bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactions Between Lr67 or Lr34 and Other Leaf Rust Resistance Genes in Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Authors: McCallum Brent D. , Hiebert Colin W.
Published: May 2022

The wheat multi-pest resistance genes Lr67 and Lr34 are similar in that they both condition resistance to many diseases, in a non-race-specific manner, and code for cellular transporters. Lr34 plays a critical role in breeding wheat for disease resistance in large part because it interacts with other resistance genes to result in effective and durable resistance. To determine if Lr67 interacts with other resistance genes in a similar manner as Lr34 six different doubled haploid populations were developed which segregated for either Lr67 or Lr34 along with a second resistance gene, either Lr13, Lr16, or Lr32. The presence or absence of each of these genes in the progeny lines was determined by molecular marker analysis. These six populations were tested for leaf rust field resistance in the same environments to compare the effects of Lr34 and Lr67 alone, and in combination with Lr13, Lr16 or Lr32. Lr67 and Lr34 significantly reduced the levels of rust severity, Lr34 showed a significant interaction with Lr13 but Lr67 did not. Both genes interacted with Lr16, and Lr67 had a significant interaction with Lr32. This analysis demonstrates the similar effect of Lr67, as seen with Lr34, on the interaction with other resistance genes to give a better level of resistance than with single resistance genes. While Lr67 is not widely deployed in agriculture, it could play an important role in disease resistance in future wheat cultivars.
Organization, Phylogenetic Marker Exploitation, and Gene Evolution in the Plastome of Thalictrum (Ranunculaceae)
Authors: Xiang Kun-Li , Mao Wei , Peng Huan-Wen , Erst Andrey S. , Yang Ying-Xue , He Wen-Chuang , Wu Zhi-Qiang
Published: May 2022

Thalictrum is a phylogenetically and economically important genus in the family Ranunculaceae, but is also regarded as one of the most challengingly difficult in plants for resolving the taxonomical and phylogenetical relationships of constituent taxa within this genus. Here, we sequenced the complete plastid genomes of two Thalictrum species using Illumina sequencing technology via de novo assembly. The two Thalictrum plastomes exhibited circular and typical quadripartite structure that was rather conserved in overall structure and the synteny of gene order. By updating the previously reported plastome annotation of other nine Thalictrum species, we found that the expansion or contraction of the inverted repeat region affect the boundary of the single-copy regions in Thalictrum plastome. We identified eight highly variable noncoding regions—infA-rps8, ccsA-ndhD, trnSUGA-psbZ, trnHGUG-psbA, rpl16-rps3, ndhG-ndhI, ndhD-psaC, and ndhJ-ndhK—that can be further used for molecular identification, phylogenetic, and phylogeographic in different species. Selective pressure and codon usage bias of all the plastid coding genes were also analyzed for the 11 species. Phylogenetic relationships showed Thalictrum is monophyly and divided into two major clades based on 11 Thalictrum plastomes. The availability of these plastomes offers valuable genetic information for accurate identification of species and taxonomy, phylogenetic resolution, and evolutionary studies of Thalictrum, and should assist with exploration and utilization of Thalictrum plants.
The Histone Acetyltransferase HpGCN5 Involved in the Regulation of Abiotic Stress Responses and Astaxanthin Accumulation in Haematococcus pluvialis
Authors: Huang Danqiong , Liu Wenfu , Hu Qunju , Li Hui , Wang Chaogang
Published: May 2022

The histone acetyltransferases (HATs), together with histone deacetylases, regulate the gene transcription related to various biological processes, including stress responses in eukaryotes. This study found a member of HATs (HpGCN5) from a transcriptome of the economically important microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis. Its expression pattern responding to multiple abiotic stresses and its correlation with transcription factors and genes involved in triacylglycerols and astaxanthin biosynthesis under stress conditions were evaluated, aiming to discover its potential biological function. The isolated HpGCN5 was 1,712 bp in length encoding 415 amino acids. The signature domains of Acetyltransf_1 and BROMO were presented, as the GCN5 gene from Arabidopsis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, confirming that HpGCN5 belongs to the GCN5 subfamily of the GNAT superfamily. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that HpGCN5 is grouped with GNAT genes from algae and is closer to that from higher plants, compared with yeast, animal, fungus, and bacteria. It was predicted that HpGCN5 is composed of 10 exons and contains multiple stress-related cis-elements in the promoter region, revealing its potential role in stress regulation. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed that HpGCN5 responds to high light and high salt stresses in similar behavior, evidenced by their down-regulation exposing to stresses. Differently, HpGCN5 expression was significantly induced by SA and Nitrogen-depletion stresses at the early stage but was dropped back after then. The correlation network analysis suggested that HpGCN5 has a strong correlation with major genes and a transcription factor involved in astaxanthin biosynthesis. Besides, the correlation was only found between HpGCN5 and a few genes involved in triacylglycerols biosynthesis. Therefore, this study proposed that HpGCN5 might play a role in the regulation of astaxanthin biosynthesis. This study firstly examined the role of HATs in stress regulation and results will enrich our understanding of the role of HATs in microalgae.
Terpene Synthases in Rice Pan-Genome and Their Responses to Chilo suppressalis Larvae Infesting
Authors: Sun Yang , Zhang Pei-tao , Kou Dou-rong , Han Yang-chun , Fang Ji-chao , Ni Jiang-ping , Jiang Bin , Wang Xu , Zhang Yong-jun , Wang Wei , Kong Xiang-dong
Published: May 2022

Terpene synthase (TPS) catalyzes the synthesis of terpenes and plays an important role in plant defense. This study identified 45 OsTPS genes (32 core genes and 13 variable genes) based on the high-quality rice gene-based pan-genome. This indicates limitations in OsTPS gene studies based on a single reference genome. In the present study, through collinearity between multiple rice genomes, one OsTPS gene absent in the reference (Nipponbare) genome was found and two TPS genes in the reference genome were found to have atypical structures, which would have been ignored in single genome analysis. OsTPS genes were divided into five groups and TPS-b was lost according to the phylogenetic tree. OsTPSs in TPS-c and TPS-g were all core genes indicating these two groups were stable during domestication. In addition, through the analysis of transcriptome data, some structural variations were found to affect the expression of OsTPS genes. Through the Ka/Ks calculation of OsTPS genes, we found that different OsTPS genes were under different selection pressure during domestication; for example, OsTPS22 and OsTPS29 experienced stronger positive selection than the other OsTPS genes. After Chilo suppressalis larvae infesting, 25 differentially expressed OsTPS genes were identified, which are involved in the diterpene phytoalexins precursors biosynthesis and ent-kaurene biosynthesis pathways. Overall, the present study conducted a bioinformatics analysis of OsTPS genes using a high-quality rice pan-genome, which provided a basis for further study of OsTPS genes.
One-Step Regeneration of Hairy Roots to Induce High Tanshinone Plants in Salvia miltiorrhiza
Authors: Su Yuekai , Lin Caicai , Zhang Jin , Hu Bei , Wang Jie , Li Jingyu , Wang Shiqi , Liu Ruihao , Li Xia , Song Zhenqiao , Wang Jianhua
Published: May 2022

Salvia miltiorrhiza is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant of Labiatae, which has been widely utilized to treat a variety of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, due to the long growth cycle, low content of active ingredients, and serious quality deterioration of S. miltiorrhiza, the use of biotechnology to improve S. miltiorrhiza to meet the growing demand for clinical applications has become a research hotspot. In this study, a novel one-step hairy root regeneration method was developed, which could rapidly obtain hairy roots and regenerated plants with high tanshinone content. By optimizing the parameters of Agrobacterium rhizogenes transformation in S. miltiorrhiza, it was finally established that the explants were infected in Ar.qual (OD600 = 0.6) for 10 min, co-cultured for 3 days, and then screened on the screening medium containing 7.5 mg/l hygromycin, the maximum transformation frequency can reach 73.85%. GFP and PCR detection yielded a total of 9 positive transgenic hairy root lines and 11 positive transgenic regenerated plants. SmGGPPS1 was successfully overexpressed in positive transgenic regenerated plants, according to the results of qRT-PCR. The content of tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone were dramatically enhanced in transgenic regenerated plants and hairy roots by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis. Based on the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of S. miltiorrhiza, this study developed a new method for regenerating plants with transgenic hairy roots. This method provides a foundation for the breeding of S. miltiorrhiza and the sustainable development of medicinal plant resources, as well as provides a useful reference for the application of other species.
The Time Sequence of Face Spatial Frequency Differs During Working Memory Encoding and Retrieval Stages
Authors: Wang Anqing , Chen Enguang , Zhang Hang , Borjigin Chinheg H. , Wang Hailing
Published: May 2022

Previous studies have found that P1 and P2 components were more sensitive to configural and featural face processing, respectively, when attentional resources were sufficient, suggesting that face processing follows a coarse-to-fine sequence. However, the role of working memory (WM) load in the time course of configural and featural face processing is poorly understood, especially whether it differs during encoding and retrieval stages. This study employed a delayed recognition task with varying WM load and face spatial frequency (SF). Our behavioral and ERP results showed that WM load modulated face SF processing. Specifically, for the encoding stage, P1 and P2 were more sensitive to broadband SF (BSF) faces, while N170 was more sensitive to low SF (LSF) and BSF faces. For the retrieval stage, P1 on the right hemisphere was more sensitive to BSF faces relative to HSF faces, N170 was more sensitive to LSF faces than HSF faces, especially under the load 1 condition, while P2 was more sensitive to high SF (HSF) faces than HSF faces, especially under load 3 condition. These results indicate that faces are perceived less finely during the encoding stage, whereas face perception follows a coarse-to-fine sequence during the retrieval stage, which is influenced by WM load. The coarse and fine information were processed especially under the low and high load conditions, respectively.
Nexus of Ethical Leadership, Career Satisfaction, Job Embeddedness, and Work Engagement in Hospitality Industry: A Sequential Mediation Assessment
Authors: Khattak Shoukat Iqbal , Haider Aftab , Ahmed Syed Khalil , Rizvi Syed Tahir Hussain , Shaokang Lin
Published: May 2022

The paper proposes a research model explaining the sequential mediation effect of job embeddedness (JE) and work engagement (WENG) between ethical leadership (EL) and career satisfaction (CS). The model also examines whether JE heightens WENG, a factor indirectly influenced by ethical practices ending in employee satisfaction. The study used a time-lagged data collection procedure and survey responses of 247 hotel workers in China. Data were analyzed through structural equation modeling. The results showed that EL directly and indirectly (through sequential mediation effect of JE and WENG) contributes to employee CS. The present empirical framework extends the hospitality industry literature by explaining the precise mechanism (i.e., JE and WENG) through which EL generates CS among hospitality workers in China. The paper offers theoretical and practical implications and future research directions.
Emotion Facial Processing in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study of the Impact of Service Dogs
Authors: Dollion Nicolas , Grandgeorge Marine , Saint-Amour Dave , Hosein Poitras Loewen Anthony , François Nathe , Fontaine Nathalie M. G. , Champagne Noël , Plusquellec Pierrich
Published: May 2022

Processing and recognizing facial expressions are key factors in human social interaction. Past research suggests that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) present difficulties to decode facial expressions. Those difficulties are notably attributed to altered strategies in the visual scanning of expressive faces. Numerous studies have demonstrated the multiple benefits of exposure to pet dogs and service dogs on the interaction skills and psychosocial development of children with ASD. However, no study has investigated if those benefits also extend to the processing of facial expressions. The aim of this study was to investigate if having a service dog had an influence on facial expression processing skills of children with ASD. Two groups of 15 children with ASD, with and without a service dog, were compared using a facial expression recognition computer task while their ocular movements were measured using an eye-tracker. While the two groups did not differ in their accuracy and reaction time, results highlighted that children with ASD owning a service dog directed less attention toward areas that were not relevant to facial expression processing. They also displayed a more differentiated scanning of relevant facial features according to the displayed emotion (i.e., they spent more time on the mouth for joy than for anger, and vice versa for the eyes area). Results from the present study suggest that having a service dog and interacting with it on a daily basis may promote the development of specific visual exploration strategies for the processing of human faces.
The Influence of Various Role Models on Children’s Pro-environmental Behaviours
Authors: Liang Mingyue , Chen Qianying , Zhou Yanyan
Published: May 2022

Although most schoolchildren can dispose of their own litter, they are typically not sensitive to environmental issues in the school’s public areas. How do we improve children’s sensitivity to public environments and cultivate pro-environmental behaviours? Based on Bandura’s social learning theory, this study explored the effects of various role models (teachers and peers) on the pro-environmental behaviours of children aged 7–13. A field study was conducted in which examples of postprandial garbage disposal behaviours were provided using role models and the subsequent behaviours of the children were observed. We located the experiment in a real educational context and manipulated the type of role model (teacher or peer) and the behaviour being modelled (positive behaviours involving picking up litter or negative behaviours involving littering). The results showed that different role models had different effects on the subjects’ pro-environmental behaviours. Only positive demonstration by teachers significantly improved the subjects’ pro-environmental behaviours, that is, teachers’ picking up of garbage in front of children significantly improved the children’s attention to the environment and their adoption of pro-environmental behaviours. Positive demonstration by peers, negative demonstration by teachers and negative demonstration by peers had no impact on the children’s pro-environmental behaviours. The results demonstrate that teachers must be mindful of their role as role models in the educational environment and facilitate students’ development of pro-environmental behaviours.
Correlation Analysis Between Teachers’ Teaching Psychological Behavior and Classroom Development Based on Data Analysis
Authors: Fan Zhongtao , Liu Jun
Published: May 2022

Teachers’ teaching psychological behavior and classroom development are the current research hotspots in the field of educational psychology. How to realize the data analysis of teachers’ teaching psychological behavior and classroom development is a problem that researchers urgently need to solve. Based on the theory of data correlation analysis, this paper uses modern Internet technology and big data analysis teacher teaching system to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze the potential of students, and build a corresponding model. Through rule correlation technology, the article studies various internal correlations between teachers’ teaching psychological behavior, extracts valuable information from various daily data of students through big data analysis technology, and the WEB teacher’s teaching psychological behavior analysis system based on B/S structure solves the problem that the traditional model cannot measure. In the simulation process, the system is implemented by MVC three-tier architecture, the database uses MYSQL 5.0, the prediction questionnaire is formulated on the basis of the literature method and interviews, and the scale is compiled and tested after repeated revisions. Project analysis and factor analysis are performed on the data obtained from the table test to construct and screen indicators. The experimental results show that the teacher’s classroom teaching behavior index system adopted by the system is practical and feasible, including three first-level indicators, 10 s-level indicators, and 21 third-level indicators. The system has 87.1% completeness, which effectively improves teachers’ teaching psychology.
Affect, Behaviors of Children With Intellectual Disabilities and Parents' Coping Strategies During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ma Minjie , Wang Xiao , Qi Peiyu , Wang Tingzhao
Published: May 2022

Background

In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic emerged. To prevent the spread of the virus, China implemented restrictions on going out and ensured that people stayed at home. This study aims to investigate the affect and behaviors of children with intellectual disabilities (ID) during the lockdown. The informal coping strategies adopted by parents and their effects were further evaluated.

Methods

In this study, a total of 457 parents of children (mean age: 14.82 years ± 1.96) with ID in 12 provincial administrative regions across China were surveyed online using the Positive and Negative Affect Scale and our own questionnaire on daily behaviors, problem behaviors and informal coping strategies.

Results

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the positive affect (PA) score was significantly higher than that of negative affect (NA) (p < 0.001). Some children experienced mostly positive changes in sleep (16.63%), communication (14.66%), and diet (5.69%). However, more than one-third (39.39%) exhibited problem behaviors such as hyperactivity. A significant correlation was found between affect and behavior. The informal coping measures adopted by parents were generally effective among affect and the relationship with problem behaviors.

Conclusions

The affect of the children with ID at home was mainly positive. The overall behaviors (diet, sleep, and communication) were good, but there were problem behaviors. Effective coping strategies are associated with higher PA, lower NA, and fewer problem behaviors. The greater the number of effective coping strategies, the lesser the problem behaviors.
Identification and Impact Analysis of Family History of Psychiatric Disorder in Mood Disorder Patients With Pretrained Language Model
Authors: Wan Cheng , Ge Xuewen , Wang Junjie , Zhang Xin , Yu Yun , Hu Jie , Liu Yun , Ma Hui
Published: May 2022

Mood disorders are ubiquitous mental disorders with familial aggregation. Extracting family history of psychiatric disorders from large electronic hospitalization records is helpful for further study of onset characteristics among patients with a mood disorder. This study uses an observational clinical data set of in-patients of Nanjing Brain Hospital, affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, from the past 10 years. This paper proposes a pretrained language model: Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT)–Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). We first project the electronic hospitalization records into a low-dimensional dense matrix via the pretrained Chinese BERT model, then feed the dense matrix into the stacked CNN layer to capture high-level features of texts; finally, we use the fully connected layer to extract family history based on high-level features. The accuracy of our BERT–CNN model was 97.12 ± 0.37% in the real-world data set from Nanjing Brain Hospital. We further studied the correlation between mood disorders and family history of psychiatric disorder.
The Vulnerability to Methamphetamine Dependence and Genetics: A Case-Control Study Focusing on Genetic Polymorphisms at Chromosomal Region 5q31.3
Authors: Xiao Jing , Ma Yitian , Wang Xiaochen , Wang Changqing , Li Miao , Liu Haobiao , Han Wei , Wang Huiying , Zhang Wenpei , Wei Hang , Zhao Longrui , Zhang Tianxiao , Lin Huali , Guan Fanglin
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Methamphetamine (METH) is a central nervous psychostimulant and one of the most frequently used illicit drugs. Numerous genetic loci that influence complex traits, including alcohol abuse, have been discovered; however, genetic analyses for METH dependence remain limited. An increased histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) expression has been detected in Fos-positive neurons in the dorsomedial striatum following withdrawal after METH self-administration. Herein, we aimed to systematically investigate the contribution of HDAC3 to the vulnerability to METH dependence in a Han Chinese population.

Methods

In total, we recruited 1,221 patients with METH dependence and 2,328 age- and gender-matched controls. For genotyping, we selected 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located within ± 3 kb regions of HDAC3. The associations between genotyped genetic polymorphisms and the vulnerability to METH dependence were examined by single marker- and haplotype-based methods using PLINK. The effects of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) on targeted gene expressions were investigated using the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database.

Results

The SNP rs14251 was identified as a significant association signal (χ2 = 9.84, P = 0.0017). An increased risk of METH dependence was associated with the A allele (minor allele) of rs14251 [odds ratio (95% CI) = 1.25 (1.09–1.43)]. The results of in silico analyses suggested that SNP rs14251 could be a potential eQTL signal for FCHSD1, PCDHGB6, and RELL2, but not for HDAC3, in various human tissues.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that genetic polymorphism rs14251 located at 5q31.3 was significantly associated with the vulnerability to METH dependence in Han Chinese population.
Correlates of Aggression in Men With Methamphetamine Use Disorder: Childhood Trauma and Methamphetamine-Use Characteristics
Authors: Liu Mengqi , Pu Liujin , Liu Tieqiao , Zhang Xiaojie , Shen Hongxian , Deng Qijian , Wang Yingying , Li Wen , Fu Xiaoya , Yang Cheng , Fang Ting , Potenza Marc N. , Hao Wei
Published: May 2022

Background

Aggression is common among individuals with methamphetamine use disorder (MAUD) and constitutes a serious public health issue. The current study aimed to examine associations of methamphetamine-use characteristics and childhood trauma with aggression in men with MAUD.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2017 to August 2018. MAUD patients recruited from a compulsory drug rehabilitation center (n = 360) and healthy comparison subjects (n = 604) completed a survey that measured aggression and childhood trauma, using the Chinese version of Buss-Perry Aggressive Questionnaire (AQ-CV), and the short form of Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF), respectively. MAUD patients also provided information on methamphetamine-use characteristics such as the age of MAUD onset, MAUD severity, and co-occurring alcohol use disorder (AUD) and tobacco use disorder (TUD) using standard or self-designed questionnaires. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used to compare childhood trauma and aggression between the MAUD and comparison groups. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to determine correlates of overall aggression and its five sub-scales among the MAUD group.

Results

The MAUD group had higher childhood trauma and aggression scores than the comparison group. Within the MAUD group, age of MAUD onset, having severe MAUD, co-occurring AUD, co-occurring TUD, and childhood trauma were associated with overall aggression, with slightly different correlates found for its five sub-scales.

Conclusions

Our study shows a high level of childhood trauma and aggression in the MAUD group. Both methamphetamine-use characteristics (age of MAUD onset, severe MAUD, co-occurring AUD/TUD) and childhood trauma were associated with aggression in MAUD. Our findings provide useful information on potential risk factors for aggression and inform future longitudinal research to establish causal relationships between these factors and aggression to guide further prevention and treatment programs.
Disability and Comorbidity of Mood Disorders and Anxiety Disorders With Diabetes and Hypertension: Evidences From the China Mental Health Survey and Chronic Disease Surveillance in China
Authors: Hu Yuanyuan , Huang Yueqin , Wang Limin , Liu Zhaorui , Wang Linhong , Yan Jie , Zhang Mei , Lv Ping , Guan Yunqi , Ma Chao , Huang Zhengjing , Zhang Tingting , Chen Hongguang
Published: May 2022

Background

The China Mental Health Survey was carried out using the same sampling frame with the China Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors Surveillance. This paper explores the relationship between the disability and the comorbidity of mood disorders and anxiety disorders with diabetes and hypertension.

Methods

A large-scale nationally representative sample with both mental disorders and chronic diseases was collected from 157 Disease Surveillance Points in 31 provinces across China. Face-to-face interviews were conducted by trained lay interviewers to make diagnoses of mood disorders and anxiety disorders using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Diabetes and hypertension were diagnosed from self-report and blood examination or body measurement. Sampling design weights, non-response adjustment weights, and post-stratification adjustment weights were applied during the analyses of comorbidity and disability.

Results

Totally 15,000 respondents had information of mental disorders and physical diseases. In the patients with mood disorders or anxiety disorders, the weighted prevalence rates of diabetes or hypertension were not higher than those in persons without the above mental disorders, but the weighed disability rates increased when having the comorbidity of hypertension (P < 0.05). The severity of disability was higher among patients with comorbidity of diabetes and anxiety disorders, or hypertension and mood disorders, compared with that among patients without the physical comorbidity (P < 0.05). After adjusted by age, gender and education, patients with comorbidity of mental disorders and physical disorders had the highest disability, followed by the patients with mental disorders only, and physical diseases only.

Conclusions

The disability of mood disorders and anxiety disorders comorbid with diabetes and hypertension are more serious than that of any single disease. The relationship of mental and physical diseases is worth exploring in depth for comprehensive and integrated intervention to decrease the disability.
Baseline Clinical and Neuroimaging Biomarkers of Treatment Response to High-Frequency rTMS Over the Left DLPFC for Resistant Depression
Authors: Harika-Germaneau Ghina , Wassouf Issa , Le Tutour Tom , Guillevin Remy , Doolub Damien , Rostami Reza , Delbreil Alexia , Langbour Nicolas , Jaafari Nematollah
Published: May 2022

Background

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has proven to be an efficient treatment option for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). However, the success rate of this method is still low, and the treatment outcome is unpredictable. The objective of this study was to explore clinical and structural neuroimaging factors as potential biomarkers of the efficacy of high-frequency (HF) rTMS (20 Hz) over the left dorso-lateral pre-frontal cortex (DLPFC).

Methods

We analyzed the records of 131 patients with mood disorders who were treated with rTMS and were assessed at baseline at the end of the stimulation and at 1 month after the end of the treatment. The response is defined as a 50% decrease in the MADRS score between the first and the last assessment. Each of these patients underwent a T1 MRI scan of the brain, which was subsequently segmented with FreeSurfer. Whole-brain analyses [Query, Design, Estimate, Contrast (QDEC)] were conducted and corrected for multiple comparisons. Additionally, the responder status was also analyzed using binomial multivariate regression models. The explored variables were clinical and anatomical features of the rTMS target obtained from T1 MRI: target-scalp distance, DLPFC gray matter thickness, and various cortical measures of interest previously studied.

Results

The results of a binomial multivariate regression model indicated that depression type (p = 0.025), gender (p = 0.010), and the severity of depression (p = 0.027) were found to be associated with response to rTMS. Additionally, the resistance stage showed a significant trend (p = 0.055). Whole-brain analyses on volume revealed that the average volume of the left part of the superior frontal and the caudal middle frontal regions is associated with the response status. Other MRI-based measures are not significantly associated with response to rTMS in our population.

Conclusion

In this study, we investigated the clinical and neuroimaging biomarkers associated with responsiveness to high-frequency rTMS over the left DLPFC in a large sample of patients with TRD. Women, patients with bipolar depressive disorder (BDD), and patients who are less resistant to HF rTMS respond better. Responders present a lower volume of the left part of the superior frontal gyrus and the caudal middle frontal gyrus. These findings support further investigation into the use of clinical variables and structural MRI as possible biomarkers of rTMS treatment response.
Oral Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease
Authors: Dean David , Sroussi Herve
Published: May 2022

Chronic oral graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is a complex, frequent, and highly impactful complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). It represents the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in long-term alloHCT survivors. cGVHD can affect almost any visceral organ system and commonly affects the skin, eyes and mouth, manifesting with signs and symptoms similar to other known immune-mediated and autoimmune diseases. Oral manifestations of GVHD include inflammation, thinning, and ulceration of oral mucosal tissues (similar to lichen planus), lymphocyte-mediated salivary gland dysfunction (similar to Sjögren/Sicca Syndrome), and decreased oral opening (trismus) secondary to sclerosis of oral and perioral tissues (analogous to limitation in scleroderma). Potential sequelae include severe mucosal pain, compromised nutrition, weight loss, limitation in opening, and sometimes irreversible fibrosis of the salivary glands. While some cases can be managed with topical therapies, management may also require long-term targeted immunosuppressive and/or corticosteroid therapy with associated risk of local and systemic infection, hyperglycemia, kidney dysfunction, osteopenia/osteoporosis, and possibly secondary malignancies. The aim of this mini-review is to provide an up-to-date review of literature related to the diagnosis and management of oral cGVHD to aid dental and medical clinicians in optimizing oral cGVHD therapy while minimizing potential adverse effects.
Road Users Classification Based on Bi-Frame Micro-Doppler With 24-GHz FMCW Radar
Authors: Coppola Rudi , Ahmed Sajid , Alouini Mohamed-Slim
Published: May 2022

This study shows an approach for classifying road users using a 24-GHz millimeter-wave radar. The sensor transmits multiple linear frequency–modulated waves, which enable range estimation and Doppler-shift estimation of targets in the scene. We aimed to develop a solution for localization and classification, which yielded the same performance when the sensor was fixed on ground or mounted on a moving platform such as a car or quadcopter. In this proposed approach, classification was achieved using supervised learning and a set of hand crafted features independent of relative speed between the target and sensor. The proposed model is based on obtaining micro-Doppler information; only one receiver is used. Therefore, in addition to the target reflectivity, no geometrical information is used. For our study, we selected three classes: pedestrians, cyclists, and cars. We then illustrated distinctive micro-Doppler features for each class based on simulations, which we compared with real-world data. Our results confirm that a limited set of low-complexity features yields high accuracy scores when the target’s trajectory does not excessively deviate from the radar’s radial direction.
A Review of Sorting and Separating Technologies Suitable for Compostable and Biodegradable Plastic Packaging
Authors: Taneepanichskul Nutcha , Purkiss Danielle , Miodownik Mark
Published: May 2022

As a result of public pressure and government legislation to reduce plastic waste there has been a sharp rise in the manufacture and use of alternatives to conventional plastics including compostable and biodegradable plastics. If these plastics are not collected separately, they can contaminate plastic recycling, organic waste streams, and the environment. To deal with this contamination requires effective identification and sorting of these different polymer types to ensure they are separated and composted at end of life. This review provides the comprehensive overview of the identification and sorting technologies that can be applied to sort compostable and biodegradable plastics including gravity-based sorting, flotation sorting, triboelectrostatic sorting, image-based sorting, spectral based sorting, hyperspectral imaging and tracer-based sorting. The advantages and limitations of each sorting approach are discussed within a circular economy framework.
Examining Lebanon's Resilience Through a Water-Energy-Food Nexus Lens
Authors: Daher Bassel , Hamie Silva , Pappas Konstantinos , Roth Julie
Published: May 2022

Lebanon faces a mix of underlying political and economic challenges, shocks, and triggering events that threaten the sustainability and resilience of its interconnected resource systems. The complex nature of these pressures begs for a systems approach to better understand the existing interconnections and to support the co-creation of cross-sectoral solutions to address them. This article specifically aims to: 1) conduct a scoping review of the existing literature and current events to identify interconnections between water-, energy-, and food-related challenges as they relate to the underlying conditions and triggering events at play in the context of Lebanon; 2) highlight ways in which the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus is a useful lens through which to understand and act upon issues at different scales; and 3) identify emergent themes including decentralization and systems thinking and their roles as catalysts toward more resilient resource systems. The examination concludes with two main recommendations: first, to create platforms and opportunities for interactive resource planning and decision making to facilitate systems-thinking for top-down WEF management; and second, to empower decentralized initiatives at the local level to build resilient, bottom-up solutions to WEF challenges.
Gastric Negative Pressure Suction Method Reduces the Incidence of PONV after Orthognathic Surgery
Authors: Wang Jia , Zhang Zhenzhen
Published: May 2022

Objective

To investigate the effect of gastric negative pressure suction on the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery.

Methods

A retrospective study of 772 patients who underwent orthognathic surgery from October 2016 to January 2021 was performed, excluding possible confounding factors. The patients were divided into a negative gastric suction group (group 1) and a group without gastric suction (group 2), according to whether gastric suction was used after general anaesthesia. There were 386 patients in each group. The incidence of PONV was compared between the two groups.

Results

The incidence of PONV was 29% in the negative gastric suction group and 58.8% in the non-gastric suction group. The incidence of PONV in the gastric negative pressure suction group was significantly lower than that in the non-gastric negative pressure suction group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

By reducing the risk of perioperative bleeding in orthognathic surgery, gastric negative pressure aspiration can reduce the incidence and operation time of PONV after orthognathic surgery.
Generation of Heritable Prominent Double Muscle Buttock Rabbits via Novel Site Editing of Myostatin Gene Using CRISPR/Cas9 System
Authors: Zheng Yalin , Zhang Yu , Wu Liyan , Riaz Hasan , Li Zhipeng , Shi Deshun , Rehman Saif ur , Liu Qingyou , Cui Kuiqing
Published: May 2022

Rabbits have been domesticated for meat, wool, and fur production, and have also been cherished as a companion, artistic inspiration, and an experimental model to study many human diseases. In the present study, the muscle mass negative regulator gene myostatin (MSTN) was knocked out in rabbits at two novel sites in exon3, and the function of these mutations was determined in subsequent generations. The prominent double muscle phenotype with hyperplasia or hypertrophy of muscle fiber was observed in the MSTN-KO rabbits, and a similar phenotype was confirmed in the F1 generation. Moreover, the average weight of 80-day-old MSTN-KO rabbits (2,452 ± 63 g) was higher than that of wild-type rabbits (2,393.2 ± 106.88 g), and also the bodyweight of MSTN-KO rabbits (3,708 ± 43.06g) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) at the age of 180 days than wild-type (WT) rabbits (3,224 ± 48.64g). In MSTN-KO rabbits, fourteen rabbit pups from the F1 generation and thirteen from the F2 generation stably inherited the induced MSTN gene mutations. Totally, 194 pups were produced in the F1 generation of which 49 were MSTN-KO rabbits, while 47 pups were produced in the F2 generation of which 20 were edited rabbits, and the ratio of edited to wild-type rabbits in the F2 generation was approximately 1:1. Thus, we successfully generated a heritable double muscle buttocks rabbits via myostatin mutation with CRISPR/Cas9 system, which could be valuable in rabbit's meat production and also a useful animal model to study the development of muscles among livestock species and improve their important economic traits as well as the human muscle development-related diseases.
Prevalence of Mycoplasma bovis in Algeria and Characterisation of the Isolated Clones
Authors: Oucheriah Yasmine , Heleili Nouzha , Colin Adélie , Mottet Catherine , Tardy Florence , Becker Claire A. M.
Published: May 2022

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is common in calves in Algeria, but to date, Mycoplasma bovis has never been monitored as a potential etiological agent. Here, to assess the presence (direct detection) and circulation (indirect detection) of M. bovis, broncho-alveolar lavage fluids (BALF) and serum samples were collected from 60 veal calf farms in Algeria. A commercial ELISA kit (ID Screen® ELISA) was used to screen for the presence of specific antibodies against M. bovis in 351 blood sera collected from both diseased and healthy calves, and 69% (241 sera) tested positive. BALFs from the 176 diseased calves were used to screen for M. bovis by real-time-PCR (rt-PCR), and 102 (58%) tested positive. A non-exhaustive set of 53 clones were isolated from 44 calves and further subtyped using polC gene sequencing. No predominant subtype was found, and two clones exhibited a new subtype. Fourteen clones were further characterized by multilocus sequence typing, and results showed a high degree of genetic diversity, with some clones having new alleles and subtypes. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 5 antimicrobials regularly used to treat BRD was determined on 45 clones. Susceptibility profiles showed very broad diversity, confirming the variety of clones actively circulating. We detected clones with high MICs, including increased MICs of enrofloxacin (n = 5). This is the first study to report the presence of M. bovis in Algeria in calves with BRD. This research also finds broad genetic and phenotypic diversity in the actively circulating isolates.
Aurintricarboxylic Acid Suppresses Hepatitis B Virus Replication by Inhibition of RNase H Activity
Authors: Xu Meng , Guan Xiao
Published: May 2022

Background

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health threat for which there is an urgent need to develop novel therapeutics.

Methods

Aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) has been demonstrated with broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antiviral activities. In this study, we implemented ATA treatment in HBV-infected and HBV-transfected hepatocytes to uncover whether ATA inhibits HBV replication and its underlying mechanism.

Results

HBV DNA levels were significantly reduced, while viral proteins or transcripts were not altered. In contrast, ATA treatment did not further deteriorate HBV DNAs, viral proteins, and transcripts in hepatocytes transfected by an HBV RNase H dead mutant. Moreover, ATA showed an inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis in hepatocytes transfected with lamivudine-resistant HBV mutants.

Conclusions

ATA is a potent inhibitor of HBV replication by disrupting the RNase H activity of the viral polymerase.
Changes in Obesity Prevalence Attributable to Ultra-Processed Food Consumption in Brazil Between 2002 and 2009
Authors: Louzada Maria Laura , Steele Eurídice Martinez , Rezende Leandro F. M. , Levy Renata Bertazzi , Monteiro Carlos Augusto
Published: May 2022

Objectives: To quantify the impact of temporal changes in the consumption of ultra-processed foods on obesity trends in Brazil between 2002 and 2009.

Methods: We analyzed data from two Household Budget Surveys carried out in 2002/2003 (n = 182,333) and 2008/2009 (n = 190,159), which provided information on household food acquisition and individuals’ weight and height. We examined the association between ultra-processed foods consumption and obesity and quantified the fraction of increase in obesity prevalence attributable to the rise in the consumption of ultra-processed foods.

Results: From 2002 to 2009, there was an increase in the obesity prevalence from 9.9% (95% CI 9.3; 10.4) to 13.2% (12.8; 13.7) while the contribution of ultra-processed foods to total energy consumption raised from 14.3% (13.4; 15.1) to 17.3% (16.5; 18.1). Ultra-processed foods consumption was positively associated with obesity prevalence. More than one quarter (28.6%) of the increase in obesity prevalence was attributable to the rise in the consumption of ultra-processed foods in the period.

Conclusion: We found that the rise in the consumption of ultra-processed foods played a major role on the increase of obesity epidemic in Brazil.
Patient-Reported Outcomes as Endpoints in Clinical Trials of Kidney Transplantation Interventions
Authors: Tong Allison , Oberbauer Rainer , Bellini Maria Irene , Budde Klemens , Caskey Fergus J. , Dobbels Fabienne , Pengel Liset , Rostaing Lionel , Schneeberger Stefan , Naesens Maarten
Published: May 2022

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) that assess individuals’ perceptions of life participation, medication adherence, disease symptoms, and therapy side effects are extremely relevant in the context of kidney transplantation. All PROs are potentially suitable as primary or secondary endpoints in interventional trials that aim to improve outcomes for transplant recipients. Using PRO measures (PROMs) in clinical trials facilitates assessment of the patient’s perspective of their health, but few measures have been developed and evaluated in kidney transplant recipients; robust methodologies, which use validated instruments and established frameworks for reporting, are essential. Establishing a core PROM for life participation in kidney transplant recipients is a critically important need, which is being developed and validated by the Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology (SONG)-Tx Initiative. Measures involving electronic medication packaging and smart technologies are gaining traction for monitoring adherence, and could provide more robust information than questionnaires, interviews, and scales. This article summarizes information on PROs and PROMs that was included in a Broad Scientific Advice request on clinical trial design and endpoints in kidney transplantation. This request was submitted to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) by the European Society for Organ Transplantation in 2016. Following modifications, the EMA provided its recommendations in late 2020.
Proposed Definitions of Antibody-Mediated Rejection for Use as a Clinical Trial Endpoint in Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Roufosse Candice , Becker Jan Ulrich , Rabant Marion , Seron Daniel , Bellini Maria Irene , Böhmig Georg A. , Budde Klemens , Diekmann Fritz , Glotz Denis , Hilbrands Luuk , Loupy Alexandre , Oberbauer Rainer , Pengel Liset , Schneeberger Stefan , Naesens Maarten
Published: May 2022

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is caused by antibodies that recognize donor human leukocyte antigen (HLA) or other targets. As knowledge of AMR pathophysiology has increased, a combination of factors is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and phenotype. However, frequent modifications to the AMR definition have made it difficult to compare data and evaluate associations between AMR and graft outcome. The present paper was developed following a Broad Scientific Advice request from the European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which explored whether updating guidelines on clinical trial endpoints would encourage innovations in kidney transplantation research. ESOT considers that an AMR diagnosis must be based on a combination of histopathological factors and presence of donor-specific HLA antibodies in the recipient. Evidence for associations between individual features of AMR and impaired graft outcome is noted for microvascular inflammation scores ≥2 and glomerular basement membrane splitting of >10% of the entire tuft in the most severely affected glomerulus. Together, these should form the basis for AMR-related endpoints in clinical trials of kidney transplantation, although modifications and restrictions to the Banff diagnostic definition of AMR are proposed for this purpose. The EMA provided recommendations based on this Broad Scientific Advice request in December 2020; further discussion, and consensus on the restricted definition of the AMR endpoint, is required.