bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Body mass index percentiles versus body composition assessments: Challenges for disease risk classifications in children
Authors: Clasey Jody L. , Easley Elizabeth A. , Murphy Margaret O. , Kiessling Stefan G. , Stromberg Arnold , Schadler Aric , Huang Hong , Bauer John A.
Published: March 2023

Background

Identifying at-risk children with optimal specificity and sensitivity to allow for the appropriate intervention strategies to be implemented is crucial to improving the health and well-being of children. We determined relationships of body mass indexes for age and sex percentile (BMI%) classifications to actual body composition using validated and convenient methodologies and compared fat and non-fat mass estimates to normative cut-off reference values to determine guideline reliability. We hypothesized that we would achieve an improved ability to identify at-risk children using simple, non-invasive body composition and index measures.

Methods

Cross-sectional study of a volunteer convenience sample of 1,064 (537 boys) young children comparing Body Fat Percentage (BF%), Fat Mass Index (FMI), Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI), determined via rapid bioimpedance methods vs. BMI% in children. Comparisons determined among weight classifications and boys vs. girls.

Results

Amongst all subjects BMI% was generally correlated to body composition measures and indexes but nearly one quarter of children in the low-risk classifications (healthy weight or overweight BMI%) had higher BF% and/or lower FFMI than recommended standards. Substantial evidence of higher than expected fatness and or sarcopenia was found relative to risk status. Inaccuracies were more common in girls than boys and girls were found to have consistently higher BF% at any BMI%.

Conclusions

The population studied raises concerns regarding actual risks for children of healthy or overweight categorized BMI% since many had higher than expected BF% and potential sarcopenia. When body composition and FMI and FFMI are used in conjunction with BMI% improved sensitivity, and accuracy of identifying children who may benefit from appropriate interventions results. These additional measures could help guide clinical decision making in settings of disease-risks stratifications and interventions.
Titanium elastic nails vs locking plate in pediatric subtrochanteric femur fractures: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Yaqiang , Xue Yun , Zhao Maosheng , Chen Xianxia , Gao Qiuming
Published: March 2023

Objective

Titanium elastic nails (TENs) and locking plates (LPs) are currently the main internal fixation for treating pediatric subtrochanteric femur fractures, and the optimal choice of internal fixation is controversial. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TENs and LPs in treating subtrochanteric fractures in children to provide a theoretical basis and reference for clinical treatment.

Methods

The literature related to TENs and LPs for treating subtrochanteric fractures in children was searched using the CNKI, PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science, and the search time frame was from the establishment of the database to October 2022. Two evaluators screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and extracted relevant data. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata14.0 software.

Results

A total of 9 studies with 407 patients with subtrochanteric femur fractures were included in the final screening, including 210 cases with TENs and 197 cases with LPs. Meta-analysis results showed that compared with the locking plate, TEN had a shorter operative time [WMD = −1.3, 95%CI(−1.94,-0.66),p < 0.01], less intraoperative bleeding [WMD = −84.45, 95%CI(−111.09, −57.82),p < 0.01], shorter fracture healing time [WMD = −1.3, 95%CI(−1.94,−0.66),P < 0.01], shorter hospital stays [WMD = −2.80, 95% CI(−4.63,−0.98),p < 0.01], and earlier full weight bearing [SMD = −0.48, 95% CI(−0.91,−0.04),p < 0.05] but more intraoperative fluoroscopy [WMD = 28.23, 95% CI(15.22,41.25),p < 0.05]. The overall complication rate was high [OR = 3.52, 95% CI(1.96,6.34),p < 0.05], and the postoperative period was prone to angulation, rotation, and inversion deformity [OR = 3.68, 95% CI(1.40, 9.68),p < 0.05]. No significant difference in the incidence of lower limb inequality between the two types of internal fixation [OR = 0.83, 95% CI(0.38, 1.85),p > 0.05] and no significant difference in the Harris score of the hip at the last follow-up between the two types of internal fixation [WMD = −0.67, 95% CI(−2.01,0.67),p > 0.05] were found.

Conclusion

In comparison to LPs, TENs have a shorter operation time, less intraoperative bleeding, and a shorter fracture healing time, and the child can be fully weight-bearing earlier. Locking plates can reduce the operator's x-ray exposure, and the incidence rate of postoperative angulation, rotation, and inversion deformity is low. Therefore, TENs and LPs are the best internal fixation methods for treating subtrochanteric fractures in children.
Non-thyroidal illness syndrome and its relationship with mortality risk in critically ill children
Authors: Carreras Laura , Riaño Isolina , Vivanco Ana , Avello Noelia , Iglesias Tania , Rey Corsino
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) is considered to be associated with adverse outcomes in critically ill children.The hypothesis that thyroid hormones and inflammatory markers are associated with increased prediction of mortality risk scores is tested in this paper.

Methods

A prospective observational study was set up in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). One hundred and three patients were included. NTIS was defined as a low free triiodothyronine (FT3) value for the patient's age. Thyroid hormones levels and inflammatory markers were determined at admission: FT3, FT4 (free thyroxine), TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), rT3 (reverse triiodothyronine), CRP (C-reactive protein) and PCT (Procalcitonin). They were compared between children with a pediatric risk of mortality score PRISM-III >75th percentile (group A, n= 25) and the rest (group B, n = 78).

Results

A FT4 value lower than 16.6 pmol/L showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.655 (0.56–0.78, p = 0.02), with 76% sensitivity and 61.5% specificity to detect a high risk of mortality. A multiple regression analysis revealed that a FT4 lower than 16.6 pmol/L [OR: 4.92 (1.60–18.19), p = 0.009] and having NTIS [OR: 6.04 (1.45–27.93), p = 0.016] could predict a high risk of mortality.

Conclusions

In unselected critically ill children, FT4 and FT3 values at admission could be used as a good predictor of a high mortality risk. We have not achieved a predictive model that combines hormones with inflammatory markers.
Evaluation of efficacy and safety for compound kushen injection combined with intraperitoneal chemotherapy for patients with malignant ascites: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yu Hui-Bo , Hu Jia-Qi , Han Bao-Jin , Cao Hui-Juan , Chen Shun-Tai , Chen Xin , Xiong Hong-Tai , Gao Jin , Du Yan-Yuan , Zheng Hong-Gang
Published: March 2023

Objectives: Compound Kushen injection (CKI) combined with intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) is widely used in the treatment of malignant ascites (MA). However, evidence about its efficacy and safety remains limited. This review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CKI combined with IPC for the treatment of MA.

Methods: Protocol of this review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022304259). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy and safety of IPC with CKI for the treatment of patients with MA were searched through 12 electronic databases and 2 clinical trials registration platforms from inception until 20 January 2023. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to assess the quality of the included trials through the risk of bias assessment. We included RCTs that compared IPC single used or CKI combined with IPC for patients with MA schedule to start IPC. The primary outcome was identified as an objective response rate (ORR), while the secondary outcomes were identified as the quality of life (QoL), survival time, immune functions, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The Revman5.4 and Stata17 software were used to calculate the risk ratio (RR) at 95% confidence intervals (CI) for binary outcomes and the mean difference (MD) at 95% CI for continuous outcomes. The certainty of the evidence was assessed according to the GRADE criteria.

Results: A total of 17 RCTs were assessed, which included 1200 patients. The risk of bias assessment of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool revealed that one study was rated high risk and the remaining as unclear or low risk. Meta-analysis revealed that CKI combined with IPC had an advantage in increasing ORR (RR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.43, p < 0.00001) and QoL (RR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.83, p < 0.0001) when compared with IPC alone. Moreover, the combined treatment group showed a lower incidence of myelosuppression (RR = 0.51, 95%CI 0.40–0.64, p < 0.00001), liver dysfunction (RR = 0.33, 95%CI 0.16 to 0.70, p = 0.004), renal dysfunction (RR = 0.39, 95%CI 0.17 to 0.89, p = 0.02), and fever (RR = 0.51, 95%CI 0.35 to 0.75, p = 0.0007) compared to those of the control group. The quality of evidence assessment through GRADE criteria showed that ORR, myelosuppression, and fever were rated moderate, renal dysfunction and liver dysfunction were rated low, and QoL and abdominal pain were rated very low.

Conclusion: The efficacy and safety of CKI combined with IPC were superior to that with IPC alone for the treatment of MA, which indicates the potentiality of the treatment. However, more high-quality RCTs are required to validate this conclusion.

Systematic Review Registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022304259], identifier [PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022304259].
Research hotspots and frotiers of stem cells in stroke: A bibliometric analysis from 2004 to 2022
Authors: Zhang Qi , Zeng Yuting , Zheng Shuqi , Chen Ling , Liu Haining , Chen Hui , Zhang Xiaofeng , Zou Jihua , Zheng Xiaoyan , Wan Yantong , Huang Guozhi , Zeng Qing
Published: March 2023

Background: Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and permanent disability worldwide. However, the current stroke treatment has a limited effect. Therefore, a new treatment is urgently needed. Stem cell therapy is a cutting-edge treatment for stroke patients. This study aimed to gain better understanding of global stem cell trends in stroke via a bibliometric analysis.

Methods: We used the Web of Science Core Collection to search pertinent articles about stem cells in stroke published between 2004 and 2022. Analysis was conducted using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and the R package “bibliometrix” to identify publication outputs, countries/regions, institutions, authors/co-cited authors, journals/co-cited journals, co-cited references, and keywords.

Results: A total of 6,703 publications were included in the bibliometric analysis. The total number of citations significantly and rapidly increased between 2004 and 2022, with the most pronounced growth pattern observed in the period of 2008–2009. In terms of authoritarian countries, the USA had the most publications among the countries. As for institutions and authors, the most prolific institution was the University of South Florida, followed by Oakland University and then Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Chopp, M. and Borlongan, Cesario V, had the most output among the authors. Regarding the journals, Cell Transplantation had the highest publication, followed by Brain Research. As for references, “Mesenchymal stem cells as trophic mediators” was the most frequently cited (2,082), and the article entitled Neuronal replacement from endogenous precursors in the adult brain after stroke had the strongest burstiness (strength = 81.35). Emerging hot words in the past decade included “adhesion molecule,” “mesenchymal stromal cell,” “extracellular vesicle,” “pluripotent stem cells,” “signaling pathway,” “plasticity,” and “exosomes.”

Conclusion: Between 2004 and 2022, the terms “neurogenesis,” “angiogenesis,” “mesenchymal stem cells,” “extracellular vesicle,” “exosomes,” “inflammation,” and “oxidative stress” have emerged as the hot research areas for research on stem cells in stroke. Although stem cells exert a number of positive effects, the main mechanisms for mitigating the damage caused by stroke are still unknown. Clinical challenges may include complicating factors that can affect the efficacy of stem cell therapy, which are worth a deep exploration.
Urolithin A analog inhibits castration-resistant prostate cancer by targeting the androgen receptor and its variant, androgen receptor-variant 7
Authors: Chandrasekaran Balaji , Tyagi Ashish , Saran Uttara , Kolluru Venkatesh , Baby Becca V. , Chirasani Venkat R. , Dokholyan Nikolay V. , Lin Jyh M. , Singh Amandeep , Sharma Arun K. , Ankem Murali K. , Damodaran Chendil
Published: March 2023

We investigated the efficacy of a small molecule ASR-600, an analog of Urolithin A (Uro A), on blocking androgen receptor (AR) and its splice variant AR-variant 7 (AR-V7) signaling in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). ASR-600 effectively suppressed the growth of AR+ CRPC cells by inhibiting AR and AR-V7 expressions; no effect was seen in AR− CRPC and normal prostate epithelial cells. Biomolecular interaction assays revealed ASR-600 binds to the N-terminal domain of AR, which was further confirmed by immunoblot and subcellular localization studies. Molecular studies suggested that ASR-600 promotes the ubiquitination of AR and AR-V7 resulting in the inhibition of AR signaling. Microsomal and plasma stability studies suggest that ASR-600 is stable, and its oral administration inhibits tumor growth in CRPC xenografted castrated and non-castrated mice. In conclusion, our data suggest that ASR-600 enhances AR ubiquitination in both AR+ and AR-V7 CRPC cells and inhibits their growth in vitro and in vivo models.
Recent developments in Salvia miltiorrhiza polysaccharides: Isolation, purification, structural characteristics and biological activities
Authors: Luo Lei , Xue Juan , Shao Zheng , Zhou Zhang , Tang Wenqian , Liu Jinxin , Hu Hongfei , Yang Fan
Published: March 2023

In recent years, natural polysaccharides have attracted more and more attention and research because of their value in the medicine, beauty and food fields. Salvia miltiorrhiza is a traditional Chinese herb that has been used for thousands of years and has antidiabetic, antifibrotic, neuroprotective, antioxidation, anti-inflammatory and other effects. It mainly includes rosmarinic acid, tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA, tanshinone IIB, procatechualdehyde, polysaccharide and salvianolic acids. Salvia miltiorrhiza polysaccharide is a polysaccharide extracted and isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza and has diverse biological functions, including antioxidation, anti-tumor, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, immune regulatory and cardioprotective effect. In this review, the extraction, purification, structural characterization and biological activity of SMPs are summarized and new perspectives for the future work of SMPs were also proposed, we hope our research can provide a reference for further research on SMPs.
Intraoperative optical coherence tomography angiography for intraocular surgery
Authors: Cheng Dan , Zhang Ziyi , Qiao Yilin , Ye Yufeng , Zhu Xueying , Ruan Kaiming , Shen Meixiao , Liu Kaiyuan , Tao Jiwei , Chen Yiqi , Shen Lijun , Li Peng
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of an intraoperative optical coherence tomography angiography (iOCTA) system integrated with a surgical microscope, and further investigate the real-time retinal vascular change in intraocular pressure fluctuation during surgery in rabbits.

Methods: The feasibility of this system was confirmed through fundus angiography imaging in 12 rabbit eyes during simulated surgeries in 4 groups, 30 mmHg infusion pressure (IP), 60 mmHg IP, 100 mmHg IP, and control groups. The eyes were removed after seven days. Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) damage was analyzed histologically.

Results: The OCTA technique can acquire images of retinal capillaries in rabbit eyes and quantitatively analyzing the vessel density. In the 30 mmHg IP group, there was no significant difference in the retinal vasculature during the operation. The OCTA signal and the RGCs decreased significantly in the 60 and 100 mmHg groups.

Conclusions: The system can real-timely monitor the human retinal vasculature in high-resolution images and help surgeons to make decision during intraocular surgery.
A learning-based image processing approach for pulse wave velocity estimation using spectrogram from peripheral pulse wave signals: An in silico study
Authors: Vargas Juan M. , Bahloul Mohamed A. , Laleg-Kirati Taous-Meriem
Published: March 2023

Carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) is considered a critical index to evaluate arterial stiffness. For this reason, estimating Carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) is essential for diagnosing and analyzing different cardiovascular diseases. Despite its broader adoption in the clinical routine, the measurement process of carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity is considered a demanding task for clinicians and patients making it prone to inaccuracies and errors in the estimation. A smart non-invasive, and peripheral measurement of carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity could overcome the challenges of the classical assessment process and improve the quality of patient care. This paper proposes a novel methodology for the carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity estimation based on the use of the spectrogram representation from single non-invasive peripheral pulse wave signals [photoplethysmography (PPG) or blood pressure (BP)]. This methodology was tested using three feature extraction methods based on the semi-classical signal analysis (SCSA) method, the Law’s mask for texture energy extraction, and the central statistical moments. Finally, each feature method was fed into different machine learning models for the carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity estimation. The proposed methodology obtained an $R2\geq0.90$ for all the peripheral signals for the noise-free case using the MLP model, and for the different noise levels added to the original signal, the SCSA-based features with the MLP model presented an $R2\geq0.91$ for all the peripheral signals at the level of noise. These results provide evidence of the capacity of spectrogram representation for efficiently assessing the carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity estimation using different feature methods. Future work will be done toward testing the proposed methodology for in-vivo signals.
Deep-learning based quantification model for hip bone marrow edema and synovitis in patients with spondyloarthritis based on magnetic resonance images
Authors: Zheng Yan , Bai Chao , Zhang Kui , Han Qing , Guan Qingbiao , Liu Ying , Zheng Zhaohui , Xia Yong , Zhu Ping
Published: March 2023

Objectives: Hip inflammation is one of the most common complications in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). Herein, we employed use of a deep learning-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation model to identify irregular and multiple inflammatory lesions of the hip.

Methods: All of the SpA patients were enrolled at the Xijing Hospital. The erythrocyte sediment rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), hip function Harris score, and disease activity were evaluated by clinicians. Manual MRI annotations including bone marrow edema (BME) and effusion/synovitis, and a hip MRI scoring system (HIMRISS) assessment was performed by experienced musculoskeletal radiologists. The segmentation accuracies of four deep learning models, including U-Net, UNet++, Attention-Unet, and HRNet, were compared using five-fold cross-validation. The clinical agreement of U-Net was evaluated with clinical symptoms and HIMRISS results.

Results: A total of 1945 MRI slices of STIR/T2WI sequences were obtained from 195 SpA patients with hip involvement. After the five-fold cross-validation, U-Net achieved an average segmentation accuracy of 88.48% for the femoral head and 69.36% for inflammatory lesions, which are higher than those obtained by the other three models. The UNet-score, which was calculated based on the same MRI slices as HIMRISS, was significantly correlated with the HIMRISS scores and disease activity indexes (p values <0.05).

Conclusion: This deep-learning based automatic MRI evaluation model could achieve similar quantification performance as an expert radiologist, and it has the potential to improve the accuracy and efficiency of clinical diagnosis for SpA patients with hip involvement.
Brome mosaic virus detected in Kansas wheat co-infected with other common wheat viruses
Authors: Ranabhat Nar B. , Fellers John P. , Bruce Myron A. , Rupp Jessica L. Shoup
Published: March 2023

Wheat breeders are developing new virus-resistant varieties; however, it is assumed that only a few viruses or well-known viruses are present in the field. New sequencing technology is allowing for better determination of natural field virus populations. For three years, 2019-2021, Kansas wheat field surveys were conducted to determine the constituents of natural field virus populations using nanopore sequencing. During analysis, brome mosaic virus (BMV) was identified for the first time in Kansas but was in association with other wheat viruses. Brome mosaic virus was identified from 29 out of 47 different Kansas counties sampled and 44% of the total samples. BMV was found co-infected with wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV) in 27.8% of the samples, with WSMV only (13.9%) and co-infected with WSMV + TriMV + High Plains wheat mosaic emaravirus (HPWMoV) (13.9%). RNA genomes of Kansas BMV isolates had 99.4 to 100% nucleotide and amino acid sequence identity, respectively, to each other. RNA2a possessed relatively high divergence (π = 0.01) compared to RNA1a and RNA3a (π = 0.004). Coding regions of all BMV RNAs were considered negative for purifying selection pressure as nonsynonymous and synonymous nucleotide ratio was less than one (dNs/dS >1). The identification of BMV in Kansas virus populations adds another layer of complexity to plant breeding. This work provides information to improve tools to aid in monitoring, detecting, and determining the variation within BMV.
Nitrogen fertilization rates mediate rhizosphere soil carbon emissions of continuous peanut monoculture by altering cellulose-specific microbess
Authors: Wu Zhengfeng , Tang Zhaohui , Yu Tianyi , Zhang Jiancheng , Zheng Yongmei , Yang Jishun , Wu Yue , Sun Qiqi
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Crops influence both soil microbial communities and soil organic carbon (SOC) cycling through rhizosphere processes, yet their responses to nitrogen (N) fertilization have not been well investigated under continuous monoculture.

Methods

In this study, rhizosphere soil microbial communities from a 5-year continuous mono-cropped peanut land were examined using Illumina HighSeq sequencing, with an N fertilization gradient that included 0 (N0), 60 (N60), 120 (N120) and 180 (N180) kg hm−2. Soil respiration rate (Rs) and its temperature sensitivity (Q10) were determined, with soil carbon-acquiring enzyme activities assayed.

Results and discussion

The obtained results showed that with N fertilization, soil mineral N (Nmin) was highly increased and the soil C/N ratio was decreased; yields were unchanged, but root biomass was stimulated only at N120. The activities of β-1,4-glucosidase and polyphenol oxidase were reduced across application rates, but that of β-1,4-cellobiohydrolase was increased only at N120. Bacterial alpha diversity was unchanged, but fungal richness and diversity were increased at N60 and N120. For bacterial groups, the relative abundance of Acidobacteria was reduced, while those of Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria were increased at N60 and N120. For fungal members, the pathogenic Sordariomycetes was inhibited, but the saprotrophic Agaricomycetes was promoted, regardless of N fertilization rates. RDA identified different factors driving the variations in bacterial (root biomass) and fungal (Nmin) community composition. N fertilization increased Rs slightly at N60 and significantly at N120, mainly through the promotion of cellulose-related microbes, and decreased Rs slightly at N180, likely due to carbon limitation. N fertilization reduced microbial biomass carbon (MBC) at N60, N120 and N180, decreased SOC at N120 and N180, and suppressed dissolved organic carbon (DOC) at N180. In addition, the unchanged Q10 may be a joint result of several mechanisms that counteracted each other. These results are of critical importance for assessing the sustainability of continuously monocultured ecosystems, especially when confronting global climate change.
The effect of additional shading utilizing agriphotovoltaic structures on the visual qualities and metabolites of broccoli
Authors: Moon Hyeon-Woo , Ku Kang-Mo
Published: March 2023

Agriphotovoltaic (APV) systems allow the simultaneous production of crops and electricity in the same land area. Since the reduction of yield caused by APV systems is important for food security, studies to improve the yield have been conducted steadily. However, there have been limited data on the appearance, quality, and metabolomic changes of crops. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the visual qualities and metabolites as well as the yield of broccoli grown using an APV system during the fall season. In addition, additional shading treatment was performed, and the same qualities were evaluated. In the spring season, an additional cultivar that does not express anthocyanins was cultivated. Glucosinolate content was more sensitive to the seasonal environment and the type of cultivar than it was to treatment type. The additional shading treatment had a positive effect on the visual qualities of anthocyanin-expressing broccoli cultivar regardless of the season, and we observed that even a cultivar that does not express anthocyanins can be greener. Regardless of cultivar, higher chlorophyll content was detected in broccoli florets with additional shading treatment under the APV system. In addition, reduced anthocyanin content was observed (6.1 mg g-1 DW; about 20% of that obtained on open-field). Aspartic acid content was enhanced upon additional shading treatment. Pathway analysis revealed changes in anthocyanin, alanine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid metabolism. Overall, our findings suggests that it is possible to produce crops with better visual qualities by utilizing APV systems.
Effects of seasonal temperature regimes on embryo growth and endogenous hormones of Taxus chinensis var. mairei seeds
Authors: Zhou Man , Xu Yan , Wang Fang , Yang Xuejun , Lu Shunbao , Zhang Yanjie
Published: March 2023

Seed dormancy is a mechanism that prevents seeds from germinating at times of the year when conditions are unfavorable, that is, when the chance of seed survival is low. Determining the seasonal dynamics of seed dormancy is important for exploring how plant regeneration is adapted to the environment. We studied the seed dormancy status of Taxus chinensis var. mairei, an endangered species in China, under simulated seasonal temperature regimes. The embryo length, embryo-to-seed (E : S) ratio, and percentage of seeds with a split seed coat increased when seeds were stratified at spring and autumn temperature regimes. The abscisic acid (ABA) content decreased during stratification at simulated seasonal temperatures, but no obvious pattern in the content of gibberellic acid (GA) and indole acetic acid (IAA) was observed. The GA–ABA and IAA–ABA ratios increased during stratification. These results suggest that T. chinensis var. mairei seeds have morphophysiological dormancy, and that the seasonal dynamics of seed dormancy break are controlled by endogenous hormones and their balances, which was confirmed by the results of a field experiment. Our study provides useful information for understanding the natural population regeneration and propagation of this threatened species.
Short-term transcriptomic analysis at organ scale reveals candidate genes involved in low N responses in NUE-contrasting tomato genotypes
Authors: Sunseri Francesco , Aci Meriem Miyassa , Mauceri Antonio , Caldiero Ciro , Puccio Guglielmo , Mercati Francesco , Abenavoli Maria Rosa
Published: March 2023

Background

Understanding the complex regulatory network underlying plant nitrogen (N) responses associated with high Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) is one of the main challenges for sustainable cropping systems. Nitrate (NO3-), acting as both an N source and a signal molecule, provokes very fast transcriptome reprogramming, allowing plants to adapt to its availability. These changes are genotype- and tissue-specific; thus, the comparison between contrasting genotypes is crucial to uncovering high NUE mechanisms.

Methods

Here, we compared, for the first time, the spatio-temporal transcriptome changes in both root and shoot of two NUE contrasting tomato genotypes, Regina Ostuni (high-NUE) and UC82 (low-NUE), in response to short-term (within 24 h) low (LN) and high (HN) NO3- resupply.

Results

Using time-series transcriptome data (0, 8, and 24 h), we identified 395 and 482 N-responsive genes differentially expressed (DEGs) between RO and UC82 in shoot and root, respectively. Protein kinase signaling plant hormone signal transduction, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were the main enriched metabolic pathways in shoot and root, respectively, and were upregulated in RO compared to UC82. Interestingly, several N transporters belonging to NRT and NPF families, such as NRT2.3, NRT2.4, NPF1.2, and NPF8.3, were found differentially expressed between RO and UC82 genotypes, which might explain the contrasting NUE performances. Transcription factors (TFs) belonging to several families, such as ERF, LOB, GLK, NFYB, ARF, Zinc-finger, and MYB, were differentially expressed between genotypes in response to LN. A complementary Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) allowed the identification of LN-responsive co-expression modules in RO shoot and root. The regulatory network analysis revealed candidate genes that might have key functions in short-term LN regulation. In particular, an asparagine synthetase (ASNS), a CBL-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (CIPK1), a cytokinin riboside 5’-monophosphate phosphoribohydrolase (LOG8), a glycosyltransferase (UGT73C4), and an ERF2 were identified in the shoot, while an LRR receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase (FEI1) and two TFs NF-YB5 and LOB37 were identified in the root.

Discussion

Our results revealed potential candidate genes that independently and/or concurrently may regulate short-term low-N response, suggesting a key role played by cytokinin and ROS balancing in early LN regulation mechanisms adopted by the N-use efficient genotype RO.
Genetic and physiological requirements for high-level sesquiterpene-production in tomato glandular trichomes
Authors: Kortbeek Ruy W. J. , Galland Marc D. , Muras Aleksandra , Therezan Rodrigo , Maia Sofia , Haring Michel A. , Schuurink Robert C. , Bleeker Petra M.
Published: March 2023

Type-VI glandular trichomes of wild tomato Solanum habrochaites PI127826 produce high levels of the sesquiterpene 7-epizingiberene and its derivatives, making the plant repellent and toxic to several pest insects and pathogens. How wild tomato trichomes achieve such high terpene production is still largely unknown. Here we show that a cross (F1) with a cultivated tomato produced only minute levels of 7-epizingiberene. In the F2-progeny, selected for the presence of the 7-epizingiberene biosynthesis genes, only three percent produced comparable amounts the wild parent, indicating this trait is recessive and multigenic. Moreover, trichome density alone did not explain the total levels of terpene levels found on the leaves. We selected F2 plants with the “high-production active-trichome phenotype” of PI127826, having trichomes producing about 150 times higher levels of terpenes than F2 individuals that displayed a “low-production lazy-trichome phenotype”. Terpene quantities in trichomes of these F2 plants correlated with the volume of the storage cavity and shape of the gland. We found that trichome morphology is not a predetermined characteristic, but cavity volume rather depended on gland-cell metabolic activity. Inhibitor assays showed that the plastidial-precursor pathway (MEP) is fundamental for high-level production of both cytosolic as well as plastid-derived terpenes in tomato trichomes. Additionally, gene expression profiles of isolated secretory cells showed that key enzymes in the MEP pathway were higher expressed in active trichomes. We conclude that the MEP pathway is the primary precursor-supply route in wild tomato type-VI trichomes and that the high-production phenotype of the wild tomato trichome is indeed a multigenic trait.
When fate hands you lemons: A moderated moderation model of bullying victimization and psychological distress among Chinese adolescents during floods and the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Zhang Yuchi , Jia Xiaoyu
Published: March 2023

Background

Bullying is a major problem worldwide and has numerous detrimental effects on the mental health of victims. The link between bullying and psychological distress in adolescents is well known. However, few studies have analyzed the impact of combined interpersonal, peer, and cultural factors on psychological distress using a social-ecological system framework in Eastern countries. Negotiable fate is a cultural belief common in Eastern societies that suggests that people can negotiate with fate for more control by exercising personal agency within the limits of what fate has determined. This study examined the moderating effects of neuroticism and negotiable fate on the relationship between bullying victimization and psychological distress among Chinese adolescents. Moreover, human society commonly suffers from multiple disasters that lead to severe mental health problems. There are few empirical studies on the effects of bullying among adolescents in multiple disaster contexts. This study included participants who experienced floods and COVID-19 simultaneously in 2021.

Materials and methods

We conducted a cross-sectional cluster sampling study from August 6 to 9, 2021, approximately 2 weeks after the start of the Zhengzhou City flooding and 7 days after the new wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in Zhengzhou City. The study included 1,207 participants (52.4% men,n = 633;Mage = 14.36,SD = 0.94) from a middle school in Zhengzhou City, China.

Results

The results revealed that bullying was positively linked to psychological distress (β = 0.5.34,p < 0.001, [0.73, 9.95]). Neuroticism and negotiable fate significantly moderated the relationship between the effects of bullying and psychological distress (β = −3.58,p < 0.05, 95% CI [−6.12, −1.04]). Specifically, high neuroticism increased the risk of psychological distress in adolescents bullied before a disaster. High or low neuroticism and high negotiable fate buffered the link between bullying and psychological distress.

Conclusion

This study showed that neuroticism and negotiable fate moderated the relationship between bullying victimization and psychological distress in Chinese students with COVID-19 and flood disasters. High negotiable fate and high or low neuroticism could help adolescents bullied in school to be immune from psychological distress in catastrophe. The results highlight the importance of considering the interplay between bullying, neuroticism, and a sense of controllable destiny when examining adolescents’ psychological distress.
Changes in Chinese early adolescents’ group orientation and mental health from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Han Xianguo , Xia Yanyu , Yang Panpan , Li Dan , Ding Xuechen , Zhang Rongwei , Zhang Minghao
Published: March 2023

Adolescence is a critical period for formulating and developing value orientations. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically restricted people’s lives, potentially leading adolescents to reevaluate what they prioritize in life (i.e., their values) and affecting their mental health. Previous studies suggest that Chinese early adolescents’ group orientation is negatively associated with mental health more strongly in rural than in urban, whereas this rural–urban differs may vary after the outbreak of the pandemic. To examine potential changes in group orientation, mental health, and their associations during the pandemic, two cross-sectional surveys of ninth-grade students in the same three school were conducted in rural and urban China in 2019 and 2021. The results showed that compared with students before the pandemic (2019, N = 516, 48.8% girls, Mage = 14.87 years), students during the pandemic (2021, N = 655, 48.1% girls, Mage = 14.80 years) displayed lower group orientation such as group responsibility and rule abiding of rural students, and higher loneliness and depressive symptoms. Social equality, group responsibility and rule abiding were all significantly negatively associated with loneliness and depressive symptoms. Those negative associations were stronger in the urban regions than in the rural region. Follow-up invariance analysis revealed that this rural–urban difference in the relations between social equality, group responsibility, and rule abiding and mental health problems was only significant during (and not before) the pandemic. The protective effect of group orientation on mental health seems to be weakened only in rural contexts. The results suggest that significant changes in macrolevel contexts may play an important role in shaping adolescents’ value orientation and mental health.
Exploring obesity, physical activity, and digital game addiction levels among adolescents: A study on machine learning-based prediction of digital game addiction
Authors: Gülü Mehmet , Yagin Fatma Hilal , Gocer Ishak , Yapici Hakan , Ayyildiz Erdem , Clemente Filipe Manuel , Ardigò Luca Paolo , Zadeh Ali Khosravi , Prieto-González Pablo , Nobari Hadi
Published: March 2023

Primary study aim was defining prevalence of obesity, physical activity levels, digital game addiction level in adolescents, to investigate gender differences, relationships between outcomes. Second aim was predicting game addiction based on anthropometric measurements, physical activity levels. Cross-sectional study design was implemented. Participants aged 9–14 living in Kirikkale were part of the study. The sample of the study consists of 405 adolescents, 231 girls (57%) and 174 boys (43%). Self-reported data were collected by questionnaire method from a random sample of 405 adolescent participants. To determine the physical activity levels of children, the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). Digital Game addiction was evaluated with the digital game addiction (DGA) scale. Additionally, body mass index (BMI) status was calculated by measuring the height and body mass of the participants. Data analysis were performed using Python 3.9 software and SPSS 28.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, United States) package program. According to our findings, it was determined that digital game addiction has a negative relationship with physical activity level. It was determined that physical activity level had a negative relationship with BMI. In addition, increased physical activity level was found to reduce obesity and DGA. Game addiction levels of girl participants were significantly higher than boy participants, and game addiction was higher in those with obesity. With the prediction model obtained, it was determined that age, being girls, BMI and total physical activity (TPA) scores were predictors of game addiction. The results revealed that the increase in age and BMI increased the risk of DGA, and we found that women had a 2.59 times greater risk of DGA compared to men. More importantly, the findings of this study showed that physical activity was an important factor reducing DGA 1.51-fold. Our prediction model Logit (P) = 1/(1 + exp(−(−3.384 + Age*0.124 + Gender-boys*(−0.953) + BMI*0.145 + TPA*(−0.410)))). Regular physical activity should be encouraged, digital gaming hours can be limited to maintain ideal weight. Furthermore, adolescents should be encouraged to engage in physical activity to reduce digital game addiction level. As a contribution to the field, the findings of this study presented important results that may help in the prevention of adolescent game addiction.
Development of well-being after moving to telework: A longitudinal latent class analysis
Authors: Kröner Friedrich , Müller Andreas
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teleworking suddenly became a reality for many individuals. Previous research shows that there are contradictory consequences of telework on well-being: while workers have the opportunity for self-directed work, intensified work behavior as well as longer hours being worked might occur at the same time. We expect that the effects of telework vary over time and may be able to explain these contradictions. Moreover, from the perspective of the job demands-resources model besides job resources, personal resources may be relevant. The aim of this study is to investigate how the mental well-being of workers unfolds over time after the onset of the pandemic and the role of telework in this process. Additionally we seek to identify the impact of available job resources and personal resources in this extraordinary situation.

Methods

Data were collected online from 642 participants in Germany beginning in March 2020, with 8 weekly followup surveys. Mental well-being was measured using the WHO-5 well-being index. For personal resources we looked at occupational self-efficacy; job resources were flexible working hours, job autonomy, and social support. Job demands were telework and work intensification. First we used a group-based trajectory analysis approach to identify different well-being trajectories. Second we applied multinomial regression analysis to identify T1 predictors of well-being trajectory group membership and their interactions.

Results

We found three groups of mental well-being trajectories: low, medium, and high. Their progress through the investigation period was rather stable: we observed only slight improvements of mental well-being for the high well-being group and a slight deterioration for the other two groups. Only the job demand work intensification and the personal resource occupational self-efficacy had a significant relationship to group assignment. Additionally we found interactions of telework with work intensification and occupational self-efficacy indicating a buffering mechanism of telework on the consequences of high work intensification; and low occupational self-efficacy.

Discussion

Telework appears to be a useful resource that buffered high work intensification and compensated for low personal resources during the pandemic. Since data were from self-reports of a convenience sample we can't assume generalization of our results nor absence of common-method bias.
Individual differences in the effects of midazolam on anxiety-like behavior, learning, reward, and choice behavior in male mice
Authors: Jovita-Farias Caio , Follett Meagan E. , Dias-Junior Behaim C. , Serra Yasmim A. , Kisaki Natali D. , Barros-Santos Thaísa , de Jesus Nailton M. S. , Rodrigues Isa R. S. , Macedo Larissa E. L. , Malpezzi-Marinho Elena L. A. , Oliveira-Lima Alexandre J. , Marinho Eduardo Ary Villela , Rowlett James K. , Berro Lais F.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The aim of the present study was to investigate the behavioral effects of the benzodiazepine midazolam in male mice, in models of anxiolysis, learning, and abuse-related effects.

Methods

In a first set of experiments, male Swiss mice were submitted to the training session of a discriminative avoidance (DA) task on the elevated plus maze to evaluate anxiety-like behavior and learning after vehicle or midazolam (1, 2 or 5 mg/kg, i.g.) administration. The same animals were submitted to a conditioned place preference (CPP) protocol with midazolam (1, 2 or 5 mg/kg, i.g.). In a second experiment, outbred (Swiss) and inbred (C57BL/6) male mice were submitted to a two-bottle choice (TBC) oral midazolam drinking procedure. Animals were exposed to one sucrose bottle and one midazolam (0.008, 0.016 or 0.032 mg/ml) plus sucrose bottle.

Results

Midazolam (1 and 2 mg/kg) induced anxiolytic-like effects, and all doses of midazolam prevented animals from learning to avoid the aversive closed arm during the DA training session. Assessment of midazolam reward via the CPP procedure and choice via the TBC procedure showed notable variability. A 2-step cluster analysis for the CPP data showed that midazolam data were well-fitted to 2 separate clusters (preference vs. aversion), albeit with the majority of mice showing preference (75%). Correlational and regression analyses showed no relationship between midazolam reward and anxiolytic-like effects (time spent in the open arms in the DA test) or learning/memory. Two-step cluster analysis of the TBC data also demonstrated that, regardless of strain, mice overall fell into two clusters identified as midazolam-preferring or midazolam-avoiding groups. Both midazolam preference and avoidance were concentration-dependent in a subset of mice.

Discussion

Our findings show that midazolam preference is a multifactorial behavior, and is not dependent solely on the emergence of therapeutic (anxiolytic-like) effects, learning impairments, or on genetic factors (inbred vs. outbred animals).
Understanding public support for COVID-19 pandemic mitigation measures over time: Does it wear out?
Authors: De Wit John B. F. , de Ridder Denise T. D. , van den Boom Wijnand , Kroese Floor M. , van den Putte Bas , Stok F. Marijn , Leurs Mariken , de Bruin Marijn
Published: March 2023

Background

COVID-19 mitigation measures intend to protect public health, but their adverse psychological, social, and economic effects weaken public support. Less favorable trade-offs may especially weaken support for more restrictive measures. Support for mitigation measures may also differ between population subgroups who experience different benefits and costs, and decrease over time, a phenomenon termed “pandemic fatigue.”

Methods

We examined self-reported support for COVID-19 mitigation measures in the Netherlands over 12 consecutives waves of data collection between April 2020 and May 2021 in an open population cohort study. Participants were recruited through community panels of the 25 regional public health services, and through links to the online surveys advertised on social media. The 54,010 unique participants in the cohort study on average participated in 4 waves of data collection. Most participants were female (65%), middle-aged [57% (40–69 years)], highly educated (57%), not living alone (84%), residing in an urban area (60%), and born in the Netherlands (95%).

Results

COVID-19 mitigation measures implemented in the Netherlands remained generally well-supported over time [all scores >3 on 5-point scale ranging 1 (low)−5 (high)]. During the whole period studied, support was highest for personal hygiene measures, quarantine and wearing face masks, high but somewhat lower for not shaking hands, testing and self-isolation, and restricting social contacts, and lowest for limiting visitors at home, and not traveling abroad. Women and higher educated people were more supportive of some mitigation measures than men and lower educated people. Older people were more supportive of more restrictive measures than younger people, and support for more socially restrictive measures decreased most over time in higher educated people or in younger people.

Conclusions

This study found no support for pandemic fatigue in terms of a gradual decline in support for all mitigation measures in the first year of the pandemic. Rather, findings suggest that support for mitigation measures reflects a balancing of benefits and cost, which may change over time, and differ between measures and population subgroups.