bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutritional assessment of plant-based beverages in comparison to bovine milk
Authors: Smith Nick W. , Dave Anant C. , Hill Jeremy P. , McNabb Warren C.
Published: August 2022

Plant-based beverages (PBB) are often marketed and used by consumers as alternatives to ruminant milks, particularly bovine milk (hereafter referred to as milk). However, much research has established that there is variation in nutritional composition among these products, as well as demonstrating that they are largely not nutritional replacements for milk. A survey of the prices and nutrition labels of PBB available in New Zealand supermarkets was undertaken. Selected almond, coconut, oat, rice, and soy PBB products were then analyzed for nutritional content, including energy, fat, protein, amino acid, bioavailable amino acid, and trace element contents. Finally, the protein and calcium contents of well-mixed and unshaken products were analyzed to ascertain the impact of colloidal stability on nutrient content. All PBB groups were more expensive than milk on average, while their declared nutrient contents on package labels was highly variable within and between groups. Analyses of selected PBB revealed that soy products had the most similar proximate composition to milk, while all other PBB groups contained less than 1.1 g protein per 100 mL on average. Many PBB were fortified with calcium to a similar concentration as that in milk. Shaken and unshaken samples showed divergent protein and calcium content for several PBB products but had no effect on the composition of milk, indicating that the nutrient content of PBB at the point of consumption will be dependent on whether the product has been shaken. Only the soy PBB had comparable amino acid content and bioavailability to milk. Overall, our results demonstrate the diversity in composition and nutritional properties of PBB available in New Zealand. While the existent environmental footprint data on PBB shows that they generally have lower carbon emissions than milk, milk currently accounts for approximately 1% of the average New Zealand resident’s consumption-based emissions. Except for calcium-fortified soy PBB, none of the commercially available PBB had nutritional compositions that were broadly comparable to milk.
18F-FDG PET/CT-based radiomics nomogram for the preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer
Authors: Xue Xiu-qing , Yu Wen-Ji , Shi Xun , Shao Xiao-Liang , Wang Yue-Tao
Published: August 2022

Objective

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is not only one of the important factors affecting the prognosis of gastric cancer but also an important basis for treatment decisions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of the radiomics nomogram based on preoperative 18F-deoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT primary lesions and clinical risk factors for predicting LNM in gastric cancer (GC).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed radiomics features of preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT images in 224 gastric cancer patients from two centers. The prediction model was developed in the training cohort (n = 134) and validated in the internal (n = 59) and external validation cohorts (n = 31). The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to select features and build radiomics signatures. The radiomics feature score (Rad-score) was calculated and established a radiomics signature. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen independent risk factors for LNM. The minimum Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) was used to select the optimal model parameters to construct a radiomics nomogram. The performance of the nomogram was assessed with calibration, discrimination, and clinical usefulness.

Results

There was no significant difference between the internal verification and external verification of the clinical data of patients (all p > 0.05). The areas under the curve (AUCs) (95% CI) for predicting LNM based on the 18F-FDG PET/CT radiomics signature in the training cohort, internal validation cohort, and external validation cohort were 0.792 (95% CI: 0.712–0.870), 0.803 (95% CI: 0.681–0.924), and 0.762 (95% CI: 0.579–0.945), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression showed that carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 [OR (95% CI): 10.180 (1.267–81.831)], PET/CT diagnosis of LNM [OR (95% CI): 6.370 (2.256–17.984)], PET/CT Rad-score [OR (95% CI): 16.536 (5.506–49.660)] were independent influencing factors of LNM (all p < 0.05), and a radiomics nomogram was established based on those factors. The AUCs (95% CI) for predicting LNM were 0.861 (95% CI: 0.799–0.924), 0.889 (95% CI: 0.800–0.976), and 0.897 (95% CI: 0.683–0.948) in the training cohort, the internal validation cohort, and the external validation cohort, respectively. Decision curve analysis (DCA) indicated that the 18F-FDG PET/CT-based radiomics nomogram has good clinical utility.

Conclusions

Radiomics nomogram based on the primary tumor of 18F-FDG PET/CT could facilitate the preoperative individualized prediction of LNM, which is helpful for risk stratification in GC patients.
Cuproptosis predicts the risk and clinical outcomes of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Hu Qin , Wang Runtian , Ma Huiyun , Zhang Zhouwei , Xue Qun
Published: August 2022

Copper is an essential microelement for the body and a necessary coregulator for enzymatic reactions, yet an unbalanced copper level promotes reactive oxidation and cytotoxicity, which ultimately induces cell death. Several small molecules targeting copper-induced cell death have been investigated, yet few showed promising therapeutic effects in clinical trials. In March 2022, Science first introduced the concept and mechanisms of cuproptosis, suggesting that copper-induced cell death targets the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle via protein lipoylation. Does this novel form of cell death take part in tumorigenesis or tumor progression? Is cuproptosis related to clinical outcomes of diseases? Is there a cuproptosis-related panel for clinical practice in cancer treatment? Herein, based on 942 samples of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), we analyzed on gene set level the existence and predictive value of cuproptosis in disease diagnosis and treatment. We screened out and identified the “cupLA” panel which indicates the risk of LUAD occurrence, clinicopathological features of LUAD patients, and could guide clinicians to refine LUAD subtypes and make treatment choices.
Molecular classification grade 3 endometrial endometrioid carcinoma using a next-generation sequencing–based gene panel
Authors: Li Ling , Chen Fangfang , Liu Jingcheng , Zhu Weifeng , Lin Liang , Chen Li , Shi Yi , Lin An , Chen Gang
Published: August 2022

Over the past two decades, the incidence of endometrial cancer (EC) is increasing, and there is a need for molecular biomarkers to predict prognosis and guide treatment. A recent study from The Cancer Genome Atlas suggested to implement the EC analysis by molecular profile for improving diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic treatment. In this study, next-generation sequencing was performed on 70 cases of G3 endometrioid ECs (EECs) using an 11-gene panel (TP53, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM, PIK3CA, CTNNB1, KRAS, PTEN, and POL) for molecular classification. The molecular classification based on the 11-gene NGS panel identified four molecular subgroups: POLE-ultramutated (n = 20, 28.6%), MSI-H (n = 27, 38.6%), NSMP (n = 13, 18.6%) and TP53mut (n = 10, 14.3%). The NGS method showed 98.6% (69 of 70 cases, kappa value 98%) in concordance with the cases assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Among the seven dead cases, four were MSI-H tumors, two were TP53mut/p53abn tumors, and one was NSMP tumors with an average overall survival (OS) of 14.7 months. TP53mut subgroup showed that poor OS rates and POLE group have favorable prognosis. Our work suggested that the 11-gene panel is suitable for molecular classification in G3 EECs and for guiding prognosis and treatment decisions.
Case report: Major pathologic response induced by neoadjuvant treatment using BRAF and MEK inhibitors in a patient with stage IIIA lung adenocarcinoma harboring BRAF V600E-mutation
Authors: Liu Chaoyuan , Lu Min , Yang Yang , Wang Xiang , Ma Fang , Liu Xianling
Published: August 2022

Targeted therapy has achieved great success in advanced non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) with driver genes, and neoadjuvant-targeted therapy is increasingly being investigated. Although neoadjuvant-targeted therapy with EGFR-TKI and ALK-TKI showed good efficacy, there is no report of neoadjuvant-targeted therapy to BRAF V600E mutation on NSCLC so far. Here, we report the first case of a successful neoadjuvant-targeted therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitors followed by radical surgical excision with major pathologic response (MPR) in a patient with stage IIIA lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) harboring BRAF V600E mutation. The case informs us that targeted therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitors could be administrated as a neoadjuvant strategy for selected cases of NSCLC harboring BRAF V600E mutation.
Integrated analysis of anti-tumor roles of BAP1 in osteosarcoma
Authors: Hu Dong , Zheng Yongbin , Ou Xuehai , Zhang Lijun , Du Xiaolong , Shi Shaoyan
Published: August 2022

Background

This study aims to screen out differentially expressed genes (DEGs) regulated by BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) in osteosarcoma cells, and to analyze their biological functions.

Methods

The microarray dataset GSE23035 of BAP1-knockdown osteosarcoma cells was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, consisting of shControl, shBAP1#1 and shBAP1#2 samples. The DEGs between the BAP1-knockdown osteosarcoma cells and the untreated osteosarcoma cells were screened with limma package, and then subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was also performed for the three groups of samples. Hub genes in a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs was filtered, and then subjected to prognostic analysis and correlation analysis with BAP1 in Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) database. Besides, the correlation between BAP1 and biological processes/pathways was analyzed by Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) method and the correlation between BAP1 and immune infiltration by CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE methods. The roles of BAP1 in regulating proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were validated by CCK-8 and western blot.

Results

58 upregulated DEGs and 81 downregulated DEGs were obtained with |logFC| ≥ 1 and adj.p < 0.05. Cell cycle, DNA repair, and focal adhesion were associated with BAP1 in datasets. Further, BAP1 was negatively correlated with naïve CD4 T cells infiltration. In vitro, BAP1 inhibited proliferation and EMT.

Conclusion

BAP1 might be a tumor suppressor in osteosarcoma and a promising therapeutic target.
Allyl methyl trisulfide protected against LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice via inhibition of the NF-κB and MAPK pathways
Authors: Wang Shuo , Liu Jinqian , Dong Jing , Fan Zongqiang , Wang Fugui , Wu Ping , Li Xiaojing , Kou Ruirui , Chen Fang
Published: August 2022

Allyl methyl trisulfide (AMTS) is one major lipid-soluble organosulfur compound of garlic. Previous studies have reported the potential therapeutic effect of garlic on acute lung injury (ALI) or its severe condition acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but the specific substances that exert the regulatory effects are still unclear. In this study, we investigate the protective effects of AMTS on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mice and explored the underlying mechanisms. In vivo experiments, ICR mice were pretreated with 25–100 mg/kg AMTS for 7 days and followed by intratracheal instillation of LPS (1.5 mg/kg). The results showed that AMTS significantly attenuated LPS-induced deterioration of lung pathology, demonstrated by ameliorative edema and protein leakage, and improved pulmonary histopathological morphology. Meanwhile, the expression of inflammatory mediators and the infiltration of inflammation-regulation cells induced by LPS were also inhibited. In vitro experiments also revealed that AMTS could alleviate inflammation response and inhibit the exaggeration of macrophage M1 polarization in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Mechanistically, we identified that AMTS treatment could attenuate the LPS-induced elevation of protein expression of p-IκBα, nuclear NF-κB-p65, COX2, iNOS, p-P38, p-ERK1/2, and p-JNK. Collectively, these data suggest that AMTS could attenuate LPS-induced ALI and the molecular mechanisms should be related to the suppression of the NF-κB and MAPKs pathways.
TVGG Dental Implant Identification System
Authors: Guo Jianbin , Tsai Pei-Wei , Xue Xingsi , Wu Dong , Van Qui Tran , Kaluarachchi Chanaka Nimantha , Dang Hong Thi , Chintha Nikhitha
Published: August 2022

Identifying the right accessories for installing the dental implant is a vital element that impacts the sustainability and the reliability of the dental prosthesis when the medical case of a patient is not comprehensive. Dentists need to identify the implant manufacturer from the x-ray image to determine further treatment procedures. Identifying the manufacturer is a high-pressure task under the scaling volume of patients pending in the queue for treatment. To reduce the burden on the doctors, a dental implant identification system is built based on a new proposed thinner VGG model with an on-demand client-server structure. We propose a thinner version of VGG16 called TVGG by reducing the number of neurons in the dense layers to improve the system’s performance and gain advantages from the limited texture and patterns in the dental radiography images. The outcome of the proposed system is compared with the original pre-trained VGG16 to verify the usability of the proposed system.
Galectin-3 inhibitor GB0139 protects against acute lung injury by inhibiting neutrophil recruitment and activation
Authors: Humphries Duncan C. , Mills Ross , Boz Cecilia , McHugh Brian J. , Hirani Nikhil , Rossi Adriano G. , Pedersen Anders , Schambye Hans T. , Slack Robert J. , Leffler Hakon , Nilsson Ulf J. , Wang Wei , Sethi Tariq , Mackinnon Alison C.
Published: August 2022

Rationale:Galectin-3 (Gal-3) drives fibrosis during chronic lung injury, however, its role in acute lung injury (ALI) remains unknown. Effective pharmacological therapies available for ALI are limited; identifying novel concepts in treatment is essential. GB0139 is a Gal-3 inhibitor currently under clinical investigation for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. We investigate the role of Gal-3 in ALI and evaluate whether its inhibition with GB0139 offers a protective role. The effect of GB0139 on ALI was exploredin vivoandin vitro.

Methods:The pharmacokinetic profile of intra-tracheal (i.t.) GB0139 was investigated in C57BL/6 mice to support the daily dosing regimen. GB0139 (1–30 µg) was then assessed following acutei.t.lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and bleomycin administration. Histology, broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALf) analysis, and flow cytometric analysis of lung digests and BALf were performed. The impact of GB0139 on cell activation and apoptosis was determinedin vitrousing neutrophils and THP-1, A549 and Jurkat E6 cell lines.

Results:GB0139 decreased inflammation severity via a reduction in neutrophil and macrophage recruitment and neutrophil activation. GB0139 reduced LPS-mediated increases in interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1-alpha.In vitro, GB0139 inhibited Gal-3-induced neutrophil activation, monocyte IL-8 secretion, T cell apoptosis and the upregulation of pro-inflammatory genes encoding for IL-8, TNFα, IL-6 in alveolar epithelial cells in response to mechanical stretch.

Conclusion:These data indicate that Gal-3 adopts a pro-inflammatory role following the early stages of lung injury and supports the development of GB0139, as a potential treatment approach in ALI.
Transcranial near-infrared light in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Nizamutdinov Damir , Ezeudu Chibueze , Wu Erxi , Huang Jason H. , Yi S. Stephen
Published: August 2022

Light is a natural agent consisting of a range of visible and invisible electromagnetic spectrum travels in waves. Near-infrared (NIR) light refers to wavelengths from 800 to 2,500 nm. It is an invisible spectrum to naked eyes and can penetrate through soft and hard tissues into deep structures of the human body at specific wavelengths. NIR light may carry different energy levels depending on the intensity of emitted light and therapeutic spectrum (wavelength). Stimulation with NIR light can activate intracellular cascades of biochemical reactions with local short- and long-term positive effects. These properties of NIR light are employed in photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, have been linked to treating several brain pathologies, and are attracting more scientific attention in biomedicine. Transcranial brain stimulations with NIR light PBM in recent animal and human studies revealed a positive impact of treatment on the progression and improvement of neurodegenerative processes, management of brain energy metabolism, and regulation of chronic brain inflammation associated with various conditions, including traumatic brain injury. This scientific overview incorporates the most recent cellular and functional findings in PBM with NIR light in treating neurodegenerative diseases, presents the discussion of the proposed mechanisms of action, and describes the benefits of this treatment in neuroprotection, cell preservation/detoxification, anti-inflammatory properties, and regulation of brain energy metabolism. This review will also discuss the novel aspects and pathophysiological role of the glymphatic and brain lymphatics system in treating neurodegenerative diseases with NIR light stimulations. Scientific evidence presented in this overview will support a combined effort in the scientific community to increase attention to the understudied NIR light area of research as a natural agent in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases to promote more research and raise awareness of PBM in the treatment of brain disorders.
Time Domains of Hypoxia Responses and -Omics Insights
Authors: Yu James J. , Non Amy L. , Heinrich Erica C. , Gu Wanjun , Alcock Joe , Moya Esteban A. , Lawrence Elijah S. , Tift Michael S. , O'Brien Katie A. , Storz Jay F. , Signore Anthony V. , Khudyakov Jane I. , Milsom William K. , Wilson Sean M. , Beall Cynthia M. , Villafuerte Francisco C. , Stobdan Tsering , Julian Colleen G. , Moore Lorna G. , Fuster Mark M. , Stokes Jennifer A. , Milner Richard , West John B. , Zhang Jiao , Shyy John Y. , Childebayeva Ainash , Vázquez-Medina José Pablo , Pham Luu V. , Mesarwi Omar A. , Hall James E. , Cheviron Zachary A. , Sieker Jeremy , Blood Arlin B. , Yuan Jason X. , Scott Graham R. , Rana Brinda K. , Ponganis Paul J. , Malhotra Atul , Powell Frank L. , Simonson Tatum S.
Published: August 2022

The ability to respond rapidly to changes in oxygen tension is critical for many forms of life. Challenges to oxygen homeostasis, specifically in the contexts of evolutionary biology and biomedicine, provide important insights into mechanisms of hypoxia adaptation and tolerance. Here we synthesize findings across varying time domains of hypoxia in terms of oxygen delivery, ranging from early animal to modern human evolution and examine the potential impacts of environmental and clinical challenges through emerging multi-omics approaches. We discuss how diverse animal species have adapted to hypoxic environments, how humans vary in their responses to hypoxia (i.e., in the context of high-altitude exposure, cardiopulmonary disease, and sleep apnea), and how findings from each of these fields inform the other and lead to promising new directions in basic and clinical hypoxia research.
New KCNN4 Variants Associated With Anemia: Stomatocytosis Without Erythrocyte Dehydration
Authors: Allegrini B. , Jedele S. , David Nguyen L. , Mignotet M. , Rapetti-Mauss R. , Etchebest C. , Fenneteau O. , Loubat A. , Boutet A. , Thomas C. , Durin J. , Petit A. , Badens C. , Garçon L. , Da Costa L. , Guizouarn H.
Published: August 2022

The K+ channel activated by the Ca2+, KCNN4, has been shown to contribute to red blood cell dehydration in the rare hereditary hemolytic anemia, the dehydrated hereditary stomatocytosis. We report two de novo mutations on KCNN4, We reported two de novo mutations on KCNN4, V222L and H340N, characterized at the molecular, cellular and clinical levels. Whereas both mutations were shown to increase the calcium sensitivity of the K+ channel, leading to channel opening for lower calcium concentrations compared to WT KCNN4 channel, there was no obvious red blood cell dehydration in patients carrying one or the other mutation. The clinical phenotype was greatly different between carriers of the mutated gene ranging from severe anemia for one patient to a single episode of anemia for the other patient or no documented sign of anemia for the parents who also carried the mutation. These data compared to already published KCNN4 mutations question the role of KCNN4 gain-of-function mutations in hydration status and viability of red blood cells in bloodstream.
Dietary L-citrulline modulates the growth performance, amino acid profile, and the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor axis in broilers exposed to high temperature
Authors: Uyanga Victoria Anthony , Zhao Jingpeng , Wang Xiaojuan , Jiao Hongchao , Onagbesan Okanlawon M. , Lin Hai
Published: August 2022

Heat stress adversely affects the growth performance, muscle development, and protein metabolism in poultry. l-Citrulline (L-Cit), is a non-essential amino acid that is known to stimulate muscle protein synthesis under stress conditions. This study investigated whether L-Cit could influence the growth performance, amino acid profile, and protein metabolism in broilers exposed to high ambient temperature. In a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, Arbor acre broilers (288 chickens) were fed with basal diet (CON) or 1% L-Cit supplemented diet and later subjected to either thermoneutral (TNZ: 24°C, 24 h/d) or heat stress (HS: 35°C for 8 h/d) environment for 21 days. The results showed that L-Cit diet promoted the body weight and body weight gain of broilers higher than the CON diet, and it further alleviated HS suppression of body weight and feed intake at certain periods (p < 0.05). Plasma urea, uric acid, glucose, and total cholesterol were elevated during HS, whereas, the triglyceride content was decreased (p < 0.05). Serum amino acids including citrulline, alanine, aspartate, and taurine were decreased by HS. L-Cit supplementation restored the citrulline level and alleviated HS induction of 3-methylhistidine (p < 0.05). L-Cit supplementation increased the plasma growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentration, as well as the GH concentration in the breast muscle (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression showed that HS elicited tissue-specific responses by upregulating some growth factors in the breast muscle, but downregulated the GH receptor, GH binding protein, and IGF-1 expression in the hypothalamus. L-Cit supplementation upregulated the GHRH and IGFBP2 expression in the hypothalamus. L-Cit also upregulated the expression of IGF-1R and IGFBP2 in the breast muscle of HS broilers. The total mTOR protein level in the breast muscle of HS broilers was also increased by L-Cit diet (p < 0.05). Therefore, this study demonstrated that HS negatively affected the growth performance of broilers and dysregulated the expression of growth factors related to protein metabolism. Contrarily, L-Cit promoted the growth responses of broilers via its stimulation of circulating GH/IGF-1 concentration. To certain extents, L-Cit supplementation elicited protective effects on the growth performance of HS broilers by diminishing protein catabolism.
Impact of intubated vs. non-intubated anesthesia on postoperative diaphragmatic function: Results from a prospective observational study
Authors: Steinberg Irene , Bisciaio Agnese , Rosboch Giulio Luca , Ceraolo Edoardo , Guerrera Francesco , Ruffini Enrico , Brazzi Luca
Published: August 2022

Background: An altered diaphragmatic function was associated with the development of postoperative pulmonary complications following thoracic surgery.

Methods: To evaluate the impact of different anesthetic techniques on postoperative diaphragmatic dysfunction, patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lung biopsy for interstitial lung disease were enrolled in a monocentric observational prospective study. Patients received intubated or non-intubated anesthesia according to risk assessment and preferences following multidisciplinary discussion. Ultrasound measured diaphragmatic excursion (DIA) and Thickening Fraction (TF) were recorded together with arterial blood gases and pulmonary function tests (PFT) immediately before and 12 h after surgery. Pain control and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were also evaluated.

Results: From February 2019 to September 2020, 41 consecutive patients were enrolled. Five were lost due to difficulties in collecting postoperative data. Of the remaining 36 patients, 25 underwent surgery with a non-intubated anesthesia approach whereas 11 underwent intubated general anesthesia. The two groups had similar baseline characteristics. On the operated side, DIA and TF showed a lower residual postoperative function in the intubated group compared to the non-intubated group (54 vs. 82% of DIA and 36 vs. 97% of TF; p = 0.001 for both). The same was observed on the non-operated side (58 vs. 82% and 62 vs. 94%; p = 0.005 and p = 0.045, respectively, for DIA and TF). No differences were observed between groups in terms of pain control, PONV, gas exchange and PFT.

Conclusion: This study suggests that maintenance of spontaneous breathing during VATS lung biopsy is associated with better diaphragmatic residual function after surgery.
Habitat-adapted heterologous symbiont Salinispora arenicola promotes growth and alleviates salt stress in tomato crop plants
Authors: Becerril-Espinosa Amayaly , Hernández-Herrera Rosalba M. , Meza-Canales Ivan D. , Perez-Ramirez Rodrigo , Rodríguez-Zaragoza Fabián A. , Méndez-Morán Lucila , Sánchez-Hernández Carla V. , Palmeros-Suárez Paola A. , Palacios Oskar A. , Choix Francisco J. , Juárez-Carrillo Eduardo , Lara-González Martha A. , Hurtado-Oliva Miguel Ángel , Ocampo-Alvarez Héctor
Published: August 2022

To ensure food security given the current scenario of climate change and the accompanying ecological repercussions, it is essential to search for new technologies and tools for agricultural production. Microorganism-based biostimulants are recognized as sustainable alternatives to traditional agrochemicals to enhance and protect agricultural production. Marine actinobacteria are a well-known source of novel compounds for biotechnological uses. In addition, former studies have suggested that coral symbiont actinobacteria may support co-symbiotic photosynthetic growth and tolerance and increase the probability of corals surviving abiotic stress. We have previously shown that this activity may also hold in terrestrial plants, at least for the actinobacteriaSalinispora arenicoladuring induced heterologous symbiosis with a wild Solanaceae plantNicotiana attenuataunderin vitroconditions. Here, we further explore the heterologous symbiotic association, germination, growth promotion, and stress relieving activity ofS. arenicolain tomato plants under agricultural conditions and dig into the possible associated mechanisms. Tomato plants were grown under normal and saline conditions, and germination, bacteria-root system interactions, plant growth, photosynthetic performance, and the expression of salt stress response genes were analyzed. We found an endophytic interaction betweenS. arenicolaand tomato plants, which promotes germination and shoot and root growth under saline or non-saline conditions. Accordingly, photosynthetic and respective photoprotective performance was enhanced in line with the induced increase in photosynthetic pigments. This was further supported by the overexpression of thermal energy dissipation, which fine-tunes energy use efficiency and may prevent the formation of reactive oxygen species in the chloroplast. Furthermore, gene expression analyses suggested that a selective transport channel gene,SlHKT1,2, induced byS. arenicolamay assist in relieving salt stress in tomato plants. The fine regulation of photosynthetic and photoprotective responses, as well as the inhibition of the formation of ROS molecules, seems to be related to the induced down-regulation of other salt stress response genes, such asSlDR1A-related genes orSlAOX1b.Our results demonstrate that the marine microbial symbiontS. arenicolaestablishes heterologous symbiosis in crop plants, promotes growth, and confers saline stress tolerance. Thus, these results open opportunities to further explore the vast array of marine microbes to enhance crop tolerance and food production under the current climate change scenario.
Comparative transcriptome analysis of purple-fleshed sweet potato and its yellow-fleshed mutant provides insight into the transcription factors involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in tuberous root
Authors: Dong Wen , Tang Linfei , Peng Yali , Qin Yuzhi , Lin Yuan , Xiong Xingyao , Hu Xinxi
Published: August 2022

In various plant species, many transcription factors (TFs), such as MYB, bHLH, and WD40, have been identified as regulators of anthocyanin biosynthesis in underground organs. However, the regulatory elements of anthocyanin biosynthesis in the tuberous roots of sweet potato have not been elucidated yet. Here, we selected the purple-fleshed sweet potato cultivar “Zhezi1” (ZZP) and its spontaneous yellow-fleshed mutant “Xinli” (XLY) to investigate the regulatory mechanism of the anthocyanin biosynthesis in the tuberous roots of sweet potato. By analyzing the IbMYB1 genotype in ZZP and XLY, we found that the IbMYB1-2, a MYB TF involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis, was missing in the XLY genome, which might lead to an extreme decrease in anthocyanins in XLY. A comparative transcriptome analysis of ZZP and XLY was conducted to find the TFs involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in ZZP and XLY. The anthocyanin structural genes were significantly enriched among the differentially expressed genes. Moreover, one MYB activator (IbMYB1), one bHLH (IbbHLH2), three WRKY activator candidates (IbWRKY21, IbWRKY24, and IbWRKY44), and two MYB repressors (IbMYB27 and IbMYBx-ZZ) were highly expressed in ZZP accompanied with anthocyanin structural genes. We also tested the expression of these TFs in six purple- and two orange-fleshed sweet potato cultivars. Interestingly, most of these TFs were significantly positively correlated with anthocyanin contents in these cultivars. The function of the anthocyanin biosynthesis repression of IbMYB27 and IbMYBx-ZZ was verified through transient co-transformation with IbMYB1 into tobacco leaves. Further functional verification of the above TFs was conducted by Y2H, BiFC, and dual-luciferase assays. These tests showed that the MYB-bHLH-WD40/MYB-bHLH-WD40-WRKY complex activated the promoter of anthocyanin structural gene IbDFR and promoters for IbWRKY44, IbMYB27, and IbMYBx-ZZ, indicating reinforcement and feedback regulation to maintain the level of anthocyanin accumulation in the tuberous roots of purple-fleshed sweet potato. These results may provide new insights into the regulatory mechanism of anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation in underground organs of sweet potatoes.
Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E family member nCBP facilitates the accumulation of TGB-encoding viruses by recognizing the viral coat protein in potato and tobacco
Authors: Chen Ruhao , Yang Manhua , Tu Zhen , Xie Fangru , Chen Jiaru , Luo Tao , Hu Xinxi , Nie Bihua , He Changzheng
Published: August 2022

Due to their limited coding capacity, plant viruses have to depend on various host factors for successful infection of the host. Loss of function of these host factors will result in recessively inherited resistance, and therefore, these host factors are also described as susceptibility genes or recessive resistance genes. Most of the identified recessive resistance genes are members of the eukaryotic translation initiation factors 4E family (eIF4E) and its isoforms. Recently, an eIF4E-type gene, novel cap-binding protein (nCBP), was reported to be associated with the infection of several viruses encoding triple gene block proteins (TGBps) in Arabidopsis. Here, we, for the first time, report that the knockdown of nCBP in potato (StnCBP) compromises the accumulation of potato virus S (PVS) but not that of potato virus M (PVM) and potato virus X (PVX), which are three potato viruses encoding TGBps. Further assays demonstrated that StnCBP interacts with the coat proteins (CPs) of PVS and PVM but not with that of PVX, and substitution of PVS CP in the PVS infectious clone by PVM CP recovered the virus infection in StnCBP-silenced transgenic plants, suggesting that the recognition of PVS CP is crucial for StnCBP-mediated recessive resistance to PVS. Moreover, the knockdown of nCBP in Nicotiana benthamiana (NbnCBP) by virus-induced gene silencing suppressed PVX accumulation but not PVM, while NbnCBP interacted with the CPs of both PVX and PVM. Our results indicate that the nCBP orthologues in potato and tobacco have conserved function as in Arabidopsis in terms of recessive resistance against TGB-encoding viruses, and the interaction between nCBP and the CP of TGB-encoding virus is necessary but not sufficient to determine the function of nCBP as a susceptibility gene.
Effect of corporate social responsibility performance on dividend pay-out: Role of corporate governance quality
Authors: Maqbool Zahid , Abid Ammar , Bhutta Aamir Inam
Published: August 2022

The goal of this study was to analyze the influence of corporate social responsibility on dividend pay-out while considering the role of corporate governance quality on mutual funds operating in Pakistan. This study used a two-step system generalized method of moments (GMM) to control not only endogeneity problems caused by inclusion of firm-specific variables, but also the endogeneity caused by dividend pay-out selection. The findings are that mutual funds that engage in higher levels of corporate social responsibility pay greater dividends. The quality of corporate governance not only has a strong positive impact on mutual fund’s dividend pay-outs, but also moderates the association between dividend pay-out and corporate social responsibility. Furthermore, differences exist between socially responsible Islamic and conventional mutual funds in terms of dividend pay-out policy. These findings imply that the quality of corporate governance performs a substantial role in dividend decisions. Policymakers and regulators should also encourage asset management firms to improve corporate governance quality and engage in more socially responsible activities, which can lead to improved fund performance and dividend pay-out.
How does high-commitment work systems stimulate employees’ creative behavior? A multilevel moderated mediation model
Authors: Zhang Min , Chen Zhihong , Zhao Lijing , Li Xiang , Zhang Zhi , Zhang Xufan
Published: August 2022

How to effectively stimulate employees’ creative behavior is a hot topic in the field of organizational behavior. Based on conservation of resources theory and substitutes for leadership theory, this paper discusses the impact of high-commitment work systems on employees’ creative behavior and the roles of employees’ wellbeing and CEO inclusive leadership. By constructing a cross-level structural equation model and analyzing the paired data of 86 CEOs, 86 HR managers and 489 employees, the results show that: (1) high-commitment work systems have positive impact on employees’ creative behavior; (2) employee’s wellbeing mediates the process of high-commitment work systems driving employees’ creative behavior; and (3) CEO inclusive leadership negatively moderates the relationship between high-commitment work systems and employees’ wellbeing, and further negatively moderates the indirect effect of high-commitment work systems on employees’ creative behavior through employees’ wellbeing, that is, the lower the level of CEO inclusive leadership is, the stronger the impact of high-commitment work systems on employees’ creative behavior through employees’ wellbeing will be.
Joint attention performance in preschool-aged boys with autism or fragile X syndrome
Authors: Thurman Angela John , Dimachkie Nunnally Amanda
Published: August 2022

Early development marks a period of rapid learning facilitated by children’s natural curiosity about the people around them. In children with typical development, these early social attentional preferences set the foundation for learning about and from the surrounding world of people. Much of this learning happens using joint attention, the ability to coordinate attention between people and objects of mutual interest. It is well documented that decreased gaze use is commonly observed in individuals with autism and individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS). Despite the growing body of research comparing phenotypic similarities between individuals with autism and individuals with FXS, no studies have directly compared joint attention performance between these groups. In the present study, we considered the similarities and differences in joint attention between preschool-aged boys with autism or FXS, and the relation between joint attention, language, and other phenotypic characteristics known to differ between boys with autism and boys with FXS. Although joint attention appeared similar, between-group differences emerged when controlling for the influence of age, non-verbal IQ, and autism symptom severity. Differences were also observed when considering how joint attention performance related to other aspects of the phenotype. For example, strong positive associations were observed between joint attention and language performance in boys with autism but not boys with FXS, even after controlling for non-verbal IQ. In contrast, the negative association between joint attention and anxiety symptom severity was significant and stronger in boys with FXS than in autism. These data offer preliminary insights into the similarities and differences between the autism and FXS phenotypes.
Teachers' reported beliefs about giftedness among twice exceptional and culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse populations
Authors: Cody Rachael A. , Boldt Gregory T. , Canavan Elizabeth J. , Gubbins E. Jean , Hayden Stacy M. , Bellara Aarti P. , Kearney Kelly L.
Published: August 2022

The purpose of this research study was to assess the impact of professional learning on teachers' reported beliefs about students identified as twice exceptional (2e) and students from culturally, economically, and linguistically diverse (CLED) populations, using a semi-randomized experimental design intervention. Teachers in the experimental condition participated in professional learning opportunities featuring curriculum materials, lessons, and activities highlighting support for students identified as 2e or from CLED populations. Teachers in the control condition received no intervention. Across 16 United States' schools, 53 grade 3 classroom teachers were selected to complete two sets of pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys assessing their reported beliefs about students identified as 2e or from CLED populations. The results indicated that all teachers consistently reported accurate and positive beliefs about the characteristics and needs of these populations, both prior to and after participation in relevant professional learning opportunities. Although analyses revealed main effects of condition and time for certain scales, the reported interaction terms suggested that the professional learning opportunities did not specifically increase questionnaire scores for teachers in the experimental condition. The implications of these findings regarding professional learning and efforts to improve equity in gifted and talented education are discussed.
Assessing the management student's entrepreneurial intentions: Role of entrepreneurship education and technology transfer
Authors: Wang Zihan , Ortiz Geovanny Genaro Reivan
Published: August 2022

Entrepreneurship education is considered as an important way to influence the competitiveness of any country or industry. Therefore, entrepreneurship education provides opportunities to progress to a more competitive educational environment. This paper examines the impact of students' entrepreneurship education in China on their entrepreneurial intentions. Perceived entrepreneurial capacity, education in entrepreneurship, and attitudes toward entrepreneurship are all factors in the model developed to predict entrepreneurial intention. Structured equation modeling (SEM) is being used to test 98 management students from various universities in China. The findings show that there is statistically significant and positive relationship among entrepreneurship learning, entrepreneurial attitude, entrepreneurship education, and management students' entrepreneurial intention. Perceived behavioral control and perceive social rule significantly improve management students' entrepreneurial intention. Moreover, technology transfer correlates statistically with students' entrepreneurial intentions. Thus, universities are being encouraged to offer entrepreneurial training modules to increase their students' entrepreneurial intent.
Hidden GBV: Women and substance use
Authors: Moir Eilidh , Gwyther Sophie , Wilkins Heather , Boland Gillian
Published: August 2022

Gender based violence (GBV) is disproportionately higher in women who use substances. This vulnerable population are also at a disadvantage when it comes to accessing harm reduction services. Between May and October 2021 there were 77 cases discussed at Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) in Dundee. The majority of these cases (62) had substance misuse as a risk factor. It is at these meetings that the vulnerability of women comes to the fore and issues of violence are highlighted. During this time period, 44 cases involved the victim being strangled/choked or suffocated and 43 cases had weapons as a risk factor. 56 of the cases included children. The issue of GBV or Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is often hidden, especially in and by those affected by substance use. Women experiencing GBV require specialist support, often across different services to address different needs. How well violence against women is understood in relationships that are affected by drugs is difficult to determine. In many instances it isn't until a MARAC meeting, or similar crisis point is met, that the extent of the abuse is highlighted. What services can provide singularly is limited in many of these cases but joint-working and innovative practices, such as the Hub model and the Gendered Services Project in Dundee, strive to change the landscape of service delivery.
Prevalence and correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder and its symptomatology in tornado-affected rural residents
Authors: Wu Tai-Min , Yang Qin , Huang Yu-Jie , Zhong Bao-Liang , Zhang Juan , Liu Lian-Zhong
Published: August 2022

Experiencing a serious natural disaster may place survivors at particularly high risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, very limited data are available on the prevalence and clinical characteristics of PTSD among survivors of a tornado disaster. The present study examined the prevalence of PTSD and correlates and clinical symptoms of possible PTSD in survivors 1.5 months after a tornado disaster. A total of 237 survivors were recruited and administered the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-V (SCID) to measure the prevalence of PTSD and the Essen Trauma Inventory (ETI) to measure the incidence of symptoms in each dimension. Survivors'demographic information and characteristics of exposure to the tornado were collected via self-report questionnaires. Thirty-two of the survey respondents were diagnosed with PTSD (13.6%, total =237). Correlates of PTSD in survivors were being female (OR=3.62, P = 0.023), living in an area severely affected by the tornado (OR = 3.94, P = 0.032), and having severe property damage (OR = 3.72, P = 0.010). Less common symptoms mainly focused on the avoidance dimension and included feeling alienated or distant from the people around oneself (21.90%), not being able to recall important parts of the event (28.10%), being emotionally numb (31.20%), and feeling like one's plans for the future and hopes will not come true (37.50%). In the sample of rural residents, nearly two-thirds of people with PTSD were not willing to seek psychological help; increasing the accessibility of mental health services and administering more active mental health services are necessary for this vulnerable population, whether or not they claim to need help.
Distribution of health problems at the general outpatients' clinic of the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Kai , Li Zhuo , Liu Ruihong , Zhu Yanyan , Yan Weihui , Pui Ng Amy Pui , Chen Zhiyuan
Published: August 2022

Objective

The study aimed to understand the distribution of health problems of a general practice clinic to provide guidance on how to develop primary care in Shenzhen, China.

Study design

This is a cross-sectional study.

Methods

Patients' sociodemographic data and diagnoses were recorded from the electronic medical record system of the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital from Jan 2014 to Dec 2020 and coded using the International Classification of Primary Care-2. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the distribution of health problems.

Results

A total of 368,167 health problems were recorded. Respiratory, digestive, musculoskeletal, general, and cardiovascular were the top five categories, which accounted for 67.71% of the total in this study. Acute upper respiratory tract infection (AURTI) was the most common health problem (6.67%). Chronic diseases, including hypertension and diabetes mellitus, accounted for about 7% of all health problems. The proportion of cardiovascular problems increased significantly with age (r = 0.96, P < 0.05). The proportion of consultations for mental health problems was low in all age groups.

Conclusions

The results represent an understanding of the common health problems of patients in Shenzhen city, which can provide a reference for preventing diseases and developing primary care.