bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An overview of the use of bacteriophages in the poultry industry: Successes, challenges, and possibilities for overcoming breakdowns
Authors: Abd-El Wahab Amr , Basiouni Shereen , El-Seedi Hesham R. , Ahmed Marwa F. E. , Bielke Lisa R. , Hargis Billy , Tellez-Isaias Guillermo , Eisenreich Wolfgang , Lehnherr Hansjörg , Kittler Sophie , Shehata Awad A. , Visscher Christian
Published: March 2023

The primary contaminants in poultry are Salmonella enterica, Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Their pathogenicity together with the widespread of these bacteria, contributes to many economic losses and poses a threat to public health. With the increasing prevalence of bacterial pathogens being resistant to most conventional antibiotics, scientists have rekindled interest in using bacteriophages as antimicrobial agents. Bacteriophage treatments have also been investigated as an alternative to antibiotics in the poultry industry. Bacteriophages’ high specificity may allow them only to target a specific bacterial pathogen in the infected animal. However, a tailor-made sophisticated cocktail of different bacteriophages could broaden their antibacterial activity in typical situations with multiple clinical strains infections. Bacteriophages may not only be used in terms of reducing bacterial contamination in animals but also, under industrial conditions, they can be used as safe disinfectants to reduce contamination on food-contact surfaces or poultry carcasses. Nevertheless, bacteriophage therapies have not been developed sufficiently for widespread use. Problems with resistance, safety, specificity, and long-term stability must be addressed in particular. This review highlights the benefits, challenges, and current limitations of bacteriophage applications in the poultry industry.
Notes on four species of Russula subgenus Heterophyllidiae (Russulaceae, Russulales) from southern China
Authors: Han Yun-Xiao , Liang Zhi-Qun , Zeng Nian-Kai
Published: March 2023

Heterophyllidiae, one of the main subgenus of Russula (Russulaceae, Russulales), is both ecologically and economically important. Although many studies have focused on subgenus Heterophyllidiae in China, the diversity, taxonomy, and molecular phylogeny still remained incompletely understood. In the present study, two new species, R. discoidea and R. niveopicta, and two known taxa, R. xanthovirens and R. subatropurpurea, were described based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses of ITS and 28S DNA sequences with new collections of subgenus Heterophyllidiae from southern China. Both morphological and phylogenetic analyses consistently confirmed that R. niveopicta and R. xanthovirens belong to the subsect. Virescentinae, R. discoidea and R. subatropurpurea come under subsect. Heterophyllae, and R. prasina is synonymized with R. xanthovirens.
Event-related (de)synchronization and potential in whole vs. part sensorimotor learning
Authors: Mariman Juan J. , Bruna-Melo Trinidad , Gutierrez-Rodriguez Rosario , Maldonado Pedro E. , Burgos Pablo I.
Published: March 2023

Background

There are different ways to learn a sensorimotor task. This research focuses on whole versus part learning in a complex video game that involves sensorimotor adaptations and skill learning. The primary aim of this research is to compare the changes in (1) event-related potentials (ERP) and (2) Alpha and Beta event-related desynchronization/synchronization [ERD(S)] of EEG between whole and part practice protocols.

Materials and methods

18 Healthy young participants practiced for 5 days a video game with distorted kinematic (advancing skill) and dynamic features (shooting skill) to test the ability to combine sensorimotor skill components learned modularly (part learning, 9 participants) or combined (whole practice, 9 participants). We examined ERP and ERD(S) in EEG channels in the baseline test (day 1) and the retention test (day 5), dissociating epochs with advancing or shooting. We focus the analysis on the main activity of ERP or ERD(S) in different time windows.

Results

In the advancing epochs (distorted kinematic), both groups showed a decrease in time for ERP and an increase in Beta ERD activity in central and posterior channels. In the shooting epochs (distorted dynamic), the Whole group showed a decrease in time for ERPs in anterior and central-posterior channels. Additionally, the shooting ERS in the Beta band decreases within sessions in central channels, particularly for the Part group.

Conclusion

Neural correlates of kinematic and dynamic control [ERP and ERD(S)] were modulated by sensorimotor learning, which reflects the effect of the type of practice on the execution and the evaluation of the action. These results can be linked with our previous report, where the simultaneous practice of kinematic and dynamic distortions takes advantage of the motor performance on retention tests, indicating a more automatic control for the whole practice group.
Buchnera breaks the specialization of the cotton-specialized aphid (Aphis gossypii) by providing nutrition through zucchini
Authors: Xu Weili , Liu Weijiao , Li Jinming , Zhu Xiangzhen , Wang Li , Li Dongyang , Zhang Kaixin , Ji Jichao , Gao Xueke , Luo Junyu , Cui Jinjie
Published: March 2023

The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, is a species of polyphagous aphid with many biotypes, and its host transfer has always been the focus of research on the control of cotton aphid. An important factor affecting aphid specialization is the nutritional association with microbial symbionts that provide the host with nutrients lacking in the diet. We analyzed the microbial composition and biodiversity of reared on zucchini for 10 generations (T1–T10) and cotton as a control (CK), by high-throughput Illumina sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA genes. The findings showed that the change in plant hosts decreased the richness and variety of microbial species. Regardless of whether the plant host is altered or not, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes are the predominate phyla in cotton-specialized aphid. Additionally, cotton-specialized aphids that live in zucchini had considerably lower relative abundances of non-dominant phyla (Bacteroidetes) than cotton hosts. At the genus level the dominant communities were Buchnera, Acinetobacter, and Arsenophonus. The relative abundance of Buchnera was significantly higher in aphids reared on zucchini than those on cotton, whereas the opposite was observed for Acinetobacter, as well as for some non-dominant communities (Stenotrophomonas, Pseudomons, Flavobacterium, Novosphingobium). Collectively, this study clarifies the dynamic changes of symbiotic bacteria in cotton-specialized aphids reared on zucchini for multiple generations. Among them, Buchnera is crucial for the cotton-specialized aphid to get nutrients during the transfer of the host and has a favorable impact on the colonization of cotton-specialized aphid populations on zucchini hosts. It not only enriches our understanding of the relationship between the bacterial microbiota of aphids and their adaptability to new hosts, zucchini, but also expands the current body of research on the mechanisms underlying the host shifting ability of cotton-specialized aphids.
Prediction of cardiovascular adverse events in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: Development and validation of a risk score prognostic model
Authors: Yuan Shuai , Zhou Jie-Yi , Yang Ben-Zhao , Xie Zhong-Lei , Zhu Ting-Jun , Hu Hui-Xian , Li Rong
Published: March 2023

Background

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological malignancy, and the treatments markedly elevate the survival rate of the patients in recent years. However, the prevalence of cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) in MM had been increasing recently. CVAEs in MM patients are an important problem that we should focus on. Clinical tools for prognostication and risk-stratification are needed.

Patients and methods

This is a retrospective study that included patients who were newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma (NDMM) in Shanghai Changzheng Hospital and Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from June 2018 to July 2020. A total of 253 patients from two medical centers were divided into training cohort and validation cohort randomly. Univariable analysis of the baseline factors was performed using CVAEs endpoints. Multivariable analysis identified three factors for a prognostic model that was validated in internal validation cohorts.

Results

Factors independently associated with CVAEs in NDMM were as follows: age>61 years old, high level of baseline office blood pressure, and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Age contributed 2 points, and the other two factors contributed 1 point to a prognostic model. The model distinguished the patients into three groups: 3–4 points, high risk; 2 points, intermediate risk; 0–1 point, low risk. These groups had significant difference in CVAEs during follow-up days in both training cohort (p<0.0001) and validation cohort (p=0.0018). In addition, the model had good calibration. The C-indexes for the prediction of overall survival of CVAEs in the training and validation cohorts were 0.73 (95% CI, 0.67–0.79) and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.51–0.81), respectively. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCs) of the 1-year CVAEs probability in the training and validation cohorts were 0.738 and 0.673, respectively. The AUROCs of the 2-year CVAE probability in the training and validation cohorts were 0.722 and 0.742, respectively. The decision-curve analysis indicated that the prediction model provided greater net benefit than the default strategies of providing assessment or not providing assessment for all patients.

Conclusion

A prognostic risk prediction model for predicting CVAEs risk of NDMM patients was developed and internally validated. Patients at increased risk of CVAEs can be identified at treatment initiation and be more focused on cardiovascular protection in the treatment plan.
Postoperative adjuvant radiochemotherapy with cisplatin versus adjuvant radiochemotherapy with cisplatin and pembrolizumab in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma- the study protocol of the Adrisk trial
Authors: Wiegand Susanne , Wichmann Gunnar , Vogt Jeannette , Vogel Kathrin , Franke Annegret , Kuhnt Thomas , Lordick Florian , Scheuble Anne-Marie , Hambsch Peter , Brossart Peter , Bauernfeind Franz Georg , Kaftan Holger , Maschmeyer Georg , Paland Matthias , Münter Marc , Lewitzki Victor , Rotter Nicole , Stromberger Carmen , Beck Marcus , Dommerich Steffen , Gauler Thomas Christoph , Hapke Gunnar , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando , Schröder Ursula , Görner Martin , Hautmann Matthias G. , Steger Felix , Tamaskovics Bálint , Schmiedeknecht Anett , Dietz Andreas
Published: March 2023

Most of the patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are diagnosed with locally advanced disease. Standards of care for curative-intent treatment of this patient group are either surgery and adjuvant radio(chemo)therapy (aRCT) or definitive chemoradiation. Despite these treatments, especially pathologically intermediate and high-risk HNSCC often recur. The ADRISK trial investigates in locally advanced HNSCC and intermediate and high risk after up-front surgery if the addition of pembrolizumab to aRCT with cisplatin improves event-free sur-vival compared to aRCT alone. ADRISK is a prospective, randomized controlled investiga-tor-initiated (IIT)-phase II multicenter trial within the German Interdisciplinary Study Group of German Cancer Society (IAG-KHT). Patients with primary resectable stage III and IV HNSCC of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx with pathologic high (R1, extracapsular nodal extension) or intermediate risk (R0 <5 mm; N≥2) after surgery will be eligible. Two hun-dred forty patients will be randomly assigned (1:1) to either standard aRCT with cisplatin (standard arm) or aRCT with cisplatin + pembrolizumab (200 mg iv, in 3-week cycle, max. 12 months) (interventional arm). Endpoints are event-free and overall survival. Recruitment started in August 2018 and is ongoing.
Integrated nontargeted and targeted metabolomics analyses amino acids metabolism in infantile hemangioma
Authors: Yang Kaiying , Qiu Tong , Gong Xue , Zhou Jiangyuan , Lan Yuru , Chen Siyuan , Ji Yi
Published: March 2023

Infantile hemangioma (IH) is the most common benign tumor in children. However, the exact pathogenesis of IH remains unclear. Integrated nontargeted and targeted metabolic analyses were performed to obtain insight into the possible pathogenic mechanism of IH. The results of nontargeted metabolic analysis showed that 216 and 128 differential metabolites (DMs) were identified between hemangioma-derived endothelial cells (HemECs) and HUVECs in positive-ion and negative-ion models, respectively. In both models, these DMs were predominantly enriched in pathways related to amino acid metabolism, including aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and arginine and proline metabolism. Then, targeted metabolic analysis of amino acids was further performed to further clarify HemEC metabolism. A total of 22 amino acid metabolites were identified, among which only 16 metabolites, including glutamine, arginine and asparagine, were significantly differentially expressed between HemECs and HUVECs. These significant amino acids were significantly enriched in 10 metabolic pathways, including ‘alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism’, ‘arginine biosynthesis’, ‘arginine and proline metabolism’, and ‘glycine, serine and threonine metabolism’. The results of our study revealed that amino acid metabolism is involved in IH. Key differential amino acid metabolites, including glutamine, asparagine and arginine, may play an important role in regulating HemEC metabolism.
Precision diagnostics in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Past, present and future
Authors: Mollstedt John , Mansouri Larry , Rosenquist Richard
Published: March 2023

Genetic diagnostics of hematological malignancies has evolved dramatically over the years, from chromosomal banding analysis to next-generation sequencing, with a corresponding increased capacity to detect clinically relevant prognostic and predictive biomarkers. In diagnostics of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), we currently apply fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)-based analysis to detect recurrent chromosomal aberrations (del(11q), del(13q), del(17p) and trisomy 12) as well as targeted sequencing (IGHV and TP53 mutational status) for risk-stratifying purposes. These analyses are performed before start of any line of treatment and assist in clinical decision-making including selection of targeted therapy (BTK and BCL2 inhibitors). Here, we present the current view on the genomic landscape of CLL, including an update on recent advances with potential for clinical translation. We discuss different state-of-the-art technologies that are applied to enable precision diagnostics in CLL and highlight important genomic markers with current prognostic and/or predictive impact as well as those of prospective clinical relevance. In the coming years, it will be important to develop more comprehensive genomic analyses that can capture all types of relevant genetic aberrations, but also to develop highly sensitive assays to detect minor mutations that affect therapy response or confer resistance to targeted therapies. Finally, we will bring up the potential of new technologies and multi-omics analysis to further subclassify the disease and facilitate implementation of precision medicine approaches in this still incurable disease.
The epifascial cap: A typical imaging sign for subcutaneous granuloma annulare in children
Authors: Beqo Besiana P. , Tschauner Sebastian , Gasparella Paolo , Brcic Iva , Haxhija Emir Q.
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Subcutaneous granuloma annulare (SGA) is a rare, self-limiting granulomatous disease in children, commonly diagnosed by histopathology following biopsy or surgical excision. This study aimed to identify imaging clues for SGA that could expedite accurate diagnosis and avoid the need for biopsy in children.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed complete hospital records of all children diagnosed with SGA at our institution from January 2001 to December 2020. Detailed disease history, imaging findings, management, and outcome were evaluated.

Results

We identified 28 patients (20 girls) at a median age of 3.75 (range 1–12.5 years). Ten patients presented with multiple lesions. Most lesions were located on the lower extremities (n = 26/41). Ultrasound examinations were performed on all patients, and 12 (43%) patients also received an MRI. Surgical intervention was conducted in 18 (64%) patients either by incisional biopsy (n = 6) or total excision of the lump (n = 12). In all patients who did not undergo surgery, SGA resolved spontaneously. A careful review of the MRIs led to the discovery of a characteristic imaging shape of SGA lesions: the epifascial cap with a typical broad circular base laying on the fascia, extending towards the subdermal/dermal tissue. This distinctive shape was evident in every patient in our cohort.

Conclusions

The “Epifascial Cap Sign” is a specific imaging sign for SGA, which to the best of our knowledge, helps distinguish this disease from other subcutaneous lesions. Recognition of this novel diagnostic sign combined with the historical and physical findings should enable clinicians to establish SGA diagnosis easily and diminish the need for further invasive diagnostic procedures.
A combination of metformin and epigallocatechin gallate potentiates glioma chemotherapy in vivo
Authors: Kuduvalli Shreyas S. , Daisy Precilla S. , Vaithy Anandraj , Purushothaman Mugilarasi , Ramachandran Muralidharan Arumugam , Agiesh Kumar B. , Mezger Markus , Antony Justin S. , Subramani Madhu , Dubashi Biswajit , Biswas Indrani , Guruprasad K. P. , Anitha T. S.
Published: March 2023

Glioma is the most devastating high-grade tumor of the central nervous system, with dismal prognosis. Existing treatment modality does not provide substantial benefit to patients and demands novel strategies. One of the first-line treatments for glioma, temozolomide, provides marginal benefit to glioma patients. Repurposing of existing non-cancer drugs to treat oncology patients is gaining momentum in recent years. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic benefits of combining three repurposed drugs, namely, metformin (anti-diabetic) and epigallocatechin gallate (green tea-derived antioxidant) together with temozolomide in a glioma-induced xenograft rat model. Our triple-drug combination therapy significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo and increased the survival rate (50%) of rats when compared with individual or dual treatments. Molecular and cellular analyses revealed that our triple-drug cocktail treatment inhibited glioma tumor growth in rat model through ROS-mediated inactivation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, arrest of the cell cycle at G1 phase and induction of molecular mechanisms of caspases-dependent apoptosis.In addition, the docking analysis and quantum mechanics studies performed here hypothesize that the effect of triple-drug combination could have been attributed by their difference in molecular interactions, that maybe due to varying electrostatic potential. Thus, repurposing metformin and epigallocatechin gallate and concurrent administration with temozolomide would serve as a prospective therapy in glioma patients.
Epigallocatechin gallate alleviates high-fat diet-induced hepatic lipotoxicity by targeting mitochondrial ROS-mediated ferroptosis
Authors: Ding Shi-Bin , Chu Xiao-Lei , Jin Yu-Xuan , Jiang Jin-Jin , Zhao Xiao , Yu Min
Published: March 2023

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic advanced liver disease that is highly related to metabolic disorders and induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). Recently, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has been regarded as a protective bioactive polyphenol in green tea that has the ability to protect against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, but the molecular mechanism remains poorly deciphered. Ferroptosis plays a vital role in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, but experimental evidence of ferroptosis inhibition by epigallocatechin gallate is limited. Hence, our study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanisms of epigallocatechin gallate on hepatic ferroptosis to mitigate hepatic injury in high-fat diet-fed mice.

Methods: Fifty male C57BL/6 mice were fed either a standard chow diet (SCD), a high-fat diet, or a high-fat diet and administered epigallocatechin gallate or ferrostatin-1 (a ferroptosis-specific inhibitor) for 12 weeks. Liver injury, lipid accumulation, hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, iron overload, and ferroptosis marker proteins were examined. In vitro, steatotic L-02 cells were used to explore the underlying mechanism.

Results: In our research, we found that epigallocatechin gallate notably alleviated liver injury and lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, hepatic steatosis, decreased iron overload and inhibited ferroptosis in a high-fat diet-induced murine model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In vitro experiments, using ferrostatin-1 and a mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (MtROS) scavenger (Mito-TEMPO), we found that epigallocatechin gallate remarkably alleviated oxidative stress and inhibited ferroptosis by reducing the level of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in steatotic L-02 cells.

Conclusion: Taken together, our results revealed that epigallocatechin gallate may exert protective effects on hepatic lipotoxicity by inhibiting mitochondrial reactive oxygen species-mediated hepatic ferroptosis. Findings from our study provide new insight into prevention and treatment strategies for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease pathological processes.
Spontaneous mode locking of a multimode semiconductor laser under continuous wave operation
Authors: Chomet Baptiste , Blin Stéphane , Beaudoin Grégoire , Pantzas Konstantinos , Sagnes Isabelle , Denet Stéphane , Garnache Arnaud
Published: March 2023

Self-starting mode-locking is observed in a laser based on a compact III-V diode-pumped quantum-well surface-emitting semiconductor laser technology with a saturable-absorber-free but dispersive cavity. Continuous wave generation of picosecond pulses at a rate of 100 GHz is demonstrated by recording microwave intensity noises, beat frequency, time-resolved optical spectra, and intensity autocorrelation. Coherence of the pulse train is obtained through the frequency noise measurement of the demodulated beat note, demonstrating a timing jitter as low as 110 fs, near the quantum limit. Using a theoretical model based on a generalized Haus master equation, we demonstrate the existence of this mode locked state without the need for saturable absorption. The fundamental physical mechanism is the interplay between self-phase modulation and anomalous dispersion like in cavity soliton together with light–matter interaction-induced time symmetry breaking.
The three-dimensionality of the hiPSC-CM spheroid contributes to the variability of the field potential
Authors: Hwang Minki , Lee Su-Jin , Lim Chul-Hyun , Shim Eun Bo , Lee Hyang-Ae
Published: March 2023

Background: Field potential (FP) signals from human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte (hiPSC-CM) spheroid which are used for drug safety tests in the preclinical stage are different from action potential (AP) signals and require working knowledge of the multi-electrode array (MEA) system. In this study, we developed in silico three-dimensional (3-D) models of hiPSC-CM spheroids for the simulation of field potential measurement. We compared our model simulation results against in vitro experimental data under the effect of drugs E-4031 and nifedipine.

Methods:In silico 3-D models of hiPSC-CM spheroids were constructed in spherical and discoidal shapes. Tetrahedral meshes were generated inside the models, and the propagation of the action potential in the model was obtained by numerically solving the monodomain reaction-diffusion equation. An electrical model of electrode was constructed and FPs were calculated using the extracellular potentials from the AP propagations. The effects of drugs were simulated by matching the simulation results with in vitro experimental data.

Results: The simulated FPs from the 3-D models of hiPSC-CM spheroids exhibited highly variable shapes depending on the stimulation and measurement locations. The values of the IC50 of E-4031 and nifedipine calculated by matching the simulated FP durations with in vitro experimental data were in line with the experimentally measured ones reported in the literature.

Conclusion: The 3-D in silico models of hiPSC-CM spheroids generated highly variable FPs similar to those observed in in vitro experiments. The in silico model has the potential to complement the interpretation of the FP signals obtained from in vitro experiments.
Moderate muscle cooling induced by single and intermittent/prolonged cold-water immersions differently affects muscle contractile function in young males
Authors: Treigyte Viktorija , Eimantas Nerijus , Venckunas Tomas , Brazaitis Marius , Chaillou Thomas
Published: March 2023

Background: We investigated the impact of moderate muscle cooling induced by single and intermittent/prolonged cold-water immersions (CWI) on muscle force and contractility in unfatigued state and during the development of fatigue resulting from electrically induced contractions.

Methods: Twelve young males participated in this study consisting of two phases [single phase (SP) followed by intermittent/prolonged phase (IPP)], with both phases including two conditions (i.e., four trials in total) performed randomly: control passive sitting (CON) and cold-water immersions (10°C). SP-CWI included one 45 min-bath (from 15 to 60 min). IPP-CWI included three baths (45 min-bath from 15 to 60 min, and 15 min-baths from 165 to 180 min and from 255 to 270 min), with participants sitting at room temperature the rest of the time until 300 min. Blood pressure and intramuscular (Tmu) temperature were assessed, and neuromuscular testing was performed at baseline and 60 min after baseline during SP, and at baseline, 60, 90, 150 and 300 min after baseline during IPP. A fatiguing protocol (100 electrical stimulations) was performed after the last neuromuscular testing of each trial.

Results: In unfatigued state, SP-CWI and IPP-CWI reduced electrically induced torque at 100 Hz (P100) but not at 20 Hz (P20), and increased P20/P100 ratio. The changes from baseline for P100 and P20/P100 ratio were lower in IPP-CWI than SP-CWI. Both cold-water immersion conditions slowed down muscle contraction and relaxation, and reduced maximal isokinetic contraction torque, but the changes from baseline were lower after IPP-CWI than SP-CWI. cold-water immersions did not impair maximal voluntary isometric contraction. During the fatiguing protocol, torque fatigue index and the changes in muscle contractile properties were larger after IPP-CWI than SP-CWI, but were in the same range as after CON conditions. The differences of muscle contractile function between SP-CWI and IPP-CWI were accompanied by a lower reduction of superficial Tmu and a smaller increase in systolic blood pressure after IPP-CWI than SP-CWI.

Conclusion: IPP-CWI induces a less pronounced fast-to-slow contractile transition compared to SP-CWI, and this may result from the reduced vasoconstriction response and enhanced blood perfusion of the superficial muscle vessels, which could ultimately limit the reduction of superficial Tmu.
CRISPR-mediated technology for seed oil improvement in rapeseed: Challenges and future perspectives
Authors: Ali Essa , Zhang Kewei
Published: March 2023

Rapeseed not only provide considerable amount of edible oil with high nutritional properties but can also be used as a raw material for biofuel production in many industries. It is therefore in high demand to bring genetic changes in order to fulfill the need of human and of industries. Though traditional breeding techniques such as hybridization and mutagenesis remained the top methods for long time to create improved varieties in oilseed rape. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) is becoming one of the most valuable gene editing technologies that allow precise genome engineering, and open new ways for research in plant functional genomics. Though CRISPR has been used in many other crops for genetic improvement it is expected to be an effective tool for genome editing and molecular design in oilseed rape for seed oil improvement. This mini review will discuss and summarize the past and ongoing research and development in rapeseed in terms of seed oil improvement and fatty acid composition using CRISPR technology. In addition, the factors that hinder the efficiency of this tool and how to eliminate those factors will be briefly summarized. The improvement of CRISPR technology for getting better results in oilseed rape will also be considered here. This minireview will open new windows for researchers in Brassica napus oil improvement research and genetic improvement using CRISPR technology.
The legacies of the “Father of Hybrid Rice” and the seven representative achievements of Chinese rice research: A pioneering perspective towards sustainable development
Authors: Gao Jian-Guo , Zhu Xin-Guang
Published: March 2023

The “Father of Hybrid Rice”, Yuan Longping, created high-yield hybrid rice that can feed tens of millions of people annually. The research achievements of Yuan and his team on low cadmium-accumulating rice and sea rice, in addition to hybrid rice, as well as those of a large number of Chinese scientists engaged in rice research in other six areas, including the rice genome, purple endosperm rice, de novo domestication of tetraploid rice, perennial rice, rice blast disease, and key genes for high nitrogen use efficiency, play an important role in promoting the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 12. The purpose of this review is not to elaborate on the details of each research, but to innovatively summarize the significance and inspiration of these achievements to ensure global food security and achieve sustainable agriculture. In the future, cultivating new rice varieties through modern biotechnology, such as genome editing, will not only reduce hunger, but potentially reduce human-land conflicts, improve the environment, and mitigate climate change.
Effect of drainage ratio during strawberry cultivation:The volatilomics-based shelf-life indicators for strawberry fruit
Authors: Cho Jwa Yeong , Ryu Da Hye , Hamayun Muhammad , Park Soo Hyun , Kim Ho-Youn
Published: March 2023

The metabolome of strawberries at harvest determines their storage capacity. Therefore, dynamics of volatile production during storage of strawberry cultivated under diverse drainage ratios, T1 (12.0%), T2 (25.3%), T3 (36.4%), and T4 (56.5%), were evaluated. Among the various non-target VOCs analysis, there were some groups including aldehydes, esters, and furans occupied over 5% with exhibiting high coefficient of determination (R2) following the days after storage (DAS). Aldehydes content decreased over the storage period, while the esters (methyl butanoate, methyl hexanoate, ethyl hexanoate, and benzyl acetate) and furanones (furaneol and mesifuran) were increased as representing aroma compounds in strawberry ripening. Even on the same day, it was investigated that the release of VOCs linked to fruit decay was delayed in the groups (T1 and T2) that were given relatively little water compared to T3 and T4. The hexanal and ethyl hexanoate as an over-ripened signal showed a rapid increase from 4 DAS to 5 DAS in T3 and T4, respectively, while T1 and T2 showed significant increase from 5 DAS to 6 DAS. Relatively slower over-ripening tendency of T1 and T2 was supported by changes of firmness, total soluble solid content, anthocyanin content, and antioxidant activity during storage. T1 and T2 showed higher antioxidant activity at the harvest time and lower anthocyanin accumulation than T3 and T4. The present study elucidated that the preharvest drainage changes during cultivation was involved in fruit quality during strawberry storage. Besides, volatilomics analysis depicted that T2 as an optimal ratio, could delay the occurrence of stress and senescence, and guaranteed the strawberry yield. In conclusion, this study provided evidence that the practical application of drainage ratios could improve horticultural product quality even with low water use and VOCs might be considered an early indicator for strawberry fruit shelf-life.
The Amsterdam petunia germplasm collection: A tool in plant science
Authors: Strazzer Pamela , Verbree Bets , Bliek Mattijs , Koes Ronald , Quattrocchio Francesca M.
Published: March 2023

Petunia hybrida is a plant model system used by many researchers to investigate a broad range of biological questions. One of the reasons for the success of this organism as a lab model is the existence of numerous mutants, involved in a wide range of processes, and the ever-increasing size of this collection owing to a highly active and efficient transposon system. We report here on the origin of petunia-based research and describe the collection of petunia lines housed in the University of Amsterdam, where many of the existing genotypes are maintained.
Genetics and breeding of phenolic content in tomato, eggplant and pepper fruits
Authors: Rosa-Martínez Elena , Bovy Arnaud , Plazas Mariola , Tikunov Yury , Prohens Jaime , Pereira-Dias Leandro
Published: March 2023

Phenolic acids and flavonoids are large groups of secondary metabolites ubiquitous in the plant kingdom. They are currently in the spotlight due to the numerous health benefits associated with their consumption, as well as for their vital roles in plant biological processes and in plant-environment interaction. Tomato, eggplant and pepper are in the top ten most consumed vegetables in the world, and their fruit accumulation profiles have been extensively characterized, showing substantial differences. A broad array of genetic and genomic tools has helped to identify QTLs and candidate genes associated with the fruit biosynthesis of phenolic acids and flavonoids. The aim of this review was to synthesize the available information making it easily available for researchers and breeders. The phenylpropanoid pathway is tightly regulated by structural genes, which are conserved across species, along with a complex network of regulatory elements like transcription factors, especially of MYB family, and cellular transporters. Moreover, phenolic compounds accumulate in tissue-specific and developmental-dependent ways, as different paths of the metabolic pathway are activated/deactivated along with fruit development. We retrieved 104 annotated putative orthologues encoding for key enzymes of the phenylpropanoid pathway in tomato (37), eggplant (29) and pepper (38) and compiled 267 QTLs (217 for tomato, 16 for eggplant and 34 for pepper) linked to fruit phenolic acids, flavonoids and total phenolics content. Combining molecular tools and genetic variability, through both conventional and genetic engineering strategies, is a feasible approach to improve phenolics content in tomato, eggplant and pepper. Finally, although the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway has been well-studied in the Solanaceae, more research is needed on the identification of the candidate genes behind many QTLs, as well as their interactions with other QTLs and genes.
Genetic diversity and structure of Slovenian native germplasm of plum species (P. domestica L., P. cerasifera Ehrh. and P. spinosa L.)
Authors: Ternjak T. , Barreneche T. , Šiško M. , Ivančič A. , Šušek A. , Quero-García J.
Published: March 2023

Slovenia has particular climatic, soil, geographic and historical conditions that lead to long tradition of plum cultivation and use. In this work, a set of 11 SSR and three universal cpDNA markers, as well as flow cytometry, were used to (1) evaluate the genetic diversity of 124 accessions of the three Prunus species (P. domestica L., P. cerasifera Ehrh., and P. spinosa L.), (2) investigate the possible involvement of P. cerasifera and P. spinosa species in P. domestica origin, (3) study the genetic relationships and variability among the most typical P. domestica accessions present in Slovenia. Ten haplotypes of cpDNA were identified and clustered into three groups according to the Neighbor-Joining analysis (NJ). All 11 SSR primer pairs were polymorphic, revealing 116 unique genotypes. A total of 328 alleles were detected with an average value of 29.82 alleles per locus, showing relatively high diversity. Bayesian analysis of genetic structure was used to identify two ancestral populations in the analyses of all three species as well as in a separate set consisting of P. domestica material only. Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) showed that accessions clustered largely in agreement with Bayesian analysis. Neighbor-Joining analysis grouped 71 P. domestica accessions into three clusters with many subgroups that exhibited complex arrangement. Most accessions clustered in agreement with traditional pomological groups, such as common prunes, mirabelle plums and greengages. In this study, the analyses revealed within P. domestica pool valuable local landraces, such as traditional prunes or bluish plums, which seem to be highly interesting from a genetic point of view. Moreover, complementary approaches allowed us to distinguish between the three species and to gain insights into the origin of plum. The results will be instrumental in understanding the diversity of Slovenian plum germplasm, improving the conservation process, recovering local genotypes and enriching existing collections of plant genetic resources.
Association between PT, PT-INR, and in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients with tumors: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Liang Jia-Dong , Qin Zuo-An , Yang Jin-Hao , Zhao Chao-Fen , He Qian-Yong , Shang Kai , Li Yu-Xin , Xu Xin-Yu , Wang Yan
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Prothrombin time (PT) and PT-INR are independent predictors of mortality in patients with cancer. The PT and PT-INR of cancer patients are independent predictive variables of mortality. However, whether the PT or PT-INR is related to in-hospital mortality in severely ill patients with tumors remains unknown.

Design

This was a case–control study based on a multicenter public database.

Settings

This study is a secondary analysis of data extracted from 2014 to 2015 from the Electronic Intensive Care Unit Collaborative Research Database.

Participants

The data relevant to seriously ill patients with tumors were obtained from 208 hospitals spread throughout the USA. This research included a total of 200,859 participants. After the samples were screened for patients with combination malignancies and prolonged PT-INR or PT, the remaining 1745 and 1764 participants, respectively, were included in the final data analysis.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The key evaluation methodology was the PT count and PT-INR, and the main outcome was the in-hospital mortality rate.

Results

After controlling for confounding variables, we found a curvilinear connection between PT-INR and in-hospital mortality (p < 0.001), and the inflection point was 2.5. When PT-INR was less than 2.5, an increase in PT-INR was positively associated with in-hospital mortality (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.13), whereas when PT-INR was greater than 2.5, in-hospital mortality was relatively stable and higher than the baseline before the inflection point. Similarly, our study indicated that the PT exhibited a curvilinear connection with in-hospital mortality. On the left side of the inflection point (PT <22), a rise in the PT was positively linked with in-hospital mortality (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.13, p < 0.001). On the right side of the inflection point, the baseline PT was above 22, and the in-hospital mortality was stable and higher than the PT count in the prior range (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.04, 0.7056).

Conclusion

Our findings revealed that there is a curved rather than a linear link between the PT or PT-INR and in-hospital mortality in critically ill cancer patients. When these two laboratory results are below the inflection point, comprehensive therapy should be employed to reduce the count; when these two laboratory results are above the inflection point, every effort should be made to reduce the numerical value to a value below the inflection point.
Digital transformation in organizational health and safety to mitigate Burnout Syndrome
Authors: Sanchez-Segura María-Isabel , Dugarte-Peña German-Lenin , Medina-Dominguez Fuensanta , Amescua Seco Antonio , Menchen Viso Rosa
Published: March 2023

In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified Burnout Syndrome as an occupational risk factor, affecting an estimated 10% of workers, resulting in lost productivity and increased costs due to sick leave. Some claim that Burnout Syndrome has reached epidemic proportions in workplaces around the world. While signs of burnout are not difficult to identify and palliate, its real impact is not easy to measure, generating a number of risks for companies from possible loss of human talent to decreased productivity and diminished quality of life. Given the complexity of Burnout Syndrome, it must be addressed in a creative, innovative and systematic way; traditional approaches cannot be expected to deliver different results. This paper describes the experience where an innovation challenge was launched to collect creative ideas to identify, prevent or mitigate Burnout Syndrome through the use of technological tools and software. The challenge was endowed with an economic award and its guidelines stated that the proposals must be both creative and feasible from an economic and organizational point of view. A total of twelve creative projects were submitted, including each of them, the analysis, design and management plans, to envision an idea that is feasible and with the appropriate budget, implemented. In this paper, we present a summary of these creative projects and how the IRSST (Instituto Regional de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo) experts and leaders in OHS in the Madrid Region (Spain) envision their potential impact on improving the OHS landscape.
A participatory study of college students’ mental health during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Park Chulwoo , McClure Fuller Melissa , Echevarria Thea Marie , Nguyen Kim , Perez Daisy , Masood Hufsa , Alsharif Tasneem , Worthen Miranda
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted college students’ mental health and wellbeing. Even before the pandemic, young adults reported high mental health morbidity. During the pandemic, young adult college students faced unprecedented challenges, including campus closure and a pivot to fully online education.

Methods

This study employed a novel participatory approach to a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) in an introductory epidemiology course to examine factors students considered important regarding their experience during the pandemic. Two groups of undergraduate students enrolled in this course (one in Fall 2020 and another in Spring 2021) and participated in the CURE. A sub-group of these students continued after the class and are authors of this article. Through repeated cross-sectional surveys of college students’ peer groups in northern California in October 2020 and March 2021, this student/faculty collaborative research team evaluated depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and several other topics related to mental health among the students’ young adult community.

Results

There was a high prevalence of anxiety (38.07% in October 2020 and 40.65% in March 2021), depression (29.85% in October 2020 and 27.57% in March 2021), and suicidal ideation (15.94% in October 2020 and 16.04% in March 2021). In addition, we identified the significant burden of loneliness for college students, with 58.06% of students reporting feeling lonely at least several days in the past two weeks. Strategies that students used to cope with the pandemic included watching shows, listening to music, or playing video games (69.01%), sleeping (56.70%), taking breaks (51.65%), and connecting with friends (52.31%) or family (51.21%). Many reported distressing household experiences: more than a third reporting loss of a job or income (34.27%) in the first year of the pandemic. We explain the participatory research approach and share empirical results of these studies.

Discussion

We found this participatory CURE approach led to novel, experience-based research questions; increased student motivation; real-world benefits such as combatting imposter syndrome and supporting graduate school intentions; integration of teaching, research, and service; and development of stronger student-faculty relationships. We close with recommendations to support student wellbeing and promote student engagement in research.
Air pollution, genetic factors and the risk of osteoporosis: A prospective study in the UK biobank
Authors: Yu Xing-Hao , Cao Han-Wen , Bo Lin , Lei Shu-Feng , Deng Fei-Yan
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To reveal relationship between air pollution exposure and osteoporosis (OP) risk.

Methods

Based on large-scale data from the UK Biobank, we evaluated the relationship between OP risk and several air pollutants. Then air pollution scores (APS) were constructed to assess the combined effects of multiple air pollutants on OP risk. Finally, we constructed a genetic risk score (GRS) based on a large genome-wide association study of femoral neck bone mineral density and assessed whether single or combined exposure to air pollutants modifies the effect of genetic risk on OP and fracture risk.

Results

PM2.5, NO2, NOx, and APS were significantly associated with an increased risk of OP/fracture. OP and fracture risk raised with increasing concentrations of air pollutants: compared to the lowest APS quintile group, subjects in the highest quintile group had a hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI) estimated at 1.140 (1.072–1.213) for OP and 1.080 (1.026–1.136) for fracture. Moreover, participants with low GRS and the highest air pollutant concentration had the highest risk of OP, the HRs (95% CI) of OP were 1.706 (1.483–1.964), 1.658 (1.434–1.916), 1.696 (1.478–1.947), 1.740 (1.506–2.001) and 1.659 (1.442–1.908), respectively, for PM2.5, PM10, PM2.5−10, NO2, and NOx. Similar results were also observed for fractures. Finally, we assessed the joint effect of APS and GRS on the risk of OP. Participants with higher APS and lower GRS had a higher risk of developing OP. Similar results were observed in the joint effect of GRS and APS on fracture.

Conclusions

We found that exposure to air pollution, individually or jointly, could improve the risk of developing OP and fractures, and increased the risk by interacting with genetic factors.
Wastewater pandemic preparedness: Toward an end-to-end pathogen monitoring program
Authors: Clark Justin R. , Terwilliger Austen , Avadhanula Vasanthi , Tisza Michael , Cormier Juwan , Javornik-Cregeen Sara , Ross Matthew Clayton , Hoffman Kristi Louise , Troisi Catherine , Hanson Blake , Petrosino Joseph , Balliew John , Piedra Pedro A. , Rios Janelle , Deegan Jennifer , Bauer Cici , Wu Fuqing , Mena Kristina D. , Boerwinkle Eric , Maresso Anthony W.
Published: March 2023

Molecular analysis of public wastewater has great potential as a harbinger for community health and health threats. Long-used to monitor the presence of enteric viruses, in particular polio, recent successes of wastewater as a reliable lead indicator for trends in SARS-CoV-2 levels and hospital admissions has generated optimism and emerging evidence that similar science can be applied to other pathogens of pandemic potential (PPPs), especially respiratory viruses and their variants of concern (VOC). However, there are substantial challenges associated with implementation of this ideal, namely that multiple and distinct fields of inquiry must be bridged and coordinated. These include engineering, molecular sciences, temporal-geospatial analytics, epidemiology and medical, and governmental and public health messaging, all of which present their own caveats. Here, we outline a framework for an integrated, state-wide, end-to-end human pathogen monitoring program using wastewater to track viral PPPs.