bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A team science approach for the preclinical and clinical characterization and biomarker development for post‐traumatic epilepsy
Authors: Iyengar Sloka S. , Lubbers Laura S. , Harte‐Hargrove Lauren ,   CURE Epilepsy Post‐Traumatic Initiative Advisors, and Investigators
Published: April 2023

Objective

Post‐traumatic epilepsy (PTE) is an acquired epilepsy that develops in the months or years following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and can lead to substantial personal, financial, and societal burden. To date, PTE is rarely curable; current treatments are partially effective and often accompanied by adverse side effects. While research on PTE has expanded significantly in the last several years, there remain numerous challenges to identifying effective prevention and treatment strategies. In this paper, we describe advances from the CURE Epilepsy PTE Initiative, including its implementation and the emphasis on team science.

Methods

The CURE Epilepsy PTE Initiative funded six research teams to link preclinical and clinical studies to engage in the validation of experimental models, characterization of pathophysiology and biological pathways, and identification of risk factors associated with PTE. Three teams had projects with both a preclinical and a clinical component; these teams focused on: targeting the epileptogenic effects of subarachnoid blood, exploring the neuropathological mechanisms of epileptogenesis, and defining the role of extracellular matrix injury. Two teams undertook entirely preclinical projects: exploring the role of vascular injury, gliosis, and neurogenesis as drivers for PTE, and identifying genetic, proteomic, metabolomic, and microRNA biosignatures to improve the prediction of PTE. One team's project was entirely clinical and investigated genetic and protein biomarkers to improve the prediction of PTE.

Results

In addition to scientific discoveries including characterization of a variety of animal models and progress towards the understanding of biological underpinnings and biomarkers for PTE, significant programmatic and personnel‐related processes were incorporated, including standardized, rigorous policies and procedures to ensure quality and accountability between and within groups.

Significance

We propose CURE Epilepsy's team science approach as an effective way to bring together a diverse set of investigators to explore biological mechanisms that may lead to cures for the epilepsies.
Analysis of the microbial community structure and flavor components succession during salt‐reducing pickling process of zhacai (preserved mustard tuber)
Authors: Li Jing , He Zhifei , Yan Lixiu , He Yunchuan , Yang Jixia
Published: April 2023

The salt‐reducing pickling method has been applied to the industrial production of zhacai. In order to reveal the succession of the microbial community structure and flavor components during the pickling process, this study used PacBio Sequel to sequence the full length of 16S rRNA (bacteria, 1400 bp) and ITS (fungi, 1200 bp) genes, and detected flavor components simultaneously, including organic acids, volatile flavor components (VFC), monosaccharides, and amino acids. Eleven phyla and 148 genera were identified in the bacterial community, and 2 phyla and 60 genera in the fungal community. During the four stages of pickling, the dominant bacterial genera were Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, and Lactobacillus, while the dominant fungal genera were Aspergillus, Kazachstania, Debaryomyces, and Debaryomyces, respectively. There were 32 main flavor components (5 organic acids, 19 VFCs, 3 monosaccharides, and 5 amino acids). Correlation heat mapping and bidirectional orthogonal partial least squares (O2PLS) analysis showed that the flora having close relation to flavor components included 14 genera of bacteria (Leuconostoc, Clostridium, Devosia, Lactococcus, Pectobacterium, Sphingobacterium, Serratia, Stenotrophomonas, Halanaerobium, Tetragenococcus, Chromohalobacter, Klebsiella, Acidovorax, and Acinetobacter) and 3 genera of fungi (Filobasidium, Malassezia, and Aspergillus). This study provides detailed data regarding the microbial community and flavor components during the salt‐reducing pickling process of zhacai, which can be used as a reference for the development and improvement of salt‐reducing pickling methods.
Effectiveness of nutrition education in enhancing knowledge and attitude of pupils on choice of school mid‐day meal in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Adeoya Akindele Abimibayo , Akinwusi Adetoun Tayewo , Nagatomi Ryoichi
Published: April 2023

Children's food choices affect their nutritional health, development, and well‐being. In Nigeria, school lunch is generally unregulated; the food menu is usually at the discretion of individual vendors forcing pupils to make unsupervised food choices. This study examined the effectiveness of 6‐week nutrition education in enhancing pupils' knowledge and attitude on the school mid‐day meal choices in Ibadan, Nigeria. A pre‐test/post‐test, quasi‐experimental study was conducted with 100 pupils in 4th and 5th grades in public primary schools. Multistage sampling was used to select the participants. A nutrition education module and a questionnaire were used to collect the data. Frequency counts and t‐test were used for statistical analysis. Findings revealed the following dietary pattern: 44 of the pupils preferred junk food (mean 41.5, SD = 12.9), 37 were inclined toward protein‐rich food (mean 37.7, SD = 12.5), 32 favored food items dense in carbohydrates (mean 34.4, SD = 9.5), and 11 showed a preference toward food with high vitamins and minerals (mean 28.4, SD = 7.5). Nutrition knowledge (t = 6.4, df = 99, p < .05); (pre‐test:  = 20.9 and SD = 1.0; post‐test:  = 22.8, SD = 2.8) and attitude toward choice of meal showed statistically significant differences (t = 4.9, df = 99, p < .05; pre‐test:  = 13.5 and SD = 6.8; post‐test:  = 18.2, SD = 7.2). We recommend that the Ministry of Education should prepare a standard lunch menu for all schools and the school authorities should enforce it through the schools' food vendors.
Development and characterization of a novel biodegradable and antioxidant film based on marine seaweed sulfated polysaccharide
Authors: Samani Maedeh Asad , Babaei Sedigheh , Naseri Mahmood , Majdinasab Marjan , Nafchi Abdorreza Mohammadi
Published: April 2023

This research aims to produce an antioxidant and biodegradable polysaccharide film by using macroalgae agar and sulfated polysaccharide. Agar and sulfated polysaccharide (fucoidan) were extracted fromGracilaria corticataandSargassum angustifoliummacroalgae. Five treatments were conducted: (A) agar film (1%, W:V), (C) chitosan film (1%, W:V + 1% acetic acid), (AC) agar:chitosan composite (50:50, V:V), (ACF) AC film with fucoidan (0.5%, W:V), and (ACFA) ACF film with citric acid (30% of the dry weight of film) as a cross‐linking agent. Then, 0.75% (V:V) of glycerol was added to all films. The physical, mechanical, antioxidant, color variations, microstructure (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy were investigated. Based on the results, modifying the agar film with chitosan improved the mechanical strength, humidity, and solubility in the AC composite film (p < .05). Further, adding sulfated polysaccharide and citric acid cross‐linking agent to the agar–chitosan composite led to a significant decrease in solubility, humidity, and permeability to water vapor in ACFA films (p < .05), indicating strong cross‐linking and reduction in film pores based on the SEM pictures and FTIR results. However, the physical and mechanical properties of the agar‐based film obtained from Gracilaria algae can be improved by adding chitosan and citric acid cross‐linking agent, and the addition of fucoidan obtained from Sargassum algae has improved its antioxidant properties. This biodegradable film can be a good candidate for preserving perishable products.
Rock typing of the Miocene Hammam Faraun alluvial fan delta sandstone reservoir using well logs, nuclear magnetic resonance, artificial neural networks, and core analysis, Gulf of Suez, Egypt
Authors: Ismail Ahmed , Zein el‐Din M. Y. , Radwan Ahmed E. , Gabr Mahmoud
Published: April 2023

The application of integrated methods to evaluate the quality of reservoir rocks is becoming crucial in petroleum geoscience. The Miocene reservoirs in the El Morgan Oil Field consist mainly of sandstones with interbedded dolomitic silts and shales. Based on the pore scale, the sandstone reservoir of Hammam Faraun Member is a heterogeneous reservoir, and this is the main challenge in this oil field that affects both production and exploration activities. In this article, we have integrated the well logs, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), artificial neural networks (ANN) and core analysis to better understand these alluvial fan sandstone reservoirs. The petrographic description indicates arkosic sandstone with varied pore types, texture, cement, and sorting. The studied flow and storage capacity for well#1, indicate four rock types with 24 flow units and eleven barriers, which indicates a high degree of heterogeneity. The artificial neural networks (ANN), that is, the K.mod module, were used to enhance the prediction quality and forecast of FZI in the uncored intervals, where the NMR‐calculated permeability acts as a calibration point for the FZI model validation. This study reveals that the FZI is controlled by permeability, which is mostly influenced by pore throat size. The NMR log showed varied free fluid volume with varied capillaries, clay‐bound volumes and minor streaks of tar along the studied unit. The reservoir pores in the study area are residual pores that have undergone mechanical compaction and cementation that reduce porosities, while dissolution enhances the sandstone porosities. Porosity and permeability were significantly reduced in the presence of clays and carbonate minerals, which indicates poor reservoir quality zones in some parts. The primary factor influencing permeability is pore throat size, which is heavily influenced by the depositional environment and subsequent diagenetic processes. The findings of this study could lead to the development of accurate reservoir static models for future exploration and development plans in the studied area and elsewhere in similar depositional settings.
EEG mismatch responses in a multimodal roving stimulus paradigm provide evidence for probabilistic inference across audition, somatosensation, and vision
Authors: Grundei Miro , Schröder Pia , Gijsen Sam , Blankenburg Felix
Published: April 2023

The human brain is constantly subjected to a multimodal stream of probabilistic sensory inputs. Electroencephalography (EEG) signatures, such as the mismatch negativity (MMN) and the P3, can give valuable insight into neuronal probabilistic inference. Although reported for different modalities, mismatch responses have largely been studied in isolation, with a strong focus on the auditory MMN. To investigate the extent to which early and late mismatch responses across modalities represent comparable signatures of uni‐ and cross‐modal probabilistic inference in the hierarchically structured cortex, we recorded EEG from 32 participants undergoing a novel tri‐modal roving stimulus paradigm. The employed sequences consisted of high and low intensity stimuli in the auditory, somatosensory and visual modalities and were governed by unimodal transition probabilities and cross‐modal conditional dependencies. We found modality specific signatures of MMN (~100–200 ms) in all three modalities, which were source localized to the respective sensory cortices and shared right lateralized prefrontal sources. Additionally, we identified a cross‐modal signature of mismatch processing in the P3a time range (~300–350 ms), for which a common network with frontal dominance was found. Across modalities, the mismatch responses showed highly comparable parametric effects of stimulus train length, which were driven by standard and deviant response modulations in opposite directions. Strikingly, P3a responses across modalities were increased for mispredicted stimuli with low cross‐modal conditional probability, suggesting sensitivity to multimodal (global) predictive sequence properties. Finally, model comparisons indicated that the observed single trial dynamics were best captured by Bayesian learning models tracking unimodal stimulus transitions as well as cross‐modal conditional dependencies.
Representation of the inferred relationships in a map‐like space
Authors: Li Jinhui , Liang Qunjun , Liao Jiajun , Zheng Senning , Chen Kemeng , Huang Ruiwang
Published: April 2023

A cognitive map is an internal representation of the external world that guides flexible behavior in a complex environment. Cognitive map theory assumes that relationships between entities can be organized using Euclidean‐based coordinates. Previous studies revealed that cognitive map theory can also be generalized to inferences about abstract spaces, such as social spaces. However, it is still unclear whether humans can construct a cognitive map by combining relational knowledge between discrete entities with multiple abstract dimensions in nonsocial spaces. Here we asked subjects to learn to navigate a novel object space defined by two feature dimensions, price and abstraction. The subjects first learned the rank relationships between objects in each feature dimension and then completed a transitive inferences task. We recorded brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while they performed the transitive inference task. By analyzing the behavioral data, we found that the Euclidean distance between objects had a significant effect on response time (RT). The longer the one‐dimensional rank distance and two‐dimensional (2D) Euclidean distance between objects the shorter the RT. The task‐fMRI data were analyzed using both univariate analysis and representational similarity analysis. We found that the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and medial orbitofrontal cortex were able to represent the Euclidean distance between objects in 2D space. Our findings suggest that relationship inferences between discrete objects can be made in a 2D nonsocial space and that the neural basis of this inference is related to cognitive maps.
Migration inhibitory factor and cluster of differentiation 74‐mediated dendritic cell apoptosis exacerbates acute acetaminophen‐induced liver injury
Authors: Wu Zezhou , Luan He , Huang Jinghui , Liao Boming , Xiao Fang
Published: April 2023

Introduction

We investigated the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) on dendritic cells (DC) during acetaminophen (APAP)‐induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice.

Methods

First, we randomly divided the mice into experimental (ALI model) and control groups, then intraperitoneally injected 600 mg/kg of APAP or phosphate‐buffered saline, respectively. Then, we collected liver tissue and serum samples to evaluate liver inflammation using serum alanine aminotransferase level and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of liver tissues. Flow cytometry was used to identify changes in the quantity and percentage of DCs, as well as the expression of cluster of differentiation (CD) 74 and other apoptosis‐related markers in the liver. Next, we randomly divided the mice into APAP‐vehicles, APAP‐bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells (BMDCs), APAP‐MIF, APAP‐IgG (isotype immunoglobin G antibody) groups (four mice per group), after APAP injection, we injected control extracts, BMDCs, mouse recombinant MIF antibodies, or IgG antibodies into the tail vein. Lastly, the severity of the liver injury and the number of DCs were assessed.

Results

The APAP‐induced ALI mice had increased hepatic MIF expression but significantly lower amounts of hepatic DCs and apoptotic DCs than healthy mice; CD74 expression on the HDCs also increased markedly. Supplementing APAP‐induced ALI mice with BMDCs or MIF antibodies significantly increased the number of hepatic DCs compared with the control mice, alleviating liver damage.

Conclusion

The MIF/CD74 signaling pathway may mediate hepatic DC apoptosis and promote liver damage.
Do accountants' participation in accounting information systems design enhance perceived accounting information quality: Evidence from Ghana
Authors: Aboagye‐Otchere Francis , Nartey Edward , Enusah Abdulai , Aboagye Alice Anima
Published: April 2023

This study examines how accountants' participation in accounting information system (AIS) design can improve their perceptions of the quality of the information provided by the system. An empirical survey of 333 chartered accountants in Ghana was used and the research model was tested using covariance‐based structural equation modeling. The results indicate that accountants' participation in AIS design is positively associated with perceived accounting information quality. Additionally, autonomous motivation was found to mediate the relationship between accountants' participation and perceived information quality. In contrast, accountants' perceived usefulness of accounting information does not mediate the relationship between participation in AIS design and perceived accounting information quality. This suggests that accounting information quality is enhanced when accountants participate in AIS design hence play a critical role in information system design. However, accounting information quality is not enhanced through perceived usefulness of accounting information.
3D printing of chitooligosaccharide‐polyethylene glycol diacrylate hydrogel inks for bone tissue regeneration
Authors: Rajabi Mina , Cabral Jaydee D. , Saunderson Sarah , Ali M. Azam
Published: April 2023

To date, lack of functional hydrogel inks has limited 3D printing applications in tissue engineering. This study developed a series of photocurable hydrogel inks based on chitooligosaccharide (COS)‐polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) for extrusion‐based 3D printing of bone tissue scaffolds. The scaffolds were prepared by aza‐Michael addition of COS and PEGDA followed by photopolymerisation of unreacted PEGDA. The hydrogel inks showed sufficient shear thinning properties required for extrusion 3D printing. The printed scaffolds exhibited excellent shape fidelity and fine microstructure with a resolution of 250 μm. By increasing the COS content, the swelling ratio of the scaffolds decreased, while the compressive strength increased. 3D printed COS‐PEGDA scaffolds showed high viability of human bone mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. In addition, scaffolds containing 2 wt% COS showed significantly higher alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium deposition, and bioactivity in simulated body fluid compared to the control (PEGDA). Altogether, 3D printed COS‐PEGDA scaffolds represent promising candidates for bone tissue regeneration.
IFI16/Ifi202 released from breast cancer induces secretion of inflammatory cytokines from macrophages and promotes tumor growth
Authors: Lim Ga Young , Cho Sun Wook , Ka Na‐Lee , Lee Kyung‐Hun , Im Seock‐Ah , Kim Seung‐Su , Hwang Sewon , Lee Mi‐Ock
Published: April 2023

In tumor microenvironment (TME), macrophages trigger and maintain inflammatory responses that promoting tumor progression. Many cellular proteins are secreted from tumors and modulate their own TME by modulating macrophage phenotypes. Recently, we reported that interferon‐γ‐inducible protein 16 (IFI16), which was identified as an innate immune DNA sensor recognizing foreign DNA, triggered type Ⅰ interferon responses in breast cancer (BC). However, whether IFI16 was released from BC and affects TME has not been studied. Here, we report that IFI16 and its mouse homolog Ifi202 were released from BC cells, but not from normal epithelial cells. Ifi202 induced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, and Tumor necrosis factor‐α from macrophages via binding toll‐like receptor 2 and activating downstream signaling pathway. Growth of allografted mouse BC 4T1 lacking Ifi202 was suppressed and accompanied with increased infiltration and cytotoxic activity of CD8+ T lymphocytes. Further, IFI16 was detected in sera of patients with BC. High expression level of IFI16 was associated with poor prognosis in patients with BC. Taken together, our findings suggest a novel role of IFI16/Ifi202 in TME, that elicits tumor promoting inflammation and thereby shaping immunosuppressive TME in BC.
Research progress on the role of ET‐1 in diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Zhang Shenghao , Li Xiaodan , Liu Siyu , Zhang Wanting , Li Meinuo , Qiao Chen
Published: April 2023

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the common complications of diabetes mellitus, which usually progresses to end‐stage renal disease and causes great damage to the health of patients. Endothelin‐1 (ET‐1), a molecule closely associated with the progression of DKD, has increased expression in response to high glucose stimulation and is involved in hemodynamic changes, inflammation, glomerular and tubular dysfunction in the kidney, causing an increase in proteinuria and a decrease in glomerular filtration function, ultimately leading to glomerulosclerosis and renal failure. This paper aims to review the molecular level changes, regulatory mechanisms, and mechanisms of action of ET‐1 under DKD, clinical trials of ET‐1 receptor antagonists in recent years and current problems, to provide basic information and new research directions and ideas for the treatment of DKD and ET‐1‐related research.
Advancing health equity: A qualitative study assessing barriers and facilitators of implementing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risk screening tools in community‐based organizations
Authors: Bowen Alexandra , Gómez‐Trillos Sara , Curran Geoffrey , Graves Kristi D. , Sheppard Vanessa B. , Schwartz Marc D. , Peshkin Beth N. , Campos Claudia , Garcés Nathaly , Dash Chiranjeev , Aburto Luisa , Valencia‐Rojas Nancy , Hernández Gina , Villa Antonio , Cupertino Paula , Carrera Pilar , Hurtado‐de‐Mendoza Alejandra
Published: April 2023

Genetic counseling and testing (GCT) inform cancer management for persons at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). Community‐based organizations (CBOs) may play a role in identifying at‐risk Latinx individuals to connect them to GCT but data are lacking. Two academic centers and their four CBO partners planned to implement a validated questionnaire for HBOC risk screening (“HBOC risk screening tool”). This study aimed to assess CBO's preferences for HBOC risk screening tools, as well as the barriers and facilitators anticipated for future implementation. Pre‐implementation focus groups were conducted with CBO's staff. Discussions centered on current practices to identify and refer at‐risk patients. During the discussion, staff were asked to select one out of five validated HBOC risk screening tools to implement and to discuss anticipated barriers/facilitators for implementation. The four focus groups were coded and qualitative analyzed following the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and Health Equity domains. All CBOs chose the Family History Screen 7 (FHS‐7). Participants (N = 35) highlighted how the FHS‐7 was easy to adapt to better fit the target population and changing guidelines. They had positive attitudes toward implementing the screening tool, stressed how the culture of the organization positioned them to reach the target population, and noted barriers in different CFIR domains (e.g., low knowledge about HBOC and GCT referrals; scarce available resources). Participants pointed to barriers related to health equity domains including limited access to GCT and follow‐up care for uninsured and underinsured populations, challenges obtaining accurate family history, and immigration‐related barriers. CBOs highlighted the importance of partnering with other stakeholders to overcome barriers. Findings emphasize the need to develop multi‐level implementation strategies to overcome barriers and leverage facilitators. This study can inform the development of implementation toolkits for CBOs to implement HBOC screening tools to advance health equity.
Safety, efficacy, and timing of transplantation(s) in propionic and methylmalonic aciduria
Authors: Chakrapani Anupam , Stojanovic Jelena , Vara Roshni , De Nictolis Francesca , Spada Marco , Dionisi‐Vici Carlo
Published: April 2023

Propionic (PA) and methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) share many clinical similarities, which include the risk of acute metabolic encephalopathies, and some long‐term complications, such as optic neuropathy, pancreatic involvement, developmental disability, and similar management approaches, but they also represent distinct clinical and biochemical entities. In the severe forms of PA and MMA, most long‐term complications cannot be prevented with conventional clinical management. Organ transplantation represents a form of partial enzyme replacement to improve the long‐term outlook for these disorders. There is evidence that early liver transplant in both disorders greatly improves metabolic stability and reduces the risk of long‐term complications. For MMA, early liver transplant reduces methylmalonic acid levels which in turns reduces its effects on kidneys, and therefore slows progression of chronic kidney disease. However, established organ damage cannot be reversed. For patients with MMA who present with chronic kidney disease, consideration should be given for combined liver and kidney transplants. Transplantation in PA and MMA carries a high risk of complications and requires highly specialised pre‐operative and peri‐operative management. Involvement of a multidisciplinary team is essential and should include metabolic team, nephrologist, hepatologist, hepatobiliary and renal transplant surgeons, anaesthesiologists, cardiologists, intensive care team, dieticians and specialist nurses. These patients require life‐long multidisciplinary follow‐up. There is increasing evidence in the literature on excellent short to medium‐term patient and allograft survival following transplantation when patients are managed by a multidisciplinary team in a specialist centre. Improved early diagnosis and reductions in transplant‐related mortality and morbidity have allowed early transplantation to be used electively to further improve the outcome.
No association of vaccination with inactivated COVID‐19 vaccines before conception with pregnancy complications and adverse birth outcomes: A cohort study of 5457 Chinese pregnant women
Authors: Zhao Yan , Zhao Yongbo , Su Xin , Zhou Yicheng , Zhang Ziyi , Zhang Yijun , Li Mengyuan , Jin Liping
Published: April 2023

Data on the safety of inactivated COVID‐19 vaccines in pregnant women is limited and monitoring pregnancy outcomes is required. We aimed to examine whether vaccination with inactivated COVID‐19 vaccines before conception was associated with pregnancy complications or adverse birth outcomes. We conducted a birth cohort study in Shanghai, China. A total of 7000 healthy pregnant women were enrolled, of whom 5848 were followed up through delivery. Vaccine administration information was obtained from electronic vaccination records. Relative risks (RRs) of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), and macrosomia associated with COVID‐19 vaccination were estimated by multivariable‐adjusted log‐binomial analysis. After exclusion, 5457 participants were included in the final analysis, of whom 2668 (48.9%) received at least two doses of an inactivated vaccine before conception. Compared with unvaccinated women, there was no significant increase in the risks of GDM (RR = 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69, 0.93), HDP (RR = 0.88, 95% CI, 0.70, 1.11), or ICP (RR = 1.61, 95% CI, 0.95, 2.72) in vaccinated women. Similarly, vaccination was not significantly associated with any increased risks of PTB (RR = 0.84, 95% CI, 0.67, 1.04), LBW (RR = 0.85, 95% CI, 0.66, 1.11), or macrosomia (RR = 1.10, 95% CI, 0.86, 1.42). The observed associations remained in all sensitivity analyses. Our findings suggested that vaccination with inactivated COVID‐19 vaccines was not significantly associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications or adverse birth outcomes.
Agricultural soil aggregation is affected by the crop root biomass rather than morphological characteristics
Authors: Ma Qiu‐Jin , Luan Feng , Jia Bin , Zhang Qian , Wang Lin , Cui Zengtuan , Li Xiao Gang
Published: April 2023

Background

In areas prone to water erosion, crop selection strategies should be based on assessment of their effects on soil structural properties.

Aims

The present study compared the effects of the cultivation of forage maize (Zea mays L.) and forage oat (Avena sativa L.) and their cultivars on soil aggregation relative to potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) or wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at a hydrothermally limited site on the Loess Plateau, China.

Methods

The water‐stable aggregate (WSA) distribution in soil was measured under three cultivars in each of maize, oat, wheat, and potato (a total of 12 cultivars from four crops) in their flowering stage of three cropping seasons, when root biomass was largest.

Results

In each year, the water‐stable macroaggregates (>0.25 mm) content and mean weight diameter (MWD) of WSAs in the top 20 cm of soil did not differ between tested cultivars of every crop but increased under maize and oat, compared with those under wheat or potato. The increased soil aggregation under maize and oat, compared with wheat or potato, was consistent with the pattern of change in root biomass but was not consistent with the changes in root length density, root surface area, or root mean diameter across the crops. The water‐stable macroaggregates content and MWD of soil was positively correlated with root biomass across cultivars and crop species within each cropping season.

Conclusions

We suggest that increased root biomass under maize and oat relative to potato or wheat resulted in increased soil aggregation in maize and oat cultivated soils. It is demonstrated that, in areas prone to soil water erosion, planting high‐biomass‐yielding crops such as maize and oat is more beneficial for increasing soil aggregation and stability, compared with low‐biomass‐yielding crops such as wheat or potato.
Plant residues ameliorate pH of agricultural acid soil in a laboratory incubation: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Sulaiman Syazwan , Navaranjan Namasivayam , Hernandez‐Ramirez Guillermo , Sulaiman Zohrah
Published: April 2023

Background

The effect of plant residues on the pH of agricultural acid soil varies markedly across numerous studies, which has been attributed to differences in plant residue characteristics, soil initial properties, and experimental conditions.

Aims

The aim of this study was to address the need to form a unified framework for the relationship between plant residue incorporation and acid soil pH in agricultural systems.

Methods

A systematic compilation of data was performed through a keyword search in the Scopus database, which yielded 221 independent pairwise comparisons of soil pH across 23 published articles utilizing laboratory incubations. These data were then used to form a consensus on the effect of plant residue on acid soil pH via a meta‐analysis approach.

Results

Of the 221 pairwise comparisons, 91.4% of the cases showed a positive effect of plant residue in increasing acid soil pH. Overall, plant residue application significantly improved soil pH of acid soil (p ≤ 0.05) by 12.4% ± 1.0% regardless of the heterogeneity in plant, soil, and experimental attributes between studies. Our analysis also revealed that total alkalinity (≥ 80 cmol kg–1) and N (≥ 10 g kg–1) of plant residue provide the optimal ameliorative effect. This ameliorative effect is more pronounced in extremely acidic soil (pH 3.5–4.4) than at soil with pH > 5.5.

Conclusions

The insights gained through this meta‐analysis demonstrated the interplay between different plant residue, soil, and experimental attributes, which collectively influence the ameliorative effect of plant residue application to the pH of agricultural acid soil.
Soil organic carbon and nitrogen in aggregates in response to over seven decades of farmyard manure application
Authors: Abdalla Khatab , Gaiser Thomas , Seidel Sabine Julia , Pausch Johanna
Published: April 2023

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of long‐term fertilisation on soil aggregation and the associated changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) pools in aggregates. The combined application of mineral fertiliser and manure improved soil aggregation, SOC and N content in aggregates, compared to manure or mineral fertiliser alone, and thus proved to be a suitable fertilisation strategy to increase C sequestration in agroecosystems.
Developing a South Pacific tephra framework: Initial results from a Samoan Holocene sequence
Authors: Bourne Anna J. , Sear David A. , Langdon Pete G. , Cronin Shane J.
Published: April 2023

Tephra preserved in sediments form useful isochronous marker layers, linking disparate geological, palaeoenvironmental and archaeological records. The application of tephrochronology is greatly enhanced through the detection of macroscopically invisible tephra (cryptotephra). Here, we identify two discrete cryptotephra in Samoan lake sediments, the first identification of cryptotephra in the region outside of New Zealand. Geochemical data suggest one ash layer is from a local Samoan source, providing the first data on an eruption of this age, adding to knowledge of the local volcanic record. The second has a distinctive rhyolitic glass composition, which matches either that of Raoul Island in the Kermadec Arc (1800 km south of Samoa), or two currently submarine volcanoes in the Tongan Arc, ‘Volcano F’ and Lateiki/Metis Shoal (550 and 700 km south of Samoa, respectively). In all possible source cases, this points to a regionally significant eruption of a Kermadec–Tongan volcano at ca. 10 000 a bp. The study marks the first step in the establishment of a South Pacific tephra framework that can be used to answer questions about the synchronicity of changes in hydroclimate, vegetation and early Polynesian migration patterns, as well as providing more information on the volcanic history of Pacific island volcanoes.
Reconstruction of the palaeo‐sea level of Britain and Ireland arising from empirical constraints of ice extent: implications for regional sea level forecasts and North American ice sheet volume
Authors: Bradley SARAH L. , Ely JEREMY C. , Clark CHRIS D. , Edwards ROBIN J. , Shennan Ian
Published: April 2023

Reconstructions of palaeo‐sea level are vital for predicting future sea level change and constraining palaeo‐ice sheet reconstructions, as well as being useful for a wide array of applications across Quaternary Science. Previous reconstructions of the palaeo‐sea level of Britain and Ireland relied on a circular tuning of glacio‐isostatic models: input ice sheet thicknesses and extents were iteratively altered to fit relative sea level data. Here we break that circularity by utilizing new data from the BRITICE‐CHRONO project, which constrains the position of the British–Irish ice sheet margin through time, and we compare derived glacio‐isostatic modelling to the rich relative sea level record. We test a combination of plausible ice thickness scenarios which account for the uncertainty of ice margin position over the North Sea, demonstrating the region where regional sea level data could distinguish between different glaciation scenarios. Our optimal reconstruction is then combined with several global‐scale reconstructions. As the signal of the British–Irish Ice Sheet is constrained, we demonstrate how the relative sea level record of Britain and Ireland can be used to test reconstructions of far‐field ice sheets (e.g. Antarctica, Eurasia and the Laurentide). The derived palaeo‐topography data are likely to be useful for multiple disciplines. Finally, our improved method of sea level reconstruction impacts predictions of contemporary vertical land motion.
Anti‐fatigue properties of the ethanol extract ofMoringa oleiferaleaves in mice
Authors: Bian Xiangyu , Wang Yawen , Yang Renren , Ma Yuying , Dong Weiyun , Guo Changjiang , Gao Weina
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

Moringa oleifera(M. oleifera) leaves are rich in nutrients and bioactive ingredients. This study was aimed at evaluating the anti‐fatigue effect of the ethanol extract ofM. oleiferaleaves (MLEE) on mice and its primary mechanism of action using a weight‐loaded forced swimming test. In the present study, MLEE was prepared by ultrasound‐assisted extraction, and its anti‐fatigue effect and antioxidant capacity were evaluated in mice. Mice were administrated MLEE (320 mg kg−1body weight) for 15 days.

RESULTS

MLEE supplementation significantly increased levels of glucose and non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA), while decreasing levels of lactate and blood urea nitrogen in serum (P < 0.05); the levels of glycogen in the liver and muscle were also increased, as was the activity of glycogen synthase and the level of NEFA in muscle (P < 0.05). According to a Western blot analysis, MLEE increased the expression of AMPKα1, JNK, AKT and STAT3 in the muscle of mice.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that MLEE has an anti‐fatigue effect via the AMPK‐linked route, which enables it to control energy metabolism and enhance antioxidant enzyme activity. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Is travel bragging in the eye of the beholder? Bragger and audience perspectives
Authors: Liu Hongbo , Li Xiang (Robert) , Cohen Scott
Published: April 2023

Travel bragging refers to showing off or boasting about travel experiences. Despite its ubiquity on social media, travel bragging has been relatively under‐researched. This study examines travel bragging from a dual perspective of both braggers and audiences. Based on 30 semi‐structured interviews with participants who frequently posted or bragged about travel experiences and who had been frequently exposed to others' travel bragging on social media, we provide the first systematic conceptualization of travel bragging. We highlight the perception gaps between travel braggers and the audience regarding travel bragging, while uncovering the positive and negative effects of travel bragging and associated theoretical underpinnings.
Kinetics of hydrogenation of dimethyl 1,4‐cyclohexanedicarboxylate to 1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol
Authors: Zhou Xiangze , Shen Weihua , Fang Yunjin
Published: April 2023

The kinetics of dimethyl 1,4‐cyclohexanedicarboxylate (DMCD) hydrogenation, via the half‐hydrogenated product methyl 4‐(hydroxymethyl) cyclohexanecarboxylate (MHMCC), to 1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) in gas phase was established over CuMnAl catalyst. The intrinsic kinetic experiments were carried out on a fixed‐bed reactor under a wide range of reaction conditions with temperature varied from 493 to 523 K, pressure varied from 4 to 6 MPa, and weight hourly space velocity of DMCD varied from 0.948 to 3.792 h−1. Eight rival possible two‐site LHHW models were proposed to simulate the experimental results. The model involving dissociative adsorption of esters and surface reaction as the rate‐determining step was found to fit the experimental data best. The rather large activation energy values (138.4 and 121.4 kJ·mol−1) of two reactions (DMCD to MHMCC and MHMCC to CHDM) suggest that the reactions are both temperature sensitive. The coefficients of determination (R2) for DMCD conversion and CHDM selectivity were 0.989 and 0.983 respectively. Statistical and thermodynamic test further verified the reliability of the results.
Heterogeneity in the immune microenvironment of bone metastasis in driver‐positive non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yang Xiao‐Rong , Pi Can , Zhang Yi‐Chen , Chen Zhi‐Hong , Zhang Xu‐Chao , Zhu Dong‐Qin , Yang Ling‐Ling , Yin Jiani C. , Deng Jia‐Yi , Yang Ming‐Yi , Luo Wei‐Chi , Wu Yi‐Long , Zhou Qing
Published: April 2023

Mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase are common driver events in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which are associated with a high frequency of bone metastases (BMs). While the bone marrow represents a specialized immune microenvironment, the immune repertoire of BMs remains unknown. Considering the higher incidence of BMs in driver gene‐positive NSCLCs, and the unique biology of the bone, herein, we assessed the infiltrating immune cells and T cell receptor (TCR) profile of BMs in driver‐positive NSCLCs. Immune profile of BMs in driver gene‐positive NSCLC were assessed in 10 patients, where 6 had driver gene‐positive mutation. TCR and bulk RNA sequencing were performed on malignant bone samples. The diversity and clonality of the TCR repertoire were analyzed. The cellular components were inferred from bulk gene expression profiles computationally by CIBERSORT. Although BMs were generally regarded as immune‐cold tumors, immune cell composition analyses showed co‐existence of cytotoxic and suppressor immune cells in driver‐positive BM samples, as compared to primary lung. Analysis of the TCR repertoire indicated a trend of higher diversity and similar clonality in the driver‐positive compared with the driver‐negative subsets. In addition, we identified two cases that showed the opposite response to immune checkpoint blockade. A comparison of these two patients' BM samples showed more highly amplified clones, fewer M2 macrophages and more activated natural killer cells in the responder. In summary, BMs in NSCLC are heterogeneous in their immune microenvironment, which might be related to differential clinical outcomes to immune checkpoint blockade.
Transcriptomic identification of differentially expressed genes in Levonorgestrel resistant endometrial cancer cell lines
Authors: Dore Molly , Faya Ngonidzashe , Filoche Sara , Henry Claire
Published: April 2023

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the world and incidence is steadily increasing. The Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System (LNG‐IUS) is an alternative conservative treatment for early‐stage EC, however, Levonorgestrel (LNG) resistance occurs for 1 in 3 people. This study aimed to present potential LNG resistance mechanisms and identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in EC cell lines. Two LNG resistant cell lines were developed through long term culture in LNG (MFE296R and MFE319R). Whole transcriptome sequencing was carried out on triplicate RNA samples. EdgeR v3.32.1 was used to identify differentially DEGs. Blast2go V6.0 (BioBam software) was used for functional annotation and analysis of genomic datasets. Protein interactions were investigated using the STRING database, including the identification of genes with high levels of interaction (HUB genes). Select DEGs and HUB genes were validated by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and Western blot. Fifteen DEGs were identified according to FDR < 0.05 and logFC < 2. Protein analysis identified six HUB genes with a degree of connectivity > 10. Relative mRNA expression of MAOA, MAOB, THRSP, CD80, NDP, LINC01474, DUSP2 and CXCL8 was significantly upregulated in both LNGR cell lines. Relative protein expression of GNAO1 and MAOA were significantly upregulated in both LNGR cell lines. This research identified novel markers of resistance in LNGR cell lines. We discussed potential mechanisms of LNG resistance including dedifferentiation and immunostimulation. The next step for this research is to validate these findings further in both translational and clinical settings.
A systems biology‐based approach to screen key splicing factors in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhu Rui , Wang Xue , Yu Qi , Guo Wenna , Zhu Liucun
Published: April 2023

A splicing factor is as an important upstream regulator of the alternative splicing process. Hence, it is considered to be a therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues. In this study, a systems biology‐based methodology was used to screen the essential splicing factors precisely and efficiently. A more comprehensive set of alternative splicing events, which were linked to patient survival, was constructed by performing the bivariate Cox regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. Then, the expression data was obtained from The Cancer Genome Altas (TCGA) data set and the three Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. It was used to obtain the survival‐related splicing factors, which showed a significantly differential expression in the tumor and normal tissues. Using the topological properties of the bipartite graph association network of the alternative splicing events and the splicing factors, we identified the five key splicing factors. Among them, four factors were found to play a prominent role in the development of HCC. The remaining factor was Survival Motor Neuron Domain Containing 1(SMNDC1), which showed a positive correlation with the immune cell infiltration, the biomarkers of immune cells, and the immune checkpoint genes. By performing quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction analyses, we proved that SMNDC1 was overexpressed in tumor cells. Following the knockdown of its expression, the proliferation and the migration of HCC cells could be suppressed. These results confirmed that the screening method of this study was reliable and accurate. It provided new insights into the mechanism through which splicing factors elicit tumor development.
An elliptical‐shaped rectangular slot antenna at 2.48 GHz for hyperthermia application
Authors: Khan Azharuddin , Dubey Satya Kesh , Singh Amit K.
Published: April 2023

In this paper, a novel integrated elliptical ringtone antenna has been proposed. The proposed antenna operates in the industrial, scientific and medical band and the overall size of the antenna is 128 × 128 × 1.58 mm3. The antenna provides a valid specific absorption rate input profile and displays better performance at 2.48 GHz. Simulation of the proposed structure was done on FEM‐based high frequency structure simulator 2020R1 software and validated by measured results.
Second‐line treatment of pediatric patients with relapsed rhabdomyosarcoma adapted to initial risk stratification: Data of the European Soft Tissue Sarcoma Registry (SoTiSaR)
Authors: Heinz Amadeus T. , Ebinger Martin , Schönstein Anton , Fuchs Jörg , Timmermann Beate , Seitz Guido , Vokuhl Christian , Münter Marc W. , Pajtler Kristian W. , Stegmaier Sabine , von Kalle Thekla , Kratz Christian P. , Rößler Jochen , Ljungman Gustaf , Klingebiel Thomas , Koscielniak Ewa , Sparber‐Sauer Monika ,   the Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS)
Published: April 2023

Background

Outcome of relapsed disease of localized rhabdomyosarcoma remains poor. An individual treatment approach considering the initial systemic treatment and risk group was included in the Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS) Guidance.

Methods

Second‐line chemotherapy (sCHT) ACCTTIVE based on anthracyclines (adriamycin, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, topotecan, vincristine, etoposide) was recommended for patients with initial low‐ (LR), standard‐ (SR), and high‐risk (HR) group after initial treatment without anthracyclines. TECC (topotecan, etoposide, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide) was recommended after initial anthracycline‐based regimen in the very high‐risk (VHR) group. Data of patients with relapse (n = 68) registered in the European Soft Tissue Sarcoma Registry SoTiSaR (2009–2018) were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Patients of initial LR (n = 2), SR (n = 16), HR (n = 41), and VHR (n = 9) group relapsed. sCHT consisted of ACCTTIVE (n = 36), TECC (n = 12), or other (n = 15). Resection was performed in 40/68 (59%) patients and/or radiotherapy in 47/68 (69%). Initial risk stratification, pattern/time to relapse, and achievement of second complete remission were significant prognostic factors. Microscopically incomplete resection with additional radiotherapy was not inferior to microscopically complete resection (p = .17). The 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 26% (±12%) and 31% (±14%). The 5‐year OS of patients with relapse of SR, HR, and VHR groups was 80% (±21%), 20% (±16%), and 13% (±23%, p = .008), respectively.

Conclusion

Adapted systemic treatment of relapsed disease considering the initial risk group and initial treatment is reasonable. New treatment options are needed for patients of initial HR and VHR groups.