bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Possibility of Replacing Wet-Milling with Dry-Milling in the Production of Waxy Rice Flour for the Application in Waxy Rice Ball
Authors: Fang Sicong , Chen Maoshen , Xu Feifei , Liu Fei , Zhong Fang
Published: January 2023

Due to the large consumption and discharge of water in wet milling, dry-milling is an alternative to produce waxy rice flour. The physical properties and sensory characteristics for preparing waxy rice balls in dry-milled waxy rice flour were compared in this study. The results showed that the damaged starch content increased significantly with the particle size of dry-milled flour, which decreased from 160 to 30 μm. The reduction in particle size increased the pasting viscosity of waxy rice flour, which further improved the stretch ability of dough and increased the viscoelasticity of the rice ball. The increase in damaged starch content directly led to a significant increase in the solubility of dry-milled flour, thereby increasing the freeze cracking rate of the rice ball and reducing its transparency, resulting in a decline in quality. In comparison with wet-milled waxy rice balls, dry-milled waxy rice balls made from rice flour in the range of 40 μm to 60 μm particle size had a similar texture and taste to that of wet-milled ones, moderate freeze cracking rate and better storage stability, as well as a stronger aroma of waxy rice that the consumer favored. GC-MS analysis showed that the content of key aroma compounds, such as grassy and fruity, noted nonanal in dry-milled flour, was 15–30% higher than that in the wet-milled depending on the difference of waxy rice variety. In conclusion, dry-milled waxy rice flour with a particle size in the range of 40 μm to 60 μm could be a candidate to replace wet-milled flour in the preparation of a waxy rice ball.
Visual Monitoring of Fatty Acid Degradation during Green Tea Storage by Hyperspectral Imaging
Authors: Zhang Yiyi , Huang Lunfang , Deng Guojian , Wang Yujie
Published: January 2023

The reduction in freshness during green tea storage leads to a reduction in its commercial value and consumer acceptance, which is thought to be related to the oxidation of fatty acids. Here, we developed a novel and rapid method for the assessment of green tea freshness during storage. Hyperspectral images of green tea during storage were acquired, and fatty acid profiles were detected by GC–MS. Partial least squares (PLS) analysis was used to model the association of spectral data with fatty acid content. In addition, competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) was employed to select the characteristic wavelengths and thus simplify the model. The results show that the constructed CARS-PLS can achieve accurate prediction of saturated and unsaturated fatty acid content, with residual prediction deviation (RPD) values over 2. Ultimately, chemical imaging was used to visualize the distribution of fatty acids during storage, thus providing a fast and nondestructive method for green tea freshness evaluation.
Colorimetric Chemosensor Based on Fe3O4 Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Nanoparticles for Highly Selective and Sensitive Detection of Norfloxacin in Milk
Authors: Li Maiquan , Luo Lingli , Li Jiayin , Xiong Yingzi , Wang Ling , Liu Xia
Published: January 2023

Long-term use of norfloxacin (NOR) will cause NOR residues in foods and harm human bodies. The determination of NOR residues is important for guaranteeing food safety. In this study, a simple, selective, and label-free colorimetric chemosensor for in situ NOR detection was developed based on Fe3O4 magnetic molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (Fe3O4 MMIP NPs). The Fe3O4 MMIP NPs showed good peroxidase-like catalytic activity to 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and selective adsorption ability to NOR. The colorimetric chemosensor was constructed based on the Fe3O4 MMIP NPs-H2O2-TMB reaction system. The absorbance differences were proportional to the concentrations of NOR in the range of 10–300 ng/mL with a limit of detection at 9 ng/mL. The colorimetric chemosensor was successfully applied to detect NOR residue in milk. The recovery range was 78.2–95.81%, with a relative standard deviation of 2.1–9.88%. Together, the proposed colorimetric chemosensor provides a reliable strategy for the detection of NOR residues in foods.
The Temperature Influence on Drying Kinetics and Physico-Chemical Properties of Pomegranate Peels and Seeds
Authors: Wanderley Roberta de Oliveira Sousa , de Figueirêdo Rossana Maria Feitosa , Queiroz Alexandre José de Melo , dos Santos Francislaine Suelia , Paiva Yaroslávia Ferreira , Ferreira João Paulo de Lima , de Lima Antônio Gilson Barbosa , Gomes Josivanda Palmeira , Costa Caciana Cavalcanti , da Silva Wilton Pereira , Santos Dyego da Costa , Maracajá Patricio Borges
Published: January 2023

Pomegranate is a fruit desirable for its nutritional and medicinal properties which has a great industrial potential that is yet under-explored. Notable for its integral use, the peels are used in medicinal infusions and the seeds consumed without restrictions. In this sense, the objective of this work is to determine the drying kinetics of pomegranate peels and seeds in a hot air circulation oven, at temperatures of 50, 60, and 70 °C, adjust mathematical models to experimental data, determine the effective diffusivities and thermodynamic properties of the process and the physicochemical characteristics of peels and seeds of fresh pomegranates and in their flours. Twelve models were used to adjust the drying kinetics, obtaining better results with the Diffusion Approximation model, Verma, and modified Henderson and Pabis. The effective diffusivities were well represented by an Arrhenius equation, with activation energies of 31.39 kJ/mol for seeds and 10.60 kJ/mol for peels. In the drying process, the seeds showed higher values of enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy concerning peels. Pomegranate peel and seed flours have proximal composition and distinct physicochemical characteristics, with high fiber, carbohydrate, and energy content. In addition, peel flours stand out for their mineral content, and seed flours do for their lipid and protein content.
Combined Effect of High Hydrostatic Pressure, Sous-Vide Cooking, and Carvacrol on the Quality of Veal, Plant-Based, and Hybrid Patties during Storage
Authors: Janardhanan Rasmi , Olarte Carmen , Sanz Susana , Rota Carmina , Beriain María José
Published: January 2023

The effect of carvacrol added to patties stored at 4 °C for 14 days, previously pressurized and vacuum-cooked (HPP-SVCOOK), was investigated. Three formulations were prepared (veal, plant-based product, and hybrid product). An emulsion made with olive and linseed oils was added. The physicochemical and microbiological qualities were assessed. Microbial tests indicated negligible growth of spoilage organisms in treated patties. No significant effect of carvacrol on the microbial loads of patties was noticed. Sulfite-reducing clostridia and Enterobacteriaceae were absent in the treated patties, whereas, in the treated veal and hybrid samples, 3 and 2 units of log cfu/g reduction for lactic acid bacteria and molds and yeasts were noted, respectively. On day 7 of storage, veal patties exhibited a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the L* (53.9–49.3), hardness (32.3–21.4 N), springiness (0.8–0.7 N), cohesiveness (0.49–0.46), and chewiness (12.2–7.1) and a hike in the a* value (5.3–9.4). No significant changes in L* (59.1–58.6), a* (8.57–8.61), hardness (11.6–10.6 N), or cohesiveness (0.27–0.26) were observed in plant-based patties over the storage times, whereas reductions in springiness (0.5–0.4), chewiness (1.9–1.3), and b* (26.6–29.1) were noted in them. In hybrid patties, the L* (53.9–52.5) and b* values (24.9–24.3) were consistent but had a significant decrease in a* value (5.9–3.5) along the days of storage under study. The texture parameters of the hybrid patties altered were similar to those of veal patties during the 14-day storage time. In all samples, pH decreased with storage time. HPP-SVCOOK was effective on rendering safe and shelf-stable, ready-to-eat patties regardless of their matrix formulation. The addition of carvacrol had limited effects on the textural qualities of the HPP-SVCOOK products. Future studies need to be undertaken to assess the treated patties’ consumer acceptability and sensory profile. The study provides the basis for the development of novel meat-based and plant-based products that are microbiologically safe, with minimum physicochemical alterations during storage.
Feeding Corn Silage or Grass Hay as Sole Dietary Forage Sources: Overall Mechanism of Forages Regulating Health-Promoting Fatty Acid Status in Milk of Dairy Cows
Authors: Wang Erdan , Cha Manqian , Wang Shuo , Wang Qianqian , Wang Yajing , Li Shengli , Wang Wei
Published: January 2023

Different dietary forage sources regulate health-promoting fatty acids (HPFAs), such as conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), in the milk of lactating cows. However, the overall mechanism of forages regulating lipid metabolism from the gastrointestinal tract to the mammary glands (MGs) is not clear. Three isocaloric diets that contained (1) 46% corn silage (CS), (2) a mixture of 23% corn silage and 14% grass hays (MIX), and (3) 28% grass hays (GH) as the forage sources and six cannulated (rumen, proximal duodenum, and terminal ileum) lactating cows were assigned to a double 3 × 3 Latin square design. Our results show that a higher proportion of grass hay in the diets increased the relative contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), CLAs, and n-3 PUFAs. The lower relative content of SCFA in the milk of CS was predominantly due to the reduction in acetate production in the rumen and arteriovenous differences in the MG, indicating that the de novo synthesis pathways were inhibited. The elevated relative contents of total CLA and n-3 PUFA in the milk of GH were attributed to the increases in apparent intestinal digestion and arteriovenous differences in total CLA and n-3 PUFA, together with the higher Δ9-desaturase activity in the MG. In conclusion, this study provides an overall mechanism of dietary forages regulating HPFA status in the milk of dairy cows.
Mechanism of Enhancing Pyrazines in Daqu via Inoculating Bacillus licheniformis with Strains Specificity
Authors: Tang Qiuxiang , Chen Xiaoru , Huang Jun , Zhang Suyi , Qin Hui , Dong Yi , Wang Chao , Wang Xiaojun , Wu Chongde , Jin Yao , Zhou Rongqing
Published: January 2023

Despite the importance of pyrazines in Baijiu flavor, inoculating functional strains to increase the contents of pyrazine in Daqu and how those interact with endogenic communities is not well characterized. The effects of inoculating Bacillus licheniformis with similar metabolic capacity on pyrazine and community structure were assessed in the Daqu complex system and compared with traditional Daqu. The fortification strategy increased the volatile metabolite content of Daqu by 52.40% and the pyrazine content by 655.99%. Meanwhile, results revealed that the pyrazine content in Daqu inoculated isolate J-49 was 2.35–7.41 times higher than isolate J-41. Both isolates have the almost same capability of 2,3-butanediol, a key precursor of pyrazine, in pure cultured systems. Since the membrane fatty acids of isolate J-49 contain unsaturated fatty acids, it enhances the response-ability to withstand complex environmental pressure, resulting in higher pyrazine content. PICRUSt2 suggested that the increase in pyrazine was related to the enzyme expression of nitrogen metabolism significantly increasing, which led to the enrichment of NH4+ and 2,3-butanediol (which increased by 615.89%). These results based on multi-dimensional approaches revealed the effect of functional bacteria enhancement on the attribution of Daqu, laid a methodological foundation regulating the microbial community structure and enhanced the target products by functional strains.
A New Insight into the Evaluation of Used Frying Oils Based on the Kinetics of Chemical Changes during the Process
Authors: Moosavi Seyed Mohammad Reza , Farhoosh Reza
Published: January 2023

Kinetics of change in total polar compounds (TPC), carbonyl value (CV), and conjugated diene value (CDV) were simultaneously investigated during the frying of potato strips in eight oil samples at 170 °C. The CDV at the turning point of the sigmoidal kinetic curves (CDVT) with an average of ~19 mmol/L, which was almost equivalent to the TPC and CV of ~14% and ~24 μmol/g, respectively, was found to be as a sensory cut-off value for rejection. To discard frying oils from a toxicological standpoint, the CDV at the mean of the times required to reach the CDVT and the CDVmax with an average of ~28 mmol/L (almost equivalent to the TPC and CV of ~22% and ~41 μmol/g, respectively) was determined as the corresponding cut-off value.
Effect of Three Bakery Products Formulated with High-Amylose Wheat Flour on Post-Prandial Glycaemia in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Di Rosa Claudia , De Arcangelis Elisa , Vitelli Virginia , Crucillà Salvatore , Angelicola Martina , Trivisonno Maria Carmela , Sestili Francesco , Blasi Emanuele , Cicatiello Clara , Lafiandra Domenico , Masci Stefania , Messia Maria Cristina , De Gara Laura , Marconi Emanuele , Khazrai Yeganeh Manon
Published: January 2023

Both Glycaemic index (GI) and Glycaemic Load (GL) were introduced to measure the impact of a carbohydrate-containing food on blood glucose. From this perspective, high-amylose (HA) flours, with a higher percentage of resistant starch (RS), may represent a suitable raw material to improve the glycaemic response. The present work aims to investigate the GI of HA bakery products (biscuits, taralli and bread) compared to products obtained from conventional flour. Ten healthy volunteers were enrolled and their capillary blood glucose was measured every 15 min for 2 h after the consumption of HA and control products containing 50 g of available carbohydrates. On average, in the three bakery products, the amount of total starch replaced by RS was equal to 12%. HA biscuits and HA bread showed significantly lower GI than their control counterparts (p = 0.0116 and p = 0.011, respectively) and better glycaemic control. From the survey to assess liking and willingness to pay on HA snacks, HA packages received an average premium of €0.66 compared to control products. Although HA flour results in lower GI in both biscuits and bread, further studies are needed to evaluate the correct composition of HA products to have beneficial effects on post-prandial glycaemia.
Spectral Line VLBI Studies Using the ngEHT
Authors: Kim Dong-Jin , Fish Vincent
Published: January 2023

Spectroscopy in the mm/sub-mm wavelength range is a powerful tool to study the gaseous medium in various astrophysical environments. The next generation Event Horizon Telescope (ngEHT) equipped with a wide-bandwidth backend system has great potential for science using high angular resolution spectroscopy. Spectral line VLBI studies using the ngEHT will enable us to scrutinize compact astrophysical objects obscured by an optically thick medium on unprecedented angular scales. However, the capabilities of ngEHT for spectroscopy and specific scientific applications have not been properly envisioned. In this white paper, we briefly address science cases newly achievable via spectral line VLBI observations in the mm/sub-mm wavelength ranges, and suggest technical requirements to facilitate spectral line VLBI studies in the ngEHT era.
Curative Effects of Copper Iodide Embedded on Gallic Acid Incorporated in a Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) Liquid Bandage
Authors: Phetcharat Putita , Sangsanoh Pakakrong , Choipang Chasuda , Chaiarwut Sonthaya , Suwantong Orawan , Chuysinuan Piyachat , Supaphol Pitt
Published: January 2023

In daily life, people are often receiving minor cuts due to carelessness, leaving wounds on the skin. If wound healing is interrupted and the healing process does not finish, pathogens can easily enter wounds and cause infection. Liquid bandages are a fast and convenient way to help stop the bleeding of superficial wounds. Moreover, antibacterial agents in liquid bandages can promote wound restoration and fight bacteria. Herein, a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) liquid bandage incorporating copper iodide nanoparticles (CuI NPs) was developed. CuI NPs were synthesized through green synthesis using gallic acid (GA) as a reducing and capping agent. The sizes of the CuI NPs, which were dependent on the concentration of GA, were 41.45, 43.51 and 49.71 nm, with the concentrations of gallic acid being 0, 2.5 mM and 5.0 mM, respectively. CuI NPs were analyzed using FTIR, XRD and SEM and tested for peroxidase-like properties and antibacterial activity. Then, PVA liquid bandages were formulated with different concentrations of stock CuI suspension. The results revealed that PVA liquid bandages incorporating 0.190% CuI synthesized with 5.0 mM of GA can kill bacteria within 24 h and have no harmful effects on human fibroblast cells.
Identification and Association of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the FTO Gene with Indicators of Overweight and Obesity in a Young Mexican Population
Authors: Chama-Avilés Alonso , Flores-Viveros Karla Lucero , Cabrera-Ayala Jorge Alberto , Aguilar-Galarza Adriana , García-Muñoz Willebaldo , Haddad-Talancón Lorenza , de Lourdes Anzures-Cortés Ma. , Velázquez-Sánchez Claudia , Chávez-Servín Jorge Luis , Anaya-Loyola Miriam Aracely , García-Gasca Teresa , Rodríguez-García Víctor Manuel , Moreno-Celis Ulisses
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: obesity is a global public health problem; various factors have been associated with this disease, and genetic factors play a very important role. Previous studies in multiple populations have associated a gene with fat mass and obesity (FTO). Thus, the present work aims to identify and determine associations between genetic variants of FTO with indicators of overweight and obesity in the Mexican population. (2) Methods: a total of 638 subjects were evaluated to compile data on body mass index (BMI), the percentage of body fat (%BF), the waist circumference (WC), the serum levels of triglycerides (TG), and food consumption. A total of 175 genetic variants in the FTO gene were sampled by a microarray in the evaluated population, followed by association statistical analyses and comparisons of means. (3) Results: a total of 34 genetic variants were associated with any of the 6 indicators of overweight and obesity, but only 15 showed mean differences using the recessive model after the Bonferroni correction. The present study shows a wide evaluation of FTO genetic variants associated with a classic indicator of overweight and obesity, which highlights the importance of genetic analyses in the study of obesity.
LncPLAAT3-AS Regulates PLAAT3-Mediated Adipocyte Differentiation and Lipogenesis in Pigs through miR-503-5p
Authors: Wang Zhiming , Chai Jin , Wang Yuhao , Gu Yiren , Long Keren , Li Mingzhou , Jin Long
Published: January 2023

Animal fat deposition has a significant impact on meat flavor and texture. However, the molecular mechanisms of fat deposition are not well understood. LncPLAAT3-AS is a naturally occurring transcript that is abundant in porcine adipose tissue. Here, we focus on the regulatory role of lncPLAAT3-AS in promoting preadipocyte proliferation and adipocyte differentiation. By overexpressing or repressing lncPLAAT3 expression, we found that lncPLAAT3-AS promoted the transcription of its host gene PLAAT3, a regulator of adipocyte differentiation. In addition, we predicted the region of lncPLAAT3-AS that binds to miR-503-5p and showed by dual luciferase assay that lncPLAAT3-AS acts as a sponge to absorb miR-503-5p. Interestingly, miR-503-5p also targets and represses PLAAT3 expression and helps regulate porcine preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation. Taken together, these results show that lncPLAAT3-AS upregulates PLAAT3 expression by absorbing miR-503-5p, suggesting a potential regulatory mechanism based on competing endogenous RNAs. Finally, we explored lncPLAAT3-AS and PLAAT3 expression in adipose tissue and found that both molecules were expressed at significantly higher levels in fatty pig breeds compared to lean pig breeds. In summary, we identified the mechanism by which lncPLAAT3-AS regulates porcine preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation, contributing to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of lipid deposition in pigs.
Comprehensive Analysis of the lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA Regulatory Network for Intramuscular Fat in Pigs
Authors: Zhao Yanhui , Chen Shaokang , Yuan Jiani , Shi Yumei , Wang Yan , Xi Yufei , Qi Xiaolong , Guo Yong , Sheng Xihui , Liu Jianfeng , Zhou Lei , Wang Chuduan , Xing Kai
Published: January 2023

Intramuscular fat (IMF) is an essential trait closely related to meat quality. The IMF trait is a complex quantitative trait that is regulated by multiple genes. In order to better understand the process of IMF and explore the key factors affecting IMF deposition, we identified differentially expressed mRNA, miRNA, and lncRNA in the longissimus dorsi muscle (LD) between Songliao Black (SL) pigs and Landrace pigs. We obtained 606 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 55 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs), and 30 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) between the SL pig and Landrace pig. Enrichment results from GO and KEGG indicate that DEGs are involved in fatty acid metabolism and some pathways related to glycogen synthesis. We constructed an lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA interaction network with 18 DELs, 11 DEMs, and 42 DEGs. Finally, the research suggests that ARID5B, CPT1B, ACSL1, LPIN1, HSP90AA1, IRS1, IRS2, PIK3CA, PIK3CB, and PLIN2 may be the key genes affecting IMF deposition. The LncRNAs MSTRG.19948.1, MSTRG.13120.1, MSTRG.20210.1, and MSTRG.10023.1, and the miRNAs ssc-miRNA-429 and ssc-miRNA-7-1, may play a regulatory role in IMF deposition through their respective target genes. Our research provides a reference for further understanding the regulatory mechanism of IMF.
Genome-Wide Analysis of WRKY Gene Family and Negative Regulation of GhWRKY25 and GhWRKY33 Reveal Their Role in Whitefly and Drought Stress Tolerance in Cotton
Authors: Ehsan Aiman , Naqvi Rubab , Azhar Maryam , Awan Muhammad , Amin Imran , Mansoor Shahid , Asif Muhammad
Published: January 2023

The WRKY transcription factor family is marked by its significant responsiveness to both biotic and abiotic plant stresses. In the present study, the WRKY family of Gossypium hirsutum has been identified and classified into three groups based on the number of conserved WRKY domains and the type of zinc finger motif. This classification is further validated by conserved domain and phylogenetic analysis. Two members of the WRKY family, WRKY25 and WRKY33, have been targeted through VIGS in G. hirsutum. VIGS-infiltrated plants were evaluated under drought stress and whitefly infestation. It was observed that GhWRKY33-downregulated plants showed a decrease in whitefly egg and nymph population, and GhWRKY33 was found to be a strong negative regulator of whitefly and drought stress, while GhWRKY25 was found to be a moderate negative regulator of whitefly and drought stress. As the targeted genes are transcription factors influencing the expression of other genes, the relative expression of other stress-responsive genes, namely MPK6, WRKY40, HSP, ERF1, and JAZ1, was also analyzed through qRT-PCR. It was found elevated in GhWRKY33-downregulated plants, while GhWRKY25-downregulated plants through VIGS showed the elevated expression of ERF1 and WRKY40, a slightly increased expression of HSP, and a lower expression level of MPK6. Overall, this study provides an important insight into the WRKY TF family and the role of two WRKY TFs in G. hirsutum under drought stress and whitefly infestation. The findings will help to develop crops resilient to drought and whitefly stress.
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant Genomic and Phylogenetic Analysis in Iraqi Kurdistan Region
Authors: Majed Sevan Omer , Mustafa Suhad Asad , Jalal Paywast Jamal , Fatah Mohammed Hassan , Miasko Monika , Jawhar Zanko , Karim Abdulkarim Yasin
Published: January 2023

Omicron variants have been classified as Variants of Concern (VOC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) ever since they first emerged as a result of a significant mutation in this variant, which showed to have an impact on transmissibility and virulence of the virus, as evidenced by the ongoing modifications in the SARS-CoV-2 virus. As a global pandemic, the Omicron variant also spread among the Kurdish population. This study aimed to analyze different strains from different cities of the Kurdistan region of Iraq to show the risk of infection and the impact of the various mutations on immune responses and vaccination. A total of 175 nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal specimens were collected at West Erbil Emergency Hospital and confirmed for SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR. The genomes of the samples were sequenced using the Illumina COVID-Seq Method. The genome analysis was established based on previously published data in the GISAID database and compared to previously detected mutations in the Omicron variants, and that they belong to the BA.1 lineage and include most variations determined in other studies related to transmissibility, high infectivity and immune escape. Most of the mutations were found in the RBD (receptor binding domain), the region related to the escape from humoral immunity. Remarkably, these point mutations (G339D, S371L, S373P, S375F, T547K, D614G, H655Y, N679K and N969K) were also determined in this study, which were unique, and their impact should be addressed more. Overall, the Omicron variants were more contagious than other variants. However, the mortality rate was low, and most infectious cases were asymptomatic. The next step should address the potential of Omicron variants to develop the next-generation COVID-19 vaccine.
Genetic Diversity, Conservation, and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources
Authors: Salgotra Romesh Kumar , Chauhan Bhagirath Singh
Published: January 2023

Plant genetic resources (PGRs) are the total hereditary material, which includes all the alleles of various genes, present in a crop species and its wild relatives. They are a major resource that humans depend on to increase farming resilience and profit. Hence, the demand for genetic resources will increase as the world population increases. There is a need to conserve and maintain the genetic diversity of these valuable resources for sustainable food security. Due to environmental changes and genetic erosion, some valuable genetic resources have already become extinct. The landraces, wild relatives, wild species, genetic stock, advanced breeding material, and modern varieties are some of the important plant genetic resources. These diverse resources have contributed to maintaining sustainable biodiversity. New crop varieties with desirable traits have been developed using these resources. Novel genes/alleles linked to the trait of interest are transferred into the commercially cultivated varieties using biotechnological tools. Diversity should be maintained as a genetic resource for the sustainable development of new crop varieties. Additionally, advances in biotechnological tools, such as next-generation sequencing, molecular markers, in vitro culture technology, cryopreservation, and gene banks, help in the precise characterization and conservation of rare and endangered species. Genomic tools help in the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and novel genes in plants that can be transferred through marker-assisted selection and marker-assisted backcrossing breeding approaches. This article focuses on the recent development in maintaining the diversity of genetic resources, their conservation, and their sustainable utilization to secure global food security.
A Missense Variant in CASKIN1’s Proline-Rich Region Segregates with Psychosis in a Three-Generation Family
Authors: Wahbeh Marah H. , Peng Xi , Bacharaki Sofia , Hatzimanolis Alexandros , Dimitrakopoulos Stefanos , Wohler Elizabeth , Yang Xue , Yovo Christian , Maher Brady J. , Sobreira Nara , Stefanis Nikos C. , Avramopoulos Dimitrios
Published: January 2023

The polygenic nature of schizophrenia (SCZ) implicates many variants in disease development. Rare variants of high penetrance have been shown to contribute to the disease prevalence. Whole-exome sequencing of a large three-generation family with SCZ and bipolar disorder identified a single segregating novel, rare, non-synonymous variant in the gene CASKIN1. The variant D1204N is absent from all databases, and CASKIN1 has a gnomAD missense score Z = 1.79 and pLI = 1, indicating its strong intolerance to variation. We find that introducing variants in the proline-rich region where the D1204N resides results in significant cellular changes in iPSC-derived neurons, consistent with CASKIN1’s known functions. We observe significant transcriptomic changes in 368 genes (padj < 0.05) involved in neuronal differentiation and nervous system development. We also observed nominally significant changes in the frequency of action potentials during differentiation, where the speed at which the edited and unedited cells reach the same level of activity differs. Our results suggest that CASKIN1 is an excellent gene candidate for psychosis development with high penetrance in this family.
Cytogenetic Analysis of Seven Species of Gekkonid and Phyllodactylid Geckos
Authors: Chrostek Gabriela , Domaradzka Aleksandra , Yurchenko Alona , Kratochvíl Lukáš , Mazzoleni Sofia , Rovatsos Michail
Published: January 2023

Geckos (Gekkota), the species-rich clade of reptiles with more than 2200 currently recognized species, demonstrate a remarkable variability in diploid chromosome numbers (2n = 16–48) and mode of sex determination. However, only a small fraction of gekkotan species have been studied with cytogenetic methods. Here, we applied both conventional (karyotype reconstruction and C-banding) and molecular (fluorescence in situ hybridization with probes for rDNA loci and telomeric repeats) cytogenetic analyses in seven species of geckos, namely Blaesodactylus boivini, Chondrodactylus laevigatus, Gekko badenii, Gekko cf. lionotum, Hemidactylus sahgali, Homopholis wahlbergii (Gekkonidae) and Ptyodactylus togoensis (Phyllodactylidae), in order to provide further insights into the evolution of karyotypes in geckos. Our analysis revealed the presence of interstitial telomeric repeats in four species, but we were not able to conclude if they are remnants of previous chromosome rearrangements or were formed by an accumulation of telomeric-like satellite motifs. Even though sex chromosomes were previously identified in several species from the genera Hemidactylus and Gekko by cytogenetic and/or genomic methods, they were not detected by us in any examined species. Our examined species either have poorly differentiated sex chromosomes or, possibly, environmental sex determination. Future studies should explore the effect of temperature and conduct genome-wide analyses in order to identify the mode of sex determination in these species.
Assessment of Knowledge, Stigmatizing Attitudes and Health-Seeking Behaviors Regarding Hepatitis B Virus Infection in a Pharmacy and Community Setting in Sierra Leone: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ghazzawi Manal , Yendewa Sahr A. , James Peter B. , Massaquoi Samuel P. , Babawo Lawrence S. , Sahr Foday , Deen Gibrilla F. , Kabba Mustapha , Ocama Ponsiano , Lakoh Sulaiman , Salata Robert A. , Yendewa George A.
Published: January 2023

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major global health challenge. Emerging evidence suggests that poor knowledge and stigma are impacting HBV control efforts in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but their role is not well understood. We conducted a cross-sectional study of adults aged ≥18 years in a community and pharmacy setting in Freetown, Sierra Leone. A structured questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, stigmatizing attitudes and health-seeking behaviors regarding HBV. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of HBV knowledge and related stigma. A total of 306 adult participants were enrolled (50.7% male, 7.5% HBV positive and 11.7% vaccinated). Overall, 52.2% had good HBV knowledge and 49.3% expressed a stigmatizing attitude towards people with HBV. Notwithstanding, 72.2% stated they would receive the HBV vaccine if offered, 80.4% would take anti-HBV medication and 78.8% would be willing to attend clinic regularly. Good HBV knowledge was associated with HBV positive status (aOR 4.41; p = 0.029) and being vaccinated against HBV (aOR 3.30; p = 0.034). HBV-related stigma was associated with secondary or higher level of education (aOR 2.36; p < 0.001), good HBV knowledge (aOR 2.05; p = 0.006) and pharmacy setting (aOR 1.74, p = 0.037). These findings suggest that education and stigma reduction may benefit HBV elimination efforts in SSA.
Variation in Nicotine Metabolization According to Biological Factors and Type of Nicotine Consumer
Authors: Pérez-Martín Hipólito , Lidón-Moyano Cristina , González-Marrón Adrián , Fu Marcela , Pérez-Ortuño Raúl , Ballbè Montse , Martín-Sánchez Juan Carlos , Pascual José A. , Fernández Esteve , Martínez-Sánchez Jose M.
Published: January 2023

This study aims to describe the nicotine metabolite ratio among tobacco smokers and electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) users and nonusers. We analyzed pooled data from a longitudinal and a cross-sectional study of the adult population from the city of Barcelona. The final sample included information on 166 smokers, 164 e-cigarettes users with nicotine, 41 e-cigarette users without nicotine, 95 dual users (users of both products), and 508 nonusers. We used log-linear models to control for the potential confounding effect of the daily number of cigarettes smoked. Salivary nicotine metabolic rate assessment included the rate of nicotine metabolism (cotinine/nicotine) and the nicotine metabolite ratio (trans-3′-hydroxycotinine/cotinine). Exclusive users of e-cigarette without nicotine have the lowest rate of nicotine metabolism (Geometric mean: 0.08, p-values < 0.001) while cigarette smokers have the highest (Geometric mean: 2.08, p-values < 0.001). Nonusers have lower nicotine metabolic rate than cigarette smokers (Geometric means: 0.23 vs. 0.18, p-value < 0.05). Younger individuals (18–44 years) have a higher rate of nicotine metabolism than older individuals (45–64 years and 65–89) (Geometric means: 0.53 vs. 0.42 and 0.31, respectively, p-values < 0.01) and individuals with lower body mass index (21–25 kg/m2) have a higher rate of nicotine metabolism than the rest (26–30 kg/m2 and 31–60 kg/m2) (Geometric means: 0.52 vs. 0.35 and 0.36, respectively-values < 0.01). Nicotine metabolic rates are useful biomarkers when reporting smoking status and biological differences between individuals.
How Well Do Low-PRAL Diets Fare in Comparison to the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans?
Authors: Storz Maximilian Andreas , Ronco Alvaro Luis
Published: January 2023

The regular consumption of net acid-producing diets can produce “acid stress” detrimental to human health. Alkalizing diets characterized by a negative potential renal acid load (also called low-PRAL diets (LPD)) enjoy uninterrupted popularity. However, the nutritional adequacy of said diets has rarely been assessed in large populations. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, we estimated nutrient intake in individuals consuming an LPD and contrasted the results in an age- and sex-specific manner to individuals on an acidifying diet (high-PRAL diet, HPD). Both groups were compared with the daily nutritional goals (DNG) specified in the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). Our analysis included 29,683 individuals, including 7234 participants on an LPD and 22,449 participants on an HPD. Individuals on an LPD numerically met more nutritional goals than individuals on an HPD, yet both failed to meet the goals for several nutrients of public health concern (vitamin D and calcium). As opposed to individuals on an HPD, LPD consumers met the DGA recommendations for saturated fat and potassium. Individuals on an LPD consumed significantly more fiber than individuals on an HPD, as well as yielded a more favorable potassium-to-sodium intake ratio.
Prevalence of Asthma amongst Schoolchildren in Jordan and Staff Readiness to Help
Authors: Nour Arwa , Alsayed Ahmad R. , Basheti Iman
Published: January 2023

Assessing asthma prevalence and management in schools is crucial. Improving school policies may reduce asthma morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of asthma among schoolchildren in Amman, Jordan. Second, we evaluated Jordanian school staff on asthma first-aid knowledge and competence. This cross-sectional study was conducted over five months in 2019. The researcher visited primary schools (private and public), and the availability of proper first-aid tools and teachers’ knowledge were assessed. The participated schools included ten public schools with 100 participating teachers and ten private schools with 100 participating teachers. Less than 25% of all schools reported having an asthma first-aid kit, and 65% reported having medical reports for chronic diseases, including asthma. The mean number of students in the schools involved in the study was 455.31 ± 212.92, out of whom 10.38 ± 7.26 were asthmatic children. The prevalence of asthma was 2.38% among schoolchildren in Amman, Jordan. Schools were found to have insufficient medical reports for the asthma children, in addition to a lack of first aid kits. The asthma knowledge of teachers in schools was weak. There is a need for educators to develop more awareness. These findings shed light on important concerns that require immediate attention.
Deep Learning on Ultrasound Images Visualizes the Femoral Nerve with Good Precision
Authors: Berggreen Johan , Johansson Anders , Jahr John , Möller Sebastian , Jansson Tomas
Published: January 2023

The number of hip fractures per year worldwide is estimated to reach 6 million by the year 2050. Despite the many advantages of regional blockades when managing pain from such a fracture, these are used to a lesser extent than general analgesia. One reason is that the opportunities for training and obtaining clinical experience in applying nerve blocks can be a challenge in many clinical settings. Ultrasound image guidance based on artificial intelligence may be one way to increase nerve block success rate. We propose an approach using a deep learning semantic segmentation model with U-net architecture to identify the femoral nerve in ultrasound images. The dataset consisted of 1410 ultrasound images that were collected from 48 patients. The images were manually annotated by a clinical professional and a segmentation model was trained. After training the model for 350 epochs, the results were validated with a 10-fold cross-validation. This showed a mean Intersection over Union of 74%, with an interquartile range of 0.66–0.81.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on the Quality of Women’s Sexual Life: A Systematic Review
Authors: Voutskidou Anastasia , Kirkou Giannoula , Dagla Maria , Orovou Eirini , Sarella Angeliki , Palaska Ermioni , Iliadou Maria , Antoniou Evangelia
Published: January 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects, including onphysical and mental health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s health, especially on women’s sexual life includingdesire, arousal, orgasm and satisfaction. The initial research in PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar and Scopus yielded 573 articles from Europe (Portugal, Poland, Italy, Greece), America (U.S, Brazil) and Africa (Egypt), of which 14 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Results from the studies suggest that the pandemic negatively affected sexual functioning and satisfaction, while it increased sexual distress, sexual avoidance and solitary sexual approach behaviors. The desire to have children decreased during the pandemic, but so didthe use of contraception. There is conflicting evidence as to whether or not the pandemic has had an impact on sexual desire and frequency among women. However, some major factors associated with sexual life were psychological factors and working status. It is well documented that the pandemic has had a great psychological impact. Therefore, both of these factors are expected to significantly affect women’s sexual life.
Attitude Disparity and Worrying Scenarios in Genetic Discrimination—Based on Questionnaires from China
Authors: Wang Zhong , Guo Yujun , Xu Rui
Published: January 2023

Objectives: As genetic testing is increasingly used in non-medical fields, the judgment of people’s potential conditions based on predictive genetic information inevitably causes genetic discrimination (henceforth GD). This article aimed to systematically investigate the disparity in attitudes and worrying scenarios concerning GD in China. Methods: A questionnaire survey of 555 respondents was conducted. Statistical tests were used to examine disparity in attitudes between gender, age, and education. A descriptive analysis was also conducted to explore other worrying scenarios. Results: It shows that (1) men are more tolerant of GD compared to women, and (2) participants aged between 18 and 30 years old possess the highest objection to GD. However, (3) no indication can attest to the relationship between educational level and perspective on GD. In addition, (4) the acceptance of gene testing in the three most common scenarios is ranked in descending order as follows: partner choice, insurance services, and recruitment. Moreover, (5) worrying scenarios relating to GD include: education, social occasions, medical services, fertility, shopping, and so on. Conclusions: Based on the results, suggestions proposed include developing a blacklist mechanism in the field of genetic data application and strengthening the security regulations for the commercial use of genetic data.
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review
Authors: Husain Amreen Aijaz , Rai Uddipak , Sarkar Amlan Kanti , Chandrasekhar V. , Hashmi Mohammad Farukh
Published: January 2023

Objective: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a prominent cause of death worldwide. As indicated by the high proportion of COVID-19 suspicion or diagnosis among patients who had OHCA, this issue could have resulted in multiple fatalities from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurring at home and being counted as OHCA. Methods: We used the MeSH term “heart arrest” as well as non-MeSH terms “out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac death, OHCA, cardiac arrest, coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).” We conducted a literature search using these search keywords in the Science Direct and PubMed databases and Google Scholar until 25 April 2022. Results: A systematic review of observational studies revealed OHCA and mortality rates increased considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the same period of the previous year. A temporary two-fold rise in OHCA incidence was detected along with a drop in survival. During the pandemic, the community’s response to OHCA changed, with fewer bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitations (CPRs), longer emergency medical service (EMS) response times, and worse OHCA survival rates. Conclusions: This study’s limitations include a lack of a centralised data-gathering method and OHCA registry system. If the chain of survival is maintained and effective emergency ambulance services with a qualified emergency medical team are given, the outcome for OHCA survivors can be improved even more.
The Effect of Vibration on the Acceleration of Wound Healing of Diabetic Neuropathic Foot Ulcer: A Prospective Experimental Study on Human Patients
Authors: Syabariyah Sitti , Nurachmah Elly , Widjojo Budiman Darmo , Prasetyo Sabarinah , Sanada Hiromi , Irianto  , Nakagami Gojiro , Suriadi  , Kardiatun Tutur , Hisan Urfa Khairatun
Published: January 2023

Diabetic foot ulcers are a common complication that occurs in approximately 15 percent of patients with diabetes mellitus. Over 60% of diabetic foot ulcers are caused by underlying neuropathy. Former studies on diabetic animals with foot wounds found that vibration platforms significantly accelerate wound healing by catalyzing epithelization, promoting angiogenesis, and enhancing muscle bulk. This result suggests that there is evidence that vibrations may accelerate diabetic neuropathic ulcer healing in human patients. However, to the best of our knowledge, the effect of vibration on the enhancements of diabetic foot ulcer healing in human patients is rarely investigated. Hence, in this work, we conducted an experimental study with human subjects to investigate whether vibration therapy, as a complement to the standard wound treatment, can accelerate the wound healing rate of diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers. In this prospective experimental study, 80 participants diagnosed with Wagner grades I–III diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers were randomly distributed to experimental (n = 40) and control groups (n = 40). Patients in the intervention group received standard wound treatment and vibration wound therapy (VWT), whereas patients in the control group retrieved only standard wound treatment. The results (p = 0.024, α = 0.05) show notable differences in the median healing rate between the intervention group (25 days, 95% CI: 20.3–29.7) and control group (33 days, 95% CI: 25.6–40.4), with the effect-size r, Cohen’s d, Glass’s Δ, and Hedges’ g, respectively, being 0.810, 2.764, 2.311, and 2.772. Moreover, the nitric oxide (NO) level, wound closure area, and wound healing score after intervention significantly differed between the two groups (p < 0.05), putting the intervention group on a higher level than the control group. Furthermore, positive associations were found between the NO level and wound healing closure rates. These findings suggested that VWT enhances diabetic neuropathic foot ulcer healing in terms of healing rate, wound closure area, healing score, and elevated NO level. Considering that no clinically adverse effects were found in the patients induced with vibration intervention, VWT can be regarded as a complementary therapy to the existing ones to accelerate the healing of DFUs.