bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration analysis identifies MYBL1 as a novel immunotherapy biomarker affecting the immune microenvironment in clear cell renal cell carcinoma: Evidence based on machine learning and experiments
Authors: Wang Tengda , Jian Wengang , Xue Wei , Meng Yuyang , Xia Zhinan , Li Qinchen , Xu Shenhao , Dong Yu , Mao Anli , Zhang Cheng
Published: December 2022

Background

Previous studies have identified MYBL1 as a cancer-promoting molecule in numerous types of cancer. Nevertheless, the role of MYBL in renal cancer remains unclear.

Methods

Genomic and clinical data of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) was get from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. CCK8, colony formation, and 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine assay were utilized to evaluate the performance of cell proliferation. Cell apoptosis was detected using the flow cytometric analysis. The protein level of MYBL1 in different tissues was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. A machine learning algorithm was utilized to identify the prognosis signature based on MYBL1-derived molecules.

Results

Here, we comprehensively investigated the role of MYBL1 in ccRCC. Here, we noticed a higher level of MYBL1 in ccRCC patients in both RNA and protein levels. Further analysis showed that MYBL1 was correlated with progressive clinical characteristics and worse prognosis performance. Biological enrichment analysis showed that MYBL1 can activate multiple oncogenic pathways in ccRCC. Moreover, we found that MYBL1 can remodel the immune microenvironment of ccRCC and affect the immunotherapy response. In vitro and in vivo assays indicated that MYBL1 was upregulated in ccRCC cells and can promote cellular malignant behaviors of ccRCC. Ultimately, an machine learning algorithm – LASSO logistics regression was utilized to identify a prognosis signature based on the MYBL1-derived molecules, which showed satisfactory prediction ability on patient prognosis in both training and validation cohorts.

Conclusions

Our result indicated that MYBL1 is a novel biomarker of ccRCC, which can remodel the tumor microenvironment, affect immunotherapy response and guide precision medicine in ccRCC.
Evaluation of analogs of mutacin 1140 in systemic and cutaneous methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection models in mice
Authors: Ju Min , Joseph Thushinari , Hansanant Nopakorn , Geng Mengxin , Williams McKinley , Cothrell Andrew , Buhrow Andrew Riley , Austin Frank , Smith Leif
Published: December 2022

Mutacin 1140 (Mu1140) is a potent antibiotic against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus. The antibiotic is produced by the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans and is a member of the epidermin family of type AI lantibiotics. The antibiotic exerts its inhibitory activity by binding to the cell wall precursor lipid II, blocking cell wall synthesis, and by disrupting bacterial membranes. In previous studies, the novel K2A and R13A analogs of Mu1140 have been identified to have superior pharmacokinetic properties compared to native Mu1140. In this study, the use of a combined formulation of the Mu1140 K2A and R13A analogs was shown to be more effective at treating MRSA bacteremia than the native Mu1140 or vancomycin. The analogs were also shown to be effective in treating an MRSA skin infection. The use of K2A and R13A analogs may provide a future alternative for treating serious Gram-positive bacterial infections. In a previous study, the Mu1140 analogs were shown to have significantly longer drug clearance times, leading to higher plasma concentrations over time. These properties warranted further testing to determine whether the analogs are effective for the treatment of systemic MRSA and acute skin infections. In this study, Mu1140 analogs were shown to be more effective than currently available treatments for systemic and skin MRSA infections. Further, the study clearly shows that the new analogs are superior to native Mu1140 for the treatment of a systemic MRSA infection. These findings support continued drug product development efforts using the K2A and R13A Mu1140 analogs, and that these analogs may ameliorate the outcome of serious bacterial infections.
The consistency of invasive and non-invasive arterial blood pressure for the assessment of dynamic cerebral autoregulation in NICU patients
Authors: Zhang Weijun , Lu Hongji , Liu Jia , Ou Aihua , Zhang Pandeng , Zhong Jingxin
Published: December 2022

Background

Studies of the clinical application of dynamic cerebral autoregulation show considerable variations, and differences in blood pressure devices may be one of the reasons for this variation. Few studies have examined the consistency of invasive and non-invasive arterial blood pressure for evaluating cerebral autoregulation. We attempted to investigate the agreement between invasive and non-invasive blood pressure methods in the assessment of dynamic cerebral autoregulation with transfer function analysis.

Methods

Continuous cerebral blood flow velocity and continuous invasive and non-invasive arterial blood pressure were simultaneously recorded for 15 min. Transfer function analysis was applied to derive the phase shift, gain and coherence function at all frequency bands from the first 5, 10, and 15 min of the 15-min recordings. The consistency was assessed with Bland–Altman analysis and intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results

The consistency of invasive and noninvasive blood pressure methods for the assessment of dynamic cerebral autoregulation was poor at 5 min, slightly improved at 10 min, and good at 15 min. The values of the phase shift at the low-frequency band measured by the non-invasive device were higher than those measured with invasive equipment. The coherence function values measured by the invasive technique were higher than the values derived from the non-invasive method.

Conclusion

Both invasive and non-invasive arterial blood pressure methods have good agreement in evaluating dynamic cerebral autoregulation when the recording duration reaches 15 min. The phase shift values measured with non-invasive techniques are higher than those measured with invasive devices. We recommend selecting the most appropriate blood pressure device to measure cerebral autoregulation based on the disease, purpose, and design.
A prognostic estimation model based on mRNA-sequence data for patients with oligodendroglioma
Authors: Zhu Qinghui , Shen Shaoping , Yang Chuanwei , Li Mingxiao , Zhang Xiaokang , Li Haoyi , Zhao Xuzhe , Li Ming , Cui Yong , Ren Xiaohui , Lin Song
Published: December 2022

Background

The diagnosis of oligodendroglioma based on the latest World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System (WHO CNS 5) criteria requires the codeletion of chromosome arms 1p and 19q and isocitrate dehydrogenase gene (IDH) mutation (mut). Previously identified prognostic indicators may not be completely suitable for patients with oligodendroglioma based on the new diagnostic criteria. To find potential prognostic indicators for oligodendroglioma, we analyzed the expression of mRNAs of oligodendrogliomas in Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA).

Methods

We collected 165 CGGA oligodendroglioma mRNA-sequence datasets and divided them into two cohorts. Patients in the two cohorts were further classified into long-survival and short-survival subgroups. The most predictive mRNAs were filtered out of differentially expressed mRNAs (DE mRNAs) between long-survival and short-survival patients in the training cohort by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and risk scores of patients were calculated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to screen factors associated with survival and establish the prognostic model. qRT-PCR was used to validate the expression differences of mRNAs.

Results

A total of 88 DE mRNAs were identified between the long-survival and the short-survival groups in the training cohort. Seven RNAs were selected to calculate risk scores. Univariate analysis showed that risk level, age, and primary-or-recurrent status (PRS) type were statistically correlated with survival and were used as factors to establish a prognostic model for patients with oligodendroglioma. The model showed an optimal predictive accuracy with a C-index of 0.912 (95% CI, 0.679–0.981) and harbored a good agreement between the predictions and observations in both training and validation cohorts.

Conclusion

We established a prognostic model based on mRNA-sequence data for patients with oligodendroglioma. The predictive ability of this model was validated in a validation cohort, which demonstrated optimal accuracy. The 7 mRNAs included in the model would help predict the prognosis of patients and guide personalized treatment.
Low-dose computed tomography for lung cancer screening in Anhui, China: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rong Feng , Shi Rui , Hu Lili , Chen Ran , Wang Daoyue , Lv Xiazhi , Zhao Yong , Huang Wei , Yang Yang , Zhou Hongyang , Hong Kaige
Published: December 2022

Background

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with risk factors such as age and smoking. Low-dose computed tomography screening can reduce lung cancer mortality. However, its effectiveness in Asian populations remains unclear. Most Asian women with lung cancer are non-smokers who have not been screened. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the performance of low-dose computed tomography screening in a Chinese population, including high-risk smokers and non-smokers exposed to passive smoking. The baseline data are reported in this study.

Methods

Between May and December 2019, eligible participants were randomized in a ratio of 1:1:1 to a screening (two arms) or control cohort. Non-calcified nodules/masses with a diameter >4 mm on low-dose computed tomography were considered positive findings.

Results

In total, 600 patients (mean age, 59.1 ± 6.9 years) underwent low-dose computed tomography. Women accounted for 31.5% (189/600) of patients; 89.9% (170/189) were non-smokers/passive smokers. At baseline, the incidence of lung cancer was 1.8% (11/600). The incidence of lung cancer was significantly lower in smokers than in female non-smokers/passive smokers (1.0% [4/415] vs. 4.1% [7/170], respectively; P=0.017). Stage 0–I lung cancer accounted for 90.9% (10/11) of cases.

Conclusions

We demonstrate the importance of including active smokers and female non-smokers/passive smokers in lung cancer screening programs. Further studies are needed to explore the risk factors, and long-term cost–benefit of screening Asian non-smoking women.

Clinical trial registration

http://chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=39003, identifier ChiCTR1900023197.
Process of diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in children at primary hospitals
Authors: Shen Hua-Qin , Zhang Yan-Han , Zhang Jing , Sheng Qiu-Ming
Published: December 2022

Objective

This study aimed to establish a process for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in children suitable at primary hospitals and improve the treatment efficacy rate and improve health economic indicators.

Methods

Children who visited the Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Zhou Pu Hospital of the Shanghai Health Medical College from January to December 2021 were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 206), in which the diagnosis and treatment process proposed here was applied, and a control group (n = 211) that did not follow the intervention pathway and followed a pathway with the doctors usual practice based on his/her previous experience. Patients were followed up and data were collected at weeks 0 (time of enrollment), 2, 4, 8, and 12 to evaluate the efficacy rate and clinical value.

Results

(1) No significant differences were detected between the two groups in baseline characteristics, including gender, age, duration of cough (weeks), history of allergy in children and parents, and smoking of family members living in the same household (p > 0.05); (2) During the follow-up, all cough symptom scores of the intervention group were lower than the control group. Additionally, at week 12, the treatment efficacy rate of the intervention group (91.70%) was significantly higher than the control group (69.20%) (p < 0.05); (3) The quality of life of children in both groups at week 12 was improved compared to the first visit. However, the total score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05); (4) At week 12, the referral rate was significantly lower in the intervention group (11.17%) than in the control group (21.33%); (5) The intervention group was better than the control group for the mean monthly medication costs, number of days on errors in childhood, and number of days mistakenly worked by family members at week 12 (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The current process of diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in children at primary hospitals can improve the effective diagnosis and treatment rate, the quality of life, and other parameters, with good effectiveness and feasibility.
The significance of glycolysis in tumor progression and its relationship with the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Zhou Daoying , Duan Zhen , Li Zhenyu , Ge Fangfang , Wei Ran , Kong Lingsuo
Published: December 2022

It is well known that tumor cells rely mainly on aerobic glycolysis for energy production even in the presence of oxygen, and glycolysis is a known modulator of tumorigenesis and tumor development. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is composed of tumor cells, various immune cells, cytokines, and extracellular matrix, among other factors, and is a complex niche supporting the survival and development of tumor cells and through which they interact and co-evolve with other tumor cells. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in glycolysis and the TME. Many studies have found that glycolysis promotes tumor growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance, as well as inhibiting the apoptosis of tumor cells. In addition, lactic acid, a metabolite of glycolysis, can also accumulate in the TME, leading to reduced extracellular pH and immunosuppression, and affecting the TME. This review discusses the significance of glycolysis in tumor development, its association with the TME, and potential glycolysis-targeted therapies, to provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of tumors.
Dynamics of laser-bumped electron–hole semiconductor plasma
Authors: Elgarawany Amany Z. , Gamal Yosr E. E.-D. , El-Hafeez Samy A. , Moslem Waleed M.
Published: December 2022

Electron–hole pairs in semiconductors can be stimulated by a laser beam with energy larger than the energy gap of the semiconductor. The interaction between an electron–hole plasma with a laser beam can be a source of instability. The dependence of the instability on the electron and hole temperatures and the unperturbed potential of the incident laser are examined. Using Maxwell’s equations along with electron–hole fluid equations, an evolution equation describing the system is obtained. The latter is reduced to an energy equation that characterizes localized pulse propagation.
Multiple-symmetry-protected lantern-like nodal walls in lithium-rich compound LiRuO2
Authors: Gao Hongli , Meng Weizhen , Wang Lirong , Deng Jinxiang
Published: December 2022

Topological semimetals have attracted wide attention due to their potential applications, such as electronic devices and electrocatalysis. Herein, based on the first-principles calculations and symmetry analysis, we first report that ternary compound pnnm-type LiRuO2 is a typical lantern-like nodal wall semimetal. Specifically, without considering spin-orbit coupling (SOC), one-dimensional (1D) two-fold degenerate bands on the ki = ±π (i = x, y) planes form the two-dimensional (2D) topological state (namely, nodal surface) under the constraint of multiple symmetry operations. In addition, the symmetry-enforced nodal network is formed on the kz = ±π planes. Finally, these nodal networks and nodal surfaces are coupled together to form lantern-like nodal walls. Remarkably, these topological states are protected by multiple symmetries, namely, nonsymmorphic two-fold screw-rotational symmetry [S2i (i = x, y)], time-reversal symmetry (T), inversion symmetry (I), glide plane symmetry (σz), and two-fold rotational symmetry (C2x/y). In addition, we further discuss the effect of spin-orbit coupling on the lantern-like nodal walls. We find that even if LiRuO2 contains S2z and T symmetries, these nodal surfaces and nodal networks are still broken. Then, due to the existence of I and T symmetries, Dirac nodal lines and Dirac points are formed in the low-energy region. Therefore, our work indicates that LiRuO2 is an excellent material platform for researching multiple topological states.
Calcium interactions in amelogenin-derived peptide assembly
Authors: Zhang Jing , Bai Yushi , Wang Jian , Li Bing , Habelitz Stefan , Lu Jun-xia
Published: December 2022

Phosphorylation of serine residues has been recognized as a pivotal event in the evolution of mineralized tissues in many biological systems. During enamel development, the extracellular matrix protein amelogenin is most abundant and appears to be critical to the extreme high aspect ratios (length:width) of apatite mineral fibers reaching several millimeters in larger mammalian teeth. A 14-residue peptide (14P2, residues Gly8 to Thr21) was previously identified as a key sequence mediating amelogenin assembly formation, the domain also contains the native single phosphoserine residue (Ser16) of the full-length amelogenin. In this research, 14P2 and its phosphorylated form (p14P2) were investigated at pH 6.0 with various calcium and phosphate ion concentrations, indicating that both peptides could self-assemble into amyloid-like conformation but with differences in structural details. With calcium, the distance between 31P within the p14P2 self-assemblies is averaged to be 4.4 ± 0.2Å, determined by solid-state NMR 31P PITHIRDS-CT experiments. Combining with other experimental results, solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (SSNMR) suggests that the p14P2 self-assemblies are in parallel in-register β-sheet conformation and divalent calcium ions most likely connect two adjacent peptide chains by binding to the phosphate group of Ser16 and the carboxylate of Glu18 side-chain. This study on the interactions between calcium ions and amelogenin-derived peptides provides insights on how amelogenin may self-assemble in the presence of calcium ions in early enamel development.
Effects of traditional Chinese herb hot compress combined with therapeutic exercise on pain, proprioception, and functional performance among older adults with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wang Jingwen , Liu Wei , Fu Haitao
Published: December 2022

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common chronic progressive diseases with degenerative destruction of articular cartilage and bone, leading to knee pain, impaired proprioception, and reduced functional performance. This study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week Traditional Chinese herb hot compress (TCHHC) combined with therapeutic exercise (TE) on pain, proprioception, and functional performance among older adults with KOA.

Methods: Twenty-seven older adults with KOA were recruited and randomly assigned to the TCHHC + TE or TE groups. Thirteen participants received TCHHC + TE, and fourteen received TE. At pre- (week 0) and post-intervention (week 9), their pain, joint proprioception, and functional performance were measured. Two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was adopted to analyze the data.

Results: Compared with week 0, the pain score, proprioception thresholds of knee extension and ankle plantarflexion, and the times of TUG and 20-m walk tests decreased more significantly in the TCHHC + TE group than in the TE group at week 9.

Conclusion: Compared with TE, the 8-week TCHHC + TE was superior in relieving pain, recovering proprioception, and improving functional performance among older adults with KOA. It is recommended that TCHHC should be adopted prior to TE to enhance the effects of KOA rehabilitation.
No moderating effect of coping skills on the association between bullying experience and self-esteem: Results from K-CHILD study
Authors: Saimon Yukino , Doi Satomi , Fujiwara Takeo
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Few studies have investigated the moderating effect of coping skills on the association between bullying experience and low self-esteem. The aim of this study was to examine whether coping skills have a moderating effect on the association between bullying experience and self-esteem among Japanese students.

Methods

Data from the population-based Kochi Child Health Impact of Living Difficulty (K-CHILD) study conducted in 2016 were analyzed. Participants included fifth-and eighth-grade students living in Kochi Prefecture, Japan. A questionnaire for the students (n = 5,991) assessed the bullying experience, self-esteem (the Japanese Edition of the Harter’s Perceived Competence Scale for Children), and coping skills that comprised six types (The shortened version of coping skills for elementary school children). Multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between bullying experience and self-esteem and then the moderating effects of six types of coping as interaction terms on the association were considered.

Results

Bullying experience was inversely associated with self-esteem. All six types of coping did not moderate the relationship between bullying experience and low self-esteem even after adjusting for cofounders (all P for interaction > 0.15).

Conclusion

Coping skills did not moderate the association between bullying experience and self-esteem, suggesting that intervention to boost coping skills to mitigate the adverse effect of bullying experience may not be promising.
Examining the green factors affecting environmental performance in small and medium–sized enterprises: A mediating essence of green creativity
Authors: He Di , Raza Ali , Chen Min , Xu Yiwei , Morake Otsile
Published: December 2022

Despite a large amount of literature on the management and sustainability of green enterprises, representatives’ contributions to environmental challenges have received scant attention. This study purposefully assesses how managers’ ecological expertise and ability to transform organizations’ leadership practices into more environmentally friendly ones, with the help of green creativity (GC) as a mediating factor. The study utilizes partial least square structural equation modeling to examine the perceptions of 400 respondents in various leadership roles in the small and medium businesses industry. The study’s findings point to the beneficial impacts of green knowledge (GK), green transformational leadership (GTL), and GC on environmental performance (EP). GC also appears to perform a meaningful mediating role in the links between GK and EP, GTL, and EP. The primary takeaway from recent research is that participants in the sector may be able to respond with green efforts that are specific to their businesses with the support of managers’ environmental concerns. There is a discussion on practice recommendations and future directions.
Breathomics profiling of metabolic pathways affected by major depression: Possibilities and limitations
Authors: Gbaoui Laila , Fachet Melanie , Lüno Marian , Meyer-Lotz Gabriele , Frodl Thomas , Hoeschen Christoph
Published: December 2022

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders with multifactorial etiologies. Metabolomics has recently emerged as a particularly potential quantitative tool that provides a multi-parametric signature specific to several mechanisms underlying the heterogeneous pathophysiology of MDD. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate possibilities and limitations of breath-based metabolomics, breathomics patterns to discriminate MDD patients from healthy controls (HCs) and identify the altered metabolic pathways in MDD.

Methods

Breath samples were collected in Tedlar bags at awakening, 30 and 60 min after awakening from 26 patients with MDD and 25 HCs. The non-targeted breathomics analysis was carried out by proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry. The univariate analysis was first performed by T-test to rank potential biomarkers. The metabolomic pathway analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) were performed to group the significant metabolites involved in the same metabolic pathways or networks. Moreover, a support vector machine (SVM) predictive model was built to identify the potential metabolites in the altered pathways and clusters. The accuracy of the SVM model was evaluated by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis.

Results

A total of 23 differential exhaled breath metabolites were significantly altered in patients with MDD compared with HCs and mapped in five significant metabolic pathways including aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis (p = 0.0055), branched chain amino acids valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis (p = 0.0060), glycolysis and gluconeogenesis (p = 0.0067), nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism (p = 0.0213) and pyruvate metabolism (p = 0.0440). Moreover, the SVM predictive model showed that butylamine (p = 0.0005, pFDR=0.0006), 3-methylpyridine (p = 0.0002, pFDR = 0.0012), endogenous aliphatic ethanol isotope (p = 0.0073, pFDR = 0.0174), valeric acid (p = 0.005, pFDR = 0.0162) and isoprene (p = 0.038, pFDR = 0.045) were potential metabolites within identified clusters with HCA and altered pathways, and discriminated between patients with MDD and non-depressed ones with high sensitivity (0.88), specificity (0.96) and area under curve of ROC (0.96).

Conclusion

According to the results of this study, the non-targeted breathomics analysis with high-throughput sensitive analytical technologies coupled to advanced computational tools approaches offer completely new insights into peripheral biochemical changes in MDD.
Electro-optic response of bipolar nematic liquid crystal confined in oblate spheroid
Authors: Yang Chenjing , Chen Ran , Feng Leyun , Zhang Rui , Chen Dong
Published: December 2022

Electro-optic response of liquid crystals (LCs) relies on the molecular reorientation of LCs under external electric field and is important for a wide spectrum of applications. Here, we uncover an interesting electro-optic response of 5CB nematic LC confined in an oblate spheroid and subjected to external electric field. Under the planar anchoring, the nematic LC spheroid adopts a bipolar structure with the bipolar axis laid in the horizontal film plane. When a threshold electric field EF, is applied, the bipolar structure reorients from the horizontal configuration (LC molecules align along long axis direction) to the vertical configuration (LC molecules align along short axis direction), involving the competition of elastic energy, surface anchoring energy and electric field energy. In contrast to bipolar nematic LC droplets, the vertical configuration does not relax to the low-energy horizontal configuration after removing E; we argue that is due to the oblate shape of the nematic LC spheroid, which traps the bipolar structure in a local energy minimum. We use continuum simulation to demonstrate the detailed response and the reorientation dynamics of bipolar nematic spheroids under E field, showing consistent results with the experiments and confirming the proposed switching mechanism. Nevertheless, the vertical configuration of the bipolar structure could relax to the low-energy horizontal configuration by thermal cycling. Our studies provide clear experimental results that show the characteristics of the electro-optic response of oblate LC spheroids, which have both fundamental and practical implications.
Impact of mindfulness on irrigation water consumption
Authors: Asthana Anand N.
Published: December 2022

As two irreversible trends—population growth and climate change advance further, demand for water conservation will increase. Since irrigation is the major source of use (and waste) of freshwater, the professionals in this field will be under pressure to find innovative ways to increase physical irrigation efficiency. Irrigation water management promotes the delivery of water in a quantity that meets the needs of the crop while avoiding runoff and prolonged soil saturation. Water and energy can be conserved by improving application precision and decreasing unused applications. The adoption of water conservation technologies do not always increase the physical irrigation efficiency. Paradoxically, in many cases it may also increase water withdrawal. However, there are non-economic reasons because of which farmers invest their time and effort to reduce wastage of water. Higher irrigation efficiency is likely to depend on behavioral characteristics of the farmer. This research looks at whether mindfulness is one of the characteristics that influences water conservation. It also looks at the mechanism of this effect and the mediating role of environmental concern. It is found that mindfulness has a direct effect as also an indirect effect (through environmental concern) on increase in physical irrigation efficiency. The estimated effect of mindfulness through environmental concern is about two-thirds of the total effect, the remaining one-third of the effect coming directly from mindfulness.
Cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein complexes, RNA helicases and coronavirus infection
Authors: Wang Li , Guzmán María , Sola Isabel , Enjuanes Luis , Zuñiga Sonia
Published: December 2022

RNA metabolism in the eukaryotic cell includes the formation of ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs) that, depending on their protein components, have a different function. Cytoplasmic RNPs, such as stress granules (SGs) or P-bodies (PBs) are quite relevant during infections modulating viral and cellular RNA expression and as key players in the host cell antiviral response. RNA helicases are abundant components of RNPs and could have a significant effect on viral infection. This review focuses in the role that RNPs and RNA helicases have during coronavirus (CoVs) infection. CoVs are emerging highly pathogenic viruses with a large single-stranded RNA genome. During CoV infection, a complex network of RNA-protein interactions in different RNP structures is established. In general, RNA helicases and RNPs have an antiviral function, but there is limited knowledge on whether the viral protein interactions with cell components are mediators of this antiviral effect or are part of the CoV antiviral counteraction mechanism. Additional data is needed to elucidate the role of these RNA-protein interactions during CoV infection and their potential contribution to viral replication or pathogenesis.
Does Ecological Agriculture Moderate the Relationship between Wine Tourism and Economic Performance? A Structural Equation Analysis Applied to the Ribera del Duero Wine Context
Authors: Fuentes-Fernández Rosana , Martínez-Falcó Javier , Sánchez-García Eduardo , Marco-Lajara Bartolomé
Published: December 2022

The purpose of this research is to analyze the effect of wine tourism activity on economic performance in the wine context of Ribera del Duero (Spain), as well as the mediating effect of ecological agriculture on this link. To this end, a conceptual model is proposed based on the literature review carried out and contrasted through structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) with data from 263 wineries, which in turn represent the population under study. The study results allow for us to empirically demonstrate the positive and significant relationship of wine tourism on performance, as well as the partial mediation of ecological agriculture in this relationship. The study thus contributes to the academic literature in a remarkable way given that, to our knowledge, there are no previous studies that have addressed the mediating role of ecological agriculture in the wine tourism–economic performance link. However, the research also suffers from certain limitations. In particular, given the relevance of the study, it is necessary to broaden its geographical scope so that, as a future line of research, it is proposed to contextualize the model proposed in the California wine industry, being able to subsequently establish similarities and differences in the Old and New World.
Ripeness Evaluation of Achacha Fruit Using Hyperspectral Image Data
Authors: Nguyen Ngo Minh Tri , Liou Nai-Shang
Published: December 2022

In this study, spectral data within the wavelength range of 400–780 nm were used to evaluate the ripeness stages of achacha fruits. The ripeness status of achacha fruits was divided into seven stages. Both average and pixel-based approaches were used to assess the ripeness. The accuracy and n-level-error accuracy of each ripeness stage was predicted by using classification models (Support Vector Machine (SVM), Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN)) and regression models (Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR) and Support Vector Regression (SVR)). Furthermore, how the curvature of the fruit surface affected the prediction of the ripeness stage was investigated. With the use of an averaged spectrum of fruit samples, the accuracy of the model used in this study ranged from 52.25% to 79.75%, and the one-level error accuracy (94.75–100%) was much higher. The SVM model had the highest accuracy (79.75%), and the PLSR model had the highest one-level error accuracy (100%). With the use of pixel-based ripeness prediction results and majority rule, the accuracy (58.25–79.50%) and one-level-error accuracy (95.25–99.75%) of all models was comparable with the accuracy predicted by using averaged spectrum. The pixel-based prediction results showed that the curvature of the fruit could have a noticeable effect on the ripeness evaluation values of achacha fruits with a low or high ripeness stage. Thus, using the spectral data in the central region of achacha fruits would be a relatively reliable choice for ripeness evaluation. For an achacha fruit, the ripeness value of the fruit face exposed to sunlight could be one level higher than that of the face in shadow. Furthermore, when the ripeness value of achacha fruit was close to the mid-value of two adjacent ripeness stage values, all models had a high chance of having one-level ripeness errors. Thus, using a model with high one-level error accuracy for sorting would be a practical choice for the postharvest processing of achacha fruits.
Fall Straw Incorporation with Plastic Film Cover Increases Corn Yield and Water Use Efficiency under a Semi-Arid Climate
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Li Na , Sun Zhanxiang , Yin Guanghua , Zhang Yanqing , Bai Wei , Feng Liangshan , Yang John
Published: December 2022

Corn straw incorporation in soil has been regarded as an environment-friendly approach for straw utilization. However, straw incorporation has been a challenge under a cold and dry climate due to slow decomposition. This field study was to use a novel approach to incorporate corn straw into the soil during the fall season with a plastic film cover in an effort to enhance the straw degradation, soil water use efficiency, and corn growth and yield. Two-year field experiments were conducted in northeast China to investigate the effects of four treatments on soil properties and corn growth: (1) straw incorporation with film cover, (2) straw incorporation only, (3) film cover only, and (4) control. Soils and corn plants were collected during the growing season and analyzed for soil temperature and moisture, straw degradation, corn biomass, grain yield, and water use efficiency. Results indicated that straw incorporation with film cover increased grain yield by 53% as compared to straw incorporation only and by 102% to control. The straw decomposition under film cover was 20% faster, significantly higher than that of the straw incorporation treatment. In all cases, soil water content before planting, corn water uptake, and corn water use efficiency under straw incorporation with film cover were significantly higher than straw incorporation and control. Surface film cover resulted in 10-day earlier corn tasseling in compared to treatments without film cover. This field study demonstrated that straw incorporation with film cover would enhance straw degradation in soil, improve soil properties, and increase corn yield and water use efficiency, which could be potentially used as a sustainable soil management practice in northeast China.
Combined Inclusion of Former Foodstuff and Distiller Grains in Dairy Cows Ration: Effect on Milk Production, Rumen Environment, and Fiber Digestibility
Authors: Mammi Ludovica Maria Eugenia , Buonaiuto Giovanni , Ghiaccio Francesca , Cavallini Damiano , Palmonari Alberto , Fusaro Isa , Massa Valentina , Giorgino Andrea , Formigoni Andrea
Published: December 2022

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the substitution, in dairy cow rations, of traditional protein and starch sources with more sustainable “circular” feeds to increase the sustainability of dairy production. For this purpose, eight multiparous mid-lactating cows were blocked and assigned to one of four treatments and were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin squares design with 21-days periods (14 days of adaptation and 7 of data collection). Two different circular feedstuffs were tested: a bakery’s former foodstuff (FF) and a wheat distiller’s grain with solubles (WDGS). These ingredients were used, alone and in combination, in three experimental diets (FF, WDGS; FF + WDGS) and compared to a standard ration (CTR). Dry matter intake and rumination time were not influenced by these diets. Conversely, dietary treatments partially influenced the milk yield, rumen pH, Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA) production, and fibre digestibility. In particular, the combined inclusion of FF and WDGS increased milk production (37.39 vs. 36.92, 35.48, 35.71 kg/day, for FF, WDGS and CTR diets, respectively) and reduced milk urea content (13.14 vs. 16.19, 15.58, 16.95 mg/dL for FF, WDGS, and CTR diets, respectively). No effects of this association were found in the milk composition, acetic and propionic production, and fibre digestibility. These results suggest that the association of former foodstuff and wheat distillers’ grains could be safely included in dairy cow rations to increase the sustainability of cow nutrition and improve milk production without impairing animal health, dry matter intake, and fibre digestibility.
Contamination Status of Pet Cats in Thailand with Organohalogen Compounds (OHCs) and Their Hydroxylated and Methoxylated Derivatives and Estimation of Sources of Exposure to These Contaminants
Authors: Shimasaki Makoto , Mizukawa Hazuki , Takaguchi Kohki , Saengtienchai Aksorn , Ngamchirttakul Araya , Pencharee Disdanai , Khidkhan Kraisiri , Ikenaka Yoshinori , Nakayama Shouta M. M. , Ishizuka Mayumi , Nomiyama Kei
Published: December 2022

In this study, we analyzed serum samples of pet cats from Thailand and estimated the contribution to organohalogen compounds (OHCs) exposure through cat food and house dust intake. BDE-209 was predominant in cat sera and accounted for 76% of all polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) is a major contaminant in dry cat food and house dust, which has been estimated to be a source of exposure for Thai pet cats. BDE-209 is a major contaminant of OHCs in dry cat food and house dust, which was estimated to be a source of exposure for Thai pet cats. On the other hand, the level of contamination by PCBs was lower than in other countries. Analysis of pet foods suggested that BDE-209 in pet cat serum was attributable to the consumption of dry cat food. On the other hand, house dust also contained high concentrations of BDE-209. Thus, high levels of BDE-209 in pet cat sera can be attributed to the consumption of dry cat food and house dust. These results suggest that pet cats are routinely exposed to non-negligible levels of OHCs.
Rewilding Apex Predators Has Effects on Lower Trophic Levels: Cheetahs and Ungulates in a Woodland Savanna
Authors: Ruble Dallas B. , Verschueren Stijn , Cristescu Bogdan , Marker Laurie L.
Published: December 2022

The restoration of ecosystems through trophic rewilding has become increasingly common worldwide, but the effects on predator–prey and ecosystem dynamics remain poorly understood. For example, predation pressure may impose spatiotemporal behavioural adjustments in prey individuals, affecting herbivory and predation success, and therefore potentially impinging on the long-term success of trophic rewilding through apex predator reintroduction. Predation risk might have detrimental effects on prey through displacement from water or other vital resources. We investigated how five species of African ungulates responded behaviourally to changes in predation risk, following cheetah releases in the system. We grouped ungulates by body size to represent preferred prey weight ranges of the cheetah and examined changes in visitation rates, duration of stay, and activity patterns at waterholes with and without cheetah presence. During cheetah presence, visitation rates of ungulates were low for medium-sized species but high for large-sized species, suggesting that the species within the cheetah’s preferred prey weight range adjusted behaviourally to minimize waterhole visits. Visits to waterholes were longer for small- and large-sized ungulates with cheetah presence, possibly indicating increased vigilance, or a strategy to maximize water intake per visit while minimizing visits. We did not detect significant differences in circadian or seasonal activity in waterhole visits, which may be attributable to the need of ungulates to access water year-round in our semi-arid study system and where migration was impeded due to physical barriers (fencing). We recommend further research into the long-term behavioural consequences of trophic rewilding on prey populations and trophic cascades to assist the success of recovery programs and to minimize potential detrimental effects at target sites.
The Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Rates of Uropathogens in a Rural Western African Area—A Retrospective Single-Center Study from Kpando, Ghana
Authors: Deininger Susanne , Gründler Therese , Deininger Sebastian Hubertus Markus , Lütcke Karina , Lütcke Harry , Agbesi James , Ladzaka Williams , Gyamfi Eric , Wichlas Florian , Hofmann Valeska , Erne Eva , Törzsök Peter , Lusuardi Lukas , Kern Jan Marco , Deininger Christian
Published: December 2022

Little is known about the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) status of uropathogens in Western Africa. We performed a retrospective evaluation of urine cultures collected from the rural Margret Marquart Catholic Hospital, Kpando, Ghana during the time period from October 2019–December 2021. Urine samples from 348 patients (median age 40 years, 52.6% male) were examined. Of these, 125 (35.9%) showed either fungal or bacterial growth, including Escherichia coli in 48 (38.4%), Candida species (spp.) in 29 (23.2%), Klebsiella spp. in 27 (21.6%), Proteus spp. in 12 (9.6%), Citrobacter spp. in 10 (8.0%), Salmonella spp. in 4 (3.2%), Staphylococcus spp. in 3 (2.4%), and Pseudomonas spp. in 2 (1.6%) cases. Two bacterial spp. were detected in 7 samples (5.6%). Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed resistance to a mean 8.6 out of 11 tested antibiotics per patient. Significant predictors (p < 0.05) of bacterial growth were age (OR 1.03), female sex (OR 3.84), and the number of pus cells (OR 1.05) and epithelial cells (OR 1.07) in urine microscopy. We observed an alarmingly high AMR rate among the uropathogens detected, even to reserve antibiotics. A similar resistance profile can be expected in West African patients living in high-income countries. These observations warrant the implementation of restrictive antibiotic protocols, together with the expansion of urine culture testing capacities, improvement of documentation and reporting of AMR rates, and continued research and development of new antibiotic therapies in order to stem the progression of AMR in this West African region.
Impact of Maternal and Offspring Dietary Zn Supplementation on Growth Performance and Antioxidant and Immune Function of Offspring Broilers
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Zhang Ling , Xu Yibin , Ding Xiaoqing , Wang Yongxia , Fu Aikun , Zhan Xiuan
Published: December 2022

The current study investigated the effects of the maternal Zn source in conjunction with their offspring’s dietary Zn supplementation on the growth performance, antioxidant status, Zn concentration, and immune function of the offspring. It also explored whether there is an interaction between maternal Zn and their offspring’s dietary Zn. One-day-old Lingnan Yellow-feathered broilers (n = 800) were completely randomized (n = 4) between two maternal dietary supplemental Zn sources [maternal Zn–Gly (oZn) vs. maternal ZnSO4 (iZn)] × two offspring dietary supplemental Zn doses [Zn-unsupplemented control diet (CON), the control diet + 80 mg of Zn/kg of diet as ZnSO4]. oZn increased progeny ADG and decreased offspring mortality across all periods, especially during the late periods (p < 0.05). The offspring diet supplemented with Zn significantly improved ADG and decreased offspring mortality over the whole period compared with the CON group (p < 0.05). There were significant interactions between the maternal Zn source and offspring dietary Zn with regards to progeny mortality during the late phase and across all phases as a whole (p < 0.05). Compared with the iZn group, the oZn treatment significantly increased progeny liver and serum Zn concentrations; antioxidant capacity in the liver, muscle, and serum; and the IgM concentration in serum; while also decreasing progeny serum IL-1 and TNF-α cytokine secretions (p < 0.05). Similar results were observed when the offspring diet was supplemented with Zn compared with the CON group; moreover, adding Zn to the offspring diet alleviated progeny stress by decreasing corticosterone levels in the serum when compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, maternal Zn–Gly supplementation increased progeny performance and decreased progeny mortality and stress by increasing progeny Zn concentration, antioxidant capacity, and immune function compared with the same Zn levels from ZnSO4. Simultaneously, Zn supplementation in the progeny’s diet is necessary for the growth of broilers.