bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of mechanical damage on the quality characteristics of banana fruits during short-term storage
Authors: Pathare Pankaj B. , Al-Dairi Mai
Published: January 2022

Fresh fruits like bananas are very susceptible to mechanical damage during postharvest handling which can result in a substantial decline in quality. The study aims to evaluate the effect of bruise damage and storage temperatures on the quality of banana fruits after 48 h storage. Each ‘Grand Naine’ banana fruit was impacted once by using a drop impact test using three different heights (10, 30, and 50 cm) and storage temperatures (13 and 22 °C) after 48 h of storage. Different quality analyses were measured like bruise measurements (impact energy, bruise area, bruise volume, and bruise susceptibility), weight loss, total soluble solids (TSS), color (L*, a*, b*, hue°, chroma, yellowness index, yellowness value) headspace gases (respiration and ethylene production rate). The results showed that bruise measurements (bruise area, bruise volume, and bruise susceptibility) were highly affected by drop height. The quality parameters like weight, color, total soluble solids and headspace gases were affected by drop height and storage condition. Weight loss, total soluble solids, respiration rate, and ethylene production rate increased as drop height and storage temperature rise. Storage at ambient conditions (22 °C) accelerated bruising occurrence in banana fruits. Fewer changes were observed after 48 h of storage. The least value of yellowness index was observed on the non-bruised banana fruits (84.03) under 13 °C storage conditions. The findings of the study can provide baseline data to understand the mechanical damage mechanism on fruit quality, hoping to create awareness and educate farming communities and consumers. Storage temperature management is another approach that needs to be followed to reduce the occurrence of mechanical damage in fresh produce.
Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Behavior and Risk Perception of COVID-19 Pandemic among Medical and non-Medical University Students
Authors: Fatima Madeeha , Habib Aamna , Khan Saira , Butt Muhammad Hammad , Mallhi Tauqeer Hussain , Khan Yusra Habib , Zaheer Asifa , Habib Muhammad Umar , Khan Abdul Qayyum , Khan Muhammad Imran , Iqbal Azhar , Mehmood Malik Hassan , Masood Imran
Published: January 2022

Objective:

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has substantially affected students around the globe due to the closure of educational institutes. However, student involvements and contributions are important in combating the disease; for this reason, the current study was designed to assess the knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP), preventive behavior, and risk perception among university students.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted among medical and non-medical university students, from April 1 to June 30, 2020. The 68-item questionnaire was used to evaluate responses using statistical approaches (Student’s t-test, regression-analysis, and co-relation analysis) by considering a P-value <0.05 as statistically significant.

Results:

A total of 503 university students (medical and nonmedical) were selected, where majority of participants were females (83%) and 64.5% were of age ranged from 16 to 21 years old. The participants (80%) reported good disease knowledge with a mean score of 12.06 ± 1.75, which substantially higher among medical students (P < 0.05). Most of the respondents (72%) believed that COVID-19 will be effectively controlled through precautionary measures. In correlation subgroup analysis, a significant relationship (P = 0.025) between knowledge and positive attitude were indicated. Fear and knowledge of COVID-19 emerged as strong predictors (P < 0.001) of preventive behaviors towards disease.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated satisfactory knowledge, positive attitudes, and suitable practices among students toward COVID-19. University students can be involved in public education to aid the health authorities in achieving the targets of educational campaigns with maximum population coverage.
Wind speed inference from environmental flow–structure interactions. Part 2. Leveraging unsteady kinematics
Authors: Cardona Jennifer L. , Dabiri John O.
Published: January 2022

This work explores the relationship between wind speed and time-dependent structural motion response as a means of leveraging the rich information visible in flow–structure interactions for anemometry. We build on recent work by Cardona, Bouman and Dabiri (Flow, vol. 1, 2021, E4), which presented an approach using mean structural bending. Here, we present the amplitude of the dynamic structural sway as an alternative signal that can be used when mean bending is small or inconvenient to measure. A force balance relating the instantaneous loading and instantaneous deflection yields a relationship between the incident wind speed and the amplitude of structural sway. This physical model is applied to two field datasets comprising 13 trees of 4 different species exposed to ambient wind conditions. Model generalization to the diverse test structures is achieved through normalization with respect to a reference condition. The model agrees well with experimental measurements of the local wind speed, suggesting that tree sway amplitude can be used as an indirect measurement of mean wind speed, and is applicable to a broad variety of diverse trees.
Revisiting the concept of the critical period of weed control
Authors: Ramesh K. , Vijaya Kumar S. , Upadhyay P. K. , Chauhan B. S.
Published: January 2022

Weeds are a major biotic constraint to the production of crops. Studies on the critical period of weed control (CPWC) consider the yield loss due to the presence of all weeds present in the crop cycle. The CPWC is the time interval between the critical timing of weed removal (CTWR) and the critical weed-free period (CWFP), and the weed presence before and after the extremes of CTWR and CWFP may not significantly reduce crop yield. The crop yield is taken into consideration and weed density or biomass of individual weeds (annual or perennial) is not so important while calculating the CPWC. Only weed density or biomass is considered for calculating weed control efficiency of a particular management practice for which the weed seed bank is also a criterion. However, weed biomass is the outcome after competition experienced by each weed species with the fellow crop and the weeds. Consequently, the weed pressure in the subsequent season will be the cumulative effect of the preceding season too, which is unaccounted for in CPWC. It is argued that in organic farming or low-input farming systems, where herbicides are not used, the concept of CPWC can be misleading and should be avoided. It is concluded that CTWR is more meaningful than the CPWC.
Dormancy breaking of ‘Kampai’ peach trees with alternative products in subtropical regions
Authors: Viol R. E. , Peche P. M. , Farias D. H. , Vilas Boas L. V. , Curi P. N. , Schiassi M. C. E. V. , Pio R.
Published: January 2022

Peach trees initiate flowering and then dense budding when the temperatures in winter are steadily low. When temperatures during the winter are high or when the chilling accumulation needs of the cultivar are not met, it is necessary to apply chemicals that stimulate flowering and budding in a uniform manner. This study aimed to evaluate alternative products for breaking the dormancy of ‘Kampai’ peach trees in a subtropical region. The experiment was conducted with ‘Kampai’ peach trees in the 2018, 2019 and 2020 production with the following treatments: (1) negative control composed only of water (control); (2) positive control composed of hydrogen cyanamide at a dose of 1.5% (commercial product Dormex®) plus 4.5% mineral oil; (3) Erger G®organomineral fertilizer supplemented with calcium nitrate at a dose of 3%; (4) potassium nitrate at a dose of 5%; and (5) copper sulphate at a dose of 0.3%. We evaluated affected budding capacity, flowering, the production cycle, peach production, the quality of peach trees and the enzymatic activities of catalase and guaiacol peroxidase. Hydrogen cyanamide and the organomineral fertilizer Erger G®promoted earlier flowering and an earlier production cycle. On the other hand, hydrogen cyanamide and copper sulphate stimulated flower opening and peach production. The chemicals used decreased catalase activity (24 h after application) and increased guaiacol peroxidase activity (6 h after application). The application of copper sulphate may be an option to break the dormancy of peach trees in the subtropics.
Effect of cactus pear as a moistening additive in the production of rehydrated corn grain silage
Authors: Pereira D. M. , Santos E. M. , Oliveira J. S. , Santos F. N. S. , Lopes R. C. , Santos M. A. C. , Corrêa Y. R. , Justino E. S. , Leite G. M. , Gomes P. G. B. , Cruz G. F. L. , Torres Júnior P. C.
Published: January 2022

The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of cactus pear as a moistening additive on fermentative and microbiological characteristics, aerobic stability (AS), chemical composition and in situ rumen degradability of corn grain silage at different opening times. A completely randomized experimental design was adopted in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme with four levels of dry matter (DM) (50; 60; 70 and 80% of DM) and three opening times (30; 60 and 120 days after ensiling), with four replications. There was an effect of interaction (P < 0.05) between the DM levels and opening times on silage yeast population, effluent losses, gas losses, dry matter recovery (DMR), AS of the silage and on lactic acid bacteria, mould and yeast populations after AS trial. The 60% DM level presented DMR values above 930 g/kg of DM. However, the lowest AS time (96.52 h) was observed in silages with 60% DM at 60 days after ensiling, although all silages have shown high AS. The DM in situ degradability of the ensiled mass increased after the ensiling process at all DM levels and opening times, with the 60% DM content showing the best result. When using cactus pear as a corn grain moistening additive, the 60% DM level is recommended when the opening time is up 120 days.
Cochlear implant eligibility in an adult hearing aid population: a multi-perspective service evaluation of a patient referral pathway at a British district general hospital
Authors: Thompson L , Bazeer H Z , Young B , Smith G , Blackaby J , Wasson J , Trinidade A
Published: January 2022

Objectives

To quantify patient eligibility for cochlear implantation following National Institute for Health and Care Excellence 2019 guidelines (TA566) over five years at our institution, and identify factors influencing patients’ decisions surrounding cochlear implantation referral.

Methods

A multi-perspective service evaluation was conducted at a district general hospital, comprising cochlear implantation eligible patients. The main outcome measures were: eligibility numbers for 2014–2019, comparing application of TA566 versus 2009 (TA166) guidelines; and patient interview transcripts and questionnaires.

Results

There was a 259 per cent average increase in cochlear implantation eligibility from 2014 to 2019. Most patients’ thresholds were 80 dB HL or more at 3 kHz and 4 kHz. There are several cochlear implantation barriers, including patient-centred issues (e.g. health-related anxieties, implantation misperceptions) and external barriers (difficulty getting to regional implant centres). Motivating factors for cochlear implantation include improved quality of life and access to local cochlear implantation services.

Conclusion

The TA566 guidelines have increased cochlear implantation eligibility, putting pressure on cochlear implantation centres and referring hospitals. Current referral systems have external and patient-centred implantation barriers. British cochlear implantation delivery may need rethinking to meet increasing populational demands and improve accessibility for those most vulnerable to these barriers.
Exploring theories for the exponential 16-year rise in incidence of necrotising otitis externa in England
Authors: Linton S , Stapleton E
Published: January 2022

Background

Necrotising otitis externa is a severe, life-threatening infection. Epidemiological data demonstrate a dramatic rise in reported cases in England from 2002 to 2017. The reasons for this remain elusive.

Methods

A quantitative descriptive study was undertaken using epidemiological data from the Hospital Episode Statistics database. Cases from 2002 to 2017 were compiled and analysed. Four potential theories were explored to explain the rise in incidence.

Results

Within the 16-year period, 7327 necrotising otitis externa cases were reported. Annual necrotising otitis externa incidence increased 1142 per cent within the 16-year period, from 123 recorded cases in 2002 to 1405 cases in 2017. This correlates with an increasing prevalence of diabetes, an ageing population and likely increased physician awareness of necrotising otitis externa. There is insufficient evidence to support antibiotic resistance as a significant associated factor.

Conclusion

Correlation does not imply causation. It is likely that a combination of factors is contributing to the rise in necrotising otitis externa incidence, including increased physician recognition, diagnosis and accurate clinical coding.
Quality of life after endoscopic skull base surgery with a nasoseptal flap: a systematic review
Authors: Gui C H , Tham A C
Published: January 2022

Background

The past two decades have seen a widespread adoption of endoscopic skull base surgery with the use of nasoseptal flaps. Attention has been diverted in recent times to evaluate the quality of life of these patients.

Objective

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the available literature to compare the quality of life after endoscopic skull base surgery with or without nasoseptal flaps.

Methods

This systemic review was conducted using PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases for literature published after 2009.

Results

The majority of studies concluded that there was no statistically significant difference in the quality of life associated with the use of nasoseptal flaps. Post-operatively, more extensive surgery, peri-operative radiotherapy, smoking and younger age were associated with poorer quality of life.

Conclusion

While the use of nasoseptal flaps can have negative effects on patients’ quality of life in terms of sinonasal symptoms, this systematic review found no difference in quality of life associated with the use or non-use of a nasoseptal flap.
Expressive Power of Anti-Violence Legislation
Authors: Htun Mala , Jensenius Francesca R.
Published: January 2022

abstract

We know more about why laws on violence against women (vaw) were adopted than about how much and in what ways these laws affect society. The authors argue that even weakly enforced laws can contribute to positive social change. They theorize the expressive power ofvawlegislation, and present evidence for a cautiously optimistic assessment of current trends on violence against women and the ways thatvawlaws affect social norms. Focusing on a time of major legal change related tovawin Mexico, this article explores trends in behavior and attitudes related to violence by analyzing four waves of the National Survey on the Dynamics of Household Relations (endireh), which include detailed interviews with thousands of Mexican women. The authors find that over this period, the share of women experiencing intimate-partner abuse declined, attitudes condoning violence shifted, reporting rates rose, and most women learned about legislation to protect their rights. These changes are consistent with the authors’ expectations about the expressive power of anti-violence legislation.
Seeds of the threatened dry rainforest tree Cadellia pentastylis (Surianaceae) are non-dormant
Authors: Emery Nathan J. , Collette Justin C.
Published: January 2022

Cadellia pentastylis (Surianaceae) is an Australian endemic threatened rainforest tree. Irregular flowering and fruiting events coupled with high rates of infertility and insect predation has meant that seed testing has not been possible for this species. Seeds were opportunistically collected from a wild population in early 2021, which allowed for the first germination tests to be conducted. In this study, the presence of physical dormancy was examined by performing an imbibition test using scarified and non-scarified seeds. We also investigated whether a 5-min heat shock treatment at temperatures ranging from 60 to 120°C improved germination success. The presence of physiological dormancy was also examined by recording germination success following a gibberellic acid or smoke-water pre-treatment. Both scarified and non-scarified seeds readily imbibed water over a 72-h period, and several seeds had germinated in both treatments after 48 h. Final germination proportion and t50 following a heat shock, gibberellic acid or smoke-water pre-treatment did not significantly differ from the controls. We conclude that C. pentastylis seeds are non-dormant. Although a palisade cell layer has been reported in the endocarp, our results suggest that this layer may not be sufficiently formed to restrict germination. We recommend that seeds are collected from populations following dispersal and propagated shortly after or stored as conservation collections in ex situ Seedbanks.
Evaluation of the selected parameters of the fetal diastolic functions in normally grown or macrosomic fetuses of gestational diabetic mothers with poor glycaemic control
Authors: Karaca Kurtulmus Seçil , Sahin Gülec Ebru , Sengül Mustafa
Published: January 2022

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate whether the third trimester fetal cardiac diastolic function measured by selected conventional Doppler indices is affected in appropriate-for-gestational-age or macrosomic fetuses of gestational diabetic mothers with poor glycaemic control.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study included 93 pregnant women divided into two groups. Group 1 included 45 appropriate-for-gestational-age or macrosomic fetuses from gestational diabetic mothers with poor glycaemic control (study group). Group 2 included 48 appropriate-for-gestational-age fetuses from gestational age-matched healthy mothers (control group). Functional fetal cardiac parameters and fetoplacental Doppler parameters were measured. Data were compared between the two groups.

Results:

Maternal characteristics did not differ significantly between the study and the control group. There were no significant differences in the early and late velocity, early/late velocity ratio of both mitral and tricuspid valves, the fetal pulmonary vein pulsatility index, and the ductus venosus pulsatility index between the study and the control group. Moreover, the rate of abnormal Doppler findings in pulmonary vein (pulmonary vein pulsatility index >95th centile), ductus venosus (ductus venosus pulsatility index >95th centile), and peripheral vessels (umbilical artery pulsatility index >95th centile, middle cerebral artery pulsatility index <5th centile, cerebra-placental index >95th centile) were comparable in both groups.

Conclusions:

The third trimester fetal diastolic functions measured by selected conventional Doppler techniques do not seem to be altered in appropriate-for-gestational-age or macrosomic fetuses of gestational diabetic mothers who have poor glycaemic control.
Relation of maternal birthweight with early pregnancy obesity, gestational diabetes, and offspring macrosomia
Authors: Johnsson Inger W. , Lindberger Emelie , Ahlsson Fredrik , Gustafsson Jan , Lundgren Maria E.
Published: January 2022

This study aimed to investigate how maternal birthweight is related to early pregnancy obesity, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and offspring birthweight. Females born term and singleton in Sweden between 1973 and 1995 (N = 305,893) were studied at their first pregnancy. Information regarding their birthweight, early pregnancy body mass index, and pregnancy complications was retrieved from the Swedish Medical Birth Register, as were data on their mothers and offspring. High maternal birthweights (2–3 standard deviation scores (SDS) and >3 SDS) were associated with greater odds of early pregnancy obesity, odds ratio (OR) 1.52 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42–1.63) and OR 2.06 (CI 1.71–2.49), respectively. A low maternal birthweight (<2 SDS) was associated with greater odds of GDM (OR 2.49, CI 2.00–3.12). No association was found between high maternal birthweight and GDM. A maternal birthweight 2–3 SDS was associated with offspring birthweight 2–3 SDS (OR 3.83, CI 3.44–4.26), and >3 SDS (OR 3.55, CI 2.54–4.97). Corresponding ORs for a maternal birthweight >3 SDS were 5.38 (CI 4.12–7.01) and 6.98 (CI 3.57–13.65), respectively. In conclusion, a high maternal birthweight was positively associated with early pregnancy obesity and offspring macrosomia. A low, but not a high maternal birthweight, was associated with GDM.
Substanzkonsum, Störungen durch Substanzkonsum und begleitende psychische Störungen bei Jugendlichen
Authors: Wiedmann Melina , Atzendorf Josefine , Basedow Lukas Andreas , Roessner Veit , Golub Yulia , Kuitunen-Paul Sören
Published: January 2022

Zusammenfassung. Fragestellung: Nur wenige Kliniken für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie (KJP) bieten eine ambulante Behandlung von Jugendlichen mit Substanzkonsumstörungen (SUDs) an. Daher fehlen Angaben, welche Konsummuster, SUDs und begleitenden psychischen Störungen diese Jugendlichen aufweisen. Methodik: N = 201 Patient_innen einer universitären Spezialambulanz (12–19 Jahre alt) wurden bezüglich Konsummustern, SUDs und aktuellen psychischen Störungen mittels Interview untersucht. Es wurden diesbezüglich deskriptive Darstellungen zu Prävalenzzahlen der SUDs, Konsummustern und begleitenden psychischen Störungen aufgeteilt nach Geschlecht und aktuellem Alter erstellt. Ergebnisse: Tabak (88 %) und Cannabis (86 %) waren die verbreitetsten Substanzen. Bei 67 % aller Patient_innen wurde mehr als eine SUD festgestellt. SUDs bezogen sich am häufigsten auf Cannabis (84 %), gefolgt von Tabak (77 %). 72 % aller Patient_innen zeigten eine die SUD begleitende psychische Störung, insbesondere Störungen des Sozialverhaltens (40 %), hyperkinetische Störungen (21 %) und depressive Störungen (18 %). Schlussfolgerungen: Ambulant behandelte jugendliche KJP-Patient_innen mit SUDs präsentieren sich häufig mit begleitenden psychischen Störungen. Angebotene Behandlungsprogramme sollten in der Behandlung von SUDs insbesondere Störungen des Sozialverhaltens, Depressionen und hyperkinetische Störungen berücksichtigen.
The Link Between Income, Income Inequality, and Prosocial Behavior	Around the World
Authors: Macchia Lucía , Whillans Ashley V.
Published: January 2022

Abstract. The questions of whether high-income individuals are more prosocial than low-income individuals and whether income inequality moderates this effect have received extensive attention. We shed new light on this topic by analyzing a large-scale dataset with a representative sample of respondents from 133 countries ( N = 948,837). We conduct a multiverse analysis with 30 statistical models: 15 models predicting the likelihood of donating money to charity and 15 models predicting the likelihood of volunteering time to an organization. Across all model specifications, high-income individuals were more likely to donate their money and volunteer their time than low-income individuals. High-income individuals were more likely to engage in prosocial behavior under high (vs. low) income inequality. Avenues for future research and potential mechanisms are discussed.
Biologically Induced Changes in the Partitioning of Submicron Particulates Between Bulk Seawater and the Sea Surface Microlayer
Authors: Crocker Daniel R. , Deane Grant B. , Cao Ruochen , Santander Mitchell V. , Morris Clare K. , Mitts Brock A. , Dinasquet Julie , Amiri Sarah , Malfatti Francesca , Prather Kimberly A. , Thiemens Mark H.
Published: January 2022

Studies over the last two decades have shown that submicron particulates (SMPs) can be transferred from the seawater into sea spray aerosol (SSA), potentially impacting SSA cloud seeding ability. This work reports the first concurrent bulk and sea surface microlayer (SSML) SMP (0.4–1.0 μm) measurements, made during two mesocosm phytoplankton blooms in a region devoid of active wave breaking and bubble formation, providing insight into how biological and physicochemical processes influence seawater SMP distributions. Modal analyses of the SMP size distributions revealed contributions from multiple, biologically related particulate populations that were controlled by the microbial loop. With negligible bubble scavenging occurring, SSML enrichment of SMPs remained low throughout both experiments, suggesting scavenging is vital for SMP enrichment in the SSML. Our findings are discussed in the context of SMP transfer into SSA and its potential importance for SSA cloud seeding ability.
Effects of Deep Circulation on CaCO3 Dissolution and Accumulation in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Liu Xiaoqing , Luo Yiming , Boudreau Bernard P.
Published: January 2022

Deep oceanic circulation regulates seafloor calcium carbonate (CaCO3) accumulation by transporting atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) to depth and then transferring it, with respired CO2, along the global ocean conveyor belt. This creates the shallowing trend of CaCO3 preservation from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans. The thermohaline flow can be, however, complex on a basin‐wide scale; here, we use a state‐of‐the‐art data compilation and a carbonate accumulation/dissolution model to explain the CaCO3 distribution within the basins of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Our results demonstrate that different currents foster systematically dissimilar CaCO3 preservation within these connected ocean basins. The more undersaturated, faster moving, northward‐flowing Antarctic bottom water readily dissolves more CaCO3 than the southward‐flowing North Atlantic deep water. We are able to predict quantitatively these observations, based on benthic carbonate chemistry and mass‐transfer rates. Our model and CaCO3 records in such basins have the potential to provide new understanding about deep‐ocean circulation of the past.
Retreat of Northern Hemisphere Marine‐Terminating Glaciers, 2000–2020
Authors: Kochtitzky William , Copland Luke
Published: January 2022

We mapped the terminus position for every marine‐terminating glacier in the Northern Hemisphere for 2000, 2010, and 2020, including the Greenland Ice Sheet, to provide the first complete measure of their variability. In total, these 1,704 glaciers lost an average of 389.7 ± 1.6 km2 a−1 (total 7,527 ± 31 km2) from 2000 to 2020 with 123 glaciers becoming no longer marine‐terminating over this period. Overall, 85.3% of glaciers retreated, 2.5% advanced, and the remaining 12.3% did not change outside of uncertainty limits. Outlet glaciers of the Greenland Ice Sheet are responsible for 61.9% of total area loss, although their rate of retreat was 34% less in 2010–2020 than 2000–2010. Glaciers with the largest area loss terminate in ice shelves or ice tongues, are surge‐type, have an unstable basal geometry, or have an unusually wide calving margin.
The 173‐kyr Obliquity Cycle Pacing the Asian Monsoon in the Eastern Chinese Loess Plateau From Late Miocene to Pliocene
Authors: Zhang Rui , Li Xiaojuan , Xu Yong , Li Jianxing , Sun Lu , Yue Leping , Pan Feng , Xian Feng , Wei Xiaohao , Cao Yuge
Published: January 2022

We conduct magnetostratigraphy and cyclostratigraphy on an eolian red clay sequence spanning 7–3.1 Ma in the eastern Chinese Loess Plateau. We pay more attention to the unconventional 173‐kyr obliquity modulated cycle which is associated with the secular frequency interference of orbital inclinations between Earth and Saturn. Similar to the 405‐kyr eccentricity cycles, the 173‐kyr obliquity band proved to be an important orbital driving component by the latest astronomical findings, and can serve as a chronometer of terrestrial air circulation reconstruction back to 7 Ma. Comparison with magneto‐cyclo‐bio‐stratigraphic timescales of another noted eolian sequence from the adjacent area, the 173‐kyr cycle is exceptionally presented as a robust recognition of the cyclical sedimentary patterns for the East Asia monsoon deposits.
Conjugate Effect of the 2011 Tohoku Reflected Tsunami‐Driven Gravity Waves in the Ionosphere
Authors: Chou Min‐Yang , Yue Jia , Lin Charles C. H. , Rajesh P. K. , Pedatella N. M.
Published: January 2022

This study presents the conjugate ionospheric disturbances triggered by the 2011 Tohoku‐Oki reflected tsunami oceanic waves using the ground‐based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) total electron content (TEC) observations. We found that the equatorward and westward propagating nighttime medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) occurred over Japan and Australia simultaneously following the tsunami oceanic waves reflected by the Emperor Seamount Chain in the northern hemisphere. The atmospheric gravity waves driven by reflected tsunami oceanic waves are hypothesized to be the source to trigger the conjugate MSTIDs by transporting the polarization electric fields along the field line to the conjugate hemisphere. Moreover, only the southwestward propagating MSTIDs have this conjugate effect, which could be due to the wavefront orientation. The Perkins instability could also be involved in the interhemispheric coupling process. This study provides the first observational evidence that the reflected tsunami can induce conjugate ionospheric disturbances through electrodynamic forcing.
Cretaceous Rift‐Drift Tectonics Then Paleogene Prearc Subsidence Related to Subduction Initiation: Aotea Basin, Zealandia, Southwest Pacific
Authors: Skinner Callum , Sutherland Rupert
Published: January 2022

Stratal stacking patterns and termination relationships of Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene strata of Aotea Basin, which is at the southern end of New Caledonia Trough and adjacent to Taranaki Basin, are used to infer vertical movements before, during, and after Tonga‐Kermadec subduction initiation. Regional 2D seismic‐stratigraphic units are tied to petroleum exploration wells, including recently drilled Romney‐1. We identify: (a) an uppermost Cretaceous to Paleocene (70–56 Ma) aggradational shelf sequence, with at least two regressional events linked to eustatic sea‐level falls; (b) a diachronous deepening of the basin from shelfal to bathyal environments, that progressed northwest to southeast during the early to middle Eocene (53–46 Ma); (c) that was contemporaneous with small‐scale volcanism; (d) a brief phase of middle to late Eocene (46–35 Ma) delta development at the western basin margin (Challenger Plateau) that is evidence for local uplift; and (e) an onlapping sequence deposited since the latest Eocene (35–0 Ma) that requires ∼1,300 m of subsidence at the western margin. Paleogeographic maps and a generalized stratigraphic chart summarize our observations. The Eocene phase of tectonic subsidence, uplift, and diffuse volcanism (53–46 Ma) was a precursor to plate motion at the Cenozoic plate boundary through New Zealand and suggests a causal relationship between prearc subsidence, Tonga‐Kermadec subduction initiation, and plate motion change. Delamination of lower crust beneath Aotea Basin during initial subducted slab formation might explain our observations.
CCND3 is indispensable for the maintenance of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Ketzer Franz , Abdelrasoul Hend , Vogel Mona , Marienfeld Ralf , Müschen Markus , Jumaa Hassan , Wirth Thomas , Ushmorov Alexey
Published: January 2022

The D-type cyclins (CCND1, CCND2, and CCND3) in association with CDK4/6 are known drivers of cell cycle progression. We reported previously that inactivation of FOXO1 confers growth arrest and apoptosis in B-ALL, partially mediated by subsequent depletion of CCND3. Given that previously the canonical MYC target CCND2 has been considered to play the major role in B-ALL proliferation, further investigation of the role of FOXO1 in CCND3 transcription and the role of CCND3 in B-ALL is warranted. In this study, we demonstrated that CCND3 is essential for the proliferation and survival of B-ALL, independent of the mutational background. Respectively, its expression at mRNA level exceeds that of CCND1 and CCND2. Furthermore, we identified FOXO1 as a CCND3-activating transcription factor in B-ALL. By comparing the effects of CCND3 depletion and CDK4/6 inhibition by palbociclib on B-ALL cells harboring different driver mutations, we found that the anti-apoptotic effect of CCND3 is independent of the kinase activity of the CCND3-CDK4/6 complex. Moreover, we found that CCND3 contributes to CDK8 transcription, which in part might explain the anti-apoptotic effect of CCND3. Finally, we found that increased CCND3 expression is associated with the development of resistance to palbociclib. We conclude that CCND3 plays an essential role in the maintenance of B-ALL, regardless of the underlying driver mutation. Moreover, downregulation of CCND3 expression might be superior to inhibition of CDK4/6 kinase activity in terms of B-ALL treatment.
Mitochondrial modulators in the treatment of bipolar depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liang Liang , Chen Junyu , Xiao Ling , Wang Qing , Wang Gaohua
Published: January 2022

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the risk, pathophysiology, and progression of mood disorders, especially bipolar disorder (BD). Thus, the objective of this meta-analysis was to determine the overall antidepressant effect of mitochondrial modulators in the treatment of bipolar depression. Outcomes included improvement in depression scale scores, Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale (CGI-S) score. Data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the antidepressant effect of diverse mitochondrial modulators were pooled to determine standard mean differences (SMDs) compared with placebo.13 RCTs were identified for qualitative review. The overall effect size of mitochondrial modulators on depressive symptoms was −0.48 (95% CI: −0.83 to −0.14, p = 0.007, I2 = 75%), indicative of a statistically significant moderate antidepressant effect. In the subgroup analysis, NAC improved depressive symptoms compared with placebo (−0.88, 95% CI: −1.48 to −0.27, I2 = 81%). In addition, there was no statistical difference between mitochondrial modulators and placebo in YMRS. Although mitochondrial modulators were superior to placebo in CGI-S score (−0.44, 95% CI: −0.83 to −0.06, I2 = 71%), only EPA was superior to placebo in subgroup analysis. Overall, a moderate antidepressant effect was observed for mitochondrial modulators compared with placebo in the treatment of bipolar depression. The small number of studies, diversity of agents, and small sample sizes limited interpretation of the current analysis.
Transdiagnostic phenotypes of compulsive behavior and associations with psychological, cognitive, and neurobiological affective processing
Authors: Den Ouden Lauren , Suo Chao , Albertella Lucy , Greenwood Lisa-Marie , Lee Rico S. C. , Fontenelle Leonardo F. , Parkes Linden , Tiego Jeggan , Chamberlain Samuel R. , Richardson Karyn , Segrave Rebecca , Yücel Murat
Published: January 2022

Compulsivity is a poorly understood transdiagnostic construct thought to underlie multiple disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, addictions, and binge eating. Our current understanding of the causes of compulsive behavior remains primarily based on investigations into specific diagnostic categories or findings relying on one or two laboratory measures to explain complex phenotypic variance. This proof-of-concept study drew on a heterogeneous sample of community-based individuals (N = 45; 18–45 years; 25 female) exhibiting compulsive behavioral patterns in alcohol use, eating, cleaning, checking, or symmetry. Data-driven statistical modeling of multidimensional markers was utilized to identify homogeneous subtypes that were independent of traditional clinical phenomenology. Markers were based on well-defined measures of affective processing and included psychological assessment of compulsivity, behavioral avoidance, and stress, neurocognitive assessment of reward vs. punishment learning, and biological assessment of the cortisol awakening response. The neurobiological validity of the subtypes was assessed using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Statistical modeling identified three stable, distinct subtypes of compulsivity and affective processing, which we labeled “Compulsive Non-Avoidant”, “Compulsive Reactive” and “Compulsive Stressed”. They differed meaningfully on validation measures of mood, intolerance of uncertainty, and urgency. Most importantly, subtypes captured neurobiological variance on amygdala-based resting-state functional connectivity, suggesting they were valid representations of underlying neurobiology and highlighting the relevance of emotion-related brain networks in compulsive behavior. Although independent larger samples are needed to confirm the stability of subtypes, these data offer an integrated understanding of how different systems may interact in compulsive behavior and provide new considerations for guiding tailored intervention decisions.
Reward and aversion encoding in the lateral habenula for innate and learned behaviours
Authors: Mondoloni Sarah , Mameli Manuel , Congiu Mauro
Published: January 2022

Throughout life, individuals experience a vast array of positive and aversive events that trigger adaptive behavioural responses. These events are often unpredicted and engage actions that are likely anchored on innate behavioural programs expressed by each individual member of virtually all animal species. In a second step, environmental cues, that are initially neutral, acquire value through the association with external sensory stimuli, and become instrumental to predict upcoming positive or negative events. This process ultimately prompts learned goal-directed actions allowing the pursuit of rewarding experience or the avoidance of a danger. Both innate and learned behavioural programs are evolutionarily conserved and fundamental for survival. Among the brain structures participating in the encoding of positive/negative stimuli and contributing to innate and learned behaviours is the epithalamic lateral habenula (LHb). The LHb provides top-down control of monoaminergic systems, responds to unexpected appetitive/aversive stimuli as well as external cues that predict the upcoming rewards or punishments. Accordingly, the LHb controls a number of behaviours that are innate (originating from unpredicted stimuli), and learned (stemming from predictive cues). In this review, we will discuss the progresses that rodent’s experimental work made in identifying how LHb activity governs these vital processes, and we will provide a view on how these findings integrate within a complex circuit connectivity.
Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling in anorexia nervosa discordant identical twins
Authors: Iranzo-Tatay C. , Hervas-Marin D. , Rojo-Bofill L. M. , Garcia D. , Vaz-Leal F. J. , Calabria I. , Beato-Fernandez L. , Oltra S. , Sandoval J. , Rojo-Moreno L.
Published: January 2022

Up until now, no study has looked specifically at epigenomic landscapes throughout twin samples, discordant for Anorexia nervosa (AN). Our goal was to find evidence to confirm the hypothesis that epigenetic variations play a key role in the aetiology of AN. In this study, we quantified genome-wide patterns of DNA methylation using the Infinium Human DNA Methylation EPIC BeadChip array (“850 K”) in DNA samples isolated from whole blood collected from a group of 7 monozygotic twin pairs discordant for AN. Results were then validated performing a genome-wide DNA methylation profiling using DNA extracted from whole blood of a group of non-family-related AN patients and a group of healthy controls. Our first analysis using the twin sample revealed 9 CpGs associated to a gene. The validation analysis showed two statistically significant CpGs with the rank regression method related to two genes associated to metabolic traits, PPP2R2C and CHST1. When doing beta regression, 6 of them showed statistically significant differences, including 3 CpGs associated to genes JAM3, UBAP2L and SYNJ2. Finally, the overall pattern of results shows genetic links to phenotypes which the literature has constantly related to AN, including metabolic and psychological traits. The genes PPP2R2C and CHST1 have both been linked to the metabolic traits type 2 diabetes through GWAS studies. The genes UBAP2L and SYNJ2 have been related to other psychiatric comorbidity.
A fragment of cell adhesion molecule L1 reduces amyloid-β plaques in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Hu Junkai , Lin Stanley Li , Schachner Melitta
Published: January 2022

Deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the brain is one of the important histopathological features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Previously, we reported a correlation between cell adhesion molecule L1 (L1) expression and the occurrence of AD, but its relationship was unclear. Here, we report that the expression of L1 and a 70 kDa cleavage product of L1 (L1-70) was reduced in the hippocampus of AD (APPswe) mice. Interestingly, upregulation of L1-70 expression in the hippocampus of 18-month-old APPswe mice, by parabiosis involving the joining of the circulatory system of an 18-month-old APPswe mouse with a 2-month-old wild-type C57BL/6 mouse, reduced amyloid plaque deposition. Furthermore, the reduction was accompanied by the appearance of a high number of activated microglia. Mechanistically, we observed that L1-70 could combine with topoisomerase 1 (Top1) to form a complex, L1-70/Top1, that was able to regulate expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), resulting in the activation of microglia and reduction of Aβ plaques. Also, transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ-1) transferred from the blood of young wild-type C57BL/6 mice to the aged AD mice, was identified as a circulating factor that induces full-length L1 and L1-70 expression. All together, these findings suggest that L1-70 contributes to the clearance of Aβ in AD, thereby adding a novel perspective in understanding AD pathogenesis.
PGC-1α inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome via preserving mitochondrial viability to protect kidney fibrosis
Authors: Nam Bo Young , Jhee Jong Hyun , Park Jimin , Kim Seonghun , Kim Gyuri , Park Jung Tak , Yoo Tae-Hyun , Kang Shin-Wook , Yu Je-Wook , Han Seung Hyeok
Published: January 2022

The NLRP3 inflammasome is activated by mitochondrial damage and contributes to kidney fibrosis. However, it is unknown whether PGC-1α, a key mitochondrial biogenesis regulator, modulates NLRP3 inflammasome in kidney injury. Primary renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) were isolated from C57BL/6 mice. The NLRP3 inflammasome, mitochondrial dynamics and morphology, oxidative stress, and cell injury markers were examined in RTECs treated by TGF-β1 with or without Ppargc1a plasmid, PGC-1α activator (metformin), and siPGC-1α. In vivo, adenine-fed and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mice were treated with metformin. In vitro, TGF-β1 treatment to RTECs suppressed the expressions of PGC-1α and mitochondrial dynamic-related genes. The NLRP3 inflammasome was also activated and the expression of fibrotic and cell injury markers was increased. PGC-1α induction with the plasmid and metformin improved mitochondrial dynamics and morphology and attenuated the NLRP3 inflammasome and cell injury. The opposite changes were observed by siPGC-1α. The oxidative stress levels, which are inducers of the NLRP3 inflammasome, were increased and the expression of TNFAIP3, a negative regulator of NLRP3 inflammasome regulated by PGC-1α, was decreased by TGF-β1 and siPGC-1α. However, PGC-1α restoration reversed these alterations. In vivo, adenine-fed and UUO mice models showed suppression of PGC-1α and TNFAIP3 and dysregulated mitochondrial dynamics. Moreover, the activation of oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome, and kidney fibrosis were increased in these mice. However, these changes were significantly reversed by metformin. This study demonstrated that kidney injury was ameliorated by PGC-1α-induced inactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome via modulation of mitochondrial viability and dynamics.
METTL14 suppresses pyroptosis and diabetic cardiomyopathy by downregulating TINCR lncRNA
Authors: Meng Liping , Lin Hui , Huang Xingxiao , Weng Jingfan , Peng Fang , Wu Shengjie
Published: January 2022

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most important epigenetic regulation of RNAs, such as lncRNAs. However, the underlying regulatory mechanism of m6A in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is very limited. In this study, we sought to define the role of METTL14-mediated m6A modification in pyroptosis and DCM progression. DCM rat model was established and qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to detect the expression of METTL14 and TINCR. Gain-and-loss functional experiments were performed to define the role of METTL14-TINCR-NLRP3 axis in pyroptosis and DCM. RNA pulldown and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were carried out to verify the underlying interaction. Our results showed that pyroptosis was tightly involved in DCM progression. METTL14 was downregulated in cardiomyocytes and hear tissues of DCM rat tissues. Functionally, METTL14 suppressed pyroptosis and DCM via downregulating lncRNA TINCR, which further decreased the expression of key pyroptosis-related protein, NLRP3. Mechanistically, METTL14 increased m6A methylation level of TINCR gene, resulting in its downregulation. Moreover, the m6A reader protein YTHDF2 was essential for m6A methylation and mediated the degradation of TINCR. Finally, TINCR positively regulated NLRP3 by increasing its mRNA stability. To conclude, our work revealed the novel role of METTL14-mediated m6A methylation and lncRNA regulation in pyroptosis and DCM, which could help extend our understanding the epigenetic regulation of pyroptosis in DCM progression.
RNA-binding protein p54nrb/NONO potentiates nuclear EGFR-mediated tumorigenesis of triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Shen Mengqin , Zhang Ruixue , Jia Wenzhi , Zhu Zongping , Zhao Li , Huang Gang , Liu Jianjun
Published: January 2022

Nuclear-localized epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) highly correlates with the malignant progression and may be a promising therapeutic target for breast cancer. However, molecular mechanisms of nuclear EGFR in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) have not been fully elucidated. Here, we performed gene-annotation enrichment analysis for the interactors of nuclear EGFR and found that RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) were closely associated with nuclear EGFR. We further demonstrated p54nrb/NONO, one of the RBPs, significantly interacted with nuclear EGFR. NONO was upregulated in 80 paired TNBC tissues and indicated a poor prognosis. Furthermore, NONO knockout significantly inhibited TNBC proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, NONO increased the stability of nuclear EGFR and recruited CREB binding protein (CBP) and its accompanying E1A binding protein p300, thereby enhancing the transcriptional activity of EGFR. In turn, EGFR positively regulated the affinity of NONO to mRNAs of nuclear EGFR downstream genes. Furthermore, the results indicated that the nuclear EGFR/NONO complex played a critical role in tumorigenesis and chemotherapy resistance. Taken together, our findings indicate that NONO enhances nuclear EGFR-mediated tumorigenesis and may be a potential therapeutic target for TNBC patients with nuclear EGFR expression.