bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kinin B1R Activation Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Primary Hypothalamic Neurons
Authors: White Acacia , Parekh Rohan Umesh , Theobald Drew , Pakala Pranaya , Myers Ariel Lynn , Van Dross Rukiyah , Sriramula Srinivas
Published: March 2022

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a key organelle involved in homeostatic functions including protein synthesis and transport, and the storage of free calcium. ER stress potentiates neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration and is a key contributor to the pathogenesis of neurogenic hypertension. Recently, we showed that kinin B1 receptor (B1R) activation plays a vital role in modulating neuroinflammation and hypertension. However, whether B1R activation results in the progression and enhancement of ER stress has not yet been studied. In this brief research report, we tested the hypothesis that B1R activation in neurons contributes to unfolded protein response (UPR) and the development of ER stress. To test this hypothesis, we treated primary hypothalamic neuronal cultures with B1R specific agonist Lys-Des-Arg9-Bradykinin (LDABK) and measured the components of UPR and ER stress. Our data show that B1R stimulation via LDABK, induced the upregulation of GRP78, a molecular chaperone of ER stress. B1R stimulation was associated with an increased expression and activation of transmembrane ER stress sensors, ATF6, IRE1α, and PERK, the critical components of UPR. In the presence of overwhelming ER stress, activated ER stress sensors can lead to oxidative stress, autophagy, or apoptosis. To determine whether B1R activation induces apoptosis we measured intracellular Ca2+ and extracellular ATP levels, caspases 3/7 activity, and cell viability. Our data show that LDABK treatment does increase Ca2+ and ATP levels but does not alter caspase activity or cell viability. These findings suggest that B1R activation initiates the UPR and is a key factor in the ER stress pathway.
MoRF-FUNCpred: Molecular Recognition Feature Function Prediction Based on Multi-Label Learning and Ensemble Learning
Authors: Li Haozheng , Pang Yihe , Liu Bin , Yu Liang
Published: March 2022

Intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) without stable structure are important for protein structures and functions. Some IDRs can be combined with molecular fragments to make itself completed the transition from disordered to ordered, which are called molecular recognition features (MoRFs). There are five main functions of MoRFs: molecular recognition assembler (MoR_assembler), molecular recognition chaperone (MoR_chaperone), molecular recognition display sites (MoR_display_sites), molecular recognition effector (MoR_effector), and molecular recognition scavenger (MoR_scavenger). Researches on functions of molecular recognition features are important for pharmaceutical and disease pathogenesis. However, the existing computational methods can only predict the MoRFs in proteins, failing to distinguish their different functions. In this paper, we treat MoRF function prediction as a multi-label learning task and solve it with the Binary Relevance (BR) strategy. Finally, we use Support Vector Machine (SVM), Logistic Regression (LR), Decision Tree (DT), and Random Forest (RF) as basic models to construct MoRF-FUNCpred through ensemble learning. Experimental results show that MoRF-FUNCpred performs well for MoRF function prediction. To the best knowledge of ours, MoRF-FUNCpred is the first predictor for predicting the functions of MoRFs. Availability and Implementation: The stand alone package of MoRF-FUNCpred can be accessed from https://github.com/LiangYu-Xidian/MoRF-FUNCpred.
The Resistance of Cancer Cells to Palbociclib, a Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/6 Inhibitor, is Mediated by the ABCB1 Transporter
Authors: Fu Han , Wu Zhuo-Xun , Lei Zi-Ning , Teng Qiu-Xu , Yang Yuqi , Ashby Charles R. , Lei Yixiong , Lian Yuyin , Chen Zhe-Sheng
Published: March 2022

Palbociclib was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for use, in combination with letrozole, as a first-line treatment for estrogen receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (ER+/HER2-) postmenopausal metastatic breast cancer. However, recent studies show that palbociclib may be an inhibitor of the ABCB1 transporter, although this remains to be elucidated. Therefore, we conducted experiments to determine the interaction of palbociclib with the ABCB1 transporter. Our in vitro results indicated that the efficacy of palbociclib was significantly decreased in the ABCB1-overexpressing cell lines. Furthermore, the resistance of ABCB1-overexpressing cells to palbociclib was reversed by 3 μM of the ABCB1 inhibitor, verapamil. Moreover, the incubation of ABCB1-overexpressing KB-C2 and SW620/Ad300 cells with up to 5 μM of palbociclib for 72 h, significantly upregulated the protein expression of ABCB1. The incubation with 3 µM of palbociclib for 2h significantly increased the intracellular accumulation of [3H]-paclitaxel, a substrate of ABCB1, in ABCB1 overexpressing KB-C2 cells but not in the corresponding non-resistant parental KB-3-1 cell line. However, the incubation of KB-C2 cells with 3 μM of palbociclib for 72 h decreased the intracellular accumulation of [3H]-paclitaxel due to an increase in the expression of the ABCB1 protein. Palbociclib produced a concentration-dependent increase in the basal ATPase activity of the ABCB1 transporter (EC50 = 4.73 μM). Molecular docking data indicated that palbociclib had a high binding affinity for the ABCB1 transporter at the substrate binding site, suggesting that palbociclib may compete with other ABCB1 substrates for the substrate binding site of the ABCB1. Overall, our results indicate that palbociclib is a substrate for the ABCB1 transporter and that its in vitro anticancer efficacy is significantly decreased in cancer cells overexpressing the ABCB1.
Relationship Between Nematicity, Antiferromagnetic Fluctuations, and Superconductivity in FeSe1−xSx Revealed by NMR
Authors: Rana Khusboo , Furukawa Yuji
Published: March 2022

The S-substituted FeSe, FeSe1−xSx, under pressure (p), provides a versatile platform for studying the relationship among nematicity, antiferromagnetism, and superconductivity. Here we present a short review of the recent experimental evidence showing that nematicity has a remarkable impact on the relationship between antiferromagnetic fluctuations and superconductivity. This has been revealed by several 77Se nuclear magnetic resonance studies that have tracked the variability of antiferromagnetic fluctuations and superconducting transition temperature (Tc) as a function of x and p. Tc is roughly proportional to antiferromagnetic fluctuations in the presence or absence of nematic order suggesting the importance of antiferromagnetic fluctuations in the Cooper pairing mechanism in FeSe1−xSx. However, the antiferromagnetic fluctuations are more effective in enhancing superconductivity in the absence of nematicity as compared to when it is present. These experimental observations give renewed insights into the interrelationships between nematicity, magnetism, and superconductivity in Fe-based superconductors.
Topological Phase Transitions and Evolution of Boundary States Induced by Zeeman Fields in Second-Order Topological Insulators
Authors: Zhuang Zheng-Yang , Yan Zhongbo
Published: March 2022

Second-order topological insulators (SOTIs) are a class of materials hosting gapless bound states at boundaries with dimension lower than the bulk by two. In this work, we investigate the effect of Zeeman field on two- and three-dimensional time-reversal invariant SOTIs. We find that a diversity of topological phase transitions can be driven by the Zeeman field, including both boundary and bulk types. For boundary topological phase transitions, we find that the Zeeman field can change the time-reversal invariant SOTIs to time-reversal symmetry breaking SOTIs, accompanying with the change of the number of robust corner or hinge states. Relying on the direction of Zeeman field, the number of bound states per corner or chiral states per hinge can be either one or two in the resulting time-reversal symmetry breaking SOTIs. Remarkably, for bulk topological phase transitions, we find that the transitions can result in Chern insulator phases with chiral edge states and topological semimetal phases with sharply-localized corner states in two dimensions, and hybrid-order Weyl semimetal phases with the coexistence of surface Fermi arcs and gapless hinge states in three dimensions. Our study reveals that the Zeeman field can induce very rich physics in higher-order topological materials.
Interactions Between Temperature Variability and Reproductive Physiology Across Traits in an Intertidal Crab
Authors: Lam Emily K. , Abegaz Metadel , Gunderson Alex R. , Tsukimura Brian , Stillman Jonathon H.
Published: March 2022

Thermal extremes alter population processes, which can result in part from temperature-induced movement at different spatial and temporal scales. Thermal thresholds for animal movement likely change based on underlying thermal physiology and life-history stage, a topic that requires greater study. The intertidal porcelain crab Petrolisthes cinctipes currently experiences temperatures that can reach near-lethal levels in the high-intertidal zone at low tide. However, the thermal thresholds that trigger migration to cooler microhabitats, and the extent to which crabs move in response to temperature, remain unknown. Moreover, the influence of reproductive status on these thresholds is rarely investigated. We integrated demographic, molecular, behavioral, and physiological measurements to determine if behavioral thermal limits varied due to reproductive state. Demographic data showed a trend for gravid, egg bearing, crabs to appear more often under rocks in the cooler intertidal zone where crab density is highest. In situ expression of 31 genes related to stress, metabolism, and growth in the field differed significantly based on intertidal elevation, with mid-intertidal crabs expressing the gene for the reproductive yolk protein vitellogenin (vg) earlier in the season. Furthermore, VG protein levels were shown to increase with density for female hemolymph. Testing for temperatures that elicit movement revealed that gravid females engage in heat avoidance behavior at lower temperatures (i.e., have a lower voluntary thermal maximum, VTmax) than non-gravid females. VTmax was positively correlated with the temperature of peak firing rate for distal afferent nerve fibers in the walking leg, a physiological relationship that could correspond to the mechanistic underpinning for temperature dependent movement. The vulnerability of marine organisms to global change is predicated by their ability to utilize and integrate physiological and behavioral strategies in response to temperature to maximize survival and reproduction. Interactions between fine-scale temperature variation and reproductive biology can have important consequences for the ecology of species, and is likely to influence how populations respond to ongoing climate change.
Postexercise Hypotension Is Delayed in Men With Obesity and Hypertension
Authors: Jarrett Catherine L. , Tucker Wesley J. , Angadi Siddhartha S. , Gaesser Glenn A.
Published: March 2022

Background

Postexercise hypotension (PEH) can play a major role in the daily blood pressure management among individuals with hypertension. However, there are limited data on PEH in persons with obesity and hypertension, and no PEH data in this population beyond 90 min postexercise.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine if PEH could be elicited in men with obesity and hypertension during a 4-h postexercise measurement period.

Methods

Seven men [age = 28 ± 4 years; body mass index = 34.6 ± 4.8 kg/m2; brachial systolic blood pressure (SBP): 138 ± 4 mmHg; brachial diastolic BP (DBP): 80 ± 5 mmHg; central SBP: 125 ± 4 mmHg; central DBP: 81 ± 8 mmHg] performed two exercise sessions on a cycle ergometer, each on a separate day, for 45 min at ∼65% VO2max. One exercise session was performed at a cadence of 45 RPM and one at 90 RPM. Blood pressure was monitored with a SunTech Oscar2 ambulatory blood pressure monitor for 4 h after both exercise sessions, and during a time-matched control condition.

Results

Both brachial and central SBP were not changed during the first h postexercise but were reduced by ∼5–11 mmHg between 2 and 4 h postexercise (p < 0.05) after both exercise sessions. Brachial and central DBP were elevated by ∼5 mmHg at 1 h postexercise (p < 0.05) but were ∼2–3 mmHg lower compared to control at 4 h postexercise, and ∼2–4 mmHg lower at 3 h postexercise compared to baseline. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was elevated compared to control at 1 h postexercise after both exercise sessions, but was ∼2–3 mmHg lower compared to control at 2, 3, and 4 h postexercise, and ∼4–7 mmHg lower at 3 h postexercise compared to baseline.

Conclusion

Despite the small sample size and preliminary nature of our results, we conclude that PEH is delayed in men with obesity and hypertension, but the magnitude and duration of PEH up to 4 h postexercise is similar to that reported in the literature for men without obesity and hypertension. The PEH is most pronounced for brachial and central SBP and MAP. The virtually identical pattern of PEH after both exercise trials indicates that the delayed PEH is a reproducible finding in men with obesity and hypertension.
Is the Most Commonly Used Strategy for the First 1,500 m of a 2,000 m Rowing Ergometer Race the Most Appropriate?
Authors: Boillet Alice , Haas Bastien , Samozino Pierre , Morel Baptiste , Bowen Maximilien , Cohen Caroline , Messonnier Laurent A.
Published: March 2022

This study investigated time-courses of physiological and psychological parameters of rowers during the first 1,500 m of a simulated race on a rowing ergometer using different pacing strategies. This provided a picture of the physiological and psychological state of the rowers at the start of the last 500 m of their race. Investigated strategies corresponded either to a degressive (degr), a progressive (prog), or a stable (stab) power output over the traveled distance. Thirteen French rowers (4 oarswomen and 9 oarsmen) of national and ex-international levels volunteered to participate. Handle force and velocity, oxygen uptake, heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and peripheral oxygen saturation were measured during the trials. Power output, generated energy [by O2 consumption (Eoxi) and blood lactate accumulation (Enon−oxi)] and efficiency were computed. Rowers also rated their perceived exertion (RPE) and protocol preference. In the explored strategies, no significant differences were found for Eoxi. Final blood lactate concentration ([La]blood) and RPE were similar for all strategies. However, the increase in [La]blood and RPE occurred sooner for degr than for stab and prog. Therefore, the time spent at higher [La]blood and RPE was longer for degr than for stab and prog. According to the questionnaire, degr was the least preferred protocol. While during 2000 m races, the first 1500 m are usually and empirically often conducted in a degr way, the present results indicate that this strategy was the least preferred by the rowers and led to a higher time spent at high [La]blood and RPE.
Analysis of Diurnal Variations in Heart Rate: Potential Applications for Chronobiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Authors: Zhang Tao , Du Xiaojiao , Gu Yue , Dong Yingying , Zhang Wei , Yuan Zhirong , Huang Xingmei , Zou Cao , Zhou Yafeng , Liu Zhiwei , Tao Hui , Yang Ling , Wu Gang , Hogenesch John B. , Zhou Chengji J. , Zhou Fei , Xu Ying
Published: March 2022

Circadian factors likely influence the occurrence, development, therapy, and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). To determine the association between the heart rate (HR) diurnal parameters and CVD risks, we designed an analytical strategy to detect diurnal rhythms of HR using longitudinal data collected by clinically used Holter monitors and wearable devices. By combining in-house developed algorithms with existing analytical tools, we obtained trough phase and nocturnal variation in HR for different purposes. The analytical strategy is robust and also sensitive enough to identify variations in HR rhythms influenced by multiple effectors such as jet lag, geological location and altitude, and age from total 211 volunteers. A total of 10,094 sets of 24-h Holter ECG data were analyzed by stepwise partial correlation to determine the critical points of HR trough phase and nocturnal variation. The following HR diurnal patterns correlate with high CVD risk: arrhythmic pattern, anti-phase pattern, rhythmic patterns with trough phase less than 0 (extremely advanced diurnal pattern) or more than 5 (extremely delayed diurnal pattern), and nocturnal variation less than 2.75 (extremely low) or more than 26 (extremely high). In addition, HR trough phases from wearable devices were nearly identical to those from 24-h Holter monitoring from 12 volunteers by linear correlation and Bland-Altman analysis. Our analytical system provides useful information to identify functional diurnal patterns and parameters by monitoring personalized, HR-based diurnal changes. These findings have important implications for understanding how a regular heart diurnal pattern benefits cardiac function and raising the possibility of non-pharmacological intervention against circadian related CVDs. With the rapid expansion of wearable devices, public cardiovascular health can be promoted if the analytical strategy is widely applied.
Testosterone Contributes to Vascular Dysfunction in Young Mice Fed a High Fat Diet by Promoting Nuclear Factor E2–Related Factor 2 Downregulation and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Costa Rafael M. , Alves-Lopes Rhéure , Alves Juliano V. , Servian Carolina P. , Mestriner Fabíola L. , Carneiro Fernando S. , Lobato Núbia de S. , Tostes Rita C.
Published: March 2022

Obesity, an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, promotes vascular oxidative stress. Considering that free testosterone levels remain within the reference range, especially in obese young men and that testosterone stimulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, we sought to investigate whether testosterone interferes with obesity-associated oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction in male mice. We hypothesized that testosterone favors ROS accumulation and vascular dysfunction in high fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice. We also questioned whether testosterone downregulates the nuclear factor E2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), one of the major cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stimuli. Male C57Bl/6J mice were submitted to orchiectomy or sham-operation. Mice received either a control diet (CD) or HFD for 18 weeks. Vascular function was assessed in thoracic aortic rings and molecular mechanisms by which testosterone contributes to vascular dysfunction were determined. HFD reduced acetylcholine-induced vasodilation and increased vascular ROS generation in sham mice. Castration prevented these effects. Treatment of castrated mice fed either the CD or HFD with testosterone propionate decreased acetylcholine vasodilation. HFD decreased Nrf2 nuclear accumulation, events linked to decreased mRNA expression and activity of Nrf2-regulated enzymes (catalase, heme oxygenase-1, peroxiredoxin, and thioredoxin). These events were prevented in HFD-fed castrated mice. Bardoxolone, a Nrf2 activator, increased nuclear accumulation of Nrf2, decreased ROS generation and improved acetylcholine vasodilation in HFD-fed sham mice. In vitro, testosterone increased ROS generation and decreased Nrf2 nuclear accumulation. These effects were prevented in the presence of an androgen receptor antagonist, an inhibitor of gene transcription and an inhibitor of the pro-oxidant enzyme NOX-1. These results indicate that testosterone downregulates Nrf2, leading to oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction in HFD-fed obese young mice.
(Dys)regulation of Protein Metabolism in Skeletal Muscle of Humans With Obesity
Authors: Freitas Eduardo D. S. , Katsanos Christos S.
Published: March 2022

Studies investigating the proteome of skeletal muscle present clear evidence that protein metabolism is altered in muscle of humans with obesity. Moreover, muscle quality (i.e., strength per unit of muscle mass) appears lower in humans with obesity. However, relevant evidence to date describing the protein turnover, a process that determines content and quality of protein, in muscle of humans with obesity is quite inconsistent. This is due, at least in part, to heterogeneity in protein turnover in skeletal muscle of humans with obesity. Although not always evident at the mixed-muscle protein level, the rate of synthesis is generally lower in myofibrillar and mitochondrial proteins in muscle of humans with obesity. Moreover, alterations in the synthesis of protein in muscle of humans with obesity are manifested more readily under conditions that stimulate protein synthesis in muscle, including the fed state, increased plasma amino acid availability to muscle, and exercise. Current evidence supports various biological mechanisms explaining impairments in protein synthesis in muscle of humans with obesity, but this evidence is rather limited and needs to be reproduced under more defined experimental conditions. Expanding our current knowledge with direct measurements of protein breakdown in muscle, and more importantly of protein turnover on a protein by protein basis, will enhance our understanding of how obesity modifies the proteome (content and quality) in muscle of humans with obesity.
Core Muscle Activation With Foam Rolling and Static Planks
Authors: Zahiri Ali , Alizadeh Shahab , Daneshjoo Abdolhamid , Pike Nick , Konrad Andreas , Behm David G.
Published: March 2022

The objective of this study was to compare the activation of the core (trunk) musculature during quadriceps and hamstrings foam rolling (FR) vs. prone and supine/reverse static planks to determine if FR is a viable means of training the core musculature. Using a randomized allocation, nine recreationally trained, young adults (18–26 years) performed two sets each of quadriceps and hamstrings FR as well as supine/reverse and prone static planks for 30-s each with 1-min rest between sets and 5-min rest between exercises. Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the lower abdominals (LA), external obliques (EO), lumbosacral erector spinae (LSES), upper lumbar erector spinae (ULES) muscle groups were normalized to a maximum voluntary contraction and analyzed. Quadriceps FR exhibited a very large magnitude greater LA activity compared to reverse plank (p = 0.033, d = 4.42) and hamstrings FR (p = 0.020, d = 3.49), respectively. The prone plank demonstrated very large magnitude higher EO EMG activity compared to reverse plank (p = 0.001, d = 9.17), hamstrings FR (p = 0.002, d = 8.14), and quadriceps FR (p = 0.011, d = 5.97). Reverse plank (p = 0.003, d = 12.06), and quadriceps FR (p = 0.002, d = 7.84) induced greater ULES activity compared to the prone plank and hamstrings FR, respectively. Reverse plank also exhibited very large magnitude higher LSES activity compared to the prone plank (p < 0.001, d = 7.68), hamstrings FR (p = 0.002, d = 4.11), and quadriceps FR (p = 0.005, d = 2.34), respectively. In conclusion, whereas reverse plank was the most effective activator of dorsal core muscles, quadriceps FR may also be a time efficient alternative exercise to activate back (ventral core) muscles. The prone plank is effective for ventral core muscles activation.
A Plastid-Bound Ankyrin Repeat Protein Controls Gametophyte and Early Embryo Development in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kulichová Katarína , Pieters Janto , Kumar Vinod , Honys David , Hafidh Said
Published: March 2022

Proplastids are essential precursors for multi-fate plastid biogenesis, including chloroplast differentiation, a powerhouse for photosynthesis in plants. Arabidopsis ankyrin repeat protein (AKRP, AT5G66055) is a plastid-localized protein with a putative function in plastid differentiation and morphogenesis. Loss of function of akrp leads to embryo developmental arrest. Whether AKRP is critical pre-fertilization has remained unresolved. Here, using reverse genetics, we report a new allele, akrp-3, that exhibited a reduced frequency of mutant embryos (<13%) compared to previously reported alleles. akrp-3 affected both male and female gametophytes resulting in reduced viability, incompetence in pollen tube attraction, altered gametic cell fate, and embryo arrest that were depleted of chlorophyll. AKRP is widely expressed, and the AKRP-GFP fusion localized to plastids of both gametophytes, in isolated chloroplast and co-localized with a plastid marker in pollen and pollen tubes. Cell-type-specific complementation of akrp-3 hinted at the developmental timing at which AKRP might play an essential role. Our findings provide a plausible insight into the crucial role of AKRP in the differentiation of both gametophytes and coupling embryo development with chlorophyll synthesis.
Cadmium-Tolerant Rhizospheric Bacteria of the C3/CAM Intermediate Semi-Halophytic Common Ice Plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) Grown in Contaminated Soils
Authors: Supel Paulina , Śliwa-Cebula Marta , Miszalski Zbigniew , Kaszycki Paweł
Published: March 2022

The common ice plant, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L., has recently been found as a good candidate for phytoremediation of heavy-metal polluted soils. This semi-halophyte is a C3/CAM (Crassulacean acid metabolism) intermediate plant capable of tolerating extreme levels of cadmium in the soil. The aim of the work was to obtain and characterize novel, Cd-tolerant microbial strains that populate the root zone of M. crystallinum performing different types of photosynthetic metabolism and growing in Cd-contaminated substrates. The plants exhibiting either C3 or CAM photosynthesis were treated for 8 days with different CdCl2 doses to obtain final Cd concentrations ranging from 0.82 to 818 mg⋅kg–1 of soil d.w. The CAM phase was induced by highly saline conditions. After treatment, eighteen bacterial and three yeast strains were isolated from the rhizosphere and, after preliminary Cd-resistance in vitro test, five bacterial strains were selected and identified with a molecular proteomics technique. Two strains of the species Providencia rettgeri (W6 and W7) were obtained from the C3 phase and three (one Paenibacillus glucanolyticus S7 and two Rhodococcus erythropolis strains: S4 and S10) from the CAM performing plants. The isolates were further tested for Cd-resistance (treatment with either 1 mM or 10 mM CdCl2) and salinity tolerance (0.5 M NaCl) in model liquid cultures (incubation for 14 days). Providencia rettgeri W7 culture remained fully viable at 1 mM Cd, whereas Rh. erythropolis S4 and S10 together with P. glucanolyticus S7 were found to be resistant to 10 mM Cd in the presence of 0.5 M NaCl. It is suggested that the high tolerance of the common ice plant toward cadmium may result from the synergic action of the plant together with the Cd/salt-resistant strains occurring within rhizospheral microbiota. Moreover, the isolated bacteria appear as promising robust microorganisms for biotechnological applications in bio- and phytoremediation projects.
Storage Stability of Nutritional Qualities, Enzyme Activities, and Volatile Compounds of “Hangjiao No. 2” Chili Pepper Treated With Different Concentrations of 1-Methyl Cyclopropene
Authors: Bakpa Emily Patience , Zhang Jing , Xie Jianming , Ma Yufeng , Han Kangning , Chang Youlin
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to determine the effects of different concentrations of 1-methyl cyclopropene (1-MCP) on the nutritional quality, antioxidant enzyme activities, and volatile compounds of “Hangjiao No.2” chili pepper during 12 days of storage at ambient temperature. The chili fruit were randomly selected and divided into four groups corresponding to the four treatments, thus, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 μl L–1 1-MCP and a control. The analysis of the nutritional value, enzyme activities, and volatile compounds were determined at 3 days interval. The results showed that the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was lower in the fruit treated with 1-MCP compared to the control. The treatment with 1.5 μl L–1 and the control showed the lowest superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity compared to the other treatments. Peroxidase (POD) and Catalase (CAT) were highest in the fruit treated with 0.5 μl L–1 compared to the control and treatment with 1.0 μl L–1. The 1.5 μl L–1 treatment delayed the decline in vitamin C and protein content compared to the control. Nitrate levels increased 1.34-fold at 0.5 μl L–1 and 2.01-fold in the control. Chlorophyll content degradation was delayed at 1.0 μl L–1 compared to the control. A total of 88 volatile compounds, including terpenes, aldehydes, alkanes, esters, alcohols, acids, phenolic derivatives, ketones, and other aromatic compounds, were detected in “Hangjiao No.2” pepper during the 12-day storage period and treatment concentrations. The production of volatile terpenes was higher in the control than in the 1-MCP treatments, while the 0.5 μl L–1 1-MCP treatment generally suppressed the production of volatile compounds during storage. Overall, the production of volatile compounds after treatment was higher in the “Hangjiao No.2” chili fruit treated with 1.0 μl L–1 1-MCP than in the other treatments throughout the storage period. The results indicate that 1-MCP treatment was more effective in maintaining fruit quality, enhancing the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT, retarding the accumulation of MDA and restoring volatile aromas, with 1.0 μl L–1 having the best preservative effect on “Hangjiao No.2” chili fruit during storage, which could be useful for future marketing and processing.
Mechanisms of MicroRNA Biogenesis and Stability Control in Plants
Authors: Zhang Lu , Xiang Yu , Chen Shengbo , Shi Min , Jiang Xianda , He Zhuoli , Gao Shuai
Published: March 2022

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of endogenous, non-coding RNAs, which is 20–24 nucleotide long, regulate the expression of its target genes post-transcriptionally and play critical roles in plant normal growth, development, and biotic and abiotic stresses. In cells, miRNA biogenesis and stability control are important in regulating intracellular miRNA abundance. In addition, research on these two aspects has achieved fruitful results. In this review, we focus on the recent research progress in our understanding of miRNA biogenesis and their stability control in plants.
Overexpression of SmSCR1 Promotes Tanshinone Accumulation and Hairy Root Growth in Salvia miltiorrhiza
Authors: Zhou Wei , Wang Shuai , Shen Yafang , Liu Yunhui , Maoz Itay , Gao Xiankui , Chen Chengan , Liu Tingyao , Wang Can , Kai Guoyin
Published: March 2022

Lipid-soluble tanshinone is one of the main bioactive substances in the medicinal plant Salvia miltiorrhiza, and its medicinal demand is growing rapidly. Yeast extract (YE) modulates the tanshinone biosynthesis, but the underlying regulatory network remains obscure. In this study, a YE-responsive transcriptional factor Scarecrow1 (SCR1) was identified in S. miltiorrhiza from the YE-induced transcriptome dataset. SmSCR1 is located in the nucleus. Overexpression of SmSCR1 in S. miltiorrhiza roots resulted in a significantly higher accumulation of tanshinone than the control, with the highest 1.49-fold increase. We also detected upregulation of tanshinone biosynthetic genes, SmSCR1 and SmHMGR1, and distinct alteration of growth and development of the hairy roots in the overexpression lines compared to the control. An inverse phenotype was observed in SmSCR1-SRDX suppression expression lines. We found that SmSCR1 can bind to the promoter of SmCPS1 to induce its expression. This study provides new insight into the regulatory mechanism on the growth and development of hairy roots, tanshinone accumulation, and the metabolic engineering of bioactive compounds in S. miltiorrhiza.
The Impact of Enterprise Management Elements on College Students’ Entrepreneurial Behavior by Complex Adaptive System Theory
Authors: Cheng Yueyuan , Zhang Junlong , Liu Yang
Published: March 2022

At present, with the continuous rise in public consumption level, the pressure on college students’ entrepreneurship or employment is increasingly severe. Under the concept of positive psychological intervention, the present work aims to alleviate the entrepreneurial pressure of college students and improve college students’ entrepreneurial education through the analysis of enterprise management elements. A 3-month intervention experiment, including the pre-test, preventive curriculum intervention, post-test, and delayed test, is conducted on a control group and an experimental group, to investigate entrepreneurial intention, emotional management ability, and ability to deal with entrepreneurial pressure of college students. In addition, based on a complex adaptive system (CAS), the enterprise management elements are analyzed, and a three-layer network model is constructed. Meanwhile, new diversified elements of enterprise management are defined to discuss the effectiveness and psychological impact of diversified management, proving that psychological security plays an intermediary role in the cross-layer relationship chain in the three-layer CAS network. The experimental results indicate that on the whole, the positive psychological intervention reduces the pressure of students in the experimental group, significantly ameliorates depression and anxiety, and promotes the positive personality in all directions. Besides, in the delayed test after 3 months, the experimental group can maintain a relatively better state than the control group. By exploring the role effectiveness and characteristics of diversified management, this experiment confirms that the improvement of psychological security under positive psychological intervention has a positive impact on the effectiveness of diversified management. The present work discusses the hierarchical construction in enterprise management and puts forward reasonable suggestions and theoretical development for the influence of the entrepreneurial practice of college students.
Genetics in the ADHD Clinic: How Can Genetic Testing Support the Current Clinical Practice?
Authors: Balogh Lívia , Pulay Attila J. , Réthelyi János M.
Published: March 2022

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a childhood prevalence of 5%. In about two-thirds of the cases, ADHD symptoms persist into adulthood and often cause significant functional impairment. Based on the results of family and twin studies, the estimated heritability of ADHD approximates 80%, suggests a significant genetic component in the etiological background of the disorder; however, the potential genetic effects on disease risk, symptom severity, and persistence are unclear. This article provides a brief review of the genome-wide and candidate gene association studies with a focus on the clinical aspects, summarizing findings of ADHD disease risk, ADHD core symptoms as dimensional traits, and other traits frequently associated with ADHD, which may contribute to the susceptibility to other comorbid psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, neuropsychological impairment and measures from neuroimaging and electrophysiological paradigms, emerging as potential biomarkers, also provide a prominent target for molecular genetic studies, since they lie in the pathway from genes to behavior; therefore, they can contribute to the understanding of the underlying neurobiological mechanisms and the interindividual heterogeneity of clinical symptoms. Beyond the aforementioned aspects, throughout the review, we also give a brief summary of the genetic results, including polygenic risk scores that can potentially predict individual response to different treatment options and may offer a possibility for personalized treatment for the therapy of ADHD in the future.
A Systematic Review of Arts-Based Interventions Delivered to Children and Young People in Nature or Outdoor Spaces: Impact on Nature Connectedness, Health and Wellbeing
Authors: Moula Zoe , Palmer Karen , Walshe Nicola
Published: March 2022

Background

The time that children and young people spend in nature and outdoor spaces has decreased significantly over the past 30 years. This was exacerbated with a further 60% decline post-COVID-19. Research demonstrating that natural environments have a positive impact on health and wellbeing has led to prescription of nature-based health interventions and green prescribing, although evidence for its use is predominantly limited to adults. Growing evidence also shows the impact of arts on all aspects of health and wellbeing. However, what has received scant attention in literature is the interconnection between the two: arts and nature.

Aims

This review synthesizes the literature surrounding the interconnectedness between arts and nature, and their impact on the health and wellbeing of children and young people.

Methods

Eight major electronic databases were systematically searched, while hand-searching included 20 journals, six books, and contact with experts. The review was conducted using the Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews, PRISMA guidelines and TIDieR template. All stages were conducted independently by two researchers and the protocol was published on PROSPERO (Registration no.: CRD42021286574).

Results

Although 9,314 records were identified, only 11 records were included as most studies focused either on arts or nature, but not both. Studies were conducted in United Kingdom, United States, Ireland, Australia, and Hong Kong, in a range of spaces such as forests, woodlands, beaches, parks, fields, gardens, and school playgrounds. The review encompasses data from 602 participants in total.

Discussion

Arts-in-nature offered an inclusive medium to engage all children and young people, especially those who might otherwise remain disinterested about environmental issues and disengaged with educational programs. Further, arts-in-nature provided stimuli to increase nature connectivity, understand environmental issues and explore ways to prevent environmental disasters. This led to higher environmental awareness and pro-environmental behaviors, and potential decrease in eco-anxiety.

Conclusion

Although the quality of qualitative studies was high, the quality of quantitative studies was low or unclear, thus quantitative evidence is still at its infancy. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed, such as methods and activities to strengthen future interventions. Scaling-up existing interventions may lead to wider recognition and inclusion of arts-in-nature in future health guidelines, including green prescribing.
Psychopathology of Young Terrorist Offenders, and the Interaction With Ideology and Grievances
Authors: Duits Nils , Alberda Daphne L. , Kempes Maaike
Published: March 2022

Psychopathology might be a risk factor for terrorist offending as it is for violent offending. Therefore, we examined the prevalence of psychopathology in young and adult Jihadist terrorist offenders on the basis of primary source judicial information and forensic mental health reports with the European Database of convicted Terrorist offenders (EDT). We hypothesised that psychopathology might be associated with ideological risk factors, and that these associations might be different for young and adult terrorist offenders. Therefore, we examined whether and to what extent psychopathology is related to a violent ideology, to grievances and anger about perceived injustice. We investigated whether this differs among 120 adult and 46 juvenile terrorist offenders. We found that most adult and young Jihadist terrorist offenders with a forensic mental health report had psychopathological problems. Most frequently found were symptoms and traits of intellectual disability disorders, depressive disorders, psychotic/schizophrenic disorders, substance use disorders, and personality disorders. Most frequently found clinically relevant personality traits were problems with relationships, poor regulation of aggression, feelings of anger, and paranoid feelings. We found some first indications for a positive association between psychopathology and grievances and anger about perceived injustice. In the young terrorist offenders with depressive symptoms, grievances about perceived injustice were more often present than in young terrorist offenders without these symptoms. In adult terrorist offenders it was found that grievances about perceived injustice and the anger were related to cluster B personality traits. In addition, in both young and adult terrorist offenders expressed grievances about perceived injustice were related to problems with relationships. Further research into psychopathology in terrorist offenders seems necessary with larger groups of adolescents and adults in relation to ideological, personal and contextual risk factors and how these factors relate to different terrorist acts. This may lead to more knowledge about engagement into terrorism and possible disengagement from terrorism. It may also lead to the inclusion of psychopathology into violent extremism risk assessment tools.
Perceived Stress, Cortical GABA, and Functional Connectivity Correlates: A Hypothesis-Generating Preliminary Study
Authors: Busler Jessica N. , Coello Eduardo , Liao Huijun , Taylor Jacob , Zhao Wufan , Holsen Laura M. , Lin Alexander P. , Mahon Pamela B.
Published: March 2022

Stress exposures and dysregulated responses to stress are implicated in psychiatric disorders of mood, anxiety, and cognition. Perceived stress, an individual's appraisal of experienced stress and ability for coping, relates to dysregulated functioning in resting state brain networks. Alterations in GABAergic function may underlie perceived stress-related functional dysregulation in resting state networks but this has not yet been explored. Therefore, the current study examined the association of perceived stress, via the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), with prefrontal GABA levels and corresponding resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) alterations. Twelve women and five men, ages 35–61, participated. MR spectroscopy was used to measure brain GABA levels in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC). Resting state functional scans acquired at 3 Tesla were used to measure RSFC within and between the default mode (DMN), salience (SN), and central executive networks (CEN), hippocampus and amygdala. We observed significant negative correlations between total PSS scores and left DLPFC GABA levels (r = −0.62, p = 0.023). However, PSS scores were not significantly correlated with RSFC measures (all p > 0.148). These preliminary results support a relationship between perceived stress and GABAergic functioning in DLPFC, a core node of the CEN, an intrinsic network thought to underlie goal-directed attentional processes. Our findings extend previous work suggesting that functioning in the CEN is related to perceived stress and may inform treatment strategies to improve outcomes in stress-related conditions.
Psychometric Properties of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire-15 in Spanish Adolescents
Authors: Pérez Rodríguez Sandra , García-Alandete Joaquín , Gallego Hernández de Tejada Blanca , Guillén Verónica , Marco Jose Heliodoro
Published: March 2022

Background

Thwarted Belongingness (TB) and Perceived Burdensomeness (PB) are considered risk factors of suicide behavior in the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide and constitute the main factors of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire—INQ.

Aims

The present study analyzes the internal consistency, construct validity, and invariance across sex and age of the INQ-15, which comprises two subscales, in a sample of Spanish community adolescents.

Methods

Participants were 1,536 adolescents from 12 to 19 years old. The INQ-15, the total number of non-suicidal self-injuries (NSSI), the Hopelessness Scale, and the Purpose in Life Test-Adolescents (PIL-A) were used.

Results

The INQ-15 showed good internal consistency for TB (ω¯ = 0.88) and PB (ω¯ = 0.78) subscales and construct and concurrent/discriminant validity in the whole sample. Both the PB and TB subscales showed a good fit {SBχ2(9) = 6.448, p = 0.694, CFI = 1.000, RMSEA = 0.000 [90% CI (0.000, 0.022)] and SBχ2(27) = 248.973, p = 0.000, CFI = 0.922, RMSEA = 0.073 [90% CI (0.065, 0.082)]}, respectively. Regarding the invariance analyses, we found (1) non-invariance in the PB subscale across sex groups and metric, scalar, and stric invariance across age groups, and (2) that it was not possible to perform the invariance analysis for the TB subscale across both sex and age because the fit was not adequate for both boys and 12–15 years old groups. Positive and significant relationships were found between the INQ-15 subscales and hopelessness and NSSI frequency, and negative and significant correlations with meaning in life.

Conclusions

The INQ-15 is a valid instrument for assessing TB and PB in Spanish adolescents. Future studies should analyze the invariance of this instrument in adolescents across sex and age.
Longitudinal Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults' Wellbeing
Authors: López Javier , Pérez-Rojo Gema , Noriega Cristina , Martínez-Huertas Jose Angel , Velasco Cristina
Published: March 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major stressful life event. This pandemic is causing significant changes in older adults' daily life affecting their physical and mental health. Psychological wellbeing is a protective variable when facing adverse circumstances, like the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyzes the impact of COVID-19 on older adults' psychological wellbeing (personal growth and purpose in life) over time.

Materials and Methods

One hundred ninety-two people over 60 years old participated in a longitudinal study. Data were collected in three time points: during the lockdown on March 2020, when the lockdown finished (4 months after baseline), and during the third wave (10 months after baseline). We used latent growth curve models to assess the linear longitudinal trajectories of psychological wellbeing.

Results

Older adults did not show worse psychological wellbeing over time. Age has a positive impact on purpose in life. Furthermore, being a male, worrying about adverse effects of COVID-19, family functioning, resilience, personal growth, and acceptance associated with purpose in life.

Discussion

These results suggest that despite the difficult circumstances experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults have used protective variables for their psychological wellbeing.