bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Experiment of Active Spiral Pushing Straw Row-Sorting Device
Authors: Guo Zhaoyang , Lu Caiyun , He Jin , Wang Qingjie , Li Hang , Zhai Chengkun
Published: January 2024

Aiming to solve the problems of excessive straw residue and large soil loss in the seeding belt of the straw row-sorting operation when the full volume of straw is crushed and returned to the field in the northeastern region of China, an active spiral pushing straw row-sorting device (ASPSRD) was designed in this paper. The straw on the surface of the land is collected and stirred by the high-speed rotating spiral-notched blades in the device and pushed to the non-seeding area for the purpose of cleaning the seeding belt. The parameters of key components were determined through theoretical analysis. The orthogonal combination test method of four factors and three levels was adopted. The EDEM discrete element simulation experiment was carried out by selecting the straw mulching quantity (SMQ), the rotating speed of the active rotating shaft (RSARS), the forward speed of the tractor (FST), and the notch width of the spiral notch blade (NWSNB) as the test factors, and the straw-cleaning rate (SCR) and soil loss rate (SLR) as the test indexes. Through range analysis, the parameters were optimized, and the optimal operation parameters of the straw row-sorting device were determined as follows: SMQ was 1.8 kg/m2, RSARS was 120 rpm, FST was 4 m/s, and NWSNB was 9 mm. The operational performance of the device was verified by field experiments. The results of the test showed that after the device was operated with the optimal combination of parameters, the SCR of the 20 cm wide seeding belt was 95.32%, and the SLR was 7.12%, which met the agronomic and technical requirements of corn no-tillage sowing operation in Northeast China. This study can provide a reference for the design of a straw row-sorting device of a no-tillage machine.
Development of a Seed Treatment with Pochonia chlamydosporia for Biocontrol Application
Authors: Uthoff Jana , Jakobs-Schönwandt Desiree , Dietz Karl-Josef , Patel Anant
Published: January 2024

Seed treatment is a powerful technique for adding beneficial ingredients to plants during the seed preparation process. Biopolymers as drying agents and delivery systems in seed treatments were investigated for their biocompatibility with blastospores of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia. To produce a novel seed treatment for the cover crop Phacelia tanacetifolia, xanthan gum TG and gellan gum were the most promising biopolymers in combination with potato starch and bentonite. The seed treatment process as well as the drying process were specially designed to be scalable, which make it suitable for applying the developed seed treatment in agriculture. Application of gellan gum in seed treatments led to 6.3% ± 1.6% of vital blastospores per seed compared to 3.8% ± 0.3% of vital blastospores when applying xanthan gum. Storage tests for seed treatments with 0.5% gellan gum indicated a higher stability at 4 °C compared to storage at 21 °C. After 42 days of storage at 4 °C, 54.1% ± 15.1% of the applied blastospores were viable compared to 0.3% ± 0.8% at 21 °C. This novel seed treatment application with P. chlamydosporia blastospores includes the seed treatment procedure, drying process, and storage tests and can easily be upscaled for application in agriculture.
The Efficacy of Plant Pathogens Control by Complexed Forms of Copper
Authors: Grzanka Monika , Sobiech Łukasz , Filipczak Arkadiusz , Danielewicz Jakub , Jajor Ewa , Horoszkiewicz Joanna , Korbas Marek
Published: January 2024

Copper is a substance that has been used in plant protection for years. Currently, however, more and more attention is being paid to the need to limit the amount of it that ends up in the natural environment. At the same time, it is necessary to partially replace synthetic fungicides with alternative preparations. It is therefore worth looking for forms of copper that will contain a smaller amount of the mentioned ingredient while being highly effective. This experiment assessed the effect of selected preparations on the development of mycelium of pathogens of the Fusarium genus and the germination parameters of winter wheat. The efficacy of copper lignosulfonate and copper heptagluconate in seed treatment was tested, comparing them to copper oxychloride, copper hydroxide, and tebuconazole. The obtained results indicate that the use of copper lignosulfonate and copper heptagluconate allows for the effective limitation of the development of the tested pathogens (mycelium development was inhibited by up to 100%). Most of the preparations had no effect on the energy and germination capacity of winter wheat (only in one combination were the values lower than 90%). The use of preparations containing reduced doses of copper is an effective solution when applied as seed dressings.
Optimizing Wheat Pollen Preservation for Enhanced Viability and In Vitro Germination
Authors: Khan Irum , Naeem Muhammad Kashif , Shahzad Armghan , Zhang Zijin , Chen Jing , Sajjad Muhammad
Published: January 2024

Wheat pollen, which is characterized by its short lifespan, exhibits rapid germination after anthesis. The preservation of wheat pollen is contingent upon environmental factors including temperature, relative humidity, light, and wind. The aim is to explicate the process for efficiently storing wheat pollen, particularly with regard to breeding. The short longevity of wheat pollen grains renders it impractical to conduct tests for pollen viability and in vitro germination on a large scale. Herein, the impact of storage temperatures and duration was assessed on pollen viability and in vitro germination in order to optimize storage conditions for preserving pollen viability. Pollen grains from 50 diverse spring wheat genotypes, each with three replicates, were harvested and stored at temperatures of 22 °C, −20 °C, and 4 °C. Subsequently, pollen viability and in vitro germination rates were determined after storage for 1, 3, and 6 days. The results revealed that storage temperatures, durations, genotypes, and their interactions had a statistically significant impact on both pollen viability and in vitro germination. Notably, when pollen was kept at 22 °C, almost all genotypes exhibited a loss of pollen viability and in vitro germination after 1, 3, and 6 days of storage. Likewise, storage at −20 °C failed to extend pollen germination. However, at a storage temperature of 4 °C, the pollen of 36 wheat genotypes exhibited a range of 6–14% for in vitro pollen germination and even remained viable for 6 days. The ANOVA revealed a substantial variation in grain number per spike between wheat genotypes, thereby highlighting the significant influence of genetic variations on grain yield. Moreover, a slight positive association between the viability of wheat pollen and the number of grains was found in the current study, suggesting that a variety of factors affect the number of grains produced. Simple linear regression analysis further revealed a significant negative correlation between pollen viability, in vitro germination, and storage time and temperature. In conclusion, our findings underscore that 4 °C is the optimal temperature for preserving pollen viability and in vitro pollen germination in spring wheat for up to 6 days. The results of the present study suggests that the pollen viability of wheat is dependent on genotype, storage temperature, and storage duration. Thus, the 36 wheat genotypes identified during the present work could be efficiently maintained at 4 °C for short-term storage (6 days) and could be further used for genetic and breeding purposes.
Identification and Characterization of the BnFAR1/FHY3 Gene Family and Expression Analysis under Shading and Low-Temperature Responses in Brassica napus L.
Authors: Han Yuekun , Cheng Hefen , Jiang Yaolan , Wang Xinwen , Liu Xiaolan , Zhang Dawei , Wu Jinfeng , Liu Lili , Yan Mingli , Zhou Dinggang
Published: January 2024

FHY3 and FAR1 serve as positive regulators of the phyA-mediated far-red light signal pathway, influencing plant growth and development by regulating the expression of downstream genes. However, little is known about the FAR1/FHY3 family in Brassica species. A total of 21 members of the BnFAR1/FHY3 gene family were identified in the Brassica napus genome, exhibiting an uneven distribution across ten B. napus chromosomes. A phylogenetic analysis showed that the BnFAR1/FHY3 family could be divided into four subfamilies. Putative cis-elements in the BnFAR1/FHY3 promoter regions were also identified, which were potentially involved in phytohormone, light and abiotic stress responses (shading, low-temperature, etc.). Additionally, qRT-PCR results indicated that the expression levels of BnFAR1-10, BnFAR1-11, BnFAR1-21 and BnFAR1-4 decreased under shading stress. The expression of BnFAR1-10, BnFAR1-11 and BnFAR1-21 increased under low-temperature stress, whereas the expression of BnFAR1-4 did not change. In addition, the results of the tissue expression analysis showed that most of the genes exhibited the lowest expression in pollen and the highest expression in the 54-day silique. This study screened a batch of BnFHY3/BnFAR1 gene resources, which will contribute to further research on the functional characteristics of BnFHY3/BnFAR1 family members in growth, development and the stress response.
Beneficial Effects on Winter Wheat Production of the Application of Legume Green Manure during the Fallow Period
Authors: Li Xiushuang , Shi Jianglan , Chen Juan , Tian Xiaohong
Published: January 2024

Legume green manure (LGM) is an excellent organic amendment conducive to soil quality and nutrient cycling; however, the use of LGM was once repealed in the rain-fed agriculture of northern China. The objective was to investigate the effects that planting LGM would bring and whether it would affect other fertilization regimes regarding the productivity and water and nutrient use efficiencies of succeeding crops. A short-term (2016–2019) field experiment was established with a split-plot design in the Loess Plateau of China, which included ten treatments consisting of two planting systems (main treatments)—conventional winter wheat monoculture (G0) and planting and incorporating LGM followed by winter wheat planting (G)—and five fertilization regimes (sub-treatments)—no fertilization (CK), basal fertilization with chemicals N, P and K (NPK), basal fertilization plus wheat straw return (NPK + S), basal fertilization plus farmyard manure application (NPK + M), and basal fertilization plus wheat straw return plus farmyard manure application (NPK + S + M). The results demonstrated that compared with G0, the G did not remarkably affect the total water consumption (WC) and water use efficiency (WUE) across the three trial wheat seasons. Specifically, during the third wheat season, the winter wheat yield of G increased by 7.5% more than that of G0 (p < 0.05). G primarily increased the N concentration in winter wheat and universally increased the uptake of N, P and K by 18.8%, 11.7% and 18.8%, respectively. The apparent use efficiencies (AUEs) of chemicals N, P and K under G were 88.0%, 102% and 93.2% higher than those under G0 (p < 0.05). In contrast, the wheat yields of NPK, NPK + S, NPK + M and NPK + S + M were 14.3%, 22.2%, 26.4% and 19.5%, respectively, higher than those of CK. The WC and WUE increased under NPK, NPK + S, NPK + M and NPK + S + M relative to the CK (p < 0.05). Compared with CK, the NPK, NPK + S, NPK + M and NPK + S + M primarily increased the N concentration in winter wheat and universally increased the uptake of N, P and K (p < 0.05). The AUEs of N, P and K were increased by 44.3–75.3%, 72.4–103% and 128–160%, respectively, by NPK + S, NPK + M and NPK + S + M compared with CK. In conclusion, the revival of planting LGM during the fallow period was considered an appropriate measure in the Loess Plateau and similar rain-fed regions due to its ability to improve the growth and nutrient utilization of subsequent winter wheat even in the short term, as well as the lack of negative effects exerted on other organic amendments in its effectiveness.
Characterization of Physiology, Photosynthesis, and Nutrition Based on Induced Deficiencies of Macro- and Micronutrients in Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)
Authors: Song Jinnan , Yang Jingli , Jeong Byoung Ryong
Published: January 2024

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) contains abundant nutrients and is considered an economically important edible vegetable. The optimal nutrient levels will increase the productivity and basil quality. However, prominent research on basil regarding the diagnostic nutrient deficiency standard and the corresponding nutrient uptake is still scarce. To this end, the basil plants were hydroponically cultured and subjected to one of 14 nutrient solution treatments, corresponding to the omission of a single nutrient element (designated as -N, -P, -K, -Ca, -Mg, -NH4+, -NO3−, -S, -Fe, -Mn, -B, -Zn, -Mo, and -Cu) and a complete nutrient solution (CS) as the control. The most common nutrient deficiency symptoms were chlorosis, stunted roots and growth, and even leaf necrosis and abscission, in particular of -N, -P, -NO3−, and -Fe. We also found that basil is a NH4+-sensitive species. The photosynthetic capacity (photosynthesis pigments, Fv/Fm ratio, and greenness index) was disturbed to varying degrees when a single nutrient was omitted from the nutrient solution. Additionally, the omission of a specific single nutrient confers significant differences in the tissue nutrients, regardless of the macronutrients and micronutrients considered. Concomitantly, multivariate analysis suggested the correlations among certain important nutrients were distinctly different under different treatments (correlation analysis); the influences of different nutrient deficiencies on the tissue nutrient concentrations showed similarity (principal component analysis). Collectively, the growth, physiological, and biochemical changes studied in this trial not only improved our knowledge for diagnosing nutrient deficiency symptoms for practical cultivation but also provided a comprehensive understanding of the internal nutrient associations in basil.
Audio-Based Emotion Recognition Using Self-Supervised Learning on an Engineered Feature Space
Authors: Nimitsurachat Peranut , Washington Peter
Published: January 2024

Emotion recognition models using audio input data can enable the development of interactive systems with applications in mental healthcare, marketing, gaming, and social media analysis. While the field of affective computing using audio data is rich, a major barrier to achieve consistently high-performance models is the paucity of available training labels. Self-supervised learning (SSL) is a family of methods which can learn despite a scarcity of supervised labels by predicting properties of the data itself. To understand the utility of self-supervised learning for audio-based emotion recognition, we have applied self-supervised learning pre-training to the classification of emotions from the CMU Multimodal Opinion Sentiment and Emotion Intensity (CMU- MOSEI)’s acoustic data. Unlike prior papers that have experimented with raw acoustic data, our technique has been applied to encoded acoustic data with 74 parameters of distinctive audio features at discrete timesteps. Our model is first pre-trained to uncover the randomly masked timestamps of the acoustic data. The pre-trained model is then fine-tuned using a small sample of annotated data. The performance of the final model is then evaluated via overall mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute error (MAE) per emotion, overall four-class accuracy, and four-class accuracy per emotion. These metrics are compared against a baseline deep learning model with an identical backbone architecture. We find that self-supervised learning consistently improves the performance of the model across all metrics, especially when the number of annotated data points in the fine-tuning step is small. Furthermore, we quantify the behaviors of the self-supervised model and its convergence as the amount of annotated data increases. This work characterizes the utility of self-supervised learning for affective computing, demonstrating that self-supervised learning is most useful when the number of training examples is small and that the effect is most pronounced for emotions which are easier to classify such as happy, sad, and angry. This work further demonstrates that self-supervised learning still improves performance when applied to the embedded feature representations rather than the traditional approach of pre-training on the raw input space.
The Development of Object Recognition Requires Experience with the Surface Features of Objects
Authors: Wood Justin Newell , Wood Samantha Marie Waters
Published: January 2024

What role does visual experience play in the development of object recognition? Prior controlled-rearing studies suggest that newborn animals require slow and smooth visual experiences to develop object recognition. Here, we examined whether the development of object recognition also requires experience with the surface features of objects. We raised newborn chicks in automated controlled-rearing chambers that contained a single virtual object, then tested their ability to recognize that object from familiar and novel viewpoints. When chicks were reared with an object that had surface features, the chicks developed view-invariant object recognition. In contrast, when chicks were reared with a line drawing of an object, the chicks failed to develop object recognition. The chicks reared with line drawings performed at chance level, despite acquiring over 100 h of visual experience with the object. These results indicate that the development of object recognition requires experience with the surface features of objects.
From the Backyard to Our Beds: The Spectrum of Care, Attitudes, Relationship Types, and Welfare in Non-Commercial Chicken Care
Authors: Mace Jenny L. , Knight Andrew
Published: January 2024

Non-commercial chickens may be the third most numerous pets in Western countries. Yet, to date, there is limited research into their welfare or the care-taking practices and attitudes of their guardians. Using a quantitative questionnaire, this study investigated non-commercial chicken owners’ care-taking practices, attitudes, and relationship types with their chickens. Additionally, the study investigated barriers to optimizing non-commercial chicken welfare. Specific questions were asked regarding niche care-taking practices, including the use of Suprelorin® implants. With 2000+ responses, this study found variable care-taking practices, yet largely positive attitudes towards chickens, and a “personal” (though not “close personal”) owner–chicken relationship, as defined by the Owner–Bird Relationship Scale. The Chicken Attitude Scale, Owner–Bird Relationship Scale, and Care Series scores were found to be correlated with each other, with coefficients ranging from 0.176 to 0.543 (p < 0.001). “Preventing commercial chickens from going to slaughter” was a key motive for chicken care by 56.1% of respondents, with 69.6% of respondents stating they cared for ex-commercial chickens. This study found a higher prevalence of reported poor health conditions and number of deaths relative to prior studies, and egg yolk peritonitis emerged as a leading health condition and cause of death. Moreover, 68.0% had not heard of Suprelorin® implants, and only 6.3% used implants. Most (76.4%) chicken carers followed an omnivorous diet that includes chicken meat/eggs. The results reinforced previous findings concerning a need for more avian-specialist, locally available, and affordable veterinary care for chickens. Research into Suprelorin® implants, rooster-specific care, and tailored requirements of caring for ex-commercial chickens is recommended.
Development of an Alternative In Vitro Rumen Fermentation Prediction Model
Authors: Wang Xinjie , Zhou Jianzhao , Jiang Runjie , Wang Yuxuan , Zhang Yonggen , Wu Renbiao , A Xiaohui , Du Haitao , Tian Jiaxu , Wei Xiaoli , Shen Weizheng
Published: January 2024

The aim of this study is to identify an alternative approach for simulating the in vitro fermentation and quantifying the production of rumen methane and rumen acetic acid during the rumen fermentation process with different total mixed rations. In this experiment, dietary nutrient compositions (neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude protein (CP), and dry matter (DM)) were selected as input parameters to establish three prediction models for rumen fermentation parameters (methane and acetic acid): an artificial neural network model, a genetic algorithm-bp model, and a support vector machine model. The research findings show that the three models had similar simulation results that aligned with the measured data trends (R2 ≥ 0.83). Additionally, the root mean square errors (RMSEs) were ≤1.85 mL/g in the rumen methane model and ≤2.248 mmol/L in the rumen acetic acid model. Finally, this study also demonstrates the models’ capacity for generalization through an independent verification experiment, as they effectively predicted outcomes even when significant trial factors were manipulated. These results suggest that machine learning-based in vitro rumen models can serve as a valuable tool for quantifying rumen fermentation parameters, guiding the optimization of dietary structures for dairy cows, rapidly screening methane-reducing feed options, and enhancing feeding efficiency.
Effects of Bile Acid Supplementation on Lactation Performance, Nutrient Intake, Antioxidative Status, and Serum Biochemistry in Mid-Lactation Dairy Cows
Authors: Chen Yuhang , Yuan Cong , Yang Tianyu , Song Han , Zhan Kang , Zhao Guoqi
Published: January 2024

This experiment investigated the effects of different levels of bile acid (BA) additives in diets on the lactation performance, serum antioxidant metabolites, and serum biochemical indices of 60 multiparous mid-lactation dairy cows. The cows were randomized to receive one of the four homogeneous treatments, with the BA preparation supplemented at 0, 6, 12, and 18 g/head/d. The experiment lasted for 14 weeks. The first 2 weeks were the pre-feeding period. The milk yield and composition data were recorded weekly, and the dry matter intake and antioxidative blood index were analyzed on the 6th, 10th, and 14th weeks of the study. On the 84th day of the experiment, the experimental group exhibited significantly higher levels of total protein and albumin, by 57.5% and 55.6%, respectively, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). On both the 28th and 84th days of the trial, the experimental group showed a markedly higher lipase content compared to the control group, by 26.5% and 25.2%, respectively (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the experimental group displayed notably elevated levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity, surpassing the control group by 17.4%, 21.6%, and 8.7%, respectively. In conclusion, BA additives improve the serum antioxidant indices of dairy cows, thereby enhancing the performance of these cows.
The Status of Wildlife Damage Compensation in China
Authors: Wang Wenxia , Wronski Torsten , Yang Liangliang
Published: January 2024

The conservation management of natural ecosystems in China has significantly improved in recent decades, resulting in the effective protection of wildlife and the restoration of habitats. With the rapid growth in wildlife populations and corresponding range expansions, incidents of human–wildlife conflict have notably increased across China. However, only a few studies have paid adequate attention to wildlife damage management and compensation. In our review, we focus on the foremost mitigation measure to combat human–wildlife conflict, i.e., compensation for damage caused by wildlife. We conducted a questionnaire survey and an in-depth review of the literature across 19 Chinese provinces and autonomous regions, resulting in a total of 78 relevant sources. We first introduce the concept of wildlife damage compensation in China, followed by a review of Chinese legislation and policies regarding wildlife damage compensation. We compiled a comprehensive list of nuisance species, and we showcase four case studies in which we exemplarily describe the current situation of wildlife damage compensation. We reflect on difficulties and challenges such as delayed damage assessments or compensation quotas that do not correspond to current market prices. Since local legislation is often insufficient or completely absent, we make suggestions on how to improve existing policies and compensation mechanisms.
Registry-Based Retrospective Cohort Study of Mortality among Adults Admitted to Intensive Care Units in Istanbul with Hospital Acquired Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bloodstream-Infection between 2014–2021
Authors: Derin Okan , Şahin Meyha , Dumlu Rıdvan , Başgönül Sedef , Bayrak Ahmet Doğukan , Arduç Şevval , Bayram Sümeyye , Mikaliyova Nurlana , Kantürk Arzu , Öncül Ahsen , Yıldız Sevgi Dilek , Gençer Serap , Bayraktar Banu , Dökmetaş İlyas , Mert Ali
Published: January 2024

Background: Managing Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infections (BSIs) is challenging due to increasing antimicrobial resistance, limited therapeutic options, and high mortality rates. In this study, we aimed to identify 30-day mortality risk factors and assess infectious diseases consultants’ preferences for combination or monotherapy. Methods: The study was conducted in four hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey, involving 140 adult ICU beds and 336,780 ICU-bed-days between 1 January 2014, and 31 December 2021. A total of 157 patients were included in the study. Cox proportional hazard regression was performed to assess the factors on 30-day mortality. Results: The 30-day mortality rate was 44.6% (70/157). Higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score, severe sepsis, primary bloodstream infection, being in COVID-19 pandemic period, and infection caused by MDR strain were associated with higher hazard of 30-day mortality. Combination therapy was more commonly used in patients with BSIs with MDR or DTR (difficult-to-treat) strains but did not significantly improve the hazard of 30-day mortality. Conclusions: Targeted interventions and vigilant management strategies are crucial for patients with defined risk factors. While infectious disease consultants tended to favor combination therapy, particularly for drug-resistant strains, our analysis revealed no significant impact on 30-day mortality hazard. The increased incidence of P. aeruginosa BSIs during the pandemic emphasizes the need for infection control measures and appropriate antibiotic prescribing practices.
Chemical Profiling, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Hyoseris radiata L., a Plant Used in the Phytoalimurgic Tradition
Authors: Vitiello Maria , Pecoraro Michela , De Leo Marinella , Camangi Fabiano , Parisi Valentina , Donadio Giuliana , Braca Alessandra , Franceschelli Silvia , De Tommasi Nunziatina
Published: January 2024

Hyoseris radiata L. (Asteraceae), known as “wild chicory”, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the Mediterranean region, North Africa, and West Asia. Collected from the wild, the plant is largely used in Italy for culinary purposes and in popular medicine, so that it can be included in the list of phytoalimurgic plants. The present study aimed to investigate for the first time the plant’s chemical profile, through a combined UHPLC-HR-ESI-Orbitrap/MS and NMR approach, and its potential healthy properties, focusing on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The LC-MS/MS analysis and the isolation through chromatographic techniques of the plant’s hydroalcoholic extract allowed the authors to identify 48 compounds, including hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonoids, megastigmane glucosides, coumarins, and lignans, together with several unsaturated fatty acids. The quantitative analysis highlighted a relevant amount of flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids, with a total of 12.9 ± 0.4 mg/g DW. NMR-based chemical profiling revealed the presence of a good amount of amino acids and monosaccharides, and chicoric and chlorogenic acids as the most representative polyphenols. Finally, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of H. radiata were investigated through cell-free and cell-based assays, showing a good antioxidant potential for the plant extract and a significant reduction in COX-2 expression.
Pyridoxamine Limits Cardiac Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity
Authors: Haesen Sibren , Jager Manon Marie , Brillouet Aline , de Laat Iris , Vastmans Lotte , Verghote Eline , Delaet Anouk , D’Haese Sarah , Hamad Ibrahim , Kleinewietfeld Markus , Mebis Jeroen , Mullens Wilfried , Lambrichts Ivo , Wolfs Esther , Deluyker Dorien , Bito Virginie
Published: January 2024

The use of doxorubicin (DOX) chemotherapy is restricted due to dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. Pyridoxamine (PM) is a vitamin B6 derivative with favorable effects on diverse cardiovascular diseases, suggesting a cardioprotective effect on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. The cardioprotective nature of PM was investigated in a rat model of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Six-week-old female Sprague Dawley rats were treated intravenously with 2 mg/kg DOX or saline (CTRL) weekly for eight weeks. Two other groups received PM via the drinking water next to DOX (DOX+PM) or saline (CTRL+PM). Echocardiography, strain analysis, and hemodynamic measurements were performed to evaluate cardiac function. Fibrotic remodeling, myocardial inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and ferroptosis were evaluated by various in vitro techniques. PM significantly attenuated DOX-induced left ventricular (LV) dilated cardiomyopathy and limited TGF-β1-related LV fibrotic remodeling and macrophage-driven myocardial inflammation. PM protected against DOX-induced ferroptosis, as evidenced by restored DOX-induced disturbance of redox balance, improved cytosolic and mitochondrial iron regulation, and reduced mitochondrial damage at the gene level. In conclusion, PM attenuated the development of cardiac damage after DOX treatment by reducing myocardial fibrosis, inflammation, and mitochondrial damage and by restoring redox and iron regulation at the gene level, suggesting that PM may be a novel cardioprotective strategy for DOX-induced cardiomyopathy.
Effects of Particulate Matter Inhalation during Exercise on Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Function in Mouse Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Park Jinhan , Jang Junho , So Byunghun , Lee Kanggyu , Yeom Dongjin , Zhang Ziyi , Shin Woo Shik , Kang Chounghun
Published: January 2024

Particulate matter (PM) has deleterious consequences not only on the respiratory system but also on essential human organs, such as the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and liver. However, the effects of PM inhalation on skeletal muscles have yet to be sufficiently elucidated. Female C57BL/6 or mt-Keima transgenic mice were randomly assigned to one of the following four groups: control (CON), PM exposure alone (PM), treadmill exercise (EX), or PM exposure and exercise (PME). Mice in the three-treatment group were subjected to treadmill running (20 m/min, 90 min/day for 1 week) and/or exposure to PM (100 μg/m3). The PM was found to exacerbate oxidative stress and inflammation, both at rest and during exercise, as assessed by the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, manganese-superoxide dismutase activity, and the glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio. Furthermore, we detected significant increases in the levels of in vivo mitophagy, particularly in the PM group. Compared with the EX group, a significant reduction in the level of mitochondrial DNA was recorded in the PME group. Moreover, PM resulted in a reduction in cytochrome c oxidase activity and an increase in hydrogen peroxide generation. However, exposure to PM had no significant effect on mitochondrial respiration. Collectively, our findings in this study indicate that PM has adverse effects concerning both oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in skeletal muscle and mitochondria, both at rest and during exercise.
PKCiota Inhibits the Ferroptosis of Esophageal Cancer Cells via Suppressing USP14-Mediated Autophagic Degradation of GPX4
Authors: Tao Hao , Song Sheng-Jie , Fan Ze-Wen , Li Wen-Ting , Jin Xin , Jiang Wen , Bai Jie , Shi Zhi-Zhou
Published: January 2024

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most frequent malignant tumors, and the mechanisms underlying the anti-ferroptosis of esophageal cancer cells are still largely unclear. This study aims to explore the roles of amplified protein kinase C iota (PKCiota) in the ferroptosis of ESCC cells. Cell viability, colony formation, MDA assay, Western blotting, co-IP, PLA, and RNA-seq technologies are used to reveal the roles and mechanisms underlying the PKCiota-induced resistance of ESCC cells to ferroptosis. We showed here that PKCiota was amplified and overexpressed in ESCC and decreased during RSL3-induced ferroptosis of ESCC cells. PKCiota interacted with GPX4 and the deubiquitinase USP14 and improved the protein stability of GPX4 by suppressing the USP14-mediated autophagy–lysosomal degradation pathway. PKCiota was negatively regulated by miR-145-5p, which decreased in esophageal cancer, and also regulated by USP14 and GPX4 by a positive feedback loop. PKCiota silencing and miR-145-5p overexpression suppressed tumor growth of ESCC cells in vivo, respectively; even a combination of silencing PKCiota and RSL3 treatment showed more vital suppressive roles on tumor growth than silencing PKCiota alone. Both PKCiota silencing and miR-145-5p overexpression sensitized ESCC cells to RSL3-induced ferroptosis. These results unveiled that amplified and overexpressed PKCiota induced the resistance of ESCC cells to ferroptosis by suppressing the USP14-mediated autophagic degradation of GPX4. Patients with PKCiota/USP14/GPX4 pathway activation might be sensitive to GPX4-targeted ferroptosis-based therapy.
Role of Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy and Lipophagy in Baicalin and N-Acetylcysteine Mitigation of Cadmium-Induced Lipid Accumulation in Liver
Authors: Sun Jian , Chen Yan , Wang Tao , Ali Waseem , Ma Yonggang , Liu Zongping , Zou Hui
Published: January 2024

Cadmium (Cd) is a major health concern globally and can accumulate and cause damage in the liver for which there is no approved treatment. Baicalin and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) have been found to have protective effects against a variety of liver injuries, but it is not clear whether their combined use is effective in preventing and treating Cd-induced lipid accumulation. The study found that Cd increased the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) and elevated the level of chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). Interestingly, mROS-mediated CMA exacerbates the Cd-induced inhibition of lipophagy. Baicalin and NAC counteracted inhibition of lipophagy by attenuating Cd-induced CMA, suggesting an interplay between CMA elevation, mitochondrial destruction, and mROS formation. Maintaining the stability of mitochondrial structure and function is essential for alleviating Cd-induced lipid accumulation in the liver. Choline is an essential component of the mitochondrial membrane and is responsible for maintaining its structure and function. Mitochondrial transcriptional factor A (TFAM) is involved in mitochondrial DNA transcriptional activation and replication. Our study revealed that the combination of baicalin and NAC can regulate choline metabolism through TFAM and thereby maintain mitochondrial structure and functionality. In summary, the combination of baicalin and NAC plays a more beneficial role in alleviating Cd-induced lipid accumulation than the drug alone, and the combination of baicalin and NAC can stabilize mitochondrial structure and function and inhibit mROS-mediated CMA through TFAM-choline, thereby promoting lipophagy to alleviate Cd-induced lipid accumulation.
Chickpea Seed Flours Improve the Nutritional and the Antioxidant Profiles of Traditional Shortbread Biscuits: Effects of In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion
Authors: Delgado-Andrade Cristina , Olías Raquel , Marín-Manzano Mari Carmen , Seiquer Isabel , Clemente Alfonso
Published: January 2024

Functional gluten-free biscuits enriched with commercial and landrace non-commercial chickpea flours were designed and compared with a traditional shortbread biscuit. They were analyzed in sensory attributes, amino acid profile, and antioxidant properties. Subsequently, the biscuits were digested in vitro to evaluate protein hydrolysis, amino acid bioaccessibility, phenolic compounds release, and antioxidant markers. The presence of chickpea flours provided golden color and heightened biscuit hardness and fracturability (especially in non-commercial), increasing crispness and reducing brittleness. The protein hydrolysis was similar among samples (≈15%), except for one of the non-commercial (≈20%). Amino acids such as arginine, phenylalanine, leucine, tyrosine, and lysine exhibited the highest bioaccessibilities. Incorporating chickpea flour improved the antioxidant activity and polyphenol content in undigested samples and bioaccesible fractions, with higher levels of p-coumaric and ferulic acids after digestion, regardless of the chickpea seed. Non-commercial flours increased the presence of resveratrol and/or catechin in the bioaccessible fraction. Antioxidant action assessed in the Caco-2 cell line showed that the protective effect against reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation did not always correlate with the in vitro antioxidant capacity. Our data support that the inclusion of chickpea flours in the formulation of functional biscuits provides the consumer with products of added nutritional value with attractive organoleptic features.
ERK2 Is a Promoter of Cancer Cell Growth and Migration in Colon Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Parascandolo Alessia , Benincasa Giulio , Corcione Francesco , Laukkanen Mikko O.
Published: January 2024

ERK1/2 phosphorylation is frequently downregulated in the early phase of colon tumorigenesis with subsequent activation of ERK5. In the current work, we studied the advantages of ERK1/2 downregulation for tumor growth by dissecting the individual functions of ERK1 and ERK2. The patient sample data demonstrated decreased ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the early phase of tumorigenesis followed by increased phosphorylation in late-stage colon adenocarcinomas with intratumoral invasion or metastasis. In vitro results indicated that SOD3-mediated coordination of small GTPase RAS regulatory genes inhibited RAS-ERK1/2 signaling. In vitro and in vivo studies suggested that ERK2 has a more prominent role in chemotactic invasion, collective migration, and cell proliferation than ERK1. Of note, simultaneous ERK1 and ERK2 expression inhibited collective cell migration and proliferation but tended to promote invasion, suggesting that ERK1 controls ERK2 function. According to the present data, phosphorylated ERK1/2 at the early phase of colon adenocarcinoma limits tumor mass expansion, whereas reactivation of the kinases at the later phase of colon carcinogenesis is associated with the initiation of metastasis. Additionally, our results suggest that ERK1 is a regulatory kinase that coordinates ERK2-promoted chemotactic invasion, collective migration, and cell proliferation. Our findings indicate that ROS, especially H2O2, are associated with the regulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation in colon cancer by either increasing or decreasing kinase activity. These data suggest that ERK2 has a growth-promoting role and ERK1 has a regulatory role in colon tumorigenesis, which could lead to new avenues in the development of cancer therapy.
Designing and Manufacturing an Affordable and Easy to Use Visual Bio Feedback Device to Fix Forward Head Posture: A Pilot Study Involving Female Students
Authors: Emadi Andani Mehran , Lotfalian Bahar , Moshayedi Ata Jahangir
Published: January 2024

Forward Head Posture (FHP) is when the head leans forward due to factors such as heavy backpacks or poor computer ergonomics. FHP can lead to neck strain and discomfort as well as potential long-term issues such as arthritis. Treatment options include specialized exercises, orthopedic devices, manual therapy, physical exercises, and visual feedback techniques, along with guidance from specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation. In this study, a visual feedback-based approach was used to address FHP in female students. The study spanned ten days and included a visual feedback group and a control group. The results showed significant improvements in maximum head angle deviation in the visual feedback group compared to the control group; however, there was no significant change in the DFA number, indicating stability in policy control by the central nervous system. The study demonstrated that visual feedback sessions led to immediate benefits, with participants progressively acquiring skills involving the maintenance of proper head positioning. The test results indicated that the neck angle decreased to less than 15 degrees, indicating a return to a normal state. The versatility of the developed affordable and easy-to-use device and the potential for using smartphone motion sensors for similar visual feedback systems are discussed in this paper as well. The study suggests the promising potential of visual feedback in healthcare, including remote monitoring and smartphone-based solutions.
Research Progress on the Microfracture of Shale: Experimental Methods, Microfracture Propagation, Simulations, and Perspectives
Authors: Zhang Jianyong , Cui Zhendong , Chen Xiaopeng , Li Longfei
Published: January 2024

The fracture network generated by hydraulic fracturing in unconventional shale reservoirs contains numerous microfractures that are connected to macroscopic fractures. These microfractures serve as crucial pathways for shale gas to flow out from micro- and nano-scale pores, playing a critical role in enhancing shale gas recovery. Currently, more attention is being given by academia and industry to the evolution of macroscopic fracture networks, while the understanding of the microfracture mechanisms and evolution is relatively limited. A significant number of microfractures are generated during the hydraulic fracturing process of shale. These microfractures subsequently propagate, merge, and interconnect to form macroscopic fractures. Therefore, studying the fracture process of rock masses from a microscale perspective holds important theoretical significance and engineering value. Based on the authors’ research experience and literature review, this paper provides a brief overview of current progress in shale microfracture research from five aspects: in situ observation experiments of microfractures in shale, formation and evolution processes of discontinuous microfractures, the impact of inhomogeneity on microfracture propagation, measurement methods for microscale mechanical parameters and deformation quantities in shale, and numerical simulation of shale microfractures. This paper also summarizes the main challenges and future research prospects in shale microfracture studies, including: (1) quantitative characterization of in situ observation experimental data on shale microfractures; (2) formation and evolution laws of macroscopic, mesoscopic, and microscopic multi-scale discontinuous fractures; (3) more in-depth and microscale characterization of shale heterogeneity and its deformation and fracture mechanisms; (4) acquisition of shale micro-mechanical parameters; (5) refinement and accuracy improvement of the numerical simulation of microfractures in shale. Addressing these research questions will not only contribute to the further development of microfracture theory in rocks but also provide insights for hydraulic fracturing in shale gas extraction.
Unveiling Recent Trends in Biomedical Artificial Intelligence Research: Analysis of Top-Cited Papers
Authors: Glicksberg Benjamin S. , Klang Eyal
Published: January 2024

This review analyzes the most influential artificial intelligence (AI) studies in health and life sciences from the past three years, delineating the evolving role of AI in these fields. We identified and analyzed the top 50 cited articles on AI in biomedicine, revealing significant trends and thematic categorizations, including Drug Development, Real-World Clinical Implementation, and Ethical and Regulatory Aspects, among others. Our findings highlight a predominant focus on AIs application in clinical settings, particularly in diagnostics, telemedicine, and medical education, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of AlphaFold marked a pivotal moment in protein structure prediction, catalyzing a cascade of related research and signifying a broader shift towards AI-driven approaches in biological research. The review underscores AIs pivotal role in disease subtyping and patient stratification, facilitating a transition towards more personalized medicine strategies. Furthermore, it illustrates AIs impact on biology, particularly in parsing complex genomic and proteomic data, enhancing our capabilities to disentangle complex, interconnected molecular processes. As AI continues to permeate the health and life sciences, balancing its rapid technological advancements with ethical stewardship and regulatory vigilance will be crucial for its sustainable and effective integration into healthcare and research.
Computational Investigation of the Factors That Affect Tangential Electric Fields along Cardiac Lead Paths inside MRI Birdcage Coils
Authors: Tsanidis George , Samaras Theodoros
Published: January 2024

The medical imaging of a patient with a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) inside a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner carries the risk of tissue heating at the tip of the implant lead. In this work, we numerically assessed the impact of various factors, namely the resonant frequency, the imaging position, the implant position inside the human body and the coil configuration, on the induced tangential electric field along 10,080 cardiac lead paths at 1140 different scanning scenarios. During this comparative process, a function was considered based on the induced electrical potential at the tip of the lead. The input power of each coil was adjusted to generate constant B1+RMS at the iso-center or to limit the global SAR to the values provided in the safety guidelines IEC 60601-33. The values of the function were higher for higher static field and longer coil lengths when assessing the cases of a constrained B1+RMS, and the trend was reversed considering the limiting SAR values. Moreover, the electric field was higher as the imaging landmark approached the thorax and the neck. It was also shown that both the choice regarding the insertion vein of the lead and the positioning of the implantable pulse generator (IPG) affected the induced tangential electric field along the paths. In particular, when the CIED lead was inserted into the left axillary vein instead of entering into the right subclavian vein, the electrical potential at the tip could be on average lower by 1.6 dB and 2.1 dB at 1.5 T and 3 T, respectively.