bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidative stress and ion channels in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Orfali Razan , Alwatban Adnan Z. , Orfali Rawan S. , Lau Liz , Chea Noble , Alotaibi Abdullah M. , Nam Young-Woo , Zhang Miao
Published: January 2024

Numerous neurodegenerative diseases result from altered ion channel function and mutations. The intracellular redox status can significantly alter the gating characteristics of ion channels. Abundant neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress have been documented, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, spinocerebellar ataxia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species compounds trigger posttranslational alterations that target specific sites within the subunits responsible for channel assembly. These alterations include the adjustment of cysteine residues through redox reactions induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitration, and S-nitrosylation assisted by nitric oxide of tyrosine residues through peroxynitrite. Several ion channels have been directly investigated for their functional responses to oxidizing agents and oxidative stress. This review primarily explores the relationship and potential links between oxidative stress and ion channels in neurodegenerative conditions, such as cerebellar ataxias and Parkinson’s disease. The potential correlation between oxidative stress and ion channels could hold promise for developing innovative therapies for common neurodegenerative diseases.
Enhancing dendrobine production in Dendrobium nobile through mono-culturing of endophytic fungi, Trichoderma longibrachiatum (MD33) in a temporary immersion bioreactor system
Authors: Sarsaiya Surendra , Jain Archana , Shu Fuxing , Yang Mingfa , Pu Mengxuan , Jia Qi , Gong Qihai , Wu Qin , Qian Xu , Shi Jingshan , Chen Jishuang
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Dendrobine, a valuable alkaloid found in Dendrobium nobile, possesses significant pharmaceutical potential.

Methods

In this study, we explored innovative approaches to enhance dendrobine production by utilizing endophytic fungi in a Temporary Immersion Bioreactor System (TIBS, Nanjing BioFunction Co. Ltd., China) and traditional test bottles. Dendrobine was unequivocally identified and characterised in D. nobile co-culture seedlings through UHPLC analysis and LC-MS qTOF analysis, supported by reference standards.

Results

The CGTB (control group) and EGTB (experimental group) 12-month-old D. nobile seedlings exhibited similar peak retention times at 7.6±0.1 minutes, with dendrobine identified as C16H25NO2 (molecular weight 264.195). The EGTB, co-cultured with Trichoderma longibrachiatum (MD33), displayed a 2.6-fold dendrobine increase (1804.23 ng/ml) compared to the CGTB (685.95 ng/ml). Furthermore, a bioanalytical approach was applied to investigate the mono-culture of T. longibrachiatum MD33 with or without D. nobile seedlings in test bottles. The newly developed UHPLC-MS method allowed for dendrobine identification at a retention time of 7.6±0.1 minutes for control and 7.6±0.1 minutes for co-culture. Additionally, we explored TIBS to enhance dendrobine production. Co-culturing D. nobile seedlings with Trichoderma longibrachiatum (MD33) in the TIBS system led to a substantial 9.7-fold dendrobine increase (4415.77 ng/ml) compared to the control (454.01 ng/ml) after just 7 days. The comparative analysis of dendrobine concentration between EGTB and EGTIBS highlighted the remarkable potential of TIBS for optimizing dendrobine production. Future research may focus on scaling up the TIBS approach for commercial dendrobine production and investigating the underlying mechanisms for enhanced dendrobine biosynthesis in D. nobile. The structural elucidation of dendrobine was achieved through 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, revealing a complex array of proton environments and distinct carbon environments, providing essential insights for the comprehensive characterization of the compound.

Discussion

These findings hold promise for pharmaceutical and industrial applications of dendrobine and underline the role of endophytic fungi in enhancing secondary metabolite production in medicinal plants.
Preferential phosphatidylglycerol synthesis via phosphorus supply through rRNA degradation in the cyanobacterium, Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, under phosphate-starved conditions
Authors: Hiyoshi Tatsunori , Haga Megumi , Sato Norihiro
Published: January 2024

Photosynthetic organisms often encounter phosphorus (P) limitation in natural habitats. When faced with P limitation, seed plants degrade nucleic acids and extra-plastid phospholipids to remobilize P, thereby enhancing their internal-P utilization efficiency. Although prokaryotic and eukaryotic photosynthetic organisms decrease the content of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) under P-limited conditions, it remains unclear whether PG is degraded for P remobilization. Moreover, information is limited on internal-P remobilization in photosynthetic microbes. This study investigates internal-P remobilization under P-starvation (-P) conditions in a cyanobacterium, Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, focusing on PG and nucleic acids. Our results reveal that the PG content increases by more than double in the -P culture, indicating preferential PG synthesis among cellular P compounds. Simultaneously, the faster increases of glycolipids counteract this PG increase, which decreases the PG proportion in total lipids. Two genes, glpD and plsX, contribute to the synthesis of diacylglycerol moieties in glycerolipids, with glpD also responsible for the polar head group synthesis in PG. The mRNA levels of both glpD and plsX are upregulated during -P, which would cause the preferential metabolic flow of their P-containing substrates toward glycerolipid synthesis, particularly PG synthesis. Meanwhile, we find that RNA accounts for 62% of cellular P, and that rRNA species, which makes up the majority of RNA, are degraded under -P conditions to less than 30% of their initial levels. These findings emphasize the importance of PG in -P-acclimating cell growth and the role of rRNA as a significant internal-P source for P remobilization, including preferential PG synthesis.
TcSERPIN, an inhibitor that interacts with cocoa defense proteins and has biotechnological potential against human pathogens
Authors: Ferreira Monaliza Macêdo , Farias Keilane Silva , Zugaib Maria , Alves Akyla Maria Martins , Amaral Geiseane Velozo , Santos Maria Luíza do Carmo , Freitas Andria dos Santos , Santana Brenda Conceição Guimarães , dos Santos Júnior Sérgio Liberato , Mora-Ocampo Irma Yuliana , Santos Ariana Silva , da Silva Marcelo Fernandes , Andrade Bruno Silva , Pirovani Carlos Priminho
Published: January 2024

In plants, serpins are a superfamily of serine and cysteine protease inhibitors involved in stress and defense mechanisms, with potential for controlling agricultural pests, making them important biotechnological tools. The objective of this study was to characterize a serpin from Theobroma cacao, called TcSERPIN, to identify its endogenous targets and determine its function and biotechnological potential. TcSERPIN has 390 amino acid residues and shows conservation of the main active site, RCL. Cis-elements related to light, stress, hormones, anaerobic induction, cell cycle regulation and defense have been identified in the gene’s regulatory region. TcSERPIN transcripts are accumulated in different tissues of Theobroma cacao. Furthermore, in plants infected with Moniliophtora perniciosa and Phytophthora palmivora, the expression of TcSERPIN was positively regulated. The protein spectrum, rTcSERPIN, reveals a typical β-sheet pattern and is thermostable at pH 8, but loses its structure with temperature increases above 66°C at pH 7. At the molar ratios of 0.65 and 0.49, rTcSERPIN inhibited 55 and 28% of the activity of papain from Carica papaya and trypsin from Sus scrofa, respectively. The protease trap containing immobilized rTcSERPIN captured endogenous defense proteins from cocoa extracts that are related to metabolic pathways, stress and defense. The evaluation of the biotechnological potential against geohelminth larvae showed that rTcSERPIN and rTcCYS4 (Theobroma cacao cystatin 4) reduced the movement of larvae after 24 hours. The results of this work show that TcSERPIN has ideal biochemical characteristics for biotechnological applications, as well as potential for studies of resistance to phytopathogens of agricultural crops.
How harassment is depriving universities of talent: a national survey of STEM academics in the UK
Authors: Litzellachner Lukas F. , Barnett Julie , Yeomans Lucy , Blackwood Leda
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Despite efforts to increase girls’ interest in subjects related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers, there remains a large gender gap in STEM academic faculty.

Methods

We conducted a national survey comprising 732 early career and senior academics from 40 universities in the UK to investigate the role of pull (receiving career advancement opportunities) and push (experiencing harassment) factors in shaping people’s intentions to stay in STEM academia, and the mediating role of perceived workplace climate, academic identification, and beliefs about the ability to succeed (job-related self-efficacy).

Results

Our findings show the differential effect of harassment experiences for women, relative to men. Women experienced more harassment than men, which contributes to their higher intentions to leave academia through enhancing perceptions of a negative workplace climate (i.e., a less collaborative, fair, and inclusive climate) and lower job-related identification (i.e., believing in their ability to succeed as researchers). While receiving opportunities also related to intentions of leaving academia, we did not observe a gender difference in this factor.

Discussion

The result of our analysis underlines the critical importance of preventing and addressing harassment in academic institutions for the retention of female academic talent.
Psychological burden and quality of life in newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease patients
Authors: Bernabeu Purificación , Belén-Galipienso Olivia , van-der Hofstadt Carlos , Gutiérrez Ana , Madero-Velázquez Lucía , García del Castillo Gloria , García-Sepulcre Mariana-Fe , Aguas Mariam , Zapater Pedro , Rodríguez-Marín Jesús , Ruiz-Cantero María-Teresa , Cameo José I. , Jover Rodrigo , Sempere Laura
Published: January 2024

Objective

Psychological factors, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, are frequently related to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, few studies have examined these factors in patients newly diagnosed with IBD. The aim of the present study was to test the psychological burden in patients with a recent diagnosis of IBD and the factors related to this psychological burden.

Methods

We performed a prospective, multi-center, observational study in patients with a new diagnosis of IBD (≤6 months). The patients were recruited from four different Spanish hospitals. Clinical and demographic characteristics were collected. Patients were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and quality of life questionnaire for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBDQ-32). The Scale of Stress Perceived by the Disease was used to assess stressful life events.

Results

We included 156 patients newly diagnosed with IBD [69 women; 80 Crohn’s disease (CD) and 76 ulcerative colitis (UC)], with a mean age of 42.3 (SD 16.21) years. A total of 37.2% of patients had symptoms of anxiety and 17.3% had symptoms of depression. Quality of life was affected in 30.1% of patients. Factors related to anxiety in early IBD were being a woman and having CD. The only factor related to depression was the presence of comorbidity. Being a woman and having suffered previous stressful life events were factors related to impaired quality of life.

Conclusion

Anxiety, depression, and impaired quality of life are frequent in patients with a recent diagnosis of IBD. This psychological burden is greater in women.
Managing patient safety and staff safety in nursing homes: exploring how leaders of nursing homes negotiate their dual responsibilities—a case study
Authors: Magerøy Malin Rosell , Macrae Carl , Braut Geir Sverre , Wiig Siri
Published: January 2024

Objective

Within healthcare, the role of leader is becoming more complex, and healthcare leaders carry an increasing responsibility for the performance of employees, the experience and safety of patients and the quality of care provision. This study aimed to explore how leaders of nursing homes manage the dual responsibility of both Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and Quality and Patient Safety (QPS), focusing particularly on the approaches leaders take and the dilemmas they face. In addition, we wanted to examine how leaders experience and manage the challenges of HSE and QPS in a holistic way.

Design/setting

The study was designed as a case study. Data were collected through semi structured individual interviews with leaders of nursing homes in five Norwegian municipalities.

Participants

13 leaders of nursing homes in urban and rural municipalities participated in this study.

Results

Data analysis resulted in four themes explaining how leaders of nursing homes manage the dual responsibility of HSE and QPS, and the approaches they take and the dilemmas they face:

1.

Establishing good systems and building a culture for a work environment that promotes health and patient safety.

2.

Establish channels for internal and external collaboration and communication.

3.

Establish room for maneuver to exercise leadership.

4.

Recognizing and having the mandate to handle possible tensions in the dual responsibility of HSE and QPS.

Conclusions

The study showed that leaders of nursing homes who are responsible for ensuring quality and safety for both patients and staff, experience tensions in handling this dual responsibility. They acknowledged the importance of having time to be present as a leader, to have robust systems to maintain HSE and QPS, and that conflicting aspects of legislation are an everyday challenge.
Protocol-dependent frictional granular jamming simulations: cyclical, compression, and expansion
Authors: Santos A. P. , Srivastava Ishan , Silbert Leonardo E. , Lechman Jeremy B. , Grest Gary S.
Published: January 2024

Granular matter takes many paths to pack in natural and industrial processes. The path influences the packing microstructure, particularly for frictional grains. We perform discrete element modeling simulations of different paths to construct packings of frictional spheres. Specifically, we explore four stress-controlled protocols implementing packing expansions and compressions in various combinations thereof. We characterize the eventual packed states through their dependence of the packing fraction and coordination number on packing pressure, identifying non-monotonicities with pressure that correlate with the fraction of frictional contacts. These stress-controlled, bulk-like particle simulations access very low-pressure packings, namely, the marginally stable limit, and demonstrate the strong protocol dependence of frictional granular matter.
Machine learning in recruiting: predicting personality from CVs and short text responses
Authors: Grunenberg Eric , Peters Heinrich , Francis Matt J. , Back Mitja D. , Matz Sandra C.
Published: January 2024

Assessing the psychological characteristics of job applicants—including their vocational interests or personality traits—has been a corner stone of hiring processes for decades. While traditional forms of such assessments require candidates to self-report their characteristics via questionnaire measures, recent research suggests that computers can predict people's psychological traits from the digital footprints they leave online (e.g., their Facebook profiles, Twitter posts or credit card spending). Although such models become increasingly available via third-party providers, the use of external data in the hiring process poses considerable ethical and legal challenges. In this paper, we examine the predictability of personality traits from models that are trained exclusively on data generated during the recruiting process. Specifically, we leverage information from CVs and free-text answers collected as part of a real-world, high-stakes recruiting process in combination with natural language processing to predict applicants' Big Five personality traits (N = 8,313 applicants). We show that the models provide consistent moderate predictive accuracy when comparing the machine learning-based predictions with the self-reported personality traits (average r = 0.25), outperforming recruiter judgments reported in prior literature. Although the models only capture a comparatively small part of the variance in self-reports, our findings suggest that they might still be relevant in practice by showing that automated predictions of personality are just as good (and sometimes better) at predicting key external criteria for job matching (i.e., vocational interests) as self-reported assessments.
VR models of death and psychedelics: an aesthetic paradigm for design beyond day-to-day phenomenology
Authors: Glowacki David R.
Published: January 2024

Near-death experiences (NDEs) and psychedelic drug experiences (YDEs) enable access to dimensions of non-ordinary sensation, perception, and insight beyond typical day-to-day phenomenology. Both are associated with a dissolution of conventional spatio-temporal conceptual distinctions, and a corresponding sense of connectedness and unity. Moreover, NDEs and YDEs have shown a remarkable ability to reduce the anxiety that people associate with death. In two recent papers, we showed that multi-person virtual reality experiences (VREs) designed within the ‘numadelic’ aesthetic (where bodies are represented as light energy rather than material objects) can elicit psychometric results comparable to YDEs. It nevertheless remains an open question why numadelic aesthetics achieve the observed results, especially given that the vast majority of VREs represent bodies as typically perceived in the ‘real-world’. This article describes the origins of the numadelic aesthetic from subjective accounts of NDE phenomenology, and attempts to unravel mechanistic aspects of the numadelic aesthetic by embedding it within a more general theoretical framework. Specifically, we elaborate a 2-axis schematic grounded in predictive coding models of cognition and matter-energy ideas from physics. One axis tracks ‘structural specificity’, and the other tracks ‘symbolic rigidity’. The majority of VREs, which emphasize photorealistic fidelity to content derived from ‘day-to-day’ phenomenology, are characterized by high structural specificity and high symbolic rigidity. Such approaches collapse imaginative potential into a limited low-entropy space of ‘exogenous’ possibility, unlike the high-entropy brain states associated with YDEs. In contrast, aesthetic domains characterized by low structural specificity and low symbolic rigidity are less concerned with fidelity to phenomenological priors, offering an expansive, ‘uncollapsed’ high-entropy possibility space into which participants can project meaning and corresponding endogenous insights can arise (e.g., as occurs in NDEs and YDEs). Situated within this theoretical framing, the numadelic aesthetic emerges as a practical example of an un-collapsed approach to representation, helping to explain the experimental observations within previous papers. Moreover, the theoretical framing suggests various experimental tests, and lays the groundwork for applying numadelic aesthetics to model NDEs, to help address the anxiety often associated with death.
On the Fine-Tuning of the Stick-Beam Wing Dynamic Model of a Tiltrotor: A Case Study
Authors: Beretta Jacopo , Cardozo Andres , Paletta Nicola , Chiariello Antonio , Belardo Marika
Published: January 2024

The T-WING project, a CS2-CPW (Clean Sky 2 call for core partner waves) research initiative within FRC IADP (Fast Rotor-Craft Innovative Aircraft Demonstrator Platform), focuses on developing, qualifying and testing the new wing of the Next-Generation Civil Tilt-Rotor (NGCTR). This paper introduces a case study about a methodology for refining the stick-beam model for the NGCTR wing, aligning it with the GFEM (Global Finite Element Model) wing’s dynamic characteristics in terms of modal frequencies and mode shapes. The initial stick-beam model was generated through the static condensation of the GFEM wing. The tuning process was formulated as an optimization problem, adjusting beam properties to minimize the sum of weighted quadratic errors in modal frequencies and Modal Assurance Criterion (MAC) values. Throughout the optimization, the MAC analysis ensured that the target modes were tracked, and, at each iteration, a new set of variable estimates were determined based on the gradient vector and Hessian matrix of the objective function. This methodology effectively fine-tunes the stick-beam model for various mass cases, such as maximum take-off weight (MTOW) and maximum zero-fuel weight (MZFW).
Rapid Evaluation of the Destructive Power Caused by Accidental Explosion of Space Launch Vehicles
Authors: Ding Liangliang , Cui Xiaoxiao , Lu Liancheng , Yin Xufeng , Xue Xiaoguang , Zhao Yuli , Zhou Xu
Published: January 2024

Space launch vehicles are usually loaded with a large amount of propellant, and the destructive power caused by their explosion is significant. The altitude of an accidental explosion will lead to differences in the destructive power, because the environmental parameters of different altitudes are different, and the explosion shock wave parameters are closely related to the environmental parameters. Therefore, it was necessary to establish a set of analytical methods to rapidly analyze the relationship between altitude and the explosion shock wave parameters. A large number of simulation conditions were tested at 0~10 km altitude using the nonlinear dynamics software AUTODYN. The relationship between the explosion shock wave pressure P, the proportional distance z, and the altitude h was obtained, which could be used to rapidly characterize the explosion shock wave pressures at different altitudes. A comparative analysis was conducted with the experimental results to verify the scientificity of the fitting formula. The results indicate that the error between the experimental and calculated values is less than 5.80%, indicating that the rapid evaluation formula established in this paper is reasonable. These findings not only enrich the theory related to explosion shock waves, but also provide a rapid analysis basis for the accidental explosion of space launch vehicles.
An Active Flow Control over the Ship Deck for Helicopter Shipboard Operations
Authors: Ye Yi , Chen Renliang , Ji Honglei
Published: January 2024

This paper presents an active flow control of ship airwake over the deck to improve the safety of helicopter shipboard operations in various angles of wind over deck (WOD). Firstly, an integrated flight dynamics method coupled with ship airwake was developed to analyze the effect of ship airwake on the helicopter at various angles of WOD. Then, an active flow control strategy in various angles of WOD was investigated with the analysis of airwake distribution and the impact on helicopter trim flight. Finally, the effects of active blowing on airwake distribution, flight control inputs, control margins, and helicopter attitudes in trim were analyzed. The results indicate that the variation of the angles of WOD has a significant impact on flight controls and helicopter attitudes for helicopter hovering relative to ship motion. The nonuniformity of ship airwake can be effectively alleviated by applying active flow control. The variations of flight control inputs and helicopter attitude angles at trim states are reduced, which increases the control margins and contributes to enhancing the safety of helicopter shipboard operations.
Effect of a Mineral-Organic Concentrate on a Yield Increase and Seed Quality of Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)
Authors: Radkowski Adam , Radkowska Iwona , Wolski Karol , Kuc Piotr , Bujak Henryk
Published: January 2024

Treatment of plants with mineral-organic concentrates has developed intensively in recent years. Fertilizers containing, among others, humus, L-amino acids, vitamins, chelates and metal complexes, macro-, micro- and meso-elements, organic matter and humic acids from the top organic layer of leonardite coal have a positive effect on plant growth and quality and seed yield. An experiment was conducted between 2019 and 2022 at the University of Agriculture in Kraków, in which the impact of mineral-organic concentrate on the seed yield and quality of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) 2N Bokser (Hodowla Roślin Grunwald Ltd. Grupa IHAR, Grunwa, Poland) was determined. As part of the experiment, plants were sprayed with a mineral-organic product in three different doses: 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 L·ha−1. The following parameters were examined: the number of generative shoots, the length of the flag leaf, seed yield, germination capacity and the weight of one thousand seeds. It turned out that the application of the concentrate with 3 L·ha−1 and 2 L·ha−1 led to a significant increase in the number of generative shoots and in seed yield, compared to control. In addition, seed germination capacity of fertilized plants was higher, with the greatest increase after the application of 3 L·ha−1. Moreover, the average weight of one thousand seeds was significantly higher in fertilized plants, compared to the control, and the largest increase was recorded in response to the highest dose. The results indicated a positive effect of the organic-mineral concentrate on perennial ryegrass development parameters and seed quality.
Paddy Soil Compaction Effect Undergoing Multi-Dimensional Dynamic Load of Combine Harvester Crawler
Authors: Jing Tiantian , Tang Zhong , Ding Zhao , Liang Yaquan , Fang Meng , Wang Ting
Published: January 2024

The compaction of soil by agricultural machinery has seriously affected the sustainable development of agriculture. Tracked combine harvesters are widely used around the world; however, frequent rolling causes irreversible compaction of the soil. In this study, a tracked combine harvester traveling test was carried out in order to clarify the mechanism and influence of tracked combine harvester on soil compaction. The effects of multiple rolling on soil compaction at a depth of 0–30 cm were studied when the body traveled at speeds of 0.27 m/s, 0.48 m/s, and 0.95 m/s. The results showed that the dynamic load of the harvester on the soil compaction could penetrate into the soil at least 30 cm, and a non-linear relationship between the soil pressure and the depth was obtained. The peak pressure on the soil was 3.14 to 4.19 times higher than the average pressure, and the response to dynamic load fluctuated significantly in the soil. The self-excited vibration of the combine harvester formed a beating phenomenon in the soil, and the vibration signal was very penetrating in the paddy soil.
Factors Influencing the Accumulation of Free Asparagine in Wheat Grain and the Acrylamide Formation in Bread
Authors: Szafrańska Anna , Podolska Grażyna , Świder Olga , Kotyrba Danuta , Aleksandrowicz Edyta , Podolska-Charlery Agnieszka , Roszko Marek
Published: January 2024

Asparagine is one of the precursors of acrylamide that can form during bread production. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of genotype, environment, sulfur fertilization, and the interaction of those factors on the asparagine content, technological value of wheat, and acrylamide level in bread. The research material consisted of five wheat cultivars grown in two locations in Poland with nitrogen fertilization of 110 kg ha−1 and sulfur fertilization of 30 kg ha−1. The standard ISO method for analyzing the milling and baking properties of wheat was used. The UHPLC-MS/MS method for analyzing the amino acids and the GC/MS method for acrylamide in bread were implemented. The analysis of variance results indicated that the location influenced the total variance in the measured asparagine content and quality of wheat the most, followed by the cultivar and then by the interaction between the environment and cultivar. Sulfur fertilization had no significant effect on the asparagine content, but slightly lowered the gluten quality and loaf volume of bread. However, sulfur fertilization in connection with the cultivar characterized by low starch damage had a positive effect on lowering the acrylamide in bread. Asparagine content in wheat and acrylamide in bread varies mostly depending on cultivar and environment.
Assessing Fermentation Quality, Aerobic Stability, In Vitro Digestibility, and Rumen Degradation Characteristics of Silages Mixed with Sweet Sorghum and Aerial Parts of Licorice
Authors: Chen Feng , Wang Jiao , Zhang Sujiang , Chaudhry Abdul Shakoor , Khanaki Hassan
Published: January 2024

(1) Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the fermentation quality, chemical composition, aerobic stability, in vitro digestibility, and rumen degradation characteristics of silage mixtures with different ratios of sweet sorghum (SS) and aerial parts of licorice (LC). (2) Methods: Five mixtures were produced on a dry matter (DM) basis: (i) 0%SS + 100%LC (0%SS); (ii) 25%SS + 75%LC (25%SS); (iii) 50%SS + 50%LC (50%SS); (iv) 75%SS + 25%LC (75%SS); and (v) 100%SS + 0%LC (100%SS). First, the chemical composition of the silages was measured before and after fermentation. Next, the aerobic stability, dynamic microbial colonization and dynamic volatile fatty acids of the mixed silage after fermentation were determined for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 days. Finally, the parameters related to gas production and the characteristics of the gas production were determined. At the same time, the rate of degradation of the chemical composition of the mixed silage in the rumen was studied. (3) Results: (a) As the proportion of SS increased, pH, ammonia, butyric acid, acetate, and aerobic stability showed a decreasing trend, but lactic acid content gradually increased. (b) The content of the fermentation and gas production parameters were significantly higher in 100%SS and 50%SS than others (p < 0.05). (c) The rate of degradation of DE, ME, Neg, DM, CP, ADF, NDF, and ADL of 50%SS in the rumen of sheep was significantly higher than others (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, ensiling SS and LC mixtures can improve silage quality, especially if the SS and LC are ensiled together at a ratio of 50:50.
Response of Nitrification and Crop Yield to the Presence of NBPT and DCD in a Wheat-Corn Double Cropping System
Authors: Qu Zhaoqi , Xia Xuejing , Liu Dan , Dong Huimin , Pan Tingliang , Feng Haojie , Lou Yanhong , Wang Hui , Yang Quangang , Yang Zhongchen , Pan Hong , Zhuge Yuping
Published: January 2024

The excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer aggravated the loss of nitrogen in farmland and exerted detrimental effects on the soil and water environment. Examining the effects of N-(n-Butyl)thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) and nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) on nitrification and crop yield in wheat-corn double cropping systems would provide valuable insights for improving nitrogen efficiency and ensuring a rational application of inhibitors. A field experiment lasting one and a half years was performed in the winter wheat–summer maize double agroecosystem in North China. The four treatments that were applied included (I) conventional fertilization without inhibitors (CK), (II) conventional fertilization with 0.26 g/m2 NBPT (NBPT), (III) conventional fertilization with 1.00 g/m2 DCD (DCD), and (IV) conventional fertilization with 0.26 g/m2 NBPT and 1.00 g/m2 DCD (NBPT + DCD). The results demonstrated that the combined use of NBPT and DCD exerted better effects in reducing NO3−-N leaching. Nitrification could be inhibited for up to 95 days by combining NBPT and DCD, while 21 days by DCD. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) (R2 = 0.07159, p < 0.01) along with ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) (R2 = 0.09359, p < 0.01), rather than a complete ammonia oxidizer (comammox), were significantly and positively correlated with NO3−-N content, which indicated that the ammoxidation process was mainly regulated by AOA and AOB, instead of comammox in the winter wheat–summer maize double agroecosystem in North China.
Microbiological Biostimulants in the Improvement of Extended Storage Quality of In Vitro-Derived Plants of Popular Ornamental Perennials
Authors: Miler Natalia , Tymoszuk Alicja , Woźny Anita , Michalik Tomasz , Wiśniewska Justyna , Kulus Dariusz
Published: January 2024

In vitro propagation is a crucial method for the mass production of high-quality plants, but the impact of microbiological interventions during ex vitro storage remains an underexplored aspect. This study aims to assess the effects of three commercial biostimulants in the form of microbiological preparations—BactoFungiStop, AzotoPower, and Guard—applied over six months through foliar sprays on the post-storage quality of Brunnera macrophylla ‘Silver Heart’, Echinacea purpurea ‘Secret Glow’, Heuchera × hybrida ‘Northern Exposure Red’, Persicaria amplecicaulis ‘JS Caliente’, and Rudbeckia × hybrida ‘Sunbeckia Sophia Yellow’ plants. The monthly application of microbiological preparations adhered to the concentrations recommended by producers. Post-storage evaluations included shoot and root parameters, leaf morphology, and chlorophyll biosynthesis. All microbiological preparations positively influenced shoot elongation in B. macrophylla ‘Silver Heart’. The microbiological treatments stimulated root development in this species, i.e., increased root length, area, volume, and the number of root forks and tips. In E. purpurea ‘Secret Glow’, all three preparations enhanced shoot length, leaf parameters, and root traits, with Guard demonstrating the highest efficacy. As for P. amplecicaulis ‘JS Caliente’, BactoFungiStop negatively affected shoot and leaf parameters but promoted root development. Heuchera × hybrida ‘Northern Exposure Red’ exhibited increased shoot and leaf dimensions with all microbiological treatments, while Rudbeckia × hybrida ‘Sunbeckia Sophia Yellow’ displayed positive responses in shoot-related traits but no impact on root development. None of the microbiological preparations influenced chlorophyll biosynthesis in any of the studied species. The results of our research can be implemented in the large-scale production of ornamental plants.
Revealing Key Genes and Pathways in Potato Scab Disease Resistance through Transcriptome Analysis
Authors: Li Chuang , Yuan Baoqi , Zhang Chuan , Yao Qi , He Hongxia , Wang Qingfeng , Liang Jinping , Li Nan , Zhu Xu , Wang Zhongwei
Published: January 2024

Potato scab, a global soil-borne disease caused by Streptomyces, is pivotal in developing resistant cultivars due to its complex resistance mechanisms. This study investigates the transcriptomic responses in potato to common scab using resistant variety CS10 and susceptible CS11 post S. scabie inoculation (0 d and 10 d, 12 cDNA libraries). Differential expression analysis identified 147 key DEGs (Differentially Expressed Genes) essential in disease recognition, signal transduction, and defense. GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enrichment analyses revealed several significant metabolic pathways, such as ADP binding, heme binding, chloroplast thylakoid membrane, photosynthesis, glutathione metabolism, and homologous recombination, among others. Notably, the correlation between chloroplast pathways (GO:0019745) and photosynthesis (map00195) highlights photosynthesis’s role in potato scab response, while the oxygen transport (GO:0031408)-related glutathione metabolism pathway (map00480) emphasizes antioxidant defenses. Furthermore, three potential resistance genes were validated: Ethylene Response Factor ERF010 (LOC102589042), Disease Resistance Protein RPP13 (LOC102605863), and Cytochrome P450 83B1 (LOC102604056), demonstrating the linkage between metabolic pathways and pathogen response. These findings offer insights into potato’s molecular resistance mechanisms against potato scab, supporting the breeding of resistant varieties and comprehensive disease management, thus advancing sustainable agriculture.
Effect of Regular Training on Platelet Function in Untrained Thoroughbreds
Authors: Miglio Arianna , Falcinelli Emanuela , Cappelli Katia , Mecocci Samanta , Mezzasoma Anna Maria , Antognoni Maria Teresa , Gresele Paolo
Published: January 2024

Training has a significant effect on the physiology of blood coagulation in humans and in horses. Several hemostatic changes have been reported after exercise in the horse but data available are inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate platelet activation and primary platelet-related hemostasis modifications in young never-trained Thoroughbreds in the first incremental training period in order to improve knowledge on this topic. Twenty-nine clinically healthy, untrained, 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses were followed during their incremental 4-month sprint exercise training. Blood collection was performed once a month, five times in total (T-30, T0, T30, T60, and T90). Platelet aggregation was measured by light transmission aggregometry in response to various agonists: adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen, and calcium ionophore A23187. Platelet function was evaluated using a platelet function analyzer (PFA-100®) using collagen/ADP and collagen/adrenaline cartridges. Nitrite-nitrate (NOx) plasma concentrations were measured via a colorimetric assay to assess in vivo nitric oxide bioavailability. Platelet activation was also investigated through gene expression analyses (selectin P-SELP, ectonucleotidase CD39-ENTPD1, prostaglandin I2 synthase-PTGIS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase 3-NOS3). Differences among the time points were analyzed and mean ± SEM were calculated. Significant modifications were identified compared with T-30, with an increase in platelet aggregation (collagen:32.6 ± 4.8 vs. 21.6 ± 4.9%; ADP: 35.5 ± 2.0 vs. 24.5 ± 3.1%; A23187: 30 ± 4.7 vs. 23.8 ± 4%) and a shorter closure time of C-ADP cartridges (75.6 ± 4.4 vs. 87.7 ± 3.4 s) that tended to return to the baseline value at T90. NOx concentrations in plasma significantly increased after 30 days of the training program compared with the baseline. The first long-term training period seems to induce platelet hyperactivity after 30 days in never-trained Thoroughbreds. Regular physical training reduces the negative effects of acute efforts on platelet activation.
A Special Relationship—Aspects of Human–Animal Interaction in Birds of Prey, Brown Bears, Beavers, and Elk in Prehistoric Europe
Authors: Schmölcke Ulrich , Grimm Oliver
Published: January 2024

Humans have developed a special relationship with some animal species throughout history, even though these animals were never domesticated. Based on raptors, bears, beavers, and elks, the question of whether there are similarities between the perception of these animals that triggered a special kind of fascination in humans and how the relationship between humans and these animals changed between Mesolithic age and medieval times is addressed. As we demonstrate, the categorical antagonism between ‘animal’ and ‘human’ is a concept that saw different kinds of influence, from the advent of sedentarism and husbandry to Christianity and from philosophical thinking in Classical Antiquity and the Period of Enlightenment. In prehistory and early history, we find different, opposing world views across time, cultures, and periods. Differences between animals and humans have been considered as fluid, and humans have had to engage with animals and their needs. The well-known and famous ‘bear ceremonies’ attested to different peoples and times were not unique, but were a part of belief systems that also included other animal species. Among the considered animals, certain raptor species attracted the attention of humans who tried to establish contact with them, as companions, whereas bears were almost ‘disguised humans’ due to all their similarities with humans, but they were also tabooed beings whose real names had to be avoided.
Dietary 25 Hydroxyvitamin D3 Improved Serum Concentration Level and Alkaline Phosphatase Activity during Lactation but Had Meager Impact on Post-Farrowing Reproductive Performance in Sows
Authors: Okafor Prester C. John , Homwong Nitipong
Published: January 2024

Dietary 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) promotes serum 25(OH)D3 concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP); however, post-farrowing reproductive performance of lactating sows fed with 14-epimer of 25(OH)D3 is uncertain. This study investigated post-farrowing reproductive performance, serum ALP activity, and serum 25(OH)D3 concentration in sows fed VD3, 25(OH)D3, or 14-epi 25(OH)D3. Weaned sows (n = 203) in parities 2 and 3 were blocked weekly and treated with 2000 IU/kg VD3 (T1), 25 μg/kg 25(OH)D3:14-epi 25(OH)D3 (T2), or 50 μg/kg 25(OH)D3 (T3) diets, all equilibrated to 2000 IU/kg as fed. Sow performance, treatment, and sampling period effects were analyzed. Environmental conditions were analyzed as covariates. The number of piglets weaned (p = 0.029), pre-weaning mortality (p = 0.029), sampling period (p < 0.001), and treatment and period interaction (p = 0.028) differed significantly. There was an increase in 25(OH)D3 during lactation due to physiological demands for milk calcium and milk production. Supplementing twice the concentration of 25(OH)D3 compared to its epimer, 25(OH)D3:14-epi 25(OH)D3, had no significant effect on the post-farrowing reproductive performance of lactating sows. The effect of 25(OH)D3 on post-farrowing reproductive performance and ALP activity in sows was influenced by metabolic demand for calcium due to physiological changes during lactation as well as epimer conformation.
Description of a New Species of the Pareas hamptoni Complex from Yunnan, China, with Confirmation of P. hamptoni Sensu Stricto in China (Squamata, Pareidae)
Authors: Liu Shuo , Mo Mingzhong , Li Mei , Li Biao , Luo Xiong , Rao Dingqi , Li Song
Published: January 2024

We describe a new species of the genus Pareas, based on three specimens collected from Guanyinshan Provincial Nature Reserve in Yuanyang County, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by one preocular, one postocular or postocular fused with subocular, loreal not bordering the orbit, one row enlarged vertebral scales, five rows keeled mid-dorsal scales at the middle of the body, 189–192 ventral scales and 72–89 subcaudal scales. The dorsal surfaces of the head and body are yellowish red or yellowish brown, and the belly and ventral surfaces of the head and tail are pinkish yellow or yellow with more or less small black spots. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA recovered the new species being the sister taxon to P. hamptoni sensu stricto. The genetic divergences between the new species and P. hamptoni sensu stricto were 4.2% in the Cyt b sequences and 5.0% in the ND4 sequences. In addition, based on specimens collected from Honghe and Wenshan prefectures, we confirmed that P. hamptoni sensu stricto is distributed in China.
Research on the Changes in Distribution and Habitat Suitability of the Chinese Red Panda Population
Authors: Ruan Tao , Wei Wei , Zhang Zejun , Zhou Hong
Published: January 2024

The study of the dynamics of species habitat is of great significance for maintaining or adjusting the current habitat protection management strategy. However, the current research on the Chinese red panda’s habitat is limited to the analysis of a single period, which makes it difficult to quantify the changes in its habitat on a temporal scale and greatly hinders the formulation of the overall protection and management strategies that are to be used for the Chinese red panda. This study simulated habitat suitability at different temporal scales to quantify the trend of changes in habitat quality and analyzed the reasons for the changes in habitat suitability in certain regions. The results showed that the overall suitability of the Chinese red panda’s habitat increased and that the area of suitable habitats expanded. Suitable Chinese red panda habitats in the mountains of Qionglai (1662.73 km2), Daxiangling (230.30 km2), Xiaoxiangling (549.47 km2), and Liangshan (50.39 km2) increased by a total of 2452.89 km2. The suitability of habitats in the central part of the Liangshan Mountains has declined significantly, which is positively correlated with changes in temperature seasonality (BIO4, R = 0.18) and negatively correlated with changes in annual average temperature (BIO1, R = −0.03) as well as changes in the proportion of farmland (FARMLAND, R = −0.14). The local extinction of isolated populations of Chinese red pandas in the Minshan Mountains is the main factor leading to their distribution retreat rather than a decrease in habitat quality. The research results help us to provide a scientific basis for the formulation of conservation and management strategies for Chinese red pandas at different scales.
SP1 and KROX20 Regulate the Proliferation of Dermal Papilla Cells and Target the CUX1 Gene
Authors: Lv Xiaoyang , He Mingliang , Zhou Hui , Wang Shanhe , Cao Xiukai , Yuan Zehu , Getachew Tesfaye , Li Yutao , Sun Wei
Published: January 2024

Previous studies have demonstrated that CUX1 could contribute to the proliferation of DPCs in vitro, but the upstream transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of CUX1 remain largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the upstream transcriptional regulators of CUX1 to enhance our comprehension of the mechanism of action of the CUX1 gene in ovine DPCs. Initially, the JASPAR (2024) software was used to predict the upstream target transcription factors for the CUX1 gene. Subsequently, through RT-qPCR and a double luciferase reporter assay, the interaction between SP1, KROX20, and CUX1 was established, respectively. The results indicated that SP1 and KROX20 were two highly reliable upstream transcription regulators for the CUX1 gene. Additionally, we found that SP1 promoted the proliferation of DPCs by overexpressing SP1 in DPCs, and KROX20 inhibited the proliferation of DPCs by overexpressing KROX20 in DPCs. These findings are also consistent with the transcriptional regulation of CUX1 by SP1 and KROX20, respectively. This study suggests that the effect of DPC proliferation in vitro by CUX1 may regulated by the transcription factors SP1 and KROX20.