bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Efficacy and Safety of Sintilimab Combined With Nab-Paclitaxel as a Second-Line Treatment for Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer
Authors: Wang Jianzheng , He Yunduan , Zhang Baiwen , Lv Huifang , Nie Caiyun , Chen Beibei , Xu Weifeng , Zhao Jing , Cheng Xiaojiao , Li Qingli , Tu Shuiping , Chen Xiaobing
Published: June 2022

Background

Unresectable advanced or recurrent gastric cancer patients have a poor prognosis. PD-1 monotherapy regimen and PD-1 combined chemotherapy regimen have become the standard third- and first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer, respectively. However, the status of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the second-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer has not been established. The combination of chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 antibody has been demonstrated to have a synergistic effect. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sintilimab combined with nab-paclitaxel in the second-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer (GC)/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer patients.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed patients with advanced GC/GEJ cancer that progressed after first-line systemic therapies with sintilimab combined with nab-paclitaxel from April 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and safety.

Results

Thirty-nine patients were enrolled and eligible for response assessment. Complete response (CR) was not observed, 15 patients achieved partial response (PR), 16 patients had stable disease (SD) and 9 patients had progressive disease (PD). The ORR and DCR were 15 (38.5%) and 31 (79.5%), respectively. Median PFS was 5.4 months (95%CI: 3.072-7.728). PFSs between different subgroups were analyzed. The results showed that gender, age, Human epidermal growth factor receptors 2 (HER2) status, PD-L1 expression, primary tumor site and chemotherapy cycles had no significant effect on PFS. Most of the adverse events (AEs) were of grade 1-2 and manageable. The common treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 or 4 included anemia (12.8%), neutropenia (12.8%), leukopenia (10.3%), hand-foot syndrome (7.7%), thrombocytopenia (7.7%). The potential immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were grade 1 pneumonia (1 pts [2.6%]) and grade 4 hepatitis (1 pts [2.6%]). There were no treatment-related deaths.

Conclusion

These results indicate that sintilimab combined with nab-paclitaxel exhibits good anti-tumor activity and an acceptable safety profile as a second-line treatment for advanced or metastatic gastric cancer. These results warrant further investigation and evaluation to identify patients who can benefit more from the combined treatment strategy.
Differential Placental DNA Methylation of NR3C1 in Extremely Preterm Infants With Poorer Neurological Functioning
Authors: van Dokkum Nienke H. , Bachini Sofia , Verkaik-Schakel Rikst Nynke , Baptist Dyvonne H. , Salavati Sahar , Kraft Karianne E. , Scherjon Sicco A. , Bos Arend F. , Plösch Torsten
Published: June 2022

Background

Understanding underlying mechanisms of neurodevelopmental impairment following preterm birth may enhance opportunities for targeted interventions. We aimed to assess whether placental DNA methylation of selected genes affected early neurological functioning in preterm infants.

Methods

We included 43 infants, with gestational age <30 weeks and/or birth weight <1,000 g and placental samples at birth. We selected genes based on their associations with several prenatal conditions that may be related to poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. We determined DNA methylation using pyrosequencing, and neurological functioning at 3 months post-term using Prechtl's General Movement Assessment, including the Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R).

Results

Twenty-four infants had atypical MOS-R, 19 infants had near-optimal MOS-R. We identified differences in average methylation of NR3C1 (encoding for the glucocorticoid receptor) [3.3% (95%-CI: 2.4%−3.9%) for near-optimal vs. 2.3% (95%-CI: 1.7%−3.0%), p = 0.008 for atypical], and at three of the five individual CpG-sites. For EPO, SLC6A3, TLR4, VEGFA, LEP and HSD11B2 we found no differences between the groups.

Conclusion

Hypomethylation of NR3C1 in placental tissue is associated with poorer neurological functioning at 3 months post-term in extremely preterm infants. Alleviating stress during pregnancy and its impact on preterm infants and their neurodevelopmental outcomes should be further investigated.
Clinical Efficacy of Laparoscopic Orchiopexy With the Modified Prentiss Maneuver for Non-palpable Testis Near the Internal Ring
Authors: He Tian-Qu , Tong Fang-Yun , Wang Zhi , Liu Yu , Hu Jian-Jun , Chen Yi-Fu , Tu Lei , He Jun , Zhao Yao-Wang
Published: June 2022

Objective

To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of laparoscopic orchiopexy with the modified Prentiss maneuver (LOMPM) and laparoscopic trans-inguinal orchiopexy (LTIO) for the treatment of non-palpable testis (NPT) <1 cm from the internal ring.

Methods

Children with unilateral NPT who underwent laparoscopic orchiopexy at our center between February 2018 and January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the surgical method, they were divided into LOMPM and LTIO groups. The operation time, postoperative pain degree, postoperative complications and follow-up results were compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 98 patients were included in this study, including 41 cases in the LOMPM group and 57 cases in the LTIO group. All patients underwent successful surgery. The LOMPM group was superior to the LTIO group in terms of postoperative testicular position (lower scrotm: 90.2 vs. 71.9%, P = 0.026). There were no significant differences in operation time, postoperative pain score, and complications between the two groups. Preoperative testicular volume, postoperative testicular volume, and testicular growth rate in the LOMPM group were comparable to those in the LTIO group. There were no testicular atrophy, inguinal hernia and hydrocele in both groups after operation.

Conclusions

LOMPM was comparable in safety to LTIO, but LOMPM had a good post-operative testicular position, and was suitable for the treatment of NPT near the internal ring.
Efficacy and Safety of Initial 5 Years of Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy in Postmenopausal Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liao Hao , Pei Wendi , Zhong Jianxin , Shao Bin , Liu Xiaoran , Liu Yaxin , Zhang Jiayang , Rugo Hope S. , Li Huiping
Published: June 2022

Purpose: To identify the optimal initial 5 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy for hormone receptor-positive postmenopausal early breast cancer (EBC) patients.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of the PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE to obtain relevant studies published between January 2000 and January 2022. Randomized clinical trials assessing the efficacy and safety of initial 5 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy were included. The primary outcomes were disease-free survival and overall survival and the secondary outcome was severe adverse effects (SAEs). A Bayesian network meta-analysis was carried out to indirectly compare all regimens and the value of surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was used to obtain rankings.

Results: Eleven studies with 49,987 subjects were included. For DFS, exemestane (EXE) [hazard ratio (HR) 0.91, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 0.87–0.96], anastrozole (ANA) (0.94, 0.90–0.97), letrozole (LET) (0.93, 0.89–0.97), tamoxifen (TAM) followed by EXE (0.91, 0.87–0.96), and TAM followed by ANA (0.92, 0.87–0.98) were more favorable than TAM, with TAM followed by EXE ranking as the first of SUCRA. For OS, only TAM followed by ANA showed significant superiority than TAM (HR 0.91, 95%CI 0.86–0.97) and ranked as the first of SUCRA. For SAEs, EXE (HR 1.72, 95%CI 1.04–2.98), ANA (1.58, 1.03–2.43), and LET (1.63, 1.02–2.57) showed greater associations with bone fracture than TAM. However, no significant difference in the incidences of cardiac events, thromboembolic events, and cerebrovascular events was found among all comparisons.

Conclusion: The sequential use of aromatase inhibitors, which has the best curative effects and relatively mild side effects, may be the optimal treatment mode for hormone receptor-positive postmenopausal EBC patients. In addition, the three kinds of aromatase inhibitors achieved roughly equal efficacy, but caused different types of SAEs.

Systematic Review Registration: [website], identifier [registration number].
Aqueous Extract of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Leaf Ameliorates Hyperglycemia by Promoting Hepatic Glycogen Synthesis and Modulating Gut Microbiota
Authors: Chu Shuzhou , Zhang Feng , Wang Huiying , Xie Lijun , Chen Zhinan , Zeng Weimin , Zhou Zhiguang , Hu Fang
Published: June 2022

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global health concern. Psidium guajava L. (guava) is widely used for food as well as a folk medicine. Previous studies have shown its anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the underlying mechanisms remains to be elusive. In this study, we assessed the potential therapeutic effects of aqueous extract of guava leaves (GvAEx) on T2DM and explored their potential mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. GvAEx was gavage administered for 12 weeks in diabetic db/db mice. Our results have demonstrated that GvAEx significantly lowered fasting plasma glucose levels (p < 0.01) and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively). Additionally, GvAEx increased hepatic glycogen accumulation, glucose uptake and decreased the mRNA expression levels of gluconeogenic genes. Furthermore, GvAEx-treatment caused higher glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) expression in the membrane in hepatocytes. Notably, for the first time, we have elaborated the possible mechanism of the hypoglycemic effect of GvAEx from the perspective of intestinal microbiota. GvAEx has significantly changed the composition of microbiota and increased short chain fatty acid (SCFA) -producing Lachnospiraceae family and Akkermansia genus in the gut. Taken together, GvAEx could alleviate hyperglycemia and insulin resistance of T2DM by regulating glucose metabolism in the liver and restoring the gut microbiota. Thus, GvAEx has the potential for drug development against T2DM.
A Brief Review of Calibration-Free Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Ning , Ou Tianxue , Wang Meng , Lin Zhanjian , Lv Chao , Qin Yuzhi , Li Jiaming , Yang Huan , Zhao Nan , Zhang Qingmao
Published: June 2022

The calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) technique requires no reference samples of the same matrix to establish the calibration curve, not affected by the matrix effect. In recent years, the CF-LIBS technology has greatly progressed, and the accuracy of quantitative analysis has gradually improved. The purpose of this review was to introduce the CF-LIBS fundamental and modified algorithms. The Boltzmann plot method, Saha–Boltzmann plot method, and column density Saha–Boltzmann plot (CD-SB) method were discussed. Moreover, as a critical factor in CF-LIBS, the self-absorption effect and its influence on CF-LIBS were also introduced. CF-LIBS has been applied in a variety of fields, such as environmental protection, explorations of space, cultural heritage preservation, and geological survey, which were also described in this review.
The Fractional Investigation of Some Dynamical Systems With Caputo Operator
Authors: Khan Qasim , Khan Hassan , Kumam Poom , Hajira  , Sitthithakerngkiet Kanokwan
Published: June 2022

In the present work, an Elzaki transformation is combined with a decomposition technique for the solutions of fractional dynamical systems. The targeted problems are related to the systems of fractional partial differential equations. Fractional differential equations are useful for more accurate modeling of various phenomena. The Elzaki transform decomposition method is implemented in a very simple and straightforward manner to solve the suggested problems. The proposed technique requires fewer calculations and needs no discretization or parametrization. The derivative of fractional order is represented in a Caputo form. To show the conclusion, which is drawn from the results, some numerical examples are considered for their approximate analytical solution. The series solutions to the targeted problems are obtained having components with a greater rate of convergence toward the exact solutions. The new results are represented by using tables and graphs, which show the sufficient accuracy of the present method as compared to other existing techniques. It is shown through graphs and tables that the actual and approximate results are very close to each other, which shows the applicability of the presented method. The fractional-order solutions are in best agreement with the dynamics of the given problems and provide infinite choices for an optimal solution to the suggested mathematical model. The novelty of the present work is that it applies an efficient procedure with less computational cost and attains a higher degree of accuracy. Furthermore, the proposed technique can be used to solve other nonlinear fractional problems in the future, which will be a scientific contribution to research society.
All-Fiber Wideband Supercontinuum Generation in Short Hybrid Highly Nonlinear Fibers With a Femtosecond Erbium-Doped Fiber Laser
Authors: Zhang Shuang , Qiao Hao , Zhang Tao , Zhou Min , Xu Xinye
Published: June 2022

Wideband supercontinuum (SC) generation has attracted considerable attention due to its various practical applications in many fields. We report on all-fiber SC generation in hybrid highly nonlinear fibers (HNLFs) pumped with a femtosecond erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL). Based on the nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) technique, the EDFL is compactly constructed with a hybrid device integrating a wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) coupler, a tap coupler, and a polarization-sensitive isolator. The SC emission in HNLFs with different dispersions is characterized and the optimum length of HNLF is found. The SC in the hybrid HNLF, constructed by two sections of HNLFs with positive and zero dispersions, could approximately span an octave spanning in the 20 dB bandwidth. Our system suggests an inexpensive, effective and compact construction for SC generation.
Takagi Topological Insulator on the Honeycomb Lattice
Authors: Liu Qing , Wang Kai , Dai Jia-Xiao , Zhao Y. X.
Published: June 2022

Recently, real topological phases protected by PT symmetry have been actively investigated. In two dimensions, the corresponding topological invariant is the Stiefel-Whitney number. A recent theoretical advance is that in the presence of the sublattice symmetry, the Stiefel-Whitney number can be equivalently formulated in terms of Takagi’s factorization. The topological invariant gives rise to a novel second-order topological insulator with odd PT-related pairs of corner zero modes. In this article, we review the elements of this novel second-order topological insulator, and demonstrate the essential physics by a simple model on the honeycomb lattice. Novelly, the higher-order topological boundary modes can not only be tuned by the parameters but also the geometric shape of the sample.
Femtosecond Laser Near-Field Reduction for Fabrication of 3D Gold Nanocluster Array Assisted by MoS2 Quantum Dots
Authors: Bai Shi , Obata Kotaro , Sugioka Koji
Published: June 2022

Laser-induced near-field effect, which confines the laser energy in a nano scale region to be enhanced, allows the laser fabrication with a resolution much smaller than the wavelength. Owing to such a high fabrication resolution, the laser-induced near-field fabrication has been attracting much attention as a tool for the surface nanostructuring. In this report, we introduce a novel method based on the laser-induced near-field reduction using a femtosecond laser by which gold nanocluster arrays are formed on substrates with the assistance of self-assembled silica microspheres. In the laser near-field reduction, the incident laser is focused in the vicinity of the backside of the silica microspheres to initiate synthesis of gold nanoparticles, followed by creation of gold nanoclusters by continuous growth of the gold nanoparticles along the silica microsphere surfaces. In addition, laser-treated MoS2 quantum dots are mixed in the gold precursor to increase the reduction efficiency for the formation of spherical gold nanoclusters. The gold nanocluster arrays provide potential applications for plasmonic devices.
On Gravitational Fields in Superconductors
Authors: Papini Giorgio
Published: June 2022

DeWitt’s theory on superconductors in gravitational fields is re-derived in the low velocity limit and linear gravity from the Klein-Gordon equation for an ensemble of charged spinless bosons. The solution has a phase singularity that gives rise to boson condensation and enables the description of type-II superconductors in the presence of gravity.
Induction of Day-Time Periodic Breathing is Associated With Augmented Reflex Response From Peripheral Chemoreceptors in Male Patients With Systolic Heart Failure
Authors: Niewinski Piotr , Tubek Stanislaw , Paleczny Bartlomiej , Banasiak Waldemar , Ponikowski Piotr
Published: June 2022

Spontaneous day-time periodic breathing (sPB) constitutes a common phenomenon in systolic heart failure (HF). However, it is unclear whether PB during wakefulness could be easily induced and what are the physiological and clinical correlates of patients with HF in whom PB induction is possible. Fifty male HF patients (age 60.8 ± 9.8 years, left ventricle ejection fraction 28.0 ± 7.4%) were prospectively screened and 46 enrolled. After exclusion of patients with sPB the remaining underwent trial of PB induction using mild hypoxia (stepwise addition of nitrogen gas to breathing mixture) which resulted in identification of inducible (iPB) in 51%. All patients underwent assessment of hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) using transient hypoxia and of hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR) employing Read’s rebreathing method. The induction trial did not result in any adverse events and minimal SpO2 during nitrogen administration was ∼85%. The iPB group (vs. non-inducible PB group, nPB) was characterized by greater HVR (0.90 ± 0.47 vs. 0.50 ± 0.26 L/min/%; p <0.05) but comparable HCVR (0.88 ± 0.54 vs. 0.67 ± 0.68 L/min/mmHg; p = NS) and by worse clinical and neurohormonal profile. Mean SpO2 which induced first cycle of PB was 88.9 ± 3.7%, while in sPB mean SpO2 preceding first spontaneous cycle of PB was 96.0 ± 2.5%. There was a reverse relationship between HVR and the relative variation of SpO2 during induced PB (r = −0.49, p = 0.04). In summary, PB induction is feasible and safe in HF population using simple and standardized protocol employing incremental, mild hypoxia. Pathophysiology of iPB differs from sPB, as it relies mostly on overactive peripheral chemoreceptors. At the same time enhanced HVR might play a protective role against profound hypoxia during iPB.
Revealing the Complex Relationship Among Hyperspectral Reflectance, Photosynthetic Pigments, and Growth in Norway Spruce Ecotypes
Authors: Hejtmánek Jakub , Stejskal Jan , Čepl Jaroslav , Lhotáková Zuzana , Korecký Jiří , Krejzková Anna , Dvořák Jakub , Gezan Salvador A.
Published: June 2022

Norway spruce has a wide natural distribution range, harboring substantial physiological and genetic variation. There are three altitudinal ecotypes described in this species. Each ecotype has been shaped by natural selection and retains morphological and physiological characteristics. Foliar spectral reflectance is readily used in evaluating the physiological status of crops and forest ecosystems. However, underlying genetics of foliar spectral reflectance and pigment content in forest trees has rarely been investigated. We assessed the reflectance in a clonal bank comprising three ecotypes in two dates covering different vegetation season conditions. Significant seasonal differences in spectral reflectance among Norway spruce ecotypes were manifested in a wide-ranging reflectance spectrum. We estimated significant heritable variation and uncovered phenotypic and genetic correlations among growth and physiological traits through bivariate linear models utilizing spatial corrections. We confirmed the relative importance of the red edge within the context of the study site’s ecotypic variation. When interpreting these findings, growth traits such as height, diameter, crown length, and crown height allowed us to estimate variable correlations across the reflectance spectrum, peaking in most cases in wavelengths connected to water content in plant tissues. Finally, significant differences among ecotypes in reflectance and other correlated traits were detected.
Plant–Soil–Climate Interaction in Observed and Simulated Tree-Radial Growth Dynamics of Downy Birch in Permafrost
Authors: Fonti Marina V. , Tychkov Ivan I. , Shishov Vladimir V. , Shashkin Alexander V. , Prokushkin Anatoly S.
Published: June 2022

Climate change projections forecast most significant impacts on high-latitude forest ecosystems. Particularly, climate warming in boreal regions should increase fire severity and shorten its return interval. These processes can change the dynamics of boreal forests as younger stands become more dominating with a shift from gymnosperm to angiosperm. However, despite angiosperm’s phenological and physiological traits have a high potential for ecophysiological and dendroclimatological studies in Siberia, they have been rarely investigated due to their short-term lifespan in comparison with gymnosperm. Modeling tree growth is a common way to understand tree growth responses to environmental changes since it allows using available experiment or field data to interpret observed climate–growth relationships based on the biological principles. In our study, we applied the process-based Vaganov–Shashkin (VS) model of tree-ring growth via a parameterization approach VS-oscilloscope for the first time to an angiosperm tree species (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) from continuous permafrost terrain to understand its tree-radial growth dynamic. The parameterization of the VS model provided highly significant positive correlations (p < 0.05) between the simulated growth curve and initial tree-ring chronologies for the period 1971–2011 and displayed the average duration of the growing season and intra-seasonal key limiting factors for xylem formation. Modeled result can be valid at the regional scale for remote birch stands, whereas, justification of the local non-climatic input data of the model provided precise site-specific tree growth dynamic and their substantiated responses to driving factors.
Whole-Genome Sequencing of KMR3 and Oryza rufipogon-Derived Introgression Line IL50-13 (Chinsurah Nona 2/Gosaba 6) Identifies Candidate Genes for High Yield and Salinity Tolerance in Rice
Authors: Thummala Shashi Rekha , Guttikonda Haritha , Tiwari Shrish , Ramanan Rajeshwari , Baisakh Niranjan , Neelamraju Sarla , Mangrauthia Satendra K.
Published: June 2022

The genomes of an elite rice restorer line KMR3 (salinity-sensitive) and its salinity-tolerant introgression line IL50-13, a popular variety of coastal West Bengal, India, were sequenced. High-quality paired-end reads were obtained for KMR3 (147.6 million) and IL50-13 (131.4 million) with a sequencing coverage of 30X-39X. Scaffolds generated from the pre-assembled contigs of each sequenced genome were mapped separately onto the reference genome of Oryza sativa ssp. japonica cultivar Nipponbare to identify genomic variants in terms of SNPs and InDels. The SNPs and InDels identified for KMR3 and IL50-13 were then compared with each other to identify polymorphic SNPs and InDels unique and common to both the genomes. Functional enrichment analysis of the protein-coding genes with unique InDels identified GO terms involved in protein modification, ubiquitination, deubiquitination, peroxidase activity, and antioxidant activity in IL50-13. Linoleic acid metabolism, circadian rhythm, and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism pathways were enriched in IL50-13. These GO terms and pathways are involved in reducing oxidative damage, thus suggesting their role in stress responses. Sequence analysis of QTL markers or genes known to be associated with grain yield and salinity tolerance showed polymorphism in 20 genes, out of which nine were not previously reported. These candidate genes encoded Nucleotide-binding adaptor shared by APAF-1, R proteins, and CED-4 (NB-ARC) domain-containing protein, cyclase, receptor-like kinase, topoisomerase II-associated protein PAT1 domain-containing protein, ion channel regulatory protein, UNC-93 domain-containing protein, subunit A of the heteromeric ATP-citrate lyase, and three conserved hypothetical genes. Polymorphism was observed in the coding, intron, and untranslated regions of the genes on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 7, 11, and 12. Genes showing polymorphism between the two genomes were considered as sequence-based new candidates derived from Oryza rufipogon for conferring high yield and salinity tolerance in IL50-13 for further functional studies.
Phytochrome-Dependent Regulation of ZFP6 and ZFPH Impacts Photomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Cota-Ruiz Keni , Oh Sookyung , Montgomery Beronda L.
Published: June 2022

Phytochromes (phy) are key regulators of photomorphogenesis in plants. Among the different phys characterized in higher plants (i.e., phyA to phyE), phyA and phyB primarily regulate phenotypic responses in plants under far-red (FR) and red (R) conditions, respectively. Recent findings suggest that some zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) are involved in plant light-modulated morphogenesis. However, the interaction(s) between phyA, phyB and ZFP homologs potentially involved in photomorphogenesis, as well as their phenotypic and molecular effects in Arabidopsis seedlings exposed to R and FR light remain to be elucidated fully. Prior analyses with phytochrome chromophore deficient lines indicated that ZFP6 expression is misregulated compared to levels in Col-0 wild type (WT). Here, we used plants with phytochrome chromophore or apoprotein (specifically phyA and phyB) deficiencies, lines with mutations in ZFP6 and ZFP6 HOMOLOG (ZFPH) genes, and plants overexpressing ZFP6 to examine regulatory interactions between phytochromes, ZFP6, and ZFPH. Our results indicate that phytochromes are required for downregulation of ZFP6 and ZFPH and suggest a role for light-regulated control of ZFP levels in phytochrome-dependent photomorphogenesis. Conversely, PHYB is downregulated in zfp6 mutants under R light. Analyses of a zfp6zfph double mutant confirmed disruption in photomorphogenic phenotypes, including the regulation of hypocotyl elongation in seedlings grown under FR light. In addition, PIF3 and PIF4 levels are transcriptionally regulated by ZFP6 and ZFPH in a gibberellic acid-dependent manner. ZFP6 overexpression resulted in opposite phenotypic responses to those observed in the zfp6 and zfph mutants grown in FR and R light, as well as a reduction in the rosette size of mature ZFP6 OX plants relative to WT under white light. Based on these observations, we provide insight into how phy and ZFPs interact to regulate specific aspects of light-dependent processes in Arabidopsis.
Carbon Source Reduction Postpones Autumn Leaf Senescence in a Widespread Deciduous Tree
Authors: Maschler Julia , Keller Jenna , Bialic-Murphy Lalasia , Zohner Constantin M. , Crowther Thomas W.
Published: June 2022

The growing-season length of temperate and boreal trees has a strong effect on the global carbon cycle. Yet, a poor understanding of the drivers of phenological processes, such as autumn leaf senescence in deciduous trees, limits our capacity to estimate growing-season lengths under climate change. While temperature has been shown to be an important driver of autumn leaf senescence, carbon source–sink dynamics have been proposed as a mechanism that could help explain variation of this important process. According to the carbon sink limitation hypothesis, senescence is regulated by the interplay between plant carbon source and sink dynamics, so that senescence occurs later upon low carbon inputs (source) and earlier upon low carbon demand (sink). Here, we manipulated carbon source–sink dynamics in birch saplings (Betula pendula) to test the relevance of carbon sink limitation for autumn leaf senescence and photosynthetic decline in a widespread deciduous tree. Specifically, we conducted a gradient of leaf and bud removal treatments and monitored the effects on autumnal declines in net photosynthesis and the timing of leaf senescence. In line with the carbon sink limitation hypothesis, we observed that leaf removal tended to increase total leaf-level autumn photosynthesis and delayed the timing of senescence. Conversely, we did not observe an effect of bud removal on either photosynthesis or senescence, which was likely caused by the fact that our bud removal treatment did not considerably affect the plant carbon sink. While we cannot fully rule out that the observed effect of leaf removal was influenced by possible treatment-level differences in leaf age or soil resource availability, our results provide support for the hypothesis of carbon sink limitation as a driver of growing-season length and move the scientific field closer to narrowing the uncertainty in climate change predictions.
Core Components of Abscisic Acid Signaling and Their Post-translational Modification
Authors: Lim Junsub , Lim Chae Woo , Lee Sung Chul
Published: June 2022

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a major phytohormone that regulates plant growth, development, and abiotic/biotic stress responses. Under stress, ABA is synthesized in various plant organs, and it plays roles in diverse adaptive processes, including seed dormancy, growth inhibition, and leaf senescence, by modulating stomatal closure and gene expression. ABA receptor, clade A protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C), and SNF1-related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2) proteins have been identified as core components of ABA signaling, which is initiated via perception of ABA with receptor and subsequent activation or inactivation by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation. The findings of several recent studies have established that the post-translational modification of these components, including phosphorylation and ubiquitination/deubiquitination, play important roles in regulating their activity and stability. In this review, we discuss the functions of the core components of ABA signaling and the regulation of their activities via post-translational modification under normal and stress conditions.
Effects of Ozone Fumigation on the Main Postharvest Pathogenic Fungi Penicillium sp. and the Storage Quality of Blueberry in Majiang County, China
Authors: Wu Wenneng , Cao Sen , Chen Haijiang , Ruan Lixiu , Lei Qiqing , Xu Su , Li Jiangkuo
Published: June 2022

In this study, the fungus Penicillium sp. was isolated from rotting postharvest blueberry fruits at different storage stages and identified into genera. Inoculation of this strain on the surface of fresh fruits was able to cause rotting. The strain was then used as a reference strain to test the chemical control effect of ozone fumigation during storage. The results showed that ozone fumigation had an obvious inhibitory effect on Penicillium sp. in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Meanwhile, ozone fumigation treatment could prevent the loss of fruit firmness, slow down the decrease of soluble solids, total phenolics, and anthocyanins, and maintain a lower activity of PPO and higher activities of POD and CAT. As far as we know, this is the first report on the effects of ozone fumigation on the postharvest pathogenic fungi Penicillium sp. and on the storage quality of postharvest blueberry collected from Majiang County, Guizhou province, China.
Density Alters Impacts of Genotypic Evenness on Productivity in an Experimental Plant Population
Authors: Huang Lin , Yu Meng-Fei , Hu Jiang-Nan , Sheng Wei-Jia , Xue Wei , Yu Fei-Hai
Published: June 2022

Genetic diversity plays important roles in maintaining population productivity. While the impact of genotypic richness on productivity has been extensively tested, the role of genotypic evenness has not been considered. Plant density can also affect population productivity, but its interaction with genotypic diversity has not been tested. We constructed experimental populations of the clonal plant Hydrocotyle vulgaris with either low or high richness (consisting of four vs. eight genotypes), either low or high evenness (each genotype had a different number vs. the same number of ramets), and either low or high density (consisting of 16 vs. 32 ramets) in a full factorial design. Total biomass of plant populations did not differ between four- and eight-genotype mixtures. When the initial plant density was low, total biomass of populations with high genotypic evenness was significantly greater than total biomass of those with low genotypic evenness. However, this difference disappeared when the initial plant density was high. Moreover, total biomass increased linearly with increasing plant density at harvest, but was negatively correlated to variation in leaf area. We conclude that genotypic evenness but not genotypic richness can benefit population productivity, and that plant density can alter the impact of genotypic evenness on population productivity.
Authentic Leadership and Task Performance via Psychological Capital: The Moderated Mediation Role of Performance Pressure
Authors: Jang Eunmi
Published: June 2022

Authentic leadership has received significant academic attention. It is now imperative to understand how authentic leadership’s effectiveness varies in different situations or conditions, which is vital to reestablishing it as an independent leadership theory. To this end, this study aims to verify the positive influence of authentic leadership on the task performance of members within an organization. Further, it seeks to confirm the situations that moderate the relationship between authentic leadership and task performance. Specifically, the mediating mechanism of psychological capital in this relationship, the moderating effect of performance pressure on the relationship between authentic leadership and psychological capital, and the moderated mediating effect are demonstrated. This study used a time-lagged survey to test the hypotheses; two online surveys were staggered by 1 month and completed by 485 participants in South Korea. The empirical analysis confirmed all the proposed hypotheses. First, authentic leadership was positively related to task performance. Second, psychological capital had a mediating effect on the relationship between authentic leadership and task performance. Third, task performance pressure was negatively related to the relationship between authentic leadership and psychological capital. Specifically, the strength of the indirect effect increased as the employee performance pressure decreased. Based on these results, various theoretical and practical implications are suggested for the extended application of the authentic leadership theory in organizations and future research directions are proposed.
When Your Boss Is Under Pressure: On the Relationships Between Leadership Inconsistency, Leader and Follower Strain
Authors: Klebe Laura , Klug Katharina , Felfe Jörg
Published: June 2022

It is widely acknowledged that leadership is crucial for follower health. Under stress, positive leader behaviors such as transformational leadership may decrease and the risk of negative behaviors such as abusive leadership may increase. Followers experience these discrepancies in leadership between routine and stressful periods as inconsistent. While positive and negative leadership is generally associated with follower strain, inconsistency may be stressful by itself, because it entails insecurity and unpredictability in the leader-follower relationship. We suggest that the level of perceived inconsistency and volatility in leaders’ behavior across situations is an additional risk factor for follower health. Moreover, we expect perceived inconsistency to be stronger when leaders are strained. This survey study with N = 304 employees examines the relationships between leadership inconsistency and leader as well as follower strain from a followers’ perspective. Participants rated their leaders’ transformational and abusive leadership separately for routine and stressful conditions, their leaders’ strain and their own strain. Employees who experienced stronger discrepancies in leadership between routine and stressful conditions, i.e., more inconsistency, experienced more strain. Moreover, from a followers’ perspective, inconsistencies were stronger when leaders were strained. The findings provide evidence that leadership is less stable and consistent than generally assumed and that inconsistency is an additional risk factor. Leader strain may threaten the consistency of leadership and thereby negatively affect follower health.
When Do Coworkers’ Idiosyncratic Deals Trigger Social Undermining?—The Moderating Roles of Core Self-Evaluations and Conscientiousness
Authors: Wang Jingwen , Ma Jun
Published: June 2022

Idiosyncratic deals are personalized work arrangements negotiated between enterprises and employees based on employees’ abilities and needs, previous studies have focused more on their positive effects on i-dealers and neglected the negative effects on peers in the process of interpersonal interaction. In view of this, this study explores the effects of coworkers’ idiosyncratic deals on employees’ social undermining and the internal mechanism based on social comparison theory. This study tested the theoretical model with a sample of 331 employees from six enterprises in China. The results showed that the interaction between perceptions of coworkers’ receiving idiosyncratic deals and low core self-evaluations stimulated employees’ feelings of relative deprivation, which triggered social undermining toward i-dealers. At the same time, employees’ conscientiousness could weaken the positive effect of relative deprivation on social undermining. Therefore, it reveals the negative peer effect of idiosyncratic deals and provides theoretical and practical implications for preventing the interpersonal harm doing caused by idiosyncratic deals.
Experiencing Rhythm in Dance
Authors: Wilson John M. , Henley Matthew
Published: June 2022

In this article, two dance educators offer a definition of rhythm from both educational and performance perspectives and discuss pedagogical practices that waken students’ awareness to rhythm as a lived-experience over which they have creative control. For the dancer, in the midst of the dance, rhythms are, in the words of Margaret H’Doubler, recurring patterns of measured energy. These patterns are nested in scales from the moment-to-moment shifts in muscular contraction and release to the rise and fall of dramatic tension in a performed dance. This approach to rhythm runs counter to many dance students’ studio-based training in which rhythm is equated to synchronizing accents to a specific meter. The authors describe pedagogical practices in the studio that foster engagement with rhythm as lived-experience. Drawing attention to their kinesthetic experience while moving, students are encouraged to modulate levels of exertion embedded in the qualities of movement they are experiencing. As varying levels of exertion are attended to across temporal durations, students notice patterns as they emerge and recur. This attention to recurring patterns of measured exertion is, the authors claim, the lived-experience of rhythm in dance.
The Stress Barometer: Validation of a Bio–Psycho–Social Brief Screening Instrument of Pandemic Stress Reaction
Authors: Eckhard Alina , Menne Britta , Salzburger Mareike , Poppelreuter Martin , Bering Robert
Published: June 2022

Background

To capture the psychosocial impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a model based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) was developed during the first lockdown in Germany in April 2020. FACT-19, the questionnaire for the assessment of pandemic stress load, measures (1) pre-pandemic stress, (2) pandemic stress, and (3) contextual factors (functioning as facilitators or barriers). Derived from this model, the stress barometer as a brief screening instrument captures these factors. The purpose of this study is a preliminary validation of the instrument.

Method

The stress barometer was applied in conjunction with the Symptom-Checklist SCL-90-S at the beginning of the first lockdown in psychosomatic and psychotraumatological care in two federal states in Germany. The sample consists of n = 341 (68.6% female) from 18–73 years of age (M = 49.36, SD = 11.4).

Results

The structure of the short screening was examined in the overall sample using an exploratory factor analysis [Chi2 (78) = 875.720, KMO = 0.688]. The results indicate a four-factor-structure that explains 59.5% of the total cumulative variance. The factors of the stress barometer correlate with the Global Severity Index (GSI, measured by SCL-90-S) with moderate to weak effects: pre-pandemic stress (rs = 0.431, p < 0.001, n = 295), pandemic stress (rs = 0.310, p < 0.001, n = 298), distal facilitator (rs = −0.155, p < 0.001, n = 312), and proximal barriers (rs = 0.232, p < 0.001, n = 312).

Discussion

The results indicate the suitability of the stress barometer to complement the measurement of the impact of pandemics with an ICF-oriented approach, taking into consideration pre-pandemic stress as well as interactions with facilitators and barriers. Further analysis will be necessary for a revision of the items of the scale.
Physical Stress and Determinants of Shooting Performance Among Norwegian Special Forces Operators
Authors: Buskerud Jan Erik , Abrahamsen Frank Eirik , Solberg Paul André
Published: June 2022

However, there is a lack of conceptual understanding of the factors influencing performance decrements in prone shooting. The present study examines how one can simulate a combat scenario by inducing acute physical stress, ultimately impacting one’s shooting performance (SP). The relationship between participants’ physical level and SP was measured in several ways. The SP of members of the Norwegian Navy Special Operations Forces (SOF) (N = 30) was measured before and directly after acute exercise-induced stress caused by a 200-m uphill run (90% HRmax). Under acute physical stress, participants took less time to fire five rounds (total 15.5 ± 10.9 s faster), and the probability of hitting the target was unaffected (92%). In terms of more sensitive measures, score was significantly reduced and shot-group dispersion increased (64 ± 90 cm2, p < 0.01, d = 0.72), mainly due to increased vertical dispersion (2.5 ± 4.6 cm, p < 0.01, d = 0.53). Age, trait somatic anxiety and the Big Five Inventory item “openness” explained 45.2% of the variance in shooting score in the pre-physical stress condition. In the post-physical stress condition, pre-test shooting score, the number of months deployed, and shooting time predicted 32.9% of the variance in shooting score. The change in SP (pre—post) showed the concentration disruption scale was the best predictor of the reduction in shot score (20.1%). From a practical point of view, maintaining the probability of hitting the target with reduced shooting time post-physical stress could be viewed as superior performance for SOF.
A Theoretical Review on EFL/ESL Teachers' Professional Development: Approaches, Applications, and Impacts
Authors: Li Xiaodong
Published: June 2022

Teachers as the most important elements of education constantly need professional development (PD) courses in order to improve their pedagogy and practice. Given this, many educational systems worldwide have paid special attention to designing courses by which the quality of teaching and learning raises considerably. This surge of interest has ended in different studies on PD programs in L2 education. However, the pertinent literature lacks a comprehensive review of the models, applications, and impacts of EFL/ESL teachers' PD and various aspects influenced by this construct. To fill this gap and add fresh insights into this strand of research, the present study aimed to review the definitions, characteristics, models, goals, and uses of teacher professional development (TPD) in L2 education. Moreover, several empirical studies were touched on to support the claims of TPD impact on teachers. Finally, the study presented different implications for L2 teachers, teacher trainers, researchers, and policy-makers who can realize the significance and impact of effective TPD courses on the whole process of teaching and learning.
A Probable Way Vitamin D Affects Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway
Authors: Wang Bing , Dong HanYu , Li HongHua , Yue XiaoJing , Xie Lin
Published: June 2022

Vitamin D (VD) deficiency during pregnancy and early brain development is an important environmental risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Its specific mechanism of action is still unclear. However, one study on the correlation between metabolomics and VD levels in children with ASD has found that the whole-blood arginine (Arg) levels of children with ASD are significantly negatively correlated with serum VD levels, suggesting that the effect of VD on ASD may be related to the signaling pathway involving Arg. Arg is a precursor of nitric oxide (NO), and changes in its levels most directly affect NO levels and signal transduction pathways. NO, a biologically active free radical, is both a neurotransmitter and a neuromodulator in the central nervous system and is related to the pathogeneses of various neurological diseases. The NO signaling pathway is not only affected by VD levels but also closely related to ASD through a series of mechanisms, such as neurotransmitter imbalance, immune disorders, and oxidative stress. Therefore, the effect of VD on ASD may be achieved via regulation of the NO signaling pathway. The current review discusses the relationship among VD, NO, and ASD as suggested by a large body of evidence in the literature in an effort to provide clues for researchers on the pathogenesis of ASD and the mechanism of VD's impact on ASD.
Abnormal Reginal Homogeneity in Left Anterior Cingulum Cortex and Precentral Gyrus as a Potential Neuroimaging Biomarker for First-Episode Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Song Yan , Huang Chunyan , Zhong Yi , Wang Xi , Tao Guangyuan
Published: June 2022

Objective

There is no objective method to diagnose major depressive disorder (MDD). This study explored the neuroimaging biomarkers using the support vector machine (SVM) method for the diagnosis of MDD.

Methods

52 MDD patients and 45 healthy controls (HCs) were involved in resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scanning. Imaging data were analyzed with the regional homogeneity (ReHo) and SVM methods.

Results

Compared with HCs, MDD patients showed increased ReHo in the left anterior cingulum cortex (ACC) and decreased ReHo in the left precentral gyrus (PG). No correlations were detected between the ReHo values and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) scores. The SVM results showed a diagnostic accuracy of 98.96% (96/97). Increased ReHo in the left ACC, and decreased ReHo in the left PG were illustrated, along with a sensitivity of 98.07%(51/52) and a specificity of100% (45/45).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that abnormal regional neural activity in the left ACC and PG may play a key role in the pathophysiological process of first-episode MDD. Moreover, the combination of ReHo values in the left ACC and precentral gyrusmay serve as a neuroimaging biomarker for first-episode MDD.