bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of rhizobacteria and ecoenzyme in agarwood growth (Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk.)
Authors: Putri A R R , Wulandari A S , Istikorini Y
Published: January 2022

Rhizobacteria inoculation and ecoenzyme application can improve seeds’ growth. This research aims to study the potency of rhizobacteria and ecoenzyme to improve Aquilaria malaccensis growth. The experimental design used a nested plot design where ecoenzyme as the sub-plot that nested in rhizobacteria inoculation (Serratia marcecscens, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and the mix of S. marcecscens + S. maltophilia) as the main plot. The results showed that rhizobacteria inoculation and ecoenzyme application were no significant effect on improving the plant height, diameter, amount of new leaves, total wet weight, total dry weight, and seed moisture content. The new shoots on S. marcescens inoculation without ecoenzyme increased 112,5% compared to the control. Application of ecoenzyme to the plants inoculated by rhizobacteria promoted root growth and made the leaves got greener. Shoot root ratio and seedling quality index showed that seeds were ready to transplant in the field. The results of this study can be used as a reference in applying biofertilizers to forestry plants, especially the slow-growing species.
Wildlife Camera Trapping: Estimating the Abundance of Sumatran Tiger’s Prey in Way Kambas National Park
Authors: Cita K D , Adila R A , Hardianto R I , Adib M F , Setyaningsih L
Published: January 2022

The Sumatran tiger is one of the endemic species in Indonesia which has been driven to extinction. This species has been categorized as critically endangered by IUCN and as Appendix I by CITES. Loss of prey is one of the threats to the Sumatran tiger’s population. It is an essential factor to maintain the existence of the Sumatran tiger. The study aimed to reveal the abundance of the Sumatran tiger prey using the camera trap method in Way Kambas National Park where one of the Sumatran tiger’s habitats. Our study was conducted from March until August 2020. We used 16 Camera traps which were divided into 2 Sites, Resort Pengelolaan Taman Nasional (RPTN) Sekapuk and Way Kanan. We found five species of Preys. They are wild boar (Sus scrofa), Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor), pigtail macaques (Macaca nemestrina), red muntjac (Muntiacus muntjac), and Mouse deer (Tragulus kanchil). The highest number of abundance was Sus scrofa (63%), and the lowest number of abundance was Rusa unicolor (0,94%). Our findings concluded that the potential preferred prey was Sus scrofa and Muntiacus muntjac.
In Vitro Biological Control of Fungus Botrydiplodia sp. Using Plant-based Pesticide
Authors: Herliyana E N , Istikorini Y , Septyan A R
Published: January 2022

Botryodiplodia sp. is a pathogenic fungus with a wide range of hosts, including agricultural and forestry crops. Botryodiplodia sp. attacks have been reported to cause symptoms of dry rot, branch rot, fruit rot, and shoot death resulting in decreased productivity. Efforts to control diseases caused by the fungus Botryodiplodia sp. are needed to avoid further infection in healthy plants. Control using chemical pesticides will cause several negative problems for the environment and human health. Alternative control of Botryodiplodia sp. is using biopesticide. This study aimed to analyze the ability of plant extract-based pesticides to inhibit the growth of Botryodiplodia sp. in vitro. The method used was the food poisoning method on PDA and PDB with concentrations of biopesticide 0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 4%, 7%, and 10%. The result of this research is the concentration of 0.5% is sufficient to inhibit the growth of Botrydiplodia sp by 11.73% in PDA and 21.96% in PDB. Biopesticides are suspected to have fungistatic characteristics so that they only inhibit but do not stop fungal growth.
Effect of Pyrolysis Methods on Characteristics of Biochar from Young Coconut Waste as Ameliorant
Authors: Maulana A , Herviyanti  , Prasetyo T B , Harianti M , Lita A L
Published: January 2022

Biochar is produced from the pyrolysis of organic matter (waste and biomass of agriculture) e.g young coconut waste (YCW). However, there is little information describing methods for producing biochar as an ameliorant for agriculture. Therefore, research is needed to determine the biochar characteristics of the Kon-Tiki, Drum, and Soil-Pit methods. This study was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design with three replications. The results of biochar production with methods significant on temperature (682°C), moisture (81.27 %), dry weight (2.09 kg) and yield ratio (20.87%) of biochar, and characteristics of biochar from YCW on pH (10.82 unit), liming potential (5.50% CaCO3), proximate analysis (moisture of 38.80%; volatile matter of 62.73%; ash of 19.50% and fixed carbon of 43.22%), CEC (457.13 mmol kg−1), cation base (K of 356.14 and Na-exch of 131.28 mmol kg−1), Cárgame (0.35 g kg−1), and C Organic (14.27 g kg−1), with the recommended method of YCW biochar production using the Kon-Tiki method.
The impact of revegetation activities in various post-mining lands in Indonesia (study of literature)
Authors: Lestari K G , Budi S W , Suryaningtyas D T
Published: January 2022

Many revegetation activities have been carried out on post-mining land in Indonesia and have produced various positive impacts on the land. This raises a question that what changes have occurred in various post-mining areas that have been revegetated in Indonesia. The method used a literature review from 37 sources (Journals and research report) related to the impact of revegetation activities in various post-mining lands in Indonesia. The results of this literature review conclude that revegetation in Indonesia greatly affects and has changed 3 main aspects of a land, namely (1) soil conditions both chemically, physically and biologically, (2) improvement of nutrient cycles in revegetation areas and (3) improvement of hydrological cycles and microbial and animal habitats. Suggestions that revegetation activities continue to be carried out and their success monitored and revegetation cooperation with the community will be more profitable.
The infiltration capacity and rate at the grass, building yard and green open space areas of Universitas Gadjah Mada campus
Authors: Wikantyasa B , Kusumandari A
Published: January 2022

Land use and soil greatly determine the rate of infiltration. There are three land uses according to vegetation cover and buildings at the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) campus, namely grassland, building yard and green open space area. The purpose of this study is to determine the capacity and rate of infiltration at the UGM campus area and to design the proposed land use that increases infiltration. This research uses a double-ring infiltrometer, soil samples consist of disturbed and undisturbed. Analysis of infiltration capacity using Horton’s formula, then we analysed the physical and chemical properties of the soil at the laboratory. Based on the results of the study, it concludes that the infiltration capacity of grassland is 12.52 mm/hour, the building yard is 10.89 mm/hour, and the green open space area is 14.02 mm/hour. The infiltration rate of the three land uses is slightly slow. The soil texture is mostly silty clay, crumb soil structure and organic matter content ranges from 1-2.1%. The recommended land use plan for the area of UGM is planting more trees.
Development of frequency comb generation by spectral broadening of periodic optical pulses in semiconductor laser amplifiers
Authors: Sharma Vishal , Singh Surinder , Lovkesh
Published: January 2022

This paper reports an approach for generating an ultra-flat and ultra-wide optical frequency comb by exploiting gain modulation, experienced by a periodic third ordered Gaussian-shaped optical pulse propagating through the semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). The gain experienced by optical signal propagating inside SOA is independent of its polarization state and phase, makes the technique more favorable and stable to the optical frequency comb generation. This paper reports a 94-line optical frequency comb with 5 dB maximum power deviation and a 190-line optical frequency comb with 10 dB maximum power deviation.
Injection Guidelines for Treating Midface Volume Deficiency With Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: The ATP Approach (Anatomy, Techniques, Products)
Authors: Trévidic Patrick , Kaufman-Janette Joely , Weinkle Susan , Wu Raymond , Dhillon Benji , Antunes Stéphanie , Macé Emilie , Maffert Pauline
Published: January 2022

Midface rejuvenation is among the most valuable indications of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, because malar projection and full upper cheeks significantly contribute to a youthful appearance. Hyaluronic acid fillers have evolved over the past 2 decades to meet specific clinical needs such as strong projection capacity and adaptability to facial dynamism. As a result, they now represent the treatment of choice for midface rejuvenation throughout age ranges by offering the potential for noninvasive treatment, immediate results, and minimal downtime. Because the 5-layered structure of the midface plays a central role in the human face, injecting the midface area may also indirectly improve other aesthetic concerns such as infraorbital hollowing and nasolabial folds. Nonetheless, midface rejuvenation requires a tailored treatment approach and a thorough knowledge of anatomy to minimize procedural risks and achieve natural-looking results. This article provides an extensive anatomical description of the midface and of the usual course and depth of vascular structures circulating nearby to delineate a treatment area and minimize procedural risks. Furthermore, considering the differential mobility and mechanical constraints of each layer of the midface, a multilayer treatment algorithm is proposed for adapting the treatment strategy to patient specificities (including age, gender, skin type, and morphology). Emphasis is also placed on desirable filler properties to create deep structural support on the one hand and accompany facial movement on the other hand.
Distribution of flagellin CD2-1, flg22, and flgII-28 recognition systems in plant species and regulation of plant immune responses through these recognition systems
Authors: Murakami Takahiko , Katsuragi Yuya , Hirai Hiroyuki , Wataya Koki , Kondo Machiko , Che Fang-Sik
Published: January 2022

The first layer of active plant immunity relies upon the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), and the induction of PTI. Flagellin is the major protein component of the bacterial flagellum. Flagellin-derived peptide fragments such as CD2-1, flg22, and flgII-28 function as PAMPs in most higher plants. To determine the distribution of CD2-1, flg22, and flgII-28 recognition systems within plant species, the inducibility of PTI by CD2-1, flg22, and flgII-28 in 8 plant species, including monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, was investigated. CD2-1 caused PTI responses in Oryza sativa, Brachypodium distachyon, and Asparagus persicus; flg22 caused PTI responses in Phyllostachys nigra, A. persicus, Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicotiana tabacum, Solanum lycopersicum, and Lotus japonicus; and flgII-28 caused PTI responses only in S. lycopersicum. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of FLS2 receptor revealed that the responsiveness of flg22 in plants was dependent on the expression level of the receptor.
Factors influencing quality of lymphadenectomy in minimally invasive esophagectomy: a US-based analysis
Authors: Odetoyinbo Kolade , Bachman Katelynn , Worrell Stephanie , Gray Kelsey , Linden Philip , Towe Christopher
Published: January 2022

NCCN guidelines suggest that at least 15 lymph nodes (LN) should be evaluated at the time of esophagectomy to consider the lymphadenectomy ‘adequate’. Despite these guidelines, this may not always be achieved in practice. The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with adequate lymphadenectomy among patients receiving minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). Patients receiving MIE in the National Cancer Database from 2010 to 2016 were identified. Patients with metastatic disease were excluded. The primary endpoint was adequate lymphadenectomy, defined as >15 or greater LN evaluated. Factors associated with adequate lymphadenectomy and overall survival were evaluated in univariable and multivariable analyses. Categorical variables were assessed using chi-squared, and continuous variables were assessed with rank-sum test. Survival was evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method. A total of 6,539 patients underwent MIE between 2010 and 2016 (5,024 thoracoscopic–laparoscopic MIE and 1,515 robotic-assisted MIE). A total of 3,527 patients (53.9%) received adequate lymphadenectomy. Receiving MIE at an academic center (odds ratio [OR] 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15–1.63, P < 0.001), institutional volume of MIE (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.008–1.011, P < 0.001), and presence of clinical nodal disease (OR 1.17, 95%CI 1.02–1.33, P = 0.025) were associated with adequate lymphadenectomy. Patients with >15 LN removed had increased overall survival (46.6 vs. 41.5 months, P < 0.001). Adequate lymphadenectomy (hazard ratio [HR] 0.77, 95%CI 0.71–0.85, P < 0.001), receiving surgery at an academic center (HR 0.87, 95%CI 0.78–0.96, P = 0.007) and private insurance status (HR 0.88, 95%CI 0.81–0.98, P = 0.02) were independently associated with improved survival. Nearly half of patients receiving MIE do not receive adequate lymphadenectomy as defined by NCCN guidelines. Receiving MIE at an academic center with high procedural volume and the presence of nodal disease were independently associated with adequate lymphadenectomy. Adequate lymphadenectomy was associated with improved survival. These findings suggest that providers performing esophagectomy should follow guideline-based recommendations for lymphadenectomy.
Right atrium angiosarcoma with feeding vessels from right coronary artery: a case report
Authors: Yeh Jian-Kuan , Tsai Yi-Shan , Chen Ya-Ping , Roan Jun-Neng , Chang Hsien-Yuan
Published: January 2022

Background

Primary cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare primary cardiac malignancy. Biopsy of such vascular-rich tumours may result in serious complications.

Case summary

This is a case of a 43-year-old woman who presented with syncope. According to clinical history, she initially had massive pericardial effusion, with an uncertain aetiology. Multimodality imaging at our hospital revealed a cauliflower-like tumour in the right atrium. Coronary angiography results confirmed multiple feeding vessels from the right coronary artery to the tumour. Thoracoscopic biopsy resulted in a massive bleeding requiring haemostasis via thoracotomy. Histopathological examination of the specimen showed an angiosarcoma with atypical cells and spindle cells in a myxomatous background. Treatment with systemic targeted therapy and chemotherapy was initiated, and the patient is still under active treatment.

Discussion

Cardiac angiosarcomas most commonly arise from the right atrium and may be hard to detect with transthoracic echocardiography. Biopsy of primary cardiac angiosarcomas requires careful planning because they are highly vascularized. Currently, no guidelines regarding the treatment of such tumours exist, and a multidisciplinary treatment is needed.
Functional Connectivity of the Supplementary and Presupplementary Motor Areas in Postoperative Transition Between Stages of Frailty
Authors: Lammers-Lietz Florian , Zacharias Norman , Mörgeli Rudolf , Spies Claudia D , Winterer Georg
Published: January 2022

Background

Frailty is a multietiological geriatric syndrome of run-down physical reserves with high vulnerability to stressors. Transitions between physical robustness and frailty often occur in the context of medical interventions. Studies suggest that neurological disorders contribute to faster progression of frailty. In a previous cross-sectional study we found altered functional connectivity of supplementary motor area (SMA) in (pre)frail compared to robust patients. We analyzed functional connectivity of the SMA and presupplementary motor area (pre-SMA) in patients with postoperative transitions between physical robustness and stages of frailty.

Methods

We investigated 120 cognitively healthy patients (49.2% robust, 47.5% prefrail, 3.3% frail, 37.5% female, median age 71 [65–87] years) undergoing elective surgery from the BioCog project, a multicentric prospective cohort study on postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction. Assessments took place 14 days before and 3 months after surgery, comprising assessments of a modified frailty phenotype according to Fried and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T. The associations between functional connectivity of the SMA and pre-SMA networks, preoperative frailty stages, and postoperative transitions were examined using mixed linear effects models.

Results

Nineteen patients showed physical improvement after surgery, 24 patients progressed to (pre)frailty and in 77 patients no transition was observed. At follow-up, 57 (47.5%) patients were robust, 52 (43.3%) prefrail, and 11 (9.2%) frail. Lower functional connectivity in the pre-SMA network was associated with more unfavorable postoperative transition types. An exploratory analysis suggested that the association was restricted to patients who were prefrail at baseline. There was no association of transition type with SMA functional connectivity in the primary analysis. In an exploratory analysis, transition from prefrailty to robustness was associated with higher functional connectivity and progression in robust patients was associated with higher SMA network segregation.

Conclusions

Our findings implicate that dysfunctions of cortical networks involved in higher cognitive control of motion are associated with postoperative transitions between frailty stages. The pre-SMA may be a target for neurofeedback or brain stimulation in approaches to prevent frailty.

Clinical Trials Registration Number: NCT02265263
Extent of wild–to–crop interspecific introgression in grapevine (Vitis vinifera) as a consequence of resistance breeding and implications for the crop species definition
Authors: Foria Serena , Magris Gabriele , Jurman Irena , Schwope Rachel , De Candido Massimo , De Luca Elisa , Ivanišević Dragoslav , Morgante Michele , Di Gaspero Gabriele
Published: January 2022

Over the past two centuries, introgression through repeated backcrossing has introduced disease resistance from wild grape species into the domesticated lineage Vitis vinifera subsp. sativa. Introgression lines are being cultivated over increasing vineyard surface areas, as their wines now rival in quality those obtained from preexisting varieties. There is, however, a lot of debate about whether and how wine laws defining commercial product categories, which are based on the classification of V. vinifera and interspecific hybrid grapes, should be revised to accommodate novel varieties that do not fit either category. Here, we developed a method of multilocus genotype analysis using short–read resequencing to identify haplotypic blocks of wild ancestry in introgression lines and quantify the physical length of chromosome segments free–of–introgression or with monoallelic and biallelic introgression. We used this genomic data to characterize species, hybrids and introgression lines and show that newly released resistant varieties contain 76.5–94.8% of V. vinifera DNA. We found that varietal wine ratings are not always commensurate with the percentage of V. vinifera ancestry and linkage drag of wild alleles around known resistance genes persists over at least 7.1–11.5 Mb, slowing down the recovery of the recurrent parental genome. This method also allowed us to identify the donor species of resistance haplotypes, define the ancestry of wild genetic background in introgression lines with complex pedigrees, validate the ancestry of the historic varieties Concord and Norton, and unravel sample curation errors in public databases.
Characterization of Terpene synthase variation in flowers of wild Aquilegia species from Northeastern Asia
Authors: Yang Song , Wang Ning , Kimani Shadrack , Li Yueqing , Bao Tingting , Ning Guogui , Li Linfeng , Liu Bao , Wang Li , Gao Xiang
Published: January 2022

There are several causes for the great diversity in floral terpenes. The terpene products are determined by the catalytic fidelity, efficiency and plasticity of the active sites of terpene synthases (TPSs). However, the molecular mechanism of TPS in catalyzing terpene biosynthesis and its evolutionary fate in wild plant species remain largely unknown. In this study, the functionality of terpene synthases and their natural variants were assessed in two Northeastern Asia endemic columbine species and their natural hybrid. Synoptically, TPS7, TPS8, and TPS9 were highly expressed in these Aquilegia species from the Zuojia population. The in vitro and in vivo enzymatic assays revealed that TPS7 and TPS8 mainly produced (+)-limonene and β-sesquiphellandrene, respectively, whereas TPS9 produced pinene, similar to the major components released from Aquilegia flowers. Multiple sequence alignment of Aquilegia TPS7 and TPS8 in the Zuojia population revealed amino acid polymorphisms. Domain swapping and amino acid substitution assays demonstrated that 413A, 503I and 529D had impacts on TPS7 catalytic activity, whereas 420G, 538F and 545 L affected the ratio of β-sesquiphellandrene to β-bisabolene in TPS8. Moreover, these key polymorphic amino acid residues were found in Aquilegia species from the Changbai Mountain population. Interestingly, amino acid polymorphisms in TPSs were present in individuals with low expression levels, and nonsynonymous mutations could impact the catalytic activity or product specificity of these genes. The results of this study will shed new light on the function and evolution of TPS genes in wild plant species and are beneficial to the modification of plant fragrances.
Quantitative trait loci mapping for free amino acid content using an albino population and SNP markers provides insight into the genetic improvement of tea plants
Authors: Huang Rong , Wang Jun-Ya , Yao Ming-Zhe , Ma Chun-Lei , Chen Liang
Published: January 2022

Free amino acids are one of the main chemical components in tea, and they contribute to the pleasant flavor, function, and quality of tea, notably the level of theanine. Here, a high-density genetic map was constructed to characterize quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for free amino acid content. A total of 2688 polymorphic SNP markers were obtained using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) based on 198 individuals derived from a pseudotestcross population of “Longjing 43” × “Baijiguan”, which are elite and albino tea cultivars, respectively. The 1846.32 cM high-density map with an average interval of 0.69 cM was successfully divided into 15 linkage groups (LGs) ranging from 93.41 cM to 171.28 cM. Furthermore, a total of 4 QTLs related to free amino acid content (theanine, glutamate, glutamine, aspartic acid and arginine) identified over two years were mapped to LG03, LG06, LG11 and LG14. The phenotypic variation explained by these QTLs ranged from 11.8% to 23.7%, with an LOD score from 3.56 to 7.7. Furthermore, several important amino acid metabolic pathways were enriched based on the upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among the offspring. These results will be essential for fine mapping genes involved in amino acid pathways and diversity, thereby providing a promising avenue for the genetic improvement of tea plants.
Exploiting sterility and fertility variation in cytoplasmic male sterile vegetable crops
Authors: Xu Fengyuan , Yang Xiaodong , Zhao Na , Hu Zhongyuan , Mackenzie Sally A , Zhang Mingfang , Yang Jinghua
Published: January 2022

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) has long been used to economically produce hybrids that harness growth vigor through heterosis. Yet, how CMS systems operate within commercially viable seed production strategies in various economically important vegetable crops, and their underlying molecular mechanisms, are often overlooked details that could expand the utility of CMS as a cost-effective and stable system. We provide here an update on the nature of cytoplasmic–nuclear interplay for pollen sterility and fertility transitions in vegetable crops, based on the discovery of components of nuclear fertility restoration and reversion determinants. Within plant CMS systems, pollen fertility can be rescued by the introduction of nuclear fertility restorer genes (Rfs), which operate by varied mechanisms to countermand the sterility phenotype. By understanding these systems, it is now becoming feasible to achieve fertility restoration with Rfs designed for programmable CMS-associated open reading frames (ORFs). Likewise, new opportunities exist for targeted disruption of CMS-associated ORFs by mito-TALENs in crops where natural Rfs have not been readily identified, providing an alternative approach to recovering fertility of cytoplasmic male sterile lines in crops. Recent findings show that facultative gynodioecy, as a reproductive strategy, can coordinate the sterility and fertility transition in response to environmental cues and/or metabolic signals that reflect ecological conditions of reproductive isolation. This information is important to devising future systems that are more inherently stable.
Insertion of a mMoshan transposable element in PpLMI1, is associated with the absence or globose phenotype of extrafloral nectaries in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch
Authors: Lambert Patrick , Confolent Carole , Heurtevin Laure , Dlalah Naïma , Signoret Véronique , Quilot-Turion Bénédicte , Pascal Thierry
Published: January 2022

Most commercial peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] cultivars have leaves with extrafloral nectaries (EFNs). Breeders have selected this character over time, as they observed that the eglandular phenotype resulted in high susceptibility to peach powdery mildew, a major disease of peach trees. EFNs are controlled by a Mendelian locus (E), mapped on chromosome 7. However, the genetic factor underlying E was unknown. In order to address this point, we developed a mapping population of 833 individuals derived from the selfing of “Malo Konare”, a Bulgarian peach cultivar, heterozygous for the trait. This progeny was used to investigate the E-locus region, along with additional resources including peach genomic resequencing data, and 271 individuals from various origins used for validation. High-resolution mapping delimited a 40.6 kbp interval including the E-locus and four genes. Moreover, three double-recombinants allowed identifying Prupe.7G121100, a LMI1-like homeodomain leucine zipper (HD-Zip) transcription factor, as a likely candidate for the trait. By comparing peach genomic resequencing data from individuals with contrasted phenotypes, a MITE-like transposable element of the hAT superfamily (mMoshan) was identified in the third exon of Prupe.7G121100. It was associated with the absence or globose phenotype of EFNs. The insertion of the transposon was positively correlated with enhanced expression of Prupe.7G121100. Furthermore, a PCR marker designed from the sequence-variants, allowed to properly assign the phenotypes of all the individuals studied. These findings provide valuable information on the genetic control of a trait poorly known so far although selected for a long time in peach.
Overexpression of apple Ma12, a mitochondrial pyrophosphatase pump gene, leads to malic acid accumulation and the upregulation
of malate dehydrogenase in tomato and apple calli
Authors: Gao Meng , Zhao Haiyan , Zheng Litong , Zhang Lihua , Peng Yunjing , Ma Wenfang , Tian Rui , Yuan Yangyang , Ma Fengwang , Li Mingjun , Ma Baiquan
Published: January 2022

Acidity is an important factor influencing the organoleptic quality of apple fruits. In this study, an apple pyrophosphate-energized proton pump (PEPP) gene was isolated and designated MdMa12. On the basis of a phylogenetic analysis in Rosaceae species, PEPP genes were divided into three groups, with apple PEPP genes most closely related to pear PEPP genes. Gene expression analysis revealed that high malic acid content was generally accompanied by high MdMa12 expression levels. Moreover, MdMa12 was mainly expressed in the fruit. A subcellular localization analysis suggested that MdMa12 is a mitochondrial protein. The ectopic expression and overexpression of MdMa12 in “Micro-Tom” tomato and apple calli, respectively, increased the malic acid content. One (MDH12) of four malate dehydrogenase genes highly expressed in transgenic apple calli was confirmed to encode a protein localized in mitochondria. The overexpression of MDH12 increased the malate content in apple calli. Furthermore, MdMa12 overexpression increased MdDTC1, MdMa1, and MdMa10 expression levels, which were identified to transport malate. These findings imply that MdMa12 has important functions related to apple fruit acidity. Our study explored the regulatory effects of mitochondria on the complex mechanism underlying apple fruit acidity.
Assessing non-protein nitrogen sources in commercial dry dog foods
Authors: Geiger Andrea K , Weber Lynn P
Published: January 2022

Protein is a macronutrient required by dogs for growth and maintenance metabolism. However, a portion of the crude protein listed on pet foods may actually arise from non-digestible organic nitrogen or potentially toxic inorganic non-protein nitrogen sources. Neither non-protein source is retained or used by the animal. However, these compounds may result in adverse effects such as methemoglobin formation and increased oxidative stress or potentially beneficial effects such as improved vascular distensibility and decreased inflammation. To analyze nitrogen retention and screen for non-protein nitrogen, four commercial, dry kibble dog foods and one laboratory-made diet were evaluated and then fed to beagles during two separate feeding trials. During the first trial, dogs were randomly assigned each diet (n = 4 dogs/diet) and fed chromium oxide-coated diets for 48 h, followed by total urine and marked fecal collection, as well as plasma collection for total nitrogen, nitrate, ammonia, and urea determination. The amount of nitrogen retained (93%–96%) did not differ among commercial diets. Protein total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) ranged from 69% to 84%, with the high protein diets significantly higher than the laboratory-made and mid-ranged diets (1-way ANOVA: P < 0.05). The high protein diet also contained the highest concentration of nitrate with subsequent elevations in plasma nitrotyrosine levels (indicator of oxidative stress). During the second trial, eight dogs (n = 8) were fed the same diets for 6 d, after which echocardiography was completed with blood, urine, and feces collected. For health end-points, methemoblobin, plasma nitrotyrosine, and C-reactive protein (CRP; indicator of inflammation) levels were measured. Methemoglobin levels were significantly lower in the high protein diet (P > 0.05), possible due to the stimulation of methemoglobin reductase while nitrotyrosine was unchanged and CRP was undetectable. Furthermore, there was a positive relationship between crude protein, crude fat (simple linear regression: P = 0.02, r2 > 0.6), price (P = 0.08, r2 > 0.6), and caloric density (P = 0.11, r2 > 0.6). There were no significant cardiovascular differences among any of the diets (P > 0.05). Ultimately, this study shows that in commercial diets, price does reflect protein content but that feeding dogs high protein diets for a long period of time may provide an excess in calories without a change in cardiovascular function or detectable increases in inflammation.
Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block with Liposomal Bupivacaine versus Standard Bupivacaine with Perineural Dexamethasone: A Noninferiority Trial
Authors: Kim David H. , Liu Jiabin , Beathe Jonathan C. , Lin Yi , Wetmore Douglas S. , Kim Sang J. , Haskins Stephen C. , Garvin Sean , Oxendine Joseph A. , Ho Michael C. , Allen Answorth A. , Popovic Marko , Gbaje Ejiro , Wu Christopher L. , Memtsoudis Stavros G.
Published: January 2022

Background

The interscalene nerve block provides analgesia for shoulder surgery. To extend block duration, provide adequate analgesia, and minimize opioid consumption, the use of adjuvants such as dexamethasone as well as the application of perineural liposomal bupivacaine have been proposed. This randomized, double-blinded, noninferiority trial hypothesized that perineural liposomal bupivacaine is noninferior to standard bupivacaine with perineural dexamethasone in respect to average pain scores in the first 72 h after surgery.

Methods

A total of 112 patients undergoing ambulatory shoulder surgery were randomized into two groups. The liposomal bupivacaine group received a 15-ml premixed admixture of 10 ml of 133 mg liposomal bupivacaine and 5 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine (n = 55), while the bupivacaine with dexamethasone group received an admixture of 15 ml of 0.5% standard bupivacaine with 4 mg dexamethasone (n = 56), respectively. The primary outcome was the average numerical rating scale pain scores at rest over 72 h. The mean difference between the two groups was compared against a noninferiority margin of 1.3. Secondary outcomes were analgesic block duration, motor and sensory resolution, opioid consumption, numerical rating scale pain scores at rest and movement on postoperative days 1 to 4 and again on postoperative day 7, patient satisfaction, readiness for postanesthesia care unit discharge, and adverse events.

Results

A liposomal bupivacaine group average numerical rating scale pain score over 72 h was not inferior to the bupivacaine with dexamethasone group (mean [SD], 2.4 [1.9] vs. 3.4 [1.9]; mean difference [95% CI], –1.1 [–1.8, –0.4]; P < 0.001 for noninferiority). There was no significant difference in duration of analgesia between the groups (26 [20, 42] h vs. 27 [20, 39] h; P = 0.851). Motor and sensory resolutions were similar in both groups: 27 (21, 48) h versus 27 (19, 40) h (P = 0.436) and 27 [21, 44] h versus 31 (20, 42) h (P = 0.862), respectively. There was no difference in opioid consumption, readiness for postanesthesia care unit discharge, or adverse events.

Conclusions

Interscalene nerve blocks with perineural liposomal bupivacaine provided effective analgesia similar to the perineural standard bupivacaine with dexamethasone. The results show that bupivacaine with dexamethasone can be used interchangeably with liposomal bupivacaine for analgesia after shoulder surgery.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulas Alleviate Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Yang Chuting , Wang Tingting , Chen Juan , He Jiajun , Li Yuanhao , Chen Chaowu , Lu Guotao , Chen Weiwei
Published: January 2022

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common clinical gastrointestinal disorder with a high mortality rate for severe AP and lacks effective clinical treatment, which leads to considerable comorbidity and financial burden. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has had the unique advantage of treating AP for a long time in China. Clinically, TCM formulas such as Da-cheng-qi decoction, Chai-qin-cheng-qi decoction, Qing-yi decoction, Da-chai-hu decoction, and Da-huang-fu-zi decoction are widely administrated to AP patients. All of these TCM formulas can improve gastrointestinal function, regulate the inflammatory response, and enhance immunity, thus preventing complications, reducing the mortality rate and financial burden. This review will summarize the pharmacological activities and mechanisms of TCM formulas in alleviating AP.
Role of Resection of the Primary in Metastatic Well-Differentiated Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Shaib Walid L. , Zakka Katerina , Penley McKenna , Jiang Renjian , Akce Mehmet , Wu Christina , Maithel Shishir K. , Sarmiento Juan M. , Kooby David , Behera Madhusmita , Alese Olatunji B. , El-Rayes Bassel F.
Published: January 2022

Objective

Resection of the primary (RP) in metastatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET) is controversial. The aim was to evaluate survival outcomes for RP in metastatic NET patients.

Methods

Data were obtained from US hospitals at the National Cancer Database between 2004 and 2014. χ2, analysis of variance tests, univariate, and multivariate cox proportional hazards models were evaluated. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests conducted to compare the survival difference of patient characteristics.

Results

A total of 2361 patients were identified. The mean age was 62.1 years (standard deviation, 13 years), male-to-female ratio 1:1; 33% were small intestine, 26.3% pancreas, and 24.4% lung; 69.6% were well-differentiated; and 42.5% underwent RP. The 5-year overall survival (OS) was significantly improved for patients who underwent RP in small intestine (5-year OS, 63.9% vs 44.2%), lung (5-year OS, 65.4% vs 20.2%), and pancreas tumors (5-year OS, 75.6% vs 30.6%). On multivariate analysis, RP (hazard ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.29–0.73; P < 0.001), female, year of diagnosis 2010–2014, margin, Charlson-Deyo score less than 2, and age less than 51 years, were associated with better OS.

Conclusions

Resection of the primary in metastatic well-differentiated NET is associated with improved OS compared with no RP.
Elevated Intracranial Pressure in Patients with Craniosynostosis by Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Kalmar Christopher L. , Humphries Laura S. , McGeehan Brendan , Ying Gui-shuang , Heuer Gregory G. , Liu Grant T. , Avery Robert A. , Bartlett Scott P. , Taylor Jesse A. , Lang Shih-shan , Swanson Jordan W.
Published: January 2022

Background:

Craniosynostosis may lead to elevated intracranial pressure, which may be implicated with impaired neurocognitive development. However, accurately measuring intracranial pressure is challenging, and patterns in craniosynostosis patients are poorly characterized. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography may enable noninvasive assessment of intracranial pressure in pediatric patients with craniosynostosis.

Methods:

Pediatric patients with craniosynostosis undergoing surgical intervention between 2014 and 2019 prospectively underwent optical coherence tomographic evaluation. Intracranial pressure was directly measured intraoperatively in a subset of cases. Optical coherence tomographic parameters were compared to directly measured intracranial pressure and used for pattern assessment.

Results:

Optical coherence tomography was performed in 158 subjects, among which 42 underwent direct intracranial pressure measurement during an initial cranial procedure. Maximal retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, maximal retinal thickness, and maximal anterior projection optical coherence tomographic parameters were positively correlated with intracranial pressure (p ≤ 0.001), with all parameters showing significantly higher values in patients with intracranial pressure thresholds of 15 mmHg (p < 0.001) and 20 mmHg (p ≤ 0.007). Patients with maximal retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and maximal anterior projection exceeding set thresholds in optical coherence tomography of either eye demonstrated 77.3 percent sensitivity and 95.0 percent specificity for detecting intracranial pressure above 15 mmHg, and 90.0 percent sensitivity and 81.3 percent specificity for detecting intracranial pressure above 20 mmHg. Patients with associated syndromes or multiple suture involvement and patients aged 9 months or older were significantly more likely to have elevated intracranial pressure above 15 mmHg (p ≤ 0.030) and above 20 mmHg (p ≤ 0.035).

Conclusions:

Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography can noninvasively detect elevated intracranial pressure in patients with craniosynostosis with reliable sensitivity and specificity. This technology may help guide decisions about the appropriate type and timing of surgical treatment.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Diagnostic, I.
The Influence of Topical Vasodilator-Induced Pharmacologic Delay on Cutaneous Flap Viability and Vascular Remodeling
Authors: Wu Zi Jun , Ibrahim Mohamed M. , Sergesketter Amanda R. , Schweller Ryan M. , Phillips Brett T. , Klitzman Bruce
Published: January 2022

Background:

Surgical delay is a well-described technique to improve survival of random and pedicled cutaneous flaps. The aim of this study was to test the topical agents minoxidil and iloprost as agents of pharmacologic delay to induce vascular remodeling and decrease overall flap necrosis as an alternative to surgical delay.

Methods:

Seven groups were studied (n = 8 in each group), including the following: vehicle, iloprost, or minoxidil before treatment only; vehicle, iloprost, or minoxidil before and after treatment; and a standard surgical delay group as a positive control. Surgical flaps (caudally based modified McFarlane myocutaneous skin flaps) were elevated after 14 days of pretreatment, reinset isotopically, and observed at various time points until postoperative day 7. Gross viability, histology, Doppler blood flow, perfusion imaging, tissue oxygenation measurement, and vascular casting were performed for analysis.

Results:

Pharmacologic delay with preoperative application of topical minoxidil or iloprost was found to have comparable flap viability when compared to surgical delay. Significantly increased viability in all treatment groups was observed when compared with vehicle. Continued postoperative treatment with topical agents had no effect on flap viability. The mechanism of improved flap viability was inducible increases in flap blood volume and perfusion rather than the acute vasodilatory effects of the topical agents or decreased flap hypoxia.

Conclusions:

Preoperative topical application of the vasodilators minoxidil or iloprost improved flap viability comparably to surgical delay. Noninvasive pharmacologic delay may reduce postoperative complications without the need for an additional operation.

Clinical Relevance Statement:

Preoperative use of topical vasodilators may lead to improved flap viability without the need for a surgical delay procedure. This study may inform future clinical trials examining utility of preoperative topical vasodilators in flap surgery.
Pressure Injuries in Critical Care Patients in US Hospitals
Authors: Cox Jill , Edsberg Laura E. , Koloms Kimberly , VanGilder Catherine A.
Published: January 2022

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this secondary analysis was to examine pressure injury (PI) prevalence, PI risk factors, and prevention practices among adult critically ill patients in critical care units in the United States using the International Pressure Ulcer Prevalence™ (IPUP) Survey database from 2018 to 2019.

DESIGN:

Observational, cohort study with cross-sectional data collection and retrospective data analysis.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING:

The sample comprised 41,866 critical care patients drawn from a sample of 296,014 patients in US acute care facilities who participated in the 2018 and/or 2019 IPUP surveys. The mean age among critical care patients was 63.5 years (16.3) and 55% were male. All geographic regions of the United States were represented in this sample, with the greatest percentages from the Southeast (47.5%) and Midwest (17.5%) regions.

METHODS:

Overall critical care PI prevalence and hospital-acquired PI (HAPI) rates were obtained and analyzed using the 2018/2019 IPUP survey database. Critical care PI risk factors included in the database were analyzed using frequency distributions. Prevention practices among critically ill patients were analyzed to evaluate differences in practices between patients with no PIs, superficial PIs (stage 1, stage 2), and severe PIs (stage 3, stage 4, unstageable, deep tissue pressure injury).

RESULTS:

The overall PI prevalence for critical care patients was 14.3% (n = 5995) and the overall HAPI prevalence was 5.85% (n = 2451). In patients with severe HAPIs, the most common risk factors were diabetes mellitus (29.5%), mechanical ventilation (27.6%), and vasopressor agents (18.9%). Significant differences between patients with no PIs as compared to those with superficial or severe HAPIs (P = .000) for all prevention practices were found.

CONCLUSIONS:

Study findings support the gaps elucidated in previous critical care studies on PI development in this population. The 2 most persistent gaps currently challenging critical care practitioners are (1) accurate risk quantification in this population and (2) the potential for unavoidability in PI development among critically ill patients.
Occurrence of Avian Reovirus and Picobirnavirus in Wild Birds in an Environmental Protection Area in the Amazon Biome, Pará, Brazil
Authors: Pereira Diego , dos Santos Souto Lizandra Caroline , de Fátima dos Santos Guerra Sylvia , da Penha Júnior Edvaldo Tavares , dos Santos Lobo Patrícia , da Silva Soares Luana , Pinheiro Helder Henrique Costa , Chagas Elaine Hellen Nunes , Ramos Bruna Alves , das Chagas Liliane Leal , Freitas Maria Nazaré Oliveira , da Silva Furtado Erilene Cristina , Rodrigues Jéssica Cecília Pinheiro , do Rosário Casseb Alexandre , Martins Lívia Caricio , Mascarenhas Joana D’Arc Pereira
Published: January 2022

Wild birds have great prominence on transmission of diseases to humans, mainly due to their ease of access to human population, raising concerns about the potential impact of that proximity in context of the One Health. Studies referring to circulation of avian reovirus (ARV) and picobirnavirus (PBV) in wild birds are limited, in addition to reinforcing the development of researches that describe the prevalence, characterize the variants and evaluate the potential impact of these infections on the wild ecosystem and public health. The present study reports the occurrence of ARV and PBV in wild birds collected from an environmental protection area in the Amazon biome. RT-PCR analysis showed ARV infection prevalence in 0.6% (1/155) and PBV infection in 1.29% (2/155) on the samples. ARV strain isolated in this study demonstrated more phylogenetically related to other ARVs previously circulating in poultry in the same region. The two PBV strains obtained belong to genogroup I, and showed phylogenetically related to other PBV isolated from different animal species in different geographic regions. This study is a pioneer in the detection of ARV in wild birds in Brazil and presents a report of the first occurrence of PBV in wild birds of Guira guira specie. Additional studies in wild birds are required to increase the epidemiology, origin, evolution and emergence of new viruses that may provoke problems in the context of One Health.
Immunokinetic Model for COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Fadaei Y. , Rihan F. A. , Rajivganthi C
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we develop a fractional-order differential model for the dynamics of immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 viral load in one host. In the model, a fractional-order derivative is incorporated to represent the effects of temporal long-run memory on immune cells and tissues for any age group of patients. The population of cytotoxic T-cells (CD8+), natural killer (NK) cells and infected viruses are unknown in this model. Some interesting sufficient conditions that ensure the asymptotic stability of the steady states are obtained.

This model indicates some complex phenomena in COVID-19 such as “immune exhaustion” and “Long COVID”. Sensitivity analysis is also investigated for model parameters to determine the parameters that are effective in determining of the long COVID duration, disease control and future treatment as well as vaccine design. The model is verified with clinical and experimental data of 5 patients with COVID-19.