bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Profiling Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Fusions in Chinese Breast Cancers
Authors: Tao Zhonghua , Liu Jianxia , Li Ting , Xu Hong , Chen Kai , Zhang Jian , Zhou Hao , Sun Jie , Han Jinming , Guo Zhaoji , Yang Hua , Cao Wen-Ming , Hu Xichun
Published: September 2021

Background

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are a class of tyrosine kinases that regulate cell-to-cell communication and control a variety of complex biological functions. Dysregulation of RTK signaling partly due to chromosomal rearrangements leads to novel tyrosine kinase fusion oncoproteins that are possibly driver alterations to cancers. Targeting some RTK fusions with specific tyrosine kinases inhibitors (TKIs) is an effective therapeutic strategy across a spectrum of RTK fusion-related cancers. However, there is still a paucity of extensive RTK fusion investigations in breast cancer. This study aims to characterize RTK fusions in Chinese breast cancer patients.

Methods

An in-house DNA sequencing database of 1440 Chinese breast cancer patients with a capture-based panel (520 gene or 108 gene-panel) was thoroughly reviewed. A total of 2,229 samples including 1,045 tissues and 1,184 plasmas were analyzed. RTK fusion was defined as an in-frame fusion with the tyrosine kinase domain of the RTK completely retained. Concomitant mutations were also analyzed and tumor mutational burden (TMB) was calculated. Patients’ clinical characteristics were retrieved from case records.

Results

A total of 30 RTK fusion events were identified from 27 breast cancer patients with a prevalence of 1.875%%. FGFR2 fusions were seen the most commonly (n=7), followed by RET (n=5), ROS1 (n=3), NTRK3 (n=3), BRAF (n=2), and NTRK1 (n=2). Other RTK fusions including ALK, EGFR, FGFR1, FGFR3, MET, and NTRK2 were identified in one patient each. A total of 27 unique resultant fusion proteins (22 with a novel partner) were discovered including 19 intrachromosomal rearrangements and 8 interchromosomal ones. Twenty-one fusions had the tyrosine kinase domain in-frame fused with a partner gene and six were juxtaposed with an intergenic space. Among the 27 fusions, FGFR2-WDR11 (E17: intergenic) (n=3) and ETV6-NTRK3 (E5:E15) (n=2) occurred recurrently. Of note, the normalized abundance of RTK fusion (fusion AF/max AF) correlated negatively with TMB (r=-0.48, P=0.017). Patients with TMB < 8 (Mutations/Mb) displayed a higher fusion abundance than those with TMB ≥ 8 (Mutations/Mb) (P=0.025). Moreover, CREBBP mutation only co-occurred with FGFR2 fusion (P=0.012), while NTRK3 fusion and TP53 mutation were mutually exclusive (P=0.019).

Conclusion

This is the first study comprehensively delineating the prevalence and spectrum of RTK fusions in Chinese breast cancers. Further study is ongoing to identify the enriched subpopulation who may benefit from RTK fusion inhibitors.
Chronic Stress-Induced Gene Changes In Vitro and In Vivo: Potential Biomarkers Associated With Depression and Cancer Based on circRNA- and lncRNA-Associated ceRNA Networks
Authors: Zhou Ting , Li Mingming , Xiao Zhijun , Cai Jian , Zhao Weiwei , Duan Jingjing , Yang Zhen , Guo Zhijun , Chen Yitian , Cai Weijia , Huang Piaopiao , He Chaoyong , Xu Feng
Published: September 2021

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been considered as biomarkers or regulators in many diseases. However, the exact role of circRNA- or lncRNA-mediated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks in the modulation of depression pathogenesis-relevant processes is not clear. In this study, we profiled whole transcriptome in depression patients’ blood samples via microarray analysis. As a result, a total of 340 circRNAs, 398 lncRNAs, 206 miRNAs, and 92 mRNAs were differentially expressed between the depression and control groups. Then, we constructed ceRNA networks according to the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Using bioinformatics analysis, 89 pairs of circRNA-ceRNA and 49 pairs of lncRNA-ceRNA networks were obtained. Since depression is a broad and heterogeneous condition that is known as promoter for many chronic diseases including cancer, so we further dug out 28 circRNAs, 61 lncRNAs, 26 miRNAs, and 29 mRNAs that are associated with cancer. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses showed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in cancer-related signaling pathways such as MAPK, Wnt, IL-17, Ras, and PI3K-Akt. Genes involved in the above pathways such as S100A9, GATA2, SRFP5, SLC45A3, NTRK1, FRZB, has_circ_0014221, has_circ_0014220, and has_circ_0087100 were dysregulated in various cancer cell lines by stress hormones induced. HDC, GATA2, SLC45A3, and NTRK1 were downregulated in tumor-bearing mice subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). LncRNA-mediated ceRNA network validation showed that overexpression of miR-4530 declined HDC level. Our findings highlight the potential circRNA- and lncRNA-mediated ceRNA regulatory mechanisms in the pathogenesis of depression and as potential biomarkers in depression cancer comorbidity through the pathways of IL-17 or histidine metabolism.
A Real-World, Multicenter, Observational Retrospective Study of Durvalumab After Concomitant or Sequential Chemoradiation for Unresectable Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Bruni Alessio , Scotti Vieri , Borghetti Paolo , Vagge Stefano , Cozzi Salvatore , D’Angelo Elisa , Giaj Levra Niccolò , Fozza Alessandra , Taraborrelli Maria , Piperno Gaia , Vanoni Valentina , Sepulcri Matteo , Trovò Marco , Nardone Valerio , Lattanzi Elisabetta , Bou Selman Said , Bertolini Federica , Franceschini Davide , Agustoni Francesco , Jereczek-Fossa Barbara Alicja , Magrini Stefano Maria , Livi Lorenzo , Lohr Frank , Filippi Andrea Riccardo
Published: September 2021

Introduction

For unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the standard therapy consists of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by durvalumab maintenance for responding patients. The present study reports on the safety and outcome of durvalumab use after CRT in a real-world, multicenter, retrospective cohort.

Methods

Two hundred thirty-eight patients have been included. We collected data on systemic therapy, radiation therapy, the timing between CRT and durvalumab, number of durvalumab cycles, reasons for non-starting or discontinuation, incidence and grade of adverse events (AEs), and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

One hundred fifty-five patients out of 238 (65.1%) received at least one durvalumab dose: 91 (58.7%) after concomitant CRT (cCRT) and 64 (41.3%) after sequential CRT (sCRT). Programmed-death ligand 1 (PD-L1) status was unknown in 7/155 (4.5%), negative in 14 (9.1%), and positive ≥1% in 134/155 (86.4%). The main reasons for non-starting durvalumab were progression (10.1%), PD-L1 negativity (7.5%), and lung toxicity (4.6%). Median follow-up time was 14 months (range 2–29); 1-year PFS and OS were 65.5% (95%CI: 57.6-74.4) and 87.9% (95%CI: 82.26.6-93.9), respectively. No significant differences in PFS or OS were detected for cCRT vs. sCRT, but the median PFS was 13.5 months for sCRT vs. 23 months for cCRT. Potentially immune-related AEs were recorded in 76/155 patients (49.0%). Pneumonitis was the most frequent, leading to discontinuation in 11/155 patients (7.1%).

Conclusions

Durvalumab maintenenace after concurrent or sequential chemoradiation for unresectable, stage III NSCLC showed very promising short-term survival results in a large, multicenter, restrospective, real-world study. Durvalumab was the first drug obtaining a survival benefit over CRT within the past two decades, and the present study contributes to validating its use in clinical practice.
Case Report: Successful Long-Term Management of a Low-Birth Weight Preterm Infant With Compound Heterozygous Protein C Deficiency With Subcutaneous Protein C Concentrate Up to Adolescence
Authors: Pöschl Johannes , Behnisch Wolfgang , Beedgen Bernd , Kuss Navina
Published: September 2021

Homozygous/compound heterozygous forms of congenital protein C deficiency are often associated with severe antenatal and postnatal thrombotic or hemorrhagic complications. Protein C deficiency frequently leads to severe adverse outcomes like blindness and neurodevelopmental delay in children and may even lead to death. The most widely used long-term postnatal treatment consists of oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists (e.g., warfarin), which is supplemented with protein C concentrate in acute phases. Subcutaneous infusions have been described in infants mostly from 2 months of age after severe postnatal thrombosis, but not in newborns or premature infants without thromboembolism. We report the first case of a compound heterozygous protein C-deficient preterm infant, born at 31+5 weeks of gestation to parents with heterozygous protein C deficiency (protein C activity 0.9% at birth). We focus on both prenatal and perinatal management including antithrombotic treatment during pregnancy, the cesarean section, and continuous postnatal intravenous and consecutive subcutaneous therapy with protein C concentrate followed by a change of therapy to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) (apixaban). We report successful home treatment with subcutaneous protein C concentrate substitution overnight (target protein C activity >25%) without complication up to 12.5 years of age. We propose that early planned cesarean section at 32 or preferably 34 weeks of gestation limits potential maternal side effects of anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists and reduces fetal thromboembolic complications during late pregnancy. Intravenously administered protein C and early switch to subcutaneous infusions (reaching about 3 kg body weight) resulted in sufficient protein C activity and has guaranteed an excellent quality of life without any history of thrombosis for 13 years now. In older children with protein C deficiency, as in our case, DOACs could be a new therapeutic option.
Bartter-Like Syndrome as the Initial Presentation of Dent Disease 1: A Case Report
Authors: Chen Qiaoping , Cao Yan , Xu Liyun , Liu Jingqi , Wu Xiaochuan
Published: September 2021

Dent disease is a rare genetic disease characterized by low-molecular-weight proteinuria. Dent disease with Bartter-like syndrome is rare and can easily be misdiagnosed and mistreated. Herein, we report a case of Dent disease 1 with Bartter-like syndrome as the initial manifestation. The patient was admitted to The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University due to polydipsia, polyuria, and weakness of both lower limbs at 2 years of age. Laboratory tests showed that serum sodium, potassium and chlorine levels were low, while serum creatinine levels were normal. The calcium level in the urine was normal. The patient was initially diagnosed with Bartter syndrome, and despite medical interventions, he eventually developed chronic kidney disease stage 4 at 13 years of age. To determine the cause, the patient was recommended to undergo genetic testing, which showed a CLCN5 gene c. 941C > T mutation (p.S314L), and was finally diagnosed as Dent disease 1. The clinical manifestations of Dent disease are complex and diverse. For patients with atypical clinical manifestations or unsatisfactory therapeutic effects, genetic testing is recommended.
LC–MS Based Metabolomics Study of the Effects of EGCG on A549 Cells
Authors: Pan Tingyu , Han Di , Xu Yong , Peng Wenpan , Bai Le , Zhou Xianmei , He Hailang
Published: September 2021

(−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the main bioactive catechin in green tea. The antitumor activity of EGCG has been confirmed in various types of cancer, including lung cancer. However, the precise underlying mechanisms are still largely unclear. In the present study, we investigated the metabolite changes in A549 cells induced by EGCG in vitro utilizing liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics. The result revealed 33 differentially expressed metabolites between untreated and 80 μM EGCG-treated A549 cells. The altered metabolites were involved in the metabolism of glucose, amino acid, nucleotide, glutathione, and vitamin. Two markedly altered pathways, including glycine, serine and threonine metabolism and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, were identified by MetaboAnalyst 5.0 metabolic pathway analysis. These results may provide potential clues for the intramolecular mechanisms of EGCG’s effect on A549 cells. Our study may contribute to future molecular mechanistic studies of EGCG and the therapeutic application of EGCG in cancer management.
Sirtuin Modulators in Cellular and Animal Models of Human Diseases
Authors: Hong Jun Young , Lin Hening
Published: September 2021

Sirtuins use NAD+ to remove various acyl groups from protein lysine residues. Through working on different substrate proteins, they display many biological functions, including regulation of cell proliferation, genome stability, metabolism, and cell migration. There are seven sirtuins in humans, SIRT1-7, each with unique enzymatic activities, regulatory mechanisms, subcellular localizations, and substrate scopes. They have been indicated in many human diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, microbial infection, metabolic and autoimmune diseases. Consequently, interests in development of sirtuin modulators have increased in the past decade. In this brief review, we specifically summarize genetic and pharmacological modulations of sirtuins in cancer, neurological, and cardiovascular diseases. We further anticipate this review will be helpful for scrutinizing the significance of sirtuins in the studied diseases.
The Taming of Psidium guajava: Natural and Cultural History of a Neotropical Fruit
Authors: Arévalo-Marín Edna , Casas Alejandro , Landrum Leslie , Shock Myrtle P. , Alvarado-Sizzo Hernán , Ruiz-Sanchez Eduardo , Clement Charles R.
Published: September 2021

Guava (Psidium guajavaL., Myrtaceae) is a Neotropical fruit that is widely consumed around the world. However, its evolutionary history and domestication process are unknown. Here we examine available ecological, taxonomic, genetic, archeological, and historical evidence about guava. Guava needs full sunlight, warm temperatures, and well-distributed rainfall throughout the year to grow, but tolerates drought. Zoochory and anthropochory are the main forms of dispersal. Guava’s phylogenetic relationships with other species of the genusPsidiumare unclear. A group of six species that share several morphological characteristics are tentatively accepted as thePsidium guajavacomplex. DNA analyses are limited to the characterization of crop genetic diversity within localities and do not account for possible evolutionary and domestication scenarios. A significant amount of archeological information exists, with a greater number and older records in South America than in Mesoamerica, where there are also numerous historical records. From this information, we propose that: (1) the guava ancestor may have originated during the Middle or Late Miocene, and the savannas and semi-deciduous forests of South America formed during the Late Pleistocene would have been the most appropriate ecosystems for its growth, (2) the megafauna were important dispersers for guava, (3) dispersal by humans during the Holocene expanded guava’s geographic range, including to the southwestern Amazonian lowlands, (4) where its domestication may have started, and (5) with the European conquest of the Neotropics, accompanied by their domestic animals, new contact routes between previously remote guava populations were established. These proposals could direct future research on the evolutionary and domestication process of guava.
Enzymatic Fibre Modification During Production of Dissolving Wood Pulp for Regenerated Cellulosic Materials
Authors: Loureiro Pedro E. G. , Cadete Sonia M. S. , Tokin Radina , Evtuguin Dmitry V. , Lund Henrik , Johansen Katja S.
Published: September 2021

The production of regenerated cellulosic fibres, such as viscose, modal and lyocell, is based mainly on the use of dissolving wood pulp as raw material. Enzymatic processes are an excellent alternative to conventional chemical routes in the production of dissolving pulp, in terms of energy efficiency, reagent consumption and pulp yield. The two main characteristics of a dissolving pulp are the cellulose purity and the molecular weight, both of which can be controlled with the aid of enzymes. A purification process for paper-grade kraft pulp has been proposed, based on the use of xylanases in combination with hot and cold caustic extraction, without the conventional pre-hydrolysis step before kraft pulping. This enzyme aided purification allowed the production of a dissolving pulp that met the specifications for the manufacture of viscose, < 3% xylan, > 92% ISO brightness and 70% Fock’s reactivity. Endoglucanases (EGs) can efficiently reduce the average molecular weight of the cellulose while simultaneously increasing the pulp reactivity for viscose production. It is shown in this study that lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases act synergistically with EGs in the modification of bleached dissolving pulp.
Social Comparison Information Influences Intentions to Reduce Single-Use Plastic Water Bottle Consumption
Authors: Bruchmann Kathryn , Chue Sarah M. , Dillon Keelin , Lucas Jaime K. , Neumann Kayla , Parque Charlotte
Published: September 2021

Single-use plastic consumption is at an all-time high and threatens environmental and human health. College campuses in particular serve as a hub for single-use plastics due to their convenience for students on the go. The present research tests whether social comparison information can influence self-perceptions of single-use plastic consumption and motivate behavior change within the college campus environment. In a controlled experiment, we measured college students' existing plastic water bottle usage and gave them false feedback about their behaviors and relative standing to their classmates: participants in comparison conditions learned they were either above or below average in their plastic water bottle sustainability behaviors. Results indicated that (relative to a no-comparison control), being above average at water bottle sustainability led students to be more satisfied with their sustainability efforts. However, either kind of comparison information (i.e., being above or below average) led to greater behavioral intentions to reduce single-use plastic water bottle consumption in the future. This study highlights how comparison information can be used to motivate sustainable behavior change with regards to single-use plastics.
The Influence of Induced Emotions on Distance and Size Perception and on the Grip Scaling During Grasping
Authors: Sun Chuyang , Chen Juan , Chen Yuting , Tang Rixin
Published: September 2021

Previous studies have shown that our perception of stimulus properties can be affected by the emotional nature of the stimulus. It is not clear, however, how emotions affect visually-guided actions toward objects. To address this question, we used toy rats, toy squirrels, and wooden blocks to induce negative, positive, and neutral emotions, respectively. Participants were asked to report the perceived distance and the perceived size of a target object resting on top of one of the three emotion-inducing objects; or to grasp the same target object either without visual feedback (open-loop) or with visual feedback (closed-loop) of both the target object and their grasping hand during the execution of grasping. We found that the target object was perceived closer and larger, but was grasped with a smaller grip aperture in the rat condition than in the squirrel and the wooden-block conditions when no visual feedback was available. With visual feedback present, this difference in grip aperture disappeared. These results showed that negative emotion influences both perceived size and grip aperture, but in opposite directions (larger perceived size but smaller grip aperture) and its influence on grip aperture could be corrected by visual feedback, which revealed different effects of emotion to perception and action. Our results have implications on the understanding of the relationship between perception and action in emotional condition, which showed the novel difference from previous theories.
How Humanistic Is Positive Psychology? Lessons in Positive Psychology From Carl Rogers' Person-Centered Approach—It's the Social Environment That Must Change
Authors: Joseph Stephen
Published: September 2021

Both positive psychology and the person-centered approach share a common aim to promote human flourishing. In this article I will discuss how the person-centered approach is a form of positive psychology, but positive psychology is not necessarily person-centered. I will show how the person-centered approach offers a distinctive view of human nature that leads the person-centered psychologist to understand that if people are to change, it is not the person that we must try to change but their social environment. Centrally, the paper suggests that respecting the humanistic image of the human being and, consequently, influencing people's social environment to facilitate personal growth would mean a step forward for positive psychology and would promote cross-fertilization between positive psychology and the person-centered approach instead of widening their gap.
Meaning Making for Psychological Adjustment and Quality of Life in Older Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Nilsen Marianne , Stalsberg Ragna , Sand Kari , Haugan Gørill , Reidunsdatter Randi Johansen
Published: September 2021

Objectives: This study aims to explore in depth the meaning and meaning discrepancies among older Norwegian breast cancer survivors in light of the meaning making model by Park (2013).

Design: We utilized a qualitative design collecting data using semi-structured interviews of 23 elderly breast cancer survivors 7–8 years after treatment. The interviews followed an interview guide structured along three main themes: “everyday life activities,” “follow-up-care experiences” and “health status and QoL.”

Results: Several health problems were reported by the women in the aftermaths of the disease, such as sleeping problems, pain, and fatigue—including cognitive and emotional impairments. Meaning discrepancies were concentrated on six main themes: shifting perspectives and priorities, growing sense of autonomy, widening the limits of normality, dissociating oneself from the disease, embracing alternative health services, and feeling lucky. The women engaged in a wide range of coping techniques as efforts to change global meaning, and to develop a more positive view on the cancer experience. Common coping efforts across the six main themes were social comparison, denial, positive reappraisal, problem-focused coping, and revaluing ordinary events.

Conclusion: Many cancer patients report on unmet needs for help with their meaning making, and the facilitation of meaning making processes is rarely included in the follow-up care of cancer survivors. The findings of the present study may help health care professionals provide care for women who have experienced breast cancer. The concrete knowledge of common coping efforts in the meaning making process may contribute to the development of future interventions and for gaining a deeper understanding for older survivors of breast cancer.
Effect of Working After Retirement on the Mental Health of Older People: Evidence From China
Authors: Xie Lin , Yao Yi-dan , Tang Li-li , Zhang Shuo , Yang Hua-lei , Zhang Si-qing , Wu Yuan-yang , Li Zhi-yun
Published: September 2021

There is little empirical research on the effect of working after retirement on the mental health of the older adults in China. To fill this gap in the literature, this study examines the effects of working after retirement on the mental health of the older adults using data from the China Family Panel Studies. We employed the methods of ordinary least squares, ordered logit, and propensity score matching–difference in differences (PSM–DID). Results show that working after retirement is negatively related to mental health of the older adults in China. The deterioration effect of post-retirement work mainly impacts those aged over 60 years, women, and those with lower education background, urban household registration, higher pension, and higher social status. Working after retirement is negatively related to mental health through the mediating effects of deteriorating interpersonal relationships and lower positive attitude. It is necessary to consider mental health effects and their population differences to evaluate the impact and improve the quality of policies of active aging.
Hepatitis E in 24 Chinese Cities, 2008–2018: A New Analysis Method for the Disease's Occupational Characteristics
Authors: Yu Shanshan , Rui Jia , Cheng Xiaoqing , Zhao Zeyu , Liu Chan , Lin Shengnan , Zhu Yuanzhao , Wang Yao , Xu Jingwen , Yang Meng , Liu Xingchun , Wang Mingzhai , Lei Zhao , Zhao Benhua , Zhao Qinglong , Zhang Xuefeng , Chen Tianmu
Published: September 2021

Background: The disease burden of hepatitis E remains high. We used a new method (richness, diversity, evenness, and similarity analyses) to classify cities according to the occupational classification of hepatitis E patients across regions in China and compared the results of cluster analysis.

Methods: Data on reported hepatitis E cases from 2008 to 2018 were collected from 24 cities (9 in Jilin Province, 13 in Jiangsu Province, Xiamen City, and Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture). Traditional statistical methods were used to describe the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis E patients, while the new method and cluster analysis were used to classify the cities by analyzing the occupational composition across regions.

Results: The prevalence of hepatitis E in eastern China (Jiangsu Province) was similar to that in the south (Xiamen City) and southwest of China (Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture), but higher than that in the north (Jilin Province). The age of hepatitis E patients was concentrated between 41 and 60 years, and the sex ratio ranged from 1:1.6 to 1:3.4. Farming was the most highly prevalent occupation; other sub-prevalent occupations included retirement, housework and unemployment. The incidence of occupations among migrant workers, medical staff, teachers, and students was moderate. There were several occupational types with few or no records, such as catering industry, caregivers and babysitters, diaspora children, childcare, herders, and fishing (boat) people. The occupational similarity of hepatitis E was high among economically developed cities, such as Nanjing, Wuxi, Baicheng, and Xiamen, while the similarity was small among cities with large economic disparities, such as Nanjing and Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture. A comparison of the classification results revealed more similarities and some differences when using these two methods.

Conclusion: In China, the factors with the greatest influence on the prevalence of hepatitis E are living in the south, farming as an occupation, being middle-aged or elderly, and being male. The 24 cities we studied were highly diverse and moderately similar in terms of the occupational distribution of patients with hepatitis E. We confirmed the validity of the new method on in classifying cities according to their occupational composition by comparing it with the clustering method.
The Relationship Between the COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccine Hesitancy: A Scoping Review of Literature Until August 2021
Authors: de Albuquerque Veloso Machado Matilde , Roberts Bjelle , Wong Brian Li Han , van Kessel Robin , Mossialos Elias
Published: September 2021

Background: Vaccines have been contributing to eradicate or drastically reduce the incidence of common diseases. Simultaneously, vaccine hesitancy is considered among the top ten global health threats. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a tremendous impact on health, economics, and society worldwide, while also reinforcing faulty beliefs about the necessity of vaccine programs as a whole. This study aims to synthesise evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vaccine hesitancy.

Methods: A scoping review of literature between 1 January 2020 and 1 August 2021 was performed.

Results: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance decreased from more than 70 to <50% in 8 months starting from January 2020. Healthcare professionals demonstrate higher rates of vaccine receptivity than the public, which was more influenced by (social) media. The circulation of misinformation was associated with increased fear of side effects related to COVID-19 vaccines. Regarding other vaccines coverage, parents' intentions to vaccinate their children against influenza increased 15.8% during the COVID-19 pandemic so far. Nonetheless, the number of vaccines administered decreased, influenced by factors like fear of being exposed to the virus at healthcare facilities and restrictions.

Conclusions: Several efforts should be undertaken to improve vaccine acceptance and coverage now and beyond the pandemic to optimal population protection.
Stochastic Dynamics of the COVID-19 Case-Fatality Ratios in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines: Economic Implications for the Post-COVID-19 Era
Authors: Shi Zili , Zhang Hua , Zhang Ren , Zhu Lili
Published: September 2021

This paper analyses the stochastic dynamics of the COVID-19 Case-Fatality Ratios (CFR) in three developing economies in East Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The sample covers the daily frequency data from April 28, 2020, to June 29, 2021. For this purpose, we utilize two unit root tests, which consider one structural break and two structural breaks. The findings reveal that the CFR follows a unit root process in Indonesia and the Philippines. However, the CFR is stationary in Malaysia. This evidence indicates that the COVID-19 has a permanent effect in Indonesia and the Philippines but temporary in Malaysia. The paper also discusses the potential economic implications of these results for the post-COVID-19 era in the related developing economies.
Empirical Study on the Impact of Urban and Rural Resident Basic Medical Insurance on Children's Educational Outcomes
Authors: Chen Hua , Xiao Gandan , Xing Jianing , Zhou Qing
Published: September 2021

This paper employs data from the 2016 and 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) to study the impact of participation in Urban and Rural Resident Basic Medical Insurance (URRBMI) on children's educational outcomes by using the logit model, double selection Lasso model, and propensity score matching. It is found that participating in URRBMI has no significant effect on children's Chinese performance, but has a significant negative effect on children's mathematics performance. The negative effect is more obvious for children who participating in the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS). The paper also studies the channel effects of participation in URRBMI on children's educational outcomes trough two different ways. It is noticed that both channel effects are not significant, that is, participation in URRBMI neither improves children's health nor changes household education expenditures.
Tool-Use Model to Reproduce the Goal Situations Considering Relationship Among Tools, Objects, Actions and Effects Using Multimodal Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Saito Namiko , Ogata Tetsuya , Mori Hiroki , Murata Shingo , Sugano Shigeki
Published: September 2021

We propose a tool-use model that enables a robot to act toward a provided goal. It is important to consider features of the four factors; tools, objects actions, and effects at the same time because they are related to each other and one factor can influence the others. The tool-use model is constructed with deep neural networks (DNNs) using multimodal sensorimotor data; image, force, and joint angle information. To allow the robot to learn tool-use, we collect training data by controlling the robot to perform various object operations using several tools with multiple actions that leads different effects. Then the tool-use model is thereby trained and learns sensorimotor coordination and acquires relationships among tools, objects, actions and effects in its latent space. We can give the robot a task goal by providing an image showing the target placement and orientation of the object. Using the goal image with the tool-use model, the robot detects the features of tools and objects, and determines how to act to reproduce the target effects automatically. Then the robot generates actions adjusting to the real time situations even though the tools and objects are unknown and more complicated than trained ones.
A Tillage Depth Monitoring and Control System for the Independent Adjustment of Each Subsoiling Shovel
Authors: Lou Shangyi , He Jin , Lu Caiyun , Liu Peng , Li Hui , Zhang Zhenguo
Published: September 2021

Subsoiling can break the compacted hardpan without turning or mixing soil layers. It has significant advantages in improving soil structure, promoting rainwater infiltration, and increasing air permeability of soil. The soil compacted hardpan will not be completely broken and more power consumption will be generated unless the desired tillage depth is obtained. However, due to uneven surface between and within each row of subsoiling shovel in the field, the existing adjustment methods, adjusting via the lifting device of the whole machine or a group of tillage components, cannot ensure each subsoiling shovel avoiding undesired tillage depth. Therefore, a tillage depth monitoring and control system for the independent adjustment of each subsoiling shovel was developed, and the methods of detecting, adjusting, displaying, and recording tillage depth were described. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate detecting accuracy, stability of tillage depth, transient response time, and advantages. The results showed that the value obtained by sensor differed from manual measurement at the speed of 3 km/h, 4 km/h, and 5 km/h averagely by 8.28%. The mean value of the coefficient of the tillage depth stability at three speeds were all greater than 94%. The mean transient response time was 0.6 s. The standard deviation of tillage depth obtained under system control was 38.31, which was less than the 51.52 obtained by only adjusting on the three-point suspension. The subsoiler equipped with this system was capable of obtaining a desired tillage depth of each subsoiling shovel in every second.
Mycorrhizal Inoculation and Chemical Fertilizer Interactions in Pineapple under Field Conditions
Authors: Trejo Dora , Sangabriel-Conde Wendy , Gavito-Pardo Mayra E. , Banuelos Jacob
Published: September 2021

Excessive inorganic fertilizers applied to pineapple crops in Mexico cause the progressive degradation and pollution of soils in the short- and long-term, and they also increase production costs. An alternative to reduce excessive fertilization is its partial substitution by nutrition and growth enhancing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The goal of this research was to compare the effect of AMF inoculation combined with different fertilizer doses and full chemical fertilization on pineapple yield variables in a commercial plantation. We used a randomized block design with six treatments: a non-inoculated control with 100% chemical fertilization, and five treatments with AMF inoculation and fertilization doses of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% chemical fertilization. There were four replicates of each treatment containing 30 plants in each experimental unit (plot). We measured the dry weight of the D-leaf 9 months after planting, and the root mycorrhizal colonization percentage, yield, and fruit quality after 18 months. Mycorrhizal inoculation equated to 100% chemical fertilization already when combined with 25% fertilization and surpassed it when combined with 50% fertilization in most of the yield variables measured. The fruit mass and organoleptic variables were significantly higher in mycorrhizal plants with 50% fertilization than in the non-inoculated control and the treatments inoculated with AMF and combined with 0%, 25%, 75%, and 100% of a dose of chemical fertilizer. Inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi in the field could reduce chemical fertilizer application by 50%, with no yield loss and with improved fruit quality.
Antifungal Activity of the Dry Biomass of Penicillium chrysogenum F-24-28 and Is Application in Combination with Azoxystrobin for Efficient Crop Protection
Authors: Karpova Nataliya V. , Yaderets Vera V. , Glagoleva Elena V. , Petrova Kseniya S. , Ovchinnikov Alexander I. , Dzhavakhiya Vakhtang V.
Published: September 2021

The developing resistance of plant pathogenic fungi to commercial fungicides has become a serious problem for efficient plant disease control. The use of antifungal preparations based on living microorganisms or their metabolites represents one of the possible environmentally friendly approaches. However, since a complete rejection of chemical fungicides is impossible, the combining of biopreparations and fungicides may be considered a promising biocontrol approach. Promising strains for the development of antifungal biopreparations include Penicillium fungi producing various biologically active compounds with antimicrobial and antiviral activities. A dry biomass of the P. chrysogenum F-24-28 strain (DMP) obtained from the P. chrysogenum VKPM F-1310 strain by induced mutagenesis possessed a high antifungal efficiency. According to in vitro experiments, supplementation of agarized medium with DMP (7.5–10 g/L) resulted in a significant growth inhibition in several plant pathogenic Fusarium fungi. The combination of DMP with a commercial azoxystrobin-based fungicide resulted in a prolonged growth inhibition in F. oxysporum, F. graminearum and F. culmorum even at fungicide concentrations significantly below the recommended level (0.5–2.5 mg/L or 2.5–12.5 g/ha vs. the recommended 100–275 g/ha). These results demonstrate a possibility to develop an efficient environmentally friendly biopreparation suitable to control crop diseases caused by a wide range of plant pathogens, and to prevent a possible selection and spreading of resistant pathogen strains.
Magnitude, Causes and Scope for Reducing Food Losses in the Baking and Confectionery Industry—A Multi-Method Approach
Authors: Goryńska-Goldmann Elżbieta , Gazdecki Michał , Rejman Krystyna , Łaba Sylwia , Kobus-Cisowska Joanna , Szczepański Krystian
Published: September 2021

Reducing food wastage is one of the challenges in achieving global food security and transforming current food systems. Since human nutrition is closely dependent on cereal production, research was undertaken aimed at understanding the food losses in the baking and confectionery industry (BCI) in Poland, in particular at determining the volume, reasons and ways of reducing losses, identifying possibly all of the reasons for losses in BCI using the Ishikawa 5M + 1E diagram and determining the level of significance and probability of risk of food losses in the analysed sector. Two research methods were used. Quantitative data were collected using the mass balance method from five businesses that served as case studies. Qualitative data were collected through individual in-depth interviews with 17 industry experts. The companies’ average daily losses ranged from 0.8 to 6.4 tons, representing 9.7 to 14.4% of production volume, including 10.4–13.4% of bread losses and 6.8–24.4% of fresh pastry losses. The highest losses were generated by transport departments and these were exclusively retail returns. Following the Ishikawa concept, 31 primary and 94 secondary reasons for food losses were identified. Using the probability of loss risk, a toolkit for loss prevention and mitigation across all departments within businesses (raw materials magazine, production section, final product magazine and final product transport) and a set of horizontal tools were identified, including specialised training for employees and activities in several areas, e.g., technical status and production technology, organisation and planning, logistics and sales and cooperation with retail. This study, conducted in Poland, offers valuable results for developing programmes and strategies to prevent and manage food losses in BCI. Many of the solutions proposed in both toolkits can bring economic benefits without involving additional high costs.
Fruit Yield, Polyphenols, and Carotenoids in Long Shelf-Life Tomatoes in Response to Drought Stress and Rewatering
Authors: Patanè Cristina , Siah Sarah , Pellegrino Alessandra , Cosentino Salvatore L. , Siracusa Laura
Published: September 2021

The Mediterranean long shelf-life tomato (or long storage tomato) is a plant traditionally cultivated under no irrigation in the Southern regions of Italy, whose fruits have typical high sensory and nutritional quality. However, yield levels are kept low under current cultivation conditions. In this study, the effects of repeated cycles of drying and rehydration on crop productivity and nutritional quality of fruits in terms of polyphenols and carotenoids content were assessed in long shelf-life tomatoes cultivated in a typical semi-arid area of Southern Italy. The three local Sicilian landraces ‘Custonaci’, ‘Salina’ and ‘Vulcano’, and the commercial tomato hybrid ‘Faino’ (control) were submitted to three irrigation treatments: DRY (no irrigation); IRR (long-season full irrigation); REW (drought/rewatering cycles). Total 450, 4710, and 1849 m3 ha−1, were distributed in DRY, IRR, and REW, respectively. At harvest, fruit yield, polyphenols (as total, flavonoids, and hydroxycinnamoyl quinic acids-HCQA), and carotenoids contents (lycopene and β-carotene) were measured. All cultivars benefitted from very limited irrigation in REW, raising their productivity (up to +147% in ‘Vulcano’) with respect to that of plants overstressed in DRY. Irrigation water use efficiency in REW was higher than that in IRR. Water shortage in REW led to a polyphenols content of fruits that was slightly lower (171.1 μg g−1) than that in DRY, but higher than that in IRR (116.8 μg g−1). All local landraces had greater contents (>160 μg g−1) than control (113.0 μg g−1). Under REW and DRY, the two landraces ‘Salina’ and ‘Vulcano’ produced fruits with the same polyphenols and flavonoids contents. Overall, the two water stressed treatments (DRY and REW) did not differ for HCQA content (>66 μg g−1), which was significantly higher than that in the irrigated plots (<50.55 μg g−1). Lycopene content in DRY and REW exceeded 100 μg g−1; among local types, ‘Vulcano’ exhibited the highest content (106.7 μg g−1). The β-carotene content did not change in ‘Custonaci’ and ‘Salina’, whereas in ‘Vulcano’ it was greater in DRY and REW. Only in ‘Faino’ water limitation in REW exerted a clear promoting effect on β-carotene content of fruits. The results of the present study reveal how rewatering after long-lasting drought periods is beneficial to long shelf-life tomatoes in terms of productivity. Appropriate drought cycles in REW may also help the fruits to retain high nutritional levels.
Rate and Timing of Meat and Bone Meal Applications Influence Growth, Yield, and Soil Water Nitrate Concentrations in Sweet Corn Production
Authors: Silvasy Tiare , Ahmad Amjad A. , Wang Koon-Hui , Radovich Theodore J. K.
Published: September 2021

Using local resources and minimizing environmental impacts are two important components of sustainable agriculture. Meat and bone meal (MBM), tankage, is a locally produced organic fertilizer. This study was conducted to investigate the response of sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. saccharata Stuart.) and soil water nitrate (NO3-N) concentration to MBM application at two locations, Waimānalo and Poamoho, on the island of O’ahu. The objectives were to determine effects of six application rates (0, 112, 224, 336, 448 and 672 kg N ha−1) and two application timings (preplant and split application) on: (1) sweet corn growth, yield, and quality, and (2) soil water nitrate concentration within and below the root zone. The split-plot was designed as four replicates randomly arranged in a complete block. Plant growth of roots and shoots, yield, and relative leaf chlorophyll content of sweet corn increased with increasing application rates of MBM in both locations. At Poamoho, yield was 13.6% greater in preplant versus split application. Nitrate-nitrogen losses were reduced by 20% at Waimānalo and 40% at Poamoho when MBM was applied in split applications. These findings suggest that MBM is an effective nitrogen source for sweet corn and a split application of MBM may reduce the potential for pollution.
Canopy Spraying of Abscisic Acid to Improve Fruit Quality of Different Sweet Cherry Cultivars
Authors: Time Alson , Ponce Claudio , Kuhn Nathalie , Arellano Macarena , Sagredo Boris , Donoso José Manuel , Meisel Lee A.
Published: September 2021

Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a major role in promoting ripening in sweet cherry, a non-climacteric fruit. Exogenous application of ABA has been performed to study fruit ripening and cracking, but this growth regulator is not used for commercial production. To determine the potential of this growth regulator to improve sweet cherry fruit quality, ABA canopy spraying was assayed in four cultivars. Canopy spraying of S-ABA significantly: (1) enhanced sweet cherry fruit color in ‘Glenred’, ‘Lapins’ and ‘Bing’ cultivars, but not in ‘Royal Rainier’ (a bi-colored cultivar), and (2) decreased fruit size and firmness in ‘Lapins’, ‘Bing’ and ‘Royal Rainier’. Seasonally reproducible effects were seen in ‘Lapins’ (mid/late-maturing) but not in ‘Glenred’ (early-maturing). Canopy spraying of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) decreased color and increased fruit size in ‘Lapins’, but not in ‘Glenred’. Direct application of ABA on fruits attached to the tree, without application to the foliage, increased ‘Lapins’ fruit color without reducing size. These results suggest a localized fruit response to exogenous ABA application on fruit color development, but that a decrease in fruit size may be due to the effects of exogenous ABA on the tree canopy foliage.
Survey of Sugarcane Yellow Leaf Virus in the Canal Point Breeding and Cultivar Development Program
Authors: Sood Sushma , Davidson Wayne R. , Baltazar Miguel
Published: September 2021

Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV), a Polerovirus in the family Luteoviridea, causes yellow leaf disease (YLD). Yield losses from YLD have been reported from several countries in both symptomatic and asymptomatic sugarcane cultivars. The breeding nursery at Canal Point (CP) in 2016 and primary and secondary seed increases in the CP cultivar development program at grower’s farm from 2015 to 2019 were surveyed for SCYLV infection by the tissue-blot immunoassay using polyclonal antibodies raised against SCYLV. More than 32% of varieties in the CP breeding nursery were infected with SCYLV in 2016. The SCYLV data of primary and secondary seedcane increases from 2015 to 2019 showed that out of 54 varieties screened at different locations, 12 had no SCYLV-positive plants, 24 had less than 5%, 5 had 6% to 12%, and 13 had 20% to 75% of the plants infected with SCYLV. The SCYLV screenings in varieties in the primary and secondary seed increase plantings provide growers an opportunity to acquire virus-free clean seedcane by apical meristem propagation to minimize the spread of the SCYLV and avoid yield losses.