improves Police Cadets’ Decision-Making Performance in Live-Fire Scenarios
Authors: Heusler Benedikt , Sutter Christine
Published: February 2022

Police officers often encounter potentially dangerous situations in which they strongly rely on their ability to identify threats quickly and react accordingly. Previous studies have shown that practical experience and targeted training significantly improve threat detection time and decision-making performance in law enforcement situations. We applied 90-min traditional firearms training as a control condition (35 participants) and a specifically developed intervention training (25 participants) to police cadets. The intervention training contained theoretical and practical training on tactical gaze control, situational awareness, and visual attention, while the control training focused on precision and speed. In a pre- and posttest, we measured decision-making performance as well as (tactical) response preparation and execution to evaluate the training. Concerning cognitive performance training (i.e., decision-making), the number of correct decisions increased from pre- to posttest. In shoot scenarios, correct decisions improved significantly more in the intervention group than in the control group. In don’t-shoot scenarios, there were no considerable differences. Concerning the training of response preparation and execution in shoot scenarios, the intervention group’s response time (time until participants first shot at an armed attacker), but not hit time, decreased significantly from pre- to posttest. The control group was significantly faster than the intervention group, with their response and hit time remaining constant across pre- and posttest. Concerning the training of tactical action control, the intervention group performed significantly better than the control group. Moreover, the intervention group improved the tactical handling of muzzle position significantly. The results indicate that a single 90-min session of targeted gaze control and visual attention training improves decision-making performance, response time, and tactical handling of muzzle position in shoot scenarios. However, these faster response times do not necessarily translate to faster hit times – presumably due to the motor complexity of hitting an armed attacker with live ammunition. We conclude that theory-based training on tactical gaze control and visual attention has a higher impact on police officers’ decision-making performance than traditional firearms training. Therefore, we recommend law enforcement agencies include perception-based shoot/don’t-shoot exercises in training and regular tests for officers’ annual firearm requalification.
Policy Announcement, Investor Attention, and Stock Volatility: Evidence From the New Energy Vehicle Industry
Authors: Su Mimi , Wang Chen
Published: February 2022

New energy vehicle (NEV) policies have greatly promoted the growth of the NEV industry in China, while also attracting a lot of investor attention. Using Chinese NEV concept stocks and related industrial policies, including purchase tax incentives (PTI) and promotion and application (P&A) policies, issued from 2011 to 2020 as the research setting, this paper adopts a panel data model to examine the impact of policy announcement on the volatility of NEV concept stocks, as well as the mediating role of investor attention in transmitting the impact. We find that NEV P&A policies have a significant and positive impact on NEV concept stock volatility, while PTI policies do not have a significant impact. Moreover, investor attention plays a partial mediating role in transmitting the impact of P&A policies on NEV stock market by increasing the stock volatility risk. Furthermore, there is heterogeneous effect of equity ownership in the relationship between policy announcement and investor attention on the volatility of NEV concept stocks; non-state-owned firms are more sensitive to the NEV P&A policies than state-owned firms. By analyzing the relationship between policy announcement and concept stock volatility, this paper enriches the research on NEV concept stocks and provides policy implications for the NEV industry.
The Role of Learners' Psychological Well-Being and Academic Engagement on Their Grit
Authors: Huo Jiaying
Published: February 2022

This review aimed at examining the related studies on the effect of English as a foreign language learners' (EFL) psychological well-being and academic engagement as positive emotional constructs on learners' grit. The positive significant effect of psychological well-being on learners' grit has been confirmed in the literature review. Studies have shown that resilience, enjoyment, engagement, lack of depression, interest, and world meaningfulness can act as mediator variables in the relationship between psychological well-being and grit. Furthermore, few studies have been done on the effect of academic engagement on learners' grit. The studies showed that some factors such as meticulousness, self-control, self-confidence, and motivation act as mediators in the relationship between academic engagement and grittiness. In the end, the pedagogical implications are expounded to promote the quality of language learning quality. This review also provides some suggestions for further research to clarify our perspective over positive emotional variables and their relationships with each other.
Perceived Stress and Psychological Impact Among Healthcare Workers at a Tertiaty Hospital in China During the COVID-19 Outbreak: The Moderating Role of Resilience and Social Support
Authors: Zhang Qiaoyang , Dong Guanzhong , Meng Weifen , Chen Zhuoyou , Cao Yin , Zhang Min
Published: February 2022

Aims

To investigate the psychological distress experienced by healthcare workers (HCWs) at a tertiary hospital in Changzhou, China, outside Wuhan, during the early stage of COVID-19 and evaluate the moderating effects of resilience and social support on the relationship between stress and psychological distress.

Methods

The study was conducted between February 10 and 15, 2020, in a non-probabilistic way. The survey included questions regarding the risk of exposure, sociodemographics, perceived stress [10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)], resilience [10-item Connor–Davidson Psychological Resilience (CD-RISC-10)], social support [Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)], and psychological distress [12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12)]. We applied the PROCESS macro for SPSS to test the hypotheses that resilience and social support moderated the stress response. In addition, a simple slope analysis was conducted when the interaction effect was statistically significant.

Results

Some 33.6% of participants suffered from psychological distress (GHQ-12 ≥ 12). Perceived stress was positively related to psychological distress (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). In addition, resilience (ΔR2 = 0.03, p for interaction < 0.001) and social support (ΔR2 = 0.01, p for interaction <0.01) moderated the stress response. The impact of perceived stress on psychological distress was attenuated when subjects who were resilient (high β = 0.15, p < 0.001; low β = 0.36, p < 0.001), and perceived stress had less impact on psychological distress when social support was high (β = 0.24, p < 0.001) rather than low (β = 0.34, p < 0.001).

Limitations

The cross-sectional design led to a lack of causal relationships between variables.

Conclusions

Our data showed that resilience and social support moderated the stress response among HCWs in the pandemic, suggesting that improving resilience and social support could be appropriate targets to improve HCWs' mental health in the pandemic.
Psychotic Symptoms as the Initial Presentation of a Long-Lasting Misdiagnosed Anti-GAD65 Autoimmune Encephalitis: An Emblematic Case and Literature Review
Authors: Wang Jianjun , Gong Shenglan , Kong Fanxin , Cai Dongbin , Huang Binqing , Zheng Haotao , Lin Songjun , Li Jinfang , Zhang Tianfeng
Published: February 2022

Objective

To present a long-lasting misdiagnosed case of anti-GAD65 autoimmune encephalitis (AE) and promote the early identification of reversible psychotic symptoms in AE.

Methods

The case report was generated through detailed assessment of clinical characteristics, cerebral magnetic resonance images, and laboratory results. Meanwhile, a literatures review related to the topic was conducted.

Results

Psychotic symptoms could be presented in the early stage of anti-GAD65 autoimmune encephalitis. Even though there exists a transdisciplinary gap that hinder the timely recognition of early psychiatric symptoms as components of organic disease, a few strategies could be introduced to enable the earlier recognition and appropriate treatment.

Conclusions

Our report intends to raise awareness to promote the early identification of immune-mediated “symptomatic” forms of psychosis.
Engaging Refugees With a Culturally Adapted Digital Intervention to Improve Sleep: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial
Authors: Spanhel Kerstin , Hovestadt Eva , Lehr Dirk , Spiegelhalder Kai , Baumeister Harald , Bengel Juergen , Sander Lasse B.
Published: February 2022

Refugees are exposed to multiple stressors affecting their mental health. Given various barriers to mental healthcare in the arrival countries, innovative healthcare solutions are needed. One such solution could be to offer low-threshold treatments, for example by culturally adapting treatments, providing them in a scalable format, and addressing transdiagnostic symptoms. This pilot trial examined the feasibility, acceptance, and preliminary effectiveness of a culturally adapted digital sleep intervention for refugees. Sixty-six refugees participated, with 68.2% of them seeking psychological help for the first time. Only three participants did not show clinically significant insomnia severity, 93.9% reported past traumatic experiences. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG) or the waitlist control group (CG). Insomnia severity, measured by the Insomnia Severity Index, and secondary outcomes (sleep quality, fear of sleep, fatigue, depression, wellbeing, mental health literacy) were assessed at baseline, 1 and 3 months after randomization. The self-help intervention included four modules on sleep hygiene, rumination, and information on mental health conditions associated with sleep disturbances. 66.7% of the IG completed all modules. Satisfaction with the intervention and its perceived cultural appropriateness were high. Linear multilevel analyses revealed a small, non-significant intervention effect on insomnia severity of Hedge's g = 0.28 at 3-months follow-up, comparing the IG to the CG [F2, 60 = 0.88, p = 0.421]. This non-confirmatory pilot trial suggests that low-threshold, viable access to mental healthcare can be offered to multiple burdened refugees by culturally adapting an intervention, providing it in a scalable format, and addressing a transdiagnostic symptom.
Problematic Smartphone Use and Problematic Social Media Use: The Predictive Role of Self-Construal and the Mediating Effect of Fear Missing Out
Authors: Servidio Rocco , Koronczai Beatrix , Griffiths Mark D. , Demetrovics Zsolt
Published: February 2022

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) and problematic social media use (PSMU) are two interrelated constructs which have received significant research attention over the past decade. The present study investigated the relationship between self-construal (distinguished as independent and interdependent), PSU and PSMU with Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) as a mediating variable. The sample comprised 405 Italian students who completed standardized psychometric scales assessing the variables of the study. Bivariate correlations analysis showed that FoMO and independent self-construal was significantly and negatively associated. On the contrary, interdependent self-construal was significantly and positively associated with FoMO, PSU, and PSMU. Mediation analysis showed that FoMO mediated the relationship between self-construal and both PSMU and PSU, but at different levels. The results demonstrated that FoMO full mediated the relationships between interdependent self and PSU, whereas only partial mediation was found between interdependent self and PSMU. Therefore, taking these personality characteristics into account may help reduce dysfunctional behaviour associated with problematic technology use and promote psychological well-being among students. However, it is recommended that further studies replicate the proposed model by including other psychological constructs.
Exploring the Representations of Individual Entities in the Brain Combining EEG and Distributional Semantics
Authors: Bruera Andrea , Poesio Massimo
Published: February 2022

Semantic knowledge about individual entities (i.e., the referents of proper names such as Jacinta Ardern) is fine-grained, episodic, and strongly social in nature, when compared with knowledge about generic entities (the referents of common nouns such as politician). We investigate the semantic representations of individual entities in the brain; and for the first time we approach this question using both neural data, in the form of newly-acquired EEG data, and distributional models of word meaning, employing them to isolate semantic information regarding individual entities in the brain. We ran two sets of analyses. The first set of analyses is only concerned with the evoked responses to individual entities and their categories. We find that it is possible to classify them according to both their coarse and their fine-grained category at appropriate timepoints, but that it is hard to map representational information learned from individuals to their categories. In the second set of analyses, we learn to decode from evoked responses to distributional word vectors. These results indicate that such a mapping can be learnt successfully: this counts not only as a demonstration that representations of individuals can be discriminated in EEG responses, but also as a first brain-based validation of distributional semantic models as representations of individual entities. Finally, in-depth analyses of the decoder performance provide additional evidence that the referents of proper names and categories have little in common when it comes to their representation in the brain.
You Are Where You Eat: A Theoretical Perspective on Why Identity Matters in Local Food Groups
Authors: Poeggel Karoline
Published: February 2022

Grassroots initiatives, such as local food groups have been identified as a crucial element for a transformation toward more sustainable societies. However, relevant questions to better understand the dynamics of local food initiatives remain unanswered, in particular regarding the people involved. Who are the members in local food initiatives, what motivates individuals to get active in such groups and what keeps people engaged over the long term. This theoretical study presents a conceptual framework drawing on social psychology to describe the connection between identity processes at individual and collective levels in grassroots initiatives, such as local food groups. The framework presented is a guide for researchers in analyzing individuals' identities and their role in and across local food groups and other grassroots initiatives by recognizing identity processes of identification, verification and formation. By providing a more nuanced understanding of how individuals and individuals within groups interact in these grassroots initiatives as spaces of effective environmental action, this framework provides an in-depth perspective on the social dimension of local food systems. More specifically, by focusing on identity dynamics the framework makes a connection between the distinctive kinds of sociality and community that grassroots initiatives offer, their relevance for individuals' involvement and the opportunities to enable transformation.
Expression of Enhancer-Binding Protein CEBPA mRNA and Protein in Ovarian Cancer and Its Relationship With Pathobiological Characteristics
Authors: Mi Shufang , Zhang Limei , Li Mo , Dong Zhiting , Tian Chenchen , Fu Minwen
Published: February 2022

Ovarian cancer is a common malignant tumor, its early onset is hidden, lack of specific symptoms, the location of the lesion is particularly hidden, which makes it difficult to find ovarian lesions by general detection, making it difficult to make an early clinical diagnosis. Therefore, it is still the focus and difficulty of ovarian cancer research to find the means of early diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer. Cytosine-cytosine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine (CCAAT) enhancer-binding protein α (CEBPA) has been proved to be involved in cell metabolism, proliferation, and differentiation. In this study, the expression of CEBPA mRNA and protein in normal ovary, epithelial ovarian cyst, ovarian borderline tumor, and ovarian cancer was detected, the relationship between CEBPA and pathobiological characteristics of ovarian cancer was discussed, and its influence on the prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer was analyzed. The results showed that the expression of CEBPA mRNA and protein in patients with ovarian borderline tumor and ovarian cancer is high, and the expression of CEBPA has no obvious correlation with the pathobiological characteristics of patients with ovarian cancer, and the high expression of CEBPA has an important value in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer, and it is also a poor prognostic factor of the disease.