bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and Characterization of an Early Leaf Senescence Gene ELS1 in Soybean
Authors: Yamatani Hiroshi , Heng Titnarong , Yamada Tetsuya , Kusaba Makoto , Kaga Akito
Published: December 2021

Early leaf senescence phenotype in soybean could be helpful to shorten the maturation period and prevent green stem disorder. From a high-density mutation library, we identified two early leaf senescence soybean mutant lines, els1-1 (early leaf senescence 1) and els1-2. The chlorophyll contents of both els1-1 and els1-2 were low in pre-senescent leaves. They degraded rapidly in senescent leaves, revealing that ELS1 is involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis during leaf development and chlorophyll degradation during leaf senescence. The causal mutations in els1 were identified by next-generation sequencing-based bulked segregant analysis. ELS1 encodes the ortholog of the Arabidopsis CaaX-like protease BCM1, which is localized in chloroplasts. Soybean ELS1 was highly expressed in green tissue, especially in mature leaves. The accumulation of photosystem I core proteins and light-harvesting proteins in els1 was low even in pre-senescent leaves, and their degradation was accelerated during leaf senescence. These results suggest that soybean ELS1 is involved in both chlorophyll synthesis and degradation, consistent with the findings in Arabidopsis BCM1. The gene els1, characterized by early leaf senescence and subsequent early maturation, does not affect the flowering time. Hence, the early leaf senescence trait regulated by els1 helps shorten the harvesting period because of early maturation characteristics. The els1-1 allele with weakly impaired function of ELS1 has only a small effect on agricultural traits and could contribute to practical breeding.
Conservation and Diversity in Gibberellin-Mediated Transcriptional Responses Among Host Plants Forming Distinct Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Morphotypes
Authors: Tominaga Takaya , Miura Chihiro , Sumigawa Yuuka , Hirose Yukine , Yamaguchi Katsushi , Shigenobu Shuji , Mine Akira , Kaminaka Hironori
Published: December 2021

Morphotypes of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis, Arum, Paris, and Intermediate types, are mainly determined by host plant lineages. It was reported that the phytohormone gibberellin (GA) inhibits the establishment of Arum-type AM symbiosis in legume plants. In contrast, we previously reported that GA promotes the establishment of Paris-type AM symbiosis in Eustoma grandiflorum, while suppressing Arum-type AM symbiosis in a legume model plant, Lotus japonicus. This raises a hitherto unexplored possibility that GA-mediated transcriptional reprogramming during AM symbiosis is different among plant lineages as the AM morphotypes are distinct. Here, our comparative transcriptomics revealed that several symbiosis-related genes were commonly upregulated upon AM fungal colonization in L. japonicus (Arum-type), Daucus carota (Intermediate-type), and E. grandiflorum (Paris-type). Despite of the similarities, the fungal colonization levels and the expression of symbiosis-related genes were suppressed in L. japonicus and D. carota but were promoted in E. grandiflorum in the presence of GA. Moreover, exogenous GA inhibited the expression of genes involved in biosynthetic process of the pre-symbiotic signal component, strigolactone, which resulted in the reduction of its endogenous accumulation in L. japonicus and E. grandiflorum. Additionally, differential regulation of genes involved in sugar metabolism suggested that disaccharides metabolized in AM roots would be different between L. japonicus and D. carota/E. grandiflorum. Therefore, this study uncovered the conserved transcriptional responses during mycorrhization regardless of the distinct AM morphotype. Meanwhile, we also found diverse responses to GA among phylogenetically distant AM host plants.
Spike Density Quantitative Trait Loci Detection and Analysis in Tetraploid and Hexaploid Wheat Recombinant Inbred Line Populations
Authors: You Jianing , Liu Hang , Wang Surong , Luo Wei , Gou Lulu , Tang Huaping , Mu Yang , Deng Mei , Jiang Qiantao , Chen Guoyue , Qi Pengfei , Peng Yuanying , Tang Liwei , Habib Ahsan , Wei Yuming , Zheng Youliang , Lan Xiujin , Ma Jian
Published: December 2021

Spike density (SD) is an agronomically important character in wheat. In addition, an optimized spike structure is a key basis for high yields. Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for SD has provided a genetic basis for constructing ideal spike morphologies in wheat. In this study, two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations (tetraploid RIL AM and hexaploid RIL 20828/SY95-71 (2SY)) previously genotyped using the wheat55K SNP array were used to identify SD QTL. A total of 18 QTL were detected, and three were major and one was stably expressed (QSd.sau-2SY-7A.2, QSd.sau-AM-5A.2, QSd.sau-AM-7B, and QSd.sau-2SY-2D). They can explain up to 23.14, 19.97, 12.00, and 9.44% of phenotypic variation, respectively. QTL × environment and epistatic interactions for SD were further analyzed. In addition, pyramiding analysis further revealed that there were additive effects between QSd.sau-2SY-2D and QSd.sau-2SY-7A.2 in 2SY, and QSd.sau-AM-5A.2 and QSd.sau-AM-7B in AM. Pearson’s correlation between SD and other agronomic traits, and effects of major or stable QTL on yield related traits indicated SD significantly impacted spike length (SL), spikelet number per spike (SNS) and kernel length (KL). Several genes related to spike development within the physical intervals of major or stable QTL were predicted and discussed. Collectively, our research identified QTL with potential applications for modern wheat breeding and broadening the genetic basis of SD.
Functions and Mechanisms of SAC Phosphoinositide Phosphatases in Plants
Authors: Mao Yanbo , Tan Shutang
Published: December 2021

Phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) is one type of phospholipid comprising an inositol head group and two fatty acid chains covalently linked to the diacylglycerol group. In addition to their roles as compositions of cell membranes, phosphorylated PtdIns derivatives, termed phosphoinositides, execute a wide range of regulatory functions. PtdIns can be phosphorylated by various lipid kinases at 3-, 4- and/or 5- hydroxyls of the inositol ring, and the phosphorylated forms, including PtdIns3P, PtdIns4P, PtdIns5P, PtdIns(3,5)P2, PtdIns(4,5)P2, can be reversibly dephosphorylated by distinct lipid phosphatases. Amongst many other types, the SUPPRESSOR OF ACTIN (SAC) family of phosphoinositide phosphatases recently emerged as important regulators in multiple growth and developmental processes in plants. Here, we review recent advances on the biological functions, cellular activities, and molecular mechanisms of SAC domain-containing phosphoinositide phosphatases in plants. With a focus on those studies in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana together with progresses in other plants, we highlight the important roles of subcellular localizations and substrate preferences of various SAC isoforms in their functions.
Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health of Chinese Residents in Its Initial Stage
Authors: Yang Linchuan , Liu Yunhong , Han Li , Ao Yibin , Yang Hongtai
Published: December 2021

This study aims to investigate the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the Chinese public’s mental health during its early stage. We collected the data through an online questionnaire survey. Specifically, we adopted the impact of event scale-revised (IES-R) and state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) to assess symptomatic responses to exposure to traumatic life events and public anxiety, respectively, in the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Then, we evaluated the differences in the scores among various socio-demographic groups using Kruskal-Wakkis H tests and t-tests and analyzed the IES-R, state anxiety (SA) score, and trait anxiety (TA) score using the Pearson correlation analysis. Finally, we conducted a path analysis to determine the mediating role of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (measured by the IES-R) in the relationship between TA and SA. The results show that the average of the SA and TA scores were 48.0 ± 10.4 and 38.0 ± 8.2, respectively; the respondents who suffered from mild, moderate, and severe psychological impacts because of the health crisis accounted for 21.9, 5.2, and 13.1%, respectively; farmers have the highest IES-R score than others; people with the highest income have the lowest SA level; a significant positive correlation existed between the IES-R and STAI scores; and TA produces both direct and indirect (through the IES-R) effects on SA. Overall, the general Chinese public exhibited much higher anxiety levels than normal in the early days of the pandemic outbreak. Accordingly, we strongly recommend psychological counseling and intervention support to mitigate the adverse psychological impacts of such an event.
Computational Approaches to Music Motor Performance: Clustering of Percussion Kinematics Underlying Performance Style
Authors: Loria Tristan , Huang Aiyun , Henechowicz Tara Lynn , Thaut Michael H.
Published: December 2021

The present study investigated motor kinematics underlying performance-related movements in marimba performance. Participants played a marimba while motion capture equipment tracked movements of the torso, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands. Principal components analysis was applied to assess the movements during the performance related to sound production and sound preparation. Subsequent cluster analyses sought to identify coupling of limb segment movements that may best characterize performance styles present in the performance. The analysis revealed four clusters that were thought to reflect performance styles of expressive performance, postural sway, energy efficiency, and a blend of the former styles. More specifically, the expressive cluster was best characterized by limb movements occurring along the vertical z-axis, whereas the postural sway cluster was characterized by forwards and backwards motions of the torso and upper limbs. The energy efficient cluster was characterized by movements of the body moving left to right along the marimba, whereas the blended style demonstrated limited delineation from the alternate styles. Such findings were interpreted as evidence that performance styles occur within a framework of biomechanical constraints and hierarchical stylistic factors. Overall, the results provided a more holistic understanding of motor execution in percussion performance.
Relationship Between Big Five Personality and Pathological Internet Use: Mediating Effects of Loneliness and Depression
Authors: Zhou Yong , Li Hui , Han Lei , Yin Suyue
Published: December 2021

Pathological Internet use will have a serious impact on normal individual study and work and has become one of the most important factors hindering the growth and development of contemporary college students. The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanisms of loneliness and depression in the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and pathological Internet use (PIU). A total of 1,179 college students were studied using the Chinese version of the Big Five Personality Scale, Loneliness Scale, Depression Scale, and Pathological Internet Use Scale. The results showed that loneliness partially mediated the relationship between extraversion and PIU and completely mediated the relationship between agreeableness and PIU and neuroticism and PIU. Depression completely mediated the relationship between agreeableness and PIU, neuroticism completely mediated the relationship with PIU, and sense of responsibility partially mediated the relationship with PIU. This study revealed the relationship between different personality traits and PIU and the mediating role of loneliness and depression, suggesting that we should carry out targeted interventions on PIU for college students with different personality traits.
Paradoxical Leadership and Employee Task Performance: A Sense-Making Perspective
Authors: Zhang Wei , Liao Shudi , Liao Jianqiao , Zheng Quanfang
Published: December 2021

Paradoxical leadership has received increasing research attention in recent years. Yet, questions remain as to why and when paradoxical leadership is effective in promoting employee work outcomes. Drawing upon the sense-making perspective, we propose that paradoxical leadership enhances employee task performance by increasing employees’ adaptability, and paradoxical leadership is more effective when employees have higher levels of Zhong Yong thinking and organizational identification. To test our hypotheses, we conducted a multi-source and multi-wave survey study among 235 employees and their supervisors in southern China. The results of the regression analyses fully support our hypotheses. In general, our findings shed light on the underlying mechanisms, as well as the boundary conditions, of the effect of paradoxical leadership. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
When Facebook Becomes a Part of the Self: How Do Motives for Using Facebook Influence Privacy Management?
Authors: Kang Hyunjin , Shin Wonsun
Published: December 2021

This study examines how three different motivations for using an SNS (i.e., self-expression, belonging, and memory archiving) influence multi-facets of privacy boundary management on the platform mediated by self-extension to it. In recognition of the fact that information management on SNSs often goes beyond the “disclosure-withdrawal” dichotomy, the study investigates the relationships between the three SNS motives and privacy boundary management strategies (i.e., collective boundary and boundary turbulence management). An online survey with Facebook users (N = 305) finds that the three Facebook motivations are positively correlated to users’ self-extension to Facebook. The motivations for using Facebook are positively associated with the management of different layers of privacy boundaries (i.e., basic, sensitive, and highly sensitive), when Facebook self-extension is mediated. In addition, the three motives have indirect associations with potential boundary turbulence management mediated by Facebook self-extension. Extending the classic idea that privacy is deeply rooted in the self, the study demonstrates that perceiving an SNS as part of the self-system constitutes a significant underlying psychological factor that explains the linkage between motives for using SNSs and privacy management.
The Relationship Between Attitude Toward Science and Academic Achievement in Science: A Three-Level Meta-Analysis
Authors: Mao Peipei , Cai Zhihui , He Jinbo , Chen Xinjie , Fan Xitao
Published: December 2021

Science education is attracting increasing attention and many researchers focus on the issue about the attitude-achievement relationship in science, but there is still no consistent conclusion. By using a three-level meta-analytic approach, the aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between attitude toward science and academic achievement in learning science among primary and secondary school students, and to explore if some study characteristics could have contributed to the inconsistent findings with regard to this relationship as observed in the research literature. A total of 37 studies with 132 effect sizes involving a total of 1,042,537 participants were identified. The meta-analytic results revealed that there was an overall positive and moderate relationship between attitude toward science and learning achievement in science (r = 0.248, p < 0.001). The results further found that this association was moderated by the type of attitude and larger effect sizes were shown in self-efficacy than in interest, societal relevance of attitude toward science, and mixed attitude. Moreover, the effect sizes of studies with unstandardized measure to assess science achievement were larger than those with standardized measure. Possible explanations for these findings and its implications for future research directions were also discussed in this review.
Longitudinal Study of Maternal Beliefs About Infant Crying During the Postpartum Period: Interplay With Infant’s Temperament
Authors: Hiraoka Daiki , Nomura Michio , Kato Masaharu
Published: December 2021

Infant crying is an important signal for their survival and development, and maternal beliefs about crying predict responsiveness to crying. Most studies have considered caregivers’ reactions to crying to be fixed, and it is unclear how they change with their caregiving experience. Additionally, it has recently been suggested that there is a bidirectional relationship between changes in mothers’ beliefs about crying and infants’ temperament. This study examined that relationship using a longitudinal study design. Maternal beliefs about crying and infant temperament of 339 Asian first-time mothers (mean age = 28.7 years, SD = 4.1) were measured at 1-month intervals over 4 months. There were 289 participants in Wave 2, 240 in Wave 3, and 164 in Wave 4. Prior to the main survey, we conducted a pre-survey to confirm the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Infant Crying Questionnaire. The results showed that parent-oriented beliefs, which focus on the caregiver rather than the crying infant, increased in mothers who had infants aged 3 months or older at Wave 1. We also found that the process of change in maternal beliefs was not uniform, and that infants high on surgency predicted changes in maternal beliefs about infant crying. Longitudinal studies of caregivers’ changes, such as the present study, are expected to contribute to understanding the co-development of caregivers and infants.
Validating a Reading Assessment Within the Cognitive Diagnostic Assessment Framework: Q-Matrix Construction and Model Comparisons for Different Primary Grades
Authors: Li Yan , Zhen Miaomiao , Liu Jia
Published: December 2021

Cognitive diagnostic assessment (CDA) has been developed rapidly to provide fine-grained diagnostic feedback on students’ subskills and to provide insights on remedial instructions in specific domains. To date, most cognitive diagnostic studies on reading tests have focused on retrofitting a single booklet from a large-scale assessment (e.g., PISA and PIRLS). Critical issues in CDA involve the scarcity of research to develop diagnostic tests and the lack of reliability and validity evidence. This study explored the development and validation of the Diagnostic Chinese Reading Comprehension Assessment (DCRCA) for primary students under the CDA framework. Reading attributes were synthesized based on a literature review, the national curriculum criteria, the results of expert panel judgments, and student think-aloud protocols. Then, the tentative attributes were used to construct three booklets of reading comprehension items for 2–6 graders at three key stages. The assessment was administered to a large population of students (N = 21,466) in grades 2–6 from 20 schools in a district of Changchun City, China. Q-matrices were compared and refined using the model-data fit and an empirical validation procedure, and five representative cognitive diagnostic models (CDMs) were compared for optimal performance. The fit indices suggested that a six-attribute structure and the G-DINA model were best fitted for the reading comprehension assessment. In addition, diagnostic reliability, construct, internal and external validity results were provided, supporting CDM classifications as reliable, accurate, and useful. Such diagnostic information could be utilized by students, teachers, and administrators of reading programs and instructions.
Similar Hemodynamic Signal Patterns Between Compact NIRS and 52-Channel NIRS During a Verbal Fluency Task
Authors: Hirano Jinichi , Takamiya Akihiro , Yamamoto Yasuharu , Minami Fusaka , Mimura Masaru , Yamagata Bun
Published: December 2021

Multichannel near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), including 52-channel NIRS (52ch-NIRS), has been used increasingly to capture hemodynamic changes in the brain because of its safety, low cost, portability, and high temporal resolution. However, optode caps might cause pain and motion artifacts if worn for extended periods of time because of the weight of the cables and the pressure of the optodes on the scalp. Recently, a small NIRS apparatus called compact NIRS (cNIRS) has been developed, and uses only a few flexible sensors. Because this device is expected to be more suitable than 52ch-NIRS in the clinical practice for patients with children or psychiatric conditions, we tested whether the two systems were clinically comparable. Specifically, we evaluated the correlation between patterns of hemodynamic changes generated by 52ch-NIRS and cNIRS in the frontopolar region. We scanned 14 healthy adults with 52ch-NIRS and cNIRS, and measured activation patterns of oxygenated-hemoglobin [oxy-Hb] and deoxygenated-hemoglobin [deoxy-Hb] in the frontal pole while they performed a verbal fluency task. We performed detailed temporal domain comparisons of time-course patterns between the two NIRS-based signals. We found that 52ch-NIRS and cNIRS showed significant correlations in [oxy-Hb] and [deoxy-Hb] time-course changes in numerous channels. Our findings indicate that cNIRS and 52ch-NIRS capture similar task-dependent hemodynamic changes due to metabolic demand, which supports the validity of cNIRS measurement techniques. Therefore, this small device has a strong potential for clinical application with infants and children, as well as for use in the rehabilitation or treatment of patients with psychiatric disorders using biofeedback.
The Potential Emergence of “Education as Mental Health Therapy” as a Feasible Form of Teacher-Delivered Child Mental Health Care in a Low and Middle Income Country: A Mixed Methods Pragmatic Pilot Study
Authors: Cruz Christina M. , Giri Priscilla , Vanderburg Juliana L. , Ferrarone Peter , Bhattarai Surekha , Giardina Aileen A. , Gaynes Bradley N. , Hampanda Karen , Lamb Molly M. , Matergia Michael
Published: December 2021

Objective:We assessed task-shifting children's mental health care to teachers as a potential approach to improving access to child mental health care.

Methods:In Darjeeling, India, we conducted a single-arm, mixed-methods feasibility study with 19 teachers and 36 children in five rural primary schools to determine whether teachers can deliver transdiagnostic mental health care to select children-in-need with fidelity to protocol, to assess which therapeutic options teachers chose to use within the protocol, and to evaluate for a potential signal of efficacy.

Results:Participation rates for intervention activities were >80%. A majority of teachers met or exceeded quality benchmarks for all intervention activities. Teachers chose to deliver teacher-centric techniques, i.e., techniques that only teachers could deliver given their role in the child's life, 80% of the time. Children improved in mental health score percentiles on the Achenbach Teacher Report Form. Key facilitators included the flexibility to adapt intervention activities to their needs, while identified barriers included limited time for care delivery.

Conclusion:Findings support the feasibility of task-shifting children's mental health care to classroom teachers in resource-limited schools. Fidelity to protocol appeared feasible, though the freedom to choose and adapt therapeutic techniques may also have enhanced feasibility. Surprisingly, teachers consistently chose to deliver teacher-centric therapeutic techniques that resulted in a potential signal of efficacy. This finding supports the potential emergence of “education as mental health therapy” (Ed-MH) as a new therapy modality. Continued investigation is required to test and refine strategies for involving teachers in the delivery of transdiagnostic mental health care.
Ovarian Vein Embolization With N-butyl-2 Cyanoacrylate Glubran-2® for the Treatment of Pelvic Venous Disorder
Authors: Gong Maofeng , He Xu , Zhao Boxiang , Kong Jie , Gu Jianping , Su Haobo
Published: December 2021

Background: There are few reports in the literature on the use of Glubran-2 for the embolization of ovarian veins in patients with pelvic venous disorder (PeVD). In addition, a consensus on the efficacy and safety of Glubran-2 has not been reached.

Purpose: To investigate the safety and efficacy of ovarian vein embolization (OVE) with N-butyl-2 cyanoacrylate (NBCA) Glubran-2 for the treatment of PeVD.

Material and Methods: Between January 2013 and January 2020, 21 women (mean age, 43.9 ± 13.3 years) with PeVD who underwent OVE with Glubran-2 were evaluated. Of those patients, ovarian vein or pelvic venous plexus insufficiency was verified by duplex ultrasound and/or multislice computer tomography (MSCT). The symptoms and signs of PeVD included chronic pelvic pain (CPP) (21/21; 100%), dyspareunia (12/21; 57.1%), dysmenorrhea (10/21; 47.6%), and vulvar varices (3/21; 14.3%). The medical data were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Glubran-2 was employed as the sole embolic material in 18 cases (85.7%) and used to perform rescue embolization in 3 cases (14.3%) due to CPP recurrence 1 month after initial embolization using microcoils. Technically successful embolization was achieved using Glubran-2 in all patients. No Glubran-2 related complications were noted. Neither persistent nor recurrent CPP was observed during follow-up, for which the mean was 62 ± 38 months (range, 12–102 months). Clinical efficacy was evaluated, and all patients exhibited complete or slight improvement of CPP after embolization. The visual analog scale (VAS) score significantly decreased from pre-intervention to post-intervention (p < 0.001). Six patients (28.6%) gave birth to healthy babies during follow-up after embolization with Glubran-2.

Conclusions: Ovarian vein embolization with Glubran-2 is a feasible and safe treatment for CPP secondary to PeVD. This treatment may represent a potential and attractive alternative when patients desire symptom relief and want to continue reproducing. Larger studies are warranted to confirm the findings of this study.
A Pilot Study of Cancer-Induced Bone Pain Using Validated Owner Questionnaires, Serum N-Telopeptide Concentration, Kinetic Analysis, and PET/CT
Authors: Flesner Brian K. , Torres Bryan T. , Hutcheson Kyle D. , Rindt Hansjörg , Zalcman Amy R. , Maitz Charles A.
Published: December 2021

Cancer-induced bone pain, despite its frequency and severity, is a poorly understood phenomenon in people and animals. Despite excitement regarding translational osteosarcoma studies, there is a lack of attention toward examining cancer pain in dogs. In this pilot study, we used a multimodal pain assessment methodology to evaluate pain relief after therapeutic intervention in dogs with primary bone cancer. We hypothesized that intervention would cause objective evidence of pain relief. Evaluations of 8 dogs with primary bone cancer included18F-FDG PET/CT scans, kinetic analysis, validated owner questionnaires (Canine Brief Pain Inventory, canine BPI), and serum N-telopeptide (NTx) concentration. Dogs were routinely staged and had18F-FDG PET/CT scans prior to treatment with day 0, 7, 14, and 28 canine BPI, serum NTx, orthopedic exam, and kinetic analysis. Dogs treated with zoledronate and radiation underwent day 2818F-FDG PET scans. All clinical trial work was approved by the University of Missouri IACUC. Four dogs underwent amputation (AMP) for their appendicular bone tumors; four received neoadjuvant zoledronate and hypofractionated radiation therapy (ZOL+RT). Canine BPI revealed significant improvements in pain severity and pain interference scores compared to baseline for all dogs. Positive changes in peak vertical force (+16.7%) and vertical impulse (+29.1%) were noted at day 28 in ZOL+RT dogs. Dogs receiving ZOL+RT had a significant (at least 30%) reduction in serum NTx from baseline compared to amputated dogs (p= 0.029). SUVmax(p= 0.11) and intensity (p= 0.013) values from PET scans decreased while tumor uniformity (p= 0.017) significantly increased in ZOL+RT-treated tumors; gross tumor volume did not change (p= 0.78). Owner questionnaires, kinetic analysis, and18F-FDG PET/CT scans showed improved pain relief in dogs receiving ZOL+RT. Serum NTx levels likely do not directly measure pain, but rather the degree of systemic osteoclastic activity. Larger, prospective studies are warranted to identify the ideal objective indicator of pain relief; however, use of multiple assessors is presumably best. With improved assessment of pain severity and relief in dogs with cancer, we can better evaluate the efficacy of our interventions. This could directly benefit people with cancer pain, potentially decreasing the amount of subtherapeutic novel drugs entering human clinical trials.
Serological Investigation and Genetic Characteristics of Pseudorabies Virus in Hunan Province of China From 2016 to 2020
Authors: Lin Yuan , Tan Lei , Wang Changjian , He Shicheng , Fang Ling , Wang Zicheng , Zhong Yating , Zhang Kun , Liu Daoxin , Yang Qing , Wang Aibing
Published: December 2021

Pseudorabies (PR), caused by variant pseudorabies virus (PRV), is an economically important viral disease in China. Recently, PRV infection in humans has also received attention worldwide. To investigate the PRV infection in Hunan province, China, we collected a total of 18,138 serum specimens from 808 PRV-vaccinated pig farms cross this region during 2016–2020, and we detected the presence of PRV glycoprotein B (gB) and gE-specific antibodies. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results revealed that 80.47% (14,596/18,138, 95 CI 79.9–81.0) and 23.55% (4,271/18,138, 95 CI 22.9–24.2) of serum samples were positive for PRV gB and gE-specific antibodies, respectively. Further analysis indicated that the seroprevalence of wild PRV infection was associated with the season and breeding scale (p < 0.01). In addition, five PRV strains were isolated from PRV-positive samples in Vero cells and the virus titers varied from 106.5 to 107.51 TCID50/0.1 ml. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that one isolate was a classical strain of PRV genotype II, and four other isolates belonged to the variants of genotype II. Collectively, the data indicate that the prevalence of PRV remains high in pigs in Hunan province, and the variant PRV strains are the major genotypes affecting the development of the pig industry.
Interference With ACSL1 Gene in Bovine Adipocytes: Transcriptome Profiling of mRNA and lncRNA Related to Unsaturated Fatty Acid Synthesis
Authors: Bai Yanbin , Li Xupeng , Chen Zongchang , Li Jingsheng , Tian Hongshan , Ma Yong , Raza Sayed Haidar Abbas , Shi Bingang , Han Xiangmin , Luo Yuzhu , Hu Jiang , Wang Jiqing , Liu Xiu , Li Shaobin , Zhao Zhidong
Published: December 2021

The enzyme long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 1 (ACSL1) is essential for lipid metabolism. The ACSL1 gene controls unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) synthesis as well as the formation of lipid droplets in bovine adipocytes. Here, we used RNA-Seq to determine lncRNA and mRNA that regulate UFA synthesis in bovine adipocytes using RNA interference and non-interference with ACSL1. The corresponding target genes of differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and the DE mRNAs were found to be enriched in lipid and FA metabolism-related pathways, according to GO and KEGG analyses. The differentially expressed lncRNA- differentially expressed mRNA (DEL-DEM) interaction network indicated that some DELs, such as TCONS_00069661, TCONS_00040771, TCONS_ 00035606, TCONS_00048301, TCONS_001309018, and TCONS_00122946, were critical for UFA synthesis. These findings assist our understanding of the regulation of UFA synthesis by lncRNAs and mRNAs in bovine adipocytes.
Molecular Characterization of Infectious Bronchitis Virus Strain HH06 Isolated in a Poultry Farm in Northeastern China
Authors: Abbas Ghulam , Zhang Yue , Sun Xiaowei , Chen Huijie , Ren Yudong , Wang Xiurong , Ahmad Muhammad Zulfiqar , Huang Xiaodan , Li Guangxing
Published: December 2021

Spike (S) glycoprotein is an important virulent factor for coronaviruses (CoVs), and variants of CoVs have been characterized based on S gene analysis. We present phylogenetic relationship of an isolated infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strain with reference to the available genome and protein sequences based on network, multiple sequence, selection pressure, and evolutionary fingerprinting analysis in People's Republic of China. One hundred and elven strains of CoVs i.e., Alphacoronaviruses (Alpha-CoVs; n = 12), Betacoronaviruses (Beta-CoVs; n = 37), Gammacoronaviruses (Gamma-CoVs; n = 46), and Deltacoronaviruses (Delta-CoVs; n = 16) were selected for this purpose. Phylogenetically, SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoVs clustered together with Bat-CoVs and MERS-CoV of Beta-CoVs (C). The IBV HH06 of Avian-CoVs was closely related to Duck-CoV and partridge S14, LDT3 (teal and chicken host). Beluga whale-CoV (SW1) and Bottlenose dolphin-CoVs of mammalian origin branched distantly from other animal origin viruses, however, making group with Avian-CoVs altogether into Gamma-CoVs. The motif analysis indicated well-conserved domains on S protein, which were similar within the same phylogenetic class and but variable at different domains of different origins. Recombination network tree indicated SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and Bat-CoVs, although branched differently, shared common clades. The MERS-CoVs of camel and human origin spread branched into a different clade, however, was closely associated closely with SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and Bat-CoVs. Whereas, HCoV-OC43 has human origin and branched together with bovine CoVs with but significant distant from other CoVs like SARS CoV-2 and SARS-CoV of human origin. These findings explain that CoVs' constant genetic recombination and evolutionary process that might maintain them as a potential veterinary and human epidemic threat.
Associations of Pantoea with Rice Plants: As Friends or Foes?
Authors: Doni Febri , Suhaimi Nurul Shamsinah Mohd , Irawan Budi , Mohamed Zulqarnain , Mispan Muhamad Shakirin
Published: December 2021

Pantoea species are gram-negative bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family, generally associated with plants, either as epiphytes or as pathogens. In the last decade, Pantoea species are being regarded as re-emerging pathogens that are the causal agents of various diseases in rice plants. Inherently, they are also known to be opportunistic plant symbionts having the capacity to enhance systemic resistance and increase the yield of rice plants. It is unclear how they can express both beneficial and pathogenic traits, and what factors influence and determine the outcome of a particular Pantoea–rice plant interaction. This review aims to compare the characteristics of rice plant-beneficial and pathogenic strains belonging to the Pantoea species and gain new insights, enabling distinction among the two types of plant–microbe interactions.
Ash Melting Behavior of Rice Straw and Calcium Additives
Authors: Chaloupková Veronika , Ivanova Tatiana , Hutla Petr , Špunarová Monika
Published: December 2021

Rice straw is potentially an appropriate feedstock material for biofuel production, since a huge amount of this postharvest residue is generated every year. The transformation of such agricultural biomass into densified products with a higher energy value and their subsequent combustion is associated with several questions. One of them is that rice straw exhibits a large formation of ash during combustion; thus, it is essential to know the nature of its ash melting behavior. Generally, during the combustion of straw biomass, ash sintering occurs in relatively low temperatures, resulting in the damaging of heating equipment. This negative aspect can be overcome by the addition of calcium-based additives. This paper aimed to study the ash melting behavior at a laboratory scale and to determine the ash melting points of rice straw mixed with calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) in different proportional ratios. The standardly produced ash samples from the rice straw obtained from Cambodia were constantly heated up in a muffle furnace, and characteristic temperatures of ash melting, i.e., shrinkage, deformation, hemisphere, and flow temperature, were recorded. The results showed that increasing the additive ratio did not bring linear growth of the melting temperatures. The addition of 1% CaCO3 showed an optimal positive impact of higher ash melting temperatures, and thus a better ability to abate the sintering of the rice straw ash.
Variation of Polyphenol Content and Antioxidant Activity in Some Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Populations from Romania
Authors: Ciulca Sorin , Roma Gheorghe , Alexa Ersilia , Radulov Isidora , Cocan Ileana , Madosa Emilian , Ciulca Adriana
Published: December 2021

Fruits of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) are valued mainly for their nutraceutical properties, and are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity due to their high content of phenolic compounds. The aim of this research was to assess the total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of fruits in six wild bilberry populations from two regions of Romania over three years. The total polyphenol content was determined according to the Folin–Ciocalteu modified method, while the antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay. The Padis and Raul Lung populations registered the highest values of polyphenol content and antioxidant activity, as such the fruits of these bilberry populations could be considered potential sources of antioxidants for direct consumption or for use as ingredients for food products or food supplements. Significant variation of total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity was observed both between populations from the same region and from different regions. The low level of broad sense heritability for total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity associated with the high effects of year, and population–year interaction indicates that the accumulation of polyphenols in bilberry fruits is influenced by changes in environmental conditions.
Phosphogypsum Organic, a Byproduct from Rare-Earth Metals Processing, Improves Plant and Soil
Authors: Hanafi Mohamed Musa , Azizi Parisa , Vijayanathan Jeyanny
Published: December 2021

Phosphogypsum organic (PG organic) is a soil conditioner, derived from residues, water leach purification (WLP) and neutralisation underflow (NUF) from rare-earth metals processing in combination with composted organic material. There was no report available with regards to the effectiveness of this byproduct for crops improvement in a sandy soil texture. Therefore, a field trial involving a multi-crop was conducted by the addition of PG organic on a sandy texture soil for 23-month period. Guinea grass or guinea grass intercropping with teak wood trees, corn and kenaf showed an improvement in cumulative fresh yield in plot treated with PG organic either with a half- or full-fertilizer recommended rate for the respective crop as compared to control. The same trend was also observed in teak wood trees in hole planting systems and pandan coconut seedlings in the polybags. Application of PG organic in each season showed a consistently higher cumulative fresh yield or yield for certain crop types due to soil ability to maintain the soil pH buffering capacity (pH 5.8–6.0). Therefore, the application of PG organic as soil conditioner promotes plant growth and development due to the improvement of soil condition by creating suitable ecosystem for nutrients absorption by roots.
The Development and Utilization of Saline–Alkali Land in Western Jilin Province Promoted the Sequestration of Organic Carbon Fractions in Soil Aggregates
Authors: Qu Yunke , Tang Jie , Zhou Zihao , Liu Ben , Duan Yucong , Wang Jingjing , Wang Sining , Li Yuefen , Li Zhaoyang
Published: December 2021

Soil samples from T (0~20 cm) and S (20~40 cm) layers of four saline–alkali rice fields (R5, R15, R20, and R35) with different reclamation years were selected to study the distribution of soil aggregates and the contents of readily oxidizable organic carbon (ROC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), potentially mineralizable carbon (PMC), and soil organic carbon (SOC). The effects of large macroaggregate (>2 mm, LMA), small macroaggregate (0.25 to 2 mm, SMA), and microaggregate (<0.25 mm, MA) particle size, soil layer, and soil physicochemical properties on SOC fractions were also analyzed. The results showed that the LMA size in saline–alkali paddy fields were easily decomposed and was unstable due to the influence of the external environment. With the increase in reclamation years, the proportion of LMA in the S layer decreased gradually. The ROC, DOC, MBC and TOC contents of aggregates in the T and S layers gradually increased with the increase in reclamation years, and SOC fractions contents of aggregates in different grain sizes were SMA > LMA > MA. An effective way to increase carbon sink and improve the ecological environment in western Jilin Province is to change the soil environment by planting rice in saline–alkali land.
Comparative Analysis Reveals Changes in Some Seed Properties in Amaranth Mutant Variety ‘Zobor’ (A. hypochondriacus × A. hybridus)
Authors: Hricová Andrea , Mistríková Veronika , Gajdošová Alena , Fejér Jozef , Nôžková Jana , Kariluoto Susanna , Gažo Ján , Szabóová Monika
Published: December 2021

The aim of our long-term research program is to improve the quality and quantity of amaranth production through mutation breeding using γ-radiation. In this paper, we present the characterization of the new variety ‘Zobor’ of A. hypochondriacus × A. hybridus developed by radiation-induced mutagenesis of hybrid K-433. Multiyear phenotypic characterization of an important yield parameter (1000-seed weight) showed that the studied mutant variety ‘Zobor’ has an advantage in seed weight over the nonirradiated control seeds of K-433 with predictable performance of this yield trait. ‘Zobor’ exhibited changes in seed morphometric parameters, starch particle size, and pasting properties with no change in amylose content and swelling power. Moreover, the seeds of ‘Zobor’ showed the significantly highest folate content among selected amaranth varieties. The mutant variety could, therefore, be interesting for the development of functional foods and as a low-management crop, attractive for cultivation in Europe.
Target-AID-Mediated Multiplex Base Editing in Porcine Fibroblasts
Authors: Yum Soo-Young , Jang Goo , Koo Okjae
Published: December 2021

Multiplex genome editing may induce genotoxicity and chromosomal rearrangements due to double-strand DNA breaks at multiple loci simultaneously induced by programmable nucleases, including CRISPR/Cas9. However, recently developed base-editing systems can directly substitute target sequences without double-strand breaks. Thus, the base-editing system is expected to be a safer method for multiplex genome-editing platforms for livestock. Target-AID is a base editing system composed of PmCDA1, a cytidine deaminase from sea lampreys, fused to Cas9 nickase. It can be used to substitute cytosine for thymine in 3–5 base editing windows 18 bases upstream of the protospacer-adjacent motif site. In the current study, we demonstrated Target-AID-mediated base editing in porcine cells for the first time. We targeted multiple loci in the porcine genome using the Target-AID system and successfully induced target-specific base substitutions with up to 63.15% efficiency. This system can be used for the further production of various genome-engineered pigs.
Genotyping and Zoonotic Potential of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Stray Dogs Sheltered from Shanghai, China
Authors: Liu Hua , Xu Jie , Shen Yujuan , Cao Jianping , Yin Jianhai
Published: December 2021

Microsporidia are considered to be highly diverged and specialized parasites, and can infect a wide variety of vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most prevalent species in humans and various livestock, wildlife, and companion mammals. Dogs being the most popular companion animals of humans become more and more regarded. In this study, 272 fecal specimens were collected from stray dogs from Shanghai, but the dogs were adopted in a shelter in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China. E. bieneusi was examined by PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and sequence analysis. The total positive rate of E. bieneusi was 8.8% (24/272). Moreover, 8 genotypes were found, including three known (genotypes EbpA, Henan V and Type IV) and 5 novel genotypes (genotypes SHZJD1–5). Two samples were positive for two genotypes, one was positive fortype SHZJD4 and Henan V, the other was positive for Henan V and Type IV. In addition, phylogenetic analysis showed all genotypes obtained in this study were all clustered into the zoonotic group 1. Therefore, the risk of zoonotic transmission of pathogens such as E. bieneusi from stray dogs to humans potentially threaten human health, and it is time to strengthen their health management.
The Effect of Music on Livestock: Cattle, Poultry and Pigs
Authors: Ciborowska Patrycja , Michalczuk Monika , Bień Damian
Published: December 2021

The welfare of animals, especially those kept in intensive production systems, is a priority for modern agriculture. This stems from the desire to keep animals healthy, to obtain a good-quality final product, and to meet the demands of today’s consumers, who have been increasingly persuaded to buy organic products. As a result, new sound-based methods have been pursued to reduce external stress in livestock. Music therapy has been known for thousands of years, and sounds were believed to improve both body and spirit. Today, they are mostly used to distract patients from their pain, as well as to treat depression and cardiovascular disorders. However, recent studies have suggested that appropriately selected music can confer some health benefits, e.g., by increasing the level and activity of natural killer cells. For use in livestock, the choice of genre, the loudness of the music and the tempo are all important factors. Some music tracks promote relaxation (thus improving yields), while others have the opposite effect. However, there is no doubt that enriching the animals’ environment with music improves their welfare and may also convince consumers to buy products from intensively farmed animals. The present paper explores the effects of music on livestock (cattle, poultry and pigs) on the basis of the available literature.
Effectiveness of Bacillus licheniformis-Fermented Products and Their Derived Antimicrobial Lipopeptides in Controlling Coccidiosis in Broilers
Authors: Yu Yu-Hsiang , Wu Chia-Min , Chen Wei-Jung , Hua Kuo-Feng , Liu Je-Ruei , Cheng Yeong-Hsiang
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to investigate the potential of Bacillus licheniformis-fermented products (BLFP) and their derived antimicrobial lipopeptide, surfactin, for the prevention of coccidiosis in broilers. Broilers were fed BLFP at 1.25 and 5 g/kg under Eimeria tenella challenge. At the end of experiment (35 days), the growth performance, survival rate, cecal morphology, cecal lesion scores, oocyst-count index, and anti-coccidial index were analyzed. The effects of the BLFP-derived surfactin on oocyst sporulation and sporozoite morphology in Eimeria species were also investigated in vitro. Results showed that BLFP supplementation at 1.25 and 5 g/kg improved cecal morphology and increased the survival rate of broilers under E. tenella challenge. Supplementation with 1.25 g/kg of BLFP reduced the lesion scores in the cecum of E. tenella-challenged broilers, while the oocyst-count index was reduced in broilers given 5 g/kg of BLFP. The anti-coccidial index of the 1.25 g/kg of BLFP-treated group was greater than 160, compared with the E. tenella-challenge-only group. Furthermore, surfactin inhibited Eimeria oocyst sporulation and disrupted sporozoite morphology. These results demonstrate that BLFPs and their derived antimicrobial lipopeptide, surfactin, exhibit anti-coccidial activity in vitro and in vivo. BLFP may be used as a natural feed additive for the prevention of coccidiosis in broilers, and 1.25 g/kg can be considered the optimum dosage.