bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Needs Assessment to Inform Research and Outreach Efforts for Sustainable Agricultural Practices and Food Production in the Western United States
Authors: Lamm Alexa J. , Lamm Kevan W. , Trojan Sara , Sanders Catherine E. , Byrd Allison R.
Published: April 2023

Increasing the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices can help maintain sufficient food production while reducing its environmental impact. To ensure this adoption, it is important to assess the research and training needs of those helping farmers and producers adopt sustainable agricultural practices. However, there is a gap in the literature related to the training needs of producers in the Western United States for sustainable agriculture. Needs assessments help organizations, such as the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and Cooperative Extension, to address the demonstrated needs of intended audiences. This study presents the results of a needs assessment with the objective of examining training needs and barriers to adoption to help direct extension programming for sustainable agricultural practices in the western region of the United States, to identify gaps, and to inform sustainable agriculture outreach programs. Using a modified Borich method with an inferential statistical method, the discrepancies between the level at which sustainable agricultural practice training competencies “should be addressed” and the level at which they were “currently being addressed” were examined. Competencies with the largest gaps included financial disparity, food waste, and policy/communicating with decision makers. The top three barriers to adopting sustainable agricultural practices included the potential for financial loss, perceived risk of adoption, and time investment associated with adoption. Results indicated that training needs varied and that these were not all on-farm training needs. The results imply that future funding from Western SARE and other groups looking to support sustainable agricultural food system efforts, may wish to focus on requesting proposals for programs that address these competency gaps and barriers in novel and supplementary ways in combination with existing programmatic efforts.
Raspberry Extract as a Strategy to Improve the Oxidative Stability of Pork Burgers Enriched with Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Authors: de Oliveira Adrieni Santos , dos Santos Bibiana Alves , Farias Carla Andressa Almeida , Correa Leticia Pereira , Cordeiro Madison Willy Silva , Pinton Mariana Basso , Barcia Milene Teixeira , Wagner Roger , Cichoski Alexandre José , Barin Juliano Smanioto , Lorenzo José Manuel , Nieto Gema , Campagnol Paulo Cezar Bastianello
Published: April 2023

Hydrogelled emulsions (HEs) of linseed oil and pea protein (PP) were produced with four levels (0, 5, 7.5, and 10%) of raspberry extract obtained by a green extraction technique (microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity—MHG). HEs were applied in burgers to replace 50% of pork backfat content. The products’ technological, nutritional, oxidative, microbiological, and sensory properties were evaluated. Besides reducing the fat level by approximately 43%, the reformulation reduced the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio to healthy levels, decreased the diameter reduction by 30%, and increased the cooking yield by 11%. Including 7.5 and 10% of raspberry extract in the HEs decreased the oxidative defects caused by the enrichment of the burgers with omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, the raspberry extract did not cause alterations in the mesophilic aerobic count and the burgers’ sensory profile.
Smilax china L. Polysaccharide Alleviates Dextran Sulphate Sodium-Induced Colitis and Modulates the Gut Microbiota in Mice
Authors: Li Xin , Qiao Gaoxiang , Chu Lulu , Lin Lezhen , Zheng Guodong
Published: April 2023

This work aimed to investigate the preventive effect of Smilax china L. polysaccharide (SCP) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. Smilax china L. polysaccharide was isolated by hot water extraction, ethanol precipitation, deproteinization, and purification using DEAE-cellulose column chromatography to yield three polysaccharides: SCP_C, SCP_A, and SCP_N. Acute colitis was induced by administering 3% (w/v) DSS in drinking water for 7 days. Sulfasalazine, SCP_C, SCP_A, and SCP_N were administered by gavage for 9 days. SCP_C, SCP_A, and SCP_N could significantly improve symptoms, as evidenced by the declining disease activity index (DAI), decreased spleen weight, increased length of the colon, and improved colonic histology. Moreover, SCP_C, SCP_A, and SCP_N increased serum glutathione and decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and myeloperoxidase in colon tissues. Additionally, SCP_C, SCP_A, and SCP_N modulated gut microbiota via ascending the growth of Lachnospiraceae, Muribaculaceae, Blautia, and Mucispirillum and descending the abundance of Akkermansiaceae, Deferribacteraceae, and Oscillibacter in mice with UC. The results suggested that Smilax china L. polysaccharide ameliorates oxidative stress, balances inflammatory cytokines, and modulates gut microbiota, providing an effective therapeutic strategy for UC in mice.
Tool Degradation Prediction Based on Semimartingale Approximation of Linear Fractional Alpha-Stable Motion and Multi-Feature Fusion
Authors: Yuan Yuchen , Chen Jianxue , Rong Jin , Cattani Piercarlo , Kudreyko Aleksey , Villecco Francesco
Published: April 2023

Tool wear will reduce workpieces’ quality and accuracy. In this paper, the vibration signals of the milling process were analyzed, and it was found that historical fluctuations still have an impact on the existing state. First of all, the linear fractional alpha-stable motion (LFSM) was investigated, along with a differential iterative model with it as the noise term is constructed according to the fractional-order Ito formula; the general solution of this model is derived by semimartingale approximation. After that, for the chaotic features of the vibration signal, the time-frequency domain characteristics were extracted using principal component analysis (PCA), and the relationship between the variation of the generalized Hurst exponent and tool wear was established using multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MDFA). Then, the maximum prediction length was obtained by the maximum Lyapunov exponent (MLE), which allows for analysis of the vibration signal. Finally, tool condition diagnosis was carried out by the evolving connectionist system (ECoS). The results show that the LFSM iterative model with semimartingale approximation combined with PCA and MDFA are effective for the prediction of vibration trends and tool condition. Further, the monitoring of tool condition using ECoS is also effective.
Temperature-Responsive Hydrogel for Silver Sulfadiazine Drug Delivery: Optimized Design and In Vitro/In Vivo Evaluation
Authors: AL-Rajabi Maha Mohammad , Teow Yeit Haan
Published: April 2023

Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimise a temperature-responsive hydrogel formulation synthesised via the direct incorporation of biocellulose, which was extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) using the PF127 method. The optimised temperature-responsive hydrogel formulation was found to contain 3.000 w/v% biocellulose percentage and 19.047 w/v% PF127 percentage. The optimised temperature-responsive hydrogel provided excellent LCST near to the human body surface temperature, with high mechanical strength, drug release duration, and inhibition zone diameter against Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, in vitro cytotoxicity testing against human epidermal keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells was conducted to evaluate the toxicity of the optimised formula. It was found that silver sulfadiazine (SSD)-loaded temperature-responsive hydrogel can be used as a safe replacement for the commercial SSD cream with no toxic effect on HaCaT cells. Last, but not least, in vivo (animal) dermal testing—both dermal sensitization and animal irritation—were conducted to evaluate the safety and biocompatibility of the optimised formula. No sensitization effects were detected on the skin applied with SSD-loaded temperature-responsive hydrogel indicating no irritant response for topical application. Therefore, the temperature-responsive hydrogel produced from OPEFB is ready for the next stage of commercialisation.
Twisting Theory: A New Artificial Adaptive System for Landslide Prediction
Authors: Buscema Paolo Massimo , Lodwick Weldon A. , Asadi-Zeydabadi Masoud , Newman Francis , Breda Marco , Petritoli Riccardo , Massini Giulia , Buscema David , Dominici Donatella , Radicioni Fabio
Published: April 2023

Landslides pose a significant risk to human life. The Twisting Theory (TWT) and Crown Clustering Algorithm (CCA) are innovative adaptive algorithms that can determine the shape of a landslide and predict its future evolution based on the movement of position sensors located in the affected area. In the first part of this study, the TWT and CCA will be thoroughly explained from a mathematical and theoretical perspective. In the second part, these algorithms will be applied to real-life cases, the Assisi landslide (1995–2008) and the Corvara landslide (2000–2008). A correlation of 0.9997 was attained between the model estimates and the expert’s posterior measurements at both examined sites. The results of these applications reveal that the TWT can accurately identify the overall shape of the landslides and predict their progression, while the CCA identifies complex cause-and-effect relationships among the sensors and represents them in a clear, weighted graph. To apply this model to a wider area and secure regions at risk of landslides, it is important to emphasize its operational feasibility as it only requires the installation of GNSS sensors in a predetermined grid in the target area.
Gastric Myoelectric Activity and Body Composition Changes during Weight Loss via Sleeve Gastrectomy and Lifestyle Modification: Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Abulmeaty Mahmoud M. A. , Aldisi Dara , Al Zaben Mohamed , Aljuraiban Ghadeer S. , Alkhathaami Abdulaziz , Almajwal Ali M. , Shorbagy Eman El , Almuhtadi Yara , Aldossari Zaid , Alsager Thamer , Razak Suhail , Berika Mohamed
Published: April 2023

The capability of bariatric surgery (BS) and lifestyle intervention (LSI) in ameliorating obesity-associated altered gastric myoelectric activity (GMA) in relation to body composition is underinvestigated. This work studied GMA during weight loss via sleeve gastrectomy and multimodal lifestyle intervention. Seventy-nine participants with morbid obesity were assigned into three groups: bariatric surgery (BS group, n = 27), in which laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was performed; lifestyle intervention (LS group, n = 22), in which a calorie-deficit balanced diet with gradual physical activity and personalized behavioral modification were carried out; and waitlist control (C group, n = 30). For all participants, multichannel electrogastrography (EGG) with water-load testing and bioelectric impedance body composition analysis were done at baseline, after three months, and at six months. In the BS group, the water-load volume was decreased but without improvement in the bradygastria. In the LS group, preprandial bradygastria were reduced and some postprandial normogastria were increased throughout the study period. Except for fat-free mass and total body water, the parameters of body composition changes were superior in the BS group. In the LS group, the amount of fat-mass loss was negatively correlated with bradygastria times and positively correlated with preprandial and the early postprandial average dominant frequency (ADF). In addition, in the BS group, fat-mass loss was positively correlated with the ADF at late postprandial times. In conclusion, compared to BS, LS produced moderate normalization of GMA with the preservation of fat-free mass. The GMA changes were significantly associated with the amount of fat loss, regardless of the method of obesity management.
Quality of Life and Family Support in Critically Ill Patients following ICU Discharge
Authors: Avgeri Konstantina , Zakynthinos Epaminondas , Tsolaki Vasiliki , Sgantzos Markos , Fotakopoulos George , Makris Demosthenes
Published: April 2023

Background: Following discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU), critically ill patients may present cognitive dysfunction and physical disability. Objectives: To investigate the quality of life (QoL) of patients following discharge from ICU, physical performance and lung function and to assess the role of support by family members and friends. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the University Hospital of Larissa Greece between 2020 and 2021. Patients hospitalized at the ICU for at least 48 h were included and assessed at hospital discharge, at 3 and at 12 months later. The research implements of the study were a dedicated questionnaire and the SF-36 health questionnaire for the appraisal of the QoL. Lung function changes were assessed by spirometry and physical performance by the 6-min walking test (6MWT). Results: One hundred and forty-three participants were included in the study. The mean (SD) of the physical and mental health SF-36 scores at hospital discharge, 3 and 12 months were 27.32 (19.59), 40.97 (26.34) and 50.78 (28.26) (p < 0.0001) and 42.93 (17.00), 55.19 (23.04) and 62.24 (23.66), (p < 0.0001), respectively. The forced expiratory volume in one second and 6MWT significantly improved over 12 months. Patients who were supported by two or more family members or patients who were visited by their friends >3 times/week presented better scores in the physical and mental SF36 domains at 12 months. Conclusion: This study shows that the quality of life of Greek patients who were discharged from the ICU can be positively affected both by the support they receive from their family environment and friends.
A Survey of the Menstrual Status of Female College Students
Authors: Maekawa Maki , Miyamoto Aya , Ariyoshi Hiromi , Miura Koji
Published: April 2023

Education about menstruation is a sensitive topic for young female students; providing appropriate knowledge is essential for maintaining and improving their health. The present study was conducted to collect data corresponding to different factors affecting health among young individuals; the menstrual status, exercise habits, sleep status, and body composition of these individuals as well as the relationships among these factors, were evaluated. Altogether, 200 female students responded to the survey; 129 completed all the physical measurement items. As a case study, face-to-face interviews regarding menstrual symptoms were conducted. Results showed that 49/200 (25%) and 120/200 (60%) participants experienced moderate or severe pain before and during menstruation, respectively. The degree of pain one week before menstruation and during menstruation were significantly positively correlated (r = 0.573, p < 0.01). When analyzed as group data, it was difficult to identify the relationship between menstrual status, exercise habits, and sleep status; these were found to be intricately associated with various factors. The case study analysis confirmed that some individuals experienced physical and psychological symptoms, such as irregular menstrual cycles, premenstrual syndrome, and severe menstrual cramps.
Home-Based Exergame Program to Improve Physical Function, Fall Efficacy, Depression and Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lee Kyeongjin
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of home-based exergame programs on physical function, fall efficacy, depression, and health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults. Fifty-seven participants aged 75 years or older were divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group received a home-based exergame program that included balance and lower-extremity muscle strength for 8 weeks. The participants exercised at home for 50 min three times a week and were monitored through a video-conference application. Both groups received online education on musculoskeletal health once a week, whereas the control group did not exercise. Physical function was assessed using the one-leg standing test (OLST), Berg balance scale (BBS), functional reaching test (FRT), timed up-and-go test (TUGT), and five-times sit-to-stand (FTSTS). Fall efficacy was assessed using the modified falls efficacy scale (MFES). Depression was assessed using the geriatric depression scale (GDS). Health-related quality of life was assessed using a 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). The experimental group showed an overall improvement in OLST, BBS, FRT, TUGT, and FTSTS (p < 0.05). MFES was significantly increased in the experimental group after the intervention (p < 0.05). The GDS significantly decreased in the experimental group after the intervention (p < 0.05). In SF-36, role limitations due to physical health, general health, and fatigue (energy and fatigue) items improved in the experimental group after intervention (p < 0.05). An 8-week home-based exergame program improved physical function, fall efficacy, depression, and health-related quality of life in older adults. The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05802537).
Change in Hemoglobin Was Not a Reliable Diagnostic Screening Test for Postpartum Hemorrhage: A French Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study (HERA Study)
Authors: Barasinski Chloé , Pranal Marine , Léger Stéphanie , Debost-Legrand Anne , Vendittelli Françoise
Published: April 2023

Changes between pre- and postpartum hemoglobin might be useful for optimizing the postpartum diagnosis of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), defined as a blood loss exceeding 500 mL. This study’s principal objective was to estimate the mean change in hemoglobin (between pre/post-delivery hemoglobin) among women with vaginal deliveries and PPH. The secondary objectives were to analyze: hemoglobin changes according to blood volume loss, the appropriateness of standard thresholds for assessing hemoglobin loss, and the intrinsic and extrinsic performances of these threshold values for identifying PPH. French maternity units (n = 182) participated in the prospective HERA cohort study. Women with a vaginal delivery at or after a gestation of 22 weeks with a PPH (n = 2964) were eligible. The principal outcome was hemoglobin loss in g/L. The mean hemoglobin change was 30 ± 14 g/L among women with a PPH. Overall, hemoglobin decreased by at least 10% in 90.4% of women with PPH. Decreases ≥ 20 g/L and ≥40 g/L were found, respectively, in 73.9% and 23.7% of cases. Sensitivity and specificity values for identifying PPH were always <65%, the positive predictive values were between 35% and 94%, and the negative predictive values were between 14% and 84%. Hemoglobin decrease from before to after delivery should not be used as a PPH diagnostic screening test for PPH diagnosis for all vaginal deliveries.
Experience and Resilience of Japanese Public Health Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Impact on Burnout
Authors: Miyazaki Akari , Sankai Tomoko , Omiya Tomoko
Published: April 2023

Japanese public health nurses (PHNs) at public health centers (PHCs) have played critical roles in infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to examine the actual pandemic-related experiences of PHNs and the relation between their experiences, individual resilience, two components of organizational resilience (system and human resilience), and burnout. An analysis of the responses of 351 PHNs revealed that mid-level PHNs scored higher in experience and lower in organizational resilience compared with those in other positions. More than 80% of respondents experienced inappropriate staff allocation. Multiple regression revealed that burnout was positively associated with the components of the experience of PHNs and negatively with individual and human resilience. In hierarchical multiple regression with depersonalization as the dependent variable, the sign of system resilience reversed from negative to positive when human resilience was added. The results highlight the need to prepare for future health crises including establishing a system with enough personnel, promoting human resilience such as collaboration among staff members, and burnout prevention measures, especially among mid-level PHNs. The study also described alternative approaches to comprehend system resilience—namely, a suppression variable of human resilience, promotion of depersonalization, and multicollinearity—and the need for further research on organizational resilience.
Advanced and Smart Textiles during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: Issues, Challenges, and Innovations
Authors: Ivanoska-Dacikj Aleksandra , Oguz-Gouillart Yesim , Hossain Gaffar , Kaplan Müslüm , Sivri Çağlar , Ros-Lis José Vicente , Mikucioniene Daiva , Munir Muhammad Usman , Kizildag Nuray , Unal Serkan , Safarik Ivo , Akgül Esra , Yıldırım Nida , Bedeloğlu Ayşe Çelik , Ünsal Ömer Faruk , Herwig Gordon , Rossi René M. , Wick Peter , Clement Pietro , Sarac A. Sezai
Published: April 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has hugely affected the textile and apparel industry. Besides the negative impact due to supply chain disruptions, drop in demand, liquidity problems, and overstocking, this pandemic was found to be a window of opportunity since it accelerated the ongoing digitalization trends and the use of functional materials in the textile industry. This review paper covers the development of smart and advanced textiles that emerged as a response to the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2. We extensively cover the advancements in developing smart textiles that enable monitoring and sensing through electrospun nanofibers and nanogenerators. Additionally, we focus on improving medical textiles mainly through enhanced antiviral capabilities, which play a crucial role in pandemic prevention, protection, and control. We summarize the challenges that arise from personal protective equipment (PPE) disposal and finally give an overview of new smart textile-based products that emerged in the markets related to the control and spread reduction of SARS-CoV-2.
Development and Validation of the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Competency Assessment Tool (ASRH-CAT) for Healthcare Providers
Authors: Karim Intan Kartina Abdul , Sutan Rosnah , Tamil Azmi Mohd , Ahmad Norizan
Published: April 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to validate a competency assessment tool for adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) services for healthcare providers (HCP) at primary healthcare (PHC) facilities that require a specific set of competency skills to address ASRH problems. Methods: The tool development process used the nine steps of scale development and validation. Fifty-four items were yielded through the expert panel discussion. Two hundred and forty respondents were recruited for an online questionnaire using non-probability sampling. The item content validity index (I-CVI) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were used for construct validity. Results: Fourteen items were removed based on the I-CVI (scores < 0.8) and two items were removed in the EFA (factor loadings < 0.4). The reliability analysis, according to the latent factor, yielded a good item-total correlation (ITC) and a good internal consistency value, with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.905–0.949. Conclusions: The final ASRH competency assessment tool (ASRH_CAT) contains 40 items and is reliable and suitable for use in studies related to the ASRH competency assessment of HCPs at the PHC level.
BTK Inhibitors and Other Targeted Therapies in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia
Authors: Chohan Karan L. , Kapoor Prashant
Published: April 2023

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare, non-Hodgkin lymphoma that remains incurable. Rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody has been the cornerstone of treatment against WM, and its combination with an alkylator, bendamustine, achieves durable remission in treatment-naive patients with symptomatic WM. However, novel “druggable” targets that have been identified within the clonal lymphoplasmacytic cells in WM have resulted in a rapid development of targeted therapies in both the frontline and relapsed and refractory (R/R) settings. Several agents directed against the known targets have shown promising efficacy, with mostly manageable toxicities. The class of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors has transformed the therapeutic landscape for patients with WM, given their convenient oral dosing and strong efficacy, with high rates of attainment of very good partial response (VGPR). The tolerability of the next-generation BTK inhibitors appears to be superior to that of the first-in-class agent, ibrutinib. Targeted therapies from other classes have also demonstrated efficacy in both single-agent and combination regimens. Inhibitors of proteasome BCL-2, mTOR and PI-3 kinase have demonstrated efficacy in WM. Emerging therapies under investigation will continue to further shape the management paradigm, especially in the R/R setting. These include bispecific antibodies, radiotherapeutic agents and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CART) cell therapies. This review outlines the current literature and future direction of targeted therapies in WM.
Vernacular Sacred Architectural Heritage Assessment: The Case of Wat Chedi, Southern Thailand
Authors: Srimuang Kantaphong , Thinnakorn Wirut , Issarawattana Sasipim , Noithapthim Narisa , Saemmongkhon Praphatson , Garcia Reyes
Published: April 2023

Thailand’s vernacular and religious architecture is rich and unique. Wat Chedi, a temple in the southern part of the country, is visited by thousands of Buddhists and tourists every month. Despite of its national importance, Wat Chedi is not considered as a historical site and therefore, the site is undervalued. This study aims to assess the value of Wat Chedi’s architectural design and features by proposing a novel point-based criteria based on aesthetic, scientific, educational, and social values. The novel criteria also consider factors such as changes and the respect for changes, which are aligned with the concept of conservation in Southeast Asia. The proposed criteria are then applied to Wat Chedi and to the historic Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan temple, and the results are compared and discussed. The results indicated that whilst Wat Chedi has changed both physically and culturally along with the community and era, it is still a site with significant vernacular architecture and ‘high’ aesthetic, scientific, educational, and social values, whilst the historical value of Wat Chedi is classified as ‘moderate’. Moreover, Wat Chadi’s architecture is proven to be a symbol of people’s spiritual beliefs. It is proposed that the Fine Arts Department of Thailand (and/or relevant agencies) should adopt the criteria proposed in this study to assess other vernacular and religious sites across the country. It also proposed to register Wat Chedi as a valuable intangible cultural heritage site of faith to be preserved for future generations. This article contributes towards developing more efficient tools to assess the vernacular architecture of faith in Southeast Asia, which in turn can help protect important sites for future generations.
Composts from Grapevine and Hazelnut By-Products: A Sustainable Peat Partial Replacement for the Growth of Micropropagated Hazelnut and Raspberry in Containers
Authors: Bignami Cristina , Reyes Francesco , Saccaggi Mario , Pane Catello , Zaccardelli Massimo , Ronga Domenico
Published: April 2023

By-products of the agri-food sector are increasingly employed in the production of new organic preparations, with biofertilizer and biostimulating functions, thus reducing the consumption of non-renewable resources and turning production chains towards circular economy and sustainability. Two composts were produced with solid digestate (85%) as a common component and different sources of recyclable materials (15%): vine pruning wood (compost A), or shells and skin of hazelnuts (compost B). The two composts were used in replacement of variable percentages of peat in nursery substrates, and their effects on various growth parameters assessed on micropropagated plants of two widely demanded species: raspberry (compost A) and hazelnut (compost B). Composts revealed microbiologically safe growth conditions, nutritional content suitable for agronomic purposes and levels of heavy metals in compliance with the European standards. The trials demonstrated the possibility for a partial replacement of peat (up to 20% in hazelnut and 40% in raspberry) in nursery conditions, without compromising, and in some cases improving, the vegetative growth and plants nutritional status. Nonetheless, the highly variable hazelnut growth responses highlighted that compost concentration should be fine-tuned on sensitive species to avoid negative effects. In the case of raspberry, the use of these substrates could also be experimented for soilless production. Because of the potential for metals accumulation, analysis on the extended applications should be made prior to considering field applications.
Relationships between Phenotypes and Chemotypic Characteristics of Local Gymnema inodorum Plants in Northern Thailand
Authors: Norkum ai Pasin , Wongkaew Malaiporn , Tangpao Tibet , Sritontip Parinyawadee , Wongsiri Seksan , Junmahasathien Taepin , Lumsangkul Chompunut , Sommano Sarana Rose
Published: April 2023

Gymnema inodorum (Lour.) Decne or Chiang Da, the local northern Thai vegetable, is renowned for its anti-diabetic and hypoglycemic properties and is highly sought after by the functional food industry. This research investigated the relationship between the physiological characteristics, genetic variation, and chemical compositions of different Chiang Da accessions. Two commercial lines (COM1 and COM2) and eight local accessions (BAC1-8) of Chiang Da were gathered and maintained in the same study plot for the investigation of their morphological characteristics, genetic variation, and nutritional and phytochemical constituents. From the morphological data, the two commercial lines were clearly distinctive with their closely related leaf structures. Random amplification of the polymorphic illustrated the genetic diversity between the local accessions and commercial strains in a similar pattern as described by their morphology characteristics and proximate contents. The phytochemical characteristics, nonetheless, projected the two commercial lines in separate groups. The outcome of this study could be beneficial toward the selection of the Chiang Da strains with specific traits for plant breeding programs of functional food interest.
Exploring Genetic Diversity in an Ilex crenata Breeding Germplasm
Authors: Geukens Esther , Haegeman Annelies , Van Meulder Jef , Van Laere Katrijn , Smolders Erik , Ruttink Tom , Leus Leen
Published: April 2023

Knowledge of genetic identity, genetic relationships, ploidy level, and chromosome numbers can enhance the efficiency of ornamental plant breeding programs. In the present study, genome sizes, chromosome numbers, and genetic fingerprints were determined for a collection of 94 Ilex accessions, including 69 I. crenata. The genome size of the entire collection ranged from 1.50 ± 0.03 to 8.01 ± 0.18. Within the species of I. crenata, genome sizes varied (mean ± sd) between 1.98 ± 0.08 and 2.30 ± 0.04, with three outliers: 3.06 ± 0.04, 4.04 ± 0.09, and 4.19 ± 0.08. The chromosome counting results showed 2n = 40 for I. crenata accessions and confirmed the outliers as one triploid and two tetraploids. A high intra-specific genetic diversity in Ilex crenata was found, after genetic fingerprinting using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). The species I. crenata was separated into three clades, which coincided with intraspecific differences in genome sizes (mean ± sd) of 2.09 ± 0.006, 2.07 ± 0.05, and 2.19 ± 0.06 pg/2C per clade as mean values for the diploids. Applying a principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) to the genetic fingerprinting data of all species in the collection revealed a wide genetic variation, which has not yet been commercially exploited. These findings could form the basis for selectively breeding parents, in order to create more genetic diversity via intra- and interspecific crosses.
An Analysis of Volatile Compounds and Study of Release Regularity in the Flower of Amorphophallus titanum in Four Periods
Authors: Liu Dongyan , Zhang Peng , Liu Donghuan , Feng Yuan , Chi Miao , Guo Ziyu , Wang Xi , Zhong Jian , Sun Ming
Published: April 2023

Titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum) is a rare and endangered plant in the world. It has a huge flower and releases a repulsive odor like a corpse. On the evening of 23 July 2022 (Beijing time), a titan arum in the north garden of the China National Botanical Garden in Beijing bloomed. In order to determine the components and contents of volatile compounds released by the titan arum during its flowering, the dynamic headspace adsorption method was utilized to collect the odor of the titan arum flower on the evening of 23 July (S1), the morning of 24 July (S2), the afternoon of 24 July (S3) and the evening of 24 July (S4). The volatile compounds were analyzed by automatic thermal desorption–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Sixty-three volatile compounds were detected in the titan arum flower in four periods. The comparison of the total volatile compounds released in four periods was S2 > S3 > S1 > S4. The highest content of volatile compounds in the S1 period were sulfur compounds (dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide), and the sulfur compounds were released in large amounts only in the S1 period. Dimethyl disulfide was the volatile substance with the highest content in the S1 period (20.00%). The total volatile compounds content of titan arum flower in the S2 period was the highest among the four periods. From the S2 period, the relative content of sulfur compounds decreased significantly until the S4 period. Compared with the S1 period, 1-butanol and butyl acrylate increased significantly and 1-butanol became the highest relative component of volatile compounds in the S2 period. After the S3 period, the total amount of volatile compounds began to decline and reached the lowest level in the S4 period. It is worth noting that the contents of two terpenes, α-pinene and γ-terpinene, rose from the S1 period until their height in the S3 period. From the S4 period, the contents of most volatile compounds decreased significantly. This study revealed the varieties and contents of volatile compounds in the titan arum flower at different flowering periods. The changing trend and physiological significance of dimethyl oligosulfide from the evening of flowering (S1) to the second day (S2–S4) were emphatically discussed, and this research also provides a reference for the study of the release of volatile compounds and the molecular biology of the flower fragrance of titan arum.
Cultivation, Phytochemistry, Health Claims, and Genetic Diversity of Sambucus nigra, a Versatile Plant with Many Beneficial Properties
Authors: Corrado Giandomenico , Basile Boris , Mataffo Alessandro , Yousefi Sanaz , Salami Seyed Alireza , Perrone Anna , Martinelli Federico
Published: April 2023

Sambucus is a cosmopolitan plant genus that has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties and nutritional value. Sambucus nigra, the most studied species, contains a wide range of bioactive compounds that have been linked to various health benefits. Moreover, the fruit of the elderberry is a rich source of phytochemicals and is used to make a variety of food products. In this review, after an introduction of the species, we outline the main points for its cultivation and production. We then illustrate the major phytochemical components and related beneficial properties, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and pharmaceutical activities. We also provide insights into genetic variability, functional diversity, and some evolutionary relationships that were evaluated with DNA-based techniques. We discuss that despite its long history of use and potential benefits, Sambucus nigra has received relatively little attention in terms of horticulture, breeding, and molecular genetics, while studies on its biochemical composition and health benefits are well developed. Further research is also needed to better understand the pre-harvest and post-harvest factors that influence plant growth and production, as well as to explore new applications and industrial uses of this underutilized species.
Metaverse for Exercise Rehabilitation: Possibilities and Limitations
Authors: Cho Kyoung-Hwan , Park Jeong-Beom , Kang Austin
Published: April 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to obtain a consensus agreement from an expert panel on the metaverse for exercise rehabilitation in stroke patients using the Delphi technique. Methods: This study recruited twenty-two experts and conducted three rounds of online surveys between January and February 2023. The Delphi consensus technique was performed online to review and evaluate the framework module. A panel of experts, including scholars, physicians, physical therapists, and physical education specialists in the Republic of Korea, was invited to participate in this study. For each round, the expert consensus was defined as more than 90% of the expert panel agreeing or strongly agreeing with the proposed items. Results: A total of twenty experts completed the three Delphi rounds. First, virtual reality-assisted (VR) treadmill walking could improve cognitive function, concentration, muscular endurance, stroke prevention, proper weight maintenance, and cardiorespiratory function. Second, related technology, safety, price, place, and securing experts would be obstacles or challenges in VR-assisted treadmill walking for stroke patients. Third, the role of exercise instructors in exercise planning, performance, and assessment for VR-assisted treadmill walking is equally important, and reeducation for them is required. Fourth, VR-assisted treadmill walking for stroke patients requires an exercise intensity of at least five times a week, about one hour each time. Conclusions: This study showed that the metaverse for exercise rehabilitation for stroke patients could be successfully developed and would be feasible to be implemented in the future. However, it would have limitations in terms of technology, safety, price, place, and expert factors to be overcome in the future.
Brisk Walking Pace Is Associated with Better Cardiometabolic Health in Adults: Findings from the Chilean National Health Survey 2016–2017
Authors: Cigarroa Igor , Bravo-Leal Michelle , Petermann-Rocha Fanny , Parra-Soto Solange , Concha-Cisternas Yeny , Matus-Castillo Carlos , Vásquez-Gómez Jaime , Zapata-Lamana Rafael , Parra-Rizo María Antonia , Álvarez Cristian , Celis-Morales Carlos
Published: April 2023

Background: Although the importance of walking for promoting a better cardiometabolic health is widely known (this includes both cardiovascular and metabolic/endocrine systems), there is little knowledge regarding its appropriate pace to provide adults with more cardiometabolic benefits. Aim: To analyze the associations between different walking pace categories and cardiometabolic health markers in the adult Chilean population. Methods: Cross-sectional study. A total of 5520 participants aged 15 to 90 years old from the Chilean National Health Survey (CNHS) 2016–2017 were included. Walking pace categories (slow, average, and brisk) were collected through self-reported methods. Glycaemia, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), vitamin D2, vitamin D3, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and lipid profile (Total, HDL, LDL, VLDL, No HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) were determined using blood sample tests and measured with the standardized methods described in the CNHS 2016–2017. Results: People who had a brisk walking pace were associated with lower levels of glycaemia, HbA1c, GGT, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and higher vitamin D3 levels compared with those with a slow walking pace. Moreover, people with a brisk walking pace had lower levels of VLDL cholesterol compared with those with a slow walking pace. However, after adjusting the model to include sociodemographic background, nutritional status, and lifestyle variables, the differences remained only for glycaemia, HbA1c and systolic blood pressure levels. Conclusions: A brisk walking pace was associated with better cardiometabolic health markers and lipid profile compared with a slow walking pace.
Tear nanoDSF Denaturation Profile Is Predictive of Glaucoma
Authors: Baksheeva Viktoriia E. , Tiulina Veronika V. , Iomdina Elena N. , Petrov Sergey Yu. , Filippova Olga M. , Kushnarevich Nina Yu. , Suleiman Elena A. , Eyraud Rémi , Devred François , Serebryakova Marina V. , Shebardina Natalia G. , Chistyakov Dmitry V. , Senin Ivan I. , Mitkevich Vladimir A. , Tsvetkov Philipp O. , Zernii Evgeni Yu.
Published: April 2023

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a frequent blindness-causing neurodegenerative disorder characterized by optic nerve and retinal ganglion cell damage most commonly due to a chronic increase in intraocular pressure. The preservation of visual function in patients critically depends on the timeliness of detection and treatment of the disease, which is challenging due to its asymptomatic course at early stages and lack of objective diagnostic approaches. Recent studies revealed that the pathophysiology of glaucoma includes complex metabolomic and proteomic alterations in the eye liquids, including tear fluid (TF). Although TF can be collected by a non-invasive procedure and may serve as a source of the appropriate biomarkers, its multi-omics analysis is technically sophisticated and unsuitable for clinical practice. In this study, we tested a novel concept of glaucoma diagnostics based on the rapid high-performance analysis of the TF proteome by differential scanning fluorimetry (nanoDSF). An examination of the thermal denaturation of TF proteins in a cohort of 311 ophthalmic patients revealed typical profiles, with two peaks exhibiting characteristic shifts in POAG. Clustering of the profiles according to peaks maxima allowed us to identify glaucoma in 70% of cases, while the employment of artificial intelligence (machine learning) algorithms reduced the amount of false-positive diagnoses to 13.5%. The POAG-associated alterations in the core TF proteins included an increase in the concentration of serum albumin, accompanied by a decrease in lysozyme C, lipocalin-1, and lactotransferrin contents. Unexpectedly, these changes were not the only factor affecting the observed denaturation profile shifts, which considerably depended on the presence of low-molecular-weight ligands of tear proteins, such as fatty acids and iron. Overall, we recognized the TF denaturation profile as a novel biomarker of glaucoma, which integrates proteomic, lipidomic, and metallomic alterations in tears, and monitoring of which could be adapted for rapid non-invasive screening of the disease in a clinical setting.
LIX1 Controls MAPK Signaling Reactivation and Contributes to GIST-T1 Cell Resistance to Imatinib
Authors: Ruiz-Demoulin Salomé , Trenquier Eva , Dekkar Sanaa , Deshayes Sébastien , Boisguérin Prisca , Serrano César , de Santa Barbara Pascal , Faure Sandrine
Published: April 2023

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), the most common sarcoma, is mainly caused by an oncogenic mutation in the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase. Targeting KIT using tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as imatinib and sunitinib, provides substantial benefit; however, in most patients, the disease will eventually progress due to KIT secondary mutations leading to treatment failure. Understanding how GIST cells initially adapt to KIT inhibition should guide the selection of appropriate therapies to overcome the emergence of resistance. Several mechanisms have been broadly implicated in the resistance to imatinib anti-tumoral effects, including the reactivation of MAPK signaling upon KIT/PDGFRA targeted inhibition. This study provides evidence that LImb eXpression 1 (LIX1), a protein we identified as a regulator of the Hippo transducers YAP1 and TAZ, is upregulated upon imatinib or sunitinib treatment. LIX1 silencing in GIST-T1 cells impaired imatinib-induced MAPK signaling reactivation and enhanced imatinib anti-tumor effect. Our findings identified LIX1 as a key regulator of the early adaptative response of GIST cells to targeted therapies.
HIV-1/HBV Coinfection Accurate Multitarget Prediction Using a Graph Neural Network-Based Ensemble Predicting Model
Authors: Wang Yishu , Li Yue , Chen Xiaomin , Zhao Lutao
Published: April 2023

HIV and HBV infection are both serious public health challenges. There are more than approximately 4 million patients coinfected with HIV and HBV worldwide, and approximately 5% to 15% of those infected with HIV are coinfected with HBV. Disease progression is more rapid in patients with coinfection, which significantly increases the likelihood of patients progressing from chronic hepatitis to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HIV treatment is complicated by drug interactions, antiretroviral (ARV) hepatotoxicity, and HBV-related immune reconditioning and inflammatory syndromes. Drug development is a highly costly and time-consuming procedure with traditional experimental methods. With the development of computer-aided drug design techniques, both machine learning and deep learning have been successfully used to facilitate rapid innovations in the virtual screening of candidate drugs. In this study, we proposed a graph neural network-based molecular feature extraction model by integrating one optimal supervised learner to replace the output layer of the GNN to accurately predict the potential multitargets of HIV-1/HBV coinfections. The experimental results strongly suggested that DMPNN + GBDT may greatly improve the accuracy of binary-target predictions and efficiently identify the potential multiple targets of HIV-1 and HBV simultaneously.
Ionic Liquid-Supported Photocatalysts: A Reusable Environmentally Friendly Oxidation Reaction System That Uses Air and Light
Authors: Koguchi Shinichi , Fujita Haruto , Shibuya Yuga
Published: April 2023

Ionic liquids are used in various fields due to their unique physical properties and are widely utilized as reaction solvents in the field of synthetic organic chemistry. We have previously proposed a new organic synthetic method in which the catalyst and reaction reagents are supported on ionic liquids. This method has various advantages, such as the ability to reuse the reaction solvent and catalyst and its facile post-reaction treatment. In this paper, we describe the synthesis of an ionic liquid-supported anthraquinone photocatalyst and the synthesis of benzoic acid derivatives using this system. This synthesis of benzoic acid derivatives via the cleavage of vicinal diols by an ionic liquid-supported anthraquinone photocatalyst is an environmentally friendly process, and furthermore, it has a simple post-reaction process, and the catalyst and solvent can both be reused. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the synthesis of benzoic-acid derivatives via the cleavage of vicinal diols using light and an ionic-liquid-supported catalyst.