bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does pH matter for ecosystem multifunctionality? An empirical test in a semi‐arid grassland on the Loess Plateau
Authors: Wei Yanan , Jing Xin , Su Fanglong , Li Zhen , Wang Fuwei , Guo Hui
Published: April 2022

Globally, higher inputs of acid deposition and anthropogenic reactive nitrogen cause lower pH in soils, that is, soil acidification, which may broadly influence both above‐ and below‐ground biota and their habitats. However, we know little about the consequences of soil acidification for a wide range of ecosystem functions and services (i.e. ecosystem multifunctionality).

Here, we examined the impacts of short‐term soil acidification on 19 ecosystem functions relevant to ecosystem primary productivity and the cycling and/or storage of soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) using a 2‐year acid addition field experiment in a semi‐arid grassland on the Loess Plateau, China. We further assessed the potential pathways through which plant diversity and soil processes drive ecosystem multifunctionality (hereafter, EMF, EMF‐productivity, EMF‐C, EMF‐N, EMF‐P).

We found that soil acidification suppressed 15 of the 19 individual ecosystem functions. By accounting for other biotic and abiotic confounding variables, we found that soil pH remains to be the dominant one explaining the variation in EMF, EMF‐C and EMF‐N. The underlying mechanisms of soil pH driving multifunctionality varied substantially among the groups of multifunctionality. Specifically, plant‐related variables (i.e. species richness and abundance) exhibited stronger mediating effects on EMF‐productivity and EMF‐C than did soil properties (i.e. soil K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ ions) and microbial‐related variables (i.e. microbial biomass C and N).

Our findings provide empirical evidence that short‐term soil acidification could have greater negative effects on ecosystem multifunctionality than expected in the arid and semi‐arid areas where alkaline soils are commonly seen. This study also indicates that more attention should be paid to the biological mechanisms mediating multifunctional ecosystems under a global change scenario in the future.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Temporal stabilizing effects of species richness and seed arrangement on grassland biomass production
Authors: Ren Haiyan , Yurkonis Kathryn A. , Wang Lifeng , Chang Jiechao , Vogeler Iris , Chen Dima , Liu Manqiang , Yu Qiang
Published: April 2022

The extent to which individuals experience interspecific and intraspecific interactions through their spatial arrangements within diverse plant communities, whether because of confounding effects of species richness, evenness or direct changes in species patch sizes on their neighbourhood relationships, could affect grassland biomass production and its stability at community scales. Elucidating the ways in which neighbourhood effects and species richness contribute to such community responses has important implications for how practitioners establish grasslands to meet forage production and conservation goals.

We assessed the effects of altering plant species richness (3 levels: 2, 4 or 8 forage species per plot) and seed arrangements (4 levels: species mixed and seeded or seeded in 0.0625, 0.25 or 1.0 m2 single‐species patches while maintaining plot‐scale species evenness) on above‐ground biomass production and its temporal stability in developing grasslands seeded with a suite of globally common forage species (three legumes, three cool‐season grasses and two warm‐season grasses).

Communities seeded with more species and those with their seeds arranged into smaller conspecific patches produced more biomass and were more temporally stable than those seeded with fewer species and larger conspecific patches. The effect of manipulating species arrangements is attributable to greater neighbourhood‐scale interspecific interactions and stronger complementary effects. Furthermore, seeding species into conspecific patches resulted in communities that were 34% more productive, that were just as temporally stable, and that had similar diversity effects as those seeded with a species mixture, as is common in grassland reconstruction efforts.

Synthesis. In comparison with conventional mixed‐seeding methods, seeding grasslands with high species richness and small, single‐species patches may promote grassland reconstruction through increased biomass production, temporal stability and complementarity effects. Our study highlights the importance of regulating intraspecific interactions within diverse communities for improving grassland biomass production and suggests that efforts to re‐evaluate methods used to establish forage and conservation grasslands could result in greater biomass production and stability in these systems.
Growing threat of extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase‐producing Enterobacteriaceae colonisation in high‐risk pregnancies: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Choi Yun‐sun , Kim Jin‐Ha , Kim Yejin , Cho Hye Jung , Sung Ji‐Hee , Choi Suk‐Joo , Oh Soo‐young , Kim Yae‐Jean , Roh Cheong‐Rae
Published: April 2022

Objective

To investigate the epidemiological changes in extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase‐producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL‐E) vaginal colonisation in pregnant women deemed at high risk, and to identify independent risk factors. Further, the differences in perinatal outcomes according to maternal ESBL‐E vaginal colonisation were analysed.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Republic of Korea.

Population

A cohort of 1460 women admitted to our high‐risk pregnancy unit between 14+0 and 36+6 weeks of gestation.

Methods

The trend of changes in the association of ESBL‐E vaginal colonisation from January 2010 to December 2020 was analysed. The main outcomes were analysed over the study period and ESBL‐E vaginal colonisation.

Main outcome measures

Rate of ESBL‐E vaginal colonisation, risk factors for ESBL‐E vaginal colonisation and perinatal outcomes.

Results

The ESBL‐E vaginal colonisation rate has tended to increase over the past 11 years, which was attributed to a significantly higher proportion of ESBL‐producing Escherichia coli. Cerclage (RR 3.7, 95% CI 2.19–6.40) and prior antibiotic treatment (RR 4.0, 95% CI 2.44–6.54) were found as independent risk factors for ESBL‐E vaginal colonisation. Earlier gestational age at delivery and higher proven early‐onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) rate were observed in the ESBL‐E‐positive group.

Conclusions

The ESBL‐E vaginal colonisation rate in pregnant patients at high risk has increased over the past decade, and the independent risk factors for colonisation are cerclage and prior antibiotic treatment. Additionally, maternal ESBL‐E vaginal colonisation is associated with higher rates of proven EONS.
Microbial community succession in steam‐sterilized greenhouses infected with Fusarium oxysporum
Authors: Mukjang Nilita , Mombrikotb Shorok B. , Bell Thomas
Published: April 2022

Fusarium is an economically important crop pathogen but spends a large part of its life cycle in bulk soil environments where it interacts with a diverse community of soil microbes. Antagonistic interactions (e.g. competition) between the resident microbial community and Fusarium could constrain the growth of Fusarium in soil, which might therefore slow or prevent Fusarium establishment. We tracked Fusarium oxysporum in floriculture greenhouses where the soil had been steam‐sterilized to remove Fusarium. The data indicated a resurgence of soil bacteria and fungi during the first 90 days post‐sterilization, followed by a rapid decline in subsequent weeks, which was associated with an increase in F. oxysporum abundance at 148 days post sterilization. These changes over time were associated with successional changes in the bacterial but not the fungal communities. The results illustrate that, although soil steaming clears Fusarium in the short term, it may exacerbate re‐emergence as the resident community is continually depleted by the steaming process while Fusarium benefits from nutrients released by steaming. Observations suggest combining steaming with microbial inoculations could help reduce the recovery of Fusarium reducing the fungal load in the first instance and preventing subsequent build‐up by giving a head start to its saprophytic competitors.
“That is my birth child. I cannot walk away”: Motivations, self‐determination, and farmer entry and retention in Newfoundland's dwindling agricultural sector(s)
Authors: Abdulai Abdul‐Rahim , Oklikah Desmond Ofori , Tchoukaleyska Roza
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we report on the dynamics of motivations to farm among farmers in Newfoundland, and the potential to leverage these motives in policy interventions. The paper is the outcome of interviews with 24 farmers and two focus group discussions in the period 2017–2018. This paper aims to describe why participants engaged in farming and continue to farm in a region fraught with extensive challenges that undermine entry and retention. Using motivation and self‐determination theories, we show that individual need for autonomy (thus, the farmer's zest to be independent and to make free‐will choices); competence (farming because one can do so and believes in the work); and relatedness (farming to serve the community, to repay society and connect with family) aid the entry and retention of farmers by creating interests in farming and sustaining motivations. Therefore, we argue that, in light of diverse motivating factors and the need to satisfy basic psychological needs, interventions to attract and retain people in agriculture need to move beyond structural and economic concerns to consider how to satisfy the individual basic social, psychological needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness.
Liposomal irinotecan (Onivyde): Exemplifying the benefits of nanotherapeutic drugs
Authors: Milano Gérard , Innocenti Federico , Minami Hironobu
Published: April 2022

Irinotecan is a topoisomerase inhibitor, widely used in treatment of malignancies including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as part of the FOLFIRINOX regimen prescribed as a first‐line treatment in several countries. However, irinotecan has not been successfully introduced as a second‐line treatment for pancreatic cancer and few randomized clinical studies have evaluated its added value. Efficacy of liposomal irinotecan (nal‐IRI) combined with 5‐fluorouracil and leucovorin (5‐FU/LV) was reported in the phase III NAPOLI‐1 trial in metastatic PDAC following failure of gemcitabine‐based therapy. Several features of nal‐IRI pharmacokinetics (PK) could result in better outcomes versus nonliposomal irinotecan. Irinotecan is a prodrug that is converted to active SN‐38 by carboxylesterase enzymes and inactivated by cytochrome P450 3A4/3A5. SN‐38 is inactivated by UGT1A1 enzymes. Individual variations in their expression and activity could influence enhanced localized irinotecan activity and toxicity. Liposomal irinotecan exploits the enhanced permeability and retention effect in cancer, accumulating in tumor tissues. Liposomal irinotecan also has a longer half‐life and higher area under the concentration‐time curve (0–∞) than nonliposomal irinotecan, as the liposomal formulation protects cargo from premature metabolism in the plasma. This results in irinotecan activation in tumor tissue, leading to enhanced cytotoxicity. Importantly, despite the longer exposure, overall toxicity for nal‐IRI is no worse than nonliposomal irinotecan. Liposomal irinotecan exemplifies how liposomal encapsulation of a chemotherapeutic agent can alter its PK properties, improving clinical outcomes for patients. Liposomal irinotecan is currently under investigation in other malignancies including biliary tract cancer (amongst other gastrointestinal cancers), brain tumors, and small‐cell lung cancer.
Application of quantitative protein mass spectrometric data in the early predictive analysis of target engagement by monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Muliaditan Morris , Sepp Armin
Published: April 2022

Model‐informed drug discovery is endorsed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve the flow of medicines from bench to bedside. In the case of monoclonal antibodies, this necessitates taking into account not only the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of the drug, but also the tissue distribution, concentration, and turnover of the target to guide dose and affinity selection, as well as serve as a link to downstream pharmacology. Relevant information (e.g., tissue proteomic data from quantitative mass spectrometry), is increasingly available from public domain data repositories, although not necessarily in the form that is directly usable for the purpose of quantitative, predictive, and mechanistic PK/pharmacodynamic (PD) modeling based on molarity or similar frameworks instead. Using secreted plasma protein concentrations measured both by immunochemical methods and mass spectrometry, we addressed this gap and derived an optimized nonlinear empirical function that establishes the correlation between the two data sets and validated the approach taken using a wider data set of all proteins found in plasma. In addition, we present a semimechanistic framework for the plasma half‐life of soluble proteins where clearance is expressed as a nonlinear function of the molecular weight of the protein. Finally, we apply the approach to two established therapeutic antibody targets: complement factor C5 and PCSK9 to demonstrate how the described framework can be applied to predictive PK/PD modeling.
Disease progression and response to therapy in pemphigus based on a registry
Authors: Pieper Josquin , Pollmann Robert , Eming Rüdiger , Greene Brandon , Hahmann Maik , Hertl Michael
Published: April 2022

Background and objectives

Pemphigus diseases are potentially life‐threatening and rare autoimmune bullous disorders characterized by blisters and erosions of the skin and mucous membranes. These disorders can be largely divided into two major subtypes: pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF). The objective of this study was to evaluate the autoantibody profile and response to therapy of PV and PF patients by analyzing the clinicopathological data from a registry for bullous autoimmune dermatoses.

Patients and methods

In a retrospective study, data from 69 patients with PV and PF were included in the analysis. The Autoimmune Bullous Skin Intensity Score (ABSIS) was used to assess the clinical course, remissions, relapses and severity of the disease at first manifestation and throughout the observation period. ELISA was performed to assess levels of anti‐desmoglein (Dsg)‐1 and anti‐Dsg3 IgG serum autoantibodies.

Results

The mean remission time in PV and PF patients was 63 weeks. PV patients with mucosal involvement showed a more favorable healing process. In PV patients with a moderate/high anti‐Dsg1 IgG serum level at baseline, anti‐Dsg3 IgG levels decreased during the observation period.

Conclusions

Our study provides additional insights into the clinical course of patients with PV and PF, revealing that a mucosal phenotype is associated with a higher tendency towards remission.
Register‐Studie zu Krankheitsentwicklung und Therapieansprechen bei Pemphigus
Authors: Pieper Josquin , Pollmann Robert , Eming Rüdiger , Greene Brandon , Hahmann Maik , Hertl Michael
Published: April 2022

Hintergrund und Ziele

Pemphigus gehört zu den seltenen, aber potentiell lebensbedrohlichen Autoimmunerkrankungen. Typisch sind Blasen und Erosionen der Haut und der Schleimhäute. Grundsätzlich unterscheiden wir zwei Subtypen: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) und Pemphigus foliaceus (PF). In dieser Studie wurden die klinisch‐pathologischen Daten aus einem Register für bullöse Autoimmundermatosen analysiert mit dem Ziel, das Autoantikörperprofil und das Therapieansprechen bei Patienten mit PV und PF genauer zu charakterisieren.

Patienten und Methoden

In einer retrospektiven Studie wurden die Daten von 69 Patienten mit PV und PF analysiert. Zur Beurteilung des klinischen Verlaufs, der Remissionen und Rezidive sowie des Schweregrads der Krankheit bei Erstmanifestation und während des gesamten Beobachtungszeitraums diente der ABSIS (Autoimmune Bullous Skin Intensity Score) (ABSIS). Mittels ELISA wurden die Spiegel von Anti‐Desmoglein (Dsg)‐1‐ und Anti‐Dsg‐ IgG‐Autoantikörpern im Serum bestimmt.

Ergebnisse

Die mittlere Remissionszeit bei Patienten mit PV und PF betrug 63 Wochen. PV‐Patienten mit Schleimhautbeteiligung zeigten eine schnellere Heilung. Bei PV‐Patienten mit moderat oder stark erhöhten Anti‐Dsg1‐IgG‐Autoantikörpern im Serum zu Beginn erfolgte im Lauf des Beobachtungszeitraums ein Absinken der Anti‐Dsg3‐IgG‐Spiegel.

Schlussfolgerungen

Unsere Studie liefert neue Erkenntnisse zum Krankheitsverlauf bei Patienten mit PV und PF und offenbart, dass ein Phänotyp mit Schleimhautbeteiligung eine stärkere Neigung zur Remission aufweist.
Das Spektrum melanozytärer Nävi und deren klinische Bedeutung
Authors: Frischhut Nina , Zelger Bernhard , Andre Fiona , Zelger Bettina Gudrun
Published: April 2022

Die Größe der Thematik melanozytärer Nävi (MN) steht in einem direkten Verhältnis zur Relevanz in der alltäglichen klinischen Arbeit. Die klinische Präsentation ist hochgradig variabel und verschiedene MN haben unterschiedliche prognostische Bedeutung in Bezug auf Komorbidität und mögliches Entartungsrisiko. Relevante Kriterien in der Einschätzung eines MN sind neben den Kriterien der ABCDE‐Regel der Zeitpunkt des Auftretens des MN, die Wachstumstendenz, die Verteilung und der Vergleich mit anderen MN des jeweiligen Individuums.

Es soll hier eine Übersicht gegeben werden, welche Erkenntnisse in Bezug auf die Entwicklung und genetischen Hintergründe MN und ein gegebenenfalls bestehendes Entartungsrisiko gewonnen werden konnten. Zudem können gewisse klinische und/oder dermatoskopische Merkmale dem Kliniker eine Entscheidungshilfe im Management unterschiedlicher MN liefern.
Therapeutic indications and metabolic effects of metreleptin in patients with lipodystrophy syndromes: Real‐life experience from a national reference network
Authors: Mosbah Héléna , Vantyghem Marie‐Christine , Nobécourt Estelle , Andreelli Fabrizio , Archambeaud Francoise , Bismuth Elise , Briet Claire , Cartigny Maryse , Chevalier Benjamin , Donadille Bruno , Daguenel Anne , Fichet Mathilde , Gautier Jean‐François , Janmaat Sonja , Jéru Isabelle , Legagneur Carole , Leguier Lysiane , Maitre Julie , Mongeois Elise , Poitou Christine , Renard Eric , Reznik Yves , Spiteri Anne , Travert Florence , Vergès Bruno , Zammouri Jamila , Vigouroux Corinne , Vatier Camille
Published: April 2022

Aim

To describe baseline characteristics and follow‐up data in patients with lipodystrophy syndromes treated with metreleptin in a national reference network, in a real‐life setting.

Patients and Methods

Clinical and metabolic data from patients receiving metreleptin in France were retrospectively collected, at baseline, at 1 year and at the latest follow‐up during treatment.

Results

Forty‐seven patients with lipodystrophy including generalized lipodystrophy (GLD; n = 28) and partial lipodystrophy (PLD; n = 19) received metreleptin over the last decade. At baseline, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) patient age was 29.3 (16.6‐47.6) years, body mass index was 23.8 (21.2‐25.7) kg/m2 and serum leptin was 3.2 (1.0‐4.9) ng/mL, 94% of patients had diabetes (66% insulin‐treated), 53% had hypertension and 87% had dyslipidaemia. Metreleptin therapy, administered for a median (IQR) of 31.7 (14.2‐76.0) months, was ongoing in 77% of patients at the latest follow‐up. In patients with GLD, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting triglyceride levels significantly decreased from baseline to 1 year of metreleptin treatment, from 8.4 (6.5‐9.9)% [68 (48‐85) mmol/mol] to 6.8 (5.6‐7.4)% [51(38‐57) mmol/mol], and 3.6 (1.7‐8.5) mmol/L to 2.2 (1.1‐3.7) mmol/L, respectively (P < 0.001), with sustained efficacy thereafter. In patients with PLD, HbA1c was not significantly modified (7.7 [7.1‐9.1]% [61 (54‐76) mmol/mol] at baseline vs. 7.7 [7.4‐9.5]% [61(57‐80) mmol/mol] at 1 year), and the decrease in fasting triglycerides (from 3.3 [1.9‐9.9] mmol/L to 2.5 [1.6‐5.3] mmol/L; P < 0.01) was not confirmed at the latest assessment (5.2 [2.2‐11.3] mmol/L). However, among PLD patients, at 1 year, 61% were responders regarding glucose homeostasis, with lower baseline leptin levels compared to nonresponders, and 61% were responders regarding triglyceridaemia. Liver enzymes significantly decreased only in the GLD group.

Conclusions

In this real‐life setting study, metabolic outcomes are improved by metreleptin therapy in patients with GLD. The therapeutic indication for metreleptin needs to be clarified in patients with PLD.
The role of experience in deterring crime: A theory of specific versus general deterrence
Authors: Miceli Thomas J. , Segerson Kathleen , Earnhart Dietrich
Published: April 2022

This paper examines the role of experience in determining the deterrent effect of criminal punishment. Economic models of crime typically assume potential offenders know the probability of apprehension. Thus, neither the individual's personal experience of being caught and punished nor the observation of someone else's punishment experience affects that individual's future behavior. This paper incorporates a role for experience in determining criminal activity, distinguishing between (1) how individuals form perceptions of the probability of punishment, including how those perceptions are influenced by what they experience or observe, and (2) how those perceptions, once formed, influence their decisions about criminal activity.
Novel small molecules targeting bZIP23 TF improve stomatal conductance and photosynthesis under mild drought stress by regulating ABA
Authors: PA Vanitha , Vijayaraghavareddy Preethi , Uttarkar Akshay , Dawane Akashata , D Sujitha , V Ashwin , KC Babitha , Niranjan Vidya , MS Sheshshayee , CV Anuradha , Makarla Udayakumar , Vemanna Ramu S.
Published: April 2022

Drought‐induced abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation plays a key role in plant water relations by regulating stomatal movements. Although ABA helps in the survival of the plants, reduced carbon gain affects plant productivity. To improve crop productivity under mild drought stress conditions, it is necessary to manipulate ABA responses. Other research groups have used forward chemical genomics for the identification of ABA agonists and antagonists aiming to manipulate ABA biosynthesis and signalling. In the present study, we identified indolyl‐ethyl amine and serotonin small molecules using a reverse chemical genomics approach, with these acting as potent inhibitors of ABA biosynthesis through transient regulation of bZIP23 transcription factor activity. In rice, wheat and soybean, each of the small molecules enhanced the germination of seeds, even in the presence of ABA. These molecules nullified the effect of ABA on intact and detached leaves, resulting in higher photosynthesis. Furthermore, these small molecules effectively reduced the transcription levels of bZIP23 targeting NCED4, PP2C49 and CO3 genes. Rice plants treated with the small molecules were found to have improved stomatal conductance, spikelet fertility and yield compared to untreated plants under mild drought stress conditions. Our results suggest that indolyl‐ethyl amine and serotonin small molecules could be utilized to improve yield under mild drought conditions.
Fatigue behavior of agricultural rims under rotating bending load
Authors: Wöllner Uli , Szlosarek Robert , Kröger Matthias
Published: April 2022

Agricultural rims are highly loaded components which affect the functionality and safety of tractors significantly. For this reason, it is essential to prevent a damage of the rims. However, fatigue‐initiated cracks along the bolt circle arise at any time during application. Until now, the determining load for the crack initiation is unclear. The paper investigates this fatigue problem by experimental, analytical, and numerical methods. Therefore, a test rig using hydraulic actuators is designed to load the rim by rotating bending in combination with a lateral force. The loads are deduced by an analytical model of the tractor under different driving situations like cornering. The finite element model shows the critical locations by performing a fatigue analysis of the driving situation. The experimental and numerical results verify the assumption that the rotating bending in combination with a lateral force leads to the fatigue cracks also found by tractors in reality.
Continental‐scale plant invasions reshuffle the soil microbiome of blue carbon ecosystems
Authors: Gao Gui‐Feng , Li Huan , Shi Yu , Yang Teng , Gao Chang‐Hao , Fan Kunkun , Zhang Yihui , Zhu Yong‐Guan , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel , Zheng Hai‐Lei , Chu Haiyan
Published: April 2022

Theory and experiments support that plant invasions largely impact aboveground biodiversity and function. Yet, much less is known on the influence of plant invasions on the structure and function of the soil microbiome of coastal wetlands, one of the largest major reservoirs of biodiversity and carbon on Earth. We studied the continental‐scale invasion of Spartina alterniflora across 2451 km of Chinese coastlines as our model‐system and found that S. alterniflora invasion can largely influence the soil microbiome (across six depths from 0 to 100 cm), compared with the most common microhabitat found before invasion (mudflats, Mud). In detail, S. alterniflora invasion was not only positively associated with bacterial richness but also resulted in important biotic homogenization of bacterial communities, suggesting that plant invasion can lead to important continental scale trade‐offs in the soil microbiome. We found that plant invasion changed the community composition of soil bacterial communities across the soil profile. Moreover, the bacterial communities associated with S. alterniflora invasions where less responsive to climatic changes than those in native Mud microhabitats, suggesting that these new microbial communities might become more dominant under climate change. Plant invasion also resulted in important reductions in the complexity and stability of microbial networks, decoupling the associations between microbes and carbon pools. Taken together, our results indicated that plant invasions can largely influence the microbiome of coastal wetlands at the scale of China, representing the first continental‐scale example on how plant invasions can reshuffle the soil microbiome, with consequences for the myriad of functions that they support.
QTL analysis of regrowth ability in bmr sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) × sudangrass (S. bicolor subsp. drummondii) populations
Authors: Yonemaru Jun‐ichi , Kasuga Shigemitsu , Kawahigashi Hiroyuki
Published: April 2022

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) is an important annual forage crop. Multiple harvests per year not only increase the total yield of sorghum but also help to avoid its injury and damage by biotic and abiotic stresses. It is well known that S. bicolor subsp. drummondii, or sudangrass, regrows vigorously after cutting. To elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying this ability, we evaluated recombinant inbred lines and advanced populations of bmr (brown midrib) sorghum × sudangrass under different environments and identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling regrowth ability. Although the dry matter weight at the second harvest varied among years, significant QTLs for increased regrowth ability were detected on chromosomes (Chrs.) 3, 6, 7 and 10. In particular, the sudangrass alleles of two QTLs detected on Chrs. 7 and 10 showed a positive effect on regrowth ability. We named the QTL on the short arm of Chr. 7 qRG7‐1 and verified it in the QTL analysis of F3 and BC2F3 populations. QTL analysis by using an F3 population segregating for regrowth ability also showed a clear LOD peak in the qRG7‐1 region. Substitution mapping using two BC2F3 populations placed qRG7‐1 at 3.81–9.75 Mb on Chr. 7.
Fabrication of porous silica with controllable and tunable porosity via freeze casting
Authors: Arslanoglu Mert , Ozdoganlar O. Burak , Panat Rahul
Published: April 2022

Porous ceramics offer unique properties that can bring advances to many application areas. The freeze‐casting process has a strong potential for fabricating porous ceramics; however, the effects of process parameters on part porosity must be well understood for scalable manufacturing via freeze casting. This paper presents an experimental analysis of the freeze‐casting process that correlates the freeze‐casting parameters with pore characteristics. A full‐factorial design of experiments is conducted on a unidirectional freeze‐casting testbed using silica as the ceramic material and camphene as the solvent. The effects of solid loading, particle size, cooling temperature, and the distance from the cooling surface on porosity characteristics are evaluated. The fabricated samples are cross‐sectioned vertically and horizontally and imaged using scanning electron microscopy. Image processing is used to obtain the porosity characteristics of areal porosity, pore size, pore shape, and pore orientation. The capability to steer the pore orientation is also demonstrated through bidirectional freezing experiments supported by a finite‐element model. As a result, a quantitative understanding of the effects of freeze‐casting process parameters on porosity characteristics is gained for the silica–camphene system. These results and the presented approach can be used for reproducible manufacture of porous ceramics with controlled porosity.
Biogeography and diversification of bare‐eyes, an endemic Amazonian clade
Authors: Carneiro Lincoln , Burlamaqui Tibério C. T. , Aleixo Alexandre , Oren David C. , Silva José Maria Cardoso Da
Published: April 2022

Aim

Biotic interchange, speciation and extinction processes drive biotas assembling. However, the evolutionary outcomes of those mechanisms are complex and difficult to discriminate. Here, we investigate how these processes affect avian diversification in tropical forest regions and test the relative roles of vicariant speciation and biotic interchange on the assemblage of Amazonian biota through the reconstruction of the biogeographical history of bare‐eyes using molecular markers.

Location

Amazon.

Taxon

Phlegopsis (Aves: Thamnophilidae).

Methods

We carried out a phylogenetic reconstruction of Phlegopsis based on four mtDNA and nuclear markers of 52 individuals from 21 localities representing all recognized taxa in the genus. We estimated phylogenetic relationships using both gene tree and species tree methods, demographic history, gene flow and divergence time to reconstruct the biogeographical history of the genus.

Results

Phylogenetic analyses recovered nine lineages delimited by some of the largest Amazonian rivers. Molecular dating and biogeographical studies showed that (1) most of the diversification in the genus occurred during the Quaternary; (2) vicariance was the most critical biogeographical process driving the history of this group and (3) two lineages are expanding their ranges, with one of them (P. n. nigromaculata) crossing the boundaries of areas of endemism.

Main conclusions

Our results reinforce the notion that continental biotas are assembled by alternating dispersal and vicariance events. In Phlegopsis, vicariance shaped the distribution and differentiation of most lineages, but one event of post‐speciation dispersal made two lineages sympatric in Western Amazonia. Dispersal events within the Amazon are not random but are constrained by the characteristics of the species that are expanding their ranges and the features of the places that receive such species. Although most of the speciation events of Phlegopsis occurred during the Quaternary, there is no reason to assume that such events were driven by climatic‐vegetation changes associated with the Milankovitch cycles.
Expression profiles of iron transport molecules along the duodenum
Authors: Balusikova Kamila , Dostalikova‐Cimburova Marketa , Tacheci Ilja , Kovar Jan
Published: April 2022

Duodenal biopsies are considered a suitable source of enterocytes for studies of dietary iron absorption. However, the expression level of molecules involved in iron absorption may vary along the length of duodenum. We aimed to determine whether the expression of molecules involved in the absorption of heme and non‐heme iron differs depending on the location in the duodenum. Analysis was performed with samples of duodenal biopsies from 10 individuals with normal iron metabolism. Samples were collected at the following locations: (a) immediately post‐bulbar, (b) 1–2 cm below the papilla of Vater and (c) in the distal duodenum. The gene expression was analyzed at the mRNA and protein level using real‐time PCR and Western blot analysis. At the mRNA level, significantly different expression of HCP1, DMT1, ferroportin and Zip8 was found at individual positions of duodenum. Position‐dependent expression of other molecules, especially of FLVCR1, HMOX1 and HMOX2 was also detected but with no statistical significances. At the protein level, we observed statistically significantly decreasing expression of transporters HCP1, FLVCR1, DMT1, ferroportin, Zip14 and Zip8 with advancing positions of duodenum. Our results are consistent with a gradient of diminishing iron absorption along the duodenum for both heme and non‐heme iron.
Prevalence and risk factors for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, neuropathic pain and foot ulceration in the Arabian Gulf region
Authors: Ponirakis Georgios , Elhadd Tarik , Al Ozairi Ebaa , Brema Imad , Chinnaiyan Subitha , Taghadom Etab , Al Kandari Jumana , Al Wotayan Rehab , Al Ozairi Abdulla , Aljohani Naji , AlMistehi Wael , Al Qahtani Nora , Khan Shawana , Dabbous Zeinab , Siddique Mashhood A , Petropoulos Ioannis N , Khan Adnan , Almuhannadi Hamad , Ashawesh Khaled AE , Dukhan Khaled M , Mahfoud Ziyad R , Zirie Mahmoud A , Jayyousi Amin , Malik Rayaz A
Published: April 2022

Aims/Introduction

This study determined the prevalence and risk factors for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), painful DPN and diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) in patients with type 2 diabetes in secondary healthcare in Qatar, Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Materials and Methods

Adults aged 18–85 years with type 2 diabetes were randomly enrolled from secondary healthcare, and underwent clinical and metabolic assessment. DPN was evaluated using vibration perception threshold and neuropathic symptoms and painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy was evaluated using the Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire.

Results

A total of 3,021 individuals were recruited between June 2017 and May 2019. The prevalence of DPN was 33.3%, of whom 52.2% were at risk of DFU and 53.6% were undiagnosed. The prevalence of painful DPN was 43.3%, of whom 54.3% were undiagnosed. DFU was present in 2.9%. The adjusted odds ratios for DPN and painful DPN were higher with increasing diabetes duration, obesity, poor glycemic control and hyperlipidemia, and lower with greater physical activity. The adjusted odds ratio for DFU was higher with the presence of DPN, severe loss of vibration perception, hypertension and vitamin D deficiency.

Conclusions

This is the largest study to date from the Middle East showing a high prevalence of undiagnosed DPN, painful DPN and those at risk of DFU in patients with type 2 diabetes, and identifies their respective risk factors.
Variation in gut microbial communities of Chilo suppressalis in the typical bivoltine areas of northern China
Authors: Zhang Jingtong , Chen Chen , Zhu Kexin , Ma Haotian , Fu Zhanyu , Tan Hao , Wang Xingya
Published: April 2022

The gut microbiota play an important role in digestion, development, nutritional metabolism and detoxification in insects. The rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis, is one of the most destructive rice pests and has caused serious economic losses to major rice‐producing areas of China. However, little is known about how its gut microbiota has adapted to different geographical environments. We investigated the gut microbiota of C. suppressalis populations collected from five sites in the typical areas of northern China using 16S rDNA gene sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq platform. In total, 453,853,707 reads and 1650 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in 25 gut samples of C. suppressalis were obtained. We identified 697 bacterial genera from 30 phyla, and Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the most dominant phyla. Gut bacterial richness and alpha‐diversity metrics revealed no significant differences among these populations. We detected the highest bacterial diversity in Beizhen, western Liaoning Province. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) and clustering analysis (UPGMA) showed no distinct gut microbial community structure of C. suppressalis in these regions. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) indicated that the bacterial species exhibited significant differences among the middle, northern and western regions. Finally, PICRUSt analysis demonstrated that microbial functions closely associated with the gut microbiome mainly included membrane transport, amino acid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism. Accordingly, our study provided important insights into the investigation of insect‐bacteria symbioses and evaluated gut microorganisms as biocontrol agents for this pest and other agricultural lepidopterans.
Shifting interpretations in evidence and guidance in pain and opioids research: A bibliometric analysis of a highly cited case series from 1986
Authors: Tafreshi Sina , Steiner Adam , Sud Abhimanyu
Published: April 2022

Rationale, Aims and Objectives

Portenoy and Foley's 1986 landmark case series ‘Chronic use of opioid analgesics in non‐malignant pain: report of 38 cases’ has been reproached for opening the floodgates of opioid prescribing for chronic non‐cancer pain and the attendant harms. This influential article has been cited over 500 times in the scientific literature over the last four decades. This study seeks to understand the impact of Portenoy and Foley's article on subsequent discussions and research about opioids.

Methods

We conducted a multi‐method bibliometric analysis of all citations of this article from 1986 through 2019 using quantitative relational and qualitative content analysis to determine how uses and interpretations of this case series and associated prescribing guidance have changed over time, in relationship to the evolution of the North American opioid crises.

Results

Using time series analysis, we identified three periods with distinct interpretations and uses of the index article. In the first ‘exploration’ period (1986–1996), the index article was well‐received by the scientific community and motivated further study of the effects of opioids. In the second ‘implementation’ period (1997–2003, coinciding with the release of OxyContin®), this case series was used as evidence to support widespread prescribing of opioid analgesics, even while it was recognized that long‐term effects had not yet been evaluated. The third ‘reassessment’ period (2004–2019) focused on how opioid‐related harms had been overlooked, and in many cases, these harms were directly attributed to this article.

Conclusion

These changes in interpretation demonstrate shifting currents of the use and mobilization of evidence regarding pain and opioids, and how these currents both impact and are impacted by clinical practices and major sociohistorical phenomena such as the opioid crisis. Researchers and clinicians must account for these shifting dynamics when developing and interpreting scientific knowledge, including in the form of clinical practice guidelines.
Advancements in left ventricular assist devices to prevent pump thrombosis and blood coagulopathy
Authors: Malone Grainne , Abdelsayed Gerges , Bligh Fianait , Al Qattan Fatma , Syed Saifullah , Varatharajullu Prateepan , Msellati Augustin , Mwipatayi Daniela , Azhar Maimoona , Malone Andrew , Fatimi Saulat H. , Conway Claire , Hameed Aamir
Published: April 2022

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices, such as left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are very useful in improving outcomes in patients with advanced‐stage heart failure. Despite recent advances in LVAD development, pump thrombosis is one of the most severe adverse events caused by LVADs. The contact of blood with artificial materials of LVAD pumps and cannulas triggers the coagulation cascade. Heat spots, for example, produced by mechanical bearings are often subjected to thrombus build‐up when low‐flow situations impair washout and thus the necessary cooling does not happen. The formation of thrombus in an LVAD may compromise its function, causing a drop in flow and pumping power leading to failure of the LVAD, if left unattended. If a clot becomes dislodged and circulates in the bloodstream, it may disturb the flow or occlude the blood vessels in vital organs and cause internal damage that could be fatal, for example, ischemic stroke. That is why patients with LVADs are on anti‐coagulant medication. However, the anti‐coagulants can cause a set of issues for the patient—an example of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is given in illustration. On account of this, these devices are only used as a last resort in clinical practice. It is, therefore, necessary to develop devices with better mechanics of blood flow, performance and hemocompatibility. This paper discusses the development of LVADs through landmark clinical trials in detail and describes the evolution of device design to reduce the risk of pump thrombosis and achieve better hemocompatibility. Whilst driveline infection, right heart failure and arrhythmias have been recognised as LVAD‐related complications, this paper focuses on complications related to pump thrombosis, especially blood coagulopathy in detail and potential strategies to mitigate this complication. Furthermore, it also discusses the LVAD implantation techniques and their anatomical challenges.
Flowing Across with Demonic Hate: Belief in Supernatural Evil and Support for Stricter Immigration Policy
Authors: Martinez Brandon C. , Tom Joshua C. , Baker Joseph O.
Published: April 2022

Prior research has found that different aspects of religion (such as service attendance and fundamentalism) have significant and varying effects on public attitudes about immigration. We identify an important but understudied aspect of how religion connects to immigration attitudes: beliefs about the reality of supernatural evil (e.g., Satan, hell, and demons). Using a national sample of Americans, we find that greater belief in supernatural evil is a strong and consistent predictor of more restrictive views of immigration, even after controlling for other dimensions of religiosity, sociodemographics, and political characteristics. Overall, beliefs about religious evil are the aspect of religion with the strongest connection to views of immigration. Consequently, consideration of religious evil is integral to understanding how religion influences public attitudes about immigration.
Pathogen exposure leads to a transcriptional downregulation of core cellular functions that may dampen the immune response in a macroalga
Authors: Hudson Jennifer , Deshpande Nandan , Leblanc Catherine , Egan Suhelen
Published: April 2022

Diseases in marine eukaryotic organisms caused by opportunistic pathogens represent a serious threat to our oceans with potential downstream consequences for ecosystem functioning. Disease outbreaks affecting macroalgae are of particular concern due to their critical role as habitat‐forming organisms. However, there is limited understanding of the molecular strategies used by macroalgae to respond to opportunistic pathogens. In this study, we used mRNA‐sequencing analysis to investigate the early antipathogen response of the model macroalga Delisea pulchra (Rhodophyta) under the environmental conditions that are known to promote the onset of disease. Using de novo assembly methods, 27,586 unique transcripts belonging to D. pulchra were identified that were mostly affiliated with stress response and signal transduction processes. Differential gene expression analysis between a treatment with the known opportunistic pathogen, Aquimarina sp. AD1 (Bacteroidota), and a closely related benign strain (Aquimarina sp. AD10) revealed a downregulation of genes coding for predicted protein metabolism, stress response, energy generation and photosynthesis functions. The rapid repression of genes coding for core cellular processes is likely to interfere with the macroalgal antipathogen response, later leading to infection, tissue damage and bleaching symptoms. Overall, this study provides valuable insight into the genetic features of D. pulchra, highlighting potential antipathogen response mechanisms of macroalgae and contributing to an improved understanding of host–pathogen interactions in a changing environment.
WRKY‐ing in the light
Authors: Demarsy Emilie
Published: April 2022

This article is a Commentary on Zhou et al. (2022), 235: 111–125.
Saliva as a diagnostic specimen for SARS‐CoV‐2 detection: A scoping review
Authors: Wang Yifei , Upadhyay Akshaya , Pillai Sangeeth , Khayambashi Parisa , Tran Simon D.
Published: April 2022

Objectives

This scoping review aims to summarize the diagnostic value of saliva assessed from current studies that (1) compare its performance in reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction testing to nasopharyngeal swabs, (2) evaluate its performance in rapid and point‐of‐care COVID‐19 diagnostic tests, and (3) explore its use as a specimen for detecting anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies.

Materials and Methods

A systematic search was performed on the following databases: Medline and Embase (Ovid), World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Global Health (Ovid) from January 2019 to September 2021. Of the 657 publications identified from the searches, n = 146 articles were included in the final scoping review.

Results

Our findings showcase that salivary samples exceed nasopharyngeal swabs in detecting SARS‐CoV‐2 using reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction testing in several studies. A select number of rapid antigen and point‐of‐care tests from the literature were also identified capable of high detection rates using saliva. Moreover, anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies have been shown to be detectable in saliva through biochemical assays.

Conclusion

We highlight the potential of saliva as an all‐rounded specimen in detecting SARS‐CoV‐2. However, future large‐scale clinical studies will be needed to support its widespread use as a non‐invasive clinical specimen for COVID‐19 testing.
The Role of Structural Deterioration and Biomechanical Changes of the Necrotic Lesion in Collapse Mechanism of Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head
Authors: Wang Peng , Wang Cheng , Meng Haoye , Liu Guangbo , Li Huo , Gao Jianming , Tian Hua , Peng Jiang
Published: April 2022

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a crippling disease which is due to a lack of effective therapeutic measures. Its natural progression is rapid, the internal bone structure of the femoral head changes dramatically, and the subsequent fractures and collapse cause severe hip pain and loss of hip function. Femoral head collapse is a critical turning point in the development of ONFH and is related to the prognosis of patients. Early prevention and intervention help to preserve the hip joint and delay femoral head collapse. However, the mechanism of collapse still needs to be further studied because it is affected by different complex factors. This review discusses the underlying causes of femoral head collapse from two aspects: structural degradation and regional changes of biomechanical properties in the necrotic femoral head.