bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of a temporal salient object benefits from visual stimulus‐specific adaptation in avian midbrain inhibitory nucleus
Authors: WANG Jiangtao , RAO Xiaoping , HUANG Shuman , WANG Zhizhong , NIU Xiaoke , ZHU Minjie , WANG Songwei , SHI Li
Published: March 2023

Food and predators are the most noteworthy objects for the basic survival of wild animals, and both are often deviant in both spatial and temporal domains and quickly attract an animal's attention. Although stimulus‐specific adaptation (SSA) is considered a potential neural basis of salient sound detection in the temporal domain, related research on visual SSA is limited and its relationship with temporal saliency is uncertain. The avian nucleus isthmi pars magnocellularis (Imc), which is central to midbrain selective attention network, is an ideal site to investigate the neural correlate of visual SSA and detection of a salient object in the time domain. Here, the constant order paradigm was applied to explore the visual SSA in the Imc of pigeons. The results showed that the firing rates of Imc neurons gradually decrease with repetitions of motion in the same direction, but recover when a motion in a deviant direction is presented, implying visual SSA to the direction of a moving object. Furthermore, enhanced response for an object moving in other directions that were not presented ever in the paradigm is also observed. To verify the neural mechanism underlying these phenomena, we introduced a neural computation model involving a recoverable synaptic change with a “center‐surround” pattern to reproduce the visual SSA and temporal saliency for the moving object. These results suggest that the Imc produces visual SSA to motion direction, allowing temporal salient object detection, which may facilitate the detection of the sudden appearance of a predator.
Latest Neogene Paleoclimate Variation in Yunnan, Southwest China, Revealed by Fossil Leaf Physiognomy
Authors: DAI Jing , CHEN Weizhao , HUANG Liang , ZHANG Yi'nan
Published: March 2023

Yunnan Province, located in the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, can provide important information on how climate change was influenced by global cooling. However, its variation patterns in temperature and precipitation during the latest Neogene are not well‐understood. Based on the 357 specimens assigned to 31 morphotypes of plant fossils from the upper Pliocene Ciying Formation in Yiliang County, Yunnan Province, Southwest China, paleoclimate was estimated by Leaf Margin Analysis and Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program. Compared to the present climate, the mean annual temperature and coldest month temperature have not changed significantly since the late Pliocene, whereas the warmest month temperature has decreased significantly. All precipitation‐related parameters have decreased, particularly winter precipitation. Combined with the climatic data of the same period in other areas of Yunnan, the western and eastern Yunnan has shown a similar pattern in temperature variation since the late Pliocene except for central Yunnan; whereas the variation in precipitation does not follow a common law except for a consistent decrease in winter precipitation. Our study reinforced the fact that under the background of global cooling and intensified monsoon systems, different areas of Yunnan exhibit different climatic responses to these changes because of their topographic heterogeneities.
Economic policy uncertainty, corporate investment decisions and stock price crash risk: Evidence from China
Authors: Jing Zhongbo , Lu Shiyu , Zhao Yang , Zhou Jun
Published: March 2023

We examine the relationship between economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and stock price crash risk via the corporate investment in Chinese listed firms. Results show that higher EPU is associated with lower crash risk. Firms increase financial asset holdings and reduce overinvestment when EPU rises, leading to lower future crash risk. State‐owned enterprises (SOEs) and firms with lower management incentives tend to reduce overinvestment, whereas non‐SOEs tend to increase financial asset holdings. Thus, firms tend to be cautious in their investments when EPU is high, which reduces crash risk. Our study provides new insights into the validity of the Lucas critique in China.
A national cohort study to investigate the association between ethnicity and the provision of care in obstetric anaesthesia in England between 2011 and 2021
Authors: Bamber J. H. , Goldacre R. , Lucas D. N. , Quasim S. , Knight M.
Published: March 2023

There is evidence that ethnic inequalities exist in maternity care in the UK, but those specifically in relation to UK obstetric anaesthetic care have not been investigated before. Using routine national maternity data for England (Hospital Episode Statistics Admitted Patient Care) collected between March 2011 and February 2021, we investigated ethnic differences in obstetric anaesthetic care. Anaesthetic care was identified using OPCS classification of interventions and procedures codes. Ethnic groups were coded according to the hospital episode statistics classifications. Multivariable negative binominal regression was used to model the relationship between ethnicity and obstetric anaesthesia (general and neuraxial anaesthesia) by calculating adjusted incidence ratios for the following: differences in maternal age; geographical residence; deprivation; admission year; number of previous deliveries; and comorbidities. Women giving birth vaginally and by caesarean section were considered separately. For women undergoing elective caesarean births, after adjustment for available confounders, general anaesthesia was 58% more common in Caribbean (black or black British) women (adjusted incidence ratio [95%CI] 1.58 [1.26–1.97]) and 35% more common in African (black or black British) women (1.35 [1.19–1.52]). For women who had emergency caesarean births, general anaesthesia was 10% more common in Caribbean (black or black British) women (1.10 [1.00–1.21]) than British (white) women. For women giving birth vaginally (excluding assisted vaginal births), Bangladeshi (Asian or Asian British), Pakistani (Asian or Asian British) and Caribbean (black or black British) women were, respectively, 24% (0.76 [0.74–0.78]), 15% (0.85 [0.84–0.87]) and 8% (0.92 [0.89–0.94]) less likely than British (white) women to receive neuraxial anaesthesia. This observational study cannot determine the causes for these disparities, which may include unaccounted confounders. Our findings merit further research to investigate potentially remediable factors such as inequality of access to appropriate obstetric anaesthetic care.
Causal association of cardiovascular disease with erectile dysfunction: a two‐sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Ye Miaoyong , Chen Jiaxing , Ma Jianxiong , Wang Junwei , Zhang Cunming , Chen Baijun , Wu Zhongbiao , Zhao Fan , Ma Lan
Published: March 2023

Background

The association between cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including ischemic stroke (IS), heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI), and coronary heart disease (CHD), and erectile dysfunction (ED) remains unclear from observational studies.

Objectives

We explored the potential bidirectional association between CVD and ED by Mendelian randomization (MR).

Methods

Data from genome‐wide association studies for CVD in individuals with European ancestry were obtained from several databases, with 1,711,875–977,323 participants, while that for ED included 223,805 participants. We conducted univariate MR (UVMR), inverse variance‐weighting (IVW), weighted median, MR‐Egger, and multivariate MR (MVMR) analyses to explore the bidirectional causal effects between CVD and ED.

Results

UVMR indicated that IS (odds ratios [OR] = 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–1.21, P = 0.007), HF (OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.07–1.74, P = 0.013), and CHD (OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.09–1.18, P = 0.022) were associated with ED. By MVMR, IS estimates remained significant after accounting for combining single nucleotide polymorphisms from CVDs (OR = 1.42, 95%CI: 1.13–1.79, P = 0.002). Moreover, the effect of a genetic susceptibility to IS on ED was not mediated by type 2 diabetes or triglycerides; that of HF was not mediated by type 2 diabetes, and that of CHD was not mediated by body mass index. Bidirectional analyses showed that genetic susceptibility to ED did not confer any increased CVD risk.

Conclusions

Our results, based on MR, indicated that genetic susceptibility to IS, HF, and CHD was causally associated with ED. These findings can inform prevention and intervention strategies for ED in IS, HF, and CHD patients.
Evodiamine inhibits malignant progression of ovarian cancer cells by regulating lncRNA‐NEAT1/miR‐152‐3p/CDK19 axis
Authors: Mao Meiya , Zheng Xiaojiao , Sheng Yuehua , Chai Jinghan , Ding Huiqing
Published: March 2023

Evodiamine (EVO) has been demonstrated to promote apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells, and upregulate miR‐152‐3p level in colorectal cancer. Here, we explore part of the network mechanism of EVO and miR‐152‐3p in ovarian cancer. The bioinformatics website, dual luciferase reporter assay, and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction were applied to analyze the network among EVO, lncRNA, miR‐152‐3p, and mRNA. The effect and mechanism of EVO on ovarian cancer cells were determined using cell counting kit‐8, flow cytometry, TUNEL, Western blot, and rescue experiments. As a result, EVO dose‐dependently attenuated cell viability, induced G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis, promoted miR‐152‐3p level (4.5‐ or 2‐fold changes), and inhibited expressions of NEAT1 (0.225‐ or 0.367‐fold changes), CDK8 (0.625‐ or 0.571‐fold changes), and CDK19 (0.25‐ or 0.147‐fold changes) in OVCAR‐3 and SKOV‐3 cells. In addition, EVO decreased Bcl‐2 expression, but increased the expressions of Bax and c‐caspase‐3. NEAT1 targeted miR‐152‐3p which bound to CDK19. The impacts of EVO on cell viability, cycle, apoptosis, and apoptosis‐related proteins were partially reversed by miR‐152‐3p inhibitor, NEAT1 overexpression, or CDK19 overexpression. Furthermore, miR‐152‐3p mimic offset the effects of NEAT1 or CDK19 overexpression. The role of NEAT1 overexpression in the biological phenotype of ovarian cancer cells was counteracted by shCDK19. In conclusion, EVO attenuates ovarian cancer cell progression via the NEAT1‐miR‐152‐3p‐CDK19 axis.
Inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 in the brain microvascular endothelium ameliorates diabetic Aβ brain deposition and cognitive impairment via the sterol‐regulatory element‐binding protein 1/lipoprotein receptor‐associated protein 1 signaling pathway
Authors: Jiang Gege , Long Zhenzhen , Wang Yaoling , Wang Yaofeng , Xue Ping , Chen Minfang , Yang Kang , Li Wei
Published: March 2023

Aims

Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is highly activated in diabetes, and the decrease of low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐associated protein 1 (LRP1) in brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) is a key factor leading to amyloid‐β (Aβ) deposition in the brain and diabetic cognitive impairment, but the relationship between them is still unknown.

Methods

In vitro, BMECs were cultured with high glucose, and the activation of mTORC1 and sterol‐regulatory element‐binding protein 1 (SREBP1) was observed. mTORC1 was inhibited by rapamycin and small interfering RNA (siRNA) in BMECs. Betulin and siRNA inhibited SREBP1, observed the mechanism of mTORC1‐mediated effects on Aβ efflux in BMECs through LRP1 under high‐glucose conditions. Constructed cerebrovascular endothelial cell‐specific Raptor‐knockout (Raptorfl/+) mice to investigate the role of mTORC1 in regulating LRP1‐mediated Aβ efflux and diabetic cognitive impairment at the tissue level.

Results

mTORC1 activation was observed in HBMECs cultured in high glucose, and this change was confirmed in diabetic mice. Inhibiting mTORC1 corrected the reduction in Aβ efflux under high‐glucose stimulation. In addition, high glucose activated the expression of SREBP1, and inhibiting of mTORC1 reduced the activation and expression of SREBP1. After inhibiting the activity of SREBP1, the presentation of LRP1 was improved, and the decrease of Aβ efflux mediated by high glucose was corrected. Raptorfl/+ diabetic mice had significantly inhibited activation of mTORC1 and SREBP1, increased LRP1 expression, increased Aβ efflux, and improved cognitive impairment.

Conclusion

Inhibiting mTORC1 in the brain microvascular endothelium ameliorates diabetic Aβ brain deposition and cognitive impairment via the SREBP1/LRP1 signaling pathway, suggesting that mTORC1 may be a potential target for the treatment of diabetic cognitive impairment.
Targeting electroencephalography for alcohol dependence: A narrative review
Authors: Zhang Huiwen , Yao Jiahui , Xu Cheng , Wang Chengyu
Published: March 2023

Background

Electroencephalography (EEG)‐based electrophysiological techniques have made progress in diagnosing and treating alcohol dependence in recent years.

Aims

The article reviews the latest literature in this field.

Materials and methods

Alcohol dependence, which is common and prone to relapsing, poses a serious threat to individuals, families, and society. At present, the objective detection methods for alcohol dependence in clinic are not enough. As electrophysiological techniques developed in psychiatry, some researches on EEG‐based monitoring methods are of great significance in the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol dependence.

Discussion

As electrophysiological techniques developed in psychiatry, some researches on EEG‐based monitoring methods such as resting electroencephalography (REEG), event‐related potentials (ERP), event‐related oscillations (ERO), and polysomnography (PSG), was reported.

Conclusion

In this paper, the status of electrophysiological researches on EEG in alcoholics are reviewed in detail.
Assessment of the drug–drug interaction potential for therapeutic proteins with pro‐inflammatory activities
Authors: Yu Yanke , Henrich Charity , Wang Diane
Published: March 2023

It is well‐recognized that therapeutic proteins (TPs) with pro‐inflammatory activities elevate the pro‐inflammatory cytokines and result in cytokine‐drug interactions. In the current review, several pro‐inflammatory cytokines, including IL‐2, IL‐6, IFN‐γ, and TNF‐α, as well as an anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10, were summarized for their respective effect on major cytochrome P450 enzymes and efflux transporter PgP. Pro‐inflammatory cytokines are generally associated with suppression of CYP enzymes across assay systems but have varied effect on Pgp expression levels and activities depending on the individual cytokines and assay systems, whereas IL‐10 had no significant impact on CYP enzymes and P‐gp. A cocktail drug‐drug interaction (DDI) study design could be an ideal approach for simultaneously assess the impact of TPs with pro‐inflammatory activities on multiple CYP enzymes. Clinical DDI studies using the cocktail approach have been conducted for several TPs with pro‐inflammatory activities and for those TPs with pro‐inflammatory activities which had no clinical DDI study conducted, languages for potential DDI risk due to cytokine‐drug interaction were included in the label. Up to date drug cocktails, including clinically validated and unvalidated for DDI assessment, were summarized in this review. Most clinically validated cocktails focused either on CYP enzymes or transporters. Additional effort was needed to validate a cocktail to include both the major CYP enzymes and key transporters. In silico methods for assessment of the DDI for TPs with pro‐inflammatory activities were also discussed.
1054. Puya castellanosii L.B. Sm. a narrow Argentinian endemic species: Bromeliaceae
Authors: Compton James , Battle Christine
Published: March 2023

Puya castellanosii L.B. Sm., is illustrated and its relationships are discussed. Its habitat is described and illustrated, and suggestions for its cultivation are given. Seed was collected and it was raised and distributed by the plantsman Nori Pope who died in 2019.
1055. Tricyrtis lasiocarpa Matsumura: Liliaceae
Authors: Moore Richard , Langhorne Joanna
Published: March 2023

Tricyrtis lasiocarpa Matsumura is a deciduous perennial herb endemic to Taiwan, often cultivated for its attractive flowers produced from late summer in to autumn. Tricyrtis lasiocarpa is illustrated here, t. 1055; its introduction, horticultural merits and cultivation are discussed.
Quality of life in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: It's about more than pain management
Authors: Nichita Dumitru , Pernet Kurt
Published: March 2023

This commentary is on the original articles by Huang et al. and Hov et al. on pages 640–663 of this issue.
Evolutionary emergence of alternative stable states in shallow lakes
Authors: Ardichvili Alice Nadia , Loeuille Nicolas , Dakos Vasilis
Published: March 2023

Ecosystems under stress may respond abruptly and irreversibly through tipping points. Although mechanisms leading to alternative stable states are much studied, little is known about how such ecosystems could have emerged in the first place. We investigate whether evolution by natural selection along resource gradients leads to bistability, using shallow lakes as an example. There, tipping points occur between two alternative states dominated by either submersed or floating macrophytes depending on nutrient loading. We model the evolution of macrophyte depth in the lake, identify the conditions under which the ancestor population diversifies and investigate whether alternative stable states dominated by different macrophyte phenotypes occur. We find that eco‐evolutionary dynamics may lead to alternative stable states, but under restrictive conditions. Such dynamics require sufficient asymmetries in the acquisition of both light and nutrient. Our analysis suggests that competitive asymmetries along opposing resource gradients may allow bistability to emerge by natural selection.
Analyses of ecdysteroid transporters in the fat body ofTribolium castaneum
Authors: Wellmeyer Benedikt , Böhringer Anna Christina , Rösner Janin , Merzendorfer Hans
Published: March 2023

The control of insect moulting and metamorphosis involves ecdysteroids that orchestrate the execution of developmental genetic programs by binding to dimeric hormone receptors consisting of the ecdysone receptor (EcR) and ultraspiracle (USP). In insects, the main ecdysteroids comprise ecdysone (E), which is synthesized in the prothoracic gland and secreted into the haemolymph, and 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E), which is considered the active form by binding to the nuclear receptor of the target cell. While biosynthesis of ecdysteroids has been studied in detail in different insects, the transport systems involved in guiding these steroid hormones across cellular membranes have just recently begun to be studied. By analysing RNAi phenotypes in the red flour beetle,Tribolium castaneum, we have identified three transporter genes,TcABCG‐8A,TcABCG‐4DandTcOATP4‐C1, whose silencing results in phenotypes similar to that observed when the ecdysone receptor geneTcEcRAis silenced, that is, abortive moulting and abnormal development of adult compound eyes during the larval stage. The genes of all three transporters are expressed at higher levels in the larval fat body ofT. castaneum. We analysed potential functions of these transporters by combining RNAi and mass spectrometry. However, the analysis of gene functions is challenged by mutual RNAi effects indicating interdependent gene regulation. Based on our findings, we propose thatTcABCG‐8A,TcABCG‐4DandTcOATP4‐C1participate in the ecdysteroid transport in fat body cells, which are involved in E → 20E conversion catalysed by the P450 enzyme TcShade.
Serum ammonia does not guide management and is overutilised in patients with cirrhosis in hospital settings
Authors: Hannah Nicholas , Vasic Dubravka , Kansal Abhik , Al‐Ani Aysha , Hebbard Geoff , Sood Siddharth
Published: March 2023

Background

Hepatic encephalopathy is a confusional state associated with cirrhosis. Serum ammonia levels are neither sensitive nor specific for the diagnosis.

Aims

We audited the ordering location and hospital unit whilst assessing the impact on management at a major Australian tertiary centre.

Methods

We conducted a single‐centre retrospective chart review of the ordering of serum ammonia levels between 1 March 2019 and 29 February 2020 at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, a tertiary‐referral centre in Melbourne, Victoria. Demographic, medication and pathology results, including serum ammonia measurements, were collected. The main outcomes assessed were ordering location, sensitivity, specificity and impact on management.

Results

A total of 1007 serum ammonia tests were ordered in 425 patients. Nearly all ammonia ordering was by non‐gastroenterologists, 24.2% by the intensive care unit, 23.1% by general medicine and 19.5% by the emergency department (ED). Only 21.6% of patients had a history of cirrhosis, with hepatic encephalopathy diagnosed in 13.6%. On subgroup analysis, 217 ammonia tests were performed in 92 patients with cirrhosis. Cirrhotic patients were older (64 vs 59 years, P = 0.012) and had higher median ammonia levels (64.46 vs 59 μmol/L, P < 0.001) compared with non‐cirrhotic patients. In cirrhotic patients, the sensitivity and specificity for serum ammonia and diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy were 75% and 52.3% respectively.

Conclusion

We affirm the poor utility of serum ammonia levels for guiding management of hepatic encephalopathy within the Australian context. ED and general medical units account for the majority of test ordering within the hospital. Understanding where ordering occurs provides a target for targeted education.
The seasonality of respiratory syncytial virus in Western Australia prior to implementation of SARS‐CoV‐2 non‐pharmaceutical interventions
Authors: Minney‐Smith Cara A. , Foley David A. , Sikazwe Chisha T. , Levy Avram , Smith David W.
Published: March 2023

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) seasonality is dependent on the local climate. We assessed the stability of RSV seasonality prior to the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic in Western Australia (WA), a state spanning temperate and tropical regions.

Method

RSV laboratory testing data were collected from January 2012 to December 2019. WA was divided into three regions determined by population density and climate: Metropolitan, Northern and Southern. Season threshold was calculated per region at 1.2% annual cases, with onset the first of ≥2 weeks above this threshold and offset as the last week before ≥2 weeks below.

Results

The detection rate of RSV in WA was 6.3/10,000. The Northern region had the highest detection rate (15/10,000), more than 2.5 times the Metropolitan region (detection rate ratio 2.7; 95% CI, 2.6–2.9). Test percentage positive was similar in the Metropolitan (8.6%) and Southern (8.7%) regions, with the lowest in the Northern region (8.1%). RSV seasons in the Metropolitan and Southern regions occurred annually, with a single peak and had consistent timing and intensity. The Northern tropical region did not experience a distinct season. Proportion of RSV A to RSV B in the Northern region differed from the Metropolitan region in 5 of the 8 years studied.

Conclusions

Detection rate of RSV in WA is high, especially in the Northern region, where climate, an expanded at‐risk population and increased testing may have contributed to greater numbers. Before the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic, RSV seasonality in WA was consistent in timing and intensity for the Metropolitan and Southern regions.
Model construction of factors influencing intensive care unit nurses' medical device‐related pressure injury knowledge, attitude, and practice
Authors: Sun Xiao‐Xuan , Chen Rui‐Bin , Fang Ping‐Ping , Yu Ran , Wang Xu‐Xing , Liu Jia‐Qiu , Chen Ying , Ling Hua
Published: March 2023

The ability of knowledge, attitude, and practice of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses to perform medical device‐related pressure injuries (MDRPIs) can affect the incidence of MDRPI in ICU patients. Therefore, in order to improve ICU nurses' understanding and nursing ability of MDRPIs, we investigated the non‐linear relationship (synergistic and superimposed relationships) between the factors influencing ICU nurses' ability of knowledge, attitude, and practice. A Clinical Nurses' Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Questionnaire for the Prevention of MDRPI in Critically Ill Patients was administered to 322 ICU nurses from tertiary hospitals in China from January 1, 2022 to June 31, 2022. After the questionnaire was distributed, the data were collected and sorted out, and the corresponding statistical analysis and modelling software was used to analyse the data. IBM SPSS 25.0 software was used to conduct Single factor analysis and Logistic regression analysis on the data, so as to screen the statistically significant influencing factors. IBM SPSS Modeler18.0 software was used to construct a decision tree model of the factors influencing MDRPI knowledge, attitude, and practice of ICU nurses, and ROC curves were plotted to analyse the accuracy of the model. The results showed that the overall passing rate of ICU nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice score was 72%. The statistically significant predictor variables ranked in importance were education background (0.35), training (0.31), years of working (0.24), and professional title (0.10). AUC = 0.718, model prediction performance is good. There is a synergistic and superimposed relationship between high education background, attended training, high years of working and high professional title. Nurses with the above factors have strong MDRPI knowledge, attitude, and practice ability. Therefore, nursing managers can develop a reasonable and effective scheduling system and MDRPI training program based on the study results. The ultimate goal is to improve the ability of ICU nurses to know and act on MDRPI and to reduce the incidence of MDRPI in ICU patients.
Is Creativity Masculine? Visual Arts College Students’ Perceptions of the Gender Stereotyping of Creativity and Its Influence on Creative Self‐Efficacy
Authors: Luo Ning , Guan Tao , Wang Jinling
Published: March 2023

This study investigated visual arts college students’ perceptions of the gender stereotyping of creativity and the influence of this stereotyping on creative self‐efficacy. The sample consisted of 1198 Chinese visual arts college students. The results showed that (a) both male and female students identified stereotypically masculine traits as more important to creativity than stereotypically feminine traits are, (b) male students demonstrated higher creative self‐efficacy than their female counterparts did, and (c) students’ gender significantly moderated the effect of the gender stereotyping of creativity on creative self‐efficacy. Specifically, the gender stereotyping of creativity had a positive effect on male students and a negative effect on female students. These findings revealed that gender stereotypes dominate concepts of creativity in Chinese art education and may hinder female students’ development of creative self‐efficacy, resulting in gendered inequality in the visual arts field. The implications of these findings for visual arts education in China are discussed.
Freezing of green peppers assisted by combined electromagnetic fields: Effects on juice loss, moisture distribution, and microstructure after thawing
Authors: Chen Bing , Zhang Min , Wang Yuchuan , Mujumdar Arun S. , Yu Dongxing , Luo Zhenjiang
Published: March 2023

The combination of electric and magnetic field assisted freezing has potential as a new means of improving the freeze–thaw quality of green peppers. In this work, the quality of the freeze–thawed product was assessed in terms of thawing juice loss, moisture profile, ascorbic acid content, antioxidant activity, flavor, and microstructure. Juice loss was reduced by 16%–68%, freezing time was shortened by 15%–26%, and the nutrient retention rate was higher in the physical field‐assisted case compared to the no‐physical field case. Interestingly, the combined freezing of the two physical fields showed better freezing results compared to a single electric or magnetic field, with juice loss reduced to 3.04%, retention of 82% of calcium ions, retention of ascorbic acid increased by 6%–15%. In addition, the content of hexenal and methyl salicylate and other aromatic substances increased, showing a good flavor quality such as increased umami. The results suggest that combined electric and magnetic field assisted freezing is better in improving the quality of frozen products and may be a potential alternative to freezing and thawing of fruits and vegetables.

Practical application

This research provides a simple and novel method for improving the speed and quality of frozen products. These steps combine electric and magnetic fields to explore, improve the quality of frozen products, but also provide a new idea for freezing research.
Connectivity between surface and interior in catalytic subunits of acetylcholinesterases inferred from their X‐ray structures
Authors: Radić Zoran
Published: March 2023

Catalytic activity and function of acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) have been recognized and studied for over a century and its quaternary and primary structures for about half a century, and its tertiary structure has been known for about 33 years. Clear understanding of relationships between the structure and the function is still pending for this enzyme. Hundreds of crystallographic, static snapshots of AChEs from different sources reveal largely one general backbone conformation with narrow entry into the active center gorge, tightly fit to accept one acetylcholine (ACh) molecule, in contrast to its high catalytic turnover. This short review of available X‐ray structures of AChEs from electric ray Torpedo californica, mouse and human, finds some limited, yet consistent deviations in conformations of selected secondary structure elements of AChE relevant for its function. The observed conformational diversity of the acyl pocket loop of AChE, unlike the large Ω‐loop, appears consistent with structurally dynamic INS data and solution‐based SAXS experiments to explain its dominant role in controlling the size of the active center gorge opening, as well as connectivity between the immediate surroundings of the buried active Ser, and catalytically relevant sites on the AChE surface.

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Do pension buyouts help or hurt employees (retirees)?
Authors: Lin Yijia , MacMinn Richard D. , Shi Tianxiang
Published: March 2023

This article compares expected pension default losses of employees and retirees before and after pension buyouts. The comparisons are made using a stochastic model calibrated with market data. The analysis shows that the lower protection level provided by the State Guarantee Association relative to that of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) is a critical factor that explains the welfare reduction, or equivalently, larger expected pension default losses, of most retirees who become annuity holders in the buyouts. The analysis also shows that the employee welfare, or equivalently expected pension default gains or losses, depends on the continued PBGC protection and, critically, their employers' postbuyout default risk and pension funding status. Moreover, these employee welfare changes are quite different for the corporations included in this analysis. Our results suggest that welfare improvements depend on the PBGC and state insurance regulators' cooperation in protecting pension participants and supervising buyout insurers.
Lessons Learned from a Predominantly Latinx Autistic Population: Preliminary Effects of the PEERS Intervention on Neural and Perceived Educational Performance
Authors: Baker Elizabeth , Choy Tricia , Veytsman Elina , Martin Ann Marie , Blacher Jan , Stavropoulos Katherine Kuhl Meltzoff
Published: March 2023

Thirteen autistic teens, who were predominantly Latinx, completed the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS), a 16‐week social skills intervention. Time‐frequency decomposition was calculated using advanced electroencephalographic techniques to measure oscillatory brain activity during reward anticipation and processing before and after PEERS. Fourteen neurotypical teens participated but did not receive intervention. The perception of educational performance was also measured. The perception of educational performance did not differ between groups and did not change after participation in PEERS. Approach motivation increased after intervention in the autistic group. This suggests an enhancement of social motivation after learning social skills in a group composed of a majority of Latinx autistic teens.
Epigenetic mechanisms underlying stress‐induced visceral pain: Resilience versus vulnerability in a two‐hit model of early life stress and chronic adult stress
Authors: Louwies Tijs , Mohammadi Ehsan , Greenwood‐Van Meerveld Beverley
Published: March 2023

Background

Women with a history of early life stress (ELS) have a higher risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In addition, chronic stress in adulthood can exacerbate IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain due to visceral hypersensitivity. We previously showed that sex and the predictability of ELS determine whether rats develop visceral hypersensitivity in adulthood. In female rats, unpredictable ELS confers vulnerability and results in visceral hypersensitivity, whereas predictable ELS induces resilience and does not induce visceral hypersensitivity in adulthood. However, this resilience is lost after exposure to chronic stress in adulthood leading to an exacerbation of visceral hypersensitivity. Evidence suggests that changes in histone acetylation at the promoter regions of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and corticotrophin‐releasing factor (CRF) in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) underlie stress‐induced visceral hypersensitivity. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of histone acetylation in the CeA on visceral hypersensitivity in a two‐hit model of ELS followed by chronic stress in adulthood.

Methods

Male and female neonatal rats were exposed to unpredictable, predictable ELS, or odor only (no stress control) from postnatal days 8 to 12. In adulthood, rats underwent stereotaxic implantation of indwelling cannulas. Rats were exposed to chronic water avoidance stress (WAS, 1 h/day for 7 days) or SHAM stress and received infusions of vehicle, the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) or the histone acetyltransferase inhibitor garcinol (GAR) after each WAS session. 24 h after the final infusion, visceral sensitivity was assessed and the CeA was removed for molecular experiments.

Results

In the two‐hit model (ELS + WAS), female rats previously exposed to predictable ELS, showed a significant reduction in histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9) acetylation at the GR promoter and a significant increase in H3K9 acetylation at the CRF promoter. These epigenetic changes were associated with changes in GR and CRF mRNA expression in the CeA and an exacerbation of stress‐induced visceral hypersensitivity in female animals. TSA infusions in the CeA attenuated the exacerbated stress‐induced visceral hypersensitivity, whereas GAR infusions only partially ameliorated ELS+WAS induced visceral hypersensitivity.

Conclusion

The two‐hit model of ELS followed by WAS in adulthood revealed that epigenetic dysregulation occurs after exposure to stress in two important periods of life and contributes to the development of visceral hypersensitivity. These aberrant underlying epigenetic changes may explain the exacerbation of stress‐induced abdominal pain in IBS patients.
Relationship between dietary macronutrient composition with weight loss after bariatric surgery: A systematic review
Authors: de Souza Vilela Darlene Larissa , da Silva Alessandra , Pinto Sônia Lopes , Bressan Josefina
Published: March 2023

This systematic review evaluated the relationship between macronutrient intake and weight loss after bariatric surgery (BS). The MEDLINE/Pubmed, EMBASE, COCHRANE/CENTRAL, and SCOPUS databases were accessed in August 2021 to search for eligible articles: original publications with adults undergoing BS and indicating the relationship between macronutrients and weight loss. Titles that did not meet these criteria were excluded. The review was written according to the PRISMA guide, and the risk of bias was according to the Joanna Briggs manual. Data were extracted by one reviewer and checked by another. Eight articles with 2.378 subjects were included. The studies indicated a positive relationship between weight loss and protein intake after BS. Prioritization of protein followed by carbohydrates with a lower percentage of lipids favors weight loss and increases weight stability after BS. Among the results found, a 1% increase in protein intake raises the probability of obesity remission by 6%, and high‐protein diet increase 50% weight loss success. Limitations are the methods of included studies and review process. It is concluded that high‐protein intake >60 g a 90 g/day may favor weight loss and maintenance after BS, but it is relevant to balance the other macronutrients.
Dynamic changes in transcriptome during orthodontic tooth movement
Authors: Liu Jia , Chen Po‐Jung , Mehta Shivam , Dutra Eliane H. , Yadav Sumit
Published: March 2023

Objectives

The objective of this study was to determine global changes in gene expression with next generation sequencing (NGS) in order to assess the biological effects of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) on alveolar bone in a rat model.

Materials and Methods

Thirty‐five Wistar rats (age 14 weeks) were used in the study. The OTM was performed using closed coil Nickel–Titanium spring to apply a mesial force on maxillary first molars of 8–10 g. Three hours, 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after the placement of the appliance, rats were killed at each time point respectively. The alveolar bone, around left maxillary first molar, were excised on compression side. The samples were immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen for subsequent RNA extraction. Total RNA samples were prepared for mRNA sequencing using the Illumina kit. RNA‐Seq reads were aligned to the rat genomes using the STAR Aligner and bioinformatic analysis was performed.

Results

A total of 18 192 genes were determined. Day 1 has the highest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) observed with more upregulated than downregulated genes. A total of 2719 DEGs were identified to use as input for the algorithm. Six distinct clusters of temporal patterns were observed representing proteins that were differentially regulated indicating different expression kinetics. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed distinct clustering by time points and days 3, 7 and 14 share similar gene expression pattern.

Conclusions

Distinct gene expression pattern was observed at different time points studied. Hypoxia, inflammation and bone remodelling pathways are major mechanisms behind OTM.
Bleeding and ketorolac use in pediatric circumcision
Authors: Lee Jennifer , Zhou Eric P. , Davis Renee L. , Ouyang Yuxia , Lin Hung‐Mo , Yudkowitz Francine S.
Published: March 2023

Background

Circumcision is a common surgical procedure performed in pediatric male patients. Ketorolac is an effective adjunct in multimodal regimens for postoperative pain control. However, many urologists and anesthesiologists refrain from administering ketorolac due to concern for postoperative bleeding.

Aims

Compare the risk of clinically significant bleeding after circumcision with and without intraoperative ketorolac administration.

Methods

A single‐center, retrospective cohort study was conducted of pediatric patients 1–18 years of age who underwent isolated circumcision by one urologist from 2016 to 2020. Clinically significant bleeding was defined as bleeding requiring intervention within the first 24 h of circumcision. Interventions included use of absorbable hemostats, placement of sutures, or return to the operating room.

Results

Of 743 patients, 314 (42.3%) did not receive ketorolac and 429 (57.7%) received intraoperative ketorolac 0.5 mg/kg. Postoperative bleeding requiring intervention occurred in one patient (0.32%) in the non‐ketorolac group versus four patients (0.93%) in the ketorolac group (difference 0.6%, 95% CI [−0.8%, 2.0%], p = 0.403).

Conclusions

There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative bleeding requiring intervention between the non‐ketorolac and ketorolac groups. Future studies regarding the association between ketorolac and postoperative bleeding are needed.
HSP90.2 modulates 2Q2‐mediated wheat resistance against powdery mildew
Authors: Yan Yan , Guo Yue‐Ting , Chang Chao‐Yan , Li Xiao‐Ming , Zhang Mei‐Qi , Ding Ci‐Hang , Cui Dangqun , Sun Congwei , Ren Yan , Wang Meng‐Lu , Xie Chaojie , Ni Zhongfu , Sun Qixin , Chen Feng , Gou (缑金营) Jin‐Ying
Published: March 2023

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a critical food crop feeding the world, but pathogens threaten its production. Wheat Heat Shock Protein 90.2 (HSP90.2) is a pathogen‐inducible molecular chaperone folding nascent preproteins. Here, we used wheat HSP90.2 to isolate clients regulated at the posttranslational level. Tetraploid wheat hsp90.2 knockout mutant was susceptible to powdery mildew, while the HSP90.2 overexpression line was resistant, suggesting that HSP90.2 was essential for wheat resistance against powdery mildew. We next isolated 1500 clients of HSP90.2, which contained a wide variety of clients with different biological classifications. We utilized 2Q2, a nucleotide‐binding leucine repeat‐rich protein, as a model to investigate the potential of HSP90.2 interactome in fungal resistance. The transgenic line co‐suppressing 2Q2 was more susceptible to powdery mildew, suggesting 2Q2 as a novel Pm‐resistant gene. The 2Q2 protein resided in chloroplasts, and HSP90.2 played a critical role in the accumulation of 2Q2 in thylakoids. Our data provided over 1500 HSP90.2 clients with a potential regulation at the protein folding process and contributed a nontypical approach to isolate pathogenesis‐related proteins.
New Hybrid Compound Candidate as Photothermal Agent Based on DPP Derivatives and Toluidine Blue: A Theoretical Perspective
Authors: Yoshinaga Mariana , Rocha Willian R.
Published: March 2023

In this article, the synthesis of a new hybrid compound, candidate as photothermal agent, is proposed, based on TDPP (3,6‐di(thiophene‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐dihydropyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐1,4‐dione) and toluidine blue. Electronic structure calculations at the DFT, TD‐DFT and CCSD level of theories were performed to obtain ground and excited states molecular structures, photophysical properties and absorption spectrum of the hybrid and the starting compounds. Additionally, ADMET calculations were performed to predict the pharmacokinetic, metabolic and toxicity properties of the proposed compound. The results showed that the proposed compound is a strong candidate for photothermal agent since (1) it absorbs close to the near‐infrared region, (2) it has low fluorescence and intersystem crossing rate constants, (3) it has accessible conical intersection with low energy barrier, (4) the compound shows lower toxicity than the well know compound toluidine blue, which is used in photodynamic therapy, (5) the compound does not show carcinogenic potential, and (6) it obeys the Lipinski's rule of five, used as a reference for the design of new pharmaceuticals.
The combination of oral and topical photoprotection with a standardized Polypodium leucotomos extract is beneficial against actinic keratosis
Authors: Pellacani Giovanni , Peris Ketty , Ciardo Silvana , Pezzini Claudia , Tambone Sara , Farnetani Francesca , Longo Caterina , Chello Camilla , González Salvador
Published: March 2023

Introduction

This study describes a prospective, multicentre, randomized controlled, open‐label study with three arms aimed at studying the differences between: [Cnt], self‐administered sun protection; [T], topical treatment; and [TO], topical + oral treatment; for the management of Actinic Keratosis (AK) in a cohort of subjects of advanced age displaying severe actinic damage (SAD).

Methods

Treatments administered to groups [T] and [TO] had a common component, which is a botanical extract, Fernblock, with demonstrated photoprotective activity.

Results

In total, 131 subjects were distributed randomly in the three groups, and followed up clinically at three separate time points, beginning of the study (t = 0) and after 6 and 12 months. Analysis of clinical data and examination using reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) revealed that group [T] and [TO] displayed decreased clinical AK and field cancerization parameters, including the number of new lesions, and reduced the need for additional interventions in these patients. RCM revealed normalization of the keratinocyte layer. Improvements in AK and field cancerization parameters were greatest in the group [TO], suggesting that topical and oral photoprotection improves the clinical and anatomical outcome compared to control conditions.

Conclusions

The combination of topical and oral immune photoprotection provides an advantage compared to topical photoprotection alone.
Matteo Ricci's Depictions of Alexander the Great in Late Ming China☆
Authors: Fu Yaliang
Published: March 2023

This article primarily focuses on the origin, the earliest dissemination and the accommodation of European Alexander texts in imperial China by Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci (1552–1610). After providing an overview of the Chinese Alexander traditions, it first examines the sources of inspiration for Ricci's choice of Alexander as the prominent historical figure in his booklet on friendship, and then explores the reason for and implications of Ricci's allegorical translation of Alexander as Lishan 歷山 in Chinese. The remainder of the article analyses the cultural accommodation and literary tradition of each European exemplum of Alexander anthologized in Ricci's writings, from Jiaoyou Lun 交友論 (Treatise on Friendship) to Jiren Shipian 畸人十篇 (Ten Discourses of the Man of Paradox). The article shows that all Ricci's accounts of Alexander are mainly derived from the European Medieval and Renaissance Alexander tradition and were adapted in China by the strategy of cultural accommodation.
Spatial bootstrapped microeconometrics: Forecasting for out‐of‐sample geo‐locations in big data
Authors: Kopczewska Katarzyna
Published: March 2023

Spatial econometric models estimated on the big geo‐located point data have at least two problems: limited computational capabilities and inefficient forecasting for the new out‐of‐sample geo‐points. This is because of spatial weights matrixWdefined for in‐sample observations only and the computational complexity. Machine learning models suffer the same when using kriging for predictions; thus this problem still remains unsolved. The paper presents a novel methodology for estimating spatial models on big data and predicting in new locations. The approach uses bootstrap and tessellation to calibrate both model and space. The best bootstrapped model is selected with the PAM (Partitioning Around Medoids) algorithm by classifying the regression coefficients jointly in a nonindependent manner. Voronoi polygons for the geo‐points used in the best model allow for a representative space division. New out‐of‐sample points are assigned to tessellation tiles and linked to the spatial weights matrix as a replacement for an original point what makes feasible usage of calibrated spatial models as a forecasting tool for new locations. There is no trade‐off between forecast quality and computational efficiency in this approach. An empirical example illustrates a model for business locations and firms' profitability.