bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Loading the tumor with 31P, 63Cu and 89Y provides an in vivo prompt gamma-based range verification for therapeutic protons
Authors: Cartechini Giorgio , Fogazzi Elena , Hart Shanyn-Dee , Pellegri Luna , Vanstalle Marie , Marafini Michela , La Tessa Chiara
Published: February 2023

Introduction: The main rationale for using protons in cancer treatment is based on the highly conformal dose distribution and normal tissue spearing compared to conventional radiotherapy. The main limit of proton therapy is the particle range uncertainty due to patient setup, dose calculation and imaging. To account for this, a safety margin is added to the tumor to ensure the prescribed dose to the target. Reducing range uncertainties would result in the reduction of irradiation volume and would allow full exploitation of the proton therapy benefits. In this work, we presented a feasibility study for a strategy to achieve in vivo proton range verification based on prompt gammas (PG). This approach relies on the detection of signature prompt gammas, generated by the interaction of primary protons with a non-radioactive element, that is selectively loaded into a tumor with a drug carrier. The number of characteristic gammas is directly related to the proton range, and its measurement provides an estimate of the position at which the primary beam stops with respect to the tumor location.

Method: We identified the criteria for selecting potential candidate materials and combined them with TALYS predictions to make the selection. We carried out an experimental campaign to characterize the PG spectra generated by the chosen materials when irradiated with therapeutic protons and compared them with TOPAS Monte Carlo toolkit predictions.

Results: We identified 31-Phosphorous, 63-Copper and 89-Yttrium as potential candidates for this application based on TALYS calculations. The experimental data confirmed that all candidates emit signature prompt gammas different from water (here used as a proxy for normal tissue), and that the gamma yield is directly proportional to the element concentration in the solution. Four specific gamma lines were detected for both 31P (1.14, 1.26, 1.78, and 2.23 MeV) and 63Cu (0.96, 1.17, 1.24, 1.326 MeV), while only one for 89Y (1.06 MeV). The simulations indicate that the count of characteristic gammas is directly proportional to the proton range, reaching in some cases a saturation value around the tumor’s far edge. The results also indicate that to achieve a range accuracy below the current value of 2–3 mm, the uncertainty on the prompt gammas count has to be below 5% for 31-Phosphorous and 63-Copper, or 10% for 89-Yttrium.

Discussion: We demonstrated that loading the tumor with a label element prior to proton treatment generates signature gammas that can be used to verify the beam range in vivo, reaching a potential range accuracy below the current limitations. This approach can be either used stand-alone or combined with other existing methodologies to further improve range resolution.
Light controls edge functional groups to enhance membrane permeability
Authors: Sun Tingyu , Wang Lei , Hu Rengkai , Li Yangmei , Zhu Zhi
Published: February 2023

Functionalized membranes have high potential value in a broad range of practical applications, and the functional groups at the membrane edge play a vital role in the permeability of the membranes. Here, based on an edge-functionalized graphene oxide (GO) membrane model, we theoretically report that high-frequency terahertz stimulation at the frequency near 44.0 THz can significantly enhance the water permeability of the membrane by nearly five times. Its mechanism was revealed to be that the stimulation amplified the C-O stretching of the functional groups and suppressed other vibration modes of the groups. As a result, the modulation of edge functional groups brings down the energy barricade of the membrane and allows water molecules to penetrate the GO membrane more easily. These findings provide a new perspective for enhancing membrane permeability by modulating particular functional groups such as the carboxyl on the edge of the GO membrane.
The effect of different intensity physical activity on cardiovascular metabolic health in obese children and adolescents: An isotemporal substitution model
Authors: Cao Youxiang , Zhu Lin , Chen Zekai , Zhanquan Li , Xie Weijun , Liang Manna
Published: February 2023

Objective: This study’s purpose was to investigate the effects of different intensities of physical activity on cardiovascular metabolism in obese children and adolescents based on an isochronous replacement model.

Methods: A total of 196 obese children and adolescents (mean age, 13.44 ± 1.71 years) who met the inclusion criteria and attended a summer camp from July 2019 to August 2021 were recruited for this study, and all subjects wore a GT3X + triaxial motion accelerometer uniformly around the waist to record physical activity levels. We collected the subjects’ height, weight, and cardiovascular risk factors such as waist circumference, hip circumference, fasting lipids, blood pressure, fasting insulin, and fasting glucose before and after 4 weeks of camp and constructed cardiometabolic risk score (CMR-z). We analyzed the effects of different intensities of physical activity on cardiovascular metabolism in obese children using isotemporal substitution model (ISM).

Results: After 4 weeks, cardiovascular risk factors such as body weight, waist circumference, triglyceride, and total cholesterol were reduced in adolescents with obesity (p <0.01), and CMR-z was also reduced (p <0.01). ISM analysis revealed that all sedentary behavior (SB) replacement with 10 min of light physical activity (LPA) reduced CMR-z [β = −0.10, 95% CI (−0.20, −0.01)]; 10-min of moderate physical activity (MPA) replacement of SB reduced CMR-z [β = −0.32, 95% CI (−0.63, −0.01)]; 10-min of vigorous physical activity (VPA) replacement of SB reduced CMR-z [β = −0.39, 95% CI (−0.66, −0.12)].

Conclusion: Replacement of SB with 10 min of LPA, MPA, and VPA were all effective in improving cardiovascular risk health, respectively, but MPA or VPA was more effective.
Warm-up stretching exercises and physical performance of youth soccer players
Authors: Hernandez-Martinez Jordan , Ramirez-Campillo Rodrigo , Vera-Assaoka Tiago , Castillo-Cerda María , Carter-Thuillier Bastian , Herrera-Valenzuela Tomás , López-Fuenzalida Antonio , Nobari Hadi , Valdés-Badilla Pablo
Published: February 2023

This study aims to compare the effects of standard warm-up versus warm-up using stretching exercises on the physical performance of male youth soccer players. Eighty-five male soccer players (age: 10.3 ± 4.3 years; body mass index: 19.8 ± 4.3 kg/m2) were assessed for countermovement jump height (CMJ, cm), 10 m, 20 m and 30 m running sprint speed (s) and ball kicking speed (km/h) for the dominant and non-dominant leg under five (randomized) warm-up conditions. Using 72 h of recovery between conditions, the participants completed a control condition (CC) and four experimental conditions, including static stretching (SSC), dynamic stretching (DSC), ballistic stretching (BSC), and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNFC) exercises. All warm-up conditions had a duration of 10 minutes. The main results indicate that no significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between warm-up conditions compared to CC in CMJ (CC = 28.1 ± 4.9; SSC = 28.4 ± 4.9; DSC = 30.9 ± 4.8; BSC = 30.9 ± 5.2; PNFC = 28.4 ± 5.0), 10 m sprint (CC = 2.42 ± 0.4; SSC = 2.50 ± 0.4; DSC = 2.30 ± 0.3; BSC = 2.27 ± 0.3; PNFC = 2.53 ± 0.4), 20 m sprint (CC = 5.42 ± 0.9; SSC = 5.59 ± 0.9; DSC = 5.37 ± 0.9; BSC = 5.40 ± 0.9; PNFC = 5.44 ± 0.9), 30 m sprint (CC = 8.05 ± 1.3; SSC = 8.27 ± 1.3; DSC = 8.01 ± 1.3; BSC = 8.00 ± 1.3; PNFC = 8.12 ± 1.3), ball kicking speed for dominant (CC = 56.2 ± 4.9; SSC = 55.3 ± 5.2; DSC = 56.9 ± 5.8; BSC = 57.3 ± 5.8; PNFC = 55.7 ± 5.2) and non-dominant leg (CC = 52.8 ± 3.4; SSC = 51.8 ± 4.6; DSC = 53.5 ± 5.4; BSC = 53.6 ± 4.9; PNFC = 52.5 ± 4.0). In conclusion, compared to standard warm-up, stretching-based warm-up exerts no effect on male youth soccer players jump height, sprint speed and ball kicking speed.
Low sodium intake ameliorates hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy in mice with primary aldosteronism
Authors: Wang Zitian , Zhao Xue , Bu Lifang , Liu Kun , Li Ziping , Zhang Huaxing , Zhang Xiaoguang , Yuan Fang , Wang Sheng , Guo Zan , Shi Luo
Published: February 2023

The goal of this paper is to elucidate the effects of sodium restriction on hypertension and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in a mouse model with primary aldosteronism (PA). Mice with genetic deletion of TWIK-related acid-sensitive K (TASK)-1 and TASK-3 channels (TASK−/−) were used as the animal model of PA. Parameters of the LV were assessed using echocardiography and histomorphology analysis. Untargeted metabolomics analysis was conducted to reveal the mechanisms underlying the hypertrophic changes in the TASK−/− mice. The TASK−/− adult male mice exhibited the hallmarks of PA, including hypertension, hyperaldosteronism, hypernatremia, hypokalemia, and mild acid-base balance disorders. Two weeks of low sodium intake significantly reduced the 24-h average systolic and diastolic BP in TASK−/− but not TASK+/+ mice. In addition, TASK−/− mice showed increasing LV hypertrophy with age, and 2 weeks of the low-sodium diet significantly reversed the increased BP and LV wall thickness in adult TASK−/− mice. Furthermore, a low-sodium diet beginning at 4 weeks of age protected TASK−/− mice from LV hypertrophy at 8–12 weeks of age. Untargeted metabolomics demonstrated that the disturbances in heart metabolism in the TASK−/− mice (e.g., Glutathione metabolism; biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids; amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism; pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis; D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism), some of which were reversed after sodium restriction, might be involved in the development of LV hypertrophy. In conclusion, adult male TASK−/− mice exhibit spontaneous hypertension and LV hypertrophy, which are ameliorated by a low-sodium intake.
Genetic manipulation of anti-nutritional factors in major crops for a sustainable diet in future
Authors: Duraiswamy Aishwarya , Sneha A. Nancy Mano , Jebakani K. Sherina , Selvaraj Sellakumar , Pramitha J. Lydia , Selvaraj Ramchander , Petchiammal K. Indira , Kather Sheriff Sharmili , Thinakaran Jenita , Rathinamoorthy Samundeswari , Kumar P. Ramesh
Published: February 2023

The consumption of healthy food, in order to strengthen the immune system, is now a major focus of people worldwide and is essential to tackle the emerging pandemic concerns. Moreover, research in this area paves the way for diversification of human diets by incorporating underutilized crops which are highly nutritious and climate-resilient in nature. However, although the consumption of healthy foods increases nutritional uptake, the bioavailability of nutrients and their absorption from foods also play an essential role in curbing malnutrition in developing countries. This has led to a focus on anti-nutrients that interfere with the digestion and absorption of nutrients and proteins from foods. Anti-nutritional factors in crops, such as phytic acid, gossypol, goitrogens, glucosinolates, lectins, oxalic acid, saponins, raffinose, tannins, enzyme inhibitors, alkaloids, β-N-oxalyl amino alanine (BOAA), and hydrogen cyanide (HCN), are synthesized in crop metabolic pathways and are interconnected with other essential growth regulation factors. Hence, breeding with the aim of completely eliminating anti-nutrition factors tends to compromise desirable features such as yield and seed size. However, advanced techniques, such as integrated multi-omics, RNAi, gene editing, and genomics-assisted breeding, aim to breed crops in which negative traits are minimized and to provide new strategies to handle these traits in crop improvement programs. There is also a need to emphasize individual crop-based approaches in upcoming research programs to achieve smart foods with minimum constraints in future. This review focuses on progress in molecular breeding and prospects for additional approaches to improve nutrient bioavailability in major crops.
Identification of QTN-by-environment interactions for yield related traits in maize under multiple abiotic stresses
Authors: Wen Yang-Jun , Wu Xinyi , Wang Shengmeng , Han Le , Shen Bolin , Wang Yuan , Zhang Jin
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Quantitative trait nucleotide (QTN)-by-environment interactions (QEIs) play an increasingly essential role in the genetic dissection of complex traits in crops as global climate change accelerates. The abiotic stresses, such as drought and heat, are the major constraints on maize yields. Multi-environment joint analysis can improve statistical power in QTN and QEI detection, and further help us to understand the genetic basis and provide implications for maize improvement.

Methods

In this study, 3VmrMLM was applied to identify QTNs and QEIs for three yield-related traits (grain yield, anthesis date, and anthesis-silking interval) of 300 tropical and subtropical maize inbred lines with 332,641 SNPs under well-watered and drought and heat stresses.

Results

Among the total 321 genes around 76 QTNs and 73 QEIs identified in this study, 34 known genes were reported in previous maize studies to be truly associated with these traits, such as ereb53 (GRMZM2G141638) and thx12 (GRMZM2G016649) associated with drought stress tolerance, and hsftf27 (GRMZM2G025685) and myb60 (GRMZM2G312419) associated with heat stress. In addition, among 127 homologs in Arabidopsis out of 287 unreported genes, 46 and 47 were found to be significantly and differentially expressed under drought vs well-watered treatments, and high vs. normal temperature treatments, respectively. Using functional enrichment analysis, 37 of these differentially expressed genes were involved in various biological processes. Tissue-specific expression and haplotype difference analysis further revealed 24 candidate genes with significantly phenotypic differences across gene haplotypes under different environments, of which the candidate genes GRMZM2G064159, GRMZM2G146192, and GRMZM2G114789 around QEIs may have gene-by-environment interactions for maize yield.

Discussion

All these findings may provide new insights for breeding in maize for yield-related traits adapted to abiotic stresses.
Tree-level almond yield estimation from high resolution aerial imagery with convolutional neural network
Authors: Tang Minmeng , Sadowski Dennis Lee , Peng Chen , Vougioukas Stavros G. , Klever Brandon , Khalsa Sat Darshan S. , Brown Patrick H. , Jin Yufang
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Estimating and understanding the yield variability within an individual field is critical for precision agriculture resource management of high value tree crops. Recent advancements in sensor technologies and machine learning make it possible to monitor orchards at very high spatial resolution and estimate yield at individual tree level.

Methods

This study evaluates the potential of utilizing deep learning methods to predict tree-level almond yield with multi-spectral imagery. We focused on an almond orchard with the ‘Independence’ cultivar in California, where individual tree harvesting and yield monitoring was conducted for ~2,000 trees and summer aerial imagery at 30cm was acquired for four spectral bands in 2021. We developed a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model with a spatial attention module to take the multi-spectral reflectance imagery directly for almond fresh weight estimation at the tree level.

Results

The deep learning model was shown to predict the tree level yield very well, with a R2 of 0.96 (±0.002) and Normalized Root Mean Square Error (NRMSE) of 6.6% (±0.2%), based on 5-fold cross validation. The CNN estimation captured well the patterns of yield variation between orchard rows, along the transects, and from tree to tree, when compared to the harvest data. The reflectance at the red edge band was found to play the most important role in the CNN yield estimation.

Discussion

This study demonstrates the significant improvement of deep learning over traditional linear regression and machine learning methods for accurate and robust tree level yield estimation, highlighting the potential for data-driven site-specific resource management to ensure agriculture sustainability.
Different vegetal protein hydrolysates distinctively alleviate salinity stress in vegetable crops: A case study on tomato and lettuce
Authors: Zuluaga Monica Yorlady Alzate , Monterisi Sonia , Rouphael Youssef , Colla Giuseppe , Lucini Luigi , Cesco Stefano , Pii Youry
Published: February 2023

Plants have evolved diverse plant-species specific tolerance mechanisms to cope with salt stress. However, these adaptive strategies often inefficiently mitigate the stress related to increasing salinity. In this respect, plant-based biostimulants have gained increasing popularity since they can alleviate deleterious effects of salinity. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of tomato and lettuce plants grown under high salinity and the possible protective effects of four biostimulants based on vegetal protein hydrolysates. Plants were set in a 2 × 5 factorial experimental design completely randomized with two salt conditions, no salt (0 mM) and high salt (120 mM for tomato or 80 mM for lettuce), and five biostimulant treatments (C: Malvaceae-derived, P: Poaceae-derived, D: Legume-derived commercial ‘Trainer®’, H: Legume-derived commercial ‘Vegamin®’, and Control: distilled water). Our results showed that both salinity and biostimulant treatments affected the biomass accumulation in the two plant species, albeit to different extents. The salinity stress induced a higher activity of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) and the overaccumulation of osmolyte proline in both lettuce and tomato plants. Interestingly, salt-stressed lettuce plants showed a higher accumulation of proline as compared to tomato plants. On the other hand, the treatment with biostimulants in salt-stressed plants caused a differential induction of enzymatic activity depending on the plant and the biostimulant considered. Overall, our results suggest that tomato plants were constitutively more tolerant to salinity than lettuce plants. As a consequence, the effectiveness of biostimulants in alleviating high salt concentrations was more evident in lettuce. Among the four biostimulants tested, P and D showed to be the most promising for the amelioration of salt stress in both the plant species, thereby suggesting their possible application in the agricultural practice.
Morpho-biochemical characterization of a RIL population for seed parameters and identification of candidate genes regulating seed size trait in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)
Authors: Dutta Haragopal , K. M. Shivaprasad , Aski Muraleedhar S. , Mishra Gyan P. , Sinha Subodh Kumar , Vijay Dunna , C. T. Manjunath Prasad , Das Shouvik , Pawar Prashant Anupama-Mohan , Mishra Dwijesh C. , Singh Amit Kumar , Kumar Atul , Tripathi Kuldeep , Kumar Ranjeet Ranjan , Gupta Sanjeev , Kumar Shiv , Dikshit Harsh Kumar
Published: February 2023

The seed size and shape in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) are important quality traits as these influences the milled grain yield, cooking time, and market class of the grains. Linkage analysis was done for seed size in a RIL (F5:6) population derived by crossing L830 (20.9 g/1000 seeds) with L4602 (42.13 g/1000 seeds) which consisted of 188 lines (15.0 to 40.5 g/1000 seeds). Parental polymorphism survey using 394 SSRs identified 31 polymorphic primers, which were used for the bulked segregant analysis (BSA). Marker PBALC449 differentiated the parents and small seed size bulk only, whereas large seeded bulk or the individual plants constituting the large-seeded bulk could not be differentiated. Single plant analysis identified only six recombinant and 13 heterozygotes, of 93 small-seeded RILs (<24.0 g/1000 seed). This clearly showed that the small seed size trait is very strongly regulated by the locus near PBLAC449; whereas, large seed size trait seems governed by more than one locus. The PCR amplified products from the PBLAC449 marker (149bp from L4602 and 131bp from L830) were cloned, sequenced and BLAST searched using the lentil reference genome and was found amplified from chromosome 03. Afterward, the nearby region on chromosome 3 was searched, and a few candidate genes like ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase, E3 ubiquitin ligase, TIFY-like protein, and hexosyltransferase having a role in seed size determination were identified. Validation study in another RIL mapping population which is differing for seed size, showed a number of SNPs and InDels among these genes when studied using whole genome resequencing (WGRS) approach. Biochemical parameters like cellulose, lignin, and xylose content showed no significant differences between parents and the extreme RILs, at maturity. Various seed morphological traits like area, length, width, compactness, volume, perimeter, etc., when measured using VideometerLab 4.0 showed significant differences for the parents and RILs. The results have ultimately helped in better understanding the region regulating the seed size trait in genomically less explored crops like lentils.
Perennial herb diversity contributes more than annual herb diversity to multifunctionality in dryland ecosystems of North-western China
Authors: Guo Hao , Zhou Xiao-bing , Tao Ye , Yin Jin-fei , Zhang Lan , Guo Xing , Liu Chao-hong , Zhang Yuan-ming
Published: February 2023

Background

Considerable attention has been given to how different aspects of biodiversity sustain ecosystem functions. Herbs are a critical component of the plant community of dryland ecosystems, but the importance of different life form groups of herbs is often overlooked in experiments on biodiversity-ecosystem multifunctionality. Hence, little is known about how the multiple attributes of diversity of different life form groups of herbs affect changes to the multifunctionality of ecosystems.

Methods

We investigated geographic patterns of herb diversity and ecosystem multifunctionality along a precipitation gradient of 2100 km in Northwest China, and assessed the taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional attributes of different life form groups of herbs on the multifunctionality.

Results

We found that subordinate (richness effect) species of annual herbs and dominant (mass ratio effect) species of perennial herbs were crucial for driving multifunctionality. Most importantly, the multiple attributes (taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional) of herb diversity enhanced the multifunctionality. The functional diversity of herbs provided greater explanatory power than did taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity. In addition, the multiple attribute diversity of perennial herbs contributed more than annual herbs to multifunctionality.

Conclusions

Our findings provide insights into previously neglected mechanisms by which the diversity of different life form groups of herbs affect ecosystem multifunctionality. These results provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between biodiversity and multifunctionality, and will ultimately contribute to multifunctional conservation and restoration programs in dryland ecosystems.
Comparative transcriptomic analysis and functional characterization reveals that the class III peroxidase gene TaPRX-2A regulates drought stress tolerance in transgenic wheat
Authors: Su Peisen , Sui Chao , Niu Yufei , Li Jingyu , Wang Shuhan , Sun Fanting , Yan Jun , Guo Shangjing
Published: February 2023

Drought is a major abiotic stress that reduces crop yields and quality worldwide. Although some genes involved in the response to drought stress have been identified, a more in-depth understanding of the mechanisms underlying wheat tolerance to drought is needed for the control of drought tolerance. Here, we evaluated the drought tolerance of 15 wheat cultivars and measured their physiological–biochemical parameters. Our data showed that the drought tolerance of the resistant wheat cultivars was significantly higher than that of drought-sensitive cultivars, which was associated with a greater antioxidant capacity of the former. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that different mechanisms of drought tolerance exist between the wheat cultivars Ziyou 5 and Liangxing 66. Transcriptomic analysis also revealed a large number of DEGs, including those involved in flavonoid biosynthesis, phytohormone signalling, phenolamides and antioxidants. qRT–PCR was performed, and the results showed that the expression levels of TaPRX-2A were significantly different among the various wheat cultivars under drought stress. Further study revealed that overexpression of TaPRX-2A enhanced tolerance to drought stress through the maintenance of increased antioxidase activities and reductions in ROS contents. Overexpression of TaPRX-2A also increased the expression levels of stress-related genes and ABA-related genes. Taken together, our findings show that flavonoids, phytohormones, phenolamides and antioxidants are involved in the plant response to drought stress and that TaPRX-2A is a positive regulator of this response. Our study provides insights into tolerance mechanisms and highlights the potential of TaPRX-2A overexpression in enhancing drought tolerance in crop improvement programmes.
Forward genetic studies reveal LsAPRR2 as a key gene in regulating the green color of pericarp in bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)
Authors: Huo Yulai , Zhang Gui , Yu Wenjin , Liu Zhengguo , Shen Mujie , Zhao Rongchong , Hu Shengping , Zheng Xuyang , Wang Peng , Yang Yanjuan
Published: February 2023

The fruit peel color is an important factor that affects its quality. However, genes involved in regulating pericarp color in bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) have not been explored to date. Genetic analysis of color traits in bottle gourd peel through a genetic population of six generations demonstrated that the green color of peels is inherited as a single gene dominant trait. Combined phenotype-genotype analysis of recombinant plants using BSA-seq mapped the candidate gene to a 22.645 Kb interval at the head end of chromosome 1. We observed that the final interval contained only one gene, LsAPRR2 (HG_GLEAN_10010973). Sequence and spatiotemporal expression analyses of LsAPRR2 unraveled two nonsynonymous mutations (A→G) and (G→C) in the parental CDS sequences. Further, LsAPRR2 expression was higher in all green-skinned bottle gourds (H16) at various stages of fruit development than in white-skinned bottle gourds (H06). Cloning and sequence comparison of the two parental LsAPRR2 promoter regions indicated 11 bases insertion and 8 SNPs mutations in the region -991~-1033, upstream of the start codon in white bottle gourd. Proof of GUS reporting system, Genetic variation in this fragment significantly reduced the expression of LsAPRR2 in the pericarp of white bottle gourd. In addition, we developed a tightly linked (accuracy 93.88%) InDel marker for the promoter variant segment. Overall, the current study provides a theoretical basis for comprehensive elucidation of the regulatory mechanisms underlying the determination of bottle gourd pericarp color. This would further help in the directed molecular design breeding of bottle gourd pericarp.
Salt-responsive bermudagrass microRNAs and insights into light reaction photosynthetic performance
Authors: Fan Shugao , Amombo Erick , Avoga Sheila , Li Yating , Yin Yanling
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) is a warm-season grass with high drought and salt tolerance. However, its cultivation as a silage crop is limited by its lower forage value when compared to other C4 crops. Because of its high genetic variability in abiotic stress tolerance, bermudagrass-mediated genetic breeding offers significant promise for introducing alternative fodder crops in saline and drought-affected regions, and improved photosynthetic capacity is one way for increasing forage yield.

Methods

Here, we used RNA sequencing to profile miRNAs in two bermudagrass genotypes with contrasting salt tolerance growing under saline conditions.

Results

Putatively, 536 miRNA variants were salt-inducible, with the majority being downregulated in salt-tolerant vs sensitive varieties. Also, seven miRNAs putatively targeted 6 genes which were significantly annotated to light reaction photosynthesis. Among the microRNAs, highly abundant miRNA171f in the salt tolerant regime targeted Pentatricopeptide repeat-containing protein and dehydrogenase family 3 member F1 both annotated to electron transport and Light harvesting protein complex 1 genes annotated to light photosynthetic reaction in salt tolerant regime vs salt sensitive counterparts. To facilitate genetic breeding for photosynthetic capacity, we overexpressed miR171f in Medicago tracantula which resulted in a substantial increase in the chlorophyll transient curve, electron transport rate, quantum yield of photosystem II non photochemical quenching, NADPH and biomass accumulation under saline conditions while its targets were downregulated. At ambient light level the electron transport was negatively correlated with all parameters while the NADPH was positively associated higher dry matter in mutants.

Discussion

These results demonstrate that miR171f improves photosynthetic performance and dry matter accumulation via transcriptional repression of genes in the electron transport pathway under saline conditions and thus a target for breeding.
Does training with blurred images bring convolutional neural networks closer to humans with respect to robust object recognition and internal representations?
Authors: Yoshihara Sou , Fukiage Taiki , Nishida Shin'ya
Published: February 2023

It has been suggested that perceiving blurry images in addition to sharp images contributes to the development of robust human visual processing. To computationally investigate the effect of exposure to blurry images, we trained convolutional neural networks (CNNs) on ImageNet object recognition with a variety of combinations of sharp and blurred images. In agreement with recent reports, mixed training on blurred and sharp images (B+S training) brings CNNs closer to humans with respect to robust object recognition against a change in image blur. B+S training also slightly reduces the texture bias of CNNs in recognition of shape-texture cue conflict images, but the effect is not strong enough to achieve human-level shape bias. Other tests also suggest that B+S training cannot produce robust human-like object recognition based on global configuration features. Using representational similarity analysis and zero-shot transfer learning, we also show that B+S-Net does not facilitate blur-robust object recognition through separate specialized sub-networks, one network for sharp images and another for blurry images, but through a single network analyzing image features common across sharp and blurry images. However, blur training alone does not automatically create a mechanism like the human brain in which sub-band information is integrated into a common representation. Our analysis suggests that experience with blurred images may help the human brain recognize objects in blurred images, but that alone does not lead to robust, human-like object recognition.
Arabicization or Englishization of higher education in the Arab world? Controversies, policies and realities
Authors: Abdel Latif Muhammad M. M. , Alhamad Majed M.
Published: February 2023

Though there have been many calls for the Arabicization versus Englishization of higher education in the Arab world, no previous work seems to have comprehensively covered these calls and their outcomes in the region. In this paper, the authors review literature on the following four main pertinent issues: (a) the arguments for and against the Arabicization versus Englishization of higher education in the Arab world; (b) Arabicization attempts of higher education; (c) current Englishization policies and orientations of Arab higher education systems; and (d) realities of EMI practices in Arab universities. It is concluded that higher education Arabicization movements in the Arab world have not brought about their desired outcomes due to some barriers, whereas Englishization policies and practices have increasingly expanded in the region in the last three decades. The paper ends with discussing the implications of the review.
Effects of physical activity on visuospatial working memory in healthy individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Qiqi , Deng Jie , Yao Meixi , Xu Chong , Liu Demin , Guo Liya , Zhu Yu
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Physical activity interventions improve cognitive performance, especially visuospatial working memory (VSWM). However, evidence on the effects of these interventions in children, adolescents, and older adults remains scant. This meta-analysis aimed to identify the effects of physical activity on VSWM improvement in healthy individuals and the best exercise intervention program to improve VSWM capacity.

Methods

We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of exercise interventions targeting VSWM in healthy individuals from Web of Science, MEDLINE, BIOSIS Previews, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data (Chinese) databases, from inception to August 20, 2022.

Results

Among 21 articles (1,595 healthy participants), the heterogeneity test statistic was I2 = 32.3%, p = 0.053. The mean quality scores of the included articles were 6.9 points (reaction time [RT] studies) and 7.5 points (Score studies). Moreover, 28 RCTs were included (10 RT studies and 18 Score studies), and the subgroup analysis found significant effects for elderly participants, children, interventions involving a higher level of cognitive engagement, low and moderate exercise intensity, chronic exercise, exercise duration ≥60 min, and exercise period ≥90 days. Physical activity had a small but significant positive impact on VSWM in healthy individuals. Current evidence confirms the effects of physical activity on VSWM capacity only in children and seniors but not in young adults. Other age groups, including adolescents and middle-aged adults, have not been studied. Prescription of interventions involving high-level cognitive engagement, low and moderate exercise intensity, chronic exercise, exercise for >30 min per session, and exercise for more than 3 months is recommended for children and seniors.

Discussion

Future RCTs would be to fill the gap in studies on adolescents and middle-aged adults, and report detailed exercise intervention programs about different age groups.

Systematic Review Registration:PROSPERO (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022354737). INPLASY (https://doi.org/10.37766/inplasy2022.8.0053).
Giving what they want: How congruence between expected feedback quality and delivered feedback quality influences leader-member exchange and job performance
Authors: Qi Qi , Liu Yanyan , Liu Zhaoyan
Published: February 2023

As an attempt to solve the mixed results between leader feedback quality and employee job performance, this study proposes that employees’ expected feedback quality plays a key role in how employees react to leader feedback. Specifically, drawing on needs-supplies fit and social exchange theory, we posit that congruence between expected feedback quality and delivered feedback quality positively relates to employee task performance and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) through leader-member exchange (LMX). Further, we posit that learning goal orientation may strengthen the positive effect of congruence between expected feedback quality and delivered feedback quality on LMX. Multi-wave data collected from 226 employees from China showed that congruence between expected feedback quality and delivered feedback quality improves LMX and in turn benefits task performance and OCB. Moreover, learning goal orientation intensifies the indirect effect of congruence between expected feedback quality and delivered feedback quality on task performance and OCB through LMX. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
The study on the relationship between venture capital, tolerance to failure, and enterprise innovation performance
Authors: Han Jin , Chen Minling , Chen YanXin , Jing Qinling , Wang ShuangYan
Published: February 2023

Venture capital not only affects enterprise innovation decisions by providing funds, value-added services and allocating control rights, but also the psychological capital of venture capital can enhance its tolerance for failure in innovation activities of enterprises, and thus have a positive impact on innovation performance of enterprises. This paper uses multivariate and negative binomial regression models, propensity score matching method and Heckman treatment effect model to study the impact mechanism of venture capital on enterprise innovation performance, and the mediation role of venture capital’s tolerance for innovation failure in the relationship between the above two; this paper studies the moderating effect of the characteristics of heterogeneous venture capital institutions, such as joint investment strategies and geographical proximity, on the relationship between venture capital failure tolerance and enterprise innovation performance. The results show that venture capital can significantly improve its tolerance for enterprise innovation failure by holding shares and occupying seats on the board of directors of enterprises, thereby bring the increase of the innovation performance of enterprises; if joint investment strategy and close investment are selected, the tolerance of venture capital to innovation failure will have a more obvious effect on the promotion of enterprise innovation performance.
Driven or lacking access: Integration types as a subdimension of the affect consciousness construct
Authors: Vølstad Astrid Gravdal , Salas Maria Ingunnsdatter , Solbakken Ole André
Published: February 2023

Introduction

This article examines integration types as a sub-dimension of the affect consciousness construct to account for individual differences in how problems with the experience and expression of affects manifest. The two integration types driven and lack of access describe prototypical ways of experiencing and expressing affect, differentiating between problems characterized by too much or too little affective mobilization.

Methods

Archival data from a non-clinical sample (n = 157) was used to examine the validity and reliability of integration type scales from the Affect Integration Inventory (AII 2.0). Internal structure was assessed through confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) by structural equation modelling. Nomological validity was examined through tests of patterns of hypothesized associations between integration types across various affects and specific types of interpersonal problems (as measured by the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems; IIP-64).

Results

CFAs indicated acceptable fit for the different integration type scales and overall construct structure. Distinct sinusoidal patterns of correlations between integration types and interpersonal problems were found for the various affects examined. All correlation patterns had good fit (GoF ≥ 0.87), with significant differences in magnitude between peak and low point correlations.

Discussion

We conclude that differences in prototypical ways of experiencing and expressing affects can be assessed easily, quickly, and reliably, have theoretically consistent intra-domain relationships and valid structural psychometric properties, are robustly related to interpersonal functioning in general, and are systematically and differentially related to specific and theoretically hypothesized interpersonal problem types.
Exposure to exposure: A protocol for leveraging exposure principles during training to address therapist-level barriers to exposure implementation
Authors: Kemp Joshua , Benito Kristen , Herren Jennifer , Brown Zoe , Frank Hannah E. , Freeman Jennifer
Published: February 2023

Background

Exposure therapy is a highly effective but underutilized treatment for anxiety disorders. A primary contributor to its underutilization is therapist-level negative beliefs about its safety and tolerability for patients. Given functional similarities between anxious beliefs among patients and negative beliefs among therapists, the present protocol describes how exposure principles can be leveraged during training to target and reduce therapist negative beliefs.

Methods

The study will take place in two phases. First, is a case-series analysis to fine-tune training procedures that is already complete, and the second is an ongoing randomized trial that tests the novel exposure to exposure (E2E) training condition against a passive didactic approach. A precision implementation framework will be applied to evaluate the mechanism(s) by which training influences aspects of therapist delivery following training.

Anticipated results

It is hypothesized that the E2E training condition will produce greater reductions in therapists’ negative beliefs about exposure during training relative to the didactic condition, and that greater reduction in negative beliefs will be associated with higher quality exposure delivery as measured by coding of videotaped delivery with actual patients.

Conclusion

Implementation challenges encountered to date are discussed along with recommendations for future training interventions. Considerations for expansion of the E2E training approach are also discussed within the context of parallel treatment and training processes that may be tested in future training trials.
Art-based interventions for women’s mental health in pregnancy and postpartum: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Qian Jialu , Sun Shiwen , Wang Man , Sun Xiangyu , Yu Xiaoyan
Published: February 2023

Objective

Pregnant and postpartum women are vulnerable to psychological problems with a high estimated prevalence. To date, there is no meta-analysis that specifically assesses the effectiveness of art-based interventions to improve mental health in pregnant and postpartum women. The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of art-based interventions when delivered to pregnant and postpartum women.

Methods

Systematic literature searches were conducted from the inception to 6 March 2022 in seven English databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register, CINAHL, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) reporting art-based interventions targeting the improvement of women’s mental health in pregnancy and postpartum were included. Cochrane risk of bias tool was applied to assess evidence quality.

Results

Twenty-one randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving 2,815 participants were eligible for data analysis. A pooled analysis demonstrated that art-based interventions significantly reduced anxiety (SMD = −0.75, 95% CI = −1.10 to −0.40) and depression symptoms (MD = −0.79, 95% CI = −1.30 to −0.28). However, art-based interventions did not alleviate stress symptoms as expected in our findings. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that intervention implementation time, intervention duration and music selected by the participants vs. not could have influence on the efficacy of art-based intervention for anxiety.

Conclusion

In perinatal mental health, art-based interventions may be effective in alleviating anxiety and depression. In the future, we still need to conduct high-quality RCTs to validate our findings and enrich clinical application of art-based interventions.
Associations between post-traumatic stress symptoms and quality of life among psychiatric healthcare personnel in China during the COVID-19 pandemic: A network approach
Authors: Zhao Yan-Jie , Zhang Cheng , Guo Tong , Sha Sha , Su Zhaohui , Cheung Teris , Jackson Todd , An Feng-Rong , Xiang Yu-Tao
Published: February 2023

Background

Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are commonly reported by psychiatric healthcare personnel during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and negatively affect quality of life (QOL). However, associations between PTSS and QOL at symptom level are not clear. This study examined the network structure of PTSS and its connection with QOL in psychiatric healthcare personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was carried out between March 15 and March 20, 2020 based on convenience sampling. Self-report measures including the 17-item Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist – Civilian version (PCL-C) and World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire - Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) were used to measure PTSS and global QOL, respectively. Network analysis was used to investigate the central symptoms of PTSS and pattern of connections between PTSS and QOL. An undirected network was constructed using an extended Bayesian Information Criterion (EBIC) model, while a directed network was established based on the Triangulated Maximally Filtered Graph (TMFG) method.

Results

Altogether, 10,516 psychiatric healthcare personnel completed the assessment. “Avoidance of thoughts” (PTSS-6), “Avoidance of reminders” (PTSS-7), and “emotionally numb” (PTSS-11) were the most central symptoms in the PTSS community, all of which were in theAvoidance and Numbingdomain. Key bridge symptoms connecting PTSS and QOL were “Sleep disturbances” (PTSS-13), “Irritability” (PTSS-14) and “Difficulty concentrating” (PTSS-15), all of which were within theHyperarousaldomain.

Conclusion

In this sample, the most prominent PTSS symptoms reflected avoidance while symptoms of hyper-arousal had the strongest links with QOL. As such, these symptom clusters are potentially useful targets for interventions to improve PTSS and QOL among healthcare personnel at work under pandemic conditions.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of immunocompromised patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia: A single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wu Xiaojing , Sun Ting , Cai Ying , Zhai Tianshu , Liu Yijie , Gu Sichao , Zhou Yun , Zhan Qingyuan
Published: February 2023

Background

Immunocompromised patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) warrant special attention because they comprise a growing proportion of patients and tend to have poor clinical outcomes. The objective of this study was to compare the characteristics and outcomes of immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients with SCAP, and to investigate the risk factors for mortality in these patients.

Methods

We conducted retrospective observational cohort study of patients aged ≥18 years admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of an academic tertiary hospital with SCAP between January 2017 and December 2019 and compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes of immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients.

Results

Among the 393 patients, 119 (30.3%) were immunocompromised. Corticosteroid (51.2%) and immunosuppressive drug (23.5%) therapies were the most common causes. Compared to immunocompetent patients, immunocompromised patients had a higher frequency of polymicrobial infection (56.6 vs. 27.5%, P < 0.001), early mortality (within 7 days) (26.1 vs. 13.1%, P = 0.002), and ICU mortality (49.6 vs. 37.6%, P = 0.027). The pathogen distributions differed between immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Among immunocompromised patients, Pneumocystis jirovecii and cytomegalovirus were the most common pathogens. Immunocompromised status (OR: 2.043, 95% CI: 1.114–3.748, P = 0.021) was an independent risk factor for ICU mortality. Independent risk factors for ICU mortality in immunocompromised patients included age ≥ 65 years (odds ratio [OR]: 9.098, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.472–56.234, P = 0.018), SOFA score [OR: 1.338, 95% CI: 1.048–1.708, P = 0.019), lymphocyte count < 0.8 × 109/L (OR: 6.640, 95% CI: 1.463–30.141, P = 0.014), D-dimer level (OR: 1.160, 95% CI: 1.013–1.329, P = 0.032), FiO2 > 0.7 (OR: 10.228, 95% CI: 1.992–52.531, P = 0.005), and lactate level (OR: 4.849, 95% CI: 1.701–13.825, P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Immunocompromised patients with SCAP have distinct clinical characteristics and risk factors that should be considered in their clinical evaluation and management.